Gulf Insider - September 2021 by Gulf Insider Media

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Gulf Financial Insider

Contents September 2021

Issue 195

10 26 Simply unparalleled online presence that connects region’s most inspired communities.

06 10 14 16 22 24 26 27

How does remote working impact the travel sector? Looking for a spacious apartment for your family? Diyar Al Muharraq – A Business Space The power of economic narratives - Julius Baer Carts and wheels - The Royal Golf Club How do they do it for the price? - Tiggo 8 Pro Mercedes-Benz G-Class Welcome to the future - Lamborghini

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Comment... A picture is worth a thousand words. Here's last month’s most 'Liked' #theoldbahrain picture posted to our social media.

Publisher & Editor in Chief

Nicholas C. Cooksey

Editorial

Angela Acosta Elyzabeth Ramirez

Editorial Contributors

Nicholas Cortes

Sales & Business Development

Charlie Cooksey

Layout Designs

Dhanraj S

Admin & Finance

Nikesh Pola

Photography

Angelo Jose A

Distribution Mohammed Yousif Aramex Al Ayam

For advertising contact Charlie Cooksey +973 3652 0004 charlie@gulf-insider.com

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E-wallets in Bahrain

AUGUST 2021 | ISSUE 194

1992BH: Life at Awali

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We are living in a digital era where modern technology has transformed our lives.

JULY 2021 | ISSUE 193

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Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain talks about Indo-Bahrain relations

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H.E. Mr. Piyush Srivastava

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JUNE 2021 | ISSUE 192

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Stepping Towards Success Welcoming Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, the new Provost, American University of Bahrain

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Gulf Insider September 2021

Money & Business

n the past year, majority of the workforce globally saw how certain tasks are accomplishable from home. Do you think the hybrid work model is here to stay?

I believe that the hybrid work model will continue to be implemented by companies who have not seen a negative impact on their operations while implementing a work-from-home model. Certain companies have seen significant reductions in operating costs as well as higher worker productivity. The work-from-model has also expedited significant technological improvements in certain companies’ infrastructure that is necessary for future growth and sustainability.

There has been an increase in international remote meetings and conferences – how do you think this will impact the future of business travel?

HOW DOES REMOTE WORKING

IMPACT THE TRAVEL SECTOR? Gulf Insider talks to Adnan Gilitwala, Director of Dadabhai Travel, on the rise of remote working and its impact on the travel and tourism sector.

Gulf Insider September 2021

Travel as an industry is ever evolving and continues to remain one of the most fluid operationally. Technology is necessary for growth and development, but due to the complexity of the industry and the numerous sub-divisions within it, individuals and companies involved can find ways and means to get their work done regardless of the circumstances occurring globally. I personally do not believe that virtual or remote meetings and conferences will be the new norm. Our experience in the travel industry has shown us that the human interaction element that makes the industry work is still essential for its growth and the success of the players in the industry. People may be more comfortable with interacting with their business partners virtually, but the most fruitful and substantial business developments will be fueled by meetings held in person.

What do you think are the advantages/ disadvantages of remote working? Both are numerous and are completely dependent on the organization implementing work-fromhome policies and how well-equipped

Money & Business

I personally do not believe that virtual or remote meetings and conferences will be the new norm.

they are to adapt to different working models. The strange nature of working from home means that the advantages I may see are disadvantages for another as there are both boons and challenges with remote working. To name a few advantages – it can lead to greater productivity as people may feel more comfortable at home and working at their own pace. Companies are also able to save on costs associated with having more people on the office, such as electricity, rented parking spots, or even amenities in their pantry such as tea and coffee. A few disadvantages I have seen include no disconnect between someone’s personal and professional life which can lead to reduced output from an employee. Employers’ expectations are higher, often leading to increased working hours or workloads for employees. In addition, the fact that our working culture in Bahrain and

arguably across the region is historically based on having people in the office, and numerous people are not able to adapt to new ways of working, could lead to issues developing within certain companies.

The concept of workations – working remotely on vacation – has become widely popular. How do you see this shaping the future of work and the travel industry? Workations as a concept are definitely intriguing, but I personally believe that in practice, they aren’t very practical or feasible. Again, this is all dependent on the person who decides to take a workation and just how well they are able to organize and manage themselves, and whether it is an affordable option for them or not. Very few people can afford to rent a luxury villa in the Maldives for a workation, while others may not Gulf Insider September 2021

Money & Business

We know people are itching to take their next trip or holiday and we are here and ready to make it happen for them.

accept the idea of having to work while technically on a holiday in new or familiar places. It’s very important for people to be able to draw fine lines between their personal time and professional time and I personally am not a fan of mixing the two together. I do not see this having a significant impact on the industry as a whole, and I believe the stories we hear of people actually taking workations will be limited.

How do you predict the industry will pick up by end of 2022? All the tangible signs point towards growth. The figures that we see on a monthly basis show that travel is picking up in terms of tickets issued, hotel nights booked, and other services provided as well. 8

Gulf Insider September 2021

We are still far from reaching the pre-COVID numbers, but we are getting there. Vaccination campaigns have helped immensely in promoting a more favorable impression of travelling locally, regionally, and internationally. We know people are itching to take their next trip or holiday and we are here and ready to make it happen for them. As a conservative guess, I predict that by the start of 2023, we will start seeing growth in the numbers achieved in 2019.

www. dadabhaitravel.com +973 1710 3030 dadabhai@batelco.com.bh

Apply now for the 2021-2022 academic year.

At the American University of Bahrain, it is a core part of our mission to provide quality education and prepare our students for an evolving and competitive job market. AUBH students have access to a wide array of opportunities to realize their professional and personal goals, in a student-centric, multicultural, and flexible, American-style University environment, on par with the best universities around the world. Beyond academia, they also have access to social, athletic and other extra- curricular activities making AUBH home. Admissions are open for the 2021-2022 academic year. The deadline to apply is September 23rd, 2021.

For a lifetime of success. | Apply now: +973 7799 9997 | aubh.edu.bh | #AUBH

People & Culture

LOOKING FOR A SPACIOUS APARTMENT FOR YOUR FAMILY? Kazerooni Heights’ goal is to ensure you receive the best value and maximum square footage for the price offered.

here are several benefits to living in a spacious apartment and several factors to consider when choosing which one is best for your family. Here’s why Kazerooni Heights in Amwaj is a great option to consider in Bahrain.

Location When investing in a new home for your family, one of the most important things to consider is if it’s the most ideal location. Is it in close proximity to necessary amenities such as supermarkets as well as leisure and

Gulf Insider September 2021

recreational areas? Kazerooni Heights offers amenities including a rooftop temperaturecontrolled pool, BBQ facility with dining room at the pool deck, state-of-the-art gym, steam and sauna facilities, among others. It is also in close proximity to the Lagoon, which offers indoor and outdoor cafes and restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment.

Luxury Living Residents get the chance to double their luxury with a complimentary membership to the 5-star ART Hotel,

giving them access to the pristine beachfront, private island, cabanas & adult pools, and kids club.

Great Value What sets Kazerooni Heights apart from its competitors is that you get a great value for price per square meter. Apart from a large apartment space, you also benefit from the high-quality, state-of-the-art finishing. Their quality construction and special attention to detail can guarantee residents and investors to find comfortable, functional designs, and spacious layouts in all their properties.

People & Culture

There are several benefits to living in a spacious apartment and several factors to consider when choosing which one is best for your family.

Apartment Options Kazerooni Heights’ properties are all designed with luxury and livability in mind, taking style and comfort as well as value into consideration. Residents have a variety of suite options to choose from:

Each suite is built and designed to be light and spacious for the most optimum living experience.

For more information on Kazerooni ownership and investment options, download their calculator to compare the guaranteed ROI. For availability and detailed prices, call +973 3977 0009.

• One-bedroom suite • Two-bedroom suite with optional maids’ quarters • Three-bedroom suite with maids’ quarters • Three-bedroom suite duplex with maids’ quarters

Scan the QR code to download their calculator. Gulf Insider September 2021

Experts Reveal Life Secrets

2. List all the obstacles - Great

PART 19

HOW TO WIN IN BUSINESS AND LIFE Every month Gulf Insider publish 2 pages that reveal brilliant secrets for winning in business and life. The techniques are provided by top international experts and we will often summarize an entire book into a single page so you can learn the essence of their wisdom in minutes instead of hours. Take the time to learn what we reveal each month and you will be rewarded a thousand times over!

problem solvers view of the issues involved and jot down a list of all the potential factors that could get in the way of a solution. Then they can approach the issue in a comprehensive manner with a higher degree of success.

3. Identify the opportunity - So

many times great opportunities are wrapped up inside problems. Great problem solvers are also great opportunists. Before you try and fix the problem, assess the external factors and consider a future that doesn’t require those choke points. You may discover an exciting new business model.

4. Break down silos - You don’t

have to be in a big company to suffer from poor communication. Even two people in a department or company can be personally productive yet totally oblivious to the activities of each other. Great problem solvers are also great facilitators. They use their communication skills to help others share information so all bases are covered. They then encourage people to work together.

5. Take action - In this data driven

world, people sometimes get lost in the numbers. Data and precedent are important but at some point you just have to take action.

6. Reverse Engineer - Great problem

7 THINGS GREAT PROBLEM SOLVERS DO Life is full of problems. Here are 7 skills practiced problem solvers use regularly. 1. Be objective - Often problems occur

because people are unaware of what’s actually happening with the process. They get focused on a particular method or goal and then they unintentionally 12

Gulf Insider September 2021

ignore what may be obvious warning signs. Great problem solvers can apply a specific solution to the problem instead of a fix that may only go partway.

solvers have the vision to picture the ideal working scenario and then construct the methodology that will achieve the desired effect. Of course they also have to effectively articulate that vision to those who must implement the solution.

7. Cast ego aside - Great problem

solvers are happy to give the credit to anyone who can resolve the issue and move everyone forward, because in business there are no shortage of new problems to solve.

Experts Reveal Life Secrets

HOW A BAD BOSS CAN MAKE A WHOLE TEAM MEAN Researchers say abusive leaders can ‘infect’ others.

osses who shout and send demeaning emails to employees can cause conflict throughout their team, researchers have claimed. They say the abuse is ‘toxic’ and can spread through the workplace. This leads to everybody suffering, they concluded. The team studied 51 teams of employees from 10 firms. Average team size was about six workers and the teams performed a variety of functions including customer service, technical support and research and development. The study looked at nonphysical abuse such as verbal mistreatment and demeaning emails. Employees who directly experienced such abuse felt devalued and contributed less to

the team. At the same time, the entire team ‘descended into conflicts’. The study was replicated in a controlled laboratory setting, with nearly 300 people participating. The Michigan State University study, conducted in China and the United States, suggests the toxic effect of nonphysical abuse by a boss is much broader than believed. Published online in the Journal of Applied Psychology, author Crystal Farh said supervisors who belittle and ridicule workers not only negatively affect those workers’ attitudes and behaviors, but also cause team members to act in a similar hostile manner toward one another. ‘That’s the most disturbing finding because it’s not just about inividual victims

now, it’s about creating a context where everybody suffers, regardless of whether you were individually abused or not,’ she said. Farh, assistant professor of management in MSU’s Broad College of Business, said the findings could likely be explained by social learning theory, in which people learn and then model behavior based on observing others, in this case the boss. Previous research has shown that workers emulate supervisors’ positive behaviors, she said, so it only makes sense they would follow negative behaviors as well. The findings have implications for companies faced with rehabilitating a team of employees following abusive supervision. Gulf Insider September 2021

People & Culture

DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ A BUSINESS SPACE How to choose the right location for your showroom?

ocation strategy when setting up or expanding your business showroom can have about as much impact on its success as the quality of your

products. Choosing the right location is not just a matter of finding a space to accommodate your products – several other factors must be taken into consideration, such as size and accessibility – to best showcase your items and boost your company’s performance. If you’re looking to set up your showroom or expand to other locations, here are 3 things to consider and why Diyar Al Muharraq may be the right location for your company. 14

Gulf Insider September 2021

People & Culture

Choosing the right location is not just a matter of finding a space to accommodate your products – several other factors must be taken into consideration.

Does it Offer Growth and Expansion Opportunities? Diyar Al Muharraq’s commercial showroom plots are freehold for all nationalities, making it an ideal choice for those looking for property that can appreciate or remain in value in the long-term. The showroom plots are also strategically located across the masterplan and in close proximity to residential areas, which offers great visibility, high footfall, and easy access to the main highway.

