Al-Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh’s five-star property, has received four awards at the annual World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony. The event was held in Dubai on Oct. 29, at Armani Hotel.
Centrally located in the business capital, the hotel is a blend between ancient Middle Eastern tradition and cosmopolitan sophistication. Al-Faisaliah Hotel is considered a top choice for accommodation for both leisure and discerning business travelers.
The 2017 awards recognized Al-Faisaliah Hotel as Saudi Arabia’s wedding hotel of choice, and celebrated its business and conference facilities as well as suites. The following awards were collected on behalf of Al-Faisaliah Hotel and Al-Faisaliah Suites at the ceremony:
• Middle East’s Leading Business & Conference Hotel 2017: Al-Faisaliah Hotel
• Middle East’s Leading Luxury Suites Hotel 2017: Al-Faisaliah Suites
• Saudi Arabia’s Leading Business & Conference Hotel 2017: Al-Faisaliah Hotel
• Saudi Arabia’s Leading Wedding Hotel 2017: Al-Faisaliah Hotel
Christian Wolny, acting general manager of Al-Faisaliah Hotel, said: “It gives us great pride to have earned four awards for the second consecutive year, especially on such an eminent platform. Awards are both encouragement to strive for better and a validation of our dedication to providing unmatched hotel experiences. I would like to thank the entire team for their resilient spirit and commitment to excellence and hard work, without which this would not have been possible. It is heartening to see our long-standing, award-winning property continue to excel. ”
The awards night was attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media. Recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, the World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.
Al-Faisaliah Hotel, owned and managed by Al-Khozama Management Company, has received several similar accolades in previous years from internationally reputable award bodies, including the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, World Spa Awards, and Saudi Excellence Awards.
Al-Faisaliah Hotel scoops 4 awards at World Travel Awards 2017
Al-Faisaliah Hotel scoops 4 awards at World Travel Awards 2017
GII-Logipoint JV to create SR1bn logistics platform in KSA
Gulf Islamic Investments and Logipoint, a subsidiary of SISCO, have signed an agreement in Jeddah to create a joint venture for a logistics platform providing Grade A warehousing solutions across the Kingdom in a deal worth more than SR1 billion ($300 million).
LogiPoint is a leading industrial and logistics real estate developer of Saudi Arabia, which invests, manages and operates bonded and non-bonded logistics parks and zones. The GII-Logipoint joint venture will create new logistics infrastructure in key Saudi cities, starting in Riyadh and Jeddah, providing warehousing and handling facilities as the backbone of a multi-asset logistical network serving companies across the Kingdom.
This partnership is the second logistics deal in quick succession for GII, a leading Shari’ah-compliant global alternative investment company with more than $4.5 billion of assets under management. Earlier last month, Brookfield Asset Management acquired a majority stake in GII’s logistics business providing high-end, long-term clients with bespoke warehousing solutions in the UAE.
Pankaj Gupta, GII’s co-founder and co-CEO, said: “GII’s partnership with Logipoint extends GII’s logistic operations across Saudi Arabia to facilitate rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s infrastructure, supporting its booming economy. It is a natural progression for GII after our recent transaction in which Brookfield acquired a majority stake in GII’s logistics assets in the UAE.”
Mohammed Alhassan, GII’s other co-founder and co-CEO, added: “Our logistics joint-venture with Logipoint is the latest element of GII’s growth strategy within the Kingdom, which already includes a CMA banking license for GII Saudi Arabia and the acquisition of Emad Bakeries in Jeddah within the last two months.”
Farooq Shaikh, CEO of LogiPoint, said: “This partnership with GII has opened up a new world of investment opportunities. We are committed to leveraging our expertise in developing logistics zones and parks to drive our expansion strategy. Our collaboration with GII reinforces our position as leaders in the logistics industry. LogiPoint is proud to be aligned with the Vision 2030 goals, playing a pivotal role in transforming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into a global logistics hub.”
Peruvian restaurant ‘Manko’ opens in Jeddah
Manko, a luxurious classic Peruvian restaurant with Asian influence, opened its first branch outside of Paris, right in the heart of Jeddah’s Tahlia Street.
Yasser Sharbatly, chairman of Al-Nahla Hospitality Company, which brought Manko to Saudi Arabia, said the food and beverage sector represents a key pillar of the Kingdom’s economy, playing a vital role in meeting community needs and enhancing well-being to improve the quality of life and achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.
“Our investment in the food and beverage sector represents a significant opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability. This sector is one of the largest economic sectors in the Kingdom, encompassing a wide range of businesses and projects, from restaurants and cafes to hotels and tourist resorts,” Sharbatly said.
Hassan Sharbatly, CEO of Al-Nahla Hospitality Company, said: “We are very pleased to add the upscale Peruvian restaurant Manko to the Al-Nahla family. We always strive to provide unique experiences for our customers, and we are confident that Manko will offer guests an exceptional dining experience that combines quality and excellence.”
He said the opening of Manko will redefine the culinary experience in Saudi Arabia and attract discerning tastes from both citizens and tourists alike.
Manko is the newest addition to Al-Nahla’s portfolio, as it strives to offer a range of global dining experiences in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant draws its foundations from Peru’s rich and diverse heritage, offering a unique culinary experience that combines authentic flavors with contemporary techniques.
Manko features elegant and attractive interiors that reflect the spirit of Peruvian culture, creating an unforgettable dining experience.
An ideal destination for premium food lovers, the restaurant’s menu includes a variety of dishes blending fresh ingredients with unique spices, allowing guests to discover the diversity of Peruvian cuisine.
SAB named ‘Best Bank for ESG’
Saudi Awwal Bank received Euromoney’s “Best Bank for ESG” award for the second consecutive year. The award recognizes SAB’s approach to sustainability and reporting.
The recognition comes as part of SAB’s efforts to align with market best practices whilst being a key contributor toward shaping corporate sustainability discussions in the Kingdom. Tony Cripps, managing director and CEO at SAB, said: “We are proud to have received this award. This is a recognition of our efforts to embed ESG principles across our operations and decision-making processes.”
He added: “It is a testament to our commitment to sustainable banking and our desire to create long-term value for our stakeholders.”
SAB’s continuous improvement and high-performance standards have been recognized with other awards such as the “Best Bank in Saudi Arabia” and “Best Trade Finance Provider in Saudi Arabia” awards by Global Finance.
DP World, Mawani break ground on $250m Jeddah Logistics Park
DP World and Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, have commenced construction of a new SR900 million ($250 million) logistics park at Jeddah Islamic Port. The facility will provide state-of-the-art storage and distribution services, as well as boost trade in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
The 415,000-square-meter greenfield facility will feature 185,000 square meters of warehousing space and a sprawling multi-purpose storage yard, making it the largest integrated logistics park in the Kingdom. It will have the capacity for more than 390,000 pallet positions, offering customers an efficient platform for the seamless flow of goods to and from Jeddah.
Signed in 2022 as part of a 30-year concession, Jeddah Logistics Park will be developed in two phases with a planned opening in Q2 2025. The facility will have a rooftop solar plant on the warehouse that will generate 20 MW of renewable energy, contributing to its sustainable design.
The collaboration between Mawani and DP World also includes the management of the South Container Terminal through a separate 30-year concession signed in 2020. The terminal is currently in the final phase of a comprehensive modernization project, scheduled for completion in Q4 2024, which will see the handling capacity being ramped up to 5 million 20-foot equivalent units.
Altogether, the two DP World projects represent a combined investment of close to SR4 billion.
Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Saudi Arabia has always been a deeply important market for DP World and this milestone represents our ongoing commitment to the Kingdom. Jeddah Logistics Park, strategically located on the vital Asia-Europe shipping route, will provide world-class multimodal connectivity and market access for our customers while supporting the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This investment marks a significant step as we mark 25 years of operations in Jeddah and underscores our enduring commitment to facilitating the flow of trade.”
President of Mawani Omar bin Talal Hariri said: “This new logistics area will be connected to DP World’s South Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, facilitating growth and increasing the number of containers handled at the terminal. The project is part of Mawani’s broader efforts to expand the number of logistics centers in Saudi ports, in partnership with major national and international companies, and in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030.”
Mohammad Alshaikh, country head, Saudi Arabia, DP World, provided details on the comprehensive project to attendees at the groundbreaking, including the UAE Consul General to Saudi Arabia Nasser Huwaiden Thaiban Ali Alketbi, senior Saudi government representatives and members of DP World’s leadership team.
Aligning closely with Saudi Vision 2030, Jeddah Logistics Park represents a major development for DP World at Jeddah Islamic Port. This state-of-the-art facility will optimize the logistics processes for both importers and exporters, providing an integrated platform for trade and logistics. Customers will be able to benefit from efficient services that link port operations to last-mile activities, as well as bonded and unbonded zones, world-class temperature-controlled storage, import and export consolidation centers and other value-added services.
The groundbreaking follows on the heels of the opening of freight forwarding offices in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh, expanding the logistics footprint of DP World and strengthening end-to-end supply chains in the Kingdom and beyond.
Malaysian F&B products shine at Saudi Food Show
MATRADE Jeddah, the commercial section of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Jeddah, recently organized the participation of 33 Malaysian exhibitors in the Saudi Food Show 2024, an international exhibition dedicated to the food and beverage industry held last month in Riyadh.
Regarded as the largest F&B sourcing event in the region, the Saudi Food Show featured more than 1,000 exhibitors from 97 countries. Among them were Malaysian exhibitors, including mid-tier companies and small-medium enterprises, promoting a diverse range of products such as ready-to-eat meals, plant-based food, health beverages, premium confectioneries, food ingredients, and flavorings. The Malaysian pavilions, represented by Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Halal Development Corporation, and the Malaysia International Halal Showcase, played a significant role in showcasing the country’s capabilities and offerings.
During the event, the Saudi Food Excellence Awards 2024 was held to recognize outstanding and innovative brands in the industry, in which a Malaysian company, Global Brand Synergy Sdn Bhd, was honored with the Best Packaging Design and Best Beverage awards.
According to a statement by MATRADE Jeddah, the Kingdom is seen as a key and dynamic market for diversification and growth in the food industry, offering Malaysian exporters renewed opportunities and platforms to expand their reach in a market valued at $45 billion, the largest in the Middle East.
Ambassador of Malaysia to Saudi Arabia Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah toured the exhibition grounds and highlighted that the participation of Malaysian companies will empower exporters and promote economic growth between both countries.
“The Saudi market holds significant potential, as several Malaysian companies have already established a strong presence here and achieved remarkable success with their Saudi partners. We look forward to showcasing Malaysia’s capabilities as a prominent supplier to contribute to the Kingdom’s remarkable expansion in the food manufacturing and food service industry as well,” he said.
In 2023, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia reached a value of $11.06 billion. The Kingdom received goods worth $1.49 billion from Malaysia, while Saudi Arabia valued its exports to Malaysia at $9.56 billion. This thriving trade relationship positions Saudi Arabia as Malaysia’s largest trading partner and the primary source of imports among West Asian countries.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consulate’s commercial section is inviting Saudi companies to participate in the upcoming 20th Malaysia International Halal Showcase, to be held from Sept. 17-20 in Kuala Lumpur, to explore market expansion opportunities in key segments.
