As part of the ongoing care that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides to its citizens abroad, the Air Medical Evacuation Plane of the Ministry of Defense Health Services carried out a successful transfer of three Saudi citizens from Cairo International Airport in the Arab Republic of Egypt to the homeland, in order to complete their treatment journey and receive the necessary health care in specialized hospitals in the Kingdom.

This step was taken through direct coordination and close follow-up by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cairo, which worked alongside the relevant Egyptian authorities to facilitate all transfer procedures and ensure the patients' safety until they boarded the specially equipped aircraft. The Embassy confirmed in a statement that this measure stems from its ongoing commitment to monitoring the well-being of its citizens, ensuring their safety, and providing them with all forms of support and assistance, especially in emergency situations and critical health conditions.

Saudi air medical evacuation capabilities

The Saudi Ministry of Defense's air medical evacuation fleet is one of the most advanced in the region, possessing aircraft equipped as "flying hospitals" with the latest medical technologies and mobile intensive care units. These services play a pivotal role in the Kingdom's healthcare system, extending beyond military operations to encompass humanitarian needs and serving citizens whose conditions cannot be treated locally. This reflects the high level of preparedness of Saudi medical personnel and pilots in handling various critical cases.

The diplomatic role in caring for citizens

This incident highlights the vital role played by Saudi diplomatic missions abroad, whose work extends beyond political representation to include the social and health care of Saudi citizens. The embassies operate under the directives of the wise leadership, which places the health and safety of citizens at the forefront of its priorities, regardless of their location. The seamless cooperation between the embassy and the Egyptian authorities demonstrates the depth of the fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries, contributing to the swift implementation of the necessary administrative and security procedures for medical evacuations.

The embassy concluded its statement by expressing its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the medical and administrative bodies that contributed to the success of this humanitarian mission, wishing the three citizens a speedy recovery and a safe return to their families in good health.

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce announced the issuance of 1,987 licenses for discounts and promotional offers, targeting commercial establishments and online stores across the Kingdom. This announcement coincides with the launch of the "Ramadan Discounts" season, which officially began on the 13th of Sha'ban and is scheduled to continue until after Eid al-Fitr, thus covering the peak of the annual shopping season.

Details of licenses and products covered

The ministry explained in its statement that the issued licenses cover a wide range of products, exceeding 5 million, reflecting the anticipated volume of commercial activity. These products are diverse, encompassing all the needs of Saudi and resident families. Food and consumer goods topped the list due to high demand during the holy month, followed by electrical and electronic appliances, then perfumes and cosmetics, clothing and fashion, in addition to other miscellaneous luxury goods.

Context of the event and its economic importance

The month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are among the most important commercial seasons in the Kingdom and the Arab region, witnessing exceptional market activity and a significant increase in purchasing power. The Ministry of Commerce's move to regulate and issue this number of licenses is part of a strategy aimed at controlling markets, preventing price manipulation, and ensuring the availability of goods in quantities that meet the growing demand. This regulation not only benefits consumers but also contributes to stimulating the economy and enabling merchants to sell their inventory in a systematic and transparent manner.

Technical empowerment and consumer protection

In its commitment to protecting consumer rights and preventing deceptive offers, the Ministry of Commerce has implemented modern technology to verify the legitimacy of discounts. Shoppers can now instantly confirm the legality and validity of discounts by scanning the QR code found on the discount permit displayed in stores or on websites. This allows consumers to access all the offer's details, including the type of discount, its actual percentage, its duration, and the licensing information of the establishment, thus enhancing transparency and trust in commercial transactions.

Continuous monitoring and market stability

The Ministry affirmed that these regulatory efforts are complemented by intensive and ongoing field inspection tours of commercial establishments across the Kingdom. These tours aim to verify that stores adhere to approved regulations and requirements, and to ensure the absence of any misleading business practices. The Ministry also highlighted the streamlined procedures for establishments wishing to participate, noting that applications for discount permits can be submitted electronically through the dedicated website. This enhances the range of choices available to consumers and supports price stability during this crucial season.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, revealed a qualitative leap in municipal performance indicators, as the percentage of residents’ satisfaction with municipal services rose from 49% to 65%, while the percentage of satisfaction with the cleanliness of cities rose from 53% to 76%, thanks to the digital transformation and re-engineering of procedures adopted by the ministry.

Strategic shift in city management

This came during the minister's meeting with academics and students at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Riyadh, where he emphasized that the ministry is no longer content with developing traditional services, but has moved to a stage of "re-engineering the way we think" and decision-making. He explained that this transformation has contributed to reducing the percentage of waste treated using unsanitary methods from 64% to 49%, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to environmental sustainability standards.

Against the backdrop of this movement, this development aligns with the objectives of "Vision 2030" and the Quality of Life Program, which aim to transform Saudi cities into smart, sustainable cities that compete globally. After decades of relying on traditional management, the Kingdom is witnessing an organizational revolution based on big data to reduce bureaucracy and increase the efficiency of government spending.

Digital twins and innovation labs

Al-Haqil noted that the ministry is working on developing "Digital Twin" for cities, an advanced technology that allows for the virtual simulation of future scenarios before their implementation. This technology aims to support proactive, data-driven decision-making, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring resource sustainability.

He added that the ministry is working to establish national laboratories for artificial intelligence applications, ranging from generative urban design to the use of computer vision-enabled drones. This approach not only accelerates the transfer of innovation from university labs to the streets but also ensures the responsible and ethical application of modern technologies.

Economic and operational impact

On the economic front, the minister explained that the adoption of modern technologies such as smart monitoring has yielded tangible results, including:

• Raising the compliance rate to 64%.
• Reduced operating costs by a staggering 80%.
• Reducing reliance on in-person reviews for beneficiaries to only 2%.
• Achieving operational savings exceeding 250 million riyals as a result of improving the quality of road layers.

This transformation is of paramount importance both regionally and internationally, as the Kingdom presents a pioneering model of "cognitive cities" that proactively manage vast assets. These assets include more than 8,000 parks and public squares, and a road network spanning over 196,000 kilometers. This model enhances the attractiveness of Saudi cities to foreign investment and improves their ranking in global competitiveness indices.

Partnership with the academic sector

Al-Haqil emphasized that universities, particularly King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and King Saud University, are not merely educational institutions, but strategic partners in this transformation. He noted that collaboration with universities has resulted in the adoption of 19 design guidelines and the establishment of a foundation for Saudi architecture, thus enhancing the quality of the urban landscape.

The minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the ministry’s ambition is to build an integrated national model that combines knowledge and decision-making, driven by the power of artificial intelligence, to achieve sustainable urban development that serves future generations.