Issued by the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs-Dubai
www.manafezdubai.com
Issue 25 June - July
2016
Al Marri: Achievements and creativity are an integral part of our work culture
UAE launches ‘Customer Happiness Formula’
emaratech showcases Inbuilt beacon device new innovations for easy baggage tracking CBP Announces 2016 Preclearance Smart technology enhances Expansion Open Season security at airports
186 outstanding GDFRA-D employees honoured
Smart choice for a smart living
New user interface that enables individuals: • Renew passports (citizens). • Issue new and renew residency for wife & children. • New and renew sponsored visas (citizens). • Extend on arrival visa. • Generate barcode to enter smart gate at Dubai Airports. • Legal consultation. • Attach required documents. And more sevices for individuals and companies
Available on all app stores. Search for: GDRFA Dubai or scan the QR code
• Toll free: 8005111
Journey to excellence
Welcome Message
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verything starts with the first step. Going back to the year 1998, when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, which was followed by a number of other initiatives, including the recent fourth generation of government excellence enablers, it is clear how the initiative was a major step toward excellence aspired for by our visionary leadership. When His Highness said that we have no such word as impossible and he wants his people to be always “number one�, it was based on solid grounds and a series of remarkable achievements, which Dubai has attained within a short time. This passion for the first place has brought numerous challenges for all, but the sons and daughters of the UAE have proved by their faith, self-confidence and their ability to drive change, that they are capable of transforming these challenges into opportunities for success. They have demonstrated their determination to move forward on the path of creativity, and showed that great nations are built by their devoted sons, who are passionate for excellence. The occasion of honouring of 186 of the best officers and employees of the GDFRA-D family, who have proven themselves worthy to carry the banner of excellence and have shown tremendous zeal in ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of clients, thereby bringing honour to the institution they belong to, is indeed a memorable one.
We should work together to continue enhancing the position of UAE among the most developed and advanced countries. My brothers and sisters, fellow members of GDFRA-D: Loyalty and love for the homeland require more commitment and efforts; hence, we must continue our journey toward great achievements in all spheres of our work, so as to be loyal soldiers devoted to the service of our beloved country by returning its favours and working to promote it to become a beacon for the whole world, which is actually the case. I would like to once again congratulate our distinguished colleagues and urge them to continue their endeavours to become role models for others, and I look forward to seeing new faces on honouring platforms, as we move forward on our journey towards creativity and excellence.
I would like to emphasise that excellence, creativity and innovation should be the key objective for us, because outstanding and creative work contributes to the construction and progress of nations. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 1
GDRFA Message
GDRFA
in History
t
October 1971 Pursuant to an order promulgated by the then Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, two departments were established: Central Immigration Department and Ports and Borders Department
t
October 1972 The two departments were merged with the UAE’s Ministry of Interior and Federal Law No. 17 concerning the naturalization and passports was promulgated.
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1973 Federal Law No. (6) concerning Immigration and Residency was promulgated as the first law regulating the entry and residency of expatriates in United Arab Emirates.
t
1977 The two departments were merged and the new Department shifted to a building in the ministries complex
t
1982 The Administration shifted to the present building during the tenure of Colonel Mohammad Al-Ghaith
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2003 The building was completely refurbished during the tenure of Brigadier General Saeed Bin Belaila
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1999 Naturalization and Residency Administration, Dubai, established a branch at Hatta Fort
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1995 Jebel Ali Port branch was inaugurated
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Our Vision: To have the UAE as one of the most secure and safest countries in the world.
Our Mission (MOI):
To work efficiently and effectively towards enhancing the quality of life in the UAE community by providing security, traffic, reform, residency services and ensuring safety of lives and properties.
Our Mission (GDRFA):
For the happiness of the people, we offer excellent and fast naturalization, residence and ports services.
Our Values:
Justice Team-Work Excellence courtesy Integrity Loyalty Social responsibility
Strategic objectives: Promote safety and security. Promote public confidence in the effectiveness of services provided. Optimal use of intelligence. Ensure all administrative services are provided based on quality, efficiency and transparency standards.
