Last minute 3-day Eid offer in Borneo

Spend this Eid in secluded luxury at 5-star resorts on a jungle island

Total privacy in luxury villas on Gaya Island, just off Kota Kinabalu on Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The villas at Bunga Raya Island Resort and Gayana Eco Resort are either terraced into tropical hillside or perched on stilts over the clear waters of the South China Sea.

Both resorts cater to Muslim travellers by offering Halal food, arrows pointing to Mecca and prayer mats.

A 3 nights’ stay includes: return trip boat transfer, daily breakfast for two, one wellness dinner for two, one bottle of sparkling grape, 30 mins foot reflexology, 60 mins traditional massage, 45 mins body scrub, 30 mins refresher facial, usage of all non-motorized water sport equipment, tour of Marine Ecology Research Centre and government tax, service charge & terminal fee. 

From USD 1,031 (Lagoon Villa) to USD 2,104 (Palm Villa) for two persons at Gayana Eco Resort.
From USD 1,246 (Superior Villa) to USD 2,011 (Tree House Villa) for two persons at Bunga Raya Island Resort.

For reservations, please visit www.gayana-eco-resort.com or www.bungarayaresort.com or phone +6 088 380 390.

On the virtually uninhabited Gaya Island, just off Kota Kinabalu on Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, two private 5-star resorts offer tranquil getaways with marine protection at heart.

Gayana Eco Resort rests serenely at the edges of a lush jungle forest on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo. 52 over-water, tropical villas are architecturally designed to enhance the soothing sounds of the surf below while capturing the enduring vistas of Mount Kinabalu on the distant horizon. At its heart, the resort is about protecting and re-generating precious marine ecology, and the only such property to feature its own, on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre, passionately propagating endangered Giant Clams and restoring natural coral reefs. Striking the perfect balance of forward thinking ecology and indulgent luxury, Gayana pampers both the body and the enlightened soul. For more information please contact info@gayana-eco-resort.com or visit www.gayana-eco-resort.com

As sensual and exotic as the hibiscus flower that bears its name, Bunga Raya Island Resort is a luxurious jewel set on a coral reef island just off the coast of Borneo. A secluded island hideaway of 48 timbered villas, the resort is tucked away on a tranquil bay framed by a crescent shaped sandy beach on one side and centuries-old virgin jungle on the other. Each private villa is rough hewn and hand-crafted by local tradesmen, terraced into the hillside reflecting the traditional simplicity of the Borneo architectural style, blending seamlessly with the comforts and needs of the most discerning luxury traveller. For more information please contact info@bungarayaresort.com or visit www.bungarayaresort.com

Interview with General Manager of Epson Middle East

Epson an international company focused on the selling of branded products, services and information solutions to professionals. Innovation and technology are keys to Epson's ongoing growth.

Cnegypt had the opportunity to secure an interview with Epson Middle East General Manager, Khalil El Dalu.

 1.    We have seen Epson diversify its business from printers, scanners to projectors, why the late entry to wearables? How do you think you could innovate in this area especially that there are other players who are dominating the scene?

Epson has been involved in the wearables market for many years, although most people may not know this.  Epson created the world’s first quartz watch back in the 1960s, as well as the world’s first TV watch and wrist computer. While these products never became mainstream, and were too expensive to ever become successful, three decades on Epson is re-entering the market. Epson entered the smart glasses market in 2011, with the launch of Moverio, its see through binocular smart glasses that enable both personal large screen image and data viewing as well as augmented reality applications. The progression into the smart glasses market was a logical step for Epson as the second generation products leverage Epson projection and sensing technology, including a front-facing camera, gyroscope, GPS system, compass and accelerometer.

We think the BT-200 is completely original. The BT-200 are binocular, see-through smart glasses that offer unique value to consumers. Moverio is the only binocular see-through smart glasses product on the market (ideal for true Augmented Reality).

 2.    What range of wearables do we expect next?

 The company will leverage cloud and mobile technologies and their ability to give people access to date anywhere and at any time. Epson will also address the increasing trend for people to want to stay fit and healthy. These wearable products will draw from Epson’s expertise in sensing and projection.

 3.    Would we see any future tie ups with Seiko watches?

 Epson’s ultimate goal for the wearables sector is to produce products and platforms that can help improve quality of life. The markets the company is prioritising are personal healthcare and medical, sports and visual communication.

