AL JENAIBI INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILES GEARS UP TO OPEN $0m SHOWROOM
Nokia Announces Ashen for the N-Gage Mobile Game Deck
DUBAI - May 10, 2004 Nokia today announced Ashen, its third self-published title for the N-Gage™ mobile game deck. Exclusively for the N-Gage game deck, Ashen is a 3D gothic-horror-themed, first-person shooter that pits mobile gamers against a host of enemies. In addition to exciting single-player action, up to four people can play in deathmatch mode via Bluetooth wireless technology. "Ashen will capture mobile gamers with its impressive gameplay and unique features," said Pasi Pölönen, Director of Game Publishing, Entertainment and Media Business Unit, Nokia Mobile Phones. "With a compelling storyline, fast-paced action and unique features, Ashen will inspire gamers to fight against an amazing range of enemies and to explore and rescue the citizens of Seven River City ."
As a special feature, Ashen has a unique "ghost vision" mode that allows gamers to detect and combat invisible enemies that block their progress through the game. Players can choose from eight different weapon types such as dual pistols, a Gatling gun, sniper rifle and a unique alien assault gun. Eight single-player maps are available, with two additional maps for multiplayer deathmatch gaming. With N-Gage Arena, the mobile online gaming community, Ashen players will be able to share their best scores with other devotees of the game.
Mobile gamers can immerse themselves in a rich 3D world, ranging from ruined cityscapes, spectacular cathedrals and alien-infested streets. With eight unique and intelligently behaving enemy types, players will need to keep their wits about them as they try to unravel the reasons behind the supernatural phenomena that have taken over Seven River City.
Ashen is expected to be available on the N-Gage game deck by the end of June 2004. Ashen is being developed by Torus Games, a leading game developer based in Melbourne , Australia .The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active and hardcore gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation. Torus Games is an independent developer of video games based in Melbourne , Australia . Torus has been developing video games since 1994 and employs over 50 staff.
PRIORITY CLUB® REWARDS EXTENDS BENEFITS WITH GULF AIR PARTNERSHIP
From left to right: Chris Moloney, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa with John Butler, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Gulf Air celebrating the addition of Gulf Air Miles benefits to the Priority Club Rewards programme during Arabian Travel Market 2004.
Members can collect air miles with every qualifying stay
Dubai , 09 May, 2004 : InterContinental Hotels Group has expanded the benefits of its Priority Club® Rewards for Middle East travellers through the signing of a new partnership agreement with Gulf Air. From 1 June, Priority Club® members can select Gulf Air as their preferred earning alliance and gain 500 Gulf Air Miles with every qualifying stay at any of the 3,500 InterContinental, Crowne Plaza , Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites properties worldwide.
“Priority Club® Rewards is one of the largest hotel loyalty schemes in the world and as such we aim to offer our members the widest range of ways to redeem their points,” said Denis Johnson, vice president sales & marketing, Middle East & Africa, speaking at a press conference at Arabian Travel Market today. “By partnering with Gulf Air in this way, we can offer an obvious benefit to Middle East guests”. Priority Club® Rewards members can convert existing points to Gulf Air Miles at a rate of 2,500 miles for every 10,000 points.Currently flying from its three main hubs Dubai , Abu Dhabi and Bahrain , Gulf Air offers travellers direct routes to 45 cites in 34 countries with a modern fleet of aircraft. Priority Club® Rewards points can also be swapped for luxury weekends away, including flights and accommodation, experiences and activities in key destinations around Europe and even as a way of donating to charity.
Now with 18 million members, Priority Club® Rewards is highly flexible. Points do not have an expiry date, while members can buy more to qualify for a particular reward, and also donate their points to family or friends who are also members. Travellers looking to join Priority Club® Rewards can do so easily through any of the InterContinental Hotels Group properties, of which there are 72 in the Middle East region and North Africa . They can also log on to www.priorityclub.com or call the priority club service centre on + 44 870 607 2582. (KM Bureau Dubai)
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.
Caption:
From left, Seis, Area Manager, HELIOS Hospital Group Middle East; with DSC investors Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, Dr. Lippert, and Khalid Al Zarooni, President, Dubai Sports City LLC.
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.
NEW RANGE OF FURNITURE , CARPET DESIGN TO BE UNVEILED AT THE HOTEL SHOW
More than 310 companies from 33 countries gather under one roof for the region’s top hotel supplies event
Dubai , UAE, 9 May, 2004 : A new collection of wrought iron banqueting furniture and a new line of carpet designs will be launched by one of the UAE’s leading interior contractors, JC Maclean Group at The Hotel Show on 17-19 May. Available from Maclean Metal Industries and Gulf Carpet International, both branches of JC Maclean Group, the new product lines mark the beginning of efforts on behalf of both companies to penetrate the expanding hotel supplies market in the Middle East . “In line with the group’s planned development, JC Maclean has augmented its core fit-out and joinery business to incorporate key manufacturing and installation support companies,” said Talal Sayeed, Director, JC Maclean International.
JC Maclean Group now includes several companies, including JC Maclean Design, Tangent, a soft furnishings manufacturer and Tecno, which specialises in interior space planning and design. Taking place at the Airport Expo Dubai and organised by event management and marketing specialists Streamline Marketing, The Hotel Show will also see more than 310 other exhibitors from 33 countries gathering under one roof. Products vital to a hotel’s day to day running will be displayed at the event, including computer hardware and software, fitness, spa and pool equipment, furniture, tableware, kitchen equipment, management and reservation systems, telecommunications systems and uniforms.
SunSystems, one of the world’s leading software providers, which opened its Dubai office in 2003, will use the event to showcase its financial and business management software solutions, available in 30 languages including Arabic and Farsi. The company will attend The Hotel Show with one of its key partners in the region, Key Information Technology.
SunSystems has formed an alliance with MICROS-Fidelio, world leader in front-office systems for hoteliers, to create MICROS-Fidelio Financials powered by SunSystems which provides an integrated front and back-office solution design to cater to the hospitality sector. SunSystems has a portfolio of hotel clients that includes Hilton International, Ritz Carlton Hotels and Resorts and the Crowne Plaza Dubai.
“SunSystems is the only product suite in the world that combines world-class financial management systems, powerful planning, forecasting and budgeting capabilities as well as the latest web-based systems,” said Martin Kaczmarek, general manager, SunSystems Dubai office. “When combined with our experience in the hospitality industry, and that of MICROS-Fidelio, we have a lot to offer to Hotel Show visitors,” said Martin Kaczmarek, general manager for SunSystems in the Middle East .
The Hotel Show is held under the patronage of H.H.General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Government of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing which uses its international network of offices to promote the event. The exhibition is owned by the UK’s Daily Mail Group and also supported by the UK, German, Spanish and South African governments and various Italian regional governments.Caption: JC Maclean Group, which has clients including the Burj Al Arab (pictured) is among more than 310 exhibitors at The Hotel Show this month. (KM Bureau Dubai)
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.
The onset of summer in the Gulf Region to boost the demand for energy management technologies
Energy Management Services announces value-added Smart Properties Programme
DUBAI May 9, 2004 Energy Management Services (EMS), the leading Energy Management and Energy Conservation Company in the Middle East, has announced a value-added version of its Smart Properties Programme that seeks to save money for the user, while at the same time saving on the use of water, electricity and gas. The new programme will be of considerable significance in view of the increased burden on expenses of energy bills that almost double in size during the summer months.
“The demand for energy management has been increasing in the recent years with an increased consciousness of the all round benefits of such measures,” said Khaled Bushnaq, Managing Director, Energy Management Services. “It has been our observation that the need for energy management comes to the forefront with the onset of summer, as commercial users of energy, as well as landlords of existing commercial and residential complexes begin to plan their energy budgets for the high energy consuming summer months.”
“Till very recently, the widely held belief was that energy was the least controllable of all expenses. However, EMS quantified energy use patterns through extensive energy audits in all kinds of situations and in every user segment. This was followed by the formulation of a clearly articulated Building Management System (BMS), which, over the years has demonstrated its effectiveness through increased saving on energy bills, as well as a proven reduction in Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) emissions,” added Bushnaq. “CO 2 emissions are the largest contributor to human-generated greenhouse gases and are presently the subject of much debate around the world. Each kWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy delivered to a building incurs atmospheric emissions of about 0.5 Kg CO 2 from the extraction and processing, as well as the delivery of fuel and its consumption on site.”
The new research, conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) , is based on the financial investment into 4 segments of expenditure through the entire lifecycle of a building. It has been established that over a 40 year lifecycle, a substantial 50 per cent of the investment will be made into operational costs that are dominated by energy bills. Only 11 per cent of the investment goes into the actual construction of the building, another 14 per cent is spent on financing options; whereas 25 per cent of the investment is made into post construction structural alterations. Using the BMS, a Smart Property can save up to 10 to 20 per cent annually on its operational expenditure.
The Energy Management and Energy Conservation programme for Smart Properties undergoes two important stages of energy audit of the facility. The first stage does a preliminary audit of existing energy installations (including electricity guzzlers such as HVAC, as well as water and gas installations); identification of major consumers of various kinds of energy in the facility; and the defining of the energy saving opportunities. Once the financial and technical proposals are made, the client can choose to go into the second stage of a detailed audit and implementation, where a detailed analysis of energy consumption is made, a detailed energy audit report is prepared and technology options for implementing BMS are suggested.
It is at this stage that the value-added option of Smart Properties comes into play. “We had noticed that most users found the idea of investing in Energy Management totally revolutionary. EMS is so convinced of the environmental and financial benefits of the Smart Property programme that we decided to make the initial investment for such clients,” explained Bushnaq. “The clients would then have a fully operational BMS with zero investment on their part. EMS would recover the cost of investment through deferred instalments, which will be payable only once the client can see real savings in their energy bills. The real triumph of the programme lies in the fact that the savings is evident in the first monthly bill following the installation of the programme.”
The advantages of implementing BMS are not limited to the energy bill alone. A Smart Property will see reduction in maintenance time for its energy installations. There is also a provision for sub-metering in critical areas to assist in planning and analysis of energy requirements. A smart building would also require a lower budget allocation for replacement of inefficient equipment, as well as provide higher return on investment for existing equipment. In addition to approximate electricity savings of 25% on average for a typical building with an annual electricity bill of AED 700,000, a yearly reduction of 440 Tons of CO 2 would be also achieved. BMS will also ensure pre-qualification for the ISO 14000 certification for environmental protection, essential for trading in many global markets.
