Archive for March, 2009

هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة تستهدف 120 جهة مشاركة في برنامج المشترين المستضافين

هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة تستهدف 120 جهة مشاركة في برنامج المشترين المستضافين

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority will welcome 120 Hosted Buys for promotion of Tourism in Abu Dhabi

Aluminium Dubai to feature 166 companies from 24 countries

Dubai, 28th March 2009 (WAM) : The three-day Aluminium Dubai exhibition will open tomorrow at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition center. The Alluminum Dubai has witnessed a record 100 percent growth in exhibiting companies and a 150 percent increase in demand for exhibit space as compared to the 2007 edition.

The event will be inaugurated by H E Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Vice Chairman DUBAL and Chairman, Emirates NBD Bank.

Alluminum Dubai is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, Aluminium Dubai will play host to 166 companies from 24 countries, occupying 6,000 sq.m of exhibit space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Over 40 percent of exhibiting companies this year, will showcase midstream technologies such as aluminium extrusion, casting and heat treatment, while smelting, plant engineering, fabrication and other technologies make up the rest.

Alluminum Sector in Dubai & Middle East
“The aluminium sector is a critical focus area in the diversification drive of the region’s governments. However, despite the worldwide financial crisis impacting the overall investment climate, the region continues to demonstrate active interest in the aluminium sector. This has translated to Aluminium Dubai receiving impressive feedback from all the key stakeholders, both within the region, and beyond,” said Tarek Ali, Show Manager.

The exhibitor portfolio at this year’s edition includes products used for building and construction, transportation, electrical and mechanical engineering, factory equipment, packaging, and container construction, as well as those used in design-oriented applications, said Ali.

According to industry estimates, the MENA (Middle East ‘&’ North Africa) region is poised to emerge as the world’s largest aluminium producing region by 2018.

Aluminium production in the region is expected to top 6.1 million tonnes by 2013.

The GCC currently accounts for four percent of global aluminium production but this share is expected to go up to 10 per cent by 2010. Currently, the Gulf’s two operating smelters are Dubai Aluminum (Dubal), which produces about 900,000 tonnes of aluminium a year, and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), with a capacity of 860,000 tonnes. Another 11 smelters are either under construction or in the planning stage in the Gulf.

The region currently constitutes 3.5 per cent of the total global demand for aluminium. This demand is expected to grow significantly with extrusion growing by 7.9 per cent per annum by 2020, while rolling products will register a growth of 8.3 per cent per annum with casting is set to grow 4.7 per cent.

Among the key UAE exhibitors at Aluminum Dubai are Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), Al Jaber Aluminium Extrusions, Alba Tower Aluminium Factory Ltd, ATBIN International, Gulf Extrusion, Inma-Gulf Development and Construction LLC, CIE Environment Dubai and Smartouch, among others. Emirates Extrusion, Flexipack FZE and Everlast Access Technology are part of the Dubai Export Development Company stand, promoting UAE products to international and local buyers.

International exhibitors include SMS Demage, FATA Group, Zenergy Power Pty Ltd, Hydro ASA, RHI AG, Harbin Dongsheng Metal Co. Ltd and, Nanjing Welbow Metals Co. Ltd,, to name a few. Germany and Norway will have national pavilions at the event.

Over 3000 visitors from more than 18 countries including Mexico, Canada, the US, Australia, India, the UAE and other Gulf countries are expected to attend.

Aluminium Dubai will also provide an opportunity for exhibitors to host live demonstrations of their products and technologies for heat-treatment, at a dedicated demo area within the exhibition hall at DICEC. Menphis and Aluitalia will demonstrate new machines for aluminium fabrication while EMAL will display photographs detailing the progress of construction at the EMAL smelter in Taweelah.

Nineteen of Reed Exhibitions’ global partners at it other aluminium shows including Aluminium Essen, Aluminium China and Aluminium India are participating at the show.

Venue, Time & Date:

Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center (www.DICEC.ae).

Time : 11:00 am – 20:00 pm

Date :  29 – 31 March 2009

ATM’s Gulf Tourism Summit cancelled

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has cancelled the Gulf Tourism Summit which was due to take place on day one of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

The Gulf Tourism Summut a “high-level” tourism summit involving the region’s tourism ministers was due to be staged following the opening ceremony of popular travel show the ATM, which takes place from May 5-8 2009 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Reed Travel group’s exhibitions director Mark Walsh said the event had been postponed to ATM 2010 due to “a number of logistical and project issues beyond our control”.

