The countdown has begun for the launch of the fifth Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2012 which will be held from 8th to 11th April, 2012 under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology.

The Forum is organized by the eGovernment Authority in cooperation with the Bahrain Society of Engineers, Bahrain Internet Society, and the Project Management Institute (Arabian Gulf Chapter).

During the opening ceremony the winners of the eGovernment Excellence Award 2012, shall be announced whereby they will be awarded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa during the forum ceremony. The Bahrain IT Expo 2012 will also be opened by H.H to reveal the latest advancements in information and communication technology.

More than 22 renowned speakers of specialists in the field of eGovernence and ICT are taking part in the Forum to convey their experience and share knowledge. The speakers are from leading countries in egovernment based on the Readiness report of the United Nations including (South Korea, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Japan, Belgium, Turkey, Poland, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Germany, Colombia), in addition to the participation of international organizations such as the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ICANN.

Apart from the forum lectures the workshop events commence on 9th, April with a specialized workshop titled (The Cyber Law & Public Private Partnership) addressing the current information and communication technology laws. Another workshop will also be held in the same day titled (Social Media Hands-on) organized by the Social Networking Club in Bahrain to review the social networking practical skills with the participation of a large number of specialists and officials of e-government. The registeration is open for those wishing to attend.

On the 10th, April a workshop will be held by the Bahrain Internet Society in eContent Management (eContent Management) that will address the latest innovations and methods to develop the econtent in the region.

A workshop in security Digital Forensics Investigations will be held on 11th, April by the Bahrain Information Technolgy Society to reveal the most security vulnerabilities and violations that may occur from the use of media, information and communication technology as well as methods of securing privacy in light of future innovations.

The organizing Committee of the Forum announced that the door for registration is still open to public and private sectors and individuals who wish to attend and participate to register through the official website of the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum on: egovforum.bh.The Bahrain IT Expo doors will be open to the public on the 9th , 11th and 12th April at the Ritz-Carlton hotel

Details on the forum:
The sessions of the Forum shall commence with (eGovernment), which will be moderated by Mr. Richard Kerby Regional Advisor of the United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazalah, Chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazalah Group will present the first paper of the Forum on the mechanism of providing better citizens services through the eGovernemnt. Mr. Deoksoo Park Director of Office of Information Strategy MOPAS will talk about the experience of egovernment in Korea. Mr. Matt Poelmans Director of CitizenVision will review the citizen centered eGovernment in the Netherlands. Mr. Hannes Astok, a Senior eGovernment Expert eGovernance Academy will reveal the journey of the Estonia’s eGovernment journey and challenges ahead. Mr. Bill Mgage Advisory Technology Consultant will talk about the United Kingdom’s ICT strategy and delivery of eGovernment services.

International experts from the United Nations will participate in discussing a topic on (Mobility), Mr. Raul Zambrano Global Lead ICT for Development and eGovernance UNDP will talk about the mobile technologies and empowerment, focusing on how to enhance the human development participation and innovation. Mr. Ralph Simon, CEO of Mobilium Global will present a paper on new technologies and future steps in the field of mobile eservices. Mr. Kei Shimada Director of Business Development Future Communications Department at Dentsu will review the Japanese experience in the field of smart thinking. Dr. Julia Glidden Managing Director of 21c Consultancy will talk about the concept of (Internet of Things) and (Open Data) as a gateway to the Smart Cities. Papers will be followed by interactive panel discussion during which discussions will revolve around the working papers at hand.

On the first day of the Forum, the papers will be concluded with a session on (Social Networking) which will be moderated by Professor Peter Bruck, where Mr. Jeff Chertack Managing Director of Ogilvy, will speak on social media as a citizen engagement platform. Mr. Stephane Niango Executive Partner of Gartner Executive Programs will talk about the social media and the technology trends, followed by a panel discussion ending the first day of the Forum.

During the second day of the Forum on April 11th, 2012, the speakers will talk about (eParticipation), the sessions will be moderated Dr. Julia Glidden. Mr. Chris Rourke, Managing Director and Founder of User Vision in United Kingdom, will reveal the experience of creating eGovernment success through usable, citizen-centered services design across channels. Dr. Jeongwoon Yoon Executive Director at the National Information Society Agency in Korea will talk about the strategic approach towards smart society. Dr. Theresa Pardo, Director, Center for Technology in Government Associate Research Professor, Public Administration and Policy at the Albanian University in New York, will talk about creating public value through citizen engagement. Mr. Alex Felsenberg Director Consulting at Babiel will discuss the participation in the political process through listening, collecting, channeling, and reacting. The Founder and CEO of the Turkish egovernment’s portal, Mr. R. Erdem Erkul will talk about the experience of eParticipation in Turkey, to be followed by a panel discussion between speakers and participants.

During the second day of the Forum the speakers will also address (eInnovations and Open Data) through various papers presented by a group of experts in the field of innovations and the IT industry. Dr. Gregory G. Curtin, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Civic Resource Group will talk about open data for FAST Government. Mr. Stefan Gehrke, Founding and Managing Director of the Open Data will unveil the experience of open data networks in Germany, while Ms. Minsun Jeong Deputy Director of Office of the Government Organization MOPAS, will address the experience of einnovations in Korea. Mr. Baher Esmat from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), will tackle the experience of the company in innovation, and Mr. Alex Butler, CEO of KindredHQ.com will show the experience of innovation in the government in terms of the importance of innovative thinking. Finally, Dr. Tomasz Janowski Head of UN University IIST Center for Electronic Governance & Senior Research will talk about the eGovernance for sustainable development, and working papers will be followed by an interactive panel discussion between the audience and speakers.

LG Electronics (LG), the global specialist and technology innovator in home appliances, and United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd., the authorized agent for LGEME in Saudi Arabia, have announced the launching of the new LG Care and Delight Service Bus in Saudi Arabia to serve LG customers in the remote areas service operations.

The launching was marked with a ceremony held at United Naghi service center in Jeddah. The event was attended by media and top executives from LG Including Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of LG Electronics KSA & United Naghi including Mr. Hwang Unchul, Executive Vice President of United Yousef Mohamed Naghi Company Ltd. & Mr. Byeong Woo Park, Managing Director of United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd.

Mr. John Lee, the Managing Director of LG Electronics, Saudi Arabia, said, “We at LG striving to maintain our leading position in the Saudi market through an innovative customer service programs reaching the international standards of client servicing & after sales, that’s how we look to our success & our customer’s satisfaction programs, we are in a daily challenge with ourselves & our partners to guarantee the best customer service, after sales service & warranty to our Saudi customers .this is the first of a kind service in Saudi Arabia & we aim to modify the product message communication to gain loyalty towards LG brand by reaching our customers wherever they are.”

“Our partners, United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd. played a major role in KSA to position LG brands as a significant player in Saudi Arabia’s consumer electronics market. They had the legacy of introducing several Service innovations and initiatives in the field of Customer Service & were the pioneer company in the Kingdom which introduced the Customer information center (CIC), Free loaner service to the Warranty customers and On Spot service,” John Lee added.

Mr. Hwang Unchul, Executive Vice President of United Yousef Mohamed Naghi Company Ltd. said, “Consumers are continuously looking for creative new services & care, we at United Naghi is moving forward with another initiative of launching LG Care and Delight Service Bus with the support of LGME for remote area service operations. Currently United Naghi has 13 Service Centers across the Kingdom which is providing the customers the (on-Spot-Service) were the customers should bring units for service or through in home service, our technician should visit the customer’s residence for attending the complaints. Now it is through a new initiative Unite Naghi is going to lay another milestone of providing the customer a mobile service center which will reach at the door step of the customer for attending the complaints especially in remote Global Web Site www.lge.com areas where we have currently no any service centers to meet the expectations of our customers in the kingdom.”

Mr. Byeong Woo Park, Managing Director, United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd. Said, “Consumers are continuously looking for creative & effective new services hence The LG Care and Delight Service Bus will change all the conventional concepts of Service Center in KSA which will help the customer to save their valuable time. It is a real moving service center which is fully equipped with Spare parts, necessary tools and qualified technicians to provide the customers a high quality service.”

LG care and delight bus is not only a moving service center, it is working on real environmental friendly also because it runs on the electricity generated from LG solar cell battery system fixed at the top of the roof. We are sure that this new concept of Service Bus will meet the needs of remote area customers and provide them a better quality service and satisfaction, Mr. Park added.

