UAE Icebergs Project to Tip the Scales towards Climate Change in the Region and Transform the Rub’ El Khali Desert (Empty Quarter) into a Thriving Area

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday, May 2nd 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

The National Advisor Bureau Limited, which plans to tow icebergs from Antarctica to Fujairah coast as a new source of freshwater in the region, revealed that the towed icebergs may cause a significant and radical climate change in the region.

Cold air gushing out from an iceberg close to the shores of the Arabian Sea would cause a trough and rainstorms across the Arabian Gulf and the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula all year round. When icebergs make contact with humid climate (Arabian Sea), moist air is forced to rise. Rising air expands; cools and condenses due to the decrease in air pressure. When enough water vapor is collected in the clouds, they become heavy and fall as rain. Icebergs are expected to cause a tremendous increase in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. Clouds approaching from the Arabian Sea will flow around a circular low pressure center above the iceberg and create a vortex. Icebergs off the coast of Fujairah will become a massive and unique tourist attraction; they will cool the East Coast and transform the UAE Desert into thriving meadows within a decade.

Melting icebergs will release fresh water into the Arabian Sea. This would rebuild ecological balance; reduce seawater salinity caused by brine discharge from desalination plants and restore biodiversity.

The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest mass of ice on Earth with ten thousand trillion tons of snow and ice and contains most of the world’s fresh water. Due to global warming, icebergs break off the Arctic ice shelf, drift into warmer waters and eventually melt. An iceberg contains around 20 billion gallons of fresh water. The UAE Icebergs Project aims to tow icebergs to Fujairah and leveraging the resulting fresh water from the melting glaciers.

The UAE Iceberg Project is part of the “Rub’ El Amer” (“Filling The Empty Quarter”) projects, designed to transform the ‘Empty Quarter’ deserts into gardens ‘beneath which rivers flow’, including the Khalifa River Project, designed to connect Pakistan’s rivers to the UAE through undersea pipelines.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBArsrwnuE

Contacts

National Advisor Bureau Limited (Masdar City – Abu Dhabi)

Abdulla Mohammad Suleiman Al Shehhi

‎Managing Director & Principal Consultant

+ 971 - 4-234-8045

info@National-Advisor.ae


Permalink : http://me-newswire.net/news/3811/en

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Honours 10 Winners from 8 Countries at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Friday, April 28th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, honoured 10 winners from 8 countries at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Award, which is worth USD 1 million. Also present was HH Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Award was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage research centres, individuals and innovators from around the world to find innovative and sustainable solutions for clean-water scarcity around the world, using solar power. The award is overseen by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. It has three main categories: Innovative Projects Award, Innovative Research and Development Award, and the Innovative Youth Award.

The first place in the Innovative Research and Development Award – National Institutions category, was jointly-shared by Khalifa University for a dual-disinfection-modified biosand filter, coupled with a solar pasteuriser system, and Masdar Institute at Khalifa University for a solar desalination process using a perforated black fabric under a solar collector.

The first place in the Innovative Research and Development Award - International Institutions category, went to the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), in cooperation with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), for a solar-powered desalination technology based on TNO’s high-efficiency membrane distillation concept.

The first place in the Innovative Projects Award went to the Elemental Water Makers from the Netherlands, for a solar-powered Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant to produce drinking water.

Dr Marta Vivar from Spain won the Innovative Youth Award for a hybrid solar photovoltaic-photochemical system for water disinfection and electricity generation.

Al Tayer noted that hundreds of millions of children won’t have access to clean water in the future, and that girls now spend 200 million hours a day collecting water, which affects their education, according to UNICEF.



Contacts

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority     

Ribal Dayekh or Iman Saeed

+971-4-307-2006 or +971-4-515-0512                     

ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae, iman.saeed@dewa.gov.ae    

                                                

Hattlan Media

Nabil Khoury or Eman Hussein

+971-56-114-1177 or +971-50-736-6990

nabil@hattlan.com, eman@hattlan.com


Permalink : http://www.me-newswire.net/news/3791/en

Takeda Announces FDA Accelerated Approval of ALUNBRIGTM (brigatinib)

− ALUNBRIG Approved for ALK+ Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Who Have Progressed on or are Intolerant to Crizotinib – 

