Food - Single

Jeddah, September 1, 2010: National Prawn Company, world leader in desert coastal aquaculture, has been awarded the prestigious British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety.

The BRC, established its Global Standard for Food Safety based on standards set forth in the Global Food Safety Initiative. BRC standards provide a measure by which food manufacturers and suppliers can demonstrate to current and potential customers a commitment to food safety and quality.

To achieve the “A” rating, NPC met rigorous requirements for the processing of Aquacultured Raw, Cooked, Chilled and Frozen Shrimp Products at its Al Lith aquaculture operation on the Red Sea desert coast, where it currently produces and processes 15,000mt of shrimp each year. 

Managing Director, Eng. Ahmad R. Al Balla, said, ”This is a tremendous achievement for the whole team and will, we hope, help us open up new markets.  This is a very important accreditation, which demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of quality and sustainability across all our operations”.

NPC has other accreditations including HACCP, ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 and is the only Saudi Arabian aquaculture operation to have a licence to export to the EU.

NPC exports its shrimps to over 30 markets and has recently launched a domestic brand, Red Sea Shrimp, in the growing Saudi Market.

Beverage & dairy products manufacturer actively contributes to various social & charitable causes

September 1, 2010

Monther Al Harthi

In line with its special corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for Ramadan, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., a pioneering producer of dairy products and juices in the KSA and the largest juice manufacturer in the Middle East is supporting the Iftar programme arranged by the Kingdom’s various charitable organisations and mosques for the holy month.

“Each day during Ramadan, Muslims throughout the country break their fast by taking part in the Iftar meal at mosques and charitable institutions. We were keen on making a small yet meaningful contribution during the holy month by including our juices in this special meal; after all, this is the season of giving and sharing,” said Monther Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd.       

“We consider it a great honour to be able to help thousands of our Muslim brothers break their fast in keeping with the true spirit of Ramadan,” said AbdulMohsin Abuharba, Head of CC, PR & CSR in Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd.

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd. supports the Iftar programme of various mosques and workshops teaching the Koran in all regions of the Kingdom for the year 1431 H. Over the past years the company has been funding and assisting the programme and is committed to continue doing so in the future.

Al Rabie constantly develops and implements plans and strategies to provide good health for all through its products. It has participated in several food fairs and trade exhibitions and has launched numerous social programs as part of its commitment to community service

August 30, 2010

Cityscape

Retail space in the city of Riyadh is expected to grow from the current 2.3 million sqm to 2.9 million sqm by 2014 to complement the development of new suburban districts and support the emergence of a ‘New Riyadh.’ The office market is also on the rise, with over 1 million square feet of new office space set to be introduced by 2015.

Housing remains Riyadh’s main property segment though, with total local inventory currently estimated at 900,000 units and prices expected to increase by around 5 to 10 per cent over the next two years. Apartment rates throughout the city are up by around 6 per cent over the second half of 2009, while villas are fetching prices around 3.9 per cent higher.

These and other key industry trends will be highlighted during Cityscape Riyadh 2010, the first-ever local edition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s premier real estate investment and development event, taking place from December 12 to 14, 2010 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh. Highlights of the three-day event include the Cityscape Riyadh Exhibition and Investor Round Tables (December 12 to 14), the Cityscape Riyadh Conference (December 12 to 13), and the Cityscape Riyadh Leaders in Real Estate Gala Dinner (December 12).

“Retail property sales in Riyadh are being driven up by improving consumer confidence. Year-on-year point-of-sale transactions were up 22 per cent in April 2010 and the Kingdom’s robust economy will help sustain this trend within the next few years. Cityscape Riyadh 2010 will give us a clearer picture of where the opportunities are and what strategies developers and investors should take as Riyadh overhauls its local infrastructure,” said Deep Marwaha, Director of Cityscape Riyadh.

Over 50 domestic and international real estate firms are expected to exhibit at Cityscape Riyadh 2010 and tap the extensive market reach of the Cityscape network, which comprises more than 350,000 global investors and real estate professionals.

Cityscape Riyadh 2010 follows the huge success of Cityscape Jeddah 2010 which welcomed more than 9,500 participants. The Riyadh show will meet the huge demand for a real estate platform serving the Kingdom’s Central Provinces, and with four months more to go, it has already booked almost 70 per cent of its exhibition space. 

Emaar Middle East has confirmed its participation at Cityscape Riyadh 2010 as Principal Sponsor. The Asian Public Real Estate Association (APREA), the leading professional body of real estate practitioners in Asia, has also signed up for the event.

Cityscape’s portfolio of exhibitions, conferences and seminars brings together international investors, developers, government and investment authorities, leading architects, designers, consultants and all senior professionals involved in the design and construction of real estate. For more information, visit www. http://www.cityscaperiyadh.com.

