DUBAI: Arif Naqvi, the founder and chief executive of the embattled Abraaj Group, has avoided a three-year prison sentence in the UAE with a last-minute deal struck with Hamid Jafar, the Sharjah based businessman, over $300 million of checks written by Naqvi and a lieutenant that were dishonored on presentation.
Lawyers for Naqvi, below, and Jafar issued statements yesterday that halted proceedings over the bounced checks — a criminal offense in the UAE — after talks in London agreed the transfer of certain assets from Naqvi to Jafar as part-payment of the debts, and an agreement to potentially pay more on the disposal of Abraaj assets.
Habib Al-Mulla, Naqvi’s lawyer and executive chairman of the law firm Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla, said: “I am pleased to inform you that the parties have reached a full settlement on all disputes with Jafar. Under UAE criminal law, charges based on bounced checks get extinguished once parties reach a settlement. Accordingly, the parties will apply to the court and the public prosecution to withdraw the cases brought on the bounced checks.
“This is a good outcome for both parties to what in essence is a commercial dispute. We are pleased that the parties have settled their issues in a professional and business-oriented manner,” he added.
Zafer Ogli, partner of Al Tamimi & Co. and lawyer to Jafar, said: “The parties have agreed terms for the resolution of the current proceedings before the Sharjah criminal court relating to dishonored checks issued by Arif Naqvi and another individual. As a result, all criminal proceedings relating to this case have been discontinued.” Neither side gave details of the assets transferred to Jafar, but a source close to Naqvi — speaking on condition of anonymity — told Arab News that they mainly comprised real estate assets. Naqvi has significant property investments in London, the English Home Counties, and France, as well as in the UAE.
Naqvi has also agreed to make up the difference in any shortfall in value that might come Jafar’s way as a result of the ongoing sale of Abraaj assets, the source added. The Sharjah court, which last Sunday adjourned the case while talks continued to search for a resolution, had indicated it would impose a three year prison sentence on Naqvi and his co-signatory Rafiq Lakhani, an Abraaj executive.
Three checks to the value of about $300 million were given to Jafar as postdated payment for a loan to ease a funding problem at Abraaj. Once the leading private equity firm in emerging markets, Abraaj got into trouble when details surfaced of $200 million of funds that had been used for purposes other than what investors had intended.
Abraaj, which is in debt to the tune of more than $1 billion, is facing winding-up proceedings under the supervision of liquidators in the Cayman Islands, where its holding company is based.
Abraaj founder settles $300m bounced check case
Abraaj founder settles $300m bounced check case
Valor Hospitality ventures into Saudi Arabia with luxury hotel in Abha
RIYADH: Abha, a city in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, is poised to welcome its first luxury lifestyle hotel through an upcoming deal with American operator Valor Hospitality.
The company, which has overseen a portfolio of major brand hotels including Intercontinental, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Wyndham, and Hyatt, also aims to enter secondary and tertiary markets. While major brands concentrate on large-scale developments, Valor aims to cater to “outer regions.”
Speaking to Arab News at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, Julien Bergue, the co-founder and managing partner of the company, highlighted that Valor has signed a deal to break ground on a “very different” upscale property in Abha, with details to be announced within a month.
Bergue said: “Saudi Arabia is a very specific market. We’re very excited about Saudi Arabia. We’ve been excited about it for five years. We’re watching, we’re learning. We signed our first property in Abha in the Asir region. I’m very proud of it. But we will make it public in about a month’s time; it is the first lifestyle hotel in Abha.”
Expressing excitement about the deal, he called it a “great asset, with a very great owner as well.”
“We’re excited about it. Our plans in Saudi Arabia is to tackle secondary and tertiary regions at the moment. While all the big brands are very focused on mega developments, we are helping now the outer region,” he added.
The company’s future plans in the Kingdom also include collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Investment Fund to “see how we can position better investment throughout the secondary tertiary region.”
This includes rolling out a training academy for young Saudis in the sector, the executive said, with plans to launch within the next year and a half.
The academy will leverage the operator’s expertise to bridge the gap between the upcoming surge in the hospitality industry and the human capital needed to fulfill those goals.
“In a year and a half, we should be ready to roll out the academy here with a much deeper structure behind it. This is super important for the ecosystem of our own business in Saudi Arabia and for the other players in the space. So, it's a very good initiative,” he said.
