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MDLBEAST Foundation Continues Revolutionizing Music Ecosystem in the MENA Region with a Rich Agenda in 2025

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شهرين ago

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MDLBEAST Foundation has announced its ambitious plans for 2025, solidifying its position as a leading driver of the music industry in the MENA region. Building on four successful editions, MDLBEAST Foundation is pioneering a new era of transformation, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on humanity, sustainability, and conscious music.
As part of this vision, the MDLBEAST Foundation hosted an exclusive gala at Attache, an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration. The event welcomed over 180+ distinguished guests, including industry leaders, celebrities, and influential figures from the music world, setting the stage for a year of groundbreaking initiatives.
Nada Alhelabi, the General Manager of MDLBEAST Foundation, expressed: “We are committed to advancing the music industry through innovative research, sustainable practices, and meaningful collaborations. Our XP initiatives in 2025 are designed to create shared value for all members of the music community. This year, we are proud to complement these efforts with initiatives such as our HUNNA mentorship program, the XPERFORM talent competition, and the XCHANGE workshop series. Each of these reflects our mission to support emerging talent and foster a vibrant, sustainable music ecosystem.”

Empowering the Ecosystem: MDLBEAST Foundation Key Highlights in 2024 and 2025 Plans

In 2024, MDLBEAST Foundation initiatives made significant strides in empowering the music ecosystem in the MENA region. Key highlights include:
XP Music Futures: Hosted the fourth edition of the premier music conference in the region, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts. Pioneering New Milestones in 2025 XP Music Futures conference will return for its fifth edition, bringing together industry experts, artists, producers, labels, and music enthusiasts for the region’s leading three-day music conference. This flagship event remains central to our mission of scaling the music industry across MENA.
Hearful: Our hearing health awareness initiative conducted over 140 hearing tests and diagnosed 13 individuals with hearing difficulties in 2024, emphasizing the importance of hearing health awareness. The initiative focusing on tinnitus awareness and prevention, will continue its mission of safeguarding hearing health. In collaboration with Arabtone, we aim to expand our efforts to offer hearing tests and provide earplugs at XP and Soundstorm events.
XCHANGE: a dynamic series of workshops touring the Middle East, hosted sessions in Kuwait City, Tunis, and Muscat throughout 2024, bringing together over 200 music professionals and fostering regional collaboration. XCHANGE kicked off its 2025 tour on February 6th in Manama, Bahrain, marking the start of an expanded journey across the region. The tour will continue in Doha, Marrakech, and Riyadh, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and drive the music scene forward. Each city will host a Hunna gathering, bringing together women in the industry for collective forums.

The workshop in Manama, titled “Musician & Multi-Disciplinary Creative Artist Performing,” will feature a distinguished lineup of panelists, including Ali Zayani, Co-founder of Soundscapes; Mashael Fairooz, Founding Partner of JEO Capital Management; Lance Tobin, Vice President of Booking at Al Dana Amphitheatre; and Wrista, Recording Artist & Founder of L.O.A.D.B Productions.

