UAE
Reliance plans $24 bn investment in petrochemicals
Reliance plans $24 bn investment in petrochemicals
IST, PTI
DUBAI: Reliance Industries, India’s largest company by market value, plans to spend $24 billion over the next ten years in setting up petrochemicals projects in the Middle East, company Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani is reported to have said.
“We plan to set up a number of petrochemical plants in the next decade, with each costing $4-6 billion,” the Dubai-based Gulf News quoted Ambani as saying.
Ambani had yesterday told a conference here that building five billion dollar petrochemicals plants in the Middle East will be the best way for Reliance, India’s biggest producer of chemicals, to meet India’s quadrupling demand of chemicals in the next 10 years.
Reliance wants to tap the growing demand for chemicals in Asia, especially in China and India.
“Dubai will be the gateway to our future investment in this part of the world and beyond,” Gulf News quoted Ambani as saying. “We will increase our headcount in Dubai, which will be the nerve centre of our international operations.”
Ambani, who had yesterday at the petrochemical conference said that Reliance would aggressively pursue acquisitions as part of a new strategy to grow, told Gulf News his company was not yet ready for big-ticket acquisitions.
“We will need to grow and invest in our own expansion for at least 10 more years, before entering into big-time acquisitions,” he was quoted as saying.
Dubai from the sky – Global Village & Emirates Road
Dubai from the sky: Global Village and Emirates Road
The Emirates Road used to follow the outskirts of Dubai, but thanks to the ever expanding development it is rapidly becoming part of the city.
At one end of the road is the Green Community, which has now firmly taken root as a favourite place to live despite its remote location on the road to Jebel Ali.
One of the other key stopping off points on the Emirates Road is Global Village, the popular expo of worldwide culture which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Photos and news by Asghar Khan and Kiran Prasad/Gulf News
Dubai from the sky: Shaikh Zayed Road
Dubai from the sky: Shaikh Zayed Road
Staff Report/GULF NEWS
Dubai from the sky: Shaikh Zayed Road
Staff Report
Shaikh Zayed Road, which has five lanes on each side with a barrier in between, stretches 55km from the Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout to the border of Abu Dhabi.
Nearly 27 kms of the road was constructed trhrough two major projects in 1993 and 1998.
The Shaikh Zayed Road is one of the most important highways, meeting other main roads such as Al Ain Road, Hatta Road, Emirates Road, Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road and other arterial and main roads.
With 13 interchanges to ease traffic flow, on peak days the number of vehicles using the road touches 200,000.
Some of the most impressive and glitzy buildings like Emirates Towers office and hotel complex can be found on this road. The striking new headquarters building is at present taking shape close to the Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout beside Shaikh Zayed Road.
Photos and news by Asghar Khan and Kiran Prasad/Gulf News
Picnic time is calling out
Picnic time is calling out By Manjari Saxena, Staff Reporter, and Layla Haroon, Special to Explore
GULF NEWS Published: December 22, 2007, 00:23
Nature is decked out in its best. So what are you doing sitting indoors? Pick a cool spot to enjoy during this lovely time
Nature is making its presence felt with red, gold and green spread out all over the UAE. The weather is perfect.
And our photographers go “trigger-happy” this time of the year, capturing people who’ve been making the best use of the cool weather by becoming one with nature.
The extended Eid break may be over, but the weather — and the colours — will be around for another couple of months.
So, for those who were travelling during the holidays or stayed at home due to the heavy traffic in the greener areas in and around Dubai — and, of course, for those who cannot get enough of the season — we provide our pick of picnic spaces and pack a hamper for you .
Mushrif Park, Dubai
Far from the madding crowd, the 400-hectare Mushrif Park is not just another green space.
Along with the usual children’s play area, a train, leisure games and barbecue areas, the park also offers swimming facilities. Entry fee is Dh10 for cars; swimming fee is Dh10 for adults and Dh5 for children.
Jumeirah Beach Park, Dubai
Opened in 1989, the Jumeirah Beach Park, as the name suggests, is a combination of a pristine beach and park with beautiful landscaping.
You can either bring a hamper or cook on-site in the barbecue areas of the park and beach. In the evenings, you can stroll on some of the lovely walking areas in the park.
Entry fee is Dh5 per person and Dh20 per car.
Hatta, Dubai
Enjoy a day at the Hatta Rock Pools, nestled in the Hajjar Mountains, amid rippling waterfalls and turquoise pools.
Another place to check out while in the oasis is the Heritage Village.
Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain
Al Ain is known as the Garden City of the UAE, as it has many public parks.
Located at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, the garden provides recreational activities such as desert safaris, sand skiing, abseiling, rope climbing, camping and hiking on scenic trails.
The place also has bowling, snooker and billiard centres. Free sheds, with benches and barbeque stands, are provided.
Ain Al Faydah, Al Ain
Situated around a lake created by underground springs at the foot of Jebel Hafeet Mountain and surrounded by jagged cliffs, the Ain Al Faydah picnic resort offers everything from ten-pin bowling to swimming pools.
Besides enjoying a boat ride on the lake, you can spread a blanket and sit in the beautifully manicured gardens or pitch a ball in the playground.
Central Gardens, Al Ain
This is one of the largest parks that helps brand Al Ain as the “Garden City”. A musical dancing fountain attracts large numbers of visitors.
Equipped with a large playground, it offers an adventurous picnic deal with wall climbing, grass skiing and other activities.
Sharjah National Park
This is the largest park in Sharjah. The park boasts a miniature City of Sharjah with models of the most prominent buildings.
Facilities and entertainment include barbecue area, children’s play areas, a duck pond, a giant slide, a cycle track with a horror tunnel and an infrared beam to squirt water on unsuspecting cyclists.
You can also skate on Rollerblades. Entry is free.
Jazeerah Park, Sharjah
Located in the Khalid Lagoon, as the name suggests, the park is an island and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Sharjah.
The facilities include an amusement park for children, a mini zoo, swimming pools, an artificial waterfall and train rides.
The park offers some stunning views of the Blue Souq, Corniche and the Sharjah fountain. Entry is Dh5 for adults and Dh2 for children.
Lulu Island, Abu Dhabi
A barren, man-made island in front of Abu Dhabi’s coastline serves as a scenic and peaceful picnic spot.
With its lovely beach, this place is a hub for water sport aficionados.
It has two restaurants, four coffee shops, two stretches of beach on the northern and southern part of the island, changing rooms, cafeterias, two artificial freshwater lakes, mosques and a duned area.
You can cook, play and swim. A short boat ride (free of charge) takes you from the Abu Dhabi Breakwater to the Heritage Village. Entry is Dh15 per person. Children under five are admitted free.
Shaikh Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi
With its distinctive architectural design and landscaping, the Khalifa Park is the newest recreational landmark in the city.
It has an area dedicated for women and children — with a swimming pool and an amphitheatre, all linked by a train.
An aquarium, marine museum, a historical museum and a monorail time tunnel are added attractions. Entry is Dh5 per person.
Bedouin Village, Abu Dhabi
Also known as the Heritage Village, the Bedouin Village allows a glimpse of the simple pre-oil-era nomadic life of Abu Dhabi.
Original artefacts are kept here along with permanent structures such as the ruler’s mud-brick house, amid a traditional mosque and souq.
For those interested in a traditional get together, a picnic plan to the village is a must. Admission is free.
Enjoy anon.
Other places to picnic in
Dubai Creek Park
Mumzar Beach Park, Dubai
Safa Park, Dubai
Zabeel Park, Dubai
Dubai Creek Park
Umm Suqueim beach, Dubai
Buheira Corniche, Sharjah
Al Khan Corniche, Sharjah
Al Khan Beach, Sharjah
Qanat Al Qasba, Sharjah
Public beaches in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah
Public beaches in Fujairah
Masafi
Al Hili Fun City, Al Ain
Al Hili Gardens, Al Ain
Al Ain Zoo
Heritage Park, Abu Dhabi
If it’s Tuesday, it must be the night of poets
If it’s Tuesday, it must be the night of poets
By Silvia Radan (Our staff reporter/KHALEEJ TIMES)27 December 2007
ABU DHABI — After the success of the previous edition, the second session of the Million Poet Competition opened on Tuesday night in the capital, in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The competition, organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), is taking place at Al Raha Beach Theatre on a weekly basis, every Tuesday. The 48 competitors who have been chosen from an impressive list of 10,000 applicants were all present on stage on the first night, to open the 15-week long live show.
Just like in the previous session, the poets, both men and women, come from all over the Gulf region and beyond, but their poetry, either modern or traditional, is in Arabic language and style.
Each Tuesday night, eight competitors recite their verses and the judges pick two winners, while the public also chooses its two favourites, voting through SMS, which is announced the following week.
By the end of the 15 rounds, 24 poets will be left in the competition, but only one will be crowned the Million Poet, receiving not only the prestigious title, but also Dh1 million.
The previous session, which ended in March this year, was the highest rated show in the Gulf region and it became the latest hit on a TV series.
Visit visa only for immediate relatives
Visit visa only for immediate relatives
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter/KHALEEJ TIMES)27 December 2007
ABU DHABI — The Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department (ADNRD) took new measures this month to stop issuing visit visas to bring friends and workers to the emirate, according to a senior official at the department.
Colonel Nassir Al Awadi Al Minhali, Director of ADNRD, told Khaleej Times yesterday in an exclusive interview, “The ADNRD allows issuing of visit visas only for immediate relatives, such as parents, brothers, sisters, wives and children.”
The ADNRD would not issue visit visas for the firms because they were allowed to obtain only employment visas after getting temporary mission permits from the Ministry of Labour (MoL).
