News Wire
Royal Commission for AlUla signs four strategic agreements as French President Emmanuel Macron visits KSA
– Saudi Arabia partners with France to host Villa Hegra at AlUla
– Cultural complex to mark arrival of the ‘French villa’ model in the Middle East
– Agreements with Ferrandi Paris, Dassault Systèmes and RATP DeV Saudi Arabia to develop AlUla into a global smart city for residents and visitors
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) today announced the signing of four strategic agreements – including one for Villa Hegra, introducing the iconic ‘French villa’ model in the Middle East.
The signings coincided with Saturday’s official visit to Jeddah by the French President Emmanuel Macron and his meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for AlUla County.
The partnerships come as part of RCU’s integrated development programme to transform AlUla into a global cultural and natural heritage destination and a gateway city offering an outstanding quality of life for residents and visitors.
Villa Hegra at AlUla will be a unique place where artists, writers and painters come together, representing a continuity of AlUla’s legacy as a hub of commercial and cultural exchange. It will be respectful of the environment and history, and inclusive of local populations. Currently there are 11 iterations of the “Villa” worldwide, with seven in France and four overseas from Mexico to Rome, each showcasing the best of French and global culture.
The 15,100 sq m Villa Hegra will be a cluster of entities including the exclusive AlUla International College of Tourism & Hospitality, a 6,600 sq m lifestyle apartment-hotel, cultural centre, arts residence quarters and social club.
Signing the agreements for Villa Hegra were H.H. Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud, Governor of the Royal commission for AlUla and H.E. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
“The relationship between France and Saudi Arabia is built upon mutual recognition of the important of cultural exchange and development. Since the signing of our first agreements in 2018, we have worked together to create a new template for cultural diplomacy – one that puts the sharing of knowledge, expertise and resources at the fore and opens up new opportunities for the local community. The arrival of Villa Hegra at AlUla adds another layer to AlUla’s legacy as a place for the world to come together,” said Amr AlMadani, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla.
RCU also signed an exclusive agreement with the Ferrandi Paris Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute to jointly create a Ferrandi-branded AlUla International College of Tourism & Hospitality to accelerate the long-term vision of establishing AlUla as the regional home of hospitality, tourism and the culinary arts.
Signed by Amr AlMadani, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla, and Bruno de Monte, CEO of Ferrandi, the exclusive partnership will contribute to AlUla’s strategy to become the primary knowledge and training hub for tourism, hospitality and culinary arts in the Kingdom. By partnering with world-class institutions, it aims to attract and upskill international and local talent into industry professionals to lead the sectors growth in AlUla.
In addition to Villa Hegra and the Ferrandi Paris Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute, RCU also signed agreements with Dassault Systèmes and RATP DeV Saudi Arabia, focused on delivering a city fit for the future – providing citizens, residents and tourists with an outstanding quality of life by streamlining and digitizing processes and delivering public transport and mobility operations.
With Dassault Systèmes, RCU has partnered on the creation of a digital twin – a digital copy of AlUla that will function as an important tool for planning, development, municipal operations, community and investor citizens and investors. The agreement builds on the efforts of RCU to develop an integrated geo-spatial database.
Similarly, the partnership with RATP DeV Saudi Arabia leverages the organisation’s 120 years of transport operation in the development of a world class public transportation system in AlUla. The partnership will see RCU access the latest in mobility innovation and best practices in mobility operations and solutions, including autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that meet the needs of locals and tourists alike.
“AlUla is an experimental lab for the future of tourism. By partnering with industry leading entities such as the Ferrandi Paris Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute, Dassault Systèmes and RATP DeV Saudi Arabia, we can access their vast store of knowledge, industry know-how as well as research and innovation to build a destination that is not only a cultural and artistic haven and a benchmark for sustainable development but an economic engine for the industry,” added Amr AlMadani, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla.
The agreements are an extension of the strong co-operation between the two nations across diverse sectors in AlUla following the signing of an intergovernmental agreement to develop new cultural, education and arts assets at AlUla on April 10, 2018. The agreement has led to a strong French role in AlUla, in areas from archaeology to smart-city infrastructure to hospitality, with the architect Jean Nouvel planning to build a luxury resort that will be carved into the sandstone rocks of AlUla, thereby reviving the traditional stonework of the area’s ancient Nabataean masons.
On the side lines of the Presidential visit, RCU also took part in a Saudi-French investment forum at Jeddah to explore further opportunities of mutual benefit.
