Bahrain airshow sets stage for aerospace partnerships

The airshow will showcase Bahrain’s role as a hub for international aerospace events and its growing role in driving regional growth and innovation. Supplied
The airshow will showcase Bahrain’s role as a hub for international aerospace events and its growing role in driving regional growth and innovation. Supplied
Short Url
Updated 10 January 2025
Follow

Bahrain airshow sets stage for aerospace partnerships

Bahrain airshow sets stage for aerospace partnerships
  • Event promises major deals, display of cutting-edge technologies

MANAMA: The Bahrain International Airshow 2024 is poised to elevate Bahrain’s position as a leader in the global aerospace industry, foster economic growth, and forge vital industry partnerships.

Under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the seventh biennial event will take place from Nov. 13 to 15 at Sakhir Air Base, attracting key players from the world’s aviation, defense, and space sectors.

The airshow will be graced by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, along with prominent international thought leaders and industry experts.

The event will feature discussions on critical topics such as sustainability in aviation, cutting-edge technological innovations, infrastructure investment, space operations, gender equality in aerospace, and the future workforce challenges facing the industry.

With the participation of both civil and military aviation manufacturers, along with representatives from the fields of transportation, telecommunications, research, and space exploration, BIAS 2024 will serve as a major platform for global collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The airshow will also showcase Bahrain’s role as a hub for international aerospace events and its growing influence in driving regional growth and innovation.

The event will be hosted across a vast 14,000-sq. meter exhibition hall, 40 luxury chalets, and an 86,000-square-meter static aircraft display area. Major international exhibitors, including Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, Thales, DHL, Indra Spain, Otokar, Defense Technology Equipment, and UAE’s Tawazan, will present the latest in aerospace and defense technologies. These displays will provide attendees with a firsthand look at the most advanced technologies shaping the future of aviation and defense.

Bahrain’s role as a strategic player in the aerospace sector has been reinforced in recent years through significant investments and partnerships that have propelled the country’s economic growth.

According to the event’s organizing committee, Bahrain’s gross domestic product grew by 4.9 percent in 2023, the highest rate since 2013. This growth is further supported by an increase in the performance of the non-oil sectors, which expanded by 1.3 percent year on year, reaching 3.7 billion Bahraini dinars ($9.8 billion) in the second quarter of 2024. These figures reflect the ongoing success of Bahrain’s economic diversification strategy, with the non-oil sector contributing more than 85 percent to the overall GDP.

For the first time, 13 companies from Europe, the US, China, Malaysia, and Thailand specializing in airport ground services will participate in BIAS 2024. This marks an expansion of the airshow’s scope, introducing new players and expertise to the event. Additionally, international aviation institutes will offer educational opportunities for attendees, further enhancing the event’s value by inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Key features

The airshow will also feature a series of impressive aerial displays. These include performances by the Royal Bahraini Air Force’s Copra Zolo by Bell, the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoon and Saudi Hawks aerobatic display teams, as well as the Global Stars, Boeing 787-9, and the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter team. These high-flying performances will showcase the technical capabilities of both military and civilian aircraft, captivating audiences and demonstrating the precision and skill of the world’s top aviators.

Since its launch in 2010, BIAS has grown significantly in both scale and prestige. Traditionally held in January, the event was moved to November in 2018 to better accommodate the needs of participants and the broader aerospace community. The 2022 edition attracted over 46,000 visitors from nearly 60 countries, with 186 companies participating and deals totaling $1.85 billion. The event also featured 100 aircraft on static display and was supported by 18 sponsors.

The final preparations for BIAS 2024 were reviewed in a meeting held two weeks ago, with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, personal representative of King Hamad and chairman of the BIAS supreme organizing committee, confirming that everything is in place for the event.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that the ongoing success of BIAS reflects Bahrain’s growing role as a premier host for international events and highlighted the importance of continuing to organize specialized aviation affairs. These events not only help solidify the aviation sector’s role as a key economic growth driver but also create valuable opportunities for the youth in innovation and development.

As part of its commitment to engaging the next generation, BIAS 2024 will host approximately 5,000 students from public and private schools. These students will have access to the entertainment zone, where they can enjoy daily air displays and participate in educational programs and workshops. These initiatives are designed to spark interest in aviation, science, and technology, inspiring future careers in these fields.

