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BIZ BAHRAIN MARCH-APRIL 2018

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becoming the preferred<br />

UK investment city<br />

As the capital city, with its<br />

famous landmarks and<br />

attractions, London is<br />

undoubtedly the UK’s<br />

favoured leisure destination.<br />

But it’s no longer attracting<br />

the levels of domestic and<br />

international investment it<br />

traditionally used to.<br />

Property price growth in London is<br />

slowing down – in June 2017 prices grew<br />

by just 3% month-on-month, the<br />

second slowest rate of growth in the<br />

UK<br />

Rents decreased by 0.42% in the 12<br />

months to February 2017<br />

– the only region in the country<br />

to record a loss<br />

Prices in London are<br />

increasingly reaching an<br />

affordability ceiling for many<br />

investors. And with a slow pace<br />

of growth and low rental yields,<br />

more overseas investors are<br />

leaving London and heading<br />

north to Manchester.<br />

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March-April<br />

www.mhcwll.com<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

1


CONTENTS March - April <strong>2018</strong><br />

10 | Digital Technology Captures the<br />

Property Development Sector<br />

CRE firms have benefitted strongly from their recent investments<br />

in widely available technology solutions (PropTech) helping to drive<br />

cost and operational efficiencies.<br />

FEATURES<br />

14 | Formula 1 <strong>2018</strong> Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix<br />

Bahrain's Premier Event of the Year<br />

16 | A New Super Hero to the Rescue<br />

Interview with Luay Cheblak & Mohamed Al Sayed<br />

Co-Founders, MetroCare<br />

20 | Creating a Community<br />

Interview with Shaikh Salman bin Khalid Al-Khalifa<br />

Chief Operating Of cer, Al Zallaq Real Estate Company<br />

24 | Seeking Opportunities in Challenges<br />

Interview with Ali Al Shuwaikh<br />

CEO and Founder, Homeseekers<br />

28 | Supporting Bahrain’s ICT Future<br />

Interview with Dr. Ghulum Bakiri<br />

Founder & President, MicroCenter<br />

2 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


CONTENTS<br />

March - April <strong>2018</strong><br />

32 | A Rewarding Check In<br />

Interview with Ignace Bauwens<br />

Regional Vice President, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group<br />

36 | Exploring Bi-Lateral Business Potential<br />

Interview with Saadiya Noori<br />

Commercial Attaché Embassy of Pakistan, Bahrain<br />

38 | Property Views<br />

Interview with Heather Longden<br />

Associate Director, CBRE<br />

40 | Chai Karak, A Customer Service Story<br />

Interview with Mohamed Isa<br />

Author and Public Speaking Coach<br />

42 | Property Services | Alfanar Real Estate<br />

Optimising Bahrain’s Business Environment<br />

44 | Property Portal | YourAmlak<br />

The Digital Future of Real Estate<br />

46 | Viewpoint | Next Generation Solution<br />

Connect to your Clients with Kalaam’s Enterprise Messaging System<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

3


SECTORS<br />

MORE IN THIS ISSUE<br />

56 | Government:<br />

2 EDB attracts BD 276 million of Foreign Investments in 2017<br />

2 Direct Investments reach USD 733 million in 2017 Bahrain Non-Oil sector<br />

achieved average 7.5% annual growth<br />

2 Solar and Wind Energy Pilot project<br />

2 Asry concludes Construction of LNG Terminal landing platform<br />

2 Bahrain to have an Urban Rail system<br />

2 Enhancing the Customer Experience at KBSP<br />

60 | Banking & Finance:<br />

2 Bahrain Fintech Bay<br />

2 ‘MyShare’ Card to facilitate cash dividend distribution<br />

2 CBB Private Network for Financial Institutions<br />

2 BBK launches EFTS service on all ATMs in Bahrain<br />

2 Al Salam Bank ‘Danat Al ASalam’ Savings Scheme <strong>2018</strong><br />

2 BisB and PayPal partner to expand e-commerce in Bahrain<br />

64 | Telecom:<br />

2 SIM Card Registration A Positive Step to Protect Consumers<br />

2 Batelco launch free Internet services<br />

2 Batelco Voice over WiFi<br />

2 VIVA Bahrain achieves compliance with IFRS<br />

2 Latest Cloud and Managed Security Services by VIVA<br />

2 Zain and Ericsson create Roadmap to 5G<br />

68 | Real Estate:<br />

2 RERA starts Operations<br />

2 Amlak to redevelop Local Markets across Bahrain<br />

2 The Treasure tower by Bin Faqeeh<br />

2 Diyar Al Muharraq Projects Infrastructure work on Target<br />

2 Select Property Group Partners with Metropolitan Holding<br />

2 Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain<br />

72 | Technology:<br />

2 Cyber Safety for Kids<br />

2 Increasing Digital ad revenue<br />

2 The Smart Hotel of the future<br />

2 Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+<br />

2 Microsoft launches Surface Laptop in Bahrain<br />

76 | Automotive:<br />

2 The Ferrari 488 Pista<br />

2 Lexus RX350L 7-seater arrives at E.K. Kanoo<br />

2 Infiniti QX80<br />

2 Porsche Cayenne set to continue Success Story<br />

2 BMW X2 available at Euro Motors<br />

2 Hyundai Santa Fe showcase a striking SUV<br />

48 | Business Report<br />

50 | InformationTechnology<br />

52 | Investor Behaviour<br />

82 | Biz Dashboard<br />

84 | Tender Board Bahrain<br />

80 | Other Business:<br />

2 Gulf Air strategy and plans for <strong>2018</strong> and beyond<br />

2 New Clinic by AMH for low-income group<br />

2 G4S Bahrain honors outstanding employees<br />

4 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

5


CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE<br />

It is once again that time of the year when everyone holds their breath hoping<br />

that the wonderful weather lingers, while the excitement builds up for the<br />

annual Bahrain Gulf Air Formula 1 Grand Prix! The country seems to vibrate<br />

with an energy and spirit that really comes alive over that crucial weekend. The<br />

circuit and everything and everyone working around it, contributing another<br />

piece that adds to the rich history of Formula One.<br />

As the country prepares for the magic of the next Formula One, our team<br />

has been busy putting together another great issue of the magazine. Our focus<br />

this issue is the Real Estate and Property Development industry. It’s been a busy<br />

first quarter for the industry, but we got to talk to a few industry specialists to<br />

give us a quick look into what's happening. Our focus feature takes a look into<br />

the emergence of PropTech, a term used to distinguish the digital technologies,<br />

which are poised to completely turn around traditional business models.<br />

PropTech has added dimensions to Commercial Real Estate and in recent years<br />

the use of digital platforms and data has accelerated at such a rapid pace that<br />

many major developers have joined the race to invest in it, believing that it will<br />

provide them with a competitive advantage.<br />

I am sure you will also find our Cover story an intriguing and interesting<br />

one. We present MetroCare, a new concept in Bahrain introduced by two<br />

dynamic entrepreneurs, who are taking their vision of providing a 24-hour<br />

mobile maintenance solution, to every home. Additionally, we have a number<br />

of interesting interviews with some innovators and achievers who have made a<br />

significant mark in their areas of activity. I will leave you to read all about them.<br />

Don’t miss our usual round up of all the latest business news.<br />

So once again I leave you with a new issue of bizbahrain to enjoy while<br />

savouring all the pleasures that the month ahead holds!<br />

Happy reading!<br />

Adel Al Safar<br />

Chairman<br />

Write to the Publisher: info@bizbahrain.com<br />

6 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


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CHOOSE YOUR ROOM AND START AUTOMATING IT March-April TODAY <strong>2018</strong><br />

7


THE TEAM<br />

Publishing House<br />

General Manager<br />

Group Editor<br />

Production &<br />

Circulation Manager<br />

Senior Designer<br />

Editorial Contributors<br />

Production and Layout<br />

Video Augmentation<br />

Printed at<br />

In Association with<br />

Sultan Al Sharabaty<br />

sultan@bizbahrain.com<br />

Reena Abraham<br />

reena@bizbahrain.com<br />

Sameer Asif Butt<br />

sameer@bizbahrain.com<br />

Ashjad Azeez<br />

ashjad@bizbahrain.com<br />

+973 3992 3321 bizbahrain<br />

Mohamed Isa, Dr. Jassim Haji, Simone Del Nevo,<br />

Heather Longden, Dr. Alex R. Suchy von Weissenfeld,<br />

Jose Paul Martin, Ali Al Aradi<br />

Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej, Kingdom of Bahrain<br />

info@bizbahrain.com<br />

www.bizbahrain.com<br />

Read more on: www.bizbahrain.com<br />

The opinions and views contained in this publication by the journalists, writers and the interviewee are not necessarily those of the publishers. All efforts have been<br />

made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However bizbahrain cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.<br />

8 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Securing Your World<br />

G4S is a leading Cash Solutions provider in the Middle East with operations<br />

in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon, offering a<br />

range of value added services to its banking and retail customers across the region.<br />

■<br />

Storage, Secure Delivery and Safety Deposit services<br />

■ Manage costs by securely monitored and technologydriven<br />

Cash-in-Transit and Cash Processing services<br />

■ Streamline processes by accessing a one-stop-shop for<br />

ATM management outsourcing solutions<br />

■ Mitigate risk through Enhanced Bank Branch Solutions<br />

that include Cash Forecasting and Balancing<br />

Our Cash Solutions are offered as part of an integrated<br />

end-to-end security solution that includes Manned<br />

Security Services and Security Systems to our customers<br />

where security and safety risks are considered a strategic<br />

threat.<br />

G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock<br />

Exchange and has a secondary stock exchange listing in<br />

Copenhagen. G4S has operations in around 100 countries<br />

with more than 585,000 employees.<br />

For more information, visit www.g4s.com.bh<br />

Tel: 1771 4409, Fax: 1771 6577<br />

P.O. Box 15193 Manama, Bahrain, Email: security@bh.gs4.com<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

9


Focus Feature | Property Sector Review<br />

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY<br />

CAPTURES THE PROPERTY<br />

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR<br />

by Reena Abraham<br />

The real estate and property<br />

development industry is believed<br />

to have been slow in its embrace<br />

of digital technology, but with<br />

the quickening pace of innovation<br />

and the increasing sophistication of<br />

investors and tenants, tech experts say<br />

the industry is ready to welcome change<br />

and innovation. As a matter of fact, the<br />

last few years have seen the emergence<br />

of PropTech, a term used to distinguish<br />

the technologies, which aim to disrupt<br />

traditional business models.<br />

INTRODUCING PROPTECH<br />

In the broad sense, PropTech relates<br />

to a number of computing platforms,<br />

software and applications being explored<br />

and used by companies involved with all<br />

aspects of CRE (Commercial Real Estate).<br />

In recent years however, technology has<br />

made its powerful presence felt through<br />

the sector, and the use of digital platforms<br />

and data accelerated at such a rapid pace<br />

that those who do not fully embrace and<br />

understand its reach are left floundering<br />

at the start. Many major developers have<br />

joined the race to invest in PropTech<br />

technology, believing that it will provide<br />

them with a competitive advantage.<br />

The transition from two-dimensional<br />

documentation using software like<br />

AutoCAD to 3-D building information<br />

modelling (BIM) is a classic example.<br />

Next-generation geographic information<br />

systems (GIS) can now illuminate the<br />

site selection process helping companies<br />

and investors find the best locations<br />

for workforce productivity, innovation<br />

and corporate social responsibility.<br />

Organizations are full of dark data with<br />

disparate information spread across<br />

geographies and service lines. New<br />

technology now allows us to pull all this<br />

together and analyze it using powerful<br />

tools to generate new insights.<br />

Mohammed Araiqat, General<br />

Manager of Arab Architects, the<br />

firm behind the design of many of<br />

Bahrain’s iconic buildings, should know.<br />

“PropTech basically aims to enhance<br />

business through technology, so for us<br />

as consultants, PropTech, makes our<br />

lives easier with municipality approvals.<br />

Although in some aspects, undoubtedly,<br />

human contact cannot be replaced,<br />

technology makes it way simpler. In<br />

other aspects, the software that we<br />

use on a daily basis are getting more<br />

advanced (such as Revit, BIM, 3Ds Studio<br />

max), and that helps us in delivering<br />

better results to present. Developers are<br />

hence, able to get a clearer picture of the<br />

projects presented in animations and<br />

virtual reality 3D images.”<br />

THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING<br />

One technology for the industry that<br />

has presented itself on the landscape with<br />

an impact beyond compare is IoT (The<br />

Internet of Things), the interconnection<br />

via the Internet of computing devices<br />

embedded in everyday objects. A 2014<br />

Goldman Sachs study, “The Internet<br />

of Things: Making Sense of the Next<br />

Mega-trend,” predicts that there will<br />

be 28 billion connected devices on the<br />

IoT by 2020. CRE companies can use<br />

environmental (temperature and air<br />

quality) and occupant movement, to<br />

make the necessary adjustments in space<br />

conditioning to monitor the environment<br />

and measure temperature, humidity,<br />

water pressure, power consumption and<br />

more. The report envisages a sensor for<br />

virtually everything in a building that<br />

an owner or occupier can anticipate and<br />

monitor in the foreseeable future.<br />

"The effects are already beginning to<br />

be felt in the growing field of Home and<br />

10 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Focus Feature | Property Sector Review<br />

Office automation," says Naser Shahrour,<br />

CEO of Al Safar Group, parent company<br />

of MECOS, a pioneer of home and<br />

commercial automation in the country.<br />

“MECOS is a system integrator engaged<br />

in providing highly advanced, state of<br />

the art automation systems and security<br />

solutions within the workplace and home.<br />

Home automation puts control of basic<br />

systems and appliances into the hands of<br />

the homeowner and provides access from<br />

a remote point - like a smartphone app, or<br />

at a centralized unit inside the home.”<br />

The commercial real estate world<br />

is in fact undergoing a promising<br />

metamorphosis today as technology is<br />

assuming the role of a catalyst churning<br />

up more benefits for the sector. The new<br />

‘real’ factor in the business is serving<br />

to capture and hold the attention of all<br />

those who are keen to find a property that<br />

is nothing less than their dream home,<br />

work, leisure or office space. For realtors<br />

and developers, showcasing the property<br />

under construction is not just a smart way<br />

for them to kick-start their business but it<br />

is also easy for them to monitor each and<br />

every step in the construction process.<br />

DIGITAL FOOTPRINT<br />

Likewise for house-hunters, now more<br />

than ever before, starting the search for<br />

a new home begins online. As Mohamed<br />

Araiqat says, “More than 75% of investors<br />

search for available properties online.<br />

Property websites are spreading and<br />

turning to applications in our phones. I<br />

truly believe that the process of buying<br />

a property in Bahrain will significantly<br />

transform in the coming years.”<br />

All well-known property portals<br />

today have a listing of properties that<br />

covers a gamut of requirements and<br />

budgets and a growing number of<br />

property agents are justifiably spending<br />

a greater share of their total marketing<br />

budget on the Internet.<br />

“We need to constantly update and<br />

stay on top of every trend,” says Shada<br />

Judeh, Regional Manager of YourAmlak,<br />

popular B2B real estate portal that links<br />

the real estate industry by creating a<br />

platform for brokers, developers, and<br />

end users. “We are deeply committed in<br />

the ‘match-making process’ that links<br />

buyers and tenants to the brokers and<br />

developers.”<br />

Earlier, one had to invest considerable<br />

time in steps such as exploring the<br />

proprieties physically, short listing based<br />

on the experience he or she gathered<br />

at the locations and then reaching the<br />

final decision of buying a property.<br />

However, now the new technologies i.e.,<br />

virtual reality and augmented reality are<br />

paving way for much more time-efficient<br />

solutions and are revolutionising the real<br />

estate sector to a very large extent.<br />

“We are basically a property<br />

management agency that provides all<br />

kind of solutions - a one-stop property<br />

solution that gives market research,<br />

valuations, sales, rental, real estate<br />

activation…everything under one<br />

umbrella, “ says Ali Al Shuwaikh, CEO and<br />

Founder of HomeSeekers, a consolidated<br />

property solution provider that services<br />

landlords, owners and tenants.<br />

With just few clicks, these sites allow<br />

buyers to filter properties as per their<br />

preferred budget, unit type, locality etc.,<br />

see 3D walkthroughs, read about pros<br />

and cons of localities, market trends,<br />

compare properties, show locality videos,<br />

property reviews, financing options, legal<br />

assistance, interior décor options and<br />

many more.<br />

ENHANCED EXPERIENCE<br />

All these additional features have<br />

enhanced the property search experience<br />

and transformed online websites from<br />

being a mere classified site to the most<br />

popular online destinations for property<br />

needs. In November 2017 approximately<br />

30,000 real estate consumers visited<br />

YourAmlak in search of their next home<br />

or investment opportunity; when these<br />

users interact with the website and its<br />

search engine they provide valuable<br />

insight as to what today's real estate<br />

consumers are looking for.<br />

From mobile devices to software as a<br />

service (SaaS) platforms for marketing,<br />

customer relationship management, and<br />

market research, cloud technology has<br />

become a ubiquitous part of commercial<br />

real estate. Professionals travelling<br />

around with a heavy briefcase filled<br />

with all their important documents are<br />

a thing of the past. Today contracts,<br />

client information, and other important<br />

data are all stored remotely and synced<br />

across platforms to be accessed through<br />

cloud servers by smartphones, tablets,<br />

and laptops.<br />

A BRIEFING ON PROPTECH<br />

CRE firms have benefitted strongly<br />

from their recent investments in widely<br />

available technology solutions helping to<br />

drive cost and operational efficiencies.<br />

The Internet of Things: The<br />

Internet now connects sensors and<br />

other computing devices embedded in<br />

everyday items, from home washing<br />

machines to commercial HVAC<br />

systems. Many of these devices can be<br />

programmed to send and/or receive data<br />

daily hourly or even continuously.<br />

Big Data: The IoT is enabling the<br />

collection and storage of extremely<br />

large data sets, which can be collected<br />

and analyzed, both independently and<br />

in conjunction with other data sets, to<br />

reveal patterns, trends and associations.<br />

Cloud Computing: Many companies<br />

and individuals now use a network of<br />

remote severs connected via the internet<br />

to store, manage and process data, rather<br />

than storing it all on their own local<br />

servers or personal computers.<br />

Virtual and Augmented Reality:<br />

Computer-generated 3-D simulations<br />

and 3-D videos enable people to<br />

virtually “tour” properties remotely<br />

and even “visit” and “feel” projects<br />

still in the early stages of design or<br />

construction, using equipment such as<br />

3-D cameras, goggles and gloves.<br />

Artificial Intelligence and Machine<br />

Learning: Computer systems can now<br />

perform many tasks that in the past<br />

would have required intervention from<br />

a human programmer. Some can learn<br />

to make adjustments to changing<br />

circumstances, based on experience,<br />

without being explicitly programmed<br />

to do so.<br />

Blockchain: This public digital<br />

ledger is similar to a relational database<br />

that stores transaction records in a<br />

series of chronologically connected<br />

“blocks.” This process creates verified<br />

transactions with a clear timeline that<br />

cannot be pulled apart.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

11


Focus Feature | Property Sector Review<br />

PROPERTY REPORT<br />

FORWARD THINKING<br />

POLICIES<br />

Regarded as one the fastest growing<br />

economies in the Middle East, the<br />

government of Bahrain, is consistent<br />

in its efforts to achieve the goals set<br />

by the Economic Vision 2030, of His<br />

Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.<br />

It provides clear direction and guidelines<br />

for the development of society with a key<br />

focus to provide modern and affordable<br />

housing across Bahrain.<br />

Bridging the gap between supply<br />

and demand has been one of the<br />

government’s challenges. As a result<br />

of the efforts, over 6000 homes were<br />

allocated in 2016 across Bahrain,<br />

followed by 4,200 housing units allocated<br />

at various locations in the Kingdom in<br />

2017 under the direction of His Royal<br />

Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad<br />

Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy<br />

Supreme Commander and First Deputy<br />

Prime Minister.<br />

Bahrain’s property market witnessed<br />

stability across all its sectors in 2017<br />

and the trend continues into <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

Representing one of the biggest non-oil<br />

GDP contributors, in general, activity<br />

in the sector has been characterized by<br />

continuity. According to data collected<br />

by the Survey and Land Registration<br />

Bureau, the aggregate value of real<br />

estate trading during the first seven<br />

months of 2017 was BHD613.6mn, and<br />

it was observed that local buyers have<br />

decisively dominated the market in<br />

2017. The large number of properties<br />

under construction and in the pipeline<br />

supports the confidence in the sector.<br />

A well-regulated banking sector<br />

has led to more investments, attracted<br />

by the projected returns potential that<br />

real estate in Bahrain holds when<br />

compared to other investment areas.<br />

An improvement in industrial and<br />

infrastructural development likewise<br />

has a trickledown effect on the<br />

property sector.<br />

Project activity is also expected<br />

to gain with the new Real Estate<br />

Organisational Law, approved by the<br />

Parliament in June 2017, whereby all<br />

new projects in the country will have<br />

to pay a capital contribution of BHD12<br />

per square metre toward infrastructure<br />

development. The law further sets prison<br />

sentences for those guilty of irregular<br />

property deals and has set up a new<br />

Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)<br />

to license real estate agents, resolve<br />

disputes, monitor deals, oversee the<br />

progress of projects, and various other<br />

matters. These measures promises to<br />

ensure the industry stays a regulated and<br />

significant contributor to Bahrain’s GDP.<br />

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) was officially formed with the<br />

issuance of Royal Decree 69/2017. RERA will deliver on the vision of His Royal<br />

Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the Crown Prince Deputy<br />

Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to:<br />

• Deliver effective and fair regulation in the real estate market<br />

• Promote economic growth and investment in Bahrain<br />

• Protect the rights of and create a better life for every Bahraini<br />

The central role of RERA is to ensure that the real estate industry in Bahrain<br />

is aligned to international best practice standards and to deliver a professional<br />

service in a cost-effective and transparent manner.<br />

RERA will work closely with Government and industry stakeholders to<br />

oversee the development of a National Real Estate Policy supported by a<br />

national five-year sector strategy and plan to bolster the real estate sector,<br />

improve consumer protection and streamline real estate services.<br />

12 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

13


Special Feature | Bahrain Grand Prix<br />

FORMULA 1 <strong>2018</strong><br />

GULF AIR <strong>BAHRAIN</strong> GRAND PRIX<br />

<strong>BAHRAIN</strong>'S PREMIER<br />

EVENT OF THE YEAR<br />

Bahrain’s hugely popular<br />

Formula 1 night race is back<br />

and the Bahrain International<br />

Circuit is all set to play host to<br />

another exciting three days under the<br />

desert stars. In headlines across the<br />

world the spotlight will once again be<br />

on Bahrain as ‘The Home of Motorsport<br />

in the Middle East’. From April 6 to 8,<br />

Formula 1 <strong>2018</strong> Gulf Air Bahrain Grand<br />

Prix will draw an unprecedented<br />

flow of regional and international<br />

enthusiastic race goers to the country.<br />

The 21-round event held in Sakhir<br />

will mark the second on the <strong>2018</strong><br />

FIA Formula 1 World Championship,<br />

following the season-opening meeting<br />

in Australia.<br />

The epic 57-lap battle includes<br />

superstar talents such as Lewis<br />

Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian<br />

Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando<br />

Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, Max<br />

Verstappen and many more. Aside from<br />

Formula 1, a number of international<br />

support series will also be taking to<br />

the tarmac; while a wide variety of<br />

off-track family entertainment will<br />

keep race-goers coming back for more<br />

throughout the three-day extravaganza.<br />

The 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix saw<br />

a record crowd of 33,000 on race day<br />

and 93,000 over the weekend, with the<br />

14 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Special Feature | Bahrain Grand Prix<br />

Main Grandstand, Paddock Club and<br />

corporate boxes all sold out for the first<br />

time ever. The BCCI is geared for an<br />

even greater turnout this year as the<br />

popularity of motorsport in the region<br />

is at an all-time high.<br />

The weekend’s on-track events will<br />

be highlighted by the 57-lap night race.<br />

Off the track, the live performance<br />

featuring legendary musician Carlos<br />

Santana for the big Friday night<br />

concert has everyone in a state of<br />

heightened anticipation.<br />

Aside from Formula 1, there will<br />

also be plenty of racing in the two<br />

support series - the FIA Formula 2<br />

Championship and the Porsche GT3<br />

Cup Challenge Middle East.<br />

Off the track, along with<br />

the biggest attraction - the live<br />

performance of Santana with his<br />

celebrated Divination Tour, race-goers<br />

will also have a trio of extreme rides<br />

to choose from, including a Reverse<br />

Bungee, a SCAD (Suspended Catch Air<br />

Device) Freefall and a Sky Coaster.<br />

Further entertainment will be seen<br />

at the Circus Stage, and from the<br />

Roaming Acts and Street Musicians<br />

and Dancers. Young children will<br />

enjoy a wide selection of engaging<br />

activities, all within a massive tent<br />

erected in BIC’s Formula 1 Village.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

15


Interview | MetroCare<br />

A NEW<br />

SUPER HERO<br />

TO THE RESCUE<br />

Luay Cheblak & Mohamed Al Sayed<br />

Co-Founders, MetroCare<br />

In a market glutted with new ideas,<br />

enterprises and unusual concepts, it<br />

is not easy to capture public attention,<br />

but Bahrain-based service provider,<br />

MetroCare, has managed to do just that<br />

with their unique concept fronted by<br />

mascot, MetroMan. Recently launched<br />

by Metropolitan Property and Facility<br />

Management, MetroCare is a unique, first<br />

of its kind in Bahrain, home care solutions<br />

facility that promises to solve everyday<br />

home problems faced by home and building<br />

owners and tenants. Offering a wide range<br />

of services all under one roof, MetroCare<br />

services range from electrical and air<br />

conditioning to installation and other<br />

repair works, in addition to many other<br />

value-added services. Adopted from similar<br />

concepts in Europe and the West, the idea<br />

was localized by dynamic entrepreneurs,<br />

Luay Cheblak and Mohammed Al-Sayed to<br />

enrich client’s maintenance experience.<br />

As the owners reiterate, “At MetroCare,<br />

we believe that a home should be made<br />

perfect for everyone. We aim to keep<br />

your home in top condition, to ensure the<br />

ultimate in comfort living. The slogan of<br />

MetroCare says it all: ‘Others maintain @<br />

Metro we Care’.”<br />

Luay Cheblak and Mohamed Al Sayed<br />

talk to bizbahrain in an exclusive interview.<br />

What does Metroman represent?<br />

Metroman is MetroCare’s super hero<br />

figure representing all that Metrocare is<br />

aiming to achieve. He is strong, skilled,<br />

16 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


quick and he flies - not literally but figuratively,<br />

he flies to the rescue! Hence, the slogan: “Super<br />

repair & maintenance powers”. You can count<br />

on MetroMan whilst in distress across the<br />

Kingdom of Bahrain. Our operations team aspires<br />

to be as quick and proficient as our super hero<br />

“Metroman”. MetroCare management’s objective is<br />

to look after your homes as our super hero would.<br />

As a company we intend to be your number one<br />

preferred super hero “MetroMan” when it comes<br />

to your home repair & maintenance needs.<br />

Is there any other such service in Bahrain?<br />

Yes there are other service providers in<br />

the Kingdom of Bahrain but we at Metrocare<br />

differentiate ourselves from our competitors in<br />

the market by adopting the best local practices<br />

in addition to introducing international best<br />

practices from Europe and the West to provide<br />

our client base with a more mature and practical<br />

localized set of solutions to their everyday needs.<br />

What are the service packages that you offer<br />

members?<br />

The client’s requirement for our services<br />

vary depending on the size and type of property.<br />

Thus our operational team designed 4 balanced<br />

packages to suit most home and building<br />

requirements, namely: The Basic, Classic and<br />

Premiere packages for homeowners and tenants,<br />

as well as, a landlord package for building owners.<br />

Our many home and building maintenance<br />

services include but are not limited to:General<br />

handyman services that include Electrical work,<br />

Carpentry work, Tiling, Gypsum & Plastering,<br />

Water proofing and Wall Painting.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

