Slew of deals highlight a renewed and reinforced Saudi-US partnership

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At the Riyadh summit, Elon Musk revealed he had presented Tesla robots to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump. (AFP)
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Updated 15 May 2025
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Slew of deals highlight a renewed and reinforced Saudi-US partnership

Slew of deals highlight a renewed and reinforced Saudi-US partnership
  • A veritable Who’s Who of corporate America and Saudi industry participated in one-day investment summit in Riyadh on Tuesday
  • The agreements reached showcase Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global innovation hub with support from US tech giants

RIYADH: When top officials, CEOs and investors from Saudi Arabia and the US convened in Riyadh on Tuesday for the Saudi-US Investment Forum, the focus of the high-profile gathering was on economic cooperation and innovation.

The one-day forum, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, highlighted major deals and partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence, energy, digital infrastructure, fintech, healthtech and industrial innovation — all aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development blueprint.

The tone was collaborative and forward-looking, emphasizing commerce and technology as both nations seek to deepen ties in emerging sectors. Officials from both governments, along with Fortune 500 executives, used the platform to announce investments and outline long-term strategies for mutual growth.

The forum’s agenda was broad and ambitious, covering cutting-edge industries and critical infrastructure.

Sessions throughout the day focused on themes such as technology and AI innovation, renewable and traditional energy cooperation, digital infrastructure expansion, fintech and financial services, health and biotech advancements, and industrial and advanced manufacturing partnerships. Panel discussions included ministerial dialogues, CEO panels and executive roundtables designed to spur high-impact engagement in these sectors.




The Saudi-US Investment Forum highlighted major deals and partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence, energy, digital infrastructure, fintech, healthtech and industrial innovation. (AFP)

 

High-level participants

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih opened the forum by highlighting its timing “at a historic moment” of renewed commitment between the two nations. He pointed to the exceptional delegation of US business leaders in attendance, reflecting nearly 90 years of close relations since the first Saudi-US agreements.

The forum coincided with a US executive visit to Saudi Arabia, underscoring the strategic importance both sides place on economic partnership. In his remarks, Al-Falih emphasized that strengthening the bilateral investment relationship would benefit both economies and “the world at large.”

Notably, the list of attendees read like a Who’s Who of corporate America and Saudi industry. According to the forum program and media reports, CEOs and senior executives from companies including BlackRock, Palantir Technologies, Citi, IBM, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Meta, Amazon, Qualcomm, Alphabet (Google’s parent), Tesla and Franklin Templeton were present. On the Saudi side, key figures included Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — architect of Vision 2030 — as well as ministers overseeing the finance, energy, technology, tourism and health sectors. 

The presence of these leaders highlighted the forum’s focus on expanding commercial ties. Even high-profile tech entrepreneur Elon Musk was spotted on stage, seen in conversation with Saudi Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha during the event.

The diversity of participants from government and industry ensured that discussions ranged from AI chips and cloud computing to sustainable energy projects and digital economy regulation.




Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih opened the forum by highlighting its timing “at a historic moment” of renewed commitment between the two nations. (SPA)

Tech and AI partnerships

If one theme dominated the forum, it was artificial intelligence and technology. A series of headline-making deals underscored Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global hub for AI and advanced tech — with major support from US tech giants.

At the center of many announcements was HUMAIN, a newly launched Public Investment Fund-backed AI startup. 

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang made headlines by unveiling a landmark agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge AI hardware. NVIDIA will sell hundreds of thousands of its latest AI chips to HUMAIN over the next five years, starting with an initial shipment of 18,000 high-performance Blackwell GPU chips. 

In a joint statement, NVIDIA and HUMAIN said they plan to build “AI factories” with up to 500 megawatts of capacity in Saudi data centers, housing those advanced GPUs and related infrastructure.

“This marks a significant step toward positioning the Kingdom as a leader among data- and AI-driven economies,” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of the Saudi Data & AI Authority, regarding the partnership. The goal is to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI, GPU cloud computing and digital transformation — in line with the Kingdom’s aim to become an international AI hub outside the US.

Another US chipmaker, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), announced its own multibillion-dollar partnership with HUMAIN. AMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed a $10 billion strategic collaboration to deploy 500 MW of AI computing infrastructure in Saudi Arabia over five years.

