Three foreign law firms granted licenses to operate in Saudi Arabia

Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid Al-Samaani (Center), and Minister of Investment, Eng. Khaled Al-Falih (right), handed over in Riyadh on Sunday, the first licenses issued to foreign law firms operating in Saudi Arabia to officials in Herbert Smith Freehills, Latham & Watkins, and Clifford Chance. (SPA)
Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid Al-Samaani (Center), and Minister of Investment, Eng. Khaled Al-Falih (right), handed over in Riyadh on Sunday, the first licenses issued to foreign law firms operating in Saudi Arabia to officials in Herbert Smith Freehills, Latham & Watkins, and Clifford Chance. (SPA)
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Updated 06 March 2023
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Three foreign law firms granted licenses to operate in Saudi Arabia

Three foreign law firms granted licenses to operate in Saudi Arabia
  • Herbert Smith Freehills, Latham & Watkins, Clifford Chance benefit from rule change
  • Justice minister hopes move will help develop profession, raise efficiency

RIYADH: Three foreign law firms were granted licenses to operate in the Kingdom at the International Conference on Justice in Riyadh on Sunday.

Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani and Minister of Investment Khaled Al-Falih presented the documents to Herbert Smith Freehills, Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance.

These are the first such licenses to be granted since the Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Code of Law Practice on the subject. The ministry had previously approved implementing regulations for licensing foreign law firms.

With the rule change, the justice minister aims to develop the legal profession, raise the efficiency of its practitioners and improve the business and investment environment in the Kingdom.

Joza Alrasheed, managing partner of the law office of Joza Alrasheed in partnership with Herbert Smith Freehills, told Arab News: “This is a historical day for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today as we are celebrating the licensing of foreign international firms. This is in line with Vision 2030 and the giga-projects that the Kingdom is now leading and also the bespoke projects that it will continue to do.

“I think the key point and drive of this initiative is to transfer the global knowledge of very renowned international law firms to train and develop the skill sets of our young generation and young future lawyers to pave the way for the future.”




Mohammed Al-Shukairy, head of the Clifford Chance Middle East region (left) and Dr. Fahad Abuhimed, managing partner of AS&H. (Supplied)

Alrasheed said being the first Saudi female to become a partner of a global law firm was a “very new step,” and she hoped “many more of my colleagues and females would be in the same position.”

Clifford Chance and Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm also announced their agreement to enter into a 50-50 joint venture, and they will be now known as AS&H Clifford Chance.

Clifford Chance is one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms, with significant depth and range of resources across five continents and a strong client base that includes leading corporates, financial investors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not-for-profit organizations.




Joza Alrasheed, managing partner of the law office of Joza Alrasheed in partnership with Herbert Smith Freehills. (Supplied)

It has had an on the ground presence in Saudi Arabia for many decades in a variety of forms and has operated in cooperation with AS&H since November 2016. The cooperation has been highly successful and a key part of Clifford Chance’s market-leading Middle East practice.

AS&H is the leading law firm in Saudi Arabia and has a deep bench of 64 Saudi nationals and internationally qualified lawyers who are specialists across a range of practice areas including corporate, banking and finance, debt and equity capital markets, antitrust, regulatory, public policy, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, construction and public-private partnerships.

In conjunction with Clifford Chance, AS&H has amassed a wealth of experience in Saudi Arabia and has led the market in developing many of the features of existing market practice.

The team regularly advises key Saudi ministries and government-owned entities as well as a wide range of government owned, privately and publicly held Saudi and international businesses, listed companies and financial institutions. The firm has a strong track record of advising on some of the most innovative and groundbreaking transactions in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Fahad Abuhimed, AS&H Clifford Chance managing partner, said: “This exciting new joint venture further cements the unique relationship that Clifford Chance and AS&H have enjoyed for the last six years in the Kingdom and which has created an unrivaled legal powerhouse in Saudi Arabia.”

Charles Adams, Clifford Chance Global managing partner said: “We are delighted to be creating an even stronger and more integrated Saudi offering through our new joint venture arrangement with AS&H. We look forward to working together in continuing to provide our local, regional and global clients with the highest quality advice and support in this exceptionally dynamic and fast-growing market.”

 

 


Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif
Updated 29 November 2023
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Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Agreement signed to achieve Saudi Green Initiative goals in Taif

Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud on Wednesday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Green Taif Organization, represented by its chairman, Saad bin Ayed Al-Otaibi, and the Green Horizons Environmental Association, represented by board member Saad bin Rabah Al-Ajmi.

The deal seeks to achieve the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative in Taif by increasing and preserving vegetation cover and protecting resources, identifying areas suitable for afforestation, determining the types of seedlings appropriate for each site, and other initiatives.

It will also implement training courses in relation to the environment, preserving its development and sustainability, and implementing initiatives, campaigns and awareness-raising activities.
 


Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.
Updated 30 November 2023
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Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Who’s Who: Ahmed Al-Shammari, GM of marketing and communications at National Gas and Industrialization Co.

Ahmed Al-Shammari has been the general manager of marketing and communications at the National Gas and Industrialization Co. in Riyadh since October this year.

