His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday released 170 captive-bred Asian Houbara bustards produced at the National Avian Research Centre (NARC) of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation at the Al-Maha desert sanctuary in Dubai.
Twenty of the released birds were tagged so they can be tracked by satellites.
The release of the birds is part of the support by Sheikh Mohammed to the strategy of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to increase the bird's population and relocate them in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula and to protect the environment.
Director-General of International Fund for Houbara Conservation Mohammed Saleh Al-Baidhani, as he briefed on the reasons why Al-Maha Sanctuary was chosen for the release, said the area provides food, suitable weather conditions and habitat for the birds.
He also explained breeding techniques, tracking of the tagged birds and the use of data for future releases.
Present at the release ceremony were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Lt General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of Sheikh Mohammed and officials from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation.
About 882 Asian houbara bustards were released in 2010 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of a programme to relocate the birds in the UAE which is a natural habitat for large numbers of this species. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
World's highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa welcome New Year
Dubai welcomed the New Year with an unprecedented spectacle - the world's highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building by Emaar Properties.
The 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high Burj Khalifa was the centre of attention for a global audience as it marked New Year's Eve with a spectacular laser-lights-fireworks show, telecast live to over 2 billion people around the world.
Close to half a million Dubai residents and visitors witnessed the New Year's Eve Gala from Burj Park, an island set on The Burj Lake opposite Burj Khalifa, and from several other vantage points across Downtown Dubai.
The celebration, which also marked the first anniversary of the grand inauguration of Burj Khalifa, enveloped the whole of Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development, which is anchored by the tower. The community was a sea of humanity, as people arrived to witness the spectacle several hours in advance.
Described as ‘The Centre of Now,' for its diverse showcase of high-end lifestyle destinations including malls, hotels, homes and offices, Downtown Dubai created a stunning spectacle with lights and fog effects.
To mark the New Year's Eve Gala, The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain overlooking Burj Khalifa, also hosted a special fire-water-music show, where fire elements and water sprouts were seamlessly integrated for the first time in the region.
Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: "The New Year's Eve Gala at Burj Khalifa has positioned Dubai as the must-visit destination to celebrate new beginnings. The show easily qualified as of the finest spectacles anywhere in the world, and we are confident that in the coming years, Dubai will be the place that visitors from across the world will choose to celebrate the New Year." In addition to the fireworks spectacle, set to the melody of a specially composed music, there were display screens across Downtown Dubai for visitors to enjoy live telecasts of New Year's Eve celebrations from different parts of the world.
Visitors were also entertained with the after-party held at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace - most recently voted as ‘Best Tourist Attraction at the Best in Dubai' event. Guests attending the At the Top party had the privilege of celebrating the first day of the New Year taking in magnificent views of the city at night.
A fully-established community with world-class homes, commercial space and the world's first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa is now ‘A Living Wonder.' It anchors Downtown Dubai, the most definitive lifestyle development in the city, which also features two malls - The Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, and Souk Al Bahar.- Emirates News Agency, WAM
GASCO awards Dh4 billon contracts for Sulphur plant projects
Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd. (GASCO) has confirmed the award of the Habshan Sulphur Station and Pipelines and Ruwais Sulphur Handling Terminal -2 contracts for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPC) works for the SHR Granulated Sulphur Transportation and Management Project on Lump Sum Turnkey Basis.
The Shah and Habshan Rail (SHR) Granulated Sulphur Transportation '&' Management Project will transport granulated sulphur from Shah and Habshan Stations to Ruwais export terminal(s) via rail network and will replace the current transportation of liquid sulphur via tankers to Ruwais.
Liquid sulphur produced at the Shah and Habshan Processing Plants will be transported via pipelines to the Shah and Habshan Granule Plants to be granulated and loaded into railcars. The granulated sulphur will then be transported via the Union Railway system to the Sulphur Terminal in Ruwais where it will be unloaded and exported by ship to international market, said a press release from GASCO.
The main track line connecting the new Habshan and Shah Granule Plants to Ruwais will be designed, constructed and operated by Union Railways.
