REAL ESTATE-

MBC Group inked a land transfer agreement with Diriyah Company to acquire and develop plots within the Diriyah Project for its new headquarters, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. Under the agreement, Diriyah Company will oversee the development, design, and construction of the 138.4k sqm site — including offices, filming studios, and a visitor center — under a forthcoming detailed development works agreement.

Here, there, everywhere: MBC has been on a regional expansion push, launching facilities in Al Narjis in 3Q 2024 and headquarters in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter back in 2022.

INVESTMENT WATCH-

#1- Stonepeak is opening its second Middle East office in Riyadh to boost infrastructure investments, appointing senior execs Steven Ciobo and Fadi Kerbaj to the base, it said in a press release. This move is part of the firm’s broader strategy to capitalize on the region’s push for foreign institutional investment in infrastructure projects.

About Stonepeak: Stonepeak is a USD 73 bn alternative investment firm specializing in real estate, energy transition, digital infrastructure, logistics and transport. The Riyadh office follows the firm’s establishment of a presence in Abu Dhabi one year ago, Bloomberg reports.

#2- The SIDF Investment Company (SIC) and Tameed have launched a SAR 200 mn institutional investment program to provide SMEs with capital financing, state news agency SPA reports. SMEs with government or major private sector approval will access private sector investment opportunities via Tameed’s crowdfunding electronic platform, providing necessary liquidity to support their operational and production cycles.

IN CONTEXT- Last March, the SIC and London-based asset management firm Ashmore partnered to set up Saudi Arabia’s first private industrial investment fund, with a target size of SAR 400 mn. SIC was established last November by the Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al Khorayef with an initial capital of SAR 2 bn to promote private investment in energy, mining, and logistics projects.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

Hamah Capital has earned approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to begin managing securities-related investments and funds, according to a statement from the authority.

About Hamah Capital: The Riyadh-based company was established in January 2025 and manages investments, operates funds, and provides securities-related advice.

MANUFACTURING-

Basic Chemical Industries (BCI) inked a six-month MoU with South Africa’s AECI to set up a chemical manufacturing facility in Jubail, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. The joint venture aims to localize the production of specialized chemicals for water treatment, mining, and industrial uses at a new facility near BCI’s Chlor-Alkali plant in Jubail Industrial City.

SPORTS-

The Saudi Pro League partnered with Globant to launch an AI-powered competition management platform, the SPL said in a press release. Luxembourg-based tech firm Globant will deploy its Sportian Competition Management Solution for the SPL, creating a digital ecosystem to manage future seasons. The AI-driven platform will automate player registration, transfers, line-ups, referee assignments, and compliance, streamlining SPL operations.

This partnership marks Globant’s entry into Saudi Arabia’s sports sector, building on its global portfolio serving LaLiga, MotoGP, among others.

STARTUP WATCH-

Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) launched the fifth edition of Tech Pioneers program, featuring two fintech-focused incubators leveraging AI, targeting innovative startups in Riyadh and Jeddah, according to an X post from the Communications and IT Ministry. The four-month program offers technical, administrative, and financial support, helping participants access markets, investors, and digital resources.

Tags: