Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in the consumer electronics industry, announced that the UAE is leading the Smart TV market in the Gulf with 40% market share. Since its global launch, the Gulf region contributed to 7% of the total global Smart TV sales.

Mr. Justin Shaw, General Manager of AV division, Samsung Gulf Electronics said that consumers in the UAE are tech-savvy and benefit from a high quality IT infrastructure. “Since the launch of Samsung’s Smart TVs in the UAE, sales have increased almost 4% every month. We have recognized several factors that have created demand for SMART TVs in the UAE; including advanced technology infrastructure and a rise of tech-savvy consumers.”

According to industry reports, the UAE has the fastest broadband service of all Middle Eastern countries. The average Internet connection in the UAE is around 3.92 megabits per second, more than double the rate of most countries in the region. A rate of 2 megabits per second is enough to carry VHS-standard video streams. For UAE consumers, this means having the ability to discover a new world of web connected TV entertainment that will allow them to easily stream a full HD 3D movie online, browse the web, explore apps, chat real time and find several other types of new interactive TV content. The UAE also has the highest internet usage amongst the Gulf; with 69% of the population have internet access.

The sharp increase in social media usage has also prompted consumers to purchase TVs that gather and display their online and traditional media entertainment favorites. Consumers have recognized the efficiency that Smart TVs provide; which in return, increased demand and developed a need for digital convergent TVs. As a result, Samsung’s Smart TV line-up provides the perfect combination of smart content and smart experience that offers viewers a wholesome, world-class entertainment as well as a new world of web-connected TV experience. The TV boasts the flagship ‘Smart Hub’ interface that provides an easy access to a host of intelligent features within. The smart features that constitute the ‘Smart Hub’ include: AllShare, Full Web browser, Search All, Samsung Apps, Second TV, 3D VoD, Social TV and Skype.

Gulf’s only specialized warship builder to highlight key contracts & strong partnership with defence body

March 13, 2010

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), the leading shipbuilder and naval support services provider in the Gulf region, will show its full support for the Bahrain Defence Force by sponsoring the 44th World Military Sailing Championship to be held from March 13, 2010 in Bahrain.

Hosted and organized by the Bahrain Defence Force with the assistance of the Bahrain Coast Guard, the world’s largest military sporting competition will pit over 25 representatives from around the world against each other in more than 26 tournament categories. ADSB, a Gold sponsor for the event. Chairman Humaid Al Shemmari will personally present the company’s services, capabilities and major achievements during the event. He will also highlight major Bahrain contracts such as the upcoming delivery of two 42m steel landing vessels for the Bahrain Navy and a refit program for the Ministry of Interior.

“We have been extremely privileged to have contracts from the Bahrain Defence Force for some 42m and 16m Landing Craft and also from the Ministry of Interior for a major refit program awarded to our company in the last 24 months.  Abu Dhabi Ship Building has experienced significant growth in business over the last three years, and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s marine forces have been a major factor in this success. Our sponsorship of this excellent sailing event is our own way of expressing our sincere gratitude to Bahrain for entrusting ADSB to build their key defence vessels. Going forward, ADSB will continue to strongly support the Kingdom in its defence initiatives,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Ship Building. 

ADSB finished two composite ‘Seakeeper’ fast landing craft for the Bahrain Navy ahead of schedule last year. It also refitted and upgraded 10 Patrol Boats for the Bahrain Coast Guard to extend the vessel’s lifetimes by another 15 years. The shipbuilder’s newly-formed logistics company, Gulf Logistics and Naval Support (GLNS), will provide the Bahrain Coast Guard complete through-life service and maintenance support.

Other 2009 achievements include the introduction of Gulf Logistics and Naval Support, a new joint venture with the UK’s BAE Surface Fleet; the commencement of a fast interceptor boat contract for the Abu Dhabi Critical National Infrastructure Authority; and major commercial jobs for major companies such as ADNOC, Boskalis, Zakher Marine, National Marine Dredging Company, Abu Dhabi Terminals, and Damen, among others.

ADSB’s AED 1.16 billion revenues and AED 114 million net profits for the period ending December 31, 2009 represented the shipbuilder’s third consecutive year of solid financial growth and the highest in the company’s history. The shipbuilder launched the first vessel under the UAE Navy Baynunah, currently its largest project, in mid-2009. The second of the six 72m Naval Corvettes will be floated towards the end of 2010, with the rest to continue undergoing construction at ADSB’s Mussafah shipyard. Abu Dhabi Ship Building is a Public Joint Stock Company listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. It is owned 40 per cent by Mubadala Investment Company, 10 per cent by Abu Dhabi Government and 50 per cent by national shareholders.

Riverbed to Highlight How Companies Can Increase the Performance and Value of Their Existing IT Infrastructure

Dubai - March 7, 2010 - Riverbed Technology, the IT performance company, will demonstrate its wide area network (WAN) optimization solutions at its ‘Think Fast, Think Riverbed’ seminars taking place on March 9 at the Grand Habtoor Hotel in Dubai and March 10 at the Sheraton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Many organizations are delving into new IT initiatives such as virtualization, private clouds, IT consolidation and cloud computing.  These organizations can leverage Riverbed WAN optimization to improve remote and mobile employee productivity, enable private clouds, and provide enterprise-wide network and application visibility. During these seminars, Riverbed will showcase how its solutions can speed the performance of applications between remote offices, private data centers and mobile workers, in some cases by up to 100 times. Riverbed Steelhead® products enable companies to consolidate IT, improve backup and replication processes to ensure data integrity, and improve staff productivity and collaboration.

“Organizations are constantly under pressure to improve the performance of their IT functions while reducing overall IT costs. During the seminars we will discuss how Riverbed can assist in achieving both of these goals through its broad range of solutions, including Steelhead appliances, Cascade, Steelhead Mobile and the Riverbed Services Platform (RSP),” said Philippe Elie, Regional Director, South Europe, Middle East & Africa, Riverbed.

“Riverbed is a critical part of our IT infrastructure. Without Riverbed we would have paid for a costly bandwidth upgrade. Riverbed enabled us to not only delay this expense, but we’ve also seen an improvement in employee productivity,” said Mehboob Lalani, infrastructure team leader at Aldar Properties.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the expected demand for Riverbed’s products and services, and statements relating to Riverbed’s ability to meet the needs of distributed organizations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include our ability to react to trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate; our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced products to meet those needs; the adoption rate of our products; our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our distribution partners; our ability to compete in our industry; flu
ctuations in demand, sales cycles and prices for our products and services; shortages or price fluctuations in our supply chain; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; general political, economic and market conditions and events; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  More information about these and other risks that may impact Riverbed’s business are set forth in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2010.  All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Any future product, feature or related specification that may be referenced in this release are for information purposes only and are not commitments to deliver any technology or enhancement. Riverbed reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time.

Spending set to rise from AED 20 billion to AED 40 billion in 10 years

Gulf Arab States are serious about their Homeland security concerns and as such are making modernisation of security equipment and technology a priority. A recent study from Homeland Security Research Corporation (HSRC) Read the full story