Qatar Today August 2012 by Oryx Group of Magazines

contents

AUGUST 2 0 1 2

c ove r story

37 Reversing the eco-trends The QNCC will host the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change this November, yet Qatar is coming under pressure itself regarding its carbon footprint. Qatar has the world’s highest consumption rate of electrical power per capita, produces the most CO2 per capita and spends huge amounts of money on desalinating water. Qatar Today looks to find out what’s being done to reverse these trends.

30 QATAR CONTINUING WITH EUROPEAN STRATEGY

Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth fund is showing its capacity all over the World, but it seems to be focusing much of its attention on Europe – a region that is coming under relentless economic pressure.

34 Hydrating the Gulf

34 54

Qatar Today continues its focus on water security as Ezdhar Ibrahim talks to Dr Abdulali Mohamed Sadek, Associate Professor of Geology in the Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences at Qatar University, on whether the GCC states can collaborate to find efficient solutions – from scientific analysis to awareness programmes – to tackle the issue head on.

Enhancing your financial security

Managing the risks of investment represents the biggest challenge that all investors face on a daily basis. Recent economic conditions and market volatility have made risk management even more important. HSBC reveal some practices that can really help to both preserve and grow personal wealth.

published by oryx advertising co. wll, All rights reserved. qatar today is published monthly by oac, po box no. 3272, doha, qatar. subscription rate qr 180 per year. address all subscription correspondence to qatar today, oryx advertising co. wll, po box 3272, al hilal area, doha, state of qatar. for single copies call us on + 974 44672139 or mail to qtoday@omsqatar.com. material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission. request for permission should be directed to qtoday@omsqatar.com. reprint requests should be directed to info@msqatar.com. qatar today is a registered trademark of oryx advertising co. wll

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august 2012 volume 38 issue 8 www.omsqatar.com

contents

august 2012

50 71

Porsche’s New Baby

Orna Ballout took Porsche’s brand new Boxster S for a two-day spin around the Black Forest region of Germany recently and has only good things to report about its performance.

54 Connect with Ireland

Many countries around the globe are facing problems with unemployment and a lack of industry. Special taskforces are being set up to deal with creating jobs and getting people back working. Ireland is employing a system where they are paying people to refer an international company to locate there. Rory Coen discussed the enterprising idea with Terry Clune, ConnectIreland’s founder.

The Pearl-Qatar – probably the most iconic symbol of the country – will be opening two new districts later this year. One of these districts – Qanat Quartier – is modelled on the beautiful Italian city of Venice. Rory Coen visited the artificial island and spoke to five of the men who are managing the industry there.

Thailand – the gem of Asia-Pacific

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is making robust plans to let tourists not only enjoy their experience in Thailand, but also customise it as per their taste. Cassey Oliveira spoke to the Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Juthaporn Rerngronasa, about it all.

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The Pearl of QATAR

Bang & Olufsen’s World

Bang & Olufsen recently opened up a store at Lagoona Mall and invited Rory Coen to its headquarters in Denmark for a closer look at its product development, where it is investing resources in the high-end automotive industry as well as in-house entertainment systems.

regulars News Bites.................................................13 O & G OVERV I E W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 B AN K NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 REALTY C H EC K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 W o r l d Vi e w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 TEC H TAL K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 auto news ............................................... 66 Market Watch............................................73 D o h a Di a r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4

V o lum e 3 8

issue 8

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Chief Executive Executive Vice President Vice President

a ugu s t 2 0 1 2

Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish Sandeep Sehgal Alpana Roy Ravi Raman

Editor Sindhu Nair Editorial Coordinator cassey oliveira CORRESPONDENTS RORY COEN EZDHAR IBRAHIM FASHION &LIFESTYLE CORRESPONDENT ORNA Ballout Art Director Venkat Reddy Assistant Art Director Hanan Abu Saiam Senior Graphic Designer Ayush Indrajith Graphic Designer maheshwar reddy Photographer R obert F Altamirano

Manager –Marketing Zulfikar Jiffry ASSISTANT MANAGERS-MARKETING Chaturka Karandana THOMAS JOSE Media Consultant HASSAN REKKAB MARKETING RESEARCH AND SUPPORT EXECUTIVE EMILY LANDRY Accountant Pratap Chandran Sr. Distribution Executive Bikram Shrestha Distribution Support Arjun Timilsina Bhimal Rai

Published by Oryx Advertising Co WLL, P.O. Box 3272; Doha-Qatar Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, 44667584 Fax: (+974) 44550982 Email: qtoday@omsqatar.com website: www.omsqatar.com Printed at: Gulf Publishing and Printing Co WLL Copyright © 2012 Oryx Advertising Co WLL

Qatar Today invites readers’ feedback Share your views on the magazine or any issue connected to Qatar. One lucky reader will win an exquisite Mont Blanc writing instrument.

12 Qatar Today

august 2012

published by oryx advertising co wll, All rights reserved. qatar today is published monthly by oac, po box no. 3272, doha, qatar. subscription rate for qr. 180 per year. address for all subscription correspondence to qatar today, oryx advertising co wll, po box 3272, al hilal area, doha, state of qatar. for single copies call us on + 974 44672139 or mail to qtoday@omsqatar.com. material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission. request for permission should be directed to qtoday@omsqatar.com. reprint requests should be directed to the info@Omsqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co wll reprint requests should be directed to the info@Omsqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co wll reprint requests should be directed to the info@Omsqatar.com.

Write to: The Editor, Qatar Today, PO Box 3272, Doha. Fax: (+974) 44550982, email: qtoday@omsqatar.com Qatar Today reserves the right to edit and publish the correspondence. Views and opinions expressed in the published letters may not necessarily be the publication’s views and opinions.

august 2012

from the desk

Now

that the London 2012 Olympics are underway we focus on one aspect that has been much publicised: the legacy of the Games. Right from the magnificent new Olympic Park and the transformation of East London to the new initiatives all the programmes have been designed to create sustainable social, economic and sporting legacies in the UK and around the world.

Interestingly, the London Assembley Environment Committee Chair Murad Qureshi took a radical viewpoint. He said that while sustainability was important for the future of cities, as urban populations continue to soar and devour resources, for long-term sustainability the Games will have to settle on one permanent home. A perspective that doesn’t bode well for Qatar, with the country’s ambition of hosting future Olympics. But Qatar cannot take the matter of sustainability and emissions lightly, not when it tops the list of countries with the highest rate of CO2 emissions per capita. Though the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada, announced recently that the country has cut its emissions by 14% (taking into consideration the fact that it supplies natural gas to countries that were earlier coal-dependent), there is still a long way for the country to go. What is encouraging is that the two major contributors to the high emissions have taken the baton of responsibility and are pursuing various programmes and researches to offset the abuse. Qatar Today’s August cover story reviews the steps that have been taken to ease the country’s conscience and instil a culture of conservation of scarce resources. Our vigil on one of the rarest resource in the region continues in this issue as we explore the various options available to tackle water scarcity. We also look at one of Qatar’s most iconic symbols of this new era, The Pearl-Qatar, as it opens up two new districts and makes itself accessible to more mid-range budgets. The regional CEO of multinational conglomerate General Electric (GE) tells us what his company is doing to get the employees it needs to take it into a new era – it’s not just interested in acquiring workers, but also in developing leaders. In the month of Ramadan, a period of abstinence, the time is ideal to take an oath to be a responsible consumer of resources.

Eid Mubarak to all our readers

Sindhu Nair

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letters feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

Edutainment! It’s really inspiring reading about entrepreneurs and I enjoyed the piece written by Sindhu Nair in Qatar Today July, where she gave a detailed and entertaining account of some of the entries from the Global Awards in Monte Carlo. I especially liked the story of the “edutainer” who is striving to make learning a entertaining experience through modern technology. Way to go..! Lorraine Roberts

Renewable is everywhere

QSTec have a nice little business operation going on there at QSTP. They seem to have a solid business plan and it will be interesting to see how it progresses in the coming years, from their exportation of polysilicon now to innovating more in the development of solar technology in the future. It’s becoming abundantly obvious – everywhere you go in the world now – how ubiquitous renewable energy sources are. Angel Irwin

Take water stats with some salt

The statistics on water usage in Qatar and the region as a whole surely have to be taken in context. People here are living in desperately hot temperatures and the government is trying to keep an aesthetic feel to the city at the same time. There are many greens, shrubberies and flower-beds in the city – including Doha Golf Club, which is open all year round. The amount of water needed to sustain these developments must be astronomical..!

qt poll – june

Poll result is based on messages received till 20th of every month

Priyanka H

More means-testing

It’s a shame there isn’t more concentration on means-testing students for their aptitude in certain roles. The article about opportunity/privilege really underscores how fortunate some kids are – and I don’t mean the kids from wealthy parents – I am talking about the kids from under-privileged backgrounds who are spotted and given a chance to flourish through a scholarship programme. These opportunities are too few and far between, however.....and there are definitely kids with real potential falling victim to a badly managed system. Ken Dunne

OLYMPIC FEVER

I was so proud to see our athletes being led out under our flag by Bahia Al Hamad in London. She looked awesome, and so proud of her country. I wish all of our athletes luck in the games, but especiall the girls: Bahia, Nada, Aya and Noor. AYESHA AL-MANNAI

are qatar’s residents conscientious about environmental issues?

SMS answers to +974 33072524 A lucky winner will win a NOKIa C5-03

do you think healthcare services are up to the mark?

55% 45% Yes

The winning number of the last QT poll is 3479345

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Qatar Today invites readers’ feedback Share your views on the magazine or any issue connected to Qatar. One lucky reader will win an exquisite MontBlanc writing instrument.

Check out all articles of Qatar Today on www.issuu.com/oryxmags/qatartoday

Write to: The Editor, Qatar Today, PO Box 3272, Doha. Fax: (+974) 44550982, email: qtoday@omsqatar.com

Qatar Today reserves the right to edit and publish the correspondence. Views and opinions expressed in the published letters may not necessarily be the publication’s views and opinions.

being ecoconscious? 37

NEWS BITES

Bin Hammam FIFA ban lifted

ohamed bin Hammam has won his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a life ban from all soccer-related activity over bribery allegations. However, CAS said the decision did not amount to an “affirmative finding of innocence”, saying that the case could be re-opened with fresh evidence. It claimed that FIFA’s handling of the case had not been thorough enough. The report said: “The panel is doing no more than concluding that the evidence is insufficient in that it does not permit the majority of the panel to reach the standard of comfortable satisfaction in relation to the matters on which the appellant was charged.” FIFA said it noted CAS’s decision “with concern”, and added that Bin Hammam

would remain suspended until a separate disciplinary investigation by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was complete. Bin Hammam, 62, indicated that he wished to end his association with football, saying: “My wish now is just to quit and retire. I’ve served football for 42 years - this last year I have seen a very ugly face of the sport and of football. I should have the benefit of the doubt.” Bin Hammam, along with former FIFA Vce-President Jack Warner, was suspended after a leaked report revealed four Caribbean Football Union (CFU) associations were either offered money, or saw the incident occur, during a meeting last May. It was alleged that envelopes containing up to $40,000 (QR146,000) were handed to the delegates during the meeting.

QNRF announces 12th UREP awards

atar National Research Fund (QNRF) announced the outcome of the 12th cycle of its funding programme; the Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP) last month. UREP aims to spread a research culture amongst undergraduate students by engaging them in “hands-on” research projects under the guidance of their supervisors. UREP also encourages collaboration between academic and non-academic institutions to promote cross-over of expertise between academia and other institutions. In this 12th UREP cycle, QNRF received 127 research proposals, each of which was evaluated by three independent peer reviewers. The average score of the proposals was 77.4%. In order to maintain a high quality level for the awarded UREP proposals while sustaining a good success rate, the QNRF Steering Committee decided to

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adopt a cutoff score of 83% for this cycle, which resulted in the award of 43 research proposals, engaging 160 undergraduate students across seven academic institutions. Commenting on the results, Executive Director, QNRF, Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Taie said: “Since October 2006 QNRF has implemented twelve UREP cycles in which a total of 1,386 research proposals have been submitted for peer review and 602 proposals have been awarded.” Dr Al-Taie highlighted the fact that this cycle is record-breaking in terms of the number of students awarded and continues to achieve considerable success in attracting undergraduate students from universities in Qatar. Dr Al-Taie went on to add that “once again, the awarded projects in this cycle are very diversified and will allow students to develop their knowledge and understanding of research methods while furthering the research culture in Qatar.”

GBI connecting the Gulf

he Gulf Bridge International (GBI) Network Operations Centre (NOC) was fully activated at Qatar Science and Technology Park last month. The NOC is the nerve centre for the region’s highest capacity and most geographically comprehensive cable network, connecting all the Gulf nations onwards to the data centres of Europe and Asia. “It’s truly remarkable to look through this facility onto the vibrant and growing information exchange taking place across the Gulf and beyond,” said Ahmed Mekky, CEO of GBI. “The NOC manages a tremendous amount of digital traffic every second. To grasp its enormous capacity, imagine being able to transfer about 7,000 full-length movies every second across the GBI cable system. Such capacity will help to provide the ICT backbone meeting the ambitious development plans of the Gulf.” The GBI cable system has a design capacity of 40G, roughly four times the Gulf’s current standard, with portions upgraded to 100G. The cable system connects all the countries in the Gulf in a robust ring configuration. From the region, the cable connects eastwards to Mumbai, India and westwards to Italy, up through mainland Europe to Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London. There have been calls for such a service as the region has been underserved by marine capacity, which has inevitably led to high prices and a lack of competition.

august 2012

Qatar Today 17

n e w s bi t e s

Vodafone continue to grow

odafone Qatar’s revenue for the second quarter of 2012 grew by 21% year-on-year, driven by a combination of continued customer growth and a strong ARPU (average revenue per user) performance which resulted in a 67% EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) improvement over the same period last year. It’s customer-base grew by 16% since June 2011 and by almost 5% in the last quarter. Quarterly revenue of QR 350 million was a 21% growth over the same quarter last year and 11% over the previous quarter. Average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to

QR122; this is a 5% year-on-year increase and 8% over the last quarter. EBITDA achieved QR51 million which is an improvement of 67% year-on-year and 23% increase over the previous quarter. Net Loss improved to QR118 million – an improvement of 3.3% over the same period last year and 6.5% over the last quarter. Richard Daly, Vodafone Qatar’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “During the past three months, we launched new services for our customers such as prepaid add-ons and Smart Packs that offer our customers the flexibility of choosing daily, weekly or monthly bundles to suit their needs. This drove the growth in revenue and led to a more profitable sales mix.

QF collaborates with Harvard Institute

atar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) will embark upon a collaborative project with Harvard Law School’s (HLS) Institute for Global Law and Policy (IGLP). The agreement is part of an initiative of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) to establish a Qatar graduate law school with three integrated pillars: a doctoral programme, a research institute, and a faculty development programme. Under the terms of the arrangement, Qatar Foundation will support HLS and IGLP initiatives to extend their reach for legal education across the world. As part

of the collaboration, IGLP will provide advice and expertise to Qatar Foundation as it seeks to establish a law school in Qatar, a world-class graduate legal institute. IGLP will offer advice in the development of the law school’s academic programme, admissions policy, and exchange of academic and administrative know-how. At present, IGLP runs a yearly workshop at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This respected project will be replicated in Qatar, allowing young scholars of law and policy from around the world to convene for discussions in Doha on an annual basis. The first of these workshops will take place from January 4-14, 2013.

Launch of Al Million Taxi

l Million Services became the first private company to launch a public taxi service in Qatar on July 1, and it hopes to deploy around 500 taxis before the end of this year. “Al Million represents a unique business solution and has undergone remarkable evolution since its inception over a decade ago,” said Abdul Kader Mydeen, Managing Director of Al Million Group. Al Million first found its feet in the construction industry ten years ago, before

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expanding into transportation and now into the taxi business. “Al Million enters the market with the latest GPS/GPRS-enabled technology in all of its taxis to ensure complete passenger safety, convenience and performance. We spend large amounts of time and investment in developing and implementing the software, state-of-the-art callcentre and automated dispatch system, latest in in-vehicle equipment (IVE) and of course the training of drivers.”

Judges chosen for WISE Prize

even global leaders from diverse fields have been named as members of the 2012 WISE Prize for Education Jury. The group were selected by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) for their vision, expertise and shared passion for education. They will convene in Washington, DC in early September to make a final choice of the Laureate whose name will be announced at the 4th WISE Summit here in Doha on November 13-15. Now in its second year, the WISE Prize for Education is the first and only global prize to recognise world-class contributors to education at a similar level to other major prizes for science, literature, peace or economics. “Last year, the jury decided to grant the inaugural WISE Prize for Education to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed,” said HE Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, Ph.D., Chairman of WISE and of the WISE Prize Jury. “I think this recognition has contributed to raising the central role of education in our societies.”

The 2012 WISE Prize for Education Jury comprises: HE Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali AlThani, ph.d Chairman of WISE, Qatar Foundation, Chairman of the Jury

Dr James H. Billington Librarian of Congress, USA

HE Naledi Pandor MP Minister of Science and Technology, South Africa

Prof. Zhou Qifeng, President of Peking University, Deputy of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China

Mary Robinson, President of the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice, Honorary President of Oxfam International, President of Ireland 1990 to 1997

Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs Director of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA

Fatma Rafiq Zakaria Chair of the Maulana Azad Educational Trust, India

n e w s bi t e s

Msheireb Downtown Doha to save water

Public sector governance reform imminent in Middle East

sheireb Properties recently announced a site-wide nonpotable water system within Msheireb Downtown Doha. The system – which will produce non-potable for other purposes – will further treat municipality supplied Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) so it is pure enough to be used in the district cooling system, which utilises energy-efficient evaporative chillers, and for irrigation of the site’s vegetation and for the flushing of all toilets. This will save over 6,500,000 litres of potable water per day. Director of Projects, Msheireb Proper-

ties, Mohammed Al-Marri said: “We conducted thorough research into various alternative solutions in terms of setting the highest benchmark for water conservation and treatment. “I am confident that we have in place the best possible solution, which will support the project’s sustainability agenda and meet the needs of residents.” A drip irrigation system and a planting palette that focuses on native and adapted species will ensure an efficient irrigation regime for the landscape. The irrigation system will reduce evaporative losses and the landscaping will require less water overall.

Business sentiment eases in Qatar

usiness optimism has dropped in Qatar according to Dun & Bradstreet South Asia Middle East Ltd which recently released its Business Optimism Index (BOI) for Qatar for Q3 2012 in association with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority After a positive start to the year, market sentiment has turned pessimistic due to a number of reasons including fiscal slippage, banking downgrades, and political and financial uncertainty in Europe, the US and China. The fantastic high annual double-digit growth which the country witnessed from 2006 to 2011 has now moderated, attributed mainly to the culmination of the decadelong expansion of LNG and a self-imposed moratorium on new developments. GDP growth is likely to be around 6% for 2012. The survey of about 500 businesses in Qatar reveals that non-hydrocarbon sector optimism is weaker for Q3, but the transport and communications and the construction sectors have recorded improvements in op-

timism levels for the third quarter. Yousuf Al Jaida, Director of Strategic Development at QFCA, said: “In Qatar growth rates are moderating, but GDP growth of 6.9% in the first quarter still remains high by international standards. It is also worth noting that financial and business services within that achieved 7.2% growth on their own. It is indicative of longer-term confidence that the non-hydrocarbon sector is showing greater signs of business expansion than was the case last quarter.”

ith recent political and social developments, the upsurge of social media, tighter government budgets and new legislative regulations, there is increased demand for public sector accountability across the Middle East. Experts at Deloitte have assessed the impact of the all these factors – including the “Arab Spring” in the region – and suggest that reform of governance in the Middle East’s public sector is imminent, with many regulatory changes to come about. “Public scepticism, combined with unprecedented transparency, is placing everyone under scrutiny like never before. The boundaries of social responsibility are rapidly expanding, challenging individuals in authority to consider the public and its agenda,” said Rami Wadie, Partner and Corporate Governance Leader, Deloitte Middle East “In light of the global financial crisis, corporate governance has been concentrated on the activity of organisations deemed ‘systemically’ important to the economy” advised Wadie. “Relatively little discourse has been directed towards corporate governance in public sector organisations, which are found to have as much impact on society. In fact, state-owned enterprises account for nearly half of economic output in some MENA countries. The actions of government departments and public entities affect all citizens, therefore understanding how these choices and decisions are made is a matter of significant public interest.” “Good institutional governance should be instilled by the development of governance systems in ministries and authorities,” said Wadie. “The public sector now has the aim of focusing on enhancing the quality of public services consistent with citizen expectations, promoting compliance and conformance, with appropriate transparency and flexibility,” he added.

august 2012

Qatar Today 19

porsche’s new baby 69

O & G overview

Qatar strengthens position as GTL R&D hub

he gas-to-liquids (GTL) process offers an alternative route to monetise gas resources by turning them into high-quality liquid hydrocarbons which are heavily demanded in the rapidly expanding Asian markets and elsewhere across the globe, according to the Executive Vice-President and Chairman of Qatar Shell and Managing Director of Pearl GTL, Wael Sawan. Sawan told the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) that Qatar Shell was focusing on creating the supply chains needed to bring GTL products to the market. “Products like GTL gasoil and GTL naphtha should register a significant growth in demand until 2020, and a significant part of that growth will come from demand within Asian markets,” he said. “We have invested not only in Asia-Pacific but also in Europe and the US where we can see potential for these products.” Sawan said Qatar was ideally placed to take on the increasingly important role of being a research and development (R&D)

wael sawan executive vp and chairman of qatar shell

hub for the energy industry, given its abundant oil and gas facilities, and the high number of key players located there. He said many cutting-edge collaborative programmes were already up and running, including a joint initiative between Qatar Petroleum, Imperial College and Qatar Shell which was exploring the key area of carbonates. “Having a facility where all these entities can come together is a massive boost,” he said. “Increasingly, we see the enthusiasm of academics and researchers, and, more importantly, the appetite of companies.”

