AL-KHALEEJ/HUAWEI
Al-Khaleej Training and Education Company, a major independent learning center, has signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies Saudi Arabia, a global telecom solutions provider. Huawei is to launch Datacom certificate system to reaffirm its values and commitments to individuals, organizations and communities in the Kingdom. Alwaleed Aldrayaan, CEO of Al-Khaleej, and Sheng Kai, CEO of Huawei Tech. Investment Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd., signed the agreement in Riyadh. Alwaleed said: “We signed this agreement with Huawei as we believe Huawei is technologically strong in IT and we together can better fulfill our responsibility as an important knowledge transfer institute in the Kingdom and achieve more by provide Huawei Datacom certificate system.” Sheng Kai said: “Today marks a milestone to both parties’ commitment to Saudi society. Powered by the professional training system by Al Khaleej and Huawei, the certificate system will enable the Kingdom’s individuals in data communication and IP field to acquire systematic and pragmatic expertise and skills.” Huawei is involved in knowledge transfer and aims to train professional telecom engineers in Kingdom. Huawei has trained more than 5,000 engineers and technicians across the Kingdom so far. The Datacom certificate system can boost Al-Khaleej’s capabilities in addressing its goals in terms of better serving the Kingdom and promote its IT ability to a new level. According to the agreement, this system will be implemented by May-end.
TASTES OF CHINA
Jeddah Hilton’s Al-Safina Restaurant is hosting the "Taste of China" festival. Under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Warren Pearson, Chinese Chefs Tang Wie Quan, Wang Bo and He Feng Yong have collaborated to create an impressive menu of traditional Chinese dishes to add to Al-Safina’s dinner buffet. From noodle bowls to handmade dumplings stuffed, steamed and fried to order, China’s distinct aromatic flavors will be brought to life at cooking stations where diners can watch the chefs expertly craft their signature fare. “Hang on to your chopsticks for the melt-in-your-mouth freshly roasted Beijing Duck, served with delicate pancakes,” says the executive chef. The authentic festival buffet can be enjoyed in the Al-Safina’s colorful interior or at a spot on the outdoor terrace and is available between 7:30 pm. and 1 am every night till April 10.
MOBILE THREATS
Kaspersky Lab data shows that the number of malicious programs targeting mobile devices has more than doubled between August 2009 and December 2010. In 2010, over 65 percent more new threats targeting mobile devices were detected compared to the previous year, and over 1,000 variants from 153 different families of mobile threats were included in Kaspersky Lab’s databases by the end of 2010. Denis Maslennikov, a senior Malware analyst at Kaspersky Lab and author of Mobile Malware Evolution: An Overview, Part 4, said: “The list of platforms targeted by malicious programs expanded considerably in 2010.” The growing popularity of the Android platform has inevitably drawn the cybercriminals attention. In August 2010, the first malicious program targeting Android was detected and since then that number has reached 15 programs from a total of seven families. The first threats targeting Apple’s iPhone OS also appeared during this last reporting period, but infected only devices that had been jail-broken in order to install third-party games and other software not manufactured by Apple. Most mobile threats continue to target the Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) platform, which is supported by a huge number of mobile devices. That means it is not only smartphones that are at risk of infection, but basic mobile phones as well. The second most-targeted platform is Symbian, with Python in third place. “The use of SMS Trojans is still the easiest and most effective means by which malicious users can earn money,” Maslennikov said.
GC
Amid the bustle surrounding Basel world, the most important watch and jewelry fair in the world, the place to be was the Basel Musical Theatre where the Swiss Made watch brand Gc welcomed nearly 800 international guests. Numerous Swiss personalities joined the party as well as six rising stars of the Swiss cultural scene to celebrate an evening of Moments of “Smart Luxury” at a reception and photographic event. Present for the occasion was the inspirer of the brand, Paul Marciano, whose own personal luxury was to create this successful Swiss Made watch brand which combines both the savoir-faire of Swiss watch making and the remarkable design statement of fashion for which he is renowned. As a Swiss Made brand, it was the obvious choice for Gc to launch its new Smart Luxury signature and its emotional expression in a photographic concept on the opening day of the most important event of the year for the Swiss watch industry. Brazilian-born photographer Pino Gomes photographed the six creative artists in their act of creation. All the “rising stars” were present at the event, wearing the latest Gc timepieces being presented at Basel and each one in his or her own way embodies the personality and characteristics of the Gc brand and the timepiece worn: Ambitious, dynamic, self-assured and proud of their success.
