Latest News from Zawya
Zawya
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Zawya
Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Alleem Group drive strategic collaboration
Ajman, UAE: – Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, a distinguished 5-star heritage hotel renowned for blending Emirati cultural charm with modern luxury, has solidified a strategic partnership with Alleem Group, a diversified conglomerate with expertise in sustainability, technology and community development. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designating Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel as the official hospitality partner for Alleem Group's upcoming initiatives, marking a milestone in cross-sector collaboration. The strategic alliance aims to enhance brand visibility, unlock mutual growth and create synergies through joint promotional efforts and high-profile event hosting. As part of the agreement, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel will be the preferred venue for Alleem Group's corporate events, conferences, product launches, and CSR-driven gatherings including their Annual Sustainability Summit, while the company will promote the hotel's services and offers across its network. The collaboration amplifies joint marketing efforts across digital platforms, print media, and social channels, highlighting curated hospitality packages for Alleem Group's clients and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel's guests. The collaboration aligned with UAE's Vision 2030, such as heritage preservation workshops and eco-friendly event practices, reinforcing both entities' commitment to sustainability. Leveraging Alleem Group's regional and international showcase Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel's premium offerings to a global audience. Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, emphasized the partnership's strategic value – 'This collaboration is a catalyst for elevating Ajman's hospitality sector. By hosting Alleem Group's events, we anticipate a 10% increase in corporate bookings while delivering immersive experiences that reflect our Emirati heritage. Partnerships like this are pivotal to positioning Ajman as a hub for cultural and business tourism." Dr. Rashid Alleem, Founder & Chairman at Alleem Group, added: 'Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel's iconic waterfront location and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our ethos. This partnership enables us to offer stakeholders a unique blend of innovation and tradition, whether through international conferences or community initiatives we will launching later this year.' The UAE's hospitality sector is projected to grow by 7% annually, driven by rising MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism. This partnership taps into Ajman's emergence as a destination for travellers seeking authenticity and luxury. Over the next 12 months, the collaboration will roll out phased activations, including sustainability events, CSR events and cultural festivals, art exhibitions to involve community through culture and art. About Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, a jewel of Ajman, offering 254 lavishly designed rooms and suites, award-winning dining, and bespoke event spaces. Recognized for preserving local heritage while embracing innovation. About Alleem Group A Sharjah-based conglomerate is driving progress across sectors like renewable energy, education, and smart infrastructure, with a footprint in 40+ countries.
Zawya
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Zawya
Asas Makeen's Saudi IPO 19 times oversubscribed, raises $415mln
The initial public offering (IPO) of Saudi Arabia's Asas Makeen Real Estate Development and Investment Company has been oversubscribed by more than 19 times, as investors capitalise on the kingdom's real estate boom. The offering, which ran from May 19 to 25, 2025, received bids for nearly 19.5 million shares, raising a total of more than SAR 1.56 billion ($415 million), according to Yaqeen Capital, the financial advisor and lead manager for the IPO. The company had offered a 10% stake or one million shares on the Saudi Stock Exchange Parallel Market Nomu, with the offering price set at SAR 80 per share. The listing of the company's shares on Nomu will be determined after the required procedures with the Saudi Stock Exchange are finalised. The Saudi real estate market has demonstrated strong momentum, with transaction volumes reaching $29 billion during the first three months of the year, according to CBRE Middle East. The growth has been supported by government initiatives and heightened investor confidence. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
Zawya
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Zawya
WPP Media launches as fully integrated, AI-powered media company
WPP today strengthened its position as the leading marketing services business for the intelligent era with the launch of its AI-driven media company, WPP Media. Reflecting growing demand from marketers for fully integrated capabilities, WPP Media replaces GroupM as the name for WPP's global media company. WPP Media manages more than $60 billion in annual media investment and works with more than 75% of the world's leading advertisers in over 80 markets. Mindshare, Wavemaker, and EssenceMediacom will continue to provide clients with dedicated teams as brands within WPP Media, leveraging common capabilities, technology and support functions. WPP Media is seamlessly connected with WPP's wider global agency networks and capabilities through WPP Open – WPP's AI-enabled marketing system – creating the industry's most advanced platform for scaled and integrated creative, production, data, commerce and personalized media delivery services. WPP Open is backed by £300m in investment each year and partnerships with the leading AI companies. WPP Media's fully integrated offering enables clients to unify media, data and production and holistically manage their owned, earned, shared and paid activities to deliver personalization at scale. The company's services are further enhanced with best-in-class connected commerce and state-of-the-art measurement and analytics capabilities. WPP Media is underpinned by a commitment to accelerate investments in learning and development initiatives that will provide career pathways to the jobs of the future, ensuring employees are empowered to lead marketing and media transformation in the AI era. For more information about WPP Media's integrated capabilities and to explore WPP Media's new brand identity, visit Brian Lesser, CEO of WPP Media, said: 'Consumers already expect advertising to be relevant and engaging and buying experiences to be seamless; those expectations are only going to accelerate in the age of AI. WPP Media is built for a world in which media is everywhere and in everything. By investing in our AI-powered product, integrating our offer with data and technology, and equipping our people with future-facing skills, we're helping our clients to stay ahead of rapidly changing consumer behavior and unlock the limitless opportunities for growth that AI will create.' Today's announcement comes as WPP launches a new cross-channel B2B campaign targeting business leaders and senior marketing decision-makers. The campaign showcases WPP's AI credentials, its integrated proposition, and the advanced capabilities of WPP Open. For more, visit Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: 'We believe that WPP is the strongest marketing partner for the world's leading brands in the AI era, where technology and talent converge. The move to WPP Media continues our strategy to simplify and integrate our offer for clients. While GroupM was built for a time when media scale mattered most, WPP Media reflects the power of AI, data and technology and simpler, more integrated solutions. 