Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) signed a partnership with Whites Group, which is specialized in beauty and health products. With the partnership, the group has become a new partner in Mobily’s Neqaty program. Mobily’s COO Abdulaziz Al-Tammami and Whites Group’s CEO Turki Al-Yahya signed the partnership deal. With this, Mobily subscribers can exchange their earned points at any of Whites’ outlets, the sole dealer of many health and beauty products and brands. Whites deploys a new concept to meet the daily needs and changing lifestyles of the Saudi consumers. In addition, Whites has a dedicated pharmaceutical section. It offers many products in various segments including skincare, hair care and eye care products as well as for diabetes, mothers and pregnant women. Al-Tammami said Mobily has always sought to add distinctive partners to Neqaty in order to offer many options to its customers. Today, Neqaty is considered one of the most distinguished loyalty programs in the Middle East. Al-Yahya said: “We are proud to serve Mobily subscribers and we are pleased to invite them to visit us and enjoy Whites’ exclusive brands and products which suit all their health and beauty care needs.” Mobily offers its customers a wide and valuable range of rewards through Neqaty and strives to diversify its rewards to meet the various needs and aspiration of its customers.
Emirates has unveiled major new expansion plans for the US, with the launch of daily services to Seattle and Dallas. Dallas-Fort Worth and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports will both be served by non-stop flights from Feb. 2 and March 1 respectively. “These new services emphasize Emirates’ confidence in, and long-term commitment to, the US,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. “With six gateways offering convenient connectivity from points across the country, customers traveling to and from the US will find it easier than ever to access our vast global network. Our latest expansion also serves as a powerful indicator of how Emirates continues to invest in products and services even during difficult economic climates,” he said. “This is because we have always been ahead of the curve in anticipating what is now becoming an accepted truth — that demand for air travel will continue to grow over the long term in spite of the many challenges the industry faces. In making this investment now, Emirates is providing a timely economic boost to the United States whilst ensuring that we are soundly placed to serve our customers’ future air travel needs,” he added. “Emirates is not only the world’s largest international carrier — it serves as a gateway from the US to an important part of the world,” said Bill Bryant, Port of Seattle Commission president.
Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) recently released the LG Optimus 3D, which is deemed as the first smart device in the world equipped with a 3D screen and Android system (Froyo) version 2.2, with the possibility of upgrading it to 2.3 (Gingerbread). The device can be purchased for SR2,399, and it is provided with a monthly 5GB SIM card for three months. LG Optimus 3D is the ideal choice for the 3D technology lovers without the need to put on the 3D glasses. The device has a Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, Power VR SGX540 GPU, TI OMAP4430 chipset with 128.8 11.9 X 68 mm dimensions and weighs 168 grams. It also has 8 GB built in memory and 512 MB in random memory. What distinguishes the LG Optimus 3D is that it has a 5 megapixels camera but it is equipped with two cameras from the back that allows 3D technology shooting with 720 pixels resolution, and normal 2D shooting with 1080 pixels. By launching the LG Optimus 3D, STC affirms that it is the leader in presenting and providing smart devices, while demonstrating high capabilities in being up-to-date with the latest developments in the world of technology, and giving customers the opportunity to get it. All this is part of the company’s customer-centric strategy and introducing class services at the best prices while exerting its best for the provision of latest high quality technology.
The recent Ramadan saw the opening by Bateel of its most ambitious project to date, a flagship cafe on Tahlia Street, Riyadh. The landmark store marks Bateel’s first cafe project outside Dubai, in its native Saudi Arabia. It is also the largest in its portfolio. The flagship boutique and cafe is the latest inspiring experience to be created by Bateel in partnership with Kinnersley Kent Design. It takes the design concept to a new level. For the first time it combines both a gourmet boutique with a cafe offer. The original Umbrian menu now offer a fine dining experience, in addition to the coffee, pastry and all day dining menus. The building, a former furniture store, comprises 3 levels and a roof. The ground and first floors now house the date boutique and cafes. The top floor has been turned into Cafe Bateel’s new headquarters for all of Saudi Arabia, and with two new large kitchens to the rear of the cafe spaces Bateel can now operate and stock a rollout of future cafes across Saudi Arabia. The roof garden restaurant (opening soon) will offer spectacular views of the city. The original facade of the building was completely removed and built out in a modern Arabic style as part of this extensive renovation program. Three large double-height windows are framed by an elegant bronze detail pattern motif.
A major US consumer magazine recently said that LG Electronics’ front load washing machines and dryers have the lowest failure rate. This was based on a survey of 27,404 subscribers’ appliance repair history. Only 7 percent of LG’s front load washing machine users were in need of repair. This is much lower than industry average of 25 percent and other competitors like “W” Company (11 percent) and “G” Company (14 percent). The repair for LG’s dryer also has the lowest rate — the electric type 4 percent and the gas type 5 percent. The lowest failure and repair history have helped make LG’s front load washing machine and dryer the most trusted brand for the third consecutive year by the magazine. Currently, LG has led the front load washing machine market for 17 consecutive quarters in sales and for 12 consecutive quarters in quantity in the US. LG’s multi-door refrigerator was also selected as the most trusted brand. John Lee, MD, LG Electronics Saudi Arabia, said: “It reflects the dedication of LG to present the most valuable and reliable home appliances to our consumers through its commitment of innovation and solid base of R&D, which will lead to an increase in the loyalty of our consumers in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region to our products and services. Sanginn Lee, product manager, LG’s home appliances, said: “We introduce our innovative home appliances products based on the requirements of our valuable customers.”
