Bahrain airport wins ‘best staff in Mideast’ award from Skytrax

Gulf Air Group Chairman Zayed R. Alzayani and Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah received the award.
Gulf Air Group Chairman Zayed R. Alzayani and Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah received the award.
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Updated 21 April 2024
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Bahrain airport wins ‘best staff in Mideast’ award from Skytrax

Gulf Air Group Chairman Zayed R. Alzayani and Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah received the award.
  • BIA is the central asset of Bahrain’s aviation sector, which receives great support from King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and benefits from the close follow-up of Prime Minister and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa”

Bahrain International Airport has been awarded the “Best Airport Staff in the Middle East 2024” from Skytrax for the second year in a row at the 2024 World Airport Awards, the most prestigious accolades for the airport industry. The awards were voted for by customers in the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey.
Gulf Air Group Chairman Zayed R. Alzayani and Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah received the award on behalf of BIA, at the awards ceremony held at the 2024 Passenger Terminal Expo in Frankfurt, Germany.
Additionally, Alzayani and Al-Binfalah received the latest 5-star airport rating, which was awarded to BIA for the third consecutive time in recognition of its dedication to optimizing performance and attaining the highest levels of operational excellence.
Alzayani congratulated all the employees of BIA and BAC, for once again receiving the prestigious Skytrax award. He said: “In Gulf Air Group, we take immense pride in our dedicated BIA team, particularly our Bahraini competencies. Their remarkable commitment to delivering a distinctive and seamless travel experience to visitors and passengers transiting through BIA is commendable. BIA is the central asset of Bahrain’s aviation sector, which receives great support from King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and benefits from the close follow-up of Prime Minister and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.”
He added: “Gulf Air Group is strongly committed to empowering its Bahraini workforce and investing in human capital, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to remain at the forefront of global industry standards. This strategic focus aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders within Bahrain’s aviation sector. The recent achievement of reaching a Bahrainization ratio of up to 90 percent across all departments of BAC is a source of great pride. This noteworthy milestone is the result of a series of carefully planned initiatives launched over the past years.”
Meanwhile, Al-Binfalah said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our strategic partners for their ongoing support of BAC’s diverse programs and initiatives, which have been instrumental in the remarkable regional and global accomplishments of BIA ... This achievement is a testament to the collective spirit of team Bahrain that guides all our partners as we relentlessly pursue excellence in customer satisfaction, striving to consistently raising the bar and setting new industry standards. It reflects our key to success, which is deeply rooted in our commitment to creating remarkable and unforgettable experiences for every visitor.”
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said: “We congratulate BIA for their success in winning this important award for 2024, which is a fabulous recognition of the quality of staff service provided across all of the customer-facing areas in the airport.”

 


New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia
Updated 25 July 2024
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New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

New NIVEA product ‘Luminous630’ targets uneven skin tone in Saudi Arabia

Global skincare leader NIVEA celebrated the launch of its revolutionary Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range in Saudi Arabia. This innovative product empowers Saudi women to embrace their radiant confidence by addressing a common concern — uneven skin tone and stretch marks.

The launch event took place on July 8 in Riyadh. It brought together a gathering of celebrated beauty insiders, influencers like Lojain Omran and Noha Nabil, celebrities, and international entertainment acts. The NIVEA team kicked off the event by sharing their brand heritage and future vision, culminating in the much-anticipated reveal of the NIVEA Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range.

Guests were welcomed into a vibrant pre-function area filled with interactive activities and captivating mirror art installations, setting the stage for a truly unique experience. Renowned DJ and violinist Andre Soueid took the stage after that, electrifying the ambiance even further. Guests also enjoyed a live stream screening of the “Boulevard Takeover,” capturing the launch’s real-time excitement.

A thought-provoking discussion panel followed, featuring a lively exchange between skincare expert Dr. Yasmin El-Masri and media personality Suha Nowailaty. Dr. El-Masri, a renowned dermatologist, shared valuable skincare insights, while Nowailaty brought her deep understanding of the multifaceted lives of Saudi women. The speakers engaged in a dynamic conversation about the importance of feeling confident in your skin and explored the latest trends and approaches to achieving an even skin tone. Through partnerships with influential figures like these, NIVEA continues to inspire and nurture the growing confidence of Saudi women.

“We are thrilled to introduce the NIVEA Body Luminous630 range to the Saudi Arabian market,” said Alia Lotfy, head of marketing at NIVEA MENA. “Uneven skin tone is a common concern for many people in the region, and this range offers a powerful and effective way to achieve a radiant, even-looking complexion.”