Dubai, UAE – Mercedes-Benz Middle East and Levant has ignited its 2012 ‘Year of the SUV’ strategy with the launch of a completely redesigned and powerful new M-Class, setting a new benchmark in the premium segment. With dynamic AMG sports styling as standard, three potent engine options, unparalleled ride comfort, and cavernous, high-quality luxury interiors - the bold new M-Class confidently conveys intent to meet performance with sophistication.

Available across the region in ML 350 and ML 500 variants, a new generation of BlueEFFICIENCY petrol engines boast 306 and 408 hp respectively, and reach triple figure km/h from a standstill in just 7.6 and 5.7 seconds. Permanent all-wheel drive delivers excellent driving dynamics on both sand and tarmac, whilst innovative handling controls and a new chassis ensure excellent safety whilst leaving competitors seeing smiles in the M-Class’ rear view mirror.

For those craving the sonorous notes of Affalterbach’s sinister creations, a high performance 250km/h (electronically limited) ML 63 AMG variant is also available. Packing the fierce AMG 5.5 litre V8 bi-turbo engine made famous by the award winning CLS 63 AMG, driven by 525 horses and 700 nm of torque the ML 63 AMG thunders from 0-100km/h in a sports car beating 4.8 seconds. An optionally available AMG Performance package delivers a further 15hp and 70nm, allowing the luxury sports SUV to harness 557hp and 760nm to rocket to a century in a blistering 4.7 seconds.

Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant: “The luxury SUV segment is a market in which we have been making strong in-roads to date. Mercedes-Benz SUVs had a record year in 2011 and we plan to make a big an even bigger statement in 2012. With its strong features, powerful heart, intelligent technologies and masculine design, the all new M-Class epitomises our new approach and spearheads Mercedes-Benz ‘Year of the SUV’ sales strategy for the Middle East.”

The design of the new M-Class with its GCC standard sports styling exudes self-confidence, athleticism and power. The front of the vehicle is dominated by a central three pointed star, whilst from the side, elongated lines and a rear sloping roof line give sporty appeal and emphasise the on-road credentials of the new SUV.

AMG bodystyling adds high-gloss black louvres under the radiator grille, and two outer air intakes, whilst LED running lights as standard deliver a sporty scowl underlined by the front apron’s matt silver chrome trim strip and a wider appearance.

The headlamps cut a particularly high-quality and exclusive figure in combination with the optional Intelligent Light System (ILS). The athletic front apron is integrated with the distinctive front wings, made wider on either side in order to accommodate the 20” light-alloy wheels in elegant fashion. Dynamically profiled side sill panels establish a visual link between the front and rear of the vehicle.

The striking rear apron with simulated black air outlet openings further emphasise the vehicle’s width in addition to trim strips in matt silver chrome, which cite the design of the front apron and frame the sports exhaust system. Two sets of chrome twin tailpipes deliver a throaty grumble from the M-Class engines.

Inside delivers the sort of comfort normally the reserve of Mercedes-Benz flagship saloons. Seats have been designed to offer high long-distance comfort and optimum lateral support, with 34mm and 25mm more elbow room in the front and rear respectively than its predecessor, and the spaciousness boosted by a panoramic sliding roof and three tone ambient lighting.

Keeping drivers coffee warm on the long ride in to work is assured by heated climatised cup holders as standard, whilst the optional COMAND online satellite navigation system stays on track. Its 2,010 litres of boot space is the best in the segment.

Frank Bernthaler adds: “The M-Class is a story of success. With more than 1.2 million vehicles sold, it is the best-selling SUV in its segment globally, and also enjoys the loyalist customer base. We will be continuing this success with the new M-Class in the Middle East, which will make an important contribution to our sales growth over the coming years.”

Company’s MW860USTi and MP780 ST+ now available in the market

Dubai, UAE, 24th March 2012 – Aiming to increase interactivity between teachers and students, BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations and global DLP® education projector leader, debuted two new interactive short-throw projectors at the recent Gulf Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS).

