Shura Council Member Calls for Inclusion of a Weekly Real Estate Index in the Housing Strategy

Shura Council member Ahmed Al-Ghamdi proposed that the housing strategy include a weekly real estate index showing land price levels in major cities, noting that this index would help curb artificial price spikes driven by rumors about future land prices, Member Nasser Al-Mousa praised the strategy’s provisions that take into account the circumstances of people with special needs, noting that the Real Estate Development Fund has recently proven its effectiveness in meeting housing demand.

This came during yesterday’s Shura Council discussion of the housing strategy, during which Mohammed Al-Mutairi, chairman of the relevant committee, presented the housing strategy report. Council member Awad Al-Asmari called for the establishment of an appropriate mechanism to assist citizens—based on clear economic principles—in coping with rising prices and the inability to own land or housing units. Al-Mutairi called for supporting a shift toward socially acceptable affordable housing that takes into account the natural and cultural considerations of each region.

Member Sultan al-Sultan noted the difficulty of accepting the strategy in its current form and called for sustainable—rather than temporary—solutions to the crises, He added that the focus should be on building expertise in the housing sector by developing long-term solutions and opening the door for the private sector to finance housing, Al-Sultan praised the Real Estate Development Fund’s initiative, calling it a successful model that should be supported, and called for additional financing options that would help bolster the fund’s financing efforts.

The Council of Ministers Approves the Development of Mechanisms and Regulatory Arrangements to Study the Imposition of Fees on Vacant Land

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—may God protect him—chaired the Cabinet meeting held yesterday afternoon, Monday, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where a number of issues on the agenda were discussed.>

After reviewing the recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs to impose fees on undeveloped land within the urban boundaries of cities, governorates, and districts, the Council of Ministers approved the Council of Economic and Development Affairs’ preparation of the regulatory mechanisms and arrangements for this purpose, and agreed that the Council of Economic and Development Affairs should submit its findings to the Council of Ministers in preparation for referral to the Shura Council to complete the necessary regulatory procedures in this regard as a matter of urgency.

Minister of Housing emphasizes the need to transform the Real Estate Fund into an independent financial institution to achieve its goals

Real Estate Development Fund

His Excellency the Acting Minister of Housing and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Development Fund, Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, emphasized the need to develop ideas and solutions for those on waiting lists through increased cooperation with real estate developers and financial institutions, thereby fostering effective partnerships with the private sector thathelp support the Fund’s efforts and reduce loan waiting times. During his visit to the Fund, His Excellency urged its management to develop work methods that serve citizens and facilitate their transactions.

His Excellency the Minister emphasized the need to transform the Real Estate Development Fund into an independent financial institution so that the fund can achieve its future goals and enjoy greater success in its field.

In the same vein, Ibn Saeed quickly organized two workshops this week to examine the Housing Fund’s programs and previously proposed and future solutions, including the introduction of six new solutions and nine programs to reduce the Housing Fund’s waiting lists.

The Fund’s Director General, Engineer Youssef Al-Zaghibi, expressed his appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Housing for this visit and for the aspirations and hopes it conveyed for the Fund’s future, noting that His Excellency’s remarks would serve as motivation for everyone to work hard, strive, and contribute so that the Fund may continue its journey of construction and development in our country.

Sponsored by and in partnership with Imlak Real Estate Newspaper, “5 Big Saudi Arabia” concluded its events with unparalleled success, featuring the participation of 545 local and international companies

“The Big 5 Saudi Arabia,” the international construction and building exhibition, celebrated its fifth anniversary this year when Engineer Abdullah Al-Qarni, Acting Mayor of Jeddah, officially opened the exhibition in the city of Jeddah. The event took place on the evening of Monday, March 9, and continued through March 12, 2015. Held at the Jeddah Convention and Events Center, the event featured numerous accompanying activities and events that were well-received by participants and visitors alike for the diverse skills and knowledge they provided.

A Sturdy Bridge to Enter The Saudi Construction Market 

The Big Five Exhibition has continued the success it began upon its launch in 2011, opening up the Saudi construction and building market with great enthusiasm, given the significant expansion the sector is experiencing through the massive development projects the Kingdom has witnessed in recent years and thescheduled for future implementation—especially since the projected total value of development projects by 2020 is expected to exceed $3 trillion. This is in addition to the significant attention the government is giving to this sector, which has resulted in an influx of exhibitors and manufacturers from both within and outside the Kingdom to participate in the important event «Saudi Big 5,» which is considered an attractive and fruitful gateway for major international companies across various specializations and fields to network with their local counterparts, conclude business deals, and sign various contracts and agreements, in addition to exchanging expertise and knowledge.

545 Companies at the Exhibition Halls Are Building Success

As a result of the exhibition’s success in previous editions and its continuous growth from one edition to the next, this year’s event hosted 545 exhibiting companies, making «The Big 5 Saudi Arabia» an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their products and investment programs throughout the four days of the exhibition. Participating companies expressed that they benefited greatly and achieved high levels of success, particularly as the exhibition continues to evolve steadily and sees a notable increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors, as well as comprehensive media coverage.

Facts and Figures 

The exhibition has achieved steady and rapid growth in meeting its goals, becoming the region’s premier international event for construction projects. It is eagerly anticipated by those interested, and over the past four years—since its launch in the Kingdom—the exhibition has seen growth of approximately 90%. This has made it a magnet for companies and interested parties, thanks to the challenges and innovations that accompany each edition.

Exhibition Figures and Statistics 

«The Big 5 Saudi Arabia» exhibition kicked off in 2011 A.D..

The exhibition saw an increase in the number of visitors and exhibiting companies, with 300 A Start-up Company in a Year 2011 In exchange for more than 545 A company making its debut this year 2015

 And from 9,000 Visitor per year 2011 To more than 15,000 In the year 2014.

 The total area allocated for the exhibition expanded from 7,000 square meters per year 2011 A.D. to 20,000 square meters per year 2015 AD.

More than 25 An accredited seminar and workshop.

Various training courses and discussion sessions

In line with its commitment to professional responsibility, the exhibition organized a series of free, accredited training courses in the field of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The aim was to refine and enhance skills and foster career development. The event also featured 8 seminars, 4 panel discussions, and 5 presentations on various projects, attended by a significant number of participants and members of the public. The educational seminars provided visitors and those interested in this field with the opportunity to build and advance their professional careers.

First Workshop for Women on the “LEED” System”

On its third day, Wednesday, March 11, the »5 Big“ Saudi Arabia exhibition organized the first workshop for women on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system as part of this year’s event at the Holiday Inn Jeddah Gate. The workshop helped participants understand the structure of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and learn about the program’s minimum requirements through a discussion of the comprehensive certification process.

The workshop focused on concepts related to each credit category of the Leadership System in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and on developing the ability to identify successful system strategies and metrics for achieving banking credit category objectives. The workshop was led by trainer Mario Senferatni, Director of Green Technologies at FZCO.

A Successful Participation and Gold Sponsorship from «Al-Rajhi Steel» 

   Al-Rajhi Steel Company participated with a distinctive booth and as a Gold Sponsor at the 2015 “Big Five” Exhibition in Jeddah, an event the company has consistently attended for many years; it was an ideal opportunity to showcase its outstanding products. The company distributed brochures detailing its activities, production facilities, products, and the applications of those products. His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Al-Qarni, Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Jeddah for Projects, visited the booth and was received by Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al-Amoudi, Vice President for the Jeddah Sector; Engineer Muwafaq Mubarah, Vice President of Sales and Marketing;  and Engineer Faisal bin Eidan, Executive Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning, who provided a detailed explanation of the development of the steel industry in the region.

 Mr. Al-Qahtani expressed his pride in the company’s presence through a distinctive booth designed specifically for this occasion, where the company showcased its diverse products to visitors, who expressed their admiration for the high global standards achieved by Saudi and Gulf industries, noting that the exhibition is an extremely important event, as it provides attendees with access to solutions and expertise in the fields of building, construction, and contracting.