The details of Habshan Sulphur Station and Ruwais Sulphur Terminal Packages which are awarded and managed by GASCO are as follows: The Habshan Sulphur Granule Plant and Pipelines facility will be a new green field plant located approximately 16 km south south east of the existing Habshan Gas Plant Complex and about 32 km south of the intersection of Highway E11 and Tarif (Abu Al Abyadh).
The Habshan Sulphur Granule Plant will have a capacity of receiving, processing and granulating 11,000 tpd of liquid sulphur from Habshan Gas Plants and also includes Storage of Liquid Sulphur and Granulated Sulphur, Blocking, railcar loading and generation of required utilities.. The liquid sulphur from Habshan Gas Plants to Habshan Sulphur Stations will be transferred through liquid sulphur pipelines which will be based on SEET (Skin Effect Electrical Tracing) Technology.
The EPC Contract has been awarded to M/s Dodsal on 28.12.2010 at a Contract Price of approx. US$479 MM (about Dh1.75 Billion) with a completion schedule of 31 months.
The Sulphur Handling Terminal-2 (SHT-2) Plant facility will be a new green field plant located in the Ruwais industrial area approximately 165 km west southwest of Abu Dhabi City.
Granulated sulphur will be transported by rail from Habshan and Shah areas to a new Sulphur Handling Terminal (SHT-2) located approximately 4.5 km southeast of the existing GASCO Sulphur Handling Terminal (SHT). The SHT-2 facility is designed for receive 22,000 tonnes per day of granulated sulphur from both Shah and Habshan Sulphur Granule Plants The facilities include the rail unloading, granule storage and ship loading of elemental granular sulphur from railcars, and the supply of utilities from existing facilities within the Ruwais industrial area.
Granulated sulphur unloaded from railcars is stacked / reclaimed from the storage buildings, and then transported by conveyors to one of the two quadrant style ship-loaders for discharge into ships for export to international market.
The EPC Contract has been awarded on 28.12.2010 to the Consortium of M/s Techint, Italy and Al Jaber Energy Services, Abu Dhabi at a Contract Price of approx. US$614 MM (about Dh2.25 Billion) with a completion period of 36 months.
The initial Phase of the Projects execution will commence from the Contractors Home Office in Milan Italy and will later on move to the Sites at Habshan for construction activities.
GASCO will direct its EPC Contractors to maximise in these projects the local contents in terms of materials, equipment and services.
These EPC Works will deploy large number of workforce of labour, technicians and supervisors to the tune of about 5,000 at the peak of construction activities. Of these, about -3000 persons will be in Habshan while about 2000 persons will be in Ruwais.
The Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the SHR Project was completed in Mid 2010 and during execution of FEED high significance was been given to HSE aspects in order to eliminate and adverse impact on the environment and the surrounding community in line with ADNOC HSE Code of Practices.
These Projects will also provide excellent opportunities to UAE Nationals for training and learning new technologies and especially in sulphur environment through exposure and interaction with specialists of these Engineering Companies. This will enable them to enhance their competencies and expertise in the area of Sulphur Management and also to take on the responsibilities in Operation and Maintenance. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
GCC production of polyethylene and polypropylene resins will rise to 31 million tonnes by 2015
The UAE and the Gulf region are set to become one of the world's largest sources of petrochemicals and plastics products as the oil-producing countries invest heavily in downstream petrochemicals.
According to latest statistics, the polyethylene production capacities in the GCC will increase from 10.7 million tonnes in 2009 to 21.5 million tonnes by the year 2015. The production of polypropylene will also increase from 4.8 million tonnes in 2009 to 9.5 million tonnes by 2015, an increase of 98 per cent. This will bring the combined production capacities of the two major polyolefin resins to over 31 million tonnes by 2015.
The region's rising stature in petrochemicals and plastics sectors will be seen at ArabPlast Exhibition, the Middle East's No 1 trade show for rubber, plastics and plastic processing that will be held from January 8 to 11, 2011, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
Borouge, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, is sponsoring the show. Advanced solutions and technology for pipe systems, wire and cables, automotive components and advanced packaging will be displayed on the Borouge stand.
