(BUSINESS WIRE)–iFOREX, Forex broker and currency exchange provider, has recently released their new PDF guide, Profit from the News, illustrating how to benefit from your daily routine for beginner traders. The simple guide is catered toward the individual, making it available in an array of languages including Arabic which can be found at http://www.iforex.ae

With a mass influx of new traders every year, iFOREX strives to keep them up-to-date with accessible trading guides and tutorials. Profit from the News is comprehensive short tutorial explaining different ways a trader can read the daily newspaper and take advantage ofthe movements in the financial markets. The PDF provides a basic foundation for beginner traders, highlighting various examples of how to leverage news events and rules that top traders follow in order to benefit from current events.

The senior marketing executive of iFOREX was quoted as saying, “We are delighted to addProfit from the News to our database of educational material for new traders. Not only does the easy-to-read guide introduce beginner traders to the Forex market, but it illustrates how to take advantage of your daily routine to maximize your trading potential. Learning how to analyze the daily news is something that can be very helpful for beginner traders.”

It is imperative for a beginner trader to learn about the Forex market before starting to trade. iFOREX recognizes this and continues to provide comprehensive learning guides to their new traders. For more information about the Forex market and for various trading tools, please visit http://traderbase.iforex.com

* Territorial restrictions may apply. iFOREX does not offer its services in the BVI

The English-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the English-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

iFOREX Group

Nathan Phillips

Public Relations

pr@iforex.com

(BUSINESS WIRE)– Covidien plc (NYSE: COV) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on February 22, 2012, to shareholders of record on January 30, 2012.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.comto learn more about our business.

Contacts

Covidien plc

Eric Kraus, 508-261-8305

Senior Vice President

Corporate Communications

eric.kraus@covidien.com

Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343

Vice President

Investor Relations

cole.lannum@covidien.com

Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372

Vice President

Public Relations

bruce.farmer@covidien.com

Todd Carpenter, 508-452-4363

Director

Investor Relations

todd.carpenter@covidien.com

QNB Group, one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa, continued to record robust growth in profitability, with Net Profit for 2011 exceeding QR7.5 billion, up by 32% compared to 2010.

The Board of Directors is recommending to the General Assembly the distribution of a cash dividend of 40% of the nominal share value (QR4.0 per share) and a bonus shares of 10% of share capital (One share for every 10 shares). The financial results for 2011 along with the profit distributions are subject to Qatar Central Bank approval.

Total assets increased by 35% to reach QR302 billion, the highest ever achieved by the Group. This was the result of a strong growth rate of 47% in loans and advances to reach QR194 billion. Meanwhile, customer deposits recorded solid growth of 21% to QR200 billion.

The Bank was able to maintain the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans at 1.1%, a level considered to be the lowest amongst banks in the Middle East and North Africa. Provisions were conservatively managed, as the coverage ratio reached 119%.

The efficiency ratio (cost to income ratio) improved to 15.7%, compared to 17.0% in 2010, one of the best ratios among financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa.

QNB Group was able to record a strong return to shareholders, with the return on average shareholder’s equity reaching 24.8% in 2011.

QNB Group’s capital adequacy ratio increased to 22.0% in 2011, far higher than the regulatory requirements of Qatar Central Bank and Basel Committee.

QNB Group’s leading role in the banking sector and the high quality of its assets, along with its capabilities to achieve sustained growth in all activities, were demonstrated clearly in its credit rating, with Standard & Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s affirming the Bank’s ratings during 2011, which are among the highest in the region. Also, Capital Intelligence upgraded the Bank’s Financial Strength Rating from A+ to AA- and affirmed all other ratingsin recognition of QNB’s sound financial position, high asset quality and leading role in the banking sector.

In 2011, QNB Group completed the acquisition of a controlling stake of 70% in Bank Kesawan in Indonesia, and launched its operations in Lebanon and South Sudan. With these expansions, QNB Group currently operating in 24 countries around the world through its network, subsidiaries and associate companies, and employs about 7,000 staff operating from 334 branch and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 600 machines.

