Bahrain plans multimillion-dollar data hub to boost digital transformation of Arab world

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Updated 08 September 2021
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Bahrain plans multimillion-dollar data hub to boost digital transformation of Arab world

  • A new multimillion-dollar regional data center is set to be built in the Kingdom of Bahrain
  • The initiative’s main hub in Bahrain will serve all member states of the Arab League

A new multimillion-dollar regional data center is set to be built in Bahrain to promote collective digital transformation across the Arab world.

The hub’s aim will be to help evolving local economies and enrich the lives of common people in the Arab world. The Arab League’s Arab Federation for Digital Economy (AFDE) entered into a memorandum of understanding with ATDXT LLC, a digital transformation company, headquartered in the UAE on Sept. 1.

The launch of the first- of-its-kind collaboration, will enable the new data center to focus on localized data protection, enhanced security, and rendering digital transformation solutions. 

The initiative’s main hub in Bahrain will serve all member states of the Arab League. All member countries partaking in the initiative can leverage these solutions hosted in Bahrain, which is a key driver behind the Gulf’s overall digital economy transformation efforts. These solutions will be focused on supporting both government and private sector entities in Arab League member states, with the aim of improving the competitiveness of Arab economies and fostering their integration into the global economy.

The data center will aim to be eco-friendly and to host advanced technologies and digital transformation solutions, servicing Arab League states. These solutions will be extended to also be hosted locally in Arab league member nations such as the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, and Jordan in the first phase with other states to follow soon after.

The technology solutions will cover e-government services, e-commerce services, e-health solutions, secure digital tokens and fintech solutions, transportation solutions, digital identity solutions, telecommunication transformation systems, governance, crime management and cyber security systems, e-agriculture platforms, solar and renewable energy, and other business solutions.

GS Murthy, founder & executive chairman, ATDXT Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Arab League and incubate the first of its many multi-million-dollar regional hubs, in Bahrain. The focus of this initiative will remain to be on digital transformation enablement, that will improve competitiveness of the Arab nations, and foster their integration into the global economy. We are confident that our best-in-class skill development initiative, focused on cutting edge technologies, will create immense job opportunities and future technology leaders across the Arab nations.”

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said: “I appreciate the ATDXT Group for choosing the Kingdom of Bahrain to be the digital transformation solutions hub, reflecting the excellence of the investment environment in Bahrain and the many facilities they provide to investors. This partnership will enable us to contribute to the transformation of the digital outlook of the countries of the Middle-East and to continue to provide leading services to our citizens, residents and region as a whole.”

 Ambassador Hossam Zaki, assistant secretary-general of the Arab League, said: “The League of Arab States along with the Arab Union is actively promoting the joint Arab strategic vision for the digital economy. I’m confident that this partnership will contribute to strengthening Arab cooperation in the digital world.” 


Oman’s Asyad Group plans to sell at least 20% of shipping unit via IPO

Updated 22 January 2025
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Oman’s Asyad Group plans to sell at least 20% of shipping unit via IPO

  • Offering will be made in two tranches, with 75% made to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other foreign investors
  • Remaining 25% will be sold to retail investors in Oman

DUBAI: Oman’s state-owned logistics firm Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering, it said on Wednesday, as part of the Gulf country’s privatization drive.
The group, owned by Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, plans to sell a stake of at least 20 percent in Asyad Shipping Co. and float it on the Muscat stock exchange, it said in a document detailing its intention to float.
“The intended listing would provide investors with the opportunity to invest in one of the world’s largest diversified maritime shipping companies and a key player in the Omani economy,” the company said.
Oman is pushing forward with a privatization drive to attract foreign investors.
That strategy, along with fiscal reforms, has helped the sultanate pay down debt and turn its large fiscal deficit of recent years into a surplus since 2022.
Asyad Shipping focuses on transporting liquefied natural gas, crude oil and other products. It lists energy firms BP and Shell, as well as trading firm Trafigura among its customers and partners.
Reuters reported in July last year that Asyad was planning an initial public offering of the subsidiary and had selected Jefferies Group and EFG Hermes as advisers.
The offering will be made in two tranches, with 75 percent made to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other foreign investors. Of the 75 percent tranche, 30 percent of shares have been earmarked for anchor investors, the firm said, without naming them.
The remaining 25 percent will be sold to retail investors in Oman.
The subscription period is expected to start next month, after the company has received regulatory approval.
Asyad Shipping plans to pay dividends semi-annually, beginning in September 2025 for the first six months of this year.
The company posted an adjusted core profit margin of 69 percent for the first nine months of last year, up from 65 percent over the same period in 2023.
Oman Investment Bank, EFG Hermes, JP Morgan and Jefferies are acting as joint global coordinators. Sohar International is acting as joint global coordinator and as issue manager.
Credit Agricole and Societe Generale are joint bookrunners.


