Saudi brands show their style at men’s accessories expo

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Emerging brands have made their presence felt alongside established names at a Men’s Fabrics and Accessories Expo featuring more than 700 exhibitors in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 03 March 2023
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Saudi brands show their style at men’s accessories expo

  • Haiba, a company that focuses on regional and national markets for men’s fragrances and footwear, showcased a range of exclusively designed items

RIYADH: Emerging brands have made their presence felt alongside established names at a Men’s Fabrics and Accessories Expo featuring more than 700 exhibitors at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Haiba, a company that focuses on regional and national markets for men’s fragrances and footwear, showcased a range of exclusively designed items in natural leather.

“This is our second participation. We participated last year, and it was a wonderful experience. The impact of the experience was not limited to the days of the exhibition only, but extended throughout the year,” Abdul Qadir Al-Fifi, business development manager at Haiba, told Arab News.

Haiba specializes in oriental shoes, with a focus on traditional and contemporary styles. The brand primarily targets customers in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, with youth-oriented and affordably priced fashions.

Another participating brand, Burra, is known for its eye-catching men’s accessories, such as rings and rosary beads, as well as special designs in silver and precious metals.

“We design jewelry for both men and women at Burra, but we are concentrating on men’s items right now. Our products are of the highest quality, and we have a factory in Saudi Arabia.” Abdulrahman Al-Budairah, owner of Burra, said.

According to Al-Budairah, Saudi men’s interest in accessories is growing, as they follow modern design trends and seek out high-quality items.

The expo showcased offerings by both emerging and established companies, such as Haik, an Eastern Province brand that has specialized in men’s fabrics for more than four decades.

“This is the first time we have participated in Riyadh, and the turnout is great. We have a branch in Al-Aqiq neighborhood here in Riyadh,” Ibrahim Al-Idrisi, a salesman at Haik, told Arab News.

According to Al-Idrisi, Haik is distinguished by its men’s Japanese fabrics and thob designs produced with the help of German machines.

Muqrin Al-Nashmi, exhibition executive director, told Arab News that the 2nd edition of the expo also featured training workshops on product design, marketing, and protection of intellectual property rights, as well as sessions outlining government initiatives to help the textile sector.‎

The expo, which ended on Thursday, allowed companies to communicate directly with customers as well as distributors seeking to open franchises and branch offices in the Kingdom.

Other big names in men’s fabrics and accessories to participate in the exhibition included Al-Bassam, Sayyar, Richy, Haibah, Al-Ajlan & Bros. and Al-Mojahli.


Endangered species find new home in Saudi royal reserve

Updated 18 sec ago
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Endangered species find new home in Saudi royal reserve

  • Five Arabian oryx, 15 Arabian sand gazelles, two steppe eagles and three Egyptian vultures have been released in an effort to reestablish native species in their natural environments
  • Initiative, in partnership with the reserve’s development authority, is part of a broader program to breed and reintroduce endangered species to their natural habitats

RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has released 25 animals from endangered species into the King Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve.

The initiative, in partnership with the reserve’s development authority, is part of a broader program to breed and reintroduce endangered species to their natural habitats.

The animals — five Arabian oryx, 15 Arabian sand gazelles, two steppe eagles and three Egyptian vultures — have been released in an effort to reestablish native species in their natural environments, restore ecological balance and enhance biodiversity in Saudi Arabia’s protected areas.

Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said it was “another step toward achieving our vision for wildlife development in the Kingdom.”

He emphasized it demonstrated the center’s commitment to breeding endangered species according to international standards, enhancing biodiversity and achieving environmental sustainability targets under Saudi Vision 2030.

The program also reflects the center’s dedication to collaborating with environmental partners to achieve common goals that reflected the Kingdom’s efforts to balance economic development with the protection of natural resources. It continues the center’s work in ecosystem rehabilitation and endangered species breeding, supporting the National Environment Strategy and Saudi Green Initiative.

Qurban added the work also boosted tourism, created jobs and led to improved quality of life in local communities. 

