GITEX
The UAE telecom industry expects to record positive growth this year, and industry executives have said they will use the GULFCOMMS Exhibition, part of GITEX Technology Week 2009, which is scheduled to be held from Oct. 18-22 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center (DICEC), as a platform for continued growth. GULFCOMMS, claimed to be the largest international telecommunications trade event for mobile, fixed lines, IP and satellite in the region, will provide a business platform for companies looking to capitalize on the projected windfall in revenue generated by the communications industry in the UAE. According to Al-Mal Capital, the UAE telecoms sector in 2009 is expected to reach AED29.72 billion.
STC
Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) has announced that customers can upgrade their mobile chips from 2G to 3G for free. Equally, SAWA customers can upgrade their chips to post-paid lines while keeping their same numbers, which will be upgraded. In addition, STC said the chip will be upgraded from 2G to 3G for free without any fees indicating that 3G allows customers to enjoy more services at higher speeds. Meanwhile, Managed Router Services (MRS) which enables clients to smoothly manage and maintain their routers has become the most reliable service across the telecommunication market in the Kingdom, offering integrated services for the management and regular maintenance of IP-VPN routers, to meet clients’ needs and fulfill their expectations.
CANON
Canon Middle East, world leader in digital imaging technology, has launched “Therefore 2009”, its latest document management solution scalable for use within SMBs through to large corporate enterprises or public sector organizations. Therefore Corporation, which rebranded from ADOS Corporation in March 2009, has launched Therefore 2009 as an upgrade to ADOS v6.2. Building on the success of its predecessor, the new version incorporates an improved Graphical User Interface, delivering a more intuitive user experience. Central to this, the eCopy desktop connector ensures that documents scanned through a Canon MFP can be fed directly into the document management system through a simple link on screen.
SCHNEIDER
Schneider Electric organized a dedicated Building Solutions Fair in Riyadh, Alkhobar and Jeddah recently. It provided a platform where engineers could “discover best electrical, automation solutions” for offices and commercial buildings, hotels, residential places, hospitals, retails, industrial facilities, universities and many other applications. Schneider organized live demonstrations, conferences on various topics with solutions for electrical needs and to achieve energy management and saving without losing the quality at the event.
KPMG
Are we are still in the midst of metals commodity super-cycle, albeit with a slowdown, or is the industry resetting itself? Is the slowdown in the real economy likely to prevent any meaningful recovery for the metals industry in 2009? In order to find the answers, KPMG’s diversified industrials practice has published “What’s Ahead for the Metals Industry in 2009? The Metals Industry’s Response to the Economic Downturn.” KPMG’s latest thought leadership, presents a situation analysis on the circumstances that led to the industry’s current conditions. As Abdullah Hamad Al-Fozan, KPMG Saudi Arabia’s senior partner, said: “Only the leanest and most proactive organizations will likely deliver satisfactory returns for their shareholder going forward. Those organizations that look to improve their internal efficiencies and control their fixed cost base should be in a position to price competitively and gain market share.”
ARABIAN ROOTS
The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has identified Arabian Roots Group Co. Ltd. (formerly Arabian Roots for Trading and Contracting) as one of the Top 100 fastest-growing Saudi companies. Arabian Roots Group Company is a major firm in the Middle East in the area of manufacturing and sale of specialized construction materials (enterprises, wholesale and retail sales). Despite the general slowdown of construction activity in the region, Arabian Roots is expected to increase its sales volume in 2009 to more than SR1.4 billion, a 70 percent sales growth compared to last year. Ousama Fansa, CEO of Arabian Roots Group, said: “Our selection to this elite list brings great honor to the group and a result of the vision and unwavering support of our board of directors.”