Bahri, the national shipping company of Saudi Arabia, and Bolloré Group, a global player in international freight forwarding and logistics, have officially launched BahriBolloré Logistics, the companies’ joint venture. Bahri owns a 60-percent stake in the joint venture, while Bolloré owns the remaining 40 percent.
Headquartered in Riyadh, BahriBolloré Logistics will provide end-to-end logistics and supply chain management solutions to local and international firms operating in Saudi Arabia.
To mark the occasion, BahriBolloré Logistics hosted a ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, in the presence of Abdulrahman M. Al-Mofadhi, chairman of Bahri; Cyrille Bolloré, chairman of Bolloré Transport & Logistics; Éric Giraud-Telme, deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Saudi Arabia; and senior representatives from both the companies, the diplomatic and military corps, among others.
Bahri Chairman Al-Mofadhi said: “The success of this joint venture signals the importance of collaboration in creating a wider positive impact on the sector. It is only through meaningful partnerships and a shared vision that the transportation and logistics sector can break new ground and explore new horizons of growth.”
Ali Al-Harbi, acting CEO of Bahri, said: “The inauguration of BahriBolloré Logistics will enable us to play a significant role in driving an important objective of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, to further raise the Kingdom’s ranking in the global logistics market. The joint venture will enable us to deliver high-quality logistics and supply chain management solutions as we combine Bolloré’s global footprint with our industry-leading capabilities and deep understanding of the local market to meet the growing demand for these services in the regional market.”
Cyrille Bolloré, chairman of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, said: “We are particularly honored to conclude this strategic partnership with Bahri, one of the most recognized logistics players in Saudi Arabia. This development at the heart of a high growth potential region is an important milestone of our global network integration.”
Thierry Ehrenbogen, CEO of Bolloré Logistics, said: “This alliance is following the development dynamic of Bolloré Logistics in the Middle East region and at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. Our joint venture with Bahri enables us to promote our expertise in key sectors, especially in aerospace, defense, oil & gas, along with fashion and health care.”
Bahri, Bolloré Group celebrate launch of logistics firm in Riyadh
Bahri, Bolloré Group celebrate launch of logistics firm in Riyadh
flyadeal eyes 75,000 overseas Hajj pilgrims in 2025
flyadeal, the fastest growing low-cost airline in the Kingdom and Middle East, expects to carry more than 75,000 pilgrims on dedicated international charters during this year’s Hajj season. The figure represents yet another significant milestone for flyadeal, which has been scaling up the number of overseas Hajj flights since 2023.
From 35,000 pilgrims flown by flyadeal into the Kingdom last year — up 35 percent from 2023 — the number is expected to more than double to 75,000 in 2025, with the airline operating additional widebody charters into Jeddah and Madinah, gateways to the holy city of Makkah.
flyadeal is also stepping up its year-round Umrah services, which will continue to operate from Turkiye, Iraq and Uzbekistan, with the UK, Thailand, India and countries in Africa and Central Asia set to be included for 2025.
The growth plans were announced during the 4th Hajj Conference and Exhibition that took place in Jeddah last week.
flyadeal joined sister companies Saudia and Saudi Ground Services under the umbrella of parent Saudia Group — this year’s strategic sponsor — for a joint exhibition stand promoting products and services to visiting Hajj committees, ministries and tour operators from around the world.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr.Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, and Director General of Saudia Group Ibrahim bin Abdulrahaman Al-Omar; were among the many visiting dignitaries.
Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, said: “This year’s Hajj forum was a perfect opportunity to give visiting delegations and travel companies an insight into flyadeal’s Hajj preparations for 2025, our year-round Umrah plans, and exciting growth of our scheduled operations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South Asia over the next 12 months and beyond.
“Having operated two successful seasons of Hajj charters with 120 flights from 15 destinations across seven countries last year, we now turn to 2025 during which we expect to carry around 75,000 pilgrims as we bring in more widebody aircraft dedicated to our biggest ever international Hajj uplift. In addition, we are conducting more year-round Umrah flights as widebody aircraft enable us to operate from further afield including the UK, Thailand and India.
“Running a Hajj operation during an intense one month period every year is effectively like running a separate business from our day-to-day scheduled services. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly in coordination with our travel partners in the Kingdom and overseas to provide a unique end-to-end experience.”
Rakan Alotaibi, director of Hajj and Umrah and commercial regulatory affairs, flyadeal, added: “We signed a number of Hajj agreements with delegations last week followed by their visits to our Jeddah headquarters to learn more about flyadeal and our operations firsthand as we gear up with national pride for what promises to be an extremely busy and gratifying summer season carrying so many pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.”
