Gulf Insider

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

-The Arabian Review Exclusive

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider Issue 83

Bahrain

Keith Bulfin : Former Undercover Agent

Syria

Uprising Falls Victim to Power Plays

Qatar

Big Player in the Great Game

40 Years of Independance GulfInsider takes a look back at the last 40 years of Bahrain’s history.

Bahrain BD2

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider

Inside this issue...

14. Bahrain

24. Bahrain

39. Travel

18. UK-Bahrain

26. Wealth

44. Cars

20. Legend in Bahrain

32. Syria

46. Art

22. Bahrain

34. Qatar

48. Fashion

40 Years of Independance

British Ambassador Iain Lindsay

Exclusive - Denis Irwin Interview

Bahrain and the BICI Report

A Market View

Barclay’s Report

Syria Uprising

Big Player in the Great Game

Special Airline Offers from Bahrain

Ferrari 458 and Ferrari FF

Symbolic Cities

Men’s Fashion

COMMENT “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

- David Brinkley

GulfInsider

r Gulf Financial Inside

The multi-award

magazine winning Arabian

n Review -The Arabia rain

Issue 83

Exclusive

Bah

Keith Bulfin : ver Agent Former Underco

Syria

Victim Uprising Falls to Power Plays

Qatar

Big Player in the

Great Game

dance of Indeplaset 40nyea rs of 40 Years at the es a look back GulfInsider tak y.

Bahrain’s histor Bahrain BD2

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

Qatar Hedges 2012 Oil A debt-mired global economy needs less oil than one with its books in order, and it seems at least one Middle-Eastern oil producer is concerned that falling demand will depress oil prices enough to warrant spending a fair chunk of change on insurance.

barrels of oil per day (bbl/d). We say “seems” because Qatar’s government did not announce its move; rather, bankers and brokers noticed signs of a major hedging effort starting in August with a notable surge in option buying and tracked the activity back to Qatar and Mexico.

Qatar seems to have hedged about a quarter of its 2012 oil production, buying put options - contracts that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell at a predetermined price and date - covering about 200,000

Over the last two decades Qatar has rarely hedged its oil.

Mexican officials described the hedge as insurance “against a really bad outcome” for the global economy, not as a bet on the direction of oil prices.

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider

Publishers:

Nicholas & Rebecca Cooksey

Editor in Chief:

Nicholas Cooksey

P.O. Box 26810, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Tel: +973 1782 2388, Fax: +973 1772 1722 www.ArabianMagazines.com

Published by:

A Division of C.G. Arabia W.L.L. 6

Gulf Financial Insider October 2008

Administration:

Admin & Finance Redia Castillo Nikesh Pola

Printed at:

Layout:

Dhanraj S.

Senior Editorial:

Layla Crocker Tariq Hussain Wasim Khan Khalid Nasir

Ministry of Information approval no.

TFI431© Copyright 2009. Arabian Magazines is a division of CG Arabia WLL. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written ermission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Proofreader:

Karina Lazarraga

Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Guest Correspondents: Annabel Kantaria* Richard Spencer Con Coughlin

CB Richard Ellis Ramzy Baroud

*Articles by these correspondents are the copyright of

Telegraph Media Group, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT, England.

For advertising enquiries call Tel: +973 1782 2383, 1782 2365 e-mail: sales@ArabianMagazines.com

your views

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider -The Arabian Review MADE IN BAHRAIN Monthly focus on Bahraini companies making a difference in the community.

This month featuring:

TAIB Bank

Issue 82

Equal Chances for Expat Business

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Libya

The Arab Spring

Formula One Memories Rizwan Mumtaz is leaving his mark after project managing and ‘pioneering’ the Formula One race track …

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider -The Arabian Review

Issue 81

MADE IN BAHRAIN

Bahrain Travel ban hardship

Monthly focus on Bahraini companies making a difference in the community.

This month featuring:

Bahrain and Pakistan

Proact

Strengthening relations

Dubai

Highest economic development

Distinguished Women The successful and inspirational women who are making a difference in Bahrain.

Bahrain BD2

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

Gulf Financial Insider

GulfInsider -The Arabian Review

Monthly focus on Bahraini companies making a difference in the community.

World’s biggest tower

This month featuring:

Dubai

Euro Motors Fraser Suites

Expats quitting?

Somalia Pirates

Communication Matters Central Informatics Organisation and TRA President Dr Mohammed A. Al-Amer discusses Bahrain’s future plans.

6

KSA SR20

Kuwait KD1.75

Oman RO2

Qatar QR20

UAE DHS20

Gulf Insider December 2011

Acid Attacks Must Stop

Come Back to Bahrain!

How sick do some people have to be, to go and buy acid and proceed to throw it in someone’s face, leaving them permanently and horrifically scarred? Acid attacks on women in Asia are worryingly becoming more and more common and nothing is being done regarding prosecution. Women desperately need to be given a voice and this disgusting violence has to stop, almost all victims know their attackers who they often trust which is even more shocking. Thank you for making people more aware and hopefully justice will be done.

It was really interesting reading about the development of the Formula One track and how much work was put into it over the 16 months. It is obvious it has brought so much tourism and income into the country and has put Bahrain on the international map, I just hope that the race will be back next year better than ever.

Come on Bernie!

Expat Greda

Road-Nutters What will it take to make Gulf roads safer then, as there are so many people with complete disregard to road safety.

More shock tactics in advertisements are vital for people to take notice and realise they should wear seatbelts and not drive at 100 miles an hour with their child on their lap. It seems ridiculous for some expats but here it seems perfectly normal. Almost every day I encounter a near-accident which is always the result of someone else’s erratic, terrible driving skills. It all boils down to education; better driving schools with tougher exams must be introduced asap.

Safety-conscious Abraham

Issue 80

MADE IN BAHRAIN

Saudi Arabia

Bahrain BD2

gulfinsider@ArabianMagazines.com

Bahrain

Make Gulf Roads Safer

Bahrain BD2

Send your views to

Phone-Addicts I remember seeing an advert in the UK a little while ago showing a staged car crash which was incredibly graphic, explaining that if people try and use their phones whilst driving they are more than likely to end up in some sort of collision. Almost 9 out of 10 people here are always on their phones whilst driving and pay barely any attention to the road, I believe lack of concentration is the main cause of crashes and harsher penalties must be bought in about using mobiles whilst driving.

Anna

F1 Fanatic

Depressing But Gripping Gulf Insider, are you trying to depress your readers with all of these stories about suicide?! Ok, I admit even though these are terrible events you can’t help but want to read them because they are so shocking, especially when young people are involved. It happens far too often that teenagers and young adults around the world are taking their lives, with most cases relating to a relationship breakdown or argument. Devastating but interesting to read.

Anonymous

Gaddafi is Gone!

Last month millions of people celebrated when blurry video footage went viral of a captured bloody-faced Gaddafi showing him minutes before he was killed. Even though this man was an evil dictator it was still quite uncomfortable viewing showing him being pushed around whilst wounded and obviously very dazed.

It was important to show that he had been captured so people knew it was him for certain, but maybe things were taken a little too far when his corpse was plastered over the internet and newspapers. A trial would have been interesting and probably the ‘right’ thing to do but I think most are happy he has gone and got what he deserved so things can now improve for Libya. He lived by the sword and died by the sword.

Non-Sympathetic Carole

Business Roundup

Bahrain to Probe Deals of Convicted UK Fraudster

Christie’s Sees Sales of USD7.3m at Dubai Auctions Auction house Christie’s have sold USD7.3 million of modern and contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish art at its two auctions in Dubai.

Work by five contemporary Emirati artists totalled with USD40,750 with Lateefa Bint Maktoum’s ‘The Last Look’ sold for USD12,500 against a pre-sale estimate of USD6-8,000, said Christie’s.

Work by the contemporary Iranian artist Sohrab Sepehir sold for USD662,500 to a private Middle Eastern collector, a world record at auction for the artist.

Interest in contemporary Middle Eastern art is continuing to grow, spurred by an increase in galleries, art shows and auctions said Director of Christie’s Middle East Isabelle de La Bruyere.

Christie’s Dubai, which opened in the emirate in 2006, set the record for the highest-grossing auction of Middle East art in October, taking USD31million.

Christie’s in July said first half sales increased by 15 per cent boosted by USD10.8 million in sales in the Middle East and auctions of contemporary works by artists such as Andy Warhol.

Bahraini officials have vowed to investigate claims that a convicted fraudster used the Royal family’s name to obtain shares in a UK investment bank and to take control of an English football club.

Russell King managed to get hold of 49 per cent of First London bank shares and took control of Notts County Football Club in 2009 by falsely claiming he was managing billions of dollars for the Bahraini Royal family, according to an investigation by the BBC’s Panorama.

First London Bank went into administration last year with debts of USD14.2million while Notts County were left close to bankruptcy with debts of more than USD11million when the money failed to materialise.

The BBC tracked Russell King down to a property in Seef Apartments in Manama where he refused to answer questions and is currently banned from leaving Bahrain in relation to a separate case for outstanding loans, the programme said.

In a statement to the BBC, King denied any involvement in the running of Notts County, SCH or First London. He said he was never a shareholder, director or beneficiary in any of the deals and that he only acted as consultant.

John Armstrong-Jones, Notts County Supporters Trust, which owned the club, added: “We believed we were selling it to some very wealthy benefactors in the Middle East. We were made to believe they were members of one of the Middle Eastern royal families.”

When investment failed to arrive and debts built up at the club, police were called in to investigate.

Marriott Eyes Luxury Brand Bahrain Hotel in 2016 Marriott International are planning to open a hotel in Bahrain under its luxury brand JW Marriott in 2016.

The JW Marriott Manama will be part of the Bahrain Bay development and is under a management agreement with owner Khaleejcapita.

The hotel will have 274 rooms and suites and 102 residences in Bahrain Bay, close to Bahrain Financial Harbour and opposite the diplomatic quarter.

The 50-storey hotel tower is part of the USD2.5bn bay development master planned by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.

The project is designed by renowned architect Yousif Daoud Al Sayegh and Associates who designed the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman.

He said that the project represents

8

Gulf Insider December 2011

the first entry for the group in the hospitality field and that many other hotel and resort projects are in the pipeline for Bahrain and Qatar.

Marriott International will also open a 78-unit Residence Inn by Marriott in 2012 and the 318-room Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Island Hotel in 2013.

Business Roundup

The REAL Cost of Apple’s iPhone 4S The REAL cost of Apple’s iPhone 4S and if you’ve just saved $800 for a new model, you should look away now...

The touchscreen and display unit of Apple’s iPhone 4S cost $5.90 It might have underwhelmed the devotees, but sales of Apple’s iPhone 4S topped four million in just three days following last month’s launch, and it’s still the must-have smartphone this winter. Of course, those sleek looks don’t come cheap. Or do they..?

Out of contract, the iPhone 4S will cost you $800 (BD300), but we can reveal that the nuts, bolts and high-end circuitry inside cost far less – see below for the total.

Expert analysts from technology firm iSuppli have prised open the pristine casing and totted up the cost of each component.

Some are reassuringly expensive – the touchscreen and display unit cost $37 – but others are less confidenceinspiring.

Next time you’re cursing the battery life, remember it’s only worth $5.90.

Gulf Air Wins Best Airline Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Gulf Air was chosen as the best airline for promoting corporate social responsibility in the aviation industry.

The award was announced at the fifth annual Aviation Business Awards (ABA), in Dubai last month and the event attracted nearly 250 senior aviation officials from across the world.

Gulf Air CEO Samer Majali explained that the award has come at the right time when globally corporate social responsibility has become a top issue, particularly in the aviation industry as it has direct impact on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment.

Accepting the award at the ceremony in Dubai, Gulf Air Chief Operational Officer Captain Nasser Al Salmi said that Gulf Air has been proactively engaged in several CSR initiatives in the past few years that have shown positive results across the entire CSR spectrum and was very pleased Gulf Air had been recognised for their hard work.

The annual Aviation Business Awards (ABA) is well respected among the aviation industry as recognition of achievements within the Middle East aerospace industry.

This year’s awards included 15 categories in total, covering the airline, airport, cargo sectors, CSR, technology,etc. The airline was also shortlisted for the best full service airline and technology implementation awards.

m2rglobal have been to Bahrain and will be back soon!

Have you signed up yet?? Many companies did and they are reaping the benefits.

We offer: s )NNOVATIVE AND 5.)15% recruitment services s !N HONEST AND FRESH approach s 0ROVEN SUCCESS WITHIN Bahrain and further afield

Don’t take our word for it.

Speak to any of the clients we work with and they will tell you the same.

Proud to be the first UK recruitment firm to be featured in the GDN. Why follow the rest when you can work with the best?

Email: info@m2rglobal.com or call +973 3618 8782 or +44 1924 888 185 www.m2rglobal.com (Have you seen the signed sports shirt hanging in Sherlock Holmes yet?

Take a look at the plaque underneath…..)

Any vacancy. Anywhere.

Gulf Insider December 2011

9

Business Roundup

‘Manara’ the Golden Sponsor of Youth Arab Leadership Manara Developments were the golden sponsors for a forum held by ‘Youth Arab Leaderships’ (YAL) last month under the slogan ‘Building the Leaders of Future Generations.’

Managing Director Hassan Al Bastaki commented on the occasion saying that the sponsorship comes in line with the company’s interest and its commitment to support institutions that work in the field of society development. The company also has a strong belief in the mission of the pioneering regional organisation supporting youth and building their potentials for their future roles in their communities.

This forum comes within a five-year strategic plan for the organisation, and it will host four of the highly acclaimed international leadership trainers in its four days sessions. The forum will also provide 200 creative opportunities for the Bahraini youth in the field of management.

‘Youth Arab Leaderships’ is a nonprofit organiaation, established in February 2004 during the Dead Sea World Economic Forum, with a vision to elevate economic and social standards of the Arab countries, through various sectors and segments of the society. It focuses in particular on the leadership characteristics and entrepreneurship in business and education.

The Youth Arab Leadership Organisation aims at developing youth potentials within the coming years, through many supportive and training programs and initiatives that would augment Arab youths with the skills and knowledge of strong leadership, and help them live up to their best potentials.

10

Gulf Insider December 2011

Hassan Al-Bastaki - Managing Director of Manara Developments Co.

Jobs

200,000 Finance Jobs lost!

J

ob losses in the global financial services industry this year are close to surpassing 200,000 as Citigroup Inc. (C), France’s BNP Paribas SA and Bank of America Corp. (BAC) eliminate employees to reduce costs.

Citigroup, the US bank that shook up senior management earlier this month, may cut as many as 3,000 jobs as Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit squeezes out costs, said a person familiar with the company’s plans. BNP Paribas, France’s biggest bank, said today it will trim about 1,400 jobs at its investment-banking unit, with most coming from the lender’s capital markets and structured-finance teams. Bank of America also cut part of its equities unit in Europe.

The reductions add to the 195,000 banks, insurers and asset managers announced this year, and surpass the 174,000 losses in 2009. Lenders are reducing staff as the European sovereign debt crisis roils markets, crimps revenue from trading stocks and bonds, and deters companies from takeovers or stock offerings. Regulators are also forcing banks to set aside more capital for their riskiest operations, cutting the profitability of fixed-income units.

“I have never seen it as bad,” said Jason Kennedy, 41, CEO of Kennedy Group in London and a recruiter for the past 16 years. “The future is also bleak.

This will continue for another 14 or 15 months: 2012 is definitely a write-off.”

Citigroup cuts - Citigroup plans to eliminate about 1 per cent of its staff,

according to the person, who wasn’t authorised to speak publicly about the cuts. The figure is an estimate and may change, the person cautioned. Among the jobs eliminated may be 900 from the division that includes the bank’s trading and investment-banking operations, the person said. Citigroup, ranked third by assets among US lenders, employed about 267,000 people at the end of the third quarter.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to control expenses, we are making targeted headcount reductions in

The reductions add to the 195,000 banks, insurers and asset managers announced this year, and surpass the 174,000 losses in 2009. certain businesses and functions across Citi,” Danielle Romero-Apsilos, a spokeswoman for the New York-based lender, said by e-mail.

Citigroup posted a 74 per cent increase in third-quarter profit, aided by a USD1.9 billion accounting gain that softened the impact of lower trading and investmentbanking revenue. The bank said in September it would limit hiring only to “critical” jobs to control costs and boost revenue as new regulations on minimum capital levels take effect.

BNP Paribas (BNP) Cuts - BNP Paribas plans to eliminate 6.5 per cent of employees at its investment and corporate-banking unit, which had about 21,400 employees worldwide at the end of September, according to the bank’s website. About 373 jobs will go in France, where the lender’s trading operations are based, BNP Paribas said.

“Like all banks, BNP Paribas must adapt its business to the new regulatory environment, which impacts in particular the capital-markets and structuredfinance activities,” Julia Boyce, a Paris-based spokeswoman, said by telephone.

BNP Paribas said Nov. 3 it expects about 1.2 billion euros in losses from disposals and one-time costs as it speeds up asset cuts to comply with capital rules.

The company has pledged to reduce its balance sheet by 10 percent, including cutting USD82 billion in corporate- and investment-banking assets.

Bank of America - the second-

biggest US lender by deposits, cut part of its top-ranked Merrill Lynch & Co. equities division in Europe, said two people familiar with the situation. The cuts yesterday affected specialist sales and generalist sales, said the people, who declined to be identified because the information isn’t public. They didn’t provide a number of positions affected.

Separately, the lender reduced its sales and trading team in Dubai by 40 per cent, to six people from ten, according to people with knowledge of the talks. GFI

Gulf Insider December 2011

11

lf I

Gu

x

rE

de nsi

ive

s clu

Keith Bulfin: Author, Banker ...

Former Undercover Agent His story reads like a script from a Hollywood movie, only this is the real life story of a man ensnared in a world so horrific, that his only goal was to survive. Keith lived to tell the tale and Gulf Insider gets an exclusive on his incredible story - how he went from the Melbourne Stock Market to Australia’s Port Philip Prison, to infiltrating the drug cartels of Mexico.

L

istening to Keith Bulfin, one is transfixed as he recounts the dreadful horror he went through.

Keith was a successful stock broker and banker in Australia; but in 1997 he was charged with conspiracy to defraud over a valuation related to property lending, and he later found himself in a high security jail.

He lived with his family in an upmarket suburb in Melbourne, and unbeknownst to him at the time, Keith lived about 800 metres from two Mexican fugitives. They had arrived in Australia and were under surveillance by state and federal police.

Then the cruel twist of events - which seemed almost surreal - began.

“All of a sudden this has gone from my lawyer saying, ‘Oh, this is a piece of cake. They’re charging you for conspiracy to defraud over a valuation, we’ll get off this. Nothing’s gonna happen to you ‘til you plead guilty,’. Then I’m sitting there with state prosecutors saying, ‘Look, we’ll give you three or four months in jail, and then maybe you’re out.’ Well it didn’t happen that way.”

Everything was promised to Keith, but he was sent to jail - into a maximum security unit.

All of a sudden things make a turn for the worse. “I was stabbed twice, beaten up – the whole thing was designed to get me into this maximum security unit called

12

Gulf Insider December 2011

Sirius East,” he recounts. It’s a unit made up of about 20 guys, with twelve of them never to be released as they were mass murderers and psychopaths. “If you look at them the wrong way, they would climb over a table and stab you, because they had nothing to lose. So these guys would stab and fight each other – we were under 24-hour surveillance,” Keith recalls his early days in prison.

Meanwhile, the two Mexicans, Daniel Gomez and his brother-in-law are

If you look at them the wrong way, they would climb over a table and stab you, because they had nothing to lose. arrested, and are put straight into this group as well. As Keith is sucked into this unit, he eventually befriends Gomez and his companion. As it turns out, they were the only three in the unit who were alike – they were all bankers, they studied Economics, had similarities in their social backgrounds and their interests were the same: they followed the stock market, their kids attended private school; they

were interested in education and politics.

But the most common interest they shared was – surviving. “In that unit, it was a matter of working out how you can survive,” he remembers.

The Mexican government were hot on Gomez’s trails as he was believed to be laundering funds between USD80million to USD100 million for the drug cartels, before escaping with a government payout of USD1.2bn. He disappeared and was later traced in Australia whilst running a business there.

When the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) learned that Gomez was in prison in Australia, they knew the options were limited as to finding the drug cartels. The only way they thought how was for someone to befriend Gomez and try and get him to come to Mexico. “So what were the options? Well, the option was me,” said Keith.

Having learnt of his friendship with Gomez, the DEA approached him to run a sting operation in Mexico, making use of the trust he had gained whilst in prison.

Upon his release in 2000, he went to San Diego and opened a bank to launder money for the cartels, under DEA orders to record all conversations and get as much information as possible about the families making billions of dollars by smuggling drugs into the US.

people

Keith Bulfin Keith had an inkling of what was to come and felt sure that he would be abandoned by the DEA if he found himself in serious danger, so he figured it was best that he had a plan to ensure his survival.

He describes the process of playing the DEA off against the cartels as a game of chess, so he made sure he was prepared for any eventuality. Often, before meetings with members of the cartel, he would study the location, look for exits and he was often, alone. He never got into any social dealings with them too, which Keith says, proved right and on more than one occasion had saved his life.

Keith gained the trust of the cartel families and he was running a successful operation before things went horribly wrong. After the arrival of another agent who had been running an operation in Colombia, Keith was uncomfortable with the idea of taking him to one of the meetings with the cartel members and their bankers. He was worried the Mexicans would associate the guy with their Colombian rivals.

True enough, as soon as Keith’s

companion comes out of the toilet and joins the rest of the party, the goons soon determine that the guy was not a banker. Guns were drawn, a long shootout ensued and Keith found himself in a hotel room, horribly shaken and unable to move, surrounded by a dead Mexican, a dead Colombian and a dead

‘Just for some entertainment’, was how the Mexicans described the killings.

DEA agent, a wounded Colombian and a suitcase stuffed with USD10million.

His book, ‘Undercover’ is an account of how he escaped that situation, and describes how he found himself without any help from the “supposed authorities” when he came into trouble whilst entrenched in the world of the drug cartels.

The unimaginable horrors he went through has certainly left emotional and psychological scars on Keith. He

describes a harrowing scenario in which a gang of eight men and a woman were executed before his eyes. ‘Just for some entertainment’, was how the Mexicans described the killings.

Naturally terrified that the gangsters might come after him, Keith is now more assured and less worried about his safety, as “almost all of the ‘family’ members I dealt with are either long dead or in jail.”

This powerful tale takes you through the extraordinary circumstances of Keith’s life for the past ten years - the pain of seeing the breakup of his family life, living in constant fear and feeling a deep sense of injustice. It is a story of remarkable courage and a steely resolve for survival.

A movie of his life, to be called ‘The Banker,’ is already in the works and a ‘big name’ Hollywood director is set to be leading it, but details of which cannot yet be revealed, according to Keith. GFI

Keith Bulfin’s book, ‘Undercover’ is available from www.amazon. com and also from his website: www.keithbulfin.com

Gulf Insider December 2011

13

Bahrain

40 Years of Independance

In the Summer of 1971 on August 15th Bahrain formally announced gaining independence from Britain. This occasion was marked by the signing of a friendship treaty and Bahrain was declared a Sovereign State. This day is now celebrated on December 16th on Bahrain’s National Day and Gulf Insider takes a look back at the last 40 years of Bahrain’s rich history.

1981

A Timeline of Events 1973

A constitution is adapted. The elected National Assembly meets for the first time.

His Highness the late Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and his Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa with members of the constituent council to prepare the constitution.

14

Gulf Insider December 2011

Bahrain becomes a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the United Arab Emirates , Kingdom of Bahrain (then the State of Bahrain), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar and State of Kuwait met in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates.

The six GCC flags

Bahrain 1986

The King Fahd causeway opens to the public in November which links Bahrain to the mainland of Saudi Arabia, taking five years for building to be completed.

The 25km King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

1997

The Government of Bahrain acquires sole ownership of the petroleum company Bapco on April 1st.

1991

Between January and February as part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Peninsula Shield Force, Bahrain participates in the coalition ‘Operation Desert Storm’ against Iraq at the end of the Gulf War.

The Emir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa Bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, presents the Bahrain Medal to Lt. Gen. Charles Horner, Commanding General of the U.S. Central Air Force.

Horner visited the Emir at his private residence in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm.

2001

The Shura Council approves the new Municipal Election Law. The law outlines that Bahrain is to be divided into five municipalities: Capital, Muharraq, Northern District, Central District and Southern District. Each municipality will have a constitution and will control its own finances and administration. There will be 10 elected members representing the different constituencies in the region. All Bahraini citizensmen and women-will have the right to vote and to be elected as members of the board of directors of the municipal council for a four-year term. Also, non-citizens (GCC nationals) who own real estate in Bahrain and are permanent residents will be eligible to vote in the elections.

Bapco owns the 250,000 barrel-a-day refinery and has storage facilities for more than 14 million barrels.

1999

HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa passes away and his son HH Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa assumes the title of Crowne Prince on March 9th.

2000

In September the Emir appoints for the first time non-Muslims and women to the Consultative Council, including four women - one of whom is a Christian - and a Jewish businessman.

The 1st opening session of Al Shura and Representatives Councils on Dec. 14th 2002.

Gulf Insider December 2011

15

Bahrain 2002

In accordance with the National Action Charter’s constitutional amendments, Bahrain becomes a constitutional monarchy and is declared ‘The Kingdom of Bahrain’, allowing women to stand for office in a package of reforms. In May local elections were held, Bahrain’s first poll for almost 30 years. For the first time women vote and stand as candidates, but fail to win a seat.

2003

United States and Bahrain first discuss strengthening trade and economic relationship and a month later the White House issues a statement on U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.

