UAE
Warning on visas for low-cost tourists
Warning on visas for low-cost tourists
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: January 07, 2008, 00:29
Dubai: The Dubai Police chief has warned against allowing low-cost air carriers to acquire visas for tourists and visitors.
Permitting the passengers of economy carriers to enter the country may result in an increase in the number of residency law violators and pose a danger to public safety, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, said.
“It is a different issue when Emirates and Etihad airlines are considered, since their tickets can only be afforded by passengers with high financial capabilities, while the visit of the Dh190-traveller will not bring any advantages to the country,” he said.
Lt Gen Dahi said the latest statistics from the Criminal Investigation Department show an increase in the number of infiltrators and residency law violators, which will be announced later.
The Dubai Police Chief said he intended to visit the Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department to discuss the issue of some African nationals who came on visit visas but committed crimes.
Weathermen forecast more rain across the country
Weathermen forecast more rain across the country
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief and Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: January 07, 2008, 12:13
Al Ain: There are chances of more rain in most parts of the country on Monday, said weathermen.
Hamad Nasir, Duty Forecaster at the Meteorological Office at Dubai International Airport, said strong winds would kick up dust. Sea would be very rough with waves as high as 10 to 20 feet, said Nasir. “We expect light rain almost all over the country,” said Nasir.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) in Abu Dhabi, temperature has fallen below the normal scale, with around 17 degree Celsius in major cities.
It rained in almost all parts of the country in the morning. “Strong Shamal winds over the sea have caused the change in weather and it could continue till Tuesday,” said Mohammad Abdullah, National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology.
He warned fishermen against going out into the sea until Tuesday. Suspended dust particles formed over Iraq and Kuwait are moving towards the UAE and it could worsen the condition, said the official.
There was no flight disruptions reported so far due to the change in weather condition.
Wind speed in Ras Al Khaimah: 18 knots; 17 knots in Abu Dhabi; 15 knots in Al Ain; 21knots in Fujairah; 17 knots in Dubai.
Rain showers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Rain showers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Gulf News Web Report Published: January 07, 2008, 10:03
Dubai: Rain showers fell on Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Monday as meteorologist predicted unstable weather over the UAE in the next 48 hours.
On Sunday, brief showers have fallen on a number of areas along the East Coast, including Fujairah city and Dibba.
Overcast skies and light winds signalled a change of weather conditions on Sunday morning, with rain limited to a few minutes of drizzles later in the afternoon.
Heavy rain and hail also fell on Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday, causing a major fire at Ghaleelah Basic School.
Mission visa workers do not require NOCs
Mission visa workers do not require NOCs
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 7 January 2008
ABU DHABI — Workers on mission visas do not require ‘No Objection Certificates’ (NOCs) from the current sponsors to change jobs, it was stated by an official.
Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant under-secretary of the Ministry of Labour (MoL), said that workers on mission visas can switch jobs after completing the period of three to six months (including three months after mission visa renewal).
Al Zahmi said: “In the case of mission visa workers, an employer has no right to demand a labour-ban if they want to join other companies because this is similar to the limited labour contracts.”
The MoL recently took the decision to issue mission visas to people who want to come to the UAE in search of jobs. The move aims at combating the menace of illegal workers as well as protecting the rights of the workers.
Meanwhile, Khalil Khoury, director of the Work Permit Department at the MoL, said that many companies had already applied for the mission visas. The formalities for the issuance of mission visas are easy and allow the sponsors to employ new workers under probation period, he added.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Inspiring leadership…into the third year
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s New Book: My Vision – Challenges In The Race For Excellence.
The book is dedicated to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented Sheikh Khalifa with the first copy of his new book.
Inspiring leadership…into the third year
Inspiring leadership…into the third year
Team KT 4 January 2008
THINGS are changing… changing for the better, and with ever-greater speed. There’s the perceptible ‘Shaikh Mohammed touch’ to the administration everywhere. For the past two years across the UAE, and more emphatically in Dubai.