For signing imagery, please click here.
For media enquiries please contact the RCU Public Relations team at publicrelations@rcu.gov.sa
Note to editors:
It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula
About the Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development, that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage, while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
News Wire
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi opens its doors to the public in Saadiyat Cultural District
- The innovative multi-sensory art experience redefines the boundaries of immersive art
- Purpose-built 17,000 sqm venue features transformative artworks unique to Abu Dhabi
- Opening music composed and performed by renowned Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi
- teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi takes guests on a sensory-rich journey that transcends the ordinary and ignites curiosity for all
ABU DHABI, UAE, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi officially opened its transformative multi-sensory art experience within Saadiyat Cultural District, an enriching addition to Abu Dhabi’s dynamic cultural and artistic landscape.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/teamlab_phenomena/9331451-en-gb-teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi-opens-saadiyat-cultural-district
On 17 April, the grand opening celebration welcomed distinguished guests and cultural leaders, featuring a specially composed performance by renowned Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi. Set against the venue’s unique architecture, the score was paired with a dramatic display of 6,000 synchronised drones and pyrotechnics, curated to celebrate the new milestone for Saadiyat Cultural District, and reflect the connection between art, technology and imagination.
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a groundbreaking cultural landmark that redefines immersive art experiences on a global scale. It embodies a bold vision that pushes the boundaries of creativity, technology, and human perception, offering visitors an experience unlike any other. Together with our partner, teamLab, we take great pride in bringing this pioneering concept to life, reinforcing our commitment to shaping world-class experiences that inspire, engage, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural legacy. Saadiyat Cultural District is a cultural landmark of global significance, bringing together the world’s greatest minds and institutions to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and shape a more connected future.”
Following the opening ceremony, guests were immersed within newly unveiled teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi exhibits, meandering between its inspiring artistic installations, interacting with the dynamic artworks, and experiencing the connection between art, technology and natural phenomena.
Toshiyuki Inoko, Founder of teamLab, said: “The artworks in teamLab Phenomena do not exist independently but are created by the environment which produces the various phenomena that creates the artworks. Objects such as stones and man-made creations maintain a stable structure independently. A stone, for instance, will remain unchanged even if placed in a sealed box, isolated from the outside world. In contrast, a vortex in the ocean will vanish in an instant if removed from its environment. Unlike a stone, a vortex does not sustain itself; it evolves with the surrounding currents, formed by water flowing continuously from the outside to the inside and from the inside to the outside of the vortex, changing along with the flow. Moreover, the boundaries of its existence are ambiguous, and there is no material distinction between the vortex and its surroundings.
“The unique environment produces the phenomena, and the environment maintains the existence of the structure. Let us call that existence Environmental Phenomena. The artwork is inseparable from the environment and changes along with the environment. This concept transcends the various conventional notions of existence by physical forms. Even if people immerse themselves physically into the artwork, the artwork will remain intact, capable of naturally restoring itself even if disrupted. However, when the environment is not sustained, the artwork will disappear. The boundaries of the artwork are ambiguous and continuous with the environment. Perhaps, people’s consciousness will expand from the artwork itself to the environment beyond.”
Spanning 17,000 square metres, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi has been developed by the internationally acclaimed art collective teamLab, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The multi-sensory art experience reflects the emirate’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and cultural innovation on a global scale, and it presents massive transformative artworks that each blend art, science and technology in groundbreaking ways.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is designed to explore and transcend the limits of every guest’s imagination. Each artwork within the unique, purpose-built venue will evolve over time through the interplay of light, sound and movement. Unlike artworks at traditional galleries, visitors will discover exhibits that are fluid, existing in a dynamic relationship with their environment. Each artwork responds to guests’ actions and natural changes in the environment, creating a living, breathing art experience, unlike any other.
Comprising two distinct Wet and Dry areas, guests will be immersed in a series of mesmerising visuals, vibrant landscapes and interactive installations that dissolve the boundaries between art and audience. Every moment offers a new philosophical experience, ensuring that each visitor experience is unique.
In the Dry area, visitors will encounter a variety of artworks that encourage interaction, responding to their movements and actions to create a unique connection between guests and the installations. As they move into the Wet area, guests will follow a dedicated walkway leading them into an exciting realm filled with fluid, hands-on experiences that further deepen their connection with the art.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a key addition to Saadiyat Cultural District, which upon completion will be the largest concentration of world-leading cultural and educational institutions. The District is home to an unparalleled lineup of museums and cultural landmarks, including Louvre Abu Dhabi; the upcoming Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, featuring a global collection of modern and contemporary art that reflects the diversity of cultures and trends from around the world; and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, telling the story of life on earth and the origins of our universe.
