Azad News Edition 49 by Azad News Middle East

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

Email:azadnewsuae@yahoo.com

EXCELLENCY CENTERS TO LAUNCH IN DUBAI

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ATTEMPT KICKS OFFNEW UAE HEALTH DRIVE

•Dubai’s first members only physical therapy and rehabilitation Center to open doors •Ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open Excellency Centers’ first Center in Dubai •Ribbon to be cut by the Center’s Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum

Shoppers at Dubai Mall in the front line of initiative to raise awareness of heart-related illnesses

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

.H. Sheikh Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, Chairman of Excellency Centers, will cut the ceremonial ribbon on Tuesday to inaugurate Dubai’s first membersonly physical therapy and rehabilitation Center.The ceremony will take place on June 03, at Excellency Centers’ Al Saaha Offices, located at the Old Town in Downtown Dubai, next to Souk Al Bahar and Palace Hotel. Doors will open at 11:30am and the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon will take place at 11:45.Excellency Centers are exclusive, members-only physiotherapy centers that focus on healing physical pain and conditions that impair our quality of life. Tr e a t m e n t s t a k e p l a c e i n a meticulously designed, ultra-modern environment that aims to transform the physiotherapy sessions into a unique, indulging experience.Using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest, most advanced diagnostic methods, highly trained European specialists assess the customers’ conditions to provide a course of treatment that is tailored to their personal needs.Excellency Centers

are dedicated not only to achieving physical rehabilitation by treating existing conditions, but also to preventing future ones from occurring by helping customers understand how everyday movements affect their bodies and impact on their health. Excellency Centers are all about creating the conditions that will ultimately allow customers to achieve and maintain good health, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.The Center prides in using cutting-edge evidence-based techniques that are based on the natural healing methods of physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise, to create comprehensive treatment programs that help customers accomplish rehabilitation and set the foundation for long-term physical health.Treatment methods involve different ways of relieving pain, fighting inflammations, improving tissue perfusion and restoring function, flexibility and strength. Programs include therapeutic exercise, electro-physical agents (ice, ultrasound & laser) and soft tissue massage, as well as education about specific conditions and the prevention of injuries.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL AWARDED WITH ‘EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD’ AT THE IPC PRO LUNCHEON ON BEHALF OF HIPA By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui UAE:

ahar Al Zarei, the Assistant Secretary General of HIPA has been awarded with the ‘Excellent Achievement Award’ on behalf of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) at the International Photographic Council (IPC) Pro Luncheon held in the United Nations last week. The accolade is the first of its kind to be presented to an international photography organization in the 16 year history of the Awards

Luncheon.Commenting on the presenting of the Award, the president of the IPC, James Chung said “HIPA’s impact in bringing various cultures through the art of photography is unprecedented and therefore shares all the common values of the International Photographic Council and the United

Nations.The Assistant Secretary General of HIPA, Sahar Al Zarei, added “the responsibility of HIPA representing the United Arab

Emirates on the global stage of photography has been an honour for the organization over the past 4 years. Our constant promotion of the art of the Art of photography during our short history is the reason why we have been presented with such a prestigious accolade today, we hope to continue our path towards success and recognition in the coming years.Since its establishment in 2011, HIPA has attracted over 26,000 photographers from 156 countries with winners’ receiving over 1 million dollars of total prizes. The current season of competition “Life in Colour” is set to have 400,000 dollars in prize money on offer.

AZMAR AIR GLIDES THROUGH IRAQ AIRPORT SHOW AS PLATINUM SPONSOR The growing aviation hub in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Erbil International Airport will be the Gold Sponsor for the two day event attended by authorities and industry leaders. By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

zmar Airlines and Erbil International Airport confirmed their participation at the Iraq Airports Show as the Platinum and Gold sponsor respectively.The event organised by Babylon International FZE in association with Sulaimaniyah Airport as host.Iraq plans to construct a new central airport and is continuing a fleet expansion as the country seeks to revive its travel industry and lure tourists. The government will unveil a list of contractors at the earliest to bid for construction of the airport in Karbala south of Baghdad. At a cost of US$2.5 billion, the new hub would be the country’s biggest, with capacity of 20 million passengers a year. Besides new airports are also coming in Duhouk, Mosul, while existing terminals are undergoing refurbishment in Baghdad ,Basra and Najaf and terminal expansion will soon start in Erbil and Sulaimaniyah.We are glad to support this prestigious event in Sulaimaniyah. Kurdistan is the destination for anyone who wants to work in, or come to Iraq for business or tourism, explains Baker Saeed Taufiq, General Director of Azmar Air. The company has found a niche in the Iraqi aviation market with only five years of operations and is looking to develop further. Azmar Air, the only Kurdish aviation company that operates in Iraq, has gained an interesting market position thanks to the region’s unique role as a gateway to Iraq.Erbil International Airport continued to grow in 2014 as new milestones for passenger, cargo and aircraft movements were set. We will be having a terminal expansion shortly,said Talar Faiq Director General of Erbil International Airport. “We are duty bound to

participate in an airport show happening in the Kurdistan region and will use the opportunity to scout for new suppliers. The Iraq airport show has grown exponentially and it’s good to meet with peers and make fresh contacts,she added.An international jury at the Emerging Markets Airport Show in Dubai has voted Erbil International Airport the best airport amongst emerging market airports with less than five million passengers per annum, across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.We are grateful to our airline partners who have seen the potential Erbil and Kurdistan has to offer and we look forward to welcome more airlines in due course as demand for air travel grows and the dynamic Kurdish economy expands,Faiq said.Ram Muthaiah, General Manager of Babylon International FZE, the organisers of the event said,The presence of airports and government representatives from within Iraq and the region along with suppliers of repute makes the event a must attend, as Iraqi aviation sector is experiencing a boom. Through the Iraq Airports Show we will be connecting major players in the industry to an emerging and lucrative aviation market.

AL TAYYAR TRAVEL GROUP ANNOUNCES SIZZLING SUMMER PACKAGES By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

l Tayyar Travel Group is preparing to jet holidaymakers to some of the planet’s hottest destinations this summer. As travelers plan for their vacations, Al Tayyar Travel Group has come up with a number of affordable and entertaining summer packages to suit the needs of their expanding and travel-thirsty client base.Answering to the demands of globetrotting customers, Al Tayyar Travel Group’s summer offerings include discounted packages in the most soughtafter destinations by backpackers worldwide. With continued market analysis, the Group ensures its list of destinations reflects current travel trends. And, as tourist hotlists become more varied, Al Tayyar Travel Group’s world map expands. This year, travelers can choose from destinations including Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco, Maldives, Asia, Africa, Europe, America, Australia and the Middle East. With Tourism gaining momentum in Egypt, the ancient cities of Alexandria and Cairo are back on the list of popular destinations. Newlyweds are also given special consideration by Al Tayyar Travel Group and honeymoon packages include romantic cruises in France, Turkey, Italy, Malaysia, Seychelles and Australia.Completing the circle, Al Tayyar Travel Group also features educational trips for students with exclusive learning packages. Students can avail the latest educational packages offered by Al Tayyar Travel Group by enrolling in English training programs in top destinations such as Australia, Britain, America, Canada and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the group has car rental and travel insurance services, making it a one-stop shop for travelers around the world.Time is of the essence and booking tickets early allows customers to not only save money, but also ensures they don’t miss out on unforgettable moments with their loved ones.

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

hoppers at The Dubai Mall today found themselves in the front line of a new health initiative in the UAE to tackle heartrelated illnesses which aims to break

three Guinness World Records titles this year.A team of more than 80 nurses were on hand for an eighthour diabetes screening of Mall-goers as the One Heart Health Community launched a major awareness drive to highlight the risks of heart problems, and underline the importance of a healthy lifestyle.The first phase of the campaign, endorsed by Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Diabetes Center, Emirates Diabetes Society and the Emirates Cardiac Society, sets out to tackle cardiovascular disease, the world’s biggest single killer, which accounted for a quarter of all deaths in the UAE in 2012.As the first shoppers lined up today for blood sugar level checks at nursing stations set up in the mall’s Star Atrium, the aim was to break the current Guinness World Records title with 7,025 tests in an eighthour screening.His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, said: “At the DHA, it is our aim to carry out health education campaigns to empower the community to make the right choices with regard to their health. While we hope to win the record, the larger aim is to educate the community that prevention and early detection is important to ensure a healthier population.Dr Mohammed Hamed Farooqi, Director of the Dubai Diabetes Centre, said: Given the prevalence of diabetes in this region and abroad, it is imperative to carry out such awareness campaigns to educate the community.Diabetes is a disease that affects all parts of the body and one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease is diabetes. It is important, therefore, that campaigns of this kind educate people on ways to prevent developing the disease as well as to educate diabetics on ways to keep their sugar levels under control.This is a genuine record attempt, and the ultimate objective is to reach out to as many people as possible to raise awareness of heart-related illnesses,” said Mohamed Hammad, Founder

and Managing Director at Benchmark Middle East, FZ-LLC, the initiator of the One Heart Health Community.We already have people of all ages asking us how they can eliminate the risks factors effectively in their daily lives. If we are able to influence the younger population as well, then we can look forward to a healthier new generation in the UAE.Two other Guinness World Records attempts will be made in August and November this year for most blood pressure readings and most cholesterol readings.The One Heart Health Community has partnered with Merck Serono Middle and Near East, a recognised biotechnology and pharmaceutical chemistry

leader and the world’s oldest pharmaceutical company, with more than 300 years’ experience. The company aims to partner with the health care communities to create greater awareness about health campaigns.The early signs are very encouraging,” said Ahmed Abo Al Fadl, Marketing Director at Merck Serono Middle East FZ-LLC. “People are showing a genuine interest in their health and wanting to change their lifestyle. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attacks and in the UAE over 20 percent of the population suffers from this disease.Educating individuals about all of the risk factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, tobacco use and lack of physical exercise, is key to reducing the number of people who suffer from cardiovascular disease across the region.Benchmark Middle East, a Dubai-based independent healthcare communication agency, set up the One Heart Health Community to create a different approach to the task of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease throughout the community, and ultimately save lives.The campaign will engage UAE residents online through Facebook, blogs, twitter and a new mobile phone application, ‘Break-Up’. This is designed to help individuals track changes in their lifestyle such as exercising at home and limiting junk meal consumption. The app will help to motivate users, keep track of progress by family and friends’, and encourage them not to give up.

The latest male supermodel

n 2013 for the first time men’s fashion is leading the way in the style stakes. Rado is as ever ahead of the game with its very own collection of male supermodels from the HyperChrome collection.Men’s style for the winter season is characterised by a mix of materials as jackets, blazers, shirts, sweaters and scarves appear in cashmere, fur, tweed, felt and leather. Relaxed and sporty but smart is the essential winter look for the fashion forward man. Combining technology, style and luxury Rado is bang on trend with the newest HyperChrome models, each of which features a small second display. Bold and interesting dials are the key feature of these new models, with the small second showing that the automatic movement is wound and working. A chronograph standard, the stand alone small second adds a retro-classic twist to the groundbreaking HyperChrome collection. Material magic :Plasma high-tech ceramic is a Rado

exclusive and looks just as hot as the 20’000°C needed to create this patented material, which features on three of the four small second models. With a brown leather strap it exudes vintage grace and panache, in combination with a black dial and black bracelet middle links it is raffish and roguish, whilst the full plasma model is cool, calm and collected. Completing the collection is the matt black high-tech ceramic model with a dash of warmth and brilliance coming from the rose gold coloured dial details and polished side inserts.Rado and plasma ceramic :This form of modern alchemy, where the molecular composition of the ceramic is changed by gases activated at high temperature, now features on the newest Rado families. Scintillatingly scientific and super stylish, plasma high-tech ceramic has a brilliant metallic shine in a warm grey tone, without using any metal. It is 100% ceramic, 100% innovative and 100% Rado.

UAE STARTUP ENABLES BUSINESSES TO HARNESS THE POWER OF THE CROWD Task Spotting launches a smartphone app that pays people to help businesses. By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ask Spotting FZ-LLC, a Dubai-based tech startup launched today a platform that leverages the concept of crowdsourcing to Task Spotting FZLLC, a Dubai-based tech startup launched today a platform that leverages the concept of crowdsourcing to looking to get realtime market information with smartphone users who are ready and able to provide it. Through its network of app users (‘the crowd’) who complete simple tasks at the places they go to everyday like malls, retailers and restaurants, Task Spotting is set to give companies a whole new perspective on what’s actually happening on the ground. The crowd completes these tasks, which could range from mystery shopping to retail audits, directly on their smartphone in exchange for cash rewards. Task Spotting is the first app of its kind in the Middle East and is poised to disrupt the market research industry. Up until now, businesses have had to rely on research houses to gather their market information. However, data accuracy and timeliness are both major points of concern and the

THE UAE AND ROMANIA TO EXPLORE WAYS TO EXPAND BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT Two-day Joint Committee Meeting to Bolster Collaboration in Tourism, Education, Health, Industry, Energy and Agriculture Sectors By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

is Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, will lead a highprofile UAE delegation to the Romanian Capital Bucharest from June 3-4 for the third UAE-Romania Joint Economic Committee meeting.The visiting delegation, which includes representatives from the UAE government as well as the country’s private sector, will meet with their Romanian counterparts led by Romania’s Economy Minister Constantin Nita.Ahead of the event, the two sides have expressed optimism over building bilateral cooperation and achieving concurrence on the framework and procedures required for boosting trade and investment.Al Mansouri said:Bilateral trade ties between the UAE and Romania have grown significantly in the recent past. The UAE strongly believes there is ample scope to expand the relationship. In addition to increasing the flow of direct investments into our respective economies, we are keen to explore specific sectors such as manufacturing, SMEs, tourism, higher education, health and energy. Non-oil bilateral trade volume

between the two countries in 2012 stood at US$249 million a modest figure considering the vast trade potential in both the UAE and Romania.Agreements:The UAE and Romania have signed diverse agreements across sectors as part of this joint priority to consolidate trade and investment cooperation.These include the agreement for investment protection, avoidance of double taxation on income and capital, an economic and trade cooperation protocol signed between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, as well as an air transport services agreement. Till date, three Romanian companies have established operations in the UAE. In addition,16 Romanian trade agencies and 18 Romanian trademarks are registered in the country.Official diplomatic relations between the UAE and Romania commenced on August 1, 1989. The Romanian Embassy was opened in Abu Dhabi in 1990 and the Romanian Consulate General was set up in Dubai in 1992. The UAE Embassy in Bucharest was established in December 2004.

COME CELEBRATE ITALY’S NATIONAL DAY AT EATALY

THE RADO HYPERCHROME AUTOMATIC SMALL SECOND By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

Mob:00971 56 118 6007

archaic pen and paper based process is awkward in its execution. Task Spotting harnesses mobile technology to solve this real business issue, eliminating many of the traditional challenges.“Imagine being able to reach out to thousands of consumers, ask them for the information you need and receive it back in real-time all at the touch of a b u t t o n . T h a t ’s a p o w e r f u l proposition.” says Dirk Stevens, Head of Business Development and co-founder. With Task Spotting, companies are able to receive results in days, rather than weeks or months. Owing to smartphone technology, businesses can also receive photos, videos and audio to augment the information, meanwhile, everything is GPS-verified to ensure accuracy. Businesses today need to make informed decisions faster than ever before in order to remain competitive. Being able to gain a perspective through the eyes of the consumer and hear feedback in realtime is invaluable. Testimony to this fact is that Task Spotting has already secured a number of anchor clients eager to pilot the platform as soon as it launches.

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

f you’re wondering where to celebrate La Festa Della Repubblica (Italy’s National Day) on June 2nd, Eataly is definitely the

enjoy a relaxed and memorable evening with their family and friends.Eataly Established in 2007 by former electronics entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti with the aim of making high-

place to choose.For this special occasion, Eataly has put together a special menu with a special price 70 Aed for children and 120 Aed per

quality Italian food available to everyone, at affordable prices and in an informal environment where people can shop, taste and learn.

adult - in a combination of culinary excellence, warm hospitality, and live piano music in a perfect dining ambience.We're in love with food,Food unites us all and We sell what we cook and we cook what we sell are just some of the key philosophies that make Eataly so appealing.Our goal is to make authentic Italian food available to everyone, at affordable prices, in an informal environment where people can eat, shop, and learn, says Kevin, the store manager.We invite guests to savour our June 2nd special menu and

Eataly opened its first 30,000 square feet location in a rundown vermouth warehouse in the Lingotto district of Turin, and has expanded ever since to 27 stores (10 in Italy, 13 in Japan, 1 in New York, 1 in Chicago, 1 in Turkey, and 1 located inside the Dubai Mall in Dubai, which opened its doors in December 2013). We're in love with food and Food unites us all" are just two of the key philosophies of the Manifesto of the food emporium that combines multiple restaurant stations with a cafe and gourmet farmers’ market

NEW WIRELESS ACCESS POINT EXTENDS THE REACH OF ETHERNET/IP, EASES ACCESS TO PRODUCTION DATA Stratix 5100 wireless access point is ideal for remote and difficult-toreach areas By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

o make accessing critical production data easier within the manufacturing enterprise, Rockwell Automation has launched the Allen-Bradley Stratix 5100 wireless access point (WAP) featuring a work group bridge. Unlike typical wireless clients that only connect a single IP address, the Stratix 5100 WAP enables engineers to connect up to 20 IP addresses simultaneously helping reduce design time when integrating machines and equipment into the industrial control network.The Stratix 5100 WAP is ideal for industrial networks needing secure and reliable wireless connectivity. Enterprise-class silicon and optimized radios deliver a robust mobility experience that includes 802.11a/b/g/n with 3 by 4 multipleinput multiple-output (MIMO) technology and three spatial streams. Automation engineers increasingly need access to more detailed production data and to solve automation network connectivity problems,said Rob Snyder,product manager, Rockwell Automation. With the Stratix 5100 wireless access point and work group bridge, users can access production data from remote

and difficult-to-reach areas.They can share this data between automation systems or feed it into information systems for analysis and improved decision making.The Stratix 5100 WAP uses Cisco IOS,providing world-class performance and configuration options. In addition, the Stratix 5100 WAP provides premier integration to the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system with detailed network diagnostic information. The Stratix 5100 WAP is currently available and complements the Allen Bradley ControlLogix EtherNet/IP communication modules and full portfolio of Stratix switches from Rockwell Automation.

CITYMAX HOTELS MAKE GOOD ON THEIR PROMISE TO CLEAN UP THE BEACH By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

itymax Hotels employees worked up a sweat at Jumeirah beach, cleaning up and doing yoga, as part of the hotel group’s CSR plan; Citymaximum.We want our employees to find joy in working together as a team to take responsibility for t h e l o c a l environment. We all need to look after the

AL HABTOOR GROUP DENIES ANY LINK OR RELATIONSHIP WITH AL HABTOOR TRADING ENTERPRISES By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

n an official statement Al Habtoor Group announced its wish to clarify that the Group has no link or relationship of any kind with Al Habtoor Trading Enterprises (HTE).Mohammed Al Habtoor, vice-chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group said: “We feel obligated to clarify that Al Habtoor Group and Al Habtoor Trading Enterprises are two separate entities.We want to clarify to anyone that might have the impression that the two entities are linked, that they are not in any way connected. Any actions or business decisions taken by Al Habtoor Trading Enterprises or any of their associates are their sole responsibility, and Al Habtoor Group is not liable under any

circumstance for any damages or liabilities arising directly or indirectly from Al Habtoor Trading Enterprises business ventures.The Al Habtoor Group, founded by the Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al H a b t o o r, i s a U A E - b a s e d conglomerate. While best known for construction, it is globally recognised through its involvement in the hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors. One of the UAE's most respected and successful businesses, the Al Habtoor Group today operates in the UAE and international markets. www.habtoor.comAl Habtoor Trading Enterprises(HTE) (www.htedubai.com) was founded by Rashid Al Habtoor in the late 1980's.

UAE and make it the best place in the world to live and visit,” says Citymax Hotels COO Russel Sharpe.But it wasn’t just all work and no play for the Citymax employees. They were all treated to an invigorating sunset yoga session after having filled their garbage bags.

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AUDI AT WÖRTHERSEE TOUR 2014 • Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept show car with 525 hp • Board Member for Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg “Extreme power and dynamics in compact format” By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

udi presented the A3 clubsport quattro concept at the Wörthersee Meeting in Reifnitz (Kärnten) last weekend. The concept study is based on the S3 Sedan and has a five-cylinder TFSI engine under the hood producing 525 hp.The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept showed our car and tuning fans at the Wörthersee just how much sporty potential there is in the A3 family and in our top of the

line engines such as the 2.5 TFSI. We have pushed the limits in every respect with this show car: power, dynamics, sound, design,says P r o f . D r. U l r i c h H a c k e n b e rg , Member of the Board of M a n a g e m e n t f o r Te c h n i c a l Development. Based on the S3 Sedan, the show car is equipped with a powerful five cylinder TFSI engine. The turbocharged engine with direct injection in the show car boasts an impressive success story. Since 2010, an expert jury has already voted it “International Engine of the Year” in its category four times in succession. The 2.5 TFSI powers the production Audi RS Q3. In the show car, the 2,480 cc five cylinder produces 525 hp for a specific output of 211.7 hp per liter. With a total weight of 1,527 kilograms, this corresponds to a power-to-weight ratio of 2.9 kilograms/hp. Maximum torque of 600 Nm is available between 2,300 and 6,000 rpm. The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 310 km/h. Extensive modifications make this extreme performance possible. These include a large turbocharger with up to 1.5 bar of relative boost pressure and a modified intercooler.The basic concept behind the five cylinder already makes it a special engine. The 1 2 4 5 3 ignition sequence gives it its own unique rhythm, which in the A3 clubsport quattro concept is reinforced by an intake and exhaust system designed for maximum throughput. The characteristic sound of this TFSI engine is a throaty snarl.The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept features a seven speed S tronic with a compact three shaft layout. Its tall seventh gear reduces fuel consumption, and the final gear ratio has been modified accordingly. A launch control function manages starts with maximum power and controlled wheel slip.The heart of the quattro all wheel drive system is a hydraulically activated, multi plate clutch on the rear axle that has been specially designed for the high torque of the powerful five cylinder. Like the engine management system, its electronic controller is integrated into the Audi drive select driving dynamics system and takes the combination of “fun to drive” and safety to a whole new level.The clutch can direct a portion of the torque from the front to the rear axle if the driver turns sportily into a corner. Its advanced chassis enables the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept to deliver its tremendous power to the asphalt dynamically and safely. Aluminum components in the front McPherson suspension reduce the weight of the unsprung masses. The four link rear suspension can process the longitudinal and transverse forces separately. Compared to the production Audi S3 Sedan, the body has been lowered 10 millimeters and both the springs and dampers are very taut. All three parameters can be adjusted via the struts of the coil over suspension so that the show car can be perfectly adapted to the task

at hand, be it on the road or the race track.The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept rolls on 9.5 J x 21 wheels shod with size 275/25 R21 tires. The internally vented front brake discs measure 370 millimeters in diameter. All four discs are made of carbon fiber ceramic, making them extremely lightweight and abrasionresistant.The ESC electronic stabilization control, which can be partly or completely deactivated, supports the show car's dynamic handling with lightning-fast reactions. At the cornering limit, torque vectoring via brief applications of the brakes of the inside wheels ensures that the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept turns easily into the corner. It provides maximum control and reliability for drifts, with the front axle straightening the show car out again as it exits the corner.The lightweight body lays the foundation for the show car's low curb weight (without driver) of just 1,527 kilograms. The result is a race car like power-toweight ratio of just 2.9 kilograms per hp. The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept is 4,490 millimeters long, 1,856 millimeters wide and 1,382 millimeters tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,631 millimeters.A distinctive element at the front of the

show car is the continuous blade of exposed CFRP (carbon fiberreinforced polymer) below the Singleframe grille. Like the winglets on a model airplane, its ends are bent upward to structure the large air inlets framed in massive edges. As with a race car, a splitter at the bottom of the front skirt increases the downforce on the front axle.The side view of the sedan has also gained some sharp accents. Two straight edges above the wheels that end in the doors contour the fender and the rear sidewall. The “blisters” give the body broad shoulders while also evoking the classic quattro models from Audi and the current RS 4 Avant. The round fuel cover in the C pillars and the reduced side mirrors are further typical Audi sports car elements. The side sill trims are made entirely of CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer).At the rear, a large diffuser that extends upward in the middle makes a bold statement. Three fins divide its high-gloss black honeycomb insert; two additional grilles joined by a blade conceal the tailpipes of the exhaust system.When the driver of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept applies the brakes at high speed, the air brake is activated. Electrohydraulically actuated, the rear segment of the trunk goes from the spoiler position to nearly vertical in the blink of an eye. At 250 km/h, the air brake reduces the stopping distance by around twelve meters, in part because the ESC can allocate more braking power to the rear axle thanks to the increased downforce. The cabin of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept seats four persons comfortably. Racing seats with high side bolsters support the driver and front passenger. The backrests are open-worked below the integrated head restraints and CFRP shells cover the backs a visual expression of Audi's lightweight construction concept.In the instrument cluster, the shift light in the tachometer indicates when the 6,900 rpm rev limit is reached, and the seven inch monitor of the MMI navigation plus system displays a special graphic when the engine is started. Black is the dominant color in the show car's interior. The seat covers feature light gray piping and contrast stitching in Sepang Blue. The headlining and the pillars are covered in black Alcantara, and the decorative inlays are brushed aluminum.

CONTEMPORARY KINGDOM: THE SAUDI ART SCENE NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA The in-depth publication presenting an extensive overview of the Saudi Arabian contemporary art scene is now obtainable at a number of global cultural institutions including London, New York and online By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

aunched in February during the inaugural ‘21,39’ Jeddah Arts initiative and during Art Dubai in March, Contemporary Kingdom: The Saudi Art Scene Now has been obtainable throughout key venues across the Middle East and Europe, and is now available in North America through LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art), New York based Leila Heller gallery, as well as the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and SOAS in London and on Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer. Additional stockists can be found here.Produced by regional leading publishing house in Dubai, Canvas Central, the book illustrates the growth of the Saudi art market, the artists, galleries, educational programmes and public institutions throughout the Kingdom and features key interviews with patrons and the new generation of young collectors.Since we launched, the book has received great positive response from the art community, as well as from international audiences who are genuinely interested in art from this part of the world,” says M y r n a Ay a d , E d i t o r o f Contemporary Kingdom: The Saudi Art Scene Now. “Given the subject matter of this publication, and the indepth exploration of Saudi’s growing art scene, we look forward to sharing it with readers globally, and are proud to announce that the book is now available in reputed

museums and cultural institutions, as well as online for purchase allowing for a wider reach.The 360page hardcover book includes a foreword by HRH Princess Jawaher Bint Majed Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, President of the Al-Mansouria Foundation, and contributions from

art world specialists including Chris Dercon, Director, Tate Modern; Mona Khazindar, Director General, Institut du Monde Arabe, and Venetia Porter, Assistant Keeper, Department of the Middle East, The British Museum. Mohammed Hafiz, Co-founder, Athr Gallery; patrons Sara Ali Reza and Faisal Tamer, Stephen Stapleton, Co-founder, Edge of Arabia and Maryam Beydoun, independent curator and art advisor additionally contribute with essays on identifiable themes.Contemporary Kingdom: The Saudi Art Scene Now is graciously sponsored by Vacheron Constantin and HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA.

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

UAE STUDY POINTS WAY TO INCREASING SAFETY, SAVING LIVES IN CROSS COUNTRY RALLIES Sheikh Nahayan says creation of new sports science knowledge in UAE will add to country’s growing reputation in global sport By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

first of its kind study into the effects of fatigue on drivers and riders in cross country rallying, published today by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), delivers a comprehensive plan to increase

safety on events and save lives.The first copy of the report, which is based on research conducted during this year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan, was presented to H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Community D e v e l o p m e n t , b y AT C U A E President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.Sheikh Nahayan, who visited the Desert Challenge bivouac camp site during the event, said:This study, which is a

successful partnership between the ATCUAE as our national motor sport authority and academic sports scientists, is a welcome initiative that delivers valuable results not just for motor sport, but indeed for our society as a whole.I encourage other sporting federations and clubs to follow this example and to engage in research that will make UAE sport safer and more enjoyable for all. The creation of new sports science knowledge in the UAE will add to the country’s growing reputation in global sport.The main findings of the ATCUAE research team were that competitors’ reactions deteriorated because of the effects of fatigue, lack of sleep and other factors including dehydration and concussion. Lowered reaction times increase the likelihood of accidents occurring.The recommendations of the research team, which was led by Dr. Tadhg MacIntyre, of the University of Limerick in Ireland,

include ways to improve the quality of competitors sleep, increased monitoring of competitors hydration levels, and the appointment of a Critical Incident Officer to debrief anyone involved in a serious incident.Over four days, 27 different competitors underwent a testing of their reactions prior to the start of the day’s stage, while their number of hours sleep per night, and quality of sleep, were also recorded.Dr. MacIntyre, who worked closely with ATCUAE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sean Petherbridge and other members of the club’s research division, the Motorsport Knowledge Institute, said:The main findings were that reaction times, on average, were increased across the days of the study, and while the number of hours sleep per night stayed reasonably consistent, the quality of this sleep dropped considerably.The report recommends that funding should now be made available to conduct a championship-wide longitudinal study across three further events in the 2015 and 2016 seasons to evaluate risk factors for competitors, including sleep, hydration, concussion and fatigue. FIA President Jean Todt, who was presented an early draft of the report, has encouraged Ben Sulayem to conduct wider research into the issue.FIA Vice President Ben Sulayem said: “The findings are powerful and I hope will result in prompt changes to the regulations. More importantly they underline the value of research itself in helping us to improve motorsport safety.Over the event’s 24 year history, we have worked hard to constantly improve safety and the competitor experience. However, we can always do better and that is why I commissioned the experts to undertake this study.The new report will now be delivered to the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, and the FIM, the International Motorcycling Federation, as well as motor sport authorities and event organisers worldwide.Taking place from 3-10 April under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, the 2014 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan was the third round of the 2014 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars, and the first round of the 2014 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes and quads. It attracted 146 competitors from 34 countries:The ATCUAE last year published a research document aimed at helping sports event organisers worldwide provide better protection for marshals and officials from the risk of dehydration.

CBD WINS DUBAI HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AWARD 2013 By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

n recognition of its outstanding contribution towards human development, Commercial Bank of Dubai, one of the leading banks in the UAE, has been awarded the Dubai Human Development Award 2013.The award was announced during the 20th anniversary of the Business Excellence Awards at the Madinat Arena in Dubai on June 2, which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.The awards were given by the Government of Dubai’s Business Excellence Department in recognition of the HR initiatives taken by individual business organizations towards achieving Dubai’s Human Development goal. CBD, among other winners, were chosen from a list of 1,700 applicants.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohmamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, presented the award to Mr. Peter Baltussen, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Dubai and to Yaqoob Yousef, Deputy Chief Executive of the bank. This prestigious award is yet another achievement by CBD, for performance excellence in several fieldsCommenting on the occasion, Baltussen said: “Winning this prestigious award embodies the huge s u c c e s s t h a t t h e B a n k ’s Emiratisation strategy has achieved, and we are honoured to receive the Dubai Human Development Award 2013. We consider winning this award as an additional incentive for us to continue with our ambitious plans to train and promote UAE nationals specialised in the banking s e c t o r . B a l t u s s e n added:Emiratisation is among

CBD’s most prominent priorities. We have established a specialised unit to develop and implement an effective Emiratisation strategy that aims to consistently attract distinguished national cadres, to train and groom them to occupy leadership positions in the Bank. We are keen to provide an environment that stimulates job growth for Emiratis.On her part, Shorouk Al Redha, Head of Human Resources at CBD said:We are proud to have won this award that highlights CBD’s commitment to Emiratisation, and keenness to strengthen its leadership position in the banking sector.She added:We follow an ambitious strategy that aims to achieve a quantitative and a qualitative growth in the Emiratisation process. We are working on implementing a wide range of training programmes within all levels and departments, to ensure providing the trainees with the professional skills and capabilities that enhance their performance and competence as well as groom them for a fast-track career development. This is based on our belief that human resources are our most valuable assets and that they are the foundation of our future growth, and play a vital role in supporting the progress in the UAE under its wise leadership.

15 ARAB COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON WTO NEGOTIATION SKILLS By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he Ministry of Economy is hosting a five-day workshop 1st to 5th of June” on negotiation skills in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).Organized under the patronage of His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, the workshop has drawn the participation of 15 Arab countries and examines trade negotiation strategies in different sectors in line with WTO principles.The workshop segments participants into teams and offers hypothetical situations that call for an application of their negotiation skills. The training also includes practical sessions on the preparation of proposals in the services sector under the supervision of WTO specialists including Dr Dickson Yeboah, Head of Intensive Trade Negotiations Skills Unit at World Trade Organization. Results of the practical exercises will be assessed and shared to allow participants to compare and contrast negotiation styles and mechanisms.Pointing out that the WTO is not only a body set-up for the management of trade agreements but also a forum for multi-party negotiations on diverse trade issues, Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy said:The upcoming WTO negotiations will discuss industrial and agricultural commodities, trade services, rules of subsidy, protection and dumping among other areas of concern.We believe it is vital for

negotiators from the Arab world to be fully trained in handling negotiations. They should also be adept in following up on all negotiation proposals of other member countries. The UAE’s interest in hosting such courses in collaboration with IDB and WTO stems from a need to empower more negotiators with required skills stipulated by the WTO.IDB representative Ali Bin Abi Talib said: “We thank the UAE and the Ministry of Economy for hosting this workshop and for its consistent cooperation and support to IDB’s programs.The IDB seeks to enhance the capacities of the region iDr Dickson Yeboah, Head of Intensive Trade Negotiations Skills Unit at World Trade Organization, said:The training program tackles negotiating skills, reiterates the commitment of member countries in complying with WTO’s negotiation guidelines, mechanism of negotiation requests and challenges facing negotiators.The course content also factors in practical mechanisms for negotiations in a variety of simulated situations.

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PATRAVI SCUBATEC SFV SPECIAL EDITION. To mark the world's biggest soccer event, Lucerne watch manufacturer Carl F. Bucherer presents the Swiss national football team with a timepiece that reflects the fascination exerted by the beautiful game. By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

his summer promises to be a special one. For months now, soccer fans have been looking forward to the excitement and surprises offered by one of the greatest sporting events of them all. Because when it comes to thrills, enthusiasm and sheer partisan commitment, nothing quite equals the World Cup. And that enthusiasm is shared by premium watch brand Carl F. Bucherer. Now, as an expression of its

love of sport and loyalty to the Swiss national team, the Lucerne based watch manufacturer is proud to unveil a special model: the Patravi ScubaTec, a thoroughbred sports watch that was developed especially for the Swiss soccer team and officially presented on May 27. In a striking combination of black and red, the limited sports model is equipped with a wealth of fascinating features: engravings of various footballers are visible on the pleochroic dial, while the logo of the Swiss Football Association the SFV makes the watch an unmistakable hallmark of the brand. With all the

sophisticated technology of a topquality diver's watch, including integrated strap adjustment, automatic helium valve and unidirectional rotating bezel, the Patravi ScubaTec SFV Special Edition is the ideal sports watch both above and below the surface. The robust rubbe strap and eye-catching stainless-steel bezel with black and red ceramic inserts endow the extraordinary timepiece with its unmistakably sporting character. On the case back of this outstanding special edition is another exclusive and individual detail: an intricate engraving of a football together with the name of the player to whom the watch belongs. Because, as part of a drive to trengthen and motivate the entire national team, each player will be presented with his own personal Patravi ScubaTec SFV Special Edition. At a press conference held on May 27 and attended by distinguished guests from the worlds of football and watchmaking, three of the Swiss players, representing the entire team, received their own personal special editions. A panel discussion following the presentation led by radio presenter Andy Wolf raised lots of thoughtprovoking questions about watches and sport. Equipped with the perfect wristwatch for a sporting occasion, and buoyed up by their unlimited commitment and love of the game, the Swiss national team is now ready for anything. Let the Brazilian adventure begin.The watch will be available in stores from June.

MARCHE ENDURANCE LIFESTYLE 12-15 JUNE 2014 Sport, business, fashion and design at the heart of the international event that promotes trade between Italy and the UAE By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

his year at its third edition, Marche Endurance Lifestyle 2014 is an international event taking place in the enchanting backdrop of the Riviera del Conero and in other locations across Marche from 13 to 15 June 2014.The event promotes Made in Italy excellence and the economic development of Italian SMEs through territorial marketing initiatives aimed at fostering the development of economic and industrial trade between Italian companies and those

90 % OF ORGANIZATIONS ASSIGN THEIR ACTIVITIES TO MULTINATIONAL AND GLOBAL PR AGENCIES Boutique PR Agencies and SMEs Are a Key Player in the Growth of Business and Economy in Middle East By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

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UBER DUBAI LOWERS ITS FARES UP TO 40% JP Mondalek, General Manager, Uber Dubai: “Lower fares make Uber more accessible to more people when they need it the most…” By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

R Communications FZE a newly leading PR and Marketing consultancy in the Arab Region, is brining awareness and positioning SMEs and Boutique PR Agencies as a key player in the Regional Market in terms of Business and Economy Growth, whereas most of the organizations from various industries are hiring Global and Multinational PR agencies to handle their PR and Marketing activities, why don’t they give the chance to Boutique agencies?Based on the expectations of Bahaa Fatairy, Managing Director of BR Communications:More than 90% of the organizations with all kind of levels and sizes are following the social media and digital marketing methods in addition to the traditional marketing which is known as Print Media or Public Relations to support their marketing campaigns and promote themselves across the region and even globally. They prefer to carry out and assign their media activities to Multinational and Global PR agencies.The Boutique agencies which are considered a major part of SMEs, are helping to build awareness to the target audience and playing a significant role in the SMEs industry, as they carry out what the directors can't do, whilst some organizations have yet recognized the great value of these agencies in the strategy, expansion and growth in the regional B u s i n e s s , P R a n d Marketing.According to Dubai SME report which was published recently by Khaleej Times a leading UAE English Newspaper: "Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that account for 95% of the establishments in Dubai contribute around 40% to the total value-add generated by the economy and account for 42 per cent of the total

workforce, whilst Micro firms account for 72% of the overall SME business count in Dubai, followed by small firms accounting for 18% and medium firm 5% of the business count. In addition, the report shows that 57% of the SMEs in Dubai operate in trading, while 35% are in the services sector. However, service firms are the leading SME employers with 51% of the workforce and trading comes second with 33%. Manufacturing shows strong prospects with 16% of the workforce.Bahaa Fatairy added: Organizations should give a try and a chance to boutique agencies to be a part of this business world and part of SMEs as they are playing a major role to drive business and economy of the region to growth. Moreover, Boutique PR Agencies will definitely add value to the business or PR and Marketing because in such kind of agencies there will be a full focus on the client account and every single job is seen by senior Management.

AL NOOR ORGANISES ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP Non-academic fun activities and outing trips for best learning experience

ber, the smartphone app that connects passengers to drivers in the area, today lowered the minimum fare in Dubai during the summer months from 35 AED to 20 AED. The new fare structure, which decreases the rate up to 40% for some of the shorter local distances traveled, is designed to meet more consumers’ demands for transport options in the summer and Ramadan.J P M ondalek, General Manager for Uber Dubai, states,The win for riders is obvious: lower fares make Uber more accessible to more people when they need it the most, especially in the hot summer months when people would like to spend as little time as possible outside, or during Ramadan to increase safety on the roads. The win is also two-fold - as we’ve seen in other cities, lower fares have resulted in greater business for the transportation providers we partner with. We will continue to monitor this marketplace to ensure that we are offering the Dubai community more choice and more value when it comes to their daily transportation needs.The app, already localized to nearly 120 cities worldwide, works with limousine companies in Dubai to provide licensed drivers with the equipment and technology to connect to requesting passengers. The new fare lowers the rate of Downtown Dubai to DIFC from

approximately 35 AED to 20 AED, for example, and Dubai Marina to Downtown Dubai from approximately 80 AED to 70 AED.The service first kicked-off in San Francisco in 2010, and is today one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world. In the Middle East, Uber commenced operations in Dubai in September 2013 and is now available in 5 cities including Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh, with plans to continue expanding to other Middle Eastern cities.To benefit from the Uber app, users must download it to their smartphone and input their credit card details to be safely stored on the system. Once requested, a car such as a Lexus or Audi show up to the requesting passenger’s location, as pinpointed on a Google map built into the software.Key to the Uber technology are the safety and accountability features inherent to the app. Once a user makes a request, he or she is able to see the name, photo and license plate of the driver that will be picking him or her up in addition to their exact location on the map. Riders can also share their route and estimated time of arrival with family and friends, and even rate the driver following the ride. All transactions are cashless, and charged to the credit card safely stored on the user.

MASDAR INSTITUTE’S IINNOVATION KEEN TO LEAD ACTIVE DIALOGUE ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Looking to Leverage UAE’s Strengths through New Programs and Partnerships with Global Innovation Hubs By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ince its launch earlier this year, the Institute Center for I n n o v a t i o n a n d Entrepreneurship (iInnovation) at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has been focused on developing new programs and

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

A the eyes of the UAE business world.Fashion & Design. Heritage and new inspirations” Friday, 13 June 2014:A meeting where Italian and Arab personalities from the world of design, fashion, and architectureconverge. Attendees include Maitha Al Suwaidi, Senior Manager at Dubai Design District, the latest free zone created by the Emirate, dedicated to prominent

from the UAE, a region that continues to enjoy very strong and steady growth.The Marche Endurance Lifestyle 2014 agenda features four moments:Conero Endurance Cup. Numana, 14 June 2014:Endurance is a sport recognized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation. It originates in the United States as an evocation of Pony Express, pioneers of today's postal service, who were forced to ride forhours and hours on any terrain and in any weather condition, entrusting their task to the one animal that could offer such a service: the Arabian horse. In fact, this sport is practiced by most Arab royal families. To date, it is the second most practiced equestrian sport in the world.The competition will take place on 3 courses: 160 km/120 km and 90 km.The winner of the 2013 edition of the Conero Endurance Cup was HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.Our vision, our future: from Milano Expo 2015 to Dubai Expo 2020”. Senigallia, 14 June 2014:A forum dedicated to the Milano Expo and Dubai Expo, the two hosting cities of the next Universal Expositions. The UAE Minister of the Economy, HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, will grace the event with his presence, proof of its relevance in

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companies from the design and fashion industry. Also attending the meeting, Concetta Lanciaux, Former Advisor of Bernard Arnault,Raia Rubash, from the Women’s Museum UAE, Annalisa Pilotti, CEO of Loriblu, and Mai Badr, Editor-inChief of HIA magazine.B2B Meetings. 11-12-13 June 2014:The event will also include a programme of visits to a number of clusters located in the Marche Region, in association with Khalifa Fund, to make the UAE delegation acquainted with the creativeness and entrepreneurship of Italian SMEs from the food and flower-growing sectors. B2B meetings will subsequently be organized between Italian and Emirati businessmen, aimed at developing trade and industrial relations.The event is fostered by Regione Marche and the UAE Ministry of the Economy.

l Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs announces that this year the summer camp will begin on 6th July. The annual summer camp is open to children from Al Noor Training Center as well as other children with special needs.A host of new activities are lined up during the two-month

fully supervised by professional special educators as well as assistants and volunteers. Transport facilities are also available.The summer camp is one of the best ways to extend Al Noor’s services to many children with special needs. This year we have organised several fun and educational activities including trips to places where they will enjoy and learn from the experience,says summer camp that will end on 28th August. Children can register for two-weeks slot and will engage in activities such as arts and crafts, sports, music, reading, swimming and computers. Structured outings will be arranged to Al Ghurair, Dolphinarium, Lost Chambers in Atlantis, Aquarium/Kidzania in The Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai, movies and food outlets.The Centre conducts the summer camp each year during the months of July and August to offer non-academic fun activities and outing trips to provide the best holistic learning experience for children with special needs.The camps are held 5-days a week from 8:30am to 12:30pm. The camp is

Isphana Al Khatib, Director, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.

ASUS REPUBLIC OF GAMERS ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW GAMING NOTEBOOKS ROG G750JZ and JS models feature greatly improved performance, overclockable graphics and upgraded gamer-centric design By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

SUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced the G750JZ, and G750JS, new additions to its highly acclaimed range of G-Series high-performance

YAS MARINA CIRCUIT LEARNS FROM VISIT TO NEW YORK EVENT Experiences at charity run help YMC develop its community fitness programme By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE: already proved hugely popular. A as Marina Circuit has forged record 1,300 triathletes took part in the links with the organisers of a fourth TriYAS race this year a 30 major New York charity run percent increase from 2013, while last to share ideas and best practice on staging community fitness programmes.Key staff from YMC, including Ahmed Al Kaabi, Head of Government Affairs, Nick McElwee, Sales & Marketing Director, and Kahn Luthiger, C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n t Executive, travelled to the Big Apple earlier this month to attend the year’s ADNIC Yas Run attracted city’s Healthy Kidney 10k road 3,000 participants and 3,500 run.The annual event, which this year spectators.About 20,000 people took attracted 10,500 runners and a crowd part in the Walk 2013, a 5-kilometre of almost 10,000, is sponsored by the walk around the track to promote Embassy of the United Arab Emirates healthy living, and the weekly and raises money for the National Tuesday night TrainYAS session Kidney Foundation.YMC believes it attracts an average of 2,500 can incorporate ideas from the New people.We’re expecting more than York event at its own community 400,000 people to visit the track this year, more than half of which will be the local community participating in health and fitness events delivered by Yas Marina Circuit,said Al Kaabi.Our colleagues in N e w Yo r k w e r e surprised by the level of activity that happens at Yas Marina Circuit outside of the Grand Prix weekend – in fact, health initiatives - which include about 75 percent of our activity weekly programmes like TrainYAS happens throughout the rest of the and GoYAS and annual events such as year.The team from Abu Dhabi also the Zayed Marathon, the ADNIC Yas used the popular charity run as an Run and TriYAS Triathlon.This was a opportunity to raise the profile of Yas tremendously useful experience for Marina Circuit and promote the us,” said Ahmed Al Kaabi, YMC’s activities it offers. Besides the Head of Government Affairs. “This is Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi a long-lasting, symbiotic relationship Grand Prix, the track hosts many we are building with the organisers of thrilling experiences for motoring the Healthy Kidney 10k run and other enthusiasts. Thrill-seekers have the community groups in New York.By chance to feel every twist and turn of sharing ideas and experiences, we the famously challenging track from hope to be better placed to host future behind the wheel of a number of sports international fundraising events like cars including the Aston Martin GT4, this at Yas Marina Circuit.YMC’s the Formula Yas 3000 and the community health events have Chevrolet Camaro.

gamer-centric notebooks. The latest G750 models feature a 4thgeneration Intel® Core™ i7-4700 processor and the brand-new enthusiast-level NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 800M Series GPUs,

and include exclusive ASUS TurboMaster GPU-overclocking technology to deliver desktop-grade gaming performance. With its awesome looks and components that are designed from start to finish with the needs of serious gamers in mind, G750 sets the standard for amazing portable gaming performance.

HH SHEIKH AHMED DISCUSSES UAE-ITALY BI-LATERAL RELATIONS WITH MILAN DELEGATION By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

is Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Expo 2020 Preparatory Higher Committee Chairman, has met a delegation led by the Mayor of Milan, Mr Giuliano Pisapia, to discuss strengthening UAE-Italian bilateral relations.The Italian delegation is on a fact-finding mission to the UAE to discuss additional avenues for cooperation. Bilateral non-oil trade between UAE and Italy reached 5.96 billion Euros (AED29.78 bn) in 2011 with Italy regarding the UAE as its leading trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 170 Italian companies currently operate in the UAE and more than 132,992 Italian visitors stayed in Dubai hotels through 2013, marking double digit year on year growth.A number of strategic Memorandum of Understandings have also been signed recently between the two nations across key sectors include security, culture and arts, and media. The Italian government has also removed visa restrictions on UAE nationals.The UAE and Italy share a long and rich relationship together which continues to develop and strengthen across a broad range of sectors and initiatives as we explore new avenues for joint trade and economic corporation as well as strategic project collaboration,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed.As Chairman of the Expo 2020

partnerships to leverage the UAE’s strengths with other innovation hubs across the world.It is helping to develop a new Masdar-centered innovation hub in the UAE, learning from the best of other innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley and building mutually beneficial collaborations between academia and industry.As part of its mission, iInnovation seeks to contribute useful new ideas for discussion with government, industry and other stakeholders, in response to the U A E g o v e r n m e n t ’s a c t i v e leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship. During the coming year the Center will contribute creative proposals for new programs in response to the UAE government’s increasing willingness to experiment and seek innovative solutions. The Center plays a key role in translating technology developed by the four other Masdar Institute Research Centers (iCenters) into commercial products, services and processes.Masdar Institute’s graduate engineering students already show entrepreneurial instincts. Recently, a Masdar Institute MSc student won the Khalifa Fund’s Technopreneur competition for his technologyfocused business concept. Two students have also formed startup companies, while five students have won national or regional business plan competitions. Additionally, two students have been selected to compete in the second round of the Khalifa Fund Ibtikari Competition.One of the most exciting developments of the year for iInnovation was the formation of a new multi-year collaboration with BP to develop new ways to accelerate technology innovation in the UAE. The collaboration with BP has already accelerated the introduction of new student scholarships, seed grants and seminar speakers. The new scholarships are expected to further encourage pre-graduation student start-ups. Two new iInnovation seed grant programs for faculty, one conducted jointly with MIT, will focus on translational research with

commercial outcomes. At the same time, the iInnovation Laboratory (iLab) offers space and basic facilities for small faculty-student teams internally working on technology translation.Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said:The research and innovation drive at Masdar Institute assumes significance not because it is a novelty but more so, it is a necessity considering today’s economic and social realities.The UAE leadership recognizes this and supports us in continuous innovation that remains relevant to the wider community and targets future generations. We hope the initiatives undertaken by iInnovation will encourage young entrepreneurs and help more technology start-ups to be established in the UAE.Dr. Bruce Wa l k e r F e rg u s o n , H e a d o f i I n n o v a t i o n a n d P r o f e s s o r, Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute, said:At this stage, iInnovation is more action-oriented than researchoriented, with most of our work directed to developing new programs and partnerships.We are proud of the new BP Innovation Scholarships, which represent an innovative way to integrate entrepreneurship and education by encouraging students to create new companies before they graduate.In March 2014, the Center completed a case study on a UAE-based sustainability company Keep It Clean. Authored by Dr. Ferguson along with Noora Ahmad Abdulrahman and Yusra Ahmad Abdulrahman two UAE National interns from the University of Arizona the case study provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainabilityfocused entrepreneurship in the UAE.Dr. Ferguson added:We have also considered the question of how to create a UAE-optimized entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports the formation of new companies. The UAE Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, co-sponsored by Masdar Institute and MIT in 2013 and also cosponsored by BP in 2014, helps to identify how the UAE can ensure growth in entrepreneurship and innovation. Given the UAE’s potential to play a dynamic role in global innovation, I foresee tremendously interesting and productive new relationships over the next year.

DSOA TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING ARABNET DIGITAL SUMMIT 2014 •Young Entrepreneurs Keen to Leverage Growing e-Commerce Trends in the Region •To Showcase DTEC - Largest Entrepreneurship Centre in MENA Region By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

W Preparatory Higher Committee, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed also discussed Milan’s hosting of the World Expo in 2015, ahead of the UAE staging the mega event in October 2020, the first time a World’s Fair will be held in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asian region.The Mayor of Milan, Mr Giuliano Pisapia, and Director of Milan Expo 2015, Mr Stefano Gatti, also presented His Highness Sheikh Ahmed with an official invitation for the Preparatory Higher Committee to visit the city ahead of the event, which is being reviewed.The Preparatory Higher Committee is working with the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), the governing body of the World Expo, as well as previous hosts of the event, such as Shanghai, as it looks towards Dubai Expo 2020, which is expected to host 25 million visitors over its six month duration.The Italian delegation is currently in the UAE organising a Milan Expo 2015 promotion event to coincide with Italy’s national day celebration.

ith e-commerce having a growing impact on business and consumer lifestyles, young entrepreneurs are building successful business models to meet dynamic market requirements, said Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Executive VP Commercial at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park.His comments were made within the framework of DSOA’s participation as platinum sponsor at the upcoming ArabNet Digital Summit 2014.To be held from 3-5 June, 2014 at Atlantis-The Palm in Dubai, the summit is a premier international gathering of Arab digital professionals and entrepreneurs in the Middle East who have played a major role in developing the region’s web and mobile industry. DSOA recently announced plans to establish DTEC, the largest entrepreneurship centre in the MENA region within the free zone. The centre is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in Q1 2015. At the summit, visitors will gain insight about the centre’s plans to support entrepreneurial initiatives and see for themselves the creativity of talented technology e n t h u s i a s t s . D S O A’s c u r r e n t technology incubation centre‘Silicon Oasis Founders’(SOF)will also participate

at ArabNet Digital Summit 2014, with three entrepreneurs presenting their innovations and sharing success stories as digital showcases at the conference.Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, said: As entrepreneurship gains prominence in the region, we at DSOA seek to increasingly leverage such platforms to engage with the community. The introduction of DTEC and promotion of entrepreneurial talent from SOF at such a summit will highlight the success DSOA has achieved to date. It will also articulate our ongoing commitment to partner in the digital revolution to facilitate better lives for our community at DSO.Dubai Silicon Oasis is a wholly-owned entity of the Government of Dubai and operates as a free zone for semiconductor, microelectronic and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and research and development (R&D) facilities in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

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His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Attends Masdar Institute’s Fourth Graduation Ceremony

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

nder the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, today attended the fourth graduation ceremony of the Masdar Institute, which was held at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.His Highness Sheikh Hamed said that the graduation of Class 2014 students from the Masdar Institute reaffirms the commitment of the UAE to develop qualified specialists in advanced energy and sustainable technologies, as well as a new generation of research scientists and experts with cutting-edge science and technology. These efforts are inspired by the directives of the Founding Father of the UAE, Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who strongly urged that the country’s environment and natural resources be preserved.His Highness Sheikh Hamed added that the UAE leadership is always working for the good of the country's most precious resource its people as recommended by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. He thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his tireless efforts to support science, engineering and technology education for the good of the UAE and its citizens.In his keynote speech, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan said: “Masdar Institute has achieved success within such a short period while contributing largely to creating and developing qualified human capital specialized in sustainable and renewable energy. We are pleased to congratulate the fourth group of students who are graduating today and thank the UAE leadership for its continuous support that enables the youth to contribute to the progress of the country.The progress of Masdar City in general and the achievements of Masdar Institute in particular are admirable. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development is currently working on a new strategy to enhance its growing contribution to ensure the community’s growth remains sustainable.Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, said: “The Masdar Institute of

Science and Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in supporting the clean energy industry with technological breakthroughs and world class thinkers.The development of our human capital and the establishment of an entrepreneurial, R&D environment in Abu Dhabi underpins our leadership's vision of diversifying our economy. I would like to congratulate the graduating class and wish them a successful future as they embark on their careers during this exciting phase of energy diversification and economic development.Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said:With this commencement ceremony, you join a select group of people around the world who have been trained with the very purpose of providing the innovations the world needs. The support and guidance of the country’s leadership continues to strengthen us as we progress towards not only becoming one of the leading researchoriented institutions in the world but also playing a key role in knowledge creation. Congratulations to the new graduates, I urge you to use the skills and knowledge you have gained at M a s d a r I n s t i t u t e w i s e l y, a n d effectively.His Highness Sheikh Hamed and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan awarded graduation certificates to the 130 Masdar Institute graduates of eight Master of Science programs, including Engineering Systems and Management, Computing and Information Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Of the total number of students, 53 UAE nationals representing 40% and 77 international students from 29 countries are graduating today. This increase in the number of UAE national graduates is an achievement in itself given Masdar Institute’s rigorous and highly competitive admission standards.Masdar Institute has already earned the distinction of obtaining three approved patents so far with an additional 39 patent applications pending and over 60 invention disclosures. These achievements are in addition to over 400 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as 280 conference proceedings, 19 book chapters, and two full books. Masdar Institute held its first graduation in June 2011 while the second group of students received their Master’s degrees in May 2012. A total of 90 students received their degrees in 2013. This year, a total of 130 students are graduating after successfully completing their research and academic programs in clean energy and advanced technology subjects.

LANDMARK GROUP EARMARKS 50 NEW STORES FOR THE UAE BY Q4 2015 • Reinforces Presence in Dubai Festival City Mall with Simultaneous Launch of Centrepoint, Max and Emax By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

andmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality conglomerate, aims to open 50 new stores across the UAE by end2015 taking the consolidated store count in the country to over 550 and total retail area to almost eight million square feet.The announcement was made at a media briefing ahead of the launch of three new stores at Dubai Festival City Mall (DFCM). The popular creek-side mixed-use destination developed by Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate has now opened doors to Landmark Group’s popular concepts Centrepoint, Max and Emax spanning 100,000 square feet of retail space across two floors.Vipen Sethi, CEO, Landmark Group, said: “Strategically, growing our presence in Dubai Festival City Mall is an important step in our expansion plans in the UAE. With the nation gearing up to host more than 20 million visitors in 2020, the nation’s leadership has a commitment to strengthen infrastructure and upgrade tourist offerings. As a retailer catering to the masses, we also seek to simultaneously growing our presence across destination malls and community centres in strong catchment areas.He added:Dubai Festival City Mall is a favoured destination for a number of residents in the UAE for its range of retail and hospitality outlets that cater to eclectic tastes. We are confident that the entry of our reputed brands will add a new dimension to the mall’s existing portfolio.Centrepoint, which celebrated the launch of its 100th store a few months ago, houses four of the Group’s most popular concepts Babyshop, Splash, Lifestyle and Shoe Mart. Max is the largest value fashion brand in the Middle East, North Africa and India, while Emax Electronics is

the largest electronics retail chain in the Middle East with outlets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. The concepts have evolved as household names in their respective categories in all territories where they have their presence.Murray Bell, Managing Director, Retail at Al Futtaim Group Real Estate said: “We are extremely pleased to add Landmark Group’s big box store concepts to Dubai Festival City Mall. The Landmark Group is a key strategic partner as we work closely together across our regional portfolio of malls. The opening of Centrepoint, Max and Emax are much anticipated by our shoppers and we welcome these fashion and electronics offering to the Mall.Dubai Festival City Mall is strategically located to cater to a wide segment of residents in the affluent Al Badia and neighbouring areas including Ras Al Khor, Al Warqaa and Rashidiya. The Red Line of the Dubai Metro also makes it easily accessible to residents.Committed to growing its presence in Dubai, Landmark Group currently operates over 270 stores in the emirate where it enjoys the loyalty of over one million active Shukran customers. In a bid to offer customers in the UAE a truly omni-channel retail experience, the Group has integrated its loyalty programme Shukran with its ecommerce portal Landmarkshops.com.

INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS TO GATHER AT ADNEC FOR IATA 134TH SLOT CONFERENCE 2014 Biannual Event Provides Platform for Aircraft Operators to Optimise Upcoming Schedules By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

bu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is set to host the IATA 134th Slot Conference 2014, a voluntary assembly of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and non - IATA airlines, from 10 - 12 June at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).The largest event on the IATA calendar, the biannual Slot Conference will attract nearly 1,000 delegates from over 200 airlines as well as representatives of over 60 schedulesfacilitated or fully coordinated airports. The conference aims to help airlines and airports worldwide obtain slots towards offering the best possible schedules for their customers.Airport slots are rights allocated to aircraft operators to facilitate landing or take off at an airport at a specific time. IATA has set scheduling standards known as the Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG) to ensure effective management of airport slots.Amid the exponential growth in passenger traffic, airports worldwide need to make necessary adjustments to tackle capacity limitations. The IATA Slot Conference provides key players in the international aviation industry with a guideline and platform to optimise their upcoming schedules.Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Chief Commercial Officer at ADNEC, said: “The aviation industry is a key contributor to the growth of ADNEC’s portfolio, and an important driver of economic diversification in Abu Dhabi. Its success directly and indirectly correlates with the success of many other business sectors. For that reason we are delighted to be hosting the 134th edition of this important event, and we look forward to

facilitating meaningful dialogue.Ahead of the conference, a three-day Airport Slots and Scheduling Training Course will be conducted from 7 - 10 June at the Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel.Hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the event is set to position the emirate as a major player in the MICE and business tourism sectors. It is estimated that the conference will deliver a direct estimated economic impact of AED4.8 million to the economy of Abu Dhabi emirate.ADNEC offers 133,000 sq m of inter-connected floor space to match the expectations of a wide variety of events and exhibitions. Equipped with modern facilities and built to international standards, the venue attracted 1.53 million people across 328 events in 2013. ADNEC recently won the rights to host key international conferences including the 4th World Heart Failure Congress 2014, SPWLA (Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts) Congress 2014, Ecocity World Summit 2015, and World Skills 2017.

NOC Lubricants Marketing (ELM), the lubricants business division of ENOC Marketing, will highlight its range of premium

solutions at Automechanika Dubai 2014, the region’s largest and most comprehensive trade and networking exhibition for automotive aftermarket products and services to be held from June 3 to 5, 2014, at the Dubai International Convention Centre.ENOC’s premium products are tailored to enhance the efficiency of motor vehicles, improve their durability and performance.These solutions are also environmentfriendly, underlining ENOC’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Mohammed Sadek, Director of ENOC Lubricants, said: In a short span of time, ENOC Lubricants has achieved a significant market presence by providing innovative and premium lubrication solutions. Specially blended to meet the specifications of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), our products add to the performance and extend the life of the motor vehicles. Automechanika Dubai offers us a strong platform to reach out to diverse stakeholders and highlight the clear differentials that our products deliver.Among the products to be showcased at the exhibition are ENOC PROTEC and VULCAN range in addition to specialised industrial

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NOVA KRISHNAN UNVEILS HAYA

ENOC LUBRICANTS TO HIGHLIGHT PREMIUM SOLUTIONS AT AUTOMECHANIKA DUBAI 2014

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS HIGHNESS GENERAL SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

Mob:00971 56 118 6007

Designed by former Miss India-UAE; collection features theatrical and luxurious style and designs By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

products, all of which have received approvals from the world's most prominent OEMs such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Renault, GM, Ford, Porsche and Volkswagen.ENOC Lubricants has also launched its KUWA branded products that cater for new engine generation designs, meeting and exceeding most of the OEMs requirements. A number of signature ‘green’ synthetic oils are provided under the brand name VULCAN.ENOC Lubricants Marketing is certified to ISO 9001: 2008, and has a strong presence in over 55 countries in the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and CIS countries. The company has developed its own quality range of branded automotive and industrial lubricants, greases and specialties.Conforming to international specifications, ENOC Lubricants products have wide-spread applications across the automotive, industrial, marine and other specialised industries. Ensuring the

ova Krishnan, former Miss India-UAE, model, and actress today unveiled her latest collection

Haya; under the label ‘Nova Krishnan.’ Inspired by Indian and Arabian designs; Haya offers western ready-to-wear collection as well as accessories for women.The new collection features theatrical and luxurious style and designs; empowering women to feel confident, sensual and exceptionally elegant. With a modern approach; the Haya line offers feminine detailing and includes minimal h a n d w o r k / e m b r o i d e r y, beads/jewels, mirror work, variety of fabric and unique cuts. Simplicity remains at the core of the brands concept, requiring minimum or no jewellery to enhance an outfit. Nova also sees a trend for fusion couture on the rise that creatively fuses traditional and modern designs to

give a more bold and trendy wear. Part of the Haya line, N o v a showcased ‘Aza’ a fusion saree, which is a hybrid of a long elegant flowing skirt w i t h pleats/endpiece of saree and pants. M a k i n g Indian wear more exotic and easy to wear for everyone; can be worn with a bolero jacket or embroidered tube top.Nova Krishnan, Couturier and owner said,Every woman wants to feel elegant and chic; Haya collection visually expresses that with its unique designs and colours. All about defining your inner persona, each ensemble offers that complete exclusivity. Each piece artistically combines rich Indian and Middle Eastern design / tradition, giving a very bold and modern feel.The collection will be available from at the boutique, located at Warsan Tecom, Al Barsha, Dubai. Nova Krishnan: Her passion for designing started at an early age, as she loved every form of art and design. Later on with a degree in Interior Designing and a successful modelling career; Nova found her true to calling to design clothes for men and women by creating a perfect

unison between colors, texture and cuts. Encouraged and supported by her parents and family; she opened her studio in Dubai in 2010. Her Label – Nova Krishnan (NK): NK offers customised and ready-to-wear haute couture for women. NK uses best luxury fabrics with refined details and colors giving a feel of modern opulence. Every creations harmonizes delicately intricate hand embroidery, and dazzling craftsmanship fusing fabrics with beads, sequins, pearls, crystals and adding the right touch of glamour to every design produced. The creative team fabricates a magical modern vision of aesthetics to offer elegant and sophisticated couture. The brand believes in the 4 C's of Fashion Cut, Color, Creativity and Comfort, based on which all designs are conceptualized.

highest standards in quality, these are blended at the state-of-the-art and fully equipped blending facility, ENOC Lubricants & Grease Manufacturing Plant (ELOMP) in Fujairah, the largest producer of finished lubricants in the region.The plant is certified to ISO 9000:2008 and ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 and Energy Management ISO 50001:2011. ENOC Laboratory is certified by Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS) ISO 17025:2005.

TELEPERFORMANCE THE LEADER IN MULTICHANNEL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SPONSORING 2014 MIDDLE EAST CONTACT CENTER CONFERENCE IN DUBAI By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

eleperformance Egypt brings its global expertise to MECC 2014 that will take place in Dubai on the 8th & 9th of June. MECC is the longest established and premiere event in the regional call center calendar. This year’s theme is solving the Region’s Customer Management Issues in which Teleperformance presents insights into consumer needs.The event will be attended by expertise in the contact center i n d u s t r y, G i o r g i o M o d e s t i , Teleperformance Egypt CEO will present a case study about Getting the Cost Saving & Value Creation Equation Right.Teleperformance Egypt is serving multinational and global clients in different verticals including Travel & Tourism, Financial Services, Technology & Consumer Electronics, Communication and Healthcare & Pharma in more than 15 languages and dialects in different

regions. With over 6 years existence in the Egyptian market serving over 16 clients in the Middle East region. Teleperformance Egypt doesn’t only have the global expertise that is derived from being a subsidiary of the worldwide leader of the contact center field, but also has a very wide experience serving the Middle East market. Around 40% of Te l e p e r f o r m a n c e E g y p t 2 0 1 3 revenues coming from the domestic & near shore markets (Middle East and Africa), having the capability to support different languages in the Middle East such as Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Farsi & Hindi in addition to other languages supports the fact that Teleperformance is willing to expand its existence in the Middle East through a promotion and development office - virtual Contact Center in Dubai Internet city.

GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI ANNOUNCES THE EXHIBITION, SEEING THROUGH LIGHT: SELECTIONS FROM THE GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI COLLECTION

uggenheim Abu Dhabi today announced the inaugural Guggenheim Abu Dhabi exhibition, Seeing Through Light:

Selections from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Collection, opening on 5 November 2014 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Presenting for the first time in the capital artworks acquired for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection, the exhibition will feature the work of 18 artists from the 1960s to the present who work in multiple countries and regions around the globe and whose work encompasses a variety of media. Seeing Through Light remains on view until 19 January. The exhibition introduces Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s curatorial vision through a theme-based collection presentation that explores the concept of light. In conjunction with the exhibition, public programmes, film screenings, adult and youth workshops, and performances by several leading contemporary artists whose works are now part of the permanent collection of the museum will be presented.Maisa Al Qassimi, Programmes Manager in the Museums Department for the Culture Sector of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, says:" Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s collection offers various perspectives and narratives on the artworks acquired thus far by the museum. The richness and flexibility of this exhibition’s theme and the collection in general has particular relevance across cultures and time

periods. More specifically, diverse meanings and associations from the physical to the intellectual and from the spiritual to the scientific will be explored through the artworks on

display in Seeing Through Light, offering visitors insight into what they will experience when the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens.Seeing Through Light follows the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: Talking Art Series organised in 2013, a programme that introduced to the public a number of the curatorial narratives that are structuring the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s collection, such as Popular Culture and the Mediated Image; System, Process, Concept; and History, Memory, Narrative. The programme featured, among others, artists Hassan Sharif, El Anatsui, Chant Avedissian, Feng Mengbo, Youssef Nabil, James Rosenquist, Heinz Mack, and Marwan, who spoke in depth about their art, and specifically about their work that has become a part of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection.Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art, architecture, and other manifestations of modern and contemporary visual culture. The museum will develop a curatorial programme that will offer a transnational perspective on art and visual culture since the 1960s, with a strong focus on art from the Middle East exploring the specific identity derived from the cultural traditions of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

KICK OFF THE 2014 WORLD CUP AT AT THE ICONIC SHERATON DUBAI CREEK HOTEL & TOWERS Football Fans to Gather at The Chelsea Arms Pub - Dubai’s First Sports Pub By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

orld Cup fans across the Emirate can gather at Dubai’s first Sports Pub - The Chelsea Arms Pub at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers to watch the matches live on the pub’s big screen.Offers include 2 for 1 happy hour from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, platter for two and a bucket of Hops for AED 199 or a bucket of Hops alone for AED 120. Sports fans supporting their teams and wearing the team colours will receive a further 20% discount during the match.With repeat matches shown the following day, the iconic Chelsea Arms Pub at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers is the number one venue to catch the buzz of the 2014 World Cup. For more information please call 04 207 1721 or 04 228 111, or visit www.sheratondubaicreek.com

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

urjeel Hospital’s Laboratory, Abu Dhabi, received the prestigious Best Laboratory Design Award 2014 from the Hospital Build & Infrastructure Middle East which took place on 2nd-4th June,2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE.This award is in recognition of Burjeel Hospital’s outstanding laboratory design and overall performance that provides a superior innovative testing facility supporting positive human factor.In the picture receiving the award (left to right) are Mr. Vinay J. Lazarus, Manager Operations Burjeel Hospital, Mr. Vinay Batra, CEO Diagnostics of VPS Healthcare, Dr. Mohammad Burney, Laboratory Director Burjeel Hospital and Dr. Afrozul Haq, Laboratory Technical Director Burjeel Hospital.

