LEAP 2025: $7.5bn investments revealed on day 2 of tech conference

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index increased on Monday, gaining 2.58 points, or 0.02 percent, to close at 12,471.72.        

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.93 billion ($1.58 billion), as 72 stocks advanced, while 159 retreated.             

The MSCI Tadawul Index also increased by 0.68 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 1,550.94.         

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, gained 12.11 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 31,426.76. This comes as 37 stocks advanced while 52 retreated.          

Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunication Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, with its share price surging by 4.44 percent to SR47.        

Other top performers included East Pipes Integrated Co. for Industry, which saw its share price rise by 3.75 percent to SR160.60, and Makkah Construction and Development Co., which saw a 3.52 percent increase to SR111.80.        

Al Majed Oud Co. rose 3.32 percent to SR168, while Allied Cooperative Insurance Group gained 3.26 percent to SR17.76.    

Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co. saw the steepest decline of the day, with its share price easing 6.32 percent to close at SR36.30.    

Saudi Fisheries Co. fell 3.40 percent to SR53.90, while Leejam Sports Co. dropped 4.84 percent to SR169.20.    

Thimar Development Holding Co. also faced a loss with its share price dipping 2.75 percent to SR56.50, while Shatirah House Restaurant Co. saw a 3.12 percent to settle at SR22.94.     

On the announcements front, Leejam Sports Co. reported a 13 percent year-on-year growth in revenue for the financial year 2024, reaching SR1.50 billion. Net profit also surged by 28 percent, amounting to SR456 million compared to SR356 million in 2023.   

The increase in revenue was driven by a 10 percent rise in subscription and membership revenue and a 31 percent increase in income from paid programs, including personal training and swimming.   

The company’s revenue growth trailed historic trends partly due to changes in the subscription and brand mix.    

Leejam also recorded notable one-off gains in 2024, including SR92 million from the sale of three land plots in Riyadh and SR18 million from favorable rent negotiations related to centers in Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE.  

Despite the recorded gains, Leejam was among TASI’s worst performers.  

Saudi Electricity Co. has announced plans to hold meetings with fixed-income investors starting Feb. 10 regarding a potential issuance of US dollar-denominated sukuk under its international sukuk program.  

The issuance will be conducted through a special-purpose vehicle and offered to eligible investors in Saudi Arabia and internationally, subject to market conditions.   

The sukuk will be senior unsecured and issued in compliance with relevant regulatory approvals and laws.  

SEC has appointed a consortium of global and regional financial institutions, including HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, BNP Paribas, and others, as joint lead managers for the potential offer.   

The proceeds from the issuance will be used to support SEC’s general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, and to fund projects aligned with its Green Sukuk Framework.  

The final terms, including the value of the offer, will be determined based on market conditions and SEC’s requirements.  

SEC’s share price saw a slight 0.23 percent increase on Monday to reach SR17.30.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Seha Virtual Hospital, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest online medical initiative, is leading the way in transforming healthcare accessibility and efficiency through digital innovation.

The facility, linked to over 200 hospitals across the Kingdom, is reshaping patient care by eliminating geographical limitations and integrating advanced artificial intelligence solutions.

Speaking with Arab News on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh, Abdullah Al-Issa, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister for e-health and digital transformation, highlighted the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance health care services. 

“Digital is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The ministry has prioritized digitization to deliver high-quality services to beneficiaries, creating a deputyship responsible for strategy, enterprise architecture, and implementation of digital solutions,” Al-Issa stated.

Bridging gaps with Seha Virtual Hospital

The Kingdom’s e-hospital is transforming patient care by providing nationwide access to advanced consultations.

“For rare specialties, patients no longer need to travel long distances to see a doctor. With Seha Virtual Hospital, consultations can happen remotely, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment,” Al-Issa explained.

The establishment also powers initiatives like the Tele-ICU, which enables specialized consultants to assess critical patients remotely.

“Previously, patients requiring niche expertise had to be transferred via emergency air transport. Now, they can be treated in their hometown hospitals, reducing logistical burdens and improving outcomes,” he added.

AI-driven health care revolution

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has been at the forefront of artificial intelligence integration, using technology to enhance diagnostics and preventive care. “For two years, we have utilized AI in Seha Virtual Hospital, including AI-driven x-ray solutions that detect breast cancer and other conditions, assisting consultants by flagging abnormalities before they even examine scans,” said Al-Issa.

AI also plays a pivotal role in large-scale preventive health care. “We have screened over 30 million people for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, categorizing them into high-, medium-, and low-risk groups. Those at high risk receive further assessment and early intervention, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of increasing life expectancy to 80 years,” he noted.

Partnerships and cybersecurity in digital health

Collaboration with the private sector remains a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s health care strategy. “We welcome partnerships with innovators and technology firms to enhance services. Working alone isn’t enough— we must collaborate to maximize technology’s benefits for patients, doctors, and the entire ecosystem,” Al-Issa emphasized.

With the rapid digitalization of health care, cybersecurity has become a top priority. “We are fully aligned with the National Cybersecurity Authority’s recommendations to safeguard patient data and prevent misuse of technology,” he added.
 
Nafees: the unified medical record system

The Ministry of Health is also advancing health care integration through Nafees, a unified medical record system that consolidates patient health data across providers.

“Patients can now access their medical history through the Sehhaty app, while health care providers can view past diagnoses and test results, eliminating redundant procedures and enhancing efficiency,” Al-Issa said.

“We are midway through this project, with many providers already connected and more to follow in the coming years,” he added.