Motorola has launched its new MPx200 mobile phone in Saudi Arabia. It marks the latest addition to its innovative products portfolio powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile. The phone combines the power of the desktop with the “always at hand” convenience of the mobile phone, making life “simpler, smarter and more synchronized.” This alliance reinforces Motorola as the partner of choice for Microsoft’s Windows mobile platform and a major win for customers, says Ahmed Elkalliny, Motorola’s Riyadh-based regional development manager. “With Motorola’s high-quality hardware design and Microsoft’s leading technology, the new phone helps providing users with the information they need,” he said. It connects them with the rest of the world at anytime wherever they are. The high-quality performance and personalization of the phone combined with the power of Windows Smart phone operating system, creates an incredible platform for communications, web browsing, multimedia and gaming. It allows customers to manage their personal information, synchronize their e-mail and contacts with Microsoft Outlook.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is using the 74th Geneva Motor Show from March 4 - 14, to showcase three new Mercedes models — four-door CLS-Class Coupe, sporty SLK Roadster and new generation of the C-Class. “The four-door CLS-Class newcomer blends the stylistic inspiration and infectious emotional charisma of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a saloon,” said Steffen Baumann, sales and marketing director, Mercedes-Benz Car Group, Dubai. It again underlines Mercedes-Benz’s role as a pioneer and trendsetter in automotive thinking. The new SLK-Class is another car celebrating its world premiere at the Mercedes stand. The new Roadster comes with powerful new engines, a sporty suspension set-up, more direct steering and a precise six-speed manual transmission. The roadster also builds on the proven strengths of its predecessor in the shape of a further developed, space-saving vario-roof, even more innovative safety features — including adaptive airbags and new head/thorax side airbags — and unique new developments such as the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF.
United Yousef M. Naghi
United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd., Electronics Division, received the “distributor of the year award for best progress toward leadership” at the recent Philips Electronics Middle East and Africa distributors conference held at the Kwa Maritane Resort in South Africa. “We’re delighted to recognize the team in Saudi Arabia for its dedication and efforts to develop the domestic appliances and personal care business. We at Philips are fortunate to enjoy such close ties with our partners throughout the Middle East and Africa region and see our relationship with United Y.M. Naghi Co. Ltd. as an ideal example of how shared trust and transparency generates success,” said Robert van de Riet, regional director, electronics, at Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care Middle East and Africa. “Winning this award is a commendation for our Philips team,” said Ahmed Sfarjilani, vice president, United Y.M. Naghi Co. Ltd.
Hadaiya.Com
Online boutiques are revolutionizing the way people buy designer goods, according to Bharat Jashanmal, managing director of Hadaiya.com, the Middle East e-retail site for American Express users. He said upscale virtual stores had really caught on in the last three years, despite the feeling that browsers would not commit to purchasing upscale products without the benefit of seeing them in real, rather than web, time. “The key to the success of online boutiques is a user-friendly interface and products that cannot be found in normal shopping malls,” Jashanmal said. For a long time, critics of online luxury retailing said it wouldn’t succeed, as they couldn’t see why people would buy what they couldn’t touch and feel. But in reality, busy consumers want the convenience of an expert selection of unusual goods with a ‘wow’ factor. This was the ethos behind the start-up- of Hadaiya.com last year, he said.
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank has won the Banker Middle East Banking Award 2004 for “Best use of IT for a Multi-Channel Strategy.” At a ceremony held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and UAE minister of finance and industry, Corporate Publishing International (CPI), publisher of Banker Middle East, a leading regional B2B financial publication, presented the awards to leading financial institutions around the GCC. Dr. Mohammed Khalfan ibn Kharbash, UAE minister of state for finance and industry, was guest of honor and made a keynote speech. David Edwards, regional general manager for Standard Chartered Bank Middle East and South Asia, said: “Standard Chartered Bank focuses on ensuring we’re always attentive and responsive to customer requirements. Our eBBS technology platform is home grown in the Middle East, and we’re proud it now sets the standard in the region, and for the Bank, globally.”