Jean Claude Farah, director, Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan of Western Union Financial Services Inc., has been promoted as its regional vice president, Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reporting to Hikmet Ersek, senior vice president, Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia in Vienna, Farah will oversee two regional offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Islamabad, Pakistan, managing a team of 26 seasoned professionals, covering 15 countries and over 5000 agent locations. Jean Claude Farah joined Western Union Financial Services in 1999 as marketing manager for Dubai’s office after stints as area manager for Orangina Pernod Ricard, France and assistant marketing manager for Renault. Farah, a French — Lebanese national, obtained an MBA from the Europe School of Management in Paris, France and a BA in Business Administration from St. Joseph University in Lebanon. He has wide experience in business development, strategic planning and marketing. Western Union Services Inc. which is a worldwide leader in money transfer services is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world’s largest money transfer networks with approximately 233,000 agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories.
PANORAMA HOTEL
Saudi Arabia’s efforts, led by the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) to promote tourism and the role of summer festivals in attracting tourists were highlighted by a veteran in the hospitality industry — Maud Hasan Khan, general manager of Panorama Hotel, owned by Mohammed ibn Dahi, in Bur Dubai area of the emirate, during an Umrah visit to the Kingdom. “The efforts, under the umbrella of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, are bound to pay off,” Khan, who has been with Panorama for 10 years out of the 26 years in the industry in the UAE, told Arab News in Jeddah recently. “Panorama is a small hotel, with family atmosphere, and a branch in Deira. The hotel in Bur Dubai has 70 rooms, including suites, and Deira branch has 60 rooms. Because of Dubai Summer Surprises, we are having 100 percent occupancy, and the other hotels too are doing very well,” Khan said elaborating on the significance of festivals, events and activities. “A lot of our guests are from Saudi Arabia. They are among the big tourist contributors to the economy,” he added.
INJAZAT TECHNOLOGY FUND
Injazat Technology Fund, the premier venture capital firm in the MENA region, has announced it has strategically exited its investment in Raya Holding, the largest IT holding company in Egypt, operating across the Middle East and Africa. This was announced by Hussein Rifai, CEO of Injazat Technology Fund. Injazat Technology Fund had invested $5.0 million in February 2003 in Raya for a 6.79 percent stake in the company and on exit has yielded a high return of over 40 percent. This investment was essentially to fund the growth and development of several business units within Raya, in particular the Mobile Distribution business, Internet Service Provider (ISP) business and IT Integration and Services business. In a strategic move prior to the IPO being floated by Raya Holdings, Injazat Technology Fund chose to exit in the offering.
MARCONI MIDDLE EAST
Marconi Middle East has announced the appointment of Bryan Simms as the new regional managing director. Bryan will take up his appointment in Riyadh on Sept. 1. Bryan is no stranger to the Gulf region having spent time in Saudi Arabia as the general manager for Marconi Middle East managing a number of highly successful projects. “Bryan’s appointment better reflects the service nature of our Middle East Business and our continuing commitment to all our customers within the region. This appointment will allow Marconi Middle East to work closely with our key customers in providing support, advice and technical excellence for our Plan, Build and Operate portfolio. Bryan brings with him a wealth of telecommunications experience and the spirit to enhance our long-term commitment to our key customers. Bryan’s main focus will be on furthering the depth of our services ability, where Marconi Middle East will be able to drive increased business opportunities across the region.” said Fadhil Alibrahim, chairman, Marconi Middle East.
PANASONIC
Panasonic, the world’s leading manufacturer of consumer electronics, brings Middle East camera buffs the fully loaded 5-megapixel, 3x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom with LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens DMC LUMIX -FX8. The camera has Panasonic’s unique MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) that automatically compensates for handshake while shooting, resulting in clear, defined images even by non-professionals. Panasonic is the first in the industry to have succeeded in incorporating MEGA O.I.S. into a compact digital camera. The latest model of Panasonic’s Lumix digital still camera range; the FX8 provides extended battery life thanks to a Lithium Ion battery and the Venus Engine PLUS which minimizes power consumption.