2004

Michael Schumacher, the six-time Grand Prix world champion, takes first place at the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in March. April saw Nada Haffadh become health minister, the first woman to head a government ministry.

2005

Bahrain ranked as the Arab World’s freest economy by Heritage Foundation/ Wall Street Journal.

King of Pop Michael Jackson moves to Bahrain as his life is falling apart at the seams and is offered a sanctuary in the Kingdom where he remains for 11 months.

2006

In January US President George W Bush signs a bill to enact the 2004 US-Bahrain free-trade agreement after it is approved by the US Congress. In March a pleasure boat capsizes off the Bahrain coast, claiming the lives of 58 passengers.

2008

In May, a Jewish woman, Houda Nonoo was appointed Bahrain’s ambassador to the USA. She is believed to be the Arab world’s first Jewish ambassador.

2009

April the King pardons more than 170 prisoners charged with endangering national security, including 35 Shias being tried on charges of trying to overthrow the state.

2011

Thousands of protesters gather in Manama in February, inspired by popular revolts that toppled rulers in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

A security crackdown results in the death of several protestors and the king releases a number of political prisoners as a conciliatory gesture.

In June, Crowne Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met US President Barack Obama in talks regarding the National Dialogue.

16

Gulf Insider December 2011

Thousands of protestors gathered at the Pearl Roundabout monument which was eventually pulled down.

Bahrain

The 1st opening session of Al Shura Council on January 16th 1993.

‘A session in Al Shura Council’

His Majesty the King submits the draft of the National Action Charter in November 2000.

U.S. President George W. Bush carrying an Arabic sword during a visit to Bahrain in 2008.

Gulf Insider December 2011

17

people

Bahrain’s mission British Ambassador to Bahrain Iain Lindsay talks to Gulf Insider about encouraging investment, improving education and helping those stuck with travel bans.

Y

ou arrived in Bahrain just after the start of Ramadan. How do you feel about the upcoming challenges and pressure of responsibility in your new position?

I helped to run two significantly larger diplomatic missions in my last two jobs, in Hong Kong and Romania, so I feel ready to run my own mission. The challenges facing Bahrain are numerous: political, economic and social. But the UK wants to help. It will be a challenge to broaden and deepen our bilateral relations at a time when some people in the UK are more cautious about Bahrain because of the events of earlier this year. It is also a challenge to encourage UK companies to look at the business opportunities offered in and through Bahrain at a time when other Gulf business destinations are the flavour of the month. I am convinced that working in partnership, whether it is with Bahrainis, local Brits or our international partners, the Embassy team and I can make a positive difference.

What main priorities will you first undertake as the new British Ambassador?

On the political side, helping our longstanding ally and friend to get back onto the track of reform and reconciliation, which is essential for Bahrain’s long-term stability. On the economic side, getting more British companies into Bahrain, contributing to Bahrain’s economic development and encouraging more Bahraini investment into the UK. On the consular and community side, a main priority is helping those Brits who are

18

Gulf Insider December 2011

subject to travel bans and seeking reform of the travel ban system.

How long have you been in the Diplomatic service and what have been your other postings?

I joined the Diplomatic Service way back in 1980. I have served in Tokyo twice, Canberra, Bucharest and most recently, Hong Kong. I also did temporary stints in Warsaw, where I met my wife Bridget who is also a British diplomat.

Education and training is an area where we can do a lot more together as Bahrain seeks to become the pre-eminent hub in the Gulf for learning and development.”

How will you contribute to the further development of the warm bilateral relations between the UK and Bahrain?

By working with Bahrainis and local Brits and encouraging new ideas and initiatives. Identifying areas where we can improve the relationship and identifying new opportunities, whether in business or in other areas. Education and training for example, is an area where we can do a lot more together as Bahrain seeks to

become the pre-eminent hub in the Gulf for learning and development. British schools, universities, training institutions and professional organisations are widely regarded as global leaders, so Bahrain would really benefit from greater cooperation with the UK. You recently paid tribute to the contribution of UK servicemen and women in Bahrain helping with the security of the region. The British Embassy also set up a Facebook page providing information to expats.

How will you continue working with the expat community in particular to update them with information and make them feel safe?

I feel very strongly that there should be greater acknowledgement of the terrific role played by members of our armed forces here. They make a significant contribution to regional, and thus Bahraini security, as well as to the security of the UK. Given the events of earlier this year, I am keen to reinvigorate the warden network in the British community. Shortly after I arrived, my wife and I hosted an event for them and other leaders of the British community.

That was a start. There is still more that we need to do, for example while many members of the community appreciate the way we have used our Facebook site to engage with the community and to provide members of the community with a platform to share useful information, I appreciate that some Brits would prefer a more efficient messaging system. We are not there yet on that issue.

people How will you help British business in the region?

It is important to identify those areas where it makes sense to come into the region via Bahrain (for new entrants) and to publicise those as well as the commercial opportunities available in and through Bahrain. Also, I want to work closely with UK companies based elsewhere in the Gulf to identify opportunities here. I have already been in touch with many including Rolls Royce, Shell and City and Guilds to name but a few.

How do you feel about Bahrain as a whole and had you visited before you joined as the new Ambassador?

My family and I have been made very welcome

by Bahrainis and Brits. We are hugely enjoying being here. It’s a cosmopolitan place and I love the mix of nationalities. I had only visited Bahrain once prior to my arrival, for one day in early March.

I want to see more UK companies in Bahrain. It is more of a challenge now but given sustainable stability there are good opportunities here in this dynamic, highgrowth region.

How will you step up trade ties between the UK and Bahrain after recent events?

I want to see more UK companies in Bahrain, contributing to this country’s economic development. It is more of a challenge now, but given sustainable stability there are good opportunities here in this dynamic, high-growth region. When working in partnership, as we did with the highly successful Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), I am convinced that the Embassy, UK Trade and Investment, the BBBF, the EDB and BCCI can make a real difference.

Iain Lindsay

What are your future goals for the British Embassy in Bahrain?

The goal is to be a constructive and effective partner to Bahrain as it moves forward politically, economically and socially. To continue helping UK and Bahraini business as they seek to grow bilateral trade and investment and to support the British community on both consular and community issues. GFI

Gulf Insider December 2011

19

lf I

Gu

x

rE

de nsi

ive

s clu

A Glittering Career Footballing legend Denis Irwin talks exclusively to Gulf Insider during his visit to Bahrain about Alex Ferguson, teammates and career highlights at Manchester United.

Y

ou are in Bahrain for VIVA’s ‘Win A Trip’ campaign where fans can visit Old Trafford to watch a game. Tell us more about the campaign and how you got involved.

I was here back in May forVIVA’sprevious campaign which was very successful and the 33 kids that won had a great time seeing how the teams train in the UK. Andrew (Cole) and I are retired but we are still involved with Manchester United, especially on match days. I encouraged Andrew to come along as Bahrain is a great place and we will get to see more of it this time. The idea of the“Win a Trip” campaign is to make dreams come true for Manchester United enthusiasts in Bahrain. Manchester United fans will be offered live updates, text commentary and news on the team through the VIVA Manchester United SMS service. There is a great chance for the fans to enter 4 draws through-out the season and win match tickets to attend a Manchester United match at Old Trafford.

Who would you say is the best player at the moment, and of all time?

I think one of the most talked about and important players at Manchester

20

Gulf Insider December 2011

United is Wayne Rooney. He’s not just a goal scorer but also a provider and a lot of the time the games revolve around him. Personally, I am a big fan of Vidic, United’s team captain. One of the best players of all time would have to be Roy Keane, and Ryan Giggs is still playing from my era - he seems to be going on forever! I feel privileged to have played with these guys.

There are a lot of downsides to being a professional footballer but it is a fantastic job, probably the best job in the world.

The life of a high-profile footballer to many seems very glamorous, are there any downsides to being a footballer?

You have to look after yourself, you can’t go out when all of your friends are - which is not easy, particularly for

a 17-year-old. Your late teenage years are the most important four or five years of being a footballer, when your development really kicks in. There are plenty of distractions at that age but you have to be dedicated. Travelling is great but most of the time you only get to see hotel bedrooms so that can become quite

People monotonous. Nowadays there is a lot of pressure, especially now all of the games are televised. There are a lot of downsides but it is a fantastic job, probably the best job in the world!

Alex Ferguson is one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of football. From personal experience, what makes him such a successful manager?

His desire to succeed; he is not afraid of hard work. He was the first one to training every day. The way he handles players now is very different to my era, there is a lot of money in the game now and many millionaires out there so it is not easy controlling up to 25 people in a squad. He is also as honest as the

Your late teenage years are the most important four or five years of being a footballer, when your development really kicks in. day is long; there are no grey areas with him. His general knowledge of the game helps a great deal and for him to win twelve premier leagues in 25 years and countless other trophies is a testament to his ability as a manager.

Denis Irwin

What has been the highlight of your career at Manchester United?

1999 was probably the biggest year for me. I grew up in Ireland and got to the age of about 15 and realised all I wanted to be was a footballer. Just to be a professional was fantastic but to play for the top club for twelve years and to be involved in a team where we completed such a unique treble-trophy win in ’99 was just incredible. GFI

Phtoto by: Armand Hough, www.iamfotografie.com Gulf Insider December 2011

21

Bahrain

Bahrain and the BICI Report

By Con Coughlin

H

ow refreshing to see an Arab government put its hand up and actually admit that it has done something wrong. The normal custom when trouble flares is for such rulers to deny any culpability and launch a crackdown against anyone foolhardy enough to raise their voice in protest.

Just think how very different the mood in the region might be today had Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the former Tunisian president, had the wit to admit his security forces were responsible for causing Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, to set himself alight. When thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest at the vendor’s death, Ben Ali’s knee-jerk response was to unleash his heavies, arrest thousands of activists and shut down the internet.

Within days, Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution had taken root, and the president and his family were fleeing into exile in Saudi Arabia.

There was, of course, another option open to Ben Ali. He could have admitted the government’s persecution of Mr Bouazizi, and initiated criminal proceedings against those responsible.

At a stroke the protesters’ demands would have been met, and a national

22

Gulf Insider December 2011

crisis averted. But he preferred to force them into submission, with the predictable outcome that the will of the people ultimately prevailed.

It is a pattern that has been repeated throughout the region ever since, with the result that a succession of tyrants have found their repressive regimes

The report, delivered by the Bahrain Independent Commission, makes no bones about the Bahraini security forces’ use of “excessive force” during the brutal crackdown. brought to an untimely end. The latest is Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been forced to stand down after three decades in power.

The one notable exception to this Neanderthal approach is to be found in

the tiny Gulf state of Bahrain where, last spring, the ruling al-Khalifa dynasty faced the worst crisis in its 200-year existence, the Pearl Revolution. A 500-page report, delivered by the Bahrain Independent Commission, makes no bones about the Bahraini security forces’ use of “excessive force” during the brutal crackdown that followed, in which 40 people died and more than 1,600 were detained without charge.

The exhaustive investigation, undertaken by Professor Cherif Bassiouni, a former UN human rights lawyer, concluded that many detainees had been subjected to “physical and psychological torture”. They had been blindfolded, whipped, given electric shocks and threatened with rape in order to extract confessions.

Even by the brutal standards of the Middle East, this is a pretty damning indictment. But what has been remarkable about the report is not its exposure of the dark secrets of the regime’s torture chambers; it has been the readiness of King Hamad, Bahrain’s Sandhurst-educated monarch, to accept readily the commission’s findings, and to make a public pledge that “those painful events won’t be repeated”.

Bahrain

Critics of Bahrain’s Sunni Muslim ruling family will claim that the only reason they are still clinging to power is the timely military intervention of their much bigger and more powerful neighbour, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi ruling family is also Sunni, and felt obliged to act when it feared that the al-Khalifas were about to be overthrown by agitators from Bahrain’s Shia Muslim majority.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that King Hamad, having taken the initiative by establishing the commission in the first place, insisted that the report’s findings were announced at the royal palace in Manama, the kingdom’s capital, and then accepted personal responsibility for the conclusions it reached.

It remains to be seen whether the king will follow through on his promise to bring those responsible to justice.

But irrespective of what happens next in Bahrain, he has demonstrated one of the more notable features of the recent unrest in the Arab world: that the region’s monarchs are far more sure-footed than its dictators when it comes to tackling mass anti-government revolts.

To date, the so-called Arab Spring has accounted for the secular dictatorships in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen, and the ability of the Assad regime in Syria to cling to power remains questionable. But

One reason the Arab monarchies have succeeded in withstanding calls for change is that they appear to have a far closer bond with their people than the secular dictators did with theirs. while the monarchies in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Morocco have faced their fair share of pro-democracy protests, they have proved to be far more resilient. In

Saudi Arabia, nationwide protests soon petered out after King Abdullah unveiled a US$30 billion social welfare package.

The rulers in Jordan and Morocco, meanwhile, have responded by committing themselves to wide-ranging political reforms.

