Switzerland - 2017

Switzerland Special RepoRt | DeceMBeR 7, 2017

Navigate through the country’s progressive landscape, education and healthcare sectors

It’s not just welcome on board.

It’s welcome to Switzerland.

Book now on swiss.com

Made of Switzerland.

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SPECIAL REPORT | DECEMBER 7, 2017 Editor Vaman Vassudev Kamat Supplements Editor Suchitra Steven Samuel Assistant Editor Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri Reporters Farhana Chowdhury, Deepa Narwani Senior Designers Mohammad Ejaz Khan, M A Aroos Mohamed Graphic Designer Mohammed Yousufuddin Imaging Venugopal Prabhu, Aurangzeb Mehar Baksh, Murshid Baloch, Musthafa Peruvallithodi Senior Vice President Ravi Raman Financial Controller Shishir Kapadia Advertising Director Mukhtar Qureshi Assistant Advertisement Manager (Supplements) Bilal Saeed Circulation Manager Constance Louis Moraes Head - Production and IT Operations Mohan Kumar Shetty Commercial Printing Head CPO Imran Shariff Assistant HR Business Partner Aditi Sharma Manager – Brand and Audience Development Tina Malhotra

Land of first-class medicine With its great tradition of treating international patients, Switzerland has always been an ideal place in which to recover one’s health

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or over 100 years, Switzerland has cultivated its role as a host country for medical patients. It has thus been the centre of excellence for the medical treatment and care of generations of important families and their medical consultants. Those patients know that – no matter what culture they come from – Switzerland will never be foreign to them.

They know they are receiving treatment in one of the most important centres of first-class medicine. And they know they are receiving professional care and benefitting from top-class rehabilitation. They come to the country of personalised hospitality – another decisive factor in the recovery process.

By international standards, medical treatment in Switzerland is particularly successful.

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Land of many qualities

Top medical doctors from all over the world work in Switzerland. High competency

ensures high quality, embedded in an outstanding health care system. This system provides top medical doctors with the most modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure, thus contributing to the optimal success of treatments and therapies. The secret of this success lies in the combination of four typical quality features: first-class medicine, highly qualified medical staff, state-of-the-

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art infrastructure and the desire to give patients nothing but the very best.

Key to health has a name: Swiss Health

Swiss Health is the representative for leading Swiss hospitals and clinics that are committed to providing maximum

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La Réserve Genève – Hotel, Spa and Villas

Step into a luxurious world F U R N I S H E D W I T H

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La Réserve Genève – Hotel, Spa and Villas, offers guests lavish rooms with exceptional features

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W O R L D W I D E .

a Réserve Genève – Hotel, Spa and Villas, is a city-resort hotel cocooned in a 10-acre park on the shores of Lake Geneva. Renowned French designer Jacques Garcia drew inspiration from the hotel name, Réserve, to create a dramatic interior that transports guests away from the buzzing city life. It is located just over three miles from the town centre and two miles from the nearest international airport.

The property includes the Spa Nescens, 29 suites and 73 rooms that have been designed as a lodge reminiscent of a lost paradise on the outer edges of Africa. The rooms are decorated in warm atmospheres created by shades of orange, pale blue, silky taupe and celadon green. All rooms’ open wide onto the exterior, some with a patio providing direct access to the pool and park.

The hotel has five restaurants including Le Tsé Fung, the first Michelin star ever awarded to a Chinese restaurant in Switzerland and Le Loti that is under the supervision of Executive Chef Virginie Basselot, winner of the 2015 ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ award in cuisine-gastronomy.

As soon as the sunny weather begins, the hotel’s Summer Lodge becomes a hotspot of relaxation right next to the pool. During winter, the Winter Lodge is decorated with sparkling chandeliers and fairytale décor, and becomes home to the largest private skating rink in Geneva.

The property offers a warm, relaxed atmosphere, with a magical view of the lake, where guests are transported into a parallel world of luxury.

Land of first-class medicine » Continued from previous page

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treatment and care to international patients.

The quality of high-end Swiss medical care together with its state-of-the-art medical infrastructure forms the foundation for an internationally outstanding performance record.As a whole, the hospitals and clinics recommended by Swiss Health cover a complete range of disease patterns. Swiss Health aims to provide patients and their referring physicians with a choice of the most suitable hospitals, clinics and outpatient centres.

Land of research

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Outstanding customer service

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A remarkable amount of research conducted for the advancement of top-class medicine is based in Switzerland. This may well explain why Switzerland is so often the first choice destination for the treatment of serious diseases in adults and children.

The following specialist areas, amongst others, enjoy an international reputation: paediatrics, the treatment of sports injuries, orthopaedics, cardiology and heart surgery, the treatment of spinal cord injuries, oncology, obstetrics, etc. In short, a complete range of acute and outpatient medical care as well as a wide variety of rehabilitation measures.

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The highly professional all-round service that international patients receive is typical of the Swiss health care system: the referring doctors are contacted (medical file), visa matters are taken care of, contact local authorities, provide interpreting services and

everything else that patients may need for and during their hospital stay. For accompanying family members and staff, hotel accommodation is organised as well as cultural, tourism and entertainment activities, such as shopping tours, as required.

Land of hospitality

Many acute medical therapies are complemented by rehabilitation measures or rounded off by a stay at a health resort or a holiday. Therefore the significance of the host country’s ambience for patients and their family should not be underestimated.

Patients and visitors benefit from Switzerland’s pristine natural beauty, the worldfamous hospitality of its hotels, well-developed public transportation system, political and economic stability, and safety, as well as the ease of contact with authorities, economic ties and financial services, alongside the most exclusive luxury shopping options in Europe.

S WI TZ ER L AN D Hotel Metropole Geneve

Prime Villa

Experiencing Swiss hospitality

A tranquil paradise

Hotel Metropole Geneve offers comfort and serenity at its best

Prime Villa promises residents maximum privacy, comfort and stunning views

! Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

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usiness and leisure travellers in Geneva cannot afford to miss the comforts of Hotel Metropole Geneve. The historic monument, built in 1854, situated right on the iconic rue du Rhone has stunning offers along with exquisite hospitality. The stylishly designed rooms with all the modern and eco-friendly amenities is a place to relax and feel at home, while hopping and doing business in the bustling environs of Switzerland.

The hotel also boasts a variety of culinary experiences, including a lavish buffet, breakfast, and an indispensable ‘5 Lounge’ bar, all sequenced to a delightful musical aura.

Guests would be more than thrilled to experience the beauty of the lake, as well as the delicate selection of conference, banquet and catering spaces, including a panoramic rooftop terrace for private events.

It is, indeed, a perfect base for travellers to

experience Swiss hospitality and the historic ambience, as legends and royals had spent their memorable moments at this place. The uniqueness is that the hotel focuses on design, space and comfort. A lot of local artworks, miniatures, fixtures make it all the more preferable, and a must visit on getaways. The hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts; and is a mix of serenity, taste and a lifestyle identity of its own. That feeling is reinforced at the Restaurant-Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives also termed as Genevan Mansion.

Hotel Metropole blends individual history and local environment, and is truly the iconic symbol of the city of Geneva. Be there to experience its majestic touch!

— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

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he unique villa lies at a prime location in a renowned mansion area at the end of a private road. The location, with a pleasant and discreet neighbourhood, is very quiet and family-friendly. In addition to the southern hillside location, the home offers maximum privacy, tranquility and good exposure to sunlight. The spacious sunny outdoor areas expand to the living area on beautiful days and invite its residents to linger outdoors. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets, and stunning panoramic views over Lake Ägeri and surrounding mountains from several rooms, as well as from the terraces and the infinity pool.

• Spectacular view over Lake Ägeri, Zugerberg, Mountains of Schwyz and the Rigi • A popular, family-friendly, quiet neighbourhood • Privacy, tranquility and relaxation • Decentral central — above the fog line and

still close to the city • Spacious terraces with 180° panoramic view and good exposure to sunlight • Enjoy beautiful sunsets all-year round • High-end finishing with exclusive materials • 200-square-metre living room with a fireplace • Large panoramic windows provide light-flooded rooms • Modern luxurious kitchen with lake view • 15-metre infinity outdoor swimming pool • Seven bedrooms, three bathrooms and a guest toilet • Numerous built-in cupboards that offer plenty of storage space • Parking; unique parking garage with space for multiple cars If interested, it would be our pleasure to send you the detailed brochure. Payment in Ether or Bitcoin accepted.

