VISION/SBG
VISION Electro Mechanical Company (Vision), a subsidiary of Construction Products Holding Company (CPC), signed a SR1.31 billion sub contract with Saudi Binladin Group, a main contractor at Princess Noura Bint Abdurrahman Girls University in Riyadh. Under the deal, Vision will provide various electrical and mechanical installations in the construction of the university. It is the second contract signed by the company with the contractors. Faysal Alaquil, business development director and official spokesman of CPC, said the work involving 4,000 engineers, technicians and workers from Vision would be completed in 24 months. The total area of the campus is 4 million square meters, including a 963,548 square meter-complex featuring administrative and faculty buildings, as well as a residential area for students and staff, a commercial mall, recreation and sports centers, security and logistics facilities. Hassan Chahine, chief executive director of Vision, said: “The diversity of CPC companies enabled us to carry out any construction tasks assigned to us in the most appropriate and satisfactory way that suits our clients.” The contract involves electrical and mechanical works at the university campus including internal works and supplying engineering items, electrical system including equipment for medium-and low-tension electricity network, lighting control system, electrical distribution control system, cooling and heating system, water network system, fire alarm and fighting system and sanitation works.
BIAS
Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) is Bahrain’s first air show taking place at the Sakhir Air Base from Saturday with the support of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The show attracts leading aviation industry companies from the region and around the world. Doha-based Qatar Airways’ corporate jet subsidiary Qatar Executive is showcasing one of its two Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft and is among many exhibitors comprising aircraft, engine, military jet and helicopter manufacturers at the event. The two Bombardier Challenger aircraft, which are able to fly non-stop up to 4,000 nautical miles reaching destinations throughout Europe, Africa and Asia, complement a Bombardier Challenger 300, bringing Qatar Executive’s overall fleet size to currently three corporate jets. The three-day air show, set up in partnership between Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) and organizers of the Farnborough International Air Show, is drawing large numbers of visitors from neighboring countries, and delegations from across the worldwide aerospace industry. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al-Baker, who also presides over Qatar Executive, said the airline was delighted to take part in the first aerospace industry event of 2010. With two air shows happening in close proximity to each other — Dubai Air Show just two months ago and now the Bahrain International Air Show — the Gulf is clearly establishing itself as a key center for the world’s aviation industry and functions as an important growth catalyst for the entire Middle East region, said Al-Baker.
DUBAI LYNX
The organizers of the 3rd Dubai International Advertising Festival have announced presenting Ramzi Raad, chairman and CEO of TBWA\RAAD Middle East, a pioneer and key figure in the MENA advertising industry for nearly four decades, with the 2010 Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award. The award honors a person who has lifted the presence and profile of the region within the international advertising, marketing and communications community be it at a national or regional level. He is a founder of the GCC Advertising Association, the Middle East Research Forum and the Middle East Advertising Agencies Association. He has lectured on Middle East Advertising in London, Zurich, Sydney, Lahore, Cairo, Bahrain, New Delhi and Mexico. He founded TBWA\RAAD Middle East in September 1999, which quickly entered the Middle East Ad agencies top 5 league, with a network of agencies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria and Morocco. The network he leads also encompasses Ketchum Middle East (PR), and Tequila Middle East. “Ramzi has been, and continues to be, an instrumental figure in the development and growth of the advertising and communications industry throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” said Terry Savage, chairman of Cannes Lions who with Motivate Publishing are joint organizers of the festival. Ramzi said: “As a region, we are at a pivotal point in time, and I look forward to seeing what our young ad talent will show the world.”
WFES
BP Alternative Energy hosted the BP Carbon Theater at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), now in its third year, which ended Thursday after a four-day run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the UAE capital. International experts discussed the role Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) could play in tackling global carbon emissions. The theater offered the delegates an opportunity to talk directly with BP experts in the CCS and solar energy fields including an open forum to ask questions ‘What’s on your Mind’ session. This was about BP’s commitment to the future energy sector. WFES gives us an opportunity to collaborate with leaders in the sector and to continue to build our long-standing relationships in this strategic region. The WFES represents one of the foremost gatherings of policy makers, industry experts and investors. The wide range of topics discussed covered the environmental and political pressures on future energy supply in the context of increasing demand, as well as the true value of the renewables market, and scrutinizing the sector’s challenges and determining how these challenges can be overcome. The event was hosted by MASDAR with the support of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
HORSE FAIR
As Dubai prepares to become the center of the equine world with the opening of the state-of-the-art Meydan race course later this month, international companies are looking to capitalize on the emirates leading position at the sixth Dubai International Horse Fair. The region’s most significant equine exhibition is set for a bumper edition in 2010. Running alongside the $4 million Arabian Horse Championships, the Dubai International Horse Fair will showcase the latest developments in the equine world when it opens from March 18-20 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. “Dubai has a deep tradition in the equine industry and current developments are only going to improve the emirates reputation further,” said Abdulla Qassem, board member — higher organizing committee of the fair and Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship. “The fair brings together the very best companies from around the world, who recognize the vast opportunities available in this region.” More than 200 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate in the fair, with many new companies taking part this year including Alisul Alimentos, Equiliner, Horseliner, Karaman Vetinary, Kylix UK, Morovol, Point Two Jackets and Yueqing Gsport. Companies come from Brazil, Canada, Germany and the UK, alongside many from the Middle East.
DIBS
The Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) will provide a unique opportunity to network with the region’s biggest investors, according to the head of the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets. Emirates NBD has just signed an agreement with Dubai International Boat Show organizer, Dubai World Trade Centre, to be the exclusive bank sponsor of the 2010 event. The international award-winning 18th Dubai International Boat Show will take place at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) — Mina Seyahi, from March 9-13. The show will deliver more than 400 boats and a vast array of products and services from every part of the industry, including superyachts, boat-builders and designers as well as marine equipment suppliers and service providers. “DIBS is an established brand synonymous with luxury, style and an unparalleled access to region’s biggest investors,” said Saif Al-Mansoori, head of business marketing, Emirates NBD. “We believe the show provides the ideal platform to meet with our high-level private and corporate clients, who will be visiting the show in high numbers,” he added.
NETJETS
The NetJets Middle East Program, provided by National Aviation Services (NAS), has launched a 25-hour “Jet Card”, a new service giving cardholders access to their own executive jet and the largest private jet fleet in the region, 25-hours at a time. The card is described as the first of its kind in the Middle East, designed to bring all of the benefits of private aircraft ownership including guaranteed availability and the highest levels of safety and security but at a fraction of the cost of owning an aircraft outright. Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, CEO, NAS, and owner of nasair, NAS Tech and Operation Support Project Management, said: “The fractional aircraft ownership concept is a favorite of some of the region’s most successful individuals, private companies and multinationals and most of them will need to fly more than 25-hours each year. “However, there is a significant minority that will need an aircraft for shorter periods, but who want to know that their aircraft is properly serviced and maintained, and flown by pilots whose training exceeds the most rigorous standards our industry demands. Owners buy or lease a fractional interest in an executive aircraft based on the number of hours they are likely to fly in a year,” he added.