New instructions to tone up the governmental machinery, new emphasis on education and health sectors, new laws regulating the real estate sector, new legislation on rent cap, new rules to curb rash driving on the roads, new order to build more bridges to ease traffic congestion… new laws to promote labour welfare….new initiative to co-ordinate and streamline the functioning of federal and local establishments. UAE is changing…and Dubai is changing. In amazing ways.
There’s no looking back for the leader who became the Dubai Ruler on January 4, 2006, and was named Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE the next day by the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Now, on to the third year of his inspiring leadership.
These are the times when the nation is witnessing a dramatic economic boom, helped also by the increasing revenues from oil. As per latest assessments, UAE’s GDP touched Dh 697 billion by now. Non-oil sectors are developing fast, giving an added push to the economy. The federal cabinet, led by Shaikh Mohammed, has its hands full. There already were good comments coming its way. For instance, the Transparency International went on record to state that, in matters of administration, the UAE has the highest level of transparency in the whole of the Arab region-–meaning, an excellent climate for foreign investments.
The strength of modern-day Dubai, of which Shaikh Mohammed is the architect, is not just that it has grown in amazing ways, but also that it did so in a systematic and modern manner, backed by a visionary approach, and with the aid of sophisticated technology. Dubai aimed high; and Dubai touched the top in many respects with a precision and ease that left the rest of the world gasping for breath. UAE too is making waves.
There have been surprises and surprises….
Dubai, for the visionary leader, “is where future begins”. The present targets are: a continuing double digit economic growth; a GDP of $108 billion, and raising the GDP per capita to $44,000 by year 2015. It would mean, among other things, an increase in productivity by four per cent per annum.
Eight years ago, at the turn of the century, Dubai had set its targets for year 2010. And, such was the pace with which the emirate progressed that those targets were realised in half the allotted time-by 2005. A feat that has few parallels in history.
There might be a few problems like the high cost of living, traffic snarls etc for us to cope with, but the days here are impressive, indeed. We are part of great growth process. Here are some highlights of the good tidings. Emirates airline created global aviation history by ordering nearly 150 aircraft, at a cost of Dh127 billion, at the Dubai Airshow. Dubai’s aviation aspirations have many more faces. Phased investments in the sector are set to go up to 82 billion over the next decade, of which an estimated 10 billion would go into the making of the world’s largest airport, the Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC). That the total infrastructure cost for the new airport is estimated at $33 billion, speaks highly of the ambitious nature of the project.
The Metro Rail project, a dream that is coming true, is progressing at a fast pace. The 75-km project is set to revolutionise public transport sector in Dubai at a cost of Dh15 billion, or more. The first phase of the project is set for completion by September next year. Once operational, the capacity of the main Al Ittihad station would touch 35,000 passengers per hour. Here now starts the era of rail services in the Gulf region.
There have been great strides in the maritime sector as well. Dubai has entered a new phase of economic and industrial development with the building and commissioning of giant ships and oil tankers in the Dubai Dry Docks. A new dock has been added, the fifth dry dock, where works like maintenance of giant ships and conversion of such ships from oil tankers to commercial ships take place. The dock is stated to be the first in the world to build ships (of up to one million tonnes) on land before shifting them to the sea.
And, in times of growth and prosperity, Dubai and Shaikh Mohammed care for others…. There have been many a regional, global, humanitarian endeavour launched by His Highness in recent times.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Human Development, launched in May, 2007 with an endowment of Dh 37 billion, aims to open doors to generations of future leaders in the region in ways as to shape their futures by equipping them with world-class knowledge and education. The foundation, as His Highness visualises, would act as a showcase for the benefits of long-term educational initiatives for the “humanity in general and for our region in particular”.
Dubai Cares
Shaikh Mohammed put his best foot forward in recent times to help the world overcome poverty. Said he famously at the World Economic Forum meet in Dalian, China, last September: “If we want to be heroes of progress, we cannot ignore poverty, which prevents people from joining the wide current of human development”. Added he: “Any soil infested with poverty, ignorance and neglect is always a good breeding ground for fundamentalism and produces fundamentalists”.
Dubai Cares, launched by him in September, 2007, is based on the belief that education is the best way, and long-term solution, to tackle poverty. It targets uplift of one million children in poor countries around the world, through proper education, and in a way as to “break the cycle of poverty”.
