barq signs three strategic agreements on Day 1 of Money 20/20 Middle East

Updated 11 sec ago

September 17, 2025 12:47

On the first day of Money 20/20 Middle East, hosted in Riyadh, barq, a digital payments application, signed three strategic agreements aimed at developing digital payments in the Kingdom and the region.

barq signed a strategic partnership with Thunes, where it was represented by Thamer Alharbi, director of international partnerships, while Thunes was represented by Ahmed Yaqoub, vice president of business development.

barq also signed an MoU with Moysar, with Muath Alsadhan, general manager of partnerships, representing barq, and Mishari Al-Faryan, chief operating officer, representing Moysar.

On the sidelines of the conference, barq signed a strategic partnership with OneCard, represented by Basel Alhussan, director of product factory, while OneCard was represented by Omar Al-Refaie, senior sales director.

These agreements reflect barq’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnerships and enhancing its position as a leading digital wallet, in line with supporting the digital transformation in the financial sector in harmony with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Abdulaziz Al-Rudaini, general manager of marketing, communications and engagement at barq, said: “The Money 20/20 Middle East conference proves that �� is the leader in the fintech sector in the region.” He added: “barq’s participation aims to showcase the development and support received by the fintech sector from the leadership and the Saudi Central Bank. barq seeks to provide exceptional products and innovative solutions, enabling it to reach a strong position in the Saudi market, while continuing to empower individuals and offer services that meet their aspirations, always staying a step ahead.”

This success comes at a time when barq is celebrating its milestone first year, where it reached more than 8 million users, processed over 150 million transactions, issued more than 6.5 million digital cards, and recorded over 500 million payment transactions. These achievements confirm the rapid transformation of the Saudi financial sector toward a cashless digital economy and reinforce barq’s position as a leading provider of innovative digital payment solutions.

Lulu festival celebrates South African flavors and culture

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 19:16

Lulu festival celebrates South African flavors and culture

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 19:16

LuLu Hypermarkets’ “Proudly South African” festival was officially inaugurated on Sept. 10 at its Atyaf Mall branch in Riyadh, showcasing a vibrant blend of flavors, culture, and commerce. The event was attended by South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mpho Parks Tau, along with government officials and LuLu management.

The festival highlights the strong bonds of friendship and trade between �� and South Africa. This year’s celebration presents an impressive lineup of 328 varieties of products from 40 renowned South African brands, offering Saudi shoppers access to premium items ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to essential groceries and specialty products. Customers will also discover popular South African brands such as Lancewood, Willow Creek, Westfalia, Robertsons, Nando’s, Cape Herb and Spice, and many more.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamed Haris Puthiyaveettil, director of LuLu Hypermarkets ��, expressed his delight at hosting the festival: “This event is not just a celebration of flavors and products; it is a celebration of friendship, trade, and cultural connection between two strong nations — the Kingdom of �� and the Republic of South Africa.”

Reflecting on LuLu’s history of hosting South African events, Haris recalled the “Proudly South African” food festival held in Jeddah in 2022, which was inaugurated by President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and attended by ��’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, among other dignitaries. “That remarkable day was a recognition of LuLu’s role in promoting South African goods globally and strengthening commercial ties between our nations,” he said.

Since then, LuLu has worked consistently to expand the presence of South African products across its stores. Notably, South African meat, which was introduced after the president’s visit, has now become one of the most trusted and sought-after items among LuLu shoppers.

The South African festival is a continuation of this commitment, showcasing not only a greater variety of products but also the quality, authenticity, and excellence that South African brands represent.

The festival offers shoppers a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the richness of South African offerings, showcasing authentic products and cultural experiences in a vibrant setting.

Tasama to empower Badael achieve its public health goals

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 16:02

Tasama to empower Badael achieve its public health goals

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 16:02

Tasama, a Public Investment Fund company specializing in integrated business services, and Badael, a PIF company dedicated to reducing smoking rates in the Kingdom, have signed an MoU to foster a robust strategic partnership. The signing ceremony at Badael’s headquarters marks a significant milestone in leveraging the PIF ecosystem to drive innovation and operational excellence in line with Vision 2030.