 Wearable sensing products are a logical progression for Epson.  We have a strong heritage in sensing and semiconductor technologies, as well as the manufacturing capabilities and technologies required to develop them. Our sensing portfolio ranges from ‘QMEMS’ quartz devices for detecting movement, pressure and temperature, to GPS receivers and biometrical sensing. These allow us to offer original sensing systems that present people with data in a visible and meaningful format.

 We recognise the current opportunities afforded by the continuing shift from analogue to digital and are well positioned to act as an interface between them.  Alongside our sensing technologies, we can leverage cloud and mobile technologies and their ability to give people access to date anywhere and at any time and apply this to address the increasing trend for people to want to stay fit and healthy.

 4.   Can you please shed some light on business growth "with numbers" in the Middle East? If you can provide some figures on Egypt as well it would be great

We have experienced year on year double digit growth in the Middle East, including Egypt. We managed to end our financial year in March 2014 successfully with a steady growth of 12% in total revenue compared to the previous year. 

5.    Where would the company want to be in the next 5 years? and how is it working now on this vision?

Epson is the number 1 worldwide leader in projectors and the number 1 in Europe for Retail products. We are working on maintain the number 1 in these products as well as increasing our market share in Inkjet printing.

 6.    What legacy did Epson take from its mother company Seiko and is there any reason the name is dropped from its external communication?

Seiko Epson Corporation is commonly known as Epson and we are one of three core companies of the Seiko Group.

 7. Which countries in the Middle East are your biggest?

The Middle East region is considered to be one of our main regions in the EMEA. This is mainly because of the high purchasing power. In addition to this, there is a bigger government spend on IT and developing their infrastructure, especially in the education sector and public sectors.

We consider UAE & KSA markets as the leading markets in the ME region. 

IHG TO PARTNER WITH WATER FOOTPRINT NETWORK ON GLOBAL WATER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMME

DUBAI, UAE, 25TH August, 2015: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has today announced the appointment of global water-use experts, the Water Footprint Network, to develop a worldwide water stewardship programme for IHG.  

As part of the programme, IHG and the Water Footprint Network will develop a deep understanding of IHG’s water usage at a local level, applying best practice techniques and behaviours to manage and reduce its water footprint. The partnership will build on the strong progress IHG is already making to reduce water consumption per occupied room in water-stressed areas, one of the company’s 2013-2017 Corporate Responsibility targets.

Paul Snyder, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility – Environmental Sustainability, IHG, commented: “We are delighted to add the Water Footprint Network’s expertise to the great work we’re doing towards achieving our reduction targets around water consumption. IHG has a presence in nearly 100 countries, so ensuring we are good water stewards locally generates significant environmental and economic benefits for both IHG and the communities in which we operate.”

Ruth Mathews, Executive Director, Water Footprint Network, commented: “We are very much looking forward to partnering with IHG to develop its global water stewardship programme. IHG’s global scale gives us an opportunity to make both a broad and positive impact, as well as to inspire the millions of people and guests that work and stay in IHG’s hotels.”

IHG helps its hotels to manage freshwater usage through the company’s online environmental sustainability tool, IHG Green Engage™ system. In addition to water, the system gives hotels the ability to track how much carbon, and energy they are using, as well as to assess how waste is managed. IHG’s global estate of more than 4,900 hotels is enrolled, giving them access to more than 200 specific actions – or ‘Green Solutions’ – designed to reduce hotels’ environmental impact.

There are nearly 30 Green Solutions devoted solely to water. These include the ability to track consumption on a monthly basis, as well as guidance on more specific water-saving solutions such as metering, rainwater harvesting, and the installation of devices such as low-flow taps and showerheads. Such solutions helped IHG drive a 4.2% reduction* in water use per occupied room in water-stressed areas to the end of 2014.

UAE Debt Settlement Fund in cooperation with the Al Hilal Bank awards ‘Nasaeh Maleya’ winners

Fund hands over AED 600,000 to 120 show winners

UAE, August 25, 2015 - As part of its broad Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, Al Hilal Bank in cooperation with the UAE Debt Settlement Fund had yesterday (Monday, August 24, 2015) awarded a total of AED 600,000 courtesy of the Fund to 120 winners from the ‘Nasaeh Maleya’ financial literacy program held live on television during Ramadan.

The first awarding ceremony, held under the theme of ‘Financial Knowledge always pays off,’ was conducted at Al Hilal Bank’s Headquarters in Abu Dhabi  in the presence of members of the bank’s management team as well as representatives from the UAE Debt Settlement Fund and Mernah Production Company, the producer of the ‘Nasaeh Maleya” (Financial Advices) TV program.

