The Middle East’s fashion and textile industry graph is rising. This is reflected by the 40 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors at MOTEXHA Spring 2004, the region’s trade show for the fashion, textiles and leather industry. The show, organized by IIR Exhibitions, will be held in Halls 3 and 4 of the Dubai International Exhibition Center (DIEC) from April 19-22, with expected participation of over 250 companies from 20 countries. The region’s fashion and textile industry is estimated at $11.4 billion according to a recent study conducted by ICON Group Ltd., making it the second largest sector oil. “A 40 percent increase in the size of the exhibition affirms exhibitors’ and trade buyers’ recognition of the show as an important business-to-business forum that will bring them guaranteed returns,” said Geoffrey Booy, Director, IIR Exhibitions. Studies conducted by IIR Exhibitions indicate that MOTEXHA has generated nearly $10 billion of business in the last five years.
Durrat-Al-Bahrain
A WPP team has been appointed by Durrat-Al-Bahrain as its global communications adviser. Durrat-Al-Bahrain is a 20 sq km stretch of reclaimed desert and sea, set to be Bahrain’s largest city resort. The design has been done by WS Atkins, an engineering design and consultancy firm, and is the vision of Tom Wright, WS Atkins director of architecture and designer of the seven star Burj-Al-Arab hotel in Dubai. Durrat-Al-Bahrain will consist of 13 different islands, with over 2,000 villas, luxury hotels, shopping centers, marinas and an 18-hole golf course. WPP will provide branding, identity, advertising, PR media buying and sport sponsorship through its brands that include Addison Corporate Marketing, TMI/J. Walter Thomson, Memac Ogilvy Public Relations, MindShare and Premiere Group.
Sony
Sony, a global consumer electronics and computer gaming giant, has announced the appointment of Masaru Tamagawa, MD, Sony Gulf FZE. Tamagawa will oversee Sony’s regional operations in the Middle East and African markets. Tamagawa took over the responsibilities from Yasuhide Yokota, former MD who was transferred to Miami to look after Sony’s business in Latin America earlier this month. Making his initial statements after taking over as the new MD of the Japanese major’s fully-owned Dubai-based regional subsidiary Sony Gulf FZE, Tamagawa said strategic plans had been made to stimulate growth for Sony products in the regional market. Prior to taking over as MD, Tamagawa was the general manager of Sony Gulf from April 2000. “At a broader level of Sony operations in the regional markets, when we consolidate the business of Sony Gulf, Sony Broadcast & Professional and Sony Ericsson, we’ve already achieved the sales figure of $1 billion in 2003,” Tamagawa said.
Pipco-Leadtrain
A top business executive has called on Muslim countries to develop leadership qualities in order to propel their goals and activities, both institutional and individual, in the right direction. Mirza Yawar Baig, GM, Pipco-Leadtrain, in his presentation on “Leaving a legacy: The true measure of leadership” at Jubail InterContinental Hotel on Wednesday compared leadership in the West to that in the Muslim countries. “Unless we develop leadership qualities in the industrial, technological and management field, the world will pass by us.” He was addressing the middle management of SABIC staff. Shubar M. Al-Awami, training analyst of SABIC opened the seminar. Tameem Ahmad, GM, Kanoo Group’s P&IP Division, was the moving spirit behind the success of the seminar. Yusuf Al-Khlaiwy, training manager, SABIC, was also present, Kanoo Group made a video presentation during the seminar.
Nissan Altima
The sneak previews of the new Nissan Altima at motor shows in Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia have generated huge interest form the public. Altima has been the “talk of the town” in the United States since its introduction there. With its distinctive exterior design, choice of powerful 2.5 liter or 3.5 liter engines, performance-oriented suspension and class-leading roominess, Altima had an immediate impact on Nissan sales, image and brought customers into Nissan showrooms across the United States. The crowning moment for Altima came with its being presented North American Car of the Year award. “The North American Car of the Year award is one of the most prestigious accolades n the automotive industry - it’s a tremendous honor for Altima,” said Takeshi Nakajima, regional director Nissan Middle East FZE. “The fact that it is the only award independently voted on by a cross section of America’s foremost automotive writers makes it truly unique and valuable.” The all-new 2005 Altima will represent a total revision and rethinking of Nissan’s midsize sedan - it will bring a level of design and performance that does not exist in its class with a choice of a 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter engines along with an aggressive new exterior design and a driver-oriented interior with myriad of convenience and luxury features set Altima apart in the highly competitive sedan marketplace.