Gulf Insider July 2017

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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Al Jabal Consultancy Attorneys and Legal Consultants A full service law firm for Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, founded in 1995 by

Mr Ali Al Jabal

Mohamed Al Wasti

Khadija A. Al Hussain

Partner

Partner

Saleh Al Nashabh Lawyer

Mohamed Ismael Lawyer

Areas of Specialisation: Manal Mohammed Lawyer

Banking & Finance Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Corporate & Commercial Litigation Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Rights Insurance Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity

Project Finance Property & Real Estate Oil & gas Maritime Aviation Debt collection Legal drafting & Contract Reviewing Telecommunication Law

Office No. 703, 7th Floor, Diplomat Tower, Diplomatic Area, PO Box 11455, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 17 530 400 E-mail: info@aljaballaw.com Website: www.aljaballaw.com

Gulf Financial Insider

Contents July 2017 Issue 150

22 16

19

48 Facebook Followers

256, 396

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28

34

39

53

Simply unparalleled online presence that connects region’s most inspired communities.

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Special Features

Environmental Issues Bahrain

ASK AJ

This Month: Maritime Question

Affairs

Expat Crisis

Luxury

Billionaire Home

Travel

Saudi Arabia to become “more fun”

Money

GCC Salary outlook for 2017

Telecoms

Android vs. Iphone Security Showdown

Art

Hypnotic Photos of Islamic Architecture

…and many, many more

Comment...

Dear Reader,

Knowledge is power

Publisher & Editor in Chief

- Nicholas C. Cooksey

Editorial

- Ainne Frances dela Cruz

Regular Contributors

- Hugh Haskell-Thomas - Nicholas Cortes - Bill Daly

Guest Contributors

- Sawsan Abu Omar - Mohammed Shukri - Ryan Ernst - Kyle Tyrell

Layout Designs

- Dhanraj S

Admin & Finance

- Nikesh Pola

Photography

- Shareef Panhatt - Yulia Trubnikova

Distribution Executives

- Mohammed Yousif - Muhammed Shareef - Rafnaj K P

Welcome to another issue of Gulf Insider!

This month, Bahrain’s Minister for Electricity and Water talks about renewable energy and how Bahrain has been supporting the historic Paris accord for climate change. In addition, we take a look at several environmental issues that the country is currently facing. Take a look inside a billionaire’s home and see several luxury gadgets you might want to have in yours.

Please also visit us on our thriving website and Facebook page where you will find other features and relevant information not covered in these pages.

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Media P.O. Box 26810, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 1700 4575 Fax: +973 1772 1722

Printed at Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Distribution Bahrain: Al Hilal Corporation, Tel. +973 1748 0800 UAE: Jashanmals, Tel. +971 4341 9757 The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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150

149

knowledge is power

Issue

knowledge is power

Bahrain BD2 KSA SR20

Issue

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

+ Inside Amazing New Megaprojects in Dubai

+ Inside

Al Areen’s New Wellness & Retreat Programme

Best Deals this Ramadan

Environmental Issues Bahrain

Is the internet destroying us?

Saving the Seas

interview with

interview with

h.e. Dr. AbDulhussAin bin Ali MirzA

Prof. Ghassan fouad aouad

Minister of electricity & water

President, applied science university (asu)

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Minister of electricity & water

President, applied science university (asu)

interview with

interview with

h.e. Dr. AbDulhussAin bin Ali MirzA

Prof. Ghassan fouad aouad

Saving the Seas

Retreat Programme

Established since 2004, Gulf Insider is the multi award winning Arabian business and current affairs magazine that also covers property and expat news, interviews, car reviews, travel features, even a bit of art and fashion.

The monthly print edition of Gulf Insider is distributed to Bahrain’s highest spending consumers and decision makers. There’s also limited distribution in other GCC states via airline lounges, duty free, ARAMCO in the KSA, and other strategic locations.

Registered with Ministry of Information approval no. TFI-431©. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. *Articles by these correspondents are the copyright of Telegraph Media Group, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT, England.

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Events

Day & Night Stack

Saturday Swing Boogie

When: 4th to 8th July, 2017 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIEEC)

When: 1st July, 2017 from 8:30 PM till midnight Where: Meisei

Stack is an edutainment event that brings people together to play, create and build with Lego and experience Lego themed activities. Lego is the largest toy brand in the world and STACK is a unique Lego Themed event which happens in the Middle East and globally.

Learn the hottest new dance craze that’s taking the island by storm!! Sit back and enjoy the music or join in and try a new dance style, all skill levels are welcome - beginners dance lessons will be from 7-8pm and the improvers will be from 8-9pm! Practice your new moves with the Shakedown Club up until 11pm. We will also be serving complmentary sparkling for the ladies between 8.30-9.30pm! There is no entry fee for this event, so what are you waiting for!

For more information: Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority Tel. +973 +97317558800

For more information: Meisei Tel. +973 1700 7770

Café Mambo Ibiza Tour 2017 Party When: 7th July 2017 from 3:00 PM till Midnight Where: Palm Beach, Amwaj Night Pro BH and Amwaj Marina in cooperation with 9 Dots Media presents the Café Mambo Ibiza Tour with lots of surprises, many upgrades to the beach and a new set-up. The lineup includes DJ Arvin, DJ Cossta, DJ Paul Darey, Warrior Grooves and DJ Ramy.

For more information: Night Pro BH Tel. +973 39712012 10

Gulf Insider July 2017

A Tribute to Asmahan When: 13th July from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM Where: Cultural Hall The Heritage Ensemble of Arab Music led by maestro Amir Abdel Meguid performs a musical concert that takes the audience on a journey back in time to relive the golden age of Arab music through a selection of the finest songs of Asmahan, one of the leading female voices of the 20th century whose inimitable tones still resonate in the hearts of lovers of authentic Arab music.

For more information: Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities Tel. +973 +973 17 298 777

DIRECTORY 2017-2018 BAHRAIN

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A world-class compendium of the movers & shakers of the Kingdom of Bahrain Update your informations through our website www.gulfwhoswho.com

Directors of Sunliz Publications Mr & Mrs Sunny Kulathakal receiving the Quality Award in Geneva

Publishers

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DIRECTORY 2017-2018

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Winner of International Star Award for Quality, Geneva

P.O.Box 2688, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 17276682, Mobile: +973 39441956 Email: sunlizpublications@gmail.com, kulathakal49@gmail.com Website: www.gulfwhoswho.com

Events

Dubai Sports World 2017

Best of Dubai Here are our top picks in Dubai you would want to fly out for.

Truckers Summer Warehouse

Jaan e Jigar

When: 7th to 9th July 2017

When: up to 27th July 2017

Where: Hall 8, Dubai World Trade Center

Where: Bollywood Parks, Dubai Parks & Resorts

Whether you’re a bonafide foodie or just want to get a bite to eat somewhere trendy, head to Truckers Summer Warehouse for the latest in Dubai’s culinary scene. 15 homegrown food trucks will serve fusion and authentic food inspired from all corners of the globe.

The splendor of Bollywood comes to life onstage at the Rajmahal Theatre in Bollywood Park of Dubai Parks and Resorts. See the age-old battle of good versus evil unfold in the musical Broadway-style show ‘Jaan-e-Jigar’

For more information: Tel. +971 555674158 Truckers.ae

Beyond Creation Live When: 7th July 2017 Where: The Music Room Canadian death metal band Beyond Creation will bring their brand of technical, progressive new metal to Dubai’s crowds for one night only. The band will kick start their world tour in Dubai first before heading to France, Switzerland and the UK.

For more information: Tel. +971 4359 8888 12

Gulf Insider July 2017

For more information: Tel. +971 4820 0820 bollywoodparks.dubai.com

When: up to 2nd September 2017 Where: Sheikh Saeed Halls and Trade Centre Arena, DWTC Dubai Sports World turns summer into the season of fitness. This year’s seventh edition of the UAE’s largest indoor summer sports venue is organized in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, and will open for three action-packed months for athletes of all levels to conduct their training.

For more information: Tel. +971 4306 4000 dubaisportsworld.ae

Affairs

C

an you explain contributions by Ministry of Electricity & Water Affairs in Make a difference in “GO GREEN” campaign?

H.E. Dr. Abdulhussain Bin Ali Mirza

IS BAHRAIN READY FOR

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY?

Gulf Insider presents a special interview with the Minister of Electricity & Water Affairs.

The full report will be published in September for our Energy Special.

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Gulf Insider July 2017

The government of Bahrain has recorded its commitment to GO GREEN principles by joining 174 countries in signing the historic Paris COP 21 accord, the first global deal on climate change.

The Paris climate accord represents a historic opportunity for all countries committed to GO GREEN to focus and address the dangers of climate change, and the Government of Bahrain supports efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius addressed in a manner that balances the shift to cleaner energy technologies with the need to protect the economic development and raise living standards.

In this context, the Government had previously announced its readiness to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its reliance on fossil fuels, and has continued its efforts for the past 20 years, to bring down the share of fossil fuels in Bahrain’s real GDP ….

Government data shows that it has dramatically reduced to more than halve since 2000, reducing from 44% to 20%.

Within the Government entities including in our case the Electricity and water Authority ((EWA)), active steps are being undertaken by all stakeholders, in all aspects of energy and environmental management including focus to support initiatives centered on enhancement climate change and achieve clean energy production, energy efficiency, ecosystems, solid waste management and hazardous chemicals.

The Sustainable Energy Unit ((SEU)) and EWA (both of which report directly to Minister of Electricity & Water Affairs) have been active in designing and implementing interactive campaigns for both small and large customers to promote, raise awareness and educate all customers on the important role they play in improving their energy usage efficiency and conserving natural resources by limiting their usage and capping their

Affairs

wastage of electricity and water; by being committed to a number of steps and measures, especially during high demand Peak Load months of June to September. The innovative campaign takes critical environmental messages to the consumer in a friendly and informative manner.

In the ((SEU)), and from other prospective, we are actively undertaking programs centered on the development of new approaches to the best utilization of electrical energy, and to continue our endeavors to pursue projects that will include various forms of Renewable Energies and the harnessing of solar energy and other possible forms of alternative energies such as Waste to Energy capture ((W2E)).

At part of my responsibility in the Electricity and Water, we have given particular attention to the different aspects of renewable energy applications and the related Government objectives to give further emphasis and support for the expansion of Green energies in the total energy equation in Bahrain.

Our work is continuing actively on the development of the responsibilities of the “Sustainable Energy Unit - SEU” and its continuing work on developing the National energy framework for both energy efficiency and renewable energy. Our economy and environment demand that we invest more in renewable resources that will not run out, and not harm our environment.

The Unit is now actively responsible for establishing strategies and policies and legislations, and for stimulating initiatives and investment projects that promote energy efficiency and widening the share of the production of energy from renewable sources to increase the share of renewable energy production of electricity and reduce any pollution emitted from thermal power plants operating with natural gas. So the establishment of this “think tank” unit which we started some five years ago is yielding its fruits now. Work on this unit is actively being pursued, and in fact the Government has this initiative in its national work plan.

Early in 2017 ((2nd of January 2017)),

Bahrain’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

the Government endorsed Bahrain’s National Plan for Energy Efficiency (NEEAP) and the National Plan for Renewable Energy (NREAP)); via the cabinet Resolution Number 2384/8 on the structure of the proposals of the national plans and the detail initiatives and the stakeholder’s responsibility in each of the action plans. The following principal targets were approved: 1. A 6% national electrical energy efficiency by year 2025 – as per NEEAP. 2. A 5% contribution from renewable energies by the year 2025, rising further to 10% by the year 2035.

3. The implementation of these target shall be under the direct responsibility of the Minister of Electricity and water Affairs with a high level implementation committee from senior officials from all the stakeholder’s ministries and other Government authorities.

4. The work of the SEU shall come under the Government high priority framework with the direct follow-up from the Supreme council for natural resources and economic security under the chairmanship of His Highness the Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister.

It is essential to reduce consumption and resort to cleaner energy such as renewables.

Gulf Insider July 2017

15

Special Feature

Environmental

Issues Bahrain Brisk urbanization have put a burden on the country’s limited natural resources.

Gulf Insider maps out some of the environmental challenges that Bahrain is facing.

I

n 1994, 100% of Bahrain’s urban dwellers and 57% of the rural population had pure water. Bahrain has developed its oil resources at the expense of its agricultural lands (Nations Encyclopedia). As a result, lands that might otherwise be productive are gradually claimed by the expansion of the desert. Pollution from oil production was accelerated by the Arabian Gulf War and the resulting damage to oil-producing facilities in the Gulf area, which threatened the purity of both coastal and ground water, damaging coastlines, coral reefs, and marine vegetation through oil spills and other discharges.

In addition, brisk urbanization have taxed Bahrain’s limited natural resources as 90 percent of the one-million plus residents poured into the cities of Manama, Al Hoora, and Juffair. Bahrain’s excessive levels of energy consumption and emissions – some of the highest per capita in the world – have put the country’s resources, and people, at risk.

Dr. Adel Al Zayani, Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment, and Wildlife said that “Environmental protection consists of many aspects that have to be looked into, including sea, air, land, biodiversity, housing and living space”.

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Gulf Insider July 2017

Special Feature

These are some of the key environmental challenges that Bahrain is facing.

Biodiversity In order to preserve the marine and wildlife in Bahrain, the country has devoted six areas for the purpose of establishing natural reserves, this included five marine protected areas, which are: Hawar Islands, Gulf of Tubli, Dohat Arad, Mashtan Island and Herr Bulthamah, as well as a Wildlife Sanctuary: AlAreen Wildlife Park.

Bahrain has also established captive breeding centers for falcons and for the rare Houbara bustard. The country also has its own specialized falcon clinic.

In the draft recommendations from Bahrain Europe Environment Week, it is also stated that the government and private sector will work in synergy to increase eco-tourism initiatives taking advantage of Bahrain’s status as a small island as well as the impact of the cultural heritage of Bahrain (pearling and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites) as well as to work with the Ministry of Education to include more environmental issues in school curricula.

Coastal Areas Among the many efforts to protect the coastal areas, the country has emphasized that during planning a project, and considering the projects’ environmental-effects; necessary studies to protect coastal areas are prepared prior to the approval of the authorities. The country has also adopted the concept of integrated management of the coastal and marine environment in urban planning.

Because food production in Bahrain is not only limited to typical crops but is also largely dependent on fisheries, the country aims to create a more sustainable fishery industry through the construction of commercial artificial reefs in various areas.

Bahrain has also relied heavily on the thriving oil and natural gas industry over the years (with arable land comprising only about 3% of the total land mass). But related oil spills and discharges from tankers, refineries and distribution stations have contributed to the degradation of coastlines, coral reefs and marine life. Meanwhile land reclamation efforts and dredging have further devastated the marine environment, and blocked the natural flow of springs and drainage channels, even as over-abstraction caused the depletion of aquifers and contamination by salt water.

Water Management Groundwater levels, which are typically replenished annually by a region’s “wet season,” are shrinking globally due to agricultural, health, and developmental demands. As many areas of the world continue to warm due to climate change, groundwater levels continue to shrink but also become increasingly important for food production and for clean drinking water. Bahrain, being an arid, desert-like region is not immune to the depletion of groundwater.

The country has enacted strict water resource management practices including stopping the drilling of new wells and control of the water used for agriculture by introducing drip-irrigation practices. These practices are Bahrain’s “best foot forward” towards alleviating droughts and water shortages.

Gulf Insider July 2017

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Special Feature

Waste Disposal The disposal of industrial and domestic waste is cited as one of the most pronounced environmental problems the country faces, with construction and commercial waste noted as the largest contributors to this ongoing problem. (Bahrain’s UN Conference on Environment and Development Webpage).

Air Pollution In 1995, Bahrain had a total of 169,318 cars on its roads, accounting for 1 car for every 3 Bahraini citizens, equaling a total population size of 507,954. Bahrain’s population in 2010 was approximately 1,252,000 (The UN’s Demographic Profile of Bahrain), and using the same math above to allow 1 car to every 3 citizens, that would make 417,333 cars; compared to just 20 years before, this is a little over double the amount of cars driving on Bahrain’s ro ads. Cars and other machinery powered by fossil fuels are proven to emit greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change and average increased global temperatures; it only makes sense that this drastic rise in automobile use would spell bad news for Bahraini air quality and would contribute to global climate change.

Corporate Social Responsibility Some companies in Bahrain are doing their bit to conserve the environment. Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) has invested huge funds in creating and implementing environment friendly projects for the purpose of investing in them such as the project for a lowsulfur diesel reservoir. It is also currently implementing a waste water treatment plant by which the company aims to conserve marine ecology and allow only minimum levels of sewage into the sea.

Gulf Chemicals Industries Company (GPIC) has also carried out numerous projects pertaining to the environment including a carbon dioxide recycling project, the first ever of its kind in the Middle East. In addition, they have also created a set of environmental projects aimed at improving the ambient environment such as a vegetables and fruits producing charity garden, fishery farm, birds sanctuary, medical herbs and plants garden, as well as the Princess Sabeeka Perfumery Garden.

According to Bahrain’s official webpage, 98% of the voting populace approved the National Action Charter in 2015 18

Gulf Insider July 2017

According to Bahrain’s official webpage, 98% of the voting populace approved the National Action Charter in 2015, which is dedicated to the protection of the environment – indicating a strong and unified push for greater environmental protections and represents an ethical support of such actions (Bahrain’s Environmental Protection Programs). This is a great step forward in the country’s push towards greater environmental growth and sustainability.

Opinion

A full service law firm for Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, founded in 1995 by Mr Ali Al Jabal

Ask

Each month we will be putting a legal problem to consultant Ali Al Jabal to answer.

This month - Maritime Question AJ Question: I own an engineering company and have recently completed repairs on a Bahraini container ship. However, I still haven’t been paid and the owner of the ship has acknowledged his indebtness. Could I make an application for the detention of the vessel, so as to make sure that the vessel does not leave Bahrain and to further ensure that I can claim what is rightfully owed?

AJ Answer:These types of issues come under the purview of the Legislative Decree No. (23) Of 1982 of the Bahrain Maritime Law. Due to the debtor’s failure to pay for the repairs of his ship, you are entitled to seek an order from the Execution Court judge to detain the ship in order to claim the maritime debt relating to repairs on the ship.

The copy of the detention order shall be delivered to the captain of the ship as well as to the Registration Office at the port where the detention has occurred.

Furthermore, you should initiate proceedings for establishing the claim and validity of the detention, before the High Court within eight days from the date of the effective detention.

Otherwise the detention shall be unlawful.

In addition, if a judgment is passed in your favor, then the court judgment shall fix a sitting for appearing before the Execution Court Judge for a hearing of the Court order for sale, its terms and conditions, stile price and date for holding the sale to ensure that you receive what is rightfully owed.

To contact Ali Al Jabal at Al Jabal Consultancy Attorneys and Legal Consultants Tel: +973 17 530 400 E-mail: info@aljaballaw.com www.aljaballaw.com

Gulf Insider July 2017

19

Life

Expat Crisis Increasing knocks against expats make a lot of them question their status and stay in the country.

20

Gulf Insider July 2017

Life

I Bahrain itself will increase its energy tariffs by up to 867% until 2019

For many expats, living in the GCC is becoming just as or more expensive than living in their own countries, so the question remains if it is still worth it to stay.

n a country that has long stood out in the GCC for its fairness and openness, the recent spate of “attacks” (as many have described them) against expats in Bahrain has many workers worried.

Consider the recent expat driving license ban proposed by the members of the Muharraq Municipal Council which aims to revoke licenses of

expats working under certain sectors.

This in spite of the fact that a similar attempt was thrown out by the Constitutional Court in 2014 after ruling that it was discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional. However, the ruling also stated that a driving ban was feasible if it targeted specific employment categories rather than foreigners hence the proposal to “ban expats in certain fields from driving”.

Saleh Mazumder, a Gulf Insider reader said “It seems that everything is the fault of an expat driver. Why? My suggestion is a Metro rail project surrounding Bahrain, easy transportation system, cheap taxi fare, and/or a water bus project that will cut traffic congestion on the road. Take some real steps instead of blaming expats because banning their license is not going to solve the core issue”.

A Bewildering Stance It is apparent that nowhere other than the Middle East would people even think about denying the right of mobility to individuals and/or a certain group of individuals. In Kuwait, a female MP is also pushing hard for tough measures against foreigners including a tax for walking down the road. MP Al Hashem has said that “I have full respect for expatriates in Kuwait, but I have to sound the alarm regarding the demographic imbalance when citizens are outnumbered by foreigners two to one,” claiming that her stance is based on patriotism, not xenophobia.

