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152
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knowledge is power
+ Inside The All-new Volvo XC60 Eid Carnival at Al Areen Saudi’s Little America
Interview with
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Gulf Financial Insider
Contents September 2017 Issue 152
12 10
Lifestyle
Omega
20 Lifestyle
36 Facebook Followers
298,486 Simply unparalleled online presence that connects region’s most inspired communities.
22 24 27
The Hidden Beauty of Saudi
38 40 44
Lifestyle
Extravagant Holiday
Money & Business
Uniquely BIDEC
Money & Business
Accelerating Workplace Health (IHPM)
People & Culture
Manama Shapers
People & Culture
Inflight Connectivity
People & Culture
Brave Combat Federation ‌and many, many more
Comment...
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 - Ryan Ernst - Dhanyasree M
Layout Designs
- Dhanraj S
This month we explore property options all around the GCC and give you the lowdown on both luxury and budget option. We also talked to Suha Karzoun, CFO of Mumtalakat about investing in Bahrain. In addition, we take a look at the best news we have published online, as well as your comments. Please also visit us online and on our thriving Facebook page.
Admin & Finance
- Nikesh Pola
Photography
- Shareef Panhatt - Yulia Trubnikova
Distribution Executives
- Mohammed Yousif - Muhammed Shareef - Rafnaj K P
We are happy to have you as a reader of Gulf Insider!
For Advertising Opportunities Call
Dear Reader, Greetings and a warm welcome to a new issue of Gulf Insider!
Dhanyasree M
M. +973 3612 8111
Wishing all of you a great month ahead!
Published by:
The Insider Team!
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
Bahrain BD2
Kuwait KD1.75 Oman RO2 Qatar QR20 UAE DHS20
Issue
+ Inside
The All-new Volvo XC60
Savour La Dolce Vita
Eid Carnival at Al Areen
Patek Philippe 5522A
Saudi’s Little America
Supercars and Big Cats
Women Leaders Complimentary Copy
IntervIew wIth
Chief Financial officer, Mumtalakat
151
knowledge is power
+ Inside
Suha Karzoon
Bahrain BD2 KSA SR20
Kuwait KD1.75 Oman RO2 Qatar QR20 UAE DHS20
152
knowledge is power
The multi-award winning Arabian magazine
KSA SR20
Issue
The multi-award winning Arabian magazine
of the Kingdom
interviews with prominent women leaders in various fields
GulfInsider
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Cover Image: Suha Karzoon Chief Financial officer, Mumtalakat
IntervIewYulia wIthTrubnikova yulia_trubni_photostream
ypoC yratnemilpmoC
Follow us on
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interviews with prominent women leaders in various fields
of the Kingdom
Women Leaders
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. 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.
Lifestyle
Day & Night 24th AlAyam Cultural Fair When: 14th to 23rd September 2017 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre The annual local booksale is back! The country’s longest running book sale with titles from prestigious and up and coming publishers will surely enthrall readers of all ages. You can quickly spend several hours in the fair browsing through stacks of favorite authors or discovering new names or genres.
For more information: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre Tel: +973 17558800 info@btea.bh
Solar, Technology, Energy & Environment in Bahrain Expo (STEEB) 2017 When: 17th to 19th September 2017 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre Improved energy efficiency offers the greatest hope of reducing a country’s electricity consumption. Anticipating the growing demand for energy efficiency solutions, the STEEB Expo 2017 will address and the way for the challenges and opportunities of reducing energy consumption.
For more information: Arab Gate Expo Tel: +973 77161012 arabgateexpos.com
International Aluminium Conference When: 25th to 27th September 2017 Where: Gulf Hotel, Bahrain The International Aluminium Conference, organized by the Metal Bulletin Events will cover areas like delivering specialist market knowledge and industry insight,global non-ferrous metals and steel markets.
For more information: Metal Bulletin Events Tel: +44 (0) 20 7779 7222 metalbulletin.com 6
Gulf Insider September 2017
70’s, 80’s, 90’s Retro Brunch Party When: 22nd September 2017 Where: Sherlock Holmes Pub, Gulf Hotel The UK’s premier and longest surviving Madness tribute band, One Step Behind, is performing for one day at Sherlock Holmes pub!! This is going to be a party like no other as hits from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s are performed.
For more information: Gulf Hotel Bahrain Tel: +973 17713000 gulfhotelbahrain.com
“Accelerating Workplace Health and Performance Globally� Health, Resilience and Perseverance
IHPM-MENA Global Health and Productivity Accelerator and Certification Bahrain | September 19-21, 2017
Lifestyle
Make “Smart” Cool
Best of Dubai Here are our top picks in Dubai you would want to fly out for. Eid Fireworks at JBR
Lea Salonga in Concert
When: up to 3rd September 2017 Where: Jumeirah Beach Residences
When: 22nd to 23rd September 2017 Where: Dubai Opera
When it’s time to celebrate, Dubai brings out the fireworks. Eid Al Adha will be no exception, and The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residences will be an excellent viewing point to see the sky sparkle. Tap into the community spirit by joining the crowds gathering along The Beach, as onlookers from the nearby towers gather on their balconies to watch the glittering display, which has become something of a tradition in the area.
Lea Salonga has featured in lead roles from hits like Miss Saigon, West Side Story, and Les Miserables, and has graced the world’s most prestigious venues with her flawless singing. She is also the voice of Disney Princesses Jasmine and Mulan. At last this accomplished Broadway performer brings her perfect pitch to the stage at Dubai Opera.
For more information: visitdubai.com
For more information: Dubai Opera Tel. +971 4 440 8888 dubaiopera.com
Dubai Desert Road Run When: 23rd September 2017 Where: The Sevens Village One of Dubai’s most popular road races returns this September. The Dubai Desert Road Run promises another exciting edition of communal spirit as runners of all levels come together for a fun day at the Sevens Stadium. With user-friendly amenities including showers, shaded seating, free parking, and F&B kiosks, the highly-organized race is expected to attract a large number of participants and supporters.
For more information: Dubai Running dubairunning.com 8
Gulf Insider September 2017
When: 29th September 2017 Where: Dubai World Trade Center Take the whole family to Dubai World Trade Centre to listen to three of the region’s most inspirational speakers give their two cents at the Make “Smart” Cool evening. Khalid Al Ameri, an energetic Emirati colunist and lecturer, will share his thoughts on personal and career development. Jay Shetty, a lifestyle vlogger, film-maker and media personality, will share the wisdom he has acquired over his life. Prince Ea, a rapper and vlogger, will also give his spin on growing up.
For more information: Najahi Tel: +971 2 2035800 or +971 50 390 8188 najahi.org
Telecoms
Life
Style insider
Gulf Insider August 2017
48
Lifestyle
Omega The watches worn from the trenches to Dunkirk.
T
their countries. On the allied side, many of these soldiers depended on their OMEGA watches as instruments for survival. The brand was one of the biggest suppliers of watches during both wars and is still recognized today for the critical role it played.
A French ad from 1916
he 20th century will forever remain scarred by two World Wars that divided nations and left a devastating mark on history. At the heart of each conflict were the soldiers who risked, and often gave, their lives for
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Gulf Insider September 2017
WORLD WAR I Certain qualities made OMEGA an ideal supplier of military watches at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Precision was the first advantage. The brand had a strong history of observatory records that proved the accuracy of its timepieces. More importantly, OMEGA’s incredible manufacturing ability meant that it could deliver high quantities of these precise wristwatches and pocket watches for service. Very quickly, OMEGA became the prime choice of Great Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) as well as its allies. When warfare moved into the trenches, OMEGA’s wristwatch chronographs, which were amongst the first ever made, became essential tools for commanding officers. By timing the exact difference between the flash and sound of opposing gunfire, they were able to work out the distance between themselves and the enemy; A truly important piece of information when planning your attack.
Lifestyle
WORLD WAR II
OMEGA became the prime choice of Great Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) as well as its allies.
OMEGA’s good reputation continued into World War II. In fact, the brand delivered more than 110,000 pilots’, navigators’ and soldiers’ watches to Great Britain’s MoD to support its Air Force and Navy pilots during service. Incredibly, this means that more than 50% of all of Switzerland’s watch deli¬veries to the United Kingdom during the war came from one company, OMEGA, with all other brands sharing the remaining 50%. From Great Britain to the USA, France and even Greece, all allies bene¬fited from OMEGA’s watches.
magnetism due to a new alloy used in creating the balance spring. This greatly served the pilots flying the Hurricanes and Spitfires, who were sitting just two feet behind a huge magnetic field within their powerful engines.
The CK 2129 Worn by Tom Hardy in Dunkirk
CK 2129
The CK2129 was the most commonly worn OMEGA timepiece for RAF personnel in the early days of the Second World War. Its unique rotating bezel was highly valuable for pilots and navigators during missions as it enabled the timing of specific intervals. On bombing raids, for example, these timing intervals became crucial. The rotating bezel could also be locked by the watch’s 2nd crown, so that the timing couldn’t be affected by accidental knocks. The newly released film “Dunkirk”, directed by Christopher Nolan, has correctly placed this model on the wrist of Tom Hardy’s RAF character. 2,000 of the models had been delivered to the MoD at the start of the war. The watch was made to be particularly easy to read, which is why it featured a contrasting cream dial with clear Arabic numerals and poire hands.
The UK CK 2292 The Spitfire Watch
CK 2292
As the war progressed, OMEGA delivered even more models to the MoD. The UK/CK2292 is perhaps the most famous and most widely used of all. These watches were supplied to the majority of RAF and Fleet Air Arm personnel. Inside was the innovative 30mm calibre, which had set numerous world precision records at observatory trials. It was far more resistant to
CK 2444
The CK 2444 The Waterproof Watch Towards the end of World War II, as warfare moved towards the Pacific Ocean, another OMEGA watch came into service. The CK2444 became known for its superb water resistance. In fact, the MoD gave it the w.w.w engraving on the caseback, which stood for “Waterproof Wrist Watch”. There was also a Broad Arrow marking on the dial and caseback which was typical of the British military.
THE LEGACY With the war won by the allies, Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, the hero of El Alamein and Operation Overlord, specifically requested a visit to OMEGA’s factories in Biel, Switzerland. On two separate trips, one official and one private, he proudly expressed his satisfaction with OMEGA’s watches during the war and met with company representatives to thank them for the help that the brand had given. OMEGA would continue to provide military watches into the future. Most importantly, the lessons learned by OMEGA during both wars had strengthened its overall expertise and capabilities. This built an important platform for progress and is a defining reason that, in 1948, so soon after the war had finished, its iconic Seamaster collection could be born. Gulf Insider September 2017
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Lifestyle
The All new Volvo XC60 A beautiful, luxurious SUV in an affordable range.
M
otorcity BSC, the sole distributor of Volvo in the Kingdom of Bahrain, launched the all-new Volvo XC60 at an event held at the Capital Club in Manama. The new car is a major upgrade from the highly successful previous model, which in the nine years since its launch, has sold nearly a million units globally, and today represents around 30% of Volvo’s total global sales. The all-new XC60, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, banks on Volvo’s heritage of designing stylish and dynamic SUVs, with an exterior sculpted with subtle, timeless elegance and a masterful interior of well-resolved architecture, beautiful materials and the very latest technology. The interior has the airy, crisp, blondwood feel that gives the car a tastefully luxurious quality. Outside, a long bonnet, muscular wheel arches, and short overhangs create a sense of refined strength. The
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Gulf Insider September 2017
net effect is a sleeker profile. Some of the most notable improvements include a state-of-the-art infotainment system and more legroom for rear-seat passengers. This is a car that’s built for comfort and it shows, this is a very comfortable car to drive.
Turbo and Supercharged The five-passenger compact SUV is offered in three main trim levels: Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design, which are further differentiated by two engine choices: T5 and T6. T5 is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 254 horsepower, while the T6 receives a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger for a power increase to 320 hp. Even the base model--Momentum is well-equipped. It includes leather, a panoramic sunroof and LED taillights and headlights. The R-Design boasts of sports seats upholstered in leather and micro-suede, metal mesh interior
trim, a gloss-black grille and matte silver mirror caps and window trim. The top spec model--Inscription has a hands free tailgate, driftwood interior trim and more exterior chrome. With a turbocharged and supercharged engine, the XC60 offers performance equivalent to six and even eight-cylinder powerhouses.
Tech Superior The gamut of technology helps drivers navigate the world with ease and confidence. The new safety features include an updated City Safety technology with steering support which guides your car to avoid obstacles, a newly added Oncoming Lane Mitigation system that ensures drivers don’t wander out of their lane, and an optional Blind Spot Information System which will alert you if there is something in the driver’s blind spot. In addition, you can control the XC60 from your phone with Volvo On-Call,
Lifestyle
Starting Price:
BD14,990 wherever you are in the world. You can also check fuel levels, lock and unlock your car and pre-heat or cool the cabin. It’s the easy way to stay in control. The XC60 is a car where many small but important details have been considered, and there have been serious attempts to do those little details right. The overall package is a very well-crafted and capable vehicle, well-suited for the job it will do and the people it will serve.
For more information on the Volvo XC60, visit Motorcity Sitra, call 17736222 or search volvoxc60
You can control the XC60 from your phone with Volvo On-Call, wherever you are in the world.
Price Comparison Porsche Macan BHD 19,000
For more information: Porsche Center Bahrain Tel: +973 1745 9911
Mercedes AMG-GLC 43 BHD 29, 200
For more information: Al Haddad Motors Tel: +973 1778 5454
Jaguar F-Pace BHD 22,000
For more information: Euromotors Tel: +973 1775 0750
Gulf Insider September 2017
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Lifestyle
Paradise at
The Domain Gulf Insider meets Vie Lifestyle Lab’s new spa manager, Ferdinand Taaca
V
ie Lifestyle Lab Spa Manager Ferdinand Taaca has been in the job just four months and he’s certainly ‘hit the ground running’, introducing a new menu, new products, new treatments, and a new loyalty program for regular clients. Ferdinand graduated with a degree in Physical Therapy and has been involved in spa management for over twelve years, six of which were spent at Hyatt International and five years at Meliá Hotels, the luxury Spanish brand. He says he very much likes Bahrain and having spent time in Dubai, believes the people here are a lot friendlier and accessible. He enthusiastically tells us about the ‘VIE Vitality’ treatment that he personally designed, a full body
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Gulf Insider September 2017
The Domain is introducing “Romance at The Domain” where couples can book the pool on the 36th floor all to themselves and enjoy the most amazing views across Manama.
massage lasting 90 minutes and costing BD49 net. It combines different techniques including Shiatsu, Swedish, Reiki, Lomilomi, Thai, and aromatherapy. The menu of available treatments is enticing – facials for anti-aging and purifying, 8 different massage treatments and 7 types of body treatments. There are 4 VIE ‘rituals’, various beauty treatments, and there’s a gym for those seeking physical fitness. The spa offers clients access to their multi jet hydrotherapy tub, which is a powerful underwater massage tub which provides anti-cellulite and lymphatic draining. Something definitely worth trying is Iyashi Dome, an infra-red sauna. A half hour session helps users lose up to 600 calories and boost their metabolism. It’s a unique Japanese technology and in
Lifestyle
addition to aiding weight loss it relieves muscular tension and will improve sleep. And to encourage regular visits, they offer a reward program whereby after three treatments the customer gets the fourth treatment free! VIE Lifestyle Lab, exclusively in Bahrain, is now offering La Vallée skincare treatments. The luxury Swiss product have chosen The Domain to be their brand ambassador. These exclusive products include a stem cell facial that, Ferdinand tells us, actually reverses the aging effect!!! They also produce a caviar treatment with marine DNA that has a lifting and detoxifying effect.
Also at The Domain…
Something definitely worth trying is Iyashi Dome, an infra-red sauna. A half hour session helps users lose up to 600 calories and boost their metabolism.
The Domain is introducing “Romance at The Domain” where couples can book the pool on the 36th floor all to themselves and enjoy the most amazing views across Manama as they swim and splash around in complete privacy, sip Champagne if they fancy, and afterwards delight in an exclusive 60-minute couples massage followed by the option of a romantic dinner for two and, if they wish, stay the night in one of the property’s beautiful rooms or suites - The Domain can be an extremely romantic place. Also, due to popular demand The Domain is reintroducing their Tuesday classic movie nights where aficionados gather to experience some of the great movie classics. This is an inexpensive night at just BD5 and comes with a soft drink and popcorn (or BD10 for cheese and wine). After the movie there’s a special package for those wishing to stay for dinner. We congratulate VIE Lifestyle Lab Spa on winning the World Luxury Spa Award for the Best Urban Escape and for the Best Spa Manager.
To book an appointment call: +973 16 000 000 www.thedomainhotels.com Gulf Insider September 2017
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Lifestyle
Eid Carnival Al Areen Palace and Spa presents another spectacular Eid extravaganza. Dining Every meal is an occasion to cherish and remember at Al Areen. Choose from a tempting array of dining options and entice your palate with a superior culinary experience.
September 1 & 2 Enjoy a family-friendly Eid Carnival Brunch with Arabic and International dishes plus live cooking stations at Rimal & Saffron restaurant in Al Areen Palace & Spa from 12.30PM – 4.00PM. There will be a live DJ, face painting, mascots, a kids’ corner, and much more. Diners will have access to the swimming pools during the brunch period. They also stand a chance to win exciting prizes from Al Areen’s Win & Spin contest! Children up to six years old are free of charge, while those from seven to 12 get a 50% discount.
September 1-4 Rimal, Al Areen’s all-day dining 16
Gulf Insider September 2017
restaurant will offer a daily breakfast buffet with cartoon characters on these dates. Offering a selection of gastronomic delights, guests can choose from an extensive international a la carte menu. Relax and enjoy a delicious meal while you take in the resort’s idyllic charms.
September 3-4 Saffron presents the very best of Khaleeji and Indian fusion cuisine. Resplendent in majestic shades of gold and maroon, with a beautiful high ceiling, traditional Middle Eastern accents and a spectacular view of the resort’s grand outdoor pool, you can enjoy a buffet lunch with a lounge music DJ for only BHD 12.500 ++.
September 4-15 Awaken your tastebuds with Saffron’s specialty kabsa (in chicken, shrimp, or lamb variations) for BD3.000 to BD4.000 & Bahraini tikka for only BD2.000. Just
another thing to look forward to this September!
*Note: All restaurants will feature a shisha show during lunch and dinner from September 1-8.
Other September promotions: Keizo Sushi & Maki Promotion Savor the very best of Japanese, Chinese, and Thai fine dining with a creative flair at Keizo. Every Monday & Wednesday of this month, enjoy the all-time favorite Maki rolls for only BD3.500 (starting price). Choose from rainbow, spicy, tuna, rum, spider, crazy kani, salmon tataki, and much more! Restaurant timings are from 7PM to 11PM. Keizo Dimsum & Noodles Promotion Delight your taste buds and choose between the mouthwatering Dim Sum platter for BD3.000 and the noodles menu for BD3.500 only. The dimsum platter consists of chicken, seafood,
Lifestyle
Brazilian Pool Party Be part of Al Areen’s Brazilian Night Pool Party on September 8, from 2:00PM - 10:00PM with an open buffet featuring Brazilian food and a live DJ. Also get a chance to win prizes from the exciting raffle draw! Tickets are priced at BD15 (single ticket), BD28 (for couples), BD30 (for a couple with one kid), BD35 (for a couple with two kids), BD5 for kids.
Health & Beauty Amidst an ambiance of seclusion and luxury, Al-Areen’s multi-award winning spa offers a unique and exquisite haven for busy lives. Drawn from the Chinese five element’s philosophy and other Asian traditions that practiced centuries ago, our intimate retreat blends romance and serenity with exotic sensuality. Feel your senses awaken, the moment you enter our Royal Spa and surrender yourself to the lingering flower fragrance and aroma of essential oils, herbs and spices.
Eid Al Adha Spa Promotion Did you know that a massage soothes anxiety, headaches and digestive disorders? Enjoy a 60 minute body massage and a 60 minute luxurious Moroccan bath for only 70BHD. Offer valid until the 15th of September.
Beauty Time Indulge yourself with a 60 minute facial treatment and a hand and foot retreat including a pedicure, foot soak, and paraffin treatment for only BD95++. Offer valid until the 15th of September.
shrimps, and beef; while the noodles menu consist of pad thai, pancit canton, Singaporean Laksa, Indonesian Bakmi Goreng, and Yaki Soba!
Entertainment Rising stars Ammar Mjbeel & Abdullah Alhameem will hold a concert at Al Qasr tent on the 3rd of September from 8:00PM to midnight. Tickets are
priced at BD40 net per person.
Al Areen Pool Party Be part of the Fun Friday Pool Party on September 5 from 12:00PM to 8:00PM with an open buffet and live DJ. Dance and party to Arabic and Ibiza songs and get a chance to win prizes in the raffle draw! Tickets are priced at BD15 for adults and BD5 for kids.
Eid Al Adha Health Club Membership Promotion Until the 15th of September, a oneyear single membership at Al Areen’s Health Club is only BD300. This comes with two complimentary 60 minute body massages. A couple’s membership is only BD500 with one complimentary 60 minute body massage and two 30 minute body scrubs.
Gulf Insider September 2017
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Lifestyle
Introducing
NEW Creatista Plus The first Nespresso machine that allows coffee lovers to create stunning art.
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he barista experience is now even more achievable at home thanks to the launch of Creatista Plus, the first Nespresso machine that allows users to create latte art with its multiple milk foam textures. Creatista Plus is the result of a collaboration of two iconic brands combining their expertise. Nespresso brings its coffee expertise and quality, unprecedented system, convenience and simplicity whilst Breville brings stunning kitchen appliance design and its unique automatic steam wand technology. With Creatista Plus, coffee aficionados with a penchant for hot milk-based recipes will be able to conveniently create everything from a classic creamy Cappuccino through to a velvety smooth Flat White or even a Latte that they can top with a beautiful milk foam design, all in the comfort of their own home. Eliminating the hassle, Creatista Plus does the hard work for you: after selecting your preferred coffee, simply
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Gulf Insider September 2017
fill the provided milk jug and place it on the temperature sensor. The milk is then automatically heated to the ideal temperature and the steam wand froths it to the perfect texture for your selected drink. The machine comes equipped with a menu of milk-based recipes with different foam textures, temperatures and quantities recommended by the Nespresso experts but users can also personalize their coffee settings at each stage from the intuitive menu. Innovation, style and design are at the heart of Nespresso. The brand is constantly evolving its machines to consistently deliver the highest quality coffee experience to its Club Members.
generates ‘micro-milk foam’ which is essential for latte art creation
Adjustable milk temperature
Fast self-cleaning
Intuitive colour display offering step by step assistance for coffee personalization and maintenance Fast heat up Automatic power off after 10 minutes of non-use
The new Creatista Plus machine caters to the growing number of coffee lovers looking to personalise their coffee moments. The machine offers a wide range of features all designed to enrich the coffee experience:
Adjustable automatic milk texturing for Flat White, Cappuccino, Café Latte and Latte Macchiato. Also
Nespresso Creatista Plus was recognised “Best of the Best 2017” by prestigious Red Dot design awards
Lifestyle
RELEASE YOUR
INNER BARISTA Introducing BARISTA, three coffees crafted for flavour harmony. Sample BARISTA Scuro for an Espresso Macchiato
I
nspired by a barista’s craftsmanship to perfectly harmonise the complex flavours in coffee and mastering milk preparation, Nespresso undertook multiple sensory tests to define the exact levels of roasting and the ideal coffee grinding techniques to create the BARISTA limited editions. Karsten Ranitzsch, Head of Coffee at Nespresso explained, “From the many discussions with our consumers we have understood that a great coffee in black does not necessarily become an equally great coffee in white. Like the best baristas in the world, we have used our understanding and knowledge about coffee and paired it with the understanding that our consumers who love coffee with milk are looking for ideal bitterness, acidity, body, flavours and aromas in their cup. We are proud to have created three different Limited Edition coffees, which are specifically developed for those who like their Nespresso white, such as an Espresso Macchiato.” The BARISTA limited edition coffees are set to delight any coffee lover with three tempting options:
Try BARISTA Chiaro for a Cappuccino Tasting notes: The coffee has been specially crafted by the Nespresso experts to prepare a sweet, indulgent Cappuccino with a smooth creamy taste, roundness and exceptionally delicate biscuit notes Intensity: A medium-to-dark roasted blend of Intensity 5 when black, that becomes exceptionally smooth and round when combined with milk. Best enjoyed: 25ml coffee topped with 60ml milk froth
Tasting notes: Carefully created for an intense, flavourful and full-bodied coffee finished with a gentle touch of milk foam Intensity: A medium-to-dark roasted blend of Intensity 8 when black, that keeps its strong character when combined with milk. Best enjoyed: 40ml Espresso with two spoons of milk foam to retain the strong coffee character
Taste BARISTA Corto as a black Ristretto Tasting notes: The BARISTA Corto blend has been masterfully blended to give the coffee an extra intense taste with a thick syrupy texture and a dark marbled crema. Intensity: A dark-roasted blend with intensity 11 Best enjoyed: As a 25ml black Ristretto
Nespresso Barista Limited Edition Coffees will be available at Nespresso Boutique Level 1,Bahrain City Center Nespresso Booth Gate 5 Seef Mall As well as through orders from the Nespreso Customer Care Centres by calling toll free 8000 1999
(Sunday thru Thursday 8am to 5pm) Online www.buynespresso.com from 04/09/2017 Gulf Insider September 2017
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Lifestyle
The Hidden Beauty of Saudi ! Dhanyasree shares her travel experiences in Saudi during one of the Eid vacations.
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he summer in Saudi, coupled with the long Hajj holidays is excruciating, especially if you are not travelling. The city of Riyadh literally sleeps on those days. We decided to pack our bags in search of some cool zones and the first preference was for Abhah. The capital of Asir Province is a popular recreation spot for the natives and maintains a mild weather. (The temperature never rises above 35 °C (95.0 °F)) throughout the year. We started during the call of Fajr from Riyadh and reached by Maghrib prayer at Abha. Our experiences in Abhah definitely shook our concept of the desert country. Each nook and corner of the city was mesmerizing. The major attractions in Abhah are the Green Mountains, Al Soudha Cable Car, Al Habblah Village and the Mountain Market. On our way to Al Soudha, the longest cable car in Abha, we took
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Gulf Insider September 2017
a wrong turn. Even before we could regret our mistake, the path ended at an open ground where a wave of golden grass danced onto the outlining mounds at the far end. The nameless flowers were flushed with bright golden colors with bounteous green at the edges. Houses, built in
No Nightingale did ever chant, More welcome notes to weary bands, Of travellers in some shady haunt, Among Arabian sands: (The Solitary Reaper: William Wordsworth)
traditional style proudly stood at their corners in their leisurely slumber. It was a scene out of pictures, classic movies and beautiful dreams. We forgot our destination and the clear blue sky made the heavenly sight more hypnotic for us. Silver clouds floated in an entrancing wave above the golden waves of flowers. The whole scene captivated the desert traveler in us, who came out of the heat of the land. It was as if the great painter had poured the remaining colors into the clouds after painting his beautiful sketches onto this landscape. Just like the many hidden beauties of Saudi, this land has also kept its charm until today. Presently, the political scenario has reduced the number of visitors into the mountains. However, if you are in Saudi during summer, Abhah is a must visit place, and you can always dream of getting deviated from your destined path.
Lifestyle
extravagant holiday Saudi Arabia’s King Salman spends ‘$100m on Moroccan summer holiday’. YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Ann Shah Ariffin ·
What a big spender! Recently another hundred millions spent with 30 private planes loaded with family members and an entourage holiday in Bali, Indonesia. Wa la !!
Fawziah Jamaludin
You say this because you don’t have things like them JJJJ Wait, when you are the same, maybe it will be worse.
Chris Kastoris
You may buy a town with this amount.
K
ing Salman arrived for his annual break with an entourage of over 1,000 people, according to the Haaretz newspaper. Ministers, advisers, and relatives were booked into the city’s most luxurious hotels. This year’s visit is being hailed as a welcome boost for the local economy and the holiday is expected to account for 1.5 per cent of the country’s foreign tourism revenue, according to Spanish paper La Vanguardia. The royal was greeted by Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani at Tangier airport in July as he made his way to his 74-acre purpose-built summer palace, according to local media. In 2016, vast renovation works were carried out on the property, including the addition of new buildings, helipads and a big top tent to entertain guests. 22
Gulf Insider September 2017
Fawziah Jamaludin Jealous??????
Salma Seif Indeed
Mohammed Abdul Jaleel
What is wrong? He has the right to spend on himself also...
Saleem Baig
Good for Morocco’s economy.
Telecoms
money &
business insider
Gulf Insider August 2017
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Money & Business
Uniquely BIDEC Take part in these unique features of this one of a kind military show.
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he Bahrain International Defence Exhibition & Conference (BIDEC 2017) will take place on 16-18 October 2017 at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. BIDEC 2017 not only features an exhibition of 120+ exhibitors, it will also feature a host of extra activities to keep visitors and exhibitors busy throughout three days in Bahrain. These include the following:
MEMAC Conference BIDEC will host a strategic conference series that will offer a forum for knowledge sharing and will address the biggest challenges in Bahrain and the wider region. The Middle East Military Alliances and Coalitions (MEMAC) Conference will be chaired by H.E Dr. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and will seek to address many of the challenges facing the region, and the wider global implications. The approach will be both political and diplomatic stressing the importance of military coalitions such as the role of NATO, UN Peacekeeping Operations, The Arabic Coalition in Yemen and the Islamic Military CounterTerrorism Coalition, with support from 24
Gulf Insider September 2017
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and militarily with the region’s military experts and coalition commanders discussing real threats and solutions, stressing the importance of military coalitions operations.
Military Vehicle Demo Alongside industry partners the Bahrain Defence Force will be demonstrating the latest military vehicle capabilities on a specially designed course. A feature adding great value and excitement to the inaugural BIDEC exhibition.
Shooting Range & Night Shooting Exercise Delegates and military personnel will have the opportunity for handson testing of firearms, ammunition, night-vision equipment and related accessories being introduced to the market at day and night shooting demonstrations. With new products being unveiled these are experiences one cannot get anywhere else.
Warship Display The BIDEC warship display will give
VIPs and visitors alike the chance to examine today’s most technologically advanced ships. Regional and overseas navies are invited to send their warships and crew to proudly display their capabilities at Mina Salman Port. A full list of warships that will be attending BIDEC will be available on the website soon.
Parachute Display Held in partnership with the Bahrain Defence Force and under the guidance of expert instructors, this feature will give military personnel with the appropriate military free-fall license opportunity to trial the latest parachute systems. Visitors will be able to access the BIDEC Off-Site Activities by shuttle buses provided from the venue. Delegates to the above activities will need to be pre-approved to attend the exhibition and all other activities related to BIDEC.
Visit the website to register FREE today at www.bahraindefence.com To enquire about sponsoring the above activities or to exhibit at BIDEC 2017, please email: craig.leroux@ clarionevents.com
Money & Business
Overdrive The cost of driving lessons in Bahrain has just gone up by 40%.
T
he fee for driving lessons increased 40% from BD5 to BD7 per hour. This is as per the latest resolution (114 of 2017) issued by Interior Ministry and published in the Official Gazette on Thursday. The Interior Ministry said in a statement, “The resolution is meant to modify the fees for driving classes for private vehicles fee to BD7 instead of the BD5 previously applied for each hour, without modifying the fees for other types of classes like taxis and heavy vehicles and construction machinery, which remains unchanged.”
YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Hasan Mohammed
Ahmed Salman
My instructor signed me off after the 11th hour without charging me. Good man!
The instructors take money for 2 hours of lessons but they just give 30 minutes or 40 minutes of teaching.
April Dublin
Tapos nko... J buti nlng... (Translation: Good thing I’m finished!)
The fees for driving classes for private vehicles fee to BD7 instead of the BD5 previously applied for each hour.
Kerl Nichole Aquino
Well I only got four hours of lessons from my instructor, and passed the exam.. Paid him 110bd after a month..
Dmytro Morkva
They have to increase the quality of lessons, not the price!
UAE Hyperloop
just got one step closer to reality
T
he company bringing the Hyperloop to the UAE has made another giant leap forward, achieving record speeds during the first test run of its passenger pod. In the latest test, the team has sent a passenger pod through the 500-metre tube for the first time. The shuttle reached a top speed of 310 kilometers an hour – the fastest trial yet. “This is the beginning, and the dawn of a new era of transportation,” said Hyperloop One co-founder Shervin Pishevar. “We’re excited about the prospects and the reception we’ve received from governments around the world to help solve their mass transportation and infrastructure challenges,” said CEO Rob Lloyd. Earlier this year, Lloyd praised the UAE for its “visionary leadership” in making the groundbreaking transport system a reality. While an official launch date has not been set, Hyperloop One has previously said they could have an operational system built in the UAE by Expo 2020.
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Money & Business
Accelerating Workplace Health & Performance Globally The Institute for Health, Productivity & Management (IHPM-MENA) presents a global accelerator and two-day certification course at the Intercontinental Hotel Manama.
T
he worksite is the ideal place to improve the health of a population, however many companies don’t take into account the health of their employees and how this contributes to productivity. IHPM MENA has come up with an event that will provide perspectives on health from a productivity standpoint. Co-hosted and principally sponsored by Saudi Aramco, the unique event which will focus on accelerating workplace health and
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performance globally will take place at the Intercontinental Regency Hotel Manama on September 19 for the Accelerator and September 20-21 for the Academy Training and Certification. The opening remarks and inauguration will be delivered by Huda M. Al - Ghoson, Executive Director for Human Resources, Saudi Aramco. Al Ghoson will welcome speakers and participants from all parts of the world to this global accelerator, highlighting the need for ‘a call to action’ in the region to why investing in
healthy human capital is a great value proposition. Professor Dame Carol Black of Newnham College, Cambridge University will be the first keynote speaker. She will tackle the progress made and the challenges faced in the workplace when developing a program for Total Worker Health. In addition, she will address the issues of mental health, resilience and engagement, and the role of leadership and managerial behavior in diverse sectors of the economy. Dame Carol will conclude
Money & Business
with the message that creating “good workplaces” and “good work” is necessary for employee wellbeing and productivity. Dame Carol Black has been one of the most powerful agents worldwide for change in the domain of workplace health.
Define Health Key features of the accelerator include a keynote by Dr. Vedat Misrahi, Medical & Occupational Health Director for UNILEVER on Corporate Global Benchmarks for Best Practices in HPM. There is also a Global Thought Leadership Discussion on What Does
IoT, that range from smartphones to wearables across the health spectrum exemplify how the future will operate through human/machine interfaces, and serve as guideposts to the next generation of leadership in Health, Productivity & Performance Management. These insights are exciting, considering the exponential growth of the IoT, which now encompasses the wellness, prevention, and healthcare center.
full workshop will entitle attendees to a Certification in the Discipline of Health and Productivity Management. An interesting scope of the Academy is the section on the Cost of Poor Health, which tackles the total cost of health issues to organizations, and will ask participants to create a business case for reducing total health costs. In addition, there will be several modules that will talk about the Human Resource Role in HPM.
Getting Certified
Health and Productivity - yes, they are related!
At the end of such a high-energy day, you may ask: What do I do to make
The Workshop/ Academy will
If you stay for the next two days, you can earn your certification in the emergent professional discipline of Health and Productivity Management and create a system that can work for your company it Really Mean to Be Healthy? Updating the WHO Definition of Health with a panel of featured conference speakers moderated by Sean Sullivan. Leveraging Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship in IT will kick off the afternoon of IHPM’s Global Accelerator with a stellar Panel of Regional Leaders in the MENA region. In the interactive session, the panelists will discuss how future health sectors can leverage opportunities presented by the Internet of Things—including how to build better performance across the talent lifemanagement span. Devices or the “things“ in the
this program work in my company? If you stay for the next two days, you can earn your certification in the emergent professional discipline of Health and Productivity Management and create a system that can work for your company. The second part of the program, the IHPM Academy is a participatory learning experience that (1) provides attendees with an understanding of the health and productivity management model, (2) informs them with real-world lessons and examples from actually implementing the model, and 3) equips them with tools and program designs to do it themselves. Completion of this
conclude with an interactive discussion of the key elements of Health and Productivity Management, the barriers to be overcome in making it work, and the rewards to be gained in higher levels of employee morale, health, and performance. The participants will go home, having earned their certifications in this emergent field.
For more information: IHPM-MENA www.ihpm.org. Twitter: #IHPM #IHPM_MENA Tel: +966 13 8745924 sawellness@aramco.com Gulf Insider September 2017
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Money & Business
Expat driving licence 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. “If we look at the present trend then we can notice that on average an expat owns one old car model compared to three or four cars owned by most local families,” said Migrant Workers Protection Society Chairwoman Marietta Dias. 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”.
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Saudi, Bahrain plan new road and railway causeway
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new road and rail causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is being planned to ease congestion on the existing King Fahd causeway. The King Hamad Causeway is expected to cost $4bn to $5bn to build and will be funded using the public private partnership (PPP) model, according to Reuters sources. The project was announced at an industry consultation event in Manama where the two countries agreed on the terms of the p[project and said that they will seek funding from private firms. A new 70km railway is also being planned as part of the project, which will connect a passenger terminal in Salmabad and freight facilities at Khalifa bin Salman port in Bahrain to the Saudi railway system. The project could be developed under a design, build transfer, or design, build, maintain and transfer basis, as revealed in a document that was made available during the consultation event. The transport project is expected to be owned by the private sector through a new company with a 25-30-year PPP arrangement, though details of the PPP are still preliminary. Traffic on the existing King Fahd causeway, which has been opened since 1986, is expected to double by 2030 from 31,000 passengers in 2016.
Money & Business
Property Highlights Abu Dhabi property prices drop up to 16% The price of property in Abu Dhabi has fallen by between 4 and 16% depending on area in the first two quarters of this year, according to a report by Core Savills. Sales prices per square foot fell by 4% in Al Raha Gardens, 9% at Al Reef Villas, and 16% at Saadiyat Beach Residences, the report found.
Read more.....
End-users snap up Dubai homes below Dh1,000 per square foot Developers in Dubai are increasingly catering to the sweet spot of investor demand. While the Dubai property market was earlier synonymous with luxury property running into several millions of dollars, it has now been observed that properties below Dh1,000 per square foot (PSF) are more in demand, both among investors and end-users. This trend also rings true for off-plan units and properties on the secondary market in Dubai
Read more.....
Dubai Creek Tower: the world’s next tallest tower! Intriguing new photos have emerged courtesy of developer Emaar Properties showing an aerial shot of the tower’s vast footprint, along with workers deep underground finishing the foundations.
Read more.....
…to read these, and other interesting news, visit
www.Gulf-Insider.com
Gulf Insider September 2017
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Money & Business
the height of luxury Take a peek at these ultra-luxurious underwater homes before they go on sale.
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he $2.8 million Floating Seahorse is the product of more than 5,000 hours of research and 13,000 hours of design and engineering, according to design firm Kleindienst Group. From the home, residents will be able to see actual seahorses dance through the Arabian Gulf — the animal’s natural habitat. Since the structures are located about two and a half miles from Dubai’s shores, inhabitants can reach their Seahorse via boat or seaplane. The company says it hopes the structure can set a new standard for what it means to live lavishly. The underwater portion, composed of a master bedroom and bathroom, will make up approximately 270 square feet on the interior. Just outside the walls is a 500-square-foot coral garden.
Source Credit: Bloomberg
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Money & Business
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Money & Business
Saudi Property market
hit by expats leaving
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s a number of expatriates have opted to send their families back home following the imposition of the dependents’ annual fees beginning July 1, resulting in many houses and apartments being vacated with no new tenants coming in. Speaking to Makkah daily on Monday, a number of realtors said it has become a usual scene to see signboards erected on the buildings announcing vacant apartments for rent. “These days landlords are approaching us to rent their vacant buildings. In the past this had never happened,” said Thamir Al-Qurashi, an owner of a real estate agency. He said in the past, the landlords would advertise their vacant buildings on the social media but now they are seeking the help of the real state offices. “As soon as a tenant left, a new one would come in his place almost the same day. Even, on some occasion, the vacating tenant would recommend someone known to him to take the
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apartment even before he vacates,” he added. Qurashi said the fall in the prices began about six months ago when the expatriates accepted the fact that the government was serious in imposing the fees and that they would have to face the brunt of it. “The four-room apartment which was rented for SR24,000 a year is now offered at SR22,000 or less,” he said. Qurashi said the rent prices are expected to come further down as many expatriates will send their families and dependents to their respective homes. “When a father sends his family home, he will not need a big apartment so he will vacate and the apartment will be vacant waiting for a new tenant who may never show up,” he said. He also said the housing complexes which were used to be rented at SR80,000 are now offered at SR60,000 or less.
Source credit – Saudi Gazette
YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Lynda Wilson
When you apply for your multi exit reentry visa you have to pay a years’ levy up front else no visa.
Rob Weber
Saudi is paving the way for getting expats out of the Middle East via taxation policies. Good bye Saudi.
Telecoms
people &
culture insider
Gulf Insider August 2017
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People & Culture
H.E. Dr. Abdulhussain Bin Ali Mirza
H
.E has graced two prominent positions as the Minister of Energy and Minister of EWA in the Kingdom. May I ask, which position best enables you to implement your plans for sustainable development in the country and why?
IS BAHRAIN READY FOR
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY? By Dhanyasree M
Interview with H.E. Dr. Abdulhussain Bin Ali Mirza, Minister for Electricity and Water Affairs. - PART 2 To read the full interview, visit www.Gulf-Insider.com 34
Gulf Insider September 2017
As part of my present responsibility as the Minister responsible for the Electricity and Water sector, and my previous responsibility as the Minister of Energy with the responsibility at that time of managing the Oil and Gas sector as well as Electricity and water sector, I have given particular attention to the different aspects of Go GREEN principles particularly 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. At the Government level, it has been agreed that these strategies are spearheaded by the Minister responsible for Electricity and water sector. In this regard, and to support the development of the renewable Energy policies, the Government approved the following: 1. Adoption of the “Net-Metering policy� for all customers seeking to install distributed renewable energies on their premises. 2. The following renewable energy projects are being considered to facilitate the 5% renewable energy target by 2025: The first of our focuses has been to support opportunities for renewable energy for electricity production.
People & Culture
NREAP (National Plan for Renewable Energy) 50 MW decentralised solar for Government Buildings
50 MW wind farm in the Southern part of Bahrain
40 MW decentralised solar for
50 MW Solar PV in Askar landfill
• New Housing units (30 MW) • New Town developments (10 MW). 30 MW – W2E - Tubli wastewater treatment plant ((390,000 tonnes of solid waste per year)).
Further, EWA has been assessing Bahrain’s potential for solar and wind resources and in this context there are two projects in the pipeline, the first is the construction of a combined solar and wind technology 5 MW plant in Al Dur to evaluate the effectiveness of these sources under Bahrain local conditions for large-scale applications in the future. We are also considering another project to utilize the available surface roofs of ground storage water tanks and install Photovoltaic systems for the generation of electricity.
Lack of freshwater resources and the coastal degradation are two of the major environmental issues faced by Bahrain. What are the immediate steps taken by Ministry of Electricity & Water Affairs to curb these issues? Coastal ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf are continuously subject to human
Integrate renewables in mega projects such as causeways & new buildings
We are trying to curb damage resulting from desalination water discharge as well as protect the fresh water resources available in Bahrain by reducing the abstraction rate. disturbance either by direct physical damage or by deterioration of the water quality resulting from increasing levels
of pollution. The main anthropogenic impacts in the GCC waters are hypersaline with water discharge from desalination plants, reclamation and dredging, industrial and sewage effluents, and oil pollution. We are trying to curb damage resulting from desalination water discharge as well as protect the fresh water resources available in Bahrain by reducing the abstraction rate. The water capacity available to ((EWA)) is around 186 Million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), almost all is produced by desalination with the fresh water resources i.e. ground water abstraction levels reduced to almost zero in September 2016, as depicted in the chart above, in order to preserve these precious resources. A high level Ministerial Committee ((The Water Resources Council – WRC)) headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, is actively pursuing a wide range of initiatives that will yield better protection of the available water resources and a unified water strategy is being developed at the moment to ensure safe, secure and sustainable water resources for the Kingdom. The council focal works is intended to achieve: Re-establishing proper coordination between the entities responsible for water, namely EWA, the Ministry of works (Treated Sewage Effluent - TSE) and Municipalities and Urban planning (Ground water resources). Development of an integrated water institutional framework. Development of legal instruments and higher level water policies which will contribute to better water security and thus safeguarding environmental degradation and conserving biodiversity. Ensuring long term availability of water for future generations. Reinforcing cooperation with the neighbouring countries Protection of the environment and ensuring sustainable development. Incorporating biodiversity assessment into the legal system and implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
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People & Culture
Investing in Bahrain Interview with Suha Karzoon, CFO of Mumtalakat. By Dhanyasree M of operations in the Kingdom is at a lower cost when compared to others in the region, with the added attraction of highly skilled local workforce and liberal business environment for the investors in the region. Mumtalakat seeks out investment opportunities both on an international as well as on a regional level. While we are commercially focused, we pay specific attention to investments that may have a “Bahrain angle.” What we mean by Bahrain angle is the investment opportunity that has its own merit but whose service or sector knowledge can also be brought to the Kingdom. For example, we established Mueller Middle East for the construction of the first copper tube manufacturing facility in Bahrain as a joint venture. The idea was first developed as a result of our strong investment relationships and now it is on its construction phase. What Mumtalakat brings to the equation is the promise of a partner who is also an active participant. We are not financiers per se. When we look at investment opportunities, apart from the commercial attractiveness of the opportunity, we also scrutinize the company’s corporate governance practices and it is important to us that when we partner with companies, our partners hold the same values that we do.
Suha Karzoon
S
uha Karzoon, CFO of Mumtalakat has made it to the Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen for the third consecutive year. Gulf Insider asked her some penetrating questions about her the insights on the investments sector in the Kingdom.
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How do international investors consider Bahrain and what factors impact their decision? The Kingdom of Bahrain, is an attractive prospect to international companies because of the unique positioning of the country that allows residing companies to be able to service the region as a whole. The cost
As the CFO of Mumtalakat, you oversee the financial planning and outcomes of its diverse portfolio. Please share some highlights about the role. Since I first entered the finance field, 20 years ago, the role of a CFO has changed and evolved over time. The traditional CFO’s role was to manage the financial compliance and financial
People & Culture
reporting of predominately historical data that is more financial in nature. However, the present day stakeholders, shareholders and investors are savvier and demand more than a pure financial perspective when looking at the company’s performance. They are interested in understanding the value proposition that any company brings to the table like-What ‘ value add’ does the company bring to the industry? How does the company plan to grow and what plans does it have in place to get there? What are risks
commitment towards gender equality and the promotion of women to leadership positions. Do you believe that gender equality is still an issue to be addressed in the business sector of the Kingdom? Women represent 32% of the total private sector workforce in Bahrain according to the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) data. There have been significant strides in promoting equal opportunities in the Kingdom mainly driven by the various programs undertaken by the SCW under the leadership of HRH Princess Sabeeka
While there has been significant progress particularly in comparison to neighboring countries in the MENA region, there is still some way to go.
Who deserves your greatest acknowledgment for supporting you in your journey? In my case, I would like to mention first and foremost my father, God bless his soul who instilled in me the belief that there are no limits to what I can achieve. Secondly I have been fortunate
In this scenario, the present day CFO cannot focus purely on the financial narrative, but is required to outline the company’s story and its impact on the business environment in general. facing the company and its plans to mitigate crises? We ask ourselves-what value does the company bring to the community it operates in? What CSR activities does it get involved in? What are the environmental impacts of the company’s operations and how does it fulfill its responsibilities towards preserving the environment? etc. In this scenario, the present day CFO cannot focus purely on the financial narrative, but is required to outline the company’s story and its impact on the business environment in general. This is a significant shift from when I started in the industry, and I must say is a welcome one.
Your success (being placed in the Forbes’ list) is considered as Mumtalakat’s
Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Globally, less than 1/3 of senior and middle management positions are held by women. Female representation in the work place or in leadership positions is not a “social issue” but one of purely business sense. When more women work, economies grow. Studies have shown time and time again that increased diversity in the workplace and on the Boards of Directors results in improved organizational effectiveness. According to UN estimates, companies with three or more women in senior management functions, score higher in all dimensions. Gender diverse companies perform significantly better than their competition, have higher sales and greater return on capital and equity.
to work with a number of important leasers throughout my career over 20 years, who have challenged and entrusted me with their confidence in my abilities. Finally and most importantly, I owe my husband. There are times when I may drop the ball on some of my personal responsibilities and those are the times my husband’s support becomes invaluable.
One personal question: Do you have any free time during your busy schedule? If yes, what are your favorite activities outside the business? I’m a voracious reader. So any free time I can spare, you will find me in a quiet corner in the house, lost in a book.
