{"id":93574,"date":"2025-01-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/01\/21\/womens-football-is-on-the-rise-in-the-kingdom\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T00:00:00","slug":"womens-football-is-on-the-rise-in-the-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/01\/21\/womens-football-is-on-the-rise-in-the-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s football is on the rise in the Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, ladies and gents.<\/strong> It\u2019s another busy day both at home, regionally, and internationally as the World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday in Switzerland\u2019s Davos on the same day as Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US president, while Gastat released figures on Saudi\u2019s overall 2024 inflation figures. <\/p>\n

FROM DAVOS-<\/p>\n

Proving the power of diversification:<\/strong> Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with a two-step approach to unlock its economic potential and work towards Vision 2030, with a focus on fostering human-centric growth as we move away from oil dependence, Economy Minister Faisal Al Ibrahim said in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos (watch, runtime: 5:18)<\/a>. Key focus areas include strategic investments, expanding Saudi Arabia\u2019s role in generative AI, and promoting AI use in sectors like energy and healthcare. <\/p>\n

The non-oil sector is expected to grow from 3.9% of GDP in 2024 to 4.8% in 2025<\/strong>, and 6.2% by 2026, the minister said in a separate interview with Al Arabiya (watch, runtime: 25:12)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Can we expect more sovereign debt issuances?<\/strong> \u201cA natural reprioritization towards better economic outcomes without jeopardizing our Vision 2030 robustness as a plan is important, and of course with this comes a clear and communicated financing and funding plan that includes engaging properly and in a healthy manner with global debt markets,\u201d Al Ibrahim told Bloomberg. The Kingdom continues to adopt a \u201cmanagement with prudence\u201d approach to its balance sheets, Al Ibrahim said. <\/p>\n

ALSO- Saudi Arabia is still \u201cin the middle\u201d of assessing potentially joining Brics<\/strong>, Al Ibrahim also told Bloomberg<\/a>. \u201cWe assess many different aspects of it [Brics membership] before a decision is made and right now, we are in the middle of that,\u201d the minister said.<\/p>\n

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will showcase USD 100 bn in potential<\/strong> investments in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector at Davos<\/strong>, including USD 50 bn for airports, USD 40 bn for new aircraft, and USD 10 bn for logistics projects, according to Zawya<\/a>. Panel discussions will feature Assistant Investment Minister Abdullah Aldubaikhi and representatives from Archer Aviation, Jeddah Airport, and GACA, covering key projects like King Salman International Airport and regional airport partnerships.<\/p>\n

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK-<\/p>\n

<\/a> #1- Qualified investors have until next Monday, 27 January to subscribe to <\/strong>Lamasat<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s<\/strong> Nomu IPO<\/strong>, booking up to 4 mn shares each with the minimum limit set at 100 shares, according to a filing<\/a> to Tadawul. The Madinah-born beauty retailer is guiding on a price range of SAR 5.25-5.75 per share. Final allocations are set for Thursday, 30 January.<\/p>\n

Lamasat is taking a 7.4% stake (6 mn shares) to market<\/strong>, it said in its prospectus (pdf)<\/a>. The offering could see it raise up to SAR 34.5 mn in IPO proceeds at the top of the range, and give it a post-IPO market cap of SAR 465.75 mn. The company lined up Capital Market Authority approval<\/a> for the move back in October 2024. <\/p>\n

ADVISORS-<\/strong> Lamasat tapped Yaqeen Capital<\/strong> as its financial advisor for the move, white RSM <\/strong>serves as legal accountant. Receiving agents include Alistithmar Capital, Alinma Investment, and SNB Capital, among others.<\/p>\n

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#2- <\/strong>The City H<\/strong>ub entertainment project will kick off in Jazan on Thursday, 23 January<\/strong>, where it will stay for 14 days before moving to six other cities during 2025, according to state news agency SPA<\/a>. Following Jazan, the project will visit Al Khobar, Buraidah, Hail, Al Baha, Taif, and conclude in Tabuk in August. The project will feature several entertainment zones, along with shopping facilities, and local and international restaurants.<\/p>\n

#3- <\/strong>The Riyadh Season<\/strong> will sponsor the Drone Racing World Cup 2025<\/strong>, which will take place this Thursday-Saturday in Boulevard City, Riyadh, according to state news agency SPA<\/a>. The event will feature top pilots from over 50 countries racing at speeds of up to 350 km per hour, with a prize pool exceeding SAR 1 mn. This marks the competition\u2019s first World Cup in the Middle East, with future rounds in countries like South Korea, Italy, and Spain. <\/p>\n

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PSAs- <\/p>\n

#1- <\/strong>The Saudi <\/strong>General Authority for Statistics launched a specialized statistical <\/strong>innovation <\/strong>lab<\/strong> aimed at fostering collaboration with researchers and data experts, according to a statement<\/a> from the authority. Participants can submit proposals for statistical projects via the Statistical Innovation Platform<\/a>, after which the authority\u2019s team will review and develop submissions within six weeks, with successful projects to be incorporated into the authority\u2019s statistical offerings.<\/p>\n