A new 5-year strategic plan was approved which aims to make QNB Group a Middle East and Africa Icon. The new strategy aims to maintain the Group’s position as the leading bank in the area by expanding and improving operations, diversifying income sources, and achieving a high return to shareholders.

Contacts

QNB

PR Department

+974-44-25-2477

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Sunday, December 11th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

Steel, Metal and Building Material companies based in Jafza generated trade worth AED 12.26 billion in 2010 registering a growth of 14% last year in comparison to AED 10.75 billion in 2009. The figures reflect trade of construction and building materials including iron, steel, cement, plastering materials, stone and other similar goods.

Jafza officials announced these figures at the 7th Strategic Customer Forum held specifically for Free Zone customers in the Steel, Metal and Building Material Sectors.

Ibrahim Aljanahi, Jafza Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of EZW UAE region stated that he expected to see the sectors in the region grow in the next few years. He said: “The recent wave of GCC-wide infrastructure projects that have been announced by Governments in the region are expected to drive construction industry recovery.”

Mr. Aljanahi was referring to a recent report that states the GCC plans to invest a $3 trillion in an ambitious investment plan by 2020. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar account for almost 80 per cent of the on-going $452 billion worth of infrastructure projects that are expected to give a much needed boost to the GCC construction industry, according to a recent report by market research specialists Ventures Middle East.

Mr. Aljanahi added: “With its strategic proximity to the port and its unmatched facilities, Jafza is uniquely positioned to cater to the building materials industry and facilitate its growth. The industry was affected by the slump in 2008 but 2009 and 2010 saw an upturn and we are sure this momentum can be maintained. This Strategic Forum is a platform for us to exchange ideas with the industry’s movers and shakers and create genuine dialogue on how we can work together to sustain growth.”

Over the last ten years, Jafza has been playinga catalytic role in attracting and retaining FDI and has seen a 12-fold growth in the number of companies in the steel, metal and building materials sector that grew from 61 in 2000 to 730 in 2010.

Corporate business heads fromleading construction and building materials companies including Conares Metal Supply, Doka Middle East, Essar Steel, Tata Steel, Qatar Steel, Al Nimr Steel and Danube Building Material who conduct their regional operations from Jafza currently, attended the event.

Senior officials from Jafza and partners including Dubai Customs, DP World, Civil Engineering Department (CED), Environment Health and Safety (EHS) Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dubai Trade and Dubai Municipality collectively addressed queries and suggestions to improve operations and free zone effectiveness.

The Strategic Customer Forum was the seventh in a series of industry events initiated by Jafza to encourage dialogue with key clients to facilitate growth in respective sectors. The first six forums were held for clients in the Logistics, Chemical/Oil & Gas, Automotive, Machinery & Equipment Manufacturing, Electronics and IT and FMCG and Pharmaceutical products industries.

Contacts

Media contact:

Adeti Changulani,

Hasaad Communications

Mob: +971 50 429 5576

adeti.changulani@hasaad.ae

(BUSINESS WIRE)– Moody’s Analytics, a leader in risk measurement and management, today announced the launch of RiskAuthorityTM, its next generation regulatory capital management solution. A comprehensive Basel I, II, and III compliance solution, RiskAuthority enables risk professionals to calculate, consolidate and report their organization’s credit, market, operational, concentration and liquidity risk.

Developed specifically for banks, credit institutions and clearing houses, RiskAuthority calculates regulatory capital, leverage and liquidity ratios and displays the results in a flexible and intuitive manner. RiskAuthority’s integrated risk platform helps financial institutions comply with regulations by centralizing Basel III capital and liquidity risk data. Its solution’s built-in data quality and audit capabilities provide clean, consistent and transparent data.

“Regulations are challenging financial services companies to reassess their current data, analytics, and reporting infrastructure,” says Jodi Alperstein, Managing Director, Product Management at Moody’s Analytics. “From sourcing and consolidating the data, to delivering enhanced regulatory reports on time, banks are under ever growing pressure to comply. RiskAuthority offers a flexible and timely solution that will help them meet these challenges, while delivering streamlined processes and greater risk insight.”

RiskAuthority offers more than 2,000 pre-configured reporting templates satisfying group and multi-jurisdiction reporting requirements for over 50 national supervisors. Users can customize their regulatory reports and import results from other systems.

“Stricter regulations are causing financial institutions to take a more integrated view of their credit and liquidity risks. Solutions that help financial institutions streamline their regulatory data and deliver consistent regulatory calculations and reports will be in demand,” said Peyman Mestchian Managing Partner at Chartis Research, a leading provider of research and analysis on the global market for risk technology.

A key benefit of RiskAuthority is its open architecture, which works with existing data source systems for smoother data extraction and loading. RiskAuthority’s flexible data layer allows customers to expand the number of users and data volumes, and integrate into any additional upstream and downstream systems. The modular enterprise risk management platform also offers an integrated solution for regulatory and economic capital, ALM, liquidity risk, origination and stress testing.

For more information, please visit www.moodysanalytics.com/riskauthority.

ABOUT MOODY’S ANALYTICS

Moody’s Analytics helps capital markets and risk management professionals worldwide respond to an evolving marketplace with confidence. The company offers unique tools and best practices for measuring and managing risk through expertise and experience in credit analysis, economic research and financial risk management. By providing leading-edge software, advisory services, and research, including the proprietary analysis of Moody’s Investors Service, Moody’s Analytics integrates and customizes its offerings to address specific business challenges. Moody’s Analytics is a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO), which reported revenue of $2 billion in 2010, employs approximately 4,700 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 27 countries. Further information is available at www.moodysanalytics.com.

Contacts

Moody’s Analytics

Corporate Communications

JESSICA SCHAEFER, 212-553-4494

Communications Strategist

jessica.schaefer@moodys.com

“The GCC will see continuous development and show above-average growth at 3.9 per cent in 2012, compared to flat lining scenarios in the USA and, perhaps worse in Europe,” highlighted Hamilton-Clark adding that TNS MENA’s recent move to new, modern open space offices was designed to support this growth trend.

Hamilton-Clark said that a key growth indicator is that the Middle East’s internet and digital market has grown by 1,800 per cent in the last ten years.

“Internet penetration in the region is showing one of highest in the world today,” he said. TNS recently concluded the second TNS Global Digital Life research series and is set to present exclusive insights of the market at this month’s TNS Executive Forum.

He went to suggest that the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and now South Africa – will also feature in the region’s economic buoyancy.

“With the rise of BRICS, the global economy has already seen significant shifts in its balance. It is now the turn of the region. The GCC States have been fast to forge alliances with the BRICS markets by increasing bi-lateral trade and investment, at the same time seeking to build stronger links with other new and emerging economies, including China, mapping a modern-day Silk Route.”

He observed that as US and European economies respond to the economic downturn with flat-line activity, many companies are looking to enter the MENA region to leverage its growth opportunities.

“We are already meeting the influx of new market entry requiring specific data and insights into the region. TNS covers the whole MENA region and our consumer connection expertise enables clients to make informed decisions in leading sectors including FMCG, Technology, Finance, Media, Healthcare and Automotive.“

TNS recently reinforced its regional presence by moving to a 2,300 square metre state-of-the-art office in the heart of Dubai to further ensure capabilities to address this increasing demand and changing client needs across all sectors.
Meanwhile, Hamilton-Clark also warned that developed economies are already facing challenges of ageing populations and an increase in the demand for government support for this age group. On the contrary, the GCC looks to have a relatively low dependency ratio of pensioners to working age population by 2020, with the high youth population needing support.