Al Hilal was the sole Official Sponsor of the UAE Debt Settlement Fund’s rewards initiative undertaken in cooperation with ‘Nasaeh Maleya,’ a socially- and economically -themed, 5-7 minute TV program that provides advice to the public to raise awareness on the various financial issues they face on a daily basis.

The tips and suggestions given aim to help viewers achieve financial stability by highlighting best practices and investments for a stable life away from debt and its associated burdens. Questions about the day’s topic were asked per episode during the program’s daily airings on Abu Dhabi Al Emarat TV and Al Noor TV throughout the Holy Month. Four lucky viewers with the right response won AED 5,000 each per telecast courtesy of the UAE Debt Settlement Fund.

Sari Arar, Acting CEO of Al Hilal Bank, said: “Ramadan is a period of reflection, so it is an ideal moment to direct the attention of the public towards issues of prime individual and societal importance such as financial literacy and responsibility. Al Hilal Bank found the UAE Debt Settlement Fund’s initiative of raising awareness on financial management through ‘Nasaeh Maleya’ a perfect platform for advancing our own advocacy of a financially-aware society. We shall continue to support such activities that emphasize the importance of being financially conscious and prepared in order to secure a bright future.”

Al Hilal Bank’s support for ‘Nasaeh Maleya’ forms part if its initiatives to help mold a more financially responsible and prosperous future for the UAE and its citizens. It also reflects the bank’s support for the UAE Debt Settlement Fund’s vision of a debt-free society. Al Hilal’s two previous Ramadan campaigns were ‘Heart to Heart,’ a initiative that drew medical and moral support for children with congenital heart diseases, and ‘A Safe Ramadan 4’ a campaign that helped enhance safety before Maghrib prayer timings by distributing Iftar meals to drivers.

"صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين" و "مصرف الهلال" يقدمان الجوائز للفائزين في برنامج "نصائح مالية"

جوائز بقيمة 600,000 درهم تقدمة الصندوق لـ 120 فائزاً

الإمارات، 25 أغسطس 2015 - في إطار التزامه المتواصل ببرنامج المسؤولية الاجتماعية، قام "مصرف الهلال"، بالتعاون مع "صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين"، مؤخراً بتقديم الجوائز النقدية البالغة قيمتها الإجمالية 600,000 درهم إماراتي، والمقدمة من قبل الصندوق، للفائزين الـ 120 في البرنامج التلفزيوني التثقيفي "نصائح مالية"، الذي تم عرضه خلال شهر رمضان المنصرم لنشر الثقافة المالية بين أفراد المجتمع.

وأقيم حفل تقديم الجوائز تحت عنوان "معلوماتك المالية تكافئك بجائزة نقدية" في المقر الرئيسي لـ "مصرف الهلال" بأبوظبي، وذلك بحضور نخبةٍ من كبار المسؤولين في المصرف إلى جانب ممثلين عن "صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين" و"شركة مرناة للإنتاج"، المنتج المنفذ لبرنامج "نصائح مالية".

وتأتي مشاركة صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين انطلاقا من المسؤولية المجتمعية للصندوق، وجهوده الحثيثة لزيادة الوعي حول الإدارة المالية للحياة اليومية، وتعزيز ثقافة أفراد المجتمع ومساعدتهم على إيجاد الحلول المناسبة وتجاوز التأثيرات السلبية التي تركتها القروض في حياتهم الأسرية واستقرارهم المعيشي.

ويشارك "مصرف الهلال" بصفة الراعي الرسمي لمبادرة برنامج "نصائح مالية" المنضوية تحت مظلة "صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين". ويُذكر أن "نصائح مالية" هو برنامج تلفزيوني إجتماعي إقتصادي مدّته 5 إلى 7 دقائق يستند إلى فكرة تقديم نصائح توعوية حول أهم القضايا والتحدّيات المالية التي تواجه أفراد المجتمع يومياً.

