LuLu Hypermarket hosts ‘India Utsav 2024’

The festival was inaugurated by Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, second from left.
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Updated 17 August 2024
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LuLu Hypermarket hosts ‘India Utsav 2024’

LuLu Hypermarket is hosting a weeklong festival to celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage of India and showcase a wide variety of Indian products across all its stores in the Kingdom.
India Utsav 2024 launched on Aug. 14 at Riyadh Avenue Mall, Murabba, and runs until Aug. 21.
The festival was inaugurated by Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, in a ceremony attended by senior LuLu officials, government representatives, and other dignitaries. The event marks another significant milestone in LuLu’s ongoing commitment to bringing the best of Indian culture and products to Saudi Arabia.
In his keynote address, Khan highlighted the festival’s role in fostering deeper Saudi-India ties. “Such events play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and appreciation between our two nations. They celebrate our rich heritage and shared values, and I am honored to witness the vibrant display of our cultures coming together. This festival is a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Saudi Arabia and reflects our commitment to deepening cultural and economic collaborations,” he said.
Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets, said: “It is an honor to host LuLu India Utsav 2024 and to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of India. This festival not only showcases an extensive array of Indian products but also strengthens the cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and India. We are excited to offer our customers a unique opportunity to explore and experience the richness of Indian traditions and products. LuLu currently offers over 11,200 products from India to shoppers, reflecting our dedication to bringing the best of Indian culture to Saudi Arabia. We remain committed to fostering such meaningful events that bring cultures together and enrich our shared experiences. The introduction of 40 new products from nine brands is a significant milestone, showcasing the diverse range of Indian products and the fusion of our traditional arts and crafts with Saudi culture.”
Throughout the week-long celebration, customers can explore a vast selection of Indian products, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to traditional bakery items and groceries. The festival also features a fashion exhibition that highlights textile traditions from both countries. Adding to the cultural experience, the inaugural event also included a musical performance blending Saudi and Indian melodies.

 


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.