Sayidaty and Arrajol magazines launch campaign to celebrate the upcoming 90th Saudi National Day

1 / 4
Sayidaty and Arrajol magazines have launched a new campaign to celebrate the upcoming 90th Saudi National Day. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 23 July 2020
Follow

Sayidaty and Arrajol magazines launch campaign to celebrate the upcoming 90th Saudi National Day

  • The campaign calls for a special ‘Saudi gathering’ that brings together people from all segments of Saudi society, including citizens and residents

RIYADH: Sayidaty and Arrajol magazines have launched a new campaign to celebrate the upcoming 90th Saudi National Day.
“Lamatna Saudia” provides an opportunity for people to express their love for and pride in the Kingdom by sharing their creative works, which could be a photo of their region, painting, poetry, video, song, or even an artifact. Both Sayidaty and Arrajol will publish the contributions in their e-magazines, on their websites and social media channels. The best contributions will receive awards and certificates of appreciation signed by the magazines’ editor-in-chief.

“Lamatna” in Arabic means a gathering involving close people. On the occasion of the Saudi National Day, the campaign calls for a special “Saudi gathering” that brings together people from all segments of Saudi society, including citizens and residents.
The campaign aims to highlight a sense of unity between all regions of the Kingdom, through a comprehensive survey covering every city and village, and shedding light on their hidden treasures in the social, cultural, touristic and artistic fields. Progress in construction, urbanization, education, public services, women’s empowerment and entertainment facilities will also be spotlighted.


A number of institutions, cultural, economic and social organizations, public figures, celebrities, businessmen and women, and clubs have expressed interest in participating. Moreover, several celebrities outside Saudi Arabia will share their experiences and memories of the Kingdom.
“Your love for your country if you are a Saudi, your love for the country in which you reside and consider a second country if you are a resident, and an opportunity to be part of a historical event that is being documented by the most important and biggest media parties locally, regionally and globally, should motivate you to participate,” a press release said.

“You can share anything that expresses your pride, a memory you hold, or a creative participation, no matter how humble or small.”
Participants can send in their contributions to: Lamatna.ksa90@sayidaty.net and Lamatna.ksa90@arrajol.com
A panel of distinguished personalities, critics and experts from different fields will judge the entries. The campaign will run until the National Day, with results out by the end of October.
In addition to certificates of appreciation, a range of prizes are on offer, including vouchers and subscriptions to various entertainment platforms. Winners will also be able to publish their works on the websites of the magazines throughout the next year.


Radisson Hotel Group strengthens presence in Middle East with strategic team expansion

Updated 47 min 39 sec ago
Follow

Radisson Hotel Group strengthens presence in Middle East with strategic team expansion

Radisson Hotel Group has promoted Elie Milky to chief development officer for Middle East, Cyprus, and Greece, reinforcing its commitment to doubling the wider regional portfolio to over 150 hotels and 50,000 keys in operation and under development by 2030.

Milky, who marked 15 years with the company last month, has steered many of the group’s headline deals across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, helping make the Middle East one of Radisson’s fastest-growing markets. 
Under Milky’s leadership, Radisson is scaling its development and feasibility teams, adding specialist analysts and project managers to enhance deal sourcing, underwriting, and technical support.

The team is based out of Dubai with regular visits to Riyadh, Cairo and across the region, ensuring on-the-ground support for owners as large-scale tourism investment accelerates.

A key pillar of that team is Ayman Ezzeddine, who joined Radisson in early 2024 as director of development for the Middle East with special focus on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Over the past 18 months, Ezzeddine’s market analysis, owner relations and deal structuring have led to several deals and a strong pipeline for upcoming signings, reinforcing Radisson’s owner-centric approach.

Commenting on his new role, Milky said: “The region is moving at record speed. With Ayman’s effort and our expanded development and feasibility bench, we’re ready to deliver high-quality hotels, resorts and serviced apartments that create jobs, diversify economies, and meet investor expectations across every segment.”

In the last 12 months, Radisson has strengthened its footprint across the region. Two new Park Inn hotels, Makkah Thakher Alsharqi and Makkah Thakher Algharbi deepened the group’s presence in the holy city along with a recent opening in Riyadh and Madinah as well, while November 2024 welcomed Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and Apartments Kuwait, the brand’s second property in the country. Looking ahead,

Radisson Collection Residence Riyadh, the brand’s third address in the Saudi capital, is set to open in Q4 2025. Recent signings extend the pipeline even further: Radisson Collection Residence Amman Abdoun and Radisson RED Amman Downtown introduce both brands to Jordan, and two more Radisson RED hotels are slated for Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, and Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE.

Altogether the Middle East portfolio now approaches 100 hotels in operation or development, keeping Radisson on course for its 2030 growth target of over 150 properties and 50,000 keys.


Lulu’s new store in Jeddah offers everything from daily essentials to lifestyle needs

Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

Lulu’s new store in Jeddah offers everything from daily essentials to lifestyle needs

Lulu Retail has further strengthened its presence in Saudi Arabia with the grand opening of a new hypermarket in Jeddah’s Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah district. 

