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OBI MOBILES UNVEILS ITS SMARTPHONES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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Updated : September 29, 2014 04:45  pm,
By Editor

img26Obi looks to boost sales through disruptive selling strategy targeted at young and trendy consumers

Obi Mobiles, the new technology brand co-founded by veteran marketer and former Apple CEO John Sculley, announced its launch in to the Middle East market, unveiling five new devices earmarked for the region. The range of mobile devices that go on sale today include Obi’s flagship 5” octa-core smartphone, the Octopus S520, which retails at AED799; the Hornbill S551 at AED599; the Falcon S451 at AED599; the Wolverine S501 at AED399, and a power bank feature phone, F240, which retails at just AED99. Jumbo Electronics has been appointed as the exclusive distributor for Obi Mobiles in the region. Jumbo will manage distribution across all channels in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq markets.
Obi Mobiles is a new venture launched by Sculley’s Toronto based Investment and Acquisition Company, Inflexionpoint. The brand marked its global launch in India earlier this year. Targeted at the large population of young and trendy smartphone users, Obi devices were well received in the sub-continent. Now focused on accelerating its international ambitions, starting with the Middle East markets, Obi aims to expand to Africa and South America in the coming months.
“Smartphone penetration in many parts of the world is seeing staggered growth, with consumers exploring options or delaying purchases due to the high cost of investment,” explains John Sculley, co-founder and managing partner at Inflexionpoint. “While smartphone growth figures in emerging markets, soaring at +32% CAGR, look promising, we believe there is scope for doubling the growth by increasing accessibility in the market through aggressive pricing and a strong pipeline of products. At Obi, we believe in building global brands and effective partnerships to channel our products to the right target groups.”
Speaking on Obi’s partnership with Jumbo Electronics, Vishesh Bhatia, chief executive officer at Jumbo Electronics, adds, “We are excited to be partnering with Obi, a brand that has been co-founded by John Sculley, one of the most influential marketers in the world. Our campaign to achieve Obi’s growth targets in the region will kick-off with a special showcase at Gitex Shopper this year, and be carried forward through dedicated sales and marketing strategies in target markets in the region.”
The Obi devices being launched in the Middle East include Octopus S520 – OS with a crunch, the flagship smartphone from Obi Mobiles. The Octopus S520 packs in high performance with the latest Android Kit Kat 4.4 operating system, powered by a 1.7 GHz Octa Core processor, making time lags a thing of the past. Futuristically designed with a stunning full-aluminum back cover, the Octopus S520 comes in a sleek 8.4mm form factor, with a capacitive 5” HD IPS Touch Screen that responds to even the slightest touch. The smartphone also features an 8MP camera with lightning flash, delivering every image at a 1280 X 720 HD display resolution. The in-built IPS technology also ensures that the screen can be viewed from a wider viewing angle. Offering dual SIM capabilities, both 3G-enabled, the Octopus S520 offers incredible value at just AED799.
Obi Falcon S451 is positioned as the ‘selfie’ master and is arguably one of the world’s first smartphones with a rotating camera, the Falcon S541 from Obi takes away the hassle from capturing that perfect selfie. The 5” smartphone, with an IPS qHD Screen, features an 8MP auto focus camera that rotates 206 degrees, and also offers dual flash for perfect imaging even in low light conditions. The Falcon S451 runs on a 1.3 GHz Dual Core Processor, with 4GB ROM and 1GB RAM, and is powered by a strong 2200 mAH Lithium battery. It retails for AED599.
The 5.5” Hornbill S551 weighs just 145 grams, making it an ergonomically superior option for smartphone users. Uncompromising on performance, the device operates on Android KitKat v4.4.2, powered by an MTK, MT6582 1.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor. With an 8MP camera, the Hornbill S551 offers up to 4GB memory that is expandable to 32GB of external memory support. The device retails at AED599.
The Obi Wolverine S501 impresses with its fine grain leather exterior and top-of-the-line features. The 5” smartphone offers the efficiency of Android KitKat 4.4, powered by a 1.2GHz Dual Core Processor, with 1GB RAM and 4GB expandable memory. For added convenience, the Wolverine is designed with a Rear Key that utilizes the index finger’s natural position to control volume, lock the screen and switch off the phone. With a 5MP flash-enabled camera, and front VGA camera, the dual SIM (3G +3G) device offers great value at AED399.
The Obi range also includes the Obi F240 – a feature phone, equipped with a high capacity 3000mAH battery, and a convenient power bank option to recharge other mobile devices. The handy device also offers essential mobile functionality, including a 0.3MP primary camera, loudspeaker, Bluetooth, as well as dual SIM (GSM + GSM) capabilities as just AED99.
Amit Rupchandani, Managing Director for the MENA region at Obi Mobiles confirms that Obi plans to unveil a steady pipeline of top quality mobile devices for the Middle East market. “We are working with a team of professional designers in the US to build the Obi portfolio, and will be adding a number of exciting new models to the range in 2015, which will be available at aggressive price points determined by market trends,” he says.
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GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA

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GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”),  together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.

Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.

The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.

Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”

Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”

The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.

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Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner

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A professional cricket player for the Desert Vipers in mid-swing during a match. The batsman is wearing a dark green and black patterned jersey with red accents, a red helmet, and black protective leg pads. He is holding a wooden cricket bat high in a follow-through motion after playing a shot. The background shows a crowded stadium with purple and blue seating and a "DP World" branded wicket.

Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.

In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.

DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

A cricket player from the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders standing at the crease, ready to receive a ball. The player is dressed in a purple and gold uniform with matching gold-colored leg pads and a gold helmet. He holds the bat upward in a standard batting stance. The stadium background features blue seats, a "UAE Cricket" sign, and another player in an orange uniform in the distance.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”

Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.

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The Maritime Standard Awards 2025 winners list showcases high levels of innovation and operational excellence across the maritime sector

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The maritime sector’s leading awards event, The Maritime Standard (TMS) Awards 2025, has announced this year’s winners, honoring outstanding companies and industry leaders from across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards showcased achievement and innovation in 25 categories covering shipping, logistics, ship repair, offshore services, marine technology and related sectors, as well as a series of special awards for individual achievement. The prestigious event took place at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai on October 29th, attracting over 1000 senior executives, decision-makers and industry leaders, from the region, and across the globe.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the event recognised organisations and individuals for setting new standards in operational excellence and leadership in the sector amid significant shifts in the industry, including decarbonisation, digitalization, and a renewed emphasis on supply chain resilience. From clean-fuel projects and AI-powered port operations to international collaborations that boost trade efficiency, the 2025 Awards showcased the industry’s progress in turning goals into tangible outcomes.

The evening was hosted by Yalda Hakim, a renowned international correspondent and documentary filmmaker, whose engaging presence added distinction to the occasion. The keynote address was delivered by Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services, who shared valuable insights on the evolving maritime landscape and the UAE’s leadership in advancing sustainable and innovative practices across the sector.

Clive Woodbridge, Editor of The Maritime Standard and Chairman of the Judging Panel, stated, “This year’s competition was exceptionally tough, and we received an unprecedented number of entries across all categories. Each finalist demonstrated remarkable achievements and operational standards over the past year, which underlines the significant advances that continue to be made in the regional maritime sector.”

A rigorous assessment process was conducted as part of the award selections, and this was supervised by an independent panel of distinguished judges that included some of the most prominent names in the maritime industry.

Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of The Maritime Standard, commented, “These Awards are not just about celebrating success, but also about encouraging excellence. This year’s event recognised innovative concepts, exciting new initiatives, and outstanding performance standards. As the region continues to expand its maritime infrastructure and digital port systems, with significant developments across the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, events like The Maritime Standard Awards play a key role in reinforcing its position as a global leader in shipping and maritime.”

 Reaction from the individual winners on the night of October 29th was highly appreciative. Captain Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Operations (Offshore Logistics), at ADNOC L&S, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award, added: “It was one of the greatest honours of my professional career to receive this Award. It really means a lot to me to have TMS recognise the years of dedication and hard work.”

Tony Dagher, the Founder and Managing Director of TMC Shipping Group was the recipient of the Young Person in Shipping and was similarly honoured. He said: “I have been fortunate to have had great support from many people during my journey in shipping, and to have a fantastic team around me now. This Award is as much for them as it is for me.

Over the past 12 years The Maritime Standard Awards has consolidated its standing as one of the most prominent annual gatherings within the global maritime calendar, gaining worldwide recognition for recognising excellence and promoting a more resilient and sustainable maritime future.

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