A transformative step into Asia with more to come in the near future.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Bateel International LLC, a global leader in the world of fine food and beverages, is renowned for its luxurious gourmet delights and F&B services, proudly announces its expansion into Asia with the opening of its first boutique in Seoul, South Korea, at the prestigious Lotte World Mall in mid-November 2024. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in Bateel’s global growth strategy, bringing its world-renowned collection of premium organic dates, single-origin chocolates and gourmet products to a discerning audience in one of Asia’s most vibrant markets.
After years of evaluating international markets, Bateel identified South Korea as a prime destination for its boutique expansion. With a sophisticated consumer base that values health-conscious, trendy products, Seoul presents the perfect market for Bateel’s offering of organic and filled dates, artisanal chocolates and luxurious packaged gift sets. The location in Lotte World Mall, adjacent to the entrance of the renowned viewing deck, mirrors the brand’s successful presence at Dubai Mall, where Bateel boutiques attract thousands of global visitors.
“We are thrilled to enter the South Korean market,” said Bilal El Kurjie, Senior Commercial Director at Bateel.”Our presence in this key market allows us to bring the unique Bateel experience to new customers, starting with this iconic location at Lotte World Mall.”
The new boutique, larger than some of Bateel’s flagship stores in the UAE and KSA, will offer the full Bateel experience. Customers will enjoy an extensive range of premium products, including Bateel’s renowned organic dates, high-end single-origin chocolate collection, and bespoke packaging options, designed to cater to both local tastes and the international tourist market.
In addition to the boutique, Bateel plans to introduce its new Bateel El’an concept, a modern café format, in early 2025. This next phase will elevate Bateel’s presence in South Korea, offering dine-in, takeaway, and delivery options that showcase Bateel’s signature culinary excellence.
Central to Bateel’s expansion strategy is its commitment to sourcing the highest-quality ingredients globally. This dedication, paired with a focus on sustainability, aligns with the growing demand for responsibly sourced luxury products in South Korea.
“This expansion is the start of a new chapter for Bateel in Asia,” Bilal added. “We have ambitious plans underway and look forward to further expanding our presence, starting with Seoul and soon moving into markets like Singapore.”
Recognized worldwide for its gourmet products, Bateel has established a strong global presence in more than 29 countries, with luxury boutiques and elegant cafés in premium destinations across the GCC, Europe, and Asia.

Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as a transformative force in Middle Eastern banking, holding close to 1 trillion in total assets in 2023. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is redefining its financial landscape with a strong focus on digital innovation, employee and customer experience, regulatory advancements, and financial inclusion, positioning itself as a model for national-scale transformation.
A new report from Arthur D. Little (ADL) highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in shaping a future-ready banking environment that sets new standards for the GCC. The report also shows how innovative initiatives taken from South East Asia markets are providing insight into building the new banking chapter in KSA.
Vision 2030 is driving growth across the Saudi banking sector, with initiatives centered on expanding digital payments, enhancing financial inclusion, and establishing a resilient regulatory framework. Supported by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the Kingdom’s banks are at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing to improve customer experience and security. This focus on forward-thinking infrastructure development exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating an inclusive financial system for its citizens.
“Vision 2030 represents more than just economic reform for Saudi Arabia; it embodies a profound transformation of the Kingdom’s financial landscape,” said Yacin Mahieddine, Partner in the Global Financial Services practice at Arthur D. Little “By prioritizing financial inclusion, strengthening regulatory frameworks, focusing on employee experience, and advancing digital payments, Saudi Arabia is building a resilient, future-ready banking environment. This commitment is setting a new regional benchmark, and we believe the Kingdom is positioned to become a leader in secure, accessible, and technology-driven financial services.”
“The scale and ambition of Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030 are truly unparalleled,” said Nelson Danam, Principal and a member of the Global Financial Services Practice at Arthur D. Little. “Through the integration of AI-driven fraud prevention and cloud-based systems, Saudi banks are not merely adopting technology but are setting the standard for what it means to be prepared for the future. This approach speaks to a commitment that goes beyond regional aspirations—it is about establishing a financial sector that serves all citizens while leading by example in the region.”
The KSA market has also welcomed many leaders with experience from the South East Asia market. The sharing of experience has led to various ingenious initiatives and is today helping build the future of banking in KSA, with some noticeable innovative examples:
• The emphasis on mobile-first, seamless digital banking experiences with minimal branch reliance, to improve customer accessibility and reduce operational costs.
• The integration of financial services into non-banking platforms like e-commerce, creating a broader service ecosystem that enhances customer engagement and convenience.
• Leveraging innovative technology solutions and Apps to reach underserved segments for microloans, SME segments, digital wallets, … to help tap the underbanked.
• The use of advanced analytics to deliver highly personalized products and services, improving customer loyalty and lifetime value.
• Enhancing collaboration with regulators through sandbox frameworks to test new financial products safely, enabling quicker innovation adoption in compliance with SAMA regulations.
With a significant contribution to the GCC region’s $3.2 trillion in total banking assets, Saudi Arabia is playing a critical role in advancing a resilient and innovative financial landscape across the Middle East. Arthur D. Little’s report underscores that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Vision 2030 is not just building a stronger banking sector but is setting the course for the future of finance in the GCC.

Johannesburg, South Africa – Nokia, in partnership with Reflex and Net Nine Nine, will expand broadband access for underserved communities across South Africa. The collaboration, led by Reflex, will utilize Nokia’s fiber broadband solution to bring affordable broadband access to millions of people, supporting essential digital services such as online education, telehealth, and remote working that are crucial to economic growth and social inclusion.

Nokia’s collaboration with Reflex and Net Nine Nine underscores the commitment to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions that address the digital divide. The deployment, currently underway, covers communities in Gauteng and Free State provinces of South Africa. The project supports South Africa’s governmental drive to extend quality, affordable broadband connectivity to underserved populations.

Albert Oosthuysen, CEO of Net Nine Nine, said: “Net Nine Nine has always had the goal of bridging the digital divide here in South Africa, and we’re already making great strides across South Africa’s township communities. With this partnership, we’re in an even better position to bridge that gap without having to sacrifice the quality of services for these areas.”

Paul Divall, CEO of Reflex, said: “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Nokia and Net Nine Nine in bringing affordable broadband equipment and managed solutions to Net Nine Nine. This initiative is a significant step toward ensuring that quality internet access is within reach for everyone, regardless of income level.”

Toni Pellegrino, South Africa Managing Director, Head of Network Infrastructure, Southern and Eastern Africa, at Nokia said: “Working with Reflex and Net Nine Nine allows us to extend affordable, high-speed broadband services to the areas of South Africa that need it most. This will help further advance the country’s digital transformation and digital inclusion goals and connect a vast number of underserved regions across South Africa currently without any broadband connection.”

By empowering more communities with reliable internet, Nokia, Reflex, and Net Nine Nine reaffirm their commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting social and economic progress in South Africa.