At Leap 2025, Pakistan to showcase commitment to digitally empowered future

The Social Development Bank has successfully concluded an initiative to empower productive families in the culinary sector. The “Almarai Chefs” camp was organized in partnership between SDB — represented by the Dulani Business Center — and Almarai, and ran for five months in Riyadh, supporting 43 participants through 12 expert speakers and 14 specialized consultants.

The program provided intensive training and knowledge-building sessions to equip participants with essential marketing and financial skills, enabling them to establish competitive projects in the Saudi market. It also included more than 215 specialized consultations, the development of brand identities for participating businesses, and educational field visits to explore best industrial practices and emerging trends in the culinary industry.

Sultan Al-Hamidi, CEO of SDB, said: “The Almarai Chefs camp exemplifies the effective partnership between the public and private sectors, forming a comprehensive ecosystem to build the capacities of productive families and enable them to develop and manage entrepreneurial ventures. This initiative aligns with SDB’s efforts to bridge the gap toward entrepreneurship by providing innovative financial solutions and comprehensive empowerment services, thereby enhancing the sustainability of projects and contributing to a dynamic and diversified economy.”

Al-Hamidi added: “SDB takes pride in having provided over SR2.8 billion ($746.5 million) in financing during 2024 to support more than 76,000 productive families and freelancers across the Kingdom. We also focus on delivering non-financial support, such as training and advisory services, to enhance the capabilities of productive families, enabling them to achieve financial independence and successfully enter the labor market.”

Abdullah Al-Badr, CEO of Almarai, said: “Our partnership with the Social Development Bank has yielded a tangible impact in empowering productive families. The Almarai Chefs camp was centered on fostering innovation in the culinary field, enabling small businesses to achieve growth and sustainability in line with market demands. Additionally, it provided necessary training and facilitated access to sales channels, exhibitions, and events, as well as digital applications, helping these projects expand their reach and create new job opportunities.”

SDB is considered a leading institution in empowering productive families and facilitating their transition into entrepreneurship, with the goal of supporting local communities, contributing effectively to the national economy, and achieving sustainable development.

Dar wa Emaar Real Estate Investment and Development Company, a pioneer in the real estate development sector in Saudi Arabia, has achieved an impressive 50 percent sales milestone, totaling SR450 million ($120 million), for its Saraya Al-Fursan 2 residential development in Al-Fursan Suburb, Riyadh, just three months after its launch. Introduced during last year’s Cityscape Global, the second phase of the project has been realized through DwE’s ongoing partnership with the National Housing Company.

Saraya Al-Fursan 2 is a testament to the enduring success of its predecessor, reflecting the deep trust and confidence clients and the NHC place in Dar wa Emaar. This second phase not only continues the legacy of quality and excellence established by the first but also signals the strength of the ongoing partnership between DwE and NHC, which has been crucial in meeting the high expectations and demands of today’s Saudi real estate market.

Commenting on the project’s resounding early-stage success, Mansour Aljfaili, sales director at DwE, said: “DwE has had the privilege of serving the Kingdom and its people for nearly two decades, during which we have witnessed the flourishing of the real estate industry and the emergence of a mature, discerning, and optimistic market. Homeownership is one of the most significant investments an individual or family can make, and Saraya Al-Fursan 2’s strong sales figures demonstrate that DwE has once again earned the trust and confidence of the public. These impressive results have also surpassed our target for the first year since the launch, reflecting the exceptional demand and confidence in our projects. We look forward to seeing Saraya Al-Fursan, and the Al-Fursan Suburb community, continue to evolve and thrive in the years to come.”

Saraya Al-Fursan 2 represents the latest milestone in DwE’s commitment to honoring Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage while addressing the current and future primary property ownership aspirations of its people. Strategically located just 10 km from King Khalid International Airport and 30 km from Riyadh Boulevard and the King Abdullah Financial District, Saraya Al-Fursan 2 offers unparalleled connectivity while enhancing quality of life with homes tailored to suit the evolving needs of today’s Saudi citizens and residents. 

This vibrant, community-focused lifestyle development offers 718 housing units across four thoughtfully designed villa models: two five-bedroom family villas and two four-bedroom villas. 

Each model blends modern and vernacular architectural motifs, with their exterior facades characterized by bold, cubic designs accented by mashrabiya screens and warm earthen tones. The interiors combine open, contemporary layouts with traditional majlis and dewaniyah spaces. Saraya Al-Fursan 2 emphasizes sustainable design with features like energy-saving LED lighting, natural marble and porcelain flooring, and high-quality construction materials ensuring durability and environmental consciousness.

Saraya Al Fursan is a key project within Al-Fursan Suburb, designed to increase the supply of quality housing in this ambitious city development. Spanning 461,683 square meters, it dedicates 41 percent of its space to residential villas, 32 percent to gardens and landscapes, and 27 percent to commercial spaces, roads, and public facilities.