Gulf Insider June 2016

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Issue 137

Along the ancient silk route Interview with EDB Chief Executive Khalid Al Rumaihi Bahrain BD2

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McLaren 570S Business

Along the Ancient Silk Route Opinion

Manama to Manhattan

Motors

Catching up with Porsche Motors

McLaren 570S

Motors

Two Stallions, Two Mountains!

Motors

The Modern Passenger Car

10 18 22 24

Style

Mont Blanc Property

IREIS 2016

Telecoms

Telecom Insider

Art

Summer Art @ The Domain

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Gagan Suri

28

Business Events

Profile

Society

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

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Contents

June 2016

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Comment...

business

lifestyle

Publisher & Editor in Chief - Nicholas C. Cooksey Editorial - Abeer Saeed Parkar

Dear Readers, McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche! We drove a lot of cars last month and have shared our views on the whole lot. It made sense since Knight Frank’s latest index suggests luxury spending trends have gone up by 7%! (Figures from the Middle East show a stronger tendency for luxury automobiles and collectables than the global average.)

We caught up with Khalid al Rumaihi, Chief Executive EDB, who explained the benefits of increasing business ties with China and why Bahrain’s an ideal gateway to enter Gulf markets. We also chatted with Gagan Suri, CEO Bahrain Bay Development, on what he enjoys most about working in the real estate industry.

Regular Contributors - Hugh Haskell-Thomas - Nicholas Cortes - Bill Daly Guest Contributors - Tariq A. Al Maeena - Rich Hutchinson - Loe Babauta Layout Designs - Dhanraj S Admin & Finance - Nikesh Pola Photography - Shareef Panhatt Distribution Executives - Mohammed Yousif - Muhammed Shareef - Rafnaj K P

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M. +973 3678 8748 We hope you enjoy browsing through the hottest picks for Eid gifts and on that note, we wish you a happy and blessed Ramadan!

Ramadan Kareem

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The Insider Team Printed at Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Distribution Bahrain: Al Hilal Corporation, Tel. +973 1748 0800 UAE: Jashanmals, Tel. +971 4341 9757

Arabia’s Intelligent Magazine 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.

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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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Good news for Bahrainis!

MPs have given their nod to a proposal to lower electricity tariff by one-third for Bahrainis.

What do you think?

Interview with EDB Chief Executive Khalid Al Rumaihi Bahrain BD2

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What about expatriates on low incomes whose contributions to Bahrain literally build the foundations on which the entire country is based?

Eventually, they will just force lower income expats to seek better opportunities in other countries. Then who will be left to pick up all that trash dumped from car windows each weekend?

That’s a great idea, very forward thinking. So expats pay for everything until they are 50 when they become useless.....well done MPs.

Most Popular Article: Porsche 911 Carrera and 718 Boxster Nick Cooksey shares his views on the latest Porsche 911 and 718 Boxter models after taking them for hot laps at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

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Issue 135

Bahrain’s first petrol station, 1932

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Business

A delegation from the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce recently met with Bahrain’s Economic Development Board…

Abeer Parkar asks EDB Chief Executive Khalid Al Rumaihi about increasing business ties with China.

Along the Ancient Silk Route

“B

ahrain and China have been trading along the ancient Silk Road for thousands of years. Evidence of this trade can be found at many of the archaeological sites around the kingdom,” EDB Chief Executive Khalid Al Rumaihi comments, “Today, Bahrain continues to act as a vital trade hub for the region, strongly supporting China’s vision of “One Belt One Road” to build a community of shared interests between the Arab world and China. Many Chinese and international businesses have set 10

Gulf Insider June 2016

Bahrain is situated right at the heart of the Gulf with excellent road, air and sea links providing connectivity across the region.

up operations in Bahrain to build on opportunities in the Middle East region.”

According to countless reports, The Republic of China is currently amongst the top three most powerful countries in the world. EDB’s international office in China, established in 2013, provides a first point of contact for any Chinese business interested in investing in Bahrain and the Middle East region. The office also gives Bahrain a permanent presence in one of the world’s largest economies.

“The EDB’s China office has been instrumental in strengthening ties and

Business

Chinese Delegation has coordinated a number of high level visits between the two countries,” Al Rumaihi states, “Efforts resulted in 20 visits by Chinese businesses in 2015 alone, whereby representatives learnt about the investment opportunities the Kingdom offers.”

EDB figures show trade between Bahrain and China has grown significantly over the last few years- total non-oil goods traded between the two countries from 2010 to 2015 grew by more than US$400 million from US$1.35 billion to US$1.76 billion respectively.

Al Rumaihi explained that Bahrain’s location, connectivity and open business environment makes it an ideal platform from which Chinese businesses can access opportunities in the fast growing Gulf market. The kingdom is the freest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the 18th freest globally according to the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom 2016. For Bahrain, growth in investments from Chinese businesses means more high value added jobs for Bahrainis.

“Bahrain is situated right at the heart of the Gulf with excellent road, air and sea links providing connectivity across the region. Bahrain also has a tried-andtested legal and regulatory environment, which investors can trust to protect their interests in a fair, open and transparent manner,” he states.

Al Rumaihi explained that Bahrain has already attracted Chinese businesses from a number of sectors, ranging from manufacturing and construction, to ICT and financial services. “While it is

Khalid Al Rumaihi difficult to quantify the total contribution of Chinese businesses to Bahrain’s GDP, some recent major investments

by Chinese companies include Dragon City Bahrain, Huawei and CPIC China,” he says.

In 2014, Huawei, whose Middle East regional headquarters are in Bahrain, announced that the company would be investing US$80 million in the development of broadband networks in Bahrain.

That same year, CPIC China announced a joint venture with Abahsain Group at the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) which will produce 200,000 tonnes of fiberglass, entail a total investment of over US$200 million and employ 1,000 people in Bahrain.

Meanwhile Dragon City Bahrain operated by Chinamex opened to the public in late 2015; the Chinese-themed shopping mall supposedly hosts more than 500 Chinese businesses looking to raise the profile of Chinese products in the GCC. However, according to Gulf Insider sources, half the shops in Dragon City are still closed due to a delay in CR processing. Despite this factor, sources claim they have seen the parking lots full and customers loading their pickup trucks with various goods, many of the vehicles bear license plates of neighbouring countries. It’s unclear who these customers are and why they’re bulk buying. Dragon City representatives couldn’t be reached for a comment at the time of this report.

Gulf Insider asked Al Rumaihi whether bringing Chinese goods with its more competitive prices into Bahrain can potentially harm the existing market. He explained that Bahrain has been an open economy for a long time which is one of the economy’s main strengths. “Bahraini businesses have always had to compete against those from around the world and this has helped to encourage innovation and productivity, especially amongst young entrepreneurs. This ensures Bahraini businesses have the quality to compete regionally and not just in the local market.”

“Attracting investment to Bahrain is at the heart of the government’s economic plan as well as ensuring the long term sustainability of the economy even in low oil price conditions,” he concluded.

Gulf Insider June 2016

11

Affairs

is Saudi Arabia facing a looming

‘catastrophe’?

S

audi Arabia is facing a looming disaster in the next three decades as the country is steadily running through its supply of nonrenewable groundwater reserves.

The kingdom’s unsustainable and extravagant use of water is rapidly depleting the country’s reserves and, if not limited, could soon lead to an environmental and social catastrophe, Al-Araby reports.

“Saudi Arabia is facing a catastrophe if agricultural practices don’t change.

The remaining groundwater needs to be preserved,” Ali al-Takhees, the former undersecretary of the Saudi ministry of agriculture, told Al-Araby.

According to al-Takhees, Saudi Arabia is running through its groundwater at a perilous rate.

Within three decades, if patterns of use do not change, the country is predicted to face a significant drought.

Other predictions for the country are even more dire.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

“Saudi Arabia is facing a catastrophe if agricultural practices don’t change.

The remaining groundwater needs to be preserved.”

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, a member of King Faisal University, told The Independent that groundwater in the country could run out in as little as 13 years.

“Official estimates have been disclosed showing an acute drop in water levels in agricultural areas, and

that indicates the seriousness of the situation,” Al-Ghamdi said.

To curb the use of water in the country, The Independent reports, the country has started taxing its citizens for water use. This tariff will have the added benefit of attempting to address the kingdom’s ballooning deficit caused by the collapse of oil prices.

Saudi residents on average use significantly more water than residents of the comparatively water-rich Europe.

According to Al-Araby, Saudis on average use more than double the amount of water each day than those in the European Union.

