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SAB partners with Mastercard to offer greater access to secure digital transactions

Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Office at SAB
Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Office at SAB
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Updated 14 November 2023
Arab News
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SAB partners with Mastercard to offer greater access to secure digital transactions

Yasser Al-Barrak, Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Office at SAB
Updated 14 November 2023
Arab News
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Saudi Awwal Bank has partnered with Mastercard to offer customers across the country greater access to secure digital transactions.

Through this partnership, SAB will leverage Mastercard Gateway’s advanced transaction risk management technology to deliver safe and seamless digital transactions, customer protection from cybercrime and payment fraud prevention. Driven by cutting-edge data science, Mastercard Gateway AI-powered technology helps to reduce financial risk by proactively assessing transactions for vulnerabilities.

Yasser Al-Barrak, chief corporate and institutional banking officer at SAB, said: “As we evolve our digital proposition, we have chosen Mastercard, our long-standing trusted partner, to support our efforts in the cybersecurity space. The company is ideally positioned to help us boost our capabilities to mitigate financial risks and increase peace of mind.”

He added: “This partnership reflects our commitment at SAB to providing a reliable and secure digital financial environment for all our customers. We continuously strive to equip them with advanced tools and solutions that instill confidence in conducting online banking transactions.”

Adam Jones, country general manager, MENA Central, at Mastercard, said: “At a time when cyberthreats are growing globally and cyber criminals are getting smarter, Mastercard’s innovative cybersecurity solutions are foiling cyberattacks worth billions of dollars every year. We are delighted to strengthen our strategic partnership with SAB to provide enhanced protection for its digital transactions. Our collaboration aligns with our commitment to driving the digitization of the payment ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and with the objectives of the Kingdom’s national cybersecurity strategy.”

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its goal of building a thriving digital economy and a 70 percent cashless society by 2030, according to the latest Global Cybersecurity Index, Saudi Arabia ranks first in cybersecurity readiness in the Middle East and North Africa.
 

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 debuts in MENA from the heart of Abu Dhabi

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 debuts in MENA from the heart of Abu Dhabi
Updated 01 November 2024
Arab News
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 debuts in MENA from the heart of Abu Dhabi

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 debuts in MENA from the heart of Abu Dhabi
Updated 01 November 2024
Arab News

Last week, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, witnessed the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the latest installment of the world’s most popular first-person shooter series.

The celebratory event, hosted by Activision Blizzard in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, brought together regional influencers and content creators for a thrilling two-day experience. 

The launch included a unique opportunity for 14 of the biggest regional influencers to test their skills on Oct. 24 at Abu Dhabi’s iconic Yas Marina Circuit, where they drove Formula 3000 cars, capturing the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the game and winning limited edition Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 helmets. 

On Oct. 25, the event continued with a 6v6 showdown in Black Ops 6, complemented by a captivating drone show that illuminated the Abu Dhabi skyline with iconic elements from the game and Abu Dhabi Gaming logo, marking a memorable moment for the gaming community across the Middle East.

These events confirm Activision Blizzard’s commitment to the Middle East and Africa region, showcasing its strong support for content creators and delivering exciting, immersive experiences tailored to the local gamers through its globally renowned franchise.

Abu Dhabi Gaming, a government-led initiative, drives Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global gaming hub by fostering talent, innovation, and industry growth. Bringing together government bodies, commercial partners, and content creators, the initiative supports a thriving ecosystem poised to showcase regional content on the world stage. The launch of Black Ops 6 exemplifies Abu Dhabi Gaming’s commitment to elevating Abu Dhabi’s role in the gaming industry.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is now available on Xbox One/ Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4|5, Battle.net, Steam, Game Pass Console and Game Pass PC.

Cenomi Centers: 10 new global and regional brands to open at U Walk Riyadh

Cenomi Centers: 10 new global and regional brands to open at U Walk Riyadh
Updated 31 October 2024
Arab News
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Cenomi Centers: 10 new global and regional brands to open at U Walk Riyadh

Cenomi Centers: 10 new global and regional brands to open at U Walk Riyadh
Updated 31 October 2024
Arab News

Cenomi Centers, the owner, operator and developer of retail and lifestyle destinations in Saudi Arabia, has announced that 10 new retailers are opening in its lifestyle mall, U Walk Riyadh. 