Engineer Mufaq Mubarah said, »The exhibition allows exhibitors to open new channels in the Saudi market, coinciding with the growing momentum of investment in building construction and infrastructure projects. Participating in such exhibitions is essential because they provide an ideal platform for showcasing their products.” .

Highlights of the Exhibition

The Big Five Expo featured several highlights that underscored its economic and investment value; the most notable of these highlights and general observations were as follows:

• The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom throughout its run, particularly during the opening and closing ceremonies.

• Families made up a significant portion of the attendees and were eager to explore all the exhibition pavilions.

• Citizens of Gulf countries had a notable presence throughout the exhibition. In addition, a number of visitors representing various European, African, and Asian countries attended.

• A large number of businesspeople and visitors interviewed by the newspaper »Amlak» expressed their deep admiration for the significant advancements on display at the exhibition in the fields of construction technology, building, design, and interior decoration.

• A number of national, regional, and international companies specializing in construction, building, and interior design had a strong presence at the event, with most of them sending teams at the highest management levels.

 Participants Highlight the Pioneering Role of the ”5 Big Saudi” Exhibition and Outline Its Benefits

Participants confirmed the success of the fifth edition of the International Building and Construction Exhibition, ”The Big 5 Saudi,” due to the large number of visitors and interested parties who attended, This was in addition to the accompanying activities and events, which had a significant impact on the positive engagement throughout four days filled with hard work, business deals, and a realistic assessment of the Saudi market, as well as the exchange of ideas and best practices.

 Nathan Wah: A platform for industry experts

Nathan Wah, Events Director at D.M.G Events, to the success of the event, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to construction and investment for the benefit of the nation and contributes to supporting the regional economy. The exhibition’s success has made it the most prominent international event for construction projects in the Kingdom. It provides a platform for industry experts to exchange knowledge and showcase their products and services in a large and growing market. We are confident that exhibitors and visitors will reap numerous benefits from participating in the exhibition.“.

Alharbi: Evolution in content and quality of organization

 Tariq Al-Harbi, deputy director of the Abdullah Salem bin Hindi Al-Harbi Foundation and one of the exhibition’s visitors, said: “Every year, the exhibition sees significant improvements in terms of scale and organizational quality. I make a point of visiting the exhibition every year to learn about market trends and the products and services available, as well as to attend the workshops organized during the exhibition.”

 Elliot Rizk: 78% Positive Impact on Business

Elliot Rizk, Director of Business Development at “Mays,” emphasized the exhibition’s success and its contribution of added value to the construction industry, with 98% of visitors confirming they return every year because the exhibition is an essential component for the growth of their diverse businesses and has a positive impact on their purchases at a rate of 87%.”.

 Horsfall: Breaking Records with Several Deals

Michael Horsfall, Business Director at Tamkeen, said: “This year’s exhibition provided us with a platform to connect directly with our clients. Over the past two years, the exhibition’s success has had a direct positive impact on revenue and set new records for the number of business deals concluded. We will continue to support ”The Big 5 Saudi Arabia.““

The Amlak Newspaper Booth (Exhibition Sponsor) Wows Participants and Visitors

The Amlak newspaper booth (the exhibition’s sponsor) made a distinctive and impressive appearance, as many visitors and participants made a point of visiting the newspaper’s booth and picking up copies of its issues. The reporting team conducted a number of interviews with participants and visitors about their impressions of the exhibition’s events, and the team also documented the exhibition’s activities. .

Available in over 300 colors. Cladding used in the latest construction and decoration trends from aluminum panels

Cladding consists of aluminum panels used to cover building facades. It is characterized by its light weight, thermal insulation, and fire resistance, in addition to other features such as a wide variety of colors and patterns—up to fifty in total. In addition, it is quick and easy to install using a tongue-and-groove system, which ensures no gaps appear between the panels and enhances their durability. Cladding is considered a quick and easy method for renovating commercial buildings and adding an aesthetic touch to exterior facades. Cladding is also used to enhance the aesthetics of wide entrances with distinctive shapes and colors, as an alternative to marble or ceramic tiles.

