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YY Group (NASDAQ YYGH) Launches Commercial Humanoid Robotics Initiative to Drive AI-Driven Margin Expansion and Address Global Facility Management Labor Shortages

Deploys Unitree G1 Humanoid Robots to Build Proprietary Enterprise Datasets; Integrates Automation into Core IFM Platform for Scalable Revenue Growth.

SINGAPORE, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YY Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: YYGH) (“YY Group” or the “Company”), an AI-native workforce management platform and integrated facility management (IFM) provider operating across Asia and beyond, today announced the strategic deployment of Unitree G1 Edu Ultimate B-U4 humanoid robots. This initiative accelerates the integration of autonomous AI into the Company’s enterprise facility management portfolio to optimize labor efficiency and expand operating margins.

The deployment initiates YY Group’s commercial framework to monetize proprietary real-world training datasets for humanoid robotics applications in the high-demand commercial facility management sector. The Company’s initial focus centers on high-frequency, labor-intensive commercial sanitation and facility maintenance workflows across shopping malls, hotels, and asset-heavy commercial real estate environments.

YY Group (NASDAQ: YYGH) deploys the Unitree G1 Edu Ultimate humanoid robot with NVIDIA Jetson Orin AI architecture for commercial facility management data training.
YY Group (NASDAQ: YYGH) deploys the Unitree G1 Edu Ultimate humanoid robot with NVIDIA Jetson Orin AI architecture for commercial facility management data training.

To fast-track dataset monetization, YY Group’s cleaning personnel will wear proprietary data-collection gear during active operational shifts. This captures high-fidelity, real-world workflow data—including spatial interaction, human kinematics, environmental telemetry, and real-time operational decision-making—directly converting labor hours into proprietary digital assets.

The data will process through YY Group’s advanced data training lab to scale imitation learning and simulation-to-real (Sim2Real) development. By converting human capital expertise into proprietary, structured automation data, YY Group is positioning itself as a key data provider and operator within the autonomous facility management ecosystem, driving long-term software-as-a-service (SaaS) and automation revenue lines.

The Unitree G1 Edu Ultimate B-U4 humanoid robot architecture—featuring advanced mobility, 3D touch-sensitive robotic hands, and the NVIDIA Jetson Orin onboard AI computing platform—serves as the hardware foundation for YY Group’s proprietary software models.

“This initiative bridges the gap between physical labor workflows and scalable AI data infrastructure,” said Mike Fu, Chief Executive Officer of YY Group Holding Limited. “We are aggressively transforming operational know-how into a proprietary, high-margin data asset. This deployment directly targets the structural labor shortages in the IFM market, optimizing contract economics and driving long-term value for enterprise clients and Nasdaq shareholders.”

The humanoid robotics initiative directly integrates with YY Group’s existing AI-native ecosystem, including its workforce optimization platform, YY Circle, and the 24IFM software platform. By blending automated workforce deployment with physical robotic execution, YY Group is scaling a hybrid operating model engineered to maximize labor productivity, lower operational overhead, and accelerate margin expansion across all asset tiers.

About YY Group Holding

YY Group Holding Limited (Nasdaq: YYGH) is an AI-native workforce management platform and integrated facility management (IFM) provider, headquartered in Singapore and operating across Asia and beyond. The Company’s intelligent workforce solutions platform, YY Circle, helps clients across hospitality, food and beverage, retail, and other service sectors predict, plan, and optimize workforce deployment. In YY Group’s IFM business, its 24IFM software platform and comprehensive IFM subsidiary portfolio support clients across hospitality, transportation, banking, retail, and mixed-use facilities.

As both business lines scale, the Company is systematically embedding AI and automation capabilities – progressing from intelligent decision support toward increasingly autonomous workforce management – to improve service quality, reduce deployment costs, and drive long-term margin expansion. Listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, YY Group is committed to infrastructure innovation, measurable client outcomes, and long-term value creation.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the YY Group Holding Limited’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) growth of the hospitality market across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and other markets in which the Company operates, (ii) capital and credit market volatility, (iii) local and global economic conditions, (iv) our anticipated growth strategies, (v) governmental approvals and regulations, (vi) our ability to successfully develop, deploy, and commercialize our AI-powered products and capabilities, including through strategic partnerships, and (vii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and YY Group Holding Limited undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact
Jason Zhi Yong Phua, Chief Financial Officer
YY Group
enquiries@yygroupholding.com

Cereals Canada Launches the 2026 Growing Season Progress Report

WINNIPEG, MB, June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With Canada’s 2026 spring wheat crop underway, Cereals Canada has resumed regular updates to its interactive Growing Season Progress Report. The report will continue to be updated bi-weekly until harvest is complete across all three Prairie provinces.


