Advert One, an IPO communications consultancy in Saudi Arabia, and Instinctif Partners, an international business communications consultancy, have confirmed a strategic partnership to deliver financial and corporate communications services in the Kingdom.

With a combined team of 24 GCC-based consultants, the partnership aims to address a gap in capital markets communications.

Signing the partnership, Shawaf Alshawaf, general manager of Shawaf International Company, parent company of Advert One, said: “This partnership is strategically important for Advert One and Instinctif Partners as our two companies combine their extensive local, regional and international knowledge of capital market communications, investor relations and corporate reporting to deliver a more complete suite of consultancy services to new and existing clients in the Kingdom.”

Dubai’s Future Blockchain Summit, hosted by the Smart Dubai Office in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), opened its doors to the public on Tuesday.

Taking place April 2-3 at DWTC, the second edition of Future Blockchain Summit is hosting the region’s largest gathering of blockchain experts.

Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, events management, Dubai World Trade Center, said: “Future Blockchain Summit once again offers an incredible opportunity to interact with international blockchain pioneers and innovative industry luminaries. Our du-powered City of the Future is a world-first innovation designed to offer the most genuine, immersive experience of how a city and society would work on the blockchain — a reality only a year away now as Dubai races toward its 2020 target of becoming the first city fully powered by blockchain.”

Darisni, the region’s first online platform offering instant tutoring services and educational content, has revised its offering to better meet the needs of its users — Saudi students. This has resulted in the platform’s expansion, including new subjects, exclusive video content, mock tests and more. 

There are more than 130,000 registered Darisni users in Saudi Arabia, who have, to date, accessed close to 140,000 lessons. 

In addition to mathematics, English and Arabic, Darisni now offers science as a tutoring subject, including chemistry, biology and physics. The app also sports a new interface with an intelligent home screen that gives users a snapshot overview of their activity and learning. 

Exclusive videos produced by Darisni are tailored according to the curricula followed by students in the region. 

Additionally, Darisni now offers affordable monthly subscription plans. 

Noor Boodai, founder and CEO of Darisni, said: “We have worked closely with students to determine what will benefit them the most. Every student is unique and has a different way in which they absorb and learn, therefore we addressed this challenge by expanding our offering to be more aligned with the needs of today’s learners — which are not necessarily being met by traditional education methods.” 

Boodai said the traditional method of teaching is designed for mass learning and follows curricula and syllabi that were developed to educate students decades, if not centuries ago. “Education today needs to be more personalized and targeted toward the development of individuals, with a focus on how they can contribute to society. E-learning, such as Darisni offers, enables students to learn at a self-paced level, giving them the opportunity to access and understand information in their own manner,” she said. 

The needs of teachers are addressed by Darisni, too. 

“Teachers are important in the education ecosystem,” said Boodai. 

“To facilitate a better experience for them, we are actively working on an interface that provides the tools and resources needed by educators to facilitate more effective and efficient collaboration between teachers and students.”

Darisni can be downloaded for free on iPhone, iPad and Android smart devices.

Jeddah Hilton Hotel and Waldorf Astoria Jeddah — Qasr Al-Sharq recently paid tribute to the role and influence of women in society by celebrating two important days: International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day. With the increase in the number of women working in the hospitality sector, the team at the Jeddah Hilton wanted to give back to the women of Hilton and their guests. 

As part of the celebrations, the two hotels put on numerous performances and activities in an effort to recognize and empower women and honor the important role of motherhood, and which included the participation of both female staff and guests.

Mothers who stayed at the hotels received special packages featuring a themed decorated room, in-room breakfast, a bouquet of roses, cake and a healthy fruit basket. Moreover, the guests received a 30-minute spa voucher for the ladies-only Waldorf Astoria Jeddah Spa.

“At the Waldorf Astoria Jeddah, luxurious spa packages and gift vouchers offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A relaxing massage at the VIP ladies’ spa overlooking the Jeddah Waterfront, while sipping royal tea in Al-Shurfa Lounge, the elegant terrace salon, creates a memorable long-lasting experience,” the hotel said. 

Waldorf Astoria Jeddah Spa also offered a voucher for a number of premium services, including a 60-minute skin peeling session, one hour massage and two-hour manicure and pedicure sessions — all to ensure the relaxation, comfort and well-being of mothers.