“flyadeal remains committed to the very important, yet complex, annual Hajj movements for which we put in tremendous effort beyond expectations ensuring they run as smoothly as possible to support the dreams and aspirations of first-time Hajj pilgrims, many of whom are also first-time fliers.”
flyadeal was among a host of travel companies, including airlines, hotels, ground transport operators, agents and tour firms to showcase their products to delegates during the Jeddah event.
MBSC conference spotlights future of entrepreneurship
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship hosted the highly anticipated 1st International Entrepreneurship Research Conference from Jan. 21 to 23, at its campus in King Abdullah Economic City. Under the theme “The Future of Entrepreneurship, Family Business and Education Research: New Trends and Innovative Practices,” the conference united global thought leaders to explore innovative trends shaping entrepreneurship.
IERC 2025 featured more than 26 parallel sessions and six panel discussions, with more than 150 paper presentations selected from 339 submissions. The event engaged 306 authors from 42 countries, highlighting MBSC’s role in fostering global research collaboration.
Dr. Zeger Degraeve, dean of MBSC, said: “IERC 2025 embodies our mission to inspire innovation and cultivate leadership for sustainable growth in alignment with Vision 2030. This conference is a testament to MBSC’s dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry to drive meaningful impact.”
Prominent keynote speakers included Saud Khalid Al-Sabhan, vice governor of Monsha’at, and Fuad Shapra, chair of the Middle East Investment Committee and board member at KPMG Middle East. Their participation underscored the event’s significance in advancing entrepreneurial innovation in Saudi Arabia and the region.
The conference delved into topics such as entrepreneurial ecosystems, family business, women entrepreneurship, digital transformation, sustainability, climate resilience, healthcare transformation and innovation.
Professor of entrepreneurship Dr. Adnan Maalaoui said: “IERC 2025 offers a vibrant platform for entrepreneurs and policymakers to collaborate and transform research into actionable solutions, reinforcing MBSC’s leadership in entrepreneurship education.”
As part of expanding the success of the conference, the college plans to enhance its global impact by hosting the second edition, IERC 2026, in Alexandria, Egypt, and the third edition, IERC 2027, in Fez, Morocco. The conference will also return to Saudi Arabia in 2028 and every three years thereafter, reflecting the college’s ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurial innovation in the MENA region and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship.
Al-Sabhan, vice governor of Monsha’at, said: “MBSC’s hosting of IERC 2025 highlights its commitment to driving innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. This conference plays a crucial role in empowering Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and advancing Vision 2030.”
Zain KSA becomes Inter Milan’s first Saudi partner
Italian football club FC Internazionale Milano has announced the club’s first partnership agreement in Saudi Arabia, with Zain KSA becoming Inter’s first official regional partner.
The agreement, valid throughout the 2024/25 season, will see Zain KSA, a leading provider of innovative technology in Saudi Arabia, make its debut in Italian football. Zain KSA will leverage the global visibility of the Inter brand to advance its goals of delivering innovative digital experiences that cater to sports fans in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership underscores Inter’s dedication to expanding its presence in the Middle East — one of the club’s key global markets — and get even closer its extensive and ever-growing fanbase across the region. In 2024, Inter also secured a license from the Ministry of Investment to undertake and manage commercial activities in Saudi Arabia.
“We are very happy to announce our first regional partnership in Saudi Arabia, a key market for developing the Inter brand and one that has shown growing enthusiasm for Inter,” said FC Internazionale Milano CEO Corporate Alessandro Antonello. “Besides being our first partnership in the Saudi Arabia market, this collaboration with Zain KSA also enables us to join forces with a brand that, like Inter, views innovation and care for their community as two fundamental pillars of their growth strategy.”
Thanks to this agreement, football fans in Saudi Arabia — and Nerazzurri fans in particular — will be able to use Zain KSA’s cutting-edge 5G experience with personalized home packages and special-edition Inter-themed routers.
The partnership — a first of its kind for Zain KSA in the Kingdom and in the region — is the latest in a series of innovative initiatives planned by the company to improve people’s quality of life and enrich their daily experiences.
Zain KSA’s Chief Sales Officer Maher Al-Fawaz said: “This partnership with FC Internazionale Milano aims to promote a culture of sports in the Kingdom in line with our goals to promote a dynamic, connected and vibrant society. This innovative collaboration meets the growing aspirations of football fans in the Kingdom, attracts international clubs to have activities in Saudi Arabia and reflects our commitment to contributing to the empowerment of the sports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi marketing pioneer Ryouf Alrumaih credits Vision 2030 for success
At a time when it wasn’t easy for Saudi women to break into male-dominated industries, Ryouf Alrumaih emerged as a pioneer in marketing and creative leadership. As one of the first Saudi women to launch an integrated creative agency in the Kingdom, Alrumaih has redefined leadership in an industry often dominated by international players.
