STC Bank Launches “Smart Finance” Product

· Nissan Saudi Arabia recorded an 11% year-on-year growth in sales during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

· The number of units sold increased, led by X-Trail at 38%, followed by the all-new Patrol at 24%.

· After-sales services and sales of Nissan Genuine Oil saw significant growth, while spare parts revenue rose by 21%.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – 18 August 2025: Nissan Saudi Arabia announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting an 11% increase in sales compared to the same period last year. This growth was accompanied by continued customer confidence in after-sales services, affirming the company’s strong and sustained performance and reinforcing its position as a leader in the automotive sector in Saudi Arabia and the broader region.

This sales growth comes despite a 4.5% decline in the local market, driven by strong demand for the all-new X-Trail and the new Patrol models. The X-Trail led with 38% of total sales, followed by the all-new Patrol at 24%, and Magnite at 16%, reflecting Nissan’s diverse lineup and its ability to meet the needs of various customer segments in the Saudi market. Geographically, the central and western regions reported the highest performance, with the central region accounting for 66% of total sales, followed by the western region with 23%.

On the after-sales front, Nissan Saudi Arabia continued to deliver strong results with a 27% increase in performance. This was supported by a 21% increase in spare parts revenue, enabled by improvements in supply chain efficiency, faster parts availability, and enhanced logistics from distribution centers, all of which helped better serve customer needs and reduce waiting times.

Nissan Genuine Oil sales also grew by 17%, signaling growing customer trust in company-certified products. Meanwhile, after-sales satisfaction indicators remained stable and in line with expectations, both in terms of customer satisfaction and retention levels. This demonstrates Nissan’s ongoing commitment to delivering reliable service based on quality, responsiveness, and operational excellence, contributing to higher customer loyalty and brand strength.

Commenting on the results, Adib Takieddine, Managing Director of Nissan Saudi Arabia, said: “Q1 results reflect the deep trust the Nissan brand holds in the Saudi market. The sustained growth in sales, rising demand for our new models, and robust after-sales performance all indicate that we are firmly on track to achieve our operational and commercial objective”. He added: “Saudi Arabia remains one of the most dynamic and strategically important markets in the region, with immense growth potential and a customer base that embraces innovation. We are committed to reinforcing our leadership through advanced mobility solutions, exceptional ownership experiences, and initiatives that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, ensuring Nissan remains a trusted partner in shaping the future of mobility in Saudi Arabia.”

Nissan Saudi Arabia continues to execute its ambitious strategy in the Kingdom, built on innovation and delivering world-class customer experiences. The strategy includes expanding its advanced model lineup, enhancing smart and sustainable mobility solutions, and elevating the driving experience through a continued focus on safety, quality, and advanced technology, all tailored to meet the expectations of the Saudi market and reinforce Nissan’s position as a trusted and distinguished mobility partner.

STC Bank has launched its first financing product, "Smart Finance" a fully electronic, Sharia compliant product, available within minutes and with a maximum limit of SAR 50,000. The new financing product aims to meet the financial needs of the bank's customers and support individuals by offering quick financing solutions, flexible terms, and simple steps.

These products are designed to enable beneficiaries to support their living conditions or invest in projects that enhance their income and economic stability.

The maximum financing limit is SAR 50,000, with a minimum financing limit of SAR 3,001. The maximum repayment period is 24 months, adjustable to 36 months, with immediate approval and the option to postpone one installment during the financing period.

It is worth noting that STC Bank aims to provide banking services and financial solutions that comply with Sharia principles while ensuring the highest levels of security and customer protection using advanced financial technologies.

Ÿ Newly created CEO role signals expanded regional focus; appointment strengthens operations across the Middle East & Africa.

Dubai, August 19, 2025: DHL Supply Chain, the global leader in contract logistics, has established a dedicated Chief Executive Officer role for the Middle East & Africa (MEA) for the first time and appointed Orkun Saruhanoglu as CEO, DHL Supply Chain MEA.

Saruhanoglu will report to Hendrik Venter, who previously served as CEO DHL Supply Chain Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and has now been appointed CEO, DHL Supply Chain. The new structure is expected to bolster the region’s management team, enhance DHL’s product range, and build supply chain resiliency across the Middle East and Africa.

The appointment supports DHL Supply Chain’s regional focus on end-to-end contract logistics, from warehousing and fulfilment to aftermarket services, for multinational and SME customers across technology, automotive, aviation, energy, engineering and manufacturing, e-commerce, fashion and luxury.

“Orkun brings strong expertise and a proven track record of enhancing end-to-end supply chain operations and customer development. His knowledge of DHL’s operations and commitment to our objectives will be invaluable and he will make a significant positive impact on the board. The MEA region within DHL Supply Chain is set for accelerated growth and having Orkun in the region will provide the required level of focus.” said Hendrik Venter, CEO, DHL Supply Chain.

Saruhanoglu has been with DHL for 27 years, leading operations in Türkiye and Central & Eastern Europe (CEE). As CEO of CEE, he significantly grew the inbound-to-manufacturing portfolio, particularly in the automotive sector; played a pivotal role in creating ASMO, the joint venture between Aramco and DHL in the Middle East; and delivered best-in-class customer and employee engagement.

The DHL Group continues its focus on the world’s most dynamic growth corridor, the Middle East and Africa.  The Group recently announced plans to invest more than EUR 500 million in the Middle East, with a strategic focus on the rapidly expanding Gulf markets of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  The African continent's growing market potential, improving infrastructure, foreign direct investments to diversify global supply chains and the rapid rise of e-commerce, increases the

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demand for outsourced contract logistics services. This appointment strengthens the region’s logistics backbone and meets the growing demand for specialised logistics.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 August 2025: As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Global IoT Congress 2025 (GIoTC 2025) from 21–23 October 2025 in Riyadh, the surge in IoT innovation and adoption is expected to take center stage. A cornerstone of Vision 2030 is the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies, supporting the Kingdom’s push towards digital transformation, economic diversification, and improved quality of life. By connecting devices, infrastructure, and systems through intelligent networks, IoT enables data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and enhanced citizen services, all essential to Vision 2030’s goals.

“IoT technologies are directly supporting three of Vision 2030’s pillars, namely ‘A Vibrant Society’ which aims to have smarter cities, efficient public services, and enhanced safety, ‘A Thriving Economy’ which seeks to create new industries, localizing high-tech sectors, and boosting GDP through innovation and ‘An Ambitious Nation’ which prioritizes streamlined governance, improved transparency, and sustainable resource management across the Kingdom.”, said Eng. Abdullah bin Salem Al Bedaiwy, Chairman of the Board at the IoT Association, which is organizing the largest dedicated IoT event in the MENA region, the Global IoT Congress 2025.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) are actively developing IoT frameworks, licensing requirements, and spectrum allocation for IoT applications. The CST’s National IoT Strategy outlines the roadmap for integrating IoT into critical sectors such as healthcare, energy, transportation, and industry and numerous Vision 2030 programs such as NEOM and The Line also heavily utilize IoT technologies. Furthermore the government through the Digital Government Authority (DGA) is promoting IoT adoption in e-government services to improve speed, transparency, and the citizens’ experience.

The Kingdom also boasts of the largest IoT market in the MENA region, estimated at SAR 25.8 billion in 2025, with an annual growth of between 12 to 18%. Meanwhile the region’s market is expected to reach SAR 90 billion by 2026 and global IoT investment is forecasted to exceed SAR 4.5 trillion by 2026, positioning Saudi Arabia to capture a significant regional share.

At the heart of this immense growth and transformation is a dynamic ecosystem of industry leaders, private, public and private-public partnerships, whose innovations are shaping the Kingdom’s connected future. 

Private-public partnerships like iot squared, a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and stc Group, are spearheading national-scale IoT solutions across smart cities, mobility, and logistics. While private players like Saudi Paramount Computer Systems (SPCS) are strengthening the backbone of this transformation with secure, end-to-end digital services that enable seamless integration of IoT technologies across sectors. Companies like IoTech are delivering advanced, scalable solutions that power industrial automation, energy optimization, and smart infrastructure, while supporting entities like Channels by stc ensure the rapid deployment and accessibility of IoT innovations through their extensive distribution networks.

At the Global IoT Congress 2025, all of such companies, from over 60 countries, are going to come together with the strategic vision and advocacy of the IoT Association, driving the Kingdom’s IoT market to new heights.

As Saudi Arabia accelerates towards its Vision 2030 milestones, IoT is expected to become an economic enabler with multi-billion-riyal contributions to GDP, while creating high-value jobs and establishing the Kingdom as a regional IoT innovation hub. The upcoming Global IoT Congress 2025 in Riyadh will serve as a key platform to showcase these advancements, attract international investment, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in IoT adoption and deployment.

Registration is now open for both individual attendees and corporate exhibitors and one can visit the website https://www.globaliotcongress.com/ to learn more or register their interest in attending or being a sponsor.