Future-forward thinkers: ROSHN Hackathon winners revealed

Future-forward thinkers: ROSHN Hackathon winners revealed
The hackathon spotlights ROSHN’s drive to spearhead innovation.
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Updated 25 September 2023
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Future-forward thinkers: ROSHN Hackathon winners revealed

Future-forward thinkers: ROSHN Hackathon winners revealed

ROSHN Group, a Public Investment Fund-backed company and Saudi Arabia’s leading mixed-asset real estate developer of integrated urban communities, announced the winners of the ROSHN Hackathon at Cityscape Global in Riyadh.

For the “New Venture Ideas” track, EcoFit won first prize for their cutting-edge development and received a prize of SR350,000 ($93,300), while the Wajid team secured the second place and received a prize of SR150,000. In the “Established Startups” track, NeoROSHN claimed the first prize worth SR350,000, while the JMM Innovation team won SR150,000.

Each track offered a first-place prize of SR350,000. In addition to the cash prizes, the winning teams will also be invited to attend Innovation and 10x Thinking training at Google workshop and the Saudi Arabia Google Cloud Launch event.

“The ROSHN Hackathon embodies our unwavering commitment to innovating for the future. It’s not just about real estate; it’s about ushering in groundbreaking technologies, setting unprecedented standards, and nurturing entrepreneurs and budding economic sectors across the Kingdom. Through the pioneering solutions proposed by these forward-thinking entrepreneurs and startups, the hackathon aims to elevate the quality of life for residents and tenants. We are focused on translating innovative ideas into tangible, state-of-the-art solutions tailored for everyday needs. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants, especially our victorious winners, for showcasing such creativity and resilience,” said David Grover, CEO of ROSHN Group.

The hackathon showcased a dynamic gathering of 16 teams, hailing from both the Kingdom and outside. These teams adeptly navigated challenges across three pivotal sectors: the evolution of software solutions, the unveiling of groundbreaking products, and the transformation of infrastructure and compliance. The participant pool, teeming with tech aficionados, real estate experts, budding college visionaries, and prop-tech trailblazers, became a melting pot of innovative minds. All were united by a singular mission: to ideate transformative solutions addressing the pressing challenges of the real estate sector. Ensuring a rigorous and fair assessment, a carefully curated panel of experts with profound roots in the Saudi real estate, housing, and technology sectors undertook the responsibility of judging.

The essence of this hackathon resonates profoundly with ROSHN’s foundational ethos, serving as a marker of the confluence of diverse perspectives, collaborative ventures, and an indefatigable spirit of innovation. Such attributes not only pave the path for the future of real estate but also mirror ROSHN’s steadfast commitment to empowerment.

CityScape, a premier international real estate event, recently marked its inaugural appearance in the Kingdom, unfolding at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center. ROSHN took center stage as founding partner of the event.


MG Motor takes center stage at Riyadh Motor Show

The British-born brand MG Motor unveiled the new MG Whale for the 1st time globally and the new MG7 regionally
The British-born brand MG Motor unveiled the new MG Whale for the 1st time globally and the new MG7 regionally
Updated 07 December 2023
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MG Motor takes center stage at Riyadh Motor Show

The British-born brand MG Motor unveiled the new MG Whale for the 1st time globally and the new MG7 regionally

MG Motor, the British-born brand, took center stage at the Riyadh Motor Show as they unveiled the new MG Whale for the first time globally, and unveiled the new MG7 regionally. Both launches showcased MG’s dedication to providing cutting-edge vehicles that resonate with the discerning tastes of customers in the Middle East and Saudi markets.

The Riyadh Motor Show, a prominent event in the automotive calendar, provided MG Motor with a strategic platform for launching the MG Whale, a revolutionary SUV-coupe that embraces daring design elements. Featuring a distinctive whale-inspired grille and a rear adorned with oval-shaped vertical lights, the MG Whale is sure to capture attention on the road with its bold aesthetics. The interior boasts a dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic screen, Nappa leather-clad seats, and a clean, button-free design that enhances the overall driving experience. With its striking appearance, the MG Whale is a petrol-powered marvel that combines style, performance, and innovation. This SUV will be available for sale from the end of December.