Matilda van Aggelen Introduces the 2026 Growing Season Progress Report

“The Growing Season Progress Report provides timely insights into Western Canadian wheat production, including environmental factors that may influence crop development and quality,” says Matilda van Aggelen, market and trade specialist. “We encourage global and domestic customers and members of the value chain to visit the report for regular updates on the 2026 Prairie wheat crop as the season progresses.”

Cereals Canada collaborates with provincial departments of agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba throughout the growing season to collect information on seeding progress, crop conditions and quality, and harvest activity for spring wheat. This information is compiled and presented in an interactive, user-friendly format featuring maps, provincial highlights, and links to detailed crop reports. Historical data from previous years is also available to support comparisons and trend analysis.

“With most of Canada’s spring wheat production concentrated in the Prairies, the report offers global buyers a clear view of how the crop is developing from seeding through harvest,” says van Aggelen. “Customers around the world value transparent, up-to-date information, and the Growing Season Progress Report makes it easy to access everything in one place.”

Try it now: https://cerealscanada.ca/growing-season-progress/

About Cereals Canada
Cereals Canada is the national, not-for-profit, industry association representing the Canadian cereal grains value chain. We value relationships and work with government and stakeholders to provide timely, expert technical information and deliver best-in-class customer experience. We are dedicated to supporting the Canadian cereals value chain including farmers, exporters, developers, processors, and our customers around the world with a focus on trade, science, and sustainability.

For further information, please contact: Ellen Pruden, Vice-President, Communications and Value Chain Relations, E: epruden@cerealscanada.ca, C: 204-479-0166

 

Makera Z1 Now Available for Global Pre-Order, Bringing Entry-Level CNC with Pro-Level Power

MIDDLETOWN, Del., June 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Makera, a global leader in intelligent desktop CNC technology, announced that global pre-orders for the highly anticipated Makera Z1 Desktop CNC are now open on the official website on June 9. Following a record-shattering Kickstarter campaign in 2025 that raised over $10.24 million in just 45 days, crowdfunding orders have begun shipping steadily and in succession, Makera Z1 is now available to creators worldwide.

Makera Z1 Now Available for Global Pre-Order, Bringing Entry-Level CNC with Pro-Level Power.
Makera Z1 Now Available for Global Pre-Order, Bringing Entry-Level CNC with Pro-Level Power.

Makera Z1 has already earned the industry’s most prestigious accolades: Best of Kickstarter 2026, IFA Innovation Award 2025, French Design Award 2025 – Gold Award, and BEYOND Best of Innovation 2026. These honors—from Berlin to Paris to Macao—reflect a machine that doesn’t just cut material, it cuts through every barrier that has kept precision CNC out of reach for everyday creators.

Pre-Order Pricing & Exclusive Launch Offer
Makera Z1: $1,099 — $100 OFF the listed price of $1,199.
Early pre-orders by June 30 will also receive the exclusive Pioneer Wave Benefits:
– $99 worth of exclusive gifts
– Save up to 25% on add-ons
– Limited priority shipping (shipping in mid-July)
– Triple reward points

Pre-Order Makera Z1 Now to Get Pioneer Wave Benefits.
Pre-Order Makera Z1 Now to Get Pioneer Wave Benefits.

Industrial-Grade Precision, Desktop Footprint
Makera Z1 was born from a simple observation: traditional CNC machines are powerful but intimidating—complex to operate, costly to own, and demanding of space and environment. Makera’s engineering team spent years solving this problem, and the result is a machine that finally bridges the gap between professional capability and everyday accessibility.

Its one-piece cast frame provides exceptional rigidity and delivers precision of up to 0.02 mm. This level of precision translates into consistently detailed, accurate results across virtually any application a maker can imagine.

Despite its compact footprint, Makera Z1 is engineered for versatility. It processes more than 500 materials, from wood and plastics to carbon fiber and metals, with optional 4-axis support unlocking complex cylindrical or multi-sided projects. To keep workflows smooth, the machine comes equipped with a quick tool-changing system, automatic tool setting, and auto-leveling functions. These features dramatically cut down manual setup time, making professional machining approachable for newcomers while speeding things up for seasoned users.

