Holy Quran Award Winner..
BSA announces winners of Arab IPR Media Award 2005
December 27, 2005 - Business Software Alliance (BSA), the organisation dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, has announced the winner of the Arab IPR Media Awards 2005, which was held under its auspices. The winners are Mahmoud Saberi of Gulf News, Thair Soukar of Channel Arabic Magazine, Isaac John of Khaleej Times, Mohammad Mousa of Al Khaleej and Haider bin Abdel Redha bin Dawood of Oman Daily.
Thair Soukar won the award for his investigative report on software and hardware counterfeiting. Mahmoud Saberi received the award for his article on UAE’s efforts to combat piracy, while Isaac John was recognised for his insightful reportage about the challenges and opportunities in forging an effective anti-piracy drive in the Arab world. Mohammad Mousa was awarded for his dissective analysis of the methods of software pirates and means for combating them, and Hamed bin Abdel Redha’s article on the social aspects IPR violation in Emerging Markets won him the award. The winners were awarded at a Gala ceremony held yesterday, (Monday, 26 December 2005) at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai.
Commending the winners, Juma Al Leem, Director, Ministry of Information, Dubai said, “Protecting Intellectual Property Rights is a central principle contributing to society’ growth and development. We are proud that the region’s vibrant media community is a frontrunner in raising awareness of IPR. I commend each of the winners and the publications, for having contributed in their own individual way to the importance of IPR protection in the region.”
Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman – Middle East, Business Software Alliance, said, “The Arab IPR Media Awards is a pioneering distinction as it seeks to recognise the contribution of media towards promoting a safe, legal and digitally inclusive society in the Arab World. This year we received some excellent articles, op-ed pieces and features that looked at various aspects of intellectual property protection. The award is also a manifestation of BSA’s belief in the success of a participatory approach, where key stakeholders work in partnership to further improve the commitment to respecting intellectual property rights.”
“The reportage in the media about IPR gives perspective to the various challenges and issues dealing with piracy in the Middle East region. Though the sustained efforts of authorities in the region are commendable, many countries are weighed down by the use of illegal software, requiring us to envision a pioneering approach to solve this problem. Educating the end users, traders, business customers all go a long way as putting a stop to this practice, and the media is a strategic partner in this venture,” said Al Redha.
IPR violation in the software sector is considered the biggest challenge the global IT industry is facing. According to the 2004 Annual Piracy Report announced by Business Software Alliance (BSA), the total loss suffered by the global retail industry due to software piracy amounted to US$ 32.7 billion, of which the Middle East region accounted for US$ 1.2 billion.
“Protection of IPR laws is critical to faster economic development of the region. Economies are suffering huge yearly losses owing to violation of IPR laws, forcing companies to rethink their investment in these economies. There needs to be a broad based approach to enforce statutes protecting IPR in a bid to boost the regions credibility internationally and thereby attracting more foreign investment and generating employment and continued overall development,” concluded Al Redha.
President Mubarak has not kept his promises about press freedom
Reporters Without Borders today condemned the continued hounding of journalists in Egypt and called on President Hosni Mubarak to keep his pledge, made to parliament on 19 December, to allow press freedom. "Each year, President Mubarak announces that the authorities will stop their harassment of journalists," the worldwide press freedom organisation said, "and each year such harassment increases. It is time the president kept his promises and decriminalised press offences as he said in 2004 he would."
Two journalists with the independent daily Al Fajr (Dawn), Mohamed Abdul-Latif and Manal Lasheen, were sentenced on 14 December to six and four years in prison respectively, and also fined, for writing last August that a cousin of MP Emad el-Gelda paid a man to serve a prison sentence in his place. The MP sued the journalists but they were not told about the case and only learned about their convictions from a newspaper report afterwards. They have now hired lawyers, paid bail and a new hearing has been set for next 15 February.
Mona El-Tahawi, a columnist for the daily Al-Sharq Al Awsat, was summoned by state security officials on 22 December and interrogated about her coverage of the recent parliamentary elections. Ms Tahawi also writes for foreign newspapers, including the International Herald Tribune, and is thought to have been brought in as a warning because of her links with them.
Batelco Slashes Broadband Business Tariffs Up to 50 per cent
Batelco announces a reduction in the tariffs of Broadband Business service starting from 1st January 2006, making its tariffs the most competitive in the GCC.“This move that has been welcomed by the Kingdom’s extensive business community entails reductions of up to 43 per cent on Broadband Business Packages while Broadband Business usage rates have been slashed by an impressive 50pc.” Senior Manager – Voice and Data Product Marketing Services at Batelco, Adel Daylami said. “In addition to the reduction, a new Broadband package will be launched designed for single-user organisations at a cost of a mere BD40 per month, being an ideal choice for a small enterprise where only one person uses the service. The reduced prices aim to transform the company’s competitiveness, and to continually deliver better customer experience,” Daylami explained.
Broadband, based on ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) communication technology enables high speed access to the Internet, with downloads being 50 times faster than with a standard telephone and modem connection. One of the major advantages of this service is its full time connectivity - so no more dial up delays or busy signals! As Broadband doesn’t tie up your phone line, as dial up does, customers and suppliers can always get through and users can make outgoing phone calls while surfing the net.Batelco aims to stay ahead of the competition in this market and has earmarked an investment of BD21 million over the next three to five years towards their Broadband Bahrain initiative, which will provide faster and more affordable internet not only for businesses but residential customers as well.
Newspaper photographer beaten unconscious by police in Oyo State
Reporters Without Borders reiterated its dismay about police violence against journalists in Nigeria today after a newspaper photographer was beaten senseless on 22 December by police working for the Oyo state governor. It was 19th case of police brutality against the press to come to the press freedom organisation’s attention this year in Nigeria.
“Despite President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statements to the contrary, 2005 is ending as it began in Nigeria,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Police and thugs of all kinds take out their frustrations on journalists but we will never accept this routine violence by men in uniform. Nigeria will not deserve to be called a democracy as long as this kind of police violence continues to go unpunished.”
The attack on Sikiru Adeoye of the privately-owned Nigerian Tribune, which is based in Ibadan (the capital of the southwestern state of Oyo), occurred when he went to local government headquarters in the district of Agodi to photograph clashes between supporters of governor Rashidi Ladoja and those of his former political sponsor, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a fellow member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who is trying to oust Ladoja in a battle for the control of Oyo in the run-up to local elections in 2007.
Adeoye was taking photos of Adedibu supporters who were attacking the governor’s offices and clashing with police responsible for the governor’s security, when the police approached him and said he did not have permission. He replied that he had been sent by the Nigerian Tribune, but police began beating him until he lost consciousness. He was taken to an Ibadan hospital, still unconscious and with the marks of many blows on his head and body.
In a Christmas and New Year message, President Obasanjo yesterday hailed this year’s “many happy and positive developments” and told his fellow-countrymen, “We must not allow ourselves to be deterred from our goal of a just, fair and prosperous nation by the enemies of progress.”
Jafza a focal point for international firms accessing regional markets
Dubai-Osaka Partnership Forum Held
26 December 2005 The inaugural Dubai–Osaka Economic Partnership Forum 2005, held recently in Osaka, Japan, has generated tremendous response from Japanese investors looking to tap the Middle East markets, with leading Japanese companies expressing keen interest in setting up operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The Forum was attended by a diverse spectrum of blue chip Japanese companies from the manufacturing, electronics, real estate, infrastructure, construction, tourism and finance sector, with a large percentage hailing from the industrial sector. The first Dubai-Osaka Economic Partnership Forum hosted a series of trade talks and seminars with the aim of increasing economic co-operation between the UAE and Japan. During the course of the event, H. E. Saeed Al Nouais, UAE Ambassador to Japan, invited all delegates to a reception hosted at the UAE embassy. The reception was aimed at facilitating interaction, and served to provide a preliminary base for future discussions.
Present at the reception were senior officials including H.E Qassim Sultan, Director General, Dubai Municipality and H. E. Abdulrahman al Motawi, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Senior Jafza officials including Salma Hareb, CEO of Jafza, Ibrahim Al Janahi, Vice President, Commercial Sales in Jafza, Jamal bin Marghoob, Manager for the Asia and Pacific Region, Gota Akai, Jafza representative in Japan, H.E Qassim Sultan, Director General, Dubai Municipality and H. E. Abdulrahman al Motawi, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Commenting on the event, Salma Hareb said, “The forum is a concrete step towards expanding the scope and depth of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries The UAE and Japan share a historically cordial relationship, and Japan was one of the first countries that the newly-formed UAE sought diplomatic and commercial ties with in 1971. The level of interest expressed by Japanese concerns at the Forum is truly heartening, and we feel that this co-operative avenue will serve to attract further investment to Jafza, and Dubai as a whole.” Japan has assumed the position of the UAE’s third-largest partner in terms of trade quantity. Trade between the two countries in the non-oil sector is in excess of Dh13.4 billion, 66 percent of which is directed through Dubai. In 2004, Japanese export to the UAE grew by 27 percent, reaching US$4.6 billion (Dh16.882 billion,) while imports also rose by more than 28 percent to hit US$18.3 billion (Dh67.16 billion). The upward inclination in trade figures has continued through 2005.
Ibrahim Al Janahi said, “Our participation has resulted in increased awareness of Jafza’s logistical and infrastructural amenities among Osaka-based investors and businesses. Japanese firms are interested in leveraging Jafza’s excellent infrastructure, facilities, incentives and proximity to world-class air and sea ports in order to access burgeoning Middle East markets.’’ “The Dubai–Osaka Economic Partnership Forum was a concrete step in facilitating trade and furthering investment, and is certain to have a positive impact on the number of Japanese firms choosing Jafza as the base of their Middle Eastern operations. We are looking to encourage international manufacturing concerns to avail themselves of Jafza’s superior offerings in a bid to diversify a heavily trade-oriented Dubai economy,” Al Janahi added. The Dubai–Osaka Economic Partnership Forum 2005, organized in accord with the twin cities trade facilitation agreement signed between Dubai and Osaka in 2002, was sponsored by Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), with Index Conferences and Exhibitions assuming the role of technical organizer.
Jeevan TV Announces Jeevan 2005 Excellence Awards
From Gulf
1. MAN OF THE YEAR - Mr. YUSUF ALI M.A
2. HUMANITARIAN EXCELLENCE - Mr. B.R. SHETTY
3. ENTERPRENUER EXCELLENCE - Mr. GEORGE. V. NEREPARAMBIL
4. SOCIAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE - Mr. K. KUMAR
5. MEDIA EXCELLENCE - Mr. AJITH MENON
From India
6. PROMISING ACTOR - Mr. JAYA SURYA
7. PROMISING ACTRESS - Ms. NAVYA NAIR
8. PROMISING MALE SINGER - Mr. KARTHIK
9. PROMISING FEMALE SINGER - Ms. GANGA
Awards will be distributed in a grand function to be held at Al Nasr Leisure land Ice Rink, Dubai on 1st January 2006 – THE FLOWERY NEW YEAR DAY during the ‘GEEPAS SALUTE 2006’!
A Grand stage show by the team of ‘Indumukhi Chandramathi’
Mallika Sukumaran
Manju Pillai
Koottikkal Jayachandran
Moni Lal
Harikumaran Thampy
Kishore
Radhakrishnan (Director)
Krishna Poojappura (Script Writer)? ON STAGE :
1. Cine Star Jayasurya
2. Cine Star Navya Nair
3. Play-back Singer Karthik
4. Play-back Singer Ganga
5. Jeevan Fame ElayaNila Team
December 23, 2005
World Trade Centre Residence: a Double Bonanza.
Developers unveil opulent show apartment adjacent to building site
Dubai, UAE, December , 2005: The development team behind the World Trade Centre Residence, due for completion in December 2007, has unveiled the project’s state-of-the-art show apartment.The opulent show apartment provides a glimpse of what life will be like at one of Downtown Dubai’s most exclusive addresses.“The size and quality of the apartment reflects the prestige of the World Trade Centre Residence development,” said Elaine Jones, CEO, Asteco, the exclusive sales agent for the World Trade Centre Residence. “The venue will be a great service to prospective buyers, and it will bring the residence to life for the many people who have already bought.”
Jones said: “Our research shows that branded ‘managed’ apartments in prime locations like the site of the World Trade Centre Residence can generate a return on investment that is twice the value of conventional residential apartments. Branded ‘managed’ apartments can produce a gross return of 16-18 per cent on monthly rentals compared to 7-9 per cent for typical residential apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road.”Jones added: “Less than one per cent of the total hospitality supply in the region is represented by ‘managed’ apartments, which makes the World Trade Centre Residence an exceptional proposition.” The World Trade Centre Residence duplex show apartment will contain an example of a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room inside the 40-storey, Hazel Wong-inspired landmark. The World Trade Centre Residence promises a combination of the ultimate home environment with levels of five-star luxury.
“We have gone to great lengths to make the show apartment as representative of the real thing as possible, from the floor tiles to the bathroom fittings,” said James Knowles, Director of Sales and Leasing, Asteco.The show apartment also features a variety of the technical wizardry and creature comforts available within the real World Trade Centre Residence apartments: electric blinds, separate audio and temperature controls for different rooms, advanced mood lighting. Sleek in design, the kitchen has been fitted with the very latest home appliances.
