Saudi Aramco participated as a strategic partner in the 12th Professional Development Conference & Exhibition, organized in coordination with the American Society of Safety Engineers — Middle East Chapter (ASSE-MEC). A number of subjects in safety, industrial security, and environmental protection were discussed from Sunday to Thursday under the patronage of Lt. Gen Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah, Bahrain minister of interior, at the Gulf Convention Center in Bahrain.
Bader F. Al-Qadran, Saudi Aramco executive director of safety and industrial security, spoke about the important role of the human factor in ensuring safety and improving reliability. “The safety and security of our people and our industries are of great importance to both governments and our businesses. Safety is no longer just about meeting basic standards and requirements; it’s about the beliefs that must be instilled in people’s hearts and minds that will translate into their daily actions and behaviors,” he said.
Al-Qadran also indicated the leading role of Saudi Aramco in managing industrial security. “Saudi Aramco has always promoted a culture of excellence, and its strong commitment to the safety of its people, facilities, and communities, resulted in the gradual maturing of safety management systems and guidelines, as well as engineering standards and codes, to a world-class level that allowed the company to achieve the safety records it holds today,” he said.
The conference provided a platform to discuss the challenges facing governments and companies in ensuring safety and industrial and environmental security around the globe, especially in the Middle East. Leaders and professionals from government organizations, academic institutions, and oil and gas industries addressed those challenges by sharing their experiences and insights from using the latest innovative techniques developed in this field. The conference covered all aspects related to the industrial security and environmental protection of oil and gas industries, in addition to the safety of people working in this field.
Participants and attendees discussed several topics including risk management, the security of manufacturing industries, chemical materials storage facilities, and information security.
This conference comes in line with Saudi Aramco’s safety strategy where the company is keen to communicate its efforts in maintaining the safety and security of all of its facilities, as well as its information security programs with all employees and stakeholders.
Saudi Aramco sponsors, participates in industrial security conference
Saudi Aramco sponsors, participates in industrial security conference
Ahead of its centenary, SAB posts SR8.5bn net profit
Lubna S. Olayan, chair of the board of directors of the Saudi Awwal Bank, has announced the bank’s financial results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, marking a year of strong financial performance as SAB prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026.
For the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, SAB demonstrated strong financial performance, recording a net profit after Zakat and income tax of SR8.5 billion ($2.2 billion), an increase of 5 percent compared to 2024. The total operating income rose by 5 percent year on year to SR14.7 billion, reflecting sustained business momentum and disciplined execution of the bank’s strategy.
The net loans and advances reached SR299 billion, up 15 percent year on year, while customer deposits grew to SR323 billion, an increase of 21 percent year on year, which underscored the strength of SAB’s franchise and funding position. The total equity increased to SR79 billion, highlighting the bank’s strong capital base, prudent balance sheet management, and sustained profitability.
Olayan said: “2025 was a year of strong financial performance and disciplined execution. Our consistent delivery reflects the strength of our business model, our focus on operational efficiency, and our commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders. Our revenues continue to grow despite lower benchmark rates demonstrating the impact of our strategy.”
During the year, SAB continued to deliver faster-than-market growth, with loans expanding by 15 percent. Growth remained well balanced across retail and wholesale banking, supporting priority sectors aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 transformation. Operational efficiency initiatives and disciplined cost management, together with strong asset quality, contributed to a return on tangible equity of 14.5 percent.
Sustainability remained a core strategic priority. SAB exceeded its sustainable finance ambition, growing its sustainable finance portfolio to SR45 billion. SAB also issued two green-labelled bonds totaling $1.9 billion, which strengthened its capital base, and launched the first green mortgage in Saudi Arabia. The bank’s progress was reflected in improved ESG ratings, including an upgrade by MSCI to “A.”
Olayan added: “As we prepare to enter SAB’s second century, we are well positioned to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions and to build on our unique legacy as Saudi Arabia’s first bank. Our diversified business model, strong capital position, and disciplined execution underpin our ability to navigate evolving market conditions and continue delivering sustainable growth.”
In 2025, SAB’s performance and leadership were recognized through multiple regional and international awards, including Best Bank in Saudi Arabia, Best ESG Bank in Saudi Arabia, Best Digital Bank, Best Corporate Bank, and Best Private Bank, reflecting the bank’s continued focus on financial performance, sustainability, innovation, digital capabilities, customer satisfaction, and corporate governance.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our customers for their continued trust, our employees and management for their commitment and dedication, and our regulators and strategic partner HSBC, for their ongoing support, which enable SAB to continue delivering this strong and sustainable performance,” Olayan said.
