Logistics Gulf News-June 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

JUNE 2023

ALL ISSUES ARE AVAILABLE ON ISSUU.COM.

Page No: 06 -16

REGIONAL NEWS

START FEATURES

Page No: 20

Abhinav Gupta, CEO

Page No: 22

SAL

Page No: 30

Max Avtukhov, Co-Founder & CEO

Page No: 36

Osman Masud, CEO

Page No: 44

Aaron Portero, Managing Director

Page No: 56

Thibaut Paillat, Mobilization and Transformation Director

Amid a vast appetite and a growing contribution to the national economy, the logistics sector in Saudi Arabia has, over the years, taken steps to enhance operations and digitisation with a view to driving greater business value across the private sector.

The June issue, with an extensive Saudi focus, attempts to formulate analyses based on viewpoints of the developments in the country and in the region.

In this issue, we are featuring SAL, a champion in regional logistics that seamlessly delivers world-class logistics solutions and creates sustainable value for its stakeholders by continuously developing and leveraging its market-leading footprint, talent, partnerships, and technologies.

Established in December 2019, SAL has earned its reputation as the National Logistic Champion through its relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to providing cutting-edge logistics solutions.

The company operates across all of Saudi Arabia’s airports, including presence at the four key hubs of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah, as well as across all domestic stations. SAL handles most of the country’s inbound and outbound air cargo, making it the logistic services champion within the Kingdom and a key driver in the sector’s transformation outlined in Vision 2030.

Issue also discuss how Saudi Arabia has made remarkable progress in developing world-class infrastructure and businessenabling policies that aim to place itself at the forefront of investor attractiveness.

Amazon’s expansion in the Kingdom supports Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector by bringing the latest innovations and technologies in e-commerce operations to the country. The new Fulfillment Center in Riyadh will further unlock the value of the Kingdom’s resources by empowering local startups and entrepreneurs with improved global connectivity and access to new markets.

The June edition also highlights the unique customer-centric offerings of the region’s noted used car facilitator, Cars24. According to research conducted by Google, 92% of Emirati car buyers prefer to research a car online instead of visiting a dealership to check their options. By providing a full-stack model, customers can access key information such as service history, finance and insurance options, and prices for cosmetic solutions such as tinting and coating before visiting the showroom. CEO Abhinav shares his views on how predictive marketing is an effective way to attract customers through the sales funnel.

The June edition brings you the select interviews that Logistics Gulf News has directly sourced through its interrogation with industry experts like David Dronfileld of Swisslog, George Simon of 1-Platform, and Max Avtukhov of Yango Deli at Seamless 2023. Have a good read and don’t forget to share your comments and feedback with me on editor@logisticsgulfnews.com

Anthony Fonseca Editor

The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication.

Logistics Gulf News cannot accept liability for any error or omissions contained in this publication.

Managing Director Vish Shetty vish@logisticsgulfnews.com

Regional Director, South Asia sales@logisticsgulfnews.com

Anthony Fonseca editor@logisticsgulfnews.com

Marketing Manager Kevin Vaz info@logisticsgulfnews.com

Account Manager Spandana Hegde span@logisticsgulfnews.com

Art Director Karan Darji info@logisticsgulfnews.com

FedEx Express and Saudi Export Development Authority Sign a Collaboration Agreement

The strategic collaboration unlocks more trade opportunities by providing exporters in Saudi Arabia with greater access to the world

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, signed a collaboration agreement with the Saudi Export Development Authority, represented by the “Made in Saudi” program, to be one of the logistics solutions providers for the authority’s customers.

The “Made in Saudi” program is one of the National Industrial Development and Logistics (NIDLP) programs led by the Saudi Export Development Authority. The program aims to enhance the image of the Kingdom’s exports and make national products the preferred choice for consumers locally, regionally, and globally. The collaboration underpins FedEx commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s non-oil economic growth through international trade, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify the country’s economy.

Eng. Abdulrahman Althukair, CEO of the Saudi Export Development Authority, indicated that the Authority is keen, through the “Made in Saudi” program, to enhance effective strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors. The aim of such public-private partnerships is to support the Authority’s goals to improve the efficiency of exports; help exporters expand and reach new global markets; and contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to increase the country’s non-oil exports to 50% of non-oil GDP.

“FedEx is committed to helping Saudi Arabia transform its economy through its Vision 2030. Our strategic collaboration with Made in Saudi will provide the country’s national goods and services greater access to efficient logistics solutions and an enhanced service experience. Our global network, customized solutions, value-added services, and in-depth industry expertise will help manufacturers and exporters expand their business to international markets and connect with a wider customer base. Our goal is to help them grow and transform into powerhouses that drive the growth of the Saudi economy,”

said Taarek Hinedi, vice president of FedEx Express Middle East Africa operations.

FedEx serves 66 countries across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA) region, connecting 45% of the world’s population. Today, FedEx has direct presence in 16 markets across MEISA, and 58 flights weekly to and from its Hub in Dubai, connecting the region to global markets, and providing customers with faster access. The alliance will provide competitive cross-border logistics services for SMEs and assist Saudi businesses in quickly entering international markets.

FedEx has been facilitating trade in Saudi Arabia since 1994 by providing its international solutions through local service providers. In 2021, FedEx announced its transition to a direct presence in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to meet the country’s growing international shipping demands. Through its extensive Middle East Road Network, FedEx has been connecting Saudi Arabia directly to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Jordan.

Sounding the Bell for a sustainable future in aviation

A designer and architect of superior solutions for vertical lift in the commercial and military sectors, with customers across six continents, Bell’s capabilities extend far beyond simply manufacturing. It invests heavily into continuous research and development of advanced, responsible technology, with the aim of benefitting its entire operations and stakeholders, most importantly, its customers – but also the planet.

Bell is known as a long-standing expert in the field of aviation, a pioneer responsible for many world firsts over its 87-year history, and at the forefront of its field as a provider of technology

The actions being taken to reduce the company’s carbon footprint are many and varied, adhering to differing timescales – these are being monitored and Bell is continuously looking for more efficient methods in its energy procurement and manufacturing processes. A major priority for Bell has always been the sustainment of its products – which benefits all stakeholders, including the one at the heart of its business: the customer. That customer can be the operator of a single platform or a nation’s defense force operating a substantial fleet. Whilst missions vary, platforms have one important element in common – they are designed and built with the aim of serving the longest of lifespans, with the most minimal and cost-effective sustainment.

Bell now has an installed base of approximately 13,000 helicopters and offers a full suite of post-sales support and services, through a network of six Bell-operated service centers and 100 independent service centers. These are located in 35 countries and offer everything from logistics support to pilot and maintenance training, customization, technical data, component repair and overhaul and more. Platforms are also built to be ‘upgradable’ – so that avionics can be modified from analogue to digital and so on. On this basis, Bell has had sustainability in its DNA from the beginning of the company’s inception.

The company is also exploring domestic production of aircraft in various strategic global locations – streamlining processes to become more cost, time and energy efficient, as well as investing in the countries in which it operates.

Aircraft operators too are concerned with reducing their carbon footprint, and so, along with exploring ways to diminish fuel consumption by developing electric, hydrogen and other propulsion systems that are sustainable, Bell has now integrated sustainable air fuel (SAF) into its demonstration

and training fleet aircraft, and advises customers about its use and benefits. Meanwhile, Bell has been collaborating with Safran Aerospace and Avfuel around the adoption of SAF and has been undertaking rigorous testing to evaluate engine and aircraft performance data. In February of this year, a Bell 505 completed its first flight fueled solely by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – the first-ever single engine helicopter to do it. Bell collaborated with Safran Helicopter Engines, Neste, GKN Aerospace and Virent Inc. to make this Bell 505 flight possible. It’s literally onwards and upwards from here.

Bell Flight is a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., which has five operating segments all related to mobility. Together the group has pledged its commitment as a corporate citizen to reducing its global carbon footprint – as outlined in the Achieve 2025 Sustainability Goal program. By co-operating with its sister companies and knowledge sharing, Bell can maximize its effectiveness in reducing its shared environmental impacts, as well as increasing its access to emerging technology and economics.

The Achieve 2025 initiative is a five-year plan (which began in 2020) with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent and a 10 per cent reduction in each of the following: waste, water and energy. The plan represents part of the path towards the group’s overall sustainability goals. Bell’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities also include the disclosure topics and metrics of Aerospace and Defense industry standards established by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), along with global environment, health and safety (EHS) policies and standards followed in every country Bell operates.

In addition, Bell’s 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report saw the inclusion of an index to map disclosures to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), an important global advisory body that provides information to investors about the measures companies are undertaking to mitigate the risks of climate change. In January 2022 the TCFD was supported by over 3,000 organizations from 92 countries across the world.

The transparency that is provided to all stakeholders throughout Bell’s business provides a valuable benchmark in order to monitor its progress in achieving its environmental objectives. Meanwhile, the Bell Innovation team is currently working on the following product technology development projects:

Electrification and sustainable technologies

Commercial electrically distributed anti-torque (EDAT) is a first-of-its-kind system, which uses an all-electric tail rotor, resulting in significant noise pollution, carbon emissions and operating costs, while increasing safety.

Another technology in development is Bell’s autonomous pod transport (APT) – an all-electric autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. APT can access and deliver supplies (with a payload of up to 110lbs) to locations inaccessible or unsafe to reach by ground vehicle.

Autonomy and safety enhancements

Bell is always looking to minimize pilot workload, mitigate risk and make the flying experience more intuitive. Triple redundancy and the integration of fly-by-wire technology, previously only seen on large aircraft, mean that pilots now have increased safety and user-friendly digital interfaces akin to a smartphone – with large customizable screens displaying key information at a glance.

Advanced concepts for commercial / military aircraft

Innovative technologies are being integrated into next-generation aircraft, to enhance safety, decrease maintenance costs, carbon emissions, and noise pollution. Bell has multiple HSVTOL future concepts in development, which combine the maneuverability and hover capability of a helicopter with the jet-like cruise speed, range and survivability of a fighter aircraft.

Digital Innovation

Connected fleet management is the way ahead and Bell is developing a digital mobility platform, called AerOS, in collaboration with Microsoft that utilizes technologies that include artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to give a real-time, 360-degree status of a helicopter fleet. This will allow for fleet master scheduling, and Bell will ultimately have the capability to offer Mobility-as-aservice.

Simulation, software optimization tools, and operational analysis all come under the digital innovation umbrella. Such technologies will further aid the safe, sustainable and efficient movement of people, goods and data.

These efforts, including significant investments, and partnering with global industry experts across its operations, along with continuing development of innovations across the company and its business practices, have yielded excellent results in the move towards reducing environmental impact and a more sustainable future.

Saudia Cargo and Cainiao Extend Partnership with new 12-Month Space and Service Commitment Agreement

Partnership with Cainiao enables Saudia Cargo to meet the rising demand for e-commerce in the Middle East and Europe. New agreement demonstrates the successful mutual cooperation between Saudia Cargo and Cainiao, benefiting both parties.

meet their evolving needs. This new agreement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable and efficient air freight services to one of the world’s leading ecommerce logistics corporations.”

Vikram Vohra, Saudia Cargo’s Regional Director Asia Pacific, added: “The success of last year’s cooperation agreement with Cainiao allowed Saudia Cargo to achieve significant growth in e-commerce shipments. We have increased our capacity and number of cargo flights to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America to ensure we continue to meet the rising demand for e-commerce.”

Saudia Cargo’s partnership with Cainiao is a win-win situation for both parties, as it provides Cainiao with increased access to Middle Eastern markets and allows Saudia Cargo to benefit from the growing global e-commerce market. The new agreement is a testament to the strong partnership and successful cooperation between the two companies.

Saudia Cargo, has signed a new 12-month “space and service commitment” agreement with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group. The agreement, which commenced on April 1st, 2023, and continues till March 31st, 2024, reserves exclusively selected SACC freighter flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh and Liege. The signing of the new agreement in Munich demonstrates Saudia Cargo’s continuing commitment to offering tailor-made solutions to one of the leading ECOM retailers in the world.

Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo, commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to continue this partnership and explore new lanes from Hong Kong and China to other destinations and provide them with customized solutions that

Regarding the new agreement, Wu Man, general manager of Cainiao International Air Logistics Department, said:” Our partnership with Saudia Cargo is a vital part of our business strategy, and we are thrilled to be expanding it further. By reserving exclusive space for their shipments on select Saudia Cargo freighter flights, we can ensure that our cargo is transported with the utmost care and efficiency.”

This new agreement is a testament to Saudia Cargo’s commitment to providing tailor-made solutions to one of the world’s leading ecommerce retailers. As it continues to grow its partnership with Cainiao, Saudia Cargo is also exploring new lanes from Hong Kong and China to the Middle East, Africa, and possibly Latin America in the long term.

Aramex reports stable revenues with Gross Profit increase of 4% YoY in Q1 2023 amid global headwinds

Aramex’s strategically balanced geographical presence enabled the Company’s home markets to continue their strong performance, with the GCC accounting for 39% of total revenues, while also supporting solid revenue growth in Europe and North American outbound markets.