The executive revealed that they are planning to implement shorter programs. “So we are not aiming toward management training. We are going to really aim toward technical training skills, such as housekeeping and other core stuff required for running operations.”
This training program aims to enroll a thousand participants every month through an “aggressive short-term program.”
By 2030, Valor’s ultimate goal is to manage properties with 6,000 to 7,000 keys under their management.
Saudi airports awarded customer experience accreditation, elevating travel services
RIYADH: Customer service offerings at 16 Saudi airports have been recognized with a prestigious global award.
The Airports Council International’s Customer Experience Accreditation for 2024 has recognized facilities operated by the Kingdom’s Cluster2 Airports Co., which include Abha International Airport, Al-Jouf Airport, and Al-Qurayyat Airport.
Additionally, they consist of Bisha Airport, Dawadmi Airport, and Hail International Airport, as well as King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport, King Saud bin Abdulaziz Airport, and Najran Airport.
“This accomplishment is not merely a testament to the quality and efficiency that we deliver; it also underscores our persistent dedication to enhancing the journey of each customer who passes through our gates,” the company said in an X post.
The ACEA program assists airports in enhancing customer experience management by guiding them through a comprehensive review and training process, which emphasizes stakeholder and employee engagement, as well as staff development, according to its website.
Other airports to receive this accreditation include Prince Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Airport, and Rafha Airport.
Moreover, they include Sharurah Airport, Taif International Airport, Turaif Airport, and Wadi Al-Dawasir Airport.
The achievement of these airbases is a testament to the robust support and consistent oversight provided by the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the company, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
These airports have been acknowledged by ACI for their ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional services for travelers.
Ali Masrahi, CEO of Cluster2 Airports Co., expressed his satisfaction with this achievement, emphasizing the company’s focus on three key areas: understanding customer needs, strategic planning tailored to traveler requirements, and continuous improvement through monitoring key performance indicators across all aspects of the passenger.
Masrahi emphasized his company’s dedication to excellence and improving the airport travel experience.
The company added in its post that three of its airports received the same accreditation in 2023: “Today, we are proud to witness this number grow to encompass more of our airports, marking a remarkable achievement that underscores the progress and development we aim to accomplish.”
The firm further explained that obtaining accreditations from the ACI is the outcome of the team’s persistent efforts and unwavering dedication to ensuring an unforgettable travel experience.
ACI’s first Asia-Pacific and Middle East office was inaugurated in Riyadh in September 2023. Saudi Arabia’s Transport Minister and General Authority of Civil Aviation Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser, dignitaries and top officials from 49 countries attended the event.
ACI is an organization of airport authorities that aims to unite industry practices for airport standards by working with governments, regional members, experts, and international groups.
Accor to build 45 new hotels in Saudi Arabia by 2030: CEO
RIYADH: French multinational hospitality company Accor is set to expand its hotel portfolio in Saudi Arabia with 45 new establishments by 2030, as revealed by the regional CEO.
In an interview with Arab News, Duncan O’Rourke underscored the company’s dedication to the Kingdom’s vibrant hospitality sector and its aspirations embodied by Vision 2030.
O’Rourke said: “Saudi is an extremely important theater for us to play also because of what is happening, we are very proud to be part of this journey, this vision of 2030.”
Reflecting on the firm’s substantial presence in Saudi Arabia, O’Rourke highlighted: “Right now, we have 41 hotels in the Kingdom, and we plan to have another 45 hotels and an additional 9,800 rooms by 2030.”
Commenting on Accor’s participation in the Future Hospitality Summit, the CEO said that it aims to actively share its expertise, learn from industry peers, and collaborate on initiatives that will shape the future of the hospitality sector.
With a historical foothold in the Kingdom, the CEO reminisced: “Accor has a very long history in Saudi, a very established history.”
He added: “We are very excited to be here, me personally, having lived here 22 years ago and see the growth and the challenges.”
O’Rourke added: “One of the things we noticed tremendously was talent, and getting people to work in the hotels. Opening the hotels is one thing, but we need the local talent as well.”
He highlighted Accor’s partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Education to nurture Saudi talent for the hospitality industry, saying: “We signed a partnership, which we were really excited about with the Minister of Tourism and Education, so we signed that partnership to be able to educate on all different levels, local people, to work in the hotels as well.”
