Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday opened its Manchester guest contact centre with a reception for government officials and local business leaders.            Based at the Voyager Building at Manchester Airport, the guest contact centre is the airline's first in Europe and fourth in the world. It will operate in conjunction with existing guest contact centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and India.            The guest contact centre will provide full time employment for 160 local people, all of whom will receive extensive training in all aspects of the company's global reservations system.            Manchester was chosen as the location for Etihad Airways' first European guest contact centre after extensive research showed the city's population offered the optimal mix of languages and skill sets. Manchester's telecommunications infrastructure also put it ahead of rival cities.            Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: "The opening of the Etihad Airways Manchester guest contact centre further demonstrates Etihad Airways' commitment to the north of England.            "We are delighted to be able to provide further employment opportunities for the people of Manchester while at the same time ensuring we are ideally positioned to meet the needs of passengers throughout Europe for the foreseeable future.            "We very much look forward to strengthening our already close ties to the city of Manchester over the coming years." School leaver Ryan Al Hakim, 18, who has completed a month long training course to work at the guest contact centre as a sales agent, said: "Having a job in the current economic climate makes me feel proud that I have skills that are valued in a tough market. It means I can stand on my own two feet and not rely on others to carry me." Guest contact centre agent John Byrom, 18, said: "This job means so much to me. So many people today are unemployed and I feel lucky to walk out of college and into full time employment. I have always wanted to work in the aviation industry." Etihad Airways began operating daily flights from its base in Abu Dhabi to Manchester in March, 2006. In November 2010, the airline opened a state of the art premium lounge at Manchester Airport.            In July 2011, Etihad Airways announced a comprehensive 10 year sponsorship deal with Manchester City Football Club.            In August 2011, Etihad Airways doubled flight frequencies to Manchester to 14 a week and opened a line maintenance facility at the airport. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Emirates has officially inaugurated its dedicated customer contact centre in the Outsource Zone Dubai, following a visit to the facility by H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates airline and Group.            Acting as a global information hub for its valued customers', Emirates' 770 seat contact centre has been purpose built utilising state-of-the-art technology, in keeping with the airline's commitment to quality.            Since opening last year the centre has handled over three million customer calls, averaging around 15,000 per day. The spacious environment contains a number of dedicated staff training rooms in addition to common lounge areas.            "Bringing together two previously separate customer contact centres we have been able to create a progressive work environment that is conducive to productivity and most importantly, contented employees and customers," said Sheikh Ahmed.            "Our new high-tech contact centre was developed with our customers in mind laying the foundation for a more cohesive customer experience. As the airline continues to expand it is important that we continue to evolve our customer service experience to keep up with increased demand and our new contact centre is an excellent example of this," he added.            Emirates' new customer contact centre is linked virtually to the airline's contact centres in other regions, creating a seamless customer experience and a broader base of employees to service our customers globally. Each contact centre staff member around the globe is inter-connected to create one large virtual centre enabling unified knowledge sharing.            On calling the customer contact centre, Emirates' customers can make new reservations or change existing ones, book a specific seat or if travelling in First Class and Business Class they are able to book their complimentary chauffeur drive service. Customers can also call the contact centre to redeem their Skywards miles. In addition the customer contact centre handles general customer enquiries relating to our products, services and network.            "Our customer contact centre is often a new customer's first point of contact so it is critical that the service provided meets and exceeds their expectations. A company only gets one chance at a first impression and we have invested significantly to ensure that ours is exemplary," added Sheikh Ahmed.            Catering to a large demographic the contact centre offers multiple languages including; English, Arabic, Russian, French and Spanish. The nearly 800 strong staff are a diverse mix of 40 different nationalities, including 68 UAE Nationals.            Around 75% of all calls handled are from the UAE market. The remaining calls are from international markets supported by the centre. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           An Abu Dhabi broadcaster hopes to bring a new dimension to the Middle East TV market with the launch of the region's first dedicated 3D channel.            YahLive, which beams television signals via an Abu Dhabi-owned satellite, said yesterday it had started broadcasts of the entertainment station High TV 3D.            "Since the movie Avatar a couple of years ago, people have been mesmerised by 3D," said Mohamed Youssif, the chief executive of YahLive.            The 24-hour channel broadcasts news, series and movies in 3D. Viewers will require a special TV set and glasses to experience the channel's three-dimensional effect.            Electronics companies have been keen to push 3D TVs in recent years. However, some analysts have said that consumers have been put off from buying them because of a relative lack of 3D shows.            But Mr Youssif said the technology was more than just a gimmick. "Many people thought that 3D is merely a gimmick that would wear off quickly," he said. "But to us, we believe that 3D is the logical evolution of the TV experience."            Mr Youssif declined to specify the details of the contract. "We don't announce our financials at all. But the norm is that the channel pays the satellite operator," he said.            Ali Ajouz, a media consultant in the UAE who has been advising High TV 3D, said the deal with    YahLive marked a regional first for the channel, based in New York.            Mr Ajouz said that he was pursuing agreements with other operators to broadcast the channel. These are thought to include Etisalat, du and OSN.            He added that the channel was boosting the amount of content it produces globally and said 3D Arabic-language production could be on the cards. Currently, the channel is broadcast in English with Arabic subtitles.            "High TV 3D has over 400 hours of native 3D programming today," he said. "It is in the process of producing a lot of content, and will add approximately 500 hours every year."            Mr Ajouz said he would look to work with local producers to create content in Arabic, as well as converting other shows into 3D. "We'll probably be the first to transmit Arabic 3D content in the Middle East," he said.            Mr Ajouz also said he planned to approach Middle Eastern brands and advertising agencies about creating advertisements in 3D. YahLive is a partnership between the European satellite operator SES and Yahsat, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development, a strategic investment company owned by the Abu Dhabi Government.            YahLive beams television signals via the Yahsat Y1A satellite, which was launched into orbit last April. Signals can be picked up in dozens of countries in the Middle East, North Africa, western Asia and parts of Europe.            The agreement with High TV 3D marks Yahsat's latest partnership with a TV broadcaster. YahLive last year announced distribution deals to carry channels broadcast by MBC, Dubai Media and Abu Dhabi Media, which also owns and publishes The National.            Mr Youssif said YahLive now has 25 channels, with more to be added later this year. "We really hope that we get about 50 channels or so before the year-end," he said. – The National Â
           The UAE has decided to rush emergency humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons from Syrians who took refuge in neighbouring countries as a result of the ongoing tragic events in their homeland. The humanitarian gesture underscores the UAE's keenness to offer all forms of humanitarian and charitable support for brotherly and friendly peoples at times of crises and disasters. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has praised the pioneering role played by the UAE in combating human trafficking crimes. A two-member ILO delegation recently visited the Abu Dhabi Sheltering Centres for Women and Children (EWAA) and lauded the experiment of providing health, psychological and legal assistance to the victims of human trafficking.            The delegation members Helene Harroff-Tavel and Alix Nasri, both experts on migration and human trafficking at ILO, toured the centres and were briefed by Sara Shuhail, the Executive Director of EWAA, on the services and facilities offered to the victims of human trafficking. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           The Federal National Council (FNC) yesterday held its fifth session under the chairmanship of Mohammed Ahmed Al-Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council.            The session was attended by Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs, Dr. Hadef Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice and Dr. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs            The FNC was briefed on the written reply from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works, Chairman of the Board of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, on a motion raised by the FNC MP Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Zaabi, on percentage of accomplishment regarding the donation of the UAE President to construct 40, 000 residential units for citizens to ensure the family stability and good living conditions.            Sheikh Hamdan referred to the directives by the UAE President to provide appropriate accommodation to Emirati families, especially the families whose guardians are those with the limited income. He reiterated the impact of directives on the UAE Strategic Plan that makes Emirati citizen a top priority.            He noted that the Programme has received confirmations to receive support to implement the project, citing that in 2008, about 20, 000 initial approvals were announced to study the submitted applications to help the Programme issue 8, 000 approvals annually.            Sheikh Hamdan added in his reply to the FNC MP that 6, 321 decisions for residential loans worth Dhs3.157 billion were issued, indicating that the World Financial Crisis had negatively affected the provision of the required amounts. But he indicated that the Programme decided to cover the gap from its budget after the increment of government support.            He said the Programme signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Central Bank to amend some regulations of the residential financing to get more additional amount with very easy conditions.            The FNC was also briefed on the written reply from Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, regarding the motion raised by MP Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, on activation of article 5 of year 1985, on the Islamic Banking. Al Gergawi said the query should be answered by the UAE Central Bank, being a competent authority in charge of regulating, licensing and inspecting the banks in accordance with the article 2 of the Islamic Banks Law No. 6 of year 1985. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Gulf Capital secures Dh500 million revolver acquisition facility from ADCB Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gulf Capital and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank ("ADCB") have signed yesterday a ground-breaking five-year revolving facility of Dh500 million to help finance Gulf Capital's growing pipeline of investments across its various business units, Gulf Capital said in a press release. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gulf Capital is one of the most active alternative asset managers in the Middle East, focused on investing in private equity, real estate, credit and mezzanine across the region. The new flexible medium-term revolver will allow the Firm to leverage its balance sheet and finance its investments as they arise. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â "ADCB has enjoyed a strong relationship with Gulf Capital since its inception and our understanding of their business model and investment strategy allowed us to structure a flexible revolver facility that meets their unique business needs. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with Gulf Capital and helping them grow their franchise," according to Ala'a Eraiqat, CEO of ADCB and a member of the Board. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) got off to a strong start in 2012 with January volumes rising 95% from the same month last year to hit 475,942 contracts, valued at US$19.32bn.            Average daily volume (ADV) on DGCX in January was 21,634 contracts, up 86% from the 11,637 contracts traded per day a year ago.            January volumes were propelled primarily by currency futures, which aggregated 442,345 contracts, rising 124% from last year. Indian Rupee futures sustained its exceptional growth momentum, climbing 157% from January last year and reaching the highest ever monthly volume of 431,902 contracts. Among other currency futures, Sterling/Dollar grew 14% while Dollar/Yen rose 39% from December 2011 to reach 2,246 and 386 contracts respectively. US Dollar/Canadian Dollar futures also grew substantially by 104% over the previous month to reach 330 contracts.            Gold futures saw brisk trading in January, up 355.7% from December 2011 and hitting 30,567 contracts.
           Stephen Gaterell, CEO of DGCX, said, "The robust start to the year is a good portent for a strong performance in 2012. With volatility in currency and commodity markets continuing to be a feature of today's uncertain economic environment, DGCX products will be extremely valuable tools for market participants seeking to manage currency and commodity price risk. As a result, we are continuing to investigate options to expand our product offering as well as explore means of enhancing liquidity in our existing contracts." Meanwhile, WTI Crude futures registered strong growth of 34% from the previous month, reaching 1,833 contracts. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Dolphin to raise US$1b from bonds            Abu Dhabi-based Dolphin Energy, which is majority-owned by Mubadala, plans to sell up to US$1 billion worth of 10-year bonds to refinance the company’s existing bank debt and to pay a distribution to Dolphin’s shareholders, a presentation document to investors said.            Dolphin, in which Occidental Petroleum and Total are shareholders, each holding 24.5 per cent equity, had met with fixed income investors in the UAE, the UK and the US in June 2011, but eventually delayed issuing a bond due to uncertain global market conditions at the time.            According to informed sources, the initial price talk for the bonds, which is benchmark-sized but earmarked for between US$750 million and US$1 billion, is 370 basis points over 10-year mid-swaps, and the issue could be launched as early as this week depending on market conditions.            The issue, which is set to mature on December 15, 2021, is 144a-compliant, meaning it is also open to institutional US investors.            The same banks, which organised the June 2011 roadshows are listed as, lead managers on the upcoming deal. These include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, BNP Paribas, Mitsubishi UFJ, Royal Bank of Scotland and Societe Generale.            Dolphin raised around US$3 billion in July 2009 to help finance a 244-kilometre gas pipeline between Taweelah and Fujairah to provide gas to two power stations in the north of the UAE. The overall deal consisted of a US$1.6 billion bank loan, a US$1.25 billion bond and a US$218 million bank loan supported by the SACE export credit agency.            The current Dolphin bond traded to yield 4.63 per cent on the bid side in early trading, equating to 330 basis points over equivalent US Treasuries, according to Thomson Reuters data. Current price guidance for the potential new bond would see it trade at 484 bps over ten-year US Treasuries, according to one regionally-based bond trader.            Having been agreed and signed in the aftermath of the global credit crunch, the loan debt is now regarded as expensive so a bond issue — at a time when rates are at historic lows — will help reduce Dolphin’s borrowing costs.            Dolphin Energy was established to develop substantial energy projects throughout the GCC and to create long-term economic wealth and new business opportunities for GCC citizens, far into the future.            Dolphin Energy’s major strategic initiative, the US$4.8 billion Dolphin Project, involves the production and processing of natural gas from Qatar’s North Field, and transportation of the dry gas by sub-sea export pipeline from Qatar to the UAE, which began in July 2007.            The plant, the largest single-build gas plant in the world, is central to Dolphin’s operations.            The seven-year construction programme has seen the creation of a full energy value chain — from gas wells offshore Qatar, onshore processing plant, gas export pipeline to the UAE and substantial gas supplies to customers across the seven Emirates. The Dolphin Gas Project is a regional energy network which involves the production of natural gas from Qatar’s North Field, processing and extraction of valuable by-products at Ras Laffan, and transportation of the processed gas to the UAE and Oman. – Khaleej Times Â