“The recent Arab Spring has highlighted the immense challenges of supporting a population with a huge youth cohort. Indeed, as much as 65 per cent of the regional population is under the age of 24 and with this challenge comes immense opportunities for growth and investment across all sectors of the economy from education to the automotive sector, to fmcg products, travel and leisure and much more.”

He said that these dynamics, and more, see the region positioned to greatly influence and even re-shape global trends.

“TNS research delves deep to find out who is engaging with brands and looks to counsel a 200+ strong client-base, working with them to craft winning brand communication strategies.

“For example, our research series such as the ‘Arab As Consumer’, ‘ARAC 2020 Women’, ‘Brands, Islam and the New Muslim Consumer’, and ‘Shabab Tek’ offers unique insight to 17 regional youth markets,” concluded Hamilton-Clark.

Every year across the MENA region the company’s consumer intelligence is shaped from over 650,000+ exclusive consumer conversations and 3,200+ focus groups conducted by over 150 research experts who use this insight to offer accurate end-to-end counsel and solutions to clients.

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About TNS MENA
A part of TNS global, the world’s largest custom market research organisation, TNS MENA was established in 1980 to cater to growing markets of the Middle East. TNS MENA shares and supports the vision of TNS Global. As the world’s leading Custom Market Research organisation, TNS operates across a vast network of over 80 countries.

With the acquisition of a majority stake in RMS, announced in December 2010, TNS now has the widest footprint of any agency across the African continent and Middle East region. Today TNS MENA is the largest full-service agency in MENA region with 150 research experts delivering accurate business insight and counsel to its 200 plus client base.

In MENA region TNS focuses on creating valuable market research in the leading sectors including: FMCG; Technology; Finance; Media; Healthcare; Automotive.

TNS MENA has pioneered Consumer understanding studies in regional markets with three main studies; Arab as a Consumer, Digital Life and Mobile Life and Consumer Sentiment & Confidence. The Arab as a Consumer study is a syndicated study organised by TNS MENA since 1987. ARAC 2020 Women study and Brands, Islam and the New Muslim Consumer are some of the niche extensions of the consumer studies with Shabab Tek, a youth study offers unique insight in GCC youth markets.

Over last few years, TNS MENA has achieved a volume of over 650,000 quantitative surveys and 3,200 focus groups per year in the region, thus being the number one market research and intelligence company in region.

Istanbul, Turkey November 2011: The outlook of the Turkish tourism industry is more buoyant than ever, with an increasing number of international and local hotel companies investing in the sector, said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, co-organiser of the Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), to be held in Istanbul from February 6-8 2012.

“It is the ideal time to invest in Turkey’s hospitality sector with international tourist arrivals expected reach 33 million by 2012[1]. Indeed, more than 1.4[2] million Arab visitors are recorded so far this year.”

Figures reveal that the tourism sector is currently contributing 11 per cent year on year economic growth, with Istanbul seeing a 30 per cent increase in tourist revenue for 2011. Worsley noted that this sets the pace for Turkey to achieve its goal of welcoming 70 million tourist arrivals by 2023 – the 100th Anniversary of the Republic.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Önkal, Managing Partner, BDO Hospitality Consulting in Turkey warned that investment in the sector is crucial.

“One of the key drivers of sustainable development is the consistent flow of investment and Turkey is lucky as it does not face the same challenges with financing as other markets. There does however need to be a more strategic drive that appreciates the needs of the market, as well as recognition of the unique requirements of a hotel development, as opposed to other asset classes.”

Önkal said that Turkey is at the beginning of a property boom and that investors and stakeholders have yet to fully identify and utilise the investment opportunities presented by the tourism and hospitality sector, proven to be a catalyst for economic growth.

Worsley said that the upcoming CATHIC will address both the opportunities and challenges, specifically those related to the availability of capital. “We will be joined by representatives from major Turkish banks and will discuss hotel financing structures and lending criteria, as well as issues involved in ensuring properties provide long term return on investment for owners”.