17


Interview | MetroCare<br />

We also undertake all air<br />

conditioning service, maintenance and<br />

repairs, Plumbing maintenance and<br />

upkeep. Fault-finding of plumbing &<br />

electrical systems.<br />

We have a 24/7 Emergency service<br />

covering problems such as leaks,<br />

blockages and electrical faults just to<br />

name a few. In addition to all of these,<br />

we have included services such as<br />

CCTV repair and maintenance, Outdoor<br />

cleaning of common areas for houses<br />

and villas, Pest control, Water filter<br />

changing, Gas pipe maintenance, Indoor<br />

lock repair, Pool maintenance, Building<br />

common area cleaning<br />

Should any of the above services<br />

be perceived as ordinary to any of<br />

our prospects, we also offer a 24/7<br />

emergency Roadside assistance to all<br />

our prospective members.<br />

What do you think are the biggest issues<br />

home owners face today?<br />

The concept for MeroCare was<br />

conceived after years of working<br />

in facility management. Invariably<br />

problems of home owners, tenants<br />

and building owners occur at the most<br />

inconvenient times when stores are<br />

closed, spares unavailable, no warranties<br />

“MetroCare offers a<br />

single point of contact,<br />

available day or night.”<br />

on work carried out by freelance<br />

technicians who may be unqualified and<br />

possibly worst of all, no one answers<br />

the telephone. After months of market<br />

research, our team established a robust<br />

market of home owners, tenants and<br />

building owners requiring the comfort<br />

of a team of professional engineers<br />

and technicians to respond to their<br />

maintenance and 24/7 emergency<br />

requests for advice and assistance<br />

to carry out mechanical, electrical<br />

breakdowns and general handyman<br />

services for an affordable annual fee.<br />

“The concept for<br />

MeroCare was conceived<br />

after years of working in<br />

facility management.”<br />

Tell us about some of the additional<br />

services and the type of equipment your<br />

vehicles are equipped with?<br />

In addition, Metrocare has<br />

established fully-fledged mobile<br />

18 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | MetroCare<br />

workshops and stores containing<br />

most consumable “spare parts” and<br />

equipment required to carry out repairs<br />

immediately on-site without the need<br />

to postpone or reschedule repair orders.<br />

A simple example would be fixing a<br />

leaking water pipe and/or servicing &<br />

re-gassing of an Air conditioner at your<br />

house at midnight without the hassle of<br />

leaving the premises or rescheduling.<br />

Therefore, with our mobile workshop<br />

and store we are able to alleviate the<br />

problems associated with repairs at<br />

inconvenient times.<br />

Some of the other benefits of working<br />

with MetroCare are:<br />

• A dedicated 8000 toll free number to<br />

receive calls from each member.<br />

• Dispatching for emergency repairs<br />

and normal repair requests.<br />

• Tracking and management of all<br />

emergency and normal repair<br />

requests.<br />

• Field supervisors to perform<br />

Quality Assurance evaluations on<br />

maintenance repairs.<br />

MetroCare offers a single point of<br />

contact, available day or night, who will<br />

address your issue with the urgency and<br />

response required.<br />

“Invariably problems of<br />

home owners, tenants<br />

and building owners<br />

occur at the most<br />

inconvenient times…”<br />

What areas are you covering at launch?<br />

At launch, MetroCare will<br />

concentrate it’s team’s efforts to cover<br />

the areas of Amwaj, Juffair, Seef and the<br />

Northern Governorate including Hamad<br />

Town, Hamala, Jasra, Janabiya, Saar,<br />

Budaiya just to name a few.<br />

The operation will then expand the<br />

team, services and fleet with a view to<br />

cover the entire Kingdom of Bahrain in<br />

the short term and other neighboring<br />

GCC countries over the longer term.<br />

"Others Maintain...<br />

@ Metro we Care".<br />

What challenges are facing your<br />

business right now?<br />

Gaining the trust of potential<br />

clients across the kingdom is our main<br />

challenge. Metrocare needs to create<br />

awareness of its brand, commitment,<br />

professionalism and service packages to<br />

the mass market in order to succeed.<br />

Reaching our target market is<br />

another challenge we face. Social media<br />

marketing and Advertising is somewhat<br />

costly, requires a substantial budget,<br />

and is geared for the masses. Direct<br />

marketing on the other hand enables<br />

us to assess the direct requirement<br />

of the prospect client and provide<br />

comprehensive advice on a suitable<br />

package or solution. This also gives us<br />

the opportunity to gain more insight<br />

from client feedback on the quality of<br />

services Metrocare provides.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

19


Interview | Zallaq Springs<br />

Shaikh Salman bin Khalid Al-Khalifa<br />

Chief Operating Officer, Al Zallaq Real Estate Company<br />

20 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


CREATING<br />

A COMMUNITY<br />

It seems like a long drive to Zallaq from<br />

the heart of Manama, but as it happens,<br />

it comes as a surprise how quickly the<br />

city bustle becomes a distant memory.<br />

The serenity of the pretty little town reaches<br />

out to envelop you and already it feels like a<br />

different world.<br />

Located at the heart of Zallaq just a<br />

stone’s throw from the Hotel Sofitel Bahrain,<br />

Zallaq Springs is a destination like no other,<br />

promises the promotional literature. After<br />

a look within, one would be inclined to<br />

agree. A creative and visionary concept, it is<br />

designed for visitors to unwind from their<br />

daily routines and lose themselves in the<br />

beauty and serenity of an enchanted retreat,<br />

strategically positioned near the sea.<br />

The property provides an avant-garde<br />

central point for families, students and any<br />

one to meet, relax, eat, socialize within an<br />

environment that houses an astounding 3,342<br />

aquatic plants, 3699 shrubs, and 110 trees of a<br />

diverse variety, with birds such as flamingos,<br />

ducks, and swans, locally bred, nurtured,<br />

and preserved by Al Areen Wildlife Park and<br />

Reserve. Restaurants and cafés and shops are<br />

surrounded by the beautifully flowing water<br />

bodies, and spacious car parking spaces get<br />

rid of one major concern for visitors.<br />

Reena Abraham took the scenic drive to<br />

Zallaq to meet with the man behind it all, COO<br />

of Al Zallaq Real Estate Company, Shaikh<br />

Salman Bin Khalid Al-Khalifa, joined also<br />

by Deputy CEO - Head of Leasing, Fahad A.<br />

Rafeea.<br />

Tell us a little about the concept of Zallaq<br />

Springs and the inspiration behind it.<br />

Shaikh Salman: The inspiration for Zallaq<br />

Springs was Zallaq itself - a little village by<br />

the sea, and the way it lies at the very tip of<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

21


Interview | Zallaq Springs<br />

Bahrain. We didn’t want to maximise the<br />

built-up area and build something like<br />

a shopping mall, which is what most<br />

people would do. Instead, we thought of<br />

a project which is all about space, which<br />

brings you back to Nature, with water,<br />

greenery and beautiful landscaping,<br />

where people can come dine and spend<br />

time, while also enjoying all the services<br />

and amenities that we make available.<br />

Equally importantly, we wanted to create<br />

a project that would add value to the<br />

area itself, and to the country as well,<br />

especially in terms of tourism.<br />

We thought of a project<br />

which is all about space,<br />

which brings you back<br />

to Nature, with water,<br />

greenery and beautiful<br />

landscaping, where<br />

people can come dine<br />

and spend time.<br />

Fahad: We were inspired by the<br />

Japanese Zen gardens. The intention<br />

is to create a space that feels relaxed,<br />

where one can unwind. It is like a mini-<br />

Japanese garden, where everything<br />

is thought out and placed in perfect<br />

harmony to create this natural habitat.<br />

We have put in a lot of focus on<br />

landscaping for this project.<br />

Shaikh Salman: You don’t find<br />

anything similar in Bahrain, where you<br />

have this space, the greenery, flowing<br />

water, birds, and so on. So much thought<br />

has been put into even the choice of<br />

plants and the birds introduced, and that<br />

in combination with the water springs<br />

create a habitat that is quite unique and<br />

will make a very pleasant and refreshing<br />

place for visitors to unwind, relax and<br />

feel one with Nature. The sound of<br />

running water adds to the ambience and<br />

we hope that it will attract birds and<br />

become a natural habitat.<br />

FAHAD: Historically, Zallaq is in the<br />

route of migrating birds, so when they fly<br />

above the project, they are drawn here<br />

with varieties like the Bahraini flamingo<br />

and other local birds around the waters.<br />

Imagine the feeling when you are having<br />

your espresso and watching a flamingo<br />

coming down!<br />

We have also used a natural<br />

filtration process choosing aquatic<br />

plants that absorb and remove all types<br />

of waste created by birds, insects,<br />

decaying materials, and even heavy<br />

metals.<br />

What are some of the outlets that will be<br />

represented here?<br />

Fahad: There are retail outlets that<br />

will cater primarily to the athletic<br />

communities but it is all subject to the<br />

leasing process that’s going on right<br />

now. We could possibly have a different<br />

mix. We will have some dining options<br />

as well and a drive-through café.<br />

What about restaurants? What will the<br />

visitor find here?<br />

Fahad: It’s all about all day dining.<br />

We want cafes and restaurants that<br />

serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and<br />

snacks in-between as well. We don’t<br />

want specialised restaurants, but simple,<br />

all-day, good food kind of places. We are<br />

hand-picking who we want here because<br />

we feel we are adding value to them and<br />

they in turn to us. There will also be<br />

convenience stores like pharmacy, salon,<br />

kids play area, and even a pet shop.<br />

How challenging has it been setting<br />

up this whole thing? Has it been a long<br />

journey from getting the idea, the vision<br />

and then actually executing it?<br />

Shaikh Salman: Yes, a lot of thought<br />

has been put into it and it took us some<br />

time to review and research. We studied<br />

the market very well. We didn’t want to<br />

build something that would look nice on<br />

Day 1, and then would dry out. It should<br />

be sustainable. It should be efficient. The<br />

cost of maintaining the project should<br />

be reasonable too, to keep it going. We<br />

heard from the community, from the<br />

athletes, from the families, residents.<br />

We started construction in February<br />

2017 and the project will be complete by<br />

April <strong>2018</strong>. The opening is scheduled for<br />

September <strong>2018</strong>. First, a soft opening and<br />

then a grand opening.<br />

Fahad: Our tagline is ‘Reflect, relax<br />

and rewind’. We looked at values that we<br />

thought were important for the property.<br />

So when we said that we were looking at<br />

children care centres and women getting<br />

their salon facilities, pharmacies. We<br />

felt that after a hard day’s work or at the<br />

end of the week, they want to come to a<br />

location where they can take a step back,<br />

relax and not worry about details. This<br />

place will take care of that. No parking<br />

hassles, kids will be taken care of at the<br />

kid's care centre. They can relax and<br />

have a cup of coffee, converse or sit in<br />

silence, enjoy the scenic surroundings or<br />

read a book.<br />

How does the vision of Zallaq Springs<br />

support the Bahrain Triathlon<br />

Association and other sporting<br />

activities?<br />

Shaikh Salman: Zallaq is an area,<br />

which the athletic community uses<br />

frequently to train and practice their<br />

sports. You have cycling tracks here and<br />

a lot more free space; the roads are open,<br />

there is less traffic, and you are closer to<br />

the beach. So it’s all about convenience<br />

at the end of the day. It’s really like<br />

a focused training ground with the<br />

most beautiful and relaxing ambience<br />

possible.<br />

We have provided walkways,<br />

benches, 500 metre tracks for exercisers.<br />

We have a designated walkway around<br />

the restaurants and around the water<br />

feature with the 500-meter points<br />

marked so you can plan your exercise<br />

program. These are the little details that<br />

we have thought about and provided.<br />

We signed with BTA<br />

(Bahrain Triathlon<br />

Association), we<br />

sponsored their races,<br />

and we are having ten<br />

finish lines right here.<br />

Was it built specifically with the<br />

Triathlon in mind?<br />

Shaikh Salman: We announced the<br />

strategic collaboration with the Bahrain<br />

Triathlon Association a few weeks ago,<br />

but since the Triathlon community<br />

was here in Zallaq we talked to the<br />

association at the very beginning. We<br />

made sure we understood what would<br />

ease their time here and addressed all<br />

their requirements, all of which were<br />

22 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | Zallaq Springs<br />

Fahad A. Rafeea<br />

Deputy CEO - Head of Leasing<br />

factored into our project.<br />

Along with many amenities for the<br />

athletes training here, we will include<br />

distinctive cycle parking stands for<br />

cyclists; exclusive shower rooms for<br />

them to freshen up and rejuvenate. So<br />

after their exercise, or their run, they can<br />

come back, park their bicycles and have<br />

a shower before relaxing and enjoying<br />

the place.<br />

We have facilities like the prayer<br />

room, the toilets, the shaded parking -<br />

we made sure that if anyone is coming<br />

here, they are happy and comfortable<br />

enough to enjoy their time.<br />

How is this expected to add value to<br />

the national economy and to Bahrain’s<br />

tourism push??<br />

Shaikh Salman: We have tried to<br />

create a holistic experience here, and I<br />

think Bahrain needs such places that<br />

will support its vision.<br />

We try to support the athletic<br />

community as much as we can. The<br />

newer ideas that HH Shaikh Nasser<br />

comes up with, we will definitely support<br />

in any way that we can. We are here to<br />

stay and it’s a long jog as they say, but<br />

the final result will be valued by all.<br />

Fahad: There are a lot of things<br />

happening in Bahrain right now. Huge<br />

projects, medium size projects, small<br />

projects and we are a small player but<br />

hopefully, we add value to the Bahrain<br />

economy in general. We are taking the<br />

right steps to add value to the total<br />

economy.<br />

Equally importantly,<br />

we wanted to create a<br />

project that would add<br />

value to the area itself,<br />

and to the country as<br />

well, especially in terms<br />

of tourism.<br />

We signed with BTA (Bahrain<br />

Triathlon Association), we sponsored<br />

their races, and we are having ten finish<br />

lines right here. So at the finish line<br />

of the race will be friends and family<br />

waiting there. They can wait at the café,<br />

restaurants. After the race, the athletes<br />

Shaikh Salman bin Khalid Al-Khalifa<br />

COO, Al Zallaq Real Estate Company<br />

can have a good meal. Plus, the media<br />

can have their interviews. It’s a good<br />

way to end the race. It will add value to<br />

the total experience and it will benefit<br />

Zallaq itself.<br />

Anything else that you would like<br />

to add?<br />

Shaikh Salman: You asked a question<br />

earlier about the residential aspect. This<br />

project in fact, is Phase 2 of the bigger<br />

project. Phase 1 was the Gardens at<br />

Zallaq, which is a residential community<br />

with villas and townhouses for rent.<br />

Phase 2 is Zallaq Springs, which is<br />

purely commercial with restaurants and<br />

shops. Both projects are accessible so if<br />

you are living at the Gardens in Zallaq,<br />

you can simply walk to Zallaq Springs.<br />

Phase 3 will be an apartment building<br />

as well, with apartments for rent, which<br />

is something new. These will also be<br />

attached so people living in apartments<br />

can also access Zallaq Springs.<br />

So you see how our plans are farsighted<br />

and looking at the long-term<br />

benefits for the community and for the<br />

country. This is what we are trying to<br />

create, a community.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

23


Interview | HomeSeekers<br />

SEEKING<br />

OPPORTUNITIES<br />

IN CHALLENGES<br />

With over a decade in the<br />

real estate and property<br />

development business, Ali Al<br />

Shuwaikh, the dynamic, young<br />

CEO and founder of HomeSeekers, began<br />

his career in the challenging Dubai market.<br />

It was there that he first experienced the<br />

thrill of buying and selling, and understood<br />

the potential and lasting impact real estate<br />

has on cities and communities. During<br />

those early years he developed a deep<br />

knowledge of real estate markets and<br />

a broad understanding of the laws, and<br />

tax regulations that apply to real estate<br />

transactions, which have proved invaluable<br />

to the entrepreneur.<br />

“Real estate, and especially<br />

development, gives you the opportunity to<br />

put a mark on the world and leave a legacy.<br />

I understood that in my years working<br />

with Damac, watching the big players and<br />

becoming a part of that very challenging<br />

world.”<br />

Thriving in the fast paced and highly<br />

competitive market of Dubai, gave him<br />

insights into the business and a confidence<br />

that he says were key to starting out on<br />

his own. Thus, even as the region reeled<br />

under the impact of the global financial<br />

crisis of the last decade, Home Seekers<br />

was established. “I saw opportunity in<br />

the challenge. Even when everyone was<br />

scrambling to get out of the market, we<br />

entered it with full conviction. We are<br />

basically a property management agency<br />

that provides all kind of solutions - a onestop<br />

property solution that gives market<br />

research, valuations, sales, rental, real<br />

estate activation. We were unique in the<br />

sense that we were the only agency that<br />

provided everything under one umbrella.<br />

That’s how it started,” he says.<br />

Ten years later, HomeSeekers has<br />

moved base to Bahrain and looking with<br />

optimism at an atmosphere vastly different<br />

from just a few years ago. In a freewheeling,<br />

animated interview, Ali Al Shuwaikh<br />

explains to Reena Abraham and Sultan<br />

Sharabaty the reasons why real estate in<br />

Bahrain is one of the safest investment<br />

options and what ties the real estate market<br />

to the rest of the economy.<br />

24 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Ali Al Shuwaikh<br />

CEO and Founder, Homeseekers<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

25


Interview | HomeSeekers<br />

Can you tell us more about<br />

HomeSeekers and what are your main<br />

services?<br />

HomeSeekers provides a one-stop<br />

property solution to landlords, owners<br />

and tenants. Our services include<br />

property management, rentals, sales,<br />

valuation, market research and property<br />

activation.<br />

Our strengths come mainly from<br />

our marketing channels. I came back to<br />

Bahrain to manage my family’s property<br />

and I saw a gap and an opportunity to<br />

create a company here.<br />

In the highly competitive Dubai<br />

market, with 1800 agencies competing,<br />

you need to constantly come up with<br />

new ways to market your properties,<br />

and this honed my skills. Entering the<br />

smaller Bahrain market competing<br />

against just 80 agencies and having the<br />

standard of a very competitive market<br />

as a background, gave us a nudge in the<br />

market. Our website helps us a lot. The<br />

way we operate our marketing channel<br />

gave us a position where we can<br />

generate many leads to be efficient and<br />

effective with our clients. I think today<br />

I can confidently say that our work<br />

speaks for itself.<br />

What is it that differentiates the<br />

Bahrain’s real estate market from the<br />

rest of GCC?<br />

What’s unique about Bahrain and<br />

makes it one of the safest real estate<br />

markets is that it has certain land<br />

limitations and strict regulations<br />

around that. By this I mean that Bahrain<br />

is a tiny island with limited available<br />

lands. We also have a fast-growing<br />

population, a stable and growing<br />

economy and an educated workforce.<br />

All these factors differentiate it from<br />

other countries and are in themselves<br />

enough to ensure its stability.<br />

To any person who is in the real<br />

estate field it is clear that we don’t need<br />

to sell Bahrain in the sense that with<br />

our growing population actually supply<br />

is based on demand and end users. It<br />

is not a speculators market and this<br />

is what makes Bahrain’s real estate<br />

market so strong. People buy properties<br />

to live in them, not to rent them out<br />

and speculate. That’s gives it a strong<br />

foundation. When I say Bahrain is one<br />

the safest country to invest in real<br />

estate, I don’t say it lightly. That is the<br />

We’re excited about<br />

<strong>2018</strong> and think that the<br />

efforts of the government<br />

and BTEA to focus on<br />

increasing tourism in<br />

Bahrain will help boost<br />

the real estate market<br />

and other industries.<br />

One of the biggest concerns for users<br />

of property portals is the accuracy of<br />

information in the listings. How do<br />

Home Seekers guarantee the quality of<br />

details provided?<br />

We have a listing form that is<br />

filled and sent to us by the property<br />

owner, and that means that the owners<br />

themselves are invested in maintaining<br />

the accuracy. More importantly, we<br />

guarantee the quality of our listings by<br />

using our own in-house photography,<br />

so we can present a true and accurate<br />

profile of the property.<br />

26 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | HomeSeekers<br />

Home Seekers provides<br />

a one-stop property<br />

solution to landlords,<br />

owners and tenants. Our<br />

services include property<br />

management, rentals,<br />

sales, valuation, market<br />

research and property<br />

activation.<br />

truth. It’s as simple as that.<br />

Bahrain’s vision right now is to<br />

concentrate on tourism and the real<br />

time and anticipated effects offered are<br />

immense. In fact you can see the trickle<br />

down effects on many industries and<br />

I am excited about that. Moreover the<br />

Bahrain Tourism Authority’s efforts to<br />

encourage exhibitions and events are<br />

very good for the real estate industry.<br />

So you see the real estate market is tied<br />

to the rest of the economy; when the<br />

economy thrives, so too does real estate.<br />

Do you think the new legislations will<br />

serve the buyer or the developer better?<br />

Legislations are made to serve<br />

the market and encourage the buyer’s<br />

confidence, which will result in a<br />

stronger purchasing power and that<br />

will result in an increase in property<br />

sales, which will benefit the developer.<br />

It basically serves everyone.<br />

The implementation of Law No.<br />

(27) of 2017 and the launch of RERA<br />

(Real Estate Regulatory Authority) will<br />

support and enhance professional<br />

standards in the real estate sector and<br />

individual development projects. RERA<br />

will ensure that we are governed as an<br />

industry by international best practices.<br />

What about VAT?<br />

In my opinion, VAT creates<br />

accountability and responsibility and it<br />

will benefit people far more than the 5%<br />

that they are going to pay. What I mean<br />

is that we are actually contributing<br />

and growing this land that we love and<br />

helping it become more productive,<br />

more sustainable.<br />

Made in Bahrain products will now<br />

have a chance and it will encourage<br />

more investment in local production.<br />

Local fisheries, local crafts and festivals,<br />

local manufacturing units - all these<br />

will grow with support. Employment<br />

opportunities and opportunities to be<br />

self-employed will also increase.<br />

In your opinion what more can the<br />

government do to make this a more<br />

regulated and professional industry?<br />

The newly created Bahrain’s RERA<br />

department is a great platform to solve,<br />

educate and regulate all property<br />

related issues. A training program for<br />

real estate agents will help bring ethics<br />

and professionalism to our industry.<br />

What is the outlook for the real estate<br />

market in <strong>2018</strong>? What do you foresee for<br />

the sector?<br />

We’re excited about <strong>2018</strong> and think<br />

that the government and Ministry of<br />

Tourism efforts to focus on increasing<br />

tourism in Bahrain will help boost the<br />

real estate market and other industries.<br />

Bahrain’s newly created<br />

RERA department is a<br />

great platform to solve,<br />

educate and regulate all<br />

property related issues.<br />

A training program for<br />

real estate agents will<br />

help bring ethics and<br />

professionalism to our<br />

industry.<br />

Can you share some of your success<br />

stories with our readers?<br />

There are a lot of achievements and<br />

projects that I had a role in that I am<br />

very proud of. One of them is Damac<br />

hill masterplan which is home to the<br />

Donald Trump International golf course<br />

in Dubai. We started sales when it was<br />

a complete desert and now it has more<br />

than 2000 completed homes around<br />

landscaping and lakes and of course the<br />

golf course. I can see the transition in<br />

just 5 years. Marketing a property right<br />

and ensuring sales gives the developer<br />

a chance to complete his project and<br />

get it off the ground in the right way.<br />

Without sales obviously, you can’t<br />

complete your project, and we are proud<br />

of the role we play in that.<br />

What is your vision for the years ahead?<br />

Hope to make a significant<br />

contribution in the way we manage our<br />

properties in the Bahrain real estate<br />

market. I see us going into property<br />

developments in the next years and<br />

moving to make a strong regional<br />

presence.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

27


Interview | MicroCenter<br />

SUPPORTING <strong>BAHRAIN</strong>’S<br />

ICT FUTURE<br />

When MicroCenter was<br />

declared “ICT Company<br />

of the Year” by Bahrain<br />

Information Technology<br />

Companies Society (BTECH) at the MEET<br />

ICT Award ceremony during BITEX <strong>2018</strong><br />

last month, many felt that the recognition<br />

was a long overdue acknowledgement of<br />

the outstanding services and expertise<br />

contributed by the company to the ICT<br />

industry in Bahrain. Receiving the award<br />

for MicroCenter was its founder and<br />

president, Dr. Ghulum Bakiri, a respected<br />

veteran in the IT industry and a pioneer<br />

in Geographical Information Systems<br />

(GIS) education in Bahrain. As one of<br />

Bahrain’s earliest IT and AI professionals,<br />

Dr. Bakiri completed his PhD degree<br />

from Oregon State University, USA in<br />

Computer Science with Specialization in<br />

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine<br />

Learning (ML).<br />

A quick look back into its history will<br />

tell you, MicroCenter was established 33<br />

years ago and has grown since to a group<br />

of tech-centric companies dealing with<br />

IT Business Solutions, GIS, and Utility<br />

Network GIS Surveys, LIDAR Technology,<br />

BIM modelling, Plastic/Smart card<br />

Solutions and highly specialised GIS<br />

and ERP Training. During this time, it<br />

has built up an impressive roster of over<br />

Dr. Ghulum Bakiri<br />

Founder & President, MicroCenter<br />

150 loyal clients that come primarily<br />

from government bodies as well as the<br />

corporate sector.<br />

As the sole distributor for Esri Inc.<br />

USA, a gold partner for Oracle, reseller<br />

for Trimble GPS systems, reseller for<br />

Digital Globe (Satellite Imagery) and<br />

Snappy QMS and Digital Signage, and<br />

with over 120 qualified staff and a branch<br />

in Saudi Arabia, MicroCenter aims to<br />

refine its capabilities in developing<br />

innovative software solutions and<br />

expand its expertise into different<br />

corners of the GCC.<br />

In an exclusive interview set up by<br />

bizbahrain, the MicroCenter team led<br />

28 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | MicroCenter<br />

by Dr. Ghulum Bakiri talked to Reena<br />

Abraham about their work and the<br />

resulting award and recognition, precious<br />

because it was recognition from peers in<br />

the industry.<br />

Sitting around the table in the<br />

conference with Dr. Ghulum Bakiri are<br />

Nasir Warsi (NW), Chief Marketing Officer;<br />

Dr. Anirudha Kale (AK), Chief Technology<br />

Officer; Younus Rathore (YR), Divisional<br />

Head / Manager; Abraham Thomas (AT),<br />

Manager Operations - MicroPromo.<br />

Dr. Bakiri, can you give a short<br />

introduction into the history and<br />

background of the company?<br />

Dr. GB: Actually, we started<br />

MicroCenter in 1983 just as<br />

microcomputers were coming into the<br />

market. This was the early stages of the<br />

IBM personal computer. I had just arrived<br />

from the US after my Master’s degree,<br />

and I was so fascinated with technology<br />

and all what it can do, and how we can<br />

use this to bring down the cost of doing<br />

business. At that time, if you wanted to<br />

run your business, you would need a<br />

mainframe computer or at least a mini<br />

computer, costing maybe hundreds<br />

of thousands of dinars. We started<br />

developing the software for accounts and<br />

inventory management and stock control<br />

and things like that - all integrated<br />

with the point of sale [POS] that runs<br />

on a PC or on a microcomputer - thus<br />

drastically reducing the cost barrier to<br />

computerization of retail and wholesale<br />

businesses.<br />

That was the initial goal of the<br />

company. Of course, the company<br />

grew and technology changed and<br />

we redesigned and redeveloped our<br />

software to keep pace. It is now in its<br />

5th generation, and we have about 150<br />

customers who are using our technology<br />

and running their business with it.<br />

In a sense, we have achieved the<br />

initial vision of the company but over the<br />

years we have expanded and we have<br />

grown. We currently have 6 divisions<br />

within the company, but the one division<br />

that constitutes the core business that<br />

we call MCA e-Biz is still at the forefront.<br />

It is an ERP solution for businesses<br />

that is state of the art and cloud ready,<br />

built from the Ground-up using Oracle<br />

latest technology and tools. This is just<br />

one part of the business but it remains<br />

the core and the flagship product of<br />

MicroCenter since the company began.<br />

You’ve talked about how the vision<br />

expanded and grew. What would you say<br />

the vision is now?<br />

Dr. GB: The vision has always<br />

been customer-focussed. We see what<br />

our clients need and we provide the<br />

technologies that will support those<br />

needs. Initially, we were focused on<br />

the private sector. With the growth of<br />

the business and partnerships with<br />

international partners, we are now<br />

the exclusive distributors in Bahrain<br />

for Esri, the leading GIS (Geographical<br />

Information Systems) software company<br />

in the world.<br />

So now, we provide solutions for<br />

the government of Bahrain for their<br />

intelligent maps and GIS solutions and so<br />

on. That is one of the areas that we have<br />

grown because of the demand by our<br />

government clients.<br />

Similarly, we have tied up with Oracle<br />

for the cloud solutions, which is the new<br />

trend in technology now. Our customers<br />

can now choose to have their systems<br />

somewhere in a server in their office or<br />

they can move to the cloud. And we’ve<br />

done all the work to allow them to have<br />

that choice.<br />

Hence the vision of the company<br />

is still the same. We have to do what<br />

is right for our customers. They have<br />

grown and we keep up with them. Of<br />

course our customer base has also<br />

grown and instead of just small and<br />

medium-size companies, we now cater<br />

to larger companies. We have almost all<br />

of the government organisations as our<br />

clients, who are using our GIS software.<br />

Right now, Bahrain for us is pretty much<br />

saturated, and our next expansion will be<br />

in the GCC.<br />

Mr. Warsi, can you say something about<br />

the award and what it signifies to the<br />

company?<br />

NW: Everybody likes to get an award,<br />

but the nice thing about this award is that<br />

it is given by our peers. We were being<br />

recognized by colleagues or partners in<br />

the field and that is very important for us<br />

because for a long time without thinking<br />

of rewards, we have been doing a lot of<br />

work which we feel deeply about, which<br />

has nothing to do with making money, or<br />

running a business.<br />

We have, for example, been running/<br />

conducting free seminars every month<br />

on these premises (MicroCenter offices<br />

in Salmabad) on various topics. We have<br />

also been conducting the GIS Day for<br />

Bahrain every year for the past 15 years.<br />

It is a lot of work but it is an educational<br />

opportunity for companies in Bahrain, for<br />

our clients, as well as an opportunity for<br />

us to get feedback from them as to what<br />

they want.<br />

Other than that we participate in<br />

and initiate many activities. We conduct<br />

seminars and especially so in the last<br />

year when we began doing it regularly<br />

every month<br />

AK: These seminars that we conduct<br />

have two key aspects. One is to raise<br />

the professional standards of the local<br />

people here who have just passed out<br />

and are looking for a job. For them, we<br />

conduct seminars to educate them and<br />

then train them in different areas, right<br />

from smart cities to ICT, geo-spatial areas,<br />

BIM (Building Information Modeling),<br />

etc. So, once they are trained they get<br />

opportunities in various government<br />

departments or private organizations.<br />

Another aspect that we work<br />

with is training for the professionals.<br />

We train them in specialized areas<br />

including the next generation topics in<br />

Geo spatial fields.<br />

In addition, as an Esri Authorized<br />

Learning Centre, professionals from<br />

Saudi Arabia, like Aramco staff, have<br />

approached us and we are providing<br />

training to them as well. We have 50-seat<br />

facilities here, with two training labs that<br />

together constitutes almost 6000 sqft of<br />

infrastructure that we built here with all<br />

the facilities including servers, desktops,<br />

and advanced software.<br />

What makes MicroCenter different from<br />

other companies with similar activities?<br />

NW: I believe the continuity of<br />

employees and customers is a unique<br />

characteristic of MicroCenter. In the ICT<br />

industry where normally attrition is very<br />

high, we have employees who have been<br />

with the company for more than 15 to<br />

20 years. That continuity has allowed<br />

the customers to have the confidence<br />

to stay with us for long periods. We still<br />

have the same people who were involved<br />

in writing the original software, and<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