For some expats, who have lived all their lives here, the current measures that are taken against them are bewildering to say the least. A Gulf Insider Reader said “How does it even happen that a company does not take care of its biggest asset their workers?”

In the coming months and years, it’s going to be a lot more expensive for expats to live in the GCC; with Saudi Arabia collecting a monthly levy for expats and their dependents starting July 1 and Bahrain itself to increase its energy tariffs by up to 867% until 2019 but only for expats. This being one way for GCC governments to diversify their income post-oil, and has led to concern among many expats that they will be paying more and more for fees and benefits that they may not benefit from.

Pay to Live For many expats, living in the GCC is becoming just as or more expensive than living in their own countries, so the question remains if it is still worth it to stay. Herman Dcouto, another GI reader said that with the way things are going it “looks like one has to pay to live”.

Many expats in the region have relocated for financial or work-related reasons. For many who have grown to love the GCC and have even contributed positively to its growth, it will be hard to leave and also hard to stay.

Gulf Insider July 2017

21

Hotel

East meets West in Al Areen’s new Wellness & Retreat Programme

World-renowned physicians and doctors from the GCC region come together to provide a new Wellness & Retreat programme at the resort.

A

l Areen Palace & Spa is an enchanting resort introduced as the first luxury resort in a villa styled hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It furthers Bahrain’s reputation as a friendly destination for family and health-oriented tourists which is further cemented by its newest wellness offering.

The Wellness & Retreat Programme shall offer a wide range of services

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Gulf Insider July 2017

including therapeutic massages, body and facial treatments, holistic body works, and purification programs. It is particularly relevant for spa enthusiasts, travelers, and health & wellness practitioners between 20-60 years of age, though everyone is welcome.

The re-energizing purification programme offers a range of holistic spa treatments including yoga, a wellness assessment, and consultation with a wellness master.

The detoxification purification is a balanced approach to restoration including daily healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, lymphatic drainage massages, and skin purification.

The Weight Optimisation purification programme focuses on burning more calories than intake and is inclusive of daily power burn, stretching, limb treatment, healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, and more.

Hotel

Serenity and Vitality Al Areen has designed dietary regimes that focus on different health objectives for the duration of your stay and contain a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein. These diets can be adjusted to accommodate preferences or allergens.

Prices for these programmes start at BD 180 and are inclusive of 2 nights accommodation at Al Areen Palace and Spa, round-trip transportation from the Airport, personal training, unlimited use of fitness facilities and water therapy garden, a private session of Hydro Vitality Garden, and oriental pedicure and manicure.

Less intense programmes include the half-day retreat & healing which is available for groups of ten or more and provide access to the Hydro Vitality Garden and a 25% discount on all spa treatment. The full day version is available for groups of 5 or more and includes a one hour massage and unlimited use of the water and therapy garden. Finally, a full day luxury option is available for groups of five or more inclusive of a bio impedance analysis including BMI, fat percentage, metabolic age, muscle mass, and more.

A Flag Bearer for Health & Wellness

Al Areen Palace and Spa is the ideal location in the Gulf to become the flag bearer for health and wellness programmes.

Dr. Essa Faqeeh, CEO of Al Areen Investment Company, hailed this initiative saying “Al Areen Palace and Spa is the ideal location in the Gulf to become the flag bearer for health and wellness programmes.

With its lush landscapes, beautiful and expansive gardens, and its possession of the largest spa in Bahrain, Al Areen is truly the ideal destination for spa enthusiasts, health conscious individuals, and healthcare professionals. Al Areen is more than just an entertaining family destination, Al Areen Palce and Spa is an investment in the health of the nation and the region.�

For more information: Al Areen Palace & Spa Tel: +973 1784 5000

Gulf Insider July 2017

23

People

GLOBAL SHAPERS COMMUNITY MANAMA

Manama Shapers

Interview with Nada Al Saeed Market & Strategy Intelligence, Economic Development Board

W

hat does your job for the Economic Development Board entail?

I currently work at the Market & Strategy Intelligence department of the Economic Development Board. This department represents the research arm at the EDB, we primarily deal with three main areas:

•

We provide intelligence and research support to the EDB’s investment promotional activities. For example, we conduct research and develop reports on Bahrain’s value proposition for different sectors and subsectors within our national economy

•

We conduct macroeconomic research and analysis. We work with different government agencies to develop quarterly forecasts of key macroeconomic indicators such as GDP and inflation.

•

We also work on a wide range of initiatives that support policy making within Bahrain.

The work you have done has spanned several fields including economic 24

Gulf Insider July 2017

reform, transportation, national strategic planning, and aviation. How have you managed to be so well-versed in many different things?

I have been quite privileged to be working in the EDB over the past 6 ½ years. This organization has given me the most versatile experience, and my journey has been incredibly interesting.

I do believe this has been due to a combination of hard work and luck.

When I first joined the EDB, my initial role was to assist the implementation of economic reform projects, however my role started to evolve after a few months. During my first year, I was selected to work with a small team under the previous acting Chief Executive of the EDB. I spent 3-4 years working on projects within the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication.

I was permanently housed back at the EDB premises over the past two years, working on research and economic planning.

Why did you join the Manama Shapers?

I was approached back in 2014 by our founding curator, Dr. Ali Ibrahim, and I

was beyond impressed by the caliber of each individual within the Shapers community. I joined the Manama Shapers because I wanted to utilize my time, energy, skillset and whatever that I can offer, to make Bahrain better in any way possible. The Manama Shapers is a great platform to do so, because it connects you to like minded individuals who are equally active and driven, who share the same goal and desire – to give back to our community.

Do you still have free time and if so, what do you do with it?

I am part of a ladies football club, called Ravens FC. We are a newly formed amateur team that plays in Bahrain’s official women’s football league organized by the Bahrain Football Association. I’m definitely not the star player within the team, but I love being part of the Ravens. We are a close-knit family, with players from almost 10 different nationalities. Not only does football help me stay fit and active, but most importantly, it has given me an opportunity to build strong friendships.

Money

Retire with Money Many of us work the rat race in order to eventually retire and get some leverage from our savings. Here are some ways to up the ante and let you retire earlier.

Lifestyle vs. Income Self-made millionaires share a common value for thrift and discipline with their finances through budgeting, controlling expenses, and saving a portion of their income. Admittedly, we always want to live big, but living big can sometimes eat its way into our savings. So definitely, being frugal while enjoying life is a must while you are on your way to accumulating wealth. If you spend less than you earn, you’ve got the ticket for early retirement.

Invest in your financial education Educate yourself, read, attend seminars on investing and talk to other wealthy people. This will enable you to invest wisely and grow your capital.

Of course, financial intelligence cannot be developed overnight, so taking the time to invest on yourself by educating yourself about money will go a long way

in making you think wealthier.

Start Today Ideally the time to start saving is as soon as you get to work. But for most of us who are not well versed in finances that may not have been the case. However, it’s never too late and if you start saving now and allow your money to accumulate and grow, that will definitely affect your net worth and potential income retirement.

Automate Savings The easiest way you can actually save is to automate your savings plans.

That way, you don’t have to think about where to put your money and it also gives you less temptation to spend. It is also less painful because the money goes to automatic debit.

Own Your Home

your own home is more expensive than renting, you at least don’t have to think about where to get the money to pay the rent after you retire. In addition, you’ll have a lovely place of your own to enjoy your retirement.

Invest in Real Estate Owning a property or several, where people give you money in order to rent out space is an ideal source of income after retirement. It will also keep you in top earning condition even after you are no longer in active service.

Don’t always buy new things Many self-made millionaires have developed a habit of frugality which has helped them make millions. For example, its ok not to buy a new car and go in debt. You can always buy an old car and pay in cash rather than getting stuck on loans and car payments.

Although many people say that having Gulf Insider July 2017

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Style

A guide to the

double-breasted suit This extremely dapper suit will work if you’re pulling out all the stops.

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Style

Buttons - the traditional double-breasted suit is

comprised of a six by two button design along the front of the suit. These can act as extra decoration.

Pockets - next to the lapel is a small breast pocket to hold a handkerchief or pocket square. There are also two larger pockets located toward the waist on each panel of the suit.

Arm length - The length of the sleeves of the jacket must meet the middle of your palm. If the sleeve is any longer than that, then the sleeve is too long for your arm.

Two Approaches: 1) Traditional/ Conservative - solid colors and basic patterns will work well since the double-breasted suit is already a statement in its own right 2) Go big or go home - Play with bold colors and patterns for your shirt, tie, pocket square, and even socks because the suit can handle it.

Armholes and sleeves - higher and trimmer for a cleaner and sharper look

Fit - the slim fit creates a subtler, modern silhouette Perfect for - a wedding/ dressy event or a night out Gulf Insider July 2017

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Luxury

Billionaire home The most expensive home ever goes on sale for $250 Million.

T

he most expensive home ever listed has just hit the market in Bel Air, Los Angeles at a whopping $250million.

Handbag tycoon and owner-developer Bruce Makowsky dreamed up the extravagant property, drawing inspiration from his own glamorous lifestyle. It has dethroned the previous record-holder, a $195million mega-mansion in Manalapan, Florida.

The 38,000-square-foot mansion, which comes with custom-made luxury furnishings, houses 12 bedrooms, 21 bathrooms, three kitchens, a bowling alley, a movie theater, an 85-foot infinity pool with its own bar, and a candy room filled with $200,000 worth of treats.

Makowsky also included a car 28

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collection worth $30million and 130 works of art, and topped his billionaire’s paradise with a helicopter. The mogul developed the property without a buyer lined up but says more than half a dozen people are interested.

Inside the home is this Hermes Equateur Blanket, made out of cashmere and hand-embroidered with fine beads and pearls. IT has been encased between starfire glass panels with custom-made standoffs The $250million price tag doesn’t just include material amenities. Makowsky has also factored in the costs of seven live-in employees who will work at the property full-time, the Los Angeles Times reported. He will pay their salaries for two years.

The tycoon, who built his fortune selling handbags on QVC, has sold nine billionaire homes in the past six years.

He got the idea for the mega-mansion by watching wealthy travelers invest in yachts.

