Middle East back issues from October 2006:
Razan Moughrabi refuses to leave Lebanon.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The entire team of the Arab television satellite channel MBC has relocated from Lebanon to Cairo, to air its programs from a secure location until the situation in Lebanon is stable and Israeli strikes have ended. Sources have suggested the move may be a permanent one, if the ...
Adel Imam to the Oscars.(actor's film "Imarit Ya'qoubain" (Ya'qoubain's Building) to be considered for Oscar)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Egyptian comedian actor Adel Imam's latest film "Imarit Ya'qoubain" (Ya'qoubain's Building) has been nominated by the Ministry of Culture to represent Egypt in the 2007 Oscars Awards ceremony. It is the second Egyptian film, in the past three years, (to be considered for the ...
Nawal Al Zoughbi calls for the reconstruction of Lebanon.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi was held guest on the first episode of the popular Egyptian program "Al Bait Baitak" (The House is Your House) in its new Ramadan season and after Lebanese television broadcaster Razan Moughrabi joined the crew. The program has been divided into ...
Haifa Wahbi into Cartier.(Cartier International Group)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi recently appeared as a guest of honor at a ceremony held by the Cartier International Group in Abu Dhabi to launch their new line of jewelry called 'La Dona Cartier.' According to the London based Elaph, the successful event was held at the Emirates ...
Nawal Al Zoughbi denies disputes with 'Alam El Phan'.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi denies that she is facing problems with her production company 'Alam El Phan' and owner Muhsin Jaber. Nawal said Muhsin has complete trust in her and does not interfere with her choice of music or style. Nawal also denied rumors that she is ...
Pakistan approves development of $43 billion Emaar island project.(Emaar Properties)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Pakistani authorities have reportedly granted approval to Dubai based real estate firm Emaar Properties PJSC, to develop two island projects near Karachi which require investments of some Dh158 billion ($43 billion). Emaar will have 85 per cent equity in the project, while ...
New MENA fund opens for subscription.(Middle East and North Africa)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Dedicated to investments in transportation, utilities, energy, and public-private partnerships in the Middle East, the new $500 million MENA Infrastructure Fund recently opened for subscription. The fund includes three joint venture partners including Dubai International Capital ...
New 55,000 sq ft facility launched by Bridgeway.(Bridgeway Shipping, Bridgeway Group)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The inauguration of the massive 55,000 square foot third party logistics facility, Bridgeway Shipping, recently took place in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), while plans were announced for the further expansion of the zone with an addition of a 200,000 square foot facility at some point ...
DFSA Law enacted by Ruler receives Best Government Initiative of the Year award.(Dubai Financial Services Authority, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
Oct 01, 2006 ... In a remarkable international recognition, the DFSA has received the "Best Government Initiative of the Year" award from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). The DFSA received this prestigious award for the excellence of its Trust Law, which was enacted by the ...
New real estate investment drive announced by Madain.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The Shariah-compliant real estate investment company, Madain, founded by prominent investors in the UAE and GCC region, recently announced plans to further attempt to tap the huge investment potential that exists in real estate projects across the GCC region. Company officials ...
Loan facility deal worth $300m signed by Sama Dubai.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The international real estate investment and development arm of Dubai Holding, Sama Dubai, recently announced that it has successfully closed a $300 million, three year loan facility with a consortium of eight banks to provide equity for the its ambitious expansion plans into the ...
World Economic Forum calls for greater ME presence in Global Growth Companies.(Middle East)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The World Economic Forum has urged Middle East business houses to be part of its newly formed Global Growth Companies community, a cross-industry network that enables member companies to leverage on global growth opportunities. The Forum underscored the need for greater presence ...
Closed for $250 million: Arab Bank, Saraya Holdings announce board members for Saraya Real Estate MENA Fund.(Middle East and North Africa, Ali Kolaghassi, Jawdat Al-Halabi, Oussama Kabbani)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Arab Bank and Saraya Holdings Limited, have announced the results of the private placement for units in the $250 million Saraya Real Estate Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Fund. The Saraya MENA Fund was launched in the first quarter of 2006 as a closed-end Bahrain-based fund managed by ...
