SNAS/DHL, the region’s logistics and express group and the National Commercial Bank (NCB) recently held an official opening for a new state-of-the-art mailroom located in the bank’s headquarters. The mailroom opening is only the latest aspect of the exclusive agreement between the two organizations whereby SNAS/DHL will handle the entire bank’s mail, whether internal or external. This latest development in the 25 years of cooperation between the global express firm and the Kingdom’s top banking group will effectively open up access to both banking and express services to NCB’s most remote branches. Under the terms of the agreement, SNAS/DHL’s express and logistics services will support the operations of the bank’s branches, ensuring the network operates seamlessly throughout the Kingdom and that customers receive the same quality of service regardless of their location. “The new agreement signed by SNAS/DHL Saudi Arabia and NCB will benefit consumers in many different ways. It is also beneficial for both companies, ensuring each continues to enjoy growth fueled by wider access to the rural population,” DHL Regional Director Phil Couchman said.
FORD GRANT
Tarik Mohammad Amin Al-Abbasi has won a Ford grant of $10,000 to aid the protection of exposed tree roots and prevent soil corrosion in mountainous areas of Saudi Arabia. Many old trees, such as wild olive trees, have exposed roots which result in them falling down or dying. In addition to this, the construction of new roads in the mountains has resulted in soil erosion, again affecting the growth of trees,” Al Abbasi said. The grant was awarded to Abbasi as part of this year’s Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants program for the GCC and Levant countries, and will help fund his conservation activities in the Kingdom. Selected by an independent panel of nine regional environmental experts, Abbasi’s project was one of the 13 applications that won a grant. More than 60 applications were submitted from around the region, all vying for a share of the $90,000 available this year. Since its inception in the region in 2000, the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants have funded 68 projects with cumulative grants worth $510,000.
SAVOLA
At a special awards ceremony held recently in Dubai as part of the Islamic Real Estate Finance Forum, the real estate division of the Savola Group was presented with the EuoroMoney Excellence in Real Estate Award for best retail developer in the Kingdom. Abdulmalik Fathaddin, president of Savola’s real estate division, said the award proved the superior performance of the group in this sector and was a testimony to the quality of projects undertaken by Savola. The award was the result of a survey undertaken by EuroMoney covering the Saudi market and providing a qualitative and quantitative review of the best services in real estate. The Savola Group recently announced its intention of setting up a joint stock real estate company with a total capital of SR1 billion to invest in real estate development. Established in 1979 as a Saudi joint stock company, the Savola Group claims to own the largest retail network in the Kingdom with 50 retail outlets covering the Kingdom’s major cities.
LG
LG Electronics has achieved a global sales volume of 10 million units for the second year in a row and retained No. 1 position for the sixth consecutive year, the Korean international giant said. According to Fuji-Keizai, a Japanese market research company, LG accounted for about 17.4 percent share of the world air conditioner market in 2005. LG’s sales revenue increased sharply with a two-digit growth rate over the previous year. The company has achieved this notwithstanding the pressure of high oil prices, increasing raw material costs, cool summer in Europe & North America, and tough competition from rapidly growing Chinese and high-tech oriented Japanese manufacturers. C. K. Cho, LG’s GM in the Kingdom, said LG air conditioners have also achieved No.1 position in the Kingdom again in 2005. “This is mostly due to our partnership with our agent H.G. Ibrahim Shaker Company,” Cho said and attributed LG’s local success to the efficient use of overseas production bases, region-specific marketing strategies, development of class-leading core technologies, and ownership of core parts business.”
ABG
Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG), the Bahrain-based Islamic banking group, has announced the appointment of two distinguished bankers, Abdullah Ammar Al-Saudi and Saleh M. Al-Yousef as new independent non-executive directors to the group’s board of directors. ABG will thus be the first regional, Arab and Islamic bank that has independent directors on its board of directors, according to ABG Chairman Saleh Abdullah Kamel. “We were able to convince the internationally known banker and founding vice chairman CEO of Arab Banking Corporation (Bahrain) Abdullah Ammar Al-Saudi and well-experienced Kuwaiti banker and former chairman and MD of the Industrial Bank of Kuwait Saleh Mohamed Al-Yousef to join the board of directors of ABG Group. The two new directors have individually made positive and innovative contribution toward the establishment of many successful banks in this region and around the world.
MARICO
Marico Ltd., an Indian company in consumer beauty products, has announced a “great success” of its most recent campaign, which promoted Parachute, one of the company’s brands. The campaign, titled “I use...do you?” in collaboration with Zainab Al Askari, the company’s new brand ambassador and a native of the Gulf, was introduced in an effort to strengthen the brand in the market, educate consumers on the benefits of using Parachute coconut cream, and enhance customer satisfaction. Reaching about 20,000 shoppers a day, the campaign, which included floor, pyramid and shelf displays as well as booths, was launched in major malls and hypermarkets throughout the Kingdom and Bahrain. In addition, Parachute promoters distributed samples and special hair care booklets to shoppers and visitors, who were also given quiz cards and a chance to win a branded T-shirt with a picture of Zainab on it. “The strong results of our campaign confirm our belief that we’ve the right strategies to satisfy the needs of our customers,” Prashant Vatker, Marico’s business head for the Gulf & Africa, said.
IAA WORLD CONGRESS
Delegates to the 40th IAA World Congress, which is being hosted with the support of Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defense Minister Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, will be able to hear from over 30 of the world’s most dynamic speakers and personalities. The Congress, which is scheduled in Dubai from March 20-23 is themed “Challenges of Change” and will include topics such as “Getting ahead in the wired world,” “The role of conventional media in a changing world,” “Brand as people, people as brands,” and “Managing the creative agency.” “The decision to host the 40th IAA World Congress in Dubai is another opportunity for the city to showcase its diversity, creativity and unparalleled vision,” IAA World President Elect Joseph Ghossoub said. Over 2,000 delegates from more than 40 countries are expected to attend the event, which will be held at the Dubai International Convention Center. A media exhibition will run concurrently to showcase advertising and media in the region.
