Unlocking Saudi hospitality: AVANA and Ezdaher pave new investment pathways to support Vision 2030

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Updated 23 June 2025
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Unlocking Saudi hospitality: AVANA and Ezdaher pave new investment pathways to support Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sets an ambitious target: welcoming 150 million visitors annually and positioning the Kingdom as a global hospitality hub. Delivering this vision demands more than hotel construction; it requires a complete ecosystem of entrepreneurs, capital providers, government programs, and efficient financial markets to mobilize and sustain investment at scale.

AVANA Companies, a US-based private credit and real estate investment firm with over two decades of experience financing hospitality projects globally, has developed a dual initiative to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s hospitality investment landscape. Through its affiliate, Ezdaher Financing Company, AVANA is introducing structured financing programs and pioneering crowdfunding solutions designed to unlock domestic capital and create sustainable, inclusive growth.

Leveraging partnerships with global leaders such as IHG Hotels and Resorts and Oaktree Capital Management, AVANA has developed an innovative co-funding program that pools institutional capital into a streamlined funding framework. This model overcomes traditional barriers such as lengthy approval processes and extensive guarantees by enabling faster capital flows for hotel construction projects. While initially focused on established US markets, the asset-backed structure is highly relevant for Middle Eastern investors seeking secure exposure to global hospitality sectors. With Ezdaher’s regional initiative, AVANA is well-positioned to align international investment practices with the strategic ambitions of Saudi investors.

“By combining our global hospitality financing expertise with local presence through Ezdaher, we are committed to creating pathways that empower investors and advance Vision 2030,” said Sundip Patel, CEO of AVANA Companies. 

Alongside its global initiatives, AVANA is addressing the critical need to activate Saudi Arabia’s domestic capital base. Traditional loan capital often remains immobilized until maturity, slowing economic circulation. The EqualSeat platform, developed under the Ezdaher banner, introduces an innovative crowdfunding model that transforms passive savings into active investment. Through EqualSeat, Saudi investors can directly participate in private credit, SME Funding, and real estate opportunities. This approach increases liquidity for financial institutions, supports broader entrepreneurship, and stimulates economic expansion through the Keynesian multiplier effect.

Saudi Arabia’s financial modernization efforts have made significant strides, but a thriving crowdfunding sector requires ongoing regulatory development, standardized risk grading, and greater investment transparency. Building investor trust will be critical to unlocking the full potential of domestic capital markets and ensuring that private sector initiatives complement public-sector programs without overlap or conflict.

AVANA Companies and Ezdaher Financing Company are actively seeking partnerships with family offices and institutional investors to drive sustainable hospitality growth, create high-quality employment opportunities, and support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification goals.


LuLu marks Founding Day with ‘Made in Saudi’ campaign

Updated 25 February 2026
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LuLu marks Founding Day with ‘Made in Saudi’ campaign

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources honored LuLu Hypermarket in recognition of its pivotal role as the exclusive retail partner of the “Najoud Bikhairna 2026” initiative, commending its continued efforts in supporting and empowering national industries while showcasing the quality and competitiveness of locally manufactured products.

The initiative, led by the ministry in partnership with the Saudi Export Development Authority, represented by the Made in Saudi program, stands as a pioneering model of public-private sector collaboration in activating community-driven initiatives with sustainable impact. Through this program, more than 280,000 Saudi-made products were distributed to 10,000 families across various regions of the Kingdom during the holy month of Ramadan, reinforcing the presence of national products and strengthening the values of social solidarity among individuals and institutions alike.
The ministry’s recognition of LuLu Hypermarket coincided with the official launch of its Saudi Founding Day celebrations at the Dharat Laban branch in Riyadh, marked by the unveiling of a comprehensive promotional campaign dedicated to Saudi-made products. On this occasion, a wide range of special offers was introduced on local products, available across all LuLu Hypermarket branches throughout the Kingdom.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Dayel, general supervisor of the Made in Saudi program at the Saudi Export Development Authority, and Mohamed Haris, director of LuLu Saudi Arabia, alongside members of LuLu’s executive management team. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the specially designed Founding Day gateway.
Following the inauguration, guests toured several dedicated zones and exhibitions highlighting national products. The tour commenced at the grocery and “Made in Saudi” consumer goods sections, showcasing the diversity and quality of local brands. It also included the “Made in Saudi” dates pavilion, presenting a premium selection of the finest locally sourced dates in celebration of one of the Kingdom’s most iconic national symbols.
The visit continued to the fruits and vegetables section under the theme “From Our Land,” featuring an exceptional assortment of Saudi agricultural products, reflecting the richness and excellence of the local agricultural sector. Guests also explored the LuLu private label corner, which features products exclusively manufactured within the Kingdom for LuLu, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing.
The tour concluded with a presentation of “Made in Saudi” products within the chilled and frozen categories, underscoring the rapid growth and qualitative advancement of the Kingdom’s food manufacturing sector, and further reinforcing the strong market position and competitiveness of Saudi products.