The Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (BGCEL) at Prince Mohammad Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC), located in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has appointed Amal Dokhan as managing director. She will be responsible for the “strategic direction, tactical execution and operational oversight of the center, with an aim to instil an entrepreneurial mindset in the Kingdom and beyond.”
Dokhan was selected by Babson Global after a worldwide search for the most qualified expert for the role, among candidates from Europe, the US and Australia.
Shahid Ansari, CEO of Babson Global, said: “We are extremely pleased that we have found not only the best qualified candidate, but also one who will bring considerable local knowledge and experience to this role to achieve the nation’s goals, God willing.”
Over the past few years, Dokhan has played a leading role at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in establishing various startup accelerators, corporate innovation programs, and advanced level courses at the entrepreneurship center.
Dokhan said: “I have spent the past few years managing programs for entrepreneurs in the region and coaching organizations to have an entrepreneurial mindset. After joining the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership with its diversified portfolio of programs, I can’t wait to bring my previous experience to realize BGCEL’s ambition to become a global center of excellence in entrepreneurial leadership. I will dedicate all my experience and expertise to make that happen.”
Dokhan has participated as a speaker and trainer in innovation and design thinking at many international and regional events, such as TEDx, the annual Islamic Development Bank conference, Startup Istanbul and the MIT Enterprise Forum.
Dokhan has designed and taught a number of organizational and corporate innovation programs in different parts of the world, including the US, Canada, South Africa, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
“The appointment of Amal Dokhan in this strategic position points us in the right direction toward achieving our visions and goals,” said Nabeel Koshak, dean of MBSC. “Her great wealth of experience with global institutions will enable her to excel in fulfilling the objectives of the center to become an international source of research and developer of entrepreneurship education that promotes a sustainable entrepreneurial leadership culture for business, government, and non-profit enterprises in our beloved Kingdom.”
Amal Dokhan named new MD of Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Amal Dokhan named new MD of Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

First hardware fair in Kingdom wraps up with record visitors

The inaugural edition of International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia concluded in Riyadh, marking a milestone for the Kingdom’s expanding hardware, construction and industrial sectors. As the first trade event dedicated exclusively to Saudi Arabia’s $10.66 billion hardware and tools market and aligned with national industrial priorities under Vision 2030, the exhibition drew widespread recognition for its scale, quality of participation and business opportunities, cementing its place in the country’s events’ calendar.
The debut edition of the trade show, co-located with FSB Sports Show Riyadh, welcomed 13,110 visitors over three days, with strong representation from the Kingdom. Attendees included professionals from hardware retail, building materials, infrastructure development, manufacturing and government entities. From procurement officers and distributors to contractors and industrial buyers, the visitor profile reflected the full spectrum of the hardware and tools ecosystem. Moreover, live product demonstrations, interactive displays and technological advancements attracted crowds.
Several exhibitors showcased the latest advancements in power tools, safety gear, building materials, security systems and more. Demo zones hosted Albawardi Tools and Hardware, a leading distributor of professional tools, equipment and industrial supplies; Hebei Crown Wealth Metal Products; Guangdong Wireking Household Products, a leading Chinese manufacturer of ladders and tool storage products; and Yiwu Highpower Tape, a modern and high-tech enterprise producer of a series of adhesive tape, where live performances of heavy machinery and equipment functions drew packed audiences and potential buyers.
The 2025 edition featured more than 200 exhibiting companies and brands, with a diverse mix of Saudi Arabia-based suppliers and international manufacturers. Country pavilions from China and Türkiye stood out for their scale and product range, further reflecting the growing interest in Saudi Arabia as a regional business hub.
Notable exhibitors included Genergy Power Products, a Spanish company specializing in design and manufacture of portable electric generators and thermal-engine–powered machinery; Gong Fong Enterprise, a manufacturer and developer of customized screwdrivers and professional multi-function drivers; Pecol, one of the biggest European producers of fasteners; and Stahlwille Eduard Wille from Germany, a byword for innovative premium hand tools.
Following the launch edition’s success, the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia will return from June 15-17, 2026. Organized by dmg events in partnership with Koelnmesse, the event will cater to growing demand for high-performance tools, machinery and industrial technologies across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president — construction, dmg events, said: “The debut of International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia reported strong visitor footfall with noteworthy B2B matchmaking activity and high-value partnerships, with participating companies establishing new business relationships with regional distributors. We’re excited to return in 2026, even bigger and more targeted, to support this growing ecosystem in collaboration with Koelnmesse.”
Reciprocating the positive sentiment around the success of the exhibition, Sebastian Rosito, vice president, Koelnmesse GmbH, added: “We are proud to have successfully wrapped up the first edition of International Hardware Fair to the Saudi Arabian market in partnership with dmg events. The EISENWARENMESSE — International Hardware Fair, is held in Cologne and is the powerhouse behind the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia. This edition exceeded expectations and showed the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia within the global hardware landscape. The next edition will continue to deepen international participation and support industrial growth in the Kingdom and the wider region.”
Zscaler expands public data center footprint in Kingdom