From Idea to Toolpath: AI-Powered Simplicity
What truly sets Z1 apart isn’t just what it can cut—it’s how it removes the friction from the cutting process.

The AeroDust™ collection system keeps your workspace clean without requiring external air sources, while the built-in camera enables remote monitoring and time-lapse recording, so you can watch your creation take shape from anywhere—and share every moment.

But the real breakthrough lives in the software. Makera Studio, Makera’s proprietary tool, eliminates the daunting hassle of G-code workflows while the AI Craft function lets users generate complete 3D relief models from simple text prompts or uploaded images—no CAD experience required. Paired with the Makerables creator community, which offers a library of ready-to-run project files, Makera Z1 is part of a complete ecosystem designed to keep you creating.

A New Era for Desktop Manufacturing
“Makera Z1’s record-breaking Kickstarter performance has already sent an unmistakable signal: desktop CNC has finally broken out of the niche maker circle and entered the mainstream. The fact that machines have already shipped to 67 countries confirms that demand was never the question—accessibility was,” said Leon Hou, Product Manager at Makera.

And with a proven hardware-software- community ecosystem, a design language that has won four international awards, and a price point that opens the door for makers, hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike, Makera Z1 isn’t just another CNC machine. It’s the machine that changes what a CNC machine can be.

For more information about Makera, please check: https://www.makera.com/

For regular updates on Makera, follow us on:
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Hard Rock International Kicks Off Summer of Soccer with “All Teams. One Place.” Campaign

Full press release

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hard Rock International today unveiled its “All Teams. One Place.” campaign in celebration of this summer’s biggest global soccer tournament, powered by a partnership with record-breaking athlete and Hard Rock brand ambassador, Leo Messi. Spanning Hard Rock properties around the world, the campaign brings fans together through: a global sweepstakes that features a special Messi meet-and-greet grand prize and more than 300 additional prizes including Hard Rock Hotel stays and Unity loyalty program points*; exclusive Messi Legendary Suite experiences at Hard Rock Hotel New York and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; a new Messi Legendary Burger crafted in collaboration with the legend himself; new globally inspired shareable menu items added for a limited time; World Cup countries apparel; and new additions to the Messi retail collection – all part of one legendary lineup.

Hard Rock’s global “All Teams. One Place.” campaign is uniting fans worldwide ahead of this summer’s tournament.
Hard Rock’s global “All Teams. One Place.” campaign is uniting fans worldwide ahead of this summer’s tournament.

“This summer unites fans from around the world in their love for the game and pride for their country,” said Leo Messi. “I’ve always believed football is for everyone, and everything my friends at Hard Rock have created – hotel suites, cafe menus, country-inspired jerseys – help fans represent their team and watch the matches together.”

“This is the ultimate celebration of sport and global community, and Hard Rock provides the energetic, inclusive atmosphere for fans everywhere,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. “Whether you’re staying in a Messi Legendary Suite at Hard Rock Hotel New York or Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, enjoying a Messi Legendary Burger at one of our Cafes and select Hotels around the world, or vying for a chance to meet Leo himself with our sweepstakes, Hard Rock is the home for every fan, every team and every moment of this historic summer.”

To bring the campaign to life, Messi stars in a new ad spot filmed at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood that captures the passion and global spirit of Hard Rock’s “All Teams. One Place.” celebration.

For more information on Hard Rock’s “All Teams. One Place.” programming, visit hardrock.com/allteamsoneplace.

*See official Sweepstakes Rules for Entry. Sweepstakes runs June 15 – July 31, 2026. Grand prize includes a Meet & Greet with Leo Messi, roundtrip airfare for two, and a two-night stay at the Guitar Hotel in Hollywood, Fla.

/C O R R E C T I O N — Feedzai/

In the news release, Feedzai Opens $9 Trillion Fraud Intelligence Network to Every Bank, Delivering 4x Improvement in Fraud Detection From Day One, issued 09-Jun-2026 by Feedzai over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Feedzai Opens $9 Trillion Fraud Intelligence Network to Every Bank, Delivering 4x Improvement in Fraud Detection From Day One

Delivered through a single API and available on AWS Marketplace, Feedzai IQ Score gives banks of all sizes access to network-derived intelligence to stop fraud and scams in real time.