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & OSAKA, Japan-Monday, May 1st 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) today announced that ALUNBRIG™ (brigatinib) has received Accelerated Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. This indication is approved under Accelerated Approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. ALUNBRIG, which previously received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, is a once-daily oral therapy that may be taken with or without food.
“In recent years, small molecule ALK inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment options for those with advanced ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer. Nevertheless, there is still a need for additional ALK inhibitors like brigatinib (ALUNBRIG), which have a manageable safety profile and may address mechanisms of clinical resistance to crizotinib, including progression in the central nervous system,” said D. Ross Camidge, M.D., Ph.D., director of thoracic oncology at the University of Colorado. “The ALTA trial showed that brigatinib (ALUNBRIG) was highly effective post-crizotinib with the majority of patients who received 180 mg once daily with a seven-day lead in at 90 mg once daily achieving an overall response and a median duration of response greater than one year. Importantly, the extent of activity among those with brain metastases was also notable.”
“For patients with ALK+ metastatic NSCLC who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib, who are facing the uncertainty of disease progression and the potentially devastating impact of brain metastases, the approval of ALUNBRIG offers a new hope,” said Bonnie Addario, founder and chair of the Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF).
“The rapid development of ALUNBRIG is a tribute to the dedication of many research scientists and clinicians who carefully designed and developed this new medicine to address unmet medical needs in the ALK+ NSCLC patient population. Most importantly, we would like to thank the patients and families who participated in the clinical trials,” said Andy Plump, M.D., Ph.D., Takeda Chief Medical and Scientific Officer.
“Today’s FDA approval of ALUNBRIG is an important milestone in the treatment of patients with ALK+ metastatic NSCLC who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib,” said Christophe Bianchi, M.D., President, Takeda Oncology. “Takeda is committed to the continued development of ALUNBRIG around the globe and to bringing this important therapy to more patients in need.”
About the ALTA Trial
The FDA approval of ALUNBRIG was primarily based on results from the pivotal Phase 2 ALTA (ALK in Lung Cancer Trial of AP26113) trial of brigatinib in adults. This ongoing, two-arm, open-label, multicenter trial enrolled 222 patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who had progressed on crizotinib. Patients received either 90 mg of ALUNBRIG once daily (n=112) or 180 mg once daily following a seven-day lead-in of 90 mg once daily (n=110). The major efficacy outcome measure was confirmed overall response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1) as evaluated by an Independent Review Committee (IRC). Additional efficacy outcome measures included Investigator-assessed ORR, duration of response (DOR), intracranial ORR, and intracranial DOR.
The recommended dosing regimen for ALUNBRIG is 90 mg orally once daily for the first 7 days. If 90 mg is tolerated during the first 7 days, increase the dose to 180 mg orally once daily.
With a median follow-up of 8 months (range 0.1 - 20.2), results demonstrated that of the patients who received the recommended dosing regimen (90→180 mg), 53 percent achieved a confirmed overall response (OR) as assessed by IRC and 54 percent as assessed by Investigator. At the recommended dosing regimen, the median duration of response was 13.8 months as assessed by IRC and 11.1 months by Investigator assessment. Additionally, at the recommended dosing regimen, 67 percent of patients with measurable brain metastases (n=18) achieved a confirmed intracranial OR by IRC assessment.
Efficacy data are as follows:

ALTA Efficacy Results
Efficacy parameter	IRC Assessment				Investigator Assessment
	90 mg once daily  (N=112)	90→180 mg once daily (N=110)			90 mg once daily  (N=112)	90→180 mg once daily (N=110)
Overall Response Rate (95% CI)	48% (39-58)	53% (43-62)			45% (35-54)	54% (44-63)
Complete Response, n (%)	4 (3.6%)	5 (4.5%)			1 (0.9%)	4 (3.6%)
Partial Response, n (%)	50 (45%)	53 (48%)			49 (44%)	55 (50%)
Duration of Response, median in months (95% CI)	13.8 (7.4-NE)	13.8 (9.3-NE)			13.8 (5.6-13.8)	11.1 (9.2-13.8)

CI = Confidence Interval; NE = Not Estimable
IRC assessment of intracranial efficacy is shown below:

