ALFARDAN AUTOMOBILES ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL OF BMW X5 4.8is 2005 MODEL: RECORDS 24% SALES GROWTH FOR FIRST HALF OF 2004
Alfardan Automobiles, BMW Groups exclusive importer in Qatar, announced that its first half-year sales have grown by 24 per cent on 2003.
We attribute this success to our attractive product line-up and efficient after-sales service, committed to delivering the highest international standards in customer satisfaction, said Ahmed Sorour, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Alfardan Automobiles.
As the country is experiencing a strong economic boom, we are determined to continuously enhance our product offering and services to sustain our leading position in the market.This year, we are undergoing expansion plans with the launch of a new used car showroom, which affirms our commitment to continuously deliver the highest standards of customer satisfaction.
We are on a steady course for the year and our vision remains the same - to maintain our position as the fastest growing luxury performance car manufacturer in Qatar, said Sorour. Alfardan Automobiles kicked off 2004 with the launch of new models from BMW Group - the new BMW 6 Series Coupé and Convertible, the BMW X3 and the new look BMW X5 which received a positive response and sales are going strong. In addition, through BMW Groups flagship, the 7 Series, Alfardan Automobiles has succeeded in establishing it as the luxury car of choice for international conferences, renowned hotels and government bodies in Qatar.
The BMW 7 Series represents a benchmark in the luxury performance segment combining supreme luxury with equally dynamic performance and motoring comfort. We are proud that today, the new BMW 7 Series holds the number one position in its segment, said Sorour.
In the luxury sports coupe segment, the BMW 645Ci makes a clear statement. The cars fascinating design creates pure emotion and despite its sporting performance, this thoroughbred coupe ensures driving comfort of the highest caliber. The 645Ci provides maximum seating comfort to all its passengers with luxury features and an ambience of sheer elegance. For open-air driving pleasure, the 645Ci Convertible, is the ultimate dream car.
Launched last year, the new 5 Series is performing exceptionally well. The new 545i model boasting a 4.4 V8 VALVETRONIC engine, behaves just like a real sports car, sprinting from 0-100 km/h in a mere 5.8 seconds. The 5 Series dynamic performance and safety technology further strengthens its position as the ideal choice for both young businessman and families.
Coinciding with the first half sales success Alfardan Automobiles announced the arrival of the BMW X5 4.8is, the most powerful of the BMW X5 models, which has been eagerly awaited. Sorour said: The BMW X5 4.8is has received an unprecedented welcome from customers for its technologies and accessories. In addition to its very powerful 4.8 litre engine, producing 360 bhp, there is the panoramic sun roof, covering the front and back seats, and the all-wheel X Drive system that is considered the most intelligent all-wheel drive system in the world.The end of 2004 marks the arrival of the new BMW 1 Series the first premium car in its class and the MINI Convertible, offering MINI enthusiasts the joys of open-air motoring, added Sorour.
Kuwait Briefs
KGL truckers to be freed soon Seven truckers kidnapped in Iraq July 21 may soon be released, a Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport Company spokeswoman said. Rana Abu Zaineh said company negotiators were in Baghdad finalizing an agreement. Mediators including Iraqi tribal chief Sheikh Hisham Al-Dulaimi as well as others met with the kidnappers representative to hammer out the closing deal. The seven truckers include three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian, all working for KGL driving supplies-laden semis into Iraq. Although Zaineh would not provide details on the kidnappers’ demands, she noted though that the kidnappers had dropped earlier demands including the withdrawal of KGL operations form Iraq and the release of Iraqi prisoners held in US detention centers.
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Ma’atouq has warned imams of mosques not to reach radicalism during Friday sermons, reports local daily. The minister said strict action will be taken against imams who spread radical ideas. He also threatened the imams with dismissal form mosques. On his return from a tour of Central Asia, Al-Ma’atouq told media men a probe panel will be formed to interrogate preachers who have violated the rules and regulations. He also reiterated Kuwaiti charity committees and societies are cleared of an suspicious activities. About 12 Kuwaiti detainees accused of recruiting teenagers to fight US-led coalition forces in Iraq began a hunger strike Saturday to protest alleged torture from security officers, according a lawyer for some of the men.