S WI TZ E RL AN D Hilti Emirates

Think globally. Act locally.

Innovations at Hilti Emirates are designed to increase productivity and improve the environmental aspects of new constructions

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ilti produces and designs leading-edge technology, software and services, which power the professional construction industry. “We are a global company, based in over 120 countries with more than 25,000 employees. Our business model is unique, not only because we internally develop all of our products, but also because we are selling our solutions directly to the end users,” says Edouard Chabert, Marketing Manager GCC in an interview with Khaleej Times.

Around 100 dedicated sales engineers are visiting all of UAE’s construction and industry contracting companies every day, providing technical support and various services, on top of just selling products. “A good example is our new ‘3 or Free’ Repair policy: every tool comes with a two years full service coverage,

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and all repairs are done in three days or we refund our customers pro-actively!” he adds.

Chabert says, “Our commitment is to keep having the best and most innovative products on the market (around 30 new products are launched each and every year); but more than that, we are now putting more focus on services and software solutions to meet the industry needs.”

Hilti just launched its new “On Track” Asset Management solution (www.hilti.ae), which provides a very simple and easy way for any company to track their assets on their sites, from smallest assets (hand tools, protective gear) to bigger ones (tools, vehicles). This solution clearly enables our customers to increase their transparency and productivity to run their project at the lowest possible cost, within their timelines.

“All of our innovations are designed to increase productivity and also improve environmental aspects of new constructions; as an example, we recently launched Hilti BX 3-A, a new battery actuated direct fastening tool – which is five to six times faster than any traditional light anchoring applications, and delivers an impact energy of 80 joules without any propellant – more than a technical breakthrough, this is also a very fast and safe and clean way for our customer to perform their daily applications on the construction sites, without leaving any polluting material behind,” he says.

The Hilti corporate culture is founded on four key values—teamwork, integrity, courage and commitment—along with self-responsibility, respect for others and tolerance. “We think globally. We act locally. Our mission is to passionately create enthusiastic customers and build a better future. It means every team member is valued—and empowered to grow.

We don’t just do business with suppliers and customers. Instead, we partner with them for mutual success. We also take social and ecological responsibility seriously. We aim for sustainable, profitable growth so we can continue to improve our world,” he says.

Hilti Emirates has been officially recognised as one of the ‘Top Companies to Work for in the UAE’ in 2017 by Great Place to Work®. Hilti Emirates won seventh place during the awards ceremony.

Great Place to Work® is a global research, training and consultancy firm that identifies the best workplaces in over 50 countries worldwide.

Edouard Chabert, Marketing Manager GCC

“Our commitment is to keep having the best and most innovative products on the market (around 30 new products are launched each and every year); But more than that, we are now putting more focus on services and software solutions to meet the industry needs.” — Edouard Chabert

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S WI TZ ER L AN D Gilgen Door Systems

Portals of security and reliance Gilgen Door Systems was chosen to provide a number of security and environmentally enhanced solutions for Louvre Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Dubai Metro

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ilgen supplied over 100 security enhanced doors for the Louvre Museum including high security shutters and insulated roller shutters.

Manufactured in the U.K., Gilgen Rolegard high security shutters are designed to reduce physical security threats through proven target hardening measures. Tested by BRE against professional attack methods including prising, jacking, gouging, cutting and drilling the range consists of models certified to the U.K. security standard LPS1175, level 2-5 and the European standard EN1627:2011. RC3-RC4. The security shutters installed at the Louvre are up to 7metres x 8metres in size and feature stainless steel profiles to improve their durability.

Furthermore, Gilgen Door Systems supplied fully glazed automatic swing doors by Tecfire.

They are arranged in interlocks for visitor access to various buildings and galleries.

Doors at an interlock are typically operated as an airlock, where one door is always kept closed to prevent hot and humid air plus avoid dust getting inside the galleries with its invaluable exhibits.

The technical specifications were very demanding — requiring security, fire and ballistics performance. Maximum aesthetical requirements come on top. Gilgen’s customer Tecfire designed the STB80 Pivot and Hinge fully glazed oversized doors to comply with all requirements, in particular the principal architectural requirement: all automation to be concealed.

Gilgen Door Systems in Switzerland designed and supplied the automation equipment.

Concealed automation is achieved with heavy duty underfloor swing door drives plus custom made interlock controls and top end technology in safety and operating elements.

The interlock controls provide safe and secure automatic opening and closing of the STB80 fully glazed doors. For maximum security and safety the prevailing operating scenario is directed by the interfacing building management system.

The aesthetic aspects of the unique Tecfire STB80 Pivot and Hinge fully glazed doors and their automation were of paramount importance to Ateliers Jean Nouvel architects, who ensured that every detail would be in line with the overall concept of the building.

Gilgen Door Systems and Tecfire worked closely with all parties involved to achieve visually stunning, yet fully functional, safe and secure automated door installations.

Additional ventures in Dubai

Gilgen Door Systems, which is based in Schwarzenburg in the Swiss Canton of Bern, recently won a large order from Dubai for the installation of safe platform screen doors at

Reference photo for Dubai World Expo 2020; Platform Screen Doors full-height Stockholm City Line

Two double swing doors in an airlock at Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi

Rolegard high security shutter for Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi

seven new metro stations. They are set to open just in time for the World Expo 2020 to help carry millions of visitors to the venue along the Metro’s new feeder line.

Almost 15 kilometres in length, it is an extension of the Dubai Metro’s existing Red Line. The new “2020 Route” will link the existing Nakheel Harbour and Tower station to the Expo site, which lies about 10 kilometres north of the city’s international airport.

carried out more than 30 such PSD projects worldwide, and the company’s project teams, with a collective membership of more than 150 specialists, are currently busy with platform screen door projects in Hong Kong, Stockholm, Toulouse, Rennes and Glasgow, as well as Dubai.

local structure required to carry out the on-site tasks concerned. The platform edge screens and automatic doors are designed and manufactured in Switzerland, mostly using the in-house resources of the Schwarzenburg works site. Items that are not vital for the technology concerned are ordered from manufacturers who have been supplying the company for many years. The initial prototype door systems are to be fitted in Dubai in November 2017, immediately prior to definitive manufacture and installation. After an extensive series of integration tests, the Metro will be inaugurated for public operation from April 2020 onwards.

Maximum standards of safety and reliability

Quality, safety and first-class systems – these are the characteristics that proved to be the decisive factor when it came to Gilgen Door Systems winning the contract to supply the platform screen doors. This is in addition to the fact that the pricing of these products makes them highly competitive on the international market, although the company also meets exacting demands in other areas. In terms of individual systems on the Metro project, these include maximum passenger safety, low energy consumption and top standards of reliability. Gilgen fulfils all these criteria without compromise, as Gilgen Door Systems’ CEO Jakob Gilgen puts it: “Our platform screen doors (PSD) contribute significantly to the safety of passengers on the Metro. The doors, which are incorporated into the edges of the station platforms, open automatically when the train has arrived and come to a complete standstill to provide fast, smoothly-functioning passenger access. They are characterised by their low energy consumption, minimal wear and easy maintenance.”

The complete system being manufactured by Gilgen for the Dubai Metro also includes highly robust platform-edge screens with structures made of safety glass.

First prototypes for Dubai to be ready in December 2017

Gilgen’s project team is currently working at full tilt on a wide range of project-related tasks.

A team from Switzerland will be travelling to Dubai early in 2018 to open a country representative office. This will build up the

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Important player in the global market

Some 25 million people are expected to visit the Expo, with average weekend attendance of 135,000 visitors. According to forecasts, more than half of them are likely to travel on the Metro, and Gilgen of Schwarzenburg will open doors for all of them.

Top quality, reliable products and a full set of integrated customer services are the vital ingredients on which Gilgen’s worldwide reputation is based. The company has for many years been a world-leading supplier of engineering, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance services for customerspecific PSD systems.