This extravagant use, in conjunction with the inability of rain to fill anything but the most shallow aquifers in Saudi Arabia, does not bode well for the kingdom if it does not take dramatic actions.

Already, The Independent notes, reservoirs in central Saudi Arabia have “turned into sand pits.”

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Off Topic

Will a man-made MOUNTAIN

solve water shortages in the Gulf?

F

rom constructing the world’s tallest skyscraper to building its own palm-shaped islands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no stranger to grand projects.

Now there are plans to build a massive mountain in a bid to collect much-needed water.

Scientists are working on a design for a man-made mount which would create clouds that could then be seeded to force it to rain on demand.

Experts from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in Colorado are working on a ‘detailed modelling study’ according to lead researcher Roelof Bruintjes, at a cost of $400,000.

He told Arabian Business: ‘What we are looking at is basically evaluating the effects on weather through the type of mountain, how high it should be and

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Gulf Insider June 2016

how the slopes should be.’

‘We will have a report of the first phase this summer as an initial step.’

Mountains play a vital role in influencing both regional and global weather, causing warm, moist air to rise, creating clouds and ultimately rain.

The idea is that this natural process would be forced to occur thanks to the towering man-made structure.

The clouds generated by the mountain could be seeded – a weather modification process designed to maximise the amount of rain produced – to boost rainfall and control when wet weather occurs.

It is possible that if the mountain was tall enough, the precipitation process may occur naturally, so cooler temperatures would cause moist air to condense and droplets to fall as rain without the need for seeding.

Either way, the water could be collected and used to provide much needed hydration for people and plants nearby.

It only rains for a handful of days a year in the UAE, where temperatures reach 43°C (110°F), generating just five inches of water in total, The Washington Post reported.

This means cities in the GCC have serious water shortages and supply problems, while rural farming areas need water for growing food for the population and tourists.

In a bid to solve this problem, cloud seeding is already used in the UAE. The process involves seeding the atmosphere with chemicals such as silver iodide or dry ice, which help form ice crystals.

This works thanks to a process called nucleation and involves a small amount of water in the air condensing around the new icy particles, which are liquid, but below freezing.

The minute ice droplets fall to Earth when they are too heavy to suspend in the air, melting on their way down to form rain.

The emirates’ National Centre of Meteorology & Seismology (NCMS) recently revealed it spent $558,000 on 186 cloud seeding missions in UAE last year alone.

Dr Bruintjes admitted building a mountain is not a simple thing, and his team are experimenting with different heights, widths and locations in their plan to make the rain-making mount as effective as possible.

He said: ‘If [the project] is too expensive for [the government], logically the project won’t go through, but this gives them an idea of what kind of alternatives there are for the long-term future.’

If it does get the go-ahead, it will down to engineers to decide wither the goliath task will be possible and commercially viable.

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Hotel Review

THE ULTIMATE RAMADAN CELEBRATIONS AT

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY Bahrain’s luxury destination impresses again with lavish Iftar and Ghabga menus.

T

his Ramadan, guests at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay can experience a true oriental ambiance offering unrivalled Four Seasons service and hospitality at the Arabesque-themed Ramadan Tent. The always on spot Four Seasons catering team has also prepared a wide range of special menus for private iftar events.

As the second Ramadan since the Hotel opened its doors to the public in March 2015, the extravagant iftar buffet prepared by Executive Chef Stefano Andreoli and his culinary team features a selection of popular local fare in addition to Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan, Indian and international must-eats prepared at live cooking stations.

At ghabga, guests are invited to enjoy a multicultural spread of dishes and desserts at the Hotel’s Ramadan Tent. The

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Gulf Insider June 2016

exquisite Shisha Lounge in the Ramadan Tent features a live band playing mellow traditional tunes providing the perfect setting for guests to enjoy the season’s social evenings with family and friends.

For delicious a la carte selections, guests are welcome to visit the Hotel’s Asian fusion restaurant on the 50th floor. During Ramadan, re/Asian Cuisine

by Wolfgang Puck will open at sunset and will service a la carte orders until 11:00 pm on weekdays and 11:30 pm on weekends.

The Bay View Lounge located in the heart of the lobby opens at sunset and welcomes guests nightly after iftar to linger over a cup of aromatic tea or freshly brewed coffee.

For those who wish to enjoy iftar and suhour at the privacy of their rooms, inroom dining also offers tasty alternatives.

Business guests will always be looked

after by the Hotel’s catering team to assist them in their iftar and ghabga events preparations. Catering up to 450 guests in the Hotel’s Al Bahrain Ballroom, the culinary team can prepare buffet menus with everyone’s favourite Ramadan flavours and dishes.

After Ramadan, Eid festivities are set to commence in Al Bahrain Ballroom with a three-day brunch buffet, live cooking stations and a vibrant family atmosphere served from 12:30 pm.

A special spa treatment to compliment the Holy Month of Ramadan is also on offer. The Gate of Vitality Ritual helps balance the digestive system, boost energy levels and release physical tension and stress.

For reservations please call Tel: +973 1711 5000

Available for download on:

Business

Three Mistakes to Avoid

When Networking

By Dorie Clark

W

e all know networking has the potential to dramatically enhance our careers; making new connections can introduce us to valuable new information, job opportunities, and more.

But despite that fact, many of us are doing it wrong — and I don’t just mean the banal error of trading business cards at a corporate function and not following up properly. Many executives, even when they desperately want to cultivate a new contact, aren’t sure how to get noticed and make the right impression.

1. Misunderstanding the pecking order. The “rules” for networking

with peers are pretty straightforward: follow up promptly, connect with them on LinkedIn, offer to buy them coffee or lunch. People want to congregate with their peers to trade ideas and experiences; your similarity alone is enough reason for them to want to meet you.

But the harsh truth is those rules don’t work for people who are above you in status. We make mistakes when

value proposition. Top professionals

Networking is possibly the most valuable professional activity we can undertake. we fail to grasp the power dynamics of a situation. It would be nice if Richard Branson or Bill Gates wanted to hang out with me “just because,” but that’s unlikely. If I’m going to connect with someone far better known than I am, I need to give them a very good reason.

3. Asking to receive before you give.

You may have plenty of time to have coffee with strangers or offer them advice. Someone who receives 1000 emails a day does not. Asking for their time, in and of itself, is an imposition unless you can offer them some benefit upfront.

3. Failing to specifically state your

don’t have time to weed through all the requests they get to figure out which are dross and which are gold. You have to be very explicit, very quickly, about how you can help. You need to show you’re familiar with the person’s work and have thought carefully about how you can help them, not the other way around.

Networking is possibly the most valuable professional activity we can undertake. But too often, we’re inadvertently sabotaging our own best efforts by misreading power dynamics, failing to give first, and not making our value proposition clear. Fixing those crucial flaws can help us connect with the people we want and need to meet to develop our careers.

Dorie Clark is a strategy consultant and speaker for clients such as Google, Yale University, Microsoft, and the World Bank. She is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and author of Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future.

Gulf Insider June 2016

19

Art

An aerial view of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Stunning night images of Middle East mega-cities British Airways Captain Jon Bowles beautiful photos. Look at these incredible aerial photos of some of the regions mega-cities, taken by a British airline pilot from the flight deck.

J

on pilots a Boeing 777, sometimes known as the Triple Seven, which is a group of long range wide body twin engine jet airliners. They are the largest twinjets and have a capacity of up to 451 passengers, with a range of up to 9,500 nautical miles.

‘There is no danger involved in taking the shots, I only shoot at times of low workload, or occasionally from the jump-seat,’ said Jon. ‘Shooting through glass has some limitations, distortion can be a problem. ‘Also the glass needs to be clean.

I have been known to clean the windows myself before a flight.

‘I love how different the world looks at night. I especially enjoy flying at night with no moon and a sky full of stars.

‘I love seeing storms flickering in the distance, remote settlements sparkling in the desert, seeing the aurora when it’s active. I also like the lights of cities from above. One of the things I love most about flying, whether by day or night, is how it puts things in perspective.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

The Palm of Dubai

Art

Dubai, with the Burj Khalifa clearly visible

Dubai- The Palm Jumeirah, home to the Aquaventure beach, is easy to spot to the right of the shot

The West Bay area on Doha, Qatar

Kuwait

West Bay in Qatar

Images: Jon Bowles / mediadrumworld.com

Gulf Insider June 2016

21

in si de r CAR

Catching up with

Porsche

Gulf Insider met with Colin, Taher and Neil of Porsche Bahrain to ask how the company has been staying ahead of their rivals.