The MoU establishes a framework for Tasama to provide Badael with its end-to-end integrated services, designed to elevate Badael’s growth through innovation, operational efficiency, and local market expertise.

This collaboration exemplifies PIF’s integrated strategy to empower its portfolio companies by fostering partnerships that enhance capabilities and contribute to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Mohammed Aljasser, CEO of Tasama, said: “Our mission at Tasama is to empower businesses and government institutions by delivering reliable, agile, and digitally native business services, enabling them to focus on their core and remain future-ready. We are proud to partner with Badael, a company whose purpose is deeply aligned with the Kingdom’s vision for a healthier society. By providing Badael with our operational expertise, we are not just improving efficiency, we are helping to build a national champion that can achieve a vital mission for the country. This is the PIF ecosystem in action, creating integrated value and contributing to a thriving economy.”

Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, added: “At Badael, our mission to help 1 million people switch from smoking requires rapid growth and flawless execution. This partnership with Tasama is a strategic accelerator for us. By integrating their best-in-class business services, we can focus our resources on our core competencies — innovation, research, and connecting with our consumers — confident that our operational foundation is not only stable but also a competitive advantage. This will be critical in achieving our public health goals.”

The collaboration between Tasama and Badael is a powerful example of two PIF companies working in concert to achieve distinct yet complementary national objectives. Tasama aims to redefine industry standards as the national champion in business services and the preferred partner for organizations contributing to the Kingdom’s growth. Badael is a national leader in health and well-being, enhancing lives by providing innovative solutions that help smokers switch to a better, smoke-free life.

Saudi runner reports over 3% efficiency gain with Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 08:58

Saudi runner reports over 3% efficiency gain with Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

Updated 15 September 2025

September 15, 2025 08:58

Puma brought its world-leading running innovation to the Middle East for the first time with the Nitro Lab Testing experience in Dubai, hosted at the SIRO One Za’abeel hotel. The exclusive activation allowed select athletes, both global and regional, to put the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, Puma’s fastest race-day shoe yet, through a live, data-driven trial.

The three-day experience transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art biomechanics lab, complete with 3D motion capture, force-instrumented treadmills, metabolic testing, and pressure-sensing insoles. Each athlete arrived fasted, warmed up, and then completed repeated five-minute running intervals in the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 and a competitor race shoe of their choice, with equal rest periods in between. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output were tracked to calculate running economy — essentially how efficiently the body used energy at a fixed pace. Within 15 minutes of finishing, participants were shown real-time data comparing both shoes, offering measurable proof of efficiency gains.

led by biomechanics expert Wouter Hoogkamer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has demonstrated that the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 improves running economy by 3.15 percent. For a three-hour marathon runner, this translates to a time saving of more than four and a half minutes — a game-changing edge on race day.

The shoe achieves these results through deliberate engineering: it is 95 grams lighter than its predecessor, built with Puma’s NitroFoam Elite midsole for enhanced cushioning and responsiveness, a PWRPlate carbon plate for propulsion, and an Ultraweave upper with Pumagrip outsole for lightweight comfort and multi-surface traction.

Maximilian Grüttner, team head of performance concepts — innovation for footwear and apparel at Puma headquarters in Herzo, described running economy as the foundation of performance testing. He said: “Just as a car becomes more efficient when it consumes less fuel, runners benefit when they require less oxygen to maintain speed.” That, he said, is what makes the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 stand out — “its ability to help athletes run the same pace with less effort, ultimately translating into faster times.”

Laura Healey, senior manager of research and insights at Puma Running in Boston, said the development process was guided by both science and athlete data. “We combined computer simulations with feedback from over 75 runners to refine every detail of the shoe.” The result, she added, is a foam midsole that “stays responsive from the first stride to the last, maintaining energy return across the full marathon distance.”

“Creating a good shoe is straightforward, but crafting a truly great one meant balancing weight, propulsion, and durability — and the testing proves we achieved that,” Healey said.

