Latest news with #KingAbdulazizQualityAward


Arab News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Vision 2030 puts government performance at heart of economic growth drive, says minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 prioritizes enhancing the performance of government bodies and institutions across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, recognizing their vital role in driving economic growth, according to the Kingdom's economy minister. Speaking at the 7th edition of the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim, who also chairs the award's supervisory committee, said the initiative boosts competitiveness and strengthens the investment climate. It also drives economic complexity and broadens the reach and quality of services both locally and globally — ultimately generating high-value jobs for the Saudi population, the Saudi Press Agency reported. This aligns with the Kingdom's progress in the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development, which ranked Saudi Arabia 16th out of 67 of the world's most competitive countries. The business efficiency axis, in particular, advanced from 13th to 12th place. The overall ranking marked a one-position improvement for the Kingdom, driven by gains in business legislation and infrastructure, placing the Kingdom 4th among G20 countries. 'Today, we celebrate national institutions that have proven that institutional excellence is not a slogan, but rather a strategic choice and a consistent management approach,' Alibrahim said in his remarks during the event. He added: 'The King Abdulaziz Quality Award is not just an occasion for recognition, but rather an ongoing journey to create models, stimulate performance, and raise the ceiling of institutional ambition.' Alibrahim highlighted the role of the Saudi National Model for Institutional Excellence, which he described as a practical tool for enhancing capabilities, improving performance, and maximizing institutional impact. The model is a framework that promotes organizational excellence across key sectors, using the King Abdulaziz Quality Award as a benchmark. It focuses on leadership, strategic planning, and measurable outcomes in areas like academic quality and stakeholder satisfaction, guided by scientific methods and national standards. Prince Mohammed bin Turki bin Abdullah, secretary-general of the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, said the initiative serves as a national platform to promote positive competition and consolidates the principles of governance. A total of 63 organizations were recognized across gold, silver, and bronze categories for their application of high standards in quality, governance, and innovation. The gold-level government winners included the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, and the General Organization for Social Insurance. Other winners included the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance. Thirty-four entities were awarded at the bronze level following a comprehensive evaluation process that measured performance, efficiency, and commitment to continuous improvement. Saudi Arabia's quality award program mirrors similar efforts in more than 90 countries and reflects the Kingdom's ambition to embed institutional excellence into its economic model. The King Abdulaziz Quality Award is positioned as the national benchmark for organizational performance, aiming to drive sustained development across key sectors.


Arab News
25-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia boosts maritime connectivity with Syria, Turkiye via EXS6 service
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's maritime connectivity with Syria and Turkiye is set to improve with the launch of the EXS6 shipping service, strengthening the Kingdom's trade links with international markets. Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, announced on Feb. 25 the addition of a new shipping service by Caerus, which will connect Jeddah Islamic Port with İskenderun Port in Turkiye and Latakia Port in Syria — offering a capacity of 858 twenty-foot equivalent units. This will enhance the terminal's competitive advantage, improve maritime connectivity, support national exports and imports, and strengthen maritime ties between Saudi Arabia and Syria. According to Mawani's statement, the service launch also maximizes Jeddah's port competitive value. The development aligns with the authority's strategy to improve the Kingdom's standing in the global maritime connectivity index, optimize port operations, and strengthen the nation's trade ties with international markets. It also supports the country's National Transport and Logistics Strategy — a comprehensive plan designed to transform Saudi Arabia into a global logistics hub, enhancing its position as a key international trade and transport center. Mawani, which recently earned the bronze level in the 2024 King Abdulaziz Quality Award for the government sector, emphasized its role in advancing the development of Saudi ports through strategic partnerships with major international shipping lines. These efforts are enhancing the global standing of the ports, expanding maritime trade routes, and improving infrastructure and operational efficiency. Earlier in February, Mawani introduced five new shipping services by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's ports and boosting their regional and global competitiveness. The new services link these terminals to key international destinations, including Port Said in Egypt, Morocco's Tangier, and Algeciras in Spain. The destinations also include Aqaba in Jordan, Jebel Ali in the UAE, and Mundra and Pipavav of India, as well as Salalah in Oman, with a combined capacity of 19,869 TEUs. Jeddah Islamic Port has been chosen as the central hub for the 'Gemini' collaboration between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, further cementing Saudi ports' role as a logistics hub bridging three continents. This move enhances cargo-handling efficiency, supports trade growth, and drives economic development, Mawani said.


Mid East Info
05-02-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Saudi German Hospital Jeddah achieves bronze-level award at 7th annual King Abdulaziz Quality Award - Middle East Business News and Information
Saudi German Hospital Jeddah (SGH Jeddah) has been awarded the prestigious bronze-level award in the Private Healthcare Facilities category at the 7th annual King Abdulaziz Quality Award (KAQA), making it the only private hospital to earn this distinction this year. This achievement reflects SGH's dedication to providing outstanding healthcare services and upholding the highest quality standards across its operations. This recognition is a testament to Saudi German Health's relentless efforts to enhance the patient experience, foster innovation, and deliver top-tier healthcare services that meet the needs of every patient, in line with the highest national and international excellence standards. Moreover, this achievement underscores the SGH's contribution to the development of the healthcare sector and its support for the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 — particularly in enhancing quality of life and driving economic progress. Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, Vice Chairman of Saudi German Health, expressed his pride in the recognition, stating: 'Winning this award echoes our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. It enables us to assess our current performance levels, compare with global counterparts, and address potential gaps, if there are any. This is a groundbreaking achievement for SGH, driving us to improve health outcomes for our patients and community while fostering continuous quality improvement for patients and staff. We remain committed to serving our community with the highest quality of care every day.' The King Abdulaziz Quality Award, a national benchmark for organisational excellence in Saudi Arabia, inspires organisations across all sectors to pursue exceptional performance, enhance their competitiveness, and embrace innovation. These efforts play a key role in stimulating economic growth and fostering a thriving business environment in Saudi Arabia.