Aldar unveils luxury residential project in UAE’s Yas Park

Aldar unveils luxury residential project in UAE’s Yas Park
Featuring 234 homes with parkland surrounds, Aldar Properties’ Sama Yas is thoughtfully designed to enrich the social and community living experience of its residents.
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Updated 24 January 2024
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Aldar unveils luxury residential project in UAE’s Yas Park

Aldar unveils luxury residential project in UAE’s Yas Park

Aldar Properties has announced the launch of Sama Yas, the first collection of exquisite homes that embrace a holistic approach to well-being and offer luxury park living on Yas Island. Set against the serene backdrop of Yas Park, this boutique residential community provides residents with a rare opportunity to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle within nature, with easy access to Yas Island’s world-class leisure and entertainment experiences.

Featuring 234 homes with parkland surrounds, Sama Yas is thoughtfully designed to enrich the social and community living experience of its residents. Culinary mastermind Chef Izu will indulge residents with an exclusive dining experience, which includes a restaurant and deli within the community and a fine dining menu that can be enjoyed at home. The UAE-based chef is behind globally acclaimed culinary experiences including the recently opened Gaia Mayfair in London, Gaia Monte Carlo in Monaco, IZU at Mandarin Oriental in Doha, and Alaya, Shanghai Me, Scalini and Kai Enzo in Dubai.

To further elevate the luxury living experience, Sama Yas will feature a boutique spa, experiential retail spaces, 24/7 concierge, and a lounge. Residents will also enjoy an array of leisure, wellness, and social amenities, including a gym, community gardens, cycling and jogging tracks, outdoor working pods, a library and co-working space, a kids’ play area, a multipurpose room, and a theater room.

The architectural grandeur of Sama Yas was conceptualized by Woods Bagot, while Mustard and Linen’s harmonious blend of artistic and practical design principles create a range of rich and visually captivating interior spaces. Bringing his culinary flair to each home, Chef Izu has inspired the kitchen designs with a thoughtful focus on space, storage, and fine finishings, encouraging residents to experiment with gastronomy from the comfort of their own homes.

Chef Izu said: “This collaboration is truly a meeting of minds, an ongoing discussion of how we can build a kitchen that caters for every moment in life. The flow of energy from the kitchen to the dining space, enhancing every occasion with friends, family and loved ones. I wanted to challenge myself and bring everything I have learned from our restaurants to the home, and I am so excited to see it come to life.”

The community is located on the doorstep of Yas Park, a first-of-its-kind family park in Abu Dhabi, and Sama Yas residents will have direct access to its exciting fitness and leisure amenities, including a grove, picnic area, sports zone, covered sports courts, skate park, bounce park, dog park, mangrove, kids play areas, and a festival lawn.

The community’s prime location also puts residents within cycling distance of Yas Island’s key attractions, such as SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Mall. In addition, the development benefits from easy access to major transport links, including Abu Dhabi International Airport and the main highways to Saadiyat Island, downtown Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

Sama Yas is set to launch on Feb. 2 and comprises three low-rise buildings, which will include one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, two- and three-bedroom duplexes, two- and three-bedroom garden apartments, and penthouses.

The development will aim to achieve the Estidama 3 Pearl rating, LEED Gold certification, and Fitwel certification for the masterplan and will incorporate sustainability measures into its design to reduce energy, water, and waste consumption. Sama Yas will join the growing Aldar portfolio of developments that aim to promote wellness and sustainable living.


Saudi Arabia tops global chart in click-and-mortar shopping

Saudi Arabia tops global chart in click-and-mortar shopping
Updated 20 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia tops global chart in click-and-mortar shopping

Saudi Arabia tops global chart in click-and-mortar shopping

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the global leader in click-and-mortar shopping, with more than 55 percent of consumers favoring this hybrid shopping method — well above the global average of 39 percent, according to a recent study by PYMNTS Intelligence and Visa Acceptance Solutions. The “2024 Global Digital Shopping Index: KSA Edition” highlights that Saudi Arabia’s millennial shoppers are driving this trend, with nearly six in 10 reporting they have most recently shopped using a click-and-mortar approach. The study, conducted between September and December 2023, surveyed 1,392 consumers and 414 merchants in Saudi Arabia, offering a comparative insight from a broader survey of 13,904 consumers and 3,512 merchants across seven countries, including Brazil, India, the UAE, Mexico, the US, and the UK.

The study highlights emerging trends in consumer behavior, documenting the rise of click-and-mortar shopping experiences, where digital tools seamlessly integrate with physical locations. This hybrid approach is replacing the traditional divide between online-only and in-store-only shopping.

In Saudi Arabia, the demand for an enhanced click-and-mortar experience is strong. Saudi merchants offer an average of 28 digital shopping features out of the 34 identified in the study — ranking higher in this metric than merchants in any of the other six countries surveyed.


HMD Skyline 5G brings new era of European innovation to KSA

HMD Skyline 5G brings new era of European innovation to KSA
Updated 20 October 2024
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HMD Skyline 5G brings new era of European innovation to KSA

HMD Skyline 5G brings new era of European innovation to KSA

Human Mobile Devices, a European smartphone manufacturer and makers of Nokia phones, has announced the launch of its HMD Skyline 5G mobile phone in Saudi Arabia. The device is now available in stores, offering consumers an innovative smartphone experience.

Previously going by the acronym HMD, the company rebranded as Human Mobile Devices at the beginning of 2024. Alongside this transformation, they unveiled a new partnership strategy, collaborating with a lineup of global lifestyle brands to launch a collection of bespoke phones. Human Mobile Devices is also committed to enhancing its market-leading initiatives in self-repairability, and digital detox tech, further solidifying its innovative approach.

Affirming its new ambitious global marketing strategy, HMD recently announced a landmark agreement with FC Barcelona, becoming the club’s official mobile phone partner. This strategic partnership will strengthen HMD’s presence in the global market, while aligning with one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.

Sanmeet Singh Kochhar, vice president of HMD in the AMEA region, said: “We are excited about the launch of the HMD Skyline, a device we believe will redefine the mobile market in Saudi Arabia. Designed with Gen Z in mind, the HMD Skyline combines cutting-edge technology, sustainable design and easy repairability — making it the perfect choice for young tech-savvy consumers.”

HMD Skyline is equipped with a 108 MP main camera with OIS, a 50 MP telephoto and 13 MP ultrawide lens. It captures breathtaking night shots, vibrant colors, and crisp 4X zoom — all while keeping your wallet happy. Whether you are shooting in low light or zooming in for detailed closeups, HMD Skyline ensures your photos stand out in any setting. Tailored for content creators, its camera capabilities are perfect for photographers looking to impress.

The 50 MP AI selfie camera is perfect for effortless vlogging, live streaming, snapping and social media content creation. It comes with autofocus and eye-tracking to ensure the sharpest of selfies, and with Skyline, creators do not even need to press a button or set a timer to take a picture. The device comes with in-built “selfie gesture” tech, which means all users have to do is to look at the phone while making the universal peace sign (or one of three other hand signs) to activate the shot. You can also create video selfies in slow-mo and 4k.

This sleek smartphone is equipped with an innovative built-in detox mode, complete with customizations and contact blocking features. Users can tailor their detox experience, allowing them to focus on the real world and enjoy a balanced smartphone experience whenever they need a break from the digital noise.


STC Bank, Salla partner to enable payments for 80,000+ online merchants

STC Bank, Salla partner to enable payments for 80,000+ online merchants
Updated 20 October 2024
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STC Bank, Salla partner to enable payments for 80,000+ online merchants

STC Bank, Salla partner to enable payments for 80,000+ online merchants

STC Bank, the first licensed digital bank in the Kingdom, has announced a new partnership with Salla, an e-commerce platform in Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership will enable it to be used as a payment method across more than 80,000 online stores powered by Salla, enhancing digital payment options for merchants and customers alike.
Salla is recognized as a dominant player in the Saudi e-commerce market, offering merchants a platform to easily create and manage their online stores by providing advanced tools for multiple payment gateways, and catering to diverse industries and businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, including fashion, electronics and home goods, among others.
STC Bank, which is the Kingdom’s first digital bank and combines traditional banking services with a digital-first, customer-focused approach, will now be integrated into Salla’s e-commerce infrastructure, enabling merchants to offer their customers the convenience of paying directly through their STC Bank accounts, contributing to a more streamlined digital shopping experience.
With more than 80,000 merchants, this integration is expected to boost digital payments and offer more diverse payment options to online shoppers, providing convenient, fast and secure, Shariah-compliant payment solutions for businesses operating on Salla’s platform.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for STC Bank as it continues on its mission to support the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia, and is part of STC Bank’s broader strategy to strengthen its role as a leader in the Saudi digital banking space, while continuing to offer technologically-forward solutions to Saudi businesses and consumers alike.


stc Group named ‘Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider’ at London event

stc Group named ‘Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider’ at London event
Updated 20 October 2024
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stc Group named ‘Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider’ at London event

stc Group named ‘Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider’ at London event

stc Group has concluded its participation as a “digital enabler” at Capacity Europe 2024, held in London from Oct. 15-17. The group’s participation emphasized its commitment to pioneering global connectivity and telecommunications innovation.

