Day: September 17, 2024

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden), the region's largest multi-commodity metals and mining company, announced today that it has agreed to acquire SABIC's 20.62% share in Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA), contingent on the satisfaction of certain agreed-upon conditions. This move is part of Ma'aden's broader strategy to pursue regional growth opportunities across its business. According to the release, the acquisition is a key element of Ma'aden's expansion plans, which aim to increase the company's aluminium business tenfold by 2040. This ambitious growth strategy highlights the pivotal role of aluminium in Ma'aden's future development. The announcement follows recent news that Ma'aden and Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) have signed non-binding Heads of Terms to explore the potential creation of a major global aluminium entity in the region. Additionally, Ma'aden has revealed its plans to consolidate its aluminium operations through a Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement with its long-term partner, Alcoa. Under t his agreement, Alcoa's shares in Ma'aden Aluminium Company (MAC) and Ma'aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC) will be exchanged for shares in Ma'aden. Ma'aden CEO Bob Wilt stated, "As we continue to grow, acquiring shares in a well-established regional and global aluminium player strongly supports our ambitions. This week, we have announced several transactions that align with our strategic intent to strengthen and expand our business regionally and internationally, further developing mining as the third pillar of the Saudi economy." Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Dmytro Senik, at Sakhir Palace. Bahrain-Ukraine relations were discussed, and the importance of enhancing economic cooperation was emphasised. A range of issues of common interest and the latest regional and international developments were also reviewed. For his part, HE Senik expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting HRH's commitment to furthering bilateral cooperation. HE Senik concluded by extending his best wishes for the Kingdom's continued progress and prosperity. The President of the Court of the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa, attended the meeting. Source: Bahrain News Agency

The number of Palestinian murdered by Israel between October 7, 2023 and September 19, 2024, reached 41,931, while the number of those wounded stands at 101,113. In the Gaza strip alone, the Israeli occupation murdered 41,226 Palestinians during the same period, with 95,413 wounded. The total number of crimes and violations by the Israeli occupation recorded by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Media Observatory for Israeli Crimes against the Palestinians from October 7, 2023, to September 15, 2024, amounts to 184,293 crimes. The OIC observatory documented the total number of crimes against facilities from October 7, 2023, to September 15, 2024, including the demolition of 255 commercial facilities and 572 homes in the occupied West Bank and Al-Quds (Jerusalem), while the number of attacks and confiscation of Palestinian property in the West Bank and Al-Quds amounted to 1,231 instances, including the confiscation of heavy vehicles and sums of money from individuals. In the week of September 10-1 6, the OIC observatory documented 21 Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the murder of 238 Palestinians, while the total number of Palestinian injured reached 621. Notable incidents during the monitored week include the Al-Mawasi massacre, in which 40 Palestinians were murdered and 60 wounded in the bombing of a camp for displaced persons near the British Hospital in Khan Younis. Another significant event was the massacre at Al-Jaouni School, affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the fifth of its kind. Eighteen people were murdered by an Israeli attack on the school that shelters displaced persons. UNRWA stated that six of its employees were among those killed in the bombing. While students in the Gaza Strip continue their second year without education, students in the occupied West Bank face harassment by the Israeli authorities and settlers. The occupation forces closed the junction of the Al-Jiftlik village school in the Jericho governora te, and an armed settler in the Al-Ma'arjat area west of Jericho blocked the road leading to the Bedouin Al-Ka'abneh School. Settlers in the Imreiha area, located south of the town of Ya'bad in Jenin, assaulted students, while the Israeli forces in the town of Al-Khader in Bethlehem stormed the That Al-Nitaqayn Girls' School and defaced its walls with racist slogans. The occupation forces also raided the mosque in the village of Burin and detained female students from a Quran memorization course. In the West Bank, the OIC observatory recorded the murders of 12 Palestinians during the past week, in addition to the arrest of 195 others. The occupation forces continued their siege of hospitals and obstruction of ambulances in Tulkarm and Tubas. They also blew up Al-Salam Mosque in Tulkarm camp, raided Al-Sahaba Mosque in Nour Shams camp, and continued to bulldoze the infrastructure in Tulkarm camp, in addition to agricultural land adjacent to the town of Zeita in Tulkarm and in the village of Umm Al-Safa. Olive trees were uprooted in the village of Deir Nizam in Ramallah. During the past seven days, the occupation forces demolished 13 houses in the West Bank, burned six houses in Tulkarm, and seized another house and converted it into a military barracks in the town of Ni'lin in Ramallah. Israeli forces demolished a car wash and a car showroom in the Shuafat neighborhood and the village of Issawiya in occupied Al-Quds and demolished four other commercial facilities in the West Bank. Settlers seized the Petra Hotel in Al-Quds and threw its furniture outside. Israeli occupation forces demolished commercial warehouses in the town of Tarqumiya in Hebron and confiscated a bulldozer in Bethlehem. Settlers stole a private car in the town of Diwan in Ramallah. The number of settler attacks over the past week reached 39 instances. Settlers uprooted, cut down, and burned 101 olive trees in the town of Kafr ad-Dik in Salfit and in the village of Burin in Nablus. They also cut off branches of olive trees, demolished two agric ultural rooms, damaged water tanks and stone chains in the town of Jaba and the village of Beit Imrin in Jenin, and burned olive trees in the village of Yatma in Nablus. Settlers killed 81 sheep with poison in the area of Al-Ma'rajat in Jericho, poisoned cows in the area of Ein al-Hilweh in Tubas, and stole camels and sheep in the villages of Yatta and Khirbet Zanouta in Hebron and the village of Shaqba in Ramallah. In order to establish a security belt to protect the settlements of 'Yisthar' and 'Karmiel'," Israeli forces confiscated areas of land in the Hebron Governorate, consisting of 17,897 dunums of land from the villages of Madama, Asira al-Qibliya, and Burin, and 767 square meters in the town of Yatta. Settlement activities in the West Bank this week occurred four times, concentrated in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Nablus, and Tubas. The number of crimes and violations committed by Israeli occupation forces over the period of September 10 to 16 totaled 1,844 across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Source: Saudi Press Agency