Following a decade of research, NIVEA developed the patented Luminous630 enzyme. This breakthrough ingredient regulates melanin production and reduces the visibility of dark spots, making it the world’s most effective solution for even skin tone. The NIVEA Body Luminous630 Even Skin Tone range, available in oil serum and cream formats, offers a clinically proven solution for achieving a visibly even skin tone and stretch marks reduction.


SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom
Updated 24 July 2024
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SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

SAB, HSBC forge strategic partnership to drive financial innovation in the Kingdom

Saudi Awwal Bank, a leading bank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations, to strengthen their collaboration to accelerate financial innovation.

This strategic alliance comes as Saudi Arabia aspires to become a hub for financial innovation through Vision 2030. 

The signing ceremony took place in London, further solidifying the strong partnership between the two banks.

Tony Cripps, managing director and CEO at SAB said: “Our customers’ evolving needs in this rapidly changing, technology-driven era require us to innovate and introduce cutting-edge solutions continuously. As the Kingdom’s leading international bank, we are thrilled to leverage HSBC’s significant scale, capabilities, and expertise to bring the next generation of banking services to Saudi Arabia.”

Stephen Moss, chief executive officer, HSBC Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye and board member of SAB, echoed the sentiment: “For over 70 years, HSBC and SAB have worked together to develop leading banking services in Saudi Arabia. This MoU expands our support of SAB, providing access to HSBC’s expertise in leading-edge and innovative solutions for the benefit of customers.”

The MoU aligns with “SAB’s” growth strategy, which is focused on accelerating the pace and scale of Innovation. 

It also affirms SAB’s continued commitment to supporting Vision 2030 and the associated key initiatives under the Financial Sector Development Plan to transform the Kingdom into a leading financial technology and innovation hub.

The partnership also aims to strengthen SAB’s leading position in the banking sector as the bank continues to cater to its customers’ evolving needs.

SAB recently received accreditation as an innovation organization by the Global Innovation Institute “GInI” becoming the first bank in the Kingdom to be certified by GInI.  

SAB was also awarded the Global Banking Innovation Award for Small and Medium Enterprises by the Digital Banker.


The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management
Updated 24 July 2024
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The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The devastating effects of flooding on infrastructure, human lives, and the economy are undeniable. 

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of flooding events, effective flood management has become top priority. 

Through providing advanced analytics and forecasting tools, SAS has grown into a key player in the field of flood management, supporting organizations in both preparing for and minimizing the impact of floods.

Considering how unpredictable natural disasters like flooding can be, Alexander Tikhonov, regional director of SAS Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, underscored SAS’ dedication to developing innovative, lifesaving solutions.

“We are deeply committed to supporting communities with cutting-edge technologies that not only enhance operational efficiency but also safeguard lives. Our efforts through the SAS D[n]A Factory initiative reaffirm our dedication to developing innovative solutions that help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.”

Under SAS D[n]A Factory, the company’s new, pioneering initiative, SAS draws on its extensive international expertise to create a tailored solution that responds perfectly to the region’s specific needs and challenges. 

This solution demonstrates the proven value of SAS’ flood management tools, based on trusted data, analytics, and AI, in equipping organizations better prepare for future flooding events and unforeseen situations.

Currently, the pilot version of the solution illustrates the following capabilities: 

1. Advanced Analytics: Processes enormous volumes of data coming from various data sources to provide accurate flood forecasts and risk assessments.

2. Real-Time Monitoring: Shows how important real-time data is when it comes to monitoring flood-prone areas and predicting potential flooding events.

3. Proactive Planning: Emphasizes the role of predictive analytics in proactive flood management, allowing organizations to plan and implement mitigation strategies well in advance.

4. Enhanced Community Preparedness: Provides insights into how communities can leverage SAS tools to improve their preparedness and response to flood emergencies.

SAS has proven that it can provide more than just theoretical answers by working with an extensive number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations globally to enhance their flood management systems.

For instance, SAS collaborated with the Jakarta government to deploy an award-winning flood control system integrated into the “JAKI” super app. 

Using real-time data and advanced predictive analytics, this innovative system can accurately predict flooding events. It combines sensor data and weather forecasts, enabling timely interventions that significantly reduce the adverse effects of floods. Not only has the system strengthened Jakarta’s flood response, but it has also garnered praise for its groundbreaking application of technology to city planning.