“If you are planning a PSD project anywhere in the world, your first port of call is likely to be our company,” says Jakob Gilgen, not without a certain pride. Gilgen has already

Gilgen Door Systems is the Swiss market leader in automated solutions for pedestrian doors, industrial doors and wall systems.

We deliver strong values such as convenience, hygiene, safety and accessibility. gilgendoorsystems.com

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT DECEMbER 7, 2017

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S WI TZ E RL AN D

Swissvax passion is with car lovers and offers ultimate solutions ! Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

S District31 Dubai

Perfect detailing

wissvax is a wonder, which renders your luxury automobile attain an immeasurable life. The high quality Swiss brand is a trademark for automotive care for which enthusiasts show a high affinity.

Moreover, it is also the first choice of premium automobile manufacturers to make their brand the best and indispensable. Apart from cars, Swissvax also has solutions for boats and yachts, and the company is also eyeing “Private Jet” for the state-ofthe-art “Jet Interior” maintenance.

Rudolf Meyer is the man behind Swissvax, who is at the vanguard in introducing the product in the Middle East, and is happily involved with the who’s who in the UAE. He is soughtafter by the royals, the fortune-makers and the premium car wizards who want him to take a look at their first-love automobiles, and ensures that it’s well kept and second to none.

Headquarter, Zürich, Switzerland Meyer enthrals you with his experience and gets to the minutest details, as he knows his subject inside out. His passion for luxury cars is unquestionable, and he says he believes in winning smiles of his customers with perfect results.

Swissvax has durable solutions for all brands of car: Porsche, Lamborghini, Maserati, Infiniti, Ferrari, Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maybach, Mercedes, BMW or Land Rover. The premium four-wheeler won’t be a best-kept secret if it doesn’t get a brush of Swissvax. The Swiss solution takes care of exterior to interior, and even rims and wheels; as well the metallic closets around the engine that normally

nobody cares about. It has a complete care system for cars, comprising an interrelated range of cleaning, washing and polishing.

Surprising aspect of Swissvax products is that they are manufactured on a small-scale. It still draws inspiration from the Anwander chemist in Zurich who served as both the laboratory and the workshop for the first tins of ‘Antikwachs’, using an old wax formulation for antique furniture and lacquer. For three generations, Swissvax is in business and its motto is never to compromise on quality. Rudolf says, “while Swiss are very delicate people and care for quality, our intention is to give them the best. That is why precision is reflected in our products.” He says Swissvax has invested its time, energy and experience in Research & Development, and is conscious to environmental requirements and to technological changes.

Meyer says Swissvax is not meant for large-scale industrial production.

“We are not greedy. We want to serve only our top notch customers who come to us for the value of their cars, which is dearest to them.” Even today Swissvax products are made exclusively by hand, and the tins are

— KT photo by Neeraj Murali

Waxed with an insight

Rudolf Meyer individually filled. He says compromise is just not compatible with our passionate commitment, and our customers are our strength. “Our waxes contain no abrasives and can be applied to all paint surfaces, even old nitrocellulose lacquers, modern water-based paint systems and ‘nano’ paints,” Meyer explains passionately.

The waxes are easy to apply, and leave no residues on rubber seams or in crevices. Swissvax undeniably stands for high-value care by perfectionists for perfectionists.

— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

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Giving personalised priority to all Explore state-of-the-art facilities and service for all medical needs at Double Check — Swiss Academic Centre for Checkups and Second Opinions

Prof. Michael Fried Founder and Head of Gastroenterology Practice

Prof. Thomas Lüscher Founder and Head of Cardiology Practice

! Farhana Chowdhury

Education and Development as well as a consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital four days a week, I provide services at Double Check with my experience and competence on Fridays and Saturdays for patients known to me from my previous position, as well as those requiring expert advice for a cardiac problem from all over the world,” he added.

The cardiology clinic at Double Check is well equipped and can provide most non-invasive investigations. It also asks consultants to identify specific problems on imaging and devices, and to see patients together if required.

“Whenever additional examinations or interventions are necessary, I can provide them at institutions in Zurich or beyond whenever necessary. Overall, Double Check is able to provide excellence in cardiology for those requiring a second opinion or a check-up or advice on any cardiovascular problem,” he said.

Speaking about his specialisation in cardiology, he added: “I have never regretted this decision as I strongly believe that cardiology is one of the most interesting disciplines of medicine and it is really a grace to experience the impressive development of this specialty during the last decades,” he said.

Aside from cardiology, Double Check offers a wide spectrum of experience beyond immediate fields of interest. It consists of consultants for every medical problem in Zurich and beyond due to its extensive personal network according to Prof. Lüscher.

“Thus, it is we who can be asked for advice, even for rare conditions for instance in neurology, endocrinology, nephrology or other fields of medicine if required,” he added.

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ouble Check — Swiss Academic Centre for Check-ups and Second Opinions, set in the heart of Zurich, is an initiative of cardiologist Prof. Thomas Lüscher and gastroenterologist Prof. Michael Fried that follows a concept of privacy, service and excellence, with focus on personalised service provided by excellent physicians and an exceptional supporting team. Double Check has a unique network of over 200 specialists in Switzerland, alongside a unique network of physicians from around the globe.

To date, it is designed to be a partner of the University Hospital of Zurich, a centre of excellence in many areas of medicine. It also works with private hospitals and other institutions around Zurich, as well as with the University Hospital of Bern when required.

Thanks to a growing personal network over the years, Double Check has access to large number of institutions.

Finest in cardiovascular care Introduced to the field of medicine at a tender age, pursuing the role of a medical practitioner came naturally to Prof. Thomas Lüscher, who is the Founder of the Centre and Head of Cardiology Practice.

“Due to my commitment as a Professor at Imperial College and Director of Research,

Experience and trends Prof. Lüscher had first performed coronary angiography as a fellow at the University Hospitals in Zurich and later in Basel. After his move to the University of Berne, he had started to perform percutaneous coronary interven-

tions as a consultant in cardiology at the Department of Cardiology of this institution.

According to him, cardiology procedures are now safer, notably with the introduction of stents, where acute complications during percutaneous balloon angioplasty, such as infarction, could be managed easily. Emergency operations too have become rare.

“Nevertheless, there are several areas where we do need significant progress, in particular for patients surviving sudden cardiac arrests, patients with heart failure who still have a high risk of being hospitalised or dying, despite all the measures we have available today. Finally, personalised medicine is the new frontier.

Currently, most treatment options do not consider to a satisfying degree the individual patient,” said Prof. Lüscher.

Gastroenterology care Double Check offers sophisticated treatments, as well as executive medical check-ups and second opinions related to all areas of gastroenterology. It also provides examinations of the stomach, gut and colon such as a colonoscopy or gastroscopy.

According to Prof. Michael Fried, Founder and Head of Gastroenterology Practice at Double Check, gastroenterology has come a long way. “Back then, some patients would go through many unnecessary examinations and treatments because their disorder was not easy to diagnose and therapeutic measures were very limited. Endoscopy was in its early stage, drug treatment of many diseases was not possible or could only be achieved with the price of serious side effects. Thus, the probability to diagnose many diseases in our field at an early stage and the chances to cure many incurable diseases has become reality,” he said.

Modern procedures now use a thin endoscope to examine the small intestine or stomach via the colon or gut that help determine or rule out organic diseases.

Check-ups are essential Prof. Fried, who had studied at the Universities of Berlin and Munich from 1971 to 1977 followed by periods of research and residency in Germany, Switzerland and the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles, shared that gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common health issues in the world.

Besides shortening the lives of patients, it also leads to a diminished quality of life.

“Nowadays, we are able to detect and cure many gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases such as malignant tumours. To me, this is important because it means we can make a real difference,” Prof. Fried added.

Prof. Fried stressed that everybody above the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy

every 5 to 10 years to exclude cancer, and to remove any resected polyps to eliminate a lesion that may ultimately lead to cancer.

“That’s very important, for any healthy individual, particularly if there is a family history of colon cancer or other tumours or if the patients has an inflammatory bowel disease.