In addition, guests were offered special membership packages for the spa.

Café Vienna served a variety of desserts created for the special occasion.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year while Mother’s Day is celebrated by the Arab world on March 21.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Effat University has launched its sixth annual Showreel program. With the slogan “The World Through Their Eyes,” Showreel is the university’s celebration of movies made by its female students and graduates from the Visual and Digital Production (VDP) Department, which is the first in the Kingdom to teach filmmaking.

The opening ceremony will be held on Thursday (April 3) under the patronage of Princess Lolowah Al-Faisal, vice president of the board of trustees and general supervisor of Effat University.

Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, president of Effat University, said: “We began working in this area six years ago and made efforts at the highest standards in order to become pioneers in teaching filmmaking in the Kingdom. We thank God that our efforts have been productive and that Saudi society has reacted positively to Saudi filmmaking.”

Osama Haykal, former Egyptian media minister and president of the Egyptian Media Production City, will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will be opened by actress Fatima Al-Banawi, an Effat graduate.

The guests of honor will be actress Maryam Al-Ghamdi from Saudi Arabia, film director Nawaf Al-Janahi from the UAE, Fatima Al-Husainan from the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature in Kuwait, producer Sam Lahoud from Lebanon, Egyptian film critic Tarek Al-Shinnawi, Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzi, and Abdulrahman Lahi, a Mauritanian producer and president of the council of the Cultural Resource Institution. 

The event will come at the conclusion of a week packed with public workshops presented by Effat University students at the Effat Library. 

The festival will begin with workshops by Richard Litvin, American producer and professor at New York University’s Tisch School of Arts, which has been in academic partnership with Effat University since 2016. 

The following workshops will be held: Screenwriting by Bahraini producer Bassam Al-Thawadi; Production, Financing and Distribution in Film Making by Sam Lahoud; and Cultural Management and Innovative Marketing by Abdulrahman Lahi.

A seminar entitled ‘The Art of Watching Films’ will be presented by Tarek Al-Shinnawi, in addition to a lecture on Kuwaiti cinema by Fatima Al-Husainan as well as a workshop on producing a creative vision by Nawaf Al-Janahi.

The festival will also include a seminar for his new book “From Makkah to Cannes” by Lebanese critic Ibrahim Al-Aris. The book deals with the movies of Saudi producer Abdullah Al-Mohaisen.

The Visual and Digital Production Department at Effat University was established in 2013 and became the first and only one in the Kingdom after being approved by the Ministry of Higher Education. The program is in collaboration with the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and was further developed with the support of the New York Arts and Film School. 

The visual and digital production department at Effat University includes film production, animation, screenwriting, and interactive media.

Riyadh, March 31, 2019 (Gulf Intelligence) – OPEC exports to the US are likely to continue trending downwards, according to the majority (88%) of energy executives polled in a Gulf Intelligence GIQ survey, ahead of the inaugural Gulf Intelligence Saudi Arabia Energy Forum in Riyadh on April 8th.

OPEC crude exports to the US fell to a 5-year low in January while US stockpiles climbed to 3.6 million barrels in February,according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). US production has increased a staggering 140% since 2008. Some analysts forecast that the country could be a net exporter of crude and refined products by as soon as 2020. US output hit 12 million b/d in February, contrary to previous expectations that this level would not be reached until the second half of the year.

Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer within OPEC, has seen its crude exports to the US drop steadily over recent years, from 1.361 million b/d in 2012 to 949,000 b/d by 2017 and to about 500,000 b/d by the end of last year. The US has in fact been importing less crude oil altogether—not just less OPEC crude – from 262.8 million b/d per month at the start of 2017 to 226.6 million in October 2018—the last month for which there is data, according to the EIA.

Despite the loss of US market share however, OPEC and its coalition of non-OPEC producers, including Russia, havecontinued with their strong commitment to comply to the output cut deal agreed to in December - namely to trim production collectively by 1.2 million b/d through to at least June 2019. The agreement by the group of 25 producers,known as OPEC +, follows two years of cuts of 1.8 million b/d, which succeeded in reversing a 3-year oil price slide and restored a certain amount of stability to the market.

