AKMC

Al-Khozama Management Company (AKMC), a luxury commercial property management, development and investment company in the Kingdom, dominated this year's "World Travel Awards" in Dubai. The company earned international recognition in three separate categories. It won awards for "Leading Personality of the Year", "Makkah's Leading Hotel 2010" and "Middle East's Leading Architectural Concept 2010." AKMC Chairman Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid was named "Leading Personality of the Year," in recognition of the pivotal role he continues to play in the ongoing growth and development of hospitality and tourism in the Kingdom and the region, said AKMC CEO Musaed Al-Said on Thursday, following the award ceremony. "Prince Bandar has been instrumental in promoting tourism education, and most recently has led a consultancy committee of the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, to study and recommend hotel classification and pricing guidelines for incorporation by more than 1,100 hotels in the Kingdom," he added. Al-Said added that the five-star AKMC-managed Al-Shohada Hotel in Makkah was recognized for setting a new benchmark in hospitality service standards and luxurious accommodation. The AKMC property, which is owned by Mubarrat Shohada Al-Haram Al-Makki Al-Shareef, underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment program of its 494 luxury rooms and suites two years back, and is the only hotel in Makkah to provide a 24-hour personal butler service. The third World Travel Award scooped by AKMC this year was for "Middle East's Leading Architectural Concept", for the iconic The Globe restaurant situated atop the prestigious Al-Faisaliah Tower in the capital city.
 
GIGASET

Siemens Gigaset, describes as the only "Made in Germany" DECT landline phone brand with a range of models that suit all telephony needs, is all set to start the summer promotion campaign. The promotion was successfully launched two years ago in Jeddah and is being relaunched this year. The promotion process will take place through two rounds of raffle draw and the winners will get prizes. The first raffle draw will be held at Aziz mall, Jeddah on at 9:30 p.m. on May 25. Customers will be given a coupon on purchase of Siemens Gigaset from any store around the Kingdom. After filling in the required information it will be put in the drop box available with all dealers and outlets. The next raffle draw will be at Mall of Arabia, Jeddah at 9:30 p.m. on June 24. Yaser Ahmed Abdul Wahed, MD, Ahmed Abdulwahed Trading Co., the sole distributor of Siemens Gigaset in the Kingdom, said: "The promotion we are conducting this summer is a follow up of last year's campaign, which was a big success. We are extremely positive about the success of the new promotion." Siemens Gigaset earlier this year launched S790 and S795 (with an answering machine) and set new standards for users. 
 
DBM

Danube Building Materials, a leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced that it is looking at an initial public offering (IPO) listing in Saudi Arabia within the next five years. The company's decision to go public is driven by the significant growth it has witnessed in the recent years, which peaked in 2009 when it secured a total of AED1 billion in annual turnover despite the challenges presented by the financial crisis. With nine "Danube BUILDMART" stores currently in operation, the company has earmarked AED200 million toward the expansion of its flagship retail brand to a total of 16 branches by 2010. The company is also looking into expanding further into Saudi Arabia and other GCC construction hotspots, including Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and India, where many projects in the pipeline pose significant potential for growth. Globally, Danube has been witnessing steady business in China, which serves other growing markets such as Europe and Africa.
 
 
VISA

Visa, a payment solutions provider, has launched its new MyMoneySkills website (www.mymoneyskills.me) featuring a free FIFA World Cup branded educational video game designed to help people of all ages in the Kingdom strengthen their knowledge of personal finance. Unveiled in Jeddah on Sunday, Visa's dedicated Financial Literacy website in the Middle East is a core part of the company's global commitment to reach 20 million people worldwide with financial literacy information by May 2013. Providing fundamental personal finance information in both Arabic and English on topics such as learning how to plan a budget, preparing for the future, using a credit card wisely and spending responsibly, MyMoneySkills and Financial Football form an engaging platform for young people, families and schools to improve their Financial Literacy skills, said Ihab Ayoub, Visa's GM for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. "The Kingdom's youthful population, combined with relatively high electronic payment acceptance levels, makes Visa's Financial Literacy tools particularly relevant and important to the Kingdom," he added.
 
SEDCO

A Malaysian delegation led by former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi visited the Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO), a Shariah compliant private wealth management company, in Jeddah recently and discussed investment prospects in the country's East Coast Economic Region. The delegation from the Malaysia's East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) met with SEDCO Holding's Chairman Saleh Bin-Mahfouz and CEO Adnan Soufi. "As a leading Islamic wealth management company based in Saudi Arabia, global investments are a key aspect of our asset allocation model and we want to explore investment opportunities in the Malaysian economy as part of our focus on making investments in Shariah-compliant sectors across the world," said Bin-Mahfouz. The visit of the ECERDC delegation is an indicator of the increased momentum in bilateral trade between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, which was close to $1.8 billion during January-November 2009. Malaysia was the 13th largest foreign investor in Saudi Arabia in 2008. The ECERDC covers the states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, as well as the district of Mersing in Johor.
 
