{"id":96177,"date":"2025-04-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/04\/20\/grand-prix-revs-up-today\/"},"modified":"2025-04-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T00:00:00","slug":"grand-prix-revs-up-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2025\/04\/20\/grand-prix-revs-up-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Prix revs up today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, ladies and gents. <\/strong>It\u2019s another calm day in the Kingdom as we welcome the new workweek.<\/p>\n

The big story today: <\/strong>It seems that Diriyah\u2019s ambitions to butt heads with Paris are taking shape, as a new JV for constructing Saudi\u2019s royal opera house in the boulevard modeled after Paris\u2019 Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es. Details of the project are in the news well, below.<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST- Would you like to have lunch with us on Monday, 5 May? <\/strong>If so, hit reply to this email to let us know you\u2019re like to be considered and tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do as a professional. <\/p>\n

Wait, lunch? <\/strong>Yes, lunch. We\u2019re inviting a small group of readers to join us to talk over where the economy and business climate stand now and where they\u2019re heading through 2030. Expect good food, good company, and frank talk about what we are convinced is the most exciting business opportunity in the world. <\/p>\n

Seating is strictly limited and the gathering is invitation-only. <\/strong>The gathering will take place under Chatham House rules. We\u2019ll be in touch over the course of the next week with the folks we\u2019re inviting to drop them the details. <\/p>\n

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-<\/p>\n

The IMF and W<\/strong>orld Bank\u2019s spring meetup will get the ball rolling tomorrow <\/strong>amid the global economy grappling with mounting trade tensions and tariff escalations. The six-day 2025 Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group<\/a> will bring together policymakers, central bankers, economists, private sector leaders, and others to discuss what the year ahead holds.<\/p>\n

The mood of the meetup is already starting to become clear<\/strong>, with World Bank President Ajay Banga telling reporters last week that \u201cuncertainty and volatility are undoubtedly contributing to a more cautious economic and business environment,\" according to AFP<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Tensions between the Trump administration and the World Bank are expected to come <\/strong>into focus over the week<\/strong>, with the White House yet to commit to the USD 4 bn pledged to the international financial institution by his predecessor in the last months of his presidency. Brushing off suggestions of bad blood, Banga described ongoing negotiations with its largest financial backer as \u201cconstructive\u201d and told reports that \u201cthey\u2019re asking the right questions, and we're trying to give them the right answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re yet to hear who will be representing Saudi at the meetup<\/strong>. Last year saw Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan, Sama Governor Ayman Al Sayari, and Saudi Fund for Development CEO Sultan Al Marshad, among others, attend the meetings.<\/p>\n

You can check out the full schedule on the <\/strong>event\u2019s official website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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HAPPENING TODAY-<\/p>\n

MENA\u2019s fi<\/strong>rst <\/strong>Instagram Cr<\/a><\/strong>eators Summit<\/a><\/strong> goes live in AlUla today<\/strong>, bringing together leading global content creators \u2014 who have amassed over 231 mn followers \u2014 for interactive sessions, keynote speeches, and discussions on the future of content creation. The two-day event \u2014 organized by Meta in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla \u2014 will feature discussions about topics like social media, AI, Instagram tools, and the creator economy and provide the chance for networking with Meta product managers.<\/p>\n

ALSO-<\/strong> The main event of the Saudi Arabian<\/strong> Grand Prix revs up at <\/strong>8:00 PM<\/strong> today at the 6.2 <\/strong>km Jeddah Corniche Circuit. <\/strong>Schools will be off<\/a> today and tomorrow in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif as the race takes over the streets. You can grab your tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Off track<\/strong>, expect performances<\/a> by Usher, Major Lazer Soundsystem, and Marwan Pablo. <\/p>\n

AND- The <\/strong>Saudi Film Festival<\/a><\/strong> in Dhahran runs until 23 April. <\/strong>The festival will showcase 68 films, including feature films, shorts, and documentaries from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and beyond. We have the details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u26a0\ufe0f WEATHER- <\/strong>Expect moderate to heavy thunderstorms across Makkah, Madinah, and Riyadh. <\/p>\n