Canon Middle East, a leader in imaging solutions, has announced that over 100 partners from 45 countries in the MENA (North and East Africa) region attended Canon’s Partner Conference, which was organized this year in line with Canon Middle East’s 10th anniversary celebrations. Held under the theme “Power of Partnership”, which is also a key anniversary theme of Canon Middle East, the Partner Conference was held from 3rd to 5th December in Istanbul, Turkey.

Canon Middle East presented its business strategies and objectives for 2012 during the Partner Conference and conducted discussions about the important role of its partners in achieving its mission to be closer to its customers. Canon discussed various product segments and outlined its strategy of breaking down the market further into segments, which will enable Canon Middle East and its partners to deliver the right product segments and ultimately better serve customers.

“This year’s edition of the Partner Conference was a fitting commemoration of the success Canon Middle East has achieved through the support of our network of strategic partners across the region. We therefore organised this year’s event under the theme ‘Power of Partnership’ to symbolize our long-term commitment to our partners and to underline the important role they play in realising Canon’s mission of getting even closer to our customers,” said Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East.

“The choice of the historically important city of Istanbul as the venue of this year’s conference was made to further highlight how we greatly value our partnership. The city is renowned for its rich history and cultural significance, which perfectly symbolize the long and solid relationship that we have built with our partners over the years. Canon Middle East’s partners are an extension of the company and therefore serve as one of the solid foundations of our business growth in the region. We will continue to nurture and build on these strategic alliances as we aim to further strengthen Canon’s reputation as the global leader in imaging solutions,” added Agrawal.

Canon Middle East also presented new products, solutions and support facilities for partners during the Partner Conference. Canon launches over 100 products every year globally and is currently among the top four companies for patents registered in the US.

Canon Incorporated has been witnessing steady growth in terms of sales and income in 2011. The company’s consolidated net sales for the third quarter of this year totalled ¥ 916.9 billion, marking an increase of 0.4 per cent on the same period in 2010. Likewise, its net income for third quarter 2011 was ¥ 77.9 billion, an increase of 14.2 per cent on the same period last year, underlining the strong performance of key growth markets such as the Middle East.

Dubai: Flights will be rescheduled and airspace closed as part of safety measures during the Dubai Airshow, which starts on Sunday.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority will close the airspace between 2.15 and 5.15pm on each day of the show, which runs until next Thursday at the Airport Expo.

Each day 148 flights will be rescheduled through Dubai International Airport, comprising 68 arrivals and 80 departures.

“During the Dubai Airshow temporary flight restrictions will be put into effect to ensure that nothing enters the radius of airspace needed for the show,” Mohammad Ahli, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, told Gulf News.

“The airspace will be closed with a waiver in effect for three hours daily.”

Ahli pointed out that an already difficult task was made harder because the airport is busy with returning Haj pilgrims at this time of year.

But he said plenty of warning was given to airlines to move flights outside the required three hours.

‘Safe experience’

“There’s a lot of stress, as there is with any job,” Ahli said.

“We have to make sure it’s a safe experience for the performers and safe for the spectators on the ground.”

Some airlines have chosen to cancel flights while others have taken the option of rescheduling, according to Ahli, who added that a 30 minute window within the three hours was being provided for Emirates departures and arrivals. “At the same time, the departure would be part of the show acts,” he said.

Restrictions will also be in effect for rehearsals in the lead-up to the event, but only for 90 minutes, with 33 arrivals and 36 departures affected.

On the day of the show, air traffic controllers will monitor radar screens showing a green neon circle to mark the restricted zone.

“Despite the closure of the airspace, the controllers will be looking for any aircraft that appear to be approaching the circle,” Ahli said.

Emirates has announced earlier check-in times for flights between 1 and 5pm on the days of the show.

Passengers in all classes are required to check in no later than 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and late passengers will not be accepted.

In addition, boarding gates will close 50 minutes prior to the revised scheduled times of departure to ensure flights leave on time.

Detailed plan

Mohammad Mattar, Emirates divisional senior vice-president for airport services, said: “To ensure on-time departures during the Dubai Airshow, Emirates is implementing a strict check-in and boarding policy.

“We are committed to delivering our passengers to their destinations on time and have put into action a detailed plan to ensure our flights depart within their allocated slots.

“Emirates is updating all affected bookings with the changes to check-in times and these details will also be reflected in our reservations systems.

“In addition, Emirates has advised all travel agents handling individual passenger bookings of the changes for onward communication to their clients. Customers will also be able to check affected flights through our dedicated Emirates website.”

STC announced the success of the first phase of its operational plan for Hajj and where the Company’s networks registered high flow of traffic at the Holy Sites during the last few days.  STC’s data traffic increased by 5 fold compared to the same period last year and at the same time, the Company also recorded an increase if voice calls.

STC recorded a significant increase in the roaming customers for Al Jawal over last year which resulted in a visible increase in the number of calls and communications in Makkah, Madinah, and other Holy Sites compared to the same period last year.  The Company also recorded an increase of 51% in SMS usage and a similar percentage in local and internal MMS according to the round the clock statistics from the King Khaled National Network Control Center in Riyadh.

The various technical and infrastructure solutions provided by STC using its fiber optics network and 3G network in addition to operating the 4G network in the Jamarat Bridges played a vital role in easing the flow of communications for the Pilgrims during the Jamarat activity and during their various movements between Mina, Central Area in Makkah en route to the Holy Site via the various underpasses whether for cars or pedestrians.    The Company availed its Jawal network and Broadband services at these sites according to the latest technological specifications to ensure both speed and quality.

On the other hand, STC’s SAWA Ziyara witnessed a high appeal from pilgrims all over the world due to its reduced price of SR 25 and its free offer providing the first two minutes for free for international calls and the first two messages for free with a 40% discount on an international number of their choice if requested.  The Company has also availed economical mobile phones of SR 90 only.  The Company also set up a series of fixed office locations and roaming salesmen with official company branding and badges in order to provide these services to the pilgrims wherever they are.

Dubai, UAE -   : Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the dates of its official business hours in the Customer Care Center (Call Center), Emergency Center and the Customer Service Centers throughout Eid Al-Adha Holiday.

On this occasion, H.E. Mohammed Saeed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA said “We congratulate the wise leadership and the nation of the UAE on the occasion of Eid Al Adha and in this framework we are pleased to announce the official working hours of DEWA during Eid Al Adha holiday. DEWA’s Customer Care Center (Call Center), will operate normally during all days of Eid Al Adha Holiday. Customer Service Centers in the Head Office “Zabeel-East”, Burj Nahar, Al Wasl and Discovery Gardens will close from Saturday, 5 November till Monday, 7 November. These Centers will resume operation on Tuesday, 8 November from 7:30 am to 8 pm”.

H.E MD & CEO of DEWA added that DEWA’s Customer Care Center (Call Center) will operate throughout the holiday period around the clock to receive customers’ calls and attend various services.

H.E concluded “ In addition to services mentioned above , DEWA provides regular payment channels through petrol stations such as ENOC and EPPCO, Emirates Post Offices, Etisalat payment machine, Banks ATM machines, mpay through the website: mpay.dubai.ae, and through DEWAs electronic portal (www.dewa.gov.ae)”.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai : The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Department of Finance yesterday convened a high-level meeting to discuss the healthcare budget for 2012.

The meeting took place at the DHA headquarters and His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of the DHA received the delegation from Department of Finance which was headed by His Excellency Aref Adbulrehman Ahli, Executive Director of Budget and Planning at the Department of Finance.

From the DHA senior members including His Excellency Khalid Al Sheikh Mubarak, Deputy Director-General of the DHA, CEO’S and directors attended the meeting.

Al Murooshid stressed that DHA provides quality healthcare that is at par with international standards to its patients and this is as per the directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Al Murooshid also explained that the DHA constantly works to improve the services across hospitals and health centres and that the authority is executing its projects, plans and policies that are aimed to further provide an impetus to the health sector and cater to the growing population of the Emirate. 

He also praised the efforts of the DHA committees that have paid significant emphasis to planning the budget which reflects the DHA vision and is planned in a manner to ensure optimum utilization of resources and wise allocation of caption, without compromising the quality of healthcare services.

Al Murooshid said all aspects of the healthcare budget for the fiscal year of 2012 including capital expenditure on construction of projects and other parameters were discussed.

He concluded that DHA will work to efficiently utilize the budget in a manner that will cater to high priority healthcare areas, promote investment and thereby provide a boost to the healthcare sector and economy.

He mentioned that there are several upcoming healthcare projects that will add to the healthcare services which the authority provides to the population of the Emirate.

Dubai, UAE; 13th October, 2011 – Service2Media, the global provider of Advanced App Solutions, celebrates the opening of its Dubai office during Gitex Technology Week 2011, which aim to further penetrate into one of the world’s fastest emerging and investment ready app services markets.

