LuLu Group has launched its newest hypermarket in Dammam, in the Eastern Province, with the inauguration of Lulu Mall. A major highlight of the mall will be a six-screen multiplex cinema, the first in the eastern region slated to be operational by mid-2019.
The hypermarket, LuLu’s 16th in the Kingdom and 161st globally, was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by Fahd Al-Jubair, mayor of the Eastern Province, in the presence of Abdul Rehman bin Fahad Al-Muqbel, director general at the Ministry of Labor; Khalid Ahamed Al-Obaid, director at the Ministry of Labor; Yusuff Ali M.A., chairman of Lulu Group; government officials and dignitaries.
Strategically located on King Fahd Road, the four-level shopping mall houses global brands, entertainment centers, food court and other facilities for the whole family. It is spread over a total built-up area of 580,000 square feet and is managed by Lulu Properties, the shopping mall division of Lulu Group.
LuLu chairman Ali said: “We are really excited to open this new mall and hypermarket in Dammam, which will not only bring world-class shopping to the residents here but also open employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.”
He added: “We are upbeat about the vast investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. We have already announced that as part of our expansion plans, 15 new hypermarkets will be opened in the Kingdom by 2020 at an investment of SR1.5 billion ($399 million). Under this plan, three hypermarkets have already been opened and another two hypermarkets are slated to open each in Riyadh and Jeddah this year. This is apart from the SR1.2 billion that we have already invested in the Kingdom so far.”
Ali said the retail chain has signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabian National Guard to open two shopping centers and seven supermarkets in Dammam and Al-Ahsa. “This will further generate sizable employment for Saudi youth and serve the National Guard officials and their families in the best possible manner. Works are in full swing to open three stores in the National Guard campus before the end of 2019.”
He added: “The Saudi economy is booming thanks to the major reforms being implemented by the visionary leadership here, and I am sure these initiatives will surely make the Kingdom one of the top global economic powerhouses.”
Apart from the retail expansion, LuLu is also investing another SR250 million in setting up a 1 million square feet state-of-the-art wholesale and logistics center in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
LuLu Group currently employs 3,050 Saudi nationals, including 750 women, in its hypermarkets across the Kingdom. “Our goal is to give employment to more than 5,000 nationals by the end of 2020, out of which 1,700 will be women,” Ali said.
“We also take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the government,” he added.
LuLu Mall brings cinema to Eastern Province
LuLu Mall brings cinema to Eastern Province
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
