Al-Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East, has announced significant changes to its senior leadership structure as part of its strategy to prepare the firm for its next phase of growth across the Middle East. 

Under the new structure, Samer Qudah will become the managing partner following his election at the firm’s recent partners’ meeting. He will take over from Husam Hourani, who will become the senior partner at Al-Tamimi. In his new role, Hourani will lead the firm’s business development, partner training and quality control across the firm, in addition to servicing his own clients. Essam Al-Tamimi, current senior partner and founder of the firm, will assume the newly created position of chairman and continue to oversee the firm’s direction and overall strategy. The changes will all become effective from Jan. 1, 2020.

Al-Tamimi said: “In his time as the head of the corporate structuring practice, Samer has achieved outstanding results, developed an excellent market reputation and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. Samer has also been a member of Al-Tamimi’s executive committee for several years and has made a significant contribution to the development of the firm’s strategy during this period.

“On behalf of all the partners and associates at Al-Tamimi, I would like to congratulate Samer on his new position and look forward to working and supporting him through the firm’s next phase of growth and development.”

Qudah said: “It is a great privilege to lead Al-Tamimi into its next decade of growth and further build on Husam’s successful leadership. These are exciting times for Al-Tamimi as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Our goal is to become MENA’s No.1 law firm and the ‘go-to’ law firm for clients seeking practical and innovative legal solutions. We also want to identify, nurture and retain top legal talent and be the ‘employer of choice’ for those looking to start a career in law.”

Bahrain has been chosen as the destination for the 18th Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference (ABIC) and the third edition of the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum 2019 (WEIF 2019). The theme this year is: “Fourth Industrial Revolution: Shaping the Future — Digital Disruptions for a Better Tomorrow.” The events will be held concurrently in Bahrain from Nov. 11 to 13th.

Organized and supported by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Union of Arab Chambers, Arab League, The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain), this edition of the conference will represent an Arab economic and investment gathering to lead investment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital innovation in Arab countries in this field.

Mohamed Abduljabbar Mahmood Alkooheji, second vice chairman of BCCI, said: “Bahrain is a leading example of a business-friendly nation with no free zone restrictions, 100 percent foreign ownership for a majority of activities and low operating costs. As the first GCC nation to move away from its dependence on oil, Bahrain is today the region’s most diversified and sustainable economy and leading financial hub.”

He added: “The focus of the 18th Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference is on the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the Arab world and the BCCI is delighted to invite representatives from all over the region and the world to explore the possibilities, challenges and most efficient ways of adapting this revolution to obtain a dramatically improved future.”

Professor Khalid Al-Harbi, chairman of the Saudi Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (SSCLS), officially inaugurated 2019 Saudi Laboratory and Diagnostics Congress on Sunday, the first gathering of laboratory and diagnostics professionals in Jeddah, organized by Maarefah Management. The event closed on Tuesday.

More than 250 laboratory and diagnostics industry professionals and health care providers participated in the three-day congress, providing an important platform for regional and international medical laboratory professionals to discuss trends and technologies that will impact the Saudi health care sector in the run-up to 2030. 

“This event is an important platform for laboratory and diagnostics sector professionals in the Kingdom to discuss best practices and international standards in the detection and prevention of diseases. We aim to spread knowledge and help health professionals around the country, as well as to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Al-Harbi, who is also the chairman of the congress, in his opening speech. 

The region’s clinical laboratory services market is estimated to be worth around $8 to $10 billion, and Colliers International predicts MENA to grow at a CAGR of six to eight percent until 2025.

The event discussed topics including efficient lab management tools, quality indicators and guidelines, total lab automation and its impact on efficiency and patient safety, the fundamental role of effective diagnostic tools in blood banks, and managing a successful point-of-care testing unit.

The three-day event was officially supported by Saudi Society for Clinical Laboratories and Saudi Society for Clinical Chemistry as strategic partners and was sponsored by leading organizations, such as AMPC, Salehiya Trading Company, and Neuberg Diagnostics.

The 31st edition of Saudi Build 2019 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center concluded on Thursday. The exhibition was attended by more than 23,000 visitors, and included the participation of 520 major international and local companies from 34 countries.

Mohammed Al-Asheikh, head of marketing at Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC), the organizers of the event, said: “Saudi Build 2019 successfully managed to explore the future and phenomenal opportunities which the nation’s largest sector has to offer by bringing together thousands of local and international companies. Additionally, the exhibition hosted three high-level panel discussions that included 18 sessions with more than 20 speakers, in addition to presenting 15 case studies attended by senior government officials and CEOs.”

Activities of the first day were held under the title “The Future of Building in Saudi Arabia.” It included a high-level panel discussion titled “Empowering Innovation in the Leaders and Workforce of the Future.”

Two other sessions on the first day included: “Enhancing Saudi Export Quality and Readiness in the Construction Sector” and “Contracting as a Cornerstone of the Construction Industry.” 

The second day’s activities were titled “Key Project Investments Towards Saudi Vision 2030,” which included a study of the largest international tourism project “The Red Sea Project.”

The session titled “From Vision to Reality — Delivering The Red Sea Project” presented an overview of the project’s timeline and budget. The second session was titled “Business Transformation — Reshaping the Construction Industry to Match Industry 4.0.”

Two other sessions held on the second day included: “The Green Blue Urban Planning Core of Our Future Cities — Smart isn’t Always Technological,” and “Procurement for Mega Projects — Key Challenges and Risks.”

The theme of the third day’s agenda was “Emerging Technologies and Smart Cities — Transforming the Future of Construction.” The audience was introduced through the “3D Construction Printing — A Global Overview” session to the latest technology and its benefits in terms of cost and time savings. 

Other sessions included: “Sustainability in the Concrete Industry: Producing and Certifying Concrete with Low Impact on the Environment,” “Benefits of Off-Site Manufacturing — Changing the Construction Industry,” and “Smart Cities from BIM to CIM.”

One of the most important government initiatives that were showcased in the exhibition was the “Building Technology Stimulus Initiative,” launched by the Ministry of Housing, and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, and supported by the Private Sector Stimulus Plan.

Today on World Food Day, a team of plant scientists from King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) has begun a major project to improve global date palm production and protection.

This project is the first time that the date palm genome has been studied so comprehensively. Dr. Ikram Blilou, professor of plant science at KAUST, and her research team in Saudi Arabia have collected samples from ancient date palms in the historical farm of Al-Dabeta, by the Quba Mosque in Madinah. 

“Our main goal is to improve date palm fruit production and quality in the Kingdom. With more than 2,000 existing varieties globally from which 400 grow in Saudi Arabia, we are concentrating on the ‘Ajwa’ date variety, because of its important societal and religious value for Saudi Arabia in particular,” said Dr. Blilou. 

Earlier this year, Dr. Blilou published in the scientific journal Plant Cell, findings that provide an insight into how desert plants are able to thrive in hostile habitats. The research teams within KAUST’s Center for Desert Agriculture are creating molecular and biotechnological tools to improve date palm agriculture by sequencing the genome of the Ajwa date palm.

“The date palm is one of the few fruit trees that, remarkably, can grow in the desert, a habitat with an arid climate where extreme temperature changes and drought conditions limit plant growth,” said Dr. Blilou. 

“Within KAUST’s Center for Desert Agriculture Research we are studying date palms using advanced genome sequencing techniques and have begun to develop new breeding strategies to help palms grow faster and healthier as well as making them more resistant to pathogens and pests like the red palm weevil.” 

According to the National Palms and Dates Center (NCPD), Saudi Arabia produces an estimated 1.1 million tons of dates per year, 15 percent of the world’s date production. In addition, export of dates from Saudi Arabia grew by 11.7 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.

“Despite this economic importance, basic research into the date palm, including understanding mechanisms of growth and adaptation to the desert environment, is still in its early stages mainly because of the lack of molecular tools and the challenging nature of the plant. It requires a long generation time for flowering which can be four to five years and setting fruits that take 10 to 15 years,” said Dr. Rod Wing, professor of plant science and director of the KAUST Center for Desert Agriculture.

The next step for researchers at this center is to work on generating high-quality genomes for a large number of other varieties of date palms, bringing further potential benefits for date palm agriculture around the world.

Arab influencer Rania Fawaz walked the runway at the Paris Fashion Week flaunting the latest jewelry designs from Spanish jewelry and accessories brand Tous.
Fawaz showed off designs from Tous’ fall and winter collection 2019-2020 in photos she shared with her followers on Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. She also walked the streets of the French fashion capital wearing jewels from Tous.
“Tous has the most modern and sophisticated designs, considered to be the most delicate, which are made by highly professional designers to reflect meanings of love, beauty, delicacy, gentleness and refined taste. These meanings are the dream of each and every woman who looks for beauty and elegance,” Fawaz said.
Beginning in 1920, the global jewelry brand Tous is now present in 53 countries with more than 620 stores in cities including Barcelona, Mexico City, Dubai, Madrid, Miami, Moscow, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Saudi logistics and transportation company Bahri has participated in Breakbulk Americas 2019, which took place from Oct. 8 to 10th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
The company was represented by Bahri Logistics at the largest exhibition for the project cargo and breakbulk industry in the Americas. The annual event attracted more than 5,000 visitors and 350 exhibitors, including specialized ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports and terminals, and logistics providers.
Ahmed Al-Ghaith, president, Bahri Logistics, said: “We are pleased to participate in Breakbulk Americas, one of the most significant events on the annual calendar for the global maritime logistics sector, for the sixth consecutive year. Our presence at exhibitions of this caliber offers unparalleled opportunities to engage with industry peers, partners, and potential customers, and plays an important role in further increasing Bahri Logistics’ footprint in the North and South American markets, which represent a key focus of our growth strategy.”
As part of Bahri’s long-term growth strategy, Bahri Logistics opened its second North American office in Houston in 2017.
“As one of the top 10 breakbulk carriers in the world, Bahri Logistics’ award-winning services and solutions set new industry benchmarks for quality. Innovation has been the hallmark of our continuing global expansion, and we remain committed to seeking out fresh avenues to enhance our offerings and deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction,” added Al-Ghaith.

PR Arabia will train students of the Faculty of Media and Public Relations at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah to enable them to gain practical experience and to assist them in graduation projects.
The training will focus on the principles of dealing with media, managing conferences and seminars as well as developing media strategies and public relations on sound scientific bases. The students will be given tips on keeping pace with the digital and social media.
Hassan bin Abdulrahman Al-Shehri, general supervisor of the implementation of the initiative, said this step is part of the agency’s strategy to attract talented Saudi graduates.
He said the move is in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to Saudize the basic jobs needed by both the private and public sectors.
A large number of students who benefited from this initiative are a source of inspiration for Saudi youth, many of whom seek to contribute to this qualitative development of modern public relations concept and implement it in their work after graduation.

The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) has been recognized as “Best Takaful Company for 2019” by Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA), which specializes in classifying Islamic finance and insurance establishments.
Tawuniya won this award as a result of its implementation of the cooperative insurance concept since its foundation in 1986, its success in introducing Shariah-compliant Takaful insurance products and its investments, its commitment to Islamic standards in the accounting field, and its role in enhancing the innovation concept, governance and social responsibility.
Adel Al-Hamoudi, Tawuniya’s senior vice president (sales and marketing), said this success reflects Tawuniya’s efforts and commitment in introducing innovative services and products as well as its efforts to adjust its investments so that they are Shariah-compliant.

