Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine

Leading Through Crisis

How industry leaders in Bahrain are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis

Dr. Susan E. Saxton Founding President, American University of Bahrain

August - September 2020 | ISSUE 184

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@kfh.bahrain

Gulf Financial Insider

Contents August - September 2020 Issue 184

12 52 Simply unparalleled online presence that connects region’s most inspired communities.

12 44

Keypoint: Back to school in 2020

Special Feature

16 20 24 26 28 30 32

Leading through crisis

The Happy Sport Joaillerie

Leading towards a lifetime of success Tamkeen lends a hand…

A fresh take on crisis resolution Building a community The return of face-to-face learning Setting the standard in Digital Banking

Education_BH 48 Ensuring that students are ready to learn 50 E - Learning isn’t just for the kids 52 54

An ‘Xtreme’ adventure Facts you didn’t know about Rolls-Royce Phantom

Knowledge is power

Publisher & Editor in Chief

Nicholas C. Cooksey

Comment...

Editorial

Annam Elizabeth

Editorial Contributors

Hugh Haskell-Thomas Nicholas Cortes Bill Daly

Sales & Business Development

Charlie Cooksey

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Layout Designs

Dhanraj S

Admin & Finance

Nikesh Pola

Here's last month’s most 'Liked' #BestInBahrain picture posted to our social media.

Photography

Angelo Jose A

Distribution Mohammed Yousif Aramex

Al Ayam For advertising contact Charlie Cooksey +973 3652 0004 charlie@gulf-insider.com Annam Elizabeth M. +973 3612 8111 sales1@gulf-insider.com

Published by:

P.O. Box 26810, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 1700 4575 Fax: +973 1772 1722 Printed at Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Registered with Ministry of Information approval no. TFI-431©. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine

The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine

KEEP DISTANCE | STAY SAFE

Learning to Learn June-July 2020 | ISSUE 183

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The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine

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The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine

Women in Business 2020 Gulf Insider speaks to some of the leading businesswomen in Bahrain

MArch 2020 | ISSUE 181

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APRIL-MAY 2020 | ISSUE 182

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As traditional education gives way to virtual learning

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Benefit from Cashless Payments FEBrUAry 2020 | ISSUE 180

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Lifestyle | Advertorial |

The Happy Sport Joaillerie Ever more precious ‘joie de vivre’

I

n less than 30 years, it has become a watchmaking benchmark and established itself as an icon thanks to its audacious design. The Happy Sport watch and its legendary dancing diamonds are reinvented in two jewellery versions, showcasing diamonds by means of a prong setting.

This new technical feat gives the diamonds a lighter and even more luminous effect. Happy Sport Joaillerie watches are available in ethical white or rose gold. And of course, they feature a movement with automatic winding entirely made in-house by Chopard, the 96.17-C calibre, which guarantees mechanical excellence worthy of this proud icon.

Lights!

Happy Sport arrays itself in light.

While Chopard with its dancing 12

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

diamonds managed to free these gems by having them whirl freely between two sapphire crystals, the artisans of the Maison have now succeeded in exposing them even more fully to light by means of the particularly airy prong setting. Instead of the traditional gold capsule with a spinning-top like base, which holds the dancing diamonds and enables them to turn without tipping over, the Chopard choreographers have been able to use a prong setting that holds the stones in place with only five prongs on the sides. Light thus penetrates even further into these resolutely happy diamonds, whose radiance is amplified by exposing a greater number of facets. The same gem setting procedure is also used on the bezel and the hour-markers of the timepiece, creating a rich and graceful result.

The 36 mm case of these new

jewellery versions of the Happy Sport, also entirely paved with brilliant-cut diamonds, is in 18-carat gold of ethical origin, with a first white gold version ensuring delightful harmony with the sparkle of the diamonds, and a second in rose gold creating stronger contrasts.

Beneath the two sapphire crystals staging the dancing diamonds – of which there are seven on these two Happy Sport Joaillerie models – the textured mother-of-pearl dial has been meticulously engraved with a guilloché motif, a token of exquisite craftsmanship testifying to the attention Chopard devotes to detail.

Mechanical excellence At the heart of Happy Sport Joaillerie, Chopard has chosen to fit its ultrathin 96.17-C mechanical movement with automatic winding, based on the

Lifestyle | Advertorial |

very first calibre created by Chopard Manufacture. Entirely developed in the workshops of the Maison, where its 167 components are assembled, it provides a comfortable 65-hour power reserve. All of which goes to show how

Technical details Case l 18-carat l Total

white or rose gold

diameter

36.00 mm

l Thickness

12.10 mm

l Water

30 m

resistance

l 18-carat

white or rose gold crown set with a diamond

6.00 mm

l 18-carat

white or rose gold bezel and cabochonsset with diamonds

l Seven

prong-set dancing diamonds

l Glare-proofed l Exhibition

sapphire crystal

case-back

Movement l Mechanical

with automatic winding Chopard 96.17-C

l Number

of components: 167

l Diameter:

3.30 mm

l Number

29

of jewels:

l Frequency:

28,800 vph (4Hz)

reserve:

65 hours

l Power

A sporty-chic timepiece fully embodying its era and reflecting every move of the women who wear it.

the Maison renowned for its expertise in jewellery watches demonstrates equal mastery in dealing with both the aesthetic and technical aspects of its timepieces.

Happy Sport, a horological icon Happy Sport timepieces have found their place in the hall of fame of great watchmaking classics within less than three decades thanks to the audacity of Caroline Scheufele, now Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard.

In 1993, driven by her abundant creativity and the spirit of the times, she imagined the first ladies’ watch combining steel and dancing diamonds.

A sporty-chic timepiece fully embodying its era and reflecting every move of the women who wear it.

27.40 mm

l Thickness:

l Bridges

adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif

Dial and hands l Seven

dancing diamonds

l Textured

mother-of-pearl dial with guilloché centre

l Rhodium-plated

minutes hands

l Diamond-set

hours and

hour-markers

Functions and displays l Central

display of the hours and minutes

Strap and buckle l Alligator

leather strap

l 18-carat

white or rose gold pin buckle set with diamonds

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

13

News Roundup

Bahrain: COVID-19 Patient Charged for Deliberate Attempt to Transmit Virus

Bahrain Adds BD177 Million to COVID-19 Budget

A COVID-19 patient has been charged for deliberately coughing on doctors while not wearing a facemask during a visit to a coronavirus testing facility. The accused was at the facility to do a second COVID-19 test after his last examination had confirmed that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

During the second visit, he deliberately removed his face mask and coughed in front of the doctors. The patient allegedly coughed in his hands and then touched the doctors on their different body parts in order to transmit the coronavirus to them.

The Public Prosecution interrogated the accused and charged him with exposing others to infection, which is a crime under Law No. 34 of 2018 regarding public health, the penalty of which is up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 dinars.

Bahrain will add 177 million dinars ($470 million) to its 2020 state budget in emergency expenditures arising from fighting the new coronavirus pandemic.

To this end, $450 million will be taken as a one-time deduction from the Future Generations Fund (FGF), a fund set up in 2006 to reinvest hydrocarbon revenues, and allocated to this year’s state budget, another new decree said. The decrees also announced a temporary halt to the allocation of oil revenues to the FGF until the end of 2020.

Bahrain Extends Suspension of Medical Consultation Fees for Expats

Bahrain: Expired Visit Visas Extended for Three More Months

The government decided to extend the suspension of the medical consultation fees in the governmental health centers for expatriates. The fee-suspension decision, which was issued last April, will continue until September. Expatriates used to pay BD7 as medical consultation fees in the governmental health centers.

The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) announced the extension of the validity of all valid and expired visit visas for an additional three months – from 21 July 2020 until 21 October 2020. Visitors who intend to stay in the Kingdom beyond 21 October 2020 will be allowed to apply through the eVisa portal to renew their visit visas. The validity of all visit visas will be automatically renewed for the upcoming three months.

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

News Roundup

Oman to Introduce Part-Time Work Options for Citizens and Expats

Saudi Opens Land Borders for Citizens in Neighboring Countries Saudi citizens and their non-Saudi family members as well as accompanying domestic workers who are currently in neighboring countries can return through land ports.

The permission for the entry covers male and female citizens, their non-Saudi family members such as husbands, wives, sons, and daughters as well as their domestic workers who reside in the Kingdom and accompanying them during their travel. The Jawazat stated that citizens with non-Saudi members wishing to return to the Kingdom through land ports must obtain prior approval through furnishing the necessary information via Absher portal of electronic services under the Ministry of Interior. For this, they should attach documents that prove the kinship and relationship for the accompanying non-Saudis.

The ports of arrival in the first phase are Al-Khafji, Al-Raqae, Al-Batha and King Fahd Bridge, and the rest of the land ports will be added in the second phase in coordination with the National Information Center. Non-Saudis accompanying Saudis shall have a PCR examination certificate proving coronavirus negative result, which is carried out within 48 hours.

Locals and expats living in Oman could soon be able to do part-time work, according to the annual report of the Implementation, Support and Follow-up Unit (ISFU), the government organization tasked with overseeing the expansion of the Omani economy under the Tanfeedh plan for diversification.

Dr Ahmed Al Hooti, the head of economic research at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said the decision to allow for short-term work would benefit many in the country who were currently looking for employment opportunities, as well as fresh graduates, and those who felt they could supplement their existing income.

An online system has been set up for this purpose, and studies on the policies that will govern parttime work are currently underway.

Kuwait: Nearly 1.5 Million Expats to Leave by End of Year Almost 1.5 million expatriate workers are expected to leave Kuwait by year’s end as economic slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic forced companies to cut their workforce to save on costs and remain afloat.

Likewise, the government’s decision to lower the number of expats living in the country, through a new residency law, and its continuing Kuwaitization of jobs in the public sector also hit migrant workers.

The Egyptian and Indian expats communities were hit the hardest, the report said. According to a draft expat quota bill, Indians should not exceed 15 percent of the population of Kuwait. This could result in 800,000 Indians leaving Kuwait, as the Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait, totaling 1.45 million. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a spike in anti-expat rhetoric as lawmakers and governmental officials call for reducing the number of foreigners in Kuwait.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

15

Money & Business

Special Feature

Leading through crisis Gulf Insider talks to industry leaders in Bahrain, to learn how they are handling the COVID-19 crisis.

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has changed how the world works, travels, eats, communicates and even parties. Being one among the first countries in the world to complete testing for 50% of the population, Bahrain has one of the highest testing rates per capita, which has obtained the acknowledgment of the World Health Organization (WHO). On the economic front, government-declared stimulus packages amount to US$11.4 billion. The most adversely affected industries have been identified, and businesses have been instructed to apply for support.

As the pandemic progresses, businesses face new challenges every day. Complicated new costs emerge while operating socially distanced, sanitized and facemask compliant customer outlets, also running at minimum capacity to function safely.

The retail sector needs to encourage customers to return to physical stores to safely shop, while they also need to

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Many believe that the teachings offered by the pandemic pave the way for a new normal. be convinced in order to download new mobile shopping apps.

Industries which have clearly been adversely impacted include retail, tourism, hospitality, while online services of grocery stores and hypermarkets have witnessed great demand. The overnight spike in demand caused many home delivery services to be overbooked for days.

Businesses are creatively reimagining their working models, with the introduction of drive-throughs, remote

drop and pickup, anywhere-anytime delivery, and virtual assistance. These constant innovators are the ones who are leading the way in struggling industries. Many believe that the teachings offered by the pandemic pave the way for a new normal, and businesses which can adapt to this, will emerge as leaders.

Leadership is particularly highlighted during a crisis. Bahrain has many examples of leadership successfully guiding not just customers, but also employees and partners, towards building a better ‘new normal’. Through this feature, we sit down with several leaders to explore the effects of the pandemic on their business operations, how they took swift action to make their workplaces safe, how they dealt with the challenges of remote work, all while maintaining an engaged audience and contented workforce. We also discuss their learnings from the situation, outlook for the future, and what advice they can offer to fellow leaders.

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Money & Business

Special Feature

Giving back during

the digital era Gulf Insider interviews Shaikha Hessa AlKhalifa, Chairperson of INJAZ Bahrain. anticipate more focus towards fillings such gaps in the community.

What initiatives and activities has INJAZ Bahrain spearheaded during this period?

INJAZ Bahrain programs aim to instill and educate students on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy while at home.

INJAZ Bahrain successfully held this year’s Annual Young Entrepreneurs Competition online last month.

What is your message for the future leaders of the world?

My piece of advice would be taking the initiative to explore and take advantage of the opportunities that institutions or organizations provide to the youth. The current crisis is a great opportunity for our youth to explore and utilize the programs available online to keep learning, develop and enhance their skills.

What are you working on, at the moment?

Shaikha Hessa AlKhalifa

W

hat is an unexpected benefit or learning you’ve had in this period?

This period was definitely a turning point for everyone.

Despite the hardships, virtual learning opened doors for many opportunities and collaborations. INJAZ Bahrain has reached more than 5,000 students to this day during this period alone.

In your opinion, will digital transformation change the scope of volunteering?

Our volunteers proved that kindness 18

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

and the act of giving is not limited to the physical world; we have managed to continue the cycle of teaching and learning with the adaptation of Zoom and Microsoft TEAMS.

Do you think social entrepreneurship will get more of a spotlight in the postpandemic world?

At INJAZ Bahrain, as part of our Company Program, students are required to link their business ideas and concepts to the Global SDGs. They offer solutions to societal issue through social entrepreneurship. We definitely

We successfully concluded our virtual 15th Anniversary Annual Appreciation ceremony on social media last week where we recognize the efforts of all our partners and volunteers who were actively engaged with INJAZ Bahrain throughout the academic year 20192020.

We are excited to introduce many new programs in the coming weeks such as the coding for primary and intermediate students in collaboration with SAP. We have recently launched new STEM programs for primary students in collaboration with BOEING.

Special Feature

Money & Business

A healthy way forward Gulf Insider interviews Dr Mariam Al-Jalahma, CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). provide the swab collection through their facilities, provided they apply the required standards. That’s why it’s called elective testing, because it does not fulfill case definition and has no medical requirements except reassurance.

Telemedicine has surged in popularity during this time. What are your thoughts on this?

The NHRA approved telemedicine in early 2019. We have also published regulatory guidelines on our website, so when the pandemic occurred, approved telemedicine companies were already providing services. In 2020 we added e-prescription guidelines as well.

What changes do you think are here to stay, in the healthcare industry?

I feel telemedicine, providing services beyond the boundaries of the health care facilities, strict infection control and waste management protocols are here to stay.

Dr Mariam Al-Jalahma

W

hat would you say is your leadership style, and how has it helped you navigate this period?

I would say that during this period I applied a style that is responsive to crisis, a style that accepts change and thinks outside the box while seeking how to maintain the business without affecting services.

How did the decision come about to license private hospitals to conduct COVID-19 tests?

While the government is fully committed to contact tracing and free testing for all symptomatic persons,

When the pandemic occurred, approved telemedicine companies were already providing services. there were requests from companies and individuals to undertake PCR testing for individuals who do not fit the case definition. Since the Public health lab has the capacity to do the tests, it was decided that private sector could

There are newly in place a lot of import and export regulations for medical equipment, can you tell us more about its significance?

In 2015, NHRA published the first regulatory guideline on importation of medical devices. Medical devices are essential for safe and effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of illness and disease.

That’s why medical device compliance is important. It guarantees patients that the device they are using is, in fact, safe.

By implementing NHRA regulations we were able to prevent importation of counterfeit devices. In 2019, NHRA rejected 23% (2160) of the total applications either due to counterfeit certificate or counterfeit devices.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

19

Money & Business

Special Feature

Leading towards a lifetime of success

Gulf Insider interviews Dr. Susan E. Saxton, Founding President of the American University of Bahrain.

20

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Money & Business

W

hen did you realize the pandemic was about to impact your day-to-day life and work? What immediate actions did you take and how ready was AUBH to adopt these actions?

The key to our success was having tech-savvy people and tools already in place before the pandemic, which allowed for a quick transition to an online modality.

COVID-19 has changed the way that institutions globally deliver education, and the way that students approach their futures. As soon as we saw the pandemic take hold in Europe, we pro-actively mobilized our technological tools to be ready to move to an online modality. AUBH, as an institution, is in a fortunate position due to the structure of our business as a start-up, which means that we are naturally able to adapt and change very quickly. We moved to distance learning seamlessly, without missing any class time. I’m pleased that all of us, including staff, students, and support teams, have demonstrated the ability and desire to adapt and try new teaching and learning methodologies.

We added measures to assist students who have had to return from studying abroad, who may not have access to all the necessary documents due to exam disruption.

Being a recognized Cambridge English testing center, we were also able to offer applicants with an alternative for the IELTS, by providing the Linguaskill English proficiency test. To further

support students, our admissions team are looking at applications on a case-bycase basis in this unusual scenario.

We are fortunate to have Americanstyle programs that are flexible in credit transfer and adaptable to different learning methodologies and modalities.

How has your role as a leader changed, given the need to operate in the midst of a pandemic?

The past few months have been a learning curve for myself and my team, and it created a space for us to work creatively, learn to collaborate from a distance, and find new strategies for motivation. We are also fortunate to have supportive boards. They have been very responsive and have a long-term view for AUBH in delivering a unique brand of American-style education in the Kingdom.

How did you adjust to fully remote work?

How did you help guide and support your faculty and students through this?

I think it’s fair to say that day-today life has changed, and institutions that have operated the same way for years are having to adapt. Our senior management became even more motivated by our mission and in each decision, underscored our vision for delivering a unique brand of Americanstyle education in the Kingdom and beyond.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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Money & Business

Special Feature

able to identify the most effective strategies and tools and ensured their implementation institution-wide.

What is the AUBH’s technological infrastructure like? Do you employ Artificial Intelligence tools?

The key to our success was having tech-savvy people and tools already in place before the pandemic, which allowed for a quick transition to an online modality. We are proud of our innovative faculty and fortunate to have American-style programs that are flexible in credit transfer and adaptable to different learning methodologies and modalities.

We have mirrored global best practices to enrich our student experience at AUBH. For example, we utilized ProctorU, a U.S.-based, AIenabled, online, assessment platform to protect the integrity and credibility of high-stakes exams. ProctorU is used by more than 1,000 institutions and universities in the U.S. We are extremely proud of how seamlessly students moved to an online modality, achieving great results in the face of adversity.

