SABB, Siemens Sign Deal to Create Smart Building Technology

SABB selected Siemens to supply the services at SABB Tower in Riyadh
SABB selected Siemens to supply the services at SABB Tower in Riyadh
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SABB, Siemens Sign Deal to Create Smart Building Technology

SABB selected Siemens to supply the services at SABB Tower in Riyadh
SABB selected Siemens to supply the services at SABB Tower in Riyadh

The Saudi British Bank (SABB) has signed an agreement with Siemens to provide smart building services for SABB’s new headquarters, making the 30-story tower a model of digitally enabled efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.

SABB selected Siemens to supply the services at SABB Tower in Riyadh. The Siemens solution includes a workplace experience platform with an employee app, an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network, systems integration and energy analytics.

The agreement supports SABB’s aspirations of becoming a fully digitally enabled bank, making operations at SABB Tower more efficient and enhancing employees’ productivity and well-being. The end result will be an employee-centric and energy-efficient design that can become a model for other buildings in the Kingdom.

“Our ambition is to become Saudi Arabia’s leading, digitally enabled bank and most sought-after employer, and smart building services from Siemens will help us realize this goal,” said Tony Cripps, Managing Director, SABB. “This project will enhance our employee experiences while delivering actionable data about our headquarters and improving operational results.”

“Siemens looks forward to putting workplace technology in the hands of SABB’s employees and facility managers and connecting them in real time to the physical and digital worlds around them,” said Eng. Ahmed Hawsawi, CEO of Siemens Saudi Arabia. “With our holistic approach to integrating smart technologies, we’ll create a simple, efficient, user-friendly and secure environment for the bank’s staff and clients.”



Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF Invests $200 Million in ETF Bond Fund

The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

State Street Global Advisors, a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, announced that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested SAR 750 million ($200 million) in the newly launched SPDR J.P. Morgan Saudi Aggregate Bond ETF.

According to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, this fund is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to focus on fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It is listed in both the London Stock Exchange and Germany’s Xetra, offering investors the opportunity to track government and quasi-government bonds denominated in either the Saudi Riyal or the US Dollar, including sukuk (Islamic bonds).

This investment aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, representing a significant step toward enhancing the international presence of Saudi Arabia’s financial markets and attracting foreign investments. The fund is available to investors across several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy.

Commenting on the investment, Yazid Al-Humaid, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, said: “The fund continues to create opportunities and enable access to diverse capital markets in the Kingdom. Investing in the first internationally listed Saudi fixed-income ETF underscores PIF’s commitment to deepening Saudi capital markets, attracting investors, and fostering partnerships across global financial centers.”

CEO of State Street Global Advisors Yi-Hsin Hung emphasized that the launch of the fund is a significant milestone in providing innovative opportunities for investors while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.