Under the deal, AMD will provide a mix of advanced CPUs, GPUs and software expertise to help build HUMAIN’s next-generation cloud platform for AI.

“Together, we are building a globally significant AI platform that delivers performance, openness and reach at unprecedented levels,” Su said in a statement. Notably, HUMAIN is working with multiple chipmakers to avoid overreliance on a single vendor, ensuring a resilient supply of AI hardware.

Also in the semiconductor space, Qualcomm signed a memorandum of understanding to develop new data center processors with Saudi partners. The San Diego-based firm — best known for its mobile chips — will work with HUMAIN on specialized CPUs for data centers, potentially leveraging technology from its Nuvia acquisition to deliver server-grade processors.

This flurry of chip deals was enabled in part by supportive policies: under a new US initiative, American tech suppliers like NVIDIA and AMD received clearance to pursue AI partnerships with Saudi entities, reflecting a government-backed effort to promote “AI diplomacy” with trusted allies.

Cloud computing giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) also played a prominent role. At the forum, AWS announced a strategic partnership with HUMAIN to develop a dedicated “AI Zone” in Saudi Arabia. AWS and HUMAIN plan to invest more than $5 billion to build this AI Zone — a cluster of state-of-the-art data centers and AI development facilities.

According to AWS CEO Andy Jassy, the zone will feature Amazon’s most advanced cloud infrastructure, including UltraCluster networking for faster AI model training, a full suite of services like SageMaker and Bedrock, and training programs to develop Saudi AI talent. 

This initiative comes on top of AWS’s previously announced $5.3 billion plan to launch a cloud region in Saudi Arabia by 2026. The AI Zone is a separate investment, focused specifically on accelerating AI innovation. HUMAIN has committed to build and deploy its AI solutions on AWS and help local startups access the platform’s tools.

Together, these moves by NVIDIA, AMD, Qualcomm and Amazon represent an unprecedented transfer of AI technology and infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom races to become a leader in the data-driven economy. 




Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk was spotted on stage, seen in conversation with Saudi Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha during the event. (AFP)

The forum’s tech deals are expected to benefit the US as well. One of Saudi Arabia’s newest firms, DataVolt, announced plans to invest $20 billion in AI data centers and energy infrastructure in the US.

Additionally, a coalition of US and Saudi companies — including Alphabet (Google’s parent), Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, Uber and DataVolt — is set to invest a combined $80 billion in “cutting-edge transformative technologies” across both countries. 

While specific details were limited, the White House noted that these investments will span a range of high-tech sectors in Saudi Arabia and the US, illustrating a two-way investment flow catalyzed by the forum.

Energy, infrastructure, new industries

Beyond AI and computing, the forum spotlighted a range of sectors central to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans. Energy, in particular, remains a cornerstone of US-Saudi cooperation — not only in traditional oil and gas, but increasingly in clean energy and sustainability.

Saudi officials used the event to reaffirm the Kingdom’s role as a stable oil supplier to global markets, even as it accelerates its pivot to renewables. They also highlighted joint initiatives in solar, wind and emerging energy technologies. Vision 2030’s focus on sustainability was echoed in forum sessions on “Energy & Sustainability,” which emphasized balancing energy security with climate-conscious innovation.




New Murabba CEO, Michael Dyke (L), NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez (C) and Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, attend a conference during the Saudi-US investment forum in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)

One standout project discussed was the massive green hydrogen venture at NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city on the Red Sea. Rayan Fayez, deputy CEO of NEOM, described the $8.4 billion green hydrogen plant being developed as a joint venture between NEOM, Saudi utility ACWA Power and US-based Air Products.

This project — one of the world’s largest hydrogen initiatives — will use solar and wind power to produce clean hydrogen for export, showcasing how US companies are investing in Saudi sustainability efforts.

“Building a city and a region of this scale requires significant infrastructure,” Fayez said, citing 500 kilometers of fiber-optic cable already laid in NEOM, along with new data centers, solar and wind farms, and 194 kilometers of installed water pipelines.

These infrastructure projects are creating opportunities for American firms; Fayez noted that NEOM is “doing business with 83 American companies” as it builds this high-tech metropolis.

