Episode 35! Co-hosts Lucien and Hanaa kick off the episode discussing the recent addition to Lucien's family, and catch-up on Hanaa's recent travels to Saudi Arabia to speak at a CSR Forum in Riyadh, as well as visit her hometown and family in the Eastern Province.

Then, joining the hosts on the MAINSTAGE is Faris Al-Sulayman, co-founder at Haala Energy, a leading Saudi solar energy company that installs solar power projects for commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients. Faris joins The TWENTY30 for an exclusive conversation about the growth of Halaa, the challenges and opportunities in solar power in the Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia’s broader green goals with the Saudi Green Initiative. They also discuss his journey as a first-mover in the solar space in Saudi Arabia, Halaa's incubation at KAUST just north of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and how the business plans to grow as solar becomes a viable option for commercial and residential clients in the coming decade.

A graduate of Georgetown University with a Masters from the London School of Economics, Faris is active with Halaa while pursuing a PhD from LSE in London.

After the discussion, the hosts catch up on some of the latest news in Saudi Arabia, and conclude with a unusual SHOUTOUT to cap Episode 35.

It's FII week in Riyadh! 📈 That means the who's who of the finance, investment, and business world are descending upon the Saudi capital for Saudi Arabia's largest annual event - the 8th Future Investment Initiative held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC).

Co-hosts Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed and Lucien Zeigler talk about the event and discuss some elements of the program and speakers, as well as the surrounding events and vibe of the city as it hosts visitors from around the world.

Before the DEEPDIVE on FII, the hosts discuss a new NEWS format for The TWENTY30, which allows the hosts more space to discuss and engage on the topics that matter for Saudi Arabia. User and data feedback and input from 33 Episodes prompted the slight modification to the segment, which the hosts note is already significantly more enjoyable for hosts and listeners alike. The TWENTY30 team hopes you agree!

After discussing FII, in the new format for the NEWS segment, the hosts cover a range of interesting developments in Saudi Arabia, including:

•Sindalah Island is the first Neom project to open doors, and a handpicked selection of guests are getting the first glimpse of the place ahead of FII, according to Bloomberg.

•Saudi Arabia is setting its sights on the Chinese outbound tourism market as part of its strategy to transform the kingdom into a global tourism hub, according to SKIFT.

•Roberto Mancini walks away from Saudi Arabia as head coach of the national team after 14 pretty unsuccessful months as coach...

•Ground has officially been broken in Saudi Arabia for what is expected to be the “world’s largest building" - The New Mukaab, part of the new murraba project.

Lama Khaiyat, CEO of Awtada, a boutique Saudi consultancy and public policy advisory firm, joins hosts Hanaa and Lucien to discuss the world of consulting in Saudi Arabia and the rapid growth of her firm.

The consultancy market in Saudi Arabia reached $3.2 billion in 2023. The market grew by 17.5% in 2022, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% through 2029. But recently, multiple outlets have reported of a "recalibration" of Vision 2030 projects that involves a reprioritization of spending, putting a pinch on some of the larger consultancies operating in the Kingdom. But the recalibration is an opportunity for boutique consultancies to step up, Khaiyat tells the TWENTY30.

Lama shares her journey from Oxford to the Big 4 and how she felt that her best path toward growth and success was through founding her own firm and providing a Saudi-first lens for clients.

After the conversation with Lama, the hosts get to some of the latest news on Saudi Arabia, and conclude with SHOUTOUTS to the exceptional people driving the Kingdom's transformation.