Saudi Arabia’s Most admired Companies in 2021 June2021.

EDITOR’S DESK

ThebusinesscultureinSaudiArabiais witnessingaseismicchangewiththe governmentopeningdoorsand encouragingnon-oilbusinessesthroughitsvibrant schemes.

TheKingdomisadaptingtothenewworldchanges andisassertingitspositionintheglobalbusiness world.Itsconsistentlyvibranteconomicgrowthis itsuniquesellingpoint(USP)thathasonlyhelped ittoexperimentinnon-oilbusinesses.

Criticalthinkersandchange-makersaretheyouth ofthecountrywhoaremakingtheirpresencefelt ontheglobalmapofbusinesses.Beithealthcare, InformationandCommunicationTechnology (ICT),manufacturing,retailorstart-ups,ecommerce,telecommunications,SaudiArabia promisestremendouspotentialbesidesits traditionaloilandtourismbusiness.

TheretailbusinessinSaudiArabiadatestoaround 2000yearsbackwhenMeccawasthehuboftrade andpeoplefromArabiancountriesandthe neighbouringonestravelledfortrade.Theretail

outletsandsupermarketsinSaudiArabiaareofavery recentoriginbeginningfromthelastcentury.

Besides,themanufacturingsectoristoutedtobecomean internationalhubandtherebyreduceitseconomic dependencyonfossilfuels.

TheSaudiArabiagovernment’sinitiativestopromote smallandmedium-sizedenterpriseswillfurtherdiversify thebusinessesinthecountryandconsequentlyincrease thecontributiontowardsthecountry’seconomyfrom diversesectors.Thisisexpectedtoincreasethe contributionofSMEstothegrossdomesticproductfrom 20%to35%by2030.

Theoilgiant’srobusteconomicgrowthduetooiland gasreserves,developingandexpandingotherbusinesses ishardlyachallengeforSaudiArabia.Thecountryhas becomemoreopentonon-oilbusinessescontributing significantlytotheGDPofthecountry. Itisalso openingdoorstoglobalbusinesshousesandforeign investments.

Entrepreneurshipisalsoflourishingasitdidneverwith start-ups.Morewomenareemergingintheentrepreneur worldofSaudiArabiaand,morewomenarealsobeing

includedintheworkforce.Thegovernmentisleavingno stoneunturnedtorealiseitsVision2030.

We,atInsightsSuccess,selectedsomecompaniesthat havetravelledanextramiletosecureaglobalplacefor themselves.Wearesureyouwillenjoyreadingourlatest edition- Saudi Arabia’s Most Admired Companies in 2021 tolearnmoreabouttheseextraordinary entrepreneurs.

Haveagreatread!

Sarkar

Sumita

Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar

Anish Miller Senior Editor

Abhishaj Sajeev

Assisting Editors

Trishika, Yash

Art & Design Head Asha Bange

Art & Design Assistant

Visualiser David King Paul Belin Co-designer Art & Picture Editor

Deputy Editor Sherin Rodricks Business Development Manager

Priyanka Rajage Marketing Manager Joseph D'souza

Shahid Shaikh

Kelly, Michael Business Development Executives

Sales Executives Jenny, Mark, Alice

Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head

Amar Sawant

Technical Consultants Pratiksha, Aditya, David

Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Amol Wadekar

SME-SMO Executives Gemson, Renuka

Circulation Manager Tanaji Research Analyst Eric Smith

sales@insightssuccess.com

June, 2021

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Management Brief CompanyName

AlAinFarms alainfarms.com

CircleK circlek.ae

Etisalat etisalat.com

JamjoomPharma jamjoompharma.com

WillemVan WaltMeijer ChiefExecutive

LaurentGuitart CEO

AlAinFarmsisUAE'sfirstdairy,poultry,camelmilkandjuice company

CircleKhasbecomeoneofthemostwidelyrecognized conveniencestorebrands,knownworldwideforqualityproducts andgreatcustomerservice.

JashanmalGroup jashanmalgroup.com

HatemDowidar GroupCEO Mr.NoorSheriff Co-founderandCEO KhaledSoliman CEO

EtisalatGroupisoneoftheworld’sleadingtelecomgroups inemergingmarkets.

JamjoomPharmahasstate-of-the-artmanufacturingfacilities whichencapsulatesthelatestinmanufacturingtechnology, systemsandbusinesspractices.

JashanmalGrouptodayisacorporationwithmulti-channel activitiesintheGCCandIndiawithheadquartersintheUAE.

Jumeirah jumeirah.com

JoséSilva ChiefExecutiveOfficer

JumeirahHotelsandResortsisawell-establishedluxuryhotel company,whichhashadadistinctimpactontheglobal hospitalitymarketforthepasttwodecades.

LuLuGroupInternational ae.lulumea.com

Nuyu nuyu-ksa.com

SainulaShamim Director

PrincessSaraAlSaud HeadofMarketing

LuLuGroupInternationaltodayisahighlydiversifiedentity withoperationsspanningavastgeographicallandscape.

nuyu’smissionistoofferwomentheopportunitytoshowtheir support–beitfortheircollege,favoritemoviecharacter, sportingeventorhobby

Paytabs paytabs.com

AbdulazizAlJouf FounderandCEO

Zid zid.sa

AbdullahAljuma MarketingManager

PayTabsisanawardwinning,B2B,paymentssolutions powerhousefoundedbySaudientrepreneurAbdulazizAlJouf.

Zidisan e-commerceinabox-solutionthatanyretailercan usetostarttheireRetail.

Jamjoom Pharma

Redefining Quality and Innovation while Achieving Global Success

Theambitionforachievingexcellenceiswhatdrives anycompanytozeniths.Thisexcellencecould encompass—butnotlimitedto—delivering unparalleledservicetoitscustomers,innovatingproducts thataddvaluetotheusers,orprioritizingonsavingthe environment.

Withexcellencebeingatthecruxoftheirmission,the companiesfeaturedinthiseditiontitled, Saudi Arabia's Most admired Companies in 2021,exhibittruepotentialto sparkaparadigmshiftinthewaysthatindustriesand marketswillfunction.

OneprominentnameamongsuchcompaniesisJamjoom Pharma,aworld-classresearch-drivenandglobally recognizedleadingpharmaceuticalcompany.Thecompany has,inaveryshortspanoftime,emergedasoneofthe leadingpharmaceuticalcompaniesintheAfrasiaregion. JamjoomPharmaceuticalswasestablishedtoprovidehighqualityhealthcareandwellnessproductsatcompetitive pricesforconsumers'benefit.Thecompanystrivestoset thehighestqualitystandardsineverythingitdoesand continuouslyendeavortomakeitsnameandimage synonymouswithqualityandintegrity.

ThecornerstoneofJamjoomPharmawaslaidonthe philosophyof Think globally, act locally.Thecentralidea revolvesaroundlearningnewtechnologies,ideas,concepts,

Our prime focus has been on building core manufacturing competencies to ensure that each Jamjoom Pharma product reflects world-class quality.

“ “

Mr. Noor Sheriff Co-founder and CEO |

andmodelsandmakinguseofthis knowledgetoimprovethecompany's localcapabilities,expertise,capacities, andskillstoproducebetterproduct offerings.

TheleadershipteamatJamjoom Pharmabelievesthattheprimary responsibilityofanorganizationisto createvalueforcustomersand stakeholders.Inthissense,the companyconsidersitselffortunateto havepainstakinglybuiltteamsthatare committed,result-oriented,andbelieve intheorganization'svisionand mission.

"Ourprimefocushasbeenonbuilding coremanufacturingcompetenciesto ensurethateachJamjoomPharma productreflectsworld-classquality; thesestandardsareexpectedtomeet establishedinternationalcompanies' challenges.Weattributeour remarkablesuccessinthemarketplace firstlytotheworld-classqualityand efficacyofourproducts,comparableto thebestintheindustryandsecondlyto ourpeople,"saysMr.NoorSheriff, theCo-FounderandCEO

ExemplaryExpertise

Theco-founderofJamjoomPharma andvisionaryleaderMr.NoorSheriff isaseasonedauthorityonstrategy, businessdevelopment,and

We recorded the highest growth compared to the last five years, but we also managed to maintain a safe and secure environment for our employees to feel confident and give their 100% in such testing times

“ “

management,coupledwithexcellent leadership,communications,andteambuildingskillswithover50yearsof experience.

Mr.Sheriffisaconsistentdemonstrator ofadaptingproblem-solving techniquesandhigh-performance modulatorsacrossmultiple departmentsandmarkets.Hehas alwayshadakeeninterestand expertiseinthepharmaindustry trajectoryoverthepastfivedecades, allowingforahighproficiencyinthe sector

Mr.Sheriffstartedhiscareerinsales andmarketingintheearly'70sat Allergan.Aftermovingthroughallthe organizationalhierarchylayers,heleft Allerganbutnotbeforeleadingfive successfulyearsasVice President/ManagingDirectorofsucha world-renownedorganization. Intheyear2000,Mr.Sheriffhelped establishthestructureofJamjoom Pharma.Hehasthusnaturallyamassed thecreditforhiringtherightteamto carryoutJamjoomPharma'svision, whichisnowratedasthe'fastestgrowingandtop-ranked pharmaceuticalcompany'inSaudi Arabia.Alongwithhisteamof dedicatedmembers,hehasensuredthe formationofvariousoperating committeesandexecutiveteamsand theirsuccessfulimplementation.

Followingaresomehighlightsofhis profoundcareeratJamjoomPharma:

Ÿ

EstablishedJamjoomPharmafrom itsconceptualstage;Hiredthe'right team'tocarryoutthevisionof JamjoomPharma.

Ÿ

OverseeingvariousOperating CommitteesandExecutiveteams.

st Ÿ Builtthe1 softgelfacilityinthe country.

Ÿ

Ÿ

Specialtylinesattained#1rankas perIMS,andmanyofourproducts areamongtheTop3inthesegment theyoperate.

Establishedastate-of-the-artR&D centerwithover100topclass scientists,severalPhDholderswho havedevelopedover230products (andover100areinthepipeline).

Ÿ

Leadingcross-functionalteamsto plan,build,launch,andmanage worldclassinnovations.

Ÿ Managingover30countriesacross MiddleEast,Africa,andCentral Asia.

Ÿ GuidedJamjoomPharmaasa SpecialtyProductlinecompany operatinginJPOphtha,JPDerma, JPGIT,JPCardio-Vascular medicine,JPCNS,JPNutra,adding overatenfoldcapacityacrossmany lines.

Ÿ

Maintainedahighstandardof performancefortheproductline.In aconciseperiod,threeofour

Ÿ

Mentoredtheteamresponsiblefor establishingJamjoomAcademy,an instituteresponsiblefortraining anddevelopingyoungSaudisin severalfunctionsofPharmaceutical manufacturing.

Contractedjointventure relationshipswithpharmaceutical manufacturersin

Ÿ

Establisheda100%owned Pharmaceuticalmanufacturing companyinEgypt.

OvercomingAdversities

TheteamatJamjoomPharmabelieves

thatCOVID-19hasimpactedthe globaleconomylikeneverbefore;the overallimpactwascruelerthan anticipated.Theconsequenceofthis pandemicforsomeindustries, especiallyairlinesandhospitality,was catastrophic.

"Fortunatelyforthehealthcaresector, theeffectwasnotthatsignificant, especiallyforthelocalmanufacturer duetotheinelasticdemand.Wehave anticipatedthisasanopportunity We knewthattocapitalizeonthis opportunity,wemustputourselvesin order,plandiligentlyandexecuteto perfection,"theteamexpressed.

Mr.Sheriffandhisteamalsostatesthat duringthepandemic,pharmaceutical products'importshaddrastically reduced,givinglocalmanufacturersan outsideopportunitytoreplenishthe marketdemandbylocally manufacturedproducts.

"Thispandemicperiod,withouta doubt,hasbeenunlikeanywehave everexperienced,withchallenges unlikeanywehavefaced,butwith perseverance,immaculateplanning, andimpeccableexecution,wehave managedtoconvertthischallengeinto

anopportunity.Werecordedthe highestgrowthcomparedtothelast fiveyears,butwealsomanagedto maintainasafeandsecure environmentforouremployeestofeel confidentandgivetheir100%insuch testingtimes,"theteamadded.

JamjoomPharmacurrentlyhasan ongoingexpansioninEgyptand Algeriaandenvisionsthesesitestobe fullyoperationalbytheendof2022. Oneofthesignificantelementsof JamjoomPharma'ssuccessistargeting thespecialtylinesinceitsinception. "Wewillcontinueexploringthemand discoveringdifferentspecialtylines wherewearecurrentlynotpresent," Mr.Sheriffconcluded.

BequeathingInvaluableWisdom

WeaskedMr.Sheriffforhisviewson howtheadoptionofmodern technologiessuchasAI,bigdataand machinelearninghavetransformedthe healthcareindustryandwhatmore couldbeexpectedinthenearfuture,to whichhesaid,"Allthreethings mentionedaboveareintheearly adoptionphase,butIamsurethey havealongwaytogointheyearsto come.Iamsurethesetechnologieswill becomeanecessity."

"Whetherfromcomputer-aideddrug designingtosimplemarketingand sales,ortoknowcustomerinsightto fine-tuneanddevelopproductliking andmarketrequirements,everywhere AI,bigdata,andmachinelearningwill haveaprominent&significantroleto play Theconceptofbigdataisnot new Withtheemergenceofartificial intelligence,Iamsurethisbigdatawill improveproductionefficiency, customersatisfactionandhelpbring downproductioncostsinthehealth careindustry,"headded.

Sharinghisadvicetothebudding

“

“

My goal has only been to try and bring out the best in every team member to define them, refine them, and be their best selves as individuals and professionals.

entrepreneurswhoaspiretoventure intothehealthcarespace,Mr.Sheriff said,"Ihavealwaysbelievedinaiming higher,settingstandardsthatareabove themark.Mygoalhasonlybeentotry andbringoutthebestineveryteam membertodefinethem,refinethem,& betheirbestselvesasindividualsand professionals.Ihavelivedmylifeby certainvaluesandprinciples.Asa 'leader'myrolewastopromotethose veryvaluesinstillthemamongmany ofmyteammembers.”

"Fornewentrepreneurs,Iwilladvise themtobeconfidentandvisualizethe bigpictureofwhattheywouldliketo achieveandremainfocus.Theyshould remainsteadfastandnottogiveinto shortcutswhentested.Iwouldstrongly encouragethemtoselecttheirteam assiduously&diligentlybecause,in theend,itispeoplethatmatter,"he adds.