Closing Bell: Saudi Arabia’s main market dips slightly to 12,362

Updated 22 January 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi Arabia’s main market dips slightly to 12,362

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index was steady on Wednesday, as it marginally shed 7.21 points or 0.06 percent to close at 12,362.39.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR7.62 billion ($2.03 billion), with 109 of the listed stocks advancing and 122 falling.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also declined 317 points to close at 31,000.87, while the MSCI Tadawul Index edged down by 0.26 percent to 1,545.02.

The best-performing stock on the main market was Naseej International Trading Co. The firm’s share price surged by 9.96 percent to SR108.20.

Naseej was one of the three Tadawul-listed firms, alongside Saudi Cable Co. and Middle East Specialized Cables Co., to hit their highest levels in a year.

Saudi Cable Co. peaked today at SR128, compared to SR62.9 in March, a 103.58 percent increase.

Middle East Specialized Cables Co. share price jumped from SR21.28 in January 2024 to close at SR47.2 today.

Naseej International Trading Co.’s share price increased 55.7 percent from January last year to close at SR98.4 on Wednesday.

Other top gainers were Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology and Middle East Healthcare Co., whose share prices grew by 6.09 percent and 4.75 percent, to SR33.95 and SR79.40, respectively.

National Medical Care Co. and Al Jouf Cement Co. also saw a positive change, with their share prices surging by 4.12 percent and 4.01 percent to SR161.6 and SR11.92, respectively.  

Elm Co. saw the steepest decline of the day, with its share price dropping 4.03 percent to close at SR1,176.2.  

United International Transportation Co. and Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Co. declined, with their shares slipping 2.72 percent and 2.66 percent to SR82.30 and SR102.60, respectively. 

On Nomu, Armah Sports Co. was the best performer, with its share price rising by 7.34 percent to reach SR95.  

Quara Finance Co. also delivered a strong performance as its share price rose by 5.26 percent, reaching SR20, while Arabian Food and Dairy Factories Co. recorded a 2.99 percent increase at SR99.  

WSM for Information Technology Co. shed the most on Nomu, with its share price dropping by 6.33 percent to reach SR53.3.  

Saudi Parts Center Co. experienced a 6.25 percent decline in share prices, closing at SR60, while First Avenue for Real Estate Development Co. 6.04 percent to settle at SR9.02. 


Saudi crude output up 1.21% to hit 8.92m bpd: JODI 

Updated 22 January 2025
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Saudi crude output up 1.21% to hit 8.92m bpd: JODI 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production rose to 8.92 million barrels per day in November, a 1.21 percent annual increase according to the latest release from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative. 

The report showed a 2.05 percent drop in crude exports, which fell to 6.21 million bpd, although this figure marks the highest level in eight months. 

Refinery crude exports surged 36 percent year on year to 1.14 million bpd in November but declined by 18.65 percent compared to October. 

Key refined products included diesel, motor gasoline, aviation gasoline, and fuel oil.

Diesel exports accounted for 38 percent of refined product shipments, while motor and aviation gasoline made up 24 percent, and fuel oil comprised 11 percent. 

Notably, motor and aviation shipments rose 63 percent annually to 272,000 bpd in November. Diesel exports also increased by 27 percent reaching 439,000 bpd. 

Saudi Arabia’s refinery output reached 2.35 million bpd, a 13 percent year-on-year increase, with diesel representing 40 percent of total refined products, followed by motor and aviation gasoline at 25 percent and fuel oil at 19 percent. 

Domestic demand for refinery products increased by 210,000 bpd year on year, reaching 2.56 million bpd. 

OPEC+ has decided to delay the start of oil output increases by three months until April, and extend the full unwinding of cuts by a year, now set to finish by the end of 2026. 

This decision was made in response to weak global demand and rising production from countries outside the group. OPEC+, which controls around half of the world’s oil production, had initially planned to begin unwinding cuts in October 2024, but delays were caused by global demand slowdowns and growing non-OPEC+ output. 

Direct crude usage 

Saudi Arabia’s direct crude oil burn fell by 119,000 bpd in November to 382,000 bpd, a 24 percent year-on-year decline and a 5.5 percent increase from October. 

The annual reduction can be attributed to the global shift toward cleaner energy sources, such as natural gas, renewables, and electricity, which are gradually replacing crude oil in sectors like power generation and shipping. 

Additionally, improved energy efficiency and stricter environmental regulations have led to further reductions in crude oil use. 

