Theeb Rent-a-Car, one of Saudi Arabia’s major car rental companies, recently received 450 GMC and Chevrolet cars and SUVs in an effort to enhance the company’s fleet and provide the best level of service to its Kingdom-wide clientele base. The deal, one of the biggest fleet orders in Theeb’s history, included 450 of Chevrolet Epica, Chevrolet vehicles including Aveo, Optra, Caprice, Lumina, Tahoe and Suburban in addition to GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. Munir Al-Zu’bi, fleet sales manager Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, General Motors Middle East, said: “It is the performance, reliability, low maintenance costs and value for money that have made Chevrolet and GMC the partner of choice for Theeb Rent –a-Car. We are extremely delighted to close such a deal with General Motors and Aljomaih Automotive Company. We are confident that many are yet to come,” said Mr. Mohammed Al Theeb, Owner, Theeb Rent A Car. “The safety and comfort features available on each of these vehicles combined with the comprehensive range and after-sales care that we provide will help make our customers’ experience with Theeb Rent-a-Car a more enjoyable and positive one. We are delighted that one of the Kingdom’s leading car rental companies has turned to GMC and Chevrolet’s widest range of vehicles to meet its fleet requirements,” Al-Zu’bi added.
ZAIN
More than 14,000 Saudi nationals have applied for jobs over the past month with Zain, the mobile telecommunications operator that is expected to start operations in Saudi Arabia next year. Dr. Marwan Alahmadi, CEO of Zain in Saudi Arabia, said the reputation and rapid expansion of the Zain Group across the Middle East and Africa have attracted a large number of high-quality applicants. “We have received more than 20,000 online applications through our careers website with nearly three quarters of these from Saudi nationals,” Alahmadi said. “We are also recruiting heavily through local universities and educational institutions.” Saudi Arabia will be the Zain Group’s 21st network operation across the Middle East and Africa, making Zain the world’s fourth largest mobile telecommunications network by geographic coverage, covering a population of more than 500 million across contiguous markets from the Arabian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. A consortium of investors led by Zain, formerly known as the MTC Group, was recently awarded the third mobile telecommunications license for 25 years in Saudi Arabia following its SR22.91 billion bid. “We are committed to building a company of Saudis, for Saudis, in Saudi Arabia,” Alahmadi said.
Unilever Arabia
Unilever Arabia has announced the change of name of its local subsidiary in Saudi Arabia from Binzagr Lever to Binzagr Unilever. The announcement comes as Unilever Arabia continues to strengthen its competitiveness in the region following the completion of expansion plans that saw a 25 percent increase in production since last year driven by investment in new lines and equipment. Binzagr Lever Factory, a joint venture between Unilever Overseas Holdings AG and the Binzagr group, was established in 1978 to locally produce global Unilever Home and Personal care brands for Saudi Arabia. Currently, the factory has 170 permanent employees and close to a 50 percent Saudi workforce, many of whom have been trained to lead in senior management positions. The factory manufactures global brands including Lux, Sun Silk, Dove, Jif, Closeup, Signal, Lux Progress, Comfort, Lifebuoy across five categories of hair, fabric conditioners, home care, personal wash and oral care. In addition to servicing Saudi Arabia, the factory now exports to 10 countries including Yemen, Sudan, Tunis, and Morocco. Jan Zijderveld, chairman of Unilever North Africa and Middle East said, “The alignment of the corporate name will provide us an opportunity to harness Unilever’s global scale and size for the benefit of the Arabian domestic and export markets.”
Tropicana
Tropicana International is celebrating Ramadan by launching two new flavors to its range of juices. With their unique glass bottle design, Tropicana juices appear in a new look, “with a 100 percent natural flavor like no one has tasted before, without the addition of any preservatives.” Khaled Hammoud, GCC marketing manager at PepsiCo International, the owner of Tropicana trademark, said that Tropicana has made this year’s Ramadan especially distinctive with its exceptional flavor. “This year we promise Tropicana fans a more delicious flavor, better than any ever before. Now you can choose between the rich flavor of berries and delicious taste of apricot, which bring back the taste of the old days and add elements of delight and enjoyment.”
MYNM/NCB
Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), exclusive dealer for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Rolls cars in Saudi Arabia, signed a cooperation agreement with the National Commercial Bank (NCB) on its “Alwesam” program. Under the agreement, members of Alwesam program will get special privileges from MYNM when buying BMW and MINI cars either in cash or on installments, or through leasing. They will also get first class after-sales, maintenance and on-road services. Moreover, Alwesam program members will receive a newsletter from MYNM, updating them on new cars, new services and other new offers. Mousa Al-Aruri, GM, MYNM, said: “We are pleased to offer a bouquet of privileges and special services for Alwesam members. MYNM offers the most luxurious and remarkable cars in the Saudi market. Hence, it was necessary to open channels of communication and cooperation with potential customers and certainly with members of Alwesam program who are on top of our target clients.”
Samsung/China Town
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a world leader in advanced technology solutions, has been designated by Abdul Khaliq Saeed, contracting division, to provide and maintain the AC system and equipment for the China Town Shopping Mall project, which is under construction at Prince Sultan Street in Jeddah. Inamullah Butt, Samsung’s marketing manager for the Kingdom, said: “Samsung once again proves its pioneering position in the supply of AC systems and we are proud to be chosen by a leading Saudi company to provide AC equipment for its important, big project under construction.” The project will constitute a built area of over 44,000 square meters, providing over 300 retail units, restaurants, Cineplex, and dedicated family entertainment facilities. It will have covered car parking for 2,500 vehicles. Under the contractual agreement, Samsung will supply and install SR3 million worth AC equipment.
NCB
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) recently opened two new branches in the central region — in Rayyan and Yarmouk. Ayman Al-Tayyar, NCB head of Islamic branch network division, said the opening of new branches was part of the bank’s expansion and growth plans. The Rayyan and Yarmouk branches reflect a new concept in engineering design adopted by the bank’s branches in light of the development and launch of the identity of the bank in its new form. He added that great attention was being paid to Riyadh and the central region by the bank in introducing its latest banking systems. Khaled Al-Othman, NCB’s manager for the Central Region, said the bank would provide its clients all Islamic banking services including those related to financing and investment.
