Gulf Insider December 2014

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GULF INSIDER EXCLUSIVE Princess Ameerah Speaks Out

WORK Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN: FRANCE Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN: GERMANY Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN: KOREA Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN: THE UK Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN: THE US Business

BILL FORD

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CONTENTS

December 2014

20 38 22 40

Travel

24 42

Life

26 51 28 56

Style

30 62

Art

BUTLERS FOR ETIHAD’S VIP PASSENGERS Life

PROFILE: TAREK IBRAHIM FINE DINING: LA MER

30

INTERVIEW: SAVELLI Cars

CAR REVIEW: MERCEDES-BENZ ML 400

ANDREW WEAVER

56

The Arabian Review Publisher & Editor in Chief - Nicholas Cooksey

COMMENT...

Editorial - Agnieszka Piechoska Contributors - Doug Alexander - Hugh Haskell-Thomas - Nicholas Cortes - Joyce Karan - Jacob Tomsky - Bill Daly

Frightening FATCA

Layout Designs - Dhanraj S Business Development - Redia Castillo

I was recently chatting with a senior Bahrain based banker about America’s Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). I watched his anger rising as he told me it was considered by pretty much everyone in the banking industry around as one of the most stupid and arrogant laws ever.

Sales Co-ordinator - Syamily James Admin & Finance - Nikesh Pola Photography - Shareef Panhatt

FATCA, signed into US law in 2010, was supposedly aimed to ‘clamp down’ on US tax evasion, but it requires every single bank in the world to disclose information to America’s tax authorities (IRS) or be fined 30% of the value of ALL funds routed through the US financial system. Every single bank in the world is responsible is required to ensure that every other bank fully complies - an impossibility.

Distribution Executives - Mohammed Yousif - Muhammed Shareef P - Rafnaj K P

Identity thieves are now contacting banks worldwide pretending to be IRS agents, demanding confidential information on account holders. And many banks, intimidated, are telling them everything they ask!

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Media

“Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny” - Edmund Burke

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The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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The Arabian Review

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The Arabian Review

Issue 119

Issue 119

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.

SUNSETS OF BAHRAIN

By Andrew Weaver

Also inside:

Fine Dining - La Mer Interview - Alessandro Savelli World Endurance Championship

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

Registered as Gulf Financial Insider 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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Send your views to info@Gulf-Insider.com The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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The Arabian Review

Issue 118

Special Feature:

A Guide to Bahrain’s Property Ladder Watch Review

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Car Review

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A CHALLENGE FOR BAHRAIN

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A True Celebrity I’ve been living in Bahrain for almost ten years now. When I was still new to the place, I used to make fun of the self-proclaimed local celebrities, which, at the time, seemed to be the only kind of celebrity on the island.

My cynical view of home-grown stardom aside, I must say I’m very impressed with HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s genuine celebrity status, with scores of genuine followers both in Bahrain and the region.

Hence, I commend Gulf Insider for securing an exclusive interview with His Highness, which has been a rare case so far. Way to go!

Pauline

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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Tough Decision Made Easy Having spent many years in the Gulf, I’ve been playing with the idea of purchasing a house in Bahrain. Your detailed guide to buying property in the country has literally answered all my questions, and even added some information that I wouldn’t know was important. Thank you for helping me make an informed decision! (I’m going house hunting this month, by the way).

Phyllis

Exclusive Interviews:

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Drawing the Right Crowd

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INVESTING IN BAHRAIN A Review

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Don’t Spoil the Bikers’ Good Name I fully support HOG Bahrain’s noble mission to set the record straight once and for all – that “bikers in general are responsible, roadfriendly, and safe.” Sadly, there is an exception to every rule, and Bahraini roads see such “exceptions” way too often. Bike ownership should always be paired with certain level of maturity; otherwise, you just spoil the real bikers’ good name, and sabotage their efforts to fight the common misconceptions about the biker culture.

Unlike the majority of comments I hear about Bahrain’s tourism sector and the Culture Ministry’s new strategy, I believe they might be onto something. While many travellers would shudder at the very thought of alcohol-free vacations, there are a great number of tourists who are into other forms of entertainment.

Bahrain has all it takes to become a go-to family-oriented destination. The authorities just need to focus on emphasising and promoting all of its attractions to the right crowd out there.

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Peter

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News

GULF ROUNDUP NEWS AROUND THE GCC AND BEYOND

BUSINESS & AFFAIRS

TRA Releases Telecoms Market Survey Report The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain released the results of its 2014 survey of residential users of telecommunications services. The survey was undertaken during May 2014 and examined the usage of and access to different telecommunications services, as well as users’ satisfaction.

According to the report, the fixed line access continues to fall, with only 24 per cent of respondents stating that they have a fixed line connection at home compared with 66 per cent in 2007 – the availability of a mobile phone being the main reason. The survey also found that nearly 1 in 3 respondents with a mobile phone have two or more active SIM cards, the main reason being to take advantage of competitive promotions offered by different operators. The number of SMS sent in a week has dramatically reduced from 20 SMS in 2011 to only 4 SMS in 2014, and most respondents (43 per cent) spend within BD 10-20 per month on average for mobile services.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Which Professionals Most in Demand in Middle East?

According to the latest Monster Middle East Employment Index, a monthly gauge of online job posting activity in Middle East from career websites and online job listings, online demand expanded for nine of the 11 occupational groups monitored by the index and legal professional topped the list.

As the region shows strong signs of economic growth now, an increase in legal hiring for both in-house and private practices has gone up, too.

Legal professionals witnessed layoffs and limited hiring during recession years and the lull recovery period that followed it but now most law firms are once again adding headcount to their legal teams, shooting up demand.

Legal professionals were followed by demand for those in hospitality and travel (up 19 per cent) moderated vis-à-vis the previous months.

The sector saw the most dramatic annual growth in the second quarter of 2014.

Healthcare professionals saw a 17 per cent jump in online vacancies over the period mentioned and finance and account personnel saw a 13 per cent jump in positions advertised on the online medium for them.

Online demand for software, hardware and telecom bounced back. The group recorded a twelve per cent growth in demand (year-on-year) following a six per cent drop in September 2014.

Those in marketing and communications saw a ten per cent surge whereas professionals in engineering and production saw a five per cent increase in the number of vacancies posted.

HR and administration professionals saw a marginal three per cent jump.

On the other hand, customer service was down five per cent and professionals in purchase, logistics, and supply chain seemed the worst hit as this group registered a dip of 16 per cent. – EMIRATES 24|7

News

Qatar Promises to Change ‘Kafala’ Labour Law Qatar pledged to introduce new legislation to replace the controversial “kafala” sponsorship system and improve conditions for migrant workers by early 2015.

The current law, which limits the rights of movement for foreign workers, would make way for legislation that was “currently under review,” said the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry.

“We expect to make announcements about new legislation by early next year,” it said in a statement.

Qatar’s treatment of its massive foreign workforce has come under the international spotlight as it steps up construction of facilities for the 2022 football World Cup. Human rights groups and FIFPro, the global union representing footballers, have urged Qatar to abolish the “kafala” system, which enables employers to prevent foreign workers from leaving the country or changing jobs and has been likened to modern-day slavery.

Under the new legislation, the exit permit that foreign workers need to leave the country is to be replaced by a system that grants them permission automatically after a three-day grace period.

Foreign workers would also be able to change jobs at the end of their contracts, without the need for the certificate they currently require from their previous employers showing they have no objections. Those on open-ended contracts would be entitled to change jobs after five years.

And, employers who confiscate the passports of their workers would face tougher penalties.

Foreign workers in Qatar often complain of finding wages lower than promised, while many arrive with a huge burden of debt due to fees paid to agencies at home.

– ARAB NEWS

Qataris Work Less than Half the Time of Expats Qatari nationals work less than half the amount of time expats spend earning money in an average day, according to a government survey, which also found Qataris spend more than five hours a day engaged in leisure or cultural activities.

Overall, Qataris work two hours and 52 minutes a day, compared to six hours and 42 minutes for non-nationals, the country’s first Time Use survey, by the Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics, shows, according to a report by Doha News.

However, when broken down to include only employed respondents, the average Qatari works seven hours and 53 minutes a day, while expats work an average nine hours and 27 minutes.

Only 49 per cent of Qatari men and 28 per cent of Qatari women are employed, the survey of more than 16,000 people said.

Instead, Qataris are engaged in leisure and cultural activities, including reading, watching TV, and visiting relatives, for more than five hours per day. Expats spend an average 3.5 hours on the same activities.

Qataris spend 49 minutes praying each day, compared to 28 minutes among expats.

The rest of the day is devoted to household chores and personal care such as eating and sleeping.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Dubai Needs New Homes Fast as Population Grows Steadily With occupancy levels across all available homes in Dubai at a significant 87 per cent, the city will need new homes — and fast.

An estimated 51,000 new homes are likely to enter the market by 2020, but with population growth running at five per cent annually, there could soon be a situation where there is not enough supply to take care of all the incipient demand. During the peak years between 2005 and 2008, occupancy levels were estimated at 93 per cent, according to a new report by Colliers International.

What it means is that most of the current projects that are looking at completion timelines of 2016-18 can be easily absorbed by the market, with little or no residual concerns about oversupply.

“With home ownership no longer an option, these families have been pushed towards the rental market where prices remain high,” said Ian Albert, Regional Director at Colliers International. – GULF NEWS

Business

VIVA BAHRAIN INNOVATIVE ROAMING PACKAGES

I

n collaboration with Syniverse, VIVA Bahrain has introduced an innovative service, offering a selection of new highly customisable data roaming packages, available for the first time in the region. With this innovative service, pre- and post-paid users will enjoy a hassle-free roaming experience.

The service allows customers to select the data package that suits them best, based on their usage requirements.

The solution suite is designed to give the subscribers control over their data roaming options, greater insight into their usage, and the ability to manage roaming costs.

Commenting on the new service, Saad Odeh, VIVA Bahrain Chief Wholesale and Enterprise Officer, said, “In our continuous efforts to satisfy our customers’ needs, we seek to introduce the newest and most innovative services in the market.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

VIVA Bahrain focuses on improving their customers’ data roaming experience.

The solution suite is designed to give the subscribers control over their data roaming options, greater insight into their usage, and the ability to manage roaming costs.

“VIVA, in collaboration with Syniverse, allows customers to be able to control

their data usage while traveling abroad.

The service offers different controlled packages in selected countries that fit the specific needs of individuals.

Additionally, it allows customers to manage their costs and avoid ‘bill shock’ by alerting them via text messages when they reach specific amounts of spending.”

“Voice and messaging service have long been must-haves for mobile users; today data services are equally vital,” said Nour Al Atassi, Regional Vice President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Syniverse.

“Our agreement with VIVA Bahrain builds on a long and successful relationship between the two companies that includes VIVA’s use of Syniverse’s Data Clearing House solution, among many other solutions,” he added.

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Gulf Insider Exclusive

“WHEN YOUR CAUSE BECOMES BIGGER THAN YOURSELF” Princess Ameerah, former wife of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal – one of the richest men in the world, is a Saudi-based philanthropist, entrepreneur, fashion icon, and public speaker. She has over a million followers on social media sites and is internationally regarded for her passionate advocacy for increased women’s rights throughout the region.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

P

rincess Ameerah bin Talal’s outspoken nature has angered many conservatives. “I get a lot of negative feedback, sometimes threatening feedback,” she says, adding that despite this, her belief in her cause and the positive feedback she receives from so many motivates her to continue her work. She says that the biggest challenge she faces is being in the limelight, “when your cause becomes bigger than yourself”.

Amongst her many endeavors is Tasamy, a centre for people wanting to volunteer for public service so as to ‘make their country a better place.’ When she started Tasamy there were only 800 NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) in Saudi Arabia. Her research revealed that young people didn’t want to start their own NGOs, preferring the security

Gulf Insider Exclusive

of government employment to the private sector. But many young Saudis are now starting to enter her training programs.

Princess Ameerah says that women’s rights have certainly been improving under King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. She points out that since he came to power nearly a decade ago there have been increases in the number of women working in the private sector and going to university, and that the king has appointed 30 women to the Shura Council. Further, next year a Royal Decree will allow for the first time women the right to vote in municipal elections and run for local government office. She further hopes to see changes to the kingdoms driving restrictions for women “in the near future”.

Currently Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world forbidding women to drive. A few months ago a woman

received 150 lashes after being caught driving. But protests and acts of defiance against the ban have been growing recently. Women have even been posting videos of themselves driving on Youtube and other social media. In October, in a closed session of the Saudi King’s advisory council, delegates apparently recommended that women over 30, providing the are not wearing make-up, should be allowed to drive between 7am and 8pm, though an official spokesman for the council denied any policies were agreed.

Cycling in Saudi Arabia is also severely restricted for women who can only ride bikes in designated ‘recreational areas’ while dressed in full Islamic body coverings and in the presence of a male guardian. Further, they can only ride ‘for entertainment purpose’ and not for work or other any other purposes.

“I don’t believe the ban will go on indefinitely. It will be like the decree calling for 20 per cent of Parliament to be made up of women – a surprising development, but one which happened very rapidly.”

Gulf Insider December 2014

17

Gulf Insider Exclusive

Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel receives “Woman Personality of the Year” Award during the 15th Global Women Leaders Conference

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: On the possibility of the Saudi government lifting the ban on women driving: “It will be a hugely important

step, and it can happen overnight. I don’t believe the ban will go on indefinitely.

It will be like the decree calling for 20 per cent of Parliament to be made up of women – a surprising development, but one which happened very rapidly. I believe that it is the generation of young people in Saudi Arabia which is going to accelerate change in the country. Among those leading the way is Prince Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud, Governor of the Riyadh Province.”

Of her own driving experiences: “We

still can’t officially drive in the cities and towns, but I have driven in the desert many times. I have an international license and drive a Mini Cooper when I am in Europe and America. I also ride bikes from time to time.”

On the power of the internet and social media for women: “The web 18

Gulf Insider December 2014

gives women equal opportunities”.

Women can set up their business online, prosper and be successful, and they can have a voice too through social media.

Social media has provided a free platform for women to enjoy equal opportunity to express themselves in a way the real world does not guarantee. Social media has absolutely no criteria. Everyone

Many conservative scholars who used to be against women speaking are now debating with women on sites like Twitter.

On the difficulties for women finding employment: “Women in the region face a double-burden that often makes it difficult for them to take up paid employment as they have to also take care of their home and children. The ratio of women in senior management is under 1 percent in the GCC and other Arab countries, which is the lowest in the world.”

If we just keep complaining that we don’t have jobs and we sit at home and do nothing, my children are going to be complaining. And their grandchildren are going to be complaining. And we are going to be in an endless cycle. It’s easy to say that things are difficult, that you are just a drop in the sea. But you and a million other drops can create a wave that can change our society.”

Her motto: “Throw can participate and anyone can start a discussion and a hashtag. It has opened people’s minds, with many conservative scholars who used to be against women speaking now debating with women on sites like Twitter”.

yourself over the edge that you’re always scared of. Try being independent; do it your way. You’ll love it.”

Princess Ameerah bin Talal was speaking at the 5th Abu Dhabi Media Summit held in the UAE last month.

Images: www.alwaleedfoundations.org

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN Celebrating Bahrain’s National Day

Special Feature

On the special occasion of Bahrain’s National Day, Gulf Insider takes a closer look at some of the Kingdom’s major international partnerships and their impact on the island’s development.

Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN

FRANCE

ABOUT FRANCE France is the second economy in Europe and fifth in the world, but also the first global touristic destination with 79.5 million visitors per year.

31 French companies are among the global top 500, which places France at the fourth rank in the world and first in Europe. With twelve companies or institutions among the top 100 innovative entities in the world, France is the most innovative country in Europe.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH BERNARD REGNAULD-FABRE What are the most unique aspects of the France-Bahrain bilateral relationship?

We have three aspects of FranceBahrain ties – political, economic, and 20

Gulf Insider December 2014

cultural. On the political level, France and Bahrain have an excellent relationship.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited France in 2012, and again in summer of 2014, and I was fortunate to be present during those two visits. The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy also paid an official visit to Bahrain in 2009. We have great commercial trade relations with Bahrain as well, with the volume of trade between 200 and 300 million Euros in exports. France also provides the long-haul fleet for Gulf Air, and there are several large French oil and gas and energy companies on the island. The culture, however, is the most unique aspect of our ties. Bahrain’s Government has imposed French as the second compulsory language in

private and public schools, which is very significant to us. The French cultural touch can be seen around Bahrain through the designers and architects – a French architectural firm, for instance, has designed the National Theatre of Bahrain. Also, the Maison Jamsheer, an old traditional house in Muharraq, has been converted into Alliance Francais, placing France among the very few to have a cultural centre in Bahrain.

What has been the highlight of your time here in Bahrain so far?

I have only been in Bahrain for two months; nevertheless I had an opportunity to meet with His Majesty in Paris with President François Hollande, in August this year.

Special Feature

French Presence in Bahrain  80

per cent of electricity and desalinised water in Bahrain is produced by French companies, such as GDF SUEZ.



I would like to extend my warmest greetings on the occasion of Bahrain’s 43 years of independence. I am keen to see our bilateral relations continue to grow, and hope to see the mutual exchange of high-level visits in 2015.

 French

supermarkets Carrefour, Geant, and more recently TATI are in Bahrain.



What reflections do you have on the French community in the Kingdom?

I received a very warm welcome in Bahrain, and quickly became part of the community, which is more like a family to me. Bahrainis are very friendly and the diplomatic ties between our countries are very close. As for the French expatriates here, I feel that we have a lot of entrepreneurial talent, including designers, architects, chefs, and many more. The French community does very well in Bahrain. We also have a great French school, with 500 students and plans for an extension up to 800-900 capacity.

Two economic sectors are of critical importance in the bilateral trade relationship between France and Bahrain: transportation and refined oil products. Year 2012 saw EUR 1 billion bilateral trade flow, largely due to the dynamism of the transportation sector, which recorded EUR 759 million. 2013 was more modest, but there is quite optimistic outlook for 2014 – according to the French customs data, there is a 90 per cent increase in the French exports to Bahrain during the first nine months of 2014. In the fields of cultural relations, the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department of the French Embassy had partnered in events organised by the Ministry of Culture, such as the “Nuit Blanche”, the “Spring of Culture”, or in the development of city planning, museum and tourism engineering. French teaching has been significantly reinforced through the past decades, and introduced in lower grades of Bahraini’s schools in 2010 (20 000 children are currently studying French in public schools, 13,000 in the private sector).

The French hotel group ACCOR is represented with Sofitel in Zallaq, Novotel Al Dana, and Mercure Grand Seef, and will soon open an Ibis hotel.

 Luxury

brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hermes, and flagships of the art de vivre à la française – Ligne Roset, RocheBobois, Christofle, Durance, and L’Occitane – are all present in Bahrain.

Bernard Regnauld-Fabre French Ambassador to Bahrain

FRANCE AND BAHRAIN

French bank BNP Paribas and French insurer AXA’s regional headquarters for Middle East and Africa region are in Bahrain.



