Huawei partners with Salam Mobile to boost CX

Huawei partners with Salam Mobile to boost CX
The agreement was signed by Keith Li, vice president, Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, and Ahmed Al-Anqari, CEO of Salam.
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Updated 5 min 29 sec ago
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Huawei partners with Salam Mobile to boost CX

Huawei partners with Salam Mobile to boost CX

Huawei has signed an important memorandum of understanding with Salam Mobile, marking a collaboration aimed at enriching customer experiences for both companies in the Saudi Arabian market. The agreement was signed during a ceremony by Keith Li, vice president, Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, and Ahmed Al-Anqari, CEO of Salam, in the presence of Amr M. Eldesouky, chief consumer officer at Salam.

The MoU focuses on several initiatives that will benefit both Huawei and Salam Mobile customers, including tailored promotions and enhanced services available through the Huawei Flagship Store in Roshn Front, Riyadh. Salam Mobile will offer exclusive promotions for Huawei users, complemented by various marketing materials.

“This MoU represents an exciting opportunity to work with Salam Mobile to provide customers with enhanced digital experiences,” said Li. “We are pleased to support this collaboration and offer Huawei users access to even more exclusive services through Salam.”

“This partnership with Huawei reflects our shared commitment to improving customer experiences by delivering tailored offers and solutions,” said Al-Anqari. “Through this collaboration, we aim to bring greater value and convenience to our customers, reinforcing our dedication to service excellence.”

Additionally, Salam Mobile will provide voucher cards to Huawei customers via the My Huawei community, boosting customer engagement and delivering added value to the users of both companies. To further elevate the customer experience, Huawei will install a Salam Mobile self-service kiosk in the flagship store, providing customers easy access to Salam’s services.

One of the exciting aspects of the collaboration includes Huawei organizing an esports event at the Salam Mobile showroom in Riyadh, highlighting both brands’ focus on engaging, innovative experiences for their customers.


Diriyah Art Futures offers residency to artists, scholars

Diriyah Art Futures offers residency to artists, scholars
Updated 2 min 24 sec ago
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Diriyah Art Futures offers residency to artists, scholars

Diriyah Art Futures offers residency to artists, scholars

Diriyah Art Futures, the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to new media and digital art, has announced a call for applications to its inaugural Mazra’ah Media Art Residency for experienced artists and scholars.

Running from February to April 2025, the three-month residency comprises two distinct streams for artists and scholars, established in the fields of new media and digital arts. Designed to foster innovation and intellectual exchange across disciplines, the residency offers participants access to world-class studios and production labs, as well as a production budget.

Work developed during residencies will be showcased through exhibitions, or incorporated into scholarly publications, facilitated by DAF and its network of regional and international partners. There will also be opportunities to secure broader recognition and engagement, through further potential exhibitions, publications and artist monographs. DAF will provide comfortable and inspiring living spaces, while creating opportunities for participants to connect with a diverse network of peers and professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the world.

Set to launch later this year, DAF is a state-of-the-art amalgamation of school, laboratory and exhibition space. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, the 6,550-square-meter hub designed by Italian architectural firm Schiattarella Associati, brings together artists and technologists at the intersection of past, present and future.

The word “Mazra’ah” means “farm” in Arabic, a reference to DAF’s location overlooking the stunning preserved farms and archaeological sites of Diriyah. Residents will enjoy views of the farms that have provided a crucial source of sustenance since the times of historic Diriyah, the capital of the first Saudi state. Artists and scholars are invited to embrace this creative and scholarly retreat, hidden away from the bustle of daily life, where they can reflect on how the relationships between humans, nature and technology can sustain and enrich life.

The 2025 residency theme, “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand,” celebrates DAF as a beacon of critical, creative and scholarly development, amplifying regional perspectives in new media and digital art. The theme encourages participants to produce work that engages with the context of DAF’s physical location adjacent to Diriyah’s farms and interrogates the bridge between history and the future, inviting reflections on our human relationship with nature and technology. Residency proposals should resonate with contemporary issues, regional interests and global narratives, especially those emerging from the MENA region and the global majority.

Ibrahim Alsanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, said: “The Mazra’ah Media Art Residency represents Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the country’s cultural ecosystem, and transforming Riyadh into a global hub for new media and digital art. Through these efforts, we are establishing the Kingdom as a hub of cultural exchange, pioneering new forms of expression in the heart of one of our most cherished historic districts.”

Dr. Haytham Nawar, director at DAF, said: “This dynamic residency offers established artists and scholars an unparalleled opportunity to develop new creative practices and contribute to global scholarly discussions on new media art through a regional perspective. We invite those passionate about these rapidly evolving fields to apply. This is where the impossible comes to life.”

