Local News
Health Holding wins the 2023 Occupational Safety and Health Award
Health Holding Company won the 2023 Labor Award in the Occupational Safety and Health category, in recognition of its efforts in building a safe and sustainable work environment within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.
In an achievement reflecting its commitment to the highest workplace standards, Health Holding Company received the prestigious “Work” Award for 2023 in the Occupational Safety and Health category for the private sector. This recognition, organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, acknowledges the company’s outstanding efforts in building a safe and sustainable work environment for its employees, further solidifying its position as a leading example in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector.
General context and importance of the award
The “Work” Award is one of the most prestigious national awards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to motivate private sector establishments to excel and innovate across various aspects of the work environment. Occupational safety and health holds particular importance, aligning with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes quality of life and the creation of attractive and safe work environments. The focus on occupational safety extends beyond simply protecting employees; its impact also encompasses increased productivity and enhanced organizational sustainability, goals the Kingdom pursues on its journey toward economic and social transformation.
Details of the achievement and the strength of the competition
Health Holding's victory was no accident; it was the result of its outstanding performance in a highly competitive event that included over 216,000 participating organizations. Thirty-eight awards were contested in the fifth edition of the competition, with over one million employees participating in the voting process. This high level of participation lends significant credibility to the win and reflects employee satisfaction with the company's policies. The company was honored under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, and His Excellency the Deputy Minister, Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain, underscoring the importance the leadership places on such initiatives.
Expected impact on the health sector
This win marks a significant milestone for Health Holding Company, reinforcing its reputation as the region's largest integrated healthcare provider, operating a vast network of over 350 hospitals and employing more than 300,000 healthcare professionals. Implementing global safety standards in a workplace of this scale not only protects employees but also directly and positively impacts the quality of healthcare provided to patients. A safe work environment reduces workplace accidents and occupational stress, enabling medical and administrative staff to perform at their best, thus enhancing patient experience and safety.
A pivotal role in Vision 2030
This achievement aligns with the pivotal role played by Health Holding Company in realizing the healthcare transformation goals of Vision 2030. The company, which provides healthcare through 20 health clusters across the Kingdom, is implementing the modern Saudi healthcare model. This model prioritizes prevention over treatment, facilitates access to services, and enhances their quality. Employee safety is an integral part of this comprehensive system, which places human beings and their health at the heart of its priorities. The company emphasized that this recognition is a result of teamwork and the unwavering commitment of all its employees to implementing global best practices in safety, and serves as motivation to continue its journey of excellence.
Local News
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef… Siniora Food Industries Company inaugurates its new factory in Jeddah with an investment of up to 150 million riyals
Siniora Company opened its new factory in Jeddah with an investment of 150 million riyals, to enhance food security and create 300 job opportunities, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Jeddah: January 27-28, 2026
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, and in the presence of Engineer Majid bin Rafed Al-Arqoubi, CEO of the Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Authority, Siniora Food Industries Company inaugurated its new factory in Jeddah over a two-day period, in the presence of a number of dignitaries, officials, representatives of government agencies, businessmen, media professionals, and the company’s partners, in a strategic step that reflects the growing confidence in the investment and industrial environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The opening of the factory comes as part of Siniora’s expansion plans in the Saudi market, and in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aimed at enhancing local content, supporting national industries, achieving food security, and localizing quality investments in the food industries sector.
Al-Aqqad: Strategic investment and confidence in the Saudi economy
In his speech, Professor Tariq Omar Al-Aqqad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Siniora Food Industries, affirmed that this project embodies the firm confidence in the Saudi economy, and in what the Kingdom provides in terms of an attractive investment environment, an integrated industrial system, and effective government support, which makes industrial investment a long-term option, stressing that the new factory reflects Siniora’s commitment to building sustainable partnerships and responsible investments that contribute to supporting the national economy and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a regional industrial center.
CEO: Production capacity of 10,000 tons per year and more than 300 job opportunities
For his part, Engineer Magdi Al-Sharif, CEO of Siniora Food Industries, explained that the new factory is an important operational achievement and a pivotal stage in the company’s journey within the Kingdom, indicating that the project was implemented according to the highest international standards in the food industries.
Al-Sharif pointed out that the first phase of the factory was built on a building area of 11,500 square meters, with a production capacity of up to 10,000 tons per year of frozen and chilled products using the latest technologies
He added that the investment in the first phase amounted to 150 million Saudi riyals, with support from the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, which contributed to accelerating the implementation of the project, stressing that the factory will provide about 300 job opportunities, with a focus on employing and training national talents, and raising the percentage of Saudization within the job staff.
The CEO praised the great cooperation the project received from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Authority (MODON), the Food and Drug Authority, and the Investment Promotion Authority, stressing that the speed of procedures and integration between government agencies played a pivotal role in completing the project according to the specified timetable.
The new Siniora factory is a qualitative addition to the food industry sector in the Kingdom, as it contributes to strengthening local supply chains, raising production efficiency, supporting food security, in addition to transferring industrial expertise and knowledge, and localizing modern technologies in this vital sector.
Local News
Group accommodation licenses in Saudi Arabia can be issued in just 24 hours
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs announced that it has accelerated the procedures for issuing group housing licenses to an average of 24 hours, as part of its efforts to improve the urban environment and support Saudi Vision 2030.
In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of digital transformation and government efficiency in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced a significant achievement: reducing the average processing time for group housing permits to just 24 hours last year. This development is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to regulate the municipal sector and improve the investment and urban development environment, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Background and context of development
Group housing permits, especially those for workers, are a vital element in urban planning and ensuring a safe and healthy living environment that adheres to approved standards and requirements. Historically, obtaining municipal permits was time-consuming and involved numerous procedures. However, with the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom adopted a comprehensive strategy to develop government services. The “Baladi” platform emerged as a key digital arm of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, aiming to automate procedures and streamline the journey for citizens and investors, resulting in significant improvements in service efficiency.
Achievement details in numbers
The ministry revealed that it issued 1,239 new permits for shared accommodation last year, noting that 87% of these permits were issued within 24 hours . Furthermore, efforts included issuing over 1,000 building permits that comply with the Saudi Building Code, which aims to standardize engineering standards and ensure the quality and sustainability of buildings. These figures not only reflect the speed of completion but also indicate a high level of commitment to technical and regulatory standards.
Importance and expected impact
This achievement carries significant economic and social dimensions. Domestically , expediting the issuance of licenses stimulates the contracting and construction sector, reduces operating costs for investors, and encourages compliance with regulations. Socially , it ensures the provision of adequate and healthy collective housing for workers, improving their quality of life and positively impacting their productivity. Internationally , this progress enhances the Kingdom's standing in ease of doing business indices and makes it a more attractive destination for foreign investments seeking a clear and efficient regulatory environment.
Integrated monitoring system
In addition to expediting the issuance of licenses, the Ministry continued to strengthen its regulatory framework to ensure compliance with municipal regulations. Field indicators showed that regulatory coverage of municipal activities reached 95%, with a compliance rate of 88%. Regulatory efforts also included qualifying and classifying more than 24,000 contractors and launching 25 model contracts through the “Baladi Business” platform. These models aim to regulate the relationship between parties involved in municipal projects and safeguard their rights, ultimately contributing to improving the quality of the urban landscape and achieving sustainable development for Saudi cities.
Local News
Results of the evaluation of car dealerships and online stores in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Commerce announced the results of its evaluation of car and electronics dealers and 220 online stores, with the aim of improving the quality of services and enhancing consumer rights.
A new step towards enhancing transparency in the Saudi market
As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate markets and protect consumer rights, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday the results of the second phase of its comprehensive assessments targeting vital sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens and residents. The assessments included car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance dealers and distributors, and e-commerce stores, with the aim of raising the quality of services provided, enhancing compliance with approved standards, and improving the overall customer experience.
General context and importance of the initiative in light of Vision 2030
This initiative is an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes improving the business environment and enhancing consumer confidence. With the rapid growth of e-commerce and the increasing demand for cars and modern devices, the need has arisen for transparent regulatory mechanisms that ensure consumers receive the best services and contribute to creating a fair competitive environment among companies. These periodic assessments are an effective tool for achieving this goal, providing reliable data that helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions and motivates companies to improve their operations and services.
Details of the automotive sector assessment
The ministry explained that the evaluation of car dealerships included 24 dealerships and was based on four main criteria and 16 sub-indicators to ensure comprehensive coverage of all aspects of service. The criteria included:
- Inventory and booking data: To assess the dealer's transparency in disclosing available cars and waiting lists.
- After-sales service: This is a crucial criterion that focuses on the duration of periodic maintenance, the availability of essential spare parts, and the quality of service provided at maintenance centers.
- Compliance level: To measure the extent to which the agent adheres to the regulations and rules set by the ministry.
- Commitment to protecting consumer rights: This includes responding quickly to complaints and handling them effectively.
Assessment of the electrical and electronic appliances and digital stores sector
In the electrical and electronic appliances sector, 18 agents and distributors were evaluated based on 11 criteria, primarily focusing on their adherence to consumer rights regarding warranties and maintenance, after-sales services, and their handling of consumer complaints. Meanwhile, in the booming e-commerce sector, 220 online stores were assessed according to 10 specific criteria, most notably their registration on the Saudi Business Center platform, the clarity of their exchange and return policies, and the provision of clear and effective communication channels for customers.
Expected impact and partnership with the private sector
The Ministry of Commerce affirmed that these standards and indicators were developed in collaboration and partnership with consumers and the private sector, with the aim of developing sectors and jointly addressing challenges. These assessments are expected to increase competition among agents and retailers to provide better service, and to empower consumers by giving them the necessary tools for comparison and choice. The Ministry intends to continue publishing the assessment results periodically, which will enhance market transparency and solidify a culture of quality and commitment among all commercial establishments in the Kingdom.
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