Amid softening of global shipment volumes, Aramex continued to deliver a resilient performance in the first quarter of 2023, while making further progress in executing its strategy. Revenue totaled AED 1.43 billion, down marginally by 1% YoY, outperforming global peers.

Gross Profit improved 4% YoY to AED 358 million in Q1 2023, driven by consolidated growth in the International Express business –with the MyUS acquisition providing a further boost. This reflects Aramex’s consistent investment in efficiency maximizing initiatives and cost optimization through the economic cycle.

EBITDA for Q1 2023 decreased 9% to AED 153 million, and Net Profit was AED 24 million, compared to AED 47 million in Q1 2022. The YoY decrease in Net Profit is due to a mix of factors, including currency devaluation in certain markets, interest expenses associated with the MyUS acquisition and in line with Aramex’s strategy to leverage the balance sheet, as well as the softening at topline flowing through to the bottom line.

Freight-Forwarding and Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions Businesses performed strongly with 17% and 23% increases in Gross Profit respectively, strengthening the mix of quality revenues across the Group. International Express also improved Gross Profit by 3%, while Domestic Express declined by 6% due to domestic revenue decline of 4% which is attributed to FX impact.

Despite inflationary pressures, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A) organic structure- which excludes MyUS, as a percentage of revenue remains stable. While consolidated SG&A increased by 6% YoY due to the addition of MyUS, the organic SG&A declined by 3%, reflecting the Group’s agility in cost management. Tight cost control and continued investment is expected to improve returns in the second half of the year.

Robustly positioned with a healthy cash balance and low leverage with Net Debt-toEBITDA ratio at 2.3x. Geographic and business diversification continued to support resilience in margins and performance vs peers, alongside strong road network and operational efficiencies.

In line with the five-year strategy, the Group is focused on mid- and long-term growth, while continuing to attract talent and champion investments in innovation and technology. Aramex (DFM: ARMX) a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, has announced its financial results for the First Quarter (“Q1”) ending 31st March 2023.

Financial Performance:

Aramex’s Q1 2023 Revenues declined marginally by 1% YoY to AED 1.43 billion, reflecting the robustness of its revamped operating model, amid global headwinds. Revenues were driven by stable performance in International Express and the resilience of the Freight-Forwarding, and Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions Businesses. Revenue continued to be impacted by currency fluctuations, inflationary pressures, and normalization of worldwide shipping flows. However, despite softening revenues, the Company demonstrated resilience in volumes and improvements in margins.

For the Q1 2023 period, Gross Profit was up 4% to AED 358 million compared to AED 344 million in Q1 2022, while the corresponding Gross Profit Margin for Q1 2023 was reported at 25%. The Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A) costs for the organic business, which excludes MyUS, declined 3% YoY, reflecting the Company’s disciplined cost optimisation drive, while consolidated Group SG&A costs increased by 6% mainly due to the addition of MyUS. The Group’s SG&A organic structure as a percentage of revenue has remained stable.

Net Profit for Q1 2023 declined by 49% YoY to AED 24 million due to a mix of factors, including currency devaluation in certain markets, interest expenses associated with the MyUS acquisition and in line with Aramex’s strategy to leverage the balance sheet, as well as the softening at topline flowing through to the bottom line.

Due to some negative FX and devaluation impact in some markets, Aramex moved swiftly to hedge exposures and move into more US Dollar-denominated contracts. Aramex maintained a strong balance sheet position with Net Debtto-EBITDA ratio of 2.3x and a healthy cash balance of AED 722 million as of 31 March 2023.

Othman Aljeda, Chief Executive Officer, Aramex, said:“In a quarter when our industry globally continued to face headwinds from cost inflation, base rate rises, softening shipment volumes and FX fluctuations, we are proud to present a stable and resilient financial and business performance for the first three months of 2023. We continued to both drive revenue quality and benefit from our sustained investment in efficiency, and our performance vs industry means we are confident in unlocking the potential of our rebalanced business model.

Three of our four business lines increased Gross Profit Yearon-Year, and we maintained a stable Profit Margin in our Domestic Express business, due to our relentless focus on cost control and improvements in productivity. We maintain our commitment to invest in optimization measures across the economic cycle, including automation of shipments sorting process which enables us to boost operational productivity; and the newly launched Enterprise Automation & Robotic Process Automation Centre of Excellence that is focused on digitalizing the overall enterprise for higher efficiency levels within the support functions as well as across our operations.

The continued growth in the GCC economies, and the expectation that inflationary pressures around the world may peak and then decline significantly show some signs of optimism towards the end of the year. We believe the key differentiator in the months ahead will be our ability to invest in technology, along with our geographic and business line diversification which offers competitive advantage.

We will continue to improve the efficiency of our services, enhancing customer experience, strengthening road networks, improving resourcing and making other targeted operational improvements across our four products –putting us in a strong position to capture market share and deliver long-term value for our shareholders.”

International Express reported stable consolidated Revenue of AED 567 million in Q1 2023, reflecting the additional volume from MyUS and attractive margins in Aramex’s Parcel Forwarding Business, which includes MyUS and Shop & Ship. Organic Revenue (excluding MyUS) witnessed a softness Year-on-Year due to a change in customer mix.

Reported Gross Profit for Q1 2023 was AED 184 million, a YoY increase of 3%. The corresponding Gross Profit Margin was maintained at 32% due to a number of factors, including improvements in linehaul costs and other cost optimization measures.

Domestic Express Q1 2023 Revenue declined by 4% to AED 362 million due to FX impacts in Egypt, Lebanon, South Africa and certain MENAT countries, as well as a revenue decline in Oceania, where a restructuring plan is in progress. This was partially offset by an increase in domestic revenues from the GCC and prudent cost management. Gross Profit for the period was AED 87.6 million, a slight decrease of 6%. However, the corresponding Gross Profit Margin remained stable at 24% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the Company’s success in operational efficiencies especially at the “last mile” as a result of the Company’s automation efforts- which further enhanced courier productivity; and a doubling of Aramex’s Pick-Up and DropOff (PUDO) network in Q1 2023.

Aramex’s Freight-Forwarding business delivered a robust performance in the first quarter with Revenue maintained at AED 385 million and a 17% increase in Gross Profit at AED 61 million. This was driven by the positive impact of operational efficiencies, including increased focus on realizing quality revenue and consolidation of trucking resources between freight and logistics products. Revenue growth in Africa and America, stable revenues in the GCC and MENAT, and newly opened freight services in Oceania contributed to the revenue growth in the Freight-Forwarding business.

Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions Revenue decreased marginally by 5% to AED 107 million in Q1 2023, while Gross Profit increased by 23% to AED 16.2 million, with a corresponding Gross Profit Margin of 15.1% – up from 11.7% in Q1 2022. Solid performance in the GCC, Europe and South Africa, driven by sectors such as Retail, e-Commerce, Pharma and Oil &Gas, contributed to this growth.

Othman Aljeda - Group CEO, Aramex

Aramex Logistics Centre

Business French companies introduced their latest tech solutions in the creative, broadcast and satellite industry at CABSAT 2023

French audiovisual industry was back in Dubai at the ‘CABSAT 2023’ to present its latest innovations

A major business platform widely recognized in the digital media sector with more than 13,000 visitors coming every year from more than 50 countries, the CABSAT is the leading event of its kind in the Middle East for broadcasters, producers, developers, integrators, and even television channels looking for new innovative technological solutions developed by foreign industries.

In this context, 21 French companies will have the opportunity to showcase their technological advances, promote La French Tech, and develop partnerships with companies from the UAE, Middle East and other countries like India or Turkey.

The creative, broadcast, and satellite industry in the UAE is a rapidly growing sector, driven by the country’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and supportive government policies. UAE has emerged as a regional hub for media production and distribution.

The country boasts a diverse range of media companies, including local and international broadcasters, production houses, satellite operators, and content creators. The creative, broadcast, and satellite industry in the UAE is poised for continued growth and innovation in the coming years and the French companies participating at Cabsat 2023 renew their commitment to bringing the latest innovations to the local and regional markets.

France at CABSAT 2023: France at the forefront of innovation

The broadcasting world is a market very dependent on the use of its consumers. Among the major trends in the sector, we are witnessing the rise of streaming and video-on-demand platforms, the revenues of which have increased by 151% between 2013 and 2020. Indeed, consumers now prefer to watch their favorite content on their computers, phones, or tablets. They are also looking for much more sophisticated and original content such as animations, as well as content that is more immersive, especially via augmented virtual reality which is revolutionizing the viewing experience by rendering it more interactive. The same applies to the live video format, which also creates more of an interaction.

In this context, France is adapting to this new demand and taking advantage of the many assets of its film and audiovisual industry, which is one of the most varied and dynamic in the world in terms of creativity, originality, artistic expertise, and cutting-edge skills ranging from direction and production to post-production.

With 21 exhibitors in the France Pavilion, the French will have ample space to represent what they have to offer, particularly with companies from the OTT (Over The Top) sector, such as Viaccess-Orca (VO), a leading provider of complete databased solutions enabling TV operators and service providers to deliver, secure, and monetize viewing experiences across all screens. Also present will be companies in the archiving sector such as Memorist and Cité de Mémoire, both of which offer an archive digitalization service.

In Europe, France remains the leading country in number of films produced and ranks first in terms of the number of active IPTV consumers. Similarly, its expertise is recognized in the field of training relating to technology, art, and post-production (special effects, image processing, real-time dubbing/subtitling, archiving, media asset management, and signal processing and their standards). Finally, it also stands out in the services it offers allowing platform management and perfect quality on any screen.

WEE Marketplace Taps into UAE’s

12.7 Billion USD e-

commerce Market with Its Quick Delivery Service

Company boasts of a network of 50,000 riders to provide quick delivery. ‘WEE Marketplace’ has partnered with Talabat and Careem to provide a seamless service

WEE Marketplace has launched its last-mile logistics platform based on advanced technology to provide quick and seamless delivery service – tapping into UAE’s $12.7 billion e -commerce market.

WEE’s platform aims to have over 500 reputed and trusted retailers and sellers by end of 2023. Currently based on an invite-only model, the platform will feature

limited number of sellers to ensure minimal competition and maximum quality of products for UAE customers. With a network of over 50,000 riders (along with local partners), WEE can offer customers across the UAE access to a wide range of high-quality products from top-tier brands/retailers with a speedy delivery service (within 45 minutes) and competitive prices on its platform.

Anastasia Kim, Co-ounder, WEE Marketplace said, “Increased adoption of smartphones, rising internet penetration, has shifted consumer preferences towards online shopping. Our platform will allow retailers to provide a hassle-free on demand delivery service to its customers across the UAE. It will help them streamline the process even further by tackling the most crucial parts of their supply chain, giving them a competitive edge.”

Currently the platform features over 7,000 products from various categories like electronics and appliances, beauty and health, household, pet food, automotive, sports and leisure, books, kids and toys, and accessories. The company plans to expand its fulfillment services to stock more than half a million products by end of 2023.

Saudi Arabia’s Logistics market size set to reach 57.4 billion SAR by 2030: Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services

Striving for a fast-paced transformation, the Kingdom has earmarked milestones for the rail, road, maritime, and aviation sectors. The largest and most populous GCC nation, the Kingdom also aims to create over two hundred thousand jobs in the sector by 2030.

In line with the Vision 2030 objective of transforming the Kingdom into a leading industrial powerhouse and global logistics hub, the Ministry of Transport & Logistics Services (MOTLS) has laid out an ambitious strategy that aims to develop the Kingdom’s transport & logistics sector and address the increasing global demand for logistics services.

Ever since, the sector has witnessed unprecedented growth and progress, making its mark on the global logistics industry, a direct outcome of the

continuous efforts by MOTLS. In the recently released Logistics Performance Index 2023 (LPI) recently published by the World Bank, Saudi Arabia made significant progress, moving up 17 ranks to achieve 38th position, from 55th in 2018.

To bolster the Kingdom’s efforts in this direction, HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched comprehensive programs focused on different aspects of the sector. The National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) was launched in 2021 with the aim to strengthen human and technical capabilities in the transport and logistics sector in the Kingdom. Earlier in 2019, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) was launched to build the country’s industrial and logistical capabilities and position it as a global leader in the industry.

The programs aspire to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. With a unique geographical location, connecting three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa, the country is in an advantageous position to become the gateway facilitating easy trade and movement of goods across continents.

Located on the Asia-Europe trade route, the country already hosts 12% of the global container trade passes annually.

Saudi Arabia has been on the fast track to shift its economy away from oil and build a more diverse and holistic economic ecosystem. Currently, the logistics sector contributes 6% of the KSA GDP and is projected to contribute 10% by 2030, that is, around SAR 20.1 billion.

Boosting its cargo capacity and bolstering supply chains further, the Kingdom announced the launch of 59 logistics zones by 2030, 21 of which are already operational. The country also inaugurated its first Special Integrated Logistics Zone at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh. The measures are part of the infrastructure development strategy and aim to fuel business growth, attract investment, and increase the sector’s non-oil revenue to about 45 billion riyals a year by 2030.

Vision 2030 is the roadmap to building a globalized country with sustainable progress. Transport & logistics are

the backbone of any economy, and our aim is to develop the sector, build connectivity and enhance our global competitiveness as a country. We are putting all our weight into developing internal & external supply chains and streamlining processes to the best international standards to provide world-class infrastructure and services. Our focus is on opening Saudi to the world with a multitude of opportunities.

