Emirates recently enhanced its presence in Southeast Asia with the launch of a new daily linked service from Dubai to Yangon (RGN) in Myanmar, and onward to Hanoi (HAN) in Vietnam.
This new service, which is being operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, expands the airline’s network in Southeast Asia to 12 cities in seven countries and offers more choices and convenience to passengers travelling between Hanoi and Yangon to Dubai and beyond. Yangon is the first destination within Myanmar to be served by Emirates. As the country’s largest city and the most important commercial center, Yangon contributes approximately one fifth to the country’s GDP. The country offers visitors a glimpse of ancient Asia and has witnessed an increase in foreign tourist arrivals.
Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital and a destination with rich culture and heritage for over 1,000 years, becomes Emirates’ second gateway within the country following the launch of services to Ho Chi Minh City in 2012.
Badr Abbas, Emirates’ SVP, commercial operations Far East, was on board the inaugural flight with a number of senior executives of the airline. They were joined by a delegation that included business leaders as well as media from the UAE, GCC and Europe. The aircraft was greeted in Yangon and Hanoi by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival.
As the World’s Best Airline 2016 awarded by SkyTrax, Emirates provides its customers with a wide range of choices across its global network of 154 destinations in 82 countries and territories together with on-board offerings and services.
Passengers who travel on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER can enjoy the airline’s award-winning ice system with up to 2,500 channels of the latest movies, TV shows and music from around the world and specially created gourmet cuisine served by Emirates’ multilingual cabin crew.
Yangon, Hanoi become Emirates’ latest gateways
Yangon, Hanoi become Emirates’ latest gateways
18th Asian Financial Forum wraps up, positioning Hong Kong as global financial hub
The 18th Asian Financial Forum, co-organized by the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, successfully wrapped up on Jan. 14 under the theme “Powering the Next Growth Engine.” This year’s forum attracted more than 3,600 global financial and business elites from over 50 countries and regions. The event leveraged Hong Kong’s role as an international financial center to strengthen the international communication platform, foster multilateral cooperation and promote mutually beneficial outcomes. Three high-level Mainland China officials attended the opening session of the AFF, including Zhou Ji, executive vice director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of China; Dr. Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China; and Liu Zhenmin, special envoy for climate change of China.
As the year’s first large-scale international financial and business event in the region, the atmosphere at the AFF was vibrant and charged with a positive energy. The forum showcased emerging perspectives across the diverse sessions, all of which were well-attended and well-received by speakers and audiences alike. Leaders from around the world actively engaged in discussion throughout the two-day event, with more than 130 policymakers, international financial and multilateral organization representatives, financial institutions, and global corporate leaders joining as speakers.
The speaker at the keynote luncheon on the first day of this year’s AFF was Professor Justin Lin Yifu, chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank (2008-2012), who delivered an in-depth analysis of the shifting global economic landscape. Yifu said: “In terms of purchasing power, China has the largest domestic market in the world. I think China can reach a 4.5 percent growth rate on average annually between 2019 and 2049. Thus, China will continue to contribute around 30 percent of growth to the world every year. It’s good not only for China, but also will be the most important asset of Hong Kong in the coming years.”
Another keynote luncheon focused on “AI: Future Industries and Implications,” with Professor Stuart Russell, co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on AI, sharing his insights into the development, application and governance of generative AI. Russell said: “We could build AI systems that are guaranteed to further human interests but we aren’t. Some may worry that the machines that we are building will become conscious and lose control, but competence should actually be the topic that we worry about. As history shows, we cause species to become extinct due to our competence, not our consciousness. We are training them to have human-like objectives, and that is a fundamental mistake. I am hoping that if we design the AI system well enough, they themselves will refuse to contribute to the enfeeblement of the human race.”
Another AI expert, Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, chairman of Sinovation Ventures, also addressed the transformative power of AI and its impact on technological advancements in the global business ecosystem during a dialogue session.
