SABB
SABB recently celebrated the graduation of 17 of its staff who obtained Financial Planning and Fortune Management Accreditation from SAMA Banking Institute. Dr. Kaseb Al-Rasheedi, SABB manager training and development, said: “SABB pays great attention to development and training programs for its staff in line with SAMA policy which aims to raise the investment awareness of the employees of the banking sector across the Kingdom. This is also in line with the policy of SABB which aims to enhance the academic and practical experience of staff and help to provide the best solutions for the management of businesses, and enable us to maintain the confidence and loyalty of customers.” SABB has achieved the first position among local banks in terms of the number of staff who obtained “Basic Investment Principles” Accreditation from SAMA Banking Institute.
NISSAN
A study by the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) ranks the new Nissan Pathfinder as one of the safest SUV vehicles in the market for adult occupant protection. The Pathfinder scored in all three categories tested — passenger safety, child safety and pedestrian safety, ensuring that it was ranked as one of the safest SUV vehicles available. The Pathfinder scored 32 points, while the average score for the same vehicle category is 28 points. “We are delighted that our commitment to product safety is reflected in the latest round of tests conducted by Euro NCAP and that the Nissan Pathfinder is included among the safest sports utility vehicles (SUV) on the road for individuals and families,” Tariq Danish, SUV brand manager at Nissan Middle East, said. The all-new Nissan Pathfinder comes equipped with a 291bhp V6 engine, seven-row seating, dynamic styling and performance, and a multi-flex high use interior.
CGR FORUM
RAZORView, under its new trademark Schema, a specialist in corporate governance and responsibility (CGR) in the MENA region, will hold its first regional CGR forum from March 13-15 at the Movenpick Dead Sea Hotel in Jordan. The forum will bring together businessmen, stakeholders, family business owners and experts of CGR from the region and internationally, to create a localized framework for CGR that compliments the regional business environment and corporate culture. The forum will address the corporate demand and processes. The forum is based on participants interacting and sharing their experience and expertise in their various markets and sectors, Maali Qasem, the forum’s organizing committee chairman, said.
BNP PARIBAS
Baudouin Prot, CEO, BNP Paribas, has been awarded the corporate and social responsibility (CSR) award by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) for his and the bank employees’ outstanding contributions as good corporate citizens. Founded in 1918, FPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding and informed opinion on US foreign policy and global issues. Noel Lateef, president and CEO of the FPA, said that the FPA’s CSR award was the highest recognition that the association conferred for good corporate citizenship.
SAUDI READYMIX
Saudi Readymix, a producer and supplier of ready-mixed concrete and related products in Saudi Arabia, was the sole sponsor of the Kingdom’s first workshop on concrete deterioration and prevention, organized by the Center for Engineering Research at the Dammam-based King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals yesterday. The topic of the workshop was particularly pertinent given the region’s boom in large-scale industrial development and real estate projects requiring large quantities of concrete. Fadi Mujahed, marketing director of Saudi Readymix, said: “Saudi Readymix is currently in the process of implementing a five-year expansion plan, having expanded our network of commercial batching stations to a total of 19 in 2006 in addition to five onsite stations located throughout Saudi Arabia. We are also looking to increase our production volume by more than 30 percent annually.”
DOHA BANK
Doha Bank held a seminar on global warming in Dubai recently. Abdul Rahman ibn Mohamed ibn Jabor Al-Thani welcomed the gathering and highlighted Doha Bank’s commitment to champion the cause in the Arabian Peninsula. Seetharaman, deputy CEO, spoke on the changing face of financial services’ and highlighted the banking environment, increased competition due to globalization, deregulation and consumerism. The market is no more local and has become global, he said and highlighted the need for banks to be highly innovative to survive in the marketplace.
GEMAS
Companies and brands from across the GCC were honored for their excellence in marketing during the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards (GEMAS) presented in Dubai last week. More than 700 marketing and media professionals attended the presentation ceremony in Dubai, which saw regional and international names vie for the region’s top marketing awards. The awards were launched by Gulf Marketing Review (GMR) in 2004 to support the development of marketing and best business practices across the GCC and to promote accountability within the marketing function. Both regional and global companies triumphed across the dozen categories with many local brands and companies collecting top awards.
