| | SEPTEMBER 20238IN FOCUSWith the signing of a contract between the National Center for Privatization and Al-Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia is promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors. The agreement focuses on enhancing prospects for domestic and foreign investors related to privatization and public-private partnerships. Hani Al-Saigh, the NCP's vice president for strategic marketing and knowledge management, and Hossam Al-Basrawi, the Al-Rajhi Bank's general manager of corporate banking, inked the agreement. Driving market research, financial advice, local and international marketing consulting, event management, training programs, and knowledge growth are all part of this project. Al-Saigh emphasized that this alliance is one of several cooperative connections the NCP has made with national and international banks and financial institutions. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the largest bank in the world with $5 trillion in assets, 8 million corporate clients, and 650 million retail users, and the NCP signed a cooperative agreement in May. The arrangement with ICBC, according to NCP CEO Mohannad bin Basodan, was the sixth one to be concluded with both domestic and foreign banks. At the time, he added that the ICBC's backing would considerably strengthen the NCP's role in bolstering PPP because these organizations are essential to the success of privatization in the Kingdom.In April, NCP announced the beginning of its privatization and PPP pipeline, which consists of 200 approved projects across 17 sectors and is in accordance with Vision 2030's objectives to raise the private sector's share of the GDP from 40 percent to 65 percent by the year 2030. Over $50 billion in investments are currently in the pipeline, and another 300 projects are being considered, showing potential for much more growth. Google's Kiran Mani has been hired by Viacom18 to serve as the CEO of the digital division. Mani now serves as the General Manager and MD for Asia Pacific for Google Play and Android. Mani will be in charge of leading the expansion of JioCinema, which has upended the video streaming industry with its free offer, as the head of the digital division.By offering free streaming of major media franchises like Bigg Boss and the Indian Premier League (IPL), JioCinema hopes to expand its audience. Additionally, it is increasing its expenditures in original OTT content. The platform offers a subscription service as well as an ad-supported one, both of which feature Hollywood content from companies like HBO and NBCUniversal.Recently, Viacom18 has been actively recruiting as Uday Shankar, who is providing the business with strategic direction, assembles a new executive group. As CEO of TV and digital (regional entertainment), Kevin Vaz, who led the entertainment sector at Disney Star, has joined the organization.Alok Jain, a further ex-executive from Disney Star, has joined Viacom18 as President and Head of Colors Hindi and Regional, with the additional responsibility of managing the regional rollout of digital programming. Formerly the head of Star Sports' advertising sales, Anil Jayaraj is now the CEO of Viacom18's sports division. He started working there in 2021. NCP AGRESS DEAL WITH AL-RAJHI BANK TO DRIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPVIACOM18 APPOINTS GOOGLE'S KIRAN MANI AS CEO OF DIGITAL BUSINESS
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