Mobily named ‘best wholesale company in Middle East’

Mobily named ‘best wholesale company in Middle East’
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Updated 2 min 7 sec ago
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Mobily named ‘best wholesale company in Middle East’

Mobily named ‘best wholesale company in Middle East’

Etihad Etisalat, better known as Mobily, Saudi Arabia’s leading telecommunications, media, and technology company, has won the “Best Wholesale Company in the Middle East Award for 2024” during the 18th Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, held in Dubai on Dec. 10-11.

This award recognizes Mobily’s pivotal role as a key player in the region’s wholesale and carrier landscape and its unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge digital solutions across local, regional, and international markets.

The recognition also highlights Mobily’s success in executing strategic initiatives to build strong partnerships and develop innovative business models. These efforts align with the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals and Saudi Vision 2030, ensuring Mobily continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers and partners.

Thamer Al-Fadda, senior vice president, wholesale and carrier services at Mobily, said: “We are honored to receive this award, which highlights our dedication to investing in digital infrastructure and carrier solutions, delivering state-of-the-art services, and enhancing customer experiences both locally and globally. This achievement is a testament to our role in advancing the Kingdom’s position as a digital leader.”

Mobily’s contributions to the Middle East’s digital empowerment are evident through its comprehensive digital ecosystem, encompassing robust local and international connectivity, advanced data center solutions, and a neutral international internet exchange. 

These initiatives support local and global enterprises while bolstering Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a global digital hub connecting East and West.

The Telecom Review Summit brought together senior executives from more than 36 countries, fostering dialogue on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ICT sector, with a particular focus on the Middle East region.


Saudi-based content creators explore the best of Indonesia

Saudi-based content creators explore the best of Indonesia
Updated 1 min 14 sec ago
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Saudi-based content creators explore the best of Indonesia

Saudi-based content creators explore the best of Indonesia

Six Saudi Arabia-based content creators recently embarked on a week-long journey to Indonesia, immersing themselves in the country’s vibrant cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Organized by the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, the trip took place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, and spotlighted the diverse attractions of Jakarta, Bogor, and Bali.

The group featured social media content creators, including Muath Alamri, Abdalhadi Alkhodari, Hussein Huraibi, Ibrahim Hakami, Yaser Taher and Jawad Mohammed. Their participation was part of a cultural and tourism initiative aimed at leveraging social media to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia while also promoting Indonesia’s rich traditions and diverse attractions to audiences in the Kingdom.

The journey began in Jakarta, where the content creators participated in the city’s lively Car Free Day. This weekly event transforms the bustling streets of Jakarta into vibrant hubs for jogging, cycling, and various sports activities on Sunday morning.

The group then delved into Indonesia’s UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage. They attended a jamu workshop, where they learned to craft the traditional herbal drink celebrated for its health benefits. Additionally, they experienced the intricate artistry of batik, Indonesia’s iconic fabric, and wayang, the traditional art of shadow puppetry, and also toured the historic Batavia Old Town.

Their journey continued in Bogor, where the lush greenery of Taman Safari Indonesia offered a thrilling wildlife adventure. There, the group enjoyed a safari tour and interacted closely with exotic animals. This experience showcased Indonesia’s commitment to wildlife conservation and ecotourism.

The content creators concluded the journey in Bali, Indonesia’s most famous destination. The group visited the picturesque landscapes of Nusa Penida, a one-day trip destination from Bali’s mainland known for its pristine beach and dramatic cliffs. They also enjoyed adrenaline-fueled activities such as ATV riding and river rafting in Ubud. The combination of serene natural beauty and exhilarating adventures provided a memorable end to their journey.

This initiative underscores Indonesia’s innovative approach to promoting its cultural and tourism sector by leveraging the power of social media content creators to share the country’s diverse attractions and beauty with their audiences, inspiring more people to explore its captivating landscapes and vibrant culture.

The collaboration between the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah and these Saudi Arabia-based content creators showcased Indonesia as a must-visit destination, further strengthening cultural and tourism ties between the two nations.


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
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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
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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
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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
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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.”