Saudi Conglomerate Ajlan-and-Bros Eyes Future Growth in China

Founded in 1979, Ajlan-and-Bros initially specialized in fabrics and garments. Over the decades, it has transformed into a leading private conglomerate based in Saudi Arabia. Today, it boasts a robust presence in over 25 countries and is a major producer of traditional garments across the Middle East and North Africa.

Vincent Yan, the Group Senior Vice President and Head of China for Ajlan-and-Bros, shared his optimism about the evolving economic relationship between China and Saudi Arabia during an interview with China Global Television Network at the 2024 Qingdao Multinationals Summit. Yan highlighted the summit’s success, marking his second consecutive year attending the event.

“The summit has been a tremendous success over the past four years. From Ajlan’s perspective, as a large international conglomerate with over 15,000 employees across more than 75 companies in over 25 countries, China remains a key market. Shandong, in particular, has been vital to us, given our investment in textile factories there over 20 years ago. We have a deep connection with this region,” Yan stated.

Ajlan-and-Bros was among the first Saudi businesses to invest in China, starting in the 1990s. The company’s investment office in China, established in 2017, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reflecting a commitment to fostering bilateral business relations. “We have been pioneers in helping Chinese companies enter the Saudi market and form joint ventures with local players, accelerating their success in the region,” Yan added.

Regarding environmental sustainability, Yan underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to carbon neutrality. “Saudi Arabia is firmly committed to environmental change, particularly in achieving carbon peaking and neutrality. We have a rigorous schedule to adhere to new environmental standards. Ajlan-and-Bros is also committed to leveraging our global investments and resources to address these issues,” he said.

From an economic standpoint, Yan observed that the synergy between Saudi and Chinese economies presents substantial collaboration opportunities. “The two economies complement each other well. Saudi Arabia is currently the largest construction market globally, with numerous mega and giga projects. This creates an ideal platform for both private and public sector collaboration. Additionally, it offers significant growth opportunities for Chinese companies expanding abroad,” Yan explained.

As Ajlan-and-Bros continues to expand its footprint and deepen its ties with China, the future of their collaboration appears promising, particularly in the realms of new energy and infrastructure development.