29


Interview | MicroCenter<br />

that stability and the sustainability of<br />

the company is a very big part of why<br />

customers trust MicroCenter.<br />

AK: The other thing is that, we are<br />

providing solutions, not selling boxes.<br />

So we consider ourselves as a partner<br />

to our customer. We study what their<br />

problem is and come up with a solution<br />

and then work with them to implement<br />

that solution, train their people, and then<br />

offer them maintenance and after-sales<br />

support. I think we are one of the few<br />

IT companies who have a specialised<br />

support centre, just for support and<br />

maintenance of existing customers.<br />

How did you get into access and plastic<br />

cards? What exactly does MicroPromo do?<br />

Dr. GB: We initially responded to one<br />

of our customers need to have loyalty<br />

cards accumulating points as their<br />

purchases are processed through their<br />

point of sale. Then it grew and a new<br />

division was created called MicroPromo.<br />

AT: As a subsidiary of MicroCenter,<br />

MicroPromo was established in 2003 to<br />

cater for the requirements of plastic cards<br />

in Bahrain. It is focused on supplying<br />

customized PVC cards of different types,<br />

Smart cards, RFID/proximity/Access /<br />

loyalty and ID cards. Today MicroPromo<br />

is one of the prominent card suppliers<br />

in Bahrain with a long list of customers<br />

including Bapco, Gulf Air, many banks<br />

and most of the five-star hotels.<br />

What are some of the new milestones that<br />

MicroCenter is looking to achieve?<br />

NW: So as far as sales and marketing<br />

is concerned and the way we are<br />

looking at it; I feel that cloud is the next<br />

milestone. Everybody is talking about<br />

cloud, so our ERP has already been<br />

deployed on the cloud. The milestone<br />

that I am looking at is to make ourselves,<br />

MicroCenter, the vendor of choice for<br />

cloud services. And within the cloud,<br />

there is a hybrid model where we still<br />

customize as per the needs of the<br />

customer but make sure that it’s available<br />

on the cloud. That is the kind of solution<br />

that we are trying to look at.<br />

The other area milestone that we<br />

are particularly looking at is targeting<br />

the Saudi market. I have a big challenge<br />

here, a target from our President that<br />

X percentage of our business needs to<br />

come from Saudi Arabia this year. We<br />

have a presence there but we are going<br />

to invest in terms of people and reaching<br />

out to the market.<br />

DR. GB: For the utility survey project,<br />

EWA in Bahrain was the first GCC utility<br />

authority to outsource this. As such,<br />

they were pioneers. Other GCC countries<br />

traditionally do this in-house, because<br />

it is so important and mission critical.<br />

We have been working with EWA for<br />

nearly ten years and we have developed<br />

a system to manage these kinds of<br />

projects with them.<br />

Other GCC countries have now<br />

realised that it is much more effective<br />

if they outsource these activities to an<br />

outside contractor, so now SEC (Saudi<br />

Electric Company) is also looking to<br />

outsource this work. There is no other<br />

company who has as much expertise and<br />

manpower in this field. We have --- not<br />

only the people and the management<br />

who are experienced --- but, we also<br />

have the engineers, the surveyors and<br />

the data editors and all the equipment<br />

and software needed for these kind of<br />

projects. We have also developed a unique<br />

project management software to manage<br />

all the aspects of the teams that are out<br />

there in the field and the data collection<br />

and monitoring. This is a specialized<br />

software that we have developed over<br />

a period of several years and kept on<br />

improving it. All of this puts MicroCenter<br />

at the forefront of companies that can<br />

carry out these Utility Survey Projects in<br />

other GCC countries.<br />

We have almost all<br />

of the government<br />

organisations as our<br />

clients, who are using<br />

our GIS software.<br />

What are some of the biggest challenges<br />

that you have taken on?<br />

AK: Two big challenges were to train<br />

the professionals from Bahrain, as well as<br />

train the locals to get better opportunities,<br />

training them in such a manner that they<br />

can perform their job in a better way.<br />

Another area where MicroCenter<br />

is the only organisation that is going<br />

full steam ahead is on special projects.<br />

This includes 3D lasers that we are<br />

using to map the entire area including<br />

buildings, which has an advantage<br />

over the conventional techniques and<br />

technologies that everyone is using.<br />

With this technology, all the mapping<br />

and 3D modeling can be done in onetenth<br />

of the time that it used to take with<br />

conventional techniques.<br />

Bahrain is positioning itself as a IT hub<br />

that not just serves the Bahrain market<br />

but opens opportunities to work in other<br />

countries.<br />

NW: The low cost and ease of doing<br />

business are extremely important and<br />

contributing factor as far as Bahrain<br />

is concerned, and moreover, there is a<br />

qualified pool of people. People in Bahrain<br />

are generally quite comfortably bilingual<br />

and technologically savvy. So, what we<br />

feel, is that initiatives like Tamkeen<br />

and Start-up Bahrain are great ideas of<br />

innovation and they need to be further<br />

encouraged. I also feel that there has to<br />

be a government push for Bahrainis to<br />

think more like job creators than like job<br />

seekers. Because the private sector has a<br />

limitation on the number of people that<br />

they can employ, it needs government<br />

support and programs. It is important<br />

therefore that we as MicroCenter use our<br />

solutions to encourage Bahrainis to look<br />

not just beyond Bahrain, but also beyond<br />

the region. To look and have a focus to see<br />

how they can contribute and innovate.<br />

We feel strongly that the government<br />

- public sector - and the private sector<br />

must work together and collaborate on<br />

various programmes.<br />

Is there anything else that you would like<br />

to add?<br />

DR. GB: I want to add one more thing,<br />

which is: The move to cloud, is a twopronged<br />

sword. On one side it is good.<br />

But on the other side when it comes to<br />

jobs, you are going to lose a lot of jobs.<br />

Before, if you went to any ministry they<br />

will have an IT department, they will have<br />

an Oracle specialist, and they will have a<br />

hardware specialist and so on. Now this<br />

will all disappear, and what will happen<br />

is that there will be a need for new<br />

professionals with new skills who can<br />

manage these kinds of systems. So there<br />

is now a need to be more focused not<br />

on the machines themselves, but on the<br />

security issues, cyber security, and how<br />

30 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | MicroCenter<br />

The MicroCenter Dream Team<br />

to optimize their database which is kept<br />

hidden somewhere in the cloud. So there<br />

has to be a shift in how we train our IT<br />

people and how we develop them to focus<br />

more on the communication aspects and<br />

security and data integrity issues. This is<br />

why it used to be called IT. Now it is ICT.<br />

What are some of the effective ways in<br />

which an ICT company can integrate<br />

technologies into community efforts?<br />

NW: We have always been involved in<br />

educating people in technology. Perhaps,<br />

in the future, we need to look into some<br />

sort of an incubation center within our<br />

current competency and learning centre<br />

here in Salmabad. And there are so<br />

many ideas in GIS that we can explore<br />

where we can involve students and<br />

young Bahrainis to learn and carry out<br />

useful GIS projects for the society and<br />

community and at the same time boost<br />

their knowledge and skills. There is a<br />

lot of scope within GIS that makes this<br />

possible and we believe that we have<br />

the infrastructure and the expertise to<br />

encourage this and make it happen.<br />

DR. GB: I have been teaching for more<br />

than 26 years in the Computer Science<br />

Department at Bahrain University<br />

and much of the work that we talked<br />

about, we are currently doing with the<br />

universities like: Al Ahlia University<br />

and the University of Bahrain. We<br />

collaborate with them and literally train<br />

their students on GIS and teach them for<br />

free. This is because we think nobody<br />

else can or will do it, but we can. This is<br />

one aspect of community work that we<br />

have been doing with the universities<br />

and the students in the past and we<br />

intend to continue doing it in the future.<br />

In fact, it is worth mentioning that the<br />

first few times that we conducted the<br />

GIS Awareness Day in Bahrain more<br />

than 15 years ago, we did it in schools.<br />

Government secondary schools.<br />

The other part of this question is<br />

a little bit subtler. First of all, we help<br />

our government clients in their work<br />

to serve the community. We have the<br />

technology through our partners to do it,<br />

so we work with them. This is one way<br />

of ensuring for example that GIS data,<br />

maps etc. are available to whoever needs<br />

to have access to it.<br />

The other way for us to make an<br />

impact is to include content into our<br />

software offerings. We can make the<br />

data or the content part of our software<br />

offering so that it will be ready to run.<br />

If a new supermarket comes on the<br />

market, for example, we not only have<br />

the system in the cloud, but it will also<br />

be populated with whatever items that<br />

any supermarket needs to sell. They<br />

can start immediately and worry about<br />

changing their prices and promotions<br />

etc. as they go along. The important<br />

thing is that they can start immediately<br />

if they choose to do so.<br />

The other example of this is: we are<br />

a GIS company and we have software<br />

to handle maps and do analysis on<br />

maps and so on. For that, you need<br />

data. You have to have a map of Bahrain<br />

with roads, addresses, and all of that.<br />

Again, we can include this content in<br />

our offering. So, instead of requiring<br />

potential customers purchase the<br />

software, they can subscribe to the<br />

system in the cloud with the content<br />

included and they can start using it<br />

and do useful work immediately ---<br />

rather than concentrating on how to<br />

procure and manage their own data.<br />

However, to be able to do this, we also<br />

need collaboration with certain entities<br />

within the government of Bahrain<br />

because they own some of this data. So,<br />

without collaboration and without the<br />

government being in the picture, this<br />

cannot be done.<br />

We have been doing our own<br />

workshops and bringing people from<br />

outside to do the workshops at our<br />

cost. We have done also workshops and<br />

seminars with Esri and with Oracle. We<br />

will keep on doing these things. But, no<br />

matter how much you do, there is still<br />

much more to be done. That’s the nature<br />

of our work and our field.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

31


Interview | Wyndham Hotel Group<br />

Ignace Bauwens<br />

Regional Vice President, Middle East,<br />

Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group<br />

32 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


A REWARDING<br />

CHECK IN<br />

Growing at an impressive rate, the hotel<br />

industry in Bahrain continues to become more<br />

competitive as international hotel groups make<br />

inroads to offer new concepts and cutting edge<br />

service. The latest in a series of hotels to open in the<br />

Bahrain Bay development, is the Wyndham Grand Manama<br />

occupying 19 floors of the iconic 50-storey United Tower,<br />

also known as The Twisted Tower. With 263 rooms, a<br />

spa, pool deck, gym and several restaurants, it offers the<br />

added attractions of breath taking views of the Manama<br />

skyline and easy accessibility to the airport and main<br />

commercial areas of the city. A family and halal-focused<br />

hotel, the upscale property clearly addresses a niche that<br />

complements the existing offering in the country.<br />

As one of the world’s largest and most diverse hotel<br />

businesses, Wyndham Hotel Group has a global portfolio of<br />

more than 8,400 hotels and approximately 728,200 rooms<br />

in 80 countries. Parent company, Wyndham Worldwide is<br />

one of the world's largest hospitality companies spanning<br />

six continents, offering a broad array of hospitality products<br />

and services as well as various accommodation alternatives<br />

and price ranges through a portfolio of world-renowned<br />

brands.<br />

IGNACE BAUWENS, Regional Vice President, Middle East,<br />

Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group, was recently<br />

in the Kingdom when Reena Abraham, Group Editor of<br />

bizbahrain caught up for an update.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

33


Interview | Wyndham Hotel Group<br />

Tell us a little about Wyndham Hotel<br />

Group’s presence in Bahrain.<br />

Bahrain has begun emerging as a<br />

strong alternative destination to other<br />

regional markets. We have targeted and<br />

found an impact with several segments,<br />

such as families coming in from<br />

KSA and from around the region, as<br />

well as business groups and corporate<br />

individuals.<br />

When you look back to the year 2000,<br />

you see a very profitable time for the hotel<br />

industry, but with considerably fewer<br />

rooms available. More people decided<br />

to invest into hotels at that time, and<br />

since then, you would see a spurt of new<br />

hotels coming into the market. Wyndham<br />

Hotel Group opened two hotels<br />

here in the last quarter of 2017, which<br />

are Wyndham Grand Manama with 263<br />

rooms and Wyndham Garden Manama,<br />

in Juffair, with 441 rooms. So, we already<br />

added over 700 rooms in just one quarter<br />

of the year.<br />

Wyndham Hotel<br />

Group opened two<br />

hotels here in the last<br />

quarter of 2017, which<br />

are Wyndham Grand<br />

Manama with 263 rooms<br />

and Wyndham Garden<br />

Manama in Juffair, with<br />

441 rooms. So, we alone<br />

already added over<br />

700 rooms in just one<br />

quarter of the year.<br />

How would you position your hotels? In<br />

which segment would you place them?<br />

If you look at positioning, Wyndham<br />

Garden is a mid-scale product and Wyndham<br />

Grand is an upper upscale product.<br />

We are proud of the fact that Wyndham<br />

Garden Manama is the biggest property<br />

in Bahrain based on number of rooms,<br />

and it is also the biggest Wyndham Garden<br />

in the world.<br />

We have our different regions but<br />

globally you will see that we have the<br />

most number of hotels in the budget<br />

segment and in the economy budget segment.<br />

This area is what we are most specialised<br />

in so we have focused becoming<br />

the leader in the Middle East and Africa<br />

in our midscale and economy brands.<br />

In this market, we now have 1,127<br />

rooms under the Ramada, Wyndham<br />

Grand and Wyndham Garden brands. We<br />

have an excellent overall positioning<br />

with a range that goes from midscale to<br />

upper upscale.<br />

Does the Bahrain market justify the need<br />

for so many hotels? Are the number<br />

of rooms available in excess of the<br />

demand?<br />

Major infrastructure projects such<br />

the expansion of King Fahd Causeway to<br />

Saudi Arabia and the expansion of Bahrain<br />

International Airport are expected<br />

to boost economic growth, investments<br />

and tourism arrivals to Bahrain, thus<br />

creating long-term opportunities for<br />

hospitality projects in the country.<br />

If you look at the overall market<br />

picture, Bahrain is well-positioned and<br />

will cross the 20,000-room mark in a<br />

34 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | Wyndham Hotel Group<br />

couple of years. Bahrain has a big chunk<br />

of apartments that make up a large part<br />

of that count, which is driven by the<br />

demand from Saudi. Overall visitors to<br />

Bahrain are here 73 percent for leisure<br />

and 27 percent business, and from<br />

that 73 percent, approximately 75 to 80<br />

percent comes from Saudi. The serviced<br />

apartment works well for them because<br />

they come with families, and they need<br />

space and some amount of flexibility<br />

in their accommodation. On the other<br />

hand, if you look at Bahrain as a market<br />

from a hotel perspective, the five-star<br />

deluxe properties are relatively acceptable<br />

in number compared to the overall<br />

room offering.<br />

When you talk about your brand, Wyndham<br />

Grand in particular, what is special<br />

about it? What differentiates it from<br />

every other in this segment?<br />

If you go online and look at the<br />

website and look at our 41 Wyndham<br />

Grand properties, you will see that we<br />

have always tried to come up with iconic<br />

properties for this brand, just like this<br />

one in Manama. You would notice also<br />

that when we select these properties,<br />

we always have it in the right location.<br />

Whether it is the US or China, you will<br />

see that every one of them are stunning<br />

properties and so strategically located.<br />

So if you want to put in a nutshell what<br />

we do: we deliver great service for global<br />

travellers in this upper-upscale segment.<br />

As a hotel company we deliver fantastic<br />

and luxurious experiences as a top<br />

priority segment of our business. So if<br />

you look at all our Wyndham Grand properties,<br />

you would see that they are the<br />

cherry on the cake in every location in<br />

that we are in. To date, you will find only<br />

41 Wyndham Grands globally because<br />

that’s our signature, so we are very picky<br />

and particular.<br />

What would you say is the reason for the<br />

growth in the number of hotels globally?<br />

One of the primary reasons I would<br />

say is that people travel more. We have<br />

seen a clear shift over the last five years.<br />

In fact I would say it started ten years<br />

ago but in the last five years it has grown<br />

into a really visible trend. I would also<br />

confirm that travel is moving east instead<br />

of west. So earlier our visitors used<br />

to come from Europe, but now we see<br />

people coming from the east, from China,<br />

India, Southeast Asia and that part of the<br />

world. So we need to adjust our focus.<br />

Travel is shifting so we need to address<br />

the needs of the Chinese travellers, the<br />

Indian travellers, etc.<br />

The second thing is that the democratisation<br />

of the travel has become very<br />

important. If you look at Gen Y, the millennials,<br />

they travel more but they go for<br />

3-4 days. It’s not like when I was a child,<br />

my parents went for 2-3 weeks on holiday<br />

and that was our holiday of the year.<br />

Today people travel more frequently and<br />

they want good hotels but at affordable<br />

rates. So the midscale Wyndham Garden<br />

and Ramada brands are spot on in that.<br />

We have been<br />

recognised by<br />

industry experts for<br />

revolutionising the<br />

loyalty programme<br />

offering. It is certainly<br />

the best value for money.<br />

What are the Wyndham brands that<br />

would find resonance in Bahrain?<br />

For Manama our brand - TRYP by<br />

Wyndham, would be perfect. It is a<br />

midscale, lifestyle brand, and we just<br />

opened one in August 2017 in Dubai with<br />

650 rooms and we are doing amazingly<br />

well. It is a hotel that’s affordable, funky,<br />

young, dynamic. We are also bringing to<br />

Dubai - and aiming for a 2019 opening<br />

- Super 8, which is our economy brand<br />

along with Days Inn, the kind of a place<br />

where people could find an affordable<br />

room for 2 or 3 nights because they want<br />

a good shower, good connectivity and<br />

quality rooms.<br />

Economy brands and midscale<br />

brands I believe, work for the Middle<br />

East in general, and certainly also for<br />

Bahrain. Super 8 definitely has potential<br />

here, as has TRYP by Wyndham. It is all a<br />

matter of being business savvy to know<br />

what to position and where. Now would<br />

I bring a second Wyndham Grand to Manama?<br />

I very much doubt that because<br />

we already have this flagship hotel here.<br />

It’s a fantastic building and it’s a fantastic<br />

hotel and this is what Manama needs.<br />

Can you tell us a little about the Wyndham<br />

loyalty programme?<br />

Our loyalty programme, Wyndham<br />

Rewards, has 55 million members. We<br />

repositioned the programme 3 years ago<br />

and today we are the only loyalty programme<br />

with such a simplified process.<br />

For a stay in any hotel, you can redeem<br />

for just 15,000 points, and the beauty of<br />

it is that it comes without any blackout<br />

dates. Additionally, you can redeem it<br />

for a stay across any of our brands. So<br />

as a mathematical exercise, let’s say you<br />

can stay 15 nights in Ramada for 15,000<br />

points, or you can redeem one night in a<br />

Wyndham Grand.<br />

We have been recognised by industry<br />

experts for revolutionising the loyalty<br />

programme offering. It is certainly the<br />

best value for money. Our President and<br />

CEO Geoff Ballotti said three years ago<br />

that we are going to do this and, ever<br />

since, the pick-up in loyalty members<br />

has been very impressive, and I think it’s<br />

because of the utter simplicity. You stay<br />

and you have a percentage, you redeem<br />

it. It’s very fair, across brands, very<br />

simple, very straightforward and comes<br />

with no hidden catch. You download The<br />

Wyndham Rewards app, so you can just<br />

book directly. It’s as simple as that.<br />

Any last message that you would like to<br />

convey?<br />

For me, the three things for a successful<br />

business location that are the<br />

key - Connectivity, Diversification and<br />

Partnership. Today as the representative<br />

of a leading group of international<br />

brands representing an offering of over<br />

1,000 rooms just in Bahrain, I think I am<br />

ready to reach out to take up responsibility<br />

together with the government as part<br />

of an advisory group to focus on what we<br />

must do to improve the industry and the<br />

image of Bahrain globally. Bahrain has a<br />

lot to offer. Like I said earlier, connectivity<br />

is important, diversification is important,<br />

and partnership between private<br />

and government sectors is important.<br />

We need to create demand. We want to<br />

see more concepts, more offers coming<br />

to Bahrain. Let’s get it out there and let’s<br />

get it out into the world.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

35


Interview | Embassy of Pakistan<br />

The Commercial Section of the<br />

Embassy of Pakistan in Bahrain<br />

facilitated the country’s first<br />

participation at the Gulf Industry Fair<br />

Saadiya Noori<br />

Commercial Attaché<br />

Embassy of Pakistan, Bahrain<br />

EXPLORING<br />

BI-LATERAL BUSINESS<br />

POTENTIAL<br />

<strong>2018</strong>, the Northern Gulf’s only event<br />

dedicated to promoting industrialisation.<br />

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince<br />

Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the<br />

event organised by Hilal Conferences &<br />

Exhibitions brings to the forefront the<br />

need for eco-industrial development<br />

(EID) considerations in supply,<br />

consultancy and planning for growth.<br />

Through the Commercial Section’s<br />

determined efforts, Pakistan’s industrial<br />

giants in cement, automobile, auto<br />

parts, health and safety equipment,<br />

construction and materials, I.T solutions<br />

and building management solutions<br />

sectors were well represented. All these<br />

sectors are believed to have potential<br />

to cater to Bahrain’s robust industry<br />

and participants seek to engage in<br />

fruitful bilateral trade through this<br />

expo. Representatives from three<br />

major companies in Pakistan led<br />

the delegation, including Solutions<br />

Engineering, National Project Managers<br />

and Fauji Cement Company.<br />

GIF has established an unrivalled<br />

innovative marketing platform for<br />

specialist industrial product and<br />

service providers, distributors and<br />

agencies representing key segments.<br />

It offers various specific zones to deal<br />

with different sectors of the market,<br />

including: aluminium; energy and<br />

environmental protection; logistics and<br />

industrial facilities; industrial metals;<br />

industrial processes and manufacturing;<br />

ports and maritime industries; industrial<br />

safety and security; and training for<br />

industry.<br />

H.E Javed Malik, Pakistan’s<br />

Ambassador to Bahrain told the Press,<br />

“Promoting the capabilities of Pakistan<br />

industry and commerce are at the<br />

forefront of the initiatives undertaken<br />

by the embassy here in Bahrain. It is<br />

our honour to be part of Bahrain and<br />

the GCC’s leading industrial showcase<br />

to promote not only the companies<br />

represented but also the wider<br />

capabilities of Pakistan engineering and<br />

industrial expertise."<br />

Echoing the Ambassador’s words,<br />

Nadeem Ali, leader of the Pakistani<br />

delegation expressed his appreciation<br />

for the opportunity the fair provided.<br />

“Pakistan is rich in many resources,<br />

which we would like to share with<br />

other countries through trade and<br />

business partnerships. It has truly<br />

been a wonderful experience to feel the<br />

warmth and hospitality that Bahrain<br />

has extended to us. We look forward to<br />

36 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | Embassy of Pakistan<br />

engaging more with companies here<br />

to explore more opportunities and<br />

collaborations.”<br />

Pakistan Embassy Commercial<br />

Attaché Saadiya Noori spoke<br />

to bizbahrain about the unique<br />

opportunity that exhibitions such<br />

as the GIF provide for operators of<br />

manufacturing units and industrial<br />

areas, professionals and decision<br />

makers in the manufacturing and<br />

distribution sectors to network and<br />

exchange information.<br />

Is this the first time that Pakistan<br />

Embassy is represented here with a<br />

stall like this? How has the experience<br />

been?<br />

Yes. It is for the first time that the<br />

Pakistan Embassy is participating in<br />

the Gulf Industry Fair. First of all, we are<br />

very grateful to Al Hilal for providing<br />

this opportunity to the embassy. The<br />

Commercial Section in the embassy,<br />

which I am in charge of, has tried to<br />

approach and help Pakistani companies<br />

in the engineering field to participate.<br />

How many companies have come from<br />

Pakistan and what industries do they<br />

represent?<br />

Within the stall space that we have,<br />

there are 6 companies participating. I<br />

had approached about 50 companies<br />

in Pakistan, including the leading<br />

engineering groups as well as both the<br />

services and the manufacturing sector.<br />

We were finally able to shortlist 6 very<br />

important companies.<br />

From Pakistan, we have two major<br />

manufacturing sector companies, and<br />

four from the services sector.<br />

For all the participating companies,<br />

this is the first time they have come to<br />

Bahrain. They are excited to have this<br />

chance to explore the Bahraini market.<br />

It’s a very impressive show here and<br />

they were able to network, meet other<br />

businesses and make connections. This<br />

is an excellent networking platform.<br />

Do you think that this is going to<br />

open more doors for more Pakistani<br />

companies to look at Bahrain as a<br />

potential investment and trade partner<br />

in the future?<br />

I think this experience has been<br />

very fruitful. Even on the second day<br />

of the exhibition I have been getting<br />

very positive responses and feedback<br />

from our executives. The cement<br />

company who has come from Pakistan<br />

is in fact, one of the biggest cement<br />

manufacturing companies. It was<br />

not very easy for me to actually bring<br />

them here because they have a large<br />

export market and a lot of business<br />

within the country as well. But after<br />

they came here, they are exploring the<br />

Bahraini market and they met many<br />

developers. It has been so positive that<br />

they are in talks to do more business<br />

with developers in this region, not just<br />

Bahrain but Saudi Arabia also.<br />

Would you agree that Bahrain’s strategic<br />

location and proximity to KSA are<br />

important reasons for businesses to set<br />

up a base here?<br />

I completely agree with you on this.<br />

However Bahrain is not just strategically<br />

located, it is also a very ambitious<br />

country. So Bahrain does what may be<br />

UAE is doing or Saudi Arabia is doing.<br />

Ignoring the fact that the population<br />

here is small and the market is not as<br />

big as the UAE or Saudi market, Bahrain<br />

takes the initiative always. That is what<br />

Pakistan has really come to appreciate<br />

about this country.<br />

Pakistan has a population of<br />

almost 207 million, with a huge market<br />

potential. With about 10,000 engineers<br />

produced in the county every year,<br />

passing out from 100 engineering<br />

universities, and about 10,000 technical<br />

education institutes bringing out highly<br />

trained professionals - it is a big supply<br />

of engineers in the world.<br />

Bahrain has been able to project<br />

itself as a potential market for Pakistani<br />

products, Pakistani engineers, Pakistani<br />

industry especially through events like<br />

the Gulf Industry Fair. We are very aware<br />

of the fact that Bahrain neighbours<br />

Saudi Arabia and therefore provides a<br />

good gateway into that market.<br />

We also appreciate the people of<br />

Bahrain, who are very welcoming. In<br />

this region, this is a population where<br />

education is strong with almost 100%<br />

literacy; and where men and women<br />

work together in harmony. Bahrain is<br />

known as a country that is open for<br />

business any time, all the time.<br />

Do you think that you will participate<br />

again next year with a larger contingent?<br />

Both Pakistan embassy and<br />

commercial section would definitely love<br />

to come back with a bigger delegation.<br />

We are already sending out invitations<br />

to bigger companies who would like to<br />

come with better and bigger displays.<br />

I already have requests from other<br />

companies because we were able to also<br />

promote the event through social media.<br />

They have requested me to sent the<br />

invitation now. So if Al Hilal is doing it<br />

in 2019, then Pakistan will come and we<br />

will be coming back in a big way!<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