Increasing lending facilities support growth as car loans account for up to 70 per cent of car sales

August 29, 2010

Kamil Al Jawhari

Automotive sales in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is expected to reach over SAR 69.4 billion in 2010, while there will be a 30 per cent growth in the number of vehicles sold from 676,000 to 880,000 within the next three years, according to a recent BMI report. A factor in the robust market growth is increased availability of lending facilities, with car loans expected to account for up to 70 per cent of car sales, up from 50 per cent.

Taking advantage of the industry’s robust growth forecast, Riyadh Motor Show 2010 – The 28th International Exhibition for Motor Vehicles, and Saudi Autoshop 2010 – The 14th International Exhibition for Auto Repair Equipment, Tools, Parts and Accessories, will showcase the latest models, accessories and specialised automotive services from leading international brands. Riyadh Motor Show and Saudi Autoshop will be concurrently held from December 5 to 9, 2010 (29 Dhu al Hijjah 1431 till 3 Muharram 1432) at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre, expecting to attract over 85,000 visitors from all over the world.

Kamil Al Jawhari, Project Manager of Riyadh Motor Show at Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: “The favourable economic conditions have helped consolidate Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a highly attractive automotive market. Moreover, there were several other factors that contributed to the encouraging auto sales growth in 2010, including the imposed restrictions on the age of imported used vehicles and the population growth in the country, which has helped spark the increase in demand for vehicles and auto parts and services. In addition, the local weather condition, which can be harsh on vehicles, has also been a factor in the steady demand for auto maintenance services.”

Industry pundits expect Saudi Arabia to remain generally impervious to the effects of the global downturn as a range of demographic factors and the country’s financial stability help cushion any negative impact on the automotive sector. Factors such as strong population growth of up to 3 per cent annually, high disposable income, low tariffs on imported cars and low fuel cost are boosting the automotive sector’s growth prospects, even as up to 60 per cent of the country’s population comprise the 16 to 64 age bracket, which is within the industry’s market range.

Riyadh Motor Show 2010 will showcase the latest models of passenger cars, station wagons, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, motorcycles, Special Purpose Vehicles, and 4×4 vehicles. It will also include automobile financing and insurance services.

Saudi Autoshop 2010, which is held concurrently, will feature the latest automobile accessories and repair service equipment; gas station equipment; automobile parts; tires, exhausts and batteries; and automobile care products.

Aggressive Development of Marina-Style Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia Opens Fresh Business Opportunities for Maritime Suppliers

28 August 2010

Saudi Int'l Boat Show attracted 37000 visitors last year

Saudi International Boat Show 2010, the second edition of the only international leisure marine and tourism festival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced that the 2010 edition will showcase a broader range of marine products and services to cater to the growing number of maritime developments in the GCC. New business opportunities have emerged for international suppliers with the recent announcement of 12 major maritime projects to be implemented within the next three years across the GCC with a collective value of over USD 35 billion, including three in Saudi Arabia in King Abdullah Economic City, Jizan Economic City and the Kingdom City.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), endorsed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and venue managed by Al Ahlam Marine Tourism Group, the Saudi International Boat Show 2010 will be held from December 8 to 11, 2010 at the Al Furusya Marina & Yacht Club in Jeddah. The event provides an ideal marketing and networking platform for leading industry players in the boating and maritime sector.

The GCC’s high disposable income likewise serves as a key catalyst for growth; a study on the salaries of senior management executives, who are key customers for yachts and luxury boats, has revealed that disposable income of managers in the GCC is the highest in the world with all Gulf countries dominating the top six rankings.

“Saudi Arabia remains strongly positioned to contribute in establishing the GCC as a premier boating hub because of the government’s proactive development initiatives. With its proximity to the Red Sea and the growing reclamation projects being undertaken, Jeddah in particular will be crucial in the government’s vision to harness the full economic potential of the maritime sector. Saudi International Boat Show 2010 will serve as an ideal complementary initiative that will generate global awareness and drive more business opportunities in the country,” said H.H. Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of Al Ahlam Marine Tourism Group, venue management of Saudi International Boat Show 2010.

“We have made extensive preparations to accommodate an expected increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors at this year’s Saudi International Boat Show. This event provides a consolidating platform that will leverage the surge in demand for various maritime products and services in the Kingdom. We have studied feedback from last year’s participants, allowing us to further improve this year’s showcase that will include a much more comprehensive range of the latest superyachts, leisure crafts, accessories and services,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Many local and international leading brands have already confirmed their participation, including Al Ahlam Marine Tourism Group, Al Khorayef Commercial Co. Ltd., ART Marine LLC, Blue Limits, Chehab Marine, Garmin, KB Marine, Mega Marine, Princess Yachts, Westport and many more.

Saudi International Boat Show 2010, which attracted over 37,000 buyers from all over the region during its inaugural exhibition last year, will feature a dedicated Supplies & Services Pavilion that will group together regional dealers and distributors displaying an extensive range of navigation equipment, engines and fixtures and fittings. The Marina Display Area will showcase top-of-the-range models from the world’s leading boat manufacturers in what is the largest display of superyachts, leisure crafts, fishing boats, power and sailing boats in the Kingdom.

The Saudi International Boat Show Dive Village, on the other hand, is Saudi Arabia’s only dedicated diving village, offering diving lessons and seminars as well as several other activities focusing on diving and marine tourism. Saudi International Boat Show 2010 will also feature a full weekend of festivities.

For more information, please visit www.saudiboat.com.

The Visit Confirms the Vital Role Played by Al Rabie in Developing Food Industry Sector

August 21, 2010

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd, a leading food producer in the KSA, received lately a high ranking delegation from Kazakhstan. The delegation was headed by Mr. Khairat Lama Shareef, the Kazakhstani ambassador to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and accompanied a number of Kazakhstani important businessmen as well as a number of Al Othaim Holding Group representatives.

This visit comes as a confirmation to the position of Al Rabie in the Saudi economy and the company’s vital role in developing the food industries. The visit is also a testament to the unique bonds between Kazakhstan and KSA as the two countries have signed an agreement to expand economic relationships and trade exchange back in 2009.

The delegation visited the company’s operation factory where they were introduced to the different sections and work mechanisms therein as well as the history of Al Rabie and unique achievements in the field of food industries in the Kingdom. The visit was concluded by honoring the Ambassador and accompanying delegation.

The Kazakhstani ambassador and accompanying delegation commended the company and the excellent facilities operated by Al Rabie which capitalize on latest innovations in the field of food industries aiming at providing the highest quality in all different production lines in accordance with highest internationally approved standards.

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., established in 1981, is one of the largest food producers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa; and it is one of the first companies in the Middle East to be granted ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for health and environment management by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in addition to many other awards which underline the company’s commitment to leadership and excellence in the region.

18 August 2010, Manama:  Global education experts are to get a glimpse into the ‘classroom of the future’ at a forthcoming summit in Bahrain, it was announced today.

Ewan McIntosh

The use of technology and entertainment to improve learning outcomes is just one topic for debate at The Education Project where leading international figures from academia, business and politics will convene to advance the global education system.  The forum is held each year in the Kingdom, having been founded under the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board (EDB).  This year’s event is less than two months away (8-10 October) and features a ‘live experiment’ showcasing technologies that may boost engagement in a futuristic learning environment.

Ewan McIntosh, Director at NoTosh Digital Media & Education in Scotland, is among a high-profile list of speakers at the event.  He said: “In the 1980s, a text book might have been the best way to share expertise but now there is a whole world that lets students learn at the click of a mouse.  We learn by sharing and talking, not by staying in classrooms with the door shut.  We have to get out in the world and that does not always mean field trips; now it is out in the blogosphere.  Everyone involved with a child’s learning needs to understand the ways they are engaged.  Parents have to be engaged too, and understand the changes in the classroom since their day.  In today’s world, that means being open to the possibilities of game-based learning – such as using Wii Fit and Guitar Hero – as launch pads into subjects such as maths, physics and geography.”

Educators anticipate that scientific advances in understanding more about how the brain works will allow them to shape a more effective learning environment in the future.  With it will come enhanced opportunities for individualised teaching to better engage with – and meet the specific needs of – each student.

Cindy Johanson, Executive Director of The George Lucas Educational Foundation, has more than 20 years experience in the design and expansion of digital services with a focus on education and engagement.  She added: “In light of extraordinary advancements in how we interact with each other, our system of education has been frustratingly slow to adapt.  One of the important goals of The Education Project 2010 in Bahrain is to share real world examples of how teachers and students are using technology to enable new ways of teaching and learning.”

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB which is organising this year’s conference, added: “Our world’s uncertainties can only be countered with action for the future.  Our goal in Bahrain with The Education Project is to unite the world’s educators in a common goal – the continuous and active improvement of education.  It is crucial for our collective future that nations work together to meet the economic and social challenges of today and tomorrow’s world.”

The Education Project is free to attend for educational professionals from all sectors as well as from public and private sector institutions with an interest in developing new models and standards in education.  Entry is by invitation only; for more information and to register online visit: www.educationprojectbahrain.org

TNT SAB Express Saudi Arabia responds to favourable economic climate by increasing headcount and shifting to new offices

August 17, 2010

TNT Logo

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing population of nationals and expatriates and its strong economy are accelerating the growth of the local delivery services sector. Major international express distribution players such as TNT affirm that the Saudi market is increasing its contribution to their global operating incomes.