Those applying for the artist stream should be established and practicing new media and digital artists, working across sound media, visual media, computational, biological, scientific or technology-related methodologies. DAF will also consider established writers, scholars and theorists in new media and digital art, or technology and culture, for the scholars’ track.


Al-Borg Diagnostics showcases latest medical innovations

Al-Borg Diagnostics showcases latest medical innovations
Updated 27 October 2024
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Al-Borg Diagnostics showcases latest medical innovations

Al-Borg Diagnostics showcases latest medical innovations

Al-Borg Diagnostics, one of the largest private diagnostic networks in the Middle East and North Africa, participated in the Global Health Forum, which took place in Riyadh from Oct. 21-23. The event raised awareness about the latest innovations and developments in the fields of laboratory services and healthcare.

Al-Borg Diagnostics showcased its latest solutions and technologies, new services, and research in healthcare, such as advanced genetic testing services. During the forum, announcements were also made regarding new partnerships with leading global health institutions, enabling Al-Borg to expand its service offerings and enhance the quality provided to its clients.

Visitors to Al-Borg Diagnostics’ booth discovered the latest medical innovations and solutions in the laboratory sector, including the first electronic microscope unit in the private health sector. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about the services offered by the two largest reference laboratories in the Kingdom, located in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Mohamed Mandar, executive director of Al-Borg Diagnostics Group, said: “Al-Borg Diagnostics’ participation in the Global Health Forum reaffirms our commitment to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Through our participation, we aim to provide outstanding diagnostic services and enhance community health as part of our continuous endeavor to be the best in healthcare delivery by keeping up with the latest medical developments and utilizing the most advanced global technologies.”

We are committed to innovation, digital transformation, and ongoing development to meet the needs and enhance the health of individuals and the community.”

He added: “We are also committed to developing national healthcare professionals through the Al-Borg Academy, which aims to nurture and train a promising generation in the field of medical diagnostics, significantly contributing to the comprehensive development of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom.”

Al-Borg Diagnostics is a key partner in the Saudi healthcare system, serving as a diagnostic reference for more than 5,000 hospitals, medical centers, and clinics, as well as pharmaceutical companies. It serves more than 15,000 visitors daily through its network of 75 branches across the Kingdom. Through its participation in the Global Health Forum in Riyadh, Al-Borg Diagnostics aimed to enhance ongoing collaboration with relevant stakeholders and expand its diagnostic services.


GymNation eyes rapid regional expansion following opening of 20th location

GymNation eyes rapid regional expansion following opening of 20th location
Updated 27 October 2024
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GymNation eyes rapid regional expansion following opening of 20th location

GymNation eyes rapid regional expansion following opening of 20th location

GymNation, the fastest-growing fitness brand in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to accelerate expansion following the opening of its 20th gym in the Middle East, including the launch of its first six locations in Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on GymNation’s rapid growth and successful entry into the Saudi Arabian market, Loren Holland, GymNation founder and CEO, said: “We’ve opened 10 gyms this year, six of which are in Saudi Arabia — all on time, on budget, and exceeding membership expectations. We’ve received a very warm welcome and found Saudi Arabia to be a highly business-friendly environment, facilitated by ongoing support from the Ministry of Investment, who have been instrumental in GymNation’s expansion into the Kingdom.” 

With a government-led push to increase fitness participation, GymNation is already helping to break down the affordability barrier and making fitness more accessible and welcoming for everyone across the Kingdom, aligning perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of creating a healthier, more active society.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time, and GymNation wants to be at the forefront of driving these initiatives as the region’s ‘movement partner.’ We are excited to continue championing healthy and active lifestyles and supporting the communities we serve to become better versions of themselves, no matter what their fitness goals,” added Holland.

GymNation’s affordable pricing model, combined with their high-quality facilities and community-focused approach, has proven to be a big hit, already attracting over 25,000 members in Saudi Arabia, with 44 percent being first-time gym users. Interestingly, GymNation has also seen the demand from females outstrip males. 

“We’ve seen particularly strong demand from Saudi women, where female membership numbers have outpaced those of men. Our uniform pricing across genders has resonated strongly with a market where female-only gyms are often priced significantly higher than their male counterparts,” Holland said.

In addition to their physical expansion plans, GymNation, already widely recognized as the leading leisure operator in its adoption of AI technology, is planning to further scale its investment into technology, automation and AI to further streamline processes, personalize member experiences and improve member retention. 

With a population of over 35 million and fitness penetration currently at around 5-7 percent, the Saudi market opportunity is huge, with projections suggesting the fitness market will double in the next 3-5 years.

GymNation has huge ambitions for the next 12 months. “The GCC market is growing at 15-20 percent a year and we have invested in our company infrastructure to grow at pace and capitalize on what we feel is a generational opportunity,” Holland added.

