Prince Alwaleed Receives Australian Ambassador to Discuss Economic Issues        

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) received in his office in Riyadh HE Mr. Neil Hawkins, Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nahlah Alanbar, Private Executive Assistant to HRH the chairman.

The meeting began with the Ambassador thanking Prince Alwaleed for giving him the opportunity to meet with him. The Ambassador relayed cordial regards from the Australian government. During the meeting, the two touched upon the latest regional and international developments on the social and economic front, and they discussed investment opportunities in Australia. Moreover, Mr. Hawkins was keen on listening to the Prince’s views and pointed out that the Prince is well known for his significant and successful projects as he has a special vision for future potential investments where Australia may benefit from.

In conclusion, the Ambassador extended an invitation to His Highness to visit his country. In response, Prince Alwaleed thanked the Ambassador and promised to visit his country in the near future.

The Prince’s investments in Australia through KHC include investments in the banking sector through Citigroup, the hospitality sector through Four Seasons and Swissotel, and via the media sector through News Corp, and LBC as it is the most popular Arab channel in Australia. 

In 2009, Prince Alwaleed received His Excellency the Hon. Stephen Smith, MP Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and an accompanying delegation. The Prince hosted a dinner in honor of his guest at Kingdom Resort.

In 2007, Prince Alwaleed received an Australian Parliamentary Delegation headed by the Hon. Peter Slipper, MP and on another occasion HRH received an Australian Business women’s delegation headed by Ms. Fiona Hill.

KHC Commences Construction of “Kingdom Riyadh Land” Real Estate Project

Prince Alwaleed: “Riyadh mega project will bring promising returns to Kingdom Holding investors”

Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud announced the commencement of the construction of “Kingdom Riyadh Land”, real estate Riyadh project.

Prince Alwaleed commented: “Riyadh mega project will bring promising returns to Kingdom Holding investors. Our Saudi real estate projects are solid anchors for Kingdom Holding’s continuing profitability.”

On February 9th, 2011, KHC announced that Omrania were awarded the design of the master plan design and infrastructure of “Kingdom Riyadh Land” that is16M sqm. Also the contract includes provisional sums for Traffic and Environmental studies. As part of their service Omrania’s Contract includes the coordination and approval of all master planning elements, engaging and managing the traffic impact study and environmental impact assessment sub-consultants and other studies required to complement and complete the Master Plan in the role of the local master planner, including all liaison with local authorities. In addition Omrania will be carrying out the supervision of the infrastructure work on site at the pre-agreed rates contained in the award memo.

Moreover, Hart Howerton (HH) were awarded the design of the master plan for 3.8M sqm in Kingdom Oasis Land. The contract includes concept landscape architecture and coloured renderings.  As part of their scope of work, HH will produce preliminary concept architecture studies for the Hotel, Gentleman’s Retreat, Women’s Spa, and Branded Villas of which one scheme will be further developed into the concept refinement stage to address the concept details. The preliminary master plan was submitted to Riyadh Municipality and their comments have been addressed by HH.

Eng. Talal Almaiman, Executive Director for Development and Domestic Investments commented: “This strategic step is aimed at broadening the activities of the Real Estate Investment Company, Ltd. (REIC) to benefit from its marketing and operations’ ability.” REIC owns and operates “Kingdom City” residential compound in Riyadh.

There are currently in excess of 400 families on the waiting list for the current residential compound. In addition, following a comprehensive study of market and the economic implication of the project, REIC has acquired a loan from Banque Saudi Fransi to finance the second “Kingdom City”. Furthermore, the second “Kingdom City” will be developed to provide increased facilities for residents, to benefit from the infrastructure and other planned projects by the developers with co-operation with the concerned parties.

Prince Alwaleed Receives Bill Gates at Kingdom Resort     

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) received Mr. Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at Kingdom Resort on Saturday 28 January 2012. The meeting was attended by HH Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, Vice Chairwoman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation chaired by Prince Alwaleed, Mr. Shadi Sanbar, KHC’s CFO, Eng. Nadia Bakhurji Secretary General of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation and Ms. Amani Algahtani, Assistant Executive Manager- HRH’s Palaces.

During the meeting the two discussed the latest developments in both KHC and Microsoft. Moreover, Prince Alwaleed and Mr. Bill Gates discuss general issues, topics related to KHC’s international investments including its stake of 47.5% in the Four Seasons which is co-owned by Bill Gates’ Cascade with a 47.5% stake, and 5% is owned by Mr. Isadore Sharp, Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Also, the two discussed potential collaboration between Alwaleed Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prince Alwaleed has attended the annual Microsoft CEO Summit held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond Campus in Seattle, Washington. The Prince’s visit was in response to an invitation from Mr. Bill Gates to attend the event. The Prince was accompanied by his spouse Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel and a delegation from KHC, and the Foundation. The Summit was exclusive to 100 CEOs most influential in the world.

During the function, Prince Alwaleed met with some of the most prominent CEOs that included Mr. Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO. There was an opportunity to discuss general issues, topics related to investments and HRH’s international investments especially in the United States. HRH has significant investments in the US through KHC in the banking sector through Citigroup where he is the largest individual shareholder, in the media sector through News Corporation, and hotels sector through the management of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Fairmont and The Plaza Hotel, New York. In addition to prestigious hotels in various US states. Moreover, investments in the entertainment sector through Time Warner and Walt Disney, and many other investments in the US.

The Microsoft CEO Summit was established in 1997 in response to growing interest in the convergence of technology and business issues among corporate CEOs. Attendees had an opportunity to hear leading industry experts analyze economic trends and technology issues. The event was private, provided a forum in which CEOs from major companies and prominent business people discussed business challenges and shared insights and experiences with their peers from around the world.

Prince Alwaleed Receives Nigerian Ambassador to Discuss Economic Issues

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) received HE Mr. Garba Aminchi Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Mohammed A. Shehu Minister Council, Nigerian Embassy and Mr. Bashir Ibrahim Maaji. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nahla Alanbar, Private Executive Assistant to HRH the chairman.

The meeting began as Mr. Aminchi thanked Prince Alwaleed for giving him the opportunity to meet with him and relayed cordial regards from the government of Nigeria. During the meeting the two discussed social and economic issues in relation to their respective countries. Also on the agenda of discussions were investments in Nigeria especially in the energy sector. Moreover, the Ambassador presented Prince Alwaleed with investment opportunities in real estate and hotel sector.

Recently, Prince Alwaleed and HH Princess Ameerah Al–Taweel, Vice Chairwoman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation that is chaired by Prince Alwaleed visited the Republic of Nigeria and were warmly welcomed by HE Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Republic of Nigeria at the Presidential Palace. Moreover, the President and His Highness discussed a number of social, philanthropic and economic issues.

Furthermore, the President commended Prince Alwaleed on his efforts in playing a vital role in economic and social development, and referred to HRH's local, regional and international investments, and generous contributions to people in need all over the world. Moreover, the President invited the Prince to explore further potential investment opportunities in Nigeria. In response, the Prince welcomed the invitation and referred to Kingdom Zephyr Africa Management Company (“Kingdom Zephyr” or KZAM) as it is one of the leading pan-African private equity firms.

Prince Alwaleed’s investments in Nigeria through KHC are in the banking sector via Citigroup.