Al-Hamoudi added that that this award will be an addition to distinctive awards and rankings Tawuniya obtained this year — the awards for the best electronic general insurance company, best innovative insurance company, and the golden award for quality and business prestige, as well as Tawuniya’s rank among top 10 brands.
He said that Tawuniya has several factors that qualify it to be the best Takaful company — its pioneering position in the Saudi insurance market; it is the first cooperative insurance company in the Kingdom and first Saudi company that applied the cooperative insurance concept by sharing the insurance surplus with clients for the first time in 1990.
He said Tawuniya has many competitive capabilities, such as its strong financial position, technical experience, insurance portfolio, including 60 types of insurance products in three main operating segments — medical insurance, motor insurance and property and casualty insurance, to meet the need of its clients, from major companies and small and medium enterprisers. Tawuniya also provides the largest network of sales in the Saudi market. Tawuniya developed its strategy for the future focusing more on the customer and has introduced more innovative insurance services and products.
The Global Islamic Finance Award is prestigious in the Islamic finance sector. It aims at encouraging Islamic finance excellence by honoring best practices.

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University and the Saudi Traffic Safety Society (SALAMH) will host the Fifth International Traffic Safety Forum on Feb. 10-12, under the patronage of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, in Dammam.
It comes as part of SALAMH’s keenness to boost the transport system and road safety in order to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and disabilities caused by traffic accidents.
Abdullah Al-Rubaish, president of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, told a press conference on the campus that the forum would address seven fundamental aspects covering traffic management, traffic safety and road infrastructure during 10 sessions.
He said lectures would be given by experts, researchers and academicians from institutes and international research organizations, specialized in the field of traffic safety, transport, roads and vehicle manufacturers — locally, regionally and internationally.
The forum seeks to shed light on global experiences in transport technologies, road infrastructure and innovative solutions to spot the best initiatives that can be used in Saudi Arabia to improve traffic safety.
Al-Rubaish said the speakers would discuss a number of traffic safety initiatives and projects of the National Transformation Program 2020, to identify smart transport systems and applications that can positively impact the traffic situation.
The speakers, he said, would seek to identify opportunities and methods of applications of intelligent transport systems and discuss how to develop effective channels in order to reduce mortality rates and cargo accidents.
The forum and exhibition — Smart Mobility, Infrastructure, Technology, Safety Innovations and Initiatives for Sustainable and Safer Communities in Light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 — supported by the Ministry of Education, Saudi Aramco, the Eastern Province Traffic Safety Committee, the General Directorate of Traffic and the Eastern Province Secretariat, aims at reducing the number of road fatalities and injuries by 50 percent in order to realize Saudi Vision 2030 and to encourage the implementation of additional measures to ensure traffic safety.

Guarded by two marble lions at the entrance, the Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg sits within the walls of a 19th-century royal palace in the beautifully preserved imperial city of St. Petersburg. Celebrated globally for its history and architecture, Russia’s cultural capital recently became an even more attractive destination for GCC travelers thanks to the introduction of a convenient new online eVisa process.
Launched at the beginning of October, the St. Petersburg eVisa portal enables citizens from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman to enjoy the benefits of fast and simple online visa applications. Travelers can simply fill in the online form, upload a photograph, and can complete the entire process in just a few clicks. Applications can be made within 20 days of traveling, and up to four days before arrival. The visa is valid for stays of up to eight days in St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad Region.
Felix Murillo, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, said: “The introduction of the eVisa portal offers a new level of convenience for international travelers, making it easier than ever for GCC citizens to arrange a trip to our wonderful city. Our concierge team takes great pleasure in highlighting St. Petersburg’s historical and cultural visitor attractions, and will be happy to arrange anything our guests may require to turn every trip into an unforgettable experience. We look forward to welcoming visitors from the Middle East to our beautiful hotel to share cherished moments and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
The Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg is located in the upmarket Admiralteysky district and was originally constructed in the early 19th century for Prince Alexander Yakovlevich Lobanov-Rostovsky.
Since first opening its doors to guests in 2013, the property offers 183 rooms, including 26 sumptuously decorated suites.
Perhaps the most stunning of the hotel’s accommodations is the one-of-a-kind Lobanov Presidential Suite, where guests can gather by the living room fireplace for a night of intimate conversation, host an al fresco dinner party on the expansive private terrace with stunning views of the Admiralty building and the surrounding park, or retreat to the grand master bedroom for a quiet and cosy evening.
The hotel is inviting guests to embark on a range of culinary adventures across its three restaurants. Diners can experience pan-asian fusion flavors at Sintoho, authentic Italian dishes at Percorso and modern Russian cuisine at The Tea Lounge.
Catering to the needs of visitors from the Middle East, halal meat is available on request.

Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) was placed in the top three Corporate Excellence candidates at Monday night’s Leadership Excellence for Women Awards (LEWAS), held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The award recognizes organizations that have excelled in initiatives to encourage, advance, hire and retain women through inclusive hiring and development practices. Saudi Aramco won the award and the other finalist in the category with JHAH was Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company.
“There is ample evidence that leadership teams with balanced representation have a positive impact on organizational culture and performance. We are confidently embracing diversity and inclusion to achieve our ambitious goals and greatest potential,” said Dr. Daniele Rigamonti, JHAH CEO.
LEWAS is the forerunner in the GCC to honor talented and influential women, address pressing issues, develop new and better opportunities and create long-lasting collaborations and partnerships. The award program is dedicated to recognizing professional excellence and celebrates those who demonstrate innovation, leadership and talent while advocating for women’s empowerment, in both academic and business sectors.

“At JHAH, I am proud to be surrounded by women who are excelling in their fields and making a difference both at an individual level for the patients they care for, and on a national level through our pioneering programs and vision of creating a sustainable system of medical and preventive care that can become the pre-eminent model in the Kingdom and throughout the Gulf region,” said Dr. Linda Lee, JHAH chief of staff.
Key programs and achievements of women in the JHAH workforce:
• First female nursing doctorate graduates from an in-Kingdom program.
• First Saudi woman to be appointed as a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.
• In cooperation with the Saudi Aramco Driving Center, JHAH female employees have the opportunity to attend driving training during working hours.

RIYADH: The 2019 MEPRA Leadership Majlis will be held on Oct. 22 in Riyadh and is themed “Impact and Influence.”
Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Chair Jonty Summers said: “It’s our first leadership conference in Saudi Arabia. By bringing together leading figures in communications, both from the Middle East and internationally, we hope to spark a discussion around ideas as we address some of the most pressing topics facing the profession of public relations in the region.”
In an interview with Arab News, Summers said the event has lined up a range of interesting speakers, including a number of international and regional governments and organizations such as The Red Sea Development Company, Center for Government Communication, Saudi Arabian Airlines, YouTube and Page.
Summers, who has been based in the Middle East for the past 10 years, is the managing director of Hanover Middle East, a corporate and health care communications agency. He said MEPRA is the largest public relations industry body in the region serving the needs of communications professionals in the government, corporates and agencies.
“As an industry body we exist to promote professional standards and best practice in public relations and to build the skills of its professionals. I was voted in as chair by members of MEPRA for a two-year term last year,” he added.
According to Summers, the MEPRA Leadership Majlis aims to bring together senior communication leaders from across the region to uncover the industry’s biggest challenges, trends and opportunities.
“It’s a core part of our work to build understanding of public relations in the Middle East, both as a profession and as a driver of organizational reputation and sharing knowledge and thought leadership is one way we do that,” he said.
He said after successfully holding the MEPRA Leadership Majlis in Abu Dhabi for the past five years, it was only natural to create a forum in Riyadh for communicators here to come together and share their thoughts.