NEW YORK and LISBON, Portugal, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Feedzai, the global leader in AI-native financial crime prevention, today announced the availability of Feedzai IQ Score, an AI-native, network-derived fraud risk scoring solution for banks of all sizes.

Feedzai IQ Score marks a fundamental shift in how fraud is detected. Financial institutions today face a growing “Silo and Legacy Paradox,” meaning data used to prevent fraud is restricted to internal sources, and replacing existing end-to-end risk infrastructure can be time consuming and disruptive. As fraudsters become ever more creative, routinely attacking banks via multiple channels and with increasing sophistication, a limited view of data is no longer a defensible strategy.

Delivered through a lightweight API integration, Feedzai IQ Score gives banks real-time access to anonymized, aggregated insights from Feedzai’s $9 trillion global transaction network.

There is no historical data requirement for banks, no lengthy model training process, and no heavy operational lift. Institutions can move from integration through to value realization in days using expert AI models that are already trained and validated across Feedzai’s network.

Network-derived fraud risk scoring is especially significant for regional and mid-sized financial institutions that often lack the internal data volume or AI resources needed to build sophisticated fraud models independently. With Feedzai IQ Score, these institutions can tap into anonymized, network-level intelligence, while keeping customer data private and secure. Feedzai’s federated intelligence architecture ensures that intelligence travels across the network without customer data.

“Fraud has outpaced what any single institution can stop alone,” said Pedro Barata, Chief Product Officer at Feedzai. “Feedzai IQ Score puts an end to isolated defense by giving banks access to collective insights from across our entire network. Today, we open up this product to institutions of all sizes who now have a ready-made way to make smarter fraud decisions and modernize their defenses without the disruption of fully overhauling infrastructure.”

Feedzai IQ Score delivers immediate impact and rapid time-to-value:

  • Proven detection gains: 4x more fraud detected and 50% fewer alerts compared to traditional rules-based approaches.
  • Operational speed: For a faster payment use case, institutions need as few as 15 data fields to begin benefiting from the solution.
  • Aggregated, anonymized insights: Feedzai’s federated learning model shares aggregated risk signals from across the network, never raw or sensitive customer data. Unlike consortium-based approaches, there is no compliance risk and no data trade-off.

“Network fraud intelligence sharing is becoming increasingly important in the monitoring of fragmented fraud signals within the financial ecosystem,” said Philip Mackenzie, Senior Research Principal at Chartis. “We considered this capability to be a key differentiator of Feedzai’s IQ Score solution, which combines real-time cross-institutional fraud insights and collective intelligence across a range of financial institutions.”

About Feedzai
Feedzai powers trust in global finance. We protect people and payments using trusted AI to detect and prevent financial crime, fraud, and money laundering in real time, so money moves safely. Every year, the world’s top banks, payment networks, and acquirers use Feedzai’s technology to safeguard more than one billion consumers and $9 trillion in payment volume. Learn more at feedzai.com.

Learn more at feedzai.com.

Media Contact:
Inkhouse for Feedzai
feedzai@inkhouse.com

Correction: A link has been added to the text “the availability of Feedzai IQ Score” in the first paragraph.

ANTIKYTHERA: HUBLOT FUSES ANCIENT HISTORY, WATCHMAKING INNOVATION AND PIONEERING EXPLORATION

NYON, Switzerland, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its commitment to scientific research, innovation and heritage preservation, Hublot has partnered with Swiss content creator Anil Brancaleoni to document an extraordinary scientific mission to the Greek island of Antikythera. This exclusive feature, available on both the Hublot and Anil B YouTube channels, offers a unique immersion into an adventure that combines ancient history, pioneering exploration and state-of-the-art technology in the quest to uncover ‘the origin of time’.

Hublot Xplortions Antikythera 2026
Hublot Xplortions Antikythera 2026

Since 2014, the Hublot Xplorations department has spent more than two weeks a year accompanying missions to the island of Antikythera, playing a key role as the technical arm for the archaeological dive teams. Specialising in the research and development of revolutionary materials, this innovative department has been tasked, among other things, with designing state-of-the-art underwater drones. These drones enable more accurate detection of artefacts still buried at the site of the famous ancient shipwreck, thereby contributing to the preservation and study of this historical treasure trove under optimal conditions.

