Jameel Motors enters Polish market with GAC distribution deal

Jameel Motors enters Polish market with GAC distribution deal
Senior officials from Jameel Motors and GAC at the signing ceremony. Under the agreement, Jameel Motors will initially focus on the distribution of Aion and Hyptec in Poland.
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Updated 08 April 2025
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Jameel Motors enters Polish market with GAC distribution deal

Jameel Motors enters Polish market with GAC distribution deal

Jameel Motors, a provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands, and GAC, one of China’s largest automakers with a presence in 76 countries, have signed an agreement to distribute GAC’s new energy vehicles in Poland.

This market entry creates new opportunities for Polish drivers, providing them with access to innovative and technologically advanced vehicles. Poland is one of the fastest-growing automotive markets in Europe, with consumers increasingly interested in electric vehicles. In 2024, the number of passenger car registrations in Poland increased by 19 percent, the second highest increase in Europe.

Jameel Motors will initially focus on the distribution of Aion and Hyptec, two of GAC’s main passenger car brands. Aion is GAC’s smart new energy vehicle brand and Hyptec is a high-end luxury brand, built on Aion’s first-class technology stack. Vehicles will be available for purchase in Q3 2025.

Jasmmine Wong, chief executive — mobility for Abdul Latif Jameel, said: “We are proud to introduce GAC’s innovative new energy vehicles to Polish drivers and meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles. GAC’s commitment to safety, quality, advanced technology, and sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge mobility solutions. By bringing these vehicles to Poland, we are offering customers an exciting opportunity to experience the future of automotive innovation. This is a significant milestone in Jameel Motors’ international expansion.”

Thomas Schemera, global chief operating officer of GAC International, said: “GAC International is committed to a full localization strategy — integrating into Poland, serving Poland, and contributing to Poland — to enhance mobility for Polish users. We are thrilled to collaborate with Jameel Motors, a trusted and esteemed partner known for its deep market expertise and dedication to excellence. Moving forward, we will introduce more new energy vehicle models to meet market demand. By deepening cooperation and strengthening brand influence, we look forward to achieving new milestones in Poland together.”

Jameel Motors’ experienced team in Poland will be led by Marcin Slomkowski, a manager with 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. He is an expert in distribution and retail, having worked with the world’s largest automotive brands, as well as being a member of the Dealer Council in Poland.

Słomkowski said: “Our goal is to provide Polish drivers with safe, reliable, innovative, and competitively priced vehicles, while supporting the country’s green mobility transition. GAC’s vehicles stand out with their modern design, advanced driver assistance systems, high-quality materials, top-tier safety features, luxurious finish, and an extended driving range of up to 520 km per charge. We are confident that they will meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Jameel Motors plans to develop a nationwide dealer network to ensure convenient access to GAC vehicles and comprehensive service support. Additionally, Jameel Motors will offer attractive financing options, enabling customers to conveniently purchase and lease GAC vehicles. The offer will also include comprehensive fleet solutions for businesses, providing flexible financing options, servicing, and fleet management support.

Customers will initially be able to test and purchase three fully electric GAC models: Aion V, Aion Y Plus, and Hyptec HT. With the first models arriving in Polish showrooms in Q3 this year, Jameel Motors plans a dynamic expansion of its sales and service network to ensure the highest quality of customer support.

Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.


TNFS 2025: Saudi Arabia to host region’s first summit on smoking reduction

TNFS 2025: Saudi Arabia to host region’s first summit on smoking reduction
Updated 28 May 2025
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TNFS 2025: Saudi Arabia to host region’s first summit on smoking reduction

TNFS 2025: Saudi Arabia to host region’s first summit on smoking reduction

In a significant move that signals a shift in how the region tackles public health challenges, Riyadh is set to host the TNFS Summit 2025 — the first high-level regional summit focused on reducing smoking prevalence and addressing tobacco-related harm. This event will bring together organizations, health leaders, and policymakers from the region and around the globe.

The summit will take place on May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kingdom Centre, coinciding with “World No Tobacco Day.” It is supported by strategic partners, including the Quality-of-Life Program (Part of one of the realization programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030), Badael Company, and Smart Health as the scientific partner. The TNFS Summit will serve as a multilateral platform to encourage regional and international collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges in the Arab world.

The summit is expected to culminate in the adoption of a regional charter for tobacco harm reduction and the signing of strategic cooperation agreements among participating entities, aimed at strengthening public health systems and enhancing regional regulatory frameworks.

TNFS Summit 2025 invites policymakers, public health experts, and civil society to unite around a shared vision: a healthier Middle East with lower tobacco dependence. This summit marks a clear commitment to science-based, prevention-first policies built on regional and international partnerships.

More than 100 local and international experts from leading institutions — including specialists from the UK, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia — will participate in the summit. They will discuss the latest research, exchange insights, and explore scalable, evidence-based policy solutions.

The agenda will focus on key strategic themes, including:

  • correcting public misconceptions about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction products
  • designing preventive policies grounded in scientific evidence
  • showcasing successful international regulatory frameworks that can be adapted to regional contexts
  • mobilizing community awareness and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors

Badael Company, the summit’s strategic partner, stated that TNFS 2025 addresses an urgent regional need for data-driven dialogue and multilateral coordination to reflect the scale of tobacco-related harm in our societies. The summit is envisioned as a launchpad for the region’s healthier and more sustainable future.


Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports
Updated 27 May 2025
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Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding has signed an MoU with Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies. This strategic partnership, signed at Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid, Spain, seeks to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and improved passenger experience through digital solutions and collaborative technological advancements.

Matarat Holding manages the operations of 27 airports in Saudi Arabia through its subsidiaries (Riyadh Airports, Jeddah Airports, Dammam Airports, and Cluster 2), and the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation across multiple strategic areas of aviation development. Through this partnership, Thales will implement its expertise in smart technologies to modernize airport operations and management, driving digital transformation across Matarat’s subsidiaries. The collaboration will focus on sharing innovation and best practices to enhance service quality, streamline operational processes, and adopt future-ready solutions that will set new industry standards.

A key priority of the agreement is enhancing the traveler experience by leveraging Thales’ advanced capabilities in AI, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to create seamless and secure passenger journeys. The partnership will also enable the implementation of advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure in Matarat airports.

Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Saudi Arabia and Central Asia, said: “This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a transformative step in reshaping the future of Saudi aviation. By combining Thales’ expertise in digital transformation with Matarat’s operational excellence, we are not just implementing technologies — we are co-creating a smart and safe aviation ecosystem. Our joint solutions in AI, cybersecurity and connected systems will set new benchmarks for operational efficiency, enhanced passenger experience, and national security, directly contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions to become a global aviation leader.”


Tawuniya’s ‘InsurAI’ challenge showcases AI-powered breakthrough in insurance

Tawuniya’s ‘InsurAI’ challenge showcases AI-powered breakthrough in insurance
Updated 27 May 2025
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Tawuniya’s ‘InsurAI’ challenge showcases AI-powered breakthrough in insurance

Tawuniya’s ‘InsurAI’ challenge showcases AI-powered breakthrough in insurance

Marking the culmination of its highly anticipated 12-week virtual program “InsurAI,” Tawuniya, the largest insurance company in the Middle East and North Africa, successfully concluded its Demo Day on May 26. The event showcased 10 cutting-edge startups, selected from a competitive pool of over 1,000 applicants, which presented their innovative solutions designed to unlock new avenues for growth and transformation in the insurance sector.

Launched in December 2024 by Tawuniya in collaboration with Plug and Play, and supported by government partners including Monsha’at and CODE, the InsurAI program underscores Tawuniya’s steadfast commitment to driving digital transformation in the region’s insurance industry. It also aims to propel economic development and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s growing startup ecosystem in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The program provided a unique platform for 10 rising innovators — Papaya Insurtech, WideBot AI, DESAISIV, Najeeb.ai, Intella, Yasmina, AlloBrain, Curacel, CozmoX AI, and Chefaa — who were selected through a rigorous evaluation process. During Demo Day, these startups pitched their next-generation generative AI solutions to a curated audience of investors, technology leaders, and Tawuniya executives.

Abdullah Alshargi, CTO at Tawuniya, said: “The InsurAI is more than just a platform — it’s a statement of intent. We are investing in a future where artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrated into the insurance ecosystem to bring about real, measurable impact. Demo Day spotlighted how visionary startups are already solving some of the industry’s most pressing challenges — from claims automation and fraud detection to hyper-personalized customer experiences.”

“Through strategic partnerships and hands-on mentorship, we have built a launchpad for innovation that aligns with Tawuniya’s mission to lead the digital transformation of the insurance sector. We envision InsurAI as a catalyst for long-term collaboration and a driver of what’s next in insurtech,” he added

Over the course of the program, each team received expert mentorship and support in areas such as product development, regulatory compliance, and go-to-market strategy. Strategic partners played an instrumental role in the program, enhancing the startups’ journey toward scalability and investment-readiness.

The event concluded with the announcement of the top three startups, who shared a prize pool of $225,000 alongside potential partnership opportunities with Tawuniya.

This event marks a significant milestone in Tawuniya’s mission to foster an innovation-driven ecosystem and cement Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for AI and insurtech.


Saudi Signage & Labelling Expo attracts record visitors

Saudi Signage & Labelling Expo attracts record visitors
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi Signage & Labelling Expo attracts record visitors

Saudi Signage & Labelling Expo attracts record visitors

The second edition of the Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo, co-located with the Saudi Paper and Packaging Expo, drew thousands of professionals from across the signage, labelling, paper and packaging value chain, from May 20-22 at the Riyadh International Convention Center.

“In the second year, the event has been an encouraging reflection of the market’s pace and direction as seen in the activity and engagement on the busy exhibition floor. Cross-border conversations, live demonstrations and the ongoing deal-making we’ve seen in just the first two days demonstrate the growing strength and maturity of Saudi Arabia’s signage, labelling, paper and packaging landscape,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president — construction, dmg events.

More than 150 regional and international exhibitors highlighted new product lines and machinery, including innovations in UV printing, 3D systems, LED displays and wayfinding technologies, providing buyers with an opportunity to choose the right products, services, systems and solutions based on their needs.