Tourism, smart mobility, real estate

Traditional sectors like tourism and real estate were also featured as key growth areas. In a panel on Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, discussed the $63 billion transformation of historic Diriyah — the birthplace of the Saudi state — into a global heritage and leisure destination.

Inzerillo noted that the project, which preserves UNESCO World Heritage sites while adding museums, resorts and entertainment venues, is on time and on budget.

“We just welcomed our three millionth visitor (to Diriyah) this week … We have 45,000 workers currently on the project,” he said, adding: “Right now we’re doing business with 83 American companies” involved in the development. 

This highlights the role of US firms — from engineering and construction to hospitality — in supporting Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economic transformation.




Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, discussed the $63 billion transformation of historic Diriyah — the birthplace of the Saudi state — into a global heritage and leisure destination. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)

Transportation and smart mobility also emerged as a prominent topic. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi praised Saudi Arabia as one of Uber’s fastest-growing markets, with 140,000 Saudi drivers serving 4 million riders across 20 cities.

Khosrowshahi used the forum to announce plans to introduce autonomous vehicles in the Kingdom. “You will see autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia this year,” he said, noting that Uber is working with 18 autonomous technology partners to ensure safe deployment.

He argued that self-driving vehicles will make streets safer and eventually offer more affordable transportation, as robotic systems “continue to learn from all the miles driven all over the world.”

The vision of Saudi cities with driverless taxis — supported by US technology — illustrated the forum’s emphasis on next-generation infrastructure.

Fintech and healthtech

Financial services and fintech were also on the agenda, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s drive to modernize its financial sector through open banking, digital payments, venture capital and more.

While no specific banking deals were announced at the forum, the presence of major US financial leaders — including Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink — signaled strong interest in Saudi capital markets. Discussions reportedly included financing Vision 2030 projects and expanding two-way capital flows.




Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (2nd Left) praised Saudi Arabia as one of Uber’s fastest-growing markets, with 140,000 Saudi drivers serving 4 million riders across 20 cities. (AFP)

With Saudi Arabia opening its stock market to more foreign investors and launching large investment funds, US financial institutions are positioning to play a significant role in the Kingdom’s economic liberalization. 

Healthcare and healthtech likewise emerged as key areas of collaboration, aligning with Saudi efforts to digitize healthcare and advance biotech research. Panels on health tech and biotechnology explored potential partnerships in pharmaceutical development, digital health platforms and medical investment.

Although most initiatives were still in the exploratory stage, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health is reportedly in ongoing talks with US healthcare firms about telemedicine and hospital joint ventures.

The forum underscored that as Saudi Arabia modernizes its healthcare system — a priority under Vision 2030’s Quality of Life program — US companies in medical technology, biotech and healthcare management see growing opportunity.

Vision 2030 alignment

Throughout the forum, speakers consistently tied individual deals to the broader goals of Vision 2030 — Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for diversifying its economy away from oil by the end of the decade.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the driving force behind Vision 2030, took the stage to emphasize the scale of US-Saudi business underway. He announced that more than $300 billion in Saudi-US deals had been signed, a figure that impressed attendees.

These agreements spanned sectors including technology, defense and infrastructure. Looking ahead, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia is targeting $600 billion in further investment opportunities with the US in the coming years — with the potential for that number to grow to $1 trillion as new projects take shape.




Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that more than $300 billion in Saudi-US deals had been signed, a figure that impressed attendees. (AFP)

He noted that the United States is one of the “largest partners of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda,” underscoring that joint investments are a central pillar of the bilateral economic relationship. He also highlighted that about 40 percent of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund — the $900 billion-plus sovereign wealth fund — is invested in the US. This financial interconnection is foundational to initiatives like the forum.

US representatives also praised the Kingdom’s transformation. US President Donald Trump (attending as part of a state visit) avoided politics in his public remarks, focusing instead on economic cooperation.

He commended the “phenomenal transformation” underway in Saudi Arabia, attributing it to the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed. Trump pointed to a striking milestone: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues now exceed its oil revenues — a dramatic shift from just a few years ago. He cited this as evidence that Vision 2030 is producing real economic change.

The president also praised Saudi Arabia’s ability to preserve its cultural heritage while “embracing a forward-looking, modern Vision 2030 agenda.” These affirmations from the US side bolstered confidence in the Saudi business environment and encouraged American CEOs to deepen their engagement.




Housing and Urban Development Minister Majed Al-Hogail detailed plans for smart cities and affordable housing — areas where US engineering firms and smart technology providers are contributing their expertise. (SPA)

Several panel discussions looked toward the future, examining how both nations can collaborate on long-term trends. In a tourism panel, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb predicted that by 2030, tourism will contribute as much to Saudi GDP as oil does today — a bold forecast reflecting the country’s shifting economic priorities. 

Al-Khateeb said Saudi Arabia is increasingly recognized as “a land of green mountains, stunning Red Sea islands and a welcoming culture,” rather than solely an oil-exporting nation. This evolving image has been supported in part by US-backed investments in hospitality and entertainment.

A partnership reinforced

In another discussion, Housing and Urban Development Minister Majed Al-Hogail detailed plans for smart cities and affordable housing — areas where US engineering firms and smart technology providers are contributing their expertise.

A panel on women in business, reflecting the social development dimension of Vision 2030, highlighted progress in female leadership within Saudi companies. US multinationals are playing a role through training programs and mentorship initiatives.

While these conversations were not centered on high-dollar deals, they showcased the human and cultural dimension of US-Saudi collaboration — emphasizing knowledge-sharing and societal change.

By the forum’s end, a clear narrative had emerged: Saudi Arabia and the US are leveraging their long-standing partnership to build a new economic future based on innovation, sustainability and shared prosperity.

The announcements — from multibillion-dollar AI investments and cloud zones to joint tourism initiatives and potential fintech collaborations — all serve Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a diversified economic powerhouse by 2030. At the same time, they support US goals of expanding global markets for American technologies and deepening relationships with stable partners.

As Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih summarized, the Saudi-US partnership is being “renewed and reinforced” for a new era — evolving beyond its traditional oil foundation into a broader alliance across multiple strategic sectors.

The Saudi-US Investment Forum showcased this transformation in real time, with high-profile announcements and symbolic handshakes that are likely to shape the economic relationship between the two countries for decades to come.

With significant capital flows and technology transfers now underway, both nations are betting that deeper commercial ties will generate mutual benefits — creating jobs, spurring innovation and linking two major economies that, as officials often reminded attendees, are vital to each other’s success in an unpredictable global environment.

The event’s success has already sparked discussions about establishing the Saudi-US Investment Forum as a recurring platform — one that can track progress, drive new initiatives and continue advancing Vision 2030 and the next phase of US-Saudi cooperation.


Saudi Arabia renews call for international community to stand by Syria

Saudi Arabia renews call for international community to stand by Syria
Updated 14 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia renews call for international community to stand by Syria

Saudi Arabia renews call for international community to stand by Syria

DUBAI: The Saudi foreign ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on Syrian territory in a statement on X. 

The ministry expressed its satisfaction with the measures taken by the Syrian government to achieve security and stability over all Syrian territory.

Saudi Arabia called for the international community to stand by Syria and confront these ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against Syria. 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed Israeli attacks on Syria with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Wednesday. 

The two ministers held the call after Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defense ministry and hitting near the presidential palace.

The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s government and came despite his warming ties with the US and his administration’s evolving security contacts with Israel.

Scores of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, pitting fighters from the Druze minority against government security forces and members of Bedouin tribes.


Jordan, Saudi Arabia to boost archiving, documentation cooperation

Jordan, Saudi Arabia to boost archiving, documentation cooperation
Updated 17 July 2025
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Jordan, Saudi Arabia to boost archiving, documentation cooperation

Jordan, Saudi Arabia to boost archiving, documentation cooperation
  • Pact to strengthen cultural ties, preserve historical records via exchange of expertise and technology

AMMAN: Jordan’s government has approved a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to enhance cooperation in archiving and documentation, the Petra news agency reported on Wednesday.

The decision ratified an agreement between Jordan’s Royal Hashemite Documentation Center and Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Archives and Records.

The agreement will set out a framework to preserve and catalog historical documents, and the exchange of expertise and technology.

There will be joint training programs in document restoration, digitization, and professional development, Petra reported.

