Tag: Middle East

Beirut slashes red tape for new businesses

Posted by | Sep 29, 2007 | |

The prolonged agony of registering a new company in Lebanon may be coming to an end thanks to a new agreement between the government and LibanPost on Friday. The new system permits an entrepreneur to hire a legal representative and prepare an application and supporting papers from any LibanPost branch where the payment is made. All these procedures, according to the government, should not take more than six days.

Previously, starting up a business in Lebanon entailed hiring a legal representative, collecting a series of forms and documents, visiting numerous government institutions, and paying several fees to these institutions. Companies seeking registration complained in the past that the procedure used to take more than 45 days just to get a stamp of approval from the government.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Finance Minister Jihad Azour, Justice Minister Charles Rizk, Justice Minister, Economy and Trade Minister Sami Haddad, LibanPost board chairman Khalil Daoud and a representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed an agreement at the Grand Serail Friday which aims to cut the time, cost, and complexity of the registration process by providing a simple guide to be followed by both local business owners and foreign concerns that wish to open new branches within the country.

Lebanon ranks 132nd in the 2007 “Doing Business” report prepared by the IFC, the private-sector arms of the World Bank. The report provides measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 178 countries.

According to the report, it takes an average of 46 days to register a business in Lebanon, with an average cost of 94 percent of annual income per capita, compared to 11 days for registration and an average cost of 25 percent in Tunisia.

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Saudi Arabia forms new direct mailing company

Posted by | Sep 26, 2007 | |

A new company called Shaher, specializing in direct mail, has been formed in Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Benten, president of Saudi Post, said in his keynote address to the direct mail forum held in Riyadh recently, which was the first time for such a meet in Saudi Arabia. said that the industry is growing. Saudi Post has installed nearly 2.5 million mail boxes, although observers claim that about 70 per cent of these have been vandalized.

Organized jointly by the Saudi Post (SP), Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) and Direct Mail Services (DSM), the event was attended by some 250 participants who included foreign direct mail experts, corporate leaders and company representatives from various sectors.

The organizers announced their close cooperation and strategic partnership to enhance the direct mail industry in Saudi Arabia and the formation of Shaher.

Prince Faisal bin Salman, SRMG chairman, said that the introduction of Shaher was a perfect example of the potential growth for the Saudi market. Shaher will focus on constructing and developing an advanced direct mail industry supporting organisations using advertising mail campaigns and direct marketing.

Hamidaddin, Hamidaddin, CEO of DSM, said that direct mail is a much more sophisticated form of communication between consumers and marketers. “With the establishment of Shaher, companies will have the means to tap into the emerging direct mail industry. Shaher will provide them with all the tools and know-how to make the job much easier for business,” he said.

Topics discussed at the forum included ‘Direct Mail, a Strategic Tool in Direct Marketing’, ‘How DM Increases Brand Perception, Sales Activation and Loyalty Building,’ ‘What to Test in DM,’ and ‘How to Run a DM Campaign.’

Direct mail experts from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland and Saudi Arabia shared their experience and knowledge on direct mail.

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Middle East Transport & Logistics Market Report 2007

Posted by | Sep 25, 2007 | |

The Middle East’s position as an important trading region has been boosted by the
region’s continuing infrastructural development and diversification into non-oil
products and services. This growing import/export trade is not only within Middle
Eastern countries, but also on a global level.

While China, India and Eastern Europe are still widely predicted to be the largest
growth markets of the next decade or two, the Middle East is considered an
important region for expansion in the transport and logistics industry. An
eyefortransport survey of North American third party logistics operators (3PLs) earlier
this year identified the Middle East as one of the regions where trade links will
increase in number and significance. A similar survey among European 3PLs in 2006
indicated that the Middle East has more growth potential for logistics and transport
than either North or South America.

And in this 2007 survey of the Middle East, between 20pct and 30pct of all
respondents indicated that their business expansion strategies would include
development of their Middle East trade routes and infrastructure.

Straddling the crossroads of the major Asia-to-Europe and Asia-to-Africa trade
routes, the Middle East has historically been a strategic hub for east-west
intercontinental trade – not merely for transshipments, but it is also a huge trading
region in its own right for both merchandise and commercial services.

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Emirates Post presents commemorative stamps to DP World CEO

Posted by | Sep 18, 2007 | |

Mohammed Sharaf, CEO, DP World, was recently presented a set of platinum, gold and silver commemorative stamps by Faisal Al Nuaimi, Director of Sales and Retail Operations, Emirates Post.

The stamps bearing the image of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, were presented as a token of appreciation for an agreement signed between DP World and Emirates Post for the issuance of special stamps.

Mr Sharaf said:

“Cooperation such as this between the public and private sector establishments is vital for national development. We aim to provide high-quality services through our association with Emirates Post, which has a powerful market position.”

Mr. Abdullah Al Daboos, Director General, Emirates Post, said: “Emirates Post is delighted to initiate a business relationship with DP World and we are positive this will lead to a mutually beneficial partnership in the long-term. We are sure the special stamps on DP World to be issued by Emirates Post will enhance the company profile locally and internationally.”

Explaining the significance of the stamps, Mr Al Nuaimi said:

“We regard DP World as a benchmark for reliability and credibility, and as a role model of customer service. We are very proud to be a part of DP World’s corporate efforts and we are ready to cooperate in efforts that enhance the UAE’s national interests.”

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