The strategy has continued to work, with Brent prices holding comfortably in the $60s/bbl range since the start of this year. On March 29, 2019 Brent closed at 68.39 USD/ bbl.

Compliance by the OPEC + coalition in February was almost 90%, up from 83% in January, according to the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC). The JMMC convenes bimonthly to assess the impact production cuts are having on the market. At its last meeting in Baku on March 18th, it decided not to proceed with a full Ministerial Meeting that had been planned for April as market conditions were deemed stable.

“The job of OPEC and its allies is not done yet and the group of oil producers need to stay on course at least until June when the current global cut agreement is due to expire,” H.E. Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia said in Baku last month.

The JMMC next meets in May ahead of the OPEC Conference meeting on 25 June in Vienna, during which a decision is expected to be taken on production targets for the second half of 2019.

Additional oil price support has come from US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, two major OPEC producers who are currently exempt from the output cut deal. US restrictions on the Venezuelan energy industry have crippled the country’s oil exports, which dropped 40% in the first full month after sanctions were initiated in early February, removing 330,000 b/d of supply from the global market, according to Goldman Sachs. Iran’s exports meanwhile have hovered above 1 million b/d so far this year, having dropped in the past year from a level of 2.5 million in April 2018, a month before the U.S. decided to re-impose sanctions.

The Gulf Intelligence Saudi Arabia Energy Forum, under the patronage of His Excellency Al Falih, takes place at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), Riyadh, on April 8th and will gather industry leaders to deliberate the theme of Digital Transformation in the Energy Industry.

El Mercado Village developers First Bahrain Real Estate Development Co. have renewed their support as gold category sponsors of the Gulf Property Show. 

The annual event is held under the patronage of Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, prime minister of Bahrain, and takes place April 23-25 at the Bahrain Exhibition Center. 

First Bahrain’s CEO Omar Faysal Altemiemy said: “The Gulf Property Show is our first choice to promote our projects. The show has delivered tangible commercial and sales success for our projects and we are positive that we will be meeting more future home owners of El Mercado Village this year as well.”

El Mercado Village in Bahrain’s Janabiyah consists of 42 premium homes, which include 8 four-bedroom standalone villas and 34 three-bedroom semi-detached villas. 

The remainder are ready for immediate occupancy and title deed transfer on conclusion of a sale. The company will be having a special offer for buyers who conclude an agreement during the show. 

Al-Temiemy added: “In addition to our homes for sale, we anticipate making a major announcement during the week of the show regarding our next project in Seef.”

Cybercriminals are actively using new episodes of popular TV shows to distribute malware, research by Kaspersky Lab has found. “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead” and “Arrow” are the shows receiving the most attention from attackers. These and other findings are published in a new report, “Game of Threats: How cybercriminals use popular TV shows to spread malware.”

TV shows are one of the most popular and universal types of entertainment, yet with the rise of torrents, online streaming and other methods of digital distribution, they often suffer from copyright infringement. In many regions, such programs can now be consumed through illegal channels such as torrent-trackers and illegal streaming platforms. Unlike legitimate resources, torrent trackers and hosted files might send a user a file that looks like an episode of a TV show, but is in fact malware with a similar name.

“Keeping in mind that the final season of Game of Thrones starts this month, we would like to warn users that it is highly likely there will be a spike in the amount of malware disguised as new episodes of this show,” said Anton V. Ivanov, security researcher at Kaspersky Lab.

Attacks on Internet of Things (IoT) devices around the world increased by 600 percent in 2017, according to Vice President of Cyber Security at STC Solutions Fahad Aljutaily. The most affected countries were China (21 percent), the US (11 percent) and Brazil (6 percent).

He was speaking at a recent training session for media professionals, titled Cybersecurity — Risks and Challenges at the STC Academy.

STC Media Club, in cooperation with STC Business Unit, organized the training course for 25 journalists from newspapers and TV channels. The course focused on the technical solutions adopted by Saudi Arabia in its digital transformation, such as cybersecurity, big data, cloud computing and IoT.

Aljutaily said that 54 percent of the world’s companies have been targeted by attacks on data or IT infrastructure. Global spending on cybersecurity reached $96 billion in 2018.

“By 2021, cybercrime damage is expected to reach $6 trillion per year and jobs in cybersecurity are expected to reach 3.5 million,” he noted.