The Town of Cary in North Carolina, US, is another great example. SAS has provided the town with a tailored flood incident prediction and preparedness solution, utilizing the Microsoft Azure platform and integrating flood risk assessment, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics capabilities. 

The system’s ability to bring together data from several sources, including weather forecasts, river levels, and historical data, allows for accurate flood forecasting and early warning services. Thanks to this proactive approach, the Town of Cary is now significantly better prepared to deal with potential flood threats, guaranteeing the community’s safety.

Regional flood management strategies can be drastically enhanced with the power of SAS advanced analytics and real-time data processing tools.  

In addition to mitigating flood damage, this new solution from SAS D[n]A Factory can help local communities feel less vulnerable to flooding events while properly equipped to quickly recover.


The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management
Updated 24 July 2024
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The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The role of SAS analytics in flood management

The devastating effects of flooding on infrastructure, human lives, and the economy are undeniable. 

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of flooding events, effective flood management has become top priority. 

Through providing advanced analytics and forecasting tools, SAS has grown into a key player in the field of flood management, supporting organizations in both preparing for and minimizing the impact of floods.

Considering how unpredictable natural disasters like flooding can be, Alexander Tikhonov, regional director of SAS Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, underscored SAS’ dedication to developing innovative, lifesaving solutions.

“We are deeply committed to supporting communities with cutting-edge technologies that not only enhance operational efficiency but also safeguard lives. Our efforts through the SAS D[n]A Factory initiative reaffirm our dedication to developing innovative solutions that help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters.”

Under SAS D[n]A Factory, the company’s new, pioneering initiative, SAS draws on its extensive international expertise to create a tailored solution that responds perfectly to the region’s specific needs and challenges. 

This solution demonstrates the proven value of SAS’ flood management tools, based on trusted data, analytics, and AI, in equipping organizations better prepare for future flooding events and unforeseen situations.

Currently, the pilot version of the solution illustrates the following capabilities: 

1. Advanced Analytics: Processes enormous volumes of data coming from various data sources to provide accurate flood forecasts and risk assessments.

2. Real-Time Monitoring: Shows how important real-time data is when it comes to monitoring flood-prone areas and predicting potential flooding events.

3. Proactive Planning: Emphasizes the role of predictive analytics in proactive flood management, allowing organizations to plan and implement mitigation strategies well in advance.

4. Enhanced Community Preparedness: Provides insights into how communities can leverage SAS tools to improve their preparedness and response to flood emergencies.

SAS has proven that it can provide more than just theoretical answers by working with an extensive number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations globally to enhance their flood management systems.

For instance, SAS collaborated with the Jakarta government to deploy an award-winning flood control system integrated into the “JAKI” super app. 

Using real-time data and advanced predictive analytics, this innovative system can accurately predict flooding events. It combines sensor data and weather forecasts, enabling timely interventions that significantly reduce the adverse effects of floods. Not only has the system strengthened Jakarta’s flood response, but it has also garnered praise for its groundbreaking application of technology to city planning.

The Town of Cary in North Carolina, US, is another great example. SAS has provided the town with a tailored flood incident prediction and preparedness solution, utilizing the Microsoft Azure platform and integrating flood risk assessment, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics capabilities. 

The system’s ability to bring together data from several sources, including weather forecasts, river levels, and historical data, allows for accurate flood forecasting and early warning services. Thanks to this proactive approach, the Town of Cary is now significantly better prepared to deal with potential flood threats, guaranteeing the community’s safety.

Regional flood management strategies can be drastically enhanced with the power of SAS advanced analytics and real-time data processing tools.  

In addition to mitigating flood damage, this new solution from SAS D[n]A Factory can help local communities feel less vulnerable to flooding events while properly equipped to quickly recover.


FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA
Updated 24 July 2024
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FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

FedEx appoints managing director of operations in KSA

Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, has appointed Abdulrahman Al-Mubarak as its new managing director of operations in Saudi Arabia. Based in Riyadh, Abdulrahman holds a regional role in the Middle East and is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and operations for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.

Abdulrahman joins FedEx with over 15 years of experience in regulatory compliance, business development, strategic planning, and operational excellence across the Kingdom’s aviation and logistics industry, in both the private and public sectors. 

“It is an honor to be part of the FedEx family and to work with such an incredible team. As we look to the future, I am focused on fostering stronger collaborations with authorities, enhancing our services and connectivity, and enabling local businesses to harness the full potential of global trade,” said Abdulrahman Al-Mubarak, managing director of FedEx Operations.