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Saudi Food Show gathers ministers, industry leaders and celebrity chefs to celebrate Kingdom’s achievements in F&B

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Updated 21 June 2023
Arab News
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Saudi Food Show gathers ministers, industry leaders and celebrity chefs to celebrate Kingdom’s achievements in F&B

Updated 21 June 2023
Arab News

The inaugural edition of The Saudi Food Show, held under the patronage of Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Saudi minister of industry and mineral resources, is currently underway at Riyadh Exhibition Center.

KAOUN International and dmg events are the organizers of the event, while MODON is the strategic partner.

The event, from June 20-22, offers a platform for the largest companies in the food industry to present their products, services and solutions to a global audience. The Saudi Food Show is affiliated with Gulfood, the world’s largest food and hospitality business event in the world.

Thousands of international brands from 43 countries are being represented in the sold-out exhibition, which extends across 20,000 square meters of exhibition space at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. For key players such as PepsiCo, Americana, Al-Jameel, Lactalis, GulfWest, Seara Foods, IFFCO, NADEC and hundreds more, as well as country pavilions of the US, UK, India, Singapore, Italy, Jordan and Australia, the show is an unrivaled platform to launch new products, services and technologies into the Saudi market.

The Saudi Food Show is a unique chance for participants to gain insights into market trends, uncover business opportunities and find out how to access the most dynamic market in the Middle East. On the opening day, a panel including Ali Alomeir, VP business development, MODON, and Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al-Saud, CEO of Mukatafa, gave an overview of the welcoming business environment in Saudi Arabia, and tips for F&B market entrants to the Kingdom.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: “Vision 2030 seeks to create a dynamic trading hub for the Saudi Arabian F&B sector, and the significant socioeconomic benefits arising from the F&B and hospitality sectors have been well-recognized by the Saudi government, which has brought the industry to the fore, making great strides in laying the groundwork for investment in the sector. The Saudi Food Show will be a significant catalyst for these efforts, growing the economic impact of F&B and hospitality further and faster on the local, regional and international stages.”

Matt Denton, president of co-organizer dmg events, added: “This inaugural Saudi Food Show is the first activation in our exciting plans to support the development of the F&B and hospitality sector in the Kingdom ... From food manufacturing and food tech to franchise, hotels and hospitality, this Saudi Food Show, packed full of inspiring content and features, is the nucleus of a portfolio of dedicated events scheduled for the coming 12 months.”

Summit sessions addressed some of the most urgent challenges facing the F&B sector in Saudi Arabia and the wider region — food security, sovereignty and sustainability, and mitigating uncertainty and volatility around supply chain and costs. The opening day also featured speakers including Ryan Lefers, co-founder and CEO of RedSea, and Bobby Rajendran, CEO of Tamimi Markets. The day concluded with a visionary keynote from Alkhorayef.

The ministerial panel on Day 2, featuring Al-Khorayef and Al-Fadhli, Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, was a chance to gain insights into the F&B policy and regulatory framework in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant dining scene in Saudi Arabia will spark discussions on the final day of the summit, with sessions looking at the regional and international brands seeking to enter — and expand in — the Kingdom.

Top Table Saudi
Top Table, sponsored by multinational food company GoodyCo, is giving visitors the opportunity to experience the latest dishes and techniques gaining popularity in the Kingdom, from an array of celebrated international and regional chefs, via more than 40 masterclasses. The lineup of chefs is a cross-section of international and regional, established names and rising stars, both male and female. It includes two Michelin-starred chefs: Paco Morales — one of Spain’s most progressive young avant-garde culinary masters — and Albert Adrià — current head chef of Michelin one-star restaurant Enigma in Barcelona and former head pastry chef of famed elBulli. Others include Lebanese chef and entrepreneur Maroun Chedid and Ian Pengelley from Myazu, two times winner of MENA’s Best 50. Furthermore, Chef Pierligui from Signor Sassi, an up-and-coming young chef with more than 1.3 million followers on social media, and Saudi chef Rayan Alayesh, from Kayzo by Myazo are also in attendance.
Across the three days, Middle East food and lifestyle TV channel Fatafeat is bringing four female chefs to present masterclasses — chefs Chahrazad Al-Hajjar, Salma Soleiman, Sumaya Obaid and Afnan Al-Jaadi.

“At Fatafeat, we’ve always striven to champion the diversity of Middle Eastern cuisines and talented chefs, which resonated with millions of families in the region. As Saudi Arabia’s culinary culture has always been, and continues to be a big part of our programs, we are excited to partake in the Saudi Food Show in celebration of the Kingdom’s rising food economy. During the event’s Top Table segment, our star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs will do a kitchen takeover and perform cooking demonstrations live off-screen,” said Grigory Lavrov, head of Fatafeat at Warner Bros. Discovery.