The plan includes archival exhibitions, scientific seminars, and joint research projects.

The agreement stipulates that shared documents and data may not be distributed to third parties without prior written consent, even after the pact ends.

It will be in effect for an initial three years and automatically renewed unless one side opts out in writing at least six months before the expiration date.


Riyadh deputy governor receives Mexico’s ambassador

Riyadh deputy governor receives Mexico’s ambassador
Updated 16 July 2025
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Riyadh deputy governor receives Mexico’s ambassador

Riyadh deputy governor receives Mexico’s ambassador

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Riyadh, received Anibal Gomez Toledo, Mexico’s ambassador to the Kingdom, in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ambassador visited to say farewell on completion of his tenure in the Kingdom.

Prince Mohammed praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries and wished him success.


 


Great Expectations to Great Futures: British envoy Neil Crompton reflects on time in Riyadh

Great Expectations to Great Futures: British envoy Neil Crompton reflects on time in Riyadh
Updated 17 July 2025
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Great Expectations to Great Futures: British envoy Neil Crompton reflects on time in Riyadh

Great Expectations to Great Futures: British envoy Neil Crompton reflects on time in Riyadh
  • Neil Crompton discusses Saudi Arabia’s transformation in a farewell conversation on the five-plus years he spent as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom
  • During his tenure, three British prime ministers visited the Kingdom — Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and, most recently, Keir Starmer

RIYADH: Among the many foreign diplomats I have seen come and go in Riyadh, few stand out quite like Neil Crompton, who is leaving the Kingdom after having completed a little over five years as His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Crompton is, in many ways, the quintessential British diplomat. That self-deprecating wit and sharp sense of humor are trademarks of Crompton’s personality, which he tends to reveal only after loosening his proverbial necktie.

Like many Britons I met during my near-decade in the UK, and describe in “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile” (an anthropological book I published last year about my observations of London), Crompton was hard to crack at first — reserved and diplomatic, as one would expect. 

But once the ice melted, I discovered a man of deep intellect, insight and genuine passion for the region.

Crompton began his journey with the UK Foreign Office in 1995, ascending through key posts before heading the Middle East desk in 2015. His appointment as ambassador to the Kingdom came in early 2020 — a pivotal time, not just for Saudi Arabia, but for the world.

Almost immediately after landing in Riyadh, Crompton — like the rest of the world — found himself in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I have a very vivid memory of how professional and reassuring the Saudi government response was,” he told me. “The communication was very clear. You’ve got a good public health system.”

He added: “There was a very important decision by the government that everybody in the Kingdom would be treated the same regardless of nationality, which is very important. So we felt very reassured by that.”

When the dust of COVID finally settled, Crompton began to see the transformation Vision 2030 promised, not just on paper but in reality.

“I remember going to Riyadh Boulevard for the first time. And there was a polar bear dancing on the wall to the sound of, ‘I Like to Move, Move It,’” he laughed. “It’s just a nice atmosphere, families, grandpas, grandchildren, people out and about.”

audi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati receiving UK Ambassador Neil Crompton in Riyadh in Maerch 2024. (Supplied/File)

But of course, the transformation of Saudi Arabia is not limited to opening up and allowing once forbidden forms of entertainment. “When I met lots of ministers, went to ministries, you could feel the change,” he said. “You went into ministries and you saw everyone working hard.

“People talked about KPIs. I don’t remember hearing the term KPIs 10 years ago. Maybe I was wrong, but everyone was very focused, friendly, and wanted to both advance the Saudi national agenda but work out how they could collaborate with us.

“So it was sort of a mix of social change and then sort of changing corporate ethos. Britons asked me about Vision 2030. I say Vision 2030 was a vision, but now it’s a plan, and it’s been executed and very successfully.”

During Crompton’s tenure, three British prime ministers visited the Kingdom — Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and, most recently, Keir Starmer.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh last December. (SPA)

As ambassador, Crompton had numerous interactions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. But the relationship goes back further. “The first time I met the crown prince was back in 2015,” Crompton said.

“He’s very dynamic, he’s on top of his brief. He’s always very positive about the relationship with the UK. I think he sort of talks about it as being a strategic partner, but also says, ‘you’ve been a historically reliable friend.’

“And so I think everyone always comes away fired up because he has so much energy and enthusiasm for what he’s talking about.”

The shared monarchical systems of both nations, according to Crompton, provide a foundation of mutual understanding and respect.

“I think there’s a sort of natural affinity between monarchies. We’re probably the minority in the world, but I think the royal families tend to know each other. And I think there’s a sort of familiarity.

UK envoy Neil Crompton (L) being interviewed by Arab news Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“When Her Majesty the Queen passed, I was very touched by the messages I got from Saudis all over the Kingdom, just saying how sorry they were to see her pass.

“And connections between individual members of the royal families still go on. I know there’s constant messaging backwards and forwards, and that’s very positive.

“His Majesty King Charles, he’s a real expert on Saudi Arabia. I think he’s made six official visits. I just met him on a couple of occasions. But each time he’d talk about things he did in the past. You remember he gave a famous speech on Islam and the West. So he’s always very interested in interfaith dialogue.

“When Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa (secretary general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League) visited London, he saw him and he talked about the work that Saudi Arabia was doing in those areas.

“But also, in the few minutes I had with him, he asked: ‘Tell me what’s going on at AlUla, tell me what’s going on at this.’ So I think there’s a sort of familiarity, and I hope to nurture that.”

AlUla is undergoing a comprehensive regeneration to rejuvenate its native flora and fauna. (Royal Commission for AlUla photo)

But while royalty might be well-versed in the Kingdom’s transformation, are ordinary Britons keeping pace?

“I think it takes a long time to change perceptions. There’s always a time lag,” Crompton said by way of admission.

“Initially, the sort of scale of ambition when we talked about Vision 2030, people said, ‘really, can you do all that?’ And some people said, well, even if they do 70 percent of that, it would be impressive.

“And actually, my experience … probably 90 percent (can) be done. Saudi GDP has grown by over 70 percent since 2016. New sectors coming along.”

If there was one group that quickly closed that gap, however, it was the British business community.

“One of the highlights of my time here was the GREAT Futures trade event we did last year with the Saudi Ministry of Commerce,” said Crompton. “And for that, 450 British companies came.

“But 60 percent came for the first time, a lot from the creative industries and educational sectors who hadn’t been before. And I think they all came away and said, wow. And they met Saudis and established good contacts, and a lot of business and new relationships have flowed from that.”

File photo taken during the conclusion of the Great Futures Initiative Conference at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh on March 15, 2024, which saw about 450 British companies participating. (SPA)

And the numbers speak volumes. “Bilateral trade has gone up 70 percent since COVID,” Crompton told me. “Last year, I believe it was $17 billion each way. And we have a commitment … to try and get bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030.

“$30 billion is a magic number. Which I personally think we’ll exceed. And I think investment flows each way have increased significantly. And I think in the last five years, we’ve invested $23 billion in the UK. There’s lots of Saudi private investment.”

One of Crompton’s proudest efforts has been pushing forward the UK-GCC free trade agreement.

“I think we’re very close,” he said. “The negotiations started under the Conservative government, and actually we got quite close, and then we had an election, which just slowed things a little bit.

“Free trade is important to the health of the world economy. I think it’s a political signal between the Gulf countries and the UK, a political commitment to growing the relationship.

“This would be one of our first free trade agreements with a developing group of economies. And in the GCC’s case it would be the first time you signed a free trade agreement with a G7 country. So I think that would be very important.

“But more importantly, it will reduce tariffs in a number of areas, reduce some of the barriers, or some of the regulatory or bureaucratic obstacles to growing the relationship, and it provides a platform for growing trade.”

Ambassador Neil Crompton meeting with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi at the GCC Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh in January 2025. (Supplied/file photo)

He added: “I think it’s 90 percent done. Both sides agree that there’s a set of issues now that can only be resolved by ministers, because they involve political decisions and if you like, a natural bargain.”

Though the GREAT Futures Initiative Conference took place under a Conservative government, Crompton is confident the strong Saudi-UK relationship will continue under Labour. 

“They wanted to convey the message that the UK saw the Gulf as natural friends and important economic partners, and they wanted to maintain that relationship,” he said of the Labour government.

On the tourism front, Crompton highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s introduction of online visas — and he is glad that the UK managed to reciprocate shortly after. 