Masdar City chooses SoFi to Monitor Carbon in buildings           Stuttgart - Masdar City has selected PE INTERNATIONAL's SoFi system to monitor carbon embodied in buildings for its ambitious project to construct one of the world's most sustainable cities, the two companies announced yesterday.            Masdar City, one of the integrated units of Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company Masdar, has captured enormous worldwide interest by demonstrating how sustainable cities can be developed. SoFi is PE INTERNATIONAL's high performance tool that provides a central platform for benchmarking and forecasting sustainability performance and developing sustainability strategies.            The system is playing a key role in helping Masdar's supply chain team and contractors track and monitor the carbon embodiment of building materials thereby calculating the amount of carbon associated with construction activities.            Commenting on the use of SoFi, Alan Frost, Director of Masdar City, said: "Through SoFi we can monitor carbon performance during construction and quantify how well we are meeting our goals. This is vital for Masdar and our stakeholders in terms of validating our ambition of building one of the most sustainable cities in the world." "It is an honour to be supporting Masdar in this illustrious project, which sets a high standard for the region as a whole, helping Abu Dhabi to become a centre of excellence in the next generation of renewable and green technologies," said Neil D'Souza, SoFi Product Manager at PE INTERNATIONAL. "We believe SoFi can play a major role in helping city construction projects around the world to construct sustainable buildings." PE INTERNATIONAL has been supporting Masdar in achieving its impressive goals for over two years, initially working with the city's supply chain team to produce Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for capturing and communicating the environmental performance of products used in the city. Life Cycle Assessment or energy efficiency studies carried out for some of the suppliers have helped identify improvement measures in products and processes, in line with Masdar's strategy of engaging with their supply chain to achieve better performance.            Having now implemented SoFi, Masdar has the capability for target setting and monitoring the evolving project. It can also use SoFi for benchmarking against targets and comparing how much CO2 would be involved in producing a building in the city compared to a standard building in, for example, London, Paris or New York.            PE INTERNATIONAL has linked carbon footprints from Masdar's TheFutureBuild.com - the first Middle East database on sustainable materials, - into SoFi together with PE INTERNATIONAL's proprietary databases to create the sustainability platform.            A key ability of SoFi is its distributed data acquisition, which gives Masdar City great flexibility in how it collects information from different sources, while the system's analytics will support decision making. For example, being able to see that a building is 50 per cent complete, yet already 70 per cent on the way to meeting its emission target, will help affect decision making on possible corrective measures. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Rents for studio apartments in Dubai fell by 11 per cent in 2011, registering the maximum rental decline, while average apartment lease rates declined by eight per cent compared to 17 per cent in 2010, according to CB Richard Ellis.            Lease rates in older residential districts remained unchanged during the fourth quarter 2011 as the opening of The Green Line helped stabilise rents, the real estate consultancy said in its fourth quarter 2011 report.            “Properties within 500 metres of operational Metro stations have experienced improved occupancy levels as tenants target accommodation with strong transport links,†it said.            Villas and townhouses outperformed apartments during the year as limited supply of units and stronger demand fundamentals saw rents decline just six per cent over the period, less than half of the fall registered during 2010.            Around 300,000 square metres of residential accommodation was sold at an average rate of Dh9,500 per square metre, which represents a five per cent growth year on year.            The value of residential transactions in Dubai rose to Dh2.85 billion in fourth quarter 2011 compared to Dh1.7bn same period last year, registering a 67 per cent increase.            “In value terms, the overall increase was less striking at just six per cent growth, with total transactions increased from Dh2.7bn in the third quarter to Dh2.85bn in the fourth quarter. Compared to fourth quarter 2010, the increased value of transactions was significant, rising 67 per cent from Dh1.7bn to Dh2.85bn,†CBRE said.            The report said it expected the commercial property sector to remain under duress throughout 2012 with around 750,000 sqm of new stock could enter the market, provided that construction delays are kept to a minimum.            "Lease rates in Dubai's central business district are expected to remain quite stable during the year," CBRE said.            Moreover, the Dubai residential market has become very fractional with end user focus now becoming project- and even building-specific within any given area. The quality of facilities, accessibility, property management and maintenance, are all factors together with traditional drivers of quality, price and location.            The market will also see landlord incentives increase as new supply is completed and competition to secure tenancies intensifies.            "The residential sector will continue to outperform offices as stronger demand fundamentals are sustained by solid population growth," CBRE said. – Emirates 24|7 Â
EIDA links registration of employees of free zone companies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with deadlines           The Emirates Identity Authority, (EIDA) has decided to link the registration and renewal of ID card for the (employees of private companies operating within the free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai) with the decision related to the registration deadlines announced for both emirates, which expires on April 1st, 2012 for Abu Dhabi residents and June 1st, 2012 for Dubai residents.            This exception came in response to the demands of a broad section of free zone employees and a large number of private sector companies operating in these free zones. While it is aimed at easing the procedures for employees, the decision takes into account the conditions of the large companies which employ thousands of workers after it was decided to impose the delay penalties on this section from December 1st, 2011 due to the fact that free zones are classified as semi-government entities.            As far as the employees of free zone departments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are concerned, the Emirates Identity Authority clarified that the deadline given to this section expired in the beginning of last December due to the fact that they are semi-government employees, adding that delay penalties started to be imposed on those who had not actually registered, effective from January 1st, 2011.            The Emirates Identity Authority added that these decision came as part of its keenness on providing the most prestigious services to public and facilitating their registration procedures. The decisions emphasised that priority would be to complete the population register system and the ID card project, contribute to enhancing the national and individual security, support decision-makers and provide innovated electronic services that would support eGovernment and UAE Vision 2021, the Emirates Identity Authority said.            Earlier, the Emirates Identity Authority excluded those with residences that would expire by December 31, 2012 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from the decision related to the ID card registration deadlines as announced for each emirate, provided that this category should be registered by the time of renewal of their residences.            It is noteworthy that last January the Emirates Identity Authority announced that it would grant the holders of expired ID cards a grace period to renew their cards up to April 1, 2012 for Abu Dhabi residents and June 1, 2012 for Dubai residents after it had been decided to impose delay penalties on the holders of these cards from November 1st, 2011.            As for UAE nationals and residents below 15 years, the Emirates Identity Authority underlined the necessity for this category to be registered all over the UAE by October 1, 2012.            The Emirates Identity Authority called on the residents in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to register in the ID card and renew their expired cards as soon as possible and not to wait until the last minute of the set deadlines, noting that filling out the registration form at the typing centres or through its website would help the person concerned avoid the resolved delay penalties, provided that they abide by the date specified for completing the registration procedures (fingerprinting and photographing) at an Emirates Identity Authority-affiliated service point.            The Emirates Identity Authority affirmed that these decisions are not inconsistent with its strategic plan 2010-2013, which stipulates that the registration of all UAE population would be completed before the end of 2013.            It pointed out that linking the residence issuance procedures with registration in the ID card is in place in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah where registration in the ID card has become a condition for the issuance or renewal of residence. As for Dubai, work is underway to activate the linkage of the ID card with residence, effective from early April, the Emirates Identity Authority said.            The Emirates Identity Authority noted that adoption of the ID card as a condition for benefiting from the services of the UAE public and private sectors is on the increase. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Within the activities of World Wetlands Day observed under the title "Wetlands Tourism A Great Experience", the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality has recently organised a field trip for the employees to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.            The visit aims to raise environmental awareness within the staff, introduce them about related occasions, encourage to participate and educate the importance of sanctuaries. It also aimed to introduce the environmental specifications and biological diversity of wetlands in addition to the promotion of responsible eco-tourism fulfilling the quench for exploration and knowledge in an atmosphere of fun and advantage.            The tour programme began introducing the sanctuary, its characteristics and other information by Hassan Zein al-Sharif, Senior Wetlands Guide and Geroal, Principle Nature Protection Officer.            They explained the importance of Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and its location within the global wetlands as per Ramsar Treaty. RKWS is classified by the Birdlife International Association within the Important Bird Area in the world (IBA).            Ras Al Khor covers about 6.2 km2, and has been ranked as one of leading wetlands in the world, where its biodiversity makes it an ideal wetland where there are large numbers of bird species, mammals, reptile, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.            Nearly 313 species of flora and fauna are recorded in RKWS, where 45,000 seedlings of mangroves represent a suitable environment to receive the birds. In addition, RKWS protects 46 other species of plants, 266 species of animals and 88 species of birds, being an assembly hub for migratory birds that cross the region, including pink colour flamingos. Currently about 1,000 flamingos are settled in RKWS, a safe haven for breeding, care and food.            The efforts and role of Municipality in protecting sanctuaries and conducting research studies on wildlife have been highlighted.            Then the staff explored the biodiversity of RKWS through monitoring devices available in the bird watching towers, where they could see the components of RKWS environment closely, and impressed with the magnificent view of mangroves and its compatibility with the flamingos in a great natural panel.            It is worth mentioning that RKWS has three towers, which are built in 2004, located in strategic locations, so that the user can see all areas of RKWS very closely. These towers are distinguished in terms of its traditional look of Barajil. It is built out of palm fronds, wood, glass and suitable colours with the place.            Wael Adel, Head of Drainage Systems explained the role of Dubai Municipality in maintaining the water level in the RKWS to be suitable dwelling many objects pumping sea water to the reserve and ensuring that the water level is appropriate for the survival of creatures in the reserve. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           The UAE National Olympic Committee (UAENOC) revealed its plans on Tuesday to send its biggest contingent ever to the London Games later this year.            Yousef Al Serkal, the vice-president of the UAENOC, said the Emirates is aiming for a 13-member contingent to represent the nation at the quadrennial sporting extravaganza, labelled 'the greatest show on earth', in the English capital.            So far only three shooters - Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (skeet), Sheikh Juma bin Dalmook Al Maktoum (double trap) and Dhaher Al Ariani (trap) - have qualified for the Games.            Meanwhile, 15 other probables will use the next few months in a bid to qualify in their various disciplines. And Al Serkal has urged those yet to qualify to try and make the cut on the basis of merit and not invitations.            “Historically the UAE has qualified with a nominal squad of athletes, but this time as we have seen we already have three qualified and we are expecting about another 10 to qualify so there is a change and this change shows the development of sport in the UAE.            “We don’t want to qualify for the Olympics through invitations but through competitions,†Al Serkal said. “We believe we have high expectations from athletes, especially the shooters and the federations know exactly which athletes have the potential to win medals.†           Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a silver medallist in the 67kgs class at the 2006 Asian Games, will take to the mats in her quest to enter the taekwondo event.            In athletics, triple jumper Muhammad Abdullah Abbas is just five centimetres short of the qualifying distance of 16.85m required to make the cut, while 400m hurdler Ali Obaid Shirook has returned to training after an injury and is "looking good" in the words of his coach Jerry Holness.            The UAE Athletics Federation has its fingers crossed on the situation of 200m sprinter Omar Al Salfa, who won bronze at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, but is currently injured.            Two women runners are also hunting for spots. Bethlehem Desalegn is looking to make the grade in the 1,500m and 5,000m events, while Alia Muhammad Saeed, who in Al Kamali’s opinion is the nation’s best hope in the track and field disciplines, is aiming for the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m runs.            “My promise is to have at least three athletes qualify for the Games." said Al Kamali. :Alia is close to qualifying for all three events. She is four seconds outside the mark in the 1,500m, a second away in the 5,000m and five outside the 10,000m, so we are trying our best to support these athletes in every possible way."            In the pool, Mubarak Beshir and Obaid Al Jasmi are contesting spots, while Abdullah Hammadi and Majid Mansouri have been named as the probables in fencing. Khalifa Qubaisi (74kgs) and Mohammed Qubaisi (74kgs) will have to fight on the mat for a spot in the judo and wrestling events respectively.            Naser Al Tamimi, the General Secretary of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation, said: “We have been training Khalifa to fight since 2009 and we believe he now has the experience necessary to compete. He is an active judoka and one of our hopes to fight for a spot at the Games.            “It has been positive from his end and he can make up the points for a wildcard entry. We believe he has an 80 per cent chance of qualifying. Mohammed Qubaisi started in 2010 and will travel to South Korea for the Asian Championships later this month where a top five placing can earn him an automatic spot at the Games.†           In weightlifting, a triumvirate of Emirati women Yasmine Abbas, Alia Abdullah and Nahla Mazroei will be hoping to lift themselves into contention for a spot in the 75kgs class. Sultan bin Mejren, the President of the Emirates Weightlifting Federation, said: “We have a gilt edged chance of qualifying and our efforts are aimed at helping them qualify. Weightlifting is one of the most important individual competitions and there is a big chance to grab a medal.†– Sport 360° Â
           UAE capital Abu Dhabi is preparing to host the World’s Strongest Man Competition 2012 from February 12-14.            Twenty-two contestants from 20 countries will participate in this strongest men world championship, which will be held in the UAE for the first time. The contestants compete to win the world’s strongest men title by demonstrating their physical abilities in various strength athletics such as pulling bulky objects (rocks, trucks, and airplanes), lifting heavy weights, and a tug of war.            The UK’s Mark Felix, Estonian powerhouse Tarmo Mitt and US Josh Thigpen are the headline performers who will compete for the top prize of US$6,000 (Dh22,000). A panel of international judges will determine the winners and their rankings based on the results they achieve in the various events within the competition.            The official opening ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club on February 11, while the event activities and competitions will take place at Khalifa Park from February 12-14 from 4-9pm. Admission will be free. – Sport 360°            His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Monday released a large number of wild animals into Al Dhaleema Natural Reserve to ensure biodiversity in the emirate.            The wild species released by Dr Sheikh Sultan included Arabian Oryx, deer, snakes, monkeys, wild hares, rodents and lizards as part of efforts to release the species into their natural habitats. Meanwhile, Dr Sheikh Sultan attended the launch of the 13th edition of International conference on safeguarding biodiversity in the Arabian peninsula, organised by Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA).            The conference continues till Thursday. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Head of EPAA, said the highlight of the workshop is the biodiversity, with a focus on reptiles as an important element in the food chain. Hana said that Dr Sheikh Sultan's televised speech, in which he urged people of all ages to refrain from activities that damages the desert environment, is a form of encouragement for environmental activists. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Residents living in villas will now be able to segregate waste easily for recycling as environmental and waste management company, Bee'ah, on Monday launched the first residential recycling initiative here.            In a tribute to UAE National Environment Day that was held last Saturday, Bee'ah in tandem with the Sharjah Municipality has rolled out the residential recycling programme by introducing dual coloured bins to encourage waste segregation at home.            The shift from the current waste collection system to the dual-stream recycling process means residents will be able to dispose of all recyclables, including paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and aluminium, into a blue bin while all other general waste will be deposited in a green bin.            "Every year, Sharjah households generate around 600,000 tonnes of waste of which we are recovering a small percentage for recycling and the rest goes to landfill. This number will drastically reduce with the residential recycling programme, boosting an increase of 5 to 10 per cent towards our target," Salim Al Owais, Chairman of Bee'ah, said.            "We are currently reaching more than 40 per cent of our target and aim to reach our objective of 100 per cent by 2015," Al Owais said.            Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Khalid Al Huraimel, Chief Executive at Bee'ah, said this is the first programme of its kind with a large-scale outreach in the Middle East.            "Bee'ah's residential recycling programme will commence today in planned phases, serving sector by sector. We have a goal to get this scheme rolled out by the end of 2012, but if all goes to plan we could see 75 per cent of residents in Sharjah benefiting from it as early as July," Al Huraimel said.            The first sector to benefit from the initiative is Al Shahba area. The initiative will next be implemented in Khezammia followed by Halwan. The programme will then be implemented in remaining residential villas by the end of December 2012, and will then focus on towns in the Eastern region. Paper and plastic in focus            Environmentalists will gather in Dubai at the end of the month to discuss paper and plastic recycling. The Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference Middle East, set for February 27-28, is being held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, and will be hosted by US-based Recycling Today Media Group and Dubai-based Media Fusion.            Organisers said the "event will combine market-driven sessions examining commodity markets for recovered paper and plastics in a global context, insights from local policy makers on regional waste and recycling management development and case studies of how the industry is being developed from local recyclers." – Gulf News Â
           Heritage Island, a new tourist centre portraying aspects of life and traditions in Dubai, will open to visitors next week.            Situated in the Palm Jebel Ali Project at Dubai Waterfront, a Nakheel development, the Heritage Island is one of Dubai's newest heritage and tourist attractions. The new island extends more than one million square feet, overlooking EMEG's Ghantoot Reserve.            Ali Lootah, Nakheel Chairman, said: "We are delighted with the new project coming up soon, and the Heritage Island, a family oriented project which includes many facilities of entertainment and culture, aims to bring together family members at cultural, social and heritage-related activities, instilling social values and inherited customs." Patronage            Under the patronage of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women's Establishment, Honorary President of Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG) and wife of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Heritage Island will receive visitors throughout the year, said Major Ali Saqr Al Suwaidi, chairman of the EMEG.            "Developing traditional tourist destinations will promote and sustain our tourist assets," Al Suwaidi said.            Gassan Al Aridi, Managing Director of Alfa Tour, told Gulf News that the Heritage Island will be an asset to Dubai. – Gulf News Â