Designed to provide ultimate interactive experience in any classroom setting, the BenQ’s MW860USTi and MP780 ST+ are packed with key features and functions making them among the most versatile teaching tools. The projectors include BenQ’s trademarked 2nd generation PointDraw interactive projection technology, QDraw 2.0 interactive software, PointDraw 2.0 and dual pen support. 

“BenQ’s innovative interactive solution through our range of education projectors have freed teachers from the hassles of system calibration and allowed them to teach from wherever they stand in the classroom. This year, we enhanced that solution by doubling the interactivity and functionality it offers, making the new projector models one of the most advanced interactive devices available in the Middle Eastern market,” Manish Bakshi, General Manager of BenQ for the Middle East and Africa, said.

These projectors are powered by the 2nd generation PointDraw interactive projection technology that comes with the latest PointDraw Pen 2.0 to support faster response time and remote interactivity up to 25 feet away from the board or projected surface. The projectors also sport the newly designed QDraw 2.0 interactive software for dual pen control for endless collaboration through simultaneous teacher-student interaction.

“The technology used in our projectors requires no system calibration to ensure that teachers including students can easily set up their lesson just by turning on the projector and easily use the PointDraw pen. Students now can enjoy taking turns in making contributions to the lesson using their own independent tool bar under the teachers’ complete guidance and control,” Bakshi added.

The latest MW860USTi has a 0.37 short-throw ratio while the MP780 ST+ comes with a 0.49 short-throw ratio. The projectors both have high brightness and WXGA resolution that increases the viewing area by 30% with sharper and clearer images; and DLP® LinkTM to create immersive learning environment through 3D visualization. In addition, the projectors have thoughtful features such as LAN and USB Display options, remote desktop access, and 20W built-in speaker power.

Currently, the BenQ MW860USTi and MP780 ST+ are available through BenQ’s leading distributors such as ABCOM Solutions among others. For more information, please visit www.BenQ.co.ae

In line with its focus on providing next-generation banking services, Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today the launch of the “MoneyMobile,” a contactless payment solution that will enable customers to pay for purchases with a single wave of their contactless mobile device.

Today’s announcement follows the recent roll-out of an NFC-branded mobile device, among select staff at Emirates NBD, Etisalat, Visa and Gemalto, who will be testing the device during this initial phase.

With MoneyMobile, users will be able to complete retail transactions by waving their NFC mobile phone at Visa payWave terminals, providing a secure, fast and easy way to pay for everyday purchases.

“Emirates NBD is delighted to introduce this exciting new technology, which is in line with our role as the leading provider of next-generation banking solutions for customers,” said R. Sivaram, Senior Vice President and Head of Cards Business, Emirates NBD. “During this phase, working in partnership with our valued partners Etisalat, Visa and Gemalto, we will gain valuable insights into the customer experience, which we will incorporate into this offering before the wider consumer launch that will be the next phase.”

“Offering multiple levels of security, the MoneyMobile solution clearly represents the retail experience of the future,” R.Sivaram continued. “As we move towards a world of contactless solutions that make shopping easier than ever before, Emirates NBD will continue to stand at the forefront of innovation.”

“The introduction of Mobile NFC services is a great way to simplify the consumer payment experience, due to its ease of use and convenience,” said Marwan Al Qadi, Acting Senior Director, Electronic and Mobile Commerce, Etisalat. “Etisalat has always been a pioneer in introducing the latest technology catered to meet our customers’ ever-changing lifestyles. We are excited at this opportunity to work with a dynamic and progressive partner like Emirates NBD, to revolutionize the consumer payment experience here in the UAE.”

Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager, Visa Middle East, added: “Mobile payments are quickly becoming the way of the future as the widespread adoption of mobile technology changes how people connect with each other. As one of the market leaders in the provision of payment solutions, Visa is committed to accelerating the global shift towards electronic payments and has a long track record of creating innovative solutions that meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. That’s why we’re so delighted to be partnering with Emirates NBD and Etisalat to develop this exciting initiative in the UAE. Users will enjoy the ease and convenience of simply scanning their phone to pay as they breeze through the checkout in stores where they see the Visa payWave sign,” Siddiqi added.

