From The Chair
Registration number ISSN 1985-9929
Dear Members,
Contents
Welcome to the Spring edition of the BBBF magazine. The new year has got off to a slow start with many businesses adjusting, and in some cases restructuring, to face the recent challenges in the Kingdom. A number of businesses have been impacted hard - particularly those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. We are all hopeful that the situation will improve quickly.
The 2009-2011
The Bahrain business community has built up a solid track record of dealing with a number of economic and political challenges over the years and we fully expect to bounce back, restore confidence and emerge even stronger. Despite the current uncertainty, we believe that we have in placed the economic fundamentals and entrepreneurial spirit to build a solid path to achieving Vision 2030. A special mention also to Gulf Air and HSBC, our 2011 corporate sponsors, who continue to be a great source of financial support and generous encouragement. Their support allows us the financial security to increase the number of initiatives and enhances the quality and number of events that we organise.
Executive Committee ......2 Advertiser Index ..............2 From Her Majesty’s Ambassador ....................3 British Aviation Group visit Bahrain .....................3 Welcome to new members ..................4 Member Benefits .............6 Why join the BBBF? ........7 British Government plans for economic growth ........8 SIG's..............................10 SIG Security ..................12
We hope that you enjoy this edition and look forward to seeing you, and your guests, at the forthcoming BBBF central functions and those organised by our ever expanding number of Special Interest Groups (SIG) – see Page 4 & 10 for details.
Financial News ..............14
With kind regards
GOP awards contract ....24
Khalid Al-Zayani Chairman
Interview Steve Wagstaff ..............20 Motoring News ..............22
Bahrain News from the E.P ........26 Health Matters ...............28 Members press releases ...............30 Hotel & Leisure News ....34 Bahrain News ................36 And Finally.....................44
Cover Image: BBBF Members & Guests at the January Lunch with photos by Phil Weymouth BBBF Tel: +973 1781 3488, Fax: +973 1781 3489, Email: bbbforum@batelco.com.bh Bahrain British Business Forum, P. O. Box 10051, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
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The 2009-11 BBBF Executive Committee
Chairman Khalid Al Zayani
Deputy Chairman Austin Rudman Mob: 3969-9475
Treasurer Patrick Dornan Mob: 3924-3739
Secretary Bill Frost Mob: 3963-5110
Member Rob Grey Mob: 3966-3452
Member Rebecca Eriksson Mob: 3953-6989
Member Jill Boggiss Mob: 3604-4100
Embassy Representative Rebecca Topping Mob: 3975-0496
Diary Dates March 27th - Annual General Meeting Speaker: BBBF Chairman and H M Ambassador Venue: Crown Plaza Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1pm Costs: Members BD12 April 19th - Business Lunch Speaker: tbc Venue: Crown Plaza Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1pm Costs: Members BD12 / Guests BD1 May 17th - Business Lunch Speaker: tbc Venue: tbc
Our thanks to all the advertisers in this edition of Forum. Without their support, this issue would not have been possible. Please give them yours. 2 Connect ........................................Inside Front Cover Al Osra Supermarket....................................... page 31 Allied Pickfords................................................ page 25 Almoayed Wilelmsen Ltd................................. page 40 American Mission Hospital .............................. page 28 AXA Insurance ............................. Outside Back Cover Best Western Hotel ......................................... page 37 bmi................................................................... page 27 British School of Bahrain ................................. page 15 Crown Relocations .......................................... page 23
June 21st - Business Lunch Speaker: tbc Venue: tbc
Cutis Clinic ...................................................... page 43
Please be aware that dates and venues may change at short notice.
Gulf Hotel ........................................................ page 35
For up to date information please contact the BBBF Office
Insure Direct .................................................... page 33
Euromotors........................................................ page 9 Gulf Agency Co ............................................... page 19 HSBC .............................................................. page 17 Mansouri Mansions ......................................... page 39 Naseej ............................................. Inside Back Cover NHSC .............................................................. page 21 Phil Weymouth Photography............................. page 5 Sue Anderson Consultants.............................. page 32
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From Her Majesty's Ambassador
I find myself writing this foreword at the most difficult moment in Bahrain’s postindependence history. None of us know how the situation will develop over the next few weeks. Things have moved at a bewildering speed since 14 February. The British Government was deeply dismayed by the use of force against peaceful demonstrators earlier in the month but warmly welcomed the decision to remove the BDF from the streets and His Majesty’s announcement of an investigation into the deaths of seven protesters. We
strongly support the efforts of His Royal Highness The Crown Prince to initiate a National Dialogue. Such a Dialogue gives the best hope of a sustainably stable future for Bahrain, by offering an outcome that recognises the legitimate aspirations of all its people. For the past three weeks the greater part of my time has been spent in encouraging all parties to enter the Dialogue. I hope that by the time you read this it will be well under way. The damage done to Bahraini business by the disruption of the past three weeks has clearly been very significant. I hear enough anecdotes from businesspeople to leave me in no doubt that
many sectors are having a tough time. Regaining momentum will be hard for everyone. But I think Bahrain will start from a good base. Whatever the short term damage many of the achievements of Bahrain’s economic reform over the past ten years have not been lost: Bahrain’s education and training are better adapted to producing a workforce geared to servicing the needs of its economy; there is more transparency; the economy is more diverse; above all, when the dust has settled we will still call Bahrain ‘Business Friendly’. Bahrain has the picture of its future clearly laid out in Vision 2030. I have just re-read it. The goals of
that vision, sustainability, competitiveness and fairness and are just as attainable now as they were three weeks ago. And it is even more important to achieve them. I am confident that Bahrain will succeed.
Jamie Bowden British Ambassador
British Aviation Group visit Bahrain unrivalled experience on the world’s major airport projects. Many lessons have been learnt and we are pleased to take this opportunity to share our experience across the spectrum of airport development.
The British Aviation Group (BAG) brought a UK Trade & Investment trade mission of UK companies involved in the airport and aviation development sector to Bahrain from 31 January to 2 February. The UK has had a long and productive relationship with Bahrain in this field and the trade mission is the
result of the high level of interest demonstrated by the Bahraini Government in UK expertise. With the re-development of Bahrain International Airport to be completed over the next 10 years, and together with the strong links between the two nations, BAG sees this visit as an important opportunity for UK and Bahraini industry to interact and learn from
each other. Alan Lamond, BAG Chairman, said "The British Aviation Industry has for many years had an impressive track record of involvement in airport financing, masterplanning, design, construction, equipment supply and operations. This track record has been built up through
"With Bahrain International Airport, and the Middle East in general, being an area of great potential for future work it is very encouraging that UK suppliers have received such a high level of interest from Bahrain’s Government. The prospective developments over the next 10 years are prime opportunities for the UK’s suppliers to demonstrate their expertise and therefore I am thrilled to be leading this UK Airport Sector trade mission which promises so much opportunity for both the UK and Bahrain." Forum
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Ahmed Al Akber Partner ACK Solutions Tel: 3964 5654 Mob: 3964 5664 ahmed@solutions-ack.com
Shane Dolan Senior Vice President Financial Dynamics Tel: 1753 7072 Mob: 3844 1151 shane.dolan@fd.com
Bilal Alavi Head of Marketing AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C ( c ) Tel: 1755 7718 Fax: 1755 7833 bilal.alavi@americanexpress.com.bh
Bill Fraser Acting Chief Executive Officer At Bahrain BSC Tel: 1650 1004 Mob: 3995 7875 b.fraser@atbahrain.com.bh
Luke Archer Senior Project Manager At Bahrain BSC Tel: 1650 1004 Mob: 3947 8865 l.archer@atbahrain.com.bh
Nicola Green Solicitor CHARLES RUSSELL LLP Tel: 1713 3200 Mob: 3604 3162 nicola.green@charlesrussell.co.uk
Guillaume Baudet Finance Director Hidd Power Company BSC ( c ) Tel: 1767 9441 Fax: 1767 9429 Mob: 3667 8111 guillaume.baudet@hpc.com.bh
Deepak Jain Vice President - Merchant Business & Strategic Partnership AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C ( c ) Tel: 1755 7741 Mob: 3926 1646 deepak.jain@ americanexpress.com.bh
Andy Biffen Executive Managing Director Hidd Power Company BSC ( c ) Tel: 1767 9400 Fax: 1767 9429 Mob: 3633 7736 andy.biffen@hpc.com.bh
Sanjay Kaul Chief Financial Officer AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C ( c ) Tel: 1755 7601 sanjay.kaul@ americanexpress.com.bh
Mike Cunningham Production Director Hidd Power Company BSC ( c ) Tel: 1767 9405 Fax: 1767 9429 Mob: 3699 0299 mike.cunningham@hpc.com.bh
William Keliehor CEO & President AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C ( c ) Tel: 1755 7772 ceooffice@ americanexpress.com.bh
Welcome to New Members Ali A. Khalaf Maintenance Manager Hidd Power Company BSC ( c ) Tel: 1767 9470 Mob: 3606 5170 Fax: 1767 9429 ali.khalaf@hpc.com.bh
John Nolan Regional Director Aon RE Middle East W.L.L. Tel: 1722 6066 Mob: 3838 5842 john.nolan@aon.com.bh
Mazin Khoury Chief Operating Officer AMEX (Middle East) B.S.C ( c ) Tel: 1755 7727 Mob: 3969 6769 mazin.khoury@ americanexpress.com.bh
Adam Radicic Managing Director, Middle East Operations IRM, Ltd Tel: 1750 2755 Mob: 3614 5107 adam@irm.ae
Deborah Kristiansen CEO expo@bahrain At Bahrain BSC Tel: 1650 1004 Mob: 3969 4019 d.kristiansen@atbahrain.com.bh
Gemma Renton Club Concierge Capital Club Bahrain Tel: 1710 0100 Mob: 3838 2014 gemma.renton@ capitalclubbahrain.com
This edition of the BBBF Forum magazine was compiled by Andrew Mead at Mead Management Services Ltd. email: andrew@sbtd.co.uk UK Mob: 0044 7940 559 925 KSA Mob: 00966 506 271 151 Bahrain Mobile: 00973 3638 7595 and produced in cooperation with Krishnan Surendran at Jumana House, Riyadh, KSA Tel 009661 292 0451 Fax: 00966 1 472 6962 If you would like to contribute to a future edition please telephone or send an email to info@sbtd.co.uk
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A full page advert is charged at BD300. A half page advert at BD180, A quarter page advert at BD100 A small panel at BD50 Please note: The BBBF nor its agents do not warrant the services of any of the individual or corporate members of the BBBF. The views and opinions expressed by independent contributors must not be regarded as those of the BBBF or its agents. Publication of any article or advertisement does not imply any endorsement of the views, products or services described therein.