The addition of teamLab Phenomena reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global cultural epicentre, offering visitors a unique and transformative experience while showcasing its commitment to creativity, innovation and cultural collaboration on a global scale.
For more information and to purchase tickets: www.teamlababudhabi.com
Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2668416/teamLab_Phenomena.mp4
Photo – https://oyefilmy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi-opens-its-doors-to-the-public-in-saadiyat-cultural-district-1.jpg
Logo – https://oyefilmy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi-opens-its-doors-to-the-public-in-saadiyat-cultural-district-2.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabi-opens-its-doors-to-the-public-in-saadiyat-cultural-district-302432635.html
News Wire
Tyger Capital and Credgenics join hands to redefine collections management with innovative tech solutions
- Leverage Machine Learning insights backed communications approach
- Facilitate digital enablement of field team and offer integrated payments
NEW DELHI, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tyger Capital, India’s leading non-banking financial company (NBFC), has joined hands with Credgenics, the leading provider of SaaS-based collections and debt resolution technology solutions worldwide. This technology collaboration marks a significant stride towards reshaping the debt collections landscape, leveraging Credgenics’ comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline and optimize Tyger Capital’s loan collections management process.
At Tyger Capital, Credgenics’ AI powered SaaS based platform will help adopt a data-insights backed personalized approach for communications with borrowers across multiple digital channels including WhatsApp, SMS, and emails. With Credgenics CG Collect, the mobile app for field collection teams, the last mile operations will be digitized to unlock higher productivity and operational efficiency.
Commenting on the partnership, Rajaram Manian B, Chief Risk Officer of Tyger Capital, said, “We are excited to leverage Credgenics technology solutions in collections as we are committed to deliver unparalleled financial services powered by cutting-edge technologies and customer-centric approaches. This collaboration aligns with our mantra ‘Customer first’ and our focus on providing exceptional service to our customers while optimizing our operations through innovation and digital transformation.”
Credgenics technology platform will optimize field team operations, enable seamless collection transaction reconciliations, provide digitized customer visit management, and provide real-time tracking capabilities. Credgenics Billzy payments platform will facilitate borrowers to make digital loan payments swiftly, securely, and conveniently. Adoption of cutting-edge solutions from Credgenics promises higher response rates, accelerated debt resolutions, and reduced operational costs, positioning Tyger Capital at the forefront of customer service excellence.
Rishabh Goel, Co-Founder and CEO of Credgenics, said, “Our engagement with Tyger Capital is an extremely valuable addition to our customer base from the NBFC segment. We are confident that Credgenics’ comprehensive solutions will tremendously enhance the collection management process at Tyger Capital. With our focus on continual innovation, enhanced customer experience and strict adherence to regulatory compliance, we aim to deliver significant business value at Tyger Capital.”
The collaboration between Credgenics and Tyger Capital is set to drive a transformative shift in collection management and debt resolution by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. This strategic partnership will enable both companies to deliver enhanced value to their customers while driving sustainable growth and profitability.
About Credgenics
Credgenics is the leading provider of Loan Collections and Debt Resolution technology platforms to Banks, Non-banking finance companies, FinTechs, and ARCs worldwide. The AI-powered SaaS-based platform has been recognized as the #1 Best Selling Loan Collections Platform in India by IBS Intelligence in their Annual Sales League Table for three years consecutively. Credgenics caters to the end-to-end collection lifecycle for retail and SME / MSME debt and works with over 150 customers. It handled more than 98 million retail loan accounts worth over USD 250 Billion in FY24 for collections and has sent over 1.7 billion omni-channel communications. With Credgenics, lenders have increased resolution rates by 20%, improved collections by 25%, reduced collections costs by 40%, reduced collections time by 30%, and improved legal process efficiencies by 60%. https://www.credgenics.com/
About Tyger Capital
Tyger Capital Private Limited is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Established in 2016, the company commenced lending operations in April 2017 with a mission to support entrepreneurship by providing financial solutions tailored for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and rural development. Tyger Capital is dedicated to be the most “economical” and “convenient” lender – Instant disbursement to underserved communities and small businesses. The company’s vision is to be a trusted financial partner that educates, guides, and supports customers, fostering active participation in the financial ecosystem. Tyger Capital has a robust presence with a network of 250 branches across nine states: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. This extensive reach enables the company to effectively serve a diverse clientele. Tyger Capital is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth through its comprehensive financial solutions and customer-centric approach. https://tygercapital.in/
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/tyger-capital-and-credgenics-join-hands-to-redefine-collections-management-with-innovative-tech-solutions-302432265.html
News Wire
Herbalife India Launches New Podcast Series – Live Your Best Life, Unscripted
The debut episode explores holistic wellness, mental resilience, and performance strategies with renowned sports scientist and high-performance coach Shayamal Vallabhjee.