Intracranial Overall Response in Patients with Measurable Brain Metastases in ALTA
Efficacy parameter	IRC Assessment
	90 mg once daily (N=26)			90→180 mg once daily (N=18)
Intracranial Overall Response Rate, (95 % CI)	42% (23-63)			67% (41-87)
Complete Response, n (%)	2 (7.7%)			0
Partial Response, n (%)	9 (35%)			12 (67%)
Duration of Intracranial Response, median (months) (range)	NE (1.9+ - 9.2+)			5.6 (1.9+ - 9.2+)

CI = Confidence Interval; NE = Not Estimable
Among the 23 patients who exhibited an intracranial response, 78% of patients in the 90 mg arm and 68% of patients in the 90→180 mg group maintained a response for at least four months.
The warnings and precautions for ALUNBRIG are: interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, hypertension, bradycardia, visual disturbance, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation, pancreatic enzyme elevation, hyperglycemia and embryo-fetal toxicity.
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients in the 90 mg group and 40% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. The most common serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (5.5% overall, 3.7% in the 90 mg group, and 7.3% in the 90→180 mg group) and ILD/pneumonitis (4.6% overall, 1.8% in the 90 mg group and 7.3% in the 90→180 mg group). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.7% of patients and consisted of pneumonia (2 patients), sudden death, dyspnea, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, bacterial meningitis and urosepsis (1 patient each).
At the recommended dosing regimen, the most common adverse reactions (≥25%) with ALUNBRIG were nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, cough, and headache.
About ALK+ NSCLC
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 percent of the estimated 222,500 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Genetic studies indicate that chromosomal rearrangements in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are key drivers in a subset of NSCLC patients as well. Approximately two to eight percent of patients with NSCLC have a rearrangement in the ALK gene.
The central nervous system (CNS) is a frequent site for ALK+ NSCLC progression, with up to 70 percent of patients with ALK+ NSCLC who have been treated with a first-line ALK inhibitor facing brain metastases.
About ALUNBRIG™ (brigatinib)
ALUNBRIG is a targeted cancer medicine discovered by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was acquired by Takeda in February 2017. ALUNBRIG received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the treatment of patients with ALK+ NSCLC whose tumors are resistant to crizotinib, and was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC, ROS1+ and EGFR+ NSCLC. A Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for ALUNBRIG was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in February 2017.
The ALTA clinical development program further reinforces Takeda’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative therapies for people living with ALK+ NSCLC worldwide and the healthcare professionals who treat them. In addition to the ongoing Phase 1/2 and Phase 2 ALTA trial, brigatinib is also being studied in the Phase 3 ALTA 1L trial to assess its efficacy and safety in comparison to crizotinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor.
To learn more about ALUNBRIG, please visit www.ALUNBRIG.com or call A1Point: 1-844-A1POINT (1-844-217-6468).
For additional information on the brigatinib clinical trials, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, and fatal pulmonary adverse reactions consistent with interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis have occurred with ALUNBRIG. In Trial ALTA (ALTA), ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.7% of patients in the 90 mg group (90 mg once daily) and 9.1% of patients in the 90→180 mg group (180 mg once daily with 7-day lead-in at 90 mg once daily). Adverse reactions consistent with possible ILD/pneumonitis occurred early (within 9 days of initiation of ALUNBRIG; median onset was 2 days) in 6.4% of patients, with Grade 3 to 4 reactions occurring in 2.7%. Monitor for new or worsening respiratory symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, cough, etc.), particularly during the first week of initiating ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG in any patient with new or worsening respiratory symptoms, and promptly evaluate for ILD/pneumonitis or other causes of respiratory symptoms (e.g., pulmonary embolism, tumor progression, and infectious pneumonia). For Grade 1 or 2 ILD/pneumonitis, either resume ALUNBRIG with dose reduction after recovery to baseline or permanently discontinue ALUNBRIG. Permanently discontinue ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 ILD/pneumonitis or recurrence of Grade 1 or 2 ILD/pneumonitis.
Hypertension: In ALTA, hypertension was reported in 11% of patients in the 90 mg group who received ALUNBRIG and 21% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 hypertension occurred in 5.9% of patients overall. Control blood pressure prior to treatment with ALUNBRIG. Monitor blood pressure after 2 weeks and at least monthly thereafter during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 hypertension despite optimal antihypertensive therapy. Upon resolution or improvement to Grade 1 severity, resume ALUNBRIG at a reduced dose. Consider permanent discontinuation of treatment with ALUNBRIG for Grade 4 hypertension or recurrence of Grade 3 hypertension. Use caution when administering ALUNBRIG in combination with antihypertensive agents that cause bradycardia.
Bradycardia: Bradycardia can occur with ALUNBRIG. In ALTA, heart rates less than 50 beats per minute (bpm) occurred in 5.7% of patients in the 90 mg group and 7.6% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 2 bradycardia occurred in 1 (0.9%) patient in the 90 mg group. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Monitor patients more frequently if concomitant use of drug known to cause bradycardia cannot be avoided. For symptomatic bradycardia, withhold ALUNBRIG and review concomitant medications for those known to cause bradycardia. If a concomitant medication known to cause bradycardia is identified and discontinued or dose adjusted, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose following resolution of symptomatic bradycardia; otherwise, reduce the dose of ALUNBRIG following resolution of symptomatic bradycardia. Discontinue ALUNBRIG for life-threatening bradycardia if no contributing concomitant medication is identified.
