Bank Sarasin-Alpen And Alpen Capital Organize Their Seventh Global Fusion Concert In Dubai

Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Limited, a subsidiary of Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd, a leading Swiss private bank, together with its investment banking associate Alpen Capital (ME) Limited will host its seventh GLOBAL FUSION concert on Saturday, 22 January 2011 at the Convention Centre of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai.

This year’s ‘Global Fusion’ brings together 10 artistes from across the world with their varied musical styles. The concert will feature Niladri Kumar – the sitar virtuoso as the lead artiste along with musical gurus like Talvin Singh, Bernard Schimpelsberger, Abbas Kosimov, Rakesh Chaurasia, Mattias Eklundh, Eliana Burki, Ali Obeid, Chloe Arnold and Agnelo Fernandes. Some of the highlights of the concert include the Swiss Alphorn player, Eliana Burki, the UAE National Oudh player, Ali Obeid as well as the internationally renowned tap dancer, Chloe Arnold.

Global Fusion – Musical Fusion across borders

Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Bank Sarasin-Alpen Group and Alpen Capital Group
“We are very proud of the success of our Global Fusion concerts and especially our recent accomplishment of winning the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Award for our contribution to the creative scene in Dubai. This is the seventh Global Fusion concert in Dubai and I am glad that our clients look forward to it with the same enthusiasm that they had five years ago. We also continue with our efforts to promote local talent by providing an opportunity to the Oudh player – Ali Obeid to perform with internationally renowned musicians in the 2011 concert.”

Bank Sarasin-Alpen and Alpen Capital started operating in the DIFC in early 2005. The two organizations function in a unique business model wherein the investment banking capabilities of Alpen Capital complement the private banking activities of Bank Sarasin-Alpen. The organizations have expanded their operations to Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and India in the past six years.

The Global Fusion which is a much sought after networking occasion Global will be attended by Bank Sarasin-Alpen’s and Alpen Capital’s clients from across the GCC as well as many leading personalities of the region.
 

’Eid In Dubai’ Readies To Organize Back-To-School Exhibition And Funfair At Airport Expo Dubai

Airport Expo Dubai is all set to host a back-to-school exhibition and a funfair as part of ‘Eid in Dubai’ festivities to mark Eid Al Fitr. Organised by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), ‘Eid in Dubai’ aims at bringing various resident nationalities together to celebrate Eid and the venue will be just one of many entertainment destinations planned as part of the occasion. In addition to the exhibition, DEPE is also putting up an extensive funfair featuring rides, games, and much more for children.

The back-to-school exhibition, organized by Concept Brands Trading, will be held from September 9th to September 18th between 10am and 10pm at the East Hall of the Expo. Some of the best known brands in school stationery such as Pelikan, Staedtler, 3M, and Touchmate will be part of the display. While the focus is on stationery, visitors can browse through a wide range of products such as laptops, computer accessories, uniforms, and books, with discounts of between 30 and 70%.

The Expo will also be the venue for a massive funfair at the Central Hall. Spread across a wide area, the funfair features rides, skill games, redemption games, a soft play area, an inflatable zone, and Play-Station zone. Aimed at attracting children and families and creating an exciting family experience, entrance to the funfair will be free and to celebrate the spirit of Eid, ride tickets will be priced reasonably.
 

Dubai Silicon Oasis And General Information Authority Organize Blood Donation Campaign

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), an integrated free zone technology park, and General Information Authority (GIA), in collaboration with Dubai Health Authority (DHA), organized a one-day blood donation drive at the headquarters of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA).

Held on 20 June, the initiative witnessed a significant number of DSOA employees and customers volunteering to donate blood in aid of ‘Thalassemia’ patients as well as those in need of blood.

The blood donation drive was organized to mark the World Blood Donor’s Day. Set annually by World Health Organisation (WHO) for 14 June, the day acknowledged the gesture of millions of people around the world who volunteer to donate their blood for saving the lives of others or enhancing the chances of their recovery from various diseases. The 2010 event focused on young blood donors with its slogan ‘New blood for the world’.

Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Executive Vice President – Corporate Excellence and Support – DSOA said: “DSOA’s participation emphasizes the approach it takes as an integrated community that seeks to enhance the bonds of communication and harmony. We are pleased to co-operate with two of the most significant institutions that are keen to provide services to the society through humanitarian initiatives and activities.”

Salem Al Shaer, Director General of GIA said: “We are pleased to work with DHA and DSOA to fulfill this initiative, which serves the local society and manifests one of the significant concepts of the UAE strategy. We are confident other organizations in the UAE will also come forward for the benefit of the community at large.”

DHA will ensure the delivery of the donated blood units to those with Thalassemia and heart diseases as well as the victims of accidents and other mishaps at all hospitals across the UAE.

The World Blood Donor Day is based on the need to pay tribute to those involved in relevant humanitarian initiatives while encouraging wider participation from the community.
 

Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders Organize Half-Year Strategy Meeting

Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (MBRE) organised the Half-Year Strategic Retreat meeting to review the establishment’s achievements in the past six months and to assess and identify performance improvement opportunities and new initiatives for the coming months.

The meeting was attended by the CEO, senior management, staff and is in line with MBRE’s Strategic Plan (2009-2015) launched in February 2009 under the theme “Yes To Growth”.

In his key note, H.E. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of MBRE, expressed the establishment’s gratitude for the support given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

“The trust of the leadership in our role is reiterated in the expansion of our mandate to take ownership of the development of the SME sector in Dubai, which saw MBRE integrate as one of the agencies under the Department of Economic Development.”

MBRE, in the past six months, attracted over 250 projects presented by a large number of government and private high school and university students through its Young Ent. Competition. It signed strategic MOUs with Khalifa Fund, the German-Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Trade (AHK), the British Business Group, Dubai and the Northern Emirates (BBG); and the Australian Business Council – Dubai. It also launched and sponsored the 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM); and the Entrepreneurs Business Village (EBV) campaign.

In the next six months, the Establishment will launch new research studies on the Dubai SME sector and its key industry clusters, launch the third customer satisfaction survey amongst its members and set up its new home in the Entrepreneur Business Village (EBV).

“I thank the efforts of the MBRE staff in these accomplishments over the past months, and urge them to lend their continued support and commitment to the originations,” Al Janahi said.

According to some members of the MBRE, funding was a critical element in launching their projects and this is where MBRE has played a important role in providing this necessary seed funding at the initial stage to bring their ideas to life. These entrepreneurs have now repaid their loans to MBRE and are able to attract commercial loans from banks as a stable corporate entity.

Ali Salman, a veteran member of MBRE and the owner of the (Magic Bus) project, pointed that MBRE played a critical role in supporting his project which was initiated for the first time in the Middle East.

“MBRE not only provided the project with required funding but also offered me with directing and guidance through all phases of the project which became today one of the most innovative projects in the region”. Al Salman explained.

Ahmed Mohammed Al Sharif, owner of A&A Real Estate and a member MBRE, said: “MBRE provided me with advice and guidance, as well as many quality facilities that helped in establishing a company which is able to grow and keep pace with market changes.”

Rashed Al Bloushi, the owner of Al Ittihad National IT Company, which was the first company to launch marketing via Bluetooth, commented: “MBRE is an ideal platform for learning about the best concepts to establish successful projects.”

Omar Al Awadhi, Owner of Teqaniyat for organising conferences and exhibitions explained that MBRE was the incubator for his project, which has experienced steady growth since its launch and till date.

“The organization has responded quickly to his project and provided him with the necessary funding and guidance.” Al Awadhi said

Abdullah Kazem, owner of Max Secure and a member of MBRE said: “MBRE has supported me continuously by providing funding facilities and necessary training programs, which have helped me through my career and resulted in the success of my project.”

MBRE’s ‘Yes to Growth; strategy reinforce its role in encouraging the culture of innovation and distinction among staff and business leaders. It also includes a number of important aspects aimed at promoting competitiveness to establish small and medium enterprises that support the economic development goals of Dubai and enhance the emirate’s position as a global hub for small and medium businesses by building capabilities and implementing supportive policies.