KIA MOTORS
Kia Motors Saudi Arabia (Al-Jabr Automotive) is participating in Saudi International Motor Show 2010 (SIMS 2010), which is being held in Jeddah from Dec. 26-30. The Kia Motors pavilion is a major highlight of this annual event at Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE). Kia Motors, which has been a regular participant at SIMS, has three different display areas within and outside the exhibition hall. These include 1D inside the main display hall, PC outside of the main hall for display of commercial vehicles, and Parts section where Kia's spare parts have a pride of place, said Abdul Latif Al-Jabr. Kia is displaying its complete 2011 model line-up including Mohave, Cadenza, Sportage Sorento, Cerato, Cerato-Koup, Rio Carnival, Soul, Picanto and K400 pickup. The New Optima 2011 is among Kia's major highlights, added Abdulsalam Al-Jabr. "The successful sales and after-sales strategies of Al-Jabr Automotive has strengthened Kia's position in the highly competitive automobile market of the Kingdom. Kia now occupies No. 5 position as compared with No. 8 a few years ago," said Jamal Mohammed, Kia Motors Saudi Arabia director for Western Region. Guests and visitors showed keen interest in the 2011 Kia cars displayed at Kia Motors Saudi Arabia's vast pavilion. "They all showed keen interest in the models as much as in our after-sales service and easy payment facilities for owning our cars," said Marketing Manager Mir Ajmal.
SAMSUNG:
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has announced the 1 millionth TV application downloaded globally from Samsung Apps, the "world's first" HDTV-based application store, where users can purchase and download applications from an expanding range of content and service providers, directly from their TV. The company's 200th TV application is now live via the platform. Samsung has reached these milestones in less than a year after the initial launch of Samsung Apps. Some of the most frequently downloaded applications are Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level and Texas Holdem, showcasing global demand for Samsung Smart TV entertainment experiences across key consumer hobby areas - sports, movies and gaming. Samsung is committed to exceeding consumer demand for a better TV viewing experience by providing high-quality Smart TVs equipped with a broad range of interactive content. Samsung customers benefit from having access to content that is customized to their individual likes and interests. In the first half of 2010, Samsung took over 66 percent of the US connected TV market, according to research firm The NPD Group. Samsung presents Samsung Apps on more than 50 percent of its 2010 TV line-up and is currently the market leader in global LED TV, LCD TV, and plasma TV sales. "The evolution of television in recent years has been astounding as consumers seek technology that enhances their viewing experience, and their lives," said Boo-keun Yoon, president of Samsung's Visual Display Business.
CPC
Construction Products Holding Company (CPC International) was recently awarded the "Best Provider of Building Materials" prize by Dubai-based publisher ITP in the "Best Achievement in the Saudi Construction Sector" category. Faysal Alaquil, CPC-International, director of business development, accepted the award on behalf of CPC-International from Fahd Al-Hammadi, member of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman of its contractors committee, at a ceremony held in Riyadh. "This award reflects the extent of our confidence and plans to make the biggest contribution possible to the development of Saudi Arabia and its construction sector through a well thought out and meticulous approach," Alaquil said. CPC International owns stakes in CPC companies in Syria, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar and Algeria, which have huge industrial complexes producing world-class building materials for these markets. CPC claims to meet 30 percent of the Kingdom's needs for construction materials through its industrial complexes in Riyadh, Jeddah and Bahra. A fourth industrial complex is currently being built in Dammam. "The Bahra complex near Jeddah is one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East," Alaquil said. "It has the world's latest product lines and the capability to produce the best materials for the largest projects in the Kingdom." Alaquil attributed the ITP honor to CPC's "One Stop Shop" concept whereby developers and contractors in Saudi Arabia are provided with a full range of services and construction products.