A man who walked naked near the Al-Othman Center in Hawally kuwait yesterday has been taken into custody. The onlookers began screaming and called for police as the Bangladeshi strolled in the buff along the street.
Kuwait Labour Union calls for review of salaries Ina memorandum to the Prime minister, the Kuwait Labour Union has called for periodic review of the salaries and allowances of Kuwaitis as well as expatriates. At a press conference in this connection, the chairman of the union Al-Ajmi, pointed out yesterday that time was ripe to demand salary hike because the national economy boasted a surplus of KD 3 billion. He further said that Article 49 of the 1982 law stipulated that the salaries and retirement benefits should be reviewed every two years. Al-Ajmi added that the rising cost of living and the price of most of the goods and services, particularly the rents, have added to the hardship of the workers.
BAN ON INDIAN NATIONS GOING TO IRAQ
The Government of India has decided to ban deployment of Indian nations to Iraq on account of security situation currently prevailing in Iraq. This ban is also apply to all Indian nationals in Kuwait, whether resident or on visit visas. This measure is being taken temporarily in view of the prevailing security situation in Iraq and is motivated by Government of India's concern for the safety and security of its nationals. This ban will remain in force till such time as Government of India reviews its decision. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are requested to note this strictly refrain from traveling to Iraq for any purpose whatsoever. The Embassy request the cooperation from all the sponsor companies/individual sponsors/Government agencies in the implementation of this ban on deployment of Indian nationals from Kuwait to Iraq
E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India
As well-wishers of the people of Iraq and also as the champion of the Arab cause, India naturally expects that their three citizens taken hostage by an Iraqi group, be released soon. The people of India have great faith in the people of Iraq, who will never think of doing anything harmful to India and its people because the historical and traditional relationship between the people of Iraq and India is based on mutual trust, confidence and brotherhood. Therefore, I request that the Indians taken hostage be released. Every patriotic Iraqi will appreciate India's principled stand that our country supports the aspirations of Iraqi people. There is no justification for anybody to keep innocent persons in captivity. Those who are in custody as hostages also have their families back in India who live in tears. Islam teaches everybody to be just and fair and the honour the Islamic way of thinking towards tthe innocent. As far as I am concerned, I have absolute faith in Almighty Allah to give Hidayath to the group who keep our people as hostages to release them. As a believer in God, I always hope that the Almighty will help our people in being released from the captors.
Commercial Bank of Dubai achieves 15 per cent reduction over 10 months
in its annual energy expenditureEnergy Management Services lauded for its cutting-edge Building Management
SystemsAugust 9, 2004 The Commercial Bank of Dubai Head Office, has announced that it has achieved 15 per cent reduction in its annual energy expenditure over a period of 10 months ending in June 2004. The savings were crafted by Energy Management Services (EMS), the leading Energy Management and Energy Conservation Company in the Middle East, which incorporated energy saving features into the building at the design stage and scheduled rigorous Building Management Systems (BMS) during the first 10 months of the bank's operations in the new building.
The impressive G + 9 floors building for the Commercial bank of Dubai Head Office is situated in Deira. In early 2001, while the building was still on the designing board, the management of the Bank requested EMS for a
first energy audit that would anticipate the energy consumption in the building based on its use as a commercial space, the number of users and work hours, as well as detailed weather forecasting data available with
EMS."As a responsible national organisation, the Commercial Bank of Dubai had taken on the challenge of reducing its energy consumption. The bank had already had some experience in implementing BMS. So it was decided to bring in energy experts at the design stage of the Head Office building to achieve the highest possible energy savings," said Engineer Mahmoud Khalifa, Projects Manager, Commercial Bank of Dubai.
