Gulf insider January 2018 by Gulf Insider Media

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

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GCC property 2018

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Contents January 2018 Issue 156

20 52 Facebook Followers

303,446 Simply unparalleled online presence that connects regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most inspired communities.

Lifestyle

16 18 24

Cascade of Dreams Taste of the Levant Mystery buyer of $450 million painting!

Money & Business

26 36

Flying High Got Krack?!

People & Culture

Thinking Out loud on Saudi National Transformation

Car Insider

48 50

The first-ever Chopard classic-rally Dubai!

...and many, many more!

Triple the power, precision and performance

Hack your Brain to

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Comment... Dear Reader, Greetings and a warm welcome to a new issue of Gulf Insider!

Knowledge is power

Publisher & Editor in Chief

- Nicholas C. Cooksey

Editorial

- Ainne Frances dela Cruz

Regular Contributors

- Hugh Haskell-Thomas - Nicholas Cortes - Bill Daly

Guest Contributors

- Sawsan Abu Omar - Ryan Ernst - Dhanyasree M - Angela Acosta

Business Development

- Charlie Cooksey

Layout Designs

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Admin & Finance

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Photography

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Distribution Executives

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For Advertising Opportunities Call Charlie Cooksey

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Wishing all of you a great month ahead!

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The Insider Team! Printed at Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain. Distribution Bahrain: Al Hilal Corporation, Tel. +973 1748 0800 UAE: Jashanmals, Tel. +971 4341 9757

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156

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knowledge is power

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

KSA SR20

155

knowledge is power

Issue

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

+ Inside Award-Winning Hospitality

trends and ChallenGes

GCC property

Extraordinary Coffees The Spread of Fake News

2018

+ Inside

Porsche Cayenne 2018 Subaru WRX STI

Complimentary Copy

Where coffee began

islamic banking

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Where coffee began

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Established since 2004, Gulf Insider is the multi award winning Arabian business and current affairs magazine that also covers property and expat news, interviews, car reviews, travel features, even a bit of art and fashion. The monthly print edition of Gulf Insider is distributed to Bahrain’s highest spending consumers and decision makers. There’s also limited distribution in other GCC states via airline lounges, duty free, ARAMCO in the KSA, and other strategic locations.

trends & opportunities

+ Inside

Arabia’s Intelligent Magazine

trends & opportunities

islamic banking

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

www.Gulf-Insider.com 2018

property GCC

The Spread of Fake News

Inbox

Follow @Gulf Insider A few of our social media posts from last month. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to like our Facebook page!

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Every Friday & Saturday | 6pm - 11pm Delight in our Hot Grills to Chill your weekend. Enjoy choice of unlimited grill live cooking BD 12.000 ++ per person For Info and reservations call:

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Events

Day & Night Dragon Night Market 2017 When: up to 6th January 2018 Where: Dragon City Oriental dining, shopping, and entertainment await the whole family at Dragon Night Market! Find all your favorite products at good prices with products ranging from electronics, children’s toys, clothes, accessories and many more in addition to food stalls serving delicious snacks and Asian cuisine.

For more information: Dragon City Bahrain Tel: +973 3229 6366

UK Boarding School Exhibition When: 26th January 2018 Where: British Club Bahrain The event showcases a range of school prospectuses as well as the UK Boarding School Directory to help you find the right boarding school for your child. The support team is there to assist you in the process from recommending schools to short listing, visiting, and registering at a school in the UK.

For more information: British Club Tel: +973 1772 8245 10

Gulf Insider January 2018

Middle East Refining Technology Conference (MERTC) When: 23rd to 24th January 2018 Where: The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain The inaugural MERTC will be the premier meeting place for downstream technology and innovation. MERTC will utilize World Refining Association’s (WRA) 20 years of experience in a new flagship event for the region that will combine advisory board scored papers and technical content in an exciting petrochemical technology event.

For more information: Clarion Events Tel: +973 6590 3970

Autumn Fair When: 24th January to 1st February 2018 Where: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre The Autumn Fair is Bahrain’s biggest and most popular annual consumer products exhibition and has a truly unique atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. The exhibition becomes a colorful bazaar, transformed by traders who have travelled from far and wide to Bahrain bringing with them their country’s best exports.

For more information: Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre Tel: +973 17558800

The Bahrain based lifestyle and luxury magazine with style and editorial flair that is enjoyed by affluent customers both Arab and Expats. Online edition at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

181 The Best in Bahrain

Issue

rise of the phoenix interview with sushmita Donlon

health anD wellness special guiDe

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rise of the phoenix You can now read our magazines virtually at

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Events

Evita the Musical

Best of Dubai Here are our top picks in Dubai you would want to fly out for. Cirque Du Soleil’s TORUK The First Flight

Stand up comedy with Chris Rock

When: 4th to 17th January, 2018 Where: Dubai World Trade Centre

When: 5th to 6th January, 2018 Where: Dubai World Trade Center, Hall 3 and 4

TORUK, which is based on James Cameron’s blockbuster film Avatar, promises to transport you to the far-off world of Pandora in a visually stunning show, with the planet’s creatures brought to life with huge puppets. Expect an unforgettable story mixed with breath-taking acrobatics and stunts, as well as original music.

For more information: www.alchemyproject.com Tel: +971 56 675 68 34

America’s favourite comedian Chris Rock is coming to Dubai for two nights only as part of his Total Blackout Tour. The first leg of the tour in the US has already sold out as fans scramble to see this wonder live on his first comedy tour in nine years.

For more information: www.chrisrock.com/tour Tel: +971551305826

Omega Dubai Desert Classic When: 25th to 28th January, 2018 Where: Emirates Golf Club Since its first edition back in 1989, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has seen some of the world’s greatest golfers competing here in Dubai, with winners including well-known names such as Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods. It’s known as the Middle East Major, and has now become one of the leading international golfing events.

For more information: www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com Tel.: +9714 3833580 12

Gulf Insider January 2018

When: 22nd January to 3rd February, 2018 Where: Dubai Opera Touted as ‘the theatrical event of the year’, the smash hit musical ‘Evita’ will feature at Dubai Opera. The story of Evita Peron, Argentina’s first lady, who dedicated her life to charity work and helping the nation, comes alive on stage under the direction of Bill Kenwright.

For more information: www.dubaiopera.com/showlist/evita/ Tel: +971 4 440 8888

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Style insider

Gulf Insider August 2017

Lifestyle

Bahrain World Trade Center and MODA Mall managing agents, Cushman & Wakefield Bahrain, represented by Kelvin Crutchlow, Director & General Manager and Kirsty Leask, Leasing Manager.

BWTC & Moda Mall hosts annual media appreciation event The event acknowledged the media’s role in highlighting the contribution of both assets to Bahrain’s commercial real estate sector.

ahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) and MODA Mall, recently hosted its annual appreciation event for the Bahrain media community, acknowledging their extensive support throughout the year. At the media gathering held at Maki restaurant, speaking on behalf of Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) and MODA Mall’s managing agent, Cushman & Wakefield Bahrain, Kelvin Crutchlow, Director & General Manager expressed his gratitude for the positive exposure extended by the media for its various strategic sponsorships and campaigns, including CSR initiatives and consumer-focused activities. He also commended the media’s significant role in highlighting BWTC and MODA Mall’s contribution to the commercial real estate sector in Bahrain, further enhancing its engagement with the local community. 14

Gulf Insider January 2018

Bahrain media hosted at BWTC/MODA Mall MODA Mall’s new collaboration with Durrat Marina, one of the leading real estate developers in the Kingdom was also shared with the media, as part of

the mall’s latest consumer marketing campaign, in addition to other initiatives and partnerships for both assets, which are currently in the pipeline.

Lifestyle

Monk-straps

Loafers

This shoe is more adaptable than the loafer and will look good if you want to add a bit of “swagger” to your step. It looks great with suits and trousers, but will also look fantastic with denim.

A more casual take on power dressing, loafers are more suited to chinos or very casual tailoring. Wear them on off-duty days or for coffee at a relaxed venue.

Look polished and

professional These are the best shoes to wear to work!

Oxford Shoes

Derby Shoes

Chelsea Boots

For formal occasions and definitely with a suit, the smartness of the Oxford shoe will add to your style. Pull them out when there’s a big boardroom meeting or when you want to impress a top-notch client.

More casual than the Oxford, this is sometimes called “weekend” or “country” style. Nowadays though it can be worn with anything from jeans to a suit. Since this is “looser” than an Oxford, you can wear it if you want to be less formal but still smart.

This stylish shoe is perfect for those who want to look both formal and edgy. Versatile enough for both a tailored suit and a shirt and pants combination, this shoe gives you the best of both worlds.

Gulf Insider January 2018

Lifestyle

to launch some new collections in diamonds. Ultimately, we aim at attracting existing and new consumers to Al Zain through the evolution of our designs.