By 2030, the Saudi government plans to phase out the use of crude oil, fuel oil, and diesel in power generation, replacing them with natural gas and renewable energy sources. 

This transition is a key component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying its energy mix and reducing dependence on oil, both domestically and in global markets. 

As Saudi Arabia moves toward this objective, natural gas demand is anticipated to rise sharply, driving increased investments in the natural gas supply chain, including exploration and infrastructure development. 


Ogero resumes telecom expansion in Lebanon, boosting connectivity and major upgrades

Updated 22 January 2025
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Ogero resumes telecom expansion in Lebanon, boosting connectivity and major upgrades

  • Ogero connected 221,000 households to fiber-optic Internet in 2024 and plans to add 406,000 new subscribers this year
  • It is is also upgrading from Wi-Fi 5, currently used at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, to Wi-Fi 7

RIYADH: Lebanon’s state-owned telecom company Ogero is working to restore and expand the country’s connectivity after experiencing damages due to the Israeli conflict.

The clashes have significantly disrupted Lebanon’s telecom infrastructure, impeding connectivity and slowing the nation’s digital advancement.

Ogero’s Chairman and Director General Imad Kreidieh announced in a live broadcast that the company’s expansion plans will resume, supported by funding from multiple donors.

According to Kreidieh, Ogero connected 221,000 households to fiber-optic Internet in 2024 and plans to add 406,000 new subscribers to the network this year.

The company is also upgrading from Wi-Fi 5, currently used at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, to Wi-Fi 7. The upgrade will provide speeds of up to 3,500 megabits per second with ultra-low latency of 2—4 milliseconds. 

The network’s backhaul capacity is being upgraded from 20 gigabits per second to 40 Gbps to support enhanced connectivity, according to Kreidieh.

Ogero is also expanding its LTE infrastructure, increasing the number of stations from 97 to 219 by the end of 2025 and 390 by 2026, which translates to better and wider coverage nationwide. 

The LTE-Advanced capacity will be quadrupled from 10 Gbps to 40 Gbps to enhance performance and service quality.

The top official also said that Ogero will build 215 new stations in the southern and Baalbek regions, which were heavily damaged by Israeli strikes, over the next 24 months, allowing users to regain connectivity.

In a move toward sustainability, Ogero is also implementing solar energy solutions for 358 sites, with a 4-megawatt production capacity and 463 kiloampere-hours storage capacity. The $9.6 million project is expected to generate $8.5 million in annual savings, according to Kreidieh.

Ogero serves as the core of the Ministry of Telecommunications, providing essential infrastructure for all telecom networks, including mobile operators, data service providers, and Internet service providers.


Up to 40 Canadian firms eyeing investment in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector

Updated 22 January 2025
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Up to 40 Canadian firms eyeing investment in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector

RIYADH: Up to 40 Canadian firms are eying investment in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector amid efforts to strengthen economic ties between the countries.

The interest was highlighted at a healthcare event organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers at its headquarters in Riyadh, which showcased various investment opportunities within the sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s objective to boost private sector participation in healthcare to 25 percent by 2030, reflecting the rapid growth and expansion of the industry, along with attractive investment incentives. It also underscores the Kingdom’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with Canada, highlighted by the restoration of diplomatic relations in May 2023 after a five-year hiatus.

During the gathering, Chairman of the Saudi-Canadian Business Council Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Duleim highlighted the body’s pivotal role in boosting trade relations and fostering investment between the Kingdom and the North American country.

Al-Duleim also provided an overview of Vision 2030 initiatives and talked up the incentives and support offered by Saudi Arabia to foreign investors.

The Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom Jean-Philippe Linteau commended the efforts to strengthen economic ties between countries. 

He emphasized the joint business council’s contributions and highlighted the strong interest of Canadian firms in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.

In December, economic cooperation was the focus of a high-level meeting between a senior Saudi official and the Canadian ambassador, reflecting the ongoing progress in relations between the two nations.

The Kingdom’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim held talks with Linteau at his department’s headquarters in Riyadh, SPA said at the time. 

Since normalizing relations, Canada is keen to build a “great relationship” with the Kingdom, Linteau said during an interview with Arab News in February. 

His commets came a month after Saudi Arabia and Canada agreed to re-exchange trade delegations, aiming to improve economic relations and increase trade and investment volumes. 

Hassan Al-Huwaizi, president of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce, emphasized at the time that establishing a joint business council would provide a platform for business leaders to promote activities and engage in partnerships, facilitating continuous interaction and information exchange about market opportunities.

In 2022, Saudi exports to Canada stood at $2.5 billion, with imports valued at $959 million, according to online data visualization and distribution platform Observatory of Economic Complexity.