“Gemalto’s ‘Trusted Services Management’ services allow for the secure deployment and management of contactless mobile payment,” added Jean-Claude Deturche, Senior Vice President, Mobile Financial Services at Gemalto. “Gemalto will dedicate its global experience in NFC solutions to supporting Etisalat and Emirates NBD in achieving success in this innovative business proposition. This new service promises to revolutionize the payment, retail and mobile ecosystems, whilst enhancing the shopping experience and bringing enormous benefits to consumers and merchants.”

In a step that reinforces its commitment to serve the community and facilitates the implementation of its charitable initiatives, Masraf Al Rayan [MAR] - one of the leading Islamic banks in Qatar - signed a partnership agreement with Qatar Red Crescent Society [QRCS] to launch its charity card to help people benefit from the services of QRCS.

The launch of the new co-branded charity card, to be used exclusively for Qatar Red Crescent activities, is part of Masraf Al Rayan’s Corporate Social Responsibility. The agreement was signed on Thursday at the MAR Headquarters by Mr Adel Mustafawi, Group CEO of MAR, and Saleh Ali Al Mohannadi, Qatar Red Crescent Executive Director.

As part of the agreement with Qatar Red Crescent, MAR will launch the charity cards, which are convenient and easy to use within and beyond the State of Qatar, wherein beneficiaries can take advantage of Qatar Red Crescent services.

In his comments on the agreement, Mr Adel Mustafawi, Group CEO of MAR, said, “Corporate Social Responsibility at Masraf Al Rayan is an ongoing involvement - we have constantly endeavoured to work with organisations which work with the lesser privileged. In this context, we are privileged to be working closely with Qatar Red Crescent. We are confident that the launch of this charity card will go a long way in significantly contributing towards the humanitarian role provided by Qatar Red Crescent for the benefit of the needy families in particular and support their programs across the country and beyond, under the auspices and able guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent.”

In his comments, Mr. Saleh Ali Al Mohannadi, Executive Director of Qatar Red Crescent, reaffirmed that the agreement between Qatar Red Crescent and Masraf Al Rayan represented the partnership for charitable causes that goes a long way in promoting the role of humanitarian establishments and civil societies which have a huge social impact on the individual and community. “We are confident that the partnership with Masraf Al Rayan in this direction will strengthen and activate cooperation that will bear fruits in the near future, God willing.”

For her part, Ms. Manal AlSulaiti, Head of Social Development Department, emphasized the social role by Qatar Red Crescent for the benefit of needy families and children. She reiterated the QRCS’s comprehensive contribution that runs throughout the year, in line with a set strategy aimed at improving its involvement in various social causes. The partnership with Masraf Al Rayan stands testimony to improve and develop the interaction with needy families and groups.

The launch of the charity card reaffirms Masraf Al Rayan’s contribution that goes beyond its role as a leading financial institution as it believes in lending a helping hand to the needy around the globe and actively contributing to various charity projects and campaigns. Masraf Al Rayan is always looking at opportunities to participate in various humanitarian initiatives designed to serve the society.

It is worth noting that Masraf Al Rayan has significantly contributed to various charitable causes and prominent humanitarian initiatives. These include the ‘Dirham Recycling’ project of Qatar Foundation wherein MAR customers across its branches donated surplus Dirhams and Rials for projects of Qatar Charity within the State and beyond, thus reinforcing the commitment of the establishments to social responsibility and solidarity across various segments of the society.

Besides this, MAR also supported the Munazzamat Al-Da’wa Al-Islamiyya by collecting donations for poor and needy during the Holy Month of Ramadan last year by providing locations for charity boxes across its different branches for its customers. The main objective of this initiative was to help the poor and needy in the African Continent and Islamic world.

The latest initiative is another step forward in the humanitarian support rendered by MAR following its support to The Qatari Center of Social Culture for the Deaf. As part of this, MAR Customer Service Team underwent training on sign languages in order to better serve customers with hearing difficulties. The bank also introduced special services for the hearing impaired, including Audio-Visual Messages to help the hearing impaired with their banking activities.

Highest media spend by a luggage brand in the country

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, March 14, 2012: American Tourister – one of the world’s leading luggage brands with presence in over 80 countries worldwide – today announced an aggressive media campaign in the country.

