ArabWeeks

The Kempinski Ramadan Tent has witnessed a great turnout during the past years, therefore with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, management of the Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski has announced the launch of this year’s Ramadan tent, rejoicing the month of Ramadan, and celebrating with visitors. The tent portrays unique Arabic heritage and is a great example of mixing traditional with modern attributes.

The tent, which is built specifically for the blessed month of Ramadan, covers 2000 square meters and can accommodate up to 800 visitors, who will experience the colors of Ramadan at its best. At the open buffet, visitors can enjoy a wide range of Saudi, Arabic and International dishes, including a variety of Eastern and Western desserts to choose from, and most importantly freshly prepared beverages to quench your thirst after a long day of fasting.

Mr. Christian Ruge, General Manager of the hotel, says that based on the overall culture of our brand, and our concept of providing hospitality services to our guests with the quality and luxury required, we have expanded this culture in Saudi Arabia by offering a tent designed with an authentic Arabic style – as we do every year.

“Guests of the Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski consider the Ramadan Tent as their own home,” said Mr Ruge. “When they visit our Ramadan Tent with their families or friends, they will feel comfortable, enjoy the cozy atmosphere and savor the most delicious food with live cooking stations.”

This year Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski will offer a children’s pavilion where they can color, have their faces painted, read various books, enjoy smart games, and watch cartoons. Families will be able to enjoy their privacy in separate areas to eat in full comfort, not to mention the possibility of watching the preparation of some dishes directly with chefs.

The hotel will definitely not miss out on Suhoor, which will be served daily at the Ottoman restaurant Tuğra on the 4th floor daily from 10 pm to 3 am. The buffet will be presented in a way that blends European luxury and authentic Arabian hospitality with the finest dishes.

For those wishing to stay at the hotel during the month of Ramadan, they can take advantage of the Ramadan package with numerous benefits including complimentary Iftar at Kempinski Ramadan Tent, as a courtesy that reflects the generosity of this brand.

Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski continuously launches a range of community service activities, such as joint cooperation agreements with charities, foundations and others.

Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East, hosted its first bespoke forum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the theme “Foreign Investments in KSA”, offering the opportunity for industry leaders to participate in discussions surrounding the changing economic and legislative landscape in the Kingdom, as part of Vision 2030.

As Saudi Arabia undergoes extensive business, economic and social developments, Al Tamimi & Company launched the event to shed light on best practices related to legal compliance for businesses operating and looking to enter the Saudi market.

Panel participants included: Eng. Khalid Abdullah Al Hussan, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Stock Exchange; Eng. Ibrahim Alsuwail, Deputy Governor of Investor Services, SAGIA and Dr. Ahmed Kattan, Deputy Minister of Labour Policy.

With almost 200 industry professionals in attendance, the seminar hosted three panel sessions which included insights from Al Tamimi & Company’s Saudi legal experts alongside renowned business leaders and specialists from various fields. These prominent figures, from both the public and private sectors discussed key facets of privatization, including the framework necessary to attract foreign investment  for privatization, how businesses can set up their presence in the Kingdom and the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to prevent cybercrime.

Eng. Khalid Abdullah Al Hussan, the CEO of Tadawul, who spoke on the panel addressing Vision 2030’s goal of privatization and the current legal framework’s impact on foreign direct investment, stated, “Tadawul has implemented reforms to ensure a secure, transparent and efficient market that is aligned with global market standards and practices. We have been facilitating the participation of international investors in the Saudi market and expanding access to international investors through the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) program in cooperation with the CMA, which was launched in 2015 and continuously updated since then to further ease qualification requirements”.

Adding to the conversation, Eng. Ibrahim Alsuwail, Deputy Governor of Investor Services at SAGIA said: “If we compare foreign investments in 2016, 2017 and 2018, we have noticed a definitive growth over the past 15 months. This includes direct investments from foreign entities, the opening of international branches of organizations in the Kingdom and the strengthening of partnerships between local and foreign companies. This showcases the strengths of the Kingdom’s economy and the importance of Vision 2030 in attracting international attention and investments”.

Commenting on the event, Al Tamimi & Company’s Founding Partner, Essam Al Tamimi, said, “Our firm has over ten years of experience in the Kingdom. We have grown to establish a deep-rooted understanding of the legal and legislative developments within the Kingdom to support clients across various sectors. This event gives us the opportunity to promote the knowledge-sharing requirements that are vital to the success of business coming in and operating in the Saudi Arabian market.”

Throughout the conference, there was a clear focus on the importance of greater awareness surrounding the developments of the legal structure in the Kingdom. As an integral component to the facilitation of welcoming new businesses and industries to the Kingdom, the legal framework has introduced legislation to support the realization of Vision 2030’s efforts at a fast pace.

Grahame Nelson, Al Tamimi & Company’s Head of KSA, stressed, “As new and improved legislation is injected into the Kingdom’s business infrastructure, it has become vital that organizations are aware, as well as prepared to adopt and comply, in order to succeed. We are thrilled to have been able to provide this platform that facilitates the knowledge sharing process that will prepare Saudi Arabia for the road  to Vision 2030.”

• Jaguar E-PACE a vehicle with an attitude that represents drivers way of life
• Jaguar E-PACE: the design and dynamics of a Jaguar sports car in a five-seat compact performance SUV
• Latest connectivity technologies and practicality solutions

  Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co., the authorised dealer for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Saudi Arabia has announced the arrival of the new Jaguar E-PACE in its showrooms. The new vehicle made its debut in KSA at glittering launch events held at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Jeddah & Riyadh showrooms, while it will be launched in Khobar on April 24^th  2018. Jeddah launch event witnessed the presence of Mr. Barrie Peach, Her Majesty’s Counsel General, and Mr. Stavros Paraskevaides Senior Vice President, Premium Automotive Sector at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co. and Mr. Andre Bonthuys, Managing Director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Jaguar Land Rover.

The Jaguar E-PACE is a five-seat, compact SUV that packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a spacious, practical and connected all-wheel-drive vehicle. Trademark Jaguar driving dynamics and design put the brand’s sports car DNA in a practical design packed with advanced technologies to keep you connected.

The exterior design is inspired by the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car and characterised by the distinctive Jaguar grille, muscular proportions, short overhangs and powerful haunches that give the E-PACE a bold and purposeful stance, instantly communicating dynamic agility. Jaguar sports car DNA is also evident in the fast sweep of the roofline and the distinctive side window graphic.

Mr. Andre Bonthuys, Managing Director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The launch of the new Jaguar E-PACE in Saudi Arabia will be a major highlight for all car enthusiasts, especially as the introduction of female driving date approaches. We are proud to offer our customers the Jaguar E-PACE which combines the interior space, connectivity and security that families expect with the kind of proportions, purity of design and performance not usually associated with such a practical vehicle.”

E-PACE: Connected, Intelligent, Agile, Responsive

The Jaguar E-PACE is connected and intelligent. The 10-inch touchscreen comes as standard and connects customers to their favourite apps, including Spotify. Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl system allows you to keep the vehicle secure by tracking it on your smartphone, automatically alerts the emergency services in case of an accident and allows you to check fuel levels and mileage remotely via a smartphone or smartwatch. Customers can warm up the car, cool it down and even start it remotely using InControl.

Digital connectivity can be found throughout the cabin, ready for every need of the modern family. There are up to four 12-volt charging points and five USB connections as well as a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.

The E-PACE has exceptional interior space for its class. The compact SUV can seat five in absolute comfort with generous rear legroom. The large luggage space is made possible by the vehicle’s sophisticated Integral Link rear suspension architecture and can fit a pushchair, a set of golf clubs and a large suitcase.

Configurable Dynamics gives the driver even more control with individual settings for the throttle, automatic transmission, steering, and, where fitted, the Adaptive Dynamics suspension system. Adaptive Dynamics senses driver input, body and wheel movements and pre-emptively loads the suspension and chassis and adjusts the damping for improved roll control and agility in all conditions.

