Misk entrepreneurship event sees dreamers meet industry leaders

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Saudi entrepreneurs and innovators attend a talk by Entrepreneur Omar Aridi as part of Misk Foundation's World Entrepreneurs Day festivities (Supplied)
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Updated 22 August 2022
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Misk entrepreneurship event sees dreamers meet industry leaders

  • The gathering in Riyadh hosted inspiring speakers and entrepreneurial legends in the Kingdom
  • Ideators in emerging technologies described what made them choose Saudi Arabia as the destination for their businesses 

RIYADH: In the halls of the Misk Foundation’s City Hub in Riyadh, voices echoed in anticipation ahead of last night’s celebration of World Entrepreneurship Day.

The buzz of excitement was rewarded, with valuable experience handed down by leading experts and specialists in various entrepreneurial fields, alongside networking sessions, creativity-enhancing events and idea-building tasks. 

The first speaker, 25-year-old Abdullah Alalshaikh, spoke about his 10-year journey to establishing and becoming the CEO of Watan First Digital in October 2020. The company is a customized digital solutions company that caters to the needs of businesses using digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.

Alalshaikh shared his journey from becoming the youngest Saudi photographer to join Sabq Online Newspaper at 15-years-old in 2011, his many successes and failed business attempts, reaching the forefront of ticket sales within the entertainment revolution in the Kingdom, and then the launch of his company, Watan. 

He later launched the commerce app “Tshtri” and car maintenance app “Warshati,” and other digital businesses in the last two years.

His main takeaway from his decade-long experience is simple: “A technical project idea doesn’t require you to be a programmer or have great knowledge in the tech field. All you need is the idea.” 

The night continued with various interactive activities, including a coffee section, a lego-building station, where ideators can practice bringing an abstract idea to life, and an art section, where event-goers generate ideas and apply their passion into profitable plans. 

Attendees also participated in a networking session, where thinkers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs got to know each other and exchanged ideas.

“We only hear about success stories and only about failures after our successes. Abdullah’s story was very inspirational. How he built things and didn’t mind destroying them,” one event attendee, Abdulaziz, told Arab News. 

“I’m hoping to learn what’s in the market if there are new technologies coming out, if there are new methodologies. The great thing about these events is that they raise awareness,” he said. 

Manale Reslan, a program coordinator at Lebanese education technology company Pioneers Gate, told Arab News that the company relocated to the Kingdom because of the fruitful opportunities that have recently surfaced. 

“It’s impressive… It gave me and (my business partner) some positive impact, especially when we talked to Abdullah,” she said. 

The company provides technology, STEM education, robotics, and AI solutions through educational institutions.

 

 

“I didn’t expect that here in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh that there’s this much interest… We are now starting to see that the Kingdom is booming in the digital world, and that’s what made us come here to open our business here,” Reslan said, adding: “Maybe it could be a chance for us to add to this community.”

The eventful night culminated with Web3 strategist and entrepreneur Omar Aridi’s talk focusing on demystifying the concept of NFTs and unlocking the truth behind the new technology. 

Aridi is the founder of XGUARD, an emerging company based in the Arab region, aiming to help organizations and individuals navigate Web3 and the virtual space — one block at a time.

“We hope to_ remove the misconception around all these new buzzwords like NFTs, metaverse, blockchain, because the technology behind all these assets is quite massive. I do believe that moving into a digital transformation, you really need to adopt such technology as infrastructure,” he told Arab News.

Aridi’s talk highlighted the development of this new web platform, starting from the early emergence of the dial-up Internet to the creation of the metaverse. He demonstrated its significance, various utilizations, regulations, and its ongoing evolution. 

The entrepreneur hopes to bridge the gap between these new technologies and the general public through his company’s work, which centers on consulting and education.

“I do see a lot of entrepreneurs moving into the tech industry. This is mainly one of the biggest industries that are capturing a lot of interest from the young … what we’re trying to do (today) is have people know more about this technology and see how they can incorporate such technologies into their business,” he said.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia ranked first globally out of 45 counties by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Index as the best country with good opportunities to start a business and the ease of starting a business. The Kingdom ranked second by the National Center for Performance Measurement for individual skills and knowledge, and infrastructure.


Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saudi minister holds talks with Chinese, EU officials on climate, global issues 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir received China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation in climate action and environmental conservation, along with other topics of mutual interest.

Both officials also reviewed the Kingdom’s ongoing initiatives and achievements in this field, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate meeting, Al-Jubeir received the deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, Olof Skoog, and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting reviewed international developments and the efforts being made to address them, in addition to discussing topics of mutual interest.


Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj. (@PRAGOVSA)
Updated 25 May 2025
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Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid to deliver Arafah sermon during Hajj 2025

  • The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims
  • The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9

RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday.

The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims. Muslims around the world who are not performing the pilgrimage mark the day by fasting and engaging in worship.

The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9.

Head of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the appointment.

The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s global religious leadership, reflects its continued support for religious institutions, and exemplifies the leadership’s care for the two holy mosques, the presidency said.


Saudi deputy FM receives EU official in Riyadh

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saudi deputy FM receives EU official in Riyadh

  • A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between Saudi Arabia and the EEAS

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Olof Skoog, deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, and his accompanying delegation, in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the EU and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

A meeting was also held as part of the third round of political consultations between the Kingdom and the EEAS. Senior officials from both sides participated in the session, chaired by Raed bin Khalid Qarmli, director-general of the general directorate of policy planning at the Saudi Foreign Ministry, with Skoog representing the European side.

 


Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia meets with CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority

Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, meets with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
Updated 25 May 2025
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Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia meets with CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority

  • The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture

RIYADH: Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture, the Pakistani Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.

The ambassador presented Inzerillo with a painting from his own Diriyah-themed series, created to celebrate the Kingdom’s history and heritage.

He also presented him with a made-in-Pakistan FIFA-standard football “symbolizing Pakistan’s craftsmanship and the mutual spirit of friendship.”


Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saudi reserve engages pilgrims on biodiversity

  • Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed

RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom by land were introduced to projects and initiatives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.

The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, restore vegetation and breed endangered species to create a more sustainable natural environment.

The authority also distributed educational brochures to raise awareness about environmental preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed.

Visitors were informed about the reserve’s environmental heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable ecological stewardship, the SPA added.

The authority works to preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats and creating safe environments for wildlife and plants to thrive.

Its achievements include planting more than 2.4 million trees, scattering four tonnes of native seeds and rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of degraded land.

The reserve hosts more than 290 documented bird species — about 58 percent of those recorded in the Kingdom — and includes five internationally recognized important bird areas.

Covering 130,700 sq. kilometers, the King Salman Reserve is the largest natural terrestrial reserve in the Middle East, spanning four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.