Media Report
Personal Biography
Early Life and Education

Ali bin Saleh Al-Othaim, born on January 10, 1975, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, He is the son of Sheikh Saleh Al-Othaim and it is from him where he inherited passion for business and trade. Sheikh Al-Othaim’s initiatives begins with the story of a well known family business, Al-Othaim trading, which was founded in 1956, and specializes in retail services. It is considered a major player in the economic development in the Saudi Market. As of today, Al-Othaim holding evolved and is vastly integrated and includes, but not constrained to, gold, jewellery manufacturing, retail, and real-estate.
Al-Othaim graduated high school from Ar Riyadh private schools. In 1999, he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) concentrating in finance, from King Saud University. Thereafter, he traveled to the UK and US for higher learning, focussing on International Finance, strategic planning and management.
Al-Othaim is currently married and has three sons and two daughters, and manifests a large portion of his time on public contributions and social activities.

Professional Affiliations

Al-Othaim launched his career as senior partner in the family business group, and then became partner and deputy president of Al-Othaim Jewellery. He then became a board member at Al-Othaim holding before establishing ARICL investment group, which invests in currency markets.
Al-Othaim also invests in financial markets and real estate, and CEO of companies in different sectors, such as, training, consultancy, media, event management and Gulf Rose Trading Group. Al-Othaim also sits at the board of different corporations inside and outside of the Kingdom.

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  • Board member of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
  • Chairman of the National Young Businessmen Committee (NYBC), Council of Saudi Chambers.
  • Chairman of the Youth Businessmen Committee, Riyadh Chamber.
  • Chairman of the Youth Businessmen Forum.
  • Chairman of the Riyadh International Forum for Investment Horizons.
  • Chairman of “Mubader Venture Competition” at Riyadh chamber.
  • Board member of the King Salman Youth Center.
  • Executive member of the King Salman Award for Youth Businessmen.
  • Member of the Saudi International Chamber of Commerce (ICC-Saudi Arabia).
  • Vice President of Board of Trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum (REF).
  • Board member, Saudi-American Business Council.
  • Board member, Saudi-French Business Council.
  • Board member, Saudi-Japanese Business Council.
  • Board member, Saudi-Korean Business Council.
  • Member, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
  • Regional representative of the the Islamic Countries Young Entrepreneurs Network (ICYEN).
  • Member of Young Arab Leaders (YAL).
  • Member of the Judging panel for the Industrial Excellence Award by “Modon” Saudi Industrial Property Authority.
  • Member of the Judging panel, “Al-Monawarah” Industrial Award.
  • Member of the Judging panel, “Hal Ladaik fekra? (Got an Idea?)” on KSA channel 1.
  • Member of the Judging panel, “Ammar” award for entrepreneurs with special needs.
  • Member of the Judging panel, Arabian Business and Investors Conference.
  • Member of the judging panel, “Ernst & Young” award for entrepreneurs.
  • Executive member of the Riyadh Chamber.
  • Honorary member of the Saudi Management Association (SMA).
  • Member of the Riyadh Charity Association “Ita’am”.
Public Contributions
Experiences

Al-Othaim holds longing passion for entrepreneurial initiatives; his dedication to this has been ongoing for more than 15 years. His commitment is essential to the development of the entrepreneurial environment of Saudi Arabia. In 2003, he co-established the first National Young Businessmen Committee (NYBC) of Riyadh Chamber, with a group of entrepreneurs, and he is the current chair.

On the individual level, Al-Othaim is behind many successful programs and policy proposals of Riyadh Chamber, such as, requiring 10% of government tenders be held by SME, which promotes competitiveness and adds value to newly established companies. On the contrary, he demands five-year fee exemption for entrepreneurs imposed by the Ministry of Labor, which was examined in a study, entitled “Systematic Repercussions and Legislative Imperfections Imposed by the Ministry of Labor.” He also demands public funding for Venture Capitalists, which also was examined in a study, entitled “Feasibility of, and Reasons for Establishing Venture Capital Firms.” With such dedication, he succeeded in approving some of these projects and demands, most memorably, establishing an SME Authority.

Domestic, Regional and Global Contributions

Al-Othaim takes pride in representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in many occasions, domestically and globally, and acts as catalyst for entrepreneurship in the region.

Working paper representing United Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) submitted by Arab Youth Forum (AYF), Alexandrea, Egypt. (February 2016).