“We are dedicated to ensuring the 2010 Summit is a critical platform and high-level forum for Gulf countries to promote their tourism strategies, areas of excellence and achievements, discuss growth trends, and explore future opportunities to an international audience of ministers, travel professionals, press and TV,” he said.

“We remain committed to ensuring that Arabian Travel Market 2009, with its enhanced offerings and other new initiatives, is our most informative and business friendly show to date.”

Highlights of this year’s show include Travel Agents’ Day, sponsored by the region’s leading travel trade title, Arabian Travel News, which will take place on day three of ATM (Thursday May 7) and involve training workshops, topical seminars, as well as the Travel Agent Passport scheme.

Agents can collect a passport with their copy of the May issue of Arabian Travel News, available at the show, and are then invited to visit the stands of all participating travel product and service providers who will stamp their passport.

Once their passports are full, they hand them in at the ITP Business Publishing or Arabian Travel News stand to be entered into a prize draw, with five major prizes on offer, including a home entertainment system.

The prizes will be awarded on the Travel Agent Stage in Hall 8 at the end of the day

World-class Lashings World XI launched in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, Mar. 26th, 2009: The world-class Lashings World XI was launched Wednesday in a press conference at the Emirates Palace ahead of the Lashing’s Twenty20 Cricket Festival, which starts today Thursday.

The week long event which is being organized by the iconic Emirates Palace under the patronage of H.E Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak al-Nahyan forms part of efforts by Emirates Palace to support Abu Dhabi as the cultural centre of the Middle East and Emirates Palace as the flagship and iconic landmark of Abu Dhabi hosting prestigious sporting events to the ever growing cultural social calendar of Abu Dhabi.

The famous Lashings tour party is led by founder and chairman David Folb and comprises a constellation of international players who will enthrall cricket enthusiasts at the matches to be held on Emirates Palace lawn pitch between 26 and 29 March.

Folb expressed confidence that Lashing team would give a wonderful performance on the Emirates Palace East Lawn pitch which he described as more than wonderful.

“When you have Graeme Hick, Stuart Law, Saqlain Mushtaq, Devon Malcolm, Damien Martin and other internationals playing under the captaincy of Chris Harris, anything is possible,” he said.

The iconic Emirates Palace, with its magnificent setting and palatial back-drop, provides a world class wicket to host the Lashings World X1 team for the Second Annual Cricket Festival from March 24-31.

Commentary on the Lashing matches will be provided by world renowned veteran sports journalist Henry Blofeld (AKA Blowers) who is best known as a cricket commentator for the Test Match Specials on BBC, with more than 500 Test Matches to his credit. Blowers epitomizes the historical institution that is cricket and relays the game to his audience in a highly amusing manner.

World XI Abu Dhabi Teams
Lashings XI: Alvin Kallicharran, Chris Harris, Adam Hollioake, Philp DeFreitas, Jimmy Adams, Devon Malcolm, Brendon Taylor, Chris Cairns, Chris Silverwood, Grant Flower, Graeme Hick, Rashid Latif, Marvan Atapattu and Ed Giddins.

Chairman’s XI: Saqib Ali, Alawi Shukri, Sajjad Ahmad, Arshad Ali, Amjad Javed, Irfan Haider, Khurram Khan, Mohammad Iqbal, Prasanth Braggs, Amjad Ali, Fayaz Ahmad, Haroon Iftiqar, Fahad Al Hashimi and Waqas Alwi.
The fixtures for the Lashings World XI matches which will all be 20/Twenty format, starting at 2pm daily, are as follows:

Thursday 26th March – LASHINGS WORLD CRICKET XI v Henry Blofeld Select XI Friday 27th March – LASHINGS WORLD CRICKET XI v ME Cricket Magazine Select XI Saturday 28th March – LASHINGS WORLD CRICKET XI v Emirates Palace XI Sunday 29th March – Emirates Palace XI v Media XI

History of Lashings

The Lashings cricket team’s began with a chance encounter in 1984, Maidstone-based businessman David Folb was in the Lashings Bar and Restaurant on a Saturday night when he heard about the plight of the nearby Minstrel Wine Bar’s cricket team, who had a match scheduled the following day but had just lost their opposition.

Not wanting to see them miss out on their Sunday afternoon fixture, Folb appointed himself captain and wicketkeeper, made a few calls and assembled an opposition.

A motley crew of customers, friends, solicitors, bank managers and even Lashings restaurant manager John Tobin (an Irishman who had never played cricket in his life, and indeed hasn’t since!) were roped in to play and appeared the following day in the less-than-idyllic surroundings of Mote Park. It wasn’t quite a dream start for Folb’s new venture though, as the team that were to become known as Lashings fell short by a mere 294 runs! However, the experience was enough for Folb’s band of merry men to catch the bug and soon there were enough personnel to be able to put out a village team on a regular basis for several years, eventually reaching the dizzy heights of the Maidstone and District Riverside League!

طالبات جامعة زايد يشاركن في “برنامج سفراء أوفياء لإماراتهم “

أبوظبي في 26 مارس/ وام / تشارك /22 / طالبة من كلية علوم الإتصال والإعلام في جامعة زايد في أبوظبي..في فعاليات الدورة الثالثة لـ/ معرض الخليج لسياحة الحوافز والمؤتمرات 2009 / .. التي تنطلق يوم الثلاثاء المقبل وتستمر ثلاثة أيام في مركز أبوظبي الوطني للمعارض/ أدنيك / .

وتأتي مشاركة الطالبات في فعاليات المعرض ضمن / برنامج سفراء أوفياء لإماراتهم / في عامه الثاني..الذي تنظمه هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة بالتعاون مع شركة ريد لمعارض السفر..وصولا لإكسابهن خبرة عملية مبكرة ونجاحا متميزا في مجال تنظيم الفعاليات السياحية بجانب تحفيزهن لبناء حياة مهنية ناجحة في قطاع سياحة المؤتمرات والأعمال.

وأوضح بيان صحفى لهيئة أبوظبي للسياحة ..أن برنامج سفراء أوفياء سيكون حافلا بالفعاليات التي تسهم فيها الطالبات بدور فاعل من خلال تقديمهن المساعدة للمشترين العالميين وممثلي وسائل الإعلام والمشاركين في المعرض.. مشيرا إلى أن مساحة العرض في الدورة الجديدة للمعرض زادت بنسبة 15 في المائة عن العام الماضي بمشاركة /232 / عارضا منهم /13 / عارضا جديدا.

وأضاف البيان أن المعرض يضم أضخم برنامج للمشترين المضيفين بحضور 245 شخصية من صناع القرار في 25 دولة.. مشيرا إلي أن طالبات دورة العام الماضي تواصلن مع موظفين في إدارات وأقسام هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة.. تعرفن خلالها على مختلف جوانب القطاع السياحي وخاصة تطوير الأعمال والمنتج والمهارات الإعلامية والإرشاد السياحي.

من جانبه أوضح ناصر الريامي مدير إدارة المعايير السياحية في هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة..أن التوطين في قطاع السياحة يعتبر من أولوياتنا.. مشيرا إلي أن سياحة الأعمال تشكل واحداً من أكثر القطاعات الأساسية جذباً لشبابنا المواطن الطموح

وأضاف أن الهيئة تدرس حاليا إمكانات تنفيذ حملة توعوية مكثفة بين الشباب الإماراتي لتوعيتهم بفرص العمل المتاحة التي تؤهلهم مستقبلا للقيام بدور محوري .. مشيرا إلى أن برنامج / سفراء أوفياء لإمارة أبوظبي / يشكل عنصرا حيويا من إستراتيجية الهيئة وخاصة أن إجمالي عدد الإماراتيين العاملين في القطاع السياحي في الإمارة يعادل واحد فى المائة ضمن 47 ألفا و700 موظف في هذا القطاع .. فيما تطمح الهيئة رفع هذه النسبة إلى خمسة في المائة بحلول عام 2012.

