UAE
UAE, UNESCO sign MoU for joint cooperation
UAE, UNESCO sign MoU for joint cooperation
posted on 01/04/2008
Paris – HE Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and HE Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of the UNESCO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for boosting joint cooperation in culture, heritage and antiquities.
Under this memorandum, the UNESCO will provide the ministry with expertise and consultancy in the said fields. The signing ceremony was attended by HE Mohammed Abdullah Al Ghafli, charge’ d’affaires of the UAE to France, and HE Bilal Al Bodour, executive director of the ministry of culture, youth and community development. The signing of the MoU crowned three days of extensive talks between officials from the ministry and UNESCO over prospects for joint cooperation.
The scope of the agreement covered translating innovative works by UAE citizens through UNESCO publications, convening of intellectual symposiums and conferences on exchange of knowledge, cultural diversity and translation, holding training workshops for development of skills of UAE citizens at UNESCO and its specialised agencies and empowering woman and building her capacity in the fields of folklore and handicrafts.
Under the MoU, the UNESCO will tailor special programmes for preserving UAE heritage and identity and commission a feasibility study on establishing a national library and restructuring and management of UAE archives.
UNESCO experts will also offer technical assistance in the areas of registering UAE archaeological landmarks and nature reserves in the world heritage and nature sanctuaries records. Experts will also take care of the non-material cultural heritage. Cultural and artistic events and exhibitions will also be staged at UNESCO venue.
UNESCO Assistant Director General for Culture Francois Rivera thanked the UAE for the high confidence it reposed on the UN organisation and for concluding a long-term agreement with UNESCO. She said she sensed during her previous visit to the UAE an indomitable spirit of care lent by the government for culture.
She noted the UAE’s firm desire to preserve its heritage and identity in light of the dramatic modernising transformations of its society. She also praised the UAE for advancing and promoting Arab culture and heritage through the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and Sharjah Award for Arab Culture.
On his part, Al Bodour gave a presentation on the mission and role of the ministry. He reaffirmed the UAE’s firm desire to boost cooperation with the UNESCO. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
Abu Dhabi to host one of world’s largest oil and gas events – ADIPEC 2008
Abu Dhabi to host one of world’s largest oil and gas events – ADIPEC 2008
posted on 01/04/2008
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2008, (ADIPEC), one of the largest oil and gas events in the world, will take place on November 3 – 6 under the patronage of President His HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
As the inaugural event for the newly completed Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the tradeshow will cover more than 85,000 square metres of indoor exhibition space, making this event the largest in ADIPEC history, organisers dmg World Media said in a press release issued Monday.
ADIPEC 2008 expects to host between 35,000 – 40,000 industry executives who are spearheading the growth and development of the global oil and gas industry.
With over 1,400 exhibitors from 55 countries, 18 national pavilions, ADIPEC is the only international oil and gas show with representation from major international and national oil companies (IOCs and NOCs), and operating companies besides manufacturers of related equipments.
ADIPEC 2008 is the leading event for industry professionals, experts and government officials to promote their business and services, network, as well as see for the first time the latest technologies and innovations for the coming year.
This year ADIPEC is of great significance to the organisers, supporters and sponsors as it builds on more than two decades of success. The gross area of exhibition space for ADIPEC 2008 has grown by more than 100 percent. In addition, the event will witness the most considerable gathering of key global influencers including oil ministers from the GCC. Within the four days ADIPEC will stage two unique events – Energy 2030 and the Energy Investment Summit. The Petroleum Institute, ADNOC, and ADIPEC will host Energy 2030, which will include a high level conference and technical theatres.
ADIPEC was first launched in 1984 and is fully supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and ADNOC. The conference programme is produced by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Intl.). – Emirates News Agency, WAM
Dubai Customs joins AskDubai service
Dubai Customs joins AskDubai service
27 March 2008 KHALEEJ TIMES
DUBAI — Dubai eGovernment has announced that Dubai Customs has become the 15th government department to join the AskDubai service, an initiative that facilitates interaction between the government and its public through a single point of contact.
Through the AskDubai call centre, the public can enquire about various services offered by Dubai Customs through multiple channels of communication.
