Noon, a soon-to-be-launched e-commerce platform in the Middle East, founded by Mohamed Alabbar, has announced the appointment of Faraz Khalid as its chief executive officer. Khalid is the former co-founder and managing director of Namshi, a leading fashion online retailer.
With experience and hands-on knowledge in building, launching and scaling successful e-commerce enterprises in the region, Khalid will lead a team of professionals in driving the operations of Noon. He is mandated to bring Noon to market by establishing long-term strategic partnerships, enhancing Noon’s infrastructure capabilities especially in Saudi Arabia, and building a robust technology platform.
Founder Alabbar said: “We are on track to launch Noon this year with the final work on the fulfilment infrastructure and payment systems being completed. Several of the region’s leading brand owners and suppliers have come on board, underlining our local strength.
Khalid has built a successful e-commerce business in the region, and brings the right domain experience and market knowledge to his role as Noon’s chief executive officer. We are confident that along with the team at Noon, he will deliver an e-commerce platform like no other in the region.”
Khalid, who holds an MBA from The Wharton School, played an instrumental role in the success of Namshi, which was launched in 2012, and built the region’s largest fashion catalog with over 700 international brands.
He said: “Noon presents the opportunity to create a dynamic e-commerce platform for, by and in the region. With our local market knowledge and presence, and our focus on product authenticity, supplier value creation, superior logistics, professional service and competitive pricing, we aim to bring a transformational e-commerce experience to the Middle East. I am honored to take up the responsibility and to work with a dedicated team of professionals who share a common passion for creating a truly industry-defining online platform.”
Noon is a $1 billion joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and a group of prominent Gulf investors.
Noon appoints Faraz Khalid as chief executive
Noon appoints Faraz Khalid as chief executive
Alfanar Projects wins MEED Award for ‘Industrial Project of the Year’
Alfanar Projects has been recognized as a “national winner” at the MEED Projects Awards 2025, for its role as the main contractor in the landmark Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant, which was awarded “Industrial Project of the Year.”
Developed through a strategic partnership between the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company, or Dussur, Saudi Aramco, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, the Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant represents a cornerstone in the Kingdom’s drive to establish a world-class industrial base, localize advanced manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen national supply chains.
Situated in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City, the plant spans over 400,000 square meters, encompassing 39 major buildings and an extensive network of infrastructure and external works. Alfanar Projects delivered the project on a lump-sum turnkey basis, executing more than 122,000 cubic meters of concrete, erecting 25,000 tons of structural steel, installing hundreds of kilometers of underground piping and cabling, and implementing advanced electrical and mechanical systems to global engineering standards.
With a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year, utilizing state-of-the-art sand casting and open-die forging technologies, the plant will play a pivotal role in serving critical sectors such as the oil and gas industry, maritime industries, and heavy equipment manufacturing, while advancing Saudi Arabia’s goals of industrial localization and self-sufficiency.
Jamal Wadi, president of Alfanar Projects, said: “The Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant embodies the pinnacle of what engineering can achieve when coupled with determination. The project brought together complex architectural and structural challenges with advanced engineering solutions, which we executed with precision and efficiency. This landmark facility stands as a testament to our deep expertise as an industrial contractor and to our ability to harness engineering excellence in building strategic projects that underpin the Kingdom’s economic future.”
The MEED Projects Awards, organized in partnership with Mashreq Bank, are among the most prestigious accolades in the region, celebrating excellence in project delivery across sectors. Alfanar Projects’ recognition underscores its role as a leading national contractor, committed to delivering world-class industrial infrastructure projects that support the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and industrial leadership.
The leading engineering and construction company is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s infrastructure and industrial landscape in alignment with Vision 2030. Through its commitment to sustainable development, Alfanar Projects supports the growth of key sectors, including building construction, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, and grid modernization across Saudi Arabia and internationally. With an emphasis on localization, innovation, and sustainability, Alfanar Projects continues to deliver world-class solutions that contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social transformation.
