Saudi Coffee Academy to empower farmers & entrepreneurs

Saudi Coffee Academy to empower farmers & entrepreneurs
The academy intends to train more than 400 individuals annually in various aspects of the coffee industry and introduce local talents to the latest sustainable best practices.
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Updated 18 October 2023
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Saudi Coffee Academy to empower farmers & entrepreneurs

Saudi Coffee Academy to empower farmers & entrepreneurs

Saudi Coffee Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Company, has announced the launch of its specialized academy for empowering Saudi farmers, entrepreneurs, and coffee enthusiasts by providing them with unparalleled knowledge and expertise in coffee cultivating, roasting, and preparation. This comes as a stride to help in diversifying the economy and nurturing local talents in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Coffee Company Academy is committed to elevating the industry standards and equipping Saudi farmers and entrepreneurs with the proper tools and knowledge necessary to establish and manage successful coffee-related projects, businesses, and farms in the Kingdom, starting with the southern region. The academy is dedicated to training, qualifying, and investing in talented Saudi coffee workers to equip them with the necessary knowledge across various roles throughout the entire value chain of the coffee industry, including coffee cultivation, roasting, coffee shop management, and entrepreneurship. Through using the latest sustainable agricultural practices, Saudi Coffee Company is set out to produce higher quality beans, while introducing the local coffee industry and talents to greener practices.

In its first phase, the academy will mainly focus on farmers, to ensure the adoption of the best agricultural practices for sustainable and high-quality coffee bean production. Meanwhile, its second phase will open its doors to all coffee enthusiasts, offering training by top experts in the field — making it a community-focused approach that will help raise the industry standards and knowledge.

The academy intends to train more than 400 individuals annually in various aspects of the coffee industry and introduce local talents to the latest sustainable best practices, techniques, and equipment necessary for elevating the local coffee industry standards.

Courses offered by the academy include Best Agriculture Practices, Best Processing Practices, Barista, Brewing, Sensory, Roasting and Green Beans. These courses cater to individuals with varying levels of experience, from beginners to those seeking advanced skills.

Khalid Abu Theab, chief executive at Saudi Coffee Company, said: “At Saudi Coffee Company, we are working toward not only raising the bar for excellence in the local coffee industry but also toward nurturing the talents and aspirations of our community. Launching the Saudi Coffee Company Academy marks a milestone in our commitment to elevating the local coffee industry to the global standards and to ensuring the boom of the coffee industry in the Kingdom to increase its share of revenue for the country. Our inspiration comes from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aiming to diversify our economy and empower our people.”


MBSC amplifies Saudi Vision 2030 at LEARN 2024

MBSC amplifies Saudi Vision 2030 at LEARN 2024
Updated 15 October 2024
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MBSC amplifies Saudi Vision 2030 at LEARN 2024

MBSC amplifies Saudi Vision 2030 at LEARN 2024

Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Kingdom’s world-class business school, participated in the inaugural LEARN event, which took place in Riyadh on Oct. 6 and 7.

MBSC secured a prominent spot in the event as a silver sponsor, illustrating its dedication to empowering the youth to be active participants in shaping the future landscape and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The college engaged with attendees through multiple channels, including a workshop, two panel discussions and a dedicated booth that provided detailed information on its world-class education programs.

Dr. Joel Evans, associate professor of management and academic director of the Executive MBA Program at MBSC, joined a panel discussion on the first day of the event, under the theme “Developing Global Minds, Education, and Skills for the Modern World.” On the second day, Dr. Muhammad Azam Roomi, professor of entrepreneurship at MBSC, contributed thought-provoking insights to the panel discussion “Evolving Leaders for a Changing World: A New Paradigm for Executive Education.”

The workshop “How to Master Business Concepts through Case Studies,” led by Dr. Khaldoon Al-Htaybat, professor of accounting at MBSC, emphasized the significance of case studies in facilitating critical thinking and exploring the application of theory to real-world scenarios that address the complexities of the modern experience economy. Notably, MBSC is home to the Kingdom’s first case center.

Dr. Zeger Degraeve, dean of MBSC, said: “We feel delighted to be involved in progressive initiatives such as LEARN, that resonate perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030. The Human Capability Development Program is an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030, promoting education from early childhood through lifelong learning opportunities for individuals to reach their greatest potential. MBSC embraces this pillar, recognizing that education is the cornerstone of economic prosperity. We are dedicated to cultivating a future-ready workforce by providing high-quality, market-driven education that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a dynamic global economy.”

Inspired by the lifelong learning journey, LEARN serves as a new platform for innovative thought, creative solutions and crucial debate in response to critical global educational challenges. The two-day conference and exhibition brought together the regional and global education community, as well as key stakeholders, visionaries, disruptors and policymakers, to exchange ground-breaking ideas and stimulate positive change.

Situated in King Abdullah Economic City, a contemporary urban center that provides an unparalleled modern environment for both students and faculty, MBSC offers world-class education “from Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia” in both KAEC and Riyadh, delivering practical, pragmatic, hands-on experiential learning to develop a new generation of transformative leaders.


Agility Logistics Parks begins major Riyadh expansion

Agility Logistics Parks begins major Riyadh expansion
Updated 15 October 2024
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Agility Logistics Parks begins major Riyadh expansion

Agility Logistics Parks begins major Riyadh expansion

Agility, a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation, announced plans for the final phase of expansion at the Agility Logistics Parks warehousing complex in Riyadh.

The expansion project represents an investment of SR250 million ($66.6 million) and will add 100,000 square meters of Class A warehousing to the complex, taking the total available area to 551,368 square meters. The first phase of the expansion will be ready and operating in Q1 2025. It is expected to create 300 new jobs for Saudis.

ALP developed and operates state-of-the-art warehousing complexes in Riyadh and Dammam. The company is investing more than SR611 million to build a third ALP complex, near Jeddah.

Michel Saab, global CEO of ALP, said the help and collaboration of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Ministry of Investment, and the Riyadh region municipality were vital to the launch of the ALP expansion in Riyadh.

“ALP’s expansion in Riyadh is not just about increasing our operational capacity,” Saab said. “It represents a substantial contribution to the growth of the logistics market in Saudi Arabia and will allow international companies to invest in their growth in the Kingdom. By building world-class warehousing, we are able to provide critical infrastructure that is helping to make the Kingdom a global and regional logistics hub.”

ALP offers some of Saudi Arabia’s most modern, sustainable warehousing. Its Riyadh Logistics Park is home to storage, distribution, processing, and fulfillment operations of some of the country’s leading consumer, industrial and e-commerce brands. In 2022, a warehouse at the Riyadh park became the first building in the Kingdom and the first warehouse in the GCC to receive EDGE Advanced certification.

EDGE, or Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, is the global standard for energy-efficient buildings, a certification system overseen by the International Finance Corp., an arm of the World Bank. EDGE Advanced buildings are “zero-carbon ready” structures that are at least 40 percent more energy efficient than others in the market.


Enlaps partners with Rock Solid Group in Saudi Arabia

Marc Mouawad, CEO of Rock Solid Group and Antoine Auberton, CEO of Enlaps
Updated 15 October 2024
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Enlaps partners with Rock Solid Group in Saudi Arabia

Marc Mouawad, CEO of Rock Solid Group and Antoine Auberton, CEO of Enlaps

Enlaps, a leader in long-term digital imaging solutions for project monitoring, has announced a partnership with Rock Solid Group, a Saudi multidisciplinary technology company, to increase their market reach in the construction sector of Saudi Arabia.

Since 2019, Enlaps has been deploying its Tikee time-lapse solution in Saudi Arabia, a solution adopted by key players in the region’s construction industry. With more than 600 units shipped and 200 projects monitored in the region, the Tikee time-lapse solution has established itself as the reference for monitoring and analyzing construction projects. During this period, the collaboration with RSG has contributed to democratizing the use of the Tikee time-lapse solution. Enlaps and RSG are the key reference companies behind several megaprojects in Saudi Arabia.

The collaboration between Enlaps, recognized for its industry-leading time-lapse camera technology, and RSG, which offers a wide range of smart tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of the Saudi construction sector, will provide superior project monitoring and time-lapse services for Saudi construction companies.

This partnership builds on their respective proven history in the Kingdom and a strong track record of cooperating on strategic Saudi projects.

“Our time-lapse construction cameras are playing a crucial role in capturing the progress of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic megaprojects in NEOM, Riyadh and Jeddah,” said Antoine Auberton, CEO of Enlaps. “By partnering with Rock Solid Group, we bring unmatched visual documentation and insights to construction site monitoring, allowing project owners to make informed decisions based on real-time, detailed site activity.”

“Enlaps has demonstrated their excellence in time-lapse and site monitoring across multiple projects in the Kingdom,” said Marc Mouawad, CEO of Rock Solid Group. “By combining our expertise, we deliver the best answer to meet the growing demand for high-quality, real-time monitoring in Saudi Arabia.”

“This partnership affirms our commitment to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030, aligning our efforts with the Kingdom’s strategic goals for economic diversification, digital transformation and technological advancement. It is also a tool to document those glorious achievements in Saudi Arabia,” Mouawad added.

Both Enlaps and RSG have a well-established presence in the Saudi market, contributing to the successful execution of high-profile projects. This partnership represents the next step in enhancing the way construction sites are monitored and managed, ensuring optimal performance and safety throughout the project lifecycle.