E-PACE engine functions on the intelligent Continuously Variable Valve Lift (CVVL) system that varies the extent to which inlet valves are opened, reducing engine pumping losses. This lets the engine ‘breathe’ with maximum efficiency, optimising power and torque. CVVL works in combination with dual independent variable cam timing (VCT) for ultimate operating flexibility, resulting in excellent power and fuel economy across the rev range. The twin scroll turbocharger is fed by an integrated exhaust manifold which increases the transfer of energy to the turbine – significantly reducing turbo lag and improving engine response.

The E-PACE also provides the option of Eco Mode which encourages fuel-efficient driving by reducing throttle sensitivity, selecting more economical engine mapping. It also reduces fuel consumption by minimising the energy demands placed on the engine by climate control and audio systems. A display on the Touchscreen provides vehicle data and driving tips.

E-PACE’s Active Driveline all-wheel-drive system is a technological first for Jaguar. The intelligent set-up combines phenomenal traction with Jaguar’s unmistakable rear-wheel-drive character. The system’s torque-biasing capability delivers optimal stability, dynamics and fuel efficiency in all conditions and all weathers.

The E-PACE features the very latest safety and driver assistance technologies. A stereo camera which supports Lane Keep Assist and also combines with the electric power assisted steering system and rear radars to deliver a Blind Spot Assist function, to help reduce the risk of sideswipe collisions on multi-lane roads. A new Forward Traffic Detection system also warns drivers of approaching vehicles at junctions where visibility is restricted. Advanced active safety features include a pedestrian airbag, which deploys from beneath the trailing edge of the bonnet in the event of a collision.

The E-PACE is the first Jaguar to feature the company’s next-generation Head-Up Display technology. The advanced display can project up to 66 per cent more information onto the windscreen using large, full-colour graphics with enhanced clarity. Essential information including vehicle speed and navigation directions are in full view at all times, with alerts and updates for the infotainment, safety and convenience features all projected directly into the driver’s eyeline – reducing the need to look away from the road.

An optional 12.3-inch full colour digital instrument panel and choice of two premium audio systems developed with Meridian put the E-PACE on a par with vehicles from the class above when it comes to interior technology.

The E-PACE is also available with Jaguar’s innovative wearable Activity Key. The waterproof and shockproof wristband has an integrated transponder, allowing the driver to lock the main key inside the vehicle when enjoying outdoor pursuits such as running or cycling.

Whenever the Activity Key is activated, by holding the wristband up to the upper edge of the number plate surround on the tailgate, any conventional key fobs left inside the vehicle are disabled.

The strong chassis also allows owners to tow up to 1,800kg (braked), ideal for customers who use their E-PACE for both business and pleasure.

For further detail on the Jaguar E-PACE including the in-depth technical story and specifications please visit https://www.jaguar-saudi.com/en/e-pace-overview

The E-PACE is now available for viewing, test drives and to order, at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Jaguar Land Rover showroom(s) across the Kingdom.

The history of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comes back to April 14, 1993, when the relevant protocol was signed in Riyadh in the frames of a visit of the high level Ukrainian governmental delegation.

The process of development of bilateral relations in various political, economic and humanitarian fields was facilitated by the exchange of visits of governmental, parliamentary and commercial delegations (in particular of the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma to the Kingdom in 2003 and the Chairman of the Consultative Al-Shura Council Abdullah Al Ash-Sheikh to Kyiv in 2011), as well as the five sessions of the joint Ukrainian Saudi commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation have been conducted (the latest – in 2017 in Riyadh).

It is noteworthy that the official visit of His Excellency Mr. Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on November 1, 2017 and his talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud enabled to sum up results of both countries’ previous cooperation over the last 25 years and place emphasis on priority directions of their further bilateral political, investment, trade, economic, military-technical and humanitarian cooperation.