The conference programme includes speakers with knowledge and expertise in regional and international hotel development, finance, hotel branding and operations, plus sessions giving perspectives from industry analysts.

Key speakers at CATHIC 2012 include Cevdet Akcay, Chief Economist, Yapi Kredi Bank; Denis Hennequin, President & CEO, Accor SA; Eric Danziger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Hotel Group; Angela Brav, Chief Executive Officer – Europe, IHG; Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Atilla Ozturk, CEO & Board Member, ASTAY; Serdar Bilgili, Chairman, Bilgili Holding; Simon Vincent, President – Europe, Hilton Worldwide; Roeland Vos, President EAME, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; and Lado Sakvarelidze, Chief Financial Officer, Redix.

In addition to the conference programme, CATHIC offers various networking opportunities, as well as an exhibition. Delegates will have ample opportunity to meet other participants, discuss opportunities and to do business.
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Platinum sponsors BDO, Corinthia Hotels, Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International, Hilton Worldwide, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), Marmara Hotels & Residences, Wyndham Hotel Group

Gold sponsors Accor Hospitality, AECOM Design + Planning, Best Western International, Carlson & The Rezidor Hotel Group, Horwath HTL, Hyatt International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Jumeirah Group, Marriott International, Inc, Orient-Express Hotels, Rixos Hotels, Servotel Corporation, The Rezidor Hotel Group, T&T Consulting, WATG

Media partners Destinations of the World News, Europaproperty, Global Hotel Network.com, Hotel Analyst, Hotel Management, Hsyndicate, Hurriyet Daily Travel News, Istanbul Deluxe, Oxford Business Group, Sleeper Magazine

Supporters International Tourism Partner (ITP), EHL, World Toursim & Travel Council (WTTC), Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Turkish Investors Association (TYD), EMITT

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC) – February 6th – 8th 2012, Ceylan Intercontinental, Istanbul. To register to attend this event, and for details of the conference programme, please visit www.cathic.com

CATHIC is co-organised by Bench Events and Questex Media, who also organise the Russia and CIS Hotel Investment Conference, Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, International Hotel Investment Forum Asia Pacific and the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin.

About the Turkish Tourism Investors Association
(Türkiye Turizm Yatırımcıları Dernegi -TYD)
Established in 1988, TYD is a private, non-governmental association comprising the principal tourism investors in Turkey. TYD members represent two thirds of all private investment in tourism in Turkey. The organisation’s objectives include increasing Turkey’s share of the global tourism industry, bringing together entrepreneurs who wish to invest in the tourism sector, and promoting the importance of the tourism sector to the Turkish economy to a wide audience. TYD members represent two thirds of private investment in tourism in Turkey and the organisation works with government and non-governmental organisations in furthering its objectives. For further information, please visit www.ttyd.org.tr

About Bench Events
Bench Events has a long track record in hosting the premier hotel investment events in Europe and the Middle East. Bench Events’ Chairman, Jonathan Worsley, is one of the organisers and founders of the highly successful International Hotel Investment Forum now in its fourteenth year (www.berlinconference.com). In 2005, he was responsible for launching the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai (www.arabianconference.com); in 2008 launched the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (www.russia-cisconference.com) and in 2011 will premier the Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (www.cathic.com). Bench Events’ sister company, JW Bench, is a benchmarking company that has successfully launched the Conference Bench and the Productivity Bench. An industry first, the Conference Bench, measures performance data for conference and banqueting space in hotels 10 cities throughout Europe and the Middle East. www.benchevents.com

About HotelWorld Network – Questex Media Group LLC
The HotelWorld Network encompasses a series of publications and live events that provide news and networking to the largest group of hospitality professionals in the industry. HotelWorld Network delivers hotel industry news through its print publications Hotel & Motel Management and Hotel Design magazines in addition to its innovative breaking-news portal www.hotelworldnetwork.com. The HotelWorld Network also offers cutting-edge educational content and valuable networking opportunities via its International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Berlin, IHIF Asia Pacific, Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference, Distressed Hotels Summit, Central Asia & Turkey Hotel Investment Forum, HotelWorld Asia, and transform: design differently.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Tuesday, November 15th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

Polish Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Beata Stelmach, together with top officials and businessmen from Poland visited the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and held talks with Jafza officials to explore closer cooperation and initiatives to strengthen bilateral economic ties between Poland and the UAE through the free zone.

