Saudi businesswoman Dana Alajlani joins The 966, the PIF eyes a new sports investment arm, perceptions of Saudi and much more

The 966

Saudi businesswoman Dana Alajlani, Head of Public Affairs for the GCC at Sanofi, the French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris, joins The 966 to share her professional journey and story. Dana is also Co-Chairwoman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA) and is involved there with the Women in Business committee. Before that conversation, Richard and Lucien discuss a recent survey which examines the conversations and sentiments surrounding Saudi Arabia in 2022, seeking to understand the impact of Vision 2030. Then the hosts discuss Lucien's One Big Thing, which is a recent report in the Financial Times that said the Saudi PIF is eying up the possibility of a sports investment body, owned by the PIF, to further pursue investment into sport globally. Then the hosts wrap up as always with the Yallah! segment.

9:30 - Richard's One Big Thing is a recent survey which examines the conversations and sentiments surrounding Saudi Arabia in 2022, seeking to understand the impact of Vision 2030. The leading research firm Carma analyzed media coverage across 33 major markets from traditional, digital, and broadcast media. The hosts discuss the changing perceptions of Saudi Arabia both in the Kingdom and abroad.

16:20 - Lucien's One Big Thing is a new report from the Financial Times says Saudi Arabia plans to launch a multibillion-dollar investment company to expand its sports interests. The new entity will feature a “war chest” to fund its expansion, a sign that KSA wants to make further acquisitions, according to the report. Lucien highlights some of the facts in the piece, then Richard and Lucien provide some thoughts on all the progress in this space for Saudi Arabia.

34:54 - Saudi businesswoman Dana Alajlani, Head of Public Affairs for the GCC at Sanofi, the French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris, joins The 966 to share her professional journey and story. Dana is also Co-Chairwoman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA) and is involved there with the Women in Business committee.

1:07:32 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to date heading into the weekend.

•Non-oil business activity in Saudi Arabia surged in June, supported by strength in construction and tourism, a survey showed on Wednesday.

•Saudi Arabia has begun issuing electronic visas for the new season of Umrah or lesser pilgrimage starting later this month, after the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

•The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Civil Transactions Law (the Law) enacted on 19 June 2023, by Royal Decree M/191, has now been published in the official gazette "Umm Al-Qura."

•ATP Tour chair confirms “positive” investment discussions with Saudi’s PIF

•Saudi Arabia is considering a push to attract more outside investors to bolster its top football competition, part of a strategic revamp that’s started with an influx of star players from Europe.

•Startups in Mena raised $35.6 million in June 2023 across 45 deals, pushing the half year funding total to $1.6 billion.