Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of Haj Central Committee, commended Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) services for this Haj season and its role in providing the best of latest technology and telecommunication services in Makkah and the holy sites. The company assigned more than 5,000 Saudi employees, from Makkah youngsters, in a significant initiative to serve pilgrims. The company is also introducing the 4G services, which will provide broadband services, in unprecedented speeds, to serve both pilgrims and governmental departments and institutions in charge. STC executives demonstrated the company’s services to Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and a number of officials in charge of Haj services at the Principality headquarters. They briefed them about advanced technological solutions introduced by the company, for the new projects and sites in the area of the holy mosque, and in particular the holy sites train project. The company will be covering its entire stations and tracks with STC services, in addition to the coverage of Mina residential towers and the tunnels and bridges to and from Jamrat. Prince Khalid previewed the most distinct services such as fixed, mobile and broadband services, as well as the enterprise sector services, especially tailored for governmental entities, Haj institutions and foreign Haj missions. The demonstration also included maintenance and emergency plans that STC follows during Haj.
 

In line with its commitment to meet the growing demand for healthy juices and beverages, Al-Rabie Saudi Foods Co., a Saudi company that exports 30 percent of its production, has invested SR200 million to expand its plants and increase productivity. The expansion plans include the adoption of advanced technologies for the manufacture of juices and ready foods and the installation of new hardware, which operate according to the highest international standards. The company also opened an innovative production line to meet the requirements of the local market. “The consumption of juices and beverages in Saudi Arabia reached 6.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), which is the average consumption growth during a specified period of time, which reflects an increased demand for these products. Hence, we at Al-Rabie, which is a 100 percent Saudi company, decided to develop mechanisms of production and expand operations to meet the requirements of the Saudi and foreign markets in which we operate,” said Al-Sharif Monther Al-Harthi, CEO, Al-Rabie Saudi Foods. “We bought a set of highly advanced devices and equipments to improve and modernize production lines according to the best international manufacturing practices. We have also opened innovative production lines to meet the growing demand for natural healthy juices, and we are confident that these investments amounting to SR200 million will first and foremost benefit the consumer, while enabling us to continue to provide healthy products in line with our ‘Health for All' motto," added Al-Harthi.
 

Porsche Design and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the “elite new” Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry. Designed by Porsche Design, in collaboration with RIM, the luxury brand’s first smartphone delivers engineered luxury and performance. The Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry is instantly identifiable as a Porsche Design product. The exclusive material choices for this unique smartphone include a forged stainless steel frame, hand-wrapped leather back cover, sculpted QWERTY keyboard, and crystal clear touch display. This customized Porsche Design P’9981 comes with an exclusive Porsche Design UI and a bespoke Wikitude World Browser augmented reality app experience. It also includes premium, exclusive PINs that help easily identify another P’9981 smartphone user. “Since 1972 Porsche Design has presented milestone products with iconic style, and the P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry will be our next landmark,” said Juergen Gessler, CEO Porsche Design Group. “The pure and distinctive design, coupled with authentic materials and an emphasis on the manufacturing process, perfectly match our philosophy and complement the Porsche Design product assortment.” Todd Wood, SVP for industrial design, RIM, said: “The Porsche Design P’9981 is a truly modern luxury smartphone, where the timeless style of Porsche Design meets the unmatched mobile experience provided by BlackBerry.”
 

Take to the depths in Jubail that makes for a unique diving and fishing destination. This season Coral Beach Hotel Jubail has put together attractive diving and fishing packages inviting enthusiasts to explore the mysterious under-waters at Jana Island. Medhat El Garhi, GM, Coral Beach Hotel Jubail, said, “Jubail, located on the Arabian Gulf, is one of the best places in Saudi Arabia for scuba diving and fishing with a rich marine life. Here you can experience one of nature’s finest adventures in relaxed, clear-warm waters. And we have got an amazing offer for those who love diving and fishing.” Coral Beach Hotel Jubail is perfectly located serving as a gateway to the industrial city of Jubail merely 70 km from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. All major business and leisure landmarks in the city, that draw travelers from across the country and abroad, are merely 10 to 15 minutes drive from the hotel. Medhat said: “A stay at Coral Beach Hotel Jubail gives you style and functionality in equal measure. Boasting 102 meticulously-appointed guestrooms the hotel is designed to provide the utmost in comfort.” What better way to enjoy the great outdoors. Brilliant waters, beautiful scenery, perfect weather and Coral’s signature hospitality — it’s easy to get hooked on to. Just slip into your wetsuits and test the waters in Jubail.
 

