Riyadh International Industry Week 2025 to feature 524 exhibitors from 20 countries
Event will cover an area of 20,550 sq. meters and be the largest industrial gathering in the region
Activities will include live demonstrations of the latest industrial technologies
Updated 05 May 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi capital will host “Riyadh International Industry Week 2025” under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 12 to 15.
It will feature more than 524 exhibitors from around the world, with an expected attendance of over 25,000 visitors, including specialists and those interested in the industrial sector, according to a press release issued by the organizer.
The event will cover an area of 20,550 sq. meters and be the largest industrial gathering in the region, bringing together more than 48,000 products and advanced technologies under one roof.
It will include national pavilions representing major industrial countries, while the activities will feature speakers and experts, with more than 60 speakers presenting strategic insights in more than 20 sessions and specialized workshops.
The exhibition agenda includes several strategic themes that will highlight the latest global trends in the industrial sector and provide a platform for dialogue with experts, investors, and decision-makers.
Activities will include live demonstrations of the latest industrial technologies, along with highlighting government initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering the sector, while highlighting key enablers of the industrial environment in the Kingdom.
The events will be spread over four specialized industrial exhibitions. The “Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals Exhibition,” in its 20th edition, will celebrate its history of supporting these industries and offer a comprehensive platform to show the latest innovations and sustainable solutions.
The event will also host the “Saudi Print and Pack Exhibition,” featuring the latest advances in printing technology and smart packaging solutions.
It will feature the “Saudi Smart Logistics Exhibition,” highlighting the latest solutions in material handling, storage, and supply chains.
The journey of innovation will continue through the “Saudi Smart Manufacturing Exhibition” dedicated to automation and digital transformation solutions for industrial facilities in the Kingdom.
The Industry Week is a major platform for empowering the national industrial sector and exploring future opportunities in supply chains and advanced technologies.
It represents an extension of the Kingdom’s longstanding efforts to support national priorities in the industrial sector. It will foster international partnerships, facilitate knowledge transfer, and present innovative solutions that enhance industrial competitiveness regionally and globally, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor
Updated 04 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.
Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations
Updated 03 July 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.
A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.
Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.
The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.
At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed
Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
Updated 03 July 2025
Haifa Alshammari
RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.
Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.
Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.
Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.
Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.
“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”
The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.
He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change.
He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.
The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.
Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament
Updated 03 July 2025
Arab News
ANKARA: Members of the Saudi-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council met with their counterparts from Turkiye during a visit to the country.
During the meeting, held in Ankara, the two sides reviewed ways to further boost their relations and discussed other topics of common interest.
The Saudi delegation also met with Numan Kurtulmus, president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
How AI is transforming Saudi businesses, from homegrown startups to global creative agencies
Small business owners are using smart tools to automate tasks like bookkeeping, customer service, and content creation with minimal resources
Platforms like Salla and QuickBooks help entrepreneurs manage online stores, financials, and logistics, saving time and boosting efficiency
Updated 03 July 2025
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the landscape for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, creativity, and competitiveness. As technology evolves, many entrepreneurs are leveraging AI tools to streamline operations and drive growth.
One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. Tools like chatbots can handle customer inquiries around the clock, freeing up valuable time for business owners to focus on strategic initiatives.
This not only improves customer service but also enhances overall efficiency.
AI-powered analytics platforms can process vast amounts of data, providing actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions based on market trends and consumer behavior.
In this dynamic environment, AI is transforming small business operations.
A notable example is Hams Nabeel, a working mother who founded her business, Thikra, to preserve cherished memories for families.
“There was a clear need for my business idea,” she told Arab News. “Since I had my daughter, I wanted to preserve her hospital items — like her hat, blanket, and hand bracelet — all in one place.”
AI has become crucial in Nabeel’s entrepreneurial journey, streamlining various aspects of her operations. “ChatGPT helped me expand my business by crafting a clear structural plan,” she said.
What typically took weeks can now be accomplished in minutes, providing clarity when she faced uncertainties.
