MIRAL HOSTS ROADSHOW IN SAUDI ARABIA TO HIGHLIGHT UNIQUE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES ON YAS ISLAND, ABU DHABI Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral CEO, arrives in Jeddah and Riyadh to reveal new attractions and events at the number one family destination in the region

  • Miral is the developer of Yas Island’s top family attractions and theme parks
  • CEO highlights the evolution and future of Yas Island including 2018 arrival of Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and CLYMB
  • Exclusive reveal of the new ride Mission Ferrari at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

 Miral hosted a media roadshow in Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia highlighting how Yas Island is becoming the number one family destination in the Middle East.

Miral CEO, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi presented some of the unique and immersive experiences available only on Yas Island, the home of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina, Yas Mall and Yas Marina Circuit and more. With new parks, attractions and adrenaline rides planned, Yas Island is set to attract more than 48 million visits by 2022 as it becomes a global destination for leisure and entertainment.

During his visit, the CEO exclusively revealed the new “Mission Ferrari” ride at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, recently voted top theme park in the Middle East in the 2017 World Traveller Awards. Set to launch later in 2018, the unrivalled rollercoaster experience places visitors at the heart of a gripping adventure featuring two large 3D movie displays, more than 15 effects including explosions and live-fire for the first time in the region.  With cutting edge propulsion systems and technology, guests experience a unique and dramatic tilt, drop and switch ride like nothing else available in the region.

In addition, the calendar of events for the first half of 2018 was revealed with an event promised each week until Ramadan.  The live entertainment and sporting action includes the Cairo Sound Music Festival, the world-famous Harlem Globe Trotters, The Illusionists, a Brazilian Carnival and seven free family festivals.

Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi said:  “2018 will become a milestone in our journey to create a global destination for entertainment and leisure. With a new theme park, record-breaking attractions and an action-packed events series which appeals to all ages and tastes, we are establishing Yas Island as the number one family destination in the region with more innovative experiences planned for the years ahead.”

Miral places guests at the heart of its strategy to create unique, personalized and memorable experiences and has invested in a number of in-market Saudi activities including visitor surveys, interactive mall activations and joint marketing partnership with local travel agencies and tour operators.  Yas Island meets the needs of Saudi families seeking a combination of shopping, relaxation, discovering new experiences and a range of both affordable and high-end dining and hotel options, including ‘stay and play’ packages, which combine hotel overnight stays with theme park access.

Al Zaabi also highlighted how Yas Island will continue to evolve as a leading destination in which to live, play and work in which smart connectivity and state of the art mobility solutions will create a seamlessly connected ‘wall-less’ destination where guests can plan their visit with a simple touch of their smartphone or device.

Opening next year, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will be home to 29 rides, shows and attractions across six themed immersive worlds. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will bring together Super Heroes and Super-Villains from the DC Universe, including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as Warner Bros.’ iconic animated properties such as Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry, creating a family-friendly destination for fans of all ages.

Another exciting experience, the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing wall, CLYMB, will also open next year. Visitors to the 9.75-metre-wide flight chamber will be able to mimic the experience of skydiving, while the record-breaking 43 meter vertical climbing wall is complemented by other ascents graded to match a range of experience and skills.

In 2019, Yas Island‘s mega project, Yas Bay, will comprise three zones in which to play, work and live with an entertainment district, media zone and Residences at Yas Bay. The iconic and vibrant waterfront and entertainment district will feature a recreational pier, more than 50 restaurants, 20 shops and a new live entertainment venue, Yas Arena, with 18,000 capacity ready to host the best in music, sporting and cultural events.

Yas Bay will also involve a new media zone that’s expected to welcome 10,000 working professionals and Residences at Yas Bay, which offers the promise of urban island living. Welcoming visitors regionally and internationally, Yas Island’s AED 12 Billion development will also include two new hotel complexes including Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Resort, a 641-room family resort.