In October 2022, HRH The Crown Prince also launched the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (GSCRI) to attract local and international investments in the supply chain sector. Aiming to raise 40 billion riyals ($10.64 billion) in its first two years, the initiative has set 10 billion riyals in financial and nonfinancial incentives for investors.

Pushing toward a fast-paced transformation, the Kingdom has earmarked milestones for the rail, road, maritime, and aviation sectors. The largest and most populous GCC nation, the Kingdom also aims to create over two hundred thousand jobs in the sector by 2030.

Jeddah Islamic Port Posts 25% Spike in April Container Throughput

Jeddah Islamic Port has notched a 25.07% hike in total container volumes during April this year, handling around 465,348 TEUs compared to last year’s 372,064 TEUs according to monthly data published by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani)

In other container statistics, the Kingdom’s busiest port recorded a 21.83% rise in transshipments and restows from 214,686 TEUs last year to 261,543 TEUs this year.

The port’s cargo column saw an addition of 19.33% to the 2022 volume of 4,409,557 tons to achieve about 5,261,883 tons in the previous month. Key figures across major cargo categories include 128,714 tons of general cargo, 305,038 tons of dry bulk cargo, and 34,109 tons of liquid bulk cargo.

In addition, Jeddah’s trade hub played host to 324 vessels over the course of April, a 13.29% surge over last year’s count of 286 vessels. The same month also saw a triple-figure leap in passenger traffic, with numbers totaling 40,947 pax at a 334.77% year-on-year jump from 9,418 pax during the same period in 2022.

Similarly, the port witnessed increased trade activity on the livestock front, this led to 458,280 cattle heads being imported, beating the previous year’s tally of 446,539 cattle heads by 2.63%. On the other hand, automotive trade grew 72.08% to 54,511 units from 31,677 units a year earlier.

A major regional hub serving critical global shipping lanes, Jeddah Islamic Port’s world-class operations and infrastructure not only enable it to facilitate global supply chains but propel the Kingdom to the forefront of major international indicators such as the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index and Logistics Performance Index in line with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

Saudi Arabia Announces New Instant E-VISA Options for Visitors

Saudi is making it easier than ever before for travelers to visit through an expansion of the e-visa program. New instant e-visa options will facilitate UK, US, and Schengen visas holders, as well as permanent residents of UK, US, and any EU country to obtain tourist e-visas to Saudi.

Saudi announces new instant e-visa options that from today, will facilitate UK, US, and Schengen visas holders, as well as permanent residents of UK, US, and any EU country to obtain tourist e-visas to Saudi through MOFA website.

Saudi has previously extended regulation to provide visas on arrival to the six categories, this is just the latest step as Saudi makes it easier than ever for visitors to experience the authentic home of Arabia and contribute to Saudi’s vision of reaching 100 million visits annually by 2030.

Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi has become one of the fastest-growing tourism markets globally, recording 93.5 million visits in 2022. This achievement is a result of the tremendous efforts of destinations across Saudi in providing visitors with unparalleled experiences and a seamless travel journey.

Saudi Tourism Authority is accelerating efforts to make it easier for visitors from across the world to travel to Saudi. Through digitization, Saudi is increasing accessibility and connectivity, providing simplified entry routes to visitors, focused on enabling all travelers to enjoy our natural and cultural diversity.

The new instant e-visa is among several initiatives that Saudi has launched over the past year to improve the visitor experience. This is part of a range of initiatives to provide a seamless traveler experience, including the recently announced Stopover visa.

In 2022, Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Nusuk platform in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program. Nusuk, Saudi’s first ever official integrated digital platform, provides pilgrims and visitors an easyto-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah, Madinah, and beyond.

Saudi has previously extended regulation to provide visas on arrival to holders of valid US, UK, and Schengen visas as well as permanent residents of UK, US, and any EU country and e-visa eligibility was extended to residents of the GCC. Earlier this year, Saudi also announced the launch of a new Stopover Visa. Freeof-charge and available to passengers travelling on SAUDIA and flynas, the visa is open to an even greater number of countries than the historic tourism e-visa and will allow visitors to stay in the country for up to 96 hours.

Saudi is an under-discovered destination with a rich cultural tradition and a great deal to offer. In Diriyah, the birthplace of Saudi, travelers can experience the luxury shopping and fine dining of Bujairi Terrace and at the UNESCO World Heritage site in AlUla, immerse in a living museum holding over 200,000 years of human history.

AWJ,

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In Jeddah, visitors can explore the old historical district, Al Balad and this year, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism destination, the Red Sea Development, will debut its first hotels including Six Senses, St. Regis and a RitzCarlton Reserve.

Kitopi Company, Expands Presence in KSA:

Operation: Falafel Debuts In Jeddah, SushiDo in Riyadh and Shawarmetna across the Country

AWJ, a trailblazer in the F&B industry, is progressing its expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The company announced three significant launches: a new Operation:Falafel location in Jeddah, the debut of SushiDo in Riyadh, and the introduction of Shawarmetna, a virtual shawarma concept, launching across Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.

These expansion efforts underscore AWJ’s commitment to bringing its diverse and innovative culinary concepts to the Saudi market. The initiative aligns with the company’s strategy of capitalising on global opportunities and acknowledges the potential of the rapidly evolving Food & Beverage industry in Saudi Arabia.

Operation: Falafel (O:F), the group’s flagship restaurant, inaugurated its first location in Jeddah on May 1st, 2023. Renowned for its traditional Arabic street food served with a modern, unconventional twist, O:F offers a comprehensive menu for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery with notable delivery partners include Hungerstation, Jahez, The Chefz, To You, and Careem.

“Saudi Arabia has always been a market of immense potential for us, and we are thrilled to open our first Operation: Falafel location in Jeddah,” expressed Mohamad Sami Ballout, CEO of AWJ. “Following our

successful ventures in the Eastern region and Riyadh, we are confident that our unique concept will be well-received in the vibrant Jeddah market. With our experience in both the UAE and KSA markets, we’ve identified market gaps and have tailored our menus to cater to the preferences of the Saudi market.”

SushiDo, acclaimed for its fusion of traditional and eccentric sushi, is primed for its debut in Riyadh, marking its entry into the Saudi market. Keeping the success of its Dubai model in mind, the brand has personalised its menu to align with local tastes. SushiDo will function as a cloud kitchen, facilitating deliveries through Jahez, The Chefz, To You, Hungerstation, Careem, and Mrsool.

AWJ is also enthusiastic about introducing Shawarmetna to the KSA market. Operating as a delivery-only shawarma concept, Shawarmetna will offer a variety of shawarma choices, including chicken and beef shawarma platters, sandwiches, bites, and appetisers. This launch continues to extend AWJ’s influence in the KSA market.

AWJ’s strategic market penetration and growth in KSA are rooted in its comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, gained from its experiences with Operation: Falafel and Catch22 in Dubai and KSA, with the company determined to blend traditional flavours with a contemporary edge through its innovative brands.

Agility Saudi Warehouse is the first to earn EDGE ‘Green Building’ status in GCC

Agility Saudi Warehouse, State-of-the-art Riyadh warehouse recognized for energyefficient design

In addition to its Riyadh complex, Agility Logistics Parks operates a 200,000 SQM facility in Dammam and recently announced plans to invest SAR 611mn (US$ 163mn) to build a 576,000sqm warehouse park near Jeddah.

“Agility is determined to lead the way in development of modern, energy-efficient logistics infrastructure. We want to help drive Saudi growth, generate jobs, conserve resources and be an example for others in the area of sustainability,” noted Michel Saab, CEO, Agility Logistics Parks / Global Operations.

Swiss International School Dubai Switches to Solar Power with Yellow Door Energy

Sustainability and environmental awareness run through the airy halls of Swiss International School Dubai, from including sneakers made from recycled plastic on the uniform list, to encouraging pupils to consider waste in fashion with competitions like Junk Kouture.

Swiss International School

Now, the forward-looking bilingual IB school is installing solar panels over the summer break, which will deliver enough energy to meet a quarter of the school’s energy needs.

Mindful of the school calendar, UAE-based sustainable energy provider for businesses, Yellow Door Energy, will install 1,366 solar panels, enough to provide shading to 200 parking spots at the school, over the summer break.

The installation measures around 3,000 square meterslarger than three tennis courts - and will generate around 1,300 megawatt-hours of clean energy in the first year of operation, offsetting 920 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The system will produce 30,680 megawatt-hours of clean energy over its expected lifetime of 25 years, avoiding 21,700 metric tons of carbon emissions. The project is expected to be energized in October 2023.

School Head of Operations Alexander Varghese says, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Yellow Door Energy to equip our parking lot with solar panels. As we gear up for the summer holidays, we are eagerly preparing for the installation of solar panels on our brandnew carport. This solar lease signifies our unwavering commitment to sustainability, renewable energy, and embracing the Year of Sustainability.”

“At SISD, we understand the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for sustainable practices. By installing the solar panels, we are taking a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and promoting environmental responsibility. This initiative allows us to generate clean and green electricity right here on our premises, reducing our reliance on conventional energy sources and making a positive impact on the community.”

“As we have a mission to prepare our pupils to become fully-rounded 21st century global citizens, it’s vital we ensure they always act with sustainability in mind. Our team and pupils have already embraced some wonderful initiatives, from saving water initiatives to our eco-friendly mud garden.”

“We are not only providing our school with a clean energy solution, but empowering pupils to become active contributors to our greener future. This latest initiative will have a remarkable, long-term effect on the entire school community, thanks to Yellow Door Energy. We are also delighted with the parent support and willingness for this new initiative. ”

The school beat off a number of global schools last year to win the Talk Education Innovation in Education award for Environmental Achievement. Now, it is innovating once again with the installation of a solar power system.

As the solar developer, Yellow Door Energy is responsible for financing, designing, building, commissioning, operating, and maintaining the solar plant for the duration of the lease.

Solar leasing enables businesses to reduce their energy costs without any upfront investment or operational risk, while maintaining focus on their core business and enjoying the benefits of clean energy.

Jeremy Crane, CEO & Founder of Yellow Door Energy, says,“Sustainability and education go hand in hand, and we are honored that our solar project will contribute to Swiss International School Dubai’s sustainability vision. This project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of providing Quality Education as well as Affordable and Clean Energy.”

“As a UAE-founded company, Yellow Door Energy continues to ardently support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Target and COP28’s objectives. We look forward to completing the solar power plant for SISD and having it inspire the students, teachers and staff at the school for many years to come.”

Amazon Saudi Doubles its Storage Capacity with the Launch of its New Fulfillment Center in Riyadh

The new facility has a storage capacity of 2.7 million cubic feet, housing over 9 million products

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), Eng. Suliman Almazroua, and delegations from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Transport General Authority, and Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, witnessed today the inauguration of Amazon’s latest fulfillment center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following the ceremony, Abdo Chlala, Country Manager, Amazon Saudi Arabia, along with Prashant Saran, Director of Operations, Amazon Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Dr. Hatem Samman, Public Policy Lead, Amazon Saudi Arabia, guided the dignitaries on a tour of the facility.

Eng. Suliman Almazroua commented, “Saudi Arabia has made remarkable progress in developing worldclass infrastructure and business-enabling policies that aim to place the Kingdom at the forefront of investor attractiveness. Amazon’s expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector, one of NIDLP’s four key sectors, by bringing the latest innovations and technologies in e-commerce operations to the country. The new Fulfillment Center in Riyadh will further unlock the value of the Kingdom’s resources by empowering local startups and entrepreneurs with improved global connectivity and access to new markets.”

As the Kingdom accelerates towards a digital economy with a growing e-commerce market, the new fulfillment center will double Amazon’s total storage capacity in Saudi Arabia. The facility spans 390,000 square feet across five floors, approximately the size offive football fields. The center will be able to store over 9 million products, enabling Amazon to delight customers with a wider selection of products across electronics, appliances, groceries, fashion, books, and more.

H.E. Eng. Saud bin Rashid Al-Askar, the Deputy Governor of Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO), said, “As Saudi Arabia progresses towards sustainable development in tandem with regional and international markets, we affirm the company’s keenness, in cooperation with other sectors, to ensure consumer safety by conforming its products received through e-commerce. We are happy to see Amazon’s expansion in the Kingdom as the company continues its efforts to bring global standards and processes to the e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia.”

Abdo Chlala, Country Manager, Amazon Saudi Arabia, said, “Our expansion and investment in our network underscores our commitment to delivering an enhanced shopping experience for customers, providing Saudi

businesses with greater access to Amazon’s expertise in fulfillment, reliable countrywide delivery, and customer service, and unlocking opportunities for local talent. Led by a diverse cohort of talented Saudi nationals in managerial positions, we expect this Fulfillment Center to support the Kingdom’s digital economy goals.”

In support of Saudi Arabia’s rising entrepreneurship culture and rapid development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the enhanced capacity will empower independent sellers to scale their businesses online. In order to reach a wider customer base faster and more efficiently,

Prashant Saran, Director of Operations for Amazon MENA, said, “Technology is at the heart of our operations, and with the opening of our most advanced fulfillment center in Saudi Arabia, we are all set to bring an enhanced fulfillment offering to Saudi sellers. At Amazon, we relentlessly innovate on behalf of our customers and continue to strengthen our operations with state-of-theart technology and global processes and programs in order to ensure a fast, convenient, and reliable shopping experience.”

