Connect with us

News

Sony MEA unveils business growth strategy

Published

on

Sony Middle East and Africa (MEA) has unveiled a new business strategy that aims to increase its regional presence and grow business by 20 per cent in 2017.

Driving Sony MEA’s strategy, new managing director Taro Kimura will achieve this vision through new product launches and a refreshed business development strategy that will place the company and its business partners in a strong position to gain market share in the company’s focus categories, which are television, digital imaging and audio products. Sony MEA is looking to grow television sales by 26 per cent, audio product sales by 11 per cent and achieve a 52 per cent sales growth in its interchangeable lens camera business in 2017.

“To achieve our ambitious plans, we are re-engineering our operations and evolving strategies based on data and facts. We are aligning priorities, KPIs, processes and in-market execution plans both within Sony and in our business partner establishments in the region. Our aim is to present a powerful united front in the retail space. This will enable us to offer our customers the best experiences with our innovative products and encourage them to appreciate their unique value,” said Kimura.

Leading change in the television category will be Sony’s first BRAVIA OLED TV A1 Series, scheduled to launch in the Middle East in July 2017. Previewed at the CES earlier this year and generating rave reviews, the BRAVIA OLED A1 series offers a totally new visual experience. A combination of superior picture quality, achieved with the company’s proprietary 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme; revolutionary sound that emanates directly from the screen itself – a feat made possible by Sony’s newly developed Acoustic Surface technology and a streamlined, stylishly minimalistic “One Slate Design Concept” make it a technological marvel.

“Television is our key driver for business growth and our product strategy of best picture quality, design and usability remains unchanged,” said Kimura. “The BRAVIA OLED A1 Series will be a new addition to an array of best in class televisions that will expand from 23 models in 2016 to 37 models in 2017, offering customers a wider choice,” he added.

The ambitious growth expectations in the interchangeable lens camera are spurred by the overwhelming acceptance of the company’s flagship Alpha 7 series by photography and videography professionals.

“Sony is the market leader in Digital camera and our interchangeable lens Alpha 7, Alpha 6000 cameras and fixed lens RX100 cameras have won several industry awards. They have also been well received by photography enthusiasts around the world and are continuing to gain wider recognition and popularity,” said Kimura.

He added, “The strength of Sony is that we develop all key camera components in-house. Sony is the world’s largest Image Sensor supplier. In order to achieve highest resolution, highest sensitivity, fastest speed and most reliable image stabilization, we continuously develop ever-more advanced image sensors, image processors, lenses and software algorithms. Sony today offers a selection of 24 lenses all of which are High Resolution compatible. No other camera manufacturer offers such an extensive range of high resolution lenses since legacy lenses are not high resolution and future compatible.”

Headphones, wireless speakers and sound bars will be the main contributors to business growth in the audio category. “The launch of the MDR-1000X industry-leading noise-cancelling headphones was a breakthrough for Sony, and we expect sales of this product alone to increase 5 fold in 2017,” said Kimura. “Supplementing the MDR-1000X will be the widest range of headphones and earphones that will meet all the types of usage such as in-ear, overhead, microphone function, Bluetooth and noise-cancelling,” he added.

A seasoned consumer electronics professional, Kimura has a proven track record in corporate transformation and business turnaround across the GCC, Europe and Japan. With his vast global experience and local knowledge, Kimura has been driving Sony’s business in the region since he began his second stint with the company in August 2016.

Under his leadership, Sony MEA witnessed massive growth in sales in the television segment in 2016. The company grew the business by 174 per cent and hit 16 per cent market share in FY16 in the 55-inch TV size category. Sony MEA also experienced strong growth in the 65-inch TV size segment and grew by 112 per cent and hit 18 per cent market share, while the 75-inch TV size segment achieved 252 per cent growth with a market share of 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, in the audio segment, the soundbar category grew by 126 per cent while the high power audio one box series achieved 55 per cent growth. The headphone and earphone business has grown by 38 per cent, reinforcing the company’s positioning in sports, Bluetooth and noise cancelling space.

In the digital camera business, Sony’s mid-segment grew from 58 per cent in 2015 to 65 per cent in 2016.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

UAE’s Mulk International and India’s Ajeenkya DY Patil Group forge a landmark Dh100m partnership to launch the region’s first large-scale virtual hospital

Published

on

partnership healthcare

In a landmark collaboration, Mulk International from the UAE and India’s Ajeenkya DY Patil Group have acquired stakes in Mulk Med Healthcare to become equal shareholders and launch what will be the region’s first large-scale virtual hospital of its kind with more than 20,000 doctors on board.  Both groups have further pledged an investment to the tune of AED 100 million to revolutionise healthcare in the MENA and Asia-Pacific regions. This strategic partnership is set to redefine healthcare delivery by leveraging virtual solutions to enhance access and provide comprehensive services to millions.

Dr. Nawab Shafi Ul Mulk, Founder & President of Mulk Med Healthcare, emphasized the transformative vision of this collaboration: “Our partnership and shared vision with the DY Patil Group is a major landmark agreement which signifies a shared dedication to rapidly evolving innovation and inclusivity in healthcare.”

