Salman Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily

Salman Al-Badran
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Updated 13 April 2020
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Salman Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily

Salman Al-Badran has been CEO of Mobily since April 2019. Al-Badran attained his bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics and communications engineering in 1996 from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran.

He began his career with Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) from January 2008 to December 2008, working as project director for the company’s VIVA launch where he completed tasks such as managing the implementation of a cellular network in almost 800 outdoor sites and 120 in-building systems in six months.

He also worked at Kuwait Telecom Co. VIVA (now STC), as a chief technical officer from December 2008 to December 2010, where he managed the expansion of the network to a one million subscriber capacity and implemented the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) mobile broadband services that are most desired in the Kuwait telecom market.

He then became its CEO from January 2009 to April 2019, giving him 15 years of experience in the field of wireless telecommunications.

Recently the London-based Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy, issued its annual brand valuation ranking where Mobily was named the ninth most valuable brand in Saudi Arabia, moving three notches up the scale and increasing in value by 31 percent to reach $1.1 billion.

Al-Badran said: “The Brand Finance ranking testifies to our company’s hard work and steadfast achievements over the past period. Our efforts at all levels and across all departments over the past years translated into more satisfied customers due to ongoing enhancements in the quality of our services, and thus all indicators followed suit.”


Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

Updated 45 min 58 sec ago
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Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

  • The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by studies covering 8 marine habitats

TABUK: Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a science-based model aimed at achieving a 30 percent net positive conservation benefit across its tourism destinations by 2040. 

The framework is now available for global adoption, according to a statement released by RSG.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Red Sea Global is the multi-project developer behind ambitious regenerative tourism destinations like “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA.” 

As a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the company aims to diversify the national economy while setting new global benchmarks for sustainable, nature-positive development.

CEO John Pagano stated that openly sharing this detailed approach will help elevate the global tourism sector and secure a healthier environment for future generations.
 

Map showing the boundaries of the Red Sea Zone. (Graphic from the RSG report)

The cornerstone of this initiative is the proprietary SIIG Model, a four-step framework:
• Survey: Establish biodiversity baselines and monitor long-term changes.
• Identify: Assess risks to priority habitats and species.
• Intervene: Execute evidence-based actions, such as regulating fishing and enhancing natural habitats.
• Gain: Measure and verify biodiversity improvements.

The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by extensive 2022–2023 environmental baseline studies covering eight marine habitats and priority species groups during 2022 and 2023. 

A major intervention is the 5,015-square-kilometer Fishery Management Area in Al-Wajh Lagoon. The plan reserves 38 percent of the area for priority conservation—protecting 62 percent of local coral reefs—while allocating 61 percent for sustainable fishing.

According to scientific modeling, eliminating fishing in high-protection zones could increase reef fish populations by 113 percent, sharks and rays by 72 percent, and marine mammals by 24 percent. These measures are expected to boost coral resilience, support ecosystem recovery, and protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and seabirds.
Ihab Kindi, RSG’s Red Sea Destination Executive Director, called the data-driven model a practical roadmap for large-scale marine recovery. The complete methodology is available in the new report, “The SIIG Model: A Roadmap Toward Achieving Measurable Conservation Gains.”