The new Fulfillment Center is Amazon’s most advanced in Saudi Arabia and brings 25+ years of global logistics technology and innovation in line with the Vision 2030 goal of establishing the Kingdom as the go-to logistics hub for the region. The new facility incorporates innovative solutions powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning in its operations and more than two and a half kilometers of conveyance equipment to ensure seamless fulfillment operations.

To ensure local talent is able to grow and advance their careers, Amazon offers an array of training, upskilling, and mentoring programs that empower employees to reach their full potential. Today, Saudi women at the center occupy a variety of leadership roles within operations, human resources, learning and development, and information technology, among other departments.

Further, the facility provides various accommodations for people with disabilities that aim to ensure their full and active participation. Amazon continues its relentless focus on the safety and well-being of its employees, deploying cutting-edge technology to assist employees and keep them safe while delivering for customers.

As part of Amazon’s commitment to be net-zero carbon across its business by 2040, the facility is powered 100% by electricity, including its heating and hot water systems, avoiding the use of fossil fuel combustibles and with energy efficiency as a top priority. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are controlled by a building management system that ensures a comfortable working environment for employees while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Since the launch of Amazon.sa in 2020, the company has continued to invest in Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom’s vision to accelerate a digitalized and diversified future. Today, Amazon Operations’ network in the country comprises 2 fulfillment centers, 3 sort centers, a footprint of over 25 owned and third-party delivery stations, and a network of small and medium businesses working as delivery service partners across Saudi Arabia.

Bridging Gaps in the Pre-owned Car Industry in the UAE

According to a 2022 YouGov report, 61% of global car buyers consider price as an important factor when purchasing a car

Given that many buyers overlook the comprehensive costs associated with their purchase, not to mention the 20% depreciation in value from the time you drive your vehicle out of the showroom,

One of the trends that the pandemic gave rise to was conscious consumerism, leading to peaking interest in used car ownership, with market forecasts predicting valuations of US$32 billion in 2027. According to a recent survey by McKinsey, dealerships will need to invest in tools that cut down search time for customers, which means offering a personalized sales experience.

“Predictive marketing is an effective way to attract customers through the sales funnel, but a one-stop-shop model is gaining popularity among multiple demographics for a variety of benefits. At CARS24, we are bridging this gap by integrating technology and our knowledge of the customer journey to deliver tailor-made bundles that will suit the needs of our most discerning customers,” says Abhinav Gupta, CEO of CARS24 MENA.

Time-efficient: According to a Kearney survey, around 80 percent of UAE consumers check at least three sources before making a purchase. An integrated model allows customers to not only search for the car of their choice but also reduces research time by helping them understand the range of add-on services that they need to complete the purchase.

Data-driven: Using a one-stop-shop model provides insights into the buying patterns of consumers, allowing them to offer better recommendations that are personalized based on a transparent understanding of requirements and budget restrictions.

Convenience: Customers are more willing to spend more on a brand if they are offered ease, convenience, and value for money. The advantage of an integrated model is that it elevates your customer service and saves buyers the hassle of visiting multiple service points.

Trust and transparency: According to research conducted by Google, 92% of Emirati car buyers prefer to research a car online instead of visiting a dealership to check their options. By providing a full-stack model, customers can access key information such as service history, finance and insurance options, and prices for cosmetic solutions such as tinting and coating before visiting the showroom.

Abhinav Gupta, CEO, Gulf Region for CARS24

SAL Invests 1.5 Billion SAR in the Logistics Industry

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of logistics, SAL Saudi Logistics Services has emerged as the National Logistic Champion, spearheading the growth and development of the industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With a strategic vision and a commitment to excellence, SAL has made substantial investments amounting to 1.5 billion SAR to reinforce its position as a leader in cargo handling, logistics and fulfillment, & warehousing. In this cover story, we explore SAL’s ambitious investments, including the development of stations, expansion plans in key cities, automation and digital transformation initiatives, the introduction of Jeddah Courier, and the company’s mission for sustainability.

SAL: The National Logistic Champion

SAL was established in December 2019, following Saudi Airlines Cargo Company’s division being incorporated into a separate legal entity, to act as a pivotal catalyst in driving KSA’s economic transformation and the Kingdom’s aspiration of becoming a global logistics hub.

SAL has earned its reputation as the National Logistic Champion through its relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to providing cutting-edge logistics solutions. As the leading cargo handling and logistics provider with

95% market share in Saudi Arabia, SAL plays a pivotal role in supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and delivering seamless logistics solutions both domestically and internationally. The company operates across all Saudi Arabia’s airports, including presence at the four key hubs of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and across all domestic stations.

SAL handles majority of the country’s inbound and outbound air cargo, making it a logistic services champion within the Kingdom and a key driver in the sector’s transformation outlined in Vision 2030. With its extensive network spanning 18 airports across the KSA and 50 international destinations, state-of-the-art facilities, and unwavering commitment to customer centricity, SAL has become the go-to partner for businesses across various industries.

The company’s comprehensive range of services that span the logistics value chain from ground handling, warehousing, and storage to distribution and last-mile delivery. SAL’s unique selling point lies in its ability to offer specialized and tailored end-to-end solutions that seamlessly integrate with the e-commerce supply chain. The company’s dedication to customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and investment in technology

has allowed it to stay ahead of the curve, making it the go-to logistics partner for numerous e-commerce and air cargo giants.

Scale of Operations and Key Role in the Growth of KSA Logistics Sector

SAL’s extensive operations have played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the logistics sector in Saudi Arabia. The company operates 162 sqm of state-of-the-art warehouses strategically located throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 18 airports. These facilities are equipped with advanced technology and automation systems effectively.

With its large fleet of vehicles and a well-established network of distribution centers, SAL ensures swift and reliable deliveries to different areas. The company’s commitment to meeting the evolving demands of e-commerce has positioned it as a key player in the logistics landscape, enabling businesses to expand their reach and cater to a broader customer base.

SAL’s Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

SAL recognizes the importance of reducing its carbon footprint and has implemented various measures to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. The company has made substantial investments in eco-friendly technologies and practices to ensure more sustainable logistics operations.

One of SAL’s notable initiatives is its focus on optimizing transportation routes and vehicle utilization to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. By implementing advanced route planning systems and adopting efficient logistics practices, SAL has exemplified a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility within the logistics sector.

According to their website, SAL has established clear goals to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices throughout their operations. They aim to align their efforts with local and international regulatory requirements, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its environmental protection initiatives.

By prioritizing sustainability as a core component of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), SAL recognizes the significance of integrating environmental stewardship into their business strategy.

This approach enables them to effectively manage environmental risks, drive innovation in logistics solutions, and meet the increasing expectations of customers, stakeholders, and society at large. Through sustainable practices, SAL is actively contributing to a more sustainable and greener logistics sector while ensuring a resilient and future-proof business model.

Infrastructure

Developing JED & RUH Airports Station since 2018 till 2022

SAL aims towards building a large investment plan supporting growth in cargo handling. Expansion at key stages is already underway with additional capacity to cater for future growth.

With investment of hundreds of millions of Saudi Riyals on terminal expansion at Riyadh and Jeddah airports and key upgrades planned to build a state-of-the-art facility in Dammam Airport. SAL continues to cement the perception of a true National Logistics Champion.

Infrastructure Plans for Further expansion for JED, RUH and DMM airport Stations 2023-2027

Properties development plans are underway at JED station, RUH station, and DMM station of Saudi Arabia.

JED serves as the primary ground handling station for SAL, with an anticipated increase in transit volume due to the growing Umrah and Hajj air traffic. The development of the station involves constructing a terminal building in stages, as the availability of free or greenfield land is limited, necessitating a phased construction approach.

The primary focus of the next investment step revolves around the second phase of JED station’s development, encompassing the creation of a warehouse exceeding 24,000 sqm within a site area of over 70,000 sqm.

New JED Courier

SAL’s investment also includes the introduction of JED Courier, a dedicated courier service catering to the specific needs of the e-commerce industry. JED Courier focuses on last-mile delivery, ensuring swift and efficient order fulfillment and timely deliveries to customers’ doorsteps. This specialized service further strengthens SAL’s position as a key player in the e-commerce logistics domain, supporting the growth of online businesses and meeting the increasing demands of the digital marketplace.

RUH Station Development, on the other hand, is a Refurbishment Project of an active/operated facility which is 48,000 sqm at site area of 70,000. The Refurbishments scope includes all the building structures, electrical and mechanical systems. The cargo material handling system will be replaced entirely with a new one by the same vender for JED project SDME under the same agreement. The consultant will have functional changes scope at phase (1) warehouse to complete the masterplan vision of RUH station.

DMM is the last part of the SAL ground handling development plans for the Saudi Aviation Cargo Market. The station has limited refurbishment plans to enhance the work environment and to improve the operational functions.

Like RUH Station, DMM refurbishment scope includes all the building structures, electrical and mechanical systems. The main difference here is that it is more limited and moderate refurbishment areas. The station development plan does not employ complex material handling systems. However, the new modern equipment will be from the same vendor of the systems used in JED and RUH stations.

Automation and Digital Transformation

At the core of SAL’s investment strategy is the drive to embrace automation and digital transformation.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, SAL is revolutionising the logistics industry, enhancing efficiency, and improving overall operational performance. Automation systems, such as robotics and intelligent sorting solutions, enable SAL to optimize warehouse operations, streamline order fulfillment processes, and reduce error rates. These advancements ensure swift and accurate order processing, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and improved delivery speeds.

Furthermore, SAL’s commitment to digital transformation is evident in its adoption of state-of-the-art tracking and tracing systems. Real-time visibility and advanced analytics enable customers to monitor their shipments at every stage of the delivery process, providing transparency and peace of mind. By embracing digital technologies, SAL empowers businesses with greater control and insights into their supply chain, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations.

Looking Ahead

As cargo handling and logistics continues to thrive in Saudi Arabia, SAL is well positioned to lead the next phase of growth in the sector. The company’s commitment to excellence, innovative solutions, sustainability, and customer satisfaction sets it apart in the market. SAL’s comprehensive understanding of the logistics industry, its tailored solutions, and its investment in advanced technologies ensure that it is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of businesses in this rapidly evolving sector. With a focus on sustainable practices, collaboration, and continuous innovation, SAL is positioned to play a vital role in shaping the future of logistics in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom’s logistics sector evolves, SAL remains at the forefront, providing reliable, efficient, and cutting-edge solutions that enable businesses to thrive in the dynamic world of logistics. SAL aims to deliver impact by living up to its vision of being the logistics champion for a globally connected Saudi Arabia.

Swisslog showcases cutting-edge automation solutions for e-commerce and retail industries at Seamless Middle East

Swisslog, a global leader in robotic, data-driven, and flexible automated solutions, has announced its participation in the upcoming Seamless Middle East 2023 - the region’s leading exhibition and conference exploring the future of digital commerce.

At Seamless Middle East 2023, Swisslog, which has already made its mark in the region with clients such as Mai Dubai, Robostores, Almarai, and Raha, will be showcasing AutoStore, with a spectacular live demo. AutoStore is a highly efficient robotic storage and order processing solution that integrates easily into existing buildings, designed to help retailers and e-commerce companies meet the growing demand for fast, accurate, and reliable order fulfilment while continuing to compress order cycles and delivery times.

The convenience of online shopping in the MENA region has led to a surge in demand for quick and reliable deliveries, putting pressure on warehouses to streamline their operations. Forward-thinking companies are turning to warehouse automation

technology to optimise their processes and improve efficiency to keep up.

Recent reports suggest that by 2025, autonomous robots will process up to 50% of all e-commerce orders, while the average order fulfilment time is projected to decrease from 4 hours to just 30 minutes by 2028. In addition, the UAE is taking major strides towards becoming a global leader in the robotics and automation industry, aiming to increase the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 9%. The benefits of automation are clear, and the investment and effort required to implement these systems are worth it for their increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Logistics Gulf News sat with David Dronfield, General Manager, Swisslog Middle East, to understand his views and Swisslog’s position in the current market scenario.

LGN: We are stoked to witness the rise of Swisslog in the Middle East. How did you get started here, and how did you position yourself in the post-COVID market scenario?

David: There was a change in people’s habits, especially post-COVID. For example, when it came to the wide shift towards online ordering and the use of technology for the simplest things such as drive-ins, online payments, QR codes instead of brand menus and catalogs, etc. Most companies weren’t prepared for that.

We have crafted solutions for customers who can place orders digitally anytime, anywhere, after which they can choose to pick up their orders from one of our locations or get online delivery across Dubai, which is carried out super quick by delivery boys on motorbikes and with accurate package tracking to ensure the delivery reached the address specified by the customer.

LGN: Tell us about your external market reach. Do you have a strong presence in Saudi Arabia too? They have

a vision to position themselves as a global logistics hub by the year 2030.

