RELEX Forum Riyadh highlights AI's role in Saudi Vision 2030 and retail growth
RELEX Solutions, known for delivering a unified platform to retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, improve operational efficiency, emphasized its commitment to supporting businesses in the region through AI-powered planning. The event marked a significant step in fostering international collaboration between Finland and Saudi Arabia, particularly in technology-driven retail strategies.
AI plays a key role in Saudi Vision 2030
Alex Centimerio, Sales Director, MENAT at RELEX, opened the forum with a keynote on the future of supply chain and retail planning, outlining the critical role of AI in shaping the sector's next decade. 'By 2030, the winners in retail will rely on AI-enabled strategies in an increasingly hyper-competitive landscape. Adopting an advanced supply chain and retail planning solution will play a key role in helping Saudi businesses achieve the ambitious goals set by Saudi Vision 2030,' said Centimerio.
The event highlighted RELEX's impact on the region with solutions driving operational improvements for their customers. By integrating AI-driven insights into planning, RELEX customers can enhance availability, improve demand forecasting, and reduce waste, contributing to more efficient supply chain management.
With over 500 customers worldwide, RELEX has established a strong presence in the Middle East, supporting leading businesses such as Panda Retail, Getir, Binzagr, and Majid Al Futtaim. The company's approach integrates AI and automation to optimize inventory, logistics, and production planning, ensuring businesses can meet customer demand while minimizing inefficiencies.
Finland and Saudi Arabia forge closer ties through tech and innovation
The Finnish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anu-Eerika Viljanen, hosted the event at the Embassy Residence, reinforcing the importance of bilateral cooperation in technological advancement.
'Saudi Arabia is a key global player and a valuable partner for Finland. I was delighted to host RELEX Forum Riyadh, providing a platform to foster collaboration, exchange expertise, and strengthen the ties between our nations in the fields of technology and innovation,' she said.
As Saudi businesses increasingly focus on digital transformation, the demand for AI-driven solutions continues to grow. By leveraging predictive analytics and automation, RELEX aims to support retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers in adapting to changing market dynamics, enhancing operational resilience, and aligning with the sustainability goals set out in Saudi Vision 2030.
RELEX Forum Riyadh served as a platform for knowledge exchange and industry dialogue, underscoring the company's role in driving innovation in retail and supply chain planning. The event's success reflects the region's growing appetite for AI-driven efficiencies and marks an important milestone in RELEX's expansion across the Middle East.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
3 days ago
- Roya News
Taiwan to seek lower tariff after Trump's 'temporary' 20% levy
Taiwan vowed on Friday to seek a lower tariff after Donald Trump imposed a "temporary" 20 percent levy on its shipments to the United States as part of his trade war. The US president's announcement was part of a sweep of measures -- reaching 41 percent -- against dozens of global partners as they scrambled for deals with Washington to avert the painful tolls. The figure is down from the 32 percent toll imposed in his April 2 "Liberation Day", since when Taipei and Washington have held four rounds of face-to-face talks and multiple video conferences to resolve the issue. On Friday Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Facebook they were still working to strike an agreement "The US has announced a temporary 20 percent tariff for Taiwan, with the possibility of further reductions should an agreement be reached," he wrote. "The government will continue to strive for a reasonable tariff rate and complete the final stages of the tariff negotiations." While Trump had set Friday as the deadline for agreements to be made, he delayed it until the end of next week. No timeline was given for Taiwan, which could mean the island was caught in the middle of US-China trade negotiations, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis. Washington and Beijing held two days of talks this week aimed at reaching a deal to extend a truce in their trade war and prevent the reimposition of sky-high tariffs on August 12. "The conditions on Taiwan might be relevant for China, imagine export controls," Garcia-Herrero told AFP. After US tech giant Nvidia announced it will resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China, Garcia-Herrero said "there could be other stuff that China needs from Taiwan that the US can offer". 'This is the ceiling' Taiwan is a global powerhouse in chip manufacturing, with more than half the world's semiconductors and nearly all of the high-end ones made there. The owner of a Taiwanese machinery exporter to the United States said he was worried that lower tariff rates on Japan and South Korea -- 15 percent -- would advantage his competitors there. He told AFP the recent appreciation in the Taiwan dollar against the greenback had also "put a lot of pressure on us, creating a double whammy". The uncertainty over tariffs was hurting US sales, said textile producer Eddie Wang, with clients "feeling overwhelmed" and reluctant to place orders. Soaring demand for AI-related technology has fuelled Taiwan's trade surplus with the United States -- and put it in Trump's crosshairs. Around 60 percent of Taiwan's exports to the United States are information and communications technology, which includes chips. In a bid to avoid the tariffs, Taipei has pledged to increase investment in the United States, buy ore of its energy and increase its own defence spending. Economist Sun Ming-te said the 20 percent levy was "probably the best outcome Taiwan can achieve with the US under the current conditions."
