DEBT WATCH-

Homegrown fintech Emkan Finance inked a SAR 1 bn Sharia-compliant credit facility agreement with the Saudi Investment Bank to support its expansion plans, according to Argaam. The funding will go towards growing Emkan’s financing services, especially its deferred payment product.

MANUFACTURING-

Aictec + ZKTeco to launch USD 1.5 mn tech factory: Advance International Company for Communication and Information Technology (Aictec) signed an MoU with China’s ZKTeco to set up a USD 1.5 mn (SAR 5.53 mn) factory in the Kingdom, Zawya reports. ZKTeco will hold a 60% stake in the joint venture, which will make and assemble security and access control systems for the Saudi market, aiming for a later regional expansion.

M&A-

Forus Invest acquired a 10% stake in Dubai-based Canater for USD 1 mn, it said in a post on LinkedIn. The supply chain and logistics solutions provider will direct the new funds toward digital infrastructure support, market expansion, and government collaborations.

About Canater: Founded in 2025, Canater offers integrated cross-border trade services, including digital contracts, financing, warehousing, logistics, and real-time shipment tracking.

ADVERTISING-

Arabian Contracting secures Cairo billboard contract: Arabian Contracting Services — through its affiliate Arabiya United for Advertising Service — signed a 10-year contract with Egypt’s MOT Investment and Development for billboard rights at 28 bus stations and 10 pedestrian bridges along the Cairo bus rapid transit route, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul.

On a roll: Arabian Contracting Services inked earlier this week a SAR 563.2 mn, 10-year agreement with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to lease the internal advertising spaces within the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, covering trains and buses.

EDUCATION-

Ataa + Ikueikan eye tech-focused schools in the Kingdom: Ataa Educational Company signed a one-year, non-binding MoU with Japan’s Ikueikan Educational Group to explore opening new schools in the Kingdom and introducing Japanese teaching methods, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul. The focus will be on giving students hands-on skills in areas like AI and robotics.

DISPUTE WATCH-

Chairman of Al Fakhera Men’s Tailoring Sulaiman Al Yahya was acquitted in a lawsuit by the Criminal Court in Riyadh, according to a Tadawul disclosure. Al Yahya was accused of violating the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law by offering discounts without a license from the Commerce Ministry. A preliminary ruling in November found the discounts to be promotional offers, not a criminal act. The final judgment upheld the ruling, confirming there was no evidence of guilt and dismissing the case.

That’s the last of them: This was one of four lawsuits against Al Yahya, all now resolved. InJanuary, Riyadh’s Commercial Court ruled in his favor, dismissing a case that sought 58% of his ownership due to a lack of jurisdiction. The court also dismissed two other cases — one from a supplier claiming unpaid property rent and another over a property eviction.

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