Moda Mall wins eBusiness award at the Bahrain eContent Awards 2009

MODA Mall receives award for the eBusiness category with special mention on content at the Bahrain eContent Awards (BEA) ceremony

Manama, Bahrain - March 17^th, 2009: MODA Mall, the ultra-exclusive shopping complex on the ground floor of the landmark Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) was recently honoured at the Bahrain eContent Awards 2009 when named a winner of the eBusiness category with special mention on content.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT), the event was organised by the eGovernment Authority (eGA) in Bahrain, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), the Bahrain Internet Society (BIS) and organisations from the private sector. In attendance were several ministers, the Shura Council and Parliament members, diplomats, businessmen, and additional VIP's.

MODA Mall's website, www.modabwtc.com, is aimed at raising awareness of the mall and to act as a means to inform, engage and create dialogue with customers through up-to-date and relevant information. Web users are kept informed of in-house events, boutique products offerings and competitions held at MODA Mall. Subscribers to an email alert service will soon be able to receive an electronic version of MODA Talk, MODA Mall's quarterly newsletter, currently on display at MODA Mall, some five-star hotels, spas and establishments throughout Bahrain.

Mr. David Williams, Director, Head of Property Management Middle East of DTZ Bahrain (BWTC's Managing and Leasing Agents), commented: 'We are delighted to receive this accolade in the eBusiness category with special mention on the website content. MODA Mall's website was built as a tool to provide our target audience with instant information on the mall and to build an ongoing dialogue with our shoppers, media and potential business partners."

The Bahrain eContent Awards is a national programme supported by the Government of Bahrain, BIS and MoIC through the eGA and is aimed at promoting a knowledge-based society by facilitating eContent innovation at government, private business and individual levels.

The evaluation criteria set by the World Summit Awards was utilized to assess quality and comprehensiveness of content, ease of use, value added through interactivity and multimedia, quality of design, quality of craftsmanship, strategic importance for the global development of the Information Society and accessibility according to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). W3C is a forum that develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential.

MODA Mall spans approximately 16,500 square metres, including 6,900 square metres of the Bahrain Commercial Complex (BCC), which is in the process of being refurbished. The mall is home to exclusive brand name boutiques previously unattainable in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Versace, Villa Moda, Gucci and Hermes, showcasing haute couture and ready to wear offerings. Prior to re-branding as MODA Mall, the BCC had long been reputed as a destination for its high profile jewellery and clothing outlets, with brands such as Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany & Co, Etienne Aigner, Chariol, Escada, and Mont Blanc, being housed within its walls.

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MODA Mall
MODA Mall, located on the ground floor of the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC), is the Kingdom of Bahrain's first ultra high-end shopping complex, housing the largest and most exciting array of top luxury retailers in Bahrain.

MODA Mall pans approximately 16,500 square meters, and comprises of the existing 6,900 square meter Bahrain Commercial Complex - which is in the process of being refurbished - in addition to a new 9,600 square metre extension located on the ground floor of the BWTC development. The mall houses some 160 exclusive boutiques offering the latest fashions. These include some 53 new stores among which are a large number of luxury brands that have never been represented before in the Bahraini market.

Complementing the retail offering, is a range of exciting and exquisitely appointed restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining in addition to a host of other amenities all aimed at providing shoppers with a unique experience and one to rival those of top international fashion capitals such as London, Milan and Paris.

About Bahrain World Trade Center
Situated on the Manama waterfront and in the heart of the region's leading financial and business hub, the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) project comprises the two 50-storey sail shaped twin office towers, the five-star Sheraton Hotel as well as MODA Mall, Bahrain's only ultra high-end shopping destination, featuring some 160 luxury retail outlets as well as a host of modern cafes and exciting fine dining eateries.

The BWTC provides leading regional and international organizations with a world-class business address. The buildings are highly advanced in design and operation and are the Kingdom's first intelligent offices, employing the latest SMART systems capable of delivering unsurpassed security and maximum competitive advantages and efficiency in office management. In addition, they are the first of their kind in the world, using wind energy to provide 11 - 15% of the electricity needs of the office towers.

Other benefits enjoyed by local and international businesses occupying space at the development is membership to the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Locating at the BWTC offers an exceptional opportunity for connectivity with the global business community. With more than 300 centers in 100 countries, WTCA has a membership of approximately 750,000 commercial enterprises worldwide.

For press information contact:
Mark Lawlor
Hill and Knowlton
Tel: +973 17533532
Fax: +973 17533370
e-mail: mark.lawlor@hillandknowlton.com