The more recent French investment is an industrial one: Imeyris has chosen to locate its latest industrial site in Bahrain in 2013.

French Exports to Bahrain (2014)  The

leading sectors for French exports to Bahrain were transportation equipment (56 per cent) and machinery equipment (12 per cent).

 Other

exports included cosmetic, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals (9 per cent), agriculture and agrifood (6 per cent), and textiles and shoes (5 per cent).

Bahraini Exports to France (2013)  The

leading sectors for Bahraini exports to France were oil and oil products (84 per cent) and iron (9 per cent).

 Other

exports included transportation equipment (4 per cent) and plastic and mineral products (2 per cent).

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN

GERMANY

ABOUT GERMANY With a GDP of 3.635 trillion USD in 2013, Germany, is the strongest economy in Europe and the world’s third-largest exporter after China and the US. The German economy constitutes 21 per cent of Europe’s GDP. Despite the financial crisis in 2009, the German economy has grown steadily over the years, and their trade surplus of 258 billion USD in 2013 is impressive.

Global Export (2013)  Cars – two thirds of all the cars; 16.6 per cent of all exports, or USD 241 billion.  Industrial machinery – two thirds of all the machines; 18.3 per cent of all exports, or USD 266 billion.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

GERMANY AND BAHRAIN “No country in the GCC is as easy to access for Germans as is Bahrain: comparatively low costs and an accommodating legal framework are just one side of the coin – not to mention the island’s open-minded and welcoming people,” Sabine Taufmann German Ambassador to Bahrain, told us. The GCC region is Germany’s fifth largest trading partner outside of the EU. Germany is considered as a reliable economic as well as political partner in Bahrain, and the Kingdom has been a longstanding traditional partner within the GCC. “That’s why Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, held political consultations with Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Federal Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, at the end of October this year,” said Ms Taufmann.

“Germany commended the initiative by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to call for parliamentary elections. And, in view of the dense situation in the region, Germany appreciates the annual Manama dialogue, the only security forum in the region – since in order to generate new investment, also from Germany, a sound political environment is crucial.”

Special Feature

German Presence in Bahrain:

On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne, allow me to express my sincere wishes to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, H.R.H. Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and H.R.H. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as well as to the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Sabine Taufmann German Ambassador to Bahrain

THINGS TO WORK ON “We would like to see more direct investment in both directions. Our vision is to build business relations that also lead to a transfer of know-how, and to research and development in Bahraini companies,” Ms Taufmann told us.

“Also, despite the fact that there are direct flights run by Gulf Air and Lufthansa between Germany and Bahrain, not enough Germans travel to Bahrain, and the recent increase in visa fees has not contributed to make Bahrain a more attractive destination for both tourists and the business community.”

 With BASF, RMA Rheinau, TÜV Nord, Tilke, or Paschal, Germany has the largest non-regional presence in the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP).  The involvement of the SMS Group with Sulb is another German-Bahraini success story.  And, let’s not forget that DHL, who employs a workforce of 900 in Bahrain (almost a fifth of its workforce in the MENA region), is a German company.

German Exports to Bahrain (2013):  German exports to Bahrain had reached USD 470 million.  More than a third of the German exports to Bahrain are road vehicles.  Machinery scored a strong second place with almost USD 80 million.  Medicinal and pharmaceutical products came in third at USD 18 million.

Bahraini Exports to Germany (2013):

 Bahrain exported USD 80 million worth of goods to Germany.  Bahrain’s exports to Germany are mostly comprised of manufactured goods, including jewellery and textiles. 

2015 Mercedes Benz S63 AMG

Metals are another important export item.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN

KOREA

ONE-ON-ONE WITH JOONHA YU What are the most unique aspects of the Korea-Bahrain bilateral relationship?

The Korea-Bahrain bilateral relationship has undergone two phases since our two countries established diplomatic relations back in 1976. During the first phase, ranging from the 1970s to 1990s, Korea and Bahrain closely worked together in areas of energy, construction, and trade – focussing mainly on economic cooperation. Since Korean Embassy re-opened in 2011, after its twelve-year absence, the new phase of bilateral relationship has begun, with areas of cooperation spanning also the cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

My Embassy is offering Korean language 24

Gulf Insider December 2014

courses, which are now fully registered

by Bahraini students. It is rare to witness the nature of bilateral relations shift from economy-oriented one to a more sophisticated, culture-oriented one. I am very proud to become the first Korean Ambassador who was able to see this meaningful change.

What has been the highlight of your time here in Bahrain so far?

I would like to highlight two events.

One is HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s visit to Korea in 2012, and the other is the Korean Prime Minister Hong-won Jung’s visit to Bahrain in 2013. These two visits marked the highest-level official exchange since the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1976. The other event which

I am proud of is the fashion show of Korean traditional costumes on the occasion of Korean National Day in 2013, which was held after 15 years’ gap since Korean Embassy was closed in 1999. It served as a reminder of the successful return of Korean Embassy to Bahrain.

What reflections do you have on the Korean community in the Kingdom?

When I came to Bahrain and was involved in re-opening of Korean Embassy in Manama, I was very pleased to hear from many Bahraini friends that Korean people are hard-working and trustworthy. The reputation of Korean people in Bahraini society has helped me work as a diplomat here. I am always grateful to Korean people in Bahrain for that.

Special Feature

Korean Presence in Bahrain

On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as well as to the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of the National Day. I sincerely hope that the relations between Korea and Bahrain, which are reaching new heights since the return of Korean Embassy to Manama in 2011, will be further strengthened in the years to come.

ABOUT KOREA With a GDP of USD 1.7 trillion in 2013, the Republic of Korea is a highly export-driven and industrialised economy and the world’s eighth largest exporter. The contribution of Korea’s exports to its economic growth has averaged 67.9 per cent per year, from 2000 to 2013. In 2011, Korea became the ninth country in the world to have its trade volume exceed USD 1 trillion.

Global Export (2013)  Electronic equipment – 24.2 per cent of total exports, or USD 135 billion.  Vehicles excluding trains and streetcars – 13 per cent of total exports, or USD 72.8 billion.  Machinery – 10.6 per cent of total exports, or USD 59.3 billion.

Joonha Yu Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

KOREA AND BAHRAIN During the three years into the reinstatement of the Korean ambassador to Bahrain, the relations between Korea and Bahrain have undergone resurgence.

The various high-ranking official visits took place in recent years, such as the visit of HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to Seoul and Korean Prime Minister Hong-won Jung to Bahrain, and the two countries have agreed to increase joint economic cooperation. The current trade volume between Bahrain and Korea is USD 1 billion.

THINGS TO WORK ON The GCC region has become Korea’s second-largest trading partner after China.

In September this year, Korea and GCC countries agreed on arranging the KoreaGCC strategic dialogue to intensify the common interests in many fields.

 Samsung Electronics recorded a 67.3 per cent growth in its mobile phone sales in Bahrain from 2012 to 2013, and Samsung Mobile Arabia ranks fifth among most popular brands in the Kingdom on Facebook.  Hyundai Motors has also been expanding the sales numbers in Bahrain.  Samsung Engineering, GS Engineering & Construction, and other Korean companies have implemented important development projects in Bahrain, including the Muharraq Sewage Treatment Plant project and the Bapco wastewater disposal plant.

Korean Exports to Bahrain (2013) • Korean exports to Bahrain had reached USD 233 million.  More than a half of the Korean exports to Bahrain are road vehicles, worth of USD 130 million.  On the second place is electric wire, with almost USD 15.5 million.  On the third place is heavy machinery, with USD 9.1 million.

Bahraini Exports to Korea (2013)  Bahrain exports USD 598 million worth of goods to Korea.  Bahrain’s exports to Korea are largely petrochemical products, including naphtha and LPG.  Metals needed to manufacture industrial products, especially Al-ingot and scrap metal, are second-biggest export item.

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Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN

THE UNITED KINGDOM ONE-ON-ONE WITH IAIN LINDSAY What are the most unique aspects of the UK-Bahrain relationship?

Our history dates all the way back to 1816, when our first agreement of friendship was signed, and since then, our long-standing relationship continues to deepen and expand. The British Embassy building itself has been here since 1902; it has become part of Bahrain’s history. In fact, many Bahrainis recall having visited the location as a child – even their grandparents remember the same.

What has been the highlight of your time here in Bahrain so far?

I must say, the overall friendliness of the local people is unparalleled. On top of that, I’ll always appreciate the great support we receive, especially from the Royal Family. We also saw Prince

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Andrew and Prince Charles visit Bahrain on separate occasions.

What reflections do you have on the British community in the Kingdom?

Having lived in Bahrain for over three years now, I was baffled on many occasions to see how much Bahrainis know about our country and culture.

Many of them go to the UK to study, work, or visit, and even have families or businesses there. You could say they are true anglophiles. And, this affinity is mutual. Both the UK and Bahrain are island nations, and we share the same ‘island mentality’. Perhaps Bahrain lacks in mountains or beaches, but it makes up for it with its friendly people. I’m pretty sure this wouldn’t be the case in most places in the world. We tend to forget that, as we feel so much at home here.

THE UK AND BAHRAIN

“In my 3.5 year tenure here, I’m very glad to see improvement in all three major branches of our relationship – political, defence, and business,” Mr Lindsay told us.

Politics “The UK is a major international contributor in assisting Bahrain in its reforms; this is primarily founded in mutual trust, without which this wouldn’t be possible.”

Defence “Although the US is the main guarantor of Bahrain’s defence, we are the second in line. Bahrain is the Royal Navy’s busiest ports outside of the UK. Our military is very keen on being stationed in Bahrain, and there are plans to expand our military base here.”

