Nokia
Nokia is pioneering a new era of customer service in Saudi Arabia by opening specialized Nokia care centers in all major cities, the first in the heart of Riyadh, bringing first-class customer care direct to its consumers in the Kingdom. The state-of-the-art care center facility at Al-Mursalat in Riyadh features a fully equipped technical workshop, a full display of the latest Nokia accessories as well as comfortable customer lounge and service areas. Sharing his insights on the occasion, Moussa Obeid, activities development director, Nokia Saudi Arabia and Yemen said: “Introducing Nokia Care Centers in the Saudi market demonstrates our firm commitment to the local market; via a constant flow of first hand information and feedback from our customers will help us meet customer expectations.”
Bupa Arabia
Bupa Arabia, the Kingdom’s leading health insurance company, has signed an agreement with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to hire and train 42 Saudi male and female employees. The signatories were Hisham Linjawi, Jeddah Branch Manager, and Ali Mansour bin Madi, administration and personnel manager, Bupa Arabia. The new trainees are required due to Bupa Arabia’s strong growth and on completion of training will work in various departments including the customer services call center, membership, claims administration and telesales. “Our development and growth strategy includes gradual nationalization of our work force in order to support the Kingdom’s economy and I am happy to say that in our experience the Human Resources Development Fund is the perfect partner to help us achieve our objectives and targets,” said Tal Nazer, managing director of Bupa Arabia.
DP World
DP World has announced that it has completed installation of one of the world’s most advanced Integrated Security Systems (ISS) at its home base in Jebel Ali, the largest marine terminal in the Middle East. A Command Center located at Jebel Ali Terminal 2 oversees operation of the system, which includes an extensive network of security cameras covering all port operations. An Access Control System (ACS) ensures enhanced security at terminal entry and exit points. ISS features an Identity Management System (IDMS), providing key information on persons at work inside the terminal. In addition to identity and location, IDMS tracks aspects of employee performance over time.
Ford
Ford has many reasons to smile these days when it comes to offering quality products and satisfying customers, as it scores more and more achievements in product innovations, fuel economy and quality. For the first time in the 28-year history of the Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study, customer satisfaction with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles has reached its highest level in North America — and now equals Toyota. In addition, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles had the lowest number of “things gone wrong” among all automakers — putting Ford in a statistical tie with Toyota for initial quality, and ahead of Honda. The Lincoln brand improved by 18 points climbing two spots in the survey from a year ago. Mercury improved by eight points. The Ford Flex and F-150, both segment leaders, scored better than the segment average in every category, performing especially well in fuel efficiency and exterior styling. Ford’s new F-150 improved 52 points from last year and scored 16 points better than all redesigned trucks in this survey.
POWER-GEN
POWER-GEN Middle East has announced the dates for the 2010 event, which sees the annual exhibition and conference move to Doha, Qatar for the first time in its nine-year history. Considered the region’s premier conference and exhibition for the power generation, transmission & distribution and water industries, POWER-GEN Middle East will be held at the Qatar International Exhibition Center, Doha, from Oct.4-6. Qatar’s power generation is expected to increase by a demanding 193.5 percent before the year 2018, almost top of the range for the MENA region. The country will account for 1.85 percent of Middle East and Africa (MEA) regional power generation by 2013, having a broadly balanced market throughout the period.
Visa
Visa Inc., the world’s leading retail electronic payments network, announced recently that Bank of Baghdad, Al-Amwal an electronic banking services company, and a consortium of 13 Iraqi banks, have joined the Visa payment network in Iraq. As new Visa members, Bank of Baghdad and Al-Amwal will help expand the acceptance network for Visa cards at ATM and point of sale locations within Iraq, and help issue additional Visa payment cards to local customers. The wider acceptance network will allow Iraqis and individuals visiting Iraq to use their Visa cards to pay for goods and services at merchant locations throughout the country such as airport duty free shops, select hotels, travel agencies and a number of restaurants and other stores. In addition, Iraqi customers will have access to a greater choice of payment cards through Bank of Baghdad.
Panasonic
Panasonic, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format have introduced the DMP-BD60, the world’s first Blu-ray-disc player to feature VIERA Cast and BD Live, enabling consumers instant access to the internet. Continuing Panasonic’s commitment to producing innovative technology, the DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player incorporates VIERA Link, allowing consumers to operate Panasonic audio/video components via HDMI, with one remote. The new Blu-ray player has been designed to reduce power consumption, in keeping with Panasonic’s pledge to reduce the planet’s carbon footprint. “With internet penetration constantly on the rise in the region, the BD60 with its VIERA cast function will allow instant access to the Internet. Consumers can now view up-loaded high definition pictures and clips on Youtube and Picassa using their Panasonic TV,” said Hitesh Ojha, product manager, Panasonic marketing, Middle East.
Al Fara’a
Al Fara’a Integrated Construction Group, a group of ten integrated construction solutions providers in the UAE, has announced the launch of its facilities management (FM) division, a new subsidiary established to supply FM services and solutions for the expanding real estate portfolio of Al Fara’a Properties. The launch of the new division is aligned to the Al Fara’a Group’s continued focus on vertical integration to ensure quality value adding solutions throughout the construction value chain. Initially, the expansion will address the FM requirements of the developer’s inaugural project — Le Grand Chateau (LGC) in Jumeirah Village (JV), which is currently at the handover phase, and eventually those of its future developments. Amidst the ongoing handover of LGC and plans to deliver the rest of the Al Fara’a’s projects in Jumeirah Village, including “Mulberry Mansions” and “The Manhattan” — in 2010, the new FM division will provide customized and fully integrated property management solutions to these projects.