GCC countries should strengthen supply chains to ensure industrial growth: Oliver Wyman

Special GCC countries should strengthen supply chains to ensure industrial growth: Oliver Wyman
Vulnerabilities in global supply chains came under greater scrutiny in recent years. Shutterstock
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Updated 19 April 2024
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GCC countries should strengthen supply chains to ensure industrial growth: Oliver Wyman

GCC countries should strengthen supply chains to ensure industrial growth: Oliver Wyman

RIYADH: Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region should develop supply chain resilience strategies as they embark on large-scale industrialization of their economies, a report said. 

According to management consulting company Oliver Wyman, current risk levels in the logistics sector need to be mitigated, especially for countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE which depend on high-criticality products such as transformers and minerals which are crucial for industrial growth. 

“In Saudi Arabia, 75 percent of transformer imports originate from only three countries. Any potential disruption in transformer supply could significantly impact several sectors such as power, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare,” the report said. 

It added that logistical issues could impact power supply, leading to decreased industrial productivity, infrastructure vulnerabilities in systems that require constant energy supply, and economic instability. 

“As GCC countries scale up their economic diversification plans, including their industrial sectors, it is vital that they redouble initiatives to increase supply chain resilience to ensure the smooth functioning of all sectors and aspects of society in the event of unexpected upheavals in the supply chain,” said Frederic Ozeir, partner and head of Automotive and Manufacturing Industries, India, Middle East and Africa region at Oliver Wyman. 

The vitality of supply chain resilience

Oliver Wyman noted that vulnerabilities in global supply chains came under greater scrutiny in recent years following the pandemic and numerous climate-change-induced natural disasters, in addition to cybersecurity threats, logistics challenges, and geopolitical issues. 

During these years, industries across the spectrum have been forced to grapple with production delays, shortages, and an increase in prices, as well as growing demand and unexpected bottlenecks, which have highlighted the critical importance of resilient logistical chains.

“For example, of all the electrical machinery and equipment imported to both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, 60 percent and 65 percent, respectively, are imported from just three countries. Similarly, for excavation machinery and valves, Saudi Arabia and the UAE import 50 percent and 55 percent of the total from three countries,” said Oliver Wyman. 

The US-based firm added that various sectors are directly dependent on the industrial supply chain, and any disruptions could have a domino effect which will amplify vulnerabilities in vital sectors that are important for health, safety, and security.

Highlighting the necessity to maintain a functional supply chain, the report noted that the healthcare industry relies on the timely delivery of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, while the power sector hinges on a steady inflow of critical machinery and components, such as turbines, generators, and transformers. 

Moreover, GCC countries are heavily reliant on desalination machinery such as membranes, pumps, and valves because desalination is the source of most of the urban water in the region.

Saudi Arabia leading the region to ensure supply chain resilience

Oliver Wyman, in its report, also lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts to ensure a healthy logistics sector in the Kingdom, as well as the whole region. 

“In 2022, KSA launched the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative as part of its National Investment Strategy. This aims to position the Kingdom as a location of choice for leading global industrial companies, attracting investments in supply chains in order to mitigate the impact of global disruptions,” said the report. 

The study added that the UAE is also focussing on improving food supply chains through various programs such as those that support local and sustainable food production, as well as by establishing new logistics hubs and deploying cutting-edge technological solutions. 

Key actions to bolster supply chain resilience in the GCC

According to the report, governments in the GCC region should develop supply chain resilience strategies that seamlessly align with their national industrialization programs. 

Moreover, such strategies should be supported by a set of enablers covering governance, private sector involvement, capabilities, and technology. 

Oliver Wyman also underscored the necessity of having a collaborative governance framework between different countries to strengthen the supply chain in the Middle East region. 

“GCC ministries of industry and mining can work with other ministries, especially those of vital sectors to ensure supply chain resilience. As an example, a GCC Ministry of Industry that collaborates with its counterpart in the Ministry of Health would be able to better develop appropriate actions for ensuring resilience of the supply chain of medical devices,” said the report. 




Healthcare has been identified as one of the sectors at risk from supply chain disruption. Shutterstock

The report also added that GCC governments should leverage the private sector as a crucial partner in their supply chain strategies. 

According to the report, countries in the region can ensure supply chain durability by incentivizing logistical resilience initiatives among the private sector, and implementing inspection and corrective actions.

Moreover, the consulting firm added that GCC countries should establish specialized teams within their ministries of industry, comprising professionals with expertise in risk assessment and management, logistics operations, data analytics, and technology to build up the logistics network. 

“Various capabilities are also required across the industrial sector, such as risk assessment and management, advanced technology integration and utilization, data analytics and business continuity planning, cybersecurity, and collaboration and information sharing,” the report added. 

The study highlighted that nations in the region should also encourage the adoption of technology through advanced manufacturing policies that will drive the use of 3D printing, robotics, augmented reality, and automation. 

Industrial cybersecurity requirements should also be considered given the connectivity and data sharing within factories, driven by automation and the Internet of Things, the consulting firm added. 

Oliver Wyman noted that GCC countries should adopt a holistic approach that combines localization with other supply chain resilience levers to safeguard the industrial growth of these nations. 

“Achieving supply chain resilience in the industrial sector is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. The levers deployed to fortify supply chains, such as localization, shoring, and partnerships, must be applied to the supply chain components of products with high criticality and risk,” Ozeir. 

The study concluded that supply chain resilience is not just a choice for GCC nations, but a necessity, and one that will guarantee the sustainability of their burgeoning and all-important industrial sectors.


Saudi Arabian Military Industries appoints new CEO

Saudi Arabian Military Industries appoints new CEO
Updated 39 min 58 sec ago
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Saudi Arabian Military Industries appoints new CEO

Saudi Arabian Military Industries appoints new CEO

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Military Industries has announced the appointment of Thamer M. Al-Muhid as its new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, according to a statement released on Thursday.

The decision was confirmed during a meeting of SAMI’s board of directors, chaired by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Al-Muhid brings extensive expertise in driving organizational transformation, operational excellence, and international expansion.

The newly appointed CEO of SAMI, Thamer M. Al-Muhid. Supplied

His diverse background encompasses strategic initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, research and development, and forging key international partnerships—all of which equip him to lead SAMI into a new phase of growth and innovation.

Before his appointment, Al-Muhid served as group CEO and managing director of Saudi Chemical Co. Holding, and has held senior leadership roles at prominent organizations such as SABIC, Almarai, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Replacing Walid Abu Khaled, Al-Muhid will oversee the company’s efforts to advance cutting-edge technologies, produce world-class defense products, and strengthen strategic partnerships.

His leadership is expected to expedite Public Investment Fund-owned SAMI’s progress toward achieving its ambitious objectives, including localizing 50 percent of the Kingdom’s defense spending and fostering national talent in the defense sector.

This appointment underscores SAMI’s ongoing commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in defense manufacturing and innovation.


Saudi crowdfunding platform Lendo secures $690m warehouse facility led by J.P. Morgan

Saudi crowdfunding platform Lendo secures $690m warehouse facility led by J.P. Morgan
Updated 30 January 2025
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Saudi crowdfunding platform Lendo secures $690m warehouse facility led by J.P. Morgan

Saudi crowdfunding platform Lendo secures $690m warehouse facility led by J.P. Morgan

RIYADH: Lendo, a debt crowdfunding platform in Saudi Arabia, has secured a SR2.6 billion ($690 million) warehouse facility, with J.P. Morgan serving as the lead arranger.

According to an official statement, the facility will support increased job creation within the Kingdom, underscoring Lendo’s commitment to fostering domestic economic growth and employment opportunities.

Endorsed by Fintech Saudi, this achievement highlights the rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector and signals the substantial potential for small and medium-sized enterprise financing within the economy, it added.

The initiative also aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to raise SME lending from 4 percent in 2018 to 20 percent by 2030.

“This landmark facility represents a transformative moment for Lendo and the Saudi fintech ecosystem,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo.

“The strong backing from global financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan validates our innovative approach to SME financing and positions us to significantly expand our impact in the Saudi market. This facility will accelerate our mission of driving SME growth while contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.”

The statement said the facility will be strategically allocated to enhance Lendo’s lending capacity, introduce innovative financial products, and broaden the company’s coverage of SMEs across the Kingdom.

George Deves, co-head of Northern European Asset-Backed Securities at J.P. Morgan, remarked: “We are pleased to collaborate with Lendo on this landmark transaction. A robust and rapidly expanding SME sector is crucial to the local economy, and this financing will contribute to the strategic goal of boosting SME lending in Saudi Arabia.”

Moreover, the deal underscores the growing confidence of international investors in the Kingdom’s fintech sector, particularly in the strength of its regulatory framework.

Lendo has successfully completed two rounds of investment to date, with its most recent Series B funding round, raising $28 million, led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.


Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal joins IATA, boosting Kingdom’s aviation growth

Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal joins IATA, boosting Kingdom’s aviation growth
Updated 30 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal joins IATA, boosting Kingdom’s aviation growth

Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal joins IATA, boosting Kingdom’s aviation growth

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, flyadeal, has joined the International Air Transport Association, marking a significant step in its regional and global expansion while supporting the Kingdom’s growing aviation sector.

On Jan. 29, flyadeal’s management welcomed an IATA delegation, led by Kamil Al-Awadhi, the regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, to celebrate the milestone at the airline’s headquarters in Jeddah.

In November, flyadeal earned IATA’s Operational Safety Audit certification, the highest safety accreditation in the airline industry.

This thorough evaluation examines an airline’s operational safety, ensuring it adheres to the most rigorous standards, covering areas like aircraft engineering, maintenance, flight operations, cabin services, ground handling, cargo, and security.

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its aviation sector as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond fossil fuels, boost the private sector, and enhance global connectivity.

The country aims to accommodate 330 million passengers by 2030, serve over 250 destinations, and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo.

Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, expressed his pride in joining IATA, an association that has long represented the airline industry with a unified voice.

“Since our founding in 2017, our growth has been rapid, with operational safety as a top priority. Becoming an IATA member was a natural next step for us,” he said.

Greenway also highlighted flyadeal’s new position alongside Saudia, the full-service airline that has been a longstanding IATA member.

“As Saudia and IATA celebrate their 80th anniversaries this year, we are proud to be part of this milestone,” he added.

Al-Awadhi also celebrated the addition of flyadeal to IATA, noting that their membership reflects the airline’s significant role in Saudi Arabia’s aviation expansion.

“Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in developing a world-class aviation sector,” he said. “flyadeal’s inclusion further demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering sustainable industry growth.”

He also praised the government’s ambitious vision for aviation and reaffirmed IATA’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s strategy to grow a thriving aviation industry that benefits travelers, businesses, and the economy.

flyadeal, which plans to carry more than 75,000 pilgrims on dedicated international charters during this year’s Hajj season, operates from key hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

It offers nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations within Saudi Arabia, as well as select cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

The airline’s fleet includes 36 Airbus A320 aircraft, and it plans to significantly expand its network over the next 12 months as part of a major international growth initiative.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in red at 12,415 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in red at 12,415 
Updated 30 January 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in red at 12,415 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in red at 12,415 
  • MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 4.12 points, or 0.27%, to close at 1,544.02
  • Parallel market Nomu gained 201.99 points, or 0.65%, to close at 31,250.65

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 23.99 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 12,415.49. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.49 billion ($1.73 billion), as 139 stocks advanced, while 89 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 4.12 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 1,544.02. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, rose, gaining 201.99 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 31,250.65. This comes as 45 of the listed stocks advanced, while 36 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was United Cooperative Assurance Co., with its share price surging by 7.94 percent to SR10.20. 

Other top performers included the Saudi Steel Pipe Co., which saw its share price rise by 7.33 percent to SR73.20, and Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co., which saw a 5.91 percent increase to SR12.18. 

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. saw the largest decline of the day, with its share price dropping 4.12 percent to SR186. 

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. saw its shares drop by 3.59 percent to SR56.40, while The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. declined 3.17 percent to SR25.95. 

On the announcements front, Jarir Marketing Co. profits slightly increased to SR974 million by the end of 2024, compared to SR973 million in the same period of 2023. 

According to a Tadawul statement, operating profit totaled SR1.05 billion in 2024, up from SR1.04 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, reflecting a 0.74 percent growth. The increase in profits was attributed to a 2.2 percent rise in total sales, driven by higher sales in the smartphone, computer, and tablet sectors. 