من ناحيتها أوضحت جريمي بارنيت مدير معرض الخليج لسياحة الحوافز والمؤتمرات..أن / برنامج سفراء / يعد بمثابة منصة لرعاية الجيل الجديد من المحترفين في مجال سفر الأعمال وسياحة المؤتمرات في المنطقة..بينما أكدت شينا ويستوود الأستاذة المساعدة في كلية علوم الإتصال والإعلام في جامعة زايد .. أن برنامج سفراء يلعب دورا أساسيا في تنمية قدرات طالباتنا وتعزيز مناهجهن الدراسية من خلال تزويدهن بخبرات عملية وحيوية بجانب تعريفهن على طيف واسع من فرص العمل في المجال السياحي .

وأشارت إلى أن الطالبات المشاركات في البرنامج..يمثلن وجه أبوظبي الحقيقي حيث يستقبلن الضيوف من خلال مكاتب الإستقبال الخاصة بالحدث ويقدمن المساعدة والإرشاد للمشاركين الإقليميين والدوليين على أرض المعرض.. بجانب مرافقتهن المشترين العالميين الضيوف خلال فعاليات يوم مخصص لهم ضمن جولة تعريفية حول الإمارة.

من ناحيتها أوضحت فاطمة ناصر الملحي خريجة جامعة زايد ” السفيرة السابقة ” لمعرض الخليج لسياحة الحوافز والمؤتمرات..أن البرنامج أثبت فاعلية وجدوى كبيرتين..مشيرة إلى أنها من خلال مشاركتها في برنامج العام الماضي رافقت وسائل الإعلام العالمية والمشترين الضيوف في جولة حول أبوظبي..فيما قدمت كل مساعدة ممكنة للرد على استفساراتهم.

وأضافت أن الخبرات التي إكتسبتها أهلتها للعمل في هيئة أبوظبي للسياحة..مشيرة إلى أنها تنفذ حاليا مشاريع متميزة بما فيها تنظيم جولات سياحية إلى مسجد الشيخ زايد.

سيتم تكريم طالبات البرنامج في ختام فعاليات المعرض خلال حفل خاص يقام في مركز أبوظبي العالمي للمعارض .. تقديرا لإنجازاتهن

21000 meters of LEDs Shipped for Dubai Metro

LightWild an architectural lighting company based in Overland Park Kensas USA, manufacturer making energy efficient LED lighting in commercial projects worldwide have shipped more than 21,000 meters of LED lighting to be used on the exterior of stations for Dubai Metro.

Overland Park-based LightWild said in a Wednesday release that the Dubai Metro system will be the longest fully automated rail system in the world, with more than 43 miles of line and 47 stations, including nine underground stations.

LightWild’s distributor in the United Arab Emirates, Gargash Lighting Systems LLC, supplied the accent lighting product for the Dubai Metro project, which is scheduled to begin operating in September

Systra was awarded the preliminary engineering contract, and a consortium of four companies headed by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is leading the project to build the first two lines of a high-tech driverless rapid transit system. Other consortium members include the Japanese Obayashi and Kajima corporations, and Yapi Merkesi of Turkey.

The Metro will be fully integrated within the network operated by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), a body created in 2005. Routes will be organised around the backbone provided by the rail system.

Airlines around the world could lose $4.7B in 2009

International airlines may lose US $4.7 billion this year as a result of the global recession, according to the International Air Transport Association IATA.

Cuts in spending for individuals and a decline in production at factories has led to fewer airline passengers and less cargo being shipped around the world. Despite lower fuel prices than last year, airlines everywhere are struggling with sluggish demand.

The IATA, which represents 230 airlines, also raised its estimate of international airline losses in 2008 to $8.5 billion, from its previous $8 billion estimate.

The Swiss-based body said its latest forecast is based on a view that the economy and air transport demand will hit bottom by mid-2009 and then start to recover.

Leading airlines in USA and other countries have slashed fares to encourage continued travel and unveiled a range of cost-cutting measures to stay afloat throughout the economic slump.

The group predicts fares will stay low throughout the year while airlines compete for the business that remains until global economic activity rebounds.

Carriers in North America are expected to deliver the “best performance” among the world’s regions with an estimated $100 million profit, IATA said, crediting their strength to early capacity cuts and relatively little fuel hedging that has permitted them to benefit from sliding oil prices.

European carriers are expected to lose $1 billion in 2009 as a result of the recession that continues to drag down both economy and premium demand worldwide.