AskDubai is a unified, bilingual contact centre connecting to government departments in Dubai through multi channels including a call centre, internet chat, e-mail and fax. It integrates key features of Customer Relationship Management, which has become a crucial component in many IT-enabled customer care services. AskDubai utilises industry-leading technologies that ensure each call gets immediate attention from an agent or an automated voice response system.
$50m steel factory opened in RAK
$50m steel factory opened in RAK
By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIMES 25 March 2008
DUBAI — Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on Sunday inaugurated the $50 million RAK Steel factory in Al Ghail, Ras Al Khaimah.
RAK Steel, a joint venture with Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), is an energy-efficient, environment-friendly mill that will manufacture 500,000 tonnes of deformed steel reinforcement bars per year. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials of RAKIA, dignitaries from Ras Al Khaimah Government, customers and suppliers.
The establishment of RAK Steel comes at a time when the demand for steel is at an all time high, thanks to the continued construction boom in the UAE and the Middle East region. The value of projects under construction in the UAE alone is estimated at $220 billion, while it is in excess of $800 billion in the GCC as a whole. A significant amount of this value will be for steel. Moreover, the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) recently estimated that the UAE would use 44-66 million tonnes of rebar products over the next 15 years.
RAK Steel produces rebars from 8mm to 40 mm diameter in variable lengths of 6 to 18 metres to both British and American standards. The company uses the superior TEMPERIT process for manufacturing the rebars.
Budget airline to operate out of Jebel Ali
Budget airline to operate out of Jebel Ali
Saifur Rahman, Business Editor Published: March 19, 2008, 14:10
Dubai: The new budget airline announced by the Dubai Government will base its operations at the new Al Maktoum International Airport, a top official told Gulf News on Wednesday.
“We expect to start the airline within a year’s time from the Jebel Ali airport,” Ghaith Al Ghaith, the airline’s new chief executive said in an exclusive interview.
“It will be a new company, separate from the Emirates Group. However, Emirates will help to set up the airline. Its operations will be based in the low-cost terminal of the Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali.”
Ghaith could not give any indication of the airline’s capital requirements.
“It’s too early for us. However, you could be sure that whatever capital requirements we have, the government of Dubai is there to back us up. So, money is not an issue,” he said.
Al Ghaith said it was too early for him to offer any details on the airline’s fare structure. “You’ll come to know in due course,” he said.
Al Ghaith said preliminary work on setting up the office would be done from his current office at the Emirates headquarters.
“I’m still with the Emirates Group. However, my focus will gradually shift in setting up of the new airline,” he said.
Heavy fog expected in parts of UAE on Monday morning
Heavy fog expected in parts of UAE on Monday morning
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief GULF NEWS Published: March 16, 2008, 14:23
Al Ain: Weathermen have warned of the chances of heavy fog and mist on Monday morning in different parts of the northern and eastern emirates.
The north-westerly winds can also kick up dust in the western areas of the country that will reduce visibility during the daytime. This condition is also expected to extend in most areas of the country by afternoon and evening.
The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), has forecast hazy and mild daytime weather in general, that would turn pleasant in the night.
“There will be another fall in the night time temperature,” said an official of the NCMS, indicating a good chance of fog or mist in some areas.
The winds may blow at the speed of 16 knots overland but they are expected to gain more strength in over sea, reaching to a speed of 24 knots. “The sea will also be rough with four to six feet high waves offshore,” he added.
The NCMS official said summer conditions are around the corner. The maximum and minimum temperature in different cities of the UAE ranges from 15 to 31 degree Celsius.
The level of maximum humidity has also increased, reaching 90 per cent in Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, while in other cities it is around 80 to 85 per cent.
Biggest ever UAE Yearbook released
Biggest ever UAE Yearbook released
(Wam)16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – The 2008 UAE Yearbook’s Arabic edition is the most comprehensive yearbook ever published on the country. With 96 more pages than the 2007 edition, it is an up to date compendium of information covering a wide range of topics, from history to modern economic and social development.
The 464-page book has also been produced in a new more interactive page design that is aimed at helping readers find the most important information in the shortest possible time. The prime purpose of the annual publication is to cover events that occurred over the previous twelve months and it plays a valuable role in chronicling the UAE’s rapid development.
