The Ministry of Commerce announced that it has intensified its monitoring efforts in the Makkah and Madinah regions, where its field teams carried out more than 17,500 proactive inspection tours, as part of its preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, which witnesses a large influx of pilgrims and visitors.

These intensified campaigns come in the context of the religious and historical significance of the two holy cities, especially during the months of Rajab and Sha'ban preceding Ramadan, when the number of pilgrims performing Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque doubles. This increased influx naturally leads to a significant rise in demand for food, supplies, and services, necessitating robust monitoring plans to ensure market stability and protect the rights of consumers, including citizens, residents, and visitors.

The Ministry explained that these inspection tours, conducted between the 1st of Rajab and the 5th of Sha'ban 1445 AH, covered a wide range of commercial establishments. These included major supermarkets, hypermarkets, and retail outlets located in the central areas surrounding the Two Holy Mosques, as well as gold and jewelry shops, which experience increased demand during this season. The inspections also extended to gas stations and service centers on the main roads leading to Makkah and Madinah, and the designated Miqat points for Ihram, to ensure the quality of services provided to pilgrims.

These proactive efforts have yielded tangible positive results, with inspection teams confirming the ample availability of essential food commodities and sufficient stock to meet anticipated demand during the holy month. The teams also verified that products offered for sale conformed to approved standards in the Kingdom and that businesses were adhering to consumer protection regulations, such as clearly displaying prices and issuing invoices.

These measures are of paramount importance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, they contribute to strengthening consumer confidence in the market and prevent harmful business practices such as monopolies or artificially inflated prices. Internationally, they reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to providing the best possible experience for pilgrims from around the world, aligning with the objectives of the "Guests of God Service Program," one of the programs under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich and enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience.

In a strategic move aimed at empowering future generations and equipping them with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the future, the Saudi Ministry of Education and Saudi Aramco signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance their collaboration. This partnership focuses on developing students' skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as fostering a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility, and supporting safety and security initiatives in the school environment.

National context and future vision

This collaboration comes within the framework of broader national efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places human capital development at the heart of its priorities. Through programs such as the Human Capability Development Program, the Kingdom seeks to prepare globally competitive citizens equipped with the skills and knowledge required by a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Public-private partnerships, such as this one between the Ministry of Education and Aramco, are a cornerstone for accelerating this transformation, as the expertise and capabilities of a leading company like Aramco contribute to enriching the education system with high-quality, applied, and practical programs.

Details and objectives of the memorandum

The memorandum was signed during the “Investment in Education and Training Forum 2026” held in Riyadh, coinciding with the International Day of Education, thus lending the event special significance. Under this agreement, the two parties will work on:

• Developing STEM skills: Designing and implementing specialized educational and applied programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with the aim of promoting critical thinking and innovation among students and preparing them for university majors and future jobs in these vital sectors.
• Promoting volunteer work: Studying the adoption of Aramco's volunteer programs within the approved volunteer hours for high school students, and developing mechanisms to measure the societal impact of these programs, thereby instilling values ​​of active citizenship and giving in the younger generation.
• Supporting security and safety: Developing integrated awareness and training programs to raise awareness of security and safety standards within schools, and to provide a safe and stimulating learning environment for all.
• Exchange of experiences: Cooperation in exchanging data, statistics and technical expertise between the Ministry and the company to continuously improve and develop educational and community initiatives.

Expected impact and future prospects

This partnership is expected to have a tangible positive impact at both the local and regional levels. Locally, it will help bridge the gap between educational outcomes and labor market demands, and develop a national workforce capable of leading promising industrial and technological sectors. Regionally, this initiative represents a pioneering model of cooperation between government institutions and major national companies to achieve sustainable development, potentially inspiring similar initiatives in other countries in the region.

In this context, Professor Nabil Al-Jamea, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services at Saudi Aramco, stated that “this cooperation confirms the keenness of both parties to continue their joint efforts in establishing a culture of volunteering and enhancing the role of education in serving the community… It is an investment in the Kingdom’s generations and a contribution to empowering students with future skills and preparing them to benefit from promising opportunities.”.

It is worth noting that this memorandum comes as an extension of an existing and fruitful cooperation, as the “Schools Volunteering” program was launched in 2023 according to the “Rashid” standard, and witnessed the participation of more than 131,000 volunteers who completed more than 1.25 million volunteer hours in 892 schools, which reflects the solid foundation on which this new partnership is built.

Under the slogan “Expanding Horizons… and Flourishing Real Estate,” His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, inaugurated today (Monday) the fifth edition of the “Future Real Estate Forum” in Riyadh. The event, considered the most prominent of its kind in the region, features broad international participation, including more than 300 speakers and experts, and hundreds of investors from over 140 countries worldwide. Its aim is to anticipate the future of the real estate sector and chart its course with awareness and responsibility, while drawing on the best global practices.

General context: Saudi real estate at the heart of Vision 2030

The forum comes at a pivotal time, as the Saudi real estate sector undergoes a radical transformation, driven by the ambitious goals of Vision 2030. Vision 2030 aims to diversify the national economy and reduce its reliance on oil, and the real estate sector plays a central role in achieving this objective. The Kingdom is investing billions of dollars in mega-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and Diriyah Gate. These projects are not only reshaping the urban landscape but also creating unprecedented investment opportunities for local and international developers and investors, making the forum an ideal platform to showcase these opportunities.

A global platform for shaping the future of real estate

For his part, the CEO of the General Authority for Real Estate, Engineer Abdullah bin Saud Al-Hammad, affirmed that the Future Real Estate Forum has established itself as a leading global platform for generating ideas and shaping the next phase of the sector. He added that the forum has become a global phenomenon, with its digital reach and engagement exceeding 450 million views, reflecting the growing international interest in the Saudi market. Al-Hammad pointed out that the value of agreements and partnerships concluded in previous editions has surpassed $50 billion, a tangible testament to the forum's ability to translate dialogues into real investments and projects on the ground.

Expected impact and importance of the forum

The forum's importance extends beyond theoretical discussions, directly contributing to accelerating quality investments and strengthening partnerships between local developers and international institutions. Locally, the forum supports efforts to increase the real estate supply and provide innovative housing solutions for citizens. Regionally, the forum reinforces the Kingdom's position as an economic powerhouse and a leading investment destination in the Middle East. Internationally, the forum showcases the Saudi experience as a pioneering model in sustainable real estate development and smart cities, particularly with the launch of unique initiatives such as the region's first virtual reality experience (Metaverse) and the inauguration of the first global media center specializing in real estate.

Supportive legislation and promising prospects

Al-Hammad affirmed that the unwavering support of the wise leadership has enabled the Saudi real estate market to enhance its resilience and adaptability to global changes. He explained that the sector's transformation journey began with legislation, progressed through technology and sustainability, and culminated in a stage of "institutional maturity." The activation of the "Updated System for Non-Saudi Ownership of Real Estate" is a strategic step that opens new horizons for foreign direct investment and positions Saudi real estate as an active participant in the global economic dialogue. In closing, Al-Hammad urged participants to leverage this platform to transform discussions into partnerships, visions into initiatives, and ideas into impactful projects, emphasizing that the Kingdom is an active partner in shaping the future of the sector globally.