National Petroleum Construction Company Increases its use of AVEVA Plant

DUBAI, UAE - AVEVA (LSE:AVV) today announced that National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), a global oil & gas EPC contractor, has chosen AVEVA Plant for use on its part of the Integrated Gas Development Project - Habshan Platform Offshore Facilities (IGD-HAP) for ADMA OPCO.

IEG Releases the First Comprehensive Evaluation of IFC’s Knowledge Services

WASHINGTON - In its 2009 Independent Evaluation of IFC’s Development Results released today, the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) provides a first global review of International Finance Corporation (IFC) advisory services — knowledge services to private firms and governments in support of private sector development, including customized training or advice on investment promotion and policy. The report finds that about 70 percent of advisory projects achieved overall high ratings for development effectiveness. Performance was strongest in Southeastern Europe and Central Asia and weakest in Latin America and the Caribbean. IEG also found gaps in delivery, particularly matching corporate intent with consistent implementation on the ground, including execution of its pricing policy, ensuring good quality project designs, getting the right staffing mix and effective collaboration with other advisory service providers, including the World Bank.

East Asian Countries Can do Much More to Reduce Project Times and Maximise Profits

HONG KONG - Foundation Specialists Must Work Together With Authorities to Optimise Designs

Optimisation of foundation designs is the surest way to dramatically reduce material usage and guarantee that new developments are delivered in a shorter timeframe at minimal cost.

Panasonic Launch New LUMIX Range in Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - New Semi-Professional HD Camcorders Also Introduced Into the Market

‘Stars of Science’ Has Kicked Off on 17 Arab Channels

DOHA, Qatar - The Groundbreaking Projects of Innovation From the 16 Candidates are Now Revealed

Mercator XXI, LLC Establishes Operations in Cairo

WASHINGTON - Global Consultancy Expands Representation to the Middle East

Mercator XXI, LLC today announced an expansion of its operations into the Middle East with the appointment of Hesham Wahby. Mr. Wahby will be based in Cairo and serve as Principal for Egypt & Middle East.

The Address Hotels + Resorts Partners With the World’s Largest Mall to Offer an Exciting Summer Getaway

DUBAI - This summer, The Address Hotels + Resorts, Dubai’s 5 star hotel brand, is offering guests the opportunity to experience some of the iconic attractions in Dubai. Guests staying at The Address Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace - The Old Town can enjoy complimentary priority access to The Dubai Mall’s famous attractions such as the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and the Dubai Ice Rink. The offer, including attractive summer rates valid until September 20, 2009, is also applicable for guests residing in the Al Manzil and Qamardeen hotels - also located within Downtown Burj Dubai, described as the ‘new heart of the city.’

Alcatel-Lucent Captures IP Edge Router Lead in the Europe, Middle East and Africa Market

PARIS - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that, according to data from Infonetics, it is now the #1 vendor in the IP edge router market in the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region with almost 31 percent market share. During Q1 2009, Alcatel-Lucent increased its market share in the worldwide IP edge router segment, strengthening its #2 position globally with 20 percent share.

DHS Begins Test of Biometric Exit Procedures at Two U.S. Airports

WASHINGTON - Next step toward deploying biometric exit procedures for international travelers

/C O R R E C T I O N — U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/

WASHINGTON - In the news release, DHS Begins Test of Biometric Exit Procedures at Two U.S. Airports, issued today by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over PR Newswire, we are advised by the organization that the first paragraph, first sentence, should read “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today began collecting biometrics - digital fingerprints - from non-U.S. citizens…” rather than “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today began collecting biometrics - digital fingerprints and photographs - from non-U.S. citizens…” as originally issued inadvertently.

Emirates Driving Institute Focuses on Road Safety

ABU DHABI, UAE - Road safety and in particular, the use of seatbelts is to be the main theme presented by the Emirates Driving Institute, when it attends Barbican Turbo - the Middle East’s custom, tuning and motorsports festival organised by United Business Media from the 8th - 10th of October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi.

