Alshamel International Holding streamlines operations and drives business growth with an investment on its IT infrastructure

Alshamel International Holding streamlines operations and drives business growth with an investment on its IT infrastructure

Next-Generation IT solutions and applications introduced across the region


Kuwait, October 28, 2009: Alshamel International, the leading Kuwait-based travel management company today revealed the company’s commitment to invest in expanding its IT and network infrastructure. Alshamel International has partnered with leading technology giants including HP, Microsoft and Cisco to streamline communications and effectively connect its employees, clients and travel agents throughout the region.

The strategic move comes in line with Alshamel International’s commitment towards constantly adapting new technologies and innovative solutions. The new technologies will be rolled out by January 2010

Dalal Al Dousari, Vice Chairperson of Alshamel, commented: “This investment will have positive impact on all of Alshamel International’s operations. We are seeing rapid and healthy growth and it is our commitment to provide our customers with seamless access to our services. We are looking forward to this technological expansion which allows our employees, clients and travel agents to benefit from Alshamel International’s vast portfolio of services. Our aim is to support our growth by offering our technology with expertise to the travel sector across the region.

Speaking on the revamped infrastructure, Samir Alamari, Vice President, Information Technology at Alshamel, said: “Our objective is to deploy an end to end infrastructure that includes the latest in advanced technologies.”

“ The process will include adopting Cisco Networking Communications and Contact Center solutions which allows us to have a virtual contact centre, providing our staff with the flexibility and the accessibility to connect to our agents, located anywhere in the world to service our clients 24/7. The data center technologies will link our offices in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Bahrain and The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In addition, Microsoft will be providing database, operating systems and ERP solutions, which assists in the complete financial accounting, CRM, travel management and HR payroll” further concluded Alamari

Alshamel International has also partnered with PCSG to cater to the travel specific requirements and back office booking information, making it accessible and visible to all users across the network.

Alshamel International will also cater solutions to the travel specific requirements and back office booking information, making it accessible and visible to all users across the network.

Ever since its inception in 1996, Alshamel has been constantly adapting new technologies and innovative services, helping consumers and corporate clients optimize their travel requirements making it the most successful Travel Management Company in Kuwait.

Live Environment Demonstrating Next Generation Technologies at SITL Dubai 2009

Dubai, 28 October 2009: An innovative new integrated live environment demonstrating next generation technologies across the entire supply chain, from manufacturing through to retail floor, will be presented for the first time at SITL Dubai, the International Week of Transport & Logistics, which will take place 3-5 November 2009, at the International Convention & Exhibition Center.
“Since we first started planning SITL Dubai, we were determined to deliver more than an exhibition; we wanted to provide a unique interactive experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the latest technologies all interacting with each other, live, with explanations at our dedicated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) area,” said Mohamad Bader-Eddin, Show Director, Reed Exhibitions.
Bader-Eddin continued, “In addition to this exclusive zone, SITL Dubai 2009 will this year offer participants business and content opportunities such as our Hosted Buyer Programme which will bring active buyers to meet with exhibitors, a Business and Investment Forum and the Global Shippers’ Conference.”
All RFID components of the transport and logistics supply chain will be represented in a form of workshops through six delimited zones encompassing road and transport, tracking and security applications for containers, freight cargo, an RFID portal, retail technologies and finally Near Field Communication (NFC) payment. A trainer specialized in RFID solutions will be allocated to each zone to provide explanations to participants and visitors, on the latest technologies on offer.
The 800 square meter dedicated zone will feature Radio Frequency Identification hardware and software all of which will be fully integrated by Ubisolutions, Europe’s leading RFID solutions provider and integrator.
“To put this whole interactive and integrated platform together, we have been working closely with some of the world’s leading innovators, including Geodis, C.N.A, Avery Dennison, DP World, ADSO Logistics and MERFIDA. We are very proud to be involved in this first SITL edition and are very keen to share our transport and logistics information system and technologies expertise,” commented Pascal Ricard, Founder of Ubisolutions.
Ubisolutions recently launched their operation in the region with a new office in Dubai. Being based in the region will enable Ubisolutions to better support their clients’ Radio Frequency Identification implementations.

