May 11, 2004

AL JENAIBI INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILES GEARS UP TO OPEN $0m SHOWROOM

New state-of-the-art facility to showcase BMW Group brands from early summer

DUBAI - Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, a division of the Suhail Bahwan Group and the exclusive importer for BMW Group cars and motorcycles in the Sultanate, is to open its new, $10 million state-of-the-art showroom and after sales centre in the early summer. The announcement follows the appointment of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles as the sole importer in Oman for BMW Group’s premium brands: BMW and MINI. Among the first cars on display in the new venue will be the new BMW 5 Series, the dynamic and versatile X3 and the 6 Series Coupé. The much anticipated BMW 1 Series will arrive in the showroom in September followed by the MINI Convertible later this year.

The first public glimpse of the new facility came in October last year, when plans for the eye-catching development were unveiled at an exclusive reception held to launch the new partnership between Al Jenaibi International Automobiles and BMW Group.

Now, with the final phase of construction of the landmark 14,000 square metre facility well underway, Al Jenaibi International Automobiles is gearing up to welcome the first customers through the doors. Built on an elevated site in Qurum, in Muscat ’s Capital area, the 2,400 square metre showroom will boast an adjoining after sales area featuring the latest computerised service and diagnostic technology, as well as offices and a warehouse.

“From the outset of our partnership with BMW Group, we’ve stated that our mission is to provide BMW and MINI customers with a total ownership experience that consistently satisfies each individual's needs and exceeds their expectations in a comfortable, supportive environment,” said Ahmed Suhail Bahwan, Chairman, Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. “With the construction of our new showroom entering its final phase, and with our sales and after sales staff fully prepared for the opening, our customers can look forward to familiarising themselves with the BMW Group product range in one purpose-built, ultra modern, facility that also caters for all their after sales needs.”

Al Jenaibi International Automobilies has made after sales excellence a priority. Of the nearly 100 people who will be employed at the new showroom, half will be dedicated after sales personnel. They will include experienced BMW master technicians and mechanics whose skills will have been strengthened by training at BMW’s regional training centre in Dubai . Guenther Seemann, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East , said: “Al Jenaibi International Automobiles’ focus on after sales excellence and the company’s customer first philosophy enhance the ownership and after sales experience for Oman ’s many BMW and MINI drivers. With our importer partner’s additional commitment to an impressive new facility, our two companies are very well placed to continue the strong growth of BMW Groups brands in the Sultanate.” ( KM Dubai Bureau)

NATO - Western Troops Torture, Trafficking in Kosova Woman

Kosovo: Trafficked women and girls have human rights Related documents Kosovo: Facts and figures on trafficking of women and girls for forced prostitution in Kosovo 06/05/2004 Kosovo (Serbia and Montenegro): "So does it mean that we have the rights?" Protecting the human rights of women and girls trafficked for forced prostitution in Kosovo 06/05/2004 Press release, 06/05/2004 "We were his property he said. By buying us, he had the right to beat us, rape us, starve us, and force us to have sex with clients." "Even when it was cold weather I had to wear thin dresses... - was forced by the boss to serve international soldiers and police officers." Testimonies of trafficked women and girls. Despite some positive measures, trafficking of women and girls remains a disgraceful human rights abuse in Kosovo. The international community is responsible for the growth of a sex-industry based on the abuse of trafficked women, said Amnesty International at a press conference revealing the result of its research into the trafficking of women and girls in Kosovo. "Women and girls are sold into slavery.

They are threatened, beaten, raped and effectively imprisoned by their owners. With clients including international police and troops, the girls and women are often too afraid to escape and the authorities are failing to help them," said Amnesty International. The report, "So does that mean I have rights?" Protecting the human rights of women and girls trafficked for forced prostitution in Kosovo, reveals that trafficked women and girls are exposed to a series of human rights abuses, including abduction, deprivation of liberty and denial of freedom of movement, torture and ill-treatment, including psychological threats, beatings and rape. Young women and girls, often vulnerable because of economic deprivation or for having already been physically abused, are easy targets. They dream of a better life which the traffickers use when they offer them "work" in the West. Instead of getting a proper job the women and girls find themselves trapped, enslaved, forced into prostitution. According to reports the number of establishments in Kosovo where trafficked women and girls may be exploited has increased from 18 in 1999 to over 200 in 2003. At the same time, the number of prosecutions for trafficking offences remains low. "Having escaped one set of human rights abuses, trafficked women and girls are subjected to a second set of violations at the hands of traffickers. If they manage to get away, they are often subjected to a third set of violations, this time by the authorities," Amnesty International said. Despite some positive measures by the authorities to combat trafficking in Kosovo, trafficked women and girls are often still treated as criminals - prosecuted for being unlawfully in Kosovo, or charged with prostitution following raids by UNMIK police. When arrested, the women and girls are not given the basic rights guaranteed to all detainees.

They are not informed about their rights, they are not allowed access to a lawyer and girls are often interviewed without a legal guardian present. Amnesty International found that the UN Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the NATO-led international military force in Kosovo (KFOR), and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo (PISG) have failed to protect and respect the human rights of these women and girls. Members of the international community are estimated to constitute 20 per cent of the people using trafficked women and girls and they generate a significant part of the industry's income. "It is outrageous that the very same people who are there to protect these women and girls are using their position and exploiting them instead - and they are getting away with it. It has devastating effects on these girls' and women's lives," said Amnesty International. Amnesty International is particularly concerned that girls under 18 make up between 15 and 20 per cent of the women working in bars. They are suspected of having been trafficked for forced prostitution. Instead of removing these girls, registered by UNMIK, they are left in the bars, subject to further human rights abuses, including being raped and beaten. Although trafficked women and girls are able to receive assistance from local NGOs and international organizations, Amnesty International is concerned that UNMIK have failed to implement an administrative directive that would guarantee them access to redress and reparation. The organization also reports that few women receive the long-term protection they need, such as witness protection for those prepared to testify in proceedings against their traffickers. "Trafficking of women and girls in Kosovo and other post-conflict situations will never end as long as the perpetrators go free and as long as civilian and military personnel are allowed to commit human rights violations with impunity," said the organization. Amnesty International calls on the Kosovo authorities, including UNMIK and PISG, to implement measures to end the trafficking of women and girls to, from and within Kosovo for forced prostitution. The authorities should also ensure that measures are taken to protect victims of trafficking, and to afford them the right to redress and reparation for the human rights abuses they have suffered. The organization also called on the UN and NATO to implement measures to ensure that any members of military and civilian peacekeeping forces suspected of criminal offences associated with trafficking are brought to justice. Trafficking of persons, in particular women and girls, in situations that amount to enslavement is included among the most serious crimes in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dubai Sports City to feature state-of-the-art sports hospital

HELIOS Hospital Group and DSC announce German Sports Medical Centre

DUBAI 10, May 2004 Dubai Sports City, the world’s only integrated purpose-designed sports city, is to feature a specialised sports medicine hospital – The German Sports Medical Centre - following a tie up with HELIOS Hospital Group Middle East, the regional arm of Germany’s leading private hospital provider. The comprehensive facility was announced by HELIOS Hospital Group Middle East Area Manager Norbert Seis and Dubai Sports City CEO, U. Balasubramaniam. The hospital, expected to open in summer 2006, will feature Centres of Excellence for sport cardiology, orthopaedics, sports medicine, sports science, neurosurgery and rehabilitation.

The German Sports Medical Centre will combine the finest medical technology and care with 5-star luxury. In additionit will be completely “wired,” allowing the cadre of medical specialists based in Dubai to consult, via tele-medicine and tele-radiology, with additional experts in Germany .“Sports medicine is one of the most dynamic specialties practiced today,” said Seis. “Advancements in diagnosis technology, non-invasive treatments and micro invasive, arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgeries are occurring at an incredible pace. These improvements are critical to athletes, professional and amateur alike, as they reduce the recovery and rehabilitation down times dramatically.”

Dr. Max Lippert, senior consultant in orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine and chiropractics, will head a team of medical specialists that includes orthopaedic surgeons, laparoscopic abdominal surgeons (hernias), ENT surgeons and a full cardiac team. The physicians involved in the Dubai facility, several of whom have served as the team doctors for professional sports clubs, have decades of experience in treating and rehabilitating individuals with sports-related injuries.