The initiatives are implemented through specialized centers considered among the world’s best in breeding and reintroduction, applying international standards and practices to ensure successful releases and ecological balance.


Bangladesh bringing Saudi ties to ‘new heights,’ envoy says

Updated 49 min 43 sec ago
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Bangladesh bringing Saudi ties to ‘new heights,’ envoy says

  • Countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations as Dhaka celebrates national day
  • M. Delwar Hossain: ‘Bangladeshis have transformed an impoverished country into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world’

RIYADH: Bangladesh is looking to seize the “momentous occasion” of 50 years of ties with Saudi Arabia to bring its relationship with the Kingdom to new heights, the country’s ambassador has said.

M. Delwar Hossain, ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia, was speaking at a Bangladesh National Day reception to mark the 54th anniversary of the country’s independence.

This year also marks 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Dhaka and Riyadh.

“I welcome you all to the celebration of the 54th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh,” Hossain said.

“On this momentous occasion, I render homage to the valiant freedom fighters and martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the independence of the country in 1971.”

Over the years, Bangladeshis have transformed an impoverished country into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, he added.

“We now seek to make a bigger stride toward our dreams. With a vibrant private sector, a huge pool of competent workforce and a sizable domestic market, Bangladesh is now well poised to engage in deeper mutually beneficial cooperation with international partners and friends,” Hossain said.

“The government has undertaken a series of reform initiatives in key sectors to further improve overall governance and the competitiveness of the economy.”

The ambassador described relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia as “excellent,” based on mutual respect, shared values and common aspirations.

Though the state-level formal diplomatic relationship was established shortly after Bangladesh’s independence, ties between the two peoples dates back centuries, he added.

“Since then, our relationship has witnessed progressive expansion, both in depth and dimension. At the moment, our two nations are in meaningful collaboration in a wide range of areas. Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia enjoy deeper understanding and collaboration on regional and global issues of common interest. We have been working closely in the UN and other multilateral fora including the OIC,” said Hossain.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for their continued support and goodwill toward Bangladesh. We express our heartiest gratitude to the leadership and the people of Saudi Arabia for hosting about 3 million expatriate Bangladeshis,” he added.

The reception was attended by Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudairy, undersecretary of the Riyadh Region, as well as Abdulmajeed Al-Smari, deputy minister for Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hossain said: “This year, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.”

He added: “We look forward to seizing this momentous occasion to take our relationship to new heights and make it more meaningful to the people of both countries.

“There still remains huge potential for mutually beneficial deeper collaboration in numerous areas, particularly in trade and investment, energy, human resources, IT, health, agriculture and climate.”


AlUla joins five Saudi cities in IMD World Smart City Index 2025 

Updated 10 April 2025
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AlUla joins five Saudi cities in IMD World Smart City Index 2025 

  • AlUla’s listing on the Smart City Index reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to position the city as a leading heritage, cultural, and tourism hub
  • IMD is globally recognized for its expertise in competitiveness and is the publisher of the World Competitiveness Yearbook

RIYADH: AlUla has been included in the IMD World Smart Cities Index 2025, released by the International Institute for Management Development, alongside five other cities in Saudi Arabia: Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to the agency, this milestone underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to its Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at transforming urban landscapes into smart cities through innovative projects led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority in collaboration with various government entities. The goal is to create smart cities that elevate quality of life to the highest standards.

The IMD is globally recognized for its expertise in competitiveness and is the publisher of the World Competitiveness Yearbook, a reference for international organizations and institutions seeking insights into competitive practices.

According to the SPA, AlUla’s listing on the Smart City Index reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to position the city as a leading heritage, cultural, and tourism hub. The integration of modern technologies, enhanced by artificial intelligence, aims to safeguard archaeological treasures while enriching the visitor experience. Advanced digital solutions, such as crowd management systems, smart transport services, and interactive applications are used to facilitate a seamless exploration of the city.