The Supreme Organizing Committee for the event is chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and includes key figures such as Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Bahrain’s newly appointed minister of transportation and telecommunications; Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Musalam, commander of Sakhir Air Base and head of the military committee; and Yousif Mahmoud, director general of BIAS.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 12,388   

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 12,388   
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 12,388   

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 12,388   

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged up on Thursday, gaining 70.56 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 12,388.15. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.95 billion ($1.58 billion), as 95 of the listed stocks advanced, while 137 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 13.19 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 1,551.49. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu rose, gaining 44.37 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 31,474.69. This came as 40 of the listed stocks advanced, while 47 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Anaam International Holding Group, with its share price surging by 6.33 percent to SR23.84. 

Other top performers included Etihad Etisalat Co., which saw its share price rise by 5.35 percent to SR63, and Tourism Enterprise Co., which saw a 4.65 percent increase to SR0.90. 

The biggest decline of the day was seen in Al Sagr Cooperative Insurance Co., with its share price dropping 9.83 percent to SR15.96. 

Saudi Steel Pipe Co. saw its share price drop 6.77 percent to close at SR67.50, while Astra Industrial Group fell 4.81 percent to SR182, reflecting broader market pressures.

Following this, Saudi Steel Pipe Co. reported its annual results for 2024, with net profits rising 15.21 percent year-on-year to SR250 million. 

In a Tadawul filing, the company said the profit increase was driven by a rise in gross profit to SR399 million in 2024 from SR283 million the previous year, largely due to higher sales volumes. 

Astra Industrial Group reported interim financial results for the period ending Dec. 31, with net profits rising 23.99 percent year on year to SR589.34 million. 

The company attributed the growth to higher gross profit across all sectors, increased sales value, and a rise in other income. 

Meanwhile, shares of Yamama Cement Co. fell 1.89 percent on the main market today, closing at SR36.25. 

In a separate announcement, Nayifat Finance Co. posted its annual results for 2024, with net profits surging 47.93 percent to SR131.23 million. 

The company credited the profit increase to higher operational earnings, driven by a decline in the net charge for expected credit loss allowance due to improved write-off recoveries. 

In today’s trading, Nayifat Finance Co.’s shares edged up 0.83 percent on the main market to close at SR14.74. 


Qurayyah power plant to expand by 3.01 GW thanks to $3.6bn investment

Qurayyah power plant to expand by 3.01 GW thanks to $3.6bn investment
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

Qurayyah power plant to expand by 3.01 GW thanks to $3.6bn investment

Qurayyah power plant to expand by 3.01 GW thanks to $3.6bn investment

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is boosting its energy security with an SR13.4 billion ($3.57 billion) investment to expand the Qurayyah power plant, adding 3.01 gigawatts to meet growing demand and support economic growth.

Saudi Electricity Co. and ACWA Power have signed a power purchase agreement with Saudi Power Procurement Co., the Kingdom’s sole licensed electricity buyer, to expand Qurayyah Independent Power Plant. This facility is the largest combined-cycle gas-fired independent energy station in the world.

The initiative supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by improving electricity generation efficiency, reducing costs, and diversifying energy sources to replace liquid fuels in the power sector. It aims to enhance reliability and sustainability through advanced combined-cycle gas turbine technology while reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental conservation.

The project, overseen by the Ministry of Energy, aims to increase Saudi Arabia’s electricity capacity and efficiency by adding combined-cycle power plant units designed for future carbon capture. According to the principal buyer, the deal was signed with a consortium led by ACWA Power, SEC, and Hajji Abdullah Alireza & Co. Ltd., with SEC and ACWA Power each holding a 40 percent stake.

As one of the Kingdom’s largest power generation projects, it includes the financing, construction, ownership, and operation of a combined-cycle gas power plant, along with the development and transfer of a 380-kilovolt electrical substation, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

SEC is the largest electricity producer, transmitter, and distributor in the Middle East and North Africa, serving over 11 million customers.

ACWA Power — the world’s largest private desalination company — announced that on Feb. 19 it received a notice from the Al-Shuaiba 2 Solar PV Independent Power Plant project company, confirming that it has been granted the commercial operation certificate by the SPPC for the first, second and third groups, with a total capacity of 2,060 MW.

In a statement on Tadawul, the firm added that the initiative is now fully operational, noting that it owns a net stake of 35.01 percent share in the project company.

The body expects the financial impact to be reflected in the current year’s second quarter.


Saudi investment ministry inks deal with Sana to boost entrepreneurial ecosystem in Al-Ahsa

Saudi investment ministry inks deal with Sana to boost entrepreneurial ecosystem in Al-Ahsa
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

Saudi investment ministry inks deal with Sana to boost entrepreneurial ecosystem in Al-Ahsa

Saudi investment ministry inks deal with Sana to boost entrepreneurial ecosystem in Al-Ahsa

RIYADH: A new cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Investment and Prince Ahmed bin Fahd bin Salman Center will see Saudi Arabia enhance its entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Al-Ahsa region.

