Category Archives: Business & Investments

Business & Investments

Middle East workforce embrace upskilling to thrive in the age of GenAI and climate change, says new PwC report

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  • 63% foresee tech disruption and 54% anticipate climate change impact on jobs.
  • Nearly half of the employees in the region are considering changing employers within the next 12 months.
  • Employees prioritise skills-growth: Nearly two-thirds (61%) of employees say they need to learn new tools and technologies to perform their jobs.
  • More than 25% of regional workers use GenAI regularly at work while demonstrating recognition of its risks, such as bias (64%) and misleading information (56%).
  • More regional (81%) than global (65%) employees value flexibility at work, while 81% of regional workers say they work remotely with their employers’ approval.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 15 July 2024 – Employees in the Middle East are actively embracing transformation and showing greater alignment with their organisations’ long-term goals than their global counterparts. According to the latest PwC Middle East Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey 2024, a remarkable 85% of more than 1,500 regional employees clearly understand their organisations’ goals, surpassing the global average of 77%. Additionally, there is a high level of trust in leadership, with 80% of employees expressing confidence in their leaders’ ability to fulfil commitments and promises, higher than the global average of 68%.

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Business & Investments, Technologies

Emerging trends revolutionizing construction technology in the Middle East

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:  July 15, 2024: The construction industry in the Middle East is witnessing a transformation, thanks to technological advancements. WakeCap, a leader in smart solutions for construction site management, shares key trends shaping the future of construction technology in the region. These innovations enhance safety and efficiency on sites and pave the way for cost savings and improved project execution. 

  1. Enhanced collaboration through IoT: The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is fostering increased collaboration within construction sites. Real-time insights into worker activity and equipment usage are now possible, enabling project managers to make data-driven decisions that enhance site safety, streamline workflows, and optimize project execution. Strategic partnerships are expanding the suite of IoT solutions available, making cutting-edge tools globally accessible. WakeCap is at the forefront of forging these kinds of strategic partnerships to harness the potential of the latest technologies, including collaborations with EarthCam, the leading provider of construction camera solutions based in the US; Novade, a global leader in cloud-based field management software based in Singapore; and OpenSpace, a US-based leader in reality capture and AI-powered analytics;  amongst many others. Most recently, WakeCap has acquired Crews by Core, marking one of the first acquisitions of a Silicon Valley tech startup by a Saudi company. Crews by Core is an AI-powered field scheduling platform for the construction industry, and this strategic move allows WakeCap to create the most comprehensive suite of hardware and software tools to increase job site safety, productivity, and profitability. In Saudi Arabia, where the company has its headquarters, WakeCap is contributing its industry expertise to drive opportunities across construction technology.
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Business & Investments

Arthur D. Little Inaugurates New Regional Hub in Riyadh’s Iconic King Abdullah Financial District

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 15 July 15, 2024, Arthur D. Little (ADL) is pleased to announce the inauguration of its new regional headquarters office at the prestigious King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia, and Gautam Krishna Sashittal, CEO of KAFD.

Welcoming the distinguished guests were Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner for the Middle East and India region; Ryan Alnesayan, the first ADL Saudi Partner leading the firm’s Saudi operations; and Dr. Raymond Khoury, Partner heading the Public Sector practice in the region.

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Business & Investments

Alstom opensits regional headquarters in Saudi capital Riyadh

  • The new Alstom headquarters in Riyadh builds on a 70-year legacy, furthering railway innovation and development in Saudi Arabia.
  • The Riyadh office will also hostthe ServicesDigital Centre, aimed at advancing Alstom’s capabilities in condition-based and predictive maintenance.

15 July 2024– Alstom, theglobal leader in green and smart mobility solutions, today proudly inaugurates its opening of their regional headquartersin Riyadh. This significant step underscores Alstom’s commitment to advancing sustainable mobility and its long-standing role in shaping the region’s railway development.

Strategically located in the capital of Saudi Arabia, the new headquarters is designed to enhance Alstom’s operations throughout the Gulf and beyond. This includes fostering growth and development,improving the oversight of key projects andoptimizing railway maintenance.

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Business & Investments

Beyond coverage, crafting a unique grocery experience is a survival imperative, according to new report from Oliver Wyman

Key takeaways: 

  • Almost 70% of KSA consumers would be interested in shopping at a discount grocery retailer, or already shop there
  • Personalization is a differentiation opportunity in KSA, with more than 60% of survey respondents saying they would be interested in personalized offers
  • 90% of respondents deliberately look for fruit & vegetables produced in KSA when shopping
  • Saudi customers are four times more excited about AI services than their US counterparts
  • Retailers need to revisit their relationship with suppliers and put the customer at the center of assortment, space, price and promotion decisions to win in the market
Alexander Poehl

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2024 – A major new report from Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm and a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), has identified key trends, opportunities and potential challenges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s grocery retail sector. 

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