A Dazzling Finale: Global Superstars and Local Talent Take Center Stage at Soundstorm 24's Final Night

New Quick Start Guide breaks down the essentials for operating in a 57-million-card market

Riyadh, 30November 2025:

Paymentology, the leading global issuer processor, has released a new Quick Start Guide to help banks, fintechs and brands plan, build and run card programmes in Saudi Arabia. The guide is designed as a practical reference for teams that want to understand how issuing works in the Kingdom, from operating models and partner roles to regulation and local payment rails.

Card usage in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, supported by strong consumer adoption and modern national infrastructure. In 2025, the market counted roughly 57 million cards and more than SAR 1.2 trillion in annual spend. Debit drives over seven billion yearly transactions, prepaid issuance exceeds 21 million cards, and commercial card usage is rising at around 10% a year, with average spend expected to pass SAR 58,000 per card in 2026.

As this growth continues, issuers entering or expanding in the country need a clear view of how responsibilities are divided between issuers, licence sponsors, programme managers and processors, and how requirements from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Capital Market Authority (CMA) shape compliance and operational controls. 

The guide - developed in collaboration with Flagship Advisory Partners - sets out these roles and expectations, and explains how domestic rails such as Mada, SADAD and SARIE affect routing, settlement and product design.

The publication sits alongside Paymentology’s expanded on-the-ground presence in Riyadh, announced in September, and forms part of its wider support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions in digital payments.

Nauman Hassan, Regional Director MENA at Paymentology said: “Saudi Arabia has become one of the most important payments markets in the region, with real scale, sophisticated infrastructure and clear national goals. Many issuers know they want to build here, but the detail of how the market works is not always obvious. This guide brings together the key points: the rules, the partners and the operating choices, so teams can move from a high-level idea to a plan they can execute.”

What the Quick Start Guide covers:

● Market picture: how Saudi Arabia’s card sector is structured, where spend is growing, and how debit, credit, prepaid and commercial cards compare.

● Operating options: the differences between in-house issuing, technical processing, programme management and co-branded approaches, and what each means in practice.

● Roles and regulation: how duties are split across issuers, licence sponsors, processors, programme managers and schemes under SAMA and CMA oversight.

● Local infrastructure: the role of Mada, SADAD and SARIE in routing, settlement, acceptance and product design.

● Roadmap to launch: a checklist and phased path from commercial strategy and partner selection through pilot, optimisation and scale.

Erik Howell, Partner at Flagship Advisory Partners, also commented: “Launching a card product here involves a specific mix of licensing, scheme requirements, operating decisions and the use of local rails. Working with Paymentology, we’ve brought these elements together in a way that helps issuers approach the market with clarity and confidence.”

The Quick Start Guide to Card Programmes in KSA is available to download now at: https://www.paymentology.com/report/issuing-new-card-programmes-saudi-arabia

Bayer to Locally Manufacture Aspirin Protect in Saudi Arabia in Partnership with Alpha Pharma

• Landmark Agreement Advances Vision 2030 Goals for Pharmaceutical Localization and Public Health Self-Reliance 

• The local production of Aspirin Protect in Saudi Arabia is set to commence in 2028. 

• Supporting sustainable access to life-saving cardiovascular treatments for communities across the Kingdom

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – November 27, 2025 – Under the auspices of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, Bayer, a global life sciences leader, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alpha Pharma, a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility located in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), established in collaboration with Alpha Pharma, to locally produce Aspirin Protect. Aspirin is the iconic brand of Bayer that, for more than 127 years, has continued its job saving hearts and supporting physicians and patients in the cardiovascular field. 

The signing marks a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and public health resilience. It reflects Bayer’s commitment to advancing Vision 2030 priorities through local partnership and innovation, from alignment with national goals to meaningful impact for people across the Kingdom. The local production of Aspirin Protect is expected to be fully operational by 2028. 

Local production of Asprin Protect directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Health Sector Transformation Program, a key pillar of Vision 2030, strengthening the Kingdom’s capacity to manufacture critical, high-quality medicines locally, advancing healthcare self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports. CVD remains a major health challenge in the Kingdom, and ensuring consistent local access to essential, life-saving treatments is a national public health priority. Through this partnership, Bayer and Alpha Pharma are contributing directly to reducing the national disease burden, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing quality of life for communities across Saudi Arabia.

Beyond direct health benefits to the community, this milestone contributes to economic diversification and industrial transformation by embedding advanced pharmaceutical expertise within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare ecosystem. Bayer’s collaboration with Alpha Pharma introduces global manufacturing know-how and advanced production technologies into the Saudi market. By transferring these capabilities, Bayer equips the Kingdom’s pharmaceutical sector with the expertise and precision required to meet international quality standards.

Commenting on the partnership, Maged El Shazly, Managing Director of Bayer Saudi Arabia and Country Commercial Lead for Bayer Consumer Health, said: “The local manufacturing of Aspirin Protect represents more than a production milestone - it is a pivotal step toward realizing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. By integrating world-class quality with local capabilities, we are ensuring reliable access to essential medicines, delivered where and when they are needed most. This achievement underscores Bayer’s long-term commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s journey toward a more self-reliant and sustainable healthcare system”.

Yasser Naghi, Chairman of Alpha Pharma said: “This landmark partnership marks a proud milestone for Alpha Pharma and reflects the confidence placed in Saudi pharmaceutical expertise. By supporting the localization of Aspirin Protect, we are reinforcing the resilience of the Saudi healthcare ecosystem while supporting public health and the national objective of pharmaceutical self-sufficiency. Through our advanced facilities and highly skilled Saudi workforce, Alpha Pharma is committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and a healthier future for our nation.”.

The MoU builds on Bayer’s long-term commitment to cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia. Over the past three years, Bayer has worked closely with the Ministry of Health on national awareness programs and public education initiatives aimed at improving screening and prevention for CVD. The move to localize production of Aspirin Protect crowns these efforts with an enduring commitment to supply security and sustainable health access. 

By embedding world-class pharmaceutical production into Saudi Arabia’s health system, Bayer and Alpha Pharma are taking a vital step toward the realization of Vision 2030. This initiative not only ensures consistent availability of a life-saving product, but it also signals a new era of public-private cooperation, local capability building, and regional leadership in medicine manufacturing.

Abdo Chalala, General Manager at Amazon Saudi Arabia: The growing shift toward digital shopping highlights the strong momentum driving the Kingdom's e-commerce landscape.

Abdo Chalala, General Manager of Amazon Saudi Arabia, stated that the rise in online shopping reflects a strong indicator of the unprecedented momentum driving the Kingdom’s e-commerce sector. He emphasized that this growth aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in advancing digital transformation and diversifying the economy.

Chalala noted that Amazon places customer satisfaction at the heart of its operations. The company has built a scalable logistics network capable of efficiently meeting seasonal demand, enabling customers across the Kingdom to order eligible products and receive them the same day or the next day.

He also highlighted Amazon’s excellence in offering thousands of deals across one of the most diverse product selections in the e-commerce sector, including exclusive discounts during the White Friday sales season.

In this exclusive interview, Chalala responded to several questions related to customer trends in Saudi Arabia and the company’s key initiatives, with White Friday promotions at the forefront.

Q1) White Friday has become one of the biggest retail moments of the year in the Kingdom and wider region. What kind of deals and offers can shoppers expect from Amazon this season?

White Friday is one of the most anticipated shopping events on Amazon.sa, and this year customers in Saudi Arabia will find thousands of deals running from November 20 to 30. Shoppers can expect discounts of up to 70% across all categories including electronics, fashion, beauty, home, kitchen, grocery, games and Amazon Devices. They can also explore an extended selection of deals on international products from Amazon US, UK and Germany through the Amazon.sa/Global-Store.

We are also bringing back daily flash deals, live from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (KSA time), giving customers limited-time savings on popular items from local and international brands. Many of these products will be eligible for Same-Day and One-Day Delivery. Shoppers can also explore Amazon.sa/bazaar, Amazon’s dedicated value destination, designed as the go-to place for affordable fashion, home and lifestyle essentials. Customers can access an extra 50% off during the sale by using the code BWF50.

In addition to these offers, Prime members can make the most of White Friday by unlocking special offers, instant bank discounts, and fast, reliable, or even free delivery on eligible items. In Saudi Arabia, Prime membership is available at Amazon.sa/prime for SAR 16 per month or SAR 140 per year and provides customers with year-round shopping and entertainment benefits.

Q2) What are some of the customer trends you see in Saudi Arabia when it comes to shopping online?

Our latest research highlights two clear behaviours among customers in Saudi Arabia. First, more shoppers are choosing Amazon for their everyday essentials. Second, we see that customers treat White Friday as a key moment to plan ahead and organize their purchases.

More than 56% of customers say they are buying pantry staples and long-life groceries during the sale. Almost half at 47% are picking up cleaning and household supplies, while 29% are opting for health-related items such as vitamins and over-the-counter medicines. Customers are also adding fresh and refrigerated foods at 27%, along with snacks and drinks at 19%. These choices demonstrate how customers depend on Amazon for convenience, selection and reliable delivery for their daily needs.

Shoppers are also looking for great deals on categories beyond essentials. Sixty-nine percent plan to buy clothing, shoes or accessories, 52% are considering personal electronics and 50% expect to purchase beauty or personal care products. These categories continue to perform strongly as customers balance practicality with moments of treating themselves or gifting others.

Taken together, these trends point to thoughtful and intentional shopping. Customers in the Kingdom are planning ahead, making informed choices and prioritizing products that matter most to their households. Our role is to support that behaviour through our wide selection of products, meaningful savings and fast, dependable delivery that helps customers get everything they need in one place. This shift in how people shop is also shaping the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce sector and aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 to build a digitally enabled economy powered by innovation.

Q3) How does Amazon ensure the timely delivery of products during busy sale events like White Friday?

Customer obsession sits at the heart everything we do and it guides every decision we make. Our focus is always on delivering a fast, reliable and seamless experience for customers, no matter how high demand becomes. In 2024, we were able to deliver to our Prime members at the fastest speeds ever globally, with more than 9 billion items arriving the same or next day . 

To support customers during peak periods, we have spent more than twenty years building a fulfillment and transportation network that can scale efficiently when demand surges. Our latest research shows that delivery speed is a top priority for shoppers in Saudi Arabia, with 85% saying fast and dependable delivery helps them feel more at ease and 78% valuing clear visibility on when their order will arrive. These insights directly shape how we prepare for White Friday.

Ahead of the event, we position high-demand products closer to customers inside our fulfillment centers, improve inventory flow and enhance pick and pack efficiency. We also use advanced technologies and AI-driven tools to forecast demand and optimize our delivery routes to reduce delivery times.

Today, Prime members in the Kingdom can place eligible orders as late as 12:00 PM and receive them the same day. Through our partnership with Al-Othaim, customers can also receive thousands of grocery and household items within two hours.

This White Friday, we are ready to reach more customers with faster delivery and a wider selection. Our operations network in Saudi Arabia now includes two fulfillment centers, three sort centers and more than 25 owned and third-party delivery stations, enabling us to deliver with the speed and reliability customers expect from Amazon. 

Q4) How do you see consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia evolving AI powered shopping experiences?

Shoppers in the Kingdom are increasingly turning to AI to guide their decisions when purchasing products. In fact, 87% of respondents in our HarrisX research said they would likely use AI features during White Friday, and 67% felt that tools like AI and wishlists make their overall experience more convenient.

What we’re seeing is a shift from browsing to precision shopping. Consumers are using AI to cut through the noise and find exactly what they need faster – whether it’s using visual search to find a specific style they’ve seen, getting personalized recommendations based on their preferences or using AI agents to compare products. The time-saving aspect also resonates strongly among consumers in the Kingdom. When asked about their ultimate shopping superpower, 12% said it would be instantly finding the perfect item every time 

We’re also observing how AI builds consumer confidence. Shoppers value authenticity and quality, and AI-powered features that verify products and offer genuine customer insights are helping them make more informed decisions. This is specifically important for premium purchases where shoppers want absolute certainty before committing.

Looking ahead, consumers in Saudi Arabia will want AI tool that feel more in tune with their daily habits in the sense that they can pick up on their routines and anticipate what they might need instead of waiting for them to search. This is where agentic commerce comes in – a new wave of AI that can take on more of the work for shoppers and guide them in a more effortless way.

Riyadh, 27 November 2025 - This November, Netflix is inviting families across Saudi Arabia to come together for family movie nights, a new series of community events about stories, togetherness, and the joy of shared entertainment. The first event will take place in Riyadh on 4 December, followed by Abha on 12 December and Dammam on 19 December, free and open to the public, with prior registration.

With every community event set in a living room feel, families will find a welcoming space to enjoy activities, interactive experiences and entertainment. From themed games to creative zones where kids and parents can play, laugh, and connect, every event will offer something special that creates memorable experiences rooted in family time and community spirit.

Netflix’s mission has always been to entertain the world by giving every member of the family something to enjoy. The entertainment service continues to expand its wide library with a range of stories, from award-winning animated adventures like “The Sea Beast” to educational series such as “Breaking Boundaries", and beloved characters in “Boss Baby,” these titles, and countless others, reflect Netflix’s ongoing focus on connecting families everywhere through stories that inspire imagination and conversation.

The screenings reflect that same mission in action, bringing families together in real life to spend time together, enjoy stories in a shared setting, and build moments that last.

Reserve your spot here: https://netflixmena.me/netflixfamilymovienight/

● The UAE leads regional interoperability through the Riayati platform, unifying nearly 5,000 healthcare facilities under the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR)

● GCC EMR adoption is rising, but adaptable cloud-agnostic HIEs are needed to support regulatory diversity and cross-border collaboration while mitigating fragmented systems

Dubai, UAE – 24 November 2025: As the population grows, chronic disease rates rise, and digital modernization converges, the GCC is in the process of a healthcare transformation. Yet, fragmented data systems continue to slow collaboration, continuity of care, and clinical decision-making. Secure interoperability – effective in connecting hospitals, clinics, and ministries seamlessly – is the region’s answer to unifying patient data, accelerating referrals, and reducing medical errors.

With GCC countries on pace to see their collective populations surge by 30% from 2020 through the end of the decade, advanced healthcare infrastructure is increasingly essential . Interoperability platforms are central to this effort, addressing chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which account for 70–80% of total healthcare expenditure.

The UAE’s Leading Stature in Connected Care

HIEs directly support government strategies for digital transformation and integrated care. This is demonstrated by the UAE’s success with Riayati, the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR) platform. According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Riayati connects nearly 5,000 healthcare facilities as of late 2024, serving more than 100,000 clinicians and holding 14 million unique patient records across the country. It has been successfully integrated with Dubai’s NABIDH and Abu Dhabi’s Malaffi systems, making 1.9 billion medical records accessible via Riayati. This progress has positioned the UAE as a leader for healthcare interoperability in the region.

Cloud-Agnostic Interoperability is the Next Step

Unlike traditional systems tied to a single vendor or cloud provider, interoperability software with cloud-agnostic designs ensures adaptability to countries’ individual regulatory and infrastructure requirements. With healthcare data laws varying widely across the region, this flexibility is critical as governments balance data sovereignty with multi-cloud authorization efforts. Interoperable systems can prevent the vendor lock-in that has slowed down other large-scale health data projects, enabling quick adaptation to local infrastructure and policy requirements.

Rain Stella Technologies (RST) is supporting this shift with its next-generation health information exchange (HIE) platform, Constellation, built on top of proven technology deployed in the United States and now reimagined for the flexibility needed in emerging markets.

Sidra Shahbaz, Sr. Director of Product for Constellation, said: “We are advancing Constellation to shape the GCC’s healthcare future by creating a secure, flexible, and trusted network that enables seamless collaboration among hospitals, clinics, and ministries. By uniting regional leaders around integrated, patient-centred care, Constellation empowers healthcare systems to connect across borders, accelerate referrals, improve outcomes, and build lasting patient trust, paving the way for a resilient, digitally empowered healthcare ecosystem.”

Toward a Unified, Resilient GCC Health Ecosystem

Across the GCC, the need for interoperable health systems is growing rapidly as countries pursue Vision 2030-style agendas to modernize healthcare, reduce data fragmentation, and enhance patient outcomes. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are investing heavily in national health information networks that can benefit from the UAE’s interoperability example. Adopting cloud-agnostic architectures and cross-border data standards will be essential to ensure continuity of care, operational efficiency, and resilience, creating a digitally connected GCC where patient data flows securely, collaboration accelerates, and healthcare systems remain future-ready.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - NOVEMBER 23, 2025 — The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards unveil today the industry-leading jury panel for the 2026 edition, returning to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8—11, 2026.

Now entering their fourth year, the Awards continue to spotlight emerging talent and to provide them with the creative momentum to push forward their careers. Established by Creo in partnership with Sony, this annual program for short films celebrates the bold new voices reshaping cinema and gives them the opportunity to forge connections across the international filmmaking community. Shortlisted creators are flown to Los Angeles to attend an exclusive industry program of engaging and interactive sessions and masterclasses, where they are given backstage access through a carefully curated program of screenings and workshops. This unique convergence of insight, craft, and community provides emerging storytellers with the tools to propel their careers forward on a global stage. Free for all to enter, the competition is open for submissions until December 16, 2025.

Leading the selection of this year’s winners is a jury of trailblazers from across the industry: Golden Globe-nominated director and producer Will Gluck (Anyone But You, Peter Rabbit, Easy A), acclaimed producer and President of Film and Television at Pascal Pictures Rachel O’Connor (Challengers, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Little Women), animation co-director Adam Rosette (The Wild Robot, Orion and the Dark, upcoming GOAT), and award-winning director Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, upcoming Sierra Madre), who returns as jury chair for the fourth consecutive year.

Justin Chadwick, award-winning theater, television and film director and Chair of the Jury said:

“The shortlist last year brought together 30 exceptional filmmakers whose distinctive voices and compelling narratives earned them a place at the beating heart of Los Angeles’ creative community, giving them unprecedented access to how cinema is evolving in real time. We have a remarkable jury line-up this year, and I speak for us all when I say that we’re searching for films that challenge conventions, spark genuine emotion, and transform how audiences perceive the world around them. As we head into the 2026 edition, we’re eager to discover that kernel of originality and vision that elevates good filmmaking into something extraordinary.”

This year’s shortlisted filmmakers will be announced on April 30, 2026, and flown to Los Angeles for the four-day program at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 8—11, 2026. Led by Sony Pictures executives, these sessions invite the filmmakers to learn more about essential aspects of the industry; from production, to navigating talent deals, and the studio’s film acquisition process, through to working with publicists, animation techniques, and the art of soundtracking a story, as well as cutting-edge technology demonstrations. The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow creators from around the world, becoming part of a dynamic network of international filmmakers. The event culminates in a gala ceremony on June 11, 2026, where the category winners will be unveiled and awarded a range of cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

For the 2026 competition, filmmakers can submit short films across five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student, and Future Format – challenging filmmakers to respond to a technical brief that explores the creative possibilities of bold and innovative storytelling. This year Future Format invites entrants to submit shorts created specifically for vertical viewing (9:16 aspect ratio). Also returning to this year’s Awards is the Sustainability Prize, set up by Creo and Sony to spotlight a short film that creatively communicates how themes of environment, accessibility, diversity, equality and inclusion can encourage us to act together to ensure a positive future for the planet.

For more information on the Awards please visit sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com.