The show apartment also has an example of the floor-to-ceiling, double height windows that measure 5.5 metres and are a key selling point of the World Trade Centre Residence, allowing stunning views of the surrounding Downtown Dubai area.
Knowles said: “The World Trade Centre Residence is a class apart from other city centre upscale projects. It offers 40 different apartment types with extremely generous floor areas, something few exclusive apartment buildings around the world can match.” Due for completion in December 2007, the 40-storey World Trade Centre Residence will house 377 exclusive apartments. Most of the apartments have a duplex configuration with a gallery, and have between two to four bedrooms. The apartments are available on 99-year, renewable lease contracts.
Every World Trade Centre Residence homeowner will enjoy cable TV outlets in all rooms, separate temperature zones in each bedroom, a private hot water system, AV intercom connections to the concierge desk, CCTV security monitoring, covered parking and high speed elevator access. Duncan Pendlebury, President of Jung Brannen, lead design consultants for the WTCR project, said: “The World Trade Centre Residence’s special quality is its refinement and elegant understatement. This contrasts perfectly with many of the more iconic building projects receiving heavy publicity in Dubai right now.”
Pendlebury added: “This is a development that will stand the test of time and endure ever-changing tastes in fashion. The WTCR is not meant to fit a certain style or imitate other architectural traditions; it is simply contemporary, using the latest advances in design and technology to ensure perfect living environments that will remain quietly elegant throughout their 99-year lease.” A landscaped rooftop and terrace, fully equipped gym and health club, and temperature-controlled pool and poolside café are other winning features. The rooftop will be home to the World Trade Centre Residence Club, an informal retreat and meeting place strictly for residents and guests.
“Dubai-based luxury hospitality group Jumeirah will manage the exclusive apartments and shared facilities of the World Trade Centre Residence. Besides offering residents the last word in five star hospitality, the tie-up will allow World Trade Centre Residence investors to lease out units as luxury hotel apartments on a short-term basis, generating significantly higher yields than conventional leasing or sub-letting,” Knowles added.
NEW YEAR NEW BATELCO
Investment in Transformation Continues and Abides at Batelco
Batelco has made an early New Year’s resolution – to accelerate the company’s competitiveness through a far-sighted agenda of innovative policy changes. Inspired vision by Batelco’s top management is evidenced by a comprehensive package of sweeping changes that will usher in a new age in the company. The ultimate aim is to serve customers even better and to deliver growth by focusing on mobile, broadband and ICT opportunities.
Specifically Batelco will be introducing Six Sigma process improvement methodologies to streamline customer service, product development, billing and various IT processes aimed at more responsive customer care and a ‘single view’ of the customer. Batelco has restructured its functional operations into customer facing business units aimed at better supporting residential, government, corporate, wholesale and ICT customers.
The company will accelerate its plans to invest more than BD50 million in the broadband infrastructure across the Kingdom, new world class data centres, additional access to the web via a landing station (the first in Bahrain) and investment in Falcon cable systems and additional base stations for improved mobile coverage. Batelco will continue to address better value for its customers. Recently it introduced significantly lower IDD prices via its 123 pre-paid calling cards and also reduced internet tariffs by 50% for customers with small to medium enterprises.
In 2006, Batelco’s sixteen dedicated retail outlets across the Kingdom will have a new range of services to demonstrate, adding to the strong mobile focus of the past. Batelco also plans to invest another BD1.1 million in training and development for its 1,600 strong workforce, of which 96% are Bahraini nationals.Batelco will also be implementing a range of new HR policies in 2006. Vacancies will be advertised simultaneously internally and externally (via www.batelco.com). The focus will be on selecting the best person for the role and will not necessarily be restricted to seniority within the company.
A code of ethics will be introduced to ensure transparent and extremely ethical behaviour in dealing with customers and suppliers to avoid conflict of interest and favouritism. Development of employees, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning will receive significant focus by Batelco’s senior leadership team. Batelco, as the largest company by market capitalisation in the Bahrain Stock Exchange, will also change its working days, to align with business enterprises across the Kingdom. Friday and Saturday will be the official weekend for Batelco staff in 2006.Batelco’s Chief Executive, Mr. Peter Kaliaropoulos said that Batelco is astutely aware of the demands of its customers and the intensity of the competitive environment in Bahrain and the Middle East. “We have introduced our ‘peak performance’ programme aimed at creating one of the most competitive, best performing, and customer driven communications companies in the Middle East.” “We are building from Batelco’s past solid foundations to a more responsive, innovative company aimed at contributing to Bahrain’s competitive advantage in the region. By doing so we will retain the respect and business from our customers.”