'Our vision for the future is clear – marketing that is informed by data, led by seamlessly connected teams of brilliant people, and full of new opportunities for our clients.' Contact details: Felicity Stokes Head of Marketing and Communications, WPP Media MENA +971521469638 About WPP WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit About WPP Media WPP Media is WPP's global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Avnet India and NITK Surathkal Collaborate on AI-Powered Sustainability Solutions for Landslide Detection and Wildlife Preservation
BANGALORE, INDIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - Avnet India Pvt Ltd, a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, today announced its partnership with the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, one of India's premier academic institutions. This collaboration, an integral part of Avnet India's robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, focuses on leveraging Avnet's recognized expertise in AI-driven solutions for critical sustainability projects and biodiversity conservation efforts. Through this collaboration, Avnet India is working closely with the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at NITK, Surathkal, on three impactful sustainability projects, utilizing AI and machine learning technologies: AI-assisted Real-time Landslide Detection and Alerting System: This project uses AI techniques and Avnet's development boards to provide early detection and timely alerts for landslides, helping to protect lives and property in high-risk areas like the Himalayas and Western Ghats. Automated Bird Identification and Survey System: Using deep learning, this system automates bird species identification from audio and video recordings, streamlining data collection in challenging environments and supporting conservation research. Automated Bird Sound Identification for Tackling Illegal Wildlife Trafficking: This innovative system aims to detect and identify bird sounds to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. By integrating machine learning, the system enhances detection capabilities at checkpoints and contributes to preserving biodiversity by identifying bird calls in flight baggage. As part of this partnership, Avnet India is also supporting the significant upgrade of NITK's Electronic Systems Laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, including digital oscilloscopes and AI-embedded development boards, which will be vital for advancing these sustainability solutions. With over 100 years of experience in technology distribution, Avnet has built strong relationships with global suppliers, equipping customers with the tools they need to navigate complex design and supply chain challenges. Through collaborations like the one with NITK, Avnet fosters innovation by enabling the creation of scalable, AI-powered solutions aimed at addressing pressing environmental and societal issues. "Our partnership with NITK Surathkal highlights Avnet India's commitment to our global ESG strategy," said Suresh Kamath, Managing Director, Avnet India. "We are passionate about harnessing technology for environmental and community impact. The innovative solutions we are developing together—particularly in landslide detection and bird conservation—align perfectly with our goals of fostering a sustainable future and preserving biodiversity." Building on this, the HOD of ECE, NITK shared their perspective on the collaboration: "We are excited to collaborate with Avnet India on these groundbreaking sustainability projects. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies, we aim to address some of the most pressing environmental and conservation challenges, from landslide detection to wildlife preservation. This partnership enables our students and faculty to engage in impactful research while contributing to the broader societal goals of sustainability and biodiversity conservation. We look forward to the continued success of this collaboration, which underscores the importance of industry-academia partnerships in driving innovation for the future." The upgraded lab was officially inaugurated on April 16, 2025, by Sunil Kumar G, Senior Business Unit Manager (Xilinx) from Avnet India, along with other senior members from the company, and Professor Neelawar Shekar Vittal Shet from the Department of ECE, NITK. Professor Bhallamudi Ravi, Director of NITK, Surathkal, was also in attendance, along with some 60 faculty members and students. NITK, recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India, consistently ranks among the top engineering education institutes in the country. Avnet India's support of the NITK Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) department is part of its CSR program for 2024-25. Hashtag: #Avnet The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Avnet As a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, Avnet has served customers' evolving needs for more than a century. Through regional and specialized businesses around the world, we support customers and suppliers at every stage of the product lifecycle. We help companies adapt to change and accelerate the design and supply stages of product development. With a unique viewpoint from the center of the technology value chain, Avnet is a trusted partner that solves complex design and supply chain issues so customers can realize revenue faster. Learn more about Avnet at Avnet Asia Pte Ltd
Zawya
an hour ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia and China's Donghexin to launch region's first tinplate plant
Saudi's Tasnee and China's Shanghai Donghexin Group are partnering to set up the Middle East's first tinplate production facility in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City on the Kingdom's eastern coast, Chinese state-owned news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday. The facility, scheduled to start operations in mid-2027, will have an annual production capacity of 400,000 tonnes with 50 percent of the output earmarked for export, the Xinhua report said. The project aims to strengthen domestic supply chains in packaging and support key sectors such as food and beverage, paints, oils, and chemicals by providing coated and uncoated tinplate. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