ExhibitingUnparalleledExcellence

FollowingisJamjoomPharma'sperformanceasperthelatestdata availablewithIQVIA.IQVIAisathird-partydataanalyzerandaworld leaderinusingdatatechnologyandadvancedanalytics.Ithasthe expertiseinhelpingcustomersdrivehealthcare.

rd

AsperIQVIA,Jamjoomhasbeenrecognizedasthe3 largestandone ofthefastest-growingpharmaceuticalproductmanufacturersinSaudi Arabia.AsperIQVIA,thecompanyisnumber2prescribedcompanyin SaudiArabia.

Apartfromthis,during2020,Frost&Sullivan,abusinessconsulting firminvolvedinmarketresearchandanalysis,recognizesSaudi Arabia-headquarteredJamjoomPharmaceuticalswiththe2020KSA CompanyoftheYearAwardforitsoperationalexcellenceand expandedproductportfolioandfootprint.

Additionally,duringtherecentlyconcludedGCCBESTEMPLOYER BRANDAWARDS-2020,organizedbyGCCEmployerBranding Institute,JamjoomPharmaceuticalcompanyhaswonGCC'sBest EmergingEmployerBrandAwardandDreamCompanytoWork for–PharmaceuticalSector

We attribute our remarkable success in the marketplace firstly to the world-class quality and efficacy of our products, comparable to the best in the industry, and secondly to our people

“ “

UpholdingaLegacyofQuality

Ayearningforexcellenceand anunshakeablecommitment towardsdeliveringnothingbut thebestqualityproductsiswhatmakes AlAinFarmsoneofthemost prominentbrandsintheMiddleEast.

Inourendeavortobringintospotlight SaudiArabia’sMostAdmired Companies,crossingpathswitha significantcompanysuchasAlAin Farmswasinevitable.Havingbeenin operationsformorethan40yearsand sustainingitslegacyandpromiseof deliveringthefinestfoodproductsis whatmakesthecompanyapeople’s favorite.

Inthefollowinginterview,Willemvan WaltMeijer,theCEOofAlAin Farms,sharesafewvaluableinsights intothecompany’spositionasaleader inthefoodandbeveragesmarketand hisfuturevisionforthecompany. Belowarethehighlightsofthe interview:

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyour company,itsvalues,anditsjourney sofar.

Foundedin1981bytheFatherofthe Nation,lateSheikhZayedBinSultan AlNayhan,AlAinFarmswasthefirst dairycompanyintheUAEtostartthe dairyoperationsandprovideaccessto freshmilktothenation.

Continuingtheheritageforcloseto40 yearsnow,AlAinFarmshasgrownto bethelargestintegratedlocaldairy

companyintheUAE,runningfour farmsunderitsbrand–thedairy business,thejuicebusiness,thecamel milkproduction,andthepoultry sectionwithfreshchickenandeggs. AllproductsareproducedinAlAin, theheartoftheUAE,anddeliveredto allregionsdaily,servingmorethan 13,000outletsnation–wideand deliveringcloseto20millionunits millionsoffresh,longlifedairyand poultryproductsmonthlytotheUnited ArabEmirates.Thecompanyhas alwayshadandwillcontinuetohavea pivotalroleforenablingthefood securityofthecountry.

Tellusaboutyourcompany’s offerings,andhowyouhave ascertainedyourstrongholdwithin MiddleEast?

Thecorecompetenciesofthecompany lieinthestrongbrandreputation achievedacrossdecadesofoperations inthecountry,furtherenchasedwith availabilityoftheproductsacrossall regions.

ThereachandcoverageinUAEare sometimesdifficulttoachieveascold chainindairymustnotbeinterrupted atanytime,andthefleetover270 vehicles,andthousandpeoplealmost neversleepsasfreshproductsare delivered24/7tomorethan13,000 outletsdaily

Theproximityofthefarmstofactory beinginthesamesitecompound enablesustoensureastraightpromise

offarmsdeliverywithin24hoursfrom farmtocustomer,ensuringthefresh, tasty,safe,wholesome,andhealthy food.

Amongstmanyproducts,thecoreis thefreshmilk–naturallypure, nutrient-rich,fresh,andhealthy, availableinmultiplefatlevelsoptions andseveralpackagesizes.Company alsoproducesasignificantvolumeof long–lifemilkpackedinpaper cartons,enablingfreshmilktobe preservedlonger,withoutadditionof anypreservatives.

Quitealargeconsumptioncategoryof fermentedproducts,consistingof Laban(drinkableyoghurt)andthick yoghurt,anditoffersasupportforboth gooddigestionandimmunesystem benefits,byhavinganadditionofthe probioticstrains,LGGandBB12 whichworkinparalleltosupportand boostthehealthofconsumer.

TheNOsugarfreshjuiceisavailable inelevendifferentflavorsfor everyone’staste.Livinginahotand humidclimate,freshjuiceisanideal refreshmentandenergyrecovery, especiallyduringthesummerseason. ThecompanyisthefirstlocalUAE companytoofferafreshjuicerange withoutanysugartotheconsumersin UAE.

Theonlyfoodcompanytonurtureboth thecowsandcamelsatitsfarms,Al AinFarmstakesaspecialpridein

AbouttheLeader

WillemVanWaltMeijer, ChiefExecutiveOfficer,AlAin FarmsisaDutchnational. Followingseveralpositionsin MarketingandSalesat UnileverintheNetherlands, Willemandhisfamilylivedin Indonesia,Ireland,andRussia whereheheldaseriesofdirector positionsinUnileveroperating companies.

After21yearsworkingintheworldof Unilever,Willemheadedtonewchallenges.He wasCEOoftheGreenery,aco-operativeoffresh producegrowers,andthenheadedtheClassicDairy &CheesedivisionofFrieslandFoods,aco-operative ofdairyfarmers.

HeservedastheCEOofMidOceanBrandsandwasamemberoftheboard atPolyconceptLtd(US),fromwhichhebecameHongKong-based ManagingDirectorofthecompany’sinternationaldivision.

Mr.WillemwasappointedChiefExecutiveOfficerofAlAinFarmsinearly 2020.HeisleadingAlAinFarmsonitscontinuedjourneytowardsbecoming amajorplayerintheUAEfoodindustry,guidedbytheUAEleadership’s strategicinitiativestoensurethefoodsecurityofthecountry.

Mr.Willemworkshandinhandwiththemanagementteam,whichconsists oftherepresentativesfromallbusinessdivisionsofdairyandpoultry,brand development&conceptinnovation,sales&logistics,andsupportfunctions.

“ “

offeringtheCamelMilk,bothlocally andinternationallyinfreshandpowder variant.

CamelMilkhasahighamountof healthyunsaturatedfattyacids,higher calcium,vitaminsandmineralsandit isagoodcontributiontothestrong bones,andoverallgoodhealthofthe immunesystem.Knownasthe‘natural pharmacy’,duetomanyhealthbenefits itcontains,canbeconsumedalsoby lactoseintolerantpeople.

Over8millionchickensand120 millioneggsareproducedannuallyin AlAinFarmsanddeliveredto householdsacrossthecountry.Free fromantibiotics,andanyhormones, meatisproducedinwholechickenand othervarietiessuchasLeanFillet, Drumsticks,andmultiplepackoptions. Eggscomeindifferentsizeofsmall, medium,andlarge,andarethemost tastyandnutritionalsourceofprotein indailydiet.