In 2022, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will open its doors as the first-of-its-kind marine life-themed park, which will include the UAE’s first dedicated marine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre. The park will be the first SeaWorld to open without orcas, and will integrate up-close animal experiences, mega attractions, and a world-class aquarium with the latest technology in visitor engagement.

Al Zaabi noted: “Both Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia have embraced the potential of tourism in their 2030 vision and we were delighted to highlight how destinations such as Yas Island can attract ever growing numbers of regional visitors while putting the Middle East on the global tourism map.”

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Finland’s centenary of independence is being celebrated in an epic way throughout the world

The centenary of Finland’s independence culminates on Finland’s Independence Day, 6  December 2017 The story of the 100-year-old Finland is extraordinary and rests on the values cherished by the Finns: democracy, education, equality and freedom of speech. The climax of the centenary will be a joint effort, and the programme will be rich and memorable. The celebrations will take place through- out Finland as well as in more than 100 countries on all the continents.

Finland became an independent state on 6 December 1917. The newly born state was willed into being by Finns after a long struggle. For a hundred years the Finns have been engaged in the building of their country and making decisions together. The unbroken period of 100 years of democracy is exceptional, and Finland has often reached top positions in different international rankings*.

“The story of the 100-year-old Finland is unique and deserves a special celebration. The centenary of independence is the most significant anniversary of our generation. This epic year has been built in a unique and open way, together with the whole of society, Finns and friends of Finland, in more than 100 countries,” says Pekka Timonen, General Secretary of the Centenary of Finland’s Independence, Prime Minister’s Office.

Finland 100 has become a phenomenon: the centenary has been celebrated throughout the year. Four out of five Finns think it is important to participate in the centennial year and more than 600,000 peo- ple, 14% of all 15-84-year-old Finns, are involved in creating the centenary year programme**. It has be- come the richest and most versatile programme of all time and provides a great overview of the nation today. As many as 5000  different projects have been included in the programme, with an especially strong presence of culture, nature, history, and doing good for both each other and the future of Fin- land.

The historical moment will be celebrated with dignity and joy Finland’s Independence Day, 6 December, will be preceded by both traditional and new festivities over several days. Most of the official celebrations will take place in the capital city, Helsinki, but there will be many other unique moments all over Finland. The Finnish flag will fly for two consecutive days, and the whole country will be illuminated with blue and white lights, the colours of Finland. Special monuments and locations, e.g. an entire fell, Saana in Lapland, will be lit up.

Many joyful festivities will bring people together. As the Finns are the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, the whole country will gather to enjoy birthday coffee to honour the 100-year-old Finland. Avid karaoke fans will be singing iconic Finnish songs at the same time in karaoke restaurants all over the country. The nation’s favourite sport, ice hockey, will be celebrated at an outdoor stadium in the heart of Helsinki, specially built for the occasion.

Abroad, all the Finnish embassies will host an Independence Day reception and Finnish communities around the world will have their own celebrations. In many countries, special concerts with famous Finn- ish artists such as Karita Mattila and Esa-Pekka Salonen will be organised.

“Celebrations will take place on all the continents. It’s touching to see how many friends our country has all over the world. We are very pleased with all the special greetings, gifts and visits from heads of states that Finland has already received during the centenary year. We invite everyone to join the celebration with us,” says Timonen.

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Henkel Hosts Local and Regional Media Partners to Sessions Surrounding ‘Creating Sustainable Value’

Henkel recently hosted several of its media partners from UAE, India, Algeria and GCC to press sessions surrounding the company’s purpose “Creating sustainable value”. Over the two-days event, Henkel provided them with an overview of their approach towards creating sustainable value for different stakeholder groups.

The sessions provided participants with deep understanding into the entire process of product development – from ideation to promotion. Henkel gave media insight into consumer trends and how they have leveraged them to develop high quality products which suit the specific needs of customers in India and the MEA region.

Journalists visited Henkel’s regional research and development site for Laundry and Home Care MEA in Dubai. They also experienced science experiments at Children’s City, as part of Forscherwelt (Researchers’ World) – Henkel’s international education initiative, which aims to arouse kids’ interest in science at an early age.

