The New Plustek eScan A150 Scanner Will Be Unveiled in the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion at GITEX 2015

The eScan A150 standalone network document scanner was awarded with the prestigious Taiwan Excellence Award 2015 for meeting the requirements regarding innovation, design and quality August 18, 2015, Dubai, UAE – [GITEX 2015, Hall Sheikh Rashid Hall, Booth #SR- I1] – Plustek Inc. (www.plustek.com/mea), a manufacturer of consumer, prosumer and professional imaging and security devices, has been invited to participate at “The Taiwan Industry Image Enhancement Project (IEP)” and will be exhibiting its new eScan A150 document scanner and other award-winning scanners at the famous GITEX 2015 show in Dubai, from Oct 18 to 22. The eScan A150 is the first standalone scanner with an Android OS, and built-in seven inch LCD touch-screen, tailor-made for small and medium-sized businesses. The key scanning feature is the very intuitive user interface with multiple functions. It allows users to process documents, view them on the touch-screen display and send the files via multiple destinations, including mobile, email, USB driver, cloud server, FTP, and PC anywhere in the world in just three simple steps. Taiwan Excellence Award is a crucial symbol of outstanding quality of Taiwanese products; each potential award candidate is judged by the Taiwan Excellence committee on the merits of their research and development capabilities, design elegance, quality of workmanship and marketing accuracy. Plustek eScan A150 received this prestigious award meeting the strict requirements of innovation, design and quality. “The eScan A150 scanner has been presented at many popular exhibitions around the world, including CeBIT2015, Computex Taipei 2015, and AIIM Forum UK 2015. The feedback we received is very positive” said Ibrahim Shen, Plustek Regional Account Manager. “We are honored to be invited by TAITRA to participate in this Taiwan Excellence event, and to be able to introduce our award-winning products to the Middle East customers. The eScan A150 and the NVR Wireless Kit will be presented at the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion and Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone in Dubai. We will be delighted to welcome all visitors for a hands-on trial of the eScan A150.” The Plustek products will be presented at the following events in Dubai: l   Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone, The Dubai Mall, Sep. 9th -12th l   Taiwan Excellence Pavilion, GITEX 2015, Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai, Oct. 18th -22nd For more information on eScan A150, visit: http://plustek.com/mea/products/escan-series/escan-a150/

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES AND FASHION PARTNERSHIPS TO CELEBRATE NEWLY RESTYLED SUITES

Hong Kong, 18 August 2015 – The Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, New York is delighted to announce the debut of its 42 restyled one- and two-bedroom suites, which feature panoramic views of Central Park, the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Through curated partnerships that blend elements of art, culture, fashion and gastronomy, the suite experience has been enhanced with an array of exclusive amenities and programs.

Designed by global architecture, design, engineering and planning firm HOK, the suites celebrate New York City life through the course of a day with three distinct themes – the 820 square-foot New York Sunrise-themed Central Park View Suite, the 800 square-foot New York Dusk-themed Hudson River View Suite, and the New York Nights-themed 800 square-foot Premier Central Park View Suite and 1,220 square-foot Two Bedroom Central Park West Suite. Complementing the suites’ modern interiors is a contemporary art collection curated by Rare Culture which draws inspiration from New York City and creates the feeling of a gallery space for suite guests. Original pieces by New York-based and New York-inspired artists, including Steve Wasterval, Per Johannson and Emmanuel Frangeul a.k.a. Blew, are featured throughout the spaces.

Bedside Reading Program by Altuzarra and Rodarte New York City Guide

Located in one of the premier fashion capitals of the world, the property incorporates elements of fashion into the new suites through partnerships with two renowned luxury brands. The hotel’s Bedside Reading Program is elevated in the suites through a collaboration with award-winning New York-based fashion designer and avid reader Joseph Altuzarra of Altuzarra. Each suite features a selection of the designer’s favorite books which have inspired the collections for his women’s ready-to-wear brand over the years including titles The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and In Search of Lost Time by Proust. Guests are invited to take a book home if they wish.