What’s your own personal favorite item of jewellery? I’m going to have to be biased now because of the sheer time & effort we have spent on this item, so it has to be “Cascade of Dreams”! Let me tell you it was and is an absolute “Show Stopper!”. Another favorite is our brand new range simply called ‘Nina’. Nina is on the other end of the scale purely aimed at a younger consumer audience at affordable prices but maintaining the utmost in handcrafted quality and finish for which Al Zain is so well known. This

Theo Swart

Cascade of Dreams An interview with Al Zain Jewellery CEO Theo Swart.

andcrafting jewelry since the 1930’s, Al Zain’s legacy has always been fine craftsmanship and design. Creating intricate and breathtaking works of art for generations—Al Zain jewelers go to great lengths to seek out the highest class of gems: from diamonds to emeralds to natural pearls to adorn their distinguished clientele. Gulf Insider sits down with Al Zain Jewellery’ newly

Gulf Insider January 2018

appointed CEO Theo Swart to talk about the jewelry business as well as their latest dazzling project—”Cascade of Dreams”.

What did you hope to achieve this year at Jewellery Arabia? We wanted to showcase Al Zain’s ability to manufacture and design Jewellery of the highest quality and finish. “Cascade of Dreams” was an example of this. We used the show

We wanted to showcase Al Zain’s ability to manufacture and design Jewellery of the highest quality and finish. is to be followed closely by Dusk Till Dawn, a black and white collection set on rose gold--look out for it.

What is the most beautiful piece of jewelry you have ever seen? I think we all know the answer to this! Cascade of Dreams took months and months of planning leading up to Jewellery Arabia. The brief to our designers were simply, “What would you design if you had the freedom to dream?” When the final product reached us a few weeks ago and they removed the dust cover, there was a stunned silence in the room for a few moments. We were dumbstruck and in total awe of its beauty. This is the result of freedom of design and 1600 man hours split between 100 + workers.

Lifestyle

Cascade of Dreams was unveiled at Gallery 21

Do you wear jewellery yourself and if so, can you specify what it is you wear? Yes I do - I have to confess it is not yet Al Zain but that is a project we are working on. Right now I’m wearing Georg Jensen, a Danish brand. Al Zain is launching a classic contemporary collection of cufflinks in December soon to be followed by a stunning range of trendy men’s Jewellery at which point I will change what I am wearing today!

Do you see owning jewellery as a smart investment? Yes, certainly in today’s uncertain world and economy people look to something with more permanence and security hence the trust in gold and diamonds. Gold has become the currency of now and the future because people consider gold as something that will never lose its value and will always have a strong connection with our past as a form of trade.

What do you most love about your job? I love the diversity and creativity all mixed into one working day. I switch between working in an environment of design artists, to retailing; a factory environment and then back to a corporate environment. So what do I love most about my job? Diversity!

Gulf Insider January 2018

Lifestyle

in-house management team, who demonstrate competence and pride in maintaining the highest standards, with an obvious focus on the needs and comfort of residents. All round, a stand-out property.

Outstanding facilities Superb lobby Large temperature controlled swimming pool  Kids’ pool  Pool deck gas BBQ  Well-equipped gym  Fun and safe kids’ play area  

Location, quality & management: the essence of

The Flagship

A luxury residence where nothing is too much trouble… Location, location, location Perfectly situated immediately next to the five star ART Rotana Hotel and within walking distance of the various restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and other amenities at The Lagoon in Amwaj, The Flagship could not be better located. Among other things, residents also benefit from outstanding sea views and close proximity to the airport. The Flagship’s luxury fully furnished apartments (one, two and three bedroom), provide a perfect home for expatriates living in the stunning surrounds of Amwaj Islands.

Gulf Insider January 2018

Exceptional quality & attention to detail On entering The Flagship, the quality of the development and acute attention to detail is immediately noticeable, with the spacious and immaculately presented lobby exemplifying the luxury styling and ethos of the building.

A place where nothing is too much trouble Beyond the contemporary design, the warm welcome provided by the frontdesk staff is typical of the well-trained

Impressive management Friendly & professional staff 24 hour maintenance & reception  Resident focus.  

Come home to an outstanding living experience at The Flagship.

• Experienced & committed on-site management • 24 hour front desk/ reception • 24 hour on-site maintenance • Family friendly • Outstanding gym • Multiple tenant benefits

P.O. Box 10494 Building No. 2793 Road 5722, Amwaj 0257 Kingdom of Bahrain Tel. +973 1311 5566 Mob. +973 3904 2250 E.mail: flagship@exibah.com

Lifestyle

Taste of the Levant Gulf Insider reviews Reem Al Bawadi, an award-winning restaurant at Ramada City Centre Bahrain.

reat food taken with great company is one of the pleasures of life. This is exactly what we experienced when we went to Reem Al Bawadi to try authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Reem has a cozy, elegant atmosphere decorated in a traditional way. The attention to detail is simply stunning as the décor and the uniforms of the servers matched the menu as well—the restaurant is a peek at the magnificent culture of the Levant. A lot of the food is for sharing which is great for families. In addition, the restaurant is separated into smoking and non-smoking sections*. There is also a terrace where you can dine al fresco in the evenings. We opted to sit in the smoking section so we have a fabulous view of the sea. Our host Maryam walked us through the extensive menu and said that Reem is known for its classic Middle Eastern dishes especially the mezze and grills, although there are also international flavors to suit every palate. Our party of four ordered a mix of hot

Gulf Insider January 2018

and cold mezzes including moutabal, hummus with shawarma, and the quintessential fattoush plus a dish of spicy chicken liver. On the side we decided to try the spinach fatayer, which is a well-known street food. Maryam encouraged us to try the grills as this is the essence of Middle Eastern cooking. And we obliged by ordering something

a little out of the ordinary—the khash khash kabab. When the food came, the table was overloaded! Just the mezzes alone already made for one heavy meal. We jokingly said that we should have stopped ordering once the appetizers were done. The mezzes were simply delicious.

Lifestyle

Maryam Jahrami, In Charge of PR & Marketing

Reem is known for its classic Middle Eastern dishes especially the mezze and grills, although there are also international flavors to suit every palate.

In a country where hummus is already an afterthought, you would think that it will be ordinary in every restaurant. Not so in Reem. The hummus and the moutabal here is creamy with just the right notes of tartness and lemon. It comes with fresh, fluffy bread that is a delight to dip into the sauces. The fattoush is zesty and flavorful with the crispy toasted pita bread which we

mains but we had to try the khash khash kabab. This is 5 skewers of grilled minced lamb meat infused with fresh parsley, chili sauce, and garlic-- delightful take on the traditional mixed grill. We were so stuffed we decided to skip dessert and drinks which was a shame as there was a variety of traditional sweets which we wanted to try such as the muhallabia.

loved. This went especially well with the chicken livers as it balanced out the spiciness of the dish. The spinach fattayer is a revelation (no wonder it’s a popular street food!)—crisp pies filled with spinach and flavored with sumac, the crunchy dough and the savory filling make a good combination. We can snack on this all day long! We almost didn’t have room for

Overall, it was a great experience. This restaurant is highly recommended if you love Lebanese food. You can always burn off the calories by shopping in Bahrain City Centre afterwards.

*The restaurant boasts of an extensive shisha selection and also sells shisha accessories.

Gulf Insider January 2018

Lifestyle

Cappuccino Banana & Sesame Seeds

Mythos

WHERE COFFEE BEGAN Nespresso launches limited edition coffees, celebrating the birthplaces of coffee.

his January, Nespresso is taking coffee lovers on a journey of discovery to its origins with new Limited Edition coffees, Arabica Ethiopia Harrar and Robusta Uganda. The new capsules take inspiration from the captivating myths on where coffee originated, featuring coffees from Ethiopia, which is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and Uganda, one of the alleged birth places of Robusta coffee.

Gulf Insider January 2018

THE MYTH OF ARABICA The curious goats Transport yourself to the ancient highlands of Ethiopia, where the story of Kaldi, a young goat herder begins. He sat in the shade one afternoon and watched over his goats. In the heat of the day, Kaldi drifted off to sleep and left his goats to wander off into the wilderness. The goats discovered and started to eat some red cherries from nearby

bushes. When Kaldi awoke to find his goats gone, he hastily went in search of them. He found them leaping and dancing around the mysterious bushes. He picked a cherry and tried it for himself. He too felt elevated and began to dance alongside his goats. A passing monk was extremely suspicious of the situation and decided to burn these mysterious cherries. Soon after he threw them in the flames, delicious aromas started to rise. Enchanted, the monk brushed the beans out of the fire, crushed them up and combined them with water to make the captivating drink we now know as Arabica coffee.

Lifestyle

LIMITED EDITION ACCESSORIES THE MYTH OF ROBUSTA The unity bond To discover the alleged birthplace of Robusta, we go to the bygone land of Buganda, now known as Uganda. Here, the precious Robusta coffee beans were part of a sacred ritual that united families. A single coffee cherry would be split and two people would each eat one of the two beans from inside. From that moment onwards, the spirit of the bean would connect both families and descendants for eternity in a pact of friendship and loyalty. Karsten Ranitzsch, Nespresso Head of Coffee said, “At Nespresso, we know the journey of coffee is just as important as the taste. With the new Limited Edition coffees, we wanted to take people on a mythical adventure to the original birthplaces of coffee. These fascinating discovery stories are fundamental to the coffee we have today and allow us to share the incredible tastes of Arabica Ethiopia Harrar and Robusta Uganda, two coffees that truly demonstrate the sensorial profiles from their regions.””

notes. 100% Robusta Intensity: 10 Serving size: Espresso (40ml) or Ristretto (25ml) To bring these inspiring and mythical coffee stories to life, Nespresso partnered with London based illustrator, Mariana Rodrigues who designed the coffee capsule sleeves. Rodrigues explained: “I was so inspired by the new coffees from Nespresso, especially with their mythical origins. When creating the sleeves, I wanted to clearly depict the vibrancy of both these cultures and link back to their beautiful coffee stories and ingrained heritage.” ingrained heritage.”

To complement the coffees, Nespresso has collaborated with Swiss design studio, atelier oï which exclusively designed two stunning Limited Edition trays. These stainless steel trays were inspired by traditional African coffee ceremonies and the patterns are reminiscent of century-old artisanal steelwork techniques and the intricate art of guilloché The trays are available in small (13cm) and medium (28cm) sizes. For a limited period, you can indulge in a ‘Discover Coffee Birth Places’ gift box which comes with a steel tray plus a set of either two View Lungo or two View Espresso cups

DISCOVER THE LIMITED EDITION COFFEES There are four delicious coffees to try, available in Original and Vertuo formats. For Lungo lovers, the Arabica Ethiopia Harrar can be enjoyed both as an Espresso and as a Lungo: Arabica Ethiopia Harrar – A delicious espresso with notes of ripe fruits and fresh flowers that boasts a remarkably velvety body. 100% Arabica from Harrar, the region where coffee was first commercialised on a large scale and exported globally Intensity: 5 Serving size: Espresso (40ml) or Lungo (110ml) Robusta Uganda – Surprisingly sweet and undeniably intense, rich in cacao

With the new Limited Edition coffees, we wanted to take people on a mythical adventure to the original birthplaces of coffee.

Discover Coffee Birth Places Gift Kits View Espresso kit View Lungo kit Arabica Ethiopia Harrar and Robusta Uganda will be available for a limited period from Nespresso Boutique at Bahrain City Centre, Nespresso booth at Seef Mall, Nespresso Customer Care (8000 1999) and online at www.buynespresso.com.

For more information: Soj Bahrain Tel. +973 17-723171 Gulf Insider January 2018

Lifestyle

Mystery Buyer of $450 Million

“Salvator Mundi”

Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud paid a small fortune for the Leonardo da Vinci painting, which now holds the record for Most Expensive Painting Ever Sold!

Salvator Mundi, by Leonardo da Vinci

he revelation that Prince Bader is the purchaser of Salvator Mundi, links one of the most captivating mysteries of the art world with palace intrigues in Saudi Arabia that are shaking the region. Prince Bader splurged on this controversial and decidedly un-Islamic portrait of Christ at a time when most members of the Saudi elite, including some in the royal family, are cowering under a sweeping crackdown against corruption and selfenrichment. As it happens, Prince Bader is a friend and associate of the leader of the purge:

Gulf Insider January 2018

the country’s 32-year-old crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Even before the disclosure of the record-breaking purchase in a New York art auction by one of his associates, Prince Mohammed’s extravagance had already raised eyebrows, most notably with the impulse purchase two years ago in the south of France of a Russian vodka titan’s 440-foot yacht, for half a billion dollars. “Salvator Mundi” represented a major prestige purchase in the art world, if a controversial one. Some experts questioned whether the painting was a true Leonardo. The painting’s previous

owner, Dmitry E. Rybolovlev, is a Russian billionaire who bought a $95 million Florida home from Donald J. Trump nearly a decade ago. Rybolovlev had paid $127.5 million for the painting in 2013 — less than a third of its sale price last month — and he is still locked in litigation with the dealer who sold it to him over that lofty price, among other transactions. For Prince Bader, paying such an unprecedented sum for a painting of Christ also risked offending the religious sensibilities of his Muslim countrymen. Muslims teach that Jesus was not the savior but a prophet. And most Muslims — especially the clerics of Saudi Arabia — consider the artistic depiction of any of the prophets to be a form of sacrilege. However, the newly opened branch of of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi is more liberal, tweeting that the painting “is coming to Louvre Abu Dhabi.” The Saudi crown prince is a close ally of his counterpart in Abu Dhabi.

About the painting Salvator Mundi is a painting of Christ as Salvator Mundi (Latin for Savior of the World) by Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1500. It is one of fewer than 20 known works by da Vinci and was the only one to remain in private hands.

Source Credit: The New York Times

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money &

business insider

Gulf Insider August 2017

Money & Business

Flying High Gulf Insider covered the Arab Aviation Summit held in Roda Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai.

ulf Insider flew down to Dubai to attend the 7th edition of the Arab Aviation Summit inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group with the theme “Time to Transform”. The summit is an industry initiative committed to improving the state of travel and tourism in the Arab world by facilitating a constructive dialogue for public-private cooperation. The initiative takes place in a different Arab city every year and is considered an ideal partnership of the three key players in the travel and tourism industry: public sector, private sector, and the Media community. The summit has become a catalyst for destination awareness of the host city, highlighting its travel and tourism experience while debating the

Gulf Insider January 2018

challenges and opportunities that exist in the wider Arab world.

Arab Aviation: Challenges & Opportunities Adel Al Ali, Arab Aviation Summit Chairperson and Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia said “Arab aviation is highly affected by the evolving geopolitical situation, the global economy, technological developments and others.” This year alone has seen several changes that have impacted the aviation and tourism sectors including air traffic management, rising taxes and on-ground infrastructure. These have brought about key shifts in business models driven by economic changes, consumer demand and costs pressures. The strong growth potential of the Arab aviation and tourism sectors, despite various challenges, has been highlighted by a number of leading industry authorities. According to IATA,

the Middle East’s aviation market is forecast to grow 5% annually until 2036. Predictions demonstrate that the sector will witness an extra 322 million passengers a year on routes to, from and within the region and the total market size will expand to 517 million passengers over this period. The region gained a 5% share of the global aviation market last year, flying 206.1 million passengers - an increase of 9.1% over 2015. Samir Al Darabi, Director of the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) for Gulf States said that “data from WTO proves that aviation and tourism industries in the GCC have continued to create job opportunities globally. In addition, under the UN’s ‘Change for Good’ initiative, we have contributed to international peace and well-being by donating more than 70,000 tonnes of relief supplies and 95 percent of emergency medical supplies to the needy every year”.

Money & Business

Predictions demonstrate that the sector will witness an extra 322 million passengers a year on routes to, from and within the region and the total market size will expand to 517 million passengers over this period. Dubai, a leader in aviation Airbus’ Global Market Forecast, released this year revealed that the fleet size of operators in the Middle East is forecast to more than double from 1,250 to 3,320 aircrafts over the next two decades. By 2036, there will be 95 mega-cities, catering to 98% of the world’s long-haul services. The five mega cities existing today in the Middle East will more than double to 11 over the next 20 years. The Middle East’s aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) segment is another bright spot, growing at a faster pace as compared

to the global average and generating thousands of jobs. It is forecast to double by 2025, rising at 7.4% per annum to reach USD10.2 billion over the next decade. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) said: “Developing the aviation industry, which contributes directly to economic growth, creates jobs and business opportunities in almost all sectors and this is what makes it exciting. But this will not happen by protectionism or by blocking key players from global and regional markets. As we face many present day challenges

including air traffic management, sky liberalization, rising taxes and charges and secondary airports among others, we need to work together to bring more social and economic benefits to the Arab world. ‘We need to learn from Dubai as it has created its own culture. Its government has subscribed not only to open skies but to openness in everything. We have tried protectionism and failed because it creates inefficiencies. Dubai has succeeded due to openness and the removal of the idea of protectionism.”

