STAR consolidates its presence in Saudi Arabia

n Star Soda, the UAE-based topselling soda brand manufactured by International Beverage and Filling Industries (IBFI) has taken a significant step forward in reaching out to customers and further expanding its market share in KSA by appointing Binzagr Company as the exclusive distributor in the Kingdom.

This partnership between the IBFI, a subsidiary of Albatha Holding—one of the UAE’s oldest and largest business holdings—and Saudi Arabia’s leading distributors with a rich heritage of 142 years, is expected to make boost sales growth for both companies, it was announced in a press communique.

Star Drinks and Binzagr Company commemorated the exclusive partnership during an intimate launch ceremony last month. Ahmed Binzagr, President, Binzagr Company, and Moy Eladawy, General Manager, IBFI, inaugurated the newfound partnership with an official signing during the launch.

n ADNOC recently announced it has signed agreements with 23 UAE and international companies for local manufacturing opportunities across a wide range of critical industrial products worth AED17 billion (US$ 4.63bn).

The private sector encouraged to capitalize on commercial opportunities across ADNOC’s value chain through its ICV (InCountry Value) programme.

The agreements outline the intention of the companies to manufacture these products in the UAE, supporting the

“The growing market trend for such products will only result in further elevating the brand’s market share, and both our businesses to greater heights,” affirmed Binzagr.

Launched in 1992, IBFI is a subsidiary of the largest and oldest business holdings in the UAE, the Albatha Group, a well-established conglomerate with a portfolio of business interests in

‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative and the ‘Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy’. The products are part of the AED 70bn (US$19bn) worth of products in ADNOC’s procurement pipeline that the company identified for domestic manufacturing in July 2022.

ADNOC continues to encourage the private sector to capitalize on the commercial opportunities for domestic manufacturing across its value chain through its In-Country Value (ICV) program, as it expands and decarbonizes its operations.

FMCG manufacturing, distribution, pharmaceutical, automobile, and real estate among other sectors.

“We are confident that through Binzagr Company’s expertise and long heritage, we will achieve our aspirations to further reach out to its consumers and remain as the number one soda brand in the hearts and minds of every consumer in KSA,” asserted Eladawy.

“We look forward to working with these companies to deliver on these important agreements and drive more sustainable value to the UAE,” remarked Dr. Saleh Al Hashimi, ADNOC Director, Commercial & In-Country Value Directorate. Last year, ADNOC signed agreements for local manufacturing commitments worth over AED 25bn (US$ 6.8bn) with UAE and international companies. The company continues to take a transparent approach to showcasing its product outlook as part of its ICV programme.

Cathay Cargo announces a rebrand

n Cathay has announced the launch of Cathay Cargo, a rebrand of its cargo business, and a change of name from Cathay Pacific Cargo.

The change aligns with the airline’s overarching brand redesign and reinforces the existing strong brand association and perceptions held by its customers, the carrier revealed in a press communique.

Shipping directly to more than 70 destinations worldwide, Cathay Cargo is committed to advancing the development of all destination countries served by Cathay’s more than 200 aircraft.

“Cathay’s cargo business has played a vital role in the success of the Cathay Group since 1946, when we carried our first shipment between China and Australia. Our cargo services operate out of our home base of Hong Kong, which is also the world’s busiest international air cargo hub,” remarked Ronald Lam, Group CEO.

Reflecting this commitment to invest, Cathay Cargo has recently introduced a number of exciting, refreshed solutions, including Cathay Priority and Cathay Pharma. Cathay Mail is scheduled for a refresh in March.

These services cater to the respective burgeoning demands by customers for effective temperature-sensitive solutions, and efficient and reliable delivery solutions with new digital technology that better meets the requirements for shipment visibility, reliability, and speed.

“Cathay Cargo continues to innovate new solutions, services and technology for customers as we build towards being one of the world’s greatest service brands. Continued investment in technology and logistics will solidify our position as a leading player in the industry,” commented Tom Owen, Director Cargo.

Jeddah Islamic Port receives three modern STS cranes

n The Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), a strategic partner of Jeddah Islamic Port and the operator of its North Container Terminal, recently procured three cutting-edge Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes in its pursuit to supercharge operational efficiency at the world-class hub.

While this addition falls under the wider ambitions of the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) to transform the country’s maritime sector into a global logistics powerhouse that boasts high productivity and boosts international trade in tandem with the vision set forth by the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

The North Container Terminal is now home to 24 sophisticated cranes with the addition of the latest batch of heavy-duty equipment, thus fulfilling a critical component in the SAR 6billionl concession agreement between the terminal operator and the national maritime regulator that seeks to upgrade the installed capacity of the facility to 8.8 million TEUs.

The deployment of modern cranes demonstrates RSGT’s long-standing commitment to upscale the terminal’s operations and modernize its logistics infrastructure besides upskilling its workforce in support of the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global logistics landscape.

Featuring 62 berths, four terminals, and an annual throughput of 130 million tons, the 12.5 sq. km. port is the Kingdom’s busiest and the Red Sea’s leading hub for maritime trade, transshipments, and re-exports, with an eye on occupying a top-ten spot among the world’s best by 2030.