NOTE FROM Editor

A cheery welcome to our very first edition of IBMag 2019! In this issue, we look at the newest and the most recent developments in the Finance and Business sector. In addition, we take our readers through the freshest technological innovations and advancements in this sector. The lion’s share of this issue deals with the breakthrough innovation in the Financial sector: cryptocurrency and the effective utilization of blockchain in the industry. This outlook may naturally lead you to question why, as recent events bear witness to the downfall of this digital currency. However, we’d like to present our enthusiastic readers with a whole new perspective as to why cryptocurrency may miraculously endure against all odds. Let’s take a quick look at the recent events in the news on cryptocurrency: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently stated that a day might come when the decentralized currency will ultimately replace fiat currency. Samsung Electronics has released its cryptocurrency wallet for its spring flagship phone of 2019, the Galaxy S10; currently compatible only with ether (ETH) and ethereum-based ERC20 tokens. Tim Draper, expert investor and famous bitcoin bull recently predicted that in a few short years everyone will be universally using bitcoin; it might just be the criminals holding on to hard cash—urging the masses to invest “before it’s too late.” That’s quite a bold statement to make. Consequently, we want you, our readers, to recognize what exactly is going on in this productive sector, which naturally has halved the whole world into two camps. In this issue, you can adequately appreciate the practical sense of operational security this decentralized currency has rightfully earned for all digital transactions. In addition, we have also discussed the developments in the financial and business market surrounding one of the glorious nations, the UAE. Hope you have a good read and we are open to all your suggestions, which you can mail to us at info@intlbm.com. The best comments and suggestions will be featured in our next issue.

Prominent entertainment firms have partnered with Crystal Lagoons® to develop a new facet of the Public Access Lagoons™ model. There will be 16 projects across the United States, known as “Crystal Lagoons Island Resort.” The first will be in Arizona.

The developments will unite Universal Music Group, the world’s leading record label; Epic, the multinational entertainment company; Point Cloud, the leading 4D light projection firm; and SimEx-Iwerks, two-time Academy Award winner for cinematographic effects.

The projects will incorporate state-of-the-art attractions, such as hyper-realistic light and music performances over the lagoon with Raylight4D technology by Point Cloud, while SimExIwerks will offer virtual tours.

Additionally, there will be Pangea and Rainforest Café restaurants, aerial bars and an indoor bar with waves for surfing. This new Crystal Lagoons model will revolutionize the hotel and concert offer with a new tourist and entertainment format, centered around its lagoons with cutting-edge technology.

For Universal Music, this marks its move into the hotel industry with its own chain, Universal Music Hotel, with a far wider range of shows. The label’s leading bands will host concerts on the central stage mounted on the 10-acre lagoon, which guests will enjoy from all 300 rooms at the U-shaped hotel.

“By incorporating Crystal Lagoons innovation, we are offering a new standard of tourism and entertainment for the XXI century, which will revolutionize the hotel and entertainment industries. For that reason, Universal Music has opted for the Public Access Lagoons business model, also known as PAL™, creating its own chain of hotels and giving a qualitative jump with respect to what is currently on offer,” explains Eric Cherasia, Vice President at Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp.

Lagoon beach clubs, retail, amphitheaters and recreational and cultural activities will be included in the areas surrounding the lagoon.

“Universal Music hotels will be true entertainment centers, with unique and extreme experiences such as the French Aerophile Balloon gastronomic platform, which will rise 1000 ft. with diners inside,” concludes Cherasia.

As published on Arab press releases

Grand Skylight Hotel, a renowned home-grown hospitality brand in China, has successfully launched her flagship hotel in Addis Ababa, the hub city of East Africa with worldacclaimed Ethiopian Airlines. This move signifies Grand Skylight’s international presence in Africa, and is an affirmative step in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, cementing Sino-Afro ties further.

On January 27, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines unveiled the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His Excellency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mr. Tewolde Gebre Mariam presided over and spoke at the grand opening. Ethiopian senior government officials, diplomats, international luminaries and global media representatives were among the close to 3,000 guests. Chairman of Shenzhen Grand Skylight Hotels Management Company (GSHM)

Mr. Zhang Guochao addressed a noticeably impressed international audience.

“The hotel’s ambience is great. It’s contemporary, bright, and very luxuriously spacious, befitting a veritable landmark project in continental Africa,” H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said amidst profuse praise.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mr. Tewolde Gebre Mariam in his exalted speech briefed the guests about the hotel’s vast growth opportunities in the face of the exciting potential of local tourism and MICE market. He lauded the hotel’s pioneering team for their diligent efforts, and presented a personally signed Letter of Appreciation to the GSHM task force.

“We are very pleased to work with Ethiopian Airlines, harbinger of the new African spirit. Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is a landmark hotel, commanding the most rooms locally, most comprehensive facilities as well as the largest banquet floor space. The future beckons and the only limit is the sky,” said Mr. Zhang Guochao, Chairman of GSHM. “Shenzhen Grand Skylight Hotels Management Company is a famous brand from China with more than 33 years of international experience, and more than 60 hotels being managed and being built. As a member of Fortune Top 500 aviation – Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), GSHM has spared no effort adding to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Likewise, it is with utmost urgency that we have reinforced the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel’s pioneering team with whatever it took to render the grand opening a resounding success.”

As published on Arab press releases

Chinese famous automaker GAC Group, the parent company of GAC Motor, has completed the construction of a new energy intelligent and ecological factory for (“the Factory”) for its first-phase project of achieving production capacity of 200,000 electric vehicles per year in the industrial park for electric and smart vehicle development (“the Industrial Park”) on Dec 23. GAC Motor and Aisin AW CO., LTD (“Aisin AW”), a subsidiary of Aisin Seiki, have also hosted a foundation stone laying ceremony in the Industrial Park for their joint venture project of manufacturing automatic transmission on the same day. Provincial and municipal government officials, Zeng Qinghong, Chairman of GAC Group, Feng Xingya, General Manager of GAC Group, representatives of staff, investment companies, partners and media representatives have attended the event.

New Factory for New Energy and New Technology

Representing a RMB 4.7 billion (US$ 680 million), the Factory is the first project of the Industrial Park and has started construction since September 2017. The Factory will start production in May 2019, aiming to achieve annual production capacity of 400,000 vehicles. The GAC New Energy will release at least 2 electric vehicle models per year after that to enrich its product line and provide consumers with multiple options.

The future of vehicles is electric, global, online and sharing, which highlights the importance of automated driving technology. GAC Group has started its own R&D of self-driving technology since 2011. The Aion S, featured Level

Level 3 conditional automation driving system will be put into production in the near future.

A Powerful Alliance, A Stronger Global Supply Chain

On the same day, GAC Motor and Aisin AW have also hosted a foundation stone laying ceremony in the Industrial Park for their joint venture project of manufacturing automatic transmission. In April, GAC Motor and Aisin AW signed the in-depth cooperation agreement to open the new joint ven- will create many local jobs and cultivate more professionals in the field of automatic transmission manufacturing.

Founded in 1969, the Aisin AW is the world’s No.1 manufacturer of AT and car navigation systems. The 6-Speed Automatic Transmission planned to be manufactured in the joint venture project, has been widely installed in GAC Motor’s vehicles including the GS8 and GS4.

2 partial automation driving system, will be released in 2019, and will also be the first mass-produced new energy vehicle model used for developing Level 4 high automation driving system. A new vehicle model developed by GAC Group and featured with ture. An investment of RMB 2.13 billion (US$ 310 million) will pour into the project and its first product will go into production by the end of 2020, aiming to achieve annual production capacity of 400,000 AT units.

Mr. Yu Jun, the President of GAC Motor said, “After construction completed, the joint venture project will bring remarkable economic and social benefits. Its estimated annual value of production will be over RMB 3.5 billion (US$500 million). It

As part of its commitment to producing top-quality vehicles, GAC Motor has built strategic partnerships with 18 of the world’s top auto suppliers, including Michelin, Denso, Continental and more, covering areas such as core components and smart technologies, enabling its global supply chain to adhere to the industry highest standards. The GAC Motor and Aisin AW’s joint venture will enable GAC Motor to push forward the sustainable development of its high-performance parts and components supply and establish stronger global supply chain.

As published on Arab press releases