The company plans to open 20-30 new gyms within the next 12 months, including its first locations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. With ambitions to grow to over 100 locations across the GCC, GymNation is well-positioned to lead the region’s rapidly growing fitness industry.


MBSC urges use of modern tech in business education

MBSC urges use of modern tech in business education
Updated 26 October 2024
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MBSC urges use of modern tech in business education

MBSC urges use of modern tech in business education

Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, the Kingdom’s world-class business school, participated in the Accounting Technologies Conference in Riyadh from Oct. 16 to 19. Organized by the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants, the event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce and Chair of the Board of Directors of SOCPA Dr. Majid A. Alkassabi.

Dr. Larissa Von Alberti, vice dean of programs and faculty and professor of accounting at MBSC, shared her expertise in a panel discussion titled “Uses of modern technologies and AI in analyzing accounting and financial data.” Furthermore, Dr. Khaldoon Al-Htaybat, professor of accounting at MBSC, hosted a workshop dedicated to the topic of “Analyzing financial data using artificial intelligence tools.”

As a pioneering business and entrepreneurship college in the Kingdom and the wider region, MBSC emphasized the value of integrating modern technologies such as AI into the educational experience, along with the crucial need for the sustainable development of universities to keep up with change.

Dr. Zeger Degraeve, dean of MBSC, said: “The SOCPA Accounting Technologies Conference 2024 established a space for experts, scientists, and academics in accounting, finance, and technology to network, exchange insights, and advance the understanding of their respective disciplines. MBSC provides students and alumni with a holistic learning experience that equips them with cutting-edge tools and hones their skills to become leaders and agents of change. Such an approach is imperative not only for addressing the challenges of accounting in the context of the modern experience economy, but also for achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to secure the Kingdom’s prosperous future.”

Situated in King Abdullah Economic City, a contemporary urban center that provides an unparalleled modern environment for both students and faculty, MBSC offers world-class education “from Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia” in both KAEC and Riyadh, delivering practical, pragmatic, hands-on experiential learning to develop a new generation of transformative leaders.


Chinese EV brand Zeekr opens first showroom in Kingdom

Chinese EV brand Zeekr opens first showroom in Kingdom
Updated 26 October 2024
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Chinese EV brand Zeekr opens first showroom in Kingdom

Chinese EV brand Zeekr opens first showroom in Kingdom

Wallan Trading Company has officially opened the doors to the first Zeekr showroom on the Northern Ring Road in Riyadh. The opening ceremony was attended by Fahad Al-Wallan, chairman of Wallan Holding Company, alongside Cannon Wang, managing director of Zeekr MEA region, as well as senior officials, guests, customers, and media representatives.

This state-of-the-art 1,420-square-meter showroom marks a significant milestone for both Wallan Trading and Zeekr, symbolizing the growing presence of the premium EV brand in the Kingdom. The launch follows the strategic alliance forged between Wallan Trading and Zeekr earlier this year, positioning Wallan as the exclusive distributor for Zeekr in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman Al-Wallan said the new showroom cements a shared commitment between Wallan and Zeekr to shape the future of electric mobility in Saudi Arabia. “This showroom is more than a commercial space — it’s a statement of our forward-thinking vision. Zeekr brings premium electric vehicle technology to the Kingdom, while Wallan Trading ensures that our customers receive world-class service and access to the most innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. This aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambitions for a greener future,” he said.

He further highlighted Wallan Trading’s readiness for expansion, highlighting their commitment to geographical growth to meet customer needs across Saudi Arabia.

Wang, meanwhile, expressed his enthusiasm for the opening of the new showroom, saying: “We are absolutely thrilled to open our first dedicated Zeekr showroom in Riyadh, in partnership with Wallan Trading. This marks an exciting chapter for Zeekr as we bring our premium electric vehicles to Saudi Arabia, a market with immense potential and an increasingly eco-conscious consumer base.”

With Wallan Trading, we are confident in delivering an exceptional experience, not just with our innovative vehicles but also through unparalleled customer service. This showroom is a significant milestone in our journey toward leading the future of sustainable mobility in the region.”

Wang said that the Saudi market represents a key focus for Zeekr’s growth, adding, “We are proud to see the Saudi consumer’s growing awareness of premium electric mobility, and we’re eager to meet their expectations with our cutting-edge models.”

The new showroom will feature Zeekr’s most celebrated models, the Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X, both of which have garnered acclaim in international markets. These models were first unveiled to Saudi consumers at the SEVEN Concours auto show in Riyadh, where they attracted considerable interest due to their sophisticated design, luxurious interiors, and advanced technologies.