           Frost spread over the mountain tops in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as the temperature fell below zero degree Celsius Monday night.            People in the valley woke up in the morning to see snow topping over the Mount Jais.            On January 25th, almost exactly three years later, snow was found to have fallen on the Jais Mountain in Ras Al Khaimah, as temperature fell sharply to below zero degree centigrade.            Although limited snowfall had been recorded on the mountain some years ago, it was the first time the peak of the mountain was fully covered in about 20cm of snow.            The Jais Mountain, which stands at about 1,900m above sea level, is located 25km north-east of the Ras Al Khaimah city, which witnessed medium to heavy rainfall on the mountains located north of the city yesterday morning.            The rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, flooded the valleys and brought the mercury levels sharply down. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           White-water rafting might seem like an improbable desert pastime, but the UAE's first centre dedicated to the sport is set to open at the foot of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain.            Wadi Adventure is expected to boost tourism in the city, which is trying to position itself as a destination in the UAE.            "In line with the overall Abu Dhabi tourism strategy, Al Ain is trying to grow its unique attributes, and we should see over the next few years new projects in that direction," said Chiheb ben Mahmoud, the senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Middle East and Africa.            Wadi Adventure is being developed by Tamouh, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi's Royal Group. Tamouh also revealed plans more than three years ago to build a 2.6km indoor ski slope at Jebel Hafeet.            The water park will have three white-water rafting and kayaking runs with a combined length of 1,133 metres, Wadi Adventure says.            "Wadi Adventure is the Middle East's first man-made white-water rafting, kayaking and surf facility," according to the company.            The surf pool on a man-made beach is designed to generate some of the highest machine-generated waves in the world with heights of up to 3.3 metres. The cost of the project has not been released.            The centre is also to include a rope course, climbing wall and zip line, according to Wadi Adventure. There will also be restaurants, shops, chalets and conference and event facilities.            The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) says the project is to open within five months.            "Al Ain can also be considered as the other capital of Abu Dhabi," said Mr ben Mahmoud. "Coastal cities and sea tourism destinations have always struggled to attract tourism flow to inland backyard destinations. However, Al Ain has a thriving personality and unique attributes, and its potential is far from fully tapped." Significant developments taking place in Al Ain include a luxury Jumeirah hotel, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company is building a Dh3.5 billion (US$953,000) convention centre in the city. A 900-hectare park, the Dh3.2bn Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, is also under development.            "There is substantial potential to build business to the area from some of Abu Dhabi emirate's other markets, especially the UK and Europe, from where we would expect to draw a substantial share of visitors who are seeking a cultural experience during their holiday," said Lawrence Franklin, the director of strategy and policy at ADTA.            "Ongoing development of the tourism sector in Al Ain and the Eastern Region as well as the Western Region of Al Gharbia is a vital element of ADTA's ongoing strategy to ensure the dispersal of social, cultural and economic benefits of tourism throughout the emirate."            In June, some of the area's attractions were declared Unesco world heritage sites - recognition that is expected to increase the city's tourism.            Man-made white-water rafting facilities have been built in other countries, usually for Olympic Games canoeing and kayaking.            Jebel Hafeet, already a tourist attraction, is well known for its hot springs and natural caves. – The National Â
           When Maryam Al Mansoori was a little girl, she could not wait to get her hands on the latest copy of her favourite magazine every Wednesday.            The bright collection of Arabic cartoons, Majid (owned by Abu Dhabi Media, which also publishes The National) was sold on street corners by newspaper sellers at the time.            Back then, devouring the pages of each issue, Ms Al Mansoori could not have known she would one day launch her own magazine for teenagers.            Emirates Diaries Magazine, a quarterly English and Arabic-language lifestyle publication, is the creation of Ms Al Mansoori, Mohammed Al Banna and Zeinab Al Hammadi, all 18, and Sarah Al Hammadi, 19.            "I've always wanted to go to a petrol station and pick up a magazine like those teen ones we see in the States, but one that is fully local and has local topics," said Ms Al Mansoori.            The team hopes their magazine will become a place for the next generation of Emirati media professionals to learn their craft.            Set to launch in May, the magazine will employ Emirati writers, designers and photographers, and will highlight stories about Emiratis.            "There are so many inspiring Emirati initiatives here that no one knows about," Mr Al Banna said.            "Foreigners get the idea that Emiratis are only consumers and don't start anything, and yet there are many Emiratis who struggle to get the media attention."            Matt Duffy, an assistant professor at Zayed University's College of Communication and Media Sciences, said Emirates Diaries would be a great addition to local media and agreed more needed to be done to encourage community journalism.            "With 80 per cent of the population expats, we shouldn't expect the media to only cater to locals," Mr Duffy said. "But there is a happy medium and right now, the pendulum seems to swing too far towards the expats."            He said change would only begin with the hiring of graduates.            "Several of my top students will graduate this June from our journalism programme," Mr Duffy said. "I'll be sorely disappointed if some of them don't end up working for the local press.            Ms Al Mansoori notes traditions have been a hindrance to many female reporters.            "There are a lot of families that are very protective," she said. "But they are slowly becoming more OK with letting their daughters go out to do interviews."            The Emirates Diaries team members say several female journalists have shown interest in contributing.            "We noticed a lot of girls are interested in doing interviews and we hope [the magazine] will open the door for more journalists, especially Emirati women," Mr Al Banna said.            "We are also planning to have writing workshops to those who are not eligible to write for the magazine. This way we can help [them] develop their writing skills and be able to contribute to future issues."            AbdulMuttalib Al Hashimi, the managing director of the Emirati recruitment company Next Level, said he hoped the magazine would encourage young Emiratis to create more English content.            "I believe this is imperative in today's globalised community," Mr Al Hashimi said. "Since the Arab Spring the international community has realised Arab youth have a voice and they seek to be heard.            "These youth can serve as Emirati ambassadors to the international community through their writing." Mr Al Hashimi said English journalism need not undermine Arabic content.            "The way I see it, English content and Arabic content by Emiratis are like the external and internal communications divisions - they complement each other," he said.            Mr Duffy said: "At the end of the day, building a capable corps of Emirati journalists will be a long-term process, not a quick fix." – The National Â
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Abu Dhabi-Tokyo Investment Forum launched in Tokyo            Tokyo - Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) Nasser Al Suwaidi on Monday opened the Abu Dhabi-Tokyo Investment Forum 2012 which aims to strengthen the strategic partnership with Japan. The forum was organised by DED in cooperation with the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp).            A senior delegation from government departments, companies and national banks are taking part in the event.            In opening remarks, Al-Suwaidi said: "for more than 40 years of mutual cooperation between Japan and the United Arab Emirates in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, the two sides have experienced growing and sound bilateral relations within the international community.            "The markedly dynamic relations between Abu Dhabi and Japan, is tan outcome of genuine and keen desire of top officials in both sides, to continuously promote and deepen mutual ties. This is evidenced by the reciprocal high delegations formal and regular visits. These outstanding relations have been furthered by the establishment of the "Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council (AJEC)" last January. The newly formed council is highly regarded as a landmark along the prominent path of joint cooperation; set with main aim to strengthen links between the two sides, facilitate ongoing trade relations and boost investments," he added.            "Moreover, it is worth noting that the accelerating homogeneity of the Abu Dhabi-Japanese relations, perfectly enabled Abu Dhabi to become a key player in Japan-Middle East relations. This fact is clearly manifested, by the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, hosting of the office of the "Japanese Cooperation Centre for the Middle East (JCCME)" in its headquarters since 2009, which in turn paved the way for the (35th Japan Cooperation Forum for the Middle East) to convene in Abu Dhabi in 2010," he further said.            He cited recent statistics which show that the value of total trade between the UAE and Japan during the period (Jan-Jun) 2011 increased by 30.5%, to reach US$23.82 billion, compared to the same period in 2010. Moreover, UAE's overall exports to Japan during the first half of 2011 amounted to US$20.65 billion, compared to US$14.67 billion for the same period in 2010, marking an increase by approximately 40%.            On the other hand, figures of non-oil trade between UAE and Japan during the first half of 2011 revealed a reduction by 9%, compared to the same period in 2010, where the drop was mainly in the Japanese exports to UAE, which decreased by 11%. The decline in Japanese exports to the UAE could primarily be attributed to the impact of the great East Japan earthquake on the 11th of March 2011, and its implication on various sectors.            "In Abu Dhabi we perceived the latest world financial and economic crises, as a practical examination for checking the efficiency of our national economy, and our ability to deal with or adapt to sudden regional and international developments, in addition to realising the degree of our openness towards the world economic system. The regional ongoing challenges, which include both economic slowdown and regional unrest, have undoubtedly proven, that the economic progress and stability that the emirate had accomplished over the last few years, was neither a coincidence nor a short-lived booming; however, it was the result of the sensible vision, sound planning and lucid thought of the emirate's leadership.            Evidently, Abu Dhabi's economy has experienced an important shift along the recovery path in 2010, where total output grew by 15.9%, whereas non-oil GDP increased by 5.5% in 2010 compared to 1.3% in 2009, which in turn reflects improvement within non-oil activities. Moreover, non-oil GDP captured 50.3% of the emirate's total GDP, while oil GDP accounted for 49.7% in 2010. This also mirrors the steady progress along the emirate's diversification path," Al-Suwaidi added.            "Based upon Abu Dhabi's firm fundamentals, it is clear that the emirate stands as a promising hub for investments and partnerships, stirred particularly by the government-targeted 10 focus sectors. These sectors enjoy great and effective government support, backed by huge infrastructure investments. In fact, Abu Dhabi offers a considerable package of incentives to foreign investors and companies wishing to invest in the emirate, including world-class infrastructure, free flow of capital, exemption from corporate and individual income tax, full repatriation of capital, free transfer of profits, in addition to full exemption of duties on capital and intermediate goods within the manufacturing industry. Moreover, the strategic geographical location reflects positively on the marketing ability of companies operating in the Emirate." He noted that the Department of Economic Development is working on the setting of a dedicated Investment Promotion Agency, which will act as the focal point for all foreign direct investors, to facilitate and promote inward investment in the emirate, provide proper feedback and furthermore act as an aiding tool to policy makers in order to regularly enhance the investment regulating framework.            Besides, the agency will open international offices to promote the emirate as a globally competitive destination. The new agency will seek to identify areas of opportunities for potential investors, and serve as a one-stop shop for licensing and registration of business enterprises and venture projects.            He also noted that Abu Dhabi government prioritises the boosting of FDI as a key priority, as the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 targets FDI to capture 23% of GDP by 2030.            He described the prospective joint investments by UAE and Japan as promising. The UAE, he explained, is Japan's second largest provider of crude oil, which, in general, has attracted many Japanese investments to the energy sector. Investments figures also reveal that UAE is regarded as a major and primary destination for Japanese investments in the MENA region, as UAE is increasingly becoming home to major Japanese companies operating in the region. Recent statistics show that Japanese FDI in the UAE reached more than US$ 370 million by the end of 2010.            He commended "the exceptional efforts of the Japanese authorities and the people of Japan to overcome the impacts of the Great East Japan Earthquake.            "Since March 11th earthquake and tsunami, Japan took great strides along the path of recovery and healing, where the government quick efforts and actions were widely hailed in Japan and worldwide. Hence, we praise and honour the magnificence and cohesion of the Japanese society, where every individual did perform his role efficiently. I do believe that the disaster has revealed the actual solidity and resilience of the Japanese society and the country's technical advancement. Japan is a nation that deserves respect and appreciation.            Personally, I highly regard the leading role of the Japanese SMEs in the speeding up of recovery, which, surely, entails several success stories. Therefore, I cordially encourage the Japanese government to share the accumulated experiences and skills that enabled the harmonious coexistence with nature. I believe the Japanese dissemination of this kind of expertise would enrich the international community with lustrous wealth and primacy of how to cope with natural disasters.            During the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly last September, H.E. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, revealed key guidelines regarding the realisation of the sustainable growth of the Japanese economy, through the promotion of a low-carbon society and the transition into a green economy.            He also said that the Prime Minister of Japan had identified technological innovation in areas of renewable energy, energy saving, and clean use of fossil fuels as key leverage for Japan's sustainable growth.            He stressed that "with Abu Dhabi's promising future and prospects of becoming a regional and international powerhouse for knowledge and technology in renewable and sustainable energy, the conditions now are favourable and the way ahead is paved. Today, this forum represents the ideal platform for tapping current, potential and forthcoming investment opportunities. In addition, the designation of Abu Dhabi, as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), emphasises Abu Dhabi's position as the promising hub for renewable energy, and reaffirms its contribution to the global renewable energy industry.            Al-Suwaidi urged Japanese and UAE investors to work in cooperation and aim high to attain the objectives of our societies. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Obama's economic advisor to address Global Financial Markets Forum in Abu Dhabi            The 2012 Global Financial Markets Forum (GFMF) will kick start on February 29 with a keynote address by Paul Volcker, the Former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve System and economic advisor to President Barack Obama.            GFMF, the annual conference organised by the Financial Markets Division of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) will last until 1 March. Volcker's keynote address will be titled: "The Future of Global Financial Markets and the Impact of the Volcker Rule".            In his capacity as advisor to President Barack Obama, Volcker proposed a set of financial reform rules that included restricting commercial banks from proprietary trading, which he called "speculative trading" because it adds an unnecessary layer of risk.            In a recent conversation with GFMF's organisers, Volcker said about the scope of these regulations: "The impact beyond the USA will be minimal, and to the extent it exists is likely to be constructive".            "Proprietary trading indirectly leads to conflicts of interest with bank customers, patterns of compensation and organisational culture out of keeping with traditional banking," Volcker added: "Commercial banks provide services essential to the economy - maintaining its payments system, lending particularly to small and medium-sized businesses, and providing a safe depositary for liquid funds".            Mahmood Al Aradi, the Senior General Manager of NBAD's Financial Markets Division, said that Volcker is an ideal choice to speak about markets' recent and future challenges.            "Certainly, Mr. Volcker insights into market factors, economic models and philosophy on recovery would be invaluable." said Al Aradi.            Volcker served in the Federal Government for nearly three decades and under five presidents: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.            In 1979, Volcker was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to fill the most powerful economic seat in government--chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. As chairman, he also had oversight of the 12-member Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which decides the conduct of U.S. monetary policy. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Abu Dhabi a promising hub for investments            The non-oil trade slid nine per cent year-on-year as Japanese exports to the UAE plummeted 11 per cent in first half of 2011 due to break-up in the industrial supply chain caused by massive earth quake and subsequent Tsunami, a top official said.            However, the UAE and Japan bilateral trade has risen 30.50 per cent year-on-year during the six months ending June 30, 2011 to US$23.82 billion.            “The UAE’s overall exports to Japan during the same period made a marathon jump of 40 per cent reaching a whopping US$20.65 billion,†said Nasser Ahmad Al Suwaidi, chairman of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, while opening the Abu Dhabi Tokyo Investment Forum 2012 in Tokyo on Monday. Organised by the department in cooperation with the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), the event is being attended by top corporate executives and government officials from both the nations.            Based upon Abu Dhabi’s firm fundamentals, he said the emirate stands as a promising hub for investments and partnerships, stirred particularly by the government-targeted ten focus sectors, Al Suwaidi told Japanese investors.            Abu Dhabi offers a considerable package of incentives to foreign investors including modern infrastructure, unrestricted flow of capital, exemption from taxes, full repatriation of capital and profits, in addition to full exemption of duties on capital and intermediate goods within the manufacturing industry.            “The strategic geographical location reflects positively on the marketing ability of companies operating in Abu Dhabi,†the chairman said. Abu Dhabi targets FDI as a key priority in its plans for next 20-years to raise it to 23 per cent of GDP, he said.            Abu Dhabi’s chief economic planner termed the future prospects of investments between the two nations “quite promising.†The UAE, which is second largest provider of crude oil to Asia’s second biggest economy, has become major investment destination in the Mena.            This is also the reason that UAE is increasingly becoming home to major Japanese companies, which are accessing the Mena and South Asia from there.            According to most recent statistics, Japanese FDI into the second biggest Arab economy reached more than US$370 million by the end of 2010, he said.            The chairman said increasing uncertainty and the proliferating challenges and threats to the world economy, require precaution and calls for profound changes in response.            Despite the considerable progress achieved so far in realising world economic stability, Al Suwaidi said, “we must not let ambiguity impede our efforts along the way to prosperity.†He invited Japanese and UAE investors to work in cooperation, hand in hand. – Khaleej Times Â