If a patient experiences symptoms, such as weight loss, progressive abdominal pain, weight loss or blood in their bowel movements these are red flags that must always be investigated.

Colonoscopy is a harmless routine examination that can be performed without causing any pain to the patient.”

Future of Double Check The philosophy of empowering the patient and the quality of care experience are strong factors that drive Double Check forward. It aims to provide patients a guiding hand every step of the way, and ensure they receive the very best treatment from the world’s leading medical professionals within individually tailored diagnostics and treatment plans in discreet, private settings.

“This tailored approach will continue to become more and more beneficial to patients over time due to advances in precision medicine, which enables physicians to treat each patient in a bespoke way that best suits that individual patient. As each field of medicine becomes more and more specialised, it will be all the more important that the patient is able to see an experienced and internationally acknowledged expert within that field,” he concluded.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Patient care PhilosoPhy A healthy body and a healthy mind is everyone’s basis to live a good, successful and happy life. This rule applies to anybody no matter what cultural, social or racial background. The vision at Double Check is to focus on the individual patient and their specific needs, in order to deliver high quality personalised care that is both discreet and convenient.

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT DECEMbER 7, 2017

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S WI TZ E RL AN D VISIONAPARTMENTS

Ensuring living style with perfection VISIONAPARTMENTS is a one-step solution to your residency needs

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ince 1999, VISIONAPARTMENTS specialises in renting out furnished and serviced apartments. Having quickly emerged from a start-up into Switzerland’s market leader, the company is now gradually expanding both in the domestic market and abroad.

This year, VISIONAPARTMENTS opened three new apartment buildings in Zug, Lausanne St. Sulpice and Frankfurt, further developing the portfolio to over 1,300 apartments. On top of the stylish accommodations, some of the new locations offer state-of-the-art co-working spaces. The offices enhance the range of services and are not just an added bonus for tenants: the premises can also be booked and used by non-residents.

Other VISIONAPARTMENTS can be found in Zurich, Lausanne, Berlin, Warsaw and Vienna, constantly winning new clients from all over the world.

Additionally, the company’s global network of serviced apartment partnerships continues to grow, and currently features partners in over 80 countries and 580 cities worldwide. A

total of 90,000 professional business apartments across the globe are offered on visionapartments.com.

As the majority owner of each of its buildings, VISIONAPARTMENTS furnishes the apartments based on its own concepts. This creates the added value that sets VISIONAPARTMENTS above others: exclusive interior design, high quality materials, and a rich palette of colours and forms balanced down to the last detail.

To satisfy tenant’s expectations to the fullest, the modern accommodations cater for all daily needs, providing everything from a comfortable bed right down to espresso spoons. For the comfort of the guests, a variety of services such as cleaning, linen service, digital TV, Wi-Fi and others are included in the rent. Of course, the residences are available in many different sizes at attractive prices.

Whatever the purpose of the guests stay, the prime locations of VISIONAPARTMENTS ensure easy access to all key amenities, including transportation, restaurants, businesses and many more.

To learn more, visit visionapartments.com or write to us at global@visionapartments.com or call +41 44 248 34 34

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The science behind cell repair technology Elanix Biotechnologies specialises in tissue regeneration to aid growth and healing ! Farhana Chowdhury

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ringing hope and relief to patients across the globe, Elanix Biotechnologies is the brand behind a set of tissue regeneration products that assist in treating acute wounds, as well as dermatological and gynaecological conditions.

Established in January 2012, Elanix Biotechnologies originates from the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Switzerland.

Founded by Prof. Lee Ann Laurent-Applegate, who holds 30 years of experience, the company first set out to commercialise a patented human progenitor cell technology that encourages tissue growth and healing.

Armed with a small team and offices in Nyon, Switzerland and Wiesbaden, Germany, the Elanix Biotechnologies team led by CEO Tomas J. Svoboda has recently started to boost the sales of its first product, GYNrepair®, a speciality cosmetic product for gynaecological conditions, in Europe.

Upon successfully signing a licensing agreement, Taiwanese partner, Transwell Bio, has started phase I/II clinical studies with TWB-103 in adults with skin graft donor site wounds (DSW) in Taiwan and Japan. TWB-103 is a novel gel formulation developed by Transwell Biotech, using skin fibroblast progenitor cells provided by Elanix.

Specialising in deploying a special kind of progenitor cells to develop various product categories for different clinical indications to regenerate, heal and alleviate, Elanix Biotechnologies uses either human or animal progenitor cells as a whole or their derivatives contained in a Cell Free Protein Complex (CFPC). Elanix also owns a patented, GMPcertified Progenitor Skin Cell Bank that greatly contributes towards the research and development involved in tissue regeneration.

Looking at health and medical care in the UAE, the Swiss company respects the high standards that are emerging. “We are looking to establish a presence in the UAE through local representatives and distributors to market our products and know-how in accelerated healing and treatment with cell therapies. We are still focusing mainly on Western Europe, but are exploring exports of goods and services beyond,” said Tomas J. Svoboda, CEO, Elanix Biotechnologies.

in fairly new treatment modalities (cell therapy/tissue engineering) that is not regulated across the various countries in the same fashion and it often takes a long time and a lot of effort to obtain market authorisation by the national regulatory bodies,” said Svoboda.

He explained that as far as treatment of burn patients goes, speed is essential to protect large body surfaces from loss of liquid, to protect from contamination and stimulate deep wounds to start closing. These factors depend on the patient’s age, degree and depth of burn, pre-existing co-morbidities, as well as other factors such as the healing rate.

“As this differs from patient to patient, our objective is to save lives and allow the rapid transfer of patients from intensive care units to regular hospital beds, as well as assure fast recovery. This way patients can regain their lives before the burn leads to extensive scarring or other skin deformation. We believe that our technology can save and significantly improve lives with a product of natural origins, without any known side effects.”

Relief products Around 300 million women worldwide are known to suffer from vulvodynia, which causes severe discomfort in intimate genital areas. While its causes are still unknown, Elanix Biotechnologies has developed a product that brings relief in the form of GYNrepair®, a cream that soothes and prevents the feeling of dryness.

Its second speciality cream is SKINrepair®, which is also based on CFPC technology to protect skin against external injury. This topical cream is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2018 and aims to target dermatological disorders with a non-medical solution.

Tomas J. Svoboda, CEO

Prof. Lee-Ann Laurent Applegate, Scientific Advisor

Future plans

range of medical or skin conditions. Our objective is to provide a technology platform based on our progenitor technology, derived from cell banks with a vast amounts of cells that can be integrated in various product forms and applications. We plan to take some products to the market alone, while others with partners. The rest we intend to license out or transfer to other well-established partners with larger geographical footprints,” said Svoboda.

Looking ahead, Elanix Biotechnologies aims to secure distribution agreements, complete its third financial round, strengthen the commercial team, launch a new product in 2018, start a Phase II study in Japan, and industrialise its range of acute wound care products.

“We are looking forward to develop partnerships – scientific and commercial – in countries and institutions that are interested to explore the use of cell based products as a novel, natural and effective way to treat a

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Elanix biotechnologies has its registered office in berlin, Germany, with an office in Wiesbaden, Germany, and operational headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. It is listed in the Regulated Market on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol ELN.F. For more information and updates, visit www.elanixbiotechnologies.com

Overcoming challenges faced in tissue regeneration “The practical challenges are that we operate

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT DECEMbER 7, 2017

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Swiss premium rehabilitation in a personalised manner

Calda Clinic offers notable care for psychological health ! Latha Krishnan

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“A mask is ephemeral. It can alter appearances, hide away pain, fear, and emotion. It offers second chances. It is an escape and a rebirth. It is a way of coping with internalised struggles.

Yet, beauty from the freedom of mask, beauty that is born out of choice, this beauty embodied within is eternal.”

Within, kittozutto

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

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onveniently located in the centre for state-of-the-art medicine in Switzerland, on the right lakeside of Lake Zurich, Calda Clinic is an exclusive and premium provider of specialised and personalised rehabilitation programmes for psychological health.