Located along the vibrant Al-Andalus Road, the new outlet offers a comprehensive and modern shopping experience that combines convenience, variety, and innovative retail design.

The launch is in line with the group’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by enhancing consumer services and contributing to the local economy.

The store was inaugurated by Nasar Salem Almoteb, deputy mayor of Jeddah Municipality, in the presence of Ihsan Bafakih, executive vice chairman of Al Nahla group, Nasser Huwaiden Thaiban Ali Alketbi, consul general of the UAE in Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, consul general of India in Jeddah, and Yusuffali M.A, chairman of LuLu group, along with other dignitaries.

“We are proud to further strengthen our footprint in Jeddah with the launch of this hypermarket in Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah. This expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by creating jobs, enhancing retail infrastructure, and offering world-class shopping experiences to the community. We remain dedicated to being a catalyst in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic retail transformation."

Spanning over 117000 square feet, the hypermarket features a wide array of retail sections, including a fully stocked supermarket, fresh food zones, LuLu Connect electronics, fashion store, and specialty counters such as BLSH and Eye Express. 

A spacious food court adjacent to the fresh food section provides shoppers with a relaxing space to enjoy freshly prepared meals.

To ensure a smooth and convenient shopping experience, the store offers ample dedicated parking, accommodating both local residents and visitors. 

To celebrate the opening, exclusive inaugural offers are available across all departments, giving customers exceptional value on high-quality products.

The Al-Baghdadiyah hypermarket marks a key milestone in LuLu group’s strategy to serve evolving consumer needs while supporting the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable economic and social development. ‎

Also present on the occasion were Saleh Ihsan Tayeb, director of corporate communications, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce; Youssef Abdullah Al-Salami, mayor of Al-Baghdadiyah; Mohammed Wajih bin Hassan Sharbatly, member of the board of managers, Al Nahla group; Sami Abdulaziz Al-Mukhdoob, CEO – real estate sector, Al Nahla group and other dignitaries.


CARE KSA powers Saudi Arabia’s $266bn vision for sustainable future

Updated 10 July 2025
Follow

CARE KSA powers Saudi Arabia’s $266bn vision for sustainable future

Trescon has unveiled the Saudi edition of CARE — the Climate Action and Renewable Energy Expo, debuting in Riyadh on Dec. 8–9. This is in response to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious clean energy and sustainability vision and the global urgency for climate solutions.

As a cornerstone of the global CARE series — alongside editions in India and Dubai — the Saudi edition is dedicated to advancing climate action, clean energy adoption, and sustainable finance through meaningful public-private collaboration. With 10,000+ attendees, 950 investors, 225 sponsors, and 200+ global speakers expected across the series, CARE is built for action, driving transformative dialogue, deal-making, and cross-border partnerships across more than 100 countries.

The series opened with the CARE Dialogues on June 24 — an exclusive, invite-only session, held in Dubai under the theme “Green Finance and Beyond: Driving ESG Across Sectors.” Powered by Emtribe, the event convened senior leaders from finance, policy, and technology to explore practical strategies for embedding ESG into core business models. 

“As a partner of CARE, we’re proud to back a platform that focuses on what really matters — getting the right people in the room and driving honest, outcome-focused conversations,” said Mohammed Saleem, founder of Emtribe. He added: “There’s a lot of talk in this space. CARE stands out by pushing for action that’s practical, collaborative, and needed.”

As the first official prelude to CARE, the session set the tone for cross-sector collaboration and is helping shape a summit agenda grounded in real-world priorities and regional relevance.

Saudi Arabia is driving a transformative energy shift. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has committed more than $266 billion to renewable energy and sustainable development, aiming for 50 percent renewable electricity by 2030. From green hydrogen initiatives to expansive solar parks and giga-projects like NEOM, these efforts are redefining the region’s energy and economic future. CARE KSA emerges as a vital platform to amplify this progress, uniting key public and private sector players, accelerating project momentum, and showcasing global innovations aligned with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability ambitions. 

Naveen Bharadwaj, group CEO of Trescon, said: “CARE KSA will bring together global innovators and Saudi stakeholders to accelerate tangible outcomes in renewables, climate tech, and green finance. Our goal is to help turn the Kingdom’s bold vision into implemented, bankable projects.”

Each CARE edition features keynotes, panel discussions, policy roundtables and workshops, dialogues, and a dynamic exhibition floor showcasing next-gen solutions in solar, wind, green hydrogen, water, climate finance, and carbon markets. CARE KSA will also host the ClimateTech World Cup, a global pitch competition spotlighting early-stage innovations in climate adaptation, energy storage, carbon capture, and circular economy. Finalists will pitch live to international investors and corporates, accelerating the deployment of scalable, high-impact solutions.

