Latest news with #HKA
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Giga Projects undergo recalibration, not retreat: Experts
Saudi Arabia - Leading players in Saudi Arabia's construction industry yesterday emphasised that what may appear to be a slowdown in the kingdom's giga projects is, in fact, a strategic recalibration — not a retreat. Addressing perceptions of delay, a panel of C-suite executives at the Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 in Riyadh underlined that with $1.3 trillion in construction activity projected by 2030, Saudi Arabia remains the world's most dynamic development market. The panel featured: Charles Trad, CEO, Unimac; Ashraf Alameria, CEO, El-Seif Engineering Contracting; Husam Gawish, Partner and Head of Operations, HKA; Edward Surgeon, Regional Director MENA, Procore; and Saurabh Shekar, Principal, Kearney Middle East. Surgeon remarked that 'the ambition here rivals Apollo 11,' adding that the real challenge now lies in building an ecosystem that attracts greater international collaboration. The Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 (May 12–14) opened Monday in Riyadh, convening top construction leaders to advance a shared agenda for the kingdom's transformation. With $288.6 billion worth of projects awarded in the past 12 months, the summit comes at a pivotal time for the sector — sharpening focus on continued development and delivery across Saudi Arabia. Day One saw more than 500 leaders from 150 companies in attendance, setting the stage for a three-day programme featuring over 70 speakers, including CEOs, policymakers, and global tech innovators. Attendees heard progress updates from Saudi Arabia's most renowned projects. Executives from Roshn Group, NEOM, Diriyah, and Red Sea Global offered rare insight into the challenges of delivering large-scale developments. Projects such as Roshn's Sedra community and Red Sea Global's zero-emission resorts are already welcoming residents and visitors, signalling a shift from planning to reality. The panel discussion highlighted a common thread: the need for integrated collaboration, scalable delivery frameworks, and innovation in everything from workforce development to infrastructure logistics. Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head of Trojena at NEOM, described progress as 'a military operation,' referencing the complexity of managing roads, dams, hotels, and homes within a remote mountain terrain. Key insights also came from Kingdom Holding Company, which confirmed that construction on the Jeddah Tower, poised to become the tallest building in the world at 1,005 metres, is well underway. In a fireside chat with Colin Foreman, Editor at MEED, Talal Almaiman, CEO of Kingdom Holding, described the project as a powerful statement of national pride, remarking: 'Height is pride… and we are very proud of this country. I think Saudi Arabia deserves to have the tallest building in the world.' A key thread across all sessions on Monday was the emergence of AI as an important factor in development. This was particularly crucial in a session with Howard Wu, Executive Director for International Investments and Manufacturing at Oxagon and Abdulaziz AlMubarak, Head of Business Development KSA at DataVolt, chaired by MEED's Energy and Technologies Editor, Jennifer Aguinaldo. The session included key insights from Oxagon and DataVolt, looking at the importance of AI in today's project, and how this can be used responsibly as part of sustainable development. The first day concluded with a session on Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) outlining their Plan of Work, benchmarking this across entities across the globe. Speaker Dale Sinclair, Head of Digital Innovation at WSP, outlined RIBA's process through 7 key stages of work. As the summit continues, Day Two (Tuesday) will include key updates and insights from Nemetschek Group, project showcase and updates from Roshn Group, AlUla and Sports Boulevard and a series of panel discussions including 'Securing the Future Beyond 2030' and 'The Role of Private Sector Investment and PPPs in Delivering Giga Projects'. - TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi' director Sudhir Mishra: I'm not always on the side of my characters
'No critic asks me why I name a film set around the Emergency after a Ghalib couplet,' wonders Sudhir Mishra amid an intense conversation. Two decades after Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, a tale of unfulfilled desires set against the Emergency and the Naxalite Movement stirred our souls, director Sudhir Mishra is mounting another drama set against the politically volatile period. Spread over eight episodes, the title Summer of '77 sounds like HKA in long form. The deep fissures on Mishra's face give way to a gentle smile. 'It is about six-seven characters from different social backgrounds involved in the JP Movement who question the idea of India handed over to them by their fathers. It is about rebellion, relationships, and politics in between. It is set in a space where old structures were breaking and new women were emerging to claim rights over their bodies. They no longer wanted to be owned by a relationship or a man. Some were much more experimental in their worldview than today's women.' It is not HKA, he avers, but as the filmmaker is the same, he says, the audience will see a part of him, his viewpoint on life. 