DM launches breast cancer awareness campaign for staff

Dubai Municipality on Tuesday launched a breast cancer awareness campaign for its employees in coordination with the Dubai Health Authority. The campaign, organized at the Municipality main building, is aimed at educating the female employees of the Municipality on the diseases of cancer, its methods of treatment, ways of prevention, healthy foods appropriate for patients with tumours, the extent of effectiveness of healthy food and its impact on the body along with an explanation on the methods of self-examination.
Fahima Ali Saber, Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Unit in the Corporate Marketing and Relations Department at Dubai Municipality said that the campaign was a result of the Municipality's keenness on the health and safety of its staff, particularly female employees.
The campaign included several activities designed to increase awareness on breast cancer. Educational workshops were held that gave adequate information about the disease, particularly by highlighting the importance of self-examination, which contributes to the early detection of the disease. This was done through the presentations using models. Campaign brochures on self-examination steps and other educational materials were also distributed.
The lecture, held as part of the campaign, shed light on the types of cancers in general, especially breast cancer, its symptoms, genetic factors, type of food, daily life styles and ways of prevention.
Sabir, said the success rates are better if the disease is detected in the early stage than discovered in the late stage. "This month has been selected to launch the campaign because it is the month of global awareness and early detection of breast cancer."

Emirates adds seat capacity to Manchester

DUBAI, U.A.E., 25th October 2009 - Emirates is extending its seating capacity out of Manchester in the UK - but not with aircraft - with sumptuous leather armchairs in its newest dedicated airport lounge.
The 147-seat facility at Manchester International Airport is the latest push by the Dubai-based airline to provide exclusive lounges for premium passengers at key airports across its network.
Mohammed Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services, who attended the official opening ceremony on Thursday, said: “We’ve invested more than a quarter of a billion dirhams on fantastic lounges across the world – these sanctuaries really provide that home from home feeling that is so important to our passengers.

Coupled with Emirates Chauffeur Drive, dedicated check-in counters and priority baggage handling, the Emirates Lounge is central to our seamless premium product."

The 9,429 square foot Manchester lounge first opened its doors to passengers on October 1st, and has already received rave reviews from premium travellers.

The Emirates Lounge has floor-to-ceilings windows, offering passengers spectacular views across the airport’s runways. Passengers using it can enjoy an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes, accompanied by a full bar service, as well as Emirates’ trademark attentive service from its dedicated lounge staff.

The lounge also features a business centre, with computer workstations and laptop workstations, each with complimentary broadband and wireless LAN access.

Seating is provided for 147 passengers, with a large number of luxury leather armchairs available and a plasma screen showing the latest news and lifestyle programmes from a selection of global channels. Full shower facilities are also on hand.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, who also attended Thursday's opening event, said: “Emirates is very important to the future development of Manchester so I’m delighted to be here as the lounge opens. One of the reasons behind our redesign of Terminal 1 at Manchester was to make it more focussed for our business audience and to create the type of airport environment suitable for our airlines to operate their business from for many years to come. It’s significant that we’ve seen the addition of the lounge here as part of the Emirates growing network of lounges and I know passengers travelling through will be looking forward to seeing the lounge for the first time.”

The Emirates Lounge is located in the departures area of the airport’s Terminal 1, and is open to Business Class passengers and Gold Skywards members travelling on one of its two non-stop daily flights from Manchester to Dubai and beyond.

In addition to Manchester, the airline offers dedicated lounges in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Bangkok, Dubai, Mumbai, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Munich, New York JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Johannesburg, Singapore, Beijing and Zurich. More lounges are due to open in 2010 including one at Birmingham International Airport.

