Dubai Marks World Environment Day In Style

Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, and in commemoration of World Environment Day (WED), EPIC Dubai Sustainable Living Expo, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), will host a celebration to honour public and private organizations for their impactful contribution to the EPIC initiative and to a greener, more sustainable UAE.

John D. Wiebe, President and CEO of GLOBE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding practical business-oriented solutions to the world’s environmental problems, will deliver the keynote address and will welcome H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad and guests of honour at the event, which will take place June 5, 2011 at The Address Dubai Mall.

“We are celebrating World Environment Day, the most notable global day for positive environmental action, in Dubai, to inspire eco-change and acknowledge the initiatives undertaken by public and private organizations that play a pivotal role in shaping the sustainable future of the UAE,” said John Weibe.

Weibe added, “We applaud the United Arab Emirates for its continuous commitment to sustainability, driven by the guidance of its leaders, and on behalf of the Globe Foundation, we express our utmost gratitude to our supporters and partners for their contribution to the EPIC Dubai Sustainable Living Expo.”

The evening will feature speeches by some of the most influential figures in the UAE as well as screenings of inspirational documentary films to celebrate the occasion.

“Our participation in the EPIC initiative reflects the commitment of Dubai’s government towards environmental sustainability. UAE was among the first countries in the world to adopt and integrate environmental initiatives in communities and hence our support for EPIC,” said Laila Suhai, CEO, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

“As a family event, Dubai Summer surprises will feature events with relevant environmental messages for all, especially children,” she added.

UNEP Champion of the Earth, Louis Palmer, a global environmental adventurer and the first man to circumnavigate the planet on solar power, will be guest of honour at the event

"This announcement of a sustainable living expo on World Environment Day is a step forward for sustainability in the region. Creating environmentally alert and conscious consumers who will use the planet’s resources wisely and more efficiently helps us all build a low carbon global green economy," said Satinder Bindra, Director Communications UNEP.

EPIC Dubai Sustainable Living Expo is an initiative by Sustainable Media Group (SMG), a joint venture of GLOBE Events, a subsidiary of Globe Foundation and S.S. Lootah International, the global business and investment arm of S.S. Lootah Group. EPIC Dubai is supported by Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE) through Summer Surprises 2011.
 

Dubai Media City Marks 10 Years Of Creativity

 Dubai Media City (DMC), a member of TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, today marked its 10th anniversary celebrations in the presence of 10 long-term business partners and other key stakeholders.

  Launched with 99 companies back in 2001, Dubai Media City has evolved into a major regional media hub, hosting prestigious global brands. Currently, more 1,400 companies and hundreds of freelancers are part of its distinctly elite media ecosystem.   The festivities at DMC 7/8 courtyard included a cake-cutting ceremony that was attended by members of TECOM Investments’ senior management team. The occasion was specially marked by the presence of widely popular animation characters Freej and Shabiyat Al, both indigenous creations of DMC’s business partners.   Music group Dubai Drums and renowned jazz musicians performed at the event while free DMC photo souvenirs were given out by Foto Pad, a business partner.   Jamal Al Sharif, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City, said: “The successful completion of 10 years of operation by Dubai Media City, the first project in TECOM’s media cluster, bears testimony to Dubai’s contribution to the media industry. The presence of major international and local media houses reflects not only the growth of DMC but the success stories of these entities as well.    “Today’s gala celebrations mark 10 years of consistent creativity that has led Dubai Media City, raising Dubai’s profile as a major meeting point for the global media. We believe our business-friendly environment will continue to welcome more organisations and ensure further success for the region’s largest media free zone.”   Clients and business partners cite the synergy of working alongside a spectrum of industry peers as a key benefit in locating their operations within Dubai Media City. The business park is one of the foremost reasons behind the sprouting of similar media free zones not only throughout the GCC countries but in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as well.   Dubai Media City received the 2009 Newsweek Award of Excellence for its outstanding contribution to the media industry in creating a world class environment under ‘one roof’. It was also ranked first under ‘Best Promotion’ and second in the ‘Best Incentives’ categories globally and in the Middle East by fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) magazine’s 2010 annual report of global free zones.   Dubai Media City is part of the TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, which also includes Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone. All the three business parks have evolved dramatically over the years through offering business friendly regulatory frameworks and a state-of-the-art infrastructure.

KidZaniareg; Hosts Over Half A Million Visitors In Its First Year Of Operation; Marks First Anniversary With Month-Long Festivities

• Edutainment experience gains popularity of schools following UAE Ministry of Education approval with over 70,000 student visitors in one year
• Children’s edutainment centre is one of the most popular leisure destinations for GCC visitors
• To add new fun-learning experiences this year through partnerships with leading business houses
• Wins Superbrands 2011 laurel in just 11 months of operation

KidZania®, the unique children’s city in The Dubai Mall managed by Emaar Retail LLC, has hosted more than half a million visitors in its first year of operation, offering them an unparalleled learning and leisure experience.

One of the most popular leisure destinations in the region, particularly popular among GCC tourists, the leading children’s edutainment centre is celebrating its first anniversary with a month-long calendar of festivities tailored for the little ones. The festivities include jugglers, mime artists, magicians, balloon sculpting artists, living statues, clowns, face painters, which will add to the colourful ambience of KidZania®.

Within its first year of successful operations, KidZania® has also brought a clear differential to the educational environment of the UAE by winning the approval of the UAE Ministry of Education, along with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, for field trips as part of the academic curriculum. More than 70,000 students have visited KidZania® to date highlighting the increasing popularity of the centre among schools for furthering the skills of students.

KidZania® has also entered into partnerships with over 40 leading businesses, including many Top 500 global brands. Several new tie-ups are being planned, providing the organisations a unique marketing opportunity to be part of the children’s edutainment experience. Last year, KidZania® won the Superbrands 2011 laurel, highlighting its exceptional aptitude in business and for offering the highest standards in service excellence.

Vincent Pijnenburg, Governor of KidZania® Dubai said: “Our approach of creating a city that children can call as their own has clearly appealed to our young visitors, as is proven by the high number of visitors in the very first year of operation. The airport-style check-in counters with all visitors being given a boarding pass and city map, among others, are all tailored to instill in the visitors the impression that they are entering a new world, where they can have fun while also adding to their knowledge level.”

An award-winning edutainment concept that promotes the physical and intellectual growth of children through professional role-plays, KidZania® sprawls over 80,000 sq ft of the mall in two levels. KidZania® has an assortment of establishments covering the entire fabric of a working economy – including a bank, hospital, university salon, television station, music lounge, and supermarket and fire station, amongst others.

A petrol station, race track and roads, fountains, restaurants, boulevard-like fun events including magic shows and a theatre with outdoor and indoor performances, offer children a world that they can claim as their own. Children are also encouraged to learn the intricacies of basic money management with every visitor being provided a cheque for 50 KidZos, KidZania’s official currency.

The KidZos can be used to buy goods and services; or even save them at the bank, which will provide them with an ATM card too. Although children function independently, they are guided in each activity by ‘Zupervisors,’ the trained KidZania® staff.

Emaar Retail also manages Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which opens a new window of learning by showcasing some 33,000 aquatic animals; the Olympic-size Dubai Ice Rink; the Middle East’s largest and first of its kind indoor theme park – SEGA Republic; and the region’s largest megaplex, the 22-screen Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall, and the 6-screen Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall
 

Paspaley Marks 75th Year Of Founding With First Ever Pearl Auction In Dubai

Paspaley, the pearling pioneer renowned for the most beautiful pearls in the world, recently conducted its first ever auction in the Middle East during the Dubai Pearl Auction event at Jumeirah Lake Towers organised by the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre. This auction was all the more memorable as it marked the 75th anniversary of Paspaley’s founding.

A pearl auction is a deeply engrossing and interesting event to observe. The sound of loose pearls being moved around in trays can be heard across the hall as leading experts from the world’s most acclaimed and renowned jewellery brands painstakingly study each of these sumptuous gems from the sea and put in their bids for the most prized among them in closed boxes. This auction was conducted over a hectic two-day course with several bidders sitting from morning to noon studying pearls of their interest.

Paspaley pearls showcased at the event included its peerless South Sea pearl strands, loose pearls and rare one-off pearls. Hailed as the most beautiful and coveted pearls in the world, Paspaley pearls are carefully nurtured under strictly monitored conditions at its famous pearl farms in Australia.

On this occasion, we got a chance to speak to James Paspaley, Executive Director Paspaley Pearls Group, to know more about the brand’s participation in the auction and what it signified for the region. “This is our first major auction in the Middle East and we are overwhelmed with the response so far. Usually, we conduct such auctions at least four to five times on yearly basis across the globe, this year Dubai was our very first stop. There are many reasons behind this decision: Firstly the country has a rich pearling history and Dubai being at the cross roads, it provides easy access to both European and Asian traders alike. The government too imposes minimal restrictions on the import and export of pearls making it an attractive destination for people associated with this industry,” Mr James Paspaley said.

He added it was indeed a proud moment for Paspaley which completes 75 years of success in the pearling industry and attributed this to the brand’s rigorous quality controls and a never ending pursuit of the finest. “The minimum time taken for a pearl to form is two years, throughout which the shell is under strict scrutiny and all procedures and processes are carefully monitored in order to produce the best pearl. Pearling is a high-risk industry so quality control is very essential,” he added.

Paspaley is not only a retail brand but is also a wholesaler of pearls. Top quality and consistency of production makes Paspaley the producer of South Sea pearls of the highest volume in the world. The brand has around 20 farms stretching between North East Darwin and Western Australia. The key factors for choosing those particular farms include availability of the shells, as these animals are found only in certain areas of the sea, weather conditions – preferably areas protected from cyclone and a pristine environment free from pollution and tidal flow.

He concluded: “We have managed to stay ahead of the competition due to the fact that we have been in the industry of natural pearling from 1930s and have given a lot of importance to the quality of our production and invested in all aspects of the pearling industry.”

In UAE Paspaley boutiques are located in Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Palm Jumeirah, and Abu Dhabi Mall.
 

British Embassy marks the Royal Wedding in traditional style with a memorable family event

As two billion people around the globe watched the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey today, a special gathering of around 1,300 guests enjoyed the memorable ceremony on the lawns of the British Embassy in Dubai.

The event was organised in conjunction with the Loyal Society made up of the Dubai Caledonian Society, Dubai St. George’s Society and the Dubai Welsh Society, and with main sponsor, Emirates Airlines.

In traditional fashion for British royal weddings, families enjoyed a traditional ’street party’ with all the trimmings. Special entertainment was put on for children including face painting, a bouncy castle and stilt performances.

The Embassy was delighted to host Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy who wished the newly weds a wonderful future as he cut a special wedding cake in their honour.

Guy Warrington Consul General at the Embassy said: "Since the engagement was announced last November the large British community in the UAE, and those from all nationalities in this country have been getting more and more excited about the big day and so it has been truly wonderful to celebrate it with such a special event. The ceremony was beautiful and we all wish Prince William and Catherine a long and very happy future together".

His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was amongst the foreign dignitaries that attended the wedding in London. Just five months after the visit to the UAE by Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at the ceremony underlines the strong links between the UK and UAE and the excellent ties between the royal families of the two countries.

Dubai Knowledge Village Marks 40% New Business Growth in 2010

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), the region’s premier destination for human resources management and a member of TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster, today announced it will outline best practices in recruitment, retention and development in the higher education sector during its participation as a partner sponsor of the International Human Resources Conference and Exhibition (IHRC) in Dubai.

Taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 – 20 January, the event will be held under the theme ‘Human Resources: Sustainable Capital for the New Era’. It is expected to attract over 500 HR practitioners and specialists from leading public and private sectors, HR NGOs, senior officials, and authorities from around the globe.

On the second day of the conference, Dr. Ayoub Kazim will outline the economic challenges faced by some academic institutions and the remedial measures adopted by higher education providers to attract and retain talent for optimising capital and operational expenditures while achieving academic excellence with respect to programme delivery and research output.

Dubai Knowledge Village’s participation at the conference comes on the back of its phenomenal performance in 2010. Registering 40 per cent new business growth with 28 new companies setting up base at DKV, the number of Human Resources Management (HRM) related firms located at the free zone currently totals more than 450.

The cluster also registered positive growth in the area of ‘HR Consultancy’ and ‘Executive Search’ that facilitates the recruitment of C-Level and executive positions.

Some of the major companies that set up operations at DKV include the global IT training and consultancy firm Fast Lane, recruitment specialist Reed Personnel Services, and specialised human resource training and development centre Allied Institute of Management Studies (AIMS).

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of Education Cluster – TECOM Investments, said: “Human resources management has become a critical component for organisations, particularly in the current global scenario. Based on the feedback received from organisations during the events we host throughout the year, we see human resources management continuing to serve as a distinctive arm of any corporate structure. The growth witnessed by Dubai Knowledge Village underlines this important trend.”

Maria Brown, Associate Director of Reed in Middle East and North Africa, said: “Opening a specialist recruitment operation in Dubai is another key element within our global expansion strategy and we are delighted to have been accepted by TECOM Investments into Dubai Knowledge Village. The new Dubai office strengthens Reed’s commitment to the Middle East.

“Reed is already an important recruitment business partner for a number of employers throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Within two years, I expect Reed’s Dubai operation to expand its workforce to around 50 that will help identify and bring in the best available talent across all our 30 professional and sector specialisms.”

Founded in 1960, Reed is a specialist provider of permanent, contract, temporary and outsourced recruitment solutions, as well as IT and HR consulting. Reed operates in the Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific, and has over 3,000 permanent employees working out of 350 offices across 30 specialisms.

Josef Miskulnig, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Fast Lane Computer Consultancy, said: “As Cisco’s largest learning partner worldwide, we cover the entire Middle East and Africa region from our Dubai-based operations. It was therefore a strategic decision to move to Dubai Knowledge Village in 2010 and we are delighted to be a business partner at TECOM Investments. Our new office at DKV brings us closer to our customers and enables us to offer improved services and solutions. We are confident our location will help us quickly consolidate our presence in the region.”

DKV has created several platforms to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices across the areas of education, project management, leadership, work-life balance, investment, sales, IT, design, HR and tourism among others. Periodic industry-specific events focusing on sectors such as oil and gas, finance and banking, and investments prominently feature on DKV’s annual calendar of programmes.

DKV’s Partner Development Management (PDM) department has to date successfully conducted 211 workshops and seminars that have attracted over 21,000 professionals from the UAE and the region. Launched in January 2007, it aims to support business partners through fostering their interaction with the TECOM community as well as other industries, maximizing their exposure and visibility, and helping them reach their target market through building appropriate marketing channels.

In 2010, Dubai Knowledge Village gained a strong ranking on fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) magazine’s annual report of global free zones. Dubai Knowledge Village has been ranked first globally under the ‘Best Incentives’ category and amongst the top 10 for ‘Best FDI Promotion Strategy’.

Launched in 2003 as the largest dedicated community for human resource management professionals, Dubai Knowledge Village continues to contribute to the development of the region’s talent pool and accelerate the creation of a knowledge-based economy.

Dulsco Marks 75th Anniversary In UAE

Dulsco has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance its contributions to the socioeconomic growth of the UAE, as the company celebrates 75 years of continued service excellence in the country. The UAE has now been classified as a high-income developing economy by the IMF with a nominal per capita GDP of USD 46,584, and Dulsco has pointed out that it has been an integral component of the sustained growth of the UAE over the years by helping satisfy the growing manpower and technical support requirements of the country’s key industries.

The core businesses of Dulsco are HR Solutions and Waste Management Services (WMS), with operations across the UAE. In addition, Dulsco has also established operations in Qatar through a joint venture.

"Dulsco celebrates a new milestone after more than seven decades of dedicated services in the UAE. We are proud to attribute our success and dedication to service excellence, and we will strive to continue to offer quality services via strong relationships with customers, vendors and employees. We want to highlight Dulsco’s human resource policy throughout the course of our celebrations, as we remain firmly committed to develop, diversify and strengthen the competencies of our employees as part of our long-term growth strategy," said Abdul Aziz Mohammad Khan, Chairman, Dulsco.

"Moreover, it is a distinct honour for Dulsco to be part of the UAE’s phenomenal rise into global prominence all through these years. We will surely continue to support and complement the social and economic development of the country by introducing new and innovative ways to address key challenges to progress," added Khan.

Dulsco currently has a workforce of over 6,000 employees with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Al Ain and Doha.

To mark its 75th anniversary, Dulsco unveiled an emblem and plaque commemorating the special occasion, while a series of activities were organised involving senior management, employees, clients and members of the community. The activities included corporate events such as the seventh edition of ‘The Dulsco Classic’, the corporate golf tournament that attracted over 80 golfers; the inaugural edition of the Dulsco Junior Par-3 Classic participated by 72 young golfers, the ninth edition of the Dulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament wherein 20 corporate teams vied for the championship, and the Sports Day for Children at Al Noor Training Centre for children with special needs and the Rashid Pediatric Centre.

Dulsco also organised a number of social activities for employees and their families, including the family night that was highlighted by a ‘Dulsco Drums’ performance by select staff members, an introduction to the ‘Art of Living’ and ‘Corporate Yoga’ concepts to employees and encouraging them to embrace healthy lifestyles, photography and cookery contests for all employees, and the ‘Art of Living’ workshops for all staff. Dulsco also manifested its environmental advocacy through activities such as the planting of the national ghaff tree on World Environment Day, and distribution of over 200 potted indoor plants to customers and associates. In a fitting finale, over 5,000 employees signed the charter marking the conclusion of the year-long celebrations. The signed charters and the 2011 calendar was unveiled on 2nd Dec’10, coinciding with the 39th National Day celebrations in the Company. This event marked the end of the year long celebrations.
 

Runners On Their Marks For New Start At Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Runners competing in the 2011 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will once again rub shoulders with the running elite on a new starting line for the biggest running event in the region.

Certified AIMS course measurer Paul Hodgson, who has meticulously measured every route since the event was first staged in Dubai, has spent the last few days going over every inch of the route to ensure that it meets the highest international standards.

And with Dubai’s ongoing landmark changes once again affecting the course, the thousands expected to start the marathon will face yet another new start line, this time outside the old Hard Rock Café opposite the Emirates Golf Club.

“It is impossible for us to have the same start as we did in 2010 due to the ongoing developments in the city,” said Hodgson who was assisted in his measuring of the route by Abdullah M. Alyazeedi from Dubai RTA.

“But the new start is in an excellent location with plenty of space for runners to gather before the start gun is fired. In addition, by creating a new start we have been able to remove the turning point near the Madinat junction. This means we now have only one major turning point on the entire marathon route – down at Union House – which should help those runners looking to set a personal best.”

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will be staged on January 21, 2011 with world record marathon prize-money of $1 million on offer to the multi-national field.

While a new race start means runners will face a fresh opening to the 42.2km route, the course is largely as it was in 2010 with less than 5% of the route changed.

“By having a new start on the road outside the old Hard Rock Café and the American University, runners will be required to make their way to the start using Exit 32 from Dubai to Dubai Internet City/Media City on Sheikh Zayed Road,” said event director Peter Connerton. “We would advise using public transport although there will be parking options within Dubai Internet and Media City.”

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by The Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding, \\\”Official Outfitter\\\” adidas, The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Khaleej Times, TNT, Gatorade, Aquafina, Fitness First, Men’s Fitness, Plan B and by government departments Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality DHA and the Dubai Ambulance Services.

Athletes looking to run in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, the 10km and the 3km Fun Run can register at any branch of Fitness First in Dubai or online at the official website www.dubaimarathon.org by December 31.
 

Movenpick Hotels Resorts Seals Colombo Management Contract Deal Marks Swiss Chains First Property in Sri Lanka and Further Strengthens its Asian Profile

DUBAI, UAE, December 13, 2010/PRNewswire/ — Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has secured a management agreement to operate the Movenpick Hotel Colombo, a 180-room property in Sri Lanka, which is expected to open by mid 2013.

The upscale property, located next to Liberty Plaza in the heart of the city, will occupy half an acre in the prime downtown district, surrounded by commercial businesses, high-end residences and prestigious restaurants.

The 19-floor hotel – being designed with sustainable build and operating requirements – will feature contemporary architecture and room sizes vary from 36sqm for standard rooms up to 70sqm for a suite.

