June 14, 2010 : Jotun Paints, one of the world's leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has partnered with the ‘Friends of Children with Cancer’ (FOCC), an Egyptian non-government, non-profit organisation registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (under number 231 for the year 1992), to support the treatment of cancer-afflicted children in Egypt. Driven by its belief in the power of colours to bring smiles to people, the leading manufacturer will paint the first phase of FOCC’s project - the ‘Health and Hope Oasis’, a nutritional and recreational centre, located in Wadi Al-Natrun at the Beheira Governorate, for children with cancer who are undergoing treatment.

The ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ aims to offer children with cancer the opportunity to escape the confines of the hospital and be in a healthy and nurturing environment where they can receive nutritional support critical for the success of recovery and cure rate. Jotun Paints’ involvement in the project will entail the provision of paint on the project's first phase, which includes 64 accommodation units for children and their families, kitchen facilities, multipurpose activity centre and staff housing.

“The capacity of colour to influence human emotions is a core belief that continues to inspire us in the Jotun Group to become involved in initiatives supporting charity organisations,” said Per Harald Engesaeth, General Manager, El Mohandes Jotun Paints Egypt. “By filling ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ with vibrant and calming hues, we are hoping to supplement and assist with the treatment of Egyptian children with cancer, and provide them and their families encouragement in their fights against the disease. We also want to acknowledge the wonderful work that ‘Friends of Children with Cancer’ has done and continues to do with such great dedication, and we are proud to be working with them in this excellent initiative.”

Interior and exterior paints for the first phase of the ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ extension have already been delivered by Jotun Paints at the project site, which mainly benefits from donations from charitable groups, corporations and individuals. In addition to providing emotional support to the children and their families during the critical stages of chemotherapy and recovery, ‘Health and Hope Oasis's’ core focus is to provide nutritional sustenance to the patients through an operating farm that has been donated to ensure the quality of food provided and to help sustain the project. It also conducts awareness drives and training for families of the children about the importance of continuing the cancer treatment, safe hygienic practices and appropriate nutrition, infection control and the children’s emotional needs.

“Our longstanding support for charitable causes is in line with our commitment towards corporate social responsibility and the value we place in being a model for successful CSR undertakings among regional organisations. We have seen significant success in the Middle East since we started our regional operations 30 years ago, and as a means of giving back, we are dedicated to lending our support in any way we can in order to enhance the development of the community that has nurtured our growth,” concluded Engesaeth.

June 14, 2010 - Misys PLC, a global provider of application software and services for the banking and financial industry, has announced that the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) will deploy its commercial lending solution, Misys Loan IQ, for its loan  operations.

“The solution proposed by Misys will provide the bank with market-leading functionality that addresses each area of the bank’s requirements from the Structured Finance Team, Credit Management, Risk Control, Accounting and Compliance and Portfolio Management. It will also enable NBAD to capitalise on the unparalleled commercial lending expertise that Misys has gained from working with the top financial institutions worldwide,” said Kevin Hayden, Treasury & Capital Markets Operations Director , Middle East and Africa, Misys.

NBAD, the UAE’s largest bank by market capitalisation, commissioned Misys to suggest a robust and scalable solution for its lending-related back-office operations. Misys Loan IQ currently processes over a third of international syndicated loans and more than a half of the world’s loan trades. Misys Loan IQ is used by leading global financial institutions to automate, optimise and develop their commercial lending business. Loan IQ will help NBAD to streamline workflows, increase loan processing efficiencies and reduce turnaround time.

“The Bank preferred a turnkey product, highly capable of resolving their operational issues, which will be delivered via our Loan IQ system. Misys Loan IQ is backed by our 18 years of expertise in the lending field and has all the functionality needed to meet complex loan trading transactions.” said Roy Froud, Director, Middle East and Africa, Misys.
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“We intend to improve efficiency and customer service provided to corporates and financial institutions that participate in NBAD’s syndicated lending.” said Nigel Carrington, NBAD’s Divisional Manager of Operations. “Misys Loan IQ will be a key factor in realising this goal.”