"When the project of first energy audit for the Commercial Bank of Dubai was awarded to EMS, it was a heartening to deal with a client that was already aware of energy management practices and wanted to optimise results in the new building," stated Khaled Bushnaq, Managing Director, Energy Management Services. "The experience that EMS has gathered over the years, providing energy management services to various commercial clients was brought to bear upon energy consumption simulations for the challenging project. It was, therefore, very satisfying to register the month on month energy savings made by the bank, with the results far exceeding our conservative estimates. EMS would like to congratulate Commercial Bank of Dubai on its
clearly articulated energy management policies that have sustained the implementation of effective Building Management Systems."Subsequently, during construction and implementation of energy networks, the bank incorporated several advanced energy management measures such as lighting controls and variable speed drives for optimising the use of air-conditioning systems, recommended by EMS. Once the head office became operational, EMS stepped-in to enable existing BMS. Resulting from a design that let in sufficient day-light, EMS experts suggested comprehensive scheduling for lighting and air-conditioning units (based on seasonal changes in temperature),
which in turn reduced the thoughtless use of electricity, common to many commercial spaces.While Energy Management Services had estimated a saving in energy expenditure of approximately AED 175,000 per annum, by the end of 10 months in operation the Building Management Systems had already achieved a reduction worth AED 274,000 in energy bills due to rigorous implementation by the bank of the energy saving measures recommended. This constitutes an actual saving of 15 per cent in the annual energy bill, with the average saving likely to be sustained in the hot summer months.
"Significantly, in the first month of the Head Office becoming operational, the bank had already noticed an amazing accuracy in the early energy consumption estimates provided by EMS, with the actual consumption being higher than the estimate by a mere 2 per cent. This was a clear indication that we were on the right track. We expect to continually strengthen our energy management strategies, as well as provide an example to other organisations that good environmental practices make sound business sense," stated Khalifa.
LAW GRADUATES’ FORUM KUWAIT
CHIARMAN
Adv. Palavialyail Thomas Panicker.Te. 00965 4346934, 6553160,
Fax 00965 4346934
panickerism@yahoo.com
www.geocities.com/lawgraduates
DETAILS OF AIRFARE CASE AGAINST AI IA GOVT OF INDIA AND DGCA CAN BE SEEN AT
I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE IN ASIANET THAT SOME MUSCAT KERALITES ARE PLANNING TO FILE CASE AGAINST AI, WHILE THE ABOVE STRONG DETAILED CASE IS ALREADY IN THE COURT FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS.PLS INFORM THE PERSONS APPEARED IN TV PLANNING CASE.PRESENTATION ON THE CASE GOING ON IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AGAINST
THE EXORBITANT PRICE INCREASE BY AIRLINES IN THE GULF-INDIA SECTOR.From the time of its commencement of operations it has become a practice of our national carrier, Air
India, joining hands with other airlines operating between Kuwait & India, increases the fare
exorbitantly every year at a time when Indians normally proceed for their summer vacation and whereas
at the same time they announce special price and incentives to their passengers to European, American
& other Sectors. Indian expatriate Travellers to India in Kuwait are discontent due to the following facts that :1) Only in Indo-Gulf sector every year Air India and others increase the price exorbitantly at a time when most of the NRIs travel to India and no other alternatives available.
2) It is pertinent to note that only to Indian sector price hike is effected at a time when most of the
international Airlines offer maximum lower price for summer vacations.3) Compared to American, European and other Sectors', flying time, distance and operating costs are much less to Indo-Gulf sector.However ,the ticket fare to the Indo-Gulf sector is exorbitant and not in line with the above
factors.4) The price increase is not related to oil price increase. When oil prices went down also they have increased the prices.For many years , many individuals & associations tried to successfully institute legal action before various
courts in India, against this Price increase. But all were rejected by the courst for various reasons.In this context it is pertinent to note that,The Law Graduates' Forum under its Chairman Advocate Thomas
Panicker had successfully filed the Original Petition (OP19237/15-07-2000) before the Honourable High Court
of Kerela challenging the unreasonable & unjustifiable airfare hike imposed by Air India & other airline
companies operating from various Indo-Gulf sectors. The O.P. filed by Law Graduates' Forum was admitteed
by the Honourable High Court of Kerala after hearing the arguments of the Counsel appearing for The Law
Graduates' Forum and overruling the various objections of the Air India, in the matter.This was a land mark achievement of the entire NRI community in the Gulf region.
