Author: Business Dunes

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. has awarded a SR4.22 billion ($1.13 billion) construction contract to relocate King Saud University’s utilities and administration offices, advancing infrastructure development in one of the Kingdom’s flagship urban projects. The project was given to a joint venture between China Railway Construction Corp.’s Saudi branch and China Railway Construction Group Central Plain Construction Co., according to a press release. Part of the Public Investment Fund’s giga-project portfolio, the Diriyah development is a 14 sq. km mixed-use district poised to house nearly 100,000 residents and provide office space for tens of thousands of professionals across the technology,…

DHAHRAN: Food manufacturer PepsiCo will offer more leadership roles to Saudis, its regional CEO pledged at the inauguration of the SR300 million ($79.97 million) expansion of its Dammam facility. Speaking to Arab News, Ahmed El-Sheikh explained how the company supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan through three main areas — using local resources, Saudization, and increasing exports. The announcement came during a visit to the site by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, who praised the facility’s contribution to job creation, export growth, and the overall development of the food manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia. The…

RIYADH: Energy giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co. has established a set of standards and measures to reduce the risks of metal corrosion as the company employs cutting-edge technologies to ensure safety protocols, a top official said. Speaking at the 18th edition of the Middle East Metal Corrosion Conference and Exhibition in Bahrain, Saudi Aramco’s Executive Vice President of Technical Services Wail Al-Jaafari said the firm is committed to protecting the environment while ensuring a reliable energy supply globally. He added that the company continues to work to develop in-house solutions for corrosion management as they monitor 6.5 million data points…

The construction and contracting sector in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region is entering a new era of transformation, driven by ambitious national visions, mega projects, foreign investment, and a renewed focus on sustainability, innovation, and local capacity building. From futuristic cities to world-class infrastructure, the region is becoming a global hotspot for large-scale developments that are reshaping economies and skylines alike. Saudi Arabia: Leading the Region’s Construction Boom At the heart of the region’s construction momentum is Saudi Arabia, whose Vision 2030 roadmap has positioned the Kingdom as a magnet for infrastructure and real estate investments. With over…

As Saudi Arabia undergoes rapid industrial transformation under Vision 2030, the demand for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services is accelerating across key sectors such as oil & gas, construction, power generation, aerospace, and manufacturing. With safety, quality assurance, and asset integrity becoming national priorities, NDT is emerging as a critical enabler of operational reliability and risk mitigation in the Kingdom. NDT: A Cornerstone of Industrial Safety Non-Destructive Testing refers to a range of techniques used to evaluate the properties of a material, component, or system without causing damage. Methods such as ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), magnetic particle testing (MT),…

As the Middle East intensifies its push toward sustainability and industrial resilience, the demand for eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors is gaining momentum across oil, gas, water treatment, and infrastructure sectors. Why It Matters Corrosion poses a major challenge in the region’s harsh environments — from salt-laden coastal air to high-temperature desert climates. Traditionally, industries have relied on chemical-heavy inhibitors, many of which pose environmental and safety concerns. Now, with stricter environmental regulations and ESG-driven strategies, companies are transitioning to green corrosion inhibitors that deliver protection without compromising sustainability goals. Key Trends Driving Adoption 🔹 Environmental ComplianceGovernments across the GCC are tightening…

Many business leaders find their business direction over the course of time by maximizing their opportunities. Dr. Blessing Mudavanhu, Chief Executive Officer of CBZ Holdings Limited is one who had always focused on academics, which saw him complete his Mathematics Ph.D. qualification with flying colors. He had not considered getting into the business world. However, while treading the journey, he ended up being in business, and ever since that, he has never looked back. He shares, “I have come to appreciate that the best learning experiences are when change takes place unexpectedly or unplanned. These times have taught me to be clear…

Following the release of the first-ever Fortune 500 Europe, Business Chief celebrates the minority of women leading some of the region’s biggest companies. If ever you needed a demonstration of the existence of corporate gender disparity, look no further than the newly-released Fortune 500 Europe. The first-ever European instalment of the iconic list shows women lead 35 of the region’s 500 biggest companies – which translates as just 7%. For context, that figure stands at 10.4% in the US and 5.8% globally. Clearly, there is still plenty of work to be done when it comes to achieving gender equality in…

A new bank arrived in the Philippines this year. But don’t expect to see brick-and-mortar branches appear on the streets of Manila, because the new brand, GoTyme Bank, has a unique approach for a new kind of consumer. Instead of opening the doors of physical branches, GoTyme Bank’s launch was marked by the appearance of special digital kiosks that will be deployed throughout the retail ecosystem of the Gokongwei Group. From supermarkets, department stores and even convenience stores, this approach will help Filipinos make the move to mobile banking and financial services offered by the new venture. A partnership between…

For more than 150 years, engineers at Siemens Energy – one of the world’s leading energy technology companies – have been spearheading the electrification of the world. The company works with its customers and partners on energy systems for the future, supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With its portfolio of products, solutions and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from power generation and transmission to storage. “Our mission is to support companies and countries with what they need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make energy reliable, affordable, and more sustainable,” describes…