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People & Culture
GLOBAL SHAPERS COMMUNITY MANAMA
Manama Shapers Interview with Sabeeka Al-Shamlan, Programme Analyst for the UNDP
W
hat does your role as a Program Analyst for the UNDP entail?
In my capacity as a Programme Analyst at the UNDP I work closely with different ministries and governmental entities providing technical support to achieve national priorities and address challenges. I support and manage projects that enables the national entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain and monitor their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). My work is specifically in areas related to energy, environment, sustainable growth and gender.
Please tell us about your experience in social work, coaching and training. How has this developed your passion for Social Entrepreneurship? During my work in different NGO’s in Bahrain and Jordan, I found my passion for social development. My experience later as a coach and trainer in BDB, interacting with entrepreneurs on a daily basis made me realize the crucial role that entrepreneurship plays in providing pioneering solutions to our most pressing social issues. Today, we look
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I support and manage projects that enables the national entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain and monitor their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. at social entrepreneurs as a main driver towards achieving the SDGs.
Your volunteer experiences focus on youth and women empowerment. Can you tell us how you would like to contribute more in this sector? As I worked closely with youth and women in Bahrain and Amman, I understand that the development of youth and women will drive the
community to progress and grow. I am working on developing a social initiative that would contribute to women empowerment and youth development, providing spaces for young girls to express themselves and expand on their potential.
Why did you join Manama Global Shapers? To be surrounded by young passionate shapers, who are dedicated to the social and economic development of Bahrain. Being surrounded by such enthusiastic youth assures me that no matter what challenges we are facing, having the right talent and capacity will enable us to overcome them. I also find the Hub a perfect place to execute initiatives that raises awareness on sustainable development and social entrepreneurship.
Do you still have any free time? If so, how do you spend it? I am in love with words! I always make sure to dedicate time for reading and writing. I also love traveling and enjoy the amusing feeling of walking in new cities, and I love playing football and calisthenics.
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People & Culture
In-flight connectivity Interview with Ben Griffin, MEA Regional Director, Inmarsat Aviation
I
nmarsat Aviation has been raising the standard for aviation connectivity. Where do you see the company in two to five years’ time?
The near term future is bright for Inmarsat – significant growth in our aviation business over the past few years indicates this and we believe it shows no signs of letting up. We believe this high growth in our aviation business will continue over the medium term. As communications technology has developed and connectivity has become ubiquitous in day-to-day life, today’s airline passengers are demanding onboard connectivity services of the same high quality that they are used to experiencing on the ground. To satisfy this demand, our global high-speed connectivity solution, GX Aviation, went into commercial service earlier this year, and the European Aviation Network, an integrated satellite and ground network designed for Europe’s busy skies, is due to go live later this year. The next two to five years at Inmarsat Aviation will be focused on our goals to bring the opportunity of high-speed connectivity to every flight path in the world and revolutionise passenger experience for the better. We’re making fast and steady progress, with many of the world’s leading airlines including Qatar Airways, Deutsche Lufthansa Group, International Airlines Group, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Singapore Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle already in the process of adopting our services.
Let’s talk about seamless service— something that customers clamour for. How does Inmarsat set up aviation connectivity with seamless service? There’s nothing worse than an interrupted connectivity experience, no 40
Gulf Insider September 2017
Ben Griffin
The next two to five years at Inmarsat Aviation will be focused on our goals to bring the opportunity of highspeed connectivity to every flight path in the world.
matter where you are. Buffering while watching a video, or a slow-loading web-page can be frustrating, which leads to dissatisfied consumers – regardless of the market. From the very conception of GX Aviation our intention was to deliver global service that built upon our reputation for robustness and reliability. We designed a network and specified an aircraft terminal that continuously communicate and are able to cross satellite boundaries without loss of signal – much in the same way a GSM phone roams from one cell tower to the next without the user noticing any difference. All of this was intended to maintain the best possible user experience. The main factor which differentiates the quality of our service compared to other offerings on the market is that, unlike most of our competitors which lease capacity from the Fixed-Satellite Service industry, we fully own and operate our entire satellite network. GX Aviation is world’s first global, highspeed inflight broadband service from a single operator, and as we own the network, we can dynamically direct capacity to the busiest and densest airspaces as well as ensure connectivity in more remote flight paths. As a network owner, we are also able to offer a contractually defined Guaranteed Data Rate to each user. Our network management system allocates bandwidth dynamically based on demand, so we can promise that the guaranteed rate will be met for all passengers, at all times.
The whitepaper report has shown that high speed connectivity benefits business aviation. Do you see this becoming the new standard for airlines? Our survey found that 47% of business travellers agree with the
People & Culture
statement “I feel like I am wasting my time because I don’t have Wi-Fi inflight”. When business flyers have access to Wi-Fi, they use it for both business and non-business reasons: 42% of inflight connectivity users on business flights use it to browse the internet, 38% visit social networks, 30% use email, for example. As more business flyers experience the possibilities that access to high-speed connectivity can bring, it will become a standard requirement for them when choosing an airline.
How will inflight connectivity change the future of aviation? As our world evolves digitally, there is an increased reliance on apps and the data that drives these apps. Having the data flow constant and reliable is improving passenger experience, satisfaction and loyalty. For passengers, the ability to remain online during a flight is improving their inflight experience. Our recent passenger survey found that more than half (56%) of business travellers who have previously used inflight Wi-Fi believe it greatly improved their inflight experience.
Inflight connectivity also provides airlines with endless possibilities for maximising on each passenger’s time in the sky. Transforming the duty-free cart into an online marketplace, or providing platforms for passengers to book onward travel and holiday excursions while still in the air, are just two examples of how inflight connectivity will drive ancillary revenues for airlines in the future.
Going further, how can inflight connectivity transform the economics of business aviation? Business aviation customers expect to have the same experience with in-flight Wi-Fi as they do on the ground, and so aircraft choice will be increasingly driven by the availability of these services in the future. Typically, users of private aircraft demand far higher service levels and availability of service – so in this sector it’s even more critical for robust service that these passengers can rely on all of the time, all over the globe The four major business jet manufacturers, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream and Bombardier, all now
offer Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX service, the only global high-speed Wi-Fi option available for business jets and provided through Inmarsat as the single operator, as a line-fit option on their aircraft.
Inmarsat is also the only aviation broadband provider capable of connecting the complete aircraft from cabin to cockpit, this is a segment leading feature. How do you plan to capitalize on this in terms of commercial aviation? Connectivity is transforming both the cabin and the cockpit. Connectivity in the cabin is improving passenger experience by allowing passengers to work and enjoy entertainment while in the air, while connectivity in the cockpit is revolutionising flight deck technology to offer secure, real-time safety and operational services to pilots. While many IFC providers are able to connect the cockpit, Inmarsat is the only single provider that can connect the entire aircraft including safety services, and this gives us a commercial advantage in the market. The safety services, including Air Traffic Control messaging and communication is governed by a very different set of compliance and capability to connectivity in the cabin – you’ll be pleased to know! Opting for a single provider is an appealing prospect for airlines seeking to provide a seamless service across the whole aircraft, from passenger entertainment to safety and operations.
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People & Culture
saudi’s little america A frontier of American life in Saudi, Aramco offers a more “familiar” atmosphere to Americans who live and work there.
M
uch of the world’s oil comes from Saudi Arabia, and it now accounts for 92% of the country’s budget. It began in the 1930s, when Standard Oil of California began breaking ground for oil in the country. Working with the Saudi government, SOCAL agreed
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to employ Saudi nationals within the country, “as far as practicable,” as the contract stated. As American geologists began to also work on the site, they found their new life in Saudi Arabia was foreign to them in many ways. In response, the company, whose name was changed in the 1980s to Saudi Arabian Oil
Company — or Saudi ARAMCO — built a compound that imitated the look and feel of an American suburb. There, Americans working for Saudi ARAMCO could raise their families in a more familiar setting. Photographer Ayesha Malik was born and raised inside the Saudi ARAMCO community in the 1990s, and her new book, “ARAMCO:
People & Culture
Above the Oil Fields,” explores her experience there. The compound is called Dhahran, and it’s a 22.5-square-mile gated community built specifically for Saudi ARAMCO employees and their families. In an interview featured inside the book, Malik reflects on the positive experience she had growing up inside Dhahran. “The Americans did not come to colonize,” she said. “They came to work, on Saudi Arabia’s terms, and they stayed because the company provided them with the comforts of home, and along the way, they also developed this warmth and love toward the comforts of Saudi Arabia.” “It isn’t just the American thing that makes this place so memorable. It is the Saudi thing and so much more, this graceful meeting place of the familiar and something you can’t quite explain,” she said. Archival photos from Malik’s childhood are also included in the book. Here, she poses after her dance recital. Malik also noted that life was different for women inside the community when compared to women outside. Saudi Arabia is notorious for its restrictions on women’s freedoms. “The fact that in Saudi Arabia, in this place, we can wear what we want in public, and drive — it
Holding flowers after a ballet recital
Those who live there often refer to themselves as “Aramcons.” is a different world,” she said. Although Malik’s father has since retired from the company, she took portraits of those currently working there.
“The retirement age for the company is 60. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part, 60 years old is the age for retiring. Most people leave the country on an exit visa, and it is rare for anyone to return,” she said. Malik has a nostalgic attachment to Dhahran. “I can look at something in the States and say that reminds me of home in Saudi Arabia. People look at me confused,” she said.
Families by the pond at sunset - Ayesha Malik Gulf Insider September 2017
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People & Culture
One year of
Brave Combat Federation Numbers and stories of a promotion born for success.
O
ne year ago, a new chapter in the history of Mixed Martial Arts started being written. Brave Combat Federation was officially launched in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the strong leadership of CEO Mohammad Shahid, the first 12 months of Brave CF were absolutely remarkable. “Honestly, we are not that focused on these round numbers. This is something cabalistic and our focus is solely on the goals. We said it one year ago and I repeat it now: Brave CF and KHK MMA came to change the face of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, we are already doing it, and that’s our real parameter”, says Shahid. Despite the words of the president, the numbers certainly backed up his speech. Within only 365 days, Brave CF grew from a new player to an established force in the MMA market, promoting 8 fight nights in 6 different countries, an unprecedented achievement in the industry.