The IMD Smart City Index 2025 evaluates cities on diverse criteria, including residents’ perceptions of smart city initiatives, the balance of economic and technological factors with human dimensions, and the alignment between citizens’ needs and contemporary trends in urban development.

The index also highlights the significance of digital technologies in optimizing resource utilization, reducing carbon footprints, and making public spaces more attuned to the needs of residents.

In a related development, in 2023 the National Competitiveness Center and IMD formalized their collaboration through a bilateral agreement in Lausanne, Switzerland, intended to bolster Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in alignment with Vision 2030. Key figures, including Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, attended the signing ceremony, emphasizing the commitment to leverage global expertise and best practices.

The NCC reiterated its dedication to enhancing competitiveness by accessing IMD’s consulting services and educational programs. This partnership follows Saudi Arabia’s rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, where it climbed eight places to secure 24th position globally, a sign of significant advances in government policy and efforts at digital transformation. 


Saudi women honored for their achievements by Princess Nourah excellence awards

Updated 10 April 2025
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Saudi women honored for their achievements by Princess Nourah excellence awards

  • The event recognizes outstanding contributions of women in 6 categories: natural sciences, health sciences, social initiatives, artistic works, economic projects and humanities
  • Organizers of the awards this year receive a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi women were honored for their achievements at the seventh Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The event, held under the patronage of King Salman, this year recognized and celebrated the outstanding contributions of women in six categories.

Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shaalan was honored in the health sciences category, Dr. Thamraa Alshahrani received the natural sciences award, and Al-Jawhara Mahmoud Hamza was recognized for her contributions to social initiatives.

Sarah Al-Suhaimi was the recipient of the award for economic projects, Marzouqa Al-Armani for artistic works, and Hind Al-Sudairy in the field of humanities.

The awards were presented by Princess Fahda bint Falah Al-Hithlain, the king’s spouse. Inas Al-Issa, the president of Princess Nourah University, and Ibtisam Al-Othman, secretary-general of the awards body, gave speeches during the ceremony.

The organizers of the awards this year received a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The awards aim to recognize and support outstanding work led by women and inspire future generations to contribute to national development.


Hamas launches appeal against UK ban

Updated 10 April 2025
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Hamas launches appeal against UK ban

  • The legal submission claims the ban violates the UK’s human rights obligations, with the militants defending the Palestinian struggle as a legitimate fight for independence and national unity

LONDON: UK-based lawyers said they have asked the British government to lift a ban on the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a petition that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians.
The legal submission argues the ban contravenes Britain's human rights commitments, with the militants insisting on "the legitimacy of the struggle of the Palestinian people for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation."
The military wing of Hamas was designated a "terrorist group" by the UK in 2001. The United States and the European Union consider Hamas a terror group.
Hamas's proscription was extended in 2021 to include the political wing, with the group considered a "complex but single terrorist organisation", according to the government website.
In the UK, belonging to, encouraging and expressing support for a proscribed organisation, among other acts, are criminal offences.
The Home Office said it did not comment on proscription matters.
The submission to the UK interior ministry was announced by London-based firm Riverway Law on Wednesday.
It added the right to resist "foreign occupation by all available means, including armed struggle, is moral, legitimate and explicitly enshrined in international law."
Hamas militants stormed over Israel's border with the Gaza Strip to carry out the October 7, 2023 attack against Israel in which 1,218 people were killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to crush Hamas and has relentlessly bombarded Gaza, with the death toll since the start of the war now at more than 50,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Riverway Law said it was instructed by Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official.
By banning Hamas "Britain is effectively denying the Palestinians the right to defend themselves", the lawyers said in a statement on X.
The submission argues that the proscription of Hamas is "disproportionate" because the group "does not pose any threat" to Britain's national security.
The plea says the ban goes against Britain's human rights duties, including under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) -- which has become a target of UK's political right since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
The application has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians, with shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel slamming the group as a "evil, Iranian-backed terrorist organisation".
"Those campaigning to end the proscription of Hamas fail to understanding the seriousness of the threats this terrorist organisation poses", Patel said in a statement.