Mahir bin Abdulrahman Al-Gassim was recently appointed deputy minister for civil services at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
Al-Gassim received a bachelor’s degree with honors in system engineering from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 2001. He also attended an executive leadership program at the Lausanne-based IMD Business School.
Al-Gassim has been undersecretary of HRSD for international affairs since April 2019. He is currently chairing the board of directors of Holoul Company, a semi-government and subsidiary of Takamol Holding.
Al-Gassim, who recently joined the board of directors at the Institute of Public Administration, has also been a board member of the National Competitiveness Center since 2019.
In addition, he is a member of several government committees. Before joining HRSD, he participated in a group of administrative boards of private companies.
Al-Gassim has more than 20 years of experience in several sectors, including manufacturing, development and information technology in leading local and global companies. One such company was IBM, where he served as a sales leader from 2009 to 2011 before he became a country manager for over five years beginning in 2014.
He also worked for the Advanced Electronics Company as an associate design engineer from 2001 to 2002 and later as a business development engineer from 2002 to 2005.
Al-Gassim also worked for Microsoft for nearly a year beginning in June 2008.
Who’s Who: Mahir bin Abdulrahman Al-Gassim, deputy minister for civil services at the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
https://arab.news/rtwy9
Who’s Who: Mahir bin Abdulrahman Al-Gassim, deputy minister for civil services at the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
Saudi Arabia’s AgriServ receives 8 ISO certifications for quality in agriculture
- Company recognized for meeting international quality, safety standards
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Company for Agricultural Services was awarded certifications from the International Organization for Standardization on Wednesday.
AgriServ, which provides services to farmers, breeders and agricultural enterprises, received eight ISO certifications for achieving quality standards and meeting international specifications of safety and efficiency.
Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, minister of environment, water and agriculture, and chairman of AgriServ, was present at the award ceremony.
The company obtained certifications in eight categories: anti-bribery, compliance, information security, quality, energy, environment, occupational health and safety, and customer satisfaction, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Omar Al-Suhaibani, CEO of AgriServ, said that the achievement was a result of the company’s efforts to enhance internal procedures and implement the highest quality standards.
He highlighted AgriServ’s commitment to international standards in its regulations, policies and procedures, the SPA added.
Thunderstorms expected across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
- Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday
RIYADH: Thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Sunday, leading the General Directorate of Civil Defense to urge the public to exercise caution, stay in safe areas, avoid flood-prone valleys and watercourses, and refrain from swimming in them.
It emphasized the importance of following official instructions issued through media outlets and social media platforms, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, the Makkah region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods, hail and winds, causing dust and sandstorms.
Similar conditions are expected in the Riyadh region.
The directorate indicated that the regions of Madinah, Baha, Asir, Jazan, Qassim, and the Eastern Province will also experience moderate to heavy rainfall. Moderate rain is expected in the Najran region while the Hail region will have light showers.
Saudi Arabia cracks down on foreign truck violations
- Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities
RIYADH: The Transport General Authority is stepping up inspections on foreign trucks in Saudi Arabia to enforce land transport regulations.
Inspection teams have seized 25 trucks illegally transporting goods in cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Each offense resulted in a SR10,000 ($2,666) fine and immediate impoundment of the vehicle, the SPA added.
In Riyadh, 86 inspections revealed 24 offenses and impoundments, while in Jeddah, one offense and impoundment were recorded from eight inspections.
The authority reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, which results in a SR10,000 fine and a 15-day impoundment for first-time offenders.
Repeat offenses result in escalating penalties: SR20,000 and 30 days for the second offense; SR40,000 and 60 days for the third; SR80,000 and 60 days for the fourth; and SR160,000 and 60 days for the fifth. Persistent offenders face having their vehicles confiscated.
These nationwide campaigns enhance transport oversight, ensure fair competition, and support the national carrier, the SPA reported.
In collaboration with relevant bodies, the authority has set four key regulations for foreign truck operations: obtaining an electronic transport document via “bayan.logisti.sa,” limiting transport to return journeys, complying with local carrier rules, and settling offenses before entry or exit.
KSrelief delivers food aid to thousands in need
- In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families
- In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food baskets to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In Somalia’s Bay region, 1,200 packages were distributed to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food project.
In Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh, 200 packages were distributed, while 685 baskets were given to needy families in Lebanon.
In Syria, KSrelief distributed food baskets to 600 families in Daraa governorate.
Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute more than 390,000 food parcels in 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of more than SR67 million ($17.8 million).
KSrelief also distributed 1,100 baskets in Khartoum, Sudan. The project will distribute 30,000 parcels to displaced people returning to their homes.
Manga Productions looks to attract Japanese investment for Riyadh Season
- New pact inked with entertainment firm Sela
- Promotions to take place at Anime Japan 2025
RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, has signed a new strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabia entertainment company Sela.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration with renowned Japanese companies and create new opportunities for their participation in Riyadh Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Potential collaborations will enable Japanese companies to engage with Saudi Arabia and international audiences through events and experiences in the Kingdom with the facilitation of Manga Productions, the SPA reported.
In 2022, Sela unveiled a 33-meter-tall statue of the anime character Grendizer, which set a Guinness World Record during Riyadh Season of that year.
This year, Manga Productions announced its official sponsorship of Anime Japan 2025, one of the world’s leading events in the creative industry.
During the event from March 22 to 25, the company’s booth will promote investment opportunities, according to the SPA.