The exhibition in Abu Dhabi will feature artworks by 18 international artists from the 1960s to today exploring the theme of light By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

EROS GROUP SIGNS DEAL WITH MASTER TECH AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR TCL IN

BURJEEL HOSPITAL ABU DHABI RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS BEST LABORATORY DESIGN AWARD 2014

ros Group, the official distributor of worldrenowned brands Samsung, Hitachi, TCL, Linksys and one of the leading players in consumer electronics, telecom, and allied multi-products in the Middle East appoints Master Tech as its distributor for TCL in Bahrain.TCL has been ranked the third largest TV brand alongside Samsung and LG worldwide. According to the DisplaySearch report late 2013, in terms of total shipment volume, TCL’s global LCD TV market share increased from 5.8 percent in 2012 to 6.7 percent in first half of 2013. In UAE, the brand has been growing in strength since its launch in 2010. Today the brand is ranked number 4 in the UAE and is making fast forays in the Gulf region. The strategic entry into Bahrain is a step in this direction.Mr. Rajat Asthana, General Manager, Eros Group said,We are very excited to appoint Master Tech as TCL’s distributor in Bahrain. We are confident that we will together work towards ascending the brand even further and higher so it can achieve higher milestones, regionally and globally.Eros Group has been appointed as Master Distributor for select markets in GCC and is seeking entry into other emerging markets as well.

FASHION FORWARD: MONSIEUR FOX

‘WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING’ CAR CLASSIFIEDS LAUNCHES IN QATAR

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE: esigners from Fashion Forward (FFWD) Season Three will be given a further boost to their businesses through a partnership with the crowdinvesting site, Eureeca. Companies at Fashion Forward had the opportunity to apply to list funding campaigns on the platform, enabling them to gain visibility and significant financial backing from their crowd.We're thrilled that, men’s accessories brand Monsieur Fox, who showed at FFWD Season Three in The Garden, is the first company selected to list their funding campaign on the site.As part of our network, you can view Monsieur Fox's proposal with an access code before it goes live on June 10th.

Carmudi set to conquer the Middle East region after its success in Asia

VFS GLOBAL OPENS SWITZERLAND VISA APPLICATION CENTRE IN KUWAIT CITY By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he Government of Switzerland and VFS Global introduce a Visa Application Centre in Kuwait starting 1 June 2014, catering to the growing demand of Switzerland bound travelers in the region. As of 1 June 2014, all Schengen visa applications for Switzerland from applicants residing in Kuwait will be handled by VFS Global.The key features of the center are its location, a dedicated website for easy access, appointment scheduling, professional and responsive staff who speaks local as well as official Swiss languages to handle the visa application process, application tracking tool, and door step delivery of passports. The same center also serves the Governments of Austria, Greece and Spain. Switzerland Visa Application Centre in Kuwait Details ADDRESS:1st floor Albanwan Building, Ali Al-Salem Street, Al-Qiblah Area, Kuwait City (opposite Kuwait Central Bank) Business Hours: 0900hrs to 1700hrs; Sunday to Thursday CONTACT DETAILS AND TIMINGS:Helpline: +965 2291

3 6 4 3 | E m a i l : info.chkuw@vfshelpline.com | W e b s i t e : www.vfsglobal.ch/Switzerland/Ku wait Acceptance of Applications (All Applicants): 0900hrs to 1600hrs; Sunday to Thursday (Except Holidays as declared by the Embassy of Switzerland in Kuwait) Return delivery of Applications: 1600hrs to 1700hrs; Sunday to Thursday (Except Holidays as declared by the Embassy of Switzerland in Kuwait) Additional Courier charges as applicable to be borne by applicants *VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for Switzerland visas. All applications

will continue to be assessed and processed by the Embassy of Switzerland in Kuwait. Timelines for turnaround of visas are as per the discretion of the authorities.

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

armudi, the world’s fastest growing car classifieds is set to make inroads into Qatar. Backed by giants such as Rocket Internet and Middle East Internet Holding (MEIH), Carmudi is bound to become the leading vehicle marketplace in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This announcement comes at a time when Carmudi is seeing a monthly growth of nearly 100% in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.With vehicle sales set to take over the 100,000 unit mark this year, it seems perfect timing for Carmudi to enter in Qatar. Carmudi will allow users to sell and buy cars online in the most convenient fashion. Kerem Kuyucu, founder of Carmudi Middle East commented, “Qatar is a very promising market for us. What we bring into this market is a very functional, user friendly and deep-in-content online portal to help consumers find their perfect car. It is the kind of solution that will address the growing needs of Qatari residents looking for a onestop shop solution.According to the latest report from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, all segments of Qatar’s population

have access to Internet-enabled devices. This means that Carmudi can potentially reach over a million people in need of trading their cars online.Qatar is deemed as a luxury motor hotspot just like the UAE and currently presents strong prospects. With this in mind, we want to contribute in shaping the automotive market by providing a high quality service that meets several needs of car buyers and sellers.” Kuyucu further commented.So if you are looking for that perfect ride this summer, take a pit stop at www.carmudi.qa, a vehicle marketplace that enables customers to easily find or sell their car, motorcycle or commercial vehicle online. Carmudi offers diverse vehicle listings, an intuitive website design and high security standards to avoid fraud.The business platform operates under a high level of transparency through professional photos, updated listings, detailed descriptions, reports and rankings for 100% of its vehicles in each market. At the same time, vehicle dealers get a trusted online presence through a personalized webpage. The Carmudi platform helps sellers manage their inventory in a fast, easy and stress-free way.

NEW TIMING FOR MORNING YOGA BY THE SEA AT THE BEACH By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

orning Yoga ,Date: Ongoing until end-June 2014

Timing:Every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6:30am 7:30amVenue:THE BEACH, opposite JBR next to Joe’s Café Brief:Rise and Shine with a holistic yoga session at THE BEACH. The outdoor leisure and entertainment venue announces revised timings for ‘Yoga by the Sea’ with immediate effect for the summer season. Classes will now run from 6:30am - 7:30am.Try hatha yoga and awaken your senses at THE BEACH, Dubai’s must-visit seaside destination for revitalizing stretches on the lawn. The sessions will help relieve stress, build strength and increase your flexibility and endurance. * P l e a s e w e a r conservative clothing and bring your personal yoga mat, towel and water. Entry:Free access to the public Registration:Mandatory and can be completed at info@thebeach.ae prior to the sessions.Please provide name, contact number and day of preference. **Interested participants should complete preregistration online to attend classes.

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

SONY TO ENGAGE IN GROUP-WIDE 4K, ENTERTAINMENT, NETWORK SERVICE, AND CSR INITIATIVES LEADING TOWARDS THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ony Corporation (“Sony”), an official FIFA partner, today announced that it will further accelerate strategic initiatives that leverage the strengths of all Sony Group companies and its partnership with FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).Leading towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilTM (“tournament”) which is due to begin on June 12, 2014 (local

time), Sony is focusing on the areas of 4K, entertainment,network services,and CSR,with key initiatives in each category outlined below: 4K:Sony is bringing its renowned, advanced technological capabilities and high value-added products to this tournament, where it will demonstrate its strengths in providing consistent solutions that span the entire 4K process from filming and production, through to the viewing experience. In collaboration with FIFA, Sony is also seeking to expand the range of opportunities for viewers to experience 4K. (For further details please refer to the announcement of April 3, 2014.) Filming and joint production:FIFA will produce the Official FIFA 4K Film, packed with highlights of the best action from the tournament. FIFA will film one match from the round of 16, one quarter-final and the final using Sony’s professional 4K recording equipment. Sony will be providing extensive technical support to FIFA, and has developed a dedicated 4K live production system to be used at the tournament.The viewing experience:Prior to the completion of the Official Film, Sony will offer its customers the opportunity to view promotional trailers of the Official Film on Sony 4K-compatible BRAVIATM LCD TVs, featuring action from selected

matches, all in stunning 4K/60P resolution. Visitors to stadiums and Official FIFA Fan Fest events in Brazil will be able to enjoy the promotional trailers of the Official Film at any one of the ten commercial display booths Sony will be setting up at these venues, while customers around the world will also be able to engage in this 4K experience approximately 20,000 Sony showrooms and retail outlets worldwide.In addition to 4K, Sony will also be supplying FIFA with an extensive range of HD production and broadcast equipment, including approximately 300 cameras. These will be used to film every game of the tournament for global distribution in HD. Entertainment:Sony is also leveraging its range of entertainment assets from across the Sony Group in order to drive the excitement and passion for the tournament through music, both in Brazil and around the world.

The “SuperSong” music contest:For three months from December 2013, Sony and companies from across the Sony Group held the global SuperSong music contest for aspiring songwriters, featuring Ricky Martin. More than 1,600 songs were submitted, and the winning song, Vida,was performed by Ricky Martin himself and recorded for the 2014 FIFA World CupTM Official Album. (For details please refer to the announcement on Nov. 15, 2013) The official tournament songs:Sony Music Entertainment SME and FIFA announced We Are One (Ole Ola),the Official Song of the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, by global music sensation Pitbull, featuring Jennifer Lopez and Brazil’s Claudia Leitte. The song will be performed at the opening ceremony where it is set to further heighten the excitement of the games. (For details please refer to the joint announcement on Jan. 23, 2014.) Similarly, the closing ceremony will feature legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and fellow artists performing the official anthem “Dar um Jeito (We Will Find A Way). The tournament Official Album:The songs above are also included on SME’s “One Love, One Rhythm,” Official Album of the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, featuring a total of 14 songs (on the standard edition). (For details refer to the announcement on Apr. 8, 2014.) The album also features Mika Nakashima and Miliyah Kato and their “Fighter (Tachytelic World Cup Brazil 2014 Remix). Of the songs featured on the Official Album, music videos of “We Are One (Ole Ola)” and Vida can also be enjoyed in 4K at Sony showrooms and retail outlets worldwide. Network services (digital and social):In addition to conventional ways of enjoying football, such as watching the games at the stadium or on TV and other media networks, Sony will offer a new, interactive

World Cup experience where people can join in the excitement of this tournament through various network services. The One Stadium Portal web site:Sony has launched One Stadium (http://football.sony.net), a portal website to serve as a global hub for communication on football, that offers an array of projects and content such as access to the aforementioned SuperSong contest.

Maximizing the possibilities offered by the online community space, Sony is aiming to bring people together across all borders, to share their passions and inspirations through projects including: The “One Stadium Live” social networking site: Sorts and offers the latest and popular football topics from Twitter etc. for easy reference. The “Fan Ambassador” reports: Fans representing 11 countries will be stationed in Brazil, ready to upload on-site action. The “UNITED” photo contest: A spin-off photo contest of the world’s largest photographic contest “Sony World Photography Awards,” themed on “football” is scheduled to start the day before the tournament. Further projects include interviews with artists featured on the Official Album, and collaborations with Sony’s social news reader app, “Socialife News”. C o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h F I FA Interactive World Cup:As an official FIFA partner, Sony is also bringing new ways of enjoying football to the online gaming community through the FIFA Interactive World Cup FIWC, organized by FIFA.Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SCE and Electronics Arts Inc. are presenting partners of the FIWC, which is the world’s largest online gaming

tournament. FIWC uses PlayStation® as its official game console, and online elimination games are played utilizing the PSN network service on PlayStation®. This tournament is the only one of its kind in FIFA’s event portfolio which gives football fans all over the world the chance to compete in a FIFA World Cup tournament. More than 2.5 million PlayStation® users worldwide participated in last year’s tournament, each competing for the honor of becoming the world champion. The FIWC 2014 has been in progress since October of last year, and the Grand Final will be held in Rio de Janeiro during the actual World Cup tournament. CSR:As part of its corporate social responsibility as a global company, Sony is engaged in various efforts to support children around the world and help shape a better, more sustainable community. Leading toward the tournament, Sony is continuing these efforts through the following initiatives: Dream Goal 2014 program:Sony is implementing the two projects below in collaboration with FIFA and streetfootballworld gGmbH to benefit children in a total of 12 countries in Central and South America, including the tournament host country Brazil, together with Africa, and other countries and regions. (For details please refer to the Dream Goal 2014 site. Street Football Stadium: This project will provide mobile stadiums and educational workshops that aim to build leadership and dialogue skills through football, to more than 14,000 children. The workshops will start with those regularly scheduled to take place during a 46-day event organized by streetfootballworld in Rio de Janeiro, starting June 5th. The stadiums will continue to be used in the field of local education, even after the tournament is over. Siyakhona Media Skills: In partnership with FIFA, this project supports young leaders in 11 countries with media skills training programs using Sony products,

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES NOW RANKS THIRD AMONG WORLD NATIONS IN TOTAL CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER CAPACITY Masdar’s 100MW Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region Reflects the Strong Growth of CSP in Emerging Markets By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

asdar ’s Shams I concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Abu Dhabi catapulted the United Arab Emirates to its new ranking as third among the world’s nations in both 2013 CSP technology investment and total CSP capacity. The UAE now ranks only behind Spain and the United States in total CSP generation; India and China round out the world’s top five.The rankings were recently unveiled in a report by REN21, an international multi-policy stakeholder network that promotes a rapid global transition to r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y. A c c o r d i n g t o REN21, the 100 megawatt CSP plant in Abu Dhabi’s western region is one reason why CSP’s growth in emerging markets almost tripled during 2013. Although Spain and the U.S. are still by far the market leaders in CSP, investment in this technology is accelerating most rapidly in regions that receive high amounts of daily sunshine or in industry terminology, high direct normal irradiation (DNI). Worldwide since 2004, global CSP capacity has increased 10-fold, and last year surged 36% to a total of 3.4 gigawatts of energy generated.While this industry continues to grow, it is also marked by the use of a more standardized design. CSP plants in the past decade have incorporated several designs and technologies over the past years, but in 2013, all newly constructed CSP plants used the parabolic trough design which is in use by Shams 1. Overall trends in the industry are favoring larger plants to take advantage of economies of scale, as in the case of the Shams 1 plant, one of the largest CSP plants worldwide.We’re pleased to see how high the UAE ranks worldwide in renewable energy generation, given the country’s commitment to sourcing more sources of secure and safe

energy,” said Yousif Al Ali, General Manager of Shams 1 Power Company. “And the numbers bear fruit: since its launch, Shams 1 has been generating enough power to electrify 20,000 homes in the UAE and displaces 175,000 tons of carbon a n n u a l l y. T h e R E N 2 1 r e p o r t

demonstrates how through its investment in CSP technology, the UAE is leading the region in renewable energy investment while strengthening its position as a responsible global energy leader.The $600 million Shams 1 concentrated solar plant, the largest renewable energy project in the Middle East, opened in March 2013 and is a partnership between Masdar, Total and Abengoa.The 2.5 square kilometer facility uses solar thermal collectors to concentrate heat from sunlight into a central tube, where a special oil is heated to 393°C. In turn the heat from the oil generates steam that drives a turbine, which then powers a steam generator that produces electricity for Abu Dhabi’s grid.Among large-scale CSP plants, Shams 1 stands out for its innovative approach towards water consumption and conservation. Typical CSP plants consume vast quantities of water because of the need to cool and condense steam before it is pumped back into the generator. Shams 1 instead uses an air-cooled condensing system, which saves hundreds of millions of gallons of water annually while maintaining an overall high operational efficiency.

UAE-ROMANIA JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE MEETING DISCUSSES BILATERAL COLLABORATION By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he third UAE-Romania Joint Economic Committee meeting concluded today at the Romanian capital Bucharest with the two countries pledging to strengthen cooperation in the tourism, education, research, h e a l t h , i n d u s t r y, SME’s, renewable energy, civil aviation, agriculture, and food security sectors.Led by His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, the UAE delegation held talks over a two day period with the Romanian Economy Minister His Excellency Constantin Nita and senior government officials.In his opening speech, Al Mansouri said:Bilateral trade ties between the UAE and Romania have grown significantly in the recent past. The UAE believes there is ample scope to expand the relationship. Although non-oil bilateral trade volume between the two countries has almost doubled between 2012 and 2013 from US$249 million up to US$445 million, we think these numbers do not live up to our ambitions for a stronger economic relationship between our countries, especially when we consider the vast trade potential in both the UAE and Romania. With more concerted efforts, we can take greater advantage of the available opportunities and increase our bilateral trade volume to more than US$1 billion in the medium term.The Minister of Economy highlighted

economic indicators for the UAE, underlining growth by nearly 231 times since the formation of the Federation in 1971 that has positioned

.E. Asif Durrani, Ambassador of Pakistan inaugurated the special counter of the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC), Pakistan’s leading life insurance

AE-based boat builder Al Marakeb has issued a s t a t e m e n t explaining how it considers safety to be the most important feature of its range of ocean crafts. The Sharjah manufacturer says that the security of those taking to the water in one of its designs is the most important consideration affecting the company’s vessel design, construction and fit-out.Our mission since our company was first founded was to offer a local alternative for customers in the region who are passionate about being out on the water and who are considering buying a boat,says Basel Shuhaiber, Founder and Managing Director, Al Marakeb.Safety is the number one priority factored into every aspect of our craft, from the design process, to manufacture, to final fit out. Every other aspect is incorporated only after this prime consideration to ensure the security of those who trust our vessels, he added.Al Marakeb’s focus on making sure that its vessels are among the safest on the water was a major factor affecting the construction of its m a n u f a c t u r i n g f a c i l i t y. T h e company’s careful attention to its factory assembly line layout has meant that every stage of building a vessel, namely hull and deck casting, joinery, electrical, accessorising and finishing, is in the hands of a skillspecific team dedicated to the task at hand.In terms of physical construction, Al Marakeb boat materials are selected to ensure that the craft stays afloat, even in the unlikely event that it sustains damage. Unlike many other vessels of similar design, Al Marakeb injects the hull of each of each of its boats with high-density industrial foam. This unique substance has a high strength-to-weight ratio, provides additional rigidity and aids buoyancy. The specialised process of applying the foam and its adhesive qualities allow it to take the shape of the hull cavity perfectly.The foam that we utilise to stiffen and add buoyancy to our hulls results in excellent compression strength. This means that our craft can withstand localised static and dynamic loads, such as resting the boat on a trailer and

it as the second largest Arab economy at present.The Romanian Minister of Economy, for his part, expressed keen intent in developing economic ties with the UAE across all sectors that serve the interests of the two nations. His Excellency Constantin Nita pointed out that Romania can serve as an important trading partner for the UAE as its gateway to Europe given its location, attractive investment environment, infrastructure, and skilled workforce. The Romanian Minister also offered an overview of Romania’s economic performance noting that it registered the highest growth rate in the EU during 2013 at 3.5%. The first quarter of 2014 saw the Romanian economy grow a further 3.8% with a low inflation rate of 1.9%. Romania, additionally, achieved the highest volume of exports in 23 years reaching €50 billion in 2013. Nearly 76% of Romania’s exports to the EU are industrial products.

premises would help sensitize the community members about the importance of life insurance services and long-term financial planning for

increasingly self-directed. As outlined in the Amadeuscommissioned new report, Shaping the Future of Travel in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Big Travel Effects, additional unfolding demographic factors such as steady inflow of expatriate workers, robust natural population growth and a growing middle class will combine to drive a new and divergent set of travel behaviours and needs in the region.The report, researched and collated by Frost & Sullivan and

DUBAI’S FOREIGN TRADE HITS DH323 BILLION IN Q1 2014

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

D dropping the anchor,said Shuhaiber.The foam also offers good fatigue resistance, good impact r e s i s t a n c e a n d g o o d e n e rg y absorption. In addition to these qualities, its closed cell structure allows for minimal water and resin infiltration,he added.Al Marakeb’s overriding focus on nautical safety has seen the company receive industry body recognition for its efforts. The boat builder was awarded CE certification by Germanischer Lloyd EU Certification for Recreational Crafts for its materials and vessels for complying with essential safety requirements relating to ‘Stability and Freeboard’ and ‘Buoyancy and Floatability.’ Shuhaiber says that the certification is an acknowledgement of the company’s commitment to the highest standards for its customers.The most important component of any activity on open water, whether this is water sports, fishing, or taking the family for a weekend’s camping, is physical wellbeing for participants.” said Shuhaiber.Our aim as a boat builder is to make sure that our customers are as safe as they can be while facilitating enjoyable activities as far as possible. The awarding of these industry certificates verifies the highest safety standards in the design and construction of Al Marakeb boats,he added.Al Marakeb’s current product line-up comprises the Dino, Spartan, Triton, Habbar fishing boat, Scylla cabin cruising vessel and is soon introducing Theo, a 27ft open waters vessel. The company sells around 60 vessels each year, supplying them to private and commercial buyers in the regional and international markets. Al Marakeb’s current network extends across the GCC, North Africa and Asia.

RAPIDLY CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS TO FUEL MAJOR SHIFT IN GCC TRAVEL OVER NEXT 15 YEARS opulation in GCC countries is younger, wealthier and more family-oriented than other regions worldwideTravel behaviour of the youth segment will force a shift to new technologies, according to the Amadeus-commissioned new report ‘Shaping the Future of Travel in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Big Travel Effects’The coming-ofage of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s young population will reshape the travel industry in the region over the next 15 years, with the tech-savvy generation turning instinctively to mobile technologies and social media to plan, book and manage travel.Today, nearly 25 per cent of the GCC population is under 15 years of age, and as this demographic becomes tomorrow’s decision makers, traditional travel behaviours will witness a transformation and become

Edition 49pg4

China is Dubai’s major trading partner with 12% share

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

increase expected in the future.Tourism will have a trickledown effect into other sectors, furthering economic growth and diversification. Hospitality and

u b a i ’s f o r e i g n t r a d e continued to move up in Q1 of 2014 with the same momentum it had in 2013. In Q1 2014, it amounted to Dh323 billion, of which Dh201.4 billion were imports, Dh26.5 billion exports and Dh94.4 billion re-exports.Direct trade contributed 61% of Dubai’s foreign trade, valued Dh196.5 billion, while free zones contributed 38%, amounting to Dh122 billion, and the customs warehouses made

up 1% with a value of Dh4.3 billion.China topped the list of Dubai’s trading partners in the first quarter of 2014, with a trading value of Dh38.5 billion, compared to Dh30.3 billion in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting a growth rate of 27%. China-Dubai trade constitutes 12% of the Emirate’s overall foreign trade, keeping pace with the salient boom in China’s trade, surpassing other economic forces in the volume of foreign trade.India came in second with an 8% of Dubai’s total foreign trade, equivalent to Dh26.3 billion. The US followed in the third place with a value of Dh20.1 billion, that is 6% of the total foreign trade volume. The fourth place was equally shared by KSA and Switzerland, with Dubai’s foreign trade with each of them valued at Dh13.2 billion, a 4% share of the total for each.The recorded foreign trade during the first quarter of 2014 portrays Dubai’s capability of adapting to all changes within the international trade variables; which is attributed to the wide array of markets covered by Dubai foreign trade, spanning the majority of international commodities from across the whole world. This comes in line with the inclusive vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE VicePresident, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and his wise directives for creating a multifaceted and broad economy,said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs.He added,Dubai has continued to maintain its capacity towards expansion and growth of the trade sector due to the current flexible commercial environment which boosts the position of Dubai as global and regional premier trading hub. Over the first quarter of 2014, the emirate has been a strong competitor with key world trade powers such as China, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan.Dubai-EU trade soared by 17.3% with Dh51.5 billion during Q1 2014, compared to Dh43.5

billion in the same period of 2013. Germany came first among European partners with a total value worth Dh10.3 billion. Trade with non-GCC Arab countries recorded Dh23.2 billion, where Iraq was at the top with Dh9 billion. Dubai-GCC trade was valued at Dh28.4 billion, headed by KSA. Trade with Japan grew 17% to Dh10.4 billion.The Director of Dubai Customs further added: “Our top priorities at Dubai Customs is boosting the economic and commercial competitiveness of Dubai, through foreign trade facilitation and enhancement with real competitive advantages, which does position the emirate as the destination of choice for traders and investors due to its highly attractive and lucrative business environment.To that end, Dubai Customs constantly improves its array of services and facilitations through human resources training and empowerment to deliver the best quality of Customs performance . Secondly, DC strives to enhance its services with the latest IT applications to keep up with the Smart Dubai Strategy aiming at transforming the city into the smartest worldwide. Our services are now fully smart and we have developed our inspection procedures via the advanced container scanning system and the Risk Engine. Consequently, 97% of non-risky transactions are now cleared electronically in less than 2 minutes from the time the client enters the consignment details into the Customs system.He continued, “The third track for developing our Customs services focuses on putting in place a thorough plan, spanning incomparable facilities to exhibitors and traders who will take part in Expo 2020.With Dubai transforming into the smartest city in the globe, telecommunication and information technology supplies took a focal place in major commodities traded through the emirate’s borders in the first quarter of 2014. Mobiles and telephone sets held the lead with a market share worth Dh43 billion. Computers hit a trade value of Dh13.3 billion. Data projectors and televisions represented around Dh4 billion. This is a clear indication of how technologically advanced is Dubai which hugely relies on modern IT applications in the provision of public services as part of its ambitious e-government strategy.

ABU DHABI COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES INSTALLS OVER129,380 WINDOW SAFETY LOCKS ACROSS HOMES IN ABU DHABI By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

construction in particular will benefit as the number of travellers entering or passing through the region increases – Qatar expects 3.7 million tourists in 2022 around the FIFA World Cup and is investing US$20 billion on tourism infrastructure and US$140 billion on transport.The GCC is working to make travel easier, both within the region and outbound. This is particularly relevant with 33 per cent of the respondents surveyed citing visa issues as a key reason for their inability to travel more often.

bu Dhabi Commercial Properties (ADCP) continues to implement a child safety programme to install fall-prevention devices on residential home windows and balcony doors. Only months after the programme’s inception in January, ADCP has already successfully installed over 129,380 safety locks in 961 residential towers throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.ADCP is the only major property management company actively installing the safety devices designed to enhance safety by restricting the opening size of a window or balcony door. The devices regulate hinges to open a maximum of 10 cm in accordance with Decree No. 24/2012 issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs. ADCP expects to install more than 260,000 window safety devices by the end of the year.Mr. Abdulla Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Managing Director, ADCE/ADCP, said, We’ve made great progress to make Abu Dhabi

homes safer. We continue to ask residents to cooperate with our engineers and allow them access to their homes in order to install the devices and make their homes safer places for children. We look forward to our ongoing work within the community, and we will complete our ambitious project with everyone’s support to create a safer home.The initiative is part of the property management firm’s efforts to curtail further incidents of young children falling from windows or balconies within their managed buildings.

CRISTAL HOTELS & RESORTS TO ROLL OUT ‘RAMADAN TO REMEMBER’ CAMPAIGN By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

T provider, in the Consular Hall of the Embassy earlier this afternoon.The ceremony was attended by officials of the Pakistan Embassy, representatives of State Life Insurance Corporation as well as members of the Pakistani community.Addressing the occasion, Ambassador Durrani said the presence of State Life services at the Embassy

their own families. This, he said, was the need of the hour, as the Pakistani expatriates were remitting handsome amounts back to their families but with some prudence, they can also use financial tools such as buying insurance policies to secure their own future.The counter will serve more than 500 community members who visit the Embassy daily for consular services.

DAMAS MARKS PARTICIPATION AT ARAB LUXURY WORLD 2014 GM of International Brands Michel El Hachem Headlines Two Panel Discussions By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

D while also providing them with the opportunity to share their visual message to the world.Both projects connect communities in need of support with the global community, through designs and photographs via the “One Stadium” portal site. P u b l i c Vi e w i n g : D u r i n g t h e tournament period, Sony will jointly host public viewing events with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) in Ivory Coast, one of Africa’s representatives at the tournament. Sony’s equipment will be used to project football matches in hi-definition, while Sony will also be providing its own power supply system to deliver power to areas without electricity, based on its olivine-type lithium-ion iron phosphate rechargeable batteries. Sony engineers will also provide onsite technical support.

AL MARAKEB PUTS HIGH SEAS SAFETY FIRST

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

H.E. ASIF DURRANI, AMBASSADOR OF PAKISTAN INAUGURATED THE SPECIAL COUNTER OF THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

Mob:00971 56 118 6007

amas, the Middle East's leading jewellery and watch retailer, marked an emphatic participation at the two day Arab Luxury World 2014 that concluded this week in Dubai at the Westin Mina Seyahi.Michel El Hachem, General Manager of International Brands at Damas, headlined two panel discussions. The first focused on the jewellery sector and examined Dubai’s status as a gold trading hub. The segment saw El Hachem sharing perspectives on the key role that tourism plays in jewellery sales. At the second panel discussion titled ‘Adapting to Arab Tastes’, El Hachem tracked the growth trajectory of international high-end brands in the context of the Middle East and Arab market. El Hachem also highlighted the international brands that Damas houses, such as Graff and Theo Fennel. He additionally reiterated Damas’s commitment to endorsing best-inclass practices that have repositioned the Dubai-based home grown brand into a famous international jewellery concept that enjoys global credibility. Michel El Hachem, GM of International Brands Damas, said:

Arab Luxury World offered us a platform to showcase our brands to potential customers while providing us with an opportunity to network with peers in the industry and share best practices. The insights gained into the region’s luxury sector will continue to contribute to our existing efforts to deliver the highest quality brands to our customers.Organised by Mediaquest, publishers and organisers of some of the region’s top publications and events, Arab Luxury World brought together an assembly of intellectuals, retailers, designers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, industry experts and high-net-worth individuals. The event sought to explore the challenges and opportunities for premium and ultrapremium products in the regional market.Pegged as a ‘conference on the business of luxury in the Middle East’, Arab Luxury World covers various sectors in the luxury market including marketing, retail and distribution, digital and brand building. The event seeks to leverage the region’s collective expertise on all matters luxury: from finance to fashion and cosmetics to culture.

hroughout Ramadan, Abu Dhabi based Cristal Hotels & Resorts is supporting a variety of initiatives under its ‘Ramadan to Remember’ charity CSR programme, working with the Red Crescent to make the Holy Month a special time for orphans in the emirate.Starting on June 30, the Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi will be hosting an extensive Iftar dinner at its Gems Restaurant for 20 orphans

Insights and commissioned by Amadeus, examines and contextualises the various ways a new travel landscape will develop in the Gulf region over the next 15 years.The Gulf region is poised for a new era of travel as investment in infrastructure, new tourism sectors, and governmental initiatives to ease intraand extra-regional movement and make the GCC more attractive to leisure and business travellers,” said Antoine Medawar, Vi c e P r e s i d e n t , MENA, Amadeus.He added, “Travel providers who address the nuanced needs of the region’s population are likely to thrive in the coming decades. At Amadeus our people, our technology and our innovation are dedicated to helping our customers and partners shape the future of travel in this region. Further key findings include:Economies in the GCC are diversifying beyond oil, and specialist tourism sectors such as cruises, meetings and conferences and medical tourism play a prominent role in this diversification. As a result, the GCC countries have maintained an average GDP growth of over 5% in the past decade, with a greater

nominated by the Red Crescent, with gifts, games and live entertainment.Under the Ramadan to Remember initiative, the hotel invites local corporations and other organisations to sponsor a similar Iftar evenings during Ramadan for just AED 2,500 a night, when up to 20 orphaned children can enjoy their time with a magic show and face painting as well as gifts.As a final

behalf of every guest booking a standard room d u r i n g Ramadan.According to Cristal Chief Operating Officer Kamal Fakhoury, Ramadan is synonymous with generosity and kindness, and we look forward to opening our hearts and doors to these less fortunate children to enable them to have a good time.Our ‘Ramadan to Remember’ package allows corporations to do that little bit extra for the communityand we are confident that it will be taken up by many organisations in the emirate this Ramadan, he said.During Ramadan, the Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi is offering an Iftar buffet at Gems Restaurant for AED 115 per person. Room rates during the month are AED 399 per night with

gesture, Cristal Hotels will donate AED 20 to the Red Crescent on

Iftar buffet for one person or AED 499 inclusive of Iftar buffet for two

Improved accessibility within the region and abroad is expected to increase the number of intra-regional travellers to four-fold by 2030.Travel in the Gulf region is changing. Economic diversification and a move from oil is an important driver, but

there are several subtle factors at play too. Changes in population and geopolitical pressure to open borders and make movement easier are also impacting the future of travel here,observed Mona Faraj, Managing Partner, Insights.The report was collated by surveying over 1,000 travellers from the region as well as through interviews with thought leaders in the travel industry. The study highlights the technologically savvy and growing population of the GCC and predicts the emergence of a travel landscape in the region that is highly connected, personalised, and sustainable.

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

ADCB WINS TWO ACCOLADES AT THE BANKER MIDDLE EAST INDUSTRY AWARDS 2014 ADCB named ‘Best Transaction Bank’ and ‘Best Corporate Bank’ By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

bu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) received two prestigious awards at the Banker Middle East Industry gala 2014, in a ceremony held on the 3rd of June at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.The awards, ‘ B e s t Tr a n s a c t i o n Bank’ and ‘Best Corporate Bank’, continue to underscore ADCB’s achievements in and dedication towards the UAE’s o v e r a l l economy.Competed for by banks and financial institutions from across the Gulf region and extended Middle East, the Banker Middle East Industry Awards work closely with the region’s banking and finance industry every year, tracking and assessing their set objectives and accomplishments. And with a panel of judges and industry experts assigned each year to shortlist institutions across all categories, a public online voting system, combining registered readers and

industry experts elect the final winners.Colin Fraser, Head of Wholesale Banking Group at Abu

Dhabi Commercial Bank, said:We are pleased with this continued testament to our Wholesale Banking products, and most importantly, our unrivalled approach to client relations and servicing. ADCB continues to perform at the very highest levels in the industry. I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to all our employees for their hard work, and to our customers for their on-going loyalty and trust.

BARCLAYS NAMED ‘BEST EQUITY HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA’ BY EUROMONEY

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THE HOTEL SHOW DUBAI Celebrating 15 years of influencing the future of the hotel and hospitality industry in the Middle East & Africa By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

elebrating 15 years of presenting the supply chain to the hotel industry in the Middle East and African region, The Hotel Show is the most comprehensive showcase (over 16,700 attendees in 2013) providing a full end to end offering from investment, design and build through to refurbishment, fit out and operations of hotels, restaurants, leisure destinations, and resorts.Once again taking place in Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the organisers, dmg events Middle East and Asia, will be expecting exhibitors from 38 countries and visitors from 99 countries (2013 stats).Whilst we have been at the heart of the industry for 15 years, we also look forward to the dynamic opportunities that the market here has to offer the international supplier base – not least with EXPO 2020 Dubai. The Hotel Show is now established as not just a vital event for business but an annual meeting place for sourcing, networking, and education for the hospitality and leisure industries.Remaining one of the fastest growing regions worldwide with forecasts of growth of 3% up to 2016, we focus on being the event that brings real opportunities to all who participate”. Says Christine Davidson , Event Director.New for 2014, the show will feature an International Village dedicated to country pavilions for

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY HOSTS GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS AT BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Nine high profile and complex transactions across a broad range of equity-linked products for clients in the Middle East

Delegation Identifies Areas for Further Cooperation

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

arclays has been named the ‘Best Equity House in the Middle East and North Africa’ region by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2014.The awards are widely considered to be the most high profile accolades in the Finance industry and annually recognise outstanding performance, quality, service, and innovation in the sector. For 2014, Barclays’ was recognised for its innovative customised financial solutions and superior execution capabilities demonstrated throughout nine high profile and complex transactions across a broad range of equity and equity-linked products for clients from the Middle East region.Makram Azar, MENA Chairman and Global Vice Chairman for the Investment Banking Division at Barclays PLC said:We are delighted to receive this award from Euromoney.This award speaks volumes of our effort to customise financial solutions that meet the complex needs of our sophisticated clients. It is a testament to Barclays’ dedication and commitment and to clients in the region.He added: Over the past year, our team at Barclays worked relentlessly on landmark transactions and has helped clients from the region access international as well as regional capital markets demonstrating the breadth of our business in the MENA region as well as our placement capabilities. Our current pipeline, the diversity of our

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

transaction profiles and recurring mandates showcase Barclays’ superior equity capital markets execution capabilities in this crucial and growing market segment.Euromoney awards is recognised as one of the most prestigious international banking awards in the industry and is given to institutions that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets and the region in which they excel. In 2013, Euromoney named Barclays “Best M&A House” in the Middle East and the Bank successfully executed multiple transformational M&A deals including the largest public tender offer and the largest M&A transaction in the region.

MoU will offer systematic process of understanding, evaluating and addressing risks By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he UAE Internal Audit Association (UAE IAA) and the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote and improve good risk management within the internal audit profession.The Memorandum outlines the areas of cooperation between the two organisations to promote risk management and corporate governance reforms. It also describes more specific potential project objectives, scope of cooperation, and the respective roles

of the parties.IRM, the world’s leading professional body for risk management, supports the development of risk management skills and standards of professional education in the MENA region.The internal audit profession is faced with greater uncertainty as the demand and challenges of the profession continue to evolve. By developing a standard of risk management within the organisation we can more readily understand, evaluate and address the

he Ministry of Economy hosted last week a business luncheon for a visiting US trade delegation led by Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs, UAE Ministry of Economy, received the delegation that included government officials and businessmen from varied economic sectors such as trade, energy, renewable energy, science and technology. The UAE delegation included officials from the Ministry of Economy, Emirates Competitiveness Council, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Khalifa Fund, Khalifa University, Dubai Internet City, ICT Fund, Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee and Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority (Twofour54).During the meeting, the two sides discussed economic, trade and investment cooperation. Abdullah Al Saleh commended the friendly relations between the UAE and the US stating that the open policies followed by the two countries have facilitated mutually beneficial partnerships in diverse sectors.Addressing the delegation, Al Saleh said: “We seek to forge partnerships that allow us to

risks to be able to minimise or avoid any negative consequence, therefore achieving our objectives. We have chosen to partner with IRM to ensure

our auditors are trained and qualified to manage any relevant risks said the Chairman of UAE IAA, Abdulqader Obaid Ali.The Middle East is home to world class utilities, infrastructure, transport, banking and business services as well as established oil & gas businesses. All these industries recognise that risk management is a fundamental building block in creating sustainable business operations, from strategic intent to delivering value on the ground. All of these industries bring their own challenges and opportunities and IRM is pleased to be helping UAE IAA to improve their effectiveness through continuing professional development and higher professional standards,” said the Chairman of IRM, Richard Anderson.IRM will also work with IAA to conduct research into risk governance, corporate risk management and the role of auditors in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).

oor Bank today announced it has been appointed a distribution agent by National Bonds Corporation (NBC), a unique UAE leader in Sharia compliant savings and investment schemes, to extend the availability of the savings programme. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Hussain Al Qemzi, GCEO, Noor Investment Group, and CEO Noor Bank and Mohammad Qasim Al Ali, CEO of National Bonds Corporation, at Noor Bank’s headquarters.The agreement will enable UAE residents to benefit from the savings scheme’s profit sharing Mudaraba structure whilst enjoying its richest rewards programme, by purchasing National Bonds from any of the 12 Noor Bank branches located in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.As part of the agreement, National Bonds will also join Noor Bank's Direct Debit Scheme (DDS) platform recently facilitated by the UAE Central Bank. This will allow Noor Bank to register any National Bonds customer with the DDS without the necessity of him or her maintaining an account with Noor Bank. This is another major milestone towards enabling UAE residents to save regularly without visiting any of the existing 700 distribution outlets for National Bonds.Hussain Al Qemzi, GCEO, Noor Investment Group, and CEO Noor Bank, said:We are delighted to announce this partnership that takes forward our relationship dating back to 2007.This collaboration will allow us to add yet another innovative & rewarding product to our portfolio, enabling us to offer a more

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

fter exhibiting its talent in the art of watchmaking to the public with a skeleton piece, the Tissot T-Complication Squelette, Tissot wanted to prove itself in front of the experts. Inspired by that model, Tissot entered the Tissot TComplication in the prestigious International Timing Competition. It then went on to win not only the first but also the second prize in the contest. Those medals attest to the consistency in quality of the exceptional and extremely precise mechanical movements Tissot produces. Simple precision:Tissot pushes its limits for its consumers, it is therefore only natural it would share the results with them. The Tissot TComplication Chronometer is the piece that came out of that victorious movement. The watch itself is simple yet details such as a guilloche on the dial provide it with a touch of elegance. Its precision is perfectly highlighted with a second counter centred at 6 o’clock. Simple precision is what this watch is about. Features: •Swiss Made •Mechanical chronometer movement officially certified by COSC (Contrôle officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) •Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective coating •316L stainless steel case with seethrough case back •Water-resistant up to a pressure of 3 bar (30 m/ 100 ft) •Leather strap with butterfly clasp It's the Swissness at the very heart of

Tissot that makes the brand such a distinguished one. The + in the Tissot logo is the same as the Swiss flag, symbolising the quality and the reliability that watchmakers have proudly demonstrated since 1853. The innovative brand remains in its home in Le Locle in the Swiss Jura Mountains, keeping its Swiss identity at its core. Tissot watches are authentic and accessible, using special materials, advanced functionality and meticulous design detail to create pieces that are both precise and stylish. The high calibre of the brand has been repeatedly recognised, as in its illustrious history Tissot has been named Official Timekeeper and Partner of MotoGPTM, FIM World Superbike, FIBA, AFL, RBS 6 Nations Rugby and the World Championships of cycling, fencing and ice hockey. Tissot, which sells its timepieces in more than 160 countries round the world, is a member of the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch producer and distributor of Swiss watches. As it continues to create pioneering creations, Tissot stands by its signature, "Innovators by Tradition." www.tissot.ch

facilitate innovation and technology towards ensuring sustained economic development. Additionally, our efforts to initiate dialogue with global thought leaders arise from our conviction on the pivotal role of education and research in building human capital.For his part, the Governor of Massachusetts commended the economic development of the UAE and the government’s strategy that seeks to develop a knowledge-based e c o n o m y. G o v e r n o r P a t r i c k highlighted that the visit comes as part of efforts to pave the way for further economic cooperation between the state of Massachusetts and the UAE in innovation-based sectors.

comprehensive banking experience to our clients. It is yet another example of N o o r B a n k ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o delivering innovative, convenient and i n t e g r a t e d b a n k i n g solutions.Mohammad Qasim Al Ali, CEO of National Bonds Corporation,

said:We are confident that our strategic agreement with Noor Investment Group will complement our vision of cultivating a healthy and sustainable savings culture in the UAE. As part of this priority, our association with a reliable and customer centric partner such as Noor Bank will certainly strengthen our ultimate goal to make saving a convenient experience for all. We look forward to sharing our unique savings products with Noor ’s discerning customers to inspire them in becoming financially informed and more empowered.Noor Bank Global Transaction Services team has delivered a series of innovative tailormade cash management solutions that have helped NBC to reduce the operational cost and ensure a faster turnaround time for fund collection. Noor Bank has also delivered an intuitive and cost-efficient liquidity management solution.

