Call taxi service launched in Riyadh

May 22, 2014

Call taxi service in Riyadh Riyadh, May 22: A Riyadh-based Saudi company has introduced an online taxi service that can be accessed via smartphones and on a toll free number.

“MyTaxi Saudia” has begun providing services, with a soft launch held at the first Saudi Mobile Expo, which concluded in Riyadh on Wednesday.

MyTaxi Saudia was one of the exhibitors at the expo. “The Riyadh-based company operates under the slogan ‘Any car, anywhere, anytime with convenience and care’,” said Mohammed Ansar, managing director of the company, on Wednesday.

“We are a local Saudi company, which understands the needs and requirements of the local market,” he said. “The company plans to extend services to other major cities, such as Jeddah and Dammam in the Eastern Province.

Customers can either request a limousine or hire a car of their choice. Limousines will have a meter and other cars will be charged according to the distance covered. Airport pick-ups in Riyadh will cost SR100 and SR70 to get dropped off.

“We are strict in ensuring consumer privacy and security,” he said. “Customers can call drivers via a central system without having their mobile phone numbers displayed.”

“Likewise, drivers can also call customers via the automated central system,” said Ansar. “This is an important feature, since most customers are women.”

“We also ensure convenience, since customers no longer need to wait outside for the taxi to arrive,” he said. “Customers will be informed via message and smartphone users can even monitor the driver’s whereabouts.”

“Customers can select the taxi company, an important feature in reassuring users that they are dealing with licensed entities,” said Ansar. “The vehicles registered in our system are tracked by a GPS system for customer protection. We are the only service company connecting customers to licensed taxi services in the Kingdom free of charge.”

“Our booking service will not only benefit customers, but also other sectors in the transport industry in the Kingdom,” he said. “The new system will also put an end to taxis having to roam the street in search of clients.”

“Taxi drivers waste more than 50 percent of their time trying to find passengers. The new system will also provide ample employment opportunities for Saudi youth.”

Customers can download the app on their smartphones or call toll-free number 920009286.

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Abu Dhabi's ADC Bank likely to lay off hundreds of employees

Agencies

July 28,2020

Dubai, Jul 28: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) (ADCB.AD) is letting go hundreds of employees, sources said, the latest in a round of lay-offs by regional banks as pressure mounts to cut costs amid lower oil prices and the coronavirus crisis.

The UAE’s third-biggest lender is laying off 400 employees, two sources familiar with the matter said, after it had committed to not cutting staff because of the crisis.

In a statement, a spokesman said ADCB had pursued efficiency over the last decade by managing out its lowest underachievers after regular reviews, while ensuring talent was deployed in high-growth areas, such as digital banking.

“A certain number of redundancies are therefore expected every year in the normal course of business,” the bank spokesman added.

The sources said the cuts would involve ADCB’s consumer business and several in top management were among those being let go. One source said the bank was looking to close 20 branches.

In March, ADCB had declared, “No employee will be made redundant during 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

UAE banks have been hit by government measures to rein in the spread of the virus, forcing many businesses to shut temporarily.

Last week, Dubai’s largest bank, Emirates NBD, reported a slump of 58% in profits. In June, sources told Reuters the bank started a new round of hundreds of lay-offs.

In May, ADCB reported a fall of 84% in first-quarter net profit as it took impairments of $292 million on debt exposure to troubled hospital operator NMC Health and payments group Finablr.

It was a major lender, with an exposure of about $981 million, to NMC Health, which went into administration this year after months of turmoil following questions over financial reporting.

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Saudi Arabia to ease lockdown in phased manner

Agencies

May 26,2020

Riyadh, May 26: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided to ease some restrictions put in place over coronavirus fears, allowing movement and resumption of some economic and commercial activities, Saudi Press Agency reported early Tuesday citing an official source at the Interior Ministry.

The move also allows restarting of domestic flights, opening of mosques, restaurants and cafes and work attendance, however, the temporary suspension of Umrah pilgrimage remains in force.

The easing of restrictions will be carried out in a phased manner, with the first phase beginning on Thursday (May 28) and ending on May 30.

In the first phase, the movement within and between all regions of the Kingdom in private cars will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. except in Makkah. Economic and commercial activities will resume in retail and wholesale shops and malls but beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will continue to remain shut due to social distancing concerns.

In the second phase, which begins on May 31 and ends on June 20, the movement is allowed from 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. in all areas of the Kingdom, except in Makkah. All congregational prayers, including Friday prayers, will resume in all mosques across the Kingdom except in Makkah.

The suspension of workplace attendance will end, allowing all employees in ministries, government entities and private sector companies to return to working from their offices provided that they follow strict precautionary guidelines.

The suspension on travel between regions in the Kingdom using various transport methods will no longer be in place. Airlines will be allowed to operate domestic flights if they adhere to precautionary measures set by the civil aviation authority and the Ministry of Health. The suspension of international flights, will, however, continue until further notice.

Restaurants and cafes serving food and beverages can reopen, however, beauty salons, barber shops, sports clubs, health clubs, entertainment centers and cinemas will be barred from reopening in the second phase. The ban on social gatherings of more than fifty people, such as weddings and funerals will also continue to remain in force.

In the third phase commencing on June 21, the Kingdom will return to "normal" conditions as it was before the coronavirus lockdown measures were implemented.

Meanwhile in Makkah, the first phase measures will be implemented between May 31 to June 20 and the second phase will begin on May 21. Friday prayers and all congregational prayers will continue to be held in the Grand Mosque, only to be attended by Imams and the employees.

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I think second phase is May 31 to June 20. Must be a typo.

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Oman's culture minister takes oath as new monarch

Agencies

January 11,2020

Muscat, Jan 11: Oman's Culture and Heritage Minister, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, took oath as country's Sultan on Saturday following the demise of Qaboos bin Said al-Said, the country's government confirmed on Saturday.

Sputnik quoted a report by sultanate's Al-Roya newspaper as saying that the new Sultan " affirmed the continuation of the country's modernisation and development in various fields."

The development comes after Qaboos bin Said, who had served as the ruler of Oman since 1970, died Friday at the age of 79.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled Qaboos's demise and remembered him as the "beacon of peace for India and the world".

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