SCTDA
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced its partnership with Etisalat as they prepare to launch the Etisalat- Sharjah Water Festival 2009, which will take place in Sharjah from Dec. 2-12, and of which Etisalat will be the title sponsor. The annual festival includes a wide variety of water-themed entertainment and activities, and culminates in the Sharjah Grand Prix — the final round of the F1 Powerboat World Championship. SCTDA Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said: “The UAE is widely recognized for its proficiency and skill in hosting high-profile international events, surpassing the efforts of many advanced countries, thanks in large part to the giant steps it has taken to enhance all aspects of life — economy, science, society, arts and culture, and sport.” Abdul Aziz Taryam, GM, Etisalat (Northern Emirates region), said, “We are proud of our partnership with the SCTDA.”
NOKIA SIEMENS
Global telecommunications enabler Nokia Siemens Networks is transforming mobile broadband user experience in the Middle East Africa (MEA) region with its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) offering that delivers improved and faster data speeds to support a suite of multimedia and rich call applications. “The timing of our road show could not be more opportune,” said Bernard Najm, Saudi Arabia Country Director for Nokia Siemens Networks. “With Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries fast approaching saturation levels of mature mobile markets, the growth for the region’s operators will now come from advanced mobile data service offerings and not basic connectivity.” In Middle East-Africa region specifically, Nokia Siemens Networks was behind the region’s first LTE contract with Zain Bahrain. “Leading the evolution of broadband technology means our customers will be the first to benefit,” added Najm. “Today, we are reinforcing our vision of five billion people connected by 2015, via a showcase of the latest next generation mobile broadband technology to mobile operators in the region.”
PAPER ARABIA
China National Household Paper Industry Association is participating in Paper Arabia 2009 exhibition being held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from Oct. 27-29. The association has 520 domestic and 24 overseas members. A number of the association’s members are exhibiting at the expo, displaying a vast array of paper and tissue products and latest machinery pertaining to this industry. The show will exhibit for the first time machines for making disposable products, a clear indication of the evolution of this business in the Middle East. Al Fajer Information and Services, which is organizing the show for the second year, will host companies from the paper, tissue and converting industry. Satish Khanna, GM, Al Fajer, said: “As Dubai is the gateway for reaching out to the Middle East market, Paper Arabia represents the ideal platform for specialized Chinese companies to establish new contacts and seek new partners and customers from the Middle East.”
DBM
Danube Building Materials (DBM), a leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has launched “the first” Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)-certified whitewood and hardwood timbers products in the GCC. This is in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability, which is further underlined by its planned collaboration with the Dubai Municipality to promote ‘Green building codes’. Company officials are positive of the response for these new eco-friendly products at the upcoming ‘Big5 International Building and Construction Show’. “As the largest building materials company in the Middle East, we have invested in making green products such as certified hardwood and whitewood timber available in the GCC region, and we intend to use our extensive presence throughout the region to enable project managers to turn green policies from theory into practice,” said Frank Owens, product manager of Hardwood Timber, DBM.
MODON
Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Alrabiah, director general, Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), has decided to allocate land for industrial projects involving 163 factories in Jeddah 2nd industrial city. The total area of these factories is 1,767,815 square meters, with investments estimated at more than SR4 billion and the cost of the factories ranging between SR1 and SR400 million. Alrabiah said land is available in many of the existing industrial cities, which are under development at incentive rates, whether for domestic or foreign investments and in different industrial, commercial, residential and service sectors. Some cities are subject to reduced tax incentives for investors. Industrial cities are spread across Saudi Arabia — Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh 1&2, Jeddah 1&2, Dammam 1&2, Qassim, Al-Ahsa, Asir, Al-Jouf, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Al-Kharj, Jizan, Arar. Projects have been launched to develop new cities in Taif, Sudair and Zulfi.
CHUCK E. CHEESE’S
A Saudi Group, Dara Entertainment Company, has opened the very first franchise center of Chuck E. Cheese’s, a chain of family entertainment centers based in Irving, Texas, USA, at the Outlet Mall in Dubai, investing Dh30 million on the facility spread over an area of 50,000 sq. feet. Aimed at bringing people of all ages together in a wholesome entertainment of fun and games, it plans to open more such centers in the region. The concept of this entertainment center is a sit-down pizza restaurant, complemented by arcade games, amusement rides, an animatronic show, and other diversions, such as climbing equipment, tubes, and slides. The facility has been established with the prime objective of providing a place where ‘kids can be kids’. Its brand ambassador is an anthropomorphic mouse named Chuck E. Cheese. Pascal Samaha, GM, Chuck E. Cheese’s Dubai, said: “Chuck E. Cheese’s wishes to share its vision of complete high-tech entertainment for the whole family based on the highest standards of service.
FUJITSU
Fujitsu has announced the AMILO Pi 3560 and 3660 notebooks, enabling clients to experience their films, photos, social networking, and games in stunning quality on a brilliant widescreen display, whenever and wherever they want. The entertainment action can also be enjoyed and shared with friends and family on a big Plasma-TV screen, with an optional Blu-ray Disc drive that easily integrates with other home entertainment devices via HDMI. Integrated Bluetooth provides connectivity and convenience for work and travel. Whether for work, communication, or to enjoy a favorite game or movie in High Definition quality with friends, the AMILO Pi 3560/3660’s high performance NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M graphics card with 1 GB DDR3 dedicated video memory provide pin-sharp pictures and a brilliant color display. Rajat Kakar, VP clients group at Fujitsu Technology Solutions, said: “Fujitsu offers a broad portfolio covering the needs of every type of user.”
FRAPORT
Fraport SA, a renowned airport management company, has signed an agreement with King Faisal University and is set to contribute to the development of the university’s program. The curriculum will improve the educational syllabus as well as the training program. Dr. Maher A. Alodan, VP for research and graduate studies and dean of the Engineering College, signed the agreement in cooperation with Ralf Schiffer, Fraport Saudi Arabia Ltd. The treaty will provide the student body with a diverse set of courses such as business studies, logistics, marketing, engineering and quality management. The common goal of this agreement is to help each party benefit from the other’s capabilities and qualifications. A main objective is to offer students courses in the aviation industry, allow the students to gain knowledge and exposure from Fraport’s wide range of expertise. Students will be offered internships at both King Khaled and King Abdul Aziz International Airport, graduate exchange programs, and courses in science and aviation engineering.
INVESTCORP
Investcorp portfolio company, Moody International, a global provider of technical inspection and related services to the oil and gas industry, has acquired PetroSpect Inspection Services, Ltd. PetroSpect, based in Texas, is a technical inspection and engineering support services provider to the US refining and chemical processing industry. Mohammed Al-Shroogi, president of Investcorp’s Gulf business, said: “Moody is a perfect example of how we are able to find ways, even in a challenging market environment, to add value to our portfolio companies. The private equity sector still offers the opportunity for companies such as Investcorp to use their experience and financial and operational expertise to support and develop their investments.” Moody International was established in 1911 and has its headquarters in the UK. Investcorp acquired Moody in January 2007. Brendan Connolly, CEO of Moody, said: “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategic decision to grow our asset integrity services.”