The visiting delegation expressed interest in Jafza’s world-class business model that has continued to garner interest from businesses and Governments across the globe. The delegation headed by Polish Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, included Polish Undersecretary of State, Ministry of State Treasury, Ambassador to the UAE, Chairman of Polski Bank, Heads of Polish Energy companies Grupa Lotos and Petrolinvest among other officials.

Senior officials from Economic Zones World (EZW), Jafza’s parent company, including Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Jafza Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of EZW UAE region, welcomed the delegation, to discuss the investment climate in the UAE in general and Dubai and Jafza in particular.

The overall trade between Dubaiand Poland was valued at AED 1.8 billion in 2010, according to Dubai World’s Statistics Department. Imports stood at AED 1.63 billion while exports and re-exports were AED 123.7 million and AED 44 million respectively. Jafza facilitated 43% of Dubai’s trade with Poland valued at AED 783.6 million and the delegation visit will highlight the potential to further increase mutual cooperation between the countries.

Economic Zones World officials briefed the visiting group on Jafza’s dynamic business model and how it has become the leading industrial, warehousing and distribution hub in the Middle East contributing to the economic development of the Dubai and the nation.

Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi said: “As a gateway to the Middle East and Asia, Dubai is ideally placed for European companies to use as a base to reach out to the larger region. We believe this is an opportune time for Polish businesses looking at emerging markets to expand their business activities in. The rapid growth of Asia in the face of the global recession has opened up the doors for many opportunities. This visit provided the delegation an insight into the Jafza’s 26 years of experience and how the free zone has molded itself into one of the most attractive investment destinations in the MENA region.”

Al Janahi added: “Our talks were fruitful in highlighting areas where we could jointly work together to enhance in bilateral economic development between the countries to increase the level of global investments.”

Contacts

Hasaad Communications

Adeti Changulani,

+971 50 429 5576

adeti.changulani@hasaad.ae

GEW, organized byQueenRaniaCenterfor Entrepreneurship (QRCE) and 45 other local and regional establishments, aims at strengthening the culture of entrepreneurship and engaging youth and other society segments in building a better future for the country. With IrisGuard as a strategic partner for the second time, the week’s activities shed light on entrepreneurial ideas and experiences that should further establish the Kingdom’s role as a regional entrepreneurship hub.

“Preparations for the world’s largest single event for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity are on the way, and we are only a few moments away from its launch. The week is packed with workshops and field activities that continue QRCE’s tradition of offering a variety of events and educational opportunities encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting start-up companies,” stated Farhan Kalaldeh, Executive Director at QRCE.

“QRCE designed GEW activities and programs to strengthen youth role in economic development, by allowing innovators to turn their ideas into businesses and projects targeting local, regional and global markets,” he added.

Kalaldeh appealed to the youth to participate actively in the various events and activities within the GEW, pointing out the added-value workshops, sessions, and discussions could bring to the participants, and the role it could play in developing the youth’s capabilities and skills, and the opportunity to meet investors and supporters.

Remarkably, Jordanranked 16^th globally for hosting the GEW 2010. According to the international ranking of 105 countries,Jordan’s hosting of the GEW was the best in the region, and worthy to be ranked 1st in theMiddle East.

“We believe in the importance of the upcoming generations in developing and leading entrepreneurial projects, in addition to their creativity and ability to support various sectors and industries. We also believe in the importance of investing in human capital, which we consider one of the essential pillars inJordan, for the sustainability of the economic development. This is what we are emphasizing through our programs conducted in partnership with QRCE and other none-profit organizations,” stated Imad Malhas, Founder & CEO of IrisGuard.

