Gulf Insider - May 2017

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Contents May 2017 Issue 148

12 14

20

44 Facebook Followers

180,231

32

34

36

44

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

Style

7 Ways to spot fake designer goods

Health

Legendary Strength

Hotel

Ramadan at Art Rotana

Travel

Holiday Cruise

Affairs

Saudi Arabia’s Dilemma

Motors

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport

Art

Abandoned Dubai

…and many, many more

Comment...

Knowledge is power

Dear Reader,

Publisher & Editor in Chief

- Nicholas C. Cooksey

Editorial

- Ainne Frances dela Cruz

Regular Contributors

- Hugh Haskell-Thomas - Nicholas Cortes - Bill Daly

Guest Contributors

- Sawsan Abu Omar - Mohammed Shukri - Ryan Ernst - Michael Houghton

Layout Designs

- Dhanraj S

Admin & Finance

- Nikesh Pola

Photography

- Shareef Panhatt - Yulia Trubnikova

Distribution Executives

- Mohammed Yousif - Muhammed Shareef - Rafnaj K P

Greetings and welcome to another issue of Gulf Insider.

As we move towards Ramadan, we explore the various ways that religion has intertwined with society in Saudi Arabia’s Dilemma. We also give you some suggestions on what to do this Ramadan. As always, our Motors section is chok-full of information and news on the latest cars and technology. We have recently launched the new and revamped Gulf Insider news website and the results have been outstanding. As of now, we have had 200,000 views on the website, which is linked to our Facebook page and as always we cover interesting features and relevant information not found on these pages.

For Advertising Opportunities Call

Yulia Trubnikova

M. +973 3678 8748

We are happy to have you as a reader of Gulf Insider.

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Wishing you all a great month ahead!

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148

Issue

knowledge is power

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

KSA SR20

147

knowledge is power

Issue

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

Walt Disney World Fraud is out of control

+ Inside Gold Coast Adventure Saudis on having fun Mercedes-Benz Review

bahrain goes from oil to non-oil based economy

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Complimentary Copy

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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.

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

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Events

Day & Night BSPCA Designer Sale When: 6th May 2017 Where: BSPCA Shop The BSPCA will be holding its famous May Designer Sale once again! This one day sale will be a thrill for all fashionistas and animal lovers as proceeds will go to the BPSPCA shelter and to fund the free CNR scheme for cats and dogs.

One day only! 1pm to 5pm.

Visit bspca.org

1st Arab Championship & 1st GCC Cup for Indoor Skydiving When: 11th to 12th May 2017 Where: Gravity Indoor Skydiving Gravity Indoor Skydiving hosts the 1st Arab Championship and 1st GCC Cup in association with the Arab Air Sports Federation and Bahrain Air Sports Federation. This is the biggest competition Gravity has ever hosted and it’s bound to be spectacular. Flying has reached a whole new level of epicness!

Tel: +973 1310 0000 Visit gravitybah.com

New Look Expo When: 25th to 27th May 2017 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre The New Look Expo is one of the most powerful and popular exhibitions in Bahrain that offer amazing opportunities to know about new products on the market. This year’s lineup of exhibitors include organic cosmetics, fashion shops, chocolatiers, tea shops, and many more. You will definitely find a lot to see here.

Tel: +973 17 877 080 Vist fbh.net 8

Gulf Insider May 2017

The Property Show Bahrain When: 18th to 20th May 2017 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition Center This Mega Indian Property Fair will prove to be another awesome event with a showcase of Indian real-estate properties in many parts of the country.

Another reason to flock to the show is to get exclusive deals and networking opportunities.

Tel: +973 77100097 Visit: thepropertyshow.org

Events

Al Ghaffal Dhow Race

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

Justin Bieber live!

TagFest 2017

When: 6th May 2017

When: 12th May 2017

Where: Autism Rocks Arena

Where: Dubai World Trade Centre

“Beliebers” throughout the Arab world will be thrilled to know that Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber will perform in Dubai for one night only. As the only Middle Eastern stop on his Purpose world tour, this concert is sure to attract crowds from near and far across the region.

It’s the long-awaited Tagalog music festival the UAE’s Filipino community have been anticipating.

TagFest 2017 will take place in May, with the inaugural concert featuring leading Filipino Rock band Parokya Ni Edgar; award-winning Filipino rapper, Gloc 9; the gorgeous Marion Aunor; singer songwriter Ebe Dancel and alternative rockers Sandwich. It doesn’t need to be said, but book your tickets ASAP.

Tel. +9714 423 7980 Visit 117live.com/Justin-bieber

Tel. +971 4 439 0900 Visit tagfest.ae

Lammeh, the Luxury Exhibition When: 13th to 15th May 2017 Where: Dubai World Trade Centre The Lammeh Luxury Exhibition handpicks premium products for discerning shoppers to prepare for the run up to Ramadan and Eid. From beauty clinics to bridal wear, this annual event showcases exclusive collections in a bespoke, spacious setting at Sheikh Maktoum Hall. Discover gems from the finest collection of fashion and lifestyle goods from international brands as well as regional female entrepreneurs.

Tel. +971 4 454 7339 Visit lammeh.ae 10

Gulf Insider May 2017

When: 12th to 19th May 2017 Where: Burj Al Arab The Al Gaffal Dhow Race commemorates the early history of Dubai’s evolution into a trading port through the pearl divers. It is one of the most beautiful sailing races, as up to 100 traditional dhows with white sails glide through the water. Each dhow is 18.3 metres long, and from afar, the sight is magnificent.

Tel. +97143995777 Visit dimc.ae

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

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

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Style

HUBLOT

Roadshow passed by Bahrain Bahrain press and “Hublotistas” discovered the latest Hublot watch collections launched in Baselworld 2017.

H

ublot has accustomed its fans and collectors to its first, different and unique identity and products.

That is how every year, the Swiss brand succeeds in surprising the public with new, innovative and creative timepieces. Baselworld 2017 was no exception, as Hublot amazed once again with unforgettable watches, especially the star of the line up, the all-new Techframe Ferrari, in celebration of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary. The brand took its roadshow to the Middle East for the second year in a row to present its new collections, passing by Bahrain, where Hublotistas, collectors and press members were welcomed

by Dr. Abdul Qassim Shirazi, Managing Director of Bahrain Jewellery Centre, and Regional Director Hublot Middle East and Africa Marco Tedeschi.

The new watches unveiled were the latest Big Bang Ferrari limited editions, available in Titanium, King Gold and Carbon; the first-ever Techframe Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph -70 limited pieces for each version, to commemorate 70 years of Ferrari; the new MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis with an impressive 5-day power reserve; the Big Bang “One-Click” Italia Independent for ladies -with its velvet dial and straps; the Big Bang Unico Sapphire in a captivating blue and a riveting red; the transparent Spirit of Big Bang Sapphire; and the Spirit of Big Bang Moonphase 42mm which comes in four joyful colours.

Dr. Abdul Qasim Shirazi, Managing Director of Bahrain Jewellery Centre said Our Hublot fan base in Bahrain is constantly growing, and we have no doubt that the novelties will

attract both existing and new customers.”

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Gulf Insider May 2017

Style

Watch to Watch Each month, our publisher, Nick Cooksey, reviews a watch from his personal collection. This month he talks about his Rolex Explorer II watch.

Rolex Explorer II

I

find the Explorer 11 better looking than the more famous but similarly priced Submariner, or “Sub” as it’s commonly referred to by Rolex fans, as both watches sell for around $8,000 although the Sub holds its value better. I love how the blue luminous markers appear against the white face, and the orange GMT hand further ads to an overall sporty look. It comes in a 42mm all-brushed stainless steel case, which makes it slightly larger than the Sub, and is water resistant to 100 meters, which for most people’s needs, including mine, is more than deep enough.

This watch comes fitted with Rolex’s faithful and functional 3187 caliber which is accurate to about one second a day. The large orange GMT hand enables you to set the watch to also show the time in a different time zone using the 24-hour markers on the bezel. This can be a very useful function for the “international jet-setter”. I found it very handy when I was in Australia a couple of months ago and wanted to know the

time in the Middle East without having to constantly do a mental calculation.

This watch is far less common than the Sub. In seven years I’ve seen only two other people wearing an Explorer 11 compared to countless people – over a hundred – with a Sub (I also have a Sub by the way). This makes me like the watch even more.

The Explorer 11 was originally designed, decades ago, for adventurous types who did rugged things like climb mountains and needed a rugged, dependable, timepiece that wouldn’t let them down. This was before quartz watches and such people would today be more likely to wear a Casio G-Shock… or maybe even an Apple watch.

I have two complaints about this watch, but neither are ‘deal breakers’.

First complaint - it comes with the Rolex Oyster steel bracelet like the Sub, but unlike the Sub there is no quick adjustments that makes it easy to extend or reduce the bracelet during the day as your wrist expands

and contracts, making for a more comfortable wearing experience.

Why Rolex hasn’t extended the same function to the Explorer 11 I have no idea and is the reason I wear my watch on an ‘after-market’ strap.

My second complaint it is that after a couple of years the black markers on the bezel started to wear off - apparently this is not uncommon with the Explorer 11. With some of the numerals missing it made the bezel look messy. The Rolex dealership wanted to charge me a lot to replace and couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t happen again, so I simply removed the black from the remaining numerals and now prefer the look of the watch even more. It makes this watch even more uncommon.

I suppose another complaint could be that this watch for reasons I do not understand, does not hold its value as greatly as some other Rolex models, but I bought this watch used so benefitted from this market oddity.

Gulf Insider May 2017

13

Style

7 ways to

spot fake designer goods Before you buy any luxury designer product it pays to do your research so you know you are not buying a fake: you have to be very attentive to small details.

This brief short guide that will teach you how to choose the real thing.

1. Attention to details Every single item produced by any worldwide famous brand is very carefully checked for defects before its release. All of the stitches should be perfectly even, and there should be no loose threads or any other visual defects or imperfections. All genuine designer goods are handmade, so if sellers try to convince you that it’s just a manufacturing defect, don’t listen to their stories. There’s no such thing as a manufacturing defect for authentic handbags

2. Clasps, buttons, and zippers

3. Materials

Pay special attention to small things like metal clasps, buttons, zipper pulls, plates, and locks. Their quality should be perfect, and they will have a number or a name printed on them, which is another sign of quality and authenticity.

A famous brand doesn’t use rough leather. They use fine, high-quality materials only. Items with leather trim should not be oily or sticky. Materials can be soft and flexible, but they all maintain their shape no matter what.

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Gulf Insider May 2017

Style

5. Serial number A serial number is one of the most important marks of authenticity. The label with the number is sealed and attached in a special way, making it impossible to remove without damaging it. Fake items usually have the sticker with a number that has just been glued somewhere on the surface.

4. Brand names Sometimes we can be too much into the details, and we don’t even notice the main thing: the name of the brand. Surprisingly, fake items often have the brand names printed in different fonts, smudgy letters, or even with misspellings.

6. Packaging Keep in mind that an expensive designer item always has expensive packaging, often made of the most high-quality materials. The packaging should have no color defects whatsoever

7. Distinct characteristics Do a little research on the specific attributes of the chosen brand. Remember that each brand has its very own distinct characteristics.

For example, an authentic Prada item will never use a contrasting color for the lining compared to the exterior color.

One of the main things you should know about Prada is that they always use a perfectly matching color for lining and exterior material. As for Dior, look for their unique bright red lining with the brand logo woven throughout. A shiny, super silky lining is a bad sign.

Gulf Insider May 2017

15

People

GLOBAL SHAPERS COMMUNITY MANAMA

Manama Shapers

Interview with Lana Al Attar, Founder and CEO of Gudjuju

P

lease tell us more about Gudjuju.com and how you came up with the concept of your organization.

A life coaching course helped give me direction and perspective and it is there I found out that I love helping people that help other people. I would love to set up my own humanitarian relief organization, autism school, and pet shelter, I want to do it all, and at once. But realistically, what I am good at is technology so I thought I’ll technologically boost those individuals/organizations that already do amazing things. I practiced it long enough till I opened a company with the same concept. GudJuju means good magic, we are a digital agency that empowers good.

How can Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) make a difference in our world and in the lives of employees?

Think about this, people are expected to be good to other people, take care of the environment and be good for the society, why would this be any different for a company? A company’s sole purpose isn’t just generating money, it has a responsibility towards the world, the environment, its employees and 16

Gulf Insider May 2017

society. A business is a community that is part of a bigger community, we need to help each other in order to help ourselves.

Unlike other traditional work organizations, Gudjuju has a very active role in mentoring and education. Why did you choose this style of management/ leadership?

I love my clients and employees genuinely and I want to bring out their

GudJuju means good magic, we are a digital agency that empowers good. full potential. Gudjuju’s purpose is to empower people. That includes our staff and our clients. To empower them means to enable them to do things themselves and that would involve mentoring and educating them. We consider a job well done when our clients and staff are able to stand on their own feet with or without us.

What are the challenges that Gudjuju faces as a company? What do you want to achieve this year?

One of the biggest challenges we face in the region us lowering the cost for Home businesses, Startups and SME’s. We are currently working on a project called Tasafah.com. It is a market place specifically designed to lower the cost of having an online shop with inventory & stock management, online sales and credit card & debit card acceptance. Our goal this year is to get as many people onboard that can benefit from this service as possible, empowering people to succeed in their business without breaking the bank.

Why did you join Manama Shapers?

I saw some of the Manama Shapers’ activities on social media, I was curious and asked about what they did and how to join. At my very core I have a vision to change the world for the better, and the shapers were the perfect people to be around to do just that! I applied and met so many like-minded people, together we have done many projects that make such a huge impact on society. I’m honored to be part of the Shaper’s community.

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Health

Fast Food Packaging Bad for you

No more fillings!

In a breakthrough study at King’s College, London; scientists have found that a drug designed to treat Alzheimer’s was able to stimulate the tooth to create new dentine capable of filling in large cavities. Tideglusib, the wonder drug, boosted the teeth’s natural repair mechanism. The drug and a substance called glycogen synthase kinase were applied to the tooth on a biodegradable sponge made from collagen. As the sponge degraded, it was replaced by dentine “leading to complete, natural repair”. This new drug could potentially reduce the need for dental fillings.

New research from the American Chemical Society suggest that some fast food wrappers and containers chlorine - a compound that is linked to developmental problems in children, decreased fertility, and even cancer. Researchers found that wrappers for Tex-Mex food, desserts, and breads were the most likely to contain chlorine.

Men’s Losing weight can clear skin conditions

Soybean oil bad for your health Studies on restaurants and residential kitchens have shown that high-heat cooking with shortening and soybean oil (vegetable oil) releases particulate matter, aldehydes, and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons; compounds which are found in cigarette smoke.

Instead of vegetable oil, try olive oil for cooking at low temperatures and in salad dressings; while avocado oil is good to use for high-heat cooking.

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Gulf Insider May 2017

Researchers from Denmark have found out that too much fat sparks inflammation in the body which can lead to aggravated skin conditions like psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition that causes red, scaly, patches. The researchers found that people who lost 10% of their body weight after 16 months experienced a significant reduction in their skin problems. Even more reason to get on the treadmill!

Health

Do yoga Although yoga may seem like a lot of New Age mumbo-jumbo, it’s actually one of the best ways to keep your body fit. Cindy Lee, founder of New York City’s Om Yoga says “Yoga is like wringing your body out like a washcloth”; it works on the inside of your body as well as the outside: oxygenating the cells, getting rid of toxins, helping prevent sickness, and making lackluster skin retain their radiance. Sounds like a good deal!

Easy ways to keep fit Little things you do can make a lot of difference.

Make your home a fitter place

Deskercise

Sip green tea

Help yourself by making it easier to exercise in your home. Leave a set of dumbbells near the microwave and do some biceps curls while heating up dinner. Leave a jump rope on your nightstand to motivate you to do some sequences in the morning. You can also use a stability ball as a desk chair to tighten your core while sitting down.

To squeeze in even more exercise, answer the phone while standing up. Also pace around so your body is actually moving. Instead of using the office intercom to talk to somebody, walk to where they are and ask them in person. Bonus, this will make communication easier and it will make you happy to bond with your colleagues even for a few minutes.

Yes, it’s not the caffeine buzz you want but green tea has a myriad of benefits that will affect your health positively. It has been known to prevent bladder, colorectal, and lung cancer occurrence, and isn’t that a good thing?

It also revs up your metabolism so it will do wonders for your weight loss plan.

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19

Health Starting out may be hard, but lifting weights will get easier over time.

Nick Cooksey, Gulf Insider

Legendary Strength The allure of the strong man has been repeatedly explored in films, movies, and books. Gulf Insider explores this cultural phenomenon and tries out powerlifting with Olympic weight-lifter Janet Georges.

W

e asked several fitness experts what their idea of being a “strong” man or woman is. Nawaf A. Aziz Bin Shams, Founder of Fit& Well Gym Bahrain says “My definition of being physically strong doesn’t revolve around the concept of appearance, but instead how a person is able to lift two or three times his/her body weight, how a person can still manage to go through vigorous workouts and still have enough energy for one more workout”.

T Nation (a website dedicated to powerlifting), says that “Powerlifters teach us to focus first on strength, emphasize good form, and narrow our focus. All good stuff”. The benefits of

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Gulf Insider May 2017

powerlifting are manifold, as it is based on a full range of motion movements that are used every day. So when a person trains on these movements, s/he will be less prone to injury. An example of a motion movement is the Back Squat which literally works the whole body if executed properly, thus resulting in a strong “midline” and “lower body”.

On average, a person can start making progress from the first month if they work out at least three times a week. Beginners are taught fundamental movements like the Back Squats, Deadlifts, Front Squats, and the Strict Press. These movements give people a better understanding of the full range motion movements and will be used in advanced movements which

transitions to other movements said Bin Shams.

Lift More, Get Stronger An article published in Bodybuilding. com (2016) claims that “in a welldesigned program, the student makes advances every micro-cycle (usually every 1-2 weeks). This is done by either adding weight or reps to the work (set) that was done the week or two before”.

But even the most hardcore training methods revolve around simple principles, the main one being: lift heavier weights, get stronger. Many people believe that bodybuilders are just like powerlifters, and the presence of those bulging muscles mean that the man or woman in question is powerful

Health

and strong. In reality, bodybuilders may not be able to reach up to the level of powerlifters in terms of strength and how much weight they are able to carry.

Women and Stereotypes More women are getting into the weight training trend now, wanting to be fit and strong. It definitely builds up their confidence and makes them emotionally and mentally tougher. As bin Shams said, “Strong is the new Sexy”.

One of the myths about women and powerlifting is that women shouldn’t lift anything heavy or they become bulky.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s trainer famously doesn’t allow her to lift anything that’s more than 3 lbs. in weight. Which basically means that Gwyneth can’t pick up groceries, lift a chair, or carry her child. The idea is ludicrous.

Women bodybuilders get bulky because they eat, train, and take supplements so that they can look like that. And the truth is, they’ve probably been working toward that goal for years and years. When women lift weights and eat healthy food, two things will happen. 1) Their muscles get stronger, and 2) they will burn the fat on top of their muscle giving them a “toned” look, that is very popular among celebrities nowadays (nerdfitness.com).

Advice from the Pros In Bahrain, lift junkies can look forward to the Bahrain Battle of Heroes in December, where athletes will have to endure several workouts a day demonstrating their overall athletic abilities, especially Olympic weightlifting.

Nawaf (right), the founder of Fit & Well, with Janet Georges.

Don’t take shortcuts says bin Shams.

Start from the beginning and improve your form. If you start overreaching beyond your weight capacity, you risk horrible joint pains, and tendonitis among other things. If you’re a beginner,

In reality, bodybuilders may not be able to reach up to the level of powerlifters in terms of strength and how much weight they are able to carry.

it’s best to practice with a trainer who can spot and guide you to make sure that you have the correct form.

Recovery is also a crucial and often overlooked aspect of strength training.

Adequate sleep and rest between workouts cannot be underestimated.

The more physical activity you do, the more the muscles and nervous system will break down in the natural course of experiencing stress on the body.

Finally practice is what separates the pros from the beginners. Starting out may be hard, but lifting weights will get easier over time. The good news is that every single training session, you’ll be rapidly increasing your stability and coordination. Every week, the lifts feel more and more natural. In two to three months, most of the lifts will feel right, and in a year, you’ll feel quite confident in your form and exercise competency.

Nick working out with Janet Georges.

Gulf Insider May 2017

21

Sports

A reacquainted love Michael Houghton talks about how football in Bahrain rekindled his love for the beautiful game.

G

rowing up in a working class village in the North East of England has given me one love for sure, the love of football. Returning from school every single day, throwing off the bag and uniform, sticking a football shirt on, grabbing a ball from the back yard and then proceeding to knock on every single friend in the surrounding area to have a 4-hour game is one of those things I was born into. I wasn’t the most skillful player but I knew exactly what I was doing, especially with the slide tackle, I was a master of that. I always wanted to be a footballer, but then again doesn’t every young boy? I wanted to emulate my heroes and wear the famous black and white of Newcastle United but alas, the dream had to die.

When I moved to Bahrain in the summer of 2015, I really wanted to get back into playing once again. I stumbled across an 8-a-side expat league which was exactly what I was after. Being able to play competitive football at a reasonable standard is an opportunity that I have to thank this island for. I

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Gulf Insider May 2017

hadn’t played competitively back in the UK for a good number of years and my passion for playing the game had all but fizzled out until I came here.

I’ve watched Premier League, and yes a little bit of Championship football, my whole life so I was excited to see what the levels were like over here in the Gulf. A group of friends and I decided to attend the recent Bahrain vs Singapore match at the National Stadium in Riffa. Firstly, I must say that this is an excellent facility. It reminds me of the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany, with its arched roof covering half of the ground. The scattered red and white seats give a very eclectic feel and the towering floodlights, leaning over the ground from the four corners, are majestic.

To get into any game of football free of charge is unknown to me, but for a competitive international?! That is incredible! The loyal support of the home team, beating their drums and singing their songs created an immense atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the game petered out into a goalless draw but the experience

made me vow to go back. And I did, the following week to watch Al-Muharraq take on Al Nejmeh of Lebanon in an Asia Cup match. The game played out in a similar way to the previous one and another 0-0 was on its way until a moment of goalkeeping madness and a free kick of the highest quality won the game for the Bahraini’s in the 9th minute of stoppage time. It would be rude not to go back after that, who knows they might need a slide tackling centre back in the future!

Sporting enthusiast, part time writer and full-time teacher @michoughton

Affairs

World could have LIMITLESS energy in just 10 years In a bid to end the world’s reliance on oil, a fusion power firm has raised $500 million to develop commercial fusion power.

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ri Alpha Energy has already developed a machine that can hold hot plasma steady at 18 million°F (10 million°C) for 11.5 milliseconds. The firm will use the funds to extend this time further and at even higher temperatures, and believes that it could have the world’s first commercial fusion reactor by 2027.

The particular type of fusion power Tri Alpha is working on is based on heating hydrogen atoms to temperatures of 5.4 billion°F (3 billion°C) - which is hotter than the surface of the sun.

A fuel with no greenhouse emissions or radioactive waste that is almost unlimited, sounds incredible, but scientists are taking steps to make fusion power useful and affordable.

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and other stars, entails forging the nuclei of atoms to release energy, as opposed to splitting them, which is fission - the principle behind the atomic bomb and nuclear power.

Engineers from the University of Washington have published their design and analysis findings and will present them at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Fusion Energy Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, this year.

‘Right now, this design has the greatest potential of producing economical fusion power of any current concept,’ said Thomas Jarboe, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the university.

HOW DOES FUSION POWER WORK? Fusion involves placing hydrogen atoms under high heat and pressure until they fuse into helium atoms.

When deuterium and tritium nuclei - which can be found in hydrogen - fuse, they form a helium nucleus, a neutron and a lot of energy.

This is down by heating the fuel to temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun.

Strong magnetic fields are used to keep the plasma away from the walls so that it doesn’t cool down and lost it energy potential.

These are produced by superconducting coils surrounding the vessel, and by an electrical current driven through the plasma.

For energy production. plasma has to be confined for a sufficiently long period for fusion to occur.

Gulf Insider May 2017

23

Money

Can you afford your

retirement?

For expats especially, this looming question always evokes shivers down the spine.

M

onthly income derived from work is one of the most common ways that people make a living. What happens when this income is taken away from you or you retire and become unable or unwilling to work?

The Boston College Center for Retirement Research’s National Retirement Risk Index makes a pretty bleak statement which indicates that more than half of today’s households will not have enough retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement

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standard of living, even if they work to age 65—which is above the average age at which people are currently retiring. With average life expectancies on the rise, it is also prudent to ensure that our retirements will last longer.

How do you know if you can afford retirement? One of the ways is to calculate whether you’re on track for your current age. Fidelity Investments suggests you should have 8 times your annual salary by age 67 to meet your basic income needs requirement. To accomplish this goal, you should have one times your annual salary at 35,

two times your annual salary at age 40, three times your annual salary at age 45, four times your annual salary at 50, five times your salary at 55, six times your salary at 60, and seven times your salary at 65.

Retirement Investment One way to be able to reach this desired status is to increase your savings rate by 1 percentage point each year until you reach the desired annual savings rate. You probably won’t miss the money, but it will add up quickly. In addition, pay of your debts

Money

if you have any, so you don’t use your pension money for anything other than living expenses.

You should also invest in long-term care insurance. The reason? Many people often blow their retirement funds on major health operations at this age, which leaves them little enough wiggle room to retire comfortably.

Investing in health by making tiny tweaks to your current lifestyle can make a big difference and pay-off in the long run.

As a typical employee, you generally make anywhere from S1,500 to $3,000 a month. It’s a good idea to have anywhere from 5 to 10 years worth of your monthly income in a bank. But if you expect to have a part-time job/ tutorial/ consultancy after you retire, you can get by with less.

Sources of Income after Retirement 1. Pension A pension is a fund into which a sum of money is added during an employee’s working years with the company. Think of it as a “defined contribution plan” where a fixed sum is invested by you and/or your employer and becomes available to you at retirement age. This will be paid in regular installments after retirement.

If that’s what you need to maintain your standard of living, then by all means go for it. The more time you defer your retirement, the more time you have to grow your nest egg.

2. Social Security Social Security (or GOSI in Bahrain) is an arm of government that administers a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and other sort

of claims that people may have. For retirement, governments usually work in conjunction with employers to pay the individual employee a fixed monthly sum for the rest of their natural lives.

3. Consultancy With years of experience in the field that you are currently working on, many companies would be eager to gain your experience. Setting up a consultancy is ideal if you aim to cash in on your knowledge and it will create new contacts for you to set up a future business.

4. Property/ Rentals It’s a good idea to start investing in property which you can rent out and/ or leverage as income while you start getting used to retirement. You can even just rent out your house or portions of it through AirBnB.

Bottom line: With the advancement of science, people are now living healthier, fuller lives after 60. Many companies don’t necessarily sack their employees at that age. Instead you can still work at a relaxed pace, work from home, and/ or take in consultancies. If that’s what you need to maintain your standard of living, then by all means go for it. The more time you defer your retirement, the more time you have to grow your nest egg.

Gulf Insider May 2017

25

Property

Golden Age for Bahrain’s Tenants?

Weakening economic conditions and an increase in real-estate supply has led to severe pressure in this sector.

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Property

This translates typically to an BD80-100 reduction a month for most rental properties.

With the cost of living rising especially for expats who will be paying up to 867% more than their Bahraini neighbors for utilities by 2019 which will make them far less likely to rent villas/ larger properties tenants.

A

downward trend on rental prices echo the reduction in hydrocarbon receipts, tighter fiscal policy, and the erosion of long standing food and energy subsidies. The result is a market defined by increased incentives, adjustments and service quality from landlords and developers as they fight to remain competitive in the market. This translates typically to an BD80-100 reduction a month for most rental properties.

With the cost of living rising especially for expats who will be paying up to 867% more than Bahrainis for utilities by 2019 which will make them far less likely to rent villas/larger properties tenants are in the driver seat especially since there is no slowdown in properties coming into the market.

Rents have retreated across the board during the three months of 2017 from January to March. Apartments (-8.3%) experienced a sharper rate of rent corrections than villas (-6.9%). However, both segments of the residential rental market experienced the fastest rate of decline since 2009 during Q1 with luxury projects having been particularly hit, according to Cluttons Bahrain Spring 2017 Bahrain Property Market Outlook.

Job security fears dominate concern amongst households, especially those linked to the oil and gas sector. This, coupled with a subsequent tapering off in demand from oil and gas sector commuters, working across the border in Saudi Arabia, has put pressure on rents, leaving landlords with little option but to lower rates in order to entice demand. In addition, the rising cost of living has made people keen to save

money when they can, instead of spending it.

To add to this, there is an oversupply of rental and property. Cluttons says that by 2020, there will be over 7,100 units added to the existing supply. Harry Goodson-Wickes, Head of Cluttons for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia said “High volumes of unsold stock will also contribute to capital value volatility�.

Residential Values By the end of March, average residential capital values stood at BD948 per square meter (psm) with apartments in Reef Island at BD1,233 psm and villas on Amwaj Islands at BD1,275 psm remaining the most expensive in the kingdom. Cluttons forecasts rental rates to continue falling to as low as 10-12% down as the economic pressures both within Bahrain and around the region remain.

There is a renewed strong appetite for off-plan property with Bahraini developers making it easier to buy by coming up with favorable deals for investors. Payment schemes of 50% of the property’s value to secure the deal with the remaining 50% payment due on completion means many are able to bypass the need for financing. Cluttons says that there are also instances of payment plans stretching beyond handover, while some developers are offering to cover service charges for up to 12 months.

Some developers are restricting sales activity until projects have been completed while others are creating residential assets that would appeal to investors by renting out individual units, before bringing them to market Gulf Insider May 2017

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Property

as tenanted assets. However, these schemes might artificially be propping up the market and eventually leave realestate values lower than before.

Office Rents With a stalemate in conditions, asking rates in some submarkets are now offering the most attractive

Diplomatic Area rents have fallen by up to 50%, a record low as some landlords dropped rates to BD2 psm for fitted office spaces.

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rents on record, especially with the volume of stock in the rental market.

Diplomatic Area rents have fallen by up to 50%, a record low as some landlords dropped rates to BD2 psm for fitted office spaces, when not so long ago they were BD3.7-BD4. Other landlords have now begun to follow suit, positioning this submarket as one of the most affordable areas in Bahrain for occupiers. Other areas are expected to drop their rates as landlords break rank with each other to try and remain competitive in the tough market.

However, well-managed Grade A schemes retain well, with stable occupancy levels due to high quality management and facilities and limited supply, which occupiers, particularly

blue chip organizations, favor and seek out. “Those developers who continue to succeed in these difficult market conditions have focused on stock that meets specific market needs, and have a strong track-record of development in the Kingdom and across the Gulf”, said Goodson-Wickes.

Favorable Outlook There is a favorable outlook for 2018 with an expected return of stability should the government’s infrastructure spending initiatives drive up overall economic activity levels. New projects include the Avenues at an estimated cost of BD45 million, the new airport project valued at BD400 million, and general infrastructure projects worth BD240 million.

But the Value Added Tax (VAT), due to be implemented in January 2018 is a darkhorse in the properties game and will likely keep rents under pressure.

Faisal Durrani, Head of Research for Cluttons said “Our concern for the outlook of the office market remains with the proposed Value-Added-Tax (VAT) introduction across the GCC, and the potential increase in operating costs for international occupiers who are already grappling with a strong US dollar. An extra 5% charge on top of rents and general operating costs may well suppress activity for longer. This does not however currently sit in our central scenario and we are optimistic for a heeded approach to allow the market some time to gain footing, with signs of stabilization, or even a recovery in 2018.”

The retail market has been a beacon of stability, the shining success in the property market with no change in rents for 18 months. This market is expected to be bolstered by the waterfront dining venue planned inside the Avenues slated to open this year as well as IKEA Bahrain which will be the biggest in the region. These projects are expected to bring more tourists inside the country.