Gulf Insider January 2018

•• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Over 40 competencies for exemplary communication Credentialing, ethics and contracting information Development Needs Analysis psychometrics and other diagnostics Deep dives into theory, research and coaching competencies Behavioural Psychology, Gestalt, Somatic and Systems Intelligence Peer coaching, feed-forward and action learning support as a CoachME ‘Clan’ Ways to reduce toxicity One-to-one and group Mentor Coaching (coaching on coaching

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Proven to achieve impact within organisations CoachME team can assess your oral examination for Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with ICF Package includes the required Coach Mentoring/Supervision and Knowledge Examination preparation Programme designed for leaders, Entrepreneurs, Managers, HRD professionals, Supervisors, Trainers, Business and Executive Coaches as well as Life Coaches Rigorous high-performance leadership and coaching methodology Office: +973 17590135 Mobile: +973 38377186 Email: coachme@beckett-mcinroy.com

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Health Breakthroughs Gulf Markets International in association with FujiFilm, Japan inaugurates the first Endoscopy repair center in Bahrain

Mishal Al Sho’ala, Chairman of Al Fanar Investment Group

Alain Arida, CEO of GMI

ahrain-based leading service provider, Gulf Markets International announced it has invested in the first ever repair facility of Fujifilm Endoscopy Systems recently launched in the Kingdom. The launch event was held at the Gulf Hotel with a delegation of FujiFilm led by Jun Higuchi, Managing Director of FujiFilm Middle East and several high profile attendees from medical and healthcare service providers across Bahrain, as well as representatives from the Japanese embassy and the media. The FujiFilm repair and training centre, located in East Riffa, will service all types of Fujifilm endoscopes as well as Ultrasound and Double Balloon scopes locally in Bahrain, reducing repair time by up to 80%, while also bringing down the associated costs. The centre is equipped with modern tools for all minor and major repairs of all types of endoscopes and state of the art facilities that include workstations, washer and disinfection area, epoxy room, as well as demo and training sections for the medical professionals.

Gulf Insider January 2018

The FujiFilm repair and training centre, located in East Riffa, will service all types of Fujifilm endoscopes. Big Boost to Local Healthcare “We are proud to be associated with Fujifilm in bringing this unique facility to Bahrain giving our local healthcare sector a big boost, saving both the time and costs involved in repairs”, said Mishal Al Sho’ala, Chairman of Al Fanar Investment Group. “Having more than 40 years experience in Bahrain, GMI is now well diversified in 6 industry verticals operating across all GCC countries. GMI not only continues to source the world’s finest products and services, bringing top-notch brands, and innovations to our markets but is

aiming to venture into providing training services to national workforce in areas such as health-care, para-medical and IT sectors”, said Alain Arida, CEO of Gulf Markets International W.L.L. He further added that GMI aims to duplicate FujiFilm’s initiative in the early detection of colorectal cancer campaign as it has been successfully implemented in other GCC countries, which has led to treatment cost savings and better life quality for patients. Fujifilm also launched the new ‘Eluxeo 7000-Multi Light 4-LED Endoscopy system’, benefiting doctors and surgeons in Bahrain from its multi-light LED technology providing different imaging modes such as BLI, LCI and multi zoom, using the most superior CMOS technology. “These BLI and LCI modes have helped doctors and surgeons around the world in the early detection of tumors and inflammatory diseases. FujiFilm’s Eluxeo system is poised to become a revolutionary step in the medical imaging industry”, said Mithil J. Shah, who heads the Medical business of the company in the GCC region.

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achieves sustainable impact within the organization. To ensure this, BMC takes a look at your organizations’ strategic vision, organizational culture and values. According to Dr. Clare BeckettMcInroy, BMC’s founder “Starting with a thorough development needs analysis, we then design and deliver experiential, contextually based training with clear competency assessments at the start, online closed-user groups to embed learning and gain sustained impact as well as 360 assessments post-program to clearly show how gaps in skills, knowledge and behaviors have closed”. Dr. Clare is ICF Vice-President in Bahrain and is only one of three Master Certified Coaches (MCC) in the Middle East.

Benefits of attending a BMC workshop include

Dr Clare Beckett-McInroy Master Certified Coach (MCC)

Enabling Potential More than just a coaching business, Beckett McInroy Consultancy is comprised of trainers, researchers, psychometrists, writers and consultants to meet your personal, professional, and organizational requirements.

eckett McInroy Consultancy (BMC) aims to enable positive transformation in organizations globally by supporting talent management, employee engagement and succession planning. The organization co-creates success by increasing productivity and performance, ensuring sustainable impact, developing leadership capacities for managing change, and clarifying goals then ensuring action. BMC has recently won Best Organisational Development Company in the Middle East & Africa (MENA) region. BMC now works in 10 different countries across four continents providing bespoke leadership,

Increased engagement and motivation of individuals and teams  Talent management  Improved communication between individuals and departments  Increased capability of management teams  Development of self-awareness and strengths  Development of soft skills and emotional intelligence  Greater honesty and transparency (a no-blame culture)  Active listening  Development of leaders in line with the needs of the knowledge society 

innovation, coaching, International Coach Federation (ICF) and Association for Coaching (AC) accredited and approved coach training, business and education consultancy, as well as psychometric solutions for senior and middle managers. The team has delivered workshops for EY and Taawon, Innovation for American Express (AMEX), Leadership and Coaching Competency ICF approved training with Bahrain’s Origin Institute for Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) as well as Executive Coaching for Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). The client is always at the heart of BMC’s agenda. The organization works to ensure that the training received fits the clients’ needs and

BMC passionately encourages people and organizations to reach their potential whilst balancing the theoretical and practical elements delivered. With PhDs on their team, they base their delivery on relevant international empirical evidence by keeping up-to-date with trends across all sectors. The organization is also internationally published, with a suite of books, products, and articles available to clients.

For more information: Beckett McInroy Consultancy Tel. +973 1759 0135 E-mail: office@beckett-mcinroy.com www.beckett-mcinroy.com Gulf Insider January 2018

Money & Business

Property News GCC Saudi While Saudi’s real estate market suffered, hotel and luxury developments in the Kingdom are on the rise. Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is one of the worst performers in the world, according to new data released by Knight Frank. Its latest Global House Price Index showed that Saudi Arabia was ranked 55th out of 56 markets analyzed during the third quarter of 2017. “The oil-dependent Saudi economy is struggling to gain traction, which along with the recent introduction of a levy on expatriate workers is stifling housing demand,” according to the real-estate consultancy. On the flip side of the coin, hotels and luxury developments in the Kingdom are on the rise especially in the two cities of Makkah and Madinah. Among the dozens of new hotels being built there, Abraj Kudai is expected to be the largest, with 10,000 rooms. Operators are also keen on entering the luxury hospitality industry with General Managers deeming Saudi a hotspot along with Dubai. Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel operator, has more than 10,000 rooms in 30 hotels in its Saudi pipeline. Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, said that the massive redevelopment of the holy cities has made it attractive to hoteliers and investors alike.

Gulf Insider January 2018

Money & Business

UAE Dubai’s real estate market outperforms most other global destinations especially with the advent of The World Expo 2020. Other places in the UAE follow are following suit.

UAE’s smallest emirate, Ajman, offers one of the world’s biggest rental yields pegged at 9.6 % per annum between April and October 2017. Commuters who live in Ajman can reach Dubai in just under one hour, depending on traffic. When it comes to rental income, other metropolitan areas around the world don’t even come close to Ajman, with yields in cities like New York only estimated to be around 2.9%. Rental yield is one of the most important factors that would-be property owners take into account when deciding whether or not a flat or villa is worth the investment. It is the money made by landlords each year as a percentage of the property cost. Propertyfinder Group has reported that besides Ajman, locations across the UAE have held up well through the real estate showdown. “Despite continued decline in real estate prices, since market peak in mid-2014, rental yields throughout the UAE remain strong”. Saleh Abdullah Lootah of Lootah Real Estate Development has expressed optimism over the UAE property market saying “We are very optimistic about

the future. The World Expo 2020 has provided a huge boost to the market. The GCC is also facing an economic and social transformation due to the national GDP diversification, liberating itself of its oil dependence. The UAE is investing in a variety of non-oil sectors, making the country extremely attractive for investment, businesses and tourism, a move that will hopefully bring stability

The Dubai 2020 Vision, aiming to attract 20 million tourists by 2020, will require the property market to be able to host and accommodate the increasing numbers of tourists. to the economy. The UAE government is also investing tremendous efforts in growth plans in response to declining oil prices, so adjustments such as the introduction of value-added tax will play a key role in boosting the country’s property market”. Dubai is a far more complete, more regulated and far more mature city

today. For potential investors it is now possible to achieve net yields of 8% and more, with net returns on equity of approximately 10% for finance buyers using 75% loan-to-value mortgage products. This provides good financial incentive to buy rather than rent. Additionally, the demand for new projects and the size of investments entering the country are on the rise. The

Dubai 2020 Vision, aiming to attract 20 million tourists by 2020, will require the property market to be able to host and accommodate the increasing numbers of tourists, workforce and businesses entering the country. Investors want to secure assets ahead of the Expo 2020 boom”, said Majid Saqer Al Marri, Senior Director, Real Estate Investment Management and Promotion Center, DLD. An added plus for investors is that UAE residential property will be largely exempt from VAT, according to the UAE’s Federal Tax Authority. The FTA has clarified that commercial real estate will be subject to the 5% Value-Added Tax. In addition, new legislation which aims to see more affordable homes built in Dubai is a “watershed moment” for the emirate, according to real estate consultancy Cluttons. Developers have started introducing residential projects into the Dubai market at a price point which has opened the opportunity to a wider buyer pool. The numerous options and the softening of prices have motivated first-time buyers to purchase property. Tenants may even be favored further Gulf Insider January 2018