Published in Arabic, English and French the UAE Yearbook also looks at present and future developments and its publishers chose the iconic shape of the planned Guggenheim Abu Dhabi for its front cover pictures. Maintaining a tradition established over ten years ago, the front cover flap contains a ‘Cover Story’ that explains the thinking behind the choice of cover image. The 2008 Yearbook’s Cover Story states that, in the publisher’s view, the announcement of the new Saadiyat Island Cultural District was one of the most significant initiatives in ‘raising the global profile of the UAE’.
A Foreword to the 2008 UAE Yearbook, written by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, draws attention to the wide range of initiatives being taken to raise the living standards and general economy of the UAE. In this regard he highlights the launching of the new National Strategy together with complimentary strategies set forth by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Strengthening of the Federal National Council, enhancement of public-private partnerships, major infrastructure projects such as the Dolphin gas pipeline, Dubai Metro rail system, Khalifa Port, expansion of key airports and the construction of the world’s largest airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, combine to make the past year one of tremendous advancement. Shaikh Abdullah also draws attention to the achievements in health, education, and social welfare. It was, he says, a great year for UAE sport with the country’s football team winning the 2007 Gulf Football Cup and many individual sportsmen and women bringing home trophies from international events.
The sheer scale of some infrastructure and real estate projects has had a strong impact in terms of focussing worldwide attention on what the UAE is achieving. As the first new owners took up residence on the Jumeirah Palm and the world’s tallest building, Durj Dubai, continued to climb skywards, other major development projects were announced throughout the Emirates. The 2008 Yearbook provides a valuable source of information that avoids the hype and presents the facts behind these impressive projects.
Meanwhile, 2008 itself began with a major international conference and exhibition devoted solely to to future energy. Coinciding with the announcement that the Government of Abu Dhabi is allocating 15 billion US dollars to develop alternative energy projects, Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general has once again placed itself firmly on the world stage in a key area of research and development that will benefit not just its own people but the entire global community.
In the closing remarks of the Foreword to the book Shaikh Abdullah draws attention to the core strengths of the UAE and its people. “But however we plan for the future, and however grand our development projects may be, we have not forgotten who we are or where we came from. We in the Emirates are a people who retain strong cultural links with our past and who have huge respect for the leaders who have guided our nation’s growth.It has been an exciting year and there are clearly even more exciting times to come. I believe this book gives a good sense of where we have come from and where we are going”.
The 2008 Yearbook is distributed worldwide and is available under special request from the National Media Council. In addition the book may be purchased at UAE bookshops and digital versions are available free of charge, online, at http://www.uaeinteract.com.
Temporary permits to hire housemaids
Temporary permits to hire housemaids
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – Sponsors – both nationals and expatriates – could be issued temporary permits allowing them to hire drivers and domestic servants like housemaids for three months from their current sponsors, if the latter agree, in Abu Dhabi emirate, said Director of the Abu Dhabi Natrualisation and Residency Department Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali.
He told Khaleej Times in an interview recently that the temporary permits would cost Dh500 and would be valid for three months and could be renewed in case the current sponsor agreed.
“This step is being taken to give the new sponsors the chance to hire maids for three months as a probation period before transferring the sponsorship if they want to do so,” Col Al Minhali said.
The temporary permits for maids were to avoid hiring of illegals and facilitate completion of formalities by giving the applicants various options.
“The temporary permit to hire maids from another sponsor is to protect the rights of the housemaids and also to weed out illegals from the country,” Col Al Minhali said.
The ADNRD would intensify inspections at the agencies involved in hiring housemaids.
Col Al Minhali affirmed that the decision-makers had no intention to increase the fees for visit, employment and domestic servant visas.
The ADNRD was carrying out a survey to find out the reasons behind the emergence of illegals in the country. The survey would be completed by the end of this month. The survey would also enumerate the numbers and addresses of the agencies supplying housemaids in the emirate.
ADNRD to issue temporary permits for maids
ADNRD to issue temporary permits for maids
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz KHALEEJ TIMES 15 March 2008
ABU DHABI – The sponsors, nationals and expatriates, can be issued temporary permits to allow them to hire house maids, drivers and domestic servants for three months from the current sponsors, if they agree, in the Abu Dhabi emirate, said an informed source at the Abu Dhabi Natrualisation and Residency Department (ADNRD).
Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali, Director of ADNRD, told Khaleej Times in an interview that the temporary permits would cost Dh 500 and valid for three months and can be renewed in case the current sponsor agreed.
“This step was taken to give the new sponsors the chance to hire maids for the three months as a probation period before transferring the sponsorship if they want that”, he said.
He elaborated that the temporary permit for maids is to avoid hiring illegals and facilitate the formalities by giving the applicants various options. “In this case, there is no violation to the residency department because the two sponsors will receive the endorsement of the ADNRD.
“The temporary permit to hire maids to another sponsor is to protect the rights of the housemaids and also to weed out the illegals from the country”, he added.
The ADNRD will tighten its inspection on the housemaid hiring agencies in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. “So far, we didn’t find erring agencies, otherwise, in case of violating the NRDs’ instructions, agencies will face closure because excuses are not acceptable, in particular, for the rights of the maids and domestic servants”, said Colonel Al Menhali.
No fees increase
Colonel Al Minhali affirmed that the decision makers have no intention to increase the fees of issuance of the visit, employment, domestic servant visas.
However, he pointed out that the ADNRD is studying the causes that created the illegals phenomenon and the survey will be completed in the end of this month [March]. The survey also includes the number and premises of the housemaids’ agencies in the emirate that will ease monitoring their activities as a step to combat the visas trading.
For decrease the fines imposed on illegal expatriates, he said that the NRDs are not authorised to decrease the imposed fines, however, in case of the applicant demand that we transfer the application to the NRD court to state whether decrease the fines or not.
New Garhoud Bridge inaugurated
New Garhoud Bridge inaugurated
Joy Sengupta (Staff Reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 15 March 2008
DUBAI – The new Garhoud Bridge was officially inaugurated on March 15 by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), giving the motorists a much-needed breather.
Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the bridge which consists of 14 lanes, seven in each direction.
He also gave the green signal for the construction of the 6th Crossing over the Dubai Creek, which will be named Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing.
The implementation of this project is part of RTA strategy to keep pace with the urban growth and cater to the current and future requirements of development and demographic expansion through provision of roads network and advanced transport facilities.
By opening the new Al Garhoud Bridge, the number of lanes crossing Dubai Creek rises from 19 to 48. The new lanes are added following the completion of the 13-lane Business Bay Crossing, the six-lane Floating Bridge, widening of Al Maktoum Bridge from 9 to 11 lanes and opening the 14-lanes Al Garhoud Bridge.
Engineers engaged in the New Garhoud Bridge project were confronted with three main challenges: the first was to work within a marine habitat, a matter which required temporary construction of the bridge over pads containing giant waterproof containers. The second was to provide two marine navigational lines to allow for ships and boats passage across the Creek. The third challenge was to fix 12-metre-high pillars supporting the bridge and casting them as one lot within 48 hours by adopting an advanced method to avoid cracks resulting from high temperature levels.
The RTA also screened a documentary on Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, which is one of biggest projects undertaken by the RTA. The bridge links Al Jaddaf at Bur Dubai with the road separating the Lagoons project and Dubai Festival City. It provides entry and exit points for the Creek Island on which Opera building will be constructed. The project will be constructed over four years and contains eye-catching pillars and distinctive beautiful arches adding architectural marvel to the Crossing, as well as a three-metre-wide pedestrian walkway.
Shaikh Maktoum was also briefed about the new crossing which will consist of 12 lanes, 6 in each direction. The Bridge will be 1600 metres long and 64 metres wide. The mega arch will rise 205 metres and will extend 667 metres. This will be the longest arched bridge in the world. The bridge will rise 15 metres above the sea level enabling free navigation 24 hours a day. The Green Line of Dubai Metro will pass across the median of the bridge.
Officials said that the Bridge will serve Dubai Healthcare City, Sama Al Jaddaf, and Culture Village at Bur Dubai, and Dubai Festival City, Lagoons Project, The Global City, and The Design Center at Deira.
It also contains a Dubai Metro and an Abra station.
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