Largest Volkswagen center in Eastern Province opens

The opening ceremony saw the presence of a number of Volkswagen Middle East representatives.
Updated 23 November 2019
Follow

Largest Volkswagen center in Eastern Province opens

Samaco Automotive Company, the exclusive dealer for Volkswagen in Saudi Arabia, celebrated the opening of its new integrated center in the Eastern Province on Sunday. The Volkswagen Car Center is an embodiment of the company’s strategic plan to expand in various regions of the Kingdom, as well as to enhance the presence of the brands under its umbrella — in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The opening ceremony saw the presence of a number of Volkswagen Middle East representatives, members of the Volkswagen Owners Club in the Kingdom, Volkswagen customers, as well as representatives of the press.

The new center is located on King Fahd Road on a total area of 1,100 square meters, and is equipped with advanced equipment adapted to the development of the Volkswagen international brand. The center consists of administrative offices, a showroom that can accommodate more than 18 new cars, as well as a second showroom dedicated to certified cars. The center also offers a platform for the delivery of new and replaced cars.

Wayne Banoub, COO of Samaco Automotive, said: “With the overall positive economic and social changes in the Kingdom, we had to keep up with these developments by implementing our strategic plans. At the Volkswagen brand level, our sales have grown by 37 percent and we are continuing the development of this brand in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with our partners by launching the largest center in the Eastern Province.”

He added: “We have developed Samaco’s long-term plan to strengthen its strategy and to fully align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims at upgrading investment services on the one hand, and expanding its presence as one of the largest car dealers in the Kingdom, on the other.”


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
Follow

Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.