Al Hilal Bank introduces World’s First ‘Qibla Locator’ Credit Card


H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan attends historic launch ceremony

Abu Dhabi, UAE – October 9th, 2012: Al Hilal Bank has marked another world’s first with the launch of its latest pioneering payment solution, the ‘Qibla’ credit card. Developed in collaboration with MasterCard and InfoTec Systems, the new credit card incorporates a digital compass which at the press of a button locates the ‘Qibla’ direction, the direction a Muslim must face while performing Salah.

The innovative credit card was unveiled in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, at an evening launch ceremony held yesterday (Monday, October 8, 2012) at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi. Mr. Mohamed Zaqout, Head of Personal Banking Group at Al Hilal Bank signed the exclusive product agreement with Mr. Eyad Al-Kourdi, MasterCard’s Vice President and Country Manager -UAE, and Mr. Houssam Khatib, CEO of Infotec Systems Group.

In addition to its unique feature of being a convenient prayer tool, Al Hilal Bank’s Qibla Card also offers a zero profit rate for up to 12 months for ‘Hajj’ and ‘Umrah’ travel.

Card holders can avail of many other benefits such as complimentary travel vouchers worth AED 500 for Hajj and Umrah travel packages, a zero profit rate for up to six months on travel, electronic, jewellery and other purchases, airport lounge access, travel and personal accident coverage, and purchase protection.

In keeping with Islamic tenets, Qibla card holders can also make meaningful contributions to the welfare of local communities. Customers can opt to round off their local retail transactions to the nearest multiples of AED 5, 10 or 100 and credit the rounded off amount to the Red Crescent UAE.

Marking yet another first, card holder will also be entitled to a zero profit rate for up to 12 months on balances transferred from conventional bank credit cards. This is intended to encourage more customers to shift to Islamic cards and help them pay off their high interest-bearing card balances from conventional credit cards.

“Our innovative Qibla credit card is yet another testament to our ability to constantly surprise our patrons with pioneering products and services that reflect our progressiveness as an Islamic bank. Our new offering enables cardholders to benefit from a rich array of exclusive benefits and special privileges. This card embodies Islamic banking at its best as envisioned by Al Hilal Bank,” said Mr. Mohamed Zaqout Head of Personal Banking Group, Al Hilal Bank.

Eyad Al-Kourdi, Vice President and Country Manager, UAE, MasterCard Worldwide, said, “The Al Hilal Bank Qibla MasterCard Credit Card reflects our capability to develop highly innovative and tailored payment solutions for consumers in the Middle East. MasterCard is honored to be associated with a financial institution that shares our passion for community welfare.”

“It was like a ‘Mission Impossible’ task when the bank approached us with the idea of having a compass built into a payment card that would indicate the Qibla direction from anywhere in the world. We are proud of our work with Al Hilal Bank and the confidence they have given us in bringing this innovative concept to life,” added Houssam Khatib, Infotec Systems Group CEO,

Visit www.alhilalbank.ae or call 800 66 66 66 to be a part of one of the the most innovative credit cards in the world.

TASWEEK forms strategic alliance with business intelligence firm Inside Investor

Hong Kong-based company to open up prime Southeast Asia & Gulf investment prospects

October 9, 2012

ABU DHABI: TASWEEK Real Estate Marketing and Development, a leading property advisor and solutions provider, has announced that it has forged a strategic alliance with Hong Kong-based business intelligence firm Inside Investor as part of its global expansion efforts.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by both parties, TASWEEK will provide access to its extensive industry network and knowledge to support Inside Investor’s research and business intelligence endeavors. The real estate specialist will establish a joint venture office in Abu Dhabi to support the growth requirements needed to make the alliance profitable.

Inside Investor – a global provider of business intelligence and consultancy services with offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona – will support and market TASWEEK’s investment products and services in Southeast Asia and the Gulf. It will also help facilitate business transactions on behalf of its partner.