Visual Disturbance: In ALTA, adverse reactions leading to visual disturbance including blurred vision, diplopia, and reduced visual acuity, were reported in 7.3% of patients treated with ALUNBRIG in the 90 mg group and 10% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 macular edema and cataract occurred in one patient each in the 90→180 mg group. Advise patients to report any visual symptoms. Withhold ALUNBRIG and obtain an ophthalmologic evaluation in patients with new or worsening visual symptoms of Grade 2 or greater severity. Upon recovery of Grade 2 or Grade 3 visual disturbances to Grade 1 severity or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue treatment with ALUNBRIG for Grade 4 visual disturbances.
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: In ALTA, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation occurred in 27% of patients receiving ALUNBRIG in the 90 mg group and 48% of patients in the 90 mg→180 mg group. The incidence of Grade 3-4 CPK elevation was 2.8% in the 90 mg group and 12% in the 90→180 mg group. Dose reduction for CPK elevation occurred in 1.8% of patients in the 90 mg group and 4.5% in the 90→180 mg group. Advise patients to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Monitor CPK levels during ALUNBRIG treatment. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 CPK elevation. Upon resolution or recovery to Grade 1 or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose or at a reduced dose.
Pancreatic Enzyme Elevation: In ALTA, amylase elevation occurred in 27% of patients in the 90 mg group and 39% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Lipase elevations occurred in 21% of patients in the 90 mg group and 45% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 amylase elevation occurred in 3.7% of patients in the 90 mg group and 2.7% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Grade 3 or 4 lipase elevation occurred in 4.6% of patients in the 90 mg group and 5.5% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. Monitor lipase and amylase during treatment with ALUNBRIG. Withhold ALUNBRIG for Grade 3 or 4 pancreatic enzyme elevation. Upon resolution or recovery to Grade 1 or baseline, resume ALUNBRIG at the same dose or at a reduced dose.
Hyperglycemia: In ALTA, 43% of patients who received ALUNBRIG experienced new or worsening hyperglycemia. Grade 3 hyperglycemia, based on laboratory assessment of serum fasting glucose levels, occurred in 3.7% of patients. Two of 20 (10%) patients with diabetes or glucose intolerance at baseline required initiation of insulin while receiving ALUNBRIG. Assess fasting serum glucose prior to initiation of ALUNBRIG and monitor periodically thereafter. Initiate or optimize anti-hyperglycemic medications as needed. If adequate hyperglycemic control cannot be achieved with optimal medical management, withhold ALUNBRIG until adequate hyperglycemic control is achieved and consider reducing the dose of ALUNBRIG or permanently discontinuing ALUNBRIG.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, ALUNBRIG can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. There are no clinical data on the use of ALUNBRIG in pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with ALUNBRIG and for at least 4 months following the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of ALUNBRIG.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients in the 90 mg group and 40% of patients in the 90→180 mg group. The most common serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (5.5% overall, 3.7% in the 90 mg group, and 7.3% in the 90→180 mg group) and ILD/pneumonitis (4.6% overall, 1.8% in the 90 mg group and 7.3% in the 90→180 mg group). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.7% of patients and consisted of pneumonia (2 patients), sudden death, dyspnea, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, bacterial meningitis and urosepsis (1 patient each).
The most common adverse reactions (≥25%) in the 90 mg group were nausea (33%), fatigue (29%), headache (28%), and dyspnea (27%) and in the 90→180 mg group were nausea (40%), diarrhea (38%), fatigue (36%), cough (34%), and headache (27%).
DRUG INTERACTIONS
CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use of ALUNBRIG with strong CYP3A inhibitors. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it may also increase plasma concentrations of brigatinib. If concomitant use of a strong CYP3A inhibitor is unavoidable, reduce the dose of ALUNBRIG.
CYP3A Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of ALUNBRIG with strong CYP3A inducers.
CYP3A Substrates: Coadministration of ALUNBRIG with CYP3A substrates, including hormonal contraceptives, can result in decreased concentrations and loss of efficacy of CYP3A substrates.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy: ALUNBRIG can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus.
Lactation: Advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with ALUNBRIG and for 1 week following the final dose.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential:
Contraception: Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with ALUNBRIG and for at least 4 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ALUNBRIG and for at least 3 months after the final dose.
Infertility: ALUNBRIG may cause reduced fertility in males.
Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of ALUNBRIG in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of ALUNBRIG did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Of the 222 patients in ALTA, 19.4% were 65-74 years and 4.1% were 75 years or older. No clinically relevant differences in safety or efficacy were observed between patients ≥65 and younger patients.
Hepatic or Renal Impairment: No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment or mild or moderate renal impairment. The safety of ALUNBRIG in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment has not been studied.
Please see the full Prescribing Information for ALUNBRIG at www.ALUNBRIG.com
About Takeda
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as our presence in Emerging Markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit http://www.takeda.com/news.
Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com, and additional information about Takeda Oncology, the brand for the global oncology business unit of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is available through its website, www.takedaoncology.com.