David: By June or July of 2023, we aim to have a registered business office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We are already in the process of hiring employees there and are processing their trade licenses as we speak. We have been planning this for a while. The core reason why we need to have a stronger presence across KSA is so that we can serve the right people in the region.

When we look at the global supply chain market, Saudi Arabia is incredibly well positioned. KSA has a built-in structure, a promising culture, and professional resources to serve an opportunity and expand our business in the Middle East and North Africa as well.

We have positioned ourselves well in the UAE so far. But, when it comes to KSA, we cannot manage our operations from afar as it is not sustainable in the long run. So yes, we are looking forward to exploring and spreading our business in the Arab countries!

LGN: Are there any new projects or concepts you are working on? Would you like to share some detail on the developments in the company?

David: Swisslog has been evolving since the last 2 years. We are now integrating all four sectors into one bigger structure. We used to function like smaller entity with different sectors. Sales, business development, customer service, and connectivity we can leverage our customer services and solutions carried out in Europe, now into the UAE as well.

LGN: Thank you for spending your valuable time and speaking to us. We congratulate you for associating with us for the “Landmarks in Logistics” summit in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in September, and we look forward to meeting and hosting you and your team in the Kingdom.

David: Thank you too. It was a pleasure speaking with you. We are excited and looking forward to being a part of it and the panel. See you in Jeddah!

Max Avtukhov

Co-Founder & CEO

Yango Deli Tech at Seamless 2023

Yango ‘Deli’vering Happiness

Max Avtukhov, Co-Founder & CEO- Deli Tech

LGN: It’s a pleasure to see Yango Deli at the Seamless Middle East Summit of 2023. You have established your company as a tech-enabled e-commerce facilitator. But could you tell us how you positioned Yango Deli in the Middle East market?

Max: Yango Deli is a global tech company. We provide technology solutions to e-commerce stimulators and pharmacies, as well as companies that want to transform from offline to online marketing. Our USP is developing end-to-end technologies under one roof that are seamlessly integrated with each other.

Secondly, our system powers 200,000 orders daily. It is scalable, secure, and superfast. The solutions enable us to see fully transparent operation cycles, like what the temperature is, the face value, etc.

There is another problem where customers experience problems with delivery times, such as delays, order displacement, and order cancellation issues. With Yango Deli, we have incorporated the latest AI technology to track and simplify these problems. With AI, we can predict the exact delivery times and fulfill our customers’ commitments.

LGN: How is Yango Deli being placed compared to its competition? Besides the tech advantage, could you tell us how the solutions provided by Yango Deli enhance customers’ convenience?

Max: We offer unique products called Grey Stores. Most e-commerce companies want to integrate into international online spaces. We offer them Grey Stores, which offers online operations linked to offline grounds, and each supermarket chain in the market has 200 sq. km. This store would provide a complete omnichannel store experience for their customers. However, it would require one supply chain or store manager to oversee the operations of the area. So, this solution has enabled us to help different e-commerce partners who need to be competitive in both online and offline markets.

LGN: What are your expansion plans in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?

Max: We are looking to resolve difficult problems in different regions of the Middle East. Whether it is the UAE or KSA, we look at different problems that our partners are facing in the e-commerce sector and find better solutions to help the supply chain and logistics operations and make it seamless for their customers.

LGN: How has the pandemic impacted the e-commerce sector? How has e-commerce come to the forefront postpandemic?

Max: When the gross market development is purely dependent on the user’s convenience. For example, if it is convenient to order online, I will. So, the first stage now is the convenience of the users over price and variety of products.

The second stage is making operations and processes more economical and efficient. By improving operations, we can make it more economical, which in turn leads to affordable prices for products. This is what the mass audience cares about. When this happens, it disrupts the market and leads to efficiency and convenience, increasing overall mass demand.

LGN: What do you think about the Middle East market for end users? Especially after your success in European markets, do you think the Middle East has the potential to include more digital e-commerce solutions for increasing tech-savvy customers?

Max: I think, in the Middle East, Dubai is one of the best places in the world for tech solutions, being the most futuristic city in the world right now and having a young population. In Saudi Arabia, there is huge internet penetration. There are a lot of digital users; around 80% to 90% of the users prefer online solutions now in major Gulf countries. This is because there is an increase in disposable income and the convenience of online space.

The transition is not from traditional to modern in the online space; it is an evolution from traditional directly to online integration in the e-commerce space. Now, with Nana, we are developing a partnership where we enable a user experience that is beyond the imagination of the market. We aim to develop user quality enhancement, where users get all the information they need about their food products and online orders.

LGN: Tell us more about your partnership with Nana. We look forward to hearing more about you and Yango Deli becoming the market leaders in the Middle East region very soon!

Max: Thank you very much. I appreciate Logistics Gulf News taking time for us

50% of the UAE residents take action to breathe clean air’ says Daikin’s Art of Air survey

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 25 May 2023: Daikin Middle East and Africa, a leading global manufacturer of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC-R) solutions today released its first Art of Air survey findings shedding light on the impact of Indoor Air Quality amongst residents in the UAE. Daikin collaborated with Censuswide, an independent market research consultancy, to conduct the study with the aim of increasing awareness of the importance of Indoor Air Quality – enabling residents to take action to improve quality of life.

The air we breathe determines the quality of life we can lead. The survey concluded that while 90% said the air quality around them impacts their quality of life and overall health only half take action to breathe clean air. The Art of Air survey by Daikin reminds us that Indoor Air Quality plays a critical role in our overall health and well-being. Indoor air temperature and humidity have a strong effect on our comfort, sleep, and health at home.

Studies show that indoor air can be several times more polluted than outdoor air. This is particularly relevant in the Middle East, where the region’s weather conditions often lead people to spend over 90% of their time indoors. Whether in homes, offices, shopping malls, hospitals, or gyms, individuals are exposed to this potentially harmful environment. Consequently, it becomes imperative to prioritize and maintain fresh, clean Indoor Air Quality.

Apart from the impact the quality of air has on our health, investing in sustainable air conditioning systems is key. Air conditioning accounts for as much as 70 per cent of UAE electricity consumption. Overall, well designed, and highquality air-conditioning system and air purification are vital to our health as much as a healthy diet.

Unfortunately, concentrations of some pollutants indoors are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations leading to a range of health issues, including allergies, respiratory problems, sleep, and reduced productivity. With a strong commitment to

creating healthier living environments, the leading expert of Air, Daikin, is at the forefront of innovation, providing advanced systems that optimize air conditioning, heating, ventilation, climate control, and air purification.

‘’When it comes to being healthy, people tend to change their lifestyle, eat healthy, and activate a fitness routine as part of their everyday life. However, people often don’t realize, nor give importance to the air they breathe indoors. Good air quality, humidity and temperature are important for overall health”, said Tuna Gulenc, Vice President at Daikin Middle East and Africa. “Our recent research proved that residents are in fact aware of the role their air conditioning system plays. 93% agreed that regular inspection and upgrading of air conditioning systems will help improve Indoor Air Quality and energy efficiency. At Daikin, we are committed to developing innovative solutions that improve Indoor Air Quality, ensuring healthier and more comfortable living and working spaces for individuals around the world.’’

Daikin’s mission is to provide its customers with technology innovation that will help improve the living and working conditions, health and comfort while taking the lead on limiting and reducing the impact on the energy consumption. Daikin’s efforts to increase energy efficiency, and manufacture high-quality durable, and reliable products such as their inverter air conditioners is in their DNA. In addition, Daikin also uses lower global warming refrigerants to reduce environmental and climate impacts, such as R32. Daikin aims to make all aspects of its business carbon neutral by 2050 through its net-zero strategy.

While the survey stated that only 46% of the UAE residents use an air purifier to breathe clean air, more than half regularly service their air conditioning system. Air conditioners actually make an impact as the majority of the people in the region rely on it for increased comfort and to breathe fresh air indoors due to the changing climate. We want people to be proactive and take control of their own health by learning more about how air quality impacts them” said Gulenc. ‘’It is important for people to understand that servicing and upgrading their air conditioning system is vital for energy efficiency, prolonged lifespan, improved indoor air quality, enhanced performance, reduced malfunctions and overall comfort and safety of their family,’’ he concluded.

Daikin is all about the Air. Its vision is to develop air conditioning systems, globally, that are energy efficient, provide comfort and enrich lives, and improve Indoor Air Quality while taking care of the environment. Daikin’s commitment to sustainability and creating a sustainable society is reflected within The Art of Air campaign. Daikin’s Fusion 25 management strategy focuses on implementing solutions that provide new value for the environment and air while contributing to sustainable growth.

Platform: Managing Resources efficiently

LGN: Hi Simon, it has been always pleasure talking with you. How is your journey with 1-Platform started?

George: Well, as you know, I have come from a diverse professional background. Having worked in FMCG, Telecommunication and many other well-known brands such as Microsoft, Reliance, etc..., I have over 25 years of experience in the software and service industries. Today, there is a great opportunity and market for products like 1-Platform. This is a much-needed solution in the current hybrid workspace era!

LGN: Tell us more about 1-Platform and how it is going to ease up the existing work process?

George: As of now, we are heading into a hybrid and remote working era. There are different silos such as building management, meetings, security, access, control, and many more. Each of these silos has various data points.

Someone needs to stitch all these silos together. Taking APIs, codes, etc. after stitching, taking data points, and

figuring it out to work around the right user interface to have insights

Managing resources like energy, time, space, and sustainability is a key element, there are three key factors that drive the mission of 1-Platform.

• Empowering leaders with the right dashboard through AI tools

• Engaging employees is most important to avoid scattered employees who cannot commit due to disruption.

• Enhancing resources through optimally managing energy, time, and space for the most sustainable solutions

We stitch all these datapoints together, bringing connectivity through our key factor at 1-Platform!

LGN: Tell us how to use your services as an end user? How complex is it to install and use it initially?

George: “The 1-Platform is very simple and unique. We can enable a rich experience in all aspects. We approach

George Simon, CEO, 1-Platform in conversation at the Seamless UAE 2023

customers from the standpoint of resolving their pain points.

Our value proposition is to aim for better workflow and build a seamless management system. So yes, 1-Platform is very easy to use for our customers, as we have built it for their convenience.

LGN: The UAE is spearheading when it comes to technological advancements and has great potential to grow in such markets. How user friendly your technology is for a quick adaption?

George: The best part of the UAE is that they have spearheaded new technological innovations. Thanks to the UAE Government, we can say that the UAE is far ahead when it comes to adapting to new technology!

Our strategy is to first build the enterprise space and then target the banking and online sectors. By January 2023, we will have built two big categories after starting smart spaces: We aim to launch smart buildings (smart cities) and smart communities.

We also aim to roll out in the Middle East and Africa, starting in the UAE, then spreading into Saudi Arabia and eventually other countries in the MENA region by 2030. We are pretty much going as planned when it comes to building a channel model.

LGN: Do you have a support network structure in mind? Will it be in-house or outsourced?

George: Honestly speaking, it is a long-term process. It is a journey. It is a software model that renews every year. And every customer is a partner. We wish to build value with our customers, and we build partnerships through our value chains. It is a complete channel market.

LGN: In your vision, in creating a global reality with the latest projects we are sure you will be well on your way to become the market leader in this segment. Is there anything else you would like to add or share with our readers?

George: I truly think that we arrived in the market at the right time. Especially after the pandemic, there has been a gradual but long-lasting change in the work structure, with work from home and hybrid work types becoming the norm for most companies in 2023. Many big firms like Amazon, Apple, Deloitte, KPMG, and many others are cutting down on their office spaces and making a permanent shift to WFH culture, especially in whatever departments it is possible.

So, I think considering all this, we aim to make an impact and eventually transform human life at large—to better

wellbeing, ease of use, and a better life—so that most of the customers can lead a comfortable life both personally and professionally.

About 1-Platform:

Data Driven Insights

As AI reshapes work, human-AI collaboration will be the next transformational work pattern and the ability to work iteratively with AI will be the key to any product or application which is getting build. The intensity of work and always-on communication are out pacing our ability to keep up. 1-Platform is poised to create a whole new way of smart working powered by next generation-AI which will completely transform the way employees and organization connect and work.

Employee Engagement

Analysis shows that employee engagement is a key part of the performance equation. To move the bottom line, organizations need more than productivity alone, think of employee engagement and productivity as mutually enforcing, with one multiplying the other.1-Platform will help organizations to build world class smart workspace environment with clear communication empowered by AI, which will unlock greater employee engagement leading to higher productivity.

Resources Optimization

A workforce that is energized and empowered is more likely to be productive and high performing. One- Platform helps businesses to optimization and redesign their physical office based on evolving AI based data insights, which will in turn help leaders to shift from real estate reduction to real estate optimization and redistribution.

LGN: That’s a great way to sum up all the points, and it has great scope for CSR too! Thank you, Simon! We wish you all the very best once again and hope to hear from you even more in the future!

George: Thank you, Vish! It’s my pleasure!

The Game Company

Osman Masud CEO

The Transformative Power of Blockchain in Gaming

In recent years, the gaming industry has experienced a remarkable transformation thanks to the integration of blockchain technology. As the CEO of a game company deeply involved in this exciting space, I have witnessed firsthand the immense potential and opportunities blockchain brings to the gaming universe.

