UAE
100% Emirati
100% Emirati
By Shireena Al Nowais, Staff Reporter / GULF NEWS Published: August 12, 2007, 23:00
In a small corner on the second floor of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), aka the Cultural Foundation, is an invincible time machine.
As you step through this time machine you are transported to a time in the UAE when television, the internet, chairs and other modern-day luxuries did not exist.
Veiled women sit crosslegged in a woollen tent sipping freshly brewed Arabic coffee. One woman is quietly weaving a traditional dress with gold lining. After the dress is completed and she is satisfied with her work, she pins it to a wall made of palm fronds where it joins a colourful array of traditional dresses waiting to be sold.
Preserving culture
Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazroui, Director-General of ADACH, says that the authority puts emphasis on traditional Emirati crafts as part of its strategy to preserve Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage, hence the creation of a “corner” or an outlet where traditional handicrafts are displayed.
“With globalisation and free trade, local products have entered a mismatched competition with imported ones. On the other hand, most of our traditional handicrafts contribute to the promotion of tourism and feature the habits and traditions of the people of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the entire Gulf region,” he said. 
Traditional arts
The outlet, located at Delma Corner in the Cultural Foundation, features Emirati women performing the arts of sado (wool/cotton weaving), teli (embroidery), palm tree frond weaving and henna.
Samples of Emirati traditional handicrafts are available for sale and all profits are rolled back into the project. Thus visitors directly contribute to the preservation of Emirati traditional crafts, some of which are close to disappearing.
Making a point
Al Mazroui made it clear that through this project ADACH also aims to show visitors how these folk arts are as beautiful and creative as other arts.
“Formal and folk arts have the same roots, and most of the world’s renowned artists have drawn their creative works from folklore. Thus, craftsmen and folk artists deserve from us all respect and recognition,” he said.
Did you know?
The most popular form of craft in Abu Dhabi is sado — the art of wool/cotton weaving. This handwork item is quite popular among tourists.
Teli is another well-known local craft in Abu Dhabi. It is basically the Arab-style embroidery that adorns women’s clothes.
The weaving of palm tree fronds is also a popular craft in the emirate. The end results are beautiful baskets and bags.
Photo Journalism
I always believe that a good photo portrays much more than a one full page article.
Here are some inteestig ones, taken from Khaleej Times dt05082007.
If you have a good picture from your region or which come across your way, do send it to me for posting.
Dubai to introduce water buses – 2m passengers to use annually
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday announced that it would operate 10 water buses from August 16.
2m passengers to use water buses annually
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter/GULF NEWS Published: August 05, 2007, 00:00
Dubai: A luxury water bus service to commute across Dubai Creek will start on August 16 as part of the first phase of the Roads and Transport Authority’s marine public transport project.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, has approved the decision to operate the water bus. The decision authorised the RTA to supervise the operation.
The air-conditioned water bus will have a capacity of 36 passengers and the fare will be Dh4 per trip per passenger.
“We will spend Dh1.5 billion to have an integrated water transport service as part of our marine transport strategic plan 2020,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
He said the 10 water buses will complement the existing traditional abra service on the creek.
Around two million passengers are expected to use the water bus service annually to commute in Dubai Creek, said a senior official.
The water buses will be operated on four routes serving five stations on both sides of the Dubai Creek.
It will operate from five stations including: Sabka and Baniyas on Deira side of the creek and Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Old Souk and Al Seef Street stations on Bur Dubai side.
The first route of the water bus linking Al Sabkha Station Deira with Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai will start on August 16 whereas other three routes will be operational from September.
Curbing congestion
Eight out of 10 buses will be used for passengers to cross the creek while two water buses will be reserved for tourists. The water bus for tourists will be available from Al Seef Station every 30 minutes.
The operation will be seven days a week for 18 hours every day from 6am to 12 midnight with 15 minutes headway time between trips.
“The water transport is part of integrated public transport plan to curb traffic congestion on roads. It will serve the congested central business districts of Deira and Bur Dubai,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
Around two million passenger are expected to use the water bus service every year. “The number is expected to grow to six million in future with the introduction of more buses,” he said.