Aljutaily said the Middle East is facing a huge challenge in filling jobs in the field of cybersecurity, which is due to the lack of professionals available in this field. 

“Saudi Arabia is currently focusing on strengthening governance and building automated systems for all government services to improve services offered to citizens, especially in the areas of health care and education,” said Talal Al-Bakr, VP of STC Digital Solutions. There are currently 29 digital initiatives in all sectors and five governmental digital platforms under construction.

In a paper for the Director of Digital Solutions, Abdul Aziz Al-Abdullatif, he pointed out that the IoT technology gives everything around us the ability to connect to the internet. The revenues generated by IoT technology in the Saudi market is estimated to reach SR28 billion ($7.5 billion) through more than 145 million connected devices by 2030.

Rayyan Al-Khinini, director of digital platform management, said: “Since 2015, STC has been investing in this field by launching the Slicer platform, which provides statistics on 19 million customers within the network.” 

It also provides population analysis and reports on regions, which help government agencies reach decisions regarding opening governmental branches to provide services to citizens.”

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Riyadh recently celebrated its 49th Independence and National Day with enthusiasm and festivity.

A number of programs were organized to mark the day, including a reception hosted by the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Golam Moshi, at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman as the chief guest, in addition to a number of ambassadors, diplomats, Saudi officials and businessmen.

The Bangladeshi ambassador and the deputy governor cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.

In his speech, Moshi said that Bangladesh has achieved independence after a nine-month-long bloody struggle for liberation under the leadership of “father of the nation” Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He paid homage to the sacrifices of 3 million martyrs, freedom fighters and their bereaved families who endured unimaginable hardships during the liberation war.

The ambassador thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who “extended their support and facilitated the well-being of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom.”

“Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh’s tested friend and both the countries have strong brotherly relations since long. The relationship has grown by the day in different sectors over the years,” Moshi said.

“Saudi Vision 2030 has prompted Bangladesh to explore new areas of engagement with Saudi Arabia in the fields of education, agriculture, power and infrastructure,” he added.

The ambassador lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her efforts to implement Bangabandhu’s “Golden Bengal” dream and to transform Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041. 

“Thanks to Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership, Bangladesh has become a middle-income country and has achieved tremendous development in many areas. Bangladesh is now a role model for many countries in the world,” Moshi said.

The seventh version of the Kingdom’s premier food and hospitality trade event is returning to Jeddah from April 21 to 23, with a range of features, CPD seminars as networking opportunities with industry peers.

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2019 at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events will serve as a platform to highlight the latest innovations in the food industry and share local and international trends and insights.

Gary Williams, the show’s event director, said: “With tourists’ arrivals in the Kingdom growing year-on-year, hoteliers and restaurateurs understand the need to keep investing and researching to keep up with the increased levels of competition and to better serve their clients.”

Travel bookings in the Kingdom are considered the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — worth more than $25 billion each year. The hospitality industry’s growth shows no sign of slowing, with 64,000 hotel rooms and 187 hotel projects forecast to be added to current supply. 

Organizers of the show claim the event provides a 360-degree view of the hospitality industry, with hundreds of global brands from around the world showcasing products across interiors, lighting and design, fitness, technology and security, hygiene, kitchen and laundry equipment, HORECA (hotels, restaurants and catering), F&B (food and beverages) and more. 

Exhibitors from China, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Turkey, Portugal, India, France, the UAE, the US, Slovenia and more will be participating in this year’s show. 

The event is visited by more than 6,500 sector professionals — from GMs, owners and operators, through to procurement managers, designers and architects, housekeepers, executive chefs, revenue managers and engineers working in the hospitality industry.  

Following new legislation and government reforms that have made the Kingdom more accessible than ever, Saudi Arabia represents the largest development opportunities in the hospitality industry in the Middle East.

The tourism sector has been earmarked by the government as a key driver for growth in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, with major initiatives to stimulate the travel and tourism industry.

The event will also include various live kitchens being set up across the show floor with a competitive spirit between rival hotel teams. The Inter-Hotel Culinary Competition will return for a third edition, with more hotels battling against each other by putting forward their top chefs to showcase creative cooking styles and share culinary expertise in a live kitchen environment.

