The popular home appliance supplier LG Electronics and its partner in Saudi Arabia, United Yousef M. Naghi, opened a new showroom in Riyadh yesterday in Olayah district. The showroom was jointly opened by Park Soo Heum, Asia — vice president and business united leader of LCD & TV at LG Electronics and Ammar Naghi, president of United Yousef “This showroom is yet another culmination of the success of our relationship with United Yousef M. Naghi,” said Heum, pointing out that this the 14th showroom in the Kingdom and six more will be opened during the course of this year. “We are extremely happy to have United Yousef M. Naghi as our partners in the huge market of Saudi Arabia,” added Heum. “Their outstanding efforts in bringing our products to the consumers is the key to our success.” Detailing the features of the new showroom Ammar Naghi, said all the LG products can be found under one roof in the spacious showroom.
REDTAG
RedTag the new family fashion and home store was scheduled to open at Al-Othaim Mall, Khurais, Riyad0h and Dana Mall, Yanbu, yesterday. This will be the second Red Tag showroom to open in Riyadh and first in Yanbu. Red Tag is a new concept store by Jazirat S’maa Fashion Co., Ltd. a member of Faisal Al-Suwaiket group of companies. The layout of the new 19,000-square-foot store has been designed to meet the latest retailing standards and includes a coffee shop where customers can enjoy a free cup of coffee while they’re shopping.
MAGRABI
Saudi Council for Health Specialties signed an agreement with Magrabi Eye & Ear Hospital recognizing it as a training center for Saudi physicians who wish to join the Saudi Board for Ophthalmology. Dr. Hussain Al-Furaihi, chairman of the council, and Mutasim Alireza, the managing director of Magrabi Hospitals & Centers, signed this agreement at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh. During this four-year training period, physicians will receive theoretical and clinical training, which will qualify them to enter the Saudi Ophthalmology Board Exams. Dr. Mohamed Alaa, medical director & director of continuing medical education at Magrabi Hospitals & Centers, stated that this agreement came after the Saudi Council for Health Specialties, acknowledged that Magrabi posses the resources, qualified and experienced medical staff capable of implementing this training program successfully and in line with the highest international standards. In the meantime, Dr. Walid Al-Turki, Magrabi chief of staff and board member, confirmed that Magrabi will bear all expenses pertaining to this program, as this perfectly fits in with our mission, to be active in the community in any way possible in order to promote and improve the level of eye care in the region.
RAWABI HOLDING
In its continuous efforts to support and sponsor local economic forums, Rawabi Holding took part in the 9th Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), 2008. Rawabi Holding was a golden sponsor of this event. The benefits that Rawabi will gain by being part of such Forums “is a potential chance to communicate and share experiences with the outside world”, says Chairman and CEO Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Turki. “These forums expose us to today’s advanced economic ideas and theories and help us learn from them.” Al-Turki said. “Forums like JEF introduces the world to Saudi Arabia, illustrates the country’s economic strengths, and provides us with more business opportunities.” Rawabi Holding Group has been operating in the Middle East for over thirty years as one of the leading industrial players in the region. Rawabi is the sole agent and distributor of more than 40 prominent and internationally recognized service/manufacturing companies.
ZAHID VOLVO CARS
Zahid Volvo Cars yesterday unveiled a sporty two-door car at La Promenade-2 center in Jeddah, which gives a strong indication of the design of the exciting, new Volvo C30 model, which was launched at the Paris Motor Show recently. The C30 design concept has a compact, sporty design with two doors, four individual seats and a distinctive glass tailgate. The Volvo C30 can be fitted with four- and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, from 1.6 to 2.5 liters. Engines available in the Middle East will be the 1.6, 2.4i and 2.5 liters Turbo Charged Engine (T5). Majid T. Zahid, Western Region branch manager for Zahid Automotive Division, said, “With C30, Volvo has focused primarily on singles, or couples without children who see the car as an entertainment tool for keeping up with their active lifestyles,” adding that “for Saudi Arabia we feel with young population, C30 will meet the expectations of this segment who love to have new trend and lifestyle.”
ORBIT
Orbit Communications Company has now adopted the IRDETO conditional access system in addition to its current Nagra based proprietary platform. “Launching the Irdeto platform places Orbit at the forefront of the Pay-TV industry in the MENA region providing millions of households affordable, easy and quick access to the best TV entertainment the world has to offer,” Said Ali Ajouz, Orbit’s vice president, marketing, and distribution. Orbit can now be watched on the same satellite receivers as all other satellite pay-TV networks in the MENA region. To enjoy Orbit’s programming the majority of subscribers will only need a Smart Card based subscription which is now available throughout the region from Orbit’s own network of showrooms and authorized dealers.
S&A. ABAHSAIN CO. LTD.
To meet the growing demand in the GCC region, a leading Saudi company has agreed on a joint venture with a US company to construct a plant to produce 1 million tons of soda ash annually in the western part of the Kingdom. An agreement to construct the plant in two phases was signed last week in Jeddah between S&A. Abahsain Co. Ltd. of Saudi Arabia and General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners of the United States. The proposed plant will utilize the Solvay process to reach a production capacity of 500K MT on completion of its first phase. “The first phase is scheduled to commence production during in 2010. Raw materials such as salt, limestone, and energy will be supplied from local sources,” Abdullah Salih Abahsain, president of Abahsain Company said. “S&A Abahsain currently supplies approximately 90 percent of the estimated 350K MT per year regional soda ash demand through a buy/resale agreement, “Syed Khawaja Maqsood, the company’s managing director said.
NCB
To keep its costumer informed about the latest changes and developments in policies and regulations related to foreign trade, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) recently held a seminar on foreign trade for Savola Company employees in which more than 30 staff members participated. Amin Afifi, NCB corporate banking sector head, pointed out that these courses aimed to familiarize the client with the latest developments in international policies for Credit documentation, issued by the International Chamber of Commerce. It also aims to allow the exchange of views and information between bank officials and clients in order to provide the best level of service, to keep in pace with the rapid and constant progress witnessed by the banking industry and to meet customers expectations. Afifi said that these seminars are based on the bank’s strategy which places the customer as its first priority and that it was an extension of the periodic seminars which the bank is keen on holding in all region. Ali BaMinif, NCB trade service center adviser, gave a lecture on the advantages and risks of types of documentary credits, types of documentary collection and bank warranties.
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
Samsung Electronics announced yesterday its strategic focus on the music phone category with the launch of Elissa as its 2008 music category brand ambassador and the launch of the company’s newest music phone that meets the needs and tastes of all music lovers on the move. Samsung unveiled its flagship in the music category for 2008; the Impulz i450, a music-dedicated phone that brings both attractive dual-slider design and various multimedia features to Samsung’s impressive 2008 mobile phones lineup. Also, the unique i450 package showcases 3 of Elissa’s hit singles Ayami Bik, Bastanak and Moush Kiteer Aaleik offered to Samsung phones for a period of 1 year. “It is my pleasure to be Samsung Mobiles’ brand ambassador for its music category. My partnership with Samsung is an ideal synergy with a brand that truly appreciates the importance of music in people’s lives,” said Elissa. “The Impulz i450 is a great phone; its advanced features make it easier for my fans to listen to my music wherever they go” commented Elissa on the new Impulz i450. S.B. Kim president of Samsung Gulf Electronics commented: “We are thrilled to be working with an internationally and locally acclaimed artist such as Elissa and we are looking forward to our year ahead together.”