Lippert’s team will have access to the latest diagnostic equipment on site at the Centre. The radiology department, for example, will contain advanced diagnostic 4-D ultrasound scanning, MRI scanners and a 4-D Cardiac CT. These tools provide excellent images of bone, dense organic structures, and soft tissue and are critical to the expansion of non-invasive diagnostic examinations.

“Six weeks ago we announced our partnerships with international brands like Manchester United and Troon Golf. Then, Mohammed Al Gergawi, chairman of Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), promised that the Dubai Sports City would attract ‘only the best’. The partnership between us and The German Sports Medical Centre is yet another example of Dubai Sports City keeping its promise”, said Balasubramaniam.

The German Sports Medical Centre will include acute care and acute rehabilitation facilities and an exceptional, fully equipped and staffed emergency/trauma unit. Housed in a facility that is easily comparable to a 5-star luxury hotel, the hospital will also include comprehensive pathology and laboratory departments and a sports-oriented wellness/prevention centre.

“The goal of our partnership with Dubai Sports City is to provide athletes and other patients in Dubai with the best possible care, utilising the latest skills and technology available,” concluded Seis. “With the support of Mr. Balasubramaniam and his team, I am confident that our team will reach and even exceed our goal.”

Dubai Sports City is a part of the overall 2.5 billion square feet Dubailand project, which has been promoted by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), and is being developed and managed by a dedicated group arm, the Dubai Tourism Development Company. The Dubai Sports City is among the 40 major projects that are being developed by private promoters in Dubailand, which with its many facets, is designed to position Dubai as a leisure, sporting, tourism and entertainment capital of the region.DSC will span 50 million square feet of land on Dubailand under the direction of the Dubai Development and Investment Authority and which has been sold to prospective promoters, like DSC for execution of projects.

World class sporting facilities covering a wide range of activities are to be part of DSC which will house world class sports and facilities to host international events in cricket, rugby, football, field hockey, tennis and track and field events – in particular hard courts sports like baseball, volleyball, netball, handball, boxing and wrestling.DSC is also creating a unique living experience, which would be an inviting place to invest and reside by sports enthusiasts and others.

FIRST GULF BANK LAUNCHES VISA CREDIT CARDS

Abu Dhabi , 10 May 04 First Gulf Bank (FGB), one of UAE’s fastest growing financial institutions, has announced the launch of a new credit card in association with Visa International. “ First Gulf Bank’s existing credit cards have among the highest spend per card in the market. The launch of the new Visa card is in line with our strategy to further increase our share of spends,” said Amit Wanchoo, FGB Head of Retail Banking.

FGB launched three types of credit cards with Visa – Platinum, Gold and Standard Credit Cards to meet the needs of different customer segments. ‘The Visa Platinum card is by invitation only and for Senior Executives and business owners. The Visa Gold and Standard credit cards come with unmatched features and benefits including worldwide purchase protection, comprehensive credit shield and convenient utility bill payments to name a few’ said Amit Wanchoo.

The bank has also announced that the first year annual membership fees for the Visa credit card are waived. Moreover, the credit card members will enjoy a promotion to win an AUDI A4 class car. There are 3 cars to be won as part of the raffle draws which are scheduled on different dates starting July 31 st, October 2 nd, and November 30 th of this year. Card members will get chances in the draw every time they spend.

Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager Middle East, Visa International said, “As the world’s leading payment brand, we are delighted that First Gulf Bank has chosen Visa as the payment method of choice, offering their customers the most secure and convenient way of paying, while also providing value added benefits. "Today's UAE banking customers are increasingly sophisticated and selective. By providing such a wide range of cards for specific customer segments, we believe that the launch of First Gulf Bank Visa cards will be a great success, demonstrating that cards can be tailored for everyone.” The bank has expanded its retail product offering and focused on increasing its customer base. First Gulf Bank’s launch of new products indicate the bank’s commitment to put the first into banking.

Wataniya Telecom customers get Formula One ‘Action’ on their mobile phones

Race fans can keep up with the latest news and information from the world of F1 racing!