Around 26.5 million people live in the Kingdom, an estimated 26 per cent of who are expatriates. The population is expected to climb to as high as 31.7 million over the next five years, with expatriates expected to number between 7.9 to 8.5 million. This demographic profile along with the robust local economy requires a wide range of services such as express delivery.

TNT SAB Express, one of the KSA’s leading express freight companies and the local arm of express delivery services multi-national TNT Express N.V., is leveraging positive market conditions by expanding the scope of its activities and services, while also increasing headcount and transferring its main branch in Jeddah to new executive offices. The company had recently announced a 30 per cent increase in revenues for the first half of 2010 over the same period last year and has introduced two additional retail outlets in Jeddah, located in the historic area of Al-Balad and Prince Majed Street.

“Saudi imports have grown significantly over the past few years and have catapulted the country ahead of other leading Middle Eastern countries in the logistics field. Our strong performance for the first half of this year especially reflects the growing opportunities in the Kingdom’s delivery services sector, and we are adopting fresh strategies to become even more visible in this growth market. Our move to new offices will further enhance our image and leverage the strong global patronage enjoyed by the TNT brand,” said Martyn Wright, Managing Director, TNT SAB Express Saudi Arabia.

TNT SAB Express is the Saudi arm of TNT Express, the express delivery services division of international express and mail company TNT N.V. TNT N.V. fully owns operations in 64 countries and delivers documents, parcels and freight to over 200 countries which enables TNT SAB Express to provide businesses and consumers worldwide with an extensive range of services for their express delivery needs into and out of the Saudi market.

40% came from KSA and 53% from GCC

Abha, KSA, 14th August, 2010: More than 132,000 tourists visited Abha Summer Training Festival 2010 which has been organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and Forsan Al Hayat at the Abha International Exhibitions Centre and Abha Palace Hotel in Aseer, KSA.

Nearly 40 percent of visitors were from KSA, which presented about 52,800 people and around 70,000 visitors have come from GCC countries which is around 53 percent of the total number of visitors.

HE Engineer Abdul Karim Bin Salem Al Hunainy, Undersecretary of Aseer, said that the fact that the festival has attracted Gulf tourists and not just KSA ones, reflects Aseer’s success in becoming a destination for family tourism in the Gulf.”

He added: “The 11-day festival has entertained visitors with varied, multicultural and entertainment and education programs tailored to the needs of the social classes in the Gulf. Programmes were being designed by tourism, training and entertainment experts from the region and the globe.”

Yemen, Egypt and UAE have direct flights to Abha International Airport, which comes in rank four after Jeddah, Riyadh and Dahran Airports. This shows the importance of this city on the tourism map of the Middle East region. The Airport was busier during the festival and the hotel occupancy rates were high throughout the 11 days.

Engineer Al Hunainy added: “The festival used a well rounded outreach campaign including electronic channels to ensure its success in attracting a wide diversity of tourists.”

Dr. Ali Sharab, Founder of Forsan Al Hayat, co-organizer of the festival, added: “The debut edition of this festival was a huge success. It also set a new phase in the training festivals not only in the UAE but also in the Gulf. Edutainment is much needed at this stage and we look forward to spread this concept in the festivals to come.”

Abha is a place which has residential areas under the name of Gulf countries like the Kuwaiti residence area that is populated by a large number of Kuwaitis. It has weather very similar to the weather of the Levant region countries. It is also a tourism destination with many hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, clubs and parks, giving the place a green look. 

Al Rabie Saudi Food Co. explains work process, preventive measures & health and hygiene procedures to 60 students & faculty members & advisers

August 9, 2010

Monther Al Harthi

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., a leading producer of dairy products and juices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest juice manufacturers in the Middle East, recently received 60 students as well as faculty members and advisers from King Fahad Medical City’s Faculty of Medicine at its Riyadh headquarters. Al Rabie representative, Mr. Abdul Mohsin Abuharba, the Public Relations, Communications and Activities Manager explained to the students how the company uses advanced packaging methods to manufacture juices and food so that they reach customers in line with international quality standards. They also explained the factory work process, from the selection of raw materials to pre- distribution and export.

Commenting on the visit, Monther Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer of Al Rabie Saudi Food Co., said: “Health and hygiene standards are essential for us to ensure that we provide only the best food products. We require our factory workers to adhere to stringent preventive hygiene and sterilization procedures in line with our focus on maintaining an integrated, healthy, and safe environment. We are pleased to receive visitors from the Faculty of Medicine at King Fahad Medical City, which is one of the leading education departments in the Kingdom.”

At the end of the visit, the delegation expressed its admiration for Al Rabie’s modern manufacturing methods as well as its general policies and management approach, including its preventive and health strategies. The delegation also commended the distinctive reception and generous hospitality accorded to them.