Suite guests will also be welcomed upon arrival with a Rodarte New York City Guide designed exclusively for the property by award-winning designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy, founders of the luxury clothing and accessories brand Rodarte. Created as both a functional map of Manhattan and also a collectible art piece, the Rodarte New York City Guide is a visualization of the discoveries and insights which have defined the designer duo’s city experiences. The guide provides suite guests with the unique opportunity to explore the city through the eyes of the visionary designers.

Ensuite Meditation and Heat Experiences Access at the Five-Star Spa

To create an oasis of calm high above Manhattan, the hotel is bringing the spa experience into each suite through meditation. Guests are invited to enjoy a meditative moment looking out onto the city with plush DharmaCrafts meditation cushions available to use in each of the suites. One-on-one guided meditation journeys are offered to suite guests through the Five-Star Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York for an additional fee. Guests of the new suites will also receive complimentary access to The Spa’s extensive Heat Experiences featuring separate men’s and women’s oxygen-infused vitality pools, amethyst crystal steam rooms and experience showers.

Suite Cocktail Program

The new suites celebrate New York City gastronomy with re-imagined welcome amenities and a signature cocktail program. After checking-in, guests are presented with creative gourmet delights and an original house-made beverage ingredient inspired by their suite’s theme. This is accompanied by an invitation to MObar for a complimentary bespoke cocktail using the ingredient. The Sunrise cocktail created for the Central Park View Suite features homemade blood orange sugar cubes, bubbly and a lemon twist. The Hudson River View Suite’s Dusk concoction is made with homemade pickled cherries, rye whiskey, Carpano Antica Vermouth and bitters. The Night cocktail, signature to the Premier Central Park View Suite and the Two Bedroom Central

Park West Suite, is comprised of homemade honey ginger syrup, lemon juice, Glenfiddich 12 Year Old bubbles and candied ginger. Guests also receive the recipe for their respective suite cocktail and are welcome to bring their ingredient home.

“We are excited to introduce guests to our new one- and two-bedroom suites at Mandarin Oriental, New York as well as the unique and exclusive amenities created especially for them,” said Susanne Hatje, General Manager. “With these suites, we have the opportunity to present our guests with a new vantage point from which to discover New York City so it is as if they are seeing and experiencing the city for the first time, each and every time.”

Guests are invited to share their suite experiences on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the designated hashtag #MOSuiteLife.

Rates for one-bedroom suites begin at USD 1,795 per night and rates for two-bedroom suites begin at USD 3,795 per night and are subject to availability plus taxes and gratuities. For reservations, please call +1 (212) 805 8800 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com.

About Mandarin Oriental, New York

A stunning fusion of modern design with stylish Oriental flair, Mandarin Oriental, New York features 244 elegant guestrooms and suites — all with breathtaking views of Manhattan and Five-Star hospitality. Luxurious amenities include Asiate, the hotel’s elegant restaurant; MObar created by noted interior designer, Tony Chi; the Lobby Lounge with dramatic views of Central Park; a 14,500-square-foot, Five-Star Mandarin Oriental Spa; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a 75-foot lap pool. In addition, there is premium meeting and event space, including a 6,000 square-foot pillar-less ballroomwith three walls of windows overlooking Central Park. Located in Columbus Circle’s Time Warner Center, Mandarin Oriental, New York is in an idyllic location just steps away from world-class dining, shopping and entertainment, including the Broadway

Theater District, Lincoln Center, Central Park, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Time Warner Center’s collection of upscale retail shops and restaurants.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from a well-respected Asian hotel company into a global brand, the Group now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing almost 11,000 rooms in 24 countries, with 21 hotels in Asia, nine in The Americas and 15 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates or has under development, 15 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.

Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com.

Visit Destination MO (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/destination-mo/), the online version of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s bespoke publication, MO. News about our award-winning hotels, the best dining experiences, spa treatments, travel retreats and interviews with the Group’s celebrity fans is now just a click away. Further information is also available on our Social Media channels.