CARE is guided by the Global CARE Alliance, a high-level advisory board featuring sustainability leaders including:

  • Dr. Waleed Alkalash, former deputy minister for labor policies/ CEO Ministry of Labour/ business consulting and services, Saudi Arabia
  • Adnan bin Abdulrahman Alalyani, director general environmental technologies, National Center of Environmental Compliance, Saudi Arabia
  • Nizar Kammourie, CEO SAWACO Water and board member — ESG Committee at The American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
  • Julie Newman, director of sustainability, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US
  • Erik Solheim, former minister of environment and former undersecretary general, UNEP, Norway
  • Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al-Nuaimi, former minister of environment, UAE, and others

Diriyah’s world-class luxury hospitality offerings on show

Updated 09 July 2025
Follow

Diriyah’s world-class luxury hospitality offerings on show

Diriyah Company participated once again in ILTM Asia Pacific 2025, showcasing its premier luxury hospitality offerings for the business and tourism sectors. This year’s ILTM Asia Pacific took place from June 30 to July 3 in Singapore.

Throughout the event, Diriyah Company welcomed and engaged with stakeholders, investors, and travel specialists at its distinctively designed booth.

Across Diriyah and the adjoining Wadi Safar development areas, nearly 40 world-class hotels and resorts are set to welcome tourists and business visitors, including some of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious hospitality names: Anantara, Aman, Capella, Chedi, Raffles, Four Seasons, and Six Senses.

In addition to the 202-room Raffles Hotel Diriyah, which features distinctive architectural designs inspired by Najdi heritage, Diriyah also launched the Raffles Residences Diriyah in November 2024, offering 90 apartments and townhouses, primarily featuring one-, two-, or three-bedroom residences, as well as seven spacious duplex homes. Additionally, the arrival of Capella Diriyah, with its 100 rooms, marks the brand’s first opening in Saudi Arabia, blending local tradition with contemporary luxury.

As the birthplace of Saudi Arabia three centuries ago, Diriyah is home to the beautifully restored At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has welcomed more than 3 million visitors since its opening in December 2022.

Diriyah Company’s participation in ILTM Asia Pacific highlighted its commitment to building new relationships and partnerships that will support its growing portfolio of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and cultural attractions that are designed to elevate Diriyah’s position within the global luxury tourism landscape.

Known as the City of Earth for its traditional mudbrick-inspired Najdi architecture, Diriyah will contribute approximately SR70 billion ($18.6 billion) directly to the Kingdom’s GDP, create nearly 180,000 jobs and will be home to an estimated 100,000 people. It will also include modern office space for tens of thousands of professionals in technology, media, the arts and education, museums, a university, the Royal Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah arena, world-class hotels, renowned local, global and regional restaurants, a Greg Norman designed championship golf course and the Royal Equestrian and Polo Club — Wadi Safar.

Diriyah is projected to attract up to 50 million visits annually in the future.

ILTM Asia Pacific is a premier event for luxury travel professionals targeting the expanding market beyond China. It offers curated meetings with top travel designers and hospitality brands.


Winners announced for ‘She’s Next in Football’ program

Updated 09 July 2025
Follow

Winners announced for ‘She’s Next in Football’ program

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced the winners of the inaugural “She’s Next in Football” program in Saudi Arabia, held in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank and AC Milan Women. The initiative spotlights the Kingdom’s most promising women footballers and marks a major step in advancing female talent in sports through mentorship, professional training, and international exposure.

Fatima Alsenan was named the overall winner and will travel to Milan for a two-week “Training with the PRO” experience at the PUMA House of Football, training alongside AC Milan Women’s professional players and coaches. Zainab Alhomidi secured the runner-up position and will enjoy an exclusive VIP visit to AC Milan’s training grounds.

Finalists were evaluated based on their football skills, leadership potential, and dedication to the game. The judging panel included representatives from Visa, SAB, and Saudi football icon Farah Jefry, who also serves as the program’s ambassador.

“Programs like She’s Next in Football show us what’s possible when ambition, talent, and opportunity come together. What sets these young women apart isn’t just what they do. It’s how they think with resilience, focus, and a willingness to grow. That mindset is exactly what She’s Next is all about. Through partnerships with SAB and AC Milan Women, we’re not just creating opportunities, but building ecosystems that empower women to lead, inspire, and shape their communities. It’s a model that works across sectors, and one we’re proud to champion as part of Saudi Arabia’s inclusive growth journey,” said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Lama Ghazzaoui, chief financial officer at SAB, said: “When women are given meaningful access to opportunity they rise, not only as athletes but as changemakers.” 

This partnership is about more than football, it is about creating a space for growth, confidence and ambition to take root. As the chair of BALANCE, SAB’s employee diversity program, we strive to promote gender diversity in the workplace and the marketplace. We are also dedicated to contributing to a more inclusive future for sports in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for training, mentoring, and developing female talent, ultimately transforming it into professional capabilities.”

Elisabet Spina, AC Milan head of women football, said: “At AC Milan, in collaboration with SAB and Visa, we are proud to support these young women and accompany them on their journey of growth, both on and off the pitch. We are very pleased to welcome Fatima Alsenan to the PUMA House of Football, where she will begin a high-level growth journey within a club whose prestige is globally recognized, and in close contact with top-tier professionals.”