Are the Plot Sizes Ideal? Commercial buildings come in different shapes and sizes. It is, therefore, important to look at a space that accommodates the specific needs of your products and services. Diyar Al Muharraq’s commercial showroom plots start at 1,920 sqm, ideal for businesses that require large spaces suitable for automobiles, yachts, as well as furniture. They are also

equipped with complete infrastructure and ready for immediate investment.

Can it Attract and Retain Customers? Diyar Al Muharraq is an up and coming city that is emerging as a commercial hub. Some of its distinguished developments such as Marassi Al Bahrain, Dragon City Bahrain, and ThaiMart have seen substantial success since their opening. There are also light industry, logistics, and warehousing plots designed to support a wide range of commercial activities.

For more information, book a meeting with Diyar Virtual Property Advisor or dial 8000 8880. For international calls, dial +973 7755 6606.

Gulf Insider September 2021

Money & Business

THE POWER OF ECONOMIC NARRATIVES What is the importance of narratives? The reason why narratives are important in passing on information is because it allows for a sense of legitimacy and authenticity, thus giving more meaning to the message being sent across. It engages listeners and allows them to associate themselves to certain situations, bringing stronger impact and retention. Strong narratives can inspire and influence positive outcomes in an organisation.

Christian Gattiker, Head of Research

Gulf Insider September 2021

In this article, Christian Gattiker, Head of Research at Swiss Wealth Manager, Bank Julius Baer takes us through where they stand regarding some narratives, those recurring, what narratives may drive the future, and ‘the next big thing’.

Money & Business

Energy abundance is a serious contender for ‘the next big thing’ crown.

hat are narratives good for?

In their comprehensive outline of how to deal with risk and uncertainty (and how to tell one from the other), UK economists John Kay and Mervyn King make reference to the power of narratives. Along their line of argumentation, narratives allow human beings to deal with the ‘radical uncertainty’ that has been a fact for humankind since its earliest beginnings. Instead of resolving a puzzle, the usual challenge is how to survive in a world where anything is possible. Therefore, the authors criticise social experiments in psychology or behavioural finance for trying to track ‘small-world problems’. In the big world, humans have been moving around for thousands of years and the rules of behaviour have to be much broader. Narratives have been a viable means to structure this radical uncertainty and give guidance beyond the nitty-gritty of a simple board game.

The evolutionary blessing Humankind is quite a special species as its ultimate differentiating factor is collaboration. No other species seems to be able to collaborate as humans do. You might argue that other species do collaborate too – say ants or bees. But Yuval Noah Harari, author of ‘Sapiens’, makes the point that these methods of collaboration seem hard-wired in animal species, which keep working together in similar ways from generation to generation. In contrast, humankind is unique in that it can change the way it collaborates drastically over time – for instance, developing from hunter/ gatherers to farmers to manufacturing to industrial to knowledge-based societies. How do humans align when working together? Narratives play a major part in this, according to historian Harari, as they convey the key ingredients of how to put individual behaviour into the perspective of the group. Whether you are a Viking fighting in defiance of Gulf Insider September 2021

Money & Business

death, believing Valhalla awaits brave warriors, or you are with Médecins Sans Frontières, putting your life on the line helping the otherwise helpless, narratives define purpose.

The economic factor Here, at the very latest, economics comes into play. As soon as human collaboration is in the mix, business and finance cannot be far away. Whereas in the barter economy, the narrative is more about ‘one hand washes the other’ or ‘everybody does what they do best’, the monetary economy is all about trust. As John Pierpont Morgan, founder of the eponymous bank, put it: “Gold is money. Everything else is credit.” This narrative points to the counterparty risks that are involved when dealing with transaction means such as money. Surprisingly, it took economists quite some time to appreciate narratives as a basis of economic interaction. Nobel Laureate Professor Robert J. Shiller undertook a deeper look in his book ‘Narrative economics’ in 2019. In its thoroughness, this is a great introduction to the topic for anyone interested in non-mainstream

Gulf Insider September 2021

economics. Fascinatingly enough, Shiller highlighted the contagion effects of economic narratives (long before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world). He also stressed the effect on economic behaviour as a group. As exemplified by the tulip mania in the Netherlands during the first half of the seventeenth century, herding can have serious disastrous consequences for the economic and social system as a whole. The narrative turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy by spreading through the whole population before a new narrative eventually takes over and resets the system. Fascinating too is that the tulip mania started after a currency debasement in the 1620s. Tulip bulbs becoming an alternative to traditional money rings a bell with current narratives spreading today. Another narrative that illustrates the mobilisation of the masses through a storyline is the ‘American dream’, where the promise of going ‘from rags to riches’ attracted millions of immigrants to the US –resulting in the promised prosperity there. “Energy abundance is a serious contender for ‘the next big thing’ crown.”

