News
SAMENA Council’s Leaders’ Summit 2019
SAMENA Telecommunications Council has commenced preparatory efforts to hold its annual Leaders’ Summit, to be held on April 18th, 2019, with the patronage of Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates.
Hosted for the sixth consecutive year by Huawei Technologies Middle East, Co-Sponsored by Sudatel Group and Ericsson Middle East, and other leading names in the industry.The Leaders’ Summit 2019, will continue its tradition of bringing change-makers from the private and public domains together, with the purpose of addressing the Industry’s most pressing issues and for potential collaborative undertakings among the private and government sector stakeholders.
“We would like to see the proliferation of 5G realized in the region sooner than later and thus our focus during Leaders’ Summit 2019 is on understanding the impact of 5G in boosting ICTs and enabling flexibility and enhancing capabilities of new digital services. One of the most anticipated ICT thought leadership and change-makers’ events in the region, the Leaders’ Summit 2019 will further empower SAMENA Telecommunications Council to be at the forefront of the campaign for building digital economies, unifying the telecom industry voice, helping optimize the collaboration between operators and regulators and ICT industry service providers towards making a positive impact in the region’s socio-economic development. It is SAMENA Council’s privilege that the Leaders’ Summit 2019 will be held with the patronage of the TRA-UAE and organized in collaboration with the leading private-sector names of the region’s digital communications industry”, stated Bocar BA, CEO & Board Member of SAMENA Council.
Commenting on the organization of the Summit, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the UAE’s TRA said: “We in the UAE rely on 5G to enter the age of the artificial intelligence and to apply the Smart Cities applications such as IoT. 5G will provide a flexible and adaptive intelligent platform to the mobile operators to connect everything and offer unique digital services. 5G will be the innovation engine to empower the 4th industrial revolution. The TRA is creating a coherent environment to nourish and sustain this growth for the people of the UAE”. Leaders’ Summit 2019 will congregate leaders from more than 29 countries, with the aim of materializing private and government partnerships; for fostering collaboration within the ICT industry of the region; and for discussing issues that have emerged since 5G deployment became a priority in the region, in alignment with national ICT visions.
Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East, added: “This year’s SAMENA Leaders’ Summit especially meaningful to us: 2019 marks Huawei’s 6th consecutive year of co-hosting the event, and while in the past we have focused on the imminent arrival of 5G, this year we can say with confidence that the time for large-scale 5G deployment has finally come. Businesses, standards, products, and terminals are fully ready, and a comprehensive 5G ecosystem is emerging.
“SAMENA Council is continuing to play a significant role in the ICT sector across its footprint. It helps the ecosystem to better understanding the industry. We do believe that the work undertaken by SAMENA Council is of great value for all the stakeholders. It is a precious platform for networking and sharing ideas, know-how and experience. Sudatel Group will maintain its support for SAMENA Council as a recognition of its valuable achievements,” stated Tarig Hamza Zainelabdin, CEO & President Sudatel Group, which is among the valued sponsors of the Summit.
“The Middle East and Africa region has a unique opportunity globally when it comes to bringing 5G to life. It is undeniable that 5G networks are critical national infrastructure with large impact on society and the competitiveness of countries. As a technology leader and the largest contributor to the standardization body in 3GPP during 2018 , Ericsson has made strong R&D investment to provide competitive solutions and technology that create value for our customers. According to our recent Mobility Report published in February, 5G is forecast to reach 30 million subscriptions by 2024 In the Middle East and Africa. With our strong and flexible 5G portfolio in place, Ericsson has proved to be a trusted partner for industry players who want to stay ahead of the game”, stated Chafic Traboulsi, Head of Networks at Ericsson Middle East & Africa.
The SAMENA Council’s Leaders’ Summit is an annual leadership event, encompassing private and government sector leaders’ gathering, various bi-lateral “closed-door” meetings, and panel discussions, held among stakeholders in a world-class setting.
Hospitality
Larisa Uskar appointed Corporate Director of Brand Marketing for Rotana
Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana Hotels announced the appointment of Larisa Uskar to the position of Corporate Director of Brand Marketing.
With her extensive experience across global hotel brands such as Jumeirah, Fairmont, Raffles Hotels, Accor, and IHG, Larisa will oversee a comprehensive brand uplift and the development of an innovative marketing strategy at both corporate and property levels.
Barnes stated “Having Larisa join us at this pivotal time in Rotana’s journey is a major step forward. She brings a fresh innovative thought process combined with a personal passion and drive that is critical to our future success”.
“I am excited to be part of this transformative journey at Rotana,” says Larisa. “My goal is to implement a refreshed, forward-thinking brand presence that reflects the excellence and innovation of our hotels across all markets.”
As part of Rotana’s ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment, Larisa will also play a key role in fostering female leadership and creating opportunities for women to thrive in the hospitality industry. Her leadership will be crucial in positioning Rotana as a global hospitality leader, setting new benchmarks in luxury and service.
Hospitality
Jawad Saade Appointed General Manager of Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of The Creek
Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of the Creek is proud to announce the appointment of Jawad Saade as General Manager. With over 22 years of hospitality experience, Saade brings a wealth of leadership, industry knowledge, and strategic expertise to his new role, where he will focus on driving innovation and excellence.
In his position, Saade will oversee all operations at Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences, with a strong emphasis on sustainability initiatives aligned with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy. This comprehensive sustainability strategy aims to reduce the company’s environmental footprint, promote social impact, and enhance the guest experience. As part of this commitment, Saade will lead efforts to implement energy-efficient practices, minimise waste, and conserve water.
Furthermore, Saade will integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and optimise revenue performance. By utilising the latest technological solutions, the hotel aims to personalise guest interactions, improve operational efficiency, and anticipate guest needs, ultimately providing a seamless experience that aligns with the evolving preferences of today’s travellers.
Commenting on his appointment, Saade stated, “I am thrilled to join Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences at Jewel of the Creek. This prestigious property holds immense potential, and I look forward to working with our talented team to deliver world-class service. My focus will be on continuously enhancing our offerings to exceed guest expectations, incorporating sustainability practices, and leveraging guest centric solutions to elevate the hotel experiences and operational efficiency.”
Hospitality
Malaysia Airlines Appoints Almosafer as Exclusive General Sales Agent in Saudi Arabia
Malaysia Airlines has appointed Almosafer as its exclusive general sales agent (GSA) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership reaffirms Malaysia Airlines’ expanding presence in the region and strengthens its role in supporting the growing travel demand between the two nations.
Through this collaboration, Almosafer will lead all sales and ticketing operations for Malaysia Airlines in Saudi Arabia, leveraging its on-ground expertise and unparalleled digital reach. The partnership will enhance connectivity for travellers, allowing them access to Malaysia Airlines’ world-class services and extensive flight network. In addition to sales, Malaysia Airlines will benefit from Almosafer’s comprehensive offerings, including its destination management company, Discover Saudi, and its Hajj and Umrah tour Operator, Mawasim, alongside Almosafer Business.
This partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to welcome 150 million visitors by the end of the decade, including the recent launch of enhanced Umrah+ packages tailored for Malaysian pilgrims. Almosafer’s role in advancing this vision, coupled with Malaysia Airlines’ premium travel experiences, promises to create a seamless journey for both inbound and outbound travellers.
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Business from MAG, said: “Malaysia Airlines looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Almosafer as we embark on a journey to strengthen our presence in Saudi Arabia and serve travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. By leveraging Almosafer’s local expertise and rich legacy, we are confident that this partnership will enhance the travel experience for Saudi passengers. Our extensive connectivity and premium onboard services will open new opportunities and expand our reach to a broader audience.”
Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, we constantly strive to offer best-in-class services to our valued customers through strategic partnerships and easy access to our B2B and B2C customers. As Malaysia Airlines’ newly appointed GSA in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to leveraging our industry leadership, local expertise, on-ground support, and state-of-the-art portal to offer a seamless experience for inbound and outbound tourists.”
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