Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) is expanding and increasing Invision (interactive television service) channels to 150, with three-month free subscriptions. The move is part of STC’s strategy that affirms its leadership in advancing technology by developing its interactive television service. The offer also includes a variety package of quality television shows for Ramadan allowing customers to view their favorite programs without adhering to the viewing times. They can make use of the Invision features that enable customers to manage the viewing times and watch what they please with full control over viewing times whenever they like. Invision allows customers to review any program that has been aired for one week on any channel. The company confirmed that it was able to develop and upgrade the Invision service and increase its portfolio to 150 channels with HD channels. The basic Invision package includes 50 channels instead of the 19 current one in addition to expanding the Invision Naqaa base which will meet the desires of all family members and satisfy their needs in watching more diverse television channels. STC said that Invision is keen on selecting key programs that meet the needs and requirements of customers especially that Ramadan is one of the most important seasons that gathers all family members around the television screen at home to watch what the satellites are airing from programs and documentaries. Invision, launched by STC in July 2010, allows customers to subscribe to various home broadband packages to view visual content (satellite television channels, sports, cultural programs, documentaries, video programs, and others) in a unique interactive and entertaining manner.
 

Renault, the fastest growing automotive brand in the GCC region with more than 250 percent growth at the end of June 2011, recently announced the successful completion of one-year partnership with Gulf Advantage Automobiles (GAA), the brand’s sole and exclusive distributors for Saudi Arabia. Following an agreement between Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baazei and Suhail Bahwan Automobiles of Oman, Gulf Advantage Automobiles was formed as a joint venture and appointed as Renault’s exclusive distributors for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2010. Gulf Advantage formally commenced its operations on July 17, 2010. With the appointment of Gulf Advantage Automobiles as the new distributor, the Renault brand has achieved record sales in Saudi Arabia in the past one year of its operations. Renault currently enjoys the title of "number one" in sales amongst European car brands in the Kingdom and has contributed immensely in the Renault brand currently being the fastest growing brand in the entire GCC. Mustansir Lakdawala, managing director, Renault GCC, said: “We are delighted to have GAA as our exclusive distributors for Saudi Arabia. Growth in our sales proves the efficiency of this appointment as we now enjoy the status of being the fastest growing automotive brand in the GCC. Renault’s popular car models — Safrane, Fluence and Logan — as well as the light commercial vehicle range on the Renault Trafic and the Renault Logan platform are at the forefront of the Renault strategy in Saudi Arabia.” Divyendu Kumar, managing director of Gulf Advantage Automobiles, said: “We consider our partnership with Renault GCC as exceedingly valuable. We have indeed witnessed the exponential growth of this remarkable brand. As Renault’s new exclusive distributors in Saudi Arabia, we will continue facilitating its expansion. We have ensured that the most frequently required parts are among the cheapest and their availability is near 100 percent at all times. Services such as a 24-hour helpline and 24x7 roadside assistance ensure that a Renault customer has complete peace of mind after purchase.”
 

With the recent opening of its 31st store in Saudi Arabia at Turki Center, Alkhobar, the REDTAG Group now boasts 68 stores in the GCC. The Dubai-based value fashion chain has dramatically altered the region’s retail landscape in a short span of time by offering an affordable range of quality fashionwear for men, women and children as well as homeware. Ernest J. Hosking, CEO of the REDTAG Group, said: “By opening our third REDTAG store in Alkhobar and our 31st store in Saudi Arabia, we have taken a significant step forward in our plan to position REDTAG as a fashion retailer who makes the shortlist of any price-sensitive shopper in Saudi Arabia. REDTAG is already a force to be reckoned with in Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE and Qatar and we want the brand to achieve the same stature in Saudi Arabia during 2011. Shoppers at the REDTAG store at Turki Center can expect to pick up good quality fashionwear and homeware at affordable prices. They can also expect to see new collections in the store regularly and frequently.” Riaan Albertyn, REDTAG stylist, said: “The opening of our third store in Alkhobar is a clear indication that customers will always seek out the latest fashions — but at the best possible value. A "Desire To Be Different" is the main concept behind our new Summer Collection at the Turki Center store and it promises to entice! Bold and bright colors replace the classical black. Turquoise, fuschia pink to apple green and shades of blue will be the best colors to focus on this season. The seasons’ key items are also available in our fashion collections. All our key items have been updated to the latest fashion trends. So if you want to be different, just drop in at REDTAG!” The REDTAG Group is part of BMA International, which has achieved important milestones in retail, fashion and lifestyle over the last three decades. BMA is also the holding company for Retail Arabia which operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores and malls.
 

Samsung Electronics Levant, a leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, unveiled a new A4 color laser printer, CLP-775ND, designed for high volume, business color printing. The CLP-775ND is equipped with a powerful 600MHz dual core CPU, so it provides the ultimate throughput performance at speeds of up to 33ppm (A4). Its superior processing power, anti-jam technology and enhanced connectivity ensure that the CLP-775ND is a cost-effective solution for businesses looking for a high-quality, trouble-free printer. “Business printing has been an important focus for Samsung in 2011 as we look to build on our success in the printer market,” said Sangsuk Roh, president of Samsung Electronics Levant. “Corporate customers now expect printers to deliver increased productivity and cost-effectiveness, without sacrificing speed or quality, while also being environmentally friendly, and this is exactly why the CLP-775ND offers such great value.” Designed for corporate users, greater efficiency and less hassle are central to the performance of the CLP-775ND. Samsung has incorporated a powerful 600MHz dual core processor in order to deliver the best possible data processing speed — printing up to 33ppm (A4) taking only 11 seconds to process first page of each job through to output, including even large color documents. Its improved anti-jam technology also reduces the chance of paper jams by 50 percent from previous models. The CLP-775ND comes with a 1GB Ethernet network connection as standard, allowing the printer to be conveniently connected to a high-speed, high-volume network. So jobs can be sent to the printer swiftly and efficiently and it effortlessly manages the exacting demands of even the busiest work groups. Even greater efficiency is enabled by the printer’s extensive paper capacity of 1,600 sheets across three trays; so much less time is wasted on refills.
 

Al-Khozama Management Company (AKMC) has signed a management agreement for the company’s second luxury hotel in Madinah to be known as the Al-Khozama Hotel, Madinah. The 140-room hotel is scheduled to be operational in October 2011. The luxury hotel will include a 24-hour butler service, 20 executive suites, two restaurants and convenient access to Al Rawda Al Sharifa. AKMC’s CEO Musaid Al-Said signed the deal with Ali Abu Bakr Al-Attas, chairman of the Trading Real Estate Company and owner of the Al-Khozama Hotal. AKMC’s CEO said the company has two-fold business strategy. It plans to expand its hospitality portfolio in key growth areas in the Kingdom and to develop the well-regarded Al-Khozama and Al-Faisaliah brands. “The latest management contract to operate Al-Khozama Hotel, Madinah, meets both objectives and we look forward to introducing an unrivaled hospitality service to our valued guests in Madinah,” he said. According to Al-Said, AKMC has also confirmed a management contract with Al-Faisaliah Hotel in Madinah, which is scheduled to be opened in the second-quarter of 2012. “The expansion of our portfolio with properties in Madinah offers us additional opportunities to highlight service,” Al Said said. The company since 2009 has won 22 national and international excellence awards in hospitality. The company already has contracts with five-star hotels such as the AKMC-Al-Shohada Hotel in Makkah and Al-Khozama and Al-Faisaliah Hotels in Riyadh.