Latest news with #KhalidAl-Faisal
Saudi Gazette
24-03-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal reviews government performance during Ramadan in Makkah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH – Emir of Makkah Prince Khalid Al-Faisal received his deputy, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, who presented a report detailing the performance of government agencies during the holy month of Ramadan. During the meeting, Prince Khalid commended the work of various entities involved in facilitating services for worshippers at the Grand Mosque. He praised their efforts in ensuring smooth operations and supporting visitors in performing their religious rituals. Authorities in Makkah implemented several measures throughout Ramadan to manage crowds, enhance security, and improve services at the Grand Mosque. The discussion highlighted the importance of continued coordination to maintain operational efficiency during the peak season. On Friday, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque launched its operational plan for the last ten days of Ramadan, a period expected to witness the highest influx of plan includes a wide range of services such as preparing prayer areas with clean carpets, ensuring sanitation and cleanliness, carrying out regular fumigation, and maintaining a steady supply of Zamzam water. It also covers environmental protection services, restroom maintenance, and the provision of carts for those in support these efforts, a monitoring and reporting system has been activated to oversee crowd movement, maintain order, and ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all visitors.
Arabian Business
26-02-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
EXCLUSIVE: Saudi's ROSHN records SAR1.5bn in real estate sales during four-day event
Saudi Arabia's ROSHN Group recorded sales of SAR1.5 billion worth of property in four days. The sales took place at the Resatex exhibition in Riyadh. The record-breaking number was driven by the launch of ALMANAR, ROSHN's first integrated community in Makkah, and the release of new homes in SEDRA, its flagship development in Riyadh. Held from 17 th to 20 th of February in Riyadh, Restatex attracted thousands of Saudi consumers eager to invest in off-plan properties. ROSHN capitalised on this demand by announcing the sale of 727 homes in the first phase of ALMANAR and over 400 new homes in SEDRA. ROSHN's ALMANAR drives success Both the first and second releases of ALMANAR sold out within just two days, while units in SEDRA also moved swiftly. ROSHN Group recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for ALMANAR, marking the launch of its inaugural fully integrated residential community in Makkah. The event, held under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, was attended by prominent figures, including the Mayor of Makkah Musad Aldaood, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites Eng. Saleh Al-Rasheed, and Acting CEO of ROSHN Group Dr. Khalid Johar. Spanning 21 million square meters and featuring more than 33,000 residential units, ALMANAR is designed to be a vibrant, people-centric community. It will provide residents with easy access to essential facilities, including schools, mosques, shopping centers, and healthcare services. The community also features open spaces, recreational areas, and expansive green zones, promoting a healthy and connected lifestyle. Johar said: 'We are thrilled to bring our vision of new way of living to Makkah for the first time, offering the highest standards for a vibrant and integrated community on the doorstep of the holy city that meets all residents' needs. With ALMANAR community, we honour the region's rich architectural designs while embracing nature, providing residents the chance to embrace a healthy lifestyle. The sales launch of the first batch of ALMANAR community underscores our commitment to developing exceptional destinations that cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of the Kingdom's residents, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives for homeownership and quality of life.' Saudi property prices soar The surge in sales is reflective of Saudi Arabia's booming housing market. According to Knight Frank, property prices in Riyadh have seen significant growth, with apartment prices rising by 62 per cent and villa prices increasing by 37 per cent over the last three years. With population growth fueling demand, the country will need to construct 115,000 homes annually over the next six years. ROSHN's strategy to boost sales through digital channels also played a pivotal role. Late last year, the Group announced that 50 per cent of its sales were conducted digitally via its website and mobile application. This digital-first approach was integral to the success at Restatex, as both ALMANAR and SEDRA were marketed online alongside the event. In Riyadh, the new batch of homes in SEDRA continues to enhance ROSHN's primary community offering in the capital city. Shaun Macnamara, ROSHN Group's Executive Director for Sales said: 'We have had two launches within Restatex. ALMANAR is an integrated community that we are bringing to Makkah, while the new batch in SEDRA enhances our offering there, offering more unit availability.' Saudi Arabia's real GDP growth showed signs of recovery in 2024, with quarterly GDP rebounding from -4.3 per cent in Q4 2023 to 2.8 per cent in Q3 2024, reflecting strong momentum in tourism, real estate, and construction. The KSA real estate price index rose by 2.9 per cent year-on-year in Q3 2024, driven by a 1.6 per cent increase in residential land prices and a 6.4 per cent rise in commercial sector values.
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-01-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Embraces Digitalization and AI to Enhance Asset, Facility Management Efficiency
A recent research study presented during the International Conference on Asset, Facility Management, and Maintenance, held in Jeddah, underscored the deep impact of efficiency and economic sustainability on reducing operational costs and improving institutional performance. The study revealed that implementing effective facility management strategies can lower operational costs by up to 20%, creating opportunities for organizations to invest in innovation and development. Moreover, adopting sustainable solutions can reduce energy consumption in public facilities by as much as 30%, directly contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Held under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Province, the conference is held from January 26 to 28 and features participation from over 100 experts representing 25 countries. The findings highlighted that organizations employing sustainable development strategies achieve measurable improvements in operational efficiency ranging from 20% to 30%, along with a notable 25% boost in productivity. Additionally, these strategies drastically reduce contract failure rates by 70%. Advanced Infrastructure Dr. Zuhair Al-Sarraj, Secretary-General of the conference, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the event aims to establish a specialized platform for the exchange of expertise and knowledge in the fields of facility management and maintenance. He emphasized that the conference introduces innovative solutions for preserving essential infrastructure and vital facilities, such as airports, hospitals, roads, and university campuses. Al-Sarraj also stressed the importance of training and empowering Saudi youth with the professional skills and expertise required to manage these resources effectively. He noted that Saudi Arabia stands among the leading countries in terms of extensive real estate holdings and advanced infrastructure, developed through multi-billion-riyal national plans. The official further highlighted Saudi Arabia's strong technical and human capabilities, which position the Kingdom as a leader in this sector. This leadership is further enhanced by the country's rapid strides toward digitalization, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). He explained that smart solutions enable precise and efficient decision-making through advanced data analysis, reducing the reliance on large maintenance teams. According to recent studies, the adoption of smart systems can decrease maintenance costs by up to 25%, thanks to proactive policies that minimize waste and improve operational efficiency. The Secretary-General also underscored the role of asset and facility management in achieving sustainability and enhancing infrastructure performance. Shaping Future Directions Dr. Mohammed Al-Fouzan, Chairman of the Arab Operations and Maintenance Council, said in his keynote address that digitalization is transforming every aspect of life, fundamentally reshaping asset and facility management. He outlined four key pillars—essence, appearance, function, and goals—that are critical in shaping strategies and future directions in this field. The first day of the conference witnessed the inauguration of AFM Expo, an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge innovations in facility management and maintenance. The exhibition highlighted advanced technologies in preventive maintenance and digitalization, with a strong focus on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs. The conference serves as a crucial platform bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, and investment communities, fostering collaboration and driving practical solutions to the challenges faced in facility management.