The documentary follows the Hublot Xplorations team and Anil Brancaleoni over an 18-day period as they accompany an international team of archaeologists, divers and specialists exploring the site where the famous Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1901. Dating from around 60 BCE, this unique artefact is considered to be the oldest known astronomical calculator. Capable of predicting the movements of stars, eclipses and other celestial phenomena with remarkable accuracy, it demonstrated a level of technological expertise that was way ahead of its time.

In 2012, Hublot paid tribute to this fascinating object by unveiling the Hublot Antikythera watch, a horological masterpiece designed to reproduce the ancient mechanism’s complex astronomical functions at the scale of a wristwatch. A genuine technical feat, this watch features complications that track lunar cycles, eclipses and the positions of the stars – just like its ancient predecessor. Designed as a concept watch, the Hublot Antikythera symbolises the convergence of history, science and innovation, perfectly embodying the spirit of the brand.

A year later, in 2013, Hublot unveiled the Antikythera SunMoon. Inspired by the world of the Antikythera, this highly accurate watch features displays for both the sun and the moon. The model allows the wearer to discover the actual zodiac sign for a given date by taking into account the precession of the equinoxes.

Mathias Buttet, Head of Research & Development at Hublot, explains: “Every watch movement is a statement: time is precious, and it deserves to be honoured with a bold and creative approach“.

Alongside the complex dives and technical briefings, the documentary also offers a glimpse into everyday life on this remote island, home to around twenty people. It reveals the passion and determination of the teams who, since 2010, have been working in challenging conditions to preserve this priceless heritage.

This project perfectly illustrates the intersection between precision watchmaking, ancient history and pioneering exploration – all core values for Hublot. In addition to its contributions to archaeological research, Hublot Xplorations is also involved in ambitious projects such as the ESA’s ExoMars mission, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and discovery.

Don’t miss this fascinating adventure, available on both the Hublot and Anil B YouTube channels. A unique opportunity to discover how Hublot pushes the boundaries of technology in the service of history and science.

Discover the documentary video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndi6pCrKOB8&

Umm Al Qura Unveils SAR 50 Billion Growth Strategy and Launches SAR 6 Billion Masar Gardens Project in Makkah


MAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction has announced its 2026–2030 growth strategy, marking a significant step in its transformation from a single-destination developer into a diversified urban destination and investment platform across Saudi Arabia’s Western Region.

Masar Gardens
Masar Gardens

As part of this strategy, the company unveiled Masar Gardens, a new mixed-use urban destination in Makkah with an initial infrastructure and land investment of approximately SAR 6 billion. The project spans 1.2 million square meters and is expected to be developed over a five-year period.

The new strategy targets expanding Umm Al Qura’s development portfolio beyond its flagship Masar Destination, with future projects planned across Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah. The company aims to create a diversified portfolio of urban destinations valued at exceeding SAR 50 billion while attracting new investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

Yasser Abuateek, Chief Executive Officer of Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction, said the company is leveraging its proven development expertise and institutional capabilities to deliver long-term value for investors, communities, and the wider economy.

Masar Gardens will feature residential, commercial, hospitality, and public-use components supported by extensive infrastructure, green spaces, pedestrian pathways, and modern mobility solutions. The project is designed to contribute to Makkah’s long-term urban development objectives while enhancing quality of life and strengthening the city’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

The announcement reflects the company’s broader vision of developing scalable urban destinations that support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification ambitions and create sustainable growth opportunities for local and international investors.

Hashtag: #Development #SaudiArabia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Umm Al Qura bets on a platform model as it launches a five-year strategy and unveils Makkah’s next urban frontier

Developer of Masar Destination announces 2026–2030 roadmap and secures 1.2mn sq m Masar Gardens award — signaling a structural shift from single-asset operator to multi-city development platform in the western region


MAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – Umm Al Qura for Development & Construction has drawn a sharp line under one chapter of its corporate history and opened another, announcing a new five-year strategy and, in the same breath, securing the development rights to a 1.2 million square metre site adjacent to its flagship Masar Destination in Makkah — a juxtaposition that appeared carefully choreographed to demonstrate that the new plan was already in motion before the ink on it had dried.

Masar Gardens
Masar Gardens

The company, which owns, develops, and operates Masar Destination and has been listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) since completing its institutional transformation over the previous strategy cycle, said on Tuesday that its 2026–2030 plan marks a transition from managing a single flagship project to operating what it described as a “multi-destination urban development platform” across Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.