“Together, Enlaps and Rock Solid Group are committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious infrastructure goals and continuing their legacy of excellence in the Kingdom’s construction industry,” a statement said.


Burjeel Holdings to showcase cutting-edge medical expertise at Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh

Burjeel Holdings to showcase cutting-edge medical expertise at Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh
Updated 15 October 2024
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Burjeel Holdings to showcase cutting-edge medical expertise at Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh

Burjeel Holdings to showcase cutting-edge medical expertise at Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh

Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in MENA, is set to take center stage at this year’s Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, under the theme “Making Space for Innovation,” from Oct. 21-23. This year’s participation will focus on the integration of cutting-edge technology and complex care capabilities, highlighting Burjeel’s innovative healthcare solutions and expanding presence in Saudi Arabia.

The Burjeel pavilion (H1C-W50) at Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, Malham, will offer visitors a glimpse into its groundbreaking offerings, including ALKALMA — its comprehensive mental health and well-being solution, the rapidly expanding PhysioTherabia network, and the soon-to-be-launched Specialized Day Surgery Centers. These key pillars form the cornerstone of Burjeel’s strategy to bring advanced healthcare solutions to the Kingdom, in alignment with Vision 2030’s emphasis on health and well-being.

Spotlight on innovation

The theme “Making Space for Innovation” reflects Burjeel Holdings’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare through cutting-edge advancements and pioneering collaborations. It showcases Burjeel’s pursuit of innovation — whether through groundbreaking research, space medicine, AI-powered healthcare solutions, or regenerative therapies — across all dimensions of care. 

Burjeel will also showcase ALKALMA, its latest venture in mental health developed in collaboration with Colombia-based Keralty. This comprehensive mental health and well-being solution, debuting in Saudi Arabia, integrates specialized primary care centers and mental health services, with a unique value-based care model. Another key highlight at Burjeel’s pavilion will be PhysioTherabia, the largest and fastest-growing physiotherapy and wellness network in Saudi Arabia. A joint venture with Leejam Sports Company, PhysioTherabia has already established 28 centers across key cities in the Kingdom. Visitors to the pavilion will have the opportunity to engage in interactive sessions featuring some of the latest physiotherapy equipment, giving them firsthand experience of the advanced rehabilitation and wellness services that PhysioTherabia provides.

The pavilion will also showcase Burjeel’s plans for its upcoming Specialized Day Surgery Centers, which will offer a distinct portfolio of specialized healthcare services, addressing the Kingdom’s growing demand for ambulatory and outpatient care.

Cutting-edge technology

In addition to these key services, Burjeel will showcase its complex-care capabilities, including its cutting-edge solutions in fetal medicine, orthopedics, oncology, pediatrics, and cardiovascular care. Visitors can also learn about Burjeel’s OncoHelix-CoLab that offers comprehensive capabilities in molecular and cellular immunology, and transplant diagnostics.

Abdulmohsen Al-Ashry, regional CEO of Burjeel Holdings, said: “At Burjeel, innovation drives our vision for the future of healthcare. This year’s theme, ‘Making Space for Innovation,’ highlights our determination to deliver breakthrough solutions that address the evolving needs of the region. Our presence at the exhibition reaffirms our commitment to transforming Saudi Arabia’s healthcare landscape, with a focus on expanding access to care through enhanced primary and ambulatory services.”

As Burjeel strengthens its presence in Saudi Arabia, the Global Health Exhibition offers a platform to highlight the group’s investment in the Kingdom’s healthcare ecosystem. 


GIB Capital acts as joint lead manager and bookrunner in $750m sukuk issuance for Nama Electricity

GIB Capital acts as joint lead manager and bookrunner in $750m sukuk issuance for Nama Electricity
Updated 15 October 2024
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GIB Capital acts as joint lead manager and bookrunner in $750m sukuk issuance for Nama Electricity

GIB Capital acts as joint lead manager and bookrunner in $750m sukuk issuance for Nama Electricity

GIB Capital has announced its role as a joint lead manager and bookrunner for the issuance of $750 million sukuk on behalf of Nama Electricity Distribution Company, Oman’s single electricity distribution company covering the entire country with the exception of Dhofar region.

Osamah Shaker, CEO of GIB Capital, said: “This issuance marks an important step in strengthening Nama’s ability to finance its projects. The strong demand reflects investor confidence in Nama and the regional sukuk market. We are pleased to be part of this success and look forward to supporting Nama’s future growth.”

GIB Capital looks forward to continuing its successful collaboration with Nama in the future, reaffirming its commitment to delivering the best financial services and solutions to its clients.

Since its establishment in 2008, GIB Capital has been providing a range of innovative and customized financial and investment banking products and solutions, including asset management, capital markets advisory, mergers and acquisitions, debt capital markets, debt advisory and brokerage services.