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.

• Installment holiday for Personal and Auto Loans customers
• Premium interest rates for Recurring Deposits and Home Loans

Saif Al Mansoori, Deputy Head - Group Marketing, Emirates NBD

Dubai, August 15, 2010: In keeping with the spirit of Ramadan, Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, has introduced a series of special offers and value-added benefits for its customers spanning the retail banking services provided by the bank.

“Emirates NBD is always on the lookout for ways to support our clients and offer them value-added benefits for greater convenience,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Deputy Head – Group Marketing, Emirates NBD. “The bank has developed a series of offers, which will enable customers to focus on savings-related initiatives during the Holy Month.”

Customers opening a ‘Value Account’ with more than AED 10,000 will get one remittance free for any amount, currency or destination. Opening a Recurring Deposit account will offer them up to 3.5 per cent interest per annum, in addition to a low minimum monthly installment of AED 250, while customers setting up Fixed Deposits of AED 100,000 or more are eligible to receive free insurance cover of up to AED 500,000. 

Customers on the lookout for Home Loans can avail of a special introductory offer of 6.99 per cent interest per annum, while Auto Loans for Jaguar and Land Rover models have been priced at special interest rates, starting from 1.99 per cent or from 2.99 per cent respectively.

Customers purchasing Motor Insurance with Emirates NBD during this Ramadan are also eligible for free Roadside Assistance and VIP Registration service. In addition, as a special gesture, Emirates NBD is also offering customers an installment holiday on Emirates NBD Personal and Auto Loans, thus enabling them to postpone the installment to a later date.

Emirates NBD cardholders can avail of a variety of promotions during Ramadan when they use their Cards to shop at Bateel, Liali Jewellery, Aabharan, Joyalukkas or Malabar Gold jewelers. In addition, all Emirates NBD cardholders will receive significant dining discounts at The Address Hotels chain and Kempinski Hotel, Ajman.

• Month-long shopping and entertainment extravaganza boost footfall and sales across all participating outlets of Emaar Malls Group – The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Souk Al Bahar and Gold & Diamond Park

The Dubai Mall

Dubai, UAE; August 15, 2010: Visitors to the malls of Emaar Malls Group in Dubai won glittering prizes in gold at Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), the shopping and entertainment extravaganza held in the city.

All the outlets of Emaar Malls Group – The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Souk Al Bahar and Gold & Diamond Park – also recorded a boost in visitor footfall and stronger sales at the participating outlets.

The Grand Prize winners in the ‘All that Glitters is Gold’ promotion, held from June 17 to August 7, took home a gold watch, return Business Class tickets to a European destination and a luxury gold and jewellery set. The campaign was held in partnership with Emirates Airlines and Rivoli Group.

Gold bars were distributed weekly through SMS and online competitions in addition to Emirates business class air-tickets to Amsterdam, Prague or Madrid, and Longines watches.

Mr Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: “This year’s Dubai Summer Surprises further contributed to driving visitor footfall to our malls and strengthening sales at the participating outlets. The shopping and entertainment event is a perfect fit for driving the retail sector during the summer months. The fun factor appeals to the family while the attractive bargains and raffles are a huge draw for customers.”

Visitors who spent AED 200 at any of the four malls received a coupon from the customer service desk. Customers simply had to SMS the coupon number to enter the draw for weekly and grand prizes. They could also take part in the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) ‘Shop & Win’ promotion to win attractive prizes.

To celebrate DSS, The Dubai Mall organised a range of entertainment events too, including the Sheila & Abaya Fashion Show, Mini Bladi Exhibition, Kids Wonder Talent Show, Tap & Hip Hop Dancers, Circus Fera Show, Butterflies Show, and Yellow Speed Team.

The Dubai Mall, the must-visit retail and leisure destination in the city, features over 1,000 retail stores and 160 F&B outlets. With Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s as the anchor stores, the mall has a dedicated Fashion Avenue hosting 70 of the world’s leading names in haute couture. The dedicated Gold Souk has 220 stores offering the latest in gold and diamond jewellery.

Leisure attractions at the mall include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with over 30,000 aquatic animals; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; SEGA Republic, the largest of its kind indoor theme park in the Middle East; KidZania®, a unique children’s edutainment destination; and the 22-screen Reel Cinemas.

Souk Al Bahar is an Arabesque shopping and entertainment development located near The Dubai Mall with 100 stores including more than 22 food and beverage outlets framing the souk’s waterfront promenade. Waterfront dining at Souk Al Bahar offers some of the finest views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain. 

Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping destination for residents and visitors of the Dubai Marina community, has 160 stores. The mall provides an exciting mix of tenants including a supermarket, fashion wear, accessories, jewellers, boutiques, toy shops and children’s entertainment. The premier Reel Cinemas with six screens opened recently at the mall.

The Gold & Diamond Park, on Sheikh Zayed Road, has 90 retail outlets dedicated to the gold and jewellery trade. A sought-after shopping destination, it also has several cafés and a restaurant to cater for shoppers and neighbouring businesses. Jewellery enthusiasts have the option of commissioning their own designs and have them handcrafted within a short time frame at the onsite manufacturing site.

• USD 100 billion emerging market airports industry in Middle East, India, China by 2020
• USD 64 billion in airport development, renovation, refurbishment and rehabilitation

Dubai, 27 March 2010: The Emerging Markets Airport Awards (EMAA) ceremony organized by Arabian Reach will be held for the first time during the high profile Airport Show 2010 Gala Dinner hosted by Reed Exhibitions next month in Dubai. The evening will play host to the show’s key exhibitors, hosted buyers, as well as some of the leading senior industry figures, top aviation and airport leaders invited by Arabian Reach. 

Mohamad Bader-Eddin, Show Director at Reed Exhibitions, said: “We are delighted to hold the EMAA ceremony during the Airport Show Gala Dinner for the first time. Holding the Awards this year at the Gala Dinner represents an added value to our exhibitors and hosted buyers and constitutes an ideal platform for them to meet with key airport leaders selected by Arabian Reach. There’s no doubt we are seeing great growth in emerging airport markets. By 2050, China is planning to have 350 airports and India is to increase its airports to more than 300.”

It is estimated that by 2020, the value of emerging airports markets will grow to more than USD 100 billion, including the Middle East, China, India, Russia/Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic states. USD 64 billion is targeted for new terminal development, refurbishment & rehabilitation of airports around the region.

Raj Menon, Head of Business Development, Arabian Reach said: “The purpose of EMA Awards is to encourage the development of emerging airports markets and recognize great work, dedication and accomplishments in every category. The importance of leadership and commitment in these challenging economic times make this recognition, even more significant. 

EMA Awards will be an excellent tool, allowing airports from across the region and beyond to compete, which will help airports strive to achieve operational excellence and allow businesses and industry leaders to set leads. We are hugely impressed with our tie up with Airport Show this year.”

Twenty two categories of Airports Excellence will be honoured during the EMA Awards ceremony, featuring Hall of Fame, Best Airport Award categories, Special Awards and Best Airport Technical and IT Services Providers’ Awards.

The Airport Show Gala Dinner will take place on the 26th of April 2010, the 2nd day of the exhibition, which is held from 25 to 27 April 2010. The show has progressed rapidly to become one of the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services events in the world.

Airport Show 2010 is supported by leading aviation authorities and trade bodies including ADAC and Dubai Airports.