NCB
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) was recently awarded the international accredited BS-25999 standard from the British Standard Institution (BSI) for its pioneering work in business continuity management (BCM). On receiving the certificate from BSI regional managing director Theuns Kotze, Abdulkareem Abu Al-Nasr, CEO, NCB said: “It is a great honor and privilege to be recognized as the first bank in the Kingdom to receive this certificate. Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees, but we never forget our key stakeholders in our rigorous and thorough BCM planning and implementation.” The BSI accreditation recognizes and confirms the importance of business planning and preparation for a range of potential operational scenarios. This is an essential element of modern business and NCB has been recognized for the efforts it has made over the past three years to build a BCM operation of international standards. Abu Al-Nasr thanked all those in the NCB who contributed toward the success. “The prestigious recognition will galvanize us to learn more and further improve our performance in this area,” he added.
FUFC
The board of trustees of the Foundation for the Universal Forum of Cultures (FUFC) convened in Barcelona recently to vote for the host of the forum in 2016. The board voted in both Amman and city of Quebec’s favor as co-hosts. In light of this achievement, Mayor of Amman Omar Maani extended his gratitude and thanked King Abdallah and Queen Rania Abdallah for their support of Amman’s bid. Maani also thanked Jordan’s Prime Minister Samir Rifai and the government for their support of the Amman bid. The Greater Amman Municipality commenced preparations for the bidding documents a year and a half ago and submitted its final application in January 2010. Shortly after, Amman was short-listed among two other cities, Cape Town, South Africa, and Quebec City, Canada out of 21 cities. A review committee visited Amman in May 2010 in order to evaluate Amman’s urban regeneration projects, its readiness to host the forum, its public transport systems and infrastructure, and the city’s cultural milieu. The Greater Amman Municipality is a firm believer that hosting a global cultural gathering of such distinction and importance will provide Amman’s communities, schools, institutions, organizations, galleries, and neighborhoods with a remarkable and unforgettable opportunity to be involved in a forum of such stature.
SEHAI
The project of Saudi Electronics & Home Appliances Institute (SEHAI) and Japan Working Group (JWG), headed by Kenichi Sawaguchi, leader of SEHAI Project Team and Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME), visited Riyadh from Oct. 9-13 for discussing the progress of SEHAI project with SEHAI-Saudi Working Group (SWG). SWG’s head Salim Al-Asmarei and Abdullah Abudulkareem, a member of SEHAI executive committee as well as MD of Alessa Industries Co., and other SWG member companies, including agencies of Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Daikin, Fujitsu-General and Samsung welcomed the Japanese team, in particular Hiroya Tanikawa, executive director, JCCME. Tanikawa appreciated both groups’ positive contributions. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, director, Riyadh Province branch, HR Development, assured that he would extend his positive and comprehensive cooperation to SEHAI in terms of enhancing vocational and human development training program. Completing the first academic year, SEHAI welcomed the new batch of students last September. SEHAI will enhance the ability of the 2nd year grade students through the training programs specialized in each technical course, utilizing the equipment donated by the SWG. SEHAI instructors, who were duly trained in Nippon Engineering College, Tokyo, will instruct them this summer. Both groups decided to conduct on-the-job Training program in January and June, 2011. Al-Asmarei thanked the Japanese government’s cooperation on the tools and equipment supplied to SEHAI.
Rolls-Royce
Following its preview of the Phantom Extended Wheelbase last week, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed further images and specifications for its Bespoke car collection presented at the Paris Motor Show. The line-up demonstrates the level of personalization that can be achieved thanks to the skill of designers and craftspeople working in Goodwood, helping make each Rolls-Royce model as individual as its owner’s fingerprint. “Our Bespoke Phantom collection presented at the Paris Motor Show is certain to be well-received, particularly by our customers in the Middle East, where personalization is very important,” said James Crichton, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars regional director for the Middle East. “Three of the world’s top 10 selling Bespoke dealers are based in the Arabian Peninsula and our strong offering remains key to customers commissioning unique Phantom products, keeping the range fresh and highly personalized.”
Sony
Sony Gulf, the regional arm of consumer electronics giant Sony has announced the Middle East launch of the world’s first 3D digital still cameras — DSC-TX9, and DSC-WX5 — in the Cyber-shot T series and W series range. Sony also announced the launch of the “beautifully sculpted” DSC-T99 that is guaranteed to turn heads with a choice of stunning new color options. Part of Sony’s 3D product portfolio, the new Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 are equipped with 12.2 megapixel resolution, ‘Exmor R’ CMOS image sensors, 25mm and 24mm wide-angle lens, and 4x and 5x optical zoom respectively. On the other hand, the DSC-T99 comes with a Super HAD CCD image sensor with a 14.1 megapixel resolution, 25mm wide-angle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens and 4x optical zoom, offering excellent clarity in any environment. Featuring a 3D component to digital imaging possibilities, the Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 capture panoramic photos in 3D with Sony’s exclusive 3D Sweep Panorama function. Users can easily sweep the camera in a horizontal or vertical direction to capture impressive, ultra-wide panorama shots in 3D that can be viewed on any 3D compatible LCD TV. The integrated Intelligent Sweep Panorama in the DSC-T99 mode also allows users to capture dynamic panoramic scenes. The 3D experience is further enhanced with “Sweep Multi View.”
Servcorp
Servcorp, international Serviced and Virtual Office provider has taken its now fully robust global expansion to Riyadh. Servcorp’s eighth Middle East location, the Al Faisaliah Tower, has been unveiled as Servcorp’s second Saudi Arabian location to open in less than 10 months. Servcorp continues to maintain its strong presence in the Middle East, offering the most prestigious five-star business addresses in all major central business districts within the region. Renowned for its superior IT and communications infrastructure and vast global network, Servcorp is charging ahead with a global expansion that has launched over 20 locations since December 2009. This global expansion has now enabled clients to easily expand into the important Riyadh business arena. Servcorp’s Al Faisaliah location will give businesses prime access to the city’s diplomatic quarter, ministries, government offices, and several international financial, educational, agricultural, cultural, and social organizations that are headquartered in Olaya, a major hub for business in Riyadh. Barry Barakat, Servcorp’s GM for the Middle East, said: “The Al Faisaliah Tower is one of the Middle East’s most striking buildings and the only location fit for a Servcorp floor in the Capital, and I am looking forward to presenting our renowned services, infrastructure and facilities for both existing local businesses based in Riyadh.”