London, The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom and Bapco participated in the fifth reunion of the "Awali Teenagers" group in Manchester, United Kingdom. The event brought together over 130 attendees, including representatives from Bapco, diplomats from Bahrain's embassy, and Bahraini postgraduate students studying in the UK. This reunion, established in 2008, serves as an opportunity for former Awali residents, who were closely connected to Bapco's history, to reunite and relive their shared experiences. The gathering reflects the participants' strong sense of belonging and love for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people. Hussain Mohammed Alam, Bahrain's Deputy Chief of Mission to the United Kingdom, emphasised the close realtions between former Awali residents and their Bahraini counterparts. He commended the event, which exemplifies the strong bonds of friendship, coexistence, and mutual respect that unite the people of both kingdoms. Sir Tom Beckett, Senior Advisor at the Internatio nal Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and a former Bahrain resident, said, "Awali is unique, and its former residents carry treasured memories of their time living, growing, and working there, all thanks to the warm hospitality of Bahrain and its people". Mark Burton, another attendee, remarked, "The reunion is very important to all of us, as even after 60 years, we are still a family, and many of us remain in contact with each other. Our childhood in Awali, Bahrain, was unlike any other; we were blessed with everything we had, and we will never forget that". Charles Peter added, "It was an incredible experience to reunite in Manchester with the Awali Teenagers. I am honoured to be part of this group, cherishing the connections we formed in Bahrain. Special thanks go to the Deputy Ambassador and Bapco representatives for making the event even more memorable." Awali, founded in the early 20th century to support Bapco employees, continues to symbolise the enduring relationship between its residents, the company, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Saudi Arabia participated in the Global Fishery Forum and Seafood Expo 2024, held in the Russian Federation from September 17-19, 2024, with the attendance of several government and private sector entities. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Fisheries and Livestock Wealth Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi stated that Saudi Arabia's participation was represented by the National Program for the Development of the Fisheries Sector, the Saudi Exports Development Authority, the Agricultural Development Fund, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He pointed out that Saudi Arabia's participation aims to support private sector companies in marketing fishery products in priority global markets and opening new markets such as the Russian market. This is an opportunity to deliver farmed fish products from Saudi Arabia to more than five countries affiliated with the Russian Federation. Dr. Al-Shaikhi indicated that the National Program for the Development of the Livest ock and Fisheries Sector focused on promoting investment opportunities and highlighting the Kingdom's efforts to support and develop the aquaculture industry and the seafood products industry. During the forum, meetings were held with major investors and relevant government agencies from the Russian side to enhance investment opportunities and trade exchange between the two countries. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received cables of congratulations following McLaren winning first place in the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2024, and their leading position in the Constructors' Championship. The cables were received from senior members of the royal family, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council Chairman, ministers, senior officials, dignitaries, members of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council, members of municipal councils, governors, Bahrain's ambassadors abroad, accredited heads of diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, presidents of associations, federations, sports clubs, and citizens. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Led by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively participating in the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Kingdom's delegation includes representatives from key entities, such as the Ministry of Energy, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority. In his address during the opening session, Minister Prince Abdulaziz outlined Saudi Arabia's vision for developing peaceful nuclear energy, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in this field. He praised the IAEA's efforts in supporting member states' nuclear capabilities and reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a global leader in energy production across various sectors. KACARE's participation in the conference reflects the Kingdom's dedication to advancing the nuclear energy sector. CEO of KACARE Prince Dr. Mamdouh bin Saud bin Thunayan emphasized that this invol vement aims to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear technology and foster the exchange of expertise with member states, aligning with Vision 2030. KACARE also seeks to make significant strides in developing national capacities in peaceful nuclear energy while adhering to the highest international standards for nuclear safety and facility security. On the sidelines of the conference, KACARE held several technical meetings led by its CEO to discuss collaboration on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. These discussions involved international partners, including the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the American industrial delegation, and aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and fostering partnerships that drive innovation in the atomic energy sector. The 68th IAEA General Conference brings together representatives from various member states to discuss recent advancements in atomic energy and the role of nuclear technologies in areas such as energy, health, and environmental protection. Th e conference also focuses on enhancing nuclear safety and fostering international cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Source: Saudi Press Agency

Manama, The Ministry of Industry and Commerce continues its efforts to ensure the implementation of Resolution (14) of 2022 regarding the prohibition of manufacturing, importing or using single-use plastic bags with a thickness of less than 35 microns. This aligns with the ministry's efforts to support environment-friendly initiatives and comply with the government's programme in securing an environment that promotes sustainable development to achieve Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 in protecting natural spaces and wildlife and reducing environmental pollution and the spread of plastic waste. The ministry continues its comprehensive inspection campaigns on shops and points of sale that use plastic bags in the Kingdom, to ensure the commitment of local markets to the legal ban, and to ensure full compliance with standards to guarantee safety and quality, and ensuring that this does not have a negative effect on consumer or manufacturers. The inspection campaigns showcased the high level of commitment to the decision, as 551 samples were withdrawn for testing from 502 shops, and results showed that 83% of the withdrawn samples conform to the requirements, while 17% of the samples were found to be in violation of the requirements, and necessary legal measures were taken regarding violators. Some types of single-use plastic bags with a thickness of less than 35 microns that are used for medical purposes, international export, and garbage collection are excluded from the ban. This campaign aims to ensure that plastic bags traded in local markets conform to the ministerial decision while monitoring and correcting violations. The ministry issued Resolution (14) of 2022 regarding the prohibition of manufacturing, importing, or trading single-use plastic bags with a thickness of fewer than 35 microns, which was implemented on September 18, 2022. Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Mechanical, Engineering, and Plumbing (MEP) International Conference concluded its sessions in Jeddah today, highlighting key advancements in safety and sustainability within the construction sector. The two-day event featured discussions aimed at promoting the adoption of global safety and sustainability standards in building design and operation. Participants explored measures to protect lives and property by improving safety levels in line with international best practices. Sustainability initiatives, such as reducing the consumption of natural resources like energy and water, were reviewed. These efforts contribute to addressing environmental challenges, including climate change, and introduce innovative solutions for enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable development goals, all in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The International Code Council (ICC), which took part in the conference, showcased its role in supporting the major transformations ta king place in Saudi Arabia's mega projects under Vision 2030. The ICC presented global building standards focused on safety and sustainability, highlighting its contribution to ensuring quality and safety throughout the lifecycle of these projects, from design to execution. Source: Saudi Press Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has jumped 25 places in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024, becoming one of the leading countries worldwide. It was ranked fourth globally, first regionally, and second among Group of Twenty (G20) countries in the digital services index. Additionally, it secured the seventh position in the e-participation index, while the city of Riyadh ranked third among 193 cities worldwide. Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the board of directors of Digital Government Authority Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the unlimited support received by the technical and digital sector and the efforts in supporting the government digital transformation. The minister stated that this leap and the historic ranking of Saudi Arabia are the result of the sup port and empowerment of HRH the Crown Prince, noting that the support culminated in Saudi Arabia's digital excellence and leadership, reflecting the plans and programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and enhancing the role of Saudi Arabia as an effective and influential leader in the digital economy at both the regional and global levels. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's determination to move forward in its journey of leadership and innovation towards a national economy based on innovation. Digital Government Authority Governor Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwaiyan pointed out that Saudi Arabia's continued advancement in the EGDI reflects the support of wise leadership in providing the best digital government services to all beneficiary segments. He praised the diligence and oversight that the digital government has received through the executive programs of Saudi Vision 2030, which have significantly impacted its ranking in the index. The progress was achieved through reforms and investments that have enhanced the efficiency o f collaborative work, with the cooperation and integration of efforts from government agencies, by adopting emerging technologies and launching various digital initiatives and products. The efforts of the Digital Government Authority, in partnership and integration with all government agencies, contributed to Saudi Arabia reaching this advanced position by adopting the latest digital solutions to enhance the maturity of digital government services, launching a set of regulations and guidelines, providing consulting programs, and encouraging promising leaders and talents in the field of digital transformation. The report praised Saudi Arabia's significant development in the field of digital government, achieving the sixth position globally. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has seen quality investments since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, jumping 53 places in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII). It also made notable progress in the Human Capital Index (HCI), advancing 31 places. The report highli ghted the Online Service Index (OSI) and the qualitaty leap of Saudi Arabia by 67 places, positioning it in the fourth position globally in 2024. Additionally, the maturity of digital government regulations reached 100%, and the accessibility and sharing of open government data for citizens and business sectors also reached 100%. Saudi Arabia advanced by 60 places in e-participation and consultations directed at individuals and business sectors. The EGDI, published every two years, has been one of the most important international indicators for over 20 years. It reflects the impact of structural reforms on increasing productivity, enhancing efficiency, and improving the experience through the development of digital governments in UN member states. The sub-indexes in the report serve as a fundamental reference for measuring government performance among all countries worldwide. Source: Saudi Press Agency