To communicate with GDRFA: Location: Aljaffilya - Bur Dubai PO Box : UAE – Dubai 4333 Email: amer@dnrd.ae Toll Free Number: 04 3139999 - 8005111 Working Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM GDRFA-Dubai http:// www.dnrd.ae Dubai Airport Freezone http://www.dafz.ae Dubai Public Prosecution http://www.dxbpp.gov.ae Dubai Municipality https://www.dm.gov.ae
Department of Economic Development http://www.dubaided.gov.ae Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing http://www.dubaitourism.ae Land and Property Department http://www.dubailand.gov.ae
Contents
GDRFA News GDRFA Photographs by: Abdulrahman Abdullah Sanjeev Kochan
Mohammed Al Marri: Achievements and creativity are an integral part of our work culture
UAE News
Monthly newsletter issued by GDRFA-Dubai
P4 UAE ranks 15th on World Competitiveness Index
Honorary President Major General Mohammed Ahmed Almarri Director General
General Supervision Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor Deputy Director General
General Coordinator Major Khalid Al Rahma Editorial Consultant Ghassan Suleiman Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf Executive Editor Shveta Pathak
P 14
Smart technology enhances security at airports
Strategic Technology Partner of GDRFA-Dubai
Official Courier
P 30
Inbuilt beacon device for easy baggage tracking
Advertise with us Content, Production, Marketing & Advertising Nadd Al Shiba PR and Event Management Phone: + 9714 2566707 Fax: + 9714 2566704 Website www.naddalshiba.com Email info@naddalshiba.com
P 34 | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 3
GDRFA News
Mohammed Al Marri: Achievements and creativity are an integral part of our work culture
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ajor General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDFRA-D), said achievements, initiatives, excellence and creativity that the GDFRA-D constantly seeks to make an integral part of its work culture are the result of government support, and an implementation of the directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Al Marri said this during annual inspection of performance results and indicators associated with excellence and governance stand-
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ards, implementation of strategic plans and the 2015 implementation rates related to visa and residency sector. The inspection aims at monitoring performance and developing work procedures based on annual indicators’ outputs, in addition to developing a mechanism for disseminating vision, mission and objectives. During 2015, the GDRFA-D had numerous achievements in terms of launch of new programmes, projects and processing of transactions at its headquarters and external centres, in addition to the activities, improvement and awareness building initiatives, and electronic and smart transformation, among others. Al Marri said the achievements
and development have been possible due to the directions of our visionary leadership, which calls for ensuring the happiness of clients by identifying outstanding work mechanisms, in a quest to keep pace with the rapid development across all fields and sectors in the UAE, and to realise the vision and strategy of the Ministry of Interior, which emphasises the need to work effectively in order for the UAE to become one of the safest and most secure nations in the world. During the annual inspection and in a meeting involving division and section managers, Al Marri said that GDFRA-D is keen on excellence and making its clients happy at all times. ď‚…
GDRFA
News
Preparing for Expo 2020
GDFRA-D conducts foreign language training for its Airport and Seaport staff
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ajor General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, has stressed that the UAE in general and Dubai in particular are in the forefront of the global tourism industry, and are being visited by tourists from all over the world. He said Dubai is continually seeking to make all visitors, tourists, residents and citizens happy. In preparation for Expo 2020 and in line with its objectives to provide outstanding services to make the public happy, GDFRA-D is conducting training and rehabilitation courses to its airport and seaport staff, with the aim to upgrade their grasp of a number of different foreign languages,
and eventually enhance their skills and facilitate their communication with passengers and customers. In this regard, Major General Al Marri has opened in the Alliance Franciase Dubai, a French language training course that was attended by 15 male and female employees. Major General Al Marri pointed out that in order to provide the best services to customers, employees are encouraged to learn various global languages, and stressed that learning other languages entails understanding world culture s and civilisations and that individuals have to learn and develop themselves. Major General Al M arri added the trainees who exce l in this training
