Saudi Arabia's transformation is full speed ahead. So how is it going so far? The latest IMF report on Saudi Arabia ("Saudi Arabia: Concluding Statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission") is, in some ways, a report card on Saudi Arabia's reforms and the changes happening to the Kingdom's economy. Successes in non-oil growth, employment, inflation control, and financial sector stability top the performance report for the IMF.

The IMF notes that Saudi Arabia’s "unprecedented economic transformation is progressing well. Prudent macroeconomic policies, transformative changes—including through fiscal reforms and in the regulatory business environment—and strong domestic demand have helped prop up non-oil growth. Inflation remains contained. Spending reprioritization and recalibration of major spending programs are ongoing. Efforts to diversify the economy have started to bear fruit."

Lucien and Hanaa discuss the report and some of the recommendations from the IMF.

The hosts conclude as always with a discussion of some of the latest news headlines.

Saudi Arabia is increasingly becoming one of the more attractive up-and-coming markets for international investors. The TWENTY30 Podcast welcomes Abdulaziz Alnaim, Managing Director of London-based Mayar Capital and seasoned equities investor known for his "value investing" strategy, to discuss why his fund waited to enter the Saudi market as a investor - and why the market is evolving into one with strong opportunities now and recently.

Abdulaziz shares his journey to become an experienced investor with a successful fund with Mayar Capital shaping future opportunities around the world and in the Kingdom.

Before the MAINSTAGE conversation and interview with Abdulaziz Alnaim, the hosts catch up on Hanaa's recent business trip to Asia for the week. Hanaa was in Singapore and presented a paper on vocational education in Saudi Arabia at the Middle East Institute in Singapore. The hosts discuss a little bit about how the TWENTY30 Podcast is growing.

After the conversation on the Mainstage with Abdulaziz, the hosts discuss recent news on Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco's investment in a joint venture with Renault and Geely, Saudi Arabia hosting the first eSports World Cup, and the launch of Jeddah Season 2024.

The hosts also discuss KFUPM students winning a prestigious drone competition in Maryland, the Saudi embassy in London hosting a seminar on Saudi women's achievements, and Aqua Power signing significant solar energy project deals.

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About the TWENTY30 Podcast:

New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly English program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority recently published new guidelines for the offering and listing of foreign companies on the Kingdom’s Main Market, the Tadawul. Leading Saudi attorney and go-to advisor for nearly every major IPO in the past decade (including Saudi Aramco’s blockbuster 2020 listing and recent share sale) Salman Al-Sudairi joins The TWENTY30 Podcast for an exclusive conversation about the new rules and guidelines, the evolution of the Kingdom’s stock market, and how Vision 2030’s reforms are pushing greater interest in investing in Saudi Arabia. Salman Al-Sudairi is a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, one of the leading law firms in Saudi Arabia. He’s worked on roughly 50 IPOs and offerings on the Saudi Stock Market, and has experience advising on all aspects of sukuk transactions and IPOs. Qualified to practice in both New York and Riyadh, Salman advises government entities, local and international companies, and private equity funds in complex commercial transactions in a wide range of industries. The new guidelines published by Saudi authorities clarify rules surrounding the three avenues through which non-Saudi companies may list their shares in Saudi Arabia, a subject of interest for companies looking to establish their presence in the Kingdom and tap into its capital markets. The regulations also stipulate that a non-Saudi company that wishes to cross-list or dual-list on the Main Market “must demonstrate the added value that it will bring to the Saudi Exchange and the Saudi economy as a whole.” Salman also discusses with The TWENTY30 Podcast the status of the legal profession in Saudi Arabia, the challenges and opportunities facing lawyers and companies working on setting up their operations in the Kingdom, and looks ahead to new changes and reforms potentially on the horizon. Joining The TWENTY30 Podcast hosts Lucien and Hanaa, Salman Al-Sudairi also discusses human capital in Saudi Arabia, particularly in his profession, and how he feels it is important for established large law firms to train and develop young Saudi legal talent. In addition to his role as leading markets advisor and attorney, Salman was also appointed by Supreme Order from HRH Crown Prince Mohmmed bin Salman in 2023 to serve on new board of directors of King Saud University. He also serves as a Member Board of Trustees at the Red Sea Film Foundation. You can read Latham & Watkins LLP’s report on the new changes, authored by Salman, here: https://www.lw.com/admin/upload/SiteAttachments/Saudi-Exchange-Publishes-Guidelines-for-Offering-and-Listing-of-Foreign-Companies.pdf

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The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

Eid Mubarak! In Episode 14, the hosts welcome Ghada Almuhanna back onto The TWENTY30 for her monthly segment to share insights into the diverse and culturally rich photographs taken during Hajj by pilgrims and the significance of these images. They highlight stories of personal experiences, historical visuals, and viral content that captures the essence of this spiritual journey. The conversation spans from the logistics and preparation for Hajj to the historical attempts of Europeans to document Mecca, showcasing Hajj as a unique and profound event uniting Muslims globally.