Money & Business

as rents go down, another factor which will make Dubai a more attractive city to live in. By offering a pricing spectrum based on design, amenities and location, developers are increasing choice and creating a better fit between customer preferences and units available in the market. Craig Plumb, head of research at JLL MENA said “One of the largest challenges to the residential sector in 2018 is the threat of potential over supply. Over 120,000 units have been launched for completion by the end of 2020 and if all these projects were to proceed the market would definitely experience an oversupply.” Meanwhile, hotel apartments are gaining traction as a preferred investment option as investors capitalize on Dubai’s allure as a tourist destination. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) figures show a record total of 10.4 million international overnight tourists arrived in Dubai during the first eight months of 2017, an 8.22 per cent increase over the same period last year. The authority’s aim is to get 20 million annual overnight visitors to Dubai by 2020. These visitors require places to stay and furnished hotel apartments provide a viable alternative to more expensive five-star hotels. Not only does Dubai real estate outperform most other global destinations, but its generally stable yield also offers a welcome alternative to the rollercoaster ride that currencies, bonds and equities have taken investors on over the last few years. 34

Gulf Insider January 2018

Bahrain Bahrain has remained a firm favorite amongst expats and global businesses but downside risks include the upcoming VAT and infrastructure levy.

Bahrain has long attracted global occupiers looking to set up a base in the GCC and the island is also a firm favorite among expats.

Commercial property in Manama remains popular among global businesses as it offers the lowest cost per square foot of commercial property in the GCC at $23.98 (per annum), says UK-based property consultant Knight Frank. Key landlords across the main submarkets in Manama had held firm on offering reduced rates, staying focused instead on retaining current tenants. Bahrain has long attracted global occupiers looking to set up a base in the GCC and the island is also a firm favorite among expats with Expat Insider’s 2017 survey ranking it as the

Money & Business

best place in the world to live and work. Key factors attracting global businesses include Bahrain’s favourable business environment, offering effective regulation, a favourable tax regime, lack of free zone restrictions and access to a young and educated workforce. In addition, retail remains a significant area of growth in the Kingdom’s property market reflecting the renewed confidence amongst retail occupiers and retail developers reflected in the fact that retail rents have remained stable over the last six months, according to Cluttons. Durrani added that “Retail is playing a central role in helping various areas in the Kingdom realize their full potential with residential tenants being drawn to areas that offer high levels of retail penetration. We have noted an upturn in the number of community retail developments in locations such as Juffair, while larger shopping malls, such as the BD45 million ‘The Avenues’ are being seen as game-changers for the Kingdom’s retail scene. Separate to the development of retail malls, the largest Ikea in the GCC region is on track to open next year at a cost of BD47 million. Once ready, it is expected to create up to 600 new jobs, said Cluttons in its report. Harry Goodson-Wickes, the head of Cluttons Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, said: “The desirability for developers to select existing communities for new schemes has also been fuelled by the strong penetration of retail developments in many of Bahrain’s established residential areas.” “An example of this is the Marassi Boulevard, which consists of four lowrise buildings, with over 240 homes, alongside 700 sq m of retail and access to a 2-km-long private beach and waterfront promenade”. Cluttons report shows that aside from the clear risks to overall demand levels for both residential and commercial property that stem from any further weakness in oil prices, a number of downside risks are being monitored, including value added tax (VAT) and infrastructure levy.

Kuwait Revived activity in the commercial sector bolstered the real estate market while residential land prices continued their recovery after the slowdown in the first half of the year. Improvement in real estate activity in Kuwait continues as sales posted strong growth figures and prices remained

Oman With tourism booming in the Sultanate, the demand for fivestar luxury resorts in Oman are at an all-time high. Oman is renowned for its unique lifestyle offerings with some of the most beautiful beaches and mountains in the Middle East. As an up-and-coming destination, it should also be considered a smart investment choice. Property sales in Oman especially in Muscat Bay

relatively stable. Total real estate sales grew an impressive 46% year-on-year in October, the highest monthly growth since June 2014, reaching KD216.9 million, on revived activity in the commercial sector as well as strength from the residential sector sales. The residential sector bolstered the real estate market once again in October, continuing the supportive role witnessed throughout 2017. Residential sales jumped 38% year on year in October to KD 110.3 million with a healthy 357 transactions. In the first ten months of this year, sales activity in the residential property market as a whole has grown by 25% compared to the same period last year. Residential homes made up over 60% of transactions Residential land prices continued their recovery after the slowdown in the first half of the year, while residential home prices softened slightly. Investment property sales show have picked up but are still lower than the prior year’s monthly average.

allow non-GCC citizens to buy freehold property and provide permanent residence visas to owners and their families. They will also receive the title deed after two to four months, allowing them to sell or lease their property as they wish. The property can also be inherited by the buyer’s next of kin. With tourism booming in the Sultanate there is a demand for fivestar luxury resorts. The current supply does not meet the demand for tourists visiting the country. Oman is being viewed as a touristic hub – the new Arabian Riviera – with one of the finest stretches of coasts in the Gulf. Gulf Insider January 2018

Money & Business

Got KRACK?!

ow often do you use WiFi? For anyone with a smart phone, it’s far simpler to count the time you’re not on WiFi... Even when not actively surfing the web, your wireless devices are typically still connected to a Wifi access point or router. The vast majority of us are virtually “plugged in” all the time. Judging by the title of this article, one may have surmised we’ll be discussing societal addiction to wireless Internet.

intrude on your private connection in what’s known as a man-in-the-middle attack. Once positioned between your device and the access point, the hacker may passively eavesdrop or actively send malicious data to vulnerable devices. Communications protected with its own encryption, including properly configured SSL websites (HTTPS://), cannot be observed. However, connections to unencrypted websites (HTTP://) are completely vulnerable.

As opposed to relating connectivity with illegal substances, this page highlights a severe vulnerability in the most widely used wireless security protocol; Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). Security researcher Mathy Vanhoef discovered severe weaknesses in WPA2 using an exploit called key reinstallation attacks, or KRACK for short. Vanhoef explained in his krackattacks. com website, “The attack works against all modern protected Wi-Fi networks.” A wireless device connecting to an access point with WPA2 performs a virtual four-way handshake to create a secure channel to the Internet. The KRACK vulnerability permits a third device to

Additionally, improperly configured SSL websites may be vulnerable if an attacker successfully exploits other vulnerabilities in addition to KRACK. In these circumstances, an attacker is able to see usernames and passwords, entered on a website, in plain text. By now you must be wondering how to stop the KRACK? An important caveat for this atack to be successful is that both the device and the wireless access point must be vulnerable. As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango.” Only one of the partners in this case need be patched against the exploit to stop the hacker’s dance. Unfortunately, wireless access points and routers are

Gulf Insider January 2018

unlikely to be patched even if a patch is available. Thus, its up to WiFi device owners to ensure patches are applied to their devices. The most susceptible devices use Android operating systems. Vanhoef shockingly reported, “On phones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and newer, the KRACK vulnerability can force the Wi-Fi connection to create an absurdly easy-to-crack encryption key of 00:00:00:00:00. With something so simple, it’s easy for an outsider to read all of the traffic coming to and from a client, like a smartphone or laptop.” It’s challenging to determine which Android devices have patches available as they are released by the phone vendor (i.e., Samsung) vice Google. Older Androids will likely never receive a patch, so it’s time to start thinking about buying a replacement. On a brighter note, Windows and Linux patches were made available in October. Apple released patches for macOS and iPhone 8 and older in November with older iPhones reportedly not vulnerable as Apple misimplemented the WPA2 standard. Sometimes an unplanned error works to your benefit and that was certainly the case in older Apple iPhones. Moral of this story: Patch today to keep the nasty KRACK away!