BDO Corporate Finance Adds Office in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - BDO International, the 5th largest global accountancy network, has today announced the opening of a new corporate finance office in Dubai to act as a hub for corporate finance and restructuring advisory work in the Middle East.

IslamicAdvisory.com Launches First Islamic Finance Training Portal

DUBAI, UAE - The Islamic finance industry gets its first dedicated training portal: IslamicAdvisory.com, Islamic Finance Training, Online. Certified by leading scholars, the portal is the first to provide streamable, interactive Islamic finance training modules “ideal for training across large-scale institutions,” as one prominent user, Yusuf Jha, Shariah Controller at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, describes it.

Pinnacle PR Training Announces June 2009 Courses - and Summer Discount

DUBAI, UAE - 10% Discount on June Courses

Pinnacle PR Training is offering a 10% discount on its courses taking place in Dubai and London in June. These include its popular five-day Foundations in PR course in Dubai and its 10-day Intensive PR Seminar in London.

2009 China Sourcing Fairs in Dubai sold out: Largest China-products exhibition in the Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Global Sources expands 2009 Dubai shows 40% to include Greater China manufacturers of gifts, premiums, home products, electronics and fashion accessories

M: Communications Strengthens Gulf Operations

LONDON and DUBAI - M: Communications, the leading international financial communications firm, has appointed Nicholas Lunt as Managing Director for the Gulf Region. It has also transferred Robin Haddrill, an experienced consultant in its London office, to strengthen the firm’s regional offer.

Abu Dhabi Welcomes Nominations in Nine Book Awards

ABU DHABI - Rashed Al Oraimi, the Secretary General, announced yesterday the official call for nominations for Sheikh Zayed Book Award; an international awards program to recognize writers, translators, novelists and publishers who contribute to promoting the Arabic culture. Named after the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award was launched in October 2006 to honor writers and boost the Arab publishing Industry.

Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey Finds Surge in Bullishness as Investors Put Cash to Work

NEW YORK and LONDON - Signs of Exuberance Appear in Rush to Emerging Markets

Bullishness in global markets has reached new heights with seven out of 10 investors who predict the world economy will improve in the next twelve months, according to the Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for May.

GCC Governments Strive to Bolster the Polyolefins Market, Finds Frost & Sullivan

DUBAI, U.A.E. - Recently, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) embarked on a capacity-expansion drive in the polyolefins market to realize its ambition of becoming a major global polyolefins production hub. Based on the current planned addition of new capacities, the GCC polyolefins industry is likely to see an avalanche of additional capacity by 2010. With the GCC polyolefins market being a low-growth one with a corresponding low demand, the additional capacities are expected to create a surge in the demand for polyethylene and polypropylene in the GCC.

Fortent Introduces All-in-One Financial Crimes and Compliance Solution

NEW YORK - Fortent Connect is First Complete System for Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud, Customer Due Diligence, and Reporting

Hunt, Auto Industry Stalwart, Heads Al-Futtaim Automotive

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Len Hunt, a veteran auto industry executive has been appointed Group Director, Automotive, Al-Futtaim and charged with leading the family owned business into an era of heightened expectations in the region’s auto industry.

Drake & Scull International PJSC to Rebuild Recruitment Process With Bond Talent - From Middle East Recruitment Software Specialist Bond International Software

WORTHING, England - Bond International Software to Vastly Reduce Cost and Time Per Hire for Drake & Scull International PJSC With Online Recruitment and Talent Management Software, Bond Talent

Interactive Panasonic Panaboard Assists Boardroom Decision-Making

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - 82″ Diagonal Interactive Whiteboard With Integrated Speakers and USB Hub

Tourism Malaysia to Showcase Adventure Tourism Offerings

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tourism Malaysia to Showcase Adventure Tourism Offerings at Adrenaline Sports Live, Presented by Rani

Backstage Production Presents “The Backstage Live Tour”

AMMAN, Jordan - Ragheb Alama and David Vendetta in Concert on May 28

Backstage Production presents Superstar Ragheb ALAMA and world famous D.J David VENDETTA in the “BACKSTAGE LIVE TOUR” on Thursday May 28 at 10pm at the Amman Exhibition Park, announced today Khodr Alama, CEO of Backstage Production and manager of Ragheb Alama.