Chefs from Radisson Blu, Somewhere Hotel, Movenpick, Oberoi, Assila, Makarem Ajyad, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Le Meridien Towers Makkah and more will be competing against each other. Judges include Chef Thomas Gugler, Chef Yasser Jad and more.

LONDON: If China and the US cough, other countries can catch the flu; so significant is the economic ripple effect of these two behemoths.
Trade tariffs and diverging policies toward North Korea are among a growing list of issues that will likely drive discord this year. Energy stakeholders cannot afford to ignore the yo-yo of cooperation and frustration between these two titans.
China is the world’s biggest buyer of oil, surpassing the US in annual gross crude oil imports in 2017 with 8.4m bpd compared to the US’ 7.9m bpd.
Last December, preliminary data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed that China’s crude oil imports rose 15.7% year-on-year to a record high of 10.48m bpd in November.
Plus, the Asian Development Bank expects energy demand to almost double in the Asia and Pacific region by 2030; music to Middle Eastern energy exporters’ ears.
To the west, the boomerang nature of the US’ energy industry suggests more surprises await in the 2020s.
The US has been a net energy importer since 1953, but the continued growth in petroleum and natural gas production means the country will be a net energy exporter by 2020, according to the US’ Energy Information Administration (EIA).
This is an astonishing turnaround, especially considering UN data shows that the country’s population more than doubled from 158 million in 1950 to 324 million in 2017.
Take the LNG market alone: having become a net natural gas exporter on an annual basis in 2017, the US could be the world’s largest exporter by the mid-2020s.
When it comes to economic growth, China takes the crown. Beijing will manage the world’s largest GDP by 2050, while the US’ position on the global scoreboard slips one spot to third place, detailed PwC.
Yes, China is experiencing its lowest growth rate since 1990 and some justifiably anticipate another deceleration post-2020, toward 5% annual growth.
But perspective is vital; President Trump would be delighted if the US steadily posted 5% annual growth. For now, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects China’s GDP growth this year to be 6.2% versus the US’ growth of 2.5%.
Simmering tensions between the two will undoubtedly persist. Beijing tends to act without much political fanfare, while President Trump is more vocal but often has less of a bite.
Still, the consensus among Middle Eastern energy stakeholders is that codependence will prevail over strategic mistrust – for now. Making more friends is the Middle East’s best hedging tool. With some strategic quid pro quo, a worst-case scenario can see the region grappling with a cold while isolationists battle the flu.
How can Middle Eastern energy stakeholders plot a safe path through this year’s geopolitical wilderness to remain competitive and have energy security? Ignore isolationists and make more friends. Middle Eastern countries are relatively small; the entire economy of the GCC roughly equates to that of India.
While it’s important to be friends with the US, it’s no longer enough. Alliances with China, India, wider Asia, Europe and the fastest-growing hubs in Africa are also critical.
For example, the Middle East must attract investments from China’s One Belt, One Road initiative (OBOR), as well as India’s Think West policy.
Popular estimates for Chinese investment under the OBOR initiative range from $1 trillion to $8 trillion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Comparatively, the Marshall Plan after World War II provided the equivalent of $800 billion in reconstruction funds to Europe.
Meanwhile, India’s efforts to integrate itself deeper into geopolitical dimensions, economies and transnational networks are gaining traction.
The country’s $2 trillion economy recently overtook France to become the world’s sixth largest economy, according to Acuité Ratings and Research. PwC expects India’s GDP growth to overtake the US by 2050, securing the number two spot behind China.
Clearly, nurturing friendships in such high places – the world’s fastest growing economies and biggest energy consumers – can support the Middle East’s coffers while minimizing the bruises caused by the sharp elbows of geopolitics.
Saudi Arabia-based Apicorp said the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) must invest $260 billion in its power sector alone to meet rising electricity demand in 2018-2022. This is just one example of where friends with deep pockets and a reliance on imports can help the Middle East scale its cliff of energy demand.

SHARJAH: Arada has announced plans to open its first overseas office, which will be based in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The UAE developer made the announcement at Cityscape Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s largest real estate exhibition, which marked Arada’s entry into the country.  