Dubai commissions two new power stations            Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced the commissioning of two new power stations with a capacity of 132/400 kV in Aweer and Maydan areas respectively.            The power stations, which were launched last month, were constructed at a total cost of AED 883 million. DEWA continues its development projects and modernisation of the infrastructure in line with the strategic plan of the emirate. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
DuBiotech registers over 33% growth in 2011 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a major Life Sciences hub in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments, has registered over 33 per cent growth during 2011 with 21 biotechnology companies setting up operations at the free zone destination. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DuBiotech's performance coincides with its seventh anniversary in February. Since its launch in 2005, the park has worked towards contributing to Dubai's vision of shaping a knowledge-based economy. Today, DuBiotech is the world's first free-zone dedicated to the Life Sciences industry, hosting 90 biotechnology companies operating diverse sectors including Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Serono, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MAQUET, Genzyme, Firmenich and IFF. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Companies registered at DuBiotech during 2011 include Bristol Myers Squibb, National Starch and Chemical Middle East, Wokhardt and Chr Hansen Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â In 2011, DuBiotech welcomed for the first time companies based in Brazil, Korea and Turkey, and garnered continued interest from Life Sciences companies in Germany and India. Last year, the park also witnessed strong growth from existing businesses at DuBiotech with some businesses significantly expanding their operations in the Park. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Continuing its support to small and medium (SME) Life Sciences companies and in response to the high demand from these companies, DuBiotech opened its second business centre at the Nucleotide Laboratory Complex in July 2011. The business centre comprises 20 offices and workstations that are fitted out with the latest equipment to create an enabling environment. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Thousands of new companies registered in UAE free zones last year, in spite of economic uncertainty elsewhere in the world that curbed many business start-ups and expansions.            A total of 2,033 businesses signed up with Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ), an increase of 17 per cent compared with 2010. That brings the total of businesses registered at RAK FTZ to nearly 10,000, a growing portion of which are seeking smaller, more affordable office space.            "We have a lot of shared services. A lot of companies are leaving their large offices, and they come in and join us," said Oussama El Omari, the chief executive of RAK FTZ. "That's why we've grown."            At Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), 33 per cent more companies set up operations within the life sciences hub last year compared with 2010, increasing the total of businesses there to 90. Some of these healthcare firms are considering manufacturing products in the Emirates, rather than importing them, as they begin working with local companies to develop customised offerings.            "I think in three to five years time, these companies [will] realise you cannot only adopt the technology that they have in the West, but perhaps also develop something that is home-grown," said Marwan Abdulaziz, the director of business development at DuBiotech.            RAK FTZ, which was established in 2000, and DuBiotech, which started in 2005, are just two of more than 30 free zones scattered about the Emirates. While registration rules can differ between free zones, officials typically attract businesses by offering them 100 per cent tax exemption and the ability to maintain full ownership of their operations - which is not always possible outside a free zone.            Of the 9,933 companies registered at RAK FTZ, more than 5,000 are considered "active", meaning company representatives visit the UAE and provide business services of some sort. While the remainder still hold unexpired licences, they do not seem to be providing services any more.            Still, the number of existing businesses that renewed their registrations at the free zone climbed last year by 16 per cent to 3,776.            New companies at RAK FTZ last year spanned a variety of sectors, with businesses specialising in marketing, information technology and building or construction being particularly well-represented. Other popular areas included food, equipment and general trading.            Both RAK FTZ and DuBiotech targeted the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) within their clusters last year.            RAK FTZ has set up offices and promotion centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to help on this front, as well as in countries such as India, Turkey, Germany and the US. DuBiotech, meanwhile, says high demand from SMEs spurred it to open a second business centre in July outfitted with 20 offices and workstations. Last year, the hub also attracted companies from countries that previously were unrepresented, including Turkey, South Korea and Brazil. – The National Â
           Under the patronage and presence of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, on the occasion of its fifth anniversary, du held its first gratitude forum yesterday, where it honoured all Government Institutions that have supported the telecom on its journey to success.            The event took place at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, opening with the UAE national anthem, followed by opening speeches from Ahmed Bin Byat, Chairman of du, and Osman Sultan, CEO, du. Emirati actor and TV anchor, Saoud Al Kaabi, acted as MC throughout the morning session.            "We would like to take this opportunity to thank HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage and support of this event. Sheikh Mansour's contribution and support extends back to our earliest days; he was the first person to make a call on our network. We extend our thanks to every Government Institution that has played a part in scripting our success story over the past five years. It has been an incredible journey, and we look forward to their continued support in the years to come," said Ahmed Bin Byat.            "We are honoured today to present a token of appreciation for the continued support of the UAE's to Government Institutions, and we are proud of the deep and meaningful relationships we have formed during this time," said Osman Sultan. Present at the event were senior representatives from UAE Ministries, Authorities and media, including her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Shares in du slumped the most in seven weeks yesterday after the company announced it was to pay an increased royalty fee to the UAE Government.            Du will pay 15 per cent of its full-year 2011 net profit as royalty along with a further 5 per cent of revenue, the company said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market. Etisalat is expected to pay a 50 per cent royalty fee in line with previous years.            "This news might be a step from the government to bridge the gap between royalty fees for the two operators," said Hasan Sandila, a telecommunications analyst at IDC Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Negative impact            Sandila says the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority last year contemplated cutting royalty charges for etisalat, which has paid significantly more than du in previous years. etisalat paid 50 per cent of its net profit as royalty charges in 2010 whereas du paid 15 per cent.            "Du's royalty payments are expected to significantly increase to more than double and this will impact the bottom line results for 2011," Sandila said.            "The increase in royalties will have a negative impact on du's net income. However, there will be no significant impact on the balance sheet; it will only impact the income statement and statement of retained earnings," he added.            Following du's announcement, shares in the company fell 2.28 per cent to Dh3.            The company had a 2010 profit of Dh1.31 billion (US$357 million) compared with Dh264 million a year earlier after royalty reductions.            Othman Sultan, du's CEO, told reporters at an event in Abu Dhabi yesterday the company had always provisioned 50 per cent of its annual profit for royalty fees. However, he did not comment on the change in the royalty fee structure that effectively sees du being taxed on its revenues.            "The reason for the increase in royalty is to reflect the fact that du is growing and maturing into a financially successful company," said Matthew Reed, a senior analyst at Informa Telecoms and Media.            "I am not quite sure why the UAE government has introduced this alternative form of royalty payment instead of increasing the amount of net profit paid by du," he added. Lobbying            Green says etisalat is still paying royalty at a rate of 50 per cent but has been negotiating and lobbying behind the scenes about a potential rate reduction. "Du is maturing and last year paid royalty at a much lower rate than etisalat, which is also likely to pay more in royalty this year even taking into account the added revenue component facing du," he said.            "Etisalat found it quite difficult last year in the UAE; revenues were flat and profits were under pressure. It will be interesting to see whether etisalat has managed to recover growth and profitability in the local market," he added. – Gulf News Â
           The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi on Monday invited local and international bids for a new Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway (E311), expected to be completed by the end of 2014.            The Dh2-billion project aims at reducing traffic congestion on the current main road connecting Abu Dhabi to Dubai (E11), and providing a new strategic link between the country's two most populous emirates, as well as creating new points of entry to the city of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Yas and Saadiyat Islands.            The motorway is one of the biggest infrastructure projects the DoT is working on as part of its Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP). Protective structures            It will serve the Khalifa Port Area and the South Shamkha, Wathba and Baniyas residential areas and labour camps, and will accommodate light vehicles as well as trucks.            The road will also cater to the new Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad A and B) at Taweelah as the road is being designed to accommodate up to 7,000 vehicles per hour. The new main road will also facilitate connectivity to Al Ain as it links up with E22 (Abu Dhabi-Al Ain main road) and the rest of the road network in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.            The motorway will be 62km of dual carriageway starting at the end of Emirates Road in Seih Shuoaib through Al Maha forest and Khalifa Port Industrial Zone (B) and will join up at the Sweihan Road (E20) interchange.            The construction will be executed through two tenders. The first tender is to construct 34km with three interchanges; the second will be to lay 28km and will also include three new interchanges and modification of an existing one.            The main road will also have a number of protective structures for service lines, especially for gas pipelines on the route.            It is expected that the work will be completed in 30 months.            Executing the project through two separate contracts will ensure competitive pricing, reduce project risks and will expedite the completion and delivery.            The road project is the result of detailed surveys on traffic volume between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It will serve numerous local commuters along the way and provide an alternative road to the current Abu Dhabi-Dubai main road (E11). Sustainable standards            Some 800 light columns standing 30-metres tall at 300-metre intervals will light up the new main road.            It will follow best sustainable standards aimed at reducing energy consumption to be environmentally friendly and reducing operational costs. Sustainability will be achieved by reducing power demand in the off-peak periods.            For optimal road safety, the new road will feature six lay-bys, three in each direction of the main road at 20km intervals. The road shoulders will be three metres wide.            The 20-metre-wide median is designed for a staged upgrade and future expansion through the addition of two lanes in each direction, if needed.            The lay-bys are designed for emergency use by light vehicles and heavy trucks and they will also serve as patrol point for police, ambulance, and emergency vehicles. U-turns            In addition, the road will have five points allowing for U-turns for emergency by official vehicles.            Adding to road safety will be a rainwater drainage system. It will be fenced up on either side to prevent crossing by camels.            Guard rails in each direction along the median will prevent median crossings and contain vehicles to the carriageways. – Gulf News Â
           The Dubai public transportation Nol cards will be good for buying grocery items and for payment of shopping from different outlets in the emirate.            Before the end of the year, Nol cards, which are now used for public transportation, will be enabled to function as an e-wallet that will allow people to use them at groceries, Mohammad Yousuf Al Mudharreb, director, Unified Automated Fare Collection Department, said in an exclusive interview.            RTA is already in talks with prominent grocery and supermarket chains to seek their participation.            Unlike credit cards and debit cards, where customers have to wait in queues and sign slips, the touch-and-go technology used in Nol cards means customers can just scan and leave, similar to the way they exit Metro stations, Al Mudharreb said. Maximum recharge            The cards can be recharged the same way as is done now. And the maximum recharge will continue to be Dh500.            Residents will not have to buy new cards but simply use their existing card after ensuring it has sufficient funds.            As the sale of Nol cards has surpassed RTA's forecasts, the introduction of a micropayment option will invigorate use of Nol cards, officials hope.            "We want people to feel attached to their Nol cards. We want them to grow the habit of frequently using the cards. This will eventually encourage use of public transportation," he said.            "Besides this, the government has invested so much in developing the Nol cards system that we want it to be leveraged beyond the scope of RTA services," he added.            Nol cards are used in over 1.2 million traffic transactions in the city every day.            With over 500 sales points that also offer top-up facilities, the new feature of Nol cards could become popular, officials anticipate.            Four million Nol cards have been sold by the RTA since it was first launched in August 2009, of which three million are active users (who frequently use the card within a span of two months). Positive response            "Majority of the Nol card sales were recorded in the first two years. Now the market is saturated and the sales are going down a bit, although it has surpassed our forecasts," Al Mudharreb said.            "This led us to consider expanding the use of Nol cards beyond RTA services," he said. The initial response from merchants has been very positive, he said.            "Merchants would prefer use of Nol cards because cash handling costs them money as they often employ cash management companies."            "And many credit card companies are not interested in these small amounts of money because it does not benefit them much," he said. What is Nol?            The unified automated fare collection card (UAFC) has been named after an old Farsi word nol. "Nol" means "fare" or "cost of using transport". The word is not in common use these days.            Nol is similar to another Arabic word karwa — which is commonly used in Kuwaiti, Bahraini and Qatari dialects. Karwa means "fare" or "cost" of doing any service or certain job. In the past, nol was used to refer to fare or cost of using horse and donkey transportation. Expanding the scope of Nol cards            Studies are under way to determine the feasibility of introducing use of Nol cards to pay for cab rides, Mohammad Yousuf Al Mudharreb, director, Unified Automated Fare Collection Department, said.            "This can be a bit challenging because only one taxi company is owned by RTA and the rest of the players in the market are private companies that function as franchisees," he noted.            But taxis are an important area for RTA, since it provides seamless transportation for customers, which is vital in helping Dubai achieve its long-term goal of 30 per cent public transport users by year 2030, from the current 10 per cent, he said.            RTA is also considering adopting a new technology that allows embedding Nol feature into mobile phones, which means passengers would not need the cards but instead use their mobile phones to scan across ticket counters.            The technology, called Near Field Communication technology, which comprises a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, is gaining popularity worldwide.            With the technology, smartphones can also be used to check the balance as well as top up.            Further, RTA officials are in talks with major companies who would like to offer transportation facility for their employees, by designing for them a customised Nol card. Al Mudharreb urged interested companies to come forward.            Since they were introduced, Nol cards have been improved constantly, he said. In February 2011, red tickets issued by RTA were integrated, so that red tickets issued from any outlet could be used for travelling on all public transport modes in the city.            Reduced fares for Blue Nol cards for students, the elderly and those with special needs were also introduced. Later, in August 2011, the zones were rearranged and two additional zones were introduced bringing the total to seven. Zone-wise break-up            Dubai city has been divided into seven zones, and customers get charged based on the zones crossed. Short trips, less than 3 kilometres, are charged Dh1.8. Travelling across a single zone costs Dh2.3, two zones cost Dh4.1 and three or more zones cost Dh5.8. The charges are double for the gold cabin of the Metro. – Gulf News Â