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Contacts
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Japanese Media
Tsuyoshi Tada, +81 (0) 3-3278-2417
tsuyoshi.tada@takeda.com
or
Media outside Japan
Amy Atwood, +1-617-444-2147
amy.atwood@takeda.com
or
Liza Heapes, +1-617-621-2315
Liza.heapes@ariad.com

Permalink : http://me-newswire.net/news/3810/en

Wilo Middle East to Offer Water Solutions to Kuwaiti Market

The Middle Eastern regional platform of the German company Wilo SE partners with its local distributor in Kuwait in an intensive week of in-house seminars

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Monday, May 1st 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

Wilo Middle East FZE, the leading pump manufacturer Headquartered in Germany, in cooperation with its local distributor in Kuwait Al Madadd Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L, organized an intensive week of in-house seminars. The move comes in line with Wilo’s plans to offer water solutions to key governmental entities in the Kuwaiti market.

The company organized four seminars that covered four esteemed governmental entities in Kuwait namely: the Ministry of public works; the Ministry of water and electricity; the Public authority for housing welfare; and the Ministry of defense - Military projects engineering. The seminars were well received by the entities, and have set the foundations of how to offer them the latest water technologies and solutions by Wilo in the fields of Building Services and Water Management.

“Our long term relationship with a leading local distributor such as Al Madadd in Kuwait, and the alignment of the visions of both the companies were the cornerstone of our endeavors to offer Wilo’s high-tech solutions to governmental authorities in Kuwait. This is also a result of the highly efficient sales and aftersales services of our partner Al Madadd throughout the history of our cooperation,” commented Morcel Burjas, Senior Area Manager, Wilo Middle East.

He added: “We have set an ambitious business development strategy that aims to cover all segments of the Kuwaiti market. Our efforts will not be limited to the governmental sector, as we look forward to provide all end users from both government and private sectors with Wilo’s latest and state-of-the-art German technologies that ensure providing the best-in-class clean water and waste water services. With the high end solutions we provide, we are confident that we will be able to implement our strategy within a short time span.”

The seminars included presentations about the latest Wilo water technologies and solutions, along with discussion and brainstorming sessions with senior officials with the aim to deliberate on how to best benefit from water system solutions provided by the leading pump manufacturer.

For his part, Hatem Zuabi, General Manager at Al Madadd Trading & Contracting Co. said: “It is a great step forward to educate decision makers in the Kuwaiti market about the latest German technologies of water pumps and systems. We have been working as a local distributor and a service partner of Wilo products for the past five years, and the market experience about reliability and the German quality of Wilo pumps and systems were highly positive and promising.”