C

hatting over cups of coffee, Brand Manager Colin Sattar, Marketing Manager Taher Ali and Sales Manager Neil Harris shared collective views on Porsche’s attitude towards building longterm relationships with their clients and providing both a great as well as a friendly service. All three are passionate about working with Porsche, mentioning it’s a great company, with a low staff turnover – and with fantastic cars.

The trio shares that the company aims to build lasting relationships with people

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Gulf Insider June 2016

who walk into the showroom, seeing them as potential future Porsche owners even if they aren’t currently. They share that 50% of Porsche customers are repeat customers.

They say that you don’t have to buy a car when you come by the Porsche showroom. You could also just stop by to check out the latest arrivals, join the celebration during new launches or sit down for some coffee. (We guess it could also be the Espresso that keeps bringing clients back).

The men affirmed that Porsche has

been prosperous while competitors have begun to feel the effects of the industry’s current slowdown. The company also runs a successful pre-owned business which is popular for its trade-in rates, explaining that the residual value of Porsche cars is higher than all other major brands. All pre-owned Porsches they offer have to pass through a 111 point check and come with a one-year warranty.

Meanwhile, a new Porsche comes with a minimum 2-year warranty extendable for a total of 9 years. Recently launched

Motors

is the Porsche 911 and 718 Boxster in the region (which Gulf Insider testdrove last month, check May issue).

Next comes the Macan 4-cylinder which will be launched in September starting from BD19,200. However, the Cayenne Platinum edition arriving later in the year is set to grasp most attention since it comes with all the essential facets of a fully loaded Cayenne.

Colin explains that Porsche is clear with its clients about pricing, they’re not reluctant to share information or worried about competition. But as with many dealerships, aftersales was a challenge even for Porsche. He said they’ve worked hard to increase their customer satisfaction rates to 85%, the highest in the industry, by – amongst other things extending their hours to 7pm, investing in a bigger well-equipped facility, hiring more staff, and making sure the company doesn’t cut corners or drop its standard of service.

Neil shares one of the common complaints aftersales clients have is regarding parts availability. He explained that it’s an issue only because Porsche offers a high degree of customization

Porsche also runs a successful preowned business which is popular for its trade-in rates…the residual value of Porsche cars is higher than major brands. which can result in many owners having different versions of the same car, so parts availability won’t always be immediately in stock and will sometimes need to be ordered. “Every car is unique,” he adds.

For more information please contact Porsche Centre Bahrain Tel: +973 1745 9911

Colin Sattar, Brand Manager

Gulf Insider June 2016

23

in si de r CAR

McLaren 570S Nick Cooksey shares his thrilling experience of test driving the McLaren 570S in the mountainous region of Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah.

M

cLaren came late to the sports car game, starting its journey as a racing team founded in 1963. Their groundbreaking and famous F1 road car was introduced in 1992, of which only 106 cars were made. (Note to interested buyers: one of these is currently on sale for $15m.)

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Gulf Insider June 2016

McLaren Automotive was then established in 2009 with an ongoing commitment of producing one new car ‘model’ every year, but never more than 5000 cars per year. Of the 1654 cars produced by McLaren in 2015, 10% were sold to consumers in the Middle East, so it’s an exclusive car to this region.

I test drove the McLaren 570S, which

only recently arrived to the Middle East, while the McLaren 570 GT is set to be launched by the end of this year. I’ve got to compliment McLaren for arranging the test drive in the mountainous road of Jebel Jais – perfectly tarmacked with apexes and hairpin turns similar to a race circuit. With no speed cameras around, this was the most fun drive I’ve had on

Motors

Starting Price: BD75,735

a normal road. The nervous passenger sitting beside me probably didn’t feel the same way. (Check out my driving and her feedback in our test drive video “Fun in the McLaren 570S” on Gulf Insider’s Facebook page).

The McLaren 570S is an easy car to drive; the 3.8L twin-turbo V8 engine revs to 562bhp and 600nm torque, going up from 0-100km in 3.2s, while the GT does the same in 3.4s. Drivers can choose from Normal, Sports and Track modes which light up a different digital dashboard accordingly.

All supercar manufacturers are obsessive about producing lighter cars and McLaren isn’t any different. So, the McLaren 570S stands at 100kg lighter than its alternative, the Audi R8 V10 - likewise the GT is similarly lighter compared to its main rival the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Side note, the company’s also allotted £1bn to Research &

“The McLaren 570S is an easy car to drive; the 3.8L twinturbo V8 engine revs to 562bhp and 600nm torque, going up from 0-100km in 3.2s.”

Development with the aim to produce 50% of its cars as hybrids by 2022.

The McLaren 570S is beautifully designed with exteriors that seem almost shrink-wrapped around the mechanical shape of the car. New storage comes in

the form of a glove box and cup holders, a first for McLaren and not a moment too late, it may be a super car but people still need to store things and sometimes like to drink coffee while driving. The GT version offers more luggage space at 220L, surprisingly more than a Ford Focus hatchback. As a wider car, the doors are designed to open upwards to ensure space convenience when parked.

I turned up the radio for a bit to check out the 12-speaker 1280w hi-fi entertainment system, which sounded fine but not as fun as the engine’s whirring. The McLaren 570S was a pleasure to drive, perfect in every way.

As a substantially new brand competing against traditional sport cars, McLaren Automotive has progressed well in the industry, being profitable in the last three years. By successfully making a name in the market, it’s undeniable that McLaren’s doing something right.

To book a test drive please contact McLaren Manama Tel: +973 8000 8988 Price Comparison Audi R8 V10 Plus (alternative to S) BD63,000 Porsche 911 Turbo S (alternative to GT) BD69,100

Gulf Insider June 2016

25

in si de r CA R

Two Stallions, Two Mountains!

Gulf Insider’s Hugh Haskell-Thomas explores the best roads in UAE with two iconic Ferraris.

A

n invitation by Ferrari to test drive their cars is one never to be turned down, however, these necessarily controlled experiences are sometimes frustrating, a convoy of cars whipping around a track or along a windy country road is exhilarating, but missing the dynamics of just driving on your own and exploring the car’s handling, performance in a more unique and, I would say, more practical way.

Much to my surprise, this particular invitation was none of the above - two keys, two cars, two days, 8 hours each day, be back by sundown. Certainly a dream come true for any road test, made more special by the cars, a Ferrari 488

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Gulf Insider June 2016

Spider and a Ferrari 488 GTB; the stuff that fantasies are made of!

One could be excused for thinking that the 488 was merely an upgrade from the 458 Italia which it replaces, but the similarity in looks hide a massive 80+% of changes, it is a different car. 660 BHP and 760Nm of torque compared to the 562 and 540 of the 458. This huge torque helping to rocket the car from 0-100 kmh in 3 seconds, 0-200 in 8.3 seconds and running out at around 330 kmh, the midrange eclipsing the 458 Italia and Speciale’s already amazing performance; it is blisteringly fast. The completely new 3.9 liter V8, with its twin-scroll turbos, has caused some division within the Ferrari community,

with many sitting firmly in the ‘Naturally Aspirated’ corner. However, I suspect that most who bemoan the use of turbos have not driven this car, Ferrari have somehow managed to completely remove turbo lag and any whisper of turbo chatter and with some incredible manifold engineering produced a sound that, I think, is better.

The 488 gets the second-generation of Ferrari’s Side Slip Control system, first appearing on the 458 Speciale, which uses a battery of sensors to understand the driving conditions and split second dynamics and then controls the rear dampers, power output and differential to ensure that you’re still going where you want to, even when sliding sideways (see the video!). SSC2 softens the handling at the edges of grip to give the tyres a chance to grab hold of the road, a strange feeling initially, but adding hugely to the fun! Adding another 100 BHP to a 458 Italia, would seem insane, but the SSC2 and other control systems help to manage this increase and its resultant velocity, for anyone less capable than Sebastian Vettel!

Day 1 saw the delivery of the 488 Spider, with its roof up in the car park you can hardly tell it is not a GTB, however, 14 seconds later, with the roof

Motors

natural to find another. With Ferrari generously extending the daily distance allowed, there could be only one goal; the motoring Mecca of Jebel Hafeet.

Reputedly, one of the best driving roads in the world, but undoubtedly the best in the Middle East, it is a worthy test for any car and driver. At 10km long

down, it is a beauty to behold. Below the centreline, the car is identical to the Coupé, the difference is mainly behind the cockpit, where the large glass engine cover is reduced by two large V-shaped bolsters. Roof up or down, it’s stunning.

At only 50kg heavier than the GTB, there is virtually no difference in performance. The handling differences between the Spider and the GTB are of course there, with the former being a little less stiff, but with the new dampers the differences are almost imperceptible.

