Thakher CEO lauds Makkah’s hospitality sector

Thakher CEO lauds Makkah’s hospitality sector
Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Aboudi, CEO of Thakher Development Company.
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Updated 09 July 2024
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Thakher CEO lauds Makkah’s hospitality sector

Thakher CEO lauds Makkah’s hospitality sector

Thakher Development Company’s CEO Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Aboudi said that Makkah’s hospitality sector sustained its strong performance during this year’s Hajj season, with occupancy rates in the hotels of the Thakher Makkah project reaching 100 percent for the second consecutive year.

The CEO attributed this strong performance to several factors, including the provision of exceptional service to pilgrims and early preparations to ensure the utmost comfort and satisfaction for them.

“We at Thakher Development Company are continuing to work on our project in line with this strong performance to meet the aspirations of investors and visitors. So far, we have developed and constructed eight 4-star hotels and hotel apartments operated by international operators, with the most recent being the delivery of units in the Novotel Residences Makkah project to buyers,” Al-Aboudi said.

“Upon completion of the Thakher Makkah project, it will offer more than 39,000 rooms and 3,000 hotel apartments, with a total capacity of 144,000 beds. The project will also provide up to 36,000 permanent and seasonal job opportunities, thereby supporting and strengthening the local economy,” he added.

The project, spanning over an area of 320,000 square meters, will include 100 land plots for hospitality, residential and commercial uses. Residential and hotel apartment units will be available in various categories, and the units will also be available for ownership.

Thaker Makkah will be home to some of the biggest names in global hospitality including The Radisson Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson, and Novotel, which will be the largest in the world in terms of the number of rooms.

The company is also involved in developing the old neighborhoods of Makkah in coordination with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, in order to provide distinguished services to pilgrims.


New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia
Updated 25 July 2024
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New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

Global skincare leader NIVEA celebrated the launch of its revolutionary Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range in Saudi Arabia. This innovative product empowers Saudi women to embrace their radiant confidence by addressing a common concern — uneven skin tone and stretch marks.

The launch event took place on July 8 in Riyadh. It brought together a gathering of celebrated beauty insiders, influencers like Lojain Omran and Noha Nabil, celebrities, and international entertainment acts. The NIVEA team kicked off the event by sharing their brand heritage and future vision, culminating in the much-anticipated reveal of the NIVEA Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range.

Guests were welcomed into a vibrant pre-function area filled with interactive activities and captivating mirror art installations, setting the stage for a truly unique experience. Renowned DJ and violinist Andre Soueid took the stage after that, electrifying the ambiance even further. Guests also enjoyed a live stream screening of the “Boulevard Takeover,” capturing the launch’s real-time excitement.

A thought-provoking discussion panel followed, featuring a lively exchange between skincare expert Dr. Yasmin El-Masri and media personality Suha Nowailaty. Dr. El-Masri, a renowned dermatologist, shared valuable skincare insights, while Nowailaty brought her deep understanding of the multifaceted lives of Saudi women. The speakers engaged in a dynamic conversation about the importance of feeling confident in your skin and explored the latest trends and approaches to achieving an even skin tone. Through partnerships with influential figures like these, NIVEA continues to inspire and nurture the growing confidence of Saudi women.

“We are thrilled to introduce the NIVEA Body Luminous630 range to the Saudi Arabian market,” said Alia Lotfy, head of marketing at NIVEA MENA. “Uneven skin tone is a common concern for many people in the region, and this range offers a powerful and effective way to achieve a radiant, even-looking complexion.”

Following a decade of research, NIVEA developed the patented Luminous630 enzyme. This breakthrough ingredient regulates melanin production and reduces the visibility of dark spots, making it the world’s most effective solution for even skin tone. The NIVEA Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range, available in oil serum and cream formats, offers a clinically proven solution for achieving a visibly even skin tone and stretch marks reduction.


SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom
Updated 24 July 2024
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SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

Saudi Awwal Bank, a leading bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations, to strengthen their collaboration to accelerate financial innovation.

This strategic alliance comes as Saudi Arabia aspires to become a hub for financial innovation through Vision 2030. 