Global Ethical Finance Forum to host historic discussion on principles and standards for the responsible finance industry

Pioneers from the SRI and faith-based investing segments from emerging and developed markets to converge at much awaited forum in September

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 August 2015: The Global Ethical Finance Forum (GEFF) has announced that it will play host to a particularly critical issue faced by the rapidly growing responsible finance industry: standardization. Experts from leading institutions such as Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), Climate Bonds Initiative, UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) and Forum Ethibel will discuss how to engage main street regulators in setting standards, ensure strict compliance with principles, avoid “green washing”, and facilitate crossover within the industry through the development of common standards.

Principles and standards for responsible finance were varied across jurisdictions before the conception of the historic initiative of UN-backed Principles of Responsible Investments (UNPRI). Since its launch in 2006, UNPRI has brought together 1380 investors who manage assets worth US $59 trillion under a single set of 6 principles. The UNPRI framework is widely accepted, but in order to facilitate greater coherence in the industry, it is paramount to have the support and involvement of main street regulators. The issue of enforcement is also under speculation as some signatories have fallen short in implementing them. This is increasingly being realized by UNPRI as it began to implement new procedures to ensure the compliance of its principles via the introduction of a tiered approach. UNPRI recently suggested an overhaul of its principles.

As such, the upcoming GEFF is a truly historic as it will engage key stakeholders from various corners of the world to discuss the subject of standard setting and facilitate the widespread support by the responsible finance industry. The head of policy at UNPRI – Will Martindale will deliver his informed insights in a high profile panel comprising of Ulrika Hasselgren, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner, Ethix SRI Advisors; Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre; Jose Maria Fuentes, Former Under Secretary of Sovereign Wealth Funds, International Monetary Fund; Will Fergus Moffatt, Programme Director and Head of Public Policy, UKSIF; and Graham Burnside, Consultant, Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, and Advisory Board Member, The Islamic Finance Council UK (IFC)

Another impactful panel will be led by Julian Parrott, Partner at Ethical Futures. It will explore the prospect of developing common guidelines and principles to facilitate convergence between Socially Responsible investing (SRI) and faith based investing. A breakthrough step in this regard was the development of an SRI Sukuk framework by SC that enabled the launch of a green sukuk by Khazanah Nasional – the sovereign wealth fund arm of Malaysia. This framework provides a benchmark for the development of comprehensive standards, thereby facilitating the development of products resonating with both the SRI and Islamic finance sectors. Other powerhouses at the session include Herwig Peeters, Executive Director, Forum Ethibel; Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Executive Director, Securities Commission Malaysia (SC); Justine Leigh-Bell, Head of Standards Development, Climate Bonds Initiative; Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin, Executive Director, International Shari'ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA); and Dr Piotr Konwicki, Senior Lecturer, Finance, University of Bedfordshire, Business School.

Speaking ahead of the historic forum, Justine Leigh-Bell highlighted the synergies between Islamic finance and the green investments: "The rapid growth of the green bonds market, as well as the success of Islamic Finance in the last few years, further underpins the potential for a green sukuk market. But to be successful, two streams of standards are required: Robust standards to ensure the green credentials -- leveraging best practices in the green bond market -- and standards to ensure compliance with Shari’ah Law. The huge potential for green sukuk will allow Islamic investors to more easily address SRI, ESG and faith based investing in their investment choices. It also has the potential to attract non-Islamic investors who otherwise would not have invested in sukuk but invest due to the green credentials"

Zainal Abidin of Malaysia’s Securities Commission reiterated the foundational similarities between Islamic finance and the wider ethical finance industry, and emphasized the need for a unifying framework of principles: “In order to capitalize on these similarities and facilitate the development of both financial disciplines, it may be constructive to seek some degree of convergence through a set of standards that address their common principles and features. In so doing, both Islamic and ethical finance may benefit from a broader range of products and a wider investor and issuer base within a robust framework that promotes greater transparency and market confidence. Nevertheless proper assessment and deliberation among key stakeholders of both disciplines is a critical prerequisite to ensure relevance and applicability of a common framework.”

GEFF 2015 will take place in the prestigious Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, one of Europe’s cultural and literary capitals.

To find out more about GEFF, download the comprehensive brochure at www.geff2015.com.

Dabur International re-launches Vatika Shampoos and Conditioners in Middle East with six variants

August 18, 2015 - Dabur International, one of the most trusted and recognized personal and healthcare companies in the world, has announced the re-launch of its entire range of Vatika Shampoos and Conditioners in the Middle East & other international markets. The latest hair care range, available in six variants, is enriched with selected natural ingredients & an improved formulation, resulting in problem free beautiful hair naturally. Regular use of the new and improved Vatika Shampoos range promises two times more shine and moisturization, three times more softness, and 30 per cent less frizzy hair.

The range of Vatika Shampoos and Conditioners is available in stores across the Middle East & other international markets in six variants of Dandruff Guard, Moisture Treatment, Hair Fall Control, Repair & Restore, Nourish & Protect, and Volume & Thickness. The product is enriched with carefully hand-picked natural ingredients such as lemon, yoghurt, mint, almonds, honey, cactus, garlic, gergir, egg, henna and aloe vera along with oils like tea tree, olive, coconut and castor sourced from the place of their origin. The variants are suited for different hair types and are highly effective in treating common hair problems such as hair breakage, weak and thin hair, split ends, dry and frizzy hair, and dandruff making them longer, stronger and shinier.

Varun Chopra, DGM - Marketing, Dabur International, said: “Dabur International has re-launched its Vatika range of Shampoos in the Middle East & other international markets to offer a superior and premium product to our discerning consumers. The new and improved range is fortified with time-tested natural ingredients and the six variants are highly effective in addressing specific hair problems. We have gone one step further and launched the entire range with holographic labels on the packs that are a category first, making the packs distinctly visible & more attractive on shelf. We are confident that the breakthrough formulation of the new range of Vatika Shampoo and Conditioners developed by our R&D team will delight our consumer’s, & provide them with problem free beautiful hair naturally.”   

Dabur International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dabur India, has an overall turnover of over USD 1.3 billion and a market capitalization of USD 8 billion. Dabur’s International Business Division headquartered in Dubai is the cornerstone of its growth strategy, reaching a milestone of AED 1 billion within only eight years of its existence.

"دابر إنترناشيونال" تعيد طرح مجموعة "شامبو وبلسم فاتيكا" في ستة أصناف جديدة في أسواق الشرق الأوسط

18 أغسطس 2015 - أعلنت شركة "دابر إنترناشيونال"، إحدى أكثر العلامات التجارية العالمية الموثوق بها والمعترف بها في مجالي العناية الصحية والشخصية، مؤخّراً عن إعادة طرح المجموعة الكاملة من "شامبو وبلسم فاتيكا" في أسواق الشرق الأوسط والأسواق الدولية. وتتميز أحدث مجموعة للعناية بالشعر، والمتوفرة في ستة أنواع مختلفة، بتركيبة محسنة وغنيّة بالمواد الطبيعية المختارة بعناية لضمان الحصول على شعر صحي ومتألق ولامع وخالٍ من العيوب. وأثبتت الاختبارات أن الاستخدام المنتظم لمجموعة "شامبو وبلسم فاتيكا" الجديدة المطوّرة يساعد في جعل الشعر أكثر لمعاناً وترطيباً بمعدل الضعف مقارنةً بالمستحضرات الأخرى المماثلة، في حين أنه يساهم في زيادة نعومة وحيوية الشعر بمعدل 3 أضعاف والتخفيف من التجعد بنسبة 30%.     

