From The Chair
Khalid Al-Zayani OBE Chairman Welcome to the Spring edition of the BBBF magazine. Thank you for your attendance and continued support as ever. 2016 is going to be a busy year for us all. You will see in the coming months repeated mentions of the 200 year anniversary of the bilateral relationship between Bahrain and the UK. We are delighted to be working closely alongside Her MajestyÂ’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Simon Martin, and his team at the Embassy and UKTI, on a number of initiatives and events designed to focus on that anniversary. We strive always at the BBBF to continue to build our country to country relationships seeking to improve and enhance all trade and investment, both
inward and outward. Our two Kingdoms share a long and special history which will be higlighted of course during the celebrations. There remains a clear message that in Bahrain we want to see more British companies winning more business in the Kingdom across more industry sectors. If you would like to contribute to any event or initiative please do not hesitate to contact the BBBF team. Our Special Interest Groups will continue with their programme of seminars, events and workshops through the remainder of the year. I would like to thank everyone who organises the numerous events, our sponsors and our members who support the Special Interest Groups of the BBBF with enthusiasm throughout the year. The heads of those groups work very hard to ensure that they are reaching out to our members with events which are of relevance and focus. I take this opportunity to say goodbye however as we lose one of our long standing heads, Mr Tony Palys OBE, from the Security Special
Registration number ISSN 1985-9929
Interest Group. We are very sorry to lose him and his relentless efforts. We wish Tony all the very best in his new endeavours. Perhaps the biggest change for us this year will be the launch of our new website. Based on providing members with a functional platform within which to network and reach out to other members, we hope that it grows with us as we continue to expand. You will be asked to provide your feedback throughout so please do assist us in this. Our sponsors continue to be a great source of financial support and generous encouragement. Their unwavering support allows us the financial security to increase the number and quality of events that we organise for your benefit and enjoyment. We do hope that you enjoy this edition of Forum as we move through the Spring. As always we look forward to seeing you, and your guests, at forthcoming BBBF events. Kind regards
Khalid Al-Zayani
Contents The 2015-2017 Executive Committee........2 Welcome to New Members..................3 Member Benefits ..............4 Why join the BBBF? .........5 Advertiser Index................6 Diary Dates.......................6 From Her MajestyÂ’s Ambassador.....................7 Embassy News.................8 SIG Update ...................10 SIG Security ..................12 Feature Article Business Continuity Planning (BCP) ...............18 Construction Sector .......20 Financial News ...............22 Feature Article Should Bahrain Companies provide pensions? ..........24 Travel matters .................26 Motoring News ...............30 Education & Training .......34 News from the EP ..........36 Celebrating aviation heritage in Bahrain..........38 Hotel & Leisure News .....40 Banz wins Pro-Am..........44 Bahrain News .................46 BBBF launches new website at February lunch .....48 British Scouting in Bahrain .......................55 And Finally......................56 Cover Image: BIC at Night. Can Lewis Hamilton make it three in a row?
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
Forum
1
The 2015-17 BBBF Executive Committee
Chairman Khalid Al Zayani OBE
Deputy Chair Paula Boast Tel: 3319 4445
Hon-Secretary Ben Elsworth Mob: 3633 1167
Treasurer Jonathan Trafankowski Mob: 3914 8599
Embassy Representative Heather Hopper Mob: 3947 4208
Member Adel Fakhro Tel: 1727 5000
Member Nasser Al Arayedh Tel: 1727 2575
Member Mazen Alumran Tel: 1771 5555
Member Ava Garbutt Tel: 3941 1938
Member Rick Hopper Tel: 3979 1090
Executive Manager Dena Wales Tel: 3969 6191
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 Bahrain Mobile: 00973 3638 7595 KSA Mob: 00966 506 271 151 If you would like to contribute to a future edition please telephone or send an email to info@sbtd.co.uk A full page advert is charged at BD330. A half page advert at BD200, A quarter page advert at BD110 A small panel at BD55 Assistance with Advert design is available if required 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.
2
Forum
Welcome to New Members Rupert Copeman-Hill Charles Russell Speechlys Partner Tel: 1713-3200 Mob 3604-1115 rupert.copeman-hill@crsblaw.com
Yuliya Shapashnik Fakhro Transport Senior Sales Exec. Tel: 1721-7788 Mob: 3947-3239 yuliya.shapashnik@fakhro.com
Jason D’Souza Fakhro Transport Business Development Exec. Tel: 1721-7788 Mob: 3838-5306 jason.dsouza@fakhro.com
Georgia Stanford The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Sales Manager Tel 1771-3000 Mob: 3669-3946 sm9@gulfhotelbahrain.com
Frank Normann Eikeland The Domain Hotel & Spa General Manager Tel: 1600-0000 Mob: 6669-0001 frank@thedomaninhotels.com
Dr. Suzanne White Oasis Training Centre Managing Director Tel: 1733-0823 Mob: 3639-0305 suzanne.white@oasistrainingbh.com
Shirin Pishbin Trowers & Hamlins Solicitor Tel: 1751-5603 Fax: 1713-1003 spishbin@trowers.com
The BBBF Directory The 2016 printed edition of the BBBF Directory is now available. Keep your information up-to-date by checking the data on the BBBF Website at www.bbbforum.org, follow the link to the Directory and use the Text or Picture Search facility to find your entry.
Forum
3
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. 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 Bateel BBBF Members can enjoy 10% Discount when presenting their Membership Card, Complimentary collection for refilling, Complimentary delivery. Development Managers readily available for a courtesy meeting at your location. Email: m.shareef@almoayedgeneral.com Contact: Mahboob Shareef Mobile: 3964 4222 BIZNET BBBF female members can join BIZNET for a 25% reduction in the fees (BD 75 for 9 events instead of BD 100). This also includes complementary entrance to mixed events. A member discount card is also provided. BBBF male members are welcome to attend mixed events for BD10 per session. BMC BBBF members and Organisations are eligible to a 20% discount on Team/Executive Coaching and Association for Coaching International Coach Training as well as 10% discount on other training, consulting and psychometric profiling. Contact:- Dr. Clare Beckett-McInroy (Managing Director & Master Coach), Mobile:- +973 38442727, Email:- clare@beckett-mcinroy or office@beckett-mcinroy.com British Airways Valid until 31 Dec 2016 BBBF members can enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 10% on fares from middle east and central asia in Club World business, World Traveller Plus premium economy and World Traveller economy fares on British Airways Flights. The discount rate is applicable to round or one-way trips. This discount is not valid on taxes, fees and surcharges. Terms and conditions apply To book please login at www.ba.com/bgme-bh Charm Ladies Beauty Salon & Spa - 15% discount offered to BBBF Lady members and to BBBF male members wives on all their packages and products (valid until 28th February 2016). To avail this offer members must show their BBBF membership card. For more details and to see their brochure visit their Website at www.charmbahrain.com or telephone +973 1310 8598 Craig Consultants 10% discount for members on 1-on-1 Executive Coaching, Contact: Kevin Craig Tel: 36199980 Email: kevin@craigconsultants.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. Tel: 1736 4100 www.dhl.com.bh Expat Angels 10% discount on all packages and services. Contact: info@expatangelsbahrain.com
Tel: 3832-0439
Fedex Express Middle East Valid until December 31, 2016 BBBF Members can enjoy a 40% discount* on FedEx rates. To avail this offer, Drop your shipment in-person at our FedEx Service Center at: GLS Facility, Avenue No.20, Area No. 224, Gate 23, Muharraq. Show your membership card / business card along with a valid ID. Maximum weight for each shipment 68kg See www.fedex.com/bh or call Customer Service: 1733 4448 * conditions apply
Gulf Computer Services (GCS) IT Health Check. GCS have offered BBBF Members a site survey and assessment of all their computer hardware, software and systems. Hasan Mansouri 10% discount to members at Mansouri Mansions Hotel and Country Club. Contact: Karim Mansouri Tel: 1772 8144 Email: karim@karimmansouri.com 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 Nexus Financial Services 10% premium discount to members on personal lines insurances.(e.g. Motor, Medical, Travel and Home Contents etc). Premium Allocation Benefits for International Retirement and University Education Funding Plans. plus Free Monthly Premium Benefits for Life Assurance and Critical Illness Policies. Terms & Conditions Apply. Contact: Emanuel Lantzos Tel: 1753 1766 / 1753 1703 Email: Emanuel.lantzos@nexusadvice.com or info.bahrain@nexusadvice.com Oasis Training Centre Oasis Training are pleased to offer 10% discount to members on all English, Insurance and Professional Soft skill training programs. For more information please visit http://www.oasistrainingbh.com, Call: 1733 0823 or Email: info@oasistrainingbh.com PRIME Instant Offices & Business Centre 1. 10% off Videoconferences within Business Centre hours; 2. 10 off our Visa Processing services; and 3. One month free for all our Virtual Office packages. 4. 10% off our meeting room rates within centre hours. Contact Emma Curtis-Smith, Centre Manager Tel: 1757 0379 emma@primeinstantoffices.com 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 Reduced rates for BBBF members at ROSL clubhouses in London and Edinburgh Email: fvanicek@rosl.org.uk Tel: 0044 20 7408 0214 Fax: 0044 20 7499 6738 Servcorp Business Package First month FREE on any Servcorp Virtual Office package. For details contact: Danni Hunneyball, Assistant Manager Tel: 1750 3000 email: danni.hunneyball@servcorp.me Web: www.servcorp.bh
4
Forum
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.
Membership directories are distributed to members of visiting Trade Missions and are available through the Embassy and business centres in five star hotels.
BRITISH Trade with Bahrain is now subject to significant competition in this era of globalisation particularly from countries in Europe and from the USA.
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. 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.
BBBF Membership Application Please complete the membership form and send it to: BBBF Executive Office, Fax: (00973) 1781 3489, or Email: bbbfmemberships@batelco.com.bh. For further information call (00973) 1781 3488, Web site: www.bbbforum.org
Cost of membership (2015) Individual Membership: BD 100 per annum, with an additional BD 40 once-only registration fee. Corporate Membership: BD 400 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. Corporate Sponsorships Three levels of sponsorship are available: Platinum: BD 5000 each year for three years Gold: BD 5000 for one year Silver: BD 3000 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.
Date
Forum
5
Diary Dates Wednesday March 16th The Great British Balti Curry Night (MEMBERS ONLY) Timing: 6.30pm to 9pm Wednesday 6th April SIG OIl, Gas & Energy Meeting Speaker : tba Venue: tba Timing: 4.30pm - 6.30pm Members BD7 Tuesday April 19th Busness Networking Lunch Meeting Speaker: tba Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel Timing: 12 noon to 2.30pm Members BD12, Non Members BD15 Tuesday May 17th Busness Networking Lunch Meeting Speaker: tba Venue: tba Timing: 12 noon to 2.30pm Members BD12, Non Members BD15 Events in the pipeline Please note - dates and timings are subject to change. Visit the BBBF website www.bbbforum.org and check the calendar for updated details on the above and other events/ meetings being held. 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 Back Cover Allied Pickfords......................................................page 53 Almoayed Wilelmsen Ltd.......................................page 21 AXA Insurance ...................................Outside Back Cover BAPCO..................................................................page 23 Bahrain International Circuit ....................... Centre Spread Crown Relocations ................................................page 16 Crowne Plaza Hotel...............................................page 41 Etihad Airways.......................................................page 25 Euromotors Jaguar................................................page 31 Four Seasons Bahrain Bay Hotel ..........................page 43 G4S .......................................................................page 15 InterContinental Regency Hotel ............................page 45 Mansouri Mansions ...............................................page 46 Nexus ................................................... Inside Front Cover Oasis Training Centre ...........................................page 54 Printpack / Printech ...............................................page 51 Streetlight Photography..........................................page 3 Standby Consulting ME Ltd...................................page 19 The Robin Hill Hotel ..............................................page 26 Trafco ....................................................................page 39 Viva .......................................................................page 37 To advertise in a future edition of the BBBForum magazine please contact the compiler, Andrew Mead of MMSL on andrew@sbtd.co.uk or call Caroline Wilkie on 3671-8115
6
Forum
Standing on the deck of HMS Defender on 4 January at the reception which marked the launch of the UKBahrain Bicentenary celebrations, two things struck me especially hard. First, after the mad rush to organise the event over the holiday period, the relaxed and yet solemn atmosphere, typifyied by the presence of H.R.H. The Deputy King and Crown Prince who graced the reception with his presence and made a lovely, unscripted speech highlighting the warmth, depth and importance of our bilateral relationship underpinned, as he said, by shared history, traditions and values. As a diplomat it doesn t get much better than this, I thought. The second thought occurred on the bridge of Defender, as H.R.H. was being given a demonstration of the ship - one of the Royal Navy s newest, most advanced and most expensive: how interdependent we are. The very significant Royal Navy presence in the Gulf, based out of Bahrain, is an important element of the multinational coalition that assures the security of the Gulf and the wider region. It is a hard symbol of Britain s commitment to Bahrain and to the Gulf. And from the bridge of Defender that day we could see the new permanent Royal Navy facility now being built at Mina Salman, thanks to the farsighted generosity of His Majesty King Hamad. This will provide essential life support to these vital naval assets - vessels and their crews - and ensure that our contribution to the security of the region continues and is increasingly effective. So what? - you might reasonably ask. Well, my point is, vital though defence and security is, the value and potential of the Britain-Bahrain relationship goes much
From Her Majesty's Ambassador wider. And it starts with the commercial relationship. Many of you were good enough to listen to my musings at the BBBF Christmas lunch. I meant what I said then: the BBBF is the most impressive and effective, memberfocussed, bilateral business organisation I have ever had the pleasure to be involved with. Our scale and reach is second to none. But since I last wrote Sophie and I have also had the pleasure of welcoming to our home (well, the garden) over 500 fellow members of the British community to sing carols; we have found ourselves assisting with the opening of a performance car showroom, a hypermarket, a hotel, a restaurant and a school - all with close British links and all very impressive. Oh, and for good measure we ve seen Hamlet playing at the Cultural Hall, the MCC playing at Awali, got covered in paint to promote sport and attended totally inspiring events organised by St Christopher s and the British School which touch people not just across this country but across the Gulf. British institutions in Bahrain which play a positive role promoting Bahrain around the Gulf.