Special Feature

UK Presence in Bahrain:  There

are around 100 branches of British companies currently stationed and/or operating in Bahrain.



ABOUT UNITED KINGDOM The UK has the sixth-largest national economy in the world (and third-largest in Europe) measured by nominal GDP and eighth-largest in the world (and second-largest in Europe) measured by purchasing power parity (PPP). In 2013 the UK was the fourth-largest exporter in the world and the fourth-largest importer, and had the secondlargest stock of inward foreign direct investment and the secondlargest stock of outward foreign direct investment.

Global Export (2013)  The UK was the leading country in Europe for inward foreign direct investment (FDI) with USD 26.51 billion.  This gave it a 19.31 per cent market share in Europe.

As the Kingdom of Bahrain marks its 43rd year of its independence, it is rightly proud of its achievements during this time, particularly under the leadership of His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The UK is proud of its close relationship with Bahrain and its people. I wish all Bahrainis a Happy National Day! Iain Lindsay British Ambassador to Bahrain

Business “I first arrived in Bahrain in 2011, six months after the unrests began, which was not the best time for businesses. By 2014, however, British exports to Bahrain have increased by 13 per cent over 2013. We actually have more trade exchange now than we had in 2010.”

THINGS TO WORK ON “It’s worth mentioning that the UK Government’s plans for Britain to launch the first in history Islamic bond outside the Muslim world were announced during the 13th Annual Islamic Finance Summit earlier this year. Following that, the UK and Bahrain

Over 360 Bahraini companies have partnered with the UK, including Bapco, Alba, and BIA.

 There

are more than 500 active British commercial agencies in Bahrain.

UK Exports to Bahrain (2013) • UK export of goods and services to Bahrain reached GBP 513 million.

• The top UK exports to Bahrain are nuclear reactors, boilers, and mechanical appliances at GBP 78.9 million.

• In second place are road vehicles at GBP 32.5 million.

• In third place is electrical machinery and equipment at GBP 21.3 million.

Bahraini Exports to the UK (2013) • Bahrain exported GBP 173 million worth of goods.

• The bulk of the imports are petroleum related. agreed on a joint framework that will create new trade and investment opportunities in both countries. The last summit was hosted in London, the first time it has ever been held in a non-Muslim nation.

And, let’s not forget the historical visit of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the UK, also earlier this year. His Majesty held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, and they mutually agreed on the idea to establish more business cooperation between Bahrain and the UK. Special thanks to Mr. Chris Burrows

Rolls-Royce Wraith

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Special Feature

FRIENDS OF BAHRAIN

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ABOUT UNITED STATES With a GDP of USD 16 trillion in 2013, the United States is the world’s largest economy. The American economy represents 22 per cent of global nominal GDP. The US is also the world’s largest trading economy, and trade in goods and services represents 30 per cent of US GDP.

Global Export (2013)  The US posted USD 5 trillion of total trade in goods and services in 2013.  Top US exports include machinery, electronic equipment, cars, and airplanes.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

THE US AND BAHRAIN Bahrain and the United States have long enjoyed a robust, mutually beneficial trade relationship. Since the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement went into effect on January 1, 2006, trade between the two countries has increased substantially. “Bahrain’s open society and business-savvy community give it a competitive advantage in the Gulf, attracting many US companies,” US Ambassador to Bahrain Thomas Krajeski told us.

THINGS TO WORK ON In the coming years, the US will seek to expand both US private sector investment in Bahrain and the degree to which Bahraini small and medium

enterprises are able to take advantage of the benefits offered by the Free Trade Agreement. “Success in both areas will help diversify and strengthen the Bahraini economy as well as deepen the already strong trade relationship both countries enjoy,” Mr Krajeski said. “Toward that end, we hope to see more trade missions of Bahraini businesses visiting the United States and US companies visiting Bahrain. We hope to pursue expanded information sessions (“Direct Line Calls”) to put US businesses interested in investing in Bahrain in touch with potential Bahraini partners working in shared sectors,” he added. “We also hope to help more Bahraini businesses learn how to use the wealth of data and information available from Select USA in order to guide their efforts to invest in the United States.”

Special Feature

US Presence in Bahrain: 

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States of America, I congratulate the people and government of Bahrain as you commemorate the Kingdom’s 43rd National Day. This important occasion is an opportunity to celebrate the history and achievements of the Bahraini people as well as the common values and interests shared between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Thomas Krajeski US Ambassador to Bahrain

Over 180 US companies and franchises have a physical presence in Bahrain, including Kimberley Clark, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, Citibank, American Express, J.P. Morgan, and Papa John’s.

 Mondelez

International is currently undergoing a USD 90 million expansion in Bahrain.

 The

US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement has increased bilateral trade and encouraged US and other investment in Bahrain. For example, GPIC exports half its product to the United States.

US Exports to Bahrain (2013): 

US exports to Bahrain had reached over USD 1 billion.

 Compared

to 2005 levels, US exports of merchandise to Bahrain have increased by 190 per cent as of 2013.

 The

leading sector for US exports to Bahrain was transportation equipment (33 per cent).

Bahraini Exports to the US (2013): 

Bahraini exports to US had reached over USD 600 million.

 Compared

to 2005 levels, Bahraini exports of merchandise to the United States have increased by 47 per cent as of 2013.

 The

leading sectors for Bahraini exports to the US were primary metals (29 per cent) and chemical products, such as fertilizers (21 per cent).

2015 Cadillac CTS Gulf Insider December 2014

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Business

BILL FORD Last month Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company and great grandson of company founder Henry Ford visited Dubai. Gulf Insider met with him and learned of his vision for the future of mobility.

L

ast month Bill Ford visited Dubai and Gulf Insider visited him at the Armani Hotel in the impressive Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, to discover his vision of how we will in the future travel from A to B. At a meeting co-hosted by the Dubai Chamber, Bill Ford made a surprising statement: “Given how much I like cars, it may surprise you that I believe the auto industry needs to rethink its approach.” He said that where once the sole focus had been how to sell more cars and trucks, he now has to consider the effects of traffic increasing by twofold and threefold. The issue: “global gridlock,” fueled by worldwide population growth and increased prosperity. Ford outlined the issue. “Today there are about one billion vehicles on the road worldwide. But with more people and greater global prosperity, that number is expected to double, and possibly double again, by 2050.”

Ford admitted that cars were in his and his family’s blood, how until his great grandfather invention of the Model T few people has travelled more than 25 miles from their homes and that cars had brought people freedom. He recalled his own personal feeling of freedom after

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Gulf Insider December 2014

learning to drive. Even today he likes to “de-stress” by taking his Ford Mustang for a spin. But he discussed how congestion is impacting high-growth cities, noting that “Dubai’s road network has grown by 50 percent in the past eight years.” He noted that though most people may still be in love with their own cars, but they are increasingly hating everyone else’s!

The potential impact of global gridlock, he noted, could be considerable – from damaging economic prosperity and growth to preventing people accessing food and healthcare. Due to increased numbers he believes our very freedom of movement is threatened.

While the situation is of great concern, Ford was quick to focus on solutions and highlight progress being made in a number of areas.

In particular, he focused on the increasingly powerful onboard vehicle intelligence and, now, wireless connectivity as significant developments. “When you link the vehicle to the world around it, you begin to attack global gridlock.”

And while global gridlock poses a significant challenge, Ford said that the auto industry could not stop there.

“What if we could move from solving problems created by vehicles, to vehicles

solving longstanding societal issues?”

He then shared a number of examples that Ford Motor Company is working on where new automotive technologies are enabling vehicles to play a role in solving non-mobility challenges.

For example: a Ford project in India that uses onboard connectivity to help aid workers provide medical care to expecting mothers in rural communities – by using the vehicle to collect and transmit medical data to a city-based doctor. As a result, the company has helped provide healthcare to more than 1,600 women and children; helped set up 27 health camps; and reached another 54 villages to facilitate maternal and child health awareness.

Another example included how cars could help strengthen a developing country’s infrastructure by using vehicles that transport rural medical aid and equipping them with sensors to map the rural roads as they drive. Doing so would help improve the movement of goods and services and economic growth.

Ford also discussed how autonomous driving could help extend the “driving life” of the elderly – an issue of growing importance in developed countries with aging populations – and how it could improve their quality of life, and reduce some of the dependency on caregivers.

When asked when he believed fully automated cars would be in general use he replied that he couldn’t be sure, but because of ongoing technological improvements such as parking assist, lane control, and adaptive cruise control systems, when fully autonomous cars do eventually arrive it will come as an anti-climax for many of us.

Ford remarked that, “As technology quickly evolves, we must push ourselves to look for new opportunities to solve bigger issues. This is the next challenge before us. We must find ways that mobility can improve the human condition.” Finally, he noted that this challenge was a return to his roots, to a time when the car played a can-do, almost “heroic” role in our lives.

“Once, the automobile represented possibility.

I think we are there again.”

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Property

DUBAI REAL ESTATE SHOWS FURTHER CORRECTION

D

ubai’s real estate sector witnessed further stabilisation and a slowing down of both rental rates and sales prices in Q3 2014 as the downward trend continued for the third quarter in a row according to Asteco’s Q3 2014 market report.

Apartment and villa rental rates dropped slightly by 2% and 3% respectively against Q2 figures, with sales prices also showing a nominal decline at 1% and 4% respectively, although year-on-year growth remained positive overall with a 31% and 17% increase in sales prices for apartments and villas.