Yes, the Spider is not quite as rigid as the GTB, but in almost every other aspect they are one and the same car, even down to the suspension and engine programming, which was left unchanged between the two cars.

After 130km on normal roads, the base of the mountain came quicker than expected, the huge amount of torque demolishing distance. In any gear, the torque just throws the car forward, outperforming almost anything around you and, even within speed limits, achieving an effortlessly rapid passage through traffic.

Jebel Jais, at its peak almost 2km high, with numerous bends and 20km of only slightly worn tarmac, provided the perfect canvas on which to test the Spider’s performance; exhilarating, most certainly. With the roof down and a Ferrari orchestra for company the twisting road was joyously and rapidly dispatched, both up and down. The car behaved impeccably, despite my lack of knowledge of the route and less than perfect driving in places; but I will put that down to sheer enjoyment and the heat!

The day came to an end only too fast and the drive back to central Dubai, although enjoyable, was somewhat of an anti-climax following the raucous times on the mountain, though this was easily balanced with the anticipation of the following day and the GTB; It’s a hard life this motoring journalism!

Day 2 brought yet another sunny day and yet another Ferrari! This time the GTB in bright yellow livery, the right colour for the car in my opinion. Where to go? Having tested the Spider’s prowess on a mountain, it was only

with over 60 corners, a Ferrari is the perfect weapon to tackle its challenges, and when combined with an ambient temperature of over 45 degrees both car and driver get a workout that’ll beat any racetrack or gym in the world!

The GTB completely flattened the mountain. With each bend slightly different from its predecessor, taken at an ever increasing gallop, at times the grin on my face was wider than the road!

The handling was precise, predictable and inspiring, tempting me to push the car to its limits, though I am sure I was far from these in reality, not knowing the road well and admiring the scars on the bends of other drivers kept me sensible and the ceramic brakes kept me safe!

Last impressions – roof on or topless, these stallions are loud, fast and better than their respective 458 predecessors, despite the addition of turbos! Could the 488 be the first every day Ferrari? If you can balance the equation between depreciation and exhilaration, then the answer I believe is yes.

For more information please contact Euromotors Tel: +973 17 734 734.

Gulf Insider June 2016

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in si de r CAR

The Modern Passenger Car

Nissan Middle East enters Top Priority Markets and Nick Cooksey takes the 2017 Nissan Altima for a spin around the Palm, Dubai.

G

ulf Insider was invited to the luxurious beach resort One&Only The Palm, Dubai last month by Nissan Middle East where it announced its continuous growth over the last five years, lifting Nissan Middle East to the Top Priority Markets worldwide.

“We have managed to achieve 70% of our sales volume through our core models. The increase of Patrol sales by 235% and the X-trail by 440% in this 5-year period is a testament that our core model product line-up strategy is effective,” Samir Cherfan, Managing Director, Nissan Middle East said while announcing the financial results. Nissan’s volume has grown by 50% and market share rose by 25% across the GCC in the last five years. This year it forecasts a GCC-wide volume growth of 12% and market share growth of 15%.

Later on, we took the 2017 Nissan Altima for a test drive, which was revealed as part of the regional event.

The drive followed the usual convoy format, we drove the cars down to a spot for tea and then back to the resort. The new Nissan Altima is comfortable and does everything it’s supposed to do.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

Along with the revised appearance, The X-Tronic D-Step CVT equipped in the new Nissan Altima is among the quietest in its segment.

Available in two engine sizes, it’s a no-brainer that the bigger engine has noticeably more power.

Two key elements are the redesigned V-Motion grille and boomerang-shaped headlights, similar to those found on the Maxima. The look is dramatically different from the 2016 Altima design.

The already extensive Altima color palette for 2017 includes Java Metallic, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Cayenne Red and Pearl White and a new 17-inch machine-finish aluminum-alloy wheel designs.

The rear of the new Altima is marked by a new sculpted bumper with a dark lower accent, a new trunk lid and lower, wider boomerang-shaped combination lights that help provide a more expressive, higher quality appearance when approaching the vehicle from behind.

Along with the revised appearance, The X-Tronic D-Step CVT equipped in the new Nissan Altima is among the quietest in its segment. Altima has also improved in its coefficient of drag – to 0.26 Cd from the previous 0.29 Cd* (currently similar to the GT-R). The changes come from the addition of an active grille shutter, underfloor aero cover additions and the new front and rear fascia and windshield designs.

“The Altima is a popular car in the region and globally, and the new design elements add to the overall appeal of its reliability and features,” Samir shared.

The Nissan Altima 2017 will be offered in five grade levels including 2.5 S, SV, SL and 3.5 SV and SL. To book a test drive please contact Y.K. Almoayyed Tel: +973 1770 2972

Motors

CAR insider

New car launches in Bahrain

Nick Cooksey test drives the 2017 Audi A4 Sedan and Honda Civic RS Audi A4 Sedan The new Audi A4 is a beautifully designed and engineered car. What struck me most about the new model, credit to the engineers, is that the car has 190bhp yet propels real power, especially in Sports Mode which makes it more fun to drive.

Fuel consumption in the new engines has been decreased by 21% while power has gone up by 25%. The 185 kW 2.0 TFSI quattro, for example, pushes the Audi A4 Sedan from 0 to 100 km/h in mere 5.8 seconds and on to a maximum speed of up to 250 km/h. The 1.4 TFSI engine of 110 kW

Starting Price: BD14, 170

Honda Civic RS National Motor Company recently launched the 2016 Honda Civic with brand new engines in the LXi and EXi grades and a new grade equipped with a new turbo charged 1.5 liter DOHC Direct Injected Inline-4 cylinder Engine called RS. I test drove the Honda Civic RS which at first glance depicts itself as a boyracer style car, a sportier version of the sedan with a pretty evident R-badge and spoiler.

The RS grade features signature inline

LED headlights, license plate light, an aerodynamic wing trunk spoiler with high mounted LED stop light, LED fog lights premium black grille, twin silencers, paddle shifters and 17� alloy wheels. Its longer wheel base and wider body results in giving its occupants spaciousness and premium comfort.

The Stunning Civic also offers automatic climate control, steering wheel mounted controls for Blue Tooth Hands Free Telephone (HFT), a 5 inch touch screen audio in the LXi grade and a 7 inch touchscreen audio in EXi and RS grades and USB jacks.

Starting Price: BD9,550

accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds, while the 2.0 TFSI engine available in 140 kW accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds.

The optional Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound offers a fascinating innovation not available in other cars, enabling listeners to experience spatial height as if the music is being played in a concert hall.

The Audi Matrix LED headlights divide the LED high beam into many tiny light-emitting diodes which shine through three reflectors. The control unit switches the reflectors on and off as needed or can dim each of them in 64 steps. High-precision illumination is provided without the requirement of a pivoting mechanism.

Overall, the Audi A4 is more powerful and efficient.

To book a test drive call the Audi Centre Bahrain Tel: +973 1745 9933 The EXi and the RS grades in addition to sunroof has Honda LANEWATCHTM feature which uses a camera located below the passenger side view mirror to display an expanded rear view of the passenger side road way on the 7 inch touchscreen.

Powering 2016 Civic are two new engines both designed to provide refined, responsive and fuel efficient performance. The RS grade is powered

by Turbo Charged 1.5L DOHC, directinjected inline-4 engine with variable Valve Timing Control, churning out 180hp at 6000rpm and a 220N-m torque at 1700-5500rpm. Meanwhile, the LXi and EXi grades are powered by the new 2.0L DOHC inline-4 engine with i-VTEC engine producing a peak of 158hp@6500 rpm, 187N-m torque at 4200 rpm.

All in all, 2016 Honda Civic RS is a solid cars that will give good value for money.

To book a test drive call National Motor Company Tel: +973 17 457100 Gulf Insider June 2016

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Style

Whether the consummate businessman, sartorial gentleman, avid collector, timepiece enthusiast or tech-savvy individual, Montblanc has something to cater to every taste and to enhance every outfit.

Montblanc Patron of Art Edition – Peggy Guggenheim Montblanc’s Patron of Art Edition 2016 pays tribute to the outstanding legacy of one of the most influential art collectors and exhibitors of 20th century art, Peggy Guggenheim.

Must Haves BD938

Montblanc Heritage Rouge & Noir Rewriting the Rules through Innovation

BD167

Maison revisits its early pioneering spirit with the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition and Limited Edition 1906.