In addition, Bahrain is the only GCC country that has a free trade agreement with the US government, so it is easier for US brands to set up business here.

People

Tasneem Yousif

Smart Gas Technology The oil and gas sector is fraught with occupational hazards but young inventor Tasneem Yousif was able to conceptualize a new technology that can change all of that.

E

ngineer Tasneem Mohammed Yousif currently works as a Senior System Engineer at the BENEFIT Company in Bahrain.

She holds a patent for her invention ROBODEM, as well as winning several local and international awards such as the GITEX Student Lab, Imagine Cup, MIT Arab Enterprise, and Youth for Change competitions.

Tell us about the Smart Gas System and what inspired you to create it?

Smart Gas System SGS is an intelligent system that can detect different kind of explosive gases remotely using Web based system or mobile applications. My invention was a senior project and after graduation I decided to develop it as my business

career. I always had a passion for technology and engineering solutions and this for me was a way to prevent errors and save lives.

What are the applications of your Smart Gas system in the Middle East and how will this system make people’s lives easier?

Oil, gas and petroleum companies need a safe environment for its critical working. Health and safety awareness is so essential for all workers and technicians who are working in those companies. My solution is a creative cost-effective and scalable solution for health and safety environment to employees and employers on site.

Has a prototype been developed and

will you be able to sell your designs to companies in the GCC? Yes, the hardware and software in terms of the functions and systems has been developed. Only the mechanical design part is remaining. I hope that by the end of this year, we will be ready to start manufacturing and selling our robots globally.

Why do you think Bahrain needs more inventors like yourself?

I believe that education and improving the scientific sectors at any country will lead the country to the top of the world.

I state that countries should empower the inventors and support youth in order to help them to turn their ideas to become real products that can help society.

Gulf Insider May 2017

29

Travel

Welcome to

Walt Disney World The place where dreams come true.

Epcot High-tech fun and Disney imagination combine with the wonder of diverse cultures in two distinct realms: Future World (the wonders of tomorrow,today) and World Showcase (visit 11 countries in one day). Both are bursting with excitement and thrills across a wide range of different attractions.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Lights, camera, action! Showbiz takes center stage, but you’re the star. Walk down the red carpet into the heart of movie world, from thrilling attractions to live spectaculars and exciting backstage action.

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ith more to experience than you ever dreamed possible, there’s no better place for families to come together than Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Imagine 4 themed Parks, 2

water parks, 2 exciting night-time entertainment districts, and a stateof-the-art sports complex. Now add in over 20 themed Resort Hotels, plus countless opportunities for dining, shopping and recreation, and it’s easy to see why Walt Disney World is the number one holiday destination in the world. With something for everyone, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida promises the holiday of your dreams.

And come true they do — just like magic.

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Magic Kingdom Park Wonder and fantasy are everywhere.

Six enchanted lands with masses of magical attractions make exciting adventures and timeless fairy tale classics just a smile away. It’s the one — and only — place where once upon a time is now, and make-believe is as real as today.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Explore the wonders of nature throughout the day and into the night. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park discover rare animals, authentic adventures and world-class entertainment transporting you to the heart of nature— alive with magic.

Farhat International Tours & Travel WLL is the appointed agent for Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Orlando in Bahrain.

Book your 2017 Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and Ticket Package with Farhat Tours and everyone in the party dines for FREE, with up to 100 different dining venues to choose from.

Call Now +973 17 216411 or email disney@farhat-tours.com

Travel

5 biggest

online travel booking myths … Debunked by an expert

W

ith so many travel websites to choose from it’s hard to ever know if you’re really getting the best deal when it comes to booking your international travel.

But travel expert Gilbert Ott reveals you can at least save yourself the bother of falling for the most common myths around air ticketing. Here he debunks the top five.

1. ‘Midweek is best time to purchase tickets’ No it isn’t. Travel expert Gilbert Ott points out that based on recent statistics, it’s far more important to have an understanding of average prices than to think about days of the week Mr Ott, who runs the popular blog God Save The Points, claims that this suggestion is completely false. ‘There’s no magic day,’ he says. ‘If there was no one would ever book any tickets on any other day.’

He adds that although there is a general range of time during which you’ll find the best deals, it’s pretty wide - anywhere from 200 to 21 days before you book.

2. ‘Clearing your internet browsing

history will get you lower fares’ Perhaps one of the best-documented ‘hacks’ out there, this one simply isn’t true - but using your search engine’s Incognito function will stop you from being bombarded with flight ads ‘There’s no evidence that fares have actually spiked because of browser history,’ he remarks, a fact re-enforced by flight comparison site SkyScanner.

The website’s FAQ section reads: ‘It isn’t possible for the Skyscanner cookie to influence prices because until the point of visiting the airline or travel agent’s site to book, your session is anonymous.

Mr Ott does, however, advocate using your search engine’s Incognito function.

‘It might not lower fares,’ he says, ‘but it will keep you from getting those creepy emails telling you to finish booking your flight, even when you’re not logged in’.

3. ‘You can’t get a refund if you pay too much for a ticket’ Have you ever booked a flight, only to see the ticket price plummet later on down the line? Well, you may just be in luck.

‘There are some cool apps out there like Yapta and FairFly which monitor the price you paid,’ Mr Ott reveals.

‘On many airlines if the “best price guarantee” from the airline changes by more than $50 you are eligible for a refund of either the entire ticket amount or at least the difference in price.’

4. ‘When an airline says “sale”, it means cheap tickets’ According to Mr Ott’s research, airlines are having a ‘sale’ almost every day of the year. ‘With few exceptions, if an airline is actually announcing a sale, there’s a high likelihood that it’s hardly a deal,’ he explains.

‘You should at best glance, and then keep calm and carry on.’

5. ‘This one website always has the best deals’ If just one website had all the best deals then everyone else would be out of business overnight, says Mr Ott. ‘Not all sites display all airlines or fares and occasionally one undercuts its competitors.’

To be sure you’re been shrewd, he advises using Google Flights to compare different travel agencies against one another, as well as comparing fares booked directly with an airline. ‘You’ll get a different outcome almost every time,’ he says.

Gulf Insider May 2017

31

Hotel

Ramadan at

Art Rotana This year, the spectacular Choices restaurant at Art Rotana Hotel will be transformed into a traditional Suq and will host Iftar and Ghabgha dinners throughout Ramadan.

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ith its mesmerizing architecture, and creative approach to the art of luxury living, Art Rotana welcomes guests to its stunning ocean-front property in the heart of Amwaj Islands.

Rising high amidst a group of manmade islands with panoramic views of the Gulf’s turquoise waters, this inspiring development pays tribute to the splendor of Arabian art and stays true to the warmth and hospitality of the Bahraini culture.

This destination hotel is a haven for families and individuals who appreciate the refined qualities of life. The property has 311 luxurious rooms and suites, providing guests with the coziness and warmth of a home as well as the splendor of modern luxury.

Boasting stunning design elements

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across its premises, ART Rotana invites guests to experience a cozy blend of tradition and modernity perfectly balanced within tranquil surroundings, soothing luxury and unparalleled service. This tranquil and secluded water front oasis boasts of a pristine private beach which gives way to the warm waters of the Gulf Sea. Get immersed in tropical splendor, enjoying breathtaking views and five-star amenities at every turn.

A Choice Restaurant ART Rotana even has its very own water park where kids can play and enjoy as well as a dancing water fountain sure to delight even older guests who will be mesmerized on arrival with a refreshing blend of 8 international outlets ranging from Italian

to Asian cuisines. Choices, where this year’s Ramadan celebration will be held is an all-day dining restaurant featuring a wide variety of innovative culinary delights from around the world.

The restaurant will be decorated in a traditional way offering the most amazing local and regional dishes from around the globe in buffet format.

The live cooking stations showcase authentic Asian, Western, and Middle Eastern flair focusing on the freshest ingredients in every dish. The terrace will be the ‘tent’ and is where the entertainment shall take place. The area will be decorated as a traditional Suq with entire walls constructed around the perimeter to replicate the facades of old fashioned shops and buildings.

There will also be trees and a water feature and seating as you would find in the coffee shops. This is an exceptional

Hotel

ART Rotana even has its very own water park where kids can play and enjoy as well as a dancing water fountain sure to delight even older guests.

dining experience that can only happen at Art Rotana.

Break you fast with the refreshing Arabic drinks section while enjoying the many different types of dates and dried fruits. Then work your way to the lavish spread of succulent dishes from Bahrain and the region alongside many other superb international dishes. The buffet also offers excellent choices for vegetarians. Don’t forget to try the most incredible live cooking stations available. For those with a sweet tooth, there is a humungous dessert station that will satisfy all your sweet cravings from Turkish Kunafa to extravagant Crème brulée.

During Ghabga, you can enjoy an astonishing live performance that ranges from modern to traditional Arabic music, all while lounging in the private smoking area that offers a variety of distinctive flavors and a lavish food setup.

For more information: Art Rotana, Amwaj Tel: +973 1600 0111

Timings: Iftar: Starting from Sunset till 8:30pm.

Ghabga: 9:15pm to 12am.

Price: Iftar: BD 19++.

Ghabga: BD 21++.

Kids below 6 yrs. Dine for free & kids from 6 to 12 obtain 50% of the prices mentioned. *Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 10% government levy.

Gulf Insider May 2017

33

Travel

Holiday Cruise If you’re in the mood for a holiday, you can’t do better than the world’s leading cruise line.

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orwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 49-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising that revolutionized the industry by giving guests freedom and flexibility to design their ideal cruise vacation. Today, Norwegian Cruise Line invites guests to explore the world on one of 14 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed, resort style cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea.

Dining With up to 29 dining options, the wide range of complimentary and specialty restaurants offer tastes you’ll crave. Whether you’re dining inside or Oceanside, you have the freedom and flexibility of no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. Complimentary dining options include three main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Main Dining Rooms offer an extensive menu that 34

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changes daily, besides Chef’s Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations.

Accommodations Relax in comfort and style with a wide range of staterooms, including The Haven by Norwegian®, the most luxurious and spacious accommodation which include Family Suites, 2 or 3 bedroom villas, Balcony & Ocean view Staterooms or Single Studios.

Entertainment Bask in the bright lights of Broadway with performances like Rock of Ages or Tony Award®-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet. Tickle your funny bone with hilarious comedic performances courtesy of The Second City. Or watch in awe as world-class acrobats and aerialists twirl through the air in Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy. Spend every day discovering award-winning entertainment that’s beyond anything at sea.

Activities From top to bottom and from bow to

stern, Norwegian has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Splash around at Aqua Park with Free Fall - the fastest waterslides at sea! Or visit our multi-level Sports Complex and walk The Plank, which extends 8 feet over the side of the ship. Want to get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®. With so much excitement, you’ll have to come back for more.