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Benefits for BBBF Members Benefits for all our members may be obtained on production of their Membership card at the concerned outlet. We would like to hear your feedback concerning these discounts. Please do not hesitate to offer your services to our members by contacting the BBBF office. If any member has any difficulty obtaining a discount, please contact the BBBF office so we can rectify the situation. Azrek Search Associates 20% discount on search and headhunting services. Contact: Rory Adamson Tel: 1758 3885 Email: rory@azrek.com AXA Insurance 10% discounts to members on personal lines insurances. (excluding medical) Terms & Conditions Apply. Contact: Stephen Wagstaff Tel: 1758 8222 Email: stephen.wagstaff@axa-gulf.com Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company (BKIC) Special schemes have been arranged with Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company (BKIC) for BBBF members for the following classes of insurance: House & Contents, Domestic Servants & Motor Insurance. Special terms are available on production of your membership card. Bateel Bahrain 10% off on production of your membership card. Bateel offers a wide selection of classic and customised gifts for corporate functions, weddings and special occasions. Contact: Mahboob Shareef Email: bateel@almoayedcc.com Tel: Alaali Shopping 1758-0845 Citycentre Mall: 1717-9181 BFG Commercial Services Special Discounts available on current stock of Patio / Outdoor furniture & Area Rugs. Contact: Lynne Biddle Tel: 1774 1484 British Club Entrance Fee waivered when booking Business lunches in the Ascot Restaurant. (pre-booking only) Group booking welcomed. Contact: Reception Tel: 1771-3999 Craig Consultants 10% discount for members on 1-on-1 Executive Coaching, Contact: Kevin Craig Tel: 36199980 Email: kevin@craigconsultants.com Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain 10% discounts to members when they dine in any outlet on production of your membership card. Cannot be used against any other promotion or discount. Effective until 31 Dec 2010 Contact : Kate Simmonds: Tel 1753-1122 Conscious Connections 5% discount on Crystal Therapy and Awareness, 10% discount for group bookings and group workshops. Contact: Julie Lomas Mobile: 3960 6712 Email: info@concious-connections.com DHL 25% discount from the cash tariff for any personal shipments being sent from Bahrain to anywhere in the world available on production of your membership card. Contact Andy Broughton DHL Customer Service 1736 4100 www.dhl.com.bh
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Diners Club Services Bahrain Offer Special Discounts on Corporate, Purchasing & Travel Cards for BBBF members. Effective until 31st December 2010 Contact: Amanda Reeves Tel: 39974384 Email: areeves@bmi.com.bh Expat Angels 10% discount on all packages and services. Contact: info@expatangelsbahrain.com Tel: 3832-0439 / 3991-3211 Hasan Mansouri 10% discount to members at Mansouri Mansions Hotel and Country Club. Contact: Karim Mansouri Tel: 1772 8144 Email: karim@karimmansouri.com National Hotel Services (NHSC) 5% on beers, 15% on wines and spirits with the exception of products already on special offer. Contact: Ian Bricklebank Tel: 1781-5929 Email: nhsc1234@batelco.com.bh Protection Insurance Service offers BBBF members special rates on their personal insurance (motor, home, travel and any other insurance cover). Members will just call to select the cover type, share the credit card number and we will deliver the policy documents to his / her office. Please call 3904-3446 or 3645-4282 Royal Over-Seas League The Royal Over-Seas League has clubhouses in London and Edinburgh which include hotel-style accommodation.Reduced rates for BBBF members. Application forms for membership are obtainable from the Membership Secretary at: Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR Tel: 0044 20 7408 0214 Fax: 0044 20 7499 6738 Email: fvanicek@rosl.org.uk The MakeOver Experience 10% discount to BBBF members on all individual and group courses, with occasional extra special offers and prize draws. Additional discounts to BBBF corporate members for customised training courses. Contact: Dr. Leila Edwards Tel: 1759 2019 Mob:3966 7623 Email: info@themakeoverexperience.com
Why Join The BBBF?
BAHRAIN The Pearl of the Gulf has had a long standing relationship with Britain and is still a major trading partner. BRITISH Trade with Bahrain is now subject to significant competition in this era of globalisation particularly from countries in Europe and from the USA.
Membership directories are distributed to members of visiting Trade Missions and are available to businessmen visiting Bahrain through the Embassy and business centres in five star hotels. Simply click on “Sign Up” on our website www.bbbforum.org complete the application form and click submit. Sounds simple, it is, it must be worth it.
BUSINESS between Bahrain and Britain must be promoted in order for Britain to maintain its dominant position. The BBBF has been formed to help in whatever way it can to do this and through its close cooperation with the British Embassy seeks to promote exchange of trade and good relations between Bahrain and Britain.
Cost of membership Individual Membership: BD 75 per annum, with an additional BD 40 once-only registration fee.
FORUM Is defined in the Collins English Dictionary as, “an assembly or meeting to discuss topics of public concern”. The BBBF provides through its monthly meetings a platform for networking amongst its members and the exchange and dissemination of useful business leads and opportunities. In addition, in return for a modest subscription, members receive the benefit of inclusion in an annual directory describing the products and services they have to offer and a listing on the BBBF website again with a description of activities, contact numbers and useful links.
Corporate Sponsorships Three levels of sponsorship are available:
BBBF Membership Application Please complete the membership form and send it to: BBBF Administration Manager, Fax: (00973) 1781 3489, or Email: bbbforum@batelco.com.bh. For further information call (00973) 1781 3488, Web site: www.bbbforum.org
Corporate Membership: BD 200 per annum (up to 5 individuals) plus BD 40 for each applicant up to a maximum of 10, with an additional BD 100 once-only registration fee.
Platinum: BD 2500 each year for three years Gold: BD 2500 for one year Silver: BD 1250 for one year Sponsor packages include a variety of advertisement opportunities in the Membership Directory, the Forum magazine, the BBBF website and at the regular lunch meetings. Full details are available on request.
Corporate Membership please complete separate form for each applicant
Individual Membership
Company Name
Website address of business (if applicable)
Title and full name (Surname first)
Describe how you / your company contribute to substantial business interests in Bahrain (Maximum 150 words)
Position in business Nationality
Date of Birth
CPR Number Address of business (P.O.Box & Town) Business telephone
Facsimile
Home telephone
Mobile
E-mail address
I agree to abide by the BBBF Constitution & Internal regulations. Applicants Signature
Please note that the granting of individual or corporate membership is subject to BBBF Committee approval.
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British Government plans for economic growth The UK Government published a White Paper on 9 February, 2011 setting out its strategy for using trade and investment to rebalance the economy and drive global economic growth. Key principles are the rejection of protectionism and the need to ensure a greater openness. Only by taking a new approach can countries be sure that they are supporting the poorest whilst capitalising on all the opportunities offered by a growth in global trade. Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Strong trade policies and strong trade outcomes are of the utmost importance for our economy, helping to create jobs and build sustainable growth. That is why, since day one, we have put the promotion of trade at the heart of our foreign and economic policy. Harnessing the resources of every part of government; changing mindsets, sharpening our focus and doing all that we can to bolster UK trade and investment.” British businesses, particularly SMEs, have said they want to take advantage of the huge opportunities that exist in vital emerging markets, but can’t always access the trade credit insurance or finance to take the risk. Since the economic crisis they feel it has become much harder to get cover from private credit insurers at reasonable rates and that in some markets it has become almost impossible. They also complain that foreign Governments do much more to fill the gaps in private sector cover. So the UK government will create four new schemes and extend an existing one. These will be launched as soon as possible in the coming months and businesses will be signposted to them by their banks. 1. An Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme offering export finance valued up to £1m to SMEs. 2. An Export Working Capital Scheme for those not eligible for the Export EFG, offering export finance worth over £1m. 3. A Bond Support Scheme under which the government will share risk with lending banks on the issue of contract bonds. 4. A Foreign Exchange Credit Support Scheme – this will support banks offering foreign exchange hedging contracts to SMEs by sharing credit risk. 5. Extend the Short Term Credit Insurance Scheme to cover a broader range of exporters, including SMEs. UK Trade and Investment will also increase its focus on emerging markets and launch: • A new online service offering access to sales leads around the world. • A new on-line peer to peer exchange to enable companies to help themselves and help each other. • A new high profile award for companies which are ready to export, but need encouragement to take the next step. 8
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Also included in the strategy are a range of actions to help secure a strong, sustainable and open economy that benefits business both domestically and internationally. This means… Strengthening the multilateral trading system: • Increased engagement within the European Union, World Trade Organisation (WTO), G20 and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) • Working to finalise the Doha round of trade negotiations delivering a £110bn boost per year to the global economy - 2011 is the make or break year; • Working with partners to help develop ideas for strengthening the WTO, and address the shifting challenges of global trade and investment. Enabling developing countries to benefit from trade and investment: • Working with developing countries to ensure that global trade rules support their needs • Promoting greater market access for Least Developed Countries • Implementing ambitious bilateral aid programmes that promote trade and regional integration, particularly in Africa, where the UK is launching an Africa Free Trade Initiative Maximising and realising the opportunities for UK businesses to trade and invest: • Resisting protectionism, championing open markets, and pushing back the remaining trade and investment barriers within the European Single Market and the wider world. • Pursuing an ambitious programme of EU Free Trade Agreements with key trading partners including India, Canada, Singapore, the South American Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) and hopefully also Japan; • Using the FCO and UKTI networks overseas to support British business and encourage greater inward investment in the UK. Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “This is an important milestone in our journey towards rebuilding the world economy. The White Paper is the Government’s initial statement to our trade and investment partners around the world on how we want to work together for mutual benefit and sets out the overwhelming case in favour of openness as the route to prosperity. For a copy of the Trade and Investment White Paper please contact the UKTI Bahrain office through the website www.ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk.
Special Interest Groups
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o r k p l a c e challenges of Bahraini graduates and potential employers was the key focus of Bahrain BBBF Organisational Effectiveness Group’s fourth seminar in December held at the Capital Club in Bahrain Financial Harbour. The session featured a presentation by guest speaker Steve Royston, Managing Director of Anfield Information, who highlighted the many challenges of entering the workplace for the first time from both the graduates’ and employers perspectives, including: unrealistic expectations, theoretical versus practical knowledge, and the role of family in skewing career aspirations. In his presentation, Royston discussed ways in which prospective professionals can better integrate themselves into the workplace and methods their employers can use to minimize the risk of unproductive hires. “The GCC-wide push for job creation through economic
diversification has fueled multi-billion investments in the field of education, already among the highest in the world,” said Royston. “The challenge is dovetailing the disconnect often found between education systems that are ideally supposed to produce work-ready young people and the needs and expectations of both employers and fresh graduates and young professionals.” The meeting also featured a panel discussion in which members shared their views and experience on the issues discussed in
the presentation. Joining Royston on the panel were Dr. Ehsan Ghurbal of BDO, Dr. Suzanne White of JWZ Solutions and Dr. Clare Beckett-McInroy of Bahrain Teachers’ College (BTC) at the University of Bahrain. “Members are encouraged to collaborate and help a group member with a specific organisational issue, and we believe this session shed some much-needed light on a critical issue that has to be addressed for the economic and social future of the region,” said Jill Boggiss, head
of BBBF Organisational Effectiveness Group, a special interest group which aims to find solutions to common issues that organisations face. “As such, we have introduced a workshop-style format to these meetings to make them livelier and as beneficial as possible to our members.” The group welcomes the feedback and input of anyone on any number of the various organisational issues that companies face today, and welcomes anyone to join the group by contacting the BBBF.
Special Interest Group – Financial Services holds first meeting of 2011 “International Tax Services” was the key focus of the FSSIG (Financial Services Special Interest Group) at their first event of 2011, held at the Capital Club on Tuesday 8th February.
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The session featured guest speaker Tim Hawkins, Assistant Manager International Tax Services at Ernst & Young. FSSIG members were treated to an insight of the many Tax
complications affecting overseas residents and provoked many interesting questions and debate. The FSSIG Committee will be communicating
with members shortly on future events and welcome feedback from members on possible topics / guest speakers and venues.
SIG Update Organisational effectiveness The power of social networking - using these tools to communicate in difficult times Hill & Knowlton workshop - Jill Boggiss
Organisational effectiveness Work Experience Bank project meeting March 8th British Club Following on from the work readiness meeting outlined opposite we are working on an idea to put together the BBBF Work Experience Bank (The WEB). The goal of this initiative is to help young people connect more easily with private sector work experience opportunities in order to help them to make better career choices and acquire basic work skills. This is at an early stage of scoping but in essence we want to find work opportunities through our membership and structure a work placement/work experience project that is needed by the company and that will build marketable skills for the intern. We will also provide a mentor for the young person and provide feedback on the performance of the work. We will keep you posted on progress and if you want to get involved contact Jill Boggiss.
As events have unfolded over the last weeks it has been fascinating to hear of the role of social networking in organising people and communicating with each other. Facebook and twitter have been in the forefront of the news and will only get more pervasive. I don’t fully understand how all of this works and if you are already one of the tweeple who use these tools you won’t need to come but if, like me, you have never heard of twaffic, feeling tweepish, or are not yet considered a tweeterbox you may learn some things at a workshop we are planning for April at the Capital Club. Contact Jill Boggiss for more information. Hill and Knowlton will work with us to consider how to use these tools for the BBBF in a way that will help us to communicate more effectively with you all and other organisations we want to work with and Julia Atherton Dandy has offered a workshop to demystify the art of communicating using new (well new to me) technology to better effect for engagement, recruitment and crisis communications.
Website going live Mike Jackson has been working with Suresh Selvaraj of Business Communications & Management Services WLL to create a more up to date and dynamic website for the BBBF. By the time you read this the site will be live, with some work still to be done by us. The site has a range of new features including a calendar on the home page and a facility for members to highlight their own events on the home page (for a small fee). Members will be able to book lunch attendance, keep up to date with the interest group program and there is a “members only” part of the site that will have all contact and profile details for all members. This improvement was
asked for in the member survey we undertook in 2009 and we will continue to improve the site based on your feedback. Mike and Suresh have worked very hard on this supported by Dena’s team and Andrew Mead in supplying much of the information, we want to thank them all. We will continue to work with Suresh to keep the site up-to-date and responsive to member feedback - Heather Hopper will be the main point of contact in the office for this and she will be trained by Suresh in how to manage and update this so we can be more self sufficient in the future. Hill & Knowlton will work with us to promote the site and persuade you all to use this as your main point of contact and information.
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Special Interest Groups - Security
The world is grappling with some very testing times from one catastrophe to another and from one political crisis to another with nobody escaping the eventual impacts and outcomes that will decide our near and future history. Already economies are seeing soaring prices in the basic things of life due to the impact on oil and food supplies around the world resulting in conflict in parts of the world nobody ever thought possible.
drove the development of the business continuity strategies in the beginning.
My questions then to businesses are two-fold: 1 How well have you been able to “communicate the calm during these rising sands”? 2 Have you achieved “business as usual” through good forward planning or did you find yourselves coming up short and turning to the various consultants requesting them to draw up some plans? Contingency & Business Continuity Plans are an integral part of any business but they are only as good as the staff who have to implement them once invoked. To ensure that your plans are implemented efficiently and effectively, it is critical that the Response and Recovery Team Members understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as the objectives and assumptions that
Nick Galbraith 12 Forum
Imagine if you will:
• Notify your Security Manager if you have one or leave contact numbers with HR & friends.
• Putting an executive in front of the media without any media training.
• Arrange to have a friend pickup those newspapers, mail or any other deliveries you may have.
• A crisis management team leader managing a response effort and it’s the first time that she / he has seen the plan.
• Secure your home. Close and lock all windows and doors. Don’t forget to lock the garden and garage doors.
• A business manager asking a very simple question after she/he has lost their office due to demonstrations, flooding or fire - “Where are we supposed to go to work?”
• Check the timer and outside lighting and ask your friend to review and reset if there has been a power cut.
These scenarios are not new and happen all too often but fortunately training and awareness with good old fashioned commonsense can go a long way in mitigating what could quite easily become a disaster and should be directed at all levels and not in isolation. Don’t be caught short!
• If you are away for an extended period ask a friend to periodically check the inside of your residence to ensure that all is well with the air-conditioning, especially in the summer months, and that there are no water leaks.
Home Security While You Are Travelling:
• Ensure that all personal and home insurance policies are up-to-date and that your coverage is adequate to cover that brand new 3D home cinema you have just purchased.
Carrying on from the last edition of Forum where we looked at Residential Security we tend to forget the basics when we are travelling leaving the villa / apartment empty. So here are a few points that you may want to consider:
These are only a few ideas as space is of a premium but once again good forward planning and good old fashioned commonsense will go a long way in mitigating the sorrow on your return.
Rupert Potter
Mark Sullo
Jim Mann
Partnerships:
OSAC & BBBF SIG (S) Meetings and Events The partnership has been very busy since our last article where we talked about the excellent service afforded to the membership by the Management and Staff at the British Club way back in September 2010. Since then we have had representation at the Regional Conference in Doha, the Annual Briefing at the State Department in Washington, Formal Council Meeting at the US Naval Base and the BiAnnual Networking Gathering at the Crowne Plaza where once again we were treated royally by Management and staff alike. Our sincere thanks to all our hosts and to Matt Butler and the Commandant at the US Navy Base for taking the time to host an excellent Gathering This year’s Networking Gathering, held in January, brought together a number of familiar faces to the podium and some not so familiar of which a special vote of thanks goes out to John Barclay & Jim Mann who had travelled some distance to be with us and to pass on their experiences on Contingency Planning during an Evacuation and an in-depth analysis on issues relating to Saudi Arabia. It was also a particular honour to have the new Regional Security Officer, Mark Sullo, join us for the first time, and to brief us on Regional issues that have now manifested into the current climate that we live in today. We thank Mark for the huge value that he has already brought to the partnership and his interaction with our Chair Nick Galbraith and the DHM Rupert Potter which has ensured that we are guided in accurately communicating the calm through those rising sands of rumours.
ASIS The Bahrain Chapter of ASIS International held their first meeting on March 9th, 2011. ASIS International, which was founded in 1955 and currently has more than 37,000 members worldwide, is the preeminent organisation for security professionals. The Bahrain Chapter of ASIS International is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals through an education focused on industry-wide security interests and topics. The Bahrain Chapter, ASIS International, is comprised of security industry experts within the business community of the Kingdom of Bahrain who are involved in a broad range of security disciplines and active businesses in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Chapter elected Jean Perois, CPP, PSP, VP at Risk Management International (Chairman) and Devlin Zents, Divisional Manager at Protect Security Services (Vice Chairman) into position, who received the official charter from ASIS International representative Jeffrey Lee, CPP, Deputy Regional Vice President for the region. Also present was Khalid A. Bouali, chairman of the Chapter 72 (Saudi Arabia)
Jean Periois is pictured receiving the Official Charter The BBBF SIG (Security) maintains a close working relationship with ASIS International and welcomes this new Chapter to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Those security professionals interested in learning more about joining the Bahrain Chapter, ASIS International, can find more information online at www.ASISOnline.org
Cyber Awareness – Courtesy of OSAC Be Cautious About Messages You Receive On Social Networking Sites That Contain Links. Even links that look they come from friends can sometimes contain malware or be part of a phishing attack (attempts to collect personal information: logon, password & other identifying information). If you are suspicious, don’t click! Contact your friend or the business directly to verify the validity. Worth Repeating “Facebook can essentially track you around the Web.” said Nicole Ozer, a policy director at the ACLU of Northern California. Embassies – Contact, Keep in Touch & Keep Updated • US Embassy Bahrain http://bahrain.usembassy.gov/ demonstration.html • British Embassy Bahrain ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en/ The British Embassy encourages all UK Nationals who are resident or visiting Bahrain to do the following: • Register with us on Locate. This allows us to send you information updates by email. You can register at: https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/ locateportal • Click “Like” on our Facebook page, on which we place regular local travel updates: https:// www.facebook.com/ukinbahrain • Monitor our website, where we provide the latest version of our travel advice and other news: https://ukinbahrain.fco.gov.uk/en Look Forward Our meeting in May, if all goes to plan, will have an aviation theme of which it is hoped to that industry experts will be available to give us an insight into what is a highly skilled and complex role on the ground as well as in the air. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Tony Palys on apalys@investcorp.com Forum 13
Financial News
The gateway to Islamic finance in Western Europe
UK Islamic Finance/UKTI Panel Discussion during WIBC, panellists were:- Richard Thomas-Gatehouse Bank, Kazi Rahman – Wragge & Co, Sultan Choudhury - Islamic Bank of Britain, Dan Taylor – BDO and Darshan Bijur – KPMG The remarkable growth story of Islamic Banking is set to continue, following the success of the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) in Bahrain (November 22-24) which praised the UK as the leading western centre for Islamic finance and one of the most attractive destinations for Islamic banks. WIBC hosts the world’s largest and most influential gathering of Islamic Finance leaders and last year some 1,200 international delegates from more than 50 countries attended. Indeed, the number of conferences now dedicated to Islamic Finance, such as the WIBC, is testament to the levels of growth in this flourishing market. Bahrain is not only recognised as the venue of choice for such events but the ideal location for businesses that are looking to establish themselves in 14 Forum
the region. In fact, more than 30 countries have sought Bahrain’s help and guidance in setting up Islamic financial structures of their own. Bahrain is widely recognised as a global leader in Islamic Finance, playing host to the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the world. It has also remained resilient at a time when many of the world’s financial services sectors have been shrinking.
from niche to mainstream, highlighting both its expertise and its financial infrastructure, which is uniquely placed to support Islamic banking. It aims to put Shariah compliant and other financial instruments on a par – so that there is no disadvantage to using either Shariah compliant or non Shariah compliant. It was the first time that UKTI and the recently formed UK Islamic Finance
Secretariat (UKIFS) took a joint stand at the WIBC collectively showcasing UK capability in Islamic Finance and positioning the UK as the global partner of choice in this sector. During the conference, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) - the government department that helps UKbased companies succeed in the global economy and overseas companies bring their high quality investment
Meanwhile, UK Islamic Finance providers have remained committed to strengthening global partnerships with leading Islamic financial centres - working in cooperation with countries like Bahrain on issues such as regulatory reform, corporate governance and risk management. For example, the UK has been working to move the Islamic Finance sector
BBC correspondent Nima Abu Wardeh facilitated the panel discussion.
to the UK - hosted a roundtable discussion, which covered the pitfalls and opportunities for Islamic Finance in light of the global economic downturn. “The WIBC is the premier global conference on Islamic finance. It attracts a huge diversity of bankers, regulators, Shariah experts and media from across the world,” said Jamie Bowden, HMA for Bahrain. “I can think of few better occasions for reaching an international audience. It is for this reason that the United Kingdom, as a significant centre of Islamic financial activity, and the leading one in the West, has such a strong presence at WIBC. Bowden continues “The panel hosted by UKTI gave British practitioners the opportunity, through answers to questions from
the audience, to explain why Islamic Finance is important to the UK and why the UK, with its huge breadth and depth of financial expertise and its constant innovation, is important to Islamic finance.” The panel, which included Richard Thomas, CEO of Gatehouse Bank and Sultan Choudhury, Director of the Islamic Bank of Britain, also examined the appetite and potential for Islamic Finance in non-Islamic countries and the latest developments in Islamic banking in the UK, USA, Singapore and Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, UAE and Italy. Given that Bahrain is experiencing unprecedented growth in Islamic Finance banking, Takaful and Sukuk issuance and the UK is the leading European nation for Shariah compliant finance, there are
increasing opportunities for collaborative working between the two nations The Bahrain based Waqf Fund, for example, has signed a partnership agreement with the Islamic Finance Council UK and the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments to develop a special training programme aimed at developing conventional markets training for Shariah scholars. When it comes to doing business in Bahrain, the UK is already well represented in the financial and legal services. The establishment of the Bahrain Financial Harbour in 2007, for example, provides a ready platform for foreign companies to establish in Bahrain. “Given Bahrain’s position as one of the two global
centres of Islamic finance, I am always delighted to see so many British practitioners here”, concludes Bowden. “Developing the relationship between our financial service sectors, in particular in Islamic Finance, is something that I see as being a strong mutual interest and is one of my highest priorities.” Whilst Bahrain is set to become the leading centre in the Gulf for Shariah compliant finance, Islamic banking will begin to transcend traditional regions and infiltrate new markets. As with any sector, collaborative working with global counterparts is integral. The UK, with its proven record of developing and delivering Islamic financial services and products, will indeed, play a key part in its future.