The signing ceremony took place in London, further solidifying the strong partnership between the two banks.

Tony Cripps, managing director and CEO at SAB said: “Our customers’ evolving needs in this rapidly changing, technology-driven era require us to innovate and introduce cutting-edge solutions continuously. As the Kingdom’s leading international bank, we are thrilled to leverage HSBC’s significant scale, capabilities, and expertise to bring the next generation of banking services to Saudi Arabia.”

Stephen Moss, chief executive officer, HSBC Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye and board member of SAB, echoed the sentiment: “For over 70 years, HSBC and SAB have worked together to develop leading banking services in Saudi Arabia. This MoU expands our support of SAB, providing access to HSBC’s expertise in leading-edge and innovative solutions for the benefit of customers.”

The MoU aligns with “SAB’s” growth strategy, which is focused on accelerating the pace and scale of Innovation. 

It also affirms SAB’s continued commitment to supporting Vision 2030 and the associated key initiatives under the Financial Sector Development Plan to transform the Kingdom into a leading financial technology and innovation hub.

The partnership also aims to strengthen SAB’s leading position in the banking sector as the bank continues to cater to its customers’ evolving needs.

SAB recently received accreditation as an innovation organization by the Global Innovation Institute “GInI” becoming the first bank in the Kingdom to be certified by GInI.  

SAB was also awarded the Global Banking Innovation Award for Small and Medium Enterprises by the Digital Banker.


The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management
Updated 24 July 2024
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The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The devastating effects of flooding on infrastructure, human lives, and the economy are undeniable. 

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of flooding events, effective flood management has become top priority. 

Through providing advanced analytics and forecasting tools, SAS has grown into a key player in the field of flood management, supporting organizations in both preparing for and minimizing the impact of floods.

Considering how unpredictable natural disasters like flooding can be, Alexander Tikhonov, regional director of SAS Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, underscored SAS’ dedication to developing innovative, lifesaving solutions.

“We are deeply committed to supporting communities with cutting-edge technologies that not only enhance operational efficiency but also safeguard lives. Our efforts through the SAS D[n]A Factory initiative reaffirm our dedication to developing innovative solutions that help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.”

Under SAS D[n]A Factory, the company’s new, pioneering initiative, SAS draws on its extensive international expertise to create a tailored solution that responds perfectly to the region’s specific needs and challenges. 

This solution demonstrates the proven value of SAS’ flood management tools, based on trusted data, analytics, and AI, in equipping organizations better prepare for future flooding events and unforeseen situations.

Currently, the pilot version of the solution illustrates the following capabilities: 

1. Advanced Analytics: Processes enormous volumes of data coming from various data sources to provide accurate flood forecasts and risk assessments.

2. Real-Time Monitoring: Shows how important real-time data is when it comes to monitoring flood-prone areas and predicting potential flooding events.

3. Proactive Planning: Emphasizes the role of predictive analytics in proactive flood management, allowing organizations to plan and implement mitigation strategies well in advance.

4. Enhanced Community Preparedness: Provides insights into how communities can leverage SAS tools to improve their preparedness and response to flood emergencies.

SAS has proven that it can provide more than just theoretical answers by working with an extensive number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations globally to enhance their flood management systems.

For instance, SAS collaborated with the Jakarta government to deploy an award-winning flood control system integrated into the “JAKI” super app. 

Using real-time data and advanced predictive analytics, this innovative system can accurately predict flooding events. It combines sensor data and weather forecasts, enabling timely interventions that significantly reduce the adverse effects of floods. Not only has the system strengthened Jakarta’s flood response, but it has also garnered praise for its groundbreaking application of technology to city planning.

The Town of Cary in North Carolina, US, is another great example. SAS has provided the town with a tailored flood incident prediction and preparedness solution, utilizing the Microsoft Azure platform and integrating flood risk assessment, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics capabilities. 

The system’s ability to bring together data from several sources, including weather forecasts, river levels, and historical data, allows for accurate flood forecasting and early warning services. Thanks to this proactive approach, the Town of Cary is now significantly better prepared to deal with potential flood threats, guaranteeing the community’s safety.

