Representatives of the ministries of higher education and the secondary schools in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Saudi Arabia recently visited Bahrain on an invitation by the Medical University of Bahrain, a subsidiary of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, according to a MUB press statement. The guests met the faculty members and students of the university and toured around the MUB premises in Seef. Students coming from various countries including the GCC states study at the medical university. A new campus for the university, which is expected to become an international medical center in the region, is underway close to the King Hamad General Hospital. The new premises will have centers for cardiac treatment and surgery, cancer treatment, mental diseases and rehabilitation, neurology, ophthalmology, and infertility clinic apart from a five-star hotel and amusement and commercial centers.
AJVA
Al-Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. (AJVA), the Kingdom’s Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer, recently launched the new 2006 Ford Explorer. The model is now available across AJVA branches in two versions — XLS and XLT. The “world’s best-selling SUV” has seen a 25 percent increase in its 2005 Middle Eastern sales, and is well on track for another successful year with 35 percent growth in the first quarter over last year. Globally, the Explorer has been the world’s best selling SUV for the last 15 years. It has sold over 5.5 million units to date, leading to high expectations for the 2006 model. “The Explorer has been one of our best sellers, and we’re confident that the new model will enjoy instant popularity here,” said AJVA’s President Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Fahad Al Kraidees.
GIORDANO
To enter “Design Your Own Jeans” contest at Giordano, one just needs to submit self-designed denim to any of the company’s 39 outlets in Saudi Arabia, along with full contact details. “The contest gives jeans lovers a chance to express their creativity and come up with new designs to make denim more attractive,” said Hani Abdul Aziz Saab, director general, Textile and Garments Co. Ltd. (TAGS), the exclusive distributor of Giordano for Saudi Arabia. The contest is on till May 21 and Giordano will select three winners every week. Best three designers will win cash prizes of SR1,500, SR1,000 and SR500. “Winners will also have the privilege of seeing their jeans displayed at Giordano stores, as the designs will be sold through our select shops,” Giordano GM M.A.K Jeelani said.
BURGER KING
Burger King (BK) has launched yet another campaign in Saudi Arabia. This time, it is “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown,” a promotion that will reintroduce the familiar characters in addition to a number of equally interesting new ones. It opened recently in theaters around the world. With Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth, Diego the saber-toothed tiger and their three new friends — Ellie the only surviving female mammoth and her two troublemaking possum friends — the children will experience with the Ice Age 2: The Meltdown gang their adventurous and fun-filled survival journey. What’s more, upon purchase of a Kid’s Meal at BK restaurants, children will be able to take home imaginative souvenir toys to treasure their favorite characters, said BK Middle East GM Samer Khawashki.
TETRA PAK
A latest acquisition by Al-Othman Group of PET pre-form factory in Jeddah is designed to strengthen the group’s position on GCC markets. A new company named Al-Othman UltraPak was formed on May 1 to manage production and marketing of pre-forms. Al-Othman Group brings to the business a vast experience through its subsidiary companies that are in the business of plastic packaging for over 25 years. The PET pre-form factory acquisition is a result of a sound business history between Al-Othman and Tetra Pak Saudi Arabia who developed and operated the PET pre-form factory for the last nine years. The newly established company will be operating from the same premises in Jeddah, Warehouse City, said Al-Othman Group CEO Abdulmohsen M. Al-Othman.
SAUDIA
More than 8,000 visitors took a closer look at Saudi Arabian Airlines at the recently held Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai during the four-day exhibition. The Kingdom’s national carrier is getting ready for a bigger presence in 2007 after the stunning success here this year. In line with the general strategy to promote tourism in the Kingdom, the airline’s pavilion also showcased the Kingdom’s various tourism attractions using touch-screen technology, giving visitors a personalized experience with the Kingdom. Dr. Khaled Ben-Bakr, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines greeted the announcement of Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) to issue tourist visas and the licensing of tourist operations and tour guides in the Kingdom. “This decision will definitely support the tourism industry and is considered a main asset to the economy,” he added. “Saudi Arabian Airlines is committed to working in close partnership with SCT in order to provide the best possible services to inbound tourists giving them the opportunity to learn more about the Kingdom in order to meet their expectations,” Ben-Bakr said.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Major global payments company American Express has appointed ASDA’A Public Relations to manage its corporate communications and PR across Saudi Arabia, GCC, Levant and North Africa region. The appointment, which follows a five-way competitive pitch in March, reflects the new thrust in American Express operations across the region and its focus on brand evolution and reach. Both Amex (Saudi Arabia) Ltd. (ASAL) and American Express Middle East (AEME) will use the PR company’s services. While ASAL will continue to work with Horizon.FCB for above-the-line (ATL) and continue its long standing relationship with Ogilvy One for below-the-line (BTL) advertising requirements, it has chosen ASDA’A for its regional expertise in PR consultancy.