“Our alliance with Inside Investor is an excellent fit to our international growth plans. Aside from having a major audience in Southeast Asia and the GCC, Inside Investor is also targeting the US and European markets. Our latest move also affirms our commitment to collaborating with the world’s top firms in order to provide the best solutions to our customers. In addition, we stand to gain a strong market presence in the areas Inside Investor’s comprehensive portfolio of information and services covers,” said Masood Al Awar, CEO of TASWEEK Real Estate Marketing and Development.

Inside Investor prepares high-quality business reports that highlight key countries, regions, and business sectors offering top investment opportunities. The company also organizes forums, roundtables and events that gather high-level government and corporate individuals and institutions to explore bilateral investment opportunities. Inside Investor maintains a specialized daily news portal, investvine.com.

Inside Investor is organizing the Inside Investor Forum Asia 2012 from October 8 to 9, 2012 at the St. Regis Hotel in Doha, Qatar. This premier platform for connecting investors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will gather over 100 companies and 500 delegates. More information is available at http://events.insideinvestor.com.

In addition, Inside Investor’s forthcoming online business-matching platform will allow private and public institutions to share their interests and to take advantage of opportunities while balancing benefits against risks to maximize success.

TASWEEK Real Estate Marketing and Development’s MoU with Inside Investor complements its adherence to its two core competencies of networking and know-how. Founded in late 2008 and commercially operational in 2009, TASWEEK offers products and services that cover purchase and sale of strategic assets, asset management, joint ventures and strategic alliances, marketing consultancy and investment fund management.

Coinciding with World Sight Day: 

Standard Chartered Private Bank to organize Art Auction and Exhibition for High Net Worth Clients

Renowned artists to support the elimination of avoidable blindness 

UAE, 8 October, 2012 – Standard Chartered Private Bank has announced that around 200 of its High Net Worth clients have confirmed to take part in the ‘Art for Sight’ charity auction at the Armani Hotel Dubai in Burj Khalifa on October 18, 2012. The auction aims to raise funds in support of “Seeing is Believing”, Standard Chartered’s global initiative that helps tackle avoidable blindness. To further raise awareness about ‘Seeing is Believing’ and coinciding with World Sight Day (October 11), the original art works will be exhibited at the Dubai Mall from October 11 to 14. Mall visitors may submit bids for the exhibited art works or offer donations to support ‘Seeing is Believing’.

The ‘Art for Sight’ charity auction features some of the most celebrated contemporary artists of the Middle Eastern and South Asian art scenes. The artists have contributed original works inspired by the notion of vision, sight and the efforts to prevent avoidable blindness.

Stephen Richards Evans, Head of Private Bank for Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Americas, Standard Chartered Bank, said:

“It is harsh reality today that a person goes blind every five seconds, a child goes blind every minute and less than 10% of blind children are in schools. Our ‘Art for Sight’ initiative is an important way in which, together with our clients, we can make a huge difference to the lives of many of our fellow humans afflicted by blindness. We are truly and deeply grateful to the many talented artists who have dedicated their time and energy to producing such imaginative and exciting works on the themes of light and vision and for us to auction for the cause of curing blindness.”

The exhibition and auction will feature the works of several award-winning artists including painter, musician and performance artist Reza Derakshani; Shadia Alem, the distinguished self-taught artist who represented Saudi Arabia at the country’s inaugural pavilion at 54th Venice Biennale in 2011; Devrim Erbil, the Turkish artist who captured the international art community’s attention with his unique figurative and abstract painting style; Sacha Jafri, who is regarded as the pioneer of ‘Magical Realism’; and Maqbool Fida Hussain, considered one of the most renowned artists of India.

Standard Chartered is organising ‘Art for Sight’ in collaboration with Canvas, the premier magazine for art and culture from the Middle East and Arab world, and Christie’s, currently the world's largest art business and a fine arts auction house will be conducting the auction part of the initiative.

Standard Chartered in collaboration with the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the leading umbrella organisation for non-governmental organisations working in the field of eye-care, ‘Seeing is Believing’ has already raised over USD50 million for blindness initiatives and plans to raise a further USD50 million by 2020. As part of the Seeing is Believing program, Standard Chartered has pledged to match all donations to reach the target of USD 100 million.

