Pioneering female entrepreneurs discuss progress, challenges in Saudi Arabia  

Pioneering female entrepreneurs discuss progress, challenges in Saudi Arabia  
The Atlantic Council’s Middle East Initiatives hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Empower Me’ on Wednesday in Riyadh. (AN photo by Rahaf Jambi)
Short Url
Updated 19 September 2024
Follow

Pioneering female entrepreneurs discuss progress, challenges in Saudi Arabia  

Pioneering female entrepreneurs discuss progress, challenges in Saudi Arabia  

RIYADH: Female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia was the focus of a panel discussion called “Empower Me”, hosted by the Atlantic Council Middle East Initiatives in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Speakers included Amal Dokhan, managing partner at MENA 500 Global and one of the Kingdom’s first female venture capitalists, along with Wafa Obaidat, founder and CEO of edtech company Playbook, and Afnan Ababtain, director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia.

The panel discussion was moderated by Noor Nugali, deputy editor-in-chief at Arab News. 

For the third year running, the Atlantic Council’s Women Innovators Fellowship brings together a group of pioneering female Saudi entrepreneurs for a year-long program designed to enhance their business skills and expand their regional and international networks. 

The 20 inspirational business leaders selected for the 2024-25 cohort represent diverse sectors such as technology, climate sustainability and healthcare.

In a virtual address, US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney said: “I want to first recognize our partner, the Atlantic Council, for their leadership in implementing this fellowship. I also want to thank all those involved for their invaluable support. Without you, this fellowship would not exist.” 

The panel discussion began with a question about the role of female entrepreneurs in advancing Saudi Arabia’s economic conditions and their alignment with Vision 2030. 

Ababtain said: “We are seeing women contributing significantly to small and medium enterprises. Since Monshaat started operations in 2016, the participation of women has increased from 21 percent to over 45 percent.”  

Dokhan encouraged aspiring female entrepreneurs to take the leap: “If you have a business idea, don’t hesitate to apply to MENA 500 Global. Remember, rejection is part of the process. Others have succeeded, and so can you. The investments are there — Saudi Arabia is backing many funds, and venture capitalists are excited about technology.”  

Reflecting on her journey with Playbook, Obaidat said: “I found myself frustrated within traditional business networks that lacked real opportunities for engagement. It’s disheartening to see that while girls excel academically, less than 2 percent of VC funding goes to women, and fewer than 10 percent reach C-level positions.” 

She emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment: “Playbook was born from the need to discuss strategies for advancing in business and normalizing female leadership.”  

Since its inception, Playbook has attracted over 6,000 members, with 15 percent in C-level positions and 10 percent as female founders.

“We’ve raised over $1.5 million in pre-seed and seed funding, and our goal is to empower more women to navigate the complexities of the professional world,” said Obaidat.

The discussion panel was hosted by the Atlantic Council in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia and PepsiCo. The session can be viewed at https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/the-state-of-women-entrepreneurshi...


Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
Updated 11 min 49 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince receives written message from Jordan’s king

Message was received by Saudi deputy foreign minister during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to Kingdom.
  • Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from Jordan’s King Abdullah on Wednesday relating to relations between their countries.

The message was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Jordan’s ambassador to the Kingdom Haitham Abu Al-Foul in Riyadh.

Al-Khuraiji and Abu Al-Foul reviewed Saudi-Jordanian relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields. They also discussed topics of common interest.


Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October

Reconnect and revitalize: AlUla Wellness Festival returns in October
  • AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops
  • Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts

JEDDAH: The AlUla Wellness Festival is returning from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2, inviting relaxation seekers, nature lovers, and free-spirited individuals to join a like-minded community for an expanded schedule of activities amid the stunning scenery of AlUla.

For centuries, AlUla has served as a haven for renewal, reflection, and personal development, benefiting both residents and travelers.

This year, the festival celebrates and revives this legacy, offering visitors the opportunity to indulge their senses in harmony with nature.

The AlUla Wellness Festival program features a series of immersive retreats, unique wellness activities, and celebrity-led workshops.

Some of the highlights include the Five Senses Sanctuary, where visitors can engage in meditation, yoga, and mindfulness sessions led by world-class experts.

The All Day I Dream music concert is an immersive experience that brings music, art, and community together through carefully curated melodic and soulful tunes.

The Hegra Sound Bath allows nature lovers to recharge under the bright moonlight with holistic sound therapy that combines yoga for all levels with soothing tunes.

Guests can explore a diverse array of healing experiences and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery through mindfulness practices, bodywork, art therapy, and more.

As the largest wellness festival of its kind in the Middle East, the AlUla Wellness Festival offers a stimulating yet blissful escape from urban life, immersing visitors in holistic living, life-changing practices, adventure activities, and a spirit of community.

Tickets will go on sale soon, with further news and updates to follow in due course. For more information, visit experiencealula.com.

The AlUla Wellness Festival is part of the AlUla Moments Calendar, which features five major festivals, each offering unique experiences in art, culture, music, nature, and wellness.

Other highlights include Winter at Tantora, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, the AlUla Skies Festival, the AlUla Arts Festival, AZIMUTH, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, and heritage events blending fashion, adventure, and sports.


Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts

Investment in infrastructure key to smart and sustainable cities, say experts
  • Mansour Al-Mushaiti: Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth
  • Experts discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems

RIYADH: Investment in infrastructure is pivotal in fostering sustainable development and facilitating the evolution of smart cities, the deputy minister of environment, water and agriculture has said.

Mansour Al-Mushaiti was speaking during “Shaping the Future: Collaborative Infrastructure Initiatives for Saudi Arabia,” a panel discussion at the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition.

