Sony Gulf FZE, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, has marked the dawn of a new era in the Middle East with the launch of its complete range of 3D-enabled products, offering consumers an immersive experience in 3D movies, music, sport and PlayStation games. Sony’s 3D product range includes the BRAVIA LX900 and BRAVIA HX800, the new Full HD 3D TVs that build on the BRAVIA reputation for legendary picture quality, and the new 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc player BDP-S470, as well as the 3D compatible home theater systems and channel sound bars including BDV-IZ1000, BDV-E970, HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 that have been specially designed to align with the 3D BRAVIA LED HDTVs. To complement this extensive 3D portfolio, Sony Gulf will also be rolling out a free firmware update for PlayStation 3 consoles, making the hardware 3D compatible to enable 3D gaming. The company already offers the Alpha NEX-3 and NEX-5 digital cameras that can take stunning 3D panoramic shots. Osamu Miura, MD, Sony Gulf, said: “3D technology in home entertainment is an immersive phenomenon. Unlike the 3D entertainment experiences of the past, which were characterized by objects coming towards the viewer, the emphasis has now shifted to adding an element of depth. Sony’s 3D world is about subtlety and detail to totally engage the viewer.” Sony has extended a monolithic design theme across its entire suite of home entertainment products launched in 2010.
 

STC is currently in the process of wrapping up all technical arrangements for the IP-Centrex service in preparation for its launch. This service, designed for small and medium sized organizations, aims at providing and managing IP-Centrex services as a network-based solution that delivers PBX-like features with both internal and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) access to individual desks with a robust suite of calling features and routing capabilities. The IP-Centrex service provides several features and users can enjoy the direct inward dialing and direct outward dialing service, call divert, call waiting, voice mail and the abbreviated dialing feature within the same business group members. In addition there is a range of the newest telecommunications and IT solutions, which enhances efficiency and productivity of these facilities. STC also provides an optional service of setting up a professional grade LAN for competitive prices as a prerequisite for delivering IP-Centrex service. This service saves time and effort as the company undertakes all technical support and maintenance operations. Providing IP-Centrex services is the result of STC perceiving the need of its customers in the business and governmental sectors for a range of discounts and facilitations offering practical solutions that contribute to the enhancement of productivity and efficiency of these facilities in accordance with optimum service standards.
 

Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) has announced its global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for July 2010, recording a total of 180,930 units sold. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 26 percent. In July, Kia posted healthy year-on-year sales increases in all sales regions: 59.6 percent in general markets (38,797 units sold), 29.6 percent in Korea (45,100 units sold), 19.2 percent in North America (41,071 units sold), 16.7 percent in Europe (32,257 units sold) and six percent in China (23,705 units sold). Cumulatively, through the first seven months of 2010, Kia’s global sales increased by 32.8 percent year-on-year and reaching 1,185,654 units. China and general markets have experienced the highest gains to date in 2010 of 62.6 percent (194,682 units sold) and 57.6 percent (253,116 units sold), respectively. The remaining regions have all showed cumulative strong double-digit year-on-year sales increases: 25.2 percent in Europe (226,921 units sold), 20.2 percent in Korea (273,289 units sold), and 16.5 percent in North America (237,646 units sold). Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets for the month of July was the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ in some markets) with 31,704 units sold. KMC President Hyoung-Keun Lee said: “Our strong sales results in all regions in July further underline that the Kia brand is being embraced by new customers around the world.
 

Ford’s most innovative sedan, the all-new Taurus, has been voted Saudi Auto’s “Car of the Year” 2010. Arabic language automotive magazine Saudi Auto gives its “Car of the Year” award to the most outstanding new car sold in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf markets, as voted by an independent jury of professional automotive journalists. “This is quite a coup for Ford Taurus and we thank Saudi Auto and the members of its jury for recognizing our flagship sedan as its 2010 Car of the Year. This is the first major Award for the Taurus in the Middle East, but based on the car’s ability to turn heads and win fans, we are sure it won’t be the last,” said Larry Prein, Ford Middle East’s MD. Bakur Azher, publisher and editor in chief of Saudi Auto, and jury member of the Car of the Year award, said: “Ford Taurus is quite simply a great car. Up against some tough competition, it stood out for its driving performance, affordability, safety, and industry-leading technologies that are usually only available in premium models. For us, Taurus was the clear victor.” The Taurus features an impressive set of standard and available industry-exclusive technologies that add convenience, connectivity, safety and value for customers. With all the improvements in design and technology, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus is commanding impressive results at auction in the US, posting an average 39 percent increase in resale value — or $7,100 — over the 2009 model.
 

