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Quality of Life Program signs MoU with Areeb Capital

Quality of Life Program signs MoU with Areeb Capital
The MoU was signed by QOL CEO Khalid Albaker and Areeb Capital Chairman Yasser bin Alawi Fadaq.
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Updated 17 September 2023
Arab News
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Quality of Life Program signs MoU with Areeb Capital

Quality of Life Program signs MoU with Areeb Capital
Updated 17 September 2023
Arab News
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The Quality of Life Program, a Vision Realization Program of Vision 2030, has signed an MoU with Areeb Capital to work together to invest in sectors that contribute to increasing the quality of life in Saudi cities.

Signed at the Cityscape Global exhibition in Riyadh, a global real estate development event that took place from Sept. 10-13, QOL was represented by CEO Khalid Albaker, while Areeb Capital was represented by Chairman of the Board of Directors Yasser bin Alawi Fadaq. The signing took place under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Majid Al-Hogail, who also serves as the current minister of housing.

“This is an excellent chance for us to work together to build a baseline for investing in the sectors that actually enrich people’s lives,” said Albaker. “From arts and entertainment to parks, sports, hobbies, and other recreational activities, we are looking at the many ways in which public-private partnerships can build a better Kingdom for all of us.” 

The MoU will facilitate investment advisory services and financial studies that help direct capital to sectors that improve the livability of Saudi cities. These improvements include better public services, increasing sports and entertainment offerings, supporting the arts and culture, and upgrading the overall urban landscape.

In addition to exploring projects that contribute to the improvement and humanization of Saudi cities, the MoU also prioritizes specific support for increasing the number of amateur hobby clubs in the Kingdom.

Backed by MOMRAH, Cityscape Global provided a world-class platform for real estate entities to showcase their products and services to a diverse and international audience.

Taking place for the first time in Riyadh, the four-day event attracted more than 180,000 attendees. Revolving around the theme “The Future of Living,” it featured over 350 exhibitors, more than 300 international and local speakers, and over 2,000 investors.

Established in 2008, Areeb Capital is a Jeddah-based investment firm that specializes in asset management, real estate investments, advisory services, and more.

Riyadh Air concludes successful visit to China

Riyadh Air concludes successful visit to China
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News
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Riyadh Air concludes successful visit to China

Riyadh Air concludes successful visit to China
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News

A senior delegation from Riyadh Air, led by CEO Tony Douglas, visited China last week to meet with leading figures in the Chinese aviation industry, as the airline moves toward its maiden flight in mid-2025. The airline was warmly hosted by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, followed by productive meetings with officials of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and other local authorities, including several airports and airlines, as it plans for future operations in China.
Douglas said: “We were given a warm welcome by our hospitable Chinese hosts who helped to facilitate a series of extremely productive meetings. We were honored to share our plans for the future including our roadmap for Chinese operations, which were received very positively by the entire industry. China will play a very important role in our growth and we were encouraged by the level of support offered by the authorities and airports. Our meetings with potential Chinese airline partners were very positive as many carriers, both in China and across the world, are keen to play a part in our future as we expand rapidly toward a global footprint of over 100 destinations by 2030.”

HIGHLIGHT

Riyadh Air’s delegation was warmly hosted by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, followed by productive meetings with officials of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and other local authorities, as it plans for future operations in China.

He continued: “While we have no immediate plans to join an alliance, we are making significant progress on forging a series of strong bilateral partnerships to expand the airline’s network and global reach. I have been hugely encouraged by the enthusiasm of so many airlines who want to be part of the Riyadh Air story. It’s clearly emerging that our airline partners will be from a mix of backgrounds and geographical locations who see the massive potential of partnering with the new national carrier of the G20’s fastest growing economy and creating a mutually beneficial relationship.”
The airline is set to continue as a disruptor in the aviation world, having enjoyed a trailblazing six months. After a successful launch of the Riyadh Air brand to great acclaim in early 2023, the airline placed an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, followed by the reveal of a stunning new livery that grabbed the attention of the world. Additionally, it inked a sponsorship agreement with leading European football club, Atlético de Madrid, to be its official shirt sponsor.
Owned by the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air will be a digitally led, full-service airline adopting the best global sustainability and safety practices across its advanced fleet of aircraft. The airline will equip its aircraft with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next-generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. Riyadh Air will connect guests to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030 through offering an exceptional guest experience with authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.