The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres(MECSC) conducted a tour at Sahara Centre. Gavin Cox, General Manager at Sahara Centre, conducted a presentation on Management, Marketing, Operations, and history of Sahara Centre. After that, the delegates conducted a walk tour of the mall.
GCC PRINT IMPORTS SURGE 84 PER CENT
- Middle East printing industry records eight per cent growth
- Print Media Management Conference in Dubai to highlight innovative solutions
Dubai, UAE, November 29, 2005: In 2004, printing machinery worth approximately 32 million euros was imported from Germany to the GCC. And German imports in the category have increased by 84 per cent from 2000 to 2004, according to PRINTPROMOTION, Germany - organisers of the Print Media Management Conference in Dubai.
Reflecting the vibrant commercial printing sector, the Print Media Management Conference will highlight trends and developments, technologies and innovative solutions in the printing industry. The conference takes place from 10am to 4pm at Le Meridien Dubai, Airport road on Saturday, December 10, 2005. Regional economic and demographic growth is fuelling the printing industry. According to recent reports, 40 new five-star hotels and five out of the world’s seven biggest malls will be operational in Dubai by 2008. Qatar has allocated US$15 billion over the next five years for hotel and infrastructure development. Mega developments are also taking place in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.“The thriving consumer goods industries have spurred more printed advertising and packaging. Newspaper and magazine circulation has also increased rapidly, resulting in the expansion and launch of new publishing houses. They have also contributed to the growing printing and paper converting industries,” said Siegbert Holderried, Managing Director, PRINTPROMOTION, Germany. “Our main aim is to raise the standards of the printing and paper converting industries by the transfer of expert know-how, sharing new technologies and promoting training of operators and management working in the sector. We expect approximately 200 senior managers and decision-makers from across the GCC to attend this year’s conference.”
A number of companies have already registered for the conference, and there is participation from UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Pakistan, added Holderried. Dubai is regarded as the region's commercial hub for many industries including printing and publishing, owing to its strategic position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. Reflecting its importance is the recent development of the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), which occupies an area of more than 43 million square feet. While the infrastructure will support all sectors of the media and entertainment industry, the first part of the zone will focus on the printing and publishing sector. “There are more than 1,000 licensed printing companies and manufacturers in the Middle East. While some are undertaking expansion projects to meet growing local and regional market demands, others are diversifying their operations. Till date more than 30 major local, regional and international companies have registered with IMPZ’s printing and packaging sector. This clearly indicates the growth and potential of the sector,” said Sindbad Al-Mahaire, Business Development Manager, Printing, IMPZ. The sector has witnessed eight per cent growth over the last year, and double-digit growth is expected in the next three to five years said Al-Mahaire.
Sahara Centre announces the opening of Bowling City
Newest bowling facility promises fun and entertainment for the whole family
Sharjah, UAE; 12th December 2005: Sahara Centre, the ultimate family shopping and entertainment destination in Sharjah, announces the opening of Bowling City, the latest and biggest bowling facility of the Bowling City Group that also includes Bowling City Al Ain and Bowling City Abu Dhabi. The cosmic Bowling City at Sahara Centre offers the best mix of sporting fun and entertainment that caters to the whole family, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and creatively designed interiors; including an 18-lane bowling alley, an Ice Rink and Ice Hockey arena for winter sports enthusiasts; a Karaoke Club that functions like a real recording studio for aspiring singers who wish to record their own songs on CD and rehearse like a band; the Biggest Pool and Billiards Center in the UAE with 25 billiard tables, 6 snooker tables and 2 French billiard tables for billiards and snooker fanatics.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the opening of Bowling City, which is a great addition to the various facilities we have at Sahara Centre that provide a world-class entertainment experience to our shoppers," said Gavin Cox, Managing Director. "We will continue to enhance our entertainment and shopping offers in the hope of exceeding our shoppers' expectations."Not to miss the web-based followers, the Bowling City also features an Internet Corner for web surfers and Gaming Zone where people can have fun and enjoy competing in the latest network games. The Bowling City is also a place for holding parties with its very trendy Party Hall equipped with cosmic lights and ambient music, promising a truly memorable party experience.
After a challenging game or sports, Bowling City guests can relax and dine-in at Momento Del Café that offers the best Italian dishes in town, from live cooking to appetizing sandwiches and refreshing drinks. Or, visitors can simply hang out and relax enjoying the best coffee mixes at the renowned Italian coffee lounge, Illy Coffee.“It is my pleasure to invite everyone to come to Sahara Centre, where we guarantee the ultimate in shopping and entertainment experience," Gavin ended.