session would be delegated to attend a short-term training course in Paris. Wishing success t o all participants, Al Marri said that it is possible to repeat these courses annually. “The three-month t raining focuses on communication skills, processing of passenger related transaction and other related issues”, Major General Al Marri said. French Consul-General to Dubai H.E. Majdi Abed said that this training is part of the preparations for Expo 2020, and that the UAE and Dubai form a tourist destination for French people. He added that France will be participating in Expo 2020, and hopes to provide the best for the participants of the training course. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 5
GDRFA News
New system to allow GDRFA customers to complete transactions without visiting offices
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DFRA-D is in the process of launching a new future service entitled “UAE Vision” after completion of the pilot phase it is currently hosting. When launched, the service will allow customers to complete their transactions at accredited service offices without the need to visit GDFRA-D headquarters or any of its external centres; the thing that will accelerate and facilitate completion of transactions. The system will allow customers to apply for, renew or cancel visas, residency permits, and all related procedures. Brigadier General Salah Saif bin Salloum, Assistant Director-General for Entry Permits and Residence, indicated that the new “UAE Vision” integrated system will be launched soon.
Brigadier General Salloum called the public to communicate with the Directorate in the event of any delay stressing they would receive the attention and cooperation of all GDFRA-D staff, who would do their best to provide excellent services aimed at making customers happy and facilitating their dealings. Brigadier General Salloum clarified that the new system is still in transition phase and called the public to cooperate with the Directorate during this phase, as the UAE Vision system will the best in terms of ease of operations and speed of processing transactions. Brigadier General Salloum said that customers will benefit from the new system by visiting GD-
FRA-D accredited service offices, which are now being introduced and trained to deal with the new mechanism of processing transactions, in addition to being trained on the requirements and provisions mandated by the new system in terms of processing transactions.
GDFRA-D and Union Cooperative Society renew challenge race agreement
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DFRA-D has renewed, for the third consecutive year, its diamond sponsor and partner agreement with retail-specialist Union Cooperative Society (UCS) to hold Challenge Race 2016, which is broadcasted by Noor Dubai FM for two hours daily during the holy month of Ramadan, except on official holidays. The programme features cultural and awareness raising competi-
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tions and is held annually by GDFRA-D during Ramadan. The agreement was signed in GDFRA-D headquarters by Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDFRA-D, and Khalid bin Zaiban Al Falasi, Director General of UCS in the presence of Suhail Al Bastaki, Marketing and Communication Dept. Manager of UCS, and a number of officials of both par-
ties. During the signing ceremony, Khalid bin Zaiban Al Falasi said that UCS is committed to support community-based programmes, events and activities. He said UCS is contributing for the third consecutive year to sponsoring the Challenge Race, out of its commitment to its supreme leadership and wise government approach to support social responsibility.
GDRFA
News
GDFRA-D accepts 100 job applications
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DFRA-D has concluded its participation at UAE Job Fair by accepting over 100 of 777 job applications received during the fair. The Directorate held immediate interviews with applicants meeting its employment criteria and received 6 job applications submitted by individuals with special needs. Brigadier General Awadh Mohammed Al Awaim, Assistant Director General for Human and Financial Resources, said that GDFRA-D has prepared strategic plans aimed at the nationalisation of all jobs, while the human resources team has handled the task of introducing job seekers to the steps needed for immediate employment. Brigadier General Al
Awaim stressed the importance of job fairs to creating an effective and significant communication channel for citizens seeking suitable employment opportunities in all the different sectors; the thing that reflects the level of commitment to nationalisation of jobs and allowing citizens greater opportunities to join national institutions. Captain Ahmed Al Marri, Director of Human Resources at GDFRAD, said that the participation of the Directorate in this year’s event was more effective compared to previous participations, and noted the immediate employment of applicants by adopting a system of personal interviews, requesting good conduct certificates and conducting immediate medical check-ups; a
system which is first of a kind on the level of this job fair. He added that immediate employment of the military includes male and female holders of G.C.E, and is done immediately once applicants receive the approval of the Interview Committee via SMS.
