Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed eight cooperation agreements in a number of investment areas during the Saudi-Turkish Joint Business Council meeting held on the sidelines of the 7th Bosphorus summit that was hosted by the Turkish city of Istanbul last week.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had launched the summit under the theme, ‘An international goal an international future,’ along with official delegates participating from 70 different countries.
Saudi Arabia was the guest of honor at the event, which had the presence of heads of state, prime ministers, senior officials and businessmen.
The Saudi delegation was headed by Commerce and Investment Minister Majed bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi. Economy Minister Nihat Zeybkekci led the Turkish delegation.
Al-Qasabi pointed out that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is ambitious, where the Kingdom works on attracting qualitative investments, supports job creation and promotes trade between the states, their allies and partners.
“There are many Saudi investments in Turkey and there are many Turkish companies operating in the Kingdom,” the minister said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency on the sidelines of the summit.
The most prominent of the agreements was the strategic cooperation signed between BMG Financial Group and Aktif Bank, which will enable providing investment banking services to their respective clients for investments. Banking, health care, food, renewable energy, agriculture and real estate were identified as some of the key investment sectors.
Basil Al-Ghalayini, CEO of BMG Financial Group, pointed out that several projects by Saudi investors were under review in Turkey. They are estimated at $650 million. Turkish industrial companies will be invited to invest in their Saudi counterparts as technical partners prior to their listing in the second financial market. Amounts expected to be injected into this segment are expected to be around SR500 million.
BMG Financial Group and Aktif Investment Bank ink deal
BMG Financial Group and Aktif Investment Bank ink deal
Jeddah International Motor Show set to welcome 300,000 visitors
The city of Jeddah is gearing up to host the latest edition of Jeddah International Motor Show. The event will take place at the Jeddah Superdome from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, bringing together the latest models, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced designs from the automotive world. This year’s show is set to feature an exclusive launch by one of the world’s leading automotive brands, further establishing the event as a global platform for the latest industry developments.
As one of the most eagerly awaited events in the Middle East, the motor show draws the attention of both car enthusiasts and industry experts. It serves as a major meeting point for the unveiling of new models and automotive innovations. The event’s significance is bolstered by projections that car sales in Saudi Arabia will reach 779,000 units by 2032, giving the Kingdom a 37 percent market share in the MENA region. This positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of regional markets and highlights its pivotal role in shaping the future of the automotive industry.
Expected to draw over 300,000 attendees from across the globe, Jeddah International Motor Show 2024 promises to be not just an exhibition but a one-of-a-kind experience full of excitement and unforgettable moments. Visitors can enjoy thrilling SUV and off-road vehicle shows, interactive karting tracks, and simulation races. The opportunity to test drive dream cars adds a personal, hands-on dimension to the event, making it a must-attend for car lovers.
The show’s venue itself is a marvel that enhances the event’s grandeur, with the Jeddah Superdome — the world’s largest pillarless geodesic dome — holding a Guinness World Record. This architectural wonder underscores Jeddah’s status as a global hub for premier exhibitions and a beacon of excellence in the automotive industry.
New Murabba: Pioneering a new era of urban living at Expo Real
New Murabba Development Company, a Public Investment Fund company, participated in Expo Real 2024, a premier real estate and investment trade fair held in Munich from Oct. 7-9.
New Murabba leveraged this global platform to highlight its groundbreaking destination and the attractive investment opportunities it offers to international players. The new, modern downtown is poised to champion urban living in Riyadh, offering a unique blend of innovation, sustainability, and a high quality of life. New Murabba exhibited its vibrant districts, representing a fusion of global influences and Saudi heritage. The centerpiece of this architectural marvel is the Mukaab, which will host the world’s largest immersive experience and emphasize the city’s urban nature. Additionally, New Murabba spotlighted its efficient transportation and eco-friendly infrastructure while illustrating how technology enriches urban experiences, including navigation and cultural engagement.
“Expo Real provides an invaluable platform to showcase New Murabba’s vision and readiness for international collaboration,” said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company. “We are confident that our world-class destination will resonate with investors and stakeholders seeking opportunities in the dynamic Saudi Arabian real estate market. New Murabba is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban living in the Kingdom and globally.”
Alinma Bank taps Dell for digital transformation
Dell Technologies and Alinma Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the Saudi-based bank’s digital transformation initiatives.
The MoU signed during the 24 Fintech Summit in Riyadh by Mohammed Talaat, vice president, Saudi Arabia and Egypt at Dell Technologies, and Yaser Alofi, chief information officer at Alinma Bank, marks a significant step forward in the Shariah-compliant bank’s digital transformation strategy.
The agreement outlines a collaborative framework for both parties to jointly develop and deliver innovative data center transformation solutions. This includes Dell’s IT infrastructure and workload migration solutions, the Dell AI Factory models and frameworks, cybersecurity enhancements, as well as client, edge, and multi-cloud solutions delivered with flexibility through Dell APEX.
Dell APEX is an end-to-end portfolio of as-a-service and subscription services where customers pay only for the services consumed. It helps customers scale resources based on their needs and simplifies IT management through consistent performance, predictable costs, and on-demand access to Dell’s infrastructure and services.