YouthX Saudi
At the inaugural YouthX Saudi, young talent from the Kingdom’s leading hotel chains — including the Ritz Carlton Riyadh, Grand Hyatt Alkhobar, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh and Four Seasons Riyadh — will compete against each other in the Young Chef Challenge, to present a three-course menu in 25 minutes. The themes will be sustainability and zero waste, and menus will be judged on vision and industry acumen, alignment with the themes, presentation and taste. The winning team will not only scoop a cash prize, but also win a place in the international finals set to take place at Gulfood 2024. Judging the competition is media personality, celebrity chef and host of the hugely successful “World Café” Bobby Chin.

The inaugural Saudi Food Show is affiliated with Gulfood, the world’s largest, go-to event brand trusted by the global F&B industry. Over almost three decades, Gulfood has cultivated the credibility, loyalty, recognition, and support of the global food and beverage sector, through an unwavering commitment to delivering real global business outcomes and valuable trade deals for participants. The Saudi Food Show draws upon this legacy and powerful international foundation. The event is strictly for trade and business professionals only.

Lulu opens hypermarket in Al-Fakhriyah, Dammam; new stores coming up in Makkah, Madinah

Updated 28 November 2024
Arab News
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Lulu opens hypermarket in Al-Fakhriyah, Dammam; new stores coming up in Makkah, Madinah

Updated 28 November 2024
Arab News

As part of its continuous expansion strategy in Saudi Arabia, Lulu Retail has opened its 57th store at Al Fakhriyah, Qutb Al-Din Al-Shafie Street, Dammam.

The hypermarket offers a modern and convenient shopping experience, featuring a curated selection of high-quality products, while staying true to the brand’s signature commitment to affordability and excellence.

The new Store was inaugurated by the chief guest, Eng. Fayez Bin Ali Al-Asmari, head of West Dammam Municipality, in the presence of dignitaries, including Shehim Muhammed, director of Lulu Saudi Hypermarkets; Moiz Nuruddin, regional director for Eastern Province; Eng. Mohammed Bu Bshait, executive manager of the Eastern Province;  Zaid Alsubaie, administration manager of Eastern Province; along with other senior officials from the company and the local community.

The new store, spread over 20000 square feet, features all the favorite shopping amenities that have made Lulu the fastest-growing retail chain across the Kingdom.

It provides ample parking space with a capacity for 181 vehicles. This ensures convenience for both local customers and travelers visiting the store.

The hypermarket is designed to efficiently meet the diverse needs of the community, offering everything from fresh groceries to household products.

Strategically located to serve both the local community and travelers passing through the bustling Bu-Hadriyah Road, Al-Fakhriyah store provides an ideal destination for those on the go.

Whether residents are seeking their everyday grocery needs or travelers are in search of a quick, reliable shopping experience, the new hypermarket is designed to meet diverse customer demands efficiently.

Designed with the local community in mind, Al-Fakhriyah store is compact yet fully equipped, offering a wide range of products across multiple categories.

Shoppers can find everything from groceries, fresh produce, and bakery items to meat, seafood, health and beauty products, small appliances, mobile phones and accessories, and home furnishings.

At the inauguration, Shehim Muhammed highlighted the importance of the new store in fulfilling the company’s vision of providing exceptional quality and value to customers across the Kingdom.

The director said: "The opening of Lulu Store in Al-Fakhriyah marks another significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to offering the best quality products at competitive prices. This store reaffirms our dedication to addressing the diverse needs of the local community and ensuring an enhanced shopping experience for our valued customers."

Al-Fakhriyah store also features convenient accessibility, making it the perfect stop for travelers on the busy Bu-Hadriyah Road, ensuring that customers, whether residents or passersby, are well-served.

Lulu continues to focus on expanding its presence in key locations across the Kingdom, further solidifying its position as a leader in the retail industry while meeting the growing demands of Saudi Arabia’s retail market.

The company is on track to open 100 stores in the Kingdom within the next three years.

Additionally, four new Lulu stores are set to open in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah within the next two months.

Recently, Lulu began trading on ADX on November 14, following its record-breaking IPO.

The most significant aspect was the heavy pull-in of first-time investors, all of whom made up more than 82,000 retail investors, one of the highest recorded for a UAE IPO.

The stock offering raised $1.72 billion, with aggregate demand reaching $37 billion, resulting in an oversubscription of 25 times.

Cornerstone investors included leading sovereign and institutional investors from across the GCC.

Founded in 1974, Lulu Retail is the largest pan-GCC full-line retailer by selling space, sales, and number of stores, with a 50-year legacy as a homegrown brand.

Lulu operates more than 240 hypermarket, express, and mini-market stores across the six GCC countries, spanning over 1.3 million sq. m of total retail space.