Ukraine appreciates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position towards supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity (during voting in favor of the UNGA Resolutions «Territorial integrity of Ukraine» in March 2014 and «Situation of human rights in the Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)» in December 2016), which corresponds to the key principles and norms of the international law.

Ukraine and the Kingdom have already created a necessary legal basis for further cooperation in different spheres that includes agreements on trade-economic, scientific, technical and investment cooperation, on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital as well as on investment cooperation in the field of agriculture, on informational exchange and cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. Meanwhile both sides are also finalizing consideration of drafts of bilateral documents on air services, cooperation in the spheres of defense and sports.

Saudi Arabia is considered as one of the important and perspective Ukraine’s partners in the entire Gulf and Middle East region in economic and trade fields (in 2017 turnover totaled to USD 700 million and consisted mainly of commodity items such as cereals, ferrous metals, animal or plant fats and oils as well as plastics and polymeric materials, mineral fuel, petroleum and petroleum distillation products, organic chemical combinations).

There are Saudi companies that are leasing agricultural lands in Ukraine as well as leading Ukrainian enterprises that participate in implementation of projects in energy and transport spheres by providing reserve transformers, wagon and locomotive wheels. Meanwhile, both sides should introduce additional mechanisms for ensuring a more sustainable and systematic development of economic cooperation as well as further expansion and diversification of the export and import operations (through intensifying direct business-to-business contacts, holding business forums, road shows, specialized and annual trade exhibitions, opening official representative offices of Ukrainian and Saudi companies and their joint ventures).

In Ukraine a lot of attention is being paid to the ambitious national development plan “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030”. Common multi-purpose transport aircraft An-132D (as a result of the partnership between the “Antonov” company, “Taqnia Aeronautics” company and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) is not only one of the stories of success in the Ukrainian-Saudi relations but a vivid proof of both states’ ability to create high-tech products corresponding to international standards.

Ukraine now takes all necessary measures in order to facilitate business activities for foreign investors, with regard to changes of the Ukrainian business legislation towards the EU standards. The Saudi side is offered opportunities of investing in such sectors as: agricultural sector, energy (especially oil and gas sector, electricity, mining and the renewable energy sector), shipbuilding, heavy machinery, aircraft, tourism as well as participation in a large-scale privatization program.

In order to intensify direct contacts between Ukrainian and Saudi business circles and expand mutual awareness about both countries at the level of their societies the Government of Ukraine has achieved the considerable facilitation of visa regime for the Saudi citizens. In addition to possibility for applying for short term single-entry visas upon arrival at three separate airports in the cities of Kyiv and Odesa for tourist, business and investment purposes, in April, 2018 Ukraine started on-line registration of foreigners for electronic entry visas with a business or tourist purposes (through www.evisa.mfa.gov.ua web-site) that was introduced for the Saudi nationals as well.

Ukraine is famous for its picturesque nature, ancient culture, diverse historical landmarks, modern restaurants and malls, resorts (including in the capital – Kyiv, the cities of Lviv in the mountainous Carpathian region and Odesa on the Black Sea shore), offering unique opportunities for Saudi tourists’ recreation

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, announced today that Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park will open its doors to the public on 25^th of July 2018. When the highly-anticipated Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi opens this Summer, it will feature six immersive lands including DC’s Metropolis and Gotham City, as well as Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza. Tickets available now at www.wbworld.com.

“The launch of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is yet another milestone in the Emirate’s journey to further enrich its tourism offering, and help establish it as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.   The park is another great addition to Yas Island’s immersive experiences and award-winning attractions,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral. “It gives us great pride to have partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to launch the world’s largest Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park right here in Abu Dhabi.  As part of our fulfillment to Abu Dhabi’s ambition to drive increased visitors and enhance the UAE’s appeal as an international destination, we are thrilled that fans will be able to enjoy the outcome of this partnership and the massive, fun and engaging park offerings in a few months,” he continued.

The 1.65 million sq ft park promises to deliver guests with captivating experiences this July, bringing together some of the world’s most iconic characters and stories under one roof for the first time in the region. Featuring a total of 29 state-of-the-art rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment, as well as a variety of authentically themed dining and shopping outlets, the park’s incredibly immersive environments, unique thrill rides and fan-favorite characters will create a truly unparalleled experience for all who visit.

