Al-Ghassan Motors, the exclusive dealer of various luxury cars such as Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti, and also of Ducati motorbikes, has opened an integrated center in the Eastern Province. The center includes main display area for prestigious cars such as Bentley Flying Spire and Bentley GT (the convertible and sporty car), Lamborghini Gallardo and Morceilago. The showroom also includes the Bugatti and the “world’s fastest” Ducati motorbikes. In addition to the showroom, the center includes a special section for car maintenance and after-sales services. Al-Ghassan Motors Chairman Ghassan Abdulrahman Al-Sulaiman said that the new center follows similar facilities opened in Jeddah and Riyadh to meet the rising demand for luxury and sporty cars. Al-Ghassan Motors recently acquired the agency of Bugatti car, described as the world’s fastest and most luxurious car.
SAUDI BAGHLAF
Rasmala Investments Ltd., a regional investment bank, and Saeed Ahmed Baghlaf & Partners Holdings Group have established iHilal Baghlaf Development Company. The new company will benefit from the name and expertise of the Baghlaf Group, which has over 30 years of experience and investments worth tens of billions and is considered one of the leading giants in the real estate industry in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC. It will also benefit from Rasmala’s broad reach and track record of sourcing and managing investments in the region. The new company will be developing its first project in Dubai’s Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone. The 36 storied office tower will have over one million square feet of office space and will be sold on a free-hold basis to regional and international corporations. “We anticipate that our new partnership with Rasmala will enable us to develop distinguished real estate projects in the region,” said Saeed Ahmed Baghlaf. Ali Samir Al Shihabi, founder and CEO of Rasmala, said: “Our first project together is considered to be one of the largest office real estate projects in Dubai.”
PAKISTAN INVESTMENT
Pakistan offers all facilities to its overseas Pakistanis to invest back home, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said when Pak Gulf Construction Company Chairman Sardar Ilyas Khan called on him during his recent visit to the Kingdom. Minister for Population Shahbaz Hussain Chaudhry was also present. “Pakistan is a safe haven for investment and they can invest on the basis of 100 percent equity. Also, there are no restrictions on foreign exchange transfers as we’re a free market,” Aziz said and outlined the scope of opportunities for investors in all sectors of the economy. He urged overseas Pakistanis to promote and develop projects like Centaurus mega complex that would boost the image of the country. Ilyas Khan said his company had invested more than $350 million in Islamabad in the shape of the mega complex. He urged fellow overseas Pakistanis to give preference to the country in their investment plans.
AJMAL PERFUMES
Ajmal Perfumes has launched Dahn Al-Oudh Matheel, a new perfume that is designed to be worn by both men and women. This concentrated Oudh is based on oriental ingredients from India and Cambodia, and was inspired by the seductive and mystical aromas of traditional Arabic perfumes. With its rich and exotic fragrance, “Matheel”, meaning identical in Arabic, leaves an alluring scent suited to men and women who possess dignity, class and confidence. Nazir Ajmal, chief perfumer, Ajmal Perfumes, said: “Dahn Al-Oudh Matheel is created for individuals who enjoy opulent fragrances, and have a distinguished taste for strong and sophisticated scents.” The distinctive unisex concentrate, the fragrance, is offered in a 3ml specially designed golden glass bottle, which can be purchased in all Ajmal showrooms and through select dealers in the Middle East.
VOLUNTEER CLUB
The College of Business Administration (CBA) has announced the establishment of a Volunteer Club within the college comprising both students and faculty. CBA recently hosted the National CSR Initiative making it the first educational institution to receive its team, which is scheduled to visit more than eight educational institutions across the Kingdom. The workshop included an interactive presentation on CSR and its importance in the community. CBA Dean Dr. Alaa Nasief said: “Realizing the importance of CSR and our firm belief in it as part and parcel of our everyday life, the Volunteer Club aims at building the idea of volunteering and community activism to serve as a conduit between the students, faculty, and other supporting organizing from both the private and public sectors.” Mohamed Al-Ayed, CEO, Arab Conferences Company, the organizing body of the National CSR Initiative, has appreciated the role of CBA in hosting the initiative signaling its commitment to CSR.
JVC
Naokazu Kurihara, president of JVC in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa region, visited Saudi Arabia. He was welcomed by Reda Al-Hajj, GM, Said Ahmed Al-Ajou Trading Corp. (SATC). The objective of the president’s visit was to recognize the growing potential of Saudi market for consumer electronics, which is the biggest in the region. During his stay in the Kingdom, he and Al-Hajj visited a number of hyper outlets and mega stores accompanied by an Al-Ajou team. SATC is a major company in the region dealing with consumer and professional electronics, which is in business for over three decades. This year, SATC launched and promoted the 2nd generation of JVC Everio G series camcorders.
MEPRA
The Middle East’s burgeoning public relations (PR) industry adds on a new growth engine with the opening of the first dedicated PR training college in Dubai by the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA). MEPRA has joined hands with the UK-based International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), an international umbrella-organization of PR consultancies, to launch the MEPRA-ICCO College to offer on-line and classroom courses for managerial, supervisory, entry level PR professionals and aspirants. MEPRA Chairman Sadr El-Din Barrage, Executive Committee Member Sunil John and ICCO Secretary-General Simon Quarendon signed the agreement to build and operate a dedicated training college facility for MEPRA in Dubai.
BISON
In a new move that underscores the importance of motor sport in the Kingdom and sponsorships to develop it, Bison power drink sponsored the Kingdom’s first Rally Cross organized by Jeddah Raceway recently. “This was the first motor sport event linked directly with rallies,” a Bison spokesman said. The agreement was signed on behalf of Bison by Anwar Abdullah Abouljadayel, GM, Abouljadayel Beverage Factory, and Mishaal ibn Abdulmohsen ibn Abdulrahman Al-Sulaiman, vice chairman and executive director, United Racing Company, which organized the race in cooperation with international rally expert Walid Mahyar, the FIA accredited and authorized rally organizer. Abouljadayel said: “We were keen to have Bison as the official drink of JRW and all of its races, as motor sport can be developed with the support of such sponsors.”
LG
LG Electronics has announced the appointment of Yong Nam as the new vice chairman and CEO of LG Electronics, effective Jan. 1. Overall top management changes at the Korean company include appointments of two new business company CEOs, CFO, head of Korea sales and marketing operation and 30 other executives. The appointment of Nam, known for his drive and strategic outlook, signifies that LG is making the change to become more achievement-oriented. Nam has more than 30 years of experience in LG Electronics, LG Corporation and LG Telecom; prior to his appointment, he served as the head of strategic business of LG Corporation. He also served as CEO and director of LG Telecom from October 1998 through May 2006. Nam began his career in LG Electronics in 1976, and began working for the chairman’s office in 1989.