Keynote speaker at a conference entitled “Risk and Opportunities of International Economic Changes faced by Entrepreneurs”, in sixth Bosphorus Summit, Istanbul, Turkey. (December 2015).

Member of the Saudi Arabian Delegation to Russia, representing NYBC. (November 2015).

Member of the Saudi Arabian Delegation to United States, representing NYBC. (September 2015).

Member of the Saudi Delegation to Turkey. (April 2015).

Working paper, entitled “Leadership and Stimulating Growth Rates”, Global Shapers, World Economic Forum, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. (January 2015).

Participant in the Saudi-South Korean Business Forum in Seoul, South Korea, representing NYBC. (October 2014).

Member of the Saudi Business Delegation to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.(September 2014).

Member of the judging panel, “Tamakkon award for Leading Business Plan”, by Saudi scholars in US, sponsored by Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) in United States, and National Academy for Entrepreneurs, Washington DC, US. (June 2014).

Member of the Saudi Chambers Delegation to Japan, representing NYBC. (February 2014).

Working paper, entitled “Entrepreneurs… Futuristic Vision”, Saudi-German Business Forum, Berlin, Germany. (November 2013).

Working paper, entitled “Role of Entrepreneurs in the Survival of Family Enterprise”, Arabian-German Business Meeting, Berlin, Germany. (June 2013).

Presented NYBC Vision, Goals, and Activities, at the Executive Committee Meeting, ICYEN, Azerbaijan. (April 2013).

Working paper, entitled “National Strategy for Entrepreneurs”, Saudi-German Business Meeting, Berlin, Germany. (June 2012).

Working paper, entitled “Learning for Leading”, at the US-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum, Atlanta, United States. (December 2011).

Participant in the Leadership Conference, Turkey. (December 2011).

Participant in “Islamic Countries Young Entrepreneurs Network”, (ICYEN) co-organized by Islamic Conference Youth for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC), Baku, Azerbaijan. (November 2011).

Member of the NYBC Delegation to France, in light of strengthening relations with French officials, investors, and entrepreneurs, Paris, France. (March 2010).

Member of the Saudi-Foreign Business Council Delegation at the US-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum, Chicago, US. (2010).

Moderated  a session, entitled “Cooperation among GCC entrepreneurs and businessmen and their Jordanian peers”, Amman, Jordan. (September 2015).

Working paper, entitled “Enabling Entrepreneurs, why? And how?”, “Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development Forum”, Doha, Qatar. (March 2015).

Representative of NYBC, Cooperation Agreement with Emirati Entrepreneurs Forum UAE. (June 2013).

Working paper, entitled “Mechanics of Subsidizing and Supporting Young Entrepreneurs”, GCC Entrepreneurs Forum, Sharjah, UAE. (April 2012).

Participant in the Annual Conference for Entrepreneurs’ Union and Businessmen, Qatar. (December 2011).

Participant in the First Arabian conference for Businessmen and Entrepreneurs, Beirut, Lebanon. (October 2011).

Workshops participant, “National Transformation Program – Kingdom 2020”, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (February – March 2016).

Moderated a session entitled “The Kingdom and Future of Entrepreneurship”, Male and Female Entrepreneurs in Al-Ahsa – Leadership Opportunities. (September 2015).

Workshop participant entitled “Mechanics of Enabling Growing Entrepreneurial Enterprises in the Kingdom”, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (September 2015).

Gave a lecture, entitled “Leadership and Government Response”, Second Meeting for Entrepreneurs, Qassim University. (April 2015).

Presented a study entitled “Ratings of Saudi Labor Market, Given Imposed Regulations and Legislations and their Impact on SME”, Jeddah Human Resource Forum. (November 2014).

Presentation entitled “NYBC Vision in Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the Kingdom”, KSU Career Week 2014. (October 2014).

Lecture, entitled “Steps to success”, Verso Demo Day Graduation Ceremony for Entrepreneurs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (June 2014).

Presented a lecture entitled “Shortest Path to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur”, Al-Ahsa Youth Businessmen Open Meeting, Sharqiyah region, Saudi Arabia. (June 2014).

Member of the Saudi Arabian Business Delegation to meet with US secretary of commerce, in light of strengthening international relations of Saudi and American entrepreneurs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (March 2014).

Working paper entitled “Secured-Job After Training”, First Annual Meeting of Entrepreneurship Academies and Centers, King Salman Entrepreneurship Academy – KSU, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (May 2013).

Working paper entitled “Mechanics of Subsidizing and Supporting Young Entrepreneurs”, First Male and Female Entrepreneurs Forum of Al-Ahsa. (September 2012).