In alignment with the HKSAR government’s initiatives to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong, sustainability emerged as a key focus at the forum. A session featured experts including Sue Lloyd, vice chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board, who delved into the adoption of financial disclosure standards to enhance confidence in Hong Kong’s capital markets. Other discussions related to sustainable development included a breakfast panel dedicated to transition finance and two more sessions on sustainable investment and “Post-COP29 Implementation: Enhance Climate Ambition and Enable Financing Action,” during which Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change, gave remarks.
The last day saw the debut of the GCC Chapter, jointly organized by the AFF and the GCC. Christopher Hui, secretary for financial services and the treasury of the HKSAR government, and Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, delivered keynote remarks. Financial officials and representatives from Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined industry leaders from Hong Kong to share updates on economic developments in the Gulf region, highlight future investment opportunities, and examine ways to strengthen financial cooperation and investment between the member states of the GCC and Hong Kong.
In addition, pioneers from a range of industries actively participated in sessions such as CIO Insights, Dialogues for Tomorrow and Global Spectrum, focusing on hot topics ranging from fintech and capital markets to female entrepreneurship and philanthropy. One of the heavyweight speakers at this year’s AFF was Joe Tsai, chairman of the Alibaba Group, who shared his views at a fireside chat moderated by Ronnie Chan, honorary chair, Hang Lung Properties Limited, on how large companies spur economic development in a session titled “Global Spectrum — The Role of Large Companies in Supporting Startups and Social Enterprises.”
Real-time polling was conducted during the forum to gauge participants’ views on various topics, such as the global economic outlook and China opportunities. It indicated that generative AI-led innovation (41.6 percent) and non-AI innovation, including digital infrastructure and healthcare (23 percent), were seen by participants as the most critical growth engines in the Asia Pacific region. Meanwhile, generative AI (31.4 percent) and advanced manufacturing (20 percent) were seen as the most promising growth sectors in Mainland China.
This year’s AFF Deal-making, co-organized by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, brought together more than 270 investors and over 560 investment projects, with more than 700 one-on-one meetings held, covering a wide spectrum of sectors such as fintech, healthtech, deep tech, consumer goods, infrastructure and real estate, environment, energy and environmental technology. The meetings helped to connect funds and investment projects from across the globe.
As always, the AFF featured several exhibition zones, set up with the aim of creating business connections and promoting networking, including the Fintech Showcase, Fintech HK Startup Salon, the InnoVenture Salon, and the Global Investment Zone. These zones featured more than 140 exhibitors including international financial institutions, technology companies, startups, investment promotion agencies and sponsors such as AFF Knowledge Partner EY, along with HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered Bank, UBS, Prudential, China International Capital Corporation and Huatai International and more.
Three other events ran concurrently with the AFF across the two days. The Hong Kong International Fundraising Roundtable 2025 convened C-suite leaders from overseas and mainland enterprises with Hong Kong’s financial and professional service providers to address pressing financing and fundraising needs. The Malaysia–Hong Kong Islamic Finance Roundtable, co-organized with Malaysia International Islamic Financial Center Leadership Council, facilitated the development of cross-border financial activities between Hong Kong and Islamic economies represented by Malaysia. Additionally, the Family Office Symposium, co-organized with the Private Wealth Management Association, spotlighted Hong Kong’s advantages as a premier family office destination and explored current investment trends.
Global construction consultancy RLB opens regional headquarters in Riyadh
Rider Levett Bucknall, a global leader in construction cost consultancy and project management services, has officially inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh. This strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its operations and supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious development goals.
The event coincides with RLB’s celebration of 40 years of presence in Saudi Arabia, during which the company has delivered transformative infrastructure projects and contributed to the Kingdom’s urban development in alignment with Vision 2030. Over the past four decades, RLB has been a key partner in executing large-scale residential, commercial, healthcare and educational projects, while championing innovation and sustainability in the construction sector.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prince Fahad bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan Al-Saud, chairman of RLB Saudi Arabia, expressed his vision for the company’s role in Saudi Arabia’s future: “Today marks a significant milestone for RLB as we further solidify our roots in Riyadh and beyond. The Kingdom is at the forefront of an extraordinary transformation, and RLB is proud to have been a trusted partner in shaping its progress. Our new regional headquarters represent our long-term commitment to driving excellence and delivering innovative solutions that align with the Kingdom’s aspirations under Vision 2030.”
