Falih Al-Falih, the entrepreneur, confirmed that Saudi Arabia is moving at an accelerated pace towards consolidating its position as one of the most prominent investment and economic destinations in the region, based on the objectives of the “Kingdom’s Vision 2030”, and the economic and legislative reforms it has produced that have contributed to diversifying sources of income, strengthening the role of the private sector, and creating an attractive investment environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship.
Al-Falih explained that the tourism and industry sectors today represent two basic pillars in the national development process, in light of the major projects taking place in the Kingdom, and the accompanying development of infrastructure, improving the business environment, and empowering investors, which contributes to raising the contribution of non-oil sectors to the domestic product, increasing investment opportunities, and creating more quality jobs for citizens.
He pointed out that the rapid development witnessed by the retail sector reflects the scale of the economic transformation that the Kingdom is experiencing, stressing that the Saudi consumer has become more aware and interested in quality and innovation, which prompts national companies to invest in developing their products and services, raising quality standards, and enhancing local content, in line with international best practices.
He added that the national industry has today become one of the main engines of the economy, thanks to continuous government support, localization programs, and investment incentives, which has enhanced the ability of Saudi products to compete in local, regional, and international markets, and contributed to building a more diversified and sustainable industrial base.
Regarding the tourism sector, Al-Falih explained that the Kingdom possesses exceptional elements that qualify it to be a global tourist destination, including geographical diversity, cultural heritage, and giant tourism projects, in addition to hosting international, sporting and cultural events, stressing that the next stage requires greater integration between the public and private sectors to develop services, attract investments, and raise the quality of the tourism experience.
He also stressed the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, as one of the most important engines of economic growth, calling for continued investment in national competencies, providing a stimulating environment for innovation, enhancing the culture of self-employment, and empowering young people to lead specific projects that contribute to achieving sustainable development.
Falih Al-Falih said: “The unprecedented economic and development transformation we are witnessing today is the result of an ambitious vision and wise leadership that has put people and development at the top of its priorities. The Kingdom has become a global model in building a diversified and sustainable economy, and the private sector has become a major partner in achieving these goals. We believe that investing in Saudi people, supporting national industry, promoting tourism, and empowering entrepreneurs are the keys to the next stage, and we will continue to work on presenting initiatives and projects that contribute to strengthening the national economy, raising the Kingdom’s competitiveness, and consolidating its position as a global destination for investment, tourism, and innovation.”
Al-Falih concluded by stressing that the next stage requires continuing to work in a spirit of partnership and responsibility, and investing in the promising opportunities provided by the “Kingdom’s Vision 2030”, in a way that enhances economic growth, raises the quality of life, and supports the comprehensive development process that the Kingdom is witnessing in various sectors.
The National Motors Company (Sir) revealed the technical and design details of its first car, “Exobot”, which was inaugurated by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund, in a step that represents the transition of the Saudi electric car manufacturing project to the stage of launching its first products.
The details of the car were revealed during the global launch ceremony held at the “Sir” Industrial Park in King Abdullah Economic City, where the company announced that “Exobot” will be the first in a fleet that it plans to include seven models by 2030, including medium- and compact-sized cars with different propulsion systems and price options.
“Exobot” will be available in both sedan and four-wheel drive categories, and will be manufactured locally at the company’s complex in King Abdullah Economic City, as part of a strategy that aims to raise the percentage of local content in “Sir” cars to 45 percent by 2034.
The company is betting on combining local manufacturing and advanced technologies to reduce the period between ordering a car and its delivery to weeks instead of months, in addition to building a local supplier network to provide spare parts and after-sales services.
1111 horsepower
In its highest specifications, Exobot relies on a completely electric propulsion system that includes three motors, with a power of up to 1,111 horsepower and a torque of 1,500 Newton metres.
According to the company, the sedan version accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 2.1 seconds, and its maximum speed reaches 250 kilometers per hour, while the all-wheel drive version achieves the same acceleration in 2.4 seconds, with a maximum speed of 210 kilometers per hour.
The car uses a system for continuous torque distribution that is integrated with active chassis control systems, in addition to “Steer-by-Wire” electronic steering technology, which dispenses with the traditional mechanical steering column and reduces the required steering angle of rotation from 400 to 160 degrees.
The car also includes a rear-wheel steering system, with the aim of reducing turning space in cities and enhancing stability at high speeds.
Saudi design
“Sir” said that the design and engineering development of “Exobot” was completed locally, taking into account the climatic conditions and driving requirements in Saudi Arabia and the region, while some design elements were inspired by the Kingdom’s topography, culture and architecture.
The sedan is 5.26 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, and 1.43 meters high, while the four-wheel drive version is 5.02 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, and 1.69 meters high, which places both models in the category of large-sized cars.