All of these occasions highlight to me something I mentioned in my Christmas speech - and something which I know is hugely appreciated at the highest levels in Bahrain - the fact that Britain, British institutions and British people run through Bahraini society (as my A Level History teacher used to put it) like Bognor Regis through a stick of Bognor Regis rock. This is something of which I am proud and, in this 200th year, of which we are keen use as a stimulus for further successes across the spectrum of our relationship. Closer to business hearts, our Bicentenary year got off to a flying start (sorry!) with the impressive British presence at the Bahrain International Airshow. A high profile UKTI-led stand
representing innovative and exciting young British companies was coupled with a very strong showing from our equally exciting industry stalwarts Rolls Royce and BAE Systems. The latter, to the delight of His Majesty The King, brought not only a Typhoon simulator but also an original Supermarine Spitfire in Bahraini colours! The display by the unbelievably talented young RAF Typhoon pilot undoubtedly stole the show, to the pride of all of us watching, including The King. And even the show itself was a success for British business - thanks to Farnborough International Airshow. Our hopes are high for further successes in the wake of the Show. As we move, insh Allah, into an even more active phase of the 200th anniversary celebrations, I am confident that we shall find and create more and more opportunities for British business in Bahrain. I am continually struck by the desire on the part of Bahraini companies to do business with the UK - as an example I recently visited GPIC and was proudly presented by CEO Abdulrahman Jawaheri with a list of no less than 168 companies with which GPIC has done business. My history teacher s rock analogy seems to apply again. The Embassy and our UKTI team is here to help make and take these opportunities. Let us know when you think we can help. One cannot write about the business environment in Bahrain, however, without consideration of the macro economic challenges facing the region. My predecessor Iain Lindsay wrote in this column at this time last year, that the continued growth of the economy and of trade and investment opportunities for British companies would depend very much on how the Bahraini government acts to tackle the sudden increase in the budget deficit. Well, we ve certainly seen decisive action in recent months. The most striking so far has been the 60% rise in the petrol price. This has affected us all but it is worth remembering that the last price increase took place when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were in power and I was still at university studying the economics of the Cold War. So when economists say reform has been overdue, we can perhaps
understand why. This week marked the start of stripping out of electricity and water subsidies, for non-Bahrainis and dual households. Other subsidies are being reviewed and government spending is now under constant scrutiny. As a British civil servant this feels familiar but, like in Britain, action to curtail the deficit is necessary and, also as in Britain, it has so far been undertaken without affecting economic growth and employment levels or curtailing the investment in infrastructure, including housing, which is so key to H.M. The King s, H.R.H. The Crown Prince s and the Government s social and economic reform programme. As we heard at last month s EuroMoney conference, the response of one ratings agency to downgrade Bahrain s credit status two notches was a shock - and I can understand the reaction. I see strong commitment from across the Bahraini Government to tackle the challenges and I know that Bahrain looks to Britain and the British companies as reliable partners in times of need. Getting back to the shared values referred to by H.R.H. The Crown Prince and to Bognor Regis, then, it is right that the U.K. should be trying to support the reform programme across its many different elements. This support will continue, drawing strength from our mutual understanding and familiarity. And as we continue the Bicentenary celebrations I am very confident that we shall see more and more iterations of the strength of our relationship, particularly in the commercial field. Please let me and my team know if we can help you in developing still further successes - and in celebrating existing ones. Simon Martin H. M. Ambassador Forum
7
Embassy News UKTI Bahrain at Explore Export 2015
UK-Bahrain Bicentenary Celebrations Kick-Off Last November, UKTI officers Emilia Mateva and Yara Tawfeeq represented Bahrain at the week-long Explore Export road show alongside 100+ UKTI personnel from other markets around the world. Officers had one-to-one business meetings scheduled with UK companies from across a wide range of sectors including education, healthcare, food & drink, oil & gas, construction, and security to name a few. Bahrain alone held over 150 meetings within the week.
The official launch of the UK-Bahrain Bicentenary celebrations took place on 4 th January on board HMS Defender, where HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister attended as the guest of honour. The launch was the first event of the year to mark 200 years of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and the UK. 2016 will be a year of celebratory activity led by the British and Bahraini
23 UK Companies Visit Bahrain as part of an Education and Training Trade Mission.
Among the represented organisations were eight British universities, a variety of specialist training providers, colleges and academies, looking for a wide 8
Forum
The events will cover a wide range of sectors and themes, including business, heritage, sports, education, food, and fashion to name a few.
Britain at the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) 2016
Emilia led on the North tour which started off in Edinburgh, moved on to Newcastle, Leeds, East Midlands, Birmingham and ended in Manchester, while Yara led on the South tour covering Belfast, London, Bristol, Newmarket and Cardiff.
A specialised Education and Training Trade Mission visited Bahrain on 2nd and 3rd December as part of a Gulf visit to Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. The mission was jointly lead by UK Trade & Investment and The Training Gateway, and consisted of twenty three UK companies specialising in various fields of education.
Governments across a diverse range of areas to deepen political, economic and cultural ties through a series of activities, events and other initiatives which will be run in conjunction with companies, schools, clubs and community organisations.
range of partnerships and opportunities for the provision and delivery of courses in Bahrain. During their visit, the delegation met with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Ministry of Labour, Labour Market Observatory, the Higher Education Council and business leaders from both the education sector and key industries. The trade missionÂ’s programme concluded with delegates attending the BBBF Christmas Lunch.
The Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) 2016 witnessed strong British participation once again this year. Global British companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce were represented at the Show together with other leading companies within BritainÂ’s aviation sector supported by the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), the latter of which was also present. BAE Systems featured a special Heritage display showcasing the aviation history between Bahrain and the UK since the 1920s, which included a selection of heritage models and graphics. A World War II Super marine Spitfire on loan from the Royal Air Force Museum (RAF) was also displayed, as well as a scale model of Concorde to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its inaugural commercial flight from London to Bahrain.
BOOK YOUR PLACE BY EMAILING bbbfevents@batelco.com.bh osts BD10 for BBBF Members and BD15 for no members of the BBBF Forum
9
SIG Update 2016 is in full swing and we have an exciting year ahead for the BBBF SIGs. New Years are all about resolutions, what we want to do more of, less of, maybe even try something new! In the spirit of trying something new, we are Kicking off the SIG year with a Rick Hopper Speed Networking event. By the SIG Chair time this hits your desk I hope a lot of you reading this will be able to say you attended...and Speed Dated, sorry, Speed Networked for the first time. So, what s new and what s on the cards for 2016? We have two new groups for the year, Oil Gas & Energy headed by Simon Bromyard and Hospitality headed by Rodney Davis. These are very exciting sectors of business in the region and I know our heads of these groups will be active contributors to the BBBF. With our new offering of groups, we ll grab the attention of our larger membership, with the continual aim to have as many cross sector events as possible.
As you will have seen by now (big logo on the cover of our directory), Bahrain and Britain are celebrating a 200 year anniversary. I don t know how they met but it s proven to be a strong and lasting union which will be celebrated throughout the year. The BBBF s strong ties to the British Embassy and Bahrain Government entities will allow us to link in to these celebrations. I m aiming to get as many SIG activities as possible connected with the 200 year celebrations and we ll up date you as soon as these opportunities arise. That said, do you have any idea for a 200 year event for your sector? Please get in touch if you do. Lastly, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Mr. Tony Palys MBE, former head of the Security SIG and staunch supporter of the BBBF. He has decided he might try that thing called retirement. But, in true Tony fashion he has agreed to continue to write for our publications and also to help with ideas and introductions to his vast business network. If you have any suggestions on how we could be doing things better, I would love to hear from you. Hope to see you all soon at upcoming SIG or other various BBBF events!
SIG - Oil, Gas & Energy The Special Interest Group (SIG) for Oil, Gas & Energy was established in 2014 in order to create a forum to present and discuss key topics of interest in the industry. SIG is open to BBBF member companies as well as nonmembers, by way of invitation to attend presentation meetings on key topics of interest. Given the vast topics available, one of SIG s main objectives is to cover as many key topics as possible, supported by presentations from Industry and Subject Matter Experts. The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) in conjunction with British Business Association (BBA) from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia conducted an event at the Ramee Grand Hotel in which Keynote Speaker from Dubai, Mr. Joga Baines, a Technical Engineering Consultant and Trainer at Proserv, discussed the benefits of the latest Chemical Injection Systems versus conventional systems. Mr. Baines, a Chartered and European Engineer with diverse industrial experience spanning over 47 years from nuclear and chemicals industry to oil and gas sector, highlighted the advantages of utilising modern Chemical Injection Systems, their efficiency and cost saving attributes. The BBBF s special interest group for Oil, Gas and Energy professionals was inaugurated last year to facilitate networking and exchange of information amongst industry colleagues. The Oil and Gas industry s importance to trade links and economic synergies, locally within Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and throughout the GCC, led to the formation of the group. The BBBF has a number of special interest groups under its umbrella, catering for example construction, security and legal fields. 10 Forum
Above L to R: Simon Bromyard, Joga Baines, Mr Rodney and Gareth Brown
The event was sponsored by OAK Utility Solutions & Development WLL (OAK). The next SIG meeting will focus on the subject of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), and is planned for the end of March 2016. This meeting will offer a presentation on a key technology, as Operators meet the issue of managing demand and cost effective production, as the industry faces unpredictable oil price index. The Special Interest Group for Oil, Gas & Energy is led by OAK Utility Solutions & Development and OAK welcomes volunteers to offer their time and expertise in contributing to the running of this important SIG. If you are interested in contributing to this SIG in any way, please contact Mr. Simon Bromyard, Projects Director; sbromyard@oakbh.com
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) exist to meet the needs of members who want to learn more about specific sectors or about specialist areas of expertise in a more informal environment. We want to involve the broader Bahrain business community and encourage non BBBF members as well as BBBF members to come to our meetings which aim to meet four times a year. The SIGs started in response to member interest and at the moment groups that are outlined in the following pages. These are run by individuals who have an interest in the topic themselves and who are willing to manage the process of running their groups with support from the office. Please see the NEW BBBF website for more information., With the year already in full swing, the BBBF Legal Special Interest Group will continue to foster an inclusive environment for Bahrain-based British lawyers to interact both with each other and with local legal counsel. It is our hope that we can provide the legal community in Bahrain with a suitable forum to discuss important topics, legal updates, and encourage new business relationships. As part of this process, we will be arranging several opportunities throughout the year for our members to come together, including an update on legal developments in the corporate/ commercial sphere in Bahrain, and other presentations on
SIG - Legal legal topics of interest. More details to follow. We would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining the group, and please do get in touch if you have any ideas for future events, speakers or venues.
Joanne Emerson Taqi BBBF Legal SIG Chair
SIG - Organisational Effectiveness Like many other markets, Bahrain is going through momentous change accelerated by the drop in oil prices and the impact this has had on government revenues. Navigating this change will create challenges for all businesses in Bahrain. It will also create opportunities for others. To be able to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities needs a certain level of agility, both in thinking and in action. There has never been a time like this before. People are needing to think in new ways, to challenge the way we do things around here and it is more important than ever that people face reality with regards to cost management and
SIG - ICT
We will be holding a round table group to discuss the opportunities and threats the changed business environment presents to BBBF members.
Jill Boggiss BBBF OE SIG Chair
Ravi has been visiting a number of schools in the past few months spreading the word on cyber safety among children, teachers and parents.
Safe Internet Day 2016 BBBF ICT SIG member Ravi Jayasundera conducted a presentation on Cyber safety to parents of the British School of Bahrain to mark the Safe Internet Day (SID).
wake up to the face that the key differentiator for all businesses lies in the hands of their people. Being able to make the most of young national talent will be even more important over the coming years.
David Wales (BSc, MIEE) BBBF ICT SIG Chairman
From cyberbullying to social networking, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and chooses a topic reflecting current concerns. For SID 2016, celebrated on Tuesday, 9 February, the theme for the day was Play your part for a better internet , reflecting the fact that we all have a role to play. Forum 11
SIG Security
that were reported by Government and Media alike. So hence the need for individual and corporate induction briefings, to include security awareness at all levels. Yes I know I am beating that drum again but no matter where you are being posted, these days, this type of briefing has to be at the top of the agenda for every employer and their respective employees with follow up sessions as and when needed but always at least once a year.
security notes above but unfortunately there is another issue that has crept up and bitten us in a location that by now we should be more well prepared for and better informed. The Zika virus is most certainly a concern of which we will visit a World Health Organisation (WHO) update below of which we will revisit in the Summer edition, hopefully in time for the Summer Olympics in Brazil, where we can also look at the security implications.
Unfortunately, as I type, another step takes us closer to the abyss as a bomb is detonated in Ankara. Add to that all the other tourist locations, for example such places as Sham El Sheikh, Paris and Jakarta, to mention just three. Locations that have experienced such dreadful attacks that in turn has resulted in a sizable dent in these countries economy surrounding the tourist industry. But lets also keep in mind how Europe, as a whole, is keeping on top of such problems and how the Union can match the Terrorists ; already in their collective midst! Of course memories of the Paris attack continues to stand out with the rock group Eagles of Death Metal returning to Paris to complete the concert for the Bataclan attack survivors. Add to such events the migration crisis it is inevitable that we will see border controls being reinstated throughout Europe and with that the impact on travel and its associated security implications.
Included in this edition are three articles with reference to:
N
o matter where one is located, in this forever-changing world of ours, one cannot help but to come across some of the many & various insecurities that have unfortunately become the norm in these testing times. Even since arriving here in Germany, two weeks ago, I have already experienced both the poverty and some of the issues surrounding the impact of the mass migration exodus from the East to Europe whilst out and about. This interaction has happened on the City streets where beggars are in competition with each other and in the various local governmental offices whilst applying for my residence, work and associated visas . The feeling of suspicion and insecurity is palpable whilst at the same time there is a frustration that more cannot be done to help; whichever side of the fence you may stand on.
With this all in mind the situation in the rest of Europe mirrors my thoughts above and then some. Like the Middle East, or in fact any Region, one has to live the situation to have at least the awareness. Having an educated understanding of Regional affairs, in my view, was always hard to come by due to the daily and hourly contradictions 12 Forum
By now you, the reader, will have realized that Travel Management continues to be the top of my agenda. Putting aside the perceived alarming
How to stay safe on arrival at your destination - After a long journey, you are tired, in new surroundings and are focused on getting to the hotel to relax. This is clearly a time that raises the risk, so what can you do to stay safe on arrival at your destination? Zika virus – WHO Fact sheet Updated February The Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Specialist Security Report Islamic State (IS) in Saudi Arabia This specialist security report looks at recent developments in IS attacks in Saudi Arabia and outlines how these changes will affect future IS operations.
WHO Fact sheet Updated February www.who.int Key facts
How to stay safe on arrival at your destination: You have to get through customs, collect your luggage, maybe meet someone and get to the accommodation. This sounds simple, and in theory it should be, but incidents do happen, so how do you stay safe when this happens? Before travelling the more pre-travel planning you conduct, the better prepared you will be. Effective pre-travel planning will help you understand possible problems you could face, such as language barriers, visa requirements, customs and etiquette, etc. On arrival at your destination you could have been travelling for many hours and feel tired and disorientated. It is important at this time that you remain alert and pay attention to what is happening around you. Try to make contact with someone back home to let them know that you have arrived safe and everything is going according to plan. After you have got off the plane, train, or ferry you will have to at some stage pass through customs. Depending on the country will dictate how long and easy this process it. Remember to keep calm when confronted by awkward officials, they hold a lot of power and an arrogant approach will not speed up your entry. It is their country and you are a visitor so having respect at this time is important. What seems like an awkward official could just be the manner in which they speak, it is just that you are not accustomed to it. Never try to bribe an official to get through customs. Think about your profile while you are travelling, what message do you give off? Do you look like someone who knows what they are doing, blending in, or an easy target? It goes without saying to not display large amounts of cash when you might be paying for a visa or other items.