Before the conversation with Ghada, the hosts discuss the latest in Saudi sports investments, with news that the Kingdom is eying the creation of a new boxing league that would disrupt the sport.

The hosts conclude as always with a discussion of the latest news on Saudi Arabia.

Abdulrahman Sandokji, a Riyadh-based leading documentary filmmaker joins hosts Hanaa and Lucien in Episode 13 of The TWENTY30 for an exclusive discussion about the status of film and cinema in Saudi Arabia and discusses his journey from having his first camera at age 15 to becoming a notable figure in the industry, directing and producing numerous projects featured on major broadcast channels and festivals, including the 10th Saudi Film Festival.

Sandokji recently finished a documentary called “Underground” about Saudi Arabia’s growing music scene and reacts to the experience of filming the documentary, which follows artists around the Kingdom. He also discuses the impact YouTube had on his career, the significant role of the Ministry of Culture in supporting Saudi filmmakers, and his successful investigative documentaries like 'Phosphine.' He also shares his insights on the growing interest and importance of documentaries in Saudi Arabia, along with advice for aspiring filmmakers. His upcoming projects focus on exploratory TV series about ancient Saudi civilizations.

Before the conversation with Abdulrahman, the hosts discuss Hanaa’s deepdive, which is a discussion of fashion in Saudi Arabia in the context of what visitors should wear, what to expect and how to be respectful after a discussion of this topic a few weeks ago on the Kingdom’s Red Sea Fashion Week prompted a desire to spend more time on this subject. Hanaa highlights how the laws have changed over time and places this story of transformation within modesty laws and the fading role of the Haia.

The episode finishes up, as always, with some interesting recent news topics, including:

-The Red Sea Film Foundation's storytelling training for aspiring filmmakers and a showcase of international documentaries

-Preparations for Hajj, with 2.1 million pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia and extensive logistical planning to ensure their safety.

-Saudia’s negotiations with Boeing for wide-body jets,

-A successful separation surgery of conjoined twins by a Saudi medical team

-The rebranding and new identity of Al Qadisiyah Football Club.

For Episode 13’s “Arabic Word of the Show” summary, the hosts also explore the cultural practice of entering a room where people are eating without interrupting their meal.

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You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research, Knight Frank Middle East joins The TWENTY30 Podcast hosts Lucien and Hanaa for a discussion on a wide range of topics on Saudi Arabia's booming real estate sector, giga projects, construction, and other developments. Knight Frank is one of the world's leading real estate consultancies, and the reports that it produces especially on the markets in the Middle East is second-to-none. Its latest, "Destination Saudi," is over 140 pages of facts and data released by Knight Frank -- part of which stems from a survey done by the organization on consumer habits and interests in real estate in Saudi Arabia.

Before the conversation with Faisal, the hosts discuss Hanaa's DeepDive, which is the status of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives in Saudi Arabia and how the Kingdom is evolving with ESG at the forefront of public and private sector management.

The hosts conclude as always with a discussion of the news, including Hajj Preparations, a slow down in investment deals, drug smuggling, a new Saudi semiconductor hub, and the latest with OPEC+.

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Apple Podcasts:

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YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

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https://twenty30.beehiiv.com/

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

Saudi Arabia's leading contemporary artist Manal Aldowayan joins The TWENTY30 for an exclusive conversation and interview to discuss the Venice Biennale, her journey from computer science major to leading artist, and the development of art in Saudi Arabia. Aldowayan is representing Saudi Arabia at the 2024 Venice Biennale with a multimedia installation entitled Shifting Sands: A Battle Song, showing from April to November.

Manal AlDowayan is one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant contemporary artists working internationally. Her work, which spans various mediums including photography, sound, sculpture, and participatory practice, interrogates traditions, collective memories, and the status and representation of women. AlDowayan’s work has been exhibited regionally and internationally in the most prestigious art institutions such as the Guggenheim and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, The British Museum, and many others. Born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1973, AlDowayan currently lives and works between London and Dhahran.

Before the conversation, co-hosts Hanaa and Lucien discuss Aramco's recent announcement of a share sale and some look into how a shift in dividends may attract more foreign investors.

The host wrap up the show as always with a discussion of some of the latest news on Saudi Arabia.

Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify:

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Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://twenty30.beehiiv.com/

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

***

About The TWENTY30 Podcast

New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly English program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters.