Al-Fanar International Development Company hosted a high-level delegation from Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the Malaysian National Electricity Company, during an official visit to Al-Fanar Industrial City in Riyadh, within the framework of examining opportunities for cooperation and exchanging experiences in the fields of manufacturing, energy, development and international projects.
The Malaysian company's delegation was headed by Datuk Air TS Shamsul bin Ahmed, the company's CEO, accompanied by a number of senior officials in the departments of international business development, organization, sales, marketing and strategic relations, in the presence of Dato' Syed Mohd Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, the Malaysian ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Fanar International Development Company was represented by Engineer Sabah Al-Mutlaq, Vice Chairman of Al-Fanar Board of Directors and Managing Director of Al-Fanar Projects, along with Wassim Mallouhi, CEO of Al-Fanar International Development Company, and a number of senior officials in the company.
The visit program included a field tour of two of the most prominent manufacturing facilities in Al Fanar Industrial City, namely the electrical switchgear complex and the transformer factory, where the Malaysian delegation was briefed on the company’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, the quality levels and technologies used in manufacturing electrical equipment, in addition to its expertise in the fields of development and engineering, procurement and construction contracting.
Following the tour, the two sides held an expanded discussion session that addressed areas of common interest and reviewed opportunities for future cooperation and partnerships, including the possibility of developing joint projects in the energy sector.
TNB has extensive experience in operating and managing electricity networks, in addition to its expertise in the fields of electricity transmission and distribution, renewable energy and other energy-related sectors, while Al-Fanar International Development aims to expand the scope of its business and build strategic partnerships in Saudi Arabia and international markets.
Engineer Sabah Al-Mutlaq said that hosting the TNB delegation represents an opportunity to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two sides, pointing out the Malaysian company’s expertise and position in the utilities and energy sector in Asia, in addition to the presence of commonalities in values, professional standards and future directions.
He added: “We were honored to host Datuk Shamsul and the TNB team in Al Fanar Industrial City, and we appreciate the company’s expertise and leading position in the electric utility sector in Asia. We see broad potential for building strategic partnerships based on exchanging experiences and benefiting from the integrated capabilities between the two sides, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue and exploring opportunities for joint cooperation during the next stage.”
For his part, Shamsul bin Ahmed expressed his appreciation for what he saw during the tour in Al-Fanar Industrial City, praising the engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities that Al-Fanar has developed over more than five decades.
He said: “During our visit, we were impressed by the engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities that Alfanar has developed over more than five decades. The development of the energy sector in the Kingdom represents one of the most prominent energy transformation initiatives in the world, and it is also an important regional initiative in which Al-Fanar International Development plays a prominent role. We are happy to build this relationship and look forward to expanding the scope of cooperation in the future.”
The visit comes within the framework of growing economic and trade relations between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, and highlights opportunities to expand cooperation in the energy and manufacturing sectors and energy transformation projects, thus enhancing the opportunities for establishing strategic partnerships between companies in the two countries.
A few years ago, owning their own salons was a distant dream for Shamma Al Harithi, Haya Al Shahrani and Areej Al Wabel. Today, they have become part of a new generation of female entrepreneurs who are contributing to shaping the economic landscape in the Kingdom. Their journey, from their passion for the world of beauty to establishing their own business, embodies the essence of the L’Oréal story in Saudi Arabia, a story that goes beyond institutional achievements and numbers.
A recent study conducted by the Paris-based advisory body Asterism revealed that L'Oréal supports a value chain equivalent to 3.2 billion riyals ($853 million), and contributes to supporting more than 8,765 direct and indirect jobs in the Kingdom.
In 2026, L'Oréal doubled the number of its employees in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi youth now constitute more than 50 percent of its team. Although these numbers are important, they do not tell the whole story. The group's expansion has created a tangible impact that has extended to youth and women in the Kingdom, reflecting the role that global companies can play in supporting local communities and economies.
In this context, Vismay Sharma, President of L’Oréal in the South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa region, said during his visit to the Kingdom this month: “We look at this growth beyond numbers, as we focus on supporting the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs.”
He added: “Saudi Arabia is one of the most vibrant and developed beauty markets, and it occupies an important strategic position for L’Oréal. In light of the rapid economic transformations in the Kingdom, we continue to invest in Saudi talent, open new horizons for entrepreneurship, and support the growth and prosperity of the beauty sector.”
Expanding vocational training programs for Saudi talent
The Kingdom is witnessing remarkable progress in the labor market. The unemployment rate among Saudis decreased to 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 12.3 percent in 2016, coinciding with an increase in the participation of Saudi women to 35 percent in 2025, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics and the “Saudi Vision 2030” report.
In parallel with these positive economic indicators, L'Oréal continues to expand its societal impact in the Kingdom. Through the L'Oréal Professionnel Professional Hairdressing Academy, the group provides accredited vocational training courses for hairdressers, with new batches graduating annually, and the employment rate among female graduates reaching 70 percent. The academy aims to train 1,000 Saudi women by 2029.
The results of these programs began to be embodied in success stories. The academy was a turning point for female graduates, such as Al-Harithi, Al-Shahrani, and Al-Wabel, as they moved from passion to establishing their own projects and opening their own independent salons. The impact was not limited to entrepreneurship, but extended to enabling other women to work as trainers in the academy, or continue their careers as hairdressers and salon managers.
Supporting the growth of the digital economy and content creators
The content makers sector is witnessing rapid growth as part of the digital transformation process. The sector's economy in the Gulf achieved growth by 75 percent in two years, and in Saudi Arabia by 32 percent during the first quarter of 2025, according to a report by the Crossings Institute (UNESCO and the University of Oregon).
In this context, L'Oréal recently launched in Saudi Arabia the "L'Oréalstar" platform, which goes beyond the concept of traditional influencer programs, with the aim of building long-term partnerships between L'Oréal Group brands and digital content makers. The platform provides opportunities to cooperate with brands, develop professional skills, and benefit from mentorship programs, in addition to various opportunities that support career development.
Accor announced the appointment of Fadil Wahba as CEO of the Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands in Saudi Arabia, in a move that expands the scope of his leadership responsibilities at the Kingdom level to include a number of the group’s luxury brands.
Maud Bailey, CEO of the Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands, said: “I am pleased to see (Fadil) assuming these new responsibilities, as he will play a pivotal role in supporting the exceptional growth witnessed by Saudi Arabia, a market that, today, enjoys increasing momentum for our luxury brands more than ever before. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the Saudi market, his extensive operational experience, and his passion for the hospitality sector, Fadil has the ideal ingredients to lead the continued expansion of the Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems brands across the Kingdom, and as we prepare to open the distinguished Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah hotel later this year, in addition to moving forward with a promising group of future projects, I am confident that he will make an important contribution to achieving our ambitions in this market. Strategy. We wish him every success in this new phase.”
Wahba will assume his new responsibilities at the Kingdom level in parallel with his continued position as General Manager of the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Center, where he will contribute to supporting the strategic direction, development and performance of the aforementioned brands in various parts of Saudi Arabia.
His responsibilities include overseeing the opening of Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah, later this year, as well as the ongoing development of both Omar Towers Hotels & Residences - MGallery Collection in Makkah and Sofitel Hotel Apartments in Riyadh, which are scheduled to open in 2029.
This expanded appointment comes at an important stage in the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom continues to attract international investments, develop new tourist destinations, and strengthen its position on the global luxury travel map.
Within the framework of his expanded responsibilities, Wahba will work closely with the management teams of hotels, owners and partners across the Kingdom, focusing on strengthening the position of brands, improving operational performance and guest experience, while ensuring that each hotel maintains its identity and distinctive character in accordance with its brand.
For his part, Fodil Wahba said: “I am honored to assume this expanded responsibility at this important stage full of opportunities for the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is witnessing an exceptional transformation that opens broad horizons for the luxury hospitality sector.”
He added: “I look forward to working closely with our teams, hotel owners and partners to enhance the presence of the Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands in Saudi Arabia, while ensuring that each hotel continues to provide distinctive experiences that meet the aspirations of guests from inside and outside the Kingdom. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, and excited about what we can achieve together in this new phase. This appointment also reflects Accor’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team in the Kingdom and supporting the continued development of its portfolio of leading brands in the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia.”
