Roberto Cavalli Group And Pragma Group Announce The Signing Of New License Agreement To Open New Cavalli Clubs And Cavalli Cafe In The Middle East, Asia/Pacific And South America

Roberto Cavalli Group and Pragma Group announce the signing of a new master License Agreement for the opening of five new Cavalli Clubs and 15 new Cavalli Cafés in the next five years, in some of the world’s most celebrated cities across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and South America including Beirut, Istanbul, Mumbai, Shanghai and San Paolo.

Roberto Cavalli already operates two Cavalli Clubs in Firenze and Dubai – the latter established under a License Agreement with Pragma Group – in addition to a Just Cavalli Club in Milan and three Cavalli Giacosa Cafés in Florence.

The first two-year phase of investment will see two Cavalli Clubs opening in two cities alongside another three cafés, introducing the Cavalli Club and Café concepts to five new cities overall. In the second phase, which is expected to last three years, an additional 10 outlets will be launched in similarly suitable cities. This initial roll-out of the Cavalli brand will be financed through a fund dedicated to expanding Pragma Group’s lifestyle business.

“I am extremely proud of the achievements of the Clubs and Cafés which carry my name and the Cavalli Club Dubai represents probably the best interpretation of the lifestyle I have been creating with my fashion” said Roberto Cavalli, Founder and Chairman of Roberto Cavalli Group . “Together with the experience of the Pragma Group we will further expand the network of Clubs for entertaining my followers in some of the most important cities in the world”.

“This is an extremely exciting time for the Pragma Group, as we have been selected as the partner to develop the Cavalli lifestyle clubs and cafés internationally” said Joe Tabet, Chairman of Pragma Group. “We are making a substantial investment to facilitate this expansion and this is being conducted on the back of extensive research that has revealed a real hunger in the emerging markets for the branded lifestyle experience”.

Successfully opened little more than a year ago, Cavalli Club in the UAE will be used as a template for international developments. While the entire venture will be conducted through Pragma Group’s lifestyle vertical, Pragma Lifestyle will take all opportunities for partnerships and franchising in key emerging markets.
 

The Sky Is The Limit For Low Cost Aviation In The Middle East, Says flydubai CEO

flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith outlined the enormous potential of the Gulf low cost aviation sector, the success of the flydubai formula, and the reasons for welcoming competition, when he addressed leading industry delegates and aviation media in his keynote speech at the 7th annual World Low Cost Airlines Congress in London earlier today (Thursday, Sep 30).

Ghaith Al Ghaith explained how the airline has been successful at adapting the traditional low cost model to meet the requirements of the environment in which the airline operates.

“This region is one which is still very dependant on face to face contact,” said Al Ghaith. “That, plus poor internet penetration and the low percentage of credit card usage in some markets, has meant we have had to adapt the low cost model. Internet only selling is not an option and we have recruited a network of distributors and travel agents to sell directly to the customer. We also have a number of payment partners, such as currency exchanges, banks and post offices, where customers can pay for their bookings in cash or through ATM machines, to serve the large numbers of passengers who don’t have credit cards.”

flydubai offers customers options and the freedom to choose which services they want, to personalise their experience and adjust the cost to suit them. One area Al Ghaith highlighted was the airline’s baggage policy.

“Passengers like the idea of being offered options; they like being able to save money by not bringing checked baggage for instance.”

“However, baggage has undoubtedly been one of our biggest challenges. Passengers who are used to travelling on larger aircraft, with greater hold capacity to take checked baggage have had to adapt to the concept of travelling lighter.

“In just one year, the concept has been so well accepted that 44% of our passengers capitalized on our lowest fares by travelling with just hand luggage. And this still left 56% of our passengers contributing extra revenue to the airline with checked baggage fees,” he said.

The success the airline has enjoyed during its first 12 months has been recognized by the financing community too, as Al Ghaith explained: “We have just completed our latest round of financing and have been pleasantly surprised by the interest we received from the market. In fact we received offers for far more aircraft than we currently wish to finance. We received offers for more than 80 aircraft and we decided to take up the offers for nine of them.