Great Stirrup Cay Norwegian’s private island is yours for snorkeling in crystal-clear water or exploring on a WaveRunner®.

Recently, Norwegian Cruise line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the eighth consecutive year, as well as “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” for the third time and “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” for the fourth year by the World Travel Awards.

Kindly contact Farhat International Tours & Travel WLL, Norwegian’s representative in the Arabian Gulf on +973 17216411 for information or email cruise1@farhat-tours.com

Education

IMA announces

new certification for Strategy and Competitive Analysis Management accountants now have a new specialty credential tailored towards driving the strategic planning process.

I

MAÂŽ (Institute of Management Accountants) proudly announced a new specialty credential designed specifically for professionals holding the CMAÂŽ (Certified Management Accountant) certification. IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.

The CSCA™ (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) program complements and expands upon the strategic planning, competitive analysis, and decision-making skills developed through the CMA. According to research

by IMA and other organizations, CFOs

and their teams are increasingly called upon to apply their analytical and business skills to more strategically oriented organizational issues. Earning the CSCA will help management accounting professionals meet this market need, master the skills required to drive the strategic planning process, and gain a competitive edge in the workplace. Building upon the CMA certification, the CSCA exam will consist of 60 multiple choice questions and one case study, and will center around the four facets of strategic management. The case study will require candidates to complete a strategic analysis of a scenario, evaluate

the strategic options, formulate a strategy, and recommend an approach to implementing and evaluating the strategy. The CSCA exam will be offered to CMAs twice annually, in March and September. Registration opens in May 2017, and the first exam will be administered this September.

Also in May, IMA will introduce the IMA Strategy and Competitive Analysis Learning SeriesTM, a NASBA-approved self-study course that offers continuing professional education credits.

For Marketing & PR enquiries: a.gopinath@republiquedubai.com

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Affairs

Saudi Arabia’s Dilema Saudi Arabia’s strict religious rules cost its economy tens of billions every year.

By Ryan Riegg

W

hen I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia as a lawyer from 2010 to 2012, I spent a lot of time waiting outside restaurants. Not because I really like food, or had a fetish for restaurant exteriors, but because I was really bad at estimating when Salat would happen.

“Salat” is the Arabic word for the

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prayer time that Muslims are asked to perform five times a day. During the usual workday, Salat occurs about four times. In most countries, Salat is voluntary. Saudi Arabia is not most countries.

In the oil-rich monarchy, all businesses are required to shut down during Salat to give their employees enough time to go to a local mosque and pray. During

the 1980s, if Saudi’s religious police caught a young Muslim outside during Salat, they’d literally drag him to a mosque.

In the white-collar economy, each Salat normally takes 15 minutes, because fancy office buildings usually have designated prayer rooms where employees can go.

However, in most of the service

Affairs

industry (restaurants, gas stations, shops, etc.), businesses could be closed between 30 minutes and one hour at a time, to give their workers enough time to shut down, walk to the mosque, walk back, and open up again. Or, as was more often the case, to give their employees enough time to go hang out somewhere, have a few cigarettes, and complain about their bosses.

Salat happens at different times every day, so the primary problem during the years I spent as an attorney in the country’s tech sector was knowing exactly when Salat was going to occur.

A difficult task, since different business would close or open at different times depending on their relative fear of the religious police.

Businesses that were frequently targeted by the religious police, or that had employees who were particularly religious (and thus likely to report Salat infractions), might close early or wait until the last religious police patrol had rolled by to open back up.

As a result, I spent a lot of time in my car, wishing I had a better air conditioner, waiting for Salat to be over.

Which got me wondering: How much does all this cost the Saudi economy?

The cost of Salat Since each Salat takes 30 minutes to an hour, and there are four Salats during the normal eight- to 12-hour workday, we can conclude that most (if not all) of the entire Saudi economy shuts down for somewhere between one and four hours each day for Salat.

In other words, on top of lunch, smoke breaks, Facebooking, holidays, and other forms of time off, about 10 to 45 percent of the average worker’s day isn’t spent working. It’s spent in Salat.

If you wanted to make a quick, rough estimate of the cost of Salat, you could take Saudi’s GDP (about $1.7 trillion per year) and multiply that by the approximate average time of the normal workday that is spent in prayer (say, 30 percent) — which comes to about $510 billion per year.

But such an estimate would be on the high side. In reality, Salat’s primary impact is on the consumer-facing side of the service sector — restaurants, gas

stations, etc. — which have to close down for the longest period of time and rely the most on human labor.

However, even if one were to build a more reasonable calculation that minimized the impact of Salat on the Saudi economy, the cost would still be immensely high. Even excluding all oil exports and looking solely at the service sector, the loss from Salat would still be more than $120 billion per year.

Which is a lot of money. The entire global video game industry is around $99 billion per year. The US cinema industry? About $11 billion.

However, Salat isn’t the only religious restriction costing the Saudi economy money. There’s also a host of gender restrictions that could cost the Saudi economy more than $80 billion per year.

During the 1980s, if Saudi’s religious police caught a young Muslim outside during Salat, they’d literally drag him to a mosque.

It’s hard to hire a woman in Saudi Arabia. And that’s kind of the point.

After my time as a lawyer, I was offered a job with one of the largest tech investment groups in the Middle East, whose head offices were in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. They wanted me to serve on their executive board and head up the legal department there in Riyadh. I was very excited.

My first act was to start hiring people into my department. And being young, idealistic, and cost-conscious, I decided the best option was to hire a Saudi female lawyer.

That wasn’t simply because of some

youthful hope of empowering women in the kingdom, but also because I saw what economists call a “neglected resource.” Specifically, there weren’t many firms in Saudi Arabia that hired women at the time, but the ones that did all told me that their Saudi female trainees and associates “cost less than the male associates and worked twice as hard.”

From the perspective of most of my Saudi female friends, the reason they worked so much harder than men was simple economics: There were far fewer jobs for women, so when they finally got one, they often felt they had to work twice as hard to prove themselves.

Additionally, for many women, work life was their way out of home situations that were often far from ideal. Many of my female friends in the kingdom would frequently tell me about how they would use almost any excuse to spend extra hours in the office, where they were fairly free, in order to avoid going home to mahrams — male relatives (normally a brother or father) who were legally in control of their lives. Saudi women cannot travel — even locally — without their mahrams’ permission, and many often live under curfews set by their mahrams.

Unfortunately, it quickly became pretty evident that unless my name had the title of “prince” attached to it, it was going to be nearly impossible for me to hire any women to work for me.

First, due to Saudi’s strict gendersegregation laws, if I hired a female attorney, her office would have to be two floors down from mine on the other side of a digitally encoded security door. So if I wanted to give her a set of documents to run over to one of the government ministries, I would have to call her, tell her to wait by the door, walk down two flights of stairs, and slip the documents under the door. Not exactly efficient by any stretch of the imagination.

Second, due to limitations on the freedom of women to talk to men they are unrelated to, it was fairly unclear whether women could actually go to government ministries to handle paperwork. For me, that was the bigger problem, as that was the primary thing I

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Affairs

needed an associate to do for me.

Saudi Arabia, like many countries in the Middle East, has a bloated government workforce. It’s basically a clunky form of wealth redistribution.

However, for most businesspeople in Saudi Arabia, the large government workforce means every process is burdened by endless line waiting and bureaucracy.

To illustrate just how bad the bureaucracy is in Saudi Arabia, there is literally a job of “moaqib,” which essentially translates to “professional line waiter.” These are people who have no real training or education but are really good at waiting or shoving their way to the front of the line at government ministries. Most of the time, I’d outsource dealing with bureaucratic red tape to these types of services, but sometimes I’d need an actual lawyer to go on my behalf.

And while there was no official rule against women going to the ministries, according to everyone I spoke to, eventually someone in those gigantic workforces of bureaucrats would start rejecting or delaying my paperwork because I had sent a woman instead of a man.

So I folded my dreams of creating a workforce of women and hired two Saudi men — one of whom only showed up for work about half the time.

The cost of the gender gap In economic terms, human labor is a resource. People need to be hired, trained, etc., but once those steps are accomplished, the more labor you have, the more your economy grows.

According to the World Bank, Saudi Arabia’s current female labor participation rate is around 21 percent — which is about 8 percent lower than what the labor participation was for women in the US in 1948.

As scholars Isobel Coleman and Aala Abdelgadir note in the book Women and Girls Rising, a 2012 report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that if countries in the Middle East and North Africa were to reduce the gender gap in workforce participation rates by 20 percentage points (from 50.6 to 30.6 percent) from 38

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2012 to 2017, the region’s GDP could grow by $415 billion.

Saudi Arabia’s economy makes up about 20 percent of the total GDP of that region. Which means that if Saudi Arabia could reduce its female employment gap to rates similar to those found in the US more than 50 years ago, it could potentially increase its GDP by somewhere between $80 billion and $100 billion.

Foreign consultants and diplomats have for years pushed the Saudi government to reform the country’s economy and increase female employment. The most recent effort resulted in Saudi’s “Vision 2030” plan, which aims to raise female employment to 30 percent.

Salat isn’t the only religious restriction costing the Saudi economy money.

There’s also a host of gender restrictions that could cost the Saudi economy more than $80 billion per year.

However, while 30 percent female employment could theoretically be attained by increasing the quantity of lower-paid and retail jobs for women (which is the primary focus of Saudi reform efforts), it is extremely unlikely that female employment will progress very far beyond those levels, or that women will be able to obtain higherpaid work, so long as Saudi Arabia’s extensive system of gender-based religious restrictions remains in place.

Saudi leaders want to build a different kind of economy, but here’s the problem....

According to the CIA World Factbook, oil and gas accounts for nearly 90 percent of Saudi Arabia’s export earnings. In other words, the country doesn’t really do much other than produce oil, mostly via an oil company (ARAMCO) that was started

by Americans 80 years ago and is still heavily run by American managers.

(Notably, ARAMCO is one of the only successful companies in Saudi Arabia — and, like the country’s only other internationally recognizable company, Kingdom Holding Company, it is not forced to comply with many of the country’s religious restrictions.)

Part of the reason Saudi Arabia has been unable to diversify its economy is because of the “natural resource curse,” which is when a country finds it cheaper and more profitable to invest in extracting a natural resource, like oil (which Saudi Arabia produces for less than $10 per barrel), than to do something “hard” like teaching its population how to program software or build entrepreneurial ventures.

However, the natural resource curse is only one part of why Saudi Arabia has failed to diversify its economy.

Its religious restrictions have also significantly disadvantaged the country in the long term.

It is simply much, much harder to create new industries in the service sector when you lose 30 percent of your employees’ time to Salat. It is nearly impossible to find a decent quantity of qualified skilled workers when half of your workforce (i.e., women) is forced to sit at home because they cannot talk to men, drive, or go to government ministries.