In your opinion, what’s the single most important thing leaders can do for their teams and communities right now?

Drawing from our “sound mind, sound body” approach to holistic education, we have focused on maintaining our students’ health and well-being. We provided them with a free subscription to an application called Headspace, with the aim to encourage mindfulness, and assist in minimizing feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, we offered students additional support by sharing a “Tip of the Day” on how to stay active in isolation, including workout videos by our Sports Center trainer. We found that the more we communicated as a group, the more we came together as an AUBH community.

Online platforms such as Microsoft Teams have proven invaluable to us in 22

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

As a Management team, we based our strategy on a single goal: to keep everyone safe. facilitating communication. I scheduled regular online calls with the AUBH Management Committee and the academic team, and we created virtual groups to share new techniques and learning tools. Through teamwork and constant communication, we were

The best strategy leaders can have, is to seek out global best practices and act 110% for the benefit of their staff and communities. For the higher education sector, this of course includes students, front and center, making the best investment and policy decisions for the long-term health and welfare of our educational communities.

How did you formulate your plan for campus re-opening in September?

As a Management team, we based our strategy on a single goal: to keep everyone safe. We worked diligently within the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, Higher Education Council (HEC), and National Taskforce for Combating the Covid-19 to ensure compliance. The strategy is part of our “Culture of Care” philosophy, and

Money & Business

we are continually exploring ways to support and protect the health and well-being of the AUBH Community.

We have an NHRA-accredited on-campus clinic, in partnership with Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH), and have prepared a containment strategy for anyone showing symptoms of

in the classroom. This solution incorporates a specialized camera system with views of the classroom, live broadcasting and remote participation, whiteboards, and activity through our interactive CleverTouch monitors, all being shared through Canvas, a cloud-

for scientific majors. This will ensure all students – whether face-to-face or at a distance – can benefit from experimentation and exploration in a safe environment.

A comprehensive and well-thoughtout full protection strategy is also detailed for all employees and visitors to campus, and I’m very confident in our return to campus in September.

Why should parents and students choose the AUBH for future education?

COVID-19, with dedicated isolation rooms. For any new faculty and incoming students, we have partnered with Le Meridien Hotel City Centre to provide isolation facilities.

As part of the plan, we will also implement several innovative new classroom procedures: • We are offering a dual-modality opportunity, allowing classes to be held on campus according to the University schedule, and simultaneously online, where students who are unable to attend class on campus or prefer to study at a distance can attend at the same time as students

based learning platform, and Microsoft Teams.

• Our beautiful 75,000-sqm campus ensures effective social distancing practices with adapted classroom seating, and reduced numbers of students per room. All our classrooms have been modified to incorporate social-distancing between seating locations. For classes that require additional space, two classrooms will be used simultaneously with the lecture being broadcasted across both classrooms.

• For laboratory classes, we have implemented simulation software to complement the traditional classes

At AUBH, we truly care about developing our students’ real passions, and aim to equip them with the knowledge and skillset to achieve their personal and professional goals, for a lifetime of success. The AUBH quality of American-style education mirrors that of the best universities in the United States. One of the key differences of our style of education is that our students are given the freedom to change majors during their academic journey with us. Students have two years of general education courses common across all colleges, giving them the skills to be productive, to find their own resources, to self-assess, but to also have a chance to change their mind if they decide they want to enroll in a different degree program, while transferring a maximum number of credit hours.

We’re also unique in the characteristics we look for in students.

As part of our admission process, we interview every single applicant to understand their goals as well as their personal and academic skills. We nurture soft skills such as confidence, creative thinking, entrepreneurship, problem solving, etc.

Finally, we are thinking holistically about the challenge of global employability readiness. Our curriculum is built to respond to new job requirements such as computer science and multimedia design. We envision a new caliber of graduates, empowered with the ability to think critically and add real strategic value to the field they choose to enter. At the AUBH, we truly stand for a lifetime of success.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

23

Money & Business

Special Feature

Tamkeen lends a hand….

Gulf Insider takes a look at how Tamkeen has supported businesses during the pandemic.

I

n mid-March, weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Bahrain, Tamkeen, following the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, alongside the Government’s announcement of the financial and economic stimulus package, preemptively launched a new initiative called the Business Continuity Support Program. The objective of the program was to help small and microenterprises in Bahrain’s private sector limit the extent of financial challenges caused by the pandemic.

As Bahrain’s Labour Fund, Tamkeen has been a backbone for Bahrain’s startup ecosystem and the entrepreneurial community. The current crisis has only highlighted the Labour Fund’s unparalleled contribution to Bahrain’s socio-economic progress.

instructors, and kindergarten and nursery workers. Earlier, the program was limited to only small and microenterprises 





Announced that the reach of the Business Continuity Support program was also expanded to include taxicab drivers, public transport, and bus drivers, driving

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Started accepting applications from small and micro enterprises seeking financial grants.

Facilitated the Skiplino application to enable its clients to book appointments virtually. 



Timeline of the Business Continuity Support program April

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Began the distribution of financial grants to businesses most adversely affected by the global pandemic, as part of its Business Continuity Support initiative. The Chairman of Labour Fund Tamkeen, His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, confirmed the move saying that more than 17,000 applications were received since the application process started in midApril.

New data showed that more than 10,000 small and micro enterprises across Bahrain became beneficiaries of the Business Continuity Support program. Qualified businesses could apply online for partial coverage of their monthly operational expenses. Depending on the number of employees, each of these businesses received between BHD 1,050 and BHD 12,000.

Extended the application window by three days as a relief for small and micro enterprises that started their Business Continuity Support program without completing the rest of their application forms.

June Announced that all those COVIDaffected businesses that didn’t qualify for the Business Continuity program would be given a second chance to apply for financial aid.

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May

July



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Tamkeen’s Chairman confirmed that only a small percentage out of the 17,000 applicants didn’t qualify for financial grants in the first phase.

The 2020 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome appreciated Tamkeen’s efforts and named Bahrain as one of the world’s top five fastest-growing startup

Money & Business

ecosystems with fewer than 1,000 startups. 

Announced that financial grants to businesses dealing in sectors most affected by the global pandemic would be doubled. Additionally, taxicab drivers, public transport, and bus drivers, driving instructors, and kindergarten and nursery workers would also benefit from the financial grants for another three months.

Chief Executive of Tamkeen, Dr. Ebrahim Janahi, said “Tamkeen has successfully aided thousands of businesses and professionals to sustain their operations and revenues even through the wide-ranging precautionary

Ali Foolath

The current crisis has only highlighted the Labour Fund’s unparalleled contribution to Bahrain’s socioeconomic progress.

Khaled Almoayyed measures in place. An additional 1,914 saloons, 393 restaurants and cafes, about 350 travel offices, 205 gyms, and 193 other institutions received financial grants from the labour fund to sustain their operations.”

Here’s what beneficiaries of the program are saying: Noora Al Haddad - Managing Director of Creo Innovative Solutions “I’ve benefited from the Business Continuity Support program for three months. The process of requesting support was straight forward and streamlined - Tamkeen’s team has

been helpful, responding to support inquiries efficiently. Tamkeen’s Business Continuity program is crucial to the sustainability of micro-enterprises and SMEs in Bahrain during these times.”

Ali Foolath - Captain Burger “Captain Burger Restaurant received invaluable support from Tamkeen through the Business Continuity Support program. The support received helped in reducing the fixed cost burden on the business. Requesting the support was an easy and smooth process, the process required a brief about the business and how it was affected by COVID-19 prior to the support approval, in addition to

Noora Al Haddad documents and receipts outlining our monthly expenses. I can clearly say that the support provided helped my business continue its operations to date.”

Khaled Almoayyed - Managing Director of Almoayyed Creative Agency It’s not easy to fund all your start-up requirements, so having an entity like Tamkeen is something I’m grateful for. Their programs, including the recently launched Business Continuity Support Program was a blessing as it helped sustain our business during this pandemic. I thank them for the part they played in my career trajectory.”

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Special Feature

A fresh take on

crisis resolution Gulf Insider interviews Jerome Akel, Country Manager for Carrefour Bahrain. have you implemented apart from the ministry mandated ones?

We have put in place a set of measures to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues. These include the ongoing cleaning of floors in areas with fresh food, in addition to cleaning all walls and work surfaces twice a day. Work counters are cleaned with bleach twice a day.

Our colleagues must sanitise their hands every hour, while acrylic glass screens have been placed at store checkout counters. For our customers, hand sanitiser dispensers have been stationed at all entrances, fresh food sections, and cash counters. Single-use gloves are also provided for customers prior to entering stores, and trollies are sanitised before and after every use.

We also take the temperature of all customers entering our premises.

We also offer all payment methods as usual, however, we encourage cashless and contactless payments.

Jerome Akel

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hen did you realise the pandemic was about to impact your day-to-day life and work? What immediate actions did

you take?

From the very onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, we took every step to monitor and respond to developments. The health and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.

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Today, customers have placed even more of a premium on convenience and safety. At Carrefour, we have responded accordingly to this change in preference.

We have introduced a mobile shopping app, making over 4,000 essential products available for purchase from the comfort of shoppers’ homes. We have also teamed up with Talabat.