Headed by Geert Kolthof, CEO and Lisette Sens, Vice President-Sales and co-founder of Service2Media, the Dubai office will focus on supporting existing clients such as CNN, Al Jazeera and Abu Dhabi Media Company, including building an attractive new market presence in the Middle East market, strengthening Service2Media’s position in the region.

Service2Media’s efforts in Middle East will be led by Khaldoon Mereb as the regional sales manager. Mereb has an extensive experience in the technology market in the UAE.

Raja Al Gurg represents the great strides achieved by women leaders in the Arab world

October 12, 2011

The 8th Annual International Business Awards 2011, more popularly known as the Stevie Awards, has named Raja Al Gurg, President of the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), as one of winners during a ceremony held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Hosted under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, the Stevie Awards is the only international, independent, all-encompassing business awards that recognises the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working people worldwide.

The distinction was another key milestone for Mrs. Al Gurg, who has also been a recipient of several other international and regional awards and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “Women to Watch in the Middle East” in 2005. Aside from being president of DBWC, which has established to help women become successful in business and as leaders, Mrs. Al Gurg also manages at least 23 manufacturing and trading companies that collectively employ 3,000 people.

Commenting on the award, Mrs. Al Gurg said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the International Business Awards as this distinction will serve as an inspiration for other women to become achievers in their chosen career paths. Women in the UAE and across the region are now increasingly making positive contributions to the socioeconomic development of the Arab world. We are therefore very grateful that the Stevie Awards has validated the important role being played by women in our society.”

The Stevie Awards is the world’s premier business award, which recognizes and generates public awareness about excellence in the workplace. There are four Stevie Awards: International Business Awards, American Business Awards, Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Winners of the Stevie Awards receive a hand-cast, gold-plated, individually engraved trophy created by the makers of the Oscar, Emmy, and Clio Awards. The Stevie Award is taken from the name Stephen, which is derived from the Greek word for “crowned.”

Founded in 2002, DBWC motivates women to be productive members of the society, while encouraging role models to rise up from the ranks and inspire other women around the world, especially in the Arab region, to discover their true potential. DBWC organises the high-profile monthly event ‘Majlis Business’ to provide information about the latest knowledge, skills and best practices for women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Initiative being held under the theme ‘Pay & Win’

October 05, 2011

H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan

Following the success it achieved during the previous editions of GITEX, Dubai eGovernment Department is once again organising its promotional campaign ‘Best Electronic Customer’, under the theme ‘Pay & Win’, as part of its participation in GITEX Technology Week, taking place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center from October 9 to 13, 2011.

The campaign includes raffle draws for users of the centralized ePayment gateway of the department which started on August 1st 2011. Winners of the raffle, who are chosen at random, have an opportunity to win attractive prizes including iPads.

In line with its ongoing quest to contribute effectively in promoting government integration, supporting the efforts of Dubai eGovernment Department in the deployment of eServices and promoting the culture of digital transformation in the emirate; along with Dubai eGovernment: a number of government departments are set to participate in the raffle, including Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Courts and Dubai Customs. The raffle draws will be held from the second day of GITEX and will be held every day of the event thereafter.

“The importance of the ‘Best Electronic Customer’ raffles stems from it being a pioneering initiative designed to reward customers who have made ePayment their preferred mode of payment for government transactions, and also to promote eServices on a larger scale, thereby enhancing efforts to build a knowledge-based society. We are confident of the role of this initiative in increasing demand for the use of eServices, which represents an easy and secure way to complete government transactions quickly and efficiently. The participation of a number of key government authorities in this initiative by offering prizes to winners, reflects the joint efforts to broaden the spread of eServices and promote public awareness about the ease with which government transactions can be carried out,” said said H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment.

“The ‘Best Electronic Customer’ raffle was launched in a bid to promote the use of eServices by the public, especially services that enable payment via the ePay portal, to achieve common goals in promoting the adoption of eServices. It also aims to improve the efficiency of government departments to speed up the process of digital transformation that is taking place in Dubai to ultimately create an integrated knowledge-based society, in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” he added. 

Bin Humaidan pointed out that to complement this approach, Dubai eGovernment Department will broadcast a daily television program on Sama Dubai TV, to enable clients to find out raffle winners who are selected electronically at its stand during the event.

Dubai eGovernment tops the list of departments that will also offer prizes to those making suggestions related to electronic governance through Dubai eGovernment’s electronic eSuggest system, as well as to those participating in the online survey. Both links will be advertised on Dubai.ae. It will also present prizes to all visitors in general, in addition to other prizes for those attending its introductory presentations.