Among the most prominent design elements is a windshield with a length of 2.4 meters and an inclination of 15 degrees, which the company says is the largest ever produced for a private passenger car, in addition to 32 light strips symbolizing the year 1932, the date of the unification of the Kingdom.
The car was also equipped with doors, each of which was approximately three meters long, which the company called the “Shaheen Wing,” and which opened upward in an arc path to facilitate access to the front and rear seats.
Designed for the climate of the region
One of Exobot's main engineering challenges is its ability to deal with the high temperatures in the region. The company said that the cooling system it developed for the car can reduce the cabin temperature from 65 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees within ten minutes.
The car also uses foils to limit the transmission of sunlight to the cabin, and glass equipped with special layers, in addition to front and rear air conditioning systems.
The cabin has an 8K curved screen extending 48 inches wide, in addition to a 10.4-inch central control screen and another 8-inch screen for passengers in the rear seats.
It was also equipped with an artificial intelligence-based voice assistant that supports Arabic and English, while the “Sir” application allows you to control a group of car functions, including monitoring charging, adjusting the cabin temperature, and parking the car remotely.
Exobot supports remote wireless software updates, allowing new features to be added and some vehicle functions developed after it is delivered to the customer.
Autonomous driving and driver assistance
In terms of driving technologies, SIR says that Exobot will provide a set of driver assistance systems, including driving without holding the steering wheel, automatic lane changes, and autonomous driving on highways based on the navigation system from the starting point to the destination.
The safety system includes seven airbags and battery protection technologies, in addition to the use of aluminum casting techniques to form parts of the body and doors.
670 kilometers per charge
“Sir” intends to start the collection with the “Exobot First Edition” model, which is a limited edition available in both sedan and four-wheel drive versions, before launching “Exobot Plus.”
The “First Edition” comes with three electric motors that together generate a power of 850 horsepower and a torque of up to 1,000 Newton metres. The sedan version accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 2.6 seconds, compared to 2.9 seconds for the four-wheel drive version.
The battery capacity is 112 kilowatt-hours, with a range of up to 670 kilometers for the sedan, and 560 kilometers for the four-wheel drive version.
The car adopts an 800-volt electrical structure, and the company says it allows the battery to be charged from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes.
“Exobot” comes within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a local automobile industry and develop a related supply chain, as part of a broader push by the Public Investment Fund to establish an integrated system for the sector that includes manufacturing, components, technologies, and services related to vehicles, in parallel with plans to diversify the economy and increase the contribution of advanced industries to the domestic product.
GFH Bank announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Al-Nasr Club Company, under which it will become a partner of the club during the 2026-2027 sports season, in a move that brings together two prominent regional brands with a wide international presence.
This partnership represents an important milestone in GFH’s strategy to enhance its brand’s presence in key regional markets, in addition to providing new opportunities to communicate with Al-Nasr Club’s broad fan base throughout the Kingdom and at the international level.
The agreement signing ceremony took place in Riyadh in the presence of representatives of the senior management of both parties, where Hisham Al-Rayes, CEO and member of the Board of Directors, signed on behalf of GFH, while Jose Semedo, CEO of the company, signed on behalf of Al-Nasr.
The partnership represents an important milestone in GFH’s efforts to build qualitative strategic relationships, enhance its brand presence, and communicate with a wide audience base inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hisham Al-Rayes, CEO and member of the Board of Directors of GFH Bank, said: “We are happy with our partnership with Al-Nasr Saudi Club, as the club represents the most prominent sports brands in the Kingdom and the region. This sponsorship comes from our keenness to build strategic partnerships that enhance GFH’s presence and bring it closer to communities and markets that are of key importance within our growth plans.”
For his part, Jose Semedo, CEO of Al Nasr Club, said: “We are pleased to welcome GFH Bank as a partner of Al Nasr Club during the 2026-2027 sports season. GFH is a prestigious regional institution with a proven track record of success and excellence in investment and wealth management, which makes it an ideal partner for Al-Nasr Club, as we continue to expand the club’s presence and strengthen our relationships with leading institutions throughout the region.”
He added: “We look forward to working closely with GFH throughout the season to activate this partnership and enhance meaningful communication with our fans in Saudi Arabia and internationally. We believe that this cooperation provides a solid foundation for a relationship that can develop and continue to create value for both parties.”
GFH Bank, headquartered in Bahrain, is a leading banking and investment institution with more than 25 years of experience and a growing presence in a number of the most prominent regional and international markets. The bank is affiliated with GFH Capital in Riyadh.
The bank offers an integrated system of activities that includes wealth and investment management, commercial banking services, real estate development, treasury and private investments, with a focus on seizing promising opportunities and building long-term sustainable value for its clients, investors and partners.
