Bank helps Jazan’s budding entrepreneurs with $67 million funding

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Funding value ranges from SR300,000 to SR400,000, depending on the project. (SPA)
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Funding value ranges from SR300,000 to SR400,000, depending on the project. (SPA)
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Funding value ranges from SR300,000 to SR400,000, depending on the project. (SPA)
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Funding value ranges from SR300,000 to SR400,000, depending on the project. (SPA)
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Photo/SPA
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Updated 17 February 2020
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Bank helps Jazan’s budding entrepreneurs with $67 million funding

  • A water bottle production plant in Abu Arish’s industrial city is another example of youth fulfilling their ambition and taking advantage of investment opportunities in Jazan

JAZAN: Young Saudi entrepreneurs in Jazan benefited from government plans and programs to help develop promising ideas and fund future projects in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The projects extended all over Jazan’s governorates, with Social Development Bank funding in the area as part of its leading role in funding micro, small and medium projects.
Since the launch of its funding programs, the bank has funded around 1,600 productive projects in the area, with a value exceeding SR200 million ($53 million), as well as 3,520 microprojects worth SR52 million.
The diverse investment activities funded by the bank include specialized factories, car parts and heavy equipment stores, mechanics’ shops, restaurants, gift shops, coffee shops and photo studios.
Modon, a factory specializing in colors, stands out among the factories in the industrial city in Jazan as a qualitative project in entrepreneurship funded by the Social Development Bank.
The project went into production at the beginning of 2017, delivering 10 tons of paint colorant, sponge and liquid plastic each month. The factory’s owner, engineer Mohammed Nour’s plans have paid off in production growth, marketing success and contracts with specialized companies. Currently, the factory produces 25 tons of the three colorants.
The factory has signed export contracts to the UAE, Kuwait and Yemen.
A water bottle production plant in Abu Arish’s industrial city is another example of youth fulfilling their ambition and taking advantage of investment opportunities in Jazan.
Engineer Ahmed Al-Thayhi set up one production line in 2015 with a production capacity of 2,700 bottles a day. Now the plant has a production capacity of 6,000 bottles, as well as 35,000 bottle caps daily, through three production lines.

HIGHLIGHT

Since the launch of its funding programs, the bank has funded around 1,600 productive projects in the area, with a value exceeding SR200 million ($53 million), as well as 3,520 micro-projects worth SR52 million.

The plant also started producing around 1.5 tons of plastic bags daily in 2018 and has now reached a capacity of four tons of bags, which are used locally all over Jazan’s governorates, as well as Khamis Mushayt and Makkah.
Al-Thayhi’s experience in the last five years has added to his knowledge and skill, and given him the ambition to look for an outstanding product by investing in one of Jazan’s natural resources, and manufacturing and exporting it.
The Social Development Bank empowers small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a range of projects funding products, including Emerging Project Product, Graduates Product, Excellence Projects Product and Invention Projects Product, to create a generation of entrepreneurs.

 


King Abdulaziz University hosts National Development Fund’s governor at panel discussion

Updated 1 min 32 sec ago
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King Abdulaziz University hosts National Development Fund’s governor at panel discussion

  • Stephen Groff looks at achieving aims of Saudi Vision 2030

RIYADH: King Abdulaziz University hosted Stephen Groff, the National Development Fund’s governor, in a panel discussion at the Academic Dialogue Table organized by the Faculty of Economics and Administration.

Groff discussed the role of the NDF and the broader development ecosystem in achieving Saudi Vision 2030, in an event also attended by Dr. Tareef Al-Aama, the university’s president.

King Abdulaziz University hosts NDF Governor at “Academic Dialogue Table”. (Supplied)

Groff said that the fund aimed to enhance developmental impact and improve productivity, highlighting the key strategic priorities and ongoing initiatives being provided to entities under the fund’s umbrella, such as economic diversification and growth stimulation.

He added that the NDF contributed to creating sustainable job opportunities as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship.

FASTFACT

Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale project.

Groff stressed that one of the fund’s core missions was to develop infrastructure by financing large-scale projects in sectors such as transportation, housing, and public utilities through its affiliated entities, including the recently established National Infrastructure Fund.

He explained that the primary mission of the fund, as a development finance institution, was to empower development funds and banks to achieve their sector-specific objectives, beneficiary goals, and activity targets, while focusing on specific areas and ensuring the financial sustainability of development finance entities in the future.

He concluded by stressing the critical role of the fund in reviewing and evaluating the impact of every program, project, or initiative aimed at addressing developmental needs, economic priorities, challenges, and available opportunities.