Growth supported by the media Another aspect of Brave Combat 44
Gulf Insider September 2017
Federation stand-out performance is media coverage. For this purpose, an aggressive expansion strategy was fundamental. “We planned to do what has never been done before. To grow more than any other promotion in history in terms of media exposure and coverage”, Shahid stated.
Bahrain will be the center of the MMA world”. Inside the cage The massive structural and logistics effort would be in vain, though, if the reason to be of an MMA promotion, the fights, didn’t deliver the expected. Thankfully for Brave CF and the fans that wasn’t the case. One of the most impressive features among the fights numbers is the finishing-ratio of 68%. Which means that two out of three fights ended via stoppage. More importantly, international stars were made, with names like
Mohammad Fakhreddine, Carl Booth, Ottman Azaitar, Lucas Mineiro, and Gurdarshan Mangat being elevated to stardom and becoming fan-favorites.
The future What does the future reserve for Brave CF? President Mohammad Shahid has it very clear in his mind. “We will keep working to be the best promotion in the world. And note that I’ve used the word best. Because that’s our competition. We are in the business of giving value to the fighters and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. And that is our path for the next years”, he guaranteed. Brave International Combat Week is scheduled for November, with the much-anticipated return of Brave CF to the Kingdom of Bahrain alongside the IMMAF World Championship. “Brave International Combat Week will be the great landmark of the upcoming year for Brave CF”, Shahid commented. “It will be a stacked fight card, with many side activities, and the amateur world championships taking place during the fight week. I mean, it doesn’t get any bigger than that. Bahrain will be the center of the MMA world”.
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 Nashaba 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
People & Culture
royal decree Saudi king orders that women no longer need a man’s permission to travel, study or make police complaints.
S
audi Arabia to give women more control over their life choices by relaxing male guardian system is welcomed as another small step for women in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is well known to be one of the world’s most gender-segregated nations, where women live under the supervision of a male guardian, cannot drive, and must wear head-to-toe black garments in public. Women need approval from a man to travel, study and get some health treatments. But local media recently reported that King Salman has issued an order allowing women to benefit from government services such as education and healthcare without the consent of a male guardian. 46
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King Salman has issued an order allowing women to benefit from government services This means women could, in some circumstances, study and access hospital treatment, work in the public and private sector and represent themselves in court without a guardian’s consent, according to Maha Akeel, a women’s rights campaigner and a director at the Jeddah-based
Organization of Islamic Cooperation. She said: ‘Now at least it opens the door for discussion on the guardian system. The order made by King Salman is the latest in a series of steps to include more women in the workforce to help diversify the country’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil. The trend started in 2011 when the late King Abdullah allowed women onto the government advisory Shura Council. Women can now vote in municipal elections, work in some retail and hospitality jobs and were allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time in 2012. But Saudi Arabia was still ranked 141 of 144 countries in the 2016 Global Gender Gap, a World Economic
People & Culture
YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Daisy Ipatzi Bello
Good. Stop seeing women like second class humans.
Ping Agtarap ·
That’ll be a great start for Saudi women.
Chikee Bautista · Working at Hamad Medical Corporation Woohoo ,maybe more change is coming, but anyway congrats!
Musa Ali
Saudi Arabia is slowly accepting American rules and policies. But this is not freedom. In Islam, women are given respect; but when we start accepting open-minded policies like this, just think of what will happen to Islamic culture.
Karen Phillips
Women can now vote in municipal elections, work in some retail and hospitality jobs and were allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time in 2012. Forum study on how women fare in economic and political participation, health and education. The system of male guardianship, which requires women to obtain permission from a father, husband, or son to travel, study or marry is an impediment to realising women’s rights, say rights groups. Akeel said: ‘Male guardianship is un-Islamic and humiliating for women. ‘Some (men) take advantage of this male guardianship for their own benefit and abuse it.’
Sounds good, but only if it is actually put into practice and not stunted by some religious edict from a head Imam. Wait and see before getting too enthusiastic.
Rachelle C. MinguilloGregory · Management at Grand Hyatt Dubai
Women in Saudi will have opportunities to discover their talents and skills to help their country more.
Firman Burke ·
Ela Orlowski
The reason? To add women to the workforce to benefit the Saudi economy away from fossil fuel. The controlling attitude has not changed!!!
Philip Perry
Massive step for the King to take. Respect to him. Even if there is still a long way to go!
Abdul Rahim Awang
Wow! This coming from the cradle of Islam. 1438 years ago Islam liberated women and granted them rights - choice of marriage, ability to divorce from an unreasonable husband, remarry, gain custody of kids, get maintenance support, inheritance, education and have a job. The rest of the world followed suit over the last 100 years or so. Today, year 2017, Saudi Arabia is following the rest of the world. See the irony?
Kevin Punding
It would be nice if the king decided upon this because of ethical considerations, rather than economic necessity.
Jo Rae Dahl
As a visitor to your country I am happy for my Saudi friends.
I always knew that the Saudi government wanted to introduce these steps little by little. The next step will be women driving! Gulf Insider September 2017
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People & Culture
Bahraini lady beats man with shoe after he ‘made lewd advances’ in Dubai mall
A
Bahraini woman beat a man with her shoe after he stopped her in a mall in Dubai and asked her for sex, she told the Dubai Court of First Instance this week. The 28-year-old Algerian man, who was visiting Dubai, has been jailed for six months for molesting the woman and cursing at her in public. The woman, a Bahraini lawyer, 43, was walking around the mall when the man asked her to stop and allegedly propositioned her, Gulf News reported. “He called out to me saying ‘please … please stop’. I ignored him and continued walking. Then he called me again and I stopped. He told me that he wanted to get to know me and have sex with me … I took off my slipper and hit him… Thereafter I filmed him with my mobile and then he ran away,” she said. According to the ruling, the accused, who entered a not guilty plea, will be deported after serving his jail term.
YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Jane Bel-ida Madjos
Ooopsss...pervert in the mall, you messed with a lawyer. Even ordinary ladies should know how to defend themselves against these idiots who think woman are just for sex! 6 months in jail is not enough.
Arlene Rose Well done
JJJ
Simone Julie
I salute you madame for your quick action....Bravo
Junaid Kodil
Astaghfirullah... Astaghfirullah... He should be deported immediately.....
Christopher Naude Creative :)
George Jacob
And he tasted the Bahraini treatment !!
Ahmed Mustajib Khan
Well, this may be politically incorrect to say, but direct physical assault is not an appropriate response to verbal advances, it may lead to situations going 48
Gulf Insider September 2017
from bad to worse, e.g. “The other party starts physical actions”. The first response should be an assertive denial and caution for further action.
Khaled Jackson
6 months? That’s a little too much time I’m Muslim I have sisters but he should have just been bashed and deported. Not served Gaol time.
July Nodalo
Please read and understand before making comments. As I read the story the victim here is the Bahraini lady and the man deserves the court verdict.
Bex McCabe
What is this world coming to when you can’t even shop without being harassed? The staring and comments from men is bad enough. Geez!
Domnic Savio Viegas
Well done! Such stupid men need to learn a lot.
People & Culture
Ask
Each month we will be putting a legal problem to consultant Ali Al Jabal to answer.
This month -
ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENT AJ Question: I have been sentenced to 5 months of imprisonment. During this time I was informed about a new alternative penal code and would like to know more about the same. Can you clarify the following? What
is alternative punishment? will be the alternative punishments that should be served for imprisonment? Will I benefit in anyway if I opt for alternative punishment? How could I get the benefit of alternative penalty?
What
AJ Answer: The alternative penalties code has been promulgated last month and enforceable from the 21st of July. Sentences for a criminal conviction can take many forms, and a conviction doesn’t always mean a trip to jail or prison. Alternative punishment means the courts can punish someone, convicted of committing an offence, other than the custodial sentence (serving a prison term) or capital punishment (death). The benefit of the penalty is reserved for those offences which are punishable with an imprisonment up to one year. The alternative penalties include; 1. Community service 2. Residence in a specific place 3. Prohibiting access to a specific place or places 4. Undertaking not to be exposed or to contact certain persons or entities 5. Person will be subject to electronic observation 6. Attend trainings and qualification programs 7. Repairing damage caused by crime With reference to your third question, you will benefited from the law by submitting a request to an Execution Judge for getting permission to replace or change the penalty with one of the alternative penalties. However the implementation process is yet to be published except with reference to the community service. The community service was implemented from 2008 onwards. Accordingly, you can request to change your penalty with community service.
A full service law firm for Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, founded in 1995 by Mr Ali Al Jabal
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 September 2017
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People & Culture
Gulf Insider bloggers Ryan Ernst - Affectionately known as the “Tony
Stark of Bahrain� is an Enterprise Secuirty Consultant at Sword & Shield. www.sworshield.com
Mia Ash: Cyber Warfare Honey Trap Sex is, and frankly always was, a weapon of great influence. In the old days of espionage, spy agencies would utilize seduction to lure their target into giving sensitive information or place themselves into a compromising position for extortion purposes.
Read more.....
Sawsan Abu Omar, MCIPR PR & Communications Professional www.sawsanabuomar.com contact@sawsanabuomar.com
Public Relations + Sports = Goals! Sports. One of the hottest and most popular sensational topics literally wherever you go. But why would I talk about sports when my expertise revolves around PR and communications? Obviously because at this time and age, and after sports has evolved to a multi-billion dollar industry, PR has naturally become part of this international trend.
Read more.....
Khalid Al Quod is the CEO of Al Quod Enterprises, a public speaker, and a philanthropist. www.khalidalquod.com
Managing Change in Business In order to be successful, organizations must be able to adapt to change. Even small changes experienced within an organization can have a significant impact, so it is important to carefully consider various issues and act in a manner that best suits the organization.
Read more.....
To Read Full Story visit us at www.Gulf-Insider.com/Bloggers 50
Gulf Insider September 2017
Paradise, just a few hours away...