It is to be noticed that IATA has nothing to do with this price increases. Regional Airline groups only take these decisions. The FORUM also contended that the Central Govt. of India is duty-bound to protect the rights of non-resident Indians just as that of any other Indian citizen. Just because an Indian citizen is employed outside India, it is highly illegal & arbitrary & violation of the legal rights guaranteed under the constitution of India to refuse the legal rights available to them. The Govt.of India is duty-bound to guarantee the protection of the rights & a protection against exploitation to every citizens including non-resident Indians. If the Govt. is permitting by their action or inaction any agency, entity or licensee to exploit the non-resident Indians, it will amount to violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
If the operational cost is considered as a deciding factor for fixing the fare then the fare structure for the Indo-Gulf sector should be much below than that of the fare structure for European & American sectors obviously because of much reduced or lower operational cost existing in the Indo-Gulf sector. The Indian citizens travelling from India to Gulf countries & back are singled out for a hostile discriminatory treatment compared to fellow citizens travelling to USA or Europe by the same carriers.It should be noted that this important decision of the Honourable High Court admitting the O.P. has definitely strengthened the position of The Law Graduates' Forum in it.
International Logistics Company Pushes Ahead with Global IBM Implementation
SWIFT Freight International L.L.C. deploys Lotus SameTime Collaboration and Messaging System to increase efficiency across all branches
From left to right: Abdul Caffoor, Managing Director of ISD; Bashar Kilani, Manager IBM Software Group, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan and Anil Mathews, Group IT Manager at SWIFT Freight Expanded View
Dubai, UAE – 8 August, 2004– SWIFT Freight International L.L.C., an international logistics and freight forwarding company based in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, announced today the successful implementation of a wide-scale IBM Instant Messaging (IM) and collaboration system across its international operations that span from Africa, the Middle East to Hong Kong. The new system will allow the company to offer faster services to its customers, reduce communication costs and drastically increase employee efficiency.
“This move is very important for improving both the operational and service efficiencies of our organization. The IBM Lotus Sametime system brings new benefits and new value to our customers and allows us and our employees to make full use of the infrastructure,” said Anil Mathews, Group IT Manager at SWIFT Freight. “It will save us a lot of money in terms of telecommunication, email infrastructure and travel expenses. The software interoperates seamlessly with other solutions and provides the flexibility we need with its extensive toolkit that our staff can use to enable any application.”
SWIFT Freight provides services to various industries such as IT, electronics, machinery, foodstuffs and consumer goods and offers end-to-end supply chain management solutions to distribution channels. The Lotus system installation, which was carried out by a technical team from SWIFT and three system engineers from IBM’s business partner, Information Systems Design (ISD), replaces the organisation’s existing Microsoft MSN Messenger messaging platform. ISD also provided SWIFT Freight staff with the required training and support services in managing the new system.
For Information Systems Design (ISD), the company has been a long-standing IBM business partner in the Middle East with a specialization on integrating sophisticated systems using IBM Lotus software products. “We’re assisting SWIFT Freight in enhancing the overall value they bring to their customers. Lotus SameTime is by far the leading instant messaging, presence awareness and Web conferencing application of choice for businesses these days on a global perspective. The system is ideal for SWIFT as it will improve efficiency and boost the productivity levels of the geographically scattered teams within the organization,” said Abdul Caffoor, Managing Director of ISD.
Lotus Instant Messaging carries a distributed environment, and provides a messaging platform that is firewall-ready, secure, and scalable to meet the needs of a very large user base. It also provides the interoperability and support of open standards that allows users to send and receive instant messages very widely.
“SWIFT Freight is a principal company in this region’s freight forwarding and logistics industry. We have been working closely with them for several years and their decision to migrate to Lotus SameTime is a key step that will contribute greatly to the value of their service delivery,” said Bashar Kilani, Manager IBM Software Group, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan. “The system is open, secure and reliable and will allow them to reduce a lot of paperwork as well as dramatically increase collaboration between the different offices.” SWIFT Freight has set big plans for the future with new technology implementations on the roadmap including video conferencing services, web conferencing and IP telephony. (gulfmonitor-keralamonitor)
Dubai eGovernment signs partnership with UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to help re-engineering ministry's services
click for expanded view
Federal Ministry to tap into Dubai eGovernment's expertise in initiating integration between various Government departmental portals
DUBAI - August 08, 2004 Dubai eGovernment and the UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at the re-engineering of MAF's services using cutting edge technology and business process re-engineering expertise of Dubai eGovernment.