It is often argued that when arriving at a location it is the best time to get money from an ATM. It is true that it will give you a good exchange rate, but it certainly raises your profile for a potential mugger. To stay safe it would be beneficial to have money before you travel and only withdraw money from ATM s if you must, and at a safe location. If being met by someone, make contact with them and confirm their identity before leaving with them. As soon as it is practically possible, depart, but only when you feel safe to do so. Use only official taxi ranks or booths, do not be tempted to jump the queue to an unlicensed taxi. This could cost you dearly in the long run. If at anytime you do not feel safe to leave the terminal, stay inside and seek help. You can do this by contacting a member of law enforcement, a call to your point of contact back home, or someone you know in the country you have arrived at. If you are travelling on behalf of your company, try to find a representative that could give you a brief or update, and any important issues you should know about. If you do not have access to this, try to get time to speak with the hotel on your arrival (if you are staying in one) and ask about the following: Any recent security threats No-go or high-risk areas Election days, national days, demonstrations etc. Anything that you think would help you during your stay This is just one small part of the etravelsafety course at www.etravelsafety,com. If you would like to know more about this section or any other part of travelling check out the free trial to help you stay safe when travelling.
Zika virus -
Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. People with Zika virus disease usually have symptoms that can include mild fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites. The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
Introduction - Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Signs and Symptoms - The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.
Zika virus - continued Forum 13
SIG Security Potential complications of Zika virus disease - During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease. Recently in Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in GuillainBarré syndrome which coincided with Zika virus infections in the general public, as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. However, more investigation is needed to better understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated. Transmission - Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cape Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.
regularly; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as window screens, closed doors and windows; and if needed, additional personal protection, such as sleeping under mosquito nets during the day. It is extremely important to empty, clean or cover containers regularly that can store water, such as buckets, drums, pots etc. Other mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned or removed including flower pots, used tyres and roof gutters. Communities must support the efforts of the local government to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their locality. Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or elderly. During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers. Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Treatment - Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.
WHO response - WHO is supporting countries to control Zika virus disease through: Define and prioritize research into Zika virus disease by convening experts and partners. Enhance surveillance of Zika virus and potential complications. Strengthen capacity in risk communication to help countries meet their commitments under the International Health Regulations. Provide training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control including through a number of WHO Collaborating Centres. Strengthen the capacity of laboratories to detect the virus. Support health authorities to implement vector control strategies aimed at reducing Aedes mosquito populations such as providing larvicide to treat standing water sites that cannot be treated in other ways, such as cleaning, emptying, and covering them. Prepare recommendations for clinical care and follow-up of people with Zika virus, in collaboration with experts and other health agencies.
Diagnosis - Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history (e.g. residence or travel to an area where Zika virus is known to be present). Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva. Prevention - Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. This can be done by using insect repellent 14 Forum
Read more: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en
Specialist Security Report - Islamic State (IS) in Saudi Arabia: Islamic State in Saudi Arabia: Recent Developments and Future Growth Key Points: Islamic State (IS) has built its Saudi capabilities at an alarming rate. Comparing Saudi IS attacks with Al-Qaeda shows that the group is already close to developing the same explosives capabilities as AlQaeda deployed during the peak of its terror campaign (2003-2005). Recent thwarted and failed IS attacks also show that the group is attempting to expand its Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) capabilities. The rapid evolvement of IS from a group fielding lone wolfs carrying out drive-by shootings to planning bomb attacks on Saudi military personnel also suggests more direct support from IS in Iraq and Syria than previously assumed. Overview: Saudi Arabia s was
confronted with its first IS-related attack on 22 November 2014 when a Danish executive was wounded in a drive-by shooting. Several (suspected) IS shootouts followed targeting a Shia wedding and police officers. The following year was marked by a shift from shootings to suicide bomb attacks targeting Shia mosques and in one instance a mosque popular with Saudi Special Forces1. There are several observations related to this change that are important to understand the next step in IS s evolution in Saudi Arabia: IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has called for attacks in Saudi Arabia in three different audio recordings. The files were released on 13 November 2014, 14 May 2015 and 26 December 2015 and coincided with noticeable increases in IS activity. The 13 November 2014
speech was followed by an IS claimed drive-by shooting on a Danish executive only nine days later. The 14 May 2015 speech came seven days before a suicide attack on a mosque in Al-Qatif and 14 days before a similar attack in Dammam. The 26 December AlBaghdadi speech was followed by several (failed) attacks, including a suicide bombing of a Shia mosque on 29 January 2015. The relationship between IS calls to violence in Saudi Arabia and actual attacks is not clearcut, but is unlikely to be coincidental. This highlights a potential degree of coordination between the international group and Saudi cells. A call to act against the house of Saud by a major IS outlets (such as A-Baghdadi) should therefore be considered a significant security threat. Saudi Arabia experienced a wave of terrorist attacks between 2003 and 2015, including sophisticated Al-Qaeda VBIED and suicide attacks against public and private sector targets. On 6 August 2015 a suicide bomb attack on a mosque in the Southern Saudi city of Abha left 15 people dead, with most of the victims belong to a Special Forces group 1
Forum 15
SIG Security Al-Qaeda was not the only group active throughout this period and many smaller groups and individuals carried out often less sophisticated attacks. A list of 87 terrorist attacks compiled by Le Beck2 ranging from 1994 to February 2016 shows the failure of most groups to build a sustained presence in the Kingdom. IS has nonetheless, and through different branches, quickly evolved mirroring the rise to prominence of Al-Qaeda (2003-2005) in both sophistication and intensity of attacks3. However, IS has until recently (see below) lacked the capabilities to launch VBIED attacks. Saudi Arabia drastically increased the number of counter-terrorism raids after the 6 August 2015 suicide attack against Special Forces in Asir. The September and October raids only had a limited impact as IS launched two suicide bombings in October, despite the arrests of hundreds of suspects. Attacks in January and February continued including the first VBIED on 8 February 2016 in Riyadh. In short, the evolvement of IS has at best been delayed by security forces.
16 Forum
The list is based on data collected from the Global Terrorism Database, the University of Chicago, Le Beck private information and news sources.
2
3 Explosives were used for seven out of 10 Saudi IS attacks, which is in line with the proportion of Al-Qaeda attacks using explosives. Explosives usage is an important indicator for the level of sophistication (training, logistics and funding) of a terrorist organisation.
Analysis: The observations and trends listed above have implications for future IS-related threats, with two key questions being: Firstly, how will IS evolve within Saudi Arabia? Secondly, how will the change affect the threat level? The list of implications is as follows:
Spikes in IS attacks following AlBaghdadi s call to violence, a high degree of explosives usage and the deployment of foreign trained fighters suggest direct links (or at least influence) between IS command in Iraq and Syria and terrorist cells operating in Saudi Arabia. A higher degree of organisation and support from Iraq and Syria greatly complicates Saudi counter-terrorism efforts as new cells can replace dismantled ones at a faster rate. This could also explain the lack of effect of recent counter-terrorism efforts on IS attacks. The close(r) ties to the core of IS also increases the likelihood of more sophisticated attacks being deployed within the near-future. The 8 February VBIED detonation in Riyadh (targeting a Saudi soldier, but with no casualties) and the discovery of a VBIED on 20 January in Madinah shows that IS making significant steps in growing its current capabilities. It is therefore only a matter of time until a successful VBIED (or IED) attack is launched. The question remains whether IS will continue to target Shia mosques or switch to government,
commercial and expatriate targets 4. Furthermore, IS in Yemen has already developed a strong VBIED capability. Recent IS attacks have only received limited global media attention. For instance, the 29 January hardly received any media attention from major Western broadcasters. It is important to understand that IS branches and sympathisers require the media exposure (both domestic and abroad) to generate more support for their cause. There are two ways to increase media exposure: (a) Increase the scale of attacks or (b) attack high profile and expatriate targets. Both strategy changes require more sophisticated methods (higher grade explosives, more % coordination, better reconnaissance, additional funds, etcetera). So the level of success depends on improved capabilities and professionalization as outlined above. The lethality of Al-Qaeda attacks was higher in 2003-2005. A combination of stricter security measures and a degree of amateurism among IS sympathisers contributed to the lower casualty figures. For instance, two attackers were stopped by security checkpoints in front of Shia mosques in two out of the three last suicide bombings. As professionalism among IS operatives increases (as argued above), so will the number of casualties per attack. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and IS are competing for resources and control in Yemen. For instance, a senior AQAP commander named Jalal Baleedi was about to change to IS in Yemen before being killed by a US drone strike on 4 February 2016. IS has also claimed multiple high profile attacks including a VBIED on the governor of Aden in December 2015 and an IED attack on the presidential palace in January 2016. The likelihood of a high-profile or large scale attack increases as the competition for resources and media attention between AQAP and IS escalates. Such an escalation could also spread from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, especially considering recent AQAP gains in Yemen.
Commercial and expatriate targets amounted to about half of all attacks between 2003 and 2005. IS has so far focused on religious targets in order to increase animosity between Sunnis and Shias.
4
In short, IS is under pressure to increase its attacks and is likely to develop the resources and knowledge to organise more sophisticated attacks despite Saudi counter-terrorism efforts. The time-frame of this evolution is difficult to determine, but one can already see signs when looking at VBIEDs discovered in February and January. For now, the attacks either missed their target or were discovered by security forces, but the key figures behind these threats remain at large. Apprehension of the suspect(s) might only be a temporary setback. If there is a higher degree of coordination and knowledge sharing between IS in Syria and Iraq and cells within Saudi Arabia (as is outlined above) then arrests would only be a temporary setback. In that case a prolonged and sophisticated terror-campaign can be expected similar to 2003-2005, taking into account improved Saudi counterterrorism measures.
The Weathered Eye:
1. Keep abreast of the “fall out” from the European Summit 2. The security implications related to the Apple v FBI in relation to mobile phone access 3. President Obama’s visit to Cuba, possibly in March this year
For more information and further analysis please contact Le Beck on +973 1610 2488 or visit their website at: www.lebeckinternational.com
4. South China Seas and the build up of military assets
Tony Palys is a Senior Security Adviser with Le Beck International and can be contacted at: tonypalys@lebeckinternational.com
6. Remember – See Something Say Something - Challenge The Normal - Be a Good Witness
5. Syria, what next
Forum 17
Feature Article
The Growing Awareness of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) in the GCC Before early 2011 most companies and organisations in Bahrain and the wider GCC paid very little attention to the words Business Continuity (BC) and Disaster Recovery (DR) Management. Unless required by legislators such as the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) it would be very unlikely for an organisation to have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place. Few saw the need for them as the Middle East does not have tornedos, earthquakes or floods and little thought was given to the more common events such as fires or electrical brown outs. But in the January and February of 2011 that all changed. Having faired relatively well throughout the financial storm that had affected most countries worldwide, Bahrain was about to be hit by another very different disaster scenario, political unrest. W ith protests taking place all over the island and organised demonstrations causing significant disruption and worry to those looking in, organisations had to find ways to continue to function with lower staffing levels, lost revenue, unreliable communication channels and many other disruptive influences. For those proactive enough and in many cases lucky enough to have one, organisations had to activate their BC Plans and their IT DR Plans. Many other companies took a significant hit during this period of business interruption from which some have never recovered. On the April 9th 2013 Bahrain felt another shakeup, in some cases quite literally, as the Bushehr earthquake hit Iran with aftershocks being felt widely across the island. Prior to that the common belief was that Bahrain is not affected by earthquakes, which to some extent may have been true, but this event still proved shockwaves can have an effect from a great distance. In the case of an earthquake it is also widely accepted that earthquake waves are felt more significantly on reclaimed land and in tall buildings, of which for a small island Bahrain has its fair share. As is evident with this event and in fact most disasters, they usually have no warning and can often hit you when you least expect it. Other recent high rise building disasters such as the fires at the Address and the Torch Tower in Dubai and similar others around the GCC should also be a wakeup call to organisations. If vital records or critical resources have been 18 Forum
by Tom Ham Standby Consulting (ME) Ltd.
left behind in such an evacuation without any appropriate back up then that may be all it takes to ensure a company is not able to rebuild quickly enough to minimise losses in revenue or brand reputation. The need for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans is also increasing due to the greater reliance by most companies and organisations on newer technologies and of course the internet, which places less reliance on manual processes and in turn more room for the unexpected. Research out of the UK shows an organisation with a plan suffers significantly less financial losses and can often recover up to fifteen times quicker than organisations without a plan. The reality is that as far as many businesses in other countries are concerned, having a BC Plan in place is part of doing normal business and as important as having insurance. In some countries such as Saudi Arabia it has actually become regulation to have a BCP in place before certain business interruption insurance can be obtained. As a general rule, Bahrain s financial industries, banks, insurance companies etc. now have good plans and strategies in place through the regulatory efforts of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). There is also a growing awareness coming through the GCC for other business sectors who wish to work internationally, or are seen as critical suppliers locally, to ensure they have a plan in place to deal with the unexpected. It is not now uncommon for an organisation bidding for work with a potential client to be asked to produce their BCP. New legislation in the UAE has in fact seen most companies bidding for government work having to ensure there is a BCP in place. Within the ever evolving landscape of doing business in the GCC, it is becoming ever more apparent that we no longer have the same control over our own fate as we once did. This control is lost through the increasing reliance on newer technologies, applications, subcontractors and 3rd party suppliers, as well as the seemingly decreasing stability of the environment around us. But as a wise man once said you make your own luck and though we cannot control everything around us we can certainly help by creating an effective, resilient and documented strategy, helping to ensure that we minimise any risk and are also able to piece everything back together as quickly and cost effectively as possible if the unexpected ever strikes.