37


Interview | CBRE<br />

PROPERTY<br />

VIEWS<br />

An Interview<br />

with CBRE<br />

CBRE, the world's largest<br />

real estate firm, has<br />

built a global business<br />

conglomerate advising<br />

clients around the world on facilities,<br />

transaction and project management,<br />

property management, investment<br />

management, appraisal and valuation,<br />

property leasing, strategic consulting<br />

and development services. The Los<br />

Angeles based company has more than<br />

80,000 employees.<br />

Established in the Kingdom<br />

in 2008 with a highly experienced<br />

management team, CBRE is not new<br />

to real estate in Bahrain and the Gulf<br />

region, having undertaken numerous<br />

market research and data-driven<br />

analyses for commercial office, retail,<br />

industrial, hospitality and residential<br />

developments throughout the Middle<br />

East. These studies have focused<br />

on finding solutions for clients and<br />

providing advice tailored to meet their<br />

requirements.<br />

Recently relocated to the iconic<br />

United Tower, the company is<br />

strategically located to support the<br />

tower as its leasing and property<br />

management consultants. CBRE<br />

Associate Director Heather Longden<br />

talks to bizbahrain.<br />

Congratulations on your new offices at<br />

United Tower, what brought you to the<br />

building?<br />

Thank you, we are very pleased to<br />

now be based at United Tower, which<br />

also houses Wyndham Grand Hotel.<br />

It is a 200m icon in the heart of the<br />

capital and we are proud to be a part of<br />

a project of this significance. CBRE are<br />

the leasing and property management<br />

consultants for the tower and we are<br />

now able to be on site to support the<br />

landlord and the first tenants in the<br />

building.<br />

CBRE have moved the main office<br />

to the tower and are situated on the<br />

28th floor, where our research and<br />

consultancy, valuation, asset services<br />

and advisory & transaction services<br />

also sit. The offices offer fantastic<br />

views and it's a great place to work and<br />

with the hotel open - offering five star<br />

services on site, including an all-day<br />

dining restaurant, we look forward to<br />

other leading firms joining us.<br />

Can you tell us about the office space?<br />

The building had a successful preleasing<br />

campaign with approximately<br />

a third of the 26,000 square metres of<br />

prime commercial space occupied on<br />

opening late last year. We have already<br />

welcomed Regus, Deloitte & Touche,<br />

Aecom and McLaren amongst others.<br />

Its turning out to be a great tenant<br />

community and we have workspace<br />

solutions to suit most businesses, from<br />

serviced offices to accommodate 1-6<br />

people, to circa 150 square metres fully<br />

fitted suites and flexible shell and core<br />

space, with full floors at 1318 square<br />

metres.<br />

Over the years CBRE has built up a<br />

reputation for delivering exceptional<br />

real estate services. What are the<br />

services you offer? How have you<br />

maintained this reputation especially in<br />

the current market scenario?<br />

CBRE is the world’s largest<br />

commercial full service real estate firm,<br />

with more than 80,000 professionals,<br />

headquartered in Los Angeles and is<br />

included in the Fortune 500, ranking<br />

#214 in 2017.<br />

We were established in Bahrain<br />

in 2008, as a wholly owned foreign<br />

branch, and later this year marks our<br />

10th anniversary in the Kingdom. CBRE<br />

Bahrain now employs a team of 20<br />

plus, which includes Royal Institute of<br />

Chartered Surveyors (RICS) associates,<br />

who hold 30 plus years of local and<br />

international experience in the field.<br />

38 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | CBRE<br />

With over 4 million square feet of assets<br />

under management across: commercial<br />

office, retail, industrial, residential<br />

and mixed use, one of CBRE’s key<br />

strengths, is combining a strong<br />

presence on the ground along with<br />

unrivaled international connectivity<br />

and corporate oversight.<br />

CBRE are trusted advisors with a<br />

focus on building and maintaining<br />

client relationships through open<br />

sharing of information that continues<br />

throughout market fluctuations,<br />

allowing our clients to make informed<br />

decisions, about their real estate assets.<br />

Taking a long term view as partners to<br />

occupiers, investors and developers,<br />

providing clients with end to end<br />

services from feasibility through to<br />

management and disposal, allows us to<br />

advise throughout property lifecycles<br />

continuing to be an invaluable resource.<br />

What are your thoughts on the<br />

commercial office market in Bahrain?<br />

Over the past 5 years the prime<br />

commercial office sector has been and<br />

remains fairly segmented. This is the<br />

case across both geographical locations<br />

and also between individual properties,<br />

with some landlords performing<br />

better than others in attracting and<br />

maintaining corporate tenants.<br />

Total Grade A and Grade B stock<br />

is circa. 1.2 million square metres in<br />

the capital and there is a vacancy rate<br />

across the board of approximately 30%.<br />

Newer towers with services on site for<br />

office workers and attractive initial<br />

commercial terms are drawing major<br />

occupiers from older or less suitable<br />

buildings.<br />

Prime monthly rates are now as<br />

low as BHD6 to BHD8 per square metre<br />

per month on average for landmark<br />

commercial buildings and this<br />

provides attractive and affordable<br />

solutions for occupiers - it is certainly<br />

a tenant’s market at present with great<br />

opportunities for businesses looking to<br />

move within country and those looking<br />

to establish themselves in the kingdom.<br />

The message has certainly reached<br />

key players that smaller, affordable,<br />

fitted space on flexible terms that<br />

reduces CAPEX required by tenants is in<br />

demand and the surplus supply means<br />

that building owners need to adapt to be<br />

able to maintain occupancy levels.<br />

From an investment and<br />

development perspective, there are<br />

fewer planned commercial office<br />

projects, which reflects the vacancy<br />

rates at present. A positive result of this<br />

dynamic is that the bar has been raised<br />

in terms of spaces that are and will be<br />

developed in the future, which are likely<br />

to be more efficient and service oriented<br />

to better accommodate the modern<br />

business.<br />

How has United Tower positioned itself<br />

in a challenging market?<br />

United Tower is a unique offering<br />

in the Bahrain market, the first of its<br />

kind to house both a five star hotel and<br />

commercial offices within one large<br />

structure. The project was ambitious and<br />

is now proving to be successful formulae<br />

with the office segment attracting<br />

international and local occupiers with a<br />

wide range of requirements.<br />

As a landmark 200 metre tall tower<br />

with a unique twirling design, the<br />

building has positioned itself with other<br />

key developments such as Bahrain<br />

Financial Harbour towers and World<br />

Trade Centre that form Manama’s<br />

modern skyline in the up and coming<br />

area of Bahrain Bay.<br />

Businesses looking for prestige,<br />

services, convenience, and flexible<br />

office options that provide above<br />

average parking ratios will consider<br />

United Tower as a top choice for<br />

locating their teams.<br />

The offices are priced competitively<br />

and tenants are offered various solutions<br />

for their set up, be it fitted, CAT A or<br />

shell and core space to suit their needs.<br />

Tenants also benefit from corporate<br />

rates in the 262 room Wyndham Grand<br />

Hotel located in the building and the<br />

associated facilities including the<br />

dining areas, the leisure club and for the<br />

hotel suites. United Tower benefits from<br />

having ground floor retail provisioned<br />

for future dining options and services<br />

that offers convenience to occupiers.<br />

Bahrain Bay is an interesting<br />

place to be at the moment, with daily<br />

activities, as it hosts major events in<br />

Bahrain’s calendar, with Shop Bahrain<br />

and Spring of Culture performances, to<br />

name a couple. The master developer<br />

has also commenced work on<br />

landscaped food & beverage projects<br />

that should provide more dining options<br />

to building tenants in walking distance<br />

of the tower.<br />

Do you have any other notable updates<br />

for us about the Bahrain real estate<br />

sector?<br />

There have been a series of new real<br />

estate development announcements in<br />

various locations around the Kingdom,<br />

as well as increasing activity within<br />

masterplan developments, that have<br />

faced delays, including the progress<br />

at Bahrain Bay, Diyar Al Muharraq and<br />

Dilmunia. Major real estate projects that<br />

are under development include: King<br />

Abdulla Medical City, Ikea, Marrassi Al<br />

Bahrain and Bahrain Marina.<br />

Key infrastructure projects that are<br />

either being planned or are currently<br />

under construction in Bahrain<br />

include: Bahrain International Airport<br />

expansion, government housing<br />

schemes, the 2nd Bahrain/Saudi<br />

causeway, GCC rail link and a light rail<br />

network.<br />

It remains to be seen how the<br />

introduction of Infrastructure<br />

Development Tax, Bahrain’s first Real<br />

Estate Investment Trust (REIT), the<br />

implementation of RERA and Value<br />

Added Tax (VAT) will effect Bahrain’s<br />

real estate sector long term.<br />

Heather Longden<br />

Associate Director, CBRE<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

39


Interview | Mohamed Isa<br />

Mohamed Isa (Centre) receiving the Quilly Award<br />

CHAI KARAK<br />

A Customer Service Story<br />

Mohamed Isa is an Award-<br />

Winning Speaker and<br />

Bestselling Author with<br />

two Amazon Bestselling<br />

Books under his belt. In September<br />

2017, he became the first Bahraini and<br />

Arab to receive the Quilly Award from<br />

the National Academy of Best-Selling<br />

Authors in Hollywood, California, USA.<br />

He is an ambitious author and he<br />

recently released his fifth book titled:<br />

“Chai Karak: A Customer Service Story.”<br />

What do you intend to achieve with this<br />

book?<br />

I am acting as a catalyst of positive<br />

change in the business community and<br />

beyond when it comes to the customer<br />

service culture and practices. I started a<br />

speaking tour talking about the concepts<br />

that I share in my book on how to serve<br />

customers better. So far, I have given<br />

talks to various companies in the Middle<br />

East, North Africa and USA. In fact, in<br />

October 2017, I spoke to the employees of<br />

Google in its headquarters in California,<br />

USA. The tour to Googleplex was<br />

enlightening on how Google addresses<br />

its customer service culture and<br />

practices. Amazing company!<br />

What does Chai Karak have to do with<br />

customer service?<br />

A great tasting Chai Karak has its<br />

essential ingredients like cardamom,<br />

clove, tea leaves, sugar, evaporated milk<br />

and of course water. Likewise, customer<br />

service has its essential ingredients too<br />

like smiling, greeting and thanking your<br />

customers. Companies around the world<br />

use these basic ingredients to serve<br />

their customers better. But some excel at<br />

serving their customers better by adding<br />

more ingredients as they go. To make<br />

your Chai Karak taste better, you may<br />

add ginger or saffron to it. Depending on<br />

the ingredients you use or not use, your<br />

customers may feel better to be more<br />

loyal to you or bitter to escape from you.<br />

Who should read this book?<br />

There is a prevailing misconception<br />

about who is ultimately responsible for<br />

customer service. Most people think it<br />

is the Customer Service Department.<br />

This is partly true. However, the<br />

reality is such that customer service<br />

is everyone’s business. From the<br />

Chairman to the Office Boy and all the<br />

employees in between, they are all in<br />

the business of serving and caring for<br />

customers. Accordingly, this book is<br />

for everyone who would like to provide<br />

40 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Interview | Mohamed Isa<br />

better customer service and create a<br />

customer-centric culture. You can copy<br />

products easily but you cannot do that<br />

for customer service excellence. It takes<br />

time, disciplined and consistent efforts,<br />

money and other resources to create a<br />

world-class customer service culture<br />

and practice.<br />

Tell me about your Chai Karak<br />

Manifesto?<br />

In my book I talk about nine<br />

principles for serving customers<br />

better. It is an acronym I dubbed “CHAI<br />

KARAK.” Each alphabet in the acronym<br />

represents a guiding principle on what<br />

it takes to provide excellent customer<br />

service. And they are:<br />

(C) Communicate with your customers<br />

(H) Honor your promises<br />

(A) Anticipate customers’ needs<br />

(I) Instill a customer-centric culture<br />

(K) Kindness goes a long way<br />

(A) Address complaints promptly<br />

(R) Research your competition<br />

(A) Attract passionate employees and<br />

(K) Keep trying harder.<br />

The last “K” is particularly important<br />

because you might be the leader in<br />

your industry now, but if you do not try<br />

harder, soon you will be just another<br />

follower!<br />

Where do you start to upgrade your<br />

customer service?<br />

Start with yourself as an employee.<br />

You do not have to obtain a permission<br />

to serve your customers better. You<br />

can and you should be the Customer<br />

Service Excellence Ambassador in your<br />

company. You have nothing to lose<br />

and everything to gain if you take and<br />

stick to this decision. As an author, I<br />

write a lot in café shops. There was one<br />

particular barista who always served<br />

me with a big smile and a sparkle in<br />

his eyes. I wrote about him in my social<br />

media network and I my post was<br />

noticed by his district manager. He has<br />

been recently promoted to be the trainer<br />

for the other baristas!<br />

Why should companies care about<br />

customer service?<br />

Companies are either created to<br />

fulfil existing customers’ needs or create<br />

new ones to fulfil them and ultimately<br />

make profit in the process. Therefore,<br />

providing excellent customer service<br />

can give you a competitive edge in your<br />

industry. Having this edge will help you<br />

in maximizing your shareholders’ value<br />

because you will build a larger loyal<br />

customers’ base who will buy repeatedly<br />

from you and recommend your products<br />

or services to their family members<br />

and friends. Referrals by customers are<br />

great because they cost you nothing and<br />

the prospects will naturally have lower<br />

resistance level in the sale process.<br />

What is next for you as an author?<br />

In <strong>2018</strong>, I will publish two more<br />

books. One of them will be co-authored<br />

with an internationally renowned<br />

personality and we expect it to hit<br />

Amazon’s Bestselling list in few<br />

categories. As for my Chai Karak<br />

franchise, I am planning to write a<br />

number of books on customer service.<br />

The second book will be called: “Chai<br />

Karak: More Customer Service Stories.”<br />

However, in this book, I will ask<br />

customers in Bahrain and beyond to<br />

share with me their own stories whether<br />

they are good, bad or ugly! My job will<br />

be to collate the stories, screen them,<br />

classify them, and embellish them for<br />

publishing. And of course, each story<br />

will be attributed to its contributor!<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

41


Property Services | Alfanar Real Estate<br />

Mishal AlShoala<br />

Chairman, Alfanar Real Estate<br />

OPTIMISING<br />

<strong>BAHRAIN</strong>’S BUSINESS<br />

ENVIRONMENT<br />

Al Fanar Business Center<br />

Al Fanar Business Center, a worldclass<br />

platform for companies to<br />

launch, connect and grow is set to be<br />

launched soon. The 11,000 sqm project,<br />

will provide a fully functioning center<br />

with retail, offices, and showroom<br />

facilities, supported by a spacious,<br />

multi-storey parking lot. To be located<br />

in East Riffa, within close proximity to<br />

key commercial centers and industrial<br />

establishments, the business center<br />

will be easily accessible from important<br />

highways including the upcoming Alba<br />

Interchange. Surrounding restaurants<br />

and entertainment outlets, add to the<br />

convenience of the location. Al Fanar<br />

Business Center aims to provide a oneof-a-kind<br />

experience for businesses to<br />

operate in modern yet affordable spaces.<br />

The main structure will consist of 8<br />

Floors, including a 2-floor parking space,<br />

comfortably accommodating over 30<br />

offices, and 29 business center facilities<br />

with common reception, waiting areas,<br />

and meeting rooms.<br />

A Bahraini Joint Stock Company<br />

incorporated in the Kingdom of Bahrain,<br />

Al Fanar Real Estate was established<br />

to develop and manage residential and<br />

commercial properties locally, regionally<br />

and internationally.<br />

Mishal Alshoala, Chairman of Al<br />

Fanar Real Estate, spoke about the<br />

concept and how it has developed into a<br />

truly useful service for Bahrain.<br />

“As a leading real estate developer<br />

based in Bahrain, our strategy<br />

continuously focuses on becoming a<br />

trusted realty hallmark associated with<br />

luxury, quality and distinction without<br />

compromising on affordability and<br />

investment attractiveness.<br />

42 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Property Services | Alfanar Real Estate<br />

Artist's impression of the upcoming<br />

Al Fanar Business Center<br />

We focus on developing properties<br />

with international inspirations and<br />

aspirations. We also emphasize on<br />

our customer service and continuous<br />

support which is extended to all of our<br />

clients, be it our investors, tenants and<br />

building management contractors, or the<br />

sellers and buyers who use our bespoke<br />

brokerage services.“<br />

He added. “In our desire to further<br />

real estate opportunities for our clientele<br />

we have extended our services outside<br />

the GCC region to Europe as well. Al<br />

Fanar Real Estate caters to the European<br />

market through its various wholly<br />

owned subsidiaries that focus on buying,<br />

leasing and managing properties within<br />

the European Markets.”<br />

Al Fanar Building<br />

located in East RIffa<br />

For more information, visit:<br />

www.alfanar-dev.com<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

43


Property Portal | YourAmlak<br />

THE<br />

DIGITAL<br />

FUTURE<br />

OF REAL<br />

ESTATE<br />

Launched in October 2015,<br />

YourAmlak.com has broken ground<br />

as a B2B real estate portal that links<br />

the real estate industry by creating a<br />

platform for brokers, developers, and<br />

end users to effectively showcase their<br />

property, making it easier for potential<br />

customers to access properties for<br />

sale and rent, including flats, villas,<br />

townhouses, shops, offices and land.<br />

The portal provides information such<br />

as the size, location, photos of the<br />

property, etc., helping the buyer get a<br />

better understanding of property before<br />

they see it. The portal also gives a 360<br />

degree virtual tour of the property.<br />

Property agents use the information to<br />

attract buyers. Besides offering all these<br />

services, YourAmlak also focuses on<br />

user experience and quality.<br />

Now in operation three years in<br />

Bahrain, the portal is still holding<br />

strong in a highly competitive market,<br />

and displaying confidence through<br />

increasing market share. One of the<br />

company’s strengths has been the<br />

synergy of different industries shared by<br />

the founders, extending across sectors<br />

from banking, realty to marketing and<br />

digital marketing.<br />

With a team of dedicated<br />

professionals, the aim has been to help<br />

better understanding of the client and<br />

win their loyalty through excellent and<br />

personalised services. Moreover the<br />

operations in four different countries<br />

provides a unique perspective and<br />

opportunities for clients to view the<br />

region as a whole. In fact it is the<br />

company’s aim to perfect operations<br />

here before further regional and<br />

international expansion. In Bahrain,<br />

since its launch in 2015, it already has<br />

over 27,000 visits per month.<br />

“These are exciting times because<br />

we're coming up with a new portal<br />

design and strategy this year. This<br />

industry changes fast with the constant<br />

fluctuations and alterations that happen.<br />

An example of that would be the recent<br />

changes in <strong>2018</strong> of Facebook and<br />

Instagram on social media, which are<br />

among the many platforms we use. We<br />

need to constantly update and stay on<br />

top of every trend,” says Shada Judeh,<br />

Regional Manager of YourAmlak.<br />

“The Bahrain market is a stable one<br />

compared to the rest of the region with<br />

returns of 20 percent for rental yield<br />

and property growth combined when a<br />

property is ready. This is exceptionally<br />

true for off plan investment,” she adds.<br />

Why YourAmlak?<br />

“It is our active and dynamic team<br />

combo that includes realty, digital<br />

marketing, sales, and web development.<br />

We are deeply committed in the "match<br />

making process" that links buyers and<br />

tenants to the brokers and developers.”<br />

It is the acknowledged goal of every<br />

YourAmlak team member to build close<br />

relationships with clients so that the<br />

relationship becomes more personalised<br />

and the experience is tailored for<br />

individual requirements.<br />

Bahrain's tourism efforts and its<br />

calendar of events including local and<br />

international shows and exhibitions<br />

such as the biannual Air Show, Formula<br />

One Grand Prix, Bahrain Shopping<br />

Festival, Jewelry Arabia, Bipex and<br />

many more have helped lift Bahrain’s<br />

international profile and increased<br />

demand for real estate. In November<br />

2017 approximately 30,000 unique real<br />

estate consumers visited YourAmlak in<br />

search of their next home or investment<br />

opportunity.<br />

As a B2B portal, YourAmlak does<br />

a due diligence of all property before<br />

posting it on the website. Every inquiry<br />

and email is monitored to avoid spam<br />

and other activities that may originate<br />

outside the portal. All client complaints<br />

are acknowledged in a timely manner<br />

and communicated to the brokers or<br />

developers to prevent any negative<br />

impact on the user, while it helps build<br />

user confidence and increases visits to<br />

the portal.<br />

“Our success is determined by the<br />

clients with us since day one. And their<br />

continuous support to grow with us,”<br />

says Shatha. “Our database of users<br />

and clients continuous to grow in time<br />

this making us an excellent source of<br />

statistics about the real estate user<br />

behavior in the region with 4 locations.<br />

thus offering great consult to agencies<br />

and developers as to how to become<br />

more visible online and get users to<br />

interact and eventually purchase their<br />

product now or in the future.”<br />

Shada Judeh<br />

Regional Manager, YourAmlak<br />

44 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

45


Viewpoint | Next Generation Solution<br />

Connect to your<br />

Clients with<br />

Kalaam’s Enterprise<br />

Messaging System<br />

Delivery of service matters…<br />

In today’s world there are various<br />

ways to communicate with one’s clients.<br />

Short Messaging Services has and still<br />

is the most reliable and secure forms of<br />

communication.<br />

Kalaam’s all new Enterprise<br />

Messaging System solution is a single<br />

platform designed to enable enterprises<br />

to interact with their client’s. It is a<br />

reliable and extremely cost affective<br />

form of personalized communication.<br />

Kalaam’s Enterprise Messaging<br />

System platform was designed and<br />

developed after a careful understanding<br />

of business challenges and growing<br />

expectation of enterprises.<br />

Following are the key-features of<br />

Kalaam’s EMS:<br />

Excel Plugin Messaging<br />

Kalaam’s EMS Excel plug-in<br />

messages enables our enterprises to<br />

send messages directly from excel<br />

sheets. You will able to send large<br />

volumes of messages with just a few<br />

clicks. It is the perfect tool for when your<br />

marketing teams that wish to send mass<br />

marketing campaigns.<br />

HTTP Application Programming<br />

Interface [API]<br />

Kalaam’s EMS offers an API that<br />

can be easily integrated into business<br />

applications. This allows our enterprises<br />

clients to send SMS’s notifications<br />

automatically from the business<br />

application including OTP.<br />

Email to SMS<br />

Email to SMS is a form of technology<br />

that converts standard emails into SMS<br />

messages. Once your email client is<br />

customized, Kalaam’s EMS Email to SMS<br />

enables our enterprise clients to be able<br />

to send SMS messages directly to your<br />

intended recipients, with the simple<br />

click of a button.<br />

Short Message Peer-to-Peer [SMPP]<br />

SMPP is a direct and fastest way<br />

to securely deliver business critical<br />

messages. Business with regulatory<br />

compliance of definite delivery of<br />

messages are sent over the secure SMPP<br />

connections.<br />

Kalaam’s EMS SMPP enables our<br />

clients to send SMS messages directly<br />

from their servers that can house<br />

multiple applications.<br />

Two way SMS Messaging<br />

A system that incorporates both<br />

outbound (Mobile Terminated or MT)<br />

and inbound (Mobile Originated or MO)<br />

SMS into one fully-featured service.<br />

This allows the customers to interact<br />

and respond to the received SMS, then<br />

the collected responded data is used for<br />

business intelligence.<br />

2-Way SMS messaging is done using<br />

short codes or virtual long numbers<br />

(also known as virtual mobile numbers).<br />

The main difference between the two is<br />

the length of the number; while virtual<br />

mobile numbers look like a standard<br />

phone number, short codes have<br />

between 5 and 6 digits, making them<br />

easier to remember.<br />

Web SMS<br />

Kalaam’s web messaging service<br />

allows customers to send messages<br />

directly from a web portal. Multiple<br />

features are loaded into web portal<br />

such as SMS campaign management,<br />

Messaging templates and custom user<br />

profiles. Web SMS can be used for both<br />

promotional and transaction messages<br />

at the same time. Along with a real time<br />

message status update, which allows<br />

our clients know the status of their<br />

messages.<br />

Contact:<br />

Call 8006 8008 or<br />

mail sales@kalaam-telecom.com<br />

46 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


PHASE 2 LAUNCH<br />

The Closest New - Build Project to University of Liverpool<br />

8%<br />

NET P.A.<br />

ASSURED<br />

FOR 5 YEARS<br />

Invest in the UK’s no. 1 asset class<br />

PHASE 1 SOLD OUT<br />

Patricia Powell | Head of International Property Sales<br />

M: (973) 39 140 555 | T: (973) 17 535 111<br />

E: patricia@impact-estate.com | www.impact-estate.com<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

47


OBG | Business Report<br />

Airport Infrastructure Investment<br />

Reflects Bahrain’s Push towards<br />

Development Goals<br />

Oxford Business Group (OBG)<br />

Bahrain has moved forward<br />

with plans to improve national<br />

infrastructure as part of its economic<br />

development strategy, announcing a<br />

series of tenders relating to the upgrade<br />

and expansion of the country’s airport.<br />

In late January Bahrain Airport<br />

Company (BAC) issued concessions<br />

for works related to airport security<br />

at Bahrain International Airport<br />

(BIA), including construction of a new<br />

perimeter fence and the installation of<br />

improved CCTV and lighting.<br />

At the same time, the Ministry of<br />

Works launched a tender for the first<br />

stage of improvements to road access to<br />

BIA’s new terminal, with work scheduled<br />

for completion next December.<br />

In addition to security and access,<br />

BAC also issued concessions to run<br />

pharmacy, convenience store, and food<br />

and beverage outlets in the airport in<br />

early January. Chosen companies will<br />

design, outfit, finance, develop, operate,<br />

maintain and manage the stores.<br />

The recent concessions form part<br />

of the $1.1bn Airport Modernisation<br />

Programme (AMP), which aims to<br />

develop a 220-sq-metre passenger<br />

terminal and overhaul existing facilities<br />

by 2020. Once completed, BIA will<br />

have capacity to handle around 14m<br />

passengers per year, up from 8m at<br />

48 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


OBG | Business Report<br />

present, increasing the country’s<br />

regional and global connectivity.<br />

Transport and tourism at centre of<br />

infrastructure upgrades<br />

The AMP falls under a broader $32bn<br />

infrastructure programme currently<br />

under way in the kingdom, which<br />

places transport and logistics - along<br />

with tourism - at the heart of plans<br />

to diversify the economy away from<br />

hydrocarbons revenue.<br />

In addition to the BIA upgrades,<br />

Bahrain is assessing plans to construct<br />

a second causeway to link it to with<br />

neighbour and regional powerhouse<br />

Saudi Arabia. The proposed 25-km<br />

connection, which is expected to cost<br />

around $4bn-5bn and be undertaken<br />

as a public-private partnership, would<br />

include a four-lane road and railway,<br />

easing congestion on existing transport<br />

connections and improving logistics<br />

between the two countries.<br />

Other projects in the pipeline<br />

include construction of a light rail<br />

system and a series of road upgrades<br />

designed to improve traffic flows around<br />

the kingdom.<br />

These investments are vital to<br />

supporting growth in the tourism sector,<br />

which is a key pillar of the economy,<br />

accounting for 6.3% of GDP. The number<br />

of international visitors to the kingdom<br />

increased by 2.4% in 2017 to reach<br />

15.3m. Of this, 12.7m people entered<br />

the country via the existing King Fahd<br />

Causeway linking Bahrain with Saudi<br />

Arabia, highlighting the importance of<br />

improving and expanding connections<br />

between the two countries.<br />

A series of new four- and five-star<br />

hotel developments are to be built in<br />

the near term, with an additional 4000<br />

rooms to be added to existing supply by<br />

2020. This, along with the development<br />

of shopping and entertainment<br />

developments such as Mall of Dilmunia<br />

and Marassi Galleria should expand the<br />

country’s tourism offering and stimulate<br />

further growth in the sector.<br />

Foreign direct investment key to<br />

stimulating growth<br />

These projects are in line with<br />

Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the<br />

country’s strategic plan to grow and<br />

diversify the economy by investing in<br />

infrastructure development and training<br />

in targeted sectors.<br />

Since the release of plan in 2008,<br />

Bahrain’s GDP has grown from $25.7bn<br />

to $33.9bn in 2017, while GDP per capita<br />

based on purchasing power parity<br />

has expanded from $40,800 to $51,800,<br />

according to the IMF.<br />

Given the fall in hydrocarbons<br />

revenue in recent years, attracting<br />

private investment and, in particular,<br />

foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key<br />

element of the strategy. While inflows<br />

have experienced some volatility in<br />

recent times, most notably in 2015, FDI<br />

rebounded to reach $695m by the end<br />

of October last year, more than double<br />

2016’s full-year total of $280m.<br />

The increase comes amid efforts to<br />

attract foreign capital into the country.<br />

In June of last year the Central Bank<br />

of Bahrain created a so-called financial<br />

technology (fintech) sandbox - a secure,<br />

virtual space to test software or coding<br />

- to enable the private sector to take<br />

advantage of emerging opportunities in<br />

the area.<br />

The initiatives saw Dubai’s NOW<br />

Money and Tramonex, the London-based<br />

foreign exchange cash-management<br />

business, become the first two firms to<br />

be granted access to the sandbox.<br />

These developments were followed<br />

by the announcement in September that<br />

global cloud computing giant Amazon<br />

Web Services (AWS) would construct its<br />

Middle Eastern cloud technology data<br />

centre in the kingdom.<br />

The development dovetails with<br />

improved ICT upgrades and efforts to<br />

digitise all government and ministry<br />

operations as part of the Cloud First<br />

strategy, which along with the AWS<br />

base, are expected to provide new<br />

employment opportunities to Bahrainis,<br />

support the growth of local tech startups<br />

and improve the country’s ability<br />

to attract skilled expertise from around<br />

the world.<br />

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is<br />

a global publishing, research and<br />

consultancy firm which publishes<br />

economic intelligence on the<br />

markets of the Middle East, Africa,<br />

Asia and Latin America. In print<br />

and online, the critically acclaimed<br />

economic and business reports<br />

have become the leading source of<br />

business intelligence on developing<br />

countries in the regions they<br />

cover. OBG's monthly economic<br />

updates provide up-to-date, indepth<br />

analysis on the issues that<br />

matter for tens of thousands of<br />

subscribers worldwide. OBG has<br />

been in Bahrain for 12 years and is<br />

currently working on The Report:<br />

Bahrain 2017 which is scheduled<br />

to be released in the first quarter<br />

of 2017. For more information, visit<br />

www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com or<br />

call us in Bahrain at 1715 1582.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