Seeing is Believing is the single largest contributor to the development of ‘Vision 2020 – The Right to Sight’, a global campaign launched by the World Health Organisation and IAPB to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.

Ahmed Al Humairi: MoU aims to disseminate banking culture among new generations

Al Hilal Bank signs MoU with Emirates National Schools to develop education project for banking awareness

October3 2012
Al Hilal Bank, a leading Islamic Bank in the UAE, has signed a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates National Schools (ENS) on the implementation of an education project that will enhance students’ awareness on Islamic banking and personal finance. The initiative, which will be applied across ENS’ local school curriculum at all grade levels, aims to inform students about the mechanism of Islamic banks and familiarise them with Islamic banking terminologies and Islamic banking products. The agreement complements Al Hilal’s strategic plans to help promote a better economy, build future leaders and contribute to social development in line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.


H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Humairi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Emirates National Schools, has welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding with Al Hilal Bank, pointing out that cooperation between an educational institution and a banking institution is an innovative idea that offers several educational benefits. He said that Islamic banks today increasingly play a key role in disseminating a banking and financial culture among new generations, who represent a major component of the local and regional labour market. Al Humairi praised the community initiatives of Al Hilal Bank, pointing that these initiatives contribute to increasing awareness on aspects such as how to save, invest and spend money rationally.


The MoU was signed by Mohammed Jamil Berro, CEO of Al Hilal Bank, and Dr. Kenneth Vedra, Director General of Emirates National Schools, in the presence of H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Al Humairi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Emirates National Schools. It lays the groundwork for mutual cooperation between both parties and aims to build potential future leaders through the student-oriented educational project on banking awareness.


Commenting on this occasion, Berro said that the MoU lays the foundation for cooperation to raise awareness about managing money wisely and creating a healthy spending habit among the youth. He pointed that the MoU with ENS, the first of its kind in the UAE, is part of efforts to address the matter and make students more aware of the best financial and banking mechanisms, about saving and spending wisely, and recognizing the true value of money. One of the key objectives of the MoU is to develop a younger generation with well-rounded knowledge and skills on banking and financial management. The project targets students from all grade levels who will be taught basic conventional and Islamic banking concepts, with a main focus on their significant role in society and latest products and services. The theory-based course will be backed by practical education programs on bank accounting.


The project further aims to enhance awareness and appreciation among youths and the next generations on the value and proper use of money. Students will be taught how to save and budget their personal finances wisely and avoid falling into debt. Today’s youths often lack the information needed to properly manage their current and future finance. Al Hilal Bank is thus reaffirming its important role in enabling the youth by enhancing their banking and financial skills through the collaborative project with ENS. The bank aims to keep on building new partnerships and programs to bring the young generation closer to a proper culture of spending.


Al Hilal Bank will educate students on financial accountability and help them gain a deeper understanding on the nature of current banking and financial products and services and how their proper management can have a positive impact on their financial welfare. Given the increasing complexity yet greater availability of financial products, financial institutions have the obligation to promote financial literacy by advocating mandatory education and guidance on the matter. Al Hilal bank believes that financial education is the cornerstone of successful personal financial management.


“Through this new project, we aim to equip students with the necessary skills and managerial culture to better handle their financial affairs. Through this program we hope to raise more awareness and knowledge on the value of money and Islamic banking across the UAE’s educational sector. We intend to employ the best professionals and qualified competencies to execute the project,” Berro added.


“I would like to note that this program can be implemented at the government level as well. Governments and authorities all over the world are embracing the importance of financial awareness and the need to develop programs that explain key banking concepts to society. With international economies pursuing more growth worldwide, we need to ensure that people are adept at financial management and investment. Banking awareness can pave the way to more financial stability and wealth,” he said.


“Moreover, this initiative with ENS clearly asserts Al Hilal Bank’s strong desire to play an important role in helping Abu Dhabi achieve its 2030 Vision,” Berro concluded.


The project will be implemented across all ENS branches and will be initially observed in terms of student turnout, response, and effectiveness of educational materials. It will include a special evaluation mechanism to gather the necessary information to assess its implementation and gather suggestions and new ideas for further improvements. A joint committee of three members from both parties will be formed to determine and agree on implementation mechanisms and frameworks as well as the specific terms of the MoU.