‘Today, people are spending $300million on a boat, and they use it about eight weeks a year,’ he told the newspaper. ‘Then they are living in a $30million to $40million home.’

Makowsky thought this didn’t make sense and resolved to build a property akin to a luxury yacht, but on land. He said some have already expressed interest in the listing.

It took four years and more than 250 people to finish the $250million home.

Makowsky picked every last detail,

Luxury

Makowsky also included a car collection worth $30million and 130 works of art, and topped his billionaire’s paradise with a helicopter. including the Champagne bottles store in both wine cellars.

The television in the entertainment room takes up almost 30 feet, while the James Bond-themed, $2million screening room can sit 40 people on Italian leather reclining chairs.

‘I wanted to redefine what superhigh-end luxury homes are all about,’ Makowsky told CNBC. ‘I wanted to break all the molds. The level of quality and attention to detail in this house is unsurpassed. And I wanted to create the greatest feeling that you can have being at home.’

Only one of the world’s estimated 1,810 billionaires could possibly afford the home - maybe one of the 540 who live in the US

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Luxury

The owner of the property will enjoy these Lamborghini clock walls and vintage gas cans and fire extinguishers from 1892

The property also has a garage filled with 12 luxury vehicles, including a $15-million-plus Von Krieger 1936 Mercedes 540 K Special Roadster and a $2million one-of-a-kind Pagani Huayra.

He doesn’t plan to host an extravagant open-house and wants instead to show the property to restricted groups of potential buyers. Only one of the world’s estimated 1,810 billionaires could possibly afford the home - maybe one of the 540 who live in the United States according to Forbes.

Makowsky believes the mega-mansion’s occupant will have homebody propensities, someone who will be too busy enjoying their billionaire haven to explore the area.

‘People spend over half their lives in their home,’ he told CNBC. ‘So when you’re home, it should be the ultimate oasis. You should have every single entertainment feature you could have in one home.’

Real estate professor Paul Habibi meanwhile told the LA Times who he think will not be interested in the extravagant home.

‘Anybody who has had money for a long time knows better than to spend it on a $250million house,’ he said.

Images: Bruce Makowsky/BAM Luxury Development 30

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Luxury

Luxury Gadgets If you have a billion dollars to spare, you can score yourself one of these cool gadgets.

Dubai plans July launch of air taxis High flyers may soon have a new way to get around Dubai, swapping taxis for one-person drones buzzing through the sky. Built by Chinese firm EHang, the model 184 – which was named for ‘one’ passenger, ‘eight’ propellers, and ‘four’ arms – has already made some trial runs around Dubai and according to Mattar Al Tayer, the head of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, is on track to begin a commercial service by July.

They may look like an oversized version of the typical drone, but they’re far more sophisticated – and capable of carrying one passenger and a (very) small suitcase. But you won’t need to bother about flying the drone yourself: it’s all done via remote control from a sophisticated command centre.

The EHang 184 can fly up to 50km or about 30 minutes at around 100km/h, although it can redline at 160km/h if you’re in a rush.The four arms, when folded into the body, allow the drone to occupy the same size parking space as a mid-sized sedan.

Saudi Drone factory The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has announced that the first stage of a drone factory in Riyadh is almost complete. KACST’s Supervisor General of Special Programs Khaled Al-Hussan, who is overseeing the Saudi drone project, said that the factory is projected to manufacture drones suitable for military and civil purposes, scientific research, urban planning and security.

One of the drones that will be manufactured at the facility is the Saqr 1 drone which is made of carbon and glass fiber and is equipped with a satellite communications system. The drone can fly within a range of 2,500 km for 24 to 48 hours.

When it comes to who will use the drones, Al-Hussan told Arab News that “Taqnia Aeronautics is the party concerned with marketing and determining the market demand for the projected drones.”

New personal submarine with space for 20 guests IT’S no longer cool enough for the billionaires of the world to have a yacht – they’ll soon all have their submarine too.A new personal sub is being built in the Netherlands that can reach depths of 500 metres. It is a collaboration between Ocean Submarine, MTU, Bosch and Rolls-Royce.

The luxury submarine is between 63 and 79 feet in length, so there is plenty of space for an underwater party. The different sizes can fit between ten and 20 passengers at a time and it has the same width as a normal private jet. The luxury interior includes a full galley and also a bar and a library.

Customers will be able to customise their own submarines, with different interiors, air conditioning, lighting and heating systems.

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Property

Target 2020 Amazing new mega projects coming up in Dubai Billions of dirhams worth of projects are set for completion in Dubai before the city hosts Expo 2020.

Deira Islands

The Opera District

What: a four-island waterfront city

What: 2,000 seat theatre

Cool factor: residential area with lots of attractions

Cool factor: theatre can be converted to a banquet hall or exhibition space

Developed by Nakheel, who also brought Palm Jumeirah into existence, Deira Islands will include attractions like the Deira Islands Mall, a 250 - room hotel, a 30,000 capacity amphitheater and a marina.

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Located next to Burj Khalifa, the Opera District is Dubai’s newest cultural destination, due to open later this year. Inspired by the sailing vessels of the region, the Opera House uses hydraulic technology to remove 900 of the seats when needed (and how cool is that?)

Property

Mohammed Bin Rashid City

Aladdin City

What: a complete residential city

What: a mega project with commercial and residential spaces

Cool factor: has the world’s largest artificial beach

Cool factor: inspired by tales of Aladdin and Sinbad the Sailor

Named for HH Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai; this city was developed for $10 billion and will cover 1,100 acres. Along with the world’s largest artificial beach called Crystal Lagoons, it will also have a 14 kilometer boardwalk and an 8.8 kilometer and bicycle track.

Said to be completed by 2018, this project brings to life two of the most famous tales from the One Thousand and One Nights. Aladdin City itself will have three towers comprising commercial and hotel space, with the towers spread over a distance of 450 meters on Dubai creek.

Dubai Theme Parks

Dubai Frame

What: Disneyland with an Asian twist

What: a gigantic picture frame through which landmarks of Dubai can be viewed

Cool Factor: 3 theme parks Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks, and Legoland Dubai 30% construction has been completed on Bollywood Parks with the Rajmahal Theatre well under way. It will include a 60,000 square feet stage that will hold Bollywood-themed performances.

Cool factor: post-modern architecture This 150 meter high, 93 meter wide structure allows visitors to view landmarks from modern Dubai such as the Emirates Towers and Burj Khalifa on one side and older parts of the city such as Deira, Umm Harare, and Karama on the other side.

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Affairs

Saudi Arabia

to become more “fun” Saudi has never been a first choice for entertainment. But with the economic overhaul going on, the country is gearing up for “fun, fun, fun!”

A

s part of a “shock therapy” to overhaul the deteriorating economy, the government of Saudi Arabia is relaxing the rules on having fun in the ultra-conservative society -- and also plans to make some cash from it.

The kingdom is hardly synonymous with entertainment: religious police order music to be silenced and citizens usually travel to Dubai or Bahrain when they want to catch a movie or a show.

Now the plan is to turn cheering people

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up into an industry.

In a country where cinemas are banned and even Starbucks cafes’ are segregated by gender means most Saudis have never lived in a society that places much value on fun and entertainment — the kind of world they see when they travel abroad. And that’s a world they seem to crave: Saudis spend more than $5 billion a year on overseas leisure travel.

“When I travel it’s to live a normal life,” said Fathaldin, 28 in an interview

with Bloomberg, whose business has focused on the occasional comedy show or “intellectual entertainment” at universities. “I can walk with my wife without her having to cover up, we can attend live music events or we can go to the beach with the children. This won’t happen here.”

A Vision for the Future “We want to be normal like anywhere else,” said Nouf al-Osaimi, 29, a

Affairs

scuba diving instructor who hopes to open her own dive school and thinks the government’s goals will make that easier for her and other female entrepreneurs. “The world is moving forward, and we need to keep up.”

The changes are part of Vision 2030, the blueprint for a post-oil economy which was revealed to Saudis in April by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king’s powerful 31-yearold son. It tackles everything from

government spending on subsidies to the role of women in the workforce.

Unlike many high-profile members of the royal family, the prince was educated in Saudi Arabia, not at elite universities in the West, which young people in the country said gives his demands even more credibility.

When it comes to fun, the blueprint states that by 2020, there will be more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events. The target is to double household spending on recreation to 6%, higher than the 4% the U.S. Labor Department shows Americans spent on entertainment in 2015, as well as create 100,000 jobs, said Amr AlMadani, who runs the newly established General Entertainment Authority.

Testing Boundaries The authority sponsored events in the kingdom’s biggest cities and in 2017 plans to expand its activities to other regions. So far, they have included World Wrestling Entertainment in Riyadh -- for men and their kids only -- and a motor sports and music show that drew 6,000 spectators to a venue outside Jeddah. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is looking into a Saudi project and Six Flags agreed to open

a theme park in the kingdom. James Reid-Anderson, chairman of Six Flags, said the park would cost as much as $500 million.

A variety show tested some Saudi boundaries. It was held in November inside King Abdullah Economic City, a gated community about 160 kilometers outside Jeddah. The stage was in a marquee and involved performers from Got Talent shows across the world.

The audience wasn’t segregated, and women took selfies or applied red lipstick while little girls skipped to the beat of the music.

More conservative members of Saudi society have complained that the prince is moving too fast. Madani noted that part of his job is to persuade people who are “intimidated” by what they fear

will be an onslaught of Western-style entertainment with R-rated content.

He said the authority is being careful to support only events that are familyfriendly and reflect “Saudi values.”

Although change comes slowly in this conservative kingdom, analysts here said Prince Mohammed clearly has the support of his 81-year-old father and the backing of much of the business community, which hopes to recapture some of the billions that Saudis spend vacationing overseas.

When it comes to fun, the blueprint states that by 2020, there will be more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events.

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Education

The Educational Quandary Graduates live in high hopes of changing and influencing society, becoming think tanks and working for the good. But are they educated enough to fulfill all their big dreams?

F

or several centuries, the Middle East was socially, economically, and technologically advanced.

One of the reasons for this trend was the Arab world’s appreciation of and openness to knowledge creation and dissemination. This trend lasted from the 8th to the 13th century where “knowledge became the most important and determining factor for economic growth (Kamel 2003)”.

Education trains young people and provides them with skills they need to become productive members of society.

