CANON

Canon Middle East, a solutions provider, has strengthened its position in the Document Information Management System (DIMS) sector by signing a new agreement with Kofax's hardware distribution business, a distributor of professional document scanners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Under the terms of the agreement Kofax will distribute Canon's full line of market leading professional scanners across the Middle East. "Our distribution agreement with Kofax means that we can now offer even more comprehensive document management solutions to new and existing customers across the region. Strategic partnerships are very important to Canon Middle East as they enable us to offer the best possible solutions to match customer needs. Our solutions portfolio is now stronger than ever, and as businesses are increasingly looking at ways they can reduce, manage and control document costs, we can now offer the best and most comprehensive range on the market," said Vishal Gohel, product manager, Canon Middle East. Extending an existing pan-European distribution agreement covering 15 other countries, the deal further strengthens Canon Middle East's leading position within the DIMS market. "We highly value the document capture expertise and technology that Kofax brings to us, and look forward to our mutual growth and success in the region," said Gohel.
 
AL-BABTAIN

Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunications Company has signed an agreement to acquire 49 percent of the shares of Al-Babtain LeBlanc Telecommunications Systems (Al-Babtain-LeBlanc), currently owned by LeBlanc International PTE Ltd. Al-Babtain currently owns 51 percent of Al-Babtain-LeBlanc. Al-Babtain LeBlanc is a Saudi limited liability company. The Agreement provides for the acquisition of 49 percent of Al-Babtain-LeBlanc's shares, the payment of a cash consideration and the issuance of new shares as of the date of completion. Al-Babtain will initiate talks with LeBlanc shareholders in order to acquire 100 percent of the LeBLANC Group of Companies globally. The acquisition will also be carried out against shares in Al-Babtain. The consummation of this transaction is subject, among other things, to the execution of definitive agreements, satisfaction of all agreed terms and conditions, approval of Al-Babtain's board and extraordinary general assembly as well as obtaining all regulatory approvals. HSBC Saudi Arabia Ltd. is acting as Al-Babtain's financial adviser.
 
BPD

BITS, Pilani-Dubai (BPD), claimed to be the finest engineering college in the region, has awarded nearly AED2 million worth of scholarships to a quarter of its students. These include several entry-level scholarships - board toppers, merit and sports excellence scholarships. The first honors various board toppers, with the first rank holder getting 100 percent of the tuition fee as scholarship. The second and third rank holders get 75 percent and 50 percent of the first semester tuition fee, respectively. Merit scholarships are awarded to those scoring high marks in the 12th grade qualifying examination. 164 students admitted have been awarded this scholarship. Students who maintain the merit continue to get the merit scholarship - as about 115 students are getting. BPD also offers scholarships for those taking competitive examinations in engineering (like BITSAT, AIEEE, JEE, etc.) ranging from 25 to 100 percent of tuition fee for the first year. As the scholarship for sports excellence, BPD offers 50 percent first semester tuition fee concession for international medal winners, and 15 percent for participants in international championships. Winners of national medals get 20 percent first semester tuition fee concession and participants in national events get five percent. To cope with recession, BPD offers fee concessions for students subjected to the sudden job loss of a parent. It is also working on an insurance scheme to protect students in such unforeseen circumstances.
 
HYUNDAI

Hyundai Motor Company's mid-size sedan, all-new Sonata, has won the first Middle East Motor Awards 2010 (MEMA) for best car-in-class. The award was recently presented during the opening ceremony of the 10th International Motor Show Sharjah in the UAE. The MEMA is administered by 12 automotive experts from nine Middle Eastern countries that together represent the Middle East automobile industry. The judges evaluated models - launched at least in five Middle Eastern nations within the 12-month period - on 10 criteria including superior performance, technology, practicality and value. In particular, the jury focused on whether the car satisfies regional customer requirements. Each vehicle underwent thorough road and track tests as well as comprehensive competitor comparisons. Sonata excelled other cars in its segment such as Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Taurus, thanks to its superior performance, safety and comfort. This marks the first car of the year awards given out by the Middle Eastern auto industry. Sonata has been earning steady recognition in the Middle East since the beginning of this year. Sonata won the Car of the Year title from Sports Auto and Gulf Auto based in Saudi Arabia in May and June respectively. In July, Sonata and Tucson received the Car of the Year award from Syria-based publication Auto Sports. Sonata sales from January to September 2010 in 17 Middle Eastern countries are up 103 percent compared to the same period in 2009.