With National Day falling on a weekend this year, and a special 40th anniversary festive spirit in the air, staff at the Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah have arranged an array of activities for all the family to ensure guests and visitors feel part of the countrywide celebration.

According to Jean-Pierre Simon, general manager, Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah and Northern Emirates, the hotel has a tradition of highlighting Arabic hospitality and culture at this time of year, and this week will be no exception.

“Our family-friendly activities ensure fun for everyone and a great day out, and people are now looking to bring their friends and visitors to participate in what promises to be an exceptional day for the 40th anniversary in 2011,” he said.

On the menu are camel and pony rides, local handicraft stalls, a heritage corner offering dates and local coffees and tea, opportunities for henna painting, plus entertainment in the form of an Ayala band and dancers along with the display of the unique Ladies’ Hair Dance.

Guests have access to all beach, pool and garden facilities, while a sumptuous Arabic buffet will be on offer to cater to all appetites.

The Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah is located on one of the emirate’s principal sand beaches and features 156 spacious rooms. It offers a range of leisure activities for all ages, including children’s pool, indoor playroom and complimentary Kid’s Club as well as tennis, badminton, volleyball and two outdoor swimming pools.

For more information about Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah please visit www.coral-beachresortsharjah.com

Bee’ah, the Middle East’s award-winning integrated environmental and waste management company is increasing its sustainable waste management initiatives across Sharjah’s residential areas and city streets. Bee’ah’s distinctive blue and green-branded bins and road sweeping vehicles, part of Bee’ah’s latest AED100 million investment programme, were unveiled for the first time at Green Middle East today.

The inaugural Green Middle East exhibition and conference opened today with HE Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water, cutting the official ribbon to mark the launch of three-days of open dialogue and hard-hitting conference sessions designed to bring industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers together to drive positive action across the region for a sustainable future.

“Sharjah is already ahead of the rest of the UAE in terms of addressing waste management issues, and our green and blue-branded recycling bins and road sweeping vehicles will become a familiar sight on the emirate’s major roads and in residential communities. We are going all out to engage the local community as well as showcase our initiatives to the industry at Green Middle East,” said Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO, Bee’ah.

The multi-million dollar investment will see existing streetside containers replaced with smell-proof, scavenger-resistant bins in early 2012, as part of Bee’ah’s ongoing commitment to making Sharjah a cleaner and greener city.

Bee’ah products and initiatives on show during the three-day Green Middle East exhibition and conference include its cadre of high-tech road sweeping vehicles, recycling bins, and a new container washing truck that can clean bins on location.

“We are also giving visitors and delegates the opportunity to trial our reverse vending machine for plastic bottles and cans which will shortly be launched in key strategic locations across the emirate, and which presents a great opportunity for co-branding by like-minded organisations looking to promote their own green credentials,” remarked Najib Faris, Head of Marketing & Communications, Bee’ah.

“Bee’ah is very much focused on fostering a public dialogue and our activities to date have been very successful. Environmental protection is a key part of Sharjah’s commitment to providing a family-friendly atmosphere across all aspects of daily life,” added Al Huraimel.

Running alongside the exhibition, which runs from 17-19 October, the Green Middle East conference and seminars will address topical issues concerning solid waste, water and wastewater, air pollution, scrap metal recycling, sustainable energy and green building.

Other highlights on day one included the address from Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of the book the ‘Green Deen’, who had flown into the Middle East for the first time. The American muslim is an advisor on sustainability to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office and was in Sharjah to demonstrate that Islam is a religion that protects the planet and its environment. “Waste says a lot about the society we live in,” said a profound Abdul-Matin. 

In addition HH Sheikh Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Ali Al Nuaimi, better known in sustainable circles as the ‘Green Sheikh’ also addressed delegates and visitors about his concern for the environment and ways in which everybody can contribute towards a more sustainable way of life.     

NBAD Launches 1st Business Banking Centre in Sharjah

Abu Dhabi/Sharjah (September 19, 2011) - The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in the UAE, launched TODAY its sixth business banking centre in the country and the first in Sharjah in its ongoing effort to expand its services to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

The new business banking centre, which exclusively serves SME, operates on the top floor of the NBAD Burj Avenue branch in Shajah. It follows NBAD’s launch of several business banking centers in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai since the beginning of the year.

H.E. Ahmed Al Medfaa’ , Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI); Board members of SCCI, H.E. Hussein Muhammad Al Mahmoudi, SCCI Director General; Saif Ali Al Shehhi, the Senior General Manager of the Domestic Banking Division of NBAD and senior executives of the bank inaugurated the new business centre.

“We are pleased to extend NBAD’s exclusive SME services to the Northern Emirates and to deliver NBAD’s commitment to provide a wide range of banking solutions and products to meet the ever expanding demands of our customers,” said Saif Al Shehhi, the Senior General Manager of Domestic Banking Division at NBAD. “SMEs are very important players in economic growth and NBAD is keen in providing best products and highest standards of services to our SME clients.”

Launching dedicated business banking centres is in line with NBAD’s strategic objective to support and grow the SME sector by meeting growing demands for business banking services.

“Small- and medium-sized businesses serve a vital role in the economic development of the Northern Emirates and of course the wider nation,” said Haitham AlRefaie, the Head of Business Banking Group at NBAD. “We continue to open new banking centers that exclusively serve small- and medium-sized businesses because serving this important segment is a core strategy of NBAD’s domestic operations.”

NBAD’s new business banking centre, which will be run by professional and experienced talent, offers credit facilities to companies, as well as trade finance, treasury services, among its many superior services.

Recent statistics reveal that SMEs account for more than 46% of the UAE’s GDP and around 90% of all businesses in the country.

“NBAD plans to have 14 dedicated business banking centres throughout the UAE by end of Q1- 2012, which is in line with our strategic objective to serve this significant sector,” Mr. Al Refaie said.

NBAD launched its first business banking centre in February 2011 in Abu Dhabi Industrial City (ICAD) and followed with new centres in Al Ain, and in Jebel Ali and Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

NBAD plans to launch two (2) more business banking centres in Dubai and one in each of the Emirates of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah/Umm Al Qaiwain, and Fujairah this year.

Business Banking Group at NBAD provides optimal solutions for financial transactions of all companies operating in the commercial segment through the Bank’s extensive branch network in the UAE and specialised products. 

In the first half of 2011, NBAD acquired about 3,000 new SME accounts and increased SME deposits by AED 1.15 billion; and loans rose by AED 400 million.

“Expanding our network is an essential element in NBAD’s commitment in providing exemplary service and making our services more accessible to SME customers,” Mr. Al Refaie added. “NBAD is an integral part of UAE’s fabric and is fully committed to the Government’s initiatives and plans to support SMEs and UAE economy.”

In last few months, NBAD has launched several SME-oriented products and services that include Rent Finance, Visa Business Credit Card, as well as several partnerships. 

To support SMEs in the UAE and facilitate their growth, NBAD became an administrator of the Khalifa Fund through its partnership with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development which began late last year. The Bank also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai SME and Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ).

Dubizzle- the region’s leading online classifieds and community portal- is proud to be a participating sponsor at the 25th Ramadan Fair taking place at the Sharjah Expo Centre. As one of the most anticipated events in Sharjah, the Dubizzle food court area has welcomed hundreds of visitors since the inaugural night on August 11, 2011.

“It is a great honor to be involved in one of the leading events in Sharjah. Ramadan is the ideal month for us to connect with the community on a more personal level,” explained Faiyaz Chand, UAE Marketing Manager, Dubizzle.com.

The Sharjah Dubizzle website which was launched in October 2010 has seen significant growth in classifieds listings to date with over 25,000 listings and 350,000 visits on the site in English & Arabic. The automotive, property, and household item listings rank the highest in terms of volume on the Sharjah site. Moreover, the varieties of listings continue to increase to further establish the site as a one-stop-shop for all classified needs for the city.

Dubizzle team members look forward to welcoming all visitors at to the Ramadan Fair which is on till September 3, 2011.

RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic tiles & bathware manufacturing company, announced that it has opened a second showroom in Sharjah in response to overwhelming customer demand in the emirate. The 3,800 sq. ft. showroom that was inaugurated recently is situated in a prime location in Sharjah, which has emerged as key ceramic tile and bathware market hub.

Abdallah Massaad, Deputy CEO, RAK Ceramics, said: “Our existing showroom in Sharjah generates huge traffic and expects to accommodate even more customers in light of the growing demand for ceramic tiles and bathware in the emirate. Moreover, it was likewise crucial that we opened a new commercial space to showcase our expanding product line as RAK Ceramics continues to actively develop new designs and product categories. The opening of a second showroom underlines the enormous success of the RAK Ceramics brand in Sharjah, while reaffirming our commitment to get closer to our customers and also cater to their evolving demands.”

RAK Ceramics is a USD 1 billion global conglomerate in the ceramic industry, offering a product portfolio comprising over 8,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in bathware. The company has also been recently conferred the SuperBrand 2011 Award and continues to be a global pioneer in the world of ceramics through innovative products such as the RAKSLIM, a new brand of 4.5-millimetre thick tile that sets new industry benchmarks in thickness, strength, cost and ease of use. RAK Ceramics is also founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in UAE.

