https://arab.news/y5w2u
Gulf Islamic Investments, a Shariah-compliant global investment company, with assets under management worth $3 billion, has announced a new venture with Marriott International, Inc. The collaboration will see GII’s luxurious The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences development in London’s prime Chelsea district, managed by the Marriott International Group in line with its Autograph Collection brand.
Situated off Sloane Avenue in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, at the meeting point of art and culture with tradition and innovation, The Lucan represents a bespoke addition to Chelsea’s timeless style and sophistication. The 31 individually designed residences combine an iconic London location and its abundant green spaces with peerless in-house concierge services, to deliver a luxurious lifestyle individualized for each resident.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone for GII, as it establishes a foothold in the prime Central London market, after its first branded residential scheme in March — the Elie Saab Residences at Hyde Park. It is also another first for both brands — GII’s first real estate development collaboration with a global hospitality brand, and Marriott International’s first standalone Autograph Collection Residences property in the world, which will debut in London.
The seven-floor property is projected for completion in 2024, with a show home available before then. The residences will exhibit architecture influenced by the culture and character of Chelsea, with unique stylish finishes emblematic of Autograph Collection Hotels.
In a joint statement, Mohammed Alhassan and Pankaj Gupta, co-CEOs of GII, said: “The Lucan represents a pivotal project for GII, marking our first foray as both investor and developer. Our intention is to deliver a boutique development that not only offers an exceptional quality of life, but one that matches the highest international standards for luxury lifestyle real estate. It is truly an honor to work with Marriott International, whose reputation for operational excellence and legendary service will bring world-class standards to discerning residents of The Lucan and validate the iconic real estate proposition that GII originally identified in one of London’s most prominent and sought-after neighborhoods.”
Shreen Gupta, CEO of GRID Properties, said: “The UK has seen a blending of the high-end residential and hotel sector for some time now — with prime residential schemes understanding the value of amenity and concierge-style services. We are becoming known in the UK market for our quality and unique residential offers after our success with Elie Saab Residences at Hyde Park. This collaboration further cements our ability to collaborate effectively with prestigious global brands to offer HNW customers luxurious and quality Central London homes.”
Jaidev Menezes, regional vice president, mixed-use development — EMEA, Marriott International, said: “We are thrilled to announce The Lucan as our first stand-alone Autograph Collection Residences globally and equally delighted to be working with GII on one of their flagship assets in Europe. This agreement is a testament to the confidence that GII has in Marriott International and we are excited to play a meaningful role in GII’s vision for The Lucan. Through this collaboration, we look forward to delivering an exclusive lifestyle that is distinctive and unmatched in London.”
As a disruptive force in the conventional PC industry, Huawei is dedicated to building premium and smart flagship laptops, such as the MateBook X Pro, for business people who have high requirements. Here is why the Huawei MateBook X Pro is one of the most elegant high-performance flagship laptops of 2022:
A screen like no other
The display of Huawei MateBook X Pro is not just good; it exceeds expectations. The 14.2-inch OLED Huawei Real Color FullView Display with 3.1K high resolution makes everything look stunning. It also has a high refresh rate of 90 Hz, making every interaction feel buttery smooth and nimble. Furthermore, the magnetically controlled-Nano Optical AR Layer available in the Premium Edition effectively reduces reflection for greater clarity, even in extremely bright environments. Huawei MateBook X Pro has received TÜV Rheinland low blue light (hardware solution) certification because of its innovative luminous material that reduces the amount of blue light that is harmful to your eyes.
Huawei MateBook X Pro is a beauty to behold. It sports a skin-soothing metallic body, delivering a unique matte surface and offering a comfortable grip. The Premium Edition of the MateBook X Pro’s body is made of lightweight and durable magnesium alloy. It has undergone a micro-arc oxidation coating process, which not only increases the hardness and wear-resistance of the product body but also makes it environmentally friendly. The laptop weighs just 1.26 kg, making it highly portable. You can choose from the two new colors of the Premium Edition, Ink Blue and White, as well as the Space Grey of the other edition.
The MateBook X Pro is designed to give you the best and most ultimate performance to help you breeze through your workload. It has the powerful 12th Gen Intel Core processor in its lightweight and stylish chassis and is powered by the advanced Intel Core i7-1260P. The latest generation processor uses a hybrid architecture that efficiently handles complex tasks. Moreover, the laptop allows you to switch to the 30W Performance Mode when you need the extra boost by pressing the Fn + P key. This mode allows you to smoothly run multiple complex tasks at the same time.