Global Launches the First GCC Islamic Index in the Region.(Global Investment House)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Global Investment House "Global" announced today the launch of its new GCC Islamic Index, part of Global's series of indices, leveraging the need to track the performance of Shari'a-compliant companies in the region. Mr. Omar M. El-Quqa, CFA, Executive Vice President at Global, ...
12,000 acres set aside for new Emaar island development.(Emaar Properties)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Some 12,000 acres of land have been set aside for a Gulf construction group for the development of the new 43 billion twin island project of Bundal and Buddo, to be developed by UAE real estate giant Emaar properties. The islands, will be located off the coast off the Karachi ...
DP World to sell US ports within month and a half.(Dubai Ports World)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Within six weeks, DP World will reportedly sell all of its US ports, most likely to an international shipping line, say industry sources. The news of the imminent sale comes despite concerns that the company would be realize the deal's full value given the time constraints for disposal of ...
Major deal signed by Romacorp and top Saudi real estate and retail developer.(Food and Entertainment Co Ltd.)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... A subsidiary of Al Hokair, one of the top ten real estate, retail and retail shopping mall developers in Saudi Arabia, Food and Entertainment Co., Ltd., recently revealed that it had signed a major franchise deal with Romacorp to establish a chain of Tony Roma's Italian restaurants ...
Qatari Diar real estate firm to develop major resort in Khartoum.(Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... QDREIC, the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company has signed a major investment agreement for the development of a 100,000 square meter tourist and residential resort on the banks of the Blue Nile, across from the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, Sudan. The deal, signed by ...
Damac Properties unveils Dh280 million project at Jumeirah Village.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The development of a new, Dh280 million Mediterranean- style development with Arabic theme architecture was recently announced by Damac Properties in Jumeirah Village South. Tuscan Residence comes at the heels of the success of Damac's first project that was recently unveiled, ...
Two new hotels to be built by Nikko as part of Middle East expansion plans.(Nikko Hotels International)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Two new hotels are set to be opened in the UAE by Nikko Hotels International, a premier Japanese hotel chain. The firm's UAE entrance is part of Nikko's Middle East expansion plans, and includes the opening of the Fujairah Resort & Spa in December 2006, followed by another Hotel Nikko ...
Metro linkage for Dubai's Palm Islands discussed by senior team.(Nakheel Properties, Roads and Transport Authority)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... A meeting was held earlier in the week between high-level officials from Dubai World's Nakheel Properties and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to discuss the possibility of linking the Metro Dubai commuter train system to feeder systems serving some of Nakheel's developments. ...
Abu Dhabi tourism industry to require more business accommodations to thrive.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Accommodations for business travelers is a key component for the future success of Abu Dhabi's growing tourism industry, pointed out experts at a recent workshop organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Adta). Over 100 delegates attended a workshop on MICE (meetings, ...
Tenants face 40pc rent increase in parts of Dubai.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Meeting the rising costs of living is becoming a near impossible task for some in Dubai in recent years, with rents in some areas jumping a staggering 40 per cent in one year while salary increases pale in comparison. Speaking of the problem, Sunila Muzawar told Gulf News, "It ...
Radisson SAS takes over of the InterContinental Hotel Dubai.(Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, the first-class brand of Brussels-based Rezidor SAS Hospitality, has taken over the management of the InterContinental Hotel Dubai, the emirate's oldest five-star property in the heart of the city's business district. The hotel opened over three decades ago ...
ZIL launches Dynamic Growth Fund.(Zurich International Life)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Zurich International Life Limited (ZIL) has added the Dynamic Growth Fund (DGF) to its investment range. The new fund has been specifically designed to appeal to cautious investors who are interested in wealth generating solutions that offer protection against stock-market ...
XEROX launches ENTRY-LEVEL NETWORK printer with 'big' features.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Expanding its line of products for office environments, Xerox Middle East & Africa has announced a new desktop black-and-white laser printer designed to deliver greater productivity - including standard automatic two-sided printing - at an entry-level price. Starting at $350 the ...
World Economic Forum calls for greater ME presence in Global Growth Companies.(Middle East)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The World Economic Forum has urged Middle East business houses to be part of its newly formed Global Growth Companies community, a cross-industry network that enables member companies to leverage on global growth opportunities. The Forum underscored the need for greater presence ...
SAE Institute Kuwait Introduces Free 2 Day Workshop.
Oct 01, 2006 ... SAE Institute International, the world's largest and most renowned Audio Engineering, Animation and Film Institute, in conjunction with SAE Institute Kuwait brings Kuwait City, a 2-Day Free Workshop on Film and TV Production, starting from Wednesday October 4th at 7:30 p.m. and October 5th ...
Visa Electron Debit Cardholders to Enjoy Three Years of Free Shopping.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Visa International, the world's leading payment solutions provider, has launched a promotional campaign in the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, rewarding Visa Electron debit cardholders with valuable prizes when using their Visa Electron debit cards at supermarkets, petrol stations and ...
On Jazeera Airways, "I love Beirut" travelers fly free.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Jazeera Airways, the wings of freedom, flew its first flight back to Lebanon on Wednesday, 20th September, with a cabin full of travelers wearing "I love Beirut" T-shirts. The airline had announced Tuesday that its first flight to Beirut would be for free first 163 Beirut lovers who report ...
Virtualization Holds the Key to More Efficient Deployment of IT Resources and Higher Productivity: Fujitsu Siemens Computers.(information technology)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Virtualization holds the key to more efficient deployment of IT resources and higher productivity, according to Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading European IT vendor. Addressing regional enterprise customers at a seminar in Dubai, Stephane Rejasse, Managing Director, Middle ...
Trend Micro takes unprecedented approach to eliminating Botnet threats with the unveiling of InterCloud Security Service.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Trend Micro Incorporated, (TSE: 4704, NASDAQ: TMIC), a leader in network antivirus and content security software and services, has announced its next milestone in content security innovation with the release of InterCloud Security Service, the industry's most advanced solution for ...
SonicWALL Signs Almasa IT Distribution.
Oct 01, 2006 ... SonicWALL, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNWL), a leading provider of continuous data protection and network, Web and email security solutions, today announced the appointment of Almasa IT Distribution as a distributor of its E-mail Security and Content Security Management solutions across the entire ...
EMC IMPROVES INFORMATION LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT WITH NEW EMC INFOSCAPE SOFTWARE AND CONSULTING SERVICES.
Oct 01, 2006 ... EMC Corporation, the world leader in information management and storage, today announced new EMC Infoscape(tm) software and related EMC Information Management Strategy Service that will help organizations in the Middle East to discover, classify and manage unstructured enterprise ...
DAMAC PROPERTIES LAUNCHES TUSCAN RESIDENCE.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Luxury lifestyle provider, DAMAC Properties, introduces today "Tuscan residence", a stunning Mediterranean styled development with Arabic themed architecture in Jumeirah Village South. The property's launch follows the success of Emirates Gardens, DAMAC's first project that was recently ...
BANK OF SHARJAH IMPROVES ACCESS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Bank of Sharjah approved an increase in the amount of stock available to expatriate investors at its Extraordinary General Assembly yesterday. From today, non-UAE National investors will be able to own up to 30 per cent of the bank's total shares, an increase of 10 per cent. ...
APTEC Establishes Group Headquarters at Dubai Internet City.(APTEC Holdings)
Oct 01, 2006 ... APTEC Holdings, the leading regional provider of IT and telecom products, solutions and services, today announced the opening of its new headquarters in Dubai Internet City (DIC). The new headquarters will consolidate the operations of its four subsidiaries: APTEC Distribution, ...
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY DONATES USD 500,000 FOR MIDDLE EAST HUMANITARIAN RELIEF.(International Federation of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross Societies )
Oct 01, 2006 ... The Coca-Cola Company today announced it is donating US$ 500,000 for Middle East humanitarian relief. The money has been directed to the International Federation of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross Societies (IFRC). The IFRC will be using this financial support as part of ...
Satyam stages first cross-border country outage and business continuity operation in Singapore.(Satyam Computer Services Ltd.)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (NYSE:SAY), the leading global consulting and information technology services company, has completed what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind, cross-border country outage recovery. Satyam simulated a nationwide outage in India, and revived ...
LG Peace Tour 2006 begins this week.(LG Electronics Inc.)
Oct 01, 2006 ... All eyes will be on this week's three-nation LG Peace Tour 2006, with the giants of Arab football - Iraq, Iran and Jordan - beginning their earnest preparations for friendly matches, taking place in Amman's King Abdullah Stadium, from October 4-6. The tournament will see the ...
Planters' wins contract to landscape new Dubai airport.(Planters Horticulture)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Leading Dubai based interior landscaping company Planters Horticulture, have again been contracted by Dubai Civil Aviation to landscape Dubai's new International Airport Phase 2, which is scheduled to be completed in 2007. The contract involves sourcing the specified exotic plants, ...
LINKSYS LAUNCHES ITS NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN: I WANT LINKSYS!(Linksys Group Inc.)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Linksys[R], a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., the recognised leading provider of voice, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer, SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) and small business customer, today announced the launch of its Marketing campaign: I want Linksys!This campaign was ...
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP TO OPEN HOLIDAY INN ABU DHABI.
Oct 01, 2006 ... InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's most global hotel company, has announced it will be expanding its portfolio of properties in the UAE with the development of a Holiday Inn Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi will be located at one of the region's best planned ...
Jordanian Minister of Information and Communications Technology visits Info2cell offices in Amman.(Omar Ashraf Al Kurdi)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The Jordanian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Engineer Omar Ashraf Al Kurdi visited the Amman offices of Infocell.com, the region's leading wireless information service provider, as part of a nation-wide tour of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ...
CONSTITUENT GENERAL ASSEMBLY (CGA) HOLDS ITS MEETING IN BAHRAIN.(Gulf One Investment Bank)
Oct 01, 2006 ... shareholders of Gulf One Investment Bank convened in Bahrain their Constituent General Assembly. After Dr. Nahed Taher announced to the shareholders that the turnout was 92% of investors, the legal quorem was met and the CGA was officially convened with Dr. Nahed as its chairman. ...
Jordan - Tourism sector constituted 10.5% of GDP in 2005.(Gross domestic product)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The tourism sector is considered to be one of the most important sectors in Jordan's economy, constituting 10.5% of GDP in 2005, and grew at a CAGR of 7.9% during 2001 to 2005. Jordan is a destination with many iconic tourist attractions, such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Tourism ...
Huge increase in preventable construction accidents.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Dubai Municipality has reported a dramatic increase in the number of construction site accidents, up 45% in the first half of 2006 over the same period last year. According to the Municipality, 111 accidents were reported between January and June. Over half of all construction ...
INTERVIEW WITH SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM, PRESIDENT OF DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION & CHAIRMAN OF EMIRATES GROUP.(Interview)
Oct 01, 2006 ... HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM, PRESIDENT OF DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AVIATION & CHAIRMAN OF EMIRATES GROUP - QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS: 1. How much will the Dubai Flower Centre enhance Dubai's already established status as a trading, aviation & logistics hub ...
Launching of GARGANTUA version 6, the Content Management solution.(Siatel)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The new version 6 of GARGANTUA will be presented ahead of its official launch at the GITEX show in Dubai from November 17-22 on the SIATEL stand (U9-5 Hall Sheikh Rashid). This new version 6 is a complete Content Management solution including portal, multiprocess Workflow, multi-database ...
eSys Technologies and Spam Cube sign global distribution agreement.
Oct 01, 2006 ... eSys Technologies, one of the world's fastest growing IT companies and among the top 10 companies in technology distribution, has recently signed an exclusive distributor deal with Spam Cube, Inc - which created the Spam Cube(tm) the world's first OnDemand security hardware gadget that ...
Emirates Palace Welcomes New Hotel Manager.(Arild Sjoedin)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Norwegian-born expert hotelier Arild Sjoedin joined Emirates Palace as its new Hotel Manager, following a two and a half year stretch as General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Bel Air in Binz, Germany. Having spent close to twenty years in the hospitality industry ten of which as ...
Omani officials tackling software piracy threat.(Omani Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Omani Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently conducted a training programme for the inspectors and law enforcement bodies at the Ministry. The training was conducted in cooperation with Business Software Alliance (BSA), the foremost organisation dedicated to promoting a safe and legal ...
