SAB signs on as mentor in ministry’s sustainability program
SAB signs on as mentor in ministry’s sustainability program/node/2607885/corporate-and-sponsored-content
SAB signs on as mentor in ministry’s sustainability program
The signing ceremony — attended by senior executives from SAB and the mentees — marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration focused on sustainability.
SAB signs on as mentor in ministry’s sustainability program
Updated 13 July 2025
Arab News
SAB will mentor a select group of prominent organizations, including Dallah Healthcare Company, Rawabi Holding Company, Middle East Paper Company, and City Cement Company.
Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom, has announced its participation in the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s Sustainability Champions Program. The official signing ceremony took place on May 28 at SAB Tower, marking a key milestone in SAB’s commitment to sustainability.
The MEP Sustainability Champions Program aims to enhance sustainability performance across key sectors by partnering with organizations that demonstrate leadership and a commitment to sustainable practices. As a mentor in the program, SAB will utilize its extensive experience and resources to support and guide its mentees on their sustainability journeys.
As part of its role, SAB will mentor a select group of prominent organizations in the program, including Dallah Healthcare Company, Rawabi Holding Company, Middle East Paper Company, and City Cement Company. This initiative marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance sustainability practices across key sectors and achieve Vision 2030 goals.
Tony Cripps, managing director of SAB, said: “Sustainability is no longer a choice — it’s a responsibility. Through our partnership with the MEP Sustainability Champions Program, SAB is taking tangible steps to build the knowledge infrastructure around sustainability and contribute to the Kingdom’s goals. We are proud to be part of this forward-looking initiative, which aligns with our environmental, social and governance strategy and our commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth.”
The signing ceremony marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration focused on sustainability. Senior executives from SAB and the participating mentees attended the event, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing sustainability across key sectors.
SAB continues to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability through its comprehensive ESG strategy. The bank is actively engaged in various initiatives that foster sustainable economic development in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Through its partnerships with governmental bodies, such as the Ministry of Economy and Planning, SAB plays a key role in driving forward the Kingdom’s sustainability aspirations, contributing to long-term, positive environmental and societal impacts.
flyadeal expands regional footprint with new Dubai office
Farooq Ahmad, flyadeal head of sales, added: “We’ve been gradually stepping up our international sales support network across the region
Updated 22 July 2025
Arab News
Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline flyadeal has opened a dedicated sales office in Dubai to support customers and the travel trade, in the latest move to increase its presence in the emirate.
With the appointment of Orient Travel as the airline’s new general sales agent responsible for overseeing flyadeal sales in the UAE, the airline has also recruited Mudassir Dhanse as its new UAE country sales manager.
The opening ceremony of the new office, located within the premises of Orient Travel on Sheikh Zayed Road, was attended by key travel partners. Orient Travel Co-owners Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al-Qasmi and Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al-Qasmi, presided over the opening. Orient Travel CEO Asim Arshad and visiting senior management from flyadeal headquarters in Jeddah, led by CEO Steven Greenway and Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Rogier van Enk, were also present.
flyadeal has built up a successful split operation in Dubai to serve travelers in the heart of the city and the southern part to make accessibility easier for all, says Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal
flyadeal currently operates up to six daily scheduled flights between Riyadh and Dubai International Airport, a route launched just over two years ago. The airline also has a daily service linking the Saudi capital with Dubai World Central in southern Dubai that began in summer 2024.
flyadeal CEO Greenway said: “flyadeal has built up a successful split operation in Dubai to serve travelers in the heart of the city and the southern part to make accessibility easier for all. Of course we are looking to build capacity even further from up to seven daily flights across both Dubai airports as we induct new aircraft into the fleet. It’s just a matter of time before we increase frequency on these highly popular routes as we also look at venturing beyond Dubai exploring additional new route opportunities into other UAE markets.”
FASTFACT
Orient Travel has been named flyadeal’s new general sales agent responsible for overseeing the airline’s sales in the UAE.
Farooq Ahmad, flyadeal head of sales, added: “We’ve been gradually stepping up our international sales support network across the region. The addition of a GSA in Dubai to cover the UAE and having Mudassir onboard, who is well known to the UAE travel trade, provide us with a strong presence to provide our passengers and travel trade with the go-to support in one of the most dynamic markets in the Gulf.”
flyadeal has become one of the region’s fastest growing airlines with a current fleet of 39 Airbus A320 family aircraft serving more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. The airline is set to more than triple in size in fleet and destinations served by 2030.
The carrier has just embarked on its summer seasonal flying program with the return of popular destinations in Egypt, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
LuLu’s value concept store, LOT, opens three outlets in KSA
Chairman Ali said: “This expansion reflects our commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and our goal to offer high-quality, affordable products to all”
Updated 22 July 2025
Arab News
LuLu Group inaugurated three new value concept stores, called LOT, in Saudi Arabia in a single day — in Makkah, Saihat in the Eastern Province, and Riyadh. The central launch event took place in Makkah and was attended by dignitaries and government officials.
The Makkah store was inaugurated by Dr. Waleed Basuliman, general manager of investment and partnerships at the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, alongside LuLu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali M.A.