Dutch Bay Resorts, Sri Lanka
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People & Culture
What will we do when
the expats leave? A Saudi social commentator asks the million-dollar question. By Tariq A. Al-Maeena
W
hat will happen when all the expats leave? Will we lose all our colorful diversity? Are we up to the task? Will we ever be? Very demanding questions on an untried national society that has long been accustomed to letting foreigners do all the work. With the dependent tax increasing annually, it is sure to challenge the most arduous of expats who want to stay here and keep their families and loved ones close to them. But will the
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At the beginning of 2019, foreigners will not be able to afford high electricity, water and gasoline bills. increasing hit on their pocketbooks finally take over?
In this context, I received an interesting perspective into one potential scenario. Titled “Post 2017 readings�, it delves into what may be, what could be. Economic experts predict that the economic crisis experienced by Saudi Arabia due to the decline in international oil prices and the war in the region will cause huge changes in the population structure in the Kingdom. The most important of these is the departure of two million foreigners by the first quarter of 2018, who cannot cope with the large fees
People & Culture
imposed by the Kingdom on foreign dependents. Some 2.5 million foreigners are expected to leave by the end of 2018, most of them single-family workers, who will find it difficult to cope with the cost of living. Other fees and taxes that the state may seek to impose on them will be raised simultaneously with subsidies on fuel, electricity, cooking gas, bread, baby milk and medicines. With the beginning of July 2019, the majority of foreigners remaining in the Kingdom will be those with high salaries and families of not more than four members. Of course, this reverse migration will affect several commercial sectors in the Kingdom, the first of which are the companies involved with nutrition and catering, some of which may collapse completely if they cannot withstand the economic shock in the first two years (2017-2018). The impact from the first half of 2018 will be on the real estate market and rents are expected to fall to 50% from now or less, followed by transport and relocation companies, airlines, construction companies and car dealerships. The impact of the economic situation will not be limited to foreign expatriates but will extend to Saudi families themselves, who will seek to transfer their children from private schools to public schools to reduce costs, look for cheaper housing with less advantages, or move from villas to apartments. There will also be a stockpile of new vehicles in the agencies, the used car market will rebound and prices will fall. The impact of the crisis at the end of 2018 will extend to the electronics, smartphones, tablets, computers, luxury, service, maintenance and operation sectors. Hundreds of companies and institutions will be forced to withdraw from the market and close. This will lead to an increase in the pace of foreigners leaving and ending their contracts. At the beginning of 2019, foreigners will not be able to afford high electricity, water and gasoline bills. They will be subsidized for citizens only. Foreigners will look for exits and solutions such as renting homes with Saudis or transferring ownership of their cars to citizens. Dozens and perhaps hundreds of branches of foreign private restaurants and shops will be closed with depressed markets and fewer customers. By the end of 2019, consumers are expected to buy more used phones, petty crime and domestic problems will rise, and the number of Saudi women working in businesses will increase. People will begin to partially adjust to the situation by the beginning of 2020 and Saudis will have to work in a lot of areas and activities they have never worked in. There will be a huge gap between the market and the consumer. This is but one perspective, yet one that borders on reality given the current projections. I have often been asked what I would do differently. My answer? Allow long-term and worthy expats to apply for citizenship or grant them permanent residency. The colorful diversity and economic muscle of this society would be greatly enhanced.
The author can be reached at talmaeena@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @talmaeena
YOUR COMMENTS: The top comments posted on our website & Facebook page for this article. We reserve the right to edit comments for clarity and/or brevity. Rammi Mokha
At least there will be jobs for nationals.
Cez Richards
Exactly...Nationals will be able to learn to Cook.. Clean..Chauffeur...drive Refuse Trucks and other forms of manual Labour.... Gardening..Pool cleaning... Child Minding...Nanny.. Nursing...Domestic....Office Cleaner..Road sweeper.. Painter and Decorator ..Plumber..Electrician... The list is endless.... Loads of vacancies and jobs to be had...
Tracy Clarke
And all their hard earned money will go unused as they will now be doing laborers’ jobs as all Indians will leave and Filipinos.... and the expats that are earning higher salaries will start banking their money in their own countries as it will get better interest in investments there....
Andy Siddiqi
A salary delayed IS salary denied. Pay all expats on time; every time and Treat them with respect and they might, just might stay. Inday Langga Bagtasos · Having hands and legs you can do such things. Take note : if expatriates can DO it why CAN’T YOU?
Mallika Mallika
Very true. Hehehehe
Dilshad Mastan Branch Manager at Lulu International Exchange, Bahrain
“Allow long-term and worthy expats to apply for citizenship or grant them permanent residency. The colorful diversity and economic muscle of this society would be greatly enhanced.” Well said.
Gail Baker Interesting perspective! Wassu Ansari Works at Saudi Marketing I’m scared the situation is going to be more difficult in the future.
Cory N Veronica Twarog Don’t worry all will be just fine once all of the expat workers leave. Keep doing what the Kingdom always has done. Maafi mushkila.
Zuber Ahmed
I am waiting to see those days.
Ajay Katoch
The future in GCC countries is very bleak.
Jane Bel-ida Madjos
But their mentality is different. It goes like this.. If others can do it, then let them do it. hehe
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People & Culture
Expat News Saudi Arabia’s vision for future has little space for Indian workers For quite some time, Saudi Arabia is trying to diversify its economy to reduce dependence on oil; under a plan called Vision 2030, which calls for the development of non-oil industries and broad-basing investment. In April, Saudi labor ministry barred foreigners from working in Saudi Arabia’s numerous shopping malls. Saudi Arabia also has plans to slap an expat levy on employers, which will encourage employers to hire more Saudis than foreign workers. This will not only limit opportunities for Indian workers in Saudi but also hit their savings—expat levy will come when the country is also going to impose a 5% value-added tax. Visa restrictions will hit the Indians hardest who form the majority of migrant workers. There are 3 million Indians, 2.5 million Pakistanis, 2.2 million Egyptians, 1.4 million Yemenis and 1.2 Bengalis in the Saudi kingdom, according to the Saudi daily Okaz.
Expat workers stranded in Sohar will get NOC, company says Stranded workers in Sohar will get No Objection Certificates (NOCs), an official from the company that failed to pay them for months said on Monday. Some 800 workers were left unpaid for months and complained to the ministry and the Indian Embassy to help. Workers said they were about to be kicked out of their lodgings and were forced to exist on basic white rice as the company had failed to pay salaries since April. The latest update on this story is that the workers themselves have confirmed that they have been promised NOCs so that they can stay and work in Oman. “The Indian Embassy and Ministry of Manpower are working very hard so that we can get an NOC as soon as possible and join other companies,” a worker said, adding that they may start getting the NOCs from the company as early as this week.
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Kuwait: poor priced out of health– expats to suffer From the month of October, the majority of expatriates in Kuwait will not be able to afford healthcare services in the country, due to the new system of fees to be implemented by Ministry of Health. Government agencies have about 100,000 expatriates, most of who receive average salaries ranging from KD 250 and KD 400, making them the largest segment that is vulnerable to the pressures of the new health charges. With the application of new fees, which have risen by 100 to 1,000 percent, there are growing fears that the labor market will be affected. If skilled workers face health problems that cannot be treated due to their financial constraints, it is expected for a large portion of them to seek other labor markets.
Last Word
The art of productive
laziness
T
he other day I had a drink with a friend who is one of the busiest people I know. For years she has been holding down a big job in a big organisation, dealing with an exhusband, assorted children and decrepit parents. But six months ago something happened to her. She fell in love and wanted to spend every spare minute with her new man. The trouble was she did not have even minutes to spare and so rather than make further inroads into the time she devoted to her children, she started working less — much less. Because she is senior enough to control her schedule, she gets in to the office later. She leaves earlier. She has stopped going to most meetings. She no longer sends emails in the evenings or at weekends. She avoids networking events. Instead of having lunches with contacts, she sees her boyfriend instead. Last week I asked her what the cost of all this slacking had been to her career. None, she said, a triumphant gleam in her eye. Instead, she had had her best six months ever, her biggest
We need the clever version that comes from knowing there is an opportunity cost to every minute we spend working, so we use our time wisely. bonus and an even larger job had been dangled in front of her. I speculated that the happiness of love must be the reason. It had made her feel invincible; life has the unfair way of offering great things to people when they are already on a roll. Nonsense, she replied. She has simply discovered that less is more. She has become lazier, which has made her much more focused. She spends time only on the things that really matter, and everything else, she either does not do at all, or
delegates to someone else. This experience has led her to a new theory of success that says laziness is good. It is only by being lazy that we become truly efficient, and come to see what is important and what is not. The trouble is that we try too hard. We make ourselves martyrs to industriousness, and far from that being our secret advantage, it is our undoing. If only we were lazier we would do better. Not only is she right, her theory is thrillingly seditious. “Lean in�, says the corporate queen, Sheryl Sandberg, while every big name CEO warns their acolytes that if they do not like getting up at 4am and doing their emails while on the rowing machine, they are not going to make it to the top. My friend is not the first person to see the wrongness in this. Just to be clear: the sort of laziness to encourage is not the slobbish variety that means you do bad work. That is not laziness: it is stupidity. Instead, we need the clever version that comes from knowing there is an opportunity cost to every minute we spend working, so we use our time wisely.
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People & Culture
what’s happening Domain Staff Party!
Mashroo3i Youth Biz Awards Expo
Tamkeen launched a two-day exhibition to exhibit the business prototypes of Mashroo3i’s finalists at the Seef Mall, West Wing.
The Domain Hotel’s annual staff party was filled with smiles and good cheer.
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Aster Clinic Inauguration
Inauguration of the new Dermatology Department of the Aster Clinic Bahrain in Sanad.
People & Culture
Volvo XC60 Launch
Motorcity unveils new Volvo XC60 in a press conference at the Capital Club.
Indian Independence Week Indian Independence Week Celebration took place at Al Areen Palace & Spa’s Saffron Restaurant.
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