Company News

September 8, 2011 – AND Group plc, an internationally recognized provider of communication services to the marine and offshore sectors, today announces that it has been appointed as a distribution partner for Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband service.

AND Group can now distribute the full range of FleetBroadband services: from FB150 for smaller vessels needing voice communications and lower data speeds, through to FB500 for large merchant fleets needing high-speed data, value-added services and a full managed service provision.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and the Formula One Group yesterday signed an agreement extending the airline’s title sponsorship of the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX for four years, effective through to the 2015 event. Etihad has been title sponsor for the event since the inaugural FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX in 2009. James Hogan, Etihad Airways CEO, and Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group CEO, were on hand to pen the multi-million dollar deal.

First stage of contract delivers Ka-band gateways and terminals to enable broadband satellite services across Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia


Dubai,  UAE-  September 7th, 2011―Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellites networks and services, announced today that it has made its first shipment of advanced Ka-band gateway equipment and satellite terminals to Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (Yahsat), based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.


The shipment of four system gateways, Network Control Center (NCC), and initial order of  
Ka-band terminals will be used by Yahsat to provide its “YahClick” next-generation, high-speed satellite Internet service. Expected to launch in 2012, the new service has been specifically developed to bring high-performance broadband access to unserved and underserved regions of the Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia, and is on target to reach 26 countries.

Commenting on the announcement, Jassem Al Zaabi, Yahsat CEO, said, “This initial shipment of equipment is significant as it follows the successful conclusion of the Critical Design Review. With this on-schedule shipment, Yahsat is on track to have the YahClick ground system in place and ready for our Y1B satellite launch. It is a major milestone to realize our vision of bringing cost-effective, high-speed Internet service to millions of underserved and unserved people and organizations in countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South West Asia,” he concluded.


In addition to providing gateways and terminals, Hughes is also under contract to deliver a complete OSS/BSS solution (Operational Support System and Business Support System), as well as to operate and maintain the network for a three-year period.


Bahram Pourmand, executive vice president, International Division at Hughes, said, “Hughes takes great pride in meeting its customer commitments—in this case, successfully completing the Critical Design Review and Factory Acceptance Tests, as well as demonstrating a number of key features, functionalities, and performance specifications of our proven Ka-band technology, thereby setting the stage to power Yahsat’s service starting next year.”


Installation of the four gateways and Network Control Center (NCC) in Europe and the UAE is expected to be completed in November 2011, enabling the commissioning and testing of the YahClick service once the satellite is launched.

-Ends-

Muscat Marine introduces a special summer offer allowing boat owners to trade in their old boat engine for a brand new Evinrude and get up to a maximum of RO 1,200 off


Muscat, 7 September 2011: Muscat Marine, a Zubair Automotive Group Company and distributor for Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), has launched a special summer offer for boat owners that allow them to exchange their old engine for a brand new Evinrude engine and get up to a maximum of RO 1,200 off.  This offer is valid from 15th August until 14th October. 


The new offer comes at the perfect time for water sports enthusiasts in Oman to replace their old engine with brand new Evinrude Engine and enjoy the summer season on the water with cooling sea breezes. These engines come packed full of advanced specifications like fuel injection, high fuel economy, low maintenance, warranty up to 3 years or 750hrs and are well known as the most powerful and lightest engine in its class.

In ensuring that they use the best possible buses for their customers in the Sultanate, ‘Gulf Transport Company LLC (GTC)’ in Salalah has taken delivery of a fleet of HIGER V92 super deluxe buses from Towell Auto Centre (TAC) recently. Based in Salalah, GTC is one of Oman’s major bus operators and has a fleet of more than 45 buses. The keys of the buses were handed over to Sheikh Ahmed Said Al Rawas, and Sheikh Ahmed Salam Al Meshikhi, Partners of GTC, by Mr Riyadh Ali Sultan, General Manager of TAC at Towell Auto Centre’s premises in Salalah.


Sheikh Ahmed Said Al Rawas, Managing Partner of GTC says, “At GTC vehicles are frequently upgraded to ensure that only models of the latest quality are used for our ever expanding customer base. Each time we procure or change our buses we are looking for value, and what better value to ask for, than that of the latest HIGER range of buses which are available at an attractive price and come equipped with sterling features.”


The HIGER V92 coach offers superior luxury along with exceptional performance and enhanced safety, and is available in 51+1+1(1door), 49+1+1 (2doors). The coach is specially designed for relaxing long-distance journeys, offering ergonomically reclining seats with excellent air-conditioning and reduced noise levels, and also comes equipped with a variety of on-bus features such as – water toilet, bottle cooler and coffee machine, electrically operated rear view mirror, 3 Point seat belts, and additional ventilation fan. The Star – KLQ6728 on the other hand, is available in 30 seating capacity and is extremely striking to look at, with aerodynamic contours and aesthetically conceived interiors, and an ABS option.