The prizes that will be given over four days include eight iPad 2s, four iPhones, and eight Blackberry phones. Dubai Police will offer four iPad2 devices for users of its traffic fines payment service, while RTA will offer laptops and other devices to the users of its car registration renewal service, Nol card online recharge service, mParking services, parking card online renewal services and driving license renewal service. Dubai Customs will provide valuable prizes for ‘Mirsal 2’ users. Meanwhile, Dubai Courts will present iPads for users of deposits, case-petition,  ePayment and eNotary services.

For more information about the details of raffles and prizes, please visit http://gitex.dubai.ae.

President and CEO of Al-Falak underlines importance of human resources development in Saudi Arabia; 77 staff members felicitated 

May 10, 2011

Ahmed Ali Ashadawi

Al-Khaleej Group and Al-Falak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co. recently honoured long-serving employees of the company at an annual event held at the Al-Gosaibi Hotel in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The event, which was hosted by Ahmed Ashadawi, President and CEO of Al-Falak, Chairman of Al Khaleej Computers Board of Directors, President of Al Khaleej Holding and Group Board Member, was attended by Board Members, clients, senior businessmen, bank managers and company staff.

During the event, as many as 77 employees were felicitated, including 43 who completed 5 years with the Group, 29 who completed 10 years, four who completed 15 and one employee who has been serving for 20 years. The Group currently has 4,000 employees including 1,480 Saudi nationals.

Speaking at the event, Ashadawi said, “Many of our employees have been with us ever since the company’s inception and have been integral to our sustained growth, expansion and diversification over the years. Today, the Group has an established presence across key regional markets including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Sudan, and we owe our success to the dedication and hard work of our employees.”

Ever since its inception, the Group has been committed to the development of human resources, with a particular focus on honing the skills of Saudi nationals, especially with regard to computer proficiency, English language usage, administration skills and financial training. This is provided by a team of training staff of more than 2,000 male and female employees working in 82 centres across the Kingdom, and serving more than 50,000 male and female trainees annually. 

The excellent performance of the Al Khaleej Group’s training team can be gauged by the several local and international awards it has received recently, the latest being the Microsoft Arabia award for the ‘Best Training and Education Centre in the KSA’, which it is winning for the tenth consecutive year. Also, the New Horizons centres have been named among the top 20 IT training centres in the world. Al Khaleej Training and Education Company has more than 12 international franchise licenses in the area of training and education in the Kingdom and the Middle East from international companies such as New Horizons and Direct English centres.

Al Falak, on the other hand, has also won the trust of international corporations as evidenced by the many awards it received for its outstanding performance. Al Falak is the recipient of all four Microsoft distribution awards, three of Symantec’s awards, and six Eaton awards, in addition to an award from HP and the 2011 Partner of the Year award from Genius Computer Technologies (GCT).

In line with its corporate social responsibility agenda, the Group’s activities have expanded to include several charitable activities, including support to the following:

* The Committees for Collection of Donations for Impoverished Prisoners
* Rehabilitation Society for Disabled Persons in the Eastern Province
* Al Bir Charity Association
* The Eastern Province Friends Committee for Patients
* Supporting the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce Events Fund
* Supporting the Eastern Province e-Services Conference
* Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association
* Saudi Cancer Society
* Saudi Red Crescent Authority (through procurement of medical appliances and equipment)
* Fatat Al Khaleej Association

Affiliates of the Al Khaleej Group, which was incorporated in 1979, include Al Falak Electronic Equipment and Supplies, Al Khaleej Computers and Electronic Systems, Al Khaleej Training and Education, and Medical Care and Sciences Company. Over the years, the Group has entered into several partnership and collaboration agreements with major international corporations specialised in diverse fields. Currently the Group is in the final stages of building the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences in Riyadh through the Medical Care and Sciences Company. The first class of this faculty will commence with the academic year 2011–2012.

Saudi visitors make up 46.6% of GCC visitors to Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (31st January 2011): Atlantis, The Palm, the leading entertainment resort destination in the Middle East, has announced special rates and activities to cater for Saudi visitors during the mid-term holidays from 3 to 18 February, including a special rate starting from 1368++ Saudi Riyals¹ and exclusive women-only sessions at Dolphin Bay and Splashers play area at Aquaventure, in addition to other activities in key attractions at the resort.

Saudi visitors make up 46.6 % of total GCC visitors to Dubai, making them the largest number of Arab visitors to the Emirate. In the first three quarters of 2010, 384,730 Saudi visitors visited Dubai, according to the Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing.

“Atlantis, The Palm respects the culture of Arab visitors, and this has led us to create bespoke programmes that will enable Arab families to enjoy a memorable experience at Atlantis, The Palm,” said Serge Zaalof Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis, The Palm.