Ryan Riegg is a member of the California Bar, the author of several law journal articles on Islamic law, and the founder of the Lawyerence of Arabia writing group. He is currently based in the Balkans. This article has been edited for publishing purposes.

People

Mark Van Leewarden

Fraud is Out of Control Gulf Insider investigates the man amidst the fraud scene.

M

ark Van Leewarden runs a boutique task force based in New Zealand with specialists in their field and has carried out significant operations against criminal fraud all over the world.

Leewarden visited Bahrain on the 26th of March to the 3rd of April 2017 and gave a hard hitting talk to members of the Capital Club Bahrain on financial crime, giving real life examples and details of major frauds alongside subsequent recovery actions.

This included locking down bank accounts (across the globe and even in Switzerland), gaining access to financial transaction information and the ensuing recovery actions taken.

Half a billion dollars in fraud has been exposed in Bahrain in the short time

that Mark has spent here. Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Many people feel a stigma in being duped and thus are shy to inform the authorities of such happenings.

Gulf Insider delved into his backlog of experience, which has included being an undercover agent and the fundamental component that he stressed: “Always strategize - you only have once chance to get it right and you must act fast!”

Mark spoke very candidly with us and we can’t help but feel that this man truly has seen it all. The question on our lips was “How do we know if we have fallen victim to such crimes?” He spotlighted that the most common type of fraud goes by the name of an advance-fee scam. This typically involves promising the victim a significant share of a large sum of money, in return for a “small”

up-front payment, which the fraudster requires in order to obtain the larger sum.

Another form of fraud is the belief in the success of a non-existent enterprise that is fostered by the payment of quick returns to the first investors from money invested by later investors. This is commonly referred to as the Ponzi scheme. Mark told us that this usually takes approximately 18 months to peak and said that it is hard to know at any given time how many scams are circulating in Bahrain, or anywhere.

The people behind these schemes cannot always be distinguished from your average Joe (or your plain Jane); however, they are very organized and knowledgeable professionals. This point only strengthens the necessity of exposing fraud. It’s an easy matter to go to Google and check and/or crossreference companies/ organizations to see if they are legitimate and/or at least approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Constant vigilance!” Leewarden said. He added “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”

In Bahrain, with the freely convertible currency and connections it’s easy to see why the Kingdom is providing such a hotbed of activity for fraudsters. With the Kingdom’s aspirations to make Bahrain a proud financial hub in the Middle East, the lack of knowledge in how to identify and fight the crime that comes with this territory will put the country at a disadvantage.

However Leewarden spoke highly of the authorities in Bahrain and also advised anyone who is questioning their own investments to also contact The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). The CBB is responsible for maintaining monetary and financial stability in the Kingdom. It is also the single integrated regulator of Bahrain’s financial industry.

In a nutshell, constant vigilance and effort are required to fight and expose fraud. But with the many resources available to the individual, this is not only possible, but doable.

For more information: Warden Consulting wardenconsulting.com Tel: +64 9 414 4252 Gulf Insider May 2017

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Contributor

GCC REVIEW

PR CRISIS: WHY APOLOGIES ARE NO LONGER ENOUGH THESE DAYS

B

y the time that this article was written, two of the major industry disasters this year thus far are the Pepsi ad featuring Kendell Jenner, and the United Airlines fiasco.

It is baffling that huge corporations like these failed to properly address and resolve these debacles, as well as their failure to deal with the backlash from stakeholders and the public in general. Granted, such corporations should not even be in this ugly mess that could have been easily avoided with proper research (Pepsi) and clear guidelines that support the customers (United). But as per Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. And corporations are just like human beings: It is the way they react that makes all the difference.

First of all, a public apology doesn’t cut it. These days, the public wants to see actions, not insincere apologies. An apology should be accompanied by a serious and honest explanation followed by steps taken to resolve the issue at hand and to avoid facing similar issues in the future. Secondly, with the modern technologies and social media platforms nowadays, the public have become more and more demanding, and impatient to get answers; thus, corporations have a responsibility now to stay connected with their audiences and to make sure that they get answers from the horse’s mouth, not from third parties or different sources. The problem at hand should be studied and 40

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analyzed thoroughly on the spot by everyone involved in the company across all levels, including the CEO and the PR department (and/or the PR agency), in order to come up with a comprehensive and honest solution that proves the company’s sincerity, professionalism, and commitment to providing a better environment and experience to all of its stakeholders.

Bottom line: No company is immune to unfortunate incidents. Companies however should always a have a contingency plan in place, and should make sure that they react appropriately in a way that solves the issue from its roots, rather than either trying to sweep it under the rug, or coming up with solutions that make matters even worse.

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

Mall of Dilmunia Development in Bahrain announced The Mall of Dilmunia is a unique mall concept located in the heart of Dilmunia Island, within the Muharraq Governorate. It is the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain and it is a place for destination travelers to visit.The total built up area (with a spacious underground Car Park) is 125,000 sqm upon a land size of 26,753.6 sqm. The Gross Leasable Area is 47,300 sqm and has received interest from retailers and renowned F&B outlets across the MENA region.

The vision for this development is to promote a comprehensive family destination that caters to all age groups and genders. The mall overlooks a beautiful canal view and a lush green landscape that is also complimented by greenery within the mall. One of the main family entertainment features include a spectacular 16m high cylindrical aquarium with aquatic life that will mesmerize visitors from each level of the mall and a state-of- the-art large indoor Ice Rink built on the first floor, and three more concepts yet to be revealed.

The main contractor for the project is Cyprus Cybarco Tabet JV W.L.L. and the international architectural design is by DP Architects. The contractors have begun mobilizing resources on site.

The target opening date is October 2019. While the target dates to hand over the units to the retailers is scheduled 6 months prior to the opening date.

Bahrain Traffic Fines Suspended MPs unanimously voted to suspend traffic fines, with the exception of those jumping red lights, until the end of the year. This is after a massive public outcry where some motorists have received fines of thousands of dinars. Bahrain’s prime minister has ordered a rethink on speed limits and a review of Bahrain’s traffic lights has also been approved after claims that they were creating accidents.

GCC Review

All GCC residents and investors can now get a Bahraini ID

King Hamad praises expats’ role in Bahrain

All citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who are residing or investing in Bahrain can apply to obtain a Bahraini ID to ease their transactions in the country, said Mohammed Ali AlQaed, CEO of Bahrain’s eGovernment Authority.

This falls under the directives of Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa — crown prince, deputy supreme commander and first deputy prime minister — to grant more facilities to residents and investors in Bahrain. He added that the procedure is in line with Royal Decree 2 of 2013 regarding adopting the Gulf ID as a common ID during transactions.

Al-Qaed said that GCC residents and investors in Bahrain who meet the requirements can go to the eGovernment Authority’s main centers in Madinat Issa or Muharraq without an appointment to provide them with the necessary support and possibly have the ID issued on the same day.

IMF warns that Bahrain needs urgent spending cuts

Expatriates make up an important part of the Bahraini society and have contributed alongside Bahraini citizens to the evolution and progress of Bahrain in all areas, said King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa. HRH said that he appreciated their positive attitudes towards Bahrain and their constant keenness on strengthening its position at all levels.

Expatriates are partners in the nation-building process and the country’s progress, said Information Minister Ali Bin Mohammad Al Romaihi. “Tolerance and mutual acceptance are a pre-requisite for security, stability, comprehensive and sustainable development and human welfare,” he added.

Expatriates make up slightly more than 50 per cent of the 1.4 million people who live in Bahrain, mostly Asians working in the construction and service sectors.

Bahrain needs to make significant spending cuts to restore stability to its budget and improve investor confidence as Gulf Arab monarchies try to manage the impact of lower oil prices, the International Monetary Fund said.

The Washington-based lender said on Monday the drop in crude prices has largely offset “significant fiscal measures that were implemented,” causing the budget deficit and public debt in 2016 to stand at 18 percent and 82 percent of gross domestic product, respectively.

The IMF said additional fiscal measures could include valued-added taxation and further rationalizing of spending on subsidies and social transfers. “The wage bill, which is nearly 12 percent of GDP and among the highest in the GCC, can be reduced in the near term by streamlining allowances and freezing nominal wages,” it said.

Theresa May on Saudi-British trade trip British Prime Minister Theresa May met the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia for trade talks without wearing a headscarf opting for a Westernstyle, dark trouser suit. Her clothing had been the subject of intense speculation ahead of her visit to the deeply conservative country. May has said she hopes to inspire women in the country on her trip. Foreign Office advice to British women visiting Saudi Arabia is to wear a headscarf, together with ‘conservative, loose fitting clothes’. May met Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Palace in Riyadh for talks on trade and arms sales as Saudi is a major defence customer of Britain.

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Contributor

Customer Care in Healthcare

A

pril 7th marked World Health Day, which this year was dedicated to highlight depression. However, I’d like to highlight a special form of depression that takes place in, and often because of hospitals.

I’m sure you have come across phrases like “I went to the hospital to get treatment for my illness, but the hospital’s care made me feel worse” or “yesterday I saw my doctor, and before I left the clinic, I already felt cured”.

These two (common) phrases are examples of uncommonly practiced principle. The psychological condition of patients also affect their physical wellbeing.

The truth is, taking care of patients as business clients has made healthcare organizations (public or private sectors) healthier in terms of medical as well as financial aspects, as well as helping patients heal faster.

Healthcare organizations and businesses suffer deep depression when they fail to treat their patients as business customers, and not just as cases and numbers. The cost of doing so is high: high turnover by overstressed staff, increased complaints, higher rate of medical mistakes, hostility and dissatisfaction, etc.

A study of America’s perception of healthcare showed that the top factors for a patient (customer) to select a hospital over another are: 1. Needs awareness 2. Convenience.

3. Comfort/welcoming environment.

Customer care is an essential part of the wellbeing of the healthcare businesses. A shift in that perspective will lift these businesses from an eminent depression.

Mohamed Shukri

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cyber weapons in the wild

T

his past Valentines Day happened to fall on what’s affectionately known in the IT industry as “Patch Tuesday” referring to Microsoft’s monthly software update. However, Microsoft delayed the routine updates, the first time in over 13 years, citing an unspecified, “last minute issue.” The updates resumed in March but were unusually large and included fixes for a number of critical vulnerabilities. Several of these vulnerabilities proved quite interesting weeks later.

On April 14th, a hacker group known by the alias The Shadow Brokers released a treasure trove of secrets including hacking tools or “exploits” allegedly developed by the National Security Agency (NSA).

The exploits include stealthy techniques for compromising Microsoft Windows computers. The Shadow Brokers failed to auction the hacking tools for the outrageous asking price of 1 Million Bitcoins ($568 Million USD). The tools are now actively being exploited “in the wild” by cyber criminals.

Cybersecurity research team, BinaryEdge, used a detection script to report the total number of computers infected globally by an exploit named DOUBLEPULSAR. BinaryEdge reported that over 100,000 computers were infected just one week after the exploits were released. Six days later the total climbed above 400,000 infections.