“We are completely different from other rehabilitation clinics,” says Dr. Med. Claudia M. Elsig, Medical Specialist for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CEO and overall medical management of Calda Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland. “While others deal with de-addiction from drugs, ours is much more than that. Our approach here in Calda is holistic, as we follow the unique concept that I helped develop as medical director and chief psychiatrist. The CALDA concept includes new treatment strategies to overcome phenomena like trauma, addiction, stress, ageing, etc. The core of the concept is the advanced and deepened diagnostic system, the interpretation of results through an interdisciplinary team of experts and the development of personal, creative treatment strategies, which revert to all proven recipes taken from integrative medicine.”

Calda Clinic is also unique in the fact that the owner of the clinic Dr. Claudia, who has more than 20 years experience in the field of psychiatry, is also the Chief Psychiatrist and is personally involved in treating clients. “Very early in my career, as a young Assistant Psychiatrist, I was interested in treating psychological trauma arising from loss, accidents, wars and natural calamities as well as physical and mental abuse that result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, dissociative disorder and adjustment disorder. If such trauma is not treated in the right manner these people cannot live a normal life. I have dedicated myself to finding ways of treating such people in the most effective and personalised manner with no or minimal use of psychotropic drugs,” she elucidates passionately. Her own exuberant and empathetic personality as a woman of refined taste in art and sporting capabilities also come into play during treatment when she gets to know the client and his/her innermost self.

According to Dr. Elsig, conventional psychiatry today is not providing all-round treatment outside of psychotropic medication. Normally they combine two or three types of such medication in different dosages. This is not the solution, as it is only treating the symptoms and the medications themselves usually have long-term side effects. Psychiatry has to open up to the entire established medical world and combine field-tested and scientifically profound methods from conventional medicine, complementary medicine and Asian medicine.

At Calda, the holistic concept includes psychiatric, ortho-molecular and internal check-up including epigenetic insights with plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and

Dr. Med. Claudia M. Elsig, Medical Specialist for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CEO and overall medical management of Calda Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland complementary therapies including yoga, meditation, art, equine assisted therapy and other calming procedures as part of the personalised treatment. The food that the client takes is also exclusively designed by a nutritionist to complement the treatment.

“We believe that quality is most important and treat only one client at a time. Our clients include individuals of high social position, high family background and celebrity status encompassing the fields of nobility including royal families of the European and Gulf countries, arts, politics, showbiz, sports, economy and science. Ours is one of the most exclusive and totally private clinics in the world where clients stay incognito in a luxurious 250-square-metre residence with a view of the Zurich Lake and the Swiss Alps. Privacy and discretion of the client is assured at all times while a team of 12 to 15 specialists, including me, provide core therapy combining different techniques to fully concentrate on this one person,” elaborates Dr. Elsig.

As a trauma specialist and a woman who has undergone stress and difficult times personally in her younger days, Dr. Elsig takes special interest in treating trauma especially for women. “I understand that women hailing from different countries as well as the region lead highly visible and stressful business lives in the Middle East and I invite them to Calda to

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At Calda, the holistic concept includes psychiatric, ortho-molecular and internal check-up including epigenetic insights with plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and complementary therapies including yoga, meditation, art, equine assisted therapy and other calming procedures as part of the personalised treatment. The food that the client takes is also exclusively designed by a nutritionist to complement the treatment. take a month off and de-stress with us.”

Chronic stress can lead to physical and psychological diseases. Calda can address typically women’s issues such as burn out, post-partum depression and trauma due to mental and physical abuse by men as well as age-related problems of women with highly successful careers where the waning of physical beauty means they lose out to younger women. In addition to psychiatric treatment for problems of women, Calda provides preventive and better aging medicines.

The treatment for all individuals, women or men, at Calda is not covered by any insurance company. “The CALDA concept is outside any health insurance scheme. Our clients are self-payers, which is the basis to enabling absolute discretion and privacy. The CALDA concept is based on utmost respect for personal integrity. So, if high social position, family background or your popularity requires absolute discretion, our private, tailor-made rehabilitation programme, with utmost modern and state-of-the-art medicine in combination with premium hotel service and highest discretion is the answer,” invites Dr. Elsig.

The minimum time required for treatment at Calda is four weeks, but in some cases it can go up to 12 weeks when the team rebalances the bio chemistry of the client’s body. Such

type of treatment is typically for people who have been suffering for 10 years or more. For such clients Calda Clinic is a beacon of hope. After suffering for so long, if you can pay to be healed completely in two or three months in the best and most luxurious clinic in Switzerland under excellent expert supervision and care discreetly, why wouldn’t you?

Dr. Elsig wants to offer the benefits of being treated at Calda Clinic to more clients from the UAE and the region. She is currently looking to collaborate in the UAE with a local partner/ investor, who is, like her, passionately dedicated to providing people here with the unique Calda rehabilitation therapies.

COnTACT

Dr. Med. Claudia M. Elsig CEO of Calda Clinic on Stettbachstrasse 12, CH-8702 Zollikon Tel. +41442242000; Fax +41442242001 c.elsig@caldaclinic.com www.caldaclinic.com

At Calda, we believe that quality is most important and treat only one client at a time. Our clients include individuals of high social position, high family background and celebrity status encompassing the fields of nobility including royal families of the European and Gulf countries, arts, politics, showbiz, sports, economy and science.

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT DECEMbER 7, 2017

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S WI TZ E RL AN D Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht (RZS)

Neuro-therapy with a personal touch RZS is a centre of excellence and is a place where patients can hope for a new begining ! Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

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ehaklinik Zihlschlacht (RZS), based in Switzerland, is an exception when it comes to healing neurological patients.

It is more than a professional institution and an hospital. Its edge is that it believes in not only dispensing the right diagnosis but also ensures that the patient is treated in a homely environment. The Neurorehabilitation Centre makes sure that the latest technology, as well as medical inventions are in order, and the patient in the right hands. It is a teamwork of paramedical staff, doctors, counsellors, therapists, as well as the support staff, that helps the patient feel the difference as he/she recuperates.

Dr. Daniel Zutter M.D, Chief Medical Officer Neurorehabilitation Centre Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht, Switzerland (RZS), in an interview with Khaleej Times said that the clinic is neurology-specific, and is recognised

as one of the most innovative clinics among European neurorehacenters. The RZS was founded 30 years ago as the first specialised neurorehabilitation centre in Switzerland, and in the last 10 years has expanded from about 70 to 140 beds. It especially focuses on international patients, and has an overwhelming success rate in rehabilitation.

“It is our patients’ success and those of their families who encourage them during hard times. At the end, we are all rewarded by magic moments when a patient after a stroke, an injury of the brain or spine is able to walk again, relearns to speak and finally returns back home to his or her loved ones,’’ observes Dr. Zutter, while elucidating the minutelymanaged therapy process.

He said measurable results and scientificallybased treatment approaches form the basis of work at RZS. The CMO said therapists measure the rehabilitation progress regularly using objective assessment tools, and discuss the results with the patient and their family members. “Based on the progress, we define new therapeutic goals tailored according to the individual needs and capacity of the patient.’’

The hospital specialises in Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis, and Dr. Zutter says that the staff’s profound knowledge of the disease and experience to treat the

patient(s) with a personal touch makes the differnce at RZS. As far as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is concerned, the hospital closely works with internationally known specialists, such as Prof. Czaplinski from Zürich, whose recommendations helps address immensely complex therapeutical questions. “Multiples Sclerosis can be stabilised and even improved with the right combination of pharmacological treatment and rehabilitation measures,’’ he believes.

Dr. Zutter says the RZS employs technology with smart computer therapy programmes, and the most innovative reha-robots, more consistently and systematically. “This way we increase the intensity of training and, therefore, achieve better outcomes for patients with motor or cognitive disturbances.’’ He said the add-on use of technology for neurorehabilitation treatments has led to a very positive development in the last 10 years.

The admission criteria for patients at RZS is thoroughly professional and selective. The RZS never accepts an international patient before it studies its complete medical history, and

subsequently formulates an opinion with the help of its experts. “We do this by either visiting the patient in his/her country or by telerehab consultations. Some of our patients undergo a short check-up at our partner clinic Hirslanden Zürich, prior to their stay with us to ensure that all acute medical treatments are done in the best way.’’

