Audio: Our debit card could soon go the way of the chequebook and become a relic in terms of how we make purchases. RFID (radio-frequency identification technology) will allow us to tap and swipe our way to simple transactions - but is it secure? Nicolai Solling, Director of Technology Services at HelpAG Middle East, speaks to Steven Bond about the RFID trend and potential security issues.
Audio: High Definition (HD) television across the Middle East is set to grow with the satellite delivery service being offered by Abu Dhabi based Yahlive, part of the Mubadala owned Yahsat. Phil Blizzard talks to Mohamed Youssif, CEO, Yahlive about the formation of Yahlive and the service it offers to broadcasters and viewers.
Audio: High Definition (HD) television across the Middle East is set to grow with the satellite delivery service being offered by Abu Dhabi based Yahlive, part of the Mubadala owned Yahsat. Phil Blizzard talks to Mohamed Youssif, CEO, Yahlive about the formation of Yahlive and the service it offers to broadcasters and viewers.
Audio: Longer and longer super yachts is the trend amongst the super-rich and UAE based yacht manufacturer Gulf Craft is supplying this demand as Erwin Bamps, COO, Gulf Craft explains to Phil Blizzard during a visit to their Majesty 135 super yacht.
Audio: The 100 year heritage of luxury brand Aston Martin is spoken about by CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez in conversation with Phil Blizzard. He talks about the importance of the Middle East market and why Dubai was chosen for spectacular event of airlifting, by helicopter, an Aston Martin Vanquish onto the helipad at Burj Al Arab.
Audio: Craig Plum, Head of Research, Jones Lang LaSalle, MENA talking to Phil Blizzard in this edition of Property Talk provides an overview of the expected trends in Abu Dhabi, during 2013, for the residential, commercial and hospitality sectors. 'A Tale of Two Cities' is the theme adopted by Jones Lang LaSalle for their outlook on the UAE property market during 2013.
Audio: The commercial viability across the region of power production from solar energy is the focus of this podcast with Declan Hayes, MD, Transaction & Restructuring Services, Middle East Region, Deloitte. Talking to Phil Blizzard he addresses issues such as the impact of the global economy on the development of a strong renewable energy sector, home-grow talent to develop this sector and the need of external funding.
Audio: H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, President, Transparency Authority, Qatar, Deputy Prime Minister, Qatar talks to Phil Blizzard on what it means to be awarded the MEED Lifetime Achievement Award. He also speaks about the highlights of his career and the news of Shell discovering gas in the 1970's and the disappointment because it was not oil. H.E. has held numerous key posts, including Minister of Energy & Industry, also Chairman, Qatar Petroleum and President of OPEC.
Audio: Twitter's rapid expansion in the Middle East has continued since the events of the Arab Spring, which began over two years ago.
Now with 200 million active monthly users, Shailesh Rao, Twitter's VP of International Operations, talks to Steven Bond about the sustained popularity of the microblogging platform - and speaks in broad terms about Twitter's strategy for continued expansion
Audio: Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports provides an overview of their achievements in 2013 with passenger numbers of 57.6 million exceeding the target of 56 million. Talking to Phil Blizzard in the newly opened Concourse A, dedicated to Emirates and their A380 aircraft, he talks about the new facility - from a design perspective through to operations. He also talks about expectations for 2013 and the development of the new Concourse D.
Audio: The all new Maserati Quattroporte has been launched in the Middle East at a spectacular event held at Meydan, Dubai by Al Tayer Motors. At the event Phil Blizzard spoke to Umberto Cini, GM, Maserati Overseas Markets about the strong heritage of the Quattroporte and the key features of the all new model.
Audio: Emirates has launched live television as it continues to enhance its very comprehensive on-board entertainment service. The new offering is called 'ice TV Live' and Patrick Brannelly, VP, Passenger Communications, Emirates talks to Phil Blizzard about the channels it will offer, the technology involved and some of the other services they offer to keep passengers connected.
Audio: The world's first airport terminal dedicated to the Airbus A380 has opened at Dubai International Airport, with Concourse A being used exclusively by Emirates Airline. A rail system connects the new concourse to Terminal 3 so Phil Blizzard jumps on-board the train to begin a tour of the $3.2 billion facility - the 'Home of the A380'.
Audio: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Flydubai announced that the airline recorded its first full year of profits in 2012. Phil Blizzard reports on the results and speaks to Ghaith al Ghaith, CEO, Flydubai about the financial results and the possible order of a further 50 aircraft, which if agreed upon will take their fleet to 100.
Audio: TravelTalk from the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai and as the hotel enters its third year of operation Phil Blizzard talks to Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager about the opening of the Music Hall, and in the near future The Supper Club, both which will place the resort high on the elite entertainment scene.