Ryan Ernst - Affectionately known as the “Tony Stark of Bahrain” is an Enterprise Security Consultant at Sword & Shield. www.sworshield.com

Telecoms

people &

culture insider

Gulf Insider August 2017

People & Culture

THINKING OUT LOUD ON

SAUDI NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION By Dr. Bora Aktan

ountries dependent on oil tend to bear the hardest brunt from the falls in oil prices. No country worldwide has been affected by this fall as much as Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer in the world. Since three quarters of the national budget revenues are still originating from the oil sector, Saudi Arabian economy remains to be heavily

Gulf Insider January 2018

dependent on petro-dollar and crude oil market overall has been shaping all aspects of its national development, from the state of national economy to social order. Enjoying the wealth being steadily brought about by high oil prices for more than eighty years, Saudi Arabia is at the same time facing a budget deficit to the tune of $ 90 billion USD at current prices. As a result, some of the government subsidies have been

reduced because of this deficit and a loan was borrowed from international lenders after a long break. Determined to diversify its economic revenuesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sources in parallel to reducing its dependence on oil, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a long-term national transformation plan which is promising quite a number of truly radical changes not only to its economy but also to its society. The plan dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saudi Vision

People & Culture

2030,” was approved by the Saudi Cabinet with the aim to prepare the country for the so-called post-oil era. In line with the national transformation plan, the country is creating a $2 trillion USD sovereign fund for the purposes of accelerating economic growth and strengthening the national economy through diversification so as to offset the negative impacts of low oil prices by targeting to achieve maximum efficiency, support most promising non-oil projects, exploit huge mineral resources, attract investments in the mining sector, combat corruption by means of good governance and create more jobs for the Saudis among which the current unemployment rate of the youth reaches 30 percent.

Many steps ranging from privatization of the energy giant ARAMCO and some other entities such as Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) are on the agenda these days, mainly with the aims to increase tax revenues and cut budget expenditures at the same time as well as to increase non-oil revenues and non-oil exports overall, attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) and strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to the economy. If this plan proves to be successful, Saudi Arabia will gradually drift away from oil, the most precious asset in its economy today. The country also plans to use

this fund for various other investments in all parts worldwide. Saudi Vision 2030 also includes other steps such as restructuring the education sector and national healthcare system, reforming the social life in many of its widely discussed aspects.

A Far Reaching Plan From the economists’ standpoint, the public offering of Aramco, the government’s oil company, is the most interesting element of the Vision 2030 plan. The largest oil company in the world (Aramco’s crude oil reserve, 260 billion barrels, is almost 10 times more than Exxon’s reserves), Aramco will offer five to ten percent of its shares in New York, London or Hong Kong.

“Saudi Vision 2030,” was approved by the Saudi Cabinet with the aim to prepare the country for the so-called post-oil era. Aramco’s value is $ 2.5 trillion at most conservative estimates. Considering this amount, the public offering of five

percent of its shares may bring $ 125 billion. With a daily oil pumping capacity of 12 million barrels, the company’s capacity is double of its closest rival’s capacity. One of the most secretive companies in the world in terms of its business operations and management, Aramco is strongly determined to become more transparent due to this upcoming public offering and regularly shares its performance results with the public. Despite the impressive volumes and drastic nature of all these upcoming economic and social changes, there is literally one man standing behind this far-reaching plan – the 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Prince Mohammad is frequently and severely criticized by the older representatives of the regional political establishment as being too young and inexperienced for the position and role he is currently having. He is also said to be too hasty in rolling up his sleeves and taking all on the chin by himself in an attempt to stop the “oil addiction” of the country he is ruling. Let us be frank about these criticizing voices: in times of turbulence, economic and/or geopolitical ones, being skeptical about somebody else’s courage, initiative and also somebody else’s ability to think out of the box is merely a safe haven to those who simply lack the courage to invent or to support innovative ideas. We need to remind all eager faultfinders that the history of the Islamic world knows a number of truly brilliant examples when the leader was “too young”, “too quick” and/or “too radical” in offering changes. Mehmet II, maybe the most famous Ottoman Sultan, was only in his mid-twenties when he conquered Constaninople and ushered in a new age! Today, it is indeed high time to unite in supporting the leader who really belongs to that unique type of global decision-makers, capable of putting national and regional development interests above personal ones.

Dr. Bora Aktan is Associate Professor of Banking and Finance at the University of Bahrain. He is also the Editor of the Journal of Islamic Financial Studies.

Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

The Enlightened Entrepreneur

Do it... Note from the author: (This is a modified version of the piece I wrote on top of Mount Brienzer Rothorn, Switzerland in Sep 6th 2016. I thought it would be the best New Year present for the readers of my column.) Do it You know you CAN do it You know you WANT to do it You know you must do it.. So do it. . Don’t look for the best way. The best way is your way.. Do it your way.. Do it Don’t search for the right path to follow.. They will follow your path.. Do it Don’t wait for permission, acceptance or blessings.. The universe has give you its permission and blessing since the day you were born... Do it

Do it because you were born to do it. . Do it because no one else will do it. . Do it because no one does it the way you do it.. Do it because you have no idea how far you can go... Do it because you’ll realize how great you can be.. Do it Do it. . Do it.. Do it.. Do it because.. It’s YOU Do it.

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

Are you a Facebook Page or a Facebook Group Fan?

f you have a business, are a social media manager, or are an employee at a company, you always get asked about the company’s Facebook page. However, with the ever-changing Facebook algorithms, many Facebook pages suffer from decreasing organic reach, meaning that not many fans can see the Facebook page’s posts on their newsfeed. To overcome this, sponsored ads and boosting posts are the solution, i.e. throwing money at Facebook to grant your page more reach and exposure. This gave the opportunity for Facebook groups to become the alternative solution, and have gained a lot of popularity recently. The number one reason behind this is the higher engagement rate between group members, which helps in getting your brand or business more exposure. And consequently helps you land new clients and make new business. It is important to understand the difference between Facebook pages and Facebook groups before you decide on which one to adopt. A Facebook page is similar to a profile page that is dedicated to a brand, a business, celebrity, or organization. Businesses are expected to have a Facebook page. The Facebook page gives some insight on the “personality” of the business or the brand, in terms of content shared, and interactions that take place. A Facebook group allows members to engage in conversations, which helps build a sense of community amongst them. Groups can be public, closed, or secret. The secret groups can be viewed by the group members only. The closed groups can be viewed by nonmembers, but they cannot join. In order to promote your brand, and are conflicted between Facebook pages and Facebook groups, you need to look into your objectives. If your objective is establishing and promoting your business, then Facebook page is the answer. On the other hand, if you are selling niche products, a Facebook group would be a better option. But you can have both, it doesn’t have to be either-or. A Facebook page is a must for your brand. And a Facebook group can help you in establishing and nurturing connections, and drive traffic to your Facebook page. The social media rules can be flexible and tweaked to help you reach your goals.

mohd.a.shukri@gmail.com

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

Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

Expats who have been

detained in Dubai (and the reasons why)

Ayman Najafi

Scott Richards

Billy Barclay - accused of carrying a fake Scottish 20 pound note Barclay was on holiday with his family when he handed over the note at a money exchange counter. While changing money, the counterfeit money detector went off and the police were summoned. Barclay was questioned for 12 hours and the family’s hotel room was searched, but since no other counterfeit money was found, he was released without charge.

Jamie Harron - indecency charges Harron suffered a grueling four month ordeal after he brushed against a man’s hip in a bar and been arrested for indecency charges. Harron has been working in Afghanistan and was on a two-day stopover in the UAE

Billy Barclay

Jamil Ahmad

Jamie Harron but lost his job following his arrest. Shaikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai personally intervened in his case and he was later exonerated.

Jamil Ahmad - indecency charges Ahmad was frustrated about a driver who had been tailgating him and flipped the bird at the man. It was just another annoying traffic accident that he could have forgotten—except he was surrounded by police when he went through passport control when he came back to Dubai on a holiday. While detained he said that he had shared a cell with “rapists and murderers” before being released on bail.

Scott Richards - sharing a Facebook message Warmhearted dad of two was detained for two weeks after sharing

a charitable Facebook post which promoted a drive to buy blankets for refugees in Afganistan while holidaying in the UAE. He was arrested because the country’s laws bans donations or advertising of charities that are not registered in the country.

Ayman Najafi and Charlotte Adams - PDA Back in 2010 this British couple made headlines for kissing on the mouth in a restaurant. Locals said this was a violation of the country’s decency laws. The couple appealed the conviction stating “it was just a peck” on the cheek. The pair lost their appeal and were sentenced to a month in jail before being deported.

*For travelers to the UAE, its best to respect the customs and traditions of the country so as to enjoy a happy and safe vacation. Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

GCC REVIEW Oman postpones VAT introduction until 2019 All six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council agreed among themselves to impose VAT at the start of 2018. But while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are set to go ahead on January 1, other countries have been slow to make the necessary legislative and administrative preparations. Oman will delay the introduction of a 5 per cent value-added tax until 2019 instead of introducing it next year as originally planned, a decision that may hurt its effort to strengthen shaky state finances. Earlier this month, Fitch Ratings cut Oman’s credit rating by one notch to BBB-minus – just above junk territory – with a negative outlook, citing the country’s big budget deficit, which it estimated at 12.8 per cent of gross domestic product in 2017. Standard & Poor’s already rates Omani debt as junk.

Saudi crown prince is the buyer of £225m French chateau Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been revealed as the buyer of a French chateau that became the world’s most expensive property when it sold for $300million in 2015. The owner of the palace – which features a wine cellar, home theatre and moat filled with koi carp – was kept hidden at the time behind a series of shell companies based in France and Luxembourg. But an investigation by the New York Times has found that the companies are all owned by Eight Investment Company, a Saudi firm managed by the head of the prince’s personal foundation—and now the buyer has been revealed as the prince himself.