Her journey began with a bold vision and a belief in the potential of Saudi talent. “Leadership in marketing is about nurturing creativity and building trust within a team,” says Alrumaih, CEO of Nithar, a fully integrated creative solutions agency serving both public and private sectors.
From dream to reality
When Alrumaih founded Nithar in 2012, the challenges were immense. “Marketing services were largely dominated by foreign agencies at the time,” she says. “Starting a Saudi-led company meant breaking stereotypes — not just as a woman but as a visionary in a new field.”
Alrumaih credits Vision 2030 for transforming the playing field. “This vision didn’t just open doors; it removed walls, creating unprecedented support for Saudi women and paving the way for leadership opportunities in areas once considered out of reach.”
Marketing through a leadership lens
Alrumaih views marketing as more than campaigns; she sees it as a platform for cultural dialogue and economic growth. Her philosophy centers on teamwork and empowerment, fostering young Saudi talents.
“Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about inspiring others to think innovatively and act collaboratively,” she says. Under her guidance, Nithar has grown into a powerhouse, delivering strategies, brand identities, and creative solutions tailored to local markets while meeting global standards.
A bright future
Looking ahead, Alrumaih is optimistic about Saudi women’s role in shaping marketing’s future. “We’re seeing more women in leadership roles and redefining success. This shift isn’t just empowering; it’s reshaping the industry as a whole,” she says.
For aspiring marketers and entrepreneurs, Alrumaih has words of advice: “Seize the opportunities created by Vision 2030. Collaborate, innovate, and persevere.”
As Saudi Arabia continues making strides on the global stage, leaders like Alrumaih are ensuring the Kingdom’s story is told with creativity and authenticity — a testament to the transformative power of women’s leadership.
Saudi street artist San Shyn unveils 80-feet mural outside KSA Embassy in London
San Shyn, a young street artist from Saudi Arabia, revealed a new vibrant public art mural outside the Saudi Embassy in the heart of Mayfair, London. The project has been realized as part of a unique Saudi-UK cross-cultural collaboration, with the piece being installed by London-based Graffiti artist Cept. The collaboration developed organically through word of mouth within the grassroots street art community and demonstrates an artistic exchange at the intersection of Saudi and UK culture.
The public nature of the artwork in London promotes a greater understanding of diverse perspectives and worldviews that Saudi artists draw upon in their contemporary works. The 80-feet mural was installed over several days at the beginning of the year and will remain in place until mid-February.
Shyn said: “I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to create this mural in London and to collaborate with the incredibly talented UK artist Cept. The mural’s distorted lines and shapes reflect the imperfection of creative expression which is at the heart of my work. This project is especially meaningful to me, as it allows me to share the evolving street art culture from Saudi Arabia on an international stage. To create something outside of my hometown and to contribute to the global dialogue of art is a dream come true.”
The project is part of a series of artistic collaborations between the Embassy and Saudi artists including with Rashed Al-Shashai, whose luminous hanging sculpture was installed in the Embassy garden last year, and Ahmed Mater’s first retrospective held at Christie’s last summer. Mater is exhibiting his iconic Magnetism installation, first shown in the UK at the British Museum in 2012, at the historic Islamic Biennale, which opened in Jeddah on Jan. 25.
Saudi Ambassador to the UK Khalid bin Bandar Al-Saud said: ”Saudi Arabia is changing, and the rise of dynamic street artists like San Shyn is a great example of this. That’s why I was keen to give her a platform in central London, where we are already showcasing Rashed Al-Shashai’s brilliant sculpture. Art is a bridge between cultures, and these works are an opportunity to demonstrate that Britain and Saudi Arabia have more in common than we might imagine.”
In this mural, the artist’s primary aim is to celebrate the street culture, capturing the essence of spontaneous, vibrant graffiti. With quick, bold strokes made using spray cans, the mural transforms ordinary walls into canvases of beauty, bringing life to the streets. Central to the artwork are figures that embody the very act of creating art, illustrating the raw energy and creativity that define this underground movement. The overall direction is inspired by the photos below, which are dynamic, colorful and unapologetically loud — just like street culture itself.
Stephen Stapleton, founder of Edge of Arabia, said: “This playful, joyful artwork in front of the Saudi Embassy in Mayfair reflects a new era of cross-cultural collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia. The language of art transcends the borders that divide us, and we need that language now more than ever.”
