Ocean Basket, a South African seafood chain, has opened a restaurant each in Riyadh and Jeddah.
This follows a franchise agreement signed between Tarfeeh, a Saudi restaurant company, and Ocean Basket, a South African seafood restaurant chain.
Ocean Basket has more than 190 restaurants around the world and is said to be growing rapidly across several countries.
It is South Africa’s “favorite and leading” seafood restaurant chain, which has now set its foot in Saudi Arabia partnering with Tarfeeh, a SEDCO Holding Group Company, which also operates other restaurant chains like Applebee’s, Macaroni Grill and China Gate in the Kingdom.
“Tarfeeh, a promising company in SEDCO’s diverse portfolio, has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years and continues to scale new heights,” said SEDCO Holding Group CEO Anees Moumina.
South African Consul General Shoaib Caso, government officials, and business executives were present.
“There are no dominant international seafood chains in Saudi Arabia and hence there are opportunities in this segment,” said Waleed Bin Mahfouz, chairman of Tarfeeh. “The company has an aggressive plan to grow and add more strong brands under its portfolio. Acquiring franchising rights for Ocean Basket is another great step in this direction,” Tarfeeh CEO Ahmed Marashde said.
The Ocean Basket was established in Menlyn Park, South Africa. “This phenomenal global expansion in just 17 years is due to an unshakable recipe for success,” an Ocean Basket team member said.
Ocean Basket’s menu includes varieties of fish, calamari, prawns, sushi, etc. a majority of its stores can be found in South Africa with the rest placed throughout the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and especially in Mauritius. Apart from other exciting global locations, 2011 also saw the Middle East’s first Ocean Basket restaurant opening in Dubai. The chain has won several restaurant and cuisine awards in different countries.
Tarfeeh and Ocean Basket in deal to open restaurants
Tarfeeh and Ocean Basket in deal to open restaurants
iCAUR V27 Saudi media test drive ignites excitement, conquering the Edge of the World!
iCAUR held a V27 media test drive event in Riyadh on Jan. 22.
Twelve local journalists and KOLs took four V27s to Saudi Arabia's famous natural landmark, the Edge of the World.
They got a hands-on experience of the Boxy Styled SUV’s classic style and advanced technology on challenging real-world roads.
In the morning, journalists and KOLs gathered in downtown Riyadh.
Through product briefings and interactive sessions, guests got an up-close look at the V27’s core technologies and design philosophy while enjoying a relaxed brunch, introducing iCAUR in detail.
Afterward, the test drive convoy left the city and drove roughly 200 km northwest to the Edge of the World.
During the drive, participants praised the V27’s smooth and quiet ride.
They also appreciated the 15.4-inch 3K HD touchscreen and the smart infotainment system powered by the 8155 chip.
Voice control for navigation, climate, and music was also highly appreciated.
The test drive destination, the Edge of the World, is located north of the Tuwaik Mountains, which stretches upto 1,000 km.
It is a steep cliff with a drop of about 300 meters and is one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic natural wonders.
The nearly two-hour journey passes vast plains with almost no signal and few clear road signs. The desert is full of faint tire tracks and gullies eroded by rain.
In this environment, the V27’s power and off-road capability are fully showcased.
As iCAUR’s first mass-production model equipped with Golden REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle), the V27 uses a 1.5T engine dedicated to range extension, with a thermal efficiency of 45.79% and the ability to generate 3.71kWh per liter of fuel.
This gives the V27 a combined range of over 1,000km, allowing it to handle long distances even in deserts and rugged terrains with limited refueling options.
The front and rear dual motors deliver a combined 455hp, enabling 0–100km/h acceleration in around 5 seconds, providing consistent and strong power on complex roads.
Tuned by the world-class Prodrive racing team and paired with the i-AWD (intelligent All-Wheel Drive) system, the V27 stays stable at high speeds.
It also delivers precise, controlled handling on gravel and uneven surfaces, delivering an exceptional driving feel for a 5-meter vehicle. This balance of performance and efficiency has been repeatedly highlighted by the media and KOLs during the event.
The first batch of iCAUR V27s has now been officially shipped to six Middle Eastern markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
The Middle East will serve as the global debut region for the V27, with launches in the UAE and Bahrain in February, followed by Saudi Arabia in March.
Before the official launch, iCAUR will roll out a series of activities in Saudi Arabia, including mall displays and showroom openings, allowing media and users to get up close with this new energy classic.
The showrooms will also feature the AiMOGA humanoid robot, powered by Chery Group’s latest AI technology. Stay tuned!