The clinic complies with the highest Swiss quality standards, and is accredited by the leading “Swiss Reha” organisation, as well as international quality management standards (ISO).

Dr. Zutter proudly boasts an handwritten document in Arabic from a patient, which says: “This is the best rehabilitation clinic for me worldwide. It is not because I can walk again with a stick, talk again with my sons, read and write letters – the reason is that I felt like I had a family, even when I was far away from home during my recovery.” This candid acknowledgment is more than recognition for the RZS from a patient, who walked out to begin a new life on his own.

— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

WE BRING YOU BACK TO THE THINGS YOU LOVE More than 30 years of experience in Neurorehabilitation. Most innovative therapeutic approaches and technologies.

Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation

| Stroke rehabilitation | Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation | Parkinson’s rehabilitation

Rehaklinik Zihlschlacht AG International Office int.office.switzerland@vamed.ch www.rehaklinik-zihlschlacht.ch/international

Neurologisches Rehabilitationszentrum

La Garenne International School

School motto: “Never, never, never give up” International education is the best investment you can make for your child’s future

F Why lA GArenne school • • • • • • • •

70 years of excellence in education Individual attention Warm family atmosphere Bilingual (English-French) international community with over 30 nationalities High-quality, holistic learning environment Life-long passion for learning Safe & healthy location Swiss values authenticity

ounded in 1947, La Garenne International School is one of the leading primary and middle years boarding schools located on a sunny plateau in the Swiss Alps.

“Owned by the Méan family, our school is set in the charming alpine French-speaking ski resort of Villars-sur-Ollon. Each academic year we welcome 80 boarding and 30 day students, aged from 4 to 14, from over 30 countries,” says Grégory Méan, General Director and Owner of the school, in an interview with Khaleej Times.

La Garenne prides itself on an EnglishFrench bilingual approach. “During the academic year, our students follow the British curriculum (IPC & IMYC) from Reception to Year 9, and also develop a high level of mastery of the French language. In addition to our full-time school year curriculum, students may also choose to join La Garenne as part of our “Integration Programme”, he adds.

This offers students a unique taste of academic and boarding life over a shorter

period, after which some may choose to join the school at a later stage for the full academic year. “In summer and winter, we offer residential and day camps with a well-balanced programme — language courses of French or English in the morning (from beginner to advanced level) followed by sports, cultural and leisure activities in the afternoon,” he notes.

Whether during the school year or during camps, La Garenne provides many wonderful opportunities (languages, challenges, expeditions, charity projects, school trips around the world) that stimulate the children’s natural curiosity and teaches them valuable life skills.

In addition to providing the British curriculum, La Garenne is a CIS Member School (Council of International Schools) and a Cambridge / DELF-DALF Preparation Centre.

— suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

ApplicAtion process And Admission requirements step 1: Contact the Director of Admissions (admissions@la-garenne.ch) step 2: Visit the school (if possible) step 3: Documents (for School Year & Integration programme applications) ■ Complete the online Admission Form ■ Send scanned copies of grading reports for the last two years ■ Send scanned copies of the child’s passport and vaccination records ■ Provide a short reference letter in English or French step 4: Evaluation Test (for school year / Integration programme admission only) step 5: Decision of the Admission Committee step 6: Enrolment Fees step 7: Visa & Swiss Student Permit procedure step 8: School Fees Payment For winter or summer camps, only complete the online Admission Form

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The Capra — Saas Fee

Luxury getaway amid Swiss Alps Experience fivestar hospitality and indulge in a holistic lifestyle at The Capra — Saas Fee ! Farhana Chowdhury

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ake a grand escape to The Capra — Saas Fee for a memorable stay amid the Swiss Alps. The five-star luxury lodge is strategically located in an intimate setting that takes pride in its rustic charm.

Designed by Swiss architects, the accommodation takes the allure of a cosy chalet and blends it with modern convenience. It is adorned in organic materials, soothing colours and textures inspired by nature, giving residents a warm and refreshing destination to relax and rejuvenate.

The Capra boasts incredible panoramic views that leaves a lasting impression — from snowtipped peaks to lush valleys and wide-open skies, and the location promises an opportunity to reconnect and recharge far away from a concrete jungle.

The lodge features 24 suites and rooms, complete with plush settings and privacy to make guests feel at home. Complimentary amenities include high-speed WiFi, a 42-inch HD TV, IPTV with movies on demand and interactive news, Bluetooth entertainment systems,

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refreshments, bathrobes and slippers, complementary products and a safe.

Aesthetics aside, The Capra incorporates options for a healthy lifestyle that is synonymous to Swiss living and encourages residents to embrace the bustle-free environment. The holistic approach aims to strike chord between man and nature, while ensuring that guests receive warm Swiss hospitality through attention to detail and quality of service.

The Capra features wholesome, farm-to-table cuisine, headed by Chef Eric Glauser for a delicious dining experience. It prepares meals with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Armed with a seasonal menu, it follows a philosophy of sustainability and concocts quality and authentic dishes.

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

December 7, 2017

For winter sports enthusiasts, The Capra is an ideal destination to indulge in several activities due to its long ski season, high-quality snow and breathtaking views. After an exhilarating trip to the slopes, guests are invited to unwind and warm up in a fire-lit lounge or indulge in its library. Alternatively, they can check in to Peak Health Spa where medical and wellness experts offer customised luxury treatments and therapies based on the latest scientific advances with a focus on intelligent recovery, regeneration and holistic wellness.

[Features]

■ Ski-in – Ski-out cabin next to slopes for convenient access.

■ Entertainment zone for kids, complete games, foosball, table tennis and DVDs. ■ Private spa with a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, besides Peak Health Spa. ■ Peak Health Summer and Winter Retreats.

■ Projection room with DVDs, Satellite TV and large collection of books.

■ Wine cellar with award-winning regional and international beverages.

[accolades]

■ Received TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence ■ Ranked 2nd TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Winner 2017 (Luxury Hotels of Switzerland) ■ Ranked 3rd MySwitzerland.com Top Switzerland Luxury Hotels ■ Ranked 3rd TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Winner 2017 (Small Luxury Hotels of Switzerland) ■ Winner of Swiss Luxury Ski Resort, 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards ■ Recognised as a 15 Gault Millau point restaurant ■ Titled Tatler Top 101 Hotels 2016 ■ Boasts 9.7 rating on Booking.com

Exclusive retreats The Spa also organises exclusive Summer and Winter Retreats, a seasonal signature programme that takes guests on an immersive journey of well-being and good health. The experience not only covers nutrition and fitness, but also incorporates lifestyle improvements from better mental focus and sleep to improved energy and positive outlook.

The Peak Health Summer Retreat and the Peak Health Winter package each involves a stay at The Capra, followed by an assessment that takes into consideration the guest’s health and meal preferences, prior to starting any sessions. Once set, attendees are introduced to a mix of strength training, high intensity interval training, recovery sessions as well as fitness hikes. The Spa also offers two 60-minute treatments, unlimited access to the steam room and sauna, personalised meals, and

one-on-one session with wellness advisors to help integrate the newfound regime into daily lives.

The Winter edition is set for April 15 to 22, 2018, while the Summer

Retreat Season will take place between July 22 and September 1, 2018, with the option to extend programme over multiple weeks.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Pairing the latest technology with traditional elements, The Capra captures timeless classic in the form of chalet luxury. The Peak Health, on the other hand, prepares the mind and body for a personalised holistic lifestyle. For more information and to plan your perfect getaway, visit www.capra.ch and www.peakhealth.ch

S WI TZ ER L AN D Surval Montreux

The benefits of a Swiss education Surval Montreux provides a modern and forward-thinking curriculum

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f you’re asked to think of Switzerland: what do you picture? The majestic peaks of the Alps, the sparkling waters of the lakes that dot the landscape like jewels? The vibrancy and cosmopolitan hub of Geneva, where so many of the world’s most respected international institutions have made their home?

Luxury brands or delicious food stuffs?

Watches and jewellery or chocolate and cheese? All these things and more?