Prince Fahad was accompanied by RLB Directors Andrew Reynolds and Mark Weaver, and General Manager William Barber during the inauguration of the newly opened offices located in Laysen Valley, Riyadh. The headquarters mark 40 years of RLB’s operations in Saudi Arabia and will serve as the company’s third premises, with existing offices already established in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Reynolds, global director and board member of RLB, said: “The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, is a hub of unprecedented opportunity and growth. RLB’s new headquarters in Riyadh reflect our dedication to not only supporting our clients but also contributing meaningfully to the region’s dynamic landscape. We are excited to bring our global expertise and cutting-edge solutions to this thriving market.”
Weaver, global board director at RLB, added: “We have been privileged to work on some incredible projects, collaborate with some amazing people, and invest in growing our RLB team here in Saudi. This next chapter reflects our continued commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s evolving built environment and contributing to its economy.”
New Honeywell center to boost KSA’s industrial cybersecurity
Honeywell has launched a new center in Jubail to provide localized cybersecurity services for critical industrial sectors in the Kingdom. The center was announced at IKTVA Forum and Exhibition in Dhahran.
The Honeywell Himaya Center, located in the company’s Jubail office, underscores the alignment of Honeywell’s portfolio to three compelling megatrends including automation. It is designed to strengthen industrial cybersecurity capabilities in the Kingdom by offering more robust operational technology security solutions to address today’s evolving threats, while helping businesses maintain regulatory compliance.
The center will provide in-country managed security services to key sectors including energy, manufacturing and utilities. This includes Honeywell’s flagship Cyber Insight and Cyber Watch software solutions, which help businesses maintain continuous compliance with the National Cybersecurity Authority OT Cybersecurity Controls regulations, and support the use of automation and artificial intelligence-enabled technologies.
“The launch of the Honeywell Himaya Center is a testament to our dedication to supporting Saudi Arabia’s localization and industrial transformation objectives, and the ambitious vision set forth by the IKTVA program,” said Abdullah Al-Juffali, president, Honeywell Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
“The new center will bring critical local cybersecurity capabilities to the Kingdom, and support the growth of a resilient and self-reliant industrial ecosystem.”
Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity market is expected to grow from $3.6 billion today to $10.5 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by digital transformation, rising cyberthreats, and initiatives like Vision 2030. The increasing reliance on cloud technologies and focus on data protection are fueling demand for advanced security solutions across key industries.
“Industrial automation and AI are pivotal in driving operational efficiency and business resilience across critical industries,” said George Bou Mitri, president, Honeywell Industrial Automation for the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa, and Central Asia. “The target of the Honeywell Himaya Center is to provide unparalleled support to businesses, helping them navigate the complexities of industrial cybersecurity and leverage the benefits of advanced automation technologies.”
Honeywell is at the global forefront of driving the future of OT cybersecurity by enabling secure, compliant and resilient operations across the industrial sector. The launch of the Honeywell Himaya Center is a significant step toward supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation and strengthening its position as a key player in the global cybersecurity market.
Honeywell has been present in Saudi Arabia for more than 70 years, delivering cutting-edge solutions and actively contributing to the government’s vision to advance technology adoption and sustainability efforts. Honeywell runs training programs to help transform Saudi Arabia into a knowledge-based economy, equipping Saudi nationals with essential technical skills in various sectors including energy, automation, and aviation.
SRMG wins exclusive rights to market ‘Schools Walking Challenge’ program
The Saudi Research and Media Group has announced a strategic partnership with the “Walking Challenge Entertainment Company,” through which the group has been granted the exclusive rights to market the WCEC programs. These programs enhance the quality of life for more than 6 million male and female students across the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030.
