Dubai Summer Surprises 2006, (DSS 2006), the annual summer event, will be held in Dubai from June 21 to Sept. 1. Announcing the forthcoming event at a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh yesterday, Khalid Ibrahim Ibn Nassar, executive, overseas promotion of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai, said the event would flag off with a slogan “Big Fun for Little Ones.” The event promises fun for not just the youngsters but for the entire family. “The success of the event can be gauged from the dramatic increase in visitors and sales over the years,” Nassar said.” The inaugural year of 1998 attracted more than 600,000 visitors while sales were AED850 million. Since then the DSS visitor numbers have annually increased, reflecting the event’s popularity.”

VISA

Consumers around the world continue to turn to their Visa debit and prepaid cards over cash and checks. At the Visa International Global Debit Forum held recently in Prague, Visa announced the most recent figures on consumer debit and prepaid card usage, which represented 53 percent of total Visa sales and cash volumes. Significantly, consumer debit and prepaid purchases at the point of sale, excluding cash transactions such as ATM withdrawals, totaled more than $1.1 trillion. The growth in purchases, which was 19 percent year-over-year, demonstrates the growing preference for debit payments for everyday transactions. “Debit represents a major growth driver around the world, as Visa cardholders see the benefits and convenience of using debit products,” said Visa’s EVP Gaylon Howe.

SONY ERICSSON

The evolution of Sony Ericsson’s successful Walkman phone range has taken another step forward with the announcement of the UMTS enabled W850. “Sony Ericsson’s first GSM/UMTS “slider,” the W850 has been uniquely combined with the full horizontal mode camera experience and the latest Walkman player 2.0 for easy music download,” Husni El-Assi, GM, Sony Ericsson, Middle East & Africa, said. Available in precious black or golden white, the phone has an attention grabbing “heartbeat illumination” feature to light up the control keys in rhythm with your music. Visually stunning and tactile to use this phone is not just about good looks. “It also offers fast music downloads direct to the handset and enables our users to listen to what they want, wherever they are.”

UPC

As part of its commitment to its South African shareholders, United Properties Company (UPC) joined the South African Consulate General in Jeddah in celebrating South Africa’s national day recently. “With Old Mutual Properties’ support and collaboration, we hope to come up with prosperous and exciting new projects in the Kingdom,” UPC CEO Mark Ruffley said. Old Mutual Properties, a subsidiary of Old Mutual PLC, a London-listed financial services group, whose activities reach across Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia provides property solutions through highly skilled professional teams that engage in project based partnerships. “United Properties treasures your partnership and celebrates your country,” he told South Africans.

GERMAN FESTIVAL

Crowne Plaza Jeddah’s German festival, which ended over the weekend after a 10-day run, turned out to be a big draw among both Saudis and expatriates. “Have a Taste of Germany” was the theme of the festival that opened in the presence of German Consul General Dr. Hubert Lang. The festival, with Executive Chef Christof Egli offering authentic German dishes, succeeded in providing the right ambiance in the context of the World Cup scheduled in Germany within two weeks, said hotel General Manager Thomas Schmelter. The hotel, which boasts many themed restaurants, enabled people of all ages and places to savor Germany’s flair for food at the gastronomic event, said Mohammed Al-Amoudi, director of public relations and government affairs at the hotel.

MBC

MBC Group has introduced “MBC Maghreb Al-Arabi” to the viewers in the Maghreb region. Now, MBC1’s program grid is dedicated to the viewers of the region. A special feed of the channel has been launched and will broadcast free to air on Hotbird, a move, which will enable a far greater number of viewers in the region to be entertained by the channel. The announcement is the beginning of an effort on the part of MBC that is contemplating various ideas for the region in the future, which could go more than just mere satellite broadcasting. “MBC Maghreb Al-Arabi” is a demonstration of our dedication to Arab viewers wherever they may be, from Mashreq to Maghreb and beyond,” said Mohammed Al-Mulhem, MBC Group director of marketing, PR and commercial.

LG

LG Electronics and United Yousef M. Naghi Electronics Company have launched a new line-up of wireless and wired home cinema systems with innovative features to boost the audio-video experience. The new 751 series DVD Home Theatre System (HTS) is equipped with the USB host feature & wireless impressive floor standing, Tall Boy speakers. With a total RMS output of 700 watts, the speakers produce incredible surround sound. The unit also has a built-in Dolby Digital/ DTS/Dolby Prologic II decoder and an X-class fully digital amplifier. C. K. Cho, LG general manager for Saudi Arabia, said that LG was the only manufacturer to introduce the USB host wireless home theater system in the region. There is a tremendous growth for Home Entertainment systems & high tech AV products.

SNAS/DHL

SNAS/DHL, an express and logistics company, has opened its new state-of-the-art express center in Abha. The refurbishment and relocation of the Abha center reaffirms SNAS/DHL’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom and heralds further expansion of capacity and investment amid a boom in the Saudi express and logistics market. The strategy was announced at a ceremony held at the opening of the new center on the Abha-Khamis Mushayt highway. SNAS/DHL Saudi Arabia’s Country Manager David Wilson and Sales & Marketing Manager Paul Chader were among those present. Other senior management executives present included Sales Manager Ayman Kasem and Abraham Tibu, station supervisor, Abha. The company proposes to execute a series of major initiatives in 2006.

HEP

Al-Harbi Educational Projects Co. (HEP), an affiliate of Al-Harbi Holding Group, is sponsoring the first two-day Saudi Engineering Forum from tomorrow. Fahad Abdullah Al-Harbi, deputy chairman of Al Harbi Holding Group, said that the forum themed “Engineering education in 2020 and the industry requirements” would discuss the Kingdom’s future requirement of human resources and also the vision of engineering and professional education development. “The focus will be on qualifying professionals and technicians in the private sector to be employed in different areas of economic activities, as there are about seven million non-Saudis who work across the Kingdom,” Al-Harbi said and highlighted the importance of conducting programs and activities for the Saudi youth.

DSCA

Five of the most exclusive mobile phones in the world were auctioned in Riyadh recently. The proceeds were donated to Down Syndrome Charitable Association (DSCA). The mobile phones were Motorola RAZR V3 “Liquid Gold” designed by Italian designers Dolce and Gabbana. A young anonymous Saudi businessman, who is in the process of launching a new handset retail business in the Kingdom, funded the event, said Rania Murad, the spokesperson for the company. “We’re delighted to be supporting DSCA, as it is a great charity doing wonderful work throughout the Kingdom. “It was a great auction and we’re happy with the money raised,” said Nawal Baraja, PR coordinator for DSCA. The Saudi businessman also handed over a “huge” check to the DSCA. The demand for the phone was phenomenal, as women bidders made offers for the exclusive pieces of designer technology. Only 1,000 units of the phone are said to be available worldwide, some of them owned by top celebrities.