It can be used with decorative paints, offering flexibility with a color palette of up to 300 shades, which allows the building to stand out as distinctive, beautiful, and easily recognizable. It is also widely used in advertising and marketing, as the building can serve as a landmark and a magnificent masterpiece in the commercial district compared to others. .

Not only do they offer outstanding decorative appeal, but they are also affordable and highly durable. They are suitable for a wide range of new construction projects, such as brick construction, frame structures, metal structures, prefabricated homes, and modular homes, and are also suitable for renovating older buildings, as well as energy-efficient and eco-friendly structures, thanks to their wide range of colors and harmonious combinations.

Advantages of PVDF-Coated Composite Aluminum Cladding Panels

 Excellent weather resistance: This is because these panels can remain in top condition even in extreme heat.

  High resistance to peeling

  Impact Resistance: The adhesive film uses DuPont technology and world-class coatings, ensuring it always remains in pristine condition—even when exposed to wind, sand, or changing weather conditions.

  The stability of the coating layer, combined with the use of chemical treatment and an oxidizing agent for the applied technology films on the aluminum sheet, provides strong adhesion between the coating layers.

 One of the advantages of aluminum panels is that they are fire-resistant.

Contrast... Beauty and charm

I blend luxury with simplicity without fear of it losing its value

Throughout our lives, we often hear and see plenty of evidence that opposites attract, and modern science has proven this phenomenon—whether in the natural sciences, social life, or other areas. This is also true in the world of interior design. Contrasts possess unparalleled beauty, charm, and uniqueness; they create visual contrast in colors, shapes, or designs, resulting in unparalleled beauty and style. In this issue of Amlak magazine, we’ve selected several tips for you, dear reader, that will help you incorporate contrasts into your home décor very easily and at no cost.

Combining Light and Dark Tones

One of the easiest and most effective ways to incorporate contrast into your home is to pair dark colors with light ones. For example, pairing black and white, dark blue with beige, or olive with light green. Pairing a variety of dark and light colors when designing a specific space gives the room a distinctive and unique look.   For example, in a dining room, you could paint the walls dark blue, paint the door frames, and use light colors—such as beige, white, or pearl—for the ceiling and floors. These light colors prevent the room from feeling monotonous or being overwhelmed by the dark color, and they make the room brighter, while the dark color will make paintings and wall decorations stand out more and look more beautiful.

 The neighborhood of Al-Fatih to Al-Ghamik

As we mentioned earlier, we find that murals placed on a dark-colored wall stand out more, especially if those murals are light in color. Another way to use contrast in home decor is to pair light colors with dark ones, which is a very simple technique. Dear reader, you can easily place a piece of light-colored furniture next to a dark one—for example, using light-colored tables if your sofa is dark, or adding some light-colored pillows and accessories. You can also lay a light-colored rug if your room’s floors are dark—or vice versa—to highlight the beauty of the pieces you choose and make them stand out even more.

 Combining the Smooth with the Rough

Another way to use contrast is to combine two contrasting materials, such as pairing pieces with a smooth texture with others that have a wavy or rough texture. For example, if you have some accessories made of sterling silver and want to highlight their beauty even more, you can place them next to a sculpture made of rough-textured stone. This unusual combination enhances the beauty and prominence of both pieces. You can look around your home and find many contrasting textures that you can combine, such as placing a straw rug under a cotton sofa, putting some glass marbles inside a wooden bowl, or hanging a smooth mirror on a stone wall.

 Combine elegance with simplicity

When designing a room, try to combine elegant, luxurious, and distinctive pieces with simple ones to make your room stand out from the rest. For example, in your luxurious living room, which features a formal sofa topped with silk pillows, you can choose window curtains with a sleek, simple design or made from simple materials like jute or cotton. You can also do the opposite: if the sofa in your living room is simple, you can add a touch of luxury by using formal cushions with crystal accents or made of pure silk, and use crystal side lighting to combine elegance with simplicity, creating a unique and beautiful atmosphere in your space.

