Star Markets announced last week the opening of its new retail outlet at Sultan Mall on Prince Sultan Street in north Jeddah. Prince Abdullah bin Turki bin Abdulaziz and Talal Ibrahim A. Bin Khidher, general manager of Star Markets, jointly cut the ribbon to mark the opening. Star Markets has plans to expand its chain in other districts of Jeddah and also open new ones in Madinah, Riyadh and Taif, as well as in other cities of the Kingdom. Star Markets has specialized in food business and deals in varieties of food items including diet food catering to all tastes and meeting the needs of Saudis and expatriates. The Star Markets chain has emerged as one of the pioneers in the supermarket industry in the Kingdom. Fifty-six years ago, the first Star Grocery Store opened at Kilo 2 on Makkah Road in Jeddah. “It was the first self-service grocery store in the Kingdom, which is known today by the term ‘supermarket,” Talal said. The chain currently has seven outlets in Jeddah and five in the Yanbu region.
Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors has announced the arrival of the new BMW X1, which claims to be setting a new benchmark in the compact sports activity vehicle (SAV) segment. This is the launch of the newest member of its X model range. The youngest model to join the hugely successful X SAV portfolio comes with all of the features typical of the BMW X range, but at the same time offers a new interpretation of BMW’s ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’. The driving characteristics of the BMW X1 offer a “perfect combination of supreme agility and versatile sportiness with the appearance of a SAV and the agility of a BMW 1 Series,” the company says. Available in Saudi Arabia with two engine variants and measuring 4.45 meters in length, this five-door stands out from every angle as a BMW X model. The X1 xDrive25i has 218hp, reaching 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 223 km/h. Also available is the sporting and economic sDrive 18i, a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine with 150hp. Accelerating this agile performer from 0-100 km/h takes just 10.4 seconds and provides a top speed of 200 km/h. The interior of the BMW X1 is characterized by clear functionality and modern style. The elevated seating position, a generous feeling of space, the wide range of storage options and the variable interior offer ideal conditions for enjoying the BMW X1 both in an urban environment and beyond, the company added.
Qatar Airways Cargo has announced it will begin scheduled freighter services to Chicago, its first dedicated freighter operation to the United States, from Aug. 18. The new twice-weekly services will be operated by the airline’s new Boeing 777 freighters and will fly from the its hub in Doha via Amsterdam. Payloads on the new services will be up to 100 tons per flight and are expected to include freight items such as machinery, textiles, auto parts, fruit and vegetables, and general cargo. Chicago is the airline’s first dedicated freighter destination in the United States and the airline’s fourth destination, following passenger and cargo services to New York, Washington DC and Houston. In the past three months, Qatar Airways Cargo significantly ramped up its expansion with the recent introduction of two new Boeing 777 freighters adding capacity to the airline’s dedicated cargo network. A third Boeing 777 freighter will join the airline’s cargo fleet in 2011. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said the airline’s first dedicated cargo route to the United States was a milestone achievement. “With the recent introduction of Boeing 777 freighters into our cargo fleet, we have wasted no time in developing new markets, and are especially pleased to be launching our first US cargo route to Chicago O’Hare, the busiest airport in the world. New freighter operations have recently commenced to Riyadh, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Cairo and Kolkata, with increases in frequency also planned.
Al Ansari Exchange, a provider of worldwide remittance and foreign exchange services, has signed a strategic partnership with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), the oldest and largest commercial bank in Egypt, in a move to further expand its network of correspondent banks and agents worldwide. The company also stated that its focus on Egypt is being driven by the growth potential projected for the local remittance industry, with the country ranking among the top 10 leading money transfer destinations across the globe, registering $8.7 billion in total cash transfers in 2008, an estimated $7.8 billion in 2009, and a projected growth of over six percent for the current fiscal year, according to statistics released by the World Bank. Egypt-bound remittances from the UAE have been rising over the years, with the growing number of Egyptian residents in the emirates. Similarly, the UAE has also seen significant growth in money transfer transactions originating from Egypt and other fast-growing economies, given that 80 percent of the local population includes expatriates from all over the globe. The inclusion of NBE to Al Ansari Exchange’ global partners is also expected to further strengthen its line-up of remittance and foreign exchange services offered to Egyptian nationals as well as Egyptian expatriates who regularly send money to their home country. “Egypt has shown its economic resilience amid the global financial crisis, and the continuous remittance flow in the country makes it a key market for us,” said Mohammed Ali Al Ansari, MD, Al Ansari Exchange.
Students from Middle East Universities can shape the future of flight and win 30,000 euros in a global competition launched by Airbus at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. The Airbus Fly Your Ideas (FYI) competition challenges students worldwide to develop new ideas for a greener aviation industry. The biennial contest involves three progressively challenging rounds judged by a panel of Airbus and industry experts. It concludes with a final at next summer’s International Paris Airshow — Le Bourget, France. The winners will share the top prize of 30,000 euros and the runners-up 15,000 euros. Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering and FYI Patron Charles Champion said: “Fly Your Ideas is a unique opportunity for students to be part of Airbus’ vision for an eco-efficient aviation industry of the future. The competition is designed to stimulate ideas for both a more connected and sustainable world. It also enables Airbus to engage with students and research teams and balance the increased demand for air travel with a better environment.” Students of any age, nationality, gender or discipline can take part. Proposals are sought on all aspects of the ‘Environmental Life Cycle’, an innovative approach Airbus uses to improve the environmental performance of an aircraft and its production process. It consists of five stages: design, supply chain, manufacturing, aircraft operations and aircraft end-of-life.