Each of the 1,539 guestrooms and suites in the Royal Towers provide private balconies and views over The Palm or Arabian Gulf. Guests may choose from a variety of accommodation including the indulgent  Imperial Club, a ‘resort within a resort’ with over 150 rooms and suites, exclusive services and private club lounge, Bridge Suite, spanning the Royal Towers, a private lift takes guests 22 storeys above Atlantis for heart-stopping views of The Palm, Dubai and The Arabian Gulf and Lost Chambers Suites,each three stories high with mesmerising views directly into the Ambassador Lagoon from the master bedroom, these two suites located within The Lost Chambers create an illusion of being beneath the sea whilst looking directly into the heart of Atlantis including a 50% off the interconnecting rooms of children below 12 years old when parents booking any suite.

For the first time, Dolphin Bay will feature a Ladies-only Interaction, with all-female staff, including Marine Mammal Specialists, photographers and support team.  This exclusive experience will be available daily at 4.10pm, with a maximum of 20 guests per session. In addition, a special Private Lagoon experience will be available at a special rate of 15,316 Saudi Riyals — a savings of 10,200 Saudi Riyals.

Resort guests of Atlantis, The Palm will enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers.  Especially for GCC visitors, Splashers, a water playground featuring elaborate water games, slides and structures, providing a world of thrills and lots of water spills for children less than 1.1 metres - and their parents at Aquaventure, will be reserved for female guests and male children under 8 years old from 19:30 to 21:30 from 3-18 February. Aquaventure is the region’s largest water park and a water playground of over 18 million litres of water, consisting of extraordinary rides with cascades, tidal waves and rapids, and the Mesopotamian-styled Ziggurat temple reaching over 30 metres into the sky and featuring seven heart-pumping water slides – two of which catapult riders through shark-filled lagoons.  The Lost Chambers offers a wonderland underwater experience with over 20 marine habitats and 65,000 fish and marine life.  Hotel guests can keep exploring and discovering the Lost City of Atlantis with unlimited complimentary access to The Lost Chambers.

Guests to Levantine, which offers a true taste of Arabia featuring the cuisines of the region, in a two-storey space full of intrigue and discovery, can enjoy shisha and unlimited water and soft drinks with a variety of Lebanese dishes at 266 Saudi Riyals per person. The more casual Levantine Lounge serves hot and cold mezze, and Arabic and Turkish coffees accompanied by traditional Arabic sweets. On offer at the bar, guests enjoy authentic Arabic date drinks and a variety of fresh juices.

This mid-term package coincides with the Dubai Shopping Festival, which offers great shopping bargains, and huge promotions with a chance to win mega prizes.

GCC visitors to Dubai have been on the rise, as they get to enjoy major attractions without travelling abroad. Last year, Dubai hotels witnessed a 20% increase in the number of GCC visitors during the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, according to (DTCM) data.

ShuiQu Spa & Fitness will offer the Arabian Ritual treatment for couples at 3,063 Saudi Riyals, an Arabian journey through ancient lands steeped in thousands of years of tradition and legend. Through ancient Jordan and Oman, glamorous Dubai and mystical Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, this treatment has all the perfect ingredients from places that make this region one of the most intriguing on earth.

Kids are not forgotten in the mid term package at Atlantis at Kids Club and Kids Rush. Special activities have been designed for kids to enjoy including Arabic face painting and Henna at the Kids Club from 2pm to 6pm daily. The Atlantis Kids Club boasts two climbing walls, a theatre where the kids can get involved with producing and acting, arts and crafts sessions, and stints in the kitchen where they can learn to bake their own bread and cakes from the culinary team at Atlantis.

For the older kids, Club Rush  will offer a special ladies night from 7pm – 12am where teenagers can hang out in the lounge area, watch films at the cinema, make use of the latest games and consoles, catch up on emails at the internet lounge.

After a long day of fun-filled activities and adventure, guests can enjoy a culinary journey around the 17 restaurants available at Atlantis, The Palm - from the award-winning restaurants- Nobu, Ronda Locatelli, Ossiano and Rostang, the French Brasserie to the sumptuous steakhouse Seafire.

To avoid disappointment, reserve your room early at Reservations@atlantisthepalm.com, by calling +971 4 426 1000, book online at www.atlantisthepalm.com or by calling your local travel partner to enjoy this Mid-Term Holiday at Atlantis.

¹Please note that rates start from SAR 1368¹ per room (Deluxe room), per night and do not include service and authority fees.