Post by Macmoish on Feb 15, 2012 14:17:10 GMT
Tune Group announces new presence in Qatar
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120215121102
Doha-based Tune Middle East will be launchpad for regional expansion, says Fernandes
DOHA, 15 February 2012 - Tune Group, the globally-renowned Malaysian-based lifestyle business conglomerate, today announced its expansion into the Middle East through the formation of "Tune Middle East"
Tune Middle East is a joint venture between Tune Group - led by its co-founders Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun - and their Qatari partner Mr Mohammed Al Saad.
According to Fernandes, Tune Middle East, headquartered in Qatar will be a platform to roll out Tune brands in GCC and The Middle East and to bring skills, investment and marketing opportunities to the region.
Fernandes said: "Tune Group is extremely pleased to be partnering with Mohammed Al Saad; we have the same vision, enthusiasm and motivation, together with a shared belief in the intrinsic value of building businesses. Tune Middle East will be the nucleus for our expansion in Qatar and the Middle East. With a total population of over 40 million among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries alone, the Middle East is a vibrant market for Tune to tap into and we look forward to building our businesses here."
"There are some really strong synergies that have brought us to this exciting mutual commitment. Both Malaysia and the UK, where the Tune Group has a strong presence, enjoy superb relations with Qatar. Our philosophy of building business and brands aligns well with His Highness The Emir of Qatar's vision for 2030, while, to use an aviation metaphor, our multifaceted capabilities mean we can deliver a blend of First Class, Business Class and Economy Class solutions in the Middle East, in Europe and in Asia," he added.
Mr Mohammed Al Saad said: "I am delighted to formally welcome Tune Group to the Middle East and most especially here in Qatar. Tony, Kamarudin and I have been looking at ways to collaborate for some time, not only in the GCC, but further afield in the UK and in Asia. We will ensure that Tune Middle East will be a dynamic entity with a strong, credible reputation in Qatar, the Middle East and on the international stage."
Fernandes and Meranun are the team behind Asia's leading and largest low-cost carrier AirAsia. As Group CEO and Deputy Group CEO respectively, they built the once ailing carrier from just 2 aircraft when they acquired it in 2001, to a fleet of over 100 Airbus planes today.
Tune Group was established in 2007 with the aim of breaking down affordability barriers in various aspects of daily life - via Tune Hotels, Tune Talk and Tune Money. Tune Group's portfolio today also includes the automotive technology company Caterham Group and the English Premier League team Queens Park Rangers (QPR).
-Ends-
About Tune Group
Tune Group was founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun. Tune Group seeks to innovate and revolutionise the way services are made available and has employed efficient web-based technologies to reach and engage its customers, presenting a unique lifestyle offering ranging from value hotel stays, personal finance solutions and affordable prepaid mobile services. Tune Group of Companies are Tune Air (AirAsia - http://www.airasia.com), Tune Hotels (www.tunehotels.com), Tune Money (www.tunemoney.com), Tune Talk (www.tunetalk.com), Tune Box, Tune Studios, the ASEAN Basketball League (www.aseanbasketballleague.com), Caterham Group (www.caterham.co.uk) and the English Premier League team Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR - http://www.qpr.co.uk).
Media enquiries:
TUNE GROUP
Hamdan Mohamad
Head, Corporate Communications
Mobile: +6010 500 1111
Email: hamdan@tunegroup.com
Tune Middle East
Aziz Louksah
The Agency Public Relations
Mobile: +974 55736001
Email: a.louksah@theagency.qa
Business enquiries:
TUNE MIDDLE EAST
Ali Rafi
Chief Executive Officer
Tune Middle East
tel: +974 44292690
Mobile: +974 33156574
Email: ali.rafi@tuneme.qa
� Press Release 2012
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120215121102
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120215121102
Doha-based Tune Middle East will be launchpad for regional expansion, says Fernandes
DOHA, 15 February 2012 - Tune Group, the globally-renowned Malaysian-based lifestyle business conglomerate, today announced its expansion into the Middle East through the formation of "Tune Middle East"
Tune Middle East is a joint venture between Tune Group - led by its co-founders Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun - and their Qatari partner Mr Mohammed Al Saad.
According to Fernandes, Tune Middle East, headquartered in Qatar will be a platform to roll out Tune brands in GCC and The Middle East and to bring skills, investment and marketing opportunities to the region.
Fernandes said: "Tune Group is extremely pleased to be partnering with Mohammed Al Saad; we have the same vision, enthusiasm and motivation, together with a shared belief in the intrinsic value of building businesses. Tune Middle East will be the nucleus for our expansion in Qatar and the Middle East. With a total population of over 40 million among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries alone, the Middle East is a vibrant market for Tune to tap into and we look forward to building our businesses here."
"There are some really strong synergies that have brought us to this exciting mutual commitment. Both Malaysia and the UK, where the Tune Group has a strong presence, enjoy superb relations with Qatar. Our philosophy of building business and brands aligns well with His Highness The Emir of Qatar's vision for 2030, while, to use an aviation metaphor, our multifaceted capabilities mean we can deliver a blend of First Class, Business Class and Economy Class solutions in the Middle East, in Europe and in Asia," he added.
Mr Mohammed Al Saad said: "I am delighted to formally welcome Tune Group to the Middle East and most especially here in Qatar. Tony, Kamarudin and I have been looking at ways to collaborate for some time, not only in the GCC, but further afield in the UK and in Asia. We will ensure that Tune Middle East will be a dynamic entity with a strong, credible reputation in Qatar, the Middle East and on the international stage."
Fernandes and Meranun are the team behind Asia's leading and largest low-cost carrier AirAsia. As Group CEO and Deputy Group CEO respectively, they built the once ailing carrier from just 2 aircraft when they acquired it in 2001, to a fleet of over 100 Airbus planes today.
Tune Group was established in 2007 with the aim of breaking down affordability barriers in various aspects of daily life - via Tune Hotels, Tune Talk and Tune Money. Tune Group's portfolio today also includes the automotive technology company Caterham Group and the English Premier League team Queens Park Rangers (QPR).
-Ends-
About Tune Group
Tune Group was founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun. Tune Group seeks to innovate and revolutionise the way services are made available and has employed efficient web-based technologies to reach and engage its customers, presenting a unique lifestyle offering ranging from value hotel stays, personal finance solutions and affordable prepaid mobile services. Tune Group of Companies are Tune Air (AirAsia - http://www.airasia.com), Tune Hotels (www.tunehotels.com), Tune Money (www.tunemoney.com), Tune Talk (www.tunetalk.com), Tune Box, Tune Studios, the ASEAN Basketball League (www.aseanbasketballleague.com), Caterham Group (www.caterham.co.uk) and the English Premier League team Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR - http://www.qpr.co.uk).
Media enquiries:
TUNE GROUP
Hamdan Mohamad
Head, Corporate Communications
Mobile: +6010 500 1111
Email: hamdan@tunegroup.com
Tune Middle East
Aziz Louksah
The Agency Public Relations
Mobile: +974 55736001
Email: a.louksah@theagency.qa
Business enquiries:
TUNE MIDDLE EAST
Ali Rafi
Chief Executive Officer
Tune Middle East
tel: +974 44292690
Mobile: +974 33156574
Email: ali.rafi@tuneme.qa
� Press Release 2012
www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120215121102