Servcorp boosts Saudi business landscape with KAFD expansion

Servcorp boosts Saudi business landscape with KAFD expansion
KAFD is home to 1.6 million square meters of state-of-the-art office spaces.
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Updated 22 June 2024
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Servcorp boosts Saudi business landscape with KAFD expansion

Servcorp boosts Saudi business landscape with KAFD expansion

Servcorp, a global provider of premium flexible office solutions, has announced the opening of its new office location in King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh. This strategic move aligns with KAFD’s vision to enhance Riyadh’s position as a global business and lifestyle destination, offering a sophisticated platform for businesses to connect and grow their operations.

The opening is part of Servcorp’s strategy to extend its regional footprint, offering state-of-the-art office solutions to startups, SMEs, and multinational corporations. The facility features fully equipped private offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices, and meeting rooms, complemented by professional 24/7 IT support and local expertise.

A key driver of Riyadh’s economic ambitions, KAFD is the largest Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified mixed-use business district in the world. Set in the heart of the Saudi capital, KAFD is home to 1.6 million square meters of state-of-the-art office spaces, world-class venues, and iconic luxury residences, designed to transform the way urban communities live, work, and play.

David Godchaux, CEO of Servcorp for the Middle East, Europe and America, said: “We are delighted to open our new location in KAFD, aligning Servcorp’s expansion with Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision in one of the region’s most significant developments.”

Our clients in KAFD will benefit from state-of-the-art technology, and world-class office solutions backed by Servcorp’s global infrastructure.”

“With the number of SMEs in Saudi Arabia growing by an impressive 3.1 percent in Q4 2023 to more than 1.3 million, the total number of SMEs in Riyadh alone reached 571,298 by the end of the year. With this rapid expansion in entrepreneurship and SMEs, and the vast interest in co-working spaces, we are thrilled to welcome Servcorp to KAFD,” said Gautam Sashittal, CEO of the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company. “Servcorp’s innovative workspace solutions are a strategic addition to our district, perfectly aligning with our vision of becoming a full-service business hub. This new partnership not only enhances our ability to support business success but also underscores KAFD’s vital role in driving the Kingdom’s economic diversification and achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.”


Jeel and audax partner to transform digital banking across Kingdom

Jeel and audax partner to transform digital banking across Kingdom
Updated 13 November 2024
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Jeel and audax partner to transform digital banking across Kingdom

Jeel and audax partner to transform digital banking across Kingdom

Jeel, the digital innovation arm of Riyad Bank, and audax Financial Technology, a comprehensive digital banking technology solutions provider backed by Standard Chartered, have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the digital banking landscape in Saudi Arabia. The partnership brings together Jeel’s forward-thinking digital technology as an enabler of digital innovation, and audax’s proven track record as a solutions provider as the comprehensive plug-and-play banking solution powering Asia’s first banking-as-a-service offering by a global bank. This partnership offers a suite of comprehensive solutions for banks in Saudi Arabia, with an initial focus on enabling advanced business models such as digital banks, BaaS, super apps, and open banking solutions. 

Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is undergoing rapid transformation as part of Vision 2030, with a growing market for digital banking solutions driven by a tech-savvy population. The urgency of digital transformation is clear — banks must modernize to remain competitive in a fast-evolving economy, projected to reach $1.1 trillion in GDP by the end of 2024. The surge in digital wallets, from 315,000 users in 2018 to over 17 million by 2022, along with the rapid rise of real-time payments, emphasizes the immediate demand for innovative, scalable banking models.

With initiatives like the SR300 million ($80 million) fintech-focused fund and the National Technology Development Program providing crucial funding and support for startups, the urgency of digital transformation in banking is increasingly clear. These measures highlight the opportunity for banks to modernize and capitalize on the significant potential created by Vision 2030, positioning them to compete and thrive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

While banks serve as the first application, these offerings are adaptable for other financial institutions and non-bank entities, allowing for seamless integration into a variety of ecosystems and extending the benefits of digital transformation beyond traditional banking.

In the shorter term, institutions in Saudi Arabia will benefit from rapid migration from legacy systems, unlocking new digital capabilities and flexible business models. Through easy integration with third-party vendors and ecosystem players, clients will be able to offer innovative services such as open banking and BaaS. This flexibility positions them to compete with digital-native challengers, drive customer acquisition, and improve operational efficiency.

In the longer term, the partnership between Jeel and audax will allow Saudi Arabia’s institutions to leverage a wealth of data across their ecosystems, creating new revenue streams and business lines. This includes opportunities such as real-time underwriting through third-party data access, cross-selling products through contextual offers, and even expanding into fee-based services such as KYC-as-a-service and real-time data provision to consumer and SME-focused companies.

George Harrak, CEO of Jeel, said: “At Jeel, we are committed to driving innovation and technological digital advancement. Our collaboration with audax enables us to deliver pioneering digital solutions that will enhance the agility and scalability across Saudi Arabia and the region. By integrating our cutting-edge technology with audax’s proven platform, we can accelerate the digital transformation of our customers, including banks, financial institutions and non-bank entities, and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”

Kelvin Tan, CEO of audax Financial Technology, added: “We are excited to bring our proven digital transformation capabilities to Saudi Arabia through this partnership. By working with Jeel, we aim to accelerate the pace at which Saudi institutions can modernize and scale their digital offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in the evolving business landscape. Our partnership will empower them to launch cutting-edge solutions quickly and efficiently, creating new revenue streams and improving operational resilience.”


Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah launches ‘Signature Collection’

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah launches ‘Signature Collection’
Updated 12 November 2024
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Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah launches ‘Signature Collection’

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah launches ‘Signature Collection’

At Cityscape Global in Riyadh, Diriyah Company announced the launch of 59 new luxury apartments and villas for the Signature Collection of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, marking the latest release of its luxury branded residences. This launch follows the successful sell-out of the initial 106 Ritz Carlton Residences.

This exclusive new collection offers 59 fully furnished apartments and villas, with options ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom configurations, each meticulously crafted to meet the legendary standards of The Ritz-Carlton brand.

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to amenities at the co-located hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Diriyah, including a state-of-the-art gym, luxurious spa, and fine-dining restaurants. 

Announcing the new residences, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “We are delighted to announce these new world-class luxury homes from the Ritz-Carlton brand. Following the incredible success and sell-out of our initial release of 106 villas at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, we are anticipating significant demand for this exceptional new offering. This announcement underscores our dedication to delivering best-in-class offerings at every stage of our incredible development journey.”

Jaidev Menezes, regional vice president — mixed-use development, EMEA, Marriott International, said: “Following the overwhelming success and sold-out response to the initial release of villas at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, we are excited about the launch of the new inventory of villas and apartments. We are once again expecting high levels of demand for the newly launched residences offering tranquility, privacy and luxury living in one of the most significant cultural and heritage destinations in the region.”

The development of these luxury hotel residences at Diriyah is part of a comprehensive residential strategy to create diverse living opportunities for more than 100,000 future residents. This wide-ranging plan underscores Diriyah’s vision to become a premier destination for luxury living and community development. 


Diriyah Company, Raffles announce luxury residences

Diriyah Company, Raffles announce luxury residences
Updated 12 November 2024
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Diriyah Company, Raffles announce luxury residences

Diriyah Company, Raffles announce luxury residences

Diriyah Company and Raffles Hotels and Resorts have announced the launch of Raffles Residences Diriyah, marking their first residential partnership. The announcement shows the two companies’ shared commitment to offering world-class luxury living in the “City of Earth.”

Launched during Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh, Raffles Residences Diriyah will offer 90 apartments and townhouses primarily featuring one-, two- or three-bedroom residences and seven spacious duplex accommodations. Residents will have full access to the world-class luxury facilities and amenities at the upcoming Raffles Diriyah hotel.

Raffles Residences Diriyah will bring together the elegance and spirit of enchanted glamor for which Raffles is known alongside Najdi architectural influences. This unique collection of residential homes is located in Diriyah South, close to the 3 km escarpment walk overlooking Wadi Hanifah, blending cultural legacy with modern luxury.

Announcing the release of the residences, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “We are thrilled to unveil these exceptional luxury residences from a top-tier, esteemed hotel brand. Introducing these stunning Raffles Residences to Diriyah reinforces our commitment to world-class standards of excellence and quality that we are delivering at every step of our accelerating development journey.”

