The Al-Jomaih Group, a major Saudi conglomerate with interests in mining, motor vehicles, investment brokerage and transportation support, has signed a memorandum of engagement (MoE) with Pearl Initiative, the private-sector led initiative developed in cooperation with the UN Office for Partnerships that is creating a regional network of business leaders and policy makers within the GCC. Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Jomaih, MD, investments, Al-Jomaih Group, and one of the newly-elected governors of Pearl Initiative: “I am honored to be elected as one of Pearl Initiative’s board members, and to be a part of such an important and timely initiative for our whole region. Disseminating the vision of Pearl Initiative, and encouraging its widespread implementation, is a necessary and laudable goal, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues in furtherance of these objectives in the months and years ahead.” According to Al-Jomaih, the MoE demonstrates the group’s commitment to supporting and promoting specific ethical behavior and business practices, creating an internal corporate culture with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, social responsibility and governance, participation in certain leadership training programs, engagement with peers, and acting as an advocate for the initiative and stimulating social entrepreneurship. The Al-Jomaih Group, which started out in 1936 as a family business in Shaqra’a, trading in foodstuffs and textiles, is described as a prestigious addition to Pearl Initiative.

Panasonic Corporation has announced a new venture with National Geographic, the world-renowned scientific and educational organization. Panasonic has named the project “The Earth’s Witnesses” and it will support the global research explorations conducted by National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers and Young Explorers. Panasonic aims to be the No. 1 green innovation company in the electronics industry, making the environment central to all of its business activities and take the lead in promoting the “Green Revolution” that is taking place around the world. National Geographic has long fascinated the world with breathtakingly beautiful photos of its global explorations - chronicling nature, peoples and culture. The research and conservation activities of National Geographic to preserve these assets have helped to raise awareness of global conservation in people worldwide. “The Earth’s Witnesses” project will be supporting the work of Emerging Explorers like wildlife biologist Aparajita Datta, who is exploring the conservation challenges facing the tropical forest of India’s Arunachal Pradesh region - one of the world’s last vast tracts of wilderness - and the complex issues confronting the tribal Lisu people who call it home; and the work of Young Explorers like biologist Greg Smith and photographer Drew Fulton, who are working to conserve the cloud forest of Costa Rica. The new joint venture and on activities supported by “The Earth’s Witnesses” project, including videos and photographs made with Panasonic’s LUMIX cameras in the field will be available at both Panasonic and National Geographic official websites.

A new store of eXtra, described as Saudi Arabia’s largest and fastest-growing consumer electronics retailer, has opened in Hafr Al-Batin. This is the 20th eXtra store in Saudi Arabia, which has been designed to meet the needs of the population of Hafr Al-Batin and surrounding areas, currently estimated to be in excess of 500,000. The new store in Hafr Al-Batin has been modeled after the company’s successful branch in Tabuk. With more than 3,000 different items for sale, the Tabuk store managed to become the leading consumer electronics retailer just five months after opening, servicing more than 500,000 shoppers, equivalent to 40 percent of the total population. eXtra has entered relatively minor cities in the Kingdom like Tabuk, Hafr Al-Batin and Najran with a specially-tailored store format in order to most effectively serve its customers at such locations. The opening of eXtra’s 20th store in the Kingdom follows the launch earlier this year of the company’s seventh branch in Riyadh and one in Najran. According to Mohammad Galal, CEO, United Electronics Company (eXtra), the company plans to open four more stores in Dammam, Jubail, Al-Kharj and Jeddah by the end of the year, bringing its total countrywide network to 24. “This store is our first in Hafr Al-Batin, serving customers throughout the Kingdom’s northeast area. The opening of this new store demonstrates our unmatched commitment to meeting the needs of our customers - wherever they are and whenever they need us,” said Galal.

Dubai’s pioneering low-cost airline flydubai has launched its new car rental service allowing passengers to book a vehicle and then drive away for less anywhere in the world. The service, available exclusively online through flydubai.com, finds the best rates from more than 650 car rental companies across 35,000 cities and airports in 185 countries. Ghaith Al-Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “The launch of our car rental service is another example of offering passengers more choice every time they travel. This new facility also makes it more convenient and therefore a little less stressful for people to find some of the most affordable rates no matter where they fly.” The service, provided in conjunction with CarTrawler, follows the launches earlier this year of the flydubai bus, which provides a direct link between Dubai Terminal 2 and Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and travel insurance packages. “We are delighted to be working with such a progressive airline as flydubai,” said Robin White, head of sales with CarTrawler. “By working with CarTrawler, flydubai is adding an important revenue stream to its bottom line. It has a strong route network and we are confident car rental will be a key part of the booking choice in the years to come.” The airline is dedicated to making travel more accessible and affordable, taking every step to lower costs and pass on those savings to customers. All fares are one way and inclusive of taxes, that includes one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 7 kg and a small handbag or laptop bag.

EPIC Green Solutions, a UAE-based international water management solutions company specializing in highly efficient sub-surface irrigation and drainage systems, is participating in the 18th edition of Saudi Agro-Food exhibition taking place from Sept. 19-22 at the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center in the capital. With offices soon to open in Saudi Arabia, EPIC Green Solutions holds the worldwide rights to the US-patented technology, known as the EPIC (Environmental Passive Integrated Chamber) system. The innovative technology is revolutionizing conventional approaches to irrigation in the Middle East by providing cost-effective, sustainable and profitable water management solutions, which have proven to be highly suitable for use in agricultural projects. Saudi Arabia has witnessed an immense growth in its agricultural industry over the last 30 years, with government entities such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Saudi Arabian Agriculture Bank investing heavily in modern farming technologies, irrigation networks and agricultural facilities. “The growth of Saudi Arabia’s agriculture industry goes hand in hand with the need for an adequate irrigation infrastructure,” said Charlie Fleifel, chairman and CEO of EPIC Green Solutions. “Due to the Middle East’s hot, arid desert climate, it is essential that scarce water resources are managed as efficiently as possible in order to sustain this development. With the launch of our operations in the Kingdom, we are hoping to make the technologies needed to achieve this balance accessible to local Saudi farmers.” Bart Rehbein, MD, EPIC Green Solution.

Al-Tayyar Travel Group has signed an agreement with Turkish airlines. With this, Al-Tayyar has become the general agent of cargo operations of Turkish Airlines in Saudi Arabia and from the Kingdom to all over the world. Fahad Al-Jarboa, chief executive of Al-Tayyar group, and Abdulla Soner Aggurt, SVP, cargo department of Turkish Airlines, signed the agreement in Riyadh. This agreement will enhance the shipping services offered by Al-Tayyar group opening up a wide range of options. Al Tayyar CEO Fahad Al-Jarboa said: “We are committed to a long term strategy that will develop and expand our services locally and internationally earning us precedence in the various activities related to the industry of travel and the industries related to it, all in the best interest of our customers. Indeed this partnership will enrich us with more destinations that Turkish Airlines is linked to, whether in Turkey or abroad.” He added: “This partnership with Turkish airlines confirms our commitment in meeting all the needs of our customers, in offering all our air cargo solutions to our valuable customers - institutions, companies and even governments — including the provision of cargo planes, especially for fast transfer of all air cargo and relief operations in the world.”