Takingintoconsideration,the currentpandemic,anditsimpacton globaleconomies,howareyou drivingyourcompanytosustain operationsandensuringsafetyof youremployeesatthesametime? AlAinFarmshascontinuedtooperate seamlesslyduringthechallenging times,increasingitscapacityto producelocallymade,freshproducts delivereddailyacrosstheUAE.The corefunctionsoffarming,production andsalesremainedoperational24 hoursthroughoutthewholeyearto ensurecontinuityofsupply,andwe havetirelesslyundertakenallnecessary measurestopreventanyhealth breachesatourfarms.Dailychecksare conducted,andallemployeesremain safeandhealthy

Ouroperationalreadinessandcrisis protocolwerekeyinmakingsurethe

healthofouremployeesandbusiness continuityweresafeguarded.Itwasa learning,butresponsiveandquick implementations,suchastheopening ofAlAinFarms’Carecenterin Sharjahforquarantineandmedical security,andtherehousingof600 employees,meantthatwewereableto continuebusinessasusual.

Weimplementedhardzonesitewhere noonecouldenterfromoutsideto ensurefullbiosecurity Admittanceto siteisonlygrantedafteranegativetest resultwasissuedandone-week quarantinecompleted. Rigoroustestingandaphased approachtoworkingfromhome undoubtedlywerekeyinpreserving thewelfareofouremployees.

Safeguardingourpartnersand supplierswerealsoakeypriorityfor usandweimplementedaprotocolwith immediateeffect,securingminimum impactalongthesupplychain.

Infirstquarterof2021,wehave vaccinatedallourstaffonvoluntary basiswithanewlydevelopedvaccine forCovidresponse,ascompanyutmost priorityisthehealth,safetyandwell–beingofallitsemployees,biosecurity oftheanimallivestock,andqualityof productsandoperations.

Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingentrepreneurswhoaspireto ventureintothemarketthatyour companyiscateringto?

Advicewouldbetogointosomething

wheredemandexists,butsupplyis lacking,orastepchangecanbe improved.Bigcurrentmarketisniceto know,butitisnotinterestingifyou bringthesame.Fastexperimentationto scrutinizeatlowriskandlowcostyour productandbusinesssystemshould alwayswork.Infoodindustry,habits changerelativelyslowduetobeing engrainedintoculture,soplanningfor lowpacescenarioisneeded,sowe couldbeinvestingintogrowth. Finally,forallisthatweshouldbe comingwithnovelideasofconcepts andtechnologyoftenfoundfarfrom theplaceofcoreoperations.Reasonis thatdifferentiationiseverything,but potentialliesinadaptingthelocal needsandoperationalrequirements.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyour company’soperationsandofferings in2021?

Ibelievethetrendtowardsgreater localproductionisclear,notjustfor reasonsofself-sufficiency,butalso becauseoftheeconomicboostitcan provide.

AlAinFarmscontinuestostressthe availability,affordability,and outstandingqualityoflocallymade products.Allwitharelentlessattitude ofcontinuousimprovementinallwe do.

Weareconfidentthatthecontinued supportwereceivefromthe governmentonthefarmingpartwill furtherenhancethescaleofthelocal outputandensureafairlevelplaying fieldforalllocalmanufacturerswithin oursectors.

Wealsoaimtoworkmorecloselywith ourretailpartnerstocustomizeshelves andpackagingtocommunicatethe benefitsoflocallymadeandbenefitsof ourproductsforconsumers.

The Evolution of

ROBOTICS ROBOTICS

Technologytodayhasreached

heightsthatwecouldn’thave comprehendedevenafew decadesago.Sincethedawnof moderntechnology,humanshavebeen inaweandadmirationofthemarvels thattechnologyiscapableofand, somewherebeenalittleanxiousabout thekindofpowertechnologyholds.

Thisfeararisessomewherefromthe filmsthathavemostlydepictedrobots asthesemachineswhichtakeoverthe worldonedayanderadicatehumanity fromthefaceoftheearth.These movies,atbest,succeededincreatinga fantasyAIandscaringhumansinto thinkingwhatthefuturetechnology mighthaveinthebagforthem.

Thoughinrealitytoday,weseea differentpicturethanwhathadbeen predictedorfantasizedaboutbyallof us.Thefollowingarticlewilltryto gaugeandsummarizehowroboticshas evolvedovertheyearsand,ifanything, hasonlymadehumanlifeeasier.

Firstrobotoftheworld

Theideaofautomatahasbeenaroundforalongtimenow Prominentinnovatorsfromacrosstheworldhave experimentedwithabunchofprototypestofinallycomeup withtheirrespectiveversionsofmachinesresemblingvery closelywiththeideaofrobots.

Afteralotofexperimentation,theworld’sveryfirstrobot cameintoexistencein1954.ThisrobotwasbuiltbyGeorge Devol,anAmericaninventor.Therobotwasnamed Unimateandwasthefirstcommercial,programmable,and digitalrobot.ThisrobotwaslatersoldtoGeneralMotorsin 1961,whereithadthejobofliftinghotmetalpiecesfrom diecastingmachines.

Modernrobots

Sinceitsevolution,therehavebeenatonofnew developmentsintheworldofrobotics.Ithascontributedto theindustrializationprocesstremendously Theinventionof industrialrobotshaskepthumansfarawayfromdangerous, menial,andrepetitivejobsintheindustryandshiftedthe workforcetoareaswherehumanintellectandcreativityare required.

Similarly,servicerobotsareusedtoaidhumansby performingservicesthatareusefultothewell-beingof humansandequipment.Theseareoperatedeithersemior fullyautonomously

Thencametheeducational(interactive)robotsthataid teachersineducatingchildren.Theserobotswereusedfor thefirsttimeinthe1980swhenturtleswereusedin computerscienceandmechanicalengineeringtraining. NowtherearerobotkitslikeLegoMindstorms,BIOLOID, OLLO,andROBOTISthatcanhelpchildrenlearnabout mathematics,programming,physics,andelectronics.

Robotshavealsobeenintroducedinthelifeofelementary andhighschoolchildrenintheformofrobotcompetitions. Modernrobotsarerepresentingwellhowhumansand robotscaninteractandworktogethertoachieveindustrial goalsandcreatepossibilitiesforevengreaterinnovations andunlockhigherpotential.

Whattoexpectinthefuture

Withsomanynewinnovationscomingin,wehavealotto lookoutforinthefuture.Abilitieslikesensingthe environmentandrespondingappropriatelytothesituations, robotspossessahighlevelofAI.Thisincreasestheir probabilityofworkinginconjunctionwithhumansinother fieldsaswell.

TodayhumanoidrobotslikePeppercanrecognizefacesand basichumanemotions.Pepperisoptimizedtoengagein humanconversationsandisdesignedaestheticallytohavea humantouchtoit.

Todaypepperissuccessfullyoperatinginsetupslike hospitalsandschools.TherearerobotslikeRoomba,which isadomesticvacuumcleanerrobotthatdoesasingle menialjobofkeepingthesurfacecleanonitsownthat leaveshumanstodothemoreimportantjobs.

Similarly,wehavecarstodaywithacruisecontroloption thatletsthedrivertakeabackseatonahighwayafter feelingfatiguedinalong-distancedriveandtakeback controlinacrowdedcitystreet,thuscompletingthemore complexjobforwhichhumaninstinctandintellectis required.

