DUBAI: Thales has signed a two-year maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to maintain the signaling, telecommunication and electromechanical systems of the Kingdom’s North-South Railways project.
The 2,400-kilometer rail project, transports passengers from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurrayat in northern Saudi Arabia in addition to the heavy transport of minerals such as raw phosphates and bauxite from the Wa’ad Al-Shamal phosphate mine.
As part of the agreement, Thales will work with Buraydah’s Saudi Railway Polytechnic to train 1,500 students to obtain vocational qualifications in the fields of health and safety, mechanical, electrical, civil engineering, signaling, telecommunications, rolling stock maintenance and train driving, the company said in a statement.
“This will allow SAR maintenance teams to gradually take over the maintenance activities for the duration of the two-year contract,” it said.
“In line with [Saudi Vision 2030] and [the National Transformation Program,] this project further illustrates Thales’ commitment to ensure the SAR maintenance [personnel] are able to continue in their efforts long after our contract expires, and contribute toward the kingdom’s success,” Jean-Yves Tolot, country director for Thales in Saudi Arabia said.
Thales signs two-year maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company
Thales signs two-year maintenance contract with Saudi Railway Company
LuLu opens two new stores in Riyadh and Dammam
LuLu Retail has further expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia with the unveiling of two state-of-the-art shopping destinations in Riyadh and Dammam. These new stores are designed to bring a modern shopping experience closer to residential neighborhoods, offering everything from daily groceries to household essentials under one roof.
The expansion includes a massive flagship hypermarket and a convenient express store, each tailored to meet the needs of the local community with high standards of service and variety.
Recently, Yusuffali M. A., chairman of LuLu Group, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to continuous growth while ensuring an uninterrupted supply of products and maintaining stable prices for customers.
The largest of the new openings is located in the Suwaidi district of Riyadh. This massive flagship hypermarket covers more than 400,000 square feet and is built to be a one-stop shop for the capital’s residents.
The store was officially inaugurated by Mohammed Khalid Al-Shalfan, investors relationship manager at the Ministry of Investment, and Matar Salem Ali Marran Al-Dhaheri, ambassador of the UAE to Saudi Arabia.
This new retail landmark features an extensive range of departments, including grocery food and non-food items, beauty and wellness, chilled and dairy products, frozen foods, and a roastery. Shoppers can also find fresh fruits, vegetables, a bakery, and a delicatessen, as well as fresh meat and fish sections. A unique feature is the fresh food dining area. For tech enthusiasts, there are dedicated sections for computers, gaming, telecom, mobile phones, and consumer electronics. The store also carries stationery, household goods, home furnishings, toys, luggage, and footwear, all supported by more than 100 parking spaces.
Meanwhile in Dammam, LuLu inaugurated a new LuLu Xpress store and the LOT, a value shopping destination, in the Faisaliya district. The store was officially inaugurated by Mansour Al-Binali, assistant director general of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for the Eastern Province.
Covering 33,000 square feet, the store includes a wide range of products with fresh food, local produce, and meat, along with a section for technical consumer goods featuring the latest electronics and gadgets.
The LOT Value Shop focuses on high-quality items at affordable prices. Residents can shop for household goods, home furnishings, stationery, toys, and educational products, most of which are priced below SR22 ($5.86).
For added convenience, the location provides nearly 100 parking spaces.
LuLu has launched special inaugural offers across all departments in both the Riyadh and Dammam stores. These promotions allow customers to enjoy significant savings on a wide range of products and international brands. This expansion reinforces LuLu’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s retail growth and providing quality service to neighborhoods across Saudi Arabia.