Among the regional athletes who tested the shoe was the Saudi athlete Aziz Ibrahim. Reflecting on his results, he said: “At first, I was unsure how stable the shoe would feel, but once I started running it felt incredibly light and fast. Each stride gave me an extra push forward, and I finished the session feeling fresher and stronger. The data showed that the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 improved my running economy by 3.08 percent — which could mean cutting nearly six minutes from a marathon, two minutes from a half marathon, or close to a minute from a 10K. With its cushioning, carbon plate, and proven efficiency gains, this is a race shoe I can rely on.”

Johan Kuhlo, managing director Puma Middle East, said: “The Nitro Lab’s debut in the Middle East was a key moment to bring our innovation closer to athletes in the region. Runners here are part of one of the world’s most exciting and fastest-growing communities, and it was important for us to showcase the science behind the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. The experience allowed them not just to try the shoe but to understand the performance data driving it. Unveiling the new colorway here first reflects both our focus on innovation and our long-term investment in the region.”

The Dubai Nitro Lab marked the platform’s first appearance in the Middle East after activations in four other global locations. Its arrival highlights the region’s growing appetite for performance sport and marathon running. “Dubai is a hub for running communities from around the world,” added Grüttner. “It’s the perfect place to prove, with hard data, that our innovation performs better than competitors.”

The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 are available now at Puma UAE retail stores, online in �� and the UAE, and selected GO Sport retail stores.

Al-Futtaim BYD KSA hosts first Super Hybrid Tech Day in ��

Updated 11 September 2025

September 11, 2025 18:59

Al-Futtaim BYD KSA hosts first Super Hybrid Tech Day in ��

Updated 11 September 2025

September 11, 2025 18:59

Al-Futtaim BYD KSA hosted its inaugural Super Hybrid Tech Day at BYD Showroom and Discovery Centre in ��.

The event offered media, influencers, customers, and sub-dealers an exclusive opportunity to explore BYD’s cutting-edge hybrid innovations for the first time in the Kingdom.

The Super Hybrid Tech Day highlighted BYD’s pioneering Dual Mode technology. This in-house developed plug-in hybrid system combines the convenience of fuel refilling with the efficiency of electric driving.

The event also featured live demonstrations, immersive interactive showcases, and expert presentations.

These sessions showcased how BYD’s innovative Dual Mode technology seamlessly blends efficiency, power, and environmental responsibility.

Attendees experienced firsthand BYD’s commitment to revolutionizing the automotive industry worldwide through advanced hybrid powertrains designed for urban, performance, and off-road capabilities.

Jerome Saigot, managing director of Al-Futtaim BYD in ��, said: “With distinguished pride, we unveil BYD’s revolutionary Plug-in Hybrid Dual technology to the Kingdom.

“The Super Hybrid Tech Day is more than an event; it is a landmark chapter in our journey of innovation, sustainability, and vision.

“This occasion reflects our unwavering dedication to excellence, where world-class technology meets timeless refinement, and where every innovation is crafted to inspire progress and elevate the driving experience for our esteemed customers in the Kingdom.”

BYD continues to redefine the standard for New Energy Vehicles, driven by an unyielding pursuit of innovation and technological mastery.

At the vanguard of this global movement, BYD embodies the spirit of a true technology company, with over 12 percent of its people devoted to research and development across 11 world-class institutes.

Each day, nearly 45 patent applications are filed and around 20 secured, including the highly coveted Golden Patents, an enduring testament to BYD’s vision, craftsmanship, and relentless commitment to pioneering excellence.

José Miranda, marketing and communications director at BYD Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “At BYD, we share the same vision as ��’s Vision 2030 – building a sustainable future through technology, innovation, and better quality of life. With our expertise in electromobility, energy storage, and solar solutions, we see ourselves as a strong partner in supporting the Kingdom’s transformation journey.”

He added: “�� is ready for this technology. At BYD, innovation is in our DNA, and our mission goes beyond selling cars; we aim to showcase our super hybrid solutions, making advanced technologies accessible.