SIEMENS
Siemens Energy has received a follow-up order from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for the construction of a turnkey combined cycle power plant. The company will build the Shuweihat S3 plant together with its Korean partner Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. about 260km west of Abu Dhabi. The purchaser is a consortium comprising the Japanese Sumitomo Corporation, the Korea Electric Power Corporation and the local utility Abu Dhabi Electricity & Water Authority (ADWEA). After the scheduled start of commercial operation in 2014, the new plant will have an installed electrical capacity of 1,600 megawatts. Apart from supporting Abu Dhabi to cope with growing demand, it will also deliver power to the nearby Ruwais refinery. Shuweihat S3 will be the sixth power plant erected by Siemens in Abu Dhabi. The company had also completed the Shuweihat S1 power plant as turnkey projects in 2004 and is targeting completion of the Shuweihat S2 power plant in September 2011. “ADWEA is one of our biggest customers. We’re very pleased that we’ve also secured this follow-up order for Shuweihat S3,” said Michael Suess, CEO of the fossil power generation division of Siemens Energy. For the Shuweihat S3 combined cycle power plant, Siemens will supply the main components comprising four SGT5-4000F gas turbines, two SST5-4000 I-L steam turbines, six generators (SGen5-1000A and SGen5-2000H), an SPPA-T3000 electrical and I&C system. Daewoo Engineering & Construction will be responsible for the ancillary and auxiliary systems (balance of plant) and the civil works.
JUFFALI/KNORR
Juffali Auto Parts Co. (JAPCO) and Knorr-Bremse, a German commercial braking system manufacturer, recently organized an informative seminar for their customers in Alkhobar. JAPCO General Manager Mohamad Abdulrahim welcomed the guests and introduced Knorr’s Sales Director Kerim Muemtaz. He applauded the excellence Knorr-Bremse has attained in brake manufacturing for vehicles and rails thereby making lives safe. Muemtaz presented a detailed introduction of the company, covering its history, research and development achievements and future market trends. He also thanked the local partners Juffali Auto Parts Co. for their sustained support in the Kingdom. Knorr-Bremse, established in 1905, has 65 sites in 25 countries with 15,000 employees, around the world. With the annual sales turnover exceeding 3.7 billion euros (SR19 billion), the company has been the first choice of the leading truck, bus and trailer manufacturers. Knorr also has the honor of being the preferred supplier for braking systems for the Makkah Metro project. The region’s prominent fleet owners and dealers including TASECO, GASCO, Omatra and Al-Kadi attended the seminar.
FORD
Defying all recessionary trends, Ford Motor Company’s (FMC) products have shown continued growth locally and globally and emerged as the second largest car sellers in Saudi Arabia and the number one in the US. “Thanks to the strong economy of the Kingdom, a country where Ford’s prime products — Ford and Lincoln — posted a sales growth of 75 percent during the first quarter of 2011,” Ford’s Middle East Director for Sales Hussein Murad told a press conference in Riyadh on Monday. Murad added: “It was a flying start for Ford in 2011, with a dynamic line up of award-winning, high quality products that customers have been giving great response to. Our continued growth is testament to increased preference for our products in the region as Ford offers customers not only world-class models that they desire, but also industry-leading technologies and some of the richest features packages — all at an unbeatable value,” he added. Ford executives including Sue Nigoghossian, chief of the Ford Middle East’s public affairs, who were present, shed light on the new technologies incorporated in the Ford vehicles, growing sales and the growing demand of Ford products in the Middle East, mainly in the Kingdom. Murad also spoke about the Ford grants given to individuals and organizations in the Middle East for their works in the field of environment. He said FMC’s conservation and environmental grants awarded a total of $100,000 to 10 deserving environmental projects recently.