With its sporty look, triangle-shaped headlights, and a continuous tail light unit, the region-first MG7 is bound to make a powerful statement on the road in March 2024. The interior features a 12.3-inch main screen, a 10.25-inch instrument panel, and a stylish three-spoke steering wheel. Offering a harmonious blend of performance and aesthetics, the MG7 stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering diverse options for its customers.

MG Motor also displayed a custom-made MG T60, adding a unique touch to its display at the motor show. Moreover, the brand highlighted its New Energy mobility models including the MG HS PHEV and the new MG ZS EV. The company’s stand also featured other top-tier models such as the RX5, MG GT, and the recently introduced MG One. These models, known for their exceptional performance, style, and innovative features, further enhance MG’s diverse lineup.

MG Motor Middle East Managing Director Tom Lee said: “Our presence at the Riyadh Motor Show this year is crucial as the brand brings to the region — and the capital of the Kingdom — a world premiere and a regional debut, both are momentous occasions for MG Motor. These groundbreaking launches not only emphasize the strategic significance of the Middle East in our global vision, but also allow us to pay homage to our rich history as we celebrate MG Motor’s 100 years and our newly signed partnership with Jiad Modern Motors, a Mohamed Yousuf Naghi company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MG Whale and MG7 models are a testament to our commitment to delivering innovation and design excellence to our customers in the Middle East and beyond.”


Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates 20 years of positive impact

Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates 20 years of positive impact
Updated 07 December 2023
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Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates 20 years of positive impact

Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates 20 years of positive impact

Bab Rizq Jameel, a company that is part of Community Jameel Saudi, celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the profound impact it has achieved by providing income opportunities. A ceremony was held on Dec. 3 at Hussein Jameel Hall in Jeddah, celebrating major milestones and achievements, in addition to launching the new corporate identity.
For more than two decades, Bab Rizq Jameel has played a significant role in supporting and empowering the community and creating a positive impact in the Kingdom. Through a series of initiatives, Bab Rizq Jameel has helped in providing youths with income opportunities, reducing unemployment rates in line with the goals of Vision 2030. In addition, it has enabled job seekers to improve their professional skills to meet market requirements and delivered effective employment solutions for enterprises to enhance their growth and contribution to the national economy.

FASTFACT

1m

job opportunities have been provided by Bab Rizq Jameel over a span of 20 years.

Over the span of 20 years, the company has succeeded in providing more than a million job opportunities, offering microfinance of more than SR2.9 billion ($773 million), and supporting over 150 companies through a comprehensive range of cloud solutions.

Dr. May Taibah, Member of the Board of Trustees at Community Jameel Saudi

Hassan Jameel, deputy chairman of Community Jameel, said: “At the core of Bab Rizq Jameel, our vision is focused on supporting the development of the Saudi economy by providing employment and competencies development opportunities, and organizing innovative programs and initiatives for members of the community. This is a special occasion for all of Bab Rizq Jameel’s team as we are celebrating the progress and successes we have achieved. Notably, this milestone would not have been possible without the unlimited support received from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, and all supporting government organizations.”

As we celebrate our achievements of the past 20 years, we must also look forward to the future to shape our plans and implement them with determination.

