LOGISTICS-

Quiqup touches down in Saudi: UAE-based e-commerce logistics provider Quiqup expanded into Saudi Arabia, launching its core fulfillment and delivery services in the Kingdom, according to a statement. The firm is backed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) under its Guarantee Scheme loan program, which has supported Quiqup’s operational expansion to double its business over the past two years and grow its customer base by 77% y-o-y between 2023 and 2024.

The firm looks to further expand into the GCC to capitalize on its “connected e-commerce ecosystem where operational efficiencies in one market enhance the overall regional performance,” CEO Bassel El Koussa said.

About Quiqup: The company — founded in 2017 — offers comprehensive logistics solutions, with a focus on SMEs. Quiqup provides storage, sorting, packaging, and delivery services.

M&A WATCH-

Alareeb Holding acquired 80% of HR solutions provider VTCHR, according to a post on LinkedIn. This acquisition is part of Alareeb Holding’s plan to grow its investments and offer advanced human resources solutions. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

ICYMI- Alareeb Holding also recently completed the acquisition of a 30% stake in local engineering consultancy services company Pioneer Landmarks for an undisclosed amount.

MEDIA-

SRMG subsidiary media contract: Taoq Public Relations, a subsidiary of Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), signed a three-year contract worth SAR 252 mn annually with an unnamed commercial company specializing in publicity, advertising, and public relations, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. The contract involves providing operational services across several media platforms.

ICYMI- SRMG launched a new media solutions company earlier this month, SRMG Media Solutions (SMS), to be its exclusive media sales representative.

FOOD-

Neom Investment Fund made an investment for an undisclosed value in US-based Liberation Labs, state news agency SPA reports. The biomanufacturer will support Topian, Neom’s food subsidiary, in building a high-tech fermentation facility in Saudi Arabia, offering microfermentation technology to produce high-quality proteins without relying on animal sources.

ICYMI- Topian signed a SAR 1.9 bn agreement last February with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu to build an aquaculture project in Jazan, with a 10k-ton annual capacity. Also, Neom launched a joint venture with Tabuk Fisheries, dubbed Topian Aquaculture JV, in February of last year to develop a fish hatchery with a capacity of 42 mn fingerlings.

AVIATION-

Local airlines vie for national non-scheduled air carrier license: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) launched a tender to offer a national air charter service license, according to a statement (pdf). The deadline for submitting proposals is 21 May, with bids set to be opened the following day.

DATA-

The General Authority for Statistics (Gastat) launched two surveys targeting agricultural and structural works activity in the Kingdom, it said in two separate posts on X (here and here).

The details: The agricultural survey will gather annual data on crop and livestock production, output volumes, and production methods — with the aim of building a reliable database to support agricultural policy and research. Meanwhile, the structural works survey will monitor structural changes in business sector establishments and provide data on economic activities while calculating their growth rates and their contribution to economic development. Both surveys use in-person interviews to collect data.

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