He said the RTA has tasked the operation and maintenance of the Water Bus to the Singaporean Penguin Company.
Al Tayer said the RTA is working on its marine transport strategic plan 2020 to serve the existing and upcoming on and off shore residential and commercial developments with modern water transport system.
“The RTA will spend Dh1.5 billion to launch 210 km water transport routes as part plan by the year 2020.”
According to the RTA’s studies, Dubai’s coastline has increased from 70 km to 360 km due to new off shore developments such as Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, The World, The Business Bay and the Dubai Water Front.
The studies project that around 62 million people are expected to use the public water transport by 2020.
“Marine strategic plan will be implemented in stages. The first stage is the water bus, the second stage is the ferry service within the creek, the third stage is the ferry service along the coast line linking all the new on and off shore developments and the final phase is to introduce a ferry service linking Dubai with other emirates especially Sharjah,” said Al Tayer.
Specifications: It will sail at a speed of 12 knots
Hull: Aluminium, catamaran low wash boat
Length: 12 metres
Width: 4.2 metres
Speed: 10-12 knots
Passenger capacity: 30-35
Ceiling: Moveable panoramic
Engines: Two diesel engines with 185 horse power each
Centrally air-conditioned
Cost: Dh700,000 each
Fare: Dh4 per passenger one way
Fare for tourist bus: Dh25 roundtrip
Transferring sponsorship
Approval of the previous sponsor is needed in most cases of shifting jobs.
Transferring sponsorship
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter / GULF NEWS Published: August 03, 2007, 23:12
Dubai: In order to control the labour market in the country and to avoid confusion, the Ministries of Interior and Labour, have set up specific rules regarding transfer of sponsorship for expatriates.
A woman who wishes to transfer her sponsorship from a company to her husband, has to apply for a new entry visa.
If an employee wishes to change his or her job, the person needs to change sponsorship and follow the requirements of the Ministry of Labour. If approved, then the naturalisation and residency department will issue a new residency visa for the applicant.
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) to transfer sponsorship is necessary with the former sponsor’s approval and including the recent sponsor’s signature.
Expatriates who receive a ban from the Labour Ministry will automatically get a ban stamped on their passports by the residency department.
Transfer of sponsorship is subject to Article No 68 Residency Law of the Interior Ministry.
1) Government to government: If the application for transfer is from a government authority, establishment or government company, to a similar firm in the government sector, the following conditions shall be applicable:
Approval of the previous sponsor and the new sponsor and also the approval of the residency department for the application.
2) Private to public sector: If the application for transfer is from the private sector to the public sector, the same conditions as above shall be applicable.
A fee set by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior, has to be paid. The applicant will also need the attestation of the Residency Department to the application.
3) Public to private sector: If the application is for transfer of sponsorship from the public sector to the private sector, the following conditions apply: Approval of the previous sponsor and the new sponsor. Attestation by the Ministry of Labour is required if the sponsored person is among categories subject to the Labour Law. Approval of residency department to the application is a must.
4) Private to private sector: If the transfer is between private sector companies, the following conditions apply: Approval of the previous sponsor, the new sponsor and the Ministry of Labour, if the job is among the categories subject to Labour Law. The sponsored person must hold a valid residency visa and must have spent at least a year working in his job.
5) Family to private sector: In case the application for transfer is from an expatriate sponsored by his or her parents or family to the private sector, the following conditions shall be applicable: Approval of the previous sponsor and the new sponsor. Attestation by the Ministry of Labour is required if the person is among the categories subject to the Labour Law. Approval of the residency department is also needed.
500 plane tickets donated to help amnesty seekers
500 plane tickets donated to help amnesty seekers
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter / GULF NEWS Published: August 03, 2007, 23:12
Abu Dhabi: An organisation from the Indian state of Kerala has donated 500 plane tickets for amnesty seekers who cannot afford to pay for their way home, a senior state official said here.