HSBC Global Private Banking announces leadership transition for MENA

HSBC Global Private Banking announces leadership transition for MENA
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News
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HSBC Global Private Banking announces leadership transition for MENA

HSBC Global Private Banking announces leadership transition for MENA
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News

HSBC has announced the appointment of Aladdin Hangari as head of Global Private Banking Middle East and North Africa, succeeding Sobhi Tabbara, who has announced his departure from HSBC with effect from January 2024 to pursue opportunities beyond the bank.
Tabbara has led HSBC Global Private Banking in the MENA region since 2012, driving the expansion of its ultra-high-net-worth coverage in key markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. To ensure a seamless transition, Tabbara and Hangari will serve as co-heads of MENA until January.
Hangari joins HSBC from Credit Suisse, where he spent 20 years, most recently as CEO of Credit Suisse (Qatar LLC) and CEO of Aventicum Capital Management Holding AG. He will play a critical role in continuing HSBC Global Private Banking’s success across all countries of the GCC, building on the strong foundations laid by Tabbara, which has seen the private bank establish a leading presence across the region, connecting clients to international opportunities.
HSBC will also strengthen its coverage of Qatar with the appointment of Patrick D’Amico as global market head of Qatar, joining from Credit Suisse.
To further strengthen its offer in Switzerland, HSBC announced the appointment of Kouroche Achtari as market head for International Switzerland, joining from Credit Suisse.
HSBC Global Private Banking continues to strengthen its position across the region, serving customers with excellence throughout Europe and the Middle East. Over the past 12 months, the bank has launched an onshore business in the UAE, an onshore advisory service in Kuwait, and strengthened its coverage of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Northern Europe and Switzerland.
Gabriel Castello, regional head of Global Private Banking EMEA and CEO of the Swiss Private Bank, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Aladdin and our new colleagues to our ranks, all of whom will be instrumental in continuing our exceptional client service, connecting clients to unique opportunities and tailor-made solutions worldwide.”
Further strengthening our service across Europe, the Middle East and Africa underlines HSBC’s extensive heritage and reaffirms our position as a leading private bank in the region.”

Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition

Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News
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Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition

Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News

Community Jameel Saudi successfully concluded the 7th edition of the StartSmart competition, in the presence of Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation; Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Aboud, director of the Ministry of Sports branch in Makkah region; and a number of business leaders and experts. The event was held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah.
The concluding ceremony was organized at Jeddah Corniche Circuit by Bab Rizq Jameel and the Lenobadir program, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, under the theme of “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship and the Green Economy.” This year’s edition featured four distinct tracks: Startups, Ideas, Social Enterprise, and the newly launched Environment track.
The competition witnessed remarkable participation, drawing 1,010 applicants, with 60 teams qualifying for the semifinal stage. The teams underwent an intensive training camp last July, covering a variety of topics, including strategic planning, marketing, and financial management. The qualifying teams presented their projects and ideas to a judging panel, resulting in the selection of 36 teams for the final stage, out of which 12 winning teams (three teams within each track) were selected and awarded valuable prizes that amounted to SR465,000 ($124,000).
In the Startups track, fanZ grabbed the first place, Siolla came second, and Ballurh secured the third place. In the Social Enterprise track, AmplifAI Health won first place, Bahaa Adaptive Solutions ranked second, while Ad Astr came third. As for the Ideas track, Rafah AI secured first place, Organic Waste Management came second, and Maqarri grabbed third place. In the new Environment track, SARsatX won first place, Ivvest ranked second and TrustiT came third.
On the sidelines of the event, Community Jameel Saudi held a forum that included a conference and eight workshops. The forum featured eight expert speakers who discussed some of the most important trends, challenges, and opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector and the market.

Saudi Tourism Authority, Huawei expand partnership to boost Chinese tourism to Kingdom

Saudi Tourism Authority, Huawei expand partnership to boost Chinese tourism to Kingdom
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News
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Saudi Tourism Authority, Huawei expand partnership to boost Chinese tourism to Kingdom

Saudi Tourism Authority, Huawei expand partnership to boost Chinese tourism to Kingdom
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News

The Saudi Tourism Authority is expanding its strategic collaboration with Huawei Mobile Services and Petal Ads, the advertising arm of HMS, to boost Chinese tourism to the Kingdom and enhance the tourists’ travel experience by making it smarter and more immersive. The partnership aims to revolutionize the way tourists explore the country through increased digitization of travel services, with a special focus on attracting Chinese tourists to the Kingdom.

HMS and the Saudi Tourism Authority signed an MoU during the Approved Destination Status launch ceremony held in Beijing. Fahd M. Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, was the signatory of the MoU along with Walter Ji Rengui, president of Huawei Consumer Cloud Service Global Ecosystem Development and Operations. The signing reflects both parties’ ongoing collaboration and continued shared commitment to promoting Saudi Arabia as a unique and dynamic destination for Chinese audiences.

Choon Yang Quek, chief technology officer, Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “The partnership with Huawei Mobile Services and Petal Ads is part of Saudi’s wider novel approach to marketing tourism and travel experiences that transform the visitor experience. Huawei has a deep connection with its consumers, which combined with Saudi’s dedication to visitor experiences, allows us to reach new audiences more effectively via established Huawei channels and tap into new insights on Chinese travelers to better tailor their journey in Saudi.”

Alhasan Aldabbagh, president of APAC markets at Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Huawei Mobile Services and Petal Ads to enhance the travel experience of tourists visiting Saudi. By making Huawei’s cutting-edge technology an integral part of the travel experience, we can tap into established channels to reach a much wider audience and develop a deeper understanding of potential visitors. Through this partnership, we are reaffirming our commitments set out under Vision 2030 and are delivering tailored and custom experiences for Chinese travelers.”