Kuwait – 10 May 2004 Wataniya Telecom today announced the availability of its Formula One race results service, providing customers with updated race information and final standings as they are announced track side. Action customers can receive an MMS with all the information in color and with pictures. Non-Action customers can also subscribe to the service via SMS and keep abreast of the driver and constructor standings for each race.

“Formula One is the most prestigious motor sport event in the world and enjoys many followers who are keen on receiving up-to-the-minute results of final standings of drivers and teams,” said Andrei Torriani, chief product development & technology officer at Wataniya Telecom. “Wataniya has facilitated this service for all Kuwaitis by catering to both its regular customers and its Action customers by offering an SMS and an MMS racing alert. Th u s, our customer can follow the results of each race, regardless of what type of phone they use or which service they are subscribed to.”

Wataniya Telecom’s F1 messaging service provides customers with instant access to race results as well as useful information regarding the track, teams and drivers as the action unfolds during the remaining 15 international races that will be held during the 2004 season. Wataniya customers can subscribe to the F1 service on the Funtec website by clicking ‘Your World’ category or calling customer care on 121. “We wanted to make the Formula One results service as rich as possible for customers, and so we have included race results, track layout at each venue including specifications of the race, as well photos and other information to ensure that our customer get the most value from this service. We will continue to develop and launch services to this standard and popularity for all our customers in Kuwait,” said Torriani.

Launched in December 1999, Wataniya Telecom is the leading GSM mobile operator in the State of Kuwait. With a market capitalization of US $3 Billion, the Company has been a driving force in increasing the mobile communications market penetration in Kuwait to over 70 percent of the population. With operations in Northern Iraq, Tunisia and most recently being awarded the third GSM nationwide license in Algeria, Wataniya Telecom is actively expanding its presence within the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region.With over 800,000 customers in Kuwait, 610,000 in Tunisia and 150,000 in Iraq, Wataniya Telecom has built its success on a customer focused strategy built on the philosophy that everything the company does must bring it closer to its customers. The Company provides a wide range of leading edge wireless voice and data services delivered with high quality and designed to meet customer requirements.

Rezidor SAS strengthens presence in France of Radisson SAS and

Park Inn brands by 7 Partouche hotels

DUBAI 9th May 2004 As of 1st June 2004, the hotel operator Rezidor SAS Hospitality takes over the management of properties acquired by the financial group Darthall B.V. by a 100% shareholding of the E.G.H. group, until now owned by the Partouche Group.

Seven hotels in France will be managed by Rezidor SAS on the basis of a long term Lease Agreement; Le Méridien in Lyon (245 rooms) and the Park Hôtel Aix-les-Bains (120 rooms) will be rebranded Radisson SAS and renamed Radisson SAS Hotel Lyon and Radisson SAS Hotel Aix les Bains respectively. The remainder of the properties, formerly of the Partouche Group in Lyon, Nancy, Macon, Orange and Arcachon will be rebranded Park Inn.

The hotels have undergone an important renovation program in recent years, collectively estimated at 11 million Euros. Rezidor SAS intends to make further investments, in particular in the Park Inn hotels, introducing a new in line of amenities conforming to brand specifications. Rezidor SAS already manages five properties in France : Radisson SAS Hotel Charles de Gaulle Airport, Radisson SAS Hotel Champs-Elysées, Radisson SAS Hotel Nice, Park Inn Nice and Country Inn Charles de Gaulle Airport.

With these additions, Rezidor SAS becomes a major international hotel operator in France , with a total of 12 properties in operation in the three and four star segments totaling 1844 rooms. Futhermore, hotel openings are scheduled under the Radisson SAS brand in Bordeaux , Paris Porte de Saint-Cloud and Disneyland Resort Paris in 2005 and in Marseille in 2006.

Growth in GSM multimedia networks in the Middle East boost Arabic infotainment and entertainment sectors

May 9, 2004 With the increasing adoption of GPRS (General packet radio services) by telecoms operators across the Middle East, and the more recent launch of 3G (third generation) networks by countries like the UAE, there is a surge of demand for quality Arabic infotainment and entertainment, prompting service providers to add value additions to their Arabic language content portfolio.

