ZAMIL STEEL
Zamil Steel’s Towers & Galvanizing (T&G) division has been awarded a contract worth SR88 million for the fabrication and supply of lattice steel towers for the 400kV overhead line of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project in New Zealand, one of the largest electricity transmission construction undertakings in the country since 1960. The scope of the contract calls for the proto-assembly and load testing of six types of 400kV double-circuit overhead line towers as well as the fabrication and supply of over 425 towers as part of Transpower’s North Island Grid Upgrade Project. Delivery of the towers is to be completed by the end of 2010.
RETAILFOCUS
Saudi Arabia has attracted 37 new international retailers — 12 of which are in the luxury segment — in 2008, according to industry reports. Latest findings from “Shopping Center Database,” which is part of “RETAILFocus”, a product that delivers an updated database of malls, shopping centers, tenants, projects and retail real estate deals along with retail real estate news and research reports, also revealed that the Kingdom is home to 165 retail centers including shopping centers, multi-use commercial facilities and regional mall chains. RETAILFocus is a product of REIDIN.com, the world’s first and leading global online information services provider. “These developments continue to attract foreign and domestic tourists and encourage cash flow within the retail sector,” said Ahmet Kayhan, CEO, REIDIN.com.
ELAF GROUP
The global medical tourism sector is expected to expand to around $100 billion from $60 billion currently within the next five years, according to a World Bank report. Elaf Group of Companies, a business organization serving the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hotel industries, predicts Saudi Arabia to play a major role in boosting the global medical tourism sector. In line with this, the company has announced that it has recently signed agreements with international organizations to offer specialized services to Saudi healthcare tourists as part of efforts to tap into the thriving industry.
IBM
Inefficient business processes and barriers to collaboration can hamper business success, especially in a challenging economic environment. In light of this, IBM’s IMPACT Middle East 2009 road show focused on cost optimization, business agility and rapid response which enabled participants to gain insight into the issues and solutions to not only survive but thrive in the current economic environment. By transforming business processes and improving collaboration across the work force, organizations can become more agile and responsive to rapidly changing market conditions as well as better able to pursue new revenue opportunities; becoming “Smarter” organizations.
NOKIA
Despite a fall in its second quarter operating profit, Nokia is optimistic that it will go ahead with its plans to launch new models in the Gulf as well as worldwide. Steve Lewis, Nokia’s head of marketing, Middle East and Africa, who visited the Kingdom this week said Saudi Arabia was a very important market for Nokia. When asked about the quality of the Nokia products which are made in different countries, Lewis said, “Consumers should not worry about Nokia quality. Quality is the same everywhere because material and people we use are the same.” However, he cautioned consumers that to avoid fake products they should buy Nokia products in reputable establishments which give them guarantees. He said there were over 6,000 retailers in Saudi Arabia with trained staff. Lewis also said Nokia’s best mobile imaging device, the Nokia N86 8MP, which earlier this year won the prestigious TIPA Award for the Best Mobile Imaging Device in 2009, is available now in Saudi Arabia. Nokia’s second quarter operating profit fell 71 percent to 427 million euros, compared with 1.5 billion euros in the second quarter 2008.
AL AZIZIA PANDA
Al Azizia Panda United, a member of Savola group, has signed a cooperation agreement with Emirates Association of Down’s Syndrome to carry out its campaign “Leave the change...to change their lives”. The event was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al-Maktoum and Soniah Al-Hashimi, the chairman of the association, and the retail director for Savola Group Mohamed Ameen Kashkari, CEO of Al Azizia Panda United, and senior managers from Savola group and Emirates Association of Down’s Syndrome. The event took place at Hyper Panda, Dubai branch.
SPI
Qatar has emerged as a leader in clean energy programs across the Middle East, having instigated numerous initiatives aimed at cultivating highly efficient renewable energy sources, according to a statement by Sabban Property Investments (SPI). Amid the growing importance of the environmental sector to the region, SPI has reaffirmed its carbon neutral strategy and announced its full commitment toward supporting the government’s environmental programs focused on developing a low carbon economy. SPI’s state-of-the-art carbon reduction measures for its QR1.2 billion “Sabban Towers” have made it the “first 100 percent carbon neutral project in the Middle East.”
SAMSUNG/SATORP
After obtaining a $2.6 billion contract for an Algerian refinery complex, Samsung Engineering has announced another official signing of a new refinery order from Saudi Arabia. Samsung Engineering President & CEO Yeon-Joo Jung said the company won contracts for two refinery plants amounting to $1.6 billion from SATORP, a joint venture that includes Saudi Aramco and Total of France. Samsung Engineering was awarded two main plants out of the five process packages from the Jubail Export Refinery Complex project, which will be constructed in Jubail. The Aromatics plant (package No. 3) valued at $700 million will produce 700,000 MTPA of Paraxylene and 140,000 MTPA of benzene.
HTC/STC
HTC Corporation has announced the Middle East launch of HTC Touch Pro2. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the device balances function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience. The device leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. HTC’s new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated e-mail, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from e-mail to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.
ARTHUR D. LITTLE
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently appointed Arthur D. Little to develop the consumer protection regime in the Kingdom. Arthur D. Little will advice the Ministry on its strategy and the optimal design for the organization tasked with upholding consumer rights and enforcing consumer protection regulation. Thomas Kuruvilla, MD, Arthur D. Little in the Middle East, said: “We are excited to be working closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the development of this critical public sector institution. Arthur D. Little is a global management-consulting firm with over 30 offices worldwide and caters to its clients in the MENA region from its office in Dubai.
ZAHID TRACTOR
Zahid Tractor has signed a joint venture with Schwing-Stetter, one of the world’s major manufacturers of equipment for the concrete industry, to supply the Stetter brand in the Kingdom. Zahid will offer Stetter batching plants, transit mixers, concrete recycling equipment and complete systems. In addition, Zahid will provide after sales support and spares, initially from its main branch in Jeddah while the company prepares its existing Kingdomwide and strategic presence to establish a network of services and parts. “Our joint venture with Stetter will provide a significant boost for the construction industry, enabling enhanced production and more efficient utilization of resources,” said Nasser Bayram, Zahid’s director.
EZW/DACC
Economic Zones World (EZW), through its flagship entity Jafza, and Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC), responsible for the Dubai World Central “aerotropolis” development, are entering into a collaboration that could result in the doubling of Dubai’s top notch industrial and logistics infrastructure. The agreement sets out to create “The Dubai Logistics Corridor” a transport and logistics corridor, linking sea, land and air, bringing together for the first time in the Middle East all of the components needed to create multi-modal logistics platform.
MOTOROLA
The MC17 handheld computer from Motorola’s Enterprise Mobility Solutions is designed to enhance the customer shopping experience and acts as a key tool to develop customer loyalty and deliver superior return-on-investment for retailers looking to increase sales across the region. The MC17 mobile computer is a third-generation solution created for retail environments, including mass merchandisers, grocery department stores, and pharmacy outlets. The MC17 empowers customers to speed-up the checkout process, locate items, check pricing, find complementary products, and receive personal recommendations and tailored promotions.
FURSAN
Travelport, a provider of global distribution systems (GDS), has announced that Riyadh-based travel agency Fursan Travel has signed a major agreement for its Galileo GDS. The new, multi-year contract will give all of the agency’s Galileo subscriber’s access to an array of industry-leading travel solutions and training services, along with a full range of fares available through the world-class booking platform — ensuring that the Saudi travel giant benefits from the strength of the entire Galileo offering. “At Fursan Travel, we pride ourselves in offering exemplary, one-stop-shop travel services and solutions and recognize the value that Travelport can bring to our business through its technology, content and support,” said Roger Pfund, CEO of Fursan Travel.