Misys Loan IQ covers Origination, Agency Servicing, Loan Trading, Accounting, Portfolio Management, Treasury, Collateral Management, Total Return Swaps, Bilateral Lending, and Reporting.  The multi-currency and multi-branch capable solution features a proven scalable technology and provides comprehensive coverage for bilateral loans and highly structured syndicated deals. Loan IQ users have reported cost savings of up to 20 per cent through systems consolidation and reduced headcount. 

Misys’ leading portfolio of banking and financial products and services is used by all of the top 50 of the world’s banks. For over 30 years Misys has been providing industry-leading integrated and comprehensive solutions for retail and corporate banking and treasury operations.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), The Number One Bank in the UAE, was incorporated in 1968 and is listed in the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), under stock code NBAD. The Bank was ranked in the World’s 50 Safest Banks in 2009 by Global Finance and recognised as a super brand by Super brands, the independent authority and arbiter on branding.  NBAD provides financial services to all segments of the consumer and corporate markets in addition to fund management, brokerage, financial markets, leasing, property management and private banking businesses. NBAD is an award winning leader in the UAE and GCC financial services industry.

une 14, 2010 : The Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), a leading centre of law studies and judicial training in Dubai, recently received a high-ranking French delegation from Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature (ENM), the French National School for the Judiciary. The group, led by Judge Eric Minogue, Senior Judge and Head of ENM's International Relations Department, sought helpful insights from DJI’s experience in increasing efficiency, developing customized programs, and reviewing administrative and training practices. 

The visit featured a review of the core elements of DJI's 2010 Strategic Plan, such as its emphasis on joint cooperation; the signing of agreements and partnerships with prominent local, regional and international bodies; support for scientific research; high-quality personnel development; and the enhancement of the legal and judicial system in line with Dubai’s vision of security, justice and safety. The French delegation also watched a presentation on the Institute's achievements in 2009, particularly its efficient organisation of regular training and vocational habilitation programs and the growth of its number of trainees to 1,284.
“ENM’s interest in reviewing our Expert Training program is a testament to our leading regional role in the field of judicial training. We were pleased to enlighten the French delegation on the latest teaching methodologies we have adopted, including shared teaching based on advanced learning principles and the use of the best training tools. These promote further investments into human resource development in line with changing global developments and in support of sustainable development at various levels. We hope that this meeting will significantly advance our cooperation with ENM and influence the holding of future training programs and meetings in a manner that promotes the exchange of expertise and best legal practices on a broader  scale in order to realize mutual interests and visions,” said Dr. Jamal Alsumaiti, Director General of Dubai Judicial Institute.
The two sides discussed DJI's key programs for training judges and prosecutors and habilitating experts, along with major projects for developing the judicial system in Dubai such as the “Law Forum,” “Experts Debate Program,” and “Knowledge Management.” The Institute also talked about community-oriented initiatives aimed at raising public awareness on legal issues and reinforcing the role of law in building an integrated knowledge-based community. 
Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature (ENM) was established in 1958. It coordinates with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice in the training of judges and public prosecutors in cooperation with judicial training institutes throughout the world.
The Dubai Judicial Institute was established in 1996 to help educate and train aspiring judges, prosecutors and their assistants, legal experts and lawyers. DJI also offers habilitation programs for public prosecutors to enhance their efficiency. The Institute also provides training and consultancy services to various agencies and institutions - both private and public – and conducts research and studies in all areas of law and jurisdiction, locally, regionally and globally.

June 01, 2010 :The regional call centre industry is witnessing significant expansion amidst the ever-growing demand for customer service and support, and many of them are looking to leverage new trends and technologies in call centre solutions, said Sage Software, the leading global supplier of ERP, CRM and HRM solutions to medium and large organisations. In line with this, the company marked a significant presence, along with new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) partners Pan Cyber and Voxtron, at the recently concluded ‘Middle East Call Centre ’10’ (MECC ’10) Conference and Exhibition in Dubai, where it underlined the capacity to build and support long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty of its ‘SageCRM’ solution.

The regional call centre industry has witnessed minimal setback from the global economic downturn, thanks to the foresight of majority of the companies to focus on customer retention tactics rather than risk sacrificing the level of customer care. Effectively addressing this specific goal, ‘SageCRM’ can make critical information for call centres - including service requests, call and escalation history, interactions, multiple contacts, support cases, email, and sent and received documents - easily accessible, thereby facilitating the quick resolution of issues and extensive cross-sell or up-sell opportunities. The solution can also help call centres shorten sales cycles and close deals faster by providing a complete 360º view of vital customer data and automatic distribution of leads.

“After dodging a massive hit from the global economic meltdown, the region’s call centre industry has proven its maturity and forward-looking approach towards strategic growth amidst tremendous challenges,” said Reggie Fernandes, Sales Manager - Gulf Region, Sage Software. “During our participation at MECC ’10, we have met with top officials of leading call centres in the region, primarily decisions makers, who remain focused on leveraging the latest available technologies to maintain and exceed their current performance. We were successful in initiating relationships with key client contacts, and we are planning to leverage this by ensuring that they reap the benefits offered by ‘Sage CRM’ in growing their business.”

Incorporating industry-leading technology to foster better business practices and effortless information exchange throughout the organisation, ‘SageCRM’ is an easy-to-use, fast-to-deploy, feature-rich, low-cost, Internet-based CRM solution designed to introduce the real benefits of CRM. Adopting the software can empower companies to make the most of every customer interaction and maximise business opportunities and customer satisfaction through fast and convenient access to critical consumer information. Providing comprehensive, easy-to-use tools to successfully manage consumer relationships, ‘SageCRM’ allows users to quickly analyse, manage, and synchronise sales, marketing and customer care activities across all points of contact, thereby giving them a crucial competitive advantage. In addition to the call centre industry, ‘SageCRM’ is widely used for different businesses in the banking, construction, real estate, and retail sectors.

“By allowing regional call centres to run their business their way, ’SageCRM’ holds tremendous potential to help not only call centres in the region but companies in other industries, which experienced stronger drawback from the crisis, in their customer retention efforts and other initiatives targeting growth. We have designed this CRM software to promote complete flexibility, and we are expecting many call centres in the Middle East to appreciate this, adopt the solution and contribute in maintaining the industry’s impressive growth momentum,” concluded Fernandes.

May 26, 2010 : Al-Khaleej and ALFalak Group, a leading provider of technology-based end-to-end solutions in the Middle East, handed out tenure awards to employees and highlighted honours received from key corporate partners during a recent annual recognition event that was held at the Al-Gosaibi Hotel in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The event was attended by board members of the Al Khaleej/ALFalak Group, businessmen, managers of major banks and clients.

During the event, Ahmad Ashadawi, President of ALFalak, Chairman of Al Khaleej, President of Al Khaleej Holding and Member of its board of directors, highlighted the key achievements of the 3,550-employee Group in the past year and revealed that the Group’s revenue is now close to SAR one billion.

On the occasion, a total of 73 employees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of loyal service to the company. Ashadawi also pointed out that several employees have been involved in various ‘skills development’ initiatives through courses in computer hardware and software, communication systems, security systems and English language improvement. In Saudi Arabia alone, more than 1,200 of the Group’s employees are currently being trained in the 82 training centers spread across the Kingdom.

The training facilities of the Al Khaleej Group have been receiving local and international accolades, most recent being the recognition as the ‘Best Training and

Education Center for the 9th year’, from Microsoft Arabia, and also the New Horizons Center recognition naming Al Khaleej Group’s training facilities as ‘One of the 20 best centers for technology education and training in the world’. Al Khaleej owns 12 international franchises in the field of training and education in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

“The Al Khaleej/ALFalak Group continues to scale new heights year after year, and the main reason for this is the dedication and commitment to excellence of our employees. The past year was another successful one for us despite the challenging economic conditions worldwide, and we hope to continue our excellent performance moving forward. We thank our partners and clients for their constant support as we commit to serve them with greater vigour,” said Ashadawi.         

During the past year ALFalak also has been the recipient of several awards from its partners. For instance, in the distribution domain, the company was presented by Microsoft with four awards, and three each by Symantec and Eton. In addition, ALFalak won awards from companies such as Bluecoat, HP, D Link, Alcatel-Lucent, and Europe Company, for networks. 

The ALFalak and Al-Khaleej Group include ALFalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Company, Al-Khaleej Computers and Electronic Systems, Al-Khaleej Training & Education Co., Medical Care & Sciences Co., in addition to affiliations with several established international companies.  

Abu Dhabi, UAE— To better prepare future healthcare Emiratis for job success in the new era of digitized healthcare environments, the  Higher College of Technology will implement the Cerner Academic Education Solution (AES). The Cerner AES incorporates health information technology (HIT) into the college’s curriculum and prepares students for success in digital healthcare by building a proficiency in HIT before they enter the workforce. Cerner will provide the solution for the next three years to improve adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in the U.A.E. Currently, six of the seven U.A.E. emirates have health systems using Cerner™ solutions to standardize care and increase patient safety by driving variance of practice out of the system.

“This very important partnership with Cerner, a leader in its field of healthcare solutions, again shows the standing of the HCT’s health science programs, which are aimed to produce highly qualified and work-ready graduates able to meet the challenges and needs of the UAE,”  said HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali.

More than 600 students and 70 staff at the Higher Colleges of Technology will use the Cerner AES to integrate informatics into curricula with real EHR experience. The Cerner AES is the only full clinical information system adapted to support healthcare curricula and classroom instruction. Institutions can use the Cerner AES to simulate patient scenarios through case studies to support course objectives, teaching and learning. Student clinicians can work through every area of patient assessment, care planning, reviewing and documenting patient information and monitoring outcomes as they would in a real-world setting. Key educational benefits for students using the AES include:

• Increased proficiency in HIT -- skills will be easily applied to future jobs after graduation because of students’ previous exposure to EHRs and clinical workflows;
• Improved decision making capabilities  --  embedded knowledge and support tools are built into the solution, for example, links to research on the Web to support evidence based care decisions;
• Strengthened clinical knowledge -- real world scenarios that guide students in developing critical thinking skills and building their medical terminology vocabulary; and
• Increased preparedness -- educational curricula evolves so that each generation is well prepared to enter the electronic paperless workplace already having been exposed to the latest technology.

“Improving education and the health of the residents of the U.A.E. through the use of technology are core elements of the mission of the government of the U.A.E. and Cerner,” said Rich Berner, vice president and general manager Cerner Middle East.  “We are pleased to partner with the Higher College of Technology and provide this solution as we believe our AES solution will help healthcare providers, future clinicians and Cerner achieve our collective mission in the U.A.E.” 

Nurturing young fashion talent will be the key if the Arab world aims to mark its presence on the world fashion stage, noted French Fashion University Esmod – Dubai. The comment comes as Esmod Dubai announces the launch of a specialised summer course titled ‘How to launch your own fashion brand’ that specifically targets inspiring fashion enthusiasts, brand custodians, independent fashion designers, and fashion business initiators and owners.

Fashion minds are undermined in the region. Young Arab designers aspire to achieve global recognition equivalent to their European counterparts and other established fashion hubs. Several highly-talented Arab-origin designers such as Elie Saab, Rami Al Ali, Robert Abi Nader, Abed Mahfouz and Walid Attalah are already excelling around the world with their fusion of modern and Arabic-inspired elements. The first-ever all-Arab fashion event held in Europe last year, which was held under the theme ‘Arabian Fashion World,’ underlined the importance of Arabic fashion through the impressive collections of five acclaimed Arab designers from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Jordan.
 
The six-week intensive course launched by Esmod Dubai begins on August 1, 2010 and covers topics such as market study, target market identification, branding, fashion marketing, competitor assessment, marketing and business plan formulation, budgeting, media planning, supplier and partner evaluation, strategising, cost management, pricing, launch strategies and publicity.              
    
Commenting on the launch of the new course, Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of the French Fashion University Esmod - Dubai, said: “Almost all students of fashion aspire to launch their own label at some point in their career. While being a highly skilled fashion designer is one thing, to be able to successfully launch your own brand requires a whole different set of skills, and this is precisely what our new course aims to address.”

“As expected in a course of this nature, the focus will primarily be on the business and marketing aspects of fashion. The comprehensive six-week course will have a mix of theoretical and practical sessions, including case studies, to ensure that the students get an in-depth understanding of the various facets of the fashion business,” she added.  

To those registering before June 20, 2010, Esmod is offering a 25 per cent discount on the already affordable course fee. The last date for enrollment is July 15, 2010. The course will be conducted four days a week from Sunday to Wednesday, with the following timing options: 10:00am to 1:00pm or 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

“If launching your own fashion label has been a long cherished dream, we are here to help you turn this dream into reality. Launching your own fashion brand can be exciting, challenging and rewarding, and everyday could be a learning process. Students would realise that there are some skills that only a specialised marketing course can offer and this is the premise on which the ‘How to launch your fashion brand’ course is formulated. The key nevertheless is to believe in yourself and give it the best you have,” concluded Hostal.   

May 24, 2010 : DOMOTEX Middle East 2010, the only dedicated carpets and floor coverings exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa region, that was held concurrently with R+T Middle East 2010, the Middle East spin-off of the world’s leading show for roller shutters, doors, gates and sun-protection systems, concluded recently at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, with 225 exhibitors from 34 countries leveraging the steady growth of the region’s construction, hospitality and industrial sectors. More than 4,860 trade visitors attended the two shows that were inaugurated by Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Angela Schaschen, Managing Director, Deutsche Messe Dubai, organiser of the two shows, said: “The region’s construction and hospitality sectors are currently witnessing a period of renewed growth, with several major commercial and residential projects underway. This has created new business opportunities for the carpets and flooring solutions sector, which was clearly reflected by the exhibitor sentiment at DOMOTEX Middle East 2010. Likewise, the significant increase in industrial projects across the region, coupled with the construction sector growth, meant that the exhibitors at the inaugural edition of R+T Middle East had a lot to look forward to.”

DOMOTEX Middle East 2010 assembled a powerful selection of leading global exhibitors who presented a comprehensive selection of carpets and flooring products and services, including hand-made and machine-made carpets; textile and resilient floor coverings; parquet and other wood floors; laminates; ceramic tiles, natural stone floors and marble, floors for sports arenas and sports facilities; fibres, yarns and textiles; application and floor laying techniques and equipment; machinery and technology. The trade event targeted wholesalers and retailers as well as decision-makers from construction companies, architects, interior designers, project planners, floor layers and fitters.

This edition of DOMOTEX Middle East once again offered a new, higher level of experience and sophistication in the series of interactive networking activities it featured. The Designers Corner presented the latest breakthroughs in design flooring as well as a select range of inspiring reference projects that will help stimulate new ideas and design concepts. Likewise, the Creative Flooring section, facilitated by experienced professionals of The Academy of Flooring Skills (TAOFS) from the UK, was enhanced to offer more interactive and engaging demonstration sessions focusing on the most up-to-date techniques and products.