The unveiling of a Knowledge Initiative by His Highness in October, 2007, styling it as an Arab House of Wisdom, was another landmark. It aims at re-drafting the knowledge roadmap for the region, educating the youth, and helping them get employment.
The past two years saw Shaikh Mohammed growing in stature as a world leader, visiting countries, meeting and interacting with world leaders, and sharing his ideas about development. That saw him holding forth at the World Economic Forum Summit, and flying down to nations as distant as India, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia, China, Vietnam and Uzbekistan on state visits.
No wonder, accolades came His Highness’s way…Prince of the Arab Youth…a Role Model Trophy by the Arab Youth Council for Integrated Development… Global Leadership Award by Arab-American Anti-discrimination Committee in the US, a New York Times title, the Entrepreneur of the Year… so on and so forth.
Times are changing…. and more pleasant surprises are in store…for Dubai and UAE in its forward march. Happy times may never have an end. That’s the spirit.
So spoke the Shaikh
“We are very realistic despite our big dreams, and we work hard to be the best, relying on God and our citizens.”
“We have succeeded because we have always believed that tomorrow is a new day, that yesterday’s achievements are in the past and that history will record what we achieve in the future, not what we have achieved in the past”.
“We are aiming at being in the ranks of more advanced countries in all fields. This will only happen with increased public participation”.
On the youth of the UAE: “You are the homeland and development. You are the future hope. Become experts in your fields today through education, training and acquiring of skills. This will make you tomorrow’s leaders in this knowledge-based economy. Our goals and aspirations for this country will not materialize without your efforts and your ability to be examples in your loyalty and allegiance to the UAE.
“Man’s competence is to be measured not by his capability to skillfully cope with the status quo, but by his ability to change it for the better”.
“The challenges we face in the Arab and Islamic worlds are challenges of survival, not only of reform and development. Our knowledge level will determine to a large extent our ability to surmount these challenges”.
“I change the way of government to make it like a big company”.
“Education holds out hope for the future, enrichment for the present, and dignity for the mankind. It helps us to communicate with each other. It helps nations to cross the barriers to understanding. It provides a solid basis from which societies can grow and flourish”.
“A network of Arab leaderships, in business in particular, would serve as a leverage to boost the capabilities of the coming Arab generations and set the stage for them to successfully continue the march with confidence and based on solid foundations”.
“I am optimistic about the social and economic future of Arab societies, and have no worries about failure” (at the World Economic Forum meet at Dalian, China, in September, 2007).
“I am personally committed to building a new generation of young leaders who are open to new ideas and to the change and diversity.”
The UAE could not have achieved progress without turning theory into practice, and without learning from other successful examples, including the Chinese example”.
Profile
Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born in 1949 as the third child of Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
In the sixties, he studied in the UK, including at the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge and the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot.
In 1968, he took over as head of the Dubai Police and Public Security Department.
In 1971, he became the youngest Minister of Defence. In 1995, he became the Crown Prince of Dubai.
In 2006, he took over as the Ruler of Dubai and also as Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
Indians advised to look for jobs on mission visa
Indians advised to look for jobs on mission visaBy Anwar Ahmad (Our staff reporter) KHALEEJ TIMES 4 January 2008
ABU DHABI — Job-seekers who wish to come to the UAE to look for employment opportunities can opt for a ‘Mission Visa’, instead of a visit visa, Talmiz Ahmad, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, said at a Press conference held on the embassy premises here yesterday.
The Mission Visa, he said, will be valid for three months, during which the job-seekers can scout for jobs, Ahmad said.
The new concept of Mission Visa (MV) is aimed at rooting out the menace of illegals, who come on visit visas, start working and stay back illegally.
The MV gives the visitor a chance to decide whether he/she wants to work here or not. It gives them a three-month legal residence status, and in this period, a person has the full freedom to look for employment of his/her choice.
The MV will cost Dh500 for three months, and can be renewed for another three months by paying a fee of Dh1,000. After the expiry of this extended three months, one has to pay Dh500 for every extra day of stay.
