British Firm JMN Gears Up for Riyadh HQ Launch

JMN partners, Jesper Schertiger (left) and Robin Shelly, at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
JMN partners, Jesper Schertiger (left) and Robin Shelly, at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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British Firm JMN Gears Up for Riyadh HQ Launch

JMN partners, Jesper Schertiger (left) and Robin Shelly, at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
JMN partners, Jesper Schertiger (left) and Robin Shelly, at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (Asharq Al-Awsat)

British firm “Jet Media Network” (JMN) plans to set up its main office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, capitalizing on the increasing interest in investing in new cultural ventures in the Kingdom.

With its recent license approval from the Saudi Ministry of Investment, JMN aims to oversee regional operations, including management, technology development, and content creation, according to Jesper Schertiger, CEO and co-founder of JMN.

The move is expected to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and support its Vision 2030 goals, while also expanding the company's reach across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Schertiger revealed that JMN has already partnered with global stars like Ronaldinho to promote Saudi projects worldwide.

Schertiger announced that JMN has recently signed deals with 25 global stars in music, entertainment, sports, and gaming, including big names like Virat Kohli, Roberto Firmino, and Cardi B.

These stars collectively have a social media following of 1.8 billion.

Moreover, Schertiger said JMN is teaming up with regional experts to use ICONOME as a platform to promote budding talents from the Middle East.

He affirmed that JMN’s focus on the region, especially Saudi Arabia, is growing steadily.

Schertiger emphasized JMN’s dedication to showcasing Saudi talents globally and supporting Vision 2030's goals of promoting sports and entertainment. He highlighted the company’s involvement in prestigious events like the Music Cities Conference, the AFC Asian Cup, and the FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, he stressed the significance of Riyadh hosting Expo 2030, showing the Kingdom’s leadership in sports, music, and culture.

He mentioned that with the network’s current celebrity lineup and their massive social media reach, JMN/ICONOME will gather valuable insights from global communities.



IMF Approves Third Review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 Bln Bailout

Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
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IMF Approves Third Review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 Bln Bailout

Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF along with Katsiaryna Svirydzenka, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF and Martha Tesfaye Woldemichael, Deputy Mission Chief for Sri Lanka at the IMF, attend a press conference organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout on Saturday but warned that the economy remains vulnerable.
In a statement, the global lender said it would release about $333 million, bringing total funding to around $1.3 billion, to the crisis-hit South Asian nation. It said signs of an economic recovery were emerging, Reuters reported.
In a note of caution, it said "the critical next steps are to complete the commercial debt restructuring, finalize bilateral agreements with official creditors along the lines of the accord with the Official Creditor Committee and implement the terms of the other agreements. This will help restore Sri Lanka's debt sustainability."
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka plunged into its worst financial crisis in more than seven decades in 2022 with a severe dollar shortage sending inflation soaring to 70%, its currency to record lows and its economy contracting by 7.3% during the worst of the fallout and by 2.3% last year.
"Maintaining macroeconomic stability and restoring debt sustainability are key to securing Sri Lanka's prosperity and require persevering with responsible fiscal policy," the IMF said.
The IMF bailout secured in March last year helped stabilize economic conditions. The rupee has risen 11.3% in recent months and inflation disappeared, with prices falling 0.8% last month.
The island nation's economy is expected to grow 4.4% this year, the first increase in three years, according to the World Bank.
However, Sri Lanka still needs to complete a $12.5 billion debt restructuring with bondholders, which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to finalize in December.
Sri Lanka will enter into individual agreements with bilateral creditors including Japan, China and India needed to complete a $10 billion debt restructuring, Dissanayake said.
He won the presidency in September, and his leftist coalition won a record 159 seats in the 225-member parliament in a general election last week.