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Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Aramco, stc drive Saudi brands' value up 14% to $117bn, new report shows
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's top 100 brands reached a combined valuation of $116.8 billion as of January, up 14 percent year on year, led by energy giant Aramco and telecom operator stc, according to a new report. Marketing consultancy firm Brand Finance said Aramco retained its position as the Kingdom's most valuable brand for the sixth consecutive year, with a valuation of $41.7 billion. The company's strength stems from its global oil production capabilities and investments in low-carbon technologies. The Kingdom's economy remains heavily influenced by its core sectors — energy, banking, and telecommunications — which together represent nearly 74 percent of the total brand value in the rankings. This sector concentration underscores Saudi Arabia's ongoing economic diversification efforts as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Andrew Campbell, managing director, Brand Finance Middle East, said: 'Saudi Arabia's brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future.' He added: 'From long-standing powerhouses like Aramco and stc to fast-rising brands like Saudia and Almarai, there's a real sense of momentum across sectors. These brands are not only contributing to the Kingdom's economic transformation but also setting new benchmarks for excellence in the region and beyond.' The report further revealed that stc ranked as the Kingdom's second most valuable brand in 2025, with a valuation of $41.7 billion, up 16 percent year on year. This growth is primarily linked to the successful implementation of its Masterbrand strategy, which facilitated expansion into sectors like banking, cybersecurity, B2B, and IT services through strategic mergers and acquisitions. The report by the London-based brand valuation consultancy showed that stc is also ranked as the strongest brand in Saudi Arabia, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 88.7 out of 100 and an AAA rating. Its continued investment in 5G infrastructure and digital financial services has solidified its position as a telecom leader. An AAA rating is the highest possible credit or brand strength rating, indicating robust reliability, quality, and performance. With brand value up 20 percent to $4.7 billion, Dairy producer Almarai is recognized as the Kingdom's third strongest brand, earning a Brand Strength Index score of 85.5 out of 100 and an AAA brand strength rating. This follows the brand's collaboration with Google Cloud, launched in November, which is driving its digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency. Almarai is also ranked as the top brand in Saudi Arabia for environmental, social, and governance performance, underscoring its strong commitment to ethical business practices, sustainable farming, and reducing carbon emissions. As for Saudia, its brand value surged by 34 percent to reach $1.1 billion in January, making it the fastest-growing Saudi brand and marking its first time crossing the billion-dollar milestone. This achievement is largely attributed to the airline's bold rebranding, along with advances in AI-driven customer service and infrastructure upgrades, which have significantly boosted its global brand visibility. The report further revealed that ROSHN Group, with a brand value of $1.1 billion, is the highest-ranked new entrant in the Kingdom this year. It also became the most valuable real estate brand in the country and secured a place among the top 20 brands overall. This debut reflects the company's strong financial performance and ambitious expansion strategy. 'Saudi Arabia's brand landscape is evolving at an impressive pace, driven by bold strategies, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. It's particularly exciting to see new entrants like ROSHN Group make such a strong debut, showing that diversification and ambition are paying off,' Campbell added.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi brands eyeing global expansion get boost at expo
The first International Floating Franchise Exhibition concluded its events with remarkable success aboard the luxurious Aroya Cruise, with wide international participation from representatives of 24 countries. Held under the patronage of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the event witnessed the signing of several international and local agreements aimed at enhancing the global presence of Saudi brands and positioning the Kingdom as a regional and global hub for franchise business. The closing ceremony commenced with a keynote speech highlighting the Saudi identity and its mission to promote a global culture of business through the initiative 'Saudi Franchise to the World,' which served as the central theme of the exhibition. During the event, cooperation agreements were signed between the National Franchise Committee and entities from several countries including the UK, South Korea, South Africa, and China, as part of a broader effort to support the international expansion of Saudi brands and attract foreign investments. In addition, local agreements were signed with key government entities such as Monsha'at (Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority) and the Social Development Bank, to strengthen the infrastructure of the franchise sector within the Kingdom. In his closing remarks, Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, chairman of the National Franchise Committee, emphasized the exhibition's strategic objectives, including: • Launching a specialized investment fund to support Saudi brands and empower their expansion into international markets. • ntroducing an interactive digital platform designed to connect Saudi brands with global investors, providing qualification, marketing, and technical support services to streamline international franchising. • Establishing a national company for the alliance of Saudi brands, aimed at facilitating collective global expansion through strategic partnerships, joint procurement, and service integration. The closing ceremony also included the recognition of sponsoring companies, government and international partners, and the Saudi Restaurants and Cafes Owners Association, in appreciation of their vital role in the exhibition's success. Dr. Al-Ghamdi announced that preparations are underway to host the next floating exhibition in Istanbul, further reflecting the committee's commitment to expanding the global footprint of Saudi franchising. He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to the team at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and the crew of Aroya Cruise, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, praising their dedication and outstanding efforts in delivering this exceptional event. The exhibition ran for three days, featuring 10 interactive workshops led by experts from various countries, alongside showcases of a wide array of Saudi brands eager to expand internationally — all aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the Kingdom as a global center for franchising.