“For the first time since 2012 we have seen both residential rental rates and sales prices decline as a result of a natural adjustment to ongoing new supply entering the market. The impact of mortgage cap and higher transaction fees is also making it more expensive for prospective buyers to get onto the Dubai property ladder,” said John Stevens, Managing Director, Asteco.

The mortgage cap imposed by the UAE Central Bank which is 75% for expatriates and 80% for UAE nationals has continued to restrict demand, exacerbated by the higher down payment requirement and 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee,

which was previously set at 2%.

On a positive note, the report highlighted the launch of 27 new projects during Cityscape, last month, generating ‘strong levels’ of investor interest.

“It’s a wait-and-see scenario on the part of buyers right now, and we believe that sales prices may soften further with more new supply on the way. In the short term, a price reduction will be beneficial for the market as it will assist in unlocking demand from the middle income segments of the population,” noted Stevens.

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News

GULF ROUNDUP NEWS AROUND THE GCC AND BEYOND

LIFE Millions Ready to Take Pay Cut to Work Shorter Hours According to new research, more and more employees are ready for pay cut, if it means that they will have to put in shorter hours at work.

Daily Mail reports that one in ten of those who were surveyed felt so overworked they are ready to take home a smaller pay packet if only they could do fewer hours.

Those employees who feel the most ‘overworked’ include chief executives, doctors, dentists, and senior police officers.

Also keen to work fewer hours are those workers who are in their 50s and 60s. Meanwhile, women reported that they feel ‘more overworked than their male counterparts’, according to the Office for National Statistics.

However, those who were employed as waiters, cleaners, and sales assistants felt they were ‘underemployed’. One in ten employees belonging to those grades wanted more work to earn extra bucks, says the ONS report.

– EMIRATES 24|7

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Sharjah Authorities Ban Exotic Pets Exotic pet owners were given one month to hand over their so-called pets to authorities under a newly announced ban on breeding and possession of wild animals smuggled into the emirate at homes and farms.

Those who fail to surrender their exotic pets will be slapped with a Dh100,000 fine in addition to confiscation

of the species.

“The decision was praised by those who said they are being placed in danger by these animals,” Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Sharjah Environment and Natural Reserves Authority said. “Others who own exotic pets are upset they have to surrender their animals.

“Every month, the environment authority in Sharjah confiscated around 25 wild animals and reptiles,” she added. “People were even attacked by exotic pets in some cases and received injuries and permanent disabilities.” – GULF NEWS

Massimo Dutti in Bahrain Reopens Seef Mall Branch Massimo Dutti reopened its Seef Mall branch, with a redesigned interior based on a progressive evolution of the boutique concept that identifies the chain’s stores – all developed and designed in-house by the interior design team in Spain. The Seef Mall store currently features the latest Autumn/Winter collection for both men and women.

News

TRA Holds “Child Online Protection Challenge” Event Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Bahrain, in collaboration with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and General Organisation for Youth & Sports (GOYS), held the “Child Online Protection Challenge” or “COP Challenge” last month, in commemoration of Universal Children’s Day that falls on November 20.

The purpose of the event was to create awareness among children on the risks and benefits of going online. The challenge included various educational and fun-filled activities for children, ages 8 to 14, with the intent of establishing positive outreach.

Doha Expats ‘Considerably’ Overspend for Rent Some Saudi Restaurants to Ban Single Women Saudi Arabia’s National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has criticised the decision by some restaurants to impose a ban on women who are unaccompanied by their male guardians.

Arabic daily Al Hayat reports that NSHR has said signs erected in the windows of restaurants banning women are illegal and should be removed immediately.

One manager who put up a sign banning women told Al Hayat: “We put up these signs because we have seen numerous incidents of flirting taking place inside the restaurant.

“We’ll only remove these signs when we make sure such incidents never happen again on our premises because such type of behaviour negatively impacts our business.”

Saudis have reacted strongly on social media, saying the signs were degrading to women and a step backwards.

A spokesperson for NSHR, Khalid Al Fakhri, said the restaurants cannot require single women to bring male guardians.

“These signs are against the law and reflect the personal opinions of the restaurant owners,” Al Fakhri said. – ARABIAN BUSINESS

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Doha expats are paying “considerably” more for rent than the international benchmark for affordable housing, a new analysis has found.

The average expat, excluding workers with employer-supplied accommodation, spends 34 per cent of their income on housing, higher than the accepted definition of affordable housing in the US and Australia, which is 30 per cent, the Colliers International report says.

The benchmark is even lower in the UK, at 25 per cent of household income.

The report found only 30 per cent of Doha households can afford to live in the city’s most common residential areas, Old Airport, Al Sadd, West Bay and Pearl Qatar.

Only those earning at least QAR 35,000 per month (USD 9,500) can afford to live in the city’s most prestigious address, Pearl Qatar, according to the 30 per cent of income benchmark.

Those earning about QAR18,000 per month can only afford the cheaper areas of Al Sadd and Old Airport, in the city’s south, but also are limited to one-bedroom properties, the report found.

Colliers International said the rental affordability had been worsening and was only likely to increase further in the future due to an undersupply of new housing and an expected nine per cent growth in population by 2018.

The high rent also is impacting the broader Qatari economy, the report says. – ARABIAN BUSINESS

Travel

E

tihad airline has taken on 13 specially trained butlers - graduates of a specially tailored training course in at the University of West London, and The London’s Savoy Hotel.

One of two newly trained female butlers, Georgina Henderson, 28, from Southport in England, last month spoke to MailOnline about what it entails to be one of the world’s first flying butlers.

She said; “I would describe butlers as being lifestyle managers. You are there to think for the guests, you’re like a PA. You’re doing a bit of everything… The job starts from the moment a customer books their ticket. “The guests will be contacted and we will build a profile on them – dining requests, beverage requests, the reason for their travel. It

BUTLERS

FOR ETIHAD”S VIP PASSENGERS Passengers willing to pay $20.000 to fly in The Residence, Etihad”s new luxury three-room cabin, will experience their own personal butler to cater for their every whim.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

“We should never use the word ‘no’ - there is always something you can do, even at 40,000 feet, you can always think of something.” might be a special occasion, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for them, or it could be a business trip.

“We need to be able to read the guests. Some might want the full dining experience, some will want to maximise their rest time, so we need to understand.”

“We kept a diary of our time in London and everything down to our posture, the way we dressed and the service language we were using improved.”

“We learned the correct way to speak to guests, such as using ‘may I?’ rather than ‘can I?’ “The favourite word is ‘splendid’.

While ‘ok’ is not to be used.

“We should never use the word ‘no’there is always something you can do, even at 40,000 feet, you can always

Travel

think of something.”

“We have no ‘passengers’, they are ‘guests’. It’s about hospitality, bringing that hotel feel onto the aircraft.

“Style and image at Etihad are very important. We learned how to groom ourselves to a very high standard.

“We have three shades of eye shadow, wear red lipstick, and have a French manicure. Men need to be very clean shaven and have polished shoes and perfect uniform. You have to look absolutely immaculate.

“Every day we had an inspection, the trainers were very strict with us, checking our appearance and the way stood.

“The vital thing is the ‘magic box’ - we all have one. We all have different things in our magic boxes, our little tricks to avoid having to say no to our guests.

“On an aircraft, you can’t just run down to Tesco, and pick something up, you need to have things available to you. I have everything down to fake eyelashes in mine.

“As a crew we ask how far can we wow people on flights and create memorable moments.

“We can provide their favourite flowers and even the soft furnishings can be personalised.”

“As a crew we ask how far can we wow people on flights and create memorable moments.

We can provide their favourite flowers and even the soft furnishings can be personalised.”

Is there anything a butler wouldn’t do?

“Obviously we draw the line at anything that breeches security or that is illegal – we can’t say yes to everything and you are on an aircraft as well, safety is paramount,” Georgina says.

“But as far the service side of things goes, I do everything I can to make sure guests have a very special experience.”

Gulf Insider December 2014

39

Life

14

o.

N e l i f o r P Insider

MASTER CHEF TAREK IBRAHIM The first Arab ever to be awarded Master Chef Status from the World Association of Chef Societies (WACS).

H

ow did you become a chef?

As a little kid I was surrounded by wonderful smells of cooking. Growing up in Egypt I watched my mother, grandmother and aunts work alchemy in our kitchen.

They made bread, pickled veggies, turned cream into butter and created wonderful family meals. My love affair with food and cooking started there. I realized I wanted to be a professional chef more than anything.

What motivates you?

Education and educating. Learning is my passion.

Teaching is my honour. Discovering new techniques and passing my knowledge on to tomorrow’s top chefs keeps me happy and busy.

What do you love about being a chef?

Travelling the Middle East training Executive Chefs and teaching at the prestigious Les Roches is a pleasure. Working with the world’s best ingredients such as Australian red meat and creating innovative dishes makes my heart sing.

What do you hate about being a chef?

Honestly I love everything about it! Travelling the world as a certified judge, filming TV shows what’s not to love? If I had to say one thing, being away from my family.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

Last year I became the first ever Arab to gain Master Chef status from World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) a fantastic honour I hope inspires young Arabs into the industry. I hope I can show upcoming chefs what can be achieved when you dream big and work hard. Marrying love of my life Sharon and having two beautiful daughters is also my great achievement!

What do you do to relax?

Tarek Ibrahim

I entertain Aussie Style! Fire up the BBQ, grill Australian wagyu steaks for family and friends and enjoy!

Chef Tarek has a new Fatafeat TV Show, ‘Mashawy’ every Sunday and Wednesday’s (13:00 KSA repeated 19:00) 40

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Life

LA MER Gulf Insider’s Agnieszka Piechoska explores Sofitel Bahrain’s most celebrated eatery.

