STC

Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) sponsored the Arab Telecommunication and Internet Forum (ATIF) that ended in Beirut on Friday. The two-day event drew Telecom ministers and personalities from across the region as well as business leaders and specialists from the industry. Ghassan Hasbani, CEO, international operations, STC said: “STC’s sponsorship of the forum is due to the importance of IT in the Middle East. STC has played a pioneering role in IT and has given it great importance as part of its telecommunications agenda and excelled by introducing the latest in technology, a step that earned it market leadership among all telecom providers in the region.” The forum’s agenda included the changes that the IT and telecommunications sector is undergoing in light of the increasing demand for new services, including assessment of needs, aspirations and consumption patterns of Internet and mobile phone users at a grassroots level. Delegates also discussed the nature and opportunities of modern telecommunications business models and analyzed developments that have witnessed changes including investment, broadband development, the role of regulators, the needs of the modern digital consumer, digital security and other issues pertinent in the field of telecommunications and IT. STC participated in the forum with a stand showcasing its international investments. Lebanese Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahas and Saudi Ambassador in Lebanon Ali bin Saeed Aseeri were among those visiting the stand.
 
HYUNDAI AZERA

Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), dealer of Hyundai cars in the Western Region, recently organized a test-drive of the new Hyundai Azera 2012 in Durat Al Arous, Jeddah. “The fifth generation of Azera sets new high standards in its segment in view of its bold front appearance, high quality of material and advanced engineering,” a company executive said. Hyundai has improved its outside design and used high quality material for the interior fittings to enhance its sense of luxury. The new car is equipped with a powerful V6 engine, 3.0-liter that produces up to 250 hp, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission that offers Shiftronic manual control. The 2012 Azera embodies a clean aero-wedge profile with more graceful, flowing contours that are highlighted by a rising hood line, more steeply raked windshield and an even sleeker roof/side glass treatment. The side profile is also familiar, sharing some arches with the Sonata. LED headlights and taillights give the car an up-scale look. The new model is equipped with various safety instruments. Aside from improving its shape, the new car cabin has become larger and spacious in order to provide additional comfort for the car occupants. The new model is “the only car in its segment” that has fully air-conditioned seats, with full electric control of the front seats’ positions. Its powerful air conditioning system and other striking features have helped it to occupy top position in its segment.
 
UMA

Universal Motors Agencies Co. (UMA), General Motors’ (GM) dealer in Saudi Arabia, opens its new multi-operational branch facility in the Jubail Industrial Zone (JIZ), bringing the total number of UMA facilities in the Kingdom to 26. UMA invested more than SR185 million recently as part of its expansion program. It is now operating from 16 locations across the Kingdom. The new facility includes a retail sales center for Chevrolet and GMC in addition to a dedicated service center with state-of-the-art interactive service lanes and a retail parts outlet. The Jubail facility will house the largest dealership in the Royal commission of Jubail and Yanbu showcasing a full range of vehicles, with a section dedicated to sports and performance vehicles. Walid Telmesani, COO at UMA said: “At UMA, we are constantly seeking to improve our customer experience by working to bring them the best possible service available. With the opening of our third facility in a prime location in less than a year, we are effectively able to reach our customers in Jubail and its surrounding areas and provide them with a complete range of services, handled by highly-trained Saudi professionals.” John Stadwick, president and MD, General Motors Middle East Operations, said: “Customer service is our number one priority at GM, and the fact that UMA is opening a third new facility within less than a year is a testament of UMA’s commitment to our customers in the Kingdom and to the strong partnership between General Motors and UMA.”
 
TOPCHEF/ART DE TABLE

Top Chef Arabia and Art de Table were among the main highlights of the four-day Food & Hotel Arabia show held in Jeddah last week. TopChef was organized by ACE Events in coordination with Saudi Arabian Chef Association, showcasing live culinary skills by chefs selected from the finest hotels and restaurants. The Art de Table contest, which involves table display skills, had the participation of many hotels and restaurants. Food Arabia, Hotel Arabia and Propac Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s 16th international showcase for the industry was described by both exhibitors and visitors as “timely and successful” in the context of Saudi Arabia’s policy of providing food security for its increasing population. Held with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mahmood Bin Saeed Ahmed, general director at the General Directorate for Agriculture Affairs, Makkah Region, opened the event that showcased products and services related to food, beverages and catering; hotel equipment, supplies and services; processing, packaging canning, bottling, labeling and plastics. Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE) organized the show, which enjoyed the support of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) represented by Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT). Exhibitors from 18 countries, including six National pavilions, took part. The countries represented were Burkina Faso, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and the US. The next food, hotel & propac arabia show is scheduled from May 20-23, 2012, at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events.