Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, has announced the appointment of J. K. Khalil as the company’s country manager for the Kingdom, effective Sept. 1.
“With his extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the local market, Khalil will be in charge of promoting strategic growth, enhancing Mastercard’s operations in the Kingdom and maximizing value to its local customers in the market, one of the company’s largest markets in the Middle East and Africa region,” a press release said.
Basel El-Tell, general manager, Saudi Arabia and Levant, Mastercard, said: “The Saudi market is one of the most important pillars of our strategic growth plans for Middle East and Africa. Khalil’s appointment comes at a time when we are actively working toward expanding the reach of our products and services in this booming market, in line with the goals of the National Transformation Program 2020 and Saudi Vision 2030. In view of the Kingdom’s strong push for digital transformation and heavy investments in advanced technologies, we are looking ahead to contributing toward the Kingdom’s overarching economic goals, and playing a bigger role in shaping the future of its payments ecosystem.”
Khalil joined Mastercard in 2016 armed with 13 years of experience spanning financial services, technology and payment solutions. Prior to joining Mastercard, Khalil served as senior manager at Booz & Company and has also worked with a number of international banking groups such as BNP Paribas and Barclays.
Khalil holds an MBA from the University of Chicago in the US as well as a bachelor’s degree in computer systems and software from the Faculty of Engineering at the St. Joseph University of Beirut.
Mastercard announces country manager for Saudi Arabia
Mastercard announces country manager for Saudi Arabia
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