Successful global and regional brands such as Nike, Nespresso, Adidas, Dry Bar, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Under Armor, Al-Nassr Club, Lenskart and Jack Morgan are already confirmed for U Walk Riyadh, with further new retailer announcements set to follow. The openings are set to continue over the coming months including exciting new retailers, dining and grocery soon to be announced.

The introduction of the leading retail brands is part of significant enhancements to the popular destination in the capital, which is already a major attraction for locals and tourists, known for its shopping, restaurants and cafes with outdoor dining, as well as fountains and public spaces spread across 30 acres. 

Cenomi Centers is also investing in an additional multi-story car park, taking the total car parks at U Walk Riyadh to 2,000. The proposed new car park is currently awaiting planning approval and will enhance the overall shopping experience. 

Opened in 2019, U Walk Riyadh is one of Cenomi Centers’ key lifestyle centers and this investment along with enhancements to the retail mix will ensure Cenomi Centers continues to provide next-level customer experiences. 

Cenomi Centers CEO Alison Rehill Erguven said: “The significant retail and car parking enhancements are welcome additions to U Walk Riyadh, already a key destination in the capital. At Cenomi Centers, we pride ourselves on offering our customers much-loved brands from around the world in our malls. The addition of the major retailer names with more to follow delivers on our strategy to have a strong retail mix alongside dining and entertainment to meet the new ways our consumers want to shop and be entertained.”

U Walk Riyadh was the first of several next-generation lifestyle assets alongside the new U Walk Jeddah, which opened at the end of 2023. Cenomi Centers has six flagship and lifestyle centers under development, all of which redefine the mall and shopping experience in Saudi Arabia, including flagships Jawharat Riyadh and Jawharat Jeddah, which are set to complete at the end of 2025. 

LuLu plants 3,000 trees in Eastern Province

LuLu plants 3,000 trees in Eastern Province
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News
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LuLu plants 3,000 trees in Eastern Province

LuLu plants 3,000 trees in Eastern Province
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News

LuLu Hypermarket recently hosted a community event in the Eastern Province in collaboration with Khobar municipality, during which 3,000 chaste trees were planted. The event was attended by Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ayyadi, assistant director of the parks and beautification department at the municipality, who highlighted the role of the private sector in supporting environmental initiatives and driving sustainable development across the Kingdom.

LuLu’s tree planting campaign aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, aimed at increasing green spaces and improving the quality of life across various regions of the Kingdom. The chaste tree was specifically chosen for its adaptability to the region’s climate, as well as its numerous environmental and health benefits. This tree symbolizes care for the environment and the provision of a healthy and sustainable life for future generations, reflecting LuLu Hypermarket’s commitment to supporting environmental issues and promoting sustainability.

Through this event, LuLu seeks to enhance environmental awareness among community members, emphasizing that tree planting is not merely a recreational activity but carries a powerful message urging everyone to participate in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. The event witnessed wide participation from local community members, reflecting their growing concern for environmental issues and their desire to be part of sustainable environmental solutions.

Al-Ayyadi said that LuLu’s initiative serves as a model for successful collaboration between the public and private sectors, enhancing the prospects for achieving the desired environmental goals.

Mohammed Ahmed Bobsheit, executive director of LuLu Group in the Eastern Province, said: “Through this initiative, we affirm that every tree we plant today is a seed of hope for a greener and more sustainable future. Caring for the environment is not just a duty toward the Earth, but a commitment to future generations. Together, we can make a positive difference that ensures a better world for generations to come.”

Bobsheit also thanked Khobar Municipality for their support in making the initiative a success.

As part of its commitment to social responsibility and the Saudi Green Initiative, LuLu plans to organize more such tree planting events in the future, in addition to implementing several environmental awareness programs and activities for its customers across all its branches in Saudi Arabia.

Nikken Sekkei to showcase next-gen skyscrapers prototype

Nikken Sekkei to showcase next-gen skyscrapers prototype
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News
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Nikken Sekkei to showcase next-gen skyscrapers prototype

Nikken Sekkei to showcase next-gen skyscrapers prototype
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News

Japanese architectural, engineering and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei, one of the world’s largest practices, will introduce a new prototype for next-generation skyscrapers at Cityscape Global in Riyadh on Nov. 11-14. The prototype, designed for Tokyo, Japan and applicable for regions around the world including the Middle East, features various workplace design innovations that potentially reduce whole life carbon by up to 40 percent.