Can your business recover? You return to your office only to find you have lost your data and critical services. Key personnel are not available. Can your business recover? Without a plan there is a high probability that it will not. Standby is a specialist disaster recovery and business continuity organisation. Standby has over 30 years international experience in the area of Business Continuity, and has been operating in Bahrain for ten years. We have personnel who are Certified Business Continuity Planners with IT disaster recovery and business continuity planning experience. Standby can: • Evaluate your organisation’s requirements • Carry out risk assessments • Profile your business processes and strategies • Produce professional and sound reports for senior management • Justify disaster recovery requirements • Project manage the implementation of solutions tailored to your requirements • Develop and test your disaster recovery and business continuity plans. We specialise in providing independent advice and cost effective solutions to our clients. + 9 7 3 1 3 6 7 3 5 5 5 Te l + 9 7 3 3 9 1 8 7 2 9 3 M o b i n f o @ s t a n d b y c o n s u l t i n g . c o m w w w . s t a n d y b y c o n s u l t i n g . c o m
Construction Sector Bahrain Bay Development gathers pace
Bahrain Bay, the waterfront real estate development on the northern coastline of Manama has grown to become a familiar sight. The distinct modern buildings such as Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Arcapita Bank global headquarters and the winding United Tower have made their mark on the capital s skyline. Several new buildings are set to change the vista even further, with many beginning construction in 2016. The $2.5 billion Bahrain Bay project was launched in 2006 and the efforts of the last 10 years are starting to show results. Many parts of the multiphase project have already been completed and a few remaining are due for completion within the next year. The mixed use development has been designed to include residential, commercial, retail, tourism, and community facilities and public amenities. As a whole the project is attracting a lot of interest from local and regional investors. Bahrain Bay Development CEO, Mr. Gagan Suri commented on the latest progress, saying: We re delighted
with the current pace of development at Bahrain Bay. We re happy to say that most projects are being developed ahead of the planned schedule. 2016 looks to be an exciting year for us as we see many investors complete their developments and others begin construction.
the spiraling landmark, along with office space to be leased on the open market. Adding to the hospitality offering at Bahrain Bay will be Marriot, another international luxury hotel operator. A new design for the hotel is currently being finalised and construction is expected to start in mid-2016.
The latest inauguration at Bahrain Bay was in March this year when Canadian luxury hotel operator Four Seasons opened the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. The beginning of 2016 will see Al Baraka Banking Group, one of the world s largest Islamic banking and financial services organizations, move into their building which will house the bank s Middle East headquarters.
AXA Group, a French multinational insurance firm and one of the world s leading insurance and asset management groups, will be moving their regional office to Bahrain Bay in a newly constructed office building.
One of the latest major investors, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company, is developing Bahrain Bay s first residential complex Water Bay . The project is being developed with fast-track approach, with preparatory ground works already under way. Basement construction will start by early 2016 and the first of the three 10storey residential towers will be ready to welcome residents in early 2018. The eye-catching building, United Tower, by Cooperation Investment House, one of Bahrain s most active integrated real estate developers, is expected to open in mid-2016. The winding 47-storey tower will house Wyndham Grand Manama; an international five star hotel by US headquartered Wyndham Hotel Group. The hotel will occupy 14 floors of 20 Forum
Bay City, a development of almost 290,000sqm of residential, commercial and retail space on the waterfront overlooking Manama, is also scheduled for construction in 2016. Bay City will be constructed in phases, with the first phase set to start in Q3 2016. Another residential project, WAFRA, is planned on the plot east of United Tower. The twin towered WAFRA is currently in the early stages of design completion, leading to the start of construction in early 2016. We are certain that the strategic partnerships Bahrain Bay has formed with the various local and international investors will deliver long-lasting results for all stakeholders. The ongoing progress strengthens Bahrain Bay s position as a major investment hub, adding significant value to the community and the future of Bahrain as a whole, concludes Mr. Suri.
SSH awarded islands project in Bahrain SSH has been appointed as Contract Manager and Site Supervision consultant by The Ministry of Housing for the construction of the Primary Infrastructure and Bridge Construction on Islands 13 & 14 (East) of Al Madina Al Shamaliya Islands (AMAS). AMAS is a mixed-use development project creating a new urban town located on reclaimed land off the northern coast of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Al Madina Al Shamaliya Island 13 & 14 (East) is expected to deliver about 2000 housing units under an affordable-housing scheme by the Ministry of Housing. This project located on islands 13 and 14, requires primary infrastructure networks comprising of roads of over 5.5 kilometres, installation of utilities such as storm water, potable water, electrical, irrigation and telecommunications network, along with the construction of vehicular and pedestrian bridges to connect these two islands.
SSH is proud to announce that their regional head of infrastructure, Mark Jamieson and his team are based full time in Bahrain and while continuing to expand both resources and specialist capabilities within the country, has incorporated bridge design specialists into its Bahrain design team to cater to growing infrastructure demand.
SSH was brought on board following its knowledge and experience in similar projects, including the on-going widening and upgrading of Bahrain’s Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Highway, the experience and knowledge of infrastructure design standards and the requirements of Statutory Approval Authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
‘We are excited to work with the Ministry of Housing again on this project. Al Madina Al Shamaliya is a very large project in the Kingdom, and will create an autonomous living space for thousands of people, we are glad we’re able to serve them with good, quality and sustainable infrastructure that is quality-assured’ said Mark Jamieson, SSH Infrastructure Director.
Forum 21
Financial News
AXA Gulf Announces Senior Executive Appointments
Cedric Charpentier named Chief Executive Officer - Gulf Vincent Pluchet named Chief Financial Officer, Middle East and Africa and AXA Gulf Franck Heimburger named Chief Sales and Distribution Officer Gulf AXA Gulf announced the appointment of Cedric Charpentier as the new Chief Executive Officer for AXA Insurance in the Gulf. He replaces Jerome Droesch, who has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AXA Partners based in the UK. Cedric Charpentier will report to Jad Ariss, the Chief Executive Officer for AXA Middle East and Africa. AXA Gulf has also announced the appointment Vincent Pluchet who will be assuming an extended role as Chief Financial Officer for AXA Middle East and Africa, reporting to Jad Ariss, as well as continuing his current Gulf Chief Financial Officer
responsibilities reporting to Cedric Charpentier. Furthermore, AXA Gulf has also appointed Franck Heimburger as Chief Sales and Distribution Officer and member of the AXA Gulf Executive Committee, reporting to Cedric Charpentier. These appointments will be effective as of 1 st January 2016 and are in line with AXA Group s commitment to investing talented resources in key markets to further strengthen its brand positioning as the leading provider of diversified insurance solutions in the region.
Cedric Charpentier (pictured above) graduated from Neoma Business School in 1995 with a specialization in Insurance & Finance. Following a 20 year career at AXA Group in France where he has held various senior management positions, he joined AXA Gulf as Chief Sales & Distribution Officer and member of the AXA Gulf Executive Committee in 2011. In this position, he was instrumental in driving AXA Gulf s growth in the region with a relentless focus on innovation and customer service.
New CEO at GIB
Two Seas Trust officially joins Elian brand Two Seas Trust has rebranded as Elian Middle East. Joining the Elian brand provides the company with a solid platform from which it can continue its strong growth.
Gulf International Bank B.S.C. (GIB), have announced that Mr. Abdulaziz A. Al-Helaissi has been appointed as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Al-Helaissi brings decades of banking experience that is uniquely relevant to leading GIB in the next phase of its strategy. Most recently, Mr. Al-Helaissi was the Deputy Governor (Supervision) of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). In that position, he was responsible for overseeing SAMA s regulations and supervision of the country s entire banking, insurance and financing sectors. 22 Forum
The decision to rebrand was unanimous between the joint v e n t u re partners, Keypoint and Elian Fiduciary Services (Jersey) Limited. The day-to-day operations of Elian Middle East will continue as normal, including interactions with both joint venture partners and clients, including institutional clients and high net worth families in Bahrain and the wider GCC region. Bashar Bazian, pictured above, CEO of Elian Middle East, said: Two Seas Trust has built a strong presence in Bahrain and the GCC region since
its launch in 2008 and we re pleased to officially bring the company under the Elian fold. Sharing the Elian name and leveraging its global presence will help Elian Middle East to achieve its ambitious plans to grow its trust and corporate services offerings. Elian Middle East is a combination of international experience and local understanding of the GCC market. The first company licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain to provide trust services in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Elian Middle East provides trustee and trust administration services to a wide range of s t r u c t u re s i n c l u d i n g s t r u c t u re d finance and securitisation, Islamic finance, charitable trusts, employee incentive plans, REITs and funds.
Feature Article Bahraini companies should provide retirement plans for their staff
Changes to the Workplace Pension rules in the UK
Now wouldn t that be a great incentive for employees to work that bit harder and more diligently for their employer.
The year 2017 might not mean much at first, but it marks an important deadline for small business owners. It s the year by which every existing UK business that employs staff will by law have to offer and contribute to workplace pensions in a process known as auto-enrolment.
I read a report recently from Mercers, a Human Resources Consultancy that employers in the region need to start offering retirement plans as part of their packages if they want to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent. The trend now for expatriates is to view the GCC as a long-term career destination and calls for greater emphasis on planning for your life after work. However, this trend for extended working years is not being matched with enhanced end of service benefits from employers. Company sponsored retirement savings plans are set to become more and more important for people considering their career options in this part of the world and will have to become a priority for companies when they are structuring benefits packages if they wish to remain competitive. A typical pension scheme, would for example, see an employee pay 10 per cent of their salary into a savings plan with their firm matching that amount. An attractive retirement scheme would go a long way towards employee retention. It is fairly easy to attract somebody on a large salary, but can you retain them without providing long term benefits. On average, the good candidates jump jobs every three to five years. We have all seen the rising cost of living from fuel and utility increases, and the potential introduction of increased sales taxes, it may make it more difficult to put savings aside. Another report earlier stated that almost half of GCC residents polled 460 people out of 1,000 polled in HSBC s Future of Retirement 2015 report said they are not saving for retirement because of the high cost of living. In this context, it is a pivotal moment now for companies to look at supporting the employee s provisions in retirement, as many expats may 24 Forum
have little state pension provision to fall back on after living outside their home country for so long. Remember it s not how much you earn; it s how much you put aside. Under Bahrain labour law, companies must provide an end-of-service gratuity to employees based on their years service, and this is only paid once as a lump sum. Bahraini nationals already have a pension plan in place. There can be several benefits for employers in establishing retirement plans for employees, good retention for one and a happy workforce is another. A Company sponsored retirement plan is a key differentiator to employees instead of just pretending that the End of Service Gratuity is a pension scheme. End-of-service benefit, which is often only realised when the employee has left or is starting to think about leaving, as opposed to a retirement savings plan that can provide a regular statement showing how much has been accumulated and what the company has contributed to the overall value. This is normally the best way for Employers to show to their employees how there are truly valued. Now wouldn t that be a great incentive for employees to work that bit harder and more diligently for their employer.
Emanuel Lantzos is General Manager at Nexus Financial Services in Bahrain. For more information contact him on Emanuel.lantzos@nexusadvice.com
According to an official forecast from The UK Pensions Regulator, more than 1.3m SMEs, micro businesses and new employers are expected to reach their staging date , the date by which businesses must offer a workplace pension for employees, over the next four years. For the average small business owner, even the word pension can be daunting, but the good news is that there s still time to prepare to minimise upheaval. What is it? The government s auto-enrolment project was rolled out in 2012 but only large companies were affected at first. Small companies will begin the process in 2015, with all existing UK companies enrolled by April 2017. New businesses that were set up after 2012 have slightly longer to go through the auto-enrolment process, and staging dates are staggered from May 2017 through to February 2018, depending on when they were set up. At the moment, only businesses that are set up from October 2016 onwards will auto-enrol in 2018. For all existing small businesses, the staging dates will happen throughout 2017. Essentially, the scheme requires businesses created before 2012 to enrol all qualifying UK staff those aged between 22 and the state pension age, and that earn at least £10,000 a year during the 2014/15 tax year into a pension scheme, and pay contributions into it. Employees can opt out (15% are estimated to opt out over the lifetime of the scheme, according to the Department for Work and Pensions) but employers cannot.
35358EYME_UAE_S5_AirTransW_BBBF Mag_307x220w_9Feb_EN_Inc.indd 1
2/9/16 3:30 PM
Touchdown in your favourite holiday hotspot with British Airways in 2016
A
ccording to a survey conducted by British Airways, discovering entertainment venues ranked first place among the top activities that residents of Bahrain look forward to when they travel to new destinations with 50 per cent of the votes. Closely tying in second place with 49 percent of the votes were visiting historical landmarks and taking part in family activities. In third place, residents in Bahrain voted for shopping as their third preferred choice of activity with 47 per cent of the votes Travel today has become more affordable allowing
families to plan more than one holiday a year, said Paolo De Renzis, Head of Middle East, Africa and Central Asia Sales for British Airways. We fly daily between Bahrain and London offering our customers excellent connections to 188 destinations across our network. We hope this latest offer encourages people to create memories as they discover new places with us. For residents unable to decide which destination is the right choice for their next holiday, a visit to highlife.ba.com the website for the British Airways inflight magazine
can help steer travellers in the right direction through an interactive quiz. Later this year, British Airways will launch direct flights from London to Inverness in Scotland, San Jose in California, Menorca in Spain, Palermo in Sicily, San Jose in Costa Rica and Lima in Peru among other new routes. For travellers from Bahrain looking to simply explore the European continent and visit popular landmarks, London provides an excellent starting point with its many historical sites. Holiday makers must visit Big Ben, the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the Palace of Westminster or The Shard, a twenty-first century landmark offering the highest and best views of the capital. From London, British Airways passengers can choose to fly to over 97 destinations in Europe and visit famous landmarks ranging from The Colosseum in Rome to the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Sagrada Familia and
26 Forum
Montjuïc Hill in Barcelona. Another must visit European country is Belgium, the country may be small but it is rich in landmarks and has been at the forefront of European history. Bruges is a major highlight here with its perfectly-preserved medieval streets and tranquil canals that lure flocks of travellers every year.
If you are flying from Bahrain to North America with British Airways, a holiday adventure can start with a visit to the Big Apple. In New York, travellers could start with a visit to the Statue of Liberty, a historic gift from France to the USA designed by AlexandreGustave Eiffel. Tourists from Bahrain can also plan a trip to the once
tallest building in Manhattan, the Empire State building, which was built in 1930. Another must visit venue is the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. In this building, the Declaration of Independence was signed and George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, making it a structure loaded with historical significance. Not to be missed is the capital of the USA Washington D.C home to several landmarks including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and countless others. Moving to the West Coast and situated on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills, is the universally famous Hollywood Sign overlooking all of Los Angeles. British Airways will offer members of the Bahrain British Business Forum the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive 10 per cent discount on fares to any destination within the airline s network, with travel valid until 30 December 2017. The members-only discount is available across the airline s Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins on flights booked by 30 December 2016. For additional information and travel guides, British Airways Holidays offers insider tips and holiday guides to destinations around the world. A full timetable of British Airways flights to London and beyond is available online where customers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and checkin online for their flights.