Dr. May Taibah, Member of the Board of Trustees at Community Jameel Saudi

Dr. May Taibah, member of the board of trustees at Community Jameel Saudi, said: “As we celebrate our achievements of the past 20 years, we must also look forward to the future to shape our plans and implement them with determination. Bab Rizq Jameel has been at the forefront of providing innovative employment solutions to enterprises in various sectors over the past two decades. We will continue delivering impact, activating our new strategy that ensures both quantitative and qualitative development of our services, keeping abreast of the landscape and changes in labor markets.”
During the celebration, Bab Rizq Jameel’s new strategy was announced. The newly announced services can be divided into two main categories: competency development, which includes training ending with employment, cooperative training, and a skills kit for fresh graduates; and the income opportunities services that allow job seekers to find opportunities ranging from full- to part-time and freelance work, through a dedicated platform connecting them with suitable organizations.
Bab Rizq Jameel also announced its updated corporate identity and several new initiatives that will be launched in the coming weeks and months, such as a virtual job fair, a freelance platform, a skills kit, and the Employment Superhub. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to continue working to develop the capabilities and skills of Saudi youth by providing innovative solutions to enhance the Saudi human capital and shape a better future for society in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

 


GFH Joins World Economic Forum as associate partner

Salah Sharif, chief operating officer of GFH, and Joanna Lahham, regional manager — business engagement, Middle East and Africa
Salah Sharif, chief operating officer of GFH, and Joanna Lahham, regional manager — business engagement, Middle East and Africa
Updated 07 December 2023
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GFH Joins World Economic Forum as associate partner

Salah Sharif, chief operating officer of GFH, and Joanna Lahham, regional manager — business engagement, Middle East and Africa

GFH Financial Group has joined the World Economic Forum as an associate partner, in line with the group’s expanding global presence and commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations.
Through the partnership, senior leaders from the group will actively participate in and contribute to WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, a gathering that convenes more than 200 influential leaders shaping the global agenda. Additionally, GFH is eagerly anticipating its involvement in WEF’s “Shaping the Future of Financial and Monetary Systems” initiative, which brings together representatives from leading global companies and subject matter experts.

HIGHLIGHT

Through the partnership, senior leaders from the group will actively participate in and contribute to WEF’s annual meeting in Davos.

Salah Sharif, chief operating officer of GFH, said: “We are delighted to join WEF as an associate partner alongside other leading global companies that are dedicated to developing solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. The partnership reflects the group’s commitment to further expanding our business, global presence and networks, and provides us with the opportunity to do so by leveraging the unique access provided by WEF at the highest levels. We are excited to contribute to essential global economic conversations by sharing our expertise and insights relating to our core investment sectors and the multiple geographies in which we are active. By actively engaging with WEF’s platforms, we look forward to collaborating with other industry leaders to identify and create new opportunities for growth and development, and to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.”
Joanna Lahham, regional manager — business engagement, Middle East and Africa at WEF, said: “The World Economic Forum is thrilled to broaden its presence in Bahrain, aiming to amplify its representation in shaping global agendas. The forum anticipates that a partnership with GFH, a key player in Bahrain’s financial landscape, will further deepen engagement and impact within the wider GCC region.”
GFH is a financial group with a growing global business. It has assets and funds under management exceeding $19 billion, and maintains a strong international footprint with offices and affiliates across the GCC, US, UK and Europe. The group’s investment strategy focuses on high-impact priority sectors. It has an expansive portfolio of assets across the education, healthcare, logistics, living, sustainable infrastructure and technology sectors that align with its commitment to sustainable development and innovation. The group is listed on four GCC stock exchanges.

 


Majid Al-Futtaim urges public-private sector collaboration to unlock sustainable finance in region

Photo: (Twitter @MajidAlFuttaim)
Photo: (Twitter @MajidAlFuttaim)
Updated 07 December 2023
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Majid Al-Futtaim urges public-private sector collaboration to unlock sustainable finance in region

Photo: (Twitter @MajidAlFuttaim)

Majid Al-Futtaim, a shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has published a sustainable finance paper, which examines the significant increase in sustainable finance in the MENA region and the ways it can act as a catalyst for positive change.
Titled “Aligning Growth with Purpose,” the paper looks at the global and regional sustainable finance landscape and calls on a collaboration between the private and public sector to unlock the $30 trillion of new investment needed to achieve the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Majid Al-Futtaim is recognized as a pioneer in sustainable financing for the region. The group is the first privately owned Dubai corporation to incorporate green Islamic financing into its funding structure, most recently raising $500 million through its fourth green capital markets issuance. Majid Al-Futtaim also introduced innovative sustainability-linked loan financing with a “penalty-only” loan structure.

