PIF launches Tasama to deliver world-class business services in Saudi Arabia

PIF launches Tasama to deliver world-class business services in Saudi Arabia
Tasama was created through the merger of the Business Incubators and Accelerators Co., previously owned by the Saudi Technology Development and Investment Co. or TAQNIA, with PIF’s Shared Services Center. SPA
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Updated 13 July 2025
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PIF launches Tasama to deliver world-class business services in Saudi Arabia

PIF launches Tasama to deliver world-class business services in Saudi Arabia
  • Company aims to support public and private sectors
  • It seeks to advance business services as a strategic sector in the Kingdom

RIYADH: Businesses operating in Saudi Arabia — including international firms setting up regional headquarters — are set to benefit from the launch of Tasama, a new integrated business services platform established by a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund.

Tasama was created through the merger of the Business Incubators and Accelerators Co., previously owned by the Saudi Technology Development and Investment Co. or TAQNIA, with PIF’s Shared Services Center. The company aims to support both the public and private sectors, according to an official statement.

The launch forms part of PIF’s broader strategy to diversify the Saudi economy and deepen its collaboration with the private sector by accelerating the growth of local enterprises and easing the entry of global firms into the Kingdom’s business environment.

It also comes as PIF surpasses $1 trillion in assets, marking a major global milestone. According to Global SWF, the fund is now shifting focus from rapid expansion to a new phase defined by solvency, strategic discipline, and long-term sustainable returns.

“The company seeks to advance business services as a strategic sector in the Kingdom, and to contribute effectively to supporting economic diversification by providing support to strategic sectors,” said Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Jasser, CEO of Tasama.

Al-Jasser added that the company remains committed to “fostering innovation, empowering Saudi talent, and enhancing national competencies,” building on BIAC’s track record across public and private sector partnerships.

He further emphasized Tasama’s ambition to evolve the business services sector, positioning the firm as a “key partner in shaping its future and ongoing progress,” while contributing to the expansion of the Kingdom’s tech ecosystem and broader commercial landscape.

According to the statement, Tasama will offer a full suite of services aimed at boosting operational efficiency, supporting companies through their launch and growth phases, and assisting international firms in establishing their regional bases in Saudi Arabia.

The platform will provide end-to-end support, including accounting, human resources, and procurement services, along with access to digital tools, business incubators, and workspace solutions.

Tasama also plans to expand nationwide, with the goal of becoming the leading provider of business services across Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, Global SWF noted that the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund — which recently posted an 18 percent rise in assets under management to SR4.32 trillion ($1.15 trillion) in 2024 — is now focused on “solvency over scale” and “substance over show.”

This strategic pivot underscores a broader recalibration of Vision 2030’s investment engine, balancing domestic megaproject development with financial discipline, international outreach, and responsible capital deployment.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,559 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,559 
Updated 08 October 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,559 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,559 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index ended lower on Wednesday, falling 23.96 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 11,559.27.  

The total trading turnover for the main index stood at SR7.62 billion ($2.03 billion), with 619.4 million shares traded. A total of 60 stocks advanced, while 191 declined.  

The MT30 Index, which tracks the top 30 companies by market capitalization, also slipped 1.75 points, or 0.12 percent, to 1,507.62.   

In contrast, the Nomu parallel market gained 172.63 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 25,693.25, with 47 gainers and 41 losers.  

Saudi Paper Manufacturing Co. was the day’s best performer, climbing 3.03 percent to SR59.60. It was followed by Naqi Water Co., which rose 2.71 percent to SR56.95, and Al Babtain Power and Telecommunication Co., which increased 2.50 percent to SR61.50.  

Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries Co. gained 2.13 percent to SR134, while Naseej International Trading Co. advanced 2.03 percent to SR90.30.  

On the downside, Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. recorded the sharpest fall, slipping 3.87 percent to SR39.70. Saudi Printing and Packaging Co. dropped 3.66 percent to SR10.79, while Emaar the Economic City fell 3.55 percent to SR13.30.   

Saudi Reinsurance Co. decreased 3.05 percent to SR49.98, and Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co. shed 3.02 percent to SR5.13.  

On the announcement front, Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. announced developments regarding the binding share sale and purchase agreement between Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.   