A

seemingly endless drive down the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway takes us further and further away from the busy city, and we end up actually enjoying it. Our destination adds to the excitement, as we’re heading towards Bahrain’s legendary seafood haven.

La Mer, a signature restaurant of the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Hotel, is a well-known name around the food lovers in the Kingdom and beyond. Having won the Time Out Bahrain Restaurant Award 2014 in the Best Seafood category, it has now been nominated for the Middle Eastern edition as well.

THE AMBIENCE Three words: spacious, intimate, classy. With the right lighting and decent amount of space between the tables, La Mer’s setting has made it possible for a large restaurant to still give you enough privacy. The interiors look effortlessly elegant, minimalistic, and tasteful.

Our waitress, Stephanie, welcomes us with a big smile and shows us to our table – right next to the huge window with a panoramic view on the Arabian Gulf (where, by the way, much of the fresh seafood on the menu is caught).

We immediately regret not having arrived a couple of hours earlier – the

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Life

THE FINAL VERDICT

sunset must look stunning from here!

We look around the venue, and the Fish Market Display catches our eye. On the display, we see a selection of fresh local and imported fish and seafood. Be it Bahraini shrimp, oysters from France, or Scottish salmon – just take your pick, and the chef will prepare your choice to your liking.

THE MENU Instead of the Fish Market option, we decide to explore the à la carte menu.

After the refreshing amuse-bouche (grapefruit and avocado for us, tuna with sundried tomato for our dining companion), we begin our feast.

The seafood salad made of searedto-perfection sand lobster, prawns, and scallops with grapefruit, avocado, and cashew nuts turns out to be a great start. The heirloom tomatoes and basil salad does not disappoint us either.

“These are organic tomatoes from Holland, just as all the other greens and vegetables we offer today,” Chef Gari tells us, as he stops by our table. We ask about his secret to the unique dressing.

“I use sesame oil instead of olive oil,” he explains. “I believe that – except for the sheer basics – most rules in culinary arts are to be broken. I always experiment with my recipes.”

We equally enjoy the following dish, grilled peach gazpacho and its interesting mix of veggies and fruits (that must be the experimenting part Chef Gari was talking about!).

FINE DINING

We loved how the staff was knowledgeable about each menu item and expertly followed their sequence of service. They managed to strike a perfect balance between giving us space and being always available to assist us at the same time. And, the chef truly exceeded our expectations in dealing with our special dietary requests. Will we come back? The question is not if, but when.

When it comes to the main course – sole fillet meuniere style with sautéed wild mushrooms for our dining companion and truffle mushroom risotto for us – the mushrooms are a clear winner. The excellent overall quality of each dish aside, we can honestly say these were the best mushrooms we’ve had anywhere in Bahrain. And, we really love mushrooms.

The absolute cherry on top comes in a form of lime and basil sorbet,

“I believe that – except for the sheer basics – most rules in culinary arts are to be broken. I always experiment with my recipes.” meticulously handmade by Chef Gari (it takes a lot of work to prepare it, look it up!). The effort paid off, though, as we still think about it from time to time.

We finish our dinner with fresh berries soup with rhubarb sorbet, and chocolate cannel with red fruits jam and vanilla ice cream. Needless to say, they match the rest of the courses.

The bill (for two): BD 66 La Mer is open for lunch Thursday to Saturday from 12:30 to 3:00 pm, and dinner Monday to Sunday from 19:00 to 23:00 pm. For more information, call +973 1763 6363.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Life

15

o.

N e l i f o r P Insider

ROBERTA PORRATI BEEDZ Managing Director

&

RAHMA SHIRAZI BEEDZ Creative Director How was BEEDZ created?

RS: I’ve known Roberta for over 20 years now. She used to have her own very successful brand, Roberta Porrati, and two years ago, we decided to start our collaboration. That’s how BEEDZ was born.

RP: In this unique Bahraini-Italian partnership, we combine two different cultures into one concept.

What are your individual roles in this venture?

RP: Rahma’s creativity and artistic experience contribute greatly to our end product. I add the centuries-old Italian technique and expertise.

RS: Our Bahraini team oversees the creative side, and the manufacturing process is finalised in Italy. Roberta is a technical expert; she knows all the ins and outs of the latest technology in jewellery making.

Can you tell us about your collections?

Two years ago, Roberta Porrati and Rahma Shirazi co-founded BEEDZ, a unique Italian-Bahraini partnership in jewellery making.

RS: Currently, we have three collections. BE YOU encourages you to be yourself and not be afraid to experiment with your look; BELONG is a flag collection that lets you express your national identity with your jewellery; and BESTARRED is based on the Zodiac signs.

What inspires your designs?

RS: The general concept of BEEDZ is in the brand’s name itself – Beautiful, Exotic, Exquisite, Daring, and Zen. It’s all about being able to express yourself. Our jewellery is focussed on you.

What materials and techniques do you use?

RP: Our techniques are based on the extensive research that we’ve done over the past 2.5 years to ensure a perfect product.

RS: We work in three different metals – sterling silver, 18 karat gold, and titanium. We also use precious and semi-precious stones.

Do you have a favourite accessory designer that you admire?

Roberta Porrati

Rahma Shirazi

RP: I look for inspiration internally rather than from other artists. I never use other people’s ideas, even if they’re great. I want to create something that is entirely mine.

RS: My favourite designer is JAR, the famous Parisian designer. His pieces are spectacular.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

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Style FOR

MUST HAVES

HER

THE OMEGA CONSTELLATION “PLUMA” IN 18K RED GOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL Characterised by its “griffes”, or claws, and delicate dial design, the OMEGA Constellation “Pluma” is an exceptional demonstration of the art of fine mechanical watchmaking. The white mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with wavy lines that resemble a feather. Eleven diamond indexes set in 18K gold holders complement the 18K red gold hands. Diamonds pave the 18K red gold bezel, highlighting the polished claws.

The brushed stainless steel casebody is presented on a fashionable stainless steel bracelet that is complete with 18K red gold links. At its heart is the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520, a state-of-the-art mechanical movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.

CHERISH THE MAGIC The holiday season is upon us once again; a time to rejoice and reflect on our favourite moments of the past year, and appreciate the precious seconds you have with your loved ones.

FINE JEWELLERY OMEGA DEWDROP BRACELET Crafted from luxurious 18K red gold, the elegant and unequivocally feminine OMEGA Dewdrop bracelet features a thin chain with dangling beads of gold, three of which are set with dazzling diamonds. The sophisticated design of the Fine Jewellery piece has taken its inspiration from the dramatic curve of the Ω symbol, resulting in a graceful accessory that will remain fashionable far beyond this holiday season.

Available at Bahrain Jewellery Centre. Tel. +973 1752 0052

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Style

FOR

HER

Be Beautiful.

Be Exotic.

Be Exquisite.

Be Daring.

Be Zen.

BEEDZ

ALL ABOUT GLAMOUR

MUST HAVES Each jewel is as individual as a fingerprint and as expressive as each one wishes to be.

Available at: Bahrain Jewellery Centre For more information, call +973 1721 3236 or visit www.bebeedz.com Gulf Insider December 2014

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Style

AIR TIME

HIM

FOR

The new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter

A

t last month’s Jewelry Arabia expo Gulf Insider meet up with Claudine Gertiser-Herzog from watchmaker Oris. She showed us the company’s new Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter – the world’s first automatic mechanical altimeter specially developed as a high-performance instrument for pilots and others working at altitudes. The watch has a host of clever patents to enable the watch to perfectly operate under the most extreme conditions, whether 15,000 feet in the sky or the ocean’s depths to a pressure of 10 bar. This very special time piece is vailable in Bahrain at BJC outlets.

Gulf Insider’s Nick Cooksey with Claudine Gertiser-Herzog at the Oris Stand during Jewelry Arabia.

MUST HAVES

CHOPARD

Commitment to Sustainable Luxury

C

aroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, was recognised with the Environmentalist of the Year award during the 20th Edition of the Bravo Business Awards, presented by Latin Trade magazine,

Elle Mc Pherson, Caroline Scheufele and Livia Firth

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Gulf Insider December 2014

the leading provider of information and business services, to companies operating in Latin America, on November 7 in Miami, Florida. The annual event acknowledges the most influential business leaders in the Americas in diverse categories. Caroline Scheufele received the award for her role in “The Journey to Sustainable Luxury” initiative, through which the company has committed to suppliers who use environmentally and socially conscious practices.

Richard Burns, Caroline Scheufele, Livia Firth and Maria Lourdes

Style

THE ‘CONTEMPORARY DANDY’ EFFECT Italy is known throughout the world for its flair for fashion and design, and Gulf Insider had a rare opportunity to speak to one of the leaders in high-end menswear Cristiano Corneliani, Global Sales Director of the Italian Group, who visited Bahrain as part of the launch of the brand’s exclusive boutique.

“I take great pride in choosing premium fabrics; it’s what creates the true value of Corneliani brand.”

Satin-effect wool dinner suit. Black two-buttons jacket with satin pick lapels, matching waistcoat.

“The choice of premium fabrics takes on great value only if combined with tailored manufacture.”

“My personal preference will always be the classic – thus timeless – designs.”

“Throughout the fashion history, the eras that stand out to me are the 1980s, especially the women’s ‘power dressing’; and the glamorous ‘Dolce Vita’ – the 1950s Italian style – as this was the time when our fashion scene began to take its now world-famous shape.”

Corneliani Autumn/Winter 2014 The contemporary dandy at Corneliani is a man who constructs his elegant style with his intellect; a man for whom good taste demands continual exposure to new cultural inspirations.

