May 19 2012, Amman - For the first time in Jordan and in sync with the growing demand for cold drinks and ice cream at the beginning of summer, Livorno Ice Cream and Cake introduced the new idea of turning ordinary ice cream scoops into “fried” ice cream desserts which were added to its menu.   

Attempting to further expand the list of oriental dessert recipes and provide diners with a chance to try out its exceptional sweet dishes newly-introduced to the Middle East, Livorno offers different flavors of its Chinese deep-fried ice cream balls which are locally prepared in a unique manner using authentic Italian ingredients. 

In his comment, the General Manager at Livorno Ice Cream and Cake, Murad Sisan, pointed out that the idea of serving deep-fried ice cream to customers materialized at the beginning of this year, highlighting that the recipe found favor with a large number of customers who constantly look out for unusual and strange desserts.

Sisan added that more branches of Livorno will soon be launched in different areas across the kingdom to offer their diners a wide range of options available in our internationally-themed dessert menu including the diversely-flavored deep-fried ice cream.

“This move which falls in line with our endeavors to acquaint the Jordanian society with international food preparation customs and traditions would contribute in boosting cultural exchange between countries, given the fact that Jordan has an attractive environment for developing the travel and tourism industry,” Sisan said. 

Livorno has recently expanded the scope of its business activities to serve customers at hotel parties, party venues, schools, and universities through well-equipped dessert and ice cream carts.

Remarkably, Livorno Ice Cream and Cake plans to launch further production lines across the kingdom to meet the growing demand on deep-fried ice cream and other dishes of desserts. 

Emirates Float Glass (EFG), one of UAE’s largest state-of-the-art integrated float glass facility, subsidiary of Glass LLC and wholly-owned by Dubai Investments (DI) PJSC, has unveiled its Carbon Management Programme as part of an endeavor to reduce its overall carbon footprint.

Taking a first step, EFG recently appointed sustainability consultants Green Technologies to conduct a carbon footprint analysis of its world-class manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.

The study, based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a corporate accounting and reporting standard from the World Resource Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, indicated 553 grams of carbon dioxide emission per kilogram of glass, which is among the best global ratings.

Ghassan Mashal, General Manger, Emirates Float Glass, said: “Our efforts have resulted in a significant reduction of manufacturing waste, enhanced energy conservation and mitigated harmful effects on the climate. These outcomes demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and will help us call upon every individual and corporate to do their share in reducing carbon footprints.”

Float glass produced by EFG contains 59-67 per cent regional raw material. In line with the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System for New Construction, procuring materials from neighboring facilities in the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia allows the company to qualify for LEED points under Materials Credit MRc5: Regional Materials.

Additionally, EFG uses 6.20% post-consumer recycled content, contributing further to the LEED Materials Credit MRc4: Recycled Content.

The Emirates Float Glass facility is equipped with machines imported mainly from Europe, the US or Japan. The plant has achieved 100% capacity utilization, the highest benchmark for efficiency levels worldwide.

The hi-tech manufacturing unit currently holds a production capacity of 600 tons of clear molten glass per day and over 190,000 tons of glass products per annum.

Built at a cost of over Dhs700m, the factory is operational since 2009. In addition to clear glass, EFG also produces a wide variety of tinted glass such as bronze, grey and green, as well as reflective coated glass

BMW Group has confirmed that customers in the Middle East can now purchase the all-new BMW 3 Series sedan with a third engine variant - the BMW 320i.

Having sold 12.5 million cars since its launch in 1975, the BMW 3 Series continues to be BMW Group’s worldwide best-selling model series consistently accounting for more than a quarter of the company’s global sales. With the addition of the BMW 320i, BMW Group is expanding its 3 Series product offering and making the world’s best-selling premium car even more accessible to a wider customer audience across the region.

Commenting on the BMW 320i’s arrival, Dr. Joerg Breuer, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said: “The BMW 3 Series has been riding the wave of success ever since its launch 37 years ago - in fact, every third BMW sold in 2011 was a 3 Series. It is therefore a very important model for BMW Group, and by adding an additional engine variant, we expect to achieve even greater success.”

Performance and technology have always been key areas of expertise for the BMW brand, and agility and driving dynamics remain outstanding attributes of the new BMW 3 Series. Customers can now choose from two powerful TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engines: 320i, 328i and the six-cylinder 335i; that all come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and TwinPower Turbo engines technology, offering more Efficient Dynamics technology to make the new 3 Series more fuel efficient.

The new car is first BMW model to be available with three different lines: Modern, Sport and Luxury - three distinctive design personalities for the exterior and interior. Within each line, customers can choose a number of exclusive finishes and equipment variants to suit their taste.

