Saudi Arabia

Policy & Legal Updates

Five Gulf Nations Pursue Schengen Visa Waiver Ahead of Riyadh EU-GCC Summit

Five Gulf Cooperation Council states are seeking a Schengen visa exemption for their citizens ahead of an upcoming bilateral summit in Riyadh. The Economic Times reports that the discussions apply exclusively to national passport holders rather than foreign residents living in the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates currently remains the only GCC member country with established visa-free Schengen access.

Industry News

SARCO Non-Binding Hydrogen MoU With UAE Firm Go Energy Expires

Saudi Arabian Refineries Company announced that its one-year non-binding memorandum of understanding with UAE-based Go Energy has expired without reaching a definitive agreement. The company stated that the expiration involves no financial obligations or impact on its financial results. SARCO continues to hold a separate hydrogen cooperation agreement signed in May with China's Ally Hydrogen Energy.

Industry News

UAE Urges Joint Gulf Security Action as Attacks Shut Riyadh Airport

The UAE has called for the revival of joint Gulf defence and security cooperation following repeated missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Operations at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport remained suspended as parts of Saudi airspace were shut down. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stated that economic and energy development initiatives will proceed uninterrupted.

Industry News

POWERCHINA, Elsewedy Electric and Sinohydro Sign EPC Deal for Saudi Rabigh 2 Project

A consortium comprising POWERCHINA, Elsewedy Electric, and Sinohydro has signed an EPC contract for Saudi Arabia's Rabigh 2 CCGT expansion project. The project will add approximately 2,400 MW of power generation capacity on Saudi Arabia's western coast. The milestone follows the recent financial close achieved by project developer ACWA Power.