“The scheme went live in June 2022. Initially, you could only get a single entry visa, but now you can get a two-year visa. And our figures say close to 750,000 Saudis have applied for and used that scheme … I think we’re the only Western country that offers an online visa service.”

The Saudi Tourism Authority and VisitBritain signed a declaration of intent to collaborate and share expertise on domestic and international tourism. (Supplied/file photo)

He added: “And more Britons than ever are coming here. (For) the pilgrimage, but (also) for business or for events. I think we’re the second highest number of visitors after the Chinese. There are many more Chinese people than Britons.

“It’s important to have a good government-to-government relationship with the people-to-people links that make friends.”

It is not just tourists heading to Saudi Arabia. Investments — and soft power — are also flowing in both directions. 

“There are important Saudi investments in northeast England,” Crompton said, with the flagship being the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of Newcastle United.

“I have friends in the northeast who say the first thing they did was professionalize the women’s football team in Newcastle.”

Neil Crompton, British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, at his residence in Riyadh. (AN file photo)

He added: “I think people in the northeast say, well, this is really good. We want to do more with Saudi Arabia.”

One moment that truly embodied Saudi soft power for him? When the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir performed at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2024.

“I never forget they did Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep.’” he said. “They started (with) the men singing the Saudi traditional Saudi song. And then I remember when the lady came in and started singing, there were hairs standing up on the back of your neck. It was really impressive.”

The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, in partnership with the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, delivered a rousing performance at London’s Central Hall Westminster on September 28, 2024 as part of the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concert tour. (AN file photo)

The interview also touched on Saudi-UK defense cooperation, ongoing discussions about potential Saudi involvement in the Typhoon jet program, and the Kingdom’s emerging role in international mediation efforts.

Clips from these parts of the conversation are available on Arab News online.

As a parting gesture, I presented Crompton with a custom-made trophy resembling the front page of Arab News from 50 years ago — a small tribute to his time in the Kingdom.

Faisal J. Abbas presents Neil Crompton (L) with a trophy resembling the front page of Arab News from 50 years ago. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

True to form, he responded with classic British humor, presenting me with two ketchup sachets — a reference to a story from “Anecdotes of an Arab Anglophile” where I complained to the CEO of a major American fast food chain about not getting enough ketchup, which ultimately led to a change in company policy in the UK. 

In the book, I lamented — only somewhat jokingly — how I never received any recognition from the British government for my efforts to improve UK customer service. I should be careful what I wish for, as Crompton clearly saw fit to remedy that.

I had to laugh. As Neil Crompton leaves the Kingdom, he does so with several feathers in his cap — but perhaps most importantly — with genuine affection for a country that is changing faster than most could have imagined.
 

 


Jazan’s Black Mountain rises to new tourism heights

Jazan’s Black Mountain rises to new tourism heights
Updated 16 July 2025
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Jazan’s Black Mountain rises to new tourism heights

Jazan’s Black Mountain rises to new tourism heights
  • Named for its dark, volcanic rock formations, the mountain offers more than just dramatic colors. It is a place of raw natural beauty and ecological significance

RIYADH: Black Mountain, located in Al-Raith governorate of the Jazan region, is one of Saudi Arabia’s most striking natural landmarks, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Named for its dark, volcanic rock formations, the mountain offers more than just dramatic colors. It is a place of raw natural beauty and ecological significance.

Rising more than 2,000 meters above sea level, it ranks among the highest peaks in Jazan. Its rugged surroundings include sloping plains and winding valleys that attract hikers, nature photographers, and those seeking solitude in nature.

For much of the year, especially in winter and spring, the mountain’s peaks are cloaked in fog.

Its slopes are lined with native trees and traditional agricultural terraces that have supported generations of local farmers cultivating corn, millet, and coffee.

Several villages sit nearby, where locals maintain a deep connection with the land, the SPA reported.

Folklore passed down through generations speaks of the mountain as a refuge for shepherds and travelers in earlier times.

With the rise of ecotourism and outdoor exploration across the Kingdom, interest in Black Mountain has grown.

Young hikers, campers, and photography enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to its scenic terrain.

To support this, authorities are developing the site with walking trails, observation points, and informational signage that highlights local culture and biodiversity.