DHL Global Forwarding Launches Regional Facility at Qatar’s Free Zones

90% of Consumers Rate GROHE Blue Home Water as “Refreshing” in Independent Taste Test

Findings Reflect the UAE’s Increasing Awareness of Water Conservation and Smart Hydration Solutions

Saudi Arabia, October 2025: A new independent double-blind taste test has found that 90% of participants rated the carbonated water from the GROHE Blue Home water system as refreshing, while 88% described it as thirst-quenching and 87% as invigorating. The study places GROHE Blue Home among the top performers across ten taste categories, confirming its reputation as a premium, sustainable alternative to bottled water.

Developed in Germany, the GROHE Blue Home water system transforms ordinary tap water into filtered, chilled, and sparkling water, all at the touch of a button. Combining smart technology with elegant design, it delivers convenience, sustainability, and taste directly from the kitchen faucet.

Conducted by a renowned German testing and analysis institute, the study invited 60 participants to compare water from two tap-based systems and eight leading bottled water brands (both PET and glass). Neither the participants nor the supervisors knew which sample they were evaluating. Across all parameters,  from refreshing and sparkling to neutral taste and pleasant fizz , GROHE Blue Home achieved consistently high scores, with 80% of testers praising its fine bubbles and clean, balanced flavor.

Beyond taste, the GROHE Blue Home water system provides a convenient and eco-friendly way to enjoy filtered, chilled, and carbonated water straight from the faucet. Delivering up to three liters per hour, it eliminates the need for bottled water, helping households reduce both CO₂ emissions and plastic waste. The tested model featured the GROHE Blue Magnesium + Zinc filter, which purifies water in five stages,  removing limescale, heavy metals, and unwanted odors,  while enriching it with essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

According to the GROHE Water Insights 2025, the Middle East, and particularly the UAE,  stands out globally for its awareness and action on water conservation:

• 72% of respondents identify water scarcity as a major issue.

• 80% view efficient water use as a personal responsibility.

• 60% have already installed water-saving fittings in their homes , the highest rate among all surveyed regions.

This growing consciousness supports the UAE’s national sustainability goals and reflects consumers’ readiness to embrace smart solutions such as GROHE Blue Home water system, which combine premium taste with environmental responsibility.

To inspire healthier hydration, GROHE has also introduced a collection of easy-to-make water recipes using fresh fruits, herbs, and spices, from lemon-basil infusions to energizing ginger teas,  all perfectly paired with still or sparkling GROHE Blue water.

The facility further strengthens Qatar’s position as a strategic hub for global logistics and trade

Doha, Qatar, 22 October, 2025: Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and DHL Global Forwarding, the global freight forwarding arm of DHL Group, have officially inaugurated the group’s new logistics facility at Ras Bufontas Free Zone. The inauguration marks an important expansion of DHL’s presence in the State of Qatar and reinforces Qatar’s free zones status as a premier destination for global logistics operators.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Holding - Shareholder of DHL Global Forwarding Qatar & Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ, and Mr. Samer Kaissi, CEO – Gulf Cluster, DHL Global Forwarding. The event was also attended by senior officials from both entities and stakeholders from across the public and private sectors.

The new DHL Global Forwarding facility spans more than 1,200 square meters and will serve as a regional distribution warehouse specializing in air freight consolidation services, supporting both regional and global distribution networks. Strategically located within close proximity to Hamad International Airport, the facility is ideally positioned to capitalize on Qatar’s world-class transport infrastructure and streamlined customs processing.

The facility further strengthens Qatar’s appeal as a competitive base for high-value logistics operations. DHL Global Forwarding will offer a suite of services from the new facility, including air, sea and land logistics services, marine shipping agent operations, general warehousing, and customs brokerage.  

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ stated: “The inauguration of DHL Global Forwarding in Ras Bufontas Free Zone reflects a strategic step to reinforce Qatar’s stature as a high-value logistics hub, reducing time to markets and enhancing the supply chain flexibility across the region. As a global logistics leader, DHL will improve the operational capacity, enhance specialized warehousing capabilities, and reinforce multimodal connectivity, benefitting from the proximity to Hamad International Airport, and creating an attractive footprint for partners and suppliers across various economic sectors. This investment will also drive our transition from a transit hub to an integrated solutions platform supported by a flexible regulatory framework and advanced digital infrastructure, ensuring new growth prospects and connecting the region to markets in Africa and Asia.”