The new protective measures were aimed at weeding out the phenomenon of illegals from the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has completed a study, after the 2007 amnesty period that ended on November 3, to find out the factors that contribute to the problem of illegals in the country.
The study showed that about 25 per cent of the illegals entered the UAE on visit visas.
“The ADNRD has taken the new measures also to curb begging by people entering the county on visit visas. Both the people found begging and their sponsors would face stiff penalties for violating the country’s law,” added Al Minhali.
The visitors found begging in the streets would face penalties such as deportation with life ban. “For the sponsors, the officials will transfer the case to the General Prosecution after imposing stiff penalties on them such as suspension of issuance of visit visas on the sponsor’s code number in the ADNRD’s system,” he said.
“Moreover, we are preparing a database to register all the absconding cases filed by sponsors and the number of visit visas they had applied for. Further, the MoI will launch intensive campaigns to find illegals,” added Al Minhali.
The companies could apply for visit visas only for delegations. This was a special case and the ADNRD would demand bank guarantees ranging between Dh2,000 and Dh5,000, depending on the applications.
“We will also not accept any applications to bring workers on businessmen visas unless the sponsor provides proof that they are really businessmen such as the contracts they have signed, copy of visa card and bank account sheets,” said Al Minhali.
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New development project for Mubazzara
New development project for Mubazzara
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief GULF NEWS Published: December 27, 2007, 00:13
Al Ain: Mubazzara, a prime tourist attraction in Al Ain, is to undergo a beautification drive through a multi-million dirham project launched by Al Ain Municipality.
Mubazzara, located in the south of the city, is a lush green valley in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet, the highest mountain in the UAE. It is a major recreational centre for people coming from across the country and neighbouring GCC countries.
New facilities
The project includes enhancement of the clusters of chalets in different parts of the valley, a children’s play area, ornamental plants and trees and development of new facilities.
A municipality source said ornamental plants would be planted in and around the chalet area.
As part of the project three water tanks will also be constructed to store around nine millions gallons of water for irrigation.
The project has been announced by the municipality’s Public Gardens Section, which says its intentions are to offer world-class facilities for tourists.
A large number of visitors come to Mubazzara during the weekends, national holidays and festive occasions. The area was packed during the recent Eid Al Adha holidays. The site was given special attention by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It has been jointly developed by Al Ain Municipality and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Mubazzara has hot springs and a number of other attractions. The area has lately seen many rapid developments.
The authorities, said the source, have a plan to develop Mubazzara into a fully-fledged tourist resort with all modern facilities and services.
Conference centre
The plan includes a club house and golf course, a visitors’ centre, a planetarium and a conference centre.
The planned golf club will have an 18-hole course and a nine-hole short course along with a media centre.
Earlier this year, the municipality contracted a private firm for the maintenance and development of Mubazzara and its surrounding areas.
The Dh50 million contract will cover the maintenance and landscaping of Zakhir, Ain Al Faydah, Mubazzara and some surrounding areas for four years.
"Keralotsavam" at KSC Abu Dhabi
We kindly request your presence in our Stall at KSC “Keralotsavam” , which is going to be held on 27th, 28th and 29th December 2007 [Thursday, Friday, Saturday]
Everday 6:00 PM onwards
Venue: Kerala Social Centre, Madinat Zayed between Murroor Street and Najda Street Opp. Side of Khaleej Times Office & Al Manhall Clinic
France implements major projects in UAE
France implements major projects in UAE
United Arab Emirates, Economics,
Industrial sources in the UAE stated that France succeeded in receiving new agreements to implement major projects in the field of gas and petrochemicals in addition to signing an agreement to expand the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The director of the Civil Aviation Department in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Khalifa, stated that the Airport De Paris Authorities won a deal worth 700 million dirhams ($190 million) to expand the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The Airport of Paris Authorities had set up the Abu Dhabi International Airport 20 years ago in similitude of the Airport of Charle Digol in Paris.
Sources in the UAE said that the operations of expanding the Abu Dhabi International Airport which will be implemented by the Airport of Paris Authorities are worth 400 million dirhams out of the total 700 million dirhams. The sources clarified that some of the expansion works will be assigned to other companies on top of which is setting up a second tarmac at the airport.
VAT not to be implemented in Dubai soon
VAT not to be implemented in Dubai soon
Staff Report Last updated: December 25, 2007, 00:05
Dubai: The proposed introduction of value-added tax (VAT) in Dubai is at least a year away, Dubai Customs said on Monday.
The emirate’s customs department said it launched the second phase of a VAT study last November to implement the tax on time but that does not mean it will be introduced soon.
“Entering the second phase of the VAT project does not mean that the implementation of the tax will be soon, because the process may take a year or more, due to the need to apply it in a professional manner and to meet, or even surpass the international standards,” Dubai Customs said in a statement, saying that some sections of the media had speculated about the implementation.
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