BANGALORE: Uber’s Indian rival Ola said Wednesday it has raised $1.1 billion (SR4.12 billion) from investors led by Tencent, the first time the Chinese tech giant has put money into the ride-hailing company.
Ola and Uber have been in a fierce battle to gain riders and retain drivers and have spent millions of dollars to increase their share of the booming market.
Ola said existing investor SoftBank was among those providing fresh funds, and that it was seeking to raise another $1 billion.
It currently operates in 100 Indian cities and said it planned to use the funds for further expansion.
It will also invest in technology to find better ways to tackle the country’s congested roads, it said.
Tencent President Martin Lau said the investment in Ola would enable the company to be part of India’s “fast-growing ride-hailing space.”
Ride-hailing apps have risen rapidly to become a booming industry in India’s congested cities, but face stiff resistance from traditional taxis and bans over safety concerns.
The country’s growing taxi app market is projected to be worth $7 billion by 2020.
India’s ride-hailing company Ola raises $1.1 billion from investors led by Tencent, SoftBank
India’s ride-hailing company Ola raises $1.1 billion from investors led by Tencent, SoftBank
Diriyah Co. partners with Midad to develop Four Seasons hotel in Diriyah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund-backed developer, Diriyah Co., has signed a joint development agreement with Midad Real Estate Investment and Development Co. to construct the Four Seasons Diriyah Hotel and private residences.
The partnership will strengthen collaboration between the two companies through the development of the luxury Four Seasons Diriyah, which will feature 159 rooms, alongside private Four Seasons residences, spanning approximately 235,000 sq. meters within Diriyah’s master plan.
The project’s total value is projected at SR3.1 billion (approximately $827 million), encompassing both land acquisition and construction expenses.
Midad is one of the Kingdom’s leading real estate developers, expanding its portfolio of high-end projects and maintaining numerous strategic partnerships with prominent global brands, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted name in luxury residential and hospitality development across Saudi Arabia.
This partnership marks the first major collaboration between Diriyah Co. and Midad, supporting Diriyah’s plans to develop 40 luxury hotels across its two main projects: the 14-sq.-km Diriyah Project and the 62-sq.-km Wadi Safar Project, a premium destination that blends lifestyle, culture, and entertainment.
Commenting on the agreement, Minister of Tourism and Secretary-General of Diriyah Co., Ahmad Al-Khatib, said: “The Kingdom continues to set new standards in developing tourism destinations, with Diriyah at the forefront.”
He added that such partnerships enhance the world-class experiences Saudi Arabia offers and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination in this sector.
Diriyah Co. CEO Jerry Inzerillo commented that the Four Seasons Diriyah Hotel and Residences will be one of the Kingdom’s largest luxury hotels.
“We are proud to announce this joint development with Midad, one of Saudi Arabia’s top real estate developers. This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to enabling Saudi partners to contribute to Diriyah’s transformative journey and confirms Midad’s confidence in the opportunities the project presents,” Inzerillo added.
Midad CEO Abdelilah bin Mohammed Al-Aiban said: “This project is a pivotal milestone for our company, allowing us to bring the Four Seasons experience to one of the Kingdom’s most prominent heritage destinations.”
He added: “We are excited to deliver a project that embodies design excellence, world-class service, and sustainable value, while contributing meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s tourism, cultural, and economic ambitions.”
The collaboration comes amid rapid progress on the SR236 billion Diriyah project, which has awarded construction contracts worth more than SR101.25 billion to date.
Diriyah is expected to contribute approximately SR70 billion directly to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, create more than 180,000 jobs, accommodate 100,000 residents, and host around 50 million annual visitors.
The development will feature contemporary office spaces accommodating tens of thousands of professionals across technology, media, arts, and education, complemented by museums, retail destinations, a university, an opera house, and the Diriyah Arena.
It will also offer a diverse selection of restaurants and cafes, alongside nearly 40 world-class resorts and hotels distributed across its two primary master plans.