“To me, the highest form of luxury is time.”

FOR

HIM

Lace-ups with calfskin toe and leather sole.

Brass and enamel knot cufflinks.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Style

THE EMERALD QUEEN

SAVELLI Savelli brings us the first luxury smartphones designed especially for women – an exquisite piece of jewellery crafted from treasured metals and precious gemstones.

FOR

HER

EMERALD INSANE Limited edition of 8 pieces 18-carat white gold set with 75 baguette-cut emeralds (approx.4.5 ct) and approx. 900 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 12.5 ct). High-tech black ceramic, gray satin, Ultra-bombé and unscratchable sapphire crystal screen.

SAVELLI ARDENT RED Price: BD 7,826/ €16,590

JARDIN SECRET

Price: BD 66,374/ €140,700

SAVELLI CHAMPAGNE DIAMONDS

SAVELLI & GEMFIELDS EMERALD NIGHT Limited edition of 19 pieces 18-carat rose gold set with 400 emeralds “serti neige” (approx.

3 ct) 18-carat rose gold high-tech black ceramic, anthracite satin, Ultra-bombé and unscratchable sapphire crystal screen.

Price: BD 17,733/ €37,590

Price: BD 16,097/ €34,125

TECH PICKS

For more information, email: info@savelli-geneve.com 50

Gulf Insider December 2014

Style

SAVELLI

WHAT WOMEN WANT On the sidelines of Jewellery Arabia, Agnieszka Piechoska speaks with Alessandro Savelli about his luxury smartphone collection for women and how it fits into the GCC market.

W

hat makes your products stand out on the market?

The key thing is that all our phones are both precious pieces of jewellery and luxury smartphones that are exclusively catered to women, making them the only such product currently available on the market. We have literally created a phone from scratch, including the software and unique user interface. We’ve also tested the phones globally to ensure they’re compatible with international operators.

What is the concept behind Savelli’s Jardin Secret collection?

Jardin Secret is our first collection, and it consists of eleven models. The idea was to create a deep range of products – in terms of price point, various colours, leathers, and other details – to cater to different tastes and styles. It’s also created similarly to watch collections – we have entry level models featuring steel and 18 carats pink gold, then gold, precious stones, and exclusive models, such as the Emerald Insane with baguette-cut diamonds.

Emerald Insane is part of your first limited edition. Can you tell us more?

We’ve teamed up with Gemfields to create something absolutely unique

and extremely challenging in terms of craftsmanship. Our two limited edition models feature elaborate emerald designs – and it is very rare to see emeralds set on such a complex shape.

The fitting process takes a lot of intricate work.

Why did you choose Gemfields for this special project?

As we hadn’t previously worked with

One of our limited edition models features over 400 gemstones, fitted manually, one by one. coloured stones – except for one model – we wanted to work with an established leader in the field. And, it was Gemfields.

It’s a large UK-based company that uses particular mines in Zambia where emeralds are sourced using socially responsible mining practices – which is very important to us. Our collaboration resulted in this limited edition, with the second one to be launched very soon.

Can you take us through your design process?

As the founder of the brand, I was directly involved in every step of the design process. It took one year of work, because the curves that are present in every model make it very complex to make and require true craftsmanship.

One of our limited edition models, for example, features over 400 gemstones, fitted manually, one by one, which can take up to ten days. All our pieces are assembled by hand in Switzerland, as the “Swiss Made” concept is essential to us as well.

What is your brand’s presence in the Gulf region at the moment?

This is our first time in the GCC region. The brand is very fresh; we only launched in Europe last year, and we will soon be launching in Abu Dhabi at Khoory boutique. We are also in talks with the Bahrain Jewellery Centre about introducing Savelli in Bahrain.

How do you see the GCC market potential for your products?

GCC, with its many key locations, is one of the fastest growing luxury goods markets in the world. That’s why it is among our key targets for development.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Cars

CAR NEWS

E.K. KANOO REVEALS NEW LEXUS RC AND RC F Ebrahim K. Kanoo unveiled the entirely new Lexus RC and RC F on November 18, at the Lexus showroom. The RC coupe has deeply contoured body lines – never before seen in the Lexus line-up – with the widest and lowest application yet of the Lexus spindle grille, triangular headlamps, and the unique three-lamp LED design, and its 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine produces a maximum 314 HP. The Lexus RC F has an allnew 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine that provides maximum power of 471 HP, and a Lexus-first new mode with its Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) system.

MUSTANG 50TH BIRTHDAY Bill Ford, Chairman of Ford Motors Company and great grandson of founder Henry Ford, visited Dubai last month to announce the decision to based Ford’s MENA HQ in Dubai as well as celebrate the 50th birthday of the company’s iconic Mustang car at a Hollywood Style party on the 113th floor of the Burj Khalifa. The next generation Mustang will be available in the Middle East early next year.

EURO MOTORS SPONSORS SIX HOURS OF BAHRAIN Euro Motors sponsored the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Six Hours of Bahrain by offering five Jaguar XJ Long Wheel Base vehicles to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), from the November 10 to 17, for them to transport VIPs and other officials in the Kingdom for the duration of the event.

Bahrain played host to the seventh and penultimate round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on November 14 and 15, in Sakhir.

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Cars

WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

B

ahrain International Circuit again stamped its name on the world map of international motor sport when it played host for the third running of the Middle East round of the World Endurance Championship.

This race series is growing spectacularly in popularity and has become the second most popular global championship under the FIA, behind only Formula One. Prior to 2014 only two manufacturers, Audi and Toyota, were involved in the Le Mans P1 category but

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Gulf Insider December 2014

Gulf Insider visits Bahrain International Circuit to experience the third running of the Middle East round of the World Endurance Championship.

this year saw the new Porsche 919 hybrid enter the fray and next year Nissan will join as a full manufacturer.

The growing number of ex Formula 1 drivers joining the works teams is testament to the caliber of racing in this category and is certain to add to its popularity. The current Formula 1 driver, Fernando Alonso, was seen at Bahrain International Circuit in support of his friend and former F1 driver, Mark Webber, and the Ferrari AF Corse GT team. Alonso made no secret of the fact that he intends to take part in the

Cars

WEC one day when he is finished with Formula 1, saying “Endurance is a category that you can race when you’re a bit older without big problems, and that will be my intention.”

The series consists of multiple classes of cars competing in eight endurance races across the world including the historic 24 hours of Le Mans. Apart from the prototype class of Audi, Toyota, Porsche and Nissan there are also the legendary teams of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche competing in the Grand Tourer (GTE) category. What makes this category unique and interesting is the fact that some teams have professional drivers (LMGTE-Pro) and other have a mixture of amateur drivers (LTGTE Am). The end result is a large and highly talented group of professional and gentleman drivers worthy of a place

Nick Heidfeld receives driving Tips from Gulf Insider’s Bill Daly

Bahrain also held rounds of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship.

Bahrain resident Christophe Mariot with his MRF car

Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber pose for Gulf Insider

on the FIA WEC grid. After Bahrain, the teams headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the final race of the season.

In support of the WEC Series, Bahrain also held rounds of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship. The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is based on the successful and popular Porsche formula for a onemake series racing giving every driver an equal chance to compete, racing in identically constructed Porsche GT3 Cars. The Porsche GT3 Championship is aimed both at grooming young talented drivers and also at giving Gentlemen drivers the opportunity to combine their passion for motorsport with their daily

routines in which they compete in their own category. Flying the flag for Bahrain were drivers Mohammed Mattar and Raed Raffi who finished a respectable

fifth and sixth respectively in the first GT3 race.

The MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship is an India-based single seater series that use two-litre 210bhp Renault racing engines that deliver performance levels similar to Formula three cars.

In Bahrain, anybody who saw the starting grid could be forgiven for thinking they were imagining things when they saw the names Hunt and Lauda in the same race. In actual fact, Freddie Hunt, son of the late James Hunt, and Mathias Lauda, son of legendary Niki Lauda, both drive in the MRF Challenge.

While no Bahraini drivers took part in this race, we did have representation in the form of Frenchman and long-term Bahrain resident, Christophe Mariot.

Overall, the WEC Weekend provided

exciting and entertaining racing at the highest level and proved once again that the facilities and management at BIC are among the best in the world.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Cars

MERCEDES-BENZ T ML 400

By Nick Cooksey

Starting Price: BD 29,300

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Gulf Insider December 2014

he ML is an impressive looking SUV. You will be proud to be seen getting in and out of it, and step on the accelerator and you would think you were driving a performance car – even when driving in normal mode.

Switch to sport mode and this luxury SUV lowers itself, suspension becomes stiff, steering becomes tight and acceleration becomes faster. Its 329

Cars

horse power and 354 pf torque 3.0-liter V-6 twin turbo engine provides plenty of speed and power, but if you want more there’s always the more expensive AMG 5.5-liter V-8.

I found it drives smoothly as I enjoyed sitting in its luxurious cabin. Our test model was white with black interior, and everything inside was of the most luxurious materials including wood trimmings. It’s also full of all sorts of safety features and other useful technology like park assist, adaptive cruise, blind spot detectors, drowsiness detection and Pre-Safe, which prepares occupants for an impact, lane change assist, satnav, climate control, reverse parking camera, rear seat entertainment, Bluetooth, internet and more.

The seats allow for all sorts of positions, are noticeably firm yet supple, and you can have them massage you as an optional extra. 60/40 rear seats offer lots of room and have bottoms fold up enabling the back seat backs to lay flat for lots of storage space.

Everything inside was of the most luxurious materials including wood trimmings.

There’s a multilayered 7-inch screen molded into the dash. The top bar displays main functions, the bottom bar offers precise selections for those functions.

