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Jabal Omar Hilton inks deal with Al-Bait Guests for Hajj services

Jabal Omar Hilton inks deal with Al-Bait Guests for Hajj services
The five-star Jabal Omar Hilton Suites Hotel is distinguished by its direct view of the Grand Mosque. The hotel consists of two towers with 20 floors each, including 484 suites.
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Updated 03 January 2024
Arab News
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Jabal Omar Hilton inks deal with Al-Bait Guests for Hajj services

Jabal Omar Hilton inks deal with Al-Bait Guests for Hajj services
Updated 03 January 2024
Arab News
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In a strategic move, Jabal Omar Hilton Hotels in Makkah has announced a significant partnership with the Al-Bait Guests company for managing pilgrims’ Hajj programs, starting from travel, accommodation, subsistence plans and religious tourism. The partnership signing ceremony was held at the Jabal Omar Hilton and Convention Center, where representatives from both organizations convened to align their visions and strategies for the seamless facilitation of the forthcoming Hajj season.

The strategic alliance is set to offer world-class hospitality services to international pilgrims through the “Nusk” platform, endorsed by the Ministry of Hajj. These services will be extended across several prestigious properties, including, the Jabal Omar Conrad Makkah, Jabal Omar Hilton Suites, Jabal Omar Hilton and Convention Center, and the Jabal Omar DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah.

The agreement was signed by Fawaz Moumina, Hilton’s country manager and senior director of operations, and Osama Danish, Al-Bait Guests managing director of South Asian pilgrims in Makkah. 




The agreement was signed in Makkah by Fawaz Moumina, right, Hilton’s country manager and senior director of operations, and Osama Danish, Al-Bait Guests managing director of South Asian pilgrims.
(Supplied)

Moumina said: “Jabal Omar Hilton Hotels, the leading hotels chain in Makkah, seeks to strengthen this ongoing partnership with Al-Bait Guests to provide an exceptional stay experience for pilgrims this upcoming Hajj 2024, adhering to the highest standards of hospitality and quality championed by Hilton across its 22 diverse and distinguished brands operating in 124 countries around the world.”

Danish said: “We highly value the trust bestowed upon us by Jabal Omar Hilton Hotels and are dedicated to the success of this collaboration. Al-Bait Guests takes pride in the continued confidence of the pilgrims and our pledge to offer exemplary services and Hajj programs in the finest hotels of Makkah.”

He added that the strategic partnership with Hilton would ensure a successful Hajj season this year.

The announcement is a testament to the dynamic evolution of hospitality services in Makkah and the ongoing enhancement of the “Nusk” platform. The platform is experiencing growth in managing Hajj demands, providing optimal accommodation solutions, and religious services. With this partnership, Hilton and Al-Bait Guests shoulder the significant responsibility of catering to the needs of the pilgrims and elevating the standards of hospitality in the holy city.

SAMENA Council lauds Saudi Arabia’s role in 5.5G innovation

SAMENA Council lauds Saudi Arabia’s role in 5.5G innovation
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News
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SAMENA Council lauds Saudi Arabia’s role in 5.5G innovation

SAMENA Council lauds Saudi Arabia’s role in 5.5G innovation
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News

Participating in the 15th Global Mobile Broadband Forum hosted by Huawei, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, an industry association championing the digital advancement of the South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa regions, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in driving 5.5G (5G-advanced) innovation and digital transformation.

“We are on the brink of a transformative era in connectivity, one that will redefine industries, uplift communities, and support sustainable development. Through the SAMENA Council, we are creating a unified platform to bring diverse stakeholders together and catalyze progress in the whole region,” said Bocar Ba, CEO at SAMENA Council, on the sidelines of Huawei’s Global MBBF 2024 in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Under the theme “5.5G Leads Mobile AI Era,” this year’s Global MBB Forum by Huawei focused on the rapid development of 5.5G infrastructure and AI-powered applications. More than 1,000 participants, including mobile network carriers, ecosystem innovators and technology leaders from across the world gathered to share insights on how these advances will impact industries and individuals.

The Kingdom has become a focal point for SAMENA Council’s efforts to promote next-generation connectivity and cross-sectoral collaboration. “Saudi Arabia is an important market for the SAMENA Council and its members and is the region’s largest digital economy,”
added Ba. 

Bocar Ba, CEO at SAMENA Council

 “The Kingdom’s proactive initiatives and strong collaboration between government entities and the private sector have created a fertile environment for accelerating digital transformation. From telecom operators like stc, Mobily, Zain, and Salam to key government regulators, Saudi Arabia is setting a benchmark for the region.”

The council is actively engaging with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and industry leaders to address critical areas, including spectrum management, fixed wireless access deployment, and agile regulatory frameworks that support the adoption of 5.5G technologies. 

The council is also collaborating closely with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, to address emerging cybersecurity challenges. “Cyber resilience is critical as we scale up 5.5G,” Ba said. “Our work with CST and other stakeholders like MCIT ensures a secure, future-ready ICT infrastructure that can support diverse applications across industries.”