 A Blend of the Industrial and the Natural

This style of home décor has become increasingly popular in recent times; it involves blending manufactured items with natural elements in their original state, and this approach has its own unique charm that brings nature and a sense of vitality to a space. Putting this approach into practice is easy. For example, you can collect natural finds—such as bird nests, twigs, fruits, and seashells—and incorporate them with manufactured items. You could place a large seashell as an accent piece on your modern-style table, use a sparrow’s nest as a plate to serve cookies with your modern serving set, or hang a distinctive tree trunk as a wall art piece. Use your imagination and what you find in nature, and incorporate it into your life.

Combining High-End and Budget Items

There is no doubt that high-quality, well-crafted pieces of furniture will be more expensive than others, but there is no reason to assume that they are made with low-cost materials; this will not detract from their luxury—it may even enhance it. For example, you can use some reasonably priced throw pillows on your expensive sofa, especially since discount stores carry these items in beautiful designs. You can also use some reasonably priced plates as serving dishes alongside your gilded ones—and don’t worry, this won’t detract from their beauty; rather, it will highlight it even more. You can also use affordable cotton fabric to make curtains for your luxurious living room—and don’t worry that the simplicity of the curtains will overshadow the room’s elegance. You can also purchase some simple, affordable picture frames and hang them above a luxurious wooden doorway. .

Minister of Commerce emphasizes his keenness on an ideal industrial environment with competitive incentives

In the presence of more than 700 entrepreneurs, major industrial companies, startups, and a number of officials, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to providing an attractive environment for industrial investment by offering a system of incentives and facilitthat are considered the best in the region in terms of the availability of industrial land at nominal rents and favorable loans, as well as export guarantees and financing, and customs exemptions—all of which enhance industrial competitiveness and development.

Encroachment on Industrial Land

 Al-Rabiah made these remarks during the «4th Industrial Opportunities Forum,» organized by the Industrial Cities Authority (MODON) last Tuesday under the title «Industrial Integration: Promising Opportunities for Male and Female Entrepreneurs,» to his concerns about commercial investment encroaching on industrial land, and noted that there are more than 20 sites that the Authority is seeking to develop and optimize.

1,786 factories investing one trillion The minister revealed that the Kingdom, represented by the Export Authority, is targeting specific countries with the aim of increasing exports to them, noting the increase in the number of factories in the Kingdom, which now stands at 6,871, with an estimated investment of one trillion riyals and employing 935,000 people. He also reaffirmed their support for youth-led and startup projects.

Industrial Incubators for Development 

For his part, Engineer Saleh Al-Rashid, Director General of the Industrial Cities Authority (MODON), explained that the Authority has a strategy that bridges entrepreneurs and industrial opportunities to provide the appropriate resources to support our industries.

Al-Rashid stated that the Authority will focus this year on raising awareness among male and female entrepreneurs and promoting investments targeted at women, while it has worked to establish turnkey factories and has begun setting up industrial incubators to develop the industrial sector.

Awarding Electricity Contracts and «Saudization»

Meanwhile, Khalid Al-Ghamdi, director of the Electricity Industries Localization Project at the Saudi Electricity Company, revealed that the company is working to award contracts to local contractors with the highest rates of national workforce localization, and the highest percentage of locally manufactured materials, noting that there is a policy to incentivize local factories and give them priority over foreign counterparts in procurement at a ratio of 10%.

During its four sessions, the forum highlighted numerous industrial opportunities and hosted a series of panel discussions. The first session addressed «Women’s Investment in Industry,» during which the government’s efforts to leverage women’s expertise and capabilities in the industrial sector were reviewed. The second session examined opportunities for industrial investment integration, while the third session highlighted opportunities for the localization of the food industry, while the fourth session examined the role of financial institutions in supporting industrial projects. The forum’s program also included a presentation on «A New Approach to Developing Successful Businesses and Industries,» and a working paper on the role of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund in supporting small projects and streamlining their evaluation procedures, as well as bilateral meetings between investors and providers of industrial opportunities.

