June 26, 2021 - Ras Al Khaimah News

June 26, 2021

‫حازت تاج على لقب أقوى علامة تجارية للفنادق في العالم

~ معترف بها من قبل الشركة الإستشارية الرائدة لتقييم العلامات التجارية حول العالم – براند فاينانس

مومباي, الهند, 26 يونيو / حزيران 2021/PRNewswire/ — أعلنت شركة الفنادق الهندية (IHCL)، أكبر شركة ضيافة في جنوب آسيا، أن علامتها التجارية الشهيرة، Taj، تم تصنيفها كأقوى علامة تجارية للفنادق في العالم من قبل براند فاينانس، الشركة الإستشارية الرائدة في تقييم العلامات التجارية في تقريرها السنوي “Hotels 50 2021“. يتضمن هذا التقرير العلامات التجارية الأكثر قيمة وقوة للفنادق في جميع أنحاء العالم.

فال السيد بونييت شاتوال، العضو المنتدب والرئيس التنفيذي لشركة الفنادق الهندية، “هذه لحظة فخر لصناعة الضيافة الهندية على الساحة العالمية. إن تصنيف تاج كأقوى علامة تجارية للفنادق في العالم هو شهادة على الثقة الراسخة التي يضعها ضيوفنا فينا باستمرار، والدفء والرعاية الصادقة التي يجسدها موظفونا يومًا بعد يوم. وسنواصل سعينا للارتقاء بتجارب الضيافة الفاخرة ذات المستوى العالمي وتقديم سحر العلامة التجارية تاج لجميع المنتفعين من خدماتنا.”

حازت تاج على مؤشر إجمالي لقوة العلامة التجارية بلغ 89.3 من 100، مع حصولها على تصنيف AAA فيما يتعلق بالشعور بالألفة بين العملاء، ومستوى رضا الموظفين وسمعة الشركة بالإضافة إلى خدمة العملاء ذات المستوى العالمي.

قال ديفيد هاي، الرئيس التنفيذي لـ براند فاينانس، “نحن متحمسون للإعلان عن تاج كأقوى علامة تجارية للفنادق في العالم. لقد صمدت العلامة التجارية التي تحمل إرث عمره قرن من الزمان والحريصة على تقديم الضيافة الهندية الكريمة على الرغم من التحديات التي تمثلها الجائحة الحالية. لقد اعتمد المسافرون حول العالم على العلامات التجارية واختبروها بطرق مختلفة وبرزت تاج في المقدمة.”

كما سلط تقرير Hotel 50 2021 الضوء على نجاح الشركة في تنفيذ إستراتيجيتها إعادة الضبط 2020، والتي وفرت إطارًا مُغيرًا للمسار، مما ساعد العلامة التجارية تاج في التغلب على التحديات المرتبطة بالوباء.

لمعرفة المزيد، انقر هنا للوصول إلى التقرير الكامل بواسطة الذي عرضته براند فاينانس.

حول شركة الفنادق الهندية المحدودة

تجمع شركة الفنادق الهندية المحدودة ( IHCL ) والشركات التابعة لها مجموعة من العلامات التجارية والشركات التي تقدم مزيجًا من الضيافة الهندية الحميمة والخدمة ذات الطراز العالمي.. تمتلك IHCL محفظة مكونة من 221 فندقًا بما في ذلك 55 فندقًا قيد التطوير على مستوى العالم عبر 4 قارات، و12 دولة وفي أكثر من 100 موقع. وتشمل هذه المحفظة تاج – العلامة التجارية الشهيرة للمسافرين الأكثر تميزًا، SeleQtions ، ومجموعة محددة من الفنادق Vivanta ، وفنادق متطورة رفيعة المستوى و جينجر ، التي تمثل ثورة في قطاع الفنادق الفاخرة.

فيديو – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1551767/Taj_Strongest_Brand.mp4

صورة – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1551732/IHCL_Strongest_Hotel_Brand.jpg

June 26, 2021

‫TRACE Foundation تعلن عن الفائزين بجائزة 2021 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting

أنابوليس، ماريلاند, 26 يونيو / حزيران 2021 /PRNewswire/ — TRACE Foundation ، وهي منظمة غير ربحية تأسست لدعم المشاريع التي تشجع على قدر أكبر من الشفافية التجارية، اليوم أعلنت الفائزين بجائزة 2021 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting لعام 2021. تعترف الجائزة السنوية بالصحافة التي تكشف عن الرشوة التجارية أو الجرائم المالية ذات الصلة.