49


Expert Opinion | Information Technology<br />

The Consequences of<br />

Progress and Development<br />

by Dr. Jassim Haji<br />

Last month I presented a unique paper,<br />

at the largest Middle-East Satellite,<br />

Communication and Broadcasting<br />

conference and exhibition at Dubai World<br />

Trade Centre, it compromised the benefits<br />

of Internet via Satellite and its security<br />

risks, including hacking of satellite<br />

communications for flying objects such as<br />

commercial aircraft and drones. However,<br />

we had a lengthy discussions around<br />

thousands of genuine and commercial<br />

satellites dumped in space and the risk<br />

of them all being turned to garbage with<br />

no global governance around such an<br />

evolving major crisis.<br />

Sometimes we tend to forget<br />

that there are consequences for any<br />

progression and development we take.<br />

Sending satellites into spaces has<br />

provided immeasurable benefits but we<br />

need to learn the consequences and the<br />

price that we will have to pay.<br />

For a few months in the Fall of 1957,<br />

citizens of Earth could look up and see<br />

the first artificial star. It shone as bright,<br />

but moved across the sky at a much<br />

faster clip. Lots of people thought they<br />

were seeing Sputnik-Russia’s antennaed,<br />

spherical satellite, and the first thing<br />

humans had flung into orbit. But it<br />

wasn’t: It was the body of the rocket that<br />

bore Sputnik to space-and Earth’s first<br />

piece of space junk.<br />

Space junk is the colloquial name<br />

for orbital bits that do nothing useful:<br />

spent rockets, fragments splayed by<br />

collisions and degradation, old satellites<br />

no one cares about anymore. In total,<br />

they amount to millions of pieces of<br />

debris, many of which are large enough<br />

to seriously ding satellites and the<br />

International Space Station. And then<br />

there's Kessler Syndrome: a space<br />

sickness in which low-Earth orbit is so<br />

overpopulated that collisions cascade<br />

into more collisions, which create more<br />

debris that causes more collisions that<br />

cascade into more collisions. And it's<br />

about to get worse: Thousands and<br />

thousands of satellites are set to launch<br />

to low-Earth orbit before 2025.<br />

An estimated 18 thousands objects<br />

in orbit are currently being monitored by<br />

radar stations. Only seven percent of these<br />

are operational satellites, the rest is space<br />

junk. And it’s expected to get worse with<br />

plans to send more than 10 thousands<br />

additional satellites into space over the<br />

next decade. This growing amount of<br />

space junk poses a real threat to operating<br />

satellites and space vehicles in general.<br />

D-Orbit is a company based on the<br />

shores of Lake Como in northern Italy,<br />

which turned to the EU’s Horizon 2020<br />

program for funding. Its first major project<br />

was to find ways of decommissioning<br />

satellites safely once their life has come<br />

to an end. The system is installed before<br />

the satellite is launched and is used<br />

either to bring it safely back into the<br />

atmosphere or to send it to a so-called<br />

‘satellite graveyard’ a few hundreds<br />

kilometers away from the operational<br />

orbit. D-Orbit’s system also increases the<br />

satellites’ life-span as it isn’t necessary<br />

to spare fuel in order to decommission<br />

them. And the system can serve as<br />

an extra engine in case of emergency.<br />

According to Lorenzo Ferrario, D-Orbit’s<br />

Chief Technology Officer, “the next big<br />

step is called In Orbit Now (ION) - a<br />

satellite transport system that we’re<br />

focusing most of our efforts on. It is built<br />

on the experience of D-Sat." There are<br />

a number of new solutions that can be<br />

found when it comes to reliability, costeffectiveness<br />

and better integration to<br />

existing satellites, and once they have<br />

been tested in space, it will be even<br />

better. The European Space Agency and<br />

the European Union have earmarked<br />

funds for research and development and<br />

this is very important, especially to solve<br />

the problem posed by spatial debris,<br />

and this represents an opportunity for<br />

private companies.<br />

Just how much bigger will the<br />

problem get? SpaceX alone plans to send<br />

up nearly 12,000 small internet-beaming<br />

objects over time. OneWeb has designs<br />

on some 700 similar satellites. Planet just<br />

launched around 100 that take pictures<br />

of the Earth’s entire landmass every day.<br />

And those are just the heaviest hitters.<br />

Little orbiters-especially the smallest<br />

types, CubeSats and NanoSats-are within<br />

reach of research scientists, government<br />

agency experiments, smaller companies,<br />

and even individual humans. Take the<br />

private Breakthrough Starshot project,<br />

which eventually plans to send diminutive<br />

spacecraft to Alpha Centauri star system<br />

(which is 40 trillions kilometers away<br />

from Earth). It just launched six "Sprites":<br />

the world's smallest satellites, measuring<br />

3.5 centimeters on a side.<br />

Dr. Jassim Haji<br />

Technology Executive &<br />

Researcher<br />

www.facebook.com/DrJassimHaji<br />

bh.linkedin.com/in/dr-jassimhaji-7b5885125<br />

50 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

51


Expert Viewpoint | Investor Behaviour<br />

From "Sure Shot" Real Estate<br />

Investing, To "High Risk"<br />

Venture Capital Investing -<br />

Change Your Mind<br />

by Jose Paul Martin<br />

Why regional investors need to start<br />

looking at taking more risk if the startup<br />

environment is going to succeed.<br />

The Power Law, and why a few<br />

successful investments will change the<br />

game for the region.<br />

Over the last year, I’ve been closely<br />

associated with the Bahrain (and Middle<br />

East) startupscene. Prior to that I’ve<br />

spent a good decade in the private equity<br />

space. And one thing I’ve come to realize<br />

is that investors in this part of the<br />

world - are more comfortable with real<br />

estate investing than startup investing.<br />

Who wouldn’t be, you get nice yields on<br />

investments! Until you don’t.<br />

There’s a reason for this status quo,<br />

and it has a lot to with the old saying…<br />

“Real Estate never dies, it only grows<br />

sick”.<br />

This is ingrained into psyche of<br />

most investors in this region, and it will<br />

take a good amount of time and effort<br />

to change that mindset. But until that<br />

happens, those who invest primarily in<br />

real estate will struggle to understand<br />

startup economics.<br />

Only when investors start moving<br />

away from ‘sure shot’ real estate to ‘high<br />

risk’ venture capital, will things begin to<br />

change. But for this to happen, we need<br />

a few success stories - where someone<br />

who invested in a startup, made a 10x<br />

or 100x return. That person (founder or<br />

investor) would typically be inclined<br />

to throw more seeds from his harvest<br />

across a larger number of promising<br />

ventures, and so begin the cycle of<br />

wealth creation.<br />

You see, when they reach this stage<br />

of success - it becomes addictive. They<br />

would then stumble upon the Power<br />

Law - which incase you didn’t know - is<br />

where the return from your single best<br />

investment would be more than all your<br />

investments combined, and the second<br />

best investment would be better than the<br />

next three put together.<br />

But for the Power Law to kick in,<br />

investors need to start making bets. In<br />

stock trading, we have a saying… “No<br />

trigger, no trade”. The sooner they pull<br />

the trigger on startup investing, the<br />

faster the Power Law will kick in.<br />

Think of this situation, the investor<br />

complains about why the startup<br />

does not make any money, negative<br />

cash flows etc. He fails to understand<br />

that unlike in constructing a building<br />

or property, where you use low-skill<br />

labour, here you’re required to take on<br />

expensive, skilled to highly skilled<br />

engineers, product managers, customer<br />

support and marketing specialists to<br />

launch the company off the ground,<br />

build and scale it.<br />

This of course is difficult for our real<br />

estate investor to comprehend, because<br />

he’s using a different measuring stick<br />

- that of rental cash flows, IRRs, bank<br />

leverage and little-to-no-loss. For him,<br />

doubling money is great, but losing little<br />

is unspeakable.<br />

Compare that with startup investing<br />

- 100x returns for a high level risk of<br />

failure, combined with the long time to<br />

become profitable. Doesn’t look so good<br />

on the surface!?<br />

When done well, angel and startup<br />

investing can be not only profitable, but<br />

generate huge outsized returns. Just<br />

keep in mind that if Real Estate and<br />

Private Equity composes 10%-15% of<br />

your portfolio - Seed, Angel and Venture<br />

Capital combined should compose not<br />

more than 5% - so risk accordingly.<br />

And while you’re doing the math,<br />

ask yourself the question - why is it that<br />

Saudi Arabia is the most avid consumer<br />

of online video content, yet there was no<br />

startup similar to Youtube that came out<br />

of Saudi. Or why India is the largest user<br />

of Facebook, but no such social media<br />

platform sprung from there.<br />

What makes Silicon Valley<br />

companies successful outside their<br />

hometown, on a global scale. Was it the<br />

money, or the people behind it? All I<br />

can say is… why don’t we stop building<br />

properties, and start building people.<br />

The image below should hopefully<br />

serve as a reminder of where these<br />

companies begun.<br />

Jose Paul Martin is a private<br />

equity investor & advisor<br />

currently focused on IT &<br />

Healthcare sectors in the<br />

Middle East, US & Asia. He<br />

is also MD of Eqoris Group &<br />

Author of The Pitch Process<br />

Framework<br />

http://pitchprocess.com<br />

52 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

53


Expert Analysis | Artificial Intelligence<br />

Will AI Hurt or Help You in Future<br />

by Arafat Tehsin<br />

Every meetup, sub-group or summit<br />

I go these days, I hear a lot of<br />

people murmuring around about<br />

smart machines (read: Artificially<br />

Intelligent Robots) would replace<br />

humans. Millions of people are going to<br />

be jobless, there will be giant androids<br />

everywhere and full Hollywood scene<br />

one could imagine about.<br />

The reality is, it’s neither that simple nor<br />

straight-forward.<br />

There’s a lot of discussion going-on<br />

about the austere future of employment<br />

mainly from the sector which involve<br />

physical tasks (book-keeping,<br />

appointments, meetings), intellectual<br />

tasks (cognitive services) and customer<br />

services. Of course, automation of<br />

such tasks should be done, the sooner,<br />

the better and this isn’t to destroy or<br />

discourage the human capabilities but to<br />

empower them with a greater role.<br />

Let’s take an example of customer<br />

services in one of the telco services. If<br />

a customer services agent or group of<br />

them were coordinating and helping<br />

their customers by answering them with<br />

a standardized script then it’s better<br />

to deploy chat bots there and let these<br />

humans supervise those bots. If a bot is<br />

not performing well, a quick notification<br />

will be sent to the supervisor so he could<br />

directly jump into the session using<br />

hand-off mechanism. Literally, there’s no<br />

rocket science.<br />

In the above scenario, AI or<br />

machines did not destroy the job, it<br />

empowered the human and that’s why I<br />

always say, creation can never supersede<br />

the creator.<br />

Machines are not competitors but<br />

tools and the bitter truth is, the benefit<br />

from working with computers are much<br />

higher than benefit from working with<br />

other people in certain sectors.<br />

Having said that, humans and<br />

machines are good at categorically<br />

different things. Computing capacity<br />

and analysis on huge amount of data in<br />

less than a nanosecond, are some of the<br />

distinguishing factors of machine. In<br />

contrast to that, the parallel processing<br />

of human’s brain and complex decision<br />

making are couple of the key factors<br />

where machines can’t compete or<br />

replace humans, even by 2030.<br />

For instance, last week, at King<br />

Faisal Highway, there was a massive<br />

traffic jam due to some road accident<br />

and all the traffic signals were working<br />

as per their algorithm. However, only<br />

one lane was suffering it so much that<br />

it caused the traffic jam for around 10<br />

kilometers until a policeman reached<br />

there to sort everything out by manually<br />

diverting the traffic. This decisionmaking<br />

is not usual, this is unusual,<br />

need-based and abrupt.<br />

No million-dollar machine can replace<br />

doctors, engineers or the like but a $5<br />

machine can tell you when you need one.<br />

I believe, the firms in Bahrain should<br />

promote the solutions pertaining to<br />

the need for intelligence augmentation<br />

(machine helps human) rather than<br />

replacing humans and their jobs.<br />

Technical skills are no doubt going to<br />

play an essential role in future jobs but<br />

as smart machines or automation take<br />

over the monotonous tasks, we should<br />

develop higher-order thinking and<br />

emotional skills. Cognitive flexibility,<br />

critical thinking and strategizing will<br />

become exclusive abilities of a human.<br />

Therefore, work hard, play harder.<br />

54 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

55


Highlights | Government<br />

EDB attracts BD 276<br />

million of Foreign<br />

Investments in 2017<br />

The Bahrain Economic Development<br />

Board (EDB) announced a record<br />

year for inward investment in 2017,<br />

having. This is expected to increase job<br />

creation by those companies by up to<br />

72%, generating more than 2,800 local<br />

jobs over the next three years.<br />

The investments span key<br />

strategic growth sectors, including<br />

ICT, Manufacturing, Transport and<br />

Logistics, Tourism, and Financial<br />

Services, in line within the EDB’s<br />

mandate to act as a catalyst for<br />

economic diversification, growth and<br />

job creation in support of Bahrain’s<br />

Economic Vision 2030.<br />

HE Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief<br />

Executive of the EDB, commented:<br />

“Bahrain is in a unique position to<br />

attract investments from international<br />

and regional companies seeking<br />

to access opportunities across<br />

the US $1.5 trillion GCC markets,<br />

thanks to the Kingdom’s strategic<br />

location and highly supportive<br />

regulatory environment which<br />

provides businesses with advanced<br />

infrastructure, low operating costs and<br />

highly trained local workforce. In <strong>2018</strong>,<br />

we are continuing to build on these<br />

strengths to grow key sectors across<br />

the Kingdom.”<br />

The EDB’s record number of<br />

investments in 2017 represents a<br />

significant increase of 161% compared<br />

to 2016, which saw BHD106 million (US<br />

$281 million) in investments from 40<br />

companies.<br />

The ICT sector was the Kingdom’s<br />

highest attractor of inward investment<br />

in 2017, comprising a significant 54%<br />

of the total investment in the sector,<br />

led by Amazon Web Services (AWS).<br />

Manufacturing attracted a fifth of the<br />

total investment, comprising of 20%<br />

and led by investments from Mondelez<br />

international group, followed by<br />

transport and logistics at over 10%,<br />

led by investments from Agility and<br />

Armada.<br />

Tourism, a high potential growth<br />

sector, attracted major investments<br />

from Action Hotels and taxi services<br />

app, Careem, accounting for a<br />

further 10% of the Kingdom’s inward<br />

investments in 2017. The financial<br />

services sector attracted almost 5%<br />

of the total investment, including<br />

from PayTabs, the leading payment<br />

Solutions Company, and Invita, the<br />

multi-lingual contact centre and<br />

business process outsourcing (BPO)<br />

provider.<br />

In <strong>2018</strong>, the EDB is continuing<br />

to build on these successes with<br />

announcements in the pipeline across<br />

the key sectors, with a particular focus<br />

on technology driven growth and the<br />

high potential of FinTech.<br />

Direct Investments reach<br />

USD 733 million in 2017<br />

Bahrain Non-Oil sector<br />

achieved average 7.5% annual<br />

growth<br />

EDB surpassed its 2017 targets in<br />

terms of new projects and local<br />

job creation, with 2831 new jobs in the<br />

private sector created, as well as direct<br />

investment, which doubled in 2017 to<br />

reach USD 733 million.<br />

HE Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief<br />

Executive of the Bahrain EDB, noted<br />

that Bahrain’s non-oil sector grew<br />

by 4.8 percent in Q3 2017 - one of the<br />

highest levels of growth in the region<br />

- and now constitutes more than 80%<br />

of the Kingdom’s GDP. HE emphasised<br />

the EDB’s own contribution to<br />

diversification, noting that since the<br />

EDB’s inception in 2001 the non-oil<br />

sector has achieved an average of 7.5%<br />

annual growth.<br />

Al Rumaihi summarised the<br />

EDB’s advocacy initiatives aimed<br />

at enhancing the competitiveness<br />

of target sectors, promoting<br />

economic openness, and cultivating<br />

an environment conducive to<br />

entrepreneurship. HE highlighted the<br />

EDB’s ongoing work with stakeholders<br />

in the public and private sectors,<br />

which led to the launch of a number<br />

of initiatives in 2017, including the<br />

creation of a Regulatory Sandbox and<br />

crowdfunding regulations; measures<br />

to protect minority shareholder rights;<br />

commercial registration of incubators,<br />

accelerators and start-ups; and the<br />

establishment of the SME Board.<br />

HE Al Rumaihi also discussed<br />

the new initiatives the EDB is<br />

targeting in order to further support<br />

the Kingdom’s transition to a<br />

digital economy, improve business<br />

licensing procedures, advance the<br />

SME ecosystem, and to enhance the<br />

logistics and manufacturing sectors.<br />

56 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Government<br />

Solar and Wind Energy<br />

Pilot project<br />

The EWA is currently setting up<br />

the a pilot project of experimental<br />

plant for the production of electricity<br />

using solar and wind energy with a<br />

total capacity of 5 megawatts on a<br />

land of 12 hectares. The project will<br />

include the installation of 3 megawatt<br />

solar cells, the installation of two 2<br />

megawatt wind turbines and a control,<br />

operation and control building. The<br />

plant will be connected to the 11 kV<br />

power grid to take advantage of the<br />

Asry concludes<br />

Construction of LNG Terminal<br />

landing platform<br />

ASRY, the leading ship and rig repair<br />

facility in the Arabian Gulf has<br />

completed the construction of a boat<br />

landing platform to be commissioned<br />

by Six Construct that will form part of<br />

the ongoing new LNG terminal under<br />

development in Bahrain.<br />

ASRY CEO Andrew Shaw<br />

commented on this occasion that,<br />

“It is very gratifying to have ASRY<br />

contribute to a nationally significant<br />

initiative such as the Bahrain LNG<br />

electric power produced.<br />

Almost 75% of the BD6.5 million<br />

project has already been completed.<br />

The installation of the wind turbines<br />

and most of the solar cells has<br />

been completed and the work in<br />

the control building has reached an<br />

advanced stage. The pilot project will<br />

start operating in June. It is being<br />

implemented by the German company<br />

Juwi International and overseen by the<br />

German consulting firm Fichtner.<br />

The performance of the<br />

experimental station will determine<br />

the efficiency of renewable sources<br />

of energy from the sun and wind in<br />

the production of electricity and its<br />

practical use to achieve the percentage<br />

of renewable energy consumption<br />

determined by the Cabinet.<br />

This is in line with Bahrain<br />

exploring new sources of electricity<br />

production and to reduce relying on<br />

natural gas in the production of energy<br />

as well as reducing carbon dioxide<br />

emissions to preserve the environment<br />

and in line Bahrain’s 2030 economic<br />

vision.<br />

Terminal, which will be an important<br />

step forward in the country’s energy<br />

strategy. This represents another<br />

successful project for ASRY in the<br />

fabrication sector, which will be a<br />

growth area for ASRY as we move<br />

forward.”<br />

The landing platform was<br />

completed on schedule in 90 days<br />

and on budget, with all components<br />

being fully fabricated within ASRY,<br />

and designed to replace costly built<br />

sections.<br />

ASRY also recently completed<br />

a subsea section of a new wellhead<br />

platform for Schlumberger and Bapco,<br />

in an ongoing drive to leverage the<br />

yards experience and facilities, which<br />

are well-suited to the fabrication<br />

sector.<br />

The platform is built and fully<br />

fabricated within ASRY and this<br />

success of the project has opened up<br />

negotiations for the shipyard to assist<br />

in further projects relating to the LNG<br />

terminal.<br />

Bahrain to have an Urban<br />

Rail system<br />

Kingdom of Bahrain will build<br />

a 109-kilometre rail transit<br />

system by 2024, in five phases. The<br />

preliminary designs for the nationwide<br />

rail network will be ready within<br />

the next few months,” said Ministry of<br />

Transportation and Telecommunication<br />

Land Transportation and Post Under-<br />

Secretary Mariam Jumaan at an event<br />

organized as part of <strong>2018</strong> BIPEX Forums<br />

at the Capital Club.<br />

“The network is part of our strategic<br />

vision of the public transportation and<br />

will be launched in five phases. Our new<br />

and improved bus network was the first<br />

phase, but we need to improve on that<br />

further, this is why the Ministry has<br />

started looking into alternatives. The<br />

rail system would become operational in<br />

2023 or 2024,” said Mariam Juman.<br />

“We do not want just buses, we need<br />

a proper mass transit for Bahrain. With<br />

buses, there are certain limitations and<br />

it can still contribute to congestion. The<br />

way to encourage people to move away<br />

from using their cars and provide them<br />

with a way to get places quicker and<br />

easier would be bringing on this new<br />

mode of transport,” she said.<br />

“We have done our studies, we have<br />

looked at possible alternatives. Our<br />

choice is the light rail system which will<br />

be implemented in four or five phases.<br />

The first phase will be 30 kilometres<br />

with 20 stations. The connections will<br />

be to the airport, diplomatic area, to<br />

the north, to the city centre and more.<br />

What we are looking to have is a true<br />

alternative to the cars. The rail transport<br />

will make people actually leave their<br />

cars and use the public transport<br />

instead,” she said.<br />

“We hope to have the preliminary<br />

designs completed by the second or<br />

third quarter of this year. This is a very<br />

viable project for the private sector to<br />

participate in,” she added.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

57


Government<br />

Enhancing the Customer<br />

Experience at KBSP<br />

Plans to further enhance the<br />

customer experience will be the<br />

priority area of focus for development at<br />

Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

KBSP, operated by APM Terminals<br />

Bahrain, has witnessed container<br />

volume growth by a CAGR of 10%<br />

between 2009 - 2017. The port has also<br />

recorded an impressive 7% growth<br />

in container volume in 2017, with an<br />

additional 21% spike in general cargo<br />

with a positive outlook estimated for<br />

<strong>2018</strong>. The majority of this volume is<br />

attributed to gateway cargo with the<br />

KBSP currently also handling two<br />

deep sea services - The Ocean Alliance<br />

MEA3 & MSC Cheetah Service.<br />

Benefiting from Bahrain’s strategic<br />

location and a regulatory framework<br />

that aims to promote business<br />

opportunities in the sector, Bahrain’s<br />

maritime industry, since the opening<br />

of KBSP in 2009, has significantly<br />

contributed to the Kingdom’s economic<br />

development, and has grown steadily<br />

in terms of trade volumes and<br />

connections across the region. With<br />

the island heavily relying on sea trade<br />

imports for food products, consumer<br />

goods, automobiles, heavy machinery,<br />

amongst other manufacturing goods,<br />

the port has experienced positive<br />

growth in all segments. In terms of<br />

efficiencies, KBSP stands out as one<br />

of the best in the region in relation to<br />

container vessel productivity; efficient<br />

customs processes and gate turn times.<br />

The port also operates a passenger<br />

terminal thereby directly contributing<br />

to developing the tourism sector in<br />

the Kingdom. Working closely with<br />

the Ministry of Industry, Commerce<br />

and Tourism, MTT and APMT have<br />

been successful in attracting cruise<br />

tourism traffic to Bahrain, witnessing<br />

a 3% growth in cruise vessel calls and<br />

a 23% increase in passenger flows last<br />

year, further substantiating its role in<br />

uplifting Bahrain trade and tourism<br />

sectors.<br />

As the regulator for the sector,<br />

PMA is working on introducing a<br />

new maritime law that has all of<br />

the updated regulations needed for<br />

businesses to further thrive, and<br />

also working on deepening Bahrain’s<br />

channel to allow the third generation<br />

container vessels to access the port.<br />

This year, with customer centricity<br />

as one of the key focus areas for<br />

KBSP, APM Terminals Bahrain will be<br />

actively working on offering a range<br />

of transport and logistical solutions or<br />

value-added services to its customers<br />

in Bahrain. This includes end user<br />

services which include cargo stuffing<br />

and stripping and bonded storage of<br />

the goods at KBSP. This will help create<br />

an effective supply chain which will<br />

directly increase savings and eliminate<br />

wastage for companies, further<br />

enabling them to focus on their core<br />

business areas. Additionally, the port is<br />

also working on launching a dedicated<br />

IT self-service portal that will allow<br />

customers to track shipments, book<br />

appointments and make payments<br />

online.<br />

In <strong>2018</strong> APM Terminals Bahrain<br />

will be moving ahead with its drive<br />

to attract increased transshipment<br />

volumes to targeted countries in the<br />

Northern Gulf. APM Terminals plans to<br />

demonstrate cost savings to shipping<br />

lines by routing these volumes via<br />

Bahrain especially with some of the<br />

mainliner services connecting Bahrain<br />

directly to key destinations in Asia.<br />

25,210 Parking Spaces<br />

constructed in 10 years<br />

Works Ministry constructed 25,210<br />

parking spaces from 2007 until<br />

2017, covering all Governorates in the<br />

Kingdom.<br />

Roads Planning and Design<br />

Director of the Works, Municipalities<br />

Affairs and Urban Planning Kadhim<br />

Abdul Latif stated that the Northern<br />

Governorate attracted the highest<br />

number of parking spaces, with<br />

7610 parking spaces, then came the<br />

Southern Governorate with 7452<br />

parking spaces, Muharraq with<br />

6062 parking spaces and the Capital<br />

Governorate with 4086 parking spaces.<br />

According to Abdul Latif, the<br />

Ministry implemented 1713 parking<br />

spaces last year, while in 2014 2170<br />

parking spaces were constructed and<br />

2050 parking spaces were constructed<br />

in 2015.<br />

In addition, the Ministry acquired<br />

many private real estates and old<br />

houses, to be allocated for public<br />

parking, in coordination with the three<br />

municipal councils and the Capital<br />

Municipality.<br />

Abdul Latif explained that the<br />

Ministry allocated some public parking<br />

as paid parking in public and crowded<br />

areas in the Kingdom, particularly<br />

Muharraq and Manama. Through<br />

this approach, the Ministry aimed to<br />

provide better services to citizens and<br />

residents, increase the capacity of the<br />

available parking spaces by increasing<br />

the number of uses, support trade<br />

and help citizens accomplish their<br />

missions and tasks in a shorter time,<br />

organize traffic and reduce congestion<br />

resulting from wring parking. This<br />

also aims to enable the private sector<br />

to participate in managing roads and<br />

employ modern techniques to manage<br />

and monitor parking spaces remotely.<br />

58 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

59


Highlights | Banking & Finance<br />

Bahrain Fintech Bay<br />

The Bahrain Economic Development<br />

Board (EDB) and FinTech Consortium<br />

(FTC) recently launched Bahrain FinTech<br />

Bay (BFB), the largest dedicated FinTech<br />

hub in the Middle East and Africa.<br />

The new hub aims to further the<br />

development and acceleration of Fintech<br />

firms as well as the interaction between<br />

investors, entrepreneurs, government<br />

bodies and financial institutions.<br />

BFB, with an area of over 10,000<br />

square feet of usable space, is located in<br />

the Arcapita building overlooking the<br />

waters of Bahrain Bay and the Arabian<br />

Gulf. It comprise state of the art facilities,<br />

co-working spaces, communal areas,<br />

workstations, hot desks, and a variety of<br />

‘MyShare’ Card to<br />

facilitate cash dividend<br />

distribution<br />

Bahrain Clear, a wholly-owned<br />

subsidiary of Bahrain Bourse signed<br />

an agreement with Al Salam Bank-<br />

Bahrain (ASBB) to offer "myShare”, a<br />

card that will be available to all Bahrain<br />

Bourse’s existing investors with a valid<br />

Investor Number (NIN) (account at Bahrain<br />

Bourse). The card will enable Bahrain<br />

Clear to credit cash dividends instantly<br />

into the shareholder’s card balance.<br />

This unique value-added service to<br />

investors, aims to facilitate cash dividend<br />

distribution and make the payment<br />

CBB private network for<br />

Financial institutions<br />

As part of the Central Bank of Bahrain’s<br />

(CBB) efforts to boost the Kingdom's<br />

banking sector and meet the international<br />

Payment and Settlement System<br />

standards, the CBB has launched a secure<br />

private network to connect all Retail<br />

other shared infrastructure, making it<br />

the ideal hub for local and international<br />

corporate innovation labs and FinTech<br />

start-ups to base themselves in.<br />

FinTech Consortium (FTC), through its<br />

subsidiary FinTech Consortium Bahrain,<br />

has been appointed as the operator and<br />

ecosystem builder of Bahrain FinTech<br />

