Who’s Who: Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan, general manager of Imagination Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan
Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan
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Updated 30 September 2024
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Who’s Who: Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan, general manager of Imagination Saudi Arabia

Who’s Who: Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan, general manager of Imagination Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Al-Oshaiwan was appointed general manager of Imagination Saudi Arabia in 2024. He has been tasked with driving the company’s growth and overseeing its operations across the Kingdom, playing a critical role in expanding Imagination’s footprint in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Before joining Imagination, he served as master event planner at the Saudi Esports Federation, where he was responsible for managing key events and large-scale projects.

One of his notable accomplishments was overseeing the 2024 Esports World Cup, the largest esports event globally, attracting over 1,500 international players and more than 2 million visitors.

Prior to that, Al-Oshaiwan held several senior positions, including as projects director at Mayadeen Events, where he was instrumental in building the company’s reputation and client base. He also played a key role in shaping cultural and esports events through his work with the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Esports Federation.

Al-Oshaiwan was awarded the prestigious King Abdulaziz Medal by the Royal Court for his contributions to Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, which highlighted his ability to manage large-scale, high-profile events with excellence.

Commenting on his new position, Al-Oshaiwan said: “Joining Imagination at such a pivotal time of driving growth is a huge opportunity. With the company’s dynamic vision for the future and many exciting events on the horizon, I look forward to leading our team in delivering exceptional value to our clients and further establishing our footprint in this thriving market.”

Al-Oshaiwan holds a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management with a minor in leadership from Thompson Rivers University in Canada and is a certified project management professional.

 


Bangladesh committed to meet demand for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia, top official says

Bangladesh committed to meet demand for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia, top official says
Updated 29 January 2025
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Bangladesh committed to meet demand for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia, top official says

Bangladesh committed to meet demand for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia, top official says
  • Bangladesh government exploring options to facilitate expatriate participation, voting in national election

RIYADH: Bangladesh is committed to meeting demand for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia, said Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Bangladeshi Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Speaking at a discussion organized at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh with owners and senior officials of Saudi companies, Nazrul said that there were significant opportunities for Bangladesh to send skilled and semi-skilled workers, including doctors, engineers, nurses and technicians.

Nazrul, who is in Riyadh at the invitation of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to attend the Global Labor Market Conference (Wednesday-Thursday), emphasized the need for qualitative changes in Bangladesh’s labor market in Saudi Arabia.

He highlighted the many employment prospects emerging from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives, including mega projects such as NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya, Green Riyadh, Amala, Diriyah and Roshan, alongside major global events such as the AFC Asian Cup (2027), Winter Asian Olympics (2029), World Expo (2030) and FIFA World Cup (2034).

He sought the cooperation of Saudi recruitment companies, who acknowledged the presence of skilled professionals in Bangladesh but pointed out challenges such as inadequate information, marketing, networking, visa delays, language barriers and a lack of pre-boarding orientation.

Nazrul assured them of resolving these issues and emphasized strengthening ties through labor fairs, seminars and regular communication with company officials.

He also inaugurated the embassy’s e-demand attestation system, enabling Saudi companies to easily register online and attest worker demand letters without visiting the embassy, a key initiative for promoting transparency and efficiency.

Nazrul also distributed prizes to winners of competitions organized as part of the embassy’s “Festival of Youth 2025” on Wednesday.

Bangladesh’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Delwar Hossain, welcomed the Saudi delegates at the interactive session.

Later, Nazrul interacted with Bangladeshi expatriates, listening to their concerns, including high airfare costs and excessive fees charged by recruiting agencies, and assured them of solutions and encouraged them to maintain close contact with the embassy through social media and its website. 

Appreciating their role in sending remittances, he assured the government’s continued welfare initiatives for expatriates and urged compliance with Saudi laws and culture to avoid legal complications.

On the issue of voting in national elections, he said that the government was exploring viable options to facilitate expatriate participation.


Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton

Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton
Updated 29 January 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton

Saudi crown prince receives former US President Clinton

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received in Riyadh on Wednesday former US President Bill Clinton. 

A friendly conversation took place during the reception held at the crown prince’s office, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The reception was also attended by Princess Reema bint Bandar, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States; Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban and the delegation accompanying the former US President. 


British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek

British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek
Updated 29 January 2025
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British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek

British explorer reaches AlUla on historic trek

RIYADH:  British explorer and television presenter Alice Morrison, who is embarking on a historic adventure to cross the Kingdom on foot from the far north to the far south, has arrived in AlUla.

This leg of the trip marks the halfway point of the first phase of her five-month journey, which began on Jan. 1, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

She will travel 2,500 km with local guides and camels, traversing the Kingdom’s vast deserts, lush oases and towering mountains.

During her trip, Morrison visited AlUla Old Town, toured its historic alleys and explored its time-honored stories, the SPA reported.

She expressed her deep admiration for AlUla’s charm, describing it as an exceptional place that combines nature with ancient history, making it one of the world’s most important destinations for discovery.

Morrison said that she enjoyed acquiring various handicraft items that reflect Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, according to the SPA.

Local crafts embody the creativity of artisans and represent the authenticity of Saudi culture, she added.


Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030

Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030
Updated 29 January 2025
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Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030

Osaka City Council eyes collaboration as Saudi prepares for Expo 2030
  • Officials talk culture, investment ahead of Japan’s Expo 2025
  • Osaka seeks Saudi support, Hiromi Fuchikami tells Arab News

DUBAI: A recent trip to Riyadh by members of the Osaka City Council highlighted opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration between Japan and Saudi Arabia as both nations prepare for their respective World Expositions.

With Expo 2025 in Osaka and Expo 2030 in Riyadh, discussions focused on knowledge-sharing, mutual growth and leveraging soft power to foster international ties.

Hiromi Fuchikami, a member of the Osaka City Council and the Special Committee for Expo 2025, emphasized the significance of fostering human connections through these global events.

Speaking about the visit, she told Arab News Japan it was the “perfect” time to “build a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Japan at the local level, going beyond governmental collaborations to foster meaningful exchanges.”

Expo 2025 in Osaka is designed to be a “compact city of the future,” showcasing sustainable living solutions and efficient urban planning.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for Expo 2030, by contrast, aim to redefine the Middle East as a global hub for innovation and culture, with Riyadh on its way to establishing itself as a world leader in hosting mega events.

Both nations recognize the importance of cultural diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions, which collaborates with Japanese creators, represents a successful model of cross-cultural innovation, she said.

“Saudi Arabia’s embrace of Japanese culture, including anime, is a testament to the power of soft diplomacy,” Fuchikami said. “Osaka, as the host of Expo 2025, can use this shared passion to foster new creative collaborations that benefit both nations.”

Fuchikami acknowledged several challenges including the absence of a Saudi Arabia regional office in Osaka, which she believes could strengthen investment opportunities and attract more foreign interest in the city.

She also called for greater representation of Osaka-specific industries, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are vital to Japan’s economy but often overshadowed by Tokyo-based firms.

Despite these obstacles, Fuchikami expressed optimism about the potential for collaboration, especially as Saudi Arabia marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan this year.

Events celebrating this milestone include cultural showcases and anime-themed initiatives.

Fuchikami expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver an impactful Expo 2030 despite the tight timeline. “The Saudi leadership’s determination to position Riyadh as a global hub is clear through Expo 2030.”


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools
Updated 29 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief sends supplies to Yemeni schools

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed supplies to educational facilities in Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

KSrelief’s support included chairs, computers and office furniture for 10 literacy schools and nine centers for people with disabilities in Yemen’s Hadhramaut governorate.

The project aims to provide quality and sustainable educational opportunities for communities in the governorates of Aden, Hadhramaut, Dhale, Lahj, Shabwa and Al-Mahra.

A total of 9,747 people will benefit from the initiative, including 6,527 people with special needs, 2,389 illiterate students, and 831 staff at the targeted centers and schools.

The initiative is a part of ongoing projects provided by Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to address the challenges facing Yemeni educational institutions that are providing literacy programs and support for children with disabilities.

Separately, KSrelief hosted an event at Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp for Syrians to mark International Day of Education, which included various competitions and drawing exercises.

The initiative is a part of KSrelief’s educational awareness programs in the camp.