Mr. Samer Kaissi, CEO – Gulf Cluster, DHL Global Forwarding, said: “Qatar plays a key role in our regional logistics strategy, particularly as we expand our multimodal capabilities across the GCC. Hamad Port has long been a vital part of our network, supporting east-west trade flows. Thanks to our collaboration with the Qatar Free Zones Authority, we now also benefit from improved connectivity to the Hamad International Airport: With our new facility in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, located close to the airport, we are enhancing our airfreight capabilities, which enables us to deliver even more resilient and scalable logistics solutions, especially for the growing GCC-Africa corridors. This provides us with enhanced flexibility and continuity across critical sectors such as life sciences, energy, and e-commerce.”

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Qatar Free Zones Authority remains committed to accelerating Qatar’s logistics growth and enabling strategic investment that aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, positioning the state as a hub for sustainable, innovation-led industrial activity.

Arabia Leads Peers in Confidence About the

Future of Work, Powered by Technology

and Vision 2030

Third Annual Index Highlights That Despite Disruption, 85% of Workplace

Fulfillment Drivers Are Within Organizations’ Control

While the global Index highlights historic lows in workplace fulfillment, Saudi Arabia stands out

as a positive outlier. (33%) Saudi knowledge workers report a healthy relationship with work

compared to just 20% globally. IT decision makers in the Kingdom score 23 points higher than

their peers worldwide, reflecting confidence in leadership and digital transformation. The

adoption of AI is also more widespread across all generations in Saudi Arabia, including Gen X

and Boomers. At the same time, optimism about technology consistently exceeds global

averages, with 67% of Saudi IT leaders confident that technology will improve work. These

findings underline Saudi Arabia’s unique readiness to lead the future of work in line with Vision

2030.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 20th October 2025 – On September 30th

, HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) released the

third annual HP Work Relationship Index (WRI), a comprehensive global study that examines how

people around the world – including Saudi Arabia- feel about their relationship with work.

This year’s results reveal that fulfillment at work has hit a historic low. Only 20% of knowledge

workers report a healthy relationship with work, down 8 points from 2024. The Saudi Arabia

findings tell a more nuanced story: one-third of Saudi knowledge workers report a healthy

relationship with work, significantly higher than the global average of 20%. The most dramatic

decline is among business leaders, underscoring a crisis of connection and confidence at the very

top. Yet the study also finds that 85% of the factors influencing workplace fulfillment are within an

organization’s control, underscoring a significant opportunity for businesses to lead change and

rebuild stronger work relationships.

For example, only 44% of knowledge workers say their work gives them a sense of purpose, and

just 39% feel they receive adequate recognition for their contributions. These are fixable problems

that will be critical as businesses seek to embrace a more fulfilling future of work. At the same time,

Saudi workers face growing challenges: 7 in 10 have experienced change at work in the past

year, from redundancies to stricter office mandates, while nearly half (49%) feel profit is

prioritized over people

Work Isn’t Working

The 2025 Index shows employees under pressure, with many reporting rising expectations and a

sense of disconnection. More than 6 in 10 desk-based workers say their company’s expectations

have increased over the past year, while nearly half feel their employer prioritizes profit over people.

At the same time, the findings highlight an opportunity: businesses can reshape the employee

experience through stronger leadership, recognition, flexibility and access to the right tools. By

taking action now, organizations can turn today’s challenges into a foundation for healthier and

more fulfilling work relationships.

Fulfillment Drives Growth

Research confirms that fulfilled employees are not only happier, but also more likely to drive

positive outcomes for their organizations. Workers in the “Healthy Zone” are three times more likely

to feel connected to colleagues, achieve work-life balance and contribute to business growth.

AI as a Positive Enabler

The 2025 Index also demonstrates AI’s potential to reshape the work experience. Four in ten

knowledge workers now use AI daily, and those with access to work-provided AI tools are twice as

likely to report a healthy relationship with work. While, 34% in Saudi Arabia use AI tools provided by

their employers every day, proving the impact of democratizing access to technology.