Panelists discussed the importance of taking practical steps and working together with government entities, along with the importance of overcoming obstacles in infrastructure development. They also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability to build trust with stakeholders.

“Protecting the environment is a significant challenge in agricultural and food advancement, and sustainable development is crucial for economic growth,” Al-Mushaiti said. 

The biggest challenge, he added, was the high cost of infrastructure and lengthy construction: “The environmental burden in the municipalities and waste management system amounts to about SR7 billion (USD1.8 billion), which can be converted into revenues by 2035 through sustainable management, reducing consumption, and rationalization.

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 contributes to enhancing the sustainability of infrastructure through the implementation of a unified government framework to maximize assets in environmental, social, and economic domains.”

This includes technological innovations which contribute to providing job opportunities, improving the urban landscape and achieving spending efficiency.

“Applying sustainable resource management in the environment, water and agriculture system enabled us to benefit from the use of seawater, after which it is returned to nature,” added Al-Mushaiti.

The Saudi Infrastructure Summit is organized in collaboration with the Riyadh Infrastructure Project Center to improve project efficiency, increase spending effectiveness, and improve the overall quality of life in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, experts also discussed the crucial role of infrastructure management in smart city operations, emphasizing the use of new technologies like intelligent transportation systems and data analytics to optimize resource allocation and public safety.

Head of Smart Cities at the Eastern Province Municipality Mohammed Binhijna said infrastructure management would be essential for efficient operation. The integration of new technologies in transportation would enable cities to enhance traffic management, minimize congestion, and boost effectiveness.

He shared his insight during a session called “Smart City Operations: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices” at the Smart Cities Saudi Expo, held alongside the Saudi Infrastructure Expo and Global Water Expo.

“Furthermore, data analysis serves as a valuable tool for optimizing resource distribution and operational efficiency within urban areas,” Binhijna added. As an example, he explained that data analysis meant cities could pinpoint areas with higher crime rates and allocate resources accordingly, enhancing public safety.

“Citizen engagement is essential for successful Smart Cities, with online platforms for reporting issues and participating in decision-making processes,” said Binhijna.

Abdulrahman Al-Bati, smart city solutions manager at Misk City, highlighted the importance of key performance indicators in measuring a city’s sustainability, including energy management and air pollution reduction.

He explained that KPIs used by cities covered four main areas — health and safety, mobility, data availability, and governance.

Energy management was a significant KPI, he said, with smart street lighting reducing operational costs by 10 percent annually. Air pollution reduction was also a crucial global indicator for sustainable city development.

Fabian Sowieja, technical director of International IoT Communication Technologies at Arrowfinch Technologies, said public-private partnerships were essential for successful smart cities, with a focus on managing different stakeholders.

“Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in this context, with collaborative navigation representing a fundamental principle of smart city development,” he said, adding the key to a thriving smart city lay in efficient management across diverse stakeholders.


Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting

Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting

Saudi Arabia highlights AI, data efforts at UN meeting
  • Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Athority’s general manager of strategic partnerships, Rehab Alarfaj, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in data and AI
  • Alarfaj said that the authority’s efforts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the fourth goal on quality education

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority participated in a dialogue session on AI capabilities at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The authority’s general manager of strategic partnerships, Rehab Alarfaj, highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts in data and AI, focusing on building national human capacities and its global contributions.

Alarfaj said that the authority’s efforts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the fourth goal on quality education.

As part of this, she added, Saudi Arabia organized the National Olympiad for Programming and AI, with more than 260,000 middle and high school students participating, and the first International AI Olympiad, involving 25 countries.

She also emphasized alignment with the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality, citing the Elevate program, which trained more than 25,000 women worldwide in AI.

Alarfaj stressed the importance of building capacity through training to raise awareness among policymakers and professionals in AI, emphasizing ethical AI practices that Saudi Arabia has embraced.

She said that the Kingdom’s data and AI initiatives, including the National Data Bank and Estishraf, an AI-powered decision-making platform, had received international recognition, winning the 2024 WSIS prizes.

Alarfaj said that the Riyadh-based International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics was leading regional and global AI initiatives, supporting research, promoting AI ethics, coordinating policy development and enhancing capacity-building efforts.


Tajikistan aims for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Tajikistan aims for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Tajikistan aims for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Tajikistan aims for closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia
  • Ambassador highlights ties in trade, development at Independence Day reception

RIYADH: Tajikistan considers Saudi Arabia an important partner and looks forward to strengthening cooperation at all levels, its ambassador to the Kingdom said.

Speaking at a reception at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh to mark Tajikistan’s 33rd Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of its constitution, Akram M. Karimi said: “For over 33 years, my country has been moving forward with strength and determination in its journey to preserve its independence and sovereignty, and achieve the accomplishments it aspires to on the path of progress.”

A key step was the adoption of a new constitution through a popular referendum on Nov. 6, 1994, he said.

Tajikistan gained independence on Sept. 9, 1991.

“Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and establish diplomatic ties,” Karimi said, adding that his country valued the Kingdom as an important partner and was keen to enhance cooperation.

The two nations had already established strong links with organizations like the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Gulf Cooperation Council, he said.

Karimi acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s support for Tajikistan’s development through financial institutions like the Islamic Development Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development and KSrelief.

“We are working together with our Saudi brothers to enhance trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries and we look forward to the desired Saudi investment presence in Tajikistan,” he said.

As part of these efforts, preparations are underway for the next Tajik-Saudi Intergovernmental Commission meeting and a Tajik-Saudi business forum in Riyadh.

Karimi spoke of Tajikistan’s progress under President Emomali Rahmon, who has made energy, communications, food security and industry his priorities for the country’s National Development Strategy through 2030.

Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudairy, undersecretary of Riyadh region, attended the celebration.