Withtimeitisbecomingmoreevidentthatinthefuture, humansaremorelikelytoworkinharmonywithrobots ratherthanbeingreplacedbythem.Roboticswillbeaiding humansinachievinggoalsthatseeminconceivableand assisthumansindoingmundaneanddangerousjobs.

Theusefulnessofrobotscanberealizedwiththeemergence oftherecentpandemic.Robotscouldeasilydeliverthe taskslikeassistinghealthprofessionalsbybecomingthe firstlineofdefenseandstoppingperson-to-person transmissionofthevirus,andcompletemenialtaskswith absolutesafety.Thisleavesthedoctorstodealwiththe morecomplexjobsofmanagementofthesystemand similarimportanttasks.

Thus,wecanconcludethatthefuturelookspromisingwith theevolutionofmodernrobotics,andpreviously inconceivabledreamsnowseemmoreconceivable.

-Trishika.R

Catering World Class Service with High Quality Products

Theretailfoodindustryhas seenamassiveupsurgeinthe pastcoupleofdecadesandis expectedtoexpandevenfurther What makestheseretailfoodstoresso popularasagainsttraditionalfood storesisvalueformoney,hygiene,and ambience.

Conveniencestoresisthebuzzword todayandfoodretailersareleavingno stoneunturnedtodeliverthebestwith avarietyofoptions.

Wespoketoonesuchfoodretailer, CircleKthatisfocusedonbecoming thetopconveniencestore.Following aretheexcerptsoftheinterview:

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyour company,itsvalues,andhowthe companyhasbeenpositionedasa leadingplayerintheretailspace.

CircleKisoneofthelargestfood retailersintheworldandisrecognized asaLeadingGlobalFranchise.Itwas broughtbyConvenienceArabiain 2009,cateringauniqueshopping experienceforcustomers.Wehave beenawardedasBestConvenience RetailChain,threeconsecutiveyears inarow-2017,2018and2019.Weare alsoRanked#9ontheTop10Global Franchisesfor2012byEntrepreneur magazine,aheadofKFC,Domino's,

Dunkin'Donutsand7-Eleven.What makesusremarkable?Itistheunique locationsthatwehave.

Whatproductsdoesyourcompany offer,andhowarethesemakingan impactontheindustryandyour customers?

Wehavegoton-the-gohealthysnacks, freshfood,hotmeals,beverages, pastryitems,theeverydaynecessities foryourfamily Weimpactour customers'experiencebycateringa worldclassserviceandkeepingthe highestqualityofproductswith healthyattributesforourcustomers.

BriefusaboutLaurentGuitartand hisjourneyintheindustry,andhow theyhavecontributedtowardsthe company'ssuccess.

ThejoiningofLaurentGuitartinthe teamin2015broughtatremendous successforthecompany.He implementednumerouspositiveresult programs,deepreorganizationof managementteamanditsCompany StrategyMissionandVision.He improvedpurchaseandoperations platformresultinginsubstantial increaseinrevenueandmarginand streamlinedrelationshipofpartners andsuppliers.Underhisleadership, CircleKgotawardedBestRetail

ConvenienceChaininUAEforthree yearsinarow

Beinganexperiencedleader,share withusyouropiniononhowthe adaptationofmoderntechnologies suchasAI,bigdataandmachine learninghavetransformedtheretail industryandwhatmorecouldbe expectedinthenearfuture?

ArtificialIntelligence,bigdataand machinelearninghelpustorethink howweintegrateinformation,analyze data,andinsightstoimprove identifyingourdecision.Weareforced toadaptthesechangestocopeupwith themodernwayofliving.Wecan expectthatinthenearfutureretail storeswillbecomeunmannedandthat onlymachineswillworkforthem, suchassmartvendingmachines.

Takingintoconsideration,the currentpandemic,anditsimpacton globaleconomies,howareyou drivingyourcompanytosustain operationsandensuringsafetyof youremployeesatthesametime?

Ourimmediateactionhelpedprotect theteamandatthesametimeour business.Always,safetycomesfirst. So,weimplementedsafetymeasuresat

SaudiArabia'sMostadmiredCompaniesin2021

allouroutletsandinouroffice.Itwas atoughdecisionthatwedecidedto closesomeofourstores,minimizing manpowerfromheadofficeteamto operationsteam,requestingthe landlordsforrentrelief,andsending letterstosupplierstoholdtheir paymentsandaskingthemto understandthesituation.Itwasa horribleseasonforallbusinesses,but thatisthereality

Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingentrepreneurswhoaspireto ventureintotheretailspace?

Myadviceforthemistowakeup5am everymorningandbegrateful.Learn toadaptthechangesquickly,studythe markettrendsandtoputthecustomers attheheartofthebusiness.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyour company'soperationsandofferings in2021?

Wekeepshowcasinggreatproductsin frontofourcustomers,sotheycannot resistbutbuyourproducts.Atthe sametime,wedosalespromotions.It hasbeenusedfordecadesandthe outcomewasalwaysgreatsuccess.

Learn to adapt the changes quickly, study the market trends and put the customers at the heart of the business.

“

Laurent Guitart Chief Executive Officer

Jashanmal Group

A Legacy of Reliability, Empowering the International Retail Sector

“LegacyisnotwhatIdidformyself.It'swhatI'mdoingforthenextgeneration.”

ThesewordsbyBrazilianmixedMartialArtistsVitor BelfortstandtruetoRaoSahibJashanmal,whoby founding in1919,leftalegacy JashanmalGroup behind,whichhasbecomeaglobalnamecateringtoclients andcreatingjobopportunitiesacrossdifferentcountries.

Sinceitsinception,JashanmalGrouphasbeenareliable partnerinretailspaceforinternationalfashionand footwear,travelgear,homeappliances,andpublishing companiesseekinganopportunitytoentertheGulf CooperationCouncil(GCC)countries.Today,thegroup's retailoperationsspanover150storesintheUAE,Kuwait, Bahrain,Oman,andIndia.Ourdistributionnetworkextends tomorethan1,000outlets.

Furthermore,undertheleadershipofCEOKhaled Solimanandwiththestrongsupportofaproprietary logisticsnetworkthatmanagesfreight-forwarding, warehousing,regional,andinternationalsupplychains, JashanmalGrouphasestablisheditselfasanequitypartner inseveralregionaljointventures.

“At the heart of our new value creation strategy is our innovative philosophy of transforming relationships into partnerships," saysKhaled, "We are closely working with international business partners in the premium and luxury sectors to help build brands in the GCC region through our retail operations and extensive distribution and wholesale network."

ReadthefollowinginterviewwhereKhaledSolimanshares thesuccesssagaofJashanmalGroupalsohowthecompany cameoutstrongwhilefacingthechallengesduringthe COVID-19pandemic.

WhatproductsdoestheJashanmalGroupoffer,and howarethesemakinganimpactontheindustryand yourcustomers?

Weofferawideselectionofpremiumandhigh-quality goodsfromappliancesandluggagetohome,beauty,books, andfashion.Therehasbeenashiftinconsumerbehavior, customersarefocusingmoreonself-careandarelooking forproductsthatcreatevalueintheirlives.Duringthe recentpandemic,ourapplianceswereindemand,thereisa strongemphasisonhealthandwellbeing.

