DUBAI, 29 June 2006 — Air Miles, the Middle East’s multi-participant coalition loyalty program, will expand its partner network to more than 160 brands by the year-end, as it rolls out its regional expansion program. Having already added 12 new partners in Qatar, Air Miles expects to sign up a further 35 brands in the GCC as it prepares to launch in Bahrain later this year. In addition, at least three anchor brands are expected to join the program in the UAE. “The expansion of our participant portfolio reflects the impressive growth of the Middle East’s retail segment and highlights the confidence our customers have in Air Miles,” said Dave Battiston, CEO, Rewards Management Middle East (RMMEL), the company behind Air Miles in the region.
Honeywell Wins Systems Contract
ABU DHABI, 29 June 2006 — Honeywell announced yesterday that it has been awarded a Process Automation Systems contract for new and existing petrochemical plants to be operated by EQUATE Petrochemical Company KSC at a petrochemical site in Shuaiba, Kuwait. The announced Olefins II Project between Dowii and PIC will create several new plants for the production of ethylene and ethylene derivatives, which will also be operated by EQUATE. Under the agreement, Honeywell will install its Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) automation platform for operation of the new plants, and will migrate existing legacy TotalPlant Systems at the EQUATE plants to Experion PKS.
Maktoob.Com Partners With BBC
DUBAI, 29 June 2006 — Maktoob.com announced yesterday that it has partnered with the world’s largest broadcasting organization, BBC, as part of a newly launched online news service for the Maktoob’s millions of Arab visitors. “Maktoob.com is pleased to partner with BBC which will help us in enriching our newly launched news section with the latest breaking news. This alliance, which combines the strengths of the BBC’s global network and Maktoob.com’s huge regional presence, will result in a first-rate news service for our readers,” said Ahmed Nassef, general manager of Maktoob.com.
BenQ Launches Six Projectors
DUBAI, 29 June 2006 — Digital lifestyle leader BenQ has launched six projectors to consolidate its leadership of the digital display technology market in the Middle East. Headlining the range is the CP120, the world’s smallest projector that weighs only 1.3 kg and delivers brightness of 1,500 lumens and a contrast ratio of 2000:1. The CP 220 is another light weight model that weighs just 1.8 kilograms and packs a lot of power, delivering a projected image rated with an exceptional brightness of 2200 ANSI lumens, making for presentations that are easily viewable, even in brightly lit rooms.
Polygon Plans Global Expansion
DUBAI, 29 June 2006 — Polygon, the jewelry industry’s largest B2B Internet marketplace, announced on Tuesday the beginning of its global expansion, with new offices opened in Dubai, Bombay and Shenzhen, China. Polygon’s international initiative is a joint venture with the Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC), a Dubai government initiative. As part of the expansion, Jacques Voorhees, founder of Polygon, was named chairman.