QATAR DUTY FREE
Qatar Duty Free has given away $1 million for the sixth time following its latest millionaire draw held at Doha International Airport (DIA). The winner, Raneeba Pudiyaveettil Kayanayil, an Indian national from Kerala, purchased the lucky ticket while en route to Kochi. Raneeba made a spur-of-the-moment decision while walking past the Qatar Duty Free ticket counter at DIA during her transit. It was the first time she had participated in the draw. "I was just passing through and I decided to buy a ticket - just like that," said Raneeba. She said she and her husband would use part of the massive winnings to expand their business in Malaysia. They also plan to donate some of the money to charity. Raneeba's win makes her Qatar Duty Free's sixth US dollar millionaire in the draw. Launched in May 2006, each draw is restricted to 5,000 tickets. Every ticket bought stands a one in 5,000 chance of winning the million dollars. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets for $263 or 950 Qatari riyals each. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al-Baker said the popularity of the millionaire dollar draw was increasing with the latest winner becoming the second millionaire of 2010. Raneeba collected her check in person at Doha International Airport prior to Qatar Duty Free conducting another draw - this time a raffle to give away a Jaguar XJ luxury car. Aref Khashabi was the lucky winner in this latest draw, which has seen over 80 luxury cars given away in the past few years.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Safety and security at home and in public places are becoming top priority issues these days. As a result, safes and locks are going high tech, a seminar was told in Jeddah recently. The advancement is such that there are now biometric door locks and biometric safes, described as an innovation in household and office security. New advancements in biometric technology have made biometric door locks and biometric safes available to the mainstream consumer. New models of safes were launched at the seminars held in Riyadh and Jeddah. "All of the safes have different advantages to suit different needs in various countries around the world, and in Saudi Arabia in particular. They provide maximum protection and security for hotel guests and their valuables," Manit Narang, vice president of VingCard Elsafe, said. The new safes, which have been granted UL 1037 certificates, are characterized by their unique technology. The user can control it by mobile phone or have online safes also, and involves a revolutionary locking system ready to work in high security situations, and resistant to sudden opening operations using force in case of theft. "We now have designer room safes that are tough and in different colors to suit different tastes and places, Yasser Tawil of CHBB, said. The next generation technology in hotel safes ultimately results in improved business through enhanced guest services, improved front-desk operations, streamlined hotel operations increased engineering and maintenance, and superior security and control, said Rakan A. Yusuf of Secutronic. VingCard Elsafe unveiled a range of its new and innovative locking solutions at the seminars.
ECQ
Energy City Qatar (ECQ), the "Middle East's first integrated business hub dedicated to the hydrocarbon industry," has grabbed a slew of awards in 2010 including the “Best Emerging Energy Hub 2010 - Middle East” by London's New Economy Magazine. Energy City's CEO Hesham Al-Emadi recently received the award at the London Stock Exchange and was confident that this award will further drive the efforts of ECQ's management and employees to achieve future goals. The New Economy is a major international journal focused on all aspects of sustainability within banking, finance, energy and technology. The international award adds to Energy City's recent string of recognitions. These include the Qatar Today Green Awards, which recognized ECQ's leadership role in the development of a green city, and its significant contribution to environment activities in the country. ECQ headquarters was lauded in the Roof & Green Building Award category for its environmental friendly design that improves sustainability and occupants' wellbeing. Al Emadi was also honored in the Environmental Leadership Award category because of his significant contribution to environmental improvement activities in Qatar. On receiving the awards, Al-Emadi said: "ECQ's vision is to create the Middle East's first energy business center catering to the energy industry's commercial, technical and human resources needs. We offer distinctive expertise and services via a hub that serves the needs of members of the global energy chain."
KAEC/SPEC
Emaar, The Economic City (EEC), the Tadawul-listed company developing King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), signed an industrial land lease agreement with the Saudi Petra Engineering Company (SPEC) for the purpose of building a new manufacturing facility at the Industrial Valley in KAEC. The new facility is expected to cost SR30 million and is aimed to manufacture chillers, air handling units; fan coils, packages, split and window units used in the construction and building material industry and will cater to an increasing demand in both the domestic and regional markets. The new facility is expected to create more than 300 new jobs and to train and develop skills of Saudi talents. Samir Al-Fetiany, GM, SPEC, pointed out that the decision to build the new facility at the Industrial Valley in KAEC was based on an extensive feasibility study to ensure the optimum location for the project. "The strategic location of King Abdullah Economic City and the availability of efficient port and road connectivity to the local and regional markets offers an array of logistical capabilities and enables huge growth potentials," he said. Ahmed Linjawy, president of the industrial and city services division in Emaar, the Economic City, said: "The Industrial Valley is efficiently integrated with the Port which makes the Industrial Valley a prime location to serve international trade between Europe and Asia and reach 250 million consumers in the Middle East and North Africa."
STC
Last summer, as part of its series of broadband Internet services, Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) launched the broadband M3AK. The service is claimed to have received overwhelming response from home broadband customers as it enabled them to take high speed internet outside their homes by using Quicknet wireless 3.5G while traveling or in places where fixed Internet is not available. Initially, M3AK Broadband was offered with a limit of 1000MB. Due to extensive demand from subscribers STC now extends the M3AK service by enabling a 5000MB limit in addition to the existing package. The service allows customers to browse fast and real Internet in their homes with the availability of high quality, efficient and unlimited capacity connection shared between all members of the household. While moving outside the house the 5000MB download capacity on STC's fast mobile 3.5G network, offered at the special price of only SR 100 per month, is the best in the Kingdom. This enables the entire family to stay connected to the internet from anywhere, allowing them access e-mail and conduct business while moving from one place to another. To add to the convenience the charge is included in the Hatif telephone bill, which eliminates the need to pay multiple bills or buy prepaid mobile Internet cards. The new M3AK Broadband service is available by calling 907 or visiting www.stc.com.sa or any of the company's offices across the Kingdom.