It is central to reducing inequality and achieving the development goals of the region.

The World Economic Forum says that globally, for every year of education, an individual increases their income by 10%. In the Arab world, girls’ education is one of the best investments Arab

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The World Economic Forum says that globally, for every year of education, an individual increases their income by 10%. states can make in their social and economic well-being. A girl who goes to school is less likely to marry early and more likely to delay childbirth and have healthier children.

Suhail Al Masri writing for Entrepreneur Middle East said that despite the significant improvement

in the Middle East during the past few decades the gap between education and employment is still widening.

Though governments across the MENA region have invested heavily in education, the results are still disappointing. Bottom line is there are high levels of education with massive unemployment.

Among the challenges that the education sector faces are:

Educational Quality. “On school trips, there must be one teacher for every 12 students. If there are 108 students, how many teachers should be present?’ More than half of all grade 8 (13 year old) students in the region could not answer this question”. More than half of the region’s children and youth who are in school are failing to learn, as measured by literacy and numeracy scores on international tests.

Education

In global studies, 40% of firms in the MENA region contend that inadequate labor force skills

Students are rather encouraged to memorize answers to a limited number of problems in order to pass one exam after another.

More importantly, schools in MENA do not strongly rely on the inculcation of cognitive, problem-solving skills.

Students are rather encouraged to memorize answers to a limited number of problems in order to pass one exam after another. As a result, they are rewarded for being passive rather than active learners, and in the end graduate into a job-market that values creativity

studies, 40% of firms in the MENA region contend that inadequate labor force skills, impede their growth and ability to hire employees (The World Bank, 2014). Aside from the foundational literacies, graduates also lack competencies needed in the workforce such as critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

and problem-solving, partially explaining the staggering youth unemployment rate in the Middle East, the highest of any region worldwide.

In 2013, MENA’s youth unemployment rate was double the world average of 14% (World Economic Forum, 2015). Even in resource-rich GCC countries with traditionally lower unemployment rate than the rest of MENA region, youth unemployment has always been a challenge. Higher quality education that helps young people in MENA better prepare for the world of work is essential to mitigating the region’s youth unemployment challenge.

one-third of new graduates are ready for the workplace. World Bank says that the region invests little in pre-and in-service training as a whole; yet, of those that do, more than half add that they must address this lack of workreadiness by providing training, which is time-consuming and costly. Students are as aware as employers of this skills mismatch: when interviewed, only one third believed that they were adequately prepared to enter the workforce.

Interestingly, over one third of students were willing to pay for their education if it were to lead to better job prospects.

Skills mismatch. Evidence points to a pervasive mismatch between the skills required by the job market and those taught in schools. In global

Surveyed employers report that only

Youth Bulge. Demographic projections in 2014 revealed that the region’s youth population (up to 24 years old) will grow steadily by about 2 million up to 2015, then surge by about 10 million between 2015 and Gulf Insider July 2017

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Education

2030. This sudden growth in the youth population will create increased demand for educational services at all levels and will place immense pressure on existing educational institutions.

Stephan P. Heyneman, who served World Bank for 22 years, identifies four major areas for change as follows:

1. Meaningful compulsory education Exams need to be used as an evaluative tool rather than a means by which students are selected for their memorization skills.

2. Quality Assurance Mechanisms Curricular objectives, examinations and other assessments, teaching materials and classroom teaching are tools which can assess an educational institution’s quality. All these materials need to address students’ varying educational capabilities and not just memorization skills.

3. Professionalization of teachers According to Heyneman in the MENA region, teachers are not selected for their competence, creativity, and teaching performance. Rather, they are identified by virtue of their educational attainment. However, salary scales do not differ between teachers at different 38

Gulf Insider July 2017

Only one third believed that they were adequately prepared to enter the workforce.

Interestingly, over one third of students were willing to pay for their education if it were to lead to better job prospects. levels of experience. Introducing continuing evaluations and examinations in order to assess teachers’ performance and promote teachers who succeed in these evaluative examinations with a corresponding pay raise will not only motivate teachers to perform, but will also positively influence the quality of education in general.

4. Educational Materials In the countries of Middle East and Africa, there is a general consensus that educational facilities are rare and improperly used. But due to the changing nature of market demand, there is an urgent necessity to provide students with professional and technical skills such as computer software educational programs. This will in turn make the quality of education up-to-date and give students marketable skills, said Heyneman.

Recent research suggests that countries starting with lower productivity but with a more educated workforce close the gap between their per capita income and that of richer countries at a faster rate than countries with a less educated workforce (International Monetary Fund, 2003).

Dr. Abdeljallil Akkari in his paper on Education in the Middle East and North Africa: The Current Situation and Future Challenges said that “Investing in education must be accompanied by massive investment in economic sectors where the skills mastered can be used to provoke more economic growth”. It is clear that building a knowledgeable society remains an integral platform for creating jobs, improving standards of living, and becoming more competitive as a nation.

Affairs

GCC Salary Outlook for 2017 Most companies in the GCC are not planning to change their compensation packages this year and employee salaries are expected to remain flat.

D

ata published by recruiting experts Hays reveals 82% of those questioned expect incomes to either remain unchanged or increase by less than 5%, while 2% of those questioned expect pay cuts.

“Workforce salaries are one of the single biggest costs for employers and, given the challenging economic climate of the past twelve months, it is simply not viable to offer company-wide pay rises,” said Chris Greaves, Managing Director of Hays, Gulf Region..

“Instead, we have seen added focus to be on individual performance related pay, which typically amounts to a lower spend for employers than companywide pay increases.”

Hays’ salary review found that 48% of working professionals in the GCC saw increases in their pay cheques of 5-10%.

However, 9% experienced pay cuts.

Finance - Among the accountancy and

finance professionals, 51% reported salary adjustments, of which 14% were reductions. This year, 3% of workers in the industry are anticipating a decrease in pay. However, the majority of workers in the sector (61%) are bullish about 2017, with 61% of them saying they expect salary increases.

Property - About half of workers in

the construction and property sector were not spared some pay adjustments either. Among those who saw changes in their salaries, a significant number (24% - also one of the highest) received pay cuts. Those who were granted salary increases mostly enjoyed 5-10% rise.

Engineering - Among the engineering professionals, 40% reported some salary changes, of which 16% were

pay reductions, up from 6% a year earlier. The average pay hike received by engineering workers last year ranged between 5-10%.

The average pay increase received ranged between 5-10%. A higher number (68%) are looking to get further changes in their pay cheques this year.

HR - Employees who work in human

Office workers - Office support professionals were among those the least happy with how their incomes fared last year. More than half (51%) did see some adjustments in their takehome pay, but 18% of that represented salary decreases. Those who did get some financial rewards reported an average of 5-10% pay hike. These professionals are also among the least optimistic this year, with 69% of them expecting no increases.

resources departments (48%) reported salary adjustments, of which 15% were reductions. 54% however are optimistic that they will get pay hikes this year.

IT - Information and technology (IT) professionals (34%) saw their salaries changed last year. Pay reductions accounted for 12% of the adjustments.

This year, 61% of IT workers, expect their salaries to change.

Legal - Lawyers, legal secretaries and

other professionals in the industry, appeared to be the least affected by the economic slowdown, with a whopping 59% of them reporting pay increases.

Sales - Sales and marketing professionals also went through a challenging period in 2017. Among the 49% who saw their salaries changed, 20% suffered pay cuts.

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Sports

British woman spends 2 months

cycling through Iran

Rebecca Lowe, 35, visited Iran last year while on a cycling adventure.

She discovered a people ‘extraordinarily welcoming’… and an underground party scene.

R

ebecca says: “Iran fascinated me because of its reputation as a fanatically Islamist country and the very different reality on the ground. While the regime may be a tyrannical theocracy, it’s clear that a large proportion of Iranians oppose it.

‘Iranian hospitality is extraordinary.

To me, it felt like a soft protective cloak, reassuring and ever-reliable. So much wonderful, utterly impractical food was given to me while I was cycling watermelons, bread, bags of cucumbers - that much had to be discarded.

‘Everyone I stayed with went out of 40

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their way to make me feel welcome – often overwhelmingly so. In one village, a young scholar delayed my departure until I’d read his eight-page literary critique of Sherlock Holmes. In another, a girl held my padded cycling shorts hostage until I made a solemn promise, in writing, to return to her town as soon as I could.’

Lowe, who spent two months cycling northwards through the country, from Bandar Abbas to Tehran, explained that even the police officers were hospitable.

She said: ‘The police were surprisingly accommodating. Unlike Egypt, they were generally happy to let me cycle by myself and I was only stopped on a

handful of occasions. The first incident occurred after I took my helmet off under a bush in 40C heat, when some officers pulled over to tell me to put on my headscarf. Five minutes later, however, one of them invited me to his family’s house for khoresht gheymeh (lamb stew), so it wasn’t such a great hardship in the end.’

Lowe said: ‘The only place I met other cyclists was in Tehran, and my impression was that it’s not yet part of Iranian culture - and certainly not for women.’

One of the most interesting aspects of her visit, she said, was having the chance to examine the interior designs

Sports

of the houses she visited.

She said: ‘Visiting Iranians’ homes was especially interesting as the decor revealed a great deal about the people, socially and economically. In rural areas, many houses had no furniture at all, just beautiful Persian carpets and thin mattresses brought out at night to sleep on.

‘Dishes mainly comprised kebabs or meat stews, plus rice. Fruit and sweets were also consumed constantly, while Nutella was seen as an elite delicacy.

Everything was delicious - with the exception of kalah pacha - sheep or cow’s head broth - which entailed savouring the eyes and ears, so as not to seem rude.’

Lowe’s adventure in Iran also drew her into the country’s vibrant underground party scene, which is awash with alcohol and drugs.

She said: ‘While alcohol is banned in Iran, many people drink in private and there’s a popular underground party scene. I soon realised that ‘going to the mountains’ did not only mean that literally, but was a metaphor for ‘doing something illegal’. Youngsters often have pool houses outside the city, away from the prying eyes of the police, while the richest sometimes hire apartments for thousands of pounds a month just for parties.

‘Police raids are now less common than they used to be, I was told, while punishments – usually fines or lashes –

are milder. One person told me that the severity of lashes depends on who is lashing you, and sometimes they agree to do it very lightly or not at all.’