BD246

Reinventing Men’s Accessories The serpent is the creative inspiration for a collection of accessories that pushes boundaries, as the mythical creature curves, undulates and coils to form innovative yet sophisticated pieces.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

BD114

Style

BD99

Sartorial Leather Collection Luxurious, sophisticated and functional, the Sartorial leather collection is the perfect companion for the modern world traveler.

BD745

BD80

BD118

Merging Craftsmanship and Technology To coincide with the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S7, Montblanc launches a collection of fine leather covers offering stylish protection for the latest mobile devices.

MeisterstĂźck Classic Animation Collection The simple aesthetics of these highly crafted leather pieces are enhanced with the arrival of three new colours: deep dark brown, rich navy and sophisticated burgundy. The expanded colour palette paired with new designs opens up the collection to women with a selection of timeless pieces that seamlessly balance form and function.

Price ranges: BD60-622

Visit Mont Blanc at City Centre Bahrain Tel: +973 1717 9696 Gulf Insider June 2016

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Style

Hublot Classic Fusion

“The Island”

Marco Tedeschi, Regional Director MEA & Creative Manager of Hublot introduces the latest in the Classic Fusion series.

Marco Tedeschi them is the best part for me. It’s a great feeling to see someone wearing your creations.

What do you keep in mind while designing for the Middle East market?

Every place is different. We can’t really say there is a particular model working for a particular country. But interacting with guests at jewellery exhibitions helps us understand their preferences.

Any favourites from Hublot’s 2016 collections so far?

Classic Fusion Berluti is a piece of art! It’s a full concept with all the leather cleaning tools and accessories. All our designs are to watch out for because there is always a nice story behind each of them. For instance, the Big Bang MECA-10. Our technical team has put the balance wheel on the dial side instead of the backside so you always have something moving when you look at your watch.

W

hy did you choose Bahrain?

Bahrain is a very important market for us.

Bahrain Jewellery Centre is our oldest partner. We wanted to celebrate our partnership with them and the country.

Tell us more about Classic Fusion “The Island”.

It’s the first time we’re doing a red fusion design which is a pretty unusual colour combination for men. We have a black strap option as well for this piece.

Classic Fusion “The Island” combines the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship with touches reminiscent of Bahrain’s 32

Gulf Insider June 2016

flag. The thirty-three islands are depicted on the case back glass.

How many pieces are available for this limited edition watch?

33 pieces …and how long do you think it will take for them to be sold out. We know Classic Fusion Dubai took 2 days.

They’re all already sold out! That’s right, before we even launched them.

What is it about watches that you like so much?

Watches can be so personal and remind you good moments. Creating

If not in the watch business, where do you see yourself?

I grew up in Geneva, in a region labeled “the cradle of Swiss watchmaking”. As a child, I went to my father’s jewellery store every Saturday to admire the biggest Swiss watch brands, trying to understand their mechanical movements. I even pursued a formal education in watch making. So, this is the field for me! But if not this then any job where I can be creative. I don’t like doing the same thing everyday.

Visit Bahrain Jewellery Centre to check out the latest designs. @HublotMEA @marcotedeschi

Style

Sacoor Brothers

D

ress yourself up in the nautical shades that stand out in this collection, mixed with warm and neutral colours. The SS16 collection menswear line has a more casual tone. Included are conservative shirts and sports shirts with unique, personalised details that can be adapted to different tastes. Polos are an option for a more up-to-date and sophisticated look.

For more relaxing moments, the beachwear collection has colourful, tropical patterns, carrying you away to a peaceful Hawaiian setting.

The classic menswear line is uniquely elegant and has a variety of patterns, including plain, false plain, herringbones and checks, all in conservative shades and fashionable colours. If blazers are the key item in the male slim fit look, the highlight is the waistcoat, where Sacoor Brothers focuses on the relaxed man who doesn’t neglect his own elegance.

Visit Sacoor Brothers at City Centre Bahrain, Tel: +973 1700 8565 Gulf Insider June 2016

33

Life

Luxury Spending Trends Remain Strong Despite Uncertainties

T

he value of Knight Frank’s Luxury Investment Index (KFLII) increased 7% in 2015. The Index, which tracks the performance of 10 investments of passion and was presented at the Knight Frank Wealth Report launch at the ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Markets), reveals that classic cars (+17%) continue to top the league.

Contemporary and modern art performed particularly strongly this

year, with Picasso’s Women of Algiers setting an-all time auction high of USD 179 million. ‘Despite uncertainties in economic conditions, the appetite for wealthy collectors remains robust as individuals turn to tangible investments such as paintings, which are likely to appreciate in value as opposed to other investments’ commented Dana Salbak, Head of MENA Research at Knight Frank.

Within the Middle East, the Luxury Spending Index produced by Wealth-X

reveals that UHNWIs show a stronger propensity for luxury automobiles and collectables than the global average.

‘Both automobiles and collectables are a way of illustrating status and appeal to a rapidly growing and young population’, Salbak added.

As individuals in emerging markets become wealthier, we expect to see the numbers of collectors increase. Not only do collectables represent a safe asset investment, they are a way of

Both automobiles and collectables are a way of illustrating status and appeal to a rapidly growing and young population. illustrating status and a sense of having ‘arrived’. Last year, the world’s top 200 art collectors came from 36 countries, compared with 17 in 1990.

Seeking new fields to capitalize on found a lot of wealthy entrepreneurs and business people investing in football clubs. While not everyone may be a fan, an annual Review of Football Finances conducted by Deloitte, reveals there is money to be made in the sector through TV revenues, ticket sales, and commercial revenues (including shirt deals and stadium rights). ‘The game’s wide and enduring appeal is not expected to change and so its ability to generate money will not.’

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Gulf Insider June 2016

Business

International Real Estate & Investment Show 2016 The eighth edition of International Real Estate & Investment Show (IREIS 2016) to draw participation of more than 125 exhibitors from 25 countries, as well as over 11,000 investors, end-users, developers, real estate brokers and private and institutional investors.

I

REIS 2016 is the only dedicated real estate event in Abu Dhabi that targets investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. It will run from 27th to 29th October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Serving as a unique platform to showcase latest investment opportunities in the real estate sector across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions, IREIS 2016 will also provide participants with an important opportunity to track up-to-date market trends.

As part of the event agenda, IREIS will host an International Developer Agent Meet, an intensive day of carefully

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Gulf Insider June 2016

coordinated one-to-one meetings and informal networking sessions will be held to showcase international property projects and facilitate partnerships between foreign property suppliers and local agents in Middle East market.

IREIS 2016 will additionally feature country-specific presentations, business networking and investor meetings, among others.

Furthermore, the event will host an international conference headlined by industry leaders and relevant government officials to debate and discuss topical industry trends, upcoming opportunities, new laws, investment strategies and much more. Eminent thought leaders will deliver insights on market trends to

ensure visitors are empowered enough to make informed investment decisions.

This year’s event assumes added significance following the introduction of a new law regulating the real estate sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi that came into effect in January 2016.

Aimed at protecting the rights of both developers and buyers of real estate units in the emirate through ensuring increased clarity and transparency in real estate transactions, the law serves as a catalyst for the sector’s sustainable growth to meet the surging demand for quality housing units. The new law has helped the property prices maintain an upward trend for both residential and commercial units.

IREIS 2016 will feature dedicated country pavilions of Spain, Turkey, Egypt, as well as, Pakistan, India and Philippines.

The Spanish real estate market currently offers rental yield of 7 to 10 %, one of the highest in the world.

Meanwhile Turkey’s residential property market is now one of Europe’s best performers, despite modest economic growth. The Turkish luxury property sector has witnessed a higher demand from UAE investors in 2015. Moving further south, Egypt’s flourishing realestate market stands in contrast with the North African country’s battered economy. A simple explanation for the heightened real-estate activity is that new housing cannot keep up with Egypt’s rapidly growing population.

Demand, in other words, continues to outstrip the supply of new units. The Pakistan, India and Philippines pavilions will also highlight an exciting array of investment opportunities.

Drawing the participation of 84 exhibitors from 21 countries and 7,327 investors from 71 nationalities, IREIS 2015 created sales volume of over US$125 million.

Property

Dubai Tower

Dubai plans tallest building in the world inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon.

D

ubai is reaching for the sky once again, with the developer of the world’s tallest building, beating its own Burj Khalifa into second spot.

The even taller tower will be decked with rotating balconies and elevated landscaping, inspired by the mythical hanging gardens of Babylon.

The government-backed company behind the project, Emaar Properties, hopes the new tower will entice a fresh wave of view-seeking homeowners even as it raises numerous other promised skyscrapers and repairs a prominent one gutted by fire on New Year’s Eve. Company Chairman Mohamed Alabbar said the new observation tower would be ‘a notch’ taller than the 2,717-foot Burj Khalifa. Just how much taller he wouldn’t say. It and the Burj Khalifa could also be surpassed by a skyscraper being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that promises to rise more than 3,281ft high.