The Huawei MateBook X Pro takes multi-device collaboration to a whole new level, thanks to the Super Device features. It lets you effortlessly connect to other Huawei devices nearby and collaborate between them all. Simply place your Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2, mouse, keyboard, speakers and printers close to the MateBook X Pro, and the laptop will automatically discover them and provide a prompt for quick and easy pairing.
Huawei MateBook X Pro is now available for pre-order in the Kingdom at a starting price of SR7,499 ($2,000) from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers, with a limited-time pre-order offer of gifts valued at SR6,383.
The new Mini family is taking shape. With the world premiere of the Concept Aceman, the British automotive manufacturer is presenting for the first time a new design language and many technological innovations that will shape the brand’s future model generations. The study of a first crossover model from Mini for the premium small car segment brings together central features that outline the brand’s driving pleasure of the future: From a purely electric drive to clear, pared-back design language and a material concept that uses no leather or chrome elements, as well as a new digital user experience.
“The Mini Concept Aceman provides a glimpse of a completely new vehicle, bridging the space between the Mini Cooper and the Mini Countryman in the model family’s future,” said Stefanie Wurst, head of Mini. “This concept car reflects how Mini is reinventing itself for its all-electric future and what the brand stands for: An electrified go-kart feel, an immersive digital experience and a strong focus on a minimal environmental footprint.”
“The design language of the Mini Concept Aceman heralds the beginning of a new design era for Mini,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. Design features typical of the Mini brand have always been unmistakable, Hooydonk added. “We are returning to these now, but at the same time consistently combining them with innovative technology. With this approach, we are redeveloping the Mini design icons, with all their analogue strengths, for the digital future.”
The principle behind “Charismatic Simplicity” showcases the essentials, such as the striking vehicle front with an octagonal, closed and illuminated radiator grille element, generous chassis surfaces given structure by sharp edges, an athletic shoulder section and a powerful rear with vertically arranged rear lights.
The bodywork of the Mini Concept Aceman comes in the color Icy Sunglow Green, a bright turquoise shade with a traditional British Racing Green metallic used as a contrast color for the roof. To match, the surround on the lower edge of the bodywork is finished in a dark green hue. Accents in blue and pink-orange emphasize this vehicle’s lively character.
The Mini Concept Aceman has four doors and a large boot lid with interior seating for five. It also has the proportions you would expect of the brand with an exterior length of 4.05 meters, a width of 1.99 meters and a height of 1.59 meters. Bodywork surrounds, strongly contoured wheel arches, 20-inch wheels, a striking roof rack, and front and rear valance panels styled as underride protection emphasize the solid all-round characteristics of a crossover model for urban driving fun.
The emotional connection between the Mini Concept Aceman and its users is strengthened by a seamless digital operating concept and a holistic user experience. Even as the user approaches the vehicle, the Mini Companion, a sensor-based animation, delivers a welcome scenario consisting of light effects and sound, which is continued in the interior space after the doors are opened.
The display and control system in the production vehicle are based on the latest generation of the Mini Operating System, which for the first time is built on an Android Open Source Project software stack.
IBM, the leading global technology company, has published a study highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital age. According to IBM Security’s annual Cost of a Data Breach Report, the Middle East has incurred losses of SR28 million ($7.45 million) from data breaches in 2022 alone — this figure already exceeds the total amount of losses accrued in each of the last eight years.
The latest edition of the Cost of a Data Breach Report — now in its 17th year — reveals costlier and higher-impact data breaches than ever before. As outlined by the study, the global average cost of a data breach has reached an all-time high of $4.35 million for surveyed organizations. With breach costs increasing nearly 13 percent over the last two years of the report, the findings suggest these incidents may also be contributing to rising costs of goods and services. In fact, 60 percent of studied organizations raised their product or services prices due to the breach, when the cost of goods is already soaring worldwide amid inflation and supply chain issues.
Notably, the report ranks the Middle East among the top five countries and regions for the highest average cost of a data breach. As per the study, the average total cost of a data breach in the Middle East amounted to SR28 million in 2022, the region being second only to the US on the list. The report also spotlights the industries across the Middle East that have suffered the highest per-record costs in millions, with the financial (SR1,039), health (SR991) and energy (SR950) sectors taking first, second and third spots, respectively.
Fahad Alanazi, IBM Saudi general manager, said: “Today, more so than ever, in an increasingly connected and digital age, cybersecurity is of the utmost importance. It is essential to safeguard businesses and privacy. As the digital economy continues to evolve, enhanced security will be the marker of a modern, world-class digital ecosystem.”