The MV has become available from the current month, the Indian envoy said. The UAE’s Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, had earlier asked ambassadors and charge d’affaires of different missions to spread the message of Mission Visa among their community members.
World’s tallest gets taller
World’s tallest gets taller
By a staff reporter KHALEEJT TIMES 4 January 2008
DUBAI — Burj Dubai continues to soar above Dubai and higher than any building in the world with its 158 levels now reaching a height of 598.5 metres, according to a statement released yesterday by the iconic tower’s developers Emaar Properties.
Cladding work of the tower is now taking place at an accelerated pace with 58 storeys already wearing the shimmering sheen of the high-performance cladding system.
The primary materials used —reflective glazing, aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrels and vertical stainless tubular fins — accentuate the tower’s height and slenderness to the eye.
Burj Dubai is now taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres; 1667 ft) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres; 1815.5 ft) in Toronto, Canada. When completed, the tower will have used 330,000 cubic meters of concrete, 39,000 metric tons of steel rebar and 142,000 sq m of glass— and 22 million man hours. More than 5,000 consultants and skilled professional workers are employed on-site at the tower.
Burj Dubai is the centrepiece of Emaar’s flagship project, the Dh73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj Dubai, a new downtown with residential, commercial, leisure, retail and hospitality components, set on 500 acres of land in the heart of Dubai. Burj Dubai will feature residences, commercial space and retail space and hospitality elements including the world’s first Armani Hotel and Armani Residences.
Mohammed’s second anniversary as Ruler to be celebrated today
Mohammed’s second anniversary as Ruler to be celebrated today
By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIME 4 January 2008
DUBAI — The Global Village, a member of Tatweer, will celebrate the second anniversary of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s assumption of office as Ruler of Dubai today.
Visitors will enjoy free entry to the Global Village where celebrations will mark the historic occasion with traditional shows and folk dances such as ‘Al Harbia’, ‘Al Lewa’, ‘Al Habban’, ‘Al Ayala’ and ‘Al Dan’.
Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman, Tatweer, said, “On this special day, Tatweer will bear the cost of all Global Village entry tickets. We invite visitors to come in large numbers and experience diverse cultures in this outstanding destination.”
Young girls in traditional UAE costume will welcome visitors with incense and scented rose water, offering special gifts such as sweets, nuts, UAE national flags as well as Global Village memorabilia.
Abdul Redha Ali Bin Redha, CEO, Global Village, said, “We are grateful to have a leader who has wholeheartedly supported the overall growth of Dubai and the future of our beloved country. Over the years, the Global Village has grown into a premium attraction among the UAE nationals, residents as well as visitors from across the world, thanks to the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed.
“While fun, entertainment and cultural activities for the family are key components of the Global Village, safety has been given top priority to make the visit a memorable experience to all,” he said.
Burj Dubai reaches 158 levels to set world record
Burj Dubai reaches 158 levels to set world record
Staff Report GULF NEWS
Published: January 04, 2008, 00:42
Dubai: Burj Dubai, the iconic tower developed by global property developer Emaar Properties, has reached 158 levels – the most in any building in the world – and is now 598.5 metres high, Emaar said.
“Cladding work of the tower is now ongoing at an accelerated pace with 58 storeys already wearing the shimmering sheen of the high-performance cladding system,” the statement said.
“The primary materials used – reflective glazing, aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrels and vertical stainless tubular fins – accentuate the tower’s height and slenderness to the eye.”
Burj Dubai is now taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres) in Toronto, Canada.
When completed, the tower will have used 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 metric tonnes of steel rebar and 142,000 square metres of glass – and 22 million man hours.
More than 5,000 consultants and skilled professionals workers are employed on-site at the tower.
Emaar has partnered with South Korean construction major Samsung Corporation and New York-based Project Manager Turner Construction in constructing Burj Dubai, which is designed by Adrian Smith and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago.
Burj Dubai is the centrepiece of Emaar’s flagship project, the Dh73 billion ($20 billion) Downtown Burj Dubai, a new downtown with residential, commercial, leisure, retail and hospitality components.
