Saudi Fund for Development signs two agreements in Kyrgyzstan

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad and Almaz Baketaev signed two agreements on soft development loans worth $130 million. (SPA)
Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad and Almaz Baketaev signed two agreements on soft development loans worth $130 million. (SPA)
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Updated 26 April 2023
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Saudi Fund for Development signs two agreements in Kyrgyzstan

Saudi Fund for Development signs two agreements in Kyrgyzstan
  • The signing ceremony was held on Monday in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek

BISHKEK: The Saudi Fund for Development, represented by its CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, signed two agreements today in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, with the Kyrgyzstan Minister of Finance Almaz Baketaev, through soft development loans worth $130 million funded by the Saudi Fund for Development. The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Deputy Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Saad Al-Dhawayan and several officials from both sides.
The first agreement involves financing the construction of 3,000 housing units covering an area of about 255,000 square meters through a soft development loan of $100 million. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of low-income families in Kyrgyzstan. The second agreement contributes to the financing of the Taraz-Talas Road Project (Phase 4), which aims to reconstruct 93 km of road to improve safety, reduce traffic accidents, and enhance the quality of the road. This $30 million project is jointly financed by several Arab Coordination Group funds.
The SFD CEO stressed: “These development agreements are an extension of the developing relationship between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan that spans over more than 12 years, as the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to supporting the development sectors in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan through development projects and programs financed by the Saudi Fund for Development that aim at achieving sustainable development goals.”

He pointed out that the two agreements will contribute to achieving social growth, development and economic prosperity in the country, adding: “The Taraz-Talas Road project reflects the importance of partnership and cooperation between development funds, to finance vital projects that contribute to achieving real and tangible benefits for developing peoples and societies, in order to support sustainable development goals.”

Bakitayev expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for supporting the various development sectors in Kyrgyzstan through the SFD to finance vital projects and programs, explaining the importance of the two signed agreements and their impact on Kyrgyzstan and its people by contributing to achieving social stability and improving infrastructure. He praised the development efforts made by the Kingdom through the SFD since 2011 in order to achieve sustainable growth in Kyrgyzstan.

Since 2011, the SFD has provided 10 soft development loans to Kyrgyzstan to finance development projects and programs with a value of up to $330 million, in addition to a generous grant from the Kingdom with an estimated value of $4 million to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Kyrgyzstan.

 


Saudi space agency, Axiom Space sign development agreement 

Saudi space agency, Axiom Space sign development agreement 
Updated 01 December 2023
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Saudi space agency, Axiom Space sign development agreement 

Saudi space agency, Axiom Space sign development agreement 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Space Agency and Axiom Space signed an agreement to develop Saudi talent in the field of space.

Axiom Space, a company specializing in developing human spaceflight technologies, will provide training and on-the-job opportunities, in addition to exchanging knowledge, skills and expertise in the fields of human spaceflight.

The agreement was signed during a specialized Saudi delegations’s visit to the US headed by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha.

This memorandum is expected to enhance educational and professional development opportunities for students and employees, deepen cooperation and maximize mutual benefit between the two sides, the Saudi Press Agency said.


Saudi defense minister holds talks with UN envoy to Yemen and Iranian military chief

Saudi defense minister holds talks with UN envoy to Yemen and Iranian military chief
Updated 01 December 2023
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Saudi defense minister holds talks with UN envoy to Yemen and Iranian military chief

Saudi defense minister holds talks with UN envoy to Yemen and Iranian military chief
  • ‘We reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to support the peace process in Yemen,’ Prince Khalid bin Salman tweeted after his meeting with envoy Hans Grundberg

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, and the UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Thursday discussed the latest developments in the conflict in Yemen.

“We reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to support the peace process in Yemen, as well as the road map between the Yemeni sides to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution, under UN supervision,” the prince said in a message posted on social media site X after the meeting in Riyadh.

The Saudi ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, and the director general of the Office of the Minister of Defense, Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, were also present at the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The UN participants included Linnea Hincks, special assistant to Grundberg; Roxaneh Bazergan, chief of political affairs in the envoy’s office; and April Alley, an adviser to the envoy.