DuPont Titanium Technologies Announces a Price Increase for Titanium Dioxide Products in North America, Europe and the Middle East

WILMINGTON, Delaware - DuPont Titanium Technologies (DTT) today announced a price increase for all DuPont titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades sold in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Integrated Airport Security Solution at Airport Show, Dubai

LONDON - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will be demonstrating its range of air traffic management systems and capabilities together with its new integrated airport security solution, Airtight, at the Airport Show, Dubai.

Regional Landscaping Industry Remains Upbeat

ABU DHABI, UAE - The regional outdoor architecture and landscaping industry remains upbeat about the outlook for the future of the industry with many companies confirming their presence at the Gulf Landscaping event in Abu Dhabi. The Gulf Landscaping exhibition runs from the 9th - 10th November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is an opportunity for companies in this industry to network and do business with buyers and decision makers from across the Middle East.

Rymco Appoints EcoSecurities to Audit and Offset its Greenhouse Gas Emissions

DUBAI, UAE - Rasamny-Younis Motor Company S.A.L. (RYMCO), exclusive dealer of Nissan Motors (Nissan, Infiniti), GM vehicles (GMC), Renault trucks, Nissan Diesel (UD), FAW trucks, and Kawasaki in Lebanon, has taken pioneering steps in its quest to emerge as one of the country’s most environmentally-friendly automotive dealers, by signing an agreement with UK-listed EcoSecurities to audit and offset the Company’s direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases.

XUREX Appoints TOTE International

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - Exclusive Representative for Middle East North Africa Region

XUREX Inc., a leading manufacturer of True-Nano penetrating sealers, today announced it has entered into an exclusive representation agreement with TOTE International, LLC, a market development concern with interests in True-Nano materials sciences, advanced security, medical technologies, and modularized SIPS housing. Under the agreement TOTE will promote, market, distribute, implement and support Xurex’s innovative True-Nano penetrating sealers through channel relationships with distributors across the MENA region.

Wilson Associates Captures Spirit of the Place in Design of Multiple Hospitality Projects in the Middle East

DALLAS - ~ Preeminent Dallas, Texas-based Design Firm Revels in Overseas Work ~

If you ask Trisha Wilson, Founder and CEO of Wilson Associates (wilsonassoc.com), consistently ranked as one of the world’s top hospitality design firms, the key to her company’s success, she will tell you that international expansion has been an important factor. Headquartered in Dallas since its founding in 1971, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Shanghai, Johannesburg and an associate office in Cochin, India, to better serve clients around the globe. In fact, today, more than 90 percent of Wilson Associates’ work is international. With offices and clients in almost every time zone, they are able to provide clients with round-the-clock service - literally!

WATER STANDARD Receives 2009 Global Water Award

HOUSTON - WATER STANDARD, a global vessel-based water desalination company, was honored with the “Desalination Deal of the Year” award at Global Water Intelligence’s Global Water Awards Ceremony held Monday, April 27, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) Rolls Out the New JT42CWRM for Egyptian National Railways (ENR)

CAIRO - Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) has rolled out the first JT42CWRM 3,300 THP locomotive at the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) facility in Cairo, Egypt. EMD will be delivering 40 locomotives by the third quarter of 2009. The first 15 units have been delivered and are being commissioned. EMD has a long history of supplying locomotives to ENR going back to the 1950’s. ENR’s fleet will consist of 681 EMD powered locomotives once this order is complete. These new JT42CWRM will be a welcome addition to the ENR fleet of EMD locomotives as the expansion of ENR’s rail business moves forward.

Corporate Event Entertainment Planners are Turning to Singer Brian Evans

LOS ANGELES - Few would debate that Brian Evans is a rising star.

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090511/LA14423)

An Open Letter From the International Women’s Media Foundation

WASHINGTON - OPEN LETTER TO:

H. E. Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi Head of the Judiciary Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Re: Roxana Saberi