TASARU and Blacklane drive ��ֱ��’s future of mobility

Updated 15 min 53 sec ago

Arab News

August 11, 2025 12:04

��ֱ�� is undergoing a mobility transformation, one that mirrors the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the expectations of a digitally native, innovative-driven population. As cities expand and lifestyles evolve, the Kingdom is investing heavily in sustainable, tech-forward transportation solutions that match its bold economic and environmental goals.

TASARU Mobility Investments is enabling the development of a smarter, greener transport ecosystem through strategic investments in partners like Blacklane. As a wholly owned entity of ��ֱ��’s Public Investment Fund, TASARU supports the transformation of the Kingdom’s mobility sector by accelerating electrification, digitalization, and service excellence. Through this enabling role, TASARU is helping shape a new era of transport in ��ֱ�� in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

TASARU’s flagship collaboration is with Blacklane, the global chauffeur service renowned for premium, sustainable rides, which is now operating in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Makkah. Blacklane blends global standards with local expectations in a market actively redefining luxury mobility. “��ֱ�� is setting the pace for how luxury mobility will evolve globally,” said Jens Wohltorf, founder and CEO of Blacklane. “Together with TASARU, we’re delivering seamless, high-quality experiences that blend luxury with sustainability values that resonate deeply with our guests and Vision 2030.”

Blacklane’s expansion is underpinned by a growing fleet of electric vehicles and a commitment to local innovation. The company is working closely with Lucid Motors, whose Lucid Air and upcoming Gravity SUV will soon be integrated into Blacklane towards the end of 2025, bringing cutting-edge EV performance to the streets of ��ֱ��.

Meanwhile, EVIQ, the Kingdom’s EV infrastructure leader, is providing the charging backbone for this EV expansion. In addition to building out charging networks, EVIQ is co-developing training programs through Blacklane’s Chauffeur Training Academy, ensuring drivers are equipped with the latest in EV safety, charging, and service excellence.

Blacklane’s vision for premium mobility is expanding beyond the road, with new initiatives seamlessly connecting air and ground travel. A key example is the partnership with Riyadh Air, ��ֱ��’s national airline, which offers complimentary chauffeur services within a 50 km radius of King Khalid International Airport. The service is available to Business Elite, Business Class, and eligible loyalty members, delivering a world-class hospitality experience from touchdown to final destination.

The company’s services are already seeing strong traction. Airport transfers and city-to-city travel is performing exceptionally well, with intercity bookings showing sustained growth. Blacklane is also piloting a new “faster-pickups” service in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, designed to reduce wait times and enhance convenience for business travelers.

“This is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to sustainable innovation in the Kingdom,” said Adib Samara, general manager for ��ֱ�� at Blacklane. “We’re listening closely to the market and evolving with it.”

The evolution is being enabled by TASARU, whose strategic backing has supported Blacklane’s expansion across the Kingdom. The partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to a smarter, greener future aligned with Vision 2030.

“TASARU’s investment in Blacklane reflects our mission to power a new era of mobility in ��ֱ��. By enabling sustainable transport solutions and nurturing local capabilities, we are building a future-ready ecosystem fully aligned with Vision 2030,” said Michael Müller, CEO of TASARU Mobility Investments.

NSH achieves historic mass concrete pour at Amiral site

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 21:57

NSH achieves historic mass concrete pour at Amiral site

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 21:57

In a landmark display of engineering expertise, operational precision, and safety excellence, Nasser S. Al-Hajri Corporation successfully executed the single largest continuous mass concrete pour in the history of the Amiral Project Complex. This has resulted in placing an extraordinary 5,010 cubic meters of concrete, with six pump trucks delivering 835 cubic meters each, and two pump trucks on standby over a 24-hour period for the Clean Water Lifting Basin under the HDPE and Logistics Package 2 and 3.

This record-breaking pour not only reinforces NSH’s reputation as a regional leader in industrial construction but also marks a pivotal structural milestone for the Amiral Derivatives and Logistics Megaproject, a flagship initiative led by SATORP, Maire Tecnimont, and strategic partners.

The massive operation was the result of weeks of meticulous planning, culminating in joint concrete design and logistics meetings held on July 27 and 28. The pour began precisely at 4:30 p.m. and was completed the next day at the same hour — executed with zero major incidents and full compliance with project safety and quality standards.

Throughout the 24-hour operation, strict safety protocols and engineering oversight were enforced. No first aid cases were reported — a testament to NSH’s unwavering commitment to workplace safety and planning excellence.

