Colin Foreman, journalist and editor for the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), joins The 966 to talk about construction, giga-projects, and Saudi Arabia's economic development. MEED is a leading resource for executives with a highly-respected publication for the MENA region. Before the conversation with Colin, the hosts discuss the latest with the Saudi Pro League and dispelling some myths and facts about the growing football league in the Kingdom, an update on the New Murraba project in Riyadh that promises to change the face of the city, and so much more in the program's concluding Yallah! segment.
4:20 - Richard's One Big Thing is the Saudi Pro League's rise and some interesting updates and facts about the Pro League, which made its mark in the transfer season this year and, while on the rise, is nowhere close to outspending other leagues for players. The hosts also discuss the latest in big name signings and the new coach of the Saudi national team, which stands to benefit from the influx of stars into the national league.
21:10 - Lucien's One Big Thing is an update on the New Murraba project and the importance of the recent news that the project's planners will bring on Bechtel, the world's leading construction and project management firm, for a PMC role to bring the project to fruition. The project was announced February 16th with the launch of the New Murabba Development Company, and the project is massive – it aims to develop the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh.
38:34 - Colin Foreman, journalist and editor for the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), joins The 966 to talk about construction, giga-projects, and Saudi Arabia's economic development.
1:18:41 - Yallah! 6 top storylines and topics from the week on Saudi Arabia...
•The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumed command of a multinational task force that monitors merchant shipping through key strategic chokepoints during an indoor ceremony here Aug. 27.
•New Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini is counting on the recent influx of global stars to the Saudi Pro League to help the local players improve.
•Saudi Arabia’s Ades International Holding is set to list in Riyadh, a deal that’s set to be the kingdom’s largest initial public offering this year, according to reports.
•White House officials have notified the Israeli government that a possible normalization deal with Saudi Arabia will require them to make “significant concessions” to the Palestinians, four US officials with knowledge of the matter told Axios.
•Saudi Arabia is considering bids to build a nuclear power station from countries including China, France and Russia as the kingdom seeks to sway the US over a sensitive security pact.
•Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, Riyadh Air, plans to focus on the niche market for flights to and from the kingdom rather than competing with its Gulf neighbors’ vast hubs, its chief executive has said, in an explanation of its “super aggressive” growth plans.