Alongside one speciality restaurant will be an all-day dining venue, rooftop bar and nightclub, and guests will be able to unwind in the fitness centre, spa and pool and receive 24-hour room service, while executives will be able to avail of the Boardroom and Business Centre.

Andreas Mattmuller, Chief Operating Officer of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Asia, said the company is very excited about opening in Colombo, which is in line with its development strategy to secure projects in key Asian markets.

"It’s a great opportunity to expand our presence in such an emerging travel destination," he said. "It dovetails perfectly with our commitment to international expansion and will strengthen our brand portfolio in Asia."

He added that Movenpick Hotels & Resorts look forward to working with owners SoftLogic Holdings in establishing and growing the business.

Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SoftLogic Holdings, said: "We were keen to work with a globally recognised brand and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts meets our criteria perfectly. I am sure with their world-renowned levels of service and large client base, they will be a successful addition to the Colombo hospitality scene."

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, an upscale hotel management company with over 12,000 employees, is represented through over 90 hotels existing or under construction in 26 countries with a concentration on its core markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The international hotel group with roots in Switzerland is expanding and has a stated objective of increasing its hotel portfolio (existing and under construction) to 100 by the year end 2010. With two hotel types, business and conference hotels, as well as holiday resorts, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has clearly positioned itself in the upscale segment and stands for quality, reliability and care with a personal touch. The hotel group is owned by Movenpick Holding (66.7%) and the Kingdom Group (33.3%).

For further information:
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts
Laura Perez
Director of Communications – ME
Shatha Tower, Floor 39, Office 3903
P.O.Box 500590, Dubai , UAE
Phone +971-4-367-1927
Fax +971-4-367-2688
laura.perez@moevenpick.com
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com

 

Liberty Automobiles Marks 100th Year Of Chevrolet With Line-Up Of 2011 Models

Liberty Automobiles Company, one of the leading General Motors dealers in the region, ushered in the centenary year of Chevrolet by presenting the 2011 Chevrolet models at a colourful customer event held at its Sharjah showroom recently.

A range of 14 Chevrolet models, including the all-new Cruze and Malibu, were displayed at the showroom that has been specially decorated to commemorate the 100th year of fabulous car making by Chevrolet.

“Liberty Automobiles takes great pleasure and pride in celebrating the 100th year of the legendary Chevrolet brand by showcasing the full range at our Sharjah Showroom, the world’s largest General Motors retail showroom,” said Duncan Peat, Managing Director, Liberty Automobiles. “We are pleased that the year 2010 has seen tremendous interest in GM’s new breed of vehicles, and this is reflected in the steady increase in sales in recent months. Based on these trends, we expect growth of 6 to 8 per cent in 2011.”

“We are really excited about the new Chevrolet models to be unveiled next year, including Aveo, Captiva, Cruze hatchback and the eagerly awaited Camaro convertible,” said Rajesh Krishnan, General Manager – Sales and Marketing, Liberty Automobiles. “We are expecting a surge in demand on the back of the launch of great new models that boast contemporary design and state of the art technology.”

The event was attended by Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Qasimi, Chairman of Liberty Investment Company (LIC), the holding company of the Liberty Group, a number of sheikhs, invited dignitaries and senior officials from General Motors.

Also on show was the entire range of ultra-luxury Cadillacs, of which the latest entrants, CTS Coupe and CTS Coupe V performance series, were star attractions, along with the highly popular Cadillac Escalade Platinum series. Visitors also got to view future models of Opel Insignia and the all-new Opel Astra.

The gathering included a large number of Liberty’s loyal customers, some of whose relationship with the dealership goes back beyond 25 years.

Chevrolet, was founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss racecar driver who had a passion for automobile designing. Though Chevrolet began as an independent company, it became part of General Motors in 1916, and was known for its technologically innovative designs and unique styling. The Chevrolet Corvette, for example, became one of the most recognizable vehicles produced by GM and sold all over world. Chevrolet was the first American automaker to build more than 3 million vehicles in one year, in 1964. In 1966, Chevrolet unveiled its all-new Camaro, which instantly became a runaway success from the first year of its production.