Closed for $250 million: Arab Bank and Saraya Holdings Announce Board Members for Saraya Real Estate MENA Fund.(Middle East and North Africa, Ali Kolaghassi, Jawdat Al-Halabi, Oussama Kabbani)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Amman, Arab Bank and Saraya Holdings Limited, have announced the results of the private placement for units in the $250 million Saraya Real Estate Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Fund. The Saraya MENA Fund was launched in the first quarter of 2006 as a closed-end Bahrain-based fund ...
ABU DHABI LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE IN MASTER PLAN FOR WORLD-CLASS AVIATION GATEWAY.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Abu Dhabi is launching a unique international procurement event as part of its master plan to establish the UAE capital as one of the world's most sophisticated aviation gateways. Taking place from 19-21 March next year, the Aviation Procurement Expo (APEX) is an important new ...
Business guru says Dubai business climate spurring regional growth.(Verne Harnish)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Verne Harnish, described by Tom Peters as the guru of fast growth companies, says Dubai's enterprise friendly business climate will spur growth in the region in the same way as Hong Kong is the catalyst for growth in Asia. Speaking to entrepreneurs at the Knowledge Village ...
IFA Aviation takes delivery of its first aircraft.(International Financial Advisors)(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... International Financial Advisors (IFA) announced that it recently received its first aircraft from Bombardier, which has been used by IFA Aviation to serve its clients travel needs since early September. Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, Chairman and ...
SIZE DOES MATTER! - Samsung gets personal with its high-speed, compact color laser printer range.(Samsung CLP-300 and CLP-300N)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Samsung, the world's second largest laser printer manufacturer, announces the breakthrough CLP-300 Series, powerful yet affordable new solutions for consumers who want the benefits of color printing but do not have the space for bulky machinery. The CLP-300 is the smallest and lightest ...
EastNets Service Bureau gains popularity as more than 100 banking and financial organisations choose to outsource IT requirements.(information technology)
Oct 01, 2006 ... EastNets, the leading payments and security solutions provider for the public and financial service sectors in the Middle East has signed its 100th customer on the EastNets Service Bureau (ENSB), marking an important milestone in the managed service provider's growth chart. This success is ...
DNATA SUPPORTS ROUTES 2006 IN DUBAI.(DNATA and DNATA World Travel)
Oct 01, 2006 ... Officials of Routes 2006, the 12th World Route Development Forum hosted recently in Dubai by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), have commended Dnata for its delegate handling support services during the world-renowned ...
BAHRAIN WORLD TRADE CENTER'S FIRST BRIDGE FIXED.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The first of three bridges, to which the Bahrain World Trade Center's revolutionary energy-generating turbines will be installed, has been lifted. The installation of the other two bridges is planned to take place within the coming few weeks. The landmark BWTC towers are the ...
Boeing, EgyptAir Exercise Options for Six Additional 737-800s.
Oct 01, 2006 ... Boeing [NYSE: BA] and EgyptAir today marked delivery of the airline's first Next-Generation 737-800 by announcing the Cairo-based carrier's exercise of options for six additional 737-800s. The total order for 12 airplanes is valued at $850 million at list prices and marks a significant ...
Yemen oil exports up.(Brief article)
Oct 01, 2006 ... The Yemeni government's share from oil profit increased to 4.7 million barrels, which worth $1.9 billion during the last eight months compared to the same period of 2005. In 2005, oil exports reached 38.7 million barrels valued $1.925 billion. According a report by the Central ...
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Oct 01, 2006; ... Despite a very public plea by Nato secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, for additional soldiers to fight alongside British, Canadian and Dutch troops already operating in southern Afghanistan, it was met with little enthusiasm as The Middle East went to press. The targets of ...
Terrorism scorecard
Oct 01, 2006; ... Five years after 9/11 the terror networks have not been eliminated and although key figures have been captured or killed a new generation has taken their place THE US-LED CAMPAIGN against Al Qaeda and its burgeoning global network of affiliates has notched up some major successes over ...
The massacre and destruction of southern Lebanon
Oct 01, 2006; ... Brian O Dubliagh reports from Lebanon on the human cost of Israel's latest attacks on its neighbour. IT'S NOT JUST the scale of the human rights violations inflicted on the Lebanese that shocked. Although the numbers were immense - over 1,000 people killed, and Israeli air raids forcing ...