Dr. Vedra noted that the MoU reflects a unique initiative for developing the views of students and expanding their intellectual and practical knowledge in the fields of banking and economy. He pointed out that through this program, Emirates National Schools seeks to urge students to learn more about the local economy. The entity is keen to,help students enhance their knowledge of financial matters that will enable them in the future to understand all the economic indicators that have an impact on the financial market in the United Arab Emirates.


Under the agreement, Al Hilal Bank shall shoulder the expenses for the implementation of the project in accordance with the terms stipulated by the joint committee. The bank will also provide professional and well-qualified competencies to lead the program and will assume responsibility for all implementation works and requirements as agreed upon by the committee.


For its part, ENS shall collaborate on the implementation mechanism with Al Hilal Bank and provide the necessary support and facilities to the bank. It will also coordinate with Al Hilal and all other related parties in ensuring the best implementation. ENS is also ought to apply the program across all its branches and at all grade levels.


Al Hilal Bank is fully owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, the investment body of the Abu Dhabi Government. It serves local customers through 22 branches and over 112 ATMs spread across the UAE as well as three overseas branches in Kazakhstan.

Al Hilal Bank’s Global Sukuk Fund generates 4.3 percent return in 6 months

September 30, 2012
Al Hilal Global Sukuk Fund has delivered a strong performance of 4.3 percent in only six months since its launch in March 2012. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of Sharia-compliant sukuk issued by sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporations and aims to generate regular income as well as capital appreciation.

The global sukuk market has proven resilient amidst the ongoing uncertainty in world markets and we have seen record performance in both primary and secondary issues. Global sukuk issuances have topped US$ 36bn while total GCC sukuk issuances have reached $17.7 bn compared to only US$ 7.3 bn during 2011. Several regional and global issuers have increasingly tapped the sukuk market to take advantage of the prevailing low interest rate environment while debt refinancing needs support a healthy pipeline of new issues. In the secondary market, scarcity value and abundant liquidity has bolstered sukuk prices. These factors along with the fund manager’s superior sukuk selection capabilities have contributed to the strong performance returns of Al Hilal Global Sukuk Fund. The fund is also well positioned to capitalize on the future upside potential of sukuk.

Al Hilal Global Sukuk offers an extremely competitive fee structure with subscription fees of 0.75% and management fees of 0.85%. Furthermore, a low minimum subscription amount of US$10,000 makes the fund attractive for retail investors.

“We believe through prudent investment strategy and good timing for the fund launch has contributed to the fund’s success and has attracted strong investor demand. The fund has more than doubled in size from US$ 16m at inception to US$ 40m” says Lim Say Cheong, EVP of Investment Banking Group of Al Hilal Bank.

For further information about the fund please contact your nearest Al Hilal Bank branch.

Exports from the Middle East and Africa to grow 12 per cent in next decade, driving demand for logistics and supply chain solutions

Barloworld Logistics to expand supply chain solutions across GCC and African markets to capitalize on trade growth

September 20, 2012
Barloworld Logistics, a leading provider of smart logistics and supply chain solutions, plans to expand their current supply chain solutions from UAE to the GCC and Africa capitalizing on the ongoing transformation of the region. According to Ernst and Young's 2012 Rapid Growth Markets (RGM) Forecast, exports from the Middle East and Africa are predicted to grow by more than 12 per cent over the next ten years.


Similarly, the 2012 African supplychainforesight report has noted great potential for the African continent as a logistics market. This is due to the fast growth of GDP in some African regions and increased demand for cargo services across most industry sectors. As a result the African logistics market is set to grow over the next five years.


Africa, in particular, has emerged as a key supplier of the resources and raw materials that are powering the growth of emerging economies such as China, India and Russia; a trend that is expected to significantly influence the future demand for logistics and supply chain solutions, with Africa and the GCC as a hub. Many of the products driving the demand for cargo services are derived from natural resources from Africa’s well-known industries of mining, chemicals and agriculture.


Frank Courtney, Barloworld Logistics’ Chief Executive for EMEA region, said: “Africa’s positioning as a strategic target market makes it imperative to have a strong and well-established logistics sector to supplement the desired growth. According to the African supplychainforesight survey, 58 per cent of respondents are planning to expand their sales into Africa and 44 per cent of respondents are planning to sell through partners. The study also found that 75 per cent of respondents find it difficult to find reliable service providers and partners in Africa. As an African Supply Chain company, Barloworld Logistics is committed to addressing this gap by further expanding its presence across strategic locations in Africa and the GCC. We have in-depth knowledge of the African market, being a homegrown company established in South Africa and this gives us a competitive advantage to better understand and cater to the distinct requirements of domestic markets.”


“With the presence of state-of-the-art logistics facilities, free zones, dedicated sea ports and airports; we believe that the GCC is well-positioned as a distribution hub to serve Africa. Barloworld Logistics is focusing on Africa and the Middle East, particularly the GCC region with a range of smart supply chain solutions,” added Courtney.


According to the 2012 African supplychainforesight research survey, South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt represent the largest trading economies in the African trade zones with annual GDP growth rate ranging from 5 per cent to 9 per cent. These countries, which currently serve as economic drivers within their relative trade zones, are expected to generate strong interest for trade and investment from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China,) countries.


Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia are recognized as future economic growth drivers in the African region while Sudan, DRC, Angola and Nigeria are also stepping up trade and investment activities, creating long-term prospects for logistics and supply chain management services across Africa.


The 2012 African supplychainforesight survey report shows that China allocates up to 33 per cent of its total outbound investments for Africa on infrastructure development. Other Chinese investment flows involve the mining sector (40.74 per cent), business services (21.58 per cent) and finance (16.4 per cent).


“We see the above trends in favour of both the African and Middle East logistics sector, where the GCC serves as a hub. Our immediate plans therefore are to offer reliable logistics and freight forwarding solutions to GCC companies doing business with Africa and the Middle East,” concluded Courtney.

SAS to hold Credit Risk Management course as part of ongoing Business Knowledge series

Credit risk management guru Naeem Siddiqi to help participants plan, develop, implement and maintain in-house risk scorecards

September 20, 2012
SAS®, the leading provider of business analytics software and services, will be holding a Credit Risk Management course from September 30, 2012 to October 1, 2012 at the SAS Offices in Arenco Tower (Office 708, Level 107), Dubai Internet City. The event is part of the ongoing ‘SAS Business Knowledge Series,’ which seeks to promote real world solutions for today’s professionals. The special course will be facilitated by Naeem Siddiqi , Global Product Manager-Banking Analytics Solutions, SAS and the author of Credit Risk Scorecards. Participants for this business focused course will gain key knowledge on how to plan, develop, implement and maintain in-house risk scorecards.


The specialized training session provides a high-level introduction to credit risk management and also teaches participants on how to run scorecard implementation strategies. In addition, the Credit Risk Management course will compose of discussions on how to create business and project plans for scorecard development; develop and validate intelligent credit risk scorecards and how to generate scorecard and portfolio performance reports. Credit risk management guru Siddiqi has over 15 years of experience in his field and has served as consultant and risk manager for leading financial institutions.


“We are very proud to offer this special Credit Risk Management course, which is part of our continuing Business Knowledge series. This seminar is being held to reach out to the region’s credit risk and scoring managers, data miners and professionals involved in model vetting/validation, auditing, risk strategy developers and credit risk executives. Our aim is to give these participants a better understanding of the importance of credit risk and its components like management, scorecards while at the same time learning how to identify the different types of risks. Naeem Siddiqi, who is credited for authoring the use of Credit Risk scorecards, will not only help participants learn more about this timely topic but will also impart the significant benefits to be gained from utilizing the diverse portfolio of SAS Solutions,” concluded Shukri Dabaghi, General Manager, SAS Middle East.


Interested participants can register online at www.sas.com/apps/wtraining2/wtraincheck.jsp. The registration fee for the two-day event is USD 1,500.00.