“Real Estate Systems Forum” ... More than 14 experts and specialists deliberate 12 papers ... And a demand for an independent supreme body for real estate

    His Highness Prince Badr bin Mohammed bin Jalawi Al Saud, Governor of Al-Ahsa, presided over the “Real Estate Regulations Forum” last Tuesday evening at the InterContinental Al-Ahsa Hotel. The event was organized by the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce, represented by its Real Estate Committee and the Bar Association, He discussed the challenges posed by the development of the real estate market in the Kingdom and the expected changes following the approval of the real estate regulations, including the need to provide qualified national personnel for the sector and to focus on training and professional development across all related professions.

Independent High Authority for Real Estate

The forum opened with a blessed recitation from the Holy Quran, after which Saleh Al-Afaleq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a speech in which he welcomed His Highness Prince Badr bin Mohammed bin Jalawi Al Saud and noted the Chamber’s intention to organize the forum annually, ,

Al-Afaleq highlighted the most important demand: the establishment of an independent supreme real estate authority that would serve as a consistent reference point for the sector’s operations, working to develop and monitor the sector’s operating systems in a manner that keeps pace with the needs of the real estate market.

 The real estate market is valued at 3.1 trillion riyals 

Engineer Khalid bin Saud Al-Saleh, Vice President of the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Real Estate Committee, then delivered a speech in which he emphasized the strength of the real estate market as a compelling investment opportunity, as the total size of the real estate market in the Kingdom has currently exceeded approximately 1.3 trillion riyals, making it the largest real estate market in the Middle East. The market is expected to reach 1.5 trillion riyals over the next few years, This is particularly due to strong demand from both consumers and investors.

Real estate investments: $0.46 billion 

Al-Saleh stated that investment and real estate portfolios in the Kingdom are estimated at approximately 50 billion riyals, and, God willing, the real estate market is expected to witness unprecedented activity in terms of investment volume, as the Kingdom’s need for real estate investments has been estimated at 640 billion dollars.

More than 25 regulations governing the real estate market

For his part, Dr. Yusuf bin Abdul-Latif Al-Jabr, Chairman of the Chamber’s Lawyers Committee, emphasized in his speech that the state is committed to regulations and laws, including those pertaining to real estate, noting a package of real estate regulations that various ministries helped draft and which have played a significant role in regulating daily life in the Kingdom. Al-Jabr pointed out that there are more than 25 regulations that reflect the government’s commitment to regulating the real estate market.

Obstacles to Real Estate Registration

The session on the development of real estate documentation, chaired by Dr. Khalid Al-Hussain, Dean of the College of Law at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa, featured a presentation by Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Al-Amira, a judge at the Supreme Court, who outlined the obstacles facing real estate documentation. These obstacles include confusion regarding final judgments, the dating of neighborhoods, and large tracts of land. The Supreme Court must issue guidelines on this matter and resolve the delays in issuing final judgments caused by the large caseload and protracted proceedings. Therefore, courts should be electronically linked to the government agencies required to be notified, and special divisions should be designated for title deeds pertaining to small properties and endowments, and clarifying the rulings and procedures that ensure property titles and evidence are established in a manner that can be validly invoked and relied upon in the event of a dispute, as well as modern real estate documentation.

Implementation of the Mortgage System

Dr. Omar Al-Khouli, a professor of law at the College of Law at King Abdulaziz University, noted the issuance of the «Mortgage Law» pursuant to a Cabinet decision. This regulation aims to govern the contractual relationship between financial institutions and those seeking financing from them, thereby enhancing creditworthiness by requiring adequate collateral in exchange for financing. .

At the conclusion of this forum, the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce, represented by its Real Estate Committee and Lawyers’ Committee, expressed its gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Prince Badr bin Jalawi, Governor of Al-Ahsa, for his generous patronage of this forum and his unlimited support, as well as to Their Excellencies and Honors and all participants, including speakers, session moderators, and all guests who attended this forum.

