The L.U.C Collection Each part is a masterpiece L.U.C
Quattro
independent
barrels
The
is
equipped
stacked
in
with
four
pairs
and
totalling a full 1.8 metres of spring. This patented mechanism ensures an exceptional nine-day power reserve and above all, amazing precision. Like every component in the L.U.C Calibre 98.01-L, each barrel is hand-decorated and finished by the artisans at Chopard Manufacture. The L.U.C Quattro houses a movement that is chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and bears the prestigious “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark.
L . U . C Q U AT T R O
KUWAIT YACHT SHOW
2015
3rd till 7th of February at Marina Crescent 3rd of Feb: by invitation only 4th - 7th of Feb: open to the public Exhibition opens: 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm daily
Under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait
HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah • International, regional and local marine exhibitors • Middle East Premiers • Competitive prices and special promotions • Participation from marine-related governmental bodies • Subsidized Area for small to medium companies Sponsored by AL DIWAN AL AMIRI
Contact us: Tel: +965 - 25720810, 25716177 Fax: +965 - 25720860 info@ph7-kw.com www.kuwaityachtshow.com Official Newspaper Partner
Media Sponsors
Contracting Partner
In collaboration with
Organized by
Ticketing Partner Part of PH7 Group دوﻟﺔ اﻟﻜﻮﻳﺖ- وزارة اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة واﻟﺼﻨﺎﻋﺔ
@kuwaityachtshow Venue Partner
Official Time Keepers
Gold Sponsor
Insurance Partner
Powerboat Center
Platinum Sponsors
azimutyachts.com
ATLANTIS COLLECTION
34 - 38 - 43 - 50 - 58
NEW AZIMUT ATLANTIS 43. ITALIAN TOP FASHION BRANDS GET ON BOARD. The extraordinary style of Loro Piana, Missoni and other Italian Fashion Masters celebrates the beauty of Azimut Yachts with a selection of refi ned fabrics and sophisticated weaves. The magic of Italian High Fashion in every detail.
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A brand of AZIMUT BENETTI Group
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ISSUE NUMBER 64 - DECEMBER 2014 - JANUARY 2015
JUST A THOUGHT
Dear Passionate readers, My passion started decades ago with the “I have a dream” inspiration. Today, and in all honesty, I have to say that had I not had the resilience and determination, I would have had nothing but a dream. To turn a dream into reality is no small feat. The boundaries between courage and craziness often become blurry. Stubbornness and persistence exchange roles and in the middle of the whirlwinds of obstacles and challenges, the image of the dream has to stay vivid enough to be communicated. All this and much more has been PH7 Group’s journey with the Kuwait Yacht show. After all the hard work, the doubts, the fears, and the sleepless nights, I have to say it’s a privilege to be here today, preparing for the 3rd edition that is backed by various governmental entities and all the major local marine companies. We have been helped by every single person we approached. Living a dream, though not as easy as it seems, is indeed a life worth living. Enjoy this special edition dedicated to KYS 2015 and may we sail into the new year with renewed energies, hopes and determination. Till next issue,
Zeina Mokaddam Managing Director
ON THE COVER: December 2014 - January 2015
MEN’S PASSION - December 2014 - January 2015 ISSUE # 064 - SOLD IN KUWAIT KD 3 - BAHRAIN BD 5
The IFBSO is the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers, it was founded in 1964 to help the development of boat shows and marine trade exhibitions worldwide. Today all member shows comply with the IFBSO Code of Excellence, ensuring that they meet the highest expectations of exhibitors and visitors. The Kuwait Yacht Show has been welcomed as a candidate member.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amera Al-Awadhi LEGAL CONSULTANT Khaled Al-Kandari Al-Kandari Law Firm PUBLISHED BY
MANAGING DIRECTOR Zeina Mokaddam ACTING MANAGING DIRECTOR Nouf Al-Hajri MANAGING EDITOR Simon Balsom
Kuwait Yacht Show 3rd to 7th February 2015
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR Katia Abbas
KYS marks its 3rd edition by becoming a candidate member of IFBSO the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers
FEATURES EDITOR Injy Refaie CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lara Homsi
CONTENTS 14 Issam Al-Gharabally Chairman of Inter national Fiberglass Center “Gulf Master Boats” 18 Eugene Beukes Chief Executive Officer for Al Boom Marine 22 Fahed Al Ghareeb CEO of Power Boat Center 24 Abdul Hamid Marhaba Sales Manager of Seas & Deserts Group 28 Alan Maarawi General Manager of Sea Pros 32 Bader Al-Yahya General Manager of Bader Alyahya Yachts
34 Mohammed Chehab CEO of Princess Yachts Middle East 36 Thunayan Alghanim President of Alghanim Marine Company 40 Elias Jabbour Managing Director of Zed Motorz’s
HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Maher Al-Nouri PRODUCTION MANAGER & EXECUTION. Nidal Al-Shaker
42 Mohammad Karam 44 The Business Gulf Yachting Review 46 KYS Preview 70 Sheikha Mashael Duaij AlSabah The Patron of KSR
PH7 is a specialized publishing house based in Kuwait. Telephone +(965) 2572 0810 Fax +(965) 2572 0860 Website www.ph7-kw.com To maintain the desired quality of our publication, your contribution and feedback are welcomed. Please email your suggestions to zeina@ph7-kw.com For advertising, do not hesitate to contact info@ph7-kw.com For subscription, please email your details to info@ph7-kw.com PH7 wishes to state that the opinions expressed in MEN’S PASSION are those of the authors concerned and not necessarily those of the publisher. BPA Worldwide Consumer Publication Audit Membership Applied for September 2014.
THE LUXE REVIEW 76 Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi President of Kuwaiti Shooting Federation 80 The Melting Pot Art Moments Festival 2014
106 Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2015 108 Campbell Cole Annex Collection
84 Art Life With Chucrallah Fattouh
110 Wishful Thinking with TUMI Safe travels. Health. Good fortune
86 Nejoud Al-Yagout This is an Imprint
112 Mon Damier Graphite from Louis Vuitton
88 Hannan Hamdan 113 A Frosted Fantasy Head of the United Nations High from Jo Malone London Commissioner for Refugees Office 114 No Ordinary Power 92 Mr. Peter Castella, COO of Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II Alyasra Fashion 118 The all-new Cayenne 94 Impeccable Timing Luxury SUV with sporting With Georges Kern, CEO of IWC credentials Schaffhausen 120 Porsche GT3 Cup 96 20 Years of the Lange 1 Ashkanani powers to second in Race 2 of Round 1 98 OMEGA Their Season’s Greetings 121 New-gen Mercedes-Benz CLS 99 TAG Heuer and Marathons An Alliance That Goes The Distance
IWC Schaffhausen Volvo Ocean Race
100 Ralph Lauren 104 Hermès SS15
122 ZEITGEIST 124 Malta Corinthia Palace Hotel 125 Ajman The Ajman Palace Hotel 126 Events
LOCAL BOAT MANUFACTURERS
Issam Al-Gharabally
Chairman of International Fiberglass Center “Gulf Master Boats”
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ot only did International Fiberglass Center company builders of Gulf Master Boats, leave its imprinton the field of boat building in Kuwait, but it also succeeded in conquering Arab markets,thanks to the manufacturing quality of its boats. The company strives hard to surpass the clients’ expectations across several components that would enhance its stature. Men’s Passion was accorded this interview with Issam Al-Gharabally, Chairman of International Fiberglass Center ,boat builders of Gulf Master, to discuss its most notable achievements. When was International Fiberglass Center established? The company was established in 1994. This is when we started building boats. The kick-off was with two boats of different sizes, 25 feet and 35 feet respectively. We then moved to building other boats that were highly acclaimed by Kuwait government which had the highest demand on manufactured boats at the time; a large number of boats was bought for military uses, including boats dedicated for the coastguards’ use, the Ministry of Defense, in addition to a relatively large quantity bought by the U.S. army in Iraq.
Twenty years after establishing a foothold in the Kuwaiti market, how do you evaluate this experience? We consider ourselves the best in Kuwait. Our boats have a significant market value and a price depreciation of only 20% even after many years of use. We use the best materials and quality in manufacturing all our boats and we managed to honor the name of the company I established. Today, it is hard for us to deliver the boats immediately, given the high demand for them. Also, our pre-owned boats are seldom offered for sale.
What are the features of the Gulf Master boats?
Do you offer after-sales services?
All Gulf Master boats feature a foam cell system which means that in case the cell was damaged or the hull pierced, the boat would not be affected and you would still be able to cruise, because the quantity of material injected is enough to build two or three of our competitors’ boats. This helped promote the company’s name among the marine clientele.
Definitely. Our relationship with the client does not end upon delivery of the boat. We offer a 5-year warranty on all the boats we manufacture and we are looking forward to offering a 10-year warranty soon.
Why hasn’t the company built bigger boats yet?
Many of our boats are sold in the markets of Bahrain and Qatar; however, the Kuwaiti market remains the most active in the region and the majority of marine equipment, boats and yachts in the Gulf are sold in Kuwait.
We have the capabilities to manufacture bigger boats; however, we can’t build larger boats now due to the lack of factory size wich is not enough, We hope that the official authorities provide us with this adequate space to expand in this area in the near future to build such big sizes of boat.
Are your boats marketed in the Gulf?
Even for the many shipyards established in the United Arab Emirates, their end market is Kuwait.
LOCAL BOAT MANUFACTURERS
How do you evaluate boat building in Kuwait? Every player has its own expectations. The client is mostly concerned with the boat specifications and price, and our role will be to meet his requirements while remaining faithful to the quality and type of materials we use, ensuring that the boat is sturdy and reliable even after years of frequent use.
Do you build custom-made boats? We only commission custom-made boats when certain conditions are fulfilled, i.e. the order should include at least 3 boats. Most of the custom-made boats we build are military. But in general, at an additional cost, the client may choose to introduce modifications to the boat engine or color.
What is the most recent boat you built? The company launched two boats first is Gulf Master 26 feet, and the second Gulf Master Anglr 17 feet and since there launch in the market there was an increasing demands , the Gulf Master 17 feet was made due to the lack of presence of this size of boat in the boat market , we will participate with these boats in Kuwait Yacht Show 2015 . This boat features a special specifications for fishing enthusiasts. As the price of this boat is “primary� 1000 KD only.
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LOCAL BOAT MANUFACTURERS
عصام الغربللي
رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة المركز الدولي للقوارب “للفايبر جالس قالف ماستر”
استطاعت شركة المركز الدولي للفيبرجالس “قوارب قالف ماستر” من أن تضع بصمتها الخاصة في مجال تصنيع القوارب في الكويت ،وتمكنت من اقتحام األسواق العربية بفضل جودة التصنيع التي تستخدمها للقوارب منذ سنة 1994وحتى اليوم .تسعى الشركة بكل جهد أن تفوق توقعات العمالء من خالل عوامل متعددة من شأنها تعزيز من مكانة الشركة الكويتية المصنعة لقوارب “قالف ماستر” أجرت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONحوار ًا مع رئيس مجلس ادارة شركة المركز الدولي للفيبرجالس ومصنع قوارب “قالف ماستر” عصام الغربللي للتحدث عن أهم انجازات الشركة ،وكان الحوار التالي. متى تأسست شركة المركز الدولي للفايبر جالس؟ تأسست الشركة في سنة 1994عندما بدأنا بتصنيع القوارب ،حيث كانت ً قدما والثاني بحجم اإلنطالقة بقاربين بحجمين مختلفين ،األول 25 ً قدما .وتفرع من القوارب التي قمنا بتصنيعها قوارب أخرى القت 35 ً ً كبيرا من الجهات الحكومية في الكويت حيث كان لهم نصيب استحسانا
األسد في تلك الفترة ألنه تم شراء عدد كبير من القوارب لالستخدامات ً فضال العسكرية .ومن ضمنها قوارب لخفر السواحل وأخرى لوزارة الدفاع، عن كمية من القوارب التي قام الجيش األمريكي في العراق بشرائها.
ما هي مميزات قوارب “قالف ماستر”؟ جميع قوارب “قالف ماستر” تتمتع بنظام الخاليا من “الفوم” ،ففي حال ضربت الخلية فإن القارب ال يتأثر ،وحتى إن تعرض الهيكل للثقب فإنه باإلمكان السير فيه حيث أن المواد الداخلة في صناعة القارب تكفي لقاربين أو ثالثة من نفس الحجم لقوارب شركات أخرى منافسة .وهذا ما ساهم في رفع إسم ومكانة الشركة لدى العمالء.
لماذا لم تصنع الشركة حتى اليوم قوارب أكبر حجم ًا؟ ً حجما ،لكن عدم التوسع لدينا قدرات وإمكانيات في تصنيع قوارب أكبر في حجم القوارب سببه عدم توفر مساحة كافية لصناعة هذه األحجام. نأمل من الجهات الرسمية توفير لنا هذه المساحة الكافية لكي أن نتوسع في هذا المجال في المستقبل القريب.
بعد مرور 20سنة على تواجد قوارب “قالف ماستر” في الكويت، كيف تقيم هذه التجربة؟ نعتبر أنفسنا أننا األفضل في الكويت ،فالقارب يمتلك قيمة سوقية كبيرة ،فهو ال يخسر من سعره إال % 20بالرغم من مرور سنوات طويلة على استخدامه .كما أن جميع القوارب التي نقوم بتصنيعها نستخدم من خاللها أفضل المواد واألكثرها جودة .وكما أننا حافظنا على اسم الشركة التي قامت ببنائها ،ومن الصعب أن يتم تسليم القوارب بشكل مباشر نظرا الزدياد الطلبات عليها .كما أنه من الصعب أن تجد ً ً أيا من قواربنا ً نادرا. المستخدمة معروضة للبيع إال
هل توفر الشركة خدمات ما بعد البيع؟ من المؤكد أننا نوفر خدمات ما بعد البيع لعمالئنا ،فالعالقة مع العمالء ال تنتهي بمجرد استالم القارب .لدينا ضمان 5سنوات لجميع القوارب التي نقوم بتصنيعها ،ونأمل في سنة 2015أن نوفر مدة ضمان للقوارب تصل إلى 10سنوات.
هل تمتلك الشركة سوق ًا في الخليج؟ لدينا سوق في البحرين وقطر حيث تم بيع عدد من قواربنا هناك ،لكن يجب القول أن سوق الكويت هو السوق األنشط في المنطقة .فأغلبية القوارب الخليجية يكون سوقها سوق الكويت سواء من المعدات البحرية أو القوارب واليخوت .إال أن مصانع القوارب متوفرة في اإلمارات بشكل كبير لكن يعود سوقها إلى الكويت.
كيف تقيم تصنيع القوارب في الكويت؟ لكل مجتهد نصيب ،العميل يبحث عن مواصفات قوارب معينة وأسعار محددة ،ونحن بصفة شخصية نسعى لتلبية متطلبات العمالء كافة. لكن بشرط أن نحافظ على المواد التي نستخدمها حتى يحافظ القارب على هيكله ومتانته مع مرور السنوات واإلستخدام المتكرر.
ما هو القارب الجديد الذي قامت الشركة بتصنيعه؟ قامت الشركة باطالق قاربين االول هو قالف ماستر 26قدم و الثاني قالف ماستر انقلر 17قدم و منذ طرحهم في السوق بدأت الطلبات ً قدما لقلة تواجد المتزايدة على القاربين و حرصنا على ان نطلق قارب 17
حجم هذا القارب في السوق .وسنشارك بهذا القارب في معرض الكويت لليخوت .2015ويتميز هذا القارب بمواصفات خاصة لمحبي الصيد. وكما أن سعر هذا القارب الذي طرحناه هو “ابتدائي” من 1000دينار كويتي فقط.
هل تقوم الشركة بصناعة قوارب حسب الطلب؟ صناعة القوارب حسب الطلب يندرج ضمنها شروط معينة تتمثل بكميات محددة أقلها تصنيع 3قوارب ومعظمها تكون قوارب عسكرية. لكن يمكن للعميل أن يختار تعديالت معينة على القوارب من ناحية المحرك أو اللون وهذا بدوره يتطلب من العميل دفع تكاليف إضافية.
DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Eugene Beukes
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Chief Executive Officer for Al Boom Marine
outh African Eugene Beukes has a passion for boats, boating and anything marine related. So much a part of his life has sailing been that he has acquired an international skippers license. In his vacation time he can usually be found skippering luxury sailing catamarans in the Seychelles, Greek Isles, Mauritius or even in the Maldives. Eugene has a worked in the retail industry in excess of 27 years from shop floor to executive level, covering all aspects of retail including, manufacturing, apparel, supermarket, general retailers, electronics and furniture to name but a few. His current position is that of Chief Executive Officer for Al Boom Marine for which he was head hunted by an international recruitment company. Al Boom Marine is a leading marine company operating in the luxury yacht market within Kuwait. His main objective is to transform the organization after 27 years via implementation of new strategic and tactical goals.
Group based out of London with offices in New York; Beijing and Hong Kong. Eugene also consults on a regular basis for the boutique research group De Matteo Monness LLC with offices in New York, Boston, London and Shanghai. Business analysts of Route One Investment Company based out of New York and California have also consulted with Eugene on various retail aspects in South Africa.
Eugene also consults from time to time for numerous companies both locally and internationally on retail business aspects. He is deemed an industry expert and is also a forum member for the well-known International Coleman Research
With he and his company both enthusiastic supporters of the Kuwait Yacht Show, we met him as he finalised preparations for their involvement in the 3rd edition and discovered a little of what lays in store for 2015.
DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
When did the company start? The company was founded already way back in 1987 by Mr. Adel Al Sumait, who still resides as chairman, Al Boom Marine has since grown to become the biggest marine company in Kuwait with the largest product range, spare parts and service offering available on the market through its extensive network of showrooms, workshops and spare parts which are located throughout Kuwait.
How would you evaluate your participation in the Kuwait Yacht Show? As founding participants we are proud to be part of the popular Kuwait Boat Show which every year is just getting better and better to the benefit of all boat enthusiasts in Kuwait. We are also proud to have in conjunction with Gulf Craft, brought a Majesty 121ft – being the largest Majesty superyacht to ever make an appearance in Kuwait to the 2014 boat show and who knows maybe we may have a surprise for the 2015 boat show. Without letting the cat out of the bag so to speak, this year our participation will even be bigger and better than last year with all the new and latest equipment, boats, engines and accessories and we will be introducing the exhilarating “Gibbs Quadski” which is an amphibian craft produced in the USA which is used on both land and in the sea thereby providing freedom, flexibility and fun at the same time. If you don’t own one of these then you are not part of the who’s who in Kuwait.
What is your current portfolio of yacht brands, and could you describe them? We cater for the full spectrum of marine and boating enthusiast from inflatable water toys; small to large Mercury inflatable tenders; Fyran aluminum fishing boats; Hurricane recreational craft build in the US with 10 year hull warranty ranging up to 27ft; then we also have the Silvercraft fleet of fishing boats and family cruisers which combines advanced hull designs, superior performance and evolving styles ranging in easy to manage sizes from 31ft to 40ft. We then have the range of Oryx sports yachts and cruisers that combine power and performance with exceptional styling. These craft are rigid and robust and these elegant creations are built for luxury and comfort, with an eye for detail and a dedication to excellent craftsmanship. This range includes craft ranging from 27ft right up to 42ft in length. Then our flagship brand is the luxury yacht brand namely
“MAJESTY Yachts” which is produced by the award winning shipyard Gulf Craft, which is also the 10th largest ship yard in the world. These vessels have superb sea handling capabilities, trend setting styling and are equipped with the most luxurious fittings and finishing’s that can be found in the market today. These craft range from Majesty 48 right up to the Majesty155.
Do you provide any post selling services; could you tell us about it? Yes we do, we have the largest range of after sales spare parts and accessories in Kuwait. We also provide services such as the servicing and/or repairs to all makes of outboard as well as inboard engines. Al Boom Marine is also the authorized service agents for the internationally renowned Mercury, Mercurizer and Volvo Penta engines. We also provide services that cater for the repair of boats, re-building of engines, a full upholstery repair service, fiberglass work, Electrical and Air Conditioner, genset repairs and services. We are also the service agents for Westerbeke generators. So in other words we are literarily a one-stop shop for all boating requirements.
How do you describe the marine market in the region? The marine market is very popular in Kuwait being it for fishing, recreational or even the growing commercial sector. We however find the demand on the larger yachts currently exceeds the availability of marinas and berthing facilities. Should this shortage be addressed by government then we foresee a much stronger growth in yacht sales in this category.
Regarding your future plans; do you plan on branching out internationally? Our short-term plans are to firstly establish an additional workshop in Ras Al Ard which is planned to open in January 2015 thereby increasing our workshop footprint to six. Secondly our goal with these 6 workshops is to cover the entire seaboard so as to offer our valued clients the convenience of having an Al Boom Marine workshop in close proximity to service their every need. As far as branching out internationally is concerned, this has been a topic of discussion however I am of the opinion that we first need to perfect our business model locally and achieve the highest possible level of workmanship and service offering to our clients, and only once we have mastered this, then we would be in a position to consider the feasibility of expanding internationally.
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DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
بقوارب الصيد المصنوعة من األلمنيوم ماركة “فايران” ،والقوارب ّ المصن عة في الواليات المتحدة مع ضمانة الترفيهية ماركة “هوريكان” ً لمدة عشر سنوات على البدن ،والتي يصل طولها إلى 27قدما .كما لدينا أسطول “سيلفركرافت” لمراكب الصيد ،وطرادات العائلة التي المتفوق ،والتصاميم العصرية تجمع بين األبدان المتطورة ،واألداء ّ ً ّ التحك م بها. يسه ل ما قدما والتي تتراوح بأحجام بين 31و40 ّ كما لدينا مجموعة طرادات يخوت “أوريكس” الرياضية التي تجمع بين الممي ز .إن هذه القوارب متينة وأنيقة في آن، الطاقة واألداء واألسلوب ّ وقد تم تشييدها لتوفير تجربة في الرفاه والراحة لمالكيها ،مع التركيز على ّ وتتضم ن هذه المجموعة مراكب دق ة التفاصيل وبراعة الحرفة. ّ ً قدما. يتراوح طولها بين 27و42 ً تمي زنا وهي عالمة اليخوت الفاخرة وأخيرا ،لدينا العالمة التجارية التي ّ ّ عدة جوائز تصن عها شركة “جلف كرافت” الحائزة “ماجستي” التي ّ ً ّ ّ تتمت ع هذه حاليا عاشر أكبر حوض بناء يخوت في العالم. والمصن فة القوارب بالمتانة والسيطرة على سطح البحر ،كما أن تصميمها حديث مجه زة بأفخر أثاث وتجهيزات تكميلية متوفرة في سوق اليوم، وهي ّ ً ً ويتراوح طولها بين 48قدما وصول إلى يخت “ماجستي” البالغ طوله ً قدما. 155
ما هي خدمات ما بعد البيع التي توفرها الشركة ،هل يمكنك إخبارنا عنها؟ تأسست شركة “البوم مارين”؟ متى ّ تأس ست شركة “البوم مارين” في عام 1987على يد السيد عادل السميط، ّ ّ تطورت الشركة منذ ذاك الحين يتول ى رئاسة مجلس إدارتها. الذي ال يزال ّ تضم الشركة اليوم لتصبح األكبر في الصناعة البحرية في الكويت. ّ أوسع مجموعة من المنتجات وقطع الغيار وعروض خدمات في السوق، تقدمها من خالل صاالت العرض وورشات الصيانة المنتشرة في ّ كل ّ ّ المتوف رة في البوم مارين. أنحاء الكويت وقطع الغيار
تقيم مشاركتكم في معرض الكويت لليخوت؟ كيف ّ مؤس سين شركاء لمعرض الكويت لليخوت ،نفخر بأن نكون بصفتنا ّ ً ً ً مستمرا عن العام تحسنا جزءا من هذا المعرض المتميز الذي شهد تطل عات كافة ّ ّ عش اق اليخوت في الكويت .كما الماضي وارتقى إلى نشعر بالفخر بأننا صنعنا ،باالشتراك مع شركة الخليج لصناعة القوارب ً ً ً قدما” ،وهو أكبر كبيرا تحت اسم “ماجستي 121 يختا “جلف كرافت”، يخت من عائلة ماجستي وقد رفع النقاب عنه في معرض اليخوت للعام .2014ومن يعلمّ ،رب ما نحمل مفاجأة لنسخة العام في .2015 ومع حرصي على عدم اإلفصاح عن هذه المفاجأة ،أستطيع أن ّ أؤك د أن مشاركتنا في هذا العام ستكون أكبر وأفضل من مشاركتنا في العام سنقدم معدات وقوارب ومحركات وملحقات جديدة الماضي ،حيث ّ وحديثة .كما سنعرض “غيبس كوادسكي” ،وهو مركب برمائي تم إنتاجه في الواليات المتحدة األميركية ،ويستخدم على البر وفي المياه ،ما ً ّ شعورا بالحرية ،والمرونة ،والمرح في آن .وأنا أراهن أن يول د لدى عمالئنا امتالك هذا المركب سيكون مقياس االنتماء إلى أسلوب الحياة البحري الفاخر في الكويت.
ما هي العالمات التجارية الحالية التي تمثلها الشركة ،وهل يمكنك وصفها؟ نلب ي جميع رغبات ّ ً بدءا من األلعاب عش اق الحياة البحرية والمراكب، ّ ً مرورا المائية التي يمكن نفخها ،إلى زوارق “ميركوري” القابلة للنفخ،
نعم ،نحن ّ نوف ر أوسع مجموعة من قطع الغيار والملحقات ما بعد البيع نقدم خدمات مثل أعمال الصيانة والتصليح لكافة كما في الكويت. ّ المراكب المزودة بمحركات داخلية أو خارجية .كما أن شركة “ألبوم مارين” وكيل معتمد لصيانة محركات “ميركوري” ،و”ميركورايزر” ،وفولفو بينتا” العالمية الشهيرة .كما ّ نوف ر خدمات تعنى بتصليح القوارب ،وإعادة بناء المحركات ،وخدمات التنجيد ،وصناعات األلياف الزجاجية ،والمكيف الكهربائي والهوائي ،وتصليح وحدات المحركات وصيانتها .والشركة هي ً ً حرفيا أيضا وكيل الصيانة لمولدات “ويستربيكي” .وبمعنى آخر ،نحن “محطة واحدة” يجد فيها عمالؤنا كافة المستلزمات الخاصة بقواربهم.
كيف تصف السوق البحرية في المنطقة؟ إن السوق البحرية في الكويت تمتلك شعبية واسعة ،سواء سوق الصيد ،أو سوق الترفيه ،أو حتى سوق القطاع التجاري النامي .غير أن ً حجما يتجاوز المنشآت البحرية ومرافق الرسو الطلب على اليخوت األكبر المتوفرة .في حال قررت الحكومة معالجة هذا النقص ،من المتوقع ً نموا أكبر بكثير في مبيعات اليخوت من هذه الفئة. عندئذ أن نشهد ٍ
بالنسبة إلى خططكم المستقبلية ،هل تخططون لتوسيع نشاطكم على الصعيد الدولي؟ نخط ط ً ّ أول لتأسيس ورشة صيانة إضافية في رأس األرض في منطقة السالمية ،ومن المقرر افتتاحها في يناير ،2015ما يؤدي بالتالي إلى ً وثانيا ،إن زيادة عدد ورشات الصيانة التابعة لنا ليصبح عددها ست. ّ نوف ر الهدف من هذه الورشات الست هو تغطية كافة الساحل ،بحيث ً ً سهل وعلى مقربة منهم إلى ورش الصيانة التابعة وصول لعمالئنا لشركة “ألبوم مارين” ،وذلك لتلبية كافة احتياجاتهم. أما بالنسبة إلى توسيع نشاطاتنا على الصعيد الدولي ،فإن هذه ً ّ ّ أفض ل شخصيا ولكن ني المسألة كانت موضوع نقاش في الشركة. ً التري ث والعمل ّأو ً ال على إتقان نموذج عملنا محليا وتقديم أعلى درجات ّ
التمرس في ممكنة من مهارة الصنعة وجودة الخدمات لعمالئنا ،وبعد ّ ً دوليا. ذلك ،عندها يمكن الحديث عن إمكانية التوسع
DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
يوجين بيوكيس الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة البوم مارين
يوجين بيوكيس من جنوب أفريقيا ،لديه شغف كبير في مجال عالم القوارب ،وركوب الزوارق والمعدات البحرية .ويعتبر ذلك جزء ال يتجزأ من حياته ،خاصة بعد حصوله على رخصة “ربان دولي” .في فترة إجازته يمكن العثور عليه على قوارب اإلبحار الفاخرة في جزر سيشل ،الجزر اليونانية ،موريشيوس أو حتى في جزر المالديف. يوجين يعمل في قطاع تجارة التجزئة منذ أكثر من 27عام ًا حيث عمل في مختلف الوظائف والتي تغطي جميع جوانب التجزئة بما في ذلك الصناعة ،األزياء ،تجارة التجزئة العامة ،اإللكترونيات واألثاث على سبيل المثال ال الحصر . حالي ًا هو الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة البوم مارين ،حيث حصل على هذه الوظيفة من خالل شركة التوظيف الدولية .البوم مارين هي شركة رائدة في مجال القطاع البحري لليخوت الفاخرة داخل الكويت .هدفه الرئيسي هو تحويل الشركة بعد 27عام ًا عن طريق تنفيذ األهداف االستراتيجية والتكتيكية الجديدة . باإلضافة إلى ذلك يوجين هو المستشار للعديد من الشركات المحلية والدولية على حد سواء في الجوانب التجارية للبيع بالتجزئة .يعتبر خبير ًا في مجال الصناعة ،هو أيض ًا عضو منتدى لمجموعة أبحاث كولمان الدولية المعروفة في بريطانيا ولها مكاتب في نيويورك؛ بكين وهونغ كونغ .وهو مستشار أيض ًا على أساس منتظم لمجموعة دي ماتيو Monness LLC ولها مكاتب في نيويورك وبوسطن ولندن و شنغهاي .وكما أنه مستشار تحليلي لشركة “روت ون انفستمنت” ومقرها نيويورك وكاليفورنيا ،أيض ًا يعمل في جوانب مختلفة في قطاع التجزئة في جنوب أفريقيا. وكل من يوجين ،شركة البوم مارين من الداعمين لمعرض الكويت لليخوت ،التقينا به للتعرف على آخر االستعدادات للمعرض بنسخته الثالثة في ،2015وللتعرف على جديد الشركة.
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DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Fahed Al Ghareeb
P
CEO of Power Boat Center
Tell us about your participation in Kuwait Yacht Show.
ower Boat Center, established in 1998, is a distinctive enterprise of its CEO, Fahad Al Ghareeb. Power Boat Center represents the agency of boats, marine supplies and other equipment for prominent international companies. In addition to preserving its market value, Power Boat Center is always on the look out to expand activity in the region. MEN’S PASSION magazine met Fahad Al Ghareeb and had the following interview. When was Power Boat Center established? Kuwaitis have always experienced life at sea as the pearl trade was the major source of living. Our ancestors indeed had a great passion for the sea; this is what we have inherited from our predecessors. Marine life is part of our daily bread to the extent that it has become intrinsic of the character of every Kuwaiti. Kuwait’s sunny and warm climate is perfect for marine sports and hobbies where the activities may last for more than nine months, and that is definitely not a short time interval. I personally have a great passion for many marine sports such as fishing, marine races and other activities. That was the motive behind the establishment of the Power Boat Center in 1998 specialized in marine equipment and utilities.
What are the available products at Power Boat Center? We provide marine supplies such as boats, marine equipment and other accessories. In the meantime, our focus is on boats sized between 21 and 40 feet long as they are the most in demand in the Kuwait market. We also lack marinas that can accommodate larger boats and yachts. The company also provides additional marine equipment and accessories including diving and fishing gear, aquatics and water sports accessories. The company exhibition in Shuwaikh Industrial Zone welcomes agents of other companies who have no available show space to support start-ups.
What are some of the brands your represent at Power Boat Center? We are agents of Emocean Marine, an Emirati boat construction and manufacturing company; we also represent Benelli, Honda jet skis, and Meraki Power Engines, specialized in speed boat contests engines. We are always seeking representation of the best international brands to maintain our reputation in the Kuwait Market.
We participated in Kuwait Yacht Show 2013, which was the first participation of Power Boat Center in such events. It was a fruitful experience in terms of the organizing entity and Kuwait marine supply and equipment agents and businesses. In 2014, we had a more expansive participation in the show. We will be among the show’s sponsors in 2015 in view of the accomplished success it has witnessed in the previous years. Kuwait Yacht Show is a genuine contributor to the promotion of the marine sector in Kuwait gathering most of the owners and agents of yachts, jet skis and other marine equipment. Therefore, we are looking forward for a more vibrant and unique exhibition.
What are the services you offer in the after sales phase? We are greatly concerned in providing our clients with our utmost attention; we seek to gain their satisfaction for the after sales service including boat maintenance and spare part replacement in order to offer integrated after sales services. Our services are not limited to Power Boat Center products only as our integrated maintenance center has the capacity to offer all necessary services for all types of boats, yachts and marine equipment of all brands in addition to Diesel oil and gas engines. We also perform aluminum maintenance work for sunshades, chairs and accessories in addition to manufacturing boat carriages of various sizes and providing equipment to all types of boats and yachts. Our mobile workshop responds to client requests, meets their needs and performs repairs instantly and virtually anywhere. Our after sale services include a fully and comprehensively trained team that is capable of offering clients with excellent and distinguished services.
How is the competition in the Kuwait market in the sector of marine equipment and parts? The Kuwait market is highly competitive in this domain; however, it is positive and beneficial as it stimulates a drive to provide the best services and products of the highest quality. We, as agents, have established personal bonds and friendships among each other and with many business owners.