ويهدف البرنامج إلى مساعدة المشاهدين على تحقيق الإستقرار المالي وذلك من خلال تسليط الضوء على أفضل الممارسات والحلول المتبعة من اجل حياة مستقرة بعيدة عن الديون وأعباء الحياة المادية. وتخلّل البرنامج طرح مجموعة من الأسئلة على المشاهدين حول الموضوع المطروح في كل حلقة يومياً طوال فترة البث التي استمرت خلال الشهر الفضيل على قناة "أبوظبي الإمارات" و"نور دبي". وتمّ اختيار أربعة مشاركين ممن كانت إجاباتهم صحيحة للفوز بجائزة نقدية بقيمة 5,000 درهم لكل منهم في كل حلقة، تقدمة "صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين".

وقال ساري عرار، الرئيس التنفيذي بالإنابة لـ "مصرف الهلال": "يعد شهر رمضان المبارك الوقت الأنسب للتواصل مع الآخرين وتسليط الضوء على القضايا ذات الأهمية الإجتماعية والفردية العالية مثل الأمية المالية. ولقد شكّلت هذه المبادرة المتمثّلة في زيادة الوعي العام حول الإدارة المالية عبر برنامج "نصائح مالية"، منصةً ممتازةً تدعم جهودنا المستمرة في "مصرف الهلال" لبناء مجتمع أكثر وعياً من الناحية المالية. ونؤكّد على التزامنا بمواصلة دعم هذا النوع من النشاطات التوعوية الرامية إلى تعزيز محو الأمية المالية ومساعدة أفراد المجتمع في رسم مستقبل آمن ومشرق لهم وللدولة".

وجاء دعم "مصرف الهلال" لبرنامج "نصائح مالية" في إطار المبادرات العديدة التي يقوم بها للمساهمة الفاعلة في توفير بيئة مالية مشجّعة وداعمة للنمو الإجتماعي والإقتصادي في دولة الإمارات. كما تعكس هذه الخطوة إلتزام "مصرف الهلال" بتقديم الدعم الكامل لـ"صندوق معالجة الديون المتعثرة للمواطنين" في تحقيق الرؤية المشتركة الرامية إلى إعداد مجتمع متكامل لا يعتمد على الديون. واحتفى "مصرف الهلال" بشهر رمضان الفائت بحملتين رئيسيتين هما حملة "قلوبنا معكم" التي استندت إلى هدف رئيسي في تقديم الدعم الطبي والمعنوي للأطفال المصابين بأمراض القلب الخلقي، وحملة "رمضان أمان 4" التي تمحورت حول المساهمة في تعزيز السلامة المرورية عبر توزيع وجبات إفطار في الشوارع الرئيسية والتقاطعات المرورية وقت آذان المغرب.

Dhofar Global collaborates with QTS Italy for distribution of soap, paper towel, & toilet paper dispensers

Company aims to capture greater market share & grow from 1,500 to 100,000 dispensers during first phase of partnership

UAE, September 07, 2015 – Dhofar Global, a leading supplier of hygiene care products in the Middle East, has announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with QTS Italy, a leading manufacturer of dispensers for soap, paper towel, and toilet paper, with an aim to offer innovative products and value-added services from the tissue dispenser segment to its customers. According to the terms of the agreement, Dhofar Global will be the distributor for UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain for the Italian manufacturer.

Alessandro Anfossi, Chief Executive Officer, QTS Italy, and Dr. Amer Al Rawas, Chairman of Dhofar Global, signed the agreement in the presence of other senior officials, including Faleh Al Abri, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dhofar Global, and Chandan Singh, Group Chief Operations Officer, Dhofar Global, at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan, Italy. Dhofar Global, which is widely recognized as the regional leader for high-quality hygiene care solutions, will strengthen QTS Italy’s position in the Gulf by distributing their premium dispensers with a goal to grow from 1,500 to 100,000 dispensers during its first phase.

Singh said: “In response to growing demand for innovative dispensing solutions for soap, paper towel, and toilet paper in UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, we have signed an agreement to become the business partner for QTS Italy. They are the leaders in the dispenser segment with unique designs and innovative technology that are best suited for the region’s requirements. The collaboration will help both parties to expand further in the Arabian Gulf, capture a greater market share, and reach the target of 100,000 dispensers during the first phase of our partnership. Moreover, we are keen to support UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain’s  drive towards sustainability and, through this new partnership with QTS Italy, we look forward to provide the market with recycled tissue papers and dispensers in the near future.”

The tissue dispenser segment has a huge potential in the GCC along with tissue paper as both products complement each other. QTS Italy’s dispensers are built with the original Tris solution which changes one single shell into three different dispensers, namely: interleaved hand towels, jumbo toilet roll, and interleaved toilet paper. Its flexible system saves time, space and cost. 