The company’s total profit also rose by 3.8 percent, which is higher than the sales growth due to a relative improvement in profit margins in certain departments, particularly smartphones, as a result of discounts granted by suppliers, the statement added. 

Jarir Marketing also reported that shareholders’ equity reached SR1.74 billion by the end of the period, compared to SR1.77 billion at the end of the same period last year. 

Shares of Jarir traded 1.38 percent lower in today’s trading session on the main market to close at SR12.82. 

Moreover, SNB Capital Co. serving as the lead manager of the Arabian Co. for Agricultural and Industrial Investment, announced that Entaj will proceed with an initial public offering of 9 million ordinary shares, representing 30 percent of its total share capital.  


UAE real estate market ends 2024 with record growth, led by Dubai, Abu Dhabi

UAE real estate market ends 2024 with record growth, led by Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Updated 30 January 2025
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UAE real estate market ends 2024 with record growth, led by Dubai, Abu Dhabi

UAE real estate market ends 2024 with record growth, led by Dubai, Abu Dhabi
  • Residential transactions in Abu Dhabi rose by 19%
  • Office occupancy rates in Dubai and the capital hit 945, pushing rents up by 15-20% annually

JEDDAH: The UAE’s real estate market ended 2024 on a strong note, with Dubai’s residential sales soaring 30 percent year on year to 119 billion dirhams ($32.4 billion) in the fourth quarter. 

According to CBRE Middle East’s latest market review, property transactions surged and rental prices climbed across key sectors — commercial, residential, retail, and industrial — driven by strong economic expansion and investor demand. 

The UAE real estate market saw strong growth in 2024, driven by rising demand, limited supply, and increasing prices across residential, commercial, retail, and industrial sectors, supported by new regulations. 

This trend is part of a broader regional shift, with property markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE implementing reforms to better meet global investor demand.

For example, Saudi Arabia recently allowed foreigners to invest in Saudi-listed companies that own real estate in Makkah and Madinah, following a key decision by the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority. 

“The UAE’s real estate market continue to attract rising foreign investor interest, supporting record residential transactional volumes across Dubai and Abu Dhabi during 2024. Commercial sectors also remain buoyant, with demand largely outstripping supply, as reflected in the rising occupancy and rental rates across the office, retail and industrial markets,” said Matthew Green, head of research MENA at CBRE.  

In the fourth quarter, residential transactions in Abu Dhabi rose by 19 percent, while office occupancy rates in both Dubai and the capital city hit 94 percent, pushing rents up by 15-20 percent annually due to supply constraints. 

“Amid these highly positive market dynamics, the UAE government has moved to ensure the long-term sustainability of the real estate market, by implementing several new regulations in recent weeks,” said Green.  

He said that these changes were aimed at improving transparency through the Dubai Smart Rental Index, expanding the addressable market via recent changes to Dubai’s designated Freehold areas, and cooling the off-plan market through the UAE Central Bank’s amendment to lending regulations on transactional set-up fees. 

The UAE’s economic growth further fueled the commercial market, with Abu Dhabi’s real gross domestic product expanding by 4.5 percent in the third quarter of 2024, driven by a 6.6 percent increase in non-oil sectors. The rise in new business licenses and corporate expansions drove strong tenant demand, particularly for premium office spaces, the report added. 

Residential sector  

Dubai’s residential sector saw an 18 percent rise in apartment prices and a 20 percent increase in villa prices, pushing average values to 1,647 dirhams and 2,024 dirhams per sq. foot, respectively. Transaction volumes soared, with total residential sales in 2024 reaching 434 billion dirhams, up 33 percent from 2023, the report noted. 

Abu Dhabi’s residential market followed suit, with apartment prices rising 11 percent and villa prices climbing 12 percent. The capital’s sales activity was led by a 59 percent surge in ready property transactions, while off-plan sales grew 5 percent but still accounted for 66 percent of total volume. 

Rental contract registrations in Dubai rose 7 percent year on year, with renewal contracts up 9 percent and new registrations increasing 5 percent. Despite rising costs, CBRE noted that tenants continued to prefer lease renewals to avoid steep rent hikes.