Half the Saudi population receiving welfare in the new system Saudi Arabia paid SR2 billion ($533 million) in the first monthly installment of a new welfare system for low and middle-income families that make up approximately half of the Kingdom’s population. The payments come ahead of the introduction of a 5 percent value-added tax on most goods, like food and services, as well as subsidy cuts that will raise the price of electricity and gasoline next year. Minister of Labor and Social Development Ali Al-Ghafees told Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that bank transfers were made to approximately 3 million families, reaching around 10.6 million beneficiaries. He said half of those families received the maximum payment of SR938 ($250). The minimum payment is SR300 ($80). The government said it expects to pay approximately SR32 billion ($8.5 billion) on the Citizens Account payments in 2018.

Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

Egypt struggles against population catastrophe With 96 million inhabitants — and 9.4 million expatriates — the Arab world’s most populous country adds 1.6 million people every year to its population. In Cairo, a megalopolis of nearly 20 million inhabitants, the population density is around 50,000 inhabitants per square kilometre, or nearly 10 times that of London. Abu Bakr el-Gendy, the head of Egypt’s state statistics bureau which carried out the latest census, described the current rate of population growth as a “catastrophe”. The rate must be at least three times lower than economic growth for people’s living standards not to deteriorate, according to Gendy. The government launched a new family planning campaign this year under the slogan “two are enough”, to try to contain the phenomenon. “Children are protection: they care for their parents when they grow older,” said Abdelaziz, a doorman, unconvinced of the campaign.

Sharjah ruler orders Dh600m increase in government salaries His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday ordered a Dh600 million increase in the salaries of the emirate’s government employees. “Dh18,500 shall be the minimum salary an Emirati employee with Sharjah government is entitled to every month.” However, the new salary cadre, to take effect as of January 1, 2018, is only available to Emirati nationals who shall no more be categorized below the 8th grade. Dr. Tariq bin Khadem, chairman of the human resources department, was quoted as saying that the Sharjah Ruler has also ordered the increase of the pensions of Emirati government retirees.

Miss Saudi Arabia drops out of beauty pageant after intense backlash Malak Youssef, a 24-year-old beauty queen, was nominated by a Saudi civil society organization to compete as Miss Saudi Arabia in the Miss Arab World pageant held in Morocco on Saturday. But the young woman chose to drop out of the race before the crowning ceremony due to intense online backlash from people who said she was misrepresenting her conservative Muslim country by participating in a beauty contest. “I announce my withdrawal from the final competition rounds in ‘Miss Arab World 2018’. I am happy with just carrying the Miss Saudi Arabia title,” Youssef announced in a video posted to her Twitter account. She also said she was shocked and saddened by the backlash.Ultra-conservative Sunni Saudi Arabia does not have an official national beauty pageant, and women in the country are expected to wear an abaya, or a robe that covers their entire body, in public. Some Saudi social media users argued that it is inappropriate for Saudi women to compete in a pageant because it goes against the country’s traditional religious values. The Miss Arab World pageant tries to be inclusive of women from all cultures and religions, and allows veiled and non-veiled women to compete together. The beauty queens compete in national dress and are not expected to wear swimsuits like women competing in international pageants. Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening

6th Cultural Educational Exhibition Applied Science University hosted the 6th Cultural Educational Exhibition at the ASU campus.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Al Areen Palace & Spa hosted their annual Thanksgiving dinner at The Qasr Grand Tent.

Gulf Insider January 2018

People & Culture

Bahrain Britain Forum Christmas Lunch The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) hosted a Christmas lunch at the Diplomat Radisson Blu hotel.

Russia Evening at Manama House of Travel hosted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Russia Evening at Manamaâ&#x20AC;? in the Capital Club.

24th World Islamic Banking Conference The 24th World Islamic Banking Conference was held at the Art Rotana Amwaj. Gulf InsiderJanuary 2018

People & Culture

Christmas Tree Lighting Elite

Elite Group celebrates Christmas The Elite Group held Christmas tree lighting ceremonies on its different locations.

Christmas tree lighting event at the Elite Crystal Hotel

Elite Group Christmas Tree Lighting Event

Gulf Insider January 2018

Telecoms

CAR News &

reviews insider

Gulf Insider August 2017

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The first ever Chopard

Classic Rally- Dubai! Chopard brings together a passion for fine cars and fine timepieces.

eld for the first year in the United Arab Emirates, on November 10 and 11, 2017, the first edition of the Chopard Classic Rally Dubai, a challenging competitive regularity rally, came to a close after two days of rigorous tests of timing and navigational skills. Organized by Chopard, along with partner Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Emaar Properties, the Chopard Classic Rally Dubai brought together 60 classic car aficionados coming from the United Arab Emirates, Gulf region, Europe and the United States. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President and a passionate

Gulf Insider January 2018

driver of collectors’ cars, took part in this first edition, competing along with legendary pilot Jacky Ickx.

Challenging itinerary throughout the UAE The competition started from the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai on November 10, which is set in the heart of Emaar’s mega-development Downtown Dubai. The 30 teams of drivers and co-drivers drove their vintage automobiles towards the Northern Emirates passing by Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The first day route was exciting with two stops; one at Hatta

Fort, which is nestled on the foothills of the beautiful Hajar Mountains. Another stop was at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre based around the history and archaeology of the areas surrounding the village of Mleiha in Sharjah. The rally map of the second day followed a different thrilling route towards Ras Al Khaimah and included several stops highlighting an array of breath-taking natural vistas in Ras Al Khaimah including the UAE’s highest mountain Jebel Jais, dubbed the adventure tourism hub of the Middle East. Talking about this first edition, Karl Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-

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President said:”It is impressive how vibrant the classic car scene is in the Middle East. There are collectors just as passionate and knowledgeable here as anywhere in the world.” He added, “Chopard is proud to have organized this classic rally in the UAE. We hope that it will be a regular fixture on the regional and global classic car calendar”.

A passion for Classic Racing “People say that lovers of fine cars also have a great weakness for fine timepieces and vice versa. In both cases, sporting elegance and outstanding performance are especially important,” so said Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

The Chopard Classic Rally Dubai brought together 60 classic car aficionados coming from the United Arab Emirates, Gulf region, Europe and the United States.

– himself a dedicated classic car enthusiast – upon launching the first Mille Miglia collection in 1998. The words ring as true today as ever. The brand’s participation in many famous classic rallies embodies a unique relationship between Chopard and racing. The close ties between these two worlds have been strengthened ever since, largely due to the impressive number of common denominators that naturally draw them together. These include constant innovation, a tireless quest for performance and excellence, unfailing respect for traditions, the supreme importance of details – and of course a shared passion for mechanical engineering.

Gulf Insider January 2018

Car Insider

2018 Expedition

Triple the Power, Precision, and Performance Introducing Ford New-Gen 2018 Expedition, Mustang, and F-150.

“F

ord Motor Company was built on the belief that freedom of movement drives human progress. It’s a belief that has always fueled our passion to create great cars and trucks,” said Thierry Sabbagh, Ford Middle East’s managing director. “Today, more than ever, Ford is connected with its customers here in the Middle East. We continue to help move customers with leading innovations, technologies, mobility solutions, and exceptional products like the iconic full size SUV Expedition, muscle car Mustang, and pickup truck legend F-150 and we can’t wait to have them in Ford dealerships around our region.”

Gulf Insider January 2018

F-150

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Mustang

Full-Size SUV Expedition The new generation 2018 Ford Expedition charges into the Middle East, promising to redefine the full-sized SUV segment with its all-new design inside and out, its unique smart technologies, more power for drivers, and more expected towing capability than any other full-sized SUV. This Ford Expedition is the smartest, most capable and most adaptable Expedition ever. The 2018 MY Expedition also offers the best-in class leg room as well as hip room in both the second and third row seats.

Muscle Car Mustang With a sleeker design, more advanced technology and even more muscle, the 2018 Mustang – the most advanced Mustang ever – promises to wow car lovers. A host of improvements including new technology and design changes give owners ways to customise Mustang to their preferences to get even better performance from more

The new 2018 Mustang also offers the new 10-speed auto transmission on all models with an upgraded manual on the GT. powerful engines, delivering 460 horsepower on the GT (570 Nm torque), and 310 horsepower on the EcoBoost® turbo engine (475 Nm torque). The new 2018 Mustang also offers the new 10-speed auto transmission on all models with an upgraded manual on the GT. Customers have more ways than ever to personalise Mustang to make it their own, with new paint colours, a variety of wheel choices and its new optional 12-inch customisable digital instrument

cluster which it receives from the legendary Ford GT supercar.