Based in the centre of Riyadh, the Arada office will incorporate a sales suite showcasing the company’s two Sharjah-based lifestyle communities, Aljada and Nasma Residences, allowing potential buyers to ‘walk through’ the developments using next-generation virtual reality technology. The office is scheduled to open before the end of June. 

Founded in 2016 by two of the Gulf’s most respected businessmen, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal and HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Arada has quickly established itself as one of the UAE’s most exciting and progressive developers. The company has sold over 2,600 units in Sharjah, a rapidly growing property market that has benefited from recent moves to allow all nationalities to purchase homes in the Emirate, as well as a stable and well-regulated real estate environment. Investor interest from Saudi Arabia has already proved strong, with over 250 units purchased by buyers from the Kingdom over a two-year period. 

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, said: “It is a source of considerable pride that Arada’s first overseas office will be in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a country that has exceptionally close ties to our home market in the United Arab Emirates. As the capital of the Arab world’s largest economy, Riyadh is the perfect location for us to showcase our projects to a wide range of investors.” 

Arada’s decision to launch a permanent presence in Riyadh is part of a 2019 expansion strategy, which will also see the opening of an office in Abu Dhabi the first half of this year, as well as extending its marketing reach to the rest of the Gulf and South Asia. Arada has also earmarked Saudi Arabia as a potential destination in which to develop the smart and sustainable communities that it is already building in the UAE in the medium term. 

Arada is currently taking part in Cityscape Jeddah, which is being held between 5-7 April at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, and which is bringing together a host of top Saudi and international developers. During the event, Arada is highlighting the recent launch of Nest, a student housing complex that enables individual real estate investors to purchase directly in this lucrative asset class for the first time in the Gulf. By offering guaranteed return on investment of 10% annually for a five-year period, Nest has already witnessed significant success since its launch in March, selling 420 units. 

Nest is located within Aljada, a master-planned destination with a sales value of SR24.5 billion that is set to transform the future of Sharjah. Aljada was unveiled by HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, during an exclusive ceremony in September 2017. Construction on Aljada has already begun, with the first homes scheduled to be handed over by the end of this year. The first phase of the Central Hub, the UAE’s newest leisure and entertainment destination, which has been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, will open in September this year. 

Arada’s first project, Nasma Residences, was launched in March 2017 and rapidly became Sharjah’s fastest-selling community when its first phase sold out in less than a month. Featuring landscaped parks, two retail centres and a GEMS international school, Nasma Residences sets a new standard for Sharjah communities. Construction on Nasma Residences began last year, and Arada is currently in the process of handing over its first homes in the project. The entire community will be completed by June 2020. 

Saudi logistics and transportation company Bahri recently hosted its customers and partners at a gala dinner held in Mumbai, India, underlining the company’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and enhancing customer satisfaction and shareholder value. More than 250 senior leaders, executives and representatives from across the shipping and logistics industry in India, as well as major export-import trading companies, attended the event that took place on March 29 at The Taj Mahal Palace.
Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri, said: “As one of the mainstays of India’s rapidly-growing economy, the domestic maritime logistics and shipping sector has been witnessing tremendous growth in recent years. With Bahri India, we have steadily expanded and deepened our presence in this thriving market, offering our industry-leading and technology-driven onshore and offshore services. Reflecting this robust growth, the number of voyages by our vessels serving Indian customers has risen significantly over the years.
“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our customers and partners in the country who have continued to be an integral part of our success story. We remain committed to stepping up our efforts toward catering to their varied and evolving needs, and will continue to build on our nearly two decades’ experience in this market to unleash its enormous potential for further growth and profitability,” added Aldubaikhi.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, Ahmed Al-Ghaith, president of Bahri Logistics, highlighted major milestones and achievements since the company established its office in Mumbai in 2017. He said Bahri India has helped the business build on its long-standing presence in the fast-growing domestic maritime industry and establish stronger and more direct relations with customers and partners in line with the company’s long-term growth strategy, which hinges on strategic industry collaborations as well as the expansion of market footprint globally.
Al-Ghaith added that Bahri’s sustained expansion into the Indian market has enabled the company to capitalize on opportunities that exist in the shipping and trade sectors to offer its value-added, high-quality logistics and transportation solutions, thereby advancing its growth and profitability.
Bahri links India with key global markets along the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, the Mediterranean and the US through a fast and reliable liner services using its fleet of state-of-the-art RoCon vessels. The company’s services also help connect India to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean via internationally recognized transshipment hubs.
Bahri Logistics, one of Bahri’s five business units, has been present in India since 2000, operating six multipurpose vessels on a regular liner schedule, all designed to carry project, ro-ro, breakbulk and container cargo in a single voyage.