As the Kingdom prepares for the widespread implementation of 5.5G, SAMENA Council has been instrumental in identifying opportunities for leveraging this transformative technology. Ba emphasized that 5.5G will unlock innovative applications across critical industries such as health care and education.

“The next phase of 5G is already here,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to lead the way in adopting 5.5G technologies, which will not only accelerate economic diversification but also drive significant improvements in quality of life. Fixed wireless access, in particular, will play a crucial role in connecting underserved areas and bridging the digital divide.”

To support these efforts, SAMENA Council has launched the ELITE FWA Club, which focuses on promoting fixed wireless access as a key enabler of digital inclusion. In addition, the council is working with global technology providers such as Huawei to accelerate digital innovation and develop future-focused use cases for 5.5G.

“Saudi Arabia’s vision for digital transformation is inspiring. By fostering collaboration between government entities, technology providers, and telecom operators, the Kingdom is not only transforming its economy but also setting a global benchmark for what sustainable digital development should look like,” added Ba.

LuLu boosts Saudi presence with new Dammam store

LuLu boosts Saudi presence with new Dammam store
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News
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LuLu boosts Saudi presence with new Dammam store

LuLu boosts Saudi presence with new Dammam store
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News

As part of its continuous expansion strategy in Saudi Arabia, LuLu Retail has opened its 57th store at Al-Fakhriyah, Qutb Al-Din Al-Shafie Street, Dammam.

The hypermarket offers a modern and convenient shopping experience, featuring a curated selection of high-quality products, while staying true to the brand’s signature commitment to affordability and excellence.

The new store was inaugurated by chief guest Fayez bin Ali Al-Asmari, head of West Dammam municipality, in the presence of dignitaries, including Shehim Muhammed, director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets; Moiz Nuruddin, regional director for Eastern Province; Mohammed Bu Bshait, executive manager of Eastern Province; Zaid Alsubaie, administration manager of Eastern Province; along with other senior officials from the company and the local community.

The new store, spread over 20,000 square feet, features all the favorite shopping amenities that have made LuLu the fastest-growing retail chain across the Kingdom.

It provides ample parking space with a capacity for 181 vehicles. This ensures convenience for both local customers and travelers visiting the store.

The hypermarket is designed to efficiently meet the diverse needs of the community, offering everything from fresh groceries to household products.

Whether residents are seeking their everyday grocery needs or travelers are in search of a quick, reliable shopping experience, the new hypermarket is designed to meet diverse customer demands efficiently.

Designed with the local community in mind, Al-Fakhriyah store is compact yet fully equipped, offering a wide range of products across multiple categories.

Shoppers can find everything from groceries, fresh produce, and bakery items to meat, seafood, health and beauty products, small appliances, mobile phones and accessories, and home furnishings.

At the inauguration, Muhammed highlighted the importance of the new store in fulfilling the company’s vision of providing exceptional quality and value to customers across the Kingdom.

He said: “The opening of LuLu Store in Al-Fakhriyah marks another significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to offering the best quality products at competitive prices. This store reaffirms our dedication to addressing the diverse needs of the local community and ensuring an enhanced shopping experience for our valued customers.”

The new store also features convenient accessibility, making it the perfect stop for travelers on the busy Bu-Hadriyah Road, ensuring that customers, whether residents or passersby, are well-served.

LuLu continues to focus on expanding its presence in key locations across the Kingdom, further solidifying its position as a leader in the retail industry while meeting the growing demands of Saudi Arabia’s retail market.

The company is on track to open 100 stores in the Kingdom within the next three years.

Additionally, four new LuLu stores are set to open in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah within the next two months.

Recently, LuLu began trading on ADX on Nov. 14, following its record-breaking IPO.

The most significant aspect was the heavy pull-in of first-time investors, all of whom made up more than 82,000 retail investors, one of the highest recorded for a UAE IPO.

The stock offering raised $1.72 billion, with aggregate demand reaching $37 billion, resulting in an oversubscription of 25 times.

Cornerstone investors included leading sovereign and institutional investors from across the GCC.

VTB: Agricultural exports to exceed $50bn in next 5 years

VTB: Agricultural exports to exceed $50bn in next 5 years
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News
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VTB: Agricultural exports to exceed $50bn in next 5 years

VTB: Agricultural exports to exceed $50bn in next 5 years
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News

VTB Group, a global provider of financial services, estimates that exports of agricultural goods will surpass $50 billion by 2030. Leading positions in the grain segment will be complemented by new growth areas in meat and dairy production, as well as the food processing industry. 