فازت زورايدا جاليجوس فالي بجايزة TRACE Prize، وهي صحفية حرة تكتب لجريدة إل باييس (El País) في المكسيك، عن تحقيق أجرته كشفت عن مخطط الجيش المكسيكي لتحويل ما لا يقل عن 156 مليون دولار أمريكي من الموارد العامة من خلال مئات الشركات الوهمية المتعاقد عليها لإكمال مشاريع البنية التحتية.

صرحت فالي: “إنني ممتن لـ TRACE Foundation لدعمها الصحافة الاستقصائية لأنها تلعب دورًا مهمًا في الشفافية ومساءلة الحكومات في جميع أنحاء العالم. وقد أصبحت الصحافة الاستقصائية أكثر أهمية في المكسيك وجميع أنحاء العالم. فهذا النوع من العمل يساعد في الكشف عن الأنشطة غير القانونية التي تريد السلطات إخفائها، ومراقبة أفعالها”.

الفائز الثاني بجائزة TRACE لهذا العام هو فريق إعداد تقارير FinCEN Files، والذي تضمن BuzzFeed News، والاتحاد الدولي International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) وأكثر من 100 شريك إعلامي. وقد أجرى الفريق تحقيقًا لمدة 16 شهر، لمراجعة الآلاف من وثائق الاستخبارات المالية. كما كشفوا عن عملية مراقبة معيبة سمحت للبنوك العالمية بالاستفادة من المعاملات المشبوهة. وأسفرت تقاريرهم عن إصلاحات وتحقيقات جديدة في العديد من البلدان.

صرح جيرارد رايل، مدير ICIJ قائلًا: “كشف تحقيق FinCEN Files كيف أن بعض أكبر البنوك في العالم تلعب دورًا أساسيًا في التدفق العالمي للأموال المشبوهة. وقد ساعدت النتائج التي تم التوصل إليها إلى دفع إصلاحات مهمة لمكافحة غسيل الأموال في بعض المراكز المالية الرئيسية في العالم، وهذا الاعتراف من TRACE سيساعد في وضع مثل هذه المسائل تحت المراقبة دائمًا”.

كما حصل ICIJ على تقدير مشرف، إلى جانب بقية أعضاء فريقLuanda Leaks، والتي تشمل FRONTLINE، و New York Times و 34 شريكًا إعلاميًا آخرين، لعملهم في فضح الحكم الكليبتوقراطية لإيزابيل دوس سانتوس، ابنة الرئيس الأنجولي السابق. لقد كشفوا كيف يلعب المحترفون الغربيون دورًا حيويًا لم يتم فحصه كثيرًا في هدم حياة عدد لا يحصى من الأنجوليين.

نال فرديناند أيتي من مجلة L’Alternative في توجو تقديرًا مشرفًا عن تحقيقه Pétrolegate، الذي وجد مخالفات مالية خطيرة بين المسؤولين الحكوميين التوجوليين المسؤولين عن استيراد المنتجات البترولية وتسعيرها.

وصرحت ألكسندرا وراج، رئيسة TRACE: “حتى في ظل الظروف الفوضوية في عام 2020، استمر الصحفيون الاستقصائيون في مباشرة عملهم. ونحن نشيد بالدور المهم الذي يقومون به بشجاعتهم وعزمهم وبراعتهم. كما تعرب TRACE Foundation عن امتنانها لطاقم التحكيم وإعجابها بالفائزين بجائزة 2021 Prize for Investigative Reporting وعملهم المهم”.

ضمت لجنة التحكيم لجائزة 2021 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting ويليام جوميد، وديانا بي.هنريكس، وروزبيل كاغومير، وبيتر كلاين، ودوناتيلا لورش، وخورخي لويس سييرا.

ستبدأ مؤسسة TRACE Foundation في قبول الطلبات المقدمة لجائزة 2022 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting في خريف عام 2021. لمزيد من المعلومات، تفضل بزيارة traceinternational.org/investigative-reporting.