وتم طرح مجموعة "شامبو وبلسم فاتيكا" في أسواق الشرق الأوسط والأسواق الدولية الأخرى، وفق ستة أشكال متنوعة تشمل "فاتيكا ضد القشرة" و"فاتيكا لترطيب الشعر" و"فاتيكا ضد تساقط الشعر" و"فاتيكا لإصلاح الشعر" و"فاتيكا للتغذية والحماية" و" فاتيكا لزيادة حجم وكثافة الشعر". ويدخل في تركيب المنتج الجديد مجموعة فريدة من المواد المغذية والمختارة بدقة تامة، مثل الليمون واللبن والنعناع واللوز والعسل والصبار والثوم والجرجير والبيض والحناء والألوفيرا، بالإضافة إلى الزيوت الطبيعية كزيت الشاي الأخضر وزيت الزيتون وزيت جوز الهند وزيت الخروع والمستخلصة جميعاً من موطنها الأصلي. وأثبتت الأصناف الجديدة، المصممة خصيصاً لتناسب جميع أنواع الشعر، فعالية عالية في علاج مشاكل الشعر الأكثر شيوعاً، التي تشمل الشعر المتضرر والشعر الضعيف والخفيف والأطراف المتقصفة والشعر الجاف والمجعد والقشرة وغيرها. وتعمل الأصناف مجتمعةً على تقوية وإطالة الشعر وجعله أكثر صحة ولمعان.

وقال فارون شوبرا، نائب مدير عام قسم التسويق في شركة "دابر إنترناشيونال": "قمنا بإعادة طرح مجموعتنا الجديدة من شامبو فاتيكا في أسواق الشرق الأوسط والأسواق الدولية تماشياً مع سعينا الحثيث لتقديم منتجات فاخرة ومتميزة لعملائنا. وتتميز المجموعة الجديدة المحسنة بتركيبة غنيّة بالمواد الطبيعية التي تضمن فعالية تدوم طويلاً، حيث أثبتت الأصناف الستة نتائج إيجابية للغاية في معالجة العديد من مشاكل الشعر الشائعة. وفي دفعة قوية نحو مستوى جديد من النمو، قمنا بطرح المجموعة الكاملة بملصقات ثلاثية الأبعاد على العبوات، في سبيل تعزيز جاذبية المنتجات ضمن الأسواق الاستهلاكية. ونحن على ثقة تامة بأن التركيبة المتطورة لمجموعة "شامبو وبلسم فاتيكا"، والتي تم تصميمها خصيصاً من قبل فريق البحث والتطوير لدينا في "دابر"، ستسهم في تحقيق أعلى مستويات رضا عملائنا وتمنحهم نتائج مرضية في الحصول على شعر صحي ولامح وقوي وخالٍ من العيوب".

ويُذكر أخيراً أنّ "دابر إنترناشيونال" هي شركة فرعية مملوكة بالكامل لصالح شركة "دابر الهند". وتبلغ العائدات الإجمالية للشركة 1.3 مليار دولار وتبلغ قيمتها السوقية 8 مليارات دولار. ويمثل قسم الأعمال الرئيسي لـ "دابر إنترناشيونال" ومقره دبي ركيزة إستراتيجية النمو التي تنتهجها الشركة، حيث وصل حجمه إلى 1 مليار درهم إماراتي بعد مضي 8 سنوات على استحداثه.

أكثر من 80% من المقيمين في دبي واجهتهم مشاكل صيانة منزلية خلال النصف الأوّل من العام

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتّحدة: أجرى موقع "موف سوق دوت كوم" (MoveSouq.com)، البوابة  الإلكترونية الرائدة في الإمارات العربية المتّحدة لتسهيل التواصل بين السكان ومزوّدي خدمات المنازل مثل خدمات الصيانة، مؤخراً استطلاعاً للرأي على شبكة الإنترنت حول مشاكل الصيانة المنزلية التي يواجهها المقيمون في دبي. وتم إجراء الاستطلاع بالتعاون مع "إمداد"، الشركة الرائدة في مجال تزويد حلول إدارة المرافق المتكاملة وإدارة النفايات في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي، وذلك في خطوة مشتركة للإطّلاع عن كثب على مستوى جودة المنازل في الإمارة.

