FERRARI
Ferrari and Fast auto Technics revealed the prancing horse’s new California in Jeddah on Sunday night. This coupe-cabriolet, which made its international debut at the Paris Motorshow, was unveiled to an exclusive gathering of Ferrari customers and media. The Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its concept inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past, the 1957 250 California, a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has, over the years, come to symbolize not only superior sportiness and performance but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication.
FORTUNE (EP7)
Fortune Promoseven Bahrain has named a new general manager, according to Middle East Communication Network (MCN) Chairman Akram Miknas. Ehab Yusuf Lori is the new GM for the Bahrain operation of Fortune Promoseven (FP7). FP7 claims to be the largest advertising agency in the region with 17 offices in 15 countries covering the entire Middle East and North Africa. Ehab joined the group in the early 90’s after his return from the United States having graduated from California State University, Fullerton. Since then he has held several senior positions. More recently, Ehab set up the LOWE MENA Bahrain branch as a managing partner.
SAMBA
Samba Financial Group has been named “Best Bank for Risk Management in the Middle East in 2009” by Global Finance Magazine, in the context of its annual treasury and cash management awards. Samba was chosen for the award by a panel consisting of the magazines’ editors, with input from industry analysts, corporate executives and consultants. Various subjective and objective criteria were used to select the winners. Key factors considered included: profitability; market share and reach; customer service; competitive pricing; product innovation; and the extent to which treasury and cash management banks have successfully differentiated themselves from their competitors around core treasury and cash management service provision. Eisa M. Al Eisa, MD and CEO, Samba, said this accolade demonstrated once again the strength of the Bank’s treasury and cash management performance.
BMG
BMG Financial Group has announced being a competitive sponsor of the third Global Competitive Forum, which ends today in Riyadh after a three-day run, with the support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and organized by Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Basil Al-Ghalayini, chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group, said: “The GCF has gained an international importance, since it is held under the patronage of King Abdullah, and having a participation of 100 speakers from various governments, multinational companies, thinkers and Olympic winners. In addition, Saudi Arabia now plays an important role in the financial world and is attracting many foreign investors who seek to expand their investments in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Gulf.
NASAIR
Three new aircraft recently joined the nasair fleet. The carrier currently has 11 new and modern aircraft. The arrival of the new 110-seat Embraer 190 aircraft coincides with the activation of National Air Services (NAS Holding) total component support agreement with Lufthansa Technik that involves Embraer 190 spare parts support all around the world, according to Sulaiman Abdullah Al-Hamdan, CEO, NAS Holding. Al-Hamdan said Embraer 190 powered by General Electric engines is currently considered one of the most efficient and reliable aircraft in the industry. He added that this aircraft has a proven record of high performance and safety, and major international airlines have already signed contracts to buy it confirming its strong presence in the aviation industry.
POINT ZERO
Point Zero, a Canadian brand, has unveiled its first retail space to carry the brand’s name in Saudi Arabia by ZAHID-TREC. The retail phenomenon is located at La Promenade I Center on Tahlia Street in Jeddah. Retail is something new for the international brand that originated in Montreal, Canada. Currently, Point Zero has successfully opened two stores in Montreal and several Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Dubai and Kuwait with Romania, Russia, Qatar and Syria in the near future. The idea behind opening retail boutiques is to be able to feature everything that Point Zero’s name has to offer in one space. “Basically a one stop shopping destination, Point Zero allows you to be dressed from head to toe,” the company said. ZAHID-TREC plans to open its second Point Zero retail boutique in at Sahara Mall in Riyadh and a third one at Serafi Megamall by spring 2009.
AMEX/ETIHAD
American Express Saudi Arabia Ltd. has signed an agreement with UAE national airline Etihad Airways to issue co-branded credit cards to customers across the Kingdom. The new co-branded credit card is packed with unique features and airline benefits to support the AMEX customers ‘global lifestyle. This is said to be the first airline co-brand for American Express in the Middle East. “The partnership of two such premium brands will significantly enhance the value-added benefits that we can offer our combined members. Etihad perfectly echoes American express’s commitment to service excellence and innovation,” Sami El Natour, head of marketing and PR for Amex in KSA, said.
GE
GE is playing a prominent role at the second annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), which ends in Abu Dhabi today after a three-day run. GE has brought together the combined strengths of its energy, water, and oil and gas businesses to showcase advanced renewable and alternative energy technologies that can help its public and private sector customers meet their business and environmental objectives through optimizing the use of the Middle East’s existing energy resources. “GE is working closely with our partners across the Middle East to deliver and develop energy-efficient and renewable technology solutions that are tailored to the region’s needs and benefit from its available natural resources,” said GE Energy’s Region Executive for the Middle East Joseph Anis.
DEWAN
Dewan Architects & Engineers, one of the region’s leading architectural and engineering consulting firms, has been given top honors after being ranked among the world’s most prominent architectural firms by Building Design Magazine. The company was ranked 52nd largest firm globally by the magazine’s January 2009 issue, which annually publishes the World Architecture Top 100, a unique, definitive listing of the world’s largest architecture practices. As architectural firms depend on more than just architects for their success, World Architecture Top 100 last year introduced a major new list, giving firms the opportunity to record the number of creative people they employ including interior, graphic and product designers, landscape architects, urban designers and engineers.
AL-BABTAIN
Luxury car brand Infiniti is off to flying start this year in Kuwait thanks to the company’s official distributor — Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain — winning a competitive tender to supply the Kuwait Ministry of Health with the Infiniti M35 mid-size luxury sedan. “The Infiniti M35 is a premium luxury sedan which has clearly met the exacting requirements of the Kuwait Ministry of Health. The M35 is packed with intuitive technology and the twelve vehicles we have supplied will serve the Ministry in various fields” commented Abhijeet Pandit, general manager, Infiniti Business Unit in the Middle East. Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain achieved this success in collaboration with Awlawiya Auto. A number of local, leading bidders in the automotive industry entered the tender, but the M35’s product appeal was the star of the show and thus secured the significant contract to mark the beginning of a prosperous year. The delivery of the Infiniti M35 vehicles took place recently in the presence of Mesaab Al-Khareji, assistant general manager at Awlawiya Auto, validating the mutual, strong bonds between both companies.