It also maintains a growing e-commerce presence through its app, webstore, and partner channels.

To serve more than 600,000 shoppers from 130 nationalities every day, it sources products from 85 countries, supported by an on-the-ground sourcing presence in 19 countries.

The organization's strong brand recognition and trust among consumers in the GCC continue to drive the growth of its existing stores, expand its store network, and elevate loyalty across its customer base. 

ALJ Motors claims top honors at PR Arabia awards

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News
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ALJ Motors claims top honors at PR Arabia awards

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News

Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, swept four awards at the 12th edition of the PR Arabia National Auto Award ceremony.

Under the patronage of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, the event was organized by PR Arabia on Nov. 13 at Jeddah Hilton. These awards honor outstanding achievements in the Saudi mobility sector and recognize leaders who set high standards in product quality, guest services, and innovation.

“Abdul Latif Jameel Motors’ achievement of four awards is a testament to its dedication to excellence and its commitment to meeting the guests’ evolving expectations across the Kingdom,” the company said in a statement.

Among the awards, the Best Car Distributor award stands as a notable recognition of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors’ deep-rooted commitment to guest satisfaction and maintaining industry-leading standards. “Over nearly seven decades, the company has not only earned the trust of guests across Saudi Arabia but has also set the bar high for innovation and service quality in the market.”

Additional awards included Best Reliable Car, which celebrated the Toyota Land Cruiser 70, for its enduring performance and reliability, solidifying its reputation as a trusted favorite among drivers throughout Saudi Arabia. In parallel, the iconic Toyota Prado, known for its versatility and superior off-road capabilities, was crowned in the Best Medium SUV category.

Furthermore, Jameel Motorsport was honored with the Best Motorsports Initiative award, highlighting Abdul Latif Jameel Motors’ significant contributions to advancing motorsport in Saudi Arabia. Jameel Motorsport has been playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of motorsport both within the Kingdom and on a global scale by providing support for high-profile sporting events and actively engaging in the discovery and cultivation of promising young talent.

Mazin Ghazi Jameel, managing director of Toyota marketing operations, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, said: “Over the years, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors has become synonymous with reliability and trust in the Saudi mobility sector. Our journey has always been about fostering trust, reliability, and excellence in every interaction and service we offer. These awards reaffirm our commitment to delivering top-quality vehicles and exceptional experiences, as well as empowering local talent within Saudi Arabia’s dynamic mobility landscape.”

Munir Khoja, managing director of Jameel Motorsport and marketing communications at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, said: “For almost three decades, we’ve been driven by a vision to uplift the motorsport sector in Saudi Arabia and cultivate a vibrant ecosystem that inspires passion, innovation, and ambition among future generations. This support also extends to esports, which we see as an essential part of the future of motorsport in the Kingdom. We are proud to be at the forefront of this journey, empowering young talent and championing motorsport excellence.” 

This award reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries, supporting Saudi Arabia’s dynamic motorsport community, and setting new standards in the industry.”

Established in 2012, the PR Arabia National Auto Award celebrates the achievements and innovations that define the mobility sector, setting a standard that highlights the best practices and contributions that elevate service and quality in the market.

stc champions youth initiatives at Misk Global Forum

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News
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stc champions youth initiatives at Misk Global Forum

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News

stc Group participated in the Misk Global Forum, the region’s largest youth forum. As the event’s official digital enabler, stc Group showcased the inspireU business accelerator, which supports digital startups across the Kingdom, and the impactU social accelerator, which incubates digital startups focusing on key areas relating to Saudi Arabia’s sustainability.

The Misk Global Forum, an annual flagship event hosted by Misk Foundation — a nonprofit organization established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is dedicated to empowering and connecting young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs globally. Taking place in Riyadh at Malfa Hall on Nov. 18 and 19, the forum brought together more than 150,000 attendees to collaborate and activate positive global change through innovation. This year’s theme, “By Youth, For Youth,” highlighted the importance of youth-led initiatives, showcasing how young people can motivate and support one another to drive growth and innovation.

This year, stc Group featured a dedicated space for inspireU, the stc Group business accelerator, which offers support to select high-potential digital startups with resources and mentorship in their early stages of establishment.

stc Group also spotlighted their social accelerator, impactU. The program offers training and mentorship to entrepreneurs that align with stc’s Sustainable Development Goals. impactU brings more than 40 mentors to train 15 incubated digital startups selected from a competitive application process, offering successful candidates a financial grant of up to SR100,000 ($26,640), free access to services from stc’s partners, as well as the opportunity to attend workshops and exhibitions.

Together, impactU and inspireU highlight stc Group’s commitment to sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia.