R+T Middle East 2010 on the other hand featured a comprehensive range of specialised products and services, including roller shutters and accessories; windows, window shutters and accessories; awnings; Venetian blinds and roller blinds; doors/gates and accessories; drive and control systems; electrical security equipment; business fittings and furnishings; and technical literature.

May 24, 2010
The 16th edition of BUILDEX, the International Exhibition for Construction, drew to a close recently at the Damascus International Fairgrounds, Syria. The event welcomed 759 companies representing 1,288 brands and covered 57 Arab and international countries. It gathered visitors from diverse nationalities and specialties to several business meetings and activities during its five-day run. The exhibition highlighted the latest building and construction technologies and materials, covering areas such as air conditioning, cooling and ventilation equipment, water and environment, stone, marble and paints, insulation materials, and security, safety and lighting systems. It also focused on prospects in local development aimed at meeting growing demand for commercial and residential buildings in Syria. 
BUILDEX 2010 received numerous officials and local and international commercial and special delegations. Mr. Abdullah Al Dardari, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Syria, toured the exhibition stands and exchanged views regarding Syria’s construction sector and effective development strategies. The Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Syria, the General Manager of Military Housing Establishment in Syria, the Syrian Minister of Local Administration, and representatives from Syria’s various contracting and engineering firms were also present.

Industry heads and delegates from the chambers of commerce of Turkey and Italy were likewise on hand. Other attendees included representatives from Taiwan Trade Center in Dubai; delegates from the Iraqi Ministry of Housing and Construction and Jordan Engineers Association; the National President of the General Association of Algerian Contractors and the Manager of the National Federation of Building and Construction Contractors representing more than 52 Algerian contractors; in addition to commercial delegations from Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Turkey, China, and Sudan, among others.
This year’s edition of BUILDEX set new records in volume of participation as well as in terms of the size of the total exhibition area. The strong figures affirm the positive stature of the exhibition and its role in the development of the building and construction sector in Syria and the region. They also reflect the improving state of the regional economy following the repercussions of the global economic crisis. BUILDEX 2010 highlighted the growing interest in the Syrian building materials sector among leading international companies and their intent on using BUILDEX to enter the Arab region in light of the robust investment atmosphere being maintained in Syria.
A number of fruitful activities were held during the exhibition, such as the finalization and signing a contract for building “Syria Mall” in Homs and important business meetings held between participants and visiting businessmen.
Alaa Hilal, CEO of Arabian Group, said: “Syria is currently implementing a comprehensive development policy and overhauling its building, investment, real estate, tourism, and housing sectors. The significant number of agreements signed with Arab countries has the potential to spur vast economic growth and facilitate substantial investments. It has also influenced the decision among many major international companies to penetrate the market with diverse investments in fields such as tourism, real estate, and the industrial sectors.”
“This is what makes BUILDEX a very important event. The exhibition provides the best platform for companies to capitalize on the active and promising Syrian market, specifically by facilitating productive interaction between suppliers, manufacturers, engineers, consultants, and decision makers from around the globe,” added Hilal.

May 24, 2010 : Al Yasat Holdings LLC, one of the region’s leading real estate developers, has announced that it has finished work on the 22nd floor of the 47-storey The One Tower commercial project at TECOM C on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Once completed, the tower will feature more than 380,000 square feet of executive offices, a business center, more than 16,000 square feet of showroom space, restaurants, a health club and a penthouse. The project has been designed to provide unobstructed 360-degree views of Dubai Media City and its prominent developments. It will be the only commercial building to be connected to the TECOM C Metro Station, via a footbridge linking the tower’s podium 1 to the rail terminal, which incidentally also makes it the only building in Dubai to be directly connected to a metro station.

Lead contractor Al Shafar General Contracting Co. currently has 900 staff working on The One Tower, which was designed by Dewan Architects and Engineers, an architectural design consultancy with 25 years of expertise in the UAE market. 