Soft Refurbishment to Take Place at the Arrival Concourse in Bahrain International Airport
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has successfully signed an agreement with Almoayyed Contracting Group for the Soft refurbishment works related to the Arrivals Concourse & the customs hall in Bahrain International Airport (BIA). The announcement came following a signing ceremony with Almoayyed Contracting Group during Bahrain International Airshow 2016 attended by Mr. Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, Chief Executive Officer of BAC and Mr. Arjun Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Almoayyed Contracting Group. Welcoming the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of BAC Mr. Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah commented: On-going refurbishments will be an investment in the current facility, these will provide a pleasant travel journey and an enhanced passenger experience for our passengers as to provide them with additional comfort and welcome them to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Nine contractors submitted their proposals through a Public Tender issued by the Bahrain Tender Board and after a thorough technical & financial evaluation, Almoayyed Contracting Group s proposal was found to be the most favorable and inline with
our aspirations of improving passengers experience in Bahrain International Airport. We are anticipating the completion of the project by the first week of May 2016 for the Arrivals Concourse and end of June 2016 for the Customs area. The contract value is at BD1,271,269 (US $3,368,863) and will include installing new wall and columns laminates, new structures of boutiques and showcases, LCD s, new blind screens and a new stretched ceiling with new light fittings for the mentioned areas . Almoayyed Contracting Group brings high quality designs to the commercial and retail market place with a commitment to client satisfaction with quality and an aim of perfection of interior design . Mr. Arjun Rana, Chief Operating Officer of Almoayyed Contracting Group commented during the signing ceremony, and said that With an experienced team of designers, engineers and draftsmen, Almoayyed Contracting Group provides a total design and build solution for commercial interiors. Commitment to impeccable execution and client satisfaction has gained the company a place as market leaders in interior fit outs. Production facility of joinery and gypsum items gives it a strong competitive advantage . Forum 27
ON THE EDGE OF ACTION 01-02-03 APRIL
The stage is set for a thrilling night race under the stars at the world-class, floodlit Bahrain International Circuit, 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East'.
BAHRAINGP.COM / 1745 0000 / CITY CENTRE / SEEF MALL The F1 FORMULA 1 Logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company. All rights reserved.
ON THE EDGE OF ACTION 01-02-03 APRIL
The stage is set for a thrilling night race under the stars at the world-class, floodlit Bahrain International Circuit, 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East'.
BAHRAINGP.COM / 1745 0000 / CITY CENTRE / SEEF MALL The F1 FORMULA 1 Logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company. All rights reserved.
Motoring News Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover Officially Inaugurates its State of the Art $30 Million Showroom in Grand Style
Euro Motors officially inaugurated its new $30 Million Showroom in a spectacular event that was held on Wednesday, the 9th of December 2015. The opening ceremony was held in grand style, as it served to commemorate both the inauguration of the new showroom as well as the National Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event was hosted with such grandeur as it also served to showcase the other prominent highlights of the evening which included the Launch of the All-New 2016 Jaguar XF and a Raffle Draw, with a prize of the newly introduced Jaguar XF. Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover played eminent host to an enormous audience of around 2,500 individuals, including its existing elite customers, VIPs, ministers, government officials, members of the media, corporate guests, socialites, loyalists, car lovers and other invitees. Expanding on the importance of the event, Mr. Nawaf Khalid Al Zayani, the Managing Director of Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, said: On behalf of Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, I d like to express my gratitude to everyone who is with us for this momentous occasion and would like to welcome one and all to our latest, most innovative and customer oriented offering, our state of the art new showroom. This is a significant occasion for us as we celebrate the illustrious history we have shared with Jaguar Land Rover Limited over the years, the glorious milestones we have accumulated along the way and our rapid progress since then to the elevated position we are in at present. With the Al Zayani family being the first to bring the Land Rover franchise to the MENA region, we are proud to say that we have deep-rooted relations 30 Forum
with Jaguar Land Rover. Our business association with Land Rover goes back to 1949, when we became the sole distributors for the famous brand in Bahrain; and having earned the trust of Jaguar Land Rover Ltd., Euro Motors was then appointed in 2013 as the Exclusive Importer and Distributor for Jaguar in Bahrain as well. We have since gone from strength to strength in exceeding all expectations with our exceptional sales record with respect to both distinguished brands, he added. Present at the ceremony, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover MENA, Mr. Bruce Robertson, said: On behalf of Jaguar Land Rover, I wish to extend my deepest congratulations to Nawaf and his dedicated team on their successful history in Bahrain which has led them to exceed all expectations. Tonight s new showroom unveiling celebrates our partnership with Euro Motors. Optimized to serve Jaguar Land Rover customers in luxurious and comfortable conditions, this new facility will provide customers with a premium purchasing environment and the latest in car repairing technologies and services, as well as being in compliance with our latest and highest corporate identity standards. Today s unveiling is part of our ambitious plan to expand our business with strong local partners to provide a high level of customer service and support to our valued customers. We are extremely proud to see Euro Motors continue to grow with new facility and product launches in Bahrain, accompanied by their relentless drive for excellence for both our brands year on year, he concluded. During the course of the evening, the dynamic, coupé-like, aluminium-
intensive, lightweight All-New 2016 Jaguar XF was introduced to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time in a beautifully lit, English garden style set-up that was specially designed on the Rooftop of the showroom for this occasion. Another highlight of the evening was the Raffle Draw through which Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover invited all who attended to enter for a chance to win the newly introduced, brand new 2016 Jaguar XF by simply filling in and submitting tickets and Ms. Lindsay Kipp was picked out as the winner, driving home the sleek, distinctive and daring vehicle.
The showroom is the first purpose built facility in the MENA region to be fully compliant with Jaguar Land Rover s latest corporate identity standards. Located adjacent to the existing Euro Motors showroom in Sitra, the $30 million two level showroom is spread over 5,000 square meters and has been specially designed from the outset to solely house new as well as Approved Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles for a minimum of the next ten years. Construction work on the $30 million edifice began in April 2014 and through Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover s meticulous supervision and diligent leadership, work on the showroom was completed within an impressive duration of time.
�����������������
����������� ��������������
���������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ ��� ����������������������������������������������������� ������������������� �������������������������� �������������������� � � ���������������������� �������������������� ���������������������������
��������������������������������� ������������������������
���������������������� JGME_ATL_TIER3_ENG.indd 1
2/7/16 5:42 PM
Motoring News
Euro Motors introduces exclusive offers on APPROVED Jaguar and Land Rover Vehicles
007 s Aston Martin DB10 sells for £2.4 million benefitting Médecins Sans Frontières
Euro Motors is now making purchasing one of their masterpieces more appealing than ever with the exclusive JAGUAR APPROVED and LAND ROVER APPROVED certified pre-owned vehicle programme.
The highly coveted and incredibly rare Aston Martin DB10 made for the latest James Bond film, Spectre, went under the auctioneer s gavel at Christie s in London lin February. The bidding was tense and exciting before a final bid of an amazing £2,434,500.
The Jaguar Land Rover APPROVED vehicles campaign facilitates customers to purchase pre-owned certified vehicles with complete piece of mind by visiting the all new state-ofthe-art Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover Showroom, which has a dedicated floor that exhibits APPROVED vehicles. The APPROVED vehicles undergo vigorous inspection and testing in order to be delivered in superb condition. The campaign offers a wide array of benefits which include a minimum 2 year APPROVED warranty, a 24/7 Road Assistance package also for a minimum of 2 years, along with a professional, expert trade-in service. Speaking on the cost effective APPROVED vehicles campaign, Mr. Lee Boyle, General Manager of Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover, said: It is with great pleasure that, as part of our constant efforts to provide unrivalled customer experience, we are able to roll out this appealing APPROVED vehicles campaign. A programme such as this enables us to meet the demand of the pre-owned vehicle market and facilitates making Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles more accessible to both our loyal and prospective customers within the Kingdom . All the Jaguar and Land Rover APPROVED vehicles in this campaign undergo comprehensive testing which includes a multi-point inspection that covers 165 mechanical, electric and safety checks. The APPROVED vehicles go through a certified kilometre check and by doing so, our customers are granted a fully up-to-date service history which in turn promotes our value for customer satisfaction. Once the checks and reworking on the APPROVED vehicles are completed, they are taken on a road test by one of our Jaguar Land Rover Trained Technicians. The entire process is done to ensure that our customers are able to purchase the finest certified pre-owned vehicles in Bahrain. The APPROVED vehicle campaign is an indication of our strong enthusiasm in bettering ourselves as we look to carry forward our strong start to the year, he added. 32 Forum
The buyer now owns a true piece of automotive history; the only Aston Martin DB10 to be made available for public sale. Celebrating the great British brand s half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse of the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins. Production of the DB10 was strictly limited to 10 models of the bespoke sports car which was developed and hand-built by the designers, engineers and artisan craftspeople at Aston Martin s Gaydon headquarters in the UK for the latest Bond film, Spectre. Eight of the DB10 s were modified for filming, but two of those produced were kept back as show cars for display purposes only and the DB10 auctioned is one of them. The money raised by the auction of the Aston Martin DB10 will benefit Médecins Sans Frontières. MSF or Doctors without Borders is a global humanitarian aid organisation that provides medical care and support to victims of armed conflict, epidemics and other disasters. Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer. The DB10 is one of the rarest cars ever created. Only 10 will ever be made and this is the only one that will be made available for sale. It s great to see this DB10 raising vital funds for Médecins Sans Frontières, it is a fantastic charity that we are delighted to support . James Bond Spectre The Live Auction , was a unique collection of 10 lots, a further 14 were available in the online sale, which continued until 23 February, celebrating the release of the 24th Bond film on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD. The James Bond s initialled
JB Tom Ford cufflinks worn by Daniel Craig pictured above had a final sale price of £74,500.
MSO pays Carbon Fibre tribute to McLaren P1 and welcomes 675LT Spider at 2016 Geneva Motor Show
BMW demonstrates a functional camera system designed to completely replace side and rearview mirrors.
McLaren Automotive will attend the Geneva Motor Show for the fourth time this year with its largest ever stand in a new location, showcasing the largest range of models from the full three-tier model line-up. Among the headlines, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will pay a carbon fibre tribute to the McLaren P1 which recently ceased production. MSO has also created a bespoke version of the 675LT Spider which makes its first public appearance at the show after selling out in weeks. They will line up alongside the recentlyconfirmed 650S GT3 racing car and a still-to-be-announced addition to the Sports Series family on Stand 6040, Hall 6. It will be the largest motor show presence of McLaren to date, underlining the growth of the proudly independent British sports car brand.
For its driving display pictured above, BMW s mirrorless system fuses the imagery from four cameras into a single, wide image, complete with a representation of the car shown in the middle, to give the driver perspective.
The latest customer project completed by the team at McLaren Special Operations, through its MSO Bespoke division, showcases the craftsmanship and levels of tailoring available to all McLaren owners. The McLaren P1 by MSO, one of the 375 road legal versions produced, is presented with a full visual carbon fibre body which has been hand-laid, with a bespoke Lio Blue tinted lacquer. The Geneva Motor Show marks the first time the full visual carbon fibre body conversion has been displayed publicly after it was made available to McLaren P1 customers earlier this year. Other key upgrades completed by MSO include a gloss black finish to the wheels, an extensive retrim of the interior with carbon black Alcantara® and contrasting blue stitching, and a 24carat gold exhaust heatshield in homage to the McLaren F1. Making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the 675LT Spider is limited to only 500 examples worldwide, with each model already accounted for. The satin carbon fibre retractable hardtop and tonneau can be operated at speeds up to 40km/h (25mph) and saves 1kg, while the front wings include carbon fibre louvres. Performance for the 675LT Spider by MSO remains unchanged, with the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine generating 675PS (666bhp) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque. These figures accelerate the 675LT Spider from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.9 seconds, zero to 200km/h (124mph) in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 326km/h (204mph).
With forward-looking car technology, the rearview mirror as we know it may soon become a thing of the past. Technology at the Consumer Electronics Show showed how electronic cameras on a vehicle can give a driver a better view than conventional mirrors, eliminating blind spots which can lead to accidents. BMW showed its system in which small cameras replace mirrors and offer an electronic display, allowing drivers to get three separate images or a single panoramic view. According to BMW, this means a driver can look ahead and won t need to turn his or her head to see side mirrors which have been removed and replaced with small cameras. French equipment maker Valeo meanwhile offered its Sightstream system which uses cameras as well but maintains electronic displays on eah side of the car. The Valeo system offers a less dramatic change than BMW, so drivers who are accustomed to looking right and left don t have to change their habits. Both companies say their systems offer several advantages: a more complete view of the landscape and better vision at night. And they will avoid problems of side mirrors which get fogged up or covered with rain. The systems offer a better aerodynamic profile for the car, which can reduce fuel consumption. None of these systems are in cars yet, but looking ahead, cameras seem to be the wave of the future. General Motors said the inside mirror in its Bolt electric car, to be introduced soon, will be able to connect to a camera, eliminating the problem of a view blocked by passengers or tall objects in the back seat.
Forum 33
Education & Training
CPISP announces 2017 scholarships application procedures and deadline The Crown Prince s International Scholarship Program (CPISP) announced that the application submission period for its 2017 scholarships will be from 6 24 March 2016. The announcement was made during presentations held by the Programme at the Ministry of Education Hall for government school students who met the Programme s application criteria to brief them about the application process requirements and criteria. CPISP Head of Financial and Student Affairs, Ms. Shatha Ahmed Ali, affirmed that the CPISP will begin accepting applications for 2017 scholarships starting from 6 March 2016 for a period of about 3 weeks, and that the final application deadline will be on 24 March 2016. She added that the Programme s application submission process and subsequent candidate training starts about one year before applicants graduate from secondary school. The CPISP application criteria require applicants to have Bahraini citizenship, be enrolled in the 11th grade and/or set to graduate from secondary school in 2017, and have a cumulative GPA of 97% or above for grade 10 and the first semester of grade 11 she said. She stated that the application form will be available on the Programme s website www.cpisp.bh during the application submission period. She went on to explain that after receiving the applications and required attachments, the Programme will contact via email applicants who meet the application
British School Bahrain awarded membership of COBIS. BSB are delighted to announce that the school is now a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). They are doubly proud as they are currently the only school in Bahrain to be a member. This means that they will be participating in student competitions and events around the world as part of the benefits of becoming a member of COBIS. Colin Bell from COBIS, said: COBIS welcomes the British School Bahrain as a Member School. The school submitted an excellent application to the COBIS Membership Committee who were delighted to offer Member status to the school. Mr Khalil Ahmed, Head of Senior School, said: COBIS is a badge of honour for us, the school s fantastic international dimension is not only giving our young people a better understanding of the world around them, but it s really making a difference to their future prospects too. Employers are telling us that the international skills are just as important as exam results so everything the school is doing is vital preparation for life in a global society and working in a global economy. 34 Forum
criteria to inform them of their scheduled qualifying test dates, which the Programme will organise with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to assess their English proficiency and critical reasoning abilities. Ms. Shatha then gave a brief on the Programme s candidacy stage, where a minimum of 60 applicants will be selected based on the results of the qualifying tests and their Grade Point Averages, and will include 40 students from Ministry of Education Schools and 20 students from private schools. The candidacy stage will involve training in cooperation with BIBF, as well as courses in preparation for the IELTS and SAT exams, after which the final ten scholarship recipients will be selected and who will include 3 government school boys, 3 government school girls, 2 private school boys, and 2 private school girls. On hearing the news that the British School Bahrain had received the Award, Board of Trustees, Chairman, Mr Rashad Janahi said: The school has gone from strength to strength over the last few years due to the hard work of our staff and students. The school has developed relationships within the local and global community and this membership is recognition of how well we are doing. The membership is the icing on the cake as we are developing into an all-round successful school . Dr. Wall, Head of School, said: We are proud to belong to such a prestigious organisation . Some of the benefits that the membership brings for BSB students and staff are: Representation with the British Government, educational bodies and the corporate sector Quality continuing professional development for school leaders, teachers and support staff Opportunities for our students to participate in a wide range of COBIS competitions, awards and activities and forge global friendships across the COBIS network Inter-school and inter-association networking opportunities
Oasis Training Center Bahrain awarded ilm and CII Professional Development Accreditation Status Oasis Training Center in Bahrain has recently been granted Institute of LeadershipandManagement (ilm) Approved Centre status, Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Accredited Professional Development Centre status and CII Accredited Trainer status, for two insurance trainers. The ilm and the Chartered Insurance Institute are both UK professional bodies. Oasis Training Center has also been appointed as an official representative of Cardiff Metropolitan University in the Middle East for international student recruitment. Dr Suzanne White FCII was granted CII Accredited Advanced Trainer status
We are delighted to have been awarded CII Accredited Trainer status. This is testament to the quality of our learning provision and our experience. We look forward to helping insurance professionals throughout the region achieve their CII qualifications. We are offering all CII qualifications from the Award, FIT and Cert CII, to Diploma and ACII. Above: Dr Suzanne White receives her accreditation from a Chartered Insurance Institute Representative
and Fetooh Al Zayani DipCII was granted Intermediate Trainer status. CII accreditation confirms an individual s technical knowledge, experience and ability to provide training at an introductory, intermediate or advanced level to CII quality standards.