From now on, when you picture Switzerland, picture a place that has pioneered a unique type of education, one rooted in traditional values of the family with a vision to support individual students in forward-thinking ways. Encouraging a global perspective and international mindedness is at the very essence of a Swiss education, and always has been. It’s an education that puts immense emphasis on promoting a love of languages, enrichment, and on nurturing each child to develop life skills, rather than a single-minded pursuit of league

table glory. Yes, Swiss education wants children to excel, but not at the expense of their ability to carve out a path for future success.

Principal of the international all-girls boarding school Surval Montreux, Patricia Woodhouse, is proud of the education girls from around the world gain at her school.

She said: “For us it is not so much about the what, but the how. It is about supporting and nurturing the whole individual, about supporting students to become leaders who will make a difference in the world, and our school wants to foster a different kind of leadership based on empathy.”

Mrs Woodhouse explained that at Surval, this approach is built on the four pillars of courage, curiosity, openness and honesty, which weave their way through all aspects of life at this unique school, situated just over an hour by train from Geneva. Whether the girls are taking part in etiquette lessons, skiing in the Alps, supporting local and international charities, learning one of a multitude of languages or enjoying the cornucopia of foreign trips, these four pillars are integral to life at Surval.

For years families have been sending their children to international boarding schools in Switzerland from all around the world, and the schools are deeply rooted in history and

Surval Montreux is located in an exceptionally beautiful and inspirational setting and just one hour from the global city of Geneva.

Overlooking stunning Lac Léman to towering mountains beyond the sky really is the limit here!

Surval offers an internationally recognised curriculum, which includes: • International IGCSE and A Level • American High School Programme • Surval’s unique finishing-style Liberal Arts Programme Girls also enjoy an action-packed, fun-filled enrichment programme of sports, after-school and weekend activities and outings; plus the opportunity to experience some wonderful International residential trips.

Summer Camp Surval Montreux also offers a truly international Summer Camp encompassing languages and adventure for girls aged 10 to 16, which includes: • Intensive English or French lessons • Etiquette and Style Analysis • Cookery and Pastry • Art Activities and Jewellery Making • Water Sports on Lac Léman and the alpine rivers

Visit our website: www.surval.ch

tradition. Surval Montreux is no exception. It started as a Finishing School where some of the world’s international elite sent their daughters there to learn etiquette, culture and language in preparation for a life with significant responsibilities. Through the years the school developed and today provides a modern and forward-thinking education, whilst still keeping the elements of language and culture as part of the overall curricula.

Mrs Woodhouse highlighted: “Our small school with a big heart welcomes girls from all over the world to become part of its family, offering them the best of all worlds – an outward-facing community where girls learn greater cultural awareness in an extraordinary

Unique International Boarding School in Switzerland Exclusively for Girls aged 12 to 19 years

setting that allows them to develop global perspectives. Lessons in etiquette cement the experience for students who will go on to lead lives of significant responsibility, while a focus on languages – with French and English taught to all – as well as Japanese, Russian, Spanish, German and Italian – fosters in the students an appreciation of the wider world.”

Surval’s Summer Camp offers an excellent taste of what is in store exclusively for girls aged 10 to 16 who can enjoy this two- to six-week language and activity camp every June and July. It is a dazzling and energetic springboard to experience the best of Switzerland and get a taste of all that is unique about Swiss education.

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Learning in the Alps ! Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

Préfleuri is a second home for many kids growing up, surrounded by nature

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he picturesque environment of the Swiss Alps makes it even more unlikely to imagine such a school with all year boarding facilities. International Alpine School, Préfleuri, offers tuition, boarding and seasonal camps at an altitude of 1,200m in the French part of the Swiss Alps. This is no less than refined education and pure environment at its best. Undoubtedly, Préfleuri’s location is exceptional for its surroundings and the magnificent view it offers.

The school is situated on two private hectares of playground, surrounded by forests and meadows where squirrels, deer and fox still frolic. It welcomes boys and girls aged three to 13 from all over the world, as boarders or day pupils, for the academic school year, or for sports and linguistic holidays.

The philosophy of the school is to teach unparalleled quality education. It believes in respect for traditional values and trustworthiness, and is in service since 1948. Its slogan is: “A happy child is a child who will learn better…”

Préfleuri’s distinction is to provide

personal attention to each and every student, in order to help him/her develop individual skills in an innovative manner and become protagonists of their own lives. This is a conscious approach, closely overseen by a team of professional teachers and education experts.

This is why the school believes that the development of knowledge, not only for high level of academics but also on how to live, is crucial to lay the foundations of an ‘evolved’ life.

It is with all of these aims in mind that, at Préfleuri, a child is accompanied and encouraged, little by little, towards having the confidence of becoming a responsible citizen. “We pay very close attention to the general happiness and welfare of each and every child,” the school boasts in its charter.

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Special prices for kids.

For more information and reservations visit our Festive reservations desk on the Ground floor or contact us at 04 444 5613 and dine.ibnbattuta@movenpick.com.

Special care has been taken in designing the classroom atmosphere, as well as its accommodation, in the scenic mountains.

The chalet, typically Swiss, has been exclusively designed to accommodate children. It is both comfortable and functional. The chalet has several classrooms, entertainment areas, study areas and a large hall. All kinds of other basic amenities, and IT facilities, are also available at the campus.

Préfleuri’s 70 years of experience in providing educational, cultural and sports holiday camps goes a long way in helping the students feel and learn their way through the bounties of life.

The underlying intention is to bring children from all over the world and from many different cultures gather together, make friends and exchange ideas and traditions.

It is a once-in-lifetime opportunity to study with International Alpine School Préfleuri and enjoy a unique childhood.

— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com For more information: Tel: +41 24 495 23 48 Email: info@prefleuri.ch Web School: www.prefleuri.ch Web Camps: www.prefleuricamps.ch Facebook: @Prefleuri and @PrefleuriCamps

S WI TZ ER L AN D MOVENPICK ICE CREAM

JURA

Delicious scoops

Sip of Swiss excellence “Good days start with coffee” – that’s what we believe at Coffema International

try Premium Swiss ice cream from more outlets ! Latha Krishnan

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ovenpick gourmet ice cream – the perfect blend of nature’s best offerings, authentic taste and traditional Swiss ice cream craftsmanship – is to be available to ice cream lovers from more outlets all over the UAE. “Our super premium Movenpick ice cream have been available in the country for about five years now, but from leading five star hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Address and 97 others.

Recently we took the strategic decision to open Movenpick boutiques all over the country beginning with the opening of one in the Nation Towers in Abu Dhabi and another in Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai,” informs the dynamic Commercial Director for Movenpick Ice Cream, Yasir Aziz, who calls himself an ‘ice cream guy’ and waxes eloquent on the unique taste and blissful sensations of the extraordinary ice creams.

Yasir Aziz Commercial Director, Movenpick Ice Cream The only 100 per cent natural ice cream with no preservatives, additives or artificial flavours in the country and the only one fully made in Switzerland, Movenpick ice cream can be enjoyed in 28 Papa Roti cafés and 19 Pizzaro restaurants. A tempting array of them is also served in all Cathy Pacific flights operating from Dubai.

More Movenpick Ice Cream boutiques are coming up in the next few months in The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, The Gate Avenue, DIFC, Dubai, Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah, and Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi.

With so many places to indulge in ice cream that is wholly natural, tasty, unbelievably creamy, refined and well balanced, all that remains is to go and experience the blissful temptation of a Movenpick ice cream at the nearest boutique!

NEW SHOP OPENING NATION TOWERS GALLERIA, LEVEL 2 CORNICHE ROAD, ABU DHABI more swiss ice cream MOHAMMED BIN RASHID BOULEVARD, DOWNTOWN DUBAI, NEAR PARKING 2

opening soon REEM MALL, ABU DHABI

MANAR MALL, RAS UL KHEMAH

INFO UNITED - COOL .COM

THE GATE AVENUE, DIFC, DUBAI TEL: 971 4 2891569

THE POINTE, PALM JUMEIRAH, DUBAI

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n 2005, we brought one of the German market leaders in the field of installation and service of espresso machines to the UAE. Coffema International has ever since strived to enhance your coffee experience in the Middle East.