The decision to give the donation was taken by a meeting at Malayali Samajam here and convened by Non Resident Keralite Affairs Department (NORKA-Roots), said general manager S. Mohammad Najeeb, who was deputed by Kerala Chief Minister to the UAE. “It was decided to provide various facilities for needy amnesty seekers including at least 500 free air tickets initially,” he said.
M.A.Yousuf Ali, a prominent businessman who chaired the meeting, as Director of NORKA-Roots, offered to donate 100 plane tickets. “The rest of the tickets will be arranged by a special committee formed at the meeting,” said Najeeb, who has also been elected as the ex-officio chairman of the committee.
About 25 Keralite community organisations which participated in the meeting will work together to arrange the rest of the 400 tickets, said Ansar Chirayinkeezh, Chairman of the committee and also the president of the Samajam.
Food and water
Transportation for all amnesty seekers from the Indian Embassy to Al Watbha which is about 40 kilometres away from the city, has been arranged by Ali’s EMKE group. He has also offered to provide 2,400 bottles of water everyday until the end of grace period.
Several other Indian organisations and individuals are providing food for more than 1,000 amnesty seekers everyday, said Ansar.
Ali said the community has to ensure that a maximum number of illegal workers are taking advantage of the opportunity given by the UAE government. “There might not be an amnesty after this. We have to educate people about the risk and hardship of being illegals in a foreign land.”
Najeeb said he will convene similar meetings of Keralite organisations in Dubai and Sharjah and take measures to help the needy amnesty seekers.
So far more than 100,000 illegal residents have got their status legalised or have been issued outpasses by residency departments across the country.
Officials had said the number of amnesty seekers would increase at the end of the deadline which is September 3, but the figures have been disappointing, according to officials.
After the amnesty, police will set up checkpoints across the country to arrest the illegals.
Seeing a world with sound
My dreams are usually shapeless and colourless, says bin daher.
Seeing a world with sound
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter/GULF NEWS Published: August 03, 2007, 23:12
Dubai: Imagine a world with no colour, a personal world with no boundaries, a world without any visual inputs.
One such world belongs to Dana Nashwati, a 20- year-old who lost her sight at the age of 13 after a severe bout of flu, which affected the nerves around her eyes. She can still see a blur of colours and shapes in her dreams, although it is now gradually turning into only shades and sounds.
She can still visualise things by learning to identify the characteristics of an object. “I still use colours to identify people I haven’t seen before losing my eyesight. I visualise individuals by giving them a colour by the sound of their voice,” said Nashwati. 
Khalfan Bin Dhaher (left), Ahmad Al Jafli (right) and members of the Blind Association.
She tries to help visually-impaired people to learn how to match colours to sounds. She is surrounded by her friends from the Blind Association, who occasionally escape busy schedules to enjoy a day with nature and good company.
Among the group is Khalfan Bin Daher, who was demonstrating his knowledge of guessing people’s age and skin colour by feeling their hands. In a few minutes he was able to correctly guess the age of the person next to him. “I don’t know how people look like, but through the sense of touch I can find out about the person’s age and skin colour,” said the 18-year-old.
“I can see light when it directly hits my eyes. That’s the only thing I can ‘see’, but I would love to learn how to match colours. I would like to know if red goes well with blue,” he said.
He explained that he sees things the way his imagination visualises it. “My dreams are usually shapeless and colourless. But then reality will always be defined by perception,” he said.
Composing music
Ahmad Al Jafli, 20, enjoys listening and composing music. The media communications student and radio presenter said he can recognise the mood of a person by carefully listening to every unconscious movement and sound.
“People can control their expressions, but they are usually unconscious of certain movements due to discomfort, happiness,” he said.
Nashwati points out that people are increasingly taught to be visually-driven. “This undermines the significance of their other senses,” she said.
Mona and Sharifa Al Hashemi, they visualise objects by the sound they make. “I identify objects by listening to the sound they create. I dream with sounds,” said Mona.
All the group members were born visually impaired except for Nashwati.
“Losing your eyesight is obviously difficult, but your visual impairment is not always a restriction. The visual element can be deceptive at times. I learned to understand matters and people better because I take the time to listen to their views … you learn the art of listening,” she said.
The groups of friends feel the country needs more awareness about the needs and wants of visually impaired people. Most shopping malls and buildings are not accessible for the visually impaired, they said.
“We still have to depend on someone to get from one place to another. We all want our independence. We always try to challenge ourselves … but we need the resources and means,” Bin Daher said.
Have your say:
Do you know someone who is visually-impaired? What is it like to spend a day with them? Tell us your experiences.
Abu Dhabi in $3b Borouge expansion
Abu Dhabi in $3b Borouge expansion
By Himendra mohan kumar, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS / Published: August 02, 2007, 23:15
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi will invest Dh11 billion ($3 billion) to expand the capacity of the Borouge petrochemicals facility to two million tonnes per year.
Abu Dhabi, which has 98 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, has targeted an increase in its production capacity to four million barrels of oil per day, as well as raising its natural gas supplies through the development of sour gas reserves and optimisation of existing sweet gas production.
Earlier this week, The Executive Council of Abu Dhabi in its policy agenda for 2007-08 said: “Current targets are to expand oil and gas production capacity significantly. Abu Dhabi is adding oil and gas and natural gas liquids production capacity each year through the application of better processes, products and technology. The phased approach is a deliberate strategy to ensure that the Emirate continues to provide the highest quality while steadily raising capacity.”
With its hydrocarbon reserves and relatively low production costs, Abu Dhabi has a natural advantage in a range of downstream industries.
“Opportunities in base oil and petrochemicals will be leveraged to enhance the value of energy exports and support diversification of growth across the economy,” it added.
“A key priority in Abu Dhabi’s capacity expansion will be the timely development and delivery of energy resources to meet growing domestic demand,” said the policy agenda document.”
Additionally, it said “investment entities affiliated with the Abu Dhabi government will also continue to pursue geographical diverification of Abu Dhabi’s energy interests via strategic investments in upstream and downstream hydrocarbon assets outside of Abu Dhabi and the UAE”.
The Executive Council also said the energy sector will be expected to continue increasing its contibution to an even more diverse Abu Dhabi economy, “not only via increased production capacity, but also via efficiency and productivity realised through continuous technological and managerial innovation.”
Abu Dhabi Govt’s Agenda for 2007 – 2008 – (People – the real wealth of country)
Khalifa: People the real wealth of country
By Ahmed A. Elewa, Staff Reporter / GULF NEWS
Published: August 02, 2007, 00:33
Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday said the vision of Abu Dhabi is to continue to create a confident, secure society and to build a sustainable, open and globally competitive economy.
The government of Abu Dhabi yesterday launched a new policy agenda for the future development of the emirate in general and the government in particular in the presence of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Sup-reme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Shaikh Khalifa said in a statement: “The Federation of the United Arab Emirates has relied, and will continue to rely, on the rich and diverse contributions of its true wealth, its people, to guarantee prosperity. In order to fulfill its important role in that success, the emirate of Abu Dhabi will continue to work towards its own comprehensive, multifaceted vision.
“That vision is to continue to create a confident, secure society and to build a sustainable, open and globally competitive economy.
“To ensure the realisation of that vision, our government has prepared a policy agenda that reflects the vast array of integrated initiatives that are currently being implemented and that will be implemented in the future, to achieve sustainable development.”
The new agenda specifies in detail, the objectives and projects for the different government departments for 2007 and 2008.
“We have been for some time discussing with all government departments to materialise this agenda which represents a vision or a plan for the coming period and the role of the different departments in this plan,” Shaikh Mohammad told reporters yesterday.
“For the people of Abu Dhabi, the publication of a comprehensive policy agenda will provide unprecedented understanding of the priorities and plans of the government.
“For the private sector, the initiatives outlined in this agenda represent huge opportunities to operate in new sectors that were previously the traditional realm of the government.