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German water industry heading for market entry in KSA

Hosted by the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) and in cooperation with the German Water Partnership (GWP) and MENA Projektpartner a Delegation of German companies from the water and wastewater sectors explored business opportunities in Riyadh last week.

Eight German enterprises offering high-tech products and competitive services including highly efficient water pumps, sewage infrastructure solutions, satellite-based environmental water services and project management expertise took part in a German-Saudi Water Conference and absolved numerous B2B meetings with companies from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

German-Saudi Water Conference connecting corporate world to science

The delegation visit took off with the German-Saudi Water Conference: Trends & Solutions in Wastewater Treatment and Desalination on November 12. Oliver Oehms, Delegate of German Industry & Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen, inaugurated the conference underlining that “today´s event is yet another manifestation of GESALO´s almost 40 years old mission to nurture Saudi-German business relations“.

Over 60 specialists, researchers and representatives from the related Saudi business community gained valuable insight such as the success story of reverse osmosis and solar power in combined application. Prof. Mattheus F. A. Goosen from Alfaisal University presented this setup as the state of the art in modern water desalination.

At the end of the conference, the German delegates positioned themselves and their products referring to presentations by the Saline Water Conversion Corporation and ILF-Tecon & Partners. The potential contribution of German technology to future investments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was clearly lined out, which set the agenda for the following days of B2B meetings.

On November 13 and 14, the German delegates followed an intense schedule of meetings with Saudi companies such as Abunayyan, Abdulkarim, NWC, NWWC and many more. Meetings were prearranged and accompanied by GESALO staff.

Werner Hanswillemenke from SWP-Systems GmbH commented on the logistics performed by the organizing partners stressing the “excellent service“ provided during the four days.

Dr. Thomas Heege, CEO of EOMAP GmbH & Co. KG added: “We would like to thank all organizing partners for hosting the German delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It provided us with excellent business opportunities and the intense schedule even allowed us to meet with the board of directors of SWCC, the world’s largest desalinated water producer, at their headquarters in Riyadh. In this and other follow-up meetings we saw an actual demand for environmental water services for desalination plants and our satellite-based water quality products and services are well positioned to support those activities.”

Kind invitation by Saline Water Conversion Corporation

A highlight during the German delegation visit was the invitation by SWCC´s Governor Eng. Ali Bin AbdulRahman AlHazmy who personally greeted the delegation at the corporation´s headquarters in Riyadh. Dr. Christian Zankiewicz from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy presented the German delegation and encouraged all participants to explain the possible application of their products and services in the management of desalination plants and the support of Saudi Arabia´s extensive network of water pipelines.

Major contributions to Vision 2030

The delegation not only strengthened Saudi-German economic cooperation, but also made a major contribution to Saudi Vision 2030. Many products offered by the German companies increase the efficiency in production and recycling. The loss of valuable water resources could be diminished significantly, which is in line with Vision 2030 that promotes “the optimal use of Saudi water resources”.  

German Business Delegation:

  • BFS Betonfertigteilesysteme GmbH
  • Dornier Consulting International GmbH
  • EOMAP GmbH & Co.KG
  • HOMA Pumpenfabrik GmbH
  • KSP Engineering GmbH
  • PBT GmbH
  • Putzmeister Solid Pumps GmbH
  • SWP Systems GmbH

Partners: German Water Partnership e.V. (GWP) and MENA Projektpartner e.V.

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Industry leaders discuss ”Glass in Green Buildings” Guardian Glass, Saudi Council of Engineers launch training program

Guardian Glass and the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) kicked off a long-term joint training program, which started with an interactive seminar recently conducted in Al Jubail under the title “Glass in Green Buildings”. SCE members in the audience included prominent engineers, architects, and glazing and energy efficiency specialists from KSA’s government and private sectors.