As the sole distributor for JURA coffee machines within the UAE, Coffema International offers a great range for bean-to-cup coffee solutions. Who doesn’t like waking up to the smell of delicious coffee? Our household machines make it possible to enjoy freshly ground coffee at home. If you are curious, you can find our household line in Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall and in Le BHV Marais, City Walk. Please come by and visit us there.

Our coffee machines give you the option to choose on your own brand of coffee beans. We are happy to work with partners and roasteries like Piacetto, Lavazza, Illy and RAW coffee.

When it comes to professional machines, our range includes the perfect solution for all coffee requirements, from office to restaurant or hotel. It makes it easy to find the perfect coffee machine for you and your team. We install, take care of coffee supplies and do the servicing of your machine. Our service is

personal, convenient and affordable.

We offer solutions for all types of workplaces — from small businesses, corporations and government services to multinational companies. One of our small business solutions for 20-30 cups per day comes with the JURA WE8, Italian roasted Piacetto coffee bean package of 6kg and machine service contract.

Using fresh beans brings a great taste and saves you a lot of money over the same time.

To add to our professional line, we also carry semi-manual machines like Carimali, Marco and Expobar and offer full service contract packages for our corporate customers. Full service contracts at fixed rates include all spare parts, work, etc. There are no hidden costs and regular inspection and maintenance becomes a vested interest of ours.

Please feel free to get in touch. The Coffema team is happy to assist you with inquiries.

S WI TZ E RL AN D Ricola

Effective remedy, no matter the season Ricola products feature a blend of 13 herbs that are highly effective at soothing the mouth and throat ! Farhana Chowdhury

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icola is one of the world’s most modern and innovative manufacturers of herb drops, renowned for its fine Swiss quality, with exports of six billion lozenges to more than 50 countries every year.

Founded in 1930, with company headquarters in Laufen and subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and the U.S., Ricola now produces around 60 different herb drops and tea specialities. Group sales amounted to CHF 307.2 million at the end of 2016.

“The traditional values of a family-run enterprise coupled with Swiss quality and a passion for innovation are crucial factors in the success of the Ricola global brand,” said Andreas Reckart, Head of Middle East and Travel Retail, Ricola AG. In Switzerland, the company is a pioneer in herb cultivation and places great value on using carefully selected locations and controlled, environmentally friendly cultiva-

BeStSellerS in the UAe Ricola’s range of sugar free herb drops in 45g boxes. This range comprises six different flavours, including consumer’s favourites Lemon Mint, Original Herb and Alpine Fresh, and can be found, among others, at the cashiers of Carrefour hypermarkets and Spinneys supermarkets. tion methods without the use of pesticides and herbicides. Ricola concluded fixed long-term purchase agreements with more than 100 farmers in Swiss mountain regions, and is a responsible employer of more than 400 employees and is committed to sustainable corporate management — economically, socially and ecologically.

In the Middle East, the brand has been present for nearly 20 years, mainly in the GCC countries, as well as in Egypt and Jordan. In all of those markets, Ricola is very well distributed in modern trade as well as in pharmacies.

Specialities Ricola’s product range runs the gamut from drops to pearls to teas, all based on herbs and in different flavours. “We give our herbs the time they need to grow. But once they have been harvested, we have to work quickly.

Because fresh herbs are sensitive, it is not good to keep them in transit for long periods of time.

This is why we cultivate and process our herbs

right here in Switzerland,” said Reckart.

The plants are sent to the Herb Centre at its production site in Laufen, where they are dried, cleaned, cut, stored, and mixed. Next, the natural essences and active ingredients are extracted from the herbs and mixed together with all the other ingredients. This mixture is cooked, moulded into drops and pearls, and left to cool. In other words, every single step of the production process takes place in Switzerland.

Adherence to sustainability Ricola embraces a sustainable approach in its thoughts and actions, which has been the cornerstone of all corporate management decisions for decades.

“Our sustainability strategy rests on strong foundations, as reflected in our corporate motto, ‘Sustainability is our way of life’,” Reckart added.

Future ventures Looking ahead, Ricola is working its way to become a household brand in the Middle East.

“One focus area in this context is to build our brand and increase awareness. We are currently doing this with a tailored presence on social media, e.g. our regional Facebook page in English and Arabic, as well as with our regional Instagram channel,” Reckart shared.

By end November Ricola will also launch for the first time a pan Arab TV campaign. At the

Andreas Reckart, Head of Middle East and Travel Retail, Ricola AG

Protect yoUr heAlth with ricolA With the change of weather, many people in the UAE are suffering from cough and colds.

Ricola products, which include a mixture of 13 herbs, are highly effective at soothing the mouth and throat. In addition, they also taste great. Therefore, enjoying a couple of Ricola herb drops every day certainly helps to make the best of the cooler time of the year.

same time, it aims to expand distribution within established markets to new channels, such as the traditional trade and convenience stores, and venture into new markets.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

S WI TZ E RL AN D BBC Cellpack

Specialists in cable connecting systems BBC Cellpack integrates the power of innovation to create cable connections and accessories for low and medium voltage

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or more than 50 years, and right up to the present day, BBC Cellpack has produced only one thing: cable connection systems and accessories for low and medium voltage. This has given it a unique know-how, covering the entire range from preparation of raw materials, specification of cast resins and gels, creating the formulas for the plastics, to installation

DICOTA and packaging of our cable accessories.

Being an SME company within the Behr Bircher Cellpack (BBC) Group in Villmergen/ Switzerland, BBC Cellpack Electrical Products has successfully established itself in the global markets, in the fields of development, production and customeroriented sales of cable connecting systems and accessories for the low and medium voltage up to 42 kV.

We connect your energy

Sophisticated solutions DICOTA’s premium products offer high craftsmanship and great functionality ! Deepa Narwani

Tradition and the power of innovation – this defines the high-quality product portfolio from BBC Cellpack Electrical Products. Ensuring the supply performance in the distribution network takes priority in all its developments. The special system solutions and products that have been developed by BBC Cellpack for this complex and demanding application contribute significantly to ensuring its performance.

The comprehensive portfolio includes a finely tuned product range of cable connecting systems in heat shrink-, cast resin- and gel variants as well as cable accessories, plugs and pot-end joints from Compax-, Cellplux-, Contrax- and Hybrid technologies for screened or unscreened polymeric cables as well as paper-insulated cables.

Electrical, insulating and mounting tapes, as well as accessory products such as cleaning and protective sprays, useful tools for connecting and branching of low and medium voltage cables round off the portfolio.

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or over two decades, DICOTA has been delivering state-of-the-art, innovative and durable carrying solutions for notebooks and tablets, for both B2B and B2C alike. Dedication to quality and design combined with practical functionality are key factors to the company’s success.

Eshi Jerome, Regional Director – India, Middle East and Africa at DICOTA, highlights: “We have a wide variety of products catering to all demographics including business travellers, adventurers and casual users. Recently, we launched an exclusive backpack range for gamers, and in the beginning of FY18 we are launching two new ranges catering to the younger generation called STYLE and SCALE.” DICOTA products offer value for money, high craftsmanship along with quality materials and functionality that has propelled it into the premium category. Its exclusive range for Apple like the CODE series, along with the flagship PRO series is one of the company’s bestsellers. Recently, DICOTA launched the E-Sports gaming backpack as well as the adven-

ture range in ACTIVE backpacks that have seen high demand.

DICOTA took a step further and became a member of BSCI (www. bsci-intl.org). The firm is deeply dedicated to improving Eshi Jerome, Regional working conditions in global Director - India & MEA supply chains.

BSCI’s eleven-point charter not only covers comprehensive worker protection, but also health and safety provisions and workplace equality. DICOTA’s team in Hong Kong ensures its partners also fully comply with criteria on-site.

Jerome credits the firm’s team consisting of motivated specialists in fuelling growth in new markets within EMEA and Asia especially in the last four years.

When asked about DICOTA’s future plans, Jerome shares, “Moving forward our clear focus is the UAE and Saudi Arabia along with emerging markets such as India and Africa.

That’s why we have now set up our MEA Headquarters in Dubai, which is a full-fledged office and will include a local warehouse in the near future.” — deepa@khaleejtimes.com