The company said the agreement involves the transfer of marketing rights for products currently held by Sumitomo and its affiliates to Saudi Aramco and its subsidiaries.   

The company confirmed that it has entered into related agreements to finalize the amendments required under the “Omnibus Amendment Agreement.”  

Petro Rabigh shares closed 0.26 percent lower at SR7.70.  

Meanwhile, Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipes Co. said that the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones approved a waiver of the lease agreement to Al-Muthahidah Al-Manaqiyah Industries Co., making its SR45 million factory sale binding.  

The financial impact will be reflected in the third quarter of 2025, the company said. 

SVCP shares closed 0.86 percent lower at SR27.76.  

In addition, Thimar Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing Co. announced filing a legal lawsuit before the Securities Disputes Resolution Committee against Middle East Financial Investment Co., the manager of the Saudi Film Fund, in connection with a previously signed SR37.5 million investment agreement.   

The company said the disputed amount remains recorded as a debit balance and will be reclassified once a ruling is issued.  

Thimar Advertising’s shares closed 0.69 percent lower at SR15.82.  


Saudi Arabia, Morocco forge pact to protect investments 

Saudi Arabia, Morocco forge pact to protect investments 
Updated 08 October 2025
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Saudi Arabia, Morocco forge pact to protect investments 

Saudi Arabia, Morocco forge pact to protect investments 

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and Morocco have signed an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments, aiming to safeguard investors’ rights and boost cross-border capital flows as the two nations strengthen economic cooperation. 

The deal was signed in Rabat by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih and Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah Alaoui during the Saudi minister’s official visit to the North African nation. 

This comes amid growing economic relations, with trade between the two countries reaching SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) in 2024. Saudi exports accounted for SR4.3 billion, while imports stood at SR640 million. 

In a post on its official X account, the Saudi Ministry of Investment said both ministers signed “an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments between the two Kingdoms, to strengthen the economic partnership between them, safeguard investors’ rights, and support the flow of investments in various sectors.” 

Under the agreement, the two countries committed to creating a stable and transparent environment for investors. It guarantees fair and equitable treatment, freedom to transfer funds, and protection against expropriation without fair compensation. The pact also enables investors to seek international arbitration in the event of disputes 

Al-Falih and Alaoui also discussed ways to enhance financial partnerships, economic policies, stimulate growth, and strategies for financing major developmental projects. 

Morocco ranks as Saudi Arabia’s 57th largest export partner and 51st for imports, with key trade including vehicles, insulated wires, fertilizers, and clothing from Saudi Arabia, and refined petroleum, vehicles, accessories, and wheat from Morocco. 

The deal also aims to promote sustainable economic growth and address challenges faced by investors, thereby strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries. 

In another post, the Investment Ministry said Al-Falih held a bilateral meeting with Moroccan Minister of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies Karim Zidane. 

“They discussed the strategic vision for sustainable development, the evaluation of public policies and the improvement of the business environment and explored ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries,” the post added.

During his visit, Al-Falih also met with Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, with whom he discussed strengthening industrial and commercial cooperation, developing manufacturing industries, and attracting new investments. 

The Saudi minister also met with several Moroccan government officials and a group of business and financial leaders to strengthen investment relations and address challenges facing investors in both countries. 


Riyadh Air ready for take-off with first flight to London on Oct. 26

Riyadh Air ready for take-off with first flight to London on Oct. 26
Updated 08 October 2025
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Riyadh Air ready for take-off with first flight to London on Oct. 26

Riyadh Air ready for take-off with first flight to London on Oct. 26
  • Here’s a sneak peek at its first flight, luxury lounge launch, and new partnerships

RIYADH: Announced at its headquarters in the Kingdom’s capital, Riyadh Air is officially taking to the skies — and it’s earlier than you think.

The airline’s maiden flight will depart from Riyadh to London’s Heathrow on Oct. 26 with a Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft named “Jamila,” which means “beautiful” in Arabic.

Riyadh Air, the newest national airline for Saudi Arabia, was announced in 2023 and is owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund.

As well as revealing the maiden flight, the airline also announced a string of fresh updates — from its opening of a luxury lounge, launching of a loyalty program, as well as new high-profile partnerships.

