Jordan’s Hikma Growing this Year by $600 Million in Acquisitions

Said Darwazah, chief executive of the Jordan-based drug company Hikma Pharmaceuticals announced to the press that his company is planning on acquiring between $500 and $600 million in companies in the coming year in order to consolidate its place as the region’s number one business in this sector.

Hikma is a quickly growing multinational manufacturer of drugs which, although a leading company in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region has yet to tap into markets in Morocco and Syria in the Arab world, and Turkey and beyond in the non-Arab world. Hikma does have a foothold in the Gulf States in Saudi Arabia, but is looking to enlarge that market as well.

Darwazah explained that Hikma’s sales are ahead of all other regional manufacturers in the MENA, and that their growth in the MENA is by far exceeding the growth of sales in the more mature markets where it also deals.

That's why we are concentrating on growing the business more and more in the region with its young population and changing health patterns. Although Hikma has robust operations in the U.S. and Western Europe, MENA is still the crown jewel of the business," he said.

Unprecedented Water and Power Summit Scheduled to Take Place in Oman in May

On the heels of extraordinary developments in the power and water sector in Oman, an unprecedented global conference and exhibition is being scheduled in Muscat this coming May. The conference is being organized by the US-based International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) together with Global Exhibitions and Conferences (GEC) LLC . The summit will take place on May 22-25 and will discuss a large assortment of subjects including the design and construction of power and desalination plants, as well as their construction and management. Also included will be how to install more effective power and water networks all over the sultanate of Oman. Other sponsors of the event include the Public Authority of Electricity and Water (PAEW), the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources (MRMWR), the Electricity Holding Company (EHC) and the Oman Society of Contractors (OSC.)

The Chief Executive Officer of the most important event management consultant company in Oman, CJ Paul had this to say about the upcoming conference:

"As Oman's power and water requirements continue to rise every year, the government is currently implementing various measures to meet the demand of industries and the country's growing population. The Oman Power and Water Summit 2011 will effectively serve as a forum for discussing the latest developments in the industry, including the range of projects now under construction or set to be implemented soon."

New Dive Center Opens in Six Senses Zighy Bay

General Manager of the waterside resort known as Six Senses Zighy Bay, Godfrey Vas, announced the opening of the bran new Dive Center. Mr. Vas state that,

"We are very excited about the new additions to our facilities here at Six Senses Zighy Bay. The Dive Centre allows our guests to experience the unique beauty of the ocean and marine life surrounding Zighy Bay, and the new state-of-the art marina offers yachting enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy and utilize our extensive amenities. We are honored to have Oman Sail add Zighy Bay as a stop to their Sailing Arabia Tour and welcome their arrival."

The newly opened 50-berth marina will be able to welcome Oman Sail in style with the addition of the Dive Center to the lovely and idyllic hideaway located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman, only 90 minutes from Dubai.

The Dive Center will be managed by an experienced team of diving teachers from the famous Extra Divers Worldwide. The team can accommodate up to eight guests at any one time to gaze upon some of the most amazing marine life which Zighy Bay has to offer, including boxfish, sea turtles and whale sharks.

Ayse Arkut Joins Gulfbankers as Country Managing Partner

The prestigious regional provider of professional management solutions, Gulfbankers Executive Search has announced that they have chosen Ms. Ayse Arkut to join the firm as the Country Managing Partner for Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Gulfbankers specializes in the Banking and Financial Industry, especially focused in the Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa, and is headquartered in Dubai.

Ms. Arkut appears especially suited to her appointment, with much experience as a C-level executive. Her most recent employment was as a Head of Banking at a famous recruiting and consulting firm. Her past experience also includes senior level jobs at well-respected global companies including Glaxo Smithkline, IIR Middle East and ITP.

The Chief Executive Officer of Forum International, Mr. Adel Al Alawi remarked on Ms. Arkut’s appointment: "We have been patient in our search to add value to our current corporate vision and expand and diversify our long horizon-strategies. I am very excited about Ms. Arkut corporate vision; she brings a wealth of experience in the Executive Search industry."

Good News for Air Travelers on Air India

Adding convenience and efficiency to the ticketing procedure Air India will be unifying the ticketing of all their domestic and international flights. Beginning on February 12 passengers will receive one code, AI, for all their flights, whether domestic, international or a combination of the two.

The country manager for Air India, Mohit Sain, said, Air India passengers would no longer have separate codes for domestic and international travel. There will not be two codes like before when passengers had to travel with an IC and AI code ticket. The move would speed up Air India’s entry into Star Alliance, the world’s largest integrated air transport network.”

