Max, one of the largest value fashion brands across the Middle East and India, has launched its first store in Malaysia. The opening was marked with a red carpet ceremony hosted by Ramanathan Hariharan, Max CEO and director of Landmark Group. The launch event was attended by VIP guests, bloggers and members of the media.
Located at the IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, Malaysia, the new store covers an area of over 13,000-square feet and will stock Max’s label of women’s, men’s and children’s fashion — as well as footwear, handbags and lingerie.
Max is part of the Landmark Group, one of the largest retail conglomerates, with headquarters in Dubai.
CEO Hariharan said: “Max Fashion is today the market leader in value fashion across the Middle East and India and offers quality fashionable products along with an enriching shopping experience.”
“We are excited as we look forward to engaging and serving the Malaysian customer, and give them an opportunity to celebrate their innate sense of style through our products.
“Malaysia is known for its busy shopping districts and a young aspiring consumer base that appreciates comfortable fashion, at great prices.”
He added: “We believe it is the right time for the brand to enter this market. There is immense potential for growth here and we look forward to expanding our footprint in the country.”
The Max store showcases the latest Summer/Ramadan collection. While the Ramadan collection features glamorous themes inspired by the essence of age-old traditions, the Summer collection features Hawaiian and hibiscus flower prints, driving the essence of summer this year with bright blues.
Max aims to have a network of over 600 stores encompassing nine million square feet of retail space by 2020.
Max Fashion opens first store in Malaysia
Max Fashion opens first store in Malaysia
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