Dubai eGovernment will cooperate with MAF in supervising the business process re-engineering activity of the Ministry. Dubai eGovernment will evaluate the business processes of MAF and examine the scope of integrating the tools of information technology to fundamentally reshape the workflows and processes within the ministry. "The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries undertakes a host of activities aimed at ensuring sustainable agricultural development. The nature of our work needs the constant application of new technologies and processes to ensure our effectiveness," said Abdullah Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, Acting Undersecretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. "Re-engineering our services is crucial and we have chosen Dubai eGovernment as our partners because of the expertise they have demonstrated in executing re-engineering processes."
"The MoU reflects the advances Dubai eGovernment has made in providing consultancy services to various organisations and government departments on business process re-engineering with the goal of promoting
competitiveness and efficiency by using information technology as a key driver," said Mahmoud Al Bastaki, Business Process Re-engineering Consultant, Dubai eGovernment. "We are confident that together with MAF, we will be able to identify the needs of the ministry by applying the key lessons we learned in re-engineering".Under the terms of the MoU, the Ministry will set up an exclusive taskforce to oversee the development, supervision and execution of the re-engineering project as well as provide documentation support. Working closely with the taskforce, the team of re-engineering specialists from Dubai
eGovernment will critically analyse the vulnerabilities and limitations of MAF's business processes and come up with a master plan to redesign its existing business processes.Further, the Dubai eGovernment team will take the lead in scouting for the competent IT solutions vendor with best of breed technologies and an impeccable track record to implement the re-engineering project. They will also ensure that all the technologies and processes used in the re-engineering adhere to global standards.
ASPIRE Achieves a Balance between Academics and Athletics to Produce Champions
Doha - Qatar, 8thAugust, 2004 - ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, is preparing for its first academic year which will begin in September 2004 in order to achieve its goal of identifying talented young athletes and turning them into champions.
ASPIRE provides all the tools necessary for its student athletes to achieve this success. Its facilities are among the best globally, and its covered sports dome, designed by renowned French Architect Roger Taillibert, will be the largest in the world when it opens in the first quarter of 2005. The standards and equipment used at the academy to evaluate each student athletes' capabilities reflect the latest that modern sport science has to offer.ASPIRE curriculum follows Qatar's highest academic standards with the addition of components which are designed specifically for the student athletes' career.
In order to ensure a balance between academics and athletics, the Quality Management, Education & Social Affairs (QESA) Department will play a crucial role in overseeing academic studies and athletic training.QESA, led by its Dean, Dr. Dieter Hackfort, is a core component of ASPIRE's operations. The department is responsible for all aspects of the student life and for helping students grow both as athletes and as individuals, thus ensuring they each feel a sense of personal satisfaction.
"Our goal is to create champions who achieve victories on the field as well as benefit society at large. For this reason, QESA will give equal importance to both the student athletes' academic studies and their sports training" Dr. Hackfort said.
With expertise in sport psychology and career management, QESA staff members would help students progress from stage to stage in their athletic training, academic achievement and would also guide them in the transition to a professional life. "ASPIRE student athletes will learn how to face the challenges of sports and life in general" Dr. Hackfort added.
A professor of sport and exercise psychology, Dr. Hackfort received his doctoral degree in 1983 from the German Sports University. In 1986 he served as a visiting professor at the Center for Behavior Medicine and Health Psychology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. That same year, he received tenure at the University of Heidelberg. has led the Department of Sports Science at the University of Munich and has served as a counselor for professional athletes at the Olympic Centers in Germany.
Dr. Hackfort's research has been published in 25 books and edited volumes, as well as in 150 national and international journals. In 1984, he received the Carl Diem Plaque award from the German Sports Federation for the best research in the social sciences. In 2001, he received the International Society of Sport Psychology's Honor Award, given in recognition of significant contributions to national and international sports psychology through leadership, research and personal service. He was appointed Honorary Professor at the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education in China.
Dr. Hackfort's extensive experience will serve not only ASPIRE, which has dedicated itself to developing sports excellence, but also its students. ASPIRE students will graduate with a high-quality, fully rounded academic education, as well as highly developed athletic talents that will return clear benefits to Qatari society and will enhance the sports culture in Qatar and the region.