Pushback from rational thinkers Perhaps economists share the general discomfort of scholars with such worldly things as storytelling and narratives, and the reason for their pushback may be that everybody uses narratives after all. From politics (‘land of the free, home of the brave’) to marketing (‘taste the feeling’) to sports clubs (‘you’ll never walk alone’), everybody is at it. Let alone religions, counselling, and conspiracy theories that have their specific narratives too. Therefore, the rationalists in science who rely on features such as empirical verification and falsification feel quite detached from ‘main street’ storytelling. That said, the narratives in science are top-notch too. Isaac Newton’s use of an apple falling from a tree to convey the concept of gravity, or Benjamin Franklin tying a key onto the line of a kite to illustrate more about the nature of ambient electricity are so deeply rooted in history that hardly anybody realises they are narratives after all.

Recurring narratives and the next best things Now, let us bring the concept to life in the present. First, I invite you to take

Money & Business

a look at a few recurring narratives in economics as suggested by Shiller and discuss where we stand today. I use some of the tools put forward in ‘Narrative economics’ to make the points (such as Google Ngram, which is a tool that charts word frequencies in Google’s digitalised library of publications, which has entries from as far back as AD 1800). Second, looking at the next best things that may shape the years, if not decades, ahead may be a refreshing exercise for our minds, too.

Recurring narrative #1: Panic

The impossibility of seeing into the future and ‘radical uncertainty’ have been countered by humankind through the exchange of narratives.

vs. confidence: While neither overconfidence nor deep-rooted panic rule, current mainstream narratives are about scepticism towards paper money and the system. The stories centre around people buying gold, real estate, and eventually equities, as they try to protect their excessive cash holding. The narrative of the ‘Japanification of the world’ points to a similar unease about structural economic prospects, most notably after a decade lost to cleaning up after the Great Financial Crisis, the euro crisis, etc. The frequency of the use of the words ‘depression economics’ shows that this narrative has not receded substantially since the peak after the euro crisis. Yet, it is interesting to see that ‘depression economics’ does not show up in books published during the 1930s. That tells you a lot about how humans build a rationale only (sometimes a long time) after the event.

Recurring narrative #2: Real estate

booms and busts: A narrative that comes around time and again is related to real estate ‘booms and busts’. This may be due to the fact that real estate is an asset that has not only been around forever for people to use as a shelter, but is also a valuable way to preserve wealth. There were lively narratives about the worldwide housing boom in 2004–2007. I remember that the average homeowners of larger properties were reported to be expecting an average price increase on their homes of 16% per annum over the following ten years. Back in a typical boom story for the media in 2006,

individuals without regular income other than the rent they received from five apartments they owned, were using these proceeds to finance yet another apartment. Today, the funny thing is that despite prices being where they are, these stories are largely absent. Of course, we hear about housing prices going through the roof, but any euphoria attached to that seems to have evaporated.

Recurring narrative #3: Robots will

take away our jobs: The rock song ‘Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto’ made it to the top ten in many countries in 1983 (remember narratives turn up in the form of songs, too). In fact, it combined the narratives of machines taking over with a latent Japan phobia in the 1980s (the latter quite resembles the Western narrative on China today). It may or may not be surprising that the robot making human labour redundant is a recurring story, too. In line with the band Styx’ robot song, the appearance of the word ‘robot’ spiked in the 1980s and made an impressive comeback in the past decade. While the full replacement of human labour by robots has seemingly not materialised, the dream (or nightmare to many) persists or keeps coming back. At the outset of the 2020s, it seems that the robot story is back ‘en vogue’. “The impossibility of seeing into the future and ‘radical uncertainty’ have been countered by humankind through the exchange of narratives.”

The next big thing #1 - The bubble of

everything: This narrative goes beyond the recurring theme of a bubble in a specific asset class, but states that ‘everything is expensive’ – cash, bonds, real estate, stocks, collectibles such as art, etc. The only place where this inflation does not show is in the official consumer price indices. When we state that this is one of the next big stories, we are not precluding precedents. Among all previous asset-class-specific bubbles, the historic ‘South Sea Bubble’ was the mother of all speculative excesses. The reappearance of the use of the term suggests that the latest boom in asset prices may not be due to Gulf Insider September 2021

Money & Business

the ‘delusions and madness of crowds’ but a result of excessive monetary support.

The next big thing #2 - Emerging market

boom: If anything has sobered investors up in the past 20 years, it is exposure to emerging markets. Direct investment, at least, suffered from a declining risk appetite and, in particular, from US dollar tightening in the past decade. Hence, this space is about as far away from the suspicion of being in a status of irrational exuberance as it gets. Yet, you could argue that this is nothing new, and I would agree. I still included it here, as there is no particular mention of this in recurring narratives. Personally, I would not be surprised to see a revamp of the BRIC story (the highly infectious narrative around Brazil, Russia, India, and China rocking the global economy during the 2000s) appearing as soon as the pandemic is under control in emerging markets (which may, however, take a large part of 2022).

The next big thing #3 - Energy

abundance: This is a serious contender for ‘the next big thing’ crown. As new energy resources have become competitive and enjoy unequivocal support from governments, a boom in the space is already underway. The question is, of course, what will this do to the overall price level of energy worldwide. Debates about the results 20

Gulf Insider September 2021

of lower energy costs are likely to carry on for many years ahead. Whether the energy story will then have a sequel beyond the sector (e.g. cheap energy leads to a major boost in production, trade, and wealth globally) remains to be seen.

The next big thing #4 - The great reset:

This is a sensitive area, as its narrative circulates in many different forms. The World Economic Forum (WEF), for example, has an initiative under this label that proposes to reshape the world in a much more sustainable way as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are also variants that go in a very different direction, announcing the end of the monetary system as we know it, or of society overall, which some consider to be outright conspiracy theories. The fact of the matter is that the current system has so far been much more resilient to tipping points than anyone had thought in the past. Let us collect evidence before we say ‘this time is different’.

The next big thing #5 - A decentralised

world: This narrative goes along the lines of new technologies such as blockchain and 3D printing creating a completely different way of running the economy overall. Instead of economies of scale, it is about a highly decentralised system where incumbent industries experience a major disruption in their way of

producing. Somewhat similar to the internet shock to the media system, this narrative is now making its way into the brick-and-mortar part of the economy. While the narrative echoes “banking is essential, banks are not” from Bill Gates in the 1990s, there may be something to it, as the range of new technologies may allow for quite a different way of producing goods and services.

Conclusion ‘Que sera, sera… the future is not ours to see’ still holds true as real-life systems are far too complex to make qualified forecasts about, especially for the long run. However, I wanted to raise your awareness to the fact that the impossibility of seeing into the future and ‘radical uncertainty’ have been countered by humankind through the exchange of narratives. And, as some examples such as tulip mania or the ‘rags to riches’ story suggest, these narratives can become selffulfilling prophecies. In the second part of my article, I explored the storylines circulating today. With these, I not only want to spark your imagination about the future, but also, first and foremost, hope to awaken the ability in you to identify a narrative when you encounter one. As – who knows – you may come across ‘the next big thing’ soon.

For more information on Julius Baer, visit www.juliusbaer.com

Social Media is changing business

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For a FREE evaluation of your businesses digital marketing needs. call +973 36 188 100 | 1700 4575

People & Culture

CARTS AND WHEELS BIGCC opens a new showroom at The Royal Golf Club.

ust recently, Bahrain International Golf Course Company (BIGCC), the parent company of The Royal Golf Club, announced that it is the first official distributor in Bahrain for world renowned cart brands, Club Car & Garia, Iseki tractors and Trojan batteries. The new showroom, located at The Royal Golf Club, provides customers an interactive opportunity to experience all the brands and find out more about each product. The opening of the new showroom expands BIGGC’s existing portfolio of services of turfgrass management, landscaping design, installation and maintenance of landscape areas as well as water and environmental services. It also enables the hospitality, real estate, and private sector companies access to the best available products in the market.

For more information, contact BIGGC at info@bigcc.bh or visit The Royal Golf Club in Riffa Views. 22

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Car Bahrain

HOW DO THEY DO IT FOR THE PRICE?

Gulf Insider drives the Chery Tiggo8 Pro.

Gulf Insider September 2021

Car Bahrain

It looks in some ways similar to a luxury German or Japanese SUV. The credit for this can go to Chery’s lead designer Kevin Rice, formerly a senior designer at BMW.

n just a few years, Chery developed from offering basic lowprice cars to modern designed, high-quality, high-tech cars at prices other manufacturers can’t match. Motorcity recently launched in Bahrain the all-new Tiggo Pro range and the Tiggo8 Pro, which is the fully loaded top of the range model. This family SUV has a super-long wheelbase with 5 + 2 seats and a spacious trunk for family-use. It has also received a five-star safety rating. It looks in some ways similar to a luxury German or Japanese SUV. The credit for this can go to Chery’s lead designer Kevin Rice, formerly a senior designer at BMW. There’s more than adequate power thanks to a 1.6L Turbo TGDI offering 197 HP and a peak torque of 290 Nm. It also comes in a 2.0L Turbo engine. A 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is adopted

for the transmission system. A luxurious interior includes wood, chrome, and soft leather – and the most comfortable headrests I’ve ever experienced. There’s a remote start system, 10.25-inch HD touch screen, excellent sound system, 360 degrees camera view, electric tailgate sensor, a superlarge panoramic sunroof, LED lights, Advanced Driving Assistance System… and more – a lot more! I’ll say it again – I really don’t know how Chery can offer such a high-quality car for such an affordable price. Prices for the Chery Tiggo8 Pro start from BD 7,995.

For more information visit www.chery.motorcity.bh or the Motorcity showroom in Sanad, or call +973 17 500 900

Gulf Insider September 2021

Car Bahrain

MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS READY FOR AGE OF E-MOBILITY The Concept EQG provides an exciting preview of the all-electric version of the legendary all-terrain model series.

ith the Concept EQG, Mercedes-Benz presents the nearproduction study of an all-electric model variant of its utilitarian off-road icon. Visually, the concept car combines the unmistakably striking look of the G-Class with selected design elements typical of Mercedes all-electric models as contrasting highlights. It offers a promising preview of what a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with batteryelectric drive will be capable of.

Classic G-Class design language with quotes from Mercedes-EQ design The near-production study adopts the G-Class’ angular silhouette including its iconic elements. 26

Gulf Insider September 2021

The Concept EQG rides on 22-inch polished aluminium alloy wheels. Instead of the usual spare wheel cover, there is a lockable box with white illuminated accents on the rear door, whose design is reminiscent of a wallbox. This could be used, for example, to store the charging cable within easy reach.

An uncompromising off-roader – precisely because of the electric drive system The chassis design remains extremely off-road capable, with independent suspension on the front axle and a rigid axle at the rear, newly developed for the integration of the electric drive. With four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controllable,

the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on- and off-road. Its off-road reduction can be activated via a shiftable 2-speed gearbox in order to meet the high “G”-specific off-road requirements with confidence. The batteries integrated into the ladder frame ensure a low centre of gravity. Since the electric motors provide their maximum torque practically with the first revolution, an all-electric off-road vehicle like the Concept EQG and the later production model boast enormous pulling power and controllability – which also proves to be an advantage on steep slopes and deep terrain.

For more information on MercedesBenz, visit their website at www.mercedes-benz-mena.com.

Car Bahrain

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE Lamborghini unveils futuristic limited edition Countach LPI 800-4.

utomobili Lamborghini recently unveiled the Countach LPI 800-4: a futuristic limited edition paying homage to the Countach’s iconic status as a revolutionary design and technology rulebreaker, recreated for the 21st century. Its puristic lines are immediately recognizable from the Countach legacy: the patriarch of modern super sports cars and Lamborghini design. With its aspirated V12 engine combined with Lamborghini’s hybrid supercapacitor technology, the Countach LPI 800-4 retains the inimitable V12 experience and sound from its Longitudinale Posteriore (LP) mounted powerplant combined with the hybrid (I) technology developed for the Sián. Delivering 814 cv as maximum combined power (rounded at 800 in the name) from its aspirated powerplant (780 cv) and electric motor (34 cv) to its permanent four-wheel drive transmission, the LPI 800-4 produces peak Lamborghini performance of 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 2.8 seconds, a 0-200 km/h in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 355 km/h.

For more information, visit the Lamborghini website at www.lamborghini.com/en-en. Gulf Insider September 2021

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

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