Saudia Cargo enhances presence in Europe and Africa

Saudia Cargo has announced the second freighter from the Kingdom to the US via European hubs, starting September.
Updated 10 September 2019
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Saudia Cargo enhances presence in Europe and Africa

Saudi Airlines Cargo Company (Saudia Cargo) has enhanced its presence in the African and European continents, adding new freighter flights alongside extra belly capacity onboard Saudia passenger flights during the high season aiming to increase its network capabilities starting this September. 

Saudia Cargo added a second additional weekly freighter flight to operate on Tuesday and Thursday to JFK Airport in New York via LGG Airport in Liege, Belgium by a 747-400F freighter aircraft. Moreover, Saudia Cargo has become the largest player in the Kenya-Europe market by adding four weekly freighter flights from Nairobi airport to Europe, with a total of 11 flights per week. The company also added an additional flight to Khartoum International Airport via a 777F aircraft. 

Last June, Saudia Cargo announced the launch of its new stations in Athens and Marrakech, in line with the company’s strategy to enhance its global presence and improve its logistical capabilities in order to answer the growing demand for air cargo and ground handling services. 

The company also participated in the fifth edition of the international event Air Cargo Africa 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa in February this year. Saudia Cargo’s pavilion offered networking opportunities and information regarding the company’s latest developments, commercial activities, various products, logistical services and other freighter services. 

In a previous edition of the event, Air Cargo Africa 2017, Saudia Cargo was awarded the International Cargo Airline of the year, demonstrating the important role played by the firm in the global air cargo market and highlighting Saudia Cargo’s accomplishments throughout the years. 

Saudia Cargo, the national Saudi air freight carrier, covers more than 900 destinations in more than 175 countries, through a dedicated state-of-the-art freighter fleet alongside the network of SkyTeam Cargo alliance, in addition to the belly capacity onboard Saudia passenger flights.


25,000 attend Social Development Bank’s DeveGO25 forum

Updated 27 December 2025
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25,000 attend Social Development Bank’s DeveGO25 forum

The Social Development Bank concluded the second edition of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum — DeveGo 2025 — announcing the achievement of high-impact outcomes that further reinforced the forum’s position as the largest national platform in the region dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and freelance work in Saudi Arabia and beyond. 

The forum witnessed broad participation from local and international experts, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of local, regional, and international institutions.

Over three days at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, the forum drew 25,000 participants and visitors, who benefited from over 45 specialized workshops and over 2500 advisory sessions delivered by more than 70 consultants and experts. 

The sessions covered key areas including entrepreneurial planning, business models, venture capital, digital platforms, freelancing, and emerging technologies. 

The forum also featured 20 panel discussions with leading local and international speakers, addressing major global trends in entrepreneurship, including the future of artificial intelligence, the creative economy, digital transformation, and venture investment. 

The forum saw the launch of the Saudi Empretec Fellowship, in the presence of Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development. 

The partners in success within the Social Responsibility Portfolio supporting entrepreneurs were honored. 

It also saw the honoring of 13 winners of the Handicrafts Competition, representing various regions of the Kingdom, the announcement of winners of the Salam Award for Promising Projects, and the recognition of leading entrepreneurial projects fund under the Enterprises Track. 

In addition, the NEXT UP Challenge concluded on the third day of the forum with 20 startups presenting their projects to more than 500 investors, enhancing opportunities for networking and partnership building.

As part of efforts to strengthen the support ecosystem, the forum witnessed the signing of 51 agreements, along with the launch of a suite of new financing products. These included the Capital Expansion Product with a ceiling of up to SR10 million, the Payroll Product with a ceiling of SR2 million, and the Rental Product with a ceiling of SR1.5 million, aimed at supporting enterprises in asset development and covering operational costs. 

This reflects the bank’s direction toward offering more specialized financing tools that respond effectively to market needs.

The forum concluded by reaffirming its role as a unifying national platform for entrepreneurship, where accompanying activities and events provided direct engagement opportunities between entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. 

The forum also highlighted success stories and practical experiences that reflect the scale of entrepreneurial momentum in the Kingdom and the growing role of the Social Development Bank in supporting a national economy driven by innovation and knowledge.