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RIYADH: As �������� accelerates its transformation under Vision 2030, the beauty industry is not only keeping pace — it is helping to lead the charge. 

At the forefront of this dynamic is ��’O���𲹱�, whose latest socio-economic impact study, conducted by Asteres, reveals a commitment to shaping the future of beauty.

Speaking on the sidelines of the report’s release, Vismay Sharma, President of ��’O���𲹱�’s South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa division, shared how �������� is fast becoming a global epicenter for beauty innovation, digital transformation, and youth empowerment.

“�������� is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic beauty markets worldwide. ��’O���𲹱� views the Kingdom as a cornerstone of our future, a $2 billion market with immense growth potential,” said Vismay.

With 99 percent internet penetration and 134 percent mobile connectivity, �������� stands among the most digitally connected societies in the world. This connectivity is revolutionizing the consumer landscape, making multichannel retail and beauty tech standard practice rather than futuristic fantasy.

“A typical Saudi woman uses nine makeup products every day — more than the average of seven in Europe,” Vismay noted. “Saudi consumers are digitally-savvy and highly connected, and this is driving growth in social commerce and interest in beauty tech.”

From artificial intelligence-powered hair diagnostics to augmented reality virtual try-ons, ��’O���𲹱� is embedding cutting-edge tech into everyday routines. The Lancome �������� website already offers such immersive experiences, allowing customers to find their ideal foundation, lipstick or mascara with just a click.

“Three-quarters of Saudi consumers buy beauty products both online and offline, reflecting this ‘omnichannel’ shopping trend,” said Vismay. “We partner with leading e-commerce players to create outstanding experiences.”

With nearly 50 percent of the population under the age of 30, ��������’s youth are not only the largest consumer segment but also the future workforce of the beauty industry.

“Gen Z consumers are redefining cultural shifts and consumption trends, demanding personalized, digital-first experiences,” said Vismay.

Campaigns like Garnier’s “Ramadaniyat,” a culturally relevant talk show that engaged young Saudis during Ramadan, exemplify how ��’O���𲹱� is speaking the language of the next generation. On the workforce side, the ��’O���𲹱� Professional Hairdressing Academy has already trained over 100 Saudi women, with an ambitious goal of 1,000 graduates by 2029.

��’O���𲹱�’s influence is not only economic, but social. The group’s initiatives have reached over 35,000 individuals, with programs supporting women’s empowerment, education, upskilling and entrepreneurship.

“We’re incredibly proud that to date, over 100 Saudi women have already graduated from five academies across the Kingdom,” Vismay shared. 

“These programs directly support Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of increasing female workforce participation,” he added.

The Kingdom is not just a market — it is a testing ground for global innovation.
“Driven by Vision 2030 and events like LEAP, �������� is a leading incubator for tech innovation. For ��’O���𲹱�, we see the Kingdom as a gateway to scale beauty innovation,” said Vismay.

��’O���𲹱�’s presence at LEAP 2025, where it was the only beauty company exhibiting over 20 AI-driven innovations, underscored ��������’s role as a launchpad for beauty tech across emerging markets.

“Our journey in the Kingdom is grounded in our belief that business performance and positive impact must go hand-in-hand,” said Laurent Duffier, managing director of ��’O���𲹱� Middle East and ��’O���𲹱� ��������.

As �������� continues to reimagine its future, ��’O���𲹱�’s presence offers a compelling model for how the beauty industry can drive economic inclusion, social progress, and sustainable innovation — from the Kingdom and far beyond.

RIYADH: Kuwait secured $11.25 billion through a three-part sovereign bond as it returned to global debt markets for the first time in eight years. 

The move drew strong demand and was priced at some of the tightest spreads for an emerging-market issuer this year. 

The deal comprised $3.25 billion of three-year notes, $3 billion of five-year bonds, and $5 billion of 10-year debt. The tranches are priced at 40 basis points over Treasuries for the shorter maturities and 50 basis points for the 10-year, tighter than Kuwait’s 2017 debut, according to a press release. 

The transaction was 2.5 times oversubscribed, with the order book peaking at $28 billion. More than 66 percent of the allocations went to investors outside the Middle East and North Africa region, including 26 percent from the US, 30 percent from Europe and the UK, and 10 percent from Asia. 

The broad investor base reflects Kuwait’s increasing integration into global capital markets and the strength of its credit fundamentals. 

Kuwait’s Minister of Finance, Sobeen Al-Mukhaizim, said the issuance underscores investor confidence in “Kuwait’s fiscal strength, prudent policies, and enduring financial buffers.” 

He added: “This transaction reinforces Kuwait’s credibility in global markets and deepens our partnership with international investors as we advance our Vision 2035.” 

A recent report by Fitch Ratings affirmed Kuwait’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at AA- with a stable outlook, underpinned by the country’s large financial buffers and robust external balance sheet. 

However, the agency also highlighted risks stemming from Kuwait’s reliance on hydrocarbons, a large public sector, and comparatively weak governance indicators. 

The latest offering is one of the largest sovereign bond deals of 2025 and includes one of the biggest order books of the year. 

The transaction was led by Citi, Goldman Sachs International, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, and Mizuho as Joint Global Coordinators. Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China acted as Passive Joint Lead Managers. 

The issuance follows the passage of Kuwait’s new public debt law in March, which lifted the borrowing ceiling to 30 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($98.1 billion) and enabled longer-term borrowing, a report by Reuters found.