He continued: “At IBM, we take great pride in enabling the people, businesses and communities we serve to fulfill their potential by empowering them with state-of-the-art services and support. Our findings reiterate just how important it is for us, as a technology leader, to continue pioneering solutions that will help the Kingdom distinguish itself as the tech capital of the region.”
The report also sheds light on the “haunting effect” data breaches are having on businesses, with 83 percent of studied organizations having experienced more than one data breach in their lifetime. Another factor rising over time is the after-effects of breaches on these organizations, which linger long after they occur, as nearly 50 percent of breach costs are incurred more than a year after the breach.
The study also revealed that participating organizations fully deploying security AI and automation incurred $3.05 million less on average in breach costs compared to studied organizations that have not deployed the technology — the biggest cost-saver observed in the study.
The LuLu Group, which has 27 hypermarkets and stores in the Kingdom and is one of the largest retail groups in the MENA region, signaled its commitment to Saudi food security and agriculture by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Egg Producers’ Association. The MoU will enable the association to supply eggs from Saudi poultry farms directly to LuLu Hypermarkets and stores, allowing for freshness, quicker turnaround from farm to table and better pricing for customers and poultry farmers alike.
The signing event was sponsored by Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Ayada and Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Commerce Muhammed Alobaid. Signing the agreement on behalf of LuLu Group was Shehim Mohammed, director, LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets, and on behalf of the Saudi Egg Producers’ Association was Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the cooperative association head.
“Eggs are popular, easy to digest and a rich source of protein and minerals — this MoU makes it possible for us to offer the best eggs and support Saudi agriculture also,” said Mohammed.
Al-Sheikh said the Saudi Egg Producers’ Association was enriched by the support of the LuLu Group and the access to a huge customer base in the Kingdom through LuLu Hypermarkets and stores.
“We believe that this MoU clears the way to provide farm-fresh eggs to Saudi customers in the swiftest and most profitable way and one that supports Saudi Arabia’s agribusiness,” he added.
Aldar Properties PJSC, through its Aldar Investment business, has added scale to its diverse and growing hospitality and leisure portfolio with the acquisition of the beachfront resort, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa Marjan Island, and an adjacent beachfront development plot for a total consideration of 810 million dirhams ($220.5 million). The acquisition adds considerable weight to the company’s hospitality and leisure portfolio, which now has a total of more than 4,250 keys, and brings Aldar’s total investment in Ras Al-Khaimah to 2 billion dirhams, complementing the recent acquisitions of Al-Hamra Mall and Rixos Bab Al-Bahr. Jassem Busaibe, chief executive at Aldar Investment, said: “The mature nature of this five-star asset complements our existing suite of properties in Ras Al-Khaimah, which continues to represent a robust hospitality and tourism market with strong growth potential in line with the emirate’s aim to attract 3 million visitors annually by 2025.
The acquisition adds considerable weight to the company’s hospitality and leisure portfolio, which now has a total of more than 4,250 keys, and brings Aldar’s total investment in Ras Al-Khaimah to 2 billion dirhams.
“The transaction not only affirms our commitment to the market, but it also adds depth and scale to our reach given the asset’s complementary value proposition, development potential, and target clientele. While the acquisition is both value and yield accretive, we still see room for additional upside by leveraging our scale and deploying our asset management capabilities effectively as we continue to grow and transform our platform at an accelerated pace.” The property, which benefits from above-market average occupancy levels, is located on the first section of Al-Marjan Island, a growing tourism hub and staycation destination in Ras Al-Khaimah. The market continues to exhibit strong tourism growth potential, particularly in light of the progressive measures that the emirate continues to implement as part of a wider and concerted effort to advance its tourism agenda. Jahed Rahman, chief investment officer at Aldar Investment and chairman of Aldar Hotels and Hospitality, said: “Through this investment, we have not only bolstered our portfolio of recurring income-generating assets but also positioned Aldar to capture a greater share of the growing Ras Al-Khaimah market through additional development rights at the destination. The acquisition adds to the significant investment already made in our recurring income business this year and we continue to assess and pursue opportunities to deploy further capital as we ramp up the execution of our growth strategy and drive value across our platform.” Completed in 2014 and expanded further in 2016, DoubleTree by Hilton Al-Marjan Island is a 724 key 5-star resort under a management agreement with Hilton. The resort features a GFA of 67,000 square meters and its amenities include eight restaurants, one nightclub, male and female spas, eight pools, a kids’ club and aqua park, a private beach, a gym, one ballroom, three meeting rooms and ample parking area across a total GFA of more than 234,000 square meters.