Japanese keen to invest in Saudi entertainment, tourism sectors

The Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 Business Forum held in Tokyo is yet another step toward strenghtening ties between the two countries in all sectors. (AN photo)
Updated 24 October 2019
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Japanese keen to invest in Saudi entertainment, tourism sectors

  • ‘Japan is one of Saudi Arabia’s main target countries when it comes attracting tourists’

TOKYO: There is a genuine interest among Japanese companies to invest in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing entertainment and tourism industries, with some planning to set up their own operations in the Kingdom soon, according to Saudi officials.

Avex, a major Japanese company in the entertainment industry, is planning on “launching its own office in Saudi Arabia and start its own entertainment calendar for it,” Muhannad Abanmy, general manager for entertainment infrastructure development at the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), told Arab News Japan in an exclusive interview.

“We’ve locked a meeting with Avex (on Thursday) to seal (the deal) with them to open their office in Saudi Arabia,” Abanmy said on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 Business Forum in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Avex is one of Japan’s top entertainment conglomerates, founded and led by Max Matsuura. It specializes in the audiovisual business as well as anime, video games, live music events and fireworks, among other entertainment-related industries.

Matsuura, who attended Wednesday’s event, spoke of the successful collaboration between Avex and Saudi authorities during the Saudi National Day in Jeddah, and said the company plans to expand its efforts in the Kingdom.

FASTFACTS

● Total trade volume between both countries is $38 billion.

● The Saudi entertainment industry to generate up to $67 billion in 10 years.

● The Kingdom plans to attract 2 million visitors by 2022.

● Thousands of e-visas have been issued since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s tourism e-visa in September.

Saudi officials are banking on the good relations their country has with Japan, including economic ties. 

They say the size of business cooperation between them can grow further with the new entertainment and tourism sectors opened.

Total trade volume between both countries is $38 billion. But “Japan has a lot to offer in terms of expertise,” Sultan Mofti, deputy governor for investment attraction at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), told Arab News Japan.

“Looking at the size of investments in Saudi Arabia by Japanese companies tells you that there’s a lot of room to grow,” he said.

“The creation of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 program, the inauguration of the Riyadh office and the launch of the Tokyo office will help a lot in bridging the gap in communicating opportunities to Japanese businesses,” he added.

“That’s what we offer at SAGIA, by offering a portfolio of 20 services to Japanese businesses that are willing to invest in Saudi Arabia,” Mofti said.

“Investors won’t come until they know the return on their investment is high,” but it will be very rewarding to invest in Saudi Arabia, he added.

The Kingdom has great potential in terms of its purchasing power, with nearly 7 million people residing in each of two cities: Riyadh and Jeddah.

One entertainment event saw nearly 400,000 people attend, to the extent that the organizers had to refuse entry to many due to congestion, said officials. 

They expect the entertainment industry to generate up to $67 billion in 10 years and create hundreds of thousands of jobs as it grows.

Despite being the new kid on the block in the entertainment industry, Saudi Arabia has managed so far to create a buzz worldwide with jaw-dropping festivals and star-studded events. But as with all new things, challenges are bound to emerge.

“It’s challenging because it’s new, but the future is there,” said Abanmy, adding that the few handicaps that have been faced, including lack of regulation at one point, usually get sorted by the GEA.

The Saudi government is adamant on supporting its adolescent entertainment industry and the tourism sector, sparing neither cash nor effort to achieve the goal of becoming a global tourist destination.

Some SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) have been spent over the past two years to launch and support the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia, attracting millions visitors from within the Kingdom and the wider Arab Gulf, said Abanmy.

Sports events are part of the attraction. In December, Saudi Arabia will host the world heavyweight boxing championship.

A world-class tennis tournament will follow suit in mid-December, which has generated a lot of interest among tourists from near and far, Abanmy said. “Recently, we had some 3,600 tourists arriving at King Khalid Airport at the same time,” he added.

This would not have happened had the Saudis not opened up their country to attract investors, officials say.