FASTFACT

Majid Al-Futtaim is the first privately owned Dubai corporation to incorporate green Islamic financing into its funding structure.

Ahmed Galal Ismail, chief executive at Majid Al-Futtaim — Holding, said: “The Middle East and North Africa region is currently witnessing a surge in interest from investors actively seeking opportunities to allocate capital to projects with a strong environmental, social and governance focus. Finance is a critical enabler of climate action, and by doubling down on developing the right structure and mechanisms, the MENA region is positioned to become a thriving hub for sustainable finance, leading the way toward a low-carbon and resilient future.
“Sustainable finance will play a fundamental role as we transition to a net-zero carbon economy and collectively strive to meet the aims of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. This progress, however, is only achievable if we work collectively to take action. We are advocating for collaboration between both the public and private sectors, with governments taking responsibility for enabling favorable conditions and incentives for investment, and private sector leadership and finance to drive transformation. This coordinated and determined commitment will build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable organizations, and has the capacity to future-proof the global economy.”
The whitepaper also highlights the crucial role of bodies such as the World Economic Forum, which is working to support this collaborative action by bringing together public and private actors to catalyze sustainable infrastructure investment.

 


Leaders discuss private sector’s role in first global stocktake for climate

Leaders discuss private sector’s role in first global stocktake for climate
Updated 06 December 2023
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Leaders discuss private sector’s role in first global stocktake for climate

Leaders discuss private sector’s role in first global stocktake for climate

On Day 5 of the official COP28 program, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held a high-level session to discuss the crucial role that the private sector along with innovation and technology must play in the implementation phase after the first global stocktake that was revealed at COP28.

The high-level session convened discussants including Anna Kruip, UN Global Compact; Jason Williams, Citibank; Sarah Penndorf, Google; and Leen Govaerts, VITO; to highlight the contributions of the private sector in terms of research and development, technology innovation, inclusive financial instruments, and collaborative approaches in the first global stocktake process.

In a keynote speech to open the session, Badr Jafar, COP28 special representative of business and philanthropy and CEO of Crescent Enterprises, highlighted the pressing need for the private sector’s active engagement in the COP process, stating: “As the COP28 presidency continues to emphasize, we are clearly not where we need to be in our collective ambition to keep 1.5 celsius within reach, and we must act decisively to get back on track. And this can only happen if business and philanthropy stakeholders play a much bigger role in achieving the ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement.”

Jafar, who chaired the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Forum, further added: “The one message heard consistently during the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum, was that the private sector is ready and exited to become a lot more deeply engaged in the COP process. Our objective now must be to harness more of this energy and enthusiasm, and the private sector’s infinite capacity to innovate, and convert it into tangible, targeted and large-scale action.”

The COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum saw an attendance of over 1,300 CEOs from 106 nations, representing the full spectrum of industry from energy to fashion, and agriculture to space. Five billion dollars in new private capital commitments across the action agenda were announced during the 64 sessions held over two days of the forum.

The first global stocktake process witnessed the invaluable participation of the private sector, showcasing businesses’ contribution in reducing emissions, enhancing resilience, and providing support for climate action. Recognizing the need for mass innovation and cutting-edge technologies to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals on time, enabled by policies to rapidly scale up solutions, business and philanthropy’s role in accelerating transformative climate action is more essential than ever.

This high-level session showcased practices and lessons learned from the private sector, shedding light on their progress in advancing the Paris Agreement’s goals. It also explored opportunities for enhanced action to bridge the implementation and ambition gaps, fostering collaborative efforts between governments, businesses, and investors.