According to the IATA, international passenger demand fell 5.6 percent in January compared to the same month a year ago. The IATA’s February traffic figures are due to be released later this week.

محمد بن راشد يزور منطقة البستكية التاريخية ..من وليد العارضة

دبي في 22 مارس / وام / قام صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم نائب رئيس الدولة رئيس مجلس الوزراء حاكم دبي رعاه الله بزيارة لمنطقة البستكية التاريخية على خور دبي

وتفقد سموه عددا من الفعاليات الثقافية والفنية والتراثية التي تنظمها / دبي للثقافة / في اطار مشروع دبي الثقافي الذي أطلقه سموه في وقت سابق من العام الماضي ويهدف الى تحويل واجهة دبي الى معالم ومنتديات ومراكز وصالات ثقافية وفنية تكون ملتقى لفناني ومثقفي العالم .

وتفقد سموه عددا من الفعاليات الثقافية والفنية والتراثية التي تنظمها / دبي للثقافة / في اطار مشروع دبي الثقافي الذي أطلقه سموه في وقت سابق من العام الماضي ويهدف الى تحويل واجهة دبي الى معالم ومنتديات ومراكز وصالات ثقافية وفنية تكون ملتقى لفناني ومثقفي العالم .
وقد استهل سموه زيارته بتفقد السوق الشعبي الذي شارك فيه نحو 40 أسرة مواطنة بمنتجات ومشغولات يدوية تراثية وأكلات شعبية متنوعة تستقطب الزائرين من عرب وأجانب بنكهتها المميزة .
ثم ولج سموه ومرافقوه الى صالة المعرض الفني الذي يضم لوحات وأعمالا فنية لأكثر من 35 فنانا وصالة فنية عربية وأجنبية ..
واطلع سموه على المعروضات ..
مبديا إعجابه بالعديد من اللوحات والرسومات القيمة خاصة التي تعكس الطبيعة والبيئة والحالات الانسانية التعبيرية والتشكيلية منها .
واستمع صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم الى معزوفات موسيقية عالمية أدتها عازفة البيانو الألمانية أمام سموه والحضور الذي ضم سياحا أجانب إستمتعوا بفعاليات الفن والثقافة والتراث التي تستضيفها / البستكية / على مدى أيام السنة أو في مواسم معينة .

وحرص نائب رئيس الدولة رئيس مجلس الوزراء حاكم دبي على زيارة المعرض الفني العالمي للفنانة المواطنة فاطمة لوتاه التي تعرض من / البستكية / رسوماتها وإبداعاتها الفنية الشاملة والتي كانت عرضتها في معارض وصالات فنية في إيطاليا .

وإستمع سموه من الفنانة لوتاه الى المعنى الذي تجسده كل لوحة لديها ان لجهة تراثنا وثقافتنا وبيئتنا المحلية أم لجهة مناظر طبيعية وأنماط معيشية محلية وعالمية وغيرها .

وأبدى سموه إرتياحه لوجود فنانة إماراتية وصلت بإبداعها الفكري واليدوي الى خارج حدود وطنها كي تكون سفيرة لبلادها من خلال أعمالها الفنية الحضارية التي تعكس عراقة الثقافة والقيم والتراث الشعبي الإماراتي.

وهنأ صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم ..بنت الإمارات عموما على إنخراطها في أعمال وعلوم ومهن راقية كانت حكرا على الرجل ..معتبرا سموه أن الفن رسالة حضارية سامية تسمو بالعقل البشري الى مستويات عالية من الفكر والسلوك الإنساني بعيدا عن التعصب لعرق أو لدين أو لون .

وعرج سموه خلال الزيارة على مراكز وقاعات البستكية وردهاتها التي تضم محالا تجارية لمشغولات شعبية ومطاعم وآلات موسيقية ومتاحف آثارية وغيرها من مكونات المدينة التراثية المتكاملة ..ووجه سموه المسؤولين والعاملين في دبي للثقافة لزيادة عدد المعارض الفنية والمنتديات الثقافية والفعاليات الفنية والثقافية التي تسهم في تنشيط الحركة الثقافية في الوطن وجذب الزوار من المواطنين والمقيمين والسياح وغيرهم .