The deal signed with the center, also known as Sana, focuses on attracting pioneering companies and innovators while fostering a business-friendly environment.

The Kingdom is increasingly being recognized for its growing enteprise-friendly landscape, securing third position in the 2023-2024 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report.

The latest initiative, inked at the Al-Ahsa Forum 2025 in Al-Ahsa, also seeks to foster greater engagement with creative thinkers and business leaders through investment meetings and events, and will support the issuance of entrepreneurial licenses and provide access to essential services.

Moreover, the Sana agreement seeks to explore investment opportunities, encourage strategic partnerships, and promote investment alliances that enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurship sector in Saudi Arabia.

The new deal comes against a backdrop of venture capital pouring into the Kingdom, with the country retaining its position as the leading destination for such funds in the MENA region in 2024, raising $750 million, according to a report from regional venture platform MAGNiTT.

This marked the second consecutive year the Kingdom has led regional VC rankings. Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 percent of the total amount deployed in MENA, closing 178 deals, the most of any nation in the region.

Speaking to Arab News at at the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference held in February, Mohammed Al-Zubi —founder of Saudi venture capital firm Nama Ventures — explained that the nation is rapidly becoming a key player in the regional technology ecosystem and is emerging as the “center of gravity” for Middle East startups.

Al-Zubi believes Saudi Arabia’s support for the startup ecosystem is unmatched globally. Having spent time in Silicon Valley, London, and the Middle East, he argued that the Kingdom’s government-led initiatives are unparalleled.

According to the international policy advisory and research organization Startup Genome, Riyadh ranked among the top five startup ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa in June, in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network.


King Salman approves Saudi riyal symbol

King Salman approves Saudi riyal symbol
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

King Salman approves Saudi riyal symbol

King Salman approves Saudi riyal symbol

RIYADH: King Salman on Thursday approved the official symbol for the Saudi riyal, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Kingdom’s financial journey, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Central Bank Gov. Ayman Al-Sayari expressed his gratitude to the nation’s leadership for launching the symbol, which he believes “reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity both locally and globally.”

Al-Sayari further noted that this initiative underscores the growing international influence of the Saudi riyal, while also fostering a sense of national pride and cultural unity. He added that the newly designed symbol represents the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.

The symbol, which blends Arabic calligraphy with the name of the national currency, “riyal,” will be utilized in financial and commercial transactions both within the Kingdom and internationally.

The central bank governor also commended the collaborative efforts of all parties involved in the project, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization.

Introducing a symbol for the riyal reinforces the Kingdom’s financial and economic identity, further positioning the Saudi riyal as a credible and globally recognized currency within the international financial system.

It also simplifies the representation of the riyal in financial transactions and commercial dealings.

According to SAMA, the symbol will be rolled out immediately, with its integration into financial and commercial transactions, as well as various applications, occurring gradually in coordination with relevant entities.


Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024

Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024
Updated 20 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024

Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024
  • The company became the majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited in November 2024
  • It has formed a partnership in Thar Coal Project following a win in Saindak mining project

ISLAMABAD: Saudi company Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited has announced its financial results for 2024, reporting a profit of Rs3.3 billion ($11.8 million), according to a statement from the group on Thursday.
Wafi Energy, an affiliate of the Asyad Group, became the majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) in November last year and now holds approximately 87.78% of the total issued share capital of SPL. However, the Shell brand will remain in Pakistan through retail and brand licensing agreements, with SPL as the exclusive brand licensee.
The financials of the company for the year ending December 2024 were announced by its board of directors.
“The company reported a profit after tax of Rs3.3 billion for 2024 compared to a profit of Rs5.8 billion [$20.7 million] in 2023,” the company said. “It is important to note that the 2023 results included a one-time income of PKR10.7 billion [$38.3 million] related to the waiver of Shell Group liabilities.”
The company highlighted that it increased its market share with Helix and Advance Lubricants and formed a partnership in the Thar Coal Project following a win in the Saindak Gold and Copper mining project.
“The mobility business also made significant strides, expanding its network by introducing 16 new sites and rebuilding nine existing ones,” the statement added. “The convenience retail business demonstrated strong growth, with a 28% year-on-year increase.”
SPL is one of the oldest multinationals in Pakistan, with a network of over 600 sites, countrywide storage facilities and a broad portfolio of global lubricant brands.
Shell has supported Pakistan’s development by providing energy for major projects like Mangla Dam and Kotri Barrage, powering Pakistan International Airlines’ first flights, expanding road infrastructure and fostering innovation among local entrepreneurs.