'While HKA veers towards the Naxalite movement, Summer of '77 is about the movement started by Jai Prakash Narayan. In HKA, the three characters hail from a niche class, which we can call Indian desis for want of a better word, who struggle to find their own India. Here, the characters come from the mainstream middle class, and they are reacting to their India being taken away from them. That is how it speaks to today's audience.' Mishra says he was too young in the 1970s, but his elder brother and uncles were very much interested. Few know that Mishra's maternal grandfather, D.P. Mishra, was a freedom fighter and a staunch congressman who served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in the 1960s. 'He walked out of Congress in 1974 because he could not take what was happening in the party. Part of the series is based on his recollection of the period, which he wrote about in the third volume of his autobiography. I have also used the reflections of youth leaders of the period, like Ramesh Dixit, who started as a leftist and then moved to the socialist fold. Then there are observations of academics like Pushpesh Pant that helped me structure the base of the narrative before imagination took over.' These days, the Emergency period has become a tool for filmmakers to comment on today's politics. 'It is important because the repercussions of that period are being felt now. Most of today's events are determined by the politics of that period,' argues Mishra, who was part of the jury at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards this year, where political plays were well received. Not interested in mere recreation of the past, the filmmaker says, in his universe, 'Emergency becomes a metaphor for the thought that every time a political establishment imposes itself, there is a reaction to it.' He underlines that HKA stays fresh because it is about 'young people anytime, anywhere, reacting to the world that confronts them.' They want to realise their potential, but they don't follow the path offered to them. The title, he says, represents Mirza Ghalib's influence on him. 'It is a kind of Sufi view of life. I am not always on the side of my characters. The idealists get scared after watching themselves in the darkness of the theatre. Extreme radicals get miffed.' Right from Aditya (Nirmal Pandey) in Is Raat Ki Subhah Nahin to Vikram Malhotra (Kay Kay Menon) in HKA, Ayyan Mani (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) in Serious Men, and Rahab (Nawaz) in Afwaah, Mishra doesn't put his male protagonists, hailing from varied social groups, on a pedestal. More than the heroes, it is Mishra's muses like Geeta in HKA or Chameli that seem more in control of the situation. 'I find women more decisive. They understand loss better. They are willing to admit mistakes more than men.. They are open to accepting what life offers and embracing it. They make for emotionally richer characters,' Mishra muses. It is not that he doesn't understand his male protagonists. 'My men are not weak, but they are frail. They are softer. They make mistakes.' A section of the audience and film stars, he feels, have a problem with that kind of expression. 'I don't think there is any such thing as a permanent hero. Everybody is a hero in some time frame.' For instance, he says, Rahab lives in a liberal bubble of literary fests. 'That world doesn't open the door for him when he needs it the most. This narrative of finding permanent heroes has destroyed the world. The thought that a hero will come to change the world is flawed. Narratives programmed for a happily ever after scenario, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, don't often prepare you for life. They become like advertisements for fairness creams.' On Anurag Kashyap shifting base to South India Reflecting on his disciple and friend Anurag Kashyap shifting base to South India, Mishra says it seems the Mumbai film industry's atmosphere was proving stifling for him. 'He is reinventing himself. It is not that he has given up hope. His next film, Nishanchi, is set in Uttar Pradesh. I found the statement a bit extreme. I love him, he loves me, but he doesn't listen to me. He is close to South Indian filmmakers and doesn't believe in the North-South divide. He is among the first to discuss the need for a pan Indian cinema.' Mishra feels like the filmmakers, film critics also need to understand life. 'Most people who write about films set in the North don't seem to understand the peculiarities of the region. For instance, in Afwaah, one prominent critic questioned how the villagers didn't identify Vicky, not realising that he is one small-time MLA in one area of Rajasthan out of 200 in the State.' Recalling his experience with Chameli, Mishra says not many saw the plot as an impossible situation that talks about the right of a sex worker to say no and overlooked how the film navigates the relationship between her and the pimp. 'The film's success was largely reduced to two songs, Saat Samundar and Bhagey Re Man. They are very nice songs, but there was much more.' Mishra has delved into mainstream space with films like Calcutta Mail, but it has not been a satisfying experience. 'The only way to make a good film is to make one that you would like to watch yourself. The directors who make mainstream films are in sync with the audience of those films. They should not pretend in the evening that they are superior to the audience. They are the audience!' On his way forward, Mishra says he has decided to go back to being the boy who made Dharavi in 1991. 'I want to make films without caring; not going into elaborate systems of Bombay that make cinema expensive, but the investment doesn't reflect on screen. If you watch Malayalam cinema, they pick up rich subjects, but they are not necessarily big-budget.'