Sound Futures: XP Sound Futures initiative connects eligible music startups with investors to drive innovation in the music ecosystem. In 2024, six startups pitched to investors at XP, and we will open a new call for applications in March 2025. This initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to expand business opportunities within the music industry.
PWR CHORD: Launched in 2024 at XP Music Futures, PWR CHORD featured 10 talented guitarists performing before a panel of six renowned judges, including world-famous guitarists. The winner received a unique signed guitar from Megadeth’s lead guitarist, marking a major milestone in their career.
XPERFORM: Discovered and elevated fresh talent, offering a platform for new voices, with Lamia Khattab winning in 2024 and earning a performance at Soundstorm’24 and a 2025 collaboration with MDLBEAST Records. Lamia Khattab won and stood out amongst more than 1000 individuals representing more than 36 nationalities. Returning for its fourth edition to discover and elevate fresh new voices.
Storm Shaker: The search for the next breakthrough DJ returns in 2025, culminating in a thrilling final competition at XP in December. The winner will debut at Soundstorm and embark on an international tour as the grand prize. Last year’s winner, Saadoon, is already scheduled to perform in O- -Beach Dubai, EXIT Festival, MOGA, and BSMNT The Club, after performing at Soundstorm.
Artist Management Bootcamp: Graduated 35 participants, equipping them with comprehensive artist management knowledge, with top graduates securing internships at Sony Music, Warner Music, and MDLBEAST Records, nurturing the next generation of industry leaders, We aim to expand this program further in 2025, empowering future leaders in the industry.
In its mission to scale and empower the regional music ecosystem, MDLBEAST’s XP has outlined a series of impactful initiatives for 2025, including the continuation of Hearful to promote hearing health, the launch of XCHANGE workshops in 3 new destinations, Manama, Doha & Marrakesh to foster collaboration and support women in the industry through Hunna gatherings, and the expansion of Sound Futures to connect music startups with investors. Other initiatives include XPERFORM, aimed at discovering new voices; Storm Shaker, a DJ competition culminating in international tours; and the Artist Management Bootcamp to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.
Alhelabi further noted: “Through these initiatives, MDLBEAST Foundation is not only shaping the future of music in Saudi Arabia and the region but also contributing to the development of a global music industry that is innovative, inclusive, and resilient.”
“We extend our gratitude to our community and partners who share our mission to elevate the music industry in the region. As we embark on our 2025 journey, we invite new partners to join us in scaling and fortifying the music ecosystem through XP initiatives”, Alhelabi added.
Nite Ventures (New Initiative): This year, we are launching Nite Ventures, an initiative dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, event promoters, and venue owners to create and launch new nightlife events, shaping Riyadh’s growing entertainment scene. Additionally, will support the emerging Riyadh nightlife concepts and event creators.

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ARTHUR D. LITTLE: SAUDI ARABIA POSITIONED TO LEAD $8 BILLION FEEDER SHIPPING BOOM

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4 أيام ago

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أبريل 16, 2025

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Saudi Arabia is positioned to capture up to 45 percent of Red Sea and 35 percent of Gulf feeder trade as regional volumes rise to 41 million TEUs by 2030.
Feeder shipping delivers returns on assets of 17 to 23 percent, outperforming other logistics sectors and aligning with Saudi Arabia’s growth priorities.
The 8 billion dollar feeder market across MEEAT and South Asia centers on Saudi Arabia, with geography, infrastructure, and policy all aligned.
Red Sea container volumes are set to nearly double by 2030, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key East West logistics hub.
 As global logistics undergo rapid transformation, new research from Arthur D. Little (ADL) positions Saudi Arabia as a future powerhouse in feeder shipping, a high-potential segment of maritime trade set to grow to $451 billion globally by 2030. The Middle East, East Africa, Turkey (MEEAT), and South Asia region alone is forecast to account for $8 billion of that total, making it one of the most strategically valuable feeder markets in the world.
At the heart of this regional surge is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to ADL’s latest Viewpoint, Unlocking Opportunities in the Feeder Shipping Sector Saudi ports are poised to capture up to 45 percent of Red Sea feeder trade and 35 percent of Gulf trade, driven by infrastructure investment, geographic advantage, and Vision 2030’s logistics transformation agenda. Red Sea throughput alone is projected to nearly double from 12 million TEUs in 2021 to 23 million by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a linchpin for intra-regional and East–West container movement.
Feeder shipping, the practice of transporting containers between smaller regional ports and major global hubs, is attracting growing interest from operators and investors due to returns on assets of 17 to 23 percent. This performance significantly outpaces returns in other freight and logistics segments such as rail, trucking, and traditional maritime transport. While historically overlooked, the sector has become an increasingly vital part of the global shipping ecosystem.
 “Saudi Arabia sits at the intersection of macroeconomic shifts in global trade, regional port infrastructure growth, and heightened investor appetite for logistics assets that deliver strong, stable returns,” said Paolo Carlomagno, Partner at Arthur D. Little “Its ability to combine geographic proximity to high-growth corridors with government-backed investment strategies creates a uniquely scalable feeder shipping environment that few markets globally can match.”
ADL’s analysis outlines a phased strategy for capturing this opportunity. New entrants to the Saudi market are encouraged to adopt asset-light models, chartering vessels and building lean, responsive operations before scaling through asset ownership and deeper integration with major liners, freight forwarders, and regional exporters. This approach helps reduce capital risk while allowing operators to adapt quickly to demand and align with specific Saudi trade flows in the Red Sea, Gulf, and Arabian Sea.
 “Saudi Arabia offers a rare combination of volume potential, policy alignment, and port readiness that makes it a natural launchpad for feeder shipping operations,” said Alexandre Sawaya, Principal at Arthur D. Little, Middle East. “The Kingdom is no longer a peripheral player in maritime trade. It is fast becoming a focal point for regional connectivity and a strategic base for operators seeking scale and resilience.”
The report also highlights feeder shipping’s compatibility with Saudi Arabia’s environmental priorities. Feeder vessels, being smaller and more agile, are easier to retrofit for clean fuels such as methanol, biodiesel hybrids, or hybrid-electric propulsion. This flexibility supports the Kingdom’s goals to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2060.
With container volumes rising, infrastructure expanding, and consolidation accelerating across the shipping landscape, ADL concludes that Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of growth in feeder shipping.