“We are keen to accelerate the development of The One Tower as one of the key projects within TECOM C, the extension of Dubai Media City. So far we are on schedule to deliver this iconic structure and further raise the bar for office developments in Dubai. The tower reflects our prioritization of strategically-located property developments,” said Mr. Rashid Mohammed Almazroui , Chairman, Al Yasat Holdings.

Facilities and amenities of The One Tower include outdoor swimming pool, café/juice bar, specialty restaurants on the seventh floor, banking hall, recreation area, state-of-the-art health club with sauna, steam and fitness equipment, security surveillance cameras and reception desk with round the clock security. 

The One Tower is one of the key developments under Al Yasat Holdings’ portfolio of commercial and residential projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

May 24, 2010
SMART Technologies, the world’s leading provider of interactive whiteboards, has announced the recent acquisition of New Zealand-based NextWindow (Next Holdings Limited), a leading designer and manufacturer of optical touch technology for integration into all-in-one computers, computer displays and large-format screens. The acquisition reinforces SMART’s own investment in optical touch research and development, and combines the two companies’ significant optical touch patent portfolios. The NextWindow acquisition is expected to have minimal impact on both businesses’ day-to-day operations, offices and company structure. Both SMART and NextWindow are privately held companies.

NextWindow supplies optical touch components to manufacturers of PCs and other interactive displays. Its touch components are used in PCs and monitors sold by Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Medion, NEC, Samsung and Sony. The acquisition extends SMART’s current presence in the education, business and government sectors into the broader consumer market. SMART is also expanding its business in Asia, where NextWindow has already been active. In the past year, NextWindow has developed an Asian presence in Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.
“SMART serves a range of markets, and it is timely to diversify our revenue base beyond the sectors we already serve,” said Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “NextWindow‘s core values, business model, patent portfolio and focus on the consumer market make it an attractive acquisition for us.”
“We are combining two companies with complementary expertise and a remarkably similar culture focused on innovation and excellence,” said Al Monro, NextWindow’s CEO. “NextWindow’s development of optical touch technology complements SMART’s efforts, and I’m delighted that we are becoming part of SMART.”
In the transaction, RBC Capital Markets were financial advisors to SMART and Cowen and Company, LLC were financial advisors to NextWindow.

 Bosch expects that the Middle East markets will register increased sales in automotive technology, a key business sector that is projected to be the greatest contributor in the Bosch Group's bid to boost global revenues in 2010 by 10 per cent to 42 billion Euros. In the first quarter of 2010 alone, Bosch Group has reported a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in global sales as the Middle East and key Asian markets are registering growth following a relatively sluggish year in 2009, while European markets are likewise showing signs of recovery.

Bosch revealed that promising business prospects in 2010 are poised to make up for more than 50 per cent of the loss in global sales sustained in 2009, during which Bosch's sales stood at 38.2 billion euros, or 15 percent below the previous year. Sales of the Bosch Group in the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council reached over 120 million euros in 2009, a 25 percent increase over the 2008 business year. The Bosch Group is offering a comprehensive range of automotive aftermarket products, power tools, security systems and thermotechnology in the GCC markets.

The market for automotive parts and accessories is a dynamic business in the Middle East. Official figures indicate that the UAE alone has around 1.4 million vehicles, while the whole region has a total of almost 6 million. According to a report by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  UAE car sales is expected to grow 5.9 per cent in 2010, asserting a huge potential in the regional aftermarket industry.

Volker Bischoff, General Manager, Bosch Middle East, said: "Our strategic initiatives at the height of the economic downturn have put us in a perfect position to take advantage of the gradual market upswing, particularly in the Middle East and other emerging markets. On the other hand, we are also seeing signs of recovery in Europe, which is very good for the auto parts business in general.”
Bosch also announced that investments in research and development (R&D) will remain a key focus and will continue to move along its ecological course. Up to 45 per cent of R&D expenditure is for the development of products that protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Environmentally conscious products account for one-third of total sales, while renewable energy-related products have been a major growth category with sales of 1.5 billion Euros expected in 2010.