“We have worked tirelessly with our partners at Miral to faithfully bring iconic franchises such as DC Entertainment, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera to life in a truly immersive and authentic environment,” said Pam Lifford, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Delivering experiences and products that continue our brands’ storytelling and excite and engage fans is our primary goal, and we look forward to sharing this world-renowned attraction with them this summer.”

When guests step through the iconic Warner Bros. shield, they will enter a world where Super Heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight for justice and animated stars like Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and Scooby-Doo come to life in the most brilliant and awe-inspiring ways.

The excitement begins at Warner Bros. Plaza, an Art-Deco inspired land that celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood and all things Warner Bros. A portal to the rest of the park, this land is famed for its All-Star Spectacular, a majestic show that brings the Warner Bros. film library to life. As guests step through to Metropolis, they will discover a gleaming urban landscape protected from evil by DC Super Heroes like Superman and other members of the Justice League including Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg and Aquaman. On the dark streets of Gotham City, guests will have the chance to walk alongside notorious DC Super-Villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, and The Riddler. Watch these criminals disappear into the shadows when Batman arrives to bring them to justice.  In Cartoon Junction, childhood memories come to life under year-round sunny skies alongside beloved characters including Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby-Doo. The Yabba-Dabba-Doo begins in pre-historic Bedrock, were guests will meet everyone’s favorite modern stone-age family, The Flintstones. Venturing into the animated storyland Dynamite Gulch, guests can experience Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner’s dizzying dash firsthand, and keep an eye out for Marvin The Martian and The Jetsons.

Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi will complement Yas Island’s destination offering of entertainment and leisure, which today, includes iconic attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit – home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Mall, as well as a wide variety of world-class entertainment venues, restaurants and hotels.

To learn more about Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi or purchase tickets, visit www.wbworld.com. Don’t forget to join the conversation on social using the hashtag #WBWorld.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is leading a delegation of partners and stakeholders in a three-city roadshow to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Given KSA’s important source-market status, this promotional tour is consistent with DCT Abu Dhabi’s promotional strategy and aims to persuade even more Saudi nationals and residents to visit Abu Dhabi and enjoy longer stays in its hotels. The roadshow is covering Riyadh (April 17), Jeddah (April 18), and the Eastern Province (May 6).

The delegation is meeting with commercial interests from a variety of sectors, including aviation, hotels and entertainment destinations, in an effort to showcase Abu Dhabi’s unmatched tourism credentials. In addition to representatives from DCT Abu Dhabi, the Roadshow includes delegates from 10 further entities namely Etihad Airways, Rosewood Hotels, Yas Island, Al Ain Zoo, Rotana Hotels, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Armed Forces Officers Hotel & Club, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, Gromax Hotels, and Al Raha Beach Hotel.

HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said: “With its ever-growing contribution of guests to Abu Dhabi’s hotels, KSA is a vital market for us and has contributed greatly to the record 4.9 million plus guests last year. More specifically, Saudi Arabia represented 151,496 hotel guests in 2017, which was an increase of 3% from 2016, highlighting the strategic importance of engaging Saudi tourists. Since the beginning of 2018, we have already seen this trend expand exponentially, so we are very excited about the future holds.”

Related to the significance of the KSA market, DCT Abu Dhabi has just concluded a successful participation at the Riyadh Travel Fair 2018 where the delegation engaged with industry stakeholders from across the Kingdom. To build on the Fair, the Roadshow aims to showcase Abu Dhabi as a premier, world-class destination for the Saudi market. With the Riyadh and Jeddah events already completed, the delegation will next visit the Eastern Province to promote the strong cultural attributes and tourist attractions that continue to offer a compelling visitor experience to Saudi guests.

With a diverse range of leisure and entertainment options and a plentiful supply of high-quality hotels and shopping malls, Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as an attractive destination for Saudi travellers.