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Financial News Bahrain Budget needs Oil at $100 pb
The Bahraini Finance Ministry has said the Kingdom plans to spend BD5.3bn ($14.06bn) over the next two years and needs an oil price of $97-$100 per barrel for its budget to break-even, Reuters has reported. The country reportedly expects revenues of BD4.4bn based on an oil price estimate of $80 per barrel for its twoyear draft budget for 2011 and 2012. Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa said “Our top priority in the budget is for the vital sectors that are closely associated with the daily lives of our people and which contribute to the development of the infrastructure in order to boost Bahrain’s assets to attract more local and foreign investments and create more employment opportunities,” According to the minister, the government has allocated 150.8 million dinars for new housing units, 68 million dinars for housing loans and 21 million Bahraini dinars to finish existing projects. The government plans to spend 534 million dinars on health projects and services, and on education services provided by the Education Ministry (503 million), the University of Bahrain (92 million), Bahrain Polytechnic (39 million), Bahrain Teachers’ College (12 million) and the quality training and education authority (11 million dinars). 16 Forum
HSBC offers Shariah compliant corporate banking in Bahrain HSBC through its awardwinning Islamic banking division, HSBC Amanah, has recently launched a range of Shariah-compliant products and services to meet the banking needs of corporates in the Kingdom. This is an expansion of HSBC’s Global Amanah corporate banking presence in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Indonesia. The recently launched proposition for Shariahcompliant solutions for corporate clients in Bahrain includes a comprehensive product suite covering a full range of services which comprises the provision of Shariah-compliant Business Accounts, Investment Solutions, Working Capital and Trade Finance Solutions. Shariah compliance is at the heart of what HSBC
Amanah does. The quality of Shariah governance is one of the most important brand differentiators. Shariah governance is not only about the Shariah board but also colleagues who represent the Islamic business, the training that is made available to the team that interacts with the customers, the internal control and operational risk infrastructure that monitors compliance with product manuals, as well as the internal audit and Shariah audit functions. HSBC Amanah’s products are approved by the Central Shariah Committee of HSBC Amanah, which is made up of renowned and independent scholars such as Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Sheikh Nizam Yaquby and Dr Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani. During the launch event in Bahrain one of the most revered scholars in the Islamic finance industry,
Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, met with HSBC corporate clients. In an interactive session, Sheikh Nizam discussed key issues facing Islamic Banking and answered questions from the audience. HSBC Bahrain’s commitment to excellence and offering a full range of products, which now includes Islamic Financing, was underlined by Patrick Gallagher, CEO of HSBC Bahrain, who said, "Since 1945, HSBC has been offering conventional banking services in Bahrain. Given that the country is one of the key Islamic financial centres in the world and demand is strong for Shariah-compliant banking here, we started offering HSBC Amanah retail banking in 2008. Now, our corporate customers can also enjoy HSBC’s global connectivity and its bestin-class Shariah-compliant offering."
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Financial News Citibank launches Elite Privileges For Citigold Clients
Citibank announced the launch of a new programme for its Citigold Wealth Management clients called, “Citigold Elite Privileges” at an official event held at the Capital club. “CitiGold Elite Privileges” is an exclusive and first-of-its kind programme in Bahrain and caters to the lifestyle and leisure needs of Citigold wealth management customers. Citibank has partnered with selected merchants across a wide spectrum of business segments to offer value added services and discounts ranging from 10-25%. The partners are eminent names that include
Al Areen Palace and Spa, Body Line Spa, Dadabhai Travels, Devji Jewellers, Euro Motors, Freedom Furniture, Gajria Electronics, Gama Hotels, Kanoo Travels, La Boutique, Marriott Executive and Royal Golf Club.
We are also aware that our Citigold customers are very discerning and spoilt for choice. With this in mind and our steadfast commitment to client excellence, we have developed the Elite Privileges programme.”
Announcing the launch, Navneet Kampani, Consumer Bank Head said that, “Citibank is constantly seeking feedback from existing and prospective customers to better understand their needs and our findings have been that clients are looking for their banks to provide more than basic banking and investment products.
Zuzar Mandarwala, Citibank’s Wealth Management Product Head added that Citigold Elite Privileges is a specially designed programme for customers, which allows them to benefit from a wide range of preferential offers from the areas of fashion, entertainment, fine dining and travel. “We are serving our customers’ leisure & lifestyle needs through our Citigold Elite privileges programme that complements our world class CitiGold Wealth Management proposition. We will continue to develop and upgrade the Elite club so as to ensure it is in line with our customers’ needs & preferences”.
Standard Chartered 2010 operating profit climbs 19% to US$6.12bn Standard Chartered PLC have announced an eighth successive year of record income and operating profit, demonstrating the consistent and sustainable growth strategy of the Group. We continue to invest selectively in the business, positioning us well to take advantage of the long-term growth opportunities across our markets, whilst maintaining a strong focus on the fundamentals of the bank. Normalised earnings per share increased 14% and dividend per share was up 9%, with RoE at 14.1%, 18 Forum
as the Group continues to deliver long-term value for shareholders. 2010 delivered strong and diversified profit and income growth across our markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 23 markets delivered over US$100m of income, with 11 contributing over US$500m. 15 markets delivered over US$100m of profit, with India and Hong Kong both delivering over US$1bn. We continue to be in the right parts of the world, with strong longterm growth opportunities.
Customers can have access to the Citigold Elite Privileges preferential offerings by using their Citigold ATM Debit card or their Citibank Ultimate credit card. Also present at the launch were Hussain Al Baluchi, Branch Banking & Wealth Management Head and
Harpreet Arora, Citigold Segment Head. Citigold is the premium banking service designed to provide world class wealth management solutions for clients and it provides a host of benefits ranging from a certified relationship professional, complimentary Ultimate credit card, preferential foreign exchange rates, discounts on banking services, invites to seminars and life style events and access to Citi research. Citibank Bahrain is a top provider of Wealth Management solutions and has a comprehensive suite of products & services that include innovative Structured Notes, Mutual Funds, Islamic investment options, Hedge Funds, Multi-Manager funds, Unit Linked Insurance plans and CitiBest Current Account that pays market leading interest rates. Citi has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and currently offers consumerbanking services in Bahrain, UAE and Egypt. In the Kingdom of Bahrain alone, Citibank, the consumer banking arm of Citi, has had a presence for the past 21 years and is expanding its operations within the country.
Interview Travel by road in Bahrain is generally safe although unsafe driving practices are common. By law, all vehicles in Bahrain must be insured to a third party liability level. There are two predominant policies to choose from: third party and comprehensive insurance. If a claim is made against you for personal Steve Wagstaff, AXA injuries and legal costs, then third party injury insurance is required. Comprehensive vehicle insurance covers damages caused to your own car by you, as well as injury, property damage, fire and theft. In addition, comprehensive Motor Insurance is usually compulsory if you take out a loan to purchase your car as a form of security for the lender, who is a joint owner of your vehicle for the duration of the loan. It is the most comprehensive form of coverage available to protect your car should you be involved in an accident. It covers losses or damages to third party persons or properties in the event of an accident. Recent events have led to an increase in questions regarding what is covered under what sort of policy. In an interview with Steve Wagstaff, Country Manager for AXA Insurance, Steve kindly provided answers to many of the commonly asked questions: Editor: What are the benefits covered under AXA’s Executive Motor Insurance? Steve: AXA’s Motor Executive Policy offers everything from : • ‘All Risks’ cover to insured vehicle including: fire & theft, storm & flood, Riot, Strike or Civil Commotion which does not assume the proportions of or amount to popular rising • Personal accident benefit - cover for serious injury, or that of your partner or other member of your family up to a limited amount. • Cover for your personal belongings if they are stolen from your car or damaged • Cover for your medical/ legal expenses • A Replacement car whilst your car is being repaired • Off road cover for AWD vehicles. • 24 hour accident break down and recovery • GCC cover • Agency repairs for 5 years • Third party property damage • Windscreen damage • Guaranteed repairs AXA also gives its Claims free drivers special discounts along with the best service available. 20 Forum
Editor: What are the exclusive benefits and services that an AXA motor insurance holder gets? Why do you think AXA has been chosen the Best Insurance Provider? What do you regard as the best benefit in AXA insurance? Steve: AXA prides itself on offering services unique only to us. We want to make life convenient for our customers and we understand that it can be distressing when you’re in an accident. Which is why we have the following unique benefits that set us apart from our competitors 1. 24/7 Claims assistance. A service anyone will appreciate as you cannot be sure that you will have an accident only during office hours 2. Ability to open your claim over the phone – 24/7 3. An AXA replacement car at an affordable price whilst your car is at the workshop. (this service is given free of charge for maximum of 10 days under the motor executive cover) 4. A 12 month guarantee on all repairs Editor: What are the breakdown and recovery options that AXA has? Are there any terms and conditions to get the service? Steve: • Accident Recovery – If your vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven due to an accident, AXA’s roadside assistance will tow the vehicle to the garage. This also applies when your vehicle does not start or requires mechanical repairs • Battery Boost – if the battery is dead, AXA’s roadside assistance will jump start the vehicle for you. If it still does not start, then they will tow the car to the nearest workshop where you can buy a battery and be on your way. • Flat tyre change – if your vehicle has a flat tyre, we will help to change the tyre. If the vehicle does not have a spare tyre it will be towed to the nearest garage. • Petrol delivery – if a vehicle cannot be driven due to an empty petrol tank, AXA’s roadside assistance will deliver up to 5 gallons of fuel. The client has to pay for the petrol of course • Locked out service – If you are locked out of the vehicle, the roadside assistance will attempt to open the lock under supervision of the appropriate authorities • Off road recovery – If your vehicle breaks down off-road, we will arrange to have the vehicle towed to the garage. If the vehicle is ‘stuck’ off-road, it will be winched to the nearest roadway.
Editor: In case of accidents and total loss of vehicle, is the option of hire car available? Is it a free service or will it be charged? Steve: Yes. The option of the AXA Replacement car is available even in the case of a total loss. As for whether it is a free service or not, that depends on what you signed up for at the time of buying the policy. If you paid for a ‘hire car’ option in your policy, we will give you the rent a car free of cost for the first 7 days – if you have an executive policy, you will be provided with a hire car for a maximum of 10 days. Moreover, car hire upgrade is also an option where the size of the hire car can be upgraded to 2.2cc Editor: I also needed to know whether Motor Perfect Policy holder can get individual features such as say Hire car benefit or Agency repair for additional premium. Or do they need to take the Executive policy to get some of its benefits? Steve: Yes. Those taking AXA’s Motor Perfect Policy also have the option of the hire car benefit. The standard agency repair benefit applies for 3 years on the Motor Perfect Policy.