Pick Up Truck Legend F-150 Ford’s new F-150 debuts for 2018 even tougher, smarter, and more capable than ever – with the most advanced F-150 powertrain line-up that delivers best-in-class towing and payload for the Middle East’s pickup drivers. The new F-150 has best-in-class towing (up to six tonnes) thanks to the 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 and enhanced 5.0-litre V8, respectively. For 2018, the new truck arrives with bold new styling, advanced technologies, a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission and F-150’s most advanced engine line-up yet. F-150 is part of Ford’s F-Series truck line-up – America’s best-selling truck for 40 consecutive years and its best-selling vehicle for 35 years.

For more information: Ford MENA, Dubai, UAE Tel. +971 800 668677 Gulf Insider January 2018

Car Insider

AN ATHLETE’S SOUL. A CHAMPION’S HEART.

A HIGH-PERFORMANCE LEGEND Subaru WRX STI: Heart and Soul of a Rally Champion

restyled front fascia of the WRX STI shows a sportier attitude, highlighted by a more aggressive front end with a larger lower grille opening. Both STI trims feature redesigned LED Steering Responsive Headlights that help illuminate curves in nighttime driving. For greater versatility, both WRX STI models now feature new roof rack mounting brackets. A comprehensive handling enhancement for the 2018 STI includes the revised suspension tuning as featured on the WRX, plus a revised DCCD AWD system, significantly upgraded brakes and this model’s firstever 19-inch wheels. The DCCD system, which previously used a combination of mechanical and electronic center limited slip differential control, now

Gulf Insider January 2018

Revised front styling for a more aggressive look  Suspension optimized for better handling and ride comfort  New 19-inch wheels, upgraded Brembo brakes and revised DCCD All-Wheel Drive give WRX STI a wider performance envelope  Upgraded interior materials and quieter cabin 

uses electronic control for quicker and smoother response. The 19-inch alloy wheels feature a striking Y-shaped spoke design and carry 245/35R19 tires that help raise cornering performance while giving the STI an even more aggressive stance. The yellow-painted brake calipers

identify a significantly upgraded Brembo Performance Brake System that now uses stronger monoblock 6-piston calipers in front, monoblock 2-piston calipers in the rear and larger, drilled rotors all around for better heat dissipation. New brake pads provide significantly greater surface area for improved braking feel and fade resistance. The STI also offers the Recaro seats (standard on STI Limited, optional for base trim). Powered by a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged BOXER engine, the WRX STI brings rally-bred performance technology to the road with Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Standard handling technologies include Active Torque Vectoring and Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control.

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Improved Usability with a Sporting Edge The everyday usability that has contributed to WRX STI popularity gets even better for 2018. All models feature upgraded interior materials, rear seat armrest with cup holders, redesigned interior door grips and faster remote trunk opening. New measures that reduce unwanted noise include thicker door glass, revised door sealing and a foam-filled windshield header beam. A new, larger high-definition multi-function display (5.9-inch vs. 4.3-inch before) makes it easier to see vehicle functions at a glance. WRX STI models feature 8-way power driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat.

Safety Subaru revised the front structure of the WRX STI for enhanced frontal collision performance. The AVH feature replaces the Hill Holder and Hill Start Assist functions and offers greater functionality, holding the vehicle on all road grades, not only inclines. For example, AVH can help reduce driver fatigue by holding the car at traffic lights, and then can seamlessly transition to acceleration.

For more information: Motorcity Tel: +973 1773 6222 Gulf Insider January 2018

Car Insider

Porsche Cayenne 2018: The New King of the SUVs?

Gulf Insider was invited to Crete to test drive the Porsche Cayenne S and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

ifteen Years on, since the original model was launched to critical acclaim, the third generation of Porscheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SUV will be released in the New Year. With over 3/4 Million cars in the assembly line, the factory knows that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onto a winning formula, so what has changed? Do the new models put the car back at the top of the now highly competitive luxury SUV market? Gulf Insider was recently given the chance to put two of the variants through their paces on the island of

Gulf Insider January 2018

Crete, the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. The range of roads and terrain on the island was no doubt chosen by Porsche to show off some of the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new abilities, from fast sweeping ribbons of perfect tarmac to tortuous mountain routes, we were most definitely provided the opportunity to see whether the new models could tackle something more challenging than the urban commute where the cars generally spend much of their time. At first glance, the exterior does not appear to have changed much from the

previous model, though I feel that the makeover has made the car certainly look sharper and more purposeful than its predecessors. Under the covers, a lot more has changed, from the completely new chassis, air suspension, active aerodynamics and, optionally, all wheel steering, coupled with a host of newly developed engines. Porsche is more than happy to state that the new car is closer to the 911 than it has ever been; but is this enough to take the crown? With its new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 delivering 550 horsepower, the

Car Insider

Hugh Haskell -Thomas pictured here in Crete.

With the tortuous curves of the Cretan hillsides as our playground, the cars performed faultlessly, totally belying their weight and size and definitely underlining the word Sport in SUV.

Cayenne Turbo completes the 0-100 km/h dash in 4.1 seconds, rushing on to a top speed of 286 km/h, whilst the Cayenne S, powered by a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 developing 440 horsepower is a little slower at 4.9 seconds and 264 km/h, these figures from a luxury SUV weighing in at over 2020kg are extraordinary to say the least. Later variants will deliver a base model using a 3.0 liter V6, a V-6 plug-in-hybrid as well as a range-topping V-8 plug-in hybrid, the Turbo S E-Hybrid developing over 680 horsepower. There is still much more to be seen from this new range. Sport Chrono packages are available for most models which shave a third of a second off the 0-100 times. More so even than the amazing performance and drivability changes in this third generation rework is the complete revamp of the inside of the car. The Cayenneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior joins the recently reviewed Panamera with a stunningly appointed cabin together with a seamless integration of technology and design that finally matches the cars driving capabilities. With design traits taken from the new Panamera the new dash is a delight for the driver the central tacho has TFT screens left and right which can be altered to deliver both performance

information to replicating almost every display from the cars infotainment system which is focused on the central consoleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12.3-inch touchscreen. The console itself combines physical buttons with touch-sensitive controls, removing the plethora of buttons found in the earlier model. So, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it like to drive you ask? In one word, epic! With the tortuous curves of the Cretan hillsides as our playground, the cars performed faultlessly, totally belying their weight and size and definitely underlining the word Sport in SUV. To control over two tonnes of car hurtling around those roads at speed needs a braking system to match, this being amply delivered by the completely redesigned Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, standard on the Turbo and optional on other models, which use a Tungsten coating to improve performance and increase brake life by over 15%. The plethora of electronics keep the car perfectly poised even at the most extreme limits of its performance. The combination of incredible electronics and the active anti-roll bars manage to deliver a level of drivability that far belies its weight and size; its grip on the road never seems to end! The new eight speed transmission Gulf Insider January 2018

Car Insider

system, common to all models, which also features easily selectable off road settings for mud, sand, gravel and rocks, coupled with the air suspension which is capable of increasing ground clearance by over 10cm, has also dramatically improved the cars’ off road capabilities. With a simple push of a button, rocky mountain tracks were handled with ease and comfort. We look forward to testing the car in sand later in the year in which would be its more normal playground here in the Middle East. I am sure it will manage this with equal levels of grace. It has to be said that the driver feel and involvement in this generation of the Cayenne has reduced from its predecessors, as the completely networked range of chassis and performance alterations reduce the driver ‘feel’ one associates with a Porsche. Ultimately, though, this has produced a car that provides a level of precision, performance and predictability; an adequate trade-off in my mind. Comparing the S and the Turbo, most especially living here in Bahrain, coupled with the very close levels of usable performance, I believe that the S would deliver the ultimate package to handle all that the region has to offer. Of course, the Turbo sounds incredible, but the S is no quiet sibling, so if it’s

Gulf Insider January 2018

loud ,thunderous noise and blistering performance you need, then the Turbo would be the choice. For the rest of us mere mortals, the S provides a perfect balance of performance and usability which most will never fully utilise. It gets my vote. Overall, this third evolution has delivered arguably the pinnacle of the genre. The Cayenne Turbo is certainly

the most effective and yet understated SUV I have ever driven, though I most definitely look forward to the hybrid V8 later in the year which will most probably surpass even this. Well done Porsche, you nailed it! - HHT

For more information please contact Porsche Center Bahrain on +973 1745 9911.

A lifestyle vista in Bahrain

Features: • The best in events, dining & nightlife • A blog that provides unbiased reviews • Discounted vouchers and coupons for fantastic dining experiences!

Join us as we search for the island’s best parties, restaurants, and deals! Never miss a single deal!

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Last Word

Manama Souq, 1965 Manama Souq, which was substantially redeveloped in 2013, lies between the old parts of the city and the modern Central Business District. The main entrance is the historic Bab Al Bahrain building. The area also is home to Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only synagogue.

Old Bahrain

Gulf Insider January 2018

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