Press Release No. 25-2016

Date:  05 October 2016

(Jeddah, 02 October 2016) - The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, led by Consul General Imelda M Panolong, graced the grand re-opening of Arabian Stores Co. Inc. (Sarawat Superstores) at Baroom Center Branch on 01 October 2016.

The event was also attended by the owner of Sarawat, Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr, top officials of Sarawat, other invited guests including Saudi and non-Saudi communities who have been loyal to the stores over the years.

Consul General Panolong, who joined Sheikh Binzagr in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, congratulated the latter for the grand re-opening of the store.  She also expressed her pleasure at the re-opening which included the upgrading and expansion of Sarawat into a more spacious supermarket that provides more choices for a wide-variety of Philippine products. She also informed Sheikh Binzagr that Sarawat will always be the favorite supermarket of the Filipino community.

Sheikh Binzagr, on the other hand, thanked the Philippine Consulate for gracing the event and expressed his appreciation for its support and that of the Filipino communities. Sarawat management estimate that 60-70% of its customers are Filipinos.

Fun and exciting games, entertainment, food tasting and raffle draws were prepared for their shoppers. The Filipino Artiste Migrants Ensemble (FAME), Jeddah’s premier events and talent search organization, was invited by Sarawat Superstore to lead in the cultural program, wherein a talented local Filipino singer performed an Arabic song to the surprise of the Saudi and other Arab patrons.

Sarawat Superstores is one of the oldest supermarket chains currently operating in Saudi Arabia, founded by Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr in 1981. The re-opening of Sarawat superstore at Baroom Center, which gives a more convenient, upgraded and comfortable supermarket, is Sarawat’s way of expressing its gratefulness to its shoppers, particularly the Filipino community for supporting and patronizing them for many years now. END

Consul General Imelda M. Panolong with Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr during
the cutting of the cakes together with Mr. Mohammed Bamusa Al Amoudi, Store's Marketing Department (middle)

Sheikh Abdullah Binzagr and other senior management with Congen
Panolong in the inspection and tour of the new store