Recommendations and Observations from the Forum

First: The Importance of Implementing the Mortgage System and Drafting Its Implementing Regulations.

Second: Simplify the procedures for transferring real estate ownership by developing regulations governing the proof and transfer of ownership in a manner that ensures accuracy and expedites the process.

Third: Work toward establishing a mechanism to ensure the prompt resolution of real estate disputes, including the development of procedural rules for the real estate courts whose establishment has been approved.

IV: Coordination between the Ministries of Justice and Municipal and Rural Affairs on all matters related to real estate.

V: Accelerate the implementation and enforcement of the real estate registration system and recommend that the Supreme Court establish judicial principles regarding real estate.

Sixth: The importance of raising awareness about real estate transactions and their documentation, and highlighting the role of arbitration in streamlining timelines and procedures, particularly with regard to real estate contributions and inheritances.

Seventh: To establish an appropriate framework for coordination between the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority and the Ministry of Justice to work toward standardizing real estate financing and registration forms.

Eighth: To request that the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, represented by the Al-Ahsa Municipality, prepare a guidebook on real estate in Al-Ahsa.

Sponsored by (Amlak), the advertising and promotional media exhibition goes global

More than 001 million dollars in advertising spending in the Kingdom

The real estate newspaper Amlak sponsored the 5th International Exhibition of Advertising and Promotional Media, currently being held at the InterContinental Hotel, as part of its ambitious strategy to promote media and advertising. Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Issa, editor-in-chief of *Amlak*, said that the newspaper’s participation in this event stems from its belief in the powerful influence of media and advertising on society as a whole, particularly in shaping public opinion (politically, economically, and socially). This challenge requires professionals in this sector to keep pace with the latest technological developments in the field of advertising and publicity. Al-Issa emphasized that *Amlak* will continue to play its role in sponsoring all events that bring about a qualitative leap in the field.

   It is worth noting that the exhibition, organized by the Batula Foundation for Local and International Exhibitions, achieved unparalleled success thanks to the major companies participating in it, elevating it to the highest standards and focusing on consistent criteria across various aspects—most notably the caliber of the participating companies, which presented new and innovative models in the world of advertising and publicity, targeting a broad audience interested in the media and advertising sectors.

It is worth noting that the exhibition featured a number of workshops in which experts and enthusiasts from various media fields will discuss the role of public relations in building corporate identity, marketing creativity, and digital media, as well as a session on organizing events and festivals,

Reports indicate rising advertising spending rates in the Gulf states, with the UAE leading the advertising industry in the Arab world, recording the highest advertising spending—$1,194 billion—during the first nine months of last year. Saudi Arabia ranked second with $972 million. Kuwait came in third with total advertising spending of $687 million. Egypt ranked fourth in the Arab world with $611 million.

The UAE accounted for the largest share of Gulf advertising spending, with a figure exceeding 28.5%, compared to 27% for Saudi Arabia, 19% for Kuwait, and 12.8% for Qatar, while Oman’s share of total advertising spending in the Gulf states was 5.9% and Bahrain’s was 1.8%.

Competitiveness Forum emphasizes the imperative of smart partnership with the private sector

The events and sessions of the 8th Competitiveness Forum, held recently in Riyadh, were inaugurated with the participation of His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Commerce and Industry; His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Barrak, Minister of Civil Service; Mr. Nika Gilauri, former Prime Minister of Georgia, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jadai, CEO of Alam.

 In his opening remarks at the forum, His Excellency Engineer Abdul Latif Al-Othman, Governor of the General Investment Authority, extended his deepest condolences and sympathies to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and his two trusted Deputy Crown Princes—may God protect them all—as well as to the Royal Family and the noble Saudi people, on the occasion of the profound loss of the righteous King, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. His Excellency affirmed that the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—was marked by great achievements, during which the gross domestic product doubled from 1.23 trillion riyals in 2005 to approximately 2.82 trillion riyals in 2014, achieving a growth rate of 129%.

