Social Development Bank, Jahez Group back startups with SR10m fund

Ghassab Al-Mandeel, CEO of Jahez Group
Short Url
Updated 04 February 2025
Follow

Social Development Bank, Jahez Group back startups with SR10m fund

Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank successfully concluded a training camp for the Jahez Social Responsibility Portfolio, which took place over five days at the Dulani Business Center in Riyadh.

The camp resulted in supporting 20 entrepreneurial projects with a total financing of SR10 million ($2.7 million) and a funding ceiling of SR500,000 per project, drawn from the overall SR30 million value of the Jahez Social Responsibility Portfolio. 

SDB managed the portfolio by conducting feasibility studies, disbursing funds, and overseeing project progress to ensure their long-term sustainability. This integrated model is designed to empower entrepreneurs and foster a thriving startup ecosystem.

Throughout the camp, participants received extensive training in essential business skills, including economic feasibility studies and investment proposal presentations, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully enter the market. 

The initiative is part of a strategic partnership with Jahez, to strengthen public-private sector collaboration, drive sustainable development, and empower entrepreneurs in the fast-growing logistics sector.

Sultan Al-Hamidi, CEO of SDB, said: “The Jahez Social Responsibility Portfolio is not merely a financing tool but a comprehensive development framework aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among Saudi youth. Through our management of this portfolio, we are committed to creating a lasting economic impact, generating real opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs. The Jahez camp was a bright beginning to a journey of contribution and accomplishments, where each supported project contributes to building a sustainable economy and a brighter future.”

Ghassab Al-Mandeel, CEO of Jahez Group, said: “Our partnership with SDB embodies our dedication to empowering entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary financial and operational support. This initiative aims to accelerate the growth of the logistics sector as a key driver of the national economy, while fostering innovation through pioneering projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. Each training phase within the camp has been a crucial step toward turning promising ideas into viable, sustainable businesses.”

SDB launched a pioneering social responsibility portfolio, offering a structured framework for companies to effectively contribute to community development and sustainable growth. Jahez was the first partner in this initiative, committing an initial SR30 million to the portfolio.


Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

Updated 20 December 2025
Follow

Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

For nearly two decades, Dhahran Mall has served as a gathering place where families create memories, communities come together, and generations celebrate life’s milestones in the Eastern Province. This commitment to community was reaffirmed this past weekend as Dhahran Mall served as the golden sponsor of the 27th Sharqiyah International Race, continuing the community engagement that has always defined the mall’s identity.

Held along Alkhobar Corniche on Dec. 13, under the patronage of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef, the race brought together approximately 10,000 participants from across the Kingdom and beyond. In the days leading up to the event, Dhahran Mall hosted the official race kit distribution, welcoming an average of 2,000 runners daily over three days.

Demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, Dhahran Mall partnered with Swaed Association for Physical Disability in the Eastern Province for a meaningful activation on Dec. 11. The event invited community members to experience wheelchair mobility firsthand, developing empathy and understanding. Persons with disabilities participated in a symbolic race from Gate 1 to Gate 3, joined by one of Saudi Arabia’s handball champions, reinforcing the message that sports and wellness unite everyone. Participants shared powerful reflections on accessibility and the importance of physical activity for all community members.

These initiatives embody what Dhahran Mall has always stood for: creating moments that resonate beyond the transaction, developing connections that endure, and serving as a cornerstone where every member of the community is welcomed and celebrated. Through programs that champion inclusivity, health, and social well-being, Dhahran Mall continues to demonstrate that meaningful engagement and authentic relationships are at the heart of everything it does.

Al-Tajdeed: Elevating guests’ experiences

This spirit of renewal and recommitment extends to Al-Tajdeed, Dhahran Mall’s comprehensive refresh initiative that began in December and will continue throughout 2026. Al-Tajdeed, meaning “renewal” in Arabic, honors the mall’s legacy while preparing for its future. This initiative will enhance guest experiences, elevate the aesthetic environment, and reinforce Dhahran Mall’s role as the Eastern Province’s premier destination for meaningful retail and lifestyle experiences. Looking ahead, the planned Dhahran Boulevard expansion will further enrich the mixed-use environment, creating new dimensions of hospitality, community, and connection.

“At Dhahran Mall, we believe that true success is measured in the memories we help create and the communities we serve,” said Majed Algothmi, acting CEO. “Our sponsorship of the Sharqiyah International Race and our partnership with Swaed Association reflect our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. For nearly 20 years, families from all walks of life have trusted us with their celebrations, their everyday moments, and their special occasions. Al-Tajdeed is our promise to honor that trust by renewing our spaces while staying true to the values that have made Dhahran Mall a beloved institution in the Eastern Province.”

Since opening its doors in 2005, Dhahran Mall has been woven into the fabric of the Eastern Province. It has witnessed first steps in its corridors, celebrated countless Eid celebrations, hosted family traditions, and served as a backdrop for the everyday moments that define a community. Al-Tajdeed honors this rich legacy, built on genuine relationships and meaningful connections that span generations.

Dhahran Mall’s enduring strength lies in authentic connection. It’s the warmth of familiar spaces, the trust built over the years, and the understanding that a mall’s true value lives in how deeply it integrates into the lives of the people it serves. As the Eastern Province continues to grow and transform, Dhahran Mall remains committed to being the destination where community comes first, where memories are made, and where every visit feels like coming home.