Saudi Arabia is on a journey to modernization, socially and economically. There have been a significant number of reforms recently and these domestic changes certainly play a part in how the country is now perceived.

Jonty Summers, MEPRA chair

Summers said the public relations industry in the Middle East is extremely vibrant.
“There are a lot of agencies — large and small, international and local — and there are a lot of specialist agencies, for example, broadcast, digital or measurement specialists. Some countries in the region have a larger and more developed, more competitive agency environment than others. Like any industry, it will cluster where there is interesting work to do,” he said.
According to Summers, Saudi Arabia does not have as many agencies as it needs to achieve its long-term ambitions.
“Saudi Arabia is on a journey to modernization, socially and economically. There have been a significant number of reforms recently and these domestic changes certainly play a part in how the country is now perceived,” he said.
“But the big change from an international perspective is going to be investment in tourism and the opening up of the country for international visitors to experience Saudi Arabia, its people and culture for themselves.”
MEPRA’s monthly podcast — The Brief — is fast gaining popularity in the region.
“We have a really wide range of guests who address key issues, challenges and trends for communications professionals in the region. Last week we had a conversation with Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas about the publication and its upcoming launch in Japan and the cultural similarities between Japan and Saudi Arabia,” Summers said.
The podcast is available to download on mepra.org/podcasts/

The Night Eagle has landed on the latest Jeep Wrangler, delivering the first special-edition model created from the new generation of the Jeep 4x4 model.
With the addition of black accents, the Night Eagle trim adds a bolder, sportier look to the Wrangler lineup and will further appeal to customers that want to stand out on city boulevards and open highways.
It is the first Wrangler to have a new safety pack that offers forward collision warning and Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus for enhanced safety, in addition to blind spot and cross path detection.
The Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle sports a specific blacked-out look that enhances its exclusivity with a bolder and more distinctive personality. It builds on the generous standard equipment on the Sahara trim with gloss black grille intakes, headlamps and fog lights bezels, while the gloss black exterior badges pick up the dark theme to complete the look.
Eighteen-inch Gloss Black aluminum alloy wheels further enhance its aggressive stance.
The cabin is designed for style and comfort and features standard black leather seats with black accent stitching while the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen and Navigation, Apple Car Play and Android Auto allow drivers to stay safely connected while on the go.
The Jeep Wrangler Night Eagle features a host of equipment as standard, including an Alpine premium audio system with all-weather subwoofer, passive keyless entry, and LED headlamps, taillamps, fog lamps and daytime running lamps (DRLs).
The Night Eagle is available in a choice of six exterior colors, including Black, Bright White, Billet Silver Metallic, Firecracker Red, Granite Chrystal Metallic and Sting Gray, all matched with a body-color three-piece hard top.
It comes with a new 3.6-liter engine combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission to ensure comfort and on-road dynamics in day-to-day use.

Jersey Finance, the body that promotes the jurisdiction as a robust, transparent, international finance center (IFC), recently hosted the 2019 Women and Wealth Management Events Series in Jeddah, the sixth of its kind. Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2019 edition received an overwhelming response from women in Saudi Arabia who are increasingly taking control of financial affairs. Held in collaboration with the British Consulate in Jeddah, the event hosted more than 60 guests, and high-level speakers from the wealth management industry.
In line with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia continues to press on efforts to diversify its economy at pace, with women playing a growing role in driving this change.

Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), a Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) entity specializing in electronics and technology, has concluded its participation in the Saudi Logistics Conference held in Riyadh on Oct. 13 to 15 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event witnessed the attendance of officials, businessmen, relevant parties, and experts and specialists from local and international organizations and companies.
Over the course of three days, AEC, the conference’s diamond sponsor, witnessed a large turnout of visitors who reviewed the company’s integrated solutions in the fields of supply chains and logistics services.
Dr. Nabeel bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, minister of transport; Abdelhadi Al-Mansouri, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation; and Anef Abanomi, president of Saudi Post; visited AEC at the Saudi Logistics Conference, where they were briefed on AEC’s capabilities in the field of digital solutions that support logistics services.

Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) will organize the 38th edition of the Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2019 under the patronage of Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, minister of environment, water and agriculture.
The event will run from Oct. 21 to 24th at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Fakieh Poultry Farms is the diamond sponsor, while Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA) and Saudi Aquaculture Society are partners of the exhibition.
Saudi Agriculture 2019 will have nine country pavilions and more than 380 exhibitors representing 34 countries.
Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh, head of marketing at REC, said: “Saudi Agriculture 2019 is a comprehensive trade fair that will feature the latest technological advancements, machinery and practices in the field of agriculture.”
He added: “This year, we expect the participation of hundreds of international and local companies in the exhibition, in addition to thousands of attendees and visitors of various nationalities.”
The theme of this year’s edition is “Agricultural Innovation for a Better Life.”
“Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2019 aims, with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, to promote the development of the Kingdom’s agricultural sector and achieve compliance to international benchmarks,” said Al-Sheikh.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Electricity Co.’s (SEC) Higher Training Institute in Jeddah celebrated the graduation of fresh trainees on Sunday.

This is the SEC’s final celebration of graduates this year. The training program is part of the company’s policy of bolstering its manpower with young, highly capable Saudi professionals who will help it better serve its customers and maintain its leadership in the industry.

Senior SEC officials praised the graduates for the technical capabilities that they gained from their training at the institute.

Graduate Ibrahim Al-Bakri delivered a speech on behalf of his peers, thanking the SEC and the trainers for caring for them throughout the training period.

In a speech, Abdulrahman Al-Obayed, senior vice president of human resources, who patronized the event, welcomed the graduates to the SEC.

He encouraged them to maintain their drive, move up through the company’s ranks and be proud staff members. He then honored the year’s standout students and trainers.

Each of the Ferrari after-sales programs offer clients the utmost peace of mind, to guarantee that their Ferrari is always as good as the day it was driven off the production line. The ownership experience of a Ferrari comes along with an exclusive seven-year free maintenance contract in addition to the standard factory three-year warranty.
The Genuine Maintenance program offers a tailored service for every car and is extended to any subsequent owner during the car’s first seven-year period. Annual checks are scheduled each year and are performed by highly qualified dealer staff who have been trained at the Ferrari Training Center in Maranello using factory-approved dedicated diagnostic equipment.
Following the first seven-years of the car’s life, Ferrari presents the option of subscribing to the NewPower extended warranty program. This makes Ferrari the first marque to offer warranty cover of up to 12 years after the car is registered.
The NewPower15 program further extends the warranty contract. Offered on a yearly basis, it can be renewed for an extra three years after the NewPower contract has expired.
MainPower is a service offered to customers who, at the end of the seven-year Genuine Maintenance program, wish to extend their service and warranty contracts. In essence, MainPower is a combination of Ferrari’s NewPower and Ordinary Maintenance programs.

The partnership between Al-Talayi Company, the exclusive distributor of Bridgestone tires in Saudi Arabia, and Bridgestone has completed 70 years, making it one of the longest international partnerships in the Kingdom.
Al-Talayi will host a grand celebration to mark the occasion on Oct. 21 in Jeddah. The event will be attended by top executives of both the companies, in addition to customers, suppliers and employees.
Alper Yuksel, CEO of Al-Talayi Company, said: “We take pride in this longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. We are the leaders of tire market in the Kingdom. We are delivering high-quality products and services. The secret behind our achievements is our strong relationship based on a firm foundation established by the founders of the two companies.”
“Saudi Vision 2030 has created a great environment that encourages us to invest further in transportation and mobility. At Al-Talayi, our vision is to lead the market with the best products and services for our customers and consumers,” he added.