International Mindedness at the BSB
Suzanne and Fetooh are the only insurance trainers in the Kingdom of Bahrain to attain the accreditation and two of only 20 in the world. Oasis is one of only 3 CII Accredited Professional Development Centers in the world. Dr Suzanne White FCII, founder of the centre said:
The CII s director of accreditation services, Tamsin Mills, said: I am delighted to confirm that Oasis Training Center s trainers, Dr Suzanne White FCII and Fetooh Al Zayani DipCII, have been awarded CII Accredited Trainer status. The CII looks forward to an ongoing partnership with Oasis.
British School Bahrain provide outstanding academic achievement The GCSE/A Level results are outstanding year on year as benchmarked against leading schools in the UK and the Middle East; BSB became the only school in Bahrain to be awarded the COBIS accreditation in recognition of its outstanding teaching, learning and student attainment. GCSE results include; 95% of students achieving an A*-C in English Language with 43% achieving an A*/A. It is a similar set of outstanding results for Maths with 94.19% passing with A*-C and 45% achieving an A*/A.
In December 2015, British School teamed up with Gulf Weekly and DHL and successfully launched a Wrap-up for Christmas campaign for Syria. The response to our appeal for new blankets and socks to ensure desperate families living under basic tented shelters don t freeze to death during the upcoming winter months had a phenomenal response from our students, parents and staff. Mr Ahmed, Head of Seniors commented This is a drop in the ocean when it comes to resources needed to help the refugees facing the harsh winter out in the open, this appeal has allowed the school to raise awareness about what is happening to our fellow human beings.
Head of Senior School, Khalil Ahmed commented: We have a significant number of students who have achieved the gold standard of 5 or more higher GCSE grades including English and Maths. 26 out of 86 students entered achieved 6 or more total A* and A grades. Congratulations to all our students on their efforts and achievements year on year for the efforts and achievements. Some notable achievements include: Saad Rai Khan Ammar Adenwala Yannis Panagis Husain Abbas Oday Al Ahmed Muhamed Arslan Amy Howe Hamza Afzal Rushad Postwalla Iqra Ahsan Ahnaf Rahman Asna Wajid
9A* 7A* s, 2A 7A* s, 1 A 6A*, 2A 6A* s,2A s 6A* s,2A s 5A*,4A 4A*, 4A 4A*,3A s 4A*, 3A 5A*,2A 4A*, 3A s
Areej Khokar William Perois Schnelle Alvares Sara Galal Khalifa Al Khalifa Muhammed Illyas Sara Abdulnabi Maria Zulfikar Alf Varghese
3A*, 4A 2A* s, 4A s 3A* s, 2A s 3A* s, 5A s 2A*, 7A 4A* s, 4A s 6A s 7A s 5A s
Forum 35
News from the Eastern Province with little sign of progress towards resolution and no coordinated strategies emerging. The resulting mass migration into Europe continues to be a huge issue and threatens the very existence of the EU with no clear path forward on how to deal with the problem. It is also likely to be a significant factor in the EU referendum. Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable festive season and have now re-focused their efforts on returning their waistlines to the preXmas levels! It seems that 2016 will continue with the challenges faced last year with political instability in the region, as well as economic pressures arising from the declining oil price .I keep thinking it can t go any lower but it does! The EU referendum in UK and US Presidential election are dominating the media and will also ensure an interesting 2016. Politically, the region continues to be unsettled
On the business front, economic pressures arising from the lower oil price are now having a clear impact in EP and beyond with companies looking at slowing down or deferring projects and implementing staffing reductions. This is particularly the case in the Government sector as infrastructure projects are being scrutinized with a view to reducing or deferring spending to minimize the use of financial reserves. This situation is likely to continue through 2016 with the oil price currently at around $30 / bbl and the impact of Iran returning to the market not yet clear.
Saudi Snippets
The British Business Association (BBA) - Eastern Province P.O.Box 1868, AlKhobar 31952 Tel: 03 882 5288 ext 1651 Fax: 03 882 5384 Email: secretary@bbaep.org Website: www.bbaep.com
Interestingly, and almost certainly related to the current economic climate, Aramco have launched a new initiative called IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Added) which is a programme aimed at driving sourcing of equipment, materials and services to in-Kingdom suppliers on a preferential basis. The intention is to incentivize companies to establish a base on the ground in Saudi and provide more jobs for Saudis. While the drive to use in-kingdom suppliers is not new it is significant that a major player in the market is now fully implementing the programme. It will be interesting to see how the p ro g r a m m e p ro g re s s e s a n d w h e t h e r A r a m c o s lead will be followed by others.
Aramco considering IPO
Thunder of the North
With a daily production of more than the domestic output of every US oil company combined, the mere suggestion that this state-owned oil giant might go public seems outlandish.
Armed forces from 20 countries have begun manoeuvres in northeastern Saudi Arabia that the official Saudi Press Agency described as one of the world s biggest military exercises.
Would the Kingdom of Oil really place its crown jewel in the hands of fickle investors? The answer, according to the Kingdom s Deputy Crown Prince, is maybe. In an interview published in January, Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Aramco was considering an IPO as the Kingdom confronts the hard economic and geopolitical realities of cheaper and cheaper crude. 36 Forum
That would easily rank Aramco among the world s most valuable companies, well above Apple, at $600 billion. Based simply on its oil reserves and using a conservative valuation of roughly $10 per barrel, Aramco could be worth more than $2.5 trillion. And yet stock market investors rarely value state-owned oil companies as dispassionately as the numbers suggest - or as government officials might hope. Should Aramco go public, it might actually fetch as little as $100 billion, based on valuations applied to similar state-owned groups.
Troops from Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Sudan are among those participating in the Thunder of the North exercise, which began on Saturday and involves ground, air and naval forces, SPA reported. Forces from the other five Gulf Arab states are also taking part in one of the world s most
The 2015 annual Poppy Ball held at the Crowne Plaza on 6 November was a superb evening with over 400 in attendance. Great job done by the organizing team congratulations. Without doubt this was the best yet and the challenge will now be to better it this year. Unfortunately, our Secretary, Rachael Routledge resigned in the New Year and I would like to thank her for the work she did for the BBA and to wish her well in her future endeavours. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce Luisa Graham who has taken on the position on an interim basis. A big welcome to Luisa who can be contacted on the same e-mail Secretary@bbaep.org
important military exercises based on the number of forces participating and the area of territory used, the news agency added. It said a major goal of the exercise was to improve training in responding to the threat posed by terrorist groups. Saudi Arabia has carried out air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria as part of a US-led coalition fighting the jihadists. Last December, it also formed a new 35-member alliance to terrorism in Islamic countries.
������������������������������������ ���� ������������
���������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ��������������� ������������������������������
BAE Systems: Celebrating aviation heritage in Bahrain Pictured left: The Spitfire on show at the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 with the students from Bahrain who assembled the aircraft, and (inset) Hussain Ahmed Al Shoail, Undersecretary for Safety and Aviation Security, stands in front of a miniature replica of Concorde alongside Simon Martin CMG, Her Majesty s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Amanda Stainer, Director, Farnborough International (the organisers of Bahrain International Airshow 2016) Royal Air Force, we shall have the chance to see in flight the extraordinary Typhoon, the world s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft. BAE Systems has a strong civil and military aviation heritage with the Kingdom of Bahrain, was celebrated at the Bahrain International Airshow 2016, held at the end of January. And 2016 marks the 200th anniversary of the close relationship between Bahrain and the UK, which dates back to the 19th century, when a treaty of protection was signed between the British Government and the Sheikh of Bahrain. Last century witnessed the establishment of new airfields and flying boat bases in Bahrain and soon enough, Bahrain became the refuelling station on Imperial Airways routes to India. From the first Imperial Airways flight to Bahrain in August 1927, to the inaugural flight of the British Airways Concorde in January 1976, and to the Royal Bahrain Air Force 38 Forum
Hawk aircraft of today, BAE Systems proud heritage is displayed, in partnership with the RAF Museum, at the Bahrain International Airshow 2016. We are proud that the fourth edition of the Bahrain Inter national Air Show coincides with the 200th anniversary of BahrainBritish relations, and the inaugural flight of Concorde, which made its first flight to Bahrain, said His Excellency Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications. It is fitting that we are celebrating this at our airshow, an event that symbolises the importance of Bahrain in the regional aviation industry, and we are pleased to have a strong participation by BAE Systems, UK Trade & Investment, and the UK Royal Air Force Museum at this show.
Her Majesty s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Simon Martin CMG, commented: Throughout 2016, we shall be celebrating the bicentenary of relations between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Inter national Airshow is a hugely important event in the region s aviation calendar and a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of aviation in our bilateral relationship. BAE Systems will be joined at the airshow by many other successful companies from Britain s dynamic aerospace sector.
A heritage display, focusing on the UK s military and civil aviation involvement in Bahrain from the 1920s to present day, includes:
Thanks to BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force Museum, visitors will be reminded of our shared military and civil aviation heritage including the historic inaugural flight of Concorde in British Airways colours exactly 40 years ago. And thanks to the
the V ickers VC-10 was used for commercial flights into Bahrain by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) from 1964 and by Gulf Air in the 1970s. More recently, RAF VC-10s were based in Bahrain during the 1991 Gulf War
the iconic Spitfire, probably the most famous fighter aircraft in history, first flew 80 years ago. A real non-flying example, provided by the RAF Museum the Anson, designed and built in the North West of England by Avro, was used to establish the Gulf Aviation Company in 1950, which today has become Gulf Air, the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain
the Blackburn Beverley transport aircraft was based at RAF Muharraq in Bahrain from 1964. This aircraft was designed and built in Brough in the UK, a factory that would eventually build a fleet of Hawk training aircraft for the RBAF some 40 years later. Tom Hallett, Business Development Manager Bahrain, BAE Systems, said: As well as having a close relationship over 200 years, Bahrain and the UK also have a proud heritage in civil and military aviation over many decades. The aircraft in the heritage timeline we are displaying at Bahrain this year demonstrate how engineering and innovation in aviation has been pioneered in the UK and that the Kingdom of Bahrain has been a constant supporter and adopter of this technology.
Concorde A special mention must go to Concorde, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of its inaugural flight into Bahrain on 21 January 1976, when the aircraft made the world s first supersonic commercial flight. An iconic symbol of progress, with the ability to speed at 22 miles a minute, this milestone in aviation history only took three hours and 17 minutes to reach Bahrain from London Heathrow. Another first associated with Concorde is that HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa became the first Arab head of state to fly supersonically in Concorde during its visit to Bahrain. Concorde was manufactured by the British Aircraft Corporation, a predecessor company of BAE Systems.
Spitfire The iconic, World War II era Spitfire, which was again exhibited at the Air Show with the RAF Museum, is a reminder of the strong links between Bahrain and Britain, which were underlined in the Second World War. The Supermarine Spitfire remains the iconic British fighter of the Second World War, and Britain was not alone in its fight Bahrain, through the Gulf Fighter Fund that was funded by all members of the community in the Arabian Gulf, financed the purchase of 11 Spitfires to aid the war effort. In total, the Fighter Fund raised £50,000 (31,000 BHD) and six Spitfires bore the name Bahrain . Sophy Gardner from the RAF Museum, said: We
are pleased to be working with BAE Systems and to have been able to display this iconic aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire, at the Bahrain International Air Show. This particular aircraft played a key role in the Second World War, with the help of Bahrain and the other countries in the Gulf, so it is particularly pleasing to display it in this important year for BahrainUK relations. The aircraft, which arrived in Bahrain in sections, was assembled over two days by four Bahraini students from the Gulf Aviation Academy and AFAQ, the Institute of Aviation Technology. This amazing experience has given the students the opportunity to learn about this iconic Second World War aircraft and its role in Bahrain s history.
Forum 39
Hotel & Leisure News
Crowne Plaza Bahrain opens its Bahrain Conference Centre after soft refurbishment. The Bahrain Conference Centre, a leading venue, famous for hosting large social, corporate and leisure events recently re-opened its Conference Centre after some enhancements. The newly refurbished banquet rooms may be used independently of the hotel facilities or in conjunction with the guest rooms and other meeting rooms. Highlights of the banquet refurbishment include bright new carpets, digital display screens and adjustable lighting in all meeting rooms and banquet hall. Accommodating up to 1,000 delegates, the main banquet hall has beautifully contrasted wooden wall design accentuating the 7.2 metre ceiling height, 5 remote controlled screens (including 5 suspending
projectors), new digital signage, inter net connectivity, and new lighting and design enhancements that maximize the chic look. From the specialised themed weddings, cocktail receptions and elegant dinners to professional workshops, seminars, and social events guests can benefit from expanded flexibility and options across the refurbished facilities.
In addition to the banquet facilities, a fully functional special MICE business centre has been unveiled tailored to meet discerning business client s needs. We provide dedicated Crowne Meetings Manager to partner with you to plan and create a uniquely tailored event. O u r s e r v i c e s a n d e x p e r t i s e a re designed so we can concentrate on what matters most for your event s success.
The Domain Hotel & Spa welcomes new General Manager The Domain Hotel and Spa, Bahrain is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Normann Eikeland as their new General Manager. Mr. Eikeland, holds a Norwegian nationality and brings with him more than 30 years of experience from the world of hospitality. Prior to joining the Domain Team, he has distinguished himself as the General Manager of many renowned hotels in Norway and in the Middle East. He holds a bachelor s degree from the Hotel Management School of Hospitality Management in Norway. He began his career as a bellboy and worked his way up to director of restaurants in Sheraton Norway. From food and beverage division he transferred to Sales and Marketing. Where he received tremendous success, which led to a position of Regional Director - Sales and Marketing with Radisson. Norway. 40 Forum
Mr. Frank Eikeland, has previously held General Manager positions with Radisson Blu Resort El Quseir in Egypt , Radisson Park Inn in Saudi Arabia and the Radisson Blu Resort in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, in addition to several reputed hotels in Norway.
Hotel & Leisure News
Her Excellency Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh Inaugurates Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay s In-House Clinic HE Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, inaugurated the Kingdom s very first hotel Clinic at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay at an exclusive ribbon-cutting ceremony. Her Excellency was the guest of honor at the ceremony, which was hosted jointly by Greg Pirkle, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, in the company of Dr. Mariam Adhbi Al-Jalahma Executive Head of National Health Regulatory Authority, as well as official dignitaries and leading members of the local medical community. Her Excellency Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh did the honors of cutting the ribbon to the new medical facility, which is based on the ground floor of the Hotel close to the employee entrance. Her Excellency Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh highlighted the vision for the Clinic: I am impressed to see that the management of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay handles the health of its employees with the utmost importance. I am confident that the new Clinic will provide a very high level of medical service to all the Four Seasons staff. The opening of the Clinic has met with an enthusiastic response from the Hotel s employees. Open six days a week, eight hours daily, the in-house Clinic is headed by Dr. Mohammed Imran General Practitioner, Al Hilal Hospital Bahrain. Greg Pirkle General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay also spoke about the importance of the Clinic. We are the first hotel in Bahrain offering a professional in-house medical service to our employees and we could not be more proud
Her Excellency Faeqa bint Saeed AlSaleh in the company of Dr. Mariam Adhbi Al-Jalahma Executive Head of National Health Regulatory Authority, Four Seasons Management and members of the medical community
to secure this facility on site, conveniently located next to our Human Resources Department and employee entrance. We believe our greatest asset and the key to our success is our people. Our formula to achieve undisputed leadership focuses on being #1 with our employees throughout Four Seasons and being the best employer for a high performing and diverse workforce. We continually strive to secure better work environment for our employees and we believe with the in-house Clinic we succeeded in achieving this goal, added Pirkle. Four Seasons has been named by its employees to FORTUNE magazine s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For for 17 years in a row one of just 13 organizations to have the distinction of being recognized every year since the list s inception in 1998.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts appoint new General Manager Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East announced the appointment of Ms. Anna-Marie Dowling as the new Complex General Manager for The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre.
for Le Méridien Piccadilly Hotel & Café Royal.
An English national, Dowling s expertise and experience in the hospitality industry spans 24 years, taking on various positions in properties in the United Kingdom. This will be her first role in the Middle East.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to re-join Starwood Hotels & Resorts and lead a great team across the Westin and Le Méridien Complex, said Dowling. I look forward to learning from the local hospitality industry, and also plan to implement best practices from my previous experience to further the success the complex has witnessed the past year and a half.
Dowling joins the team from the Sofitel London Heathrow, where she was the General Manager since 2013. Prior to this, Dowling was General Manager at the Royal Horseguards, a luxury hotel which is part of the Guoman Group. She previously made her debut with Starwood in 2003, as General Manager
Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre recently renovated all of its guest rooms, Club Lounge and introduced new elements, such as the Longitude 50, a brand lobby café concept, as well as Art Link, a digital photography exhibition that spans Le Méridien s corridor to the shopping mall entrance.
42 Forum
The Westin Bahrain Centre City also recently renovated all of its guest rooms with each room includes the signature Westin Heavenly Bed®, the Executive Lounge, and the new creative space, Tangent . The hotel will complete its refreshed look later this year with the introduction of a new and unique concept.
Hotel & Leisure News
BANZ Group team wins Pro Am Tournament The BANZ Group team clinched first place in the Royal Golf Club s 2016 Pro Am tournament with an excellent team score of eight under par. The team, led by the Royal Golf Club s Director of Golf and PGA Professional Philip Waine, comprised 2016 men s Club Captain Jason Smith along with John Boland and Peter O Brien. A team from Wadi Al Saeed Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, comprising professional Paul Stent along with Joshua Olson, Gregory Kortzman and Nadir Youssif were close runners up just one shot behind on seven under par. Royal Golf Club Teaching Professional Juan Fuentes led his Seef Dental team of Mike McKinzie, Mel Knotts and Hanne Hansen to third place with six under par. A total of eight teams took part in the annual golf tournament representing the following companies: Banz Group, Mercedes Benz, Seef Dental, Hot-Hed, Al Wadi Saeed Golf Club, AXA, Aker Solutions and Champs & Corners. The competition was played in the best two from four strokeplay format and featured nine side contests. All the competitors enjoyed a light breakfast prior to teeing off and the tournament was followed by a prize-giving ceremony and dinner.
On behalf of the Royal Golf Club I would like to thank everyone who participated in this event, commented Ben Stimson, the Royal Golf Club s Golf Sales Manager. I m delighted to announce that the tournament raised BD 350 for the Palm Association, our Club Captains chosen charity for 2016. We are already in the planning stages for another pro-am tournament later on this year which will be on an even larger scale and which we hope will see teams entering from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar & Saudi Arabia.
Above: (L to R) Winning BANZ Group team of Boland, O Brien, Smith & Waine
The Royal Golf Club is delighted to welcome new Director of Agronomy William Evans to the management team. William comes from Ireland and boasts over 15 years experience in the agronomy and landscape industries, most recently as Golf Agronomy and Landscape Manager at The Allegria golf course in Cairo, Egypt. His work has taken him to several different countries and climates including positions at The Grove in the UK, East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, United States and at several other facilities in Ireland. I m looking forward to the challenge ahead in Bahrain and to building upon the achievements of my predecessor, commented Evans. My team will continue on with the course improvement plans already in place which will showcase both golf courses to the best possible standards as well as ensuring that the long term development of the courses is economical and environmentally sustainable. We are very pleased to have Will on board and he brings a wealth of experience to the team here at the club, stated the Royal Golf Club s General Manager Stephen Havrilla. He replaces Jordan Fairweather who has taken on a new role for Troon Golf in Malaysia. Evans will also head up the Bahrain International Golf Course Company (B.I.G.C.C.) Landscape and Cart Fleet divisions 44 Forum
Above: (L to R) Runners up Wadi Al Saeed team of Youssif, Olson, Stent & Kortzman
Above: (L to R) Third place Seef Dental team of Fuentes, Hansen, Knotts & McKinzie
Results: 1st Philip Waine (Pro), Jason Smith, Peter O Brien & John Boland (-8), 2nd Paul Stent, Joshua Olson, Gregory Kortzman & Nadir Youssif (-7), 3rd Juan Fuentes (Pro), Mike McKinzie, Mel Knotts & Hanne Hansen (-6). Nearest the Pins: Keith Watson (hole 2), Stephen Wagstaff (hole 7). Nearest the Pin in 2: Phil Sadler (hole 6), Sam Kobeissi (hole 10), Tim Billa (hole 18). Longest Drives: Keith Watson (holes 3 & 15).
Bahrain News
With the presence of the French Ambassador; GARMCO signs remelt expansion contract with Fives GARMCO, the Bahrain-based international aluminum rolling mill and one of the largest downstream aluminum facilities in the Middle East, has awarded a contract worth $47 million to Fives, an industrial engineering group and supplier of machines, process equipment and production lines for the world s largest industrial companies, to build a new state of art cast house at GARMCO s Bahrain based facilities. The Re-melt Project is an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) Turn-Key project, which will enable GARMCO to develop its metal recycling capability and lower the cost of metal casting. The project will run for a duration of approximately 21 months, starting September 2015. The first stage has already commenced and is being managed internally by GARMCO with the support of a local supplier. This stage consists of the construction of a scrap storage area and segregation unit. The new project, once complete, will enable GARMCO to produce 120,000 tonnes of aluminium slabs. H. E. Mr. Bernard Regnauld-Fabre, Ambassador of France to Bahrain, and Mrs Valerie Montane, the Commercial Counsellor, attended the signing ceremony as the guest of honours. GARMCO has also invited
the project s financier Ahli United Bank to join the ceremony.
growth of the Company regionally and internationally.
Commenting, Mr. Mahmood Al Soufi, Chairman of GARMCO, said, We are delighted to launch this important expansion project in collaboration with Fives. This facility will have a number of advantages for GARMCO. Importantly, it will create 50 new jobs, further bolstering GARMCO s position as one of the most sizable employers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and will generate significant cost savings. This project, alongside one or two others, forms an integrated part of a three year strategy and will contribute to the profitability and
Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lucas, CEO of GARMCO, added, We are excited to move ahead with the Re-melt Expansion project, and our continued collaboration with worldclass partners as we further build GARMCO s capacity and reach across global markets. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ahli United Bank for financing this investment project as we move the company even further down the path of efficiency both in terms of the value and savings that can be extracted.
New British Chef to lead at Mansouri properties British Chef Steven Hicks, hailing from Essex, has joined Hasan Mansouri to develop the food operations at Mansouri Mansions Hotel, The Country Club and Maguire s Pub. Chef Steven has vast international experience and will certainly add some British and International flavours to the Hasan Mansouri Group s food and beverage operations. 46 Forum
Bahraini Company, Impact Estate wins three prestigious Arabian Property Awards BBBF Member Company, Impact Estate w.l.l., receives three prestigious awards during the Africa and Arabia International Property Award Summit held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai. Impact Estate wins this International recognition for the second consecutive year and is awarded the 5-Star Award for Best Real Estate Consultancy, the Highly Commended Real Estate Brokerage Award, and the Highly Commended Real Estate Marketing Award. Despite strong competition with hundreds of entries being nominated from over 25 countries across Africa and the Middle East, the independent panel of 70 industry experts at the Africa & Arabia International Property Awards recognised Impact Estate s achievements in quality, superior customer service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability. The judging panel is chaired by Lord Caithness and Lord Best, members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. The Chairman and Managing Director of the Impact Group of Companies that owns Impact Estate, Mr. Zaher Hammouda said It is no surprise to find that Bahraini companies are continuously receiving International recognition for outstanding achievements. Bahrain is rightfully respected as the best hub for
foreign investments in general and for real estate development in specific . Mr. Hammouda added that The vision and leadership of His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have positioned Bahrain as a centre of excellence and as the unrivalled country within the region for attracting direct foreign investments. Bahrain is ranked the 12th most open economy worldwide by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal s Index of Economic Freedom. Therefore it is no surprise that Bahraini companies are constantly being recognised and that the Bahrain Real Estate Sector
continues to attract International Foreign Investors. We at the Impact Group of Companies believe the awards we received today are really awards for the Kingdom of Bahrain . Oksana A.Konyshevska, the General Manager of Impact Estate added that, It is an honour for our team at Impact Estate to win these accolades from the Africa & Arabia Property Awards Committee, and for the second year running. Our team at Impact Estate has always strived for excellence and these awards acknowledge the teams commitment, dedication, creativity, customer focus and responsiveness to all real estate clients .
Inovative Courses from SteppingStone Global SteppingStone Global ran the first business speed networking event (pictured left) in December 2015 at The Domain Hotel and Spa. The event attracted over 60 participants and was a great success. Many people asked for another business speed networking soon. The series of monthly evening workshops continued with many attendees from both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia participating. In February the subject matter was Strategic Performance Management
and over 120 people (pictured above) were present for the event. SteppingStone Global was also involved in a number of
other programmes at the start of 2016, including Consultative Sales 3 day workshop for the Banz Group and also ran a similar programme in Qatar for Petrofac. Forum 47
BBBF launches new website at February Networking Lunch meeting
48 Forum
Forum 49
Bahrain News
Nexus Group Wins Two Categories at MENA Insurance Awards 2016 Nexus Group, the region s largest financial advisor, has received two coveted recognitions at the 2016 edition of the MENA Insurance Awards, bringing the total number of accolades the firm has received over the last 10 years to a remarkable 17 awards. The panel of expert judges, comprised of MENA insurance industry leaders, were impressed by Nexus thorough understanding of the regional market it operates in, and its capacity to offer sound financial guidance to its clients through its 500-plus qualified consultants. Nexus received the Personal Lines Broker award, which is given to a company that demonstrates quality service to clients, offers product diversity, sets professional standards, and maintains a sound business strategy. The company also won Most Innovative Broker for meeting client demands and demonstrating creativity across its comprehensive portfolio of insurance schemes. The personal lines business at Nexus showed considerable growth in 2015, with some segments showing a 35 per cent increase year on year, and the total number of active clients climbing 15 per cent. We recognize that our responsibility as an insurance broker goes beyond our product offering. When seeking an insurance plan, clients are in fact looking for peace of mind, and that is why we firmly believe that our ability to provide personalized service is a key contributor to our success, said Tarun Khanna, CEO of Nexus Group. The continuous growth we are witnessing across our
business is testament to our commitment to putting our clients best interests at the front-and-centre of everything we do, and we are truly honoured to have started 2016 with such prestigious recognition. Offering clients a wide range of coverage options, from children s education and life insurance, to medical and motor insurance, as well as a series of Takaful and savings plans, Nexus Group helps its clients achieve their long-term financial goals and security. Nexus Group has terms of business with many prestigious local and global licensed providers and delivers professional, ethical and quality advice on life, savings, and general insurance for clients who wish to review their financial situation to meet specific goals. As part of the company s drive to develop and promote professional standards, Financial Consultants are evaluated against the standards of the UK s Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). After two weeks initial residential training, Financial Consultants are required to achieve the CII Award in Financial Planning. Nexus Group has its own internal Compliance Department to ensure that all customers have the correct financial product to address their needs and that legal and regulatory requirements are fulfilled. The annual MENA Insurance Awards recognise and reward those MENA-based insurers, reinsurers and brokers that have demonstrated exceptional customer service and innovative product development over the past 12 months. The 2016 winners were announced in a ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.