An estimated 5.5 Million computers with public facing port 445, are potentially at risk of compromise to this exploit.

Microsoft’s March update included vulnerability fixes which countered four of the exploits. Microsoft stated the remaining exploits were patched during previous updates for supported operating systems. Regarding the four exploits, Microsoft did not acknowledge the source of the security flaw reports, when it is common practice to attribute credit for reporting vulnerabilities. The Patch Tuesday delay in February, the timing of the patch updates just prior to exploit release, and lack of attribution suggest Microsoft may have received a tip regarding the vulnerabilities.

Businesses and private computer owners are strongly advised to perform updates on Windows software at the earliest opportunity.

Legacy operating systems, including Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, are no longer supported and will thus remain vulnerable to these exploits until replaced. Consider upgrading legacy operating systems as soon as possible.

Ryan Ernst - Affectionately known as the “Tony

– Author, corporate consultant, award winning speaker.

Stark of Bahrain” is an Enterprise Secuirty Consultant at Sword & Shield.

mohd.a.shukri@gmail.com

www.sworshield.com

Motors

INSIDER

MOTORS Automotive News and Reviews

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Motors

Infiniti Q60 Red Sport

This turbocharged sports car can take on the heat.

I

had the pleasure of driving the car in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and it was always a fun ride. The Q60 is quiet at cruising speeds and turbocharged when you rev it up going from 0-to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The brake pedal is near-perfect and inspires confidence, all the better for cruising down the traffic-heavy streets of Manama.

Infiniti has been enjoying record sales globally and they have been gaining market share in the GCC. They have also invested heavily in their Bahrain dealership, and in Lebanon, which is Infiniti’s largest market.

The Q60’s direct-injected twin turbocharged 3L V6 engine with 400

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horsepower and 331 lb. feet of torque is a beautiful feat of engineering.

Every Q60 comes standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel dive. It comes in a new design with a lower center of gravity which gives it a more sporty appeal. The 2-door setting is also classier. This is the first time that Infiniti utilized Nissan’s VQ engine in a rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive configuration.

Lots of new technology in the car has led to vastly improved safety and driver performance. The Red Sport model of the Q60 is dashing and streamlined—quite possibly Infiniti’s best-looking car to date.

Smart and Stylish This two-door luxury coupe with seating for four, is completely redesigned for 2017. And if you’re looking for a stylish coupe, this definitely fits your bill.

The interior makes a strong first impression especially with the shimmering “silver optic fiber” trim.

The creamy semi-aniline leather (available in black, red, and white) and intricate contrast stitching add a luxe touch. The dual, screen-tech interface makes the car feel modern and relevant. The upper touchscreen is mostly for navigation, and the lower screen focuses on audio and smartphone-based apps. The front

Motors Starting Price:

BD20,995

The Q60 is quiet at cruising speeds and turbocharged when you rev it up going from 0-to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

Specifications EPA

20/27 MPG

0-60

4.5 seconds

HP

400 HP

Top Speed

155 Mph

seats are incredibly comfortable but the rear seats may be a bit cramped (though there’s enough legroom). However, its trunk is small and somewhat challenging to load because of a high liftover.

Among its list of features is the heated and electrically adjustable front seats with memory, LED headlights with LED daytime-running lights, LED fog-lights, heated electric mirrors, keyless entry and push-button start.

Form meets function in the Q60.

There’s a lot more comfort and agility

to the Q60, probably because of its Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) and it can also be individually customized with over a hundred variations which might be over the top and confusing but it’s still there if you want to look for the perfect drive. The amount of safety, technology, and equipment packed within the car is phenomenal.

For more information: Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons Tel: +973 1773 1773

Price Comparison BMW 4

Audi A5

Infiniti Q60

BD 25,000

BD 19,000

BD 16,669

For more information: Euromotors Tel: +973 1775 0750

For more information: Behbehani Brothers Tel: +973 1745 9933

For more information: Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons Tel: +973 1773 1773

The author of this article, Nick Cooksey, in addition to being publisher of Arabian Magazines and Gulf Insider Media, is a jury panel member of the Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY).

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Motors

The volvo xc90 There’s a reason why the Volvo XC90 is an award winner. Safe, spacious, and useful, it ticks all the boxes.

T

he award winning Volvo XC90, launched as a new model in 2015 will offer the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. The new technologies will take the company a significant step closer to its vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.

It’s hard to find fault in this safe, spacious, and useful seven-seater SUV. Every part is new, including the redesigned Volvo badge. The all-new

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platform, engines, and dash interface are unique to Volvo. The standard safety package on the all-wheel drive, seven seat premium SUV includes two worldfirst safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. These innovations will form part of a suite of safety features that will make the all-new XC90 one of the safest cars ever made.

A comfortable ride, the turboand-supercharged petrol has good performance and the safety aids help make driving more relaxing. The car is equipped for family travel with its three

row seat design: the first two rows have five seats that all recline and slide. The Scandinavian-modern design is visually appealing and comes equipped with a modern infotainment system so you can use technology to your heart’s content.

Pilot Assist Second Generation: The upgrade means that steering assistance is available from stationary and up to 130 km/h instead of 50 km/h, which is the limit in generation 1. Pilot Assist not only assists the driver in

Motors Starting Price:

BD21,500

Seven seat premium SUV includes two world-first safety technologies: a runoff road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

Specifications Engine Type: 2:014 petrol charged and supercharged Transmission: 8 speed geartronic 0-100 kph : 6.5 seconds Top speed: 230 km/h

maintaining a certain distance from, and speed in relation to, the vehicle ahead but also, via steering assistance, helps keep the car in the middle of the lane.

strategy and a brake support system.

If a collision is almost unavoidable, the system will provide autonomous braking when the driver fails to respond to the imminent threat.

City Safety auto braking functions

Queue Assist

City Safety will become the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars’ auto brake functions – which are standard equipment in the all-new XC90.

The purpose of the new collision avoidance system is to assist the driver in case there is a high risk of collision with another vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist through an intuitive warning

For more information: Motorcity Tel: +973 1773 6222

Queue Assist enables safe and comfortable driving by following the vehicle in front in slow-moving queues.

Acceleration, braking and steering are controlled automatically.

Price Comparison Audi Q7 BD 25,760 For more information Behbehani Brothers Tel: +973 1745 9933

Mercedes Benz GLC 250

BMW X5

BD 21,700

For more information: Euromotors Tel: +973 1775 0750

For more information: Al Haddad Motors Tel: +973 1778 5454

BD 28,000

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Motors

Car News Uber to offer flying cars by 2020 The tech company announced Tuesday at its Elevate Summit that it has struck partnerships with the cities of Dallas and Dubai to demonstrate a network of flying cars by 2020. Uber also announced a handful of partnerships with aviation companies to develop and deliver a flying car.

Uber, not satisfied with giving customers rides on land, is now looking to the skies. Uber is already investing heavily in self-driving cars, aware that its existing business could be disrupted by autonomous vehicles. Now it’s striving to protect itself from being disrupted by aviation as well.

In fact, interest in the space is heating up. Innovators are racing to capitalize on advances in electric power and artificial intelligence. Kitty Hawk even released video of a prototype vehicle that can hover above water. The startup is backed by Google (GOOG) cofounder Larry Page. Airbus (EADSF), the French aviation giant, has announced its own plan for developing air taxis.

Drivers flouting Yellow Boxes to be fined BD20 from 1st May Drivers who flout traffic laws and cause traffic jams at road junctions by blocking traffic and ignoring yellow box rules will from 1st May be fined BD20.

Traffic police have announced that from this date they will begin to enforce the law relating to yellow boxes at key intersections throughout Bahrain.

Yellow box junctions are criss-cross painted boxes on the road. They signify that drivers should not enter unless their exit is clear, even if the light is in their favor. Their purpose is to stop bottlenecks when impatient drivers pull across junctions but then cannot get out because of other traffic blocking the exit. “These boxes are aimed at keeping the flow of traffic moving and the junction clear and are place at junctions that have a history of traffic jams” said a traffic police spokesman.

Ferrari Resale Value 75% to 90% on average The resale value of a pre-owned Ferrari is approximately 75% to 90% of its original sticker price, depending on the model and market, according to the brand’s chief executive of the Far and Middle East Dieter Knechtel. He added that Ferrari’s high resale value is one of the reasons for the brand’s success.

“We even have markets in the Far East where we have more than 100% resale value - that means the pre-owned car is more expensive than the new one. It’s very difficult to say in general, you have to be very specific,” he said.

“Since we are not producing cars in stock, we never allow our resale value to drop. We protect that by balancing also the speed and the volume of the cars in the market. We have a very good control of it. We are holding very tightly.

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Telecoms

Galaxy S8s are restarting by themselves In the days since Samsung released its highlyanticipated Galaxy S8 model, the devices have been plagued with problems, ranging from red-tinged displays to issues with the Bixby home button.

Now, hundreds of users are reporting that their phones are repeatedly restarting by themselves.

Samsung is yet to comment on the issue, or release an update to prevent it from happening.

The fault is believed to be the result of the design of the Super AMOLED screens. Samsung says that the problem can be easily corrected, by switching off automated color balance and adjusting this manually.

It is not yet clear whether this solution has worked for everyone affected.

Google to test wireless broadband on NASCAR racecars Google is taking its wireless technology to the races. In fact, in February Google teamed up with Nokia and Qualcomm to test 3.5Ghz wireless technology at a Las Vegas racetrack.

According to the press release, the trio demonstrated the “first live demo of a private LTE network of CBRS shared spectrum.” That demonstration apparently allowed the companies to provide “360 degree video streaming for an in-car experience in real time,” with cars travelling at speeds of 180 miles per hour.

The application, filed with the FCC on Friday, is highly redacted and provides only limited details about the plans.

There’s scant technical info about the type of wireless technology to be used, other than the fact that it will involve a frequency between 3400 MHz and 3600 MHz. Of course, Google is also developing self-driving cars so such an experiment could potentially be useful to understand wireless transmissions at high speeds.

Millions of android phones are wide open to hackers All is not well in Google Play. A group of researchers has determined that hundreds of apps in the store have a gaping security hole that potentially allows hackers to implant malware and steal data from millions of Android smartphones.

According to a paper detailing the alleged flaw, the problem lies within apps that create open ports on cellphones. This is a known and understood problem with computers, but hasn’t before been systematically studied in smartphones. The University of Michigan team used a custom tool to scan 24,000 apps and found 410 potentially vulnerable applications — at least one of which has been downloaded millions of times.

“These newly discovered exploits can lead to a large number of severe security and privacy breaches,” the group explains. “For example remotely stealing sensitive data such as contacts, photos, and even security credentials and performing malicious actions such as executing arbitrary code and installing malware remotely.”

