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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's flag
The most notable was the Crown Prince's launch of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map and new measures to balance the real estate sector in Riyadh.
Additionally, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched Al Waha, a company specialized in duty-free retail, and another company to build and operate the facilities of Expo 2030 Riyadh. The sovereign fund also established its first commercial paper program.
The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged between 4.25% and 4.50% for the fourth consecutive time since the beginning of the year.
The Riyadh Metro Orange Line started operations on Jan. 5. It extends from Jeddah Road in the west to the second Eastern Ring Road adjacent to the Khashm Al-Aan area in the east, with a total length of 41 km.
The Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Investment launched the second batch of standard incentives for the industrial sector, with SAR 10 billion allocated to activate them.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources launched 15 enablers and incentives for establishments that are members of the Saudi Authorized Economic Operator (Saudi AEO) program. The program will support the competitiveness of Saudi exports and enhance their access to global markets, which supports the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.
6- SEC settles historic liabilities worth SAR 5.7 billion
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) said work started on the eight projects under the second batch of the Main & Ring Road Axes Development Program in Riyadh, totaling more than SAR 8 billion.
Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that the number of licensed global companies that are headquartered in Saudi Arabia was reaching 600 by February 2025. He added that all non-oil economic activity reached 52% amid diversification efforts. The number of investment licenses reached 40,000, compared to 4,000 in 2009.
10- Labor law amendments take effect
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) said amendments to the Labor Law will take effect from Feb. 19, aiming to enhance job stability and improve labor market efficiency to meet the needs of the private sector.
The board of directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, inaugurated the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project, comprising five destinations.
The PIF announced the establishment of Al Waha Duty-Free Company (Al Waha), a travel retailer and the first Saudi-owned duty-free operator.
S&P upgraded Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to +A from -A, with a Stable outlook.
17- OPEC+ updates plan to compensate for overproduction
OPEC+ issued, on March 20, a new schedule for seven member nations to make further oil output cuts to compensate for pumping above agreed levels, which will more than offset the monthly production hikes the group planned to introduce in April.
18- Crown Prince orders action to balance real estate sector in Riyadh
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed the implementation of several measures to balance the real estate market in Riyadh amid higher land prices and rentals.
19- Approval of executive regulation for Investment Law
The Minister of Investment approved the executive regulation for the Investment Law, which targets the implementation of the law’s provisions and achieve its targets.
20- Cabinet approves amendment to Idle Land fees regulation
The Cabinet, Chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved amendments to the Idle Land fees regulation.
21- US tariffs take effect
US tariffs against several countries took effect in April 2025.
22- Minister of Energy unveils 14 new oil & gas discoveries
Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that Saudi Aramco has made 14 new discoveries of Arabian oil and natural gas fields and reservoirs in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter. These new discoveries consisted of six fields and two reservoirs for Arabian oil, in addition to two fields and four reservoirs for natural gas.
23- Cabinet approves housing support regulation amendments
The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved amendments to the housing support regulation.
24- OPEC+ to increase output by 411,000 barrels in July
The OPEC+ decided to carry out an adjustment to output by 411,000 bpd in July 2025, compared to the required production level in June 2025, which is equivalent to three monthly hikes.
25- King Salman extends income tax on downstream operations until 2030-end
King Salman issued a royal decree amending the first two clauses of Royal Decree No. M/13. Application of the tax rate stipulated in Article 7/B of the Income Tax Law on companies involved in downstream operations, as well as oil and hydrocarbon producers, will be extended until Dec. 31, 2030.
26- US Fed holds rates steady for 4th time
The US Fed kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25% and 4.50% in June, for the fourth successive time, after it cut lending rates by 100 basis points in its last three meetings in 2024.
26- Oil prices surge, Brent closes above $76/barrel
Crude prices surged amid uncertain outlook and conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as Trump’s threats to Tehran. Brent futures for August delivery rose by 4.4%, or $3.22 to $76.45/bbl.
27- PIF sets up new company to build, operate Expo 2030 Riyadh facilities
The PIF announced the launch of Expo 2030 Riyadh Co., a wholly owned subsidiary tasked with developing and operating the Expo 2030 Riyadh site’s facilities - being the first-of-its-kind event to be hosted in Saudi Arabia.
29- PIF launches its first commercial paper program
The PIF announced the establishment of a global commercial paper program, as a new funding instrument to diversify its financing sources.
30- Gold reaches new record high
Gold gained 4.17% in Q2 2025 (April–June), up 21.74% during the six-month period, continuing its bullish trend.
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