SPORT AUTO/HYUNDAI SONATA

The all-new Hyundai Sonata 2010/2011 has been rated the "Best Buy Car - Saudi Arabia" in mid-sized family category by Sport Auto magazine, described as the first specialized auto magazine in the Middle East. The rating was based on a thorough assessment by the editorial team of the magazine and wide comparison between various models in the same category. At the presentation ceremony in Jeddah on Wednesday night, B.T. Shin, general manager of Hyundai Middle East, and Hazm Jamjoom, executive GM of Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors, dealer of Hyundai in the Western Region, accepted the award from Gerard Saunal, Beirut-based publisher and editor in chief of Sport Auto magazine. The main features that made the all new Hyundai Sonata eligible for the award in its category include its stylish exterior and interior, advanced technologies, comfort and convenience, high performance, durability, spacious cabin, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy and reasonable price.
 
APSCO

Media representatives visited the plant of Arabian Petroleum Supply Company (APSCO) at the Jeddah Industrial City on Sunday to acquaint themselves with the highly advanced technologies adopted for the production and mixing of lubricants and greases. The group toured the "Quality Laboratory", which is considered one of the most advanced quality test labs in the Middle East. It is equipped with up to date testing equipment and technologies to ensure high quality products that comply with the highest standards of ExxonMobil lubricant plants around the world. It is also designed to get accurate and reliable results to assist the production lines in the plant. The plant has modern laboratories to ensure that all products comply with the international standards and specifications, as well as to test and analyze all products and raw materials used for the production of lubricants and greases. The APSCO lab ensures that all lubricants and greases manufactured by the plant are reliable and suitable to be used under the Saudi climatic and geographic conditions. The plant has obtained ISO 9001 certificate for quality management and ISO 9014 certificate for environmental management.
 
GE HEALTHCARE SUMMIT

Public private partnerships (PPPs) have a dominant role in driving the sustainable growth of the Middle East health care sector, a panel of expert health care professionals observed at the third GE Healthcare Middle East Media Summit held in Abu Dhabi last week. Healthcare professionals from around the Middle East converged to debate on wide-ranging topics including the current state of health care. They underscored the need for governments to focus on an "earlier model" of healthcare delivery based on timely diagnosis and treatment, which ultimately benefits the patients. Nabil Habayeb, president and CEO, GE Middle East and Africa, highlighted the importance of GE's "healthymagination" initiative that is focused on sustainable health care by reducing costs, improving quality and enhancing access of care to the people. "GE has two powerful drivers for sustainable growth - ecomagination, which is about a healthier planet, and healthymagination, which is for healthier people. Supported by strong public and private sector partnerships, these can effectively address the growing demand for health care delivery and bring marked efficiencies across the full-spectrum of the economy." Aziz Koleilat, GM, GE Healthcare for the Middle East, said: "With the population in the region projected to grow by some 30 percent to 53.5 million in the next decade, and increasing urbanization, the society faces new health care challenges."
 
 
HOTEL SHOW

According to a new study, cash expenditure in the GCC hospitality industry is set to reach more than $1.17 billion this year. This is despite a tumultuous global economy with major developed economies recording budget deficits and colossal sovereign debt. Dubai-based research company Proleads conducted the study for The Hotel Show, a Middle East trade event for the hospitality and leisure sector, which ended at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday after a three-day run. The figures show estimated cash expenditure this year on hotel projects under construction across the GCC will top $1.17 billion. The bulk of that spending power is in the UAE at $463.8 million. What is surprising is that Oman will eclipse Saudi Arabia this year spending $269.2 million as opposed to the Kingdom's $245.5 million, although that will not prevail beyond 2010. Qatar then leads the rest of the GCC with an estimated spend of $100.3 million, followed by Bahrain with $65.3 million and Kuwait with $31.7 million.
 
 
NISSAN PATROL

One of the Arab region's most popular vocalists has selected the all-new 2010 Nissan Patrol SUV, nicknamed the "Hero of All Terrain". Patrol was launched in February in the first-ever World Premiere in the GCC by a Japan-based automaker. It was revealed by Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Company Ltd. to officials, VIPs and business guests from across the Middle East region, in Abu Dhabi. "I have been thrilled by the performance, luxury and technology of the new Patrol", said Abdul Rahman, who is fondly named "the king of music" by his fans. Nissan Middle East in April launched a 30 second TV commercial of which the Arabic language version was voiced over by Khalid Abdul Rahman. Nissan Patrol is a name synonymous with ruggedness, a legendary off-roader capable of going anywhere, anytime. Meticulously honed for over five decades, the Patrol is Nissan's flagship SUV model and enjoys a rich heritage and passionate following in the Middle East that dates back to the 1950's. The Patrol returned to the region as an all-new seventh generation model, building on its impressive history, but at the same time, incorporating a new platform, a radical new design direction, significantly enhanced interior comfort and luxury, powerful new 400hp V8 engine, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system.