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Life

How the world’s most successful

business leaders run meetings

By Drake Baer

Legendary GM CEO Alfred Sloan said little - then made follow-ups.

Alfred Sloan ran GM from the 1920s to the ‘50s. During that time he led GM to become the world’s largest corporation. Sloan is credited with inventing modern corporate structure. According to leadership guru Peter Drucker, the follow-up memo was one of Sloan’s tools. After any formal meeting — in which he simply announced the purpose, listened to what people had to say, and then left — Sloan would send a follow-up memo with a plan of action.

Drucker’s take: [Sloan] immediately wrote a short memo addressed to one attendee of the meeting. In that note, he summarized the discussion and its conclusions and spelled out any work assignment decided upon in the meeting (including a decision to hold another meeting on the subject or to study an issue). He specified the deadline and the executive who was to be accountable for the assignment. He sent a copy of the memo to everyone who’d been present at the meeting.

These memos made Sloan an “outstandingly effective executive,” Drucker argues, and you might say they were a key to GM’s dominance of the 20th century.

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Google CEO Larry Page says no one should wait for a meeting to make a decision.

Page took over as CEO of Google in 2011. He immediately sent out a company-wide email. The subject: how to run meetings effectively. One of his tips is to designate a decisionmaker for every meeting. But even more importantly, Page made the point that you might not need a meeting at all. “No decision should ever wait for a meeting,” the email reads.

“If a meeting absolutely has to happen before a decision should be made, then the meeting should be scheduled immediately.”

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg sticks to a strict agenda.

Sandberg brings a spiral-bound notebook with her to every meeting.

In that notebook is a list of discussion points and action items. “She crosses them off one by one, and once every item on a page is checked, she rips the page off and moves to the next,” Fortune reports. “If every item is done 10 minutes into an hour-long meeting, the meeting is over.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk demands that people be super prepared.

Musk has incredibly high standards.

He has a reputation for firing people if they miss a deadline. So if you’re meeting with him at Tesla or SpaceX, you have to be ready. As one anonymous Musk employee shares on Quora: When we met with Elon, we were prepared. Because if you weren’t, he’d let you know it. If he asked a reasonable follow-up question and you weren’t prepared with an answer, well, good luck.

Life

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer aggressively vets every idea.

Mayer gets to the bottom of any proposal brought her way.

Product managers or designers sitting down with the exec have their strategies thoroughly vetted through a series of questions, like: How was that researched? What was the research methodology? How did you back that up?

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos likes to get people arguing.

If you work at Amazon, you’d better be comfortable with conflict. Bezos is famous for hating “social cohesion,” that tendency people have for finding consensus for no other reason than it feels good. That distaste for agreeability is reinforced by Amazon’s leadership principles, one of which reads: Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious.

They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion.

Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly.

The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs kept meetings as small as possible.

Opsware CEO Ben Horowitz likes one-toone meetings.

Jobs led Apple to become one of the world’s most valuable companies, creating consumer-friendly products with sleek designs. He ran meetings with a similar minimalism. He hated when they were too big, because too many minds in a room got in the way of simplicity.

At the core of Job’s mentality was the “accountability mindset” — meaning that processes were put in place so that everybody knew who was responsible for what.

There was even has a name for it, the “DRI,” or directly responsible individual. Often the DRI’s name will appear on an agenda for a meeting, so everybody knows who is responsible. “Any effective meeting at Apple will have an action list,” says a former employee. “Next to each action item will be the DRI.” A common phrase heard around Apple when someone is trying to learn the right contact on a project: “Who’s the DRI on that?”

Jobs hated formal presentations, but he loved freewheeling face-to-face meetings. Every Wednesday afternoon, he had an agenda-less meeting with his marketing and advertising team. Slideshows were banned because Jobs wanted his team to debate passionately and think critically. “I hate the way people use slide presentations instead of thinking,” Jobs said, “People would confront a problem by creating a presentation. People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.”

Ben Horowitz led Opsware to a $1.6 billion sale to HP in 2007. Two years later, he cofounded Andreessen Horowitz, probably the most sought-after firm in venture capital. Horowitz says that most important job for a CEO is to architect the way people communicate in a company. The one-to-one meeting is essential to that process, he says, as it’s the best place for ideas and critiques to flow up from employees to management.

Here’s his take on how to run one: If you like structured agendas, then the employee should set the agenda.

A good practice is to have the employee send you the agenda in advance. This will give them a chance to cancel the meeting if nothing is pressing. It also makes clear that it is her meeting and will take as much or as little time as she needs. During the meeting, since it’s the employee’s meeting, the manager should do 10% of the talking and 90% of the listening. Note that this is the opposite of most one-on-ones.

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Art

Abandoned Dubai Artist recreates city after humans have left.

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ritish photographer Richard Allenby-Pratt has created images depicting a fictionally eerie, abandoned Dubai in which the skyscrapers and resorts are empty. Allenby-Pratt was hoping to accomplish with his photographs the thin line that animals and humans walk on and cross once in a while.

Humans took over so much land, stealing it from the wildlife.

Now it is time for the wildlife to take back the land.

Although it seems completely unrealistic, Allenby-Pratt explained that he wanted to capture the time as if the city was left by a majority of its citizens.

Another thing the photographer wants people to see in his work is just how vulnerable Dubai’s economy is.

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Art

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Society

what’s happening

Launch of the new Arizzo 5 and Tiggo 3

Motorcity unveiled exciting new cars for the summer.

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Bahrain Photographic Festival

The Bahrain Photographic Festival was a critical and artistic success.

Society

Porsche Flagship Dealership Programme

Another first from Porsche, their exclusive flagship dealership programme was launched at the Porsche Center in Sitra.

Fat Joe at Klub 360 The musician wowed the crowd with renditions of his greatest hits.

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Society

2017 Gulf Air Formula One Grand Prix Many people witnessed the most exciting motorsport event in the country complete with dazzling sideshows.

Hublot Press Conference

The Hublot Roadshow Presenting the Baselworld 2017 Novelties was hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel.

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Life

What to do when boss sends

Facebook friend request?

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he digital age has created a host of new etiquette dilemmas. What should you do when your boss sends a Facebook friend request? Is it OK to take and share smartphone pictures at a friend’s wedding?

Etiquette mavens say the book on manners must be rewritten, literally, to take into account new technologies and social media. “Technology is such an area of anxiety for people,” says Steven Petrow, an author of etiquette books who last month began a digital manners column for USA Today.

In recent columns, Petrow addressed the question of mass emails that reveal the names of all recipients (not OK, he says), and how to deal with wedding guests who want to share smartphone pictures before the official photos are available (he urges the couple to make their wishes clear in the invitation).

“Fundamentally, I come back to my core values, which are about respect,

As for the boss’s friend request, employees should not ignore the request, but offer instead to connect on the professional network LinkedIn. kindness and civility,” Petrow told AFP. Social media such as Facebook pose particular etiquette problems: if users post news about a death, birth or engagement before relatives are notified, that creates tensions among family members. “On Facebook, even if you have privacy protection, someone else can grab your message and send it

along,” said Emily Yoffe, who pens the “Dear Prudence” column on Slate.

“Once you post it, you don’t control that information anymore,” said Yoffe, advising people to treat all social media posts as public. Petrow sees other quandaries -- for example, whether it is appropriate to “like” a Facebook post about sad news. “I believe that liking means you acknowledge it,” he said.

“So you can like something sad but you should add a note to say what you mean.”

Social media is also used to break off, or to announce a new relationship, which can be a surprise to the other person. “It’s always best to take your time, to discuss this with the other person,” Petrow said.

As for the boss’s friend request, Petrow advised managers to steer clear of this to avoid potential conflicts.

Employees should not ignore the request, but offer instead to connect on the professional network LinkedIn, he said.

On Twitter, the ability to post messages quickly has led to some embarrassing moments or worse, experts say.

“Some people lose their jobs because of an ill-advised tweet,” Yoffe said. “In the heat of the moment, people think they are having a one-on-one conversation, but this is totally public.”

Twitter gaffes can turn into public relations nightmares for companies using social media to boost their image.

Dutch airline KLM, of the Air FranceKLM Group, found this out when it tweeted “Adios Amigos” after the Netherlands’ dramatic win over Mexico in football’s World Cup. The airline apologised and deleted the tweet, but not before thousands of enraged Mexicans tweeted their displeasure.

“We encourage companies to be conversational and engaging. But they have to understand they are speaking on behalf of a brand,” said Jeanette Gibson of Hootsuite, which provides a social media dashboard, and offers training on using different platforms.

Gibson said social media marketing can be useful in building brand identity, “but you don’t want to come across as spamming your audience.”

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Last Word

Mazzi Dumato seeks to use his wealth for the benefit of the poor.

Mazzi Dumato Man who became a millionaire in Dubai quits to travel and care for others

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elf-made millionaire Mazzi Dumato was living the high life in Dubai, but he decided to give it all up and travel the world in a campervan.

The Brazilian of Syrian origin was feeling trapped by his fortune – penthouse, supercars and the trappings of wealth – so he gave much of his money to set up centres to help poor people in Brazil.

“It was meaningless wealth and what was most important was my life, which I barely had a grip on,” said Mr Dumato, 38.

“So I chose adventure and to learn more about what was happening outside the bubble that I was living in, and decided that I wanted to go out in the world and make a difference.”

He gave his main business, Cactimedia, to his younger brother Michael. They closed his other two businesses and he left Dubai.

Mr Dumato later bought properties in Brazil that he turned into centres for the poor.

“Our first is a healing centre, with a full-time doctor, in the city of Florianopolis. The second one is a house

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where we provide free accommodation and food to people from the leukaemia hospital in Curitiba,” he said.

An alternative treatment centre for cancer in Urubici, Brazil – the largest of the three centres – will be opened at the end of the year.

“It was meaningless wealth and what was most important was my life, which I barely had a grip on,” said Mr Dumato.

Mr Dumato was 23 when he founded Cactimedia, which specialises in web design and online marketing.

But he became rich only after he started a property company with a partner when he was 27.

In Dubai, Mr Dumato lived in a penthouse apartment in Jumeirah Beach

Residence and spent most of his time at the beach rather than the office. He owned a Maserati, a Ferrari and a few houses in The Meadows and in Dubai’s old quarters.

Since changing direction in life, Mr Dumato acquired rental properties to generate income exclusively for his centres in Brazil. He also started two businesses that fund the centre with half of their earnings.

Mr Dumato, who left Dubai eight years ago, has been travelling between Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. He recently moved to Peru and started Spice of My People, a business that sells crystals, natural medicine, organic clothes, tea and spices from various parts of the world.

The entrepreneur hopes to inspire others to help people in need through ways such as contributing to his centres.

“Every challenge that you overcome is your chance to evolve,” he said. “Life is not difficult, what is difficult is staying happy. Be present and don’t worry about the future. You can do something about your life today, not tomorrow.”

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