Zawya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China CITIC Bank International and Hong Kong Airlines to launch co-branded Mastercard® card
Strengthening credit card product portfolio Travel offers and rewards to drive credit card spending HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 February 2025 - China CITIC Bank International Limited ("CNCBI") and Hong Kong Airlines ("HKA") today announce the launch of the China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines co-branded Mastercard® card, providing customers exceptional travel experiences and rewards, further enhancing the CNCBI credit card product portfolio while helping to driving credit card spending. With a view to satisfying customers' needs for travel and credit card spending as global tourism recovers, CNCBI and HKA have joined forces to launch the China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines co-branded Mastercard® card with myriad rewards, including welcome complimentary air ticket 1, bonus spending rewards and exclusive travel privileges. Customers may take advantage of a flexible and more favourable points reward system and earn points quicker for discounted air tickets redemption. Other rewards include complimentary travel insurance 2, airport lounge access 3 and a range of other privileges that allow customers to reap rewards for their spending when travelling abroad. Ms Wendy Yuen, Head of Personal and Business Banking Group, CNCBI, said, "Tourism started to pick up its pace since the second half of 2023 which fuelled the overseas travelling boom for Hong Kong people. Based on 2024 figures, overseas spending has accounted for more than 20% of the total value of credit card transactions at CNCBI. Against this backdrop, the Bank and HKA are rolling out this new co-branded credit card with the objectives to offer travel enthusiasts more appealing spending & travel rewards. At the same time, it enriches the credit card portfolio of CNCBI." Mr. Yan Bo, Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines, stated, "We are delighted to launch a co-branded credit card in partnership with CNCBI, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong Airlines' service innovation. This collaboration not only offers cardholders an array of travel privileges including points redemption for air tickets, priority boarding, and airport lounge access, but also establishes a new standard for the integration of aviation and financial services. As an airline deeply rooted in Hong Kong, we are committed to delivering a high-quality travel experience for our passengers and driving industry innovation. We are confident that this partnership will invigorate travel and consumption for the people of Hong Kong." Exciting rewards for travelling and spending China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines Mastercard® card welcome offers and exclusive rewards include: - Welcome o ffer: Earn up to 104,000 Fortune Wings Club (FWC) points (can redeem four sets of round-trip ticket to Okinawa / Shanghai or other destinations) 4 Earn 26,000 FWC points with spending of HK$25,000 within the first five months from card issuance 1 Redeem 26,000 FWC points with HK$800 for every additional spending of HK$15,000 from card issuance (Maximum 3 times) 1. 26,000 FWC points can redeem one set of round-trip ticket to Okinawa, Shanghai or other destinations 4 - Spending rewards: As low as HK$2 = 1 FWC point 5 - Annual promotion: Cardholders have two opportunities annually to redeem HKA tickets to selected destinations at a 50% off using FWC points - Business class upgrade offer: 50% off FWC points Aside from flight rewards, CNCBI HKA Mastercard® cardholders may also enjoy an array of exclusive travel privileges including free travel insurance 2, HKA airport lounge service 3, exclusive check-in counters, priority boarding and baggage handling, in-flight duty-free discounts, as well as additional FWC points when purchasing tickets from the HKA official website and mobile app. Offers are subject to terms and conditions. To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay! Remarks: 1. The promotion is valid until 2 July 2025. It is applicable to applicants who do not hold any CNCBI Credit Card principal card in the past 12 months from the approval month of current applications. 2. Offers are provided by Mastercard® and are subject to relevant terms and conditions. Please visit the Mastercard® website for details. 3. The promotion is valid until 31 December 2025. Two Hong Kong Airlines lounge vouchers are awarded upon any spending. 4. The points redemption standard is based on Hong Kong Airlines' reward economy class (R) ticket redemption standard as of January 1, 2025, and is subject to Hong Kong Airlines' latest announcements and may change from time to time. Customers are responsible for all applicable taxes, airport construction fees or government fees, fuel surcharges, security fees, insurance fees, and any fees charged by any authorized entity in connection with the use of points-redeemed tickets. 