 Al-Rabiah: A Better Start for Saudi Exports

At the opening of the first session, titled “The Competitiveness of the Public Sector and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia… A Gateway to the World), His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Commerce and Industry, spoke first. In his remarks, he reviewed the Ministry’s efforts to support the competitiveness of the government sector in the Kingdom and to establish partnerships between the sectors under the Ministry’s purview and their counterparts, both within and outside the Kingdom, explaining that discussions are currently underway with a number of countries to better open markets so that the restructuring of Saudi exports can proceed efficiently,

Al-Barrak: The Ministry of Civil Service Was Established to Serve Citizens and Work as Their Partner

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Barrak, Minister of Civil Service, delivered a speech in which he discussed the services provided by the ministry—particularly its technological services—and their role in streamlining government procedures, emphasizing that this has contributed to building competitive economies. He added: «We at the Ministry of Civil Service have adopted this approach and view services not merely as something provided to citizens, but rather as something in which citizens are partners, and we strive to deliver all services to them with excellence.”.

Khalid Al-Faisal: Countries Must Develop Regulations and Environments That Foster Competitiveness

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of the Makkah Region, affirmed that the Kingdom is making significant efforts to implement ambitious national strategies in the fields of knowledge, the economy, and culture; to achieve sustainable development at all levels; and to empower citizens, who are the cornerstone of progress and development.

In his speech, he said: «Countries must develop regulations and environments that foster competitiveness and optimize the use of production factors and processes, foremost among which are the development of human capital and innovation.» He noted that the Kingdom views competitiveness as a pursuit of excellence without harming others, in accordance with ethical frameworks reinforced by social and religious values, and based on the principle that competition should not lead to discord or harm.

Al-Suwail: The Kingdom is the country that has made the greatest inroads into the fields of technology and publishing

During the session titled “The Age of Discovery: How Can We Provide the Best Opportunities for Success in Innovation and Technology?” His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwail, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, emphasized that the Kingdom—through the City—began building a knowledge-based society more than seven years ago.

Al-Suwail expressed his pride in the Kingdom’s achievements in the technology sector, saying, «Today we are competing with many countries, both regionally and globally, and we are considered one of the fastest-growing nations in the world in terms of entering the technology and publishing sectors,

Dr. Al-Jasser: There are royal initiatives to facilitate investment

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser, Minister of Economy and Planning, expressed his pride in the Kingdom’s major achievements in the area of national infrastructure.

This came during a session titled «Emerging Governments and Their Path to Success,” and Al-Jasser emphasized that “King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued directives to streamline procedures and make people’s lives easier, and we have done a great deal in this regard. Investors are seeking new areas for investment, and this will not reduce domestic investment; investment has two aspects—domestic and foreign—and we have no restrictions in this area, and there are investments from outside the Kingdom. There is also a drive to strengthen relations with companies outside the Kingdom. I do not claim that our economic system is flawless, but we have implemented swift and effective measures,

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Reports from the Hallways (Competitiveness)

There are more than 420,000 jobs for women

Fahad Al-Takhefi – Ministry of Labor

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80,000 Saudis have benefited from our training programs

Khalid Al-Falih – CEO of Aramco

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Developers have contributed to the development of economic and industrial cities and to the creation of investment opportunities

Waseem Khashoggi—Deputy Secretary-General for Operations at the Economic Cities Authority

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”The Saudi Dutch Bank is the leading incubator for financial businesses in the Kingdom, followed by Al-Ahli Commercial Bank and then Riyad Bank.".

International financial expert Jean Sfakianakis, Director of the Ashmore Group for the Gulf region 

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 The Saudis have enough of a knowledge-based economy to sustain them for hundreds of years

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google:

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 Healthcare spending in Saudi Arabia exceeds that of the United States

(Citigroup)

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E-services have reduced audits by 80%, saving time that can be used for research and development

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jadai, CEO of Alam