How has Carrefour Bahrain dealt with the pandemic? What precautionary measures

How has your role as a leader changed, given the need to operate in the midst of a pandemic?

In such situations, one has to remain calm and collected and think ahead of what’s to come. As Carrefour Bahrain’s Country Manager, it is my responsibility to provide the best possible safe solutions for all colleagues to continue their daily tasks in an efficient and effective manner.

At Majid Al Futtaim, our dedicated Carrefour colleagues have been absolutely crucial. We redeployed colleagues from VOX Cinemas to work in our stores to help cater to a rise in shopper demand, both online

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and in store. This is part of a specific programme launched to provide employees with an opportunity to retrain within the company ecosystem.

It seems to be a time when there’s going to be intense focus on every leader’s actions. How can you be sure to communicate effectively at times like these?

Over the course of the pandemic, we

Communication, communication, communication this, undoubtedly, is the key here.

for instance, we work hard to be as government-aligned as possible.

As industry leaders, businesses and organisations must do all that they can to set an example for others. Majid Al Futtaim donated BHD100,000 to the Feena Khair campaign. We donated a cash amount of BHD40,000, 4,000 gift vouchers with a total value of BHD40,000, and textile products worth BHD20,000.

have already witnessed agility in action — first and foremost with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s speedy response to the pandemic.

We have taken every step to be just as agile, not only in developing new retail offerings that prioritise safety and convenience and respond to customers’ changing demands, but in communicating with shoppers and stakeholders.

Are there any learnings you can pass on to other leaders?

In your opinion, what’s the single most important thing leaders can do for their teams and communities right now?

Ensure that you have a team that will help, assist and support the organisation, and you can look to them for answers during difficult times. Trust your team and the organisation to continue moving forward and provide the best possible and safe solutions for your stakeholders.

Maintaining strong and productive relations with key partners goes a long way to improving business operations and responding effectively to crisis.

Communication, communication, communication — this, undoubtedly, is the key here. People and customers want to be kept abreast of the latest updates, news and developments. It is also decidedly important to maintain clear and open lines of communications with partners, local leadership and regional authorities. At Majid Al Futtaim,

Be transparent and assess the situation before diving into matters.

Study and oversee all possible outcomes and ensure the best results are maintained to benefit the organisation and your stakeholders — not least customers and colleagues.

Finally, what is the biggest piece of advice to give any business out there?

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Special Feature

Building a community Gulf Insider interviews Ahmed Alammadi, CEO of Diyar Al Muharraq. technologies throughout the Kingdom, such as the use of energy saving LED street lights. Finally, on a social front, we believe that every development, whether a property or a city, is firstly made for people and not robots. With that being said, we have incorporated communal spaces, interconnected bicycle and running lanes throughout the city, to promote having a close-knit community where people will have a lot of opportunities to have friendly conversations and get to know each other.

Can you talk us through the timeline of the project? How much has been completed and handed over so far?

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Ahmed Alammadi

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hat is your personal background and leadership style, and how has it helped you maneuver during this

crisis?

On both a personal and professional perspective, I believe in the power of people. As a leader, I believe in deescalating; meaning, in order to remain calm and productive, our employees had to be reassured that all the precautionary measures were taken into consideration in order to first and foremost protect them, and then comes maintaining business continuity.

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Diyar Al Muharraq has been referred to as a futuristic project. How so, and what’s unique about it?

Diyar Al Muharraq has always been an innovator in the Bahraini market.

Our focus comes into 3 aspects of sustainability, economic, environmental, and social. On an economic front, we have included a wide range of business and investment opportunities in Diyar Al Muharraq that range from small retail shops to luxury malls and world class hotels. From an environmental front, we have introduced many new technologies that have then inspired the Kingdom of Bahrain to implement those

Diyar Homes 1 & 2 – 100% Complete



Deerat Al Oyoun Social Housing Development – 100% Complete Al Naseem Gated Community – 10% Complete Al Bareh Development – Housing and Infrastructure – 80% Complete South Island Primary Infrastructure 70% Complete TPD’s progressing well, i.e. Marassi, Schools, Souq Al Baraha

Overall, 40% - 50% of the South Island has or is in the process of being handed over to end users or buyers. It is anticipated that the Southern Island will be substantially built-out within the next 5 to 10 years.

What’s been the big lessons for you on this project?

The ability to react confidently, calmly and consistently to a crisis situation.

As a team of professionals, we are all trained in managing the internal and external factors which impact upon our development but a factor as

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unprecedented as the pandemic has tested that training to the maximum.

I believe we are managing this crisis extremely well.

Is there scope for digital transformation in the real estate sector?

We live in an era where technology has revolutionized our daily lives. Like most sectors, the real estate sector has also transformed into the digital world.

We have added new digital services, the Virtual Property Advisor and TIO

What are your short and long term predictions for GCC real estate sectors, starting with Bahrain?

As our Kingdom and neighboring countries continue to evolve, we see an increase in both local and international demand for real estate in the GCC. Bahrain has witnessed a big increase in the demand for real estate by Bahraini nationals in the past few years. Years ago, our government had come up with initiatives to support and aid Bahraini nationals in purchasing their primary

Diyar Al Muharraq Master Plan

Diyar Al Muharraq has always been an innovator in the Bahraini market.

Virtual Engineer, which are aimed at both potential buyers and existing residents of Diyar Al Muharraq, to provide them with safe and easy solutions from the comforts of their homes.

We have also been able to become more efficient during our design and construction phases by digitally obtaining all the information needed in order to apply for building permits and pay fees, by using Benayat.

homes. This has highly increased the demand for real estate within the country and has led to the success of many real estate developers. Due to the relatively lower prices and more lenient ownership rules, real estate in Bahrain has been highly sought after by expats who consider Bahrain as their summer vacation destination, or simply an investment destination where they purchase properties and rent them out to other expats.

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Money & Business

Special Feature

The return of

face-to-face learning Gulf Insider interviews Dave McMaster, Director of the American School of Bahrain (ASB). and educational collaborations with universities, such as MIT CSAIL Lab’s App Inventor and Stanford University’s Pre-collegiate Program. Our Advanced American Curriculum includes STEAM learning, PBL, coding and design thinking. We also focus on extracurriculars, performing & fine arts, sports and service projects. At ASB, we are committed to developing the whole child and providing a happy and supportive learning environment!

How have you been able to extend support to students and parents during the crisis?

Dave McMaster

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hat makes the American School of Bahrain different?

I think one of the main differentiators would be our campus. The building itself was purpose built to include innovative spaces like the maker-space room, food technology lab, six science

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labs, two libraries and more. Our staff comes from 11 different countries, with a majority of North Americans trained in the US and Canada – it’s a very diverse group and I think that makes us unique. In addition to that, our founding organization, Esol Education, connects us with a global school network, accreditation bodies

The best support we can provide right now is trying to be as communicative as we can with parents. In contrast to my experience as a head in different countries, I have personally been involved in interviewing potential students and their parents here in Bahrain. We have also implemented virtual platforms to conduct our admissions testing and meetings with parents and students. Next year at ASB, a range of e-learning platforms will support the continued delivery of our program, allowing for video interaction, student submission of learning activities, and collaboration among all groups.

What have you learned through being more involved in students and parents’ interviews?

One of the things I affirmed is that a parent’s highest priority is their children’s education, next to their health.

Parents are also concerned about what lies in the future of schools once they reopen. This came out in every single

Money & Business

interview we’ve conducted; regardless if they’re coming from Bahrain, the region or other parts of the world.

Can you elaborate on the safety measures undertaken at ASB?

Every single school has put an enormous amount of time and effort to make it as safe as possible – the same is true at ASB. We are following the National Taskforce’s protocols and regulations on COVID-19. We have issued our COVID-19 Campus Opening

We’re one of the few schools that have the capacity to have everybody in the campus every day.

Plan that outlines all the health and safety measures being implemented, as well as our distance learning provision for students who are unable to attend class in person. We have two isolation rooms in case a student or a staff member falls ill during the day. We have a nurse who has vast experience in schools and pediatric hospitals. We’re also hiring a second nurse as we don’t take the matter of safety lightly.

How are you approaching the new academic year? What is the a rrangement for the hybrid system of

physical plus online classes?

We’re one of the few schools that have the capacity to have everybody in the campus every day, with regular hours should they opt to. However, we fully understand that some parents are still hesitant for their children to attend regular classes. Still, we are preparing for every student to be on site. We are very fortunate to have the space to be able to accommodate students face to face or you can call it “mask to mask”.

What would you say is the future of education?

Firstly, technology has had the biggest impact on education change in the last century. Secondly, I think the pandemic has forced the education sector to do things differently, take a step back and look at how children are being educated. Schools are interacting with each other more than they have in the past, not just in Bahrain but around the world. We’re not just relying on ourselves; we’re reaching out to others for support. And I see that as a positive change we can hopefully adopt for life.

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Special Feature

Setting the standard in

Digital Banking

Gulf Insider speaks to Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat, awarded CEO of the Year 2020 by the Global Banking and Finance Review.

Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat

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Money & Business

A

bdulhakeem Alkhayyat, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain, was named CEO of the Year 2020, a prestigious award by the Global Banking & Finance Review to outstanding chief executives in the banking sector in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of Islamic banking services and promotion

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) – Bahrain won 5 awards in digital and innovative banking.

of Fintech and innovation in the banking sector.

