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.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.