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Motoring News
Class-leading performance figures revealed for McLaren MP4-12C
• Segment-best figures for new high-performance sports car • MP4-12C goes on sale in the Middle East this summer McLaren Automotive has revealed the all-important performance figures for the brand new MP4-12C, and the debut model from the world’s newest sports car company will raise the bar to new heights in the sports car sector when it goes on sale in the Middle East this summer. The unique new M838T engine powering the MP4-12C is a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 unit, mated to a seven speed transmission. This McLaren Automotive-developed engine delivers a massive 592 bhp, which is 22 bhp more than the Ferrari 458 Italia and some 40 bhp more than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. Maximum torque of 600 Nm is returned at 7,000 rpm. All of which means that the MP4-12C can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds on hot-weather Corsa tyres, making it even quicker than the legendary McLaren F1 road car, acknowledged by many experts as the best car ever built. The 0-200 km/h figure is an equally breathtaking 8.9 seconds. The MP4-12C continues to redefine high-performance sports car benchmarks with a maximum speed of 330 km/h. More importantly when it comes to occupant safety, the new McLaren is equally adept at coming to a 22 Forum
halt - it can brake from 100 km/h to standstill in just 30.5 metres, equivalent to less than seven bodylengths. While it sets new standards for performance across the class, the designers of the MP4-12C were determined that efficiency wouldn’t be overlooked. So while the 12C is the most powerful car in its class, with a CO2 figure of just 279 g/km, each horsepower is produced more efficiently than virtually any car on sale today featuring a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine. “One fundamental result of this passion to produce a pure McLaren is that the 12C is what I call the AND car. Compared to main rivals, it has better performance AND is more fuel efficient; it is lighter AND stronger, safer AND fully equipped. It is smaller in its exterior dimensions AND spacious inside, and it has better handling AND is more comfortable,” said Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive’s Managing Director. The McLaren MP4-12C combines Formula 1 technologies, a revolutionary carbon MonoCell and McLaren’s winning design and development approach that has proved so successful during the company’s decades in motorsport. It also follows in the footsteps of its famous predecessors, the McLaren F1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The full performance and specification details can be viewed on the McLaren Automotive website, www.mclarenautomotive.com
Creator of Iconic Range Rover dies, aged 85.
One of the the British engineering industry’s biggest characters and the “father” of the Range Rover, Charles Spencer “Spen” King, died last year from injuries sustained when his bicycle collided with a van. King was head of new vehicle projects at Rover from 1959, a role in which he oversaw some of the most popular cars of the era including the Rover 2000 and SD1, as well as the Triumph Stag and TR7. Spen passed away a week after the Range Rover celebrated its 40th birthday. In 1966 work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the ‘100-inch station wagon’. When it was being developed, the V8 powered off-roader was a real leap into the unknown, initially being developed as a stepping stone between the utilitarian Land Rover and luxurious Rover P6 saloon. In 1970 the original two-door Range Rover, known as the Classic, went on sale and one year later Range Rover received the RAC Dewar
award for outstanding technical achievement. “Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation. But the Range Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history of motoring.” said Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director. “The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one,” he continues. “It’s a sevendays-a-week luxury motor car; a leisure vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and noways of the world; a high performance car for long distance travel; and a working cross-country vehicle.”
and in 2007 was Land Rover’s biggest selling vehicle worldwide. From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from footballers to farmers, the Range Rover has always appealed to a diverse group of customers. In 2010 a further member of the Range Rover family
was added, taking the portfolio to three model lines. The new vehicle is smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, tying in perfectly with the Range Rover brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Yet it will be no less premium, no less luxurious, and no less special than the other Range Rover models.
In 1996 the Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units. The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. A second model line, the Range Rover Sport, was launched in 2005, aimed at more sports-oriented driver-focused customers. It has been a great success, Forum 23
Bahrain’s General Organisation of Sea Ports awards contract to build new portal at ship registry Bahrain’s General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) announced in March that it has awarded the contract to build and set up an online portal for the Ship Registry to Affno and Third Wave International, Affno’s Middle East partner based in Bahrain. This new portal is part of the GOP’s initiative in its groundwork to prepare Bahrain‘s Ship Registry as an open registry thereby facilitating ships to sail under the Bahraini flag. The new portal will facilitate GOP’s customers anywhere in the world to have easy access to the different automated services provided by Ship Registry. It will include an exclusive auto notification system which will send notices and updates to the GOP’s customers using a simple easy-to-use SMS interface or by emails. Additionally, a fully integrated financial system, which will issue invoices and facilitate online payment, will also be available. This portal is expected to be ready by September 2011. Commenting on the announcement, GOP
of efficiency, and further enhance our offering to our customers,” he added. Affno and Third Wave International’s selection followed a tender process in July last year where several leading players competed for this prestigious contract.
Above L-R: Wafa Al Nusif and Essa Yateem (GOP), Dilip de S. Wijeyerante, (Third Wave) and Kevin Kumararasinghe,(Affno). Director General, Mr. Hassan Ali Al Majed said: “The signing of this agreement is a significant milestone for us and is in keeping with the GOP’s preparations to set up Bahrain’s Open Ship Registry. We are looking forward to working with Affno and Third Wave International, who will be setting up and building the automated portal in partnership with the Ship Registry. We are confident that this contract will help us to build an effective portal that meets the highest international standards, and which will
facilitate the interaction of our prospective and existing customers worldwide with the services we offer. “At GOP, we continuously strive to utilize the latest technologies in all our projects, which allows us to stay on the cutting edge of our industry. Partnerships with leading technology providers such as Affno and Third Wave International will help us to maintain Bahrain’s leadership position in the maritime and logistics industry, and will help the GOP maintain high levels
The GOP will be responsible for the operation and management of the new portal once it is completed. Affno and Third Wave International will train the Ship Registry and IT staff in addition to GOP customers and help them get acquainted with the system and its operation. GOP remains committed to demonstrating the professional excellence of the maritime and shipping industry and offering quality services to meet the increasing needs of users and stakeholders alike. The GOP was recently awarded the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certification for conformity to international standards across all departments within the organisation.
About General Organisation of Sea Ports: The General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) was established in September 2006 with a mission to develop Bahrain’s maritime industry and infrastructure and regulate its operation in line with the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030 development strategy. The GOP’s overarching responsibility lies in guiding the development of strategies to position Bahrain as a global leader in the maritime industry. As a regulator, the GOP is responsible for supervising all maritime safety and environmental matters and ensuring adequate infrastructure is in place to serve the needs of the Kingdom’s seaports, including the region’s newest state-of-the-art port Khalifa Bin Salman Port. The GOP is also responsible for operating and developing the Bahrain Logistics zone. Adhering to the highest international quality standards of safety, environment and security, the GOP aims to position the Kingdom as the strategic gateway and trans shipment hub to the northern Gulf. 24 Forum
News from the Eastern Province Officers and crew for their hospitality.
Firstly, I think a belated Happy New Year is in order and I hope that 2011 brings you and your families all that you desire. We have welcomed new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir Tom Phillips and wife Anne and we look forward to them being frequent visitors to the Eastern Province in the years to come.
Also new to the fold are Bill Kelly (above) and wife, Carol. Bill has replaced Neil Wilson at the British Trade Office and has already made his presence known at committee meetings and events. Welcome to all. It was a pleasure to welcome HMS Somerset into Jubail in early October and the onboard reception provided an early opportunity for the British community to meet new ambassador, Sir Tom Phillips. Thanks to the 26 Forum
In November, we were very fortunate to welcome Mr Edward Oakden, (below) former HM Ambassador to UAE and currently Managing Director, Sectors Group, UKTI, as guest speaker at our November business dinner. Edward made a very interesting presentation covering a diverse range of topics including trade opportunities, politics, challenges for the new UK coalition government and even the potential impact of wikileaks.
In late November, I had the pleasure of representing the BBA at the Annual Gulf Commercial Officers Conference (GCOC) in Dubai and the following day, the “Britain in the Region” symposium. It was good to once again meet the representatives of the other British Business Groups in the Gulf and further strengthen the ties between our respective organisations. In January, Paul Williams, Director of Trade and Investment, British Embassy, Riyadh was our guest speaker. Paul has been a civil servant for 42 years,
The British Business Association (BBA) - Eastern Province P.O.Box 1868, AlKhobar 31952 Tel: 03 882 5288 ext 1651 Fax: 03 882 5384 Email: bbakhobar@atheer.net.sa Website: www.bbaep.com
of which 30 were spent in the Foreign Office and delivered a very entertaining valedictory address outlining his thoughts on his career, Middle East and his pending retirement. We wish Paul (below) and Barbara well and especially a very long and happy retirement.
The annual BBBF / BBA Poppy Ball was held at the Crowne Plaza, Bahrain in November and once again proved to be a very enjoyable event and successful evening. Thanks to the generosity of those who attended the evening
a healthy donation was made to the Royal Chelsea Hospital Building Fund, London and the Earl Haig Poppy Fund in Scotland. The first ever Volvo European Challenge golf tournament was held at the Royal Golf Club, Riffa in Bahrain at the end of January and the BBA were fortunate to receive tickets from the event marketing organisation, MEMAC, Bahrain. Many members took advantage of this offer and enjoyed a day out watching some of the best players in the World – the 19 th also seemed to be a popular gathering point! Great day and we are all looking forward to next year. If you have any need to contact us then feel free to call me directly, send an e-mail to our Secretary (Pamela) at bbakhobar@atheer.net.sa or via the website www.bbaep.com Geoff Fennah Chairman, EPBBA
Health Matters
Medical informatics & patient safety The International Hospital of Bahrain’s (IHB) inhouse designed medical informatics system, known as iCare, undergoes continuous development, driven by the desire to continuously improve patient safety as well as operational efficiency. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Computerised Physician Order Entry (CPOE) substantially and automatically enhances patient safety. EMR improves patient safety by reducing communication errors relating to handwriting, offers real-time patient identification, and allows immediate access for the doctor to patient files (and eliminates time wasted in trying to locate misplaced patient files). The IHB introduced its EMR system in 2003. In 2004 the IHB introduced its CPOE system, which enables doctors to electronically enter their instructions for the treatment of patients under their care. This immediately reduces errors relating to handwriting and provides error-checking for duplicate or incorrect doses or tests. Physician’s orders are communicated electronically over a computer network to the departments responsible for fulfilling those orders e.g. electronic requests for lab tests, x-rays, and prescriptions. Additional advantages of a CPOE system allows doctors and nurses to immediately review orders for confirmation; 28 Forum
reduced delays in order completion; drug-dose recommendations; checks on allergies and test or treatment conflicts, and improves internal communication. Studies show that by having a true CPOE system in place hospitals can reduced medical errors by 80% with 55% of these errors being potentially serious. The environment also benefits from EMR and CPOE systems: the IHB functions in a near paper-less, and completely film-less (x-ray film) environment. The Hospital’s comprehensive Patient Safety Programme also includes Patient Safety Rounds, Medication Safety Rounds, Infection Control Rounds, Facility Safety Rounds, Clinical Audit, Risk Assessment, International Patient Safety Goals, and Operation Theatre Patient Safety Checklists. The IHB is a signatory to the WHO (World Health Organisation) ‘Safe Surgery Saves Lives Campaign’. To further support the Hospital’s drive for quality and safety the Director of Quality, Dr. Orville, and the Chief Operating Officer, C J Lewis, recently obtained the prestigious CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) certification from the National Association for Healthcare Quality (USA). The International Hospital of Bahrain is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 1978. With no shareholders, funds are automatically ploughed back into the Hospital’s Development and Charity Funds.
Depression – the killer of the 21st Century?
T
he World Health Organisation states that the incidence of depression is doubling every ten years and will be, by 2020, the most pervasive illness in the world (it is currently second to heart disease) and the second major cause of death. Depression itself does not cause death but its effects, such as a poor immune system, suicidal thoughts, lack of concentration, can. What follows applies more to men than women as men have more difficulty in discussing their problems. So let’s look at the classic symptoms of depression and then consider those specific to men. The Classic Symptoms of Depression 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Loss of interest or pleasure Significant weight loss or gain Trouble sleeping or over-sleeping Restless feelings and inability to sit still or slow down Fatigue, loss of energy, or tired all the time Worthless or guilty feelings Impaired concentration and difficulty making decisions Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Technically to be classed as depressed you must be experiencing five or more of these symptoms, including either depressed mood or loss of interest, over a two-week period. In addition these symptoms must also be causing significant distress and interfering with your social life, work or academic functioning. As I said most men don’t often acknowledge their feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or guilt so how do the symptoms of men’s depression differ from the classic ones ?
Symptoms of Men’s Depression 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Increased anger and conflict with others Increased use of alcohol or other drugs Working constantly Frustration or irritability Violent behavior Losing weight without trying Isolation from family and friends Being easily stressed Impulsiveness and taking risks, like reckless driving and extramarital sex Feeling discouraged Increases in complaints about physical problems Ongoing physical symptoms, like headaches, digestion problems or pain Problems with concentration and motivation Loss of interest in work, hobbies and sex Frustration or irritability Misuse of prescription medication Increased concerns about productivity and functioning at school or work Fatigue Experiencing conflict between how you think you should be as a man and how you actually are Thoughts of suicide
That’s a much longer list unfortunately but the good news is that depression is something that can be treated naturally. The following paragraphs set out three ways of dealing with depression •
(MHT) Psychotherapy – This can be useful in treating depression. It consists of a series of steps and techniques for treating various mental and emotional disorders in humans. It creates awareness in patients about what things make them happy and positive and what things trigger anxiety in them. MHT uses a variety of therapeutic techniques to help you deal with your depression.
•
Exercise There is no need for any anti-depressant as exercise itself can be very powerful. It helps in elevating your mood. You can instantly feel your spirits lift after a gym session. This could be because when you exercise, the same neurotransmitter system of the body is affected in the same way as when you take medicine.
•
Self-Help Techniques If you cannot afford the services of a Mental Health Therapist, then you can try various self-help techniques like listening to quiet music, eat right, sleep well, sunlight and socialising with friends can be very helpful. Above all don’t let pride or feelings of shame and embarrassment get in the way.
For further help or advice on any aspect of depression contact Ezies Ebrahim, Mental Health Therapist at American Mission Hospital on 17253447 Article from Rob Grey, Director Communications and Development, American Mission Hospital, Bahrain Forum 29
Shopping just got fresher and friendlier on Amwaj Residents of Amwaj can now enjoy unparalleled shopping at the newly-opened Alosra Supermarket. Having already built a loyal customer following in the Amwaj community with a small convenience store, Alosra, the fresh and friendly subsidiary of BMMI, has invested in developing this stateof-the-art supermarket to cater to increasing resident demands. “The initial outlet was set-up in 2008 as a convenience store to service the Amwaj community,” said Jaffar Al Asfoor, General Manager of Alosra. “Over the years as more housing projects have been completed, we have witnessed a significant increase in shoppers. This has resulted in the move to secure a larger location to accommodate the growing needs of our clientele.” Strategically located at the entrance to Amwaj, the store boasts breathtaking sea views, ample parking spaces, and modern, spacious interiors. Wellstocked shelves, spacious aisles, fresh produce, and friendly staff all come together to present customers with a premium
shopping experience. In addition, clearly labelled sections ensure that shoppers waste no time in locating what they need. Customers are spoilt for choice with a wide selection of fresh produce, meat, fish and poultry, delicatessen, baked treats and household goods. In addition, for those days when convenience is what you need, the store stocks a line of ready-toeat salads, sandwiches and sushi from the BMMI Great brand of deli products. With an eclectic mix of local and global brands, Alosra ensures that a little taste of home is never too far away for its expat customers. Completing the retail experience is a selection of complementary outlets and services, the most prominent amongst them being The Great Deli Café. The BMMI gourmet café dishes up a delectable array of hearty, homestyle breakfasts, soups, salads, baguettes, cakes and fresh beverages – the perfect end, or beginning, to any grocery run. A virtual one-stop-shop, other facilities available to Alosra customers include a flower shop, laundry, pharmacy, bank, and a DVD store.
“With the opening of Alosra Amwaj, our aim is to enhance the way the Alosra brand looks, feels, and operates. We have created a contemporary store design based on global trends and customer preferences, sourced world-class equipment, and benchmarked our creative concept against internationally acclaimed supermarkets in Europe. We have gone to great lengths to ensure we provide our customers with a wholesome shopping experience. While this is our flagship store for innovation, going forward we intend to refine the look and feel of all our outlets.” To further improve the Alosra offering, the supermarket chain will soon introduce a think local campaign through which it will source fresh produce from local farmers. The brand also continues to focus its efforts on providing opportunities for the local workforce by staffing a large number of Bahraini nationals. “Our commitment to training and developing a competent local workforce is a campaign that will bear fruit in the years to come.
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Alosra is now in a position to go out into the market and offer Bahrainis an actual career in retail. Not only are we investing in the future of Bahrain, but also in the future of Alosra and that of the local youth,” added Jaffar. 2010 – A year of progress and change The BMMI Group posted yet another solid financial performance during 2010. Total sales revenues were strong at BD 84.8 million in 2010 and net profit of BD 9.2 million was the fourth highest in the Group’s history. “2010 was a successful year; despite the continued challenging global economy, all business divisions, subsidiaries and joint-ventures expanded operations and contributed to the bottom line,” stated Gordon Boyle, Chief Executive. “The demanddriven and diversified nature of our businesses will continue to bring us to success, and with a clear strategic goal in place we are well positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of 2011.”
UK Boarding School Directory 2011/2012 launched at exhibition Boarding Schools, summer and English Language Schools and Academic scholarships in the United Kingdom.
Sue Anderson Consultants, (SAC) Education Consultants and UK boarding school experts launched their Annual UK Boarding School Directory for the year 2011 / 2012 at the UK Boarding School Exhibition which ran for 3 days in Dubai in February. The Directory was distributed to all families who visited the Exhibition who were searching for
The UK Boarding School Exhibition concluded on Saturday the 26 th of February 2011 at the Hilton Jumeirah. Representatives from all over Great Britain were represented by Headmasters, Administration specialists and Registrars representing various geographical regions. Experts shared their experience and recommendations impartially and free of cost to all interested parties. The Exhibition offered something for all requirements, from Academic excellence to a broad range of extra-curricular activities, superb computer suites,
indoor heated swimming pools, sports halls, theatres, music schools and libraries. Schools on exhibit were for Girls only, Boys only or Co educational for age ranges from 7 to 18 years; offering something for everyone who plans to send their children to a UK Boarding School.
Council offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The Directory is also available through the British Club, the Dilmun Club, the Rugby club and all Jashamal Bookshops throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Sue Anderson, Founder and Educational Consultant SAC commented, “The Exhibition was a great success and families flew in from all over the GCC in an aim to meet UK Boarding School representatives and to discuss their childrens’ educational future. We were very happy with the turnout. The Exhibition also marked the launch of our annual directory which is now available to everyone online and with our partners in the entire region.”
SAC work with over 350 schools throughout the UK; the UK Boarding School Directory has details of over 80 schools. The Directory contains a ‘fax back’ form for you anyone to contact SAC with details of your requirements, and if you are interested in a school that is not included in the Directory, please contact us and we can provide information.
The UK Boarding School Directory 2011/2012 provides impartial advice and guidance on choosing a boarding school, language school or summer school. This high quality Directory is a FREE publication and is available through British
As part of the Middle East tour for 2011, Sue Anderson Consultants will be visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in May 2011, and the Kingdom of Bahrain in November 2011 as part of their annual visit to the Kingdom. A Copy of the Directory can be viewed online, please visit the website.
CPISP receives over 260 applications for 2011 scholarships The Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Program (CPISP) has announced that it has received over 260 applications for its 2012 scholarships - surpassing the average number of expected applications it receives each year by almost 100. CPISP Director Dr. Ronald Koller expressed his enthusiasm over the high number of applications, which he said reflected the 32 Forum
value placed by Bahrain’s youth on education as the means to secure a bright and prosperous future. Qualifying applicants will now take the Qualifying English Language Test. Selected candidates will then undergo various preparation courses, developmental workshops, and standardised testing throughout the spring, summer, and the next academic year until the final ten recipients are selected next March.
ACK Solutions helps the Ministry of Works deliver another first in Bahrain
The results of the first Customer focused Ministrywide survey at the Ministry of Works (MoW) were presented in February to His Excellency Minister of Works Essam Abdullah Khalaf and the Executive Committee. ACK Solutions have been working with the MoW since late 2010 on developing a series of surveys and related communication programmes to help measure and improve
internal processes, employee engagement and customer service across the Ministry. In addition ACK has also set up and is using a framework to transfer survey capabilities to the MoW organisation as part of their two year contract. In January, ACK Solutions was also approved as one of the marketing support consultants to Tamkeen’s new Marketing
Assistance Scheme. The programme, launched in the middle of 2010, is part of Tamkeen’s flagship Enterprise Development Support Programme – a co-financing scheme aimed at developing Bahraini enterprises and enhancing their productivity and competitiveness in line with Vision 2030. This enlistment means ACK is licensed to provide eligible companies with professional consultancy
services to develop and implement integrated and innovative marketing strategies to achieve their true market potential with up to 50% of the cost covered by Tamkeen. ACK Solutions was launched in 2010 to bring sustainable, innovative, and practical marketing and communication solutions to help clients meet their marketing and business objectives.
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Hotel & Leisure News BBBF and the Capital Club, building closer ties – Khalid Al Zayani The BBBF and the Capital Club have been working together more closely over the past year with good results. We have used the club for our special interest group meetings and our overseas guests have enjoyed the club’s hospitality, I invited the Chelsea Pensioners to a dinner at the club during their stay in November – the Club gives a great impression to visiting trade delegations. The club has a very interesting calendar of events coming up as well as regular members’ evenings – for example HE Abdulnabi Alsho’ala is a speaker at “Under the Spotlight” and will share his experience looking
back over his business life and government service. We have been talking about how to support each other more and how to encourage our members to join the Capital Club and to encourage their Members to join the BBBF and so Bill Loveday, General Manager of the Club, has kindly offered a special “Partnership Program” between BBBF and the Capital Club that will allow our Members to take advantage of an invitation to join the Club at a significantly reduced initiation fee. BBBF members who are interested in this special offer can contact Ziad Kehdy on Tel. 1710 0100 or email: ziadk@ capitalclubbahrain.com
“ALL NEW” Friday Brunch
The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa have recently launched their all new Diplomat Blu Friday Brunch. The fabulous Friday Brunch, a favourite on the island for over a decade, has now moved to the Hotel lobby and offers an extensive selection of popular cuisines with the new addition of a dedicated kid’s corner. Nominated by Time Out Magazine in the Best Brunch 2010 awards, 34 Forum
our Friday brunch offers diners a choice of tasty Asian, Indian, Arabic and Mediterranean delicacies from a host of live cooking stations all accompanied by a selection of preferred beverages. Kicking off at 11:30am the fun goes on until 3pm with the delightful option of extending your afternoon at our outdoor terrace – the Kontiki Pool Bar. Here you can relax al fresco and grab an after Brunch cigar for those guests who are seeking a smoking venue.