This forecast was presented by VTB analysts at the 15th VTB Russia Calling! Investment Forum, who identified the main growth factors as:

  • Increased efficiency and experience of local producers
  • Achieving the threshold for ensuring food security in the Russian Federation not only for grain but also across vegetable oils, fish and fish products, sugar, meat, and meat products. This will significantly expand the list of value-added agro-industrial complex goods for export.
  • Potential for production growth relative to current cultivated areas and production capacities
  • Strong positions in production costs
  • Growing demand from China, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia

Vitaly Sergeychuk, member of the management board of VTB, said: “Despite the current cycle of a high key rate and expensive borrowing, we see that our clients in the agricultural and industrial complex segment are fulfilling their obligations to banks, counter-parties, and employees in a timely manner. Moreover, they are constantly seeking out new markets and business partners. For instance, over the last three-five years, most of them have established export production and logistics chains for their products, including to Asia, the Far East, the Middle East, and Africa.

“At the same time, in light of new challenges to maintain the sovereignty of the country’s food security, the priority for players in this market will be to further increase vertical integration and develop new business directions. These include selective breeding and genetics, knowledge-intensive industries, dairy production, and livestock breeding.”

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group forms Jiad International Holding Company to lead strategic restructuring

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group forms Jiad International Holding Company to lead strategic restructuring
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News
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Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group forms Jiad International Holding Company to lead strategic restructuring

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group forms Jiad International Holding Company to lead strategic restructuring
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group has announced the formation of Jiad International Holding Company, a strategic initiative to optimize the group’s diverse portfolio of investments and accelerate long-term growth across key sectors, including automotive, transportation, logistics, and consumer goods distribution.

This new corporate structure highlights Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group’s commitment to enhancing corporate governance while solidifying its position as a leading service provider by empowering its subsidiaries to seize emerging opportunities. 

HIGHLIGHT

The formation of Jiad International Holding Company is a strategic initiative to optimize the group’s diverse portfolio of investments and accelerate long-term growth across key sectors.

Leading this venture, as the CEO of Jiad International Holding Company, will be Hossam Y. Radwan, who comes with a proven track record of experience spanning more than three decades in investment banking. He will be bringing exceptional expertise in driving the company’s strategic vision.

An alumnus of Georgetown University, US, Radwan most recently served as CEO of the Saudi Mortgage Guarantees Company (Damanat) and was previously appointed to numerous leadership roles in renowned financial institutions, such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, EFG-Hermes and Abraj Partners Holding.

The group expressed its enthusiastic welcome to Radwan, and expressed their confidence in his ability to drive Jiad International toward achieving its strategic objectives and unlocking a new era of growth for Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group.

Kerten Hospitality opens ‘Nakhati’ gelato store in Diriyah

Kerten Hospitality opens ‘Nakhati’ gelato store in Diriyah
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News
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Kerten Hospitality opens ‘Nakhati’ gelato store in Diriyah

Kerten Hospitality opens ‘Nakhati’ gelato store in Diriyah
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News

Kerten Hospitality’s Nakhati brand, recognized as Saudi Arabia’s pioneering social impact food and beverage initiative, launched its latest location at the prestigious Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah. The store opening, which took place on Nov. 28, brings Nakhati gelato’s locally inspired blends to the heart of Diriyah, reflecting the richness of Saudi heritage and modern culinary flair. Founded by Kerten Hospitality, the unique gelato franchise is dedicated to empowering Saudi female entrepreneurs and fostering community prosperity.

To celebrate the opening, Nakhati introduced an exclusive aroma drawn from the heritage of Diriyah: Tahini Gelato. This special edition is being offered in two distinctive variations:

• Tahini and White Chocolate Variegato: A creamy indulgence crafted to captivate both newcomers and gelato enthusiasts alike.

• Tahini, Cardamom and Dates: A flavorful tribute to traditional tastes, celebrating the essence of Diriyah’s rich history.

Additionally, guests at the Bujairi Terrace location had the chance to sample “Pinturicchio,” a gelato made with premium olive oil and a touch of salt, as a complimentary treat on the opening day.

“Nakhati isn’t just a dessert brand; it’s a mission-driven initiative by Kerten Hospitality. Under a social franchise model, Nakhati empowers Saudi women through accessible pathways to business ownership, providing full franchise support, financing tools, training, and ongoing mentorship. This model exemplifies Kerten Hospitality’s commitment to fostering social responsibility while delivering premium culinary experiences,” a statement said.

“Our expansion into Diriyah is a testament to Nakhati’s mission: to empower Saudi women through a business model that merges quality, craftsmanship, and social impact,” said Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality. “Nakhati showcases the skill of gelato-making, while also highlighting the potential for businesses to drive positive change.”

By 2028, Nakhati aims to empower 50 Saudi women through its network of 30 gelato carts and 20 kiosks across the Kingdom, bringing locally crafted gelato to communities throughout Saudi Arabia. Nakhati’s impact has garnered international recognition, including the prestigious Dentons Best Franchising Model Award, which celebrates the brand’s unique approach to sustainable and inclusive business.

Aligned with Kerten Hospitality’s broader vision for gender equity and community empowerment, Nakhati’s social franchise model is reshaping the industry, showing how social responsibility and business success can flourish side by side. Through each franchisee, Nakhati is helping to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for Saudi women and their communities.

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