Zahrat Al Khaleej Special Edition profiles successful females including Milia Maroun of Lebanese label Milia M, Kuwaiti designer Rana Al Naqeeb, Caroline Scheufele-Gruosi of Chopard, and Dubai based Palestinian design duo “Palestyle”

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 26 May 2011: Al Aniqa, the special edition fashion and beauty magazine published by Zahrat Al Khaleej, is celebrating women at the top of the luxury and fashion industries this summer, with a hot new issue packed with exclusive interviews, luxury fashion, beauty and travel features, and the latest style trends from the Middle East and beyond.

The latest issue of Al Aniqa is available free-of-charge with Zahrat Al Khaleej from the 28th of May, and will also be sold as a stand-alone edition for three months from mid June for a AED 10 copy price.

Milia Maroun, best known as the creative mind behind the luxury prêt-a-porter brand “Milia M” speaks exclusively in the latest issue of Al Aniqa, where the Lebanese designer reveals her secrets to successful entrepreneurship for young women in the Arab world. While Kuwaiti designer, Rana Al Naqeeb, discusses her stylish collections of lounge and beach wear that are taking Hollywood by storm.

Al Aniqa readers will also get an exclusive look into the life of Caroline Scheufele-Gruosi - the co-CEO of premium watch and jewellery maker, Chopard. Led by famous photographer Iris Brosch, the Al Aniqa creative team spent the day with Scheufele-Gruosi in Geneva to capture a stunning photo shoot and speak in-depth with a woman who has redefined luxury in her own way.

Brother and sister design duo, Ahmad and Zeina Abou Chaaban, also talk to Al Aniqa about “Palestyle” - the unique design label that integrates traditional Palestinian artisanal skills into modern fashion. From their home in Dubai, the two designers speak about carving a path in the fashion world while supporting a humanitarian cause, and their experience working with women living in remote Palestinian villages to create their high-fashion brand.

“In each special edition magazine, we attempt to showcase the achievements of a number of amazing individuals from around the world, in order to inspire and engage our readers. Al Aniqa is no exception, and in the latest issue we showcase a range of successful women who have left their unique mark on the luxury and fashion fields, including leading regional designers Milia Maroun and Rana Al Naqeeb, as well as the legendary Caroline Scheufele-Gruosi of Chopard,” said Souha Abbas, Manager of the Special Editions Division at Abu Dhabi Media, publisher of Zahrat Al Khaleej.

“We also aim to highlight local industry figures who are making a difference in the region, and there is no better example than the amazing young designers behind ‘Palestyle’, who are profiled in the new edition of Al Aniqa,” added Abbas.

Over in the men’s section, Al Aniqa also meets with artist Sacha Jafri to talk about his four-year journey across 32 third-world countries, working with over 300,000 children to create his latest art collection.  While the team also has a chat with Jeremy Langmead, former editor of Esquire, about his in his new role at designer online menswear store, Mr. Porter.

Guest photographer Belinda Muller will also inspire readers with a vivid, seventies inspired fashion shoot, while a visit to the uber trendy Maison Moschino in Milan will certainly start readers dreaming of a luxury vacation.

The Zahrat Al Khaleej special editions are independent magazines covering various topic of interest to Zahrat Al Khaleej readers, including bridal, fashion & beauty, and watches & jewellery. Circulating 70,000 copies each across the UAE, the special edition magazines are produced by an expert team of freelancers and world-renowned photographers from across Europe and the Middle East, and contain the perfect balance of high-end, quality editorial content, luxury photo-shoots, and exclusive fashion, lifestyle and beauty spreads.

Khartoum – 26th April 2011: Al Salam Bank – Sudan, has won the ‘Bank of the year’ award after securing the first position in Global Finance magazine’s recent ranking for leading Sudanese banks. The magazine attributed the bank’s success to its ability to secure a notable growth in revenues and financial assets in addition to forming key strategic relationships with various industries. The bank has also made huge progress in its pricing, services and product offering.

Commenting on the award winning, Hussein Mohammed Salem Al Meeza, Deputy Vice-Chairman said, “Winning this prestigious award for the 2nd time is another proof of the tireless efforts that the bank management and staff have been exerting over the years to ensure world class Islamic banking services in Sudan. Our services’ quality, reputation and customer satisfaction rates have all played a key role in positioning us amongst the top 25 leading banks in Africa according to the magazine.”

Al Salam Bank has recorded a net profit of SDG 36.2 million (about USD 14.45 million) by end of fiscal year 2010, after deducting the tax fees and zakat, compared to SDG 22.6 million (about USD 9 million) by the end of fiscal year 2009, achieving a record growth of 60%.

The bank was able to achieve excellent financial results at the end of 2010 despite global and local economy challenges and has maintained a competitive level, in addition to occupying a rank on the list of top ten banks in Sudan according to key financial indicators.

The bank’s assets grew by 23% reaching SDG 1.337 billion (about USD 505 million) by the end of 2010, compared to SDG 1.86 billion by the end of 2009. The bank has also succeeded in raising the value of customer deposits to SDG 924 million recording a growth of 25%, compared to SDG 741 million by the end of 2009.

Debut Issue to Hit News Stands in November

Dubai-UAE: 24 October, 2010 – Dubai Media City-based HGW Media today announced the first issue of Rolling Stone Middle East magazine will be available in November.

A US-based fortnightly publication that covers music, politics and popular culture, Rolling Stone magazine has an estimated circulation of close to 1.5 million. Making it to the cover of Rolling Stone is considered a landmark achievement.

Rolling Stone Middle East will include content coverage from the entire region including Arabic- and English-language artists in addition to syndicated content from the US edition. The magazine has an international team of contributors from across the region.

Waref Hawasli, Managing Partner of HGW Media, said: “We are excited to be introducing Rolling Stone Middle East to the market. We feel this prestigious title can speak to multiple audiences through a shared appreciation for music, culture and current affairs.”

Rolling Stone Middle East will also focus on content ranging from regional and international culture to movies, events and current affairs.

Mohammed Abdullah, Managing Director, Media Cluster–TECOM Investments, said: “We welcome HGW Media to the TECOM Media Cluster and look forward to the launch of another title of international repute based out of Dubai Media City. With approximately 55 per cent of the Arab regional population under the age of 25, there are clearly immense opportunities for media companies to tap into this segment.”

HGW Media was established in 2006 in Dubai and relocated to Dubai Media City in 2010 as a free zone company. It offers a broad spectrum of integrated services through its publishing, branding and marketing divisions.

Advertising sales for Rolling Stone Middle East, both print and online, will be handled by Dubai-based media house Media International Services - Gulf (MIS), which also handles CNN International, among others.

TECOM Investments Media Cluster — Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone — provides a complete value chain of specialised offerings that have created an established community hub for the media and content creation industries in the region.

• IBQ recognised for strength of Tier 1 capital

• Underlines strong fundamentals of Qatari banking industry Read the full story