Mazin Batterjee, vice chairman, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), inaugurated Pakistan Citrus Week at Manuel Supermarket in Jeddah. The other guests of honor included Abdullah Al-Dervish, chairman Manuel, and Khalid Al-Dervish, CEO of Manuel Supermarket.
The event was attended by a large number of people, including leading businessmen, foreign diplomats, media officials and the valued customers of Manuel supermarket.
The citrus-promotional campaign was organized by the Pakistani Consulate in collaboration with Manuel Supermarket Jeddah and Al-Rafique Group.
Batterjee appreciated the consulate’s efforts in this regard, adding that the JCCI is encouraging and supporting such initiatives in the city. He assured his complete support in promoting business ties with Pakistan.
Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan said Pakistan is the sixth largest producer of Kinnow and oranges in the world, with around two million tons annually produced. Pakistan has a large number of farms, which are processing the fruit according to the global standards.
Khan said the event is an interactive campaign at the sale point between the seller and buyer to introduce Pakistani Kinnow to Saudi consumers. He appreciated the partnership between the Al-Rafique Enterprises, management of Manuel supermarket and the commercial section of the consulate for organizing the event. He also thanked Manuel Super Market for promoting Kinnow in the Kingdom.
The event displayed a large collection of Kinnow along with a variety of delicacies made from it.
The event will include in-store promotion and display of Kinnow. Customers can buy different variety of the fruit from all Manuel supermarkets at promotional rates.
Pakistan Citrus Week attracts large number of fruit lovers
Pakistan Citrus Week attracts large number of fruit lovers
Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation
Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.
The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.
With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.
In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.
Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”
The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.