What are your future aspirations at Power Boat Center? We seek to expand without risking losing the value offered to clients. Work is currently in progress to expand our services to the Gulf region with a headquarters in Dubai. As part of the our social responsibility, we emphasize sponsoring sports activities to support talented youth in marine sports such as Waki Day Beach Event in order to accomplish more triumphs and success.
DEALERS OF REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
فهد الغريب
مدير عام شركة مركز القوارب السريعة “باور بوت” شركة مركز القوارب السريعة “باور بوت” تأسست في سنة 1998
بمبادرة فريدة من مدير عام الشركة فهد الغريب ،تمثل الشركة اليوم وكالة قوارب ومعدات بحرية ومسلتزمات أخرى ألهم الشركات العالمية .وتسعى إلى توسعة أنشطتها في المنطقة مع الحفاظ على قيمتها في السوق .التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع فهد الغريب، وكان الحوار التالي. متى تأسست شركة باور بوت؟
لطالما اشتهرت الكويت في الحياة البحرية حيث كانت تعتمد في السابق على تجارة اللؤلؤ ،ومن المؤكد أنه كان لدى أجدادنا شغف كبير في مجال الحياة البحرية وهذا ما تم توارثه عبر األجيال .وما زالت الحياة ً جزءا من حياتنا اليومية ،كما أن البحرية مترسخة في نفوسنا وتعتبر الكويت بلد يتميز بدرجات حرارة مرتفعة تسمح بممارسة الهوايات والرياضات البحرية على فترات طويلة من السنة قد تمتد إلى أكثر من ً ً كبيرا في مجال الرياضات البحرية شغفا 9أشهر .بصفة شخصية أمتلك المتنوعة من الصيد والسباقات البحرية وغيرها الكثير .وهذه كانت أبرز الدوافع لتأسيس شركة مركز القوارب السريعة “باور بوت” في سنة 1998الخاصة بتوفير مستلزمات الحياة البحرية.
ما هي المنتجات التي توفرها الشركة؟ نسعى إلى توفير المسلتزمات البحرية من القوارب والمعدات البحرية وغيرها من اإلكسسوارات .ونركز في الوقت الحالي على القوارب التي ً قدما لعدة أسباب أبرزها أنها القوارب يتراوح طولها بين 21إلى 40 ً طلبا في السوق الكويتي ،وكذلك بسب عدم توفر مراسى األكثر ً حجما .كما أن الشركة توفر كذلك مستلتزمات للقوارب واليخوت األكبر واكسسوارات بحرية منها عدة الغوص وعدة الصيد واأللعاب المائية واكسسوارات الرياضات المائية .كما أن معرض الشركة في منطقة الشويخ الصناعية يفتح المجال لعرض منتجات وكالء شركات أخرى ليس لديهم مكان مخصص للعرض وذلك بهدف دعم المشاريع التجارية الصغيرة.
ما هي أبرز الوكالت التي تمثلها الشركة في الكويت؟ لدينا وكالة قوارب “أيموشن مارين ”Emocean Marine -وهي شركة إماراتية خاصة بتصنيع وبناء القوارب .وكما أننا نمثل شركة “بينلي” للجت سكي ،و”ميركي باور” وهي شركة خاصة لتوفير المحركات المتعلقة بالسباقات الرياضية .وكما أنني أسعى بشكل مستمر للحصول على أفضل الوكاالت العالمية للحافظ على مكانة الشركة في الكويت.
كيف تصف مشاركتك في معرض الكويت لليخوت؟ مشاركتي في معرض الكويت لليخوت بنسخته األولى سنة 2013كانت أول مشاركة لمركز القوارب السريعة “باور بوت” في معرض ،وأصفها بالتجربة الناجحة سواء للجهة المنظمة أو بالنسبة للممثلي وكالء المعدات والمستلزمات البحرية في الكويت وألصحاب الشركات. وشاركت كذلك في المعرض بنسخته الثانية سنة 2014بشكل أوسع. وأما بالنسبة للنسخة الثالثة في سنة 2015فشركة مركز القوارب ً نظرا للنجاح الذي حققه السريعة “باور بوت” أحد رعاة هذا المعرض ً إيمانا مني بدور هذا المعرض في في السنوات الماضية .وجاء ذلك تنشيط القطاع البحري في الكويت حيث يضم تخت سقف واحد معظم أصحاب ووكالء اليخوت القوارب الجت سكي والمعدات البحرية ً ً وتنوعا. تميزا األخرى .ونتطلع إلى معرض أكثر
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ما هي الخدمات التي توفرها الشركة في مرحلة ما بعد البيع؟ تحرص الشركة على االهتمام بالعمالء وننال رضاهم من خالل توفير خدمة ما بعد البيع لصيانة القوارب وتوفير قطع الغيار الالزمة لنقدم بذلك خدمات متكاملة حتى ما بعد البيع .والجدير ذكره أن هذه الخدمات غير مقتصرة على منتجات الشركة فقط بل نمتلك مركز ً ً قادرا أن يوفر الخدمات الالزمة لجميع أنواع القوارب متكامال صيانة واليخوت والمعدات البحرية من جميع العالمات التجارية .إضافة إلى ً فضال عن صيانة أعمال ألمنيوم كمظالت محركات الديزل والبزين. وكراسى وديكور ،وتصنيع جميع أحجام العربات للقوارب ،وتجهيز جميع أنواع القوارب واليخوت .كما نوفر ورشة خارجية قادرة أن تلبي متطلبات العمالء في أي مكان ويتم التصليح في نفس اللحظة.كما ً ً قادرا أن مدربا بشكل كامل أن خدمات ما بعد البيع تضم فريق عمل يقدم خدمة متميزة للعمالء.
كيف تصف المنافسة في السوق الكويتي في قطاع المعدات البحرية وتوابعها؟ تشهد الكويت منافسة قوية في هذا المجال ،لكنها مفيدة حيث تحفز على توفير أفضل وأحسن الخدمات والمنتجات .كما أنها توطد العالقات الشخصية مع جميع الوكالء حيث تجمعنا عالقة صداقة ومودة مع عدد كبير من أصحاب الشركات.
ما هو طموح شركة مركز القوارب السريعة “باور بوت”؟ نسعى إلى التوسع من دون المغامرة في القيمة التي نقدمها للعمالء، ً ً انطالقا من دبي .كما حاليا أسعى لتقديم خدمات في منطقة الخليج وأنا ً أن الشركة وحرصا من مسؤوليتنا االجتماعية نسعى لرعاية النشاطات الرياضية لدعم الشباب الموهوب في مجال الرياضات البحرية القادر على تحقيق اإلنجازات ومن ضمنها “يوم الواكي”.
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Seas & Deserts
One on one with Abdul Hamid Marhaba
K
uwait-based ‘Seas & Deserts’ group was awarded the prestigious ‘Dealer of the Year’ by Azimut Yachts for 2014, beating all the other highly regarded Azimut representatives around the world. This award is the outcome of the determined efforts made by the group to preserve the status it has achieved since 1979. For more than 35 years, through the firm strategy it has in place, the company has excelled in the marine industry in the region. MEN’S PASSION met with Seas & Deserts group Sales Manager Abdul Hamid Marhaba, for more insight on the group’s journey. How did the group start? The group was established in 1979 as a response to the growing demand for adventure in two fundamental aspects of the Arab society, i.e. the sea and the desert. It specializes in multipurpose marine equipment, such as boats and yachts, through dealership rights of some of the most prestigious brands internationally. We offer a wide range of high-quality products; our roadmap consists of providing the best and most varied sea and land products and services for individuals, companies and public institutions. The group was named ‘Seas & Deserts’ to echo the nature of the products it offers, namely marine and land equipment, including yachts, boats and recreational allterrain vehicles. It proved to be a pioneer in the market as it never failed to meet the ever-growing demand on yachts, boats and marine equipment.
You have been recently named Dealer of the Year by Azimut Yachts. What does this prize add to the group? ‘Seas & Deserts’ is the exclusive dealer for Azimut Yachts. This partnership started in 2012 in Kuwait and later expanded to encompass the Qatar, UAE, the Sultanate of Oman. Our partnership with Azimut Yachts builds on the great results achieved by ‘Seas & Deserts’ which has earned today its ranking as one of the leading yacht distributors in the Middle East. It is worth noting that Azimut has 138 dealers in 68 countries in the world. Therefore, this award truly reflects our perseverance and accentuates the trust placed by Azimut itself in us. It is a recognition of our commitment towards the clients who are always granted the best service during the sale process and afterwards. We will strive to maintain our position and to preserve Azimut and the client’s trust in us.
How do you describe the group’s relationship with Azimut? It is excellent. ‘Seas & Deserts’ has managed, in a short period of time, to exceed all expectations as a dealer in the region.
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This proves that the calculated business strategy we have in place is indeed successful.
traditionally connected to the marine life and they have a robust purchase power when it comes to owning yachts.
What are the brands that you represent in Kuwait?
Does ‘Seas & Deserts’ provide yachts with personalized specifications?
We represent Garmin for navigation equipment, Polaris for all-terrain vehicles, Sea Ray for yachts and boats, Hatteras Collection which includes Azimut Yachts, Haterras and Cabo yachts, as well as Boston Whaler and other international brands.
Does the group provide after-sales services? Ever since the group was established, we were keen on providing an integrated service, including post-sales maintenance for the navigation systems, yachts, and land equipment in order to provide all what is needed for boats or marine products. The group has service centers for yachts and boats. Right from the start, we wanted our after-sales services not only to set us apart from our competitors, but also to help us expand our activities and promote our company as one of the best on the market.
Do you have branches in other GCC countries? We have a branch in Dubai and one in Doha.
What is the most distinctive yacht market in the region? Kuwait is definitely the strongest and most important market for yachts in the region. Kuwaitis are deeply and
Every owner prefers to build his own custom-made yacht. The modifications are doable according to what suits the owner’s taste, be it external colors, furniture color and layout.
How do you evaluate Kuwait Yacht Show, held now for the third consecutive year? Unfor tunately, yacht shows were absent in Kuwait. We used to take par t ever y year in shows organized abroad, namely in Qatar and Dubai. Therefore, the K YS was warmly welcomed as a positive initiative in this regard. We are currently preparing for the third edition in 2015, where we expect to showcase Middle East premiers as we have done in the previous years during the Kuwait Yacht Show. In the 2014 Edition, we par ticipated with 8 yachts and 10 boats, in addition to Garmin devices, Polaris vehicles and Victor y motorbikes. We will not settle for anything less in the next editions.
Do you plan to expand across the region? For the time being, we do not envision any expansion. However, if there is an opportunity for greater achievements, we will not hesitate to seize it. For now, ‘Seas and Deserts’ policy is well planned and steady growth. This is our motto.
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كيف تصف عالقة المجموعة مع أزيموت؟ يمكن القول أنها عالقة ممتازة ،استطاعت مجموعة “سيز آند دزرتس” في مدة قصيرة من تمثليها لوكالة يخوت أزيموت في المنطقة أن تحقق إنجازات فاقت جميع التوقعات وهذا يدل على نجاح االستراتيجية المدروسة التي نطبقها في مجال أعمالنا التجارية.
ما هي العالمات التجارية التي تمثلها المجموعة في الكويت؟ نمثل عالمة GARMINجارمن لألجهزة المالحية ،بوالريس آللليات البرية“ ،سي راي” لليخوت والقوارب ،مجموعة “هاتراس كوليكشن” والتي تضم يخوت “هاترس” و”كابو” ،قوارب “بوسطن وايلر” باإلضافة إلى يخوت “أزيموت” وعالمات عالمية أخرى.
هل توفر المجموعة خدمات ما بعد البيع؟ منذ انطالقة المجموعة ،حرصنا على تقديم خدمات متكاملة تدخل من ضمنها خدمة ما بعد البيع لصيانة أجهزة المالحة والمعدات البرية واليخوت وتوفير المتطلبات الالزمة سواء للقوارب أو المعدت البحرية حيث يوجد لدى المجموعة مراكز الخدمة لليخوت والقوارب التابعة لها .وبدأت المجموعة بخدمات متكاملة وحرصنا أن تكون خدمة ما ً ً وعنوانا لزيادة نشاط المجموعة وتوسيع العمل ورفع أساسا بعد البيع اسم المجموعة لألفضل.
هل تم افتتاح أفرع في باقي الدول الخليجية؟ لدينا فرع في دبي وآخر في الدوحة.
ما هو أقوى سوق لقطاع اليخوت في المنطقة ؟ الكويت من أهم وأقوى األسواق في قطاع اليخوت في المنطقة، فالشعب الكويتي لديه ارتباط وثيق بالحياة البحرية ،كما يمتلك معظمهم قدرة شرائية كبيرة فيما يتعلق باليخوت.
هل تقوم مجموعة بمواصفات خاصة؟
“سيز
أند
دزرتس”
بتوفير
يخوت
يفضل كل مالك يخت بإجراء تعديالت تلبي تطلعاته فيما يتعلق بمواصفات اليخت التي سيقتنيه وحسب ذوقه الخاص .ونحن نوفر هذه الخدمات لتلبية متطلبات ممتلكي اليخوت في الخليج ،لذا يستطيع المالك اختيار اليخت على حسب المواصفات التي يرغب بها من حيث اللون الخارجي ،وألوان المفروشات الداخلية وطريقة تقسيم اليخت وغيرها الكثير من المواصفات.
كيف تقيم معرض الكويت لليخوت الذي أقيم للسنة الثانية على التوالي؟ لألسف ،افتقدنا لمعارض اليخوت والقوارب في الكويت التي كانت تقام على أرضها في السابق .ولكننا نشارك في المعارض التي تقام في كل من قطر ودبي بشكل سنوي .واستطاع معرض الكويت لليخوت الذي أقيم بسنخته األولى في 2013أن يكون الواجهة الجديدة التي تجمع وكالء وأصحاب اليخوت والقوارب والمعدات البحرية على أرض الكويت وهي مبادرة فريدة من نوعها .وكان لمشاركتنا السابقة في النسختين األولتين من المعرض صدى إيجابي على مختلف المقاييس .والجدير بالذكر أننا نحرص على المشاركة في المعرض بمساحة كبيرة قدر اإلمكان لنتمكن من عرض منتجاتنا ،حيث أنه في عام ،2014عرضنا 8يخوت و 10قوارب باإلضافة إلى أجهزة جارمن ً ً وحاليا ،نحن في أيضا. وأليات “بوالرس” ودراجات “فيكتوري” الناريه طور االستعداد للمشاركة في المعرض بنسخته الثالثة في 2015 ً يخوتا جديدة للمرة األولى. حيث سنعرض
هل لديكم خطة توسعية في المنطقة؟ في الوقت الحالي ال يوجد لدينا أي خطة توسعية ،لكن ما إذا كان هناك فرصة قادرين من خاللها أن نحقق إنجازات ،لن نتردد بالقيام بذلك .ولكن المؤكد هو أن سياسة “سيز آند دزرتس” هي التوسع من خالل خطوات مدروسة ونمو ثابت وهذا هو شعارنا.
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عبد الحميد مرحبا مدير مبيعات مجموعة “سيز أند دزرتس”
حصدت مجموعة “سيز أند دزرتس لقب جائزة وكيل العام ليخوت “أزيموت” لسنة 2014والتي تمكنت من خاللها أن تتفوق على أهم ممثلي وكاالء يخوت “أزيموت” في العالم .وهذا ما هو إال ثمرة عمل جاد يقوم به المعنيون بالحفاظ على مكانة الشركة القيمة والتي يعود تاريخ تأسيسها إلى سنة .1979وعلى مدى أكثر من 35سنة ،تفوقت الشركة في مجال اليخوت والقوارب والمعدات البحرية في المنطقة من خالل االستراتيجية التي تعتمدها المجموعة .التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع عبد الحميد مرحبا ،مدير مبيعات مجموعة “سيز أند دزرتس” ،وكان الحوار التالي . متى تأسست مجموعة “سيز آند دزرتس”؟ يعود تاريخ تأسيس المجموعة إلى سنة ،1979وهدفها األساسي هو تلبية الطلب المتزايد على جانبين من أهم الجوانب في المجتمع العربي ،وهما البحر والبر .المجموعة مختصة في مجال المعدات البحرية من اليخوت والقوارب المتعددة االستخدامات من خالل تمثيلها ألرقى العالمات التجارية العالمية .ونحن اليوم نمثل تشكيلة واسعة من المنتجات العالية الجودة ،لدينا خارطة طريق نسعى من خاللها إلى توفير مجموعة من أفضل وأوسع المنتجات والخدمات البحرية والبرية لألفراد والشركات والمؤسسات الحكومية. ً تماشيا مع طبيعة عمل وتم تسميتها بمجموعة “سيز أند دزرتس” المجموعة في المعدات البحرية والبرية سواء في اليخوت أو القوارب واآلليات البرية الترفيهية ،ونتيجة الطلب الكبير بالنسبة لليخوت والقوارب والمعدات البحرية أصبحت المجموعة رائدة في السوق في هذا المجال.
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حصلت “سيز آند دزرتس” مؤخر ًا على جائزة وكيل العام ليخوت “أزيموت” ،ماذا أضاف ذلك للمجموعة؟ مجموعة سيز أند دزرتس هي وكيل الحصرى ليخوت أزيموت حيث بدأت الشراكة سنة 2012في الكويت وثم انتقلنا إلى قطر ،اإلمارات العربية المتحدة وسلطنة عمان .وتستند الشراكة الجديدة على النتائج الممتازة التي حصلت عليها مجموعة “سيز آند دزرتس” ،وتعتبر اليوم شركتنا إحدى أهم شركات اليخوت الرائدة في منطقة الشرق األوسط. ً عالميا في مئة وثمانية وثالثين والجدير ذكره أن وكالة أزيموت تتواجد ً ً بلدا حول العالم .وهذه الجائزة موقعا ،متمثلة في ثمانية وستين
هي ثمرة عملنا المستمر والدؤوب وثقة الوكالة العالمية في اسم المجموعة ،وكما أنها تعتبر بالنسبة للمجموعة اعتراف بالتزامنا المستمر تجاه عمالءنا الذين يحظون بخدماتنا على أكمل وجه فيما يتعلق بالمبيعات وخدمات ما بعد البيع .ونحن سنبذل قصارى جهدنا للحفاظ على مكانتنا وثقة عمالئنا وثقة أزيموت.
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Alan Maarawi General Manager of Sea Pros
S
ea Pros is one of the region’s leading companies in the world of yachts and boats, and one that gained the trust of the Italian Ferretti Group and became its exclusive agent in the Middle East. For 18 years, the company has anchored its presence in the region starting in Lebanon then expanding through Kuwait, KSA and UAE to become one of the most prominent distributors in the world, offering yachts and boats of international high-end brands. Since its establishment, Sea Pros has exerted great efforts to provide its clients and the clients of other brands extensive and exemplary services, thus enhancing its competitive edge in this industry. Men’s Passion met with Alan Maarawi, the company’s General Manager, to learn more about their most important achievements. Sea Pros was acknowledged at the Cannes Boat Show, can you tell us about this? We participated in the 2014 Cannes Boat Show recently and succeeded in receiving two awards. The first award was for the maintenance of yachts and boats; we competed against 60 other companies around the world and won on account of the distinguished services we offer to our clients. The second award is expressly dedicated to yachts and boats ranging from 80 to 120 feet. We received this award for selling “Chopi Chopi”, an 80-meter yacht with the most modern designs. The yacht had won the “most achieved trophy” among global yachts for this year.
Sea Pros has recently launched a company specialized in yacht post-sales services, how did this come about?
equipment played an important role in establishing Sea Pros in 1998. The company started in Lebanon with only two employees and three yacht agencies. We worked at this capacity for an entire year. At first, we obtained the dealership rights for several important yacht and boat brands, and we were able, in a short period of time, to set a foothold in the Arab market. We expanded from Lebanon to the UAE, Kuwait and KSA with brands that were acclaimed by the local market. In the year 2000, we represented Riva Yachts in Lebanon and after one year we were representing Ferretti Group. In 2006 we acquired the yacht dealership in Kuwait, KSA and Egypt, before moving to UAE in 2007.
What are the brands whose dealership is owned by Sea Pros today?
From the beginning, Sea Pros wanted to offer special and integrated services during the sale process and afterwards. Therefore the Yachting Services company was established to offer maintenance and services to boats and yachts of brands we sell or other international brands.
The company represents Ferretti Group, which is an Italian manufacturer of yachts since 1968 with a focus on powerboats and superyachts. Under Ferretti’s umbrella fall eight distinct brands. Today, Sea Pros encompasses other brands as well, including Pershing, Bertram, Riva, Mochi Craft, CRN, Galeon, Regal, Master Craft, Wider and Seabob.
Speaking of establishing companies, how was the beginning of Sea Pros?
What is the company’s vision in the yachts and boats industry?
Although I studied computer science, my passion for the sea and everything related to boats, yachts and maritime
Our main objective is to make our clients’ dreams come true, to exceed their expectations and to meet their needs. We
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make our best efforts to be at the forefront of the maritime industry in the Middle East, to offer a different experience to yacht owners and to introduce a luxurious maritime lifestyle. In addition to meeting the increasing demand on yachts, our values constitute our main pillar and we take pride in the utmost attention and quality we offer to our clients.
What are the international exhibitions that Sea Pros participated in? We participated in Monaco Yacht Show, where the 80m “Chopi Chopi� and another 28m yacht were displayed. In the same exhibition, Sea Pros announced that Riva started building 50 to 68m yachts exclusively to the owners of Riva yachts. We also participated in Genoa Yacht Show. At the Arab level, we participated in Dubai International Boat Show and Kuwait Yacht Show that evolved significantly in its second edition and therefore we are looking forward for an even more special third edition in 2015.
What are the problems that the yacht owners face in the region? Unfortunately, Kuwait and Lebanon are facing the biggest problems in the Arab world when it comes to the availability of sufficient berths to meet the needs of the clients and private yacht owners, especially that the market is very prosperous in both countries, and the maritime space can be made available to meet the needs if there is a true will behind it. We hope to find a solution to this problem as it currently constitutes an obstacle for yacht owners.
What are Sea Pros projects for the future? The company started to expand and to diversify its products, and now we have a section specialized in marina management with fully equipped buildings to meet the demand of the clients. We launched the project already in Lebanon, and now we are seeking to implement it in KSA, UAE and hopefully in Kuwait.
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حصدت شركة Sea Prosعلى جائزتين في معرض كان لليخوت، هل يمكن أن تحدثنا عنهما؟ ً مؤخرا ،واستطاعت شاركت Sea Prosفي معرض كان لليخوت الذي أقيم الشركة أن تحصل على جائزتين ،األولى متعلقة بصيانة اليخوت والقوارب حيث كانت المنافسة ضمن 60شركة حول العالم وتمكنا من الحصول على الجائزة بفضل الخدمات المميزة التي نوفرها للعمالء .أما الجائزة ً قدما، الثانية وهي خاصة باليخوت والقوارب المصنفة من 80لغاية 120 حيث تم بيع يخت “شوبي شوبي” المصنف من أحدث اليخوت الذي ً ً تحقيقا” في جوائز اليخوت مترا ونال جائزة اليخت “األكثر يبلغ طوله 80 العالمية لهذا العام.
طرحت Sea Prosمؤخر ًا شركة خاصة بخدمات ما بعد البيع لليخوت ،كيف كانت البداية الفعلية؟ تحرص Sea Prosمنذ تأسيسها على توفير خدمات متميزة ومتكاملة سواء في مرحلة البيع أو خدمات ما بعد البيع ،لذلك تم تأسيس شركة “خدمات اليخوت ،”Yachting Services -وهي شركة توفر خدمات وصيانة القوارب واليخوت حول العالم سواء كانت من العالمات التجارية التي تمتلكها الشركة أو حتى عالمات تجارية عالمية أخرى.
بالعودة إلى تأسيس الشركة ،كيف كانت البداية؟ على الرغم من دراستي الجامعية لتخصص علوم الكمبيوتر ،إال أن شغفي في مجال البحر وما يتعلق باليخوت والقوارب والمعدات البحرية كان له دور رئيسي في تأسيس شركة Sea Prosفي عام .1998انطلقت الشركة في موظفي ن فقط وثالث وكاالت لليخوت، لبنان وكانت تضم في ذلك الوقت ّ واستمرينا في هذا المجال لمدة سنة كاملة .بدأت الشركة مع عدد من الوكاالت التجارية ألهم اليخوت والقوارب وتمكنت في فترة قصيرة من أن ً ً وصوال إلى انطالقا من لبنان تثبت مكانتها في السوق العربي وتوسعنا اإلمارات العربية المتحدة ،الكويت والمملكة العربية السعودية للعالمات التجارية التي تناسب السوق .في سنة 2000مثلنا شركة ريفا لليخوت في لبنان ،وبعد سنة واحدة فقط وتحديد ًا في 2001مثلنا مجموعة فيريتي. وفي 2006حصلنا على وكالة اليخوت في الكويت والسعودية ومصر وثم انتقلنا لإلمارات العربية في .2007
ما هي العالمات التجارية التي تمتلك وكالتها اليوم شركة Sea Pros؟ تمتلك Sea Prosوكالة يخوت مجموعة فيريتي ،وهي شركة إيطالية مصنعة لليخوت تأسست في ،1968ترتكز على قطاع الزوارق السريعة المتخصصة في إنتاج اليخوت الفاخرة .وتحت مظلة مجموعة فيريتي يندرج 8عالمات تجارية .واليوم تضم الشركة بيرشيغ ،ايتاما ،بيرترام ،ريفا، موشي كرافت ،سي أر أن ،جاليون ،ريغال ،ماستر كرافت ،وايدر وسي بوب.
ما هي رؤية الشركة في قطاع اليخوت والقوارب؟ هدفنا األساسي هو تحقيق أحالم عمالئنا وتجاوز توقعاتهم وتلبية احتياجاتهم .نسعى ألن تكون الشركة رائدة في الصناعة البحرية في الشرق األوسط لخلق تجربة مختلفة ألصحاب اليخوت إلدخال نمط الحياة البحرية الفاخرة .باإلضافة إلى سعينا لتلبية الطلب المتزايد على اليخوت .قيمنا هي حجر األساس الذي نفتخر به الشركة لخدمة عمالئنا مع االهتمام بتوفير أعلى مستوى من الجودة.
ما هي المعارض العالمية التي تشارك بها Sea Pros؟ شاركنا في معرض مونتي كارلو لليخوت ،وتم عرض يخت “شوبي شوبي” ً ً مترا ،وفي هذا المعرض أعلنت Sea Pros مترا وآخر بطول 28 بطول 80
ً مترا والتي أن شركة ريفا لليخوت بدأت بتصنيع يخوت من 50لغاية 68 ً حكرا على مالك يخوت ريفا فقط .شاركنا كذلك في معرض ستكون جنيف لليخوت .وعلى صعيد الدول العربية نشارك في معرض دبي ً عاما تلو اآلخر لليخوت ،ومعرض الكويت لليخوت الذي استطاع أن يتطور ً تميزا في نسخته الثالثة في .2015 ونتطلع إلى معرض أكثر
ما هي المشاكل التي يواجهها مالك اليخوت في المنطقة؟ لألسف أن الكويت ولبنان أكثر دولتين في المنطقة يواجهان مشكلة عدم توفر مراسى كافية لتلبية متطلبات العمالء ومالك اليخوت خاصة أن قطاع اليخوت في البلدين مزدهر ،على الرغم من توفر مساحة بحرية قادرة على تلبية المتطلبات .ونأمل أن يتوفر حل لهذه المشكلة التي تشكل عقبة لمالك اليخوت.
ما هي مشاريع شركة Sea Prosالمستقلبية؟ بدأت الشركة بالتوسع والتنوع ،وأصبح لدينا قسم خاص إلدارة المارينا من خالل أبنية مجهزة بالكامل لتلبية متطلبات العمالء .بدأنا بالشركة ً حاليا لتنفيذ المشروع في السعودية واإلمارات ونأمل في لبنان ونسعى بتنفيذ هذا المشروع في الكويت.
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
آالن معراوي مدير عام شركة Sea Pros
تعتبر Sea Prosمن الشركات الرائدة في مجال اليخوت والقوارب في المنطقة ،استطاعت أن تكتسب ثقة مجموعة فيريتي اإليطالية لتصبح الوكيل الحصري للمجموعة في الشرق األوسط .على مدار 18سنة أثبتت مكانتها في المنطقة حيث كانت البداية في لبنان وتوسعت وصو ًال إلى الكويت ،المملكة العربية السعودية واإلمارات العربية المتحدة ،لتصبح واحدة من كبار الموزعين في جميع أنحاء العالم مدعومة بتشكيلة من العالمات التجارية المرموقة من القوارب واليخوت في العالم .تسعى Sea Prosمنذ تأسيسها أن توفر لعمالئها وعمالء كافة العالمات التجارية األخرى خدمات متكاملة لتكون قادرة على المنافسة في هذا القطاع. التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع آالن معراوي مدير عام الشركة ليطلعنا على أهم وأبرز انجازات الشركة ،وكان الحوار التالي.
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DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Bader Alyahya
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General Manager of Bader Alyahya Yachts
ader Alyahya Yachts’, as its name suggests, was founded by Bader Alyahya as an embodiment of his passion for the sea. And because he gave it his own name, he would go to great lengths to choose the best yacht types and brands before associating his name with them. The yachts he chooses must be of a high quality, luxurious and well-priced for the client. MEN’S PASSION met with him to learn more about the latest brands distributed by his company and its plans for the future. How did the company start? The idea of owning a yacht took shape in my mind as I started to frequent international exhibitions organized by countries with advanced experience in the yacht construction industry, such as France, Spain, Germany and USA. I attended shows held in the Arab world as well, such as Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait yacht shows. As I delved deeper into the world of yachts, I started to think seriously of running a business in this industry instead of just owning a yacht. This passion for yachts became intrinsic to my personal life, and soon I had embarked in founding ‘Bader Alyahya Yachts’ before I even owned my first yacht. I recognized my wish to move forward with the project and I expressed no reluctance in having it materialized. This is how it all started.
What is the company’s vision when it comes to the yacht and boat sector? The Prestige line and Jeanneau provides the widest range of yachts in the world: 28 models across 6 collections. The French shipyard, Jeanneau, is the umbrella for CAP collection with 12 designs, Merry Fisher with 8 models, NC with 3 models, Leader with 4 models and Velasco with 3 designs. As for Prestige, it has 2 main collections: Prestige Flybridge with 6 designs and Prestige Sport with 4. Yacht types are divided into 5 main categories: Sailboats, Fishing Boats, Pleasure Boats, Sportsboats and Yachts. All these categories share an important manufacturing feature, i.e. the sporty look and the superior performance, in addition to the entirely handmade contemporary interior designs that appeal to the youth. NOMU brand uses contemporary designs that are attractive to the youth as well; it is unique in its colors which break away from the standard white and reflect the excellence sought by ‘Bader Alyahya Yachts’ in the first place, and by every owner deserving a yacht that reflects his personality and makes him feel unique. The yacht is the seaside house where the owner would want to spend his leisure time and vacation. Therefore, it should be designed to optimize comfort and deliver a great experience in contemporary lifestyle.
What are the brands represented by the company? We represent a French company and an Italian company. The French company Jeanneau with there Prestige line. They are a leader in this industry and offer yachts of all sizes, ranging from small to large. The Italian company is NOMU, for which we are the dealers in the Middle East. NOMU yachts are known for their contemporary designs and unconventional colors which appeal to the youth. Just like any other, these brands are always looking to offer the best quality of manufacture and regard themselves as such. But we all know that it is hard to judge, because quality is a matter of opinion and taste. All the good brands compete over quality, but some specifications in Prestige and Jeanneau and NOMU are indeed unexampled, such as being 100% European, unlike other brands which outsource the construction to shipyards overseas.
In which international exhibitions does the company participate? The company has taken part in many exhibitions worldwide; in Germany, France, Miami, Dubai and Qatar. This year, we are planning to participate in Kuwait Yacht Show, and for the first time, we will be displaying both brands: Prestige, line from Jeanneau and Nomu. We want our participation to add value to the exhibition and therefore we are planning for a strong representation, particularly with 5 new and distinguished yachts that will fascinate for sure all the visitors.
What are your plans for the future? We were the first to introduce French yachts in Kuwait, and given the growing demand for these modern and sporty yachts, we decided to explore new horizons by opening the door for personalization. Owners will be able to request the color of the external painting, the color of the interior fittings and furniture and the cabin layout that best fulfills their needs. In a nutshell, the client will be able to design his own yacht and to add his artistic touch to it, so as to make it distinctively his own.
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
بدر اليحي
مدير عام شركة بدر اليحي لليخوت أسس بدر اليحي شركة “بدر اليحي لليخوت” نظر ًا للشغف الذي يمتلكه في هذا المجال ،وألنه ربط اسم شركته باسمه الخاص يحرص على إختيار أفضل وأحسن أنواع اليخوت ،وهذا يعطي الدافع القوي لتقييم العالمات قبل ما يتم ربطها بإسمه الخاص ،حيث ال بد أن تحمل الكثير من الجودة والفخامة والسعر المناسب بالنسة للعميل .التقته MEN’S PASSION للتعرف أكثر على آخر الوكاالت التي أصبحت تمثلها الشركة والمشاريع المستقبلية ،وكان الحوار التالي.