“Sponsoring GEW falls within one of the most basic ideas behind our company. We are keen on preparing a suitable environment for innovators to unleash their ideas, turning them into viable projects that could stimulate and sustain development,” Malhas added.

A host of renowned innovators, executives, consultants, and entrepreneurs are participating in GEW this year, in addition to governmental and non-governmental supporters, private and international establishments. Many organizations will present workshops on their objectives and programs, and explain how to obtain support and funding, and inspire youth to incubate innovation and creativity.

The event aims at linking youth all around the world via national, regional, and global activities designed to unleash their latent capabilities, allowing millions of young people to participate in thought building that is consistent with the current world situation.

Noting that GEW began in the year 2008 in more than 90 countries, supported by hundreds of companies and establishments to organize thousands of activities and events targeting all society segments, with a special focus on youth, as it is considered the largest strata in society that needs guidance and entrepreneurship development, helping them achieve their ideas and execute them.

- Ends -

For more information, please call

PR Launchers / Tel: 00 962 6 55 20 681 – Fax: 00 962 6 55 20 681

Email: info@PRLaunchers.net – Web: www.PRLaunchers.net

“Mobile technology is increasingly facilitating the way consumers worldwide spend, save, learn and monitor their health”, says Andrea Monteiro, director of the Connected World Forum which is taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai from 1 November.

“There are already over 100 live mobile money deployments globally, and many more mobile healthcare programmes are being launched successfully around the world from Boston to Bengaluru”, says Andrea. She continues: “There is a huge interest and market among consumers for mobile services in the money, health, education and agricultural sectors, and as a result there is a huge need amongst companies for tools and training to be able to launch and scale mobile lifeline services. With the Connected World Forum we bring together experts in the realm of innovative apps and services, regulators, banks, governments and MNOs to share their success stories and the lessons they have learnt in the market place so far.”

Vodafone are mobile pioneers
The biggest names in mobile money technology such as Safaricom, Orange, ProgressSoft, Siemens, Comviva, Seamless and Obopay will be there while Vodafone are the operator partners for this groundbreaking event.
“Vodafone is the consummate partner for the Connected World Forum as the mobile industry is a constantly evolving one”, says Andrea Monteiro. She continues: “from pioneering the hugely successful mobile money transfer business in Kenya and Tanzania, Vodafone have been able to build on this achievement by developing what they have termed “mobile lifeline services” and running parallel or adjacent services.”

Headline speakers
Michael Joseph, who led Safaricom’s M-PESA success in Kenya for many years and current strategic advisor to Vodafone Money Transfer, will address the Connected World Forum on “How mobile money is accelerating innovation in the developing world”.

Another headline speaker is payment solutions giant ProgressSoft CEO Michael Wakileh, who says mobile money will eventually overtake cards and cash. Says Mr Wakileh: “mobile money is the first payment instrument and medium that will be able to supersede cards and cash. It will be able to reach each and every person at the most cost-effective way. The benefits to the economy, central banks, FIs, MNOs, businesses and people will be a great driver to quickly adopt this payment instrument.”

Awards
The industry will also reward its most innovative and successful members with the annual Mobile Money Awards which will be announced during the event. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Turkcell, Dutch-Bangla and PinPay are just some of the innovative names in mobile money that are among the finalists for the seven different categories.

The Connected World Forum programme consists of three separate streams: Mobile Health, Mobile Money Global and Mobile Life.

Event dates:
Conference: 1-2 November 2011
Pre-conference Mobile Money Academy Workshop: 31 October 2011
Post-conference Mobile Money Academy Workshop: 3 November 2011

Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai, UAE

Event websites: www.connectedworldforum.com ; www.mobile-money-transfer.com/global

For more information, interviews and media accreditation:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Tel. +27 21 700 3558
Fax. +27 21 700 3501
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@clarionevents.com