ورافق سموه في الزيارة معالي محمد بن عبدالله القرقاوي وزير شؤون مجلس الوزراء ومعالي الدكتور عمر محمد أحمد بن سليمان محافظ مركز دبي المالي العالمي عضو مجلس الإدارة المنتدب لدبي للثقافة وسعادة خليفة سعيد سليمان مدير عام دائرة التشريفات والضيافة بدبي الى جانب عدد من المسؤولين والفعاليات الثقافية في الدولة .

HH Sheikh Mohammad tours historic Bastikiya area in Dubai

Dubai, Mar. 22, 2009 (WAM) — Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and The Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, toured the historic Bastikiya area on the Dubai Creek.

Sheikh Mohammed visited a number of cultural and heritage activities being organised by the “Dubai Culture and Arts Authority as part of the “Dubai Culture” project which was launched by Sheikh Mohammed last year.

The Dubai Culture project is aimed at transforming Dubai into arts and cultural landmark, Dubai’s forums and cultural centres to become centre of attraction for artists & culture lovers worldwide.

Sheikh Mohammed started the tour with a visit to the traditional community market where about 40 national families are showcasing their products, including handicrafts, local dishes and cuisine. He then moved to the art gallery hall where art works of more than 35 artists are on show.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed great admiration on some valuable paintings, which depict nature, environment and expressive humanitarian situations. He was also treated to international musical show by a German pianist, whose songs won the admiration of Sheikh Mohammed and many tourists who thronged the place.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the international art stand of UAE fine artist, Fatima Lootah, who put on show some of her finest art works she had earlier showcased in Italy. Lootah briefed the Dubai Ruler about the meanings of her paintings, which reflect local environment, culture and heritage. He praised her for her international achievements and expressed great pride to see an Emirati artist reaching international stardom.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied on the tour by Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Gergawi, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dr. Omar Mohammed Ahmed bin Sulaiman, who is also the Managing Director of “Dubai Culture”, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Protocol and Guests, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman and a number of UAE cultural personalities.

Dubai UAE to Mark Earth Hour

Burj Al Arab and the city of Dubai will Mark the Earth hour on 28th March. The changing coloured lights that illuminate the curved white and glass façade of the Burj Al Arab will darken next Saturday when the UAE joins 84 other countries for Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a global initiative to recognise the effects of climate change. 

Representatives from several local companies, non-governmental organisations and government agencies announced the plan to switch off ‘non-essential’ lights in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Sharjah for one hour on March 28th.

During last year’s earth hour, Dubai saw a 20 per cent reduction in the amount of electricity used for lighting, according to Amal Koshak of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. This is the second year Dubai has participated in Earth Hour, organised globally by the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The list of suggested adjustments customers can make — fully powering down computers, encouraging people to switch off all non-essential lights — is similar to advice the WWF gives people to reduce their demand on a daily basis.

Koshak said the 100,000kwh drop is a benchmark for this year’s earth hour, but 2008 saw a 13-15 per cent rise in electricity demand. Measuring the long-term impact on electricity demand for the one-off event is nearly impossible, she said.

Reducing energy demand is critical to staving off dramatic climate change, according to Ida Tillish of the Emirates Wildlife Society, the local arm of the WWF.

In the UAE, increased temperatures could cause hotter summers and raised sea levels — a threat to the coastal developments that attract both business and tourism.

In a country with the largest ecological footprint in the world — a measure of the total resources used by each person — the hour will be a nod to the impact UAE residents have.

Tillish recognised the impact of government initiatives like carbon capture and storage, environment educational campaigns and Masdar City, but said individual residents and businesses can make a large impact.
“To create a sustainable environment every individual and business needs to show that we care every day.”

Flydubai prepares its pilots and crew

Flydubai, Dubai’s first low-cost airline has annouced that it has completed the selection process of its air pilots and crew in preparation for the its launch.

The Flydubai Airline received more than 11,500 applications in the past few months from flight and cabin crew keen to join flydubai before its launch in a few months.

So far, 80 cabin crew have been appointed from the 3,500 applicants. The first group of 21 cabin crew and 24 captains are currently undergoing training in preparation for flydubai’s launch in a few months’ time.

Flydubai’s Routes will include destinations within four and a half hours’ flying time from Dubai. Flydubai will operate a fleet of new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, each with 189 economy class seats. The airline said it will announce details of its initial routes soon, it will operate from Dubai airport’s Terminal 2.

Kenneth Gile, flydubai’s chief operating officer, said he was satisfied with the pilots the airline has hired.

“On average, they each have more than 4,000 hours serving as captains in similar aircraft and a total experience of more than 8,000 flying hours – this is impressive by any standard. Candidate screening and selection is now complete and we thank Emirates for their valuable support, expertise and experience throughout this process,” he said in a statement.

Flydubai pilots include senior managers, chief pilots, chief technical pilots, director of flight operations and several certified type rating examiners (TRE), which represents the highest accomplishment a pilot can obtain.

“We have had a huge response from applicants who are keen to come and join us, which shows the excitement amongst flight crew at the prospect of joining a new and exciting airline and also demonstrates that Dubai is still seen as an attractive place to live and work. Flydubai aims to provide the best possible service and value to our customers and of course with the utmost of safety and professionalism, so we are especially pleased to have such experienced pilots on our team,” said Gaith Al Gaith, CEO of flydubai.

زيادة ميزانية جائزة خليفة الدولية لنخيل التمر لأربعة ملايين درهم

أبوظبي في 16مارس / وام / ترأس معالي الشيخ نهيان مبارك آل نهيان وزير التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي رئيس مجلس أمناء ” جائزة خليفة الدولية لنخيل التمر “أمس بفندق قصر الإمارات الاجتماع الدوري الثاني لمجلس الأمناء

ووافق المجلس على مقترح بزيادة ميزانية الجائزة لتصبح أكثر من أربعة ملايين درهم..واطلع على التقارير المالية والإدارية والفنية والإعلامية للجائزة في دورتها الأولى التي سجلت حضوراً محلياً وإقليمياً ودولياً .

كما أقر رفع فئات الجائزة الى خمس فئات بإضافة فئتين جديدتين..هما فئة أفضل برنامج إرشادي في مجال نخيل التمور وفئة أفضل مشروع تنموي اجتماعي في مجال نخيل التمر ..

كما أقر رفع فئات الجائزة الى خمس فئات بإضافة فئتين جديدتين..هما فئة أفضل برنامج إرشادي في مجال نخيل التمور وفئة أفضل مشروع تنموي اجتماعي في مجال نخيل التمر ..على أن تتولى الأمانة العامة للجائزة وضع المعايير والشروط الفنية للتقدم لكل فئة من تلك الفئات.
وكان معالي الشيخ نهيان بن مبارك آل نهيان وجه بإضافة هاتين الفئتين بهدف تغطية أكبر شريحة ذات صلة بشجرة نخيل التمر وإتاحة الفرصة لمشاركة أكبر عدد ممكن من أصحاب الاختصاص بالشجرة المباركة من كافة أنحاء العالم.

وأعرب للأعضاء خلال الاجتماع عن سعادته بالنجاح الكبير الذي حققته الجائزة والنسبة المرتفعة لأعداد المشاركين في دورتها الأولى..مشيدا بالجهود المتميزة التي بذلتها الأمانة العامة للجائزة لتحقيق الفوز التاريخي للإمارات من خلال حصولها في موسوعة ” جينيس ” العالمية للأرقام القياسية على الرقم القياسي الأول بين دول العالم في زراعة أكبر عدد من أشجار نخيل التمر .

Emirates Airline Lands at ITB to Reaffirm Commitment to Travel Industry

Dubai,10th March 2009 (WAM) – Emirates Airline has moved to stabilise some of the turbulence around the travel industry by standing firm in its support for ITB, the world’s largest travel trade show.

Emirates is A long-established participant at the International Tourism Bourse, which runs March 11th-15th, the airline has returned with its giant, rotating Emirates Globe stand, demonstrating its global appeal.