"The fast growing polyolefin market offers Borouge remarkable business opportunities over the next ten years and beyond." says Hussain Sultan Lootah, Borouge's Senior Vice President for the Middle East. "To support further development of innovative plastics solutions, Borouge is currently investing in a new Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi and has recently expanded the annual capacity of its plant at Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, to 2 million tonnes of polyolefins. With the introduction of 2.5 million tonnes by mid-2014, the annual capacity of the plant will be further expanded to 4.5 million tonnes."
A state of art Innovation Centre is being established by Borouge by the end of 2011 in Abu Dhabi to demonstrate the innovation capability of Borouge and serve customers in the region. "Borouge continues to stay at the forefront through strategies that focus long-term and continuous investment in key growth markets; and most importantly, attract, recruit and retain the best people," he added.
Borouge benefits from a heritage of more than 50 years of experience in providing innovative, value creating plastics solutions. It has a strong market presence with more than 1,600 employees serving customers in over 50 countries.
A record number of companies are participating in ArabPlast 2011, a reflection on the growing importance attached by GCC countries to strengthening their manufacturing industries, including plastics and rubber sector, which are known to be more sustainable investments in the long run.
ArabPlast 2011 will showcase latest technologies and track market trends of the Middle East plastics and rubber industry, which continues to be the world's largest exporter, offloading the majority of its output to international markets.
As a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastic solutions, Borouge presents applications that benefit from high performance polyethylene and polypropylene resins based on the unique Borstar technology.
"One of the highlights is a ground-breaking new solution for large diameter pipelines for industrial projects which supports our customers, design consultants and pipe producers in the Middle East to provide large diameter polyolefins pipes for increasing number of new industrial projects in the region," adds Khalfan Al Muhairi, Application Marketing Manager to the Pipe Business Unit. "Arabplast is a global platform for Borouge to communicate with its customers and reinforce our leading role in the Middle East industry. Our major investments in Abu Dhabi also highlight our strong commitment to the region." Companies are aggressively competing to showcase their latest technology in plastic manufacturing at the exhibition. This is expected to give further boost to the demand for industrial machinery.
Companies from Taiwan, USA, Turkey, Egypt, Canada, UK, Germany, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, China, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, KSA, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, UAE, India and Iran are participating in the show. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
Statistics Abu Dhabi: Prices of building materials stable of during November 2010
Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD) issued Saturday its periodic report on the prices of building materials, including a comprehensive analysis of movement in the average prices of the main types of building materials during the month of November compared to October 2010.
SCAD monitors monthly movements in the prices of 194 items of construction materials, categorised into 21 groups of commodities and services that represent the most important materials used in the construction activity, including cement, aggregate (gravel), sand, wood, steel, concrete, cement/concrete blocks, etc.
Prices are collected from over 70 sources, selected by SCAD's Price Indices Section through field visits by a team from the section. The team also reports to the Prices Section the closure or relocation of any outlets, and the list of sources is updated accordingly.
According to the report, the prices of most of the basic building materials in the domestic market declined significantly during last November, especially cement, construction steel and wood, while the prices of a wide variety of other building materials remained relatively stable. However, a rise was noted in the prices of some other items, including, electrical cables and wires and PVC pipes. The downward trend in the building materials market can be attributed to a steady rise in the domestic supply of locally made as well as imported items, coupled with the relatively lacklustre activity experienced lately by the construction market.
The report reveals a decline in the range 0.1% - 3.0% in the prices of most types of cement during November 2010 compared with the previous month of October. In this regard, the price of Etihad and Emirates sulphate resistant cements retreated by 3.0% and 1.2% respectively. The price of standard Portland cement also declined by 2.3%, while white cement edged down 0.1%. Omani Gypsum was an exception to the general decline in the prices of group, growing by 3.4%, while the price of Omani lime stabilised in November 2010 compared to October 2010.
