Bank Albilad supports Vision 2030 with F1 sponsorship

Bank Albilad supports Vision 2030 with F1 sponsorship
Bank Albilad’s guests enjoyed some of the most thrilling races, observing their favorite drivers up close.
Short Url
Updated 17 March 2024
Follow

Bank Albilad supports Vision 2030 with F1 sponsorship

Bank Albilad supports Vision 2030 with F1 sponsorship

With its strategic sponsorship of the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024, Abdulaziz Al-Onaizan, CEO of Bank Albilad, has reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to the objectives of Vision 2030. This sponsorship reflects Bank Albilad’s commitment to enhancing customer experience through innovative banking products, seamlessly aligning with the Kingdom’s prestigious events, he said. Al-Onaizan expressed the bank’s pride in its support for globally acclaimed events, with a focus on improving the overall quality of life for all individuals.

Al-Onaizan highlighted the crucial role of sports in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation, expressing the bank’s enthusiasm for contributing to the Saudi Ministry of Sports’ initiatives. These efforts aim to inspire communities and engage audiences, both domestically and internationally, he said.

Additionally, he highlighted Bank Albilad’s long-standing strategic partnership, now in its third year, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company. This partnership underscores Bank Albilad’s commitment to strengthening the Saudi sports events industry and aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030, aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a premier global destination.

The CEO highlighted the popularity of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, noting its appeal both locally and globally as an opportunity for Bank Albilad to fulfill its banking objectives and effectively engage with its audience. “It enables meaningful engagement with the audiences, leveraging the Formula 1 race’s broad fan base of supporters and viewers via live broadcasts,” Al-Onaizan said. “This not only amplifies Bank Albilad’s visibility in financial and business markets but also enriches the understanding of customers and stakeholders of Bank Albilad’s prominent enterprises and innovative banking products.”

According to the bank’s statement, Bank Albilad’s guests enjoyed some of the most thrilling races, observing their favorite drivers up close as they reached speeds exceeding 252 km per hour. Throughout the three-day extravaganza, which took place from March 7-9, the bank hosted guests in the VIP lounge at the prestigious F1 Paddock Club, renowned for its exceptional sports hospitality and prime view of the start and finish line.

Moreover, an interactive lounge in the bustling fan zone catered to more than 4,000 attendees hailing from both within and outside the Kingdom, including VIPs, high-profile clients, industry moguls, and avid motorsports aficionados. 

Engaging interactive displays at the lounge captivated the audience, complemented by the distribution of numerous complimentary tickets to winners through Bank Albilad’s “Experience the Thrill” campaign, specially crafted for customers and Formula 1 enthusiasts following the bank’s social media channels.

Furthermore, as a testament to its unwavering commitment to social responsibility, the bank joined forces with the Saudi Motorsport Company and the Disabled Children’s Association to spearhead a community initiative within the fan zone at the karting race track, where Bank Albilad provided a dedicated go-kart for children, offering them the opportunity to embark on an enthralling racing adventure and discover a realm of excitement. Competitive financing packages were offered to cater to the diverse needs of all customer segments.

The Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix 2024 in Jeddah stands as one of the Kingdom’s largest sporting and entertainment extravaganzas. Featuring 20 drivers from 10 teams vying for both driver and manufacturer titles, this edition of the event unfolded at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, acclaimed as the longest street circuit in Formula 1 calendar, boasting 16 left turns and 11 right turns, the highest number of turns on any circuit worldwide. The race, now in its fourth edition, witnessed a robust presence of car racing enthusiasts and tourists from across the globe, contributing positively to the tourism economy and showcasing the Kingdom’s tourist destinations, encouraging visitors to partake in diverse events.

Bank Albilad offers its services through an extensive network of over 150 branches nationwide. This network includes seven self-service centers strategically located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Jubail, Al-Kharj, and Yanbu, operating until 9 p.m.. Furthermore, the bank maintains a presence in residential areas in Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, and Madinah. In addition to its physical locations, Bank Albilad provides state-of-the-art electronic services accessible 24/7, such as “Albilad Net” via www.bankalbilad.com and the Albilad mobile app. To ensure seamless communication, the bank offers various channels for customer inquiries, including WhatsApp at +966920001002. Moreover, customers can connect with Bank Albilad through major social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, using the handle @Bankalbilad.