Yet adoption gaps remain: just 21% of knowledge workers describe themselves as proficient in AI,

compared to 56% of IT decision makers. Businesses that democratize access to AI – through tools

and training – are seeing measurable gains in optimism, productivity and retention.

The Future is Generational

An increasing focus of business leaders, and of this year’s Index, is the immediate impact of young

professionals. Gen Z and Millennials, now the majority of the global workforce, are reshaping work

with new expectations. Saudi Arabia’s youthful workforce is reshaping expectations. By the end of

2025, Gen Z will represent 28% of the Saudi workforce (vs. 27% globally), rising to 32% by 2030

● 51% of Gen Z workers report having a side hustle.

● 4 in 5 Gen Z globally – 8 in 10 in Saudi Arabia- employees would give up part of their salary

for more flexibility and autonomy.Younger generations are leading AI adoption, demanding

purpose-driven leadership, and leaving companies that fail to keep up.

“Workplace fulfillment is becoming a real differentiator for Saudi businesses. While one in three

knowledge workers report a healthy relationship with work — above the global average — many

still face gaps in recognition, flexibility, and support. As Saudi Arabia advances Vision 2030, leaders

must put people at the center and invest in empowering technologies. Generation Z is driving this

shift with new expectations for meaning, flexibility, and innovation, and HP is committed to

supporting organizations in building healthier workplaces for the future.”

— Fadel Saad, Managing Director, HP Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 21 October 2025 

Audi Capital has announced a strategic partnership with azakaw, part of j.awan & partners group, selecting it as its client onboarding and compliance platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Audi Capital’s operational efficiency and consolidating its regulatory framework in Saudi Arabia, with azakaw practitioner-built workflows configured from day one to align with Capital Market Authority (CMA) regulations and supervisory expectations.

Clients can now complete onboarding through Audi Capital’s website by securely and seamlessly submitting the required information and documents digitally. The solution applies automated KYC/KYB checks and AML screening (sanctions/PEP, Adverse Media), with alerts triaged to the Audi Capital team for timely review and response. Continuous monitoring throughout the client lifecycle further strengthens compliance and risk management.

azakaw, a bespoke, practitioner-led RegTech solution, has been fully customized to Audi Capital’s requirements and integrates seamlessly with ERP, CRM and trading platforms. Delivered as a fully white-labelled solution, it streamlines the client journey while aligning with regulatory and operational requirements. 

This is not a one-off one-size fits all implementation. Audi Capital has proactively informed the CMA of its adoption of azakaw, reflecting both transparency and foresight in its regulatory practices.  Over the next three months, the firm will expand the rollout to include azakaw’s Corporate Compliance module, further enhancing governance, reinforcing the control environment, and strengthening regulatory reporting in line with Saudi regulations.

Daniel Asmar, CEO of Audi Capital, said:  

“At Audi Capital, our priority is to provide clients with a fast, transparent and secure experience. Our partnership with azakaw allowed us to reinforce our compliance framework while accelerating our digital transformation journey. This collaboration reflects our commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence and building long-term trust with our clients and stakeholders in Saudi Arabia.”

Zohaib Awan, Group Business Development Director at j.awan & partners, commented:

We focus on understanding our clients’ operational challenges, regulatory obligations, and strategic objectives. We map the bottlenecks, risks, and desired outcomes up front, then design the solution. By go-live, azakaw is configured to the client’s policies, risk appetite, and systems, turning compliance from a checkpoint into an operating advantage. With Audi Capital, we translated CMA requirements into automated, auditable workflows that accelerate onboarding, reduce manual handoffs, and strengthen oversight. Our approach is partnership, not procurement: solve the right challenges, measure the impact, then scale.

Cristiano Machado, CTO and Deputy CEO of azakaw, added:

“Compliance is often perceived as reactive or bureaucratic. That mindset is outdated, if managed effectively compliance becomes a competitive edge. The faster you onboard clients, the faster you go to market. The better you monitor clients’ transactions, the more confidence you build with regulatory authorities and partners. At azakaw, we operationalize compliance as a driver of growth and Audi Capital embraces this vision.”

Audi Capital’s adoption of azakaw reflects a new mindset in financial services: compliance is no longer seen as an obstacle but as a catalyst for growth.