One reason the Arab monarchies have succeeded in withstanding calls for change is that they appear to have a far closer bond with their people than the secular dictators did with theirs.

Whereas tyrants such as Assad hardly have any contact with those they repress, monarchs such as Saudi’s King Abdullah grant regular audiences to the main tribal leaders. The kings are also cannier when it comes to their riches, spreading them among the tribes rather than hoarding the wealth for themselves and their families – as was the case with the Gaddafi clan in Libya and the Mubaraks in Egypt.

As the Arab revolts of early spring lead inevitably to a winter of disappointment and discontent, it is the monarchs, not the tyrants, who have the best chance of surviving the chill. GFI

Gulf Insider December 2011

23

Kingdom of Bahrain www.cbre.bh/bh_en/research BAHRAIN

Q3 2011

OVERVIEW

Quick Stats Change from Lease Rates

Q3 10

Q2 11

Office





Residential





Sale Prices

Q3 10

Q2 11

Residential





There was little meaningful indication of a business rebound in Bahrain in the early part of Q3, although this was not entirely unexpected given that the combination of summer and Ramadan, are typically associated with a market slowdown. However, as Q3 drew to a close, market activity levels picked up as the business community geared up to finish the year on a positive note.

On July 1st, King Hamad initiated a ‘national dialogue’ to discuss meaningful reforms, and in late September Parliamentary by-elections were held.

Although the national dialogue nor the election had the full support of the opposition Wefaq party, these steps were necessary to move forward and indicated the Government’s commitment to restoring stability and order to the Kingdom.

Business Monitor International (BMI) announced that the Bahrain economy expanded by only 0.7% in the year to the end of Q2 2011, with second quarter performance markedly up on the dismal Q1 during which the economy actually contracted by 1.4%.

Infrastructure projects worth BD14 million were awarded in July and August, including projects for roads, electromechanical maintenance and pumping and sanitary works at 30 schools. However, this and other economic stimuli such as a US$1 billion increase in spending on public wages resulted in a 22% jump in spending and a deficit of around 10% of GDP.

A MARKET VIEW OF BAHRAIN

There was little meaningful indication of a business rebound in Bahrain in the early part of Q3, although this market slowdown was dueHottoTopics the combination of summer and Ramadan. However , as Q3 BMI forecasts place Bahrain’s real GDP  BMIto forecasts real GDP drew a close, market activity picked up as the business expansion levels to be 0.5% in 2011 and growth to be 0.5% in 1.2% in 2012, while an analyst’s poll community geared up to finish the year on a positive Earlier note.

2011, while Reuters this year Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait

by Reuters forecast GDP growth at analyst’s poll forecasts annual growth of 3.2%.

By CB Richard Ellis

 Infrastructure projects and wage rises intended to boost the economy verview - The Business Monitor are being implemented International on an ongoing(BMI) basis. announced

O

that the Bahrain economy expanded by only 0.7% in the  Ratings agencies have year toimproved the end of Bahrain’s Q2 2011, with a second quarterstatus performance markedly up during in light of which reconciliation the economy actually contracted efforts and by 1.4%. BMI forecasts place Bahrain’s expectations of economic real GDP expansion to be 0.5% in 2011 growth. and 1.2% in 2012, while an analyst’s poll

by Reuters forecast GDP growth at 3.2% for 2012.

Although the political crisis did dampen the country’s short-term economic outlook, the Government’s firm stance in pushing through reforms is likely to limit the prolonged effects. Infrastructure projects worth BD14 million were awarded in July and August, including projects for roads, electromechanical maintenance and pumping and sanitary works at 30 schools.

However, this and other economic stimuli such as a USD1 billion increase in spending on public wages resulted in a 22% jump in spending and a deficit of around 10% of GDP. Understandably, the tourism sector in Bahrain has been especially hard hit and in addition to weak occupancy and rate conditions in



24

Gulf Insider December 2011

and Qatar approved US$10 billion in aid 3.2% for 2012. Although the political over the next 10 years, and although crisis did dampen the country’s shortOman is set to receive its first drawdown term economic outlook, the of US$1 billion in 2012, there has been Government’s firm stance in pushing no word on the Bahrain financial through reforms is likely to limit the assistance. prolonged effects. the Kingdom’s hotels , cruise liners have a large volume of Class A space vacant also dropped the Kingdom from their In July, Bahrain was removed from itineraries in the short term.

and more in the development pipeline.

Understandably, the tourism sector in With low occupancy, dropping rental has been especially hard hit and ‘Credit Watch Negative’ by Standard & ratesBahrain and increasingly generous landlord in addition to weak occupancy and rate Poors which cited ‘the diminished near incentives on offer, you would typically Office Market- In terms of demand conditions in the Kingdom’s hotels , cruise term political tensions and our expect to see firms consolidating their for office space, there was little change liners have also dropped the Kingdom increased requirements or taking the inexpectation Q3 with thethat market facing apublic continued spatial from their itineraries in the short term. spending excess will lift economic growthwith next opportunity to move to better or cheaper significant supply position

year’ in its statement on Bahrain.

Regional GDP Growth Forecasts 2011 and 2012

Retail

Sources: Business Monitor International (BMI), Reuters, Moodys ©2011, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.

s ed

gd al not the

er

h

e ni le y-

and good access to both Saudi Arabia and central Manama.

Class A office Avenue hasand levelled off atwhich an average of of the As a result thespace areason ofGovernment Hamala, ‘New Jasra’ Janabiya lie south BD5/sqm/month.

In other areas which have been marginalised in terms of Saar/Budaiya districts are becoming increasingly popular, with the result that older desirability suitability as Sanabis, Salmabad, and Sitra, B officeand compoundsand in Saar and such Budaiya are showing increasing signs Class of vacancy BAHRAIN space is now available at rents as low as BD3/sqm/month. downward pressure on rental rates. Some compounds are consequently descending into a spiral of decline while others are taking the opportunity to comprehensively refurbish both the villas and common areas in anticipation of a Views where expatriate demand for Office Market market upturn. Rental Rates, Bahrain – Q1 2008 to Q3 2011

rental villas has strengthened.

For those on tighter housing Although average compound rents fell by 10-15% in the Saar and Budaiya areas budgets, Juffair remains popular during Q3, demand at the top end of the market, where budgets are with the expatriate community. After BD2,000+/month, stayed strong as new employees to the Kingdom, particularly two years of significant falls, rental those in the oil and gas sector have higher housing allowances. There has also rates and occupancy appear now been an upturn in demand for compound accommodation in western Bahrain to have stabilised. Central Manama driven by oil and gas sector employees working in the Eastern Province of Saudi rents have been little affected by the troubles, largely because the area is Arabia, where compound space is now at a significant premium. so densely developed already that Amwaj Islands has become an increasingly popular area for young upper-incomethere were few supply side pressures exerted by development activity.

expatriates with rental rates rising slightly through the year, again largely due to the remoteness of the islands from any of the political troubles besetting the Kingdom.

Affordable Housing and The same is true of Riffa Views where expatriate demand for rental villas, Government Initiatives - The particularly those with landscaped gardens and pools, has strengthened through issue the of providing affordable housing year. This has been allied with strong interest from Bahraini families wishing to buy for those who need Government 2 a property have been attracted by the secure, gated environment, which isPageassistance Source: CBwho Richard Ellis remains a sensitive © ideally suited to those with young families. issue for both the public and private 2011, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.

Villa Rental Rates, Bahrain – Q1

Source: CB Richard Ellis

space but there has been little of this kind of activity to date. The activity that has taken place has generally been driven by the oil and gas sector and Government departments. The remainder of the market has generally stayed where it is, seeking to avoid the costs associated with moving by staying in the same, smaller spaces.

Rental rates have fallen to less than half those of three years ago and weak market conditions in both rental and commercial rates have been exacerbated by significant volumes of office space which has already entered the market in 2011, with more due in 2012.

Residential Sector - On the rental side

sector developers. The public sector continues to negotiate partnership arrangements with potential private 2007 to Q3 2011 sector partners while the private sector in general continues to wrestle with ‘affordability’.

The lack of formal Government data identifying household incomes by area together with housing ownership rates makes it impossible for private sector developers to know what they should be building, for whom and where. The risks associated with developing effectively ‘blind’ are significant and make it very difficult for the private sector to help the Government out with this main socio-economic problem.

The Government has also revealed plans to develop three new cities in Page 3 East Hidd, East Sitra and Northern Ellis, Inc. ©2011, CB Richard Town.

However, the plans for Northern Town have been on the table for the Saar and Budaiya areas which have almost a decade and the two other historically been the preferred residential projects are still being assessed. The choice for upper-income expatriate families, three projects together are intended have recently come under pressure due to provide approximately 23,000 to their proximity to many of the Shiite units by the end of 2016 which will villages which have been the focus for go some way to addressing the many protests. Many expatriate families Kingdom’s needs. However, the are now opting to move to emerging waiting list for Government housing areas such as Hamala, ‘New Jasra’ and currently comprises well over 50,000 Janabiya which offer close proximity to households and is increasing by schools and Saudi Arabia. Amwaj Islands around 4,000 households per annum has become an increasingly popular area according to the under-secretary for for young upper-income expatriates with housing. As a result, despite the rental rates rising slightly through the year, best efforts of the Government in again largely due to the remoteness of the this area, the pressure to resolve this islands from any of the political troubles issue remains. GFI in the Kingdom. The same is true of Riffa

Gulf Insider December 2011

25

report

Barclays wealth report Report reveals Middle East hnwis show the highest levels of trust in their children to manage and protect their wealth.

• New report reveals 78% of Middle East respondents trust the next generation to protect their inheritance

• However, globally, 35% of high net worth individuals do not trust their children in this way • 40% of global wealthy have experienced family conflict as a result of family wealth • Report suggests earned as opposed to inherited wealth, is key to financial happiness

W

hen it comes to passing on wealth, 35% of global high net worth individuals do not trust their children or stepchildren to protect their inheritance, says the latest report in the Barclays Wealth Insights series.

The report, The Transfer of Trust: Wealth and Succession in a Changing World, is based on a global survey of more than 2,000 high net worth individuals.

It provides an in-depth examination of wealthy individuals’ attitudes towards wealth transfer and succession planning, as well as offering insight into what the future holds for the next generation.

Interestingly, it also looks at how wealth in many cases can act as a double-edged sword, leading to distrust and conflict.

Global regions showing the highest level of trust in children and stepchildren 1. Middle East (78%) 2. Africa (77%) 3. Latin America (75%) 4. Asia Pacific (69%) 5. Europe (62%) 6. North America (61%) 7. Australia (59%)

26

Gulf Insider December 2011

Of all those surveyed, 29% of global wealthy believe that inheritance places an “unnecessary burden” on the next generation, with respondents in India (50%), Latin America (44%) and Hong Kong (38%) showing the highest levels of agreement with this. Thirty five per

Source of wealth is seen as a key determinant of financial happiness, with earned wealth much more likely to result in happiness than inherited wealth. cent of respondents in the UK and the same number again in Ireland also share this view, bringing to life the concerns parents have when it comes to wealth and succession.

The report reveals some interesting paradoxes about inheritance and

succession. Source of wealth is seen as a key determinant of financial happiness, with earned wealth much more likely to result in happiness than inherited wealth. However, wealthy respondents remain committed to passing on their wealth, with 96% of global respondents intending to do so.

However, an unfortunate drawback of wealth is its ability to cause conflict – and in the context of succession – family conflict. The report reveals that 40% of global wealthy have had direct experience of family wealth leading to disputes. This figure was highest amongst respondents in India, with 61% of those surveyed stating that they have encountered family conflict due to wealth – a sentiment echoed by respondents in Singapore (53%), Hong Kong (51%) and Monaco (51%). Conversely only 11% of respondents in Qatar said that they have experienced family tensions as a result of wealth.

Amongst global respondents, the report reveals that those with higher levels of wealth of more than £10m (44%) and those that have inherited their wealth (46%) are more likely to have experienced such conflict. Yet the

report

reverse rings true for earned wealth, as those with a higher income are less likely to find that wealth causes conflict.

Globally, 43% of respondents earning a salary less than £100,000 cite that they have experienced conflict due to family wealth, compared to only 37% of those earning over £500,000.

The report also shows that those with more children are also less likely to encounter such disputes over family wealth. Globally, 47% of respondents with no children state that they have seen wealth lead to family conflict, as opposed to 32% of respondents with four or more children.

Despite all the potential conflicts associated with succession and wealth, the report shows that the world’s wealthy remain committed to passing on their assets to the next generation, with only four per cent of global respondents believing that this should not be the case. The report found that 70% of global respondents believe that when it comes to wealth transfer, assets should be divided equally amongst their children.

The report also explores what the

global wealthy perceive to be the major challenges facing the next generation, and what they can do to best prepare for success in the future.

The report also shows that those with more children are also less likely to encounter such disputes over family wealth.

Top five challenges for the future 1. Economic turbulence/inflation/rising taxation (56%) 2. Caring for ageing populations (52%) 3. Employment opportunities (51%) 4. Climate change/environmental issues (38%) 5. Rising education costs (22%)

When it comes to the skills that the next generation need to equip themselves with in order to be successful in life, global respondents advocate technical subjects, such as IT/Technology (68%), Science (59%) and Maths (54%), rather than Humanities and the Arts.

The global wealthy also have clear ideas on the languages that the next generation should learn. The rise of China and the country’s significance for future generations is revealed in the fact that 69% of respondents believe that Chinese – specifically Mandarin – is the most important language for the next generation to learn. Overall, respondents thought that Chinese was marginally more significant than English, with 68% of global respondents believing English to be an important language for children to learn. GFI

For further information contact: Barclays Wealth Khaled Abdulla +971 (4) 365 2928 khaled.abdulla@barclayscapital.com

Gulf Insider December 2011

27

World NEWS

w rld news Summaries of news published in November by international media

country. He declared al-tabarouj (the failure to cover one’s hair and of wearing make-up) a “mortal sin” and said he would make such actions “criminal,” citing his interpretation of Islamic law.

He told Maged he wouldn’t have agreed to the interview at all because of her dress but said that in politics “things are different” and he has to meet with people from all walks of life.

To underscore his point, a Facebookbased Salafist news outlet re-aired the interview with Maged’s head and face covered by a dark filter to “veil” her.

If elected, Abu Ismail has promised to apply Islamic law to other realms of Egyptians life, which would mean closing down casinos, outlawing the drinking of alcohol in public, forcing Copts to pay a special tax for not converting, and punishing women who would wear “immodest” clothes.

Israel refuses to tell US its Iran intentions - By Adrian Blomfield in the Telegraph, November 12

Egyptian women fret as ‘modesty’ becomes election issue - By Joseph Mayton for The Media Line, November 14

The controversy over the status of women in post-Mubarak Egypt came to a head at the start of November after Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail, a leading presidential candidate and Muslim cleric, gave two television interviews in which he outlined an Islamic future for the country that would impose Saudi Arabian-style dress and behaviour on the public.

In an interview on the 90 Minutes television program, Abu Ismail said he supported what he called “Islamic dress” for women, meaning the hijab, or veil. Asked about what would happen to a woman wearing a bikini on the beach, he responded, “she would be arrested.”

Days later, he went on the Biladna Bil Masr program and lashed out at the show’s popular TV host, Reem Maged, and all other unveiled women in the

28

Gulf Insider December 2011

Israel has refused to reassure President Barack Obama that it would warn him in advance of any pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, raising fears that it may be planning a goit-alone attack as early as next summer.

The US leader was rebuffed last month when he demanded private guarantees that no strike would go ahead without White House notification, suggesting Israel no longer plans to “seek Washington’s permission”, sources said.

The disclosure, made by insiders briefed on a top-secret meeting between America’s most senior defence chief and Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s hawkish prime minister, comes amid concerns that Iran’s continuing progress towards nuclear weapons capability means the

Jewish state has all but lost hope for a diplomatic solution.

Alarmed by Mr Netanyahu’s noncommittal response, Mr Obama reportedly ordered the US intelligence services to step up monitoring of Israel to glean clues of its intentions.

What those intentions might be remains distinctly murky. Over the past fortnight, Israel’s press has given every impression that the country is on a war footing, with numerous claims that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Barak are lobbying the cabinet to support the military option.

Last month, Israel tested a long-range ballistic missile capable of reaching Iran, its first since 2008. Shortly before, the Israeli airforce took part in Nato exercises in Sardinia that involved airto-air refuelling, a key component of an aerial strike on Iran. A separate exercise in and around Tel Aviv tested civilian readiness in the event of a missile strike against the city. In a sign of the febrility of the public mood, many beach-goers apparently mistook the air raid sirens for a genuine Iranian attack and fled in panic for their cars. There were similar jitters in Iran too, when a huge but apparently accidental explosion at an arms dump outside Tehran killed at least 27 soldiers and shook the city ....

EU censors own film on Afghan women prisoners By Orla Guerin for BBC News, November 10

The European Union has blocked the release of a documentary on Afghan women who are in jail for so-called “moral crimes”.

The EU says it decided to withdraw the film - which it commissioned and paid for - because of “very real concerns for the safety of the women portrayed”.

However, human rights workers say the injustice in the Afghan judicial system should be exposed. A statement from the EU’s Kabul delegation said the welfare of the women was the paramount consideration in its decision.

No official from the delegation was prepared to be interviewed about the film.

Some of the women convicted of “zina” are guilty of nothing more than running away from forced marriages or violent husbands.

World NEWS Amnesty International says it is important to “lift the lid on one of Afghanistan’s most shameful judicial practices”.

The documentary told the story of a 19-year-old prisoner called Gulnaz.

After she was raped, she was charged with adultery. Her baby girl, born following the rape, is serving her sentence with her.

“At first my sentence was two years,” Gulnaz said, as her baby coughed in her arms. “When I appealed it became 12 years. I didn’t do anything. Why should I be sentenced for so long?”

Stories like hers are tragically typical, according to Heather Barr, of Human Rights Watch, who is carrying out research among Afghan female prisoners.

“It would be reassuring to think that the stories told in this film represent aberrations or extreme case,” she said.

“Unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

She has interviewed many women behind bars, who were victims twice over - abused by their husbands, or relatives, and then by those who were supposed to protect them.

“You hear the story again and again of women going to the police and asking for help and ending up in prison instead,” Ms Barr said.

Ms Barr said: “It’s very important that people understand that there are these horrific stories that are happening now - 10 years after the fall of the Taliban government, 10 years after what was supposed to be a new dawn for Afghan women.”

Tunisian women demonstrate to protect rights - From Huffington Post, November 02 Some 200 Tunisian women demonstrated in downtown Tunis in defense of their rights, following the election victory of an Islamist party.

Tunisia is known for some of the most progressive legislation in the Middle East regarding women’s rights — something many say is in danger after a moderate Islamist party took the most votes in the recent election.

Strong support for Shariah in Canada, - By Kris Sims for CNews, November 01

The Islamist Ennahda Party, however, has promised to protect women’s rights, including the personal status code, which makes women equal to men in divorce and bars polygamy.

“Everyone together for our rights,” the women chanted. “Our dignity is in the preservation of our rights.”

“The Tunisian woman is present in every sphere of public life and was at the forefront of the revolution,” said Ilham Barrouta, 47, a journalist at the demonstration, referring to the uprising that brought down the previous regime in January. It was known for its secular policies and oppression of religious conservatives.

However, these same conservatives were the most organised in the Oct. 23 election and won far more votes than other parties. The ballot was for an assembly that will now write the country’s new constitution, and the demonstrators said the only way women’s rights can be protected is if they are enshrined in the new document.

With the fall of Tunisia’s dictatorship there also has appeared an ultraconservative movement known as the Salafists with little interest in politics, but seeking to pressure greater religious observation in society.

Many of the demonstrators said they had come out because of an attack

by Salafist students on three female instructors at a nearby university.

A newly released survey suggests a large number of Muslims living in Canada will not disown Al-Qaida.

The study, conducted by the MacDonald Laurier Institute, found 65% of Muslims questioned said they would “repudiate absolutely” the terrorist organisation, while 35% would not do so.

“From a security perspective, it is difficult to know if a 65% rate of repudiation (of Al-Qaida) is re-assuring or a 35% failure to repudiate troubling,” wrote study authors Christian Leuprecht, associate professor of the Royal Military College of Canada and Conrad Winn, Carleton University professor and president of COMPAS, a public opinion research firm.

“The most radical political views tended to be expressed by relatively secular people, often equipped with higher education in the social sciences, while devout Muslims were sometimes the most articulate advocates for Canada and democracy.” According to the Ottawa based think tank, only a small minority of Muslim newcomers to Canada reject Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Iranian regime.

The survey, which was released at the end of October, found 62% wanted some form of Shariah law in Canada, 15% of them saying it should be mandatory for all Muslims.

The study was funded by the University of Maryland for the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. The institute could not find funding for the study in Canada.

Gulf Insider December 2011

29

World NEWS

Family saved from magic spell - From Emirates 24-7,

Malaysia bans Obedient Wives Club sex manual By Sam Jones for the Guardian, November 03

November 01 Saudi Arabia’s religious police saved a family that had suffered from psychological and health problems because of a magic spell cast by their housemaid before departing from the Gulf Kingdom.

In a report from the capital Riyadh, a newspaper said the family plunged into endless problems just after the departure of their Asian maid. But its members restored normal life once the spell was found and neutralised by experts.

The spell was wrapped in a small old piece of paper carrying unreadable language and hidden inside a deserted bathroom adjoining their house, the Arabic language daily Sabq said.

“When the spell was found, the family realised that it was the cause of all their sudden troubles,” the paper said.

It quoted relatives as saying the spell had prompted the wife of the elder son to abandon him and live with her parents while the mother started to suffer from trances and nightmares. Another son suddenly had mental problems.

The paper said the family took the spell to the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which has an anti-magic section.

“There, the Commission experts dismantled the spell and destroyed all its contents, using Koran verses … once they did so, the mother fell unconscious and when she woke up later, she felt much better … the son who had mental problems said he does not remember he had any,” the paper said.

“The family then took the elder son to his wife’s parents and asked for her return …. the family was surprised that the wife and her parents welcomed the idea and she did return to her husband.”

30

Gulf Insider December 2011

Iran to women: No skiing unless with a male guardian - By Thomas Erdbrink in the

Washington Post, November 10

TEHRAN — The first snow of the season has fallen in Tehran, but female ski bums planning to carve fresh lines at one of the three resorts in the Alborz mountain range will be able to hit the slopes only if they are accompanied by a male guardian.

A police circular, reported on the progovernment Etedaal Web site, states that women and girls are no longer allowed to ski in the absence of a husband, father or brother.

The mandate of Iran’s morality police is currently being broadened by hard-liners attempting to roll back reforms enacted under former president Mohammad Khatami. The current government says the reforms led to a lack of observance of religious dress codes, among other things.

Iran’s ski resorts became something of a haven from the Islamic dress code — and from laws against boys and girls mixing. Young people would mix and meet on the mountains, while some women would ski without their head scarves in the resorts of Dizin and Shemshak, known for their abundance of fresh powder.

Monitoring the miles-long slopes proved difficult for the morality police.

Unfamiliar with skiing, officers were often unable to pursue the affluent young of northern Tehran, with their greater experience on the slopes. It is unclear whether the police will do any better trying to check the relationships of those heading out to the popular resorts now ....

The Malaysian government is to ban a sex manual written by the head of an Islamic sect that teaches women to “be submissive and keep their spouses happy in the bedroom”, for fear it could cause religious confusion.

In the 115-page book – entitled ‘Islamic Sex’ – the founder of the Obedient Wives Club outlines her experiences of, and opinions on, marriage. It has passages on how couples should physically and spiritually approach sex, and claims that most women only satisfy 10% of their husbands’ sexual needs.

Many Malaysians have denounced the club, saying it makes a mockery of modern gender roles in a country where women hold prominent posts in both the government and the private sector.

A spokesman for the home ministry said the government’s Islamic affairs department had studied the manual and recommended a ban on the grounds that it may confuse Malaysian Muslims about what constitutes acceptable religious teaching.

People caught in possession of it could be fined up to 5,000 ringgit, the spokesman said, and anyone who makes copies for sale could be imprisoned for three years and fined 20,000 ringgit.

World NEWS

Terrorism: Algeria, armed men burn alcohol store From ANSAmed, November 02

A shop licenced to sell alcoholic drinks was burned down last night in Assi Youcef by a group of armed men who, some sources say, are thought to belong to a terrorist group particularly active in the Tizi Ouzou area.

The news was reported by the El Watan newspaper.

Large numbers of terrorists entered the shop and first checked the identity of customers, stealing their mobile phones.

Before fleeing to nearby woods, the men set fire to the shop, which was effectively gutted.

Suspicion over the incident is centring on former members of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). The shop in Assi Youcef is the second alcohol seller to be attacked in the space of a few weeks, after an earlier incident in Mechtras. (ANSAmed).

Loya jirga: Afghan elders reject ‘pimp’s number 39’ from BBC News, November 17

Officials at a meeting of elders in Kabul changed a committee’s number after delegates rejected 39 because of an Afghan belief that the number is associated with pimps.

Delegates at the gathering, or loya jirga, convened by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, divided into 40 groups to consider Afghan-US relations. Elders refused to take part in group 39 until its number was changed to 41.

The number is held as a mark of great shame across Afghanistan.

Correspondents say some believe the taboo started because a pimp had 39 on his vehicle number plate. But others say it dates from an old way of calculating numbers called “Abjad”.

Many delegates at the loya jirga voiced their fervent opposition to being part of committee 39, one attendee told the BBC’s Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. ‘’One delegate said: ‘I don’t want to return to my area and be called a pimp.

I don’t care if it is true or not, but people out there believe in it. Look, no one wants to have a vehicle with number

plate 39. And yet, you want me to be in 39?’’’ the member said.

But there were some who saw the outcry as an unnecessary diversion from more important matters.

“It is sad to see delegates raise such issues at such an important meeting.

We have more important things to deal with,” one delegate from northern Afghanistan said.

“But when I raised it, everyone else told me to shut up. Everyone said, they didn’t want to be called [a pimp] or their children and family members harassed in streets, schools and neighbourhoods. So then a committee 41 was established,’’ the delegate continued.

Pakistan telecoms authority to block ‘obscene’ texts from BBC News, November 17 The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has told mobile phone companies to begin blocking text messages containing ‘obscene’ words.

Mobile phone companies Telenor Pakistan and Ufone confirmed to the BBC that the PTA has sent them a “dictionary” of banned words and expressions.

The PTA has reportedly ordered operators to begin screening text messages from 21st November.

Ufone say they are now working on how to block the offending words. An unconfirmed version of the PTA’s list is being circulated online, containing hundreds of words and expressions in both English and Urdu.

According to this version, the entries range from those too obscene to repeat to the bizarre. Some of the choices on the list have baffled Pakistani mobile phone users, many of whom have taken to Twitter to ridicule the move.

Syed Adnan Yousuf, tweeting as @ AdnanWhy, asked: “Why is ‘head lights’ banned? What am I missing here?”

Some people have suggested bypassing the ban by replacing words with their number on the PTA’s list.

Saudi women with attractive eyes may be forced to cover them up, if resolution is passed Daily Mail, November 19

Women with attractive eyes may be forced to cover them up, it was reported yesterday.

The ultra-conservative Islamic state has said it has the right to stop women revealing ‘tempting’ eyes in public.

A spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, Sheikh Motlab al Nabet, said a proposal to enshrine the measure in law has been tabled.

Women in Saudi Arabia already have to wear a long black cloak, called an abaya, cover their hair and, in some regions, conceal their faces while in public.

If they do not, they face punishments including fines and public floggings.

One report on the Bikya Masr news website suggested the proposal was made after a member of the committee was attracted by a woman’s eyes as he walked along a street, provoking a fight.

The woman was walking with her husband who ended up being stabbed twice in the hand after the altercation.

Gulf Insider December 2011

31

Syria

Syria Uprising Falls Victim to Power Plays

By Ramzy Baroud

S

yrians continue to be victimised, not only in violent clashes with the Syrian military, but also by regional and international players with various agenda.

Protests in Syria began on 26th January, and a more inclusive uprising was set in motion on 15th March. The initial demand was for serious political reforms, but this was eventually raised to a demand for full regime change, encompassing the unconditional departure of President Bashar al-Assad and his Ba’ath Party, which has ruled Syria for decades.

Soon, there was a deadlock. The uprising failed to weaken the links between the regime, army and other security agencies. It also remained confined to areas outside the two most populated cities, Damascus, in the southwest, and Aleppo in the north.

On the other hand, protests seemed extensive and prevalent enough to reflect a real sense of outrage at government practices, which grew with the reported deaths of Syrians all over the country.

Despite a relentless military crackdown, and the killing of 3,500 Syrians (according to a recent United Nations human-rights office report), the government has not been able to quell the uprising, nor to provide a convincing political initiative that could spare Syria further bloodletting.

It could be argued that the impasse originated in Syria’s own political culture, espoused by the Ba’ath Party’s legacy of shunning dialogue in times of crisis.

More, those who ultimately designated themselves as Syria’s opposition remain largely divided, and often seemed to provide conflicting roadmaps for achieving democracy.

Earlier revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt

32

Gulf Insider December 2011

were spared the terrible fate of people’s priorities becoming merely another agenda item to be decided by outside powers. Both revolutions had quickly reached the critical mass required to topple their dictators, denying outsiders the chance of meddling in the outcome.

The situation in Syria, however, developed at a different pace. The uprising lacked the full support of the urban middle class. The army neither broke away from the ruling party, nor remained neutral. Additionally, months of violence - in which a successful Western

The Syrian uprising is increasingly being deprived of its own initiative. Currently, the issue of Syria is being entrusted to the Arab League. military intervention in Libya toppled the regime of Muamar Gaddafi - provided outside powers with the needed time to position themselves as the caretakers of Syria’s future. In other words, a popular uprising was decidedly hijacked and is currently being managed from Western and Arab capitals.

It was as though ordinary Syrians began realising that their vision of achieving revolution from within was futile, and they bought into the illusion that only outside intervention could

bring lasting change. These voices were emboldened by members of the Syrian National Council - seen as the lead opposition to the Ba’ath regime - whose behaviour seemed to model that of the Libyan National Transitional Council.

The latter had blithely welcomed the North Atlantic Treaty organisation (NATO) to Libya, initially to “protect civilians” from possible Libyan army retaliation, but eventually to carry out an airstrikes campaign that largely increased the number of deaths in Libya.

Adopting a model that rationalises foreign intervention - which is incapable of exacting change without extreme violence - will bring horrible consequences for the Syrian people and the whole region. With the Syrian government failing to win the trust of large segments of the Syrian population, the opposition’s growing dependency on outside forces, and some Arab media networks fanning the flames of sectarianism and civil war, the Syrian deadlock is morphing into something even more dangerous: a Lebanon-style civil war or a Libyan-style foreign military intervention.

The fate of Syria is no longer likely to be influenced by the Syrian people themselves, nor by their government. All eyes are now on the United States. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried to clarify the US position in her recent comments. In the case of Libya, NATO and Arab countries banded together “to protect civilians and help people liberate their country without a single American life lost”, she said.

But in other cases, as in Syria, “To achieve that same goal, we would have to act alone, at a much greater cost, with far greater risks and perhaps even

Syria

with troops on the ground.” For now, according to Clinton, US priorities in the region would have to remain focused on “our fight against al-Qaeda; defense of our allies; and a secure supply of energy”.

Russia and China, worried that another US regime change venture could jeopardise their interests in the region, remain steadfast behind Damascus and critical of the factions that oppose the Assad regime. “We are concerned with news of ongoing aggression by extremist gunmen such as those which took place in Homs, Hama and Idlib [recently] with the provocative aim of forcing security agencies and the army in Syria to retaliate, and then launching a campaign via international media outlets,” said Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov in a recent statement.

The lines are thus drawn, between a US-led Western camp and Russia and its own camp, which vehemently rejects a repeat of a Libyan scenario in a volatile region of unmatched geopolitical significance.

Whatever the outcome of this tussle, the Syrian uprising is increasingly being deprived of its own initiative. Currently, the issue of Syria is being entrusted to the

Arab League, which lacks both credibility (since it is too divided between regional interests) and any history of successful political initiatives.

On 2nd November, Syria announced that it had agreed to an Arab League plan which called for the withdrawal of security forces from the streets, the release of prisoners and talks with the opposition.

However, after this did not happen and the violence continued, the Arab League voted on Saturday to suspend Syria’s membership.

At the same time, King Abdullah of neighbouring Jordan urged Assad to stand down. He told the BBC that if he were in Assad’s position, he would start talks to ensure an orderly transition.

“I would step down and make sure whoever comes behind me has the ability to change the status quo that we’re seeing,” King Abdullah stated in an interview with BBC World News television.

Despite the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria, it is very probable that some Arab countries are keen to employ the league in a similar fashion to the way it was used with the war on Libya: a mere springboard that eventually

allowed NATO’s war to take place.

Signs of such a scenario are becoming clearer, especially following the league’s vote to suspend Syria. In a New York Times editorial on 8th November, the role of the Arabs seems to be confined to just that. The Arab League “should eject Syria and urge the United Nations Security Council to condemn Mr Assad and impose international sanctions against the regime”, the Times counseled.

“Russia and China will find it harder to block a Security Council resolution - as they did in October - if the Arab world calls for action that goes beyond the sanctions already imposed by the United States and Europe.”

And so the saga continues. If Syria doesn’t wrestle its fate from the hands of these self-serving forces, the Syrian uprising and Syria as a whole will continue to be marred by uncertainties and foreboding possibilities. GFI

Ramzy Baroud (www.ramzybaroud.net) is an internationally-syndicated columnist and the editor of PalestineChronicle. com. His latest book is My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza’s Untold Story (Pluto Press, London).

Gulf Insider December 2011

33

Qatar

Qatar, the tiny Gulf state that has turned into a big player in the Great Game

By Richard Spencer

A

lmost exactly a year ago, I wrote that there were two interesting things about tiny Qatar, which few outside the region could pinpoint on a map and even fewer pronounce properly. One was banal: it was very rich.

The second struck me as odd, but it was what a number of people had told me: one diplomat said, “Everyone suddenly seems to hate Qatar.”

In the intervening twelve months, the emirate has become much better known.

Its jets have flown alongside NATOs over Libya. It has showered largesse on prodemocracy movements, even as its pet television station, Al Jazeera, publicised their revolutions. At home, the Emir announced the statelet’s first elections.

Yet the dislike has only got worse.

What has the poor old nouveau riche country done?

I’m not just talking about winning the right to host the World Cup in 2022 back in December – although the subsequent abuse of its culture, temperature, and manner of victory did, in retrospect, set the tone. Even though football fans never

34

Gulf Insider December 2011

went so far as to burn the Qatari flag, that is what a lot of Arabs have been doing.

At first, it was because they were paid to: dictators such as Colonel Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak, seeing the Qatari hand in the revolutions that were bringing their

But now there are protests in democratic Tunisia against Qatar’s interference in its politics, while in Libya, even those who have most cause to be grateful are complaining. reigns to an end, got out the bovver boys.

But now there are protests in democratic Tunisia against Qatar’s interference in its politics, while in Libya, even those

who have most cause to be grateful are complaining.

Take Mahmoud Jibril, formerly Libya’s interim prime minister and a man who, had it not been for the Emir, might now be swinging from Gaddafi’s gibbet.

This week, he excoriated Qatar as “the most obvious” case of foreign powers relentlessly pursuing their own interests.

Abdulrahman Shalgam, Libya’s envoy to the United Nations, was blunter. “Who is Qatar?” he asked in a television interview. “Does Qatar even have an army?”

The emirate has undoubtedly behaved in two ways that are beyond the normal expectations of Arab states. For a start, rather than standing to the side and opining fruitlessly – the traditional role of the Arab League – it has jumped in and got its hands dirty. It had hundreds of its special forces in Libya, shipping in much-needed arms and advice to rebel bands. It was also the prime mover in the Arab League’s unexpected decision to go beyond hand-wringing over Syria and vote to deprive Bashar al-Assad

Qatar

of his place at the table.

On the other hand, Qatar has also gone further than removing dictators. Its money and influence have shaped these countries’ post-dictator politics in an Islamist way. It is host to Egypt’s most important cleric-in-exile, Yusef Qaradawi.

It is friendly – to say the least – with the well-funded Ennahda, the self-proclaimed moderate Islamists who won Tunisia’s elections. And in Libya, its propulsion into the spotlight of Islamist militia leaders has been so controversial that even mild-mannered Western diplomats have spoken up. After Tripoli fell, one was alarmed to walk into a meeting at the defence ministry to hear them say that they couldn’t take a decision on one thorny topic, as they hadn’t yet consulted the Qatari chief of defence staff.

The Islamist connection is red rag to the world’s two leading sources of conspiracy theory. The Left points to the West’s close friendship with Qatar, which is home to 13,000 US troops and its Central Command, and says this is part of a capitalist plot to sabotage

Arab democracy in the interests of Western oil supplies. The Right says that President Obama has been suckered into laying the ground for a new wave of Islamic conquest – more pacific than

Qatar practises an Islam that is devout but not so oppressive as to ban bars, women drivers, or other religions, and is promising to ensure that the region’s tumultuous revolutions toe the democratic line. al-Qaeda, maybe, but no less hostile to Western principles.

These theories can be partly true without being conspiracies. Yes,

Washington has had ideological problems with Qatar. But presidents have taken the view that since Islamism is the region’s dominant ideology, it is better to do business with Islamic rulers who have a vested interest in taking on nihilistic regimes, whether secular (Gaddafi) or religious (the Taliban). Qatar practises an Islam that is devout but not so oppressive as to ban bars, women drivers, or other religions, and is promising to ensure that the region’s tumultuous revolutions toe the democratic line. Whether you are on the Left, Right or centre, that sounds like the sort of friend the US should be making.

There is another point, too. In the old world order, there were only two powers whose interventions counted: America and Russia. Today, the US can no longer claim exclusive rights to a policy of using money and troops to win friends and influence people. It may surprise us that some of the new players in the Great Game are the size of a squashed pea.

But it shouldn’t shock us that they want to have their say. GFI

Gulf Insider December 2011

35

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FIVE TOP TIPS FOR FINDING A NEW JOB It’s that time of year when traditionally people start thinking about changing career, but there are no jobs! How many times have you heard that recently? m2r managing director Munir Mamujee helps you search through the minefield of information at your disposal when finding that dream job.

1. Search news sites, not just vacancy boards

A wealth of information can be found by simply reading the press. Most people will read the news online, look closely for articles about companies expanding and moving into the region. These organisations are going to be needing staff, so get in there first and write a professional cover letter and CV before sending it off.

2. Use Google Alerts

This is an excellent way of getting relevant news into your inbox, you can specify the information you want to receive and can choose keywords, eg.

Bahrain Jobs. Whenever this appears in an article, you will be sent a link.

The more alerts you set up, the more information you will find.

3. Keep your eyes and ears open It is amazing how much information we miss on a day to day basis. Are you in a hotel where there is a conference

36

Gulf Insider December 2011

or business exhibition? If so, take a look and make contacts. Some companies will have vacancy signs in the window.

Go in and discuss the role and see if anything else is coming up. Get your name out there, you will be surprised what you find out.

4. Be proactive

However you apply for a role, you must follow up your application. Was it received and when will you hear? Do not wait for a call or email, it may never come. Keep a list of all the applications you make and ensure each one is chased up. It is competitive so you MUST take the initiative.

5. Use the social networks

Twitter, Linked In and Facebook are goldmines when it comes to looking for work. Linked In is great for professional contacts so introduce yourself professionally to the hirer and invariably you will get a response. Do not post a message on a potential employers

Munir Mamujee

recruitment post asking them to ‘look at your profile’. This is lazy and says that you are not really interested. Twitter and Facebook are great for watching what companies are doing, follow the appropriate employers on Twitter and ‘like’ the Facebook pages of organisations you are interested in.

If you really want a new job then you have to be positive and take charge of your own destiny. No one will stop you in the street and offer you a great new career, you have to search for it. Be selective, follow up every application and use the tools that are available to you to make the most out of every opportunity. GFI

Munir Mamujee is Managing Director of UK international recruitment firm, m2r Ltd. He has an excellent client base in Bahrain and has helped numerous people find jobs in the Kingdom and further afield. For a confidential discussion email to munir@m2rglobal.com and Munir will call you back.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Young Entrepreneurs Forum The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Tamkeen are organising the second young entrepreneurs forum, scheduled to be held on 14th December entitled ‘Start your Venture’.

U

nder the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Head of the Bahraini Olympics Committee and President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, the forum was an opportunity to address mechanisms and ways by which to achieve the utmost benefit by young Bahrainis’ capabilities and potentials in the private sector. It also shed light on prospects, discussed

the challenges entrepreneurs’ face, and how to enhance their roles in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

Commenting on the announcement of the forum, Mr. Khalid Al Amin paid tribute to HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad for patronising this event, explaining that the event forms part of the leadership and government’s ongoing concern to help elevate the Bahraini human capital that is the focal point of prosperity in

implementing all economic and social development strategies.

Tamkeen’s Senior Manager of private sector support, Mohammed Bucheeri explained that the forum seeks to realise many objectives pertaining to the development of youth capabilities while boosting their entrepreneurial potential. GFI

Budget Receives Award An annual forum for Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) was held in Dublin, Ireland last month, attended by 110 delegates. The forum represented Budget’s strong market position, recognising the input of long term franchisers in the region.

T

he conference was attended

by Director of Budget Bahrain Mohammed Adel Fakhro and Operations Manager of Budget Bahrain Benty Jose and was attended by delegates from 49 countries in the region.

Budget Rent A Car Bahrain was presented an award for establishing a strong hold in the region and increasing the sales during the recent crisis. The award was dedicated to Budget’s loyal customers who chose the company as their preferred place for car rental.

Budget Rent A Car are a strong and well respected group with skilled management focused on quality and customer service without compromise.

Established in Bahrain in 1981, it

continues to set the highest standard of customer service and vehicle quality ever since. GFI

Contact Budget Car Rental at the

following locations: Airport, +973 1732 1268; Sitra, +973 1773 5900; Seef, +973 1756 4680 and Sheraton Complex, +973 1753 4100; or visit www.budgetbahrain.com

Gulf Insider December 2011

37

ADVERTISING FEATURE

We make it easier for you to be our guest

MOBILE BOOKINGS WHEREVER YOU ARE Al Safir has made it even easier to make hotel reservations with the mobile site alsafirhotel.com/mobile

T

he internet has probably had the biggest impact on hotel reservations in recent years.

Nowadays, it’s common for business travellers and tourists to use the internet to research their hotel requirements, compare offers and availability and book online.

Al Safir are offering guests an even more convenient option allowing them to make bookings via their mobile phones.

Guests can book their hotel rooms on the

38

Gulf Insider December 2011

move, at their own convenience anytime, anywhere. What’s more, if your travel plans change you can easily make instant changes or even cancel bookings.

Guests can book, modify, cancel or retrieve reservations from anywhere and no matter where you are, you will have instant access to hotel information and the best available rates in real-time.

Before booking a room, guests can view photographs, services, room types and rates as well as maps and directions.

After selection, they can proceed through a simple to use, but fully featured, booking process. As the caption says, ‘we would like to make it easier for you to be our guest’.

Using any web-enabled mobile phone, guests can access the full range of excellent services available at Al Safir. GFI

Visit www.alsafirhotel.com/mobile make your booking now.

to

Airlines

Up, Up, And Away!

Travel from Bahrain to many destinations this month with special deals to destinations that suit everyone’s taste.

Bahrain Air

Instant Raffle Promotion till 31st December 2011 Bahrain Air will raffle hundreds of tickets on its flights until 31st of December.

The promotion which started in October gives passengers the chance to win a ticket on every flight, determined by the passenger’s class of travel (Business Premium or Economy class).

Passengers transiting via Bahrain may win twice and round trip passengers via Bahrain will have four chances in winning a ticket.

Raffle coupons will be distributed to passengers as they board their Bahrain Air flights.

All passengers will also be enrolled in a grand raffle draw for a chance at winning four Business Premium class tickets.

Visit www.bahrainair.net for more information

Gulf Air

Double miles offer for new destinations; Rome, Entebbe and Juba This promo is valid for two months from the launch dates as follows:Rome - 30th Nov 2011; Entebbe - 5th Dec 2011; Juba - 7th Feb 2012.

Triple miles offer for new Saudi destinations To mark the launching of Taif, Gassim and Yanbu Gulf Air are offering triple miles, the exclusive promo for members who would be flying to new destinations and valid for three months from the launch dates as follows: Taif - 15th Jan 2012; Gassim -17th Jan 2012; Yanbu - 15th Feb 2012.

Extended offer for ‘Fly twice to GCC/ME or once to Europe/FE and earn a free ticket’ Extended until 15th December, the offer is for frequent flyer cardmembers who fly twice to any GCC/ME or once to Europe/ Far East to earn bonus miles enough to exchange for a free economy ticket to GCC. Terms and Conditions apply.

Additional Benefits to FFP members and American Express Membership Rewards Until 31st December, Falconflyer members who will be transferring their American Rewards points to their Falconflyer membership account will earn 50 % Falconflyer bonus miles. Instead of receiving one Falconflyer mile for every two Amex reward points, members now receive 1.5 Falconflyer miles.

To enjoy these offers, one needs to be a member of the Frequent Flyer Program. Visit www.gulfair.com

Turkish Air

Istanbul - From BD119 Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Paris, London, Athens, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Alexandria, Warsaw - From BD127 Budapest, Kiev, Madrid - From BD157 Bucharest, Casablanca - From BD148 Barcelona - From BD165 Cape Town, Johannesburg From BD189 New York, Toronto, Osaka - From BD299

Terms and conditions apply.

For information visit www.turkishairlines.com

Emirates

Book Online with MasterCard and Win Book a business class or economy class ticket online using MasterCard because Emirates in association with MasterCard, is offering passengers a chance to win the ticket value of your ticket back up to USD 750.* *This offer is valid for outbound travel on or before 31st March 2012.

Three winners will be selected every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 14th December 2011.

MasterCard debit card holders will get double the chance to win.

Visit www.emirates.com for details.

Gulf Insider December 2011

39

roundup

Gulf roundup

By Annabel Kantaria

Beach Club Blues

One of the pros of life in a sunshine destination like Dubai is year-round enjoyment of the emirate’s beautiful beaches. It’s no surprise then that back in the property boom, when beach-front properties were first made available for non-UAE nationals to buy, they were snapped up quicker than you could say “read the contract”.

But, for many, it seems it’s been a case of buy in haste and repent at leisure… though not at the leisure club. Two high-profile disputes between property developers and owners have broken out as property developers seek to charge residents for access to beach clubs that owners say they were told would be free.

On Palm Jumeirah, residents of the Shoreline Apartments have been told by developer Nakheel that they’ll have to pay BD500 a year for family access to beach clubs they already own. Compared to the high cost of a family membership at a hotel beach club, which can mount to BD6,000 or more, it’s not a lot. But, as part of Nakheel’s privatisation plan, the residents’ beach clubs will also be opened up to the public, which, for those seeking exclusivity, is perhaps even more irritating than having to pay a nominal fee.

In Jumeirah Beach Residences – Dubai Properties’ development of beach-front high-rise towers that was widely advertised as “Your Home on the Beach” – residents found out last month that they, too, will have to pay to use the private beach club that they say they were promised for free.

In legal terms, it seems nothing was written either way in the sales agreements.

The power therefore lies in the hands of the developers, which claim that, while they promised facilities, they never said they would be free. That, they say, was an assumption on the part of eager buyers.

And, to be fair, for buyers to assume that swimming pools and gyms would be included for at no extra cost would be reasonable because all luxury apartment blocks here offer those facilities as standard. Beach clubs, though, are an unprecedented area since none had been offered prior to these two developments.

But, while owners and developers argue it out, the bigger picture is the damage that may be done on an international scale by the fall-out from this debate. If property developers continue to renege on apparent verbal promises like this, how will Dubai’s property market ever recover in the eyes of the world?

40

Gulf Insider December 2011

Perfect beach weather – but for whom?

The Gulf is now entering prime beach season. While it’s generally “hot” all year round here, those more sensitive to the nuances of “hot” know that there are only a few weeks on the shoulder of each season when the weather is absolutely perfect for the beach.

For a Dubai expat, perfect beach weather probably consists of a lunchtime high of about 37˚C, low humidity, a gentle breeze and a sea that’s neither the scalding, sweaty sea of high summer, nor the chilly sea of mid-winter; a slightly warm, almost Maldivian sea.

Determined to make the most of living where we do, I’ve been taking my children on compulsory visits to the beach, a bit like the forced visits to National Trust houses I remember from my own childhood. Early in the morning on a day without much wind, the sea here is glass-like in its clarity, the blue of the sky reflected back from the white sand beneath. Shoals of small fish dart around and, if it wasn’t for the bulk of Palm Jumeirah squatting between you and the horizon, you’d easily be forgiven for thinking you were in the Maldives.

Speak Arabic in 10 Days ...or your money back!

Pimsleur is unlike any language program on the market today. You will amaze business associates, friends and family as you begin conversing in Arabic within days using this new method.

The Pimsleur language program contains the exclusive Graduated Interval Recall TM process which allows for effortless absorption and activation of a foreign language. That’s why this powerful program is used by the CIA and NSA because results come so fast!

Studies reveal that native-speakers use only about 2,500 distinct words and phrases on a daily basis. With Pimsleur, it’s not how many words you know, but rather, which words you can use. By aiming each lesson at teaching you to use those 2,500 words, Pimsleur teaches you to speak the most in the least amount of time.

Pimsleur teachs you to speak Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the form of Arabic used uniformly throughout the Arab World. It is the language of Arab news media, intellectual life, literature, and universally taught in schools

throughout the Middle East. When different Arab nationalities converse they typically use MSA for the sake of clear communication.

Speakers are able to effectively converse in any Arabic country, and find it easy to adopt to the numerous local dialects spoken in particular regions of the Arab world.

The Pimsleur Gold course consists of 30 half hour lessons on CD. Simply repeat each lesson until you have absorbed about eighty percent of it, which usually takes 2-6 days, then move on to the next lesson. After completing the course you will be able to speak conversational Arabic!

SPECIAL OFFER - ONLY BD29 This is the full Pimsleur Gold course of 30 lessons that sells on Amazon.com for $251.

Yet we are making it available for BD29 including delivery.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: If after following the program as presented you are not satisfied with the results, just return everything within 30 days for a full refund.

To order phone : +973

3618 8100

We accept Master Card, Visa and Amex, or you can pay cash on delivery if you prefer An objective opinion by renowned language expert DEREK BICKERTON Phd. Explain the concept behind Pimsleur.

Pimsleur courses expose the learner to real-life dialogue in real-life situations. So, it’s going to keep the learner interested and teach the learner a language that can be used immediately. There’s an immediate payoff!

Why do you think Pimsleur works? What makes Pimsleur most effective is that it engages the learner from the very first stage and presents him with situations that hold his interest and attention-and it’s been carefully prepared to do so. Let’s face it, a lot of foreign languages learning can be terribly boring.

To find a language program that holds the learner’s interest is really something quite rare. And I think Pimsleur certainly does that.

About DEREK BICKERTON, Phd.

Derek Bickerton entered academic life, after a year’s postgraduate work in linguistics at the University of Leeds.

For twenty-four years he was a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii, having meanwhile received a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books, including Language and Species, published by MIT Press.

User reports confirm success: (Full copies + other letters available on request) People ask me where I studied Arabic and are amazed that I had learned my Arabic from CD’s. Amy L. I have tried to learn Arabic and tried different courses, but I must say that this one is by far the best. The way the course is built up really makes you remember the words.

Ingunn Cecilie Bugge The greatest way to learn a language that I’ve ever come across. L.A.L. The program worked flawlessly. The friends I met on my first (Middle East) trip were shocked to hear I could speak their language. John Schilling “THE PIMSLEUR APPROACH IS the best program available on the market today. I know because I have audited a dozen of them.” D. M. Rothschild, Ph.D.

What the International press say: “ Pimsleur is extremely thorough and easy to use!”

“This is the easiest and simplest language method... outstanding!”

“Unique system will have you carrying on simple conversations at the end of just four hours.”

“I would have bet that I’d collect the money-back guarantee, until I played Lesson One... I was hooked!”

Cars

Volvo S60 ‘Car of the Year’

PRESTIGIOUS AUTO AWARDS The Middle East Motor Awards hosted their annual awards last month and after eight months of anticipation, the judges made their decisions and a winner was crowned …

T

he coveted ‘Car of the Year’ honours as well as individual category winners were up for grabs at this year’s Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA), the most prestigious auto award in the Middle East.

The awards, held at the Expo Centre in Sharjah last month, involved a panel of distinguished automotive journalists including our very own Nick Cooksey, professional race drivers and off-road experts. The whole nomination and judging process lasted well over eight months with each jury member required to fill in individual scorecards for all nominated vehicles.

The judging criteria was based on various technical and consumer aspects such as vehicle design, handling, safety features, emotional appeal, value for money and more.

The 2011 “Car of the Year” award went to the Volvo S60, beating the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Kia Optima, the latter two incidentally winning the ‘Best

42

Gulf Insider December 2011

Midsize SUV’ and the ‘Best Midsize Sedan’ awards respectively. Other notable category winners include the Volkswagen Golf R as the ‘Best Premium Sub-Compact’, the Nissan 370Z Roadster as the ‘Best Sports Convertible’ and the Ford Mustang as the ‘Best Sports Car’.

The Hyundai Accent won the award for the ‘Best Small Car’, the Kia Sportage as the ‘Best Small SUV’, the Dodge Charger

as the ‘Best Large Sedan’, and the Porsche 911 GTS as the ‘Best Premium Sports Car’.

MEMA is the most credible award of its kind, judged by 19 highly sought-after automotive experts from ten countries, including Lebanon, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. GFI

Porsche 911 GTS ‘Best Premium Sportscar’

Production Journalism:

The Mixed Martial Art of Design

Contract Publishing

We guarantee: P Highest quality P Exceptional service P No hidden charges

For more information please contact:

Contact Redia Castillo Tel. +973 1782 2368 Email: info@ProDesignArabia.com

ProDesign Arabia is a subsidary of Arabian Magazines

At ProDesign Arabia We can design the look, create the style guide, write the copy, think up creative headlines and captions, sub-edit and then send it to the printers. } Editorial works } Graphic Design } Project management } Printing } Magazines } Distribution

Graphic and Web Design We can design and create sleek, modern marketing materials that help businesses make an impact, increase sales and growth. } Advertising Artworks } Web Design } Brochures } Newsletters } Branding } PR Materials

Media and Public Relations ProDesign Arabia can Help promote your business to raise and maintain your proďŹ le.

With over ten years experience in the Media industry, and a strong team that collectively has over 50 years experience, we have extensive media contacts globally.

We can craft press releases that will get in the paper ... not the journalist's bin.

Our team can make words work for you with clear, concise copy that speaks the language your audience understands... and most importantly, responds to.

Arabic Translations We provide fast and accurate Arabic and English translations - completed on time and competitively priced.

CARS

Ferrari’s new FF

Ferrari 458 and Ferrari FF The Ferrari 458 Spider is designed for maximum driving comfort, especially with the top down and even features an adjustable electric wind stop, enabling normal conversation to be held at speeds of over 200 km/h.

T

he 458 Spider widens the range of Ferrari’s mid-rear V8 engines offering uncompromising technological solutions, handling and performance in a refined open-top configuration. It is also equipped with a Ferrari patented, fully retractable hard top which is a world first for a sports car with this lay-out.

The 458 Spider’sdirect-injection 4.5 litre V8 was nominated as the ‘International Engine of the Year’ this year for its engineering excellence in terms of drivability, performance, economy and refinement. The engine soundtrack has even been honed to ensure that the car’s occupants are completely captivated by the drop-top driving experience andmade entirely of aluminium, the hard-top solution adopted for the model offers a number of advantages including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds.

The rear of the car is characterised by innovative forms designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes, the clutch and gearbox oil radiators. For maximum comfort whilst driving with the top down the Spider features an adjustable electric wind stop. The design slows and diffuses the air in the cockpit, enabling normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h.

Ferrari’s new FF, the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car

44

Gulf Insider December 2011

has also been unveiled at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The FF, an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive),is an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility and elegance.

The FF features the four-wheel drive system weighing 50 per cent less than

Ferrari’s new FF, the company’s most powerful, versatile fourseater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive.

Ferrari 458 Spider

a conventional four-wheel drive system.

Completely integrated with the car’s electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels.

The new model features stunning acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 sec. are guaranteed and the result is that owners will be able to enjoy the FF for wide range of uses including city driving or snow-covered surfaces. GFI

For more information, visit the Euro Motors showroom in Sitra or Tel. +973 177 507 50.

CARS

Fashion Meets Motoring The Exclusive Maserati GranCabrio Fendi Debuts at Frankfurt Auto Show

T

he new Maserati GranCabrio Fendi was unveiled for the first time at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

The new model is designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, scion of the luxury fashion house and is born from the union of two iconic brands from Italy, sharing common values such as craftsmanship and tradition.

A masterpiece of technology and craftsmanship, the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi was crafted in the historical Maserati headquarters in the Provence of Modena, Italy, with exclusive materials bespokely created in various colours for this unique project.

The three-layered body colour named ‘Grigio Fiamma Fendi’ is a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. The wood trim ‘Pergamena Fendi’ runs across the width of the dashboard, on the doors and the top of the gear lever, all in the iconic Fendi yellow like the brake callipers and the embroidered yellow trident on the headrests.

Adding a stronger and elegant character to the GranCabrio is Fendi’s unmistakable double F logo which is stitched onto the seat, also appearing in the centre of the 20-inch alloy wheels, and along the rocker panel.

Cuoio Romano, Fendi’s precious leather of its Selleria line, has been used for such details as the instrument cluster

The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi represents a perfect marriage between art and ultimate technology. cover for the gear lever and for the profile of the floor mats. It also features in the limited edition travel set of luggage and accessories.

The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi represents a perfect marriage between art and ultimate technology. The 4.7-litre V8 engine is coupled with automatic

transmission which brings to life a unique roar, music to the ears of many car connoisseurs.

Silvia Venturini Fendi’s specially crafted logo really seals this luxury collaboration.

A silver oval plaque contains the engraving of the Maserati Trident, Fendi logo and the five-digit series number, five being an iconic number for Fendi, and is located on the dashboard, in front of the passenger seat, and on both sides of the black cloth folding roof. A special black car cover is also included, featuring the ton-sur-ton double ‘F’ logo. GFI

For more information, visit the Euro Motors showroom in Sitra or Tel. +973 177 507 50.

Gulf Insider December 2011

45

Art

Symbolic Cities Zena Assi participated in Art Sawa’s fourth Abu Dhabi Art Fair last month showcasing her work and one of the highlights was ‘Keychain’, where she questions if people design, depend and thrive on their city or if it is the other way around.

Z

ena Assi was born in Tripoli in 1974 and now lives and works in Beirut, Lebanon. It is unusual that she never makes preparatory sketches and instead begins by priming her canvases directly.

‘Keychain’ is a series of five works of the same dimension.

This collection of paintings, treated as murals through their big scale, is an attempt to portray the psychology of contemporary cities. They are given a human shape, with the impression of an almost religious divine aura, recalling the godly figures in different religions and cultures and putting on canvas the power given to a city by its people and the authority given to the person controlling the city itself.

Each figure holds a different key as the word is a powerful multidimensional symbol, unlocking doors and possibilities. The number five was chosen as it bears religious significance in various faiths and cultures. GFI

©Zena Assi, Courtesy Art Sawa

46

Gulf Insider December 2011

Art

Gulf Insider December 2011

47

Fashion

MEN’S FASHION

Debenhams Winter Collection

Ralph Lauren winter collection

outfits

Winter Pieces

Red Herring Coat

Ralph Lauren

J Jeans by Jasper Conran Coat

Gucci 48

Salvatore Ferragamo Blue Scarf

Gulf Insider December 2011

Fashion

Bags and Accessories

Salvatore Ferragamo

Fragrances

Moschino

John Richmond

Sephora

Gulf Insider December 2011

49

The Last Post

I

Here it is. I’m dead.

In advance, I asked that once my body finally shut down from the punishments of my cancer, then my family and friends publish this prepared message I wrote.

50

Gulf Insider December 2011

was born on 30th June 1969 in Vancouver, Canada, and I died in Burnaby on 3rd May 2011, age 41, of complications from stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer. We all knew this was coming.

That includes my family and friends.

My daughters Lauren, age 11, and Marina, who’s 13. It’s become part of their lives, alas.

Of course it includes my wife Airdrie.

We graduated from different high schools in 1986 and studied Biology at UBC, where we met in ‘88. At a summer job working as park naturalists that year, I flipped the canoe Air and I were paddling and we had to push it to shore.

We then lost touch. But a few years later, in 1994, Airdrie wrote me a letter - yes! paper! - and I wrote back. It was March ‘94, and by August ‘95 we were married. I have never had second thoughts, because we have always been good together.

However, I didn’t think our time together would be so short: 23 years from our first meeting until I died? Not enough. Not nearly enough.

I haven’t gone to a better place, or a worse one. I haven’t gone anyplace, because Derek doesn’t exist anymore.

As soon as my body stopped functioning, and the neurons in my brain ceased firing, I made a remarkable transformation: from a living organism to a corpse.

As a kid, when I first learned enough subtraction, I figured out how old I would be in the momentous year 2000. The answer was 31, which seemed pretty old. Indeed, by the time I was 31 I was married and had two daughters, and I was working as a technical writer and web guy in the computer industry. Pretty grown up, I guess.

In my family in 2000, neither of our children was out of diapers, let alone taking photographs, writing stories,

riding bikes and horses, or posting on Facebook. We didn’t have a dog. And I didn’t have cancer. I had no idea I would get it, or that it would kill me.

Why do I mention this stuff? Because I’ve come to realise that, at any time, I can lament what I will never know, yet still not regret what got me where I am.

I could have died in 2000 (at an “old” 31) and been happy with my life: my amazing wife, my great kids, a fun job, and hobbies I enjoyed. But I would have missed out on a lot of things.

And many things will now happen without me. As I wrote this, I hardly knew what most of them could even be.

What will the world be like as soon as 2021, or as late as 2060, when I would have been 91? What new will we know?

What will my wife Air be doing? My daughters Marina and Lolo? How will they spend their time and earn a living?

Will my kids have children of their own?

Grandchildren? Will there be parts of their lives I’d find hard to comprehend right now?

There can’t be answers today. While I was still alive writing this, I was sad to know I’ll miss these things - not because I won’t be able to witness them, but because Air, Marina, and Lauren won’t have me there to support their efforts.

No one can imagine what’s really coming in our lives. We can plan, and do what we enjoy, but we can’t expect our plans to work out. Some of them might, while most probably won’t. Inventions and ideas will appear, and events will occur, that we could never foresee.

The world, indeed the whole universe, is a beautiful, astonishing, wondrous place. There is always more to find out. I don’t look back and regret anything, and I hope my family can find a way to do the same. GFI Derek K. Miller

The Art of getting noticed...

We create beautiful brochures and website design that will get your business noticed.

Discover how we can best benefit your business, call us on +973 3618 8100 for an informal chat.

roam with VIVA BlackBerry® Traveller

Business

Introducing two BlackBerry® packages that will increase your employees’ performance by keeping them connected to ensure business continuity while on the move: t VIVA BlackBerry® Traveller A first-of-its-kind package that offers 10MB data while roaming across 35 countries in addition to unlimited access while in Bahrain.

BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900

t 7*7" #MBDL#FSSZ® Unlimited (Local) Offers unlimited access to the Internet and email usage within Bahrain.

BlackBerry®, RIM®, Research In Motion®, SureType®, SurePressTM, BBMTM and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. Used under license from Research In Motion Limited.

For more information please call 128, contact your dedicated account manager or visit viva.com.bh