Vaccinating the future: Sanofi drives innovation and impact in Gulf region

Baptiste de Clarens, general manager of Sanofi
Baptiste de Clarens, general manager of Sanofi
Updated 17 December 2024
Follow

Vaccinating the future: Sanofi drives innovation and impact in Gulf region

Baptiste de Clarens, general manager of Sanofi

When Baptiste de Clarens stepped into the role of general manager for vaccines in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region at Sanofi less than a year ago, he brought with him a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a vision to transform the region. De Clarens, whose career has spanned continents — from Korea to France and now the Middle East — has embraced this new chapter with a clear mission: to redefine how Sanofi leverages its innovative vaccine pipeline while navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of the Gulf.

The Gulf region is no longer just a market that executes global strategies; it has emerged as a vital area shaping Sanofi’s global agenda. De Clarens sees this shift as a pivotal moment, a chance to “write a new growth story” for the region. And at the heart of this story lies Sanofi’s cutting-edge vaccine pipeline, which includes groundbreaking developments like high-dose flu vaccines and RSV monoclonal antibodies. These innovations, paired with ambitious plans for local vaccine manufacturing as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, position Sanofi as a key player in the Gulf’s healthcare transformation.

One standout milestone is the launch of Sanofi’s RSV monoclonal antibody in Kuwait, with plans to be introduced in Saudi Arabia and the UAE soon. This innovation has already proven its impact in markets like the US and Europe by reducing infant hospitalizations by up to 90 percent. For de Clarens, the introduction of RSV solutions in the Gulf is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in public health outcomes — redefining how infants are protected.

However, driving change in the Gulf comes with its share of challenges. Despite the region’s exceptional success in pediatric immunization — especially in Saudi Arabia, which boasts some of the highest global vaccination rates — adult immunization lags behind. Vaccine skepticism remains a hurdle, particularly for flu and COVID-19 vaccines among older populations. De Clarens recognizes this gap and is laser-focused on strengthening immunization infrastructure and public health awareness to address it.

Localization is another cornerstone of de Clarens’ strategy. Through Sanofi’s partnership with Arabio and other key stakeholders, the company is advancing vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia. This effort aligns not only with Vision 2030’s goal of achieving healthcare autonomy but also underscores Sanofi’s long-term commitment to the region.

De Clarens views the Gulf as a region of immense potential. “The region has been successful in the past, but now we have access to tools and resources that were not fully utilized before,” he said. With more than 30 vaccine launches planned globally in the next five years, the Gulf stands poised to lead in adoption and innovation.

As the world’s eyes turn to the Middle East, driven by transformative visions like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, de Clarens is clear-eyed about Sanofi’s role in shaping the future of healthcare in the region. With a focus on innovation, public health, and local partnerships, his leadership promises to leave a lasting impact — not just for Sanofi, but for the millions of lives touched by vaccines in the Gulf and beyond.


Kohler opens regional headquarters in Riyadh

Kohler opens regional headquarters in Riyadh
Updated 17 December 2024
Follow

Kohler opens regional headquarters in Riyadh

Kohler opens regional headquarters in Riyadh

Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath design and innovation, has opened its new regional headquarters in Riyadh. Led by David Kohler, chair and chief executive, this strategic move highlights Kohler’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s development and further advancing the Middle East market.

Kohler’s expansion to Riyadh headquarters exemplifies the company’s dedication to fostering growth in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on providing exceptional products and services to its customers — developers, architects, designers and end consumers. Through increased and extensive training programs, Kohler is committed to building a skilled workforce within the region, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. 

David Kohler commented on the expansion, saying, “Opening our new regional headquarters in Riyadh is a significant step forward in our commitment to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. We’re investing not only in the infrastructure to serve our partners and customers better, but also in local talent, resources, and innovative product solutions that align with the region’s ambitions and our company’s growth strategy.” David Kohler serves as Chair and CEO and represents the fourth generation of Kohler family leadership.

This expansion will support Kohler’s strategy to introduce more innovations — such as smart toilets and showers, captivating PVD faucet finishes, colors and new materials — across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Kohler has brought numerous advanced products to the Middle East, many of which combine technology with wellness. These solutions, designed to create multi-sensory experiences, incorporate controls for water, steam, sound, and light, elevating the home and hospitality environments. 

About Kohler Co.

For more than 150 years, Kohler Co. has been a global leader in design and innovation, dedicated to providing gracious living through kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; distributed energy solutions and luxury hospitality experiences and major championship golf. Privately held Kohler Co. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.