The growth of blockchain gaming has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2022, the industry saw a staggering 2000% increase compared to the previous year, attracting over 1.22 million unique active wallets. This surge in popularity has not gone unnoticed, with VCs and global investors investing over $2.5 billion in blockchain gaming projects. These figures indicate that the blockchain gaming industry offers significant growth prospects, even in challenging economic conditions.

How is Blockchain revolutionising the gaming industry? Blockchain, at its core functionality within the gaming realm, enables gamers to harness the power of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies as tools. These tools allow users to acquire in-game assets that transcend the confines of the virtual realm and hold tangible value in the real world.

Cryptocurrency plays a pivotal role in the popularity of the blockchain gaming industry. It has evolved alongside the gaming industry, providing users with secure and fast payment methods for in-game purchases, rewards, and other transactions. Cryptocurrencies facilitate seamless transactions for avatars, power-ups, themes, skins, and more.

One of the most commonly used assets in blockchain gaming is non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are digital assets that prove ownership through the blockchain, allowing gamers to own their virtual possessions. This ownership gives players more control over their assets, enabling easier trading and selling without intermediaries.

Traditional games, while entertaining, often follow predictable patterns and lack an element of ownership and value. Blockchain gaming introduces a whole new level of excitement by allowing players to own their in-game assets and participate in play-to-earn models. The ability to earn and trade cryptocurrencies for real-world value has added a new dimension to the standard gaming experience. Players are now actively seeking blockchain games that offer unique gameplay mechanics, immersive narratives, and rewarding ecosystems.

At The Game Company, our platform enables players to enjoy the best of both worlds: the immersive experience of traditional gaming and the transformative power of blockchain. By harnessing the capabilities of artificial

intelligence, we enhance user engagement by offering personalized gaming experiences tailored to each player’s preferences and skill level. Through blockchain integration, we empower players with tangible value and economic opportunities.

The benefits of blockchain in gaming are numerous. Secure and transparent transactions are guaranteed thanks to the immutable nature of blockchain technology, eliminating double-spends and fraud. Enhanced security measures, such as encryption systems and two-factor authentication, protect sensitive player information and game data from unauthorized access.

While the potential of blockchain in the gaming industry is vast, it is crucial to address the associated limitations. The inherent complexity of blockchain can pose challenges for players, as it necessitates the setup of complicated crypto wallets and an understanding of blockchain technology. Moreover, regulatory hurdles concerning the use of cryptocurrencies in gaming must be tackled to establish a seamless and secure environment for players.

The transformative power of blockchain in gaming is undeniable. It has propelled the industry to new heights, offering secure transactions, enhanced user experiences, and exciting opportunities for players. By embracing blockchain technology, we can unlock the full potential of gaming and create a future where players own and control their virtual experiences. This shift towards blockchain gaming has breathed fresh life into the industry, attracting both seasoned gamers and newcomers craving something more dynamic and meaningful than the conventional gaming landscape could offer.

SCG International Partnered with Hassan Allam Unlocks Growth Potential in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

SCG International Corporation Co., Ltd. is embarking on a global business expansion, with a strategic entry into South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (SAMEA) region. Establishing the Dubai Hub in the United Arab Emirates, serving as a central hub for sourcing and transporting goods across the region. Moreover, the company is actively preparing to establish a new office in Saudi Arabia, aiming to capitalize on the monumental construction projects envisioned in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious 2030 plan by diversifying investments across various sectors.

In its pursuit of growth and development, SCG International is committed to implementing a comprehensive supply chain solution strategy. With a diverse range of products, including construction, industrial supplies, home & living, paper & packaging, as well as energy products. To effectively execute this business strategy, SCG International has forged a strategic partnership with Hassan Allam Trading and Engineering, the leading construction and engineering company and aims to establish a formidable presence in the markets of Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa.

“As part of our journey, we have focused on SAMEA region. This region presents a fresh opportunity, building upon our well-established strengths and presence in the ASEAN market. We recognize the potential to develop an international supply chain network and have strategic plans to establish an office in Riyadh to cater to the growing number of government and private sector projects. We have been actively seeking a strong partner with extensive market access in the region. Our collaboration with Hassan Allam represents a significant milestone as we venture into Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa” said Abhijit Datta, the Managing Director of SCG International

SCG International is a subsidiary of Thailand’s leading conglomerate, SCG, with over 100 years of construction industry expertise. The company provides supply chain solutions for Energy, Industrial Supply, Building & Construction, Home & Living. With a global presence for 40 years, spanning 50 countries, it stimulates growth with a customer-centric approach. Offering tailored solutions for diverse needs, SCG International is recognized as a Trusted International Supply Chain Partner.

PepsiCo announces the six start-ups selected for the 2023 Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition

Innovative companies from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia will join PepsiCo’s accelerator program that aims to identify and scale up groundbreaking sustainable agricultural practices. Run in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Food Tech Valley, the initiative helps start-ups bring their sustainable ideas to life

PepsiCo has announced the six companies that will be a part of the second cohort of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable agriculture. Following a rigorous multi-stage selection process, this year’s cohort brought forward innovative ideas across five key criteria: alignment to PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy – PepsiCo Positive (pep+) – strategic synergy with PepsiCo, scalability, relevance to MENA, and breakthrough potential.

Reigniting the partnership with UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Food Tech Valley, PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program intends to unlock innovative and disruptive agricultural solutions in partnership with purpose-driven start-ups from the region that share PepsiCo’s vision for a more sustainable food system.

The six shortlisted companies, Dooda Solutions, NoorNation, RoboCare, SmartWTI, Smart Green, and YY ReGen, were selected from over 180 applications across the MENA region. Each of the companies bring a unique level of expertise and innovative solution to the table from all aspects of the agriculture value chain from water preservation to soil cultivation.

Dooda Solutions, a woman-led earthworm farm from Lebanon, specializes in raising worms and producing premium-grade vermicompost (organic fertilizers) at commercial scale. NoorNation, a renewable energy startup from Egypt, aims to provide sustainable decentralized energy and water infrastructure solutions. RoboCare from Tunisia specializes in using technology to provide a digital monitoring system for preventing the late detection of plant disease, enabling fast propagation, and reducing pesticide use.

SmartWTI, an IoT/AI solutions provider from Jordan, specializes in designing and manufacturing water management solutions to enable the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart Green, another Jordanian start-up, provides Agri-tech solutions to agribusinesses for Digital Transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. Finally, YY ReGen, another Lebanese start-up, provides innovative solutions through the promotion of renewable energy, sustainable water management, and regenerative farming. These startups have the potential to disrupt the sustainable agriculture industry and make a positive, lasting impact on society.

Each will receive an initial grant of $20,000 to support their business and help scale up their innovation, along with guided mentorship from regional subject matter professionals, as well as PepsiCo and Food Tech Valley experts. At the end of the six-month program, one winning company will be awarded an additional $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion and have an opportunity to extend its collaboration with PepsiCo to further expedite its growth.

“The UAE places great importance on strengthening its food security and overcoming the significant obstacles that hinder increasing production. Considering that local production of agricultural products and food is an essential component of this strategy, we are working to harness agricultural innovations and modern technologies to overcome the challenges facing the development of this sector, increase and improve production, and promote and consolidate the concept of sustainable agriculture. With this in mind, the country is committed to utilizing modern agricultural technology that not only boosts productivity but also aids in conserving natural resources by preventing waste and limiting carbon emissions produced by the

agriculture sector and the entire food supply chain,” said His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector – Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

“In light of the UAE Year of Sustainability, the ‘Greenhouse Accelerator Program’ of this year is a significant enhancement and contribution to the nation’s initiatives towards implementing modern, sustainable agriculture and food systems. As we gear up for hosting the Conference of the Parties COP28, we aim to showcase the UAE’s achievements in sustainable farming practices, exemplified by the ‘Greenhouse Accelerator Program’, in which we are proud to collaborate with PepsiCo and Food Technology Valley. Looking forward, we at the Ministry aspire to broaden our collaborative efforts with various relevant entities, both local and global, to propagate the use of modern, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural technologies.” HE Alameeri added.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with MOCCAE and the Food Tech Valley in search of pioneering solutions that help us strengthen the resilience of our food system. This year, we have embarked on a search for transformative direct farming innovations that increase agricultural productivity while conserving our precious

natural resources for the next generations. I was impressed with the caliber of the participants in the second cohort, and I am confident that together, we can blaze new trails in sustainable agriculture,” said Aamer Sheikh, CEO, Middle East – PepsiCo.

“The theme of this year’s PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 that aspires to position the country as a world-leading hub in innovation-driven food security. Our mandate at Food Tech Valley is to facilitate business growth in food tech space, and we are pleased to support this worthwhile initiative that harnesses the power of innovation for a more sustainable future,” said Ahmed AlShaibani, Project Lead at Food Tech Valley.

Introduced regionally in 2021, the winner of last year’s inaugural program of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable packaging and recycling, was UAE-based startup Nadeera, a social enterprise that leverages technology to promote waste sorting at source. Through its ‘Yalla Return’ product, the company applies a trash-for-cash model, providing cash rewards based on the quantity of recyclables consumers turn in.

Maersk Expands Operations at Jeddah Port

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of AE12 and AE7 shipping services to Jeddah Islamic Port by logistics giant Maersk as part of efforts aimed at connecting the Kingdom to global markets and unlocking new investment opportunities.

With a capacity of 18,000 TEUs and 12 vessels, the AE7 route includes 15 port calls at NingboZhoushan, Shanghai, Nansha, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Tangier, Hamburg, Antwerp, Le Havre, Felixstowe, London Gateway, Salalah, Khalifa, and Jebel Ali.

On the other hand, the AE12 service links Jeddah to 13 global hubs across Southern Europe, Africa, and East Asia through a fleet of 12 ships offering a 15,000-TEU capacity.

The latest expansion to the Kingdom’s global maritime network underscores Mawani’s commitment to drive impactful collaborations with strategic partners like Maersk and Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) that aspire to boost the nation’s standing in international indices, such as the UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI), besides positioning Jeddah Islamic Port as

a world-class destination for trade and economic growth as per the vision set forth by the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

About the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) was established in 1976 to oversee the operations of the Saudi ports. Since its inception, Mawani has been keen on transforming the Saudi ports into investment platforms and facilitating the Kingdom’s trade with the rest of the world. The Authority seeks to achieve an effective regulatory and commercial environment supported by an operating model that enables growth and innovation in the Kingdom’s maritime industry. It also envisions developing a sustainable and prosperous ports sector to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading global logistics hub. Mawani strives to realize Saudi Arabia’s economic and social ambitions by ensuring reliable and efficient logistics operations, as well as creating a safe and sustainable maritime environment. Developing the Kingdom’s industrial capabilities to fulfill the objectives of the National Transport Strategy in line with Saudi Vision 2030, has and will always be one of Mawani’s main objectives, thus contributing to making Saudi Arabia a pioneer in the ports sector.

RAKEZ and Ukrainian Business Council ink MoU to strengthen investment opportunities

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Ukrainian Business Council (UBC) signed a strategic agreement to boost economic collaboration, paving the way for greater investment prospects, and further strengthening the bilateral ties between the UAE and Ukraine.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by RAKEZ’s Chief Government & Corporate Relations Officer Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed and UBC President, Olena Shyrokova at a conference in Ras Al Khaimah. Present at the event were department heads from RAKEZ and a delegation from Ukraine, which included UBC’s management and business owners.

This collaboration promises to provide Ukrainian investors with unprecedented access to tailormade, competitive business set-up solutions in the UAE through RAKEZ. The benefits of this collaboration will be highlighted by both parties via an array of initiatives such as joint events and campaigns.

Both organisation heads expressed their enthusiasm about the new alliance. Shyrokova said: “This MoU is an important step towards strengthening economic ties between our two nations. Located in close proximity to the port, RAKEZ is a very attractive destination for

Ukrainian trading companies that are considering relocating their business to the UAE. The highly developed infrastructure of the free zone will meet the requirements of any market sector, whether manufacturing, IT or real estate. I certainly see a wide range of opportunities for cooperation ahead.”

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “The UAE, and specifically Ras Al Khaimah, offers a world of opportunities for Ukrainian businesses to flourish. The distinctive advantage of having complete foreign ownership and the return on profits creates a highly favourable business environment for Ukrainian investors wishing to establish their presence or expand their business footprint in the UAE. Our alliance with Ukrainian Business Council will cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship that will allow Ukrainian enterprises to prosper amidst the UAE’s vibrant and booming economic landscape.”

The Ukrainian delegation was introduced to RAKEZ and briefed about the process of starting or moving their business to the UAE. They also met with officials from the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Al Marjan Island, and Ras Al Khaimah Properties; and took a tour of the facilities at Ras Al Khaimah Ports.

RAKEZ is a powerhouse business and industrial hub established by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It currently hosts over 18,000 companies coming from over 100+ countries and operating in more than 50 industries.

RAKEZ offers entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and manufacturers a wide-range of solutions, including free zone and non-free zone licences, customisable facilities, and first-class services provided in a one-stop shop. Furthermore, RAKEZ has specialised zones that are tailored to specific needs of investors: Al Nakheel and Al Hamra Business Zones for commercial and service companies; Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones for manufacturers and industrialists; and an Academic Zone for educational providers.

