Riyadh to host 2nd Saudi franchise expo in February

The Saudi International Franchise Expo 2019 is held in partnership with the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Updated 09 January 2019
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Riyadh to host 2nd Saudi franchise expo in February

The second edition of the Saudi International Franchise Expo 2019, held in partnership with the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, will take place from Feb. 4-6 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in the capital.

The event, which will gather decision-makers, pioneers, regional and international experts, and Saudi business entrepreneurs, will showcase the Kingdom’s prominent investment prospects.

The event, which is the first of its kind in the Saudi franchise industry, will include participants from the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain Egypt, Jordan, Japan, Canada, the USA, US, China, Spain, Malaysia and France. 

The exhibition reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to diversify the economy by attracting more investors and creating an investment climate. It is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to support non-oil sectors.

The exhibition aims at exporting Saudi brands by granting franchise rights inside and outside the Kingdom.

Ahmed Al-Rifai, director of the exhibition, said: “The Saudi International Franchise Expo is an opportunity to empower local companies and upgrade them as it offers 40 workshops on different topics, such as the concept of ‘franchise,’ how they can set up a franchise, information on Saudi laws, how to draft franchise contracts, and promotion of the brand.”

He said the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises aims to regulate the SMEs sector in accordance with the best international practices to increase productivity, thereby increasing its contribution to the GDP.


Azure opens Azure Takhassusi residential community in Riyadh, fully leased to Saudia

Updated 01 February 2026
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Azure opens Azure Takhassusi residential community in Riyadh, fully leased to Saudia

Azure, a Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate company and the owner of Riyadh’s largest portfolio of residential compounds, has announced the official opening of Azure Takhassusi, its newest premium residential community. The project has been fully leased to Saudia, the Kingdom’s national flag carrier.

The launch marks a major milestone in the eight-year partnership between Azure and Saudia, one of the longest-running and most successful corporate housing collaborations in Saudi Arabia. The development reflects Saudia’s continued confidence in Azure’s ability to deliver high-quality residential environments that meet strict standards of comfort, privacy, service excellence and operational reliability.

Purpose-built to support the wellbeing and lifestyle needs of airline professionals, Azure Takhassusi offers more than accommodation. The community provides a fully integrated living experience, combining modern residences, premium facilities, dedicated resident services and professional community management. Designed to promote stability, convenience and peace of mind, the compound allows employees to focus on their professional responsibilities with confidence.

“This opening represents more than the launch of a new residential compound,” said Fahad Al Assaf, president of Azure. “It is a strong statement of trust built over eight years of partnership with Saudia. Azure Takhassusi reflects what long-term collaboration can achieve when two organizations share a commitment to quality, people and performance.”

For Saudia, fully leasing Azure Takhassusi underscores the airline’s continued investment in its workforce. By providing secure, comfortable and professionally managed housing, the airline aims to strengthen its employee value proposition, recognizing the role that high-quality living environments play in attracting and retaining talent.

Azure currently operates the largest portfolio of residential compounds in Riyadh and is a market leader in corporate housing for major institutions across the Kingdom. Its partnership with Saudia remains one of its most significant, spanning eight years of steady growth and large-scale delivery.

The opening of Azure Takhassusi marks another milestone in that journey, setting a new benchmark for corporate housing that supports workforce wellbeing, operational excellence and long-term partnerships in Saudi Arabia.