In line with Accor’s commitment to nurturing local talent, O’Rourke explained that the firm’s academies are based worldwide and driven out of Paris, saying: “It’s been very famous how we’ve done that and trained and coached, but we felt that here with this tremendous growth in the speed of that growth and the fact that we really wanted to get local talent working.”
Diving more into the “Tamayyaz by Accor” program, the CEO explained that the educational process goes from an entry-level to a more senior position.
Accor and the Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia have signed this partnership, which is dedicated to nurturing and developing Saudi talent in the hospitality industry.
O’Rourke told Arab News that they’re starting with a modest number of around 250 trainees, but that’s “quickly going to go up to over 3,000 continuously going through the process there, and so every process, 3,000 more going through.”
Expanding beyond major urban centers, O’Rourke emphasized “it’s not just in Riyadh, or in Jeddah, but in the secondary and third cities as well,” signaling Accor’s commitment to broadening its footprint across the Kingdom.
In a discussion about Accor’s varied brand lineup, he explained: “We split our luxury lifestyle, so we’re one of the largest luxury players in the market, the largest lifestyle player in the market, and then we have that premium midscale economy.”
Accor is the largest hospitality operator in the Holy Cities, with 13 hotels encompassing 11,900 rooms and a pipeline of six hotels with 1,700 rooms.
The firm has significantly contributed to developing the holy destination of Makkah, providing high-quality hospitality with direct access to the Haram.
Accor currently operates 13 brands and more than 16,000 rooms in Saudi Arabia, ranging from premium to economy segments, including luxury brands and Ennismore’s lifestyle collective. With leading names like Novotel, Swissotel, and Pullman, it’s a top hospitality provider offering diverse services and experiences.
He added: “We go with all those brands there in those resorts, not in just major cities, with Banyan Tree, Sofitel, and then, of course, Fairmont Raffles and the rest of the traditional brands as well.”
O’Rourke highlighted the necessity of employing locals, saying: “At the Novotel hotel, which we opened tonight, that’s the first female GM (general manager) in Saudi and so we are very proud of this diversification and giving opportunities to everybody there.”
The CEO added: “Being able to be part of this growth industry in terms of opening hotels, but also in educating and watching talent grow and one day moving from Saudi out and using that talent abroad, is also very exciting.”
In terms of partnerships, O’Rourke emphasized Accor’s strategic approach to collaborations that benefit both parties and local communities.
“In any partnership which we do with our core, we want somebody that embraces our values. We call them partners, we want to synergize with partners and then grow where it makes benefit for them, for us and the communities as well,” he said.
Reflecting on market trends, O’Rourke said: “Where we see the secondary cities the most traction we are in that sense there is coming from the mid-scale and the premium midscale economy,” highlighting the burgeoning demand in these segments.
“Where we do see a difference and more and more coming through is that leisure markets both locally, so Saudis traveling in Saudi, but also from the GCC coming through there,” the CEO added acknowledging the rise of leisure travel.
As Saudi Arabia continues its remarkable growth trajectory, O’Rourke expressed optimism, asserting: “We stay focused on our footprint. We have a very aggressive expansion plan to go from 44 to another 40 by 2030 is already aggressive.”
He concluded Accor’s commitment to delivering on its expansion goals while fostering talent development in the Kingdom, saying: “We continue to drive forward and make sure that we are not only opening hotels with the right brand, right partners, but then being able to really deliver on what we promised.”
Saudi banks’ funding profile changing on rising mortgage demand: S&P Global
RIYADH: Saudi banks are expected to pursue alternative funding strategies to deal with the rapid expansion in lending, fueled by the demand for new mortgages, according to S&P Global.
In its latest report, the credit-rating agency stated that the funding profiles of financial institutions in the Kingdom are set to undergo changes, primarily driven by a state-backed initiative to boost home ownership.
According to the analysis, mortgage financing represented 23.5 percent of Saudi banks’ total credit allocation at the end of 2023, compared to 12.8 percent in 2019.
“The ongoing financing needs of the Vision 2030 economic initiative and relatively sluggish deposits growth, is likely to incentivize banks to seek alternative sources of funding, including external funding,” said S&P Global.
The report also predicted that this pursuit of external funding could potentially impact the credit quality of Saudi Arabia’s banking sector.
According to the US-based rating agency, lending growth among Saudi banks has outpaced deposits, with the loan-to-deposit ratio exceeding 100 percent in 2022, up from 86 percent at the end of 2019.
S&P Global expects this trend to persist, particularly with corporate lending playing a more significant role in growth over the next few years. “We consider Saudi banks are likely to turn to alternative funding strategies to fund that expansion,” the report said.
It added: “We consider, however, that the risk created by the maturity mismatch is mitigated by the relative stability of Saudi deposits.”
The agency also predicted that Saudi banks’ foreign liabilities will continue to increase, rising from about $19.2 billion at the end of 2023 to meet the funding requirements of strong lending growth, particularly amidst lower deposit expansion.
The report highlighted that Saudi banks have already tapped international capital markets, and the credit rating agency expects this trend to continue for the next three to five years.
According to S&P Global, the Saudi banking system could transition from a net external asset position of SR42.9 billion, or 1.6 percent of lending, at the end of 2023 to a net external debt position within a few years.
In April, S&P Global, in another report, stated that banks in the Kingdom are anticipated to experience robust credit growth ranging between 8 to 9 percent in 2024.
The agency noted that this credit expansion will be propelled by corporate lending, fueled by increased economic activities driven by the Vision 2030 program.
Moreover, the report added that the Saudi government and its related entities are expected to inject deposits into the banking system, thereby supporting the credit growth of financial institutions in the Kingdom.
PIF’s tourism investment arm Asfar to develop the city of Hail as next destination, CEO reveals
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s northwestern city of Hail will be the fifth destination development of Saudi Tourism Investment Co., the firm’s CEO has revealed.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit, Fahad bin Mushayt announced the plan, which comes after the activation of the company’s projects in Al-Baha, Yanbu, Al-Ahsa, and Taif.
The projects have all been launched within one year of the Public Investment Fund-owned firm – also known as Asfar – being unveiled.
The company is mandated to invest in new projects and develop attractive travel destinations, incorporating hospitality, tourist attractions, retail, and food and beverage offerings in cities across Saudi Arabia.
Bin Mushayt said: “In almost one year, Asfar is already playing in four destinations, with Hail coming soon, so I can reveal that.”
The entity is working to bridge the gap between the public and the private sector, as well as the local community, to create unique experiences that abide by the DNA of both the nation and the cities themselves, the executive noted.
This notion came to life during the summit, where the company signed a number of agreements with hospitality developers to launch four asset classes in the city of Yanbu.
Among them, Asfar announced the signing of investment agreements with Baheej, a joint venture between the company and the Tamimi-AWN alliance, as well as the Royal Commission for Yanbu.
“This morning, we announced our partnership with Curtain Hospitality, and they are going to be the operator of our resort in Yanbu, under the brand called Cloud 7. So the structure usually involves us and the developer as an investor, and they bring the know-how to build real estate and hospitality,” he said during the second day of the event.
The concept of Yanbu as Saudi Arabia’s most up-and-coming “second-tier city” was not limited to Asfar’s CEO alone.
Speaking on a panel at the summit alongside Mushayt, Abdulrahman Al-Bassam, a board member of Baheej, further emphasized these ideas, stating: “Yanbu is going to be the gateway of the new Red Sea Riviera, with four different asset classes expected to be operational by 2027.”
Adhering to its mandate, Asfar selects a different private sector partner to develop each of their destinations, the CEO explained, saying: “We are here to empower the private sector, to encourage them, to encourage them to go and invest with us. And we give them a lot of incentives.”
He acknowledged that those companies put their money into the subsidiary. However, Mushayt emphasized that they provide “a lot of incentives” as a semi-government entity empowered by PIF, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Investment.
The PIF subsidiary utilizes a mix of domestic and foreign investments to empower its initiatives, focusing on operators that are suitable for the needs of the project, Mushayt said.
“The operator, if it’s a hotel operator, we bring a hotel operator; if it’s an adventure park operator, we bring a theme park. In fact, we have a theme park now, and we’re talking to international operators,” he said.
The Asfar CEO further revealed that they have a resort in Yanbu that would require cruises, “so we’re talking to Cruise Saudi, and we’re talking to another international player.”
He added: “It’s a mix of foreign and local operators, investors, and our hospitality management companies.”