With the average temperature expected to rise by 1.5 degrees by the early 2030s, there is a growing need for global efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry is a significant contributor to climate change and is responsible for approximately 37 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. This includes emissions from both the construction process and the operation of buildings.

To create attractive workplaces while minimizing the CO2 footprint of skyscrapers, Nikken Sekkei has analyzed various common practices for large-scale offices, and fundamentally re-evaluated its spatial organization and transport systems. In the new sustainable prototype, vast single-floor office spaces are replaced with multi-floor, steel-wood hybrid units that surround a central void, similar to the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem. This allows more natural light and air to permeate the space and promotes greater collaboration and efficiency by bringing employees closer together. This framework also leads to less steel and concrete usage and lower CO2 emissions.

“Our approach can be described as ‘doing more with less.’ By boldly re-imagining conventional norms, we are able to elevate spatial experiences while still reducing environmental impact,” said Dr. Fadi Jabri, executive officer of Nikken Sekkei. “Saudi Arabia and other countries around the globe are investing heavily in reducing carbon emissions to achieve net zero, and this prototype contains various essential ideas that can be combined and adapted to fit the conditions of each region. We look forward to taking this prototype to the next level and implementing our architecture solutions across the world.”

The next-gen prototype’s innovative transport system uses a combination of express elevators and escalators instead of elevators that stop at every floor. By removing these floor-by-floor elevators, a large void is created in the center of the building. This void can contain the main utility lines to improve office space efficiency and serve as a natural ventilation path. It also makes maintenance, equipment replacements, and refurbishments easier, thereby reducing CO2 emissions during operation and contributing to sustaining the building’s value and longevity.

On every express elevator landing, shared spaces are placed, serving as a lounge area or additional workspace for the office workers. These areas can be combined with terraces and contain a variety of office support functions, such as cafes, bookstores, and meeting rooms.

In terms of mechanical design, Nikken has applied biomimicry, drawing inspiration from the mechanisms of living organisms. One example is a heat recovery system mimicking the “wonder net” system, where interwoven arteries and veins exchange heat to prevent drops in body temperature.

Nikken Sekkei will be exhibiting the unique prototype at Cityscape Global at Stand H3.L20 in the Architecture Design section.

Infra and IFC ink deal to enhance infrastructure advisory services in KSA

Infra and IFC ink deal to enhance infrastructure advisory services in KSA
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News
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Infra and IFC ink deal to enhance infrastructure advisory services in KSA

Infra and IFC ink deal to enhance infrastructure advisory services in KSA
Updated 30 October 2024
Arab News

The National Infrastructure Fund and the International Finance Corporation signed a cooperation memorandum focused on offering joint advisory services for infrastructure transactions in the Kingdom. The signing took place in the presence of Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal F. Alibrahim, and Chairman of the National Infrastructure Fund and Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation Makhtar Diop.

This collaboration will build on the two institutions’ complementary expertise, specifically focusing on greenfield, brownfield, and capital markets transactions. The Infra/IFC partnership will deliver structuring and transaction advice to support the continued growth of private sector participation across the Kingdom’s high-growth infrastructure market, including sectors such as energy and energy transition, water, transport and logistics, waste management, health and education, communications and digital infrastructure among others.

The partnership will strengthen Infra’s ability to combine advice with its strategic financing capability and support accelerated outcomes for high-priority infrastructure needs. The arrangement will leverage IFC’s global track record of innovation across multiple sectors and financing strategies.

Esmail Alsallom, CEO of Infra, said: “Our partnership with IFC is an important step in expanding Infra’s offering. The integration of advice with Infra’s flexible financing solutions will play an important role in expanding the opportunities for institutional and foreign investment. We are delighted to be partnering with IFC to support higher levels of private sector investment which is critical to the success of the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030 agenda.” 

Diop said: “With this agreement, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to increase private sector participation and diversify its economy. This sends a strong signal to the global business community to invest in transformative infrastructure projects in the country. Private sector engagement can unlock a new era of growth and prosperity for the Kingdom — and, at IFC, we want to make that happen.”

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