5. Hong Kong Airlines spending: HK$2 = 1 FWC point. Overseas and online spending: HK$4 = 1 FWC point. Local retail spending: HK$6 = 1 FWC point. Hashtag: #CNCBI #HKA The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. China CITIC Bank International Limited China CITIC Bank International Limited ("CNCBI"), a major offshore platform of commercial banking business of the CITIC Group, is 75%-owned by CITIC International Financial Holdings Limited ("CIFH"), which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited ("CNCB"). CNCBI's footprint in Greater China includes 24 branches and two business banking centres in Hong Kong, as well as presence in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Macau, and overseas branches in New York, Los Angeles and Singapore. Across a century, CBCBI has grown together with its employees, customers and partners since 1922 and will continue to move towards its vision of "Agile. Professional. Simple." in adherence to the 4C (Culture, Customer, Collaboration, Cyberspace) core values while driving actively its missions to "create value for customers, seek happiness for employees, make profit for shareholders, perform responsibility for society". More information about China CITIC Bank International can be found on its website at Hong Kong Airlines Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong. The airline flies to over 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific and North America, and currently maintains interline and codeshares with multiple airline partners and ferry service providers. Hong Kong Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet. It has been awarded the internationally acclaimed four-star rating from Skytrax since 2011. For more information, please visit or our social media channels on LinkedIn 、 Twitter 、 Instagram and Facebook. China CITIC Bank International Limited
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
China CITIC Bank International and Hong Kong Airlines to launch co-branded Mastercard® card
Strengthening credit card product portfolio Travel offers and rewards to drive credit card spending HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 February 2025 - China CITIC Bank International Limited ('CNCBI') and Hong Kong Airlines ('HKA') today announce the launch of the China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines co-branded Mastercard® card, providing customers exceptional travel experiences and rewards, further enhancing the CNCBI credit card product portfolio while helping to driving credit card spending. (from left to right): Ms Helena Chen, Managing Director, Hong Kong & Macau, Mastercard; Ms Wendy Yuen, Head of Personal & Business Banking Group, China CITIC Bank International Limited; and Mr Yan Bo, Chairman, Hong Kong Airlines announce the launch of the China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines Mastercard® card. With a view to satisfying customers' needs for travel and credit card spending as global tourism recovers, CNCBI and HKA have joined forces to launch the China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines co-branded Mastercard® card with myriad rewards, including welcome complimentary air ticket1, bonus spending rewards and exclusive travel privileges. Customers may take advantage of a flexible and more favourable points reward system and earn points quicker for discounted air tickets redemption. Other rewards include complimentary travel insurance2, airport lounge access3 and a range of other privileges that allow customers to reap rewards for their spending when travelling abroad. Ms Wendy Yuen, Head of Personal and Business Banking Group, CNCBI, said, 'Tourism started to pick up its pace since the second half of 2023 which fuelled the overseas travelling boom for Hong Kong people. Based on 2024 figures, overseas spending has accounted for more than 20% of the total value of credit card transactions at CNCBI. Against this backdrop, the Bank and HKA are rolling out this new co-branded credit card with the objectives to offer travel enthusiasts more appealing spending & travel rewards. At the same time, it enriches the credit card portfolio of CNCBI.' Mr. Yan Bo, Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines, stated, 'We are delighted to launch a co-branded credit card in partnership with CNCBI, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong Airlines' service innovation. This collaboration not only offers cardholders an array of travel privileges including points redemption for air tickets, priority boarding, and airport lounge access, but also establishes a new standard for the integration of aviation and financial services. As an airline deeply rooted in Hong Kong, we are committed to delivering a high-quality travel experience for our passengers and driving industry innovation. We are confident that this partnership will invigorate travel and consumption for the people of Hong Kong.' Exciting rewards for travelling and spending China CITIC Bank International Hong Kong Airlines Mastercard® card welcome offers and exclusive rewards include: - Welcome offer: Earn up to 104,000 Fortune Wings Club (FWC) points (can redeem four sets of round-trip ticket to Okinawa / Shanghai or other destinations)4 Earn 26,000 FWC points with spending of HK$25,000 within the first five months from card issuance1 Redeem 26,000 FWC points with HK$800 for every additional spending of HK$15,000 from card issuance (Maximum 3 times) 1. 26,000 FWC points can redeem one set of round-trip ticket to Okinawa, Shanghai or other destinations4 - Spending rewards: As low as HK$2 = 1 FWC point5 - Annual promotion: Cardholders have two opportunities annually to redeem HKA tickets to selected destinations at a 50% off using FWC points - Business class upgrade offer: 50% off FWC points Aside from flight rewards, CNCBI HKA Mastercard® cardholders may also enjoy an array of exclusive travel privileges including free travel insurance2, HKA airport lounge service3, exclusive check-in counters, priority boarding and baggage handling, in-flight duty-free discounts, as well as additional FWC points when purchasing tickets from the HKA official website and mobile app. Offers are subject to terms and conditions. To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay! Remarks: 1. The promotion is valid until 2 July 2025. It is applicable to applicants who do not hold any CNCBI Credit Card principal card in the past 12 months from the approval month of current applications. 2. Offers are provided by Mastercard® and are subject to relevant terms and conditions. Please visit the Mastercard® website for details. 