“During the visit of Wilo team to Kuwait we have visited top consultants and contractors to introduce the latest solutions provided by WILO Group,” he concluded.

About Wilo Middle East

Wilo Middle East has had a presence in the Middle East for over 20 years through its local distributors. With growing markets in the building technologies sector and the introduction of high-efficiency pumps, customer requirements for technical support and services have become more urgent. This prompted Wilo SE to establish a direct presence in the region in 2006 by opening its first Middle East office at Techno Park, in Dubai.

In 2008, Wilo Middle East moved to Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, where it became the WILO SE Group's Headquarters for the entire Gulf region as well as Yemen. In November 2010, a new facility in south (JAFZA), Dubai was inaugurated to accommodate the company’s regional business expansion.

Wilo SE in Germany

WILO SE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps and pump systems for building services, the entire water management chain and the industrial sector. The company, who achieved sales of more than 1.3 billion Euro last year, is heavily involved in research and development. The Dortmund-based company is progressively evolving from a components supplier to a system supplier. The Wilo name is internationally recognized as being synonymous with high-tech in the pump industry. The company owes its success to its workforce of around 7,400 employees in over 60 subsidiaries around the world.

Contacts

Wilo Middle East

Fouad Ahmed, Marketing Manager

+9714-880-9177

Email: fouad.ahmed@wilo.ae























Permalink : http://www.me-newswire.net/news/3809/en

Gyeonggi Province Launches DMZ Half and Half Photo Contest

 - Gyeonggi Provincial Government of Korea hosts “DMZ Half&Half Photo Contest” on Instagram and Facebook, a global social media campaign promoting communication through photographs

- First prize winner gets 5,000 USD in cash, Round-the-World airline ticket and “DMZ Forbidden Tour”

- Selected photos and the winner’s DMZ tour video will be utilized for on·offline promotions

SUWON, South Korea-Monday, May 1st 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Korea’s Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO) launched global DMZ Half&Half Photo Contest on Facebook and Instagram for six weeks starting from April 27.

DMZ Half&Half Photo Contest is a global communication campaign aiming to redefine DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) as a symbol of world peace and reconciliation by inviting the contestants to fill the missing half of DMZ photos with their imaginations.

Anyone 18 years or older interested to participate can simply download photos of the DMZ from the official website, make a collage with his/her photo, then upload the image on individual Facebook or Instagram accounts with the event hashtags (#UniteDMZ, #AgreeTnC).

30 pieces will be selected each week for six weeks. A total of 180 pieces will be selected in addition to a Most Popular award with the most likes, yielding a grand total of 181 select winners.

The first place winner gets 5,000 USD in cash and a Round-the-World airline ticket (worth 4,500 USD) with a stopover in Gyeonggi Province (no later than July 14) to participate in 5 days of “DMZ Forbidden Tour”, a visit to the DMZ area where civilians have limited access to.

More information about the contest can be found at http://dmzcontest.gto.or.kr/eng. To learn more about the Korean DMZ and other attractions in Gyeonggi Province, visit http://en.ggtour.or.kr/.

About the Korean DMZ

The Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a strip of land that lies between the borders of South and North Korea. While the area around the DMZ is considered to be the most heavily militarized region in the world, it paradoxically also stands for the hope of unification.

About Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO)

The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is a governmental organization funded by the Gyeonggi-do provincial government that aims to establish Gyeonggi-do as a dynamic business events destination where people, technology and ideas converge to create great value and a memorable experience for customers. http://en.ggtour.or.kr/.

Video caption:

Video 1: Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization launch global DMZ Half&Half Photo Contest on Facebook and Instagram for six weeks starting from April 27. DMZ Half&Half Photo Contest is a global communication campaign aiming to redefine DMZ as a symbol of world peace and reconciliation by inviting the contestants to fill the missing half of DMZ photos with their imaginations. Anyone 18 years or older interested to participate can simply download photos of the DMZ from the official website, make a collage with his/her photo, then upload the image on individual Facebook or Instagram accounts with the event hashtags (#UniteDMZ, #AgreeTnC).