Women only taxis in Sharjah            The Sharjah Transport has begun operation of women-only taxis on a trial basis in the emirate.            “We have started with eight cabs — four saloon vehicles and four others for families with a capacity to commute seven passengers at a time,†said Mohammed Al Buraimi, Manager of Cab Booking Dispatch System. He added that the number of the vehicles will be increased as per demand.The new service will be available only through advance booking system. A passenger needs to call 600545455 to get access to the service anywhere and anytime.            The service is basically aimed to transport female students to their universities, women to the hospital or any other destination, as well as families to any place within or outside the emirate.            The service follows a thorough study to the needs of the public and in response to the pressing demand on the advance booking service which was launched in July 2011. “The Call Centre has received 60,600 calls since the initiation of service, which means an average of 7,000 to 8,000 calls every month.            “We have attended to some 30,000 of these calls, representing 50 per cent of the total amount, as other calls were irrelevant —either general inquiries, reports on lost items, complaints or suggestions,†he added.            Al Buraimi then said the service has attracted all segments of the society, disregard of their nationalities. “While the advance booking is much requested by both Arab and foreign residents, most of the calls are received during weekends and holidays.†           The Sharjah Transport is operating a fleet of 5,614 taxis, along with 224 public buses. “Passengers across the city may avail the advance booking service, which is connected to the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) against Dh5.†           However, a rise has been reported in the advance bookings after midnight. “We are now attending to nearly 40 to 50 reservations after midnight on a daily basis; representing a hike of 34 per cent,†he said.            Meanwhile, the Sharjah Transport, as part of its social responsibility, has instructed the four franchise cab firms operative in the emirate, to specify each five of their vehicles for the applicants and visitors of the Department of Social Services at the Rahmaniya area.            The new service will only be available for three days in a row; the days which have been specified for distributing maintenance and financial aids to pre-listed beneficiaries.            “This service targets old people, divorcees, widows, orphans as well as the people with low and no income,†he said, noting that the service would be available on the first three days of every month for the benefit and convenience of the public. – Khaleej Times Â
           Dubai airport customs authorities arrested an Asian businessman after he tried to smuggle nearly six kg of crystal meth drugs into the emirate on the New Year Eve, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.            Customs men suspected the businessman just after he arrived in the airport and asked him to open his baggage for search, Emarat Alyoum said.            Scanning of his two bags showed a white crystal substance was concealed in secret part of the bags, the paper said.            When they opened the plastic bags, they found around 2.95 kg of the drugs, known as Methamphetamine, in the first bag, and 2.8 kg in the second bag.            “The main told investigators that the two bags belong to a man residing in Dubai. He was handed over to the anti-drug squad authorities along with the name of the other person,†the paper said, quoting Ali Al Maqhawi, director of the Dubai airport customs operations. – Emirates 24|7            Companies owned by GCC nationals other than UAE citizens and located anywhere in the Gulf will be allowed to open UAE branches with minimum paperwork and receive the same privileges granted to national-owned firms, according to a decision taken by the UAE Cabinet.            The Cabinet meeting was chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai yesterday.            The move comes four years after the six Gulf countries entered into a common market in 2008 with an objective to integrate their economies with a single currency, and will help other GCC companies expand in the UAE market and tap local resources and funds.            According to the communiqué of the 31st GCC summit, companies owned by citizens of member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be allowed to open branches for the same activities across the six-nation bloc. They will enjoy equal treatment everywhere across the GCC, the communiqué said.            Mohammad Bin Obaid Al Mazroui, former GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs and currently Director of the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting, told Gulf News, "The GCC has passed a resolution allowing companies to open branches in the six GCC member states if these companies are 100 per cent owned by Gulf citizens and have been in the same activity for a minimum of three years.            "This move will boost the investment climate in the GCC and it is expected to deepen economic citizenship and improve joint investment climate," he said.            However, once other Gulf States open their doors, the GCC companies will have a level playing field to compete in a wider GCC canvas. "There is no need to even get a licence for the new branch. What is required is ownership documents for the company and three years of financial statements and the branch can be opened soon after."            Najib Abdullah Al Shamsi, Director of the Studies and Research Department at the GCC General Secretariat, told Gulf News that this initiative is one of the Gulf Common Market's targets. "This will enlarge the scope of the Gulf Common Market and ease the flow of goods and services across GCC countries as well as create a lot of job opportunities," he said. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has invited the public to review and comment on its new guide, which focuses on designing and operating a nuclear power plant.            The draft Guidelines for the Design, Construction and Operation of Nuclear Power Plants (FANR-RG-005) is aimed at helping any utility that wishes to operate a nuclear power plant in the UAE understand the regulator's requirements for the citing, design, construction, commissioning and operation of such a facility.            The UAE's independent nuclear control body has already issued a set of regulations and regulatory guides to help licensees fulfil their obligations under permissions granted to them.            This document, however, provides guidance for the regulations for the Siting of Nuclear Facilities (FANR-REG-02); Design of Nuclear Power Plants (FANR-REG-03); Radiation Dose Limits and Optimisation of Radiation Protection for Nuclear Facilities (FANR-REG-04); Application for a Licence to Construct a Nuclear Facility (FANR-REG-06); Radiation Protection and Predisposal Radioactive Waste Management for Nuclear Facilities (FANR-REG-11) and the upcoming Regulation for an Application for a Licence to Operate a Nuclear Facility (FANR-REG-14).            The new guidelines document is available on the FANR website www.fanr.gov.ae. Members of the public can send their comments to regulation@fanr.gov.ae during the next 30 days, said a statement issued yesterday.            FANR's nuclear glossary can help interested readers to understand the specific vocabulary used in this regulatory guide.            As with previous regulations and regulatory guides, this document has already been made available for 30 days to local and federal government entities for their comments.            FANR recognises the importance of the public's comments, as its policy of operational transparency is based on the Federal Law by Decree No 6 of 2009, Concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, said the statement.            Since FANR's establishment on 24 September 2009, the regulator has asked its external stakeholders to review and comment on 11 regulations and seven regulatory guides through web-based or face-to-face communication. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Federal Cabinet passes raft of mandatory technical standards of commodities and products            The federal Cabinet passed yesterday a raft of mandatory specifications (technical standards) for a group of commodities and products as part of the government efforts to protect consumer, deliver health and environment safety and keep abreast of international quality benchmarks of products in local market.            Chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Presidential Court, the cabinet approved 33 new technical standards for various foodstuff including fruits, vegetables, spices, agricultural genetically modified produce and canned kid's food. The technical standards also include additional specifications for shock-resistant vehicles to ensure safety of users.            The meeting, which was attended by HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, passed the estimated budget of the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) for 2012 which estimated revenues of about Dh4 billion and payments and expenditures at about Dh2.3 billion with an expected net surplus of Dh1.7 billion. Estimated revenues for 2012 increased 4 per cent over 2011 at Dh106 million while estimated expenses rose 16 per cent at Dh300 million as a result of growing base of pensioners and the projected rise in benefits and compensations. Revenues on investment were forecast to grow more than 9 per cent at more than Dh70 million. Market value of the GPSSA investment is also expected to go up.            The cabinet also gave its nod for GCC companies to open branches in the UAE and achieve full equality between their branches and those of national counterparts. The move is in implementation of the GCC Supreme Council relevant resolution which aimed at bolstering economic integration among GCC member states and consolidating the UAE status as the most GCC member state complying with the GCC apex body resolutions.            A number of international conventions the UAE signed with other friendly countries were also approved. It also passed budget of the Emirates Investment Authority for fiscal year 2012. The cabinet discussed a host of topics on its agenda and took appropriate actions on them. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Abu Dhabi International Airport launched yesterday an online auction for 60 tickets to 30 destinations on its website, http://www.abudhabiairport.ae to commemorate its 30th anniversary in collaboration with Etihad Airways.            The auction comes as part of the airport's celebration campaign to mark 30 years of success catering to over 126 million passengers.            Starting on the 5th of February and running for 30 days, participants can log on to the auction page on the airport website to bid for a pair of Etihad Airways tickets to one of its destinations. Each day a new destination will be announced for 2 Etihad Airways tickets. The Bid will run each working day starting 8am and will end at 5pm announcing the highest bidder as the winner of the tickets of the day.            Abu Dhabi Airports Company will collect proceeds of the auction by the end of the auction program on 15th March and donate 50% to Zayed University in Abu Dhabi to be used in the student support fund program. The remaining proceeds will be won as a cash prize by one of the bidders through a raffle draw held in mid March. All bidders throughout the duration of the auction will automatically enter the draw for the final cash prize.            Eng. Ahmed Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer of ADAC said: "Celebrating 30 years of success through this unique competition is very exciting for ADAC as it signifies the company's commitment to offer the most innovative services to its customers. ADAC would like to take this opportunity to thank Etihad Airways for their on-going support of Abu Dhabi International Airport initiatives such as this auction, aimed at enhancing passengers' experience and exceeding their expectations." In order to participate in the auction, bidders must log onto www.abudhabiairport.ae, to bid for the daily pair of Etihad Airways tickets for any of the 30 destinations announced each day for 30 working days running. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Etisalat Group has been nominated for four GSMA Global Mobile Awards this year for advanced and world-class services offered across the Middle East, African and Asian markets.            Back in the 2011, Etisalat Group has launched a unique maternal mobile health program which helps to provide critical healthcare to pregnant women in rural areas in Africa. This transformational service was developed in partnership with Qualcomm, D-Tree International and Great Connections Inc. and is named "Mobile Baby".            The service "Mobile Baby" has been shortlisted in two categories - "The Best Mobile Health Innovation "and "The Best Service for Women in Emerging Markets". The service has saved countless lives whilst greatly enhancing the quality of living of millions of women across the continent.            The company in a statement said that based on experience across Africa and the Middle East they are looking to roll-out the service across all of its Operations throughout 2012.            Etisalat's (m) Commerce service was nominated by GSMA awards as well in the category - "The best Mobile Money Innovation". In 2011, Etisalat introduced and is continuing the commercial roll-out of fully interoperable, open-loop (Mobile) Commerce ecosystem across its Operations.            Following recent successes in Tanzania, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Etisalat enables end-users to use mobile phones as a payment instrument truly anywhere, anytime without geographical borders in highly secured environment. The service is offered across all interfaces including SIMToolKit, on-line, IVR and NFC including Africa's first NFC service "Touch and Go", which was developed in partnership with MasterCard and Oberthur Technologies.            Additionally, Etisalat was nominated in the category "The Best Network Product or Solution for Serving Customers" for recent launch of DotMe service in Nigeria.            DotMe is an instant notice board and instant publishing service for all Etisalat customers. Etisalat customers publish information (post) by simply texting their news or status message to the SMS short code. Anybody who knows an Etisalat customer's mobile phone number can read their current post, simply by texting a dot (a full stop) to their number.            Commenting on these nominations, Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA said. "Reflecting the intensity of competition and innovation across the mobile ecosystem, we saw a record 600 entries and an exceptionally high quality field of contenders vying for this year's Global Mobile Awards. "It is a significant achievement to have made the shortlist, and our warmest congratulations go to all the nominees announced yesterday. We look forward to the unveiling of the winners at the Mobile World Congress next month." - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Robust surge in new orders spurs UAE business            Business conditions in the UAE’s non-oil private sector improved in January after slipping to a four-month low in the previous month on “a robust rise in new orders,†a purchasing managers’ survey showed on Sunday.            The HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures the performance of the manufacturing and services sectors, increased to 52.4 points last month from 51.7 in December. The adjusted index remains above the 50-point mark, which separates growth from contraction, the survey of 400 private sector firms showed. “The headline number points to greater stability after a run of declines and it is encouraging to see the uptick in new orders,†said Simon Williams, chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa at HSBC.            “Employment still looks soft, though, and continued weak output prices despite further gains in costs suggests there continues to be significant spare capacity in the domestic economy.†           The PMI showed that non-oil producing firms recorded a marked rise in overall new orders at the start of 2012. “The rate of growth in total new business accelerated over the survey period to a three-month high. An expansion in new export orders was also registered during January. The increase was slower than for overall new business, however, as survey members reported that purchasing activity of European customers remained subdued.†           UAE firms saw a robust rise in new orders at the start of 2012, reaching 57.5 points in January after a fall to a four-month low of 56 in December. Non-oil private sector companies registered a solid increase in output in January, the data showed: the second fastest in the last six months.            “Efficient order processing and quicker delivery times from suppliers helped to reduce outstanding business held by companies over the month. Vendor performance improved considerably, with lead times shortening at their second-sharpest rate in 21 months,†the survey showed. New export orders accelerated in January for the first time in four months, though survey participants reported that the purchasing activity of European customers remained subdued. Overall input price pressures eased for the second successive month to the slowest rate recorded in the last 11 months, the survey showed.            According to the survey, vendor performance continued to improve during January. “While the seasonally adjusted Suppliers’ Delivery Times Index fell slightly from December’s 20-month high, it remained considerably above the average for 2011, indicating that lead times were reduced at a strong pace. Almost 13 per cent of survey members reported faster delivery times from suppliers than in December, while less than two per cent recorded a slowing.†           A poll of economists in December estimated gross domestic product grew 3.9 per cent in 2011 and would expand 3.1 per cent this year. In 2011, UAE inflation remained at 0.9 per cent on average, the lowest rate since 1990.            In January, non-oil producing companies in the UAE increased headcounts at only a marginal rate. Most firms appeared reluctant to increase staff levels at their business units as cost pressures remained strong. – Khaleej Times Â
           Dubai will overcome its debt maturities in 2012 with the help of internal cash flow, asset sale and market refinancing, said a report.            Lebanese Bank Audi analysts said in a report that Dubai is indeed likely to be able to manage the rollover of its 2012 debt maturities through a combination of internal cash generation, potential asset sales and market refinancing.            Investment bank JP Morgan also said in a report last month that Dubai's government-related entities (GREs) can pay down or refinance nearly US$14 billion in debt maturing in 2012 with relative ease.            “The US$14-billion wall of debt maturities at Dubai GREs next year is not nearly as daunting as the headline number suggests," JP Morgan analyst Zafar Nazim said in the report.            The Lebanese bank’s analysts said that Dubai’s different sectors gained from the spillover effects of Arab Spring.            “The Arab Spring has indeed diverted tourists, businesses and financial capital into Dubai while a significant headway has been made on debt restructuring in the emirate’s government-related entities (GREs),†they said.            “There is no doubt that the Arab Spring of 2011 brought an influx of business, trade and human flows to the Emirates and boosted aggregate demand but the global economic slowdown and the ongoing oversupply of property are believed to be persistently weighing on the near-term economic outlook. It’s within this context that international institutions have adopted moderate output and price assumptions for the year ahead. For the Emirates, regional turmoil seems to have a silver lining,†analysts said in the report.            The UAE also benefited from increased investments looking for diversification within the region, along with the spillover effects of higher oil prices benefiting the economy as a hydrocarbon exporter on the background of abundant oil and gas reserves, said the analysts at Bank Audi– the largest bank in Lebanon by assets and customer deposits.            The UAE economy, according to the analysts, is recovering from previous headwinds, driven by a pick-up in trade, tourism and public spending, supported by higher oil prices. Real GDP recorded a sound 3.3 per cent growth in 2011, with nominal output regaining its pre-crisis level of US$360 billion (Dh1.32 trillion).            Commenting on the financial sector, they said that the UAE is in a better posture to weather adverse shocks and global headwinds on the background of new banking sector legislation and improving domestic conditions which should help UAE-based banks to gradually overcome asset quality and loan exposure issues. Property sector            At the property sector level, the stabilisation of the UAE real estate market conditions suggest the market has somehow bottomed out, with a potential pickup in activity in the year to come, the analysts added.            The Bank Audi analysts said that the UAE real estate sector has benefited from the economy’s safe-haven status amid regional turmoil and also some internal positive factors last year.            The UAE government’s decision in June 2011 to extend visas for real estate investors from six to three years, consistent drop in mortgage rates and higher oil prices all helped the property sector, resulting in property prices in some areas stop falling last year.            The government has been cutting its spending on construction related projects due to concerns about the significant oversupply in the property market, an increase in the country’s financial commitments and the slowdown in global economic conditions.            Looking forward, the report said delay in handover in Abu Dhabi in 2011 will only exacerbate the volume of new supply delivered and consequently rents could come again under further downward pressure.            It also said also leasing prices in Abu Dhabi’s office market fell in 2011 with some 455,750 square metres of new supply entering the market. Leasing rates for offices are expected to further slide in 2012 with some 650,350 square metres of office space expected to enter the market. However, the analysts warned that the real estate sector is not out of the woods yet with a near term market recovery highly unlikely, putting continuing pressure on asset quality of banks. – Emirates 24|7 Â
           The UAE received nearly Dh13 billion in industrial investment in 2011 as it is pushing ahead with new laws to expand the manufacturing sector’s share from 16 to 25 per cent of GDP, according to official data.            From around Dh101 billion at the end of 2010, total industrial investment surged to a record high of Dh114 billion at the end of 2011.            “There was growth of around 12.8 per cent in industrial investment in the UAE last year,†said Abdullah Al Shamsi, industrial advisor at the Ministry of Economy.            He told the semi official daily Al Ittihad that the number of non-oil manufacturing units in the second largest Arab economy also grew to more than 5,200 at the end of 2011 from around 4,960 at the end of 2010.            “A new industry law is under discussion with all relevant departments and we hope it will be released this year,†he said.            “Our target is to expand this sector’s share of GDP from around 16 per cent at resent to 25 per cent in the coming years…the focus will be on capital intensive and low labour projects,†he said.            Recent government statistics showed the sector included around 405 factories involved in food industries with investment of nearly Dh32.9 billion. There were also 290 ready-made garments factories, with a capital of around Dh977 million, 655 furniture units with investment of about 1.06 billion, 384 paper and printing production units with a combined capital of Dh2.28 billion and 857 chemicals factories investing a total Dh16.7 billion, according to the report.            Like other Gulf oil producers, the UAE has been locked in a long-term industrial drive to ease reliance on unpredictable oil export earnings, taking advantage of its abundant energy resources, cheap labour, developed infrastructure and a strategic location in the heart of a massive consumer market.            By the end of 2010, the UAE and the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman—have pumped in excess of US$180 billion into the manufacturing sector Chemicals and plastic products were the largest beneficiary of GCC industrial capital, receiving around US$81.9 billion. Investments were put at nearly US$18.7 billion in non-metallic mineral products, US$17 billion in basic mineral products, US$13.5 billion in manufactured metallic products, machinery and equipment, and nearly US$11.3 billion in food, beverage and tobacco. – Emirates 24|7 Â
           The UAE and Qatar are believed to have recorded the world’s highest population growth rate of more than 10 per cent annually during 2000-2010 mainly because of an economic upsurge and a revision of their number in the UAE.            Official data showed Qatar had the highest rate of 10.71 per cent, followed by the UAE at 10.68 per cent during that period.            The rate is nearly five times the average Arab population growth of 2.38 per cent and six times the average global growth of just below two per cent.            The figures by the Abu Dhabi-based Arab Monetary fund (AMF), a key Arab League organisation, showed Qatar’s population more than doubled from around 614,000 at the end of 2000 to 1,699 million at the end of 2010. The UAE’s population soared from 2.99 million to 8.26 million in the same period.            “At that rate, I think Qatar and the UAE had the most rapid population growth in the world…you can attribute this to a massive influx of foreigners into the two countries due to the oil boom,†an Abu Dhabi-based economist said.            “In the UAE, there is another factor which is that authorities have massively revised up the population over the past three years perhaps because of fresh data obtained through more accurate counts.†           The report showed most of the increase in the UAE’s population was during 2000-2008 as growth sharply slowed down in the following years.            The population soared by 7.4 per cent annually to 4.1 million at the end of 2005, by 21.9 per cent to five million at the end of 2006 and by nearly 24 per cent to 6.2 million at the end of 2007. Growth shot up by nearly 29 per cent to 8.07 million in 2008 before it slackened to about 1.6 per cent to 8.20 million in 2009 and only around 0.7 per cent in 2010, according to the report.            The AMF put the total Arab population at 351.8 million at the end of 2010, nearly 1.62 per cent up from 2009, when it stood at 346.2 million.            A breakdown showed Egypt remained the most populated Arab nation, with around 78.6 million. It was followed by Sudan with 41.7 million, Algeria with nearly 35.8 million, Iraq with 33.4 million and Morocco with 31.8 million.            The population stood at 27.5 million in Saudi Arabia, 23.1 million in Yemen, 20.6 million in Syria, 10.5 million in Somalia and 10.4 million in Tunisia. – Emirates 24|7 Â
           Under the directives of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) is transferring its 522 vehicles to run on natural gas.            The Department of Transport at ADP, as part of its efforts to reduce pollution and maintain a clean environment, has completed the transfer of more than the required percentage (10 per cent of the total) at the start of the application last year, spending US$511 per vehicle.            Major General Khaleel Dawood Badran, director general of Finance and Services at ADP, said that this was achieved in the year 2011. ADP received two certificates from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) for being the first government entity starting to implement the transfer of 25 per cent of the total number of vehicles of government agencies to use natural gas for vehicles. The second certificate was for the first government agency that completed the ratio required for the year 2011 on time.            Brigadier General Jumaa Ahmad Hamel Qubaisi, director of the Department of Transport, added that the transfer of vehicle engines was completed in more than the required number and he would start using natural gas from the beginning of the year.            He said that according to the plan, 15 per cent of the total vehicles at the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police will be transferred in the next phase.            He noted that the use of natural gas in vehicles is one of the most efficient alternative fuels for vehicles, in addition to technical advantages and environmental care. It contributes to the reduction of pollution and cuts vehicle maintenance rate, increasing its useful life span.            Col Ahmed Mohammed Al Shibli, deputy director of the Department of Transport, said that its use shall be effective for more than 50 years and there are already about 13 million cars running on natural gas in about 80 countries            He also praised the co-operation of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution and Emirates Transport Corporation with the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police for the completion of the prescribed percentage in converting vehicles powered by natural gas. – The Gulf Today Â
           A host of camel-related activities began at Abu Dhabi's Swaihan racecourse yesterday.            The Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Camel Festival with highlights like races, beauty pageant, auction, poetry evenings and traditional events will last until February 17.            Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club, visited the event yesterday.            Sheikh Sultan honoured the winners and then toured the event's various activities. Sheikh Sultan listened to a poetry recital, including by Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Shams. He instructed the Organising   Committee to support to participants to ensure the UAE' leading position in camel sports.            Sheikh Sultan also interacted with Emirati citizens and camel racing fans. He watched a parajumping show by a seven-member UAE Armed Forces team. The festival will also organise poetry evenings that includes critical reviews and a seminar on poetry based on camels. – Gulf News Â
           Over 1,500 participants from 58 countries have signed up for the 2012 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, as organisers say they are on-track to fill the 2,100 places earmarked for the March 3rd event - an increase of more than 30 percent over 2011.            Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ATDA), this year's event now has entrants from every inhabited continent and has seen strong growth from non-traditional triathlon markets and areas where the sport is still emerging such as Russia, up an outstanding 513%, Italy by 92% and Turkey by a staggering 560%.            The 2012 event, which has a revamped city course to meet demand, also sees first time entries from Argentina, Azerbaijan, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, India, Japan, Lebanon, Macao, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad '&' Tobago and Zimbabwe.            The multicultural event continues to receive strong interest from the local market with a year-on-year increase of 20% in GCC participation to date. The Arab peninsula is currently represented by 815 athletes from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Internationally the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and Denmark are leading the registration polls.            The consistent growth from the debut event in 2010, when 868 athletes took part, is testament to the loyal international triathlon community and the hunger for first-class destination experiences, said Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the event.            "Locally and regionally we continue to see strong yearly interest in the event, which is a solid indicator of Abu Dhabi's growing role as a preferred winter training base for triathletes, as well as the increase of grass roots clubs and groups dedicated to the sport. Encouragingly, the international appeal of the event continues to rise, as positive word of mouth spreads, which gives us an excellent platform to further demonstrate the emirate's burgeoning performance athletics credentials," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.            Building on the success of last year's event - which boasted 61 of the world's best triathletes with 24 global titles between them - ADTA is recruiting a professional field to rival any major competition on the international circuit, with details soon to be announced. Pro-minded age-group athletes again have the chance to race alongside the sport's elite, testing their stamina, strength and endurance in the iconic US$250,000 race.            "This is really the only professional sport globally where amateurs can compete with the elite, shoulder-to-shoulder. Being able to do this not only increases knowledge transfer between everyone, but also serves as a strong motivator to inspire youngsters looking to get into sport and adopt a healthier lifestyle," added Al Sheikh.            For 2012, the race offers a selection of distances to accommodate athletes of all abilities. The 223km long course' boasts a 3km swim, a 200km cycle and 20km closing run - the same distance the world class elite will battle it out on. Ambitious newcomers can choose to tackle the short course, at half the length, with a 1.5km swim, a 100km cycle and a 10 km run.            For those wanting to set the pace, the sprint course offers a 750m swim, a 50km bike and 5km run. Both the short and sprint distance also offer the option of a relay entry, encouraging like-minded friends, families and colleagues to take up the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon challenge.            The unique course offers the sport's most picturesque setting; starting in a clear blue lagoon, biking on the famous Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and then ending on the sweeping shores of the Corniche.            For inbound visitors and competitors, the event hotel, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, is offering facilities such as large heated swimming pools, direct beach access, fully equipped gym, bike storage and a daily hotel menu designed with both the athlete and their friends and families in mind. Triathletes interested in a new experience are invited to join the start line in 2012 and be welcomed by the first class Abu Dhabi hospitality.            Sign up for the 2012 event is now open. ADTA has frozen athlete registration fees for the third year in a row. Athletes interested in entering should visit www.abudhabitriathlon.com and, after clicking on the ENTER NOW link, simply follow the instructions. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           The Sharjah Light Festival 2012 is expected to enthral residents as it kicks off this month at new locations and with a wider range of spectacular entertainment. The Light Festival will run from February 9-17.            Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, announced that the spotlight will once again be on the emirate's celebrated landmarks, in addition to Arab and Islamic heritage, from 12 locations across the emirate. New locations and landmarks have been added and new programmes in 3D technology are being used to create a real-life experience.            "The whole experience of using lights and colours, coupled with the ancient art of storytelling, to present Sharjah's popular landmarks and buildings in a new light, will be magical," he said. – Gulf News Â
Competition aims to find ‘most beautiful home garden’ in Sharjah            Sharjah Municipality (SM) announced the launch of the ninth session of the Most Beautiful Home Garden competition as a promotion for the cultivation of plants and the expansion of household greenery and green parks.            Director General of Sharjah Municipality Eng Sultan Abdullah Al Mualla said that the contest aims to promote interest in home gardening. The competition was initially launched in 2003 and is now being held for the ninth consecutive year. The competition invited active participation in the past years. It encourages citizens to pay attention to agriculture.            He pointed out that these gardens reflect the civilised face of the Emirate and contribute to the preservation of the environment.            Al Mualla pointed out that the nomination is open until Feb. 19 where all who wish to participate can register by calling the Department of Public Relations and Media of the municipality or visit the website of the municipality for submission of applications.            The municipality will select the best five gardens and give them cash prizes to encourage the owners of gardens to take more interest in them. Sharjah is characterised by the vast green area and multiple gardens and about 54 parks in residential neighbourhoods.            Sharjah has major parks, making the City of Sharjah as the City of Parks from the strategy of the municipality and its efforts to create a garden in every neighbourhood.            The contest helps promote the importance of home gardens and the preservation of green areas by increasing competition between the citizens and residents.            Winners of the competition will be selected according to several criteria. It should help create awareness, including how to preserve the plants. Evaluation will be done by a specialised committee, including representatives from the department of agriculture, parks, gardens and technical management, public relations and media. – The Gulf Today Khalifa calls for greater desert conservation efforts           President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the National Environment Day is an important annual occasion for the UAE leadership.            Sheikh Khalifa said the slogan, ‘The desert throbs with life', for this day rings true with regard to the activities of Environment Day. He added that developing the desert is a major component of the Vision of the Emirates 2021 and the federal government's strategy, and a vital and essential part of the UAE's heritage, culture and traditions.            Sheikh Khalifa said maintaining the desert's resources while securing its sustainable growth is everyone's responsibility            Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, also called for renewed commitment to preserve the UAE's environmental achievements as well as its success in protecting and developing its natural resources both at the regional and international levels.            In a speech during celebrations marking the 15th National Environment Day yesterday under the theme ‘The living desert', Sheikh Hamdan hailed the UAE's anti-desertification efforts as a model that others had come to follow. He said the country had recognised early the significance of reclaiming arid land and maximising its green cover.            Meanwhile, Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, said that the Environment Performance Ticket scheme has succeeded in encouraging the UAE industrial sector to adopt clean production methods and to raise environmental awareness.            Bin Fahd spoke at the Environmental Performance Ticket awards ceremony that honoured seven companies in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, one in Sharjah, two in Ajman, three in Umm Al Qaiwain, three in Fujairah and 20 establishments in Ras Al Khaimah. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Sharjah Ruler urges community forces to engage in plantation drive            H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah, said yesterday his participation along with a group of young men and women in planting trees at mountains near Hilu Valley was a direct implementation of instructions given by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for conservation of the environment and environmental rebalancing of deserts in the UAE.            ''We want you today to prove your ability in doing your national duty towards the environment so as we can implement the President's directives in full and let him see the desert as he likes to see it,'' Sheikh Sultan said while addressing the volunteering youngsters during a visit to the area.            Sheikh Sultan urged every member of the community to contribute in efforts for greening the desert, fighting desertification and conserving wildlife, animal and plant species.            Sheikh Sultan said the plantation of the Hilu Valley started three years ago and the appearance of the vegetation cover has begun to change the landscape of the mountains and attract birds and animals.            Modern irrigation systems, he affirmed, would be introduced in these areas and a herd of deer, reem gazelle and wild animals, as well as rodents and reptiles would be released back into the Dhalema nature reserve next Monday.            '' Hafiya nature reserve in Kalba will also welcome a group of desert species,'' he added. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Federal Health Authority law amended            The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has decreed a law abolishing the law issued in 2009 to establish the Federal Health Authority.            The new law was issued in response to recommendations by the board of the Ministry of Health to focus administrative and financial resources on developing services provided by the country’s hospitals, raising the qualifications of medical and technical staff and providing medicines instead of spending on new organisational structures.            The move is part of the efforts by the federal government to improve the health services sector, keep up with the comprehensive development of the UAE and provide the best comprehensive healthcare to nationals and expatriates.            The federal government increased the Ministry of Health’s budget for 2012 to more than Dh3 billion compared to Dh2.3 billion in 2011.            The ministry now oversees 15 governmental hospitals and 64 healthcare centres where more than 400 Emirati doctors and 1,000 nurses and technicians work alongside counterparts of other nationalities. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, 4 Feb. 2012 (WAM) - The U.S.-UAE Business Council and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosted a luncheon in honour of Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States, on Wednesday, February 1.            The event, held at Dallas' Rosewood Crescent Hotel, celebrated the launch of Emirates' Airlines new service from Dubai International Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; commencing Thursday, February 2nd. The Honourable Betsy Price, mayor of Fort Worth, and the Honourable Mike Rawlings, mayor of Dallas, attended the luncheon and welcomed Ambassador Al Otaiba. The event was attended by senior U.S. and UAE government officials, executives from prominent Texas companies, and members of the broader U.S.-UAE business community.            Jim Falk, president and C.E.O. of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, and Danny Sebright, president of the U.S.-UAE Business Council, welcomed the international audience to Dallas/Fort Worth and introduced senior government officials and executives in attendance. In his remarks, Falk highlighted the strong commercial ties that Dallas/Fort Worth has with the UAE and the community's interest in strengthening its international relationships.            In his comments, Sebright emphasised the significance of the new connection between Dallas/Fort Worth and Dubai a gateway to key markets in the broader Middle East, Africa, and Asia to the growth of U.S.-UAE commerce and of the American economy.            Following the opening remarks, Mr. Ralph Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin, introduced Ambassador Al Otaiba.            During his speech, Ambassador Al Otaiba highlighted the economic impact the new Emirates' flight will have on the Dallas/Fort Worth community. According to the Ambassador, the non-stop flight is expected to generate more than US$200 million in local economic activity and will connect Texas a top exporting state to the UAE (almost US$2 billion last year) directly to the Emirates. Further, Ambassador Al Otaiba said the significance of the route transcended economics and was an important milestone in the overall U.S.-UAE diplomatic relationship.            "We are in Dallas/Fort Worth to celebrate more than the launch of the new Emirates flight. In many ways, we are here to mark the opening of a bridge that will enhance trade and diplomacy between our countries and broaden cultural understanding between our communities," said Ambassador Al Otaiba.            In his remarks, Ambassador Al Otaiba underscored the UAE's stance as both a key U.S. export market in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region and as a reliable security partner to the U.S. He cited the recent establishment of the U.S. State Department's Global Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Terrorism to be hosted in the UAE and close U.S.-UAE military coordination in several international peacekeeping efforts as key elements supporting the strong commercial and diplomatic relationship.            Following the luncheon, the U.S.-UAE Business Council hosted a CEO forum with Ambassador Al Otaiba and senior executives from American companies with significant business in the UAE and broader Middle East region.            While in Dallas/Fort Worth, Ambassador Al Otaiba and a senior delegation from the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. will meet with local students and visit local businesses prior to the landing of the inaugural Emirates' flight on Thursday morning.            The U.S.-UAE Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organisation solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.            The U.S.-UAE Business Council provides its diverse membership unparalleled access to senior decision makers in business and government in the UAE and in the U.S.            The Business Council actively works to ensure that the U.S. and UAE remain attractive destinations for foreign direct investment by conducting effective policy advocacy, undertaking various trade promotion initiatives, providing ongoing updates on the business climate in both countries, and helping develop strategic relationships between U.S. and UAE business and government officials.            About the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth: Founded in 1951, the non-profit, nonpartisan World Affairs Council offers the public and its more than 3,700 members opportunities to learn firsthand from world leaders, policymakers, ambassadors, journalists and world affairs experts.            It presents almost 100 programs annually to enlighten and entertain North Texans. In addition to impacting over 100,000 students each year through its International Education Program, the Council coordinates visits to North Texas of delegations and leaders from around the globe through the administration of its International Visitor Program and the City of Dallas Office of Protocol.            The mission of the World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understand and connections through its multifaceted programs. The Council works to enhance the region's global stature and to prepare North Texans to thrive in our complex world. - Emirates News Agency, WAM - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Al Bateen Executive Airport, the dedicated business aviation airport of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), announced yesterday that Abu Dhabi Air Expo, the region's first general aviation exhibition, will gather major participants from the international and local general aviation community to bring aircraft to the static display and share the latest innovations in the general aviation industry.            Embraer will be one of the key participants showcasing the ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jets, in addition to Falcon Aviation Services and Al Jaber Aviation which also be presenting 4 Legacy 600 and 2 Lineage 1000 at the show.            Bombardier, Hawker, Cessna, Al Jaber Aviation and Falcon Aviation Services, among others, will also be part of this unique show bringing aircraft to the display and showcasing their latest products to all visitors. Fujairah International Airport will also be amongst the leading organisations present at this innovative event to support of the development of the region's general aviation sector.            The show, running from 6th-8th March 2012, will act as a catalyst bringing pilots together to view the latest in general aviation technology and innovation, with everything available on exhibit from pilot gears and accessories to aircraft for sale.            Moreover Air Expo will showcase the TBM 850, the fastest single turboprop in the world, coming for the first time in the Middle East, with a maximum cruise speed of 593 km/h at 7 940m. The TBM 850 combines the cruising speed and flying times typical of light jets with operating costs, low environmental signature, range and excellent payload of turboprop aircraft.            Yousif Hassan Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for Abu Dhabi Air Expo, Deputy General Manager, Al Bateen Executive Airport, said: "We are pleased to welcome international aviation key players to see our dynamic Emirate and discover the growth opportunities for general aviation. The event will showcase Abu Dhabi as a thriving centre for business and hosting this event will allow the aviation sector to boost its growth and create innovative businesses and ventures".            "The show, with its first event in the region, will attract more than 100 companies to showcase their products and services to over than 5,000 visitors daily," added Al Hammadi. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
Abu Dhabi's NBAD named Asset Manager of the Year            The National Bank of Abu Dhabi's (NBAD) Asset Management Group has been named the UAE Asset Manager of the Year in MENA Fund Manager Performance Awards, presented by Mena Fund Manager magazine.            "Being named the Asset Manager of the Year is a true honour and is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the whole asset management team here at NBAD," said Alan Durrant, the Group Chief Investment Officer of NBAD and General Manager of Asset Management Group (AMG). "This year we were competing against very tough competition but we were again recognised for the outstanding product innovation, service and above all investment performance that we have delivered over the last year for our clients. 2011 was a harsh investment climate but the vast majority of our equity products outperformed their benchmarks and our fixed income desk delivered exceptional returns." NBAD's Asset Management Group, one of the largest asset managers in the region, delivered 9.26% returns for its fixed income for unconstrained institutional clients in 2011, despite tough conditions in financial markets.            Last year, AMG won the Best Asset Manager in the UAE Award by Global Investor magazine, published by Euromoney's Global Investor recognised NBAD's Asset Management Group for its innovative products and superior services. In addition, Asset Management Group was awarded Best Investment Product in the prestigious Banker Middle East Products Award 2011 sponsored by Banker Middle East magazine. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
ADNOC announces crude prices for January, 2012            The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) yesterday announced its crude oil prices for January, 2012. A company statement said the Government Selling Prices (GSP) for crude oil FOB Abu Dhabi ports for the month of December 2011 are as follows: Murban at US$114.20 per barrel, Lower Zakum at US$ 113.85, Umm Shaif at US$ 113.40, and Upper Zakum at US$ 111.60 per barrel. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Dubai FDI, the foreign investment office of the Department of Economic Development, yesterday said it brought Dh3.44 billion in capital and 77 companies to Dubai in 2011 whose collective turnover was Dh16.57 billion.            "The past year also saw significant gains by Dubai FDI in strengthening its links with governments, investment promotion agencies and the investor community across the globe," Dubai FDI said in a statement.            It said the strategic advantages of Dubai as a regional operations hub and investment destination were successfully conveyed across a wide range of platforms including trade and industry forums, workshops and mutual visits by business delegations, hosted and attended by Dubai FDI in 2011.            Nasser Saeedi, chief economist at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), told Gulf News Dubai and the UAE were benefiting from money flows from emerging markets such as China and India at a time when foreign direct investments from developed markets into emerging markets have slowed, mainly due to the overhang of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis.            "Foreign direct investments into Dubai are mainly in the logistics, tourism and hospitality sectors. The UAE is clearly seen as a business hub for the Middle East. Over the years, Dubai has been investing in infrastructure. Chinese companies are establishing their offices in Dubai to cater to markets in Africa and other countries within the region," said Saeedi. He said the tax-free status in the UAE allows foreign companies to flourish.            "The UAE is viewed as a safe haven to do business in the Middle East. The Arab Spring confirmed that. Dubai's services sector will continue to benefit from foreign direct investments in 2012 unless there's a major global recession," Saeedi added.            "The 77 companies set up in Dubai represent different operations including logistics, construction, technology, chemicals and renewable energy, reflecting the growing diversity of enterprises leveraging Dubai to gain traction and service strategic growth markets," said Dubai FDI.            Dubai FDI chief executive officer Fahad Al Gergawi said investors the world over are now more focused on faster access to markets and better efficiencies in terms of operations and cost.            "Dubai, by virtue of its location and infrastructure, offers the fastest link to the growing markets across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.            "At the same time, policymaking in the emirate is essentially linked to promoting business and enterprise," said Al Gergawi.            He added: "For Dubai FDI, the focus is on communicating the competitive advantage of doing business in Dubai to the global investor community. We have successfully developed a variety of channels and tools to demonstrate to businesses the benefits in setting up their base in Dubai to reach out to key markets worldwide." Action plan            As part of its emphasis on knowledge-sharing and networking, Dubai FDI attended 36 events in 2011, of which 13 were international.            Education was a major component of Dubai FDI's strategic action plan in 2011. Key concerns and investment barriers were analysed based on the feedback from investors and an incentive programme was created after researching regional peers. Altogether four studies were conducted including a comparative analysis of five economies similar to Dubai to understand the competitive advantages and gaps. The studies also led to benchmarking of five strategic industries to drive investment and enable business growth. – Gulf News Â
           The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi will kick off the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Tokyo tomorrow.            Senior government officials headed by Nasser Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department Economic Development, will participate.            The forum aims to shed light on opportunities and investment incentives offered by Abu Dhabi in infrastructure, energy, finance and industry.            The forum will also reflect the interest of the Abu Dhabi government in promoting economic and investment relations with Japan.            The UAE is Japan's biggest trading partner in the Gulf.            The holding of the forum comes at a time when the balance of trade with Japan achieved a surplus in favour of the UAE.            Japan's imports from the UAE accounted for US$29.2 billion (Dh107 billion) in 2010, up 28.4 per cent from 2009, while Japan's exports to the UAE reached US$7.3 billion, up 12.4 per cent over 2009.            Al Suwaidi's opening speech is expected to highlight the most important investment opportunities offered by Abu Dhabi which will form the backbone of the strategic partnership between the UAE capital and Japan.            He is also expected to focus on the development of bilateral trade and investment in non-oil sectors, especially in knowledge-based fields.            The forum will have five sessions, starting with an opening session with keynote speeches from both sides.            This will be followed by a presentation by Fahd Saeed Al Raqabani, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, and a panel discussion on the overall investment opportunities involving the Abu Dhabi Economic Council, Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Sessions            The first session will discuss investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi's industrial sector.            Among those designated to lead the discussion together with officials from relevant authorities are: Mohammad H. Al Qamzi, CEO of ZonesCorp and Senior Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Polymers Park at ADBIC; Khaled Salmeen Al Kawari, Executive Director of the Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad), and Salman Abdullah, Deputy Director of Operations at Emirates Aluminium (Emal).            The second session will discuss investments in the energy sector.            To lead the panel discussion are: Badr Al Lamki, Director of Carbon Management Unit at Masdar, and Sultan Al Muhairi, Director of Marketing and Refining at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and Salem Al Daheri, Adviser at the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea).            The third session will highlight the orientations of the Abu Dhabi government, and inform the business community, investors and government agencies in Japan of the investment opportunities in the infrastructure sector.            Discussions will be led by Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council; Richard Bowker, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice-President of Etihad Airways.            The fourth session will discuss the investment opportunities in the financial sector with Salem Al Salem al Mazroui, Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia); Qambar Ali Al Mulla, Senior General Manager of NBAD's International Banking Division; Rashid Al Baloushi, Deputy CEO of ADX, and Padmanabaha Mishra of ADCB.            The forum will conclude with a workshop in which a presentation by Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) will focus on the strategy of the zone aimed at attracting international companies through the adoption of best industry practices in the region, offering investors a competitive low-cost operational environment, in addition to easy access to local and global markets, within an advanced sea, land and air transport network, which strengthened the global competitive position of Abu Dhabi. – Gulf News Â
Dubai Internet City announces expansion plans of Yebab.com            E-commerce will witness an upward growth trend in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with Internet retail sites touching US$1bn sales in 2011 for the first time, according to industry analysts Euromonitor International.            This evolution is due to the increasing internet user-base in these countries and more Arab shoppers moving to an online purchasing model, said senior management from Dubai Internet City and Yebab.com, the region's leading and the only online wedding directory in Arabic.            The comments came during a press conference hosted by Dubai Internet City and Yebab.com to announce the expansion plans of the wedding portal in the UAE and the region. Senior management from Dubai Internet City, Yebab.com, portal investors National Net Ventures (N2V), and Kharabeesh, partner in the Emirati cartoon with Yebab.com, attended the event.            Yebab.com was one of the participants at DemoCamp Dubai, an initiative spearheaded by DIC as part of its continuing support to emerging entrepreneurs. DemoCamp Dubai offers a crucial platform for tech entrepreneurs to demonstrate their innovative concepts to an audience of investors and venture capitalists.            Yebab raised its first round of investment from this event and since then has grown from 30 online retailers on the website in 2008 to more than 1,400. Revenue has nearly doubled while traffic has increased tenfold in 2011 compared to the previous year.            The site, which provides brides with comprehensive wedding planning services, from gown selection to photography, catering, and venue booking, has cornered a lucrative market by focusing on Emirati weddings.            As part of its expansion plans in 2012, the internet firm aims to extend its services to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.            Majed Al Suwaidi, Director at Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, said, "Online and e-commerce business models have changed across the region due to the increasing Internet penetration and the transformation of usage models. At DIC, we are already seeing this evolution due to our regular interaction with entrepreneurs and their innovations that are based on mobile and internet technologies. ".            Murshed Mohamed, CEO, Yebab.com, said, "Saudi Arabia and Egypt have a huge population base and we have a considerable amount of traffic coming from these countries" "The plan from the beginning was to follow the 'Lean Start-up' concept testing different business models and adapting to what works for our business. This was also done keeping in mind the needs and requirements of the consumer. Therefore, the website focused on giving the bride a new experience by reducing the time spent online and bringing in innovative design concepts", he added. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