3. The promotion is valid until 31 December 2025. Two Hong Kong Airlines lounge vouchers are awarded upon any spending. 4. The points redemption standard is based on Hong Kong Airlines' reward economy class (R) ticket redemption standard as of January 1, 2025, and is subject to Hong Kong Airlines' latest announcements and may change from time to time. Customers are responsible for all applicable taxes, airport construction fees or government fees, fuel surcharges, security fees, insurance fees, and any fees charged by any authorized entity in connection with the use of points-redeemed tickets. 5. Hong Kong Airlines spending: HK$2 = 1 FWC point. Overseas and online spending: HK$4 = 1 FWC point. Local retail spending: HK$6 = 1 FWC point. Hashtag: #CNCBI #HKA The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. China CITIC Bank International Limited China CITIC Bank International Limited ('CNCBI'), a major offshore platform of commercial banking business of the CITIC Group, is 75%-owned by CITIC International Financial Holdings Limited ('CIFH'), which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited ('CNCB'). CNCBI's footprint in Greater China includes 24 branches and two business banking centres in Hong Kong, as well as presence in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Macau, and overseas branches in New York, Los Angeles and Singapore. Across a century, CBCBI has grown together with its employees, customers and partners since 1922 and will continue to move towards its vision of 'Agile. Professional. Simple.' in adherence to the 4C (Culture, Customer, Collaboration, Cyberspace) core values while driving actively its missions to 'create value for customers, seek happiness for employees, make profit for shareholders, perform responsibility for society'. More information about China CITIC Bank International can be found on its website at Hong Kong Airlines
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
DEWALT launches innovative jobsite containers in KSA to amplify MENA's booming industry growth
The portable containers will serve as an onsite service station, pick up and loaner tools collection point and first-hand access to latest tools DEWALT plans to install up to 10 portable jobsite containers across key projects in KSA and UAE The space will also be used to organize product demonstrations and trainings Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: As the construction sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region experience unprecedented growth, there is a strong emphasis on enhancing productivity and efficiency. With the aim to augment production capacity and offer easy access to tools to avoid downtime, DEWALT has introduced and installed its first state-of-the-art portable jobsite containers in Riyadh, with plans to establish up to 10 containers across key projects in KSA and UAE. Poised to become indispensable assets in the evolving construction landscape and provide a seamless experience for partners, the portable containers will serve, among other benefits, as an onsite service station to offer immediate tool repairs and allow easy access to purchase essential tools and last-minute accessories. According to the Construction Landscape Review – H1 2024, Riyadh accounted for nearly 40 per cent of existing construction contracts in Saudi Arabia, valued at nearly US$54 billion. Continuing the optimistic growth trajectory from last year, the Kingdom's total construction output value in 2025 is expected to hit US$150 billion, as projected by analysts at Knight Frank. In the broader GCC region, the construction market is projected to grow from US$177 billion in 2025 to US$226 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of over 5 per cent during the forecast period. Such robust growth is also underlined by challenges, such as unexpected changes in budget, tight deadlines and project complexities. According to a study by HKA, overruns add 83 percent to average project timelines in the Middle East. Given the volume of construction anticipated to take place in the region, DEWALT's portable jobsite containers offers partners a suite of features tailored to meet the dynamic needs of modern construction sites, such as: Onsite Tools Service Station: Immediate repairs to minimize jobsite downtime, ensuring tools are always in optimal working condition. Pick-Up Point for Tool Servicing: Streamlined drop-off and collection process to save time and enhance convenience. Point of Sale for Tools and Accessories: Easy access to essential tools and accessories, perfect for last-minute needs on the jobsite. Loaner Tools Pick-Up Point: Reliable replacement tools during servicing to keep projects running without delays. Dedicated Area for Product Demonstrations and Training: Hands-on learning experiences for teams to stay updated with the latest techniques and innovations. Secure Storage for Tools and Accessories: Organized and safe onsite equipment storage, simplifying inventory management. Latest Products on Display: Opportunity to explore and test cutting-edge tools, experiencing innovation firsthand before purchasing. Access to DEWALT Care: A comprehensive warranty package for free service, faster turnaround time and loaner tools Commenting on the portable containers, Vivien Luttenschlager, Commercial Director, Stanley Black and Decker said: 'Economic expansion and population growth has fueled the roadmap for future urban planning and development. As leaders in the construction industry, our goal is to empower our partners and the larger industry with innovative solutions to help optimize their resources and streamline workflows. Through these containers, we will be able to add another layer of efficiency, safety and reduce downtime on the jobsites, ensuring that workers and their teams always have access to tools and professional trainings.'