Maher AlHasson, Regional Sales Manager at Guardian Glass and an industry expert with over 10 years of experience, led the seminar. He focused on environmentally responsible practices and the impact of resource efficiency in shaping a sustainable future. A tour of the Saudi Guardian International Float Glass Ltd.* (GulfGuard) plant in Jubail Industrial City followed, introducing attendees to Guardian’s float glass manufacturing process and the latest in cutting-edge glass coating technology.

Mohammad Al Ibrahim, General Manager of Guardian Glass in Africa & Middle East said, “Through initiatives such as this, Guardian Glass wants to lead the way towards a better, more sustainable future by helping to define best practices in the industry. We want to reach a high-level awareness amongst all segments of the society, with a primary focus on the key decision makers who can genuinely contribute to the ‘eco-friendly’ direction we are working toward within our company, and, indeed, throughout KSA.”

“This seminar marks the start to more promising and thought-provoking events we look forward to hosting with SCE,” he concluded.  

Eng. Saad Alshehri, SCE-Green Building Chapter Vice Chairman commented, “Our mission at the Green Building Chapter of SCE is to raise the awareness of sustainability – matching with the global standards – and to contribute in the Saudi Vision 2030. As part of our partnership with the private sector, we organized this first event with Guardian Glass in Saudi Arabia. It was successfully conducted and Guardian’s team effort is highly appreciated. Our attendees were impressed by Guardian Glass’ manufacturing and coating technologies.”

Various workshops, seminars and field visits aimed at sharing Guardian’s global experience and local knowledge with engineers and architects around the Kingdom are underway as a part of the joint training program. Similar educational and thought-provoking events targeting university students, government entities and decision-makers will be conducted across the Kingdom as well as other GCC countries. Topics will include manufacturing processes and terminologies, benefits of energy-efficient glass, country-specific building codes for glazing, glass for green buildings and glass guides to LEED certifications.

The program falls in line with Guardian’s commitment to glass manufacturing and energy savings, creating value for its customers and the communities where Guardian team members live and work; ultimately contributing to Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program 2020 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

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Starbucks commits to Saudization targets

Starbucks Saudi Arabia has committed to employing 400 Saudi nationals in the upcoming period as part of the company’s support for Saudization programs around the Kingdom, and the Vision 2030 national transformation program.

At a briefing at two selected Starbuck stores between Riyadh and Jeddah, the company outlined Starbucks’ expansion and development plans across the Kingdom, including a plan to employ Saudi nationals in its stores.

Presentations by senior Starbucks executives addressed key workforce challenges as Starbucks and Saudi Arabia move into new phases of development, and committed the company to supporting the Saudi National Transformation Program.

At the briefing, several Saudi nationals working in Starbucks spoke first-hand about their experiences of working with the company. All Starbucks employees (partners) are inducted into a comprehensive training program that is specially-designed to develop critical soft skills in service, communication, and employment, while gaining a global outlook and a deep knowledge of coffee.

Rana Shaheen, Regional communications and CSR manager, Starbucks Middle East, said: “We are fully committed to providing jobs and opportunities for Saudi youth. We believe we offer a unique and rich working experience, especially for a young Saudi who has proven that he is able to excel in different positions and industries.”

“We at Starbucks are committed to training and employing Saudi youth, and we have seen a strong response in support of our plans and programs in this area,” added Rana.

 

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LG ELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES THIRD-QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS Home Entertainment Achieves Record Profitability; Home Appliances Report Strongest Third Quarter Revenues Ever

LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced consolidated third-quarter 2017 revenues of KRW 15.22 trillion (USD 13.44 billion), an increase of more than 15 percent compared with the third quarter the previous year. All of LG’s four major business units reported higher revenues from the same period a year ago. Quarterly operating income of KRW 516.1 billion (USD 455.7 million) almost doubled from 2017, reflecting strong profitability in home entertainment and appliances despite the gloomy business environment resulting from increasing international trade concerns.

The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company once again accounted for the largest share of quarterly revenue with KRW 4.98 trillion (USD 4.4 billion), an increase of 16 percent from the same period last year, buoyed by strong sales in North America, Europe and Asia, particularly in the domestic market. Operating income of KRW 424.9 billion (USD 375.16 million) was 26 percent higher year-over-year. Demand for premium appliances in Europe, Latin America and Asia, especially Korea, is expected to remain strong in the fourth quarter.

The LG Home Entertainment Company reported its highest quarterly operating profit of KRW 458 billion (USD 404.39 million) and record high operating margin of 9.9 percent thanks to higher demand for premium TVs in the Americas and Asia. Sales improved 12 percent from the same period in 2016 to KRW 4.64 trillion (USD 4.09 billion). LG’s strategy to overcome volume competition by expanding the premium component of its TV business focusing on OLED and Ultra HD TVs is proving to be a success. Sales of OLED units by the end of the third quarter were equivalent to the total number of units sold in 2016 which was more than double the 2015 figure.

The LG Mobile Communications Company recorded revenues of KRW 2.81 trillion (USD 2.48 billion), an increase of 8 percent from a year ago and 4 percent higher than the previous quarter, primarily from sales of the flagship G6 smartphone as well as mass-tier models such as the Q and K series. An operating loss of KRW 375.3 billion (USD 331.37 million) was an improvement of 13 percent from the 2016 third quarter. Smartphone shipments of 13.7 million units were 44 percent higher than the second quarter in the domestic market and 9 percent higher in North America. The business unit will focus on driving increased sales of the well-reviewed V30 and improving cost competitiveness in the final quarter of the year.

The LG Vehicle Components Company achieved strong sales of KRW 873.4 billion (USD 771.2 million), up 29 percent from the third-quarter of 2016, while reporting an operating loss of KRW 29 billion (USD 25 million) in the quarter, reflecting continued investments in R&D and business development. Sales of infotainment products and electric vehicle (EV) components remained strong although slowing global automobile sales affected the business unit’s growth. An increase in EV production by major automobile manufacturers is expected to help grow the vehicle components business going forward.

2017 2Q Exchange Rates Explained

LG Electronics’ unaudited quarterly earnings results are based on IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) for the three-month period ending September 30, 2017. Amounts in Korean won (KRW) are translated into U.S. dollars (USD) at the average rate of the three-month period of the corresponding quarter — KRW 1,132.57 per USD.

Earnings Conference and Conference Call

LG Electronics will hold an English language conference call on October 27, 2017 at 09:00 Korea Standard Time (00:00 GMT/UTC). Participants for the English conference call are instructed to call +82 31 810 3061 and enter the passcode 9084#. The corresponding presentation file will be available for download at the LG Electronics website (www.lg.com/global/ir/reports/earning-release.jsp) at approximately 16:00 on October 26, 2017. Visit http://pin.teletogether.com/eng and pre-register with the passcode provided. For those unable to participate, an audio recording of the news conference will be available for a period of 30 days after the conclusion of the call. To access the recording, dial +82 31 931 3100 and enter the passcode 142870# when prompted.

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Schneider Electric and Cisco hold the “Digital Transformation in the Era of IoT” event to drive the Kingdom’s digital transformation

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, and Cisco, a worldwide technology leader, hosted the “Digital Transformation in the Era of IoT” event in Riyadh, targeting major CTO and CIO players in the Kingdom.

The event highlighted the disruption, challenges and opportunities present in the era of digital transformation the Kingdom is currently undergoing. Schneider Electric shared its vision and strategy in driving this transformation forward. The two companies discussed Internet of Things (IoT) innovations that will act as the engine of this journey.

Saudi Arabia is adopting a government digital transformation as part of its Saudi Vision 2030. This move is being made particularly because the Kingdom is aiming to significantly reduce its dependence on oil. Major entities such as Schneider Electric and Cisco are partnering up in order to support this transformation. By combining their expertise, knowledge and resources, these companies will majorly contribute in Saudi Arabia’s journey.