Thai petrochemical giant SCG CHEMICALS moves to Almas Tower

Dubai, October 25, 2009: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA) announced today that Thailand-based plastic resin trading company – SCG Plastics Co., Ltd., will begin operations from Almas Tower as a DMCC-registered company, following the DMCC license in April this year. A subsidiary of SCG CHEMICALS, Thailand’s leading integrated petrochemical company, SCG Plastics will use the DMCCA’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) free zone in Dubai as its Middle East base to further develop and establish new regional business opportunities, reinforcing the emirate’s growing importance as a hub for energy and petrochemical companies.

SCG Plastics is the marketing arm for polyethylene and polypropylene products for SCG CHEMICALS, which manufactures and supplies a full range of petrochemical products from upstream to downstream. SCG CHEMICALS is one of the largest integrated petrochemical companies in Thailand and a key industry leader in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Almas Tower represents the newest hub for commodity trading in the Middle East, and we are pleased to welcome SCG Plastics to DMCC and Dubai,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC. “The Middle East is a major producer and exporter of petrochemicals and plastics, and presents enormous expansion opportunities for companies like SCG Plastics. In addition to Dubai’s geographical advantage, world-class bunkering facilities and infrastructure; DMCC’s free zone facilities will prove to be an attractive value proposition for energy companies to establish their base here.

“The DMCCA’s JLT free zone has witnessed considerable interest from global energy-related industries aiming to tap into the region’s abundant resources. We are confident that companies such as SCG Plastics will find Dubai and DMCC’s established and well regulated environment conducive for growth and expansion.”

Purpose built and headquarters to the JLT free zone, Almas Tower caters to the specific needs of the commodities industry, accommodating hi-tech security systems and industry-specific infrastructure for its occupants. DMCC offers resident companies highly attractive benefits, including a 50-year guaranteed tax holiday, 100 per cent business ownership, and full ownership of business premises under a free zone status.

The JLT Free zone is currently home to over 1,800 licensed companies, ranging from commodities to legal, information technology, management consultancy, marketing, medical, tourism and architecture. In addition to being a commodities and energy hub in the region, DMCC also offers a a conducive business environment all types of other licensed activities within its Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone.

4-day Clean up the World campaign to kick off today

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, in the presence of the UAE Minister of Environment and Water, Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahd, will open today (Tue, 27 Oct) the 4-day voluntary massive clean-up drive in Dubai that will see nearly 22,000 volunteers joining hands to drive home the green message.

The campaign, which is observed this year under the banner “Communities Uniting to Clean up and Conserve the Environment,” is held from 27 to 30 October at various sites across the emirate.

Hassan Makki, Director of Waste Management Department at the Municipality, said the campaign, which is organized for the 16th consecutive year by the Municipality, is the largest volunteer clean up drive in the country in terms of participation and collection of waste.

He said the opening day event, which will begin at 10am at the Parking Area of Mamzar Park, will also include environment-themed stage presentation by school students, signing an agreement on collecting religious publications and newspapers from mosques, launch of a campaign on avoiding throwing cigarette butts on public places, recreation programmes for students through workshops, environment painting competition for school students, clean up activities at the Fishermen's Village and honouring and distribution of certificates and souvenirs to the participants.

The second day’s (Wednesday, 28 October) activities, to be held at Al Mamzar area, will include clean up by volunteers from government educational institutions. The programme will include distribution of litter bins to schools, abandoned vehicles removal campaign in coordination with the operations unit and honouring participants and distribution of certificates and souvenirs.

On the third day (Thursday, 29 October), volunteers from private schools, colleges, and universities will participate in the clean up programme at Al Sufooh. Also on this day, a competition will be held on can collection for private schools, in addition to undertaking pest control activities, workshops on pest at all waste bins in coordination with the operations unit and honouring participants and distribution of certificates and souvenirs.

The last day of the campaign (Friday, 30 October) will see thousands of volunteers from the general public including private company staff, non-governmental organizations, community groups and private entities joining hands in cleaning up Nadd Al Shiba Area. Also on Friday, a clean up programme will be organized by the Filipino community and employees of Dnata at Mamzar Beach.