Also on Thursday, Prince Khalid received a telephone call from Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, during which they reviewed the relationship between their countries in military and defense fields and discussed issues of mutual concern.


Saudi reserve participates in SGI, COP28 conferences 

Saudi reserve participates in SGI, COP28 conferences 
Updated 30 November 2023
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Saudi reserve participates in SGI, COP28 conferences 

Saudi reserve participates in SGI, COP28 conferences 

RIYADH: Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Natural Reserve Development Authority is participating at the co-current Saudi Green Initiative Gallery and UN Climate Change Conference — COP28 — in Dubai, today. 

The reserve will showcase its drone-based program, the biggest of its kind, in protecting biodiversity in Saudi Arabia, for being more effective and efficient in environmental activities and having a lower carbon footprint, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

It has already contributed to raising the efficiency of environmental monitoring and protection teams by more than 220 percent.

Drones have also helped to cut carbon emissions by more than 66 percent by reducing dependence on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

An interactive screen will also display details of the pioneering Vegetation Cover Evaluation Project, which uses remote-sensor technologies, as well as many initiatives dedicated to expanding the vegetation cover and afforestation. 

All of ITBA’s projects and initiatives are fully aligned with the national goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and dedicated to preserving the vegetation cover and biodiversity, including rare and endangered species, as part of broader environmental protection efforts.

The Saudi Green Initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, plant 10 billion trees in the Kingdom over the next decades and protect 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and marine areas by 2030, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

It is worth noting that IBTA spans more than 91,500 sq km, making it the second largest royal reserve in the Kingdom.

Known for its picturesque nature and biodiversity, the reserve is home to 138 wild species, including Rhim Gazelles, Oryxes, and more than 179 wild plants, including Ziziphus, Acacia and Arta trees.


International Diriyah Forum to promote cultural heritage 

International Diriyah Forum to promote cultural heritage 
Updated 30 November 2023
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International Diriyah Forum to promote cultural heritage 

International Diriyah Forum to promote cultural heritage 

JEDDAH: The “Diriyah International Forum,” organized through collaboration between the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, will be held from Dec. 10-11.

The forum, themed “Diriyah: A Meeting Point of Cultures,” will bring together a distinguished gathering of scholars, thinkers and researchers.

The two-day forum aims to encourage creative thinking and promote collaboration between different specialties and experiences, and promote a global cultural and tourist destination.

The focus will be on reviewing the architectural style of Diriyah, especially after the opening of the historic Turaif district, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and Bujairi Quarter, the destination for fine dining in Diriyah, among other heritage sites.

The main topics to be covered during the diverse sessions of the forum include three key themes.

The first, titled “Architectural and Artistic Intersections,” explores the influences that shaped the distinctive architectural character of the region, from traditional mud buildings to the incorporation of modern design elements.

The second theme is “Historical Intersections,” focusing on prominent figures and significant historical events that contributed to shaping Diriyah’s history

The third is “Exploring the Past,” addressing the importance of archaeological discoveries, including artifacts and remnants of settlements while highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The forum contributes to shedding light on efforts to protect and preserve the history and heritage of Diriyah and celebrate it.


KSrelief sends 14 ambulances to Gaza 

KSrelief sends 14 ambulances to Gaza 
Updated 30 November 2023
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KSrelief sends 14 ambulances to Gaza 

KSrelief sends 14 ambulances to Gaza 

RIYADH: Fourteen out of the planned 20 ambulances provided by Saudi aid agency KSrelief are en route to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

The ambulances are carrying crucial medical supplies including biometric devices, oxygen devices, first aid kits, burn treatment kits, transport beds, splints and straps.

Rafah, overseen by Egypt, is the only crossing into Gaza not controlled by Israel.

KSrelief has finalized four cooperation agreements with international organizations to provide relief worth $40 million for Palestinians in Gaza.

On Thursday, the 24th Saudi relief plane departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt.

On board the plane are 31 tons of aid supplies, including food, shelter and medical provisions. 

This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign dedicated to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.