BENGALURU, India, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a world where wellness conversations are often reduced to diet fads and fitness trends, Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform is bringing a refreshing change with the launch of its brand-new podcast series — ‘Live Your Best Life, Unscripted’.
Designed as an honest, inspiring, and insightful platform, the podcast brings together experts, athletes, and thought leaders to share their journeys, insights, and lessons on holistic well-being — not just physical fitness, but also mental resilience and emotional balance.
The series is hosted by Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, who leads engaging conversations with personalities known for their contributions to health, wellness, and performance.
Kicking off the series is an insightful episode featuring Shayamal Vallabhjee — a celebrated sports scientist, high-performance coach, and author. With over two decades of experience working with elite athletes and teams worldwide, Shayamal offers a fresh perspective on what it really means to live a balanced life.
From his experiences growing up in South Africa to living as a monk, Shayamal shares how discipline, mental strength, and spirituality shape both performance and overall well-being. The conversation also explores the role of technology, the importance of gut health, mindful eating, and perhaps most importantly — self-compassion.
Speaking on the launch of the podcast, Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said:
“At Herbalife, we believe wellness is a lifelong journey—one that goes beyond counting calories or tracking fitness goals. Live Your Best Life, Unscripted is our way of fostering real, thought-provoking conversations that inspire people to embrace a more holistic approach to health. Through this podcast, we hope to empower listeners with insights from experts and changemakers, encouraging them to prioritize not just physical well-being, but also mental resilience and emotional balance.”
The podcast is available in both video and audio formats — making it easy for viewers to tune in from anywhere.
Watch the Full Episode on Herbalife’s YouTube Channel
Prefer Audio? Listen to the Podcast here: Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-your-best-life-unscripted/id1808386057
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dn8QAS0Ods24TVLxyeYsS?si=oeD3ZkONQFqzzs4aeU1w6A
Amazon Music:
This is just the beginning. New episodes of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted will continue to feature inspiring voices from the world of sports, nutrition, and wellness.
Herbalife
(NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.
Photo: https://oyefilmy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/herbalife-india-launches-new-podcast-series-live-your-best-life-unscripted-1.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238437/5273750/Herbalife_Logo.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/herbalife-india-launches-new-podcast-series–live-your-best-life-unscripted-302431961.html
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi opens its doors to the public in Saadiyat Cultural District
Tyger Capital and Credgenics join hands to redefine collections management with innovative tech solutions
Herbalife India Launches New Podcast Series – Live Your Best Life, Unscripted
Disha Patani emerges as the ultimate fashionista of Bollywood; rocks every outfit she wears
BIGG BOSS SPECIAL: RASHAMI DESAI SURPASSES HER EX BEAU SIDDHARTH SHUKLA TO LEAD THE BIGG BOSS 13 SCORE TRENDS CHART
Pooja Hegde on the March Cover of Maxim India!
-
News Wire2 months agoBangalore’s Interior Design Industry Gaining Global Recognition
-
News Wire2 months agoSurvey: Indian Executives Outpace Global Peers in Focus on New Technology Opportunities
-
News Wire1 month agoLytus Technologies announces 24% Revenue Growth for H1 FY2025
-
News Wire3 weeks agoFOMO7 Expands Platform with 46 New Indian Lottery Games
-
News Wire3 weeks agoFun88 Launches New Lightning & Crazy Cashback Promotion on Evolution’s Games
-
News Wire2 months agoShiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR and Springer Nature Expand Global Access to Research with Open Access Agreement
-
News Wire2 months agoSPJIMR hosts Technology and Societal Impact Conference (TaSIC) 2025 — sparks dialogue on ‘wise innovation’
-
News Wire2 months agoTechademy names Subramanyam Reddy (Subbu), Former UpGrad KnowledgeHut Founder, as CEO
You must be logged in to post a comment Login
You must log in to post a comment.