As Saudi Arabia marks its 91st National Day, ‘The National’ sits down with pioneering Saudis to talk about the changing face of the kingdom.
From helping to create jobs for women in rural areas over the past decade, Rana Zumai is now a consultant for SMEs and corporate communications head at Nesma Holding, one of Saudi Arabia's biggest private companies involved in the sectors of energy, oil and gas, construction, entertainment, real estate, hospitality, tourism, telecom and IT.
She believes Saudi women have already passed the point where they need to prove themselves in the workplace and thinks it is time to see Saudi women leading in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as internationally.
“We are past proving ourselves. We have seen Saudi women achieve great things. We are now at a stage where we need to create something unique and make an impact with the empowerment we are given for our country and for expatriates living in the kingdom,” she told The National in an interview to talk about major changes in the kingdom before Saudi National Day on September 23.
She credits Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for helping women to shatter stereotypes and glass ceilings and for helping to create more opportunities and accelerate the pace of change for women in the corporate world.
“I work with many start-ups by women and I admire the diversity and their belief that there are no limitations,” she said, adding that the future looks bright for Saudi women in the banking and finance sectors.
Vision 2030, announced in 2016, states that a successful and progressive nation must encourage and empower all members of society, including women, and therefore reviewed its civil and labour laws and regulations that influence the ability of women to travel, work and participate in society.
In 2019, women over the age of 21 were granted the right to obtain a passport and travel without their male guardian's permission. The retirement age was raised to 60, to be level with men, and women were given more leadership roles and increased protection from employment discrimination.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to increase women's participation from 22 to 30 per cent by 2030.
An estimated 48,000 Saudi women entered the workforce in 2018, an 8.8 per cent increase from the previous year, marking the highest number of women employed in the country's history.
“The vision has paved the way for women to follow their dreams and ambitions like never before,” she said.
“I started my career in the communication department at Nesma just three years ago. I would love to reach new heights by creating new areas of communication.
“I believe human communication is more effective than technical communication. The former has the power to make political strides, create partnerships between entities and forge long-term and successful relationships between humans.”
Prior to corporate communication, Rana worked in the non-profit organisation Nesma Embroidery, where she helped create social value-added opportunities for the company for seven years.
She played a role in creating job opportunities, focusing on improving socio-economic conditions for women living in rural areas.
“Nesma gave me an opportunity to work with Saudi women in rural areas and empowered me in leadership positions, to expand our business and factories across the kingdom,” she said.
“But it really helped me for my role today as I was part of human development, culture, economical development in textile and other areas. The experience gave me the education and advanced communication skills. I was able to learn key elements and strengthen areas like the dignity of labour, by giving our women advanced titles and roles.”
She said the new school of thought is that corporate social responsibility should be changed to CSV - community shared values.
“I think this is how we should look at it. We should start this education at an early level at schools in the kingdom,” she said.
Even after all she has done to help Saudi women in business, Rana said her biggest achievement is being a mother.
“I have a son who's 17 who wants to go into the petroleum and energy sector,” she said. “My 12-year-old girl is in school and she's a creative artist and my youngest one is six years old and is a dancer who wants to be in the Olympics. I support them all to pursue and I enjoy empowering them so that they achieve their dreams.”
Rana wants to be a role model for Saudi women who represent culture, religion, trust, humility, and integrity. She wants Saudi women to “dream big and remember there are no limitations”. “I want to continue giving back to my country," she said.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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3.
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Command%20Z
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Soderbergh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Cera%2C%20Liev%20Schreiber%2C%20Chloe%20Radcliffe%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A03%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FuturLab%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESquare%20Enix%20Collective%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%3Cstrong%3E%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPlayStation%204%20%26amp%3B%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20PC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
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UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The years Ramadan fell in May
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