Zscaler, Inc., a provider of cloud security solutions, has announced the strategic expansion of its public data center infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Middle East’s dynamic digital economy. This move enhances the availability of Zscaler Private Access in the region and supports growing customer demand for secure, scalable cloud solutions that align with local compliance and data sovereignty requirements.
As digital transformation accelerates across the Kingdom, Zscaler’s expanded infrastructure ensures lower latency, improved performance, and full alignment with Saudi Arabia’s regulatory landscape. The data center investment allows organizations across the region to embrace cloud-first strategies with greater confidence, enabling seamless, secure access to applications and data — regardless of user location.
“We’re deeply invested in the Middle East’s digital future,” said Saeed Agha, vice president of emerging markets at Zscaler. “Our growing presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a reflection of our commitment to helping organizations adopt Zero Trust architecture at scale, while assuring to meet the highest standards of data privacy, sovereignty, and operational resilience.”
Zscaler’s approach is anchored in three core pillars:
• Data localization and customer control: Zscaler adheres to strict privacy by design principles. Customer content is not stored, logs are tokenized and encrypted, and logging data is retained only as long as necessary — within preferred geographies.
• Transparency and government access: Zscaler maintains a firm stance on transparency. In 2024, the company received 91 government requests for user data and disclosed none — reinforcing its customer-first data protection philosophy.
• Built for resilience: Zscaler’s global cloud infrastructure is engineered with multi-layered failover, disaster recovery, and service continuity, ensuring businesses remain securely connected even during outages or disruptions.
With more than 150 data centers globally — including an expanding footprint in Saudi Arabia — Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange platform enables organizations to securely connect users, workloads, and devices across distributed environments, all while reducing risk and complexity.
This latest milestone follows Zscaler’s successful presence at LEAP 2025 and further strengthens its position as the trusted security partner for governments, enterprises, and critical sectors across the Middle East.
Jameel Motors, Geely Auto to enter Italian market with new energy passenger vehicles

Jameel Motors, a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice for top automotive brands, has signed a distribution agreement with Geely Auto, a globally renowned auto group, to bring Geely’s new energy passenger vehicles (NEVs) to the Italian market.
Italy is a new market entry for the two automotive leaders, with Jameel Motors having won the distribution agreement through a competitive process involving both local and international companies, shortly after winning the agreement for Poland in April.
Italy is one of Europe’s most relevant markets, with a strong potential for NEV growth. In the first five months of 2025, joint sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 11% in the Italian market — a remarkable 132% year-on-year increase in EV registrations, signaling strong demand for innovative international brands.
This presents a long-term opportunity and supports Jameel Motors’ strategic expansion into high-potential markets.
Jameel Motors Italia will be bringing advanced automotive technology, a fresh choice of high-quality vehicles, and first-class customer service to Italian drivers, while contributing to the country’s growing shift toward electric mobility.
Jameel Motors Italia will officially launch two of Geely Auto’s standout models in the final quarter of this year. The two models are the Geely EX5, a next-generation all-electric SUV, and a plug-in Super Hybrid SUV. Geely Auto vehicles are built on the brand’s advanced modular platform architecture, delivering state-of-the-art design, safety, performance and offering the highest quality underpinned by its six-year warranty. Jameel Motors Italia aims to develop a professional dealer network across the country, offering approximately 100 Sales and Service points when fully operational.
Fady Jameel, vice chairman, Jameel Motors, said: “This marks an exciting new chapter for Jameel Motors as we expand into Italy — one of Europe’s most high-potential automotive markets. Our collaboration with Geely Auto brings together innovation, quality, and a shared commitment to a more sustainable mobility future.
“By winning this agreement, we look forward to offering Italian customers a new standard in electric mobility with advanced vehicles that truly meet their evolving needs. We also look forward to seeing Jameel Motors continue its international expansion as a distinguished partner in the mobility sector.”
Moe Wang, vice president of Geely Auto International Corporation, said: “Expanding to Italy is an important step in Geely Auto’s globalization strategy. With the in-depth cooperation with Jameel Motors, Geely Auto will fulfill its mission of providing green, intelligent and convenient mobility solutions, and comprehensively enhance consumers' mobility experience.”
Jasmmine Wong, chief executive officer, Jameel Motors, said: “This is an incredible opportunity at a time when the market has become increasingly dynamic due to the green transition and the rapid technological change in the automotive sector. The ability to innovate, listen to the customer, and anticipate trends will be our strength, allowing us to offer increasingly innovative and sustainable solutions.”
Jameel Motors Italia will be led by Marco Santucci, a seasoned automotive executive with almost three decades of experience in the Italian market.
Santucci has held pivotal roles at Ford, Toyota Motor Europe, and most recently served as president and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover Italy.
Renowned for his leadership and expertise in sales and marketing, innovation, and customer experience, he brings a track record of driving performance and sustainable growth.
His deep industry insight and strategic mindset position him as a key asset in advancing Jameel Motors Italia’s vision.
Marco Santucci, managing director, Jameel Motors Italia, said: “With Geely Auto’s cutting-edge technology and Jameel Motors’ customer-first approach, we are well-positioned to deliver real value to the market. Remaining flexible and open to change will be the key to ensuring a future of success, generating a positive impact for the market and our customers.”
Geely Auto is a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer and pioneer in intelligent driving, with a presence in more than 80 countries and sales of over 2.17 million vehicles in 2024.
Geely Auto operates with an innovation-first mindset, driven by more than 50,000 employees working across 12 factories and 5 global R&D centers in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Gothenburg, Coventry and Frankfurt.
Most recently, it released the first ‘Intelligent Vehicle AI’ technology system. Furthermore, Geely Auto has consistently ranked as a top ESG performer within its sector, having achieved an AA grade in the MSCI ESG Rating and as part of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index.
Since 2023, Italy has been Geely Auto's hub for creativity and design with the establishment of Geely Innovation Design Center in Milan.
It works in tandem with the Geely global design network for vehicle design and concept development. From working closely with top-tier Italian designers to provide electric mobility solution to local consumers, Geely is committed to firmly establishing its brand in Italy with increasing awareness.
Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.
This agreement marks another milestone as Jameel Motors continues to expand internationally and harness innovation for the future of mobility.
For more information, please visit jameelmotors.com and geely.com.
Locals embrace short getaways while foreign pilgrims spend in KSA

