LONDON: Organizers of the world’s biggest mobile technology fair are pulling the plug over worries about the viral outbreak from China.
This year’s edition of Mobile World Congress will no longer be held as planned in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 24-27.
“Global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event,” John Hoffman, head of the organizing body, said in a statement Wednesday.
The decision comes after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out, with the latest cancelations by Nokia, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and Britain’s BT on Wednesday. Other big names that have already dropped out include Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Amazon, Intel and LG. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors.
Organizers had sought to hold out against growing pressure to cancel the annual tech extravaganza, which had been expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors from about 200 countries, including 5,000 to 6,000 from China.
The GSMA, the wireless trade body that organizes the fair, had said it was monitoring the virus situation closely, including meeting regularly with global and Spanish health experts and its partners to ensure the well-being of attendees. It had already urged participants to avoid handshakes and planned to step up cleaning and disinfecting and make sure speakers don’t use the same microphone.
Ear;oer Wednesday, Nokia said it had decided to withdraw “after a full assessment of the risks related to a fast-moving situation.” The company said “the health and well-being of employees was a primary focus” and that canceling its involvement was a “prudent decision.”
Phone company Vodafone said it was dropping out “after careful consideration” while Britain’s BT said canceling was “the most responsible decision.”
The departures of Nokia and Ericsson had left China’s Huawei, a major sponsor of the fair, as the only remaining major network gear maker still planning to attend.
Organizers were caught between risking potential backlash over public health concerns if they went ahead or facing big financial losses if they canceled, said Stephen Mears, a research analyst at Futuresource Consulting.
Even before the cancelation, Mears said his five-person team was considering dropping out or shortening the trip as many participants they wanted to meet wouldn’t be there, including those from China, which accounts for an increasing share of the global smartphone and mobile network industry.
“It’s becoming less and less valuable for people like us to attend if we’re not able to get meetings with the high-level executives,” he said.
Spanish authorities tried to promote a message of calm as they scrambled to keep alive the trade show, which they say generates 473 million euros ($516 million) and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the local economy.
The Catalan regional health chief, Alba Vergés, said there was a “very low risk of the coronavirus” in the region of Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, and that authorities are “completely prepared to detect any cases.” Four suspected cases have all have proven negative, she said at a press briefing earlier.
“There is no public health reason to cancel any event in Catalonia or Barcelona, including the Mobile World Congress,” Vergés said. “If the companies make their own decision, we have to respect that, but we are here to explain this from a public health perspective.”
Coronavirus worries force cancelation of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
https://arab.news/7jh26
Coronavirus worries force cancelation of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
- The decision comes after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out
Open Forum Riyadh to discuss digital currency, AI, and mental health
- The event will run in parallel to the WEF’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration
LONDON: The Open Forum Riyadh — a series of public sessions taking place in the Saudi capital on Sunday and Monday — will “spotlight global challenges and opportunities,” according to the organizers.
The event, a collaboration between the World Economic Forum and the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, will run in parallel to the WEF’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, taking place in Riyadh on April 28 and 29.
“Under Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh has become a global capital for thought leadership, action and solutions, fostering the exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas,” Faisal F. Alibrahim, Saudi minister of economy and planning, said in a press release, adding that this year’s Open Forum being hosted in Riyadh “is a testament to the city’s growing influence and role on the international stage.”
The forum is open to the public and “aims to facilitate dialogue between thought leaders and the broader public on a range of topics, including environmental challenges, mental health, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, the role of the arts in society, modern-day entrepreneurship, and smart cities,” according to a statement.
The agenda includes sessions addressing the impact of digital currencies in the Middle East, the role of culture in public diplomacy, urban development for smart cities, and actions to enhance mental wellbeing worldwide.
The annual Open Forum was established in 2003 with the goal of enabling a broader audience to participate in the activities of the WEF, and has been hosted in several different countries, including Cambodia, India, Jordan and Vietnam.
The panels will feature government officials, artists, civil-society leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of multinationals.
This year’s speakers include Yazeed A. Al-Humied, deputy governor and head of MENA investments at the Saudi Pubic Investment Fund; Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US; and Princess Beatrice, founder of the Big Change Charitable Trust and a member of the British royal family.
Michele Mischler, head of Swiss public affairs and sustainability at the WEF, said in a press release that the participation of the public in Open Forum sessions “fosters diverse perspectives, enriches global dialogue, and empowers collective solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
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
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
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
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.