Beinganexperiencedleader,sharewithusyouropinion onhowtheadaptationofmoderntechnologiessuchas AI,BigData,andMachineLearninghastransformed theretailindustryandwhatmorecouldbeexpectedin thefuture?

AI,BigData,andMLadoptionarereshapingtheretail industryacrossinventoryplanning,supplychain management,andcustomerdatamanagement.Wecannow createbetterdemandforecastingmodelsusingBigDataand AItominegranularinsightsfromtradingpatterns, consumerbehavior,competitoractivities,andmake proactivechangestoourmarketing,merchandising,and pricingstrategies.

AIandBigDataarealsoplayingasignificantpartinour communicationswithcustomerswherebywecan personalizeCRMstrategiesandtailoroffersand promotionsbasedoncustomerdemands.

“

At the heart of our new value creation strategy is our innovative philosophy of transforming relationships into partnerships.

About the leader

Since the day Khaled Soliman joined the Jashanmal Group his mandate was to turn around the organization and march along with the next century. His vision to work towards transforming the company to be compatible in an increasingly digital environment, all the while ensuring the best possible in-store and online shopping experience has led Jashanmal Group to new heights.

Khaled developed and implemented the necessary strategies required to innovate from the inside and roll out fully immersive technology-driven retail spaces. Jashanmal Group launched its e-commerce business during the pandemic and in less than a year it has contributed 3-4% of the turnover

Khaled Soliman CEO of Jashanmal Group

Withmorematurityofthesetechnologiesinthefuture,we expecttheiradoptiontobethenormratherthanachoice. Retailersnotintegratingthesetechnologiesruntheriskof losingmarketshare.

Wecanexpectmorepersonalizationinassortment, promotions,andexperiencesbasedoncustomerpersonas builtonMLandBigDatainbothstoresandonline. Interactivechat,guideddiscovery,andconversational supportwillplayabiggerroleintraditionalcustomerfacingroles.TheongoingCOVID-19pandemichasalready beenacatalysttothischangeduetophysicaldistancing.

ButIthinkintheshortterm,SupplyChainManagement willbethebiggestbenefactorofthesetechnologies,aswe shouldseetimeandmaterialspilloversreduce,withmore accuratedemandanddelayforecasting.

Takingintoconsideration,thecurrentpandemic,andits impactonglobaleconomies,howareyoudrivingyour companytosustainoperationsandensuringthesafety ofyouremployeesatthesametime?

Forbusinesses,therehavebeenmanylessonstobelearned. Justlikeeveryothercompanywehadtocontrolourcost structureespeciallywhenoperatingremotelywhichhas becomeanewnormalwithvarioussegmentsofthe businessesbeingmorevirtuallyconnectednowthanever before.

Thepandemichasacceleratedthegrowthofe-commerce, contactlesspurchases,service,anddigitalpayment platforms.Wearenowmoreagileandconfidentin contactlessandvirtualinteractionacrossallareasofservice andbusiness.

Thesafetyofouremployeesisourpriority Wecontinueto provideanenvironmentthatrespectsthebestandhighest occupationalhealthandsafetystandardsaspertheU.A.E guidelines.Regulardisinfectionoftheofficespaces, maintainingsocialdistancing,andflexibilitytoworkfrom

homearesomeofthekeymeasuresthathavebeen undertakenbytheJashanmalGroup.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintotheretailspace?

Theretailspaceisdynamic.Itisconstantlyevolving.Itis importanttoknowyourbusinesswellandhavealong-term vision.Iwouldstronglyrecommendtheyoungaspirantsto testthemarketfortheirproductportfoliothroughdifferent optionspre-committingtoanyretailspaceinvestment. Retailspacesarenoteasytomaintainandcanbequitea drainonyourexpenseaccount.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourcompany'soperations andofferingsin2021?

TodayJashanmalGroupstandsatacuspofexpansionand innovationandweallhaveexcitingtimesaheadofus.We liveinadata-drivenworldthatrequiresdigitaldexterity andcustomer-firstinnovation,changingthestatusquoand anentireculturetoprioritizelong-termdigital transformationisliketryingtosolveaRubik'sCubeona rollercoaster

Forus,digitalwillcontinuetospearhead.Wearemaking ourdivisionslean,efficient,andtechnology-focusedandare constantlyrevisitingourproductportfolioandofferings.

What exactly is Guerrilla Marketing? Decoding the Controversial Marketing Approach

Guerrillamarketingisanunconventionalmethodof marketing,wherethetechniquesandtactics surprisetheaudiences.Itcreatesanextraordinary relationshipwiththenon-existingandexistingaudiences, astonishingthepeoplebyshowingthemfantasticstuffthey mightnothaveseenearlier,thuscreatingabuzzaboutthe brand.

Intimesofwar,specificmilitarytacticswereusedtoattack theopponents.Thisway,theopponentswerenotabletodo anythingbuttosuffertheattack.Thesametacticsareused inmodern-dayGuerrillaMarketing,amazingtheaudience andinfluencethemtobuyproductsorservicesofthe featuredbrand.

WhyGuerrillamarketing?

Guerrillamarketingisaneffectivewaytopromotethe productsandservicesofabrand.Itboostsawarenessand createsabuzzamongtheaudience,whichmakesthemthink aboutthebrand.Itimpactstheaudi encepsychologically andemotionally,whicheventuallyhelpsinword-of-mouth marketing.Theaudienceseessomethingunique,outofthe box,andadifferentconceptofmarketing.

CharacteristicsofGuerrillaMarketing

It'scost-effective-Itrequireslessmoney;oncetheidea anditsprocessaredecided,thenitcanbesetupatlow costs.Apartfromexpensivedigitalmarketing,this traditionalmarketingischeapandimpactful.

It'sarea-specific-Itmustbesetupinthedesiredarea, wherethereismorevisibilitylikebuilding,roundabout,etc. Asitisarea-specific,guerrillamarketingtechniquestarget onlytheaudiencewhichispresentinthechosenarea.

It'sviralmarketing-Iftheaudienceshootsorcaptures footageofthesetupandsharesitondigitalplatforms,then itcanreachpeopleotherthanthechosenarea,whereitcan

goviralandreachmultipleplatforms.Forthistohappen, theadvertisersshouldhaveadistinctiveideaandconcept.

It'sCreative-Guerrillamarketingisacreativeprocess; advertisersbrainstormtocometoafinalconcept.Iftheidea isappealingandthemessageisgettinginterpreted creatively,thenthatideaisfinalized.

TypesofGuerrillamarketing–Ambushmarketing

ItisatypeofGuerrillamarketing,wheretheadvertiser ambushestogetexposureoveritscompetitors.Itcanoccur inpublicplaceslikestadiums,wheresurprisingly,abrand isexposedtothepublic.Thegoalisagaintosurprisethe audience.

Experientialmarketing

Inexperientialmarketing,theadvertisersdisplayproducts ofthebrandinsuchawaythatitisopenfortrial. Consumerscantrytheproductandgetexperienceandthen formtheiropinionsaboutit–forexample,testdrives,faceto-facemarketing,in-storeexperience,sampling,shows, kiosks.

Stealthmarketing

Instealthmarketing,abrandisdisplayedoradvertisedto peopleunconsciously,andthetargetpersondoesnotknow thatabrandisbeingadvertisedtohim/her

Ambientmarketing

Inthistype,billboards,kiosks,hoardings,andobjectsare placedatunusualplaces,wheretheaudiencecouldnothave imagined.Theideaistogettheirattentionanddrawthem towardsthefeaturesofabrand.

