Turkey’s tourism sector faces another lost season after a rapid coronavirus rise wiped out many early foreign bookings and prompted Russia, its top source of visitors, to halt flights and warn against travel this summer.
In a last-ditch move to cut infections and save the season, President Tayyip Erdogan last week imposed a lockdown through mid-May in part, he said, so that European countries did not leave Turkey behind as they re-open beaches, restaurants and travel.
The foreign cash that tourists spend is critical to offset Turkey’s heavy foreign debt, but revenues plunged 65 percent last year when the pandemic first hit.
JEDDAH: The Fashion Commission has finalized its strategy to develop the sector, including educational and training programs to prepare graduates for the labor market, providing outlets for the distribution of locally designed products, and building networks between designers and investors. The strategy’s aim is to enhance the national identity of the fashion industry and to
Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin was recently appointed chairman of the advisory council at the Government Youth Summit that will be held in Dubai in June, where she will focus on youth empowerment. Princess Haifa also serves as a permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Kingdom became a member of UNESCO’s
,RIYADH: Iraq plans to invest $3 billion in the Basra Gas Company over the next five years, the Iraqi News Agency reported on Monday.
“The aim is to increase gas production capacity by 40 percent as we seek to reach 1,400 million cubic meters of gas,” Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar told reporters.
“Basra Gas Company is currently in an excellent situation and there is a government commiment to provide the dues,” he said.
The investment plan will provide about 2000 jobs during the construction period of the project, the company said.
Iraq is also boosting its domestic cooking gas supplies, with the Basra Gas Company now accounting for 80 percent of supplies in the country.
The coalition affirmed that operational measures have been taken to protect civilians, Middle-East daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen condemned the failed Houthi attempts to target Saudi Arabia.
He affirmed the OIC’s support to the Kingdom in all the measures it takes to protect its security and stability and the safety of citizens and residents, state news agency SPA reported.
Earlier, the coalition confirmed two Houthi explosive drones had targeted the southern areas of the Kingdom, including one that was launched toward Khamis Mushait, Al-Arabiya TV reported.
“The Houthi militia is committing serious violations of international humanitarian law,” the Arab Coalition said.