Jordan Times
4 days ago
- Jordan Times
Jordan's industrial exports rise 6.3% in first 5 months of 2025
AMMAN — Jordan's industrial exports rose by 6.3 per cent in the first five months of 2025, reaching JD3.3 billion, up from JD3.1 billion during the same period last year, the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) said on Thursday. This performance confirms the sector's 'resilience and growing importance' as a key driver of national economic growth, with industrial exports now accounting for 92 per cent of the country's total national exports, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. In its latest report, the JCI attributed the JD302 million increase to higher demand from key markets, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which together accounted for nearly half of the total export growth. Saudi Arabia topped the list of markets contributing to growth, with a JD91.6 million increase in imports from Jordan, followed by Syria (JD72.2 million), India (JD56 million), Iraq (JD54 million), the US (JD20.9 million) and China (JD15 million). Non-traditional markets also showed 'promising' gains, where exports to Ethiopia rose by JD48 million, followed by Djibouti (JD24.4 million) and Thailand (JD14.3 million). At the sectorial level, eight sub-industries recorded export increases, led by the food, leather, and textile sectors, which together contributed 40 per cent of overall growth. The food industry alone saw a JD62 million increase, driven by rising demand from the Arab Gulf countries, Iraq, and East Africa, particularly for vegetable oils and canned goods. The chemical industry posted a JD41 million gain, boosted by exports of fertilisers, intermediate chemicals, and cosmetics. Demand for phosphate- and potash-based products continues to grow both regionally and globally. Construction-related industries added JD33 million to export totals, as demand surged from reconstruction markets like Iraq and Libya, fuelling shipments of ceramics, paints, and insulation materials. Clothing exports led in value growth, adding JD46 million, followed by nitrogen-based fertilisers (JD32 million), cement (JD28.2 million), and soap and detergents (JD21 million). Exports of sugar, cocoa, and related products also added JD37.1 million, while electrical equipment grew by JD16.2 million. 'These figures reflect the growing diversity of Jordan's industrial production base and its deeper integration into global supply chains,' the JCI said in the report. Despite the overall positive trend, several export categories saw declines. Gold and jewellery exports dropped by JD57 million, while ready-made garments fell by JD56 million. Exports of inorganic chemicals decreased by JD13.3 million, miscellaneous chemicals by JD10.2 million, raw phosphate by JD10 million, meat and derivatives by JD7 million, and copper products by JD4 million. Some markets also recorded falling demand for Jordanian goods. Exports to Switzerland declined by JD33.6 million, Palestine by JD26.5 million, Australia by JD12.1 million, Indonesia by JD11.2 million, Brazil by JD11 million, and South Korea by JD7 million. The chamber highlighted the importance of continuing to diversify export destinations and product offerings to reduce exposure to global economic fluctuations. The JCI also called for improving Jordan's logistics infrastructure, especially in air and land freight, as well as enhancing product competitiveness through innovation and quality. The chamber urged the government to support emerging sectors such as technology and green industries, and to boost cooperation with diplomatic missions and trade attachés to ease market access.
Al Bawaba
4 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Standard Chartered and Alibaba Group Sign Strategic Technology and Growth Partnership
Standard Chartered ('the Bank') and Alibaba Group Holding Limited ('Alibaba' or 'Alibaba Group') have entered into a strategic partnership, utilising Alibaba Cloud's AI technologies to accelerate the pace at which the financial services sector embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI).According to the Memorandum of Understanding, Standard Chartered will work with Alibaba Cloud as its strategic partner for AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. Leveraging Alibaba Cloud's intelligent solutions and AI technologies, the collaboration aims to help the Bank elevate its competitive edge. This includes developing AI-powered customer service and sales intelligence to raise the bar on customer engagement, automating AI-driven risk management and compliance, and upskilling its talents through AI workshops and partnership will also support Alibaba Group's strategic development globally, with Standard Chartered providing a comprehensive range of banking services that is tailored to meet Alibaba Group's business needs, from financial support, supply chain financing support, cross border fund management solutions, to deepening the collaboration in financial market. Both parties will also actively enhance cooperation in the areas of sustainable development and sustainable Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, said: 'We are investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies like AI, which are transforming our own business model and reshaping the future of finance. I am excited to build on our existing relationship with Alibaba Group – a global leader in AI and other areas including e-commerce and retail – and advance our shared commitment to transformative innovation. By combining Alibaba Group's technological prowess with our financial expertise, we look to harness the full potential of AI technologies to advance on our innovation agenda while also creating long-term value for our clients, colleagues, and communities.' Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, added: 'From education to healthcare and scientific research, AI has already shown its potential to drive transformational change. We are thrilled to partner with Standard Chartered, a global leader in financial services, to shape the transformation in the financial sector. Through this strategic alliance, we will combine Alibaba's technological expertise with Standard Chartered's deep industry knowledge to unlock new possibilities.'
