NEWS FROM THE MONTH

AMAZON OPENS NEW SAUDI ARABIA HQ / M GLORY AIMS FOR 10,000 CARS PER YEAR / SUPPLYVAN LAUNCHES IN UAE / DRONE DELIVERIES IN AD ON THE WAY

NETWORK

Amazon aiming high in Saudi Arabia

NEW RIYADH HQ WILL ATTRACT ‘TALENTED BUILDERS’ AS AMAZON TARGETS KSA GROWTH

LAST MILE

Amazon.sa, the Saudi arm of online retail giant Amazon, has opened the doors to its imposing new office in Riyadh, with its GCC director Abdo Chlala placing it at the core of strategy to hire talent which “will help us invent and innovate on behalf of our customers.”

Amazon’s new office is in the Riyadh Front Tower. The multistorey building will house employees from various sectors of the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia, including e-commerce, smart devices, Amazon Payments Services, Amazon Internet Services, and Amazon Advertising.

“We are pleased to inaugurate our new office in the capital of the Kingdom, confirming our commitment to serving Amazon customers, vendor partners, and employees in the Kingdom, as well as supporting its social and economic growth in line with the Saudi Vision 2030,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar, VP, Amazon Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

“We will continue to develop our investments in the Kingdom across various sectors, including e-commerce, smart devices, and Amazon Payment Services, among others.”

Since launching its operations in 2020, Amazon say it has boosted its investment across the Kingdom and expanded its activities in various business sectors. It has also focused on a local approach with bringing the Amazon Prime programme to Kingdom to offer customer’s free same-day delivery in Riyadh and Jeddah. It is also introducing, for the first time ever, Alexa with an Arabic language option with the Khaleeji (Gulf) dialect.

Its new home inside the Riyadh Front Tower, the tallest tower in the area, provides an ideal work environment to attract and retain talent in line with Amazon’s mission to strive to be Earth’s Best Employer. With the opening of the new office, Amazon is also working to launch an initiative to empower and train Saudi talent by meeting with employees working in various functions across the company.

AMAZON MENA HAS RECRUITED 1,400 ‘TALENTS’ IN SAUDI ARABIA IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE IT FIRST LAUNCHED AMAZON.SA IN 2020

M GLORY: DUBAI PLANT OPENING MARKS NEW ERA FOR MOBILITY IN UAE

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

M Glory Holding Group and Dubai Industrial City described the opening of the 4,200sqm Al Damani Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Factory as a major milestone in the manufacturing of electric cars to meet rising demand for green mobility and the reduction of global carbon emissions.

The new plant’s assembly line, which has a maximum production capacity of 10,000 cars per year.

The factory’s groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by Majida Al-Azazi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of M Glory Holding Group, and Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, Executive Vice President - Industrial Leasing at Tecom Group, along with other business leaders and media representatives.

Al-Shawareb said: “We are delighted to announce the inauguration of Al Damani Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Factory in Dubai Industrial City. This historic milestone will provide another low-emission energy source and contribute to creating a more sustainable future for the UAE and the region.

“By delivering cutting-edge, technologically supported solutions in line with Operation 300bn and driven by our partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the manufacturing sector can play a crucial role in supporting the national Net Zero strategy. The opening of M Glory in our community illustrates our dedication to boosting the manufacturing sector and our belief in providing a comprehensive ecosystem.”

FIRST MOBILE HARDWARE TOOLS STORE IN UAE

UAE CEMENT FACTORIES AIMING FOR NET ZERO

FLEET

SupplyVan says its newly launched Mobile Hardware Store for MRO (Manufacturing, Repair, and Operation) is the first service of its type in the UAE market.

The firm said the service will initially launch in the industrial centres of Jebel Ali and Dubai Investment Park in the city, with vans delivering orders for tools and equipment such as electrical wiring and accessories, WD-40, sealants, and lighting spares.

“We are elated to announce the launch of the first-of-its-kind Mobile Hardware Stores starting with Jebel Ali and Dubai Investment Park and soon covering other areas. Instead of going to the hardware store for emergency supplies, our vehicles will come to you for commonplace maintenance items within 15-20 minutes,” said Ali Asgar Raja, CEO, and Founder of SupplyVan.

“Our regular orders on our website are delivered within one to two working days. Our team at SupplyVan is dedicated to ensuring that our Mobile Hardware Store will offer additional support and quick service to its customers with their time-critical operations.”

Using data analytics and customer purchase trends of its B2C and B2B customers, SupplyVan vehicles will carry fast-moving branded products that are required for urgent repair and maintenance.

Providing one-day deliveries for orders placed online or paid with Cash on Delivery or Credit Card, Supply Van’s Mobile Hardware Store is a game changer in the MRO Industry. The SupplyVan vehicles will be stationed in different parts of the city.

TRANSPORTATION

In a bid to boost the involvement of the private sector in achieving Net Zero, applying circular economy principles, and building an integrated waste management system, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Emirates RDF have signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Fujairah Cement Industries, JSW Cement, Lafarge Emirates, and Star Cement. The deal will see the companies partially use alternative fuel generated from municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment by the Emirates RDF plant in Umm Al Quwain in their manufacturing operations.

The plants will start to use alternative biofuel in their production activities in confirmation of their commitment to sustainability, and supporting the development of a circular economy through an effective and long-term waste management solution, in line with the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031.

The signing ceremony at MOCCAE drew the participation of Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, representatives of the Follow-Up Committee of the Initiatives of the UAE President, members of the Emirates RDF Project, and executive directors of the cement factories.