New powerful design elements include a new BMW face, with flat headlights reaching along as far as the BMW kidney grille. This emphasises the elegantly dynamic design of the new BMW 3 Series, which has increased in length (+93mm), width (front +37mm, rear +47mm) and wheelbase (+50mm) compared to the predecessor model, giving the car an elegant and athletic silhouette.
Inside the new BMW 3 Series, the noticeable increase in space means significant benefit for the rear passengers. The classic BMW interior surfaces and lines flow over the instrument panel towards the front passenger side of the cabin, where they form a smooth and protective border. The cockpit wraps around the driver and ensures that all important functions are within easy reach.

Under the umbrella of BMW ConnectedDrive the all-new 3 series offers numerous BMW ConnectedDrive technology features that give the driver and passengers information and services to help make their driving experience safer and more comfortable. Such as Rear-view camera and Park Assistant - a system that takes on the search for a parking space as well as the parking.

Another strong feature to highlight is that owners of select BlackBerry smart phones can also access the phone’s windows office function via the operating system iDrive. This new Bluetooth interface that integrates the BlackBerry device into the vehicle allows e-mails and calendar entries to be received and displayed on the Control Display and even read out through an optional voice output function. Bluetooth Audio Streaming also allows the driver to listen to music from an audio player or mobile phone without the need for a cable.

The new BMW 320i includes iDrive along with an 8.8″ or 6.5″ screen. There is also an automatic sliding and tilting glass sunroof in addition to BMW EfficientDynamics technology that includes the new Driving Experience Control switch with four driving programmes allowing the driver to choose between sporty, ultra sporty, comfortable and extremely economical driving ECO PRO mode.

New to the 3 Series, the feature helps drivers maximize fuel economy by analyzing their driving style, thereby enabling them to increase the distance they can travel on each tank of fuel.

Over the next five years, Al Bayader International - the Middle East-based food packaging specialist - is looking to treble the turnover for its FUN range of single-use tableware and kitchenware products for consumers.

“Over the last five years, we have doubled our turnover with an annual average growth of 20%,” said Firas Haddad, Vice Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Al Bayader International. “And today, with more than 465 products - the largest product range of any company in the Middle East, with 150 new products added in the last two years - we serve more than 350 retailers in over 615 stores spread across the GCC.”

“The UAE’s mass grocery retail sector, or MGR as it is known, which includes grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, is one of the Gulf region’s largest by value, with sales forecast at Dhs19.45bn in 2011 and accounting for 69.2% of the total food and drink market. The value of the UAE’s MGR sector is forecast to rise to Dhs27.55bn by 2015, when it should account for 73.8% of the overall food and drink market. FUN hopes to capture a substantial amount of this market by 2017.”

The FUN range was specifically developed by Al Bayader International in 1996 to prove that disposable products do not necessarily have to be bland and boring. It filled a gap in the consumer market with products of superior quality, vibrant colours and with sleek finishing.

“Now, by carefully taking into account current economic conditions and potential for growth in the market, we have set a business target that would treble the turnover of our FUN brand by 2017,” explained Haddad.

“Over the years, we have pushed forward substantial investments in industrial, logistics and marketing strategies. These investments have further enhanced our expertise and capabilities which in turn have enabled us to better serve the market. Combined with the hard work and dedication of our staff, we are confident that such business targets are realistic and achievable. This is the region’s biggest brand with the most comprehensive range of colourful, creative and consumer-friendly single-use tableware and kitchenware products,” Haddad added. “We have put all 465 products into a new FUN catalogue that, for the first time ever, brings the entire range together in one convenient book.”

Al Bayader International has pursued an industrial strategy that embraces in-house design, research and development and manufacturing with the aim of achieving 85-90 percent self-sufficiency for the FUN brand. Acknowledging that control over the entire supply chain helps meet the market’s need for flexibility and efficiencies in inventory, Al Bayader’s logistics strategy includes the opening of warehousing and logistics capabilities in 12 key locations of the UAE and across the region.

Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World received the Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador (NRA) to the United Arab Emirates, HE Tee Tua Ba and his accompanying delegation and held discussions on topics of mutual interest.

Discussions revolved around the company’s future business strategy and action plan for the company’s Singapore-based operations, areas of mutual co-operation and exchange of know-how and technical expertise and identifying areas of further development of relations and partnerships.

“We are focused on building strategic partnerships with key entities in trade and business in the maritime and related industries both in Singapore and the UAE. We hope to strengthen the cordial business relations that exist between the two countries, especially in maritime, oil, gas and energy sectors. We are also looking at other possible areas of co-operation such as mixed-use maritime clusters on the framework of Dubai Maritime City and how these can be engaged to provide a thrust to growth in the sector,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World.

Drydocks World is actively engaged with several maritime organizations at various levels in Singapore such as Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI). Experts from the Drydocks World - Singapore facility have been assisting in the development of curriculum and in establishing test certification for metal, steel and pipe fabrication. The company is involved with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to ensure that Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) is implemented. The shipyard provides approved testers in Scaffolding, Riggers and Signalmen Courses. The Environment, Health & Safety Department does joint exercises with the Singapore Civil Defense Forces (SCDF) yearly, for mutually beneficial goals.

The high-level delegation comprising of HE Umej Bhatia, Consul-General of the Republic of Singapore, Lester Lu, Regional Director (UAE, Qatar and Oman), IE Singapore (International Enterprises Singapore), Khalil Abu Baker, Centre Director of Economic Development Board (EDB) and Khairul Azman Rahmat also met Ali Bin Towaih, VP - Business Development, Administration and Strategies and Ahmed Amin, Manager - Business Relations, Drydocks World. The Ambassador was pleased with the meeting and the importance of cooperation and work in evolving business strategies of Drydocks World and sought to exchange ideas and best practices

Lexus announced the UAE-wide launch of a new motor finance package designed to provide a range of individually tailored finance packages, making owning a Lexus easier than ever before.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) offers real tangible benefits to customers such as lower monthly commitments, shorter loan agreement, guaranteed future trade-in value and option to upgrade to a new Lexus after 2 or 3 years as per the customer’s choice.

The solution places the financing decision firmly in the hands of the customer thereby providing complete peace of mind.

Saud Abbasi, General Manager, Al-Futtaim Motors - Lexus said: “We are confident our Personal Contract Purchase solution will be popular with those customers who need flexibility, low monthly installments and guaranteed future value for the vehicle at the end of the agreement. This type of finance is ideal for customers who have the opportunity to drive a more expensive model for a similar budget and purchase a new vehicle every 24/ 26 months. It also protects the customer against market conditions.”

Personal Contract Purchase offer is available at all Al-Futtaim Motors - Lexus showrooms in the UAE and is valid across the full Lexus range.

- New ‘Pizza Flavor’ Chips The People’s Choice -

United Arab Emirates – Dubai, May 17th, 2012–  Lay’s, the much loved potato chip and a leading brand from PepsiCo, today revealed the conclusion to its five month ‘Flavor Me’ campaign to find a new flavor chip as nominated by the public.

Following over 269,800 submissions, new Lay’s Pizza-flavored potato chips were launched as the winning flavor with the highest number of submissions received by the public.  The new potato chips deliver the taste of a mouth watering Pizza paired with the crispy texture of the world-famous classic potato chip.

Commenting on the new Pizza flavored chips, General Manager of Saudi Snack Foods, Talal El-Khalil said:

“Lay’s has committed and delivered on its promise to launch a new flavor chip as nominated by the region’s chip fans. We are thrilled at how our audience engaged with the ‘Flavor Me’ campaign.  We received hundreds of thousands of nominations and we’re delighted to have granted their wish for pizza flavor. Thank you to everyone that took part; we look forward to sharing the new flavor with you.”

A highly successful social media campaign is also to thank for such excellent public engagement. Social media channels and industry blogs brimmed with positive sentiment, and Lay’s Arabia has subsequently  become one of the most engaged FMCG brand communities in the region; the first snack brand in the MENA region to gain 500,000 ‘likes’, nearly one million interactions on Facebook and a record 200,000 organic views on the Lay’s Arabia YouTube channel. 

The ‘Flavor Me’ campaign has challenged the regions taste buds and provoked great excitement amongst Middle East chip fans, also uncovering the region’s wilder taste traits, with flavors nominated including radish and vinegar, anchovies, chocolate chip, chicken with chilli and jellybeans. 

Lay’s statistics wholly back the company’s decision to introduce consumer empowerment; Lay’s makes and sells around 100 million chips a day across 14 countries in GCC and Levant regions. What the consumer thinks really does matter, and this campaign embraces that.

Qatalum successfully concluded their participation in Aluminium Brazil 2012, a part of EXPOALUMINIO, the International Aluminium Trade Show, which was held in São Paulo, Brazil from 24 to 26 April.

Qatalum’s participation in Aluminium Brazil forms part of the progressive smelter’s overall strategy to develop itself into a leading player in the aluminium sector on a global scale.