The new site — awarded to a consortium of Umm Al Qura, Makkah Construction and Development Company, and Rajhi United Real Estate Company — will be developed under the name Masar Gardens and encompass the Hindawiya West and Hindawiya South plots. The choice of branding is deliberate: by extending the Masar name to an adjacent precinct rather than launching a standalone product, the company is signaling that its expansion logic begins with deepening what already exists before it spreads outward.

KEY NUMBERS

>60% compound annual revenue growth, 2021–2026
>45% compound annual net profit growth
SAR 2bn+ operating cash flow, most recent fiscal year
SAR 40bn development investment attracted to Masar Destination
30+ strategic partnerships forged
SAR 50bn+ targeted new development pipeline, 2026–2030
SAR 3–5bn incremental capital to be deployed over the strategy period

The financial backdrop to the announcement is striking. Over the five years to 2026, Umm Al Qura posted compound annual revenue growth of more than 60 per cent and net profit growth exceeding 45 per cent, while generating operating cash flows of over SAR 2 billion in its most recent fiscal year. Those are numbers that, in most markets, would attract a longer queue of investors than the company would need — and indeed, it reports attracting approximately SAR 40 billion in total development investment to Masar Destination over the period, alongside more than 30 strategic partnerships.

The question that the 2026–2030 strategy must answer is whether a management team that built one destination on time and on budget can simultaneously direct a portfolio of projects across three cities while maintaining the operational discipline that generated those returns. It is, by any measure, a more complex undertaking — and the company’s chosen answer is structural.

‘The achievements of the past years have provided us with the confidence, expertise, and readiness to advance toward managing a fully integrated portfolio of urban destinations.’ — Yasser Abdulaziz Abuateek, Chief Executive

The strategy adopts what the company terms a “flexible operating model,” enabling it to function either as master developer or as partner and development manager depending on project-specific investment criteria. This architecture — in which Umm Al Qura deploys expertise and brand as much as balance-sheet capital — is central to understanding why it believes it can manage a SAR 50 billion-plus development portfolio while committing only SAR 3–5 billion of incremental capital over the strategy period. The mathematics only work if co-investors and consortium partners carry a substantial share of project-level financing, which places premium value on the company’s governance framework, track record, and institutional relationships.

Yasser Abdulaziz Abuateek, chief executive, framed the moment in terms of sequencing rather than scale alone. “The launch of our new strategy represents a pivotal turning point,” he said, “as we move from a phase of capability building to one of considered expansion.” The word “considered” appeared to be doing some deliberate work: a reminder, perhaps, that the strategy is explicitly not designed to maximize the number of projects, but to concentrate development activity within a geographically coherent and operationally integrated footprint.

That geographic logic — a tight focus on the western region — is one of the strategy’s more analytically interesting features. Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah together constitute a demand catchment unlike any other in the Kingdom: structurally underpinned by the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage economy, the subject of sustained Vision 2030-aligned public investment, and the locus of the country’s most significant cultural and commercial infrastructure. For a company whose institutional identity is inseparable from Makkah, the western region is not a constraint but a concentration of competitive advantage.

The company also reaffirmed that Masar Destination would remain the “central cornerstone” of its portfolio, with development of approved extensions continuing in parallel with new initiatives. For investors, that commitment matters: it confirms that the platform expansion is additive rather than a dilution of the asset that underpins the company’s listed value, and that management is not proposing to harvest the flagship in order to fund growth elsewhere.

The strategy’s formal alignment with Vision 2030 objectives — which the company cited explicitly in connection with enhancing quality of life, stimulating investment, and strengthening economic integration — positions Umm Al Qura as a natural counterparty for government-adjacent development mandates across its target cities. In a market where the allocation of major urban development sites is closely connected to institutional credibility and track record, that positioning carries tangible commercial value.

What the strategy does not offer, at least in its public articulation, is a timeline for when the new destinations beyond Masar Gardens will be identified, announced, or initiated. The company’s language — “planned and selective expansion” in the service of “sustainable value” — suggests a deliberate pace that prioritizes return quality over speed of deployment. Whether that restraint holds as opportunities emerge will be among the more closely watched questions in Saudi real estate development over the coming years.

Further information: www.ummalqura.com.sa/en/new-strategy-2030

Hashtag: #Development #SaudiArabia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.