Unlike the Burj Khalifa, the new $1 billion tower will not be a traditional skyscraper but more of a cablesupported spire containing ‘garden’ observation decks graced with trees and other greenery. Emaar says it will also

contain a boutique hotel, restaurants and glass balconies that rotate outside the wall of the tower.

The new Dubai tower will be the centerpiece of a new 2.3 square-mile development on the edge of the Dubai Creek, near a protected wildlife sanctuary that regularly attracts flamingoes and other water birds.

Alabbar likened the structure, designed

by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls, to a 21st-century Eiffel Tower that can act as a magnet not just for tourists but also for property buyers willing to pay a premium for nearby apartments with a view. It is due to open by the time Dubai hosts the World Expo in 2020.

Emaar followed a similar strategy when it raised the Burj Khalifa, which opened in 2010. The silvery skyscraper is flanked by fancy low and high-rise apartment complexes, some of which

A model of the Tower Project at Dubai Creek Harbour Development designed

by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava Valls are still being built, as well as hotels, restaurants and one of the world’s biggest shopping malls.

The area is also home to The Address Downtown, a 63-story luxury hotel built

by Emaar that went up in flames on New Year’s Eve. Dubai police have blamed exposed wiring for sparking the blaze. Outside experts say the type of cladding used to sheath the building was likely a factor in fueling that fire and several others that have engulfed skyscrapers in the United Arab Emirates.

Emirati authorities have ordered a nationwide safety survey of existing buildings and promised to tighten regulations in the wake of the fire.

Gulf Insider June 2016

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Life

Dubai ledge Would YOU walk along this terrifying Dubai ledge?

H

ome to the tallest building in the world, Dubai’s breathtaking skyline never ceases to amaze visitors but a new attraction which provides a bird’s eye view of the city may also make tourists squirm.

Plans were revealed last month for a stomach-churning skyscraper walkway where guests can step out on a platform suspended 935ft above the ground.

Not for the faint-hearted, the AYKON Dare walkway is all the more terrifying as its floor is made entirely of glass allowing brave visitors to gaze 80 floors to the ground.

Thankfully harnesses will be in place to secure daredevils to a safety rail, as they travel round the roofline viewing capsule, and trained professionals will oversee the experience.

Guests will be able to spend an hour on the nail-biting walkway, which offers 360-degree views of up to 40 miles on clear days.

The feature will be created in the AYKON City development, which will be located in the Golden Quadrant of the Emirati city. The walkway is described on the website as a ‘magnificent al fresco experience for the adventurous that offers an entirely new perspective on the city and a breathtaking adrenaline rush’.

Up to ten individuals will be able to try the experience each session, which begins on the 79th floor and travels to an upper deck area.

AYKON Dare will within part of a minicity on Sheikh Zayed Road known as

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Gulf Insider June 2016

A tourist poses on the 994-foot-high glass skywalk built on the 76th floor of the Yunding Building in Liuzhou city, south China

AYKON City. The complex consists of six skyscrapers of offices, hotels and apartments.

Guests have five years to build up the courage to sample the vertigo-inducing walkway, as it is expected to open to the public in 2021.

The attraction follows a daring skywalk

that opened to the public last year in China on the 76th floor of the Yunding Building in Liuzhou city.

Situated at the periphery of the skyscraper’s 994-foot-high top level, the narrow walkway is just 4.9 feet wide and offers incredible views over the city.

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Bahrain

Telecom insider

‘WhatsApp Gold’ scammers trick users to download malware Apple CEO on Surprise Visit in Dubai After wrapping up his first official visit to India, which included a visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Apple CEO Tim Cook made a surprise visit to the UAE last month.

The CEO of the world’s largest information technology company strolled unannounced into the Dubai store, where he shook hands and took selfies with customers and employees.

Apple opened its first retail store in the UAE last year, with one in Dubai and another in Abu Dhabi.

Nokia to re-enter mobile and tablet markets Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia says it plans a global comeback into its former goldmine of handsets and tablets, by licensing its brand to a newly-created Finnish company.

Nokia “will grant HMD Global Ltd. the exclusive global licence to create Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets for the next 10 years,” the world’s former number one handsets company said in a statement.

Nokia was the world’s top mobile phone maker between 1998 and 2011 but was overtaken by South Korean rival Samsung after failing to respond to the rapid rise of smartphones. In 2011, it chose to bet on the Windows mobile platform, which proved to be a failure. The new product portfolio will be based on Android.

Aviral message is being distributed on WhatsApp tricking users to download the ‘WhatsApp Gold’ version, which in reality is a malware to infect smartphones.

The message says that ‘ WhatsApp Gold’ was until now used by ‘big celebrities’ and includes some new features like video calling, ability to send 100 images at once, free calling, ability to change WhatsApp themes and more. The message also says that the ‘WhatsApp Gold’ is not available to all users and can be installed only via invitation.

Clicking on the invitation link www. goldenversion.com leads to an error 404 message. It is not yet clear as to how many people have been affected by the scam. The app is not available on Apple App store or Google Play store.

The company says it would never ask users to upgrade or download another app, over text messages. Rather it would reach its users over official point of contact like emails. WhatsApp officials recommend users to not click on the given link inside the message.

Kalaam Telecom joins Etisalat SmartHub

Veer Passi, CEO Kalaam Telecom 40

Gulf Insider June 2016

Etisalat has announced its partnership with Kalaam Telecom, the second largest telecommunications provider for corporate services in Bahrain, to establish point of presence (PoP) at Etisalat’s SmartHub in UAE. The announcement was made during a special signing ceremony at International Telecoms Week (ITW), the world’s largest meeting for the global wholesale telecommunications community held in Chicago recently.

As part of the Etisalat SmartHub, Kalaam Telecom will support its interconnections, capacity and expand its reach into the Middle East and Europe.

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Travel

Qatar Airlines

boss doesn’t want backpackers in his country … because they ‘just lie on the beach and don’t spend money’.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker is not a fan of backpackers Daily flights will arrive from Doha at 4.25pm and depart at 9.30pm. Qatar already flies from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth but uses larger Boeing 777s on those routes.

The A350 is a faster and more efficient aircraft as a result of its tapered wing.

It is also economically designed for space with an extra wide cabin and high ceilings.

‘Normally the backpackers are just there to lie on the beach and spend as little as possible.’

T

he boss of Qatar Airways is making it clear that backpackers were not welcome there.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said backpackers were not wanted in Qatar and that it should be up to governments to decide what kind of tourists they wanted to attract to their countries.

Al Baker explained that unlike near neighbours Dubai they did not want backpackers - many of which come from Australia each year - in Qatar as it would give the country a bad look.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

‘We want to attract people of a higher standard,’ said Mr Al Baker.

‘We like to attract all kinds of tourists as long as they are there for relaxing times, want a unique experience, want to see the culture and are very keen on the arts side of tourism.

‘Normally the backpackers are just there to lie on the beach and spend as little as possible.’

Thousands of Australian backpackers visit the Middle East yearly, and starting May 3, Qatar Airways commenced new services to and from Adelaide to Doha by flying the first A350 into Australia.

It’s more bad news for backpackers who are in Australia set to get hit in the pocket under a new government ‘backpacker tax’.

The new tax will mean travellers on working holiday visas will have to pay 32.5 cents in every dollar they earn.

At the moment backpackers can earn up to $18,000 tax-free and then pay 19 cents in the dollar.

However, during his budget speech Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison suggested he may delay the tax which is due to come about on July 1.

Travel

Egypt’s tourism trade freefalls

P

lane disasters and the ongoing threat of terrorism have have brought Egypt’s beleaguered tourism industry to its knees.

Holidaymakers stay away from the famous Pyramids and the once popular seaside resort of Sharm elSheikh. And the EgyptAir crash, which killed 66, was the last thing Egypt needed.

Hotel managers in Sharm el-Sheikh have now slashed prices to as little as $30 a night. Even the stylish Renaissance Hotel, which offers spectacular views of the Red Sea from many of its 384 rooms has been forced to drop its prices to $35.

The WTTC said tourist spending in Egypt fell by four per cent last year, with similar falls predicted for this year.

In Sharm el-Sheikh some desperate managers are even offering free dinners with the cost of a room to entice guests to stay.

Across Sharm El Sheikh empty sunloungers lie side by side and swimming pools at abandoned hotels sit empty.

