Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and its joint venture partner ExxonMobil hosted a symposium promoting rubber industry downstream development at SABIC headquarters in Riyadh recently.
Industry experts from around the world delivered topics ranging from technical applications to investment opportunities in a downstream rubber market in Saudi Arabia. The goal was to deliver all the applicable information needed to generate interest in developing this market.
Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, international relations manager of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, was among the dignitaries at the symposium. The event was largely attended by government representatives, current rubber converters as well as related industry players who are seeking ways to diversify their business, besides prospective entrepreneurs looking to enter this market.
In his keynote speech titled “New Industry Opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” Prince Turki highlighted the competitive advantages that local converters enjoy as against external competitors.
Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC vice chairman and CEO, said: “Creating an efficient and competitive value chain for synthetic rubber is our focus in this initiative. The institution of a strong rubber goods industry in Saudi Arabia will be the single most significant hallmark of success in this endeavor. It is crucial that we inspire the entrepreneurial spirit that will spark innovation in the Kingdom and propel its economy forward,” he said.
Koos van Haasteren, SABIC EVP, performance chemicals, said that one of the key features of development support is the SABIC Plastics Application Development Center (SPADC). “This state-of-the-art facility at the Riyadh Techno Valley, King Saud University, will be the largest center of its kind in the Middle East to support customers in characterization, processing and applications like mixing, extrusion, and injection molding capabilities.”
Mohammed A-Wakeel, GM Functional Polymers, said, “We had an excellent turnout at this first synthetic rubber symposium. We presented business cases for downstream investors in Saudi Arabia to consider. The symposium provided strong guidance to investors to help them set up future rubber processing companies in the Kingdom.”
SABIC focuses on competitive value chain for rubber
SABIC focuses on competitive value chain for rubber
Dammam Airports partners with KaarTech to transform IT services
Dammam Airports, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, has partnered with KaarTech to deliver end-to-end IT managed services across its airport network in the Eastern Province.
This milestone advances Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and strengthens Dammam Airports’ commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences. The collaboration was inaugurated through an official signing ceremony attended by Mohammed Al-Hassany, CEO of Dammam Airports, and Shahinsha Abdul Basheer, CEO of KaarTech, signifying a shared commitment to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s aviation through innovation and intelligent technology.
Recognized as one of the world’s largest airports by land area, Dammam Airports connects more than 12 million passengers each year and plays a vital role in strengthening the Kingdom’s aviation growth. With this partnership, the company is set to transform its IT landscape into a secure, scalable, and intelligent environment that supports the complexities of modern airport operations.
KaarTech will manage the complete IT landscape across three airports, covering infrastructure, cloud, and network operations, along with 24/7 service management. This engagement also includes comprehensive application support beyond SAP, enriched with automation, proactive governance, and predictive intelligence. KaarTech will enable Dammam Airports to achieve resilience, efficiency, and long-term scalability through a comprehensive AI governance approach that embeds transparency, accountability, and innovation into every layer of IT operations, positioning the company as a trusted driver of aviation modernization.
This partnership aims to transform IT from a back-end function into an AI-enabled strategic driver of business performance and passenger experience. From ensuring business continuity and strengthening operational reliability to enabling connected, insight-driven airport services, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to data-driven, intelligent, and sustainable aviation.
Through this engagement, KaarTech reaffirms its position as a trusted partner in AI-led enterprise transformation, delivering deep expertise in managing complex technology ecosystems with intelligence and precision. For Dammam Airports, the partnership represents a decisive step in aligning operational excellence with the national vision for innovation, digital connectivity, and long-term growth.
Together, the two organizations will drive smarter airport operations and deliver sustainable value for the Kingdom’s growing aviation ecosystem.