“We are not just selling tickets; we are selling an experience,” Osamah Al-Nuaiser, senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

The first daily launch flights will carry select guests, allowing the airline to refine operations and the overall experience before general commercial passengers are welcomed.

Flights to Dubai will soon follow, with winter 2025 and summer 2026 destinations to be announced imminently.

It was also announced that travelers will be welcomed into Riyadh Air’s first premium airport experience — the “Hafawa Lounge” at King Khalid International Airport, located between Terminals 1 and 2. 

“Hafawa” is an Arabic word that embodies warmth and hospitality. Spanning nearly 2,000 sq. meters and accommodating 370 guests, the lounge is exclusively for Business Elite and Business Class travelers and will have private and communal spaces and dining areas.

Riyadh Air is also launching its loyalty program “Sfeer,” now open to travelers via the Riyadh Air website. 

Meaning “Ambassador” in Arabic, early registrants will receive priority bookings and other perks. 

When fully activated in 2026, “Sfeer” will feature gamified challenges, leaderboards, invitations to exclusive events, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi and a range of benefits from global partners.

A cornerstone of Riyadh Air’s international strategy is its partnership with Saudia Airlines, the Kingdom’s national carrier, Al-Nuaiser emphasized.

“Saudia Airlines is very important. We started the first airline partnership with Saudia and the reason being we need to integrate not compete. Of course, we need to make sure that there’s synergy between both national carriers,” Al-Nuaiser told Arab News.

The arrangement allows travelers to earn and redeem loyalty points across both carriers, Riyadh Air and Saudia, strengthening integration and connectivity rather than competition.

A partnership with Saudi wellness brand Kayanee was also announced, which will see the company provide loungewear and amenity kits for Business Elite, Business, and Premium Economy cabins. 

Another major announcement focuses on Riyadh Air’s partnership with the popular ride-sharing brand Uber, which is already widely-used in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration will provide seamless ground transportation for travelers and integrate loyalty benefits, marking a key step in connecting the seamless transport of passengers from doorstep to departure.

Cabin crew uniforms are designed by Paris-based Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi, and were unveiled in June, 2024, at Haute Couture Week in the French capital.

As announced earlier this year, Riyadh Air’s catering will be handled by Saudi company Catrion under a five-year, SR2.3 billion ($610 million) contract, ensuring consistent food and beverage quality across all flights. Menus promise to blend Saudi and international flavors for a premium culinary experience— and plenty of Saudi coffee.

Since its launch two years ago, Riyadh Air has partnered with 10 other global carriers including Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Turkish Airlines, as well as China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, and EgyptAir, enabling gradual network expansion.

Underlining the pace of its development, Riyadh Air has grown from fewer than 10 employees to nearly 600.

“I’m employee number nine in the airline. So I’m part of the founding members of Riyadh Air. Never been prouder than seeing the establishment of this airline come to life, but also to have been blessed with the team that has been growing the trajectory,” Al-Nuaiser said.

He also emphasized Riyadh Air’s Saudi roots and cultural mission, saying: “We are from Riyadh and we will serve the people of Riyadh and the people of the Kingdom first. At the same time, we want to attract tourists and business travelers as part of the national strategy for tourism.”

Al-Nuaiser added: “We want to take the hospitality and generosity of the people and make sure that we also carry that and connect Riyadh to the world and the world to Riyadh. Flying is such a beautiful privilege— we want to bring a little bit of glamor back to the skies. We want to create an icon that we all are proud of.”


Abu Dhabi signs multi-sector agreements in US investment push

Abu Dhabi signs multi-sector agreements in US investment push
Updated 08 October 2025
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Abu Dhabi signs multi-sector agreements in US investment push

Abu Dhabi signs multi-sector agreements in US investment push

JEDDAH: The UAE strengthened its economic partnership with the US during a three-day visit to New York, where Abu Dhabi officials signed a series of agreements in technology, finance, energy, and manufacturing. 

The high-level delegation, led by Ahmed Jasim Al-Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, met with US government officials and business leaders to boost trade and investment cooperation, according to the Emirates News Agency, also known as WAM. 

The visit witnessed the inking of agreements to enhance cooperation in sectors including startups, family businesses, and small and medium enterprises, as well as digital infrastructure, new energy, advanced manufacturing, and financial services. 

The two countries share a strong and growing economic relationship, with bilateral trade reaching $34.4 billion in 2024 — an 8.5 percent increase year on year — making the UAE the largest US trading partner in the Middle East, with trade spanning all 50 US states and supporting over 184,000 jobs. 

In a statement, Al-Zaabi said: “We are proud of our strong and evolving partnership with the US. This visit has enabled us to build more collaborative initiatives to harness new trends, mega shifts, and technological transformations witnessed by the global economy.” 

He added: “Backed by five decades of fruitful cooperation, our trade and investment ties with the US continue on an upward trajectory,” noting that mutual investments are also increasing and expanding, supercharging growth across various sectors and industries, and creating thousands of jobs. 

He emphasized that this growth reflects the depth and strength of their cooperation with the US and affirmed their commitment to further enhancing it, enabling businesses and investors to grow, thrive, and expand. 

In recent years, Abu Dhabi’s non-oil trade with the US has grown by 28.4 percent, while US companies operating in Abu Dhabi have seen a 52.9 percent compound annual growth rate, reflecting deepening ties in key economic sectors. 

According to a report released in May by the White House, US President Donald Trump announced over $200 billion in commercial deals between the two countries — bringing the total of investment agreements in the Gulf region to over $2 trillion. 

This builds on the UAE’s commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework that will contribute to the US boom in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, quantum computing, biotechnology, and manufacturing, as per the US official release. 

The New York event brought together 15 of Abu Dhabi’s largest listed companies from diverse sectors, with a combined market capitalization exceeding $300 billion, and featured more than 100 one-on-one meetings with leading US institutional investors managing assets of over $10 billion. 

The delegation included senior officials from Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors, among them Ghannam Al-Mazrouei, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, Hamad Sayah Al-Mazrouei, undersecretary of ADDED, and Badr Al-Olama, director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. 


Egypt’s inflation eases to 10.3% in September as price pressures cool 

Egypt’s inflation eases to 10.3% in September as price pressures cool 
Updated 08 October 2025
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Egypt’s inflation eases to 10.3% in September as price pressures cool 

Egypt’s inflation eases to 10.3% in September as price pressures cool 

RIYADH: Egypt’s inflation slowed for a fourth consecutive month in September, easing to 10.3 percent year on year as consumer price pressures continued to moderate, official data showed. 

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said the Consumer Price Index rose 1.5 percent month on month to 260.9 points, driven mainly by higher housing and utility costs. 

Egypt’s inflation peaked at around 33.2 percent in September 2023 but has steadily eased since the government secured an $8 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund in March 2024, which helped stabilize the currency and support policy reforms. 

In its latest release, CAPMAS stated: “Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel section recorded an increase of 3.4 percent due to an increase in prices of the actual rental group of houses by 1.3 percent, calculated rent group of houses by 7.1 percent, and group of maintenance and repair of houses by 1.4 percent.”  

The report added that expenses for water and miscellaneous services related to housing increased by 0.2 percent, while electricity, gas, and fuel prices rose by 0.3 percent. 

Another key driver in September was the food and beverages sector, which increased by 1.9 percent. This section saw a 12.2 percent rise in vegetable prices, a 3.5 percent increase in fruits, and a 0.3 percent rise in meat and poultry expenses. 

The alcoholic beverages and tobacco segment witnessed a monthly rise of 0.8 percent, while the health care sector saw an increase of 0.4 percent. 

Within healthcare, outpatient service costs climbed 0.8 percent in September compared to the previous month, while hospital expenses rose 1 percent over the same period. 

On an annual basis, alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices surged 25.3 percent, followed by housing, water, electricity, and fuel, which went up 18.2 percent. 

The food and beverages category recorded a 0.3 percent increase year on year, while clothing and footwear costs advanced 14.4 percent during the same period. 

In February, global credit rating agency Moody’s affirmed Egypt’s Caa1 long-term foreign and local currency rating with a positive outlook. 

It stated that the positive outlook reflected the government’s measures to control inflation and interest rates. 

Earlier this month, Egypt’s Central Bank slashed interest rates by 100 basis points, marking the fourth reduction this year, citing subdued inflationary pressures amid economic growth of about 5 percent in the second quarter.