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Union Assurance the driving force in NE

Most organizations are planning a strategy on how to exploit the untapped market potential of the North and East.

Union Assurance planned to enter the Northern market in 2002, to begin operations in the North and this move was duly recognized to be a wise investment when the Jaffna branch office was bestowed with the best region office award at the Union Assurance Annual Awards 2005, said General Manager Marketing and Distribution Union Assurance PLC Rukman Weerarathne.

The Jaffna branch currently houses over 70 staff members recording a significant growth in life and general insurance operations.

In the coming months we will open branches in strategic locations covering the Valikamam, Vadamarachchi and Thenmanachchi zones in the Jaffna peninsula and we hope that these expansions will create thousands of job opportunities, provide insurance solutions to the community and will have a direct impact on the development of the northern and the eastern regions, said Weerarathne.

We are evenly poised and well established in the eastern region with branches in Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Trincomalee, Valachchenai and Ampara.

Being a part of the development process of the North and the East is not something new to UA. We have conducted many social responsibility initiatives in these regions, through its many outstanding social responsibility initiatives such as ‘Union Neth Hamuwa’, which greatly focuses on developing skills and best practices in business and introducing modern teaching techniques. Union Assurance has always been in the forefront of its social responsibility initiatives.

Therefore the North and Eastern areas of the country have been no exception when it comes to our social responsibility initiatives. This was seen when the company commenced its seventh phase in the Eastern Province by installing crime prevention awareness boards last year.

In addition, Union Assurance contributed towards uplifting the hospital facilities of the two main hospitals in the Northern district in Jaffna and Karainagar, said Weerarathne.

There is a good business potential in the Jaffna region, and UA hopes to invest in the Northern and Eastern regions by offering their products and services to the markets.

This will enable them to provide more job opportunities and services and thus enhance the lifestyles of the communities in these areas.

Union Assurance, has been in existence for over 20 years in the insurance industry with over 49 branches islandwide and a staff strength of over 3,000.

Qatar Airways opens office in Houston

Qatar Airways has offered thanks to the people of Houston for helping make the airline’s first route launch of 2009 a success.

A Qatar Airways delegation has been in the heart of America’s energy capital city celebrating the official opening of the airline’s brand new office in Houston Pavilons, a newly-constructed multi-million dollar retail, dining and business centre.

Attended by airline officials and a host of local VIPs, including Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Qatar Counsel General Yousef Al-Khater, the opening comes four months after Qatar Airways extended its global reach and award-winning five star hospitality to Houston with the launch of direct daily services to Doha, its operational hub.

At just under 17 hours, the non-stop flight is the longest in Qatar Airways’ international network and has been seen as a big boost for energy-related companies with business interests at both ends of the route.

The Houston launch into George Bush Intercontinental Airport marked Qatar Airways’ entry into the southern United States, connecting two major global energy capitals.

Qatar Airways also flies daily to Washington Dulles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York using its state-of-the-art Boeing 777 aircraft. On the second leg of a USA tour for new office openings in all three cities, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that the Houston route had grown from strength to strength since its launch.

“I am delighted to say that we have enjoyed a good rapport with the people of Houston, the business and leisure community and the airport authority for fully welcoming and supporting Qatar Airways.”

“Qatar Airways has been honoured with a visit to Doha by a high-level business delegation from Houston led by Deputy Mayor Anthony Hall. Business links between our two cities have grown and we look forward to building on what is already an extremely fruitful relationship with Houston.”

Al Baker said that the new Houston office demonstrated Qatar Airways’ commitment to excellent customer service on the ground and in the air. The office location will make it easier for business and leisure travellers to book their flights to South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.

“We made the decision to strategically locate our office in the central business district of Houston to make it easily accessible for business and leisure passengers to make their travel arrangements,” he said.

“We are completely committed to growing our presence and raising the service bar, not only in the United States, but throughout our global network. This means continued investment in people and in infrastructure as we are seeing in our new offices across the US,” said Al Baker. Qatar Airways is recognized globally for its acclaimed Five Star service, superior cuisine and excellent onboard entertainment options.

American express offers 1 for 1 lodging

This season American Express offers Cardmembers 1 for 1 lodging at exquisite boutique and resort hotels. Offering a free night for every night booked, American Express will reward and match Cardmembers for any number of nights booked on single, full or half board basis. This means that for every one night booked, the next night is free, for every two nights booked the Cardmember will enjoy a further two nights at no additional cost, and so on. Additional rooms booked by the Cardmember for his group of family or friends will be offered at a 20 percent savings.

The list of top end leisure destinations offering the ultimate in premier comforts include The Fortress, Elephant Corridor, The Privilege, Governor’s Chalet, Taprobana, The Parkstreet Hotel, The River House, Tamarind Hill, Amaya Reef, Amaya Hills and Amaya Lake.

Considered some of the best leisure destinations in the country, these hotels offer the best of luxury and relaxation surrounded by breathtaking nature, architecture and design. Chief Manager cards and consumer assets at Nations Trust Bank PLC Lewie Diasz said, “We are delighted to offer this benefit to our Cardmembers at exquisite boutique and resort hotels, which is bound to be timely and welcome during the forthcoming holiday season.

We are privileged to join the country’s premium partner organizations in offering this value added benefit to our valued Cardmembers.”

Director of Elephant Corridor, Tissa Perera said “We are proud to partner with the premium credit card American Express on this exciting venture, and invite all valued Cardmembers to indulge in a rejuvenating, secluded getaway nestled among 200 acres of lush nature at its best”.

Herbal medicines from Fair Pharma

Herbal medicines manufactured by Fair Pharma (Pvt) Ltd, provide quite successful solutions to many critical diseases. The treatment introduced for cardiac patients is an efficacious cure which dissolves blocks in arteries making an enormous relief to the patient avoiding from critical circumstances.

They have also unerring herbal medicines for Osteoporosis, Osteo Arthritis, SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Palliative care for Cancer, Thyroid gland problems, Low level of haemoglobin, Chronic back pain, Liver enlargement and Cirrhosis, Hepatitis B&C, Jaundice, Ascitic, Migraine and Sinusitis, Enlargement and inflammation of Prostate glad, Phlegm, cough, Tuberculosis, Down syndrome, Depression, Viral Fever, Bedsores, diabetic ulcers, burns and cuts.

T.A. Majeed is the founder of Fair Pharma.