Alinma Bank, established in 2006, has earned a reputation for its innovative offerings, customer-focused approach, and pioneering efforts in digital banking.
Talaat said: “The Saudi banking sector is at a pivotal stage of growth spurred by technological advancements and an increased focus on innovation. We are happy to contribute to this evolution and support Alinma Bank in its digital transformation journey.”
Bang & Olufsen, Ferrari reunite for special edition collection
Danish soundcraft meets Italian flair as Bang and Olufsen launches its second Special Edition Ferrari Collection, revealing three new masterworks. For the made- to-order collection, Bang and Olufsen has reimagined its Beolab 50 speaker, Beosound Theatre Soundbar solution and Beovision Theatre TV solution. The design integrates Ferrari’s charcoal Grigio Corsa colorway, combined with a striking shade of red to create an unmistakable connection to the motorsport’s icon and the first Ferrari collection launched in 2023.
“Both Ferrari and Bang and Olufsen have always strived for the most powerful experience possible in the pursuit of unstoppable performance. For our second collection together, we wanted to pay tribute to aluminum, which is a hallmark material of both our brands,” said Bang and Olufsen CEO Kristian Teär. “The result is pioneering sound and vision that blurs the line between Italian passion and Danish elegance,” Teär added.
Both brands share a passion for aluminum, which is used for the chassis of Ferrari sports cars and Bang and Olufsen speakers, thanks to its natural properties that combine beauty and performance. Emulating Ferrari’s unique Grigio Corsa colorway has been achieved through Bang and Olufsen’s expertise in aluminum at its revered Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark.
Beolab 50 Ferrari Edition are Bang and Olufsen’s powerful, active loudspeakers, blending radical audio technology with graceful aesthetics and meticulous craftsmanship. With its adjustable acoustic lens, Beolab 50 can alter its sound delivery to suit the audience. When listening alone, the lens contracts to send a direct sound beam to create a sweet spot. With a house full of guests, the lens opens for a room-filling performance.
Bang and Olufsen’s design team wanted to echo the internal details of Ferrari cars by “looking under the hood” of its own products to create hidden design elements. When Beolab 50’s acoustic lens majestically ascends before performing, listeners can discover the intense red lens. The top cover of the lens features Ferrari’s Prancing Horse logo laser engraved, alongside the Bang and Olufsen logo.
Beosound Theatre Ferrari Edition is a powerful and sleek soundbar, built to roar. With 12 custom drivers firing in all directions, the Dolby Atmos-ready Beosound Theatre performs like a multi-speaker power-house, all from one beautiful soundbar. This heart-racing soundbar crafted in Grigio Corsa aluminum commands attention where the curve of the keel-like shape slices through the air. Bang and Olufsen‘s logo is silk screen printed on the glass top while the laser engraved Ferrari Prancing Horse leaps from flawless aluminum wings.
Beovision Theatre Ferrari Edition is a complete sound and vision setup crafted for immersive film experiences that delivers the power of a multi-product home cinema, all in one singular product. With Dolby Atmos surround sound, a 4K OLED screen and upgradeable design, Beovision Theatre transforms any space. It is available in a 55-inch, 65-inch or even 77-inch screen for a truly cinematic experience.
For a full sensory experience, users are advised to combine Beovision Theatre and Beolab 50 together for a lineup that is as versatile as it is powerful. The three newly created products complement the first Ferrari collection introduced last year and encompass the Beosound 2 home speaker, Beoplay H95 headphones, Beoplay EX earphones and the portable speaker Beosound Explore.
Food delivery platform Keeta expands to Riyadh with SR1bn investment
Keeta, the international subsidiary of Meituan, China’s on-demand delivery giant, has announced its expansion into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This development signifies the platform’s commitment to enhancing food delivery services throughout the Kingdom.
As the localized Saudi arm of Meituan, Keeta draws on the expertise of one of the largest food delivery platforms in the world. Meituan manages an impressive 60 million deliveries daily and serves 680 million users, underscoring its global leadership in the industry.
In support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Keeta is poised to invest SR1 billion ($266.6 million) in the Kingdom. This strategic investment will facilitate the growth of Keeta’s operations and contribute to the local job market and overall economy.
Saudi Arabia presents a burgeoning market for food delivery, with recent reports indicating that the number of users is expected to reach 19.2 million by 2029. As more consumers embrace digital solutions, the demand for efficient food delivery services continues to rise.
“Our expansion into Riyadh underlines our commitment to the Saudi market, which presents unique opportunities driven by a young, tech-savvy population and a growing appetite for digital solutions,” said Tony Qiu, CEO of Keeta. “We are excited to invest in this dynamic environment, supporting Vision 2030 while offering a seamless and diverse food delivery experience that meets the distinct preferences of Saudi consumers.”
Keeta’s value proposition emphasizes affordability, with unlimited free delivery options, a reliable on-time delivery promise, and a diverse array of restaurants and cuisines. The platform’s goal is to provide an unparalleled food delivery experience tailored to the needs of customers.
As the platform broadens its presence in Saudi Arabia, Keeta is committed to redefining the food delivery landscape while contributing to the Kingdom’s economic development.