AI also assisted Nabeel in comparing 3D printers and defining her business’s vision. “AI guided me in crafting my mission and vision and even generated social media posts,” she said.
For financial management, she relies on QuickBooks, which automates tasks and offers valuable insights. Furthermore, Nabeel uses Salla, a website creation tool that simplifies online store management.
“Creating a business is so easy with Salla,” she said, allowing her to focus on creativity rather than technical details.
Screenshot of a page in the AI-enabled powered Salla platform.
In creative sectors, AI tools are essential for content creation and design. From generating social media posts to developing marketing materials, AI helps small business owners maintain a robust online presence without extensive resources.
“We have traditionally always been creatives before tech developers, but with AI it is now enabling us to combine both,” Denis Bodart, who operates a creative animation agency called Feed Me Light in London and Riyadh, told Arab News.
“We are now building more creative tools and AI products, including a new SaaS (Software as a Service) platform focused on the out-of-home advertising sector, which allows us to dynamically display content on various screens at once.
“Imagine walking through a city filled with screens that communicate and showcase engaging, interactive content. For example, the displays can respond to the latest football or esports results, presenting teams in an exciting manner.
“They can also adapt to weather conditions and customize their content based on audience presence in events, venues, and shops.”
Bodart highlighted how AI agents support his team. “By training AI agents to understand our business more, we can use these agents to help support our teams, providing a helping hand with more repetitive tasks such as receipts, bookings, data fetching, or even helping enhance our marketing and sales teams, amplifying our business’s online presence.”
He added: “For Saudi Arabia, the strategic integration of AI holds immense potential to create a truly transformative and positive impact on how they approach upcoming global events such as the Winter Olympics, Asian Cup, and World Cup events.
“This technology can significantly elevate fan engagement, optimize operations, and craft unparalleled experiences, setting new benchmarks for global sporting events hosted in the Kingdom.”
Denis Bodart, who runs a creative animation agency called Feed Me Light in London and Riyadh, says AI helps small business owners maintain a robust online presence without extensive resources. (Supplied)
Integrating AI allows small businesses to provide seamless customer experiences. Automating processes like order management and payment processing enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“AI has completely changed the game for small creators like me,” Salwa Beauty, a prominent social media influencer in Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. “It’s like having a full creative team in your pocket.”
Salwa utilizes AI to generate content ideas, animate scenes, write captions, and redesign photos — tasks that once required extensive time and resources.
For her fitness content, Salwa has eliminated the need for models or physical products. “I can animate people, create scenes, and even showcase products being used — all without hiring anyone or incurring upfront costs,” she said.
This capability allows her to build a complete brand presence independently, showcasing the democratizing power of AI.
The freedom AI provides is substantial for small businesses. By enabling entrepreneurs to launch ideas, test visuals, and create professional content quickly and affordably, AI empowers them to stand out in a crowded market.
“AI is literally my assistant now,” said Salwa.
AI also reduces costs associated with traditional modeling. Additionally, AI facilitates content creation and scheduling, allowing businesses to maintain a consistent online presence effortlessly.
Platforms like Salla and Zid are enhancing the landscape for small businesses in Saudi Arabia. These platforms leverage AI to optimize customer interactions, enabling efficient order scheduling, carrier connections, and targeted marketing messages based on customer data.
Screenshot of a page in the AI-enabled Zid platform.
Such features not only save time but also enhance the overall customer experience.
AI has emerged as an invaluable asset for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and financial management. Integrating AI tools can significantly transform the entrepreneurial journey, enabling working mothers and small creators to thrive in today’s competitive market.
With AI as a partner, the possibilities for growth and success are limitless. As small businesses in Saudi Arabia continue to embrace these technologies, they open the door to a future where creativity and efficiency flourish, paving the way for new ideas and opportunities.
AI is a powerful ally for small businesses, empowering them to optimize operations, enhance marketing efforts, and improve customer experiences. As more entrepreneurs embrace these technologies, the potential for growth and innovation continues to expand.