The Misk Global Forum has provided a platform for vibrant discussions, the exchange of ideas, and networking opportunities across a range of industries to nurture potential and activate innovation among the youth of Saudi Arabia. stc Group’s strategic partnership as the digital enabler of the forum underscores the group’s commitment to powering youth initiatives to support the Kingdom’s digital transformation in line with Vision 2030 objectives.

HORECA Riyadh, Salon du Chocolat bring the best of hospitality and F & B to Kingdom

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News
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HORECA Riyadh, Salon du Chocolat bring the best of hospitality and F & B to Kingdom

Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News

The 13th edition of HORECA Riyadh opened on Nov. 25 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. The opening ceremony was attended by Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, and Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al-Saud, founder and CEO of Mukatafa, along with several diplomats and top business leaders from across the Kingdom. 

Concurrently, the second edition of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie also commenced, featuring a unique blend of chocolate and pastry arts, as well as the Saudi Elite Chefs competition. Strategically partnered with the Culinary Arts Commission, the event promises an assembly of elite professionals and international brands through Nov. 27.

This year’s HORECA, the most expansive in its history, extends over 29,000 square meters and hosts more than 400 exhibitors representing 20,000 brands from 48 countries. These are displayed across eight international pavilions, each a showcase of cultural diversity and innovation that defines the modern hospitality landscape.

The inaugural ceremony featured a special tribute to Badr, whose visionary leadership in the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Culinary Arts Commission has significantly elevated the national culinary arts scene.

The opening day’s events included a range of competitions and demonstrations, including cooking, barista and mocktail competitions, drawing more than 100 skilled participants from around the globe, each eager to impress a panel of international judges.

Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie comprises more than 40 distinctive events, which include celebrated pastry chefs unveiling their latest creations and sharing insights into emerging trends in the world of chocolate and pastries. Additionally, the exhibition provides an arena for chefs to engage in competitions adjudicated by globally acclaimed chefs.

Adding an intellectual flavor, this year’s event introduced “The Talks,” an engaging series of panel discussions tackling a variety of contemporary issues, led by a cadre of industry leaders.

The Saudi Elite Chefs competition offers a face off between chefs facing novel challenges in Saudi cuisine, judged by a panel comprising Meilleurs Ouvriers de France laureates Philippe Bertrand, Jonathan Mougel, Joseph Viola and Jacques Rolancy.

The two exhibitions provide an ideal platform for expert networking and the forging of strategic partnerships. These events not only reinforce Riyadh’s eminent status as a global and regional hub for the hospitality, and food and beverage industries but also spotlight its dynamic role on the world stage.

Established almost 30 years ago, HORECA, an annual business meeting place, brings together an array of distinguished brands, experts and international personalities from the vibrant worlds of hospitality and food service. Over recent years, HORECA has cemented its strong presence in the GCC, particularly within Saudi Arabia.  

Besides Riyadh, HORECA also takes place annually in Jeddah, as well as in Beirut, Kuwait, Amman and Muscat.  

SAMINavantia launches new combat system ‘HAZEM Lite’

Updated 26 November 2024
Arab News
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SAMINavantia launches new combat system ‘HAZEM Lite’

Updated 26 November 2024
Arab News

SAMINavantia, the joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries and the Spanish company Navantia, announced the development of a new combat management system, “HAZEM Lite.” This solution is designed for low and medium warfare vessels, as well as vessels with space restrictions.

This achievement is the result of the efforts of Saudi engineers who worked on developing the new system at SAMINavantia’s Naval Systems Integration and Development Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia.

The new “HAZEM Lite” system can be used and installed on new ships or integrated into the existing systems of modern vessels. The new system is one of the latest technologies in combat systems, derived from the HAZEM CMS, but specifically tailored for smaller vessels, while maintaining the key features of the original HAZEM system. These include providing an open, scalable, customizable, and interoperable solution that is proven effective and robust.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, chairman of SAMINavantia, said: “The new ‘HAZEM Lite’ system is the result of intensive development efforts by Saudi engineers, aimed at designing a simplified version of the advanced combat management solution previously used in the Sarawat-class vessels, by creating smaller platforms with different missions and capabilities. Additionally, ‘HAZEM Lite’ is the first product developed in the Kingdom, addressing the need to enhance the small vessel category. This achievement is part of SAMINavantia’s contribution to localizing over 50 percent of military spending by 2030, one of the key objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, as well as actively participating in the development of skilled technical workforce capabilities in Saudi Arabia and providing world-class combat system solutions.”

The achievement also aligns with the efforts of the General Authority for Military Industries to localize military spending in the Kingdom.

SAMINavantia’s efforts contribute to enhancing the readiness of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the Border Guard, and other local or regional clients, in line with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. This is achieved by launching a new era of advanced and effective defense capabilities to meet current and future challenges, while strengthening the national military industrial base.

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