Crescent Enterprises, a UAE-based diversified conglomerate, hosted 30 MBA students from New York-based Columbia Business School as part of an educational trip designed to increase their understanding of the business landscape in the Emirates.
Part of the school’s Global Immersion: Economic Growth in the UAE program, students were given the opportunity to visit leading companies and government entities across the UAE, gaining first-hand knowledge of local business practices and the UAE economy. Crescent Enterprises has collaborated with Columbia Business School for five consecutive years on the program.
Crescent Enterprises provided the new batch of MBA students with an overview of the company’s business operations and its development from a regional entity into a global diversified conglomerate. Executives also highlighted Crescent Enterprises’ dedication to advancing global best practices and corporate governance. Students discussed business issues with the company’s management team.
Student Katie Tsantes said: “This trip has enabled us to experience first-hand the UAE business landscape and gain greater insight into the initiatives that the UAE is taking to diversify its economy. It has been a fantastic opportunity to meet the management team here at Crescent Enterprises and learn from them about the company’s diversification strategy and commitment to sustainable growth.”
Neeraj Agrawal, executive director at Crescent Enterprises, said: “Columbia Business School’s Global Immersion program provides us with the opportunity to meet the business leaders of tomorrow, share knowledge and expertise, and raise awareness about the UAE’s development. Engaging with such exciting young minds is an invigorating experience for our executive team, and allows us to share the insights we have gained in transforming Crescent Enterprises into the global organization it is today.”

LogiPoint CBG (Cross Border Gulf), an established logistics service provider in the Kingdom and a subsidiary of Saudi Industrial Services Co. (SISCO), has concluded a pilot project to help a client reduce their lead time and minimize uncertainties due to limited carrier choice for their shipments from Europe to the upper Gulf.

The average transit time by sea from major European ports to the GCC is between 25 to 30 days with multiple transshipments. Given the high volumes involved, airfreight is not a cost-effective option and the journey is not long enough to warrant sea-air as an alternative.
With the support from Jeddah Islamic Port and Saudi Customs Authority, and working closely with the client and their suppliers, the LogiPoint CBG team pieced together a multimodal solution that helped make this landbridge an operational reality, the company said.

Cityscape Jeddah 2019, the largest international real estate exhibition in Saudi Arabia, saw strong visitor turnout for its three-day run at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events.
Held under the patronage of the Minister of Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the show, which opened Friday and ran through Sunday, hosted more than 50 exhibitors from six countries.
Commenting on Friday, organizers Informa Exhibitions said they anticipated substantial event growth for the 2020 edition.
“All the signs are encouraging,” said Mohaned Yaman, exhibition manager, Cityscape Jeddah. “The Saudi real estate market is undergoing transformation spurred by major government initiatives while exhibitors say Saudi investors remain committed to real estate as their main investment vehicle.”
“We are confident that the show will attract upwards of 8,000 interested buyers and that this event will experience substantial growth going forward because of positive market fundamentals aided by the opening of an Informa Exhibitions’ branch in Saudi Arabia. The permanent Informa Exhibitions presence will tie us heavily into the Kingdom and enable us to provide ever keener insights into market developments and adjust our offering according,” Yaman added.
The Saudi government is looking to increase the property sector’s GDP contribution from 5 percent to 10 percent by 2020, reducing the average waiting period for citizens to obtain housing financing from 15 years to five.
The Cityscape Jeddah 2019 exhibitor profile included some of the biggest names within the local, regional and international segments including Arada Development LLC, Architecture & Planning Group (APG), Arton Capital, Global Citizenship Partner, Aldar, principal sponsor, City Edge, Diyar Al-Muharraq and MSQ Property.
Overseas developers looking to lure Saudi investment included Turkey’s Keleşoğlu, which is selling property in its Deniz Istanbul marina-front project, and Dubai-headquartered Arada, which made its Cityscape Jeddah debut and launched an entirely new type of real estate investment opportunity for the Gulf — Nest, a student housing complex in Sharjah lifestyle megaproject Aljada.
Also for the first time, Cityscape Jeddah included Egypt’s top real estate developers together with the Egyptian Ministry of Housing in a joint promotion of investment opportunities in their country.
Visitors to the exhibition also participated in workshops, where participants gained deep insights into the Saudi government’s strategic objectives.
Dedicated panel discussions looked closely at economic diversification and delved into the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality agenda in line with Vision 2030.
“Cityscape Jeddah 2019 could well be remembered as a tipping point for the Saudi real estate investment sector and is definitely on course to fulfill its role of connecting people, cities and ideas,” added Yaman.

