The start-ups pavilion at the “Mana’afa” symposium, held by the commercial chamber, and opened by the Haj Minister, Dr Mohammed Saled ibn Taher Bentin, drew a big number of the exhibit’s visitors. This is due to the fact that the pavilion features sophisticated technological products that remarkably pulled the visitors. The exhibit was held on September 6^th, 2016.  

Still, the Wadi Makkah start-ups took part with their diverse products. These products were produced by Smart City Company “Aviros” such as “CorBlu” sensor which attracted big attention as it was completely manufactured in Makkah with “Made in Makkah” slogan tagged on it.  It was applied in cooperation with “NaviBees” Company for domestic navigation at the Sacred Mosque under the name “Destination Application”. Such an application is used for audibly directing the Haj and Umrah performers and provided with 3-D maps within the Sacred Mosque for all the destinations they seek. Further, other start-ups offered their products such as Taghred Co., Smart Haj Company, Soft Care Co. for medical technologies and BioKubes for medical laboratories as well as the Haj-related technologies, which received great interest for developing service sector of the Haj and Umrah system.

In addition to the participating of the start-up products, the pavilion assigned “Try Yourself” corner, allowing the visitors to install an electronic circuit themselves assisted by one of the Wadi Makkah’s technicians. Such a corner witnessed interaction from the visitors and drew the attention of many of them due to its practical nature which help them familiarize with the concept of the electronic and how they are installed.

Within the same vein, the Umm Al-Qura University Vice Dean, Dr Nabil ibn Abdul-Qadir Kushuk noted that the Wadi Makkah for technology participation at this symposium aims at shedding light on the methods adopted by the Wadi in terms of developing the system of services provided for the Haj and Umrah performers. He also stressed that these symposium is an opportunity for showcasing the innovative products of the Wadi Makkah start-ups. He went on to laud the support the Wadi Makkah and its start-ups receive from the University President and the Chairman of the Wadi Makkah for Technology Board of Directors, Dr. Bakri ibn Ma’atuq A’asas.