Audio: A second year of profit for the UAE national airline Etihad Airways has been announced with a net profit of US$42 million in 2012. Phil Blizzard reports on the announcement made by James Hogan, President & CEO, Etihad Airways who said "This has been a game changing year for the airline".
Audio: RIM is now simply 'Blackberry', it was announced yesterday as the former phone giant unveiled the new Z10 and Q10 models. Steven Bond was at the Dubai launch, syncronised with other venues around the globe, curious to see whether the former phone giant could once again rival Apple and Samsung. He discussed the new offerings with Chris Corsi, Blackberry's Country Director for the UAE, Oman and Pakistan.
Audio: In this edition of TravelTalk Phil Blizzard visits the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai to talk to Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager about key moments during their two years of operations. Christophe talks about how the resort is developing as it enters its third year and how they are introducing the first Supperclub into the region.
The strategy for 2013, which includes the launch of their boldest and most dynamic Rolls Royce to date, is given by Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO, Rolls Royce Motor Cars. Talking to Phil Blizzard he also gives an overview of their global market in 2012, indicating that the Middle East, and in particular the KSA, has not reached its full potential yet. He also provides an insight into the resurgent luxury car market by UK automobile manufacturers.
Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO, Rolls Royce Motor Cars talks to Phil Blizzard about the factors driving their record breaking growth and where both the UAE and KSA fit into their global sales top 10. He also talks about the significance of their bespoke options, with Abu Dhabi boasting the highest uptake in the world.
Greg Wiebe, Head of Tax, KPMG International focuses, in part 2, on indirect taxation such as Value Added Tax (VAT), which has the key benefit of offering governments a secure revenue source. He talks to Phil Blizzard on how VAT could be introduced in the GCC region, the complexity of local taxation rules and regulations for multi-nationals as they expand their business operations, particularly in developing countries.
Audio: Storage technology in the region, particularly in the UAE, is at the cutting edge with companies are buying 'lot and lots' of the latest solution and investing without having to worry too much about archaic legacy solutions. Steven Bond spoke to Andrew Calthorpe, CEO of Dubai-based IT storage firm Condo Protego, about what is going on in the industry, virtualisation, and their work within Dubai.
Audio: An impressive line-up of luxury automobiles greets visitors to the World Luxury Expo which has made its global debut at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. Phil Blizzard joins Paul Jackson, CEO, World Luxury Group in the impressive Grand Pavilion, surrounded by an equally impressive showcase of items from world's leading luxury brands.
Audio: Dubai based Just Falafel has opened its first store outside of the Middle East in Covent Garden, London. Phil Blizzard joins Fadi Malas, CEO, Just Falafel to talk about their London presence and their expansion plans in the UK capital, for what is one of the fastest growing franchise operations.
Key changes in direct taxation around the world include significant increases in personal taxation in many countries, whilst corporate tax is still on the downward trend. Greg Wiebe, Head of Tax, KPMG International talks to Phil Blizzard about taxation trends around the world and the present immunity of the UAE to such trends. He also talks about the significance of the 50 tax treaties signed by the UAE with countries around the globe, as well of the strong oil price.
Audio: One of Dubai's most popular beach front resorts has just re-opened after being closed for 11 months. Phil Blizzard visits Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina to look at the refurbished property and talks to Stewart Selbie, GM, Mina Seyahi Complex about the new product and why it was necessary to close.
Audio: The focus is on SMEs and the protection of their IT infrastructure in part two with Ray Stanton, VP Professional Services, BT Global Services. He also talks to Phil Blizzard about how the advent of Quantum computing, and along with the migration from IP4 to IP6, could lead to the entire internet system collapsing in a Doomsday scenario.
Audio: Audio: "Resilience form cyber-attacks is essential to maintain business efficiency, where ever in the world you operate says" Ray Stanton, VP Professional Services, BT Global Services. Talking to Phil Blizzard he provides an overview of BT services in the Middle East, including their 'Prosperity' programme and looks at some of the key IT threats in this region.
Audio: "Resilience from cyber-attacks is essential to maintain business efficiency, wherever in the world you operate" says Ray Stanton, VP Professional Services, BT Global Services. Talking to Phil Blizzard he provides an overview of BT services in the Middle East, including their 'Prosperity' programme and looks at some of the key IT threats in this region.
Audio: A round up of travel and tourism news from across the region with Phil Blizzard featuring the latest airline developments, including generator problems for Qatar Airways and their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, aircraft deliveries for Emirates and new destinations for both airlines. Hospitality developments include the opening of the first 4 star beach front hotel in Dubai and the arrival of Trader Vic's at Dubai Festival City. Plus a round-up of regional winners at the finals of the World Travel Awards.
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