وفد يضم 24 من رجال الأعمال المصريين فى زيارة الرئيس مرسى لإيطاليا

المهندس خالد أبوبكر:10 إتفاقيات شراكة مع إيطاليا لزيادة التعاون التجارى والإقتصادى بين البلدين

القاهرة فى 12 سبتمبر2012 : أكد المهندس خالد أبو بكر، رئيس مجلس الأعمال المصرى الإيطالى، أن زيارة الرئيس محمد مرسى لإيطاليا ستسهم بشكل كبير فى زيادة مجالات التعاون الاقتصادى والتجارى بين البلدين بصورة كبيرة، مشيرا إلى أن مجتمع الأعمال وكبار المستثمرين الإيطاليين أعربوا عن ترحيبهم بتلك الزيارة المرتقبة.


وسوف تبدأ غدا الزيارة الرسمية الأولى للرئيس محمد مرسى لإيطاليا وسيصاحبه وفد يضم 24 من رجال الأعمال المصريين وهم : السيد المهندس/خالد أبو بكر؛رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة طاقة عربية. السيد المهندس/ عز الدين الناصر؛ مدير مشروعات شركة ايادى. السيد / محمد السويدى؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة السويدى إلكتريك. السيد / على موسى؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة سانت جوبان.السيد المهندس/ أحمد جلال الدين؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة الجلال للورق وسمراء للأحذية. السيد المهندس/ عمر مهنى؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة السويس للأسمنت. السيد المهندس / خالد الميقاتى؛ شركة HS للرخام. السيد المهندس / ياسر جمالى؛ نائب رئيس بنك الأسكندرية التابع لمجموعة انتيسا سان باولو .السيد / مروان السماك؛ رئيس شركة الهندسية للحاويات. السيدة / أمنية خليل؛ الشركة المصرية للتصميمات. السيد / حاتم دويدار؛ الرئيس التنفيذى لشركة فودافون مصر. السيد / صبرى رزق الله؛ فام ديزاين. السيد / سعيد أحمد السيد؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة مجموعة النيل للكتان. السيد/ أحمد محمد توفيق بلبع ،مجموعة بلبع لإستثمار العقارى والسياحى. السيد / علاء رائد هاشم؛ موكيت ماك. السيد / باسل الباز؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة مصر للصناعات الأساسية (ايبك).السيد / شريف البلتاجى؛ شركة بلكو. السيد المهندس/ أحمد مكى؛ من مستثمرى قطاع الإتصالات. السيد / عبد الرحمن الجباس؛ رئيس لجنة الروبيكى وعضو مجلس إدارة غرفة دباغة الجلود. السيد الدكتور / حازم فاروق؛ نقيب أطباء الأسنان. السيد المهندس/ عمرو حلمى؛ شركة عمرو حلمى ديزاين. السيد المهندس/ حاتم عزام؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة أونسبكت توكل للهندسة والمقاولات. السيد الدكتور/ محمد فاروق؛ رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة انفنسيس الهندسية.السيد مازن القطيط؛ رئيس شركة أوروبا2000 للنظافة.

الجدير بالذكر فإن حجم الإستثمارات الإيطالية فى مصر وصل إلى نحو 805 ملايين دولار عبر تأسيس 23 شركة خلال الـ8 شهور الماضية.كما بلغ حجم الصادرات المصرية نحو 12.242 مليار جنيه خلال الفترة نفسها مقابل 15.9 مليار جنيه فى 2011 بالكامل،فيما وصل حجم الواردات إلى حوالى 12.834 مليارجنيه خلال الفترة نفسها وبلغ خلال العام الماضى نحو17.701 مليار جنيه.

تكنولوجيا المعلومات الخاصة بالمؤسسات تعزز دور الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في مصر في دفع عجلة النمو الإقتصادي

محفظة "سايج" الجديدة من البرمجيات ترتقي بمكانة الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة وقدرتها على إتخاذ القرارات الصحيحة

على الرغم من ثقل وطأة الأزمة الإقتصادية الأخيرة على كافة أنحاء العالم، تبقى الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة ركيزة قوية وحيوية من ركائز الإنتعاش الإقتصادي في مصر ً. ومن هذا المنطلق، تعتزم شركة "سايج للبرمجيات" (Sage Software) الرائدة في مجال توفير حلول تخطيط موارد المؤسسات (ERP) وإدارة علاقات العملاء (CRM) للمؤسسات المتوسطة والكبيرة، الإستفادة من هذا التقدّم الملحوظ في القطاع من خلال توفير مجموعتها الواسعة من حلول وخدمات البرمجيات للشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في مصر.

وبات قطاع الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة يشكل العامود الفقري لإقتصادات الدول. ووفقاً لتقرير "جارتنر" الأخير، من المتوقع أن يرتفع حجم الإنفاق على تكنولوجيا المعلومات المؤسسية في السوق العالمية لهذا النوع من الشركات إلى أكثر من تريليون دولار أمريكي بحلول العام 2016. كما يتوقع أن يصل حجم هذه السوق العالمية التي تمثل حوالي ربع مجموع الانفاق على تكنولوجيا المعلومات المؤسسية، إلى 874 مليار دولار في العام الحالي، على أن يسجل تريليون دولار بحلول العام 2016. وتأكيداً على هذه التوقعات، يوضح تقرير "فورستر" الأخير أن هذه الزيادة في الإنفاق ستفتح الأبواب أمام مزوّدي البرمجيات لتقديم أفضل الحلول التقنية وأحدثها، لافتاً إلى إحتمال نمو حجم قطاع إدارة موارد المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة بمعدل نمو سنوي مركب قدره 6.1 في المائة، ليصل إلى 31.3 مليار دولار أمريكي في العام 2014. وبدورهم، أكّد كبار المسؤولين في "سايج للبرمجيات" على أهمية قطاع الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة ودورها في تحقيق طموحات الشركة للمدى الطويل، بما في ذلك مضاعفة حجم ايراداتها وحصتها في السوق خلال السنوات الثلاثة القادمة.

وفي معرض تعليقه على الأمر، قال فيكرام سوري، مدير عام شركة "سايج للبرمجيات" في الشرق الأوسط والهند: "من المتوقّع أن يشهد قطاع الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة زيادةً في النمو، وبالتالي زيادةً في الطلب على المزيد من البرمجيات للإرتقاء بمستوى الإنتاجية والكفاءة. وفي هذا الصدد، اننا نتطلع إلى تلبية إحتياجات هذا القطاع وتقديم أفضل الخدمات والبرمجيات بما يساعد في تعزيز القدرة التشغيلية ومرونة هذه الشركات على مدار الساعة. وإننا نهدف إلى تزويد الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة بحلول عالمية المستوى ستتيح لهم رؤية أوضح وقدرة أكبر على إتخاذ القرارات الأكثر صواباً وبالتالي على منافسة الشركات الأكبر حجماً."

وترمي محفظة "سايج" المتنوعة إلى تسهيل إدارة وتطبيق العمليات التابعة للشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في مصر. وتشتمل هذه المحفظة على حلول "سايج لتخطيط موارد المؤسسات أكس 3" (Sage ERP X3) و"سايج لإدارة علاقات العملاء" (Sage CRM) و"سايج أكباك لإدارة علاقات العملاء" (Sage Accpac CRM) التي تتيح للشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة إمكانية متابعة الطلبات والحد من تكدّس البضائع والسيطرة بشكل أفضل على تدفق رأس المال. علاوة على ذلك، تضم مجموعة "سايج" العديد من الحلول الأخرى المعنية بمجالات ذكاء الأعمال، والمالية، وإدارة الخدمات، وإدارة علاقات العملاء، وإدارة الموارد البشرية وجدول الرواتب، والبيع بالتجزئة والتجارة الإلكترونية، والتصنيع، والبناء، وكذلك التخطيط والتنبؤ.