Many of the market stalls now lie empty and restaurants which remain open are often deserted in the evenings.

Some six million people used to work in Sharm – before political upheaval and airline disasters kept visitors away.

Locals now estimate that only 300,000 workers remain in the resort. One tourism worker, who asked to remain

AP Photo

In Cairo tourist numbers have also fallen due to the political instability and the recent aeroplane disasters. anonymous, said: ‘Sharm is now a ghost town. It is sad to see it looking this way.

It is killing our livelihood and I worry that they will never return. Every time there is terrorist attack it makes it less attractive for tourists.’

In Cairo tourist numbers have also fallen due to the political instability and the recent aeroplane disasters.

The famous pyramids at Giza are now practically deserted with guides and stall-holders pouncing on the few holiday-makers there are.

Some 15 million tourists used to visit Egypt every year with Sharm El Sheikh a favourite spot. But that figure has dropped dramatically. The country’s tourism industry, says one expert, is now one disaster away from being finished altogether. ‘Sadly, this latest event comes shortly after EgyptAir was subject

to a hijack on 29th March and they were already trying to recover from the events related to the Russian charter flight that was blown up in November 2015.

Egypt attracted 346,500 tourists in February 2016, compared to 640,200 last year, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics. This represents a drop of 46per cent.

In January, three tourists were stabbed by two suspected Islamic State militants in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. The terrorists were shot by police at the Bella Vista hotel after they attacked two Austrian guests and a Swede. Earlier that week, a gunman opened fire on a tourist bus in Cairo.

Egypt’s government, keen to maintain desperately-needed income from visitors, has been reluctant to admit to security problems. Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed sought to play down the impact of the latest airline crash on Egypt’s image. ‘The efforts that we need to put are maybe 10 times what we planned to put in place but we need to focus on our ability to drive business back to Egypt to change the image of Egypt,’ he said.

‘What we need to understand is this is an incident that could have taken place anywhere. Aviation incidents happen, unfortunately.’ He added: ‘We work hard to recuperate and every day will be a better day.’

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43

Opinion

Ask

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

This month - House Rent Hike Problem: I have been living in a fullyfurnished rented accommodation in Manama for the past 6 months.

Recently, my landlord informed me that he intends to increase my rent by 20% from the following month. As I believed this was contrary to the lease agreement, I refused to comply. He proceeded to threaten me with eviction, claiming that the law was on his side due to the recent increase in water and electricity charges. However, my lease agreement clearly states that there can be no recent increase until a year of occupancy has passed. Furthermore, there is no specification in the lease agreement of how much the rent increase percentage would be. I don’t have the budget for this increase right now. What shall I do?

Answer: Firstly, as it is specified in the lease agreement there can be no recent increase until a year of occupancy has passed. Following this, the landlord has no legal right to enforce the increase of rent at an earlier date, until that year is completed. As it has only been 6 months, you will not have to pay any rent increase until the date specified in your lease agreement. The lease agreement strengthens your legal standing.

If any of the above aspects were not stated in the contract, the current law states that the landlord can only legally increase your rent after the passing of two years and a three month notice. By law the rent can only increase by 5% unless the parties agreed to the contrary.

Your landlord has no legal right to request

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

Mr Ali Al Jabal an increase of 20%, due to the fact it was not included in the agreement upon signing.

The optimum route to take, to avoid eviction, is by sending a letter offering the same rent amount via registered post, whereby if the landlord refuses to accept the rent, it will be taken as evidence and the matter can brought to the Rental Dispute Committee.

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

Online edition at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

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Opinion

David Jeffery. A Bahrain based advertising Creative Director represented the Middle East on the panel at the prestigious New York based Caples awards.

Here’s the inside story.

Manama to Manhattan Pre judgment day My first time on the Caples jury. My first time in America. My first time in New York. Mind you, I’d primed myself, by attending the Domain Hotel’s, Tuesday night screenings of movie classics.

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” followed by “An Affair to Remember”, both shot in 1950’s/60’s New York, starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, then Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Shot in monochrome and early Technicolor.

These nostalgic, evocative and faded images of Manhattan kept re-playing in my mind during the thirteen-hour flight from Doha to JFK. I’d Airbnb’d my accommodation.

Booking into Tony Jannetti’s loft, come art studio in the Bowery, Lower East Side. Tony proves to be a hospitable 46

Gulf Insider June 2016

host, having bought his studio forty years ago he’s seen a lot of changes, my mid morning accompanied walking tour of Tony’s neighbourhood, proves that he knows everyone worth knowing – restaurateur’s, gallery owners and artists.

The streets are a hive of activity. SoHo New York - like Soho London - was once home to garment industry sweatshops, artisan workshops plus new settlers, a variegated multi-cultural fabric of Italian, Jewish and Chinese migrants. Now reborn. The area’s bistro’s, galleries plus Tapas then tip-us joints - spill over onto the sidewalks.

Shop wise, every interest and fetish has its outlet. I passed a laundry solely for underwear. A Panama Hat shop and most extraordinary of all; a 365 day a year Christmas Emporium. Fake pines with colour-coordinated decorations. I

saw gold, purple and white faux fir, with no tint of evergreen.

Strolling through Chinatown, women kept approaching us whispering, “You wanna buy watches, bags, velly good prices?” presuming this to be code for activities of a more exotic nature, I questioned Tony. From his expression, I concur that Tony was once tempted had disappointedly ended up with - I guess “watches and bags at velly good prices”.

No visit to New York, the crooner centre of the universe would be incomplete without a visit to a Jazz hangout. I head for the legendary Blue Note club. However, no advance booking - no chance! Ambling around a corner I hear jazz double base notes throbbing in a basement. One flight down and I’m in an intimate, candle lit jazz womb.

Seats thirty max. On stage, a quartet’s improvising a Machito/Marsalis fusion, Latin meets Bronx - real c-o-o-l. Second set over. I pick-up a couple of CD’s and climb back into the teeming streets of the “city that never sleeps”.

Next-up, Club Groove. Home of 80’s soul. The band on stage looks the part and sounds the part. Commodores resurrected. The joint is jumping.

Spotting a spare seat, I try and squeeze into a chair between two sassy Three Degrees lookalikes. Then some jungle bunny confronts me.

“Is you Trinidadian?”

“Do I look bleedin’ Trinidadian?” I cockily reply (in order to convey a savvy Old World charm, I have adopted a cockney accent based midway between Michael Caine and Del Boy, with a sprinkling of Jamie Oliver mixed-in).

“Dis moxie young enough to be your

Opinion

daughter”. I silently agree. After all, I only wanted to sit down.

“Why, is she up for adoption?” My jocular reply. The Trinidadian’s snarl says it all, so I beat a hasty retreat “sorry matey must rush, me bodyguards looking well miffed”.

three criteria. 1: The idea (how original and relevant). 2: The execution (how appealing and well crafted). 3: The outcome (performance achieved against the objectives).

We judged some outstanding work the highlights included.

Judgment Days

Pedigree Dog food - Australia Based on the insight that dog owners often leave the radio on to keep their pets company when they are out, an Aussie agency created K9FM a doggie radio station. Research revealed that dogs are soothed by classical music and relaxed human voices, especially their

The Caples Awards were founded 37 years ago, originally to honour and acknowledge creativity in direct marketing. This was in the days when advertising was split into two categories above the line – brand advertising (usually

stage of the tournament to ensure they did not miss a single match. This made national TV news generating 350,000 Euros worth of media coverage.

No More Evictions – Spain Between 2008 and now 500,000 families in Spain lost their homes due to being unable to maintain mortgage repayments. Despite losing their home they remain in debt to the bank. The Stop Evictions campaign fights against this injustice. However, banks only understand one thing – money. The solution - use money to stop evictions.

Many homeless families live under

The Caples Awards were founded 37 years ago, originally to honour and acknowledge creativity in direct marketing. press and TV) and below the line (direct mail). As the industry evolved below-theline expanded to encompass all response driven advertising. For example, coupons on press ads, telephone numbers on TV etc. etc. In short, any publicity with a measurable response. Now, with advent of the internet the majority of advertising has become response driven.

Consequently, nowadays the Caples awards are arguably the most relevant in an e-commerce driven, social media led market.

In total this year, 29 award winning International Creative Directors split into groups judged, over 250 entries. My group consisted of a German, Polish, Columbian creative director plus an American mediator.

We were asked to judge against

owners. So phone-in’s allowed owners to talk to their pets whilst away. Two months after launch Pedigree dog food sales hit a 3-year high.

Love Condoms – Spain.

Belgium men love football.

Consequently, it’s logical no Belgium man is going to miss the European football Championship in June. Unless at the very moment they become a Dad. The campaign commenced 9 months before the tournament with an on-line film of Philippe missing the legendary 1986 match against Spain when Belgium qualified for the semi-finals. Why? Because he had to drive his wife to the maternity ward. Sports journalists on TV stations received an “Advent” style calendar with a condom for use at each

bridges. Every Euro bill has a bridge printed on it. A rubber stamp was created depicting a family with the words “No more evictions” via a website the public could order a stamp and inkpad to make there mark on the euro note petition, by stamping a homeless family under the bridge on banknotes.

Two weeks after the start of the campaign the Spanish President reversed eviction practice with a “Second Chance Law”.

These are just three of the original campaigns judged at this year’s Caples awards. Mind you, for me perhaps the most rewarding experience was savoring New York for the first time. So good they named it twice.

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Art

Summer Art @ The Domain Ten Europe’s Art Gallery artists, one Bahraini artist and one Saudi Arabian artist exhibited their works at The Domain Hotel & Spa’s Summer Art Exhibition 2016, last month.

T

he event was organized under the patronage of HE Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the current honorary president of the Bahrain Arts Society.

Participating artists included Christopher Saliba , Elvira Cemortan-Volosin, Cassandra J. Wainhouse, Gheorghe Negru, Vasile Medinschi, Conny Famm, Cezara Kolesnik, Krassimir Savov, Grigore Bat, Stela Burciu, Wedad AlBakr, Abbas Saleh Almosawi and Adnan Al Ahmed.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of artwork was donated to the Royal Charity Organization that supports 5000 orphans in Bahrain.

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Art

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49

Life

31

o.

N e l i f o r P Insider

Gagan Suri CEO Bahrain Bay Development and Head of Real Estate (MENA) Arcapita, philanthropist, author, avid traveler and photographer.

W

hat do you enjoy most about property development and real estate?

Outsiders might think this industry is narrowly compartamentalized, but it’s not just about Real Estate and land. Property development gets into all aspects of business such as finance, marketing, brokerage, facility management, and overall, the value of public wealth. Real estate is not only about developing and selling, it’s multifaceted and this is what keeps me going.

Where do you see Bahrain Bay 10 years from now?

We have big ambitions for Bahrain Bay, alongside The Avenues. I see it as a self-sustainable living community, buzzing with activities and the country’s major events taking place here such as food festivals and open air concerts and theatre. Bahrain Bay will be an ideal location for anyone who wants to do something special. The bridge connecting us to Muharraq will hopefully enhance the surroundings based on the footfall of people and subsequently the revenues generated.

What are some of the challenges that your job entails?

Every day brings a different challenge. Achieving large ambitions while managing a project’s equity is an important one. Overcoming logistical issues and adapting to the different paces people work while ingeniously maintaining your marketing personality is also part of the job.

Please share your career’s most memorable experience.

While working in New York, I had the opportunity to travel across six US cities in a private jet with real estate 50

Gulf Insider June 2016

developer Steve Ross, Chairman of The Related Companies. I spent about four days getting to know a self-made man in the real estate industry with years of experience and a multibillion dollar portfolio behind him.

What are three characteristics that make you a good manager?

I’m a good listener and not close minded or opinionated. I believe in team spirit and people working together and I’m always motivating them to do more.

What is your ultimate career goal and how do you plan on getting there?

I’d like to be the global head of a large real estate firm and build a legacy of something sustainable that people remember me by. Even more, I hope to build such a platform myself someday by putting in it all the principles I believe in.

Favourite Quote: “You try. You fail. You try. You fail. But the only true failure is when you stop trying.” - Madame Leota from The Haunted Mansion.

Books Recommended

by Gagan: Purification of the Heart – Hamza Yusuf.

www.gagansuri.com

Al Jabal Consultancy Attorneys and Legal Consultants

Mohamed Al Wasti Partner

Khadija A. Al Hussain Partner

Saleh Al Nashabh Lawyer

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

Mr Ali Al Jabal Mansoor Nadhar Lawyer

Areas of Specialisation: Mohamed Ismael 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: aljabal@aljaballaw.com Website: www.aljaballaw.com

Society

Summer Art Exhibition – Domain Hotel

business Events Cup of Coffee with Tamkeen, discussing Tamkeen’s investment in Human Capital development

GCC Creativity Conference 2016, held under the patronage of the First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, and founder of the KHK Mixed Martial Arts team, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at the Regency Intercontinental Hotel.

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Gulf Insider June 2016

Society

Mashroo3i Youth Business Awards by Tamkeen Official launch of the Manama Global Shapers Community at Skyline Lounge.

Chess competition at St. Christopher’s Junior School organized by The Bahrain Chess Academy and sponsored by Al-Jabal Legal Consultancy.

Gulf Insider June 2016

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Society

Soft Opening of the New State-of-the-Art Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons’ Heavy Equipment Service Center Opening ceremony of the first floating hotel in the Arabian Gulf (C Hotel)

IPI Mena Hosts Session on Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, Bahrain Financial Harbour

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Gulf Insider June 2016

Society

Bahrain British Business Forum Meeting Discusses Changes in UK Tax Laws Downtown Rotana welcomes renowned British Artist Jack Melville.

Noga holding commemorates successful signing of landmark $570m Murabaha facility

Khaleeji Commercial Bank (KHCB) wins “The fastest growing bank in Bahrain� award granted

by CPI Financial Banker Middle East and Africa Gulf Insider June 2016

55

Society

Annada, a Luxury-lifestyle Bahraini Brand, opened its flagship store at Seef Mall last month, under the patronage of Tamkeen’s Chairman H.E Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa.

Bahrain National Museum Hosts Historic Aviation Exhibition celebrating the strong civil and military aviation heritage between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom.

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Society

Bahraini national team player Sultan Al Hakam wins in the fourth monthly Porsche Golf Cup Series tournament at the Royal Golf Club.

Infinity QX60 Launch

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57

Last Word

9 lessons

in life from a great Roman emperor

T

he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius ruled from 161 to 180 AD, and developed a reputation for being the ideal wise leader Plato termed the “philosopher king.” Marcus has remained relevant for 1,800 years largely due to his writings collected as “Meditations,” which President Bill Clinton has said is one of his favorite books. We went through Gregory Hays’ translation and highlighted 9 recurring points.

1. Don’t spend time worrying about frivolous people who have no positive impact on others -

Your energy and time are both limited, so don’t waste them on what those inconsequential to your life are doing, thinking, and saying. The duty of a human being is to help others that we share life with, and one should not fill one’s mind with anxiety-inducing, frivolous thoughts, especially since they often lead to negative outcomes.

2. Live in the present - “Each of us

lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see”. There is nothing to be gained from letting your mind live separate from where your body finds itself.

3. Refrain from imposing your

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Gulf Insider June 2016

feelings onto reality - The emperor

7.You are the only person responsible for your happiness - “Choose not to be

was faced with constant fighting. But when he removed his feelings from how he perceived these events, he was able to have empathy for the people who disappointed him and acceptance for the losses that hurt him.

harmed — and you won’t feel harmed.

Don’t feel harmed — and you haven’t been,” Marcus writes. Similarly, do not define yourself by others’ perception of you.

4. Turn obstacles into opportunities

8. Be mindful of your mortality -

- In the book “The Obstacle Is the Way,” Ryan Holiday cites author Nassim Taleb’s definition of a Stoic, which is someone who “transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.”

As Marcus writes: “ Get what you can from the present — thoughtfully, justly.”

5. Find peace within yourself - People try to retreat from their problems and responsibilities by going somewhere like the mountains or the beach, but that travel isn’t necessary to recollect yourself. Marrcus advocates a kind of brief meditation, where you withdraw into yourself and quiet your mind.

6. Don’t resent people for their character - If someone’s character

flaw has caused one of your problems, do not exert energy trying to change that person’s character. Let things go.

“You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice,” Marcus writes.

“You could leave life right now,” Marcus writes. “Let that determine what you say and think.” He explains that he should not fear death, but be mindful of the impermanence of the human experience.

If he overcomes the fear of death, then nothing else should inspire fear within him. That can free him to accomplish what he feels compelled to do.

9. Keep progressing - Marcus regularly ruminates on how an individual’s place in the universe is minute, and that even the most celebrated people are washed away by time. When he wonders, then, what the point of it all is, he concludes that it is about a personal journey. He notes the importance of meditation and reflection, but judges the mark of personal progress to be through action that helps others and in turn connects you more with the human experience.

In his final years, he kept reminding himself that he could not afford to slow down.

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