Through its notable participation in the Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS) 2017 in Jeddah, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors has revealed several of its latest 2018 Toyota models, in addition to unveiling the 2018 Toyota Camry prior to launching it in the Saudi market next year.
During his speech at the opening ceremony of Toyota’s booth in SIMS, Eng. Hany Ubaid, director of SUVs at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, expressed his happiness to be participating in this special event, which “constitutes an important platform for presenting Toyota’s latest and most innovative products in the field of transportation.”
Ubaid added: “We at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Toyota are working together to develop and provide safer, more advanced vehicles for the Saudi market. This year, we chose to unveil the new generation of the 2018 Toyota Camry, one of the most popular vehicles in the Saudi market.”
The Camry now offers a more distinctive shape with its extensive renewal, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of its commercial launch and marks 24 years since its introduction to the Saudi market. The unique 2018 Toyota Camry still catches the eyes of drivers in the Kingdom with the upcoming launch of the eighth-generation Camry in the Saudi market by the beginning of 2018. The new generation of Camry has been completely renewed and built using the new TNGA platform, which was designed to “produce better vehicles in performance and technology.”
The three power systems have also been refurbished, as well as the eight-speed automatic transmission with the four-cylinder and V6 engines. The hybrid models, on the other hand, contain lithium batteries. Also shown at SIMS was the distinct Toyota hybrid technology represented by Toyota Prius, which still attracts the attention of Saudi drivers as an innovative, highly efficient hybrid model. Hybrid models combine two power sources: An electric motor and an engine, which substantially improves fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness by decreasing harmful emissions and fuel spending.
In a special celebration of the royal decree allowing women to drive by 2018, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors created a special section in the Toyota booth solely dedicated to women. On display in the section was its new advertisement about enabling women to drive, entitled “Your Place is Safe.” The advertisement, which was created in cooperation with Saudi artist Hiba Farhat, received a lot of attention from visitors.
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors reveals latest Toyota models
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors reveals latest Toyota models
Kuwait Fund for Development: Six decades of humanitarian and developmental impact across globe
On Dec. 31, the Kuwait Fund for Development marks the anniversary of its establishment, opening a new chapter of success and ambition as one of the most prominent pioneers of development on both regional and global levels. Founded in 1961, the fund became the first and oldest development institution to operate in Arab countries and other developing nations.
Today, after more than six decades of continuous work, the Kuwait Fund for Development remains steadfast in its mission and has never ceased its efforts to support development causes in developing countries. As it celebrates its 64th anniversary, the fund has drawn a national portrait under the theme “Partners in Development,” reflected through its projects spread across the globe, all of which aim to build brighter and more sustainable future.
An external development arm
The establishment of the Kuwait Fund for Development embodied a wise and visionary decision by the leadership of Kuwait at the time. Kuwait was the only developing country that chose to share the challenges of development with other developing nations, cooperating with them through the provision of concessional loans, grants, financial assistance, and technical support tailored to their development priorities.
Since its inception, the Kuwait Fund for Development has served as Kuwait’s external development arm, sparing no effort in supporting development causes and extending assistance to developing countries worldwide.
Vision and early beginnings
In the early 1960s, the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, then head of the financial department, proposed the idea of establishing a development entity that would serve Kuwait’s foreign policy and assist Arab and other developing countries in achieving development across various sectors. The idea received strong support from the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, as it aligned with Kuwait’s vision at the time to build a modern state.
Consequently, an Amiri decree was issued on Dec. 31, 1961, establishing the Kuwait Fund for Development with an initial capital of 50 million Kuwaiti dinars ($162.6 million).
Global reach and development impact
The fund’s activities have extended to all corners of the world, contributing to the financing of projects in 106 countries, including 16 Arab countries, 41 African countries, 19 in East and South Asia and the Pacific, 17 in Central Asia and Europe, and 12 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This support was delivered through 1,037 concessional loans provided to the governments of these countries, with a total value of approximately 7 billion Kuwaiti dinars. In addition, the fund has provided grants and technical assistance to support a wide range of development services, helping beneficiary countries implement their development programs. A total of 420 grants and technical assistance operations were extended, amounting to approximately 401 million Kuwaiti dinars.
Loan agreements
During the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development signed several loan agreements supporting development across different regions of the world. Among these were two loan agreements with the government of Bahrain. The first loan, valued at 31.25 million Kuwaiti dinars, contributed to financing the Electricity Transmission Networks Development Project. The second loan, valued at 10 million Kuwaiti dinars, supported the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Highway Development Project (Phase II).
On the sidelines of the World Bank Group meetings held in Washington, D.C., the fund has also signed a 4 million Kuwaiti dinar-worth loan agreement with Saint Lucia to help finance the Sir Julian R. Hunte Highway Project, as well as another 4 million Kuwaiti dinar-worth loan agreement with Belize to support the George Price Highway Project.
Supporting and assisting refugees
The Kuwait Fund for Development’s contributions to humanitarian action stand out at both regional and international levels. Since its establishment, the fund has represented a unique model in supporting and assisting refugees in countries affected by disasters, conflicts, and wars, in line with Kuwait’s moderate and balanced policy.
These efforts have helped strengthen Kuwait’s relations with Arab and international partners. The fund has played a significant role in the reconstruction of Lebanon and Iraq following periods of crisis, and its assistance to the Palestinian people has never ceased.
International Participation
Over the past year, the Kuwait Fund for Development recorded notable participations in major international forums. These included taking part in the 2025 annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., with a delegation headed by the fund’s Acting Director General Walid Shamlan Al-Bahar. The fund also took part in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held in Tokyo, Japan.
Additional international engagements included participation in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, organized by the UN in Seville, Spain.