Contacts

Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
Chang-Gyu Yang, +82-31-259-4752
cozlove@gto.or.kr

Permalink : http://www.me-newswire.net/news/3808/en

AURAK Hosts United Nations Workshop

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates-Monday, May 1st 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) has hosted a workshop on campus in conjunction with The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The day-long workshop, which was organized with the help of Dr. Kai Bruns, chair of the university’s Humanities and Social Sciences Department, explored the U.N.’s mandate and the role played by the media in humanitarian work across the globe, with a focus on contemporary challenges on a global scale.

Students had the opportunity to participate in activities alongside the UNHCR team, engaging their critical thinking skills in order to find durable solutions to the refugee crisis which is currently facing the world, and learning how the U.N. typically responds to situations of mixed migration through the analysis of a number of case studies.

Ameera Azzam, protection officer at the UNHCR’s Abu Dhabi office stated, “It is great to be at AURAK to speak to students about the work that we do. We need to create greater awareness of these issues among students, and clarify our mandate as well as the importance of humanitarian action.”

One student currently taking a political science course at the university, Yousef Abuyousef, spoke of his experience, commenting, “Today I learned more about the harsh living conditions of refugees. The simulation games helped me understand the pain that these people go through just to protect the future of their children.”

Dr. Kai Bruns, assistant professor of political science at AURAK, added, “The workshop was an excellent opportunity for students to combine theory with a practical simulation exercise. I even noticed a spark in some student’s eyes indicating their wish to follow into the footsteps of Ameera and to become involved at the UNHCR.”

These sentiments were echoed by AURAK president, Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, who stated, “As a university, we want to provide students with the tools and inspiration which enable them to positively impact on the region. As a political scientist myself these types of activities have my full support, and I hope to see more bright young minds dedicated to finding solutions to global issues.”

AURAK aims to give students opportunities to relate the theory they learn in the classroom to real-life, contemporary situations.

Contacts

AURAK

Eóin Brown, Public Relations Assistant

+971-55-340-4179, eoin.brown@aurak.ac.ae

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AGCO Mourns the Passing of Robert J. Ratliff, Company Founder and Industry Visionary

DULUTH, Ga.-Friday, April 28th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and solutions, mourns the passing of founder and former President, Chairman and CEO Robert J. Ratliff.

With a vision to provide solutions for the needs of the farm industry worldwide, Mr. Ratliff guided the growth of AGCO from a small North American company into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural equipment. Through his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Ratliff led the management team that purchased Deutz-Allis Corporation in 1990 as part of the formation of AGCO.

Under Mr. Ratliff’s leadership, AGCO acquired many of the most well-known and respected equipment brands in the industry. In 1994, AGCO purchased the worldwide holdings of Massey Ferguson, a perennial leader in global tractor sales. In 1997, AGCO purchased Fendt, recognized as the leading technology innovator in the industry. In 2002, Mr. Ratliff led the acquisition of the Caterpillar agricultural track tractor business and the Challenger brand. In 2004, AGCO completed the purchase of Valtra, further strengthening AGCO’s leadership position in Europe and South America.

His approach to leadership was hands-on, with strong support for employees, their interests and goals. This also extended to the dealer network, soliciting feedback as a regular practice and encouraging frequent contact and engagement with senior management that today is part of AGCO’s culture.

Mr. Ratliff guided the Company through a total of 21 acquisitions as it grew sales from $200 million in 1990 to over $5.4 billion in 2005 and retired as Chairman in 2006. Today, AGCO, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, sells its products in more than 150 countries. A 2014 inductee to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame, Mr. Ratliff made a significant impact on the global industry leaving a legacy with the businesses he built and the people he developed and supported.

Martin Richenhagen, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Bob Ratliff’s commitment to excellence and complete dedication to AGCO, our customers, dealers, employees, and shareholders helped our Company become what it is today. The Board of Directors, Management Team, and our employees worldwide are very grateful for his vision, leadership and dedicated service. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his wife Gini and his entire family.”

A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Ratliff will be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia, on Saturday, May 20, 2017 starting at 4 pm ET.

About AGCO
AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services, and are distributed globally through a combination of over 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 150 countries. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2016, AGCO had net sales of $7.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR.



Contacts

AGCO Corporation
Lindsey Pettyjohn
Lindsey.Pettyjohn@AGCOcorp.com



Permalink : http://me-newswire.net/news/3799/en