FAKEEH HOSPITAL SIGNS DEAL
Jeddah’s Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH) on Sunday signed an agreement with Abbott Worldwide for upgrading its diagnostic laboratory services. Dr. Fakeeh, a consultant in medicine and endocrinology, signed the contract with Amin O. Al-Sanousi, general manager of Mediserv, Abbott’s approved agent in the Kingdom, for the purchase of lab equipment and devices worth more than SR22 million. Abbott’s automated system accelerator (APS) uses the latest software, which automatically analyzes up to 1,500 samples per hour and ensures more accurate results, said Fakeeh who is also the chairman of the board of trustees of DSF College of Nursing and Medical Science and of the executive committee of Fakeeh Complementary Health care, a company specialized in health care products and services in the Middle East and North Africa. “DSFH thus is the first private hospital in the Middle East to employ the latest technology in medical laboratory diagnostic, which has multiple services that can be increased as needed to create integrated solutions compatible with the need of present and future labs. The APS device is an alternative to manual steps more commonly used in science labs in the regions,” he added. DSFH, which began with 100 beds in 1978, has consistently increased its bed-strength, which stands at 600 now, said Dr. Fakeeh, who has published papers in various medical journals.
STC SHARE PRICE
The recently concluded deals and acquisitions by Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) generated strong interest among leading financial institutions which resulted in the publication of positive economic reports highlighting Saudi Telecom’s strong market position and future outlook. In 2007, STC embarked on a program of strategic investments outside the Kingdom. STC acquired 25 percent of Maxis in Malaysia, 51 percent of NTS in Indonesia, won the third mobile license in Kuwait, and purchased 35 percent of Oger Telecom. Calyon Bank, one of the leading global financial institutions and the largest in Europe, published recently a report on the company’s performance indicated that the fair share price for STC should be at SR87 which represents a 24 percent increase on the actual price. This indicates that the purchase of STC’s current stock is a viable investment.
SIEMENS LAUNCHES GIGASET
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices (SHC) yesterday launched its Gigaset cordless phones and broadband devices that are now eco friendly and energy saving. “SHC is migrating most of its Gigaset cordless phones and broadband devices to ECO DECT and ECO Broadband. These products, which bear a special logo, are particularly energy-efficient and have numerous functions, which enable the variable reduction of transmission power. “This move is part of SHC’s continuing environmental program, a concept that is implemented not just in its products, but throughout the company — including its production site in Bocholt, Germany,” Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui, director sales at Dubai-based information and communication mobile cordless products regional headquarters, said at the launch. “The energy-saving package ensures that power consumption is significantly reduced across all price classes of ECO DECT cordless phones and ECO Broadband products,” Jan Thiele, Siemens director sales for MEA and India, said. A key aspect of this is the use of new switched-mode power supplies that consume 60 percent less power than conventional linear power supplies. Display optimization, an intelligent battery charging management system and ECO DECT functions ensure that Gigaset cordless phones use less power, enabling far longer standby and talk times, he said. There is a strong demand for these phones in the Kingdom, Yaser A. Abdulwahed, sales and marketing director at Ahmed Abdulwahed Trading Co., partner of SHC in the Kingdom, said. “With six new cities coming up, demand for such cordless hones from homes and offices will continue to rise,” he said.
CAYAN, AMLAK IN AGREEMENT
Cayan Investment & Development has signed an agreement with Amlak International, the first specialized home finance provider in the UAE and lately in Saudi Arabia. This agreement will entitle Cayan purchasers to put a minor down payment and use the finance over the next few years. Cayan already has an agreement with Amlak International for all its properties in Dubai. Cayan Chairman Ahmed Al-Hatti said: “We are proud to announce our collaboration with Amlak International. Our aim is to serve our clients by providing the finance facilities that will assist buyers in acquiring their dream home or office in an exquisite project such as Lamar.” Lamar, the first high rise development in Jeddah with its location on the Red Sea coastline, offers residential, commercial and retail space plus a spa, all as part of one development. The groundwork on this seven-star luxury project has started and will be completed by the end of 2010 with the cost totaling around SR3 billion. Amlak International Chairman Abdullah Al-Huwaish said: “We are proud to have an agreement with a leading developer as Cayan Investment & Development. This will permit Amlak to fulfill its vision of making its customers at the centre of its innovations in order to make a difference to the world around it in a positive and fulfilling manner.” This agreement will offer leading Islamic home financing solutions to Lamar purchasers in compliance with the Shariah principles paving the way for clients to own their own freehold property in Lamar.
UIB OPENS NEW STORES
United International Business (UIB) has opened three new stores — “Diesel”, “Camper” and “Samuel & Cevin” — at Jeddah’s newly opened Red Sea Mall. UIB’s quality products have proved popular among Saudis and GCC customers, according to its Sales Manager Hisham Bedeer. “We, at UIB, part of the Bajery Global Group, always seek to reach various categories of consumers in different regions of the Kingdom and the rest of the Gulf. We are, therefore, careful in opening our stores at different locations so that our activity is not limited to one region or city,” Bedeer said. 2008 will witness the opening of 15 new stores across the Kingdom under the company’s expansion plan. These stores will display 32 famous brands from Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Germany, East Asia, China, India, Japan and Korea, he added. With the new stores, UIB operates more than 57 stores spread across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
NAKHEEL
Brilliant minds representing 70 nations will converge for the 2008 World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2008 WSIE) in Dubai from April 1-3. Designed to foster innovation, development and peace in emerging nations, WSIE is organized by the Global Leadership Team (GLT) and exclusively presented by Nakheel, one of the world’s largest real estate developers and part of Dubai World. More than 800 delegates are expected over the three days of innovation theaters, interactive workshops and thematic experiences to build a foundation for increased innovation. “Our goal is to inspire collaboration among leaders from all walks of life to use innovation as the catalyst for development and peace worldwide,” said Sam Hamdan, chairman and chief strategist for the Global Leadership Team and the architect of the WSIE.
UAAC WINS CONTRACT
United Arab Aluminum Co. (UAAC) has won a SR120 million contract for installing aluminum and glass facades at the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) and aims to complete the work in record time. UAAC, a subsidiary of Construction Products Holding Company (CPC), has the most advanced aluminum and glass factory in the Gulf, equipped with the latest European production line. The contract is for installing aluminum and glass facades in the university, residential and public service buildings. “We aim to complete the work within nine months, a record time as classified by the work program of Saudi Aramco that is managing the construction,” said Dr. Faysal Alaquil, CPC director of business development.