According to industry expert Bashar Dahabra, General Manager and Founder of Info2cell.com, the leading wireless application service provider and multimedia service integrator in the Middle East , the multimedia services market is poised for rapid growth over the next few years. This trend has been further bolstered by the entry of Arabic-enabled mobile phones and PDAs, capable of supporting GPRS and 3G.

Dahabra will provide insights into the growth opportunities for Arabic content service providers at the forthcoming CONNECT - The International Telecoms Summit, to be held from May 30 to June 2, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai , along with nineteen other regional and international telecommunications technology experts.

Drawing on his extensive experience in the GSM content provision market, Dahabra will deliver a paper on “Arabic Infotainment and Entertainment Goes Mobile – Exploring the Challenges of Offering High Quality Localised Content.” At CONNECT, Dahabra will detail the “value of offering localised, Arabic content”. He will also provide answers to questions such as “what kind of content is likely to become successful in this part of the world?” His paper will initiate a dialogue on relevant topics that include “The impact of Arabic services on subscriptions”, “How Arabic services effect other services” and the “Major challenges to resolving Arabic service issues with the implementation of GPRS and multimedia services.”

“The fact that the Middle East is one of the foremost regions to experience strong growth in the mobile telecommunications industry is evidenced by the widespread launch of GPRS, and more recently, 3G networks by telecom operators in the region. This growth is complemented by content providers competing to offer better and more innovative content,” said Dahabra.

“While MMS services were an instant success in the Middle East , after they were launched in 2003, content was initially limited to English. However, the speed with which service providers introduced Arabic language programmes has led to the increased adoption of MMS services by the region’s large Arabic speaking population. For example, Info2cell saw a leap in subscriptions during the recent Formula One event in Bahrain where results were relayed live to subscribers via MMS. We have also seen an increase in subscription of other Arabic language services such as MMS breaking news, MMS greeting cards, MMS horoscopes and MMS cartoons,” stated Dahabra.

“The Middle East region is experiencing a definite boom in the telecoms sector, and CONNECT has been conceptualised to highlight the several growth opportunities for telecoms operators and other allied players, such as content providers, in the industry. As more operators in the region launch 3G networks, enabling quicker live video streaming, it may not be long before mainstream Arabic television programmes are relayed and exchanged via mobile phones. By participating at CONNECT, existing content providers as well as potential players, looking at entering this market will have a chance to exchange knowledge and prepare for the challenges ahead, by listening to well-known experts in the field share their own experiences and insights,” said Sabine Enthammer, Executive Director, IIR Middle East.

Favourable indicators for growth of the Arabic language content services sector include the fact that the market for mobile phones and PDAs is multiplying in the Middle East, as proven by recent research which indicates that the number of mobile phone users in the region overwhelmingly outnumbers fixed land-line subscribers. The research states that there were more than 30 million mobile phone subscribers in the Arab world, at the end of 2003 and the growth rate for the whole year was 48 per cent.

“The mobile phone is emerging as a popular tool for receiving information and entertainment among end-users, owing to its portability and anytime access features. Info2cell.com was among the first to realise the potential for raising revenues by introducing new methods of relaying information and entertainment over the mobile device. Last year during the Iraq war, we offered over 100,000 subscribers the latest alerts through short message service (SMS). However, following the introduction of MMS, the growing demand for more realistic and enriched content has prompted Info2cell.com to offer a range of Mass Market Content services that can easily be received by mobile terminals or PDAs. This was crowned by the launch of the first MMS push alert service, which provided coverage of the fast paced Formula One racing event. The service was coordinated and launched with the first F1 race in the Middle East in April in the Kingdom of Bahrain ,” explained Dahabra. info2cell.com’s WASP (Wireless Application Service Provider) platform in DIC ( Dubai Internet City ) provides potential access to 7 million mobile phone users through a data connection with nine mobile operators in Kuwait , Bahrain , UAE, Qatar , Palestine , Jordan , Yemen , Syria and Egypt .

FREE WEEKENDS BECKON SUMMER TRAVELLERS

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts offer seven nights for the price of five in select holiday destinations around the globe.

