RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – (ARAB NEWSWIRE) — The latest Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) weekly report for the period ending March 21, 2026, reveals a significant surge in consumer spending, with Restaurants and Cafés processing SAR 1.6 billion in transactions—a 15% weekly increase—while the broader Food and Beverage segment exceeded SAR 2.1 billion. Remarkably, this SAR 3.7 billion wave confirms that the market remains unaffected by the ongoing regional conflict, showcasing the robustness of the Saudi economy. Amidst this growth, TabSense is officially defining a new category in hospitality technology: the Point of Intelligence (POI). Moving beyond the legacy transaction-recording era defined by first-movers like Foodics, TabSense is leveraging its second-mover advantage to deliver an AI-native architecture that reasons through data rather than just processing it.

“While traditional systems simply record history, our Point of Intelligence architecture is built to create the future of restaurant profitability,” said Dr. Mohammad Jaber, Co-Founder and CEO of TabSense. “By transitioning from passive processing to autonomous reasoning, we empower owners to focus on growth while our agents handle the operational complexities of a SAR 3.7 billion weekly market”.

This evolution arrives as Riyadh’s dining scene experiences a high-end boom, with new entries like The Vinyl Ember in KAFD and Kantami in Al Malqa demanding sophisticated operational oversight. This local growth aligns with global 2026 POS trends, where the market is shifting from hardware-heavy “fixed tills” to AI-first, cloud-based architectures that prioritize embedded finance, AI driven operational efficiencies and contactless standards. By integrating ZATCA Phase II e-invoicing from day one, TabSense ensures these new dining spots meet strict regulatory mandates while optimizing their bottom line.

For large F&B chains, POI means moving away from static dashboards toward live, conversational analysis. TabSense enables owners to receive immediate answers to complex business questions and performance reports directly via WhatsApp, addressing the “information lag” common in disconnected legacy systems. This momentum is further fueled by the recent launch of their AI fraud detection agent, which provides 24/7 monitoring to eliminate “silent losses” like revenue leaks and unauthorized discounts.

Validation for this new category comes from independent research by Headway, that looked at POS incumbents such as Foodics, Tabsense and others, found that 52% of merchants now choose providers such as Tabsense based on advanced features and ease of use rather than brand name alone. The study highlights a powerful market interest in AI features, with players such as TabSense achieving a system Satisfaction Index and a simplicity score outpacing legacy incumbents. By converting raw data into actionable intelligence, TabSense is helping merchants achieve a documented 7% revenue lift and a 38% increase in EBIT.

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This press release is issued through Arab Newswire (www.arabnewswire.com) — a press release distribution service for the Arab World, Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — (ARAB NEWSWIRE) — Captain Mustafa Nejem Receives Maritime Youth Award at Saudi Maritime Awards Night 2026

Captain Mustafa Nejem, a Master Mariner, maritime executive, researcher, and award-winning author, has received the Maritime Youth Award at the inaugural Saudi Maritime Awards Night 2026, recognizing outstanding contributions by professionals across shipping, maritime services, and logistics.

The inaugural Saudi Maritime Awards Night took place on January 29, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA). The event was organized by Robban Assafina in strategic partnership with the Transport General Authority (TGA), bringing together regional and international maritime leaders to celebrate excellence across the industry.

The awards featured 24 categories, spanning key areas such as shipping, ports, logistics, maritime services, safety, sustainability, and innovation. Winners were selected through an independent judging process led by an expert panel from across the maritime sector.

“This award is more than recognition. It is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Captain Nejem. “As our industry navigates sustainability and digital transformation, it reinforces the importance of leadership, safety, and measurable impact. I’m proud to contribute to safer, smarter, and greener seas.”

Leadership, Publications, and Recognition

Captain Mustafa Nejem combines maritime command experience with executive leadership across fleet operations, safety, compliance, and sustainability. Captain Nejem leads maritime businesses across Dubai and Piraeus. As an author, he has published 40+ books on leadership, governance, and maritime industry transformation.

Captain Nejem’s international recognitions include Globee Awards 2025 Gold for Thought Leadership, Stevie Awards 2025 Bronze in Management, MarCom Awards 2025 Platinum and Gold, and TITAN Business Awards 2025 Gold in Sustainability and Environment.

His publications have also received international recognition, including the Literary Titan Book Award for The Green Wave, a Maritime Media Awards UK nomination, Global Book Awards 2025 finalist selections, and First Place at The BookFest Awards Fall 2025 for The Inclusive Leader.

Captain Nejem holds advanced degrees including a Global MBA, Abertay University UK.

Executive MBA in Business Analytics, UCAM Spain

MSc Fleet Management, Solent University UK.

MSc International Maritime Business, Solent University UK.

Master Mariner (Unlimited).

His professional affiliations include

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts UK.

Fellow of the Institute of Consulting, CMI UK.

Associate Fellow of The Nautical Institute UK.

Member of the Royal Institute of Navigation UK.