The company emphasized on its major expansion plans in the Kingdom and has earmarked over US$ 2.5 million over a period of two months starting May 2012. This includes advertisement campaigns across a diverse mix of media encompassing Arab and Asian TV networks, outdoor and market activation programs. This is the highest media spend by a luggage brand in the Kingdom.

In his comments on the media blitzkrieg, Mr Jai Krishnan, Vice President – Middle East, East Africa and SAARC at American Tourister, said: “ American Tourister is entering its 80th year – as you know, it was born in the USA in 1933. We’ve had this continued tradition over the years of offering the latest designs and the best quality at a great value. We know that this is a combination that the consumers in Saudi Arabia look for in the products they buy & that’s why we believe that the Kingdom is a very important market for us.

We have, therefore, decided to invest heavily in Saudi Arabia. We have organized a series of product launch seminars in the country during which 16 new collections were unveiled to our trade partners. Our plan is to double the number of retail outlets of American Tourister in 2012, so that the brand will have the right spread in terms of availability – hence making it more convenient for the consumer.”

“This year’s advertising campaign, starting in May , will be a truly integrated one – we plan to reach the consumers through various media – TV , Print , Outdoor and In-Store. Its going to be a high impact campaign with upto 650 TV exposures per day across channels and will definitely catch the attention of the discerning Saudi consumer. I’m confident that at the end of the campaign, the brand awareness of American Tourister among the consumers in the Kingdom would have increased considerably and we would be the top-of-the-mind luggage brand”.

The advertising, which encourages people to travel and see the world is very much in sync with the tone of the brand – which is smart, friendly, practical and fun. The company believes that the new campaign “ Take on the World” will connect very well with American Tourister’s primary target consumers in Saudi Arabia – which are the family traveler and leisure traveler.

It may be recalled that American Tourister had launched an extensive campaign in the summer of 2011 under the tagline ‘Go see the world’ aimed to establish the brand as an ideal accessory for the young and family traveler. It was followed up with a campaign on similar lines which played out on TV and print, but with a different tagline — ‘The world is calling’.

The company also plans to unravel products specially customized for the consumers in Saudi Arabia besides launching localized brand development initiatives below-the-line along with their trade partners.

Max expands retail space in Kuwait spanning over more than 20,000 square meters Newest and trendiest store launched as part of its ongoing retail expansion across the region

New spring summer collections available at great pricesKuwait, 21 February 2012: Re-iterating its commitment towards reachingout to its customers, Max, the Middle East’s largest value retail brand furtherstrengthened its network with the launch of its 9th store in Kuwait. With the launch
of this store Max has crossed more than 125 stores across all regions, and the brand has established firm footprints across the GCC, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and India. The outlet is located on the ground and mezanine floor of Al-Liwan Mall which covers more than 2000 sq. meters.

Speaking at the launch Saibal Basu, Chief Operating Officer, Landmark Group Kuwait said, “Expansion has always played an important role in Landmark Group’s growth strategy. Our success in Kuwait reflects the huge potential of the market we wish to reinforce the Max experience with another store at Al-Liwan Mall, Fintas. With the launch of this store, we look forward to offering customers with trendy quality merchandise at reasonable prices in superior retail environment and even better customer service”.

“The retail sales surge has allowed us to expand the brand much further thanwe had earlier anticipated. With more store launches in the pipeline, Max is heading towards robust growth in 2012. Max has always been a big hit in Kuwait and is an indication that people are getting more discerning when it comes to fashion. We look forward to delivering unparalleled overall shopping experienceat convenient locations. We will continue with such extensive expansions in the coming years and try to serve our customers in every possible manner” concluded Mr. Basu
The Max retail philosophy of providing style-conscious customers with fashion at affordable prices has gained attraction across the Middle East with continued growth expected across the region in coming years. The store features distinctive niches and departments offering the latest fashion range with the hottest new international trends in textures and fabrics to guarantee its patrons an enjoyable shopping experience.

Every season, Max produces a collection that is unique and fits with its overall philosophy. There’s a wide variety of apparel to choose from; so do visit any of the stores located at Al Rai, Salmiya, Hawally (Al Bahar Center), Fahaheel, Khaitan (Awtad Mall), The Avenues, Jahra (Sahari Mall) , Al Jawhara Complex, Kuwait City and now Fintas (Al-Liwan Mall) to discover more!