Omer Acar, CEO for Raffles Hotels and Resorts, added: “Raffles hotels and residences worldwide are located in destinations rich in history and heritage. With Raffles Residences Diriyah, we are offering residents an unparalleled living experience steps away from the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif and overlooking the breathtaking natural landscape of Wadi Hanifah, putting homeowners in one of Saudi Arabia’s cultural centers. We look forward to welcoming residents from the Kingdom and wider region to enjoy these exceptional homes where they can experience the inspirational and glamorous lifestyle of Raffles while benefiting from the outstanding service and amenities at the forthcoming Raffles Diriyah hotel.”

Raffles Residences Diriyah is part of a comprehensive residential strategy by the Diriyah Company, which will create diverse living opportunities for more than 100,000 future residents. This wide-ranging plan underscores Diriyah’s vision to become a highly sought-after place for luxury living and community development.
 


Honor launches laptop for professionals

Honor launches laptop for professionals
Updated 12 November 2024
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Honor launches laptop for professionals

Honor launches laptop for professionals

The Honor MagicBook Art 14 is a well-equipped laptop that can tackle the stressful schedule of any business professional and comes with unique tools that help to streamline workloads and boost productivity.

Portability is an important factor for any business laptop, and the MagicBook Art 14 takes this further than any other laptop in the market. With a weight of 1 kg and a thickness of just 1 cm, the MagicBook Art 14 is light enough to carry around all day in a bag or briefcase and is always ready for the next meeting.

For business professionals, privacy is a high priority, and the MagicBook Art 14 offers an industry-first measure to protect users' privacy through the industry’s first modular camera design.
The laptop is available for purchase in Emerald Green at a price of SR5,999 ((1,600). 


TDF and Dusit partner to elevate KSA’s hospitality sector

TDF and Dusit partner to elevate KSA’s hospitality sector
Updated 12 November 2024
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TDF and Dusit partner to elevate KSA’s hospitality sector

TDF and Dusit partner to elevate KSA’s hospitality sector

As Saudi Arabia continues to make tremendous strides toward becoming one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, the Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of the Kingdom’s tourism sector, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the industry. This was highlighted by signing an MoU with Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies.
Officially announced at World Travel Market 2024 in London, the MoU will see TDF work closely with Dusit International to develop a range of world-class hospitality projects in the Kingdom.
In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Tourism Strategy, the partnership is fully geared toward setting Saudi Arabia apart as a must-visit destination distinguished by a first-class array of luxury hotels and resorts.
The MoU marks the latest step taken by TDF to transform the Kingdom into a global hub of immersive tourism experiences, reiterating the fund’s focus on effective and truly aligned partnership-building to advance the Saudi tourism sector and fulfill the Kingdom’s potential as a leading player on the international tourism stage.
Renowned for its rich traditions, stunning landscapes, proud heritage and diverse range of spiritual landmarks and historic sites, Saudi Arabia is home to some of the most engaging tourist attractions in the world. Together with Dusit International, TDF will call attention to these places of interest and attract more visitors and travelers to embark on rewarding journeys and tourist experiences across the Kingdom.
Qusai Al-Fakhri, TDF’s CEO, said: “This MoU is a pivotal milestone in our strategy to attract world-class partners and create distinctive and sustainable tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to be collaborating with Dusit International, whose expertise in hospitality aligns perfectly with our ambition to unlock the full potential of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. Together, we aim to shape extraordinary destinations that will have a lasting positive impact on the sector.”
SupHajjee Suthumpun, group CEO of Dusit International, said: “Dusit International is deeply honored to sign this MoU with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund. This marks a significant milestone for us as we seek to bring our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to one of the world’s most dynamic tourism landscapes. Saudi Arabia is a key focus for our growth, and partnering with TDF provides invaluable opportunities to connect with high-potential investments across the Kingdom. We look forward to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and delivering hotel experiences that bring enduring value to all stakeholders.”
With more than 75 years of experience, Dusit International is an Asian hospitality group rooted in Thai heritage. It operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including luxury hotels and resorts, food businesses, hospitality schools, wellness centers, and hospitality-related services, with a presence in 19 countries across four continents.