“We encourage further development in this spirit of partnership that has been well established between BBBF and the Capital Club”, says Bill Loveday. “We believe that this partnership helps the Capital Club to achieve our goals of being a useful and well recognised member of the local community” We have also decided that when we have BBBF Signature events at the club
we will invite Capital Club Members as our guests – and perhaps by meeting each other in this way we can create some opportunities for doing business together. Yvett Bartos and her team always take care of us really well and if member’s want to use the private dining facilities for business meetings please contact her and she will try to accommodate BBBF members.
Renovation complete
With a multi million dollar renovation now behind it and a completely remodeled façade,InterContinental Regency promises guests a refreshingly new hotel experience. The hotel now offers 321 spacious rooms including 3 Club floors and 31 luxurious suites. Each room features well designed furniture and the latest technology including interactive LCD TV with satellite channels, WIFI and high speed internet connection, working area,
electronic safe, individually controlled air conditioning, direct dial phone with voice mail, tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar and hair dryer, standout reading lights and bed side room control. A total of sixteen meeting rooms facilitate all types of meetings and conferences, ranging from spacious interconnected ballrooms, capable of hosting up to 600 people, to smaller venues that can be configured for intimate soirees and breakaway sessions.
Bahrain News Naseej names RMJM as winner of its affordable housing design competition
Left: Mr Christopher Sims, CEO of Naseej (left) presenting the award to Mr Graeme McKinnell, Associate at RMJM Bahrain.
Bahrain-based real estate and infrastructure development company, Naseej, announced in February the winner of its innovative design competition for an affordable, high-quality and environmentally-friendly home that meets the aspirations and budgets of middle-income Bahraini nationals. The competition, which was open to registered architectural firms based in Bahrain, attracted a high number of entries, with the final selection being shortlisted to four firms. The winner is RMJM, an award-winning British-based international architectural practice, with a GCC regional presence in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar. The judging panel consisted of Mr Christopher Sims, CEO of Naseej; Mr Paul Bonner, Director of Davis Langdon, an AECOM company; and Mr Jawad Al Jabal, Vice President of the Bahrain Society of Engineers. As the winner of 36 Forum
the competition, RMJM will be the nominated architects for a design-build contract for Naseej’s first affordable housing project in Bahrain. The firm also received an honorarium to cover their expenses. The housing design criteria and specifications for the competition were based on comprehensive research undertaken by Naseej. This includes extensive and recently-conducted focus groups composed of a cross section of middle-income Bahraini households, designed to determine their preferences for the size and style of a family home, its location and environment, and supporting community facilities. According to the judges, the high quality and different design approaches of the entries, made selecting the winners a very challenging exercise. In the end, it was considered that the submission from RMJM best captured and articulated the competition’s design
and specification criteria to a very high standard. “It is a simple yet elegant community-based design, which reflects a modern take on traditional Bahraini architecture. The design is suitable for construction using a number of flexible methodologies, is sensitive to the demands of the Bahraini market, and specifically designed to accommodate the growth of the resident Bahraini family,” the judges announced. Receiving the prize, Mr Graeme McKinnell, Associate at RMJM Bahrain, said: “We are delighted to have won this hugely important competition, which coincides with the opening of our new studio in Bahrain. It is a real opportunity to deliver affordable housing of the highest quality to the people of Bahrain. Our design combines traditional values with a contemporary use of space, and the latest in building technology.
We have designed each ‘Evolution’ home to be able to grow with a family, and to provide a solid foundation for future generations.” Acknowledging the success of the competition, Mr Christopher Sims, CEO of Naseej, said: “On behalf of my fellow judges, I would like to thank everyone who entered this competition, and congratulate RMJM for their outstanding design. Key elements of the winning entry will be incorporated into the final design for the first affordable homes to be built by Naseej in Bahrain later this year. “The success of this competition reinforces the demand-led and researchoriented approach adopted by Naseej to developing value-based real estate projects. This differentiation is underlined by our core values of innovation and excellence, and our commitment to community growth and sustainable development in Bahrain and the region,” he added.
Condor celebrates 3 yr anniversary Condor Technology has celebrated its third anniversary of operations on the 24th February at their Head Office in Mahooz.
Condor Technology are one of the leading Telecommunications and IT solution providers in the Middle East.
A celebratory luncheon was held for all staff which was combined with awards presented by the CEO to certain outstanding staff for their hard work.
Condor staff are currently working on several major projects for the US Military in Afghansitan in addition to many local projects here in Bahrain.
MJS secures new agreements compressor Division, who manufacture scroll and screw compressors; SPX Flow Technology who help customers improve the performance and profitability of manufacturing operations and Gorman Rupp.
BBBF member Nevin Megchiani writes to tell us that the Engineering & Technology division of Mohamed Jalal & Sons has recently secured agreements with several international companies which will allow them to promote and sell new products and solutions to prospective customers in Bahrain. Condor Technology’s CEO Fred Donnelly presents IT Engineer Mark Garcia the Employee of the Month award at their 3 year anniversary party
Included in the list are: Emerson Climate Technology, Gas
This division also deals with reputed crane manufacturer Demag and Putzmeister who supply specialised pumps. E & T division have also introduced sand washing plant from Powerscreen, a UK expert in the design and manufacture of mobile crushing equipment, mobile screening equipment and mobile washing equipment. They are also the agents for Ingersoll-Rand another leading UK manufacturer of portable and stationary compressors.
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Bahrain News Al-Falak wins Beta Partner Sales Award for 2010 on its first Beta Systems Kick-Off attendance Company honoured for exceptional technical & marketing collaboration on first year of Beta Systems distributorship Al-Falak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co., a leading provider of technology-based endto-end solutions in the Middle East, received the Beta Partner Sales Award for 2010 during the 2011 Sales Kick-Off of Identity Management and Data Processing Solutions developer Beta Systems Software AG. The win marks a major achievement
for Al-Falak as its young partnership with Beta Systems began only in November of 2009. Attending Beta Systems’ Sales Kick-Off for the first time, Al-Falak was commended for facilitating extensive technical and marketing training to enhance awareness and patronage for Beta Systems’ Output and
Document Management and Archiving, Identity Management and Security, Workload Scheduling, and Compliance Management solutions throughout its active markets. Al-Falak joined 180 other key Beta Systems partners and staff in evaluating business during 2010 and learning about strategic themes, campaigns and new targets for 2011.
Ahmed Ashadawi, CEO & President
Appointment of Digital Marketing Manager aids growth 2010 was a great year for East Innovations. New staff and a host of new clients created an exciting mix that led to us further establishing our position as a full service digital marketing agency here in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Working in partnership with existing clients, including the Royal Golf Club, and creating new working relationships with firms such as Foulath Holding Company, Ithmaar Development Company and Saudi Arabia’s Bahamdan Group, last year saw us engage in a diverse selection of projects, from the design of individual websites, development of email marketing campaigns and implementation of social media strategies, through to full blown through-theline tactical campaigns incorporating the best of both digital and traditional marketing channels. An integral part of our growth in 2010 was the addition of our dedicated Digital 38 Forum
on the cusp of industry innovation, and with it, East Innovations.
Marketing Manager, Ollie Hunt. Ollie came to East Innovations having already established himself at the Latitude Group in the UK, working with clients such as Go Compare Insurance and British Telecoms (BT) on the development and launch of their Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) product, SearchSmart. He was awarded HSBC’s ‘Ultimate Business Plan Award’ for his part in developing the business plan for ‘FinalCrit’- an online portfolio and jobs portal for the creative industry - and was a finalist in Liverpool’s
‘The Next Big Thing’ awards in 2008, making him a perfect candidate for the job. The establishment of East Innovation’s partnership with Liverpool-based design studio Splinter Design Communications in 2010 has provided direct access to the latest industry developments, trends and technologies. The UK, an established focal point within the online industry, has witnessed digital developments and the implementation of new technologies at a blistering rate, putting Splinter
“Digital platforms such as websites, corporate blogs, email marketing, social media marketing and online surveys have quickly established their places as cost-effective, flexible, trackable and importantly, transparent marketing tools internationally. We’ve found ourselves on the crest of a steadily rising wave here in Bahrain and across the wider region as companies rightly look for tangible answers to come from their marketing spend.” - Mark Warman, Managing Director 2011 is set to be another year of growth as we launch our new website, move into a new office space and bring in fresh talent. The latest newcomer to the team is Alexander Broers, who fills the role of Marketing Executive, having previously worked as the Public Relations Executive at BIC.
BWS reappointed First Bahrain have announced the reappointment of Baker Wilkins and Smith (BWS) Middle East to provide cost management services for the second phase of its flagship warehousing and logistics project, Majaal. The signing follows First Bahrain’s significant progress in the leasing of Phase I of Bahrain’s first small to medium enterprises (SME) focused industrial development. The move to reappoint BWS Middle East comes as part of First Bahrain’s proactive approach to cost management and quality control, measures that have resulted in the company maintaining its strong financial position despite the global economic downturn. As cost consultants for Majaal Phase II, BWS Middle East will provide cost management services including preliminary cost advice, life cycle costing, ‘value for money’ advice on designs and construction approaches through strict cost control and cost planning. BWS Middle East, the Bahrain branch of the BWS Group from the United Kingdom, has been operating in the Gulf region for over 30 years providing cost and project management services and advice on planning and control of expenditure within the construction industry. Majaal’s Phase II will more than double the leasable space on offer, increasing the size of the development to over 280,000 square feet of built up area.
Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP in Bahrain Amelai Snare, Marketing and Communications Manager writes to tell us that Norton Rose have had a busy few months in Bahrain. Highlights include: Norton Rose Group advise the Ministry of Finance in Bahrain in relation to Bahrain's first wastewater treatment PPP project. Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP, in partnership with HSBC and Fichtner, have advised the Ministry of Finance, Bahrain in relation to the design, build, finance and operation of a wastewater treatment plant and conveyance system in Muharraq, Bahrain. The project which has now reached commercial close has a projected capital expenditure of US$250 million and includes the operation of the plant for a 27 year period. Financial close is targeted for Q2 2011. The project is the first wastewater treatment plant procured by the Government of Bahrain on a PPP basis. Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP has also advised the Ministry of Finance in Bahrain in relation to the preparation of a National Privatisation Strategy Plan for the Sanitary Engineering Affairs Department of the Ministry of Works as part of Bahrain’s overall privatisation strategy and Economic Vision 2030.
Mergers and acquisitions law firm of the year Bahrain Transport law firm of the year - Bahrain International arbitration adviser of the year Bahrain Another great achievement for our team in Bahrain and testament to our commitment to work on high quality Bahrain focused transactions. International Women’s Day Event - 8 March Norton Rose Group in Bahrain were proud to recognise the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March 2011 and held a special gathering to mark the occasion. The event, which was hosted by female lawyers across all our practice areas, was a wonderful opportunity to
meet many inspiring women who live and work in Bahrain and included special guest speakers. Expanding our practice We have recently expanded our projects and infrastructure team in Bahrain. Angela Croker, a senior associate from our London office, has moved to Bahrain. Angela specialises in project finance and has advised on a range of energy projects with a particular focus on renewable energy transactions. Hugh Murray also joins us in Bahrain as an associate in the infrastructure team. Hugh has recently finished his traineeship with Norton Rose Group and will be working closely with Joanne Emerson-Taqi focusing on work on Bahrain’s overall privatisation strategy.