Thousands of e-visas have been issued since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s tourism e-visa in September, Majid Al-Ghanim, tourism and quality of life managing director at SAGIA, told Arab News Japan on Wednesday.

The Kingdom plans to attract 2 million visitors by 2022, and to see revenue generated from the sector reaching $2 billion by 2030.

Up to 1 million jobs from direct and indirect tourism-related businesses will be available to Saudis in the next seven years, said Al-Ghanim.

This is part of the sustainability approach that the government is planning and that helps increase employment, he added.

Nearly “75 percent of those jobs will be in the private sector, while the government can fulfill the rest,” he said.

Like Abanmy, Al-Ghanim said the Kingdom is targeting Japanese nationals and investors, adding: “Japan is one of the main target countries when it comes to tourists. We’d like to attract tourists from Japan to Saudi Arabia. We want to target and attract the Japanese.” The two countries share similarities in terms of heritage and tradition, he added.

From tourism visas to fun-filled and adrenalin-generating adventures, the Kingdom can offer it all and much more, said Al-Ghanim.

He added that Saudi Arabia is one large open-air museum, offering a testimony to past civilizations, 2,000 years of human heritage and a diverse ecology.

This is manifested in its “large formation of rocks,” archaeological sites, traditional markets, mild weather on one side of the country and a desert on the other, Al-Ghanim said.


Meituan looks to hire in Saudi Arabia, indicating food delivery expansion

Updated 26 April 2024
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Meituan looks to hire in Saudi Arabia, indicating food delivery expansion

SHANGHAI: Chinese food delivery giant Meituan is seeking to hire staff for at least eight positions based in Riyadh, in a sign it may be looking to Saudi Arabia to further its global expansion ambitions, according to Reuters.

The jobs ads, which is hiring for KeeTa, the brand name Meituan uses for its food delivery operations in Hong Kong, is seeking candidates with expertise in business development, user acquisition, and customer retention, according to posts seen by Reuters on Linkedin and on Middle Eastern jobs site Bayt.com.

Meituan did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters on its plans for Saudi expansion.

Bloomberg reported earlier on Friday that the Beijing-based firm would make its Middle East debut with Riyadh as the first stop.

Since expanding to Hong Kong in May 2023, Meituan’s first foray outside of mainland China, speculation has persisted that its overseas march would continue as the firm searches for growth opportunities, with the Middle East rumored since last year to be one area of possible expansion.

“We are actively evaluating opportunities in other markets,“ Meituan CEO Wang Xing said during a post-earnings call with analysts last month.

“We have the tech know-how and operational know-how, so we are quietly confident we can enter a new market and find an approach that works for consumers there.” 


IMF opens first MENA office in Riyadh

Updated 26 April 2024
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IMF opens first MENA office in Riyadh

RIYADH: The International Monetary Fund has opened its first office the Middle East and North Africa region in Riyadh.

The office was launched during the Joint Regional Conference on Industrial Policy for Diversification, jointly organized by the IMF and the Ministry of Finance, on April 24.

The new office aims to strengthen capacity building, regional surveillance, and outreach to foster stability, growth, and regional integration, thereby promoting partnerships in the Middle East and beyond, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Additionally, the office will facilitate closer collaboration between the IMF and regional institutions, governments, and other stakeholders, the SPA report noted, adding that the IMF expressed its appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its financial contribution aimed at enhancing capacity development in its member countries, including fragile states.

Abdoul Aziz Wane, a seasoned IMF director with an extensive understanding of the institution and a broad network of policymakers and academics worldwide, will serve as the first director of the Riyadh office.

 


Saudi minister to deliver keynote speech at Automechanika Riyadh conference

Updated 26 April 2024
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Saudi minister to deliver keynote speech at Automechanika Riyadh conference

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Investment Transaction Saleh Al-Khabti is set to deliver the keynote speech at a global automotive aftermarket industry conference in Riyadh.

Set to be held from April 30 April to May 2 in the Saudi capital’s International Convention and Exhibition Center, Automechanika Riyadh will welcome more than 340 exhibitors from over 25 countries.