In addition, KFH-Bahrain also received four more prestigious awards, namely the Best Digital Bank in Bahrain 2020, Best Digital Islamic Bank in Bahrain 2020, the Most Innovative Retail Banking App Bahrain 2020, and the Most Innovative Retail Banking App Middle East 2020 for its leading digital banking platform, KFH Jazeel Banking.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Alkhayyat said: “We are proud to have the Bank win these awards, which

are recognized globally and regionally.

This achievement comes with our ability to maintain our leadership in the banking sector and our continuous efforts to provide outstanding offerings and innovative Fintech Islamic banking services, making KFH-Bahrain a leader in the Islamic banking industry. These awards reflect the global appreciation of the efforts and dedication of our employees who support our vision to be the leader in innovative banking products and services”.

Alkhayyat added: “We continue to raise the standards in the Islamic banking sector with respect to Fintech and Innovation, through our state-ofthe-art KFH Jazeel Banking service, the Bank’s digital banking arm. By constantly improving and adding to the services and offerings on this platform, KFH Jazeel Banking is a holistic banking experience for our clients which underscores our diligent and total dedication to cater to their needs while keeping in mind the ease of use and secure functionality of the service”.

Alkhayyat also emphasized that the Bank endeavors to steadily continue its path to growth, success and the advancement of fintech & innovation in developing unique banking technologies, by providing the best Shari’ah compliant products and services which are optimal for clients and allow flexibility and resilience in adapting to market changes and bolstering competitiveness”.

These awards once again recognize the Bank’s outstanding performance and leadership in developing unique products and services by continuing to invest in technology and increasing awareness of Islamic banking services to the benefit of local & regional communities. The awards also affirm the leading role KFH–Bahrain plays in all arenas, and represent a certificate of accreditation reflecting the trust of the Bank’s clients, which has always been its main focus as they are viewed as partners in the success of all business activities.

Global Banking and Finance Review, founded in 2011, recognizes innovation, achievement and effective strategic approaches in the global financial services sector.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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News Roundup

Bahraini Artists to Create Sculptures for New Passenger Terminal Building

Bahrain: PEUGEOT Comes to Motorcity

As the French automaker marks a strong comeback in the GCC Motorcity has announced the addition of French automaker, PEUGEOT to its line-up of automotive brands. All existing PEUGEOT customers can now take their cars to the Motorcity Service Centre in Ma’ameer for periodic maintenance and service.

The addition of the high-end generalist automotive brand to Motorcity’s line up forms part of PEUGEOT’s rapid revival in the GCC which saw overall PEUGEOT sales increase by 72 per cent in 2019 seeing the automaker dominate the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV ) segment with its popular PARTNER model. Customers in Bahrain will also have access to range-topping models, including the PEUGEOT 3008 SUV, the brand’s best-selling model for two consecutive years and the all-new PEUGEOT 508 fastback sedan, recently awarded ‘Public Car of The Year’ at the 2020 Middle East Car of the Year Awards (MECOTY).

Customers can book their service at the Motorcity service centre in Ma’ameer by calling on (+973) 17500900 or logging on to Motorcity.com.bh for more information.

Bahrain Launches E-Services for Employers and Job Seekers The Labour Ministry launched interactive e-services that enable employers to be informed about jobseekers and choose those who meet their needs. This also enables them to update their job vacancy lists. All labourrelated transactions will be electronic, through the Labour Ministry’s website, www.mlsd.gov.bh.

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The Bahrain International Airport Marble Sculpture symposium will see 10 leading Bahraini sculptors create sculptures for the new Passenger Terminal Building.

Organized by Bahrain Airport Company and Hind Gallery, the event is taking place in a facility near the airport equipped with all the materials and tools the artists need to craft their creations. The project will see huge blocks of marble transformed into compositions depicting Bahrain’s heritage, culture, and closely knit societal fabric.

The sculptors participating in the three-week project expressed pride in their participation in the initiative that will turn the Bahrain International Airport into a small museum showcasing the Kingdom’s heritage.

The new terminal will house two galleries which will regularly display Bahraini antiques and art. Moreover, Souq Al Qaisarya will feature a broad selection of local products, food and beverage outlets, Bahraini jewelry, an art gallery, and a theatre, enabling passengers to experience the Kingdom without having to set foot outside the airport.

The new terminal is a key component of the Airport Modernization Program (AMP), one of the most important development projects in the Kingdom’s history.

Special Feature

Money & Business

Rolling with the times Gulf Insider interviews Jeremy Canivet, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. us for two weeks and enjoy the cuisine from a different venue each night! As dining restrictions are relaxed, we will soon be opening our terraces for al fresco dining, and from now, groups of up to 20 persons can enjoy in any of our restaurants. From the end of September, all of our restaurants will be fully open in accordance with the Government regulations.

How is the general sentiment, do you feel people are confident to return to restaurants and hotels?

We believe that after months of home cooking and limited interaction, there will be an enormous demand to get out, eat out and socialize.

Do you feel the hospitality sector will benefit from the lifting of 10-day quarantine for arriving travelers?

Yes of course. The average length of stay for international visitors is between 7-9 nights, so these visitors will only come, if they can truly enjoy the destination without confinement.

There was a lot of buzz around your Plexiglas visors for diners. What is it all about?

Jeremy Canivet

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hat is the scope for further digital transformation in the hospitality sector?

We are seeing much more impact through social media channels than ever before. As people stay at home, their smart phone becomes their planner. The use of Mobile App check in, touchless

payment, and QR Code menus have also been fast tracked into use, and are proving incredibly successful.

How is the Ritz-Carlton preparing to receive dine-in guests, both outdoors and in?

At the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, we are blessed to have the variety of dining venues we have. You could stay with

The purpose of installing PLEX’EAT was not solely based on providing a “Pod of Safety”, but rather to add an artistic, futuristic component to our hotel, which is already adorned with some incredible pieces of art.

Additionally, PLEX’EAT, has become quite the “selfie” spot in our Gourmet Lounge, and has garnered quite a bit of organic attention in social media. Is it the new normal? Certainly not, but it is a conversation starter, and has attracted many people to visit our Gourmet Lounge.

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Special Feature

Finance for the future Gulf Insider interviews Noorhan Al-Zan, Director and Habib Bushihri, Chair of Programs Committee of the CFA Society Bahrain.

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hat are the three most significant initiatives undertaken by the CFA Society to support members during this time?

Our existing programs were digitally transformed. We ran Zoom conferences, Instagram live sessions and collaborated with several e-learning platforms to allow continued learning, albeit virtually.

Our members have access to some of the regions’ most renowned speakers addressing trending topics in finance, investment and career advancement.

Career mentorship is a big part of the Society’s work. How is that being continued?

Our flagship mentorship program ‘Qodwa’ (Arabic for role model), which puts into practice the philosophy of “Paying it forward” leverages the strength of our local community by pairing experienced CFA Charter holders with aspiring CFA candidates. The program has now been fully digitalized.

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The situation has really highlighted the value of collaboration, whether locally or cross border.

Is it challenging to lead when most things are being done virtually, and for most part, from home?

For many years now, we have been carrying out our administration and communication tasks virtually so our transformation here has not been drastic. Nonetheless, shifting our events and conferences to digital platforms has been a challenging aspect, but the team managed to successfully adapt to this shift.

To what extent would you say has COVID-19 affected the banking and finance industry?

The banking and finance industry has been affected due to the relief measures that include deferrals on credit facilities and lockdowns due to COVID-19. However, most of the banks and financial institutions were able to capitalize on their existing digital platforms to continue to serve the clients and support the economy.

What plans are you working on, currently?

The situation has really highlighted the value of collaboration, whether locally or cross border. We continue to leverage opportunities to partner and collaborate with some of the region’s finest providers to support our members with the latest learning, research and technical tools and platforms.

Special Feature

Money & Business

Reinventing

the ‘gourmet’ wheel Gulf Insider interviews Fares Yactine, Area General Manager of the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain. continuity. Before the pandemic we were reluctant to have our food delivered but now we’ve come up with the concept of making gourmet food available for takeaway in a chic and elegant way. I have to say that the takeaway option was a key element to maintain the link between our restaurants and loyal customers.

Personally, how have your food habits changed during these times?

At the beginning like everybody I was uncertain of what is happening. I started using only disposable containers and cutleries to eat and dined at home more than before. As I started to understand more about the virus I am coming back to my normal eating habits, of course respecting the health and safety directives.

How are you preparing to receive diners, both indoors and outdoors?

Fares Yactine

H

ow has the hospitality industry reinvented itself during the crisis?

COVID-19 was something new that touched the fundamentals of the hospitality industry and affected all the practices we normally encouraged in the hospitality i.e. to engage with guest, shake hands, hand over your business card with two hands etc…

now with COVID-19 all our engaging and welcoming gestures are considered to be a risk. This is very odd for us who are used to welcoming with a big smile but we still try our best to offer a welcoming experience.

The pandemic has ensued in making gourmet food available for takeaway.

What are your thoughts on this?

Adaptability is the key for business

Comprehensive guidelines and precautions have been put in place to ensure a safe environment for all diners.