Viralmarketing

Viralmarketingincludespromotingabrandonalarger levelwheretheadvertisersdon'ttakemucheffort,asthe peoplearedoingitforthem.Theaudiencesharesthestory extensivelytoletitreachtolargeraudienceorganically.For thistohappenagain,thestory,concept,orideahastobe different.

ExamplesofBrands,whichadoptedGuerrilla Marketingstrategies–Audi(Automobile)

Audiadoptedastunningmarketingstrategy,whereahotair balloonwastiedtoahoarding.Itwasdepictingthestrength andpowerofAudi;ithasgotthestrengthtopulland controlahotairballoon.Thissetcouldbeseenfromlarger

distances,soitwasabletotargetcountlesspeopletothe sizablecircumference.

Mc

Donald's

(FastFood)

McDonald'susesvariousstrategiestoempoweritsbrand.It featuredFrenchfries—whichisthemostsellingsnackof McDonald's—toemphasizeitsbrand.Itdisplayed billboardsinformingthedrivingcustomersaboutthe navigationofitsrestaurants.McDonald'shasalwaystried toshowcasesurprisingburgersandcolddrinksontopof buildingsbycreating3Denlargedmodelsoffooditems. ThiskindofmarketingarousedcravinginthemindofbypassersforMcDonald'sburgers.

Nike(Fitness)

Nikeisashoebrand;thus,ithastopromotefitnesssothat itstargetaudiencewillstartusingNikeshoesallalongtheir journeytostayfit.Nikedislocatedthebasepartofthe bench—whichisusedtositinparksorjoggingtracks—and useditslogowithitstagline'JustDoIt.'Thiswasto influencethepsychologicalmindpatternsofindividuals. Ratherthantakingsomerest,moveandgetgoing.

KitKat(FMCG)

Asitstaglinegoes,"HaveabreakhaveaKitKat,"itmostly marketsitsproductinwaystorelaxandchill.Oneexample showed,onaKitKatprintedbillboard,aswingwashung forthepedestrianstositontheswingandrelax.This engagedthepeople,whichledtocustomerinvolvement. Peopledidenjoythesetupandstartedclickingpicturesof it.

Duracell(Energy)

Duracellisknownforitsartworksonpowerboxes,and theydisplayedtwoDuracellonthefrontalpartofsmall powerboxes,whichareusuallyseeninsouth-easternareas oftheUnitedStates.ItdepictsthattheDuracellhasthe powertomajorlysupplyelectricitytodifferentareasofthe States.Acost-effectiveandpowerfulconceptwasinitiated byDuracell.

GuerrillaMarketinghasprovedtobeagreatwaytomarket brands.GuerrillaMarketingaimstoretainoldcustomers andgenerateanewaudience.Itisallabouthowbrandsare displayed,theideabehindit,andhowitisimpacting psychologicallyandemotionallyonthemindsofthe people.Itdoesnotresembleatraditionalmarketing initiative,suchasastraightforwardprintorTVadvertising campaign.Manybrandsarenotadoptingthisapproachdue toitsbenefitsandresults.

EnablingBusinessestoTransactOnline withEaseandSafety

SaudiArabia,thecountrythat wasfamousforitstraditional dependenceonoil,isnow shiftingtowardsinnovation, digitization,andentrepreneurship.To strengthenthisshiftfurtherunder SaudiVision2030,theSaudiArabian governmentaimstoraisethe contributionofsmalltomedium-sized enterprises(SMEs)totheGDPfrom 20%to35%by2030.

Assuch,therearetremendousgrowth opportunitiesandpotentialforpeople, businesses,andcommunitieswhowant tobepartofthistransformation.And PayTabs,ahome-grownpayments companyiscontributingtotheSaudi 2030visionbyprovidinganeasierand securepaymentgateway.

“Wehaveanalyzedthegapsinthe paymentmarketandlaunchsolutions thatplaytothestrengthsofourdiverse anddynamicteam,”saysAbdulazizAl Jouf,theFounderandCEOof PayTabs.

Readthefollowinginterviewwhere Abdulazizhassharedhowhewas inspiredtoventureintopayments gatewayspaceandhowPayTabshas beenhelpingbusinessesstreamline theironlinetransactionsthroughthe company'seasierandsaferplatform.

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyour company,itsvalues,anditsjourney sofar.

Backin2014,PayTabswasestablished inahumbleofficewithonly6 membersontheteam.Sevenyearsago, wewereastrugglingstart-upandtoday we'reproudtomentionthatwearean award-winningpaymentsolutions companywithoperationsaroundthe MENAregion.

Ourvisionhasalwaysbeentobe globalinoutlookbutnext-doorin servicebymakingpaymentprocessing simple,straightforward,andseamless forallmembersofthee-commerce field.

Over7years,PayTabshasevolved sinceitsfoundingfromahome-grown paymentscompanyintheKingdomof SaudiArabiatoaregionalGCCmarket playertoaniconicglobalpayment solutionsenterprise.

WithpresencefromCairotoDubai. OriginallybackedbyAramco'sWaéd EntrepreneurshipCenterandlaterby otherprivateinstitutionsand individuals,itnowhasstrategic partnershipsworldwide.

PayTabssuccesshasbeenbuilton manyfactors:

ListtherangeofPayTab'sofferings, andhowyouhaveascertainedyour strongholdwithinSaudiArabia. Wehaveanalyzedthegapsinthe paymentmarketandlaunchsolutions thatplaytothestrengthsofourdiverse anddynamicteam.Wearegearedto taketheregion'spaymentecosystemto thenextlevelofsophisticationandecommerceadaptationviaourdigital productsandonlinesolutionssuite whichincludes:

Online Payments/Mobile Payments: Weenablecustomerstopayandget paidinstantly,securely,andglobally onlineviaourmobilepayment application.

Recurring Payments: Thissolutionis perfectformerchantswhowishtoset uprepeatpaymentssuchasgym membership,educationalfees,etc.

Social Payments – Paylinks: Ournew socialcommercesolution#PayLinks allowsourmerchantstosellfromthe comfortoftheirhomeorofficedesk andgetpaidwithease.Itisasecure paymentlinkthatourmerchantscan sharewiththeircustomersoverany popularmessagingplatformandget paidinstantly.

E-Invoices:Anin-builtin-house solutionforquickelectronicinvoicing

andinvoicecustomization.PayTabs supportsupto168currenciesfor effectivedigitalinvoicing.

Biller Solutions: FromOmantoJordan andUAEtoEgypt,wehavelocalized optionsforbillpaymentstosimplify thelivesofmillionsandallowthemto makeeffortlessbillpaymentsfrom home.

Education Solutions: Acentralizedfee paymentportalthatenablesparentsto payenrolment,registration,tuition, andotherfeesonlinewhileproviding schoolsandeducationalinstituteswith asecureplatformtomanagethe collectionofstudentfeepayments.

Hospitality Solutions: PayTabsand SecurePayhavepartneredtooffera seamlesspaybylinkand3DSpayment gatewaysolutionforthehospitality industrytostreamlinereservations operations,increaseoccupancy,and eliminatechargebacks.

Paytabs Switch: InQ42020,PayTabs enteredasoftwarepurchase arrangementwithanIndiabased technologycompany-fora middlewareswitchtechnologythatwill complementPayTabs'current technologystackandhelpin expandingthebusinesstocaterto multinationalbanksandpartnersthat maybelookingforanend-to-end paymentprocessingsolution.

Beinganexperiencedleader,share withusyouropiniononwhythe adoptionofmoderntechnologiesis necessaryforyourindustryandhow haveyouleveragedtechnology withinyourcompany?

Thesilverliningof2020wasthat merchantsincreasedtheirengagement ofonlineplatformsanddemand towardsinnovativepaymentsolutions andacceptanceofcashlesstransactions grew.

FromZoommeetingstoonlinefood deliveryandon-demandmoviesto digitalfitness,technologyhas overpoweredourlives.Customer behaviorduringthepandemicwas evidenceofthetechnologysurgeinour lives.

Ourenhancedpaymentprocessing platformhasbeendesignedtoenhance ourmerchants'userexperience, automate,andstreamlinepayment processes.

ThePT2.0100%in-housetechnology platformwillultimatelyresultin flexibleandnimblerolloutofnew productfeaturesforweb,socialmedia, andmobileplay.PayTabssoonaimsto offerafullsuiteofacquiringsolutions thatincludebothofflineandonline processingmoduleswhichwillbring cutting-edgetechnologylikePhone NFC,socialcommerce,digital invoicing,andmerchantfinancing

Peoplewho ultimately succeedinlife arenotthe strongestorthe mostintelligent buttheones mostadaptable tochangeand survival.

AbdulazizAlJouf FounderandCEO

alongwithissuinganend-to-end acquiringplatform.

ntoday'shyper-connectedworld,we I continuetomakepaymentssuper simpleforclientsthathaveplaced theirtrustinus.Forthefirsttimeinthe region,wesuccessfullylaunched PayLinkswhichwillenableour merchantstosellfromtheirhomesor officeandgetpaideasily

It'sasecurepaymentlinkthat

merchantscansharewiththeir customersoveranysocialplatform. Oncethecustomerclicksontheshared PayLinkstheyaredirectedtoa paymentpageandthenthemerchant getspaidinstantly.PayLinkscanbe sharedviaFacebookposts,Instagram photos,Tweets,LinkedInarticles,or evenemails.

Takingintoconsideration,the currentpandemic,anditsimpacton globaleconomies,howareyou

drivingyourcompanytosustain operationsandensuringthesafetyof youremployeesatthesametime? Wefocusedonthehealth,safety,and well-beingofthePayTabsteamand otherstakeholdersbycontinuingto workfromhomewherenecessary, duringthesestrangetimes.

Ittookuponustomotivatetheteamto progresswiththeroll-outofPayTabs' sophisticatednewpaymentplatform PT2.0toourmerchantsandpartners, inKSAandgloballytofacilitatetheir paymentsmoreeffortlessly,amidst Covid-19.Thecompanyalso introducedrelevantpaymentsolutions duringthepandemicandenabling businessestothinkcashless.

Oneofthefeaturesofournewsystem issocialcommerce.Socialpayments enablethousandsoffreelancersand smallbusinessesintheKingdomof SaudiArabiaandothermarketstosell viaInstagram,WhatsApp,and Messenger,bysharingpaymentlinks withtheirclients.

Hereisafunfact,acrosstheMiddle East,Instagramhas63millionusers, representingabout10%ofglobalusers

ontheplatform.Imaginebeingableto selltoallofthemandgetsettledviaa simpleandeffectivepaymentlink.This iswhatexcitesandmotivatesmeabout runningapaymentcompany

Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingentrepreneurswhoaspireto ventureintothemarketthatyour companyiscateringto?

Today,it'sadifferentmindsetand culturebroughtonbymillennials. WhatIwouldliketosaytothisyoung generationofentrepreneursis,take chancesandmakethemostofgiven opportunities.

OneofthefirstthingsIlearned throughmyexperienceisthatyou cannotdoitwithoutmoney;operation costsareinevitable.Youmustwork smarterandbemorepreparedwhenit comestoentrepreneurship.

Secondly,youcannotdoitwithouta goodteam.Whilethisistrue,Ialways surroundmyselfwithwhatIcall challengers(peoplewhodonotfearto challengetheboss).Ihireandwork withpeopleIhaveneverworkedwith beforeandlearnfromtheirdiverse culturesandmulticulturalbackgrounds Hirepeoplethatwillamazeyou. Negateyourweaknessesbythe strengthsofyourteammembers.

IthinkwhatIhavegrownupbelieving isthatpeoplewhoultimatelysucceed inlifearenotthestrongestorthemost intelligentbuttheonesmostadaptable tochangeandsurvival.Its'always aboutmovingtoyournextdestination withoutdelay.Changeisapartofthe journeysowhyfear?

Travelling,anotherhobbyofminethat hashelpedmebeanopen-minded person.Travellingopensmyeyesand thedoorstonewpossibilitiesand makesmetrythingsthatIhavenoidea aboutbutexciteme.

Exhibitingexcellence

“We have worked recently with PayTabs and they were very helpful, trying to help the startup ecosystem as much as they can, it was a great experience.”

–YousefGamal,Nerd Mentors,Jordan

“Exceptional and quick service, excellent platform. Special thank you for assistance with concluding the corporate business partnership.”

–Karl Hougaard,TradeLicense Zone,UAE

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyour company'soperationsandofferings in2021?

Beingthefirsthomegrowncompanyin KSAtoprovideseamlessB2B e-commercesolutionstoSME's,the teamandIatPayTabsarecurrently workingonlaunchingournext generation,unifiedpaymentsplatform,

© PayTabsSwitch tointerlinkthemultibillion-dollarenterprisemarketchain intheMENAregion.

© PayTabsSwitch isanelectronicfund transfer(EFT)softwareplatform.This turnkeyplatformwillpowersecure transactionprocessingonanelevated scaleinreal-timeforbanks,financial institutions,processors,andother businesseswitharetailinterface.

© PayTabsSwitch ,afull-stackproduct suite,willofferotherPaymentService Providers(PSPs)andfinancial institutionsapremiumgatewayto accessmajoralternativepayment methodsintheMENAregion.

AbouttheLeader Serialentrepreneurandfintech influencer,AbdulazizAlJouf foundedPayTabswhenhefaced problemsinfindingasuitablepayment gatewayforoneofhisbusiness

startups.Afterfiguringthatmanyother SMEownersintheMENAregionneed accesstoapaymentplatformtailored totheirrequirements,Abdulaziz createdoneofthemostexcitingand successfulnewe-commercebusinesses intheMENAregion.

KnowntohisstaffasAA,hispassion andfocusandwithhistraitofbeinga hands-onnaturalleaderAbdulazizhas beenleadingthecompanytosoarnew heightswhilebeingfiercelysupportive ofhisteam'sgrowth.Hebelievesin givingbackandhedoessoby tirelesslymentoringtheregion'syoung entrepreneurs.Asaconfessedrisktaker,Abdulazizisalwaysopento opportunitiesastheyariseandmaking themostofthem.Herecognizesfailure asalessontogainvaluableexperience. AbdulazizandPayTabshavebeen regularlylaudedbytheirpeersboth locallyandinternationally.In2020, PayTabsemergedasoneofthetop10 fundedstartupsintheMiddleEast whilein2019,itwasrankednumber oneonthetop20FintechStartupslist, byForbesMiddleEast.