 


GCC secretary general meets Lebanese president

Joseph Aoun (R) receives Jasem Albudaiwi at the Presidential Palace in Beirut. (Supplied)
Updated 12 sec ago
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GCC secretary general meets Lebanese president

  • Albudaiwi wished the president success in his efforts to uplift the Lebanese people and fulfill their aspirations

BEIRUT: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Albudaiwi met with President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Beirut on Friday.

Albudaiwi wished the president success in his efforts to uplift the Lebanese people and fulfill their aspirations, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.

He added that the meeting reaffirmed the GCC’s unwavering support for Lebanon, stressing its commitment to bolstering Lebanon’s security and stability and contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of the Lebanese people.

 

 


‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards

Updated 18 sec ago
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‘Nusuk’ celebrates big win at 2024 World Summit Awards

  • Launched in 2003 and with more than 186 countries participating, the prestigious WSAs are held biennially and recognize impactful digital initiatives

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the sole Saudi participant to win a 2024 World Summit Award in the Culture and Heritage category, thanks to its “Nusuk” platform.

The project competed against over 900 technical submissions from 160 countries.

Launched in 2003 and with more than 186 countries participating, the prestigious WSAs are held biennially and recognize impactful digital initiatives. They seek to bridge the global digital divide by honoring smart applications and creative online content. The WSAs are a key UN initiative, supported by the International Telecommunication Union.

The award reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering strategy in developing innovative technological solutions aimed at enhancing pilgrims’ experiences and highlighting cultural and heritage values.

FASTFACT

‘Nusuk’ is a suite of innovative technological solutions which facilitate the performance of pilgrimage rituals, address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.

It underlines the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s efforts to drive comprehensive digital transformation, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

“Nusuk” is a suite of innovative technological solutions which facilitate the performance of pilgrimage rituals, address challenges and enhance operational efficiency.

It has already advanced significantly with the development of pioneering systems such as the Nusuk Card, Nusuk Masar and crowd management systems.

It also focuses on highlighting the Prophet’s biography and cultural landmarks in Makkah and Madinah, featuring more than 150 museums, monuments, restaurants, cafes and tourist destinations, among other notable sites that enrich the user’s experience.

Over 400 licensed guides are affiliated with the platform, offering customized excursions throughout the Kingdom to pilgrims.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said it is very proud of its achievement and reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to developing technological solutions that ensured the sustainability of the Hajj and Umrah sectors, facilitating easy access to smart services and ensuring a smooth and tranquil performance of the rituals.

 


Iftar portal opens in Grand Mosque

Updated 23 sec ago
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Iftar portal opens in Grand Mosque

  • The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10

MAKKAH: A dedicated portal to receive applications to provide iftar meal services inside the Grand Mosque during Ramadan has been launched by The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The service allows individuals to select one meal site and charitable organizations to apply for up to 10. It also requires the contracting of an authority-approved catering company and adherence to specified terms and conditions.

The authority has emphasized the need to provide low-calorie meals for individuals with chronic diseases and diabetes, making up 20 percent of individual meals and 30 percent of meals provided by charitable organizations.

Applications can be submitted through the authority’s website by visiting https://iam.alharamain.gov.sa/sso and selecting “iftar meal reservation system.”

Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of either Feb.28 or March 1, depending on moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

 


10 Saudi ministries, entities exhibiting at Cairo book fair

Updated 30 sec ago
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10 Saudi ministries, entities exhibiting at Cairo book fair

  • Universities, libraries and several publishing bodies also represented
  • Delegation led by Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission

RIYADH: Ten Saudi Arabia government ministries, universities and other bodies are participating in the 56th Cairo International Book Fair 2025 to promote the nation’s culture and forge ties with Egypt and other countries.

Organized by the General Egyptian Book Organization, the exhibition that began on Thursday will conclude on Feb. 5.

The participants include the lead Kingdom exhibitor, the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, and the Saudi cultural attache in Egypt are also represented.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and cabinet member for Shoura Council affairs, accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, Saleh bin Eid Al-Hosseini, and other officials. (SPA)

The other participants include the King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Prince Sattam University, University of Tabuk, University of Hafr Al-Batin, and the Publishing Association.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and cabinet member for Shoura Council affairs, accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, Saleh bin Eid Al-Hosseini, and other officials.

During the event, Bin Saeed toured the booths of the nation’s participating entities to review their contributions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The participation of the commission aligns with the country's ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s publishing houses and literary agencies.