Neom's progress and opening date, Syria comes in from the cold, the Rua Al-Madinah giga-project and much more

The 966

Episode 86! The hosts fly solo today with lots to discuss from a busy week in Saudi Arabia. Richard's One Big Thing is the recent developments on Saudi-Syria relations. Syria has come in from the cold in recent days as the Arab League and Saudi Arabia in particular prioritize engagement with Assad regime to solve growing regional challenges - a departure from a decade of isolating the country which has descended into becoming a narco state under Assad. Lucien's One Big Thing is NEOM, which in just the last week had a slew of announcements and dropped an opening date for its first destination, Sindalah Island, located off the coast of the futuristic city. Then the hosts jump right into Yallah! to discuss 6 top storylines on Saudi Arabia headed into the weekend.

3:55 - Richard's One Big Thing is the recent developments on Saudi-Syria relations. Syria has come in from the cold in recent days as the Arab League and Saudi Arabia in particular prioritize engagement with Assad regime to solve growing regional challenges - a departure from a decade of isolating the country which has descended into becoming a narco state under Assad.

23:57 - Lucien's One Big Thing is NEOM, which in just the last week had a slew of announcements and dropped an opening date for its first destination, Sindalah Island, located off the coast of the futuristic city.

37:17 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to speed headed into the weekend.

Saudi Ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, visited a Boeing facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s $37 billion deal struck in March to purchase up to 121 Boeing aircraft.
“This historic investment will create around 100,000 direct & indirect jobs in the US across several states, including hundreds of suppliers and many small businesses.” According to Princess Reema. This is the fifth-largest commercial aircraft deal by value in Boeing’s history.

The Saudi Tourism Authority Says LGBT+ Visitors Are Welcome In Saudi Arabia
In the FAQ section of STA’S website, somebody inquired whether or not LGBT+ visitors were welcome in Saudi Arabia. The response was: “everyone is welcome to visit Saudi Arabia, and visitors are not asked to disclose such personal details.”

Lucid losses put Saudi Arabia's EV strategy in the headlamps
Lucid, a U.S. company in which PIF owns a 60.46% stake, fell well short of analyst forecasts on Tuesday with a sharp first quarter revenue fall and a cut to its 2023 production outlook, according to Reuters.
That performance could put another potential dent in Saudi plans to build its own EV industry, which includes Lucid's first manufacturing plant outside the U.S., as part of its far-reaching diversification plan led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia is planning to transform Islam's second holiest city of Madinah into a "modern Islamic and cultural destination" according to a report yesterday by Arab News.
The project, which is part of the Kingdom's Vision2030 strategy, will be overseen by Rua Al Madinah Holding Co., a real estate firm owned by the Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF)

World’s first Transformers indoor theme parks to open in Saudi Arabia
Toy giant Hasbro and Saudi Entertainment Ventures are teaming up to launch the world’s first Transformers-themed indoor entertainment centers.

Saudi Arabia and Netherlands agree to collaborate on green energy

Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of green energy and hydrogen. The Netherlands could be the main destination for the transport of hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources from Saudi Arabia to Europe, Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam.