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Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports
Abdullah Suaydan, GM of digital strategy and transformation, Matarat Holding, and Lionel Collot, strategy and marketing director, Thales KSA and CA.
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Updated 27 May 2025

Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding taps Thales to modernize Saudi airports

Matarat Holding has signed an MoU with Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies. This strategic partnership, signed at Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid, Spain, seeks to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and improved passenger experience through digital solutions and collaborative technological advancements.

Matarat Holding manages the operations of 27 airports in Ƶ through its subsidiaries (Riyadh Airports, Jeddah Airports, Dammam Airports, and Cluster 2), and the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation across multiple strategic areas of aviation development. Through this partnership, Thales will implement its expertise in smart technologies to modernize airport operations and management, driving digital transformation across Matarat’s subsidiaries. The collaboration will focus on sharing innovation and best practices to enhance service quality, streamline operational processes, and adopt future-ready solutions that will set new industry standards.

A key priority of the agreement is enhancing the traveler experience by leveraging Thales’ advanced capabilities in AI, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to create seamless and secure passenger journeys. The partnership will also enable the implementation of advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure in Matarat airports.

Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Ƶ and Central Asia, said: “This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a transformative step in reshaping the future of Saudi aviation. By combining Thales’ expertise in digital transformation with Matarat’s operational excellence, we are not just implementing technologies — we are co-creating a smart and safe aviation ecosystem. Our joint solutions in AI, cybersecurity and connected systems will set new benchmarks for operational efficiency, enhanced passenger experience, and national security, directly contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions to become a global aviation leader.”


Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs

Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs
Updated 08 June 2025

Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs

Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs

Riyad Bank and Mastercard have collaborated to provide small and medium-sized businesses in Ƶ with enhanced access to funding. The two entities have introduced a unique credit card program offering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises access to financial solutions to grow and thrive.

As part of the agreement, Riyad Bank will enable MSMEs across the Kingdom with a three-tier credit program providing greater choice and flexibility in the form of unique cards: the Mastercard NMOO Business Credit Card, Mastercard NMOO Executive Credit Card, and Mastercard NMOO World Credit Card.

Each of these unique products will offer flexible limits, supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs to take greater control of their futures. They will deliver real-time solutions that support MSMEs to help buy, operate and sell, bridging financing gaps, and providing access to funding by enabling enterprises to get approved for credit facilities, for example, for business expansion.

“As one of the largest financial institutions in the Kingdom, we are fully committed to serving as a trusted financial solutions partner to the people, businesses, and entities we support,” said Mohammed Abo Al-Naja, chief corporate banking officer, Riyad Bank. “Over the years, we have helped to drive the growth and development of Ƶ’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ecosystem, and today, we are more determined than ever to empower businesses to realize their potential. We are pleased to have partnered with Mastercard to launch our truly novel three-tier credit program, powering the future of MSMEs with timely access to crucial funding.”

“At a time when Saudi entrepreneurship is truly beginning to flourish, we recognize that effective partnerships and innovation are essential to empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to advance and thrive,” said Adam Jones, EVP and division president, West Arabia, Mastercard. “Our partnership with Riyad Bank was launched with this goal in mind. Together, we aim to provide MSMEs with essential access to critical lending and funding. We look forward to expanding our first-of-its-kind program to more businesses across the country and supporting them in achieving their goals.”


SAS digital twins transform manufacturing

SAS digital twins transform manufacturing
Updated 08 June 2025

SAS digital twins transform manufacturing

SAS digital twins transform manufacturing

SAS is poised to help transform critical processes in the manufacturing industry with enhanced digital twins that combine SAS’ powerful AI and advanced analytics with Unreal Engine from Epic Games.

With these digital twins, manufacturers like Georgia-Pacific can experiment with new strategies in simulated digital worlds, then take the best approaches and implement them in the real world.
One of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper and wood-based building products, GP is piloting these enhanced digital twins at its Savannah River Mill, which manufactures napkins, paper towels and toilet tissue.

GP is leveraging SAS’ technology to optimize its use of automated guided vehicles and other processes.

 


New digital health platform for pilgrims

New digital health platform for pilgrims
Updated 08 June 2025

New digital health platform for pilgrims

New digital health platform for pilgrims

Healthtrip, the world’s largest health travel platform, has launched Healinharam.com, a dedicated digital platform that connects international tourists, particularly pilgrims, to a trusted network of medical, wellness, and chronic care services across Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.

The initiative directly supports Ƶ’s broader ambition to establish itself as a global hub for medical and wellness tourism, in line with Vision 2030.

It also responds to increasing demand for high-quality care services during pilgrimage as the Kingdom continues to rapidly scale its healthcare infrastructure and wellness offerings.

Through Healinharam.com, pilgrims can now book health screenings, wellness therapies, and essential treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and others, at leading Saudi hospitals.


Najm showcases traffic accident response system

Najm showcases traffic accident response system
Updated 08 June 2025

Najm showcases traffic accident response system

Najm showcases traffic accident response system

Abdullah Al-Khalaf, acting CEO of Najm for Insurance Services, announced that the company has developed an integrated digital system for its traffic accident inspection service.

This development contributes to improving the efficiency and speed of handling and responding to traffic accidents, ensuring the safety of road users, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting environmental sustainability.

This announcement came during Najm’s participation in a workshop organized by Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, titled “Mechanisms for Dealing with Road Accident Offenders Under the Influence of Drugs.”

The event was held on May 28–29, with the participation of Arab and international experts specializing in security and safety.

Al-Khalaf emphasized Najm’s role in supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 through the development of a smart, digital insurance sector.


XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community

 XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community
Updated 08 June 2025

XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community

 XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community

The XYZVerse team has alerted its community to an increase in phishing scams and impersonation attempts by malicious actors posing as official representatives. The warning has been posted on XYZVerse’s official X account. These scammers are distributing fraudulent links, attempting to deceive users into revealing sensitive wallet information or transferring funds under false pretenses.

The rise in scam activity comes as XYZVerse gains momentum within the Web3 and meme coin space. With a growing community, rising visibility, and ongoing project development, the platform has become a target for opportunistic attackers seeking to exploit its success.

To maintain transparency and security, XYZVerse has undergone independent security audits conducted by Pessimistic and SolidProof, two established firms in the Web3 security space. These audits are designed to assess and validate the integrity of the project’s smart contracts, helping to identify potential vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

The project’s official Polygon-based token address is publicly available on the XYZVerse website, and XYZ tokens are only available for purchase through the official website: xyzverse.io.

Warning signs of a scam:

  • Messages from fake “XYZVerse Support” or team members
  • Suspicious links promising exclusive airdrops or claiming token sale updates
  • Requests for wallet access, seed phrases, or private keys

Fake communication often mimics the tone and branding of the project’s official channels. These attempts have included messages from unaffiliated Telegram or social media accounts, links to counterfeit airdrops, and websites mimicking the xyzverse.io domain. No legitimate communication will request wallet credentials, seed phrases, or private access information.

XYZVerse is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with its security partners and will continue taking steps to minimize exposure to fraudulent activity. Updates will be shared through established and verified communication channels.