Officials and corporate leaders hail governance
Officials and corporate leaders hail governance
By Shakir Husain, Ahmed A. Elewa & Himendra Mohan Kumar, Staff Reporters GULF NEWS
Published: January 04, 2008, 00:43
Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Senior officials and businessmen on Thursday praised the dynamic leadership of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, capitalising on the gains achieved so far.
January 5 marks the second anniversary when His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum became Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE. He became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006.
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Federal National Council Speaker, said Shaikh Mohammad is an inspirational leader, who has created an atmosphere of immense confidence and courage in the UAE.
“This has been extremely beneficial for the business community in the region as it has helped us create a highly competitive and lucrative business arena.”
Mohammad Ali Al Abbar, Director General of the Dubai Economic Development Department, said the occasion calls for deep thinking to evaluate the march of giving and understand the honourable leader whose ambitions for his people are excellence and progress at a global level.
“Shaikh Mohammad’s personality is a harmonised mix of unique and positive characteristics, he is simple and humble when dealing with people, courageous when facing obstacles, and does not know the word impossible,” Al Abbar said.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the achievements since Shaikh Mohammad took office stand testimony to the UAE’s comprehensive development process, which is based on a strategic growth and progress strategy.
Rashid Mohammad Al Mutawa, CEO and MD of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, said Shaikh Mohammad has great concern to the housing of UAE nationals.
“Shaikh Mohammad gives free housing with priority to the less fortunate sectors of society, such as poor families, divorced and widowed women supporting their children and people with special need,” Al Mutawa said.
Development strategies
Mohammad Ali Al Hashimi, executive chairman, Zabeel Investments, said: “We have seen a major focus on healthcare and education. For the first time we have seen a cabinet that is being managed in a way you would have a Fortune 500 company managed.
“The drive that we have seen in the two years is phenomenal. It is good for all of us, whether we are nationals or expatriates.”
Khalid Bin Kalban, managing director and CEO, Dubai Investments, said Shaikh Mohammad’s development strategy covers both economic and humanitarian activities.
“He has the determination and willingness to take bold decisions. His influence is not limited to the UAE and GCC. He is influencing other parts of the Arab world as well.”
Saleh Abdullah Lootah, CEO, Al Islami Foods, said: “We see more synergies in the functioning of all the ministries and delivery of results. Shaikh Mohammad’s style of work is to give more authority to people and also hold them accountable about their performance. … Infrastructure projects are being implemented to fulfil the requirements of the future. … Gradually, there will be more integration with other GCC countries under his leadership.”
“This is the first government to … adopt a national strategy for developing the country, with clear targets and objectives,” said Khalfan Al Ka’abi, chairman of Ascorp Holdings and chairman of the construction committee at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In April, the government announced a revolutionised agenda, setting strategic targets for all government departments and entities on the federal level, with a special task-force setup to monitor the adoption of these new national targets.
“The UAE now is benchmarking the performance of federal departments, and even the government of Abu Dhabi announced its own policy agenda to keep up with the ambitious national targets, and I think all the other emirates will follow suit … he revolutionised the way we perceive civil service on the federal and local level,” he said, referring to the substantial increase in the federal budget and the ambitious planning to develop infrastructure of the whole country.
From a different perspective, the concepts introduced so far helped in establishing a very open architecture for the economy, said Nazim Al Qudsi, chief investment officer at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.
“This is very important as the UAE seeks now to base the economy on expertise and the quality of output, and that is what distinguishes the UAE from other economies in the region,” he said.
Ambitious targets are now set at the national level requiring excellence of service in all segments of the federal government bodies, while concepts as accountability, transparency, and efficiency are being pushed to the forefront.
Karim Al Solh, CEO of regional equity firm, Gulf Capital, said Shaikh Mohammad has helped improve the business environment in the UAE and brought greater visibility for Dubai and other emirates on the world scene.
Saleh Mohammad Bin Nsra, chairman of real estate companies Shorfa and Ashraq, said: “The business environment is better than ever before and this has given a big boost to real estate development in the UAE,” he said.
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