Scope Information Systems, a leading Dubai based systems integrator and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) launched the first phase of a two-phase project to integrate the bank’s internal communications, business process management (BPM) and workflow automation onto one easy-to-use platform.
Author Archives: Staff Writer
Saudi Arabia to develop ICT sector
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved a plan to develop the country’s telecom and information technology sectors, according to a report in Arab News.
Remote Success
With the MTN Group’s operations in Afghanistan and Iran still in their respective launch years, both operators have made significant gains in challenging market environments. Etisalat is set to follow suit shortly in Afghanistan and in Iran, the licensing of a third mobile operator is forecast. Ronan Shields takes a closer look at these two country’s unconventional mobile markets.
View from Afar
UK research company Analysys is raising its coverage area to include the telecoms industry in the Middle East and Africa. With a series of reports set to be published, CommsMEA put a few topical questions to Daniel Jones, Analysys research analyst.
Topping the Bill
The advancement of network services being made available by service providers has proven both a blessing and a burden for the service providers, as customers become increasingly discerning. Ronan Shields examines how operators are responding to the changes posed when charging for converged data services.
DWC contracts worth $1.6bn
Tenders worth $1.6bn have been awarded for work on the Jebel Ali airport since the project’s launch.
Dubai Islamic launches $47m US fund
DIB’s Sharia-compliant fund invests in eight retail properties in the United States.
Saudi to transform telecoms sector
Cabinet approves plan to boost the country’s telecom and IT industries.
Qatar in international standards push
The Ministry of Finance hopes a single regulatory body will attract more foreign investment.
Mashreqbank denies Alwatany bid speculation
Dubai lender says it is not considering bidding for Egypt’s Alwatany Bank.
Kuwait eases pressure on money market
Kuwait is allowing banks to reinvest some funds in short term certificates as they mature.
BP in $900m Libya gas deal
The British firm returns to Libya after a 30 year break in a natural gas exploration deal.
Saudi Electricity seeks Aramco help
Utility needs Aramco to invest in more gas exploration and fuel pipelines to avoid power cuts this summer.
Saudi ups fight against dirty money
Travellers to the kingdom will be required to declare cash and jewellery worth more than $16,000.
Dutch auction life-saving kidney on TV
Three patients will plead for life-saving transplant in Big Brother-style TV contest.
Gulf Capital floats MIS on Oslo Main Bourse
Middle East equity firm Gulf Capital has announced the successful floatation of Maritime Industrial Services (MIS) on the Oslo Main Bourse in Norway.
WHO urges public smoking ban
The health agency’s move comes days before World No Tobacco Day.
Dubai to spend $12bn on roads
The emirate’s transport authority is to build 500km of roads in an effort to tackle traffic problems.
Dubai shows Hong Kong path to sustainability
Two universities to discuss ongoing research into sustainable development and how it affects construction in the region.
To buy or not to buy?
Dubai’s property market is booming, but what are the costs and risks?
Honeywell wins $2.9m Sabic deal
The US manufacturer will provide technology to a subsidiary of the Saudi petrochemicals giant.
Al Habtoor looks to raise build quality
Construction firm launches guide aimed at standardising the MEP installations on its projects.
Innovation award for solar firm
Solar waterproof membrane singled out for product innovation at Construmat Barcelona Awards.
Abu Dhabi’s $7bn airport plan takes off
Three major projects for the UAE capital’s airport are set to finish by next year.
Abu Dhabi firm hops aboard Big Bus
Al Fahim Group has bought a 30% stake in the tour company and aims to launch a public transport service.
Thani Investments plans Islamic bond sale
The Dubai-based company could sell $100m of sukuk for general corporate funding purposes.
India and GCC differ on trade talks
Oman says progress on a free-trade agreement is slow but, like India, believes that it could happen this year.
Acer wins Lebanese finance contract
The Taiwanese computer manufacturer will supply hardware to Credit Libanais bank.
$12.3bn set for Dubai airports
Expansions of the two hubs in the emirate are part of a $20bn budget for the UAE’s airports.
Taqa snaps up Canadian firm for $2bn
Acquisition gives Abu Dhabi National Energy Company a solid foothold in the country’s energy market.
Oman’s Alliance still seeks suitors
Alliance Housing Bank continues talks despite a hostile takeover bid by Bank Muscat.
RBS leads $95.7bn ABN AMRO bid
Consortium trumps Britain’s Barclays in a battle for the world’s biggest bank takeover.
‘Eco’ building ratings set for UAE
The Emirates Green Building Council is looking to finalise a building benchmark system.
Call for better standards for Dubai hotel staff
‘5*’ hotels should provide five-star accommodation for foreign workers, says Tamani boss.
Emirates tourism boost for S. Korea
The Korean tourist authority expects to double its traffic from the UAE by 2010.
The ultimate in four-star style
Creating a chic and executive look was a top priority for the newly-opened second tower of the Radisson SAS Dubai Media City.
A shining example of design
Lighting designer Beau McClellan – a Red Dot Design Award winner and a key speaker at the Light Middle East 2007 exhibition next month – talks to HME about entering the region’s market.
Kuwait must spend $27bn on power
Water and power project requirements are set out as summer supply cuts look likely.
Diabetes at ‘epic proportions’ in Saudi
The disease now affects nearly 30% of the kingdom’s population, double the official estimate.
Motorola finishes Qatar deployment
Telecoms infrastructure provider installs radio technology at transportation firm.
Face wars
The ‘new egalitarianism’ of Web 2.0 gives a unique insight into the Arab world.
First JW for Abu Dhabi
Marriott International joins forces with Abu Dhabi National Hotels for new property.
Tamani’s travelling targets
Newly launched hotel company explains expansion plans.
Big RevPAR growth for Middle East hotels
HotelBenchmark Survey shows hoteliers in Muscat and Abu Dhabi are up 60% in Q1.
Getting into the swing of things
Next month sees the inaugural Hotelier Middle East Golf Day, sponsored by Al Aqili and hosted in association with The Hotel Show.
Qtel contemplates Wataniya integration
Speaking in Dubai this month, Jeremy Sell, senior VP business development at Qtel said the company would update the market with respect its strategy for integration of Wataniya Telecom following the announcement of 2Q results.
Bahrain telco gears up for WiMax rollout
Bahraini company Mena Telecom is finalising plans to roll out a WiMax network across the Kingdom, it said today.
UAE firm plans technology park in India
UAE developer ETA Star Properties plans to construct a $923 million technology business park in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Jordanian and Bahraini firms undergo technology tie-up
Jordanian company Jordanian Blue Energy for Advanced Technology (BEAT) has formed a joint venture with Bahraini IT service provider TCGME.
Acer wins Lebanese finance contract
Acer has scored a deal to supply 30 units of its G540 Acer Altos servers to Lebanese bank Credit Libanais.
Avaya reportedly in talks over sale
Telecommunications equipment maker Avaya is reportedly in talks over a complete or partial sale of its business.
Dubai computer traders await final formality
Computer resellers on Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road are on the verge of gaining the authorisation they need to launch the inaugural Dubai Computer Traders Group (DCTG) — an association that will convene on a weekly basis to serve the interests of Dubai’s sprawling IT reseller community.
Emirates to step up Johannesburg flights
The airline will add four flights to its existing twice-daily service.
Sharjah moves to end illegal land deals
Officials say reducing long term leases to five years will help eliminate illegal activity.