#2- <\/strong>Two Madinah<\/strong> real estate projects are now open for investment:<\/strong> The Madinah Municipality opened the expression of interest and pre-qualification request phase for two real estate projects, under a 30-year public-private partnership, state news agency SPA<\/a> reports. Investors have until 2 March to apply via the National Center for Privatization website<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Meet the projects: <\/strong>The Railway District project aims to develop a mixed-use facility over a 84.7k-sqm plot, with medical and shopping centers, among other facilities. Meanwhile, the Dhu Al Hulaifah project aims to build a hotel, commercial spaces, and health clinics over a 30.1k-sqm area near the Prophet's Mosque.<\/p>\n

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#3- <\/strong>Registration<\/strong> for the <\/strong>SpaceUp<\/a><\/strong> competition opened yesterday and runs until 12 April<\/strong>, the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) said in a statement<\/a>. The competition targets local and global SMEs in six challenge tracks, inviting them to address critical problems in specific sectors and offering around USD 28 mn in contracts with end-users. Applicants can register on the CST website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WATCH THIS SPACE-<\/p>\n

<\/a> #1- <\/strong>PIF-owned l<\/strong>uxury hospitality firm <\/strong>Boutique Group<\/a><\/strong> pushed back the Red Palace<\/strong> opening <\/strong>to 2026<\/strong>, after it was set to open this year<\/a>, state news agency SPA reports<\/a>. King Saud bin Abdulaziz\u2019s 80-year-old palace is set to be repurposed as a luxury hotel, featuring 70 rooms.<\/p>\n

#2- Bahraini PE firm <\/strong>Investcorp<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 which has offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi \u2014 may be<\/strong> looking to IPO<\/strong> or strike a strategic partnership in the coming years to strengthen its liquidity, CEO Mohammed Alardhi told Bloomberg (watch: runtime: 5:06)<\/a> on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos. Alardhi did not provide further details or insights on whether the firm would list solely on Bahrain Bourse or look to other GCC markets for its debut. Alardhi emphasized the firm\u2019s optimism about 2025, citing easing macroeconomic conditions, an uptick in private equity activity coupled with strong investor appetite.<\/p>\n

#3- Some <\/strong>76 companies in<\/strong> the food and building materials sectors completed the<\/strong> Commerce Ministry\u2019s electronic integration <\/strong>in 4Q 2024<\/strong>, according to the ministry\u2019s quarterly report (pdf)<\/a>. The electronic integration process ensures the availability of essential goods and helps monitor their prices. No further information was disclosed.<\/p>\n

#4- Portuguese firms <\/strong>Microsaur<\/strong> and <\/strong>Etermar<\/a><\/strong> are considering launching regional <\/strong>headquarters in <\/strong>Saudi Arabia<\/strong>, according to state news agency SPA<\/a>. Microsaur is a technology and security solutions provider, and Etermar<\/a><\/strong> is a port operations specialist. The announcements were made during the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council meeting in Portugal.<\/p>\n

ICYMI- <\/strong>The Saudi-Portuguese Business Council signed<\/a> agreements with the Portuguese Business Federation and the Arab-Portuguese Chamber in Lisbon to enhance economic, trade, and investment ties, focusing on public-private partnerships, infrastructure, and renewable energy.<\/p>\n

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DATA POINTS-<\/p>\n

<\/a> Some <\/strong>75% of<\/strong> professionals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scanning the market for new<\/strong> jobs this year<\/strong>, while 51% think the job search became more difficult in 2024, according to the findings of a LinkedIn survey, a press release<\/a> showed.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, t<\/strong>he top three fastest-growing jobs in the Kingdom this year<\/strong> are expected to be BIM coordinator, media buyer, and HR onboarding specialist, according to LinkedIn\u2019s Jobs on the Rise report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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SPORTS-<\/p>\n

Saudi women\u2019s f<\/strong>ootball is on the up: <\/strong>The number of professional female football players registered with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation almost tripled between 2021 and 2023 to over 1.1k players, of which more than 940 are Saudi nationals, according to a report (pdf)<\/a> from Neom. Meanwhile, the number of female football clubs increased 112% during the same period to 34.<\/p>\n

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THE BIG STORY ABROAD- <\/p>\n

Nothing but The Donald on the front pages this morning<\/strong>, as he took the oath as the 47th US president last night. Donald Trump promised to bring back America\u2019s \u201cgolden age\u201d before a big crowd, with the world's richest people taking front seats, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Bernard Arnault, Sergey Brin, and Miriam Adelson.<\/p>\n

Trump stuck to his words to be a dictator on his first day in office<\/strong>, revoking some 80 of Biden\u2019s policies, issuing executive orders left and right (mostly to the far-right), and sending warnings to neighbors and trade rivals.<\/p>\n