نبذة عن TRACE Foundation

تأسست TRACE Foundation لتعزيز ودعم وتمويل الأبحاث والصحافة الاستقصائية والمنشورات ومقاطع الفيديو والمشاريع ذات الصلة التي تشجع على قدر أكبر من الشفافية التجارية وتقدم تعليم مكافحة الرشوة. لمزيد من المعلومات، تفضل بزيارة traceinternational.org/tracefoundation.

June 26, 2021

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. Announces Pricing of $125 Million Public Offering of Senior Notes

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (SNCR) (the “Company” or “Synchronoss”), a global leader and innovator in cloud, messaging and digital products and platforms, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior notes due 2026, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional $5 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes. The offering is expected to close on or about June 30, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Synchronoss and the senior notes both received a rating of BB- from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent, unaffiliated rating agency. The Company has applied to list the senior notes on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SNCRL” and expects the notes to begin trading within 30 business days of the closing date of the offering, if approved.

All of the senior notes in the offering are being sold by Synchronoss. Synchronoss anticipates using the net proceeds from the offering, and from the offering of common stock and sale of Series B Preferred Stock (each as described below), to fully redeem all outstanding shares of Synchronoss’ Series A Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock and repay amounts outstanding under Synchronoss’ revolving credit facility.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”) is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. Northland Capital Markets, Aegis Capital Corp. and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC are acting as lead managers for the offering.

Concurrently with the offering, the Company is offering, by means of a separate prospectus supplement, $100 million of shares of its common stock. In addition, B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (“BRPI”), an affiliate of BRS, has entered into an agreement pursuant to which BRPI has agreed to purchase $75.0 million of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock in a private transaction to be completed concurrently with the closing of the offering.

The senior notes described above are being offered by Synchronoss pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective by the SEC on August 28, 2020. A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering is filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The final terms of the proposed offering will be disclosed in a final prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC. Copies of the final prospectus supplement (when available) and accompanying prospectus relating to these securities may also be obtained by sending a request to: B. Riley Securities, Inc., at 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1300, Arlington, VA 22209 or by calling (703) 312‐9580 or by emailing prospectuses@brileyfin.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Synchronoss

Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR) builds software that empowers companies around the world to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways. The company’s collection of products helps streamline networks, simplify onboarding, and engage subscribers to unleash new revenue streams, reduce costs and increase speed to market.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to statements regarding the closing of the public offering and the anticipated use of the proceeds thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the public offering and the risk factors set forth from time to time in Synchronoss’ SEC filings, including but not limited to the risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections (as applicable) of Synchronoss’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, which are on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Synchronoss’ other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Synchronoss’ results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Synchronoss undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media

Diane Rose
CCgroup
diane@ccgrouppr.com

Investors

Todd Kehrli/Joo-Hun Kim
MKR Investor Relations, Inc.
investor@synchronoss.com

June 26, 2021

Mohammed bin Rashid approves new Board of Directors of Dubai Chambers

DUBAI, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today approved the new Board of Directors of Dubai Chambers, which was recently restructured into three entities – Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Dubai Chamber of International Trade. The decision forms part of restructuring the Chambers’ operations to enhance its contributions to Dubai’s economy, raise the level of support provided to emerging business sectors and accelerate Dubai’s innovation journey.

The move is also part of efforts to catalyse Dubai’s economic transformation and further reinforce the city’s rise as a global business hub.

His Highness said the three new chambers are integral to Dubai’s new drive to create a highly competitive, advanced investment environment geared for rapid growth. “In the light of the changes sweeping across the globe, we need to adopt new business models that enable us to raise our sustainability and attain continued success. Deploying innovative operational frameworks and developing flexible legislations will help us foster further growth and achievement in Dubai’s economy,” His Highness said.

“Dubai Chambers will be one of the organisations spearheading our efforts to further transform the emirate’s business environment and enhance its position as a dynamic regional and global centre for business, trade and finance,” His Highness said. “Dubai will continue to constantly offer new opportunities and facilitate the efficient flow of international trade backed by its advanced logistics hub, state-of-the-art ports and airport infrastructure, and its pro-growth business environment,” His Highness noted.

Speaking on the Chambers’ business plan, His Highness said: “The members of Dubai Chambers will be active stakeholders in executing Dubai’s international trade strategy which aims to expand our external trade to AED2 trillion in five years,” His Highness added.

His Highness also reviewed the objectives of all the three chambers and stressed on the need for them to work in close coordination and harmony under the Board of Dubai Chambers. His Highness further said the work of the chambers should be guided by a comprehensive strategic vision that reflects the directives of Dubai Government.

In March, His Highness approved the restructuring of Dubai Chambers into three separate organisations with unique functions – Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Dubai Chamber of International Trade.

Juma Al Majid was named as the Honorary Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry while Abdulaziz Al Ghurair was appointed as its Chairman. Sultan bin Sulayem was named Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of International Trade and HE Omar Al Olama was named Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

The Board of Dubai Chambers is chaired by Abdulaziz Al Ghurair and its members include Omar Al Futtaim, Khalid Jumaa Al Majid, Rajaa Al Gurg, Omar Al Olama, Sultan bin Sulayem, Butti Saad Al Kendi, Helal Saeed Al Marri, Faisal Jumaa Belhoul, Patrick Chalhoub, Ghassan Al Kibsi, Dr. Amina Al Rustamani and Tariq Hussain Khansaheb.

The Board will work to create a comprehensive unified strategy for Dubai Chambers, set key priorities and objectives, propose major initiatives to advance Dubai’s strategic economic development, and ensure streamlined coordination and integration between the three chambers.

The Board of Dubai Chambers seeks to accelerate the growth of the Dubai economy by promoting Dubai as a global business hub and attracting multinational companies. The Dubai Chamber of International Trade will represent and support the interests of local companies with international presence and international companies based in Dubai. It will also support Dubai’s vision to expand to new global markets, forge new economic partnerships and support local companies in achieving global success, while also attracting promising talent and investors from across the world. The Dubai Chamber of International Trade seeks to cover 30 international markets that are considered important markets for Dubai through promotional projects.

The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is tasked with launching projects and developing studies on the new future economy, as part of efforts to build the world’s best digital infrastructure and transform Dubai into an international technology hub. With the objective of promoting the interests of technology companies and advancing the role of the digital economy in the emirate, the new chamber will build a network of relationships with local and international tech entrepreneurs and investment funds. It will also help draft legislations in Dubai and the UAE to create a growth-friendly environment for the digital economy.

Source: Emirates News Agency

June 26, 2021

Dubai Economy to honour Business Excellence Awards winners on June 28

DUBAI, Dubai Economy is set announce the winners of the 27th Business Excellence Awards (BEA) in an online ceremony to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the 28th of June 2021.

The prestigious awards, which recognise outstanding efforts and commitment towards adopting best practices and achieve excellence in diverse disciplines of business, are being announced virtually for the second consecutive year in view of the precautionary guidelines against COVID-19.

Overall, 26 winners in various categories of the 2020 cycle of the Business Excellence Awards (BEA), including the Dubai Quality Award (DQA), and the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES), will be announced at the ceremony this year.

BEA remain a major component of the initiatives Dubai Economy has launched to date to promote quality and excellence as a catalyst for further growth and development in the business sector and contribute to the aspirations of the Government of Dubai to encourage global best practices across the emirate and the UAE to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability.

The Awards have also continued to expand each year to recognise exceptional efforts of industry sectors and businesses to support strategic initiatives aimed to elevate quality standards and enhance customer happiness across Dubai and the UAE.

The 2021 Awards has ‘Smart Services Sector’ added as a DSES category to evaluate social media channels, mobile apps, contact centres and websites for their efficiency in view of their role in the digital transformation of services across Dubai and the UAE.

Shaikha Ahmad Al Bishri, Director of the Business Excellence Department in Dubai Economy, said: “The Business Excellence Awards and its affiliated programmes have a major role in promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and capability development within the business community and across services in Dubai and beyond. The Awards have successively developed a team of assessors and businesses capable of extending the excellence momentum into the future and sustaining it.”

The COVID-19 phase have seen all programmes and processes associated with BEA moving online. The Business Excellence Department conducted five online workshops for applicants in the 2020 cycle and also trained over 100 delegates in various sectors and categories of the Dubai Quality Awards.

The year 2020, also saw 100 assessors, including 40 new entrants, trained online on the Awards criteria and processes. The assessors conducted hybrid site visit assessments, combining both physical and virtual visits as required, for all the Dubai Quality Award categories, and 31 feedback reports outlining areas for improvements were sent to applicants in various DQA categories.

“The Business Excellence Awards and the BEA online portal have evolved into an engagement platform and reference point for businesses keen on adopting global best practices and growing sustainably. Satisfaction rating on our online events was above 80 percent in the 2020 cycle of the Awards and over 90 percent of the businesses participating in the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme showed 90 percent compliance with the precautionary guidelines against COVID-19,” added Al Bishri.

Over 8,000 Mystery Shopping and Brand reports highlighting key improvements were sent to DSES members in the retail sector in the 2020 cycle of the Awards and the Mystery Shopping programme has now been expanded GCC-wide.

“In addition to the new e-Services award category, we have also introduced new programmes to support DSES participants improve their service quality,” Al Bishri said.

A 20-hour course certified by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on dealing with people of determination was offered to 1,500 DSES members in the 2020 cycle. ‘DSES Tweets’ also have been launched as part of BEA to share information among members. Every quarter the top three brands in each sector identified on the basis of the Mystery Shopping reports are announced to encourage retailers.

The Dubai Service Excellence Scheme is a one-of-a-kind initiative that aims to gain customer confidence and to make the experience of shopping in the UAE a pleasurable one. Participants in DSES are honoured in two main categories: the Best Outlet, and the Best Brand.

Since its inception in 1994, the Dubai Quality Award has received the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who has been instrumental in driving the quality movement across the private and public sectors in the emirate. DQA encourages and motivates companies and institutions to adopt a policy of excellence, provide the best services, and recognise best practices in performance excellence.

The DQA winners are honoured in four categories this year – the Gold Category, the Dubai Quality Award, the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award (DQAA) and the Dubai Quality Global Award (DQGA). The awards will be distributed in key sectors – government, manufacturing, finance, professional, tourism, services, trade, construction, education, healthcare, free zones, transportation, logistics, media, leisure and entertainment, real estate, retail and representative entities.

Source: Emirates News Agency

June 26, 2021

Over 100 seizures of narcotic substances in Abu Dhabi Customs Centre within five months

ABU DHABI, Inspectors at the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs managed to thwart the smuggling attempts of 55,642 kilograms of narcotic and prohibited substances and 29,670 narcotic pills during the first five months of this year, compared to 24,454 kilograms and 17,676 narcotic pills in the same period last year.

This came in light of the closure of many countries due to precautionary and preventive measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decrease in the movement of travelers worldwide.

On the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26th every year, Abu Dhabi Customs stated that the number of seizures of narcotic substances during the first five months of 2021 amounted to 104 seizures in all customs ports of the emirate, compared to 460 seizures in the same period in 2020.

Abu Dhabi Customs clarified that the seizures varied between narcotic substances, pills, and other prohibited substances, making the number of reports issued by the administration during the first five months of this year to 94 customs records, compared to 417 seizure records in the same period in 2020.

Abu Dhabi Customs indicated that many seizures of narcotic and prohibited substances are seized through suspicion, body language, and detection devices, while the average age of smugglers is between 31- to 40-year-old men. Attempts to smuggle narcotic substances through luggage, bags, and others were seized and thwarted.

Despite the exceptional circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abu Dhabi Customs inspectors were able to thwart attempts to smuggle narcotic substances and pills through continuous cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities in the country.

Mubarak Matar Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Customs Operations Sector, said that Abu Dhabi Customs continues to strengthen its efforts to counter attempts to smuggle drugs and prohibited materials through the emirate’s customs ports, in line with the strategic plan of Abu Dhabi Customs which is aimed at enhancing the security and safety of society and the prosperity of the national economy.

Al Mansouri added that Abu Dhabi Customs inspectors are highly skilled and are well-equipped with the latest international practices to professionally confront attempts to smuggle narcotics and prohibited substances of all kinds.

He concluded that Abu Dhabi Customs has an advanced customs system that relies on cutting-edge technologies in customs inspection and can thwart attempts to smuggle narcotic substances through all customs ports of the emirate, relying on the latest international practices in this regard.

This system comes in light of upgrading the performance of customs competencies and amplifying its inspectors’ skills and supporting them in performing their duties and combating those who attempt to harm the nation’s security.

Source: Emirates News Agency