The partnership’s key focus is the “Schools Walking Challenge” program, which covers around 1,250 schools spread across 16 administrative regions in the Kingdom. Its primary goal is to promote healthy lifestyles among students. SRMG will help the program attract commercial sponsors from the public and private sector by providing innovative marketing and commercial opportunities that allow it to communicate its messages to the youth.
This aligns with SRMG’s sustainability initiatives aimed at enhancing public health and spreading community awareness. It also reflects the group’s business diversification strategy of expanding into marketing, high quality content creation, event organization and training, to further cement its media leadership in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
The partnership between the group and the WCEC offers unique marketing solutions, including a smart app that encourages students to keep track of their daily activities, participate in competitions, and receive motivational rewards. The app allows sponsors the opportunity to deliver tailored messages to the youth. The program also offers other opportunities, including the ability to place creative content on electronic screens inside schools and organizing sporting events and competitions that enhance community participation. All of these activities make the program a comprehensive platform that combines entertainment and benefit for all.
“The ‘Walking Challenge’ program represents a model of cooperation between various sectors to motivate the youth to adopt healthy lifestyles. It also reflects the group’s ability to deliver, spread, and market high-quality content using the latest technologies,” SRMG said in a statement.
Prince Khalid bin Saud Al-Faisal, chairman of the board of the Walking Challenge Entertainment Company, said: “The ‘Schools Walking Challenge’ program is not just a sports competition; it is rather a comprehensive technology based project to motivate the youth to adopt active lifestyles. It embodies an ambitious leadership vision aimed at achieving a sustainable impact that enhances the health of future generations and supports the prosperity of the community.”
Al-Qaryan Group begins decommissioning project for SABIC subsidiary ‘Ibn Rushd’
Al-Qaryan Group, a Saudi closed joint-stock company specialized in industrial dismantling, demolition, and circular industries, has started work on a mega-project to dismantle and demolish production facilities at the Arabian Industrial Fibers Company (Ibn Rushd), a SABIC subsidiary.
The scope of work covers over 125,000 square meters encompassing eight integrated production zones, and includes the complete dismantling of production units, auxiliary facilities, and associated civil structures, followed by full site restoration.
The project scope also includes the transportation of all dismantled materials off-site for processing, recovery and recycling at the group’s specialized facilities and downstream factories, applying best practices and benchmark standards. Moreover, the project contributes to sustainability targets through enhanced energy efficiency and significant minimization of carbon emissions.
Al-Qaryan Group operates a network of approximately 20 processing and recycling facilities across the Kingdom, specializing in the recycling of ferrous, non-ferrous and plastics materials, in addition to owning and operating three downstream factories for steel, plastic and copper, which enables the group to provide end-to-end recycling solutions for industrial-scale projects.
Abdulaziz Yahya Almuayyad, CEO of Al-Qaryan Group, said: “The group is proud to be selected by Ibn Rushd for this critical dismantling and demolition project and we are committed to leverage our long experience in the field to continually enhance our technical and logistical capabilities to ensure best-in-class project execution at the highest safety and quality standards.
The group has a successful track record in industrial dismantling and demolition such as that of Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company in Alkhobar, and several desalination plants and power stations across the Kingdom. For this project, the group has deployed specialized expertise and cutting-edge technologies in dismantling and demolition, including state-of-the-art heavy and high reach dismantling equipment capable of dismantling complex industrial units.
Almuayyad said Al-Qaryan Group has seamlessly integrated industry-leading sustainability metrics into its core strategic objectives and goals, ensuring alignment with global best practices while strengthening its position as a key contributor to the ambitious sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030, especially the targets set forth in the Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He also said that the group maintains a leading position in industrial circular industries through strategic investments in state-of-the-art technologies and innovative operational practices. The current project is a tangible demonstration of Al-Qaryan Group’s dedication to local content development, particularly bolstering the national economy through the utilization of domestic expertise, thereby making a significant contribution to the Kingdom’s sustainable development objectives.