Major achievements, innovations and excellence in the global Islamic funds and investments industry were recognized at the 7th Annual World Islamic Funds and Financial Markets Conference (WIFFMC 2011) awards ceremony, which was held in Bahrain on Monday. The annual WIFFMC Islamic Investment Institution of the Year Award, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the industry, is designed to recognize institutions that have made a significant contribution to the global Islamic funds and investments industry. The award recognizes a leading institution that has demonstrated outstanding achievements and institutional excellence in major performance areas. Jadwa Investment was voted as the 2011 WIFFMC Islamic Investment Institution of the Year from a short-list of nominees through a unique industry-based voting process. Jadwa’s nomination for the award was based on its strategy of active and disciplined fund management that played an important role in achieving the fund’s performance confirming the soundness of the investment strategies pursued and leading to continuous growth of the investments. Jadwa’s nomination is also based on its world-class asset management practices and level of efficiency in maintaining its long-term focus on building a leading financial institution in spite of the challenging times. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al-Baker, executive director, financial institutions supervision, Central Bank of Bahrain, presented the award to Abdullah N. Aleisa, COO, Jadwa Investment, at a reception and awards ceremony held on the sidelines of the conference.
The Zahid Group and Ant Ventures Holding have announced a newly formed joint venture focused on a Kingdomwide rollout of the successful restaurant concept, Casper & Gambini’s. With its widespread coverage, Ant Ventures owns, manages and operates several successful international food and beverage concepts including Casper & Gambini’s, Eatalian, Tarator, Silver, From The Tree, as well as the hotel, 35 Rooms. The new joint venture aims to reestablish Casper & Gambini’s in the market following a recently decade-long franchise agreement with the Attieh Group. Furthermore, the joint venture plans to expand the other concepts under Ant Ventures’ umbrella in addition to developing new ones for the market. “With a history of introducing and supporting premium products and services in the market, we are delighted to be partnering with an industry leader in extending our group’s services to a new and promising sector,” said Aladdin Sami, vice president of Zahid Group Holding. The combined focus on quality, management, and industry leadership of both partners sets the foundation for a world-class operation delivering the highest quality offerings. “We will make sure Hospitality Ventures reflects our brand promise in every aspect, with an aim to exceed our clients’ expectations at all times,” added Anthony Maalouf, CEO of AntVentures. The new partnership will kick off with a new flagship Casper & Gambini’s branch that will be opening on Tahlia Street, Jeddah.
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has achieved a new professional edge that confirms its leadership in the field of Islamic banking. NCB, which led the financing of a club deal in Kuala Lumpur, was adjudged the Best Islamic Finance Deal from the Asset magazine, specialized in finance and banking. The announcement came during the annual ceremony to honor the best Islamic financial institutions and distribute the Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards 2011. The bank received the award for leading the Phase-1 financing of Maaden’s aluminum complex. Both projects have been financed through a mix of debt and equity. Being committed to the economic development of the Kingdom, NCB made the highest financial commitment to Phase-1. It is widely believed that the Islamic structures used for this financing will be considered as acceptable precedents in the future transactions. The annual “Triple A” awards are the most important ones granted in the financial services sector, due to the strict evaluation process used. These awards are offered in recognition of institutions and individuals who significantly contribute to the development of the financial services sector in the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia. Abdulkareem Abu AlNasr, NCB’s CEO, said he considered winning this award as a confirmation of NCB’s capability and outstanding performance in the management and delivery of funding programs that are consistent with the provisions of Islamic law.
Etihad Airways has been named Airline of the Year in the 2011 TTG Travel Awards. The award was announced at a gala, black-tie dinner in London in the presence of 900 guests. Etihad CEO James Hogan said: “This award is further recognition of the hard work of all our staff right around the world. “We are determined 2011 will be a watershed year for us as we strive to break even and then move into sustainable profitability. It’s the latest in a series of honors to be bestowed on Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, in recent months. These include Etihad’s Diamond First Class being judged the best in the world for the second year running by Skytrax, the aviation industry’s pre-eminent global rankings system, determined by the votes of 19 million travelers from more than 100 different countries. The TTG judges agreed Etihad was a “truly outstanding airline, which offered great service and customer experience.” It also had a strong business model, and demonstrated innovation and financial success in the past 12 months along with an effective CSR policy.
Jeddah’s Crowne Plaza Hotel presented a new 2011 Chevrolet Traverse to the winner of its Ramadan festival grand draw this week. The final Ramadan draw was conducted at the hotel last week in the presence of Rafique I. Izhiman, general manager of Crowne Plaza Hotel, and senior representatives of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arabian Company for Hotels and Contracts, and Balubaid Co. for Cars. Izhiman expressed his happiness over the outstanding performance of the Crowne Plaza during the holy month of Ramadan. It organized a festival with diverse dishes that were on offer for buffets during the holy month. It attracted more guests than in the previous years. He added that the Crowne Plaza Jeddah has been graded as a five-star hotel by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