OSP launches ‘NovusCrete’ consortium to lead sustainable concrete innovation

OSP launches ‘NovusCrete’ consortium to lead sustainable concrete innovation
Updated 17 December 2024
Follow

OSP launches ‘NovusCrete’ consortium to lead sustainable concrete innovation

OSP launches ‘NovusCrete’ consortium to lead sustainable concrete innovation

The Oil Sustainability Program has established the NovusCrete consortium, a global collaboration effort which will develop and accelerate the adoption of sustainable and durable saltwater concrete. With a focus on utilizing local resources, including innovative polymer-based materials, PP-fiber, recycled aggregates, special concrete admixtures and modified fine aggregates such as sand, NovusCrete seeks to reduce environmental impact while transforming the construction industry through increased resilience and sustainability.

Aligned with OSP’s commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for modern applications through innovation, NovusCrete will pioneer eco-friendly concrete solutions using saltwater and innovative polymer-based materials.

The consortium, comprising top industry leaders such as NEOM, represented by the design and construction sector, Saudi Investment Recycling Company, SIKA, and ClimateCrete Inc, will work closely together to enable the adoption of glass fiber reinforced polymer and other local materials in saltwater concrete. Led by OSP, the NovusCrete consortium will also develop standards and regulations that help support the facilitation and adoption of GFRP applications and other local materials in concrete. Furthermore, the consortium will promote sustainability in the building and construction industry by upcycling waste, extending the lifespan of buildings, and minimizing environmental impact from construction activities.

The NovusCrete consortium is supported by the American Concrete Institute, which contributes to the effort of this initiative through the work of their technical committees. Together, all parties involved will foster a construction landscape that prioritizes environmental stewardship and innovation.


Nokia and Aramco successfully achieve first 2.4 Tbps optical transmission

Nokia and Aramco successfully achieve first 2.4 Tbps optical transmission
Updated 16 December 2024
Follow

Nokia and Aramco successfully achieve first 2.4 Tbps optical transmission

Nokia and Aramco successfully achieve first 2.4 Tbps optical transmission

Nokia and Aramco achieved the first-ever 2.4 Tbps “PSE-6s full card capacity” field implementation in Aramco’s operational network.

The implementation tested the 2.4 Tbps capacity of Nokia’s line cards powered by PSE-6s along with the fiber sensing capabilities of the Nokia PSE-6s chipset in Aramco’s demanding field environment. The deployment was executed on Aramco’s existing fiber network infrastructure over a dispersion shifted fiber route, showcasing a clear and seamless evolution path of Aramco’s current install base. This initiative is expected to further enhance the efficiency, capacity, and sustainability of Aramco’s optical network infrastructure.

Nokia’s PSE-6s, which enables 2.4 Tbps line cards, also demonstrated its full potential by delivering 6 x 400GE of client traffic over a WDM spectrum of only 300 GHz.

Nabil Nuaim, senior vice president of digital and information technology, Aramco, said: “Our collaboration with Nokia has assisted in enhancing our optical network infrastructure. This successful demonstration shows that our fiber network is well-equipped to handle the growing demand for high-capacity traffic securely, as we look to future-proof our operations for next-generation technologies.”

Carlo Corti, head of optical networks, Middle East and Africa at Nokia, said: “This field trial underscores our commitment to innovation and delivering cutting-edge technology to our customers.”


Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital celebrates 30 years

Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital celebrates 30 years
Updated 16 December 2024
Follow

Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital celebrates 30 years

Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital celebrates 30 years

The Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking a profound social and health impact in the field of comprehensive medical rehabilitation, having served more than 125,000 patients. The celebration took place on Dec. 7 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jeddah, showcasing the hospital’s historical milestones and key achievements.

The event was held under the patronage of Deputy Emir of Makkah province Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, and in the presence of Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi. It was attended by Hassan Jameel, deputy president and vice chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel, in addition to leaders from Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital, Abdul Latif Jameel, and prominent figures from the public and private sectors.

The Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital was established in 1994 and has built a legacy of achievements as the first private medical rehabilitation hospital in Saudi Arabia. With a state-of-the-art facility in Jeddah spanning 43,000 square meters, it houses eight wings with a capacity of 76 beds and offers a range of outpatient services.

The idea behind the hospital dates back to the early nineties when the late Abdul Latif Jameel suffered a stroke that severely impacted his well-being, prompting him to travel abroad to receive treatment. Upon his return, he sought to establish a specialized center for medical rehabilitation that would serve the people of Saudi Arabia and its residents. His son, Mohammed Jameel carried the torch after him and began the center’s construction, implementing it, and supervising its management.