Nasair held an Open Day in Riyadh to recruit Saudi nationals looking to join the company as flight attendants. Candidates hoping to join the team were received and greeted by nasair representatives and were given the opportunity to discuss their career options and the benefits of working for nasair. Naiem Al-Shabanah, executive director of group’s HR and Administration, NAS Holding, said: “Nasair — the first Saudi low fare carrier — is committed to giving back to the community, and we are continuing to employ Saudi youths following the company’s strategy that supports the government’s effort in employing the Saudi nationals.” He added: “Today, we see many young Saudis wishing to join the aviation, travel and tourism industry. This is a truly local effort coming within a strategy to recruit 150 during the coming period. We are investing in our national youth strongly and we wish to continue to strive in this arena as we grow our award winning team.” At the open day, Mohammed Saeed Al-Ghamdi, specialist, crew recruitment for nasair, presented details of the training, benefits, job descriptions, minimum requirements and opportunities to assist the attending candidates, aged 19-25. Nasair hopes to recruit 30 new staff and identify additional future candidates from this successful event to expand its evolving team and commit to its internal vision of having the best team of people to serve its growing base of customers within and outside the Kingdom.
 

In celebration of Eid Al-Adha, Rosewood Hotels in Riyadh, the Al-Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al-Khozama, have announced a selection of special Eid offers for families staying in the capital city during this festive time. With the hotels’ superbly appointed rooms and suites available at competitive rates in Al-Faisaliah Hotel North, the newly opened Al-Faisaliah Hotel South and the Hotel Al Khozama, and signature brunches offering the finest dining in the capital, the Rosewood hotels in Riyadh Eid celebrations offer luxury at its most affordable. “Rosewood Hotels in Riyadh offers unmatched luxury hospitality and a wide range of the finest cuisine from around the world. We are delighted to celebrate Eid Al-Adha occasion with a variety of special rates and promotions,” said Peter Finamore, MD, Rosewood Hotels in Riyadh. Adding to the joy of Eid, both Rosewood Hotels in Riyadh have laid on the finest Eid brunches in the capital. Al-Faisaliah Hotel will offer an international brunch in the city’s “most popular and stylish” contemporary Brasserie restaurant. Choices include the finest traditional Arabian and European fare — kharouf, shawarma, pizza, pasta, seafood, as well as an array of international dishes from almost every corner of the globe. Younger guests can join in the fun, with a dedicated children’s buffet, and an array of entertainment that includes cooking with the pastry chef, video games, a drawing corner and a full program of games and activities.
 

The ADNEC-owned, Hyatt Capital Gate hotel, is set to become the first “independently-branded” Hyatt hotel outside the US, when it opens in the coming months. Hyatt Capital Gate occupies level 18-33 at Abu Dhabi’s iconic leaning tower and targets upscale business travelers seeking an authentic Arabian experience. As a “standalone brand” under the Hyatt umbrella, Hyatt Capital Gate has a very distinctive logo and brand identity. Besides, the hotel’s interiors have a “feel” designed to provide hotel guests and visitors an upscale and truly unique hospitality experience. “From a very early stage ADNEC and our partners, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, envisioned Hyatt Capital Gate as a “one-of-a-kind” property, in a global city and located inside one of the world’s most outstanding buildings. The standalone identity conferred on Hyatt Capital Gate is an apt reflection of the distinctiveness and splendor of the property,” said Sanjay Tanna, business development and investments director, ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company). Group and corporate clients of Hyatt Capital Gate will benefit from the ample meeting facilities at ADNEC — from three, state-of-the-art banqueting halls with a 750-guest capacity, to 20 smaller meeting rooms that can accommodate ten to 100 attendees. The move for an ‘independently branded Hyatt’ underlines ADNEC’s reputation for innovation and follows the company’s introduction of Aloft-branded hotels, in Abu Dhabi and London.
 