Schneider Electric France’s CTO, Nicolas Leterrier, who was a main speaker at the event, said: “We are very proud of Schneider Electric’s services and presence in the Kingdom. It has established a trust throughout the Saudi Arabian government and will work side by side with various entities to implement Saudi Vision 2030, particularly digital transformation. We have been partners with Cisco for many years, and have accomplished various projects of high importance here in the Kingdom. However, this is one of the greatest projects and we look forward to moving forward and being an active part in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.”

Haytham Alohali, Managing Director of Cisco Saudi Arabia, commented: “Digitization has the potential to ignite substantial and positive impact across all areas of society by accelerating GDP growth, creating new jobs, and building a sustainable innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. We at Cisco are very proud of the role we are playing as the nation’s digitization partner and we are very excited to join forces with Schneider Electric and drive a stronger message on the vitality and importance of digitization for the Kingdom.

The digital transformation program can be considered a subset of an entire economic transformation. With the Kingdom moving towards diminishing its reliance on oil, the technology sector will now need to thrive and be one of the main supporters of the economy. With the support of leading worldwide companies such as Schneider Electric and Cisco, the Saudi government will achieve Saudi Vision 2030’s goals.

 

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Guardian Glass will clad Jeddah Tower, Soon-to-be tallest building in the world

Developers of Jeddah Tower what will be the world’s tallest building have selected Guardian Glass to supply the façade glass for the project’s over one-kilometer-high landscape.

Guardian Glass is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of float and high-performance energy-efficient coated glass products.

Jeddah Tower (also known as Kingdom Tower) is an unprecedented project that dares to go beyond the one-kilometer threshold. The over $1.2billion USD (SAR 4.5billion) supertall building structure, to be completed in 2019, will cover an area of 5.3 million square meters and include 439 apartments, 200 hotel rooms, 59 elevators and 2,205 parking spaces. It is set to break new world records for tallest building, highest occupied floor, highest architectural top, highest tip and highest sky terrace.

Guardian Glass will provide more than 400,000 square meters, the area of approximately 55 football fields, of aesthetic and functional glass panels that meet the iconic landmark’s complex energy and performance requirements.

The glass chosen for the massive structure is a custom-made, double-pane glass system combining Guardian Glass’ popular SunGuard® Silver 20 and SunGuard® Neutral 60 coated glass products. The robust technology is made to withstand a 2.5-meter radius sway without breakage or leakage.

Guardian Glass Middle East & Africa General Manager Mohammad Al Ibrahim said, “The unprecedented size and height of the Jeddah Tower required us to carefully work with the business team to select a glass system that offers a balance between energy savings and light transmission. For that reason, we have combined two of our most popular and reliable Guardian SunGuard products that we are confident will offer the best performance without compromising aesthetics.”

As a high-performance, solar-reflective coated glass, the exterior SunGuard® Silver 20 pane will help block daytime heat yet allow for abundant natural light and provide a luxurious silver-green aesthetic. The interior pane, with SunGuard® Neutral 60, will help protect against indirect nighttime heat.

The skyscraper’s unique, circular, glass-floored sky terrace, located more than 610 meters (2,000 feet) above ground level, will also be supplied by Guardian Glass. Once completed, the new world’s highest sky terrace will overlook the Red Sea.

Jeddah Tower Project Director John Zerafa of United Arab Aluminium Co. (UACC) said, “Guardian Glass was specified by Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architects. I have worked on the Burj Khalifa, and the Guardian Glass team was there every step of the way, from glass manufacturing to technical support. Guardian Glass provides more value in comparison to other glass suppliers.”

“Our commitment to a project extends well beyond the production and supply of glass through processing, fabrication and cladding until the project is complete,” added Merritt Gaunt, Vice President, Middle East and Asia, Guardian Glass. “We are pleased to be the supplier of choice for this landmark project.”

The glass will be manufactured at the Al Jubail Guardian plant, then delivered to UAAC factory in Jeddah, where the glass will be processed into double glazed units, structurally glazed to the frame with high-performance secondary structural sealant applied. The fully assembled curtain wall system will then be delivered to site for installation.

Guardian’s trained and certified Technical Advisory Center (TAC) team of experts will be available to provide around-the-clock support on the project to optimize results. An onsite team will work closely with UAAC to provide consistent supervision, maintenance and long-term post-project service.

Jeddah Tower will be an exciting addition to Guardian Glass’ extensive portfolio of iconic landmarks and developments in hospitality, retail, residential, corporate and institutional properties in the Middle East and around the world.

 

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Saudi Pediatric Association announces strategic partnership with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited to boost infant healthcare in the Kingdom

The future of infant healthcare in Saudi Arabia has been strengthened by a new strategic partnership between the Saudi Pediatric Association (SPA) and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited, part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies (“Johnson & Johnson”), which owns and operates both the Johnson’s® Baby and Aveeno Baby® brands.

The three-year scientific cooperation program announced today at the Marriot Hotel in Riyadh, will benefit healthcare in the Kingdom with a roadmap to enhance baby skincare awareness, promote education and resources for healthcare providers, and also provide opportunities for free consultations and check ups.

In kicking off the special partnership, SPA has officially endorsed Johnson’s Baby and Aveeno Baby products available throughout the region. The trust of Parents in both brands is reinforced as the baby ranges are now officially “Endorsed by SPA”.

Customers will also benefit from an enhanced awareness of emerging skincare solutions among the nation’s healthcare providers, pharmacists and students, thanks to closer links between the organisations. To further that goal, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited is committed to be the main sponsor for two upcoming SPA conferences; the Pediatric Update Conference in Madinah, and the SPA Pediatric Seminars and symposia.

The American multinational will also provide accreditation for continuing medical education (CME) with modular courses from Q2 2018 aimed at healthcare providers and pharmacists in Saudi Arabia.

Na’am Jamshed, Johnson & Johnson’s senior director for Government Affairs and Policy, said: “Behind every purchase is a parent who cares deeply about their child, and that child deserves the very best from us and our products.”

“Johnson & Johnson is once again demonstrating its commitment to help enhance healthcare provision in Saudi Arabia, not only through high-level transformational partnerships, but also due to decades of refined ingredient selection, formulation and manufacturing,” she added.

With a global research and development budget of almost US$ 9.1 billion in 2016, Johnson & Johnson has been as dedicated to science and progress than it is right today. And one of Johnson’s core aims is to ensure that families across the region have access to the safest, most rigorously tested products.

To date, Johnson & Johnson has pioneered global research on skincare research and has helped advance 90% of publications on the subject. The brand has also published more research on baby skincare than any other global skin care company over the last five years, ensuring the entire product range is certified to be environmentally friendly and cares for the unique needs of young children.

Trusted by parents and healthcare professionals for more than 125 years, the company’s dedication to safety starts with its 5-Step Safety Assurance Process. A key element of that process is to ensure that products are composed of safe raw materials, therefore Johnson’s and Aveeno only accept materials from vendors that meet rigorous quality and safety standards.

 Aveeno is a world-leader in skincare that utilises active natural ingredients to deliver greater benefits for the skin. Aveeno’s Active Naturals Ingredients follow the highest standards of ingredient selection, formulation and manufacturing, and the brand places emphasis on utilising processes that retain the strength and purity of its ingredients.

Regardless of Johnson’s and Aveeno’s reputation and combined track records as world-class baby skincare brands, Johnson & Johnson still had to complete a rigorous evaluation by SPA. The parent company presented research about the products and their ingredients, as well as the stringent safety measures that the multinational employs across all of its global divisions.

Dr. Abdullah Al Omair, president of the Saudi Pediatric Association said: “For more than three decades our organisation has been contributing to healthcare efforts aimed at making Saudi Arabia one of the safest countries in the world to raise a child. This key partnership with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited is yet another step toward realising that future and taking infant healthcare in the Kingdom to the next level.

The SPA was founded in 1981 under the umbrella of King Saud University in Riyadh. It is a scientific medical association and aims to support and enhance knowledge and resources for paediatric care, through research, published materials and continuing medical and healthcare education.

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