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Exponeur… Saudi Initiative to Connect Global Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Exponeur is the first pavilion in the history of expo that is fully dedicated to the ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment (SPA) 
Exponeur is the first pavilion in the history of expo that is fully dedicated to the ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment (SPA) 
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Exponeur… Saudi Initiative to Connect Global Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Exponeur is the first pavilion in the history of expo that is fully dedicated to the ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment (SPA) 
Exponeur is the first pavilion in the history of expo that is fully dedicated to the ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment (SPA) 

The Kingdom's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka witnessed the launch of the “Exponeur” initiative, a global Saudi initiative that aims to connect entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors through the international Expo platform, and to leverage the global gathering to empower entrepreneurship ecosystems from all around the world.
The initiative spans five years, from Expo Osaka 2025 to Expo Riyadh 2030, and works to link global challenges with opportunities for innovation through training programs, the highlighting of pioneering projects, and the creation of tangible impact to be presented at each edition of the Expo, starting with the Riyadh 2030 edition.
Exponeur aspires to become the first pavilion in the history of expo that is fully dedicated to the ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment, thereby enhancing the Kingdom’s global role in building a limitless entrepreneurial environment and reflecting its firm commitment to promoting international cooperation and supporting the next generation of innovators.
Among the programs and activities that the Exponeur initiative will offer is the “Exponeur Academy,” a global six-month training program that will train 150 entrepreneurs annually from more than 20 countries.

The program includes mentorship sessions, investment readiness preparation, and opportunities to present projects before venture capital funds.
It also includes the “Exponeur Competitions and Challenges,” which span five years and are organized in accordance with the theme of each expo edition.

These challenges go through regional and global stages and conclude with showcasing the top projects at the Exponeur pavilion during Expo Riyadh 2030.
In addition, the initiative includes the “Annual Exponeur Event,” which will be held in Riyadh, the host city of the upcoming expo, and will feature panel discussions, presentations, networking activities, and partnership-building efforts. The initiative also introduces the “Entrepreneurship Development Fund,” which aims to support startup projects and close the financing gap in developing countries.
This initiative is launched in partnership with the Vision Leadership Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and is sponsored by SBI Holdings Japan, which supported the first edition of the initiative’s programs and training activities during Expo 2025 Osaka.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Chairman of the Vision Leadership Association and Head of the Saudi Startups Group at the G20 (Startup20) Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz said that the “Exponeur” initiative embodies the Kingdom’s role in supporting national and global economic development through building bridges between countries to promote a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in facing global challenges.

He added that the initiative aims to empower future generations to contribute to the creation of solutions, benefit from the global gathering for knowledge exchange, bridge funding gaps, and present opportunities to stakeholders.

For his part, founder of Exponeur initiative, Mansour Al-Saanouni, said Exponeur began as an idea during Saudi Arabia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai.

“It stemmed from a belief in the power of entrepreneurs to present real solutions to global challenges. Today, this idea has evolved into a global initiative to empower entrepreneurs, starting from Expo Osaka 2025 and extending through to Expo Riyadh 2030,’ he said.

 

 

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IMF Upgrades Outlook for Surprisingly Resilient World Economy to 3.3% Growth this Year

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo/File Photo
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IMF Upgrades Outlook for Surprisingly Resilient World Economy to 3.3% Growth this Year

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo/File Photo

An unexpectedly sturdy world economy is likely to shrug off President Donald Trump's protectionist trade policies this year, thanks partly to a surge of investment in artificial intelligence in North America and Asia, the International Monetary Fund said in a report out Monday.

The 191-nation lending organization expects that global growth will come in at 3.3% this year, same as in 2025 but up from the 3.1% it had forecast for 2026 back in October, The Associated Press reported.

The world economy "continues to show notable resilience despite significant US-led trade disruptions and heightened uncertainty,'' IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas and his colleague Tobias Adrian wrote in a blog post accompanying the latest update to the fund's World Economic Outlook.

The US economy, benefiting from the strongest pace of technology investment since 2001, is forecast to expand 2.4% this year, an upgrade on the fund's October forecast and on expected 2025 growth — both 2.1%.

China — the world's second-largest economy — is forecast to see 4.5% growth, an improvement on the 4.2% the IMF had predicted October, partly because a trade truce with the United States has reduced American tariffs on Chinese exports.

India, which has supplanted China as the world's fastest-growing major economy, is expected to see growth decelerate from 7.3% last year (when it was juiced by an unexpectedly strong second half) to a still-healthy 6.4% in 2026.