As SCAD's report points out, the price of Construction steel, one of the most important groups of building materials, showed a decline of 1.2% to 13.2% in the prices of most steel items during November 2010 as compared to October 2010. The largest decline was in the price of steel bars 10-32 mm from Qatar, which retreated by 13.2%.
On the other hand, the prices of aggregate and sand were generally stable during the month of November compared with October 2010, reflecting a state of equilibrium between the supply level and the market demand for these materials.
As for wood prices, the report points to a decline ranging between -0.7% and -4.8% in the prices of seven wood items, while the prices of four items advanced at 0.6% to 2.7%. The prices of the remaining four wood items remained stable.
The report details movements in the prices of tiles and marble, showing stable mosaic and marble tiles during the month of November 2010 compared with October 2010. Over the same period, the prices three varieties of ceramic tiles advanced, but those of four items retreated, while and prices of the rest of ceramic tiles items remain unchanged. The prices of Ras Al Khaimah white porcelain tiles (tile size 40 x 40 cm, unit: m2) fell 5.7%, while the prices rose" coloured porcelain from Spain (tile size 20 x 25 cm, unit: m2 ) advanced by 13.4%.
SCAD reported stable prices for the whole range of sanitary ware, except for one item, namely, "Globo colour bathroom set from Italy" which rose by 1.6%.
The average prices of false ceilings were generally stable during November 2010 compared with October 2010, except for the price per m2 of "gypsum ceiling smooth (9.5 mm) / UAE" and "gypsum ceiling with imprinted /UAE", which advanced by 8.3% and 9.1% respectively.
According to the report, the prices of three items of paints declined by 1.4% - 7.7% in November compared to October 2010, while the prices of two paint items remained stable. However, the price of one paint item (Mamorex Heavy tex/drum) increased by 6.3%.
SCAD's report points out that the prices of other materials and other services used in the construction activity, including the price of diesel, the cost of construction labour construction equipment rents, remained generally stable during November compared with October 2010.
With regard to the prices of building materials that increased during the period under review, SCAD's report shows a 7.2% - 9.7% rise in the average prices of UAE made electrical wires for apartments in November 2010 compared with last October. However the prices of most types of UAE made electrical wires for buildings decreased by 0.6% - 4.2%, while Omani made electrical wires for buildings advanced by 6.2% and 10.6%. A rise of 4.3% was also recorded in the price of the item: "electric wires /4 Core /120 mm" from Oman, used for electrical wiring in towers.
Likewise, the prices of all types of electrical cables advanced by 1.5% - 12.4% in November 2010 compared to October 2010. A similar trend was also reported in regard to the prices of PVC pipes, which increased by 1.6% - 1.8% during the same period.
To sum up the results of SCAD's monthly report on building materials prices, a look at the movements in the average prices of the building materials groups shows that 10 groups remained stable during the month of November compared to October 2010. This trend, along with generally unchanged prices for 6 items, brought about a relative stability in domestic market during the reference period. By contrast, there was a rise in the average prices of 5 groups out of the 21 main groups of commodities and service represent basic materials used in construction activity.
The following table depicts changes in the average prices of building materials groups. It can be seen that the groups whose prices declined or remained stable are the most important groups of building materials, primarily cement, aggregate and sand, concrete, steel, wood and cement blocks, while the groups that saw a rise in price are of less importance than the aforesaid groups. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
UAE rents to decline further this year Rents in Abu Dhabi will soften further this year even though demand exceeds supply. However, analysts acknowledge that the Abu Dhabi rental market is undergoing a similar transition to a tenant-driven one.
"We would expect to see further declines for the residential market in 2011," said Simon Gray, head of property broker Chesterton International.
"The market cannot sustain the current rental levels, with many occupiers looking at options further away from the city centre to satisfy their budget," he added.
In Dubai, the rental market is not expected to recover this year. There is still huge uncertainty among landlords and property owners about what new supply coming on the market will do to the sector. John Davis, the regional CEO at Colliers International, does not see any turnaround on the leasing side anytime soon.