Nasser Huwaiden Thaiban Ali Alketbi, consul general of the UAE in Jeddah; Yaser Attar, director general of investment and deputy for planning and financial sustainability at Makkah Municipality; Abdulaziz Al-Sindi; Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Rifaei; and business figures from Makkah were also present.
Chairman Ali said: “This expansion reflects our commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and our goal to offer high-quality, affordable products to all.”
He added that with LOT, their aim is to redefine value retailing by making everyday essentials accessible to everyone without compromising on quality.
“Four more LOT stores are in the pipeline in the Kingdom,” the LuLu chairman added.
Located on Abdullah Areef Street in Al-Rusayfah district, the new Makkah LOT store spans 43,000 square feet and is designed to deliver an engaging, budget-friendly shopping experience.
It features a wide selection of household essentials, kitchenware, and fashion for men, women, and children, with a strong emphasis on quality and affordability.
The store also offers ample parking space, enhancing its convenience for residents and visitors alike.
These value concept stores offer a wide range of products at unbeatable prices, with many items priced below SR22 ($5.87).
The Eastern Province outlet, located in Saihat within the LuLu Hypermarket complex on Al-Musib Ibn Rafi Street, offers 24,000 square feet of smart retail space tailored to budget-friendly shoppers.
Meanwhile, the Riyadh location in Al-Malaz features 18,772 square feet of retail space and comprehensive parking facilities.
All three stores opened with exclusive collections and promotional offers, reinforcing LOT’s core mission of making good-quality products accessible at wallet-friendly prices, responding to growing consumer demand for affordable yet high-quality retail experiences.
With this strategic expansion, LuLu continues to strengthen its footprint in the Saudi market, energizing the local retail sector and reaffirming its commitment to delivering value-driven shopping across key cities in the region.
ICIEC and Al-Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain sign credit insurance policy
CEO of ICIEC Dr. Khalid Khalafalla said: “This strategic collaboration with Al-Baraka Islamic Bank reflects ICIEC’s commitment to advancing intra-OIC trade and investment
Updated 22 July 2025
Arab News
The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, a Shariah-based multilateral insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and Al-Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain signed a documentary credit insurance policy. The policy will strengthen support for Shariah-compliant trade finance, enabling greater security and confidence in the international trade ecosystem.
Under this partnership, ICIEC will provide insurance coverage for the confirmation of letters of credit issued by Al-Baraka Islamic Bank in connection with the import and export of eligible Shariah-compliant goods and services. This solution will help mitigate payment risks associated with cross-border trade while promoting sustainable growth in ICIEC’s member states.
CEO of ICIEC Dr. Khalid Khalafalla said: “This strategic collaboration with Al-Baraka Islamic Bank reflects ICIEC’s commitment to advancing intra-OIC trade and investment. By supporting Shariah-compliant trade finance through our documentary credit insurance policy, we are facilitating secure trade flows while empowering Islamic banks to broaden their offerings to clients.”
CEO of Al-Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain Dr. Adel Salem said: “We are delighted to partner with ICIEC on this pioneering credit insurance policy, which empowers us to extend Shariah‑compliant trade finance to our clients, bolster Bahrain’s role as a regional hub for Islamic banking, and stimulate sustainable economic growth across member states worldwide. This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation and robust risk management, giving the businesses we serve greater confidence to expand in global markets.”
The documentary credit insurance policy serves as a vital tool for Islamic banks, enhancing their ability to expand trade finance operations with reduced exposure to commercial and political risks.
The policy also complements ICIEC’s broader mandate to promote economic resilience, financial inclusion, and private sector development in member countries.
ITA Airways expands global network with strategic growth in Middle East
Updated 21 July 2025
Arab News
ITA Airways, Italy’s national flag carrier, continues its ambitious international expansion strategy by reinforcing its presence in the Middle East— one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. With the recent launch of new nonstop routes to key destinations across the Gulf region, the airline is connecting Italy with high-potential international markets, supporting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
These new routes mark a significant step in ITA Airways’ long-term vision to establish Rome Fiumicino as a major intercontinental hub. Operated by the cutting-edge Airbus A321neo, the Middle Eastern routes offer passengers a refined travel experience with a three-class cabin configuration — Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The aircraft also underscores ITA Airways’ sustainability mission, delivering over 20 percent lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat, along with a 50 percent reduction in noise impact compared to previous-generation models.
Passengers flying to and from the Middle East benefit from seamless connections across ITA Airways’ growing network, covering Europe, the Americas, and North Africa, supported by optimized transit through Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Further enhancing the customer journey, ITA Airways recently unveiled its new premium Runway Lounge at Milan Linate Airport — an elegant space that embodies Italian design and excellence. Developed in collaboration with iconic Italian brands such as Campari Group, illycaffè, iGuzzini, and Poltrona Frau, the lounge offers a luxurious and uniquely Italian ambiance. To celebrate the launch, a fashion show curated by Italian label Silence Please featured designs inspired by ITA Airways’ intercontinental destinations, reinforcing the brand’s connection to Italian creativity and global elegance.
Commenting on the expansion, Jörg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways, said: “Our growing footprint in the Middle East is a clear reflection of our long-term commitment to building sustainable and meaningful connections between Europe and this dynamic region. ITA Airways is dedicated to providing a premium and authentically Italian travel experience, supported by a modern fleet and seamless global connectivity. These new routes go beyond commercial value — they represent a vision of smarter, more connected travel that brings people, cultures, and economies closer together.”
As part of its broader growth strategy, ITA Airways continues to invest in fleet renewal, aiming for 90 percent of its aircraft to be next-generation models by 2027 — making it one of the youngest and most environmentally responsible fleets in Europe. Backed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, ITA Airways is steadily establishing itself as a key player in global aviation, driven by innovation, sustainability, and an unmistakable Italian style.
First-ever 5G SA indoor coverage trial held in Saudi Arabia
Dr. Khalid Al-Mashouq, CEO of ACES NH, said: “With Nokia’s ready and innovative indoor portfolio we can give building owners a single, future-proof solution while operators gain rapid, capital-light expansion
Updated 20 July 2025
Arab News
Nokia, together with Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission, local neutral host specialist ACES NH and service providers Mobily and Zain Saudi, has completed industry-first pilot deployment of 5G standalone indoor coverage using sharable indoor spectrum on the 4.0-4.1 GHz band and active sharing techniques. For the first time, every mobile operator in the Kingdom can deliver gigabit-class 5G inside low- to medium-traffic buildings through a single, cost-optimized system, eliminating the need for duplicate equipment and 4G anchors while cutting deployment costs by more than 60 percent. The proof-of-concept underscores how Nokia’s Shikra radio portfolio and multi‑operator core network software uniquely unlock spectrum-efficient, multi-operator 5G for private wireless and public networks alike.
FASTFACT
For the first time, every mobile operator in the Kingdom can deliver gigabit-class 5G inside low- to medium-traffic buildings through a single, cost-optimized system, eliminating the need for duplicate equipment and 4G anchors.
This innovative solution was recently recognized by the Small Cell Forum, receiving the Small Cells World Summit 2025 Award for “Outstanding Progress in Enabling Neutral Host and Multi-Operator Business Models.”
Sharable indoor spectrum gives stakeholders a powerful tool to boost indoor 5G adoption without complex auctions or spectrum refarming, says Mikko Lavanti, Senior VP for Mobile Networks, MEA at Nokia
Mobile data traffic per smartphone is projected to escalate from 29 GB per month in 2024 to 54 GB per month by 2030. Although 80 percent of mobile traffic is generated indoors, conventional distributed antenna systems often dedicate separate hardware and spectrum to each operator, driving up CAPEX and energy use. By using sharable indoor spectrum on the 4.0-4.1 GHz band in combination with 5G SA active sharing, the pilot demonstrates fair access for all operators while accelerating coverage in business districts, giga-projects, and public venues. Early cost modeling by Nokia and ACES shows a further 47 percent saving when 4G anchoring is removed, making 5G SA “greenfield indoor” sites commercially viable from Day 1.
Mufarreh J. Al-Nahari, deputy governor of studies and innovation at the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, said: “This collaboration demonstrates how innovative regulatory practices, vendor expertise and local partners can together deliver reliable, high-quality 5G for enterprises and consumers. We look forward to scaling the model across the Kingdom.”
Mikko Lavanti, senior vice president for mobile networks, MEA at Nokia, said: “Sharable indoor spectrum gives stakeholders a powerful new tool to boost indoor 5G adoption without complex auctions or spectrum refarming.
Our Shikra pico radios and true 5G SA active sharing software prove that one neutral host system can serve every operator with carrier-grade performance, cutting both cost and carbon emissions per gigabyte.”
Dr. Khalid Al-Mashouq, CEO of ACES NH, said: “With Nokia’s ready and innovative indoor portfolio we can give building owners a single, future-proof solution while operators gain rapid, capital-light expansion. It’s a win for everyone in the 5G ecosystem.”
Alaa Malki, chief technology officer at Mobily, said: “Enhancing customer experience and optimizing network performance in indoor environments are core to Mobily’s strategic priorities. Our active participation in this pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation, operational efficiency, and scalable 5G solutions. By advancing shared infrastructure models, we are reinforcing Mobily’s leadership in shaping the future of telecommunications in the Kingdom and accelerating the realization of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals.”
Mohammed Al-Nujaidi, chief technology officer at Zain KSA, said: “Pioneering future-ready shareable network models that unlock scalable, high-performance connectivity is part of Zain KSA’s commitment to driving the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure. By enabling seamless digital access and significantly enhancing the customer experience, this initiative plays a pivotal role in advancing and accelerating the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey and smart infrastructure development for a knowledge-based society and digital economy.”
Nokia’s Shikra pico solutions for the 4.0 GHz band are compact, low-power remote radios that blanket multistory buildings with uniform mid-band 5G coverage. Leveraging 5G standalone MOCN active sharing, a single RAN and core slice can serve multiple operators at once, boosting spectral efficiency and streamlining operations. The platform is also private wireless ready: the very same infrastructure can host dedicated enterprise 5G cores, delivering secure Industry 4.0 and campus network services alongside public connectivity.