In ensuring that they use the best possible buses for their customers in the Sultanate, ‘Gulf Transport Company LLC (GTC)’ in Salalah has taken delivery of a fleet of HIGER V92 super deluxe buses from Towell Auto Centre (TAC) recently. Based in Salalah, GTC is one of Oman’s major bus operators and has a fleet of more than 45 buses. The keys of the buses were handed over to Sheikh Ahmed Said Al Rawas, and Sheikh Ahmed Salam Al Meshikhi, Partners of GTC, by Mr Riyadh Ali Sultan, General Manager of TAC at Towell Auto Centre’s premises in Salalah.


Sheikh Ahmed Said Al Rawas, Managing Partner of GTC says, “At GTC vehicles are frequently upgraded to ensure that only models of the latest quality are used for our ever expanding customer base. Each time we procure or change our buses we are looking for value, and what better value to ask for, than that of the latest HIGER range of buses which are available at an attractive price and come equipped with sterling features.”


The HIGER V92 coach offers superior luxury along with exceptional performance and enhanced safety, and is available in 51+1+1(1door), 49+1+1 (2doors). The coach is specially designed for relaxing long-distance journeys, offering ergonomically reclining seats with excellent air-conditioning and reduced noise levels, and also comes equipped with a variety of on-bus features such as – water toilet, bottle cooler and coffee machine, electrically operated rear view mirror, 3 Point seat belts, and additional ventilation fan. The Star – KLQ6728 on the other hand, is available in 30 seating capacity and is extremely striking to look at, with aerodynamic contours and aesthetically conceived interiors, and an ABS option.

Muscat,6 September 2011 -SMN Power Holding S.A.O.G. (Under Transformation), a joint venture between International Powerplc., owned 70% by GDF SUEZ, (via its wholly owned, UAE based subsidiary Kahrabel FZE), Mubadala Development Company PJSC (via itsAbu Dhabi based and indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries Mubadala Power Holding Company Limited and MDC Industry Holding Company LLC) and Oman's National Trading Co. LLC,will launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 6,987,246 shares on Sunday 11 September 2011, representing 35% of the total share capital.

SMN Power Holding S.A.O.G. (Under Transformation), through its ownership of two major Project Companies, SMN Barka Power Company S.A.O.C. and Rusail Power Company S.A.O.C., is currently Oman’s largest power company with 1,343 MW installed power capacity and 120,000 m3/day desalinated potable water capacity.

The offering of Ordinary Shares will be made pursuant to a prospectusapproved by the Capital Markets Authority vide its administrative number 2011/50/خdated 28 August, 2011and available at www.cma.gov.om,www.smnpower.com, or at branches of the three subscription banks: Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman and Oman Arab Bank.The offer price for each share has been fixed at OMR 3.520 per share,comprising a nominal value of OMR 1.000,premium of OMR 2.500 and Issue Expenses of Baizas 20 per share.The subscription will be open to Omani and non - Omani individuals and juristic persons. The subscription period will be open from 11 September 2011 until 10 October 2011, and the shares are proposed to be listed on the Muscat Securities Marketby 25 October 2011.

BankMuscat Investment Banking Division is the financial advisor,the issue manager and one of the three subscription banks for SMN IPO. The other subscription banks are National Bank of Oman SAOG and Oman Arab Bank SAOC.

“We thank the CMA for their support to the issue and are confident that SMN Power Holding S.A.O.G. (Under Transformation), with its strong partners,solidbusiness modeland stable future cash flows,combined with the growing demand for water and power in Oman,makes for a sound investment option.” said Mr. Johan Van Kerrebroeck, CEO of SMN Power Holding S.A.O.G. (Under Transformation).

•    Entries will be accepted until September 10, 2011
•    A total of US$100,000 is available for grass roots green initiatives in GCC, Lebanon and Jordan
•    US$1.1million granted to 130+ local environmental projects since 2000


DUBAI, UAE, September 04, 2011 – Ongoing environmental projects that are looking for funding have until September 10, 2011, to submit their entry to the Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants.


The Ford Grants, supported by UNESCO, are offering a total of US$100,000 to deserving, non-profit environmental projects that are currently ongoing in the GCC, Jordan and Lebanon.  Entry forms are available to download from www.me.ford.com/environmentalgrants.


Larry Prein, Ford Middle East's managing director, said: "The Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants programme has consistently, for more than a decade, provided that vital and much needed funding for environmental projects throughout the region. Through the Ford Grants, we look to help sustain and grow these projects and continue to create an impact and instill environmental awareness across our communities.”

Dubai, UAE, SEP. 04, 2011 – HP today announced HP VirtualSystem for VMware, a highly-optimized, turnkey solution that gives organizations a virtualized infrastructure that speeds implementation and provides a foundation for cloud computing.
As virtualization has gained adoption, multi-tier network architectures, virtual sprawl, inflexible storage, unpredictable workloads and security concerns have increased complexity and limited broad deployment.

iPhone app to access member carrier fares

FRANKFURT, Germany – September 04, 2011 – Following the recent successful launch of its Navigator iPhone app, the Star Alliance network has now become the first airline alliance to introduce an easy and simple to use fare finder mobile application.