Our Bahrain office was awarded the following awards at the 'Corporate Intl 2010 Legal Awards' Energy law firm of the year - Bahrain Construction law firm of the year - Bahrain Forum 39
Bahrain News New Director at Aon Director - Specialty Power for the Middle East region.
Latif Al Rayes, CEO of Aon Middle East writes to advise that John Nolan has been appointed to the position of
John will be responsible for the company’s power portfolio and for developing a stronger pipeline for power and construction business. He will be the primary client service contact for Power Sector clients in Middle East region (Development, Construction and Operations). John will also be the representative of Global Power Specialty leadership team for the
region. He will be based in Aon Re Middle East office in Bahrain.
alike as a highly experienced and well respected power practitioner.
John has a wealth of experience in the power and construction field and has worked overseas both in the Middle East and Asia for most of his career at J&H, Marsh and recently ACE/ JLT. He has a great deal of knowledge in the project finance arena and has built up an impressive list of contacts and friends over the years. He is recognised by his customers, peers, competitors and markets
He has close links with London and also our Asian team having worked with both Jim Maguire (Hong Kong) and Gary Swinfield (Singapore) in the past and will be able to help us pursue large multinational prospects.
Servcorp Launches First Generation iPhone Application! Servcorp has launched its first ever iPhone application ‘Meetings’, download it for a flexible and user-friendly business tool which allows users to book Servcorp’s services and facilities in over 100 premium locations, across 22 countries. Available for free via iTunes, this application has a user friendly interface where bookings can be made in real time and in under a minute. This revolutionary, first of its kind application delivers the functionality of Servcorp’s industry leading online booking application known as ‘Servcorp Online’,
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directly to the iPhone, iPod and iPad providing the most desirable user experience, where clients can gain instant access to the best corporate addresses and meeting room facilities globally. Matthew Baumgartner the head of Servcorp’s Strategic Technology Group says: "The ‘Meetings’ application provides users with access to key business resources such as meeting rooms, boardrooms, secretarial services, audio visual equipment, catering as well as the ability to extend invitations to customers and business colleagues."
John’s arrival is yet another positive step Aon is making in the exciting and expanding power sector.
BiB mena relocates to larger premises to accommodate growth
Karen Kingstone
Helen Undy
BiB mena, the Regions preferred partner in Executive Search, continues to expand its business on the back of strong growth in 2009 /2010 and has recently relocated to larger premises to accommodate the growing demands of its expanding client portfolio, projected to increase significantly throughout 2011 and beyond.
“Our business is about people and we are pleased that this is recognised and appreciated by both our clients and our candidates” said Helen Undy, MD of BiB mena. This expansion means that we are well placed to continue to meet the needs of our current and future client portfolio as we deliver on our promises to clients in Bahrain, Qatar, KSA, UAE and the North Africa region, helping them to identify the talent that will take them to the next level of growth in their organisation”.
“We are delighted that the continuing trust placed in us by our clients has resulted in repeated successful appointments of senior executives across our expanding portfolio base” said Karen Kingstone, MD of BiB mena. “Combining strong business ethics, extensive industry exposure and a broad regional experience with a highly professional approach to each and every assignment, allows us to offer the highest levels of service to our clients. With 80% of our business being repeat business and 10% being referrals, we are confident that our clients also believe we have the right business model to meet their growing demands”.
BiB mena are announcing expansion at a time when many others are being acquired by larger partners or worse, going out of business. The Managing Partners attribute their success to understanding market conditions and the methodologies they use and would like to thank all of those involved in supporting this tremendous growth.
British Expertise visit Bahrain in January British Expertise – a Trade Association helping UK Consultancy companies win business overseas – brought an 8-strong Education and Construction mission to Bahrain on 26 January on the back of a week in Saudi Arabia. We are often in Saudi; with its potentially huge infrastructure spend and major construction and education needs it is a market our members are keen to visit. On this occasion though we were visiting al-Khobar at the end of the Saudi week, and the opportunity to spend a day in Bahrain presented itself. UKTI in Bahrain were very helpful in facilitating the visit, which was put together at short notice. We called on the Ministry of Education – the largest Ministry in Bahrain – to discuss future plans including the construction of 20 schools in the next 5 years. We also had an enlightening presentation from the Bahrain Economic Development Board on the challenges of reforming the education system and the opportunities for UK companies to get involved. Finally we finished with some drinks and networking
at the British Club with some key contacts in the education sector. My first visit to Bahrain in this position, it is clear there is significant ambition to improve the education system and meet the needs of the population. Of course since our visit Bahrain has featured heavily in the news; interesting in that many of the aspirations of the protest movement highlights the urgent need for development and reform of the sector. We will continue to watch the market closely, and hope UK consultants can play a role in the future of Bahrain’s development over the next few years.
Dominic James, Director Middle East and Africa
BiB mena are licensed in the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide high level Executive Search services and HR Consultancy. Forum 41
Bahrain News
UK Water Mission Delegates & the British Ambassador meet with the Minister of Works, during their Trade Mission to Bahrain in January 2011 A delegation of UK companies in the water and environment sectors visited Bahrain in January 2011. The trade mission was led by UK Trade & Investment Head Office in London and
managed by the Trade Association, British Water. A programme of meetings was set up for them followed by a networking dinner hosted by the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF).
Guest speaker at the event was HE Fahmi Bin Ali Al Jowder, the Minister of Electricity & Water. The delegation visited the Electricity & Water Authority and the Ministry
of Works during their visit, and met both Ministers and Senior officials. The delegates also had a tour of the desalination plant at HIDD Power station.
CPISP graduates speak at Rotary Club Al Jazira Supermarkets launch store improvement programme
Graduates from the Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Program (CPISP) were invited to speak at a luncheon held by the Rotary Club of Manama at the Gulf Hotel about the Program and their experiences as scholarship recipients. Ms. Khulood Ebrahim, who graduated from the Paris School of Management, France, and Ms. Balqees Janahi who graduated from Lake Forest College, USA spoke about the academic and cultural opportunities they received studying abroad, and how it helped them choose their desired 42 Forum
career paths. The graduates thanked HRH the Crown Prince for his continued support of Bahraini youth, and spoke about the importance of giving back to the community through the newly established CPISP Alumni Association. President of Rotary Club of Manama, Mr. Raj Damani thanked the graduates for speaking at the lunch, and praised HRH the Crown Prince’s efforts in supporting outstanding students and for establishing the CPISP, which gives students the chance to study at top international universities.
Al Jazira Supermarkets have for many years been proud to serve the people of Bahrain. We have become synonymous with providing excellent Customer service and an unbeatable choice of exclusive, premium products sourced from all across the world. Now, we are pleased to announce the start of an extensive programme to improve our stores in Adliya, Budaiya, Juffair and Zinj. These changes will focus on further enhancing the pleasant shopping experience within Al Jazira stores by strengthening our already exceptional Fresh Departments, introducing a new-look internal branding theme and presenting to our Customers new and exciting products and services. The Al Jazira Loyalty Card, already the envy of
other retailers, will soon be launching a new partnership with the RCO, as well as offering extra benefits for card holders in addition to the monthly cash-back scheme currently enjoyed by shoppers. For 6 decades Al Jazira stores have been a part of the Bahrain success story and we are certain that these improvements will enable us to continue growing in strength and working tirelessly to meet the needs of our Customers.
FD appoints new Country Head Financial Dynamics International (FD), one of the world’s leading financial & corporate communications consultancies, has appointed Shane Dolan as Senior Vice President and head of the company’s Bahrain office. FD Gulf which currently operates out of offices in Bahrain and the UAE, is one of the longest established strategic communications consultancies in the Middle East and this appointment is the latest in a number of recent moves by FD to invest in the growth of its business in this vital region. A native of the UK, Shane joins FD with extensive international communications experience. Prior to his relocation to the Middle East, he worked in the City
of London for 15 years advising UK, European and international firms on all aspects of communications across a range of sectors including oil and gas, industrials, consumer goods, healthcare, consumer services, telecommunications, financials and technology. Commenting on the appointment of Shane Dolan as Senior Vice President (SVP), Bahrain, John Hobday, FD’s Head of the Gulf region, said:“Shane brings significant experience and considerable expertise to FD and I am delighted that he has joined the FD Gulf team. In his position as SVP, Shane will head up our Bahrain presence, leading the team there in day-to-day operations and new business development.
I am very much looking forward to working with him as we build on our market leading position in the region.” Shane Dolan added:I am delighted to join FD, which has a global reputation for delivering a best of breed service to its international client base. I look forward to working with the team here in Bahrain and to meeting all of the local business professionals and advisers in due course.”
FD was the first specialist financial and corporate communications consultancy to set up in the Gulf opening its offices in Bahrain and UAE in 2003. Since then, FD, has advised numerous international Financial Services businesses such as Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Lloyds TSB, Invesco, Schroder and Jones Lang LaSalle. FD continues to advise leading regional players such as Dubai Mercantile Exchange, Arcapita, United Gulf Bank, Commercial Bank of Qatar and The Investment Dar and has worked in each GCC country for institutions such as Zamil Industrial Investment Co (KSA), Global Investment House (Kuwait), Qtel (Qatar) and Petroleum Development of Oman (Oman).
Forum 43
I had planned to mention a new book called simply BAHRAIN editted by Robin Lamb, a former British Ambassador to Bahrain which was due out this year. Sadly I’ve just heard that the publishers have gone into liquidation and I’ve not been able to establish if the book will be available or not at this point. I’ll attempt to let you know what has happenned to it in the next edition. So in a last minute attempt to fill the waiting space I thought I’d bring you the truth behind yet another email inaccuracy that seems to have been circulating for a while. Back in January I received an email from a friend that included the results of the “Washington Posts’s Mensa Invitational” that reputedly invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing ONE letter, and supply a new definition. The supposed winners are listed below: 1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time. 2. Ignoranus: A person who’s both stupid and an a**hole. 3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realise it was your money to start with. 4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly. 5. Bozone( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. 6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid. 7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high 8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it. 9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late. 10.Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.) 11.Karmageddon: It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious b*mm*r. 12.Decafalon(n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you. 13.Glibido: All talk and no action. 14.Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. 15.Arachnoleptic Fit(n.): The frantic dance performed just after you’ve walked through a spider web. 16.Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out. 17.Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you’re eating. 44 Forum
And Finally
A second list is also provided in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. 1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs. 2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained. 3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. 4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk. 5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent. 6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown. 7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp. 8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash. 9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller. 10.Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline. 11.Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam. 12.Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists. 13.Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist. 14.Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms. 15.Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there. 16.Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men And the truth is, actually, there isn’t any “Mensa Invitational,” although The Washington Post does have a clever humor contest called The Style Invitational but you probably have to be American to understand most of the humour. One recent entry in the genuine Washington Post Neologism contest in February gives us: Apz, Software that fries your ipad! And for all you word buffs - Wikipedia tells us that a neologism (from the Greek), néo-, “new”, and lógos, “speech”, “utterance”) is a newly coined term, word or phrase, that may be in the process of entering common use, but has not yet been accepted into mainstream language. Neologisms are often directly attributable to a specific person, publication, period, or event. The term neologism is first attested in English in 1772, borrowed from French néologisme (1734).