Jeddah-based Trade Exhibitions & Conferences Ltd. (Trade-X Arabia) will organize Saudi Real Estate Development & Investment Exhibition and Conference 2004 at Jeddah Hilton from Dec. 19-23. “The event is being held under the auspices of the council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the Saudi Real Estate committee,” Trade-X Arabia CEO Adel A. Shakoor said. The event has assumed importance, as the Kingdom’s real estate sector is undergoing dramatic growth with large investments and projects competing for opportunities. Real estate investments in the Kingdom, which have witnessed a healthy revival in 2003-04, are mainly attributed to the return of capital increase in oil revenues. The recently introduced regulatory framework covering investment laws for GCC nationals have also made free hold investment in the Kingdom highly attractive. Several real estate projects worth SR900 billion are in various stages of execution.
Al Arabiya
Al Arabiya, one of the first news channels in the region to offer satellite imagery as part of its news broadcast, recently signed an agreement with Space Imaging Middle East (SIME), “the sole commercial imagery provider to be based in the Middle East and the first company in the region with access to multisensor technology.” SIME’s flagship satellite, IKONOS, is described as the world’s first high-resolution, commercial and remote-sensing satellite that collects data at a rate of over 2,000 sq km per minute. To download the imagery, SIME uses a UAE-based ground station. “Al Arabiya has always believed in offering world-class programming and broadcasting to our viewers around the globe. We pioneered the use of satellite imagery in this region and the arrangement with SIME will further enhance our news programming abilities. This evolution in journalists’ use of satellite imagery brings enormous benefits. News reports can be more accurate and truthful as these images help TV journalists tell their stories with a graphic reality that was not possible earlier,” said Nizar Aintrazy, marketing manager, Al Arabiya News Channel.
Philips
Philips recently brought engineers from 12 countries to Dubai for a service-training program on the latest additions to its top-of-the-line Flat TVs and DVD recorders. A total of 17 people from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Ethiopia and Mauritius were extensively trained in Philips’ Pixel Plus 2 Flat TVs and DVD hard disk recorders during the four-day session. A key support service for distributors and customers, the Philips Middle East and Africa trainings are held every eight months in conjunction with Philips’ major new product technology launches. “These programs ensure that the products receive adequate technical support in the unlikely event something goes wrong,” said a Philips executive.
Canon
The Canon Middle East Sales and Marketing Forum, held at the Canon ME offices recently, was attended by more than 25 Canon representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. “The event was an excellent opportunity for delegates to share ideas, results and plans for the upcoming year, with an emphasis on collaboration and cooperation from the various countries represented from the region,” Canon’s Middle East President Gordon Jones said. He reviewed Canon’s position in the region and plans for the future, opened the forum with an address, reflecting on the company’s performance.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s has introduced eight new premiums with its “Happy meal” in a dual program — “Music Stars” for girls and “Crush Gear” for boys in the Gulf. The new toys will be given for free with McDonald’s happy meal in all its restaurants across the GCC during August.