Al-Shammari was selected due to his extensive professional background in strategic communications and customer experience, as well as his more than 15 years of experience in providing leadership in directing communication and branding initiatives, which reflect, articulate and promote the mission, vision and identity of the organization.

His areas of expertise include public relations, corporate social responsibility, media relations, content creation, events management, project management and strategic planning.

Al-Shammari was previously executive director for corporate communication and customer experience at the Fund for Martyrs and Wounded, Prisoners and Missing Persons in Riyadh.

In 2022, he was director of corporate communications at Saudi Mining Services Co., ESNAD.

Al-Shammari has also held important roles at Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, where his responsibilities included overseeing development of communication, branding strategies and delivering impactful public relations programs that advanced the company’s mission and values.

Prior to that role, he was the internal and external communication manager‎ and corporate communication manager at the same company.

Al-Shammari started his career in July 2012 as corporate communication specialist at Saudi Railway Co.

He was the company’s corporate communication supervisor from March 2014 to April 2017, and the corporate communication manager from May 2017 to December 2018.

Al-Shammari earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Southern Indiana in 2005. He completed the leadership program at Harvard Business Review and Strategic Leadership from Harvard Business School in 2019.


RCU opens AlUla cycling path

RCU opens AlUla cycling path
Updated 29 November 2023
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RCU opens AlUla cycling path

RCU opens AlUla cycling path

ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla has announced the inauguration of a cycling path spanning 45 km, SPA reported on Wednesday. 

The track is in line with the AlUla Vision and the sports sector strategy that aims to develop activities that improve quality of life and increase sports participation.

About 200 cyclists competed in a race as part of the inauguration, including members of the AlUla Cyclists Club as well as local citizens and residents. About 150 students also participated, using paths designed to enhance the skills of cyclists, beginners and professionals. 

During the inaugural ceremony, AlUla Club’s management said that it had provided more than 1,000 bicycles to be awarded to participants after they passed driving tests and attended educational sessions on road safety procedures.

The path offers a sports experience in the cultural natural environment of AlUla, which hosts international sports events that support the cornerstones of the AlUla Vision in achieving sustainability. These include reducing environmental impact, such as through sustainable transport, and developing a comprehensive network of cycling paths and roads throughout AlUla.

The RCU is working to develop various sports as part of the Kingdom’s sports sector’s comprehensive goals, including hosting international championships such as the AlUla Tour. This is scheduled to be held in January in AlUla, which has gained international recognition in hosting such races.


Red Sea Global nursery cultivates over 5m plants 

Red Sea Global nursery cultivates over 5m plants 
Updated 29 November 2023
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Red Sea Global nursery cultivates over 5m plants 

Red Sea Global nursery cultivates over 5m plants 

RIYADH: Red Sea Global revealed on Wednesday that its nursery has surpassed the impressive milestone of cultivating over 5 million plants since its establishment three years ago.

Currently operating at full capacity, the nursery is staffed by skilled Saudi farmers and experienced national experts, dedicated to cultivating a diverse array of plant species.

Distinguished as the largest nursery in the region, spanning over 1 million square meters, it aspires to produce more than 30 million plants.

These will be utilized to adorn resorts, hotels, and various ambitious projects such as the Red Sea and Amaala destinations.

The selection of local plants, flowers, and other greenery is carefully curated to harmonize with the distinctive environment of the Red Sea region.

The majority of plants in the nursery are indigenous species perfectly adapted to the climate of the Red Sea, encompassing coastal and surrounding inland conditions.

The introduction of additional desert species follows thorough assessments to ensure their comfortable coexistence with local plants and animals.

Muteb Al-Osaimi, senior manager of the nursery, said that combatting desertification is a multifaceted process, highlighting the Red Sea Global company’s capacity to effect positive change.

“This presents an opportunity to transcend reasonable limits, elevate sustainability standards, and collaborate with an international team of experts who share a passion for environmental enhancement. Concurrently, we contribute to crafting beautiful destinations by designing captivating landscapes, creating inviting spaces for visitors to unwind, and fostering flourishing wildlife,” said Al-Osaimi.

Red Sea Global has redoubled its investment in training and employing Saudi talents within the nursery, ensuring that both humanity and nature reap the benefits of this transformative project.

The nursery’s 80 Saudi employees bring varying levels of expertise to this pivotal endeavor.


Saudi national dishes to be showcased around Kingdom

Saudi national dishes to be showcased around Kingdom
Updated 29 November 2023
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Saudi national dishes to be showcased around Kingdom

Saudi national dishes to be showcased around Kingdom

JEDDAH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Commission is to host a seven-month mobile food exhibition to spotlight national dishes and traditional sweets, the SPA reported.

The dates for the tour around the Kingdom are yet to be announced.

The exhibition will showcase Saudi food favorites jareesh and the dessert maqshush through activities and events.

The mobile display will commence its journey in Riyadh before moving on to Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Jouf, the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, the Eastern Province, Najran, Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha.

Activities will include live cooking demonstrations, tasting sessions, an exhibition of tools and ingredients for preparing the two dishes, interactive games, and a film on traditional heritage cooking.

The initiative aims to highlight local dishes linked to Saudi identity by visiting community locations such as markets, public spaces, and schools.

Earlier this year, the commission designated jareesh and maqshush as the country’s national dish and sweet, respectively.