A leading economic zone, RAKEZ aims to continue attracting diversified investment opportunities that will contribute to the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah.

About Ukrainian Business Council: Ukrainian Business Council (UBC) in UAE is a non-profit organisation created on 2 June 2016, and officially licensed by Dubai Chamber of Commerce. We are on a mission to foster effective cooperation between Ukraine and the UAE on individual, corporate and governmental levels. UBC’s objectives include offering consultancy and support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs aiming to establish a presence or expand an existing business in UAE; facilitating government relationships with Ukrainian establishments; spreading information about Ukrainian culture within UAE; creating joint initiatives and introducing investment opportunities related to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Ukrainian Business Council (UBC) signed a strategic agreement to boost economic collaboration, paving the way for greater investment prospects, and further strengthening the bilateral ties between the UAE and Ukraine.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by RAKEZ’s Chief Government & Corporate Relations Officer Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed and UBC President, Olena Shyrokova at a conference in Ras Al Khaimah. Present at the event were department heads from RAKEZ and a delegation from Ukraine, which included UBC’s management and business owners.

This collaboration promises to provide Ukrainian investors with unprecedented access to tailormade, competitive business set-up solutions in the UAE through RAKEZ. The benefits of this collaboration will be highlighted by both parties via an array of initiatives such as joint events and campaigns.

Both organisation heads expressed their enthusiasm about the new alliance. Shyrokova said: “This MoU is an important step towards strengthening economic ties between our two nations. Located in close proximity to the port, RAKEZ is a very attractive destination for Ukrainian trading companies that are considering relocating their business to the UAE. The highly developed infrastructure of the free zone will meet the requirements of any market sector, whether manufacturing, IT or real estate. I certainly see a wide range of opportunities for cooperation ahead.”

Aaron Portero Managing Director Connect Group

Connect Group continues its impressive growth in the UAE with expansion into indemand industry sectors

Dubai-based Connect Group upholds its position as one of the UAE’s leading providers of business services and solutions, foraying into fast-growing sectors

Since launching in 2016, Connect Group has become a force in the UAE business solutions market, helping companies thrive in this highly competitive and everevolving landscape. Now, Connect Group continues to build on its success with further expansion into key industry sectors and services, offering clients a full suite of staffing, HR and management resources.

need to be agile and aware of the nuances of local regulations. That’s where we can help, providing full-service HR management solutions that are UAEcompliant, scalable, and easily integrated.”

From cloud-based payroll to health insurance, automated HR services, and a mobile app for employee self-service, ConnectHR simplifies the HR process for both employers and their staff. Connect HR offers measurable savings in costs and time for businesses, while improving employee engagement via exclusive benefits and enhanced record-keeping at a glance.

Aaron Portero, Managing Director of Connect Group says, “By providing an extensive range of professional services under one roof, Connect Group is better able to support our clients’ needs. We now offer a seamless experience across all facets of business management, from navigating the company establishment process in the UAE to filling short-term labour needs.”

Skilled staff on demand

One of the key areas of growth for Connect Group has been ConnectStaff, the UAE’s newest ondemand labour agency. Specialising in highly skilled professionals, ConnectStaff now boasts 3,000 employees on its payroll, covering all facets of the skilled workforce, from IT and HR support staff to healthcare, finance and hospitality professionals. With access to a large talent pool of skilled workers, ConnectStaff is able to offer scalable staffing solutions for its clients, from short-term hires to extended contracts.

“I believe the industry of staff outsourcing is really old fashioned,” says Aaron. “Whereas most of our competitors rely on third-party systems, we have developed our own innovative systems in-house, allowing us to streamline the onboarding process, payroll, insurance and all related services, providing our clients with an unrivalled experience.”

Intuitive HR services

Recognising a gap for HR software with a UAE focus, Connect Group launched ConnectHR, a Human Resource Management System (HRMS) that provides integrated Cloud HR and payroll solutions for local businesses.

“ConnectHR is a project that’s really skyrocketing for us. It’s making a lot of noise in the industry and we’re acquiring a good market share,” says Aaron. “In an ever-evolving marketplace like the UAE, employers

Primed for future expansion

Looking ahead, Connect Group is targeting more areas of growth in the UAE, expanding into the skilled facilities management industry, the IT sector, software development and digital marketing roles. These have been identified as key areas of growth in the UAE and GCC, with digital transformation experts, digital marketers, cybersecurity experts, data analysts and software developers among the most in-demand roles in the UAE in 2023, according to a recent job prospect survey by LinkedIn.

“It’s an exciting time for Connect Group,” says Aaron. “With our passion for innovation and a range of new services and projects in the pipeline, we’re looking forward to continued success and growth in the UAE.”

Hamriyah Free Zone Inks Agreement with Infinite Mining & Energy; New Multifunctional Oil Refinery in the Offing

Infinite Mining & Energy to Lease a 200,000 sqft plot of land to establish an oil refinery with annual refining capability of up to 3.6 million barrels. Al Mazrouei: HFZA sets benchmark with strong ROI, serving as an ideal hub for essential projects and significant contributor to national economy Merchant: New investment plan aligns with the expansion strategy leveraging the HFZA’s location for direct interactions with key manufacturers and broad access to regional and global markets.

The Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) has cemented its leading position and appeal for investment in the oil and energy sector following a deal with an Indian company Infinite Mining & Energy. Infinite announced that is going to double its investment in the free zone and establish a multifunctional oil refinery. The new facility will have a daily production capacity of 10,000 barrels and an annual refining capability of up to 3.6 million barrels.

H.E. Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of the HFZA; and Bilal Merchant, Managing Director of Infinite Mining & Energy FZE; signed an agreement at HFZA headquarters in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

Under the agreement, Infinite will lease a 200,000 sqft plot of land in the free zone to build its facilities. This expansion is expected to significantly increase the company’s storage capacity, catering to the growing demand for its services and products. The Infinite’s strategic decision to expand in the free zone comes as no surprise. HFZA is known for providing integrated solutions for exploration, production, and refining projects.

Moreover, the free zone serves as a prosperous hub for regional and international companies specializing in the oil industry. With an ideal business environment and a system of exceptional services and benefits, HFZA continues to stand as a prominent industrial base for international companies in the sector. This latest investment by Infinite further underscores HFZA’s success in attracting key players in the oil and energy industries.

Leading position

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Saud Salim Al Mazrouei said Infinite’s new expansion plans demonstrates HFZA’s leading reputation as a preferred investment destination for heavy industries and the petrochemical sector. “This also reinforces HFZA’s appeal and significance in the oil, energy, and various other sectors, a testament to our commitment to the visions and directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which have transformed the free zone into a role model, showcasing a strong return on investment and an ideal environment for establishing key projects, thereby becoming a vital contributor to the national economy,” he said.

Al Mazrouei added, “Infinite’s new facility will be a significant addition to the emirate’s burgeoning economic landscape through its production volume, which caters to the demand for energy products and derivatives for both existing and future industrial projects.”

Elaborating further on the strategic decision of Infinite Mining & Energy, Al Mazrouei said the company’s choice of Hamriyah Free Zone to establish a multifunctional oil refinery underscores the high global standards and the favorable investment climate HFZA offers to investors in the energy and oil sectors.

“As of today, the free zone houses over 1,200 companies, including major international corporations specializing in this sector. They operate within a dedicated area for petrochemical industries, which boasts a strategic location and is connected to a commercial port with a depth of 14 meters.”

“This strategic positioning supports import and export operations for our investing companies, offering easy access to major markets. Coupled with our range of distinguished services, state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class logistics services, and facilities, we have grown to become the second-largest petrochemical center in the country,” Al Mazrouei added.

Bayt.com unveils the future of hiring with cutting-edge AI and smart features

Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site, today announced the launch of Bayt AI+, a groundbreaking suite of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart features. Combining cutting-edge technology, the trust of over 40,000 employers, and more than two decades of experience, Bayt AI+ revolutionizes the hiring process by streamlining tasks and enhancing efficiency.

Recruiters and employers often spend a significant portion of their time screening resumes and crafting job descriptions. Bayt AI+ tackles this challenge by applying machine learning algorithms to improve predictions about candidate behavior and recommend more relevant CVs. As a result, recruiters can instantly narrow down their search to the most suitable candidates for their organizations, saving valuable time and resources. Furthermore, Bayt AI+ will automate manual tasks such as writing job descriptions, freeing up valuable time for recruiters to focus on strategic decision-making and building relationships with candidates.

Key Features of Bayt AI+:

1. Intelligent - AI-Powered Job Descriptions: Bayt AI+ features an AI-powered job description generator that creates professional job descriptions in seconds. Employers simply input their criteria, and AI+ crafts customized job descriptions, making job posting 60% easier.

2. Seamless - Advanced CV Search: AI+’s advanced CV Search employs smart

algorithms to analyze millions of CVs, providing employers with a curated list of the most qualified candidates for their positions. With a seamless interface, finding the ideal candidate is now twice as fast.

3. Connected - Live Chat: Bayt AI+ introduces a live chat feature, enabling instant and real-time communication with job seekers. Employers can set up interviews, follow up on offers, and connect with candidates anytime, anywhere. This first-of-its-kind feature in the Middle East expedites the hiring process with faster and more efficient communication.

Akram Assaf, CTO of Bayt.com, shared his thoughts on Bayt AI+: “We are excited to introduce Bayt AI+, our new hiring tool powered by large language models, extending our AI capabilities. Bayt AI+ combines the latest technology and our 20+ years of experience to help users achieve their recruitment goals quickly and effectively. At Bayt. com, we are committed to continuous innovation, and Bayt AI+ is a testament to that commitment. We are confident that the tool will redefine the recruitment landscape and revolutionize the way employers find, evaluate, and connect with top talent in the Middle East and beyond.”

Bayt AI+ is a one-of-a-kind hiring solution that empowers employers to kick-start the hiring process without delays. With Bayt.com’s new AI tools, businesses can eliminate redundant work and focus on attracting the best talent for their organizations.

Employers are invited to sign up for the waitlist today by visiting the Bayt AI+ page. Be among the first to experience the transformative capabilities of AI+ and gain a competitive edge in the talent acquisition arena.

Akram Assaf, CTO of Bayt.com

Al Masaood Automobiles Unveils the AllNew Renault Express Van

Exceptional features of Renault Express Van bring unrivalled efficiency and versatility to the market

Al Masaood Automobiles Renault, a leading business conglomerate in Abu Dhabi, today announced the launch of the all-new Renault Express Van. This innovative commercial vehicle is set to redefine the market with its high quality combination of efficiency, practicality, and safety features.

The Renault Express Van is designed to meet the needs of modern businesses, offering the perfect balance of performance and functionality. Its introduction to the Abu Dhabi market is expected to make a significant impact, providing businesses with a reliable and versatile solution to their transportation needs.

“We are delighted to introduce the Renault Express Van to our esteemed customers,” said Bachir Gemayel, Sales & Marketing Director at Al Masaood Automobiles. “It is

poised to be a game-changer in the commercial vehicle segment, providing a high level of efficiency, practicality, and state-of-the-art safety features that will transform the way businesses manage their transportation needs. We are confident that the Renault Express Van will set a new benchmark for excellence in the industry.”

The Renault Express Van is powered by a fuel-efficient 1.6-litre engine, ensuring smooth and reliable performance on the road. With a generous cargo volume of up to 3.3 cubic meters, 191-meter loading length and a payload capacity of up to 750 kg, this vehicle is built to handle the demands of any business. It boasts easy loading capabilities, thanks to its side sliding door with opening width of 716mm and rear doors that open at 180 degrees to facilitate access to the cargo area. Additionally, the vehicle offers easy driving with cruise control and speed

limiter, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free experience for drivers.

“The Renault Express Van is an ideal solution for businesses in search of a dependable and flexible commercial vehicle,” added Gemayel. “Boasting a cuttingedge design coupled with best-in-class storage volume, this all-new vehicle is set to establish itself as a preferred choice for businesses seeking a dependable and highly efficient transportation solution.”

Safety is paramount in the Renault Express Van, which comes equipped with an emergency calling system that automatically connects the driver to emergency services in case of an accident. This feature, along with other advanced safety systems, ensures that drivers and their cargo are well-protected at all times. With the best storage volume in its class with nine storage compartments, the Renault Express Van sets a new benchmark for commercial vehicles, providing ample space for businesses to transport their goods efficiently.

Al Masaood Automobiles

Al Masaood Automobiles – authorised distributor of Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region for over 38 years - brings to its customers a complete range of the most reliable 4x4,

luxury, passenger, and commercial vehicles, efficiently catering to a large and diverse number of individual, fleet, and government users.

Al Masaood Automobiles’ extensive network coverage includes 10 showrooms for new cars, and 3 showrooms for used cars in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region –including the flagship showroom complex at Musaffah with dedicated new vehicle delivery centre; 5 Service Centres and 6 Spare Parts outlets. In 2019, the company inaugurated its state-of-the-art ‘R-Store’ as an innovative one stop shop for Renault customers.

Falcon 40B Takes Flight Technology Innovation Institute Announces the Open Source Launch of the UAE’s First Language Model Trained on Amazon SageMaker

The #1 model on the Hugging Face Open LLM Leaderboard is now available via Amazon SageMaker Jumpstart, making it easier to build cutting-edge generative AI applications using the top open source model.

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company, today announced that Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, trained its topperforming, open source Falcon 40B model on AWS. Falcon 40B is a 40-billion-parameter large language model (LLM) available under the Apache 2.0 license that ranked #1 in Hugging Face’s Open LLM Leaderboard, which tracks, ranks, and evaluates LLMs across multiple benchmarks to identify top performing models. It was trained on 1 trillion tokens on Amazon SageMaker, a fully managed service for developing, training, tuning, and hosting machine learning models, including LLMs. The launch represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s commitment to fostering AI innovation and scientific contributions in line with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031.

Customers can now deploy Falcon 40B from Amazon SageMaker JumpStart, a machine learning (ML) hub that offers pre-trained models, giving customers access to

Falcon 40B’s state-of-the-art accuracy and industry-leading performance without having to build their own model from scratch. To get started with Amazon SageMaker JumpStart, visit aws.amazon.com/sagemaker/jumpstart.

Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Executive Director – Acting

Chief AI Researcher of AI Cross Center Unit and Project Lead for LLM Projects at TII, highlighted Falcon 40B in a new blogpost, stating: “We proudly announce the official open-source release of Falcon-40B, the world’s top-ranking open-source language model. Falcon 40B is an exceptional open-source model with 40B parameters, specifically designed as a causal decoder-only model. It was trained on a vast dataset of 1,000B tokens, including RefinedWeb enhanced with curated corpora. The model is available under the Apache 2.0 license, ensuring its accessibility and usability. The architecture of Falcon-40B is optimized for inference, incorporating FlashAttention and multiquery techniques. By releasing Falcon-40B as an open-source model, we provide researchers, entrepreneurs, and organizations with the opportunity to harness its exceptional capabilities and drive advancements in AI-driven solutions from healthcare to space, finance, advanced manufacturing to biotech; the possibilities for AIdriven solutions are boundless.

Stability AI, AI 21 Labs, Hugging Face, and LG AI use Amazon SageMaker, AWS’s end-to-end machine ML service, to build, train, and deploy their LLMs to improve performance and cost. “In line with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031, the UAE’s participation in global technological advancements like Falcon LLM is a critical component in our journey towards a knowledge-based economy,” continues Dr. Almazrouei. “The UAE chooses to actively involve itself in the broader conversation by investing in and developing AI solutions that will help create new economic, social, and educational opportunities. As part of this commitment, the open-source release of Falcon LLM, showcasing the UAE’s dedication to fostering collaboration, promoting transparency, and supporting innovation and research in the field of AI. Next steps include contributing to further advancements in the field of AI and advanced technologies, with new models on the horizon, and promoting the utilization of advanced AI tech within organizations and businesses.”

A new generation of LLMs

TII turned to Amazon SageMaker to build its Falcon 40B model, which allowed them to focus on custom training mechanisms and optimisations instead of managing its ML infrastructure because SageMaker is fully managed. TII optimized training speed with deep learning operators to reduce training costs and time to market. AWS collaborated with TII to use SageMaker to improve resiliency and reduce developer interruptions during training.

TII announced its Falcon 40B model in March 2023, and released it as an open source in May 2023 under the Apache 2.0 license. Falcon 40B has outperformed contemporary models in multiple benchmarks without fine-tuning. Amazon SageMaker Jumpstart makes Falcon

40B easier for customers to access. Now customers of any size and industry can quickly and easily deploy their own Falcon 40B model and customise it for translation, question answering, summarising information, or identifying images.

Wojciech Bajda, Managing Director – Public Sector Middle East and Africa at AWS, said: “We are proud to have collaborated with the Technology Innovation Institute on the development of the Falcon LLM 40B model, which leverages Amazon SageMaker to train a model that is state-of the art in multiple dimensions: technological breakthroughs, science quality, training speed and also operational simplicity. The open source release of Falcon40B enables organisations to leverage its exceptional capabilities and advance AI-driven solutions to create new opportunities for progress and advancements.”

With Falcon LLM 40B, organizations worldwide can access its advanced tech capabilities and empower researchers to drive innovation in AI. To learn more about the Falcon LLM 40B model and how it can revolutionize industries, please visit FalconLLM.tii.ae

For more information and deeper insights into the Falcon LLM project, please visit Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei blog: Technology Innovation Institute trains the state-of-the-art Falcon LLM 40B foundation model on Amazon SageMaker

Amazon Web Services

For over 15 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any cloud workload, and it now has more than 200 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 80 Availability Zones within 25 geographic regions, with announced plans for 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Australia, India, Indonesia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com.

Rydezilla Partners with Udrive Bahrain to Redefine Car Rental Experience

Innovative collaboration brings enhanced online car rental services to Bahrain, delivering convenience and choice to customers

Rydezilla, the innovative car rental management system, has joined forces with Udrive Bahrain, a leading car rental agency, to announce a strategic partnership that aims to revolutionize the car rental industry in Bahrain. Customers can now access Udrive’s extensive fleet of vehicles, through the seamless online booking feature on the Rydezilla app. Whether you seek an everyday ride or a luxurious vehicle, this convenient process will allow customers to effortlessly browse, reserve, and select their preferred rental, setting a new standard of convenience and choice.

Building on its success in the UAE, where Rydezilla has been providing cutting-edge car rental solutions for over a year, the company is excited to extend its services to Bahrain. This expansion brings unparalleled online experiences, unmatched convenience, and exceptional deals to customers in Bahrain.

By integrating Udrive Bahrain’s fleet into the Rydezilla app, customers enjoy a user-friendly interface that simplifies the car rental experience. The app’s intuitive design and advanced search features enable customers to find the

Rydezilla Partners with Udrive Bahrain to Redefine Car Rental Experience

perfect vehicle for their specific needs, whether it’s a short business trip or a memorable family vacation.

“We are proud to partner with U Drive Bahrain to revolutionize the car rental landscape in Bahrain,” said Maabad Said, Co-Founder & COO of Rydezilla. “By combining our expertise and resources, we are committed to setting new industry standards and driving positive change. Through digital innovation and a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction, both Rydezilla and Udrive Bahrain are poised to transform the car rental experience.”

This collaboration expands Rydezilla’s market presence in Bahrain and solidifies its position as the leading provider of convenient and dependable automobile rental services. By tapping into Rydezilla’s user base and web presence, Udrive Bahrain can reach new markets and customers, unlocking exciting opportunities.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Rydezilla to enhance the customer experience and extend our reach in the market,” said Eltayeb Omer, General Manager, and Ebrahim Jihad Amin, Business Developer Manager of Udrive Bahrain. “This partnership perfectly aligns with our commitment to offering first-rate services and embracing digital technologies to increase automobile rental accessibility. By leveraging Rydezilla’s robust platform, we are confident that we can provide vehicle rental consumers in Bahrain with an unparalleled degree of ease and choice.”

The partnership between Rydezilla and Udrive Bahrain marks an exciting chapter for both companies and the car rental industry in Bahrain. Together, they will enhance the online car rental experience, provide customers with unmatched convenience and choice, and pave the way for a new era of innovation and customer-centric services, further expanding Rydezilla’s presence across the region. Rydezilla is a cutting-edge online platform that connects

car rental service providers with customers, offering a seamless booking experience and a wide selection of vehicles. By harnessing the power of technology, Rydezilla Portal aims to transform the way people rent cars, making the process more efficient, convenient, and enjoyable. Rydezilla is a registered trademark of Rydezilla Portal, UAE.

About Udrive Bahrain:

Reputed to be the fastest growing rental company in Bahrain, Udrive has positioned itself as a total provider of transportation solutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Udrive is known for its broad fleet of top-quality cars and their customer centricity. With a commitment to convenience and reliability, Udrive Bahrain has established itself as a trusted choice for individuals and businesses seeking flexible transportation solutions.

About Rydezilla

At the dawn of the new decade, a new being came to Life. Something EPIC. After years of cooking in the kitchen, we are proud to give you, Rydezilla, the #1 smartphone app for car rentals.

Imagine unlocking your phone, launching a gorgeously designed app, finding the Ryde that fits you, understands you. And what’s more, with a few elegant touches, you can have it delivered right to your doorstep. Imagine traveling to a new city, and in the midst of all the confusion of new sights and unfamiliar sounds, you know you have a companion right in your pocket. And imagine if that friend has already arrange for your transportation. Awesome, right?

This may seem like something straight out of a movie, but this is a technology of today. Rydezilla’s mobile app makes it easy, safe and secure to rent a car with a flick of your smartphone. Not to mention, we are constantly striving to give you the best deals from our trusted partners.

Thibaut Paillat

Mobilization and Transformation Director

Keolis

Keolis pledges to reduce carbon emissions in support of UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative

Pledge signed at National Climate Ambition Dialogue held as UAE prepares to host UN COP28 summit

Keolis, a global leader in public transportation services, has proudly announced a momentous commitment to supporting the UAE in reducing their carbon emissions and embracing sustainable practices in its operations.

The ground-breaking announcement was made at the prestigious 10th National Climate Ambition Dialogue, which was recently held under the patronage of Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, as efforts to combat climate change intensify ahead of UN Cop28 summit, which will be hosted by the UAE in November.

Keolis signed the “climate-responsible companies’ pledge” in alignment with its ongoing commitment to support the UAE’s aim of achieving climate neutrality.

This pledge underscores Keolis’ dedication to sustainable practices and reflects its role in promoting environmentally responsible initiatives.”

The National Climate Ambition Dialogue offers an unparalleled platform for industryspecific assemblies

aimed at raising ambition in the UAE’s determined goal of becoming net zero by 2050. Keolis demonstrated its commitment to environmental governance by being steadfast and committed to reducing its greenhouse gas footprint and aligning its efforts with the global fight against climate change.

The timing of this commitment holds immense significance as it comes with only 6 months to go before the UAE hosts COP28, the highly anticipated UN climate summit. The pledge signing ceremony took place in the presence of distinguished guests, including Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and also the Minister of State for Food Security. The event was attended by esteemed representatives from various government entities, including the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Space Agency, Fujairah Environment Authority, Dibba Al Fujairah Municipality, Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, and Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. The event was graced by the attendance of esteemed representatives from various French organizations.

Thibaut Paillat, Mobilization and Transformation Director at Keolis, had the honour of signing the pledge on behalf of the organization, emphasizing its support for this remarkable cause. He expressed Keolis’ firm belief that sustainable transportation is pivotal to shaping a greener future for generations to come, stating, “At Keolis, we firmly believe that by adopting ecofriendly practices and reducing carbon emissions, we actively contribute to the UAE’s Mission and the global movement to combat climate change and create a more sustainable world.”

With this momentous pledge, Keolis positions itself at the forefront of sustainable transportation, spearheading efforts to reshape the industry’s environmental impact. The commitment to eco-friendly practices and carbon reduction solidifies Keolis’ position as a catalyst for change and a trusted partner in building a greener and more sustainable future.

JAGGAER announces new Chief Executive Officer, Andy Hovancik

Proven software industry veteran to drive continued growth and customer success for Autonomous Commerce leader

JAGGAER, a world leader in Autonomous Commerce, today announces the appointment of Andy Hovancik as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Hovancik is a seasoned executive with proven success leading international, rapid-growth SaaS solutions providers across the financial, manufacturing and services sectors. Hovancik will lead JAGGAER into its next phase of growth, advance its vision and leadership position, and equip the company to continue to deliver exceptional customer success.

Hovancik joins JAGGAER after more than ten years as CEO of Sovos Compliance, a global leader in international tax compliance and business-to-government reporting software that serves thousands of organisations worldwide. During this time, through a comprehensive organic expansion strategy, augmented by the organisational integration of 30 acquisitions, Sovos grew to become a category leader. The company experienced compounded revenue growth of over 25%, over 30% EBITDA year-over-year and a 9x increase in staffing to 2,700 worldwide employees.

“JAGGAER’s Autonomous Commerce revolution is occurring at precisely the right time. Today’s well-known global supply chain and talent challenges, economic uncertainty and companies’ needs for ESG-guided efficiencies make enterprise commerce ripe for transformation,” said Andy Hovancik.

“JAGGAER is well-positioned to deliver on its vision to help procurement teams do things they never could before across the end-to-end source-to-pay process. I’m thrilled to join the team and help lead this industry transformation for JAGGAER’s thousands of global customers and partners,” he added.

“We see limitless potential for JAGGAER’s future. JAGGAER is already a global leader in solving complex supply chain and source-to-pay issues with over 1,750 customers worldwide, including some of the largest global firms,” commented John Burton, Chairman of the Board.

“We firmly believe it’s the right time to assert our vision and further deliver our transformative capabilities to our market. We’re confident that Andy will help us bring our Autonomous Commerce vision to life, further enhance our best-in-class offering for our customers and provide a fulfilling environment for our team,” added Burton.

“This is further compounded by our strategic partnership with JAGGAER. Our deep insights into the business environment, combined with JAGGAER’s market-leading procurement systems, which are simplifying and improving processes, are perfectly aligned to drive business growth and help Saudi Arabia achieve Vision 2030.”

Andy Hovancik, CEO, Jaggaer