1. law, govt and politics
2. government
3. embassies and consulates

ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2014
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Automotive brand gets almost 1 mn clicks in three months
Mercedes-Benz Kuwait surfs social media wave
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 11: MercedesBenz Kuwait is experiencing double
digit growth across its active social
media channels, with Facebook and
Instagram seeing increases in total followers of 51% and 30% respectively,
since the month of June this year.
Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid
Alkazemi Co, the authorised General
Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in
Kuwait, follows a well-established
digital strategy and believes the social
networking tools are responsible for
helping reach customers.
With numbers climbing to 59,000
Facebook followers and 37,800
Instagram followers since joining in
2012, Mercedes-Benz has fast become
one of the most followed automotive
brands in Kuwait - a fact that is heavily influencing the shift of social media
from a ‘buzzword’ to common practice within the organisation.
Devices
Such significant growth may be
linked to high disposable incomes in
Gulf States, and multiple device ownership of smartphones and tablets by
young and old alike. Social media
an effective means of targeting niche
elements within the broader MercedesBenz community in the country &
region. Mercedes-Benz Kuwait recently launched an Instagram competition
focused exclusively on classic
Mercedes-Benz models. Highly collectible but not always visible, these
classic models were showcased for the
first time by inviting owners in
Kuwait to post a picture of their classic Mercedes-Benz car with the hashtag #MBClassicKWT.
Followers
Mercedes-Benz Cars
platforms are becoming increasingly
accessible over a number of devices,
and with 24-hour accessibility, give
organisations the ability to address
their target markets directly.
On a global level, 85% of the world
is now connected to the internet and 1
in 4 people use social media, according to a study conducted by market
research company Global Web Index.
Statistics show that Facebook is still
the number one social media site
around the world, with 82% of internet users outside China aged 16-64
accessing the site, and a total of 1.8
billion users globally. Instagram is the
fastest rising social media platform,
with more than 200 million users currently and a 25% increase in active
users in the last six months alone.
Michael Ruehle, CEO of Abdul
Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi
said: “Social media has been an
important part of our marketing strategy for a while now, and it is exciting
to see the steady growth in engagement with our customers and general
motoring enthusiasts in our community. Our social media platforms are
highly active, and with our dedicated
team, we can respond quickly, share
information and enjoy dynamic and
passionate conversations with our fol-
lowers. The benefits of this are showing in the showroom enquires & traffic that are being generated from interaction and interest on our social media
channels.”
The interactive nature of social
media has given Mercedes-Benz the
ability to communicate with its
Kuwaiti followers on a personal level
through a variety of short videos, photos and competitions. It has also been
During the period of 1st June - Aug
31, 2014, Mercedes-Benz Kuwait had
almost one million counts of engagement with their followers on Facebook
and Instagram.
This number continues to grow
daily and outlines the importance of
social media through Kuwait as a way
to achieve marketing goals, increase
customer interaction and strive to provide customer service via this medium, as messages are shared, re-shared
and viewed in a matter of moments by
potentially hundreds of thousands of
people around the world.
General
click
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2015: The
Government of India has decided to hold
the next Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD2015) at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar,
Gujarat in January 2015.
The effort would be to have more
meaningful and interactive sessions that
would address the issues and concerns of
the overseas Indian community effectively. Since 2015 marks the hundredth
anniversary of the return of the greatest
“PRAVASI” of all, Mahatma Gandhi from
South Africa, it is desired that PBD-2015
would be celebrated in a grand way.
The detailed programme of PBD-2015
is being prepared and will be uploaded on
the Embassy’s Website in due course.
More detailed information on Pravasi
Bhartiya Divas (PBD-2015) can be
accessed at the Ministry of Overseas India
Affairs’ website (http://www.moia.gov.in).
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please confirm your attendance to the
above IEI technical seminar by registering
through email: [email protected]; cc:
[email protected]; [email protected], so that we can arrange for the
parking and to organize other arrangements.
Considering the security concern advises provided by the Indian Embassy, we
request you to please register your name
so that the badges are distributed for identification.
Request all members to please push
your mobiles on silence mode during the
seminar and request to maintain professional decorum in the Indian Embassy
premises.
Dress code: Formal dress. Light dinner
will be served.
AWL registration: If you would like to
join the American Women’s League
(AWL), please call 99039723 or
94067999 or email:
[email protected]. All American
women and wives of Americans are welcomed.