وأظهرت نتائج الاستطلاع، الذي شمل 150 شخصاً من المقيمين في دبي، أن 83% منهم واجهوا مشكلة صيانة واحدة على الأقل في منازلهم خلال النصف الأوّل من العام الجاري. وتصدّرت قائمة المشكلات أجهزة التكييف حيث أكّدت حوالى 50% من الأسر المقيمة في دبي (بواقع 40% مستأجرين في شقق سكنية و70% في فلل) أنّهم واجهوا مشكلات في وحدات تكييف الهواء خلال هذه الفترة، تلتها مشاكل أخرى مرتبطة بالصرف الصحي والكهرباء وعدم سماكة الجدران وتعطّل سخّانات المياه، وذلك بواقع 20 بالمائة لكل من هذه المشاكل. وعلاوةً على ذلك، شكّلت تسرّبات أنابيب المياه مشكلة كبيرة من مشاكل الصيانة الأساسية التي تحدث في الفلل بشكل خاص، حيث أكّد 24% من سكان الفلل المشاركين في الاستطلاع تعرّضهم لهذه المشكلة.

وقال جمال عبدالله لوتاه، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة "إمداد": "تقدّم لنا نتائج هذا الاستطلاع نظرةً أكثر عمقاً وشموليةً لمتطلّبات الصيانة لدى أصحاب المنازل في دولة الإمارات العربية المتّحدة، والتي تتنوّع من إصلاح أجهزة تكييف الهواء إلى احتياجات أعمال السباكة. ويؤكّد إجراء هذا الاستطلاع على التزامنا الاستراتيجي بالإطّلاع المتواصل على احتياجات الصيانة في المنازل وتقديم محفظتنا المتنوّعة من خدمات

إدارة المرافق  للمساعدة في معالجة هذه التحدّيات. وسنتّخذ من هذا الاستطلاع مرجعاً أساسياً في مسيرتنا نحو تطوير وتحسين الخدمات التي نقدّمها للأعداد المتنامية من أصحاب المنازل في الدولة".

وعلاوةً على ذلك، تشير متوسّط نتائج الاستطلاع إلى أنّ كل مقيم في دبي واجه مشكلتين من مشاكل الصيانة المنزلية خلال الأشهر الستة الأخيرة. وقد استعان 60% منهم بشركات صيانة محترفة لمعالجة هذه المشاكل، في حين أفادت النسبة المتبقيّة والبالغة 40% إلى أنّهم إمّا قاموا بإصلاح المشاكل بأنفسهم أو تمّ تركها كما هي دون إصلاح. وأوضحت نتائج الاستطلاع أيضاً أن 40% من المستأجرين في دبي يتحمّلون كامل النفقات المترتّبة على خدمات الصيانة، في حين أكّد 50% من المستأجرين أن الملاك هم الذي يتحملّون هذه النفقات بالكامل، بينما الـ 10% المتبقّية يتقاسمون التكاليف بالتساوي مع أصحاب العقار.

لمحة عن شركة "إمداد":

تعتبر "إمداد"، التي بدأت عملياتها التشغيلية في العام 1986، الشركة الرائدة في مجال تزويد حلول إدارة المرافق المتكاملة وإدارة النفايات في منطقة دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي. وتقدّم الشركة محفظةً واسعةً من الخدمات عالية الجودة التي تضم خدمات مكافحة الحشرات وإدارة النفايات والصيانة والخدمات الحرفية.

لمحة عن موقع "موف سوق دوت كوم":

يعد "موف سوق دوت كوم"، الذي تأسّس  في إبريل/نيسان 2013، موقعاً إلكترونياً متخصّصاً في تقديم عروض أسعار لجميع الخدمات المنزلية التي يحتاجها المقيمون في دولة الإمارات العربية المتّحدة، بما في ذلك  خدمات النقل والتخزين والتنظيف والدهان ومكافحة الحشرات والصيانة.