Dubai , 10 May, 2004 : Holidaymakers from the Middle East can now take advantage of free weekends when booking five nights at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in select holiday destinations around the world. Guests looking for luxury escapes to exciting cities and resorts in Europe , America and Asia as well as in the Middle East , will find an array of tempting prices at the hotel chain’s luxury hotels, which all boast prime locations and outstanding accommodation and service. The offer will be valid for stays between 19 May and 5 September 2004 with prices starting from US$42 per room, per night at the Makkah InterContinental, Saudi Arabia.

In Europe guests can choose hotels in cities such as London , Paris , Geneva and Rome as well as resorts like Cannes in Southern France . The Carlton InterContinental Cannes will be offering seven entirely new luxurious suites from June following the completion of an extension to the hotel. The top floor suites will offer guests luxury and privacy as well as unparalleled views of the sea and the famous La Croisette.

Guests bound for North America will be able to take advantage of the Luxury Escapes in cities such as San Francisco , New York , Washington , Houston , Montreal and Toronto . Choose from hotels including the InterContinental Central Park South New York which is only steps away from the glittering shops of Fifth Avenue and the InterContinental Montreal which holds a prime position at the gateway to Old Montreal and the shopping and dining district. Those heading East can choose to take advantage of the offer in Hong Kong , Singapore and Bangkok . With 92 harbour view suites the InterContinental Hong Kong offers a unique window on Kowloon Bay and a great starting point for exploring this vibrant city. The stylishly designed InterContinental Singapore offers a range of eateries, beautiful accommodation and a relaxing outdoor pool area and garden creating an oasis of calm for guests in this bustling city.

Those guests staying closer to home can choose from over 30 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts around the Middle East and Africa . Guests can choose to be one of the first to visit the InterContinental Heliopolis which opens later this month as part of the fabulous CityStars project in Cairo , or for a relaxing break away in the cool of the Lebanese mountains guests can choose the InterContinental Mountain Resort & Spa Mzaar.

To make a booking of for more information on InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and this offer guests can call toll-free on the following numbers in Bahrain (800 880), Egypt (0800-4433322), Jordan (800-22666), Kuwait (473 2100 ext 6233), Lebanon (01 426-801 - ask operator to connect to 866 866 7556), Oman (800 777 999) , Pakistan (00800 909 971234) Qatar (0800 971234), Saudi Arabia (800 897 1465), and the UAE (800 4642).

 

RESURGENCE OF GULF AIR RECOGNISED AT MENA AWARDS

Airline Receives Platinum Award for Best Airline in the Region  

Manama , Bahrain – 9 May 2004 : Gulf Air’s resurgence has won praise from customers and the travel industry which voted it the “Best Middle East and North Africa Airline.” The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain , Sultanate of Oman and Emirate of Abu Dhabi received the top honour of a platinum award at the MENA awards ceremony on 6 May 2004 . In a spectacular year, Gulf Air is on a winning spree having also earned industry approval and recognition in the Airline Turnaround of the Year Award from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in 2003, and a nomination as a Superbrand in the UAE.

“I am very proud of the turnaround at Gulf Air and the positive recognition we are receiving,” said James Hogan. “In the face of immense challenges, not the least of which were the objectives set in our strategic transformation programme, we have performed well at every level and this award reaffirms our position in the market.”

One year on from the start of its transformation programme, Gulf Air’s innovation and excellence is being noticed throughout the region. Central to the airline’s transformation is its strategic focus on sales and marketing, yield management, improved services, and a restructured fleet and network with a view to delivering superior customer service and creating a truly world class airline.

The first year of the programme has been one of unprecedented change and innovation at Gulf Air resulting in a strengthened financial position and much higher market visibility. One of the most visible changes was the introduction, in April 2003, of a new corporate identity, which represents the more serious and fundamental changes taking place at every level in the airline.

“The market in which we operate has become increasingly competitive, which makes this award all the more valuable,” said James Hogan. “Receiving this award confirms that Gulf Air is meeting the challenges and competing effectively to provide the best possible service for our customers.”