Now passengers from places like Aizwal heading to Toronto via some third destination will have a single ticket for a travel experience which can be described as ‘seamless.’

There is a list of advantages to this new system according to Ms. Mohit. “Services will be offered by a single service provider. This would ensure a number of additional facilities which would make the passenger’s journey enjoyable, hassle-free and seamless travel. Besides, passengers can take advantage of automated baggage reconciliation system and it will also enable them for kiosk check-in across the network and mobile check-ins.”

Sultan Honors Success of Omani Pavillion at Shanghai Expo 2010

The minister of heritage and culture of the Sultanate of Oman, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, honored those who were responsible for the success of the Omani pavilion which displayed the history and culture of the Sultanate at the Shanghai Expo 2010.

The Shanghai Expo 2010 ran from May 1 until October 31^st, 2010 and attracted a total of 73 million visitors from all over the world. Of those visitors about 3.6 million stopped by the Omani pavilion and learned about the culture, geographical diversity, economic and technological progress made in recent years in Oman.

Haitham is quoted by the media as saying that the great success which Oman experienced at the Expo is just the first step in what he expects will be a journey of successes in other international venues.

“It was impressing to see the significant success. Besides, it was a great feeling to see how the Omani culture was received by the expo visitors,” he said.

Sharjah Upgrading SEDD Online Experience

Sharjah, one of the Arab Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, is upgrading its online services to investors. Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) Ali Bin Salem Al Mahmoud announced that visitors to the SEDD website will see a large change and improvement in the quality of services which the SEDD will offer to its clients. The goal is for the SEDD to save its clients’ time and energy when completing tasks and doing business on the website.

Al Mahmoud stated that he is carrying out the wishes of the UAE Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, as well as the directive of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.

The following goals have been set for improving the online services:

· Improve and develop the general performance of the gamut of Sharjah’s governmental departments.

· Satisfy the increasing demand for more online services

· Offer and provide value-added services to their client base

· Increase the number of online services offered with the intention of becoming the destination of choice for regional investment

Sales of Chevy Cars in Middle East Up 9.2% in 2010

Chevrolet’s popularity is soaring in the Middle East as new models and old standards continue to sell, in many cases with double digit growth figures. For instance, the latest cars entering the market in the region are the Cruze, Malibu, Camaro and Traverse, which are all selling well. Full size SUVs and popular pick-up trucks which have always been favorites of Middle Easterners, are selling to double-digit figures. A big favourite, the Suburban, which is one of Chevy's oldest models with 75 years behind it, charted growth of 56% in 2010. Others models also doing well are the Tahoe with a 14% growth, the Avalanche at 39% increased sales, and an amazing 74% growth for the Silverado.

These sales figures for 2010 only confirm what most denizens of the Middle East already know: that Chevrolet is a wildly popular car company among citizens of the region.

Praise for Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman

The Secretary General of the AGCC (Arab Gulf Countries Council) Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Attiyah heaped warm praise on the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman for his great success in achieving unprecedented improvement in human rights and other areas in his country.

Describing the Sultan’s achievements as ‘remarkable’ al Attiyah expressed appreciation of the ‘wise policies’ of his majesty which have accomplished so much for the Sultanate in recent years. The Secretary General added that because of these achievements Oman has become a source of ‘inspiration’ for other Arab Gulf states and has garnered respect from the rest of the international community.

What was especially satisfying to al Attiyah as representative of the AGCC was the assertion made by Sihasak Phuangketkeow, president of the Human Rights Council, that Oman is meeting all the international standards, work mechanisms and conditions for the implementation of human rights in the Sultanate.

Al Attiyah told the Oman News Agency that Phuangketkeow’s statement and the success of the Sultanate is simply a reflection of the wise political vision and enlightened perspective of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The Secretary General went on to say that Oman’s success is proof that the Sultan is committed to security, stability and the welfare of the Omani people.

Qatar’s Al Rayan Rises on Upbeat 4Q News

News of a slight increase in quarterly profit caused Qatar’s Masraf Al Rayan to rally yesterday.

The Islamic lender’s Shares of the Masraf Al Rayan climbed 1.5 percent. The company’s profit of QR289m ($79.4m) in the fourth-quarter, rose from from its earlier profit of QR280m.

Qatar’s index QSI rose 0.3 percent to 9,041 points. The index rose for a third day, a rebound after Sunday’s three-week low.

“The risk-reward profile does not warrant an entry at this stage and more pull back is required to trigger buying,” Shuaa Capital wrote in a research note.