ENJOY AN IMMERSIVE AUDIO EXPERIENCE WITH SONY BDV-N9200WL HOME THEATRE SYSTEM 3D Blu-ray disc system offers new wave of entertainment with high-resolution audio capabilities

TISSOT T-COMPLICATION CHRONOMETER Two-Time Winner

attract globally renowned centers and talents in sectors such as education, intellectual property, technology and health. We institute legislations that

NOOR BANK BECOMES LATEST DISTRIBUTOR FOR NATIONAL BONDS By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

UAE IAA ENTERS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH IRM

international brands. Vision 2014 – the high-level conference that attracts the regions and world’s influencers and thought leaders will focus on dynamic issues and trends over 3 days of free events. There will also be a Career & Training Zone, The Sustainable Build, & Architectural Design Feature in addition to a networking, a product launch stage, buyer’s club lounge and new outdoor and leisure section.Dubai’s Expo 2020 is expected to attract in excess of 25m people, and with it the need for over 45,000 new hotel rooms. With just 6 years until the doors open, The Hotel Show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to get on the supplier’s list for major projects by meeting the key decision makers who are the project developers, hotel owners, contractors and interiors-consultants who attend the event to source new suppliers and research new products.The Hotel Show could have a serious impact on an order book more than $860m was spent by participants last year with an expected spend of almost $4bn for the year ahead. The event is located in a healthily growing marketplace and that is about to get significantly bigger with major projects and developments for EXPO 2020 in Dubai, The World Cup 2022 in Qatar, and massive room expansion in Saudi Arabia and Africa.Added Davidson

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ony Middle East and Africa FZE today announced the launch of the BDV-N9200WL 5.1ch 3D Blu-ray Home Theatre System, which delivers enhanced live concert audio and visual experience in addition to the conventional cinema surround sound. Enriched Audio Visual Experience:Powerful output of 1200W RMS.Digital Music Arena Mode with Synchronised Speaker Illumination,Football Mode and 9.1ch Cinema Studio Mode add extra dimension,Magnetic Fluid speaker reproduces finest details of every soundtrack.The new all-in-one home theatre system fills your living room with high-resolution audio which retains far more detail during the analogue-to-digital conversion process for a more authentic, emotionally involving musical experience.The system boasts total power output of 1200W RMS and 192 KHz/24bit high-resolution audio capability - containing six times more audio information than a standard CD.It has been designed to make you feel part of a live concert, movie or football event thanks to pre-set sound modes. You can enjoy the live arena sound and light effects as you watch the next music concert on your TV with the Digital Music Arena mode.The new speaker illumination settings stimulate visuals with balanced lighting effects. The LED lighting behind each speaker can also change colours to match the visuals on screen for an immersive experience. Unique to Sony, the new system is also equipped with Magnetic Fluid speaker, which reproduces the finest details of every sound-track, allowing

users to enjoy powerful, undistorted sound.The multi-channel 5.1 surround sound feature fills the room with sound via floor-standing speakers. Equipped with audio digital enhancers, the BDV-N9200WL system provides exceptional sound clarity while ClearAudio+ optimises all digital music sources. User-friendly functionality: NFC for One-touch mirroring and One-touch listening,SongPal mobile a p p l i c a t i o n , Wi t h O n e - t o u c h mirroring, you can see exactly what’s on the screen of your mobile device, mirrored on the TV. You can also stream your favourite audio and sounds from your NFC/Bluetooth enabled smartphone or tablet with One-touch listening. The SongPal mobile application allows you to freely control the new home theatre system instantly from the palm of your hand.Sony’s BDV-N9200WL, the official home theatre system of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, is currently available at all Jumbo Electronics showrooms and select electronics retailers in the UAE.

Mob:00971 56 118 6007

THOUGHT LEADERS DISCUSS ‘ENGINES OF CHANGE’ IN REGION’S TRAVEL ECOSYSTEM AT LAUNCH OF AMADEUS REPORT •Amadeus’ industry report on the GCC travel sector offers impressive insights into future of travel industry •Coming-of-age generation identified as key influencer of travel trends By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he travel ecosystem in the region will witness radical changes in the next 15 years driven by a combination of government policies, socioeconomic trends and geopolitical forces. Five major effects have also been identified as factors that will largely define the change. These include the population effect, the ‘beyond oil’ effect, the infrastructure effect, the gateway effect and the information effect.The findings have emerged from Amadeus’ latest report on the regional travel sector. Titled Shaping the Future of Travel in the

Gulf-Cooperation Council (GCC): Big Travel Effects, the report was launched in an event held on 5 June at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.Researched and collated by Frost & Sullivan and Insights and commissioned by Amadeus, the report examines and contextualises the evolution of a new, highly connected, personalised, and sustainable travel landscape in the Gulf region over the next 15 years. The report analyses the findings of a survey of around 1,000 travellers from the region as well as the observations of thought leaders in the travel industry.The study brings to light the crucial role played by the region’s coming-of-age population comprising largely of digital natives who demand complete round the clock high speed connectivity. The report further claims that these techsavvy youngsters who instinctively turn to mobile internet for travel solutions will plan, book and manage their options within the cyberspace, requiring travel service providers to move to the next level in terms of connectivity.Revealing key findings from the report, Antoine Medawar, Vice President, MENA, Amadeus IT Group, said: “Unfolding of demographic forces such as steady inflow of expatriate workers, robust natural population growth and a growing middle class will facilitate a new and divergent set of traveller behaviours and needs that significantly impact the region’s travel trends.The launch of the report was followed by a panel discussion that saw thought leaders and leading travel industry stakeholders from across the GCC region examining challenges as well as lucrative opportunities that are likely to emerge from the continental shift in the region’s travel terrain. Moderated by Duncan Alexander, Head of Pacific Asia Travel Association, West Asia, the panelists included Ivan Jakovljevic, Industry Head of Travel Middle East, Google, Terry Kane, Head of Travel MENA, Facebook, Mohammed Abdulmajeed, Vice President Sales Strategies, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Dr Omar Al Hudaif, CEO, Al Fursan Travel (Saudi Arabia), and Asma Abdullah Al Fahim from European International College. Speaking about the factor

that will drive the region’s travel trends, Facebook’s Terry Kane said:There cannot be one simple driver that impacts the travel sector, though the demographic and gateway effects will definitely have the m a x i m u m i m p a c t . Te r r y a l s o remarked on Dubai’s plans to go d i g i t a l , a d d i n g , ” Wi t h o v e r 4.4million monthly active people in the UAE logging on to Facebook and more than 3.7million monthly active people doing so on their mobiles, the future is very much mobile applications!Dr Omar Al Hudaif, CEO,Al Fursan Travel perceived technology as the biggest challenge to traditional t r a v e l agencies. T r a v e l agencies should be aware that the current trend is not going to slow down any time soon the penetration o f technology is only going to g a t h e r momentum. They need to focus on increasing their value proposition by incorporating cutting edge t e c h n o l o g i e s . Wi t h t r a v e l e r s increasingly opting to have control over their itinerary, it is imperative that airlines and travel agencies invest in technologies that facilitate self-servicing,said Mohammed Abdulmajeed of Saudi Arabian A i r l i n e s , a d d i n g , Te c h n o l o g y solutions providers such as Amadeus should also focus on fraud prevention. At the moment, there is a compelling need to secure payment gateways if we are to help travellers utilize online options optimally.Commenting further on how technology is expected to majorly impact the future of travel, Ivan Jakovljevic of Google, said:Travel is all about providing an experience to people. This can either be ‘real’ travel that will be limited to premium luxury travelers, or the technology-enabled ‘virtual’ travel that provides audio, visual and tactile experience to millions.” Ivan also spoke about technological innovations such as Oculus Rift, which can potentially facilitate virtual travel experiences.Asma Abdullah Al Fahim of European International College was of the opinion that the future of travel lies in diverging from the conventional travel options to ‘concierge’ travel. As a traveller, I look for options that offer solutions to all my travel related considerations, and personalized travel is where I get them from. So it’s important for travel agencies to focus on providing such concierge services in the future,said Asma. He further pointed out that industries must make it priority to invest in people.Diversification of economy beyond oil was also explored in depth as a key influencer of travel trends. Concurring that the evolution of specialist tourism sectors such as cruises as well as expanding opportunities in business, medical and sports tourism will significantly impact the travel sector, the panelists observed that the resultant inflow of tourists would enhance hospitality and construction industries, accelerating economic growth in the region.

ETISALAT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SWITCHES TO ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS IN SUPPORT OF UAE’S GREEN ECONOMY INITIATIVE By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

tisalat Facilities Management L.L.C, a pioneer of integrated sustainable facilities management services and solutions in the UAE, today announced a strategic initiative that will see the company utilise eco-friendly cleaning products in all its operations as part of its commitment to promote public health, safety, and environmental awareness of sustainable living. The programme, which is aligned to the UAE’s 2021 sustainability goals, will see Etisalat Facilities Management phase out conventional cleaning products in favour of those that are environmentally friendly and free of health risks. This process will take one year, and the company already started implementing its strategic plan in the second quarter of this year.Ali Hasan Harmoodi, Business Development Manager at EFM, said: “By using eco-friendly products that do not cause harm to human health or to the environment in general, Etisalat Facilities Management is supporting the UAE’s vision and efforts towards implementing the principles and practices of sustainable development.Such initiatives increase awareness about preserving the environment and public health, through the practices of individuals or companies, in order to lay the f o u n d atio n s o f a g r e e n a n d sustainable economy in the UAE.Harmoodi added: “We at Etisalat Facilities Management do our best to elevate the quality of facilities management services, and to face the major environmental

challenges in line with our corporate mission and continuous commitment to social responsibility.Explaining the economic impact of switching to eco-friendly cleaning agents, Harmoodi said:This will involve a slight increase in costs, which Etisalat Facilities Management will completely absorb given the great expected benefits. There will be no impact whatsoever on our fee structure, which is already competitive.EFM’s switch to ecofriendly products is also in line with a growing trend in the global facilities m a n a g e m e n t s e c t o r, w h e r e procurement policies are being reviewed to favour the usage of green cleaning products. Many of the chemicals usually found in traditional cleaning products have active ingredients that may cause respiratory and dermatological problems to employees, building occupants and the environment. Green cleaning programmes are designed to alleviate such hazards to end users.On 15 January, 2012, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of a long-term national initiative to build a green economy in the UAE under the slogan A green economy for sustainable development.The country is coordinating efforts to become a global hub for the export and reexport of green products and technologies, and maintain a sustainable environment to support long-term economic growth.

SUMMER AT SOTHEBY’S MAGNIFICENT WORKS FEATURING A History of Art in 10 Masterpieces By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

otheby’s London is delighted to announce the launch of the 2014 summer auction season with a whirlwind art historical tour that places ten of the greatest museumquality works to be offered in the context of 2000 years of western art history - ‘A History of Art in 10 Masterpieces’. For this experience, ten magnificent works have been selected from the forthcoming June and July auctions of Contemporary Art, Impressionist & Modern Art, Old Master Paintings, Old Master Drawings, Treasures (decorative arts, sculptures & antiquities) and Books & Manuscripts. FOR MORE NEWS FROM SOTHEBY’S Visit: www.sothebys.com/en/inside/services/press/news/news.html Follow: www.twitter.com/sothebys & www.weibo.com/sothebyshongkong & WeChat (ID: sothebyshongkong) Join: www.facebook.com/sothebys Watch: www.youtube.com/sothebys

Edition 49pg5

DUBAI SILICON OASIS CELEBRATES VICTORY OF AL NASR CLUB AT GCC CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

and all Al Nasr Club fans for winning the GCC Clubs Championship. I also want to wish Al Nasr (Al Ameed) more success and achievements in future

Committee at Al Nasr Club.On the o c c a s i o n , D r. M o h a m m e d Alzarooni, said:I congratulate His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy ruler of Dubai and the UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Al Nasr Club, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Deputy Chairman of Al Nasr Club as well as to the Board of Directors of the Club

tournaments. The team has put consistent efforts in bringing the championship trophy home and making the country proud. We believe there is a lot of untapped talent in sports in the UAE that needs to be channelled in the right direction. Our goal in sponsoring Al Nasr Club is to support our local teams to be able to compete locally and regionally, as well as in the Gulf.Al Nasr (meaning victory) was founded in 1945 with a strong vision and passion for sports. The club has a rich history of helping the local UAE communities create regional sporting champions.Wholly-owned by the Government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone for companies producing semiconductors, microelectronics, and other high-tech products seeking to establish regional headquarters and centres of research and development in the Middle East and Africa.

ubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, celebrated the victory of Al Nasr Club at the G C C C l u b s Championship 2014 with a special ceremony held at D S O ' s headquarters.The celebration was attended by Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Khoury, Vice Chairman of the Al Nasr Club Board, football coach Ivan Ivanovic, Famous Arabic singer Abdalla Balkhair, and Mohammad Al Awar, Head of Investment & Marketing

TAJ PALACE HOTEL DUBAI ORGANISED SERIESOF ACTIVITIES ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

June 4, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai was involved in a series of activities at Mamzar Beach, Dubai, aimed at promoting environmental awareness and encouraging its employees to adopt best practices for conservation.About 100 enthusiastic employees of the hotel participated in the activities which were held in

friendly policies in keeping with the world’s highest environmental standards.This participation is in line with our CSR efforts as it is a great way to keep renewing our pledge to reduce carbon footprint, a major requirement in improving our hotel’s performance in the EarthCheck environmental benchmarking and certification programme,” he said.Taj Palace Hotel Dubai’s dedication to green and sustainable practices designed to limit carbon footprint has ranked it among the global hospitality leaders dedicated to implementing environmentally sustainable practices. Its e ff o r t s w e r e f u r t h e r r e c o g n i s e d b y EarthCheck, the world’s leading environmental benchmarking and certification agency, which recently decorated the hotel with the EarthCheck Silver Certificate for the third year in a row.The Taj Palace Hotel Dubai is conveniently located in the heart of Deira, minutes’ from the international airport, within easy

collaboration with Dubai Municipality, from 8am to 10am. The hotel organised transportation, distributed T-shirts, caps and arranged food & beverages for all the participants.Mr Ahmed Badawy, Acting General Manager of Taj Palace Hotel Dubai, said that the hotel staff are keen on making enthusiastic participation in campaigns that renew their commitment to support environment

reach of the business and commercial district, touristic sites, shopping malls, leisure and entertainment facilities, the beach and creek, as well as the Dubai Metro line. The hotel features 159 rooms and suites plus 90 apartments as well as superb dining and leisure options. The unbeatable combination of luxury, location, convenience and comfort guarantees true value for money at Taj Palace Hotel Dubai.

aj Palace Hotel, Dubai, is riding high on the staggering success of its environmental management programme as the hospitality giant has been awarded the prestigious Earth Check Silver Certificate for the third consecutive year.On World Environment Day on

DP WORLD - UAE REGION SIGNS UP FOR NATIONAL BONDS CORPORATION’S EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PROGRAM Partnership Seeks to Promote Sustained Culture of Savings among DP World - UAE Region Employees By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ational Bonds Corporation (NBC), the leading shariacompliant savings and investments company in the UAE, today announced that DP World - UAE Region, the regional leading marine terminal operator, has signed up for its Employee Savings Program (ESP) with the aim of instilling a sustained culture of savings its employees in the UAE.Under the program, an agreed predetermined amount is deducted from employees’ salaries on a monthly basis and deposited directly into their personal NBC accounts.As part of its ‘financial well-being’ mandate under the Employee S a v i n g s P r o g r a m , National Bonds Corporation will also provide complementary seminars to the DP World UAE Region employees, highlighting the benefits of regular savings.Mohammed Qasim Al Ali said:It is indeed gratifying that companies are beginning to see value in initiatives such as National Bonds Corporation’s Employee Savings Program the region’s first such offering that has been designed to cultivate a culture of savings in the community. Over 50 companies from the private and public sectors are currently benefiting from the program that articulates our overarching aim of fostering financial stability for the country as a whole and the wider region.He added:With DP World, we aim to maintain our relationship with the staff through appropriate internal communication channels and awareness sessions that help them understand the value of regular savings, regardless of the amount they allocate. By signing up for ESP,

DP World UAE Region clearly demonstrates its dedication in supporting its employees to achieve sound financial stability. We are confident our partnership will create a better informed and financially literate workplace at DP World.Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said:The welfare of our people is one of the key contributors to our success

as the region’s largest port operator. At DP World, we believe that our people are our most valuable asset and we are committed to nurturing them. Their safety, security and wellbeing are our top priority. The National Bonds Corporation’s Employee Savings Program gives our employees a flexible tool to ensure their financial security for the future. We thank NBC for their initiative and cooperation.National Bonds Corporation’s Employee Savings Program was recently named ‘Best Savings Account’ for 2014 at the prestigious annual Banker Middle East Awards.National Bonds Corporation is licensed and regulated by the UAE Central Bank, and provides UAE nationals, UAE residents and nonresidents with a credible and safe savings opportunity. Minors can also own National Bonds certificates, provided the bonds are purchased by their parent/guardian. Each bond costs AED10, with a minimum purchase option of AED100.

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

Email:azadnewsuae@yahoo.com

CELEBRATE RAMADAN AT LE MÉRIDIEN ABU DHABI

MODHESH WORLD TO KICK OFF A SUMMER OF ENDLESS FAMILY FUN

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY HOLDS HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS IN ROMANIA

•5th anniversary celebrations of Modhesh World begin tomorrow (Thursday, 12 June) •Modhesh World to focus on attracting teenagers •Region’s much awaited family edutainment destination to host Eid World Premieres of Angry Birds and Transformers interactive experiences •World’s most famous cat Hello Kitty and WWE will add to the 89-day excitement

•His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri:“UAE Companies Command Global Credibility” •Securities and Commodities Authority of UAE and Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) of Romania Ink MoU

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

he restaurant Talay at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi will be hosting Iftar buffet every day after sunset during the month of Ramadan.Our guests will savour authentic Iftar buffet while enjoying a marvelous and traditional atmosphere at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi. The buffet will offer delicious Arabic dishes such as: moutabel, kabsa, knafeh, katayef and much more! The holy month of Ramadan is always a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and family and Le

Méridien Abu Dhabi is a fabulous place to celebrate it.The buffet is AED 99* for adults and AED 50* for children (price is subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee) including unlimited Ramadan juices. For reservations and/or information, please call 02 644 6666Or visit Le Méridien Abu Dhabi website:http://www.lemeridienabud habi.com/ Ramadan Kareem from all the associates at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi!

CROSSING BORDERS THIS RAMADAN Insignia PR presents exciting new offerings this Ramadan across local hotspots and international borders By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

scape the sweltering heat this Ramadan as Insignia PR takes you out of the UAE to present you with a refreshing array of foreign summer escapades or with a vibrant local dining option. From the bustling city of Dubai to the neighboring stunning shores and mountain ranges of Oman or further north to the cosmopolitan city of Geneva we share this summer’s top Ramadan experiences. Stylish Eastern Dining:Ba

Restaurant and Lounge draws its guests to the lush palm island this Ramadan with its extraordinary vistas overlooking the Dubai Marina skylines and the ocean sunsets. This uber stylish restaurant treats local taste buds with an Eastern flair. Opening daily from sunset est.7.30pm-11:30pm on Saturdays through Wednesdays and sunset est. 7.30pm -12:00 midnight on

Thursdays and Fridays, offering authentic Chinese delicacies in a

flexible sharing fashion, convenient for dining amongst family and friends. A popular culinary delight to be expected is traditionally steamed dim sum, complemented by handcrafted revitalising tea mocktails. During this holy month, Ba treats visitors and locals alike to a refreshing new way to break the fast in a contemporary buzzing ambiance.

NCR SHOWCASES OMNI-CHANNEL SOLUTIONS THAT CREATE SEAMLESS EXPERIENCES FOR CONSUMERS WHEN THEY BANK, SHOP AND TRAVEL Digitally empowered consumers seek redefined experiences By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

CR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, today showcased its suite of innovative omni-channel technologies at the ‘NCR OmniChannel Consumer Experience Forum’ for the banking, retail and travel industry in the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.Across all industries, consumers are using physical and digital channels interchangeably, often expecting the ability to begin a transaction in one channel and complete it in another. For example, a consumer may research a home loan online but complete the transaction in a bank branch. Similarly, if a product is not available at a retail outlet, the customer expects an alternative channel like a self-service kiosk within the store to check availability of the product and order it instantly. However, most businesses have no visibility of the customer ’s journey between channels, and the customer experience feels disjointed.Every industry is engaging its customers in multiple channels, but companies may be overlooking a more fundamental need for a seamless, omni-channel approach that provides a single, unified experience for the customer across all touch points, locations and channels,” said Brian Bailey, Vice President, Strategy & Marketing, NCR Financial Services. With our innovative omni-channel platforms, NCR will be able to provide more choice, greater control, and increased flexibility to our customers to improve service, cut costs and drive sales.With its view of more than 485 million transactions around the world each day, NCR is creating technology solutions with an omnichannel perspective in mind. The innovative technology works together to create a consistent consumer experience as they interact and transact with a business’ online, mobile and physical channels.NCR will continue to invest in the Middle East, which has witnessed a huge leap in helping the development of banks over the past decade,” said Habib Hanna, Managing Director for South Gulf and Pakistan region. “We are encouraged to see banks and retail organizations in the region using technology that makes interaction with their customers more meaningful. It is therefore an excellent opportunity for us to support this positive trend by

introducing innovative technologies that can dramatically change customers’ experience.Omnichannel technology in banking.At its omni-channel forum in Dubai, NCR showcased a host of solutions for financial services institutions. These solutions include technologies that merge the branch and ATM channel, such as NCR Interactive Teller and Interactive Banker. NCR Interactive Teller allows customers to bank with a live video teller and conduct up to 95 per cent of typical teller transactions, extending its capabilities far beyond that of today’s ATMs.Interactive Teller allows a live teller to take remote control of the device while engaging the customer over two-way video, providing a personalized experience. NCR also introduced NCR Interactive Banker – an innovative technology that helps banks to rethink their branch environment, including reducing the size of branch footprints, by using an advanced financial services kiosk paired to sophisticated teller software. This technology allows branch employees to move from one station to another with complete visibility of customers’ needs and personalities through robust customer data transmitted to a tablet PC.A streamlined omni-channel approach to banking services ensures a consistent consumer experience, whether they access their banking service via a mobile, tablet or visiting a branch in person,” said Stelios Fragkos, Vice President, Financial Sales for Asia, Middle East and Africa region.NCR’s Cx Banking omni-channel platform delivers a unique and compelling consumer experience across all digital and physical channels - mobile, online, branch, and ATM.

SUNDOWNERS WITH A TWIST! BÂ RESTAURANT & LOUNGE REVOLUTIONISES COCKTAIL HOUR By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

Step out of the marina bubble for after work sundowners with just a swift taxi ride and catch the lasting sunlight at the Palm Jumeriah. Once there, indulge in its cool breezes and glinting marina skyline views as Ba Restaurant & Lounge invites you to Sunset Club, offering half price beverages every Sunday-Friday from 5.30pm 7pm. Prepare to be transported to the Far East with delicious Chinese tapas and innovative refreshments hand in hand with traditional Chinese drinking etiquette of clinking of glasses (jing jiu) and drying the cup (ganbei).Begin your evening with an Asian Summer cocktail - its kick of ginger, dash of sesame and amaretto will revitalise and awaken your senses. Delight your taste buds with Royal Peking Duck Crepes topped with Foie Gras alongside the pristine Rose Petal Martini, a blend of rose syrup, lychee liqueur and parfait amour. Try the delectable Truffle Mushroom Spring Rolls dipped in blue cheese complementing the elusive Black Orchid with fresh lime, violet liqueur and orange bitters. Ba Lounge has a selection of cold Sake to choose from including the classic dry Tateyama Ginrei, Honjozo.For those who enjoy a refreshing mocktail, the signature options include exotic Far Eastern ingredients such as lime and basil syrup with fresh pineapple, or opt for sage syrup with fresh passion fruit, or even the fresh kaffir lime leaves in the Kaffir Long Island Ice Tea. Choose your spot to relax either on the terrace overlooking the beach or unwind in the savvy lounge enjoying Ba beats.