Rengui said: “We are delighted to partner with the Saudi Tourism Authority in this exciting collaboration. By integrating our advanced technology solutions, we aim to provide tourists visiting Saudi with an enhanced and seamless travel experience. This partnership reflects our commitment to innovation and our dedication to transforming the tourism industry for the better.” 

By integrating HMS’ advanced technology solutions, tourists visiting Saudi Arabia will enjoy a smarter travel experience and will have access to a range of innovative tools and applications that can simplify their journey. From seamless navigation and language translation services to augmented reality-guided tours, this collaboration aims to ensure that tourists can make the most of their time while traveling. 

Through this partnership, the Saudi Tourism Authority seeks to leverage cutting-edge technology to offer tourists an unparalleled experience while showcasing the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality that Saudi Arabia has to offer. 

In partnership with Petal Ads, the Saudi Tourism Authority is making substantial efforts to welcome an increasing number of Chinese tourists to explore the beauty and wonder of the Kingdom. The collaboration includes targeted marketing campaigns across various platforms to raise awareness about the diverse tourist attractions and unique experiences the country has to offer to the Chinese audience.

Meanwhile, in an endeavor to strengthen ties with China and promote Saudi Arabia as a premier tourist destination, VIP guests from the Saudi Tourism Authority participated in a panel discussion at the HDC “Together 2023 in China.” The panel discussion aimed to highlight the mutual benefits of tourism collaboration between the two nations and explore new avenues for cross-cultural exchange.

New Zain KSA partnership to localize digital education

New Zain KSA partnership to localize digital education
Updated 03 October 2023
Arab News
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New Zain KSA partnership to localize digital education

New Zain KSA partnership to localize digital education
Updated 03 October 2023
Arab News

Zain KSA signed a memorandum of understanding with Aanaqeed Knowledge Company, also known as Aanaab, an Arabic e-learning platform, and Code School Finland, a global leader in coding, robotics, and AI education. This strategic partnership aims to bridge the digital literacy gap across the Kingdom and support the localization of digital education. The MoU is part of Zain KSA’s corporate sustainability strategy and its commitment to enhancing the digital capabilities of Saudi society by implementing training and educational programs, with a focus on developing technical skills. This will, in turn, contribute to Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation and bolster Arabic technical content on the internet.
Zain KSA’s MoU with Aanaab and Code School Finland demonstrates the company’s significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion by extending educational opportunities to every corner of the Kingdom, including remote regions. The MoU also underscores Zain KSA’s unwavering commitment to empowering both female and male educators across Saudi Arabia, aspiring to nurture and graduate a new generation of digital trailblazers. This collaborative endeavor seamlessly aligns with Zain KSA’s overarching corporate sustainability strategy, based on three key pillars: operating responsibly, inclusion, and generation youth, inextricably linked to globally recognized environmental, social, and governance practices.
Rayan bin Abdullah Al-Turki, Zain KSA’s chief communication officer, said: “As part of our corporate sustainability strategy, we are dedicated to elevating the digital literacy of all segments of our society. Our primary focus is on empowering the community of educators, who play a pivotal role in shaping the present and future of the Kingdom across various fronts. This dedication contributes significantly to the Kingdom’s progress within the Human Development Index. Notably, in the 2022 Human Development Report released by the UN Development Program, Saudi Arabia secured the 35th rank out of 191 countries, a noteworthy ascent from the 40th position in the previous edition of the report.”
Al-Turki added: “This partnership will significantly contribute to our broader community engagement efforts in support of the digital transformation journey outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. It also aligns with our commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of delivering high-quality education, fostering inclusivity and equality, and guaranteeing the right to access knowledge and quality education for all residents of the Kingdom. We are delighted to collaborate with the leading e-learning platform Aanaab and the esteemed global digital skills education provider Code School Finland. In fact, our shared strategic approach revolves around nurturing innovation and leadership among our youth while fostering sustainability in building knowledge societies that leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance digital Arabic language content, ultimately benefiting humanity across the Arab world.”
Aanaab CEO Mounira Jamjoom said: “We are thrilled to join hands with Zain KSA and Code School Finland on this ambitious project to empower Saudi talent with digital literacy programs. Our specialized professional development courses are created by distinguished partners, academics, and educators from across the globe. With our distinctive approach and locally tailored content, we ensure that Saudi students have access to top-tier educational resources in their native language.”
Meanwhile, Code School Finland CEO Kaisu Pallaskallio said: “The collaboration reflects our joint dedication to fostering Saudi talent and empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders. We are delighted to leverage our pedagogical expertise, teaching resources, and professional development services for educators in coding, robotics, and AI to drive educational excellence in Saudi Arabia. Our strategic partnership heralds a sustainable digital transformation in Saudi Arabia’s educational sector, empowering the Saudi youth with fundamental digital literacy skills needed for a thriving future.”

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