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Oct 16
KCP to open new season: Kuwait
Chamber Philharmonia will start the 23rd
Classical Music Concert Season
2014/2015 on Oct 16 at 8:00 pm as usual
at Abdul Hussain Marafie Ballroom at
Radisson Blu Hotel. World class Korean
pianists Sonja Park will play famous
music by Chopin, Schubert, Mendelssohn
and popular Beethoven’s Moonlight
Sonata.
More information at 222.kuwaitcp.com.
Tickets are available at Radison Blu
Hotel, Tel: 25673000.
Oct 18
AWARE events schedule: AWARE
Center will be holding following events in
October and November:
■ Dhow sunset dinner cruise
Saturday, Oct 18, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
Fee: KD 21 per person
Before the discovery of oil in Kuwait,
dhow builders were viewed as one of the
major national resources. Kuwait owned
over 800 dhows prior to World War I. By
1919, Kuwait had acquired about 1200
dhows of different types and sizes. They
were used for fishing, pearling, deep-sea
trade, Gulf coastal trade, and the local
transportation of goods and fresh water.
The purpose and function of the dhow
strongly influenced its design and size.
For a relaxing evening on the water, join
AWARE for a most unique experience; a
Dhow Sunset Dinner.
Limited seats.
Registration is through cash payments
only
For details, please contact
[email protected]
Deadline: Oct 14, 2014 (Tuesday).
■ Through an expat’s eyes: a photographic journey through Kuwait on
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Moving to a new country can be intimidating: both scary and thrilling at the
same time. Linda Young uses photography
to explore her new home. Some photos
are fun, some are serious. All are Kuwait
through her eyes & lens.
Refreshments Provided
■ Guided tour: Hamad Al Fuzia
Museum for Antiques
Monday, Oct 27, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
Fee: KD 2 per person
Opened by a Kuwaiti gentleman in his
own home, this museum has an excellent
collection of Kuwaiti antiques with a section of the museum dedicated to his relatives who died during the invasion of
Kuwait. Join us as he recounts stories
about Kuwait and about the antiques
housed in the museum.
Advance reservations required at
[email protected]
■ Guided tour: Arab Organization
Headquarters
Saturday, Nov 1, 2014 @ 9:30 am
This tour is a marvel of innovative
architecture displaying modern technology combined with traditional artisan
craftsmanship from Tunisia, Syria,
Morocco, Egypt & contributions from
Kuwaiti designers.
This tour meets directly at the Arab
Organization Headquarters.
Cameras are welcome.
Limited Seats. Advance reservations
are required at [email protected]
Children below 14 years & Pets are not
allowed.
Oct 23
Indian Embassy closures: The
Indian Embassy will remain closed on the
following dates during the month of
October 2014.
Deepavali: Thursday, Oct 23, 2014.
Emergency and limited consular, labour
and attestation services will, however, be
available at the Embassy. Monday, Oct 6,
Ugandans register with UIK: Are
Emad Al Ablani, NBK Deputy General Manager, Human Resources Group, Ahmed Al Khader, NBK’s Assistant General Manager, Consumer Banking Group and
Mohammed Al Othman, NBK’s Executive Manager, Consumer Banking Group in a group photo with the trainees.
NBK trains over 1,100 Kuwaiti employees
2014 will be a regular working day in the
Embassy.
Oct 25
FOCUS Fest 2014: Focus KuwaitForum of CADD Users will be celebrating
its 8th Anniversary with “Focus Fest2014” on Oct 25, 2014 (Saturday) 2.30
pm at Indian Central School, Abbasiya
Kuwait. The programme is structured as
full day event with inaugural session,
meritorious award distribution, honouring
eminent personalities and a variety of arts
and cultural programmes. Famous artist
“Kalabhavan Navas show” will be highlighting the event.
Oct 31
Prathibha Kuwait awards:
Prathibha Kuwait, an association of
Malayalam writers in Kuwait has decided
to felicitate Babu Kuzhimatam, who is
completing his 40th year in short story
writing. In this occasion, Prathibha
Kuwait will distribute awards to ten
Malayalam writers in Kuwait. Short story
books are invited from the writers to consider for the awards. A distinguished panel
will select the ten books from the entries.
Last date of receipt of the books is Oct
31. Further details can be availed at phone
numbers 99653638, 97258308 or by email to [email protected],
[email protected]. The award
ceremony will be held on Dec 26 at
Fahaheel.
41st monthly meeting of Prathibha
Kuwait has released its little magazine by
Preman Illath. Erampuram presided.
Jawahar K. Engineer, P.N. Krishnan
Kutty, Satheesan Payyannur, Rajappan
Chunakkara and K.M. Reaz participated
NATIONAL Bank of Kuwait (NBK)
has trained more than 1,100 Kuwaiti
employees during 2014, as part of its
commitment to supporting Kuwaiti
nationals.
This year, NBK offered more than
80 training programs as part of the
bank’s continuous
drive to enhance
the skills of the
talented and qualified
Kuwaiti
nationals.
“Investing in
human resources
is investing in our
future,” said Emad
Al Ablani, NBK
Deputy General
Al Ablani
Manager, Human
Resources Group. “NBK maintains its
leading position as one of the coun-
try’s largest employers in the private
sector and is committed to supporting
Kuwaiti nationals and empowering
them to realize their potentials.”
Al Ablani added that “NBK will
continue its efforts to provide career
and training opportunities for nationals and to support the country’s aim to
encourage young Kuwaitis to assume
roles in the private sector”.
NBK training programs include
NBK Academy, the Summer
Internship Program and the first of its
kind in the region the NBK High
Fliers Program in collaboration with
the American University of Beirut to
provide NBK’s future leaders with a
wide range of leadership disciplines
covering topics such as finance, risk
and people management skills and
included classroom discussion, case
studies and assignments.
in the literary analysis.
Marina Hotel, Salmiya from 6:00 -9:00
pm for potential students and their parents
to attend. The Canadian institutions will
also be visiting local schools to speak to
interested students about opportunities to
study in Canada.For more information:
www.kuwait.gc.ca
Nov 4
Study in Canada exhibition:
Organized by the Embassy of Canada, the
ninth annual Edu-Canada Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) Tour will be visiting Kuwait from November 4-6, 2014.
Representatives of around 20 leading
Canadian universities and colleges will be
available to meet students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to present
the advantages of studying in Canada. On
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 a Study in
Canada exhibition will be held at the
Nov 7
Vanithavedi Sargaanjali:
Vanithavedi - Kuwait, the prominent
women’s association in Kuwait will be
conducting competition for
‘Thiruvathirakali’ on Nov 7, from 9 am, at
Indian Community School, Khaitan. This
will be conducted as a part of
‘Sargaanjali,’ the mega-programme of
Vanithavedi. Please register the names as
early as possible. For details, contact:
97114331, 97426295, 24312180.
Nov 9
IEI marks 47th Engineers Day: The
Institution of Engineers (India) Kuwait
Chapter has great pleasure to announce
the celebration of the 47th Engineers’ Day
on Sunday, Nov 9, 2014.
The program shall start at 6:30 pm and
shall continue up to 9:30 pm.
The venue for this celebration is the
prestigious Arab Organization Building
(Arab Fund), Shuwaikh Kuwait.
All our esteemed members are requested to kindly participate in the memorable
event and make it a great grand success.
The Invitation Card shall be sent shortly.
Kindly confirm your attendance by
sending an email to [email protected]
or call our Kuwait Chapter office at
22445588, extn.314 between 5:30 pm and
8:30 pm, Sunday through Thursday.
Nov 21
Harvest festival: Harvest Festival of
2014 St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Maha
Edavaka will be held on Nov 21, 2014 at
Indian Central School, Abbasiya from
8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
It will be a full day program with variety of cultural programs, food stalls, game
stalls, etc.
Preperations are underway. A large
committee is working for the success of
the event. Thousands of faithful are
expected to attend the event according to
the organisers of the event.
Firm to present wide range of products
VIVA participates in GITEX Technology Week 2014
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 11: VIVA,
Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most
developed
telecom
operator,
announced its participation in the
GITEX Technology week to present its
wide range of products to the exhibition visitors. The International GITEX
Technology week will take place from
Oct 12-16 in Dubai at the Za’abeel
Exhibition Hall in the Dubai
International
Convention
and
Exhibition Centre, and is considered
the leading IT and technology exhibition and attracts a majority of decision
makers in the Middle East.
Commenting on VIVA’s third participation in the GITEX 2014 exhibition,
VIVA’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng.
Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Badran said:
“We are honored to take part in GITEX
for the third consecutive year. It’s an
exciting experience for the VIVA family to take part in one of the world’s
most anticipated IT and technology
exhibitions. Our participation in the
GITEX Technology Week 2014 comes
in line with our corporate strategy to
extend and present our services not
only locally, but on a regional level.”
Alongside
VIVA,
Saudi
Telecommunication Company (STC)
and VIVA Bahrain will be taking part
in the exhibition and exhibiting their
latest products and services through a
dedicated team present at their booth.
This year, GITEX will debut a range
of innovative and exciting industry features including Industry Briefings,
where more than 1500 delegates and
150 speakers will debate tech trends in
cutting-edge, sector-specific knowledge platforms; Developer Days, a
series of dedicated workshops, tech
demos, training programs and networking activities offered by leading OS
platforms designed to enhance developers’ in-show experience; a Social
Plaza hosting the Influencers’
Reception; the Bloggers Tweetup and
Tech Talk Blogger Program which will
double attendance from regional bloggers. Expanded event features include
the
official
press
reception
ShowStoppers, online community
ConneXions, live streaming of social
Al-Badran
media, trending topics and tech news
via the Content Hub, the 2nd GITEX
Hot Stuff Awards recognizing top
gadgets. Enhanced interactive elements
include the GSM Exchange Zone, a
platform for the mobile product industry, the C-Level Majlis Lounge for senior executive networking, free Smart
Sessions for knowledge-sharing, the
Retailers and Distributors Lounge and
the SME Zone.
In addition, the second edition of the
GSMA Mobile 360 Series: Middle
East, a dedicated platform for senior
executives from the region’s mobile
industry, and the fourth edition of
InfoComm MEA, the leading showcase of the latest professional audiovisual communications technology in
the Middle East and Africa.
To find out more VIVA’s events,
numerous competitive promotions,
products and packages visit any of the
58 VIVA branches or visit our website
at www.viva.com.kw or contact its 24
hour call center at 102.
you a Ugandan living and working in
Kuwait? Would you like to get in touch
with other Ugandans in Kuwait both
socially and professionally? Then please
get in touch with us. We would like to
invite you to register with the Ugandans
in Kuwait (UIK) association, an informal
organization of Ugandans living and
working in Kuwait. The purpose of this
exercise is to get together as Ugandans
and to consider taking the first steps to
establishing a more formal organisation.
This association is voluntary. It is
designed to create a forum for Ugandans
in Kuwait to foster a sense of community,
to communicate more effectively with
each other and to encourage Ugandans out
here to work together. We are also planning a celebration to mark 50 years of
Ugandan’s Independence this year. If you
have any questions regarding this association or if you are interested in registering,
then please send us an email at [email protected]. We hope to
hear from you soon.
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Indian business forum launch:
Introducing a new world of business networking and commercial synergy, a world
all set to open fresh contours in the
emerging global economic scenario.
A forum comprising of Indian businessmen and professionals will soon be
launched in Kuwait to promote business
and trade. The forum will primarily aim to
provide an interactive platform of networking for Indian businessmen and professionals with their Kuwaiti counterparts
through regular interface, meetings and
even workshops.
The new forum, which plans to engage
with all trade and commerce bodies across
India and also in Kuwait, intends to act as
a unified forum for exchange of information related to current or expected business or professional opportunities in India
and Kuwait.
Not merely confined to business
exchanges, this forum will also enable
Indian businessmen and professionals to
make suggestions to the government on
matters of policy matters, procedures pertaining to the business activities.
The forum plans to promote Indian
businesses in Kuwait by providing several
opportunities between businesses, dissemination of information through seminars
and interaction with local and government
counterparts. In brief, the Forum intends
to revolutionize and develop new business
and professional relationships while consolidating existing ties.
Those interested to be part of this
organization may email on [email protected]
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Tapondo self-defense class:
Tapondo-Phil Combat Aikido, Kuwait
Chapter ... Filipino method of selfdefense, non-aggressive and defensive
type of martial arts, wish to invite everyone to join our regular training every
Wednesday 8:00-10:00 pm and Friday
2:00-4:00 pm at the Kaifan Karate Club.
Easy to learn and applicable to teens, men
and women in all walks of life. Contact
Herms 66486346, John 99478443, Warli
66884601, Elli 94000471.
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Fakaju martial arts: Filipino, Arnis,
karate, judo Arnisudula international
(Caballero and illustrisimo style) wishes
to invite everyone who are interested to
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