We’ve also made few changes in the venues layout so the guest experience remains unaffected.

What is your prediction for the hospitality industry in Bahrain, for the next 2-3 years?

Hospitality is always the first sector to get affected during any crisis and the last sector to recover. The recovery will take time but of course all will depend on the vaccine development. I strongly believe that a small market like Bahrain will be able to recover faster and that the reopening the causeway will have a positive impact on hospitality.

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Special Feature

Travel in a post-covid world Gulf Insider interviews Adnan Gilitwala, Director of Dadabhai Travel. is heavily dependent on credit and without some form of revenue generated to fulfill the minimum payments that need to be made to sustain that credit, we have already seen the dire impact on companies and the livelihood of people involved.

Are you noticing people in Bahrain becoming more fearful of traveling, or developing confidence again?

The sentiment is relatively mixed, with some people desperate to get on their next flight and others remaining very cautious to the extent where they claim they won’t travel until a vaccine is available.

Can you tell us about initiatives you’ve undertaken to support your staff and partners?

Adnan Gilitwala

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hat would you say is your leadership style, and how has it helped you navigate this period?

My leadership style leans towards empowering the right people in key positions to make sound decisions, which I believe has helped in making people understand the severity of the situation.

What is an unexpected challenge you’ve faced in the past few months?

A major challenge has been the ability to plan for the future, as decisions related to global border openings and

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Decisions related to global border openings and travel policies have been very erratic. travel policies have been very erratic, oftentimes with very little clarity.

How do you, personally, assess the current situation of the travel industry?

In this part of the world the industry

We are trying to retain as many staff as possible and support them both financially and emotionally. We continue to maintain strong relationships with our existing partners and are even in talks to establish new partnerships to implement innovative plans for a post COVID-19 world.

What are your predictions for the travel industry for the next 2-3 years?

I believe the next 2-3 years will be primarily focused on consolidation and recovery. However, I believe it may take even longer for the industry to reach the same levels it ended 2019 at.

What message do you have for new (travel-related) business owners struggling to stay afloat?

I would recommend that they do everything they can to reduce their costs wherever possible, and also invest in technology, in order to keep costs low and optimize performance.

Grand focus on safety Gulf Insider interviews Anwar Hajjar, General Manager of Wyndham Grand Manama.

are very popular with the non-alcoholic family audience and our new and enhanced protocols will help to reassure our guests that we give the utmost priority to the safety of our guests & team members.

What is an unexpected benefit or learning you’ve had in this period?

Yes, we have learnt a lot by dealing with this difficult situation. Throughout the pandemic our focus has been and will continue to be the health and wellbeing of our partners, team members & guests.

We have revised our hygiene standards, F&B offerings, MICE offerings, adapting our room stay offers to a revised business segment. The worldwide “Count on Us� initiative is a new long term hygiene initiative that includes the consistent use of the best disinfectants through trusted suppliers.

What are your predictions for the hospitality industry for the next 2-3 years?

Anwar Hajjar

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hat would you say is your leadership style, and how has it helped you navigate this period?

We all find ourselves in unchartered territory. It is the time when leaders like myself, need to be agile to be able to adapt to the situation. More than ever, I need to keep the morale of the team high and keep them motivated. Getting

them on board with the new course of action and encouraging them to step up to the plate has increased their sense of ownership.

How is the general public sentiment, do you feel people are confident to return to dine-in?

Clear and visible health and safety protocols are vital to bring guests back through our doors. Our F&B offerings

We are currently working under the assumption that the second quarter of 2021 will be the turning point for the hospitality industry and we will return to previous business levels.

However, even if business resumes by 2021, I foresee the heavy integration of technology in normal hospitality operations reshaping the business segments that used to be the bread and butter of hotels. This will bring about the push to ensure that we prevent another pandemic and create sustainable living.

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Special Feature

Money & Business

Money & Business

Special Feature

Investing in tomorrow Gulf Insider interviews Christian Gattiker, Head of Research of Bank Julius Baer.

H1. On the corporate side, the preferred stocks and bonds were from companies that are less cyclically sensitive, such as in the healthcare and food sectors.

Do you see any major impact in investment behaviour as a result?

Most investors are caught in a psychological trap, because they, by and large, missed the recovery in financial markets as of March 2020 or even sold into the downturn. Now, after many financial assets have made a tremendous comeback, they think it is too late to buy and maybe too early to sell. Overall, private investors are in a ‘freeze’ mode rather than a ‘fight’ or ‘flee’ mode.

What are the key trends that have surfaced as a result of the market changes due to Covid-19?

We observe an acceleration of existing long-term trends overall, such as in digitalization at all levels, spanning from retail consumption to healthcare.

In investment terms, the trend towards investing along environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria is experiencing further tailwinds.

Christian Gattiker

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ow would you describe the current investment scenario?

The world economy entered a synchronised shock-like recession in H1 2020 and is now recovering at different speeds. We expect most of the mature economies to compensate for about half of the shortfall during Q3, with a much slower

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pace thereafter. China is the exception, since the world’s second largest economy is back at pre-crisis levels as we speak in terms of economic output.

Has COVID-19 impacted the way clients view their investment portfolio?

A flight into quality was the major move of private investors worldwide in reaction to the economic breakdown in

Are there any particular sectors that have been pushed to the forefront given the current circumstances?

As this is a health crisis, the healthcare sector immediately stood out as a central area of response to the crisis. The race for a vaccine is one of the fiercest ever in human history.

Outside healthcare, the technology sector also stands out. New economy businesses could leapfrog traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses by proving their superiority in times of lockdown; look at online retail, streaming services and video gaming.

Special Feature

Money & Business

Change of perspective Gulf Insider interviews Abdulrahman AlKooheji, CEO of Esnad Management. owners didn’t know how to manage their projects, so it gave my company, Esnad, the opportunity for them to come to us to, which in return taught us how to handle their properties during this period.

How has the pandemic impacted the real estate market In Bahrain?

Currently, the real estate movement is no longer from outside investors, it is completely relying on the local market.

Property websites have reported a significant rise in the number of people searching for homes with larger gardens and space for a home office.

Coronavirus is making people think about how and where they work and live.

Many people question the real estate market in Bahrain, that there is so much supply and not enough demand and yet there’s more and more construction with new developments going up. What’s the reason behind this?

Abdulrahman AlKooheji

A

s an entrepreneur, how has the pandemic affected your day-to-day work?

The pandemic has positively affected my dayto-day work. I am continuously looking for new opportunities in the market and

it has given me the opportunity to build a new strong team.

What is an unexpected benefit or learning you’ve had in this period?

This period brought a lot of projects my way. Due to COVID-19, property

The supply in Bahrain is not much in comparison to other countries. There is a supply, but it is not as high as people think. Our economy has been in a harsh situation, even from before COVID-19 started. Reason is because people are overwhelmed and scared because they are assuming that there is a lot of supply. The truth is all economies are like that, not just the real estate market or Bahrain’s economy per se.

What is your prediction for the GCC real estate market for the next 2-3 years?

I think the real estate market will remain quiet and flat up to quarter 3 of 2021. From quarter 4 of 2021 we will have growth for the next 10 years but in the first five years we will have very good growth.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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News Roundup

Bahrain: Incoming Passengers Required to Shoulder the Cost of Mandatory COVID-19 Testing

Bahrain Opens Registration for Third Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial The Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health announced the opening of volunteering opportunities to take part in the third phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial.

The inactivated vaccine is pre-qualified by the World Health Organization and volunteers can register through the National Volunteer Platform.

The ministry revealed that the trial will enlist up to 6000 volunteers, over the age of 18, and volunteers will have to undergo a health assessment prior to enlisting, as per the health requirements set by the approved protocols. Bahrain has joined the UAE in the third phase of the clinical trial. The trial follows the successful completion of the first two phases in China, which have reported good success rates.

The third phase of the vaccine’s clinical trial, conducted in partnership with the China-based pharmaceutical company, Sinopharm, has been approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). It will involve administering the inactive vaccine to the selected volunteers, to study the effectiveness of antibody production and the acquired protection against the virus. The subjects that will take part in the trial will be constantly followed-up over a period of 12 months.

All travelers arriving into Bahrain International Airport will be required to shoulder the cost of mandatory COVID-19 testing, to the cost of BHD 30. The Ministry of Health emphasized that citizens and residents in Bahrain will continue to be entitled to free COVID-19 medical treatment in line with international standards, and as outlined by the World Health Organization.

Under the decision, cash and electronic payments will be accepted with the option for travelers to pay in advance through the ‘BeAware Bahrain’ mobile application to ease proceedings. This decision does not extend to cabin crew, diplomatic or other official travellers and those arriving from medical travel. Additionally, transit passengers will not be required to test for COVID-19 or quarantine.

Travelers who test negative are required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days and test again at the end of their quarantine period. Exit swabs will cost an additional BHD 30, to be incurred by travelers and paid for through the app or at the testing center. In this regard, all selfisolating cases are mandated to register on the ‘BeAware’ application.

Bahrain: Manama Named as the Most Financially Attractive City Bahrain’s capital Manama is the most financially attractive city to live in the world, according to AIRINC’s latest Global 150 Cities Index.

The index, which ranks 150 of the top global locations according to financial attractiveness and lifestyle attractiveness, is dominated by countries from the GCC. It combines local salary levels, tax rates, living costs, and living conditions to assess how appealing each location is to live in.

While Manama took the top spot, Riyadh took fourth place, Kuwait City was sixth and Abu Dhabi was seventh.

Dubai was listed in 12th, and Muscat in 16th.

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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Finance

Back to school in 2020

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uly is normally one of the busiest times at schools.

Children - whether three or 18, would have reached the end of another school year, with all that that entails. There would be books to return, items of uniform to find or return and friendships to revisit. For parents, school reports may be a source of pride - or a trigger for a serious conversation on the importance of application. For teachers, classrooms would need to be emptied, display boards taken down, reports written and planning would have started for a new educational year. For many - teachers, students and parents - the summer 44

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Keypoint has been running a series of discussions on leading practice for human resources practitioners which have looked at a number of different aspects of the current economic situation.

holidays are an opportunity to recharge batteries, see somewhere new or - for expatriates - a chance to go ‘home’ to see families and friends. This year - as with so many other things - has of course been a year like no other and planning for a return to school is probably best described as problematic.

Any return to school is going to have to simultaneously satisfy a number of different stakeholders: students (who ultimately may be the easiest group); parents (who need to juggle a work/life balance at the same time as trying to ensure schools are as safe as possible for their children); teachers (who may have significant concerns over their

Finance

own safety as well as questions about what a ‘blended’ curriculum looks like); school management (who will be keen to ensure working practices protect staff, parents and children while also understanding the implications of change in finances); support staff (including drivers, cleaners, ground staff and others who suddenly find that their roles are more critical than was thought

Only one thing is for certain: there will be a lot of changes - no matter what the format!

and whose actions are suddenly under much more scrutiny); and the regulators (who have to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including ensuring the young people under their aegis get the skills development they need). Clearly, this will be easier said than done!

Over the last three months, Keypoint has been running a series of discussions on leading practice for human resources practitioners which have looked at a number of different aspects of the current economic situation. We have discussed the impact of COVID-19 on different economic sectors, including schools and the educational sector; the ramifications of returning to work; and business sustainability in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world. The learnings from these discussions are as applicable to schools

- and their stakeholders - as they are to other organisations. When discussing responses to COVID-19, we identified five elements of leading practice: employee wellness (mental as well as physical); effective communication; alternative work arrangements; digitalisation; and business continuity.

When discussing the implications of returning to work, the importance of flexibility (and understanding that different people are going to react to different situations in different ways); risk awareness; the reconfiguration of physical space; the importance of discovering, enhancing and embracing virtual solutions; and understanding that leading practice is not written in stone should all chime with key decision makers in the educational sector. Any return to school will - as pointed out above - need to address all of these factors according to the needs of many different - and perhaps conflicting stakeholders.

The announcement from Bahrain’s Ministry of Education, which includes blended learning and a limit of nine children to a classroom at any one time, underline the importance of the leading practice we have seen. Only one thing is for certain: there will be a lot of changes - no matter what the format!

Arpita Mhatre heads Keypoint’s human capital function. A long-term resident of Bahrain, she has a deep and abiding interest in a wide variety of human capital themes, including strategic reorganisations, psychometric assessments and executive recruitment. Arpita is available at arpita. mhatre@keypoint.com or www.linkedin. com/in/arpitamhatre/ For more, please see keypoint.com or @keypointme. follow us on Gulf Insider August - September 2020

45

People & Culture

An Elite Summer Staycation Elite Hospitality Group offers a safe, summer staycation at great value, with great views.

T

he Elite Hospitality Group has created the Elite Salamatik program which is implemented at all their hotels in Bahrain. Elite Salamatik ensures that every guest will have a safe stay with their family and friends, in face of the ongoing pandemic.

Elite offers various options to enjoy the summer escape with family, such as the Elite Seef Residence Hotel, which has one and two-bedroom family suites, elegantly furnished in modern leather interiors with a fully equipped modular kitchen, lavish bathrooms, a home theatre system with in-house TV channels, digital satellite television system and 24 hour personalized room service with special menus. The onebedroom suite starts at BD 33 net per

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Elite Salamatik ensures that every guest will have a safe stay. night, inclusive of Wifi and breakfast for two.

Another option is Elite Resort & SPA Hotel which overlooks the sea. Their spacious one-bedroom suite is priced at BD 39 net per night, with Wifi and packed breakfast for two, in the suite.

The elegant two-bedroom suite is at a special rate of BD 60 net and makes a perfect choice for a family of four people to unwind with personalized packed breakfast at the suite.

Finally, Elite Grande Hotel, nestled in the heart of Seef, offers two-bedroom family suites, to unwind in a relaxing atmosphere with personalized service by a dedicated team. The two-bedroom suite starts at BD 60 net, inclusive of Wifi and breakfast for four.

All their hotel gyms and pools are open at special rates for all guests. Their special summer offers and packages are valid till 30th September 2020. Elite is now also delivering to your doorstep.

Specializing in institutional catering in offices and factories, they cater for all events such as receptions, cocktail parties, BBQ’s, birthdays, anniversaries and graduation celebrations.

For bookings and more details please call: +973 17 558 200 or visit our website: www.elitegrouphotels.com

ELITE

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Elite Seef Residence & Hotel Elite Grande Hotel

Elite Resort & Spa

BD 33 Net

BD 39 Net

Single / Twin Bedroom Suite

Single / Twin Bedroom Suite

BD 60 Net

BD 60 Net

2 Bedroom Suite

2 Bedroom Suite

• Rates are in Bahrain Dinars and Inclusive of all taxes and service charge.

• Inclusive of packed breakfast in the room • Inclusive of Wifi Internet connection • Above rates are applicable till end of Sept 2020 * Terms and conditions apply Call: +973 17 558 200

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Education_BH

Ensuring that students are

ready to learn

Mark Whitfield, Education Director of Britus Education writes about the start of the new (normal) academic year.

S

chool leaders and their teams are busily working towards being ready for the new school year. Of course, this year, everything is different. COVID-19 continues to exert a grip on our lives and this has

an inevitable impact on schools and schooling. COVID-19 is likely to be here to stay until a vaccine is developed and administered worldwide, therefore schools will be planning to offer alternative approaches to learning for the whole of the 2020-21 school year.

As schools prepare for a very different start to the year it is important that school leaders remember their moral purpose, vision and strategic direction.

COVID-19 has created a ‘new normal’, but the fundamentals of education remain the same – students deserve to

Mark Whitfield

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Education_BH

receive a quality learning experience in a safe environment provided by schools that are trusted by their parents.

So, how are schools preparing for the new school year? Carefully, is the most obvious answer!

So, as a parent, what can you expect from your school?

First, you should expect to have high levels of clear communication that keep you fully informed about the plans a school has to ensure your child is being given the opportunity to learn. You can also expect increased requests for your opinion on the approach the school is taking, an even closer partnership

The close partnership between school and home will ensure the new academic year is a success for all.

with parents is essential during these challenging times.

Second, you should be assured that providing a safe and healthy environment for learning is clearly outlined. School plans should prioritize student and staff health, safety, and wellbeing; physical distancing and hygiene standards will be of paramount importance. Schools will seek to manage safe transition between home and school and will be seeking high levels of cooperation from parents.

Schools will be following international best practice and will be expected to meet all relevant COVID-19 guidelines.

Thirdly, you should feel confident that

your school is offering a learning model that suits you and suits your child.

Learning must continue irrespective of the mode of delivery. The range of options offered by schools will vary but typically schools will offer online learning, in-school learning or a blended approach. Clearly, the best option for all students is to be in school, socializing with their friends and interacting with their teacher and all schools will be seeking to maximize school based attendance; but schools will also recognize that some parents do not feel confident and will wish their children to remain at home. For some children in vulnerable groups the only option will be online learning. For some parents, with work and business commitments, the in-school model will be the best option. Schools may offer a blended approach where the student will spend some time in school and some at home.

Make a choice that is comfortable for you and for your child, keep that choice under review and stay in close contact with your school and don’t be afraid to change your decision based on your circumstances or new regulatory advice.

Finally, each of us will have a different level of concern and a different response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools are working hard to ensure they are ready to support learning, parents can support schools by ensuring their children are ready to learn; together, with strong cooperation, the close partnership between school and home will ensure the new academic year is a success for all.

Mark Whitfield, Education Director of Britus Education As Education Director of Britus Education, Mark comes to Britus Education with more than 20 years of experience in the education sector. A qualified teacher, Mark spent thirteen years working in the university teacher education sector in the UK and for the last 7 years Mark has worked in the education sector in the Middle East.

AMA International School (AMAIS) has been managed by Britus Education since November 2019.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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Education_BH

E-Learning

isn’t just for the kids Here is a list of sites to pick up a few skills as well as certificates.

T

oday, education is a selfserved dish with an internet connection. With a quick YouTube search, you’re sure to find courses on how to learn the guitar, build a website, or bake a cake! These sites offer online courses that only require a computer, internet connection, and your desire to learn.

Coursera Coursera partners with universities, organizations, and museums around the world for their offered courses. They charge a fee for their courses but you can apply for a scholarship through their website.

Khan Academy Khan Academy is also a site that boasts a lot of variety in their courses.