Sharjah's landlords have tried to stanch the outflow to other emirates, mainly Dubai, by cutting their rentals, but inherent hurdles such as power outages during the summer, the rise in utility costs and the regular traffic snarls into and out of the emirate during peak hours are taking a toll on residents' patience. – Gulf News
RAK ups the pace as it looks to develop free-zone trade Ras al Khaimah is staking its claim to become a leading free-zone operator as the emirate takes on established enterprise hubs in the region.
And some manufacturing plants are already taking it up as RAK builds a business model based on light-touch bureaucracy and low rents in a bid to compete with centres such as Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).
Jafza is the oldest free trade zone in the UAE and one of the largest in the world, handling 11 million containers each month and contributing about 25 per cent to Dubai's GDP.
The 48 square kilometre space is home to more than 6,400 companies and in the past four years increased its revenue at an average of 34 per cent annually. It is that success that RAK wants to emulate.
The RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA), which manages the three investment zones in the emirate, said it had generated almost US$3 billion (Dh11.01bn) in foreign investment and attracted 6,500 businesses in the past five years.
Now the investment body is trying to attract more companies and foreign money into the emirate as it focuses on domestic economic growth.
While the majority of free-trade zones in the region offer similar benefits including 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero customs duty and no income tax or corporate tax, RAK is trying to lure new companies by offering low rents and "light-touch" regulation.
One big-name RAK convert is Ashok Leyland, India's second-largest lorry maker, which launched the emirate's first vehicle manufacturing plant last month.
"Ras al Khaimah is flexible and costs were significantly lower," said Bhimasena Rau, the resident director of Ashok Leyland in the UAE.
"When choosing the plot at the final detail level, the RAK authority were very accommodating, rules permitting."
The vehicle plant has plans to expand its operations over the next few years and Mr Rau said RAKIA was willing to wait for Ashok to grow organically.
Another company enticed to RAK is Spatial Composite Solutions, a maker of replica aircraft cabins for crew training, which moved its plant to the emirate to take advantage of low land lease rates.
"The main driver [of moving to RAK] was because of what was going in the real estate market," said Joseph McKeever, the chief executive and owner of the company. "Generally in the UAE, industrial rents had begun to taper off and go down and I feel that people in … [RAK] are more in tune with that."
He said transferring the company's operations to the emirate had enabled it to negotiate a rent that was "substantially lower" for a "much larger area", without disclosing what the rent was. The company has maintained its trade licence with Jebel Ali's free trade area, however.
As well as a lower rent, Mr McKeever said the emirate's more relaxed regulation was another plus, citing his company's $2.6 million deal with Oman Air signed in March.
He said that in this case, RAK had been "more sympathetic" over rules specifying that a manufacturing plant in a free zone supplying materials outside the UAE must prove the ultimate destination to avoid paying duty. – The National
Robust trade drives Dubai economy Dubai trade remains robust, showing consistent signs of improvement in 2010, latest result released by Dubai authorities confirmed.
Comparing it to the first nine months in 2009, UAE non-oil trade jumped to Dh540 billion in September 2010, growing 11 per cent. Exports increased by 39 per cent, re-exports rose by 19 per cent while imports recorded a 5 per cent increase, according to the latest statistics released by the Federal Customs Authority (FCA).
This result points to an export sector that has been gathering momentum despite the global economic downturn.
The authority said such developments were very encouraging as they proved that the UAE business environment was as strong as ever and the emirate was a viable investment destination.
The growth in trade was attributed to the ongoing demand and supply of food products and basic consumer items which have not been affected by the economic meltdown,
According to Hamad Bu Amim, Director-General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the increasing exports and re-exports in the first nine months of 2010 is "a strong indicator of the emirate returning to the basic export sector which is one of the driving forces behind Dubai's economic recovery."
Bu Amim added: "The export and re-export figures, which are quite higher than last year, clearly indicate that the economy is getting closer to the pre-crisis era and [that] augurs well for the future economic growth of the emirate as this upward trend will send a wave of confidence to investors while reaffirming Dubai's position [as] a sound investment destination."
