King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and Intel Corporation have opened an Energy Competency Laboratory located at KFUPM in Dhahran. The lab, part of Dhahran Technology Valley, will lay the foundation for a specialized center in oil, gas and petrochemicals applications and software, and will receive contributions from a number of specialized companies. The move aims to reinforce ongoing cooperation between the University and Intel Corporation as part of Intel’s Digital Transformation initiative in the Middle East. The inauguration took place in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Omar Budair, vice rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research; and Alaa Abunijem, strategic relations manager for the energy sector for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, at Intel Corporation.
PR CONGRESS
Public Relations Congress 2006, described as the a premier annual conference for the Middle East’s PR industry, will bring together leading regional and international experts and professionals to deliberate on the latest thinking and best practices in the field at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai from Sept. 17 to 20. The first two days of the congress will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions where an impressive line-up of 30 leading international and regional PR, media and corporate marketing communications professionals will share their forward thinking approaches and best practices in PR and marketing communications. The discussions will highlight issues such as trends, influences, challenges and development of the regional PR industry, media relations, campaign strategies, crisis management, corporate social responsibility and winning and retaining clients.
WESTERN DIGITAL
Western Digital Corp., a major worldwide hard disk drive manufacturer, recently held an event in Egypt to mark the 20th anniversary of its partnership with North Africa Company (NAC), a WD distributor in Egypt. About 240 WD resellers from all over Egypt, notably from Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor attended the event. “NAC’s wide distribution network and market knowledge have been crucial to our continued success in Egypt. We’re delighted to celebrate together with NAC the 20th anniversary of our alliance,” Boral Al-Tarifi, marketing manager Middle East & Africa, WD, said. “It’s a matter of great satisfaction to us that we were able to contribute to WD’s growth over the years, and we remain committed to further build in this mutually beneficial partnership in the coming years,” Dr. Hatem El-Sayed, CEO, NAC, said.
PORSCHE
In the new model year, which begins on Aug. 1, Porsche’s Boxster and Boxster S will be given more power and torque. Both these mid-engined sports cars will then offer even better road performance and low fuel consumption. The optional Tiptronic S transmission and the Sport Chrono package have been given additional functions. The 2.7-liter Boxster engine now develops an additional 5 bhp, bringing the total to 245 bhp. Torque has increased to 273 Nm, available form 4,600 rpm. Fuel consumption is now 9.3 liters per 100 km, a reduction of 0.31/a00 km. The Boxster accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 258 km/h. With the optional six-speed gearbox, 260 km/h can be achieved. The Boxer S engine, which has been increased in size from 3.2 to 3.4 liters, develops 295 bhp at 6,250 rpm — 15 bhp more than its predecessor — and 340 Nm of torque.
BNP PARIBAS
BNP PARIBAS’ ECEP (Energy Commodities Export Project) Finance, Paris and Bahrain, has been recognized as the “best project finance bank of the year in the Middle East” at the 20067 Euromoney Award for Excellence Middle East in Doha. “The award from Euromoney once again reiterates our status as the pioneering financial institution for project finance regionally and globally. The award will further strengthen our already established position in this category, especially in ECEP,” Jean-Christophe Durand of BNP Paribas Bahrain said. The bank’s ECEP division offers a comprehensive range of financing and coverage solutions to professionals operating in raw materials and energy sectors. Because of its worldwide network, ECEP provides a wide array of products from short-term trade finance to medium and long-term credits, from simple transactions to multi-sourcing and structured financial solutions.
LAND ROVER
Land Rover’s new premium strategy is proving to be a great success with 2005 witnessing the best sales performance in the company’s history and first quarter of 2006 equally positive with Middle East sales almost doubling with 86 percent increase over the previous year. Keeping up this positive momentum, Land Rover is all set to captivate the vibrant Middle East automotive market with the introduction of another new model, the LR2. Positioned as a premium compact SUV model, the LR2 offers luxury features combined with outstanding performance, dynamic design and an abundance of advanced technologies. The new LR2 will be Land Rover’s fourth new vehicle in a series of launches that have marked a new era in the history of the brand — an era where Land Rover has witnessed the arrival of highest number of new products and technologies.
MAJAN GULF
At a signing ceremony held on Sunday, Majan Gulf Properties (MGP), the first Omani real estate Company, tied up with International Gulf Development and Contracting Company (IGDC) to bring to life the 1 million square meter “Sohar Residential and Commercial Project” in the Wilayat of Sohar. The signing ceremony was held with the support of Dr. Rajiha Bint Abdul Ameer ibn Ali, minister of tourism. The project includes the “Al-Bustan” Furnished Deluxe Apartment Complex and the “Residential Villa Compounds.” These projects designed and to be developed by Majan Gulf Properties, represent the first major project of its kind in the Industrial Wilayat, Sohar and comprise commercial, industrial and residential components, which are located in Sohar. “Wilayat Sohar occupies a strategic 45 km open sea gate on the Gulf of Oman and was chosen by the government to be developed into a main industrial bay materialized by the 200 square kilometers industrial city unique by its diversified industry — refineries, petrochemicals, metal and aluminum,” Mohammad Al-Marzougi, CEO, Majan Gulf Properties (MGP) said.