“This was a truly challenging job — handling over 1,215 tons of steel, intensive formwork, and non-stop concrete placement — and yet we executed it without a single incident. That speaks volumes of the team’s discipline and dedication,” said site leadership in a statement.

Site-wide coordination involved real-time QC inspections, flagman-led traffic management, 24/7 lighting, and specialized crews assigned to each pump station. Toolbox talks and safety briefings ensured all personnel remained aligned with the project’s expectations.

The milestone event was formally flagged off in the presence of key executives and stakeholders, including Ganesh Ravi Pillai, executive director; Suresh, senior vice president; Augustin, regional operations director of NSH; Sherin, regional manager of NSH; Guna, senior project manager; senior personnel from Maire Tecnimont and SATORP, Amiral site leadership from SATORP and project EPC partners.

“We’re proud of our Amiral team. This is a recordable achievement for the NSH family — the result of seamless coordination, disciplined execution, and total team effort. Congratulations to all involved,” said Pillai, addressing the site team after completion.

Also in attendance were representatives from Qanbar Readymix, who played a crucial role in maintaining supply flow, supported by their operational and quality teams.

This pour forms the structural foundation for the Clean Water Lifting Basin — a core component of the Amiral project’s logistics infrastructure.

Its successful completion ensures readiness for downstream units critical to the facility’s operation and is a vital step in ��ֱ��’s push toward becoming a global petrochemical hub.

“NSH has once again demonstrated the capability to lead complex, high-stakes executions with precision,” said senior representatives from Maire Tecnimont and SATORP.

NSH continues to set benchmarks in industrial construction, engineering excellence, and safety-first executions. This historic pour at the Amiral site reaffirms NSH’s role as a trusted partner in advancing the Kingdom’s most ambitious industrial programs.

Millennium Hotels, Taiba relaunch two properties in Madinah

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 21:55

Millennium Hotels, Taiba relaunch two properties in Madinah

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 21:55

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, in partnership with Taiba, a Saudi hospitality company, has announced the relaunch of two iconic properties in the heart of Madinah: Millennium Al-Aqeeq and Millennium Taiba.

Strategically located close to the Prophet’s Mosque, both properties offer a spiritually enriching stay experience for Umrah pilgrims, families, and travelers seeking premium comfort rooted in Islamic hospitality.

“These properties are more than key assets in our portfolio — they are landmarks of faith, connection, and culture,” said Ali Hamad Lakhraim Al-Zaabi, president of Millennium Hotels MEA. “Our partnership with Taiba ensures that every guest, whether a pilgrim, traveler, or visitor, is welcomed with a seamless, enriching experience rooted in the values of Islamic hospitality and cultural reverence.”

Following an extensive enhancement of service and guest touchpoints, the hotels will offer upgraded digital booking services, enhanced dining concepts, and customized hospitality for religious travelers.

Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, CEO of Taiba, said: “This strategic relaunch embodies our shared vision with Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, to deliver world-class hospitality experiences that honor the spiritual significance of Madinah. At Taiba, we recognize the profound responsibility that comes with serving pilgrims and visitors to one of Islam’s holiest sites.

“Through this partnership, we are raising the standard of religious hospitality, seamlessly blending comfort, reverence, and service excellence. This initiative is a key milestone in our broader commitment to supporting the goals of ��ֱ��’s Vision 2030, particularly in positioning the Kingdom as a leading global destination for religious tourism.”

Nestlé Academy concludes 7th training program in partnership with BinDawood

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 16:04

Nestlé Academy concludes 7th training program in partnership with BinDawood

Updated 10 August 2025

Arab News

August 10, 2025 16:04

Nestlé ��ֱ�� and BinDawood Holding concluded the 7th edition of the Nestlé Academy Specialized Training Program with the graduation of 38 trainees after four weeks of intensive training, The graduation ceremony was held in Jeddah in the presence of Waleed bin Dawood, chief commercial officer of BinDawood Holding, and Bassel Moghrabi, Nestlé’s director of sales for ��ֱ��, Bahrain and Oman.

The training program witnessed a field visit by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. Representatives of the two ministries observed the trainees’ hands-on experience, as well as provided training sessions that enriched the knowledge content of the participants and expanded their awareness of the role of these entities in supporting the food sector.

This edition stood out through a strategic partnership with one of Nestlé’s key clients, BinDawood Holding, a leading retail company with over 100 branches across the Kingdom.

The program lasted four weeks, three of them were dedicated to training at Nestlé’s headquarters in Jeddah, and included workshops and educational classes on the basics of sales in the labor market, workshops on developing communication and sales skills as a key pillar of the success of any business, in addition to field visits to Nestlé warehouses and supermarkets, and practical applications, which contributed to enhancing practical as well as theoretical knowledge.

One week of training was conducted with BinDawood Holding, where an integrated field schedule was prepared that included visits to the company’s commercial branches. Students learned about the way products are displayed and sold, the mechanism of cooperation between the two companies, the nature of selling Nestlé products within the branches of BinDawood Holding, methods of targeting consumers, distribution departments, and preparing advertisements for products, all of which helped them to enhance their understanding of the work environment in a realistic way.

The Nestlé Academy has contributed to developing national competencies through six previous editions of innovative training programs, qualifying more than 250 individuals who graduated from the academy’s programs, which covered sales, supply chain, nutrition, and cooking. This edition comes as an extension of Nestlé’s commitment to youth empowerment in the labor market.

The academy’s programs provide integrated training curricula and field experiences that contribute to raising the efficiency of youth and empowering them with the skills required in the Saudi labor market, in alignment with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

MBSC students hone entrepreneurial skills in US

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:42

MBSC students hone entrepreneurial skills in US

Summer@Babson is a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between MBSC and Babson Global, which is a founding partner of MBSC

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:42

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College concluded the seventh edition of its acclaimed Summer@Babson program, bringing together 162 master-level students from its Executive MBA, Master in Finance, and Master in Management programs for an intensive academic and entrepreneurial experience at Babson College in Massachusetts. The program is sponsored by the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
The students arrived on Babson’s campus on July 20, and were warmly welcomed by Babson College President Dr. Stephen Spinelli Jr., Babson Global President and CEO David Abdow, and a team of faculty and staff led by Kim Stanhouse, director of the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The program is hosted on Babson’s campus, with MBSC students residing in Babson’s dormitories, fostering a dynamic and immersive learning environment.

HIGHLIGHT

The program emphasizes action planning and real-world application, guided by a diverse group of Babson faculty renowned for their expertise in entrepreneurial education.

Classes commenced on July 21 and run until July 25. During this week, students engaged in a rigorous curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation. Topics included leadership, marketing in the age of artificial intelligence, strategic branding, personal branding, and the art of pitching, including Babson’s signature Rocket Pitch methodology. The program also emphasizes action planning and real-world application, guided by a diverse group of Babson faculty renowned for their expertise in entrepreneurial education.
Summer@Babson is a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between MBSC and Babson Global, which is a founding partner of MBSC. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial leadership and advancing global business education.
Located in King Abdullah Economic City — a contemporary urban center on the Red Sea coast — MBSC offers an unparalleled modern educational environment for students and faculty alike. With campuses in KAEC and Riyadh, the college delivers world-class education “from ��ֱ�� for ��ֱ��.” Through practical, hands-on experiential learning, MBSC is shaping a new generation of transformative leaders prepared to navigate complexity and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s progress.
As a Saudi institution aligned with Vision 2030, MBSC continues to cultivate change-makers who are not only job seekers, but job creators — equipped with the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership capacity to drive economic diversification and national advancement.

Topics: MBSC

LuLu ‘School Savers’ campaign unveils big deals

LuLu’s back-to-school campaign is being held across all its KSA stores.

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:40

LuLu ‘School Savers’ campaign unveils big deals

The campaign also features an extensive collection of school uniforms in all sizes, maintaining quality and comfort at very affordable price points

Updated 09 August 2025

Arab News

August 09, 2025 23:40

LuLu Hypermarket’s annual back-to-school campaign is back across all its stores in the Kingdom. “School Savers” comes as a timely initiative designed to support families preparing for the new academic year, with a wide range of essential school items now available at exceptional value. These offers will be available throughout the month of August.
The “School Savers” campaign brings together everything a student needs under one roof — from colorful and durable school bags to lunch boxes, water bottles, and a complete range of stationery. Adding to the excitement, smart gadgets such as tablets and smartwatches are available at highly competitive prices, making it easier for families to invest in the tools required for modern learning.
The campaign also features an extensive collection of school uniforms in all sizes, maintaining quality and comfort at very affordable price points. Branded products are offered at special promotional rates, ensuring that parents can choose from trusted names without compromising on value.
To make shopping even more enjoyable, special kids’ activities are being hosted in all LuLu stores across ��ֱ�� during the campaign period — creating a vibrant and fun-filled experience for children while parents shop. In addition, customers can now take advantage of convenient financing options such as Tabby and Tamara, making it easier to manage back-to-school expenses with flexible payment plans.
“This nationwide initiative of LuLu is not only about savings, but also about making back-to-school preparations exciting, easy, and accessible to all,” a statement said.

Topics: LuLu

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