The Jeddah Hilton hall will sparkle from Monday through Thursday this week for the 10th annual Jewellery Salon 2019, a well-established jewelry exhibition in the Kingdom.
More than 50 international companies are participating in the event, showcasing luxurious and well-crafted ornaments to an exclusive clientele.
Held under the patronage of Princess Latifa bint Saad, the annual event will offer a wide array of ornaments ranging from gold, silver, gem-studded jewelry to diamond and precious stones for visitors to explore.
The CSR (corporate social responsibility) strategy of this year’s event is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 to empower women and Saudi youth.
To celebrate 10 years of Jewellery Salon, organizers have invited 10 of the “most influential” Saudi women to share their success stories. Additionally, some of the country’s top female jewelers have also been invited to participate in the exhibition.
Since its inauguration in 2010, the event has provided a platform for young Saudi jewelry designers, helping them launch their own brands. Several successful local jewelry brands started their journey from Jewellery Salon, including Lillian Ismael, Tasneem Al-Tahini and Lina Al-Kherji.
The show running from April 8 to 11th in Jeddah, will open at 4 p.m. and close at 10 p.m.
The second edition of the event, which is organized by Sunaidi Expo & Conferences, this year will be held in Riyadh’s Al-Faisaliah Hotel from April 15 to 18th under the patronage of Prince Sultan bin Saud bin Mohammad.
The event is being held alongside fine watchmaking exhibition Salon des Grandes Complications (SDGC 2019).
Saudi Arabia has the highest concentration of wealthy families in the MENA region. As such the events act as a gateway for foreign brands to gain the attention of an exclusive Saudi clientele.

Saudi Telecom Company announced on Sunday that it has successfully made a call using a 5G smartphone — a first in the MENA region and among the first globally — in cooperation with its strategic partners. 

“The successful call on a new 5G handset paves the way for our customers to enjoy many new services and capabilities provided by the new 5G network. STC will continue to provide innovation and quality to its valued customers once 5G devices become available in the global markets,” the telecom giant said.

STC Group CEO Nasser Al-Nasser said the company is committed to providing the latest innovative technologies, “in line with its key role as the digital enabler to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.” This, he said, should reflect positively on the quality of services and solutions provided by STC in the health, education, mining and energy sectors.

In May 2018, STC launched its first 5G live network, a first in the MENA region. STC has also been at the forefront of 5G testing activities since 2017.

Sultan Batterjee Holding Company participated in the Earth Hour this year by launching an initiative of its own — “Green Mosques” — to spread awareness about energy conservation and sustainability.

The program is in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. On March 30 (Earth Hour 2019), company staff visited the Omar bin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Jeddah’s Al-Salamah District, where they heard an awareness talk about Earth Hour. Participants then replaced the existing interior and exterior lighting in the mosque with LED lighting to save energy. Water faucets used in toilets were replaced and water filters installed. The internal air quality of the mosque was improved by installing a cupboard for shoes at the gate of the mosque.

The CSR project was implemented by IHCC General Contracting in cooperation with GREENER Co., which specializes in sustainability services and energy saving solutions.

In the coming years, the company intends to cooperate with other organizations on Earth Hour day to expand this service to other mosques in Jeddah, in addition to other services related to improving sustainability and energy saving in mosques.

Earth Hour is a global awareness event for individuals and communities that encourages energy saving by turning off unnecessary lights for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time to raise awareness of the threat of climate change.

The initiative was first launched in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and since then has grown to more than 7,000 cities and villages around the world.