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC), a Free Zone Authority dedicated to enhancing trade flows through Dubai, and Bank of Baroda, India’s third largest bank signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) at a ceremony held at DMCC’s offices in Almas Tower. DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Ashok K. Gupta, chief executive (GCC Operations), BOB, signed the MoC to channelize synergies and maximize business opportunities. The MoC is designed to provide value-added services to DMCC-registered companies and to further enhance the proposition of operating in the JLT Free Zone. Companies licensed by DMCC will have access to a wide suite of financial products and services provided by BOB, including borrowings for property purchases in the JLT, working capital and long-term financing, trade and commodity financing and other commodity related services. DMCC and BOB will also share knowledge through seminars, workshops and exchange of faculty. “The UAE and India share a long-standing history of trade and partnership, and we are pleased to further build upon this,” said Sulayem. Gupta said: “We are confident that our services will greatly add value to DMCC members, and we look forward to helping DMCC members with customized solutions for all their banking and financing requirements.” Through its six branches and four Customer Service Centers in the UAE, BOB offers full-fledged banking services, including credit facilities to all segments
 

Okaidi, a French brand for children’s clothing, launched its 33rd branch at Khamis Mushayt recently. The brand has achieved remarkable sales, especially as it meets the needs of all segments of society to meet growing demand for children’s clothes. Faisal Al-Jedai, chief executive of Nesk Group, the owner of Okaidi, said the idea of expansion was in line with Nesk’s aspirations for building a network of branches for all of its brands in all regions of the Kingdom. Nesk group has a wide range of European brands such as Women’ secret, Gerry weber, Stradivarius, IKKS and Mango, aside from Okaidi. The company aims to promote its products by opening new outlets and through recruitment of Saudi staff. “We are confident of meeting the challenges posed by competition by offering quality products at competitive pricesh added.
 

NCB Capital, Saudi Arabia’s largest investment bank, has been voted best research house in three categories in Euromoney’s annual Middle East research survey for 2010. The bank achieved a total of 10 ranked positions in this year’s survey, the third highest among all research firms in the region. On the basis of top ranked positions, the firm achieved the second highest total in the region. NCB Capital was awarded Best Research House in the Cement Sector, Best Research House in the Consumer Goods/Retail Sector and Best Research House in the Food & Agriculture Sector. Additionally, it was ranked second in Oil and Natural Gas, Economics, and Credit. It also won third place in Strategy and fourth in General Industries. Euromoney’s annual Middle East Research survey polls global and regional institutional investors to rate the quality of sell side research covering the Middle Eastern equity and debt markets. Each respondent was asked to nominate the top three firms by sector. This year’s survey is Euromoney’s fourth and is seen as a key independent indicator of research effectiveness and quality in the region. Eiji Aono, head of equity research at NCB Capital, said: “We have grown our research capabilities strongly, expanding them to provide our clients with the depth of analysis they need.  We are now the leading research team focused on the all-important Saudi market.”
 

Aljomaih company has decided to distribute prizes to the winning participants of Saudi TV’s daily program “Sibaq Al Mushahideen.” The company has contributed 27 General Motors’ made vehicles to be distributed, one car a day, as prizes to the winners in this year’s version of the program. Prizes will be delivered on daily basis at Aljomaih’s showroom in Riyadh until the end of the contest. The winners so far are Saud Hussain Alharbi of Buraidah (Caprice), Khalid Mohammed Assiri of Khamis Mushayt (Tahoe) and Abdulatif Yatimy of Makkah (Tahoe). “I cannot describe my feeling. I couldn’t believe this is happening to me until I stood in front of the car and received the car key,” said Assiri who participated in the program for the first time. “For a long time, I have been dreaming of driving my own Tahoe so, thank you Aljomaih for making my dream come true.” Aljomaih, GM’s sole authorized agent in the region, has sponsored and supported this program consecutively for the second season to bring cheer and happiness among the viewers in the holy month through the prize scheme. Contestants are taking part from their homes and through SMS and prizes include GM’s Caprice, Yokun, Acadia, Corvette, Camaro and for the first time Cadillac CTS and SRX.
 

Nokia has unveiled the super slim Nokia X3 Touch and Type, with a unique combination of a touch screen and traditional 12 button phone keypad. As Nokia’s first “Touch and Type” phone, the Nokia X3 allows people to tap quickly on the bright color touch screen, as well as enjoy the familiarity of the full keypad for quick fire text messages and phone calls. The new Nokia X3 is expected to be on sale in the Kingdom in the third quarter. “Innovation is not just a high-end game. The Nokia X3 is a great example of bringing new consumer value to lower price points,” said Moussa Obeid, activities development director at Nokia Saudi Arabia. “With the Nokia X3 we are giving consumers the best of both worlds by combining a touch screen and a keypad in an affordable device. We have given people a larger screen with clear icons and menus plus kept critical keys such as the send and end keys. We’ve also added dedicated function keys for important links like music and text messaging,” he said. “We have designed the Nokia X3 to be a touch and type device because typing is ideal for SMS and social networking where fast and frequent input is needed, while touch is ideal for functions such as setting alarms, smooth browsing and controlling applications like music and games. Our research tells us consumers who have invested years in becoming fast one-handed, one-thumb texters want to maintain their speedy edge for SMS, chat and instant messaging — yet enjoy the benefits of touch as well,” Obeid added.
 
 

Al-Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd received a high-ranking team from Kazakhstan recently. Kazakhstan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Khairat Lama Shareef headed the delegation, which included businessmen and a number of Al-Othaim Holding Group representatives. The visitors toured the company’s factory where they were introduced to its different sections and work mechanisms as well as the history of Al-Rabie and its achievements in the field of food industries in the Kingdom. The delegation commended the company for its facilities and production lines in keeping with internationally approved standards. Al-Rabie Saudi Foods, established in 1981, has emerged as one of the largest food producers in the Kingdom, as well as in the Middle East and North Africa region.