Samsung Electronics is strengthening its presence in the Middle East MP3 player market with the release of 10 new digital audio players. Chief among the digital audio players unveiled were the YP-F1, a necklace-type wearable player exclusively targeted at female users; a color JPEG image viewer player powered with 20-GB (gigabyte) HDD (hard disk drive), the YH-925; and a motion sensing games-embedded player, YP-T8, in addition to other state-of-the-art MP3 players with memory capacities ranging from 128 megabyte (MB) flash memory to 20-GB HDD and capable of holding up to 5,000 songs, equal to 350 hours of music. “Samsung is already the world’s biggest chip maker. We’ll leverage our dominance in LCD display, chip making and cool-design that our products have come to signify to win market share in Middle East,” J. H. Park, president, Samsung Gulf Electronics, said. “With the launch of our newest range of unique digital audio players we’ll consolidate and grow its MP3 market share to 24 per cent in Middle East. In 2005 we aim to grow our MP3 business by 100 per cent in the region,” he added.
ARAMEX
ARAMEX International, a total transportation solutions provider in the Middle East and the Asian Subcontinent, recently announced details of its sponsorship of Iraq’s National Basketball Federation. An agreement covering the federation and its teams’ participation in regional competitions was signed between ARAMEX Vice President for Near East & North Africa Osama Fattaleh and Iraqi Basketball Federation Secretary General Khaled Nijem, following a press conference in Jordan recently. “We believe this agreement will go a long way in promoting Iraqi sports and basketball in particular. ARAMEX has always supported a wide range of sporting and adventure activities that we believe demonstrate the passion for determination, achievement and ambition that we share,” Fattaleh said.
Merinos Carpet
Merinos Carpet, a major player in the world carpet industry, is expanding its presence across the globe with the launch of a comprehensive international franchise program, choosing Dubai as the launch pad for its trendsetting scheme. Through the establishment of the network, the company hopes to capture a large slice of the international carpet business and spread its operations beyond the Middle East. The company has announced the renewal of its exclusive endorsement agreement with Arab cinema star Hussein Fahmi. “The new developments come at an exciting time for the company that is poised for rapid growth throughout the region and beyond. The new franchise program is expected to fetch the company an additional $100 million,” Merinos Carpet Chairman Ibrahim Erdemoglu said in Dubai. The company claims it commanded over $350 million in worldwide sales last year.
Jotun
“Tough outside, cool inside” is the character of Jotashield Thermo, the thermal insulation and concrete protection paint from Jotun Paints. Jotashield Thermo is the new addition in the Jotashield family and has been recently launched across the Kingdom. Large numbers of renowned consultants and contractors were introduced to the features and benefits of Jotashield Thermo. Painters training on application of Jotashield thermo were also conducted on a launch tour. Jotashield Thermo is one of the products under the umbrella brand of Jotashield.
Pan Gulf Group/ESAB
Pan Gulf Group (Saudi Pan Gulf) has signed a formal agency/dealership agreement with ESAB of Sweden, a manufacturer and supplier of all types of welding equipments and electrodes. ESAB has over 100 years of experience in welding technology. Pan Gulf Group has over 25 years of trading, servicing and manufacturing experience in commodities and equipments related to oil, gas, petrochemical and other construction industries within the region. It has set up a new division within the group called Pan Gulf Welding Solutions to market and service ESAB products and equipments throughout its branches and service teams within the Kingdom.
ARIG
Arab Insurance Group (ARIG) has announced the appointment of Michael North as director-life and medical in its reinsurance division. North, a British national, previously served ARIG as head of finance and actuarial from 1996 to 2000, before which he held several senior positions in the UK’s leading financial services organizations including as director and actuary of Skandia Life Reassurance (UK) Ltd. and head of client services for Provident Mutual Life Assurance Association in the UK. Prior to rejoining ARIG and since August 2000 he served as chief actuary of Ayudhya Allianz CP Life PCL, Thailand. North is a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, a registered actuary with Bahrain Monetary Agency and a Thailand Licensed Actuary.
Jaguar
Drivers of Jaguar S-Type and X-Type cars in Saudi Arabia can now enjoy wireless telephone connection thanks to a Bluetooth technology that has been introduced in these two models, according to Al Saif Motors Ltd., Jaguar’s exclusive importer in the Kingdom. The technology ensures that the driver does not get distracted on the road by routing all calls through the car audio system speakers with the help of a microphone fitted into the roof lining close to the driver’s ears. Once the Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone is “synchronized” with the Jaguar Blue tooth system, the driver can operate the mobile via the steering wheel switches, the audio keypad, or the touch-screen control panel. The driver can also enjoy hands free use of the mobile while it is in his jacket or locked away in the hand luggage, by using voice commands to make and answer calls if the car is fitted with the JaguarVoice activation system as standard.