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Mediterranean Bank Selects Finastra’s core banking solution to transform customer experiences and drive sustainable growth in Libya

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4 أيام ago

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أبريل 16, 2025

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With Finastra Essence, the bank will fast-track its digital transformation strategy and offer a comprehensive range of innovative retail and corporate banking services

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – April 15, 2025 – Finastra, a global provider of financial software applications, today announced that Mediterranean Bank, a provider of retail and corporate banking services in Libya, has selected its core banking solution, Finastra Essence, to deliver advanced digital banking services to its customers. The next-generation solution, which comprehensively covers conventional and Islamic banking requirements, will enable the bank to streamline core processes while offering personalized services and robust customer support. Once the implementation is complete, Mediterranean Bank will also benefit from increased agility to adapt quickly to new demands, drive ongoing innovation and rapidly bring new products to market.

EVO Digital Solutions Co., a local fintech company and partner of Finastra, is supporting the project by providing specialized services to Mediterranean Bank under Finastra’s supervision, including hands-on technical and operational support. With Evo’s local expertise and Finastra’s global delivery framework, the collaboration aims to provide Mediterranean Bank with a smooth transition to Essence.

“We are currently on a digital transformation journey to ensure we continue to deliver the best services to our customers through cutting-edge technology,” said Emad Alaakili, Chairman at Mediterranean Bank. “By implementing Finastra’s core banking solution, we are transforming our operations to drive greater efficiencies and provide our customers with the personalized banking services they expect. By increasing the robustness of our offering, this move also aligns with our goal to drive sustainable growth by balancing both profitability with social responsibility, and economic development with financial stability.”

Finastra Essence is a cloud-first, next-generation core banking solution that combines deep functionality and advanced technology to increase enterprise agility, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Powered by an open, microservices architecture, Essence’s rich, broad and deep banking functionality enables institutions to rapidly deploy market-leading products and services. The solution will provide Mediterranean Bank with a comprehensive suite of services, including core operations, teller, payments and signature verification.

“We are pleased to help Mediterranean Bank achieve its objectives around customer-centricity and increasing its market penetration in Libya,” said Siobhan Byron, EVP, Universal Banking at Finastra. “Essence’s modular architecture and a microservices approach will enable the bank to seamlessly innovate and scale as it grows. Ultimately, we’re empowering Mediterranean Bank to reimagine banking and keep pace with change, as it seeks to bring modern, digital financial services to customers.”