Bay. FTC will apply physical and digital<br />

solutions to manage the hub, as well as<br />

integrate BFB into its numerous FinTech<br />

platforms, including blockchain, insurance<br />

technology, regulatory technology<br />

(RegTech), and others.<br />

BFB will open, ready for business, as<br />

part of FTC’s global network of locations<br />

- New York, Singapore, and now Bahrain<br />

- and work closely with its counterparts<br />

to promote collaboration and shared<br />

innovation.<br />

BFB will work with established<br />

industry leaders and new entrants from<br />

Bahrain, the region and around the<br />

world to drive innovation and create<br />

opportunities for growth.<br />

BFB’s founding partners represent<br />

a broad cross section of Bahraini and<br />

global financial services and technology<br />

process more efficient. The newly<br />

launched card will significantly reduce<br />

the time frame of cash dividend payment<br />

processing which would entail direct<br />

credit of dividends into the card balance.<br />

It will change the traditional process<br />

of distribution and collection of dividend<br />

payments from issuing and collecting<br />

cheques in person or through a registered<br />

Bahrain Clear agent to a fully automated<br />

Banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain with the<br />

CBB. This secure network will act as the<br />

primary communication hub to perform<br />

real-time Inter-Bank payments settlement<br />

(RTGS), while retaining the existing SWIFT<br />

network as a contingency backup.<br />

The introduction of this new<br />

network is a conscious move towards<br />

strengthening the system resiliency<br />

further and aligning it with global Payment<br />

industry leaders. They are collaborating<br />

with BFB in accelerating Bahrain’s<br />

position as a leading regional fintech<br />

hub. International startups already set to<br />

gain from the partners’ expertise at the<br />

fintech co-working hub include US-based<br />

RobustWealth, Offrbox and Sigma Ratings<br />

as well as Jordanian startup, Labiba.<br />

HE Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive<br />

of the Economic Development Board<br />

of Bahrain (EDB) commented at the<br />

opening: “Bahrain Fintech Bay will play<br />

a central role in growing the supportive<br />

ecosystem that is necessary for innovation<br />

to thrive. The facilitation of co-working<br />

and incubation, combined with Bahrain’s<br />

regulatory sandbox and focus on opening<br />

up access to funding, is creating an ideal<br />

environment for startups and corporates to<br />

test and then scale across the region.”<br />

BFB will work with its Founding<br />

Partners to leverage their combined<br />

resources and network to identify,<br />

prioritise and address industry wide<br />

challenges and utilise economics of<br />

scale to implement solutions that bring<br />

innovation that captures the regional<br />

opportunity.<br />

payment process credited directly to the<br />

investor’s card.<br />

The “myShare” card will be issued by<br />

Al Salam Bank-Bahrain in partnership<br />

with Visa, and will be issued to more than<br />

140,000 investors at free of cost.<br />

Investors will benefit from cashless<br />

transactions, an easy-to-use, safe,<br />

secure and widely accepted to over<br />

35 million outlets and over 2 million<br />

ATMs across the globe, wherever the<br />

“Visa” sign is displayed. Besides the<br />

value-added benefits of “myShare” card,<br />

customers will also receive free SMS<br />

alerts, monthly electronic statements<br />

to manage their financial accounts in<br />

addition to a secured online shopping<br />

features through “Verified by Visa”.<br />

System best practices. This strategic move<br />

also supports the required infrastructure<br />

readiness, which can cater for the<br />

introduction of other services with these<br />

Institutions in the future. Moreover, the<br />

network will facilitate the communication<br />

between the Kingdom of Bahrain and<br />

the GCC Real Time Gross Settlement<br />

(RTGS) system, which will soon enter its<br />

implementation phase.<br />

60 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Banking & Finance<br />

BBK launches EFTS service<br />

on all ATMs in Bahrain<br />

BBK being the first in Bahrain to<br />

launch the Electronic Funds Transfer<br />

System (EFTS) service on the bank’s<br />

extensive network of ATMs located<br />

throughout the Kingdom. The EFTS<br />

service, which is currently available on<br />

BBK’s e-Channels including Internet<br />

Banking, Mobile Banking and now<br />

ATMs, make funds transfers and bill<br />

payments even more convenient for BBK<br />

customers.<br />

Providing EFTS service on wide<br />

network of ATMs underscores the<br />

strong positioning of the service, whilst<br />

delivering a faster and more convenient<br />

service to more BBK customers. The<br />

launch of the service will initially offer<br />

Fawri+ and Fawri closely followed<br />

Al Salam Bank ‘Danat Al<br />

Salam’ savings scheme <strong>2018</strong><br />

Al Salam Bank-Bahrain enhanced<br />

investment savings scheme “Danat<br />

Al Salam” for <strong>2018</strong> that was inspired<br />

from Bahrain’s renowned pearl heritage<br />

and offering customers with more<br />

chances to win life changing prizes.<br />

The refreshed Danat Savings Scheme<br />

introduces one of the biggest “Al Dana”<br />

Grand prize worth $1 Million and two<br />

“Al Dana” Grand prizes of $250,000<br />

each to be awarded during the year.<br />

Additionally, Danat Al Salam offers<br />

more opportunities for customers to<br />

win monthly prizes with “Gmash” grand<br />

cash prizes total worth up to $90,000<br />

and “Fusoos” valuable cash prizes total<br />

worth over $40,000. This scheme will<br />

offer customers an attractive monthly<br />

expected annual profit feature on their<br />

investments. Plus, loyal customers will<br />

be rewarded with double chances to win<br />

when keeping their investments for a<br />

by Fawateer, and will provide all of<br />

the same features and benefits as our<br />

Internet and Mobile Banking service.<br />

The Electronic Funds Transfer<br />

System, or EFTS, is an electronic system<br />

that interconnects all retail banks in<br />

Bahrain together and major billers<br />

in the Kingdom in order to enhance<br />

the efficiency of funds transfers and<br />

bill payments. EFTS enhances and<br />

streamlines the movement of funds in<br />

Bahrain. The system comprises three<br />

distinct services including Fawri+, an<br />

almost real-time funds transfer service<br />

which allows individuals or entities to<br />

transfer funds of up to BD 1,000 per day<br />

in less than 30 seconds, 24/7. Fawri is<br />

a deferred settlement funds transfer<br />

service which allows individuals or<br />

entities to transfer any amount of money<br />

within just a few hours of the business<br />

day. Thirdly, Fawateer, groups bills from<br />

multiple billers and presents those<br />

bills to the individuals or entities in a<br />

single interface, providing real-time<br />

bill payments that can easily be settled<br />

within 30 seconds.<br />

The offering of EFTS service<br />

through BBK ATMs is the latest valueadded<br />

service launched by the Bank<br />

in its continued efforts to enhance the<br />

customer experience.<br />

longer period in their Danat Al Salam<br />

account that will entitle them to an<br />

additional entry into the monthly draw.<br />

To be eligible for the prize draw,<br />

customers need to open a Danat savings<br />

account at any Al Salam Bank-Bahrain<br />

branches with a minimum deposit of<br />

BD50 or apply through online product<br />

application service “Apply@Home”<br />

available on the bank’s website. The Danat<br />

Savings scheme draws will be officiated<br />

by representatives from the Ministry of<br />

Industry and Commerce and Tourism<br />

along with the internal and external<br />

auditors and in accordance with Central<br />

Bank of Bahrain and Ministry of Industry<br />

and Commerce and Tourism laws.<br />

BisB and PayPal partner to<br />

expand e-commerce in Bahrain<br />

Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) and<br />

PayPal announced new services<br />

that BisB customers and merchants can<br />

accessed exclusively through BisB’s<br />

online banking and mobile banking<br />

app to get an unprecedented access to<br />

e-commerce and online retailers.<br />

Customers in Bahrain can now<br />

access additional services provided by<br />

BisB and PayPal, one of the world’s most<br />

trusted and innovative online payments<br />

platforms, conveniently through their<br />

mobile device or personal computers.<br />

To connect to PayPal through BisB<br />

digital services, users with a qualified<br />

BisB account need to link such account<br />

to an existing PayPal account or open<br />

one through the app or eBisB.com.<br />

BisB customers can top up their PayPal<br />

accounts using funds from their BisB<br />

bank account, thus introducing a new<br />

way to fund a PayPal transaction in<br />

addition to cards, and withdraw funds<br />

received into their PayPal account to<br />

their BisB bank account through the app<br />

or eBisB.com.<br />

Mr. Hassan Jarrar, BisB CEO said,<br />

“Through this integration with PayPal,<br />

customers in Bahrain gain increased and<br />

more convenient access to the millions<br />

of businesses that accept PayPal in over<br />

200 markets and countries worldwide.<br />

With this new exclusive offering by BisB,<br />

customers now have a choice about the<br />

easiest way to use PayPal.”<br />

Efi Dahan, PayPal General Manager in<br />

Russia, Middle East and Africa. “We see<br />

ourselves committed to make sure we’re<br />

tailoring the experience to their exact<br />

needs, and provide the right services<br />

to optimize their journey as global<br />

customers. Small business owners and<br />

freelancers can also benefit from this<br />

service. As it provides them with new<br />

capabilities toward digital exports by<br />

selling cross border and withdraw their<br />

PayPal funds into their BisB accounts.”<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

61


Banking & Finance<br />

Win iPhone X with<br />

KFH-Bahrain credit cards<br />

Bank of Jordan<br />

strengthens its regional<br />

presence with MENA Hub<br />

Bank of Jordan is proud to announce<br />

that it has obtained regulatory<br />

clearance and license from Central Bank<br />

of Bahrain to operate as a conventional<br />

wholesale bank. Bank of Jordan has<br />

started its operations in Bahrain early<br />

January this year at “Bahrain Financial<br />

Harbor”, the most prestigious business<br />

hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain.<br />

Mr. Fakhouri, Chairman of the<br />

Board of Bank of Jordan said “We chose<br />

Bahrain as our first regional hub due<br />

to its pre-eminent history as being<br />

the center for offshore banking and<br />

recognizing that Central Bank of Bahrain<br />

CrediMax and BENEFIT<br />

roll out unified QR Code<br />

BENEFIT and CrediMax collaborated<br />

to roll out a unified QR Code payment<br />

option where BenefitPay and MaxWallet<br />

customers will be able to complete<br />

payments at registered merchants<br />

through their smartphones.<br />

The MaxWallet and the BenefitPay<br />

applications work with a unified QR code<br />

payment feature, where customers can<br />

use the electronic payment process by<br />

scanning a QR code when purchasing<br />

from any of the registered merchants,<br />

while maintaining all the standards<br />

of safety and security throughout the<br />

whole process.<br />

As part of this agreement,<br />

MaxWallet customers will be able to<br />

complete epayments with all registered<br />

Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain<br />

(KFH-Bahrain) announces the<br />

launch of its latest promotion which<br />

gives new credit card subscribers the<br />

opportunity to enter monthly draws and<br />

win one of 15 iPhone X over a period of 3<br />

months starting from 1st March <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

Executive Manager and Head<br />

of Retail Banking Group, Mr. Khalid<br />

Rafea said: “This campaign comes<br />

inline with our efforts to showcase our<br />

unique banking services as well as<br />

our KFHB credit cards. We would also<br />

has the distinction of being known as<br />

the most respected regulator in the GCC<br />

region. Bahrain is also strategically<br />

located in GCC region and this gives us<br />

the opportunity to expand our wholesale<br />

banking activity and relationships with<br />

the regional banks and corporates.<br />

This milestone not only reflects<br />

merchants of BenefitPay and vice versa.<br />

There is an increased demand and use<br />

of both applications, which positively<br />

reflects the overall customer experience<br />

and the delivery of superior services,<br />

as well as expanding the scope of<br />

business partners registering on both<br />

applications.<br />

“Today, the world is turning to<br />

innovative electronic alternatives<br />

to complete payments in different<br />

businesses. We at BENEFIT strive to<br />

comply with international standards<br />

to provide premium services, further<br />

positioning the Kingdom as a leader<br />

in the industry. We have launched the<br />

BenefitPay application, giving customers<br />

the opportunity to make payments from<br />

all cards through one platform, with<br />

them aim to transform the Kingdom<br />

into a cashless society” said the Chief<br />

Executive Officer of BENEFIT, Mr.<br />

Abdulwahed Al Janahi.<br />

like to wish everyone the best of luck<br />

in the upcoming draws and enjoy the<br />

experience of using our credit cards.”<br />

KFH-Bahrain’s Credit Cards are<br />

Shari’a compliant and are the most widely<br />

accepted in all countries of the world. Card<br />

holders can benefit from access to over<br />

650 airport lounges worldwide, avail of free<br />

supplementary cards, and a repayment<br />

grace period of up to 50 days. In addition,<br />

users will receive free travel insurance,<br />

free cash withdrawals and free Frequent<br />

Flyer miles from their preferred airline.<br />

the growth of our business and the<br />

increasing demand for our innovative<br />

banking and investment services, but<br />

also puts us one step closer to fulfilling<br />

our vision of being the leading bank in<br />

Arab region. As one of the first banks<br />

established in Jordan, with an existing<br />

regional presence both in Palestine and<br />

Syria, our newly added business unit<br />

in Bahrain will expand our wholesale<br />

banking services in the MENA region.”<br />

Bank of Jordan, a well-respected<br />

and leading financial institution in<br />

Jordan was formally founded in 1960<br />

under the regulation of the Central<br />

Bank of Jordan and is listed on Amman<br />

stock exchange. Bank of Jordan has<br />

appointed Mr. Salam Gamoah as its<br />

Chief Executive Officer for its regional<br />

wholesale operations out of Bahrain.<br />

Abdulwahed Al Janahi<br />

Chief Executive Officer, BENEFIT<br />

“Our primary objective in this<br />

agreement is to provide customers with<br />

a wider choice of e-payments through<br />

smartphones. With the expansion of<br />

incentives and targeted awareness<br />

programs, we are confident that<br />

customers will more likely opt for digital<br />

wallets,” Al Janahi added.<br />

62 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

63


Highlights | Telecom<br />

SIM Card Registration,<br />

A positive step to protect<br />

consumers<br />

The process for biometric scans<br />

for SIM Card registration<br />

was introduced by the Bahrain<br />

Telecommunications Regulatory<br />

Authority (TRA) in order to safeguard<br />

the consumers from the risks of<br />

identity theft that could subsequently<br />

result in financial liability and legal<br />

accountability.<br />

Over the past few years. TRA has<br />

observed significant increase in the<br />

cases of Identity thefts through the<br />

exploitation of registration process<br />

for SIM Card. This includes over a<br />

hundred cases of travel bans being<br />

issued for individuals who fell victim<br />

to identity theft, and over 80 cases of<br />

fraud reported by consumers who were<br />

completely unaware of SIM cards that<br />

were registered on their name.<br />

In order to prevent such issues<br />

along with other identity theft related<br />

crimes, and to provide the consumers<br />

with additional safeguards during<br />

SIM-Card registration, TRA requires all<br />

Mobile Operators in the Kingdom of<br />

Bahrain to carry out biometric scans<br />

for every SIM card owner. TRA has<br />

been continuously monitoring the<br />

process of registration and has been<br />

addressing any issues as a matter of<br />

priority.<br />

TRA reminds all consumers of the<br />

upcoming deadline to register their<br />

SIM cards with their service providers.<br />

Postpaid SIM card owners have until<br />

the 2nd of June <strong>2018</strong> to complete<br />

registration before their lines are<br />

suspended temporarily after which<br />

will be deactivated permanently on the<br />

2nd of September <strong>2018</strong> if consumers<br />

fail to register. While Prepaid Sim Card<br />

owners had until the 2nd of March<br />

2019 to complete registration before<br />

their lines are suspended temporarily<br />

later permanent deactivation on the<br />

2nd of June 2019 if not registered.<br />

Physical appearance of consumers is<br />

required to confirm registration along<br />

with verification documents such<br />

as a Passport or Smart ID, and CR for<br />

business owners. Consumers only have<br />

to register their SIM cards once and the<br />

process takes minutes to complete.<br />

Consumers who are over 60 years<br />

old, or with disabilities, or whose<br />

fingerprint impressions cannot be<br />

detected by the fingerprint scanner<br />

which prevent them from completing<br />

the verification scan are considered<br />

exempt from the verification<br />

scanning process and only require<br />

documentation to prove their identity.<br />

Consumers whose fingerprint<br />

doesn’t match with the fingerprint<br />

impression on their smart card, are<br />

requested to update their fingerprint<br />

scan at the Information & eGovernment<br />

Authority’s outlets.<br />

It should be noted that TRA did not<br />

impose any fees for registration.<br />

Batelco launch free<br />

Internet services<br />

Batelco launched its latest initiative<br />

to provide free internet services in<br />

partnership with the Ministry of Works,<br />

Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning<br />

across the Kingdom to include tourist<br />

attractions, public facilities such as<br />

parks, gardens and coastlines.<br />

The service will be available for<br />

all citizens and residents and tourists.<br />

Batelco customers will automatically<br />

connect to the WiFi once they enter the<br />

area that is covered by the services, while<br />

others will be able to access the free<br />

internet through a specialized web page.<br />

Batelco Chairman Shaikh<br />

Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa<br />

stated, “Batelco values the directives<br />

of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa<br />

bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to<br />

Shaikh Mohammed bin<br />

Khalifa Al Khalifa<br />

Chairman, Batelco<br />

provide internet services in public<br />

spaces across the Kingdom of Bahrain<br />

and Batelco is committed towards<br />

providing Smart City solutions to<br />

support the Kingdom’s efforts in<br />

maintaining its position in the global<br />

market place. This initiative reiterates<br />

Batelco’s support and commitment<br />

towards the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.”<br />

Free internet initiative aims to<br />

strengthen the Kingdom’s position as<br />

a leading regional communications<br />

hub, attracting further commercial<br />

investments and attracting more<br />

tourists and visitors to the Kingdom of<br />

Bahrain.<br />

It is worth noting that several<br />

locations already have operational<br />

internet services including the Bahrain<br />

International Circuit, Seef Mall Muharraq<br />

and Seef Mall Seef District, as well<br />

as other commercial complexes. The<br />

service will soon be available in other<br />

key locations across the Kingdom<br />

including Prince Khalifa Park, Al<br />

Estaqaili park in Riffa, A’ali Walkway,<br />

Adhari Park, Tubli Walkway, Al Andalus<br />

Park and Al Salmaniya Park.<br />

64 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Telecom<br />

Batelco Voice over WiFi<br />

In line with its commitment to<br />

enrich customer experience, Batelco<br />

introduced Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi),<br />

as part of the evolution of its network<br />

advancement to support voice services.<br />

Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) taps into<br />

any WiFi connection the customer may<br />

have, delivering seamless calls which<br />

will automatically switch between<br />

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi to<br />

ensure a superior customer experience.<br />

A complementary service to VoLTE,<br />

Voice over WiFi will deliver faster call<br />

setup and superior high-quality (HD)<br />

voice calls. The service is currently<br />

VIVA Bahrain achieves<br />

compliance with IFRS<br />

Ulaiyan Al Wetaid<br />

CEO, VIVA Bahrain<br />

Fostering the development of<br />

Bahrain’s telecom industry and<br />

ensuring adherence to the best global<br />

business codes of practice, VIVA Bahrain<br />

announced its full compliance with<br />

the International Financial Reporting<br />

Standards 15 (IFRS 15) issued by the IFRS<br />

Foundation. Through this, VIVA Bahrain<br />

has also become the first telecom<br />

company in the world to successfully<br />

deploy the IFRS 15 on Cloud Service<br />

accredited by key partner, ORACLE.<br />

applicable to iPhone 6 or later models<br />

with customers required to update their<br />

phone to the latest iOS software to enjoy<br />

the service. Locally, VoWiFi does not<br />

cost any extra; the service consumes<br />

from the customer’s selected package<br />

minute’s allowance.<br />

The voice over WiFi service<br />

is delivered in line with Batelco’s<br />

pioneering role in leading innovation<br />

and transformation for telecom services<br />

in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as<br />

Batelco’s efforts to deliver superior<br />

services providing customers with the<br />

very best mobile experiences.<br />

This latest innovative delivery from<br />

Batelco is in line with the Company’s<br />

goals to deploy the latest technologies to<br />

maintain Bahrain’s strong reputation for<br />

delivering world-class communications<br />

solutions and to guarantee the best<br />

customer experience. A converged<br />

network infrastructure allows Batelco to<br />

maximise its network capabilities and<br />

speed up the deployment of more new<br />

innovative services for its customers.<br />

The standard promulgated the<br />

principles adopted by VIVA when<br />

reporting information about revenue<br />

and cash flows from a contract, aimed at<br />

ensuring the accurate financial reporting<br />

to its stakeholders. IFRS 15 is also known<br />

to provide a common global language for<br />

businesses, making company accounts<br />

understandable and comparable across<br />

international boundaries.<br />

Mr. Ulaiyan Al Wetaid, CEO VIVA<br />

Bahrain said, “This achievement was<br />

only made possible with the tireless<br />

efforts from the teams involved and our<br />

supporting partners.<br />

We are the first telecom company in<br />

the world to be fully compliant with IFRS<br />

15 on Oracle Cloud, which is required<br />

for our statutory financial regulations.<br />

Choosing Oracle Revenue Management<br />

Cloud Service and Oracle Accounting<br />

Hub Reporting Cloud Service, along with<br />

Wipro as an integrator, turned out to be a<br />

great decision for us.”<br />

IFRS 15 has been developed to<br />

harmonise the accounting treatment<br />

across various industries in the world. It<br />

also serves the public interest by building<br />

trust, growth and long-term financial<br />

stability in the economy, a significant<br />

driving force at VIVA Bahrain.<br />

Latest Cloud and Managed<br />

Security services by VIVA<br />

The latest line-up of Cloud and<br />

Managed Security Services<br />

(MSS) for enterprises and key sectors<br />

by VIVA Bahrain demonstrate its<br />

strong capabilities and a robust ICT<br />

infrastructure that supports Bahrain’s<br />

development and growing digital<br />

economy.<br />

VIVA’s MSS solutions included<br />

advanced CCTV analytical systems and<br />

a range of services hosted at Bahrain’s<br />

first ever Cyber Security Centre built<br />

by VIVA. With a dedicated team of<br />

Information Security experts from VIVA<br />

who are available around the clock to<br />

effectively manage, protect and respond<br />

to cyber threats, the MSS solutions are<br />

meant to help enterprises through their<br />

digital transformation.<br />

VIVA’s state-of-the-art Enterprise<br />

Cloud services, highlights the benefits<br />

of deploying cloud-based technologies<br />

and extent of growth and efficiency<br />

it can bring about businesses. Fleet<br />

management solutions and Unified<br />

communication services completed<br />

the suite, making VIVA a one-stopshop<br />

that offers end-to-end ICT<br />

solutions and services designed to<br />

empower enterprises and accelerate the<br />

Kingdom’s digitisation.<br />

VIVA showcased these services<br />

earlier this year at the Bahrain<br />

International Technology Exhibition<br />

(BITEX), Bahrain’s number one annual<br />

tech exhibition held alongside MEET ICT<br />

Conference.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

65


Telecom<br />

Zain and Ericsson<br />

create Roadmap to 5G<br />

Zain Group and Ericsson have signed<br />

MoU to jointly develop and test<br />

selected 5G and Internet of Things (IoT)<br />

cases, demonstrating the commitment<br />

of both companies to bringing next-<br />

Zain Bahrain deploy first<br />

active Cooling enclosure<br />

Zain Bahrain announced that Ericsson’s<br />

state of the art Outdoor Enclosure<br />

6150 HEX/AirCon has been utilized by the<br />

operator to install indoor mobile sites with<br />

shelters and air-conditioning.<br />

The original systems that Zain<br />

Bahrain was using consumed high<br />

amounts of power, and operational costs.<br />

Ericsson’s Enclosure is a multi-purpose<br />

site cabinet, which is designed to support<br />

a multitude of radio equipment, providing<br />

a highly capable power system and<br />

battery back-up; all in a streamlined<br />

design and minimized footprint to support<br />

the cost-efficient expansion of mobile<br />

broadband, as well as aligning with the<br />

Zain Bahrain alerts<br />

subscribers about fraudulent<br />

messages<br />

Zain Bahrain warns customers not<br />

to respond to fraudulent messages<br />

circulated recently over WhatsApp.<br />

The messages inform recipients that<br />

they have won cash prizes from Zain<br />

and ask for personal information such<br />

as CPR numbers. Customers are also<br />

being asked to provide their WhatsApp<br />

verification codes as “confirmation”.<br />

Zain Bahrain Director of Corporate<br />

Communications & Investor Relations<br />

Shaikh Abdulla bin Khaled Al-Khalifa<br />

said: “We would like to remind our users<br />

that Zain Bahrain would never ask you<br />

for your personal information or codes<br />

generation connectivity and its<br />

accompanying benefits to the Middle<br />

East and Africa.<br />

The new partnership will accelerate<br />

digitalization in the region, enabling rapid<br />

deployment of innovative services in the<br />

Internet of Things (IoT) in the coming<br />

years. The agreement covers technical<br />

demonstrations and strengthens technical<br />

cooperation between the two companies<br />

and will ensure smooth 4G to 5G evolution<br />

across Zain’s networks.<br />

Bader Al Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman<br />

and Group CEO says: “Zain is committed<br />

to bringing the latest technology and<br />

cutting-edge services to its customers. 5G<br />

will open the door for new applications<br />

Salah Jalal<br />

Acting Technology Director, Zain Bahrain<br />

national environmental plan which is part<br />

of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.<br />

Salah Jalal, Acting Technology<br />

Director, Zain Bahrain said, “As a futurefocused<br />

corporation, Zain is delighted<br />

by phone, SMS or email. Moreover,<br />

Zain Bahrain would never call you<br />

through applications such as Viber or<br />

WhatsApp. We will always use official<br />

channels to communicate with users.<br />

We are concerned about the safety and<br />

wellbeing of our customers and are<br />

taking our investigation into the matter<br />

very seriously. In the meantime, we urge<br />

our customers to stay safe by ignoring<br />

such requests and reporting them.”<br />

Fraudulent messages to avoid may<br />

include:<br />

• Claims of cash prizes won, ranging<br />

between BD 50 and BD 20,000<br />

• Requests for CPR numbers and<br />

WhatsApp verification codes in<br />

order to win prizes<br />

that will transform consumer behavior<br />

and industries. By introducing these new<br />

technologies, we will enrich the digital<br />

lifestyles of individuals and support the<br />

growth and development of businesses<br />

we serve by creating new opportunities<br />

for them to grow.”<br />

5G technology will enable massive<br />

connectivity and open up new markets<br />

to (IoT). Consumers and enterprises will<br />

be able to take advantage of a seamless<br />

experience on their connected devices;<br />

they will be able to adopt and invest<br />

in new applications such as smart<br />

transportation, connected cars and<br />

appliances, remote health care and<br />

remote control of machinery.<br />

to once again implement Ericsson’s<br />

solutions to enhance our capabilities<br />

and ensure we continue to stay ahead<br />

of the curve both technically and<br />

environmentally as we expand. We look<br />

forward to the ongoing benefits that this<br />

new and improved technology will afford<br />

both our customers and ourselves.”<br />

There is an increased focus on<br />

energy efficiency, with the cost pressure<br />

leading more operators to review their<br />

energy bills, and seeking ways of<br />

reducing their costs. On a network level,<br />

sites are beginning to require intelligent<br />

energy management and traffic control.<br />

Lowering costs was a primary focus<br />

when Ericsson was developing the ERS<br />

6150 Enclosure. This was achieved by<br />

ensuring there are smart requirement<br />

settings and design choices.<br />

• Requests to visit Zain Bahrain’s<br />

main office to collect prizes<br />

Customers are requested to report<br />

fraudulent calls or messages to Zain<br />

Bahrain on 107, and immediately report<br />

them to the Bahrain Cyber Crime<br />

Directorate through 992 or the general<br />

hotline 80008008.<br />

66 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


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March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

67


Highlights | Real Estate<br />

RERA starts operations<br />

Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa<br />

Chief Executive Officer, RERA<br />

Real Estate Regulatory Authority<br />

(RERA) commenced its operations<br />

on 1st March <strong>2018</strong> and initially focuses<br />

on the licensing of real estate service<br />

providers and off-plan sale projects.<br />

RERA Chief Executive Officer<br />

Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-<br />

Khalifa said that the regulatory panel<br />

will be responsible for licensing all<br />

real estate professionals, including<br />

developers, brokers and sales agents,<br />

as well as all developments, including<br />

the advertising of off-plan projects.<br />

He highlighted wider obligations and<br />

requirements, in particular those<br />

relating to the escrow account.<br />

He affirmed that the introduction<br />

of enhanced professional standards is<br />

in the interest of all parties involved<br />

in the real estate sector and individual<br />

development projects. He highlighted<br />

that under Law No. (27) all real estate<br />

professionals must obtain a license<br />

from RERA by 31 August <strong>2018</strong> in order<br />

to avoid being subject to penalties.<br />

In regards to the next phase, RERA<br />

will provide a flexible and efficient<br />

service to ensure that all license<br />

holders can operate effectively.<br />

RERA is in the process of<br />

implementing international best<br />

practices in the field of real estate<br />

development, while ensuring<br />

alignment with the local market. He<br />

noted that RERA board of directors,<br />

which comprises a carefully selected<br />

group of experts, will maximise<br />

coordination between the public and<br />

private sectors while accounting for<br />

the unique challenges of the domestic<br />

real estate market.<br />

He reaffirmed that the board is<br />

committed to supporting Bahrain’s<br />

objective of becoming a leading real<br />

estate investment destination, both<br />

regionally and internationally. He said<br />

that by strengthening the regulatory<br />

framework governing the real estate<br />

sector, Law No. (27) will serve to<br />

identify and prohibit unlicensed real<br />

estate enterprises.<br />

He confirmed that the launch<br />

of RERA represents a significant<br />

milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to<br />

strengthen the rules governing real<br />

estate brokerage, property valuation,<br />

real estate property management,<br />

and owners’ associations and gated<br />

communities.<br />

He added that part of the<br />

Authority’s role will be to provide<br />

best-in-class training and development<br />

programmes for real estate service<br />

providers, increasing professional<br />

standards within the sector to the<br />

benefit of all stakeholders.<br />

“RERA is committed to building a<br />

stronger real estate market. Enhancing<br />

the efficiency of the real estate<br />

sector is our primary focus, and we<br />

are confident that by safeguarding<br />

the interests of consumers,<br />

investors, brokers, developers and<br />

all stakeholders in the market, RERA<br />

will make an important contribution<br />

to Bahrain’s economic growth and<br />

increase foreign investment”, he added.<br />

Information regarding RERA’s<br />

activities is available at<br />

www.rera.gov.bh.<br />

Amlak to redevelop local<br />

markets across Bahrain<br />

Following the successful completion<br />

of Souq Al Buhair’s redevelopment,<br />

Amlak Social Insurance Organization<br />

Development Co., the real-estate arm and<br />

wholly-owned subsidiary of the Social<br />

Insurance Organisation (SIO), announced<br />

its plan to redevelop more local markets<br />

across the Kingdom, which comes in line<br />

with the Company’s strategy to serve<br />

the community and raise the standard<br />

of living.<br />

Amlak is set to transform a total<br />

of 70 shops across three existing<br />

local community markets (Souq Abu<br />

Dhar, Souq Ibn Al Waleed and Souq Al<br />

Madina), which have been selected for<br />

redevelopment based on their popularity<br />

and strategic, vibrant locations that are<br />

easily accessible given their positioning<br />

in high-density areas of Isa town,<br />

Southern Governorate. The redeveloped<br />

markets will raise the standard of retail<br />

offering for the local community by<br />

introducing modern, multi-purpose<br />

facilities with diversified retail shops<br />

aimed to cater to the daily needs of<br />

the neighborhood and surrounding<br />

communities.<br />

Amlak is currently in preparation<br />

to initiate the demolition of the<br />

existing markets in order to commence<br />

construction work by the end of the<br />

second quarter of this year, with the<br />

aim of being operational by 2019.<br />

Amlak’s strategy stems on achieving<br />

tangible benefits through a diversified<br />

portfolio in order to increase revenue<br />

and create sustainable wealth. The<br />

aim is to bridge real estate and market<br />

needs by investing in profitable<br />

development projects.<br />

68 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Real Estate<br />

The Treasure Tower by<br />

Bin Faqeeh<br />

The Treasure Tower, the residential<br />

development by Bin Faqeeh in<br />

Dilmunia, consist of 232 apartments. It<br />

is designed to give a balanced lifestyle<br />

for the residents to have time to spend<br />

on things that truly matter most. The<br />

Treasure offers one bedroom, two<br />

bedrooms, three bedrooms, and penthouse<br />

units. The project offers facilities such<br />

as a unique outdoor infinite swimming<br />

pool, games room, the first fully equipped<br />

arcade room, ladies and gents spa, kids’<br />

play areas, and The Treasure’s very own<br />

Diyar Al Muharraq<br />

projects infrastructure work<br />

on target<br />

Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the<br />

leading urban developers in the<br />

Kingdom of Bahrain, announced that<br />

the infrastructure work within Al Bareh,<br />

one of its most exclusive residential<br />

projects, and secondary stage of the<br />

infrastructural work for Al Qamra, is<br />

on target and well within its expected<br />

timeframe of completion.<br />

Al Bareh with a variety of freehold<br />

seafront offerings is planned and<br />

designed to be one of the leading<br />

developments in Diyar Al Muharraq.<br />

And in line with the Company’s efforts<br />

to carry out the completion of work<br />

on one of its most prestigious projects<br />

at a steady pace while maintaining<br />

its trademark high quality standards,<br />

the infrastructure work for Al Bareh is<br />

presently undergoing an impressively<br />

timed 12 month program with the work<br />

expected to be completed in October <strong>2018</strong><br />

Currently, the secondary<br />

infrastructure work within Al Bareh is<br />

now ongoing and progress is on track at<br />

15%, with the majority of deep services<br />

network being complete.<br />

Al Bareh is composed of 3 main<br />

indoor movie theatre where residents<br />

can bring and entertain their family and<br />

friends. All units in The Treasure have<br />

private balconies with a sea view that will<br />

help you unwind after a hard-working day.<br />

The Treasure is conveniently located<br />

in proximity of the airport not far from<br />

the capital Manama with its financial<br />

district and excellent shopping malls.<br />

The Treasure also provides its residents<br />

with its own health club, aerobics room<br />

and gymnasium to maintain a healthy<br />

lifestyle, as well as female and male<br />

salons. The residents can also relax by<br />

enjoying a cup of coffee while reading a<br />

book in the coffee shop or just by strolling<br />

around the garden.<br />

Bin Faqeeh, recently handover The<br />

Treasure to homeowners. The Treasure<br />

is the first residential development to<br />

be delivered in the township project of<br />

Dilmunia and it is one of the leading<br />

projects by Bin Faqeeh that has witnessed<br />

a huge demand from buyers.<br />

products which include, Sea Front<br />

Residential Plots dedicated to<br />

encompassing high-end villas with<br />

fabulous waterfront views overlooking<br />

the main canal and that are easily<br />

accessible by road, Inner Residential<br />

Plots, within walking distance to<br />

waterfront parks, appropriately<br />

positioned in the heart of Al Bareh,<br />

and Residential Investment Plots, with<br />

access to parks and community facilities,<br />

designated for the construction of<br />

low-rise multi-storey buildings. The Al<br />

Bareh plots are being offered for sale on a<br />

Freehold basis to all nationalities.<br />

Diyar Al Muharraq stated that a<br />

majority of the deep services have been<br />

completed so far, with the current progress<br />

of the infrastructure work at 20%.<br />

Al Qamra encompasses over 131<br />

freehold residential plots tailored for<br />

affordable mid-range housing units, and<br />

is located near Al Naseem, the canal<br />

front residential venture.<br />

Select Property Group<br />

partners with Metropolitan<br />

Holding<br />

Premium British developer, Select<br />

Property Group, has partnered<br />

with Metropolitan Holding, to offer<br />

Bahrain-based investors direct access<br />

to investment opportunities across its<br />

impressive UK portfolio. The move is a<br />

significant step in the expansion of Select<br />

Property Group’s reach to investors across<br />

the GCC, and a successful development in<br />

its relations with prominent real estate<br />

companies in the region.<br />

At an investment seminar, jointly<br />

held by both companies in Manama,<br />

guests were introduced to the benefits of<br />

investing in the UK, and more specifically<br />

Manchester - the city offering the highest<br />

investment yields and capital growth<br />

according to HSBC. Home to a growing<br />

number of students, young professionals<br />

and international brands, Manchester<br />

has one of the UK’s fastest growing<br />

economies, with average rental yields<br />

currently 65% higher than in London.<br />

Investors were also given an insight<br />

into Select Property Group’s investment<br />

opportunities available in Manchester,<br />

including residential projects from<br />

the Group’s brands, Affinity Living and<br />

Origin Homes, plus exclusive access to<br />

the developer’s latest luxury offering,<br />

CitySuites 2, which launches next month.<br />

CitySuites 2 is the second release<br />

from Manchester’s number one serviced<br />

apartment brand, offering a guaranteed<br />

rental yield of 7% for 2-years. Properties<br />

are also fully managed, making it an<br />

ideal investment for overseas buyers.<br />

Luay Cheblak of Metropolitan<br />

Holding said: “We are delighted to have<br />

secured this partnership with Select<br />

Property Group, allowing us to offer<br />

local and expat investors in Bahrain<br />

unbeatable investment opportunities<br />

in the UK.”<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

69


Real Estate<br />

Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain<br />

Impact Estate launches<br />

new international investment<br />

projects<br />

Jumeirah Royal Saray, Jumeirah<br />

Group’s first hotel in the Kingdom of<br />

Bahrain opened in Seef district reflect<br />

the Kingdom’s perfect environment<br />

and potential in the sectors of tourism<br />

and hospitality, thus earning a<br />

marked standing on the regional and<br />

international tourism map.<br />

Jumeirah Royal Saray offers a new<br />

wave of understated luxury on a private<br />

beach in the northern coastal Seef<br />

district. Architecturally inspired by<br />

traditional Bahraini summerhouses, the<br />

hotel blend history and modern culture<br />

with a chic dining, spa and pool scene.<br />

The new 174 room hotel features<br />

stunning rooms, unique summerhouses<br />

and royal residences, poolside cabanas<br />

and an upscale casual and trendy<br />

restaurant. A spectacular lounge, ‘The<br />

Palm Lounge’ overlooks the turquoise<br />

blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, serving<br />

world class coffee by Colombian baristas<br />

and French Patisserie. The Al Hadiqa<br />

pool cabanas offers guests fresh blended<br />

cocktails in a Mediterranean ambience<br />

complete with ancient olive trees that<br />

adorn the pool.<br />

Indoor and outdoor meeting spaces<br />

accommodate more than 400 people and<br />

Talise, Jumeirah’s own brand, offer a wide<br />

range of signature treatments from a<br />

destination Spa, sitting in its own wing.<br />

Additinally, PLAY Restaurant &<br />

Lounge a Dubai concept by acclaimed<br />

chef Reif Othman, recently voted as the<br />

‘Restaurant Of The Year’ with Timeout<br />

Restaurant Awards for Play Dubai, brings<br />

a unique experience within the hotel.<br />

The hotel will become a key reason<br />

for international visitors to discover<br />

Bahrain, an ideal destination for a<br />

weekend escape for visitors from across<br />

the GCC, and a gastronomic hotspot in<br />

the city. This landmark, understated<br />

luxury hotel will have great appeal to<br />

the growing number of tourists visiting<br />

Bahrain every year and become a<br />

particular favorite of Bahrain residents.<br />

The design of guest rooms within<br />

Jumeirah Royal Saray pays homage to<br />

the Bahraini pearl diving industry with<br />

the colours of nacres (mother of pearl),<br />

silvers, and shimmering ocean blue<br />

tones. Across the resort, patterns from<br />

traditional and royal houses including<br />

‘The House of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al<br />

Khalifa’ feature heavily in furniture,<br />

glass and ornate details. In addition to<br />

Bahraini heritage, the design brings<br />

together curated materials from all over<br />

the world, including hand-blown glass<br />

chandeliers in every bathroom from the<br />

Czech Republic; five different types of<br />

Italian marble; and gold and silver foiled<br />

walls by master French artisans.<br />

Reservations are open via www.<br />

jumeirah.com, through Jumeirah’s<br />

reservation centre and partner agents.<br />

Impact Estate w.l.l. showcased new<br />

international investment projects at<br />

the first Bahrain Property Brokerage<br />

Expo. The expo was organized for the<br />

first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain<br />

under the patronage of His Excellency<br />

Eng. Esam bin Abdullah Khalaf, Minister<br />

of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban<br />

Planning.<br />

During the two-days property<br />

show Impact Estate team present new<br />

affordable investment opportunities.<br />

The showcased projects include the<br />

fully managed student accommodation<br />

located in the United Kingdom, the<br />

Liverpool-based residential towers with<br />

a guaranteed annual income and other<br />

lucrative hassle-free investment offers.<br />

Ms. Patricia Powell, Head of<br />

international Properties Department<br />

said, “The property market of Bahrain<br />

will definitely benefit from these kind of<br />

events, which will help to bring together<br />

the investors and property professionals.<br />

At Impact Estate we keep extending our<br />

portfolio to be able to offer our clients<br />

new exciting investment opportunities.”<br />

Additionally, during the Property<br />

Expo Impact Estate presented other<br />

company’s services including property<br />

and facility management, maintenance,<br />

relocation and brokerage.<br />

The company’s expertise covers<br />

project marketing including feasibility<br />

studies, market assessment and project<br />

launching, property and building<br />

management together with rental<br />

activities and tenancy management,<br />

commercial and residential property<br />

brokerage as well as relocation. Impact<br />

Estate over the years has successfully<br />

completed numerous projects worth in<br />

excess of US$ 200 million.<br />

70 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Bahrain’s leading investment opportunity<br />

Diyar Al Muharraq is located on the northern edge of the city of Muharraq, occupying<br />

a vast area of more than 10 square kilometers. Upon completion, Diyar Al Muharraq<br />

is envisioned to be a comprehensive, fully integrated modern city, encompassing<br />

6 islands and 40 kilometers of waterfront.<br />

For more information on investment enquiries<br />

please contact us on 80008880.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

