NCB
National Commercial Bank Chairman Abdullah Bahamdan recently received the “Investment Pioneer” award as part of the late former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri awards from Al Iktissad Wal Aamaal Group, in recognition of the success of his work. Since 2000, Al Iktissad Wal Aamaal Group has adopted a tradition to honor a number of economic leaders from the public and private sectors who have made achievements in their areas, whether in their own countries, industries or companies. The aim of the award is to highlight the success stories and experiences of these leaders and thus set models to motivate professionals in the various economic sectors. On receiving the award, Bahamdan said: “This honor for me reflects the leading role of the bank in the financial services industry in the region and its distinction in innovating products and services. It also reflects the pioneering role of Al Iktissad Wal Aamaal Group and its professional endeavor to evaluate economic leaders who have achieved outstanding results,” Bahamdan said.
CENTREPOINT
Centrepoint, formerly City Plaza, one of the largest retail chains in Saudi Arabia, has launched a “Centrepoint millionaire” campaign effective from April 15 to May 15. “Walk into Centrepoint and walk out as a millionaire” is the theme of the campaign, Centrepoint’s Chief Operating Officer Anuj Malik, said at the announcement of the campaign in Jeddah on Tuesday. Anyone visiting the Centrepoint anywhere in the Kingdom has to fill out a coupon and deposit it in the drop-box. Winner of the cash prize of SR1 million will be decided in a draw to be held in Riyadh on May 21, Suresh Srinivas, national marketing manager at Centrepoint, said. “With its 38 locations throughout the Kingdom, it took eight months for completing the transformation of the Centrepoint from its former City Plaza brand name, he said. “City Plaza has been synonymous with retail in the Kingdom since its inception in 1995 and Centrepoint aims to continue with this trend,” he said. Centrepoint has existed in the rest of the GCC and the Levant for the last five years. The brand name change has taken place throughout the Kingdom in order to ensure international brand consistency. Thus, Centrepoint now has 53 stores across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan. Centrepoint will be launched in Egypt soon. It has plans for 100 more new stores across these countries by 2011. “This is the first event of its kind in the Kingdom,” Neelesh Bhatnagar, had of Saudi operations, Centrepoint, said.
BUDGET
The committee to care for prisoners, released convicts and their families recently signed an agreement with Budget Rent a Car at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry under which the latter would donate vehicles for the transport of the female members of the committee. “The agreement was within the framework of the on going efforts to boost the concept of social responsibility in the private companies and establishments,” said JCCI Deputy Chairman Mazen Batterjee. He added that under the agreement, the company would provide cars to the female members of the committee to use in their movements to meet social personalities and businesswomen who are supporting the committee, which is an affiliate of the National Committee to Care for the Prisoners and their Families. On his part, CEO of the Saudi Budget Rent a Car Fawwaz Abdullah Dansh described the signing of the agreement as a step toward becoming involved in the humanitarian work in which not many companies and economic entities in the Kingdom were involved.
SIGNATURE
Signature Interiors celebrated the opening of its first gallery in Jeddah recently. The company is formed by combining experience in a wide range of industries, from construction and design to corporate management. Marwan Abu Mohsen, design director, says: “All our staff and associates are fully qualified, experienced and professional in their field. Our only aim is client greatest satisfaction.” Signature Interiors dissimilates itself from other design houses by working hard to create visually harmonious interiors that reflect their clients’ needs combining conceptually innovative ideas with functional intelligence and visual elegance. Signature Interiors has a joint venture with HG Design Studio, Eastern Province, since 2004 that proven to be successful through the years. Established in 2002, the company offers innovative and vibrant ideas that reflect their clients’ taste and lifestyle.
SPS
Samir Photographic Supplies (SPS), the Saudi-based group specializing in imaging technologies and allied businesses, has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Italian telecom and video communications leader Aethra. The agreement will facilitate the availability of Aethra’s award winning video communications technologies and products in the Saudi market. SPS Marketing Director Omar Al-Hindi said: “Aethra stands out in the telecommunications market on a variety of fronts, including its 35 years’ experience and the wide range of solutions it provides the various sectors of the telecommunications market, including video communication and audio-conferencing equipment, multi audio-conference, multi-videoconference and video-streaming services, ISDN, ADSL and SHDSL products, test equipment for telecommunications networks and infrastructure solutions. Businesses in the Kingdom can now look forward to having access to the full suit of Aethra products and services.”
CIGALAH/MERCK
Cigalah Group and Merck Serono company held the inauguration of Merck Serono new office in the western region recently. Merck Serono is a division of Merck KGaA, the German pharmaceutical and chemical company with operation in 61 countries across the world. The 350 square meter new office will accommodate 30 employees and cater the whole Western Region comprising Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Abha. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, chairman of board of partners, vice chairman executive board and family board Merck KGaA, Yaser Naghi, head of Cigalah Trading Establishment and other senior managers attended the ceremony.
MODON
Tawfig F. Alrabiah, director general of Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), signed a rehabilitation contract for Al-Ahsa Industrial City with Al-Bashir Trading & Contracting company for over SR3 million. The contract includes the implementation of scraping and asphalting some of the main roads, implementation of some roads within the industrial city, installation of curbstone and sidewalk tiles, drawing ground traffic signs on the road network and intersections, as well as lighting works and electrical installations. The works are expected to be completed in mid-2009. Al-Ahsa Industrial City is located in Al-Oyoun area and the industrial city now has 41 factories while 26 more are under construction with a total investment of SR1 billion. This will make the industrial city an attractive environment for investors and a place offering more career opportunities, said Alrabiah.