وأردف سوري، قائلاً: "يمكننا القول أن تطوّر حلول قابلية التنقل والتحليل وكذلك تطوّر بيئة العمل السحابية قد لعب دوراً كبيراً في تعزيز القدرة التنافسية لدى الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة. وفي ضوء تزايد حاجة هذه الشركات الصغيرة للحصول على حل متكامل يخدم كافة متطلباتها، تعتزم "سايج" توفير حلاً مرناً ومعقول التكلفة، لا يهدف إلى تلبية كافة الإحتياجات الحالية والمحتملة لهذه الشركات فحسب، بل يقدّم أيضاً طريقة سريعة وسهلة التطبيق والتكوين والصيانة لضمان الشفافية اللازمة في توفير المعلومات وبالتالي إتخاذ القرارات الأكثر صواباً ومعرفة. ومما لا شك فيه، سنبقى ثابتي الخطى في سعينا الدؤوب الى الإرتقاء بمستوى أعمالكم والبقاء دائماً في صدارة المنافسة."

Resignation of Arab Bank's Chairman 

Cairo, Egypt, 23rd of August, 2012 – Arab Bank confirmed in
a press statement the news of the resignation of Arab Bank’s
Chairman, Mr. Abdel Hamid Shoman, who submitted his
resignation to the Members of the Board.

Commenting on the news, Mr. Sabih Masri, Deputy Chairman of
Arab Bank’s Board of Directors said, “We unfortunately confirm
the news of Mr. Abdel Hamid Shoman’s resignation from the
Board of Directors which was his personal decision. We extend
our deep gratitude and recognize Mr. Shoman’s great efforts in
leading the Bank for over 40 years. Arab Bank will continue on its
journey of success locally, regionally and globally. The Bank will
adhere to its strategic direction based on its historic values when
it comes to operations, policies and prudent financial practices.”
Mr. Masri added “Arab Bank enjoys a strong management and
institutional structure which has been built over many years”.

Arab Bank Group achieved net profit after tax and provisions of
$ 360.3 million for the first half of the year 2012 compared to $
327.2 million for the same period in 2011 showing a growth of

10%, despite the ongoing developments in the region and the
world.

Testimony to the Bank’s solid financial standing, Fitch affirmed on
July 25, 2012 the rating of Arab Bank at A- with a Stable Outlook.

مصر – القاهرة 23 أغسطس 2012:   – أكد البنك العربي في بيان صحفي مقتضب نبأ إستقالة رئيس مجلس إدارة البنك العربي سعادة السيد عبد الحميد شومان والذي تقدم بإستقالته إلى المجلس.

وفي تعليقه على هذا النبأ، صرح سعادة السيد صبيح المصري نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة البنك العربي: "يؤسفنا أن نؤكد نبأ إستقالة السيد عبد الحميد شومان من مجلس إدارة البنك العربي والذي جاء بناء على رغبته الشخصية. وإننا إذ نقدم خالص شكرنا وعظيم عرفاننا للسيد عبد الحميد شومان على ما بذله من جهود عظيمة في إدارة البنك العربي على إمتداد أكثر من 40 عاماً فإننا نؤكد على مضي المؤسسة في مسيرتها الناجحة محلياً وإقليمياً وعالمياً مستندة إلى قيمها الراسخة ونهجها الإستراتيجي الرصين المبني على أسس  العمل المؤسسي المهني والسياسات المالية الحصيفة. ويتمتع البنك العربي بهيكل إداري و مؤسسي متين تم بناؤه عبر السنين".  

وتجدر الإشارة هنا إلى أن البيانات المالية لمجموعة البنك العربي للنصف الاول من العام 2012 أظهرت استمرارا في نمو الأرباح حيث حقق البنك أرباحاً صافية بعد الضرائب والمخصصات بمبلغ 360.3 مليون دولار مقارنة بـ 327.2 مليون دولار في الفترة المقابلة للعام 2011 وبمعدل نمو مقداره 10% على الرغم من الظروف والمتغيرات الإقليمية والدولية.  

كما وتجدر الإشارة هنا إلى أن وكالة التصنيف العالمية فيتش أكدت في 25/7/2012 تقييمها للبنك العربي بدرجة A- مع مؤشر مستقر، ويأتي هذا تأكيداً لمتانة الوضع المالي للبنك العربي.