During the event, stc Group was recognized with two prestigious Global Carrier Awards: Best Sales Team Globally and Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider. These accolades reflect the group’s excellence in delivering cutting-edge solutions and reaffirm its position as a leader in the telecom industry.

The awards are a testament to stc Group’s commitment to excellence in global connectivity and innovation, further highlighting its role as a key digital enabler across the region.

At the event, in line with its commitment to drive digital transformation, stc Group forged a number of new agreements including an agreement with Cubic Telecom, to enhance connectivity through stc’s IoT platforms, APIs, and GSM services. Another MoU was forged with China Unicom to bolster regional connectivity and drive IoT innovation.

Furthermore, stc Group earned the GLF Code of Conduct anti-fraud certification for 2024. This achievement underscores stc Group’s standards of transparency and integrity in the international carrier industry. 

Throughout the event, stc Group showcased its wide array of digital services, including IoT, as well as its international voice service capabilities. The group highlighted its role as a gateway for international data traffic, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s strategic position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.


ASMO boosts Saudi presence with new partnerships, HQs

ASMO boosts Saudi presence with new partnerships, HQs
Updated 20 October 2024
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ASMO boosts Saudi presence with new partnerships, HQs

ASMO boosts Saudi presence with new partnerships, HQs
  • “Today, I am proud to announce our strategic partnerships that are in line with Vision 2030 objectives and contribute to the Kingdom’s economic growth by creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chain ecosystem

Advanced Supply Management Operations, a joint venture established by DHL and Aramco through the Saudi Aramco Development Company, has signed several MoUs with industry leaders and agreements with multinational technology providers to advance its vision to be a supply chain market leader in the Middle East and North Africa region. The company launched earlier this year to meet the energy, chemical, and industrial sectors’ complex end-to-end supply chain and procurement demands.
As Saudi Arabia’s first procurement and supply chain services hub of its kind serving the region’s energy, chemical, and industrial sectors, ASMO has signed 16 MoUs with industry leaders across multiple sectors, to explore value-creation opportunities and create more resilient, efficient, sustainable, and integrated end-to-end supply chain services. Also, ASMO signed agreements worth more than SR300 million ($80 million) with Aramco Digital, SAP, and Oracle to accelerate its digital transformation and drive operational excellence across the supply chain and procurement landscape in Saudi Arabia. The signings took place at ASMO’s new headquarters at the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce Tower, Dammam.

The establishment of our new headquarters at the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce Tower in Dammam and these newly concluded partnerships represent a defining chapter in ASMO’s journey, says Salem Al-Huraish Chairman of ASMO

“Today, I am proud to announce our strategic partnerships that are in line with Vision 2030 objectives and contribute to the Kingdom’s economic growth by creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chain ecosystem. We aim to enable our customers to focus on their core business activities while benefiting from improved service levels, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced operational efficiency, helping them to pursue and attain new growth opportunities. The establishment of our new headquarters at the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce Tower in Dammam and these newly concluded partnerships and MoU signings represent a defining chapter in ASMO’s journey,” said Salem Al-Huraish, chairman of ASMO.

NUMBER

16

MoUs with leading companies have been signed by ASMO to expand collaborations in the energy, chemical, refining, industrial, healthcare, and aviation sectors.

ASMO’s strategic partnerships with leading technology providers will enable it to leverage innovative technologies and solutions to optimize its supply chain services, finance, and HR operations. Through collaborations with Aramco Digital, SAP, and Oracle, ASMO will implement advanced ERP systems, procurement control towers, and B2B eMarketplace to enhance decision-making, asset utilization, and operational efficiency. These partnerships aim to streamline planning and procurement functions, automate finance and HR processes, and improve overall productivity and employee experience.
The 16 MoUs identify opportunities to create value, drive efficiencies across supply chain operations, and support growth:
• In the chemical and refining sectors, ASMO signed MoUs with Luberef, Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co., Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company, Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company.
• In the energy sector, MoUs have been signed with Baker Hughes, Cameron Al-Rushaid, Halliburton, Schlumberger Middle East S.A., and Weatherford.
• In the global manufacturing sector, MoUs have been signed with ArcelorMittal, Jubail Energy Services Company, Tenaris, and Vallourec.
• In the aviation and healthcare sectors, MoUs have been signed with Aloula Aviation and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare.
The new headquarters is an eight-floor, LEED-certified facility anticipated to accommodate more than 1,200 employees. ASMO is focused on leveraging innovative technologies to deliver substantial value to its partners and customers, helping to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in supply chain and procurement operations.
With these developments, ASMO is well-positioned to become a key player in redefining the procurement and supply chain landscape across the energy, chemical, and industrial sectors. By leveraging innovative technologies and aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, ASMO aims to deliver substantial value to its partners and customers in the Kingdom and the wider MENA region.