GDFRA-D Launches “Reading is my Companion Tonight” initiative for Children
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he GDFRA-D launched “Reading is my Companion Tonight” initiative on books on the occasion of mid Shaaban aimed at encouraging children to read by distributing story and educational books to school students and children of GDFRA-D staff members, in addition to children receiving the care and attention of the Al Maktoum Foundation. Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, GDRFA-D, stressed that it
is of vital importance to launch initiatives that encourage reading among children, especially when such an initiative is associated with a heritage event that is loved and enjoyed by children. Al Marri added that celebrating this night aims to highlight the popular traditions and reservoir, which characterise the UAE and substantiate
the strong ties that bind the people of UAE together. “We are re-cultivating these traditions in the conscience of the younger generations and the minds of our children, in order to establish the desired communication between our glorious past and prosperous present. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 7
GDRFA News
GDRFA-D organises workshop on ‘Standards of the fourth generation of government excellence’
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n cooperation with Dubai Government Excellence Programme, GDFRA-D organised a workshop dealing with the standards of the fourth generation of government excellence. The workshop aimed at introducing the detailed aspects of the fourth generation of the system launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as a first of a kind system in the world for developing government performance. The workshop was attended by Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, GDFRA-D; Brigadier General Talal Al Shanqiti, Assistant Director General for Airport Affairs; Dr. Ahmed
8 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
Al Nuseirat, Coordinator General of Dubai Government Excellence Programme; deputies; sector and department managers, section heads and Directorate staff. The workshop explained in length the system’s technical aspects, pillars, main standards and implementation mechanism, which are in accordance to the governmental change of Dubai government. It explained, as well, the new distribution of Mohammed bin Rashid Governmental Excellence Awards’ categories, participation rules and evaluation criteria adopted in line with the system. Lt. Colonel Dr. Ziad Kahlout, Chief Evaluator of Dubai Government Excellence Programme, and work-
shop presenter, demonstrated the government excellence system, its standards and pillars, and pointed out the privacy aspects related to the Ministry of Interior and Police headquarters, in terms of the application of evaluation criteria and the results achieved according to their assigned tasks; and quality, efficiency and effectiveness standards pertaining the delivery of all administrative services. He clarified that the Dubai Government Excellence Awards Programme will soon provide awareness raising programmes and install experts at government institutions, with the aim to help sustain performance, and give a clear and practical image of the government excellence system, in a way that ensures its best application.
Our
Well prepared for busy travel season
Message
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he travel and holiday season in the UAE is a special time as airports get ready to handle millions of travellers. These travellers are either residents leaving the country for their annual vacations or tourists visiting the UAE to enjoy its attractions, tourist services, unique hotels and beautiful beaches, especially now that the UAE has become a tourism destination of choice even during summers. The Dubai Airports is well prepared to welcome nearly 2 million passengers over the two weekends of June 30 and July 7. I would like to stress that the GDRFA team at the airport is fully prepared to efficiently handle the peak summer traffic and provide the best and quick services that match the reputation of Dubai International Airport, in addition to following our government’s directions to ensure the happiness of travellers and visitors, reflecting the hospitality of our nation. The GDRFA- D has made all the necessary preparations to deal with millions of travellers expected during the coming months of July, August and September. Availability of smart and e-gates, and our highly efficient and well trained staff, who can ensure highest levels of security screening and minimal time in completing travellers’ transactions, will help us deal with the peak season very effectively.
years ago- to transform DXB into a smart airport, under the directions and support of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports. Equipped with smart systems and technologies and serviced by alert human resources, the Airport ensures travellers a good and safe journey. I would like to take this occasion to thank my colleagues, especially those working at the airport, and urge them to intensify their efforts to further enhance the reputation of DXB and