Central to Gulf Air’s resurgence is the enhanced quality and range of products and services, differentiated to meet the diverse requirements and expectations of the multi-segmented market. This is evident in the introduction of the in-flight chef concept, which provides premium five star dining delivered by a team of trained chefs on selected long haul routes. Gulf Air’s introduction of the unique Sky Nanny service has received plaudits from industry commentators and customers alike. Other innovations include self-service electronic check-in kiosks at regional hubs, worldwide SMS notification technology and a downloadable version of the timetable – all firsts for a Middle Eastern airline. These services show the extent to which the airline is prepared to develop innovative new elements to win customers.

Through these and other momentous changes that are taking place, Gulf Air is demonstrating that it will go the extra mile to deliver on its commitment to provide a range of tailored services to its extensive mix of customers.

One of the best possible indicators of the success of its strategy is evident in record passenger figures for 2003, when more than six million passengers flew on Gulf Air flights to more than 45 destinations in 34 countries around the network. This is the highest number ever carried in a single financial year, and represents an increase of half a million over the previous year.

Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain , Oman and the UAE and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers more than 45 cities in 32 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.

The airline is in the second year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline’s aim is to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, technical expertise, modern fleet and professional management team which have been developed over more than half a century, into a global competitive environment.

Gulf Air was recognised with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) in 2003 and it was selected as a one of the leading and most recognised brands in the UAE by the Superbrands Council. The airline also received the top honour of a platinum award for being voted the Best Middle East and North Africa Airline at the 2004 Arabian Travel Market’s inaugural MENA Awards.

General Information Authority becomes accredited centre for ICDL certification programs, endorsed by UNESCO

GIA will train and test employees at its centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

May 10, 2004 General Information Authority (GIA) has become an accredited International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) centre for training and testing of IT skills. The announcement of the new accreditation was made by H.E. Tareq Saeed Al Noman, Undersecretary of GIA, under the direction of H.E. Hameed bin Ahmed Al Mualla, Minister of Planning and Head of GIA Consul, with endorsement by their Highnesses and Excellencies on the GIA Board of Directors.

The ICDL certification program will be available to the UAE government’s employees at GIA’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi and branch office in Dubai . Besides the government employees working in federal ministries and local departments, the two centres will also benefit citizens and educational institutions looking for an internationally recognised certification in computer proficiency. ICDL is the internationally recognised computer proficiency standard, owned by the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and sponsored by the regional Cairo office of UNESCO (UCO) to promote ICDL programs in the Arab region. This partnership further strengthens ICDL’s network of centres that offer training and testing in the emirates.

GIA urges government departments to evaluate their IT requirements and offers consultancy and training in improving the technology systems and the IT competency of staff from all governmental agencies and federal ministries. GIA also provides strategic studies on process automation and IT services to all government departments and ministries. Since its inception in 1982, GIA has trained over 45,000 Emirati working men and women in various fields of Information Technology. The ICDL accreditation will assist GIA in moving closer to its objective of creating an IT proficient society.

“The objective of planning and carrying out IT training projects is one of the main responsibilities of the Training and Research Department at GIA. The department prepares plans, training and qualification programs and also offers consultancy and recommendations related to training programs inside the country and abroad,” said Tareq Noman, Deputy Manager, GIA.

“The quality and content of the ICDL program meet our requirements of providing each government employee with certification in basic computer skills. It is important that government employees, as a minimum requirement, are able to use a computer and the basic office applications. This internationally recognised certification will increase efficiency and productivity throughout the federal government and all government departments,” said Mohammed Ismail, Director of Training and Research Department, GIA. “The ICDL program has proved to be a success across all the Emirates.” “Each individual who successfully completes the ICDL training program will receive a certificate that is recognized internationally with employers and educational institutions around the world,” said Rich MacLaren, Program Director, ICDL UAE.

“The endorsement of the ICDL program by GIA is yet another milestone in the implementation of a unified standard for computer literacy in the UAE. ICDL has already been endorsed locally by several authorities and ministries including the Ministry of Education, Dubai e-Government and all major colleges and universities in the country. Our partnership with GIA reflects the commitment of the UAE authorities in adopting and implementing the ICDL program across departments and organisations with the objective of developing the IT skills of its workforce. Locally, ICDL certification is recognized by employers in the government as well as the corporate sectors,” added Mr. MacLaren.

EPSON® enhances range to deliver high quality, economy and durability to home photo printing with the Stylus Photo R200

The EPSON Stylus Photo R200 features unique 6-colour inkjet system, high resolution and new ink formula in individual cartridges, to deliver long lasting, quality prints

May 10, 2004 EPSON has enhanced its photo printer range with the launch of the Stylus Photo R200, a cost-effective device that delivers premium quality and durable photographs. The device features a new 6-colour inkjet system for glossy, highly detailed photographs, an ultra-high print resolution for maximum definition and a new ink formula for long lasting quality prints.With the Stylus Photo R200, EPSON is the first vendor to bring cost saving benefits of individual cartridges and CD/DVD printing to the home and digital camera user at an affordable price.

“The Stylus Photo R200 is EPSON’s commitment to bring high quality photo printing to the home-user,” said Khalil El-Dalu, General Manager, EPSON Middle East. “We anticipate great interest for EPSON photo printing products including the Stylus Photo R200 as the market for digital cameras continues to grow at a fast pace.

Responding to th e growth of the digital camera market and the increased demand for printing photos at home, this printer has been designed for recent digital converts with an eye for premium quality at an affordable price. EPSON’s MicroPiezo TM printhead offers users an optimised print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi – the highest in the market -- combined with dot sizes as small as 3 picolitres. With 90 nozzles used per colour the results provide fine detail, smoother gradations, vivid and detailed photographs at fast speeds - a 10x15” photo can be printed in approximately 36 seconds.

EPSON’s new 6-colour inkjet system utilises higher density inks to deliver detailed, vibrant and long-lasting photos. EPSON has enhanced its ink formulation to improve colour reproduction and the overall durability of photos. This ink formulation provides the best level of durability in real life conditions – where exposure to air, light and water are all significant factors – on the widest range of media.

The Stylus Photo R200 includes 6 separate ink cartridges to maximise ink yield. Since these individual colour inks can be replaced at any time, economy is maximised thereby lowering the cost per print. The EPSON Stylus Photo R200 also allows users to print directly onto CDs and DVDs. The device implements an easy-to-use front-loading system with a dedicated CD/DVD tray, to enable users to customise their media. The CD Print feature is supported by EPSON Print CD software ensuring users can produce high-quality images on their CDs and DVDs very easily.

The device has added flexibility with the inclusion of standalone photo printing direct from an EPSON digital camera. Users simply plug their digital camera into the USB slot on the front of the printer and EPSON’s intuitive printing system takes care of the rest to deliver high-quality photos customised to the users specification.The Stylus Photo R200 is bundled with a range of software including PhotoQuicker 3.5, Print Image Framer Tool 2.1 and Print Image Framer Designer 2.1, allowing the user to customise images, add effects and create powerful high-quality output.

Oman Ministry of Heritage and Culture intensifies campaign against traders and companies indulging in software piracy

Several companies using pirated software raided at COMEX Oman 2004

May 9, 2004 Oman authorities intensified their campaign against traders and companies using pirated software across the Sultanate, in a bid to protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and reduce software piracy.As part of the campaign, the authorities raided several companies selling pirated software during the recently held COMEX 2004, Oman’s leading IT exhibition, and seized copies of pirated software.

Khalid Al Ghusaini, head of the Department of Culture, Ministry of Heritage and Culture, said: “We sincerely believe that respect to Intellectual Property Rights develops creativity by protecting the rights of software developers. We have achieved significant progress in our anti-piracy drives by working closely with Business Software Alliance to launch campaigns that have made a concrete contribution towards creating awareness among users, dealers and sellers about the importance of using original software in IT systems.”

Oman’s successful campaign to combat software piracy has been boosted by the passing of the Copyright Law that ensures full protection to the intellectual property rights of Omani IT companies. Further, Omani authorities have launched a series of campaigns aimed at raising awareness about piracy-related issues among end-users and dealers. The key message conveyed through these programmes is the benefit of using legalized and original software to protect IT systems, as well as to respect the rights of individuals, software developers and the corporate sector.