“The participation of the private sector is a main pillar of the UAE’s green economy transition and the adoption of circular economy methods, the foremost of which is integrated waste management. The ministry is keen to expand its cooperation with private entities to enhance their contribution to the country’s endeavours to drive sustainable economic development and build a better, greener future.”

ULTIMATE MADE UAE LAMBORGHINI DEALER

FAST TRACKING UAE AND OMAN JOINT RAILWAY NETWORK WILL BOOST TRANSPORT SYSTEM

RETAIL

Ultimate Motors confirmed it has been appointed as the new authorised dealer for Automobili Lamborghini in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Current and new Lamborghini customers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi can now refer to the dealership located in Sheikh Zayed Road for all sales (including new and certified pre-owned cars), after sales and customer service, said the company.

“We are excited to welcome Ultimate Motors as our new dealer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With a product offering more wide-ranging than ever, more technologically advanced and able to amplify our customers’ emotions, I’m sure that we will continue to grow the brand in the UAE, building on our success and popularity from previous years,” said Speaking Paolo Sartori, regional head, Automobili Lamborghini Middle East and Africa.

Ultimate Motors said it has been appointed by the Italian supersports car manufacturer following an extremely successful first half of 2022 for the brand in the UAE.

Martino Picotti, GM, Ultimate Motors added: “We are confident that we can create a successful future for the Italian automaker in the UAE by continuing to gear up our operations and enhancing our structure with the introduction of key functions and departments such as the Selezione Certified Pre-owned, CRM, and training and compliance.”

LOGISTICS

The Board of Directors of the Oman Rail-Etihad Rail JV Company have said that they are prioritising the fast tracking the execution of their $3 billion rail project which they expect will to boost the growth of the two countries’ national economies and cross-border trade.

Meeting in Dubai to discuss implementation plans, including technical studies and architectural design, as well as environmental studies for routes, the business model and the commercial affairs of the joint venture, the partners said the rail network will improve the efficiency of supply chains and trade by linking commercial ports to the railway network.

The meeting was also the first formal meeting between of the newly established JV and saw it commit to “adopting the highest global standards for security, safety, and sustainability throughout the development of the network, which will extend for 303 kilometers, to provide safe and fast passenger transport and freight services.”

His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that establishing the joint venture was in line with both leaderships’ directives for achieving sustainable development by elevating the transport and infrastructure sectors to higher levels, economic and commercial growth.

ALJ TECH TAKES MOTORY.COM TO THE NEXT LEVEL

DISTRIBUTORS

The technology arm of Saudi Arabian automotive player Abdul Latif Jameel says its two newly launched online services enhance the purchase, sale and financing of vehicles for its customer base.

The e-commerce platform Motory. com arrives as one of the largest online platforms for new and used cars in Saudi Arabia. The Shop by Motory website and the associated Motory Mazad app, meanwhile, offer online car-buying services: “with the highest levels of privacy and security, providing valuable services that it anticipates will make it one of the leading platforms in Saudi Arabia for a convenient, secure and seamless experience,” explained Abdul Latif Jameel Technology.

It added that the Motory Mazad app is an online auction platform that was designed to automate car auctions between buyers, including auto dealers and auto showrooms, and car owners, such as banks, financing companies, leasing companies and others. According to the firm, the launch of these services addresses the rapid growth in the technology sector and customers’ increasing reliance on online services in the Kingdom: “It also falls in line with Abdul Latif Jameel Technology’s commitment to providing integrated and seamless services to customers and supporting digital transformation efforts through the employment of the latest innovative technologies.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: HOW MOBILITY IS CHANGING IN THE UAE, A CALL FOR OEM ACTION IN SAUDI ARABIA, A RETAIL REVOLUTION, AND MUCH MORE!

DRONE DELIVERIES TO LAUNCH IN ABU DHABI BY THE END OF 2022

LAST MILE

A trial programme for aerial drone delivery and other services in Abu Dhabi will start this year ahead of a full commercial launch in 2023, say the three organisations behind the initiative.

Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, Emirates Post Group, the official postal operator for the UAE, and SkyGo, an aerial logistics provider, have announced that they will deploy aerial drones to carry parcels and documents to specified Emirates Post sites across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Beginning with short-range journeys, the programme will expand to long-range tests with an increased capacity to assess demand and understand the wider benefits, said the partners. The objective is to provide a sustainable, user-friendly service that can carry vital medical supplies, fresh foods, and urgent documents rapidly, while providing real-time tracking.

“As a leading trusted trade and logistics partner within the region and globally, Maqta Gateway is uniquely positioned to spearhead advanced innovations such as this initiative. We actively seek out projects that can positively disrupt and transform global trade, and this new collaboration offers a vital opportunity to do just that,” said Dr Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO - Digital Cluster and CEO - Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group.

“Drone services could enable greater convenience and faster delivery times for customers across Abu Dhabi, while ensuring a positive environmental impact. Margo Hub is a state-of-theart integrated digital marketplace for all logistics needs, from trucking and warehousing through to the last mile and express delivery, so the expansion into drone services is a seamless extension.”

Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Group CEO, Emirates Post Group, added: “This agreement comes as part of Emirates Post Group’s vision to foster collaborations with pioneering UAE firms that embrace advanced technologies, so that we may provide customers with innovative delivery solutions. This explorative drone project represents an efficient and environmentally responsible solution for the delivery of small to medium sized packages, in line with the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) sustainable development objectives. By supporting this project, we are confident that we can alleviate road congestion and reduce fuel consumption in last-mile deliveries.”

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