Celebrate your Awesomeness for Bahrain Women s Day Dr. Clare Beckett-McInroy lead an extremely lively event at The Domain Hotel & Spa that was attended by over 70 Bahraini and Expatriate ladies in celebration of Bahraini Women s Day. During this event by BIZNET and BMC, supported by the BBBF, nine eminent, successful ladies from different business and sporting arenas spoke about what had inspired them, as women, to succeed in the workplace. Their inspirational personal stories encouraged all of the delegates to dive deep and discover their own personal life goals. Speakers included: Rasha Khunji Managing Director at Showcase 101; Wafa Al Obaidat Chief Executive Office and Creative Director at Obai and Hill; Zahraa Tahwe Communication and Event Strategist from FINMARK; Nada Akawi Founder and Creative Director at Anada; Dr. Amy Bowzaylo Owner and CEO at InTouch; Solveig Kicklos Director at BIBF; Amy Morgan CEO and Director of Strategy 50 Forum
at Unisono; Deena Rahman Owner, Director and Head Coach at Trekkers Academy; Fetooh Al Zayani highly experienced advisor and board member for a number of international insurance companies and government authorities.
Bahrain News
Arencon partners with BEST for energy saving Arencon Security has entered into an exclusive partnership with British Energy Saving Technology (BEST) to supply their innovative web-based real-time energy measurement and energy saving solutions in Bahrain. This new partnership is seen as timely, coming in the same month that the government announced the lifting of electricity and water subsidies in an effort to reduce the national financial deficit. BEST designs and manufactures a full suite of worldclass energy saving products and software systems, which can often help organisations reduce their energy costs by between 10% and 30%. Their real-time energy monitoring system and cloud-based analytics software, enable companies to accurately see how their
energy is being used allowing them to eliminate waste, verify the performance of energy saving solutions and implement behavioural change initiatives. BEST s flagship Eniscope product is already being used in over 50 countries around the world by leading companies and their franchisees including such household names as Toyota, Shell, Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven, KFC and Holiday Inn. The Eniscope solution comprises a flexible range of web-enabled class 1 digital meters in one, four and eight way configurations, coupled to a user-friendly interface that disaggregates and processes data on energy consumption second-bysecond. This information is uploaded to the BEST Cloud Server over the internet, enabling users to visualise
and analyse their energy profile on a PC, laptop or mobile device from anywhere in the world. The starting point for any plan to reduce electricity consumption has to be realtime measurement of power usage , commented Arencon Security General Manager Richard Monkhouse. This will enable organisations to effectively target wasteful energy use, especially outof-hours consumption by equipment that is left on all night when it could be switched off or put into stand-by mode . The unique web-based graphical representation provided by the Eniscope Analytics portal allows energy usage to be compared over time on a
circuit-by-circuit basis so that reduction measures can be quantified and anomalous patterns of consumption investigated . Troy Wrigley, BEST s Chief Executive Officer, commented, We see huge value in this relationship because of Arencon Security s potential to deploy BEST technology in a professional manner and deliver significant savings, enhanced control and a rapid return on investment for a multitude of clients in Bahrain. We have been looking for the right partner in Bahrain and we are excited about the prospect of working closely with Arencon Security to contribute to their client s energy saving targets.
New British flow control products available in Bahrain BBBF member Nevin Megchiani at Mohamed Jalal & Sons writes to advise that Smith Flow Control Ltd, from Essex in the UK have launched a custom built Electronic Pigging Panel which enables a client to control a sequence of actuated valves. The operating panel can be used in a variety of applications that involve the use of actuated valves or even DCS controlled processes, for example to launch or receive a pig. The panel works as a communication and proofing system to improve efficiency and safety. The panel has been designed with the operator and environment in mind; it is 52 Forum
easy to use and extrememely robust. It is made to support applications in the most aggressive environments, suitable for temperatures ranging between -40 to +55 degrees Celsius (-40 to +131 degrees Fahrenheit) with an anti-reflective coating that eliminates glare. The panel meets strict safety guidelines and regulatory body requirements and is made using 316 Stainless Steel, conforming to Zone 1 Ex de classification and protection class IP66. It boasts a compact design and can be used in both weight and space-limited areas, without being restricted to a control room location.
The panel can be combined with SFC s latest product to launch Smartrap enabling all processes to be controlled and monitored from one central point. Smith Flow Control were the very first to introduce the coded card linear key
concept to interlocking, a concept which is so well recognised across the industry today. As the innovators, their knowledge and depth of understanding is second to none and they pride themselves in delivering the best solutions across the marketplace.
InTouch with Ironman
InTouch Integrated Chiropractic Centre finished off 2015 on a big note when its dedicated team of practitioners partook in the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain 2015. Dr. Amy Bowzaylo, Clinical Director & CEO of InTouch served as the Recovery Director of the medical team for the race. About 400 athletes from Bahrain, Croatia, Canada, UK, France, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Philippines, Japan and many more participated. Equally important, InTouch Clinic sponsored a number of athletes who all are residents of Bahrain but from different nationalities; Kolja Koracak and Marina Lovrek from Croatia, Phillip Solarski from the United Kingdom, Yanick Cote and Pascale Llemlin from Canada. Marina Lovrek qualified for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Australia and had this to say Triathlon training on daily basis for 6 months can be tough on your body, so big thanks goes to Dr. Amy and the InTouch team for quickly fixing my ITB injury. Doing triathlon without a coach and doctor that you trust is impossible. Dr. Amy and her team were always there to help me when I felt a slight discomfort with my body, and those expert advices were priceless. I m really blessed to be part of InTouch triathlon team. Thank you for believing in me and making me a better athlete. This year, InTouch Clinic remains dedicated to becoming a leading partner in Bahrain as a regional expert in the Chiropractic field. In doing so, InTouch Clinic is giving an opportunity to RCSI medical students who are interested in Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine to observe the doctors in the clinic to help them learn from real time patient experiences in addition to their studies. One of Dr. Bowzaylo s aim is to give back to the community especially by encouraging young Bahrainis to become familiar with the field of Chiropractic and Sports Medicine. Dr. Bowzaylo currently mentors a young Bahraini student Farah Ghaly who has now gone to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree as a Chiropractor. During her summer break, Farah will be shadowing the Chiropractors at InTouch Clinic. I want to increase the awareness in the field of Chiropractic to Medical students to help improve the quality of multidisciplinary care in Bahrain. Students can learn how to take the history or physical examination of patients and how we treat them. This would enable the Medical Doctors to answer future patient questions about Chiropractic and refer patients to the necessary providers said Dr. Bowzaylo of InTouch Clinic. Forum 53
Bahrain News New appoinment at CRS Charles Russell Speechlys, a leading international law firm in the Gulf, has confirmed the appointment of Rupert Copeman-Hill as Partner, who will lead the firm s Corporate and Commercial teams in Bahrain and Qatar.
Middle East involvement reached $33.7 billion during the first nine months of 2015, 23% more than the value registered during the same period in 2014 and marking the best annual start since 2010.
Rupert Copeman-Hill joins the firm s Bahrain office with nearly 20 years international experience advising on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and investment transactions, joint ventures, capital raisings, private equity transactions and commercial and corporate governance matters in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Rupert s regional experience includes advising the shareholders of Abu Dhabi based Target Engineering & Construction LLC on the sale of 60% of their shares to Arabtec (listed on Dubai Financial Market); CapitaLand on a US$2 billion joint venture with Mubadala Development Company for the mixed use development Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi; Oasis Capital Bank as lead investor in New York based Capital Spring Finance Company LLC, a provider of speciality finance solutions and Oasis Capital Bank on its joint venture with The UNITE Group plc to develop three student accommodation facilities in London, together with structuring a private equity fund to sell down part of OCB s equity interest to high net worth investors.
According to the latest research from Emirates NBD, the outlook for M&A in the MENA region remains robust over the medium term, as the level of deals both executed, and in the pipeline, show little correlation with weaker oil market dynamics. In addition according to estimates from Thomson Reuters and Freeman Consulting, the value of M&A transactions with any
Rupert Copeman-Hill
Patrick Gearon, Head of Middle East commented: We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rupert, to lead our Business Services team. With an impressive background, and significant experience in acting for listed and unlisted multi-national corporations, financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and high net worth individuals, he will be a huge asset to our office and the GCC region With Rupert s lengthy experience in the region he will hit the ground running and be critical in ensuring our firm maintains its reputation as one of the Gulf s leading law firms.
Adjusted electricity, water prices to take effect on March 1
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) will start applying the new electricity and water tariff from March 1st. Prices will change for the industrial and commercial sectors, as well as expatriates, but will remain unchanged for the domestic consumption of Bahrainis for one account only. Tariffs for Bahrainis with one account include several categories. They cover heads of Bahraini households (married, divorced, widower and single according to some conditions) provided that the subscriber s ID card address conforms with the one registered in EWA account, wives with accounts registered under their names (in case of polygamy), Bahraini women subscribers who are married to non-Bahrainis but have their EWA accounts and minors with a guardian or without a guardian in case there is a written consent from the Minors Funds Directorate. 54 Forum
British Scouting in Bahrain Many people are surprised to find out that The Scout Association outside of the UK has existed for over 100 years (almost as long as UK Scouting has existed founded by Baden Powell in 1908) and currently operates under the title British Scouts Overseas (BSO). Initially linked to the expansion of the British Military and political influences and their presence around the world but more lately serving the need of British expatriate centres such as Bahrain where the large number of British Nationals ensures a constant demand for UK linked education and activities for expat children.
BSO in Bahrain Started in the late 40s and in the early days there was the 1st Awali the Oil Group and the 1st Manama the Military Group . Manama tended to dominate Scouting due to its size and by 1968 it had 130 members and was meeting in Manama, Murharraq and Jufair. Unfortunately both of these Groups have closed some time ago to be replaced by The three current Groups operating within St Christopher s School, The
With waiting lists in most countries and children often never able to get a place in the local Scout Groups it is critical for our movement to raise the awareness
BSO exists in all the GCC countries and as far afield as the Falkland Islands, Beijing, Singapore, Norway as well as a further 42 places around the world. Open to both Boys and Girls from the age of 6 to 18 The Middle East District of British Scouting Overseas is one of the largest parts of the Overseas Scouting community with over 1,000 young people and adults involved at all levels of the movement in Groups spread throughout the GCC region.
RAF News 28 Dec 1968
Caption reads: Hamala 1969 - Tony’s Car - The army put the tents up for us
British School of Bahrain and the British Club and between them they continue to offer opportunities for 6 to 14 years to follow the UK Scouting programme and take part in both local and international events such as the World Jamboree in Japan during 2015 (At the end of March 2016 there will be a Middle East District Camp held in Muscat for almost 600 members of the movement from around the GCC). 21st Century Groups often have very close links to industry and commerce rather than the military either serving a sector of the community or even a specific company (BAE compounds in Saudi Arabia where Scouting only exists within the compound for the dependents of employees).
Caption reads: The Ruler of Bahrein presenting the BAPCO Silver Cup to Flt Lt R. Wheale, Scout Master of the First Manama Troup, who won all their races in the first Bahrein Soap Box Derby on a desert track. The Troop, nearly all the sons of Servicemen, built their own vehicle painted in the colours of their sponsors BOAC. The Cub Packs also did well and reached the finals.
Predominantly for British children the movement in the Middle East will also accept other English Speaking Nationals from communities that do not have a local Scout provision (Bahrain and Arab region Scouting is very well developed and has existed for a long period of time so no local Nationals may join the BSO Groups except in exceptional circumstances).
levels of where we are and what we do to attract new adult volunteers both uniformed and non-uniformed to increase the number of available places for children and new schemes such as flexible volunteering. HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is a volunteer Leader (in between her official duties) and the amount of time involved can be designed to meet most lifestyles. History Note: The actual date that the 1st Manama Group started is uncertain and although it was first registered in London in Nov 1958, the Bahrain Falcon Badge has been found on an old Badge Blanket dating from 1952. It is known that the first Awali was in existence as early as 1948.
For further information on British Scouting or to support your local Group in the Middle East please feel free to contact me at dc_middle-east@bsomail.org.uk or 3671 2233 and I will be glad to provide more information. Steve Sutton District Commissioner (Middle East) and BBBF Member Forum 55
BREXIT? David Cameron could not be playing for higher stakes in Europe but how many of the voting population really understand what their IN or OUT vote will actually mean. The Guardian newspaper ran an interesting piece shortly after the date for the election was given which raised questions many had not considered. Indeed much of the early debate in the EU referendum campaign has revolved around economics. And while no one can know precisely the impact of leaving the EU, it would be likely to have huge repercussions on many other aspects of UK life. The EU referendum on 23 June will take place in the middle of the Euro 2016 football championships. By then England, Wales and Northern Ireland will either be in the last 16, or out of the competition. For a few days European sport and politics will dominate with the question being the same: in or out? The EU has little direct role over sports policy in member states, though it provides limited funding to UK grassroots sport.
projects – more than 25 recipient countries put together.
But the rules in areas such as free movement and broadcasting mean BREXIT would have a big effect on the sport we watch. If the UK left and was outside the EU’s free movement arrangement, players from the EU would not be able to sign so easily for UK football clubs. Two-thirds of European football players currently playing in the UK would not meet automatic visa criteria if EU rules were swept away In addition, the EU runs numerous cultural programmes, including the European Capital of Culture (won by Liverpool in 2008) and funds prizes for cinema, the creative industries and architecture. For instance, the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture carries a prize of 60,000 with 20,000 for a special mention. All this would go with BREXIT. New figures show that nearly 1,000 projects at 78 UK universities and research centres are dependent on funds from the European Research Council (ERC). The UK has more ERC-funded projects than any other country, accounting for 22% of all ERC-funded
56 Forum
European legislation is responsible for the way in which we experience a raft of consumer goods, from tomatoes and cheese to mobile phones and faulty fridges. It is designed to harmonise what we in the UK expect to get when we buy something as simple as an apple or what we are entitled to expect in the way of redress when we buy faulty white goods. One significant example of what such legislation has achieved applies to the cost of using a mobile phone abroad. In the summer of 2015 the European commission announced that it had agreed on single market legislation for telecoms, meaning that British tourists in EU countries will pay the same mobile fees as at home. Would flight prices go up and the pound tank? These are some of the fears raised by those who are against the UK leaving the EU. What does seem likely is that air passengers might find it much harder to hold airlines to account when flights were cancelled or delayed. A significant piece of European legislation, the Denied Boarding Regulation, allows passengers to claim up to 600 in compensation for delays or cancellations on flights that originate in the EU. After BREXIT, it seems likely the protection of
And Finally this legislation would be lost. About two million UK expatriates are currently living in other EU countries. As long as Britain remains in the union, their pension and healthcare rights will be protected under defined reciprocal arrangements. They receive their UK pension and any annual increases, as well as free access to healthcare. They also have the right to work and own property in Europe, as well as to claim benefits. Buying a house in another EU country is much easier than in a country outside the bloc. But if we left the EU, the arrangements could cease to apply On the plus side, The Economist says Britain would also be able to claim back its territorial fishing waters, scrap caps on limits to the number of hours people can work per week, free itself from the EU’s renewable energy drive and create a freer economic market. This would turn London into a “freewheeling hub for emerging-market finance – a sort of Singapore on steroids”, it says.