She said: ‘Iranians are surprisingly obsessed with their appearance. Plastic surgery is not just about beauty, but status; in Tehran you’ll see dozens of women every day wearing their nose plasters with pride.’

She said she was ‘particularly impressed by the level of religious tolerance in Iran… most people had no problem with Jews, Christians or Sunni Muslims’ and the ‘level of development and infrastructure’. Tehran’s metro, she

‘One of the main problems in Iran is how socially divided it is,’ she said.

‘There’s extremely little interaction or crossover of values between the conservative and liberal sides.’

said, was cleaner and cheaper than London’s Tube network.

However, not everything in Iran is rosy. She said: ‘There’s no question that the human rights situation is dire in Iran.

There is no free press, independent judiciary or civil society.

‘However, the country is far from a North Korea or Soviet Russia, and its stance has softened over recent decades. Prison terms and punishments are less severe than in the past, and the police do not seem to have a reputation for mistreating people (though beatings and psychological torture are known to happen inside prisons such as Evin).

‘People have the impression Iran is the same as it was straight after the revolution,’ one senior human rights lawyer told me. ‘But it’s changed significantly since then.’

‘The main problem is that the red line is uncertain and unpredictable,’ leading human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told Lowe in Tehran. ‘So everyone is forced to self-censor and act cautiously.’

‘One of the main problems in Iran is how socially divided it is,’ she said.

‘There’s extremely little interaction or crossover of values between the conservative and liberal sides.’

For more on Lowe’s adventures visit www.thebicyclediaries.co.uk. She can be found tweeting at twitter.com/ reo_lowe.

Lowe, who spent two months cycling northwards through the country, from Bandar Abbas to Tehran,

Lowe is pictured here in Persepolis Gulf Insider July 2017

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Health

Eating legumes can cut your risk of diabetes by 35% After analysing the food consumption of 3,349 people at high risk of heart disease but without type 2 diabetes, Clinical Nutrition discovered that those who ate about 3 servings a week of lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas were 35 per cent less likely to develop diabetes over a four-year follow up than those those who consumed less legumes. The study noted that the food group contains a sizeable amount of fibre, and is considered a low-glycemic choice. That means they don’t make your blood sugar spike after meals the way bread or baked potatoes might, and the fibre keeps your blood sugar steady for hours. That level of glycemic control has been noted in past studies as an important diabetes prevention strategy.

Men’s

Being anxious all the time may give you cancer

Your phone may be the dirtiest thing you own

People with anxiety are more likely to die from cancer, a new study presented at the annual European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress suggests. After analyzing data from more than 15,000 people, the researchers discovered that men with generalized anxiety disorder were more than twice as likely to die from cancer over the 15-year follow up period than those without the disorder. The takeaway: Chill out!

The average mobile phone harbors 18 times more living bacteria than a toilet, according to research by UK-based consumer group Which? One phone even tested positive for high levels of the bacteria associated with faecal matter and salmonella. (Yes, someone was rubbing that on their face). Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe it down and avoid alcohol-based cleaners which can damage the screen. Leave your phone outside the bathroom and opt for headphones when you take a call.

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Battle baldness with honey Seeing more strands in your shower drain? When used as a topical treatment, honey can improve the look of thinning hair. In a study of patients experiencing seborrheic dermatitis, which includes scaling, itching, and hair loss, those who applied a solution of 90 percent honey and 10 percent water to their scalp every other day for four weeks reported an improvement in hair loss at the end of the study.

Health

Travel

Health Tips Its fun to travel and see the world, but not much fun when you get hit by diarrhea or fever. Follow these tips to make sure you make the most of your vacation.

Hydrate with care

Avoid street food

Only drink boiled or bottled water or use water purifiers or tablets when traveling. Avoid ice in drinks as well as unpasteurized milk or dairy products. Also don’t buy bottled water from stands that have been directly hit by sunlight.

You can also drink sealed carbonated drinks.

Diarrhea is often one of the most common diseases afflicting travelers.

Protect yourself and only eat steaming-hot, wellcooked food. Avoid street food, and raw or uncooked seafood and vegetables.

Peel fruit yourself.

Don’t swim in freshwater lakes

Pack your medication

Avoid swimming and other water activities in freshwater lakes and streams as you may catch schistosomiasis, a condition that occurs when humans come in contact with a certain type of freshwater snail carrying a dangerous parasite. It causes rash, fever, and muscle aches (that persist for years), so do yourselves a favor and just swim in pools or the ocean.

If you have allergies and/ or asthma, it’s always best to pack your medicines because the place you travel may not have your specific medication. Also make sure to pack an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses along with contact solution just in case you lose your eyewear during transit.

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Contributor

GCC REVIEW

HOW FAR OUTSIDE THE BOX CAN YOU THINK? The fine line between the company’s traditions and stepping into the world of ever-changing innovation.

W

e’ve all been there. Your boss tells you with all the enthusiasm in the world that you have to do things differently, it is time to think outside the box, and that innovation and creativity are key to your success as an employee, and consequently the success of the company.

Since that kind of pep talk is contagious, and since you want to score some brownie points with your boss, you rush to your office and come up with this plan/campaign/proposal, only to be disappointed with the feedback: It is too ambitious and does not fit the company’s culture! And you go back to the old tried-andtested ways. Same old same old!

There is this thin line between preserving the culture and being innovative that is sometimes not so clear. Management should be precise on what they really want. Loose and ambiguous phrases do not cut it.

Management should explain to employees the specific goals they are expected to achieve, and provide them with guidelines that set the tone for their upcoming plans and course of action, so as to know how far outside the box they can think.

We are always afraid of what we don’t know. Same thing applies to management and companies. Deviating

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from the ordinary is scary, taking creative risks is uncomfortable, adopting and adapting to new trends while letting go of obsolete ones makes management feel like they are losing control.

But - as cliché as it might sound- communication is key.

Having a two-way, open, and honest dialogue between the management and employees makes all the difference.

Working hand in hand during times of change is crucial to the ongoing success of the company. It is also critical that employees feel included and part of the big picture, rather than just being paper-pushers.

Creativity and innovation should not haunt us; we should embrace them. Thus, finding the perfect fit between maintaining the company culture and the innovation they are aspiring to can be achieved through teamwork, proper research, immaculate planning, avoiding last minute decisions, and most importantly, never copying the competition.

Sawsan Abu Omar, MCIPR PR & Communications Professional www.sawsanabuomar.com contact@sawsanabuomar.com

Saudi, Bahrain plan new road and railway causeway Saudi Arabia and Bahrain plan to build a new road and rail causeway between the two countries to ease congestion on the existing link and will seek funding from the private sector, a document about the project showed.

Besides a new four-lane road causeway running parallel to the existing one, there will be a new 70 km railway connecting a passenger terminal in Salmabad and freight facilities at Khalifa bin Salman port in Bahrain to the Saudi railway system.

The King Hamad Causeway is expected to cost $4 billion to $5 billion, according to sources who attended an industry consultation event in Manama, and the two nations hope private firms and the state can share the costs, risks and profits.

Oman Air boosts flights to Qatar National carrier Oman Air will fly larger capacity planes to Doha after some countries suspended flights to Qatar. Additionally Oman Air has dedicated three charter flights to Qatar Airways to operate sectors Muscat/Jeddah/Muscat from Tuesday.

“Qatar Airways operations are running as normal with no disruptions in flights with the exception of those to the four countries Qatar Airways has been restricted to fly to. “In response to these restrictions Qatar Airways has arranged for three chartered flights departing Jeddah on Tuesday at 16.00, 22.00, and 23.00 local time, to Muscat to assist stranded Qatari passengers making their way to King Abdulaziz International Airport to avail these flights,” said a statement from Qatar Airways The official also said travel time between Qatar and Muscat may increase with some GCC countries closing their airspace for flights from Qatar. “Some flights are now taking two hours to reach Doha from Muscat,” a leading travel agent in Muscat said. Oman Air and Qatar Airways fly non-stop between Muscat and Doha.

GCC Review

Saudi Arabia to introduce monthly expat levy Saudi Arabia is set to introduce an ‘expat levy’, according to reports.

The monthly levy for an expatriate in Saudi Arabia will be 100 riyals from July 1. It is not yet clear whether the levy will be charged on all members of an expatriate family.

As per the new norms, if the company employs more foreigners than locals, it has to pay 400 Saudi riyals monthly for each expatriate. It will increase to 600 riyals from 2019 and 800 riyals from 2020. However, if the number of expatriates is less than locals, the levy will be lower by 100 riyals.

The move aims to ensure that more Saudi nationals get jobs in comparison to their expat counterparts. Many companies are planning to deduct the levy from their employees’ salaries. Information about the new law was confirmed during the budget announcement.

Philippines blocks workers heading to Qatar The Philippines has temporarily blocked Filipinos from travelling to Qatar for work as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said the government was concerned about the possible “ripple effects” of the ArabQatar rift on its workers abroad. More than 2 million Filipinos are working in the Middle East as domestic helpers Filipinos working in the Middle East sent home $7.6 billion in remittances in 2016, making the region a major source of foreign exchange inflows which help drive one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.

Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello said the ban would be in place until the government has completed its assessment. “Concerned government agencies are looking at the matter and will extend assistance and other support for OFWs who may be affected by such action,” a government representative said.

Kuwait deports 13,000 foreigners in five months Authorities in Kuwait have deported around 13,000 foreigners in the first five months of the year. The reasons included mainly violation of residency and work regulations, implications in criminal offences and breaking traffic rules, a security source said, cited by Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas on Wednesday.

Indians topped the list at 23 per cent of the deportees, followed by Egyptians at 20 per cent.

Indians and Egyptians make up the two largest communities in the northern Arabian Gulf state.

Officials said there were clear instructions to apply a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone breaking the law and to refer anyone caught driving without a proper licence immediately to the deportation office for legal action.

Soft drinks, cigarettes in Saudi to cost 50-100% more A 100% tax will be imposed on tobacco products and energy drinks in Saudi, as well as a 50% levy on carbonated beverages. The announcement was made by the General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT), in compliance with the decision which was taken by the GCC General Secretariat on May 23.

Importers of goods subjected to the VAT tax are required to register online on the GAZT portal. Traders were also urged to start declaring their stocks of goods subjected to the tax for the transitional period and pay the dues within 45 days to avert any penalties or fines.