أما عالمة NOMUفتعتمد التصميم العصري والجذاب الذي يجذب الشباب وهذه العالمة تنفرد عن غيرها باأللوان التي كسرت حاجز اليخوت البيضاء .وهذا ما يميز رؤية شركة بدر اليحيى لليخوت والتي نسعى إلى ً مميزا تلبية رغبات كل مالك لليخوت ،فهو شخص يستحق بأن يكون ويجسد شخصيته في يخته .فاليخت يعتبر بيته البحري الذي يقضي فيه ً مريحا ويحتوي على وقت فراغه ووقت اجازته ويطمح بأن يكون هذا البيت كل ما يريده باإلضافة إلى تصاميمه العصرية.
ماهي العالمات التجارية التي تمثلها الشركة ؟
كيف كانت بداية تأسيس الشركة؟ بدأت فكرة امتالك اليخت منذ فترة الخمس سنوات ،عندما بدأت بالتواجد في المعارض العالمية التي تنظمها الدول المتقدمة في مجال اليخوت ً وأيضا المعارض التي مثل فرنسا وإسبانيا وألمانيا والواليات المتحدة، تنظمها الدول العربية منها معرض دبي ،معرض قطر ،معرض الكويت لليخوت .وبهذا التعمق باليخوت وخوض شوط كبير بالتعرف عليها بدأت فكرة العمل في هذا المجال والخوض فيه وليس فقط شراء يخت، ً جزءا من حياتي الشخصية وبالفعل تم الخوض فالعشق لليخوت أصبح بإنشاء شركة بدر اليحيى لليخوت قبل امتالكي ألول يخت .وهذا يعود ألنني أحببت ورأيت أنني أميل لهذا المشروع الذي لم أتراجع في اتخاذ القرار عنه وال لحظة ،ومن هنا بدأت الحياة العملية بهذا المشروع.
ما هي رؤية الشركة في قطاع اليخوت والقوارب ؟ تقدم شركة جنوا أوسع حزمة من اليخوت في العالم ،فهى تطرح 28 ً موديال ضمن 6مجموعات.شركة جنوا الفرنسية تضم المجموعات التالية ً تصميما ،مجموعةMERRY FISHER مجموعة CAPتحتوي على 12 تحتوي على 8موديالت ،مجموعة NCتحتوي على 3موديالت ،مجموعة LEADERتحتوي على 4تصاميم ،مجموعة VELASCOتحتوي على 3تصاميم .أما شركة برستيج PRESTIGEتحتوي على مجموعتين: مجموعة PRESTIGE Flybridgeوتحتوي على 6تصاميم و مجموعة PRESTIGE Sportوتحتوي على 4تصاميم. وتقسم المجموعات لليخوت بشكل عام كالتالي:مجموعة القوارب، مجموعة الصيد ،مجموعة النزهة ،مجموعة الرياضة ومجموعة اليخوت. وكل هذه المجموعات تحافظ على أسس مهمة في الصناعة وهي َ فضال عن الهيكل الرياضي الخاص وأدائه هو األفضل في فئة اليخوت، التصاميم الداخلية العصرية التي يحبها الجيل الجديد من الشباب والتي تصنع يدويا على يد الحرفيين.
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العالمات التي تمثلها الشركة هي فرنسية وإيطالية ،وأما الفرنسية فهي شركة جنوا لليخوت ،من خالل يخوت برستيج وهي شركة رائدة في هذا المجال وتضم جميع المقاسات من اليخوت الصغيرة والكبيرة .ونفس األمر ينطبق النسبة لإليطالية حيث الشركة وكيلة للشرق األوسط لعالمة NOMUوهي متميزة بالتصاميم العصرية وذات ألوان مميزة تجذب الشباب الذي يعشق كل ماهو غريب ومميز وهذه العالمات مثل غيرها تسعى لتكون األفضل من حيث الجودة بالتصنيع وتطلق على نفسها هذا اللقب .ولكن نعلم أنه من الصعب معرفة ما هو األفضل وذلك ألسباب تفاوت اآلراء واألذواق خاصة وأن جميع هذه العالمات تتنافس على الجودة وثم بالفعل هناك مواصفات وخصائص تنفرد فيها الشركات التي نمثلها اليوم ،وهي أنها شركات أوروبية 100%دون غيرها التي تصنع خارج دولها.
ما هي المعارض العالمية التي تشارك بها الشركة ؟ شاركت الشركة بالكثير من المعارض العالمية مثل معرض ألمانيا وفرنسا وميامي ودبي و قطر .وهذه السنة سنشارك في معرض الكويت لليخوت وألول مرة سنعرض كل من العالمات التجارية برستيج ونومو .ونسعى أن يكون تواجدنا في معرض اليخوت يحمل ً وقويا جدا بحيث يكون بصمة خاصة وسوف يكون حضورنا ملحوظا لنا في هذا المعرض خمسة يخوت مميزة وجديدة ،ومن المؤكد أنها ستبهر كل زوار المعرض.
ماهي مشاريع الشركة المستقبلية؟ ً ونظرا لإلقبال الغير اآلن ،وقد أدخلنا اليخوت الفرنسية للكويت وألول مرة المتناهي لهذه اليخوت الحديثة حيث تحمل الطابع الرياضي والعصري، فقد قررت الشركة فتح آفاق جديدة للطلبات حيث سوف نتيح لمالك اليخت بأن يقدم بطلب اللون الخارجي واألثاث الداخلي واأللوان الداخلية وتوزيع الغرف حيث سوف يقوم برسم لوحة فنية ليخته ووضع لمساته الفنية مع بصمة لذوق العميل الرفيع بحيث يميزه عن غيره من اليخوت.
DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Mohammed Chehab CEO of Princess Yachts Middle East
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ince its establishment by Mohamad Z. Chehab, Princess Yachts Middle East has targeted excellence in the marine industry by obtaining the world’s finest yachts from international agencies. Today the company’s success is not limited only to its collection of high quality yachts; they also provide premium after-sales services for all their clients. MEN’S PASSION magazine met with Mohamed to learn more. How did the company start? Princess Yachts Middle East is the sole distributor for Princess Yachts in the Middle East, and one of the best known and highly regarded yacht brands in the world today. Our aim for excellence and perfection puts us at the top of the list for every discerning owner who understands what boating is truly about. Founded and managed by Mohamad Z. Chehab, Princess Yachts Middle East is considered to be one of the leading yacht companies in the region. With his extensive knowledge and vast team of experienced specialists, Mohamad Chehab has developed Princess Yachts Middle East to handle all our clients’ needs in order for us to stay ahead of the competition. And we are available 24 hours a day to assist in case of any emergency
Do you provide any after sales services; could you tell us about them? Our services include yacht detailing and cleaning, mechanical work, hull cleaning, fiberglass repair, gel coat painting, woodwork care, varnishing and electronic installations. We also have a wide range of marine spare parts that include electronics and safety equipment. We also cover boat financing, insurance and even boat registration. Our services are available to help take the effort out of boat ownership. Maintenance and performance are the most important features that a yacht company should possess - that is why our technicians are sent periodically to Volvo Penta and MTU training sessions and workshops to stay both relevant technically and competitive with others.
How would you evaluate your participation in the Kuwait Yacht Show?
How would you describe the marine market in the region?
Kuwait is one of the leading countries in the Middle East, so the influence it has one the region’s boating market makes it one of the most important exhibitions. It is a show that everyone looks up to.
It’s not a surprise for anyone when it comes to the success of the yachting business in the region, after all this a luxury that is truly appreciated and understood in the Middle East.
DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
محمد شهاب
رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة برنسس لليخوت الشرق األوسط
شركة “برنسس لليخوت الشرق األوسط” تسعى منذ تأسيسها على يد مديرها العام محمد شهاب على التميز من خالل الحصول على وكاالت تجارية عالمية ألهم اليخوت ،وهذا كان السبب الرئيسي الذي ساهم في تحقيق نجاحات عديدة للشركة .وال يقتصر نشاط الشركة عند هذا الحد ،بل توفر الشركة خدمات ما بعد البيع .التقت مجلة ،MEN’S PASSIO مع رئيس مجلس إدارة الشركة محمد شهاب وكان الحوار التالي. تأسست الشركة؟ كيف ّ يخوت برنسيس الشرق األوسط هي أول وكيل حصري ليخوت برنسيس في منطقة الشرق األوسط ،وتُ عتبر من بين أشهر العالمات التجارية في ّ تتمت ع بمكانة مرموقة في السوق .سعينا الدائم وراء عالمنا اليوم كما التمي ز والكمال يضعنا في طليعة القائمة بالنسبة إلى مالكي اليخوت ّ األصعب ً ذوق ا واألكثر ضالعة بمواصفات القوارب الحقيقية. تأس ست الشركة على يد مديرها محمد شهاب ،وتُ عتبر إحدى الشركات ّ األكثر ريادة في المنطقة .وبمعرفته الواسعة وفريقه الكبير من ّ تمك ن محمد شهاب من تطوير يخوت المتمرسين، االختصاصيين ّ تلب ي ّ كل احتياجات عمالئنا ونبقى بالتالي في الصفوف برنسيس لكي ّ ّ متوف رون على مدار الساعة خالل اليوم المتقدمة من المنافسة .ونحن ّ لتقديم المساعدة في حاالت الطوارئ.
تقيمون مشاركتكم في معرض الكويت لليخوت؟ كيف ّ ّ مصن فة بين البلدان الرائدة في الصناعة البحرية في الشرق الكويت ّ شك في أن تأثيرها على سوق القوارب في هذه المنطقة األوسط ،وال يجعلها بين أهم وجهات العرض .ومعرض الكويت لليخوت هو بالتأكيد ّ يتطل ع الجميع إلى المشاركة فيه. معرض
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صح ذلك ،ه ّلا تقدمون خدمات ما بعد البيع؟ وإذا هل ّ ّ أخبرتنا عنها؟ تتضم ن خدماتنا تنظيف اليخت من الداخل والخارج ،والصيانة ّ الميكانيكية ،وتنظيف البدن ،وتصليح الفايبر غالس ،والطالء الهالمي الخارجي ،والعناية بالخشب ،وأعمال الورنيش وصيانة التجهيزات ً قروضا لشراء اليخوت نقدم االلكترونية ومعدات السالمة .كذلك ّ ّ ّ متوف رة لنساعد في التخفيف وحت ى تسجيلها .خدماتنا والتأمين عليها من عبء اقتناء القوارب. ً ً خاصا بالصيانة واألداء باعتبارهما أهم ميزتين اهتماما كذلك نولي ً ّ الفن يين بشكل فريق ا من تمتلكهما شركة اليخوت ،ولذلك نُ رسل ّ محركات تنظ مها منتظم إلى جلسات تدريبية وحلقات عمل ّ “فولفو بنتا” و”أم تي يو” ّ حت ى نواكب الخبرات الفنية ونحافظ على مركزنا التنافسي.
كيف تصف سوق اليخوت والمعدات البحرية في المنطقة؟ ً ّ نجاحا في المنطقة. تحق ق ليس من المستغرب أن نرى تجارة اليخوت ً ً وفخما ،والمنطقة مترفا تقدم أسلوب حياة ففي نهاية المطاف ،هي ّ تستحسن هذا النوع من الترف وتفهم جوانبه.
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Thunayan Alghanim President of Alghanim Marine Company
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l Ghanim Marine is specialized in maritime and entertainment products and was founded in 2003 under the management of Thunayan and Saoud Faisal Alghanim. The company earned its rank in the Kuwaiti market and managed to become a representative of Bombardier Recreational BRP products in Kuwait in addition to other famous maritime equipment. The activities of the company are not of a commercial nature only; in fact it follows a social responsibility principle and provides support to the various social activities related to the maritime industries. Men’s passion magazine had a pleasant interview with the president of the company, Thunayan Faisal Alghanim, to acquire a first-hand understanding of its business. How did you decide to establish a maritime equipment company? Our passion for sea life was passed to us from my father, Faisal Thunayan Alghanim, who was the first captain of the Middle East to work with the British merchant navy. My grandfather the late Thunayan Thunayan Alghanim offered his boat “Al Muhallab” to the Education Council in 1960 to serve as a historic heritage for the future generation and to remind them of the sea days and our ancestors’ striving to build Kuwait. Hence, our passion for the sea is inherited. The company was founded in 2003. We only represented Bombardier Recreational products BRP “ Evinrude outboard engines” at the time, but with calculated steps we were able to significantly expand in this industry.
How do you describe the competition in the market of maritime equipment in Kuwait? Kuwait is one of the few countries in the region enjoying a good relationship with the competitors and there is no significant contention among us, given the fact that the manufacturer and the sales team constitute the two main components to depend on in order to reach your sales target. Also, the Kuwait Yacht Show that was launched for the first time in 2013 offered a platform that brought together all company owners and lent them the opportunity to meet and learn more about each other. It is true that Kuwait houses today a large number of maritime companies, but the fact is that the local market is big enough to accommodate such number, especially amidst the ever- increasing demand on this industry.
How did Kuwait Yacht Show contribute to the revitalization of the yachts and maritime equipment market? There are some obstacles facing the people who wish to
organize a yacht exhibition, but PH7 was able to overcome all obstacles with Kuwait Yacht Show that started in 2013. I was and I am to this date one of the people who support the organization of this yearly show the most. We are expecting a more distinguished exhibition in 2015. I am always keen on participating in yacht and boat shows held in UAE. But after the inauguration of Kuwait Yacht Show, I still insist on attending international shows held overseas, but I only display boats in Kuwait Yacht Show to further support its development.
What dealerships are represented by your company in Kuwait now? We represent Bombardier Recreational products BRP, the famous maritime equipment, Seadoo Watercradt, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, in addition to Can-Am ATV’s , side by side SSV Vehicles and other brands exclusively available at our company such as, Kohler’s Marine generators, Tiger Marine inflatable boats, Fourwinns boats, Scarab, Glastron, Wellcraft, and other maritime accessories in addition to the commercial boats Kvichak Marine industries
What is the objective that Alghanim Marine wishes to achieve? Our aim is to expand in this industry. We try to preserve the trust of our clients in the products and services we offer. Our main objective is to cater for our clients’ requirements more closely in order to gain more experience in this field and reinforce the value of our partnership with them.
What are the special features of the aftersales services? We offer to the clients special after-sales services and we organize training sessions for all our employees. Both
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
my brother and I participate in these sessions and try to obtain certificates to have more experience in the way of doing business. Lately, we were able to bring training sessions organized by Bombardier and Kohler’s to Kuwait, and Alghanim would take care of the procedures related to issuing of licenses, visas and other formalities.
Where are Alghanim showrooms located in Kuwait Marina? When the company was established, we inaugurated the first branch in Al Ray; this branch is our first showroom and it gives me great pride. The second branch was opened in Al Fahaheel with a surface of 5,000 sq. meters and is considered one of the largest showrooms for marine
products in Kuwait.
In addition to trade, Alghanim Marine supported “Journey of hope”. Can you tell us about that experience? Based on the social responsibility and “giving back to society” principle, we were one of the sponsors of “Journey of hope” which is a Kuwaiti sea journey with a humanitarian cause. The journey was conceived under the sponsorship of HH the Emir, and should start in Kuwait all the way to the Europe and back. I was the technical advisor of the trip. As a company, we believe in the humanitarian actions and offer special prices on maritime equipment and other necessities to the Kuwaiti athletes.
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DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
لماذا قررت تأسيس شركة خاصة بالمعدات البحرية؟ يمكن القول أن شغفنا فيما يتعلق بالحياة البحرية يعود لوالدي فيصل ثنيان الغانم وهو أول كابتن في الشرق األوسط الذي عمل مع البحرية البريطانية .كما أن جدي ثنيان ثنيان الغانم رحمه الله أهدى سفينته البوم «المهلب» إلى دائرة المعارف عام 1960لتكون ذكرى للتاريخ واألجيال القادمة عن أيام البحر وكفاح اآلباء واألجداد في الكويت .لذلك فإن شغفنا في القطاع البحري هو وراثي .تأسست الشركة في سنة 2003ومثلنا منتجات شركة ،Bombardier Recreationalومن ثم استطعنا التوسع في هذا المجال بشكل كبير وخطوات مدروسة.
كيف تصف منافسة السوق الكويتي في مجال المستلزمات البحرية؟ يمكن القول أن الكويت من الدول القليلة في المنطقة التي تشهد عالقات جيدة بين المنافسين وال يوجد خالفات تذكر ،ويعود السبب لذلك إلى أن المنتج وفريق البيع هما العنصران األساسيان الذي يجب اإلعتماد عليهما لتحقيق المبيعات الالزمة .كما أن معرض الكويت لليخوت الذي انطلق بنسخته األولى في سنة 2013كان مظلة جمعت أصحاب الشركات تحت سقف واحد وكان فرصة للتعرف على أصحاب الشركات بشكل أكبر وعن كثب .وعلى الرغم من وجود عدد كبير من الشركات البحرية في الكويت إال أن السوق الكويتي يستوعب هذا العدد لوجود طلب متزايد في هذا القطاع.
كيف ساهم معرض الكويت لليخوت في إنتعاش سوق اليخوت والمعدات البحرية؟ ً حاجزا لألشخاص الراغبين في تنظيم هناك بعض العقبات التي تشكل معرض لليخوت ،لكن استطاعت شركة PH7من تنظيم معرض الكويت لليخوت والذي انطلق في نسخته األولى سنة ،2013وأنا كنت وما زلت من أكثر األشخاص الداعمين لتنظيم هذا المعرض والذي أصبح يقام ً تميزا في .2015والجدير ذكره بشكل سنوي .ونتطلع إلى معرض أكثر أنني كنت أحرص على المشاركة في معارض خاصة باليخوت والقوارب في اإلمارات العربية المتحدة لكن بعد تنظيم معرض الكويت لليخوت أحرص على التواجد بصفة شخصية في معارض خارج البالد إال أن المشاركة أحصرها في الكويت لدعم المعرض.
ما هي الوكاالت التي تمثلها الشركة اليوم في الكويت؟ نمثل منتجات ، Bombardier Recreational products BRPمن مركبات برية Can-amبمختلف انواعها ،ودراجات بحرية Sea-Doo وكذلك مكائن بحرية خارجية Evinrudeكما تمتلك الشركة معدات بحرية شهيرة منها المولدات البحرية ،Kohler’s Marine Generators وقوارب مطاطية Tiger Marineوقوارب ،Fourwinnsوقوارب Glastron وقوارب Scarabوقوارب ،Wellcraftوغيرها من الملحقات البحرية، باالضافة الى القوارب التجارية والعسكرية Kvichak marine industries
ما هو الهدف الذي تسعى شركة الغانم مارين لتحقيقه؟ نسعى للتوسع في هذا القطاع ،ونحرص بشكل دقيق أن نحافظ على ثقة عمالئنا في المنتجات والخدمات التي نقدمها .وهدفنا األساسي هو التقرب من العمالء لنكون أكثر خبرة في هذا المجال ونعزز قيمة الشراكة مع العمالء.
ثنيان الغانم مع متسابق فريق “كان -أم” عبدالعزيز البشير
ما هي المميزات التي توفرها الشركة لخدمات ما بعد البيع؟ نحرص أن نوفر للعمالء خدمات مميزة ما بعد البيع ،ونحرص على توفير دورات تدريبية لكافة موظفي الشركة والتي بدوري أنا وشقيقي سعود نشارك فيها ونسعى للحصول على شهادات حتى يكون لدينا خبرة ً ومؤخرا تمكنا من استقطاب دورات ومعرفة أكبر في طريقة العمل. تدريبية تنظمها مصانع بومبارديه وكوهلير لتقام في الكويت ،ونحن في شركة الغانم مارين نتكفل باإلجراءات المتعلقة باصدار التراخيص والتأشيرات والمعامالت األخرى.
أين تتوفر معارض شركة الغانم في مارينا في الكويت؟ عند انطالقة الشركة افتتحنا أول فرع لنا في منطقة الري ،وهذا هو معرضنا األول الذي اعتز به بشكل كبير .وتم افتتاح الفرع الثاني في منطقة الفحاحيل على مساحة 5آالف متر مربع ،وتعتبر من أكبر صاالت العرض للمنتجات البحرية في الكويت.
إلى جانب التجارة ،الغانم مارين دعمت بشكل كبير “رحلة األمل”، هل يمكن أن تحدثنا عن التجربة؟ ً انطالقا من مسؤولية الشركة االجتماعية ورد الجميل للمجتمع حرصنا على أن نكون أحد رعاة “رحلة األمل” هي رحلة بحرية كويتية المنطلق إنسانية المضامين عالمية األبعاد انطلقت برعاية أميرية ً وصوال من حضرة السمو أمير البالد حفظه الله ورعاه من الكويت إلى عواصم اوروبا ثم العودة إلى الكويت .كما أنني المستشار الفني للرحلة .ونحن كشركة نؤمن باألعمال الخيرية والمساعدة .كما أننا نحرص على توفير أسعار خاصة للمعدات البحرية وكافة المستلزمات للرياضين الكويتيين.
DEALERS OF MULTI INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
ثنيان الغانم رئيس شركة الغانم مارين
تأسست شركة الغانم مارين المتخصصة في المنتجات البحرية والترفيهية في سنة 2003بإدارة كل من ثنيان وسعود فيصل الغانم. وتمكنت الشركة من أن تحقق مكانتها في السوق الكويتي وتصبح ممثلة منتجات “ ”Bombardier Recreational BRPفي الكويت، فض ً ال عن معدات بحرية شهيرة .وال يقتصر نشاط شركة الغانم مارين على الناحية التجارية بل تمتلك الشركة مبدأ يرتكز على المسؤولية االجتماعية حيث يقدم الدعم لمختلف األنشطة االجتماعية التي تتعلق بالقطاعات البحرية .التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع رئيس الشركة ثنيان فيصل الغانم ،وكان الحوار التالي.
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DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES
Elias Jabbour
E
Managing Director of Zed Motorz
stablished in 2002, Zed Motorz’ aim is to cater the market’s needs within the power sports industry. Today, Zed Motorz is the Regional Master Distributor for Kawasaki in the MENA Region. MEN’S PASSION had the pleasure of meeting the Managing Director Elias Jabbour to enlighten the readers on the company’s accomplishments and its future strategies Can you tell me a little about the history of your company? Established in 2002 with the purpose of creating the largest powersports dealer network in the region, Zed Motorz is the Regional Master Distributor for Kawasaki in the Middle East and some North African countries.
What are the brands that your company represent in Kuwait? Kawasaki consumer and recreational products constitutes our main brand, complemented by Zed Power products offering specialized delivery and commuter motorcycles, as well as a full array of off-road ATV, RUV and buggies. On the apparel and accessories side, there are too many brands to list, however to summarize the main brands, we represent Alpinestars apparel, AGV helmets, Akrapovic performance exhausts, Icon street gear, Thor MX gear, Jet Pilot vests and aqua gear, GIVI cases and helmets, K&N performance filters, Power Commander/ Dynojet, Bertoni eyewear and Interphone helmet Bluetooth devices. More details on zedmotorz.com
What are the services that your company provide? Our company is famous for being a One-Stop-Shop for riders and enthusiasts, boasting the largest selection of accessories, apparel and performance parts. We also offer maintenance and repair services both at the Kawasaki Service Center and on-location for our discerning clients. We trade-in used vehicles and offer the best warranty service in class.
How do you view the success and importance of the region’s marine exhibitions? The marine business is growing locally and globally. This year vessel manufacturers registered the most orders, posting a significant growth over last year. The global order book for yachts also grew to 735 reversing a four year downtrend. This is sustained by collaborative marine exhibitions where the majority of contracts are signed.
What trends do you see emerging in the region’s marine sector? There is a regional focus on building and improving marinas in the region. Dubai increased the mooring period allowed, in an effort to keep up with the regional demand and competition. 2014/2015 also mark the introduction of unprecedented and innovative technologies in the marine business, utilizing the advancements in the tech sector and communications.
What are the future plans for your company? Our aim is to continue providing unparalleled services and products to our clients. Meanwhile, Zed Motorz is currently in negotiations with international yacht builders for representation in the GCC. Stay tuned…
DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES
إلياس جبور مدير عام شركة “زد موتورز”
تأسست شركة “زد موتورز” منذ 12سنة بهدف تلبية متطلبات السوق في المنطقة آلليات الرياضات السريعة ،واليوم تمثل الشركة الوكيل اإلقليمي لمنتجات كاوازاكي في الشرق األوسط وبعض بلدان شمال أفريقيا .التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع مدير عام الشركة إلياس جبور ليحدثنا عن آخر انجازات الشركة والمشاريع المستقبلية. ه ّلا أخبرتنا قلي ً ال عن تاريخ الشركة؟ تأس ست شركة “زد موتورز” في عام 2002بهدف إنشاء أكبر وكالة ّ توزيع آلليات الرياضات السريعة في المنطقة ،وهي الوكيل اإلقليمي الرئيسي لمنتجات كاوازاكي في الشرق األوسط وبعض بلدان شمال أفريقيا.
ما هي العالمات التجارية التي ّ تمثلها شركتكم في الكويت؟ ّ تشك ل منتجات كاوازاكي االستهالكية والترفيهية العالمة التجارية دراجات نارية وي ضاف إليها منتجات “زد باور” التي ّ الرئيسية لديناُ ، تقدم ّ ّ والتنق ل ،إضافة إلى مجموعة متكاملة من اآلليات البرية للتوصيل ّ يتعل ق بالمالبس والملحقات، والترفيهية ومركبات البوجي .في ما ّ ّ ولكن ني نمث لها، ال يسعني إحصاء العالمات التجارية الكثيرة التي ً بعضا منها ،مثل مالبس “ألباينستارز” ،وخوذات “آي جي في”، سأسم ي ّ
وعوادم “أكرابوفيك” ،ومالبس “آيكون” للمحترفين ،ومالبس “ثور أم أكس” ،وسترات “جت بايلوت” والمالبس البحرية ،وصناديق وخوذات ّ ونظ ارات وأجهزة وصل الخوذة بالهاتف عبر “جيفي” ،وفالتر “كاي أند أن”، البلوتوث من “باور كوماندر/داينوجت” و”برتوني” .يمكن االطالع على المزيد من التفاصيل على الموقع االلكتروني .zedmotorz.com
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تقدمها الشركة؟ ما هي الخدمات التي ّ ّ للدراجين المحترفين والهواة ،حيث محط ة واحدة تشتهر شركتنا بكونها ّ المتخص ّص ة وقطع تعزيز تقدم خيارات واسعة من الملحقات والمالبس ّ ّ نقدم خدمات الصيانة والتصليح في مركز خدمة كاوازاكي األداء .كذلك ّ ً ّ تطل ًب ا. أيضا في موقع حدوث العطل ،لكي نرضي أكثر العمالء ولكن ً ونقدم أفضل خدمات الكفالة. المستعملة باآلليات أيضا نتاجر ّ
كيف تنظرون إلى نجاح معارض المنتجات البحرية وأهميتها في المنطقة؟ تنمو الصناعة البحرية على الصعيدين المحلي والعالمي .وهذا العام، ً ً ّ ملحوظا نموا وسج لوا بذلك مصن عي القوارب أكبر عدد طلبات، ورد إلى ّ ً عالميا ليصل عن أرقام العام الماضي .كذلك ازداد عدد حجوزات اليخوت إلى 735ما ساعد في عكس االتجاهات المتراجعة التي سادت خالل السنوات األربعة الماضية .وبموازاة هذه الزيادة في الطلب ،يتم تنظيم ّ توف ر منصة المعارض البحرية التعاونية التي تدعم هذا النمو حيث يجري فيها توقيع أغلبية العقود.
ما هي االتّجاهات التي تنشأ حديث ًا في قطاع الصناعات البحرية في المنطقة؟ ثم ة تركيز واضح في المنطقة على بناء المراسي الجديدة وتحسين تلك ّ ً سعيا منها لمواكبة القائمة .وقد رفعت دبي فترة الرسو المسموح بها، الطلب المتزايد والتنافسية في المنطقة .ويشهد موسم 2014/2015 إدخال تكنولوجيا مبتكرة وغير معهودة في الصناعة البحرية ،من خالل التوص ل إليها في قطاع التكنولوجيا تم ّ استخدام آخر التطورات التي ّ واالتصاالت.
ما هي خطط الشركة للمستقبل؟ هدفنا االستمرار في تقديم خدمات ومنتجات ال نظير لها لعمالئنا. ً حاليا مع عالمات تجارية عالمية وبموازاة ذلك ،تتفاوض “زد موتورز” ّ ّ مترق بين. لمصن عي اليخوت من أجل تمثيلها في الخليج .لذا ابقوا
DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE EQUIPMENT
Mohammad Karam General Manager of Mustafa Karam & Sons
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ustafa Karam & Sons General Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L. (MK & Sons) is one of Kuwait’s longest established companies. Their business encompasses the broad width of the Japanese Suzuki’s auto and marine output. As the countdown to the 3rd edition of the Kuwait Yacht Show, we spoke to Mohammed Karam to learn more about his company, his approach to business and their marine offer.
DEALERS OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE EQUIPMENT
Can you tell me a little about the history of your company?
How do you view the success and importance of the region’s marine exhibitions?
Mustafa Karam & Sons General Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L. (MK & Sons) is one of the oldest companies in Kuwait, it was established in 1951. MK & Sons have earned a well-trusted name and customer base in Kuwait throughout many years.
The marine sector is growing very fast in Kuwait and throughout GCC. We can see international exposure to Kuwait with boat builders and manufacturers from all around the world keen to enter into Kuwait and attract customers. It is imperative to conduct marine exhibitions wherein local clients will get an instant perspective on trends and latest innovations.
What are the brands that your company represents in Kuwait? MK & Sons is the sole distributor for Suzuki Motor Corporation products including SUVs, saloons, commercial vehicles, a wide range of motorcycles for sport and leisure, outboard marine engines and all terrain vehicles (ATVs).
What are the services that your company provides? MK & Sons’ after sales service facilities ensure top quality service for every sector of customers such as vehicles, motorcycles and outboard marine engines. MK & Sons also have two mobile workshops for marine service covering the whole of Kuwait.
What trends do you see emerging in the region’s marine sector? We hope that the marine business will grow further with new marinas to be built in the region. And the demand for outboard marine engines will continue to grow - especially 4-Stroke engines – these are the engines of the future.
What are the future plans for your company? In order to cater to the growing demands for Suzuki Marine Products, MK & Sons plan to support its customers and client base with new innovative products and technology from Suzuki Marine.
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GULF YACHTING REVIEW
Gulf Yachting Review
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he Middle East remains one of the world’s most enticing markets for the global yachting industry. This true not only for the category of 40 metre-plus superyachts, for which half the world’s owners and potential buyers are Middle Eastern and mostly from the GCC, but also across all classes of luxury recreational boats and other marine equipment.
Luxury lifestyles define the nations of the Gulf region, so it comes as no surprise to learn that leading yacht builders are looking to the Middle East and eyeing up key venues for growth and expansion. Hand-in-hand with further development in the region’s infrastructure, in particular of marinas together with a rapidly growing vessel support network, analysts see yachts sales are ready to boom – and early reports from regional boatyards and feedback from key 2015 yacht show organisers confirm the trend. The GCC region has some 40,000 boats of over five metres in length, of which 15,000 are in Kuwait alone. There are now more than 60 marinas in the GCC and local boat manufacturers control 50 percent of the regional market, with the most promising nations for growth being Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. With the European market somewhat stagnant due to the ongoing Eurozone crisis, Middle Eastern customers are becoming ever more interested in buying boats. Considering the positive consumer confidence and optimistic economic
forecast for the GCC region, the rising yachting demand does not come as a surprise. This especially applies to the recent market boom of 30-40-metre-long boats, which are close to being classified in the superyacht category. Highlighting the importance of the GCC market, yacht market experts expect significant sales increases in the field of small vessels as well, which the younger – growing in both wealth and numbers - GCC population finds increasingly affordable thanks to a high per capita income.
GCC – Leading mega yacht market
Although the US and Russia remain the biggest market for the superyachts, the Middle East is fast catching up. There are at least 31 superyacht owners in the region in the Top 100 club with average lengths of more than 110 metres, according to a 2013 Wall Street Journal report. In addition to this, Celebrity net worth, reports that out of the 10 most expensive superyachts in the world, four belong to Gulf rulers
GULF YACHTING REVIEW
and businessmen, while influential global yachting publication Yacht France, confirms that Gulf rulers own four out five largest superyachts in the world. On the top of the list is the new colossal super yacht - Azzam owned by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE. Leading manufacturers and market experts share a belief that the superyacht phenomena can be described as a prestigious competition between ruling dynasties in the Gulf, while in the case of the colossal Azzam, it may be understood as one more attempt of oil-rich Abu Dhabi to show its superiority over glitzy Dubai. Furthermore, improving marina facilities and administrative regulations within the Gulf are among decisive factors which attract superyacht owners to the Gulf, and more importantly, convincing them to keep their super vessels in domestic marinas. After all, most of them are designed for short trip cruises or business entertaining, rather than long-range trips.
Yacht production- a market niche for the GCC
Although some critics link yacht ownership with only the glamorous and wealthy elite, the yacht industry has a vital impact on economic growth along with offering job opportunities and fuelling innovation. It also significantly contributes to the diversification of the GCC’s economies as a technologically advanced and high value-added industry. This is certainly evident in the case of the UAE, which is trying to position itself as leading global boat manufacturer, as there are already 25 manufacturers operating in the country. Furthermore, UAE is placed ninth among the world’s top 10 yacht-building countries, according to the ShowBoats International Global Order Book 2014, an annual report issued by Boat International. One of the world’s most prominent manufacturers is Gulf Craft from the UAE. Its COO Erwin Bamps, believes that “UAE’s shipbuilding growth appears really unstoppable”, and it will, slowly but surely, become one of the very top manufacturing bases for luxury yachts in the world. International Global Order Book 2014 reveals that UAE luxury yacht builders plan to build 18 superyachts this year, exceeding 850 metres in total, compared to the 608 metres of last year.
Yachting’s top spots in the Gulf
The Dubai International Boat Show has long been the largest in the region, making an example of the most successful yachting development in the Middle East. The most recently held exhibition attracted some 750 companies with 430 boats on display. Of these, 30 percent were from the GCC and the rest from all over the world. Nevertheless, other Gulf states are throwing their hats in to the ring and making a name for themselves too – and really rather admirably.
Kuwait will open the calendar for the region’s 2015 shows with its now settled early February dates. The 3rd edition of the Kuwait Yacht Show will be held in its familiar and successful venue at Marina Crescent. A private initiative by PH7 Group, it has nonetheless secured enthusiastic support from the state’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry – a sure sign of the value Kuwait places on the marine economy, and also an official acknowledgement of the value this now well-established yacht show has imbued on the international image of the nation. The latest show promises to build on the phenomenal success of the 2014 show. Being well-placed so early in the year we can once again expect a number of regional premieres and new launches and, in a further sign of the strength and importance on the marine market to Kuwait, KYS 2015 expands its section devoted to local marine-related SMEs. This will grow from 2014’s numbers of 6 to fully 30 participants. Major international marine brands are booking more aggressively year-on-year, and such has been the interest shown in the Kuwait Yacht Show that it has recently engaged an agent in Italy to handle interest coming from southern Europe.
Kuwait Yacht Show 3 – 7 February, 2015 Marina Crescent kuwaityachtshow.com Dubai International Boat Show 3 – 7 March, 2015 Mina Seyahi boatshowdubai.com Qatar International Boat Show November, 2015 (tbc) Lusail Marina qibs2014.com
Qatar has also taken decisive steps to catch up with Dubai, by organising its own International Boat Show, one which attracted the region’s biggest marine suppliers, last November. This event, held at Lusail Marina – the flagship yachting destination and premier marina facility in the Middle East – exceeded all expectations. Furthermore, such events completely tie in with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and one of its main objectives -positioning Qatar as a world-class tourism hub for business, leisure, culture, education and sport. Kuwait Yacht Show 2015 Preview Year by year the Kuwait Yacht Show grows in size and stature. In just three years it has already made an indelible mark on the region’s marine scene. Throughout the pages ahead we bring you just some of the new products launches and highlights from the forthcoming KYS2015 – together with a few of our most favourite things.
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PREVIEW
Azimut 95RPH Grande Azimut’s Luxury Grande collection
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new hull, new design, and innovative solutions for a vessel with many surprises in store. The new 95RPH is part of the Grande collection, the Italian builder’s line of 95’-120’ luxury yachts. Agent Information Seas & Deserts Contact : +965 1822 288 www.seadesert.com
Foremost among the new features introduced by concept and exterior designer Stefano Righini is the raised wheelhouse. The boat’s name - RPH - actually stands for Raised Pilot House, giving some indication of the importance of the decision to separate the wheelhouse from the main deck. This is accomplished by creating a half deck which gives the boatowner and guests more space and maximises privacy from the crew. The designer has also managed to integrate the raised wheelhouse with the vessel’s hallmark exterior lines, retaining that special Azimut Grande family look. Thanks to the raised wheelhouse, the Azimut 95RPH Grande has five cabins, four guest cabins on the lower deck and the boatowner’s cabin on the main deck towards the bow. The exceptional view and large bathroom make the boatowner cabin a veritable suite with an unparalleled sea view. There is also a liberating sense of space in the 95RPH saloon; here, Righini has created a real sense of continuity between inside and outside, thanks in part to the double, floor-to-ceiling picture windows. Another Azimut Grande trump card is without doubt the exceedingly spacious flybridge (+60 m2) - awarded Best in Class; it includes a cushy exterior dinette that seats 10, a mini bar, Jacuzzi, and comfortable sunbathing area. The layout sleeps 10 with the boatowner’s suite and four VIP cabins, each with a private bath; there is also a day head. The four-member crew has three cabins and two baths to
the bow, with separate access to the kitchen located on the main deck. The luxurious and elegant interiors are by Studio SalvagniArchitetti for Azimut Yachts, a proven collaboration that has led to such successful models as Azimut 80, Azimut 84, and Azimut 88. To the stern, there is a garage with pivoting platform for a + 4-metre tender jet; the engine room has two MTU 16V2000 M84 motors which, when combined with the planing hull with skeg, provides for significantly improved directional stability, enabling maximum speeds of 26.5 knots and cruising speeds of 20 knots. The 12,000-litre fuel tank and 2,000-litre water tank ensure great range, even for long crossings. Despite being a vessel with an overall length of nearly 29 metres, the Grande 95RPH falls within the 24-metre cut-off and therefore can be registered as a pleasure craft. In many countries around the world this is a distinction which offers the boatowner serious advantages both in terms of crew management and administration, with significant savings in time and money. This is because pleasure crafts do not require a professional captain or engineer and have reduced crew requirements. In addition, the registration procedures are definitely simplified, with the corollary benefits for charter use: regulations are in conformance with MGN280 guidelines, MCA equivalent for under 24 metres.
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Sea Ray L650 Fly
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Launch of the new L-Class
ea Ray launched their new L-Class, a fleet of luxury motor yachts, at this year’s Miami Yacht Show with the introduction of the L650 Fly.
L-Class customers will have access to special services and equipment such as customer service phone lines, prioritized remote service, a sales concierge to optimize the buying procedure, captain training and a three-year bow-to-stern warranty that includes engines and components. The L-Class is “not just about the boat,” Sea Ray president Tim Schiek said. “It’s a new approach to the market that includes product along with a completely unique sale process and postpurchase experience.” Sea Ray will build its L-Class yachts with a “higher grade of everything,” said Berman, such as quartz galley countertops, innovative drawer latches and high-end hardware and fabrics. The L650 Fly The large flybridge serves not only as a place to pilot the vessel, but also as a social gathering spot for passengers — at anchor or while under way, said Ron Berman, vice president of product development and engineering for Brunswick, Sea Ray’s parent company. The L650 Fly is available with a Seakeeper gyro stabilization system. The flybridge includes multiple seating areas and a “sunpad playpen.” She houses a full-beam master suite and two additional staterooms. A galley-up design melds seamlessly with a large living area full of natural light. The new L650 Fly is sure to earn jealous stares from the competition because it once again redefines what a modern yacht should be: sleek and assertively proportioned exterior; inviting and brightly lit interior; flexible and intuitive
entertaining spaces; and innovative features and amenities. The “galley up” design allows for a well lit countertop and social interaction. Features include an undercounter freezer with icemaker, under-counter refrigerator, three-burner stove, microwave/convection oven, power vent, and storage. The lower control station includes dual Stidd® helm seats, dual Raymarine e125 radar/ GPS / chartplotters, Autopilot, electronic throttle and shifts and standard bow and stern thruster control.
Agent Information Seas & Deserts Contact : +965 1822 288 www.seadesert.com
The salon features Skyflow design. Large deckhouse windows dissolve the line between indoor and outdoor spaces allowing natural light into the boat like never before. In the salon, amenities include a Harman/Kardon home theater system with 50” flatscreen LED TV. In the master stateroom Owners can rejuvenate in supreme comfort in the inviting, full beam, mid-ship stateroom. Strategically placed hull windows brighten this full-beam master, which also feature Specifications: • Overall length (with extended swim platform): 65’1” • Beam 17’2” • Draft (inboards) 63” • Dry weight (inboards) 78,500lbs • Dead rise 16 degrees • Waste capacity 100 gallons
19.84m 5.23m 160cm 35,607kg 379 litres
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Gulf 75 Exp
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Will be displayed at the upcoming Kuwait Yacht Show
he Gulf 75 Exp – a brand new design from the Gulf Craft yard – challenges conventional ideas of modern yacht design, with a wide-beamed hull whose form follows function. Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
Sharing a similar design ethos as the innovative Gulf 95 Exp launched in 2011 – which celebrated the ‘living on water’ concept – the Gulf 75 Exp also brings to the fore many design elements that are geared towards mimicking a luxury apartment on the water. The new yacht keeps this idea of sumptuous living on the water at the core of its design, with a wider beam that supports generously-sized outdoor and indoor living areas, a spacious fly-bridge, wrap-around windows and a bright, well-lit interior that’s conducive to extended periods of living on the water. Performance wise, the Gulf 75 Exp features a revolutionary
hull design, built to take on weather conditions far exceeding the Gulf’s chop. This “hybrid hull” is based on an original design concept created by Gulf Craft’s Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali and combines the stability of a semi displacement hull with the lift and speed of a planning hull. The result is a unique yacht design that allows the craft to maintain great stability and safety in high seas, while achieving high speeds whenever required. The design was co- developed with Yankee Delta Studio and was tank tested in Rome to very impressive results. The engineering involved in the creation of this hull is a first within the industry, with the Gulf 75 Exp expected to lead the way in the development of a new line of pleasure craft coming out of Gulf Craft’s shipyard.
KYS 2015 PREVIEW PREVIEW
Majesty 48 Will be displayed at the upcoming Kuwait Yacht Show
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ith its fresh, contemporary interior design, a social cockpit area and spacious fly-bridge, the Majesty 48 can be comfortably owner-managed and has been designed for first-time yacht buyers – she’s a full-option yacht aimed at the family leisure market, fitted out with all the features desired in a vessel of its nature. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms and cleverly concealed crew accommodation for one crew, the Majesty 48 offers spacious onboard accommodation for frequent family trips. The panoramic main deck includes a full-fledged saloon, separate dining area and large galley. The lower deck can accommodate up to 6 guests in three spacious cabins. The yacht includes a fly-bridge, with a generous seating area at its rear that is capable of seating 10 people. The front also includes a sun-pad making it the ideal place for entertainment. The fly-bridge also features a steering helm so that the person commanding the yacht can spend time with guests.
Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
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Oryx Sport Yachts and Cruisers
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n 2005, Gulf Craft introduced the Oryx line of sport cruisers and yachts, the sea-borne equivalents of elite sports cars. Today the Oryx has evolved into a family of high-performance sport yachts and cruisers that are exported worldwide. Starting from the Oryx 36 sport cruiser, the range has expanded to the 40 Oryx sport cruiser, the Oryx 40 fly-bridge yacht and the Oryx 46 fly-bridge yacht. The series brought about a new model to its sport fleet, the Oryx 42. The sport cruiser was launched in 2011 and was considered to be the most impressive Oryx yet. Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
The Oryx sport yacht and cruisers combine power and performance with exceptional styling. Rigid and robust, these elegant creations are built for luxury and comfort, with an eye for detail and a dedication to excellent workmanship. In 2013, Oryx added a new model to its fleet, the Oryx 27. An all you need boat, encompassing a cabin, bathroom, a spacious seating area at the back and a sun pad at the front. In 2014, Oryx introduced an all new feature of fly-bridge yacht that is the Oryx 40 Fly, with outboard engines. It is very rare to find a fly-bridge yacht with outboard engines. This engineering innovation was brought forward to many of the Gulf Craft customers and was very welcomed. Today’s fleet of Oryx Sport Yachts and Cruisers encompass the Oryx 27, Oryx 36, Oryx 42 and the Oryx 40 Fly.
KYS 2015 PREVIEW PREVIEW
Ferretti Yachts 550
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New Entry-Level Model Comes To Light
he brand announced the birth of the new model, which will make its debut next spring. The Ferretti Yachts 550 is a very innovative and strategic project, ready to charm all international markets. The 2014 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival, which marked the beginning of the new international nautical season, was the perfect stage to announce the next, enthralling chapter of a 45-year business history. It was there that Ferretti Yachts presented the project of the Ferretti Yachts 550, a very important boat that will help the brand and the Ferretti Group as a whole to achieve the growth objectives they are currently pursuing. The birth of the new entry-level -in the Ferretti Yachts family, whose first hull will be launched next Spring, will be the first step of a long-term strategic process that will involve the brand’s entire range. Ferretti Yachts can presently boast a fleet of eight flybridge yachts between 55 feet (the length of this new project) and 96 feet (that of the Ferretti Yachts 960, the brand’s flagship). In the near future this fleet is bound to grow even more, so as to ensure an increasingly diversified offer, also in the segment below 50 feet in length. “During Cannes Yachting Festival we introduced our global sales network and the Press to our forthcoming ambitious plans for this brand”, explains Stefano De Vivo, Ferretti Group’s Chief Commercial Officer. “And this new craft is part of a strategy aimed at attracting the interest of many new owners all over the world, for whom this new 55-footer and the forthcoming Ferretti Yachts boats will be a response to their wish to enjoy the sea as never before”. The Ferretti Yachts 550 is the result of the cooperation between AYT&D, the Group’s research, development and style department, and Studio Zuccon International Project. It is characterised by a brand-new hull, and equally brandnew are the layout of the engine room and that of the main deck, as well as the interior arrangement. In addition to this, special care has been devoted not only to guaranteeing maximum production efficiency and effectiveness, but also to optimising the yacht’s weight balance, thereby ensuring great performances even if small, light and low-consumption engines are installed. The profile of the boat is characterised by sober, streamlined, slender lines, blending together refined elegance and a sporty character. The uninterrupted glazing running across the main deck further enhances the boat’s rakish profile, and is complemented by a large, aerodynamic flybridge. Three large glazed surfaces - the cabins windows - can
be found on both sides of the hull. Each has flush frameless fibreglass portholes resulting in very clean lines. This yacht’s interior spaces and onboard equipment allows it to be on an equal standing with much larger yachts. Many outdoor relaxation areas have been conceived: the forward dinette area, furnished with facing sofas and a table; the large sunpad on the deckhouse; and the cockpit, featuring a large aft sofa and a table. On the flybridge, the storage cabinet and the restyled, small-size pilot station instrument panel allow to extend the relaxation areas - both the sunpad and the comfortable dining area - even more.
Agent Information SEAPROS Contact: +965 222 50 244 www.seapros.com
The Group’s Centro Stile has found very appealing décor solutions, adding elegance to all onboard ambiances and preserving the range’s unique Made-in-Italy style and charm. The cockpit and the aft area of the salon stand out for an impressive décor consistency. Indeed, the teak flooring found in the cockpit continues indoor, in the galley and the entrance, visually and ‘physically’ harmonising these different environments. This flawless continuity is also ensured by the new three-section glazed door that can be folded to starboard and concealed behind the stairs leading to the flybridge. The perfect harmony between form and content, aesthetics and functionality is completed by the ceiling panel decoration, which is the same in the salon and outdoor, creating as a sort of ‘style mirror’ that welcomes all guests at best. The cockpit thus becomes an extension of the interiors, which can be opened completely onto the sea on all sides.
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Princess
It’s an open and shut case
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ith the V48 you can choose the open, Mediterranean-style design with a full-length cockpit and sunroof or the deck saloon model for an elegant, enclosed and climate-controlled interior. You can have a lower deck saloon for added entertaining space or a third cabin if you like to cruise with company. Agent Information Chehab Marine ltd. Contact: +9613096113 www.chehabmarine.com
The styling is your choice too. Rovere oak, Serotina cherry, Light oak or American walnut. Hand stitched leathers and Newport linen panelling. The V48 is fitted with the Volvo IPS drive system, renowned for its fuel efficiency, while joystick control delivers superior handling and increased manoeuvrability when docking. Open or Deck Saloon, the V48 has built a worthy reputation as a class leader.
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Xanadu built by Italian shipyard Benetti
Benetti
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otor yacht Xanadu built by Italian shipyard Benetti is a combination of innovative design and modern luxury. With a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, she features exterior and interior design by Andrew Winch. This elegant vessel built for Briton Stanley Thomas measures 60 meters and can accommodate up to 12 guests. While the yacht’s interior was inspired by the prestigious hotels of the Italian Riviera, Andrew Winch modeled his exterior design on the iconic Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati sports cars, using their inspiration to create sweeping lines with clean radii and balanced windows. Xanadu was created to enhance social life on board, an element that was mirrored in the vessel’s layout. All areas are open, spacious and functional; from the sundeck pool and main deck bar to the bridge deck verandah. Highlighting her outside entertaining areas is a large Jacuzzi on the sundeck as well as a Tappenyaki grill, portable
karaoke system and full disco and bandstand. The rear of the vessel sports a swimming platform and a watersports center that includes a unique onboard hovercraft. One of her highlighting features is the grand staircase, topped by a skylight in the sundeck which forms a source of natural light in the yacht’s depths. Her main dining room on the main deck features a custom-made table for 12 that allows for all guests to enjoy dinner at once.
Agent Information Seas & Deserts Contact : +965 1822 288 www.seadesert.com
Featuring a dedicated crew and a wide range of onboard facilities and water toys, Xanadu is an excellent charter yacht for luxury vacations. The luxury yacht cruises comfortably at 16 knots while her 15-strong crew ensure the needs of every guest are met.
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Boston Whaler Dauntless 270
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he new 270 Dauntless builds upon the multi-functional Dauntless family allowing for everything from inshore fishing runs to entertaining, to watersports and doing it all while looking stylish and elegant. Her increased size allows for the addition of more amenities that will truly make her the most desirable of the Dauntless lineup.
Agent Information Seas & Deserts Contact : +965 1822 288 www.seadesert.com
The mission of the 270 Dauntless is to offer a boat with the traditional qualities of a Boston Whaler fishing machine while providing options to expand its use as a comfortable platform for enjoying watersports or as a family day cruiser. The primary use of this boat is intended to be for inshore and coastal work, but because she is 27’ (8.22 m) she is also capable of offshore adventures as well. Like all Boston Whalers, one of her missions is to give peace-of-mind because of her level flotation capability if swamped. Indeed, she has a prodigious swamped carrying capacity of 8,000 lbs. (3,629 kgs.).
• Multi-operational Bow Features. The bow has cushions for lounging. The aft end of the V-seats lift up to form forward facing loungers, and an optional bow table transforms the bow into an al fresco dining area. Remove the cushions to create a forward casting deck.
Styling plays an important part in the Dauntless lineup. The 270 Dauntless has a subtle curve to her sheer line, actually sloping downwards as it moves towards the bow. When on plane the sheer is horizontal and sloped down as it moves aft. Her black rubrail swoops down at the transom making the 270 look low, lean, and mean.
• Foam Cored Hull. While other builders simply inject foam into some of the void areas, Boston Whaler does things considerably differently. When the deck and hull sections come together, expandable foam is mechanically injected into the entire length of the hull to not only add flotation, but also to bond the deck to the hull over its entire surface instead of just at the deck’s perimeter.
Distinguishing Features • Creative Seating. Where a typical center console fishing machine will have a basic bench seat that folds out from the transom, 270 Dauntless bench seat is concealed under a nearly full beam casting platform. Forward seating has a back rest and there is a large lounge seat forward of the console.
• Wide Bow. Boston Whaler’s trademark design features a wide bow that carries the beam much farther forward than is typical. Because of this, whatever activities chosen for the bow, are so much easier thanks to the roominess.
• Level Flotation. In the worst conditions all open boats are vulnerable to being swamped by breaking waves. Boats over 20’ (6.09 m) are not required by the USCG to float. All Boston Whalers not only float, but float level if they are swamped, according to the builder which puts this claim in writing. This is an important safety consideration.
KYS 2015 PREVIEW PREVIEW
The all new Seabob F5S Top performance and easy handling
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ombining the best of the previous F7 and F5, the Seabob F5s is the ultimate high-performance craft. Weighing just 35 kg, the F5s is extremely easy to handle and transport.
This new water toy boasts an impressive propulsive force of 680 Newtons. The E-jet power system, emission-free technology, is controlled with 6 power levels. The Six gears of the SEABOB F5s allow you to glide along at a relaxed pace in low gear or, for more ambitious high speed driving, switch up to 6th gear! In other words, the craft can reach a speed of 20 km/h over water and 15 km/h under water. Extremely efficient, high-energy lithium-manganese accumulators provide the power for the drive mechanism, which can be programmed by means of electronic controls to guide the SEABOB F5s down to a diving depth of up to 40 meters. The Seabob is the absolute paragon of cutting edge technology, quality right down to the last detail. For people looking for intense water fun, Seabob are built with the greatest thrill factor in the world. They can be used by 8 years old children as well as adults, and their electrical drive make them completely ecologically sound. Its design is fascinating. Its concept is unique. The Seabob is a real eye catcher, available in three standard colors: Lemox
Green, Light Yellow, and Zeno Red and six special metallic colors: Mangon Yellow, CAYAGO Orange, Ixon Red, Ice White, Meteo Silver, Platin Silver.
Distributors: Seas and Deserts Seapros
Characterized by a sporty character and high maneuverability, the German Seabob F5s is at home in the sea and combines easy handling with high performance. Technical Information Performance up to: 4.0 kW Maximum thrust up to: 680 N Speed over water up to: 20 km/h Speed under water up to: 15 km/h Speed control: 6 power levels between 0 % and 100 % Energy: High-Energy Lithium-Manganese accumulators Total capacity approx.: 1.8 kWh; 48 V; 38 Ah Operating time average: 60 min Charging time (standard charging) approx.: 8 h Charging time (quick charging) approx.: 1.5 h Diving depth: 40 m Dimensions (L x W x H): 1.152 x 507 x 372 (mm) Weight approx.: 35 kg Buoyancy in water approx.: 10 kg
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Charm 27
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esigned by Gloss Design of Pescara in Italy, the Charm range is a blend between style, space and sports, truly unique designs that incorporate the latest in electronics and drive systems with inspired solutions that allow each of these boats to deliver class leading space while maintaining emocean’s core values such as exceptionally dry and smooth ride. Agent information: Power Boat Center Contact: +965 2482 5556 www.powerboatskw.com
What you can expect from a Charm is a boat that packs a massive array of amenities that are unique to boats of their sizes such as the world smallest marine generators and powerful marine air conditioners, the full functioning galley and full size enclosed showers. It is no wonder Charms are labeled pocket yachts.
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Voodoo 27
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oodoo’s greatest trick is its ability to excel at style, sports and speed while making it all look so effortless. This range is designed by Italy’s Gloss Design for day ventures on the water where each boat excels at being either a great island hopper or your personal private beach club, with amenities that include full size toilet compartment, four fresh water points, front and aft ladders, a swimming platform, standard electrical fridge and two portable coolers - all as standard. The ultimate sports boat, what you can expect from a Voodoo boat is a vessel that will attract with its style and continue to impress with its versatility.
Specifications Length Overall 8.48 m Beam 2.79 m Draft - Drive Down 91.44 cm Draft - Drive Up 53.34 cm Dry Weight 2000 kg Fuel Capacity 380 l Water Capacity 100 l
Agent information: Power Boat Center Contact: +965 2482 5556 www.powerboatskw.com
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Silvercraft Fishing Boats and Family Cruisers Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
The Silvercraft series was established in 2008 to represent and group the wide and diverse range of smaller family and fishing boats manufactured by Gulf Craft. Silvercraft offers a family of center console fishing boats and multifunctional walk-around cruisers for sport fishing enthusiasts worldwide. Designed with structural reliability and safety as a priority, its hulls have a proven track-record in waters as demanding as the waves off the Australian southern shores and South-Africa’s Cape Town, to as far north as the Norwegian fjords.
Styling, comfort and practicality are the design parameters that have defined the success of the family cruisers that make up the second part of the Silvercraft product range. No matter whether you are looking for a weekender, a boat for waterskiing or island-hopping, you are guaranteed to find your preferred choice in Silvercraft’s selection. Today the Silvercraft fleet consists of the Silvercraft 31, 31 CC, 31 HT, 33, 34, 36 CC, 36 HT and 40.
KYS 2015 PREVIEW PREVIEW
Gulf Master
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nternational Fiberglass Center Co. W.L.L. was established in 1994. From initial design concepts to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, the IFC team takes great pride in delivering vessels worthy of carrying the name “Gulf Master”. With years of boat building excellence and an array of powerboats that set a standard, they have earned an enviable reputation and have remained at the forefront of this industry. Today Gulf Master boats are regarded as one the pioneer companies in constructing of pleasure, commercial and military fiberglass powerboats in the State of Kuwait. They have developed rapidly in recent years to become one of the largest boat builders on the local as well as regional levels.
Gulf Master 17’ Length 17.5 Beam 7.2 Dry Weight Apprx 600Kg Maximum HP 115x1 if two stroke & 90x1 if four stroke Minimum HP 60x1 Crew Capacity 2-4
Agent information: Gulf Master Contact: +965 24844768 www.gulfmasterboats.com
Gulf Master 26’ Length 26 Beam 9 Dry Weight Apprx 1300Kg Maximum HP 200x2 Minimum HP 115x2 Crew Capacity 4-8
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Four Winns
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our Winns understands that your free time is the most precious of all. That’s why they build boats that perform beyond your expectations… boats that have premium content and components you’d choose if you could – boats that will last as long as the memories you’re making. Agent Information Alghanim Marine Co. Contact: +965 2 4729377 www alghanimmarine.com
What began as a family-owned business has grown into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of fiberglass recreational products. But one thing hasn’t changed: At Four Winns, boating is (still) a family business. Their employees, many of whom have been with the company for 10, 15, 20 or more years, are their most precious asset. Everything they do, every boat they build, every program they offer, is designed to help you and your family enjoy boating to its fullest.
They know you like to have fun on the water and want you to share that fun with other fans of Four Winns boats. Leave it all on the shore. With features like a low-profile swim platform, enclosed head, matching bucket seats with flipup bolsters, bimini top, and optional wakeboard tower and premium sound system, it’ll be a while before you even think about coming back to shore
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Glastron
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lastron is a boat manufacturing company and was one of the first manufacturers of fiberglass boats. Glastron is known for its boat hull design innovations, including the Aqualift and “SSV” hull designs, the latter of which is still in use today.
The Glastron brand has undergone a tremendous redesign effort bringing new and innovative features to this iconic line of boats. The new model year adds the all-new GT245, a 24foot feature-packed open bow boat, new Legacy models and the GTX160 and GTX185, both entry level models designed to attract the budget-conscious buyer. In addition to these new sterndrive and outboard powered models, the Company announced a new line of jet powered boats - the GT187 and GT207. The expansion of jet boats was recently announced, along with the company’s new Scarab® brand, to include the new GT187 for Glastron. The Rotax-powered jet boat, the first of a series of models to roll out in 2014, promises to bring a whole new level of boating fun to the Glastron line. Jet power delivers unique benefits to boaters including shallow water operation, quick acceleration and additional cockpit space. The GT245 expands the overall GT line to provide a roomier, open bow model packed with all-day features including an enclosed head with sink. The widely popular Legacy series expands into nine models, providing a broader choice for the
discerning customer looking for a little more luxury in their boat. The attractive GTX160 and GTX185 models offer firsttime buyers an exciting design specially packaged at an attractive MSRP.
Agent Information Alghanim Marine Co. Contact: +965 2 4729377 www alghanimmarine.com
Our customers are very excited with our expansion into jets. The jet market continues to gain popularity with consumers looking for more options in how they use their boats. By expanding the Glastron line to include jets, we have provided our network additional growth opportunities and our consumers new options in boating. Rec Boat Holdings has rolled out two additional jet models for their Glastron and Scarab brands. The Glastron GT207 and the Scarab 215 follow after the introduction of their smaller sister models, GT187 and Scarab 195, respectively. The company announced an aggressive launch plan last May for both brands and has not disappointed. The introductory models were in production within four months and now the expansion to each brand offering comes only eight months after announcing the entry into jet propulsion models. All are powered by BRP’s Rotax® 4-TEC® 1503 jet propulsion system.
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Prestige A distinctive brand
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or 23 years , Prestige has been a reference in world of motor yachts. The brand was born of a vision: to create a complete line of motor yachts, combining exceptional comfort and seaworthiness with the latest in contemporary design. Agent Information Bader Alyahya Yachts Limited Company Contact: +965 2 2915432
The concept
Harmony in design
With passion and respect for true maritime values the designers, Garroni, developed the concept for these prestige. Beauty and function are found in every detail of these superb yachts, where elegant lines and luxurious materials are married with a harmonious distribution of space and a unique contemporary style.
Prestige has developed new areas of expertise, notably in the fields of interior design and finishing details. Combining hydraulic, mechanical, electrical and electronic systems, a motor yacht is complex, and the shipyard has worked to integrate these systems well upstream. The exchange between experts in these diverse fields has contributed greatly to the brands dynamic growth and progress, which are further fuelled by her success.
Designed for any sea With the all-new pod propulsion system and a specially designed hull, the Prestige delivers exceptional performance, fuel efficiency and unparalleled handling at port or navigating the toughest sea conditions. Designed with the most advanced computer design software, the v-shaped hull and the optimal deadrise at the transom ensure comfortable steering through choppy seas and great stability, with extremely low noise and vibration levels
Prestige yachts: a luxury division With an exclusive yacht division, the Prestige brand aims to provide the ultimate in luxury. The name stands for excellence, a unique and personalised customer service provided by a worldwide network of specialists and renowned experts. It is the symbol of rigorous attention to detail and pursuit of the highest level of quality
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Suzuki’s new outboard motors DF200A/DF200AP
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uzuki Motor Corporation has unveiled two new lightweight and fuelefficient outboard motors DF200A/DF200AP, which can be used in a wide variety of usage from marine leisure such as sport fishing boat and high speed cruiser to commercial use.
Mustafa Karam & Sons Co. Contact: +965 1803003 / 97274999
DF200A/DF200AP are four-stroke outboard motors, which released maximum output of 147kw (200PS) by reviewing the intake system and increasing the compression ratio based on 2,867cm3 in line four cylinder engine of the DF175. Along with the adopotion on light weight in- line four-cylinder engine, it released high fuel efficiency by adoptoing the Suzuki Lean Burn Control System. In addition, DF200AP have adopted the Suzuki selective rotation- the world first technology to integrate both regular and counter rotation of propeller. The control system has been changed from conventional mechanical cable to electronical control Suzuki Precision Control throttle control and smooth gear option. By adding DF200A/DF200AP to the existing DF200 equipped with V 6-cylinder engine, the line up of 147kw (200ps) outboards will be fulfilled to meet many types of needs of boat.
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Honda Marine
‘Installment And Trade-In’ as Honda Marine Marks 50th Anniversary
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his year reflects a foundational significance to Honda, which marks its 50th anniversary on launching the world’s first four-stroke outboard engine, the GB30. This modest 4hp engine has paved the way for the company to become the leading manufacturer of four-stroke marine engines - an evolutionary vision that led Honda to produce a consistently efficient and environmentally friendly lineup of engine models, ranging from the BF2.3 to the BF250, thereby becoming the largest engine manufacture in the world. And coupled with Honda’s resolute determination, not only has the company successfully generated an unmatched ubiquity of its outboard engines all over the world, but also a legendary proven reputation for reliable engines. Indeed, Honda has won seven years in a row the National Marine Manufacturers association CSI Award in America for Customer Satisfaction. Agent Information Alghanim Motors +965 2496 4353 www.honda-kuwait.com
And the journey does not end at the legacy. For Honda has continuously advanced its technology with an equal amount of ingenuity and proficiency, successfully inventing a variety of exclusive technological features. First is the BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) technology, which adjusts air/fuel ratio and ignition timing to boost engine horsepower and torque to provide rapid acceleration, resulting in a strong hole-shot performance to get the hull up on the plane quicker. Additionally, there is the ECOmo (Economy Controlled Motor) technology that uses sensors to monitor air/fuel ratio in cruising mode, adjusting it to achieve optimum fuel economy. Third is the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system that provides optimum performance through the operating range, delivering smooth controlled power when you need it. And last but not least comes the NMEA 2000 multi-functional gauges, which are designed to provide simplified and standardized connectivity on board and to give vital engine information to the operator. These gauges display information on key functions including engine rpm, trim angle, maintenance reminders, engine temperature, battery charge levels, oil
pressure and engine management. And with the incorporation of NMEA 2000 connectivity, the user is able to install an increasingly wide variety of sophisticated electronic equipment, such as GPS systems, chart plotters and fish finders. To mark the 50th anniversary of the very first four-stroke outboard engine, Honda Marine has released through Honda Alghanim, its exclusive distributor in Kuwait, an irresistible offer for sea-goers and fishing fans alike. The offer includes the availability of Honda outboard engines on flexible installment plans, plus a 5-year warranty on the new engine and the opportunity to trade-in the old one with the best in value. It also includes a 20% discount on spare parts, as well as a comprehensive maintenance service at the Honda Alghanim Service Center or through a mobile maintenance workshop. Customers are invited to visit Honda Alghanim Marine showroom in Shuwaikh, opposite the Classical Car Museum, during the working hours of Saturday - Thursday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, and on Friday from 10 am until 8 pm. For more information, please call us at 1822777.
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Mercury
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ercury is so confident about the quality of their engines, you not only get a 5 year warrantee, but you also get the performance that comes with it, as Mercury is winning more powerboat races and setting more records worldwide than any other marine engine manufacturer. Al Boom Marine is proud to be associated and be the exclusive authorized dealer for Mercury and MerCruiser since 1992 offering new and used engines, servicing and repairs at any one of our many workshops situated throughout Kuwait. Mercury engines provide unrivaled driving experience, and the FourStroke Mercury Verado is the most sophisticated propulsion system on the water today. A supercharged Mercury Verado doesn’t just sound quiet, it also feels quiet and is built for the long run. They are fast, powerful and reliable and deliver the extra holeshot, powerful mid-range punch and top speed that boaters crave. These engines also have a low cost of ownership and are corrosion protected and Verado is proud to deliver best-in-class fuel economy. Boaters who depend on a reliable engine will find that it not only performs exceptionally well, but is also packed full of features and will not disappoint. These high displacement outboards feature lightweight designs. Once you try one of these Mercury engines you’ll see why they are the top of the class. The only question remaining is do you own a Mercury? Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
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Sea-Doo
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ea-Doo is a leading watercraft brand. Ride one and you’ll see why. Their exclusive technologies give you great days on the water that no one else can offer. Sea-Doo watercraft deliver fun, control and peace of mind on the water. Agent Information Alghanim Marine Co. Contact: +965 2 4729377 www alghanimmarine.com
Like never before, Sea-Doo offers the easiest way to be on the water. With the new, affordable Sea-Doo Spark, your family can start riding a playful watercraft. Extremely light—nearly half the weight of other watercraft—it’s easy to manoeuvre and also the most fuel-efficient watercraft in the industry. Plus, its compact design makes it simple to tow behind many cars and store conveniently in your garage. A wide range of colours and customization options let you make it your own. Plus, you get exclusive technologies and design such as iBR or the new Rotax ACE family of engines that make Sea-Doo Spark easy to ride and own. Only Sea-Doo could offer this much on such an affordable watercraft. For five years now, Sea-Doo is the only watercraft that comes with an on-water brake. The exclusive Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) system helps riders stop up to 30m sooner on
the water. Just squeeze the brake lever on the left side of the handlebar. And when the watercraft is stopped, squeeze the brake lever to go in reverse. It delivers more safety and effortless docking, increases your manoeuvrability and creates a more intuitive riding experience. And that has grabbed people’s attention. This braking system has been honoured by marine authorities around the world, including the U.S. Coast Guard, for improving boating safety. Proven reliability is one of the many reasons Sea-Doo owners recommend their brand more than any other brand in the industry. In fact, 87% of the Sea-Doo watercraft purchased over the last 10 years remains in use today. And Sea-Doo watercraft can run longer with less maintenance than ever before. Go one year or 50 hours of use before your first oil change, and after that you’ll only need one every 12 months.
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Quadski
Personal Sports Amphibian
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he Quadski reaches speeds of 45 mph on both land and water and transitions between them in seconds. The Quadski’s wheels retract after entering the water and deploy when approaching land, at the press of a button.
Previously, no commercially available personal sports amphibian on the USA market has been able to exceed 10 mph on water. The difference is the breakthrough GIBBS patented High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology which provides unique on-water performance. Unmatched freedom on land AND water, and rapid in transition - Quadski sets a new standard in flexibility, freedom and fun. Retracting Suspension The single most advanced piece of GIBBS engineering is the suspension. It gives superb ride and handling on land and retracts when on the water. The complete transition takes four seconds, at the push of a button. Hull Incorporating GIBBS HSA technology, the Quadski hull provides a stable planing surface and lateral grip for responsive handling on water. The hull is designed to be aerodynamic in land mode and hydrodynamic in marine mode. The Quadski’s hull is strong, durable, light-weight and is manufactured from a single-piece mould using current composite technology. Water Jet GIBBS jet units are lighter and more compact than traditional marine industry water jets and provide high levels of thrust
and maneuverability on water. Water jet propulsion also provides responsive maneuverability at low speeds and reverse while providing the power to cruise at planing speeds. GIBBS patented water jet technology can propel the Quadski to planing speed in seconds.
Agent Information Alboom Marine Contact: +965 24613445 /6/7 www.alboomkuwait.com
Engine Quadski is powered by BMW Motorrad’s K1300 engine. On water the BMW engine is coupled with a GIBBS water jet propulsion system. The Quadski is capable of attaining speeds of 45 mph on both land and water. Excellent performance and comfortable ride are the result of a light weight composite hull, wide Engine Quadski is powered by BMW Motorrad’s K1300 engine. On water the BMW engine is coupled with a GIBBS water jet propulsion system. The Quadski is capable of attaining speeds of 45 mph on both land and water. Excellent performance and comfortable ride are the result of a light weight composite hull, wide track and low center of gravity, which gives Quadski robust stability on land and water.
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ProTech Monte Carlo
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Aethetic boat care – in Kuwait
very day your boat has to face up to some of the most extreme and vigorous weather conditions, including water, spindrift, sunlight, temperature variations, humidity. Over time your boat will gradually lose its shine with maintenance becoming increasingly difficult and repainting being essential. In order to prevent this daily wear and to preserve its original condition, your boat needs high-quality professional care and special expertise to ensure this is applied accordingly. ProTech Monte-Carlo, a specialist in top of the range aesthetic boat care for over two decades, has designed an all-round care solution which includes the application of a long-lasting treatment on painted surfaces and gelcoating leading to easy and effective maintenance and upkeep. This service is the result of several years of research and the fruit of strong relations between yacht owners and manufacturers alike. Discover this exclusive process which will allow you to preserve the colour and shine of painted and gelcoat surfaces, whilst reducing the frequency of washing and cleaning. The company reflects LLC, a Kuwaiti based company established in 2013 by Salem Al Jandal and Abdullah Al Khamees, the company is the exclusive agent of ProTech in Kuwait. Location Shuwaikh Industrial Area, opposite to Creative Design Center, Tel: +965-96912001.
MICHELIN TOTAL CONTROL FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN WET BRAKING
For more, call 1820 888
Crafted with a passion for performance, developed with revolutionary rubber technology and proven to deliver nothing but the very best, MICHELIN tyres push all limits to give you unparalleled driving control in any condition. From rugged roads and heavy fog to wet roads and damaging heat, you can be assured that we’ve got it all covered.
/MichelinArabia
Al Nouri Marine
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Abdulla Al Nouri
bdulla Al Nouri is an ambitious entrepreneur, a man who is seeking to invest in his skills toward the marine life and changing it into his personal business. He established his company ‘Al Nouri Marine’ in September 2013, a company that provides marine and diving equipment. Al Nouri participated in Kuwait Yacht Show 2014, the second edition of this now annual event, and because of the exposure and success that the company during the first participation, he is aiming to participate for the second time in Kuwait Yacht Show 2015. Because he is always seeking unique exposure, Al Nouri is planning to invite one of the most important divers who has more than 12 world records (he will announce his name later) to take part in Kuwait Yacht Show, and he is planning special courses in free-diving with this diver in April 2015. Al Nouri’s ambitions go beyond this, he is also planning to build the first free-diving center in the region – there is currently nothing of this ilk in the region.
Al Nouri marine provides a variety of marine and diving equipment from international brands. This includes equipment for fishing, and also equipment for free-diving. He also is the agent for Rabitech, a South African company that caters spear fishing and free diving needs, and a range of spear guns. Moreover, they stock all other gear including wetsuits, fins, masks and snorkels as well. The company is also agent for Seatech, an Italian company and one of the biggest companies in the same field related to the marine equipment and accessories. In 2014 the company became an agent for one of the important companies in wet suits and diving accessories. Besides this, the company is sponsoring Aisha Al Nouri, wakeboarding champion, and her team.
KYS 2015 PREVIEW
النوري مارين عبد اهلل النوري
عبد اهلل النوري رائد في مجال األعمال التجارية ،طموح يسعى دائم ًا لالستثمار في مهاراته في الحياة البحرية ليجعل منها المتخصصة في معدات الغوص ولوازم الرحالت البحرية. أسس في سبتمبر 2013شركة “النوري مارين” ّ حرة له .وقد ّ مهنة ّ
شارك النوري في معرض الكويت لليخوت لعام 2014أي في النسخة تحولت اليوم إلى حفل سنوي .وعلى ضوء الثانية لهذه الفعالية التي ّ الشهرة والنجاح اللذين حصدتهما شركته من مشاركتها األولى في هذا مرة ثانية فيه في نسخة العام .2015 المعرض ،يسعى النوري للمشاركة ّ ً ّ المرة تمي زه ،يعتزم النوري هذه دوما عن إطاللة فريدة وألن ه يبحث ّ ّ دعوة واحد من بين أفضل الغواصين الذين حققوا أكثر من اثني عشر ً ً عالميا للمشاركة في معرض الكويت لليخوت (سيعلن عن اسمه لقبا ً ّ الحر مع هذا الغوص في خاصة دورات لتقديم ط يخط كما )، الحقا ّ الغواص في أبريل .2015 ً أيضا على غير أن طموحات النوري ال تقف عند هذا الحد ،إذ يعمل ً نظرا إلى غياب أي مركز من تشييد أول مركز للغوص الحر في المنطقة، هذا النوع فيها. ّ متنوعة من معدات الغوص ولوازم توف ر شركة “النوري مارين” مجموعة ّ
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معدات الصيد الرحالت البحرية من ماركات عالمية .ويتضمن ذلك ّ والغوص الحر. ً ّ توف ر أيضا وكيل “رابيتيك” ،وهي شركة جنوب أفريقية والنوري هو المعدات الضرورية للصيد بالرمح والغوص الحر إضافة إلى مجموعة من بندقيات الرمح. ً وفضل عن ذلك ،تبيع شركة النوري كافة المعدات األخرى مثل ّ بزات ً أيض ا الغطس والزعانف واألقنعة وأنابيب التنفس تحت الماء ،وهي ّ المصن فة بين أكبر الشركات في مجال وكيل شركة “سيتيك” اإليطالية المعدات والملحقات البحرية. في العام ،2014حصلت “النوري مارين” على وكالة إحدى الشركات ّ تقدم البزات البحرية وملحقات الغوص ،كما المرموقة في مجال ّ ً ّ حاليا الرعاية لعائشة النوري وفريقها وهي بطلة رياضة التزلج الل وحي على الماء.
Sheikha Mashael Duaij Al Sabah The Patron of Kuwait Speed Racing Watersports Team
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he Kuwait Speed Racing team was formed on a personal initiative by Sheikha Mashael Duaij Al Sabah who has always nurtured a passion for watersports. Her early beginnings in this field were in 1993 when she lent support to the talented Kuwaiti youth seeking to achieve global success and to raise their country’s flag high in international events. MEN’S PASSION had the opportunity to meet with the team founder, Sheikha Mashael, for a greater insight on the most recent achievements and future aspirations of the team.
Sheikha Mashael Duaij Al Sabah has been long renowned for her major support for watersports, how did it all start? I have always been a great enthusiast for watersports. In 1993, I established Kuwait Jet ski Team along many ambitious and distinguished Kuwaiti Youth. I strived hard to give them all the support they needed to achieve great results, and I was not disappointed. In no time, they had earned more than a hundred local and global prizes. Unfortunately after three years, particularly in 1996, the team chose to cut its journey short for several reasons and we ceased to participate in contests.
17 years later, you launched Kuwait Speed Racing watersports team. How is it different? In 2013, I decided to venture again into supporting the youth who are talented in watersports. We sought to expand our scope beyond jet skiing, so we decided to include powerboat racing. Our primary aim was to offer support to the talented Kuwaiti youth aspiring great success locally, regionally and globally so as to promote the name of our dear Kuwait in international events.
How do you select members to join Kuwait Speed Racing? First, I am obliged to note that we have a large pool of distinguished Kuwaiti youth who are capable to deliver great achievements. These athletes find in Kuwait speed Racing a haven to foster their talents and ultimately enable them to pocket victories as they do. As concerns beginners, we identify them while we are watching the races and offer them support provided that they are committed and engaged to grow in this sport.
Do you receive sufficient support for Kuwait Speed Racing Team? I regret to say that we still have not achieved a sufficient level of support; we mainly depend on our sponsors to cover the trainings and participations in watersport races. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the team does not have its own club yet, but we are currently taking the necessary procedures to establish a club, which can help overcome the obstacles remarkably.
Tell us about the most prominent achievements of Kuwait Speed Racing Team? A long list of achievements stands as a living proof of the great potential of the team members who proved to be well equipped to stand tough against many of the best contestants worldwide. Abdullah AlFadhel, for instance, was the first non-American to win the US national race.
What are the team’s ambitions? We give great attention to our team member’s participation in international contests, such as the Queen’s Cup in Thailand. We also make sure to participate in UAE championships. As a team, we seek to compete with other teams from the Gulf region, such as UAE and Qatar. We also strive to host world powerboats and water bikes championships, especially with Kuwait’s unparalleled geographical location. Such competitions will put our athletes with direct contact with international athletes thus promoting their expertise and skills in this sport. Hamad Al Dalali, Kuwait Speed Racing water bike contestant, joined the team in 2014. He snatched first rank in the stock amateur category of Qatar International Ordinary Aquabike Championship and was ranked third in UAE Aquabike Tournament, in the stock amateur category in Abu Dhabi. Kuwaiti Water Bike Champion, Abdullah Al Turkait, is always dreaming big. He honored the name of Kuwait in various international championships. He was UAE Aquabike champion in 2014 in stock amateur category. Al Turkait is hopeful of further development and support of watersports, especially that many youth have quit this sport already for lack of necessary funding. He himself ceased to participate in races for five years. According to Al Turkait, Kuwait Speed Racing was able to support and bring together the contestants sharing a passion for watersports. Kuwaiti Water Bike World Champion, Abdullah AlFadhel, started his journey in watersports in 2007. Shortly afterwards, his efforts started to yield achievements worldwide. He was the first Arab holding the title of US Water Bike Champion back in 2013 for the adjusted and limited-adjustment PRO categories in the championship. He also participated in other global competitions, most notably the 2012 Olympics.
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الشيخة مشاعل دعيج الصباح
مؤسسة فريق كويت سبيد رايسينغ
إنطلق فريق كويت سبيد رايسينغ Kuwait Speed Racingبمبادرة شخصية من الشيخة مشاعل دعيج الصباح التي لطالما امتلكت شغف ًا كبير ًا في مجال الرياضات البحرية ،كانت بدايتها في هذا المجال منذ سنة 1993بهدف مد يد العون ودعم الشباب الكويتي الموهوب الذي يسعى لتحقيق انجازات عالمية ورفع اسم الكويت عالي ًا في المحافل الدولية .التقت مجلة MEN’S PASSIONمع مؤسسة الفريق الشيخة مشاعل لنتطلع بشكل أكبر على أحدث وأبرز اإلنجازات التي حققها الفريق وعلى المشاريع المستقبلية. اشتهرت الشيخة مشاعل دعيج الصباح بدعمها للرياضات البحرية منذ فترة طويلة ،كيف كانت البداية؟ لطالما كان لدي شغف كبير في مجال الرياضات البحرية ،لذلك أسست في سنة 1993فريق كويت جت سكي الذي كان يضم عدد ًا من الشباب الكويتي الطموح والمتميز في هذه الرياضة .وسعيت أن أقدم الدعم الالزم لهم لتحقيق انجازات كبيرة ،وبالفعل تمكن الفريق في فترة زمنية قصيرة ً نسبيا من أن يحصل على أكثر من مئة جائزة محلية وعالمية .ولكن بعد ثالث سنوات ،وتحديد ًا سنة 1996لم يكمل الفريق مشواره الرياضي ألسباب مختلفة ،وتوقفنا عن المشاركة في المسابقات.
بعد 17سنة ،تم إطالق Kuwait Speed Racingللرياضات البحرية ،ما هو الجديد الذي سيميز الفريق؟ في سنة 2013قررت مرة أخرى الدخول في مجال دعم الشباب الموهوب بالرياضات البحرية ،وقررت أن يتم توسعة هذا المجال حتى ال يكون فقط ً أيضا مجاالت حكر ًا على رياضة الجت السكي لذلك قررت أن ينضم للفريق
متعلقة بالرياضات البحرية منها رياضة القوارب السريعة .ويمكن القول أن الهدف الرئيسي من فريق “كويت سبيد رايسنيغ” هو تقديم الدعم للشباب الكويتي الموهوب الذي يسعى إلى تحقيق انجازات ليس فقط ً أيضا على المستوى العالمي مما على المستوى المحلي واإلقليمي بل ً عاليا في المحافل الدولية. يساهم في رفع اسم الكويت
ما هي األسس التي يتم اعتمادها في اختيار الفرق لالنضمام لكويت سبيد رايسنيغ؟ في البداية يجب التنوية أن هناك نخبة من الشباب الكويتي المتميز والقادر على تحقيق عدد كبير ومهم من اإلنجازات ،وألن كويت سبيد رايسينغ يسعى لدعم هذه المواهب فعدد كبير من الرياضيين يعتبرون أن هذا الفريق بمثابة فرصة لهم تساعدهم في تحقيق اإلنجازات .وبالنسبة للشباب من فئة المبتدئين فالفريق يتعرف عليهم من خالل حضورنا الشخصي في عدد من السباقات التي يتم تنظيمها بشرط أن يكونوا ملتزمين بشكل كبير في هذه الرياضة.
هل يحصل فريق كويت سبيد رايسينغ على الدعم الالزم؟ حتى اليوم لم نتلقى الدعم الكافي على الرغم من أننا نعتمد بشكل كبير على الرعاة لتغطية المصاريف المترتبة الخاصة بالتدريب والمشاركة في ناد خاص للفريق ولكننا السباقات الرياضية .وهذا ربما يعود لعدم وجود ٍ ناد والتي بدورها ستساعد نحن في طور القيام باإلجراءات الالزمة لتأسيس ٍ بشكل كبير في تذليل الصعوبات والمشاكل التي تواجهنا.
ما هي أبرز االنجازات التي حققها فريق كويت سبيد رايسنيغ؟ هناك عدد كبير من االنجازات التي تسجل باسم الكويت والتي بدورها
تعكس القدرات الكبيرة التي يمتلكها أعضاء الفريق من خالل منافستهم أفضل المتسابقين في العالم .على سبيل المثال البطل عبدالله الفاضل حصل على السباق الوطني األمريكي حيث أنها المرة األولى التي يحصل على هذه الجائزة شخص غير أمريكي.
ما هو طموح الفريق؟ نحرص على الحفاظ على مشاركة أعضاء الفريق في مسابقات دولية ً فضال عن المشاركة في البطوالت في العالم وكأس الملكة في تايالند، التي تقام في اإلمارات .وطموح الفريق هو الوصول إلى مستوى النوادي الخليجية .ونطمح إلى استضافة بطوالت العالم للقوارب والدراجات المائية في الكويت ،خاصة أن الموقع الجغرافي للكويت يساعد على ذلك، والتي بدورها ستساهم بصقل خبرات الشباب الكويتي الرياضي من خالل االحتكاك مع رياضيين من دول العالم. • متسابق الدراجات المائية حمد الداللي ،انضم إلى فريق كويت سبيد رايسنيغ في بداية سنة ،2014وأبرز اإلنجازات التي حققها كأس المركز األول في فئة الستوك للهواة في بطولة قطر الدولية للدراجات المائية، حقق كأس المركز الثالث في الجولة الثالثة من بطولة اإلمارات للدراجات المائية في فئة ستوك للهواة التي أقيمت في العاصمة أبوظبي. حصل على المركز األول في فئة المبتدئين ( )noviceفي بطولة الواليات المتحدة األمريكية. • بطل العالم في الدراجات المائية الكويتي عبدالله التركيت ،يسعى ً عاليا في المحافل الدولية. إلى تحقيق انجازات كبيرة ورفع اسم الكويت حقق لقب بطولة موسم دولة اإلمارات للدراجات المائية 2014في فئة الهواة ستوك التي أقيمت في دبي .ويتمنى التركيت أن يتم تطوير ودعم الرياضات المائية خاصة أن عدد ًا كبير ًا من الشباب انقطعوا عن ممارسة هذه الرياضة لعدم توفر الدعم الالزم ،وبصفة شخصية انقطع التركيت 5 سنوات عن المشاركة في سباقات ،وأعتبر انطالق كويت سبيد رايسنيغ ً ً رئيسيا للمتسابقين المهتمين بالرياضات البحرية. داعما • بطل العالم في الدراجات المائية الكويتي عبدالله الفاضل بدأ ممارسة الرياضات البحرية في سنة ،2007وبعد فترة قصيرة حقق انجازات عالمية .والفاضل هو أول عربي يحقق لقب بطل موسم أمريكا للدراجات المائية 2013في فئتي المعدل والمحدودة التعديل لكبار المحترفين ً فضال عن مشاركته في عدد كبير من المسابقات (بي ار او) في البطولة. العالمية أبرزها أولمبياد .2012
توجهت الشيخة مشاعل دعيج الصباح بالشكر إلي الهيئة العامة للشباب والرياضة وعلى رأسها الشيخ أحمد المنصور الصباح ،واللجنة األلومبية الكويتيه وعلى رأسها الشيخ طالل الفهد الصباح على الدعم والجهود الكبيرة الذي يتم تقديمه للفريق مما يساعد على تحقيق انجازات أكبر.
THE LUXE REVIEW
THE LUXE REVIEW Our exclusive guide to the finest from the spheres of horology, automobiles, style, travel, design and much more. In the Luxe Review we look at the best, and meet the people that are making it happen.
Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi
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President of Kuwaiti Shooting Federation
he political leadership of Kuwait has accorded great care and interest to sports, which resulted in the establishment of the “Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Olympic Shooting Complex”, one of the best ranges worldwide with respect to facilities, equipment and potential. The Shooting Complex was successful in accomplishing great local and global achievements, owing to the great talents deployed by the youth, but above all to the excellent management and the support of the Minister of Information and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud Al-Sabah, President of Asia Shooting Confederation and Honorary Vice-President of the International Shooting Sport Federation. Eng. Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi is the current President of both the Arab Shooting Confederation and the Kuwaiti Shooting Federation; he is also a board member of the International Shooting Sport Federation and Asia Shooting Confederation where he plays a significant role in the promotion of the shooting sport and greatly contributes to Kuwaitis’ access to the largest and most important contests. However, his role is not only limited to this, as he also organizes international competitions to be hosted in Kuwait which positively contributes to the evolution of this sport in the country. Men’s Passion met with Eng. AlOtaibi to learn more about his endeavors.
Tell us about the history of shooting as a sport in Kuwait. The Kuwait Shooting Sport Club is the continuity of gun sport activities existing in Kuwait a long time ago. Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud Al-Sabah, the Minister of Information and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, is one of the leading supporters of the shooting sport. In fact, he used to practice this sport in the Hunting and Equestrian Club alongside many Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti shooters. The club was presided by His Highness the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who was at that time the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Kuwait also hosted the Shooting Sport Club which was founded by the Kuwait Oil Company and located to the south of Ahmadi region. In 1987, I was nominated as president of the Club; I was still a shooter at that time. We worked hand in hand with Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud, and thanks to his support, we organized a significant number of competitions on the local level. But unfortunately, shooting clubs were
destroyed during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. Following the liberation, Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud strived hard to revive this sport and thanks to the support of late Sheikh Saad AlAbdullah, shooting ranges were reconstructed and equipped in full. In 1994, the Ahmadi Shooting Range was rehabilitated on a generous initiative by the Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud along with many board members, and the shooting sport was launched again on the international level. I worked as secretary of the Shooting Sport Club and led the “Shooter 2000” Project that aimed at providing youth with the opportunities to learn shooting at an early age.
How was the impact of the “Shooter 2000” Project to support young talents? The “Shooter 2000” Project is a project that I’m really proud of. It aims mainly at attracting and training young shooters, and acquainting them with the necessary skills. During the first year, we received a big flow of young shooters, with an average of 70 persons per week. We greatly focused on the security and safety aspects. Thanks to the new initiative and support of Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud, full-time employees were appointed instead of part-timers; this way the shooters were better positioned to benefit from their expertise and sharpen their skills in a professional manner. Young shooters participated in international competitions. In 2000, champion Fehaid Al-Deehani won the first medal in the Sydney Olympics 2000, which was a turning point in the history of this sport; Kuwait proved that it is capable of achieving superiority and excellence on the global level and building on this success, the project was developed to become “Kuwait Shooting School”.
In 2007, the new headquarters of Kuwaiti Shooting Club was inaugurated in “Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Olympic Shooting Ranges Complex”. What is special about this complex? The Club new sports complex is one of the state-ofthe-art facilities in Kuwait and the Middle East. It is the most modern sports facility in the world, following Beijing Olympic Complex which was specially designed to host the 2008 Olympic Games. The Complex was built in conformity with the standards and conditions approved by the International Olympic Committee and the International Shooting Sport Federation. It includes 19 main buildings, a large tent with cutting-edge design, including six clay target shooting ranges for the three different disciplines (skeet, double trap and trap), served by a cafeteria and munitions store; three buildings housing ranges for air gun shooting and air rifles from distances of 10, 25, and 50 meters; and a building dedicated to host competitions and championships. The complex buildings are equipped with the most advanced electronic systems and are designed to cater for all social categories, including the persons with disabilities and the elderly.
The Shooting Complex is getting ready to host the 4th Shooting Championship under the patronage of HH the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. What makes this championship special?
What Gulf country is considered Kuwait’s competitor in the shooting sport? We consider Qatar our competitor in shooting. Qatari shooters have great potential and they receive good attention from the people in charge. They have to their names many achievements.
What are the Shooting Complex future plans?
What are the other championships organized by the Shooting Complex?
We are working on some big projects, one being the participation of the Kuwaiti national team in the Rio De Janeiro 2016 Olympics. We also seek to achieve great success and raise the Kuwaiti flag high in the major international sports events. This being said, we are currently focusing on recruiting and training young shooters to lead us to such success. We are lucky to have a large number of talented Kuwaiti shooters who greatly contributed to the development of the shooting sport in a short time. In addition, we are pushing to achieve the vision of Sheikh Salman Al-Hamud who always see things from positive lens; he is my role model. For him, nothing is impossible to achieve, and he sees me as a “fighter” as well, as we always try to address difficulties with the available means, time and resources. We have achieved a lot so far, and we will keep pushing for more support by the relevant authorities.
Each year, we organize one Asian Championship and one Arab Championship, in addition to local championships which are considered important qualifiers to select the national teams that will represent us in international competitions. The Club includes an elite of shooters, such as champion Fehaid Al-Deehani who is known for his many achievements worldwide, as well as Abdullah Al Rashidi, Khaled Al Modaf, Salah Motayri, Abdul Rahman Al Fayhan, Nasser Al Maklad, Hamad Al Afasi and Saad Motayri. I am optimistic about the future of the shooting sport in Kuwait, and I expect to see more achievements delivered by these young shooters.
Meeting the desire of the Kuwaiti youth, we introduced a new discipline, the archery, which gained the support of board members being an important discipline in shooting and we are looking forward to its evolution in the future. In the Shooting Sport in Kuwait, I personally consider that Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah is the real supporter because he is an ambitious man and I am really honored to be among those who worked with him. Our ambitions were noble. I believe it is hard to achieve something no one achieved before, and therefore I am very proud of our recent success in Sydney Olympics and hope for further success in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics.
All championships that we organize provide shooters in Kuwait and in the Gulf with an opportunity to interact with world champions. We also consider these championships as an opportunity for our jury members to manage competitions and championships organized by the International Shooting Sport Federation. This year, the championship received positive feedback on both local and international levels, with the participation of 745 male and female shooters from 57 countries around the world. We were pleasantly surprised to see Latin American countries join. For the next championship, we are looking forward to delivering another special event with more countries participating.
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في 2007تم إفتتاح نادي الرماية الكويتي بمقرة الجديد بمجمع ميادين الشيخ صباح األحمد األولمبي للرماية ،ما الذي يميزه ؟ يعتبر المجمع الرياضي الجديد للنادي أحد ارقى الصروح الرياضية في الكويت والشرق االوسط وأحدث منشأة رياضية عالمية من نوعها بعد مجمع بكين األولمبي المخصص لدورة األلعاب األولمبية التي أقيمت في .2008وقد تم بناءه وفقا لجميع المقاييس والمواصفات والشروط األولمبية التي ً تماما مع الموصفات المعتمدة باللجنة األولمبية الدولية واإلتحاد تنطبق الدولي للرماية .ويضم 19مبنى رئيسي وخيمة كبيرة صممت على أحدث طراز ،ومن ضمنهم ست ميادين للرماية على األطباق الطائرة بمختلف أنواعها الثالث (السكيت والدبل تراب والتراب) وتخدمها استراحة ومخزن للذخيرة و ثالث مباني لميادين الرماية بالمسدس والبندقية ضغط الهواء لمسافات 25متر و 10و 50متر ومبني للمنافسات النهائيات وقد جهزت بأحدث النظم اإللكترونية .وحرصنا عند تصميم المبنى أن يلبي كافة فئات ً أيضا لذوي اإلحتياجات الخاصة وكبار السن. المجتمع ولذلك فهو مناسب
يستعد مجمع الرماية إلستقبال الدورة الرابعة من بطولة حضرة صاحب السمو أمير البالد الشيخ صباح األحمد الجابر الصباح ،ما الذي يميز البطولة؟ تساهم البطوالت التي نقوم بتنظيمها في توفير فرصة للرماة في الكويت والخليج التواصل مع أبطال عالميين ،وكذلك نعتبرها فرصة لكوادرنا من لجنة التحكيم وإدارة المنافسات والسباقات في اإلتحاد الدولي إلكتساب خبرات .وقد حظيت هذه البطولة بصدى إيجابي وليس على المتسوى المحلي فقط لكن على المستوى العالمي ،فالبطولة التي تم تنظيمها في العام الحالي شارك بها 57دولة و 745رامي ورامية من مختلف دول العالم .وتفاجأنا بمشاركة دول من أمريكا الالتينية .ونتطلع هذا العام إلى بطولة أكثر تميز ًا وبمشاركة عدد أكبر من دول العالم.
ما هي البطوالت األخرى التي ينظمها مجمع الرماية؟ ً ً فضال عن البطوالت المحلية سنويا بطولة آسيوية ،وأخرى عربية ننظم وهي تعتبر محطات مهمة إلختيار المنتخبات الوطنية التي تمثلنا في المسابقات العالمية .ويضم النادي نخبة كبيرة من الرماة المتميزين وأبرزهم البطل فهيد الديحاني الذي حقق عدد كبير من اإلنجازات العالمية، باإلضافة إلى عبدالله الرشيدي ،خالد المضف ،صالح المطيري ،عبدالرحمن الفيحان ،ناصر المقلد ،حمد العفاسي ،أحمد العفاسي وسعد المطيري. على صعيد شخصي ،أنا متفائل برياضة الرماية في الكويت وأتوقع أن يتم تحقيق إنجازات أكبر بفضل تواجد نخبة متميزة من الرماة الناشئين.
ما هي الدولة الخليجية التي تنافس الكويت في رياضة الرماية؟ نعتبر قطر من الدول التي تنافسنا في الرماية ،لديهم امكانيات هائلة واهتمام كبير جد ًا من المسؤولين واستطاعوا أن يحققوا انجازات.
ما هي مشاريع مجمع الرماية المستقلبي؟ لدينا مشاريع كبيرة نسعى لتنفيذها ،وأبرزها مشاركة المنتخب الكويتي في أولمبياد “ريو دي جنيرو ”2016وتحقيق إنجازات نرفع من خاللها إسم وعلم الكويت في أكبر المحافل الدولية الرياضية .كما نسعى إلستقطاب شباب من الناشئين ،وتدريبهم لتحقيق انجازات في المستقبل .ومن حسن الحظ أنه لدينا عدد كبير من الرماة الموهوبين وساهموا بشكل كبير في تحقيق إنجازات في فترة زمينة قصيرة .كما أن دور الشيخ سلمان الحمود ويمتلك نظرة إيجابية. ومؤخر ًا أضفنا لعبة القوس والسهم ولقينا الدعم من أعضاء مجلس اإلدارة ألنها من األلعاب المهمة ولم تلقى رعاية وكانت برغبة من ً أيضا الشباب الكويتي .ونتطلع في المستقبل أن نحقق إنجازات كبيرة في هذا السياق. ً شخصيا أعتقد أن الداعم الحقيقي لهذه الرياضة معالي الشيخ سلمان وأنا الصباح ألنه رجل يمتلك طموح كبير ،وأنا يشرفني أن أكون من األشخاص الذين تعاملوا معه.
دعيج خلف العتيبي رئيس نادي الرماية الكويتي
أولت القيادة السياسية في الكويت اهتمام كبير في رياضة الرماية ،وكانت نتيجتها مجمع ميادين الشيخ صباح األحمد األولومبي للرماية الذي يعتبر من أفضل الميادين على مستوى العالم من ناحية المنشآت والتجهيزات واإلمكانيات. استطاع مجمع الرماية على تحقيق انجازات عظيمة محلية وعالمية بفضل مستوى إداري متميز ودعم وزير اإلعالم ووزير الدولة لشوؤن الشباب الشيخ سلمان الحمود الصباح رئيس اإلتحاد اآلسيوي ونائي رئيس اإلتحاد الدولي للرماية كرئيس فخري ،فض ً ال عن المواهب الشبابية الكويتية .يتولى المهندس دعيج خلف العتيبي منصب رئيس اإلتحادين الكويتي والعربي للرماية وعضو مجلس إدارة اإلتحاد الدولي واآلسيوي للرماية والذي له دور كبير في تعزيز رياضة الرماية والتي ساهمت بشكل كبير في الوصول إلى أكبر وأهم المنافسات العالمية وتحقيق انجازات عديدة ،ولم يقتصر دوره عند هذا الحد بل قام بتنظيم مسابقات عالمية تقام على أرض الكويت والتي تؤثر بشكل إيجابي في تطوير هذه الرياضة. التقته مجلة ،MEN’S PASSIONوكان الحوار التالي. ما هو تاريخ رياضة الرماية في الكويت؟ نادي الرماية الكويتي هو استمرارية لنشاط رياضة الرماية المتواجدة في الك ويت منذ فترة طويلة ،والشيخ سلمان الحمود الصباح وزير اإلعالم ووزير الدولة لشوؤن الشباب من أهم وأبرز داعمي رياضة الرماية ألنه لطالما كان يمارس الرماية في نادي الصيد والفروسية مع عدد كبير من الرماة الكويتيين وغير الكويتيين حيث كان يترأس النادي صاحب السمو أمير البالد الشيخ صباح األحمد الجابر الصباح عندما كان يتولى منصب وزير ًا للخارجية آنذاك. وضمت الكويت كذلك نادي الرماية التي أسسته شركة نفط الكويت ،حيث كان موقع النادي في منطقة جنوب األحمدي .وفي عام 1987كلفت لتولي منصب رئاسة النادي ،وكنت من ممارسي رياضة الرماية ،وبالتعاون وبالدعم من الشيخ سلمان الحمود نظمنا عدد كبير من البطوالت على المستوى المحلي .إال أنه أثناء الغزو العراقي الغاشم تم تدمير نوادي الرماية .ولكن بعد التحرير سعى الشيخ سلمان الحمود إلعادة هذه الرياضة وبدعم من المغفور له الشيخ سعد العبدالله الصباح حيث تم إعادة بناء الميادين وتجهيزها بشكل متكامل .وكما أنه تم إعادة تأهيل موقع في ميدان األحمدي في سنة 1994بمبادرة كريمة من الشيخ سلمان الحمود مع عدد من أعضاء مجلس
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اإلدارة ،لتنطلق رياضة الرماية على مستوى دولي ،وتوليت منصب أمانة سر نادي الرماية وتوليت مشروع “رامي ”2000الذي كان يهدف إلتاحة الفرص للشباب بسن صغير لتعلم رياضة الرماية.
كيف كان صدى مشروع “رامي ”2000لدعم المواهب الشبابية؟ مشروع “رامي ”2000مشروع أفتخر به ،هدفه األساسي كان استقطاب الرماة الناشئين وتدريبيهم وتوفير لهم المهارات الالزمة .في العام األول تدفق عدد كبير من الشباب بمعدل 70شخص بشكل أسبوعي .ركزنا بشكل كبير في المشروع على جانبي األمن والسالمة .وبمبادرة ودعم جديد من الشيخ سلمان الحمود تم العمل على تعيين موظفين بدوام ً بدال من دوام جزئي لإلستفادة من الخبرات وصقلها بطريقة كامل محترفة .وشارك الشباب في بطوالت عالمية ،وفي سنة 2000حقق البطل فهيد الديحاني أول ميدالية في أولمبياد سيدني 2000والتي نعتبرها نقطة تحول في تاريخ الرياضة والتي من خاللها أثبتت أن الكويت قادرة على أن تتفوق على المستوى العالمي .وتم تطوير المشروع حيث أصبح تحت إسم مدرسة الرماية.
The Melting Pot
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Art Moments Festival 2014
n this era of conflicts, mistrust and misunderstanding, it comes as a breath of fresh air to find common grounds, common causes, where unity is valued of diversity writes Patricia Toth. The common ground this time around, was the 2014 Art Moments festival, a colourful series of events in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Similarly to last year’s festival, Kuwait was also present, represented by Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) Kuwait and sponsored by the Gulf Bank and Ali Alghanim & Sons Group. Once again, event organizers bought the East a step closer to the West. The location Situated in the very heart of Europe, ravaged by the events of history and cross-passed by various ethnic groups, Hungary has always been a place where cultures met in one form or another. Hence, it came only natural to launch this year’s series of events under the theme of “The Melting Pot”. Artworks ranged from paintings, collages and sculptures to design, graffiti, graphics and typography. The colourful program series also included literature and poetry nights infused with music, theatre and concerts. The unorthodox location of the City Park’s artificial lake has made this year’s festival truly memorable. The beautiful
classicist-style building adjourning the lake was well complimented by the sleek modern structures made of wood and steel built on the lake’s surface. Artworks were exhibited in the minimalist plain white spaces of these structures, forming small islands on the lakes’ surface. Two of these “islands” were dedicated to Arab art, one solely to the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) Kuwait. Looking at the intense, imaginative and captivating artworks from CAP, I once again confirmed, that artists are alike; whether they come from the West, or form the East, they speak a language which is bold and articulate, their messages forceful and strikingly true. Universally true.
CAP KUWAIT exhibition: States of Anxiety “Destruction leads to a very rough road but it also breeds creation” – Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication The “States of Anxiety” was given as the main theme this year to the artworks from CAP Kuwait, which featured the live performance of three artists showing war, destruction and creation. In the light of current political events, this theme is not only very timely, but it also reflects on a very different side of the events, one that is often left unmentioned by the media and news broadcasts. Yes, the Middle East and the Arab world is a region ravaged by wars and constant fighting, uprisings and battles, yet we rarely see the true lives of those who are the real victims and survivors of these conflicts. The everyday lives of refugees, or of those living in lands far from their homes, far from their own culture. Rima Chahrour has taken upon herself to show these lives. Through her doll-like figures stitched together, she tells the tale of shattered identities, the tale of those destined to escape from their homeland to find refuge elsewhere, in a land where they may live safe and decent lives. Rima starts off with brightly coloured landscapes painted with bold, sure brush strokes. These painting are then cut up violently often torn by hand, only to be sewn together again gently, fitting the various pieces together again to form loving rag dolls. Rima’s works represent a certain belonging to the homeland, a land however that is in a state of formation, in turmoil. Through her rag dolls sewn together with loving care, from various bits and pieces, Rima raises the eternal question that all artists and individuals themselves at times
ask: “who am I?” and “what is my purpose in life”. These fragile little rag dolls represent the strongest individuals; ones determined to live, determined to survive, even far from home. Abed Al Kadiri, an artist as well as the director of CAP Kuwait, focuses his works on faces. He capturing the states of Arab citizens living in a constant flux. Taking characters from news reports and political TV shows, he paints their faces on pieces of tissue paper using coffee. Then, with a cigarette he burns each piece, thus shaping the features of each portrait and capturing it in the moment. Kadiri’s works present the state of constants waiting, the portraits reflecting lost dreams, and yet there seem to be hope reflected in the eyes. Life is short, life is fragile. The delicate and frail nature of the tissue represents this caducity. Kevork Mourad uses drops of paint, lines, smudges and smears that evolve into forms, creating a story, history. His paintings are laden with meaning, carrying a sense of history described on a vertical a timeline. His abstract and concrete forms are piled up, one on top of another, like a vortex, at times forming uneven layers similar to the layers of the Earth in geology, that define certain periods of time, revealing the secrets of lost, forgotten time periods. His works describe the ancient past, yet they also hint at the abstract future; containing suggestions of conflict, of sadness and violence, of passion and aggression, but above all, humanity. Using his signature style of quick lines, Mourad has invented a new kind of performance in which he blends live images with prepared animation and live music that results in an art form which is born in front of our very eyes, coming to life with breath-taking spontaneity.
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معرض منصة الفن المعاصر الكويتية :حاالت شجون ً ً ولكن ه ّ ّ أيضا” -فرقة رد يول د اإلبداع جدا “الدمار ُي فضي إلى طريق وعرة هوت تشيلي بيبرز :أغنية كاليفورنيكايشن. ّ شك لت حاالت الشجون الموضوع الرئيسي لألعمال التي عرضتها قدمه ثالثة ّ فن انين عرض بينها من وكان المعاصر، الفن منصة حي ّ ّ ً فعل وموضوعه الحرب والدمار واإلبداع .لقد جاء هذا الموضوع في أوانه وسط األحداث السياسية التي يشهدها العالم ،ولكن األهم من ذلك ّأن ه غالب ا ما ال يذكره اإلعالم أو نشرات األخبار .نعم ،الشرق أضاء على جانب ً دم رتها الحروب المتتالية والنزاعات األوسط والعالم العربي منطقة ّ نادرا ما نسأل عن حياة الذين وقعوا الدائمة والثورات والمعارك ،ولكننا ً نادرا ما نتابع حياة الالجئين اليومية ضحايا هذه األحداث أو نجوا منها. ً أراض هي أبعد ما تكون عن موطنهم وعن ثقافتهم. في ٍ أخذت ريما شحرور على عاتقها تصوير حياة هؤالء األشخاص .فمن ّ تشت ت الهويات قص ة خالل وجوه دمى ُم حاكة تعلوها الخيوط ،تخبرنا ّ وقص ة َم ن ُك تب عليه الفرار من منزله واللجوء إلى أرض ليست أرضه ّ ّ ّ توف ر له حياة آمنة وكريمة .تبدأ ريما بمشاهد وخلفيات ولكن ها قد يتم تمزيق هذه ثم زهي ة مرسومة بريشة سميكة ألوانها ّ ّ ّ ومحد دةّ . اللوحات بعنف باليد وتُ عاد حياكتها برفق عبر جمع القطع المختلفة ّ ّ نوع ا من يمث ل عمل ريما محب ة ومصنوعة من الخرق. دم ى ً لتشك ل ً ّ
االنتماء إلى وطن ال يزال في طور التأسيس وتسوده االضطرابات. الم حاكة بعطف ،من خالل القطع المجتزأة ومن خالل هذه الدمى ُ ً ّ الفن انين واألفراد في أزلي ا طرحه جميع سؤال والممزقة ،تثير ريما ً “م ن أنا؟ وما هدفي في الحياة؟” .هذه مرحلة ما من حياتهم ،وهوَ : ّ تمث ل أقوى الناس عزيمة .أناس الم حاكة من الخرق الدمى الضعيفة ُ عزموا على الحياة والبقاء والعيش ّ بعيدا عن موطنهم. حت ى ً عبد القادري هو فنان ومدير منصة الفن المعاصر – كاب وقد ّ رك زت ليصور من خاللها حالة المواطنين العرب الذين أعماله على الوجوه ّ ّ تقل بات دائمة .استقى هذا الفنان شخصياته من التقارير يعيشون اإلخبارية والبرامج التلفزيونية السياسية ورسم وجوهها على الورق ّ ثم قام بحرق ّ كل ورقة بواسطة سيجارة الهش باستخدام القهوةّ . تعب ر أعمال ليحد د بذلك مالمح الوجه ويحفظها في الزمان والمكان. ّ ّ القادري عن حالة االنتظار الدائم واألحالم الضائعة التي تنعكس في ً أمل في عينيها. وجوه شخصياته .ومع ذلك ،يمكن أن نستشف ّ الحياة قصيرة وقد تُ سرق ّ الفن ان من ا في أي لحظة ،وهذا ما أراد ّ الهش ة والرقيقة لتنفيذ أعماله. تصويره عندما اختار استخدام األوراق ً وبقع ا وخطوط ا ولطخات استخدم كيفورك مراد قطرات من الطالء ً وتقدم لمحة تتداخل لتخبر عن قصة وتاريخ .تزخر لوحاته بالمعاني ّ ّ خط زمني عمودي .وقد ُج معت األشكال التجريدية تاريخية على ّ مكو نة في بعض دو امة والحسية الواحدة فوق األخرى ّ لتشك ل ّ المواضع من طبقات غير متساوية شبيهة بطبقات األرض وهي تعب ر عن بعض الحقبات الزمنية وتكشف عن أسرار حقبات أخرى ّ ً وتجس د وصف ا للماضي البعيد تقدم أعماله منسي ة أو مفقودة. ّ ّ ّ تتضم ن إيحاءات حول النزاعات بشكل تجريدي المستقبل حيث ّ والحزن والعنف واأللم والعدوانية ،واألهم حول اإلنسانية .استعمل تمي ز أسلوبه ليبتكر ًّ جديدا يمزج فيه فن ا الخطوط السريعة التي باتت ً ّ ّ ليول د تحت أبصارنا ما بين الصور الواقعية واألداء الحي والموسيقى فني ة آسرة بعفويتها. مباشرة لوحة ّ
ثقافات منصهرة مهرجات آرت مومنتس 2014
َّ لمتنفس لنا أن نجد قواسم كتبت باتريسيا توث“ :في هذا العصر حيث تكثر النزاعات ويسود الظنين وسوء الفهم ،إنّه المرة مهرجان آرت مومنتس 2014 التنوع” .كان القاسم المشترك هذه وقضايا مشتركة تكون فيها الوحدة قيمة من قِ يم ّ ّ قدم مجموعة من الفعاليات الغنية بالترفيه في بودابست عاصمة هنغاريا .وعلى غرار مهرجان العام المنصرم ،كانت الذي ّ الكويت حاضرة هذا العام بتمثيل من منصة الفن المعاصر – كاب وبرعاية من بنك الخليج ومجموعة علي الغانم وأوالده. ّ ّ المنظمون من تقصير المسافة الفاصلة بين الشرق والغرب. تمكن ومرة أخرى، ّ
الموقع دمرته بعض حقبات التاريخ تقع هنغاريا في قلب أوروبا وهي بلد ّ ً مكانا للقاء التنو ع فأضحى ومرت عليه مجموعات إتنية شديدة ّ ّ الثقافات المختلفة بشكل أو بآخر .ولذلك ،كان من الطبيعي إطالق سلسلة الفعاليات لهذا العام تحت عنوان “”The Melting Pot أم ا األعمال ومعناه الحرفي قدر تنصهر فيه ّ المكو نات المختلفةّ . وفن لصق الصور ( )collageوالنحت الفنية فتراوحت بين الرسم ّ وفن الطباعة. والتصميم والرسم الجرافيتي والرسومات الغرافيكية ّ ّ تتخل لها ليال أدبية وشعرية تضم ن البرنامج الزاخر بالمتعة كما ّ ٍ عروض الموسيقى والمسرح والحفالت. وجاء الموقع غير التقليدي للبحيرة االصطناعية داخل منتزه سيتي لي ضفي إلى مهرجان هذه السنة لمسة ال تُ نتسى .فقد ظهرت بارك ُ ّ وكأن ها تكملة المباني ذات العمارة الكالسيكية المحاذية للبحيرة طبيعية للتشييدات الحديثة الرائعة المبنية من الخشب والفوالذ وع رضت األعمال الفنية في المساحات على سطح البحيرة مباشرةُ . المجردة لهذه التشييدات األشبه بجزر صغيرة متناثرة على البيضاء ّ سطح البحيرة. ُ وخ ّص صت “جزيرتان” منها للفن العربي ،واحدة من بينها ُأعطيت تأم لت الفنون بالكامل لمنصة الفن المعاصر الكويتية .وعندما ّ توص لت قدمتها المنصة، اآلسرة والغنية بالمعاني والخيال التي ّ ّ ّ تحدروا من فسواء متشابهون. الفن انين إن إلى تأكيد نظريتي القائلة ّ ّ ّ الغرب أم كانت أصولهم شرقية بحتة ،هم يتكل مون اللغة نفسها، ومعب رة توصل رسائلهم القوية الصادقة التي ال تشي لغة جريئة ّ سوى بالحقيقة .الحقيقة المطلقة.
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Art Life With Chucrallah Fattouh
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How long did it take you to finish this collection? There is no time limit to finishing a piece of art. It takes phases and if I finish it and then one day I see it and I feel like adding more to it, I would. I think this way gives depth to my paintings because I reinvent myself while doing it.
How many hours do you spend in your workshop?
f you don’t know his work by name, you know it by sight: Chucrallah Fattouh’s artwork immediately catches the eye as one walks into Dar Al Funoon. On Monday October 13th, Dar Al Funoon celebrated the prolific artist with a comprehensive exhibition of work, featuring his exceptional pieces. Injy Refaie meets the artist. Tell us a little about your background. I grew up in the coastal town of Monsef in the mountain area in Lebanon. I have done so many exhibitions in my lifetime – over 150 solo collective and personal exhibitions in Lebanon’s noted art galleries and festivals. I graduated from the National Institute of the Lebanese University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in 1983.
What sparked your interest in art? Ever since I was young, I was always in love with the sea; I used to sit by the beach and just enjoy the sound of the waves hitting shore. This inspired me to paint. In addition, my mother admired art and always wanted a son who would be a painter. She inspired me to paint and brought out that side of me. I made my first painting when I was 12 years old. My first paintings that sold were portraits of my mother who motivated me to pursue my dreams. After graduating from the Lebanese University, I began my career as a painter. I have to say people’s encouragement and admiration to my work was a drive to do better and to continue in this path. There is nothing more rewarding and gratifying than seeing people praise your work and appreciate your effort. My family is also my support system because they are involved in the art world as well.
Tell us more about this exhibition. I don’t give names to my work in general. I didn’t give this collection a name because I believe my work speaks for itself. All the pieces are acrylic on canvas and there are different titles for each piece, but the collection is one story – each piece complements the other. My work here in Kuwait is related to Kuwait, meaning that I tailor my work for each country. I like to get in touch with the country’s essence and culture. This collection’s theme is related to the beach and its serenity and the bright sun light. The colors are mainly bright summer colors that are very inviting and eye-catching. This collection is exclusive for Kuwait. I get inspired by Kuwait’s culture and scenery and this is why I created this collection for Kuwait.
Every day is a new day and I work on my paintings on each day to try and see if this new day can add more themes to the existing ones.
Have you faced any challenges in the past to reach this point in your career? No doubt! It is not easy being an artist or pursuing this life. You have to be tough and you have to be aware of the obstacles that will come your way. It can be anything from people’s criticism to your own mood and creativity. You have to avoid making the same mistakes in order to grow.
Who are your role models? My role model would have to be Picasso. He was ahead of his time and he knew how to illustrate realism that only a brilliant painter can convey. I admire him for that!
Can you tell us more about past exhibitions? I had exhibitions in many countries; I started in Lebanon and I branched out to UNESCO in Paris, Cyprus, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Montreal, Cannes, Brazil, Copenhagen, Tunisia, Virginia, Stockholm, and Moscow. I have always loved to travel because I love seeing people and learning new things from them. traveling teaches me how to be more of an artist and this helps me with my painting. During my recent exhibition in London, I was honored by Queen Elizabeth with a medal for my work.
What is art to you? Art keeps on changing. Its definition is no longer what it used to be when I first started pursuing it. There are different forms and different methods such as digital art, for instance. You cannot stop the internet and social media. Art is the feeling inside me that gives me the urge to paint. Art is feelings; you paint the person’s soul and essence not just his physical appearance. This is art for me.
What are your future plans? Whatever the future brings, I am ready for it! I definitely want to do more exhibitions. Don’t forget that it is crucial to have your name live onto generations – that’s what matters. The exhibition ran through Monday October 13th till Thursday October 23rd 2014.
حياة الفن مع شكراهلل فتّ وح
ستتعرف عليه بال شك من خالل أعماله تتعرف على اسمه بالسمع، إذا لم ّ ّ الفنية التي تجذب على الفور انتباه ّ كل َمن وطأت قدماه أرض دار الفنون ّ السجل الحافل التي احتفت يوم االثنين 13أكتوبر بهذا الفنّ ان صاحب تضمن لوحاته الفنية األكثر تميز ًا .لقد كان إلنجي في إطار معرض شامل ّ الرفاعي مقابلة معه ليخبرنا أكثر عن نفسه. تتحدر منها. أخبرنا عن الخلفية التي ّ ً ترعرعت في بلدة ساحلية في محافظة جبل لبنان .لقد ّ عروضا نظ مت ً وتحديدا 150بين معرض جماعي وشخصي في كثيرة خالل حياتي، تخرجت سنة 1983في صاالت ومهرجانات مرموقة في لبنان. ّ المعهد الوطني في كلية الفنون الجميلة التابعة للجامعة اللبنانية.
ما الذي أطلق شرارة اهتمامك بالفن؟ منذ شبابي وأنا مولع بالبحر .كنت أجلس قبالته وأستمتع بهدير يتكس ر على ضفاف الشاطئ .لقد ألهمتني هذه الجلسات الموج ّ الرسم .كما أن والدتي كانت تستسيغ الفن ولطالما أرادت أن يكون رس ً فج رت هذه اما .ألهمتني ألقوم برسم اللوحات ال بل إنها ّ ابنها ّ سن الثانية في .رسمت أولى لوحاتي عندما كنت في الموهبة ّ ّ عشرة ،وكانت اللوحة األولى التي بعتها عبارة عن رسم لوالدتي التي تخرجت في شج عتني على أن أسعى وراء تحقيق أحالمي .بعد أن ّ ّ وعلي القول إن كرس ام. الجامعة اللبنانية ،بدأت مسيرتي المهنية ّ ّ ً ّ ّ ألقدم أفضل ما دافعا لي شك ال بفن ي تشجيع الناس لي وإعجابهم ّ ّ االت جاه .وما من جزاء أفضل من إشادة لدي وأواصل رحلتي في هذا ّ تقدم لي ّ كل الدعم عائلتي أن كما لجهدك. وتقديرهم بعملك الناس ّ ً ّ أيض ا عايشت عالم الفن. ألن ها هي
ه ّلا أخبرتنا المزيد عن هذا المعرض؟ أقدمها عامة .ولم أنا ال أطلق األسماء والعناوين على األعمال التي ّ ً يعب ر عن نفسه. اسما لهذه المجموعة كذلك إذ أعتبر أن عملي أعطي ّ ً ً ّ مختلفا، عنوانا وكل منها تحمل كل لوحاتي مرسومة باألكريليك ّ ّ تكم ل األخرى. فكل لوحة ككل تخبر قصة واحدة، ولكن المجموعة ّ
أجس د جوهر البلد أحب أن يعب ر عن الكويت ،فأنا ّ ّ عملي هنا في الكويت ّ أم ا هذه المجموعة وثقافته ،وبالتالي ّ أكي ف أعمالي بحسب البلدّ . فموضوعها مرتبط بالشاطئ وسكينته ونور الشمس الذي يغمره. ولذلك ،عمدت إلى استخدام ألوان الصيف الزاهية فهي تلفت انتباه ّ ً حصرا ،وهي تمث ل الكويت وتشده إليها .وهذه المجموعة الناظر ّ في ثقافة هذا البلد ومشهده العام. تبعثه الذي اإللهام من نابعة ّ
كم من الوقت تط ّلب إنهاء المجموعة؟ تتم العملية على مراحل. ما من وقت ّ محد د إلنجاز أي عمل فني ،بل ّ ً عمال ما وارتأيت بعد فترة ّأن ه يحتاج إلى لمسة أنجزت بمعنى آخر ،إذا ُ ً ً فنيا عمقا إضافية ،فأنا أضيفها .وأعتقد أن هذا النهج يعطي لوحاتي ألن ني في ّ ّ أعب ر عن نفسي بطريقة مختلفة. مرة ّ كل ّ
كم ساعة تُمضي في محترفك؟ كل يوم هو يوم جديد .وأنا أحرص على أن أعمل ّ ّ كل يوم على اللوحة طي اته مواضيع جديدة ألرى ما إذا كان هذا اليوم الجديد يحمل في ّ أضيفها إلى القائمة.
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معينة وأنت تشق طريقك نحو هذه هل واجهتك مصاعب ّ المرحلة من مسيرتك المهنية؟ بالتأكيد! ليس من السهل احتراف الفن أو اختيار هذا النمط من ً ّ ومدرك ا للصعاب التي قد قوي ا الفن ان أن يكون الحياة .بل على ً تعترض طريقه .وهذه الصعاب قد ّ تت خذ أي شكل ،كنقد الناس لحس ك اإلبداعي .وعلى الفنان أن يتفادى ارتكاب لمزاجية اللوحات أو ّ يتطور. األخطاء نفسها من أجل أن ّ
َمن هو مثالك األعلى؟ ّ أتمث ل بـ “بيكاسو” .لقد سبق عصره بالفعل وأتقن تقديم التيار أكن له اإلعجاب الرس ام الالمع يجيدها .وأنا وحده بطريقة الواقعي ّ ّ الشديد!
ماذا عن معارضك السابقة؟ توس عت ثم ّ كانت لي معارض في الكثير من البلدان .بدأت في لبنان ّ إلى اليونسكو في باريس ،وقبرص ،ودبي ،وأبوظبي ومونتريال وكان والبرازيل وكوبنهاغن وتونس وفيرجينيا وستوكهولم وموسكو. ّ ً وتعل م أمور جديدة حب ي للناس لطالما أحببت السفر انطالق ا من ّ لدي وهذا يساعدني في رسم الفني الحس منهم .يصقل السفر ّ ّ كرمتني صاحبة الجاللة لوحاتي .وخالل معرضي األخير في لندنّ ، الملكة إليزابيث بميدالية عن أعمالي.
ما الفن بالنسبة إليك؟ يتغي ر على الدوام .ولم يعد تعريفه يقتصر على ما كان عندما الفن ّ ّ ً أشكاال وطرق مختلفة لتقديمه، بدأت مسيرتي كفنان .فاليوم ،نجد ً مثال .ال يسعك إيقاف اإلنترنت ووسائل التواصل كالفن الرقمي في الحاجة للرسم، االجتماعي .والفن شعور ينبع من الداخل ويبعث ّ الفن أحاسيس .والفنان يرسم روح الشخص وجوهره وليس فقط الفن من منظاري. مظهره الخارجي .هذا هو ّ
ما هي خططك للمستقبل؟ ّ مستعد الستقباله! ولكن ني ال أدري ماذا سيحمل لي المستقبل، ّ ّ أتطل ع إلى إقامة المزيد من المعارض .واألهم برأيي أن بالطبع ّ كفن ان. تتناقل األجيال اسمي أقيم المعرض من االثنين 13أكتوبر لغاية الخميس 23أكتوبر .2014
Nejoud Al-Yagout This is an Imprint
N
ejoud Al-Yagout is captured in full devotion by her calling – writing poetry. Her personable new collection, This is an imprint, evokes the mind, provokes the feelings and conveys a message. Men’s Passion’s Injy Refaie gets a glimpse in an interview with Nejoud. What is the reason behind the name “This is an Imprint”? When I was a teenager, I read a book called “Native Son” by Richard Wright and I fell in love with the phrase ‘indelible imprint’. Also, I want to leave an imprint behind with poetry, simultaneously.
Why poetry in particular? I have always been passionate about reading and writing poetry. It is very cathartic and therapeutic for me. It is an inner manifestation, I suppose.
What inspired you to write this book? Actually, it wasn’t inspiration as much as pressure from my friends and family! This is because I have been writing for over 20 years and my friends were getting restless and tired because I was not sharing my poems publicly. So, my resolution this year was to finally publish the book.
How did you compile the book? The book consists of 116 poems, which are divided into two sets. The first poem in each set is written on a frequency of angst, confusion or identity crisis, and the poem that immediately follows it is written from a higher level of awareness or consciousness. This is the case for all 58 sets in the book. Also, a grand love of mine, who resides in my heart, passed away this year and I wanted to immortalize him through some of the poems. So I snuck him in somehow while I was compiling the collection of poems. I am elated that he is imprinted in my book.
What themes are the poems revolving around? The main theme is grief and the alleviation of it, for that matter. One more theme is how love can either break us or make us. Yet another important theme is the dichotomy between darkness and light, and the lower and higher self. Let me quit before I start ‘creating’ new themes she laughs.
Why did you choose these themes in particular? We are suckers for love, aren’t we? Also, I am very interested in spirituality, so a lot of the themes reflect that interest. The metamorphosis we go through and the possibility of transcending pain is intriguing. Many spiritual teachers have discussed this freedom and it is exhilarating to experiment with their definitions of truth.
What message are you trying to convey through these poems? Instead of seeing suffering as a part of life, we can switch our perspective and view it as a part of spiritual progress. How can we evolve without being in an actual state that we wish to escape from, essentially?
Who are your role models? My role models are kind, fearless souls who have transcended the illusion of life. My role models are souls whose priority is love.
Which is your favorite poem of all time? This is a very difficult question as there are a lot of poems which I consider favorites.One poem – on the top of my head – is “The Moon Versus Us Ever Sleeping Together Again” by Richard Brautigan. It is simply written, but very profound in terms of its underlying message.Maybe next month, I will have another favorite but I have loved this poem for years now. It is always the first one that pops into my mind. Towards the end of our meeting, I asked her if her life was a poem, what the title would be called.“Would I be cheating if I said ‘Life’?”, she replied, with a genuine smile of utter satisfaction, straight from the heart. This is an imprint is available at dar.nur. Or, you can order a copy from thisisanimprint@gmail.com.
نجود الياقوت “هذه بصمة” نجود الياقوت أسيرة شغفها الخالص بكتابة الشعر .وإن ديوانها الجديد بعنوان “هذه بصمة” يوقظ عقل القارئ و ُيحاكي مشاعره ويوصل له أسمى الرسائل والمعاني .في لقاء جمع بين إنجي الرفاعي من مجلة MEN’S PASSIONوشاعرتنا تعرفنا أكثر على ما تحمله ثنايا هذا الديوان من كالم وأبعاد. نجود، ّ سي ان بالنسبة إلى جميع المجموعات حالة من الوعي واإلدراك ،واألمر ّ الثمانية والخمسين التي ّ حب ا له أكن ا شخص أن كما الديوان. منها يتأل ف ّ ً ً كبيرا توفي هذه السنة ،وهو ال يزال يسكن في قلبي وأردت تخليد ذكراه ً من خالل بعض القصائد .لذلك ،وعند تأليفي مجموعة القصائد هذه، أدخلته بشكل من األشكال فيها .وأشعر ببهجة كبيرة ألنه ترك بصمته على ديواني.
ما هي المواضيع التي تدور حولها القصائد؟ عب رت ً أيض ا عن الموضوع األساسي هو الحزن وكيفية التخفيف منه ،كما ّ يقوي نا .ومن المواضيع األخرى المهمة يحطم نا أو ازدواجية الحب فهو ّإم ا ّ ّ ً أيض ا االنقسام بين الظالم والضوء ،واألنا واألنا العليا .سأكتفي عند هذا الحد قبل أن أبدأ باختالق مواضيع غير موجودة. ّ
لماذا اخترت هذه المواضيع بالذات؟ شخصي ا تستهويني الروحانية جميعنا نسعى وراء الحب ،أليس كذلك؟ وأنا ً ّ التغل ب على األلم، سي ما قدرتها على تغييرنا من الداخل وتمكيننا من وال ّ ّ معل مين روحانيين وهذا االهتمام انعكس في الديوان .وقد ناقش عدة التحرر ،فوجدت متعة في مقاربة تعريفاتهم المختلفة هذه القدرة على ّ لحقيقة الروحانية.
ما هي الرسالة التي تحاولين إيصالها من خالل هذه القصائد؟
ما السبب وراء اختيارك “هذه بصمة” عنوانًا لديوانك؟
من هم قدوتك؟
كتاب ا بعنوان “االبن األصلي” لريتشارد رايت، في سنوات المراهقة ،طالعت ً ّ تُ وتيم ًن ا حى”. م ال “بصمة بالعربية ومعناها في عبارة استخدمها ّ ّ وأث رت ّ ّ بهذه العبارة أريد من خالل الشعر أن أخل ف بصمتي الخاصة.
قدوتي هي النفوس الطيبة التي ال تعرف الخوف ،والتي تجاوزت ما في الحياة من أوهام .هي النفوس التي ترى في الحب أولوية.
لماذا اخترت الشعر بالذات؟
ّ المفضلة على اإلطالق؟ ما هي قصيدتك
ّ ينق ي الروح ويعالج لطالما كنت شغوفة بقراءة الشعر وكتابته ،فهو عم ا يختلج قلوبنا. النفس .وأعتقد أنه تعبير ّ
نظرا إلى وجود قصائد كثيرة أعتبرها المفضلة هذا سؤال صعب للغاية، ً لدي .ومن بينها قصيدة تخطر لي اآلن هي ّ “ ”The Moon Versus Us Ever Sleeping Together Againللشاعر ريتشارد بروتيغان .إن طريقة كتابتها بسيطة ،غير أنها عميقة للغاية من حيث لدي الشهر المقبل قصيدة الرسالة التي تحملها في طياتها .قد يكون ّ ّ مفض لة ،غير أنني أحببت هذه القصيدة طوال سنوات ،وهي األولى أخرى دوم ا. بالي على تخطر التي ً
ما كان مصدر إلهامك لكتابة هذا الديوان؟ في الواقع ،لم تكن المسألة مسألة إلهام ،بل باألحرى مسألة ضغط من جانب أصدقائي وأسرتي ،وذلك ألنني بدأت بكتابة الشعر منذ أكثر من جراء عدم نشري ً 20 عام ا ،وكان أصدقائي ُي صابون باإلحباط واليأس من ّ أخيرا. لقصائدي .لذلك قررت هذا العام نشر ديواني ً
كيف جمعت هذا الديوان؟ يتألف الديوان من 116قصيدة ّ ّ يشك الن مجموعة ،بحيث كل اثنين منها يعب ر عن قلق أو حيرة أو إيقاع ا تحمل القصيدة األولى في كل مجموعة ً ّ تعب ر عن مباشرة تليها التي القصيدة تخب ط لفهم الذات ،في حين أن ّ ّ
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ً جزءا من الحياة ،يمكننا تبديل نظرتنا واعتبارها عوض ا عن اعتبار المعاناة ً ّ فعلي ا أي حالة نختبر لم إذا نتطور أن لنا ى فأن نشهده. روحي تطور من جزءا ً ً نتمنى في األساس الهروب منها؟
وفي نهاية المقابلة ،سألتها عن العنوان الذي قد تختاره لحياتها لو كانت أسميها “حياة” وحسب ،أم هذا ّ غش”؟ قالتها قصيدة فأجابت“ :هل يمكن أن ّ تنم عن القلب من مباشرة نابعة صادقة ابتسامة وقد انفرجت أساريرها عن ّ التامة بهذا الخيار. قناعتها ّ ديوان الشعر “هذه بصمة” متوفر لدى دار نور ،كما يمكنكم طلب نسخة عنه عبر شبكة االنترنت على الموقع االلكتروني التاليthisisanimprint@gmail.com :
Hannan Hamdan
The Head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kuwait
P
eople working in the humanitarian field are left with life-changing experiences. The Head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kuwait, Dr. Hanan Hamdan, spares no effort to consolidate humanitarian work as part of her active role. Kuwait, its government and people, have supported her role and responsibilities in this respect. MEN’S PASSION Magazine met her for the following interview. From your perspective as the Head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office, how can you evaluate the role of the State of Kuwait? Across all agencies of the State of Kuwait; His Highness the Amir, the government, the civil society and the NGO’s have all had pioneering contributions in charity and humanitarian work. The stamina these people show to support all those deprived is not a novelty to the country. Kuwait has earned the merit of taking the lead of humanitarian field adeptly in the quick response in the times of crisis. This country is a role model for states from across the globe in the humanitarian field. We all bear in mind the honorary title of “Humanitarian Leader” by the UN Secretary General to His Highness, Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, May Allah Preserve, as a token of gratitude offered from the international community to recognize the long and brilliant history of his Highness’ contribution to the field of humanitarian work. His prudent leadership and role have surely made Kuwait a global humanitarian niche. The State of Kuwait is a strong supporter of humanitarian causes both regionally and internationally without any slight distinction in terms of gender, race or religion when delivering humanitarian aid. Kuwait has recently hosted a number of international conventions as a reflection of this leading role including the donors’ conventions for Syria in 2013 and 2014 to relieve the Syrians in their ongoing debacle since nearly four years, to name one example. The Kuwait donations to the Syrian people have mitigated the suffering of millions of wandering displaced refugees at their greatest time of need. These conventions have proven to be central to mobilize international support for this fierce humanitarian tragedy. The State of Kuwait continues to host periodical meetings of big donor countries to deliberate the fulfillment of their obligations. Kuwait has not only been hospitable by the state contributions, but also among the public. The Kuwaiti people have earnestly donated mass contributions that have enabled the NGO’s and
charities to raise funds for the various humane causes to support the needy, the orphans, the patients and the underprivileged. UNCHR has concluded crucial partnerships with a large number of Kuwait Governmental and non-governmental organizations holding close ties of collaboration and cooperation to meet the needs of millions of displaced families and refugees under UNHCR mandate. Examples of our partnerships with organizations include the International Islamic Charity Organization, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Zakat House, the Kuwait Association for the Ideal Family and many others. It is imperative to commend the essential role of the Kuwait media revealing these humanitarian catastrophes and the importance of the humanitarian role of Kuwait. UNCHR functions intermittently with the Ministry Of Information to shift this role into focus via a media strategy developed through the alliance of UNCHR with the relevant government entities in the State of Kuwait. We would also like to note the essential role of youth contributions to the humanitarian field within the framework of the youth groups that have started to diffuse lately. They have extended their support beyond the borders of Kuwait reaching to the refugee camps in various locations in the region, including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
What was your motive to join UNCHR, and how did it happen? Since my early age, I had an interest in humanitarian issues. As I lived in a turbulent country that witnessed numerous dilemmas and several instances of internal displacement, it was all engraved in my inner-self and added up to my interest in humanitarian issues and human rights. I engaged in various humanitarian and human rights activities extremely relevant to my current field of work. However, joining UNCHR was unplanned. I worked with UNCHR intermittently following my completion of my studies in London in projects that targeted women and children falling under UNCHR mandate. You can say that was my groundbreaking for a relationship with UNCHR and my interest in the field of refugees.
Why Political Science as a field of study? I was an avid follower of the political conditions in Lebanon and the Arab region, and that was the drive for studying Political Science. I have decided to perform an in-depth study of Political Science to attempt to understand the prevalent developments and strategies. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the American University of Beirut, and then I relocated to the UK to pursue my Masters Studies in the field of International Conflict Resolution.
Afterwards, I worked temporarily with UNCHR in Lebanon on the previously mentioned projects. I later decided to return to the UK to complete my Higher Studies and obtain my PHD in International Relations, particularly on the topic of international organizations and the reaction of the International community to the multitude of events of displacement that jeopardize international peace and security. When I was continuing my studies, I also worked with UNCHR in some locations that have influenced me gravely, such as the Western Sahara Region that was a truly rich human experience.
To which extent do you feel a sense of liability and accountability when tackling ruthless humane cases? All UNHCR functionaries share a joint responsibility to protect and seek durable solutions for refugees and persons of concern including the weakest and most oppressed social segments such as children, women and the elderly.As the head of the UNHCR in the State of Kuwait I sense a heightened responsibility to insure that the integrity of refugees and persons of concern are preserved. Although this remains a challenge, the extensive cooperation of all state entities in Kuwait of various disciplines with UNCHR makes our lives easier and facilitates our work. On another note, our work is not limited to the State of Kuwait as we play a pivotal role in making prominent the various significant humanitarian adversities across the region and worldwide. We personally feel liable to feature these calamities and place them under the spotlight. Again, being in Kuwait is a great advantage as it is their custom to embrace the destitute with a rich record in this field.
How do you maintain a balance between your extremely demanding work and your personal family life? I try to do my best in maintaining equilibrium between my job and my role as a wife and mother. I am also grateful for the constant support and understanding from my family and husband, which was one of the most important factors contributing to my success and occupying this post. The nature of my job is pretty challenging. I need to be on the run living out of the suitcase, moving, and travelling from one dangerous place to another life threatening location. For me, being in Kuwait in the past four yours has strengthened the sense of stability for my family as we feel we are in our second country and among our own people.
Does your personal life interfere with your domain of work? My husband and family are my greatest supporters personally and professionally. On the work front, I try to accommodate both my work and personal life and fit them together by spending vacations with my husband, daughter and families in Lebanon and Jordan. We are trying during this period of our lives to be present in the Arab region, which is closest to me and my family in terms of culture and the presence of family and
friends especially that the most pressing emergencies facing UNCHR these days are in the Middle East Region.
What are your latest prominent projects in UNCHR in Kuwait? UNCHR office in Kuwait is collaborating with Kuwait Authorities to protect individuals under the mandate of UNCHR and to find sustainable solutions for them. More importantly in Kuwait, UNHCR provides the most vulnerable cases with a resettlement solution. Resettlement, one of UNHCR three durable solutions helps refugees resettle in a third country. UNHCR office in Kuwait enlists more than 200 refugees each year in the resettlement program. Countries in the resettlement program include the US and Canada. We also work in partnership with relevant Kuwaiti authorities to facilitate the responsibilities as concerning legal protection as well as arrange for international support to assist the urgent humanitarian cases. We also organize workshops in capability building; we seek to maximize the ongoing cooperation with public and private entities in Kuwait; and we aim to optimize the role of women in the society of Kuwait. We also try to raise awareness on the issues pertaining to individuals under the mandate of UNCHR through media and expositions in malls, schools and universities in addition to an array of other activities. UNCHR collaborates with other international and local organizations in Kuwait as well as the relevant government entities to shift focus to worldwide critical humanitarian crises as part of a robust strategic partnership with Kuwait government. In this respect, we would like to express our thanks to the state of Kuwait for the efforts of international support mobilization and donation for the victims of such crises such as refugees and the internally displaced. We, at UNCHR, have recently conducted numerous joint visits to countries hosting refugees with key Kuwaiti officials and members of Kuwait media to expose the agony of millions of individuals and the needs of the gravely burdened host countries. UNCHR has endorsed a media strategy to promote the leading humanitarian role of the state of Kuwait by the documentation of Kuwaiti contributions through field visits, periodic reports, documentaries and broadcast content. These materials and reports are published regionally and internationally in acknowledgment and appreciation of the important and effective role of Kuwait. Finally, I find myself compelled to express deep gratitude to His Highness, Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah – May Allah preserve and safeguard him and his wise leadership. I also thank His Highness, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, May Allah preserve him, and all government and non-government Kuwait entities for their constant and diligent support to UNCHR and worldwide humanitarian efforts to soothe the pains and hardships of millions of humans.
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كيف يمكن التنسيق ما بين حياتك العائلية خاصة كونك أم لطفلة وما بين عملك الذي يتطلب مجهود كبير؟ أحاول قدر اإلمكان أن أوازن بين عملي ودوري كزوجة وأم .كما أن الدعم والتفهم الدائم من عائلتي وزوجي هو أحد أهم أسباب نجاحي ووصولي إلى منصبي .وتبقى طبيعة عملي ليست باألمر الهين ،حيث أنها تتطلب كثير من التنقل والسفر والتواجد في أماكن تحدوها الخطورة ،إال أن وجودي هذه السنوات األربع في دولة الكويت ساهم بشكل كبير في زيادة استقرار عائلتي ،فنحن نشعر أننا في بلدنا الثاني وبين أهلنا.
هل يمكن أن تؤثر حياتك الشخصية في مجال عملك؟ زوجي وعائلتي من أكبر الداعمين لي على المستوى الشخصي والعملي. وعلى الجهة األخرى أحاول التوفيق بين عملي وحياتي الخاصة ،عن طريق قضاء اإلجازات مع زوجي وابنتي وعائالتنا في لبنان واألردن .كما نسعى خالل هذه الفترة إلى التواجد في المنطقة العربية والتي هي األقرب إلي وإلى عائلتي من حيث الثقافة وتواجد األهل واألصدقاء ،خاصة أن َ أبرز حاالت الطوارئ التي تعمل تواجهها المفوضية هذه األيام تقع في منطقة الشرق األوسط.
ما هي أبرز مشاريع المفوضية العليا لشؤون الالجئين في الكويت؟ يقوم مكتب المفوضية في دولة الكويت بالتعاون مع السلطات الكويتية بتأمين الحماية لألشخاص الواقعين تحت والية المفوضية وإيجاد حلول دائمة لهم ،ومن أبرز هذه الحلول برنامج إعادة التوطين وهو من الحلول الدائمة لدى المفوضية للحاالت الطارئة .حيث يقوم مكتب ً سنويا في برنامج المفوضية في دولة الكويت بإدراج أكثر من 200الجئ إعادة التوطين للدول المشاركة في البرنامج ومنها الواليات المتحدة االمريكية وكندا وغيرها من الدول األخرى .وتقوم المفوضية في دولة الكويت بالتعاون مع السلطات الكويتية المختصة لتسهيل مهامها في مجال الحماية القانونية ،وحشد الدعم الدولي لمساعدة الحاالت اإلنسانية الطارئة.
كما يقوم مكتب المفوضية في دولة الكويت بتنظيم ورشات عمل تساهم في بناء القدرات ،ودعم التعاون المستمر بين المفوضية والهيئات الحكومية والخاصة في الكويت ،وتعزيز دور المرأة في المجتمع الكويتي. كما يعمل المكتب على نشر الوعي حول القضايا المتعلقة باألشخاص الواقعين تحت والية المفوضية عن طريق وسائل اإلعالم والمعارض في المجمعات والمدارس والجامعات ،وغيرها من النشاطات األخرى. كما تقوم المفوضية بالتعاون مع المنظمات الدولية األخرى والمنظمات المحلية داخل دولة الكويت والجهات الحكومية المختصة بتسليط الضوء على األزمات اإلنسانية الطارئة في جميع أنحاء العالم ،فإن للمفوضية شراكة استراتيجية هامة مع حكومة دولة الكويت في هذا المجال .كما تقوم دولة الكويت مشكورة بحشد الدعم الدولي والتبرع لضحايا هذه األزمات، ً داخليا .وقد قامت المفوضية مؤخر ًا بالعديد وخاصة من الالجئين والنازحين من الزيارات المشتركة إلى الدول المستضيفة لالجئين بصحبة عدد كبير من المسئولين الكويتيين رفيعي المستوى واإلعالم الكويتي ،وكان لهذه الزيارات أبلغ األثر في تسليط الضوء على معاناة الماليين ،وعلى احتياجات الدول المستضيفة التي تتحمل أعباء جسام. كما ترى المفوضية أن من واجبها تسليط الضوء على الدور اإلنساني الريادي وبناء عليه تطبق المفوضية استراتيجية إعالمية هادفة لدولة الكويت، ً لتسليط الضوء على الدور الكويتي .ومن أهم سمات هذه االستراتيجية توثيق المساهمات الكويتية عن طريق الزيارات الميدانية ،والتقارير الدورية، واألفالم الوثائقية والبرامج اإلعالمية ،كما نقوم بنشر هذه المواد والتقارير ً ً وتقديرا بالدور الكويتي الهام اعترافا على المستوى اإلقليمي والدولي والفعال. وفي الختام ،أتوجه بالشكر لحضرة صاحب السمو أمير دولة الكويت الشيخ صباح األحمد الجابر الصباح – حفظه الله ورعاه وقيادته الحكيمة وسمو ولي العهد الشيح نواف األحمد الجابر الصباح – حفظه الله ،ولجميع الجهات الكويتية الحكومية وغير الحكومية على دعمها الدائم للمفوضية والعمل اإلنساني على مستوى العالم ،مما يخفف األعباء والصعاب عن كاهل الماليين.
الدكتورة حنان حمدان مدير المفوضية العليا لشؤون الالجئين
العمل في المجال اإلنساني يضيف بصمة وطابع خاص في حياة األفراد ،الدكتورة حنان حمدان مدير المفوضية العليا لشؤون الالجئين تسعى جاهدة لترسيخ العمل اإلنساني من خالل موقع عملها وما يعزز دورها وعملها أن لدولة الكويت حكومة وشعب ًا دور ًا كبير ًا في هذا المجال .التقها مجلة ،MEN’S PASSIONوكان الحوار التالي.
بصفتك مدير المفوضية العليا لشؤون الالجئين ،كيف تصفين دور الكويت في المجال االنساني؟ ً ً وشعبا ومؤسسات المجتمع المدني؛ لهم وحكومة إن دولة الكويت ،أمير ًا ً دائما في العمل الخيري والمجال اإلنساني .إن َه َّب ة دولة الكويت الس ْب ق َ لمد يد العون لكل محتاج ومن ليست بالجديدة ،فاالستجابة السريعة لألزمات وضعت دولة الكويت ،وبجدارة ،في صدارة المجال اإلنساني، ً ً عالميا يحتذى به من الجميع ،وما إطالق إنسانيا وأهلتها لتكون مركز ًا األمين العام لألمم المتحدة للقب “أمير اإلنسانية” على حضرة صاحب السمو أمير دولة الكويت الشيخ صباح األحمد الجابر الصباح حفظه الله ً اعترافا من المجتمع الدولي بالتاريخ الطويل في مجال العمل ورعاه ،إال اإلنساني لحضرة صاحب السمو ،ودوره وقيادته الحكيمة في جعل دولة ً ً عالميا .إن دولة الكويت من أهم الدول الداعمة إنسانيا الكويت مركز ًا للقضايا اإلنسانية على المستويين اإلقليمي والدولي ،ولم تفرق في ً جليا الدور مساعداتها اإلنسانية بين جنس أو لون أو دين .وقد ظهر ً مؤخرا مع المؤتمرات الدولية التي عقدت على الريادي لدولة الكويت أرضها ،ومنها مؤتمري المانحين من أجل سوريا خالل عامي 2013و2014 إلغاثة الشعب السوري في أزمته الممتدة منذ ما يقرب من أربع سنوات من أبرز األمثلة على ذلك .فقد شكلت المساهمات الكويتية للشعب السوري طوق نجاة ساهم في رفع األعباء عن كاهل ماليين من النازحين والالجئين ومن هم في أمس الحاجة للمساعدة .وأهمية هذه المؤتمرات أن دولة الكويت استطاعت حشد الدعم الدولي لهذه األزمة اإلنسانية الطاحنة .ومازالت دولة الكويت تستضيف بشكل دوري اجتماعات لكبار الدول المانحة للنظر في وفاء الدول بتعهداتها .كما أن الكرم الكويتي ً أيضا وبشكل صادق لم يكن فقط على المستوى الرسمي بل ظهر وكبير على المستوى الشعبي ،فالعطاء السخي للشعب الكويتي َم َك ن مؤسسات المجتمع المدني والمؤسسات الخيرية من جمع التبرعات للقضايا اإلنسانية المختلفة ،وبمساعدة تلك التبرعات استطاعوا مؤازرة المحتاج واليتيم والمريض وكل ذي حاجة .كما أن للمفوضية شراكات هامة مع عدد كبير من المؤسسات الكويتية الحكومية وغير الحكومية، والتي تربطها بها عالقة وثيقة من التعاون من أجل الوفاء باحتياجات الماليين من النازحين والالجئين ومن يقعوا تحت والية المفوضية .ومن أمثلة هذه الشراكات ،شراكتنا مع الهيئة الخيرية اإلسالمية العالمية، وجمعية الهالل األحمر الكويتي ،وبيت الزكاة ،والجمعية الكويتية لألسرة المثالية وغيرهم الكثير. وال يسعنا إال اإلشادة بالدور الكبير الذي تلعبه وسائل اإلعالم الكويتية بتسليط الضوء على األزمات اإلنسانية وأهمية دور دولة الكويت اإلنساني. كما تعمل المفوضية بشكل وثيق مع وزارة اإلعالم في دولة الكويت على إبراز هذا الدور ،من خالل استراتيجية إعالمية وضعتها المفوضية بالتعاون مع الجهات الحكومية المختصة في دولة الكويت. كما نود اإلشارة إلى أهمية دور الشباب في المساهمات اإلنسانية ،من خالل المجموعات الشبابية التي بدأت في االنتشار مؤخر ًا ،والتي نقلت دعمها ومساهماتها إلى خارج حدود الكويت ،حتى وصلت إلى مخيمات الالجئين في أماكن مختلفة ،مثل األردن ولبنان وتركيا.
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لماذا وكيف قررت االنضمام الى المفوضية العليا لشؤون الالجئين؟ لقد اهتممت بالقضايا اإلنسانية منذ صغري ،ووجودي في بلد ومنطقة شهدت الكثير من األزمات والنزوح الداخلي ،كان له أثر كبير في زيادة اهتمامي بالقضايا اإلنسانية ،وكذلك قضايا حقوق اإلنسان .فقد كانت لي عالقة بالكثير من النشاطات ذات الطابع اإلنساني والحقوقي .وإن كانت هذه االهتمامات ذات عالقة كبيرة بمجال عملي الحالي ،إال أن انضمامي بمفوضية شؤون الالجئين جاء عن طريق الصدفة .فقد عملت فترات متقطعة مع المفوضية في لبنان بعد عودتي من دراستي في لندن ،من خالل مشاريع متعلقة باألطفال والنساء ممن هم تحت والية المفوضية، ومن هنا كانت بداية عالقتي بالمفوضية ،واهتمامي بمجال الالجئين.
لماذا اخترت دراسة العلوم السياسية؟ إن رغبتي في دراسة العلوم السياسية نبعت من مشاهداتي لألوضاع السياسية ،ليس فقط في لبنان ،وإنما على مستوى المنطقة العربية. قررت دراسة العلوم السياسية بتعمق في محاولة لفهم األحداث واالستراتيجيات المتبعة .فلقد حصلت على بكالوريوس العلوم السياسية من الجامعة األمريكية في بيروت ،ثم انتقلت بعدها إلى بريطانيا لدراسة الماجستير في مجال حل الصراعات الدولية ،ثم عدت إلى لبنان بعدها وبدأت العمل بشكل مؤقت في المفوضية في المشاريع التي ذكرناها من قبل .ثم قررت العودة مرة أخرى إلى بريطانيا الستكمال دراستي العليا والحصول على درجة الدكتوراة في مجال العالقات الدولية ً وتحديدا فيما يتعلق بالمنظمات الدولية ورد المجتمع الدولي على حاالت النزوح الكبيرة التي تشكل خطر ًا على األمن والسالم الدوليين.
وكنت قد بدأت في تلك الفترة بالعمل بشكل متقطع بالمقر الرئيسي للمفوضية في جنيف ،وكان مقر سكني في تلك الفترة في جنيف .كما ً أيضا في بعض األماكن التي عملت خالل فترة دراستي مع المفوضية تركت بصمة في نفسي مثل منطقة الصحراء الغربية والتي كانت تجربة غنية على المستوى اإلنساني.
إلى أي مدى تشعرين بتحمل المسؤولية عند التعامل مع حاالت إنسانية صعبة؟ إن حماية الالجئين والبحث عن حل دائم لهم في بلد ثالث والعمل على ً استضعافا كاألطفال والنساء وكبار السن مسؤولية حماية الفئات األكثر جميع العاملين في المفوضية .كما اشعر أن مسؤوليتي مضاعفة بسبب إدارتي لمكتب المفوضية السامية لألمم المتحدة لشؤون الالجئين في دولة الكويت .كما أن التعاون الكبير الذي تلمسه المفوضية من جميع مؤسسات دولة الكويت المختلفة يسهل عملنا بشكل كبير .وباإلضافة إلى عملنا في دولة الكويت ،فإننا نقوم بدور أساسي في تسليط الضوء على األزمات اإلنسانية الحادة في المنطقة وعلى مستوى العالم ،كما نشعر بمسؤوليتنا الشخصية في ضرورة تسليط الضوء على هذه األزمات ً بلد تعود على اإلنسانية .وما يساعدنا في هذا المجال أيضا ،وجودنا في ٍ مد يد العون لكل محتاج ،وله تاريخ كبير في مجال العمل اإلنساني.
Peter Castella
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Chief Operating Officer of Alyasra Fashion
he retail world is a fast-moving business. Today you’re hot, tomorrow you’re not. It takes perception, vision and foresight to manage a business of any size in this field - and with the seemingly unstoppable growth of online shopping only the strong will survive. Step forward Peter Castella, COO of Alyasra Fashion. His year’s of experience have honed his retail and management skills and he’s busy positioning Alyasra Fashion at the top of the retail-tree in Kuwait - and ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. We met him to find out more.
What is the key to being a successful retailer in Kuwait?
Who was Mr. Castella before becoming COO of Alyasra Fashion?
Integrity, trust and personal involvement combined with a culture of putting people first. This means investing in people and doing the best we can to retain. This is key for any brand looking towards the region; when a partnership forms, it becomes an equal and collaborative journey for both parties involved.
More or less the same person - I have always been passionate about retail and I care about people and building relationships. I am passionate in the sense that I want all to strive for the best possible services for our customers, and I enjoy “building and growing” retail in a sustainable manner. I am very happy about being in the region, because it gives me the opportunity to work with different people in a multicultural environment which I learn from every day. I have lived in Hong Kong for five years and worked in regional/global roles, both of which have helped me in developing a better understanding of people and cultures across the globe – I enjoy exploring the differences and similarities present.
Where is Kuwait in the current retail cycle? Are we still growing, and should we be adding more retail space? According to studies completed on the basis of international Gross Leasing Area (GLA) and GDP per capita, Kuwait is listed as second on a global ranking list in 2012, just after Brazil, stating that even more GLA would be sustainable and that the potential is still big. Kuwait holds a unique position in the GCC as one to look at when it comes to fashion. Many years back, Kuwait was one of the first movers in terms of bringing foreign brands into the region. Today, a characteristic of Kuwaiti’s is that they are quite quick in detecting up and coming trends. The scene and interest in fashion is part of the culture today. We are still growing, and there is certainly room for more professional and international retail space in Kuwait. However, unlike Dubai, Kuwait is not a destination for international tourism- when you predict total retail sales in segments, the equation is different in that sense.
Many different factors are key to becoming a successful retailer in Kuwait. First and foremost, you must understand your customer. Secondly, be a retailer that respects your current customers by keeping integrity first, staying loyal, and consistently doing your best to deliver personalized service. Finally, always aim to aspire, inspire, and innovate.
What do you feel Alyasra Fashion offers international brands ahead of other potential partners?
What’s your DNA? How is Alyasra Fashion different than other companies? Alyasra Fashion is similar to others in that it is a diversified group. However, what makes us different is in our DNA; it is in the involvement of the owners and the fact that we are people oriented. We try to empower people and let managers make managerial decisions. We like to maintain the family feeling, and as we grow and expand outside of Kuwait, we try to incorporate our values and investment in people.
Have you felt the impact of online, crossborder, shopping? What must the retailer do in order to win this battle? Yes, we have felt the presence of online shopping in some product groups. That being said, we must embrace the open market and the benefits this gives the consumer. If we are NOT capable of delivering better and more personalized services, pre and post sales in our brick and mortar stores, then we should start concerning ourselves with the matter. However, the individualized advice from a well-trained member of our team does make a difference, and we are delighted that we have many loyal customers. We provide alterations, we deliver products to private homes, and we provide quality guarantees on products, to name just a few of our services. At the moment, we are building a new loyalty program which will be across all of our brands and across
the eight markets in which we operate. We are looking to provide extended services and benefits as part of the Alyasra Fashion loyalty scheme, which will build on the quality services we currently provide. Of course a customer will be comparing prices online, and we as retailers will monitor the retail prices in order to ensure we do not disappoint our customers. By performing in this manner, we enable Alyasra Fashion to not necessarily win the battle of online shopping, but to embrace it’s consequences.
What p rivi leges do you of fe r to you r regula r custome rs? As mentioned previously, we are excited to be launching our new loyalty program soon. We currently have a point system in place, which provides a cash value that can then be redeemed on our products. I am personally looking forward to launching a fully-fledged loyalty program for the benefit of our loyal customers, designed from start to finish with their experience in mind.
Which brand was the most challenging to land? And why? I am not the right person to ask in this regard, as we did no signings this year thus far. I can, however, say that I have been meeting with potential brands from different countries, and we are confident we will successfully conclude. Currently, the interest in the region is at a peak from brands all over the world. Fortunately, our reputation as a company precedes us, which helps tremendously when meeting with potential partners.
What brands do you plan to acquire in the future? It would be wrong of me to announce specifics until we are committed to a partnership. What I can disclose is that we are looking for geographically relevant brands within the segments we are already present in.
What do you have in store for the future? We have several interesting things in the pipe line which our customers will appreciate. One thing is for certain- we will continue to work with our teams to ensure they grow without compromising on service. Internally, we also have opportunities to be more efficient – all of which will add to a better service experience for the customer. We are revamping our corporate online and offline presence, and as mentioned we are looking forward to introducing more benefits to our loyal customers- a very exciting future for all of us involved!
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THE LUXE WATCHES
Impeccable Timing
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With Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
here is good taste and then, in a stratosphere all of its own, there is IWC Schaffhausen taste. Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, proves this abundantly so in a oneon-one interview with Injy Refaie for MEN’S PASSION, as he talks brand identity, new collections, and future plans. What is your definition of fine watchmaking? It’s a combination of technology, handmade crafts, and emotion. It’s very inspirational and emotional when you see what can be done in such a small space. It always surprises me how men with a lot of money wear cheap watches. I think a watch is one of the few luxury items a man can wear; it’s a cultural element that each man should own – it gives a statement to one’s character.
IWC has achieved major success; what were the challenges that you faced throughout your career to reach this point? The luxury industry isn’t just about the function; you have to create a dream. You have to create an attraction for the brand. If there were rules, everybody would have the recipe and would be successful. You have to be able to know what is nice and what fits the brand. It’s like cooking; a good chef cooks with his emotion because he just feels it. That’s basically what you’re doing in the watch industry.
Tell us more about the latest collections of IWC. We’re launching now the Portofino Midsize collection both for men and women. However, it’s targeted to a female audience, and it’s the first timewe have such a product in our collection. We have a great campaign with Peter Lindbergh photographing stars that represent the brand including Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Waltz, and Zhou Xun. We had the launch in Dubai with Adriana Lima, so it’s quite amazing. 60% of the watch market is female, so I think it’s a huge market. The interesting thing is that IWC is a men’s brand, yet women customers often like to wear a man’s watch.
How did this year’s Aquatimer collection get revamped? This is what we launched at the beginning of the year in Geneva. It’s a typical men’s sports watch, and one which
has been doing very well. It’s a niche product because it’s for diving and not everybody would choose to wear it. It’s more of an outdoor watch, so it’s very much for everyday use.
Which collection has been the most successful in the market? The most successful lines for IWC are the Portuguese, the Portofino, and the Pilot lines; they are the strongest in the market.
What makes IWC successful in a market like Kuwait? Today we shouldn’t think about countries in that sense; we should think about social categories. The Kuwaiti client is the same as a Parisian client. People have the same information and you don’t have those borders anymore; people are traveling and they see what is going on all over the world – what is in and what isn’t. Kuwait is a part of that and that’s why we wanted to have a boutique that offers the same collection that you would find in New York or Hong Kong, or in any other place. Hence, it’s not segmentation by countries.
THE LUXE WATCHES
How would you describe IWC’s relationship with the Behbehani Group? We’ve been working together for 15 years now and they are a very charming family. We’re business partners and friends, and this is why we’ve been doing so well. A brand is a living organism not a stand-still situation. We have to constantly evolve and they understand that. They’re not conservative, which means they accept change and we appreciate this.
Tell us more about the marketing strategy of IWC for 2015. We won’t be changing strategies; we will remain what we are because we have great roots and history. We have our re-launches and this is the strategy of IWC. We have existing products and styles, but we constantly have to adapt it to cultural change.
Do you see new target markets growing for IWC? With the Portofino Midsize, obviously women are a new target. 25% of female customers buy male products; they love big watches.
What makes IWC stand out in the watch industry? We have our style. The biggest challenge for a CEO is to understand what is beautiful and what fits the brand. Sometimes, there are beautiful things that don’t match the concept of the brand. You need to have the gut feeling to set trends. I don’t think that Karl Lagerfeld or Tom Ford have ever done any market research; I think they just do what they feel is right! They are trendsetters and we are trying to do the same thing – at a very modest level!
The IWC watch has always been targeted to the connoisseur; what is your take on that? It’s absolutely true! We’re not a mainstream brand; I always say that we are the biggest niche brand in the market. I think it’s always about the taste and we have our own identity and authenticity. On parting, I ask him what time means to him personally. “It’s about enjoying the moment; it’s the only thing I can say about life and about time,” he tells me. “Any moment in life should be enjoyed because you never know what will happen. Capture the moment!”
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20 Years of the Lange 1
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n 24th October 2014, the best-known model LANGE 1 from A. Lange & Söhne celebrated its 20th birthday. On this occasion, the traditional watch brand launched the LANGE 1 TOURBILLON HANDWERKS - KUNST in the castle of Dresden – the place, where, to the day, the first four timepieces after the comeback of the brand have been launched 20 years ago.
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About 140 guests from 26 countries had come to Dresden on Friday, 24th October 2014, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lange’s first collection. Back then, the LANGE 1 was launched as one of four models. With its unique combination of classic style elements and technical innovations, it has epitomised the core and the identity of the re-born A. Lange & Söhne brand. Now, the 20th birthday of the brand icon was celebrated with a limited special edition. Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid and Anthony de Haas, Director Product Development, presented the new timepiece LANGE 1 TOURBILLON HANDWERKS¬KUNST at a press conference in the castle of Dresden. Furthermore, Wil¬helm Schmid and company founder Walter Lange bestowed the F. A. Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award upon Torsti Laine (42) from Finland. The watch¬making student from the Kelloseppäkoulu – The Finnish School of Watchmaking received 10,000 euros prize money for his design of a moon-phase display that also emulates the earth phases from the moon’s perspective. The award emphasises the importance of sustainable funding of watchmaker trainings for the future of fine-watchmaking. Additionally, Wilhelm Schmid handed over a donation of 20,000 euros to Sonnenstrahl e.V., represented by Professor Reinhard Berner from the oncological station of Dresden’s university hospital and Antje Hermann from the public chartity that supports kids and adolescents with cancer who are under physician care at this station.
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OMEGA Their Season’s Greetings
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he holiday season is upon us once again, a time to rejoice and reflect on our favourite moments of the past year. While embraced in the peace and warmth of the season, appreciate the precious seconds you have with your loved ones and take the time to cherish the magic of the festivities. OMEGA has several ideas for that special someone close to your heart. Enduring golden watches and jewellery say everything you can’t express with words – a luxurious present that will bring a smile to her face with every glance at her wrist; a gift that he’ll prize until the end of time.
new calibre inside the watch are the words “Master Co-Axial Chronometer” on the dial. Powering this refined timepiece is the new OMEGA Master Co-Axial calibre 8511 - a unique manual winding movement that features an easy time zone function and resistance to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss.
And when the delights of the holiday season have passed, you’ll not only have fond memories as keepsakes but handcrafted treasures that will last a lifetime as well.
The Omega Constellation “Pluma” in 18k Red Gold and Stainless Steel Characterised by its “Griffes”, or claws, and delicate dial design, the OMEGA Constellation “Pluma” is an exceptional demonstration of the art of fine mechanical watchmaking. The white mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with wavy lines that resemble a feather. Eleven diamond indexes set in 18K gold holders complement the 18K red gold hands. Diamonds pave the 18K red gold bezel, highlighting the polished claws. The brushed stainless steel casebody is presented on a fashionable stainless steel bracelet that is complete with 18K red gold links. At its heart is the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520, a state-of-the-art mechanical movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
The Omega De Ville Trésor in 18k Yellow Gold The Trésor line was first introduced in 1949 and housed the legendary 30 mm calibre. Making a comeback more than half a century later, this striking De Ville Trésor features a brown leather strap and a silvery opaline dial decorated with a vintage “clous de Paris” pattern – a handsome design element that adds to the classic look and feel of the timepiece. The hours are marked with applied domed 18K yellow gold indexes, a feature that is complemented by the domed 18K gold minute and seconds hands. Announcing the remarkable
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TAG Heuer and Marathons An Alliance That Goes The Distance As part of its new strategy, TAG Heuer is going into sports marathons as partner and official timekeeper. The Manufacture is thus reaffirming its sporting roots and in doing so reaching almost 320 million people all over the world, making this an ideal platform to convey its new campaign message « Don’t Crack Under Pressure ». TAG Heuer is partnering long-distance races : New York (TCS New York City Marathon), Chicago (Bank Of America Chicago Marathon), Berlin (BMW Berlin Marathon) and Paris (Schneider electric Marathon de Paris), Oslo and Moscow. It means that TAG Heuer is going back to its origins and focusing once again on its core business, sports watches and chronographs, and on the sport, challenge, competition and desire to excel that are in its blood. Having a presence at marathon sporting events is a change of strategic direction for TAG Heuer : this new partnership - which does not signal the abandoning of its favourite territory, motor racing - enables the brand to extend the range of imagery that backs up the message encapsulated in its « Don’t Crack Under Pressure » campaign. Furthermore, this is a field that has as yet been little exploited by Swiss watchmakers, which only serves as further proof of the pioneering spirit TAG Heuer has constantly demonstrated since 1860.
IWC Schaffhausen Volvo Ocean Race An action-packed season of ocean racing lies in wait as the 2014-15 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race commences. Official timekeepers of the event, IWC Schaffhausen’s own boat, Azzam carries an ambitious set of men, proudly known as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. The race revolves around the people bold enough to compete in it and Ian Walker has handpicked the men who will stand shoulder to shoulder with him on board IWC Schaffhausen’s boat for Abu Dhabi’s second assault on the Volvo Ocean Race. The result of his careful selection is a highly potent lineup comprising three sailors from the last ADOR campaign and four new faces. Donning Abu Dhabi crew uniforms for the second time are under-30 helmsman and trimmer Adil Khalid (United Arab Emirates), navigator and helmsman Simon Fisher (Great Britain) and bowman Justin Slattery (Ireland). Making their first appearances in ADOR colours are helmsman and trimmer Phil Harmer (Australia), pitman Daryl Wislang, under-30 bowman and helmsman Luke Parkinson (Australia) and trimmer and helmsman Chuny Bermúdez from Spain.
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‘Ralph Lauren’s Fall/Winter Polo Ralph Lauren Collection available at The Avenues, Prestige Ralph Lauren and Fanar Mall, Ralph Lauren. 100 101
THE LUXE STYLE
‘Ralph Lauren’s Fall/Winter Polo Ralph Lauren Collection available at The Avenues, Prestige Ralph Lauren and Fanar Mall, Ralph Lauren. 102 103
THE LUXE STYLE
Hermès SS15
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eason after season the generous show notes that Hermès places on each seat are filled with detailed descriptions of every outfit. There are also pages dedicated to a list of colors, silhouettes or fabrics used in creating the ultra luxe lineup. But when it comes to the inspiration aspect of the program they often read like a haiku poem in need of deciphering. For the spring/summer 2015 collection designer Véronique Nichanian offered up the following verse in her decades long sartorial sonnet at Hermès: A manifesto of prints. Solar, cavalier charm. Supple elegance. Nichanian pretty much nailed it in those three simple lines. This collection was a clear exploration of prints. There was an abundance of florals, with blooms both micro and macro getting time to shine on the catwalk. Graphic patterns were also out in equal force coming crafted in a fractal design sliced through with asymmetrical lines of black, as if a sharpie pen had be taken to it in a fit of DIY embellishment. And then there was the slightly industrial print that Nichanian dubbed “Glitch” as if the patternmaker had gone on the fritz in the middle of creating the design. Each one of these prints was rather strong in its own way, so the designer smartly watered down their power by running them in very light colors such as sand, limestone or creamy white to make them more palatable. If print was the big story of the show, maybe it was its abundance that caused the eye to focus on and enjoy those pieces that were left unadorned. Oohs and Ahhs were heard when the first zip front cotton voile shirt appeared. Crafted as it was so that the fabric thinned to a semi transparent state, to delineate its edges. Also technically impressive was a single button black jacket constructed out of thin ribbons of cotton to create a pinstripe effect. It was the perfect example of the superior craftsmanship at work at Hermès. Additionally, a number of crewneck cotton sweaters bisected with knitted silk for a clever stripe effect left a long and lingering impression.
It was, and continues to be, the ability of Nichanian to make even everyday attire exceptional that keeps Hermès at the top of the menswear luxury pyramid.
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Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2015
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he Dolce&Gabbana Men Collection Summer 2015 continues the journey to rediscover the history of Sicily. This season, the main source of inspiration of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana is the Spanish domination of the island and, specifically, how the Spanish culture influenced the local popular culture, imbuing it with elements which were typical of the Spanish one, such as the folklore and a joy of life which you can feel during the town fairs and so on. As usual, these elements are NOT taken in a literal way: for example, the decorations one can see on typical bullfighter’s clothes (which are traditionally made of golden thread) becomes black. Evolution is always the key as it is the experimentation, which translates into new tailoring techniques, the use of fabrics in an unconventional, new way and in the proportions of the clothes (jackets become longer, vests have a new, oval shape and pants are slimmer).
The symbol of the collection is the BULL, which stands for masculinity. The new Dolce & Gabbana man is a strong man, who is not afraid of anything. Almost arrogant. The main color is red, which for Dolce & Gabbana means passion, love, Etna, Sicily in general. There are also other colors like white, grey, black, light blue: the colors of the jackets of the bullfighters.
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Campbell Cole Annex Collection
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an and Felicity, the designers behind Campbell Cole, were inspired by modern living architecture for their newly released Annex Collection. The name Annex reflects their view that each bag is a portable living space for your belongings, an extension of your home. Sculptural form, soft premium leather and meticulous attention to detail combine to create a sleek, ultra-luxe exterior. A refined panama lining with considered pocket layout allows for easy organisation of your daily essentials. Working with a British factory that has years of experience making luxury leather goods, combined with a meticulous approach to design, ensures their finished product is beautifully executed and immaculately presented.
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Wishful Thinking with TUMI Safe travels. Health. Good fortune
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his season TUMI draw inspiration from the global tradition of tying wishes to a tree for good luck in the new year. From Hindu mythology to European Yuletide, the wishing tree symbolizes a holiday custom that crosses cultures and continents, connecting global citizens everywhere. We’ve enlivened the following pages with wishlist-worthy items thoughtfully selected for their quality and craftsmanship.
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Mon Damier Graphite from Louis Vuitton
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ersonalization has been intrinsically linked to the story of Louis Vuitton since the brand’s inception in 1854. From marking its trunks back in the day with initials, crests, coats of arms and stripes, when an individual might have 20 pieces of luggage to collect at the end of a voyage, to the current Mon Monogram offering, established in 2008, placing one’s own unique stamp on a bag has been a key element in Louis Vuitton’s creative heritage. Through technology especially developed by Louis Vuitton, the original stripes and initials can now be applied to soft pieces, from bags to small leather goods, while trunks and other hard pieces continue to be painted by hand. The desire to offer a unique personalization service for men has led Louis Vuitton to introduce Mon Damier Graphite which will be available through 70 LV stores worldwide and online beginning September. Initialization has always been a cornerstone of fine menswear, but men have their own discrete sense of style identification. Damier Graphite, Louis Vuitton’s signature gray check canvas for men, appeals particularly to those who are looking for their own elegant, distinctive and subtle base for signature style. With men’s natural preference for calm identification in mind, five new shades have been added to the personalization color range to create possibilities for elegant tandems mixing dark and light colors. This concisely edited group of soft and pop tones, is inspired by the masculine universe: sports and nature, nautical luxury, race cars, luxuriant foliage and water. While Louis Vuitton’s established a palette of bright ranges is part of its 19th century heritage, the original trunk identification palette which necessitated brightness, the new Mon Damier Graphite colors are muted for a more
personal and masculine approach to initialization. Khaki is warm and an ideal partner for brighter shades. Taupe is a perfect outline color and more subtle than ivory on Damier Graphite gray. Turquoise and Neon Yellow (Jaune fluo) stand out in mixtures with neutrals. And Grape functions like a new black; a rich color with a sense of depth. These shades which are exclusive to Mon Damier Graphite can work in with each other in tandems, or with any color in the original Personalization range to offer the widest possible choice. Mon Damier Graphite is available with initials on the center (over the stripes), or in a new configuration on the side. Both initials and stripes can also be used on their own. And all personalization colors are available in linings to initialize one’s bag inside and out. Pieces available in Mon Damier Graphite include: the soft sided city PDV and iconic Keepall bag in 55 and 45; Zephyr rolling luggage in the 55 and 70 sizes; and small leather goods (PF Brazza and PF Multiple, Passport Cover, Zippy organizer and Pocket Organizer). Mon Damier Graphite is for an elegant, fashionable and mature man who enjoys personalized style without ostentation.
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A Frosted Fantasy
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from Jo Malone London
elcome to Jo Malone London’s world of icy enchantment. A winter wonderland, glistening in white. The scarlet temptation of Frosted Cherry & Clove, rich with winter spices. Enter their frosted fantasy.
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No Ordinary Power
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Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II
ramatic, yet graceful. Effortlessly simple with cutting edge technology, forging a clear path of serenity through an ever-changing world, Ghost Series II is unmistakably Rolls-Royce and truly breath-taking. To truly appreciate this car, you need to see it with your own eyes. MEN’S PASSION was therefore delighted to be invited to join an elite group for the marque’s drive and lifestyle event in the UAE at the end of October. Our very own Zeina Mokaddam joined this carefully-selected group for an in-depth experience of this extraordinary feat of engineering and modern luxury, whilst getting a unique look into the lifestyles of some of the world’s most powerful and affluent people. Rolls-Royce revealed the Ghost Series II at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show with the line ‘no ordinary power’. One might argue that its predecessor was extraordinary too, but in timehonoured Rolls-Royce fashion the company has refined, honed and improved it. As a result Ghost Series II sets a new benchmark as business tool and icon of modern luxury. Since its launch in 2009, Ghost has become the ultimate symbol of success for leading entrepreneurs across the globe. Winning critical media and customer acclaim and driving the company to four consecutive historic sales records, Ghost has
led a new, younger generation of highly successful men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership; a key pillar in the marque’s highly successful sustainable growth strategy. Ghost is a thoroughly contemporary representation of RollsRoyce luxury – perfectly balancing effortless dynamism and modern luxury in a car that is composed under all circumstances. Owners enjoy a quietly assured, exquisitely refined modern motor car with an interior ambiance that offers a sense of calm and serenity in an often frenetic and chaotic business world.
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In essence, Ghost is a Rolls-Royce that meets its owner’s every need; an exquisitely appointed business tool for the business week and an engaging and effortless driving experience for leisure at the weekend. A single defining principle came to characterise the Ghost design process – to harness the power of simplicity. The notion that no complication should ever distract from driver or passenger pleasure, informed every facet of the design and engineering process. This bold new generation of Rolls-Royce customer seeks a motor car with a silent assurance – a cosseting, superpremium environment in which to conduct business and augment their leisure time. In Ghost Series II, tradition blends perfectly with this bold, contemporary direction. An uncompromising approach to materials and craftsmanship remained and traditional visual tenets were re-imagined to express the car’s modernity and dynamism. For example the stately presence of Phantom’s grille made way for a softer, less formal design – its subtle curvature more akin to a jet air-intake than traditional pantheon facia. Flowing ‘yacht lines’ and powerful flanks hint at the car’s inherent dynamism, whilst traditional Rolls-Royce DNA is expressed in the elevated prow, large uninterrupted surfaces, long bonnet and short overhang.
All Ghost Series II motor cars feature Satellite Aided Transmission as standard – a technology that utilizes GPS and mapping data to ensure the car is always in the correct gear when negotiating turns, motorway exists and roundabouts Ghost Series II is the ultimate contemporary combination of luxury, technology and connectivity available to the successful entrepreneur on the move today. It is an oasis of calm in a busy connected world where he or she can do business in peace. It presents the driver and occupants with a comprehensive example of effortless Rolls-Royce connectivity, a network where communication between car, environment and driver helps lower the pulse, ease the journey and delight the occupants. Key to this is the discreet placement of the car’s technological functions. Accessed through a one-touch call button or the Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller, on-board Wi-Fi facilitates email, file sharing, telephony and video-conferencing. The user is also able to watch televised business news in order to remain ahead of the game. Navigation assistance is summoned by the same one-touch call button.
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It was founder Sir Henry Royce who said of his company that their aim would be to “take the best that exists and make it better” Ghost Series II – changes at a glance Evolutionary design Ghost Series II presents significant recent technological updates in an exterior package that represents evolutionary changes to Ghost’s timeless aesthetic.
Interior design
• A contemporary re-imagining of Ghost’s front face; reengineered and re-designed LED headlights are framed by day-time running lights. • Revised surface treatments including re-sculptured bumpers that present a wider, more dynamic stance. • A new bonnet design featuring tapered ‘wake channel’ emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy that hints at Ghost Series II’s dynamism. • The waft line leans further forwards, giving further expression to Ghost’s dynamic driving experience. • New paint and wheel options giving customers greater scope for Bespoke personalization.
• Re-designed front seats include electronically adjustable thigh supports and depth adjustment. Rear seats have been subtly re-angled to augment effortless communication with fellow passengers. • The clock fascia and instrument dials are enhanced with the addition of polished metal chaplets that evoke premium watch design. • Option of extending natural grain leather to the A and C pillars. • The scope for Bespoke customisation is extended with the introduction of two new, exquisitely crafted veneers: Paldao and Walnut Burr Crossband.
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“In answer to our clients’ demands for the best in effortless dynamism, modern luxury and industry-leading technology, clothed in a discreetly updated design that protects the iconic character of a Rolls-Royce, we proudly introduce Ghost Series II – an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world.”
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The all-new Cayenne
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Luxury SUV with sporting credentials
mbodying more power and greater efficiency, Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behebani Motors Company has welcomed the arrival of the all-new Cayenne, boasting enhanced performance, a sharpened design and more exciting features as standard. The new Cayenne extends the model’s evolving, twelve-year success story as it continues to underline its position as a true sports car amongst SUVs. The new generation Cayenne will launch in three versions: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and for the first time, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. Adding another chapter to Porsche’s unrivalled legacy of breaking new automotive ground, this model, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, makes Porsche the world’s only carmaker to offer three plug-in hybrid models. Since its inception the Cayenne has come to realise and define an ambitious dream; a luxury SUV with sports car credentials. With typical Porsche DNA the new Cayenne delivers a pioneering benchmark whether being driven through the city, in challenging off-road conditions or in the ultimate test; on the race track. All three new Cayenne models feature redeveloped engines which deliver higher torque than their predecessors, coupled with lower fuel consumption, as
Porsche continues its ethos of delivering increased power without compromising efficiency. When matched with more precise handling capabilities, the new Cayenne represents a sports SUV beyond compare. Mike Ellenthorpe, Group General Manager of Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, said: “The new Porsche Cayenne embodies the ultimate Porsche traits; class-leading performance and outstanding driveability. No matter the road conditions the new Cayenne delivers a unique automotive experience and we expect our local customers to share in the excitement around this thrilling evolution.” In its latest version, Porsche designers have given the Cayenne an even sharper design with precise lines and purposefully placed light refracting edges. Front body, front wings, bonnet and air blades are also newly shaped.
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At first glance, the new Cayenne is a Porsche through and through with its bi-xenon headlights and four-point LED daytime running lights. The new layout of the model’s rear lights creates a three-dimensional effect with the brake lights designed in four elements. The license plate, boot handle and lights are now integrated more elegantly into the boot lid. In addition to other modifications, the newly developed exhaust tailpipes are now incorporated in the lower rear section, while an automatically activating boot lid is fitted as standard. In the interior, much of the layout has been shaped around the driver, with a new multifunction sport steering wheel – which can also be found in the 918 Spyder – featuring shift paddles as standard. The rear seating system is even more comfortable, with optional seat ventilation now available for the first time. Power and torque have been boosted while improving fuel economy in line with Porsche’s commitment to maximum output from minimum input. All new Cayenne models consume significantly less fuel, with the help of new features including a coasting function, a further advanced auto stop-start function plus and optimised thermal management, with Active cooling air flaps now being used for the first time in the Cayenne. Located behind the middle air inlet, they are opened or closed according to the specific driving situation and cooling needs. Powering Porsche into the future is the pioneering Cayenne S E-Hybrid which showcases further technical development compared to the previous Cayenne S Hybrid. The new model has a lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.8 kWh, which enables an all-electric driving range of 18 to 36 kilometres. The power of the electric motor has been more than doubled: from 47 hp to 95 hp. As a result of the brand’s advanced plug-in hybrid technology, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid has a fuel economy of only 3.4 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of a mere 79 grams per kilometre, which are all impressive figures for an all-wheel-drive car.
The three-litre V6 supercharged engine (333 hp) and the electric motor (95 hp) produce a combined system power of 416 hp at 5,500 rpm and a total system torque of 590 Newton metres from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is accomplished in 5.9 seconds to a top speed of 243 km/h. The maximum speed in all-electric mode is 125 km/h. The traction battery can be charged from the electric power grid or while driving. Matching the Hybrid’s raw performance credentials is the all-new 3.6-litre V6 biturbo engine of the Cayenne S which has been fully developed by Porsche and returns fuel consumption between 9.5 and 9.8 l/100 km, according to the NEDC. This represents one litre less than with the previous V8 engine. The biturbo V6 develops a maximum power of 420 hp at 6,000 rpm – a gain of 20 hp. The car’s torque of 550 Newton metres (+50 Newton metres) is available from 1,350 to 4,500 rpm. The power density per litre of displacement is now 117 hp, a gain of almost 40 percent gain. With its standard eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds (5.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) – 0.4 seconds faster than the previous Cayenne S. The vehicle’s top speed is 259 km/h. Leading the model field is the compelling Cayenne Turbo, powered by a 4.8-litre bi-turbo V8 engine that produces 520 hp at 6,000 rpm and 750 Newton metres of torque from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm. This lets the Cayenne Turbo accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). Its top speed is 279 km/h. NEDC fuel consumption is 11.5 l/100 km. The new Cayenne models are now available at Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company delivering highend dynamic performance with the typical Porsche spread of efficiency, undiminished ride comfort and exclusive features fitted as standard.
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Porsche GT3 Cup
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Ashkanani powers to second in Race 2 of Round 1
uwait’s Zaid Ashkanani produced a strong drive to secure second place in Race 2 of Round 1 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Bahrain International Circuit. Following on from his third place finish in Race 1, Ashkanani showed he has the ability to defend his Drivers’ Championship title despite not being able to catch current championship leader Clemens Schmid who led from start to finish. Drivers’ Championship is the primary goal but if we I can perform well in both that would be ideal.” As the lights went out at BIC the cars bolted into action with Ahmad Al Harthy, starting from 14th following a 5 place penalty incurred from Race 1, powering up to 8th position within the first few corners. Keen to make amends after receiving the punishment from race stewards late last night, the Omani looked determined but controlled as he fought to close the gap on the race leaders.
After the excitement of Race 1, Race 2 was a more controlled affair with Schmid, Ashkanani, Charlie Frijns and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum all finishing as they started. The star of the show was Ahmad Al Harthy who worked his way up from fourteenth to finish sixth and secure vital team points for Al Nabooda Racing. With SkyDive Dubai also adding more points the Season 6 team battle is set to be the closest yet with the newly formed BuZaid/BuCharlie team of Ashkanani and Frijns extending their lead at the top. The next instalment of the absorbing series will take place in Dubai in December with four more rounds of regional racing to take place after that. After starting and finishing from second place Ashkanani was happy with a weekend in which he finished on the podium for both races: “It was a good race – I just couldn’t catch Clemens. He had a really good start and was defending very well in the opening laps. From there I just made sure I just made sure I kept my focus and didn’t make any mistakes. Charlie was behind me and is a quality driver so I had to be on top of my game. I managed to hold on and get the points for myself but also for the team. With Charlie and I partnering up we have a really good chance of winning the team trophy so that’s going to be a big focus for us as I want to secure silverware two years in a row. Of course the
It was a case of “as you were” for the top three with Clemens Schmid defending his pole position from qualifying through the opening laps; Zaid Ashkanani hot on his heels and Charlie Frijns and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum not far behind. As the race went on the action was in the middle of the pack where KSA’s Bandar Aleyasi squeezed past SkyDive Dubai’s Saeed Al Mehairi to take fifth place and Ahmad Al Harthy continued his impressive run to pass Wolfgang Triller into seventh. From there the Omani driver had his sights set on Al Mehairi and piled the pressure on the Emirati driver. Showing real class in the opening and middle of stages of the battle were Team Bahrain who worked their way up the field after a disappointing showing in qualifying. Mohammed Mattar picked his moment perfectly to pass KSA’s Mohammed Jawa while Mattar’s Bahraini teammate Raed Raffi pushed up to eighth at the expense of Triller. It wasn’t long before Mattar edged up into ninth behind Raffi where the pair finished the race. As the final laps approached the drivers all struggled to find grip as their tyres wore down. The big winner of the latter stages was Ahmad Al Harthy who saw an opportunity to pass Saeed Al Mehairi into sixth finishing off a remarkable performance after the disappointment of Race 1. The race came to an end with Ashkanani reacting strongly to Charlie Frijns’ assault on his position. Despite a powerful finish the young Kuwaiti where he extended his second place lead on Frijns, Ashkanani was unable to close the gap on race leader Clemens Schmid who led from start to finish.
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New-gen Mercedes-Benz CLS
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ercedes-Benz authorised General Distributer, Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company has announced the arrival of the new generation four door Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe. This iconic model design now has a more incisive front section, and an interior that has been enhanced even further, with many new, perfectly presented details that combine modern luxury and a hand-crafted feel with a passion for sport. The vehicles’ technical innovations bring exemplary functionality on the road. Futuristic MULTIBEAM LED headlamps take the lighting system to a new dimension. High-performance, precision LED modules automatically provide the best possible illumination, whatever the road and traffic conditions. Other leadingedge technologies include the nine-speed automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC, powerful new engines, intelligently networked driver assistance and safety systems, as well as an advanced multimedia system with internet access. In terms of performance, the AMG version – the CLS 63 AMG Coupé S-Model takes pole position with an output of up to 430 kW (585 hp). When Mercedes-Benz launched the CLS ten years ago it established the four door coupé segment, thus underlining the brand’s leadership role in automotive design. For the first time, here was a vehicle combining the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. What is more, the CLS was the first vehicle to be available with dynamic LED High Performance headlamps, making it iconic in terms of its lighting system. Due to its immense charisma, the CLS Coupé has established itself as a style icon, and continues to stand out as exceptional in its segment. Michael Ruehle, CEO Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company commented on the new arrival: “The CLS has been popular from the day it was introduced and we expect the latest high tech innovations introduced in this new model to be equally well received and highly sought after in Kuwait.” The CLS-Class’s exciting design and thrilling proportions are subtly adapted to these high-tech demands. As before, it has a long bonnet, a slim window line with frameless side windows and a roof with a dynamic rearward slope. All in all, the design of the latest-generation CLS Coupé is more dynamic than ever. How so? Examples include an expressive new diamond radiator grille, a pronounced front bumper with large air intakes, MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and new, darkened rear tail lights with multi-level functionality.
The usual high Mercedes standard of quality The latest assistance systems from the S-Class are also available in the new CLS as optional extras. These include DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC including parking in end-on spaces, as well as a 360° camera.
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THE LUXE ZEITGEIST
ZEITGEIST Good design, where form and function come together so exquisitely, should always be celebrated.
This month Men’s Passion features some of the most desirable and well executed products that define the times in which we are living.
Paul Smith & Maharam collaborate with Carl Hansen & Søn
THE LUXE ZEITGEIST
To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of renowned Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, Paul Smith and Maharam are collaborating with Carl Hansen & Søn – the world’s largest manufacturer of furniture designed by Hans J. Wegner – on a limited edition collection of some of Wegner’s most iconic works.
gives the designs an injection of vibrancy, upholstered in ‘Big Stripe’ and new colors of ‘Stripes’ by Paul Smith. Designed by Paul Smith in collaboration with Maharam, these two worsted wool textiles explore stripes at dramatically different scales, conveying Paul Smith’s imaginative approach to colour and proportion.
With a pioneering and creative Modernist aesthetic, Wegner is best known for his idiosyncratic chair designs, such as the Wishbone Chair. Created in 1950 this piece, with its characteristic Y-shaped back support, became one of his greatest successes; other definitive designs include the three-legged Shell Chair, the minimalist CH28, the CH163 sofa and contemporary classic, the Wing Chair.
The collection was first presented at the Paul Smith Milan shop from 8th to 13th April during the Salone del Mobile, as well as at Carl Hansen & Søn’s booth at the fair and its city centre showroom.
Paul Smith has personally selected his favourite classic Hans J. Wegner pieces to launch a capsule collection that
Additionally, a touring exhibition visiting Tokyo, New York and London will offer further opportunities to view the collection. The pieces will be available at selected Paul Smith shops worldwide, while the textiles are available in Europe through Kvadrat.
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THE LUXE TRAVEL
Malta Corinthia Palace Hotel
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orinthia Palace Hotel & Spa Malta, the ‘Grand Lady’ of Corinthia Hotels, invites GCC residents to visit Malta this December for a truly authentic festive experience. With 7,000 years of history and the streets decked out in decorations to mark the season, there is plenty on offer for GCC travel enthusiasts.
To mark the beginning of the New Year, Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa will be celebrating with a Moulin Rouge inspired extravaganza! Guests can expect decadent dining and an evening of sparkle and glamour to welcome the New Year in style. About Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa:
Located in the heart of the island, Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is within minutes of the medieval ‘silent city’ of Mdina and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Valletta. Surrounded by the three villages of Attard, Balzan and Lija and situated opposite the President’s Palace and adjacent San Anton Gardens, the hotel is enveloped in history, prestige and tradition and is the perfect starting point to exploring historical Malta. With concerts and theatrical performances taking place across the islands, visitors cannot help but participate in the festive spirit. One of the main highlights is the annual pantomime held at the Manoel Theatre, a favourite with both adults and children and cannot be missed. Within the walls of the property the festive spirit lives on starting with the Lighting Ceremony on 8th December. The hotel will instantly come alive with lights and decorations, while a delicious three-course dinner will be served in the historic Villa Corinthia. Guests visiting the property in December must not miss out on the seasonal lunches and dinners taking place on the 24th and 25th of December. Guests will experience the genuine warmth and exceptional service underpinning the hotel’s ‘Craftsmanship of Care’ evident in the careful selection and planning of the menus and entertainment.
Located in the heart of the island of Malta, adjacent to the Presidential Palace and public botanical gardens, the 150 room five-star Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, which includes 9 Executive Suites, exudes grace and historic charm. It is positioned between the island’s capital Valletta and Mdina, the picturesque medieval silent city that is still inhabited till this day. This opulent hotel offers the leisure guest an extensive range of facilities, including the Athenaeum Spa complete with a wide range of revitalising treatments, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts. With a century old restored villa as its main dining venue, this hotel is all about warmth, personal attention, and traditional elegance - a breath of fresh air in today’s world of impersonal hotels. Alternatively, guests can be pampered at the hotel’s exclusive Far Eastern restaurant Rickshaw, or, in summer, at the stargazing pool terrace restaurant. For the business executive, the very best in state-of-the-art facilities are available, with two large conference rooms easily accommodating 550 delegates, while six syndicate rooms and two boardrooms are ideal for smaller groups. The Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa was inaugurated in 1968 and has been the winner of several ‘Best in Class’ awards over the years, including the prestigious Best Hotel in Malta award for the last six years by the International ‘World Travel Awards’, considered as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry.
THE LUXE TRAVEL
Ajman The Ajman Palace Hotel
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he Ajman Palace Hotel, managed by HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, is a picturesque sanctuary of privileged perfection conveniently located 22 km from Dubai International Airport and 11 km from Sharjah International Airport. Set on a private beach, this alluring hideaway is a heritage resort with a modern spirit. Bringing an unprecedented level of luxury, with captivating views of the Arabian Gulf, the resort is a destination unto itself. Balancing world-class facilities with the legendary Arabian hospitality, it offers 254 rooms, suites and serviced residences, a remarkable range of restaurants and lounges, fabulous meeting and event venues including the largest ballroom in the Northern Emirates ideal for weddings and conventions, as well as an array of leisure and recreation options at Encore Lifestyle Club featuring Encore Spa and state-of-the-art fitness facility. A magical experience awaits you here.
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THE LUXE EVENTS
Chopard – Timekeeper of Porsche Motorsport in Bahrain
The 7th round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Bahrain, took place in Sakhir on November 15th. Proudly supporting Porsche Motorsport as Official Timing Partner since the beginning of this season, Chopard has been following the teams with great expectations of victory. At the 6 Hours of Bahrain, for the first time this year, both Porsche 919 Hybrid crews were part of the podium ceremony finishing second and third. In the LMGTE Pro class race, the two Porsche 911 RSR ended the race in fourth and fifth positions, narrowly missing podium placing. The trio of Romain Dumas (France), Neel Jani (Switzerland) and Marc Lieb (Germany) finished second in round seven of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. Immediately behind them the sister car crossed the line. Timo Bernhard (Germany), Brendon Hartley (New Zealand) and Mark Webber (Australia) came third in the six-hour race.
THE LUXE EVENTS
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Dumas started from pole position and stayed in front until he was passed by a Toyota on lap five. He took the lead and held it until his pit stop for fuel and tyres after 30 laps. Dumas handed over to Lieb after 61 laps with the car lying in second. On lap 100 he overtook an Audi. After 123 laps Jani took over car number 14 in second position. After 154 laps, on fresher tyres, he was the faster of the two 919 Hybrids and passed the sister car for second position. Hartley started from third on the grid, improved to second, but then dropped behind the two Toyotas. Soon he suffered from problems with the brake temperatures. When he handed over the car to Bernhard after 48 laps, he had improved to third. Bernhard was leading the race after lap 79. When he handed over the car to Webber after 110 laps. Webber refuelled and received fresh tyres after 141 laps. Porsche team and Webber together decided to take the risk of saving time by not changing tyres and only refuelling the car to go to the finish of the race. Great fights for position in the beginning and strategies that produced exciting outcomes in the end were the result of the penultimate round of the world championship, along with high temperatures of over 30 degrees.
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THE LUXE EVENTS
Piaget’s passion for perfection shines bright at the brand’s boutique reopening in Kuwait
Swiss watchmaker, Piaget, recently reopened its boutique in Kuwait’s Salhiya Mall in the presence of Mr. Ali Morad Behbehani, President of Morad Yousuf Behbehani, Mr. Edouard Cottin, International Director of Piaget, Mr. Jean-Marc Shammas, Brand Director Middle-East and India and Arab singer Yara, Middle East Brand Ambassador. Strengthening the partnership between Piaget and the Behbehani Group even further, the event was a fitting celebration of Piaget’s commitment towards ‘Perfection in life’ and paid homage to the brand’s recently embarked upon global advertising campaign of the same name. The event witnessed the attendance of select media and VIP guests from the region. Mr. Ali Morad Behbehani said, “We are proud to have Piaget as our long-standing partner. The reopening of Piaget’s boutique is a great occasion for us all. The exclusive Piaget creations are shining even further in a beautiful environment for our Kuwaiti clientele.” Commenting on the occasion, Jean-Marc Shammas said, “We are thrilled that Piaget is now at the Salhiya Mall in the
prime location it deserves. This is a bigger boutique that allows us to reiterate the main concept of refinement of Piaget boutiques worldwide. Needless to say, none of this would have been possible without the enduring support of our esteemed partners, the Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group.” Following the style and spirit of Piaget boutiques worldwide, the reopened boutique in Kuwait flaunts the architectural concept that was created by Christine Querlioz in 2012. It is an invitation to go on a pleasant journey through the universe of Piaget. The architecture and ambiance convey discreet elegance, making it a true tribute to the Swiss identity of the brand. The boutique reopening impeccably echoed Piaget’s recent global advertising campaign, “Perfection in Life,” a seductive invitation to experience a universe of exceptional pieces in the most inspiring locations around the world. The campaign was created to demonstrate the savoir-faire of Piaget the jeweler-watchmaker in its pursuit of perfection: the mastery of precious materials, the sophistication and innovation of record-breaking watchmaking, and fearless creativity paired with traditional elegance.
THE LUXE EVENTS
British Ambassador Matthew Lodge hosts ‘100 year’ Remembrance Memorial Service in Embassy Garden British Ambassador Matthew Lodge hosted a Remembrance Memorial Service at the British Embassy in Kuwait. The ceremony, which was held in the Embassy garden was presided over by Reverend Harrison Chinnakumar, accompanied by Archbishop Peter Rajic and Pastor Ammanuel Ghareeb and attended by Ambassadors, Defence Attaches, the British Military Mission, top Kuwaiti officials, veterans, schools and expatriates. Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, has been observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Two minutes of silence are observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of each year, the first minute for those who lost their lives, and the second for those who remain behind. At the Remembrance Service, HMA Matthew lodge stated: “We are here together to mark the anniversary of the Armistice on the western front at the end of the First World War. I am delighted to be able to welcome so many of our friends from across the globe: from Europe, the Commonwealth, the Middle East and the Far East. Today is about remembrance. It is a day when we put politics to one side in order to remember those of all nationalities, of all faiths and beliefs, who have lost their lives in conflict. Servicemen and women, civilians and the innocent – young and old. It is a day when we recall the past but look to the future. We hope that our simple act of remembrance will remind us all of the cost of conflict and violence and the price that so many have paid – and continue to pay - so that we can enjoy our freedom and our security.”
Arwa Abouon at The Sultan Gallery Arwa’s multi-media exhibit, ‘Honolulu’, was comprised of several series, including P.B.U.H., The Practice of Paradise, Pathways, Dish-Dash Angels, and Barefoot in which the artist reconciles the notion of loss with the myth of paradise. “Honolulu translates as ‘Land of Pearls’ in Arabic, or literally ‘Here are Pearls’. This land that is often described as ‘Heaven on Earth’ establishes a final meeting place where we are promised a reunion with our deceased loved ones. For some, the attainment of Paradise remains a myth, but for others it instills hope and provides motivation to redress wrongs. This show represented both the coming to terms with the landscape of the unknown and embracing its faith counterpart. Heaven cannot be attained without our time here on Earth”. Honolulu, which opened on 11th November and runs through to 4th December, was dedicated in memory of Abouon’s father who passed away last year.
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Available at:
OMEGA Boutiques: Marina Mall • 22244841, Avenues • 22597721/6 and 360° Mall • 225309629/30 and at select Behbehani Stores • 60039999