King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, represented by the Badir Program for Technology Incubators and Accelerators, is participating in the Arab Innovation 2018 conference. The three-day event will run until Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Center. The conference has showcased the latest innovations and technologies that will redraw the map of energy, environment, finance, business, health care, medicine and science sectors.
The Badir Program offered Saudi startups an opportunity to showcase their innovative projects in front of experts, investors and visitors. More than 200 global, Arab and Gulf companies are participating in the first edition of this regional event.
Nawaf Al-Sahhaf, CEO of the Badir Program for Technology Incubators and Accelerators, said: “The forum provides a good opportunity to connect with participants and exchange business and innovation experiences. The participation of international and Arab companies to show their innovations with a series of accompanying workshops is considered as a crucial event which can be invested in building effective partnerships and understandings that help to provide sustainable solutions by deepening the concept of innovation and incorporating it in all strategies.”
He added: “We have many innovative incubators in the fields of technology, health care, transportation and financial services. Therefore, by our participation in this conference, we seek to highlight the projects related to pioneer experiences and innovations in these areas as well as to highlight the role of the Badir Program in incubating and launching initiatives that support innovation in the technical field.”
The Arab Innovation forum aims to serve as a platform for international and Arab companies as well as startups, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and innovation experts to show their innovations, discuss various topics and build business relationships that enrich the economy.
Badir Program showcases innovative startups at Arab Innovation 2018
Badir Program showcases innovative startups at Arab Innovation 2018
ASMO partners with Arcapita to develop 1.4m sqm logistics facility at SPARK
ASMO, a joint venture between Aramco and DHL Supply Chain, has partnered with Arcapita Group Holdings Limited, a global alternative investment firm, to develop a 1.4 million-square-meter purpose-built logistics facility at King Salman Energy Park, designed to support the next phase of the Kingdom’s logistics and supply chain development. The project will be delivered through a forward funding transaction, reflecting a long-term investment in national infrastructure.
Through the partnership, Arcapita will fund and retain ownership of the facility, while ASMO will develop, lease, and operate the asset under a 22-year occupational lease. The facility will include a 43,000-square-meter temperature-controlled Grade-A logistics warehouse, over 3,000 square meters of offices and staff facilities, 5,300 square meters of dedicated chemical storage space, and a 1.2 million-square-meter open yard. The investment reflects a shared goal by the parties to develop resilient, scalable, and future-ready institutional grade logistics infrastructure in the Kingdom.
Designed for large-scale industrial operations, the facility will help boost advanced warehouse and building management systems, digital integration, automated storage and retrieval systems, robotics, adherence to globally recognized sustainability standards, including photovoltaic readiness, electrical vehicle charging, and a LEED Gold certification.
“This development reflects the strategic intent behind ASMO’s mandate and reaffirms its role in enabling resilient and future-ready supply chains,” said Salem Al-Huraish, chairman of ASMO. “By investing in long-term infrastructure and strategic partnerships, ASMO is supporting the Kingdom’s industrial ambitions and contributing to the development of integrated logistics capabilities that serve both national priorities and global markets.”
The facility represents ASMO’s first purpose-built logistics center and forms part of four planned strategic sites underpinning ASMO’s national logistics network, aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. Once operational, it will serve Aramco, its affiliates, and other key industrial players across the Kingdom.
“ASMO’s new logistics hub at SPARK helps to strengthen Aramco’s supply chain resilience by delivering a centralized, high-efficiency facility in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector. As an anchor customer, we recognize the value of ASMO’s strategic investments in logistics infrastructure, demonstrating their ambition to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions across the supply chain,” said Sulaiman Al-Rubaian, Aramco senior vice president of procurement and supply chain management.
Isa Al-Khalifa, director and head of MENA real estate at Arcapita, said: “This transaction builds on Arcapita’s established track record in developing and investing in Grade-A logistics and industrial assets. Combining our local expertise in Saudi Arabia with our experience in complex, forward-funded developments, we are pleased to partner with ASMO to support the development of a purpose-built facility that supports the Kingdom’s energy and industrial sectors, while securing a high-quality asset.”
Mishal Al-Zughaibi, president and CEO of SPARK, said: “We are pleased to welcome ASMO to SPARK as part of a strategic partnership that further strengthens SPARK’s position as a premier logistics hub aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This significant investment reflects the strong collaboration and ambition of all parties involved. SPARK’s advanced infrastructure and comprehensive services were a key factor in ASMO’s decision to establish its state-of-the-art logistics center within our park.”
Located within Saudi Arabia’s energy ecosystem, SPARK is strategically positioned between Dammam Seaport, Aramco’s Abqaiq facilities, and Al-Ahsa, enabling direct connectivity across the Kingdom’s energy and industrial network. The site supports integrated operations through modern infrastructure and digital readiness and has attracted more than 70 investors from 16 countries, with Phase 1 infrastructure representing a total investment of $1.6 billion.