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France Says Still Loyal to Syria Kurds, Hails Ceasefire

Syrian army personnel celebrate as government forces enter Raqqa city following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces, in Raqqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
Syrian army personnel celebrate as government forces enter Raqqa city following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces, in Raqqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
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France Says Still Loyal to Syria Kurds, Hails Ceasefire

Syrian army personnel celebrate as government forces enter Raqqa city following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces, in Raqqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri
Syrian army personnel celebrate as government forces enter Raqqa city following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces, in Raqqa, Syria, January 18, 2026. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri

France on Monday welcomed a ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces and stressed it remained loyal to the latter who spearheaded the battle against the ISIS group.

"France is faithful to its allies," the foreign ministry said, urging all sides to respect the ceasefire deal, which will also see the Kurdish administration and forces integrate into the state after months of stalled negotiations.

Business

Lucid in 2026: 'Made in Saudi Arabia' Label Goes Global

Mark Winterhoff, interim CEO of Lucid (Company) 
Mark Winterhoff, interim CEO of Lucid (Company) 
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Lucid in 2026: 'Made in Saudi Arabia' Label Goes Global

Mark Winterhoff, interim CEO of Lucid (Company) 
Mark Winterhoff, interim CEO of Lucid (Company) 

Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global launchpad for Lucid, the electric-vehicle manufacturer, not merely as a consumer market, but as a manufacturing and export hub serving markets worldwide.

Speaking from Riyadh during his participation in the Future Minerals Forum, Mark Winterhoff, interim chief executive officer of Lucid — whose largest shareholder is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) — outlined the company’s next phase, which focuses on disciplined expansion, resilient supply chains, and a strategic shift from ultra-luxury vehicles toward a broader consumer segment.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Winterhoff described the forum as a critical platform for the electric-vehicle industry, given its heavy reliance on minerals and rare earth elements, particularly those used in magnets. He praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership in this area, noting its direct impact on multiple industrial sectors. Winterhoff oversees the execution of Lucid’s strategy and leads teams responsible for product design, engineering, and manufacturing efficiency.

Saudi Arabia as an Export Base

Winterhoff said Lucid’s Saudi factory - the company’s first manufacturing facility outside the United States - was designed from the outset as a major export platform, not solely to meet domestic demand.

Under current plans, only 13 to 15 percent of production will be allocated to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, with the majority destined for export. He confirmed that Lucid remains on track to begin production at the facility by the end of this year, specifically in December.

In January 2025, Lucid joined the “Made in Saudi Arabia” program, enabling it to use the national manufacturing label on vehicles produced locally. The company is the first automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to receive the designation, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s push to localize advanced industries, deepen partnerships with global manufacturers, and establish itself as a hub for electric-vehicle production and exports.

Strong Growth Momentum

Winterhoff said Lucid posted strong growth in both production and deliveries in 2025. Annual production more than doubled, while deliveries rose 55 percent year-on-year. The fourth quarter recorded particularly strong results in the United States and the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia.

He noted that Lucid was the only electric-vehicle manufacturer in the US to report higher deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2025, at a time when many competitors saw sharp declines.

According to company figures, Lucid produced about 18,378 vehicles in 2025, up 104 percent from 2024, while deliveries reached 15,841 vehicles. In the fourth quarter alone, production climbed to 8,412 vehicles — up 116 percent from the previous quarter — while deliveries rose 31 percent to 5,345 vehicles.

While Lucid currently operates in the luxury segment, its most significant strategic shift involves developing a mid-size vehicle priced at around $50,000. Winterhoff said this model, aimed at a much wider consumer base, will form the backbone of production at the Saudi plant and enable the facility to reach its targeted maximum capacity.

Supply Chain Challenges and Outlook

Winterhoff identified supply chains - particularly for minerals, rare earth elements, and semiconductors - as ongoing challenges for the industry. He said Lucid faced repeated difficulties over the past year in sourcing magnets and securing stable semiconductor supplies. Forums such as the Future Minerals Forum, he added, are part of the solution, helping build a more stable and sustainable resource ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Winterhoff expressed confidence in Lucid’s trajectory. The company currently leads US electric-vehicle sales in the luxury sedan segment and ranks third when internal combustion vehicles are included. With the launch of its mid-priced model, Lucid expects higher production volumes and, in 2026, plans to enter the autonomous robotaxi market, an emerging sector it views as a key source of future growth.