Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of SRMG, signed the deal with Dr. Abdul Monem Saeed, chairman of Al-Ahram’s board of directors, during a function that was held at the SRMG headquarters in Riyadh. The agreement comes at a time when the two organizations have been following the latest trends and developments in the media industry.

According to the agreement, the two companies will cooperate in printing, publishing, digital publishing, media activities, distribution and organizing conferences. The accord follows a number of meetings held by officials from both companies in Cairo and Riyadh. SRMG, whose shares are exchanged on the Saudi bourse, is an integrated Middle Eastern media group. It has huge potentials and plays an important role in Saudi Arabia’s publishing, advertising, distribution and printing sectors. Its publications have considerable readership in many countries around the globe.

Asharq Al-Awsat, an SRMG publication, is considered the most influential Arabic newspaper in the world. Arab News, the leading English language daily in the Middle East, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily and Arriyadiyah sports daily are the company’s other popular titles.

In total the company has 16 publications in four languages. SRMG’s activities are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, and has publishing, printing and distribution centers in seven countries and eight subsidiary companies.

Al-Ahram, which is one of the largest media companies in the Arab world, employs more than 10,000 people.

It publishes Al-Ahram daily, which was established in 1875, and 15 other titles including weeklies and monthlies specializing in women, youth, children, sports and computers.