Opening of Danube’s 28th retail facility strengthens company’s bid to create stronger Middle East market presence

June 26, 2011

Danube Building Materials, a leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, opened yesterday its newest Danube Building Materials Showroom in Sharjah, UAE. The AED 10 million showroom is the latest addition to the company’s growing number of retail facilities in the UAE and was inaugurated by Abdullah AL Qayedi
Director of Sharjah Municipality and Khalid Saif Almuaini Director of Economic Department, while the ceremony was chaired by Anis Sajan, Managing Director; Adel Sajan, Director, Danube Building Materials and several senior government officials including, Mohammad bin Faris Head of Sales/Promotions, Sharjah Economic Department and Jehad Rashid Al Zaabi, Manager Projects, Sharjah Economic Department. The event marks the opening of Danube’s 28th retail facility in the region and reflects the company’s strategic initiative towards strengthening its market presence in the Middle East region.

Located in the sanitaryware wholesale market of Sharjah, the new retail facility is spread over 5,000 square feet and will house the latest state-of-the-art products. Sporting a modern look and design, the Danube Building Materials showroom is being offered as a ‘Business to Business’ (B2B) retail and wholesale unit specializing in sanitaryware and ceramic tiles products.

Abdullah Al Qayedi, Director of Sharjah Municipality Sharjah, said: “Danube is one of the most prestigious brands in the building industry and we are certainly pleased that they have decided to open a new showroom in Sharjah. We are confident that the new showroom will enable Danube to reach out to a much wider cross-section of its target audiences, while reaffirming the growing reputation of Sharjah as an ideal destination for world-class brands.”

“The inauguration of our Sharjah showroom demonstrates Danube’s commitment towards its customers and partners across the region, and also its efforts to provide the best building materials under one roof. Danube is seeking to create strong presence in the UAE and the rest of the region with the opening of new retail and warehousing facilities,” said Anis Sajan, Managing Director, Danube Building Materials. “It has long been my dream to open a showroom in Sharjah’s sanitary ware market. Today, this dream comes true. Sharjah’s sanitary ware area is recognized as one of the most important hubs for export customers in the UAE and Sharjah in particular and has played an integral role in the Emirate’s move to drive in more economic growth and development. We are looking towards attracting more business as we are getting closer to our customers with the opening of this new facility.”

The company has just opened a new AED 10 million Building Materials showroom in Al Dibba, UAE. The new retail facility, which spreads across 30,000 square feet, demonstrates the company’s continuing efforts to expand operations in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East region. Danube has also opened a new AED 40 million, state-of-the-art warehouse in Jafza South, which measures at 550,000 square feet. Expansion has also gone beyond the region with the opening of key retail facilities in India, which is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Aside from the move to expand, the company is also integrating revolutionary technologies into their operations like the sophisticated Warehouse Management System (WMS), which deploys wireless hand-held scanners and the latest technology to support Intelligent Operations, used for real time update of data and inventory management.

“Danube is upbeat towards opening more facilities in the next few months, which ably reflects our introduction of a key one-stop-shop for all the essential building materials needed in a project. We will continue to live up to our reputation of being providers of world-class high quality materials by understanding the demands and requirements of our rapidly growing customer base in the UAE and the rest of the region,” concluded Sajan.

Sharjah, UAE, 6th June 2011: BinSina Pharmacy, a leading name in the world of retail pharmacy, announced the opening of its new store in K.M Trading Center in Sharjah, staying on track to reach 40 pharmacies in the UAE by the end of 2011.

The new pharmacy is strategically located at the K.M. Trading Centre at King Abdul Aziz Rd, one of the most active places in Sharjah. The outlet will serve K.M Trading Centre visitors as well as neighbouring areas, such as Al Qasemeyyah area, Abu Shaghara area, Al Wahdah St. area  & some northern parts of the emirate.

The BinSina opening at K.M Trading Center is another proof of the group’s expanding strategy to spread in key areas in Sharjah. This approach is reflected through the groups’ pharmacies in Mega Mall and on Buhaira Corniche Rd and many other strategic places such as the Sharjah University.

Clive Stanley the CEO of the retail division at Al Khayyat Investment owner of BinSina Pharmacy said: “The launch of the branch in K.M Trading Centre was preceded by an in-depth survey to assess the area’s needs for pharmacy services.”

The BinSina Group is part of Al Khayyat Investments which is well known for its diverse investments, representing more than 200 multinational brands in different fields.

The group has 5 million customers visiting its pharmacies annually. A single BinSina pharmacy stocks around 16,000 different medicines and non-medical items.

“BinSina Pharmacy serves more than 5000 customers daily and captures more than 12.3% market share, out of 1,400 pharmacies countrywide. It deals with more than 70 suppliers in pharmaceutical products, as well as medical devices, speciality skin care and personal care products”, added Stanley.

The first BinSina Pharmacy was opened in 1965 in Nasser Square in Dubai. Now, after 45 years, it has evolved into the UAE’s leading pharmacy chain.

First international bank to provide banking services at the Free Zone

UAE, May 24, 2011-Standard Chartered Bank, has inaugurated its new Electronic Banking Unit (EBU) at the Hamriya Free Zone in Sharjah. Standard Chartered is the first foreign bank to operate in the Free Zone, providing banking and finance services to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and retail clients. The bank will leverage on its global network to facilitate the increased intra-regional activities of businesses operating in the free zone.

Standard Chartered Bank’s new EBU is staffed by experienced Relationship Managers who specialise in financial services for SMEs and individuals. The EBU is equipped with a Cheque and Cash Deposit Machine as well as ATMs and Internet banking facilities to ensure optimum convenience for customers in the area.

Chris de Bruin, Head of Consumer Banking, Standard Chartered UAE, said,

“Standard Chartered adopts a customer-focus strategy which aims to provide financial products and services which cater to our customer’s specific needs. The opening of the new EBU reaffirms our strong commitment to expand our presence in the UAE and enable business enterprises and individuals to take advantage of our superior banking products and services.”

Dr. Rashid Al Leem, Director General of Hamriya Free Zone, said,

“The opening of Standard Chartered Bank’s new EBU will improve access to premium banking products and services, benefiting the thousands of corporate and individual clients in the Hamriya Free Zone. We commend Standard Chartered for taking the initiative to establish a presence in the rapidly-growing Free Zone and we are confident that the bank will enjoy the strong support of both corporate and individual clients.”

Standard Chartered Bank’s Hamriya EBU accepts applications for loans and facilities, Saadiq Islamic Banking services, and opening of an account as well as Fixed, Term and Call Deposits. It also accepts remittance instructions. The EBU is open from 8 am to 3:30 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and from 8 am to 2 pm on Thursday. The automated lobby is operational 24 hours daily.

Event welcomes over 200 guests from all over the UAE

Sharjah, UAE, January 9th, 2011 – Al Qasba Development Authority in collaboration with Nando’s, the international Afro-Portuguese chain of restaurants hosted yesterday (January 8th) the “Longest One-Table Event” at the scenic Al Qasba in Sharjah. The event, that included entertainment shows, prizes, and mouthwatering food, was attended by over 200 guests who shared a meal together at the longest banquet table ever laid out in Sharjah.

“We believe that by sharing, we can get to know each other better. And by getting to know each other better, we can change the way the world works. It is with this philosophy in mind that we decided to conduct the ‘Longest One-Table’ event. It is all about laughing, talking, eating, sharing and changing the world one bite at a time,” said Suhail Gidwani, CEO of Nando’s UAE.

The event saw the participation of guests from different nationalities and from various parts of UAE, who enjoyed famous dishes & delectable desserts from Nando’s.

“It was truly a wonderful experience being part of the Nando’s One-Table Event. My family & I interacted with so many new people and made new friends. We enjoyed the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing that we are all gathered here for two good causes – community peace and great food.” Ameera Sayed, guest at the event said.

“Events like this one are always a great initiative to get people together, and Al Qasba has been always enthusiastic to host such events,” said Dina Al Nakhi, Events Manager at Al Qasba Development Authority. “The event brought smiles on our visitors’ faces and generated much interest because of the idea, the organization and the entertaining atmosphere.”

At the end of the event, all guests received a certificate from Nando’s & Al Qasba that attested that they have done their “bite” for World Peace.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority businesses to share best practices in brand building 

Sharjah, UAE; October 3, 2010: Top leaders and decision-makers doing business in Sharjah, specifically at the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), will gather once more for the 2nd Marketing and Branding Congress on Tuesday, October 5.

The authority’s director general, Dr. Rashid Alleem, founder and chairman of the Alleem Knowledge Center (AKC), has invited forward-looking companies such as Southend Prefab, Developer Building Contracting and Tech International FZC to share their experiences in marketing and brand building.

Dr. Alleem himself will be presenting advertising and branding techniques that have made HFZA an attractive destination for foreign as well as local investors. He will be complemented by the authority’s customer relations manager, Mr. Saeed Al Bardan, who will talk during the opening session to be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

“You must build cutting-edge strategy for your product or service to differentiate your brand in the marketplace by balancing your firm’s external opportunities and threats, and its internal strengths and weaknesses. Otherwise, your product is merely another commodity and very easy for consumer to pass by,” said the director general.

Dr. Alleem is widely known in the UAE as a change leader and is an expert in the development of human potential and personal effectiveness.

The congress is part of a series networking activities being organized by AKC. The center has conducted three other congresses this year on leadership, sustainable development and project management.

The event’s sponsors are Al Aydi Metal Industry LLC, Hamriyah Steel, Unger Steel Middle East, SBK Holding, ALCO, Rad International, Horwath Mak, Port Khalid Cold Stores Co, Tech International FZC, Emirates Techno Casting, Al Hanoo Holdings, Hamriyah Maritme City, and Developer Building Contracting.