They offer educational content for all 50

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

ages, mainly for kids and teenagers covering primary to tertiary education.

Khan Academy also offers resources for teachers and parents too, assisting them on how to teach their students and children. Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization and their content is free.

Open Culture Online Courses If you want to go direct to a university or organization for a specific course topic but don’t want to sift through all of them, Open Culture has an organized list of 1000 educational resources.

These vary from lectures, videos, podcasts, and reading materials from different universities around the world.

Udemy Udemy is similar in concept to Coursera offering courses but with an

option to build custom lessons from it.

This site can be helpful for teachers by having easily customizable courses to fit their students’ needs. Udemy offers both paid and free content.

University Websites You can of course still go direct to the university’s website! However, most universities only offer a fraction of the variety of courses offered at the previous websites. Learning direct however can be more efficient in acquiring your certificate afterward.

Unlike standard school where you are guided and assisted by teachers, online learning depends highly on your ability to motivate yourself in pursuing a course. Be consistent, keep focusing on your current course activity and you’ll have a certificate in no time!

Car Bahrain

An ‘Xtreme’ Adventure Gulf Insider interviews David Richards, Team Director of Bahrain Raid Xtreme.

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ell us a bit about the Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX), when did the idea come about and how was it founded?

The Dakar Rally is one of the great challenges within motorsport, and one that Prodrive has been wanting to undertake for a long time; waiting for the right opportunityWe have found great synergy with The Kingdom of Bahrain which has paved the way for motorsports in the Middle East, under the guidance and leadership of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

We, at Prodrive, have had a long-held ambition to compete in the Dakar Rally as has the Kingdom of Bahrain and today, with a joint venture between Prodrive and Mumtalakat, and with 52

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Prodrive International’s foray into Dakar, this has led to the birth of BRX. It is worth noting that last year the Kingdom of Bahrain sponsored the winning car in the inaugural Dakar Rally in the Middle East. This year, they wanted to take things a step further and enter their own team and raise their own flag in the Dakar Rally 2021.

What are the team’s aspirations in the upcoming Dakar Rally?

The Dakar Rally is one of the most challenging competitions in motorsport with only 69% of participating cars making it across the finish line, but BRX have big ambitions for when we line up on the start line in January 2021.

The course for the 43rd edition of the Dakar Rally will be brand new and the most unforgiving one to date. When you go to a new category of motor racing with regular competitors who have a lot of experience, you cannot be complacent, you have to accept that there is much to learn, but I’ll be disappointed if, when you are sitting on the start line, everybody doesn’t see us as a potential winner.

We’ve learned that BRX will be using advanced cars specifically designed by Prodrive – can you share more about this? What makes it so special?

We are extraordinarily lucky here at Prodrive to have a clean sheet of paper

Car Bahrain

to design what we believe is, in our opinion, the ultimate Dakar car.

The bespoke car, is set to compete in the T1 category. Based on the route for the upcoming race, our team have created a four-wheel drive car, powered by a 3.5-litre turbocharged petrol V6.

The 4-wheel drive car has a high tensile steel structure, and a lightweight carbon fibre body, combined with a powerful V6 turbocharged engine to allow it to traverse the toughest terrain at high speed. To travel the vast distances across the longest stages of the Dakar Rally, the car carries up to 500 litres of fuel.

The exterior is very distinctive, with

David Richards

We are extraordinarily lucky here at Prodrive to have a clean sheet of paper to design what we believe is, in our opinion, the ultimate Dakar car.

its striking red livery, combined with styling evolved by Callum Designs, headed by Ian Callum, one of the world’s leading automotive designers of the past 30 years and former design director at Jaguar.

This car was not only two years in the making it was probably another two years in the gestation period and thinking about it alone.

How confident are you going into the race with this vehicle?

With the wealth of motorsport experience within BRX team ranks, we feel well-positioned to be a forerunner when BRX sets out from Jeddah next year.

We will do several thousand kilometres of testing in the next six months and I have no doubt that we

will be competitive come January 2021, but the Dakar Rally is a long event, and anything can happen, so you have to be realistic about your expectations.

How do you prepare for an event where virtually everything is an unknown?

There’s no doubt that the global pandemic and the current situation has imposed many challenges across different sports and events world-wide.

Prodrive is very adaptable and if it means working 24/7 to complete everything in time that is what will happen. For the time being, everyone is working from home and the

manufacturing side is well in hand to be completed on schedule.

Looking beyond the BRX team, how important is this race for the country?

When you think of Dakar you automatically think of adventure, you think of wide-open spaces, you think of crossing inhospitable landscapes and Saudi has all that in multitudes. We can go from the mountain region to the desert region to wonderful landscapes all around the country and what Dakar will do for Saudi is bring that wonderful adventure, that excitement and that wonderful landscape that is Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world.

For Bahrain, it isthe kingdom’s latest foray into the motorsport world and represents the first Middle Eastern team to enter the race with its own completely new vehicle.

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Car Bahrain

Facts You Didn’t Know About Rolls-Royce Phantom Gulf Insider reveals ‘Phantom’ facts about the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

U

pon the announcement that Rolls-Royce equips its motor cars with a refrigerator that has two cooling modes: ‘Summer’ and ‘Winter’, thus ensuring occupants’ beverages are delivered at the optimum temperature for the relevant season, the marque has witnessed significant interest in the myths and legends associated with the brand. In this spirit, the time is now to reveal more of the truths that lie behind Rolls-Royce Phantom.

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Gulf Insider August - September 2020

Car Bahrain

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In the same year the marque launched its eighth Phantom, Bloomberg conducted a study that researched the most mentioned brands in pop music. Rolls-Royce topped the list, beating other super luxury brands.

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Product Designer, Thorsten Frank, was commissioned by the marque to create an artistic impression of a client’s DNA. Frank used a unique algorithm to create the piece, which was 3D printed in stainless steel then plated in 50g of 24 carat gold before being placed in Phantom’s gallery.

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The Rose Garden at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, is the only place in the world where the Phantom Rose is grown. This flower has been bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce by British rose breeder Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses.

4

London-based art collective, Based Upon, were called upon by a patron to create a unique artwork for their Phantom’s gallery space.

A swath of silk was pulled through a tank of water, captured on camera, then remastered in clay. This sculpture was digitally mapped enabling the design to be machined from a solid billet of aluminium, which was mirror polished then installed in the motor car.

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The 48 painstakingly crafted wood parts that comprise a Phantom interior take 28 days to produce. A sense of seamless flow of grain is ensured by only using wood from one tree for each motor car.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

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Car Bahrain

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Mark Court is the only man able to hand-apply a perfectly straight Phantom coachline. In total it takes 3 hours per side. He uses special brushes made from ox and squirrel hair to ensure the line is precisely level and a uniform 3mm in width. He honed his steady-hand painting pub-signs.

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7

During extreme suspension testing of the Phantom Extended Wheelbase, a seismometer was triggered 20 miles away from the Home of RollsRoyce in Worthing, Sussex.

Gulf Insider August - September 2020

8

For the first time in Rolls-Royce history, in the Phantom Tranquillity a meteorite has been incorporated into the interior of a car. Shavings of the Muonionalusta meteorite, which fell to earth in Kiruna, Sweden in 1906, adorn the Volume Controller, with a detailed engraving of the location and date of its discovery.

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Dr. Esther Mahlangu, the globally celebrated South African artist, has been commissioned by a South African patron of Rolls-Royce to create a unique work of art for the Gallery of a one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Dr. Mahlangu, the visual artist from the Ndebele region and respected South African cultural ambassador, became the first artist to create an artwork in this way. This unique motor car is named, ‘The Mahlangu Phantom’ in the artist’s honour.

Car Bahrain

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An enchanting new Rolls-Royce Phantom has been commissioned by a Stockholm-based entrepreneur with an extraordinary passion for flowers.

The patron, with a wife and two of four children named after flowers, challenged the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective comprising designers, craftspeople and engineers, to envision a car that immerses its occupants in a beguiling floral scene. The result is a sanctuary of true luxury, a vision of flowers, created with a million embroidered stitches.

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Rolls-Royce Phantom is the most silent motor car in the world.

Incalculable effort was expended to create ‘the most silent motor car in the world’, including 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car and more than 130kg of sound insulation.

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Throughout history the power brokers and history makers have negotiated some of the most historical agreements in confidence thanks to the ‘luxury of privacy’ afforded to them by the rear compartment of a Rolls-Royce. In this spirit, Rolls-Royce introduced the ‘Privacy Suite’ for the Extended Wheelbase Phantom, an innovation that provides unrivalled levels of privacy and luxury.

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On 3 June 1965, John Lennon took delivery of something rather special. It was a RollsRoyce Phantom V in Valentine Black. He would later say that he always wanted to be an eccentric millionaire, and the Phantom would become an important step towards that dream.

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Car Bahrain

Photo of the Month

The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, pictured at Karbabad beach, Bahrain.

Got some cool car photos we can feature? Send them our way!

Editorial@gulf-insider.com

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Car Bahrain

HAPPY SPORT COLLECTION

An Engine for economic growth At Tamkeen, we not only encourage Businesses and Bahraini individuals but empower them through diversified solutions which directly lead to economic development.

Our primary objectives are to foster the development and growth of enterprises, and provide support to enhance the productivity and training of the national workforce.