Chevron Lubricants restoring fuel economy

hevron Lubricants launched its most advanced fuel cleaning system for car owners in the Middle East last month. Techron Concentrate Plus contains the patented polyether amine (PEA) formula that can help to restore lost power, performance and vehicle fuel economy. With more than a 40-year investment in research, technology and expertise behind the evolution of Techron technology, the

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QP and Shell advance world-class petrochemicals complex

fuel system cleaner is very effective in the clean-up of deposits and significantly restores lost power and performance. A clean engine also helps ensure fuel-to-air ratio is optimised, thereby maximising fuel efficiency. Asim Khan, Area Business Manager for the Gulf Region, said: “Techron Concentrate Plus offers a unique total fuel system protection for your vehicle. We want the drivers to think of Chevron as being synonymous with protection and performance.”

atar Petroleum (QP) and Shell have agreed to initiate the next project definition phase of Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for a world-scale petrochemicals project in Ras Laffan Industrial City. This follows the Heads of Agreement signed by Minister of Energy and Industry, HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al-Sada and CEO of Royal Dutch Shell Peter Voser in December 2011 to set the scope and commercial principles for its development. Commenting on this progress, the minister said: “I am pleased that QP and Shell have progressed this world-class project into the FEED stage. This is a key milestone in the journey to enhance Qatar’s growing chemicals industry, delivering another viable option to generate optimal value from its natural gas resources, in line with the directives of HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.” The scope under consideration includes a world-scale steam cracker, with feedstock coming from natural gas projects in Qatar; a mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) plant of up to 1.5 million tonnes per annum using Shell’s proprietary OMEGA (Only MEG Advantage) technology; 300 kilotonnes per annum of linear alpha olefins using Shell’s proprietary SHOP (Shell Higher Olefin Process); and a 250 kilotonnes per annum oxo alcohols unit. The petrochemicals complex will produce cost-competitive products to be marketed worldwide. Qatar is well located for investments in petrochemical derivatives manufacturing facilities due to its proximity to growth markets, in combination with access to ethane feed stocks.

connect with ireland

bank notes Bank Sarasin: the Storm is not over yet

he escalation of the eurozone debt crisis in the second quarter of 2012 has dimmed the prospects for the months ahead, although a turnaround in emerging markets is possible in the second half of the year. In its current Global View investment outlook, bank analysts at Bank Sarasin expect that the growth slowdown will adversely affect returns on risk assets in the third quarter of 2012. Further setbacks are likely on the stock markets, providing opportunities in emerging market equities, they say. Safe government bonds also remain unattractive at the present record-low yield levels. In comparison, corporate bonds are much more attractive. Money-market and real estate assets are interesting alternatives in light of the mounting economic risks. The euro debt crisis worsened dramatically in the second quarter of 2012, and now it is going to require far-reaching initiatives on the part of policymakers to safeguard

the solvency of the eurozone, to perfect the monetary union and to stave off the creeping credit crunch in Europe. The economic growth slowdown in the US and emergingmarket countries will also soon prompt policy intervention. However, the effects of monetary and fiscal policy actions often kick in with a time lag. Hence, there is no hope of Europe returning to a growth path before 2013, according to Bank Sarasin. The risks to the economy are clearly on the downside for the time being. Despite the necessary expansion of central-bank balance sheets, Bank Sarasin does not see any threat of inflation as long as households and governments still need to deleverage. Head of Research and Chief Economist at Bank Sarasin Jan Amrit Poser said: “The eurozone needs a Big Bang on the part of policymakers to stop the downward spiral. The economic cycle in the rest of the world hinges substantially on such intervention, but accompanying actions by central banks in the US and emerging economies are also needed to halt an impending downturn.”

QFCRA takes another important step

he Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) has become a signatory to the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU). The MMoU will provide the QFCRA with a formal framework for the secure exchange of supervisory information with insurance supervisors around the world. It is an essential regulatory tool to assist with the crossborder oversight of insurance companies in the QFC and helps to promote financial integrity and customer protection in Qatar. The IAIS accepted the application of the QFCRA to be a signatory of the MMoU after undertaking a rigorous and independent

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validation process of the insurance regulatory framework in place in the QFC. Michael Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of the QFCRA , welcomed the decision: “With a growing number of international insurance firms continuing to establish in the QFC, the MMoU will assist with their effective supervision through increased cooperation and exchange of supervisory information with our fellow MMoU signatories.” “We are pleased to welcome Qatar as a signatory,” said Peter Braumueller, Chair of the IAIS Executive Committee. “It is an essential regulatory tool – not only in crisis situations, but on a daily basis – for supervisors to foster more stable insurance markets, and the IAIS encourages each of its members to become a MMoU signatory.”

Arab World committed to sustainable progress

he International Arab Banking Summit 2012 was held in Berlin in late June. International and Arab bankers, economists, top business professionals and key industry players participated in this event. The theme of the summit was “The Change”, and Doha Bank Group CEO Dr R. Seetharaman participated in the panel discussion on “EU-MENA economic relations following the Regional and international developments”, where he highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between the Arab and EU blocs. “In order to have a proper roadmap for regional prosperity,” Seetharaman added, “the Arab world is committed to achieve deeper economic and commercial integration, expanded trade with other blocs for its benefit, and legal and financial cooperation. The challenges for the Arab world include minimising the gap between prosperous and struggling economies by uplifting struggling economies, addressing adversities of globalisation and creating equitable positions with other blocs, to minimise investment and effort in sectors where intraArab conflicts of interest and competition is avoidable, synergise investment towards overall Arab interest, the increase EU-Arab trade and mutually beneficial and progress on diversification which will contribute to economic development and employment opportunities.”

Bilateral Trade between Arab World and EU

2010

QR 450 million total

2011

GCC to EU, QR 250 million EU to GCC, QR 330 million

bank not es

A Treasured Investment Whether it’s art, jewellery or classic cars, there are certain objects that will always hold their value and may even earn you a tidy profit. So with falling property prices and poor returns on cash, it’s perhaps not surprising there has been renewed interest in alternative investments as an asset class.

Let’s

In addition, access to collectibles via the Internet has opened up the market to a wider range of investors, which means collectors can bid and acquire objects from anywhere in the world, which can further influence price and demand. In fact, interest in “treasure” assets has grown so much that they are now an important component of our collective total cash in your wallet. Take the example of Eurythmics musician Dave Stewart who wealth. On average, the wealthy individuals surveyed for the Barclays Wealth report say that their treasure in June 2011 sold a Damien Hirst canvas assets comprise as much as 9.6% of their given to him by the artist with a dedication total net worth. Respondents from the on the back. The piece, “Dantrolene”, sold United Arab Emirates report that as much for QR6.2 million. Nor will Qatar-based as 18% of their wealth is held in treasure, art-loving expats have missed the news followed by those from Saudi Arabia and earlier this year that Paul Cezanne’s, “The China at 17%. These findings hold even Card Players” has been purchased by the there are market indices when gold, a popular asset class, is excludQatari royal family for a record-breaking and specialist funds which ed. So what returns can a private investor QR910 million. You’ll get your chance to enable individuals to track expect? The good news is that indulging a view this masterpiece when it goes on dispassion for collectibles has certainly been play in the capital in 2014. and invest in a wider range lucrative of late. The Mei Moses Fine Art But for the less well heeled, when it of collectibles. There are Index, which tracks fine art sales, climbed comes to collectibles there are a number even asset-backed financing 22% in 2010 and 10.2% in 2011, beating of rules you can apply to identify a potenthe S&P 500’s total return. Classic cars tial future winner. Firstly, consider an products that enable are also doing well as prices not only beat investment in something you are enthusicollectors to borrow against returns on equities, but managed to outastic about. Whether your passion is jewtheir treasure assets. perform gold. Figures from the Historic ellery, art or cars, the knowledge you build Automobile Group International (HAGI) up will help identify objects that are more show that prices in some segments of the likely to hold their value. classic car market rose by 20% in 2011, Secondly, researching the market will ensure you don’t pay over the odds. To help, there are market compared with a 10% rise in gold prices. So, as an asset class, collectibles can add diversification to a indices and specialist funds which now enable individuals to track and invest in a wider range of collectibles. There are even portfolio and offer returns that are often uncorrelated to equity asset-backed financing products that enable collectors to borrow markets, but, like any investment, collectibles are by no means risk-free. As well as value, attention needs to be paid to provagainst their treasure assets. However, this is not as easy as it sounds, according to a recent enance and careful thought given to storage, insurance and upreport by Barclays Wealth. Investors often apply emotional and keep. But on balance, a proportion of your portfolio in alternasocial attachments to treasure, influencing their decisions on tive asset classes could be well worth the effort, and think of the enjoyment! price and when to buy and sell. feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

face it, the idea of hanging a beautiful piece of art on your wall or owning a classic car such as an Aston Martin or Rolls Royce Phantom has always had a certain cachet. But beauty on the eye can also translate to

BY David Russell Senior Executive Officer, Guardian Wealth Management David Russell joined Guardian Wealth Management in Geneva, helping from inception to establish an office which is now regarded as one of the leading providers of independent financial advice to the employees of many international organisations. With the expansion of the company into the Middle East, David was elected to take over the reins as the Senior Executive Officer for Qatar. He brings a wealth of experience to the Qatar office as well as a sound legal background, which stands him in very good stead in ensuring the team brings the best in financial advice to theIR many expatriate clients.

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how to enhance your financial security Managing the risks of investment represents the biggest challenge that all investors face on a daily basis. Recent economic conditions and market volatility have made risk management even more important, and good practices can really help to both preserve and grow personal wealth.

Events

return

A carefully-constructed portfolio could help to insulate your like those seen in Europe and the US in recent years have made investing investment, to some degree, against large falls in financial marmore challenging, and many inves- kets. Better still, diversifying not only reduces risk but could also tors have taken advantage of different enhance the performance of your portfolio. Without getting too technical, this effect was studied in detail investment types and styles that they feel may be more secure in these challenging times. One challenge by two Nobel Prize-winning economists, Harry Markowitz and Bill Sharpe. In essence, their theory – that investors face is that lower-risk in‘Modern Portfolio Theory’ – shows that vesting often generates lower returns. A Stock and Bonds : it is possible to enhance returns by diverbank account, for many, is a safe haven Risk Versus return (1970-2005) sifying without adding additional risk. during uncertainty, but the trade-off for Look at the attached diagram. It plots the investors is the opportunity that is lost risk-return characteristics of stocks and to generate wealth. bonds between 1970 and 2005 (here, risk One trend that has been seen is that 13 is represented by a statistical measure more investors, even professional maximum risk portfolio (100% stocks) called “standard deviation”). Clearly, ininvestors, are following the old metaB vesting 100% in bonds (A in the diagram) phor of not placing all of their eggs in one 12 20% 80% would have produced a much lowerbasket. The investment term is 40% 60% return, lower-risk portfolio than invest“diversification”. 50% 50% 11 ing 100% in equities (B), the most risky Many investors ask why the practice but also highest-returning portfolio. The of diversifying is a good strategy. Past 75% 25% minimum risk portfolio C 10 diagram, however, also shows that if you performance data show that asset class100% bonds had invested 75% in bonds and 25% in es tend to perform differently dependA RISK equities (C), you would have received ing on market circumstances. Shares or 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 higher returns than an all-bond portfolio equities usually perform strongly when but lower risk than other choices. the economic environment is positive, So the principle of diversification is for example. If an economy is doing well consumers spend more, companies prosper, share prices rise and powerful, and many investors have carefully spread their eggs investors view equities as being less risky. When economic con- across multiple baskets. The question for investors should be “Is ditions are less positive, investors have a habit of moving out of your portfolio spread carefully across multiple asset categories?” and many investors may still not benefit from the protection that equities into perceived safer havens, such as bonds, or even cash. We have to remember that there is no clear signal that condi- other asset classes, like bonds, may provide. Many investors who tions are good for investment or more challenging, and finding have not diversified may remain more exposed if markets take a the ideal balance between safer investments and more risky in- turn for the worse. For the prudent investor, a degree of diversification may ensure vestments is difficult. For investors that are concerned about fluctuations in investment markets, diversification may reduce greater financial stability and protection of your nest eggs to enrisk as it helps investors spread investments across different asset sure that you have the wealth available to fund your future lifestyle, family needs or retirement. classes or regions. feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

By Kris Werner Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC

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thailand – the gem of asia-pacific 80

realty check

More transparency in tender and bid processes

oreign companies wanting to land lucrative infrastructure projects in Qatar will need to reconsider their approach to the tender process, according to experts assembled for the MEED Qatar Infrastructure Projects conference in London last month. Participating speakers agreed international contractors need to be more strategic about their business development practices in the Gulf state and act with more transparency throughout the bid phase to improve tender conversion rates. The New Doha Port, for example, has moved its tender and bid process online in an effort to make the tender process more efficient and competitive and to improve the overall quality of submissions. All details of past, current and future tender packages are now available on its website. The project also publishes the names of all companies who apply for prequalification as well as the names of those who get shortlisted. “We are trying to improve transparency between the client and bidders,” explained Engineer Nabeel Mohammed A.R. Al Buenain, Project Executive Director, New Doha

Port. “Some companies have complained to us about publishing their names when they have not prequalified, but we believe this creates a more competitive and fair marketplace. “There are six criteria which bidders must satisfy before tendering for our projects. They must have acceptable cash flow, experience in the field, the right equipment, skills and staff and be committed to the project and Qatar. It is very important that submissions demonstrate capability in each of these areas.” While New Doha Port’s tender portal has received some criticism from contractors, James Brenan from law firm Herbert Smith said it was an approach clients have to adopt in order to attract world-class contractors. “What we have now is a cultural disconnection between clients and companies. Contractors need to change the way they approach a deal, adding more value beyond contractual communications by bringing new ideas and being innovative. Companies have to manage the client relationship as much as the contract. It can mean the difference between succeeding and losing the bid,” said Brenan.

Qatar residential property rates gain traction

lthough on average only marginal rental increases were witnessed across Qatar’s residential locations, strong demand for one- and two-bedroom apartments pushed their rental rates up by 8% compared with Q1, according to the Qatar Q2 2012 report from leading property management company Asteco. “Demand for one- and two-bedroom apartments is now beginning to outstrip supply in various locations, particularly in the Diplomatic District and The PearlQatar, both offering good-quality accommodation, something tenants from mature overseas markets will not compromise on,” commented Jed Wolfe, Managing Director, Asteco Qatar. Rental growth for the remainder of the year may be limited, as a significant number of apartments are scheduled to complete by the year’s end, but Wolfe remained upbeat: “If demand continues to grow at this pace, the market could acquire a healthy supply and demand balance particularly in the one- and two-bedroom category.”

QPM appoints new Chairman

atar Project Management (QPM) – one of the region’s premier project management companies and the first Qatari firm in the field – has appointed Ahmad Abdulla Al Abdulla as its new Chairman. Al Abdulla currently holds the role of Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Barwa Real Estate, overseeing the management and engineering functions for Barwa projects, and will now guide QPM through the continued phase of expansion

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Ahmad Abdulla Al Abdulla Chairman, QPM

and growth. Following his appointment, Al Abdulla commented: “QPM has attained significant achievement to date and we look forward to continuing the journey and ensuring that we maintain alignment with the vision of being a leading provider of worldclass project management services in the region, achieving this through its mission to capture a large share of the regional project management market and expand its portfolio through its diverse pool of high-calibre talent and track record of achievement.”

the pearl of qatar

arab snippets

Syrian refugees flee for safety

kuwait

New elections imminent in Kuwait

he UN Security Council voted unanimously to keep its observer mission in Syria for a “final” 30 days last month, but agreed it could be extended further if the use of heavy weapons ended and fighting eased. The observers – sent to oversee a ceasefire that never took hold – suspended their work in the face of escalating violence. Fighting engulfed areas of Syria’s capital Damascus as Government forces launched all-out attacks on rebel strongholds. Thousands of Syrians began to flee into neighbouring countries. Lebanese border guards said 18,000 refugees crossed in a 48 hour period. The queue of vehicles waiting to cross stretched as far as the eye could see – the traffic a mix of luxury and old vehicles, while the poorer

Kiya Arab Youth budding entrepreneurs

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families travelled on foot, dragging their personal belongings behind them. “The refugee situation has become much more dramatic with the spreading of the violence into Damascus,” said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokeswoman Melissa Fleming. “We have figures that there could be anywhere from 9,000 to 30,000 that have fled across the border into Lebanon just in the last 48 hours. “There may be up to a million Syrians displaced within the country and inside Damascus we’re seeing people shifting from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, sleeping in parks, in schools.” The UNHCR says there are already 26,900 registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon, although activists say the real figure is much higher, while there may be as many as 35,000 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan.

iva Arab Youth has been a conduit for over $1 million (QR3.64 million) in loans to more than 750 young entrepreneurs in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Yemen during the past three months.. Kiva Arab Youth is a new initiative of Silatech and Kiva, the world’s largest micro-lending platform, which enables anyone to loan to a budding young Arab entrepreneur. Chief Executive Officer at Silatech, Dr. Tarik Yousef noted the gap that Kiva Arab Youth fills in the region, saying “Kiva

uwait’s ruler, HH Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, approved a new cabinet last month, which saw the return of many of the old guard following the resignation of the last cabinet in June. The previous cabinet, including Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah who returned as prime minister, resigned after Kuwait’s constitutional court effectively dissolved a parliament dominated by opposition Islamists, reinstating its more governmentfriendly predecessor instead. The line-up of the new cabinet, which saw only one new face, former lawmaker Rola Dashti as planning and development minister, was widely expected. Analysts now expect Kuwait’s ruler to dissolve parliament in order to allow a new election, widely expected to be held after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. But such a move could prove difficult as majority of the 50-elected-member assembly have said they are boycotting the reinstated parliament, which was tarnished by corruption allegations. According to the Kuwaiti constitution, the cabinet will have to resign after the parliamentary election and a new cabinet will be formed. Arab Youth provides a transparent platform that links the need for financing with the huge, but largely untapped, charitable potential of the Arab world.” In March 2012, Kiva partnered with Silatech, a Qatar-based social initiative focused on youth employment and entrepreneurship, to launch Kiva Arab Youth. In the opening three months of the scheme, young Arab entrepreneurs have received loans from over 20,000 individuals worldwide. To ameliorate the impact for borrowers, Silatech is funding a total of $250,000 in matching loans.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bull! SPAIN, Pamplona: Participants run in front of Cebada Gago bulls during the third bull run of the San Fermin festival on July 9. The festival is a symbol of Spanish culture that attracts thousands of tourists to watch the bull runs despite heavy condemnation from animal rights groups.

let the games begin Great Britain, London: Opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27. The event runs until August 12

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AFP PHOTO / EZRA SHAW/POOL

world view

AFP PHOTO / RAFA RIVAS

world view AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT

Japan suffers from floods JAPAN, Kumamoto: A man walks along a road covered in mud after heavy rains fell at Kumamoto city in Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southern island of Kyushu in July. At least six people died, 18 were missing and 50,000 ordered to evacuate as the heaviest rainfall on record pounded the island.

Another Dark Night in Colorado

AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT

UNITED STATES, AURORA: The scene of a shooting rampage during an early morning screening of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises on July 21, 2012 in Aurora, outside of Denver, Colorado. According to reports, 12 people were killed and over 59 injured including nine in critical condition. Police have the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes of North Aurora, in custody.

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Partnerships for

Transformation PPPs can offer GCC countries an effective way to promote their national development goals as well as attract private-sector expertise and capital while effectively balancing project risk between partners.

The

GCC is engaged in ambitious economic develop- aspects, such as the reversion of assets back to the state â&#x20AC;&#x201C; proviment. The six member tates have embarked on na- sions not always covered by existing laws. Some GCC states have tional investment programmes worth over half a implemented PPPs without any special legislation, while othtrillion dollars (QR1.8 trillion). These plans aim to ers have opted to draft specific legal coverage. Qatar is one such promote the growth of the private sector and to de- country that is developing a PPP law and planning a governance crease dependence on hydrocarbons. Much of this spending will framework. Second, the governance framework involves monitoring PPP be on infrastructure and public services, such as health and education. Qatar alone will spend QR455 billion between 2011 and projects. Governance, like legislation, aims at fairness and balance for the government as well as for the private providers. Inde2016 as part of its National Development Strategy. pendent regulatory agencies can provide One way to invest this money effectivegovernance that is free of political maniply is through public-private partnerships ulation. They can cover specific sectors or (PPPs), which are established collaball PPPs and should examine overall perorative mechanisms between the public formance, including tariffs and quality. and private sectors that have been used Third, the supervisory framework inextensively around the world. Some GCC states have volves overseeing PPP projects on a daily Deployed in a rigorous and targeted implemented PPPs without basis. Although PPPs are long-term agreemanner, PPPs can offer GCC countries an ments, they still require government and effective way to promote their national any special legislation, while the private sector to maintain regular development goals as well as attract priothers have opted to draft liaison. vate-sector expertise and capital while efspecific legal coverage. fectively balancing project risk between Road map to PPP success partners. Although PPPs do not work for Qatar is one such country While these frameworks are important all sectors, and GCC countries should not that is developing a PPP law considerations for the GCC states, the overuse them, they can ensure efficiency, and planning a governance most crucial step in using PPPs is to develspeed, transparency and economic imop a multi-sector roadmap. This rigorous pact in the delivery of services or vital inframework. methodology connects PPPs to national frastructure. development goals and identifies where For the GCC states to derive the full they are most likely to succeed. benefit of the PPP mechanism, they will The roadmap is a top-down analysis that breaks down the need a different approach from that used by either industrialised nations or developing countries. Specifically, the GCC countries economy into sectors, points to projects suitable for PPPs within should adopt a rigorous methodology before adopting a PPP these sectors, and then filters them according to priorities, bestrategy. Critically, they will need to draft a detailed multi-sector fore finally plotting them on a schedule. The five phases of road roadmap to identify PPP-appropriate sectors and projects. Gov- map development are: sector selection, sector analysis, projernments will also have to build their own planning and oversight ect compilation, national project prioritisation, and time-line development. capabilities. Important frameworks PPPs can be complex, multi-generational endeavours. Therefore, governments need to consider whether they have the correct legal, governance and supervisory frameworks. The legal structure matters because PPPs can potentially involve legally complex

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Sector selection Sector selection involves determining PPP-appropriate sectors. GCC governments will need to decide which economic sectors would benefit from PPPs by answering two questions. The first relates to the willingness of the public sector to reduce its con-

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trol over a particular activity; the second asks about the sector’s role in national development. In the GCC, this may mean excluding oil and gas, a sector that needs no investment and is overly economically dominant.

to each of the criteria as appropriate for their country’s particular circumstances. The private-sector criteria help to vet the capability of potential private partners by assessing their readiness to participate in specific PPP projects.

