Qatar Today March 2011

contents

march 2011

16 10 c ove r story

44 Rev up and go

Qatar has a new ambition, moving away from being a mere consumer it is vying to be an active participant in the automotive industry.

Sindhu Nair finds out more...

33

41 7000 years of civilization; 18 days of revolution Birth of a new Eygpt? What comes after the historic revolution asks Mustafa Zidane.

26

22 Islamic advantage

Conventional banks forced to scamper Banks are taken aback by the QCB directive to close down their Islamic banking activities by the year-end.

84 Blistering Brussels!

More than just ‘frite’ revolution and funny business F16s escorting the first QR flight in Belgian airspace. Axelle Red live. Staying in an erstwhile jail. Chocolates by the tonne, speculoos by the carton, truffles, mussels, art nouveau architecture, brilliant comics, efficient paramedical service and the not so efficient emergency care.

Vani Saraswathi experiences just about everything that Brussels has to offer....

20 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. 240 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@msqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co.wll

March 2011 volume 4 issue 3 www.omsqatar.com

contents

march 2011

84

62

80 74

76 62 DJWE: Eight years and sparkling...

90 92

Exclusivity, elegance and élan marked this year’s most awaited luxury extravaganza, the 8th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), billed as one of the region’s leading exhibitions of its kind.

58 Mobification of your website!

When was the last time you spent more than 30 seconds on a mobile based website to find some content? As new mobile devices and development platforms are introduced, it is difficult to keep pace with the technology...

Some bite-sized tips to catch up with the fifth tech cycle.

54 Mobile Cloud

The Gathering Storm We could be looking at potentially one trillion internet connected devices by 2015, writes Barry Flaherty, from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

33 The City in Transit

Historically visible all over the world, especially in the ancient settlements of the Middle East, the pattern shows that transportation and land use are inextricably linked. It is no different in the 21st century.

90 Artistic Treasures

An exhibition by Sotheby’s at the RitzCarlton in Doha on March 5 and 6, will highlight the great traditions in Islamic history.

regulars News Bites.................................................10 Realty Check...............................................16 O & G O v e r v i e w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 Bank Notes................................................20 W o r l d V i e w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 br a k i n g N e w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6 Market Watch.............................................80 D o h a D i a r y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 0

march 2011

Volume 37

issue 3

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President Vice President

contributors

march 2011

Yousuf Jassem Al Darwish Sandeep Sehgal Alpana Roy Ravi Raman

Managing Editor Vani Saraswathi Deputy Editor Sindhu Nair Editorial Coordinator cassey oliveira FASHION &LIFESTYLE CORRESPONDENT ORNA Ballout

CORRESPONDENTS Pragati Shukla EZDIHAR IBRAHIM ALI Contributor shalinee bharadwaj

Art Director Venkat Reddy Asst art Director – Production Sujith Heenatigala Assistant Art Director Hanan Abu Saiam Senior Graphic Designers Ayush Indrajith Sampath Gunathilaka Managers –Marketing Mohammed Sami Zulfikar Jiffry Senior Media Consultant Chaturka Karandana Media Consultants Victoria Ferraris hassan Rekkab Marketing Research & Amjeth Ali

Support Executive Accountant Sr. Distribution Executive Distribution Support

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 © 2010 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.

Pratap Chandran Bikram Shrestha Arjun Timilsina Bhimal Rai

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. 240 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@msqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co.wll reprint requests should be directed to the info@msqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co.wll reprint requests should be directed to the info@msqatar.com. qatar today is registered trademark of oryx advertising co.wll

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.

march 2011

from the desk

“Every revolution was first a thought in one man’s mind” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I

n the region we have seen this in action over the last couple of months.

Be it Mohammed Bouazizi of Tunisia or Wael Ghonim of Egypt, and many more unnamed individuals with one thought in mind – CHANGE – who came together to do away with redundant governments. The next step is to wait and watch how the true revolution will unfold – the exercise of establishing viable and effective governance.

Protests and demands for change in some countries has been a clarion call across the region. It is time for leaders to review their performance, take an honest audit of where and how they have failed, and pay heed to the unrest amongst its youth. Not every state may demand a complete overhaul, some may only require bridging a gap between expectations and delivery. Clearly, many ageing leaders are totally out of tune with the needs of their people – harping on past glory and ignoring the current mess, pathetically clinging to power, and using unwarranted force.

The advantage with a democracy – even the weakest – is that there is a periodic opportunity for change, and hence a hope for something better. If one hopes for development and growth in the absence of a democracy, then it is critical that the leadership is both forward thinking and in touch with ground realities.

What happens over the next few months will attract trepid interest, and it is a time for those individual minds to up their ante, and deliver a resounding rebuttal to the ways of the past.

In Twitterville, where a large part of the revolution was staged and brainstormed, there have been curious queries from people abroad on whether Qatar needs to prepare its ‘Tahrir square’, and the repartees have been both insightful and humorous. A Qatari tweets: “The Qatari Emir is the only one of his peers who can walk safely amongst his people.”

Another wonders if Souq Waqif would be a fun spot to protest the lack of good Mexican food. An expatriate talks of why there is no worry here – “health, education, employment all taken care of, what’s there to protest about?”

So what’s the latest in Qatar that we can talk about? Wheels, of course. And the recently established Qatar Automotive Gateway (Qatar Ag) that will see the country interesting the auto production value chain.

We also look at the future of Islamic banking units within conventional banks, and the world of mobile cloud.

Action-packed as always, Qatar Today’s March issue, delivers a punch.

Vani Saraswathi

letters feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

FOOD is a concern The cover story highlighted a major concern prevailing in the region and needs to be taken care of immediately. increasing food prices has become a foremost concern all around the world and Qatar is not an exception. The stats show that Qatar is importing 60-95% of their food requirements which is a huge percentage. Though being one of the richest countries in the world, Qatar is capable of importing food at any cost but when other countries are banning export it will become difficult for the country to balance the food equilibrium and the climate conditions here also doesn’t support the agriculture practices in the region. I liked the analysis and the plans of the country in making it food secure.

Rajan Kodembakam

Ineffective PR

Being an employee at a media organisation, I personally liked the article ‘Message is a Battle’ in the February issue. Where on one hand, the country is becoming a major attraction with events like Doha Tribeca Film Festival and Asian Cup Football; on the other hand it also suffers from a media industry which is unable to provide the exact details and information on time. With major events like FIFA 2022 lined up, there will be a definite need for good and effective media coverage. I second Media Relations Manager, Vodafone, Lana Khachan’s thought of forming a media authority that would ensure that industry codes of conduct are upheld.

Yasmin Salman

Believe in the cause

I was reading the story on the degradable Bag and was touched by the initiative of The One. I will make it a point to buy a bag from the store as it will not only help in making our planet free of pollution but would eventually reach to the parts of the world where hunger still prevails. Buying the FEED bags would help me to participate in the humanitarian cause. I would request others to be part of the cause and believe in bringing about change.

qt poll - march

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

Rob Xavier

Q

Will Qatar become a motoring hub?

SMS answers to +974 33072524 A lucky winner will win a NOKIa E63

Where there is a will....

I was highly inspired after reading the article “The Special Champion” and the journalist has told the emotional story of Abdullah Nasser Al-Mani ,a special Olympic player. We really need more people like Al-Mani who have made their own identity. Human beings are the most beautiful creations blessed by unique powers which if utilised well, can do wonders and Al-Mani is the best example. Hats off to Al-Mani for the courage he has shown by being a part of the Special Olympics team.

Taheem Obaidly

Small country, big punch

This is regarding the article ‘Cities and Sports’ from the February issue. The win of FIFA 2022 bid has brought Qatar in the limelight. All eyes are fixed on how the small country is going to handle the big challenge. But Qatar has a plan – a plan which not only will help the country in building its infrastructure even better but would also help in adopting to the green practices more. I was going through a link on youtube where they have shown the designing and plan of the future stadiums where the FIFA world cup will take place and I was stunned to see the designs of the stadiums. They are exceptionally good and I wish Qatar all the best for the World Cup. Thomas

Will the sponsorship rules in Qatar be changed to the benefit of the workers?

55%

45%

Yes

no

The winning number of the last QT poll is 55967160

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.

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.

Check out all articles of Qatar Today on www.issuu.com/oryxmags follow us on www.facebook.com/qatartoday www.twitter.com/qatartoday

will power 30

NEWS BITES

NDS – a new approach to realise Vision 2030

Nodal agency to monitor and help SMEs

G

QATAR NATIONAL VISION Dr Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim, Secretary Genral, GSDP

G

eneral Secretariat and Development Planning (GSDP) Secretary General Dr Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim delivered a presentation on National Development Strategy 2011-2016 (NDS 2011-2016), at the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) at Education City, recently.

While presenting ‘NDS 2011-2016 and Pathway to Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030),’ Dr Al-Ibrahim said, “Qatar’s strategic planning aims to provide high standards of living for its people and the future of our country, while preserving the country’s traditions and culture. In line with Qatar’s senior leadership’s resolve to see the country continue on its path of development and growth, the QNV 2030 was formulated in 2008 to set the foundation for sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development.”

“The QNV 2030 defines the long-term outcomes for the country rather the process for reaching these outcomes and it provides a framework within which national strategies and implementation plans can be developed,” Dr Ibrahim explained. However, he said the NDS would help QNV 2030

10 Qatar Today

march 2011

in realising the ambitious goals by defining priorities, directions, and processes would also provide a medium-term framework for aligned sector and enterprise strategies containing various plans, programmes and projects.

Dr Al-Ibrahim added, “The framework aligned with QNV 2030 would allow full participation from all the sectors and would make sure that they are educated, capable and healthy population, effective Qatari participation in a productive labour force, environmental sustainability, caring and cohesive society and sustainable economic prosperity.”

atar took a major step to bolster its economic diversification drive and decided to set up a nodal agency that would be tasked with encouraging, helping in funding and monitoring SMEs The idea is to help improve the contribution of SMEs to the national economy.

The proposed agency which will be autonomous is to have annual budgets and will be reporting to the Supreme Council for Economic and Investment Affairs.

Its main mission is to frame an extensive national strategy to develop small and medium enterprises in close coordination with other state organs and this strategy would be directly linked to the overall national development strategy. The proposed body would have a board to be headed by a chairman and the tenure of the directors (members of the board) numbering five to 11 is to be three years. The term will be renewable.

The Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on the recommendations of the chairman, will directly appoint the CEO of the proposed agency which will have extensive powers to achieve its goals.

No new subscribers for Virgin?

Q

tel’s Virgin Mobile Services (QVMS) has suspended accepting new subscribers in compliance with an ictQATAR order. Virgin Mobile SIM cards are neither available online nor from their stores. A notice on their website said: ictQATAR has asked us to stop enrolling new customers until ictQATAR confirms that we have fully complied with their orders for how we present and market our services.

Virgin mobile or Qtel authorities were not available for comment. Mobile services operator Vodafone had objected to the entry of Virgin in the market and ictQatar had given a ruling last year saying it had resolved the issue amicably.

news bites

SFS-Q building formally opened

T

he Georgetown University School of Foreign Services in Qatar (SFS-Q), at the Education City was bustling with VVIPs recently.

The occasion was the official opening of the new SFS-Q building where HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned marked her presence. Along with HH Sheikha Mozah were Deputy Premier and Chairman of Emiri Diwan HE Abdullah bin Hamad AlAttiyah, Chairman of Qatar 2022 Bid Committee HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Authority HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Vice-President of Education at Qatar Foundation, Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani and President of Georgetown University Dr John J DeGioia.

Eng Saad Al-Muhannadi, Vice-Chairman of Capitol Projects and Facilities Management at Qatar Foundation, briefed the media about the planning and design of the building.

NEW FACILITIES REVEALED HH SHEIKHA MOZAH BINT NASSER AL-MISSNED Among the dignitaries present at the SFS-Q BUILDING LAUNCH CEREMONY

Designed by renowned Mexican architect Legorreta+Legorreta, the building has been designed keeping in mind the

green building concept and is currently under the evaluating with hopes of being LEED certified within the next two years.

Building Fact File: Library Cost of building

QR

600 million

Total Area of SFS-Q in sq mt

40,000

with over 60,000 print volumes,close to

5,000

DVDs, and more than

500,000 e-books

Work begins on Underground Transport Network

q

atari Diar has started work on an underground transport network linking all the major commercial and administrative centres in

West Bay. The Automated People Mover system is part of the Doha Metro project and is scheduled to be completed by 2018, according to Harj Dhaliwal, Project Director (railways) at Qatari Diar.

Dhaliwal gave a presentation on the project at the UITP (International Association of Public Transport) Middle East and North Africa Qatar seminar held at Grand Regency Hotel recently.

12 Qatar Today

marchy 2011

Dhaliwal said, the Automated People Mover was intended to address the traffic congestion in the crowded West Bay and the Corniche area.

The People Mover will function without a driver. The network will start and end at the Doha Sheraton parking area where work is currently going on. The 10km underground network will have 19 stations linking the diplomatic area and all the important commercial, business and administrative centres in West Bay. The People Mover will operate on a special track named guideway system that is neither a road nor a railway track. There will be three carriages, one for the public, one for VIPs and another for

families and children. Passengers will be able to use the recently-introduced Karwa smart cards to pay fares for the service.

The underground network will not affect the existing roads in the area since it will follow the same plan of the roads. “Once completed, the project will drastically reduce the traffic congestions in West Bay. Work will be carried out in a phased manner to minimise the impact on the flow of traffic,� said Dhaliwal.

A presentation by the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA) focused on future transport scenarios in Qatar, particularly in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

news bites

Salaries set to rise

P

rivate sector salaries in Qatar is forecast to increase at an average rate of 6.8% this year, according to research released today by GulfTalent.com, an online recruitment firm in the Middle East.

The findings were published in GulfTalent.com’s sixth annual review of labour market trends entitled ‘Employment and

Salary Trends in the Gulf 2010-2011’ and were based on a survey of 32,000 professionals and 1,400 companies across the six Gulf States.

Although much lower than the doubledigit increases of 2008, the pay rises were all higher than the rates of inflation, resulting in improving living standards for many.

However, an estimated 55% of professionals did not receive any pay increase at all.

Across the region, with consumer spending picking up, the retail sector saw the highest pay rise at 6.4%, while education had the smallest increase at 3.8%.

According to the study, pay increases were largely driven by the employers’ efforts to retain their top performers, growing demand for skill in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as continued growth in Asia, the main source of talent for the Gulf.

Country Pay rises in 2010-2011

Qatar

6.8%

Saudi

6.7%

Oman

6.4%

Kuwait

5.7%

MEED focuses on project needs

UAE

5.2%

I

14 Qatar Today

marchy 2011

billion in the next 10 years.

The power generation today stands close to 7,881MW while the actual peak requirement is a little more than 6,100MW. With the complete commissioning of the 2,730MW Ras Girtas project in April last year, the power generation would exceed 9,000MW, he said. Even at the current rate, the country would not face any electricity shortage until 2015, he said.

The two-day event organised by MEED and held under the patronage of Chairman of the Emiri Diwan and Deputy Prime Minister HE Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah focused on the country’s infrastructure requirement.

4.9%

Hamad and Sidra to collaborate

H nfrastructure development projects worth QR70 billion will be made in the utility sector in the next decade, according to a top official of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa). He was speaking at one of the sessions of Meed Qatar Projects 2011 held last month here.

Stressing that Qatar offered enormous investment opportunities for major companies with proven track record as part of the infrastructure development being carried out, Saad Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Mohannadi, from Kahramaa, said the power sector alone would undertake projects worth QR30

Bahrain

amad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Medical Research Center and Sidra Medical and Research Center will collaborate on biomedical research on the general areas of women and children’s health, in particular maternal and fetal health, diseases of pregnancy, and clinical paediatrics with the aim of addressing these key health issues in Qatar.

“HMC and Sidra have the same overall strategic goal to improve health and healthcare for the community in Qatar and beyond, through focused medical research,” according to a joint statement by Dr Al Hareth Al-Khater, Chairman of HMC’s Medical Research Center and Dan Bergin, Executive Project Director of Sidra.

The National Research Strategy for Qatar has identified women and children’s health as paramount health issues that also include diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, genetic factors on health of individuals and population, cancer-primarily breast, haematological, and colon malignancies, and health and environmental pollution.

THE CITY IN TRANSIT 65

realty check

Barwa Village inaugurated

T

op executives of Barwa Real Estate and senior representatives attended a ceremony to celebrate the official opening of Barwa Village on

February 14.

Barwa Village, located between the Doha International Airport and Wakra is a residential and commercial real estate development that will meet the housing and commercial needs of the country.

Barwa Investments, Director-Qatar, Ibrahim Fakhro said, “Barwa Village supports the vision of Barwa and its commitment to be a major partner in the urban renaissance of Qatar. The Village successfully balances the needs of tenants and residents with the commercial ambitions of retailers in the community.”

More than 30% of Barwa Village is green space, designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The project does not allow highrise buildings, thereby reducing traffic con-

Barwa Village Fact File

Cost of project:

QR1.6 billion

gestion. The maximum height is restricted to three floors for residential and civil buildings with only the shopping mall one storey higher. Barwa Village, General Manager, Khaled Al-Hitmi commented, “Barwa Village provides all of the day-to-day needs and amenities for the neighbourhood. We are reaching full capacity for apartments and have leased the majority of the commercial properties.

“The attraction of Barwa Village is not only the quality of the properties, but also the constant availability of maintenance and repair for our tenants.”

Barwa Village joins the spectrum of Barwa Real Estate developments from upmarket developments at Barwa Al Sadd and Barwa Financial District to affordable housing projects at Masaken Mesaimeer and Masaken Al Sailiya, and from the major commercial project at Barwa Commercial Avenue to the landmark residential scheme at Barwa City.

18

458 193,300 residential units

10

1,200

kilometres away from the city.

800 Mosque accommodating

worshippers, a medical clinic,

Built on a

residential clusters,

sq mt site

6,000

sq mt health club

300

sq m international school for

sq mt swimming pool

students,

4,000 sq mt shopping plaza and several restaurants.

900

Accommodates over

1,500 people and can welcome over

13,000 visitors.

16 Qatar Today

march 2011

‘Musheireb’ project wins Awards

D

ohaland’s flagship project ‘Musheireb’ has won two awards at the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards, through one of their architects commissioned for the project, Mossessian & Partners. The ‘Mixed Use’ category and the ‘Overall Winner’ was awarded for the mixed use cluster of buildings around the Al Barahat Square, a civic, and the centrepiece of Phase 1B of Dohaland’s QR20 billion Musheireb development.

Founded in 2002, the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards include eight categories and are awarded every year for international projects that are under construction. The judges seek out projects that combine architectural excellence and consideration for the context, both environmental and social. Past winners include Jean Nouvel (2010, for One New Change) and Foster & Partners (2003, for the Swiss Re building).

THE VALUE OF BEING GLOBAL

37

O & G overview Tasweeq in global lpg supply deal

Al-Sada appointed QP Chairman

Q

atar’s Energy and Industry Minister HE Dr Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of state-owned Qatar Petroleum by the Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, according to a decree. Dr. Al-Sada replaced former Minister for Energy and Industry HE Abdullah Al-Attiyah, who was made head of the Emiri

Quick bites

QP Net Income QR billion in 2009

35.2

Diwan last month after serving 19 years as Qatar’s top energy official.

Dr Al Sada, who earned his PhD from the University of Manchester’s Institute of Science & Technology, will head a company that owns a majority stake in all of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas plants. QP also owns stakes in chemical, fertilizer, steel and aluminum ventures as well as in LNG receiving terminals in the US, UK and Italy.

118.1

on QR billion of revenue

Qatargas largest LNG PRODUCER

Q

atargas reached a significant milestone recently, when it became the world’s largest producer of LNG by meeting the target of producing 42 million tonnes per year. The achievement came after the commencing of production from Train 7 of the QatarGas 4 (QG4) project which is owned by the share holders

World’s Largest LNG facility 18 Qatar Today

Train 7

march 2011

Qatar Petroleum (70%) and Shell (30%).

Train 7 is the world’s largest LNG facility with a 7.8 million tonnes per year capacity and is the final of the four major trains constructed by Qatargas at Ras Laffan. The project has opened many new markets for LNG other than US. Sales agreement has already been signed with China and Dubai for QG4 LNG.

Capacity

7.8 million tpa

A

one-year ‘affreightment contract’ was renewed between Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company (Tasweeq) and LPG Global Transport Management recently to deliver liquefied petroleum gas from Qatar to Tasweeq’s customers across the globe.

The signing of the contract took place in the presence of Saad Al-Kuwari, Tasweeq’s Chief Executive Officer, Kazunori Nakai, Mitsui OSK Lines Executive Officer and Nakilat Managing Director Mohamed Ghannam.

By renewing its contract, Tasweeq aims to reinforce its mission of ‘reliable and efficient’ off-take of ‘regulated products’ to maximise the value for customers and stakeholders.

GE helps in minimising gas flaring In the first large-scale application of its type, GE Oil & Gas advanced compressor technology is minimising liquefied natural gas (LNG) boil-off gas flaring at LNG berths at the Ras Laffan Port, Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, by making productive use of the gas that boils off during loading of the LNG carriers.

Gas that was previously boiled-off and flared during the loading of LNG carriers in Ras Laffan Port will now be collected from the LNG carriers and transferred to a Central Compression Area via large diameter stainless steel pipelines. At the Central Compression Area, GE compression units will compress the gas and send it to the LNG trains primarily for use as fuel gas.

Qatargas and RasGas are dedicated to continuously improving environmental performance. GE’s reliable technology will be critical to the success of the project.

cover story

Shifting gears conventional banks lose islamic advantage

22

bank notes

Qatari Banks shine

T

he collective net profits of Qatari banks jumped to an all-time high of QR12.3 billion in 2010, up an impressive 25% over 2009. al khaliji bank recorded the highest growth among all the local banks in percentage terms.

The bank witnessed a growth of an incredible 155%, followed by Al Ahli Bank.

Qatar National Bank (QNB), the country’s largest lender which is half state-owned, achieved maximum profits in terms of quantum but ranked third as far as growth percentage was concerned.

The highest growth in the net profits of the local banks was witnessed in 2007 due to massive return on investments in local stocks.

However, looking at the profit figures quarter-wise in 2010, the maximum growth was witnessed in the fourth and the last quarter (Q4) at 39% over the corresponding period of 2009. Net interest income of the Collective Net profits of Banks

12.3

25%

Up over 2009

QR billion (in 2010)

Award for QIB

banks also improved in 2010 and with their loan portfolios rising considerably.

Allowances (admissible to management and staff ) and other allocations of the banks were high in the last quarter of 2010, which led to reduced profits for the whole year. It is, however, not known if the above figures also included provisioning of the banks for doubtful or bad loans.

It is interesting to note here that the Islamic banks and the Islamic arms of conventional banks together accounted for a hefty 35% of the collective net profits of the local banks in 2010.

The figure was QR4.25 billion. The Islamic branches of commercial banks which are in the news recently now due to the country’s banking regulator asking them to close by the year-end, had a share of QR1.15 billion in the total. The share of the annual profits of these branches (Islamic units of conventional banks) collectively worked out to 9% of the total.

Islamic Banks & Islamic arms of conventional banks QR

4.25

billion

35%

of collective net profits

QNB acquires Bank Kesawan

Q

Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group completed the acquisition of majority shares in Bank Kesawan, an Indonesian Bank following a

rights issue.

QNB Group and Bank Kesawan signed a ‘Letter of Intent’ in September 2010, making QNB Group the ‘Standby Buyer’ for the rights issue which received regulatory approval in December 2010.QNB Group Chief Executive Officer, Ali Shareef Al-Emadi said this partnership is in line with the Bank’s international growth strategy to ex-

20 Qatar Today

march 2011

pand its presence in strategic markets with significant potential. “QNB Group is a committed long-term investor in Bank Kesawan and wishes through its investment to be a partner in the development of Indonesia’s economy,” he said. Bank Kesawan currently operates a network of 36 branches and sub branches throughout Indonesia, with total assets of approximately Indonesian Rp 3.2 trillion (QR1,295 million) and shareholders’ equity of approximately Indonesian Rp920 billion. (QR371 million), with a capital adequacy ratio of 60% after the completion of the recent rights issue.

Q

IB won the Best Islamic Financing Institution in Qatar in 2010 from the 8th International Real Estate Finance Summit (IREF) organised by ICG in London. QIB has received the award due to its excellent financing solutions for local companies as well as its premier standing as a competent Qatari financial institution contributing to shaping the national economy.

Upon receiving the award in London, QIB Acting Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Meshari said, “This award reflects QIB’s commitment to position itself as the Islamic Banking pioneer not only amongst the financial institutions in Qatar but regionally and globally. It’s recognition for QIB’s continuous efforts in developing Islamic banking in Qatar and the world for the past 28 years.”

BANK NOTES

Conventional banks forced to scamper Islamic advantage The Qatar Central bank has given time until December 2011 for the conventional banks to close down their Islamic financing window. What will be the implications?

THE

‘overlap’ issues that forced the surprise decision to close down Islamic units of conventional banks, six years after they were allowed to operate, has baffled the market as well as the lenders, wondering whether zero sum game holds good or not.

Financial accounting problems notwithstanding, arguments and counter-arguments fly thick and fast; compounding the doubts about the decision, which according to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) is to strengthen the monetary policy, which itself is often constrained by the fixed exchange parity with the US greenback.

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High stakes Certain key queries, especially relating to the ways and means of compartmentalisation, amid an era of consolidation and competition, remain unanswered; even as QCB said, “The use of monetary policy instruments face significant challenges due to the current overlap, which hinders the optimal use of these tools, negatively impacting the monetary policy performance and impeding the creation of new tools.”

However, the market is abuzz with rumours that commercial banks are joining hands to create a mega Islamic bank, considering the potential arising out of the mammoth infrastructure requirements, especially in the wake of the bid win. In this context, it will be worthwhile to remember the words of Doha Bank Group CEO R Seetharaman, who said “Islamic banking provides a more viable alternative to conventional banking and is less cycle-prone”.

International credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s pegs additional government infrastructure spending for the World Cup at about QR233 billion ($64 billion, or 47% of 2010 GDP)

with new stadiums and other basic infrastructure (such as the metro rail system and road extensions) are expected to be built.

Over the next few years, the country is planning to spend more than QR365 billion for infrastructure and other projects as parts of lessening dependence on its oil revenues.

Qatar’s banking sector, which has seen many sovereign strategic interventions since the advent of global financial crisis, is rather dominated by conventional lenders whose assets constitute three-fourth of the total industry assets; whereby doubts again linger over whether the Central Bank’s new mission could ensure a level playing field.

Top honchos in the (conventional) banking circle have been very cautious while commenting in public but in private they do admit on the hit but differ on the magnitude; while tight-lipped on the chemistry of segregation.

Global credit rating agency Moody’s has said, the conventional lenders could lose between 8%-16% of their deposit base, total assets and profits. “The loss of Islamic banking franchise is credit negative for Qatari conventional banks, which derive 10%-15% of their yearly earnings from Sharia’a-compliant banking,” Moody’s credit analyst Elena Panayiotou said.

Qatar has 14 conventional banks (six domestic, one specialised and seven foreign-owned) and four Islamic banks; all of which come under the ambit of the QCB. Domestic banks are QNB, Commercialbank, Doha Bank, IBQ, Ahlibank and al khaliji. A specialised lender is Qatar Development Bank. Foreign banks are HSBC Middle East, Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas, Arab Bank, Saderat Iran Bank, United

Bank and Mashreq Bank. Islamic lenders are Qatar Islamic Bank, International Islamic, Masraf Al Rayan and Barwa Bank.

Stakes are high for the country’s largest lender QNB, which has a 39% share in total banking system assets and a high 20% in Islamic banking assets. Islamic assets and deposits of Commercialbank and Doha Bank, which are the second and the third largest conventional lenders, made up 7%-10% of their balance sheets, according to Moody’s.

Come December...

The Central Bank has given time until December 2011, for the conventional banks to close down their Islamic financing window. The new instruction prohibits Qatari conventional banks from extending new Islamic loans and require that they repay all Islamic deposits as they come due.

The commercial lenders may not foresee much issue on the liabilities side since most deposits are typically short-term, as they would be repaid by the end of 2011. Although Qatari banks may be in a position to convert part of their Islamic deposits to conventional deposits, repayment of the Islamic deposits will have a negative impact on their liquidity over the short-term, which nonetheless should remain at adequate levels,” according to Moody’s.

The issue largely pertains to the assets or credit portfolio side and on the best possible way to lessen the hit on commercial banks; especially considering that many of the conventional lenders have invested heavily for the infrastructure required for Islamic windows and has already advanced quite substantial

The Regulator new instruction prohibits conventional banks from extending new Islamic loans and require that they repay all Islamic deposits as they come due

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Qatar Today 23

BANK NOTES QNB, country’s largest lender

39% in total banking system assets

20% in Islamic assets

amounts, apart from jointly developing certain Islamic financing financing windows of conventional banks may ‘rock the boat’ considering the mammoth capital expenditure required for the products.

Conventional wisdom suggests plausible routes such as con- infrastructure development, including that for the World Cup; version into Islamic bank, applying for a separate license, trans- even as International Bank of Qatar Managing Director George ferring the Islamic business to a separate subsidiary and Islamic Nasra held project financing will not be affected as lenders were asset sale to Sharia’a-principled banks, each of which itself is time rather ‘over capitalised’.

The conventional banks usually leverage their businesses consuming and fraught with many legal, ethical and other issues.

The QCB has been rather conservative in granting license, through Islamic banking because of the exposure limits to projsaid a top banker, indicating fresh licenses may not figure in the ects and the ban will mean a total cut off of alternative route to scheme. One of the options, doing the rounds, is that of creating a strengthen their balance sheets; implying more business prospects for regional and global banks. mega Islamic bank by the commercial lenders.

Highlighting that the banks in Qatar will Various unconfirmed media reports be a direct beneficiary in funding for World suggest that the initial capital of the mega Cup 2022, Global had said this is likely to Islamic bank would be divided among the spur the credit growth of Qatari banks commercial banks in proportion to their further and ‘the domestic banks along will volume of Islamic banking businesses. not be sufficient to fund the expenditure The QCB has made it clear that it is and as a matter of fact there will be active currently working on the preparation of “the use of monetary policy participation from the foreign and other separate capital adequacy norms for IsGCC banks.’ lamic banks; in line with the standards set instruments face significant On the other hand, Islamic banks by the Islamic Financial Services Board challenges due to the current should benefit from the new directive of Malaysia, which is considered as the overlap, which hinders the given that the segregation of Islamic and pioneer of Islamic finance, which has the conventional banking will provide access potential to reach $1 trillion globally. optimal use of these tools, to a large pool of customers, strengthen However, clarity is again lacking as negatively impacting the their franchise dynamics in Qatar as fewto how there could be two set of capital monetary policy performance er institutions will be competing for the norms, considering that the country’s same business and potentially provide banking industry is all set to embrace and impeding the creation of greater bargaining power with customers, Basel III norms by 2018, even as Finance new tools.” resulting in better profit margins.

Minister HE Yousef Hussein Kamal said it Finding that Qatari banks have been could be achieved in 2013 itself. lending more than 100% of their deposAnother school of thought is that there its, indicating incremental borrowings could be further segregation of personal and wholesale banking businesses within the Islamic units and through wholesale funding, Global in its latest report said the the wholesale assets could be bundled into a new entity, which strong credit growth has resulted in piling up of these costly decould be operated from the Qatar Financial Centre, which does posits owing to which they can witness some pressure on net innot allow retail banking operations; while retail assets being terest margins.

Although sceptical on the practicability of conventional banks could be sold off to Islamic lenders.

Qatar Islamic Bank has already evinced interests in buying up to close down their Islamic financing operation, analysts said Islamic units of the conventional banks but did not disclose fur- Islamic banks, especially highly capitalised new entrants, would stand to gain as they could procure readymade customer, deposit ther details.

International Bank of Qatar had said selling Islamic units have and asset bases.

It appears that the commercial banks’ loss may not be Islamic been viewed as one of the options while he did not explain the lenders’ gain, considering the vast opportunity costs of the conother options.

Analysts have cautioned that selling would not be as simple ventional bankers in the fastest growing economy, apart from their as it may sound since it not only involved complex valuation infrastructure and transaction costs. Clarity again lacks, especially but also needed effective regulation, including those relating to at a time when risks on delinquencies are on the rise, on a possible securitisation, owing to the longer term maturities of the loan Islamic assets sale of commercial banks.

A clear picture would emerge in the coming days as the QCB portfolio.

Moreover, they apprehended that the decision to ban Islamic has convened a meeting with the heads of conventional banks

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DJWE: A SPARKLING AFFAIR 62

arab snippets

B

ahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued directions for a cabinet reshuffle, as pressure continues to mount on the government from anti-government protesters.

Hamad issued the orders for a reshuffle in four ministries - labour, health, cabinet affairs and housing, according to Bahrain news agency.

Protesters continued their demand for the resignation of the entire cabinet, which they want to be replaced by individuals elected by citizens.

Meanwhile Libya in recent days has become a battlefield with more than a thousand dead, amid fears of a much greater massacre and expectations of a full-fledged civil war.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved sanctions against Libya, including an arms embargo and the referral of the situation to International Criminal Court.

The council voted 15-0 to adopt Resolution 1970 imposing a comprehensive arms embargo, a travel ban and freeze of assets on the Gaddafi regime.

Council members called for the full implementation of the sanctions in an effort to stop Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi from further killing civilian protesters seeking his ouster.

Some council members, including the US, Britain, Germany and France, spoke in favour of the move to refer to the International Criminal Court the killing of civilians by Gaddafi’s forces in the repression of pro-democracy protesters. It was the first time a country has been unanimously referred to the court by the council.

However, the sanctions’ effect would be

Saudi Aramco to store oil in Japan

tate-run Saudi Aramco will start storing oil in Japan from February. The first ship carrying about 1.9 million barrels of crude arrived in Japan, end of February. The move is aimed at helping Japan stock up its reserves while giving Saudi Arabia, the top oil exporter, better access to Asian markets, Reuters reported. JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) and Saudi Aramco signed a contract in December allowing the latter to store about 3.8 million barrels of crude in Okinawa, southwest Japan, for three years.

The move follows a deal Japan inked with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company two years ago to store crude in Japan, as part of the Middle East producers move to bolster their onshore crude storage capacity in Asia.

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S

AFP PHOTO

call for change

limited. Freezing Gadhafi’s accounts, enforcing a weapons embargo and not granting visas to his officials will not deter him from continuing his war against his civilians, say analysts.

Villas given free to nationals in Al Ain

T

he Government of Abu Dhabi has started handing over more than 1,000 newly-built villas each costing about Dh1.3 million to UAE nationals in Al Ain free of cost.

The distribution of 1,008 houses among residents who have applied for new houses in Al Ain’s suburbs started on February 9.

“Each villa has been constructed for about Dh1.3 million on an average for over 900 needy families in the suburbs of Al Ain City. The project also includes other infrastructures such as roads, parking areas, community centres like wedding halls and schools. The houses have been built and is being distributed under an Emiree Decree issued by the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan under his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Emirate,” a senior official from Al Ain City Municipality.

AFP PHOTO / THOMAS KIENZLE

world view

125 years since Benz

AFP Photo /Kimihiro Hoshino

AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo BUENDIA

GERMANY, Stuttgart : (From L) German Chancellor Angela Merkel, moderator and actress Desiree Nosbusch and CEO OF THE DAIMLER AG, Dieter Zetsche, during the ceremony of the 125th birthday of the automobile at the Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on January 29, 2011. 125-years ago, Carl Benz filed the patent for his ‘vehicle with a gasoline-powered engine’ which marks the official birthday of the automobile.

Pay back time ECUADOR, Quito : Amazon Defence Front lawyer Pablo Fajardo shows a copy of the sentence of the Sucumbios ProviNcial Court ordering US giant Chevron to pay $9.5 billion as compensation for environmental damages caused between 1964 and 1990, in Quito, on February 15, 2011. Chevron blasted the decision as a ‘product of fraud’, while lawyers representing the Ecuadoran Amazon communities that filed the decades-old lawsuit claim the amount is far too low.

Tab Bandwagon UNITED STATES, San Francisco : US tennis player Serena Williams (R) tries an HP Palm’s tablet, Touch Pad, during the introduction of Touch Pad at the WebOS event at Fort Mason’s Herbst Pavilion on February 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

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v i e w p oi n t

will power

There

is a general misconception in produces the Will and then completes the process should a claim the Middle East that in the need to be made. They have been proven to be acceptable in the event of death, the laws of region. We dealt with a British lady whose husband passed away your home country will apply and the local court (in the UAE) gave custody of their son to the to your estate. These are cer- lady’s father-in-law, the young boy’s grandfather. They had a UK tainly the guidelines but they Will that would have been accepted locally had it been presented do not have to be adhered to to the court correctly. We would suggest that caution rather than by the local courts when de- cost be the key issue.

With estate planning, it is possible to ciding what to do with your assets. The distribute your assets before you die yet way estates are dealt with after a death still have access to them when you are varies all over the world and if you die alive. A Will is an instrument that dictates overseas, the local court’s ruling can aphow your estate is to be distributed on ply. If you die at home, it is likely that your death and it only comes into effect your estate would pass directly to your when you have thrown a seven. surviving spouse. This is not the case A trust is a way of giving something here. If the local court is willing to conaway while you are still alive and may be sider what your wishes are, then a clear created at anytime. Depending on the written indication needs to be given. way the trust is established, the trustees A ‘properly’ written Will is the basic (those that look after the trust) will act requirement. We stress here the word according to your wishes and in certain ‘properly’ as there is more money made circumstances you can still change your by lawyers sorting out estates after badmind. In the (European) Middle Ages ly-written Wills than they would make monks were not allowed to own property drawing up a proper Will in the first so they placed it in trust to be held legally place. In this region, many companies on their behalf. claim to be ‘Will specialists’ but the fact Likewise when knights went off to batis that their Wills have yet to be tested to tle they placed their property in trust so see if they work. You get what you pay for that should they not return, as was often and although you can produce your own the case, their property did not default Will, you need to die to see if has worked. to, say, the King but would remain for the For you, this is not a problem, but for benefit of their family. your nominated beneficiaries it could be “a ‘properly’ written will is the These ancient principles still exit. You a nightmare. basic requirement. we stress can also have a life insurance policy that Having a correctly written Will from here the word ‘properly’ as is held in trust. The main reason for doing your home country is not enough to this is that in the event of death the prohave it accepted here, it needs to be put there is more money made by ceeds of the policy can be paid out speedinto a format that is accepted locally. lawyers sorting out estates ily since that all that is required is the This would normally mean that it needs after badly-written wills than death certificate and tax may be avoided translating into Arabic and attested as an as the proceeds do not form part of the esaccurate translation that the local court they would make drawing up a tate, and it does not fall within the remit approves. This can be done as the Will is proper will in the first place” of a local court. If you have an existing life produced but it does increase the costs, insurance policy, it can still be put into a or it can be left until a claim needs to be trust. We can help with this made. The company that we recommend feedback

graham@yourmoney-matters.com

By Graham Wolverson Wolverson is an Independent Financial Advisor with Pinnacle Asset and Wealth Management with over 20 years’ experience. He welomes enquiries for financial advice. Peruse the website at: www.yourmoney-matters.com

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vie w poin t

The City in Transit Historically, transportation and land use are inextricably linked. It is no different in the 21st century. One of our greatest dilemmas is how to move people around cities efficiently and comfortably.

Dubai metro stations of these mass transit systems become focal points

Since

time immemorial, building a house meant that before long, there would be a track to and from its front door. As buildings grew into hamlets, people often built next to each other for family support and security. Clusters created intersections for important tracks and the seeds of commercial and social crossroads, future towns and cities. Historically visible all over the world, especially in the ancient settlements of the Middle East, this pattern shows that transportation and land use are inextricably linked. It is no different in the 21st century. One of our greatest dilemmas is how to move people around cities efficiently and comfortably.

In Europe, researchers have found that ancient hamlets, villages, towns and cities evolved in a grid of time – space where

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Qatar Today 33

vie w poin t Transit Oriented Development Research shows that with transit systems in place, journey times become shorter and less frequent. Less time is wasted and local communities become more supportive of the place where they live. This phenomenon is called ‘transit-oriented development’ (TOD) and it is a successful pattern that is clearly visible in most of the world’s great cities. But, car salesmen should not worry; research also shows that the number of cars doesn’t necessarily The Metro The advent of the metro or, as it is known in London, ‘the under- reduce! Although this pattern of transit-based development is ground’ brought a plethora of new stations. When Frank Pick de- more efficient, people tend to use their more environmentally ployed the London system back in 1920s many of the well-known friendly cars for leisure and recreation rather than commuting. urban places of today were just a station building in a field. The They make shorter journeys with fewer overall miles per year mass transit of people from home to work brought about a whole- but car sales keep rising.

Talk to any knowledgeable planner these days and you will sale restructuring of cities like Paris, London and Moscow with the creation of new ‘urban villages’ focused around metro stations. In quickly be regaled with the need and virtues of TOD. It is not a the 20th century, rapidly growing cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok new idea and has been around for more than a century. What is different is that metro systems are now clean, comfortable and or Singapore have successfully developed mass transit systems. massively efficient compared to private The introduction of the private car vehicle transport for work-based travel. brought even greater freedoms but also Swish new systems like that in Dubai are heralded the start of road building and the soon to be emulated in Doha. Improved development of the ubiquitous ‘burbs’ on localised services also depend on clean a massive scale. In order to support the and efficient bus system of the kind being amenities and services that are the real introduced by Mowasalat in Qatar. Bus benefit of city living, many more people “Qatar is embarking upon a systems include bus rapid transit (BRT) per hectare are required, many more than such as that made famous in Curitiba, we find in typical suburbs. Yet, despite this comprehensive integrated Brazil. These systems are very well-suitlack of ‘density’ throughout the 20th centransportation plan using bus, ed to urban conditions in the Gulf. tury the sub-urban area of cities has grown light rail and people movBuses and light rail systems can be deand grown to create huge problems for the signed to provide highly efficient transfuture. Gulf cities are no exception and ers (monorail, travelators) portation that enables different priced with the gift of increased mobility and the to move as many people as tickets and levels of service so that choice of where to live comes the price tag possible in comfortable and manual workers returning home do not of congestion, pollution and increasingly, impact upon families and the social momore wasted time in travel. affordable conditions.” res of the region. Air conditioned cabMost people in the Gulf already know ins even have live television and timely about the time cost of congestion but few announcements of events and public recognise the real cost of airborn parinformation. ticulates that originate from car exhausts.

Qatar is embarking upon a compreRespiratory diseases are on the increase throughout the region, particularly amongst the young. Even if hensive integrated transportation plan using bus, light rail and new vehicles become cleaner, the problem of congestion will not people movers (monorail, travelators) to move as many people as possible in comfortable and affordable conditions. Walking go away.

The answer is to persuade as many people as possible to travel and cycling will be encouraged with safe and friendly streets by much more efficient, affordable, clean and comfortable ‘mass’ where shade and right of way are properly considered.

This shift towards a modern sophisticated city with state of or public transit. Systems are already in place in Dubai with stations quickly becoming the focus of new places. Just like in Lon- the art transit systems will hopefully be accompanied by a move don 100 years ago, these ‘nodes’ of transportation will become towards the use of much more environmentally-friendly hybrid centres, distinctive places each with their own identity. And, private vehicles.

Doha should shortly be on the map as a world leader in transapart from the stations themselves, the opportunity of co-locating services and facilities, such as schools and healthcare nearby portation planning and high quality of city life, it will be a jourmeans that as many people as possible can easily access and even ney that requires a major transition in mind-set if the real benefits are to be realised for everyone walk to them. farmers could get their fresh produce to market and back home within a day. The invention of the steam engine meant thousands were suddenly able to escape the monotony of those animal powered journeys. These rail-based networks grew across several continents and in their wake created new hubs of activity around grand new stations.

fOLLOW US ON TWITTER @QATARTODAY

By Ian Lyne Lyne is Managing Director of Future-Dynamix – providing strategic change management for sustainable development.

Ian can be reached at Ian.Lyne@future-dynamix.com

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Qatar Today 35

vie w poin t

The Value of Being Global Over the past decade and a half, an unprecedented wave of expansion has altered the global telecom industry. As part of the sector’s transformation, several global telecom operators have emerged and some have footprints that span several continents.

GCC

Operators embarked on international expansion programmes of their own in the mid-2000s. To date, these companies have expanded their presence across emerging markets from Indonesia to South Africa, passing through South Asia, the MENA region, and sub-Saharan Africa. GCC telecom operators including Etisalat, Saudi Telecom, Qtel, Zain, Batelco, and Omantel now have a presence in 63 markets.

In expanding globally, GCC operators are hoping to reap the same benefits as European operators, such as Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, and Vodafone, that began building global companies in the mid-1990s. Investors have favoured these expansion-minded companies; collectively, the operators with large multi-market presences have markedly outperformed local and regional telecom competitors as well as major financial stock market indices. Investors have rewarded the global operators both for increasing revenue right away and in anticipation that scale will lead to increased profitability.

Indeed, international expansion contributed substantially to the operators’ financial results. In our analysis of 25 large, mature markets, the top four operators in terms of revenue outside their home market had better EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margins than their regional or local competitors. Similarly, these high-performing

global operators were able to capture a larger slice of market share than smaller, regional players when launching new operations.

The results of the successful companies underscore global operators’ potential to outperform the competition, based on a few factors. Global operators can take advantage of their management experience when they enter new markets by tapping into their experiences in doing so previously: Several global operators have created centralised functions that focus on the design, deployment, and operation of telecom networks.

Additionally, these global operators are likely to have better operational processes than their competitors, a result of adapting the best practices from their extensive experience in different markets across an array of functions such as IT, network, and customer service. This is an especially critical advantage during the first six months or so of operations, because operators need to make an immediate and lasting positive impression on customers.

Finally, global operators have more experience in marketing, and again can learn from past successes and failures when it comes to introducing products and services that offer the best value proposition in each new market where they start to operate.

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Qatar Today 37

vie w poin t To create synergies

1

2

Soft Skil l s

The first step for operators is to identify their individual opportunities to create synergies, or their synergy potential. To do so, they need to look at the relative scale of their international portfolio: The larger the revenue contribution of international operations, the more synergies can be realised through overall economies of scale.

They also need to examine how much control they have in the companies they have acquired: Having a large stake allows global operators to integrate operating units into its group more swiftly and effectively.

3 Another consideration is the level of coherence across a global operator’s international portfolio; this could be determined, for example, by its level of consistency across service capabilities (fixed, mobile, or both), its market profile (i.e., mature or emerging), and its competitive positioning (premium, value, or budget operator). The more homogeneous the assets within the portfolio, the more likely it is that operators can achieve synergies.

Potential for Synergy Operators cannot assume, however, that by expanding internationally they will automatically capture all of the value of having a global operation. The most successful global operators have realigned their operational structure, enabling them to fully realise the potential of their global presence. Accordingly, GCC operators will need to realign their organisations and institute synergy programmes to benefit from their international expansion and justify the premiums paid for their crossborder acquisitions.

panies often create virtual structures or global committees composed of executive members from each operating company who together develop the global synergy agenda and ensure its effective execution.

The key challenge of the collaborative approach remains balancing the strategic “The ideal model for each objectives of the group with the objecoperator will depend on the tives of individual operating companies, as some initiatives will benefit some more size of its international than others. programme and its The final stage, which only a few global corresponding synergy operators have currently achieved, is a fully integrated organisation, in which oppotential.” erating companies are synthesised in the group, sharing systems and IT platforms.

Organising for Advantage In these organisations, synergy-related Operators’ second step, after determinprocesses are embedded as part of busiing their synergy potential, is to organise ness-as-usual operations, thus allowing their operations and design a synergy prothese companies to derive full economies gramme to maximise this potential. The telecom operators that evolved successfully into profitable, well- of scale from their operations. The ideal model for each operafunctioning global giants focused on building the right organisa- tor will depend on the size of its international programme and tional model to manage their sprawling operations in different its corresponding synergy potential. Those companies that have countries and, at the same time, developed governance and oper- little control in their operating companies, limited scale, and low strategic alignment are unlikely to achieve synergies even if they ating models to leverage scale and realize synergies.

Synergy programmes tend to evolve in stages. Many operators are fully integrated and can thus get by with an ad hoc model.

GCC telecom operators are continuing to expand aggressively take an ad hoc approach during the early stages of globalisation: There is no executive oversight and support, no incentives to beyond their home markets. These operators are poised to reap realise synergies, no global processes, and an undefined interac- many rewards from their international reach as there is signifition model between the subsidiaries. The few synergies that are cant value in going global. Clearly, operators that are already globrealised usually are driven by the agenda of the dominant oper- al in reach have the early competitive advantage. But all operators ating company, likely the home country of the operator. Opera- that can transition successfully from collections of independent tors then migrate to a collaborative approach at the group level; local companies into truly integrated global companies will susthis approach is common in a nascent global organisation. Com- tain competitive advantage for years to come bookmark www.issuu.com/oryxmags

By Karim Sabbagh, Partner and the Global Practice Leader for the Communications, Media and Technology and Amr Goussous, Senior Associate.

Booz & Company is a leading global management consulting firm, helping the world’s top businesses, government ministries and organisations.

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Qatar Today 39

06 March 2011 at Katara The Cultural Village

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listening post

Birth of a new Eygpt?

O

7000 years of civilization; 18 days of revolution

ver 30 years ago, in the wake of Anwar AlSadat’s assassination, Hosni Mubarak a celebrated war hero came to power on great public support. His vision and mass appeal, however, stood him in good stead for less than a decade. What followed was a mockery of democracy, and stagnation of development. For the Egyptians it was an era of oppression, arrests, martial law, forced disappearance, poverty, corruption, illiteracy, disease and control over arts and the media. With the infamous rigging of the last elections, the people became ever more discontent. Human rights violations continue.

The latest victim of the Ministry of the Interior was a 20-year-old Khalid Saeed.

Saeed was abducted by the secret police by force because he had used his mobile

By M usta fa Z e ida n

phone to film one officer in Alexandria taking bribe and sharing the money with his colleagues. He posted the video on the internet, drawing the ire of the police officer.

He was beaten to death and thrown in the street in a public spectacle. Such criminal acts, and the impetus of the Tunisian revolution, sparked the Egyptian youth to take a stand.

They tapped into the power of social networking – putting the ‘social’ on the backburner – and using sites like Facebook and Twitter to garner support for a political movement. As Egyptians took the streets, regardless of their affiliations, they came together to bring down what for decades seemed an unshakeable seat of power. Inspired by the values of a 7,000-year-old civilisation, on January 25, in response to the calls of a number of young activists through Facebook, thousands of youngsters flocked to Al Tahrir (Liberation) Square, demanding the ouster of Hosni Mubarak and his regime. Egyptians from all walks of life joined the youth over the 18 days of peaceful demonstrations and sit-in at Al Tahrir Square – round the clock, over 5 million

people united to achieve one key demand.

But what makes it the greatest revolution of the era?

US President Barack Obama, after Mubarak stepped down said, “The people of Egypt gave a powerful lesson in how to get the globally legitimate rights. We saw mothers and fathers carrying their children on their shoulders to show them what true freedom might look like.”

The revolution was a peaceful one, despite provocation from the system that was under threat. Attempts to bring about chaos was stifled, because the youth sensed the danger, by placing extra emphasis on security operations. So we witnessed the emergence of people’s committees that organised the traffic and took over the role of security after the withdrawal of the forces.

Obama noted that the Egyptian people created a model that has potential to be emulated across the world. “We saw a military that would not fire bullets at the people they were sworn to protect. And we saw doctors and nurses rushing into the streets to care for those who were wounded. We saw people of faith praying together and chanting

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Qatar Today 41

listening post

Our very important role now is to document these two revolutions, raise awareness, and ensure this results in something concrete. mohseen marzouk Secretary general of arab democracy foundationS

‘lotus revolution’ is the greatest revolution in the world as it produced self-denying real heroes.”

Dr Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Political sociologist, proffesour in USA uNIVERSITYS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF iBN khALDUN CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

– ‘Muslims, Christians, We are one,’ though we know that the strains between faiths still divide too many in this world.

“These scenes remind us that we need not be defined by our differences. We can be defined by the common humanity that we share,” he maintained.

Obama stressed that a new generation emerged through this revolution... “A generation that uses their own creativity and talent and technology to call for a government that represented their hopes and not their fears; a government that is responsive to their boundless aspirations. This is the power of human dignity, and it can never be denied. Egyptians have inspired us, and they’ve done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice is best gained through violencenot terrorism, not mindless killing – but nonviolence, moral force that bent the arc of history toward justice once more,” he added.

A model of integration, harmony and organisation In a telephone interview with Cairo-based journalist Bassem Hussein, one of the participants in the revolution, he described the wonderful cooperation, integration and or-

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der among the different groups of people in order to achieve one goal – to overthrow the regime. “We had composed different working groups such as a group to provide medical and therapeutic services, a group for security and order, a group to bring in supplies, a group for media, a group for arts and songs, and so on. We formed an integrated society dominated by the spirit of love, steadfastness and unity based on a single goal despite the different backgrounds of the people involved.”

A revolution for freedom and democracy Wael Ghoneim, one of the young activists that called for this revolution and a Marketing Manager with Google Middle East, said he did not need to improve the conditions of life as his standard of living was excellent, but he was eager to bring in the change for freedom, democracy and dignity. So a lot of honourable businessmen, rich people, students studying in the finest universities and scientists participated side by side with the poor and ordinary people with one goal in everybody’s mind – freedom.

Qatar Today met with Hussam Sabri, a young Egyptian engineer living in Qatar.

“Now I have my dignity and I feel proud to be an Egyptian. Various Arab and foreign nationalities shared their beautiful feelings of love and joy with me and I feel that the whole world is happy for this great revolution.” Mohsen Marzouk, Arab Foundation for Democracy Secretary-General, said: “What the youth of Egypt and Tunisia have brought about will lead the Arab world to change towards freedom and democratisation. Our very important role now is to document these two revolutions, raise awareness, and ensure this results in something concrete.” Dr Saad Eddin Ibrahim, a famous political sociologist and Chairman of Ibn Khaldun Centre for Development Studies, nicknamed Egypt’s youth revolution ‘lotus revolution.’ He stressed that it is the greatest revolution in the world as it produced self-denying real heroes that didn’t seek to show their heroism.

What next?

The revolution is not an end in itself. Corruption has to be rooted out, and the corrupt will have to be held accountable. Egypt needs a new constitution, new leadership, and a greater dialogue to take serious steps in political, social and economic reforms

cover story

Shifting gears

Shifting Gears

Rev up and go...

By Sindhu Nair

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Shifting gears cover story

A motor show held in Qatar is not ground-breaking news. But when the global premier of the most fuel efficient hybrid car from one of the leading automotive brands happens as part of the same motor show then that’s news indeed.

he bigger news of course is the establishment of Qatar Ag, under whose auspices a multi-billion riyal cluster of units will operate. These units will design and manufacture key automotive components in the country.

For a country that loves to burn rubber, moving away from being a mere consumer to an active participant in the industry is only to be expected.

However, Qatar’s auto ambition is nothing new. In August 2009, it became a 17% shareholder of Volkswagen AG, as a direct result of which Doha played host to the world premiere of the company’s most fuel

efficient car.

While buying into VW and Porsche was more of an investment strategy, Qatar Ag is inspired by Qatar’s Vision 2030 which places great emphasis on a diversification of the economy. Among other things, the company plans to manufacture lithium-ion batteries and aluminum components for the automotive industry. Qatar Ag hopes to be component manufacturers for the industry, supplying the parts globally, and later on diversifying to bring the whole automotive cluster and an industry valuechain to the country.

Huge ambitions for sure, but backed

by fortitude, funds and research, the authorities assure.

And some collaborations are in the pipeline with two major technological partners, and will soon be announced. This could also be put down as a direct result of the motor show, where the vision of Qatar Automotive gateway (Qatar Ag) was made clear for the players in the sector, thus opening the path for companies with technological know-how for collaboration.

Even with buying stakes or setting up industrial units, Qatar’s primary appeal in the industry would be its potential in luxury and high-end automotive sector. With

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Shifting gears

“To support the vision of a knowledgebased economy of the country, we want to build a knowledge-based industry (KBI) and are looking to attract high skilled and specialiSed individuals for this niche sector. We have plans to build R& D facilities for the emerging automotive segment through which we could develop local talent too.”

AHMED SOROUR

“The demand for vehicles in the Middle East and especially in China has grown exponentially over the past few years and currently faster than anywhere else in the world.

China’s and India’s economies are booming and the average income is rising, so too is the demand for luxurious products.”

CEO, QATAR AG.

Deesch Papke Managing Director, Porsche Middle East & Africa FZE

a stable economy, and a positive economic outlook, that interest will only grow.

“The automotive industry is in the midst of one of the most significant transition in decades,” says Ahmed Sorour, CEO, Qatar Ag, a company which will set the wheels of change in motion in the country.

“The financial crisis hit the automotive sector severely. Some of the big companies, Chrysler, Toyota, GM were all hit. While some of them were even close to being bankrupt, others shifted focus to countries with more investor strengths. As a result of this, emerging markets like China, India etc witnessed a lot of growth in terms of production and sales. The main players were no longer concentrated in the US or Europe alone,” he says.

The global automotive retail statistics speaks volumes.

China retailed more than 18 million vehicles in 2010 and produced around 40 million in the same year. Much more than the North Americas which sold close to

46 Qatar Today

14 million vehicles.

Porsche Middle East & Africa FZE, Managing Director, Deesch Papke is optimistic of strong sales growth in the automotive sector especially in developing markets.

He says, “The demand for vehicles in the Middle East and especially in China has grown exponentially over the past few years and currently faster than anywhere else in the world. China’s and India’s economies are booming and the average income is rising, so too is the demand for luxurious products.”

Bring it on The Qatar Motor Show (QMS) held last month, according to Papke, though not a direct sales platform served as a medium to showcase new models. “However, we were able to meet a high number of new potential customers who expressed interest in buying a vehicle from us. We will see the result of this exhibition over the coming months.”

“Our very attractive model line-up and (contd pg 45)

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Shifting gears cover story

Diversification

on a roll

“Qatar Ag is aligned to the one of the four pillars of Qatar 2030 National Vision, sustainability,” states Ahmed Sorour, CEO of Qatar Ag.

I

n today’s unstable world, one has to rely on the resources and build from that for a sustainable future. In 2010, Qatar’s non-oil revenue was higher than the revenue from oil at 54%. This was the first time it happened. The government’s goal of diversifying the economy has already started to take shape. We at Qatar Ag intend to take this further.

“We cannot rely entirely on fossil fuel for our development, we have to think beyond. And Qatar Ag unlocks the doors of an industry that is unique yet dear to us, the automotive industry. And the market that we have identified aligns with the changing trends while it makes use of the resources available in the country,” he says.

The company said it was considering joint ventures, technology licensing,

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Shifting gears

TOYOTA

The first generation Toyota Prius, at its launch in 1997, became the world’s first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car.

NISSAN

Nissan Leaf is the first fully electric -vehicle produced on a mass scale.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) plans to introduce eight hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-powered (BEV) models by fiscal year 2015 in anticipation that demand for lowcarbon, fuel-efficient automobiles will expand worldwide.

wind powered The Wind-Explorer, a wind-powered car, driven by Dirk Gion and Stefan Simmerer, both of Germany, across Australia. The car, fuelled by batteries are recharged by windmill every night, and it travelled more than 5,000km from Perth and arrived in Sydney last month.

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R&D partnerships, venture and equity investments etc.

The initiative was the brainchild of Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad (Chairman of Qatar Ag) a Qatari businessman who is in charge of the real-estate arm of the government through Barwa and Qatari Diar.

With his 20 years of automotive experience of which the last 15 were in the country, Sorour is passionate about the sector and is familiar with the mechanics involved. He explains the vision of Qatar Ag. Does Qatar have the potential, manpower and expertise to get an industry going in the automotive sector?

In order to start an industry in any country, three major fundamentals have to be scaled. The first is a well-regulated financially strong economy, the second is the availability of a market volume to benefit from the industry and the third is skill.

These are called the industrial triangle.

The next question is whether Qatar qualifies to initiate an industry?

Considering the number of vehicles added each year, which is close to 80,000 (passenger and LCV vehicles), Qatari market is quite small as compared to large markets like Germany that retailed close to 3.2 million, China at 18 million or even Turkey at around 645,000 (based on 2010 figures).

But if you take GCC as a whole we have a market of 1.2 million, which qualifies as a big enough market for setting up an industry. Saudi Arabia is the biggest market retailing around 600,000; UAE around 312,000; Kuwait 130,000; Bahrain close to 600,00, Oman around 70,000. Qatar is also part of the Arab League and if we look at the Arab & Islamic League countries together then the market share comes to 3.5 million.

Another element that has to be manda-

tory is technology, and Qatar lags behind in this too. But this can be imported. Companies with the required know-how are looking at countries that have investment opportunities and Qatar can leverage on its economy and attract investors.

The third element, of a strong economy is what the country possesses. With changing technologies, it is challenging for OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer), suppliers and Tier 1 & 2 manufacturers (parts of the value-chain that makes this industry) to be isolated and located in their home country. Most of them are looking for the more competitive options and locations. Qatar is a viable option, given its competitive tax initiatives etc.

How was the industry identified?

Qatar Ag deployed SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to advice and guide the Company and after a detailed study, two areas have been identified with maximum potential There is a visible shift towards e-mobility, clean transportation, or vehicles with very low emissions. There are some factors which pushes the world to opt for e-mobility mode. In a world that is forecast to have 2.5 billion vehicles in operation by 2050, zero-emission vehicles are the answer to reducing CO2. We feel that electric cars with very less emissions will be the cars of tomorrow. As the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles ramps up, and electric cars become a standard product offering, it is expected to create a new value chain worth approximately QR910 billion by 2020, of which more than QR236.6 billion will be for Lithium Ion batteries and components, growing from today’s demand at a dramatic CAGR 65%. Many brands have already invested in electric cars hoping to mass-produce them.

In the traditional technology, we are

Shifting gears cover story

looking at a downstream aluminium components manufacturing, engine blocks for example by leveraging on the existing aluminium smelter at Qatalum.

Tell us more about lithium-ion batteries? Will it give substantial driving power?

The electric vehicle has the same chassis as the ICE car. But in a pure electric vehicle some mechanical components can be eliminated when a lithium-ion battery is used, thus the power lost is also very minimal.

Currently in a pure electric vehicle the lithium-ion battery takes 40% of the total cost of the car and hence is one of the most important components. Imagine a regular car, but strip out everything needed to generate power and transfer it to the wheels, no engine, no transmission assembly, no drive axle etc. Throw away the conventional drivetrain, and with it the weight, moving parts, and friction losses inherent in today’s drivetrains. Then imagine a new powertrain, a powerful electric motor at each wheel. Each electric motor is light, highly efficient, with ample torque, extremely responsive to the vehicle’s onboard computer, and fully controlled by electric power management system and highly advanced ECU’s.

Would it be better to have an assembly line mechanism here than producing one of the components?

No, for the model to succeed, we have to enter the industry-value chain from the beginning and then build up.

We have followed the Turkey model.

They started more than 50 years ago.

They started the automotive industry by assembling vehicles under license. At

the same time they started manufacturing parts to fuel the domestic product content in the vehicles manufactored in Turkey. This is why they produced more than one million cars in 2010. Egypt started around the same time with the assembley lines and then moved on to manufacturing parts but did not pursue this aggressively as Turkey. The Egypt model will soon face a lot of challenges.

Not because of the crisis but because Egypt had established most of the assembly plants (BMW, GM have plants there) to overcome the current tarrif on imported vehicles. Egypt has signed an agreement in 2004 with the EU that “by 2019 all European vehicles will be free of customs for the country.” In this scenario, vehicles produced in Egypt will be more expensive than those from Europe.

That is why we at Qatar AG want to build a IP intense and a knowledge-based industry. The components that will be produced in Qatar will be exported to OEM’s across the globe.

What about aluminium components?

How will this fit in?

We find that aluminium components are light in weight and most cost effective considering other products like carbon fibre. For the aluminium components – die castings, forgings, and extrusions – the global market is expected to grow significantly from QR138.3 billion in 2010 to QR265.7 billion by 2020. Most experts also expect that this increase in demand due to the increasing use of aluminium components will cause a significant shortage of global capacity by 2016, creating an opportunity for us to produce hi-quality automotive aluminium components that will leverage Qatalum’s significant aluminium capacity and capabilities

especially our super car, the 918 RSR, attracted a lot of people over the three days,” he added.

Porsche Middle East and Africa, is the fourth largest subsidiary for the brand on a worldwide basis. The five biggest markets for the brand are United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Alfardan Automobiles, dealers of BMW and Mini in Qatar, said that its 2010 sales achieved a 9% increase over 2009 figures.

“The positive sales growth for BMW and Mini vehicles signals the importance and strength of the Qatari market despite another challenging year for the automotive industry,” according to Mohammed Kandel, General Manager, Al Fardan Automobiles.

Contributing to Alfardan Automobile’s solid performance in 2010, the BMW 7 Series achieved a 6% increase in sales, making it Alfardan Automobile’s bestselling vehicle of the year.

“Mini was as popular as ever in Qatar, with an 85% increase in sales comparing with 2009.”

Greig Roffey, Sales and Marketing Manager for Domasco Honda is equally excited with the prospects presented by the region.

Talking about the shift he says, “Obviously China is a huge market which will be a prime target of auto manufacturers, most of whom have production facilities in China to tap into that market. As China opens up and aligns itself with accepted trade practices around the globe, increasing interest will be observed to make the most of opportunities there. Most Asian markets have seen strong growth and the Middle East as a growing market is increasing in importance for future sales growth.”

The completely redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey was also launched at the QMS. “Qatar accounts for a significant part of Honda’s regional sales. We have the highest Honda market share in the GCC,” says Roffey. And the response for the new launched model has been ‘phenomenal’, he says. “We sold all our stock before we even launched the new Odyssey and sales are strong, in Qatar and across the GCC. We have substantially increased our sales forecast and bumped up stock orders to meet demand.

Our plan is to double sales over the previous model. We are seeing retail customers moving from sedans and SUV’s into the new Odyssey as it is such an excellent and versatile car. It is also worthy to note (contd on pg 52)

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Shifting gears

Future Mobility VW UNVEILED A PROTOTYPE OF THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENT CAR AT THE QMS 2011

V

olkswagen unveiled a prototype of the most fuel efficient car of our times during QMS. The new XL1 with the combined fuel consumption: 0.91/100km was unveiled

by HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser AlMissned. No other hybrid car powered by an electric motor / internal combustion engine combination is more fuel efficient.

Conceptually, the XL1 represents the third evolutionary stage of Volkswagen’s 1-litre car strategy. When the new millennium was ushered in, Prof Dr Ferdinand Piech, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, formulated the visionary goal of bringing to the market a production car that was practical for everyday use with a fuel consumption of 1 litre per 100 km. In

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E-MOBILITY AT ITS BEST THE EMIR HH SHEIKH HAMAD bin khalifa ALThani, hh sheikha mozah bint nasser al-MISSNED along with the pm HE SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASSIM BIN JABR AL-Thani and other officials at the world prmiere of vw xl1

the new XL1, Volkswagen is demonstrating that this goal is now within reach.

The new Volkswagen XLJ attains a CO2 emissions value of 24g/km, thanks to a combination of lightweight construction (monocoque and add-on parts made of carbon fibre), very low aerodynamic drag (Cd 0.186) and a plug-in hybrid system – consisting of a two cylinder TDI engine (35 kW/48 PS), h-motor (20 kW/27 PS),

7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG) and lithium-ion battery.

The results: with fuel consumption of 0.9 1/100 km, the new Volkswagen XL1 only emits 24 g/km CO2. Since it is designed as a plug-in hybrid, the XL1 prototype can also be driven for up to 35 kilometres in pure electric mode, i.e. with zero emissions at point of use.

The battery can be charged from a

Shifting gears cover story

technology prototype hh sheikha mozah was the first to test this innovation

conventional household electric outlet.

Naturally, battery regeneration is also employed to recover energy while slowing down and store as much of it as possible in the battery for re-use. In this case, the electric motor acts as an electric generator.

Despite the very high levels of efficiency, developers were able to design a body layout that offers greater everyday practicality, incorporating side-by-side seating rather than the tandem arrangement seen in both the first 1-litre car presented in 2002 and the Li presented in 2009. In the new XL1, wing doors make it easier to enter and exit the car. Further progress has been made by manufacturing body parts from carbon fibre reinforced polymer parts (CFRP), a technique used in Formula 1 car construction.

vw XL1 co2 emission

24 g/km fuel consumption

.91/100km speed accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in

11.9

seconds

Once again, Volkswagen has successfully achieved significant reductions in production costs – an important step forward to make viable a limited production run of the XL1.

The new XL1 shows the way forward for extreme economy vehicles and clean technologies. It also demonstrates that such cars can also be fun. The feeling when driving the XL1 is truly dynamic – not based on pure power, rather on its pure efficiency.

When the full power of the hybrid system is engaged, the Volkswagen prototype accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 11.9 seconds; its top speed is 160 km/h (electronically limited). Yet these numbers alone do not tell the whole story: Since the XL1 weighs just 795 kg, the drive system has an easy job of propelling the car

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Shifting gears

Sheikh Mishal Bin Salman Al-Thani Testing the Honda Odyssey at QMS

(contd from pg 49)

History on the move

A CLASSIC RIDE Hans Hermann poses with another member of his racing team beside the historic porsche 550 spyder

P

orsche does everything with a dash of panache. The Porsche Museum is now housed in a beautiful architectural delight but its ‘Museum on Wheels’ is equally enthralling and getting its exhibits, racing cars, to do what they were meant to do, which is of course racing.

The Museum travels around the world to give journalists and a lucky few a feel of the old classics. And when these classics are driven by sportsmen who made it to the history pages in racing, then you can call yourself privileged. The Porsche ‘Museum on Wheels’ took the press around the Lusail Circuit in two classics.

The Porsche 550 Spyder and the Porsche 911 Carrera, the first 4 X 4 at that time.

The Porsche Type 550 Spyder that

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made its first appearance in October 1953 was not simply the first sports car designed for motor racing by the carmaker; it laid the foundations for a whole succession of spectacular racing triumphs. As well as excellent driving characteristics, lightweight construction was the objective that was met in this car which weighed just 550kg. The 550 Spyder was also the first to sport the names of sponsors on its body and it was driven by Hans Hermann, emerging as class winner and finishing third overall.

But when I was taken on a cold winter morning by Hermann on a spin in the Spyder 550 around the bends of the Circuit, I had just one thought, and that had more to do with my safety than the beauty of the machine...

the Honda Odyssey remains the best VIP transport option for company executives, guests, etc.”

Acquisitions mark the trend Acquisitions in the industry give the story a further twist.

Tata Motors of India has acquired two iconic British brands Jaguar and Land Rover from US-based Ford Motors; Geely, a Chinese car company, has bought the Swedish company Volvo; and Qatar Holdings owns 17% of VW AG and 10% of Porsche AG and is looking out to buy more...

VW AG, meanwhile, has set targets for itself, to have the highest vehicle production in the world by 2018.

Porsche too is in the process of merging with VW AG, though the details are not yet revealed. The automotive industry is no more a strong-hold of the West, the Japanese brands have already made that obvious, but recent acquisitions and the slip of euro underscores the trend.

Technology drift “Change in the automotive sector is threefold, from the players’ perspective, from the geographical perspective and also from the technological perspective,” says Sorour.

QMS brought the spotlight on this technological shift. Hybrid cars were the focus at QMS with numerous prototypes revealed.

“Hybrid and electric vehicles are being adopted because they are more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. Even though commercial production started only in 2010, extensive government support from around the world is expected to speed up adoption, so much such that by 2020, nearly 40% of all passenger vehicles

Shifting gears cover story

“The positive sales growth for BMW and MINI vehicles signals the importance and strength of the Qatari market despite another challenging year for the automotive industry,” Mohammed Kandel, General Manager, Al-Fardan Automobiles.

will be some form of hybrid or electric vehicle. Governments all over the world are subsidising and supporting manufacturers of electric vehicles,” he says.

Automotive companies have already taken a step in this direction and all of them have a research division to delve into different possibilities for their engine configuration. BMW, in late 1987, centralised its R&D resources and opened the BMW Research & Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, Germany. Papke stresses that Porsche’s traditional strategy is to offer more sporting driving pleasure with less fuel consumption.

“Porsche was the first manufacturer

to present a hybrid car with the Lohner Porsche ‘Semper Vivus’ produced in 1900.

Such an ongoing increase in efficiency is the quintessence of 60 years of sports car manufacturing, now described most appropriately by the slogan ‘Porsche Intelligent Performance’.

“We have introduced the Cayenne S Hybrid and have announced plans for a Panamera Hybrid. Our company is highly engaged in the development of new, environmentally friendly technologies for top performance sports cars. With the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid as well as concept cars such as the 918 Spyder and 918 RSR, shown at the

QMS, Porsche proves its continuous ambition in this field,” he adds.

Roffey believes that the global trend in eco-friendly motoring has not yet come to centre stage in Qatar.

With fuel prices still cheap (though a litre cost around QR0.85 with the recent hike) the market is yet to realise that it is not about money out of the pocket, but more importantly the environment.

“But we expect this will happen in the not-too-distant future. Honda has a number of eco-friendly cars like the FCX, Civic Hybrid and Insight, but these are currently not available in the GCC,” he says

QMS The First International Edition of the Qatar Motor Show held in February, exhibited

36

major car brands QMS SURPASSED the organisers’ expectations with a record number OF

80,000 visitors

feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

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Qatar Today 53

tag this

Mobile Cloud

The Gathering

Storm

We could be looking at potentially one trillion internet connected devices by 2015, writes Barry Flaherty, from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

A

rriving in Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the real storm clouds that seemed to be hanging over the Congress became something of a meteorological metaphor for this article on the Mobile Cloud.

Pathetic fallacy aside and donning my walking shoes, I set out to uncover the stories against the backdrop of the vast overwhelming expanse that is the Fira Barcelona http://www.firabcn.es/ to seek out the answers to this latest phenomenon called the mobile cloud.

Having weathered the economic storm of the last few years, network operators are now eagerly seeking out new revenue opportunities or looking for somewhere to invest their hoarded cash reserves knowing the winners that do rush to embrace mobile cloud ser-

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vices will not only deliver new services but establish new business models, generate new revenue streams and manage the costs of their legacy services.

I didn’t have long to wait. Just from speaking to a variety of Organisations in the Cloud Zone area of the MWC you get a sense that there is a lot of energy and investment currently flowing into ‘mobile cloud’ projects and mobile companies and all players in the eco-system are betting big on these trends.

The proliferation of smart mobile devices of all types fuels massive demands for data needed to power social networking, sensors, and video and digital entertainment. This demand is powering an exponential need for compute, storage, and bandwidth – which, in turn, is leading to an explosion of new applications and platforms.

tag this

MOBILE CLOUDS Clouds hang over GSMA World Mobile Congress in Barcelona

A Morgan Stanley study from September 2010 found 41% of mobile peak hour traffic is due to ‘realtime entertainment’, most of which is video. This statistic is not surprising considering that YouTube is adding approximately 35 hours of video every minute.

To service this demand on the backend, the industry is rapidly moving from individual craftsmanship and proprietary IT ‘assembly lines’ towards a public utility model with massive scale, highly automated, self-service consumption. Mobile developers need cloud computing to increase the end-user experience by lowering latency to the devices, increasing throughput, and reducing costs.

How is the ‘mobile cloud’ different from the ‘cloud’? Ask 10 different tech experts and you’ll get 10 different answers. Often, the term ‘mobile cloud’ simply indicates the most common end point accessing a particular cloud, although as the mobile cloud evolves expect some subtle differences in regard to security, back-end infrastructure, app design and so on to emerge.

A recent report from Yankee Group from analyst Brian Partridge entitled ‘The Mobile Cloud: Unlocking new profits’ from February 2011 sheds some light on the numerous possibilities and challenges for the mobile cloud and believes it has the potential to change how we work, transact commerce, socialise and entertain ourselves in every conceivable way.

Yankee Group defines the mobile cloud as a ‘federated point of entry enabling access to the full range of capabilities inherent in the mobile network platform’.

Yankee Group in a separate paper predicted that global tablet revenues will also rise from $16 billion in 2010 to $46 billion in 2014 with the Asia-Pacific region eventually dethroning the current market leader North America to dominate tablet revenues, accounting for 58% of worldwide sales revenues in 2014.

One of the sponsors of the Yankee Group paper,

Neustar were in attendance at the Cloud Zone at the recent MWC. Neustar has been actively working on assembling the network and human assets and real world experience required to step into the role of mobile cloud service provider for the past few years. They are aiming high with its managed service offering, Neustar Intelligent Cloud which targets enterprises, brands, mobile marketers, content and application owners, network owners as well as solution providers and developers.

We caught up with Lisa Peterson, Director of Business Development for Neustar, and one thing became apparent they have the ambition to expand across all the global regions with their newly formed Intelligent Cloud solution to become a major Industry player. She describes Neustar’s role as almost ‘a broker enabling a one-stop-shop that integrates multiple networks’ APIs within one commercial agreement’ by bringing the ‘internet world together with the mobile world and unlock and unleash the potential that the Operators have with their network capabilities, including the Infrastructure and of course customer data’.

Peterson agrees that since the Operator walled garden’s have come down and the developers have gravitated to Google (Android) and Apple (iPhone) since they are easier eco-systems to work with, the Operators have realised that they have to work together to win back this community and find new ways to once again monetise their investments and makes things simple again. Neustar plays a key role in removing the complexity of dealing with multiple Operators and the myriad of policies and agreements that can be stifling for more developers.

Downstream, this of course impacts the end user experience as Operators engagement can improve the overall developer and brand experience who in turn make more relevant and profitable service offerings, applications and services for customers. So it’s clear

march 2011

“The internet will be mobile, the monetisation questions will be answered when the commerce piece matures...”

Lisa Peterson, Business Development Director, Neustarís

Qatar Today 55

tag this that really drive the adoption of success of mobile services. Firstly, he exercises caution, citing the reality is different from the promise still in terms of connectivity and access to a 3G network as the user experience is interrupted.

“There’s no point having beautiful shiny products, or the best content playing on the best mobile device or tablet if you have intermittent connectivity, which is still the case even in the developed countries where we all suffer, not just in the developing countries. I live in London and struggle to connect to my iPad in many areas,” laments de Riese.

Secondly, he warns we cannot get ahead of ourselves. No sooner are most of us adjusting to the latest tranche of mobile products or services, powAccelerates ‘consumerisation of IT’ As knowledge workers increasingly rely on non-PC ered by mobile cloud solutions then we have more devices like smartphones and tablets as their go-to innovation piled on innovation. De Riese mencomputing platforms, IT is being forced to change tions 4G with all its promises of better coverage and and change quickly. Lucky for them that the move speed but not everybody has the same product or away from shrink-wrap software to SaaS and Web experience.

Turning to CNBC as a Services has been well underbroadcaster, he sees this as way for several years. the main revolution of mo“IT can’t think about things bile cloud computing as it on a node-by-node basis anyhas been able to immediately more. They must think of redeliver cost savings for the orsources as aggregate services ganisation and allow him time that they must make securely “IT can’t think about things on and money to experiment in available to a number of deother areas, launch new prodvices, including phones and a node-by-node basis anymore. ucts just as much as a start up tablets,” said Yoram Mizrachi, They must think of resources would be able to. He reflects CTO and Co-Founder of Peras aggregate services that on his previous roles where fecto Mobile a provider of IT ‘start up costs normally assooperations and cloud monithey must make securely availciated in starting up a newstoring solutions. able to a number of devices, paper business, distribution “There’s not much we canincluding phones and tablets” networks and servers would not do. For example, in technorun into millions and now philic organisations, you’ll see we’re really in a world where people accessing social mewe almost need nothing and dia and corporate apps from everything becomes scalesmart phones and tablets. The able and that is good news demand from employees for for all publishers, and our fiiPhones, Androids and tablets places tremendous pressure on IT,” Mizrachi said. nancial people like it’, he laughs. So I think it would “We must deliver functionality from the cloud and be accurate to say that the Mobile Cloud will change implement the support for multiple end devices into how we work.

The mobile cloud will change how we access email our applications. If we weren’t doing that, we’d lose ground to our competitors.” IT has been slow to ad- and how IT manages it. Today, location-awareness is just these changes, so the prospect of a ‘mobile cloud’ pretty much inherent in mobility. Location-awareness will change how sales teams’ prospect, how IT could seem downright horrifying.

Torsten de Riese, Digital Director for CNBC in delivers security, how marketing and advertising EMEA agrees. We met up with him in the VIP Mem- firms interact with customers. “Mobile devices are bers area lounge, as we sat next to Foursquare’s CEO going to create some challenges for IT, but they’re Dennis Crowley (another aspiring Californian entre- going to create a different working ‘sensation’ for preneur who will be on his own Cloud 9 soon if the individuals,” de Riese said. It’s not just services that market valuations of at least $250 million of Four- we need to worry about anymore from a management square are to be believed) Asked about the mobile perspective. So just how big can all this get? Looking cloud, de Riese is certain it is here to stay and will at the various reports coming out of IBM, Ericsson impact the rise of consumer services as consumers and Cisco, we could be looking at potentially one trilultimately use services that are intuitive and useful lion internet connected devices by 2015. To put that to them. De Riese has vast experience with building in perspective, we passed the five-billion milestone in mobile solutions for both CNBC and the Guardian late 2010 and this number keeps growing.

IBM predicts that there will be 1 trillion connected Newspaper in the UK and cites several key factors that all the players in the mobile cloud value chain have a key role to play in improving the experience for everybody. Peterson remains steadfast that the internet will be mobile; the monetisation questions will be answered when the commerce piece matures and that the industry will undergo greater consolidation.

Neustar optimistic about the future despite the dramatic changes and upheaval over the last few years, conceding that it will still take some time to get all the Operators upto speed and moving on stream and in alignment across the regions.

Even though the mobile cloud is still in its infancy, there are many things it will impact in the future:

“When you can do things like connect your social network to your car, all sorts of behaviours will change.”

Torsten de Riese, Digital Director EMEA, CNBC

56 Qatar Today

march 2011

tag this

What’s up Qatar?

Q

tel is tapping into the potential of both Twitter and Skype, by signing a strategic partnership with both.

With a service partnership with Twitter, the Qtel group brings Twitter Mobile to customers across MENA and Asia.

The move will see Twitter reach more users, enabling increased communication between communities on a local, national and international scale.

Through the agreement signed in Barcelona, the Qtel Group will provide Twitter SMS to mobile customers, so that they can tweet via SMS and receive updates from the people they follow. The Twitter service will also be integrated within the Group’s social networking service (TAP), where customers will have Twitter as part of their TAP offering alongside other social communities that they can access via their smartphones. Globally, SMS is among the most popular methods to access Twitter, where there are now 110 million Tweets sent per day. The MENA region has lagged behind this key trend slightly in recent years, and the Qtel Group/Twitter partnership has been designed to help speed up adoption.

The first company in the Qtel Group to launch Twitter SMS was Indosat in Indonesia, which is growing quickly with regard to registered Twitter accounts.

The Skype partnership will see Qtel’s mobile broadband subsidiary wi-tribe promoting Skype and its related products over wi-tribe’s networks devices by 2015. Cisco moves that up to 2013. Ericsson looks further ahead and believes there will be 50 billion connected devices by 2020. By 2014, mobile cloud computing will become the leading mobile application development and deployment strategy, displacing today’s native and downloadable mobile applications.

Devices Accelerate Cloud Services People often overlook the explosion of mobile device and applications when talking about cloud computing. There will be 1.1 billion smart phones by 2013.

This year at the MWC it rained tablets. And 2011 and 2012 will be the “Year of 4G” with greater bandwidth, more mobile applications. All these mobile devices will eclipse PCs and will become the predominant mode of connecting to the Internet in the next few

new partnership Russ Shaw Vice President and General Manager for Mobile, Skype and Dr Nasser Marafih, group CEO, qtel sign the agreement.

in Jordan and the Philippines; two key markets for wi-tribe. Under the agreement, wi-tribe; a provider of wireless broadband Internet, will enable customers in the respective markets to easily download Skype software and connect with their family and friends.

Group CEO, Qtel, Dr Nasser Marafih said, “The Qtel Group’s strategy for innovation is driven by the needs of our customers, and enabled by partnerships with like-minded companies. We recognise the changes taking place in the market and the increasing customer demand for rich communications solutions, and so have decided to partner with Skype – one of the pioneers in the industry. This is a first-of-its-kind in our Middle East region and we look forward to working closely with Skype to deliver the best possible customer experience.” years. Agility and innovation will be key drivers for companies leverage in order to stay ahead in these times of economic uncertainty and global change.

With the convergence of smart mobile devices of all shapes and forms, anywhere, anytime access via high-bandwidth connectivity, and massive-scale cloud-powered datacenters and applications, CIOs have an impressive array of technologies to drive business at their disposal today.

Brian Partridge, Analyst at Yankee Group concludes that the possibilities are endless with a combination of powerful mobile cloud services working together with a motivated ecosystem As fluid and fast changing as things continue to be in the mobile space, we can only sit back and watch in bewilderment. Time will tell. Now all we need is for everybody to work together

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twitter@ bazflaz75

By Barry Flaherty

Barry Flaherty is grow Qatar’s digital media expert and has been an avid technology blogger and trend spotter for over 12 years, driving solutions in all areas of digital media, mobile and technology around innovation.

He’s currently working with Mediaventura in London on fund raising for digital businesses as well as crowdsourcing digital case studies for inclusion in a new book entitled ‘The Best Digital Campaigns in the World’.

march 2011

Qatar Today 57

tag this

tag this

Mobification

of your website!

As new mobile devices and development platforms are introduced it is difficult to keep pace with technology.

W 58 Qatar Today

marchy 2011

hen was the last time you spent more than 30 seconds on a mobile-based website to find some content? You may try using your iPhone, Android or Blackberry to get a daily dose of news, social media or other information, however the experience may not be pleasant if the website is not mobile friendly and takes time to load?

As new mobile devices, development platforms are introduced it is difficult to keep pace with the technology. A classic example is a Financial Institution planning to introduce mobile banking; however the management is not able to make up its mind on various options like Developing an iPhone Application Creating a customised mobile website for devices like Blackberry, iPhone, Android etc A recent study by a Dubai-based PR firm

‘Spot On Mobile Internet Usage’ proved that 45% of the MENA Internet users use mobile phones to access Internet. This means there will be less dependence on the use of desktop computers as people prefer to access information on the move. The question is how your website will appeal to those 45% users who access it from a mobile device. Despite the fact that the expansion of a mobile web business has been on the industry list for a while; the dazzling adoption of smart phones will see it actualise in this decade. As per Mary Meeker, the Managing Director of Morgan Stanley and an active Internet analyst, the world is going through a fifth major technology cycle within last five decades. The 60s was a mainframe era, the 70s was a mini computer era, and 80s was the personal computing whilst 90s was the desktop Internet era. The cur-

something should discribe the headlin e

THE FOCUS

WELLNESS IS

2010

HEALTHCARE

VOLUME 1

healthcare suppliment

tag this

tag this “AS PER MARY MEEKER, THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH A 5TH MAJOR TECHNOLOGY CYCLE WITHIN LAST FIVE DECADES.

196 0

1970

THE 60’S WAS A MAINFRAME ERA

1980

the 70’S WAS A MINI COMPUTER ERA

the 80’S WAS THE PERSONAL COMPUTING

1990

2 000

the 90’S WAS THE DESKTOP INTERNET ERA.

THE CURRENT CYCLE IS THE MOBILE INTERNET ERA.

Here are a few bite-sized tips which may help you catch up with the fifth tech cycle and enhance your mobile based website:

1

Having the best of technology doesn’t guarantee traffic on your mobile website. With the massive influx of iPhones and other smart devices, users are migrating from desktop to these devices at a rapid pace. Some of these devices like iPhones don’t support the multimedia platforms like flash and others may have issues with JavaScript, To date approximately 85 million iPhone devices have been sold and your website may not reach these customers due to flash limitations. A few alternative programmes like HTML 5 and CSS 3 can do the trick

2

Simplify your website. The mobile version of your site needs to be simple with minimal graphics. Eliminating graphics is an effective way to optimise your website. You may redo your website layout, menus, content etc

3

Develop an application for various platforms. As previously mentioned in the article; influx of various mobile development platforms has left many websites in a dilemma. Many organisations are not willing to pursue an app for various platforms/mobile devices. However it is wise to invest in the popular device like Google Android and definitely iPhone to extend your reach.

4

Irrespective of the devices, visitors are using, give them a link to access your standard website and vice versa. This can be done be placing a small link at the bottom of your application.

5

Track your visitors. I am rather concerned but not surprised that many commercial websites don’t have metrics software installed to help them track usage. There are some good analytical software’s like Google Analytics and Piwik that can be used by your website to track number of visitors, daily traffic, etc at no cost.

rent cycle is the Mobile Internet era, as per Mary Meeker who was dubbed as ‘Queen of the Net’ by Barron’s magazine in 1998. With the help analytical tools you can identify the pages that are frequently visited by the users. If the users immediately navigate away from your landing page, it may need to be redesigned. Another reason why you should consider launching a mobile website is because Qtel may launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) in 2011, which was announced

in the World Mobile Congress, 2011. LTE is 4G technology which will result in: High-Speed data connection can delivers speeds than can be 10x faster than 3G Lower operating and expansion costs for the operator may lead to reduction in customer usage prices To conclude, mobile websites are here to stay and if you are new in the business ensure that your new website doesn’t get out-

dated before its launch.

The mobile internet is so addictive that the embracing of the Apple devices is taking place at the rate of 11 times faster than that of AOL, as per Meeker.

Helping to drive this is the 3G technology, which is expected to reach a penetration rate of 19% by 2011 in Middle East and Africa. Wait and watch as the global mobile usage is expected to surpass desktop internet usage by 2013

follow

By Kapil Bhatia

twitter@kapilkb

Kapil Bhatia is an E-Business Executive, working in the Financial Services Industry.

His work ranges across Digital Marketing, e-Channels and development of online strategies, with a sound Information Technology base. He will be writing a regular technology column for Qatar Today.

He is an avid blogger @ http://iwep.blogspot.com.

60 Qatar Today

marchy 2011

Spotlight

DJWE Eight years and sparkling...

AN OPULENT AFFAIR His Excellency the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani officially inaugurating the 8th edition of the DJWE at the Doha Exhibition Centre in Qatar in the presence of other officials.

E

xclusivity, elegance and élan marked this year’s most awaited luxury extravaganza, the 8th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), billed as one of the region’s leading exhibition of its kind. The DJWE which was held from February 14 to 20 was an event that was attended by the crëme de la crëme of the Qatari population.

The officials say that this year’s edition is the biggest yet eight years of operation

with more than 300 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors. After the inauguration, Qatar Tourism Authority, Chairman, Ahmed Al-Nuaimi said, “We are proud to organise such a prestigious regional event in Doha.

The high quality profile of the exhibitors continues to attract interested and enthusiastic consumers from around the region, which has helped to make this show one of the most successful and sought after in the

Gulf and the world for retailers and those who appreciate fine jewellery and watches.

“The timing of the DJWE is significant in that it falls between the two most important jewellery and watches exhibitions in Switzerland: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva and Baselworld in Basel. This Exhibition has thus become part of the preview series for the latest collections.”

Interv i ews by Ca ssey Oli ve ira, Pr agati Shukl a, Shal ine e Bharadwaj and Sonal i Raman 62 Qatar Today

march 2011

Spotlight

Audemars Piguet: Watches have no boundaries

The makers of Audemars Piguet watches know how to blend traditional and contemporary designs with technical innovations – an art that was perceived through their exhibits at the DJWE. This season, the watch makers have extended all their important lines to next year. This includes the Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Offshore, Millenary and Jules Audemars. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of their most successful line – the Royal Oak – an iconic design in the watch business.

“In Qatar, customers know about our brand and our products. They have a fine taste and knowledge about movements and calibres. Some of the successful lines in Qatar have been the Royal Oak line for ladies, entirely set in diamonds and the Millenary line with its voluptuous and sophisticated oval case.”

But the brand doesn’t have any particular designs for the region. “Beauty has no boundary or geographical limits. Hence we don’t design watches for a particular market,” said Nicolas Garzouzi, CEO, Audemars Piguet Middle East.

“Geographically, the Middle East region represents less than 10% of the global area. However, Arab customers comprise a major portion of our turnover.

Not only do they buy from us in the Middle East, but from all over the world,” said Garzouzi. Reflecting their strong foothold in the region are the number of boutiques in Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Bahrain,

Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Syria that are well-operated by their franchisees. And now they plan to have a new boutique in Qatar as well by the end of next year.

With DJWE, the brand aims at increasing its awareness. “We have been exhibiting since the first year and an expansion in the retail market has been observed over the years. People are becoming more aware about our brand and those who are loyal to us continue to reward us with purchases each year. This year too the exhibition has been successful. We are represented locally by Ali Bin Ali,” says Garzouzi.

“Beauty has no boundary or geographical limits. Hence we don’t design watches for a particular market,” Nicolas Garzouzi, CEO, Audemars Piguet Middle East.

Arnold & Son: Crafting Sophistication

Arnold & Son is the fruit of England’s wide-ranging interest in the manufacture of marine timepieces.

And keeping the tradition intact, the brand at DWJE presented three splendid timepieces namely HMS Collection, the limited Hornet History Collection inspired by English explorer Captain James and a Dead Beat Turbillon collection. The collections displayed are a blend of the rich English rich heritage and cutting-edge Switzerland technology.

The limited collection has been designed for a select market. Talking to us at the exhibition, Executive Vice President, Philippe Boven says, “The collection we have is a very high-end, sophisticated segment and not everyone will understand our concept. Thus we have targeted a few of the elite only. We want exclusivity.”

As the brand has a specific high-end target, MiddleEast offers a tremendous opportunity to expand business since the market is open to such brands and the customers are well-informed.

“We believe deeply in the potential of the Qatari market due to the internationalisation and the power of the market. And now that the country has bagged the rights to host the 2022 World Cup it confirms to our interest in the market, and we foresee some de-

“OUR collection is very sophisticated and not everyone will understand THE concept. Thus we have targeted the elite only. We want exclusivity.”

Philippe Boven velopment in all sectors, be it product or brand image.

We are expecting to increase our turnover through out partnership with Ali Bin Ali” says Boven.

march 2011

Executive Vice President, ARNOLD & SON

Qatar Today 63

Spotlight

Avakian

“Colour forms an essential component”

“The strength of our collections is the design and extreme emphasis on the use of only the finest of the stones.”

Edmond Avakian CEO, Avakian Group of Companies

Avakian is celebrating 40 successful years of exclusive jewellery and watch making.

Edmond Avakian, CEO, Avakian Group of Companies, started his career with a store in Lebanon.

Through the many ups and downs, this innovative and determined gemmologist and jeweller managed to not just survive but brought his business to the forefront even in the face of tough competition.

“The strength of our collections is the design and extreme emphasis on the use of only the finest of the stones. I have travelled a lot of places that inspire and these are reflected in our designs and styles. Colour forms an essential component in our jewellery collection. Besides dealing in limited edition upper-end luxury jewellery and watches, we have a high-end corporate gifts design department through which we cater to governments, royal families, important businesses,” informs Avakian.

With boutiques in Beverly Hills (California), Geneva, London, Moscow and one recently opened in New York, Avakian has no plans for expanding in the Middle East as of now.

“Qatar promises a safe business environment but, right now our strategy will be to be familiar with this region. Mark our presence through exhibitions where

we intend to have bigger stands in future. We have been dealing with a limited clientele in Saudi Arabia and Qatar for the past 20 years or so. Now our focus will be on broadening the customer base.”

Baume & Mercier: Life in Moments

“Qatar market is seen in the world as bullish and with the winning of 2022 World Cup Bid, we foresee a steep rise in our potential clientele, both locals as well as expats.”

Philippe Caron, REGIONAL Brand Manager, Baume & Mercier

64 Qatar Today

Baume & Mercier, world renowned for their gorgeous watches and exquisite craftsmanship, recently launched its new line of luxury watches called the Baume & Mercier’s Hampton Watch Collection at the watch exhibition in Geneva – the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, January 2011. Following close on its footsteps, this collection has again been in the spotlight at the DWJE, with its new concept reflecting a relaxed, seaside living in the Hamptons in the warmth of family and friends.

“Life is about moments. Concept sees the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the brand. It brings together the tranquillity of the beach, the sand and the relaxed decor of the wooden beach house in its watch designs. The sun decked decor at the back of the dial can be engraved, capturing your special moment forever while the colour of pink gold accentuated by steel gives the impression of sand,” says Philippe Caron, the Regional Brand Manager, Baume & Mercier.

Baume & Mercier is offering a contemporary interpretation of two of its most celebrated collections, the Capeland and Linea, along with new and more stylish examples of Classima. “Capeland, with its sport-chic design, retro accents and warm tones reflects the relationship between man and his customs. ” With a substantial presence in the Middle East and in Qatar through local dealers Al-Fardan, Caron

march 2011

points at focussing more on the quality of display of products than opening any new boutiques in the near future.

“Qatar market is seen in the world as bullish and with the winning of 2022 World Cup Bid, we foresee a steep rise in our potential clientele, both local as well as expats”.

Spotlight

BERTOLUCCI: Exclusivity in designs

“The brand was founded in 1987 and our motto is ‘Mediterranean inspiration with Swiss craftsmanship’. Our founder Bertolucci was an Italian designer who married the daughter of a Swiss watch manufacturer. That’s why the Italian Riviera influence is seen in the concepts and design,” says Fabian Lacroix, Sales Manger, Bertolucci.

Speaking about the trends Lacroix says, “We are very focussed on the ladies upmarket range of products and our designs are very elegant and colourful.

We have realised our niche so we are not interested in the mass market or classic collections.”

“This year we are showing some exclusive pieces.

The Giocco is a beautiful upscale piece with rare black and white diamonds. We also have it in white and yellow gold.

“We have a lot of new pieces in our core range as well. One amazing piece in particular has 36 large diamonds, amethysts, rubies and small VVS diamonds, reflecting the Mediterranean spirit in an organic shape. The Serena Garbo watches are also popular, with the coloured straps and matching coloured diamonds; we have it in bright blue and fuchsia.

“We also stock the more masculine Forza and Giro lines, which are aimed at men, while we have a special edition piece with a heart brought out for Valentine’s Day,” he says.

The customer always expects exclusivity from

Bertolucci.

“Our policy is to only have one of each piece at the exhibition, so that our customers can feel an air of exclusivity with their purchase,” he says.

On local partnership, Lacroix says, “We have been working for many years with Ali Bin Ali and we are very pleased as the collaboration is working well. It’s good for brand awareness and they present us very favourably.”

“Our policy is to only have one of each piece at the exhibition, so that our customers can feel exclusive about their purchase.”

Fabian Lacroix, Sales Manger, Bertolucci.

Chaumet:

The tiara becomes a ring

To celebrate the 230th anniversary of Chaumet, the Paris brand pays tribute to its first muse, JosÈphine a name given by Napolean Bonaparte to his wife. The new Josephine collection comprises of 30 pieces reflecting the high jewellery excellence of the brand.

Chaumet, Middle East General Manager, Salam Tannir described Chaumet as “a brand which has really made history.”

“We have existed for a long time in the Middle East, but we are revamping our presence here. We want to maximise the rich tradition behind our brand.”

According to Tannir, the Middle East region is an important player in the growth of any jewellery brand. For Chaumet, it represents nearly 7% of the global market.

Centred on the concept of the tiara, the collection is one “in which the tiara is turned into a ring and crowns the finger.”

12 unique platinum rings adorn the collection with a variety of styles and diamond cuts incorporated in it. Some of the rarest centre-stones chosen are the purest diamonds, pigeon blood rubies and deep blue sapphires. The centrepiece of the collection is a spectacular tiara featuring a yellow, pear-shaped diamond, worth $1.2million (QR4.37 million).

“The Middle East region is an important player in the growth of any jewellery brand. For Chaumet, it represents nearly 7% of the global market.”

Salam Tannir General Manager, Middle East Chaumet

Despite having a presence at the exhibition every year so far, Chaumet had its own dedicated shop at the Al-Fardan Jewellery stand for the first time. The brand also has a presence at The Pearl-Qatar.

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Qatar Today 65

Spotlight

David Morris: Setting Benchmarks

“Qatari market is one of the best markets in Middle East and has a lot of potential to grow even more.”

Jeremy Morris Managing Director, DAVID MORRIS

Since its inception in the late 1950s, David Morris has been setting benchmarks in providing excellence in jewellery. The company which was started in a small manufacturing unit in Hayden Garden in 1962 has today reached great heights. A flagship store on the Bond Street and several other boutiques worldwide are some examples. Middle-East has not been left untouched by the esteemed brand and it has showrooms in Dubai and Qatar. But the company is eager to expand their business to other parts of the region as well.

Speaking to Qatar Today about the Qatari market the David Morris, Managing Director, Jeremy Morris said, “We have been exhibiting in Qatar for many years now and have a long and strong association with Ali Bin Ali group. Qatari market is one of the best markets in Middle East and has a lot of potential to grow even more. We are in constant talks with Ali Bin Ali and if everything goes well, we might be able to open

another outlet very soon here.”

“Our collection has received some rave reviews from the buyers and we appreciate the response we have been receiving from the people here. Though I did not design any particular piece for the region, the response has been amazing and that confirms that the taste of the people here is very international and hence we are expecting good response from the exhibition.”

DeWitt:

Creating a niche in high-end watches

“The clients from Middle East always focus on novelties. Hence it’s important to get a feedback from the local crowd, to amaze them with new exclusive items,” Thibaud Jaouen International Sales Director, DeWitt

66 Qatar Today

A month before the prestigious Basel World Fair, Qatar received a preview of what the luxury watchmaker, DeWitt had in store. The Twenty-8-Eight line and the white gold version of the Tourbillon Force Constante with chain were exhibited at this year’s DJWE. “Also this year, we are manufacturing two new tourbillon movements in-house in addition to a new ladies collection. Inspired by the different personalities of a woman, this collection would be unveiled at the Basel Fair,” says Thibaud Jaouen, International Sales Director, DeWitt.

According to Jaouen, what makes DeWitt a class apart are three factors.

“DeWitt watch-makers are passionate about highend luxury and employ machines from the 18th and 19th century. Secondly, we manufacture everything in-house. We are efficient in dial manufacturing – we are known for our decorations on the dials. Thirdly, we don’t intend on democratisation. While other brands plan on reducing prices to attract more people, we want to remain in the niche of high-end, exclusive watches in limited editions.”

The Academia line has been one of the most successful collections so far, claims Jaouen.

To further boost its presence in the region, DeWitt is working with retailers to enhance its brand awareness. In Qatar thier partner is Ali Bin Ali. “The clients from Middle East always focus on

march 2011

novelties. Hence it’s important to get a feedback from the local crowd, to amaze them with new exclusive items,” said Jaouen. And DJWE provided the brand with the right platform.

“The exhibition has given us an opportunity to meet top clients and explain the philosophy behind DeWitt and improve the knowledge about our products. We are not here to create a turnover, we are here to meet clients who are passionate about our brand, to show them the novelties and meet their expectations as collectors.”

Spotlight

Garrard:

Keeping with the Royal Tradition

Garrard is known for its long and historical relationship of 276 years with Britain’s Royal family. From being the maker of the precious ring that adorned the fingers of Prince Diana which was later bestowed to the to-be-princess Kate Middleton by Prince Williams on their engagement, Garrard has a tradition that goes back a long way. The company is also among a handful of jewellers hoping to design the wedding ring for the coup “It’s been a 276 years of relationship with the royal family and aristocracy. We have been officially the crown jewellers for over 160 years, starting from 1843 when Queen Victoria bestowed the honour on us of being the Crown Jewellers of the company. Since then, we have served six successive monarchs. Each era produced the pieces which are the most sough-after pieces by jewellery specialists today. Nobody else in the market could claim of being crown jewellers for more than five years,” said Eric Deardorff, CEO, Garrard who was in Qatar to showcase the new Wings collection at the DJWE. “Garrard has earned a reputation of not only producing quality jewellery but also beautiful designs of splendour, opulence and craftsmanship. What makes us stand apart from the rest is that we have a combination of lavish jewellery decorated with valuable stones,” he added. Talking about the Middle East Market and the expansion plans here, Deardorff says,

“Our brand is well-known. It is recognised because we have been in Dubai for over five years, we have been in this show for the past four years and people know that we are one of the oldest jewellers with a reputation of producing the most precious pieces of the most exacting standards. But we have to expand distribution and marketing in Middle-East.”

“I have a very keen interest in significantly growing our business in Qatar. Our relationship with Ali Bin Ali has been a phenomenal one and in the long run we will see how we can develop it further.” Talking about his expectations from DJWE, Deardorff says, “Being a part of this grand exhibition I am looking forward at finding opportunities to expand my business here.

And last but not the least I am looking forward to some good sales from the show.”

“Garrard has earned a reputation of not only producing quality jewellery but also beautiful designs of splendour, opulence and craftsmanship.”

Eric Deardorff CEO, Garrard

GRAHAM-London: Flying high with Chronofighter

The Chronofighter fortress which was presented by Graham-London at DJWE is a tribute to the stopwatches wore by the aircrews of RAF Bomber Command. These stop watches which were worn by the flying officers at that time were in fact large pocket watches which were strapped over the bomber jackets and were known for their reliability and precision.

Based on the same concept, the collection presents a perfect blend of British aviation history through its vintage look with the minute detailing of the modern era. The 43mm case presents a subtle mix of brushed and polished steel, playing with light, combined with completely transparent case back.

Talking about this one-of-a-kind collection, the Brand Manager of Graham-London, Pietro Tomajer said, “The collection is the best expression of the George Graham attitude and genius in watch making.

Chronofighter in itself is a total style statement and distinctive from any other timepieces available in the exhibition.

“Since the Qatari market is expanding and adapting to new and international styles, it is our pleasure to be a part of this grand exhibition and showcase our collection here. We have a great collaboration with Ali Bin Ali and we are happy to be a part of this great

family. Through this exhibition we are trying to give an international preview of the brand to the Middle Eastern market.”

“We have our branches in almost all the parts of Middle East including UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. We are planning to get stronger at the places where we already are. We want to be really selective and offer something which is good in quality and liked by the customers.”

march 2011

“We are planning to get stronger at the places where we already are. We want to be really selective and offer something which is good in quality and liked by the customers.”

Pietro Tomajer Brand Manager, Graham-London

Qatar Today 67

Spotlight

Jeager-LeCoulture: Pioneers in watchmaking

“The Qatari market has responded very positively to our collection and we are hoping for a substantial amount of sales this year. ” Jerome Favier Sales and Marketing Director, JeagerlecoulturE

Established in Switzerland in 1893, Jeager Le Coulture presented their esteemed collection of rare timepieces at the DJWE recently. A pioneer, who has made an indelible imprint on the watchmaking sector, Jeager-LeCoulture is known for their innovative approach and precision.

JLC Sales & Marketing Director, Jerome Favier said, “The timepieces available in our brand are all manufactured in-house, and so are a symbol of reliability and integrity. In a world that is moving so fast we need something which is long-lasting and reliable, and JLC is a perfect example of that. Being around for the last 126 years, and having a reputation for producing long-lasting and trustworthy products, the company has become an icon in its own right. Our timepieces are not just watches, but they have become jewels for those who buy them.”

The company has had a long-term partnership with Al Majed Group and the brand is now looking forward to expanding its business to other parts of the Middle-East.

“The Qatari market has responded very positively to our collection and we are hoping for a substantial amount of sales this year. This exhibition has provided us with an opportunity to meet people and exchange ideas.

“The Middle-East market provides what our brand looks for and has shown an interest in fine watchmaking, married with technical and aesthetic de-

Kern:

Novelty in classics

“There are no plans of expansion as of now in terms of opening new boutique. We are focussing at maintaining our existing relationships with clients.”

Stefan Kern son of August L. Kern

68 Qatar Today

For a company that was founded in 1974 by August L. Kern perfection, exclusiveness and individuality form the basis of high-end luxury jewellery timepieces.

“Exclusive design and quality workmanship differentiate Kern in its specialisation in exquisite ladies jewellery watches. Our upper-end, limited edition time pieces are very feminine, classical and yet with a taste of fashion. They keep with the times and are yet impregnated with a classic touch. Our new collection is inspired by the classical elegance of traditional ornaments,” comments Stefan Kern, son of August L. Kern who now manages Kern’s sales and marketing division.

He observes, “Qatar’s appetite for upper-end luxury pieces is incredible. In future, we seek at continuing our cooperation and follow partnership with Ali Bin Ali where we have considerable visibility. There are no plans of expansion as of now in terms of opening new boutique. We are focussing at maintaining our existing relationships with clients and also in the course forming newer relationships with potential clientele.”

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tail, which is our signature mark. The market here is growing fast; there seems to be an air of evolution and the buyers are becoming more curious about different kinds of brands and are gathering extensive knowledge about horology. This is good for brands like ours, as the buyers understand the mechanisms, concepts and minute detailing of the watches and so understand their worth. This will open up doors for many other international brands.”

Spotlight

Messika: Woman’s pride

Messika is the story of the passion of jewellery making, transferred from a father to his daughter. Messika presents jewellery pieces which are sumptuous, elegant, opulent, yet easy to wear and very trendy. The pieces have been designed, so as to keep in mind the woman of the contemporary world, so they are very feminine and comfortable to wear and could be used for any given occasion.

Messika – which was in Qatar for the grand Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition – had the signatures ‘Move Collection’ and ‘Butterfly collection’ on display. Talking about the response the brand received, Brand Development and Supply Chain Director, Aurelie Darmon, said, “We are pleasantly surprised to see such a positive response from the people here. Despite being a new brand, people like our designs and honestly speaking, the people here have a very international taste and they look for designs that are contemporary, trendy and reflect their personality. Our designs are very universal, and to see that they are being accepted by every part of the world is in itself is a great achievement. Having said that, people’s taste is becoming universal now so there is no need for designing special jewelleries for every particular area; we are still trying to learn what people like – in this region in particular – and we will be coming out with some special designs next year.”

The company that already has established their

“Despite being a new brand, people like our designs and the people look for designs that are contemporary, trendy and reflect their personality.”

Aurelie Darmon showrooms at Dubai, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are now looking forward to opening new bases in Qatar and Bahrain, as well. They are in talks with Ali Bin Ali and will launch a showroom here very soon.

Brand Development and Supply Chain Director, MESSIKA

Mikimoto:

Serving pearls with lustre

For a country whose heritage is marked with a fascination for pearls, Mikimoto lives up to this tradition.

It was in 1893 that founder Kokichi Mikimoto cultured the first pearl in Japan, and now the brand is revered as the ‘originators of cultured pearls’.

“Qatar has a strong appreciation for pearls of all kinds. We have been exhibiting at DJWE right from the beginning, and every year we see a different kind of choice from the customers. They are becoming more refined in their taste. Customers now demand for more delicate and soft sets, rather than the big bridal collections. Even bracelets have seen a demand this year,” said Jeremy Burbanks, European and Middle East Sales Manager, Mikimoto. The local dealers for the brand is Ali Bin Ali. On display at DJWE were all kind of pearls – natural, Japanese Akoya pearls, Tahitian black pearls and Indonesian Golden pearls. The brand also deals with Keshi pearls – obtained as a natural by-product of the culturing process and has a beautiful lustre. “Though the brand is renowned for its pearls, it also offers exclusive gemstone pieces mainly pink sapphire that beautifully offsets the silver rosette tinge of a pearl,” added Burbanks.

“About 30% of the exhibits were designed for the

region with architectural motifs incorporated in them. Despite the change in designs, the quality is consistent. Here people focus on the entire set rather than individual pieces. Also, long necklaces with multiple rows seem to be the latest trend for this season,” said Burbanks. The most interesting of the necklaces is the ‘Shooting Star’ with seven rows of pearls shining from a cluster of diamonds. Mikimoto also offers cufflinks for men with mother pearls and diamonds.

Burbanks advices, “While buying pearls, one must check for a bright shiny surface, a silver rosette colour, a perfectly round shape and very few spots on the surface. Also, you need to ensure that the person selling you pearls knows what he is selling. Pearls are usually an emotional purchase especially during weddings, and to be a part of it is an honour for Mikimoto.”

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“Qatar has a strong appreciation for pearls of all kinds.”

Jeremy Burbanks European and Middle East Sales Manager, Mikimoto

Qatar Today 69

Spotlight

Officine Panerai: Sea of luxury

“The smallest size of the dial is only 40mm.”

Milvin George Managing Director, Officine Panerai

What was once crafted exclusively for the Royal Italian Navy, now dons the hands of royal customers. The watches offered by Officine Panerai are huge masculine time-pieces with a luminescent ‘sandwich’ dial that was made for greater visibility in the nights for the navy.

“The smallest size of the dial is only 40mm,” says Milvin George, Managing Director, Officine Panerai.

George says that since the brand is global, their designs don’t change according to the region. “But we do work on lot of innovations in technology. We are working on different materials for our cases – titanium, steel and platinum. We have also experimented mixing ceramic with aluminium. This year, we made watches even in bronze.”

The brand has a strong presence in the region and Qatar too is in focus. “Since Qatar is a rapidly growing market, this is the right time to enter it. We would like to work with highly professional people like Ali Bin Ali who know how to do the luxury-oriented business. We are trying to hire well-trained staff, proficient in various languages as Qatar is becoming more and more of a cosmopolitan city. It is important for us to give customers an exclusive experience, have a dedicated staff who can take our customers to the

Picchiotti:

Spreading European taste to the world

“For DJWE we are presenting the Iris collection – it’s fresh, flexible and has been modified to the taste of the region.”

Umberto Picchiotti Vice President, Picchiotti

70 Qatar Today

“Picchiotti is not for everybody – it is for a connoisseur; for a lady who knows a lot about jewellery and what she wants to buy,” says Umberto Picchiotti, Vice President, Picchiotti.

The high-end jewellery brand approached the Middle East market just six years ago and the region too has started to recognise and appreciate the brand and its product. “We are happy with our partners Ali Bin Ali in Qatar,” Picchiotti added. “We are planning to open a boutique in Dubai soon.”

The brand attempts to present its European taste to the world. At the same time, it has unique and exclusive collections for the Middle East. “For DJWE we are presenting the Iris collection – it’s fresh, flexible and has a touch of both classic and contemporary design that has been modified to the taste of the region. We even have simple and chic collections of rare coral pieces,” said Picchiotti.

Other highlights for the exhibition were rings with eight-carat emeralds, pink sapphires, yellow diamonds, turquoise and pearls. Picchiotti said, “You will always find the best quality with us because we focus on perfection. Every single piece has been crafted with the same importance. Whoever gets a Picchiotti jewellery gets the best!”

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Panerai world.”

The brand was relaunched in 1998 when it was sold to Richmonte group the year before. Heavy investments were made in the research and development of new novelties. The brand now boasts of a superior mix of Swiss technology and Italian design and authenticity.

“Through DJWE we were able to meet collectors and connoisseurs, VIPs, royal members of the family and other customers in Qatar and show them our collections as well as learn ways to improve. The Government has done a great job in organising this exhibition and has shown great support for our industry,” said George.

Spotlight

Ralph Lauren: The art of fine watchmaking

For DJWE 2011, followers of Ralph Lauren’s timeless aesthetic style and fine watchmaking heritage were treated with three new iconic watch collections.

The Ralph Lauren Sporting Collection makes a bold statement with wooden dials bordered by a stainless steel ring that strongly evokes the elegance of sports.

The second collection, the Ralph Lauren Slim Classique, introduces a composition of concentric squares

from its case shape to the linear dial markings of this slender timepiece.

The last of the collections is the Ralph Lauren Stirrup Collection which has been inspired by the equestrian heritage of Polo Ralph Lauren with a uniquely shaped silhouette. The timepieces come in stainless steel and full-pave diamonds with a masculine black dial that is contrasted with offwhite Roman numerals. The local dealers in Qatar is Ali Bin Ali.

RICHARD MILLE:

Celebrating 10 years in the industry

“This is Richard Mille’s 10th anniversary; having started in 2001 with the RM001 watch and this year, they are delivering the RM038. We’ve gone from making 300 watches a year to 3,000. Technically we are working with the space, industry, the aerospace and the car industries to introduce new materials and technology to the watches. We are very happy with the success of the brand and have taken on a new ambassador from the world of golf; Bubba Watson from the USA will now wear our watches while playing.

Previously we’ve had Rafael Nadal (tennis) and Filipe Massa (motor racing) as ambassadors,” says Peter Harrison, CEO, Richard Mille.

Customers look for technological innovations from Richard Mille.

“Traditionally extra weight means extra value; at Richard Mille less weight means more value. People have come to appreciate that,” he says.

“Qatar remains very strong as a market; the people here are compared to the royalty of Monaco. We’ve taken a lot of orders, although we haven’t made any special edition watches for the exhibition. We’re very happy.”

On the association with Ali Bin Ali, he says, “Ali Bin Ali were the first to embrace the fact that Richard

Mille made good ladies’ watches. We’re bringing out a new ladies’ tourbillon this year, the RM026, using precious stones; it’s a variation of the RM019 with the Celtic Knot.

“Our local partnership here is one of our strongest and Ali Bin Ali does a great job. They represent the brand well and they are professional with welltrained staff. They are always open to innovation, which is what we look for.”

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“We’ve taken a lot of orders, although we haven’t made any special edition watches for the exhibition.”

Peter Harrison, CEO, Richard Mille

Qatar Today 71

Spotlight

Schreiner Fine Jewellery: Gems of desire

“You will see the use of pink gold in our jewellery, which is in vogue today” Gerhard Schreiner President, Schreiner Fine Jewellery

Since the times of Ali Baba and the magical cave, precious jewels, gems and stones have been a subject of utmost desire and passion for human beings. Such penchant for precious stones pulled Gerhard Schreiner, President of Schreiner Fine Jewellery into the exquisite world of fine jewels. From humble beginning – in the land of emeralds – Colombia in 1988, his company now employees over 300 skilled people headquartered in Germany and crafting one of the world’s high end jewellery collections - the ‘neo haute joaillerie’.

“The 2011 fine jewellery collection is inspired by the vivid elements of nature – water, earth and fire, in its design. Colour has always been the focal point in our jewellery. We keep ourselves in tune with the changing fashion trends as projected by the fashion capitals of the world; London, Paris, Milan and New York. This is one pivotal element behind our jewel-

lery designs that gives us a leading edge. You will see the use of pink gold in our jewellery, which is in vogue today,” explains Schreiner with a glint of passion shining as brightly as the diamonds in the showcased jewellery.

He sees Qatar as a market with huge potential where people are trend conscious and they are buying high-end fine jewellery not just as pleasure pieces but from an investment point. The local partners for the brand is Ali Bin Ali.

ULYSSE NARDIN: Researchers in timekeeping

“Ali Bin Ali is a good ambassador of the brand. You can see from the environment we have here – it’s very luxurious with upscale brands. It’s in our interest to be their partner.”

Christophe Chorao Area sales Manager, Ulysse Nardin

72 Qatar Today

“Ulysse Nardin were the official supplier of the chronometer to the Russian and Japanese Navy in the 18th century. At that time they didn’t have any radar to check their position at sea and were using a compass and other tools. This brand produced a marine chronometer to calculate the equation of time with real precision. The second hand would beat to half a second, because if you are out by one second at sea, it equates to a misjudgement of 483 metres at the equator. Now we have introduced the same kind of system in a watch,” says Christophe Chorao, Area Sales Manager, Ulysse Nardin.

“We have been in the Middle East for 10 years now and it counts for 15% of our annual turnover; Dubai and Saudi Arabia being the most lucrative markets.

Qatar is new, but there is a real interest in these watches among its many watch collectors.”

“Qatar has a lot of projects in the near future, but we hope that our business will improve here as much as it has in Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries.

It’s definitely growing here, but slowly. We have collaborated with local dealer Ali Bin Ali.” Customers, according to Chorao, are watch connoisseurs, “They know about these high-end, mechanical watches, they want to be different, and don’t want to be wearing the ubiquitous Rolex all the time.

On their special collection for the exhibition, he says, “We have developed a new style called ‘Freak Diavolo’ and the special thing about it is that it has

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no time hands and no crown. It’s a mechanical watch, the full movement rotates around the case (the axis doesn’t rotate). It’s a flying tourbillon, which was originally made to compensate for the earth’s gravity, and has been made with silicon components for better movement. We are the first to have developed this technology as silicon does not require any lubrication.

Normal watches would get dry in the Middle Eastern hot climate within two or three years and would need to be serviced. It is wound from the back and is really a watch for a collector. It comes only in white gold or platinum; it’s a limited edition and it retails for something like $135,000 (QR491,000) The El Toro is also a new line of ceramic watches and is fitted with the complicated GMT movement.

It has a perpetual calendar that you can adjust with a simple crown forward and backward movement. It even recognises the leap year!

Spotlight

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS: Crafting stories

“We are not following or setting any trends as we are a Maison with more than 100 years of history and heritage and we have a unique style. We are here to bring emotion, to tell stories with very unique craftsmanship and style,” says Alban Belloir, Brand DirectorMiddle East & India, Van Cleef & Arpels.

On the new trends, Bellior says, “We are telling new stories every year with our new styles. This year, the story is about extraordinary travels. We will reveal at Art Dubai in March ‘Voyages Extraordinaire’, which is inspired by Jules Verne’s novels. Van Cleef & Arpels is not about the world as you see it, but the world, as it should be – the ideal world. We have a very idyllic vision of the world, so when you look at our pieces, you will see they are very smooth, delicate, colourful, and exude optimism and a positive feel, which is unusual in this dangerous world today. This is what Van Cleef & Arpels is all about.”

The Jardin Collection has a typical French spirit, inspired by nature and is one of their speciality.

Van Cleef also brought to this exhibition the special Mystery Setting pieces.

“We are the only ones doing this kind of setting – it’s invisible and you only see the stones and not the prongs holding them. It’s not easy to find stones of the same quality, colour and size for this setting. It takes more than a year to make each piece because you need to cut and assemble each stone in a very specific way.

A new segment in the watch industry has also been introduced with the Poetic Complications Collection.

“We have a demand for The Mystery Setting pieces, especially as the level of refinement here is very high.

They are looking for pieces they can’t find anywhere else – like the Zip, the Mystery Setting, the Jardin collection and the Victoria necklace.

“We have a very close partnership with Ali Bin Ali and the result of this has been the opening of the third Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Doha, in Villaggio Mall. I believe we both share the same vision about what a luxury Maison should be.”

Alban Belloir Brand Director- Middle East & India, Van Cleef & Arpels

Al Zain:

Buying customers’ trust

DJWE has come at a perfect time this year for Al Zain.

The brand is planning to launch its first flagship store in the country in April at the Lagoona Mall which will offer customers its signature bridal and everyday jewellery collections.

“Through this exhibition we are fortifying our relationship with our customers – those who already exist in Qatar and some potential new ones. This would also help in cementing the base for our launch in the country in April,” says Yousif Al-Ghawas, Brand Manager of Al Zain.

Created in 1930 by Abdullah Al-Zain, a renowned pearl merchant, the brand now has 14 stores across five different countries while it continues to serve the Middle Eastern clienteles. “Our jewellery is designed by the Arabs for the Arabs. About 80% of our clients are Arabs who love the Arabseque designs that we create,” he says.

The brand also has its own share of expats and Asian customers who simply love the Middle East touch of the collections. .

A striking feature of Al Zain is that all its designs are custom-made.

“We are not retailers, we are jewellery designers.

We design jewellery based on our customer’s de-

mands. Also, our prices are very reasonable despite being a high-end piece, because we want our customers to buy our products, not our brand name. We are honest with our customers.”

For this exhibition, the brand had its latest bridal line on display with huge diamonds, ruby, emerald and pearl sets dazzling the customers.

Meanwhile, the everyday items were offered in semi-precious stones. “We also have bronze and body jewellery collections. We are also one of the few jewellers who produce items for children,” said Al-Ghawas.

“And every item has been crafted with love and care because our clients are like family. Our brand personality is that of ‘an old family friend!”

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“Our jewellery is designed by the Arabs for the Arabs. 80% of our clients are Arabs who love the Arabic designs that we create.”

Yousif Al-Ghawas Brand Manager, Al Zain

Qatar Today 73

Spotlight

A perfect blend of

trade, art and panache DJWE 2011 strengthened Qatar’s position in the global market as an attractive destination for high-end luxury exhibitors and fLamboyant, tasteful buyers FROM across the region.

DIGNITARIES GRACE THE SHOW Deputy Prime Minister and Emiri Diwan Chairman His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah visits the stalls at DJWE

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Spotlight FINE SHOW MODELS EXHIBIT THE SPARKLING COLLECTION FROM ALI BIN ALI BRANDS

eLEGANCE THE ALfardan DISPLAY AT djwe

REPRESENTING GLOBAL BRANDS nabeel ali bin ali, ceo of ali bin ali group OF COMPANIES

sophistication THE cartier display at djwe

BREAKING RECORDS The Mouawad 1001 nights Diamond Purse’ was unveiled at DJWE. THE Purse worth QR13.84 Billion recieved certification from the guinness world book of records for the most valuable handbag in the world

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Qatar Today 75

braking news

blistering brussels

Black Diamond will add sparkle to Cadillac

C

adillac will release the Black Diamond Edition of their CTS-V Sedan, CTS-V Coupe to local dealerships later this Spring, but it can be pre-or-

dered today.

Customers, who are keenly searching for models which promote paints that are not just distinguishable by their colour, but also by their special effects, will be excited by this news.

Michelle Killen – Cadillac exterior paint designer – uses an interesting analogy: “The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is like a finely crafted, tailored tuxedo; the base colour may be a simple black, but the details and richness of the material set it apart.”

Black Diamond is essentially a dark, tricoated paint which is embedded with SpectraFlair Silver pigmentation, which is meticulously produced by optical technology provider, JDSU, in California.

The aluminum flakes in the dark, tri-coated paint - which are encapsulated in a glass-

like substance called magnesium fluoride - sparkle when natural light hits them from acute angles.

The CTS-V also provides such features as satin graphite 19inch wheels with yellow, Brembo brake calipers, and Frenchstitched leather and microfiber suede seats and cushions to complement this new chic look which the Black Diamond reveals.

“We’ve already established the V-Series as a serious sub-brand for Cadillac,” said Rich Pinto, Cadillac Creative Designer. “Black Diamond further establishes V-Series in the market as a performance-minded line of vehicles with a luxury twist.” The CTS-V was launched in the Mid East in 2009, fol-

lowed by the 2011 CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe, for which sales had exceeded forecasts in September 2010. The CTS-V Sedan and Coupe feature a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine with 556-horspower, Magnetic Ride Control suspension that reads and reacts to the road 1,000 times a second and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tire.

Mercedes to make an exclusive Arabian G-Class

m

ercedes Benz has just introduced a special model in its G-class which is specifically designed for the Middle East.

To add an air of exclusivity to the model, Mercedes say they will only be running 100 models through production, all of which promotes its name: The G-Class Arabia 100 Limited Edition.

Its unique and rugged design is intended to aid the Middle East journeyman, but it also portrays a sporty, curvy look and feel.

This rugged and powerful-looking exterior is backed up by its 19-inch AMG wheels in a special matte finish, and it’s available in cashmere white or night black.

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84

B R AKING NE W S

Black Day for Porsche Boxster S

T

to the Black Edition model. Meanwhile, the standard bi-Xenon lights mean a safer and more pleasant journey for the driver.

The chassis certainly promotes a sporty feel, as the driving dynamics are enhanced by its 235/35 ZR 19 front and the 265/35 ZR 19 rear tyres on lightweight wheels, while the flat engine gives the unit a low centre of gravity, improving its levels of agility and performance when cornering.

With its standard six-speed manual transmission, it can accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, which is one-tenth of a second swifter than the original Boxster S model. It can reach a top speed of 276 km/h. This extra power doesn’t compromise its fuel efficiency however, maintaining parity with the Boxster S in this regard.

he eagerly awaited market launch of Porsche’s new and limited Boxster S Black Edition is this May. Only 987 units are being produced, so Porsche are striving to make the model unique and distinctive in its design and feel.

The designers certainly didn’t compromise on their colour concept. It’s ubiquitously cloaked in black, from the body and hood to the four 19-inch Boxster Spider wheels.

The rear side intake grills and rollover bars are as black as the twin tail-piped exhaust.

This colour impression is not limited to the exterior, because the various devices and implementations of the interior also adhere to the strict concept. The Boxster S Black Edition comes with the otherwise optional ‘comfort’, ‘infotainment’ and ‘design’ equip-

ment packages – as standard – which means you’re getting more bang for your buck. The wind deflectors, the anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors, and the Porsche Communication System (PCS) are also ‘built-in’

Design your own Citroen

Ford reigniting passion for the ‘pony car’

A

l-Naael Co is rolling out the latest Citroen model for the demanding Qatari market.

The new DS3 model reveals everything that Citroen believes in and promotes; elegance, modernity, aesthetic exterior, dynamic performance and innovative features.

The DS3 is a particularly distinctive vehicle and it exudes original concepts, such as the ‘floating roof’ and the ‘shark fin’.

Indeed the DS3 is not one, but a number of Citroen concepts rolled into one. Each customer can lend their own impression to how they would like their model; the versatile DS3 is set up so the roof, body, rear-view mirrors and wheels can be altered. One can choose from seven personalised themes for the interior, while the dashboard and other equipment can also be customised.

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F

ord will be delighted with their return on the effort they afforded the new Mustang. It has already scooped a number of awards since it rebounded onto the market last November.

Among the awards were Gulf News’ Wheels Magazine Sports Coupe Car of the Year, and EVO Middle East Magazine’s 2010 Muscle Car of the Year.

Bassam Kronfi - Editor-in-Chief of EVO Middle East – stressed that that new Mustang was indeed a deserving winner, that the “vehicle has reignited people’s passion for the pony car” and the new 5.0-litre engine was a revelation.

The new Ford Mustang is available with all new 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V8 versions and is enthusing customers with it exciting innovations and technologies.

GMC Yukon giving value for money

T

he GMC Yukon was recently awarded with IntelliChoice’s 2011 Best Overall Values of the Year (BOVY) in its full-size SUV category.

This prestigious award is based on how a vehicle performs in line with its analysis of ownership costs, such as depreciation, maintenance, repairs fuel efficiency, financing and insurance.

This award wasn’t a surprise, as the Consumer Guide called the Yukon a ‘best buy’ in its segment last year. The 2011 editions continue to augment Yukon’s reputation for distinctive styling, spacious and cultured interiors, exceptional handling and safety features, and these have made the

Yukon GMC’s best selling model in the Middle East.

All GMC warranties in the Middle East have been increased to ‘three-year or 1,000,000 kilometres’, as part of the brand’s objective to meet and exceed customers’ expectations.

MARKET WATCH

MEET THE MAN OF HOPE

Armani goes Aqua for the cause

W

ater is such a simple word, but like every simple word it has a profound significance as where there is safe water there is health, energy and a serene encounter with nature,� said the Italian Fashion Designer Giorgio Armani.

Today when large part of the world is struggling for safe water, Armani has come up with an innovative and humanitarian idea of providing healthy drinking water to people worldwide. Giorgio Armani has recently launched a campaign ‘Aqua for Life’ which mainly focuses on spreading knowledge about the scarcity of water that has emerged all around the world and to provide minimum of 40 millions litres of drinking water to the area which has been deprived to its access.

To achieve the objective of this momen-

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tum effort, Armani has selected two of his infamous fragrances Acqua di Gio and Acqua di Gioia, inherently in harmony with this theme, a comprehensive and innovative network of support and solidarity has been devised, with a particular focus on the Internet.

From March 22, World Water Day, a special Acqua For Life edition of the two fragrances will be available exclusively at Debenhams and VaVaVoom in the Middle East. Every bottle sold will generate a donation of 100 litres of drinking water per year to children and their communities.

Each perfume purchased entitles the buyer to double their donation of 100 litres via internet by putting the code given on different cartons. These codes will also help the buyer to form their own team to support the campaign.

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LG air-conditioners

go green

L

G takes another step towards the green environment by introducing Green Air conditioners with environmental friendly refrigerants. Unlike the first-generation and second-generation air conditioners, the third-generation air-conditioner is especially suitable for hospitals, hotels and areas where area-based cooling and heating is required.

The Wall Mounted Split type units are equipped with hermetic multi-cylinder reciprocating compressors manufactured

by LG are charged with environmental friendly refrigerants, such as R134a or R407C and are designed for continuous operation at outdoor ambient temperatures as high as 52C. The cabinet of the outdoor unit is constructed of steel, finished with baked synthetic resin paint and the fan guard wire net mounted on top or side of the unit depending on the unit capacity adequately protects the unit against corrosion. This makes the unit withstand the tough weather conditions especially in the coastal areas LG has always been involved in Green practices. Last year, also LG introduced its line of energy-efficient air-conditioners called Tropical Multi V, which has been found to curtail power consumption by a whopping 70%.

MA R KET W ATCH

LG launches 3D notebook at Jumbo

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G, the global dealers and the technology innovators in mobile communication is one of the few leaders to come out with a 3D Notebook and a compact LED projector. The launch was held during an IT Dealer Seminar organised by Jumbo Electronics last week at Ramada hotel, recently.

LG Electronics Gulf, IT Business Manager, Michael Kim said, “LG is working on expanding their business in the Middle East market in 2011, and have many projects with wide range of products in the pipeline.” During the Seminar the Roadmap of

the LCD & LED Monitors for the year 2011 was also unveiled along with elaborate marketing plans for the Projector Biz from LG Electronics.

Awards were distributed by Executive Director of Jumbo Electronics, Sajed Jassim Sulaiman and Director & General Manager, C.V. Rappai, to the Top Performing Dealers and Hypermarkets for their contribution to the market growth during the event.

Wide range of LG brand LED Monitors and Multi-colored Slim DVD Writers along with External hard-disks are now available in all Jumbo Electronics outlets and with leading IT Dealers & Hypermarkets.

LG to launch world’s biggest LED 3D TV

L

G Electronics recently launched the World’s biggest full LED 3D TV, a 72inch LZ9700 and is available in Jumbo electronics showrooms across Qatar. This 59-inches wide and 40-inches tall TV, will let its viewers to see a life-sized action on a beautifully crisp picture.

Watching pictures on this full HD resolution TV would give its viewers a sense of large and colourful paintings at an art gallery. The extra spacious screen size also makes the picture more immersive than ever, offering viewers a 3D experience every

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bit as good as the screen in the local multiplex.

Not limited to just clear and big screen, the state-of-art TV will also provide its viewers with latest technologies, making it possible to access information about travel, health and anything else by using the contents cube feature. Viewers may also enjoy videos and pictures from sites like Youtube and picassa.

LZ9700 also provides connectivity options in the shape of smart DLNA function, which lets users wirelessly access files stored on other media devices to enjoy them on the big screen.

SSPC, Qatar Chapter holds inaugural meeting

T

he Society For Protective Coatings Worldwide (SSPC), Qatar Chapter held its inaugural meeting on the 24 January 2011 . It was attended by around 100 coating-professionals working in the different organisations in Qatar.

The SSPC UAE Chapter Chairman, Pradeep Radhakrishnen, attending the function stated “The purpose of SSPC is to advance the technology and promote the use of protective coatings to preserve industrial, marine and commercial structures, components and substrates. SSPC currently has 8768 individual members and 792 corporate members worldwide.”

The SSPC Qatar chapter was formed in October 2010 with the help of a few dedicated individuals, notwithstanding the full support from the SSPC Pittsburgh PA, USA Headquarters & the UAE chapter. Their goal is to assist the Corrosion & Coating industry in Qatar in achieving and maintaining excellence in this field through the industry’s best practices.

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Blistering Brussels!

More than just ‘frite’ revolution and funny business

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By Va ni S a ra swathi

t the end of five days, I can truly say I’ve experienced just about everything Brussels has to offer. F16s escorting us in Belgian airspace. Axelle Red live. Staying in an erstwhile jail. Chocolates by the tonne, speculoos by the carton, unmentionable beverages, truffles, mussels, art nouveau architecture, brilliant comics, efficient paramedical service and the not so

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efficient emergency care.

True, two F-16 fighter jets piloted by Belgian air force officers welcoming the inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Europe’s capital is a tough act to follow. But Brussels put up a fight, despite the average temperature staying between -5C and 2C. The trip came to an end with a bang, as well. Trip-

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Grand Place by night

ping on an almost invisible road divider, flying across the street, landing on the pavement nose first, right in front of a fine dining restaurant, where a group of us were planning to celebrate our last night in Brussels. How aptly slapstick that this should happen in a country whose pride is its comic heritage.

Brussels’ appeal is not just its rich and complicated history, it’s also about the rather incomprehensible present. To put it simply – the French speaking and Flemish speaking parts of Belgium are not quite seeing eye to eye. So nine months after an election, the country still doesn’t have a government – the longest a country has gone without one. The previous record holder was Iraq, so a rather dubious distinction, this.

Surprisingly, the lack of governance doesn’t seem to have affected the functioning of the capital city – home to the EU Parliament, where at any given point a dozen dignitaries are visiting. Possibly, only the emergency services have felt the brunt of non-governance. One of the leading MICE destinations in the world, Brussels thrives on its citizens’ passion for it.

There is a stunning lack of nationalism amongst a lot of the people we interacted with. No Hercule Poirotlike Belgian pride; but more of “I am European, and I love Brussels. That’s all,” as one tour guide said. About the city, however, there is no ambivalence. Even a recent economic migrant to the city cannot help but

sing its praises.

Its sheer compactness, its connectivity within and to other European destinations, the civility of its residents, its eclectic – and sometimes not so pretty – architecture, the array of cuisines on offer, little wonder that it’s rocking the MICE charts.

Old railways stations converted to trendy venue for events like the Royal Depot of Tours & Taxis.

Outside of business there is plenty to see as well.

And you can do most of it by foot. But the Grand Place is where evenings are meant to be spent, branching off from the main square are little alleys where you can get hot frites (thicker, meatier version of the French fries) and fresh waffles; cheap made in China rip-offs of Bruges lace and authentic Belgian tapestry; priceless antiques; Tintin merchandise, gorgeous Delvaux bags and cheap rexine jackets; thirst quenchers; and chocolates in every corner.

But what is really going to inspire people to stop over in Brussels is probably Spielberg taking on Herge. Having got the rights to make movies of three Tintin books, Steven Spielberg and Sony have finalised Brussels as the location to shoot the films. Next up, the city is trying to win the rights to host the world premier as well.

If you do decide to go there before Tintin is immortalised on the silver screen, there is still plenty to do.

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Other not to miss spots include:

EU Parliament And other offices of the European Union and European Commission are worth a visit, to understand how in an era of dissonance, there are attempts to do away with boundaries.

F16 F16s piloted by the Belgian air force welcomes Qatar Airways inaugural flight to Brussels into the country’s airspace.

Galerie St Hubert: A glazed shopping arcade, the Galerie is considered one of the earliest shopping malls in Europe.

Akbar Al-Baker, CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS

Magritte Museum: The RenÈ Magritte Museum occupies the house in which the Belgian surrealist painter worked nearly 24 years of his life.

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QR’s Continental Odyssey Budapest, Bucharest, Brussels, Stuttgart...

The third European destination to be launched in January itself, Qatar Airways obviously is relishing cocking a snook at its continental adversaries.

Always up for a challenge, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker spared no opportunity to retaliate against ‘unjust’ allegations made by European legacy carriers.

“They accuse us (fast expanding Middle Eastern carriers) of being subsidised and coddled by our

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governments.

That’s bull**** (sic). How did they start off? And we don’t even get the kind of aid they did,” he said to a packed press conference in Brussels, the day after the launch.

He ruled out multiple hubs – reciting the failure of airlines that have attempted this – and said Doha would continue to be the hub, feeding other sectors.

Of course, no QR presentation is complete without its GTL-fuelled sprint from London to Doha in October 2009.

Al-Baker told Qatar Today that 2012 will see several more commercial flights fuelled by GTL with the arrival of the A340s.

Cleaner air travel fuelled his continuing tirade against European airlines at the Gala dinner. “Then there is this whole talk of our carbon emissions – when figures only show them in poor light.”

“Our emissions are only 94.5g CO2/RPK compared to over 100g for European legacy carriers,” he stressed.

The heated welcome to the Gala was only matched

by Axelle Red’s performance late into the night.

globe trot Herge Museum Though not in Brussels, it’s just a short drive out of the city to Louvain-la-Neuve.

The museum was established by Fanny Rodwell, Herge’s widow and her husband Nick Rodwell.

Rodwell wanted a modern, airy, bright space that spoke of Herge without restricting him to his masterpiece, Tintin.

And that’s what the exhibits do – speak of him as the illustrator, caricaturist, advertiser, graphic designer, and the creator of other characters such as Jo, Zette, Quick and Flupke.

Designed by Christian de Portzamparc, the museum is an elongated prism that seems to float in a forest of ancient trees.

Sablon If you do have an eye for antiques and deep pockets to go with it, then the street is worth visiting. We also stopped for some aperetifs at the beautiful where from what you sit on to what you brush against has a history and value that can overwhelm you.

getting there

Qatar Airways flies

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times a week to Brussels

For bookings villa empain

www.qatarairways.com.qa

a CULTURAL EXCHANGE CENTRE, ENVISIONED BY Jean Boghossian (INSET) AND HIS family

Villa Empain A gorgeous example of Art Deco architecture, the Villa Empain is now a centre for cultural exchange between East and West. The pet project of the Boghossian Foundation, we not only met Diane Hennebert who was in charge of the renovation (she incidentally also directed the Atomium renovation) but also had the unique pleasure of meeting Jean Boghossian one of the two brothers behind the vision of this project.

Created in 1992, the Boghossian Foundation has been involved in contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of those affected by war and natural disasters, especially in Lebanon and in Armenia. In 2006, the foundation acquired Villa Empain, and after complete restoration opened its door to the public in April 2010.

Auquier recounts his family’s flight from native

Armenia to Lebanon and Syria, and then arriving in Belgium in 1975. The family of jewellers established the exclusive Bogh-Art brand (available in Qatar at Al Majed Jewellery).

Having seen strife and war throughout his life, he wanted people to grow past enimity and conflict and find a common language – art in this case – that ignores differences in religion and culture. “We don’t want millions more dead before we find that language.

And this was our family’s commitment to that end.”

Apart from collections from the Arab region, there are temporary exhibitions that touch upon a lot of sensitive and topical issues. During our visit, it was the Colours of the Orient: Arts and lifestyles in the Ottoman Empire. Next month, the exhibition entitled ‘Of Women’s Modesty and Anger’ will talk of rituals, garbs and convictions.

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Where to stay:

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Where to eat And of course what to eat. Do try fresh chocolates from the finest – Marcolini, Neu Haus, Gerbaud (where you can even attend a chocolate making workshop).

Stop at the roadside cafes for hot waffles or fritAes – when the temperature is relentlessly below zero and the sky a steady shade of grey, chocolates, waffles and chips can brighten the day.

For sheer novelty and an unbeatable view of the city, lunch at the restaurant on the topmost sphere of the Atomium.

Kwint and Museum Brasserie (near the Musee Magritte) provide excellent Belgian cuisine.

hese are just two of the many reasons why you could choose to stay in Hotel Amigo.

First, its location. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the Grand Place, and walking distance from several shopping areas, museums and fantastic restaurants. Getting crisp speculoos from Dandoy or chocolates from Neu Hause demands nothing more than 10 steps out of the doorway. The quirkier reason is the kick of staying in what used to be a prison. The original building predates 1522, when the city council bought the building from a wealthy merchant and converted it to a prison. The Spanish rulers at that time mistook Flemish for prison to mean ‘friend’, and made it ‘amigo’. As the guide joked, then it wasn’t easy getting out of Amigo, now it’s difficult to get into it.The Hotel was built by the Blaton family in 1957 on the occasion of the World Fair. In 2000, it became a part of the Rocco Forte collection. For bookings check www.roccofortecollecton.com.

comic strip center where characters from childhood come alive

Belgian Comic Strip Center Even if you are not into comics, this place is not to be missed. As the promotional brochure claims, it is the ‘Kingdom of the Smurfs, Tintin, Lucky Luke.’ It is not only about what is housed at the centre alone, it is also about where it is housed. It is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture, designed by the famous Belgian architect Victor Horta (one of the most important names in the movement). A haven of natural lighting, the building once used to be a boutique for silk fabric.

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amigo The former jail is now a luxury hotel

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The 4,000 sq mts of space is used for both permanent and temporary exhibitions. It brings together everything related to comic strips, from its beginnings, through its persistence during periods of war, and to recent developments, not only from Europe but even from emerging comic centres like Japan (Manga).

As Jean Auquier of the Center says, “Our little country, that probably has the world’s highest density of paper heroes and story tellers per sq km, owed it to itself to create this centre.

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Atomium he Atomium was build for the 1958 World Fair, and was not meant to survive beyond the exhibition period. The Atomium symbolised an iron crystal (magnified 165 billion times), to show the power of nuclear energy, and its use for peaceful purposes, which was the subject of the exhibition that year.

Of the nine spheres, three are supported by the other six. Except for those three, the rest are now used for exhibitions, restaurants and events. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the ‘58 Expo.’

The spectacular view from the top (including over Mini Europe theme park), and the ride in the elevator – which in 1958 was the fastest, are the highlights of a visit to the site. The Atomium was refurbished in 2006.

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atomium an architectural wonder

Manneken Pis:

EU experience to a seamless GCC Time for a study

Home to EU parliament, Brussels – even without a government of its own – is where diplomacy, compromises and doing away with boundaries can be studied.

That apart, trade between Qatar and Belgium has been on the rise. Imports were around 193 million euros in 2006, and it touched €337 million in 2009, covering trade in machinery and chemical products.

Exports had risen from €188 million (2006) to €989 million (Jan-Oct 2010), and about 95% of this was in LNG trade. There are a few big players in the construction industry in Qatar. However, the Belgian Ambassador to Qatar Luc Devolder is confident that in light of the 2022 FIFA world cup, there could be more opportunities.

“Sixconstruct and CFE in construction and JanDeNul and DEME in dredging and Landwinning are some of the biggest companies here. There are dozens of other companies who export products and services to Qatar but on the basis of smaller and specific contracts and without permanent representation in Qatar.

“There is certainly scope for expansion. They should take part in the large infrastructure projects connected to the World Cup 2022. As for the World Cup itself, the Belgian Sports Technology Club, an association of companies specialised in services and products for international (sports) events, is very interested in participating.”

Apart from MICE, there are regional similarities that could make for good exchange in learnings.

The common currency for one. “This is as much a political as a financial and monetary project. The euro has been a success but the recent past has learned that to be sustainable, the monetary union has to be supplemented by a stronger harmonisation of the national economic, fiscal, tax and social policies,” says Devolder. On the common market that the GCC states have been working on, he feels it is another long-term project. “It involves not only the abolition of internal custom borders and the creation of a unique common border with the outside world. The most difficult part is the harmonisation of legislations, regulations and rules concerning production, safety, marketing etc. of products and services. It involves also the introduction and implementation of strict rules to guarantee free and fair competition.”

There is no escaping this little naked boy – he is there on fridge magnets and chocolate moulds.

His imagery will stalk you – even tire you a bit. Legend has it that he saved the city of Brussels from a bomb by wetting it. And though he flaunts his nakedness, he has a wardrobe of close to 1,000 formal uniforms, gifted by visiting heads of state from around the world.

MICE capital With an annual MICE turnover of €4 million, about 25,000 people are employed in the industry in Brussels alone. In 2009, 70,000 meetings were held in the city, which resulted in more than 1.8 million overnights in 165 hotels, according to official statistics.

The similarities between Doha and Brussels are many, which is why it would pay to pay attention to how the European city pushes ahead of other hot MICE destinations in the EU. In general terms, Brussels’ main rivals for hosting MICE events are Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam. In 2009, Paris was the most popular choice for those organisations/ businesses that did not choose Brussels. In 2009, Brussels welcomed 2,728,516 visitors of whom 2% were from the Middle East

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DOHA d o h a DIA d IAr R Yy

Artistic Treasures The Great Traditions In Islamic History

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Sultan Ali Adil Shah II hunting tiger Deccani courtly painting that has survived from the 16th and 17th centuries

he unprecedented flowering of Islamic culture over the course of centuries and across geographies gave rise to a rich legacy which has no equivalent in other traditions of artistic endeavour.

An exhibition which Sotheby’s will mount at the Ritz-Carlton in Doha on March 5 and 6, will be highlighted by an extraordinary group of objects ranging from striking and beautiful Quranic scripts and other works of calligraphic inspiration through remarkable illuminated manuscripts and weaponry created for the Safavid, Mughal and

Deccani courts. All of these works will be offered at Sotheby’s London April 6, 2011 sale of the celebrated collection of Islamic Art assembled by the late scholar and collector, Stuart Cary Welch. One of the leading art historians of his generation who devoted his life to the study and teaching of Islamic art and culture, Welch was also an inspired collector renowned for his brilliant eye and exquisite taste.

The exhibition will include an illustrated folio from what is universally acknowledged as one of the supreme illustrated manu-

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The Throne Verse in the form of a calligraphic horse A calligraphic masterpiece which is another great artistic tradition of Islamic history

scripts of any period or culture and among the greatest works of art in the world – The Shahnameh made for Shah Tahmasp of Persia, the son of the founder of the Safavid Dynasty. The Shahnameh or ‘Book of Kings’ is the Persian national epic and that made for Shah Tahmasp between 1520 and 1540 in its complete form contained 258 ravishing illustrations. It is a monumental achievement of artistic skill and patronage, and a work of breathtaking quality and exquisite beauty. Depicting Faridun in the guise of a dragon testing his sons, the folio in ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper is estimated at QR11,720,000-17,580,000 and is attributed to Aqa Mirak who worked in the Safavid Royal Atelier. Its glittering provenance includes three emperors, Shah Isma`il, Shah Tahmasp, Sultan Selim II of the Ottoman Empire, as well as one of the great bibliophilic families of the modern era, the Barons de Rothschild.

A magnificent Ruby-Set Dagger with gilt-copper zoomorphic hilt made in the second half of the 16th Century is a superb example of another great artistic tradition of Islamic history, the Deccani Sultanates of South India. With a pommel which depicts a composition of fantastical and naturalistic beasts, including a deer attacked by a tiger which is itself being bitten by a dragon, the dagger is a most powerful and exuber-

ant display of royal grandeur and visionary craftsmanship. In it, an extraordinary range of artistic stratagem and motifs are unified into one object that encapsulates, in its dynamism and decorative range, the epitome of Deccani art. What is most fascinating about the dagger is the way in which the conscious imagery of hunting and dynastic power prevalent in Islamic courtly art reflected political and social events of the second half of the 16th century in India. Indeed, it can be argued that the dagger forms part of a conscious royal style for the reign of Ali Adil Shah I and his successor, Ibrahim Adil Shah II. It is estimated at £50,000 – 80,000(QR290,000-470,000).

A striking painting of Sultan Ali Adil Shah II hunting tiger is a relatively rare example of Deccani courtly painting to have survived from the 16th and 17th centuries as well as being one of the most glorious, rich and mesmerising of Deccani portraits.

It depicts the glittering, radiant, and yet almost dreamlike figure of the Sultan as he looses his arrow towards a tiger crouching on the rocks in front of him. Showing both Iranian and Mughal influence, the technical virtuosity of the artist is on display in the exquisite quality, accentuated forms and colours, lyricism and sensuousness of a work which still retains a rewarding sense of intimacy. Following on from Sotheby’s

successful sale Hurouf: The Art of the Word in Doha this past December, the exhibition will offer some exquisite examples of calligraphic art. A large illuminated Qur’an Folio in eastern kufic script on paper made in ink and gold on paper in Persia or Central Asia, circa 1075 – 1100 is an example of one of the most striking and beautiful Qur’anic scripts. Estimated at £60,000 80,000, (QR350,000- 470,000)it originates from a Qur’an of majestic elegance and breathtaking graphic power and is one of the most luxuriously decorated Qur’ans of the mediaeval period.

The Throne Verse (Ayat Al-Kursi) in the form of a calligraphic horse, in ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, in India circa 1600 is a calligraphic masterpiece (estimate: QR117,000- 175,000). In a superb technical and artistic achievement the artist has written the entire Throne Verse, one of the most popular verses in the Qur’an, forming the gold letters and words in an extraordinarily inventive and skilful manner into an elegantly prancing horse

Deccani dagger Made in the second half of the 16th Century

feedback qtoday@omsqatar.com

By Edward Gibbs Senior Director and Head of Sotheby’s Middle East Department

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doha diary

Meet the man of HOPE

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n 1982, Nick Vujicic was born limbless . Though everyone around him was gripped with fear over his severe disability, Vujicic dismissed the fears to become a man who inspires and motivates people from all walks of life.

During his motivational seminar at the in Qatar as part of the Message of HOPE 2011 event, he kept the audience in awe with the story of his challenging journey in life. He credited his attitude to life and the challenges that he faced as the reason for his success, and urged the audience to take a similar stand whenever they are faced with challenges, be it at school, college, daily life, or at work. Vujicic reiterated that, “it is not important whether you have fallen down in

life, but what’s more important is whether you will have the determination to stand up and keep going forward.”

The session was attended by various top executives of private and government organisations who were asked by Vujicic to focus on opportunities that come along with challenges, rather than the challenges alone. He explained that such determination would help people be successful in life.

By the end of this session, the audience learnt key lessons in life – To be thankful; To overcome fear of failure; To be a miracle for someone else and to perceive obstacles as opportunities in life. At the inauguration of the year’s programmes, HE Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, called upon the audience to take the life of

AN INSPIRATION NICK VUJICIC GIVES A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH AS PART OF THE MESSAGE OF HOPE 2011 EVENT

LESSONS TO LEARN VUJICIC WITH THE hsbc team after his speech

Vujicic as an example of how with determination and the right attitude, anything can be achieved in life.

This event was organised by the HOPE Qatar Centre for children with special needs, while HSBC Bank was the title sponsor and Mannai Corporation as the support sponsor of the session.

Aspetar Hosts Sudden Cardiac Death Conference

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spetar Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital held a sports cardiology conference to discuss the issue of sudden cardiac death among young Middle-Eastern athletes. The conference attracted 12 international cardiologists and pathologists to Qatar from UK, France, Ireland and Belgium.

Aspetar, Chief Medical Officer, Pro-

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fessor Gerard Saillant, said “The sudden death of a young, athletic individual is a tragic and often highly publicised event.

Young athletes have now called for the implementation of organised and proactive screening programmes. We are committed to improving the knowledge base, athlete awareness and the mitigation of sudden cardiac death, and we believe this

conference is a significant step forward in achieving these goals.”

Aspetar is collaborating with Shafallah Medical Genetics Center, St Georges Hospital London, Liverpool John Moores University, and PitiÈ-SalpÍtriËre Hospital, Paris to explore recently discovered genes believed to be associated with this medical condition.

DOHA DIA R Y

Clean sweep for the Chinese at the Qatar Open

Volunteers ‘Make a difference’

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hinese left-hander Xu-Xin claimed the Qatar Men’s Table Tennis Open in Doha on February 13.

The 20-year-old emphatically beat Timo Boll of Germany, the World Number one, in four straight sets, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 and 11-8.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Liu Shiwen, wrapped up her fifth International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) title, beating

compatriot Ding Ning in the Ladies final in a five-set classic.

Xu-Xin later did the ‘double’ when he paired up with Wang Liqin to claim his second title of the week, while Ding Ning was once again feeling the pain of a final defeat, as Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxai beat herself and Guo Yan in five sets.

The Open was dominated by the Chinese, with Timo Boll being the only non-Chinese player to reach the final day of competition.

DFI introduces new courses for filmmakers

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s part of its short film programme, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) has launched new courses for 13 aspiring filmmakers that will offer them an opportunity to participate in high-quality workshops and hands-on professional training. The five-month programme will have students attending evening and weekend sessions on scriptwriting, directing, cinematography and working with other actors. They will also

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learn about casting, location scouting and what needs to be done for pre-production.

At the end of the workshops, they would be able to produce 10-minute films using other students for crew and support. Candidates were selected after a thorough evaluation by a script reading committee of their 10minute scripts that each had to submit.

DFI received over 90 submissions from 25 nationalities including 18 Qatari applicants, representing a diverse mix of age groups (19-39) and cultural backgrounds.

round 85 students and faculty from Education City participated in this year’s ‘Make a Difference Day’ (MADD) to kick-start a number of community improvement projects in Doha and Al Khor. The event was organised by ROTA in partnership with Education City Campus Life (ECCL). Activities for the day included visits to the Qatar Foundation for Elderly People Care and the Qatar Animal Welfare Society, cleaning and painting the Sri Lankan Stafford International School and the Al-Khor Municipality.

“MADD is an important event for the students of Education City to come together and give back to the Qatar community. It is our hope that through these service projects and other opportunities throughout the year our students will develop a lifelong passion for service,” says Lindsay Coco, Coordinator, ECCL. ROTA Director, Essa Al-Mannai said, “A big thank you to everyone who took part and ensured that MADD 2011 really did make a difference. People helping even for just one day can make a big impact.”

DOHA DIA R Y

Renshaw takes the lead

TOUR OF QATAR PARTICIPANTS PEDDLE DOWN CORNICHE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE COMPETITION WITH mark renshaw finishing first

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ark Renshaw of Team HTCHighroad won the five-stage Tour of Qatar held from February 7- 11.

The Australian, who is more renowned for being Mark Cavendish’s lead-out man in big sprint finishes, won the penultimate stage into Al Kharaitiyat, and this was enough to set him up for the Overall victory the following day. He peddled

down the Doha Corniche on Stage five with relative ease, finishing ahead of his compatriot Heinrich Haussler by 8 seconds, in an overall time of 15h, 31’, 04.

Tom Boonen from Belgium won two stages, while Mark Cavendish – who has won 15 stages of Le Tour de France – disappointed fans, finishing well down on General Classification and failing to figure in any of the sprint finishes.

The ten best Hybrids These ten hybrids try to entertain practical issues using innovation and enterprise, to ultimately provide for a cleaner, greener planet.

2010 Toyota Prius The Prius gives you terrific fuel efficiency. Toyota has aggregated its power and fuel economy displays onto one monochrome screen, whilst they have also diluted the amount of graphics that can be on display, for safety reasons. The steering wHEEl has a very sporty feel to it.

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2010 Honda Insight EX The Insight EX promotes a fuel economy which is difficult to match, and its torque and throttle response is quite commendable. It can be quite fun to drive, as dropping the shift stick into “sport mode” affords the continuously variable transmission (CVT) more independence and also liberates the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

2010 Ford Fusion The Fusion Hybrid can run in either pure-electrical (EV) or gasoline mode or an aggregation of the two and Ford maintains the Fusion is reliable in EV mode up to 75kph. The SmartGuage interface – which comprises of two colour LCD screens – allows you to choose between four configuration screens, which tell you all you need to know about the hybrid’s performance.

2010 Lexus RX 450h

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The RX 450h is a technological dream. This particular 5-passenger SUV includes a hard-drive based navigation system, iPod integration and Bluetooth stereo streaming. The 3.5 litre, V6 engine is redundant until the hybrid accelerates or traverses the land at speeds above 48kph.

2010 Lexus HS250h

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The HS250h might be a very luxurious and technological conveyance, but if, as I suspect, it’s the green statistics you are interested it, then the fuel efficiency isn’t anything to shout about. However, such is the technological advancements, the driver is able to customize its efficiency against performance.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid As a commuter car, the MKZ Hybrid ticks all the boxes. It’s terrifically fuel efficient with a very comfortable interior, and its cabin tech is on a par with other vehicles in its price range. Its style and aesthetic look do fail to excite though.

2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid The Altima’s ability for quick acceleration at mid-range speeds is commendable. The gas engine gets a boost from the electric motor at 90-100kph and the suspensions were well able to cope with this. The steering handles swift lane changes well. It uses the same full hybrid system as the Camry

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

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The Power button doesn’t exactly crank the hybrid into action; the displays and configuration screens light up, but the vehicle remains silent. The 2.4 litre engine doesn’t start working until you have the car rolling along at a comfortable speed. The transition from electric to battery is smooth and relatively seamless, although you will know when it happens.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

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Commuters and urbanites will take to the Ford Escape’s great fuel efficiency and, of course, the technological sophistication which is very evident when you sit inside. But once it gets out on the open freeway, it can frustrate with its performance and reliability at mid-high speeds.

2010 Cadillac Escalade In only its second year of production, this 8-passenger beast takes the same gasoline/electric discipline as the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, but adds its own distinctive style to its make-up. Its 6.0 litre V8 engine is relieved by two 60 kilowatt electric motors to produce almost 400 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque.

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