Riyadh - Exclusive Sharikat Mubasher: The Cairo-based waste management company Bekia sets sights on expanding into Saudi Arabia within the upcoming period, Founder and CEO Alaa Afifi told Sharikat Mubahser.

In an interview held on the sidelines of Biban 2024, Afifi clarified that the company participated in this flagship event under the umbrella of the Sedrah accelerator, launched by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

He noted that Bekia collects more than 12 tons of separated waste daily to be dispatched to recycling companies and factories, serving more than 100,000 clients.

Bekia was launched in 2017 to educate citizens and society about the importance of the environment. It collects solid waste including plastic with all its derivatives, paper, cardboard, used cooking oils and minerals in all its forms, and electronic devices.

Biban 2024, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), convened in Riyadh from 5 to 9 November, with the participation of more than 1,350 local and international exhibitors, over 250 speakers, and more than 150 enablement entities from around the world.

It targeted creating a stimulating environment, raising administrative, financial, and technical competencies, and motivating the owners of ideas to launch their projects by allowing them to meet with local and global experts and share knowledge with key decision-makers and investors.

The event focused on empowering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia through nine doors: Enablement Door, Fast-growing Enterprises Door, Funding and Investment Door, Startup Door, Innovation Door, E-commerce Door, Franchise Door, Market Door, and Start Door.