“As a new airline, to have that level of confidence and support from some of the world’s largest international aircraft financing companies is tremendously satisfying. This latest deal secures our financing needs until June 2011 and I believe it is an endorsement not only of flydubai but of Dubai too,” added Al Ghaith.

Although developing quickly, low cost aviation in the Middle East still has some way to go to catch up with the market in Europe and the US, as Al Ghaith explained: “Low cost air travel currently accounts for just 7% of the total air travel market in our region, whereas in Europe it is as high as 35% – and some predictions are that it will reach 50% in a few years.

“There is no reason why we cannot reach those same figures and that is why I welcome competition; I welcome more players into the market. This is why I believe the sky really is the limit for low cost air travel and low cost airlines in our region.”

But this growth will only be achieved by the deregulation of the skies and the easing of visa restrictions. “The UAE has an Open Skies policy, which means any airline in the world is free to come to Dubai,” said Al Ghaith. “The same flexibility is not afforded to UAE airlines flying into other countries in the regions in which we operate.

“Governments trying to protect their national carriers were reluctant to open up routes to other airlines they viewed as a threat. I notice that this is now changing and in recent times many countries have relaxed their stance on this issue. In praising those who have moved away from a highly regulated aviation environment, I would like to encourage the others by saying that there is plenty of traffic in this region for all well run airlines to be successful. If their house is in order they have nothing to fear from competition – and at the end of the day the economies of these countries and the consumer benefit by the improved trade, tourism and commerce increasing international flights brings.

“It is this regulation of the skies that is the biggest single barrier to the development of air travel in the region,” said Al Ghaith.

The flydubai CEO went on to say that visa requirements also present a barrier to the development of air travel, and especially low cost travel, in the region.

“The time taken to apply for a visa and the costs involved mean that frequent and impulse trips are greatly reduced,” said Al Ghaith. “If you have to pay too much for a visa to get into a country, a weekend trip ceases to be a low cost option.

“However in recent times there has been a relaxation in the requirements for visas in some countries and they have benefitted from increased trade, tourism and commerce as a result.

“I believe the aviation industry in this region has a very bright future and I am very excited to be a part of it,” concluded Al Ghaith.

The World Low Cost Airlines Congress brings together leading players in the low cost aviation industry from all corners of the globe. Airline executives get together to share best practice and keep up to date with the latest developments in the industry.
 

Etisalat To Introduce Edutainment Services Across Middle East, Africa And Asia

Etisalat will shortly provide educational and entertainment (edutainment) services across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Sudan following the signing of a partnership agreement with Rubicon Group Holding. Rubicon Group Holding is a digital production company who will create new educational and interactive content for Etisalat’s customers.

As a result of the joint venture, Etisalat’s customers will be able to enjoy exclusive games, cartoons and applications that they can download via their mobile, on TV or through the Internet.

The brand new content created and managed by Rubicon Group Holding, will be designed to aid learning and educate younger customers in an entertaining format, a concept known as edutainment. The first services will be presented before the end of 2010. It will be initially produced in Arabic and English and, following the commercial launch in the UAE will be expanded to Etisalat’s sister companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Sudan. In order to reach a broad audience the content will also be translated into French, Urdu and Hindi.

The deal is the first-of-its-kind in the region and is part of Etisalat’s growing commitment to educational, entertaining and immersive media content. As a part of the agreement the two companies will create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Abu Dhabi.

Training games and simulations are proven to help increase skills and improve knowledge retention in children. Parents are eager to expose their children to richer learning experiences and take every possible opportunity for improving their child’s educational development. This partnership will allow Etisalat’s customers to provide their children educational experiences while they play – using either mobile, TV or a PC.

Commenting on the partnership, Essa Al Haddad, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat said: “The idea that learning can be fun, and that fun activities can promote learning, has spawned a new world of services – edutainment. This will be the first time an operator provides such a comprehensive suite of edutainment services and content, and we are delighted that Etisalat’s customers across the Middle East, Asia and Africa will be the first to enjoy them.”

Outlining the nature of the deal, Randa Ayoubi, CEO of Rubicon Group Holding said: “We believe education should not be confined to the classroom and together with Etisalat, we will create content that makes learning interactive, convenient and most importantly – fun. Our edutainment service will adhere to international standards and enhance the curriculums of the respective countries by offering an engaging learning experience. In this respect, it is a unique initiative for the region and testament to Etisalat and its commitment to e-education.”
 

African Children’s Choir To Bring The Voice Of Africa To Dubai This DSS In Its First Show In The Middle East

The African Children’s Choir, an ambassador for Africa’s neediest, most vulnerable children, will perform in Dubai for the first time in the Middle East this DSS from July 21 to August 3. The Choir shows the world that its members, like the millions of abandoned and traumatized children in Africa, have beauty, dignity and unlimited potential. The first show will be held in Dubai Festival City, a key sponsor of DSS 2009, on July 21 and July 22 at 6pm, 7:30pm, and 9pm.

In 1984, in the midst of Uganda’s civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett was called on to help the many thousands of orphaned and starving children, abandoned and helpless to feed and protect themselves. Realizing the enormity of the task Ray and his team came up with a unique approach. The only way to make a meaningful difference was to impact the lives of these children, one child at a time.

"Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children’s Choir to show the world that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability,” said Ray.

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DSF Office said, “We are delighted to bring the African Children’s Choir to Dubai Summer Surprises as the values that the group espouses are those that Dubai Summer Surprises supports and encourages. This unique choir will not only entertain visitors this DSS but put forth a clear message to audiences.”

To date over seven hundred vulnerable children have been through the Choir program and the funds they have generated have provided the opportunity of education and hope for many thousands like them in some of the most desperate and needy areas of Africa.

Choir Training
Children selected to tour spend approximately five months at the Choir Training Academy in Kampala, Uganda. Here the children learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday School at a local church.

It is at the Choir Training Academy where the real life-changing work of the African Children’s Choir™ can be seen. The children’s personalities and talents emerge like never before as they settle into their new routine with the knowledge that they are loved and cared for.

As they come from some of the most needy families, the African Children’s Choir™ is committed to helping Choir children physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically, giving each child an opportunity to reach their potential. After returning to Africa, the African Children’s Choir™ provides care and education that builds on the unique international exposure the children experienced abroad. The children receive a quality education, leadership training and spiritual ministry at the Music for Life Primary School in Kampala, or at other well-equipped schools in their respective countries.

The African Children’s Choir™ will perform in Arabian Centre on July 23 and 24, at Modhesh World on July 25 and 26, Deira City Centre on July 27 and 28, The Dubai Mall on July 29 and 30, Dubai Marina Mall on July 31 and Aug 1, and Mercato on Aug 2 and Aug 3.

Show timings are 6:00pm / 07:30pm / 09:00pm from Saturdays to Wednesday, and 06:30pm / 08:00pm / 09:30pm on Thursday and Fridays.

Nasdaq Dubai Signs MoU With Middle East Investor Relations Society

In a move to promote best investor relations practices across the region, NASDAQ Dubai and the Middle East Investor Relations Society (ME-IR Society) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Under the terms of the agreement, NASDAQ Dubai and ME-IR Society will work together to provide educational seminars and initiatives for issuers, potential issuers and their advisors, as well as enhance understanding of how listed companies can communicate most effectively with the public.

Jeff Singer, Chief Executive of NASDAQ Dubai, said: “Transparency and timely delivery of accurate information are key to promoting investor confidence in listed companies.

“The ME-IR Society is an excellent forum for assisting issuers with many aspects of investor relations and for learning more about their views and their investor relations needs, as well as the opinions of the investing public.”

Through the Exchange’s Advisory membership status, NASDAQ Dubai issuers can obtain discounted membership of the ME-IR Society. In addition, NASDAQ Dubai will offer its premises for ME-IR Society events.

“The ME-IR Society and NASDAQ Dubai share a common goal – to actively promote IR best practices in the Middle East,” said Gretchen Haynes, General Manager, ME – IR Society. “Given the current market conditions, IR professionals play an increasingly significant role. The Society is committed to providing IR professionals with access to the necessary tools, knowledge and training to overcome the challenges they face. Our MoU with NASDAQ Dubai is another step in this direction.”

The Middle East Investor Relations Society was established in 2008 and aims to ensure that regional companies have access to the necessary tools, resources and network of experts to support them in their efforts to adopt and implement best practice investor relations.

Majlis Course Ranked No.1 In Middle East

The Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club has added another first to its impressive credentials when the oldest grass course in the Middle East was ranked No.1 in Golf Digest’s first-ever list of Middle East’s top 10 courses this month.

Designed by Karl Litten, the majestic Majlis has been a catalyst in the dramatic growth of golf in Dubai since its inception in 1988. Over the years, “the Majlis has developed character and maturity that its rivals cannot match,” Golf Digest said in its July issue.

“And it remains a superb test of golf despite the revolution in technology that has rendered many golf courses obsolete at the highest level. The main strength of the Majlis is still in the quality and enjoyability of its holes,” the magazine added.

The home of the premier Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters events, the course ~ with the closing 18th hole providing a great finish ~ has seen many “vintage moments of brilliance” from the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam, all of which have since become part of Dubai’s golfing folklore.

To determine Middle East’s Top-Ten, Golf Digest’s judging panel, comprising seven panelists, rated courses on seven criteria, each on a scale of 1 to 10: Shot Values, Resistance to Scoring, Design Variety, Memorability, Aesthetics, Conditioning and Ambience. After panelists filed their evaluations, Golf Digest averaged the scores of the seven categories (scores in the Design Variety category count double) and totalled the averages to determine the overall rankings.

The Majlis course’s total score of 61.8 was well ahead of the second-placed Doha Golf Club (59) and the Abu Dhabi Golf (58.2), also the venues of the European Tour’s so-called ‘Desert Swing’ which culminates with the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Emirates Golf Club management paid tributes to the “team work” of its dedicated staff for keeping the course, which was also voted by the readers of the Business Traveller magazine as their first choice in the region for an unprecedented four successive years, in immaculate condition.

“Each day presents a different challenge, and we are proud to have a team of professionals who work day and night to maintain high standards and ensuring that as many people as possible enjoy the facilities whilst still making sure that members are well looked after,” said Rodney Bogg, Managing Director of Dubai Golf.

“It gives a sense of satisfaction, if not pride, when people talk highly of the Majlis course. And this ranking by Golf Digest is also a true reflection on the excellent golfing facilities that Dubai enjoys,” he said. Few cities can boast of having luxury golf courses — many designed by famous pros — nestled among high rises and tournaments that attract the game’s best players.

Even Tiger is impressed.

“Frankly, what they are doing is phenomenal,” the world number one said before winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2008. Indeed, a big compliment for Dubai, the city of golf.

The Upcoming Edition Of ISH Kitchen And Bath Middle East Has Been Rescheduled To Autumn 2010

Individual talks and strategic sessions with the key players in the sanitary and kitchen industries led to the conclusion that the timing for the upcoming ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East edition, which was to be held at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 27-29, 2009, would instead be preferred in 2010. ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East is the region’s leading design exhibition for kitchens and bathrooms.

Committed to delivering focused and high quality events to its clients, Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH based in Dubai, UAE, an independent subsidiary of the Messe Frankfurt Group headquartered in Germany, will continue to strive towards offering a combined and synergised platform for ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East collocated with the Light Middle East exhibition in the autumn of 2010.

According to Dr. Michael Peters, CEO of the Messe Frankfurt Group, “Dubai remains an important business hub for the Middle East region necessitating a presence by Messe Frankfurt in key industries. Lead-ing companies in the sanitary ware and kitchen field as well as re-gional market indicators confirm the continued need for a regional platform in Dubai catering to interior and architectural design-oriented solutions. Messe Frankfurt has the know-how in niche product exhibi-tions and is committed to providing a specialized platform in the re-gion.”

According to Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, “Running ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East in Au-tumn 2010 together with the Light Middle East exhibition, will enable key buyers in the real estate, architectural and design sectors to source new products and network within a specialized exhibition envi-ronment.”

“While we regret any possible inconveniences caused to exhibitors signed up and already promoting their participation”, commented Ms. Brehl, “we are pleased to know that Roca, Geberit, Palmon Group, Nolte Kuechen, Teka Kuechentechnik and several other key accounts are considering participating in the show in 2010”.

Confirming their support to ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East, in re-cent statement, Nolte Kuechen said, ”Although Nolte Kuechen has remained a loyal supporter to the ISH Kitchen and Bath exhibition for some years now, we remain committed to exhibiting our products in the Middle East and the prime region of Dubai especially in these tougher times. Nolte Kuechen is dedicated to providing long term partnerships especially during times of crisis and was NOT one of the loyal partners to pull out of the exhibition for 2009. We will be happy to remain a committed partner in 2010 as well.”

"Palmon Group, the Dubai based representative for high-end de-signer brands such as Valcucine, Ernestomeda and Keller is look-ing forward to exhibiting its newly acquired kitchen and home ware collections at ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East 2010. Following the recent opening of a new showroom, Palmon Group is committed to providing high-end kitchen and interior design solutions to its Middle East clients and will continue to service Dubai as well as other key GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) markets in the Middle East,“ said Palmon Group, long standing supporter of the exhibition.

Ms. Brehl added, “Designed to cater to outfitting development pro-jects in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region and to enhance interior and exterior architectural, design, and functionality aspects, ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East offers the perfect specialized solu-tions, as Dubai remains the natural business hub and travel destina-tion for the region”.

Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH’s continued collaboration with Sesam Business Consultants, organizers of the Green Dubai Conference, a conference series initiated in 2008 to promote increased awareness about green building standards and sustainability issues in the region, will contribute to an enhanced exhibition experience. Supporting or-ganizations and media partners in the interior design sectors such as the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) and Edge kitchens & bathrooms magazine will also contribute to the expanded promotion of the show.

Furthermore, a state-of-the-art conference program complementing both exhibitions will continue to provide an educational and aware-ness platform tailored to the industry’s needs. Details on speakers and format will be made available in the coming months, as the 2010 annual show cycle sales and promotional activities get underway.

While the Middle East has witnessed a considerable slow-down in real estate development projects as an indirect result of the global crisis, a postponement of the exhibition to 2010 will benefit all in-volved participants. Many new projects needing bath and kitchen out-fitting are on the horizon in the surrounding regions within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) andwider Middle East, in particular Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

ISH Kitchen and Bath Middle East is part of the architecture and tech-nology fairs of Messe Frankfurt, headed by the biennial world-leading ISH Frankfurt, The Bathroom Experience, Building, Energy, Air-conditioning Technology, and Renewable Energies. For more infor-mation, please visit www.ishdubai.com. You can also contact the or-ganizer at info@uae.messefrankfurt.com.

Battle For The 2009 Middle East Junior Chef Of The Year Begins In Oasis Centre

The much-awaited contest to crown the 2009 Middle East Junior Chef of the Year began on Wednesday, July 8, as chefs from all over the GCC converged at the Oasis Centre for the culinary highlight of DSS 2009. Featuring contests in 22 categories, the event was officially inaugurated by Laila Suhail, CEO of DSF Office; Chef Uwe Michel, President of the Emirates Culinary Guild and Director of Kitchens at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Deira, and Chef Osama Sayyed, the celebrity Arabic chef.

With the participation of around 1000 chefs from all over GCC, visitors to Oasis Centre can watch cooking demonstrations, workshops and competitions all throughout the day. Some of the visual delights include ice carving, chocolate carving, and pastry showcase, in addition to a new category of Mocktails. The competition is assessed via a point system that will result in Bronze, Silver and Gold medals being awarded to winners.

Competitions for July 10 and July 11 include Five-course Gourmet Dinner Menu, Four Plates of Dessert, Ice Carving, and Practical Cookery. The Awards go on till July 14th.

Laura Ashley Returns To The Middle East With 2009 Spring-Summer Collections

The popular UK-based fashion and lifestyle brand with a heritage of over 50 years of innovation in designs, patterns, fabrics and textures, Laura Ashley, is back to the UAE after a two-year break with a range of exquisite women’s wear for Spring-Summer 2009.

Laura Ashley’s reentry through a master franchise agreement with the Dubai-based regional business conglomerate, Al Aqili Group L.L.C is the first step in the quintessential British brand’s expansion into the Middle East market.

Mr. Abhay Nadkarni, Executive Director, Marketing and Commercial, Al Aqili Retail said: “We have been pleasantly surprised to find our consumers so nostalgic about the Laura Ashley brand. Visitors to the shop have talked about how they have grown up with the brand in the UK, reminiscing that their mothers and grandmothers too were users of Laura Ashley. Over the years, Laura Ashley has created a niche for itself as a premium brand for the mature woman. The 2009 Spring-Summer collections is inspired by 10 eclectic themes brought together to form a spectacular collection that will appeal to the tastes of both the local as well as expat community.”

“The partnership with Laura Ashley is the first step for us in the development of a significant regional retail business for the Aqili Group. Laura Ashley is renowned for their designs, patterns, patterns, fabrics and unique colour palettes which is supported by outstanding visual merchandising that shows off their range at the Point Of Sale,” he said.

The first Laura Ashley Fashion store opened up at Mercato and a second store opened earlier this month at the Dubai Festival City. Laura Ashley’s Home range will open in an exclusive store in Mercato in September and the fashion store has already started receiving enquiries for the Home range.

The Laura Ashley merchandise assortment, upscale ambience and high level of customer service will be similar to Laura Ashley in the UK, while being sensitive to local preferences and customs. The company is known for its reasonable prices as well as for the quality of its products which makes it a valued part of the heritage of Laura Ashley.

Mr. Steve Lee, Executive Director — Operations, Al Aqili Retail, said: “Laura Ashley is renowned for distinctive design and creation of inspired women’s wear. The Spring – Summer 2009 collection which spans chic daywear, luxurious fabrics and eye- catching prints characterises the very feminine and glamorous look.”

The Spring-Summer 2009 Laura Ashley `themes,’ range from “Blooming Fabulous”, an overtly feminine and romantic blend of 30’s garden party and afternoon tea on the lawn to “Modern Architecture”, combining sophisticated, structured workwear pieces with embroidered knitwear and soft frill trims, to “Mille Fleur”, distinct with brightly coloured floral patterns.

The Spring-Summer themes also span “Eastern Affair”, inspired by an exotic eastern mix of Chinese and Japanese culture, “Riviera”, the chic and elegant European cruise wear, “Hot Tropics”, the fabulously floral “Couture Rose” selection, “Rainforest”, an exotic blend of greens with fruit tones and “Henly”, chic summer dresses in fresh and sporty colours.

“Laura Ashley is a brand that gels with the cosmopolitan culture of Dubai and demand for classy and contemporary women’s wear. The Spring-Summer 2009 collection and its concept of inspired and themed offering across the apparel range have already evoked an excellent response since the opening of the brand’s first outlet in Mercato,” Mr. Lee said.

The collection on display at Mercato includes a wide range of Cotton Tops, Blouses, Jumpers, cardigans, Trousers, Silk Satin blouses, Dresses, Full skirts, Cotton Shirt Dresses and Neckline dresses. The collection also includes a wide range of accessories like shoes, belts, scarf’s, hand bags, neck and hand jewellery and sunglasses. The strong color palette of bold reds, whites and blues comes into focus with flashes of aqua adding a modern twist. The combination of luxurious fabrics and the use of chiffon and delicate silky layers along with sophisticated blacks, greys and pastel shades and a gentle sprinkling of sequin and lace gives an overall modern elegance as it truly reflects the brand essence.