“For citizens and residents, the policy agenda signals a new era in accountability, transparency and government performance,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“The creation of a clear and publicly available government policy agenda will also further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s ability to attract inward investment,” he added.
General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council announced the Policy Agenda for Abu Dhabi.
Quarterly review
“What we avoided in setting this plan are typical third world practices of setting plans and ending up in wasted effort and money, in short this agenda focuses on providing teamwork according to a unified vision and a set timeframe,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
The agenda also strengthens the concept of accountability, as all targets will be reviewed quarterly.
“For a long time now, it has been typical that government officials and executives are always reluctant to speak to the press, or avoid commenting on anything.
“This has changed from now on, as the principle of accountability entails that the government opens up to the media, which will provide a barometer for progress,” Mohammad Ahmad Al Bowardi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council, said.
The transparency and teamwork, in addition to the set targets all come within the framework of enhancing the government performance up to the best international practices.
“We are setting the best practices of the best five governments worldwide as our benchmark, as we intend within five years to be among the top five as well,” he said.
The plan stipulates the outsourcing of all non-core government activities to the private sector.
“The government will shift completely to its planning and core activities, while the private sector will step up further in sectors like handling solid waste, management of parks which is already happening,” explained Khaldoun Al Mubarak, member of the Executive Council.
The 83 page agenda consists of 18 independent policy statements providing detailed analysis of the government’s plans in areas as diverse as: planning and economy, energy, tourism, health, education, labour, civil services, culture and heritage, food control, urban planning, transport, environment, health and safety, municipal affairs, police and emergency services, electronic government, women, and legislative reform.
The Policy Agenda 2007-2008: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is the first comprehensive policy agenda of its kind to be published in the region. It sets clear priorities and articulates detailed plans for each portfolio of government in Abu Dhabi.
The policy agenda is the result of 12 months of intensive work involving all government departments, and is characterised by a deliberate focus on facilitating coordination and collaboration between the entities of government in Abu Dhabi.
The agenda outlines the numerous areas in which interdepartmental coordination is required, and provides a whole-of-government snapshot of the Abu Dhabi public sector in action.
The policy agenda contains a statement of commitment to deliver on the emirate’s ambitious vision for the future, which was signed yesterday by each member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, demonstrating their commitment to accountability.
It is intended that the government’s policy agenda will be updated and published annually or as required. Policy Agenda 2007-08: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be distributed to all government departments and authorities immediately, and is universally available online for download in Arabic and English from the Abu Dhabi Government portal at http://www.abudhabi.ae.
Abu Dhabi to launch specialised body
The government of Abu Dhabi plans to launch soon a specialised body to deal with and handle all the property and housing related issues to streamline the sector within the scope of a single authority, Khaldoun Al Mubarak, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, revealed yesterday.
“Housing has a top priority within the policy agenda, and within the coming few months a new body will be launched to manage this sector according to the best practices,” he said.
Updating plans
The principle of accountability set by the new policy agenda represents a first step towards incorporating the public in the government process according to Mohammad Ahmad Al Bawardi, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
“We will evaluate the progress periodically and update the plan according to new goals or targets set by any government entity in a transparent manner. Such transparency provides for accountability on various levels, between the executive council and the different departments, and through the media as well,” he said.
“This represents a step towards setting elections at the local level in our gradual approach to the subject matter, following the footsteps of the federal government, where partial elections are already in place,” he added.
‘Most school teachers are computer savvy’
‘Most school teachers are computer savvy’
Staff Report / GULF NEWS Published: August 02, 2007, 00:33
Dubai: Ninety per cent of the public school teachers are proficient in computer usage while teaching, said an education official.
The School Agency, the first agency of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), confirmed that 90 per cent of teachers and administrative staff in Dubai’s public schools hold the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) and are capable of using IT technology while teaching.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum IT Education Project, the implementation body for the ICDL training, submitted ICDL training results to the School Agency validating the numbers. The results will bring teachers to the next step, that is, I-Teach certification from the Cambridge British University
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