Indian Hotels enters Saudi with first Taj hotel in Makkah

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

MUMBAI, APR 17

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) that runs the Taj brand of luxury hotels, today announced its entry into Saudi Arabia with a 340-keys property in Makkah.

The property - fourth in the Middle East region for IHCL - is scheduled to open in January 2023 and will come up in partnership with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company in the tony King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR) project, one of the largest urban rejuvenation projects in Makkah.

Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and chief executive officer of IHCL said, “We are happy to bring the first Taj hotel to Saudi Arabia. We are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. This hotel will be our fourth venture in the MENA region.”

The group already manages a property in the Burj Khalifa downtown area of Dubai and will be opening two more hotels in Dubai in the next 12-18 months.

The proposed hotel is situated within walking distance of the Grand Mosque of Masjid Al-Haram, the main attraction for over 6 million pilgrims who visit the city each year. As the birthplace of prophet Muhammad, Makkah is the holiest city for Muslims and the KAAR project is considered as one of the most important development projects in Makkah.

IHCL operates 145 hotels globally across four continents, 11 countries and 72 locations and is among the largest domestic hospitality chains.


https://www.thehindubusinessline.co...first-taj-hotel-in-makkah/article23573971.ece

 

[El Sidd]

Baal is back in Makkah !!

 

[somebozo]

Well done India!

 

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

UAE-India trade likely to cross $100 billion by 2020

Both countries are seeking to increase innovation and entrepreneurship in sectors of mutual interest
The UAE-India relationship has entered a vibrant growth phase with bilateral trade on track to exceed $100 billion by 2020, key speakers at the '2018 Dubai Global Convention' said on Tuesday.

"India is an important demographic and economic powerhouse in Asia and investments between the 2 countries exceed billions. This convention will take the India-UAE relationship a step further as both countries explore ways to enhance business ties, intensify economic cooperation and increase innovation and entrepreneurship in sectors of mutual interest," Abdulla Al Saleh, Undersecretary, Foreign Trade & Industry, Ministry of Economy, said in his inaugural address.

"India is the first trading partner for the UAE. In 2017, trade relations between the UAE and India reached $53 billion, of which $35 billion is non-oil trade. The UAE is the third largest foreign trade partner to India after China and USA," said Al Saleh.

He said the UAE invested over $5 billion in India through foreign direct investment stock until the end of 2017, which makes the UAE one of the top investors in India. Additionally, India is the second largest direct investor in the UAE at the end of 2016 with $6.6 billion. "In the beginning, foreign trade and oil and gas were the focal point of the India-UAE relationship. But today, this has diversified to include many new sectors following the recent high-level visits of UAE and Indian leaders," Al Saleh said.

The convention, organised by The Institute of Directors (IOD), in association with Khaleej Times, lined up some leading business and thought leaders, who shared their insights and explored how best to remain relevant and competitive, stimulate innovation and achieve the corporate responses that are required in the age of disruption. This year's main theme is 'Transformative leadership for fostering creativity, innovation & business excellence'.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, inaugurated the convention and presented the 'Golden Peacock Awards' to top corporate leaders for Business Excellence and Innovative Product/Service.

Ashok Chawla, chairman, National Stock Exchange of India; and Navdeep Singh Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE; addressed the opening session. Ahmed Sultan bin Sulayem, executive chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), delivered the keynote address. Abdulla bin Damithan, chief commercial officer, DP World, also delivered a special address.

Some of the leaders who spoke also include Shishir Kapadia, senior vice-president, finance and operations, Khaleej Times; Prof. Colin Coulson-Thomas, president, Institute of Management Services, UK; Mohanned K. Al Anni, vice-chairperson, Gulf University, Bahrain; Khurram Shroff, chairman, International Blockchain Capital, IBC Group; Vipul, Consul-General of India in Dubai; and Hind Al Youha, director - investment department, UAE Ministry of Economy.

Kapadia spoke on the topic of 'Leadership for integrating excellence, culture and innovation for social value'. He said: "Khaleej Times is committed to lead the change" and would remain transformative by leveraging innovation to drive excellence. Speakers at the session discussed adaptive leadership for promoting strategic disruptive innovation.

The inaugural session also witnessed the signing of an MoU between IOD, India, and DMCC in further strengthening support between the 2 institutions.

Dr Tayeb Kamali, chairman, IOD India, UAE chapter, director-general, education and training development, Ministry of Interior, the UAE, is chairman of the convention, which drew over 450 business and corporate leaders.

- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com

 

[Ocean]

I wouldnt be surprised that just how these arabs gave away jerusalem to jews and americans they would also give away makkah and kabbah in kuffars hands.

They are a curse on muslim world.

 

[Ajaxpaul]

I wouldnt be surprised that just how these arabs gave away jerusalem to jews and americans they would also give away makkah and kabbah in kuffars hands.

They are a curse on muslim world.

Nobody has given away anything.....we are just building a hotel.

 

[ashok321]

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) that runs the Taj brand of luxury hotels, today announced its entry into Saudi Arabia with a 340-keys property in Makkah.

They will have to comply with Saudi building codes and Saudi tourism industry.

Each room must have a Qibla sign-age in the room (on ceiling):

 

[takeiteasy]

They are not sending non-Muslim staff to Mecca.

 

[Ryuzaki]

Will non-Muslims executives of IHCL be able to visit Makkah?

 

[Sugarcane]

What happened to entry restriction on Non-Muslims in Makkah?

 

[Ocean]

They are not sending non-Muslim staff to Mecca.

Btw isnt this taj mehal chain owned by parsi family whose daughter had married Jinnah sahab?

 

[ni8mare]

He said the UAE invested over $5 billion in India through foreign direct investment stock until the end of 2017, which makes the UAE one of the top investors in India. Additionally, India is the second largest direct investor in the UAE at the end of 2016 with $6.6 billion. "In the beginning, foreign trade and oil and gas were the focal point of the India-UAE relationship. But today, this has diversified to include many new sectors following the recent high-level visits of UAE and Indian leaders," Al Saleh said.

Nice

wow... build one property in KSA and its called KSA giving up cities to Kaffir.... then what will you call about Chinese involvements in your country ??

Being slave??

 

[ashok321]

Btw isnt this taj mehal chain owned by parsi family whose daughter had married Jinnah sahab?

Tata Group.

They are not sending non-Muslim staff to Mecca.

Not even a Non Muslim (Indian) is allowed as ambassador of India to Saudi. This condition is however not applied to USA/UK/Japan or China. India has been living under this snub forever despite Modi.

Indians are being ridiculed by Saudi Arabia while Modi remains conveniently silent to not ruffle Saudi feathers on this issue.

 

[Ocean]

wow... build one property in KSA and its called KSA giving up cities to Kaffir.... then what will you call about Chinese involvements in your country ??

Makkah is holy land of muslims moron. Plus indians are massively involved in genocide of kashmiri muslims so how can they allow indian open shytters to build anything on holy land of muslims and funnel massive funds back into india from makkah in hotel profits to kill more kashmiris.

 

[$@rJen]

USA/UK/Japan or China

i think its because they don't have any option while India does.

Makkah is holy land of muslims moron. Plus indians are massively involved in genocide of kashmiri muslims so how can they allow indian open shytters to build anything on holy land of muslims and funnel massive funds back into india from makkah in hotel profits to kill more kashmiris.

They allowed Pakistanis into ksa who are involved in every kinda of illegal activities in ksa or in GUlf so what's there to complain

besides.. what makes you think Indians are only Hindus ???? are you out of your mind !???