One of the exhibitors, ProNext, in collaboration with PRO TECHnology, unveiled next-generation UV, direct-to-object and food-grade 3D printing solutions, tailored to businesses looking to elevate both creative output and technical precision. “We are leveraging Saudi Signage and Labelling Expo as a platform to introduce three of our most advanced printing solutions to the Saudi market,” said Jamal Maraqa, managing director, PRO TECHnology. “This includes a 360-degree object printer from the US capable of producing up to 20,000 items a day, a newly launched flatbed printer making its Middle East debut and a specialized food printer designed for chocolates, cakes and bakery products, showcasing the diverse possibilities within the printing landscape.”

Showcasing complementary capabilities in the signage space, Riyadh-based PHC presented its live signage and wayfinding solutions at the event, drawing on a portfolio of more than 1,500 completed projects that continue to shape navigation across the Kingdom’s public spaces, retail centers and transport hubs.

Elsewhere on the floor, European player Domino Sign showcased advanced sign-making equipment and LED systems that combine French engineering with Korean precision, supporting efficient branding across sectors. 

Building on this focus on technical advancement, another Saudi exhibitor National Signage Industrial Company and its subsidiary SCREEN World unveiled the country’s first LED assembly line, highlighting their locally manufactured solutions, from architectural signage and traffic systems to billboard structures and transparent LED displays.

As businesses in Saudi Arabia place greater emphasis on environmental responsibility, visitors at the event explored sustainable materials, packaging solutions and eco-conscious production processes.

Chinese company Anhui Angran Green Technology presented green materials for signage and packaging, designed to reduce environmental impact across the supply chain by offering recyclable substrates and energy-efficient processes that appeal to sustainability-minded buyers. Another exhibitor, CMYK Print Solutions offered locally available, advanced printing technologies that align with sustainable practices. Digital Star Machinery and Equipments complemented this by showcasing automated printing and packaging systems engineered to reduce material waste and improve energy efficiency, reinforcing the event’s focus on practical, eco-conscious solutions.

Henan Jianwei Paper from China displayed a variety of food-grade, eco-friendly paper products that meet international sustainability benchmarks. Meanwhile, another Chinese company, Jiangxi Hemeng Technology, promoted environmentally responsible packaging solutions focused on customization and low-waste production. Suzhou Xiangyuan New Materials, which operates a green-certified factory in China, rounded out the sustainable showcase with chemical and signage materials produced through cleaner manufacturing methods.

With key discussions across the exhibition floor, the event has positioned itself as a hub for business growth, technical collaboration and dialogue across the signage, labelling, paper and packaging communities.


Eram Holdings gets B+/ BB+ rating from S&P

Eram Holdings gets B+/ BB+ rating from S&P
Updated 27 May 2025
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Eram Holdings gets B+/ BB+ rating from S&P

Eram Holdings gets B+/ BB+ rating from S&P

Eram Holdings, a private conglomerate headquartered in Saudi Arabia, announced its B+ and BB+ Saudi national credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Standard and Poor’s. This rating action reflects external validation of the company’s excellent track record and future growth potential in the Kingdom and beyond, while underscoring its strategic commitment to diversified financing in order to build up its business in a sustainable manner.

Established in the 1990s, Eram Holdings operates across five business verticals globally from its Saudi Arabian headquarters. Its subsidiaries have a 95 percent client retention rate and cater to major companies across oil and gas, petrochemicals, utilities, airports, maritime and for high-profile giga-projects in the region. The company has gained an enviable reputation for being a preferred vendor for specialized technical services, a leading travel management company in the region, a rapidly expanding healthcare business, and for launching initiatives in support of the national vision for the development of import substitute products and services in Saudi Arabia. The subsidiary company involved in R&D and manufacturing exports Saudi-made power electronics products such as industrial grade UPS, battery chargers, frequency converters, and customized solar solutions for mission-critical applications.

This financial transformation and shift in Eram’s funding will attract strategic partnerships with global companies and financial institutions, providing access to syndicated loan, sukuk and private placement markets, and enabling it to facilitate expansion across key regional markets.

“Our company has been in a steady growth mode and we are now entering a transformative phase to better support our clients and capitalize on expanding regional opportunities. We have set a combined target of achieving 28-35 percent CAGR growth by 2028. 

“As Saudi Arabia seeks greater global integration, through its Vision 2030 initiatives, hosting Expo 2030 and World Cup 2034, Eram is uniquely positioned to support these national milestones. 

“This rating is a testament to the diligent efforts of the Eram team and our dedication to our clients,” said Dr. Siddeek Ahamed, chairman and managing director. 

“We are excited about this next phase of our strategic expansion.”

“Lonmile and its affiliates have supported Eram in achieving this milestone credit rating over the last 12 months. We are thrilled to support Eram as it makes transformative steps from a private company to a firm with a public credit rating. Eram’s foothold in Saudi Arabia and across the GCC, in multiple industrial sectors, make this a very exciting time for the firm, as it continues to expand its reach and scale at pace,” said Naveen Ayyaril, partner at Lonmile.