Aluminium Brazil brought together leaders in the aluminium industry from across the globe and Qatalum took the opportunity to inform themselves of the latest trends and developments in the aluminium market, meet with numerous other firms involved in the aluminium sector, present their prospectus and achievements, and explore new markets with the aim of generating mutually beneficial business relationships.

Speaking on Qatalum’s participation in Aluminium Brazil, Mr. Tom Petter Johansen, Qatalum CEO, said, “Aluminium Brazil is one of the premier events on the international aluminium industry’s calendar, and as such formed an excellent platform for us to showcase our achievements and the perfect occasion to introduce Qatalum to an international audience as one of the leading aluminium smelters in the GCC region. The exhibition also formed an excellent vehicle through which to explore new markets and business relations, as well as strengthening and enhancing the existing relationships within this vital sector.”

The GCC region is increasingly emerging as a significant primary aluminium producer due to the region’s low production costs, good transport links, infrastructure, industrial policy regulation and economic stability. It is Qatalum’s objective to not only capitalise on the rapid growth within this sector in the GCC, but to also ensure that the downstream industries, in Qatar, benefit and are developed concurrently.

“As Qatar’s representative in the aluminium sector we are not only working towards developing our role as an aluminium smelter, but it is also our imperative to make sure that growth happens across the board. Our goal is to ensure the development of the downstream industry in Qatar, especially within construction and automotive arenas. By strengthening our international ties, and increasing our profile in the global aluminium field, we greatly increase the opportunities for growth within Qatar,” Mr Johansen added.

Qatalum holds a leading position in the Gulf for certified operational excellence, high-quality aluminium products and environmental performance. It is the catalyst combination primary aluminium production with industrial knowledge to facilitate a diverse aluminium related industry. The ultimate objective is to make Qatar one of the main global centres of aluminium trade and production.

15 impressive shades infused with rich actives and SPF 15

A comforting smile, sensuous pout or a romantic kiss, lips express various emotions and feelings of a woman. To highlight this expressive facial feature, it is essential to choose the right lipstick shade and brand. Deborah Milano, the leading cosmetic brand from Italy introduces “Red Collection” a glamorous range of lipsticks across all the Beautybay stores.

To complete your look with a gorgeously gleaming finish Red Collection offers 15 eye-catching shades of lipsticks. With vibrant hues like Rose blouse, Fuschia Bolero, Cherry Pop Kimino to chic shades such as beige Trench coat, Copper Blazer, Orange Brocade and Coral lace to name a few, this stunning collection is designed to suit every mood and occasion.

The classy shades are enriched with Ruby powder for the color intensity and shine, along with hyaluronic acid that helps it stay on the lips for a long time along with SPF15 that protects your lips from harsh rays. The formula contains a blend of natural waxes derived from Jojoba, Mimosa and Sunflower to nourish lips and ensure that the product glides on easily. The SPF15 protects the lips from the sun’s harsh rays. With its delicate violet scent, the collection by Deborah Milano is hypoallergenic, imparts comfort and hydrates for up to 10 hours.

The Deborah Milano Red collection of lipsticks is affordable, long lasting, and smooth with enough options to suit your day. They are available at Beautybay stores across the U.A.E.

The range is priced at AED 41

Canon Middle East has geared up for vertical growth in the Kingdom’s large format printing (LFP) market with two dedicated events catered to end-users as well as channel partners. The recent events witnessed the launch of new models and solutions to suit the CAD, Corporate, Photographic and Production markets in the Kingdom.

The event for resellers, gave over 50 new channel partners the unique opportunity to experience interactive presentations of the new models and also gain insight into new channel strategies for Canon’s LFP segment in the country. The event also showcased the value-added services which come with Canon’s imagePROGRAF large format printers including solutions offered by third party partners: DevStudio and FastBind.

“Building on a heritage and expertise in digital color, Canon is committed to the LFP market. There is a huge opportunity in the Kingdom’s LFP market, especially in still untapped industries such as education, design and production where large format printing has become an essential tool in doing business. Through the reseller event, we were able to leverage our expertise and acknowledged leadership in imaging and business solutions to take advantage of this growth opportunity and create a viable business proposition for our strong network of channel partners,” said Naoshi Yamada, Deputy Managing Director, Canon Middle East.

The reseller event was organised in partnership with El Ajou, one of Canon’s main distributors for B2B print solutions in the Kingdom. “Canon Middle East is an expert and trusted partner to its customers, helping them drive business performance and remain on the Path to Profit. The recent reseller event allowed Canon to present their products and solutions in great detail and in a way that our channel partners experience the tangible benefits and features of the product offerings,” said Daoud Al-Dissi, General Manager, El Ajou.