Economic adviser Dr Mohammad Al Asoomi told Gulf News that despite the impact of the economic crisis on the UAE market the effect on the trade sector was not that big.
"The outcomes of the trade sector for 2010 are a clear remark that UAE market is on the recovery path putting the financial crisis back," he said.
Al Asoomi attributed the growth in trade to the increase in local market demand.
"The growth in trade relies on demand and supply of food products and basic consumer items which have not been affected by the economic meltdown," he added.
Essential role
He also stressed that Emirates Aluminium (Emal) plays an essential role in increasing UAE export.
Businesses in the UAE are returning to normalcy, which is eventually leading to growth in export figures and 2011 will witness a remarkable surge in exports and re-exports as the whole economic situation in the region improves alongside with increases in the price of oil, Al Asoomi added.
"With the port and airport capacity, the UAE will remain the main business hub in the region with no alternative," Asoomi added.
Moreover, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that Dubai has been attracting an increasing number of investor
The number of companies registered with the Chamber rose nine per cent to 118,000 in 2010. It is expected that the number of companies will reach 124,000 by 2011, the Dubai Chamber said. – Gulf News
Abu Dhabi to take over Mina Zayed Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) will take over management of Mina Zayed port from operator DP World after a five-year management contract was not renewed.
DP World played down the effect on profitability, saying in a statement to Nasdaq Dubai: "The ebitda contribution from the management agreement is not material," speaking of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation".
Meanwhile, talks over DP World managing Khalifa Port have also "not resulted in any binding agreement", ADT said in a statement.
Operations of Mina Zayed port are planned for transfer to Khalifa Port when it is launched in the fourth quarter of 2012.
"We have worked closely with ADT and Abu Dhabi Ports Company over many years and we will continue to work closely with them into the future," Mohammad Al Muallem, senior vice-president and managing director of DP World's UAE operations, said in the statement.
Officials were not available for comment. However, analysts have said that revenues from the port did not have a lot of significance in DP World's overall operations that include 50 ports worldwide.
DP World last week announced that it would sell a 75 per cent stake in its Australian unit, which operates five terminals.
The deal with Citi Infrastructure Investors and a partner was for A$1.5 billion (Dh5.58 billion).
Initial capacity
Khalifa Port, spread over 420 square kilometres, will have an initial capacity to handle two million 20-foot containers, rising to 15 million by 2030 when all phases are completed.
"Efficient infrastructure supports economic growth and Mina Zayed and Port Khalifa and its associated industrial park when built, will contribute to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE," Al Muallem said.
Tawfiq Al Mubarak, chairman of ADT, said a management team "will continue to work closely with DP World to ensure a smooth transition".
Heavily invested
A logistics analyst who requested anonymity told Gulf News: "Abu Dhabi is heavily invested into the ports industry, especially with Khalifa Port.
"They could be looking at this and saying we need to build indigenous capability rather than rely on someone else."
He said another possible reason could be that Khalifa Port would be geographically close to Jebel Ali Port and in the future would present competition.
"It's not a good idea to have one company managing both ports and avoid conflict," he said.
DP World's shares rose 0.8 percentage points on Nasdaq Dubai yesterday and closed at $0.63.
Traded volumes were unusually low.
- 50: ports around the world managed by DP World
- 75%: stake in DP World's Australian assets sold. - Gulf News
Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi asks people to take some ‘green’ resolutions
The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) requested UAE residents to make a different New Year Resolution this year, a green one.
“With the intent to signify a new beginning, people all over the world typically make resolutions, or promises to start or stop something at New Years, such as lose weight, quit smoking or get a better job. The New Year is just around the corner and the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is calling on the community to make this year’s resolutions all about protecting our environment,” the agency said on Wednesday.
“EAD is asking people to commit to three green resolutions for 2011: To turn off all electrical appliances when not in use, to use a bucket and not a hose when washing their car and to vote for Bu Tinah Island as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature,” the agency said in a statement.