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مصرف المتوسط يختار حلول “فيناسترا” المصرفية الأساسية للارتقاء بتجربة العملاء

Published

4 أيام ago

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أبريل 16, 2025

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  • المصرف يعتزم استخدام الحل “إسنس” من “فيناسترا” لتسريع استراتيجية التحول الرقمي وتقديم مجموعة شاملة من الخدمات المصرفية المبتكرة للأفراد والشركات


 أعلنت اليوم “فيناسترا”، الشركة العالمية الرائدة في مجال التطبيقات البرمجية الخاصة بالخدمات المالية، أن مصرف المتوسط، المزوّد للخدمات المصرفية للأفراد والشركات في ليبيا، اختار حلها المصرفي الأساسي، “إسنس” من “فيناسترا” Finastra Essence، للارتقاء بالخدمات المصرفية الرقمية المقدمة لعملائه وتطويرها. ويغطي هذا الحل متطلبات الخدمات المصرفية التقليدية والإسلامية بالكامل، ومن المنتظر أن يمكّن المصرف من تبسيط عملياته الأساسية وتقديم خدمات مُخصصة ودعم قوي للعملاء. ويُنتظر، بمجرد اكتمال تنفيذ المشروع، أن يستفيد مصرف المتوسط من مستويات رشاقة أعلى تتيح له التكيف مع المتطلبات الجديدة، ودفع عجلة الابتكار المستمر، وطرح منتجاته الجديدة في السوق بسرعة.

 

وتنفذ المشروع شركة “إيفو” للحلول الرقمية، الشريك المحلي لشركة “فيناسترا” في مجال التكنولوجيا المالية في ليبيا، من خلال تقديم خدمات متخصصة لمصرف المتوسط، تشمل الدعم الفني والتشغيلي المباشر، تحت إشراف “فيناسترا”، ويهدف هذا التعاون إلى تمكين مصرف المتوسط من الانتقال بسلاسة إلى منصة “إسنس”، بفضل خبرة “إيفو” المحلية ومنظومة التنفيذ العالمية لدى “فيناسترا”.

 

وبهذه المناسبة، قال عماد العقيلي، رئيس مجلس إدارة مصرف المتوسط، إن المصرف يسير حاليًا في طريق التحول الرقمي لضمان استمراره في تقديم أفضل الخدمات لعملائه باستخدام أحدث التقنيات. وأضاف: “نسعى إلى تطوير عملياتنا لتعزيز الكفاءة وتزويد عملائنا بالخدمات المصرفية التخصصية التي يتوقعونها، وذلك من خلال تطبيق حلول “فيناسترا” المصرفية الأساسية، ما يمكننا من تعزيز منتجاتنا وخدماتنا المقدمة، لذلك تنسجم هذه الخطوة أيضًا مع هدفنا المتمثل في دفع عجلة النمو المستدام من خلال تحقيق التوازن بين الربحية والمسؤولية الاجتماعية، وبين التنمية الاقتصادية والاستقرار المالي”.

 

ويُعد “إسنس” من “فيناسترا” حلًا مصرفيًا أساسيًا من الجيل التالي، يعتمد على السحابة، ويجمع بين وظائف وتقنيات متطورة لتعزيز الرشاقة المؤسسية، وخفض التكاليف، وتحسين الكفاءة التشغيلية. ويُنتظر أن تُمكّن وظائف “إسنس” المصرفية الغنية، والمتسمة بالاتساع والعمق، المؤسسات بسرعة من استخدام المنتجات والخدمات الرائدة في السوق، بفضل بنيته المفتوحة القائمة على الخدمات المصغرة. ومن المنتظر أن يتيح هذا الحل لمصرف المتوسط مجموعة شاملة من الخدمات، تتضمن العمليات الأساسية، وخدمات الصرافين، والمدفوعات، والتحقق من التوقيع.

 

من جانبها، أعربت شيفون بايرون، النائب التنفيذي للرئيس للخدمات المصرفية الشاملة لدى “فيناسترا”، عن سرورها بمساعدة مصرف المتوسط على تحقيق أهدافه المتعلقة بالتركيز على العملاء وزيادة توسعه في السوق الليبية، مؤكدة أن البنية المعيارية لمنصة “إسنس” والنهج القائم على الخدمات المصغرة “يمكنان المصرف من الابتكار والتوسع بسلاسة بموازاة النمو، بجانب ابتكار صيغة جديدة لمفهوم الخدمات المصرفية ومواكبة التغيير، وذلك في سعيه لتقديم خدمات مالية رقمية حديثة لعملائه”.

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