“Through events like this Technology Day, we engage with customers and partners to demonstrate how our vehicles provide the benefits of electric driving while ensuring long-range capability, offering confidence, convenience, and an exciting driving experience”.

BYD’s technology has evolved over four generations and currently includes three specialized versions: DM-i (intelligent, energy-efficient urban use), DM-p (powerful, performance-focused), and DMO (off-road optimized).

The DMO platform combines a high-performance longitudinal engine, dual-motor four-wheel drive, advanced suspension, and BYD’s cutting-edge Blade Battery technology.

It redefines NEV safety standards with top-tier nail penetration resistance and has been granted over 1,100 patents related to its design and manufacturing.

This industry-leading battery innovation delivers unparalleled power, efficiency, and safety across all vehicle categories.

The DMO Super Hybrid Off-road Platform represents a breakthrough in automotive engineering.

It combines BYD’s non-load-bearing frame, high-performance longitudinal engine, Cell-to-Chassis technology, dual-motor electric four-wheel drive, and independent suspension.

This platform delivers nearly 480 horsepower—comparable to a 4.0L V8—an extended range of over 800 km, and a remarkably smooth, quiet, and comfortable driving experience, all while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency and robust off-road performance.

Looking ahead, BYD KSA is preparing to unveil more models, expanding its portfolio of innovative electric vehicles tailored to meet the evolving needs of the Kingdom’s market.

This commitment to innovation is part of BYD’s larger vision to revolutionize the automotive industry worldwide through advanced new energy solutions.

Beyond its global leadership in electric mobility, BYD stands as a pioneer in battery technology and energy storage solutions.

Today, its vision extends into ��, where strategic partnerships and landmark battery storage projects are shaping the foundation of a cleaner, more sustainable future.

In harmony with the Kingdom’s energy ambitions, BYD’s presence is not merely an expansion—it is a commitment to empowering progress and illuminating the path toward tomorrow’s infrastructure.

Future Projects Forum showcases 21,000 projects worth $800bn

Updated 10 September 2025

September 10, 2025 14:56

Future Projects Forum showcases 21,000 projects worth $800bn

Updated 10 September 2025

September 10, 2025 14:56

The seventh edition of the Future Projects Forum 2025, organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority under the theme “Future of the Future,” concluded in Riyadh after three days of activities, workshops, and on-ground events. The forum showcased more than 21,000 projects with an estimated total value exceeding SR3 trillion ($800 billion), covering housing, energy, water, industry, and infrastructure.

The forum was inaugurated In the presence of Deputy Minister of Municipalities and Housing Ihab Al-Hashani, along with senior officials and representatives from government entities and the private sector.

In his opening remarks, Mohammed Al-Ajlan, chairman of the Saudi Contractors Authority, said: “In this tunnel, there is a bright light for Saudi youth in this sector.”

The opening also featured the launch of two new digital platforms:

Ertiqa, an integrated system to assess contractors’ readiness, improve project quality, and enhance compliance across five major sectors through more than 20 readiness certificates.
Memar, a unified platform enabling homeowners to digitally manage their housing projects with clear steps covering contractor selection, electronic contracting, financing, insurance, and project monitoring until delivery.

Key activities

The forum hosted over 60 workshops and panel sessions spotlighting digital transformation, sustainability, modern construction technologies, and project management.

It also featured the Contractors Financing Conference, bringing together banks and financial institutions to explore financing solutions that support SMEs’ participation in major projects.

A highlight was the National Construction Festival, where Saudi students competed live in plumbing, welding, and reinforced concrete works, under the supervision of local and international judges. The event showcased the capabilities of the new generation of Saudi talent.

The forum recognized Saudi Aramco as the official partner, and the Saudi Electricity Company and Fal Arabia as strategic partners, alongside other sponsors who contributed to the success of the event.

Participants said that the forum has become a national platform that enhances transparency and connects project owners with contractors and investors, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

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