Stemming from its belief in the importance of giving back to society and supporting those in need, the National Hotels Company BSC has contributed an amount of BD 2,500 to the Children & Mother Welfare Society.

The cheque was presented by Mr. Zaher M Al Ajjawi, Chief Executive Officer of the company, to Ms. Sawsan Qamber.

"This modest support is part of the company's corporate social responsibility program aiming to support national institutions and charity organizations in their efforts to direct funds and services to those in need." said Mr. Al Ajjawi.

"Spreading the value of social solidarity and advancing charitable and humanitarian efforts, services and contributions to our society is a key objective of the company that we are proud to participate in", he added.

Stemming from its role in supporting the larger community and its belief in the importance of corporate social responsibility, the National Hotels Company BSC presented a cheque to the Bahraini Association for Intellectual Disability and Autism Society, in support of the Society’s activities and services focused on helping those in need.

The cheque was presented by Mr. Zaher M Al Ajjawi, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to the Society’s Chairman, Ms. Fareeda A. Almoayyad and Vice Chairman, Prof. Ahmed Alansari.

"On this occasion, I would like to thank the Society and those in charge for the relentless efforts and services extended to our local community", said Mr. Al Ajjawi.

As part of its Social Corporate Responsibility, the National Hotels Company BSC presented its annual financial support to the Bahrain Association for Parents & Friends of Disabled. The cheque was presented at the company’s head office by Mr. Zaher M Al Ajjawi, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, to Mr. Jassim M Seyadi, Chairman of the association.

Mr. Seyadi thanked the company for its continuous contributions and support to the association and its activities.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the National Hotels Company BSC received Bahrain Cancer Society’s Executive Director, Mr. Ahmed Al-Nuwakhtha at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa and presented to him a cheque of BD 5,000 in support of the Society’s contributions. The cheque was presented by Mr. Zaher M Al Ajjawi, Chief Executive Officer of the company, in the presence of the Hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Petr Dubsky.

On this occasion, Mr. Al-Nuwakhtha presented to the National Hotels Company, on behalf of the Society, a certificate of thanks and appreciation for the company’s continued financial support.

The National Hotels Company BSC presented its annual donation to the Red Crescent Society. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zaher M Al Ajjawi, handed the cheque to Mr. Mohamed Ebrahim, Administration Supervisor of the Society, in the presence of the Head of Accounts of the Society, Ms. Zainab Zayer.

"The National Hotels Company is proud to support local philanthropic organizations and societies that we believe are an integral part of our community, providing a strong bond to its social fabric", said Mr. Al-Ajjawi.

Construction of a new BD25.7-million twin tower office building and car park was officially launched at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Residence and Spa yesterday.

The National Hotels Company (NHC) Diplomat Commercial Office Tower is a 75,000sqm project that consists of two 30-stoery office towers, joined together by a lift shaft and two basements.

NHC, which also owns the Diplomat, employed Malayisa-based Chase Perdana Berhad to carry out the design and construction of the tower project, which is dubbed an icon in Bahrain.

Construction on the towers, located in a section of the hotel’s existing car park, will start this month and the completion is targeted for mid-2010.

A total of BD 800,000 will be spent on upgrading the façade of the Diplomat to match the design style of the new developments.

"The project comes as a part of the board’s diversification plan aimed at maximising utilisation of company assets and the strategic and unique location of this land," NHC vice-chairman and managing director Yousef Al Dakhil said at a ground breaking ceremony yesterday.

"It also reflects without doubt the board’s confidence in the fundamentals of the kingdom’s economy and those how are running it."

He said the project followed the completion of two major projects, namely the Diplomat Furnished Apartments and the Diplomat ladies and Gents Spa and Health club facilities.

The official said the board of directors was fully convinced that such projects played an important roll in enhancing returns on investment and assets.

The board, he said, would continue to look for investments that enrich the company’s activities and create additional job opportunities, thus supporting the national economy and enhancing shareholders’ returns.

"The section of Chase Perdana Berhad as the design-and-build contractor for this project came through an international design competition, which was launched two years ago, and included international spectrum of contractors and consultants" Said Mr Al Dakhil.

"The idea was to create an icon for the sky line of Manama in this important location."

The gross lettable area of the office space is just over 31,000sqm, with approximately 1,020sqm of lettable area on each floor of the tower.

Each floor comprises two wings, connected by a central core, which houses eight high speed elevators, staircase, washrooms for ladies and gents and plant / utility rooms.

The tower facade is a combination of high-tech composite insulated aluminium panels and high performance double glazing, all designed to ensure an energy-efficient construction.

Between the six levels of podium and the two basements, more than 685 parking spaces will be provided.

"There will be a car parking facility of two floors in the basement and five above the ground which will have a car park capacity for 700 vehicles," explained NHC general manager Abdulrahaman Morshed.

"It will cater for the office tower in the day and the hotel in the evening, when there are big banqueting occasions and other events."

"While the project is being built, the hotel will be renting some surrounding car park spaces for cars using valet parking facilities. It will also be using the car park spaces along the road behind the hotel."

Chase Perdana Berhad has engaged Mohamed Salahuddin Engineering Consultant Bureau (MSCEB) as the design-and-build team’s architectural and engineering consultant and Davis Langdon a its quantity surveyor.

NHC has employed Ismail Khonji Associates as the employer’s agent and Baker Wilkins Smith as the employer’s quantity surveyor and client representatives.

The Diplomat Commercial Office Tower project is Chase Perdana Berhad flagship venture in Bahrain, said Chase Perdana Berhad executive chairman Dr Mohan Swami.

He said several other Bahrain-based projects were in the pipeline in which the company would take on the roll of main contractor or the developer.

Meanwhile a signing ceremony between Chase Perdana Berhad director Dato Halim Muhamat was also held at the ground breaking ceremony.