The new Initiative introduces Mulk Med Virtual Hospitals ecosystem across the globe, one that has already been implemented in countries like Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea and is in advanced stages of implementation in other territories. The comprehensive healthcare platform is also aided by Mulk Med App and video conferencing system available in 170+ countries currently, offering multiple essential services including 24/7 telehealth with doorstep free delivery of discounted medicines, also facilitating lifesaving smart ambulances, mobile clinics, and round-the-clock home care.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery in the region

According to Dr. Ul Mulk, these innovations are designed to improve healthcare accessibility, providing unmatched convenience for both urban and remote patients. Patients will benefit from virtual 24/7 consultations from over 20,000 doctors on board globally along with more than 500 pharmacies and service providers. Additionally, non-insured patients and UAE visitors can avail huge discounts on laboratory, radiology, hospital admissions and surgeries besides doorstep medicines, wellness, and aesthetics using the newly launched Mulk Medicare Privilege Health Card for the most affordable services that also give users access to longevity & precision medicine centres and genomics labs.

Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk International said: “Our global investments underscore Mulk Group’s long-standing commitment to driving impactful societal change.  We are dedicated to fostering partnerships with local communities and governments to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.”

The initiative is also set to redefine emergency response with lifesaving smart ambulances and will extend services to underserved communities through mobile clinics. For travellers, both in & out bound comprehensive tourist healthcare insurance will provide peace of mind with robust medical coverage, while cutting-edge ICU Pods, Mulk Vital signs devices and kiosks with advanced AI enhanced technology incorporated to continuously monitor patients with chronic diseases will optimise recovery, and enhance hospital efficiency.

Dr. Ajeenkya Patil, Chairman of DY Patil Group, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “We intent to facilitate medical tourism strong demand in India from Africa & other regions in our newly build world class Hospitals care in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Together, we aim to deliver a transformative, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and quality.”

“Innovation is key to solving the world’s healthcare challenges and Mulk Med Healthcare is rightly poised to embark on the global expansion to bring affordability and top notch  equitable healthcare facilities to one and all. Mulk Medicare comprehensive hybrid model of  digital and onsite healthcare innovative solutions not only address immediate medical needs but also lay the foundation for a sustainable, scalable future in healthcare,” added Dr. Shafi Ul Mulk.

Continue Reading

Financial

Fujairah Digital Government and Torry Harris Business Solutions sign MoU to support digital transformation initiatives

Published

on

Fujairah Digital Government

Torry Harris Business Solutions Private Limited (THBS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fujairah Digital Government to accelerate the Emirate’s digital transformation efforts. This agreement underscores the collaboration in digital transformation in Fujairah, leveraging the latest technologies and innovations in alignment with the emirate’s vision to enhance government services and better serve its citizens.

The MoU was officially signed by Sheikh Engineer Mohammed bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Director General of Fujairah Digital Government, and Shivdayal Charan, Director and Legal Representative of Torry Harris Business Solutions, in a move to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in digital governance and best practices, aligning with the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in delivering digital government services.

Rabih Nasr, Vice President of Torry Harris Business Solutions in the Middle East, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We are honored to work alongside Fujairah Digital Government to achieve their strategic goals of enhancing digital services and citizen engagement. This MoU reflects our long-standing commitment to the UAE, where we have been operating since 2002, and demonstrates our shared vision of empowering government entities to better serve their citizens through integrated and seamless digital platforms.”

Continue Reading

News

UAE National Day: Women Choice applauds UAE’s diversity, leadership efforts

Published

on

women choice event in the UAE

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepares to celebrate its 53rd National Day, Women Choice proudly reaffirms its dedication to championing diversity, equality, and leadership across all sectors. In recognition of the UAE’s remarkable progress toward gender parity and inclusivity, Women Choice celebrates the pivotal role of women leaders in building a brighter, more equitable future.

With a strong presence in the region, Women Choice has hosted and participated in over 100 events across seven countries, half of which took place in the UAE. This milestone underscores the organization’s impactful efforts in promoting diversity and leadership, reflecting its alignment with the UAE’s vision of empowering women.

The UAE’s dedication to empowering women is evident, with women constituting 66% of public sector workers and 50% of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) members being women – one of the highest representations globally. Women Choice echoes this spirit, advocating for inclusive leadership and equal opportunities in workplaces, education, and entrepreneurship.

Nezha Alaoui, Founder and CEO of Women Choice, reflects on the UAE’s achievements:

As we celebrate the UAE’s National Day, we also honor its remarkable progress in diversity and equality. Women Choice stands aligned with this vision, empowering women to lead, innovate, and inspire. True leadership flourishes when opportunities are inclusive and diverse perspectives are embraced.”

Women Choice’s initiatives are grounded in actionable steps to drive change, including leadership training programs, mentoring opportunities, and advocacy campaigns. Ahead of National Day, Women Choice calls on organizations and individuals to strengthen their commitment to building a more inclusive society.

  • The UAE ranked 1st in the Arab world for gender equality (World Economic Forum, 2023).
  • Women contribute to 23.5% of the UAE’s GDP, a testament to their economic leadership.
  • Female participation in STEM fields has risen to 37%, demonstrating progress in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Through its global platform, Women Choice continues to spotlight stories of women leaders and changemakers, inspiring the next generation to break barriers and contribute to a more inclusive future.

Continue Reading

Trending

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator