Tag: Saudi Arabia
Gulf Digital Banking Race: UAE and Saudi Arabia Lead as GCC Neobanks Pass 15 Million Customers
GCC neobanks and digital banking platforms have collectively surpassed 15 million customers in 2026, led by UAE's Wio Bank and YAP and Saudi Arabia's STC Pay and Tabby, as the Gulf's young, tech-savvy population drives a digital finance revolution that is reshaping the region's banking landscape.
NEOM Smart City: Saudi Arabia Opens First Residential District as THE LINE Construction Accelerates
Saudi Arabia's NEOM megaproject has opened its first residential district for early residents and workers in 2026, with THE LINE's mirrored facade structure advancing in the Tabuk desert and the broader NEOM development receiving USD 500 billion in committed investment as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accelerates Vision 2030 delivery.
UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement Signed: First G7 Nation Seals Gulf Deal Worth £3.7 Billion a Year
The UK and GCC signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement on June 8, 2026 — the first trade deal between the Gulf bloc and any G7 nation — eliminating 93% of GCC tariffs on British goods and unlocking £3.7 billion in annual trade gains, with total bilateral trade of £53 billion set to grow 20%.
Saudi Arabia at World Cup 2026: Full Match Schedule, Group H Fixtures and How to Watch from the Gulf
Saudi Arabia is in Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde, with matches on June 16, 21 and 26. Here is the complete fixture schedule with Gulf kick-off times and where to watch across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Riyadh Air Takes Off: Saudi Arabia’s New Airline Launches Commercial Flights with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Riyadh Air launched its first commercial passenger flights on June 10, 2026, operating Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on a Riyadh–London Heathrow route, with Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester routes launching through July. The airline plans a fleet of 72 Dreamliners.
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Kuwait Budget Deficit Set to Widen 54.7% as Oil Income Falls
Kuwait projects its 2026-2027 fiscal deficit to jump 54.7% to KD9.8bn as oil revenue drops, even as non-oil income and new taxes gain ground.
Kuwait PACI Services & Digital ID 2026: Full Guide
How to use Kuwait's PACI services in 2026: update your address, activate the Kuwait Mobile ID, use the Sahel app and your digital Civil ID, step by step.
Saudi Arabia Tourist eVisa 2026: Fees, Rules & How to Apply
Saudi tourist eVisa 2026 guide: eligible nationalities, visa on arrival, GCC residents, fees, validity and what the visa allows, including Umrah via Nusuk.
Dubai H1 2026 Property Sales Hit AED286bn, Second-Highest Ever
Dubai recorded AED286.43 billion in real estate sales across 86,005 deals in H1 2026, the second-highest half-year on record, per DLD data.