With the first resolution, people are being asked to take a small step to save energy which can help make a big difference to the country’s carbon footprint, i.e. turning off the lights when one leaves the room, unplugging appliances when not in use, switching to energy-saving bulbs and shutting down your computer at the end of the day.
The second resolution, using a bucket instead of a hose when washing the car, will help save water. “In the UAE, almost all water we use comes from desalinating seawater — a process which emits large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. If only 30,000 people across the UAE washed their car with a sponge instead of a hose, we could save enough water to fill 20,000 bathtubs!,” the agency said.
On the third resolution, the EAD is encouraging people across the nation to support the campaign to vote for Bu Tinah Island as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Bu Tinah Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, has been shortlisted in an international competition along with such well-known natural icons as the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands. Home to the world’s healthiest population of dugongs – dolphin-like ‘sea cows’ that graze on sea grass – as well as unique coral reefs found nowhere else on planet earth, Bu Tinah is the only finalist from the Arabian Gulf region.
The dugong, a cousin of the manatee found in Florida in US has become extinct in several parts of the world and is on the World Conservation Union’s ‘Red List’ of endangered species.
“EAD is calling on people everywhere to spearhead efforts to raise Bu Tinah’s profile among the community in the UAE and internationally in order to help ensure the long-term conservation of both the dugong and its Bu Tinah habitat.”
To help keep Bu Tinah protected, one can SMS ‘Butinah’ to 3888. Voting for Bu Tinah is also possible by visiting one of the voting booths located at Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall or Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates until January 15, 2011, or by logging into http://www.butinah.com to vote.” – Khaleej Times
UAE retirement age increased from 60 to 65 Expatriates in the UAE have been given an additional five years of service with the Ministry of Labour revising the retirement age from 60 to 65. Part of the widespread changes in the country's labour law will allow expats to secure visas up to the age of 65 years, Arabian Business reported quoting an unnamed official of the ministry. “The retirement age before was 60, now it’s 65. They raised the retirement age [under the new legislation,” the official told the website.
The ministry had last week announced the decision to reduce the validity of labour cards to two years from three, starting from January 1, 2011. This practically gives expat workers the freedom to switch jobs without a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the employer. The previous law had ensured workers get a six-month ban forcing them to leave the country if their employers refuse the NoC. – Emirates 24|7
New speed limits, red layers for safer driving in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi started yesterday enforcing a new set of rules on speed limits on all the roads of Abu Dhabi by re-setting speed cameras in concurrence with recommendation of a study conducted earlier. The new rules will be accompanied by several procedures, including placing of new road signs and adding a red layer to the areas where motorists are supposed to reduce their speed to alert them ahead of entering residential areas.
Brigadier Hussain Ahmad Al-Harithi, director of Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Department at Abu Dhabi Police urged the motorists to adhere to the new speed limits that went on force as of yesterday. The new speed limits will be clearly written on the signs in all roads in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. Al Harithi said the changes were being made after extensive studies on the traffic requirements of the emirate in the next decade to ensure road safety. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
Abu Dhabi destroys 3,000 kg of fake cosmetics The Gulf desert sand was soaked with cosmetics and herbal medicines when Abu Dhabi authorities destroyed nearly 3,000 kg of fake stuff in a remote burial area, a local newspaper reported on Friday.
Inspectors from the Abu Dhabi Municipality had seized the fake items during raids on shops in the city over the past few weeks as part of an ongoing campaign against copyrights and intellectual property violations.
Municipality bulldozers crushed the cosmetics and herbal drugs and buried them under the sand in its hygiene burial area in Dhafra outside the capital “All those items were either fake or not compatible with health and international standards…..some of them have also expired,” Emarat Alyoum daily said.
It quoted public head director Khalifa al Rumaithi as saying the Municipality would continue its raids against fake items, which he warned posed a health threat. “We urge the public to report any fake or expired cosmetics and herbal medicine materials sold in the market,” he said. – Emirates 24|7
Landmarks on the Ajman waterfront The emirate's determination to become a tourist destination and an investment hub is at the heart of its plans for redeveloping its 28-kilometre waterfront. Officials say that the designs are intended to make buildings and complexes global landmarks.