Buzzing with exhibitors from 180 countries, such as hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, carriers and travel agents, ITB has come a long way since 1966, when just five overseas countries participated – Brazil, Egypt, the Federal Republic of Germany, Guinea and Iraq.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe, said: “ITB is an important driving force for the travel industry and it is important that Emirates should attend and support the show, particularly during these testing times. This is a good opportunity to get together with contacts, business partners and speak to the world from our spectacular Emirates Globe in one of our key markets.” Sultan added: “While the travel industry may have slowed, Emirates continues to push ahead, with the key word for this year being consolidation. We are taking a forensic approach to pricing to make sure that our products and services have maximum appeal at a time when we appreciate that our customers are increasingly cost-conscious.” The giant 9.5 metre high stand, with its 65-metre circumference, had its European debut at ITB last year. The structure has the capacity to slowly rotate 360 degrees every 30 minutes, a real head turning feature for curious exhibition goers.

Primarily, the stand will showcase Emirates Hotels and Resorts. Room set ups on the ground floor whisk you away to Al Maha Desert Resort ‘&’ Spa, which this year is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Another display features the Wolgan Valley Resort ‘&’ Spa, also a conservation-based resort, set to open this October in Australia’s Blue Mountains.

The first floor provides spacious areas for business meetings, private conference rooms and catering facilities. The top floor provides a large VIP area and majlis for hosting guests. On the fringes of the stand, visitors will be able to sample the exquisite First Class Suites onboard Emirates (available on the latest Emirates’ 777-200 and 777-300ER and A380 aircraft) in a specially recreated cabin area. An array of audio and visual displays supplement this gigantic exhibit, the result of 22,000 hours of exhaustive creative and technical work.

Dr. Christian Goeke, Chief Operating Officer for the organisers, Messe Berlin, said: “We consider it to be an impressive indication of commitment and faith in ITB Berlin and its international importance within the industry, that a globally-active company such as Emirates has continued, over many years, to choose Germany and Berlin as the location for its largest trade-fair presence outside its home market”.

Last week, Emirates announced plans to bring 2,000 travel agents, tour operators and MICE agents from around the world to Dubai on a series of 3-day familiarisation trips, as part of a “Keep Discovering Dubai” campaign.

Glazed Pot Dating Back around 2,000 Years Found in Al Ain Mosque

Abu Dhabi, March 11th 2009 (WAM): A glazed pottery vase dating back around 2,000 years has been found in the vicinity of the Sheikha Salama Mosque in central Al Ain, ADACH the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, said in a press release today.

The vessel was discovered during building work of the Sheikha Salama  mosque, which is currently being rebuilt, it was reported to ADACH by the Al Ain Municipality.

An ADACH team then examined the area with remote sensing equipment and were able to determine that part of an old falaj (underground water channel) was also present in the area. Pottery fragments from the Umm al-Nar period, around 4,700 – 4,200 years ago was recovered from the soil layers above the falaj while fragments of pottery from the Late Islamic period were found in the falaj itself.

The glazed jar, of a type known as an amphora, and used for transporting liquids, dates to the late pre-Islamic period, which lasted from around 300 BC until the beginning of the Islamic era. Similar vessels, made on the Greek island of Rhodes during the 2nd and 3rd Century BC, have been found at the archaeological site of Mleiha, in Sharjah, providing evidence of trading relations between the Emirates and Greece during the Hellenistic civilisation, which flourished immediately after the death of the Greek Emperor Alexander the Great. Another major site from this period is at Ad Dour, in Umm al-Qaiwain, but little archaeological evidence of this period has previously been identified in Al Ain, the ADACH statement said.

During studies of the Sheikha Salama Mosque site undertaken in 2006 in association with the Falaj Department of Al Ain Municipality, two old falajes were identified as passing underground through the area, the Falaj Jahili, which dried up a few decades ago, and another unnamed falaj, deeper and presumably older, which had not flowed in living memory and had been blocked by the foundations of buildings built in the area.

Art Dubai To be Hed from 19th to 21st March

Dubai Art Dubai Festival will be held at from 19th March 2009 to 21st March 2009

Art Dubai has become a cornerstone of the Middle East’s booming contemporary art community. The 2009 fair will host nearly seventy leading international galleries in addition to a strong programme of artist’s projects including the launch of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum:3.

Fair Opening Hours:
Thursday 19th March – 16:00 – 21:00
Friday 20th March – 14:00 – 21:00
Saturday 21st March – 10:00 – 18:00

PUBLIC EVENTS PROGRAMME:

* Opening Times
* Art Park Talks
* Performances
* Book Launches + Signings
* START Workshops
* Public Tours