           Only 15 per cent of residents living in the capital's downtown area currently walk to their work place, but this is set to be doubled within the next two decades as a new urban model becomes more widespread, urban planning officials said.            When implemented, this neighbourhood design will help make the entire emirate of Abu Dhabi greener and more environmentally sustainable, Ebrahim Al Hamoudi, manager of the transport planning department at the Urban Planning Council (UPC), told Gulf News.            "Currently, 40 to 60 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the capital are produced by motorised vehicles. The new neighbourhood model therefore focuses on making neighbourhoods more walkable.            "Pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods will then encourage residents to undertake more non-motorised journeys," Al Hamoudi said.            The neighbourhood design is outlined in the UPC's Urban Street Design Manual, which aims to create safer roads and more lively public areas in keeping with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.            It will be implemented across the emirate by the UPC, the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Department of Transport.            Explaining the elements of the new urban model, Al Hamoudi said better shading and easier access for people with special needs were key components. Striking features            Another of its striking features is a broader pavement, which reduces the width of the road by almost 12 per cent.            "The average width of a sidewalk in the capital used to range from 0.8 metres to 1.2 metres, but now the minimum required width has been increased to 2 metres.            "Not only does this make cycling and walking more comfortable, but it also calms driver behaviour," the official explained. Speed bumps will also be replaced by a design element known as raised crossing tables, which looks like a larger and flatter speed bump.            "These induce drivers to reduce their speed without stopping completely, which makes driving a smoother experience compared to a speed bump. People in wheelchairs will also find it easier to cross these crossing tables than speed bumps," Al Hamoudi said. The combined effect is smoother driving and enhanced pedestrian safety.            In addition, parking spaces will also be increased by redesigning parking lots to accommodate more cars within the same area.            Bill Lashbrook, senior planning manager at the UPC, added that pavements and areas in front of buildings would also be transformed into attractive public spaces with the use of proper landscaping and infrastructure. Stopping for rest            "This means the planting of water-efficient plants to create green spaces, along with the placement of seats so that people can stop for a rest. It also makes walks more comfortable for the elderly," he explained.            According to Lashbrook, the focus is first on designing newer localities according to the UPC guidelines.            "When maintenance work is undertaken in older neighbourhoods, they too will be retrofitted to conform as much as possible to the new guidelines," he added.            When Gulf News visited a pilot neighbourhood adjacent to Corniche Road where the UPC guidelines have been implemented across over 23,000 square metres of space, driver speeds appeared much calmer.            The number of parking spaces had also been doubled from 220 to 407, UPC officials said.            Residents were also seen relaxing on the benches placed along the pavement or taking walks.            Suzaan Arikat, a 31-year-old Emirati human resource executive who was out for a stroll in the area, commended the new neighbourhood design when its elements were pointed out to her.            "It is very calm and safe in this particular area, so we frequently come for walks. There is also a lot of shade and cars tend not to speed," she said. – Gulf News Â
           Over 26,000 Emirati men and women pre-registered for the Tawdheef recruitment show being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with high hopes.            Exhibitors representing the public sector attracted maximum job aspirants. The sheer number of job applications with the representatives of public departments reflects the popularity of government jobs amongst local job-seekers.            Mariam Saeed, a recruitment supervisor at the State Security Department (SSD), told Gulf News that over 500 job-seekers had expressed interest in joining the wing.            "As a government institution, we are keen to help Emirati citizens find jobs. It's the government's responsibility to provide employment opportunities for our citizens and support them in their search for jobs. We accept candidates from all disciplines," she said. Demand for HR jobs            An official from the Directorate of Human Resources at the government of Sharjah told Gulf News that jobs today have become very specialised as compared to a decade ago. With human resources evolving into a primordial sector in every institution, careers in this discipline have witnessed a significant demand over the past few years.            "Over 1,000 have shown interest in joining human resources. A large percentage of the candidates were female graduates. It makes us proud to see so many young women interested in this segment," he said.            Captain Sultan Al Shamsi from the Abu Dhabi Police headquarters noticed more women job-seekers at this edition of Tawdheef than previous years. "Over 600 visited our booth yesterday; most were women interested in civil jobs. The majority of the candidates were holding a high school diploma, and very few had a college degree," he said.            "Emiratis are attracted to government positions because of the good packages. They also see more job security and stability with the public sector," he added.            Radwan Madani, senior recruitment manager at Emal (a joint venture with Dubal and Mubadala), said there was little awareness among Emirati job-seekers about jobs in the private sector.            "Colleges have to educate students about the private sector, which actually offers job opportunities that are more adapted to their studies, especially in scientific fields like engineering," he said.            "Around 1,000 expressed interest in joining our company. Eighteen per cent of our company is UAE nationals. We are keen to provide young Emiratis employment opportunities," Madani added. Shaikha Al Zaheray, manager of Emiratisation, healthcare department at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), said there were several positions available in healthcare for UAE nationals as well as appropriate training programmes to help them pursue a successful career.            Captain Mubarak Al Mansouri at the Presidential Guard said there was an increase in attendance this year. "We have been very busy meeting with young men interested in joining the Presidential Guard. Over 1,000 have already filled applications, and most of them are high school diploma holders," he said.            Fareeda Engawi from the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority was not surprised that most Emiratis wanted to join the government sector.            "Some 1,000 showed up at our booth today. The public sector is more flexible and offers better salaries and bonuses in addition to a sense of job stability," she said. Job appeal            The government sector seems to be far more appealing to young Emiratis than the private sector. Young Emiratis, especially those with lesser educational qualifications and limited work experience, seem keen to find jobs that provide security and good benefits. These jobs are more abundant within the various government sectors. – Gulf News Â
ADNEC achieves ISO 9001:2008            ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) has achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification further endorsing its status as a leading exhibition, conference and event venue in the Middle East region.            Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of ADNEC, received the ISO certificate from representatives of BSI, the audit certification agency. Members of the ADNEC Board of Directors and senior management were also present.            “The certification points to the excellent service standards of ADNEC and is in line with efforts to ensure the venue remains best-in-class,†said Sheikh Sultan.            “I would like to express my deepest thanks to all ADNEC employees for their on-going contribution to the venue’s success†said His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s Managing Director, commenting on the successful bid.            “Despite several challenges that impacted the global exhibitions industry last year, ADNEC has performed creditably thanks to the team’s commitment,†he added.            The ISO 9001:2008 certification is the latest in a series of ADNEC achievements since it opened in 2007. Last year alone, ADNEC won seven awards including ‘Best International Venue,’ at both the Exhibitions News Awards, and the AEO Awards in the UK.            In support of Abu Dhabi’s plans for the events sector and boosting economic growth, ADNEC’s mission is to become the leading exhibition, conference and events centre in the Middle East. The venue sets the stage for several world-leading events which bring visitors in their many thousands to Abu Dhabi and to ADNEC. - Emirates News Agency, WAM Â
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Magical moments comes to an end            Millions of residents and visitors from around the world will take home memorable magical moments of a 32-day retail bonanza as the DSF draws to a close yesterday            Millions of residents and visitors from around the world will tookj home memorable magical moments of a 32-day retail bonanza as the 17th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) draws to a close yesterday.            The DSF has lived up to its promise of staging the most exciting activities and offering the best shopping experience for the whole family, inspired by the theme “One World, One Family, One Festivalâ€, and its marketing slogan for this year “Dubai at its Bestâ€.            Laila Suhail, CEO of Dubai Events and Promotions (DEPE), an agency of the Department of Economic Development and the organiser of Dubai Shopping Festival, said: “With the end of another successful journey, we would like to emphasise that this would not have been possible without the long-standing and whole-hearted support of our partners in the private sector, which is a reflection of how different synergies could work in unison to successfully put together a monumental extravaganza such as the Dubai Shopping Festival year after year.†Ibrahim Saleh, Coordinator-General and Deputy CEO of DEPE, said: “This year’s festivities again transformed Dubai into a mega centre for shopping and entertainment. The support and cooperation extended by various government entities, big and small, played a crucial part in ensuring that DEPE was able to organise all these activities in a smooth and efficient way.†            The DSF began on January 5 with the longest fireworks in DSF history that stretched over a 6km distance drawing rapturous applause from residents and visitors alike. People also got an opportunity to watch a shorter version of the fireworks display by Al Zarooni Group everyday from Al Seef Street, the cultural hub of DSF.            The “shopping at its best†seems to have worked on the hordes of DSF visitors, who have been scouring over 70 participating malls and more than 6,000 retail outlets to grab the best offers possible. As a result, malls and retail stores in Dubai have been inundated with shoppers trying to make the most of the shopping bonanza, last-minute deals and offers.            The magnets that draw crowds to DSF every year are undoubtedly the mega raffles, and this year they have again succeeded in transforming the lives of scores of people and creating true rags-to-riches stories in homes across the world.            The non-stop festivities got a fitting finale with world-class entertainment on the last weekend, spearheaded by the festival’s showpiece event this year – Dubai Fashion 2012, which saved its best for the last with the “Longest Catwalkâ€, a dazzling show of pomp and pageantry by 120 models on a 120-metre outdoor catwalk and the “Biggest Makeover†which saw 100 stylists provided by Paris Gallery apply makeover on 100 models in record time at The Dubai Mall.            The Night Souq at Al Riqqa Street presented visitors with a unique night time shopping experience, as well as offering daily variety entertainment that lasted till 1am.            DSF 2012, in fact, provided residents and visitors a taste of the best in everything that the vibrant city of Dubai has to offer. – Khaleej Times Â
           "It's very spicy!" says the Emirati author Maha Gargash of her new novel.            "The story is based in Cairo and Dubai, with its theme in the roots of a family. It's a cautionary tale about what bad roots can lead to and what is born out of deceit."            With the working title of her book a closely guarded secret, Gargash reveals only that her latest offering will be considerably longer than her first in 2009, The Sand Fish, which quickly became one of HarperCollins's top-selling titles in the Middle East and resulted in more than 25,000 copies being printed worldwide.            "I started the new book about two years ago," she says, "and I thought it would be finished by now. But there are so many layers to the story that it's not yet time to draw a conclusion. It's set between 1995-98 and the three main characters are related, interconnected - which is what's making it even longer, as you have to give each of them enough time to develop."            Born and bred in the UAE, Gargash studied in Washington, DC, and London before returning home to forge a successful career in television and documentary filmmaking. It was then, after more than two decades of scripting, directing and presenting socio-cultural affairs, that she made her foray into the world of literature.            Her debut novel, The Sand Fish, is set in the 1950s and tells the poignant tale of Noora, a spirited young Emirati woman who wrestles with the traditions of her era and the prospect of a loveless arranged marriage. The author's second book, also featuring a family of Emiratis, tackles different issues and offers another glimpse into an Arabian society that still holds much mystique for readers worldwide.            Fearless and steadfast in her approach to storytelling, Gargash denies she's ever felt bound by convention to self-censor or dilute the content of her books.            "I think what I did was just not think about these things!" she says "With The Sand Fish, I later softened some bits that I thought were too open and I ended up taking a few bits out - but they really didn't affect the story or the narrative. And I don't think it was that risqué - I mean, some people didn't like the fact the girl did what she did, but that's personal opinion. You're not going to like everything you read."            That's not to say Gargash doesn't court her reader's affection. She relies on a trusty trio of friends to critique her work before it passes under an editor's nose and heads for mass market.            "Lina and Mimi read everything, chapter by chapter, and they are very verbal! They'll tell me: 'I don't like this … that's too clichéd; take this away', and strangely enough I follow their advice," she says, laughing. "Of course, I take it personally and we'll have a fight about it, but in the end and even if I'm feeling passionately about it, I'll just remove a big chunk and not remember having written it to begin with.            "My friend Ali helps me with local issues and gives me the male perspective of a world we can't see. He tells me how men think, could be insulted or would react in certain scenarios, for example. So I'm lucky to have very good friends who like to mull over these things and they push me to write, which is really a blessing."            When it comes to actually putting pen to paper, Gargash takes a disciplined but not regimental approach. No two days are the same, she says, with her writing time varying from two to eight hours. Getting started is the hard part.            "Writing is like exercise - you have to quickly put on your jogging shoes and just get out there, then you are fine," she says. "So what I do is open the computer and before I can change my mind, sit behind the desk, stare at the screen for five minutes and then just start typing. Otherwise I'll be looking for any excuse not to write, like cleaning the windows."            A peaceful household, regular coffee breaks and the occasional turn around the garden for inspiration might best describe an average day for Gargash while she is in the throes of completing her current novel. However, she's candid about the mental pressures writers face as they endeavour to create an atmosphere, describe complex relationships, keep the dialogue sparkling and pace a story well to its climax.            "With writer's block, if it's a really heavy block, then there's usually a real problem," she says "There may be an issue with the logic, for example, and it's often hard to pinpoint. You basically have to look at the story and shred it to bits to see where the problem is. If it happens, I have my friends, so I'll sit with them, throw things at them and usually we manage to get it flowing again."            "But you need to have a lot of patience," she adds, "and it can be a very lonely job sitting alone for many hours - just you and what's in your head."            It's questions about the frustrations, isolation but also the gratification of a creative career that Gargash will likely field when she participates at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai this March.            "I would tell aspiring writers to write, write, write," she says. "If you have the passion, then put your head to it and come up with something great."            Alongside her fellow novelist Selma Dabbagh and Silent Night author Charles Ellingworth, Gargash is delighted to find herself in esteemed company once again this year.            "It's a privilege to be asked to join because so many of the writers are heroes of mine," she says "It's a great event and very enjoyable because you get to spread the beautiful activity of reading to different people who come to attend."            Gargash will also partner with the distinguished poet Nujoom Al Ghanem who, in conjunction with Khalid Al Budoor, produced the award-winning documentary Hamama. Holding one of the festival's workshops on March 10, the duo will seek to demystify the process of crafting and adapting scripts for film, with particular emphasis on capturing a bygone age with authenticity.            For Gargash, film may be an equally prevalent part of her future as it was in her past, for the idea of seeing her novels grace the big screen is something she relishes.            "I would love that," she says. "But it's very difficult. I have sent it [The Sand Fish] to a few people in the States, but I think you have to know the right people and have someone to lobby for it, push the script. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. Much like publishing, the film world is a business and it has a lot to do with timing."            For now, Gargash is squarely focused on the perfect timing of her new novel's publication. "I'm at a stage where it's very difficult to predict how long it will take," she says "Things are unfolding and one twist is leading to another, so I'm still writing it. But hopefully it will come soon."            The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2012 will be held from March 6 to 10 at Al Mamzar & InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City. For more information visit http://www.emirateslitfest.com – The National |