Sector analysis Sector analysis means examining each sector’s value chain to find PPP opportunities. The government should assess value chain readiness, review investor availability and appetite, and evaluate the government’s own capability to oversee the project. For example, the power sector has three value chain steps: generation, transmission and distribution. Generation is the most amenable to PPPs and internationally has been the friendliest to a partnership approach.

Timeline development The government completes the roadmap by establishing timelines for the PPP projects that have passed through the prioritisation filters. Decision makers should select top priority projects and schedule implementation using realistic time frames that accommodate the government’s implementation capabilities.

Project compilation Rigorous sector analysis allows the government to compile a national registry of potential projects. By comprehensively examining each value chain step, the government can decide whether or not a project should be considered for the final roadmap while ensuring comprehensive coverage of the economy and alignment with national development goals. National project prioritisation Governments can then rank the list of projects according to private- and public-sector priorities. The ranking uses private-sector and government-sector criteria. Officials can assign weights

Proceed with caution GCC countries can use PPPs effectively if they adopt the road map method. This customised approach provides the necessary tailor-made, powerful tool that will enable GCC countries to pinpoint which economic sectors will benefit from a PPP. The roadmap – along with supplementary checks on affordability, finance, and value for money – will ensure the use of PPPs in a manner that fits with national needs and that promotes each country’s economic ambitions. Nevertheless, GCC governments need to proceed with caution when implementing the roadmap. Although the roadmap helps a government determine which projects it should consider, it cannot tell the government how to manage these projects. Nor does it show how the government’s accounts should handle the complex, long-term liabilities that may arise from PPPs.

Visit

www.booz.com and www.booz.com/me

By George Atalla, Partner, Karim Aly, Senior Associate, and Mirian Itani, Associate with Booz & Company

About Booz & Company: Booz & Company is a leading global management consulting firm, helping the world’s top businesses, government ministries and organisations. Our founder, Edwin Booz, defined the profession when he established the first management consulting firm in 1914. Today, with more than 3,300 people in 60 offices around the world, we bring foresight and knowledge, deep functional expertise, and a practical approach to building capabilities and delivering real impact. We work closely with our clients to create and deliver essential advantage.

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continuing with European Market strategy Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth fund is showing its capacity all over the World, but it seems to be focusing much of its attention on Europe – a region that is coming under relentless economic pressure.

The

past five years have seen Qatar build up an impressive portfolio of high-profile overseas assets. In April, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, announced that the assets under its management have so far exceeded $100 billion (QR364 billion). One of the most prestigious among these is The Shard, which upon completion will be the tallest building in Western Europe. The £500 million (QR2.8 billion) development is 95% funded by Qatar, and was won in 2008 by a Qatari consortium that includes Sellar Property Group and Qatar National Bank. Yet The Shard is just the tip of the iceberg. High energy prices and stellar economic growth have meant that Qatar has accumulated huge surpluses over the past decade. However, the state is looking to ensure a non-oil-and-gas dependent future, and has been pursuing a long-term strategic overseas investment policy into a range of sectors – from real estate to energy – particularly in Europe. This diversification policy is gathering pace. In March Qatar Holding, the investment arm of QIA, became the third investor in French oil company Total, with a 3% stake worth around €2 billion (QR8.4 billion). March saw the acquisition of a 6% stake in the Spanish power company Iberdrola by Qatar Holding for about $2.8 billion (QR10.2 billion), one of a number of other investments in the utility sector in Western Europe. In June, the QIA bought a luxury retail complex on Paris’ Champs-Elysees boulevard for around $623 million (QR2.3 billion). Indeed, the QIA has made several major investments in France recently, buying football club Paris Saint-Germain (70% ownership) as well as a 5.6% share in building firm Vinci, 5% of utility group Veolia and a 10.1% stake in media group Lagardere. Qatar also sees growing potential in the international hotel and hospitality segment. In early July, Qatar Holding announced its plan to open a series of Harrods-branded hotels around the world, including New York, Paris, London, Kuala Lumpur, China and Italy. This comes just two years after the investment firm bought the iconic London department store for $2.3 billion (QR8.4 billion). Moreover, in recent years Qatar Holding and the QIA have spent around £13 billion (QR73.4 billion) in London alone, including

a 26% share of UK supermarket Sainsbury’s, a 20% stake in the London Stock Exchange and the so-called “Olympic Village” for the 2012 Games, which is 100% Qatari-owned. Despite some concerns that by taking on sizable commitments in Europe Qatar is exposing itself to the ongoing sovereign debt crisis and broader economic turmoil there, QIA and Qatar Holding are operating with the mentality that European economies will rebound. Furthermore, the nature of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund goes some way towards addressing fears that overseas investments are high-risk. First, Qatar’s investment programme, with its focus on highprofile projects such as The Shard, has as much to do with raising the profile of the state as a serious global investor as it is about making a good return on its purchases. Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is a brand-conscious enterprise, a large part of the value of which has to do with defining Qatar on the world stage as business-friendly and economically liberal. Second, these investments are by nature long-term. Although Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund made approximately $1.03 billion (QR3.6 billion) by selling 379 million shares of its Barclays Bank stock, it retained a 7% equity stake in the British bank. This is just one example of the broader long-term view the state is taking when it comes to sovereign wealth generation. Third, the sheer diversity of Qatari spending should ensure that Qatar is not overexposed or at a high level of risk. Expenditure across a broad range of sectors and in a number of markets means that Qatar is not putting all of its eggs in one basket. This risk management strategy puts the state in a more secure – indeed favourable – position for finding future alternative growth drivers to oil and gas. While other Gulf states have been investing in Europe, Qatar stands out – just as the skyline-defining Shard does in London – in terms of the number of investments and the range of different sectors these have been made in. There are downside risks to this European focus, given the continuing economic crisis across the zone, but by taking full advantage of the opportunities for assetbuilding the state hopes its portfolio will appreciate when the rebound happens.

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By Oliver Cornock The author is the Regional Editor of Oxford Business Group

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Why should firms be concerned about the fight against poverty? The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not a new one. It has certainly acquired a very high profile in the last ten years or so, but for many businesses CSR is still simply a way of making the firm ‘look good’. THERE is a great deal more to it than that argues Professor Frederic DalsaCE, WHO SHARED HIS THOUGHTs WITH QATAR TODAY .

The

Moral Imperative headline is less a question, What do we mean by these terms? Firstly, and more a statement. I beMoral Imperative argues that the poor lieve that firms should be conshould not be subsidising the rich by havcerned about the fight against ing to pay (relatively) more money per poverty, and there are several unit of consumption for utilities (water, reasons for this, not just the fashionably electricity...) or many other goods (mocosmetic one. “the double (poverty) penalty”: bile phone, credit...). Typically, a smaller Poverty, of course, is relative. Somenot only do the poor have less dwelling will cost more per square meone who might be considered poor in one money – which is a tautology – tre than larger ones, and the paradox is country might not be considered poor that smaller houses are relatively more elsewhere in the world. I don’t think that it but they have to pay relatively expensive. is particularly productive to try and estabmore for many goods because This is an example of what we call “the lish a “hierarchy of poverty”, as I think the they are POOR. CAN WE TOLERATE double (poverty) penalty”: not only do the concept is generally understood regardpoor have less money – which is a tautolless of where in the world you might be. THIS? SHOULDN’T FIRMS FIGHT ogy – but they have to pay relatively more What is important is that poverty should THIS? for many goods because they are poor. Can be challenged wherever it exists. we really tolerate this? Shouldn’t firms We must, however, get away from the fight this? We have known for a long time idea that any effort a firm expends on fightthat poverty penalties exist in emerging ing poverty is detrimental to its “bottom line”; the facts are that the opposite is the case, and that there is countries because these markets are not fully efficient. For exsignificant room between the existing demands of the markets and ample, in India a glass of water may be 50 times more expensive in the slums than in a residential area. What is new is that we have philanthropy for firms to successfully fight poverty. An increasing number of firms are “joining the fight” against demonstrated that poverty penalties also exist in rich countries. poverty, and there are many that spring to mind: Essilor in India, Typically the cheaper mobile call plans can only be found on Internet sites, but these possibilities will simply pass you by if you S.C. Johnson in Kenya and Danone in Indonesia. In these cases, and many others like them, profit is not seen as don’t have access to the Internet. a direct purpose. Neither are “public relations”. We have to go beyond these reasons, and I would like to break down the motives Economic Motivation into three categories that I call the “Moral Imperative”, “Eco- “Economic Motivation” argues that it is in firms’ own interests to help poor people, and I see five main reasons for this. First of nomic Motivation” and the “Evolutionist Obligation”

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course is the possibility that firms increase their bottom line by selling to the poor, at a time where more than three billion people on this planet live with less than QR10 per day. Though this has been the main driver historically, research has shown that it is probably the most questionable: the impact may exist on the “top” line (sales), but the truth is that no company has ever made a “fortune” on the bottom of the pyramid – to paraphrase the title of C.K. Prahalad’s bestseller. Second, benevolent firms can achieve better access to resources through their enhanced image. This can be a key motivator at a time where these resources are becoming scarcer. Thirdly, as “necessity is the mother of invention”, developing new products and services for the poor can be the source of major mainstream innovations. This is how the concept of “reverse innovation” – arguably the most important concept in innovation for the next decade – was born. Fourthly, fighting poverty enables firms to enhance the motivation of their employees – provided that it is done earnestly. This is potentially key in the “war for talents” that many firms are fighting these days. Finally, developing a caring reputation over time enables a firm to build “social capital”, a form of corporate insurance that the firm could be relying on if any mishap happens.

Evolutionist Obligation I call the third factor the “Evolutionist Obligation”. This recognises that in demographic, energetic, ecological and social regards, things have to change, and that the status quo is not really an option. To use the word “revolution” would be a little strong here, but 24-hour television news and what we see in the world around us are constant reminders that things have to change. Fighting poverty is a fantastic entry point toward a more inclusive economy, and firms have the power to make the changes needed. Ultimately, it is a matter of choice. Firms can safely wait for the competition to make the first move, and not much will change: the situation will only get worse, year after year. Or they can lead the way and develop small-scale experiments designed to learn how to develop new inclusive business models that will make the world more sustainable. HEC Paris’ jointwork, conducted in Europe with leading firms such as Danone, Schneider Electric, Renault or Essilor, shows that the upside potential is worth the effort. My experience in Qatar leads me to believe that Qatari firms could lead the way in this direction in both the GCC and in the whole Middle East region.

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frederic dalsace holds an m.SC degree from HEC, an mba (hons) from the harvard business school and an m.sc and ph.d in management from insead. he teaches new product development and b2b marketing. HEC Paris has been ranked by the Financial Times as the number one business school in Europe every year since 2006, and number two in the world for Executive Education in 2012.

By FREDERIC DALSACE ACADEMIC DEAN FOR HEC’S EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAMME

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Qatar Today 37

listening post

hydrating

the gulf How can we ease our thirst? qatar Today continues its analysis of water security issues in Qatar and the Gulf region in general, following July’s revelations that low tariffs and a profligate attitude to water’s preciousness are the main reasons for its high consumption levels here.

by e z d h a r ib r a h i m

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atar Today’s July issue revealed that over 80% of the water usage is for agriculture purposes – where it takes 50 litres to produce a single date fruit and a whopping 25,000 litres to produce a kilogramme of meat. It also highlighted that water consumption in the Gulf region has one of the highest rates in the world – 350 litres a day – and with the GCC population expected to rise to over 50 million people within a few years, governments are coming under increasing pressure to remedy the issue. Our second part will focus more on the ways the Gulf region is looking at tackling this worrying issue as the population in the

region expands ever so quickly, from scientific analysis to awareness programmes, and whether the regional states can collaborate to find efficient solutions to a problem that affects all. Dr Abdulali Mohamed Sadek, Associate Professor of Geology in the Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences at Qatar University, says the water problem is in fact a longstanding one that started to become apparent over 20 years ago – the failure to conserve groundwater. He says that freshwater is so scarce that it can be the catalyst for full-blown war as well as being a cause of poverty, ignorance and a plethora of dis-

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DR ABDULALI MOHAMED SADEK ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND EARTH SCIENCES AT QATAR UNIVERSITY

eases, along with climate change and global rainfall distribution. Dr Abdulali is worried for the Gulf States, which, he says, are among the driest countries on Earth and lie in a desert region where aquifers are fed by scanty rains that may fall only once every five years, of which 50% evaporate on hitting the ground because of the high temperatures. However, the good news is that Qatar is now working on a new technology to create wells and feed them by capturing this precipitation and drawing it down into cisterns to form an underground reservoir. Rainwater comes close to a 100% natural chemical composition, but as soon as it reaches the ground it is exposed to pollution and has to be puri-

fied so that pollutants are not transferred into the underground cisterns. Dr Abdulali points to the high cost and large amounts of energy involved in desalinating saltwater, as well as the fact that it greatly increases salinity in the soil and sea. This in turn has a negative effect over time on wells, especially in Qatar where they all go down to a depth of between 30 and 100 metres below ground level, making them vulnerable to pollution. He says that the most recent studies on the condition and content of the wells were carried out in 1990 and 1995, so updated water chemistry research is needed to understand the nature of the wells. In the 1970s, he says, there were around

18,000 wells in Qatar, but many of them have now disappeared. In the Abu Samra district, at Al Mashabiya, there used to be about 14 artesian wells from which water flowed spontaneously under its own pressure, but now there is only one left and it lies about 200 metres below the ground. He says there are hardly any joint studies being carried out in the Gulf, but there have been detailed studies on wells and water storage in the UAE and he hopes similar studies might be conducted in Qatar. Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience Eng. Yousef Al-Mundhiri says the Sultanate of Oman is defined as having an arid climate, as its average annual rainfall is 100 mm, so

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Water Woes Demand for water in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar has grown by 58%, a figure that is set to increase to 69% by 2020

HOW MUCH DESALINATED WATER IS USED IN THE GULF TO MEET OUR WATER NEEDS? (%)

5.64 UAE

5.62 Kuwait

to save rainwater from going to waste the government has built 39 dams to feed the aquifers in some of the country’s wadis (dry riverbeds that contain water only during times of heavy rain), with a total storage capacity of 93.46 million cu.m. of water. They have collected over 1,243.5 million cu.m. of water since they were built. Seventy-one dams have been built in mountain areas. Scarcity of resources A report by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi says individual water consumption in the Gulf is the highest in the world, with Abu Dhabi having an average personal water usage rate of 550 litres a day. This figure represents 40% of the Emirate’s total water consumption and does not take into account the water used in agriculture and horticulture. By comparison, average individual consumption in Jordan is 85 litres a day, while in India the average person consumes only 25 litres daily. Over the past decade demand for water in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar has grown by 58%, a figure that is set to increase to 69% by 2020. A lot of the water produced in the Gulf is wasted, and throughout the region governments either subsidise or totally underwrite the cost of water to consumers, thus serving to entrench a tendentious culture of waste among the indigenous population of the Gulf. Reducing costs and cutting usage Consumers are not the only ones responsible for water wastage; the bodies that supply the water also pay the price over the decades as a result of low investment. Leaking

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5.49 Qatar

1.2 Oman

Throughout the region governments either subsidise or totally underwrite the cost of water to consumers, thus serving to entrench a tendentious culture of waste among the indigenous population of the Gulf.

pipes account for more than 50% of water wastage in the Gulf, which is a worrying figure when you consider that the lifespan of most Gulf infrastructure is a few decades. Statistics indicate that the Arab world is likely to be suffering a water deficit of 282 billion cu.m. by 2030, and 16 Arab countries are already below the water poverty line of 1,000 cu.m. per person per year. The problem seems to be even worse and in many respects dangerous for the Gulf, since the GCC states already have a water deficit of 15 billion cu.m., a figure that will rise by 2025 to 31 billion cu.m. The report says the GCC States’ current water consumption stands at 22 billion cu.m. a year according to statistics, and based on this figure it forecasts that they will need 49 billion cu.m. of water a year by 2025. There are numerous proposals and projects for getting to grips with this situation and trying to contain the risks it

1.16 Bahrain

1.11 Saudi Arabia

poses, perhaps the most important being private sector participation in future water projects in GCC states, looking at water as a commodity and not simply a gift from the state, and cooperation between GCC states on setting up joint water projects, especially in desalination and cost reduction. The Arab region is known to produce 71% of the world’s desalinated water, and the high energy costs involved are seen as a major obstacle to expansion. Desalination provides 50–90% of drinking water in the Gulf, and the six GCC states produce 8.3 million cu.m. of desalinated water a day. Their dependence on desalinated water varies, starting with the UAE where desalinated water meets 5.64% of its water needs, Kuwait (5.62%) then Qatar (5.49%), Oman (1.2%), Bahrain (1.16%) and Saudi Arabia (1.11%). Qatar Chamber Agriculture and Environment Committee Chairman, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Obaidly thinks that although the cost of desalination in Qatar is high, the country has vast natural resources and so Qatar need have no fears in this regard. He says Qatar produces approximately 350 million gallons of desalinated water per day and has a large surplus. There has been talk for years of a project to bring water across the Arabian Gulf from Iran to Kuwait, in the course of which it has become apparent that for this special project to succeed the private sector, in the form of companies, will have to finance it, reducing the financial burden on governments and paving the way for the Gulf to accept that water may have to become “a commodity and not a gift”

COVER STORY

Being Ecoconscious Is Qatar reversing the trends Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) – the main cause of global warming – increased by 3% last year, reaching an all-time high of 34 billion tonnes in 2011. Qatar produces the largest amount of CO2 per capita but, in doing so, it is producing and supplying the world with clean and efficient natural energy. Globally, buildings consume 40% of the electrical power produced and 12% of the world’s sweet water. What puts Qatar into perspective here is that it has the highest per capita consumption rate of electrical power and is considered one of the five poorest countries in terms of potable water resources, with 100% dependency on desalinated water. Qatar Today asks what is being done to reverse these trends in light of the country hosting the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change later this year.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your carbon footprint? By Rory Coen 42 Qatar Today

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Qatar’s 2030 Vision recognises that environmental management is as much a concern as social development and economic growth. The key to achieving this vision is to advance all three concurrently to sustainable levels. However, they don’t necessarily work off each other – reducing CO2 emissions might have a negative effect on the country’s potential for growth for example.

the

latest figures released by the US Department of Energy’s Carbon Natural gas – 30% less carbon than oil, Dioxide Information Analysis Centre (CDIAC) regarding CO2 60% less carbon than coal. per capita emissions, places Qatar at the top. Qatar produced 53.5 According to ExxonMobil, natural gas has already proven itself metric tonnes of CO2 gas for every person living here in 2008. to be a safe and reliable source of energy for power generation. This was 70% more than Trinidad & Tobago – which was in sec- With this successful track record and the availability of abundant ond place – and 64% more than the UAE in third. Meanwhile, economic supplies, it will grow to provide 30% of the world’s elecChina – which is heavily criticised for its apathy towards the envi- tricity-generation needs by the year 2040 – up from just over 20% ronment – only produced 5.3 metric tonnes of CO2 gas per capita today. Its benefits are numerous – it is a versatile fuel that can be used for many purposes, and it is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. in the same year. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, is the most populous It is less carbon-intensive than other fossil fuels, with 30% less country in the world – so this figure should be put into context. carbon than oil and 60 % less carbon than coal. A package of measures to combat climate change was agreed It produced almost a quarter of the world’s total CO2 gases – over seven billion metric tonnes – in 2008, while Qatar was reported at the 2005 G8 Summit, including improvements to energy efficiency in appliances and buildings, cleaner vehicles (includto have produced only one quarter of 1%. There are two ways of looking at this. One is that every country ing aircraft), work on developing cleaner fuels and more use of should have a moral and a legal responsibility to keep this figure renewable energy. During the 2008 G8 Summit in Tokyo, world leaders reinforced the notion that at a relatively reasonable level. “this global challenge can only be Qatar is producing almost twice met by a global response” and they as much CO2 per person as the are now working towards a policy to next country highest-producing reduce global emissions by 50% by country. Is this responsible? An2050. In mid-2009, Qatar bcame the other is to take a step back and first GCC country to join the World ask why it is producing so much Bank initiative to reduce greenhouse CO2. gas emissions from gas flaring. The Qatar is the world’s largest parnership launched a three-year producer of liquified natural gas programme aimed at reducing 2007 (LNG) and supplies it with 30% of levels of flaring and promoted the its demand. It is also in the busiuse of associated natural gas, which ness of producing oil and various reduces flaring and venting, which other petrochemicals to satisfy contribute to the causing of climate the insatiable global demand for change. these products. So why is Qatar, and the oil and Because of this, carbon emisgas companies in particular, coming sions are high. To power the in for harsh criticism in the wake of world’s requirements in the Dr. Andy Wigton these figures? Qatar is a tiny country, absence of capable renewable RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT EXXONMOBIL both in scale of population and size, resources, these products are a RESEARCH CENTRE so a per-capita metric – against the global necessity.

“The remote gas detection system will be highly beneficial because early detection can reduce emissions to the environment”

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“We have been actively implementing measures to mitigate our emissions and to better understand the need for adaptation” JACQUI O’SULLIVAN

GM, GROUP COMMUNICATION, SASOL

huge oil and gas reserves that the country has at its disposal – may be an unfair metric when analysing its conduct. What’s ironic is that Qatar is producing an abundance of CO2 gas in order to supply the rest of the world with a clean and efficient fuel. The Minister for Energy and Industry, HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada recently said that many of Qatar’s products reach countries which have traditionally been dependant on coal, a resource that emits a higher rate of CO2 than natural gas. Reducing the footprint Qatar Today asked a number of companies in the oil and gas sector about the issues of CO2 emissions and their initiatives for reducing the country’s carbon footprint. Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Maersk Oil recently received recognition from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for their short film Setting a New Standard, which highlights their efforts to successfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Qatar’s Al Shaheen field as part of the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The film offers a unique insight into the world-class technical execution and environmental management behind the Al Shaheen development – including its gas recovery and flare reduction project – which was recognised in 2007 by the UN as the world’s largest CDM project. Technology at work GE has played a significant role in Qatar’s energy infrastructure development over the past 35 years. It works closely with Qatargas, RasGas and Al Shaheen Energy Services to develop technology solutions to enhance the efficiencies of LNG production. “Qatar has been making concerted efforts to promote sustainable development,” says Rami Qasem, CEO, MENA and Turkey, GE Oil & Gas. “An example of one of their initiatives is to set the emission level at 9 ppm (parts per million), which is more stringent than most international standards. The decree also states that wherever there is an environmental cost to be paid for economic progress, it must be compensated with investments in technologies that help improve the environment.” The company supports its customers in meeting the country’s emissions regulations and lowering their emissions during op-

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erations with the advanced DLN technology. “Recently, Qatargas selected GE Oil & Gas to supply advanced Dry Low NOx (DLN) technology that will reduce gas turbine emissions at the Qatargas 1 utility complex to help meet new regulations from the Ministry of Environment,” Qasem explains. “We are providing the DLN 1.0 combustion system, designed to achieve low emissions levels. The DLN combustion system upgrades are designed to assist Qatargas towards compliance with strict environmental regulations and business and environmental needs for reduced emissions, and to eliminate the need for diluents injection or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, which are more difficult to maintain and have additional safety issues to manage. “Through a long-term maintenance agreement with RasGas, which is one of the world’s largest producers of LNG, we are also applying DLN combustion technology to reduce gas turbine emissions at RasGas’ LNG complex at Ras Laffan Industrial City. When the DLN retrofit project started, the gas turbine NOx emissions were in the range of 70 ppm. Today, the machines’ emissions meet the country’s environmental objective of 9 ppm. With the first installation of GE’s DLN technology here, RasGas is considered one of the most environmentally responsible LNG plants

Researchers are hoping to develop strains of algae that could ultimately produce refinery feedstock for the production of transportation fuels. If research and development milestones are successfully met, the company expects to spend more than $600 million on the algae biofuels programme over the next decade – ExxonMobil in the country.” GE recently inaugurated the 13,400 sq m Advanced Technology and Research Centre (ATRC) at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), focused on applied research and knowledge transfer. Much of its research here is on the application of advanced turbo machinery within gas-to liquid (GTL), natural gas liquefaction and gas re-injection applications. It is also dedicating a lot of investment to other environmental projects, one of which is “Ecomagination”. Ecomagination is a business response to the needs of industries and consumers around the world. GE has been using its energy, technology, manufacturing and infrastructure capabilities to develop solutions to environmental challenges. It added 34 new products and services in 2011 alone. This brings the total number of ecomagination portfolio offerings to 142 since its launch. “We believe that innovation can solve the toughest environmental challenges,” says Qasem. “Attaining a balance between socioeconomic development and the environment is possible, as the success of our Ecomagintion commitment demonstrates.”

Research underway ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) opened its facility at QSTP in 2009 to conduct specialised research. With a commitment to invest more than QR218 million through to 2014, scientists continue to advance projects in the areas of environmental management, water re-use, LNG safety and coastal geology. It recently announced and filed a patent for a new technology advancement developed to enhance safety and environmental performance associated with LNG production. This advancement is a remote gas detection system to autonomously scan for and identify hydrocarbon gas emissions in gas production and transport facilities. The system uses infrared camera technology enhanced with a sophisticated software algorithm to selectively identify hydrocarbons in the field of view, enabling continuous surveillance. “The remote gas detection system will be highly beneficial because early detection can help avert potential safety hazards and reduce emissions to the environment,” said Dr. Andy Wigton, Research Director at ExxonMobil Research Qatar. Another example of ExxonMobil’s investment in renewables includes the company’s collaboration with Synthetic Genom-

Sasol New Energy (SNE) focuses on developing options and new technologies for Sasol to utilise in a carbon-constrained world. SNE is working to ensure that the group increases internal electricity generation capacity in South Africa using natural gas as a feedstock. These steps will ensure Sasol’s sustainable and responsible growth into the future

ics Incorporated on research into the potential of algae as a biofuel. Researchers are hoping to develop strains of algae that could ultimately produce refinery feedstock for the production of transportation fuels. Certain types of algae, grown with water, sunlight, carbon dioxide and nutrients, could produce bio-oils on a sufficient scale to be processed in its refineries to supplement supplies of conventionally generated gasoline, diesel, aviation and marine fuels. If research and development milestones are successfully met, the company expects to spend more than QR2.2 billion on this programme over the next decade. Alternative resources Sasol is an energy and chemicals company that converts coal and gas into liquid fuels, fuel components and chemicals through its proprietary Fischer-Tropsch (FT) processes. It pursues international opportunities to commercialise its gas-to-liquids (GTL) and coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology, so in partnership with QP

“Attaining a balance between socioeconomic development and the environment is possible, as our Ecomagintion commitment demonstrates” RAMI QASEM

CEO MENA & TURKEY, GE OIL & GAS

it started up its first international GTL plant, Oryx GTL, in 2007. GTL takes natural gas and converts it to low-sulphur environment-friendly diesel, naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). GTL technology has been around for decades, however, only with advances in catalyst research has it become economically attractive. “Sasol is fully aware of the need to shift to a low-carbon future and of the need to prepare for this reality. We have therefore been actively implementing measures to mitigate our emissions and to better understand the need for adaptation,” says Jacqui O’Sullivan, Sasol’s Group Communications Manager. Sasol New Energy (SNE) focuses on developing options and new technologies for Sasol to utilise in a carbon-constrained world. SNE is working to ensure that the group increases internal electricity generation capacity in South Africa using natural gas as a feedstock. These steps will ensure Sasol’s sustainable and responsible growth. “We believe that measures to mitigate emissions must seek to find an appropriate balance between environmental effectiveness, economic efficiency and social equity. Sasol is working with governments and other stakeholders to transition towards a lower-carbon future,” O’Sullivan explains. “We have developed a comprehensive climate change response strategy and have adopted ambitious emission reduction targets. We have committed to reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of all our operations by 15% by 2020 on a 2005 baseline, and to reducing our absolute GHG emissions by 20% for new coal-to-liquids (CTL) plants commissioned before 2020, and by 30% for plants commissioned before 2030, with the average 2005 CTL design as the baseline. “Sasol will strive to meet these targets in various ways, including promoting energy-efficiency measures in our existing plants and processes; developing and implementing alternative energy and carbon-efficient technologies and processes, primarily through SNE; investigating opportunities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of our global CO2 mitigation efforts; actively pursuing mitigation-related financial instruments such as the clean development mechanism (CDM); and working with other stakeholders in the countries where we operate,” she says

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GREEN BUILDINGS

The construction sector: Reducing the impact, responsibly By Cassey Oliveira 46 Qatar Today

august 2012

Statistics suggest that Qatar’s population could reach 2.1 million by 2018 and 2.5 million by 2020. With massive construction plans in preparation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, the country is undergoing rapid urban expansion as a slew of buildings, complexes, stadiums and districts will soon dot the frame of this tiny country. But is Qatar ready to face the repercussions that such fast-paced development will have on the environment? Or does the country have a sustainable strategy to maintain a fruitful balance between development needs and environmental protection?

Globally, buildings consume 40% of the electrical power produced; they emit 11% of CO2 emissions and consume 12% of total sweet water production. What puts Qatar into perspective is that the country has the highest per capita consumption rate of electrical power in the world; it has the highest CO2 emission rate per capita worldwide; and it is considered one of the five poorest countries in the world in terms of potable water resources with 100% dependency on desalinated water produced from the many desalination plants operating in the country. (Read more about how the country is tackling its water scarcity issues in page 34) Echoing similar concerns, Msheireb Properties, a real estate development company, says: “With cities accounting for a greater proportion of global carbon emissions and activities harmful to the planet, new thinking on how people live and work in urban environments is not only essential for Qatar’s future development but also for the well-being of the global community.” Like Msheireb Properties, many construction companies have begun to revise their strategies to be in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Its fourth pillar, Environmental Development, aims to achieve “a balance between development needs and protecting the environment”, and states the need for a “comprehensive urban development plan for Qatar that adopts a sustainable policy with regard to urban expansion and population distribution”. Providing innovative building solutions was necessary for the country to position itself at the forefront of sustainability development in the Gulf region. This led to the establishment in 2009 of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), previously called Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI) – an organisation supporting research and training to

ensure sustainable development. As a major step towards realising this vision, GORD launched the first rating system specifically for the Middle East, the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS) in 2010. QSAS, renamed GSAS (Global Sustainability Assessment System) in 2012, is a comprehensive assessment scheme that was developed after in-depth studies of 40 green building codes from around the world. With the government having incorporated QSAS/GSAS into its new Green Building Code that was introduced as part of the Qatar Construction Standards 2010, GSAS certification has now become mandatory in all private and government sector projects. “It’s a very good step that the government has taken, but a late one,” said Mohamed Jaber, Head of Electrical Engineering at architectural and engineering firm KEO in Doha. “It followed much debate before the mandate became effective. It would be nice if certain regulations would be carried out on existing buildings as well. Most of the existing buildings are nowhere close to being energy-efficient. There should be an incentive programme carried out by the government to entice and encourage people to renovate their buildings.” Regional rating system What sets GSAS apart from other international assessment systems – the US-based LEED, the UK’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Japan’s Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) to name a few – is that it takes into account the region’s social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects, which are different from other parts of the world.

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The Pearl-Qatar: An island with a conscience

GSAS-certified buildings have a possibility of saving

40% 30% 50-70%

of electrical power consumption

of sweet water consumption

The

Pearl-Qatar (TPQ), a QR9.1 billion ($2.5 billion) Riviera-style man-made island covering 400 hectares of reclaimed land offshore Doha in the Arabian Gulf, did arouse speculation on the impact it would have on the marine ecosystem underneath. However UDC, the project’s developer, ensured that all building aspects were considered to maintain a healthy marine ecosystem. “A coffer dam was constructed around the entire area to capture any dredging run-off and prevent damaging the sea bed. In addition, water canals and culverts and the beaches have been designed carefully so as to not erode with the tide,” says a UDC spokesman. The Island also bans fishing or the collection of any flora or fauna from the sea and has created a marine sanctuary for the same, allowing the fish to breed and multiply. The rock revetments that make up the walls of the Island act as a nursery for juvenile fish. “From the start, protection of the environment has been of the utmost importance at TPQ. Construction could not begin until approval to build had been given by the Supreme Council for the Environment (now the Ministry of Environment). This was only given after a full environmental impact assessment of the area had been carried out. A hydrodynamic study was also requested and undertaken, which recommended a few changes in the design of the Island which were subsequently implemented.” TPQ’s Environmental Affairs Department is responsible for monitoring the Island, which allows it to check how well protected the Island and the waters around it are. This includes twice yearly ecological surveys, fortnightly sea water sampling, contractor monitoring, environmental auditing, noise, dust and exhaust monitoring. “With the continued implementation of regulations, monitoring and education,” says UDC, “it is hoped that TPQ and its environment will thrive, not just for the people and creatures that live here now but for future generations as well.”

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of overall domestic refuse through recycling “Any rating system is good as they all lead to the same result of creating a green and sustainable building,” continues Jaber. “The only reason I may advocate GSAS over others is because GSAS is designed specially for Qatar and the region. GSAS focuses on the use of traditional designs and architecture to give Qatar an identity. They have encouraged the use of local and regional raw materials, which boosts the national economy.” Ibrahim Jaidah, CEO and Chief Architect of the first architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), says: “We have just completed a proposal for 20 GSAS-certified mosques for Awqaf, and are involved in projects worth more than QR15 billion which will also be GSAS-certified.” The recently-completed RasGas tower, by the same architect has been LEED gold-certified. “The main challenges we faced while implementing GSAS is incorporating environmental considerations into every stage of the building design, construction and operation while maintaining client satisfaction,” says Jaidah. Huda Shaka, Senior Environmental and Sustainability Consultant for the Middle East at global consultancy firm Arup, says: “Having a locally relevant rating system is an important and welcome step forward. As with any new system, there is a learning curve related to understanding the credit intent and requirements and how best to apply them. This is particularly true for projects which do not fit neatly into a specific GSAS category. I am sure the system will continue to develop as more projects go through the certification process, especially given GORD’s openness to comments and to cooperation.” She adds that incorporating GSAS in buildings ultimately depends on the client’s requirements. “GSAS is a voluntary rating system, so it’s up to individual developers to decide whether they wish to pursue it or not. The decision depends on a number of factors including perceived costs and benefits. As GSAS becomes more established and delivers tangible improvements to building

performance and occupant comfort, more and more developers are likely to take it on board.” Taking green measures While advocating for sustainable urban development, Jaidah says it’s also important to emphasise that green buildings not only contribute towards a sustainable environment but also bring numerous benefits and advantages to the land owners, developers, building owners and users. One such advantage is reduced costs; as studies indicate that GSAS-certified buildings have a possibility of saving 40% of electrical power consumption, 30% of sweet water consumption and 50-70% of overall domestic refuse through recycling. “Money is always an issue with private developers because they have to meet their budgets at the end of the day,” says Jaber. “But if you select the right materials, the right orientation, the right glass, reduce the AC and light requirements from the outset of the project, you end up paying less over the life of the building.” In some of its latest projects, such as the Abraj Tower at The Pearl-Qatar (TPQ) and the soon-to-be-opened luxury hotel in Doha, Hotel Regent, KEO has incorporated sensors that automatically reduce water flow and dim the lights. “Even if you dim the lights by 10%, you save a lot of energy,” says Jaber. Construction of green buildings induces a chain effect, he explains. “In Qatar, the government provides us with water and energy at subsidised rates, but it does cost the government money to produce energy and water, especially sweetened water.” Given the high demand for water in the country, several desalination plants have been installed which again consume a lot of energy. “The more water-efficient buildings are, the less desalination plants we have to build, the less energy they use, thus less CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.” While discussing Arup’s green building strategies for Qatar, Shaka says: “We focus on minimising demand for natural resources, supplying resources efficiently and reliably, designing to maximise comfort throughout the year despite the hot and humid local climate, and providing accessible, culturally-relevant community facilities including well-designed public spaces to enhance social interaction and a sense of community.” Arup has provided a zero-carbon solution for the Qatar 2022 Showcase Stadium to mitigate climate change. In terms of sustainable design principles, Arup led the development of the master plan for the Msheireb Downtown Doha project which incorporates sustainability features in the public realm, infrastructure and buildings. This includes promoting comfort and walkability on site through implementing passive design principles, incorporating innovative water and waste management infrastructure, and providing detailed guidelines for buildings to achieve ambitious sustainability targets. “We advise clients during the site selection stage to minimise any effects on the natural environment and limit urban sprawl. Ultimately, we seek to understand the client and project requirements and develop unique solutions which are socially and environmentally sustainable. This involves strategic, innovative thinking, and often includes challenging the status quo and the related assumptions, which is something we do not shy away from,” she says. Reviving traditional practices Though it seems that Qatar has jumped on the “green building” bandwagon only recently, much of Qatar’s traditional architec-

“It doesn’t require a lot of your energy or money to create a sustainable building; it just requires you to be more responsible and committed.” Mohamed Jaber

Head of Electrical Engineering, KEO

ture suggests that even in the past buildings were designed with a sustainable approach. “The architectural and sustainable practices from the past paid more attention to the climate (sun and orientation), design (compact city, narrow streets, courtyards and openings, shading), and natural ventilation (prevailing winds),” says Jaidah. AEB’s design philosophy too is based on a unique architectural methodology which portrays the present development of the country and preserves and articulates the traditional architecture wherever appropriate. “In order to preserve traditional architecture and maintain the identity, sustainable guidelines used in the past can be utilised in this day and age with the introduction of modern technologies and sustainable assessment systems specific to this region such as GSAS,” he adds. Msheireb Properties too is keen on reviving traditional sustainable practices, as is evident in its flagship projec: the Msheireb Downtown Doha. By applying some age-old architectural methods such as thick split walls, small windows, shaded walkways, and streets that chart the course of inland breezes, Msheireb Downtown Doha aims to manage Qatar’s desert climate more sustainably and “achieve a notable reduction in its carbon footprint compared with an urban development of a similar size”. On completion, Msheireb Downtown Doha is projected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 110,000 tons a year. That is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 18,277 passenger vehicles using 42,877,121 litres of gasoline. The expected financial savings are also substantial. Future tenants can expect to save a combined total of more than QR15 million each year on their electricity bills, and a QR14 million reduction in their water bills. The need for awareness “When people understand the reasons why we need to protect the environment, they are more likely to implement good practices,” says UDC, developer of The Pearl-Qatar (TPQ), one of the largest urban developments in Qatar. The Island has a dedicated Environmental Affairs Department, which was established in 2007 and has a two-way approach to helping protect the environment – an Awareness Programme

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Cover STory

being ecoconscious

National Vision 2030, which and a Technical Programme. While stresses establishing “effective the Awareness Programme trains and sophisticated environmenstaff to understand how they can be tal institutions that build and more environment-conscious, the strengthen public awareness Technical Programme ensures that about environmental protection UDC is protecting the environment and encourage the use of environat all stages of development and mentally sound technologies”. covers the implementation of poliQatar Green Building Council cies, procedures, regulations and all (QGBC) functions as a platform monitoring activities. for all stakeholders involved in “Training on environmental proshaping a sustainable built entection is compulsory for all UDC vironment within Qatar and acand TPQ staff, and is also given to detively fosters sustainable buildvelopers, fit-out contractors and reing practices as well as green tailers. We also have information on research and innovation. the TPQ website and brochures for As the concept is still in its residents and visitors.” infancy, educating people on its KEO too has adopted Corporate potentiality is QGBC’s major curSocial Responsibility (CSR) initiaIbrahim Jaidah rent focus. tives within the organisation, and reCEO and Chief Architect, AEB “It will take time but people cently implemented a “green policy” and investors are gradually rewhich establishes guidelines for staff sponding and beginning to think to promote sustainability as part of positively. QGBC is leading this drive for sustainability awaretheir practice. “These may seem small steps, but it’s these small ness. Many of the companies that come to Qatar are international steps that combine to make a big difference,” says Jaber, who is organisations with strong CSR commitments. There is increasing also the Senior Corporate CSR Leader at KEO. evidence that they are prepared to pay more for a ‘green work“Since we are not a regulatory body, we cannot create similar ing environment’. Together with an increased exposure to green regulations for our clients. However, when working on urban building practice, we are hopeful that drivers of change such as development projects we do have environmental impact studies these will foster a change of attitude for all society in the near fudone that we share with our clients.” ture”, says Dr Alex Amato, Head of Sustainability, QGBC. “We enProviding sustainable solutions has to be one’s moral and provisage a paradigm shift from a hydrocarbon centric economy to a fessional responsibility, believes Jaber. “It doesn’t require a lot of carbon conscious one. Being rated as currently having the highyour energy or money to create a sustainable building; it just reest per capita CO2 emitters in the world, Qatar stands to gain if it quires you to be more responsible and committed. Your responsibility should be to make buildings that are safe for the community as well as for the environment.” The need to raise awareness is also highlighted in the Qatar

“The architectural and sustainable practices from the past paid more attention to the climate, design and natural ventilation.”

Being rated as currently having the highest per capita CO2 emitters in the world, Qatar stands to gain if it undertakes a rigorous analysis of its CO2 consumption footprint. You can’t manage if you don’t measure. Dr Alex Amato,

Head of Sustainability, QGBC

undertakes a rigorous analysis of its CO2 consumption footprint. You can’t manage if you don’t measure. It is therefore the first critical step if the country is to effectively manage and reduce its CO2 footprint. Such an analysis would identify areas of the economy that are the CO2 ‘hotspots’ and then suitable cost effective mitigation strategies can be implemented. At present we just don’t have enough data on the overall picture, particularly for the residential sector. The introduction of smart and sub-metering is thus one of the next logical steps.”

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Msheireb Downtown Doha: Regenerating the historical commercial centre

“As with any new rating system, there is a learning curve related to understanding the credit intent and requirements and how to best apply them.” Huda Shaka

Senior Environmental and Sustainability Consultant for the Middle East, ARUP

Msheireb

Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha, is a QR20 billion project that will redevelop the historical commercial centre of the capital. The strategic objective is to “reverse the pattern of development in Doha, which has tended towards isolated land use, reliance on car transportation and energy-hungry structures”. Described as the world’s first sustainable regeneration of a downtown area in a major city, it will have the highest concentration of LEEDcertified buildings of any urban community in the world upon completion. “Msheireb Downtown Doha’s design philosophy embraces a number of fundamental sustainability principles – the preservation of existing heritage sites, the use of natural light and ventilation, and the adoption of advanced technology to maximise water and electricity efficiency,” says a representative from Msheireb Properties. Considering the year-round availability of sunshine, solar energy will be used to power a proportion of the development’s air-conditioning and provide up to 75% of its hot water requirements. Wastewater will also be recycled for district cooling, irrigation, ornamental water features, fire prevention, and even for the flushing of toilets. The master plan encourages walking, while the development’s proximity to a planned metro line will also limit car use. Pedestrianonly walkways, underground car parking and an internal tram system will further minimise the intrusion of vehicle traffic.

Jaber, who is also chairman of QGBC’s Education Committee, has conducted several presentations and workshops on sustainability and green building designs regionally. “QGBC has also launched a series of “Green Assemblies” at local K-12 schools through which we aim to raise awareness of the critical issues related to climate change and at the same time inspire the upcoming generation to make a difference by adopting sustainable engineering concepts,” he says. “We are also in talks with Qatar University to conduct lectures on sustainability issues to students.” On the importance of engaging young people in sustainability issues, Jaber says: “The youth have great potential. Once they understand what their actions cost, they are sure to make a change. They are our future and will educate future generations to do the same.” As a whole, it’s necessary to educate the public on the issue for the country’s green building drive to head in the right direction, says Jaber. “Once people understand the issue, they start to say no to malpractices. As long as they don’t understand, they think it’s just a building, so it doesn’t really matter. But how the building is affecting the environment is what needs to be explained.” While new construction projects are increasingly designed to GSAS guidelines, the older existing buildings that form a major part of Qatar’s built-up environment still substantially contributes to the nation’s carbon footprint. “Good levels of insulation, avoiding heat gains by minimising openings especially on the west elevations of buildings, minimising air infiltration by using high performance doors and windows, optimising the external building envelope and thus reducing energy usage. These measures, as well as a convincing cost-analysis and providing efficient air-conditioning systems, are some of the strategies that should be considered when the refurbishment of an existing building is planned. Tackling the existing building stock is a large and difficult task but is surely one of the issues that Qatar should confront in the near future. QGBC remains committed to assisting all those that wish to help Qatar make this sustainable transition,” says Dr Amato feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

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Job Hunting During an Economic Downturn? Job hunting during an economic slowdown need not be a demoralising and frustrating task. Despite the global credit crisis, waning sentiment and reports of rising unemployment you can still land your dream job by being proactive and adopting more creative and aggressive job hunting techniques. Bayt.com has listed seven tips to help you ease yourself into a satisfying job.

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Acknowledge your concerns and understand that it’s absolutely acceptable to experience such emotions. Brace yourself and take renewed stock of your most valuable assets (your financials, your credentials, your experience and your contacts). A recent article by renowned columnists Brian S. Wesbury and Robert Stein, titled, “How We all Will End the Recession”, states that “when people lose their jobs, it does not mean they lose their ability to be productive. It may take time for them to find a new position that matches their skill set, but as long as they have worthwhile abilities, they will eventually get another chance to produce”. In other words, have patience; positive opportunities will soon come your way!

Know where you stand: Read the news (but don’t believe everything you read). Extensive research is greatly recommended in these situations. Ask yourself if it’s only your organisation that is suffering (so you can target other jobs within the same industry) or is it the whole industry that is suffering? What are the growing industries? What industries are recession-proof? Grab the opportunity to re-assess your career goals and preferences. This might be the right time for you to make a strategic career shift into something you have always wanted to do. Seek career coaching if needed as that will help guide you in the right direction.

Market yourself as the superstar that you are Bear in mind that, in difficult times, not all companies advertise their vacant positions online or in the media, thus you should make it a point to visit your targeted companies’ websites, call them up, and try to network with people that work there. Now is the time for you to stand out from the crowd. The simple set of skills you have might not be sufficient at this time to differentiate you from the abundance of qualified candidates out there. What will differentiate you is your attitude. Foster an attitude of excellence - show proactively persistence, passion and a focus on what you can bring to your targeted employer. Be the superstar that you know you are!

Amplify your networking efforts / activities Now is the time to get back in touch with ex bosses, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances you’ve met along the way. Create or update your profile on professional networking websites as they are a valuable resource to reach out to valuable contacts in your industry.

Formulate an immaculate CV and a killer (and customised) cover letter The trick to gaining an interview amongst a large pool of qualified candidates is to personalise both your CV and your cover letter to the positions you are applying for. Do not use a standardised cover letter to apply to all the targeted companies. Instead, take the time to customise it. At this stage it would be a good idea to seek the help of a professional CV writer to work on your CV – this investment will certainly go a long way to ensure you are well represented on paper. This will increase your chances of triumphing over other competing candidates and being called for an interview. Should you reach that stage, preparation is important. Be as informed as you can be and demonstrate a great deal of ingenuity and interest.

Don’t be idle with the follow-up Do not wait around to hear from your target company. Instead, drop your interviewer a thank-you email right after, and follow up, making sure you don’t overdo it.

Stay positive and chase away all negative vibes In the words of Robin Sharma, the renowned leadership and personal success expert “If you think something can not occur in your life, then there’s no way you will take the action required to make that goal a reality! Impossibility thinking manifests itself!”, So refrain from negative thinking. A slowing economy may be just the impetus you needed to redirect your career to a better trajectory.

bookmark www.issuu.com/oryxmags

About Bayt.com: Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East, with more than 40,000 employers and over 8,130,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.

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bottom line

Are Vision Statements

Wishful Communications? An elderly woman finds a lamp by chance and rubs it for luck. out pops a genie who offers her one wish. “world peace,” she says without hesitation. “Hmmm, that might be a bit hard,” says the genie, “try another one.” “here comes my husband,” she says, “can you turn him into a handsome man?” The genie takes one look at the approaching geriatric spouse and says: “Ok, world peace, was it?”

ommunicating your company’s vision of the future, and then getting your team to act on it, is potentially one of the most difficult things an organisation’s leader will have to do. But if you make your case compelling enough, anything is possible. There are many schools of thought on how the strategy pyramid should be constructed, but if we think of the strategy hierarchy as being Vision at the top, followed by Mission, Goals/Outcomes, Business Plans with Inputs and Key Performance Indictors, then why do vision communication programmes sometimes fail? There are three basic issues when it comes to communicating an organisation’s vision: is it really a vision that people can get behind? Is it being communicated

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effectively? Is the senior management team really committed to the vision? Strategic vision expert Burt Nanus says: “There is no more powerful engine driving an organisation toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, achievable vision for the future, widely shared.” But sometimes this clarity of purpose is missing right from the outset. Clear vision In most organisations, the vision of the future is encapsulated in their Vision Statement – the ultimate destination on a medium-term journey or the “future state” of the organisation – whereas the Mission Statement is a description of how the organisation is going to get there. Walmart’s is a classic example of a vision of the future that is simple, direct and unambiguous: “To become the worldwide leader in retailing”. So how will they achieve that? Their mission is unequivocal: “Help people save money so they can live better.” Captured in those two short sentences is clarity about their industry, how they will measure their success and the focus of their busi-

ness, hinting at the values and ethics that will underpin their operations. The Samsung vision is another one that very clearly represents their strategic journey: Vision – “To lead the digital convergence movement”; Mission – “To be the best digital company.” Both are Vision Statements that people within an organisation can understand, support and commit to. An example of a vague vision is that of Fortune 100 company CVS Caremarkt: “We strive to improve the quality of human life.” Which begs the question, improving quality of life in what? And is “striving” sufficient of a stretch for a vision? What is the end or future state of the company? While their Mission Statement tries to provide some context – “we provide expert care and innovative solutions and healthcare that are effective and easy for our customers” – would a shareholder have sufficient understanding from that elevator pitch how the company differs from its competitors? And does the Mission Statement merely answer the question “what do we do” instead of “how will we achieve the vision”?

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Communicating the vision Research tells us that people retain 10% of what they read; 20% of what they hear; 30% of what they see; 50% of what they see and hear; 70% of what they discuss; 80% of what they experience; and 95% of what they share and communicate to others. So how can that be applied to understanding how to communicate an organisation’s vision? Author of Leading Change John P. Kotter has a basic checklist for Vision communications:

Create clear and straightforward messages, removing jargon and ensuring communication resonates with individuals in the organisation. As WB Yeats put it: “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.”

Simplicity

important tool in this regard. Multiple forums Given what is known about how people receive and retain their information, use multiple communication forums for communicating the vision.

Repeat the messages in different ways to win hearts and minds.

Repetition

Leadership by example Senior management must walk the talk to inspire buy-in. Explain seeming inconsistencies – if inconsistencies in behaviour occur, particularly at top management level, explain why. As noted by British naval historian C. Northcote Parkinson, who also authored Parkinson’s Law: “The void created by the failure to communicate is soon filled with poison, drivel and misrepresentation.”

Metaphor, analogy, and example

Use imaginative and direct ways of conveying messages for memorable impact. For example, a vision that is linked to a clear image will be inspiring. Storytelling is an

Give and take Soliciting feedback during

a situation of change can be instrumental to correct errors during the transformation process.

Do as I do Vision communications is very much about management leading and acting as ambassadors for the vision. It’s a case of “do as I do” not just “do as I say”. There is no room for water-cooler conversations that plant seeds of doubt amongst staff, or inconsistency in the way management delivers the messages. Clarity, consistency and conformity are required by the senior management team to effectively role-model the Vision within their organisation and externally. As MIT Sloan School of Management Director Peter Senge says: “When there is genuine vision (as opposed to the all-toofamiliar ‘vision statement’), people excel, and learn, not because they are told to but because they want to.” The notion of a genuine vision is key here. The organisation must have a realistic chance of achieving the vision and then the ability and drive to mobilise and motivate people to work towards it because only genies from a lamp can work miracles.

Visit

www.omsqatar.com

By Samson Samasoni, Managing Director, Grow Founded in 2005, Grow is a creative multiple-award winning brand communications and PR agency based in Doha. Grow PR specialises in strategic communications, public relations and change communications.

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t a g t hi s

Creating a job market You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new

online

Bayt.com has successfully integrated social media into its recruitment process to become a pioneer in the online recruitment industry.

Steve Jobs.

his ideology of the late tech guru is in sync with Bayt. com’s founding concept. According to Bayt.com Chief Technology Officer Akram Assaf, “Bayt.com was based on anticipation. We anticipated the need for an efficient and easy-to-use platform where employers and job seekers could directly interact with one another, thus lowering the unemployment rate in the MENA region.” Bayt.com was created in 2000 to address the unemployment issue in the region by using the Internet as a tool to enable job seekers to easily access more employment opportunities. “With more and more

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employers turning to e-recruitment, and with the incredible surge of social networks in the past five years, integrating social media into the recruitment process was inevitable. Bayt.com anticipated this trend and was the first in the region to introduce the social-driven job search, which has been extremely well received. “We took a technology-centric approach because we believe in technology’s power to do amazing things. It can help people get a better job or start a business. From the very beginning, we have delivered on our promise of providing our users with a platform that allows them to have more control over their futures.” Today, Bayt.com has evolved beyond a simple job site to become the region’s leading platform for recruitment with more than 40,000 registered employers and almost eight million registered job seekers. Professionals from every country and walk of life can apply jobs posted on the site for free and enjoy career advice, HR research and self-assessment tests. The recent re-launch of Bayt.com also falls within the framework of anticipating people’s needs – the website’s new form and functionality are entirely people-centric, built around the job site’s core values

t a g t hi s “We used this as a challenge to work harder and harder, triggering us to work with more passion and drive towards succeeding.” of leadership, empowerment, efficiency, flexibility and communication. The newly refurbished job site features functions inspired by recruitment trends and career statistics from across the region including tools such as CV visibility charts, keyword tools, a career map and more, all of which assist candidates to tailor their CV to better improve their employability. Spirit of entrepreneurship Running your own show has its highs and lows, especially if you are a perfectionist, feels Assaf. “Providing a free service to almost eight million job seekers in the region isn’t an easy task. We are always asking for feedback from them in order to make sure that they find our services useful and practical.” A major challenge that Bayt.com faced at the start was low Internet penetration in the region. There were only two million Internet users in the Middle East region at that time. “We used this as a challenge to work harder and harder, triggering us to work with more passion and drive towards succeeding,” he says. Assaf continues: “It is very rewarding when you look back and see all the people whose lives have changed because of the work you do.” In a survey that Bayt.com carried out in March 2012 in collaboration with Stanford University and YouGov on “Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector and Arab Springs”, statistics revealed that the majority of respondents from the region were familiar with the term “entrepreneurship” (only 29% are not familiar at all). The key barriers to entrepreneurship mentioned were lack of financing, inability to self-finance, and fear of failure. Other reasons included economic uncertainty, the lack of entrepreneurial skills, and strict government regulations. “One of the ways to encourage entrepreneurs is by providing them with financial facilities, such as long-term loans with low interest rates and easier regulations. Another good method would be for businessmen to finance projects of innovators in their countries who don’t happen to have the financial capacities to set up and launch their projects.” Fear of failure is the third most cited problem facing entrepreneurs. “Our survey showed that most new businesses in the region fail. But regardless of low success rates, there is widespread interest in business ownership; in every country surveyed a large proportion of respondents said that given the choice they would prefer to be self-employed or own a business. About 40% of respondents expressed interest in being self-employed, with the lowest being 29% in Algeria and the highest being 52% in Lebanon,” he states. “The beginning is always hard, but if an entrepre-

success figures More than

200 12 employees in

different offices

Serving almost

8 million job seekers

akram assaf bayt.com chief technology officer

Serving over

neur is to give up at the first challenge/failure he faces, he or she definitely won’t be going anywhere.”

40,000 employers

Qatar is high on entrepreneurs Based on data from Bayt.com’s Job Index Survey (January 2012), the most attractive countries in the region are Qatar (with 49% of professionals finding it attractive), the UAE (45%) and Saudi Arabia (39%). On the other side of the scale, the much less attractive countries are Syria (29%), Lebanon (25%) and Jordan (24%). Kuwait and Bahrain have the highest employee retention amongst the GCC nations. That means that the job market is active all over, even in countries like Qatar. Entrepreneurship is one way in which the need for job creation in the private sector in the Arab world can be addressed. “The Middle East as a whole has always fostered entrepreneurship. Everyone with a great idea can find his place in the Middle East and go beyond the boundaries of their countries to reach the entire region.” Success and leadership are about producing with pride, says Assaf. “We at Bayt.com always ask: ‘Is the work the best I could possibly do given the constraints?’ “Today, 12 years after the inception of Bayt.com, we can look back with pride on what we have achieved. Bayt.com has become the Middle East’s number one job site, proving its position as the leader in its industry.”

august 2012

825,000 of the users are decision makers (managers, executives and senior executives)

19 million 1,400,000 page views per month generated by

unique visitors

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t a g t hi s

Connect with Ireland A vibrant economy – IN THE ABSENSE OF LUCRATIVE NATURAL RESOURCES – relies to a large extent on a functional private sector. WHAT IS BEING DONE in ireland TO GET people back TO WORK?

a significant number of the world’s developed nations face austerity and lateral growth, what are they doing to relieve the pressure? How are they getting their labour force back into employment? Qatar is using every tool and consultant available to evoke a culture of entrepreneurship. Various agencies and specialised banks are on hand to give small and medium-sized businesses the practical and financial assistance they need. Qatar has a thriving economy – driven by its hydrocarbon sector – and should be a lucrative location to set up a business. The future looks bright. Far away from Qatar, on the west coast of Europe, Ireland is trying to get its people back working. The global financial crisis in 2008 put the little nation in a spin – taxes were increased, benefits were slashed and unemployment and emigration levels soared. It has since received a significant bailout from the IMF to keep the country’s finances from failing. The incumbent government was unceremoniously voted out in

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by rory c oe n

the 2011 general election and the new regime has set about reversing the recent trends. A special task force has been charged with jobs growth. Huge numbers of skilled workers left the country in recent years as work dried up. ConnectIreland was established to get these workers back home, whilst also attracting interested foreign companies to Irish shores. Chairman and Founder of ConnectIreland, Terry Clune explains that it is about connecting Ireland to a global audience to help create new jobs through its network of contacts. “ConnectIreland is delivering an Irish Government programme, Succeed in Ireland, which will offer a minimum financial reward of €1,500 (QR6,700) per job up to a maximum of 100 jobs to people who can host introductions to overseas companies which create new sustainable jobs in Ireland. “We are implementing a unique referral model, asking individuals to make contact with family, friends and business connections to identify and make intro-

t a g t hi s cal corporations, 17 of the top 25 global medical device companies, and more than half of the world’s leading financial services firms. “The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2012 ranks Ireland number one for availability of skilled labour and also for flexibility and adaptability of the workforce. According to the yearbook, Ireland is the best place for investment incentives including capital grants, research and development grants and training and employment grants. It has double-taxation agreements facilitating international business; it has signed comprehensive double-taxation agreements with over 60 countries and has a Special Assignment Relief Programme (SARP) – tax relief aimed at people who come to work in Ireland having spent five years outside the country. “The rebalancing of the Irish economy has produced a number of favourable consequences for businesses, both small and large. In fact many international commentators are suggesting that Ireland’s competitiveness has been restored in terms of reduced labour and commercial rent costs. This is reflected in a 10% reduction in wages in the professional, technical and scientific sectors and a 42% decrease in office rents,” he says. TERRY CLUNE CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER OF CONNECTIRELAND

ductions between ConnectIreland and overseas companies that are considering international expansion,” says Clune. Punching above its weight So why would anyone want to bring their business to Ireland? It’s fair to say it was a very attractive option in the late nineties and into the new millennium, but since 2008 it has been in the international financial news for all the wrong reasons. It is haemorrhaging skilled labour to overseas companies every day. Taxes are high and will probably get higher. Are there even any guarantees that Ireland will remain in the euro? “Ireland, in line with the rest of the world, has experienced economic contraction resulting in challenging trading conditions,” says Clune. “Despite these challenges, it is punching above its weight and is still very much favoured by investors the world over. “Almost 1,000 multinational companies have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base due to our pro-business environment and attractive taxation rates. These companies have done their research and voted with their feet, resulting in significant investments in their Irish operations.” Keen competitor Clune explains there are a number of compelling reasons why many global corporations have establlished and continue to establish operations in Ireland. “Three of the top five games companies are based in Ireland,” he says. “Eight of the top 10 global ICT corporations, nine of the top 10 global pharmaceuti-

Use connections Who is this initiative aimed at? Is it looking specifically at Irish nationals, or can anybody who sees an opportunity for a company to setup in Ireland participate? What kind of company would be best suited to setup in Ireland? “The programme is open to everyone around the world,” says Clune. “Wherever you come from, whatever your nationality, if you can introduce our team to a company that is expanding internationally, we want to speak with you. You can also use your connections to help find companies that are growing. We all have connections – some of whom are working in, or have friends working in, expanding companies. Through your friends, business contacts or extended family, you can work together to introduce our team to an expanding company. “We are looking for overseas companies seeking to internationalise and are looking for a base that will provide a natural springboard for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) operations. Typically the type of company that will want to locate to Ireland will be engaged in high-end manufacturing or demand fulfilment, support services such as EU headquarters, sales and marketing, customer support and financial administration, or research and development. “We will work with potential investors to show them the benefits of doing business in Ireland ranging from our talent to tax structures and competitiveness. Working closely with interested companies, the ConnectIreland team of FDI (foreign direct investment) specialists will establish the key criteria for the company to have a viable operation in Ireland. Following this process the next step is to facilitate site visits and provide any additional information required,” he says

august 2012

quick view

1,000 multinational companies have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base, including

of the top ten global ict corporations and

of the Top 25 global medical device companies

The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2012 ranks Ireland number one for availability of skilled labour

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TA G T H I S

Travel Apps to lighten your

journey

By Kapil Bh ati a

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of the year when everyone is busy packing bags to fly out of the country. All of us want our summer travel to be easy and uncomplicated. Mobile Travel Apps can certainly help you plan your trip and unload essential bits and pieces.

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TA G T H I S Whether it’s an amusement park excursion with the kids or an adventure-filled trekking trip, apps can be very useful. You can book a flight and hotel, rent a car, learn the local language and use roadmaps. Below is a list of eight travel apps that you must have on your mobile before boarding the flight. TripAdvisor City Guides The apps includes city guides, free self-guided tours, list of restaurants, hotels and attractions. You don’t need an Internet connection to use the app once you download the guide for a particular city, therefore you have no roaming fees. At present there are 59 city guides available for download. Available on iOS and Android Price – Free

This app has the ability to translate spoken English into a huge range of nearly 60 languages, from German to French. What’s great about this app is that you don’t have to type out phrases or whole sentences and paragraphs, making for a far more easy and simple mode of translation. Another fantastic feature is the app’s capacity to store translations previously created on the road or in preparation for the trip and play them back without Internet, although you will need Internet access to create a new translation.

Translator with Speech

Available on iOS and Android Price – Free

Hotel Tonight If you are stranded, this app could save you from spending the night on the street in case you missed your flight or there is a potential delay. It works equally well for those travellers inclined to book rooms at the last minute. One important thing to note – it’s good for same-day hotel bookings only, and you can’t book until noon. Available on iOS and Android Price – Free

Flight+ This app is a must on your mobile. Running late to catch your flight? You need to log on to this app to check the schedule. Flight+ lets you check out the boards of your favourite airports and view all the flight information in real time. Simply enter your flight itinerary and get live updates in case there is a delay in your flight or change in the boarding gate. It covers over 16,000 airports worldwide and the flight schedule is updated in real time. The app allows you to share flight info via Twitter, Facebook and email. If you have a TripIt account it will sync automatically. Search for Flight+ Free to get the free version. Available on iOS Price – Free

This is one of my favourite apps. We carry around all sorts of confirmation printouts on our vacation, from e-ticket print-outs to hotel confirmation number to rental car reservation number to the online cruise booking. TripIt gets you organised: Simply forward all your confirmation e-mails to your TripIt account, and all the details are organised into one neat itinerary for you. All your travel details are available through the app.

TripIT

Wikitude The World Browser allows you to discover your surroundings in a completely new way. By using the camera, simply hold up your smartphone and explore what’s around you in Augmented Reality (AR). See places, points of interest and other exciting AR content through your camera’s field of vision. Available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows and Nokia (Symbian) Price – Free

Trip Journal allows you to document vacation experiences and share them with your friends and family. Impress everybody with real time updates from the visited destinations and let people see proof of your latest adventures as your journey unfolds. With Google Earth integration, Trip Journal allows friends and family to easily see your travelling routes, waypoints for visited locations, full-screen photos, videos, comments and blog entries. Trip stats such as distance, time and geography travelled are also documented in real time

Trip Journal

Available on iOS, Android and Nokia (Symbian) Price – Free

Take a picture, and send it as a postcard to your friends and family while on vacation. Postcards are printed in 300 dpi resolution, so make sure you take a good shot. You can send cards to international addresses (apart from the US) for just $1.99 (QR7). Do note that it can take up to three weeks to receive them, which means you may be back by then.

Postagram

Price – Free

Available on iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Price – Free

www.twitter.com: @kapilkb blog: HTTP://TFOUR.ME amateur photographer @earsplease. blogspot.com

By Kapil Bhatia Kapil Bhatia is an E-Business Manager, working in the Financial Services Industry for the past 10 years. His work ranges across Digital Marketing, e-Channels and development of marketing strategies, with a sound Information Technology base. TFour.me is an upcoming technology blog in the Middle East which will feature talk about Tech Entertainment, Social Networks AND Digital Trends and list jobs. The blog wILL offer insightful analysis about Big Data and THE Internet industry and wILL feature Startups in the Middle East region.

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G REEN SCENE

Green Programme for Schools

The year gone by Oryx GTL partners with GPS GPS launches on World Environment Day last year.

to launch an Energy Awareness campaign as part of its corporate social responsibility programme to enhance environmental awareness and culture in Qatar in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The brand activation stage begins with Mission 20 coordinators placing creative stickers and the GPS pledge board in school campuses.

The Textbook Collection Drive is launched as the next phase of GPS. The project aims to encourage students to share their textbooks while reducing wastage and impact on the environment.

Officials from GPS visit the Doha Modern Indian School to monitor the execution of the programme.

Launched on World Environment Day last year, the Green Programme for Schools (GPS) has seen the participation of around 25,000 students to date. GPS, an initiative of Msheireb Properties in association with Qatar Today magazine and supported by the Supreme Education Council, is the largest and most engaging environmental initiative for students in Qatar which aims to reach, inspire and reward students and schools by meaningfully engaging the youth and inculcating in their minds the importance of building green equity.

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To know more about the programme,

visit the GPS page at http://www. facebook.com/GPSQatar. To know more about GPS,

contact 44550983

sports file

Save the Date:

CLQ – Golf Tournament

Doha’s

corporates will swap their smart phones for score cards when the inaugural Corporate League Qatar (CLQ) – Golf Tournament gets underway at Doha Golf Club next November 23-24. The tournament organisers are challenging Qatar’s corporate companies not only to compete in the event but also to bring everyone along to enjoy what will be on the sidelines of the golfing spectacle. Whilst the golfers will be frustrating themselves with missed putts and errant tee-shots, everyone else will be enjoying the clubhouse banter under the forgiving November sun. Golf tournaments and corporates in Qatar Since the establishment of the Qatar Golf Association, participation levels have increased. There was finally a structure in place here to bring the game in line with global standards. Doha Golf Club offers a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of corporate affairs to discuss business in a more relaxed atmosphere. As more and

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more of Doha’s corporate leaders escape from their offices to indulge in their favourite pastime, it becomes an opportunity for everyone to establish their business amongst these people and grow their network. Fun zone Aside from the mainstream corporate golf tournament, a dedicated fun zone will be kitted out to keep the family member of the participants, visitors and spectators entertained. Various activities such as a mini golf challenge, puppet shows, clowns, a balloon twister, bouncy castles and face painting will entertain everyone, not just the children. There will also be food courts and corporate pavilions. Corporate benefits and sponsorship opportunities Corporate League Qatar – Golf Tournament will be a complete package and the benefits associated with the tournament will stretch multiple facades. From encouraging sports-

manship and invigorating dynamism in employees to networking opportunities and cementing relations with clients, CLQ–Golf Tournament is a seasonal package to benefit from. Various sponsorship opportunities are available for the corporate who want to be associated with this prestigious event. The organisers The tournament is conceived and organised by Network Advertising and Events in association with Qatar Golf Association, Qatar Olympic Committee and Qatar Today magazine. Network Advertising and Events with its experience in events management, has introduced Corporate League Qatar in support of Qatar’s long-term vision of sports and will diversify and introduce a variety of tournaments under the banner of Corporate League Qatar. To associate your brand with the Corporate League Qatar - Golf Tournament, please contact Usman Hanif, Tournament Coordinator at +974 55 275 461 or e-mail: usman@ networkqatar.com

TECHTALK Bringing the newest gadgets and global tech stories to you each month…

Google’s Nexus 7 Tablet packs a punch

he Nexus 7 – the first tablet in Google’s Nexus line of devices and the lead device for Android 4.1, Jelly Bean – was unveiled at Google I/O 2012 in Dubai last month. Jointly developed by ASUS and Google, the Nexus 7 is the world’s first 7” quad-core tablet, built to bring consumers the best of Google in a slim and portable package that fits perfectly in the hand. The device will be available through the Google Play store. “ASUS is very excited about this partnership and the synergy that it brings to the hands of consumers,” said ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih. “We had only four months to build a high-end tablet that could sell at just under $200 (QR728). By placing our team of dedicated engineers closer to Google’s, we delivered the Nexus 7 in record time.” Despite its bargain price, the Nexus 7 packs a punch with a vibrant 1280 x 800 high-definition laminated display, the Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor and other high-end features. A 12-core GeForce GPU delivers advanced graphics while the patented 4-Plus-1 CPU design gives maximum performance and power efficiency. The Nexus 7 was made for Google Play and comes with all the popular Google apps – such as Gmail, Chrome, Google+ and YouTube. It comes preloaded with content, putting the world’s largest collection of eBooks, millions of songs, thousands of movies and TV shows, and a growing selection of magazines plus over 600,000 apps and games right into the consumer’s hands.

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ASUS launches Zenbook

esigned to offer great portable computing, the 13.3” Zenbook UX32VD introduces new Nvidia GeForce GT 620 graphics together with third generation Intel Core processors. It retains the luxurious design and build quality of the Zenbook and uses hard drive/SSD hybrid storage to accelerate system performance. Consumers also gain access to two-second instant on/resume, longer battery life and enhanced SonicMaster audio. The ultrabook handles more intense multimedia demands and can run current games in greater detail than any other ultrabook on the market today. An optional full HD 1080p IPS panel with 350 cd/m2 brightness delivers improved visuals, making it ideal for streamed HD content, and features a 178-degree wide viewing angle design that enhances movies, photos and games. Audio by SonicMaster technology, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, ensures pristine sound for multimedia and gaming.

Angry Birds on Nokia Asha! Social networking on the job?

evolutionary mobile games such as Angry Birds have helped to drive a happy trend in the Middle East as consumers flock to download games to their smartphones. Did you know gamers play Angry Birds 200 million minutes per day, which is equal to 16 years of gameplay every hour of everyday? The game which has 19,351,680 likes on Facebook to date is now available on Nokia’s latest Asha range – the company’s budget-friendly smartphone for people who want to work, play and connect. Nokia’s latest Asha range of smartphones has the Angry Birds app pre-installed, and to millions more on the planet eager to get in on the Angry Birds phenomenon, this is big news. It’s the perfect strategy for world domination – putting together an affordable smartphone and one of the biggest mobile apps success stories in gaming history. True to its pioneering spirit, the Asha range is Nokia’s attempt to make smartphones more accessible to a wider consumer base, bringing premium apps such as Angry Birds, chatting apps such as WhatsApp and websites such as YouTube in addition to social networking sites on Asha 200 for as little as QR288.

Office 2013 unveiled

atar Today, in association with TFour.ME conducted a poll on whether companies are blocking access to social networking sites. With the recent proliferation of social networking and the possible use of these extra-curricular websites during office hours, we wondered if companies found it necessary to ban these websites or whether they allowed them as a “perk”. Some departments obviously rely on social networking websites to get new promoting and marketing information to the public and indeed some social networking sites - such as LinkedIn - have a professional dimension to them, but the majority of departments have no professional need for them. The Twitterati intimated that with the increase in the usage of smartphones it didn’t make sense for companies to invest money in blocking social networking sites. Some people feel that accessing social networking sites was like taking a coffee break. Interestingly, most of the people reported that LinkedIn was accessible from their office network. Does your company block its employees from using social networking sites?

36%

he new version of Microsoft Office integrates comprehensively with the web, can edit PDFs and is built to use Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system for tablets and PCs. Microsoft Office, used by more than a billion people and running on around 90% of business PCs, is the single largest component of Microsoft’s revenue, bringing in more than $15 billion (QR55 billion) per year for the company. A preview of the new version, which will be called Office 2013 and is not expected to launch until next year, was unveiled at an event in San Francisco. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s Chief Executive, claimed the software was “a new generation that brings some of the same boldness and beauty that we’ve shown you in Windows 8 and Windows Phone”. He revealed that it is the most ambitious release of Office they have ever done, and emphasised that it was aimed as much at students, busy families and consumers as it was at businesses.

Professional websites like Linkedin are allowed.

No, all social networking websites are allowed.

23%

33% Yes, all social networking sites are blocked.

Certain departments have access to social networking sites.

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auto news

hydrating the gulf

Audi sets ME sales record

udi sold more vehicles in the first half of 2012 than in any other opening half since entering the Middle East market with a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2005. A total of 4,274 vehicles were delivered to customers in the region in the first six months of 2012 – an increase of 15% over the same period in 2011. Sales for the month of June also achieved an alltime high with an increase of 18% over 2011 (2012: 691; 2011: 585). Sales in all Gulf markets grew in double digits. The strongest market for Audi remains the UAE with a 14% growth in car sales – a total of 1,738 vehicles were delivered to customers in the first half of 2012. The UAE is followed by Saudi Arabia with 915 units (+34%) and Kuwait with 571 (+24%). Audi executives expressed confidence that sales for the remainder of the year will set a new annual record, topping the 7,865 sales mark set last year.

“We have welcomed the new Audi A4 PI, A5 PI and Audi Q3 in the first half. With the S models still to come, we are expecting another strong result for 2012,” said Jeff Mannering, Managing Director, Audi

Middle East. “Our sales are underpinned by a strong focus on dealer network development as well as sales and after sales service. Audi standards apply to the vehicle as well as to the entire ownership experience.”

Alfardan Automobiles achieves sales growth in Qatar

uilding on its impressive performance in the first three months of the year, Alfardan Automobiles, the official importer of BMW Group in Qatar, had a 21% increase in BMW and Mini sales for the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Ranking amongst the top-performing Middle East markets in terms of number of cars sold, the BMW Group importer is gearing up for yet another successful year. “We have had a fruitful first six months with the launch of three new models - the first BMW four-door coupe, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, the BMW 3 Series and the sixth Mini family member, the Mini Roadster,” said General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles Mohammed Kandeel. “It is evident from our impressive first half year

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sales increase that continued opportunities lie ahead in Qatar and we will continue to do our utmost to ensure we can build upon this success for the remainder of the year.” The flagship BMW 7 Series was the best-selling model, with a 3% increase. “The BMW 7 Series is consistently amongst our best-selling cars here in Qatar. It is the epitome of luxury, elegance and innovation, all of which are qualities appreciated and desired by discerning Qatari customers,” said Kandeel. Other best-selling models included the BMW 5 Series, with 67% growth, followed by the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (23%) and the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe (19%). The BMW 6 Series was also popular with all three models – the Coupe, Convertible and all-new Gran Coupe – major contributors to the line-up’s 186% sales increase.

auto news

New Porsche Boxster generation arrives

he revamped Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are now available in Qatar. Both variants have a new, lightweight body and a completely redesigned chassis. Considerably lower weight, longer wheelbase, a wider track and larger wheels significantly enhance the mid-engine sports car’s driving dynamics. Its superior performance is backed by up to 15% more fuel efficiency. Depending on the model, they get by with significantly less than eight litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. Fundamentally changed styling – with shorter overhangs – a significantly forwardshifted windscreen, flatter silhouette and expressive edges all provide the Boxster with a fresh, contemporary look. The new roadster’s posture is decidedly more muscular and striking. Passengers are enclosed by a completely re-designed, fully electric hood, which now dispenses with a convertible top compartment lid. The interior gives occupants more

space and reflects the new Porsche outline with a raked centre console, which originated with the Carrera GT. George Wills, Managing Director of Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, says: “Without any doubt, the new generation Boxster represents a quantum leap in Porsche’s development of mid-engine ve-

hicles. It combines a breath-taking design with a great day-to-day usability. After the fantastic feedback following its reveal at the Geneva Motor Show, we look forward to introducing the two-seater in our region. This new roadster stands for pure driving pleasure through the principles of Porsche Intelligent Performance.”

Mercedes-Benz driving MENA Golf Tour

ercedes-Benz will be the Official Car Sponsor of the forthcoming MENA Golf Tour for a second consecutive year. The oldest automotive brand in the world will leverage a luxury fleet of its latest models to transit players and officials to and from the venues. One of the major sporting highlights of the region, the second edition of the MENA Golf Tour will have six events on its expanded schedule which, for the first time, includes a stop in Saudi Arabia. “Our association with the MENA Golf Tour demonstrates our support to the sporting community in the region and is very much part of our drive to promote the close ties between the sport of golf and Mercedes-Benz,” said Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Middle East & Levant. “Collaborations such as this one also provide us with a unique opportunity to connect with our customers and strengthen the existing relationships with our partners within an environment that mirrors the Mercedes-Benz image and reputation.”

Mercedes-Benz is a highly respected friend of golf, having been the Official Automobile Partner of the Masters in Augusta as well as the Official Patron of the PGA of America, which includes the PGA Champi-

onship and the Ryder Cup 2012. The German car manufacturer has also been sponsoring the British Open since 2011, which means it is are associated with three of the four major tournaments.

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auto news

Audi A1 e-tron for the German Olympic team

ROLLS-ROYCE ACHIEVING STRONG ME SALES

uring the London Olympic Games, the Audi A1 etron will attract attention. As partner of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the National Paralympic Committee Germany (DBS), Audi presented the Olympic squad with an Audi

A1 e-tron in the German colours. It is an electric car with a range extender. The A1 etron reaches a maximum speed of 130 km/h thanks to its power of 102 hp. If the battery power is exhausted a compact combustion engine, the range extender, recharges the battery as required and in doing so increases the range to up to 250 kilometers.

Alfardan’s Ramadan Offer

lfardan Automobiles has launched a host of Ramadan offers, enabling BMW customers and enthusiasts to enjoy sheer driving pleasure when purchasing selected BMW models. Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Alfardan Automobiles is giving BMW enthusiasts the opportunity to buy a new BMW and pay the first instalment in 2013,

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with free BMW insurance for one year. Alternatively, customers can choose a fouryear 0% interest rate instalment plan on their BMW purchase or free BMW insurance for two years. All three offers come with the BMW Service Inclusive package (BSI), which covers the costs of all regular maintenance for up to five years or 100,000 kms (whichever comes first) on selected models.

olls-Royce Motor Cars achieved solid first half growth figures in the Middle East, with sales increasing by 22% regionally compared with the same period in 2011. Saudi Arabia in particular has maintained exceptional growth from the first quarter, with the UAE, Qatar and other markets achieving robust growth rates individually, all fuelled by remarkably high demand for Ghost models and sustained demand for Phantom. The performance can be attributed in part to the continued success of Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase models, supported by the personalisation possibilities available from the company’s Bespoke programme. Bespoke has witnessed the most uptake from Middle East customers, with two-tone, a bespoke Ghost option offered for the first time this year on the less formal model, proving an attractive feature. Commenting on the strong results, Geoff Briscoe, the recently-appointed Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said: “We are proud that our dealers have excelled in their individual markets. The region’s sales performance reflects the marque’s commitment to its customers, and also highlights the level of luxury and personalised refinement that our customers seek.” He continued: “This has also been evident through the orders for Phantom Series II, which has recently debuted in the region and is currently undergoing customer trials.” The Phantom Series family of cars – including Phantom Saloon, Phantom Extended Wheelbase, Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé – have been thoughtfully updated with contemporary yet timeless design enhancements that frame the introduction of cutting-edge technologies which significantly improve the car’s drivetrain, ease of use and connectivity.

b r e a ki n g n e w s

Porsche’s new baby

Qatar Today travelled to Germany to test drive the new generation Porsche Boxster and it didn’t let us down.

by o r na ba llo u t

can be said that you always have a better experience when you try something in its country of origin. And that’s exactly what happened when Qatar Today travelled to Stuttgart, in Germany, to test drive the new generation Porsche Boxster. A two-day road trip from the city right into the heart of Germany’s green countryside, full of demanding roads and sharp bends, was the perfect route for Porsche to show off its latest baby. Since the introduction of the Boxster in 1996, the car has come a long way in terms of design and mechanics that ultimately give it

the edge over its rivals. The new model is larger in size yet weighs less than the previous model thanks to the new aluminium body, and despite its smaller capacity it is faster and more economical. At a starting price of $54,000 (QR196,000) for a basic model, Porsche has created a high-performance, attractive and efficient car at an affordable cost. The car is available in two different models – the basic Boxster and the more powerful Boxster S. The standard model has a 2.7 litre engine, while the S model has a 3.4 litre, both with the trademark horizontally

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b r e a ki n g n e w s

Engine Power 195 kW (265 hp) at 6,700 rpm

MaxIMUM Torque 280 Nm at 4,500 rpm - 6,500 rpm

Power Output per Litre 72 kW/l (97.9 hp/l)

Maximum Revs 7,800 rpm

Porsche Boxster Spec Body:

Two-seater roadster; lightweight aluminium-steel body; doors as well as front and rear luggage compartment lids made of aluminium; all-electric three-segment fabric hood; two-stage driver and passenger airbags; side and head airbags for driver and front passenger; aluminium-steel roll-over protection bar. Engine:

Water-cooled flat-six engine; aluminium engine block and cylinder heads; four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder; variable valve timing and valve lift (VarioCam Plus) on the inlet side; hydraulic valve play compensation; direct petrol injection; a three-way catalytic converter with two oxygen sensors per cylinder bank; 10.1 litres engine oil; electronic ignition system with static ignition current distribution (six active ignition modules); thermal management for engine and transmission cooling circuit; auto start/stop function.

opposed “boxer” engine. It’s available with a six-speed manual gearbox or with sevenspeed semi-auto PDK transmission, and the latter was sampled in Germany by yours truly. The stunning scenic route was a great opportunity to test the car. As soon as you start driving the Boxster, you get the impression that everything is working in harmony to give an entertaining, speedy and efficient experience. And efficiency is ingrained in Germany’s DNA. On the autobahn – the German motorway – we put the foot down and reached high speeds, with noise levels that will make sure a huge smile is plastered across your face. The performance is fast and responsive with an impressive acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds – with Sport Chrono package of course. The PDK gearbox, when

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left to its own devices, shifts into the right gear in an effortless fashion. With a colourful convoy of Porsche Boxsters travelling across the country, packed with journalists and Porsche’s team, we certainly commanded impressed looks from passers-by. The perfectly sunny weather allowed us to take full advantage of the car’s drop-top attributes with the roof down. The new fabric roof is easy, smooth and swift to use. It can be conveniently operated on the move as long as you’re driving under 50 km/h, which beats hardtop types which usually demand you stop to work them. My favourite driving memory was in the Black Forest. A brief stop allowed us to see a cuckoo-clock shop, brimming with the traditional, wooden clocks that the Black Forest is famous for. The fusion of tradition, magnificent scenery, all while driving

a home-grown German car, was sensational. Especially on the narrow Forest roads featuring sharp bends that really showed off the nimble handling and control of the Boxster which smoothly tackled each turn with little effort. After an adventurous day, we rested in the Adler Hotel – a beautiful holiday resort popular with tourists and locals. A wholesome dinner followed by a late night of singing and dancing meant that most people were looking less than fresh the next morning. Needless to say, the speeding pace on the second day was far more conservative! An equally pleasant route back left me not wanting to hand back the keys when we arrived in Stuttgart. I had fallen for the Boxster’s charm. It ticked all the right boxes for me in terms of looks, handling, efficiency and price

MARKET WATCH

QATAR CONTINUING WITH EUROPEAN STRATEGY

Omega Dives Deep

Qatar Airways soars high at Farnborough Air Show

akbar al baker qatar airways wins best airline in middle east

mega has upgraded the entire Seamaster Planet Ocean collection to equip each of the new Planet Oceans with one of the brand’s revolutionary family of in-house co-axial calibres – the 8500/8501, the 8520/8521 or the new 9300 chronograph. The new watches are perfect for underwater adventure as they

come equipped with unidirectional rotating bezels, helium escape valves and water resistance to 60 bar/600 metres/2,000 feet. In addition, the applied indexes on the dials as well as the rhodium-plated hands emit a blue light while the minute hand and the dot on the diving bezel emit a green light for divers to keep track of their underwater time at a glance.

Stylish footwear from Ecco

rom pretty ballerinas and elegant dress shoes to sandals and sneakers for both boys and girls, Ecco’s Back-toSchool line is sure to be a hit with your kids. The range for boys comprises five groups – the sporty Sidewalk group; the Strider group with velcro that comes in a fabric and leather combination, giving it a cool and sporty feel; the Biom Lite group, with natural motion technology for easy feet movement; the formal Junior Arlanda group; and Junior Street, which is sneakerstyle with laces. Girls can choose from three groups – the Imagine group that has glossy-finish, elegant looking Mary Jane-style shoes; the Alicia group, comprising more formal

atar Airways wrapped-up a successful week at the world’s largest aviation event – Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire, UK – which also saw the airline officially unveil its Boeing 787 aircraft. It is the first time in Boeing’s 28-year history that an aircraft by the manufacturer has participated in a flying display, enthralling more than 120,000 visitors at the show, comprising of guests from the travel trade, media and global aviation enthusiasts. Qatar Airways also bagged key important awards at the event for the second year running: Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive year, and the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East award In addition, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker was honoured with an Airline Business accolade for leadership.

school shoes with matt finish; and the Biom Lite group featuring full grain leather uppers with speed lace for comfortable movements. They are available in Ecco Stores at Al Asmakh Mall and Shoe Mart in City Centre.

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M AR K ET W ATC H

ABATS implements record tracking system

li Bin Ali Technology Solutions (ABATS) recently announced the successful implementation of the firstever RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) Records/file Tracking System, providing real-time tracking and control at the floor level, public counters, hallways and exits in the fourteen-floor building of Qatar Public Prosecution. With the RFID system, the location of a file can be automatically identified and tracked by using radio frequency fields to transfer data from the RFID tag attached to the file. RFID sensors can read RFID files from a distance of thirty feet and can detect the exact location of the file. The RFID sensors under desktops and on the ceiling can automatically detect files as they arrive at the cubicles while sensors at the exit detect unauthorised removal of file from the facility. Qatar Public Prosecution’s Director of Information Systems, Mariam Haji

Grohe goes digital

Abdulla: said, “We don’t have any more lost case file with this technology, we know exactly where they are located. Our RFID system eliminates data entry and provides real-time integration with two separate systems that streamlines creation and colourcoding of new files. It also allows locating missing files through its excellent tracking system. Currently, through this newly implemented system, 30,000 case files are being tracked.” Commenting on ABATS’ investment in RFID technology, Ali Bin Ali – ICT’s COO, Mohamed Al-Ebrik, said: “ABATS will always be looking forward to invest in new technology, educating the Qatari market on how efficiently to benefit from the technology and helping governmental entities and other industries to automate and secure the movement and transfers of important documents within their organisation. RFID will provide greater convenience to the users, time savings for the staff and additional security to the organisation.”

Samsung’s new travel companion A NEW BATHROOM EXPERIENCE EACH DRAW-OFF POINT IS DIGITALLY CONTROLLED

amsung Electronics Co. Ltd has launched its latest travel zoom camera range, the WB850F Smart Camera. The WB850F enhances the advanced optical zoom and image quality that the WB range is known for, with Wi-Fi capability to facilitate sharing and saving images wherever you are in the world. The WB850F also uses GPS and Live Landmark

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to enhance your journeys, enabling you to download maps and find out information on nearby locations at the touch of a button. The camera’s digital compass also gives your location and distance from certain locations, whilst the map view function allows you to download maps while exploring new cities. With a 21x optical zoom and a 16.2 megapixel sensor, it is Samsung’s best yet.

o its Grohe Spa collection, which turns your private bathroom into an oasis of relaxation, Grohe has introduced two unique premium lines – Grohe Ondus Veris Digital and Grohe Rainshower Solo Digital – to offer customers a unique digital water experience. Whether it’s the washbasin, bathtub or shower, each draw-off point is controlled by a compact digital controller. The wireless technology, the modular concept and the coordinated design allow the digital controller to be combined with different bathtub and shower products. Some of the innovative features of the two lines include temperature reading, a pause function to control water flow, ProGrip technology for flow volume, a fully automatic bathtub-filling button and TurboStat technology for water pressure.

M AR K ET W ATC H

Premium viewing experience with Sony

ony has launched its new Bravia television line-up comprising two distinct series – the flagship HX series and the mid-level EX series. Each new model delivers best picture quality and offers a range of features to give consumers flexibility in choosing the right entertainment solution. Complete with X-Reality Pro and Motionflow XR 800, Sony’s HX855 is a fully Internet-connected television with builtin 3D, delivering a premium viewing experience. Meanwhile, the EX series uses Motionflow XR 200 processing, delivering superior Full HD 1,080p resolution, and integrates the Clear Resolution Enhancer to provide vivid, clear and life-like picture. Select models also incorporate Dynamic Edge LED with local dimming that

Rezidor opens the Radisson Blu

delivers brilliant Full HD (1,080p) picture with increased brightness and better contrast. Picture quality is further enhanced with Sony’s X-Reality Pro and X-Reality digital video processors. Additionally, Sony’s newest version of Motionflow XR technology reduces blur caused by quick camera movements, enhancing sharpness and creating a smoother viewing experience. From the Sony Entertainment Network portal, consumers can find a variety of applications for online entertainment such as news, weather, games, and videos from YouTube as well as access to social networks. The new HX and EX series are also embedded with Skype. The Bravia TV line-up is available at all Fifty One East’s outlets, located in Lagoona Mall, Al Maha Centre, and City Centre Doha Mall, in addition to all Virgin Megastores.

ezidor, a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has opened a new flagship hotel in Qatar: the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha. In addition to its 583 rooms and suites with Radisson Blu signature services such as free high-speed Internet access, the hotel features fantastic in-house dining options. Guests can choose among 12 restaurants – including fine dining and more casual options for a leisurely meal or

A Lange & Sohne create a masterpiece

s a successor to its famous Datograph model, watchmaking brand A. Lange & Sohne has created a new masterpiece – the Datograph Up/Down model. The appeal of the Datograph Up/Down lies in the new power reserve indication at 6 o’clock, which shows how much of the power reserve, now extended to 60 hours, is still available. Instant consecutive time measurements can be performed easily with its ingenious flyback mechanism. The equilateral triangle formed by the big date, minutes hand and small seconds emphasises the aesthetic appeal of the chronograph and guarantees perfect legibility. Through the sapphire crystal case back, the chronograph’s 451 components can be viewed, splendidly engraved, ground and polished by hand. quick bite. The hotel also comprises swimming pools, saunas and gymnasiums, and squash, basketball, badminton and tennis courts. Business guests enjoy 2,000 square metres of airy conference space. “The Middle East belongs to our focus regions for future business development, and Qatar offers excellent opportunities for growth,” said Kurt Ritter, President and CEO, Rezidor. Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni across the region.

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M AR K ET W ATC H

the pearl

of qatar THE Pearl-Qatar has become one of the country’s iconic symbols, renowned throughout the world as the flagship development of new Qatar. Built on an artificial island, this predilection of luxury oozes with class and sophistication and attracts the affluent and the well-to-do. HOWEVER, As it enters into a new phase of maturity, IT IS broadenING its appeal to more mid-market CUSTOMERS. by r o r y c o e n Qanat Quartier Overlooking the new Venetian-styled district of The-Pearl Qatar from one of its 14 bridges.

ow powerful is the concept of “originality”? To not only conceive your own idea, but to give it life; to design and develop something sui generis, in its own class. It’s probably something people will want to see, to ex-

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perience. It’s an anomaly and this excites people. It has never been done before. It is brand new. The Pearl-Qatar was dreamt up with aspirations to be unique. At the turn of the millennium, the site was nothing more than a shallow pool of warm water gripping the coastline – no perceivable potential was obvious until somebody decided to make it magnificent, and to turn his aspiration into our aspiration. If you thought The Pearl-Qatar was just the horseshoe Porto Arabia with the finedining restaurants, designer retail outlets

and plush apartments, then you need to update to Pearl 2.0. As they continue to develop the horseshoe, with ten new towers being readied for January 2013, there’s a furtive world behind waiting to be lived in, shopped in and played in. Two brand new development areas – Qanat Quartier, which is modelled on the city of Venice, and Medina Centrale – are being polished off this autumn and will be fully operational forthwith. The Pearl-Qatar is essentially a phased mixed-use development comprising ten distinct, themed districts that include

M AR K ET W ATC H

“Luxury brands are very difficult to establish and maintain. Once you position yourself at a certain level, it’s next to impossible to go up. ” darrell sheaffer general manager, hotels and leisure, hdc

“One of our strategic objectives is to make our stores accessible to more people. ‘bridge brands’ aren’t necessarily luxury, but they’re not mass brands either. they still ooze with luxury” theo swart general manager, united fashion company

beachfront villas, elegant town homes, luxury apartments, exclusive penthouses, fivestar hotels, marinas, and upscale retail and restaurants, all situated on this man-made island encompassing 985 acres. When fully developed, the Island will host approximately 18,000 luxury villas, town homes, penthouses and apartments which will, in total, be home to 45,000 residents. Exclusive luxury villas will be located in clusters, around the Island’s perimeter, with private beaches that offer stunning sea views. Qanat Quartier If you like Venice, you’ll love this incipient setting. A bit gauche myself, I was still overcome by how the designers managed to harness the lambent colours of the apartments to give it a very Southern European feel. Elegant bridges serve as conduits between the sub-districts, and when you enter you don’t want to leave, such are its captivating elements. You are totally blinded from mainstream Doha – be it the five-star hotels or areas like Najma or Mansoura. The only familiarity I could generate was the stifling heat from the midday sun which was penetrating my senses. Although it is currently without soul and history, you could sense that a young and excitable population would bring vibrancy to the pocketed social areas where there will be room for dozens of residents to sit outside the coffee shops and generate their own atmosphere. One hundred and eighty-eight three-sto-

rey townhouses and over 1,000 apartments will be built on 1.6 km of canals. Water-taxis will be available to residents, whilst the other amenities on the island are within a short walking distance. Medina Centrale Medina Centrale will surely become the focal point of the Island as it will be peppered with 140 retail outlets including a 4,000 square metre Spinney’s supermarket. There will be 30-40 casual dining spots to choose from before you might like to watch a blockbuster movie on one of the ten screens in the new cinema complex. Whilst Medina Centrale differs in style from Qanat Quartier, the same colour scheme seems to be employed, bringing this latent European-old-quarter-feel to the district. It’s not just a commercial area for shopping and entertainment, however, as there are 538 low-rise residential units (three to eight storeys) on offer also. A petrol station is currently under construction which will cater for the island and indeed its hinterland. There are also plans for schools, banks, pharmacies and even a hardware store. Get aspirational Kirk Martin, VP Fashion and Retail at The Pearl-Qatar spoke about how the island is really establishing itself since its “throwback year” in 2009, when the first residents moved into Tower One. There were no retail outlets or restaurants as such – they have

sprouted up in the past three years – and much of Porto Arabia was still a building site with little or no landscaping completed. Eventually people began to move in as it developed into a more habitable area. There’s a perception that The Pearl-Qatar is only high-end and whilst this was where it wanted to position itself at the outset – to set an “aspirational” level – it is broadening and diversifying now to cater for more midrange shoppers. “This was a conscious decision at the outset,” said Darrell Sheaffer, General Manager, Hotels and Leisure, Hospitality Development Company. “We wanted to position the Island at a very excusive but also an aspirational level. We wanted people to come to see these shops and feel like this is where they should be more and more. “We started with restaurants that only belonged in places like New York City,” added Eric, “but now there’s more mid-market, more casual dining and more relaxed sorts of concepts will come online in the next year or two.” Martin continued: “When we first established the retail offering here, it was more geared towards luxury and a slice below luxury, with “second-line” brands. For instance, Giorgio Armani is first-line and Emporio Armani is its second line and a little less expensive. “The reason this was done is that it creates an aspirational lifestyle – it positions The Pearl-Qatar as a luxury or what I like to call an “iconic” project. You don’t want

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“We can host people with no nautical skills and we try to provide made-to-measure solutions – whatever they desire. We have proper captains on our payroll who can bring groups out to sea at weekends ” Jaume Marco General Manager, Ronautica

“You want to establish yourself as an attraction for people to aspire to. But now we’re trying to diversify – we’re offering additional mid-range fashion and casual restaurants that serve hamburgers and steaks” KIRK MARTIN VP FASHION AND RETAIL AT THE PEARL-QATAR

to necessarily start with something that’s real cheap and establish your footprint with that. You want to establish yourself as an attraction for people to aspire to. But now we’re trying to diversify – we’re offering additional mid-range fashion and home stores, and casual restaurants that serve hamburgers and steaks – TGI Fridays.” “It’s a lot easier to come down than go up,” asserted Sheaffer. “Luxury brands are very difficult to establish and maintain. Once you position yourself at a certain level, it’s next to impossible to go up. Marriott couldn’t do it so they bought the Ritz-Carlton, for instance.” Sheaffer is overseeing the opening of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, which will open early next year at the very latest. Spanning over 160 linear metres of ocean and beach frontage, the low-rise property offers a balance between sophisticated living and vibrant entertainment. It will have 47 luxury villas and spa suites, private plunge pools, an oasis garden, a fitness centre featuring, an outdoor yoga platform and an infinity edge beach pool and bar. There will also be a nightclub. “It will be a mixture of suites, rooms and townhouses,” said Shaeffer. “It will be a destination resort essentially, attracting people from within the region and Europe. They will fly here specifically because it is the first Nikki Beach in this region.” “I call it a residential resort lifestyle,” said Martin. “The whole project is like a mini-city with shopping, cinemas and a supermarket. It’s not just a four-wall mall. It’s the perfect indoor outdoor setting, because of the marina and what Ronautica brings to visitors.”

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Ronautica Ronautica established itself in Qatar in 2006 to create a certain type of lifestyle based around boating. The Pearl-Qatar management needed a professional outfit to oversee their marina and provide a holistic service to the residents and visitors to the island – not just to provide a place to park the boats, but to help people enjoy the sea as well. Ronautica delivers activities such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing and kneeboarding. It also provides for family fun trips, fishing trips and boat charters. “Five years ago, it was very rare to do any sea activities,” said Jaume Marco, General Manager, Ronautica. “There were few marinas in Doha and very inexperienced boatmen. So we are trying to encourage people to get more involved in nautical activities. “We can host people with no nautical skills and we try to provide made-to-measure solutions – whatever they desire. We have proper captains on our payroll who can bring groups out to sea at weekends and provide a safe and reliable journey. The groups can order food from the many restaurants that are now at The Pearl-Qatar; they can choose their first course from one restaurant, the second course from another and so on. Ronautica will bring the food and beverages to the boat. As I said, we don’t just park boats – we are trying to deliver a complete package. “One of the destinations we bring our clients is to Safliya Island, which is a beautiful natural island not far from the coast people spend the day here and return in the evening. It’s a nice destination.”

Fashion United Fashion Company (UFC) is bringing world-class luxury and a wide range of product brands to the Island. Its long-term strategy envisions a network of stores that branch from internationally acclaimed luxury and mid- to mid-upper brands across a variety of retail categories. In addition to owning and managing a wide range of boutiques and department stores, UFC also focuses on service-driven products such as beauty salons. “When you look at the brand map around the world, brands tend to merge with retail partners that they feel confident and comfortable with,” said Theo Swart, General Manager, United Fashion Company. “They look for retail companies that are able to honour their plans. The challenge here for us is to attract enough commercially recognised brands from around the world to cater for Qatar’s growing shopping market. Whilst UFC, like the other island concepts, started out with a strategy of only providing high-end luxury brands to create this aspirational mentality, it is now looking to diversify its appeal. “One of our strategic objectives it to make our stores accessible to more people, so it was natural to look at “bridge brands”, which aren’t necessarily luxury, but they’re not mass brands either. When you purchase one of these brands it still oozes luxury. “Liu Jo, which will be arriving in January, is the perfect example of this bridge brand customer concept. Many people come here for convenience and they are looking for everyday use, looking for affordable luxury. It made good commercial sense to enter this arena,” said Swart

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The Gold Player Despite global gold price fluctuations looming over the jewellery industry, Firoz Merchant, Chairman of Pure Gold Jewellers, stays ahead of the game.

PURE GOLD JEWELLERS

firoz merchant

ONE OF SIX STORES CURRENTLY OPEN IN QATAR

Chairman – pure gold jewellers

eeping up with the fluctuations in gold prices can be a major challenge when you are in the jewellery industry, but if you had years of experience in the business, you would probably learn how to generate revenue even in tough times. Take for instance Firoz Merchant, Chairman of Pure Gold Jewellers, whose brand has not been affected by the volatile gold price trends. “It has actually provided a boost to our diamond business,” he counters. “Considering the global economic situation, gold prices will go even higher than the current price. Due to this, customers are diverting their purchasing to diamond jewellery, which is our main focus now.” Pure Gold Jewellers was born out of a vision: “To create a brand that consistently delights the customer with excellence and innovation.” Since the opening of its first store in 1989, it has matured to emerge as a leading jeweller in the Middle East with 100 stores across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and India, in addition to two manufacturing centres in India and one in China. The brand currently holds a portfolio consisting of a wide range of exclusive brands – jewellery crafted from gold, dia-

monds, pearls and many other precious and semi-precious stones. “At Pure Gold we serve a wide range of customer profiles, starting from teenagers and brides to anybody interested in jewellery. Our designs are available at various price points to suit the expectations of all customers. We also have exclusive designs for our Middle Eastern customers.” The brand’s philosophy, he says, is to be “value-oriented” and “up-to-date with the latest fashion trends”. “Our customers see tangible value in our offering the bestquality products and designs at low prices with third party certification and lifetime exchange policies. We strive to offer the latest designs with top-notch quality coupled with world-class customer service.” With six stores already running in Qatar, Pure Gold Jewellers plan to open three more by the end of this year and have 15 stores by 2016. “Considering Qatar’s GDP and ongoing development, it is the fastest-developing country and has great business potential,” says Merchant. “We are also actively looking to buy established retail operators in the Middle East and India to fuel our expansion plan. I believe going forward there are possibilities of consolidation in the jewellery

industry where bigger players will eventually hold greater market share.” Investment opportunities According to Merchant, the future of the jewellery industry is promising, and so are the benefits from investing in jewels: “Jewellery possesses tangible value. Considering the current global scenario, consumers are conscious of where they invest their money, and investing in jewellery gives them good returns.” The best investment is gold, he advises. “Look at the history of gold prices. A decade ago it was $300/oz and now it has gone up to $2,000/oz, which is a clear indication that gold will always remain the best investment. Excess funds can be used to buy gold bars for investment as well as jewellery.” For those still sceptical about buying gold, Merchant offers other alternatives. As a special promotion this summer, customers can buy any of the diamond jewellery worth just QR3,999 from Pure Gold Jewellers and get a 20-pointer solitaire set in 18ct white or yellow gold absolutely free. Besides this, to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, a special edition of diamond pendants with ‘Allah’ engraved on them has also been launched

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M AR K ET W ATC H Interior of Audi A6 with Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Bang & Olufsen’s

World

Bang & Olufsen have opened themselves up to the automotive industry in recent years – where they are offering high-end car manufacturers their uncompromising and integrated sound systems. Rory Coen was at their headquarters in Denmark recently to see it all first-hand.

“I

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see a little silhouette of a man. Scaramouche! Scaramouche! Will you do the Fandango? Thunderbolt of lightning, very, very frightening Me! Galileo, Galileo, Galileo, Galileo, Galileo, Figaro – magnifico!” Who can remember the scene from the 1992 movie Wayne’s World when Wayne and Garth drive nonchalantly through the

streets of Aurora, Illinois in their baby blue 1976 AMC Pacer – nicknamed “the Mirth Mobile” – singing aloud to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, a 1975 track by Queen? The scene starts out with Wayne, Garth and their two cohorts squeezing into the tiny automobile before pulling away. Wayne plucks out a white cassette tape from his pocket and declares: “I think we’ll go with a little ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, fellas.” He in-

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B&O at Lagoona Mall Bang & Olufsen recently opened up at Lagoona Mall in West Bay. The impressive playground showcases the company’s philosophy of delivering a unique home entertainment experience for its customers, where they are transported from a humdrum living room environment into a dark cinematic coliseum by the press of a button, and they can relax to witness the latest blockbuster in glorious surround sound and high definition. The store offers all of the cpmpany’s products, from the BeoVision-4 picture engine – 85 or 103 inch HD 3D plasma screens – to BeoLab 5 speakers, whose attributes bring the viewing experience to another level. It also highlights the idea of a smart home, where the entertainment and domestic features within your home are integrated into one remote control, the Beo6. B&O Play offers the customer a little more leverage. The BeoLit 12 is a handy portable speaker which can play tunes straight from an iPhone or iPad, while the BeoPlay A3 opens up new ways to use your iPad, including some remarkable placement options. The BeoPlay A8 can be deployed as a sound hub for your iPhone/iPad or iPod that offers wireless streaming of your digital music via Apple AirPlay. These products and more are available at the new bang & olufsen store.

serts it into an embedded tape deck on the dashboard and the quartet roar out the lyrics as they blaze a trail through the town. If any movie scene promotes the relationship music has with the automobile, then this is the one. It was enough to propel the song to #2 on Billboard’s Top 100 almost 20 years after it debuted at #9. The pair go together, as Vice President, Bang & Olufsen Automotive Division, Jens Peter Zinck says, like peanut butter and jelly. That was 20 years ago. A mounted tapedeck on the dashboard, with plastic speakers in the doors. Whilst methods of playing music in an automobile enhanced through the 90s and into the new millennium, there wasn’t the same advancement in sound quality. In 2003 Bang & Olufsen, which had been mastering sound systems for homes for decades, realised that people were spending more time in their cars and this was a segment which should be explored. “When Bang & Olufsen entered the automotive sector, the goal was not only to create the best car sound system in the world, but to raise the bar even higher by combining superb sound in-car integration and outstanding visual design,” says Zinck. As with most business ventures, Bang & Olufsen were knocked back by the most exclusive car manufacturers initially. The general response was that there was no market in the car industry for expensive and exclusive sound systems. It wasn’t until they rolled up to the Audi headquarters in an Audi A8 with an installed prototype system that things changed.

Immediately after listening to the system, CEO Dr Martin Winterkorn said: “Das machen wir!” (That’s what we’re gonna do!) Since then, Bang & Olufsen have gone from strength to strength in the automotive segment and have signed up with Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes to bring the same high level of sound to these luxury automobiles. They are very fussy about which car manufacturers they work with – Zinck isn’t slow to highlight that they have turned down offers of partnerships because the brands weren’t upmarket enough, and he teases about which car manufacturer is next in line. Getting it right One of the major challenges – as Wayne and Garth could attest – is that the more people you have in the car, the more you have to compromise on the experience. The designers solved this by making it possible to preset or change the sound image, optimising it according to how many people are in the car and where they are sitting: driver-focused, front or rear seat-focused or focusing on all seats. Their sound systems use a microphone integrated between the two front seats to measure changing noise conditions, which automatically adapt the volume accordingly. At the same time, the intelligent loudness system ensures that the perceived balance of bass, mid-range and treble information remains constant at all volume levels. Combined, these two technologies work to let you experience pure, authentic sound

at any volume and at any speed. The automotive sound systems have 1219 loudspeakers – powered by up to 1,000 watts – distributed throughtout the interior of the car. The system uses all loudspeakers in the car to provide the proper soundstage and is specifically tuned for each car model. In the top systems, all loudspeakers are active loudspeakers with integrated ICEpower amplifiers that are characterised by a unique combination of audiophile sound quality, high output power and ultracompact design that breaks down previous performance barriers in car audio. As each loudspeaker is powered by its own integrated amplifier, the tonal characteristics of each loudspeaker can be accurately tuned for ultimate acoustic performance. Half way through the Bohemian Rhapsody rumble, Wayne pulls over – much to the angst of the other occupants – and approaches a shop-window that is displaying an expensive luxury guitar, which Wayne has been fawning over every Friday night for a few months. “Stop torturing yourself, man,” shouts Garth in his direction. “You’ll never afford it – live in the now.” However Wayne, who is hugging the shop window, turns around to his friends and announces with hope bursting from his arteries: “It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.” I imagine Wayne would be saying the exact same thing about a Bang & Olufsen sound system for his automobile today. If any automobile deserves one, it’s the Mirth mobile

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thailand: The gem of Asia-Pacific The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently held its annual Travel Mart under the theme of ‘Customise your experience in Thailand’. “The Tourism Authority of Thailand is refocusing its strategies to attract the huge number of niche-market visitors seeking holidays more in tune with their personal preferences and lifestyles.” Juthaporn Rerngronasa Deputy Governor for International Marketing, TAT.

the land of smiles thailand remains one of the top contenders as a popular summer destination

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he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is making robust plans to let tourists not just enjoy their experience in Thailand but also customise it as per their taste. Deputy Governor for International Marketing Juthaporn Rerngronasa updates Qatar Today with the latest developments in the Thai travel and tourism industry. Ask anyone where they would like to escape this summer, and you are most likely to find Thailand as one of the top contenders. What makes Thailand incredibly popular with tourists, what has it ranking high on the travel barometer? A land steeped in rich history and a vibrant culture – check. Delectable cuisine – check. Shopping paradise – check. Spectacular beaches and islands – check. A land of smiles – check. You name it – Thailand has it. Thailand’s popularity doesn’t just stop at its incredible beaches, magnificent temples and food, however. The country has more to offer than plain leisure, which is why TAT held the eleventh edition of its annual Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) under the theme of ‘Customise your experience in Thailand’ to encourage tour operators to offer travellers itineraries that are tailored to their specific interests when visiting Thailand. TTM+ is the kingdom’s largest business-to-business travel fair, organised by TAT. In its eleventh year, the fair hosted a total of 462 buyers from across 60 countries, of which 47% were first-time participants, and 380 sellers comprising hoteliers, tour operators and travel and tour companies. “This year’s TTM+ has the broadest range of participating countries ever, with new buyers from emerging markets such as the Baltic, Latin America, North Africa and South Asia. We have also re-invited buyers from strong markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” says Rerngronasa. With the new theme, “TAT is refocusing its strategies to attract the huge number of niche-market visitors seeking holidays more in tune with their personal preferences and lifestyles,” she explains. “While its core focus will be to promote authenticity, value for money and hospitality, TAT will also be focusing on promoting niche tourism products including health and wellness, weddings and honeymoons, green tourism and golf.” TAT also launched a tourism promotion campaign,

globe trot

‘Miracle Year of Amazing Thailand’, in April this year. The Miracle Year marks three special royal occasions on the Thai calendar – His Majesty, the King’s 84th birthday; Her Majesty, the Queen’s 80th birthday; and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60th birthday. Tourists would not only be able to take part in the grand royal celebrations, but would also be able to indulge in a bevy of customised tour packages, offering lessons in Muay Thai (Thai boxing), Thai cooking, Thai massage techniques or rice farming, that ‘let you experience Thailand by yourself’. For this, TAT also launched a digital campaign called ‘Discover the other you’ that allows visitors to learn more about Thai culture on their holiday by experiencing it first hand (visit: www.discovertheotheryou.com). The GCC connect Though the best period to visit Thailand is between October and February, due to comparatively lower temperatures, the country receives a heavy flock of tourists from the Middle East region during the months from June to August. Over the past few years the Middle East market has grown significantly to become an important source of visitors to Thailand. By the end of 2012, the number of GCC visitors is expected to increase by 10% compared to last year, while the total number of visitors from the Middle East region as a whole is expected to increase by 5%. Out of these tourist figures, ‘medical tourists’ make up a large segment, reveals Rerngronasa. In fact, 6070% of tourists from Qatar visited Thailand last year mainly to avail themselves of the medical facilities. From the 19.23 million international tourists who visited Thailand last year, 1.8 million were medical tourists seeking treatment and aftercare for major surgery, minor operation, and cosmetic or dental care. “In recent years there has been massive investment among Thailand’s private medical sector, and the country is now home to many state-of-the-art hospitals with highly qualified medical professionals that offer exceptional services at a comparatively low cost. We have perfect rehabilitation offerss in Pattaya or Phuket,” she says. The Middle East being a major medical tourist market, the Thai government has waived visa fees for GCC nationals seeking medical treatment in the

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Bangkok: If you are a “city person”, you would easily blend in with Bangkok’s chaotic lifecrowded pedestrian lanes, night bazaars, cabs and tuk-tuks shuttling passengers amidst peak-hour traffic. The city’s major attractions are the magnificent temples, stupas and pagOdAs that take you through a spiritual journey. The Grand Palace, THE Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Temple of Dawn are definitely the most popular ones. Another spot to marvel at Thailand’s colourful heritage is Siam NiramIt WHICH stages one of the most spectacular shows that take you through the history of the Kingdom of Siam.

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niche tourism TAT is focusing on promoting niche markets including health and wellness, weddings and honeymoons, green tourism and golf.

Khao Yai: Leaving Bangkok’s bustling city life behind, head off for a three-hour drive to the serene and picturesque district of Khao Yai. Lined with breathtaking waterfalls and lush forests, Khao Yai offers a perfect opportunity to get close to nature. The place also gets its “cowboy” tag thanks to the Farm Chokchai, founded by Dr Chokchai Bulakul in 1957, which is now a popular stopover for tourists. The Khao Yai National Park being home to one of the last remaining monsoon forests in mainland Asia makes for another must-visit.

Chiang Mai: One of the largest and most culturally significant cities of Thailand, Chiang Mai is also regarded as the capital of Northern Thailand. Since it is surrounded by mountains, the temperatures are comparatively lower, prompting many tourists to tour around on rented bicycles. The city also offers the best of Northern Thai cuisine. Khum Khantoke is highly recommended for its tantalising flavours that diners savour while enjoying a series of colourful Lanna-style performances alongside. Get up close and personal with some of the most magnificent beasts at the Chiang Mai Night Safari and the Maesa Elephant Camp.

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country. The waiver has been extended to a period of 90 days from an initial 30-day period that was announced in May, and is strictly granted after producing the necessary medical documents. Apart from allopathic treatments, tourists have for long cherished the famous Thai spas that blend Western leisure concepts with traditional Asian therapies, which along with world-class treatment facilities adhere to halal norms. The value for money coupled with the magical hands of professional Thai masseuses makes the spa visit a must in one’s itinerary. “Thailand is also an excellent place for people seeking to learn meditation, based on the country’s longstanding Buddhist traditions,” she says. Effective marketing strategy Given the devastating floods that hit Thailand last year, and the political turmoil that broke out a year before that, Thailand has already sprung back to business with even more robust tourism strategies. Effective crisis communication is one of the marketing strategies of 2012 that TAT has adopted. “Through a combination of digital media tools and traditional channels, TAT will be able to communicate the accurate information that tourists need when a crisis situation occurs,” says Rerngronasa. With almost 30% of content online, TAT is targeting mainstream travellers as well as supporting

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specific niche segments. “And when a crisis erupts, up-to-the minute situation updates are distributed online directly to the media and our overseas offices,” she adds. However, the crisis situation didn’t severely impact the tourist arrival figures in Thailand, says Rerngronasa. “This could be because most of our tourists are repeat visitors who know Thailand very well. From the 19.23 million tourist arrivals last year, 60% were repeats. So even though we had floods in Bangkok last year, the repeat tourists decided to visit places like Phuket or Chiang Mai instead.” The one billion mark... According to the latest figures from the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals grew by over 4% in 2011 to 980 million, igniting hopes of reaching the milestone one billion mark by this year-end. On a regional level, Europe was the best performer with an 8% rise in international tourists, but Asia-Pacific came a close second with a 6% rise. Citing a 7% rise of international tourists in Thailand in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, Rerngronasa is confident that Thailand will emerge a major contributor to the one billion mark. “For 2012, we are targeting 20.5 million international arrivals, generating approximate revenue of 766 billion baht (QR91 billion). By 2016, we aim to double our tourism revenue,’ she concludes

PARTNERSHIPS FOR TRANSFORMATION

doha diary

Box Appeal delivers a welcome treat

ocal construction workers received gift boxes full of clothing, toiletries and other essential personal effects donated by members of the public as part of the month-long ‘Box Appeal’ campaign, which ended in June. The campaign, organised in partnership with Qatar Charity, provided collection boxes at locations throughout Doha, which were then filled and returned for distribution to local workers throughout the city. Launched on May 1 to coincide with International Workers Day, the Box Appeal invited the public to donate clothing and personal items at collection centres across the country. The initiative reflects Msheireb Properties’ ongoing investment in corporate social responsibility and recognises

the tireless contribution of construction workers to the astonishing growth of Qatar’s infrastructure. Msheireb Properties supports a wide range of social and humanitarian programmes in Qatar, in particular activities aimed at construction workers. In addition to the Box Appeal, Msheireb Properties organises free IT training, safety workshops, and free Iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan.

Doha Trade Fair welcomed the world

he July 2012 Doha Trade Fair, Qatar’s twice–annual trade festival, had as its theme ‘We Attract the World for You’ and ran from July 1-10, with 550 exhibitors participating from 31 countries, all showcasing and selling their latest exclusive and traditional products from around the world. This year’s main highlight was an Entertainment Tent that staged live shows and

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Katara celebrates Anasheed Festival

music performances whilst also offering a small kids’ area and two restaurants that provided visitors with an authentic taste of traditional Qatari fare. “This year’s theme reflected QTA’s commitment to hosting large-scale, world-class events in Qatar that position the country as the ultimate business, cultural and entertainment location,” said Lahdan Al-Mohannadi, Head of Local Exhibitions at the Qatar Tourism Authority.

orld-famous performer Maher Zain officially launched the five-day Anasheed Festival at Katara, Cultural Village last month, with a performance of songs from his album ‘Thank You Allah’ in Arabic, English, Urdu and Turkish. The five-day festival continued with a performance by Macedonian vocalist Mesut Kurtis, who performed music from his album ‘Beloved’, hailed as one of the most important religious albums. As well as these performances, the festival was splashed with wonderful renditions by eight renowned artists including Mishary Alafasy, Ahmed Bukhatir, Sameer Al-Bashiri, Osama Al Safi, Humoud Al-Khuder and Ameen Hameem. Dr Emad Sultan, Director of Cultural Affairs at Katara, said: “We are very pleased we were able to bring together some of the most influential singers in the world to perform in Qatar for this unique festival. “This festival highlights the traditions of Arab and Islamic countries, uniting cultures from across the world. The event reflects precisely Katara’s mission in Qatar: to educate and entertain whilst building cultural bridges,” he added.

Ramadan at Katara

doha diary

Qataris return from Youth Conference

atar’s Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) delegates returned from South America where they represented their country and the region at the 6th World Youth Congress (WYC). Organised by Peace Child International, the congress brought together 350 of the world’s most dynamic young activists in the field of sustainable development from

Be safe on our roads

100 different countries. Topics under discussion included sustainable development, the task of youth in the development process, climate change, leadership, communications, and suggested solutions towards sustainable development. The WYC programme also included diverse workshops such as ‘What is the role of faith and spirituality in sustainable development?’ and ‘Eco-feminism’.

MIA offer Ramadan education classes

n initiative by the Traffic Department and Qatargas, the Ramadan Road Safety Campaign is being organised for the sixth consecutive year and is focused on raising national awareness of road accident prevention in a bid to significantly reduce the number of accidents and casualties on Qatar’s roads. The campaign’s activities this year include distribution of Iftar packs and traffic awareness literature to motorists across the country, special traffic awareness programmes in shopping malls, engagement of famous Qatari stars and media persons

atara Cultural Village’s Ramadan programme for 2012 includes activities such as Qur’an classes, a Ramadan Souq, a Book Bazaar, Islamic lectures, and Itlalet Ramadan. Katara Art Studio will also host a special programme that caters for adults, families and children alike. Dr Emad Sultan, Cultural Affairs Director, said: “We are keen to build upon the

to spread road safety messages, ‘Garangaor’ night festivities for children at major shopping malls, distribution of infant car seats at HMC, and screening of speciallymade road safety TVCs (television commercials) at major cinemas and on local TV channels. Ghanim Al-Kuwari, Chief Operating Officer – Administration, Qatargas, states: “We are proud to work with the Traffic Department for the past five years. We see this as a very good opportunity to support the efforts of the Traffic Department in spreading awareness on road safety, especially among our younger generation.” success of last year’s Ramadan programme by continuing to provide visitors with a stream of exciting educational and cultural activities. We look forward to welcoming all members of the community as they enjoy the rich art and culture Katara has to offer during this year’s Ramadan programme.” Katara Art Studio is expected to host educational programmes that focus on enhancing creative engagement. Visitors will also have the opportunity to browse

he Museum of Islamic Art is organising a number of workshops during the holy month of Ramadan aiming to engage our community’s children in the museum’s activities. The programme, taking place at MIA’s Education Centre, includes pottery workshops and four sessions of an extensive thee-day summer programme. The museum has already held a workshop titled ‘Bibbidy Pottery Do!’ during the first half of July, in which toddlers created their own masterpieces in the form of plates and enjoyed an interactive session of song and dance inspired by works from MIA’s collection. The workshop aimed to introduce them to mixed media and collage.

through the wide selection of bilingual reading material available at the weekend Book Bazaar. Katara Art Centre will feature activities and inspiring art exhibitions throughout Ramadan. Attractions include a fashion boutique featuring designs by Lina Hajjar and WAAD amongst others, in addition to a variety of books and storytelling, an old calligraphy exhibition and traditional Qatari household items for sale.

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doha diary

Looking Forward to the Past

atar is developing at a remarkable speed. Using whatever major measure of success, it is at the front, or among the front runners. Growth in GDP; investment in research and development; speed and scale of urban development and regeneration; you name it. All eyes in Qatar are looking forward, planning for the next major infrastructure project, the next major international sports event and breaking yet another set of world records. All eyes looking forward only? As any good driver knows, regular use of the rear mirror is crucial for a safe journey. The scale of the “rear mirror” for Qatar’s drive to become a knowledge-based economy is in line with its other ambitions, and is a prime reflection of the country’s willingness to take responsibility for the collective Arab world’s contribution to human culture. Let’s look at the facts here. Pride of place is clearly taken by the Museum of Islamic Art in its iconic building on the southern end of the Corniche. Its simple message is known to frequent flyers: “Three continents, two millennia, one museum’ goes its slogan on Qatar Airways” in-flight programme. And what a magnificent reflection of Islamic culture it is! If you haven’t been there, now is the time to go, with a new cafeteria inside and a major landscaped park outside, and special exhibitions always offering new treasures to admire. But this is just the tip of the iceberg (if that metaphor works in this climate), with many more collections and museums existing in Qatar, often out of sight but just around the corner. Drive up the Corniche, turn left into Khalifa Street, keep going past the ultramodern buildings of Qatar Science and Technology Park on your right, and turn left into Education City for Mathaf, the Arab Museum of Modern Art. A very different museum and collection indeed, and absolutely worth a visit; this is living culture at its best. From here, follow the Dukhan Highway for a few more miles and take a U-turn to reach Sheikh Faisal’s Museum, which gives a very different view again on Qatar’s past. A sprawling complex situated in a working farm and housing a private collection of almost everything, from ships to bicycles and from paintings to weapons and clothing, it offers fascinating insights into everyday life in Qatar in the 19th and early 20th centuries AD, and into the fertility of a single man’s obsession with collecting. In this short drive from the Museum of Islamic Art to Sheikh Faisal’s Museum we have passed three major sites of crucial importance for Qatar’s future, and its protecting of the past. First, QMA Tower tucked behind the old Movenpick Hotel at the bottom of the Corniche, right opposite the MIA; then QSTP and Education City on either side of the Dukhan Highway as it begins to leave Doha behind it. QMA Tower is home to the Qatar Museums Authority, and QSTP and Education City are the flagship projects of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Between them, QF and QMA make sure that Qatar’s booming economy and fast-forward drive are not losing sight of the importance of human culture – in the past, present, and future. History has shown how the economic, political and military

Professor Thilo Rehren Director UCL Qatar www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar

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might of today can all too quickly fade into distant memory; but the achievements of a people’s culture, enhanced and promoted by royal patronage, can transcend centuries and millennia. Look at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, or the major collections in Europe such as the British Museum or the Green Vault in Dresden – recently on show at the MIA. The empires and riches which created them are (mostly) gone, but their collections survive. Culture needs protection, too – consider the library of Alexandria or the many other treasures lost to wilful destruction and careless neglect. But culture, the sum of the arts and sciences, is more than mere collections of artefacts or books. For culture to survive it needs to live in the people; it needs people who perform art, people who are creative in the arts and sciences and build a future out of the past. We are like dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants - we reach farther than our forebears not because we are better, but because of the towers of achievement they have built for us to scale and extend further. In Qatar we are fortunate beyond measure to have the twin towers of QMA and QF which ensure through their modern-day royal patronage that the arts and sciences are preserved, developed, and practised, in museums, universities, and research centres. This model of cultural development proved economically and culturally successful in ancient Egypt, in Greece and Rome, in the great Islamic caliphates, throughout the long history of China and more recently across Europe’s Renaissance. Is Qatar next in line?

UCL is one of the world’s leading universities, and the first British university to open a campus in Qatar. A unique partnership between Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums Authority, UCL Qatar offers innovative postgraduate degree programmes in the areas of archaeology, conservation, cultural heritage and museum studies.

doha diary

Cirque du Soleil provides awesome retreat

Whale Shark research off Qatar coast

the cast of saltimbanco CIRQUE DU SOLEIL RAN FOR FOUR NIGHTS IN EARLY JULY

Qatar’s Junior Athletes win gold

AMAZING FEATS OF STRENGTH AND BALANCE

THE ARTISTS WOWED THE DOHA CROWD WITH POSES SUCH AS THESE

irque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco show arrived in Doha last month and it left an indelible print on the memory of those who were lucky enough to attend. About 3,000 people attended the first show at the Aspire Dome where they witnessed some remarkable feats of strength, bravery, skill, concentration and agility by the performing artists. There was a juggler who managed to keep eight balls moving at the same time and a trapeze artist who defied the laws of gravity to pull off some of

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he Al Shaheen offshore oil field in Qatar, located approximately 150 kilometres north of Doha, has become the site of a groundbreaking research project dedicated to studying whale sharks in the Arabian Gulf. The Qatar Whale Shark Research Project is a joint collaboration between the Qatar Ministry of Environment and Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre (MORTC), with the objective of establishing a long-term monitoring programme that can provide pioneering information about the population and ecology of the world’s largest fish. The findings of a BBC Natural History Group for the upcoming TV series ‘Wild Arabia’ will be presented by Mohammed Al-Jaidah, Environmental Expert at the Qatar Ministry of Environment, during the 8th Annual HSE Forum in Energy taking place in October in Doha.

her stunts. It was “a tribute to street performances and the purest expression of remembering how to live life to its fullest”, as defined by R.J. Owens, the artist who plays the ring master in the show. “Most of the artists have been training all their lives as gymnasts, divers or swimmers. Some of them come from the traditional circus or from circus schools, so their body is already fit, and then we have two or three training sessions a week, plus six to nine shows a week, plus one or two weight-lifting sessions,” explained Maxime Charbonneau, Cirque du Soleil publicist.

atar’s Ashraf Amjad Mohamed and Hamza Driouch produced momentous performances to win gold medals in the hammer throw and the 1500 metres respectively at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona last month. Ashraf flung the 6-kg metal ball 85.57 metres to easily beat the competition and set a world junior record in the process – the throw was 10 metres longer than his rivals. Driouch had earlier clinched gold for Qatar in a time of 3:39 in the 1500 metres. “It’s a proud occasion for me to win the gold with the world record,” Ashraf said after his event. ‘To be able to win the title in Qatar’s colours is an honour. I look forward to winning more titles for the country.” Driouch was the hot favourite to win the race as his qualifying time was almost four seconds faster than his closest rival. “This result comes after a lot of training with good athletes,” he said.

have a

green day

In line with the theme of our cover story this month, Qatar Today looks at the Top TEN cities that are not so much covered with nature, but those which have made the best efforts for achieving their high environmental goals. Here are ten of the greenest cities in the world.

Reykjavik, Iceland Iceland is the world’s greenest country and it’s no surprise that its capital is the greenest city on the planet. Reykjavik’s government has expressed its desire to have Europe’s cleanest cities. Currently, Reykjavik is run entirely on green power, including geothermal and hydroelectricity, while the transport system in the city uses entirely hydrogen. Malmo, Sweden Several neighboUrhoods in Malmo HAVE BEEN transformed inTO eco-friendly areas already, using an innovative eco design, making Sweden’s third largest city a real green urban development model. Of course, they have generous support FROM city government. Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen is a city where THE inhabitants are very aware of environmental issues and they use bikes rather than cars. An offshore wind farm just beyond the coastline and a new green metro system highlight why Copenhagen is one of the greenest cities in the world. Vancouver, Canada Unlike other North American cities, Vancouver has really concentrated on going green. 90% of its energy comes from renewable sources such as wind, tidal, solar and wave energy, but the city has also developed a 100-year plan for sustainability in order to keep going green, although the city already has more than 200 parks. Bahia de Caraquez, ECuador After the city suffered severe damage from natural disasters in THE 90s the local government and NGOs decided to make the city sustainable. They developed a number of programmes for keeping biodiversity and controlling erosion, but also began composting organic waste from public markets and households and supporting organic agriculture.

Sydney, Australia Sydney should really take credit for the recent Earth hour, because it was the first city that started this, but also the first one that eliminated the old bulbs, replacing them with the new eco-friendly light bulbs. The city of the Green Square has also developed an efficient food-waste disposal programme. Bogota, Colombia The new Mayor, Enrique Penalosa, managed to reconstruct all the sidewalks for pedestrians, created an efficient bus transit system and revitalised over 1,200 city green spaces. He also raised gas tax in order to decrease its use and started an annual car-free day. Curitiba, Brazil If 99% of the citizens in Curitiba are happy with their city, then it must be something special. Over 70% of them rely on the very efficient public transport, and there are more than 580 square feet of green space per inhabitant. Curitiba is an incredible model for large metropolises. London, England London came out with a Climate Change Action Plan that made the city one of the world’s greenest. It is trying to reduce its CO2 emissions by 60% whilst generating 25% of its energy locally in THE next 20 years, as well as OFFERING incentives for inhabitants who make efforts to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Portland, Oregon, US Maybe you will be surprised that a city from the world’s second biggest polluter is on the list, but this city was the first in THE US that made plans for reducing CO2 emissions and created a lot of green building initiatives. Also, the local government tries hard to keep cars off the streets as much as possible by constructing bike lanes and light railWAYs.

Source: http://green-buzz.net/, 2011.

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