The awareness programmes, organized on the sidelines of the campaign at one of the shopping malls, include workshops for general public on recycling and reducing waste, environmental painting, Municipality Souq for plastic bags, environmental workshops on making usable materials from waste, distribution of saplings to public to encourage horticulture and its role in curbing climate change, and distribution of awareness publications.

The educational programmes for schools include broadcasting campaign programmes on school radios, lectures and workshops for school students on the importance of waste reduction, arranging visits for students to waste recycling factories and natural sanctuaries in the emirate of Dubai, comprehensive educational programme for schools on the role of waste reduction in protecting the environment and curbing the phenomenon of climate change and waste recycling competition for schools and public.

The Municipality's Environmental Awareness Section will organize special awareness programmes for Dubai Municipality staff. The programmes include inviting employees to participate in tree plantation campaign in different areas in coordination with the Public Parks and Horticulture Department, campaign for used materials collection from employees for distributing them to the needy among the employees, email contest, announcement on the occasion and its activities, providing information on the occasion through email, sending SMS to Municipality mobile users and placing the campaign theme on the PCs in the Municipality.

The main areas for clean up activities will be Nadd Al Shiba, desert area in Wadi al Amradi, bachelor accommodation areas in Al Quoz, Nadd Al Hamr, Al Khawaneej, Al Aweer area behind Defence Camp, Al Qusais Labour Camp and Ras Al Khor Natural Sanctuary. Other areas include Jaddaf Fishermen's Village, Jumeirah-1 Fishermen's Village, Heritage Village area, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim open beaches, Hatta Tourist areas, Industrial areas, Jebel Ali Port Free Zone area, Diving Beach and Creek, and labour camps.

A photography competition will also be conducted on the occasion in coordination with FPGL establishment. Some 22,000 high-quality T-shirts and more than 15,000 caps, printed with the campaign’s logo, will be distributed among the volunteers.

The event is supported by Zenath Recycling & Waste Management LLC, Gulf Eternit Industries LLC, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Gulf & Safa Dairies LLC, Western Union, Union Paper Mills, British American Tobacco, Dubal, Alpha Emirates, Dulsco, Al Ain Water, Abela & Co, Fujeirah Plastic Industries, TCS Express, and Trashco.

Aramex third quarter net profit rises 23 per centto AED 41.7 million

Dubai, October 25, 2009: Aramex (DFM: ARMX), the global logistics solutions provider, announced today its financial results for the three months ending September 30, 2009. The company declared a net profit of AED 41.7 million for the period, an increase of 23 per cent compared to AED 33.9 million in the corresponding period of 2008. Revenues for the third quarter of this year stood at AED 487.6 million, a decline of 11 per cent compared to AED 545.7 million in the same period last year.

Net profit for the first nine months of 2009 climbed 24 per cent to AED 134.8 million, compared to AED 108.5 million for the same period in 2008.
The decrease in the company’s revenues was primarily a result of a marked reduction in global freight forwarding activity, resulting in a decline of 20 per cent in freight revenues across the network. Third quarter revenues were also negatively impacted by the extended number of public holidays and reduced business hours, including those on account of Ramadan and Eid holidays in the Middle East and North Africa region during the period.

The financial results announced today by Aramex are in line with company expectations, and are reflective of similar trends in the first two quarters of this year.

“In spite of the extremely challenging economic conditions that have prevailed during the first nine months of this year, impacting growth in our revenues, we have consistently announced double-digit increases in our net income quarter after quarter,” said Fadi Ghandour, Founder and CEO of Aramex. “This consistency is testament to the resilience and flexibility of our asset-light business model, and the entrepreneurial and innovative thinking of our people.

“We continue to review expansion opportunities in underserved markets, especially in Africa and Central Asia,” Ghandour said. “As Aramex adjusts its long-term growth strategy in line with evolving market dynamics, we are also determined to upgrade and expand our existing logistics infrastructure in core markets.”