Mob:00971 56 118 6007

odhesh World, one of the most popular family edutainment destinations in the region, will celebrate its milestone 15th edition this year with a lineup of family fun featuring international ly renowned entertainme nt characters and a wide array of interactive and themed experiences designed to give families and children their most memorable summer holidays in Dubai.Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), and the organisers of Modhesh World, is partnering with top international character licensors Rovio, Sanrio and Hasbro -to bring some of the world’s most popular f a m i l y entertainment concepts to Modhesh World, including the World Premieres of interactive experiences featuring the global phenomenon Angry Birds Universe and the action heroes from the science fiction hit,

Transformers.Modhesh World 2014 will open in phases from tomorrow (Thursday, 12 June) at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will run until 8 September.From Thursday 12 June, children, pre-teens and teenagers can enjoy all the fun of the fair, with rides such as Carousel, Chair-O-Plane and Crazy Wave as well as kiddie bungee jumping, bouncy castle-type inflatables, and arcade and video games. Visitors can also learn more about Emirati culture and traditions at the Heritage Zone.The following week, from Thursday, 19 June, Modhesh World will open up further to fun activities for all ages, such as the WWE non-contact wrestling experience, Hello Kitty & Friends around the World, the Lego/Duplo Zone, the Laser Quest laser- tag game, the ice-themed Winter Wonderland and Little Stars, a zone sponsored by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

to help children develop motor skills and learn a number of sports.Then, in celebration of the Eid festivities, Modhesh World will host the World Premieres of interactive experiences featuring the Angry Birds Universe and the Transformers.The opening of Modhesh World will simultaneously launch DFRE’s annual summer calendar to further enhance Dubai’s position as a year-round family tourism destination. In addition to Modhesh World, the other key summer festivals and special occasions organised by DFRE are Ramadan in Dubai from29 June to 27 July, showcasing Islamic culture, Emirati traditions and hospitality; Eid in Dubai from 28 July to 1 August, a grand celebration of the Eid Al Fitr festival that will involve people from all communities, and the iconic family summer extravaganza, Dubai Summer

Surprises from 2 August to 5 September, which will take Dubai’s summer season to a new high.Her Excellency, Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and

Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said: “As DFRE intensifies its efforts to position Dubai as a premier family tourism destination, Modhesh World has emerged as a leading family edutainment facility in the summer. Indeed, it is the high calibre of international entertainment offered at Modhesh World such as the World Premiere of the Angry Birds Universe interactive experience that tends to tempt large numbers of children and parents to spend their summer holidays in Dubai.Having successfully organized festivals and celebrations for almost two decades, DFRE has acquired a deep understanding of what families enjoy most, and a visit to Modhesh World happens to be one of

their favourite choices in the summer. This has helped us continuously develop Modhesh World year on year, with a great line-up of activities and convenient services ensuring a truly fun environment for families and children.Today, Modhesh World has firmly established itself as an edutainment hub that gives children the opportunity to enjoy extraordinary experiences and get creative in a fun ambience. With its range of world-class entertainment, we expect Modhesh World 2014 to set the excitement and tone for the rest of Dubai’s summer season, as it gets ready to welcome visitors from around the world to its star-studded 15th anniversary celebrations and offer them an endless summer of family fun.Modhesh World is gearing up to offer children, as well as their parents, an unforgettable time through numerous experiences, attractions and activities spread across several zones including a wide array of games, contests, rides, shows, adventureoriented activities, and much more.Established in the year 2000, Modhesh World has become one of the much looked forward to summer attractions of Dubai, attracting over 500,000 visitors every year. Modhesh World 2014 will be open from 10am to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, from 10am to midnight on Thursdays and Saturdays and from 3pm to midnight on Fridays. The timings during Ramadan will be 12noon to 2am on all days except Fridays, when it will be 5pm to 2am. The three days of Eid Al Fitr will see Modhesh World stay open from 10am till midnight.

ADCB AND SAADIYAT DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT COMPANY SIGN CUSTOMER HOME LOAN AGREEMENT FOR HIDD AL SAADIYAT Construction on villas now 25-percent complete. 70-percent of units already sold By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

bu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and Saadiyat Development and Investment Company (SDIC) have announced the signing of a customer financing agreement for Hidd Al Saadiyat, a luxurious residential development project on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. As part of the agreement, Hidd Al Saadiyat beachfront development homeowners will benefit from ADCB’s attractive mortgages and Ijarah financing options.Covering 1.5 million square meters of land with 7 kilometers of beaches, the Hidd Al Saadiyat project will provide residents a safe and luxurious environment on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, minutes away from Abu Dhabi City. The community will consist of 452 villas, with commercial centers, hotels, apartments, beach clubs and amenities, conveniently located within reach.Combining modern and traditional Mediterranean designs, Hidd Al Saadiyat seamlessly integrates the ocean and the beach into every detail of its villa designs. As a comprehensive development surrounded by the serene beauty of the natural environment, Hidd Al Saadiyat blends natural landscape with sustainably designed villas, apartments, retail space, hotels and schools.The project has obtained Estidama Pearl 2 rating for compliance with Abu Dhabi’s sustainability standards of new projects.Commenting on the strategic partnership, Arup Mukhopadyay,

Head of Consumer Banking at ADCB said,ADCB is delighted to have partnered with SDIC on the prestigious Hidd Al Saadiyat development. The strategic partnership will allow us to extend our financial solutions conventionally to customers who desire owning their dream home in one of the region’s most luxurious beachfront communities. This tie-up brings together our bank’s product suite and service excellence with a world class real estate company; a truly win-win partnership. We look forward to working with SDIC to provide our valued clients with best-in-class financial solutions.Mubarak Al Khaili, Board Member of Saadiyat Development and Investment Company (SDIC), developer of the project, said, “Hidd Al Saadiyat residential development has evoked tremendous interest among UAE Nationals as well as other communities. Our strategic tie-up with a well-reputed financial institution such as ADCB will serve the growing demand from home seekers who are looking for a serene natural environment and high-end island living, minutes away from Abu Dhabi city.The construction work on the project began in October 2012; the company began building the villas in July 2013, accomplishing more than 25% of the first phase of its construction. The project successfully sold more than 70% of the villas up to date.

countries around the world. The operations of the UAE’s companies abroad are marked by a high degree of corporate social responsibility. The enterprises are seen as real partners in developmental efforts and not just as profit seekers.Al Mansouri offered detailed insights into the investment landscape of the UAE. He highlighted the facilities offered to investors, the legislative framework and the ultra-modern infrastructure and logistical capabilities that position the country as a preferred international business hub. The Minister of Economy also highlighted the availability of free zones, mega ports and airports, and the development of infrastructurallyenabled industrial cities that support the significant investment opportunities in the UAE.During the meeting, the two sides emphasized the importance of laying out a clear framework for future cooperation. The proposed framework will identify specific sectors, timelines and follow-up mechanisms to monitor development and tackle any obstacles. The delegations agreed that a joint team would be set up for the implementation of decisions

made by the Joint Economic Committee.For his part, the Romanian Prime Minister expressed his country’s interest in developing cooperation across all sectors, focusing on agriculture, industry, t o u r i s m , a n d e n e rg y. X X X , Romania’s State Minister for Energy, meanwhile, outlined the country’s significant economic potential in wind energy, hydropower, and solar power and confirmed interest in attracting investments from the UAE in the renewable energy sector.The delegates also discussed ongoing privatization plans that are underway and called on businesses in the UAE to benefit from the investment opportunities available in Romania.Financial A g r e e m e n t : A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE and the Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) of Romania at the conclusion of the Joint Economic Committee meeting.The MoU seeks to establish a framework for mutual assistance and facilitate the exchange of information between the two authorities. The enhanced cooperation is in turn anticipated to ensure mutual compliance with regulations in the securities and futures domain of the two countries. Additionally, the agreement aims to augment investor confidence and promote the integrity of the securities markets through establishing a charter for co-operation, exchange of information and investigative assistance that conforms to existing laws and practices.The pact also specifies the mutual scope of work that focuses on the prevention of illegitimate financial market activities including insider dealing, market manipulation and other fraudulent practices prevalent among companies, securities, futures contracts, options and collective investment schemes.

ROGER DUBUIS JOINS HANDS WITH EMIRATES AIRLINE IN THE “TIME FOR CHANGE” INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S LIVES By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

oger Dubuis, a leader in Fine Watchmaking and pioneer of contemporary skeleton calibres, and the Emirates Airline Foundation, are coming together in a charity initiative aimed at bringing joy and enhancing the lives of children around the world.The ‘Time for Change’ initiative will raise funds for the Emirates Airline Foundation through a silent auction of a unique piece: the Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon. The timepiece, designed exclusively for the partnership, is Roger Dubuis’ most iconic creation, a true collector’s item! All the proceeds of the auction

will go towards the Emirates Airline Foundation’s many programs dedicated to bettering the lives of children all over the world.The ‘Time for Change’ auction will run from August 15th 2014 to March 15th 2015. Passengers on all Emirates flights can bid for a chance to own a collector’s dream by filling in a bid form in-flight. The winning bidder will be invited for a VIP visit to the Roger Dubuis Manufacture in Geneva, Switzerland for an up-close look at the savoir-faire and mastery that go into fashioning some of the world’s most iconic timepieces. The winner will also meet the master watchmaker who crafted the timepiece.Excalibur Skeleton

AL NOOR - PACIFIC VENTURES GALA DINNER RAISED APPROXIMATELY AED 500,000 FOR THE CENTRE USER FRIENDLY SMILES N’ STUFF WEBSITE LAUNCHED! By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

nder the patronage of HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs in partnership with Pacific Ventures hosted a gala

store www.smilesnstuff.ae will not only sell these unique gift ideas but also capture behind the scene activities and give a glimpse into how the students transform their special needs to productive skills.The dinner was an astounding

dinner yesterday at the Conrad Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road to raise funds to cover the cost of running the Centre.Khalid Al Halyan, Chairman of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs introduced the guests to Al Noor’s recently launched Smiles n’ Stuff website. Smiles n’ Stuff sells products that children between the ages of 14 and 18 who have cognitive disabilities learn to make by hand at its four vocational training classes. The disciplines include Wood Design Technology, Fashion Technology , Printing Technology and a Bakery Unit. Khalid Al Halyan, Chairman of Al Noor

success and we were delighted to have the numerous people who stepped up to support the cause of Al Noor, by attending and participating in the auctions and raffle.” said Isphana Al Khatib, Director of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.The entire sales proceeds from the website will be utilised to contribute to the welfare of Al Noor students.This will enable us to enhance our ‘reach’ in terms of awareness as well as sales, she added.Al Noor raised approximately AED 500,000 from the gala dinner to support the needs of 300 children and young people from different nationalities who have various

Training Centre for Children with Special Needs said,It was very heartening to see the members of the public coming forward to support such a noble cause at the gala dinner. It was my pleasure to launch the new Smiles n’ Stuff website, making it

physical and cognitive challenges attending the Centre where they are given thorough professional training and care to reach their highest potential. Approximately 600 people attended the dinner.Leading real estate

even more convenient for people to come forward and help children with special needs.The new online store will give shoppers the convenience of choosing from a wide range of desktop accessories, home improvement items, fashion items and assorted cookies from the comfort of their homes. The online

company Pacific Ventures hosted the event as a title sponsor. Pacific Ventures Chairperson, Mr. Parvez Khan said,It was an honour to be part of this prestigious event and specifically something that is close to my heart. The Al Noor center is our first involvement in terms of CSR and we hope to help many more in the times to come.

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

AE companies have registered exceptionally successful performance in drawing international investments and proven their global competitiveness. Our home grown entities have earned reputation through decades of hard work and excellence. Today, organizations from the UAE are welcomed and sought after worldwide,according to His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri’s comments followed a high-level meeting with Romanian officials led by the Prime Minister Victor Ponta in Bucharest. The exchange was held on the side lines of the Joint Economic Committee meeting held in the Romanian capital.The UAE delegation included high level officials and members of the country’s business community.Al Mansouri added:The UAE is proud of the developmental role that our companies are playing in different

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BEAT THE HEAT WITH DELICIOUSLY REFRESHING WATERMELON SPARKLERS FROM DUNKIN’ DONUTS Special offer from leading coffee and baked goods brand for customers By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

W life. We hope this initiative will make a meaningful difference.The Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon is a ground-breaker in the world of watchmaking. A masterpiece from a brand known for its daring technical innovativeness, the timepiece brings together for the first time the skeleton and the double flying tourbillion in an extravagant exercise in style and watchmaking expertise.The timepiece is powered by the extremely technical RD01SQ movement, comprised of 301 parts that ensure greater precision thanks to a differential system that averages the rates of the two tourbillons. As with every other masterpiece from the Roger Dubuis collections, the Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon carries the Poinçon de Genève, the seal of watchmaking excellence.As the only watch Manufacture in the world to have all of its timepieces embossed with the Poinçon de Genève, the most demanding signature in Fine Watchmaking, Roger Dubuis has carved out an exclusive niche in the world of Haute Horlogerie thanks to its expertise in architectural and technical mechanisms combined with powerful, daring designs.The E m i r a t e s A i r l i n e Foundation(http://www.emiratesairl inefoundation.org/) a non-profit

ith the summer set to sizzle and temperatures set to soar, Dunkin’ Donuts now offers refreshing relief to their myriad customers in the UAE. The all new Watermelon Sparklers are a delicious way to beat the heat and look set to be a high demand thirst quencher across the

coffee and baked goods chain’s outlets in the Emirates.Cool and refreshingly replete with the soothing taste of everyone’s favourite watermelon, the Sparkler is also offset by the tangy bite of lime, making for a supremely soothing drink that is expected to be a hot seller on the menu over the summer months.The Watermelon Sparklers are designed to refresh and rejuvenate our customers who stop in for a cooling drink or a pick-me-up from the sultry environment outside,” said David Rodgers,

General Manager of Dunkin’ Donuts Middle East. We are known for our innovative products that set the trend in the market and we will continue to come up with winning recipes and treats for our Dunkin’ Donuts community.With 74 outlets spread out across the breadth of the UAE, Dunkin’ Donuts serves up a wide spectrum of popular products, including a wide variety of doughnuts, delicious hot and iced coffee, hot and iced lattes, cappuccinos, coolatta slush drinks, munchkins and other baked goods and beverages.Beginning with a single restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts, the Dunkin’ Donuts story has been one of epic success. Over the years the international quick serve giant, part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, has captured the loyalty of a worldwide following and is today present in over 33 countries and operates nearly 11,000 restaurants worldwide.

RADO HYPERCHROME COURT COLLECTION AUTOMATIC By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

A Double Flying Tourbillon Unique piece:Those interested can view and submit their bids for the Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon at the Roger Dubuis Boutique at The Boulevard, Emirates Towers in Dubai from August 15th 2014 to March 15th 2015.We are extremely proud to join hands with Emirates to make a difference in the lives of children and enable them to live brighter, happier lives,said JeanMarc Pontroué, CEO of Roger Dubuis.The Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon is among our finest creations and we hope to be able to raise the maximum amount for the Foundation.This collaboration with Roger Dubuis will go a long way in our efforts to positively impact the lives of children,said Terry Daly, Board Member of the Emirates Airline Foundation, and Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President – Service Delivery.There is great need to garner international support to help millions of children around the world and improve their quality of

charity dedicated to providing a wholesome and loving environment that enhances the quality of life for children in need across the world. RD01SQ caliber:Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon - Unique piece,Case Ø 45 mm, black DLC Unique pieceand limitation engraved on the case back,Dial :Skeleton, charcoal grey flange and black screws,Water resistance 5 BAR (50 m) Strap:Black strap, genuine alligator,Production:Unique piece Certifi cation:Poinçon de Genève,RD01SQ:Double flying tourbillon,Features: Hand-wound mechanical skeleton movement, 16 ¾’’’,28 jewels, charcoal grey, rhodium-plated,circular-grained. Stamped with the Poinçon de Genève,Specifications: Double fl ying tourbillon with differential,visible between 4 and 5 o’clock andbetween 7 and 8 o’clock,Number of parts: 301,Height: 7.67 mm,Frequency: 2x3 Hz (21,600 vph),Power reserve: 50 hours

dvantage Rado:Quiet please Play! Rado springs into action on court in 2014 with a new collection of stylish automatic watches to add to its HyperChrome Court Collection. Dynamic, sporty and with contemporary good looks and silky skills these are the latest models to rocket up the rankings.For practice, training or competitive matches, the Rado HyperChrome Court Collection is guaranteed to keep pace with you and meet every demand you make of it.The automatic movement is powered by the wearer, so these new models are ideally suited to life on the court as y o u work up a sweat, b u t guarante e a cool appearan ce when you’re relaxing after a tough tennis work out.15-0: The all new collection cuts a dashing figure with 36mm polished black high-tech ceramic monobloc cases. Lightweight, scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic, as well as groundbreaking in their one-piece construction, they ensure that Rado definitely wins the first point. 30-0: The three row high-tech

ceramic integrated bracelets not only ensure a perfect and comfortabl e fit on the wrist, but also add an e y e catching element to the watch. They are Rado’s take on the tennis bracelet. Another point to the materials specialists.40-0: A quality Swiss automatic movement with 38 hour power reserve ensures that there will be no time violations and you’ll never be late back on court from the changeover break. Victory is in sight. Game Rado! Indexes, hands and dial details in blue, orange and green SuperLumiNova® represent hard, clay and grass playing surfaces res pectively. With this new collection Rado is not only the master of materials, but also the king of the court.Ladies and gentlemen, your new tennis champion for 2014 is Rado!

Azad News UAE 8-14 June 2014,10-16 Shaban 1435

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MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND CHINESE DELEGATION FROM LIAONING PROVINCE COMMIT TO ENHANCING TRADE AND INVESTMENT By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

is Excellency Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, received a high ranking Chinese trade delegation headed by Yang Yasong, Vice Chairman of Liaoning Province Federation of I n d u s t r y a n d C o m m e r c e . T h e discussions, held in the Ministry of Economy’s offices in Dubai, focused on potential growth opportunities in trade and investment in the two countries and explored ways to improve commun i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e business communities of the UAE and China.Recalling the historical UAE-China relations, His Excellency Juma Mohammed Al Kait underscored the UAE’s

continued interest in reinforcing its strong partnership with various Chinese provinces through increasing cooperation in areas of investment and trade. Al Kait stressed the vital role of the private sector in the consolidation of bilateral trade.Al Kait also highlighted the rapid growth in mutual trade, underlining the strategic economic relationship that the UAE shares with the People's Republic of China. The volume of trade between the two countries climbed to over US$17 billion at the end of 2012. In addition to hosting a large number of Chinese companies, the UAE is also home to 356 Chinese commercial agencies with 2,483

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

ASF, one of the world’s leading producers of construction chemicals, and Lafarge, one of the world’s leading producers of cement and concrete,

the opening up of investment o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n i n d u s t r y, petrochemicals, energy and services for domestic and foreign players. He called upon the Chinese private sector, especially from Liaoning Province, to strengthen its presence in commercial and industrial events and activities held in the UAE.For his part, Yang Yasong praised the UAE’s efforts in sustainable development and said Liaoning Province Administration is keen to learn from the UAE’s experience in the important area.He urged enhanced communication between the UAE and the administration of Liaoning Province towards bolstering cooperation between private sectors in both countries, especially in heavy industries, ICT a n d r e a l e s t a t e development.Liaoning Province Federation of Industry and Commerce also invited the UAE Ministry of Economy to visit the province.Liaoning Province, located in north-east China spans a total area of 150,000 square kilometers and comprises a population of 42.1 million. A key centre for heavy industries and raw material production, the province contains 10% of the total number of medium and large public enterprises of China. Liaoning Province Federation of Industry and Commerce has more than 200,000 private sector representatives.

Manager of the Lough Erne Resort, Ferghal has exceptional experience in both resort and conference hotel management. One of his most notable achievements at the Lough Erne Resort was hosting the 2013 G8 Summit that was described by British Prime Minister David Cameron, as "the most successful G8 Summit ever.The Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort offers 254 rooms, suites and serviced residence, and a plethora of restaurants and lounge options serving cuisines from around the world with two specialty restaurants ‘Dragon’s Place’ and ‘Arabesque Gourmet’ as well as an all-day-dining restaurant 'Encore Bistro', lobby café, sunset terrace and the rooftop deck ‘Nojoom Lounge’. One of the hotel’s greatest assets is its fabulous meeting and event facilities including the 1,200 sq metre grand ballroom with a foyer, the largest in the northern Emirates, a conference hall, four meeting rooms, and a VIP function area all offering inspirational surroundings. Encore Lifestyle Club provides superb leisure and recreation facilities including Encore Spa as well as state-of-theart fitness facility.

ONLY 100 DAYS TO 17TH ASIAN GAMES INCHEON 2014 By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

issot, the Official Timekeeper of the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014, officially announces that there are only 100 days to go to the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014, one of the world’s biggest and most prominent international sporting events, which begin on September 19, 2014.As the anticipation is building for everyone involved, the excitement is getting stronger for the thousands of visitors and millions of TV viewers, who can’t wait to bear witness to some of the greatest moments in sport. Tissot, however, after two years of meticulous preparation, is calm, confident and ready to time the 36 different disciplines. It is determined to provide fairness and equality to the Asian Games, by providing a timing of ultimate precision, which it will be doing in 100 days.To ensure athletes and fans alike make it on time, Tissot has even created a special collection of watches synonymous with their Timekeeping precision. The Tissot Asian Games Collection reflects the dynamic nature of the event and is comprised of watches from classic to sporty, with unique designs, to suit every taste.

PAKISTAN’S AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE, MR. ASIF DURRANI CALLED ON HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH TAHNOUN BIN MOHAMMED AL NAHYAN, RULER’S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE EASTERN REGION

akistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Asif Durrani called on His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, at his Palace in Al-Ain, this morning.While w e l c o m i n g t h e Ambassador, H.H. Sheikh Ta h n o u n d e s c r i b e d Pakistan a great friend of the UAE. He emphasized on the need of greater interaction as well as economic cooperation between the two countries.Ambassador Asif Durrani conveyed best wishes of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun and extended him an invitation on behalf of the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan at his convenience.H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the invitation and stated that he would

Construction Chemicals and Lafarge signed a contract for establishing a joint venture in Erbil, autonomous region of Kurdistan ? The new production site will mainly produce concrete admixtures and cement additives The initiative reinforces BASF’s involvement in the region

YOUR GATEWAY TO PREMIUM ARABIC CONTENT OSN BRINGS VIEWERS OVER 13 NEW ARABIC SHOWS, THIS RAMADAN •OSN triples investment in Ramadan content this year •13 new shows, including seven exclusive shows and two Khaleeji shows •Network to offer 20 dramas on special ‘OnDemand’ service ‘Ramadan Ma Fatak TV’ By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

? BASF

Chinese trademarks registered with the Ministry of Economy.Al Kait said the UAE’s serious efforts in economic diversification have led to

NEW GENERAL MANAGER TAKES CHARGE ATTHE AJMAN PALACE HOTEL & RESORT oving to the Arabian Gulf from Ireland, Ferghal Purcell has been appointed as General Manager at The Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort managed by HMH-Hospitality Management Holdings.Making the announcement HMH CEO Laurent A. Voivenel said, "We are very pleased to have Ferghal Purcell in our team who brings a fresh outlook to the challenging hospitality market in Ajman with his broad skills and experience. After the initial launch phase, The Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort is now poised to consolidate its position as one of the major leisure and corporate venues in the emirate. With Ferghal at the helm, we can expect the hotel to develop in tandem with the economic expansion of Ajman where projects such as the new airport and port facilities are building awareness of its potential.An honours graduate from the Shannon College of Hotel Management, Ferghal has extensive experience of resort management in both South Africa and Ireland, having started his career as Food & Beverage Manager for the preopening team of The Lord Charles Hotel in the Cape Province, later going on to become General Manager when he played host to Nelson Mandela during the country’s reconciliation peace talks.During the 1990s, he was in charge at two spa and golf resorts in South Africa before returning to Ireland as General Manager of the Adare Manor & Golf Resort in County Limerick – then branching out into hotel ownership with the purchase of the Aherlow House Hotel & Lodges in County Tipperary.Winner of Northern Ireland Hotelier of the Year title at his most recent post as General

BASF STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN IRAQ

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undertake the visit at a convenient date. He mentioned Pakistan as his second home and said that he accompanied H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, during his trip to Pakistan in January, 2014.H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Under-

have recently signed a contract for establishing a joint venture for the production and marketing of construction chemicals in Iraq. BASF Construction Chemicals Iraq will be located in Erbil, autonomous region of Kurdistan.The new production site will mainly produce concrete admixtures and cement additives. Furthermore, BASF will offer its comprehensive product portfolio of construction chemicals to the local market.BASF and Lafarge have been working

initiative clearly represents BASF’s interest and commitment to the Middle East”, says Dick Purchase, Head of BASF Construction Chemicals Division in Middle East, West Asia, CIS & Africa. “With this joint venture, we are fulfilling our Master Builders Solutions promise of connectedness by being closer to our clients, providing our innovative and sustainable solutions, and creating new job opportunities in the region.

JAPAN TARGETS SHARE OF UAE AND GCC REGION’S BOURGEONING CLEAN ENERGY AND WATER INDUSTRY Asian leader in sustainability confirms participation in 2015 edition of World Future Energy Summit and International Water Summit By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

apan, an Asian leader in sustainability, has confirmed its participation at the 2015 edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and International Water Summit (IWS) next January. The events which take place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week hosted by Masdar will offer Japanese companies a window into the UAE and GCC region’s growing clean energy and water industries.The announcement was made following a visit to Tokyo this week by a UAE delegation that included M a t t h e w Griffiths, Director of Water Strategy and Reuse at Abu D h a b i ’ s Regulation and Supervision Bureau, and Naji El Haddad, WFES Show D i r e c t o r. T h e delegation outlined the commercial opportunities for inward investment as the region diversifies its energy mix, water resources and steps up its sustainability ambitions.In a presentation to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Japanese corporations, the delegation highlighted that the GCC region is expected to spend $300 billion on water technology and desalination projects between now and 2022. Similarly, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has allocated $50 billion to renewable energy deployment until 2020.Mr. Tadashi Mitsugi, Director of the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) said: “The MENA region is one of the most exciting markets for clean technology development, water treatment and natural resources management in the world. Rising energy and potable water demands, combined with huge solar and wind potential and strong leadership in the move towards sustainability, make it an attractive market for Japanese environmental technology companies.Nowhere is this truer than in Abu Dhabi, and we look forward to exploring the emerging opportunities the region’s flagship future energy event offers us.Japan emerged as the only top 20 ranked Asian country in the 2013 Global Sustainable Competitiveness

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

thiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa, is pleased to announce it has won the 2014 Airline R e l i a b i l i t y Performance Award from Bombardier Aerospace. Ethiopian has won the award four years in a row.The award was given to Ethiopian for achieving an average dispatch reliability rate of 99.4 per cent, making it first in the overall Bombardier Q400 product category for the Middle East and Africa region. The award recognizes the skill and dedication of Ethiopian employees working on the turboprop and light aircraft of the airline. Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian CEO commented:We are pleased to receive the award for the fourth year in a row. I wish to thank our employees and especially those working in our light aircraft and turboprop division for this outstanding result. It is the fruit of their continued dedication and hard work. We are committed to providing our esteemed customers with a reliable schedule and punctual flights at all times. Our higher dispatch reliability performance is a reflection of this commitment to our customers on our domestic and regional routes.Mr. Todd Young, Bombardier Vice-President Customer Service and Support, said: ‘’Ethiopian Airlines was the first operator to introduce the Bombardier

region’s renewable energy and clean technology industry as it enters a period of growth.The World Future Energy Summit and International Water Summit unite players from across the full value chain, offering innovators and technology players both large and small, an unrivalled platform to showcase themselves and realize commercial opportunities.The Middle East and North Africa is fast emerging as one of the world’s most promising clean energy regions particularly in the adoption of solar energy. The region has the potential to supply between 50 and 70 percent of the world’s energy. Responsible for nearly 60 percent of global desalination capacity, the region is also piloting desalination from renewable energy technology.Masdar recently awarded four companies with a contract to begin work on a pilot project. Organised by Reed Exhibitions, WFES and IWS will take place from January 19-22 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2015, the region’s largest gathering on sustainability. With a focus on the interconnected challenges and opportunities of sustainable growth, ADSW and its participating conferences and exhibitions include the World Future Energy Summit, International Water Summit and EcoWaste. ADSW is hosted by Masdar.

Q400 in a dual class configuration.They have a wellequipped maintenance space and recently certified as a Bombardier authorized service facility for the

will also be available to catch up on OSN Play, OSN’s award-winning online TV viewing platform giving viewers all the flexibility they need to personalise their Ramadan viewing.Khulud Abu Homos, E x e c u t i v e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t Programme & Creative Services, OSN, said: “Having tripled our investment in premium content this year, we are confident that our newlyunveiled repertoire of exclusive, fresh and long-format dramas will appeal to one and all. Our endeavour is to raise the bar with every new production taking Arabic programming to new heights. We have something for everyone and our state-of-the-art technology and services will ensure that people can enjoy their entertainment anytime without compromising on the values of the Holy Month. The best of Khaleeji drama:Among the latest Khaleeji dramas are Lel Hob Jonoon, featuring renowned actors Abdulmuhsen Al Nimer and Maysa’a Moghrabi who tell a story of love, trust, revenge, and betrayal. Catch this sure-hit series exclusively on OSN Ya Hala HD; while Naif Al Rashid tackles sensitive issues across the Gulf from love to broken families, the power of money to the strength of dreams in Intikam Aziz, exclusively on OSN Ya Hala HD. World-class Egyptian dramas:Egyptian superstar Ghada Abdulrazik sheds light on the trials and tribulations of a woman’s ambitions to become the first lady of Egypt, when an attempted assassination of the President results in chaos and the only person who

resumed, amply demonstrates the capabilities of our civil aviation authorities, security forces and airline managements to deal with any eventuality with a high degree of professionalism.It is hoped that the international community will appreciate the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan against forces of extremism during the past three decades.We hope that the media, while commenting on terror incidents in Pakistan, will make a fair judgment of the measures taken by the Government of Pakistan to ensure safety and security of its citizens as well as foreigners visiting the country.

S1– an enchanting love story guaranteed to melt even the toughest of hearts. Set in the modern Arab world, the show provides all the frills and thrills expected from a romantic drama exclusively on OSN Ya Hala HD.Ahmed Mekky starrer Al Kabir Awoi returns for its fourth season, guaranteeing viewers non-stop entertainment. Tune in for buckets of laughter from the first day of Ramadan only on OSN Ya Hala Shabab HD.Other highlights include Sherif Salama’s Al Khatia’a S1, which tells the story of betrayal, when one loose end results in the lives of an interconnected group of people unravelling. A thrilling drama sure to keep you at the edge of your seat, catch Sherif’s stunning performance on OSN Ya Hala Shabab HD.Plus, Rania Youssef shows how greed can close the blinds towards the people closest to you in Wasaya Al Saba’a, on OSN Ya Hala Drama HD. Leading Arab dramas:In Sadeeq Al Omr, Jamal Suleiman epitomises the reign of former Egyptian President, Jamal Abdel Nassar, from 1961 to 1967, highlighting his greatest achievement, the Nationalisation of the Suez Canal; the unification of Egypt and Syria in the United Arab Republic; and the six-day War. Audiences can watch conspiracy, friendship, and drama come to life, on OSN Ya Hala Shabab HD.Critical issues in society take the centrestage in Taim Hassan and Bassel Khayat Al Ekhwah S2. Conspiracies and plots get exposed by greed and exploitation, and clashes will arise when immense passion hits the harsh reality of betrayal. A thrilling drama full of unexpected twists is in store in this captivating story, exclusively on OSN Ya Hala Drama HD.Abed Fahid and Youssef Al Khal star in Low, a thrilling drama of love, murder and mystery. For a different type of love story, tune into OSN Ya Hala Drama HD from the beginning of Ramadan. T h e e s s e n c e o f Ramadan:Headlining OSN’s Ramadan programming is Saudi journalist Mustafa Alaidaroos who brings to light the necessity of having good faith and a good heart, inspired by the Holy Quran. Salim addresses Arab youth and families and discusses self-awareness, social development, and improvement. Catch Alaidaroos’ wisdom only on OSN Ya Hala HD.

? Report

identifies the case for cloud technology in Common Use systems for the airport of the future ? Senior airport executives discuss the potential of the cloud to decrease costs, improve efficiency and transform the passenger experience ? Cloud technology is gaining momentum despite lingering concerns around resilience, privacy and risk

A Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Ethiopian winning this reliability award for the fourth time is testimony to their commitment to their quality of maintenance and utilizing the Q400 for both Regional and Domestic routes. It is my great pleasure to once again recognize their effort in a c h i e v i n g t h i s reliabilityaward.Ethiopian currently operates 13 Q400 Next Generation aircraft, five of which are reconfigured into business and economy class with seven and 60 seats, respectively.The Q400 is an ideal aircraft for domestic and regional flights with a speed closer to narrowbody jet aircraft and with reduced noise, fuel consumption and emissions.Ethiopian flies the Q400 to 18 domestic destinations and regional routes such as Djibouti, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kilimanjaro, Dar-esSalaam, Zanzibar, Entebbe, Kigali, Juba, Khartoum and Hargeisa.

knows the truth is found dead. The action-packed Al Sayida Al Oula will mark its on-screen premiere on OSN Ya Hala HD.Maxim Khalil and Cyrine Abdelnour star in Seerat Hob

CLOUD WILL TRANSFORM THE AIRPORT EXPERIENCE, ACCORDING TO AMADEUS INSIGHT PAPER

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

TERRORIST ATTACK AT KARACHI AIRPORT n impression has been given in a section of the media that travel to Pakistan has become dangerous after the recent terrorist attack at Karachi Airport. The fact that all terrorists were neutralized within a few hours of the attack despite darkness speaks loudly of the alertness of the Pakistani security forces and demonstrates the Government’s resolve not to allow extremists and terrorists to dictate their agenda through force. Moreover the fact that all passengers remained safe and were able to depart for their destinations from Karachi Airport once flight operations

SN, the region’s leading payTV network is underlining its credentials as the ‘gateway to premium content’, this Ramadan, with an unparalleled repertoire of exclusive Arabic content, o f f e r i n g something for every member of the family to enjoy.Boasting 13 new shows, including seven exclusive, and two Khaleeji shows, OSN’s R a m a d a n programming features the biggest Arab stars including Jamal Sulaiman, Ghada Abdul Razek, Maysa’a Moghrabi, Sharif Salama, Sireen Abdul Noor and Nayef Al Rashed.In addition to brand-new shows, audiences can also tune into OSN’s ‘On Demand’ service, ‘Ramadan Ma Fatak TV’, which offers access to over 20 dramas, via OSN Plus HD giving viewers complete control over their viewing experience so they can watch what they want, when they want. Shows

Index, released earlier this year. The East Asian nation placed twelfth, among 176 countries, for its ability to maintain economic growth in a world of reduced natural resources. In the specific field of sustainable innovation, Japan ranked fourth.Japan is a global leader in the deployment of solar energy and a clean technology innovator,” said Naji Haddad, show director of the World Future Energy Summit. “Their experience and knowledge can play a key role in enhancing the UAE’s and wider

ETHIOPIAN WINS BOMBARDIER’S AIRLINE RELIABILITY PERFORMANCE AWARD IN FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

Secretary of the Diwan of the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, was also present at the occasion.Ambassador Asif Durrani also raised the issue of problems faced by Pakistan Embassy schools in Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain.

together successfully for many years. For BASF, the joint venture offers the opportunity to further tap into Iraq‘s growth market together with a strong partner who is already wellestablished in the region. This

irports are increasingly identifying the need to switch to next generation cloud systems in order to improve operational efficiencies in a challenging marketplace, according to an insight paper launched by Amadeus. IT makes sense to share: making the case for the cloud in Common Use airport technology collates the viewpoints of over 20 senior IT leaders from the airport industry to investigate the business case for adopting cloud based Common Use systems at airports.Rising business pressures from stakeholders and competitors require airports to make the most efficient use of IT resources to operate effectively and collaboratively with airlines, while looking for alternative revenue streams to remain competitive. The paper indicates that modernising approaches to Common Use systems is one route to mitigate these challenges in a world that has access to the latest models of cloud computing.The paper goes on to highlight that the industry is now ready to adopt next generation Common Use solutions to maximise the operational and commercial performance of the sector. Some airports still have concerns about resilience, privacy, security, and risk although the report suggests attitudes to these issues are gradually changing.Michael Ibbitson, CIO, London Gatwick Airport, and report contributor, said: “Today’s setup relies on out-dated technology and is not really embracing the revolutionary capabilities of the internet. Each airline using our CUPPS system needs to build integration locally, on-site. The aviation industry has tried to address the problem with the development of CUTE and CUPPS standards, but in doing so, seems to have reinforced the existing structure rather than instigated change. It is time to adapt technology quickly, and develop a fundamental shift in aviation IT.John Jarrell, Head of Airport IT, Amadeus said, “Airports around the globe need to look for new ways to compete and maximise the value of their resources

amidst growing economic pressures. Next generation Common Use platforms based on the cloud have the ability to revolutionise the way IT services are delivered at airports. Dedicated cloud providers can lower costs for airports thanks to economies of scale, among many other benefits that allow airports the flexibility to service their customers better.He added:A cloud platform can provide an airport sufficient energy savings to allow a VW Golf to circle the earth 27 times annually, if, for example, 75% of a 300-workstation airport switched to thin clients.This really is a significant upgrade from traditional CUTE or CUPPS systems the question now is whether airports are ready to take the leap of faith and jump to the cloud. Our objective is to open the debate within the airport community.Some of the insight paper ’s key findings include:Common Use technology has evolved little since CUTE was created in 1984, which is still more popular than the much newer CUPPS, formed in 2009. Interviewed airports find these platforms to be outdated, rigid, complex, slow, bulky, and expensive, which affects the whole airport eco-system. Clearly, there is room for improvement.Cloudenabling technology has developed rapidly in recent years. Since CUPPS was first implemented in 2009, new technologies such as application virtualisation,vastly improved networks and new mobile devices have increased the viability to make the switch to the cloud.Cloud technology has the potential to revolutionise airport systems. Benefits include reduced hardware and maintenance costs, saved physical space as a result of removing servers, streamlined certification and location flexibility to process passenger check-in and boarding helping airports and airlines improve the passenger service experience.Many airports still have reservations concerning the cloud. The majority of these, such as resilience, privacy, security, and risk have been overcome as cloud providers have made addressing these issues a top priority

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MAKERS OF ICONIC HYBRID LONDON DOUBLE-DECKER BUS ESTABLISH MIDDLE EAST HEADQUARTERS IN MASDAR CITY Wrightbus International Opens Middle East Regional Office in Heart of Abu Dhabi’s Growth Corridor By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

rightbus International, the company behind the iconic London doubledecker buses, officially opened its Middle East headquarters in Masdar City, today. A global leader in hybrid and all electric public transport and urban mobility, the company will look to leverage its strategic base at Masdar City Abu Dhabi’s pioneering low-carbon city to respond to the r e g i o n ’s g r o w i n g n e e d f o r innovative, efficient and clean t r a n s p o r t a t i o n . Wr i g h t b u s International, the overseas arm of the Wright Group, joins some of the w o r l d ’s l e a d i n g t e c h n o l o g y companies in establishing a presence in Masdar City’s clean tech cluster. Siemens, Schneider Electric, General Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are among more than 130 companies, across a range of industries, that are registered within Masdar City’s unique dual investment and free zone.We are delighted to welcome Wrightbus International to Masdar City,said

Anthony Mallows, Director of M a s d a r C i t y. “ Wr i g h t b u s International brings decades of experience and a commitment to innovation and technology that compliments the vision of Masdar City. With advancements in hybrid, low-carbon urban mobility driving the urban sustainability agenda, the role of public transport will become ever more important, not just in Abu Dhabi but across the region and the world.The flagship UK company’s presence in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s fastest growing commercial corridor where significant infrastructure and real estate is being developed, further strengthens economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.Commenting on the launch, Paul Fox, Charge d’affairs, British Embassy Abu Dhabi said: “I am delighted to see this outstanding UK business extending its international reach with a new base i n A b u D h a b i . Wr i g h t b u s International manufactures 21st century buses, at the cutting edge of technology and innovation and I am certain their products will support the aspirations of Abu Dhabi and many others in the region for developing world class bus fleets.Providing a springboard for the Northern Ireland-based company’s business aspirations in t h e r e g i o n , t h e Wr i g h t b u s International office will be led by M i d d l e E a s t D i r e c t o r, P a u l Brannigan. The company already has operations across the Subcontinent and South East Asia, with offices in India, Singapore and Hong

Kong.The Wright Group, have had trade links with the Middle East since the 1970s and Masdar City now offers Wrightbus International the perfect regional platform from which to further our business interests in the GCC region,said Brannigan. Masdar City and Wrightbus International share core principles of a commitment to smart technology and product innovation in the field of low carbon transportation.As the region’s only

clean technology cluster, we are confident Wrightbus International will flourish in this special economic zone,continued Brannigan. “With innovation at its core and a strategic location, just five minutes from the expanding Abu Dhabi International Airport, we are excited about the opportunities Masdar City offers.Wrightbus has been at the vanguard of technological innovation since its formation in 1946. Today, it continues to develop its expertise in hybrid, flybrid and fully electric powered technology across its range of double deck, single deck and articulated buses and Rapid Transit Vehicles. In 2009, Wrightbus, the UK division of the Wright Group, was commissioned by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to build a cleaner more efficient, 21st century version of the Routemaster – London’s iconic red double-decker bus.The “Boris Bus,” as it has been nicknamed, began service in 2012 and 600 of the low emission hybrid buses have been ordered.Managing Director of Wrightbus International, Damian McGarry, said;There is a fundamental shift to public transportation throughout the Middle East and we see this is a long term trend as people increasingly value the ability to travel without a car. As the region works towards is sustainability ambitions, the benefits of cleaner, more efficient public forms of transport will become more and more important.This is a highly significant and exciting d e v e l o p m e n t f o r Wr i g h t b u s International,concluded Brannigan.With the ongoing support of UKTI and Invest Northern Ireland, we plan to use our new office in Masdar City to support the region’s evolving transportation requirements.Wrightbus International will launch a regional demonstration programme of the environmentally friendly Streetlite Bus,which offers unsurpassed levels of fuel efficiency in the "midibus" market segment.

TECHACCESS AND IVEDIX START A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER IVEDIX'S IN-DEMAND MOBILE ANALYTICS PLATFORM FOR ENTERPRISES TO CHANNEL PARTNERS IN MIDDLE EAST, LEVANT AND NORTH AFRICA. By Qadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

eadquartered in Dubai, Tech Access (TA) is a leading value added IT & technology distributor with a network of more than 250 valueadded resellers. TA maintains a large regional reach, with presence in 17+ countries across the Middle East, the Levant, North Africa & SAGE. This new partnership with iVEDiX gives TechAccess access to an innovative, in-demand mobile analytics platform, miVEDiX.iVEDiX, a premier business intelligence company that specializes in mobile solutions, is announcing an international partnership with TechAccess. According to iVEDiX, this partnership is focused on providing top-quality mobile analytics solutions to the region, specifically by utilization of the miVEDiX mobile analytics platform.Utilization of TA’s extensive distribution and partner network gives iVEDiX international reach. In turn, miVEDiX, iVEDiX’s flagship mobile analytics platform, provides TA with a mobile-centric product in a region that is rapidly embracing big data and mobility in the tech and IT sectors.Brian Annechino, Director of Sales and Partnerships, notes that this deal Ignites the iVEDiX channel partner s t r a t e g y. B y p a r t n e r i n g withTechAccess, we can storm the market with a proven support and delivery system that puts miVEDiX into the hands of users so they can start utilizing their organization’s data in a way that drives insights. TA have a terrific track record when it comes to distribution reach, support

structures, and experience fulfilling customer needs. So this is a great opportunity for both organizations.Chris Cornelius, Senior Vice President of Sales & S u p p o r t f o r TA s h a r e d h i s enthusiasm for this new venture and added; “This is our first step into distribution of applications and in doing so we have embarked on an internal proof of concept by installing miVEDIX at TA as a frontend to our internal BI system. Having this BI at our fingertips enriches our conversations with our partners which translate into more meaningful relationships. TA is now going to enable selected reselling partners to take miVEDIX to market and enable the vast amount of customers who need mobile BI at their fingertips.In addition to providing a streamlined distribution process, TA provides a host of valueadded services to the miVEDiX rollout: a multi-million dollar solution center, dedicated sales and pre-sales support, and marketing and business development support. This is the largest partnership yet for the New York-based company, and marks the first distribution of miVEDiX on an international scale.Founded in 2009, iVEDiX has offered extensive BI solution consulting across a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, telecom, retail, and business services. miVEDiX, iVEDiX’s flagship mobile product, gives users access to their data from their mobile device, and combines rich, 3D visualizations with sophisticated interface options and real-time updates.

STANDARD CHARTERED ORGANISES FIRST UAE NATIONAL JOB FAIR The two-day event is aimed at identifying and recruiting talented graduates and experienced UAE Nationals ByQadeer Ahmad Siddiqui Dubai UAE:

tandard Chartered is organising its first ever UAE National Job Fair in cooperation with the Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), the National HR development & Employment Authority ‘’Tanmia’’ and Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council on 11th and 12th of June 2014 at the EIBFS headquarters in Dubai Academic City. The twoday event is aimed at identifying and recruiting high calibre talented young UAE Nationals willing to venture into the world of banking and finance.Senior representatives from Standard Chartered will be conducting walk-in interviews with candidates and will be onsite throughout the event to discuss the various roles and responsibilities for current and potential positions across the Bank.Commenting on the Bank’s organisation of the event, Mohamed Omar Al Qudra, Head of Emiratisation Initiatives, Standard Chartered UAE said:We are honored to be cooperating with the EIBFS,

Tanmia and Tawteen to organise this initiative. As one of the oldest banks in the UAE this event testament to our continuous commitment towards this country and our efforts to build a pipeline of UAE National industry leaders. In addition to participating at all the National career fairs and career days in Universities, we have decided to organise a dedicated event aimed at identifying and meeting aspiring Emirati candidates. This comes in line with our aspiration to be the employer of choice around the world in general and in the UAE in particular. We are always on the lookout for UAE National talent and we continue to actively organise and participate at various recruitment exhibitions and fairs across the country.As part of its strategy, Standard Chartered has a number of strategic alliances with several UAE-based organisations and provides a number of training programmes which makes it one of the best employers for UAE Nationals looking for careers in the Banking industry.