Travelers from Saudi Arabia took full advantage of this year’s extended Eid Al-Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to Saudi Arabia and spending.
According to Visa’s Travel Pulse: Eid Al-Adha Edition, international travel by Saudi residents rose by 25 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69 percent of travelers from the Kingdom opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21 percent more purchases abroad and spent 13 percent more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad.
This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many Saudi travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go.
•UAE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14 percent of Saudi travelers and accounting for 23 percent of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage — seven of the top 10 merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda.
•Nine percent of travelers went to Turkiye, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15 percent of overall holiday spend with each visitor spending an average of $653 per card.
•While the UK attracted a smaller share of travelers from Saudi Arabia (6 percent) and overall spend (12 percent), it captured the highest spend per card at $839. This figure reflects the destination’s premium retail appeal, with shopping leading how Saudi visitors chose to spend.
Meanwhile, the Hajj season continued to play a meaningful role in Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape. Compared to the same period last year, the Kingdom saw a 7 percent increase in the number of foreign pilgrims, who made 16 percent more purchases during their stay. While overall spending grew by 4 percent, key shopping categories remained unchanged, including food, medicine, and other everyday needs, with smaller portions of spend going toward clothing and travel-related services.
“Whether it’s a short break or a meaningful pilgrimage, having a simple and secure way to pay matters at every step of the journey,” said Ali Bailoun, regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman at Visa.
“We are proud to support that through our unique data insights and seamless, reliable payment solutions, and to contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by helping create more connected, inclusive and seamless payment experiences across borders.”
For businesses and banks, Visa’s Travel Pulse offers unique insights to improve the payment experience for Saudi Visa cardholders traveling abroad or opting for local experiences.
Hankook Tire participates in ‘Mobility Live 2025’

Global tire company Hankook Tire and Technology participated in Mobility Live Middle East 2025, the region’s premier mobility exhibition, held from June 24 to 25 at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Mobility Live Middle East 2025 is the region’s largest mobility exhibition, centered around the future of transportation — including electric vehicles, smart infrastructure, and sustainable public transit. This year’s event brought together more than 10,000 experts, 1,000 VIP buyers, and over 250 participating brands, offering insights into future market trends.
Making its second consecutive appearance at the event, Hankook Tire reinforced its leadership in world-class EV tire technology. At its booth, the company showcased its premium EV product lineup tailored for Middle Eastern driving environments. Featured products included the “iON” brand — the world’s first full lineup of EV-exclusive tires — comprising the high-performance “iON evo,” the summer tire “iON GT,” and the “e-SMART City AU56” for electric buses.
In particular, the iON evo was recognized for its outstanding braking and handling performance, earning the top ranking in a recent tire comparison test conducted by Auto Bild, an automotive magazine in Germany.
The e-SMART City AU56, a truck and bus radial tire, offers optimized mileage performance compared to previous models.
It incorporates advanced tread block technology to deliver improved grip and extended tread life.
“Hankook Tire continues to strengthen its premium brand presence and expand its footprint in the Middle East EV tire market through a range of strategic initiatives,” said Jongwoo Kim, head of Hankook Tire’s Middle East and Asia division. “Mobility Live provided an exceptional platform to showcase the innovation behind our ‘iON’ brand, which leads the way in promoting sustainability in the future mobility sector through the use of advanced eco-friendly materials.” He added, “In line with the UAE’s vision to accelerate EV adoption and its broader sustainability goals under the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy, our participation in Mobility Live highlights our commitment to supporting the region’s clean mobility transformation. We are also reviewing Vision 2030 roadmaps set by each ESG steering committee to re-evaluate our current position and establish a refreshed mid- to long-term strategy for the decade ahead.”