Al-Khabti will make the marquee address on the first day of the event, which will also see participation from Aftab Ahmed, chief advisor for the Automotive Cluster at the National Industrial Development Centre, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Saudi Arabia’s automotive sector is undergoing a transformation, with the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund becoming the major shareholder in US-based electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid, and also striking a deal with Hyundai to collaborate on the construction of a $500 million-manufacturing facility.

Alongside this, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Kingdom’s first electric vehicle brand in November 2022.

Commenting on the upcoming trade show, Bilal Al-Barmawi, CEO and founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences, said: “It is a great honor for Automechanika Riyadh to be held under the patronage of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment, and we’re grateful for their continued support as the event goes from strength-to-strength.

“The insights and support we’ve already received have been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing this relationship throughout the event and beyond.”

This edition of Automechanika Riyadh will feature seven product focus areas, including parts and components, tyres and batteries, and oils and lubricants.

Accessories and customizing, diagnostics and repairs, and body and paint will also be discussed, as well as care and wash. 

Aly Hefny, show manager for Automechanika Riyadh, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The caliber of speakers confirmed to take part at Automechanika Riyadh is a testament to the event’s growth and prominence within the regional automotive market.

“We have developed a show that goes beyond the norm by providing a platform that supports knowledge sharing and networking while promoting the opportunity to engage with key industry experts and hear the latest developments, trends and innovations changing the dynamics of the automotive sector.”


Aramco-backed S-Oil expects Q2 refining margins to remain steady then trend upward

Updated 26 April 2024
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Aramco-backed S-Oil expects Q2 refining margins to remain steady then trend upward

SEOUL: South Korea’s S-Oil forecast on Friday that second-quarter refining margins will be steady, supported by regular maintenance in the region, then trend upward in tandem with higher demand as the summer season gets underway, according to Reuters.

Over the January-March period, the refiner said it operated the crude distillation units  at its 669,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in the southeastern city of Ulsan at 91.9 percent of capacity, compared with 94 percent in October-December.

S-Oil, whose main shareholder is Saudi Aramco, plans to shut its No. 1 crude distillation unit sometime this year for maintenance, the company said in an earnings presentation, without specifying the time. 


Venture investments spark renaissance of Saudi innovation

Updated 26 April 2024
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Venture investments spark renaissance of Saudi innovation

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia, a dynamic transformation is unfolding within the entrepreneurial landscape, powered by the robust growth of venture capital, which achieved an impressive 86 percent compound annual growth rate from 2019 to 2023.   

This financial infusion has been a game-changer, propelling the Kingdom past the $1 billion mark in venture capital investment last year and igniting a wave of innovative thinking among Saudi entrepreneurs. 

Simply put, VC is a category of private market investment and financing. A VC firm raises capital from investors, referred to as Limited Partners, and uses that capital to fund promising startups they have determined as likely to have high growth potential in an emerging category. 

A vibrant scene   

“The rise of venture capital in Saudi Arabia is fueling a vibrant entrepreneurial scene,” said the founder of Saudi-based VC firm Nama Ventures.   

Offering a unique perspective on this financial phenomenon, Mohammed Al-Zubi shared his insights with Arab News about how venture capital is energizing the entrepreneurial scene in the Kingdom. 

Al-Zubi described this financial influx as a vital nutrient, fostering a fertile ground for innovation and growth within the Kingdom.  

Founder of Nama Ventures, Mohammed Al-Zubi. Supplied

Ripple effects   

“Startups get crucial funding, expert guidance, and exit pathways, attracting and retaining ambitious talent. This creates a ripple effect — successful ventures generate high-quality jobs, attracting more skilled professionals and expertise,” Al-Zubi told Arab News.  

However, he explained that challenges like limited seed funding and skill mismatch require more attention.   

“By fostering a diverse ecosystem and addressing these gaps, Saudi Arabia can harness the power of VC to build a thriving and sustainable entrepreneurial powerhouse,” Al-Zubi added.  