Working paper  entitled “Entrepreneurs… Futuristic Vision”, GCC Youth Conference: GCC Countries, Cooperation to Unification, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (April 2012).

Working paper entitled “Feasibility of, and Reasons for Establishing Venture Capital Firms”, at the Venture Capital Forum, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (February 2012).

Presentation entitled “Entrepreneurship – Way of Involving Youth in Economic Development for World Entrepreneurship Week”, Asharqia Chamber. (November 2011).

Presented a lecture, entitled “Development and Leadership”, at “ARAMCO Summer Festival”, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (July 2011).

Participant in the brainstorming workshops, papers and meetings to set strategic vision in enabling entrepreneurs and transforming Saudi Arabia into a rational economy.

Official Meetings

Al-Othaim has been active in promoting the role of entrepreneurship in official meetings at many occasions, such involves influential figures.

Official meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz

During governance of Riyadh, then ministering National Defence.

Official meeting with the Late Royal Highness prince Naif bin Abdulaziz

Former Crown Prince, Vice Prime Minister, and Minister of Interior.

Official meeting with the Late Royal Highness Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz

Former Governor of Riyadh Region.

Official meeting with the Royal Highness prince Khalid Alfaisal

Minister of Education.

Official meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

Official Meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz

Former Governor of Riyadh Region.

Official meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz

President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

Official meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud

Deputy Governor of Qassim Region.

Official meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Abduallah bin Abdulaziz

Former Governor of Riyadh Region.

Official meeting with H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf

Minister of Finance.

Official meeting with H.E. Eng. Adel Fakeih

Minister of Labor.

Official meeting with H.E. Dr. Tawfik bin Fawzan Al Rabiah

Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Official meeting with H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser

Minister of Economy and Planning.

Official meeting with H.E. Eng. Abdullatif bin Ahmed Al Othman

Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.

Official meeting with H.E. Mr. Saud bin Saleh Al Saleh

Secretary General of Supreme Economic Council of Saudi Arabia.

Awards

Shield of Honor – Entrepreneurship Support By Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (During governance of Riyadh), King Salman Award for Youth Businessmen.

Shield of Honor – Investment Horizons Forum, 2009, By Late Royal Highness Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz During vice Governance of Riyadh Region.

Shield of Honor – Youth Businessmen Forum, 2006, By Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz During Governance of Riyadh.

Shield of Honor – “Ammar” Initiative in Support of Innovators with special needs, 2014, By Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz.

Shield of Honor – Member of the Judging Panel, Ernst & Young, Riyadh, 2015 By H.E. Dr. Tawfik bin Fawzan Al Rabiah – Minister of Commerce & Industry.

Shield of Honor – Second Administrative Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2004, By H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Angari – Minister of Higher Education.

Certificate of Appreciation – Entrepreneurship Support, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Fifteenth Session (2008 – 2012).

Shield of Honor – Keynote Speaker, The US-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum, Atlanta, US (2011).

Shield of Honor – Keynote Speaker By GCC Entrepreneurs Forum, Sharjah province, UAE (2012).

Shield of Honor – Keynote Speaker, Venture Capital Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2012).

Shield of Honor – Keynote Speaker, ARAMCO Summer Festival, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2011).

Achievements

During the sixteenth session, Al-Othaim had an active role as a member of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board and Executive Committee, and Chair of Entrepreneurs and Exhibition Committees; such contributions are resembled in various projects and programs that served in developing the national economic policy in private sectors in the Kingdom.

Projects
• Launching e-service based Business Portal (Riyadh Chamber).
• Production and Publication of “Leaders – Inspiring Success Stories”.
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Events
• Open Meetings (Interviews with business leaders and investors).
• Lectures and Seminars (Public awareness about businesses and leadership).
• Workshops (Discussions about entrepreneurial ambitions).
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Initiatives
• Youth Businessmen Forum.
• “Mubader” Venture Competition.
• “Souqram” Exhibition.
• The Saudi Exhibition “Ramadan Gift”.
• Youth Businessmen Community.
• “Amerna” Voice of Entrepreneurs.
• “Consultant Friend” Program.
• “Built in Saudi” Portal.
• “Manarah” Program for Young Businessmen.
• Leaders Maker Program.
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Contact us

Please let us know how we can help you by filling out the form, or through the contacts information below

  • Phone : +966 11 465 2995
  • mobile : +966 55 913 4444
  • Email : ali@alialothaim.com