DANUBE

Danube Company Ltd. has received the International Quality Crown Award (IQC) in the platinum category. In recognition of its commitment to quality, leadership, technology and innovation, the company represents success in the Kingdom’s business world. The IQC acknowledges strong commitment to quality and excellence. The presentation of the IQC Award 2009, organized by Business Initiatives Direction (BID), was held in London and presided over by Jose Prieto, president and CEO of BID. Khalid Ahmed Aldarwish, DGM, Danube Company, received the award in London from BID President Jose E. Prieto. Bindawood Group Chairman Abdulrazaqq Bindawood and Danube Executive Director Mohammed Y. Alhasan accepted the award presented to them by Aldarwish. Bindawood said he was proud with the achievements gained by Danube, which is part of the Bindawood Group of Companies.

SAUDI COM

Informa Telecoms and Media has announced the launch of Saudi Com, a two-day conference and exhibition, in May. The event will be an addition to the globally renowned and well established Com World Series events, and identify and maximize the opportunities available to executives working in the communications industry in Saudi Arabia. Following 14 years producing the Middle East’s largest and most successful telecoms event — the Middle East Telco World Summit — Informa Telecoms and Media looks forward to providing a top level event focused purely on the dynamic and fast-moving Saudi telecoms market. “Increasingly competitive and involving the key regional operators, the Saudi market is one of the most interesting in the Middle East. While mobile subscriber numbers have grown rapidly in the last couple of years, broadband penetration remains relatively low. Combining this with the attractive demographics — the technology savvy youth market makes up two-thirds of the population — Saudi Com is perfect for making the most of this lucrative growth potential,” says Caroline Broderick, content development director, Informa Telecoms & Media.

JUMEIRAH GROUP

Jumeirah Group, a Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has received four further awards from the travel industry. In the sixth edition of the “GT Tested” Reader Survey, Jumeirah was recognized in “Best Hotel in the Eastern United States” (Jumeirah Essex House, New York City) and “Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East” (Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, for the second year in a row). Readers of Global Traveler magazine are American premium travelers, averaging 32 round-trip flights a year, with 96 percent traveling in first or business class regularly. Over 25,000 readers responded to this year’s survey. Meanwhile, business travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland also recognized Jumeirah’s excellence: “Best Hotel Group in the Middle East” (Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, for the second year in a row) and “Best Hotel in the Middle East” (Jumeirah Beach Hotel kept its title for a third consecutive year). The two awards were handed to Dagmar Woodward, GM, Jumeirah Frankfurt, which will open in September 2010, during a recent ceremony held in Frankfurt and organized by the German edition of Business Traveller magazine.

GO

Etihad Atheeb Telecoms Co. (GO), the 4G operator in the Kingdom, has announced the expansion of the scope of its 4G Network in the Eastern region to include Hofuf and Al-Qatif. The expansion follows the launch of the service in Alkhobar and Dammam. GO started providing home broadband Internet services and Nomadic 4G voice services in Hofuf and Al-Qatif, from last week at highly competitive prices with numerous special offers. Residents of Hofuf and Al-Qatif can obtain the home broadband Internet service or the 4G Voice service through the company’s partners, Jarir Bookstore, Extra Obekan and Mashail Al-Khaleej Electronics in Hofuf, and through Mashail Al-Khaleej Electronics in Al-Qatif.

SAS

SAS, a provider of analytical intelligence (AI) software and services in the region, is eyeing the demand for AI solutions in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to be fuelled by its plans to increase investments into the petrochemical industry to $100 billion by 2015. Committed to helping oil and gas majors augment revenues while minimizing costs, the company highlighted its unique “Predictive Asset Maintenance” solution at the recently concluded Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) Conference, in Alkhobar.