LG Showcases Powerful Performance, Eye-catching Design and Superior Display Qualities through Four New Notebooks and an All-in-One 3D PC at CES 2012

UAE, February 14, 2012– LG Electronics (LG) showcased four new notebook models and an all-in-one PC at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 in Las Vegas. These new products will be available in the UAE in March 2012. LG’s brand new Super Ultrabook™ Series, the Z330 and the Z430, offer powerful performance and sleek design unseen in ordinary Ultrabooks, while the P535 and the A540 establish a new standard for 3D notebooks. Lastly, the V300 is the ideal 23-inch all-in-one PC for entertainment, thanks to its immersive 3D display and In-Plane Switching  (IPS) -enabled wide viewing angle.

“At this year’s CES, LG showcased products that are not only new, but also establish categories defining new standards for personal computing devices,” said Mr. D. Y. Kim, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “Our new products feature a range of breakthrough technologies from LG, such as IPS display, glasses-free 3D and Super Speed Boot, that will noticeably elevate the personal computing experience. These technologies reflect our goal of satisfying various consumer demands, as well as our aggressive strategy for 2012.”

■ Z330: Super Ultrabook™ that Outshines Ordinary Ultrabooks
The Z330 is the most compact product in LG’s newest Super Ultrabook™ Series, boasting vastly superior features above and beyond Intel’s Ultrabook™ requirements, while remaining attractive in both performance and portability.

In terms of performance, LG’s proprietary Super Speed Boot technology enables rapid booting, roughly three times faster than other 13-inch notebooks in the market. Powered by the 2nd generation Intel® CoreTM i7 processor, the Z330 requires less than 10 seconds to complete booting, while it requires a mere two seconds to recover from stand-by mode. Equally important, the Z330 is equipped with the latest SATA3 Solid State Drive (SSD), which is more than 11 times faster than an ordinary hard drive.

The Z330 is also unrivalled in terms of compactness and portability, thanks to its Super Compact Clutch design which reduces the width of the bezel to minimal levels. In turn, the Z330 exhibits a 13.3-inch HD display on a chassis whose size is equivalent to 12-inch notebooks. The Z330 boasts uniform slimness of 14.7mm throughout, not just at its thinnest edge. The Z330 is also extremely light, weighing a mere 1.21 kg, making it lighter than most competing Ultrabooks in this class. Such attractive dimensions and weight are surrounded by a metallic cover with a gyro-brush line finish, completing the Z330’s urban, chic look.

■ Z430: Ultimate Compactness and Performance in a 14-inch Super Ultrabook™
The Z430 is a 14-inch notebook of the Super Ultrabook™ Series, which boasts powerful performance in a sleek, compact chassis. Powered by the Intel® Core i7 processor and equipped with SSD and HDD, the Z430 offers Super Speed Boot with 12 seconds booting time and large storage capacity of up to 500GB. Such powerful features are packed into a superbly thin 19.9 mm thin chassis. The Z430 is the most compact 14-inch notebook available in the market, as its slim bezel enables the notebook to employ a 14-inch display panel in a chassis ordinarily used for 13-inch notebooks. The 1.50 kg Super Ultrabook’s design is completed by its modern, chic exterior that combines a metallic cover with a gyro-brush line finish.

■ P535: Superior 3D Capabilities in a Lightweight, Slim Notebook
A CINEMA 3D notebook designed to please style-conscious consumers looking for a comprehensive entertainment experience, the P535 builds on the sophisticated slim design philosophy of LG’s P-Series notebooks. The 15.6-inch super-slim LED backlight display contributes to the thinness of the P535’s 24.1mm chassis and its weight of 2.2 kg, making the P535 up to 24 percent slimmer and 27 percent lighter than the closest competing 15-inch 3D notebooks. Such a slim body allows the P535’s 15.6-inch display to be placed in a chassis normally reserved for 14-inch notebooks.

The P535 is as powerful as it is stylish. Powered by the second generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor and NVIDIA’s latest GeForce GT 630M graphics card, the P535 boasts unbeatable performance, along with a wide display panel that exhibits superior CINEMA 3D capabilities.

■ A540: Glasses-Free 3D Entertainment with Enhanced 4.1 Channel Sounds
Powered by the second generation Intel® Core i7 processor with quad-core processors, the A540 offers consumers a full package of 3D entertainment through its glasses-free 3D display panel, the SRS premium sound effect and the 4.1 channel 3D sound. Thanks to its revolutionary CINEMA 3D display technology, movie fans can enjoy sharp, immersive 3D content on the A540’s 15.6-inch Full HD LED backlight display without eye fatigue. The NVIDIA® GT555M graphics card adds significant horsepower when watching HD movies, playing games or editing videos. The A540 comes with a 3D editing program that allows users to personalize their 3D images and videos.

■ LG V300: LG’s First All-in-One PC with Top-Line Display Technology
Initially unveiled in 2011 with the second generation Intel® CoreTM i7 processor, the V300 is LG’s first-ever all-in-one PC featuring Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) 3D technology and an IPS display. FPR technology enables the V300 to offer the most vivid, immersive full HD 3D viewing experience on a 23-inch Full HD display without any eye fatigue. Meanwhile, the employment of an IPS display significantly widens the viewing angle to 178 degrees and also allows users to enjoy multimedia content with superior picture quality. Unlike competing all-in-one PCs with a dual camera touch sensor, the V300 is equipped with a triple camera system that offers a superior multi-touch experience.

LG will be launching the Super Ultrabook™ Series and the new 3D notebook models worldwide during the first quarter of 2012.

Local market penetration of 3 per cent eyed for mid-2012

February1, 2012

Informatica Qatar (iQ), exclusive distributor & serviceprovider for Huawei devices, has reported that stocks of the new X5 and IDEOSmobile phones it is marketing locally for Huawei – supposedly to last forthree months – have run out barely 3 weeks after their launch.

Global ICT solutions provider Huawei signed up iQ just a fewmonths ago as the exclusive local distributor and after-sales service providerof its mobile phones. Given the positive response to the two models, iQ expects to corner a 3 per cent share of Qatar’sthriving mobile phone market and eventually gain 10 per cent by the end of2013. With mobile penetration in Qatar currently estimated at over 100 per centand projected to exceed 210 per cent by 2013, iQ aims to strategically positionHuawei to capitalize on the market surge.

Designed with professionals and more technical users in mind, theX5 runs on Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) and includes a 3.8-inch HD LCD capacitivetouch screen, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and expandable memory up to32GB. It can deliver data transfer speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps using High-Speed DownlinkPacket Access (HSDPA) technology. The more basic IDEOS, on the other hand, isan Android OS 2.2 (Froyo)-powered mobile phone with a 2.8-inch TFT touch screendisplay, a 3.15 megapixel camera and 4GB of memory included. It offers areasonably-priced package for multimedia, social networking, instant messagingand email.

“The initial sales of the X5 and IDEOS mobile phones farexceeded our expectation and affirms the massive local potential of the Huaweibrand in Qatar. We are coordinating with Huawei on how to better meet demandand give our partner’s new local market base the best support. For ourpart, we feel privileged to be associated with a company globally renowned forquality at a reasonable price and will further streamline our channelcapacities to maximize visibility and patronage for Huawei products andsolutions,” said Wisam Costandi, General Manager, Informatica Qatar.

Meanwhile, Informatica Qatar has signed agreements with DubaiTechnology, Family Food Centre’s (FFC) MicroWorld store, Saudia Hyper, AlAnees and ANSAR Group ( New World Centre, Ansar Gallery, Ansar Al Meera) and AlAnees Group to distribute Huawei’s mobile devices in Qatar. Theseagreements complement iQ’s plans to enter into strategic alliances tocapitalize on Qatar’s thriving mobile market and position Huawei as oneof its most trusted brands.

Informatica Qatar (iQ) delivers end-to-end ICT, ELV and telecomsolutions, and after-sales support via its two business units, iQ Solutions andiQ Devices. It is backed by extensive experience from California’sSilicon Valley and offers valuable insights into the latest technologies andbusiness processes. The company is a leading partner of Huawei.

Huawei is the second-largest supplier of mobile telecommunicationsinfrastructure equipment in the world. The multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services companyhas a presence in over 140 countries and serves more than a third of the globalpopulation.