شراكة حصرية لزيادة الحصة السوقية وتوزيع 100,000 وحدة ضمن السوق الخليجية في المرحلة الأولى

"ظفار العالمية" تتعاون مع "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" لتوزيع أرقى المنتجات الإيطالية من وحدات توزيع الصابون السائل والمناشف الورقية وورق الحمام

الإمارات، 07 سبتمبر 2015 -  أعلنت "ظفار العالمية" (Dhofar Global)، الشركة الرائدة في توريد منتجات النظافة والعناية الشخصية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، عن توقيع إتفاقية حصرية مع "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" (QTS Italy)، الشركة الرائدة في مجال تصنيع وحدات توزيع الصابون السائل والمناشف الورقية وورق الحمام، في خطوة تهدف إلى تقديم خدمات عالية المستوى ومنتجات مبتكرة من علب المناديل الورقية لمحفظتها المتنامية من العملاء. وبموجب بنود الاتفاقية الجديدة، بدأت "ظفار العالمية" بتولّي مسؤولية توزيع منتجات الشركة الإيطالية المرموقة في كل من الإمارات وسلطنة عُمان وقطر والبحرين.

وتم توقيع الاتفاقية من قبل الدكتور عامر الرواس، رئيس مجلس إدارة "ظفار العالمية" و أليسّاندرو أنفوسّي، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي"، في فندق "إكسلسيور جاليا" في مدينة ميلانو الإيطالية، بحضور عدد من كبار المسؤولين في مجموعة "ظفار العالمية"، بمن فيهم فالح العبري، الرئيس التنفيذي للمجموعة، وتشاندان سينغ، الرئيس التنفيذي للعمليات. وتلتزم "ظفار العالمية"، التي تحظى بشهرة واسعة باعتبارها من أبرز الشركات الرائدة في مجال توفير حلول العناية الشخصية عالية الجودة، بتعزيز حضور "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" في منطقة الخليج العربي عبر توسيع نطاق إنتشار منتجاتها الواسعة من وحدات التوزيع المتميّزة ضمن الأسواق الإقليمية، مع التركيز على هدف رئيسي يتمثل في توزيع 100,000 عبوة في المرحلة الأولى بنمو لافت مقارنةً بـ 1,500 عبوة حالياً.

وقال تشاندان سينغ: "يأتي توقيع إتفاقية الشراكة مع "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" في إطار سعينا الحثيث للاستجابة بفعالية للطلب المتزايد على الحلول المبتكرة من وحدات توزيع الصابون السائل والمناشف الورقية وورق الحمام في أسواق الإمارات وسلطنة عُمان وقطر والبحرين. ويسرنا التعاون مع شركة تعتبر من بين الأبرز ضمن قطاع تصنيع وحدات التوزيع المميزة بتصاميم فريدة من نوعها وتكنولوجيا مبتكرة، هي الأنسب لتلبية الاحتياجات المتزايدة في المنطقة. ونحن على ثقة تامة بأنّ التعاون المشترك ستكون له نتائج إيجابية من شأنها تمكين كلا الطرفين من التوسّع في منطقة الخليج العربي والاستحواذ على حصة أكبر ضمن السوق الإقليمية وتحقيق الحد المستهدف بتوزيع 100,000 عبوة خلال المرحلة الأولى. ونتطلع بتفاؤل حيال الشراكة الجديدة مع "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" التي نثق تماماً بأنها تمثل دفعة قوية لجهودنا الرامية إلى تعزيز الاستدامة في الإمارات وسلطنة عمان وقطر والبحرين، لا سيّما وأنها قائمة بالدرجة الأولى على هدف تزويد الأسواق الخليجية بوحدات توزيع ومنتجات المناديل الورقية المعاد تدويرها في المستقبل القريب ".

أن قطاع وحدات التوزيع والمحارم الورقية مكملين لبعضهما ويوفر هذا التكامل فرص هائلة في منطقة الخليج العربي. ويتم تصميم وانتاج عبوات توزيع "كيو. تي. أس إيطالي" إستناداً إلى حل "تريس" (Tris) الذي يمكن تحويل واستخدام نفس وحدة التوزيع إلى ثلاثة وحدات مختلفة في ان واحد وهي مناشف اليد المترابطة وبكرات مناديل السحب الكبيرة وورق الحمام، وهو نظام مرن يوفر الوقت والمساحة والتكلفة.