Al-Tayyar Travel Group has signed a new agreement with Global Educational Opportunities (GEO), an American group, to provide the service of conditional acceptance at university for the benefit of US-bound Saudi students. Fahad Al-Jarboa, CEO of Al-Tayyar Travel Group, and Professor Thomas Khalil, CEO of Global Educational Opportunities, signed the deal. The Foreign Scholarship Program of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has, however, achieved a great success and contributed significantly to the qualification of hundreds of thousands of Saudi nationals. The GEO is considered to be a prominent academic and consultancy entity in the US, with a long experience in the field of higher education, with staff, including deans and former directors of admissions and scholarships of some educational institutions. It is considered to be one of the most exclusive and prestigious ones such as Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania and Northwestern. The GEO is currently operating with governments’ educational institutions and private companies in many countries including South Korea, Thailand, China, Kuwait and the UAE. The GEO aims to develop human resources, promote and empower individuals to take advantage of the available educational opportunities, and develop their academic abilities and educational, individual and intellectual skills.
 

Bahrain Bay, Bahrain’s highest-profile, master-planned $2.5 billion waterfront community, has awarded the main contract for the construction of the iconic Four Seasons Hotel to Belgian-based Six Construct. This selection signals the beginning of phase two of the project, which includes the podium and tower construction. Work will begin on Nov. 30 with a target construction completion date of April 2014. Bob Vincent, Bahrain Bay’s CEO, said, “This project takes on much more significance than a stand-alone development. The commencement of the main contract for the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay is seen as an important commitment to re-invigorating construction in Bahrain and bringing a fresh focus to real estate lending by local banks” Vincent commented. “In addition, the flow-on effects of more than 2,000 jobs during construction; participation by local Bahrain sub-contractors and suppliers during the development and more than 700 permanent jobs; will all serve to demonstrate a turnaround in the Bahraini economy.” From an original list of 21 firms, it was awarded to Six Construct who brings an exemplary track record of construction projects across the globe, including the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace Hotel, The Armani Hotel, Dubai, and many more industry-leading projects. The Four Seasons Hotel at Bahrain Bay will be the latest in the five-star chain’s prestigious portfolio of international properties.
 

SABB has been recognized by Euromoney as The Best Cash Management Provider in Saudi Arabia for 2011. The achievement marks the bank’s fourth consecutive win of this prestigious award. Euromoney Cash Management poll gives corporate customers a chance to vote directly and recognize their banks’ ability and track record in providing cash management solutions through their product and service offerings. SABB provides a comprehensive range of integrated products and services from payments, collections and liquidity management solutions to help clients maximize their working capital positions through dedicated sales, product management, implementation and customer service teams. Winning the Euromoney poll is a testament to the importance SABB attaches to delivering superior and timely service to its customers. The win is also a reflection of the clients experience with SABB and underscores the success of SABB in payments and cash management. David Dew, MD, SABB, said: “The award clearly demonstrates that our approach to payments and cash management is being well received in the Kingdom. We are committed to delivering top quality service, and are focused on creating value and tailored solutions that help our clients achieve their business objectives. The combination of our technical strength, extensive footprint in the Kingdom and our global reach have positioned SABB as one of the strongest cash management banks in Saudi Arabia.”
 

NCB Capital, Saudi Arabia’s major wealth adviser and asset manager, has launched a groundbreaking accreditation program for its wealth managers that will benefit clients throughout the Kingdom. The Wealth Management Development Program has been established in conjunction with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), the respected UK-based investment industry professional body. An important addition to the training and development that NCB Capital already offers its professionals, the new program offers accreditation in four stepped levels, to address the specific requirements of different roles: From an International Certificate for junior managers, through to Expert Certification for the most senior wealth advisers. Tariq Linjawi, head of Wealth Management at NCB Capital, said: “From the smallest saver to the Kingdom’s largest institutional investor, all are looking for guidance to help protect and grow their assets. As a result, it has never been more important to nurture close and lasting relationships with clients and to provide them with the products and advice that match their individual needs and attitudes to risk. This accreditation program will ensure that all of our professionals are at the cutting edge of industry knowledge in their dealings with clients — providing the best advice and service.” May Al-Hoshan, head of human capital management at NCB Capital, said: “This investment in the development of our local Saudi talent will bring benefits right across the Kingdom.”