The prices of popular carbonated drinks, commonly used by a crosssection of people including children, will rise by 50 percent. The 330 ml can (container) which was sold now at SR1.50 is now SR2.25. The Kingdom is the largest consumer of soft and energy drinks in the Middle East region.

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Contributor

The Enlightened Entrepreneur

Enjoy The Journey

M

y 11 year old son was preparing for another fierce FIFA 2017 match on PS4 with his elder brother. As he was nervously recruiting his team players in set-up stage, I entered their room and offered to play against him instead of his unbeatable big brother. What was I thinking? I was comfortable in my couch; and now risked losing to a kid!

For some reason (which I realized later in the match), his focused face turned into a cheerful one. “Really dad!

Will you play with me?” he said, elated. “Yeah! Why not?

Since I’m confident I’ll beat you” I replied with a smirk. His, however, was more confident.

After my son gave me sincere “training” on how to use the PS4 controller (I was a master at FIFA PC game), we kick started the match and soon I got the reason behind his overflowing enthusiasm to play with me. I was lagging 0-4 into halftime!

“Give it to me dad, give to me. I know how to beat him.

I’ll reverse the results for you in no time” said my 13 years vigorously, as he tried to pull the controller from my hands.

For some weird reason, I was strongly reluctant to give him the “control” gear, although I was sure he will reverse the result for me.

I went on playing and playing, unapologetic for the loss I continued incurring on my side. Every moment in the game, I was becoming better; losing but learning, two steps back, but twenty forward. The adrenaline was rising despite the drop in my chances to win.

Even when the game ended with me not scoring a single point, I was at the pinnacle of energy and joy.

Because I “achieved” a lot and gained “grounds”. I felt like a “winner!” I was, wasn’t I? Dear reader, please play back this story with one adjustment: replace the “dad” on the comfortable couch with you, the risk taking “entrepreneur”, the “game” with the new business you’re starting, and everything else in the game with all the challenges and wonders every entrepreneur experiences and enjoys.

As we celebrate the Eid and its “rewards”, let’s not forget how each day of Ramadan was a “rewarding” step in the beautiful journey of self, soul and community growth. So is every journey in your life, business or otherwise.

Just .. enjoy the journey.

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WANT TO BE SAFE? TRY THIS… LESS RAMBO…MORE DALAI LAMA

T

his World of ours appears to be on a trajectory of ever increasing craziness.

A quick browse through the news leaves us bombarded by stories of war, terrorism, global instability and crime. It is easy to formulate the impression that we are “under attack”…everything from our physical safety, the safety of our family, the security of our information, our ability to travel safely and the security of our assets appear to be at risk on a daily basis.

So…what do we do?

One of the cornerstones of personal safety is “Situational Awareness”. Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion round this concept. Many “security gurus” tell us to “keep our head on a swivel” and to “identify the threat early”. This state of hyper-vigilance not only results in burn out and a loss of enjoyment in life AND we are less likely to avoid an incident.

In the deep recesses of our brain is a filter called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS directs our attention to what we perceive as to be important. For example, if we place importance on terrorism our RAS will retain all the data you pick up about terrorism, it will feel like you see it everywhere. The danger in this is that your RAS will discard other relevant data in favor of the data about terrorism, and so you mow have a blind spot.

The answer is…become the Dalai Lama! Buddhists practice MINDFULNESS which is an opening of the senses not a narrowing. By being mindful of our entire environment (not just potential threats) we build a “library” of what is normal in our environment and we are alerted to, or sense when things aren’t normal. It’s at this point we should begin to narrow our focus to specific threats. So the trick to good security is quite simple…be the Dalai Lama before you become Rambo!

Mohamed Shukri – Author, corporate consultant, award winning speaker.

Kyle Tyrell is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and is the Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Global.

mohd.a.shukri@gmail.com

www.vanguardglobalct.com

Motors

INSIDER

MOTORS Automotive News and Reviews

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My Ride

The Green Goblin’s Ride Vivek Thilakan, a Sales Engineer tells us about his passion for big bikes.

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My Ride

C

an you tell us a bit about your background and why you became passionate about big bikes?

I am an Indian Expat and grew up my whole life in Bahrain.

While Bikes are as much a passion as cricket among Indians, oddly I was a very late bloomer in motorcycling from my family. Ironically, now I drive the heaviest bike in the hood.

I always had a penchant for cruisers but I waited till I was financially independent to jump headlong into this world. And when I did, I came with a bang (Literally yes, one week after I got my license - I suffered a heavy crash)

roar below, the howl of the winds to the side and you are free like a wild song. Angling your body with the bike, something as simple as taking a turn becomes a hoot.

If you respect the motorcycle, it respects you. When you care, learn and know about it - it yields to you.

You become the brain, it becomes the brawn. You are the soul, it’s the spirit.

You are the thrust, it’s the punch.

On the concrete, together you become a magnificent creature - part man part metal.

your helmet, safety gear and being extra aware of the road. Your relative freedom on the road also means you are much more vulnerable - you got to balance that by being highly responsible to yourself and your bike.

My second advice is to never ever start learning on a brand new bike.

There are only two types of riders those who crashed and those who are yet to crash. In spite of all our precautions, sometimes things go out of hand and you crash. If your bike happens to be new, the feeling is akin to having your heart raked over nails.

Tell us about this bike of yours. What is your dream bike?

Mine is a Honda Shadow 400CC with a Green Goblin Sheen. The moment I saw it’s picture as an ad, I swore to myself that I had to have it. In fact, I bought it even while I was still in the process of getting my motorcycle license. We share the same temperament - laid-back, relaxed, a bit of grit and a hearty rumble.

My dream bike would be a Honda Fury / Honda VT1300CX. Aside from the powerpunch engine, there’s something lupine about that one which gets my gear going.

What’s the difference between riding a bike and riding a car?

A Car is a shiny metallic box which transports you from one place to another. It gives you stability, comfort and safety. To summarize in one word Mundane.

A Bike is a metallic beast with a bit of danger, a dash of pleasure, a little sweat, grime, grunt and thump. It gives you freedom, fun and fire. To summarize in one word - Maverick.

Four wheels move your body. Two wheels move your soul.

We share the same temperament - laidback, relaxed, a bit of grit and a hearty rumble.

The quintessential image of boys on motorbikes is of James Dean on his motorcycle. How do you feel on a motorbike?

What advice can you give to beginning bikers/ bike enthusiasts?

Honestly, I feel the pure pleasure of driving. The air above, the metallic

My first advice is to always be conscious of your safety. That includes

It’s good to learn on a second hand bike and then advance slowly upwards.

Ride safe, ride responsibly. The feeling is truly out of the world.

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Motors

Car News

Bahrain expat driving license ban opposed A proposal to ban expatriates working in certain sectors from driving has received strong backlash from community leaders and activists who described it as discriminatory. The Muharraq Municipal Council resurrected a proposal to revoke the driving licenses of foreigners working in certain sectors based on concerns about traffic congestion.

The Constitutional Court threw out a similar attempt in 2014, after ruling that it was discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional. “Why can’t officials study existing models in European countries such as weekend ban on vehicles in certain areas or changing truck timings during peak traffic hours, but to revoke licenses or ban expatriates in some sectors from driving will not solve the problem of traffic congestion,” said Bahrain Human Rights Watch Secretary General Faisal Fulad.

Developing infrastructure and public transport networks was also required to tackle congestion on Bahrain’s roads, according to Bahrain Federation for Expatriate Associations Secretary General Betsy Matthieson. “There needs to be a balanced solution that will require looking at other alternatives and I am sure a wise decision will be made on this subject”.

Dubai drivers can now personalize their number plates Drivers in Dubai are being offered the chance to personalize their vehicle’s license plates as part of a Roads and Transport Authority Initiative. The latest phase of the Your Memorable Moments on Your Vehicle’s Plate project is for U-coded plates and gives people the chance to choose four-digit numbers that resemble important events such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and graduation.

“This initiative reflects the core role of RTA in providing new and premium services to raise customers’ satisfaction and happiness through engaging them in selecting personalized and important numbers for their vehicle plates.”An individual plate will cost Dh1,620 and the available numbers are from 1967 to 2017.

Those interested can buy their number plates from Customer Happiness Centres all over Dubai, service providers, strategic partners, visit rta.ae, or the smart app Drivers & Vehicles.

Bahrain govt. announces initial completion of initial roadworks to reduce traffic congestion A comprehensive planning process has been implemented to ensure the Kingdom’s strategic road network is able to accommodate increased urban expansion, with the process due to be completed within 3 to 5 years. This strategic planning process includes a proposal to expand Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman highway in both directions to four lanes, and to improve the road’s intersections. the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf has confirmed that the first phase of initial works has been completed following the installation of an additional U-turn lane along the Financial Harbour interchange.

Commenting on the project, the Minister said: “King Faisal Highway is an important link to the heart of Manama and therefore directly impacts the city in terms of commercial activity, the economy and tourism. In providing this much-needed new interchange, vehicle users will now benefit from reduced traffic and improved access to the Diplomatic Area, the Financial Harbour, Central Manama and Muharraq.”

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Motors

Boy Racers in Juffair Selfish motorists keep unknown numbers of people in Juffair awake.

I

t’s 4 AM and I was woken by the sound of engines roaring loudly.

Ironically, I dozed off to the same engines blasting away at midnight.

They’re at it again, the boy racers I mean. A group or groups of mostly bikers speeding away from traffic lights and revving their engines loudly on the streets of Juffair.

The loud revving of engines late at night is not just a problem in Juffair, but also in Adliya and Budaiya. GDN once wrote that “these fools are a constant menace during late hours— meandering up and down the same streets disturbing everyone”. Far from being a peculiarity closed to teenagers, apparently 30 and 40 year olds do the same thing, much to resident’s dismay.

Why is this going on in Juffair in particular, one of the most densely populated residential places in Bahrain?

How come the police are not doing anything? Is this because of the lack of speed cameras in that area? Why are the police not catching these selfish bikers? Is it because they are wealthy or in high positions? Whatever the case, these people are causing disturbance to residents who have to get to work the following morning, and who may have families and children to take care of as well.

This commotion would have been really easy to stop if the police would issue a few tickets, a night’s jail time or some other equally suitable

punishment. In addition, many people in Juffair, literally thousands of people would feel safer knowing that they can rely on the police to keep the peace and quiet.

As it is, it seems like it may be as little as two dozen men on motorbikes careening through the streets of Juffair, in the main drag around the Grand Mosque (Awal Avenue). Gulf Insider tried calling up the Juffair Police Station to investigate the matter, but kept getting transferred to the Nabih Saleh Police Station. Apparently one police

We don’t want to put a case against anyone, we just want the noise to stop. station covers both the Tubli and the Juffair area. In addition, when asked if there has been a complaint regarding the boy racers they said yes and asked if we wanted to put a case. When asked what were the nature of the cases put to them, they passed us to other people in the station, some of whom can’t be bothered to pick up their extension phones. We did this several times over the last month to the same end. Is there something of extreme importance that the police are working on at the

moment for them to be so casual about this? And also, why do we need to put a case? We don’t want to put a case against anyone, we just want the noise to stop.

In addition, there were instances when we couldn’t talk to anyone because they kept asking us if we speak Arabic. What if there was an emergency, or an urgent situation particularly in an area where there are many non-Arabic speakers? Is there no one we could speak to about our situation?

Many cars are being stopped so the police can check out their insurance disks. It takes the same effort to stop these selfish motorists and issue a violation for disturbing the peace and quiet. There are also several things that can be done in order to mitigate the situation. One idea is to build low level speed bumps, so bikers are forced to slow down in the area. In addition, police cameras should be placed in strategic hotspots so as to capture and note down these offenders for the purpose of issuing a warning and/ or a ticket later on. This action, along with lowering the speed limits for that area could be the solution for the strain that people have suffered and are continuously suffering causing in fact, many people whom we have asked, moved out of the area simply because of the noise. If you have had any issues dealing with this problem, please let us know.

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Telecoms

Telecom UAE: ‘temporary glitch’ unblocks WhatsApp voice and video calls Voice and video calling features on WhatsApp and Facebook are now unblocked in the UAE. The unblocking of the service was met with joy across Twitter, leading to a trending “WhatsApp” call in the UAE hashtag.

However, not all users of the instant messaging app—which uses Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology to allow users to make calls over the worldwide web—have been able to use the service with many taking to Twitter to say they had trouble connecting both domestically and internationally.

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said no changes have been made to their policy about communications through internet protocol. “Any such applications or services must be in compliance with the UAE’s telecommunications regulations that allow VOIP services to be provided in the country only by licensed telecom operators,” the TRA said.

Nuclear techniques help diagnose camel disease in the Middle East The Middle East respiratory syndrome caused by a coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a serious and growing concern as it can be transmitted from animals to humans, said Giovanni Cattoli, Head of the Animal Production and Health Laboratory at the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques for Food and Agriculture, where the scientists were trained.

Camels are the main hosts of the virus. In the Middle East, people use camels to travel; they eat their meat and drink their milk. Countries in this region are reporting the highest number of human cases — in particular Saudi Arabia, where the virus was first identified in 2012.

“The virus causes very mild clinical signs in camels, so it’s not easy to notice,” Cattoli said. “This is why it is so important to ensure that scientists and technicians in laboratories of the Middle East are aware of the risk, familiar with nuclear-derived technology, and ready to detect the virus.”

How it works: Dubai’s new smart check-in New biometric facial recognition and new-generation smart gates will streamline check-in and immigration clearance at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, said authorities on Tuesday.

New-generation smart gates will be installed in coming months. They will automatically identify travellers, nixing the need to have passports and boarding passes cleared by an immigration officer, said authorities.

“We are pleased to roll out these new initiatives at Terminal 3 Departures in collaboration with Emirates and our airport stakeholders. We believe this will make our operations more efficient, free up our valuable manpower to focus on other responsibilities, and ultimately improve traveller experience.”

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Telecoms

Android vs iPhone Security Showdown

E

veryone has an opinion on which phone is the best.

There are fair arguments to be made on either side for Apple’s iPhone or Google’s Android when comparing hardware specifications, interface design, apps, and aesthetics. However, people often fail to consider the importance of security in their future smart phone purchases.

Let’s make certain everyone understands a basic truth; Smart phones ARE computers. These mobile devices may not be quite as powerful as their desktop PC relatives, but are a close second. And here’s another fact; ALL computers have security vulnerabilities.

It matters not which company designed the operating system, what matters is how quickly vulnerabilities are fixed and installed inside your phone.

Distinct Difference Here lies the first distinction between Android and iPhone. Google utilizes a decentralized process and submits software updates to Android phone manufacturers (i.e., Samsung, etc.). It’s then up to the manufacturer to test the update against their unique hardware, upload the fix to consumer phones, or choose not to support the update altogether. Apple, on the other hand, drives a centralized model and strictly controls both the operating system and the hardware it runs on. Centralization reduces the time to test and distribute critical security patches. Apple also has a better track record than Google for maintaining support for older phone models.

Now how would you feel about buying a new phone that’s already infected with malware designed to steal your bank account information or

ransom money from you in return for access to your photos and contacts?

Researchers recently found 38 Android device models which were infected by vulnerable supply chains before reaching their buyers. The phones left the factory clean but malware was added between the vendor and the customer. Malware on six of these devices required “reflashing” of the firmware to remove it.

Finally, let’s consider the security of installed third party apps. Apple employs a rather rigid app screening process before posting on their App Store. This process led many iPhone users to recklessly “jailbreak” their phones in order to install unauthorized apps. Researchers found a staggering 200 malware-infected apps, downloaded millions of times, on Google’s far less restrictive Play Store. Even more disconcerting, numerous malware samples were found to infect Windows operating systems when attached to an Android phone.

since the start of 2017. That’s not to mention the back-to-back battery safety recalls last year on the Samsung Note 7. Google is bluntly lagging behind Apple from a security perspective and owes it to their loyal customers to raise security standards on Android devices.

If it’s any consolation, I may be wielding an Apple these days, but will long enjoy my Galaxy S5 photos already posted on social media.

Security Issues

Ryan Ernst - Affectionately known as the

Android phones have suffered from several high profile security issues

“Tony Stark of Bahrain” is an Enterprise Secuirty Consultant at Sword & Shield. www.sworshield.com Gulf Insider July 2017

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Art

Hypnotic photos of

Islamic architecture With their intricate geometric shapes and heart-warming color palette, it’s hard not to see Islamic architecture as a little bit divine. These photos show what we’re talking about:

Imam Hussein Shrine, Iraq.

Jalil Khayat Mosque, Iraq.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE. 54

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman.

Art

Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, Egypt.

Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, KSA.

Al-Rahman Mosque, Syria.

Borojerdiha’s house, Iran.

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque, Iran.

Gulf Insider July 2017

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Society

what’s happening

Infiniti Q60 Launch

BAS Corporate Ghabgha

The Bahrain Airport Services team celebrated their annual ghabgha to a full house!

The launch of the sleek, sophisticated car was met with celebration.

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Society

VIVA Ramadan Ghabgha

In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, VIVA Bahrain hosted its annual Ramadan Media Ghabga at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bahrain.

Edamah

Fahad Taqi (Edamah PM), Mireille Babti (Edamah CDO), Mahmood Al Kooheji (Edamah CEO), Richard Potter (Vision GM), Craig Baxter (Vision PM)

Edamah, Bahrain Real Estate Co. this week signed a Design & Build Contract awarding Vision Development Company the Phase 1 works, for reclamation, shore protection, concrete quay wall and piled floating pontoon jetties for the development of Muharraq West Sa’ada project.

Motorcity Ghabgha

Motorcity’s celebration was filled with fun, laughter, and of course, cars!

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Last Word

How to get

ANY job you want Expert reveals 10 ways to give a memorable interview (including a very powerful closing statement).

B

usinesses want to hire employees who stand out from the crowd so it is important that your interview is memorable for all the right reasons.

Career expert John Lees, author of Knockout Interview, has revealed 10 tips on how to set yourself apart, from engaging small talk to a powerful closing statement.

While some might seem obvious, others will give even the most experienced professionals pause for thought.

‘At the end of a day interviewing candidates, most recruiters admit that they have forgotten most interview performances,’ Mr Lees said.

‘People who receive job offers give something beyond clichéd answers and “vanilla” evidence. Employers can find average candidates without breaking into a sweat, but they’re looking for something extra.’

1. INITIAL IMPACT - First impressions

count. And it is never more true than in an interview. In the opening 20 seconds the interviewer will make judgments based on a range of signals, including how easily you make conversation.

Mr Lees said: ‘So start off clearly, confidently and positively - even if the first question is about the weather, or your journey.’

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2. LISTEN HARD - It might seem straightforward, but the wording of the question being asked might be slightly different to the one you are expecting. ‘It’s easy under stress to listen ineffectively, so keep your “radar” switched on throughout,’ said Mr Lees.

3. BE CONCISE - Interviewers are busy so don’t waste their time by waffling. Mr Lees said: ‘Short answers, focused on the needs of the job, help interviewers to get through their checklist, and allow time for probing of facts.’

4. FOCUS ON THE JOB - An intimate

knowledge of the role will help set you apart from other candidates. Most importantly, make sure you show how you would be excellent in the job. Mr Lees said: ‘Analyse the tasks that make up the role and prepare short, punchy examples of your achievements.’

5. COMMUNICATE ENERGY - There are no points for appearing underwhelmed or disengaged. Explain with enthusiasm what attracted you to the role and how it fits your career goals.

6. MAKE SENSE OF YOUR SKILLS - You will understand all the ins-and-outs of your current role, but your potential employer might not. Show how your

skills transfer by explaining them in language which is both relevant and exciting to an employer.

7. AVOID BEING PREDICTABLE - While

interview questions might sometimes be predictable, that does not mean your answers need to be. ‘Interviewers have heard all the clichés from candidates claiming to be team players and winners,’ Mr Lees said. Try to think of original ways to phrase your responses.

8. TELL STORIES - Make yourself stand out by turning dull facts into interesting stories that interviewers will remember long after you left the room. To ensure you don’t waffle, rehearse three-minute stories which reveal your experience and motivation.

9. SHARE KEY MESSAGES - Decide on

three-four key points you are going to get across during the interview, even if the relevant questions aren’t asked.

10. CLOSE ON A HIGH - Mr Lees

said: ‘Interviewers are more likely to remember the first and last thing you said more than anything else, so make your final point a clear statement about how you match the role.’

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