There is a lot of functionality… so many choices… and so it’s not intuitive - a new owner will have to spend time learning how everything works.

The ML has everything you could want in a five seat SUV – comfort, luxury, build quality, status, and power!

The ML is noticeably smaller than the GL which I reviewed a few months back – which for me makes it a much better car to drive. Of course what you’re getting with the ML is an extra 30 cm of length allowing for an extra row of seats.

As with my earlier test in the GL, I didn’t get the chance to do any offroading in this vehicle so that review will have to be written another time, but as I said about the GL, based on my overall experience of this car I would be surprised if it didn’t impress.

To arrange a test drive in Bahrain contact Al Haddad Motors on +973 17-785-454

Price Comparison BMW X5 From BHD28,000

Range Rover Sport From BD45,000

Porsche Cayanne From BD30,000 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 Motor Awards.

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Cars

INFINITI Q50

By Nick Cooksey

Infiniti clearly want to be seen to be a serious player and stand head to head with the best German brands

T

he Infiniti Q50 is packed full of the best in car technology known to man such as its digital steering system, something that has been used in aviation for decades but never before in cars. Essentially this technology, ‘Direct Adaptive Steering’ is set up like a video game - there’s no direct connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This allows the driver multiple settings of steering weight and response speed, giving drivers a choice of driving experience beyond anything available from ‘traditional’ steering.

To really test its effectiveness I drove the car across some rough ground and was impressed that the steering wheel did not vibrate even the slightest in my hands.

Infiniti Q50 brings more world-firsts. The Predictive Forward Collision Warning system alerts the driver to risks beyond their field of view, sensing the speed and distance of not one, but the two vehicles directly ahead, giving early warning of a potential accident.

I will remember my test drive of the Q50 for the rest of my life because it’s the first time I have really engaged with a technology such as Infiniti’s Active Lane Control which helps the car to remain safely in the middle of the lane while driving. I was able to take my hands away from the steering wheel for long periods and

Starting Price for 3.7 V6: BD 15,995 58

Gulf Insider December 2014

Cars

and Sport grades; the latter featuring sport styling, brakes and suspension tuning. Optional extras include sunroof, folding seats, a multi media pack... and more.

Infiniti clearly want to be seen to be a serious player and stand head to head with the best German brands and seem to be doing everything right and taking a long term view to achieving this aim. The

I was able to take my hands away from the steering wheel for long periods and experience the car steering itself - a strange and at first slightly disconcerting feeling experience the car steering itself - a strange and at first slightly disconcerting feeling that in the future drivers will no doubt take for granted.

Inside, this car is fitted out beautifully and to the standard of any other top of the range car currently on the market.

There’s plenty of passenger leg room room in the back and it uniquely boasts not one touch screen control panel but two, and is enabled for reading emails and even accessing Facebook.

There’s a 7-speed auto transmission with paddle shifters (made of solid magnesium).

The Q50 offers, I’m told, the fastest hybrid for a sedan in the world. Compared to the standard 326-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 engine, the hybrid combines a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a hybrid system

delivering 350 horsepower and 536Nm of combined torque making it capable of zero to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

This is real sports car performance. Not so long ago I didn’t believe hybrids would really take off in the Gulf. Now I’m having to reassess that view.

The car can be driven in - Eco, Standard, Sport and Custom settings and each gives the Q50 an entirely different personality. Switching to Sport mode I instantly noticed a major and exciting change come over the car. It suddenly turned into a performance car and felt so much firmer and tighter. Handling was excellent.

The Q50 also allows drivers to create unique settings for engine, transmission, handling and steering controls – if that’s what you want. It’s available in Premium

new Q50 is a very good car and will help Infiniti towards their ultimate goal.

To arrange a test drive in Bahrain call the Infiniti showroom on +973 1773 2732

Price Comparison Lexus IS350 From BHD18,000

Audi A4 From BD13,750

BMW335 From BD22,000

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 Motor Awards.

Gulf Insider December 2014

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Cars

NEW LEXUS RC COUPE

Fasten Your Everything

T

he design of the RC coupe is described by Lexus as “coolness over utility”. It has deeply contoured body lines - never before seen in the Lexus line-up - with the widest and lowest application yet of the Lexus spindle grille which is evidence of the brand’s aggressive new design direction. From every angle, the low profile, wide stance of the coupe with its short wheelbase and large diameter tires is intended to provide a visual jolt. Triangular headlamps evoke the sporty characteristics of the LF-LC design while concept vehicle inspiration is evident in the unique three-lamp LED design.

In the interior, the driver’s cockpit is divided into operational and display zones. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and a 7-inch navigation screen. The RC’s custom steering wheel carries 8 switches, for added safety and convenience. A purpose-built Lexus-first lighting package provides a great sense of occasion, with illumination that reflects upwards, rather than downwards, to envelop the cabin. High-contrast interior colours emphasize design lines and accentuate the elegant cabin. Genuine shimamoku wood highlights – the result of an intense, layered wood production technique refined by Lexus – are used to emphasize the surrounding trim. RC’s

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Gulf Insider December 2014

aluminium wheels continue the conceptto-production design philosophy with a deeply sculpted 10-spoke 19-inch wheel.

The RC’s custom steering wheel carries 8 switches, for added safety and convenience.

Producing power output per litre second only to the LFA supercar in the Lexus range, the RC signals the next evolution of Lexus powertrain engineering. The 3.5-litre V6 petrol

engine produces a maximum 314 HP. The engine has intelligent dual variable valve timing (VVT-i), as well as the Lexus D-4S system of direct and port fuel injection. An 8-speed Sports Direct Shift with paddle shift transmission optimizes power delivery and economy.

The new Remote Touch Interface (RTI) as part of the cockpit ‘operation zone’ in the centre console is a key highlight of the advanced technology features offered by the RC. The RC benefits from the same comprehensive array of safety features that is characteristic of today’s Lexus range, and comes equipped with 8 airbags. Blind Spot Monitor and the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert provide peace of mind when backing out of a parking space by notifying the driver of vehicles approaching from either side.

Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day

All the management and staff of C.G. Arabia WLL, the holding company of Arabian Magazines, and Gulf Insider Media WLL, takes this opportunity to congratulate His Majesty the King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa His Highness the Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa His Highness the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the people of Bahrain.

We pledge our continuing support to the King, his Government and people, and look forward to our contributing to the prosperity of the nation both now and in years ahead.

P O Box 26810, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel. +973 1782 2388 Fax. +973 1772 1722 www.ArabianMagazines.com, www.Gulf-Insider.com, www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

Art

GLOW

SUNSETS OF BAHRAIN A collection of captivating images from Andrew Weaver’s upcoming book.

A

ndrew Weaver’s inspiration for his upcoming photographic book came from watching the beautiful winter sunsets over Bahrain’s horizon. It compiles some of his works as well as images submitted by the amateur photographers.

“The beauty of a sunset may not only be seen in the intense colours and myriad of patterns, but in the fact that it’s momentary and will never be reproduced again,” he told us.

Contacts details: Mobile: +973 3944 5102 Email: twoseasimages@gmail.com www.andrewweaver.com (portfolio) www.picturearabia.com (images) 62

Gulf Insider December 2014

Andrew’s two published books are the best seller, “Between Two Seas”, which is a photographic account of modern Bahrain; and “Above Two Seas”, featuring stunning aerial pictures of the island. He also owns and manages one of the world’s largest Arabian stock image sites, www.picturearabia.com.

“Glow. Sunsets of Bahrain” is planned to be launched in January 2015 and will be available in all leading bookstores.

Art “The beauty of a sunset may not only be seen in the intense colours and myriad of patterns, but in the fact that it’s momentary and will never be reproduced again,”

Art

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Gulf Insider December 2014

ADZ at the back...!

Dr. Lucy Liu

Qualified practitioner in traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

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If you suffer from stiffness in your back, neck, or with any of your joints/ muscles, James and Annie from our medical and chiropractic massage team will be pleased to help you.

Please call the Clinic on

+973 1766 4088

to book an appointment

Dr Lucy Liu on +973 3777 8922

ESL EXCEL ESL EXCEL specializes in: } Conversation English } Grammar skills for all classes and ages } All reading comprehension levels } Pronunciation } Exam preperation } University entrance examinations } Essay writing skills

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Last Word

WISDOM FROM

CONFUCIUS 30 brilliant quotes from the great Chinese philosopher.

1. “If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”

the worst cowardice.”

2. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

14. “The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.”

3. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

15. “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.”

4. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

5. “What the superior man seeks in himself, the small man seeks in others.”

6. “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”

7. “Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

8. “No matter where you go, there you are.”

“I used to take on trust a man’s deeds after listening to his words. Now after listening to his words I observe his deeds.”

20. “Settle one difficulty, and you keep a hundred away.”

21. “Behind every smile there’s teeth.”

22. “A youth is to be regarded with respect, for his future may exceed your present” 23. “People with virtue must speak out; People who speak out are not all virtuous.”

24. “He who flatters a man is his enemy. He who tells him of his faults is his maker.”

25. “The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step.”

26. “Demand much of yourself, but little from others.”

9. “If what one has to say is not better than silence, then keep silent.”

16. “Choose friends who are equal or better than yourself.”

27. “I used to take on trust a man’s deeds after listening to his words. Now after listening to his words I observe his deeds.”

10. “When its obvious goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the actions.”

17. “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

28. “Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.”

18. “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”

29. “As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, a wise man adapts to circumstances.”

11. “A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top.”

12. “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”

13. “To see what is right and not do it is 66

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19. “The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.”

30. “Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.”

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