Echoing Al-Zubi’s remarks, Tariq bin Hendi, senior partner at Global Ventures, told Arab News that the Kingdom’s VC growth reflects its booming economy.  

“Saudi Arabia is a large market with compelling macroeconomics and significant funding, which in turn is re-shaping the regional startup landscape,” Hendi said.  

“Increased investment has helped start-ups to digitize, scale and accelerate their business operations — with many success stories: Tarabut, Zension, RedSea, Zid and Hakbah being among the most well-known,” Hendi added.  

An innovative economy 

Hendi emphasizes the crucial role of venture capital in the economic diversification of Saudi Arabia.   

He notes that sectors like agritech, fintech, and cleantech are attracting significant investments, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.   

“The increase in investment saw Saudi Arabia secure MENA’s (Middle East and North Africa) highest VC funding in 2023, which is also aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 objectives,” he stated   

“Venture capital’s investment in nascent technologies and innovative ventures allows for early-stage experimentation and for new start-ups to respond to analogue-based problems previously difficult to navigate through digitalization,” Hendi added.  

According to him, this synergy between venture capital and startups not only drives technological progress but also offers insights into the regulatory landscape, promoting economic diversity and innovation within the region. 

He also highlights the broader impact of venture capital, noting how it enables local businesses to scale and address global challenges, creating job opportunities and demonstrating the Kingdom’s potential in leading sustainable startup growth.   

Moreover, Hendi points out that venture capital stimulates international collaboration, attracting global investors and reducing investment risks, further bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as a dynamic hub for economic activity and innovation.  

Tariq bin Hendi, senior partner at Global Ventures. Supplied

Furthermore, in his article “Venture Capital Fundamentals: Why VC Is A Driving Force Of Innovation,” Mark Flickinger, general partner and chief operating officer at US-based BIP Ventures, describes VC as a critical factor for economic innovation.   

“VC is a rewarding form of private market investment that gives innovators a real chance to transform their ideas into businesses. It connects founders and investors, driving progress and successful outcomes for both,” Flickinger said.  

“And for everyone who is part of this virtuous cycle of funding, building, and scaling market-changing businesses, VC is a way to support the impact of the innovation economy – which is the economy today,” he added.  

The challenge  

Hendi underscores the significant transformation underway in Saudi Arabia, driven by the nation’s economic diversification and digitalization, which is fueling a burgeoning demand for talent and innovation.   

With a young, tech-savvy population, the Kingdom is ripe for entrepreneurial ventures, evidenced by success stories like Tabby, he explained.  

The growing ecosystem, supported by incubators and successful exits, showcases the country’s potential as a hotbed for technology-driven businesses catering to consumers, enterprises, and government sectors.  

The challenge now, according to him, is to further enhance this vibrant environment, making Saudi Arabia even more appealing for entrepreneurs.   

He advocates for continued deregulation and the creation of conditions that encourage innovation, enabling entrepreneurs to develop products and services that resonate with consumers and drive economic growth.   

The goal is to not only maintain the momentum but to elevate Saudi Arabia’s status as a premier destination for starting and scaling innovative ventures.  

How to utilize funding  

As VC growth continues to expand, startups are pressured to find efficient ways to use their funding to boost the overall ecosystem.  

Al-Zubi shares his advice stating: “Imagine your funding as rocket fuel – you have to blast off without burning it all at once, right?”  

“To fly long and far, focus on essentials. Build a stellar team, fuel growth with customer love, and lay a strong financial groundwork,” Al-Zubi added.  

“Track your rocket’s path with data, experiment with new maneuvers, and stay tuned to the space weather. Be open with your investors, listen to wise advisors, and don’t be afraid to adjust your trajectory if the wind changes. Remember, long-term success is a marathon, not a sprint. Spend smart, learn fast, and keep your eyes on the stars,” he added.    

Furthermore, Hendi advocates for meticulous planning in resource allocation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the market, timing for product launches, and strategic deployment of capital.   

According to Hendi, startups must have a clear grasp of their financial roadmap, with a detailed understanding of expected expenditures over set timelines, to ensure sustained growth and success in the evolving economic environment.