Regional flood management strategies can be drastically enhanced with the power of SAS advanced analytics and real-time data processing tools.  

In addition to mitigating flood damage, this new solution from SAS D[n]A Factory can help local communities feel less vulnerable to flooding events while properly equipped to quickly recover.


The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management
Updated 24 July 2024
Follow

The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The devastating effects of flooding on infrastructure, human lives, and the economy are undeniable. 

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of flooding events, effective flood management has become top priority. 

Through providing advanced analytics and forecasting tools, SAS has grown into a key player in the field of flood management, supporting organizations in both preparing for and minimizing the impact of floods.

Considering how unpredictable natural disasters like flooding can be, Alexander Tikhonov, regional director of SAS Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, underscored SAS’ dedication to developing innovative, lifesaving solutions.

“We are deeply committed to supporting communities with cutting-edge technologies that not only enhance operational efficiency but also safeguard lives. Our efforts through the SAS D[n]A Factory initiative reaffirm our dedication to developing innovative solutions that help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.”

Under SAS D[n]A Factory, the company’s new, pioneering initiative, SAS draws on its extensive international expertise to create a tailored solution that responds perfectly to the region’s specific needs and challenges. 

This solution demonstrates the proven value of SAS’ flood management tools, based on trusted data, analytics, and AI, in equipping organizations better prepare for future flooding events and unforeseen situations.

Currently, the pilot version of the solution illustrates the following capabilities: 

1. Advanced Analytics: Processes enormous volumes of data coming from various data sources to provide accurate flood forecasts and risk assessments.

2. Real-Time Monitoring: Shows how important real-time data is when it comes to monitoring flood-prone areas and predicting potential flooding events.

3. Proactive Planning: Emphasizes the role of predictive analytics in proactive flood management, allowing organizations to plan and implement mitigation strategies well in advance.

4. Enhanced Community Preparedness: Provides insights into how communities can leverage SAS tools to improve their preparedness and response to flood emergencies.

SAS has proven that it can provide more than just theoretical answers by working with an extensive number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations globally to enhance their flood management systems.

For instance, SAS collaborated with the Jakarta government to deploy an award-winning flood control system integrated into the “JAKI” super app. 

Using real-time data and advanced predictive analytics, this innovative system can accurately predict flooding events. It combines sensor data and weather forecasts, enabling timely interventions that significantly reduce the adverse effects of floods. Not only has the system strengthened Jakarta’s flood response, but it has also garnered praise for its groundbreaking application of technology to city planning.

The Town of Cary in North Carolina, US, is another great example. SAS has provided the town with a tailored flood incident prediction and preparedness solution, utilizing the Microsoft Azure platform and integrating flood risk assessment, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics capabilities. 

The system’s ability to bring together data from several sources, including weather forecasts, river levels, and historical data, allows for accurate flood forecasting and early warning services. Thanks to this proactive approach, the Town of Cary is now significantly better prepared to deal with potential flood threats, guaranteeing the community’s safety.

Regional flood management strategies can be drastically enhanced with the power of SAS advanced analytics and real-time data processing tools.  

In addition to mitigating flood damage, this new solution from SAS D[n]A Factory can help local communities feel less vulnerable to flooding events while properly equipped to quickly recover.


FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA
Updated 24 July 2024
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FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, has appointed Abdulrahman Al-Mubarak as its new managing director of operations in Saudi Arabia. Based in Riyadh, Abdulrahman holds a regional role in the Middle East and is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and operations for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.

Abdulrahman joins FedEx with over 15 years of experience in regulatory compliance, business development, strategic planning, and operational excellence across the Kingdom’s aviation and logistics industry, in both the private and public sectors. 

“It is an honor to be part of the FedEx family and to work with such an incredible team. As we look to the future, I am focused on fostering stronger collaborations with authorities, enhancing our services and connectivity, and enabling local businesses to harness the full potential of global trade,” said Abdulrahman Al-Mubarak, managing director of FedEx Operations.