71


Highlights | Technology<br />

Cyber Safety for Kids<br />

There has never been a more important<br />

time to truly educate children about<br />

online safety and the dangers of the online<br />

world than now. Our connected lifestyles<br />

have given room for a lot of dangers<br />

out there. Among the main threats are<br />

cyberbullying, inordinate disclosure of<br />

personal information and general rules<br />

of online behavior. Children should be<br />

aware of these threats on the Internet and<br />

effective ways to respond to them.<br />

All of the mentioned threats represent<br />

a real danger not only for the global<br />

community, but also for Bahrain pupils<br />

in particular. According to a survey<br />

conducted by The Telecommunications<br />

Regulatory Authority, about 38% of<br />

young people in Bahrain have faced<br />

cyberbullying, which represents the<br />

biggest cyber threat to young people in<br />

the region. The second most worrying<br />

problem is the danger associated with<br />

meeting strangers online. The percentage<br />

of such encounters has significantly<br />

dropped, however it remains at an<br />

alarming 16%.<br />

Bahrain Telecommunications<br />

Regulatory Authority (TRA) and Kaspersky<br />

Lab have done a series of interactive<br />

cybersecurity roadshows in schools in<br />

Bahrain aimed at raising awareness about<br />

these threats.<br />

Kaspersky Lab’s findings are in line<br />

with the TRA survey. According to KSN<br />

data, 81% of children in Bahrain actively<br />

spend time socializing online, which<br />

includes both the usage of social networks<br />

and various messengers, exposing<br />

them to all the threats associated with<br />

these services. Every third parent (32%)<br />

interviewed globally fears that their<br />

child is at risk of becoming a victim<br />

of cyberbullying. The same number of<br />

respondents are afraid of the dangers<br />

that can await children when dealing<br />

with strangers. At the same time, 7% of<br />

respondents are aware of cases when their<br />

children have suffered from cyberbullying<br />

and communicated with suspicious<br />

strangers. Such discrepancy between the<br />

real rate of cyberbullying and the share<br />

of cases that become known to parents<br />

indicates that this and other threats can<br />

be more significant than they seem at first<br />

glance.<br />

To help children avoid the threats<br />

associated with social networks, it is<br />

recommend that "friends" should only<br />

be those who are known personally.<br />

Even then, children should not publish<br />

too much personal information online -<br />

information could be used by predators if<br />

they hijack one of their friend’s accounts.<br />

There also have been several warning<br />

signs identified that will help parents<br />

identify if their child is experiencing<br />

troubles on social media:<br />

Sudden changes in mood for no<br />

apparent reason; Changing the style of use<br />

of their digital device and social networks<br />

(for example, the child begins to wake up<br />

at night to go online); A sharp increase<br />

or decrease in the number of "friends" in<br />

their social network; The appearance of<br />

"friends" with a big age difference; Abusive<br />

images and messages on the child's social<br />

media page; The child deletes their page<br />

on social networks.<br />

Maria Namestnikova, Children’s online<br />

safety expert at Kaspersky Lab says:<br />

“At first glance, online communication<br />

may seem like a safe environment, as a<br />

certain distance is maintained between<br />

both sides. But, this environment has<br />

now reached such a scale and diversity<br />

that its dangers are almost identical to<br />

those of the real world - sometimes it is<br />

not entirely clear which world is more<br />

“real”. The bad news is that some of these<br />

threats have migrated to the web from<br />

real life and therefore cannot be defeated<br />

entirely. However, the good news is we can<br />

teach children to withstand these threats,<br />

primarily by educating them. And what<br />

place better than school for educating?<br />

Although, it should be noted that many<br />

online threats can also be neutralized by<br />

specialized security solutions.”<br />

Increasing digital ad<br />

revenue<br />

Digital subscription revenues are<br />

increasing globally on average, but<br />

many publishers are finding that those<br />

increases do not match the level of<br />

decline they are experiencing from Print<br />

decline, so for many digital advertising<br />

has become even more crucial in filling<br />

the void.<br />

Few simple ideas to help increase<br />

revenue potentials on the advertising<br />

side of the business.<br />

Interactivity: Clickable ads are a must,<br />

give your advertiser analytics on exactly<br />

how their adverts are performing and<br />

how many people are being redirected,<br />

arm them with the information that only<br />

a digital platform can give. Push more on<br />

the digital video advertising to its limits,<br />

as the trend will continue.<br />

Ad spacings: Optimize your adverts<br />

to show in the best format possible<br />

regardless of the viewing device, serve<br />

campaigns regularly, and if you do not<br />

have an advertiser to showcase, use the<br />

space to push your internal products!<br />

Sponsorship: Look for sponsors for<br />

your digital versions, wheter it’s on an<br />

edition or time based basis, invest your<br />

advertisers into your digital, by making<br />

them sponsored advertisers. Ad their<br />

logos to your splash screen and menus,<br />

even place on middle page swipes.<br />

Digital Only: Stop selling digital<br />

advertising as a bolt on to your print<br />

placements, brands such as New York<br />

Times, Financial Times are all now<br />

generating more revenue from digital<br />

than print products, and they all sell<br />

Digital only ads, respect the audience<br />

power of your adverts, treat them as<br />

their own unique product, and watch the<br />

revenues increase.<br />

Educate your readers: In 2017 we noticed<br />

a definite trend of readers becoming<br />

more acceptant of advertising, so<br />

produce higher quality journalism.<br />

72 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Technology<br />

The Smart Hotel of<br />

the future<br />

Regardless of the size or type of<br />

property, every hotel operator<br />

in Bahrain that wants to remain<br />

competitive and relevant will have<br />

to embrace IoT devices, and related<br />

wireless innovations over the next<br />

year to enable next-generation guest<br />

experiences.<br />

Technology and the Millennials<br />

Rapid advances and disruptive<br />

technology is a constant challenge,<br />

where Artificial Intelligence (AI),<br />

wearable technology and Virtual Reality<br />

(VR) will become the norm when it<br />

comes to how potential guests search<br />

for and experience a trip. The smart<br />

‘hotel of the future’ will have access<br />

to these technologies which have the<br />

ability to accelerate service, personalise<br />

the guest experience, build resource<br />

allocations to support guest requests,<br />

enable preventative maintenance and<br />

improve employee productivity. Mobile<br />

and keyless check-in options, mobile<br />

key access, digital in-room controls,<br />

virtual reality for booking, and advanced<br />

energy conservation systems will<br />

become the norm.<br />

The whole experience right from<br />

booking to checkout is expected to be<br />

seamless and flawless with as little<br />

direct human interaction or contact<br />

as possible. Hotel operators will have<br />

to take this into consideration in the<br />

design stages of their hotels. A fully<br />

automated mobile payment system,<br />

via an online payment gateway using<br />

smartphones along with robust cyber<br />

security and tokenized payment<br />

methods ensuring complete security<br />

of guest credit card data, is becoming<br />

essential for an excellent guest<br />

experience at the booking stage.<br />

Artificial Intelligence and Hotels<br />

From booking engines to chatbots<br />

and voice command software for room<br />

allocations is in fact a reality today.<br />

Customer facing AI robotic concierges<br />

and luggage handlers (already<br />

operational in some Aloft hotels) are<br />

getting a lot of media attention.<br />

BLE Beacons<br />

By deploying Bluetooth-enabled IoT<br />

Beacon sensors along with the latest<br />

location-aware mobility and analytics<br />

innovations throughout the property,<br />

guests can be automatically recognized<br />

and registered as soon as they step onto<br />

the hotel premise, eliminating the stop<br />

at the registration desk and creating the<br />

same experience of walking in through<br />

the door at home. As they proceed<br />

through the lobby, they can receive an<br />

automated update, via the hotel’s mobile<br />

app, on the status of their room. If the<br />

room is being cleaned or is unavailable<br />

for some other reason, the same<br />

technology can offer them a discount on<br />

a snack or free cocktail in the lounge.<br />

When the guests head for their room,<br />

they don’t have to carry with them a<br />

key card. Keyless entry via smartphone<br />

is the future - much more convenient<br />

than using a magnetic swipe card. A<br />

“key” with an encrypted code is sent via<br />

a push notification by the hotel to the<br />

guest’s phone, along with a message<br />

about the room number. The hotel room<br />

door unlocks when the smartphone with<br />

the code is held near it.<br />

Advanced in-room controls are<br />

another technology of the future. The<br />

moment the guest enters the room,<br />

without any switches being touched,<br />

sensors turn the lights and the air<br />

conditioning on and open the curtains.<br />

Once in the room, the hotel’s<br />

IoT-enabled and location-aware<br />

infrastructure will work in other ways.<br />

For example, it can permit guests to<br />

stream personal content onto their inroom<br />

television while using the hotel’s<br />

mobile app to schedule a massage in<br />

the spa and order a beverage to arrive<br />

pool side the same time as they do. As<br />

wireless solutions advance, expect even<br />

more options, such as using a mobile<br />

device to project a preferred fitness<br />

routine onto a full-length mirror.<br />

Hotels can boost revenue by sending<br />

push notifications via BLE beacons to<br />

guest devices that are connected to the<br />

hotel’s Wi-Fi - without invading privacy<br />

by promoting offers that are relevant<br />

to the guest’s interests, needs and<br />

preference as they wander around the<br />

property. Geofencing using the wireless<br />

network allows property owners to know<br />

where the guest is in the property and<br />

when they pass a particular beacon they<br />

can receive a personalized message,<br />

coupon, loyalty points, etc. Data<br />

analytics will be the secret sauce here.<br />

Property owners can deploy<br />

navigation features within the hotel’s<br />

mobile app to guide guests to food<br />

and beverage and all amenities in the<br />

propery as an option, again using BLE<br />

beacons.<br />

Asset Tags<br />

Luggage cart delay is often the<br />

case of guest frustration. Cost-effective<br />

asset tracking technologies via asset<br />

tags added to a location-based solution<br />

can enable hotel staff, or even guests,<br />

to locate carts for quick retrieval on<br />

the hotel’s mobile app. Another use<br />

case could be that the asset tag is used<br />

to track how long an asset remains<br />

stationary.<br />

IoT Security Innovations<br />

IoT-enabled systems must also<br />

be secure. Advanced IoT security<br />

options include the ability to group<br />

connected IoT devices into “zones” for<br />

segregating them on the network and<br />

then applying different sets of security<br />

policies. Solutions that infuse real-time<br />

intelligence, advanced analytics and<br />

AI-based machine learning can spot<br />

changes - at millisecond speeds - in user<br />

or device behaviour that may indicate a<br />

security breach and affected devices can<br />

then be automatically quarantined and<br />

an alert sent to a designated human to<br />

investigate.<br />

In conclusion, one thing for sure<br />

is that the hospitality industry has an<br />

exciting future given the continuous<br />

evolution of technology as discussed<br />

above.<br />

By: Graeme Kane, Hospitality Business<br />

Development Manager, Middle East,<br />

Mediterranean and Africa at Aruba, a Hewlett<br />

Packard Enterprise company<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

73


Technology<br />

Samsung Galaxy S9<br />

and S9+<br />

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, the<br />

smartphones that reimagine the<br />

way people communicate, share and<br />

experience the world. Made for an<br />

age in which consumers increasingly<br />

communicate and express themselves<br />

more with images, videos and emojis, the<br />

Galaxy S9 and S9+ drive innovation with<br />

Samsung’s advanced camera. Redesigned<br />

with a new Dual Aperture lens that<br />

powers an innovative low light camera,<br />

Super Slow-mo video capabilities and<br />

personalized AR Emoji, the Galaxy S9 and<br />

S9+ ensure users do not miss a moment<br />

and make their everyday epic.<br />

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ deliver an<br />

enhanced entertainment experience with<br />

powerful stereo speakers tuned by AKG,<br />

immersive audio with Dolby Atmos®<br />

giving the effect of 360-degree sound and a<br />

refined edge-to-edge Infinity Display - a key<br />

staple in Samsung’s design heritage.<br />

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ cameras are<br />

built with a Super Speed Dual Pixel sensor<br />

with dedicated processing power and<br />

memory to take amazing shots with high<br />

photo quality. The Galaxy S9 and S9+’s<br />

camera features include:<br />

Super Slow-mo, dynamic, slowmotion<br />

video that captures 960 frames per<br />

second, automatic Motion Detection, an<br />

intelligent feature that detects movement<br />

in the frame and automatically begins to<br />

record - all users have to do is set up the<br />

shot. After capturing the Super Slow-mo<br />

video, users can select background music<br />

from 35 different options or add a tune<br />

from their favorite playlist. Users can also<br />

easily create, edit and share GIF files with a<br />

simple tap in three playful styles of looping<br />

to watch the action over and over again.<br />

Low Light Camera, Samsung’s Dual<br />

Aperture (F1.5 / F2.4) automatically lets<br />

in more light when it’s dark and less light<br />

when it’s too bright, taking photos that are<br />

crisp and clear.<br />

AR Emoji, lets users create an emoji<br />

that looks, sounds and acts like them in<br />

more than 100 facial feature to create 2D<br />

and 3D image. AR Emoji shares users’<br />

real-life emotions not only in video but<br />

also with a range of stickers and uses a<br />

standard AGIF file format so users can<br />

share their emojis across most thirdparty<br />

messaging platforms.<br />

Bixby, Samsung’s intelligence<br />

platform, integrated into the camera, uses<br />

augmented reality and deep learning<br />

technologies to provide helpful information<br />

about a user’s surroundings. With real-time<br />

object detection and recognition, Bixby<br />

instantly generates information directly on<br />

top of the image that the camera is pointing<br />

at. Users can translate foreign languages<br />

and currency in real time with Live<br />

Translation, learn about their surroundings<br />

and track calories throughout the day.<br />

Samsung DeX empowers a mobile<br />

lifestyle by bringing a large, full-screen<br />

experience to the mobile handset. With<br />

the DeX Pad, a new docking system, users<br />

can easily connect the Galaxy S9 and S9+<br />

to a larger monitor, keyboard and mouse<br />

to expand the mobile experience with<br />

enhanced document editing or even fullscreen<br />

gaming. Users can also transform<br />

the Galaxy S9 and S9+ into a Touch Pad<br />

with the DeX Pad.<br />

Samsung sets the gold standard for<br />

smartphones with IP68 water and dust<br />

resistance and wireless charging and<br />

goes a step beyond with the Galaxy S9 and<br />

S9+. The devices now support expandable<br />

memory of up to 400GB with a Micro SD<br />

Card and secured by by Knox 3.1, Samsung’s<br />

latest defense-grade security platform. The<br />

Galaxy S9 and S9+ support three different<br />

biometric authentication options - iris,<br />

fingerprint, and facial recognition - so<br />

users can choose the way they want to<br />

protect their device and applications. It also<br />

provides richer, more accurate information<br />

on users’ health status with built in<br />

improved optical sensor.<br />

Users in Bahrain will be able to enjoy<br />

many exclusive offers and benefits, through<br />

Samsung Members app and Galaxy<br />

ENTERTAINER service.<br />

Launched by Samsung Gulf Electronics<br />

Co. Galaxy S9 and S9+ are available across<br />

major retailers and Samsung brand shops<br />

in Bahrain in Midnight Black, Titanium<br />

Grayand a new hue, Lilac Purple. The price<br />

for both smartphones is in the range of BD<br />

315 to BD 395.<br />

Microsoft launches<br />

Surface laptop in Bahrain<br />

Microsoft announced the general<br />

availability of the Surface Laptop<br />

across Bahrain. The perfect productivity<br />

companion for everyone, from students<br />

to boardroom executives, the Surface<br />

Laptop is the optimal blend of all the<br />

features that Microsoft customers have<br />

been asking - combining form and<br />

function, power and portability, security<br />

and performance.<br />

Powered by Windows 10, the<br />

Surface Laptop weighs in at just 2.76lbs,<br />

measures 14.47mm at its thickest point<br />

and comes with a 7th-generation Intel®<br />

Core processor and more battery power<br />

allowing 14.5 continuous hours of video<br />

playback. Memory options extend to<br />

16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage.<br />

The Surface Laptop brings together<br />

the best innovations from across the<br />

Surface family. Battery life, display<br />

quality, storage capacity and mobility<br />

take central roles in the device designed<br />

for a range of lifestyles. It is an ideal<br />

choice for students, whether in school<br />

or college. For business users, eager<br />

to compete in the nation’s growing<br />

economic climate, the Surface Laptop<br />

can play a key role in the intelligent edge<br />

of a computing environment.<br />

With a brilliant 13.5-inch PixelSense<br />

Display and composed of edge-to-edge<br />

Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, Surface<br />

laptop has the market’s thinnest LCD<br />

touch screen display, with 3.4m pixels,<br />

each colour-calibrated to give a vibrant,<br />

immersive canvas. And the Alcantara®coated<br />

keyboard with soft palm rest gives<br />

a new level of typing comfort during<br />

the school or a work day. The device<br />

comes in an array of striking colours and<br />

finishes including Platinum, Graphite<br />

Gold, Cobalt Blue and Burgundy.<br />

Surface Laptop can be found at all<br />

major electronic retail stores and with<br />

commercial resellers across Bahrain<br />

with prices starting at BHD 444.<br />

74 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

75


Highlights | Automotive<br />

The Ferrari 488 Pista<br />

The Ferrari 488 Pista is powered by<br />

the most powerful V8 engine in the<br />

Maranello marque’s history and is the<br />

company’s special series sports car with<br />

the highest level yet of technological<br />

transfer from racing.<br />

Technically, the Ferrari 488 Pista<br />

encompasses all of the experience built<br />

up on the world’s circuits by the 488<br />

Challenge and the 488 GTE. The new car’s<br />

engine adopts numerous solutions from<br />

that of the 488 Challenge and its power<br />

output has been increased to 720 cv. It<br />

is also lighter, thanks to new titanium<br />

con-rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums.<br />

The inverted radiator cooling system is<br />

also derived from the Challenge with the<br />

radiators raked rearwards, improving<br />

cooling and maintaining optimal<br />

performance levels even in high thermal<br />

stress situations.<br />

The car’s aerodynamics are derived<br />

from both the 488 GTE and from Formula<br />

1, specifically the S-Duct at its front, the<br />

rear spoiler and diffuser profiles which<br />

boost efficiency by 20% compared to<br />

the 488 GTB. Other solutions have been<br />

carried over from the track to shave off<br />

further weight, including the lithium<br />

battery (from the 488 Challenge) and also<br />

the new carbon-fibre wheel rims - a first<br />

for Ferrari. The overall result is that the<br />

488 Pista is an impressive 90 kg lighter<br />

Lexus RX350L 7-seater<br />

arrives at E.K. Kanoo<br />

Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the sole distributor<br />

of Lexus in the Kingdom of Bahrain,<br />

has revealed the <strong>2018</strong> Lexus RX350L, the<br />

all new expanded 7-seater version of the<br />

highly successful RX350.<br />

The stylish and dynamically designed<br />

luxury crossover has now been expanded<br />

by 110mm, granting the interior a more<br />

spacious feel and a full third row for extra<br />

passengers, added comfort and a more<br />

spacious luggage compartment.<br />

The RX350L introduces a “Walk-in<br />

than the 488 GTB.<br />

The vehicle dynamics were designed<br />

for unique driving feedback and to make<br />

the car’s full potential available to all<br />

drivers, professional or otherwise. Specific<br />

vehicle controls were developed with this<br />

in mind, first and foremost being a new<br />

oversteer management system usable<br />

in the manettino’s CT-OFF position and<br />

designed to make the car’s performance<br />

on the limit easier to reach and control.<br />

A new gear-shift strategy in the<br />

RACE position delivers a far more<br />

sporty experience, very similar to that<br />

of a track car.<br />

The Ferrari 488 Pista’s extreme<br />

design is underlined by the optional<br />

livery that highlights the aerodynamic<br />

innovation of the S-Duct. The car’s<br />

lines were developed to underscore its<br />

sporty soul and cleverly combine the<br />

purity of the 488 GTB with some of the<br />

hugely successful racing and functional<br />

elements of the 488 GTE and 488<br />

Challenge while staying true to Ferrari’s<br />

traditional styling.<br />

Mode”, an easily accessible lever on the<br />

side of the second row seats to slide them<br />

forward or, alternativley, folded forward<br />

for easy access to the third row. It also<br />

provides a flat, gap-free luggage space<br />

regardless of the third row being used or<br />

stowed to provide ample room for different<br />

confirgurations. The new row also has<br />

its own air conditioner control panel and<br />

vents to allow occupants the comfort and<br />

ease of access from their own seats.<br />

Lexus is all about providing customers<br />

and occupants with greater experience<br />

and this expanded version of the ever<br />

popular RX350 solidifies this with its new<br />

features. The new third row puts this<br />

model in a new class, catering to bigger<br />

families and customers who want the<br />

outstanding design, confident drive and<br />

state of the art technology that Lexus is<br />

renowned for, coupled with more space<br />

and comfort for everyone on board.<br />

Infiniti QX80<br />

Further advancing INFINITI’s marketleading<br />

presence in the full-size luxury<br />

SUV segment, the QX80 takes INFINITI’s<br />

‘Powerful Elegance’ design language in a<br />

bold new direction, creating a powerful,<br />

contemporary and commanding aesthetic.<br />

The new model has been created<br />

to meet the needs of today’s luxury car<br />

buyers, and introduces a more modern<br />

interpretation of upscale luxury to the fullsize<br />

SUV segment. It will appeal to a buyer<br />

that wants for nothing: affluent, highachieving<br />

entrepreneurs and business<br />

leaders, often with families, who demand<br />

space and utility, hand-crafted quality and<br />

modern design, and effortless on-road<br />

performance.<br />

The QX80 has a refined and spacious<br />

cabin that features high-quality<br />

materials, a hand-crafted finish and<br />

advanced drive-assist technologies.<br />

With a taut yet comfort-oriented<br />

suspension, and ample performance<br />

from its 5.6-liter V8 engine, the new<br />

QX80 gives drivers an assured feeling of<br />

control and confidence at the wheel.<br />

The QX80’s rear entertainment<br />

system has also been upgraded. Higherresolution<br />

screens provide the interface<br />

for connectivity and entertainment<br />

devices. The system also now supports<br />

31 languages, up from three in the<br />

outgoing QX80.<br />

The QX80 is newly-available with a<br />

range of technologies to inform the driver<br />

of their surroundings, help them avoid<br />

potential hazards and ease the monotony<br />

of driving in certain conditions. These<br />

technologies include: Lane Departure<br />

Warning and Prevention, Intelligent Cruise<br />

Control, Distance Control Assist, Predictive<br />

Forward Collision Warning, Forward<br />

Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning<br />

and Intervention and Backup Collision<br />

Intervention.<br />

76 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Automotive<br />

Porsche Cayenne set<br />

to continue Success Story<br />

The latest generation of Porsche’s<br />

successful SUV models Cayenne and<br />

Cayenne S is now available in Porsche<br />

Centre Bahrain.<br />

A bold new with increased length<br />

and lower height, pronounced bonnet,<br />

redesigned headlight contour and<br />

trademark large air intakes underline the<br />

Cayenne’s improved driving dynamics<br />

from the front. Narrower side windows,<br />

a redesigned rear wing, wide rear end<br />

with integrated light strip and wider alloy<br />

wheels further enhance and emphasise its<br />

sports car genes.<br />

The new Cayenne offers a spacious<br />

cabin, with luggage compartment has<br />

been increased by 100 litres, meanwhile<br />

the Porsche Advanced Cockpit concept<br />

increase connectivity and intuitive<br />

controls. The centre console with<br />

Direct Touch Control and a new 12.3-<br />

inch touch display for the Porsche<br />

Communication Management (PCM) act<br />

as the driver’s interface to all vehicle<br />

functions. PCM can be configured for<br />

up to six individual profiles to store a<br />

large number of interior settings, as<br />

well as specifications for lights, driving<br />

programmes and assistance systems.<br />

A true all-rounder, five preprogrammed<br />

drive and chassis modes can<br />

be activated in accordance to the terrain<br />

via the PCM. As well as the default Onroad<br />

programme, drivers can choose between<br />

Mud, Gravel, Sand and Rocks settings to<br />

adapt to the relevant conditions.<br />

The new lightweight chassis of the<br />

Cayenne has been completely redesigned<br />

from scratch to deliver the optimum<br />

balance between sporty performance and<br />

comfort, and contributes to an overall<br />

weight saving of up to 65 kilograms<br />

despite an extended range of standard<br />

equipment. The Porsche Surface Coated<br />

Brakes, make a global debut and offer<br />

improved responsiveness as well as an up<br />

to 30% longer service life.<br />

For the first time, the Cayenne is<br />

available with rear-axle steering as an<br />

option, and a mixed tyre configuration.<br />

The tyres are also larger than before,<br />

ranging from 19 to 21 inches.<br />

The six-cylinder turbo engine of<br />

the Cayenne delivers 450 Nm of torque<br />

and 340 hp, a 40 hp increase on its<br />

predecessor. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.2<br />

seconds, or just 5.9 seconds with the<br />

optional Sport Chrono Package, and has a<br />

top speed of 245 km/h.<br />

The Cayenne S is powered by a<br />

2.9-litre, biturbo-charged V6 engine with<br />

440 hp (an increase of 20 hp) and 550<br />

Nm of torque. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.2<br />

seconds (4.9 seconds with the optional<br />

Sport Chrono Package) and boasts a top<br />

speed of 265 km/h.<br />

BMW X2 available at<br />

Euro Motors<br />

The BMW X2 is the first Sports<br />

Activity Coupe from BMW in the<br />

premium compact segment. The BMW<br />

X2 melds unique and extrovert design<br />

with excellent everyday practicality<br />

and offers great functionality. A host of<br />

design details underscore the distinctive<br />

character of the BMW X2. These include<br />

the BMW roundel on the C-pillars and the<br />

styling of the kidney grille, whose outline<br />

is wider at its base than at its top. In<br />

addition, a much-loved detail of classical<br />

BMW coupes, such as the 2000 CS and 3.0<br />

CSL, is back: the additional BMW roundel<br />

on the C-pillars. It highlights the sporting<br />

Hyundai Santa Fe<br />

showcase a striking SUV<br />

DNA of the BMW X2. The car is also<br />

shorter and more than seven centimetres<br />

lower than the BMW X1 yet has the same<br />

wheelbase.<br />

The new BMW X2 appeals primarily<br />

to a young and young-at-heart, urban and<br />

active target group who are keen to see<br />

their personal character reflected on the<br />

road through an emotionally-engaging<br />

car. Plus, the M Sport X model is available<br />

for the first time and allows owners to<br />

make the character of their BMW X2 even<br />

more individual. This specific model has<br />

its stylistic roots in classic circuit racing.<br />

The body coloured side skirts with an<br />

inlay in Dark Shadow metallic brings the<br />

car visually closer to the road. The front<br />

and rear bumpers feature a particularly<br />

dynamic and eye-catching design. Added<br />

Hyundai Motor Company unveiled its<br />

first rendering of the upcoming All-<br />

New Santa Fe, showcasing a luxurious<br />

and striking design based on its robust,<br />

stylish and voluminous composition,<br />

which reflects Hyundai’s new SUV<br />

design identity.<br />

The exterior rendering highlights<br />

the magnificent frontal section of the<br />

All-New Santa Fe. Introducing a large<br />

cascading grille complimented by a<br />

to which, the large diffuser insert in the<br />

rear apron and the styling element in the<br />

front apron sport a Dark Shadow metallic<br />

finish, which lends the exterior an<br />

added touch of class and creates a cool,<br />

technical look.<br />

The BMW X2 is available in the Euro<br />

Motors BMW showroom, the importers of<br />

the brand, priced at BD 17,995.<br />

separate headlight system featuring<br />

divided daytime running lights (DRLs)<br />

and main lamps. Combined they create a<br />

unique, futuristic look.<br />

The side rendering showcases the<br />

vehicle’s dynamic characteristics.<br />

A simple yet sleek roof line and the<br />

side character line running from the<br />

headlights to the taillights merge to form<br />

a harmonious look and feel.<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

77


Automotive<br />

Camry redefines Standards<br />

The all-new Camry provides a<br />

comfortable and stable ride with<br />

superior handling characteristics, thanks<br />

to Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA),<br />

which retains all of Toyota’s traditional<br />

values of superlative build quality and<br />

safety while injecting a fun driving<br />

experience that plays on all the senses.<br />

The all-new Camry comes with three<br />

powertrain options; a 2.5-litre fourcylinder<br />

engine that produces 178 hp<br />

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross<br />

Zayani Motors launched the<br />

<strong>2018</strong> Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.<br />

Innovative and distinctive, this car<br />

effortlessly combines striking design<br />

with advanced technology.<br />

The design concept brings focus<br />

to sharpness and dynamicity. The<br />

result is a carefully crafted vehicle that<br />

fuses SUV functions with sheer style.<br />

The Eclipse Cross comes with a wide<br />

selection of features. It is compact,<br />

efficient, and visually attractive - a bold<br />

car for a bold individual.<br />

From a single glance, the car draws<br />

the eye with its vibrant metallic red,<br />

making a powerful impression in any<br />

kind of setting. The higher intensity and<br />

brightness of paint is achieved through<br />

First Motors “Worry-<br />

Free Ownership” Campaign<br />

First Motors recently announced<br />

its beneficial new “Worry-Free<br />

Ownership” Campaign which offers<br />

customers the chance to avail special<br />

benefits and incredibly economical<br />

monthly installment packages upon<br />

the purchase of specific Hyundai<br />

models that now make buying these<br />

stylish and functional cars easier than<br />

ever before.<br />

and mated with a six-speed automatic<br />

transmission, and a newly- developed<br />

3.5-litre V6 with D-4S fuel injection<br />

system that produces 298 hp mated with<br />

an eight-speed automatic transmission.<br />

In addition, a new electrified hybrid<br />

system will be introduced in May this<br />

year, combining two power sources<br />

consisting of a petrol engine and two<br />

electric motors, producing 176 hp and 118<br />

hp, respectively. It is also mated with an<br />

Electronically Controlled Continuously<br />

Variable Transmission (ECVT) that<br />

simulates a six-speed sequential shift<br />

transmission, delivering a new level of<br />

driving pleasure.<br />

The bold new car’s cabin is<br />

accentuated with a range of advanced<br />

features, including enhanced in-vehicle<br />

8-inch information displays, wireless<br />

charging system for smartphones,<br />

“Takumi Painting” which uses a multilayered<br />

base and clear coat with a<br />

3-bake process.<br />

The exterior is characterised by the<br />

sharp lines of a dynamic coupé form,<br />

expressing the force of a starting athlete.<br />

The car features a dynamic shield face,<br />

Hi-Tech lighting design, a distinctive<br />

rear shape, in addition to sporting<br />

18” alloy wheels. All these elements<br />

in concert emphasise the brilliant<br />

Japanese craftsmanship that went into<br />

every minute detail.<br />

Potential customers who wish<br />

to buy the elegant Azera will get the<br />

chance to avail it at a cost-effective<br />

monthly instalment which starts from<br />

BD 154 per month, whilst the Tucson,<br />

Hyundai’s dynamic SUV, is available at<br />

prices starting from a budget-friendly<br />

BD 104 per month.<br />

The highly advantageous campaign<br />

offers myriad value-added benefits,<br />

including free insurance and free<br />

registration, along with a lifetime<br />

warranty and a free service package of<br />

up to 60,000 km or three years.<br />

dual-zone automatic air conditioning<br />

system, six-speaker sound system, multiadjustable<br />

power front seats, and 60/40<br />

split and reclining rear seats.<br />

Comprehensive array of safety<br />

features includes six SRS airbags, Vehicle<br />

Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking<br />

System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force<br />

Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and<br />

Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).<br />

Available in ten distinctive exterior<br />

colours of which two have been newlydeveloped,<br />

including Graphite, and<br />

Platinum White Pearl. Also, and for the<br />

first time in Camry (for the SE grade with<br />

V6 engine), there will be two-tone colour<br />

schemes that accentuate the Camry’s<br />

sporty and sculpted shape, and set it<br />

apart from the competition. On the other<br />

hand, the interior comes in a total of four<br />

colour schemes.<br />

The interior of the Eclipse Cross<br />

exudes opulence and comfort with<br />

adjustable front and rear leather seats.<br />

The cockpit is welcoming, with all<br />

its functions within the reach of the<br />

driver. These include display audio,<br />

electric parking brake and full colour<br />

head-up display.<br />

The Eclipse Cross provides a<br />

premium, intuitive driving experience.<br />

Employing highly-efficient<br />

powertrains and new down-sizing<br />

turbo technology gives rich torque and<br />

a better acceleration response, making<br />

it agile to handle, smoother and more<br />

comfortable to ride.<br />

In essence, the Eclipse Cross<br />

encapsulates everything one looks for in<br />

a car of its class, giving you maximum<br />

value. On all accounts, it is a fine car to<br />

possess and an utter pleasure to drive.<br />

The Hyundai Azera and Tucson<br />

embody Hyundai’s brand power and<br />

deliver power and performance with<br />

better fuel economy like none other.<br />

First Motors, part of Al Zayani<br />

Investments group, is fully committed<br />

to demonstrate to the Bahrain market<br />

that Hyundai is the brand that<br />

represents unique value for money<br />

without compromise. Their confidence<br />

in Hyundai is demonstrated through<br />

their sensational Lifetime Warranty<br />

that is offered on the entire range of<br />

Hyundai passenger vehicles.<br />

78 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


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Highlights | Other Business<br />

Gulf Air strategy and<br />

plans for <strong>2018</strong> and beyond<br />

Gulf Air rolled out the airline’s new<br />

corporate strategy, <strong>2018</strong> network<br />

expansion plans to 8 new routes, details<br />

surrounding Gulf Air’s incoming fleet and<br />

new, best in class products and services<br />

among other positive developments.<br />

Gulf Air’s new corporate strategy<br />

includes expansion plans and elevating<br />

the passenger experience, promoting<br />

Bahrain’s tourism economy and bolstering<br />

the Kingdom’s aviation, transport, tourism<br />

and business infrastructures and the<br />

aviation industry as a whole.<br />

Gulf Air’s new corporate strategy for<br />

<strong>2018</strong> and beyond, outline its key pillars:<br />

Safety, Network Growth, Innovation,<br />

Human Resources, Customer Focus,<br />

Revenue Vs Cost and most significantly<br />

the national carrier’s role as a contributor<br />

and key driver of the local economy as<br />

it promotes the Kingdom of Bahrain<br />

globally and operates as its ambassador<br />

worldwide.<br />

In the coming months, Gulf Air’s<br />

highly anticipated incoming fleet of<br />

39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft will<br />

commence delivery. A total of 7 new<br />

aircraft, 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and<br />

2 Airbus A320neo aircraft, will enter the<br />

airline’s fleet before the end of the year.<br />

With this development, major positive<br />

change is on the horizon. Gulf Air’s new<br />

New Clinic by AMH for<br />

low-income group<br />

The American Mission Hospital<br />

(AMH) opened newly renovated<br />

‘Zwemer Clinic’ to provide high-quality<br />

medical care for the low-income group at<br />

affordable prices in Manama.<br />

AMH over the years has played a vital<br />

role in strengthening the Bahraini and<br />

the American community. The launching<br />

of this clinic is a reaffirmation of the<br />

beginning itself, which was to serve the<br />

fleet will be outfitted with superior onboard<br />

products and services (some of the<br />

best in class: seats, Inflight Entertainment<br />

and much more). Gulf Air’s new business<br />

class offering will compete with the first<br />

class standard of other airlines while<br />

its economy class product will afford<br />

enhanced onboard comfort.<br />

Gulf Air will add eight new<br />

destinations to its network this year.<br />

In India, its current operations to Delhi,<br />

Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Trivandrum<br />

and Hyderabad, will be enhanced by<br />

flights to Bangalore and Calicut. Gulf Air<br />

will also commence flights to the Saudi<br />

Arabian cities of Abha and Tubuk. This<br />

will expand its Saudi Arabia operations<br />

to complement its current service to<br />

Dammam, Riyadh, Madina Al Munawarah,<br />

Jeddah and Gassim. Gulf Air’s Cairo<br />

operations will be supplemented by direct<br />

flights to Alexandria and flights to Sharm<br />

El Shaikh. The airline will also launch<br />

operations to Baku in Azerbaijan and to<br />

Casablanca in Morocco. Alongside this,<br />

Gulf Air will increase its flights during the<br />

peak summer period by 200 more weekly<br />

flights compared to 2017.<br />

Gulf Air upcoming plans includes to<br />

rollout a new brand identity very soon.<br />

The new look and feel for Gulf Air will,<br />

alongside its new fleet, new network,<br />

new products and services, represent<br />

the “Gulf Air of tomorrow”. Airline<br />

planned strategic growth in the years<br />

2019-2023 will see it strengthening its<br />

regional base and then supplementing<br />

that with an expanded network that will<br />

reach various points across the globe.<br />

This includes: Asia Pacific, Europe,<br />

Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and,<br />

ultimately, North America. By 2023 Gulf<br />

Air’s reach will have expanded to over<br />

60 destinations.<br />

people and It will do a lot to help the<br />

community and serve the needy.<br />

The opening of the clinic was to<br />

honour Samuel Marinus Zwemer’s legacy<br />

of service to the people of Bahrain. The<br />

1926 building has been refurbished and<br />

dedicated as the ‘Zwemer Clinic’ in the<br />

main hospital in Manama, to its sole<br />

purpose to serve the low-income people<br />

of Manama who seek care at AMH by<br />

providing affordable high-quality medical<br />

care,” said George Cheriyan, Chief Medical<br />

Officer at AMH.<br />

G4S Bahrain honors<br />

outstanding employees<br />

G4S Bahrain, the only multinational<br />

security solutions provider in the<br />

country, recently celebrated its annual<br />

employee awards ceremony, where<br />

over 200 guests including employees,<br />

major clients as well as G4S Europe and<br />

Middle East CEO, Mr. Graham Levinsohn<br />

and Regional HR Services Manager, Ms.<br />

Rachna Bhardwaj joined and honored<br />

the employees for their outstanding<br />

efforts and contribution to the success of<br />

the company in 2017.<br />

The following awards which reflect<br />

to the company’s core values, were<br />

nominated and presented by G4S<br />

management and their respective<br />

clients: Appreciation Certificates for 38<br />

Security Officers and Cash Custodians<br />

at various sites; Best in Health and<br />

Safety; Best in Project Management;<br />

Long Service Award for 15 years of loyal<br />

service; Best Team Support; Best in<br />

Innovation and Team Work; Employee of<br />

the Year 2017; Operational Excellence;<br />

Star of the Year Award; and Employee of<br />

the Month for January <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

Mr. Sanyal, MD commented, “G4S<br />

Bahrain had its best year in 2017 due<br />

to the significant growth in Revenue<br />

and Profit in the last 3 to 4 years, and<br />

this will not be possible without our<br />

employees' dedication and hard work<br />

in delivering top notch services to our<br />

customers."<br />

G4S is the leading global, integrated<br />

security company, specialising in the<br />

provision of security services and<br />

solutions to customers. Our mission is<br />

to create material, sustainable value<br />

for our customers and shareholders by<br />

being the supply partner of choice in<br />

all our markets. G4S is active in around<br />

90 countries and has around 570,000<br />

employees.<br />

80 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

81


Biz Dashboard<br />

Rent Per Month<br />

1 Bedroom Apartment<br />

Average<br />

BD. 336.970<br />

Range<br />

BD. 240 - 450<br />

Rent Per Month<br />

3 Bedroom Apartment<br />

Average<br />

BD. 633.060<br />

Range<br />

BD. 420 - 850<br />

IN CITY CENTRE<br />

Buying Apartment<br />

Per Square Meter<br />

Average<br />

BD. 799.40<br />

Range<br />

BD. 500 - 1,291.67<br />

Market Share for PR Coverage<br />

Mortgage Interest Rate Yearly (%)<br />

for 20 Years Fixed-Rate<br />

Banking 32% 21% 17% 14% 11% 5%<br />

Others CBB ABG BBK BISB NBB<br />

Telecom 30% 29% 24% 15%<br />

2%<br />

Batelco VIVA TRA Zain Menatelecom<br />

82 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


Rent Per Month<br />

1 Bedroom Apartment<br />

Average<br />

BD. 229.34<br />

Range<br />

BD. 150 - 350<br />

Rent Per Month<br />

3 Bedroom Apartment<br />

Average<br />

BD. 416.25<br />

Range<br />

BD. 275 - 580<br />

OUTSIDE OF CENTRE<br />

Buying Apartment<br />

Per Square Meter<br />

Average<br />

BD. 522.40<br />

Range<br />

BD. 300 - 700<br />

Average : 6.25%<br />

Range : 4.5 - 7%<br />

Source: NUMBEO.COM<br />

Real Estate 39% 20% 18% 12% 6% 5%<br />

Others Bin Faqeeh Diyar Al Muharraq Marassi Al Bahrain<br />

Naseej Metropolitan<br />

Other Business 32% 26% 18% 15% 7%<br />

2%<br />

ALBA GPIC BAC/BAS Euro Motors E.K. Kanoo<br />

YK Almoayyed<br />

bizbahrain.com - Web Portal Overview as on February <strong>2018</strong> Total Articles (14,090) Total Views (3,046,512) Total Visitors (542,755)<br />

March-April <strong>2018</strong><br />

83


Listing | Tender Board Bahrain<br />

Company Name<br />

Tender Subject Tender No. Tender Type Closing Date<br />

Bahrain Petroleum<br />

Company - BAPCO<br />

EPC works for Installation of Vapor<br />

Recovery System in Sitra Marketing<br />

Terminal<br />

RFP/Bapco/<strong>2018</strong>-448 Public 23/05/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Ministry of Works<br />

Lighting System for Shaikh Isa Bin<br />

RFP<strong>2018</strong>3926197008 Public 18/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Salman Bridge<br />

Tankering Service for Rainfall &<br />

Ministry of Works RFP<strong>2018</strong>3926196390 Public 18/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

General Emergency Services<br />

Electricity and Water<br />

Authority<br />

Replacement of Roof Sheets<br />

at Central Stores, Sitra (MOW<br />

Prequalified Contractors Grade-E<br />

& Above)<br />

2017-245-PP-FRSD Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Ministry of Works<br />

Additional Academic Block for<br />

Khadija AlKubra Girls Intermediate<br />

School at Muharraq<br />

RFP<strong>2018</strong>3926196794 Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Ministry of Health<br />

Replace Chiller & Other HVAC<br />

Works @ SMC<br />

RFP<strong>2018</strong>12426196559 Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Ministry of Health<br />

Replace ATS & other electrical<br />

work @ SMC<br />

RFP<strong>2018</strong>12426196550 Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

EWA- Planning &<br />

Studies<br />

Solar PV IPP Project on Landfill Site<br />

- Request for Concept (RFC)<br />

RFI-PQ/<strong>2018</strong>29257197314 Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Electricity and Water<br />

Authority<br />

Invitation for Pre-Qualification of<br />

Manufacturers of MDPE & HDPE<br />

Pipes and Fittings ssed in WDD<br />

RFI-PQ/<strong>2018</strong>3924196807 Public 18/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Bahrain Petroleum<br />

Company - BAPCO<br />

Provision of Land Surveying<br />

Services<br />

RFP/Bapco/<strong>2018</strong>-451 Public 18/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Ministry of Works<br />

Interior Refurbishment of Existing<br />

United Nations Building - 2,<br />

Manama.<br />

RFP<strong>2018</strong>3926195834 Public 11/04/<strong>2018</strong><br />

Source: www.tenderboard.gov.bh<br />

www.arabianindustry.com/tenders<br />

84 March-April <strong>2018</strong>


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KFH-Bahrain Credit Cards<br />

Apply Now!<br />

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