Wallan Trading opens Saudi Arabia’s first Lotus showroom

The showroom is strategically located at I MALL luxury cars in Riyadh and offers a range of services, including personalized vehicle customization.
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Updated 11 November 2024
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Wallan Trading opens Saudi Arabia’s first Lotus showroom

Wallan Trading Company has opened the first Lotus Cars showroom in Riyadh. Fahad Al-Wallan, chairman of Wallan Holding, attended the launch event, alongside Hamza Barakat, head of operations for the Middle East, Africa, and India at Lotus. Senior officials from both companies were joined by guests, customers, and media representatives at the launch.

The showroom is strategically located at I MALL luxury cars on the Northern Ring Branch Road. It offers a range of services, including personalized vehicle customization to meet customers’ unique preferences.

Spanning 900 square meters, the showroom features the all-electric Lotus Eletre and the dynamic Lotus Emira. Both models feature cutting-edge sporty designs and outstanding performance capabilities, offering customers a unique opportunity to explore the Lotus product lineup. Previously, Wallan Trading Company had introduced these models at Via Riyadh at an event during the Riyadh International Entertainment Season, and at the Riyadh Luxury Car Show, where they attracted significant interest from visitors and luxury car enthusiasts alike. 




Fahad Al-Wallan attended the launch event, alongside Hamza Barakat.

Chairman Al-Wallan said: “The opening of the first Lotus showroom in the Kingdom marks a significant milestone in Wallan Trading’s ambitious expansion strategy for the Lotus brand. This initiative delivers exceptional support to luxury sports car enthusiasts through an expanding network of sales and service centers, beginning in Riyadh and soon extending to Jeddah, Dammam, and other key regions across Saudi Arabia.”

He added: “Wallan Trading Company is actively aligning itself with the transformative changes that Lotus is bringing to the industry, confidently preparing to navigate future challenges and advancements. This strategy not only underscores the company’s commitment to quality but also reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to environmental sustainability and its objectives to reduce carbon emissions, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the principles of a circular economy.”

The launch follows the announcement in March this year of a strategic partnership between Wallan Trading and Lotus. Under this partnership, Wallan Trading became the authorized distributor of the Lotus brand in Saudi Arabia, marking Lotus’s return to the Saudi market after more than 14 years.

Dan Balmer, president and CEO of Lotus Cars — Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said: “This flagship showroom represents a significant milestone for Lotus Cars in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that our state-of-the-art lineup will exceed our customers’ expectations in the Kingdom and help us drive growth in this ever-evolving luxury market.”

Barakat said: “Lotus’s re-entry into the Saudi market presents an exciting opportunity to highlight the brand’s innovative designs and state-of-the-art technologies. We take pride in our ongoing collaboration with Wallan Trading. Together, we are committed to ensuring our customers receive the exceptional service they deserve, making their purchasing journey smooth and enjoyable.”

Wallan Holding, through Wallan Investment Company, is a key shareholder in Lotus, which was listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange last year. Lotus is renowned for its expertise in developing and manufacturing luxury electric vehicles, energy management solutions, electric motors, electronic control systems, smart driving technology, and advanced manufacturing techniques.


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.