The development programme, which will cost hundreds of billions of dirhams, will come under the Urban Planning Strategy 2030 and aims to offer an attractive waterfront that places the city on the tourist map and makes it a more desirable destination to work and live in, said Mohammed al Muhairi, the director general of the Ajman Municipality's planning department.
"Ajman as an emirate has a deep relationship with the sea," Mr al Muhairi said. "The sea was a source of livelihood for past generations and today we want it to be a target for investors."
The nation already has several successful seafront projects, including Dubai's Palm Jumeriah and Sharjah's Buhaira corniche. Ajman officials are hoping their massive waterfront development will add to the list. Recently the Government allocated Dh20 million for fiscal 2010-2011 to preserve and clean up the waterfront.
Approved projects so far include the Dh220 billion Al Zorah development including five public marinas, a championship golf course, offices, shops and five-star holiday resorts, as well as villas and apartments.
The US$3bn (Dh11bn) Ajman Marina project will have residential accommodation for 21,000 people, as well as a number of commercial and entertainment areas, and cover 240,000 square metres.
In addition, hotels, restaurants and cafes will be built on the corniche and the Industrial Free Zone project will be attached to the Ajman port.
The redevelopment of the waterfront was a theme of this year's urban planning conference at Ajman University. Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi, the chairman of the planning department, said the goal was to lay a viable economic foundation for the emirate.
"The objective is to have Ajman as a distinctive tourist destination and an investment hub," he said. "If you have the two, then you are assured of sustainable social and economic development." Ajman was committed to using all resources at its disposal to support development, while maintaining its cultural heritage and Emirati identity, he said.
Dr Ghada Mahmoud Hafez, a municipality consultant, said the sea should be for the benefit of everyone, which explained the proposed development's extensive scope.
"Currently only six per cent of the emirate's waterfront is under use," she said. "At the moment, Al Safia island is not optimally utilised. It will be turned into a prime tourist attraction because of its natural splendour."
The Industrial Free Zone, which occupies 12 per cent of the waterfront, will be turned into a multi-purpose area to allow commercial and tourism-related activities.
The plan also suggests the need for bridges above the creek to connect the Mushairef and Al Jurf areas with the rest of the city. Traffic congestion along the corniche would be reduced by expanding the parallel roads in the area.
"The development plans for this emirate are really overwhelming," said Salah al Harouni, who has lived on the corniche for the past six years. "When I came here I could count the buildings, the main road was narrow and all feeder roads were in sand. All that has changed." – The National
Team Viper to take part in aerobatics show Team Viper, the world's only Hawker Hunter fighter jet display squadron, has joined the list of international aerobatics and display teams that will be heading to the Al Ain Aerobatics Show in February, the organisers said.
The aerobatics show will be held from February 2 to 5 at Al Ain International Airport, and some 130,000 visitors are expected to watch the world's top pilots manoeuvring their agile aircraft in the skies. It will be ninth edition of this annual event in the Oasis city.
Team Viper consists of four former members of the UK's Royal Air Force. Their dazzling squadron formation will be one of the big draws, said an official of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) — the organisers of the show. Each Hunter aircraft, named after the Rolls Royce Viper engines that power the jets, weighs over nine tonnes, produces over 10,000 lbs of thrust and is capable of speeds approaching 1,000 kilometres per hour.
Faisal Al Shaikh, Events Manager of the ADTA, said Team Viper thrilled the crowds last year with its amazing, gravity-defying display, and it will once again appear at this world-class spectacle in February.
"The Al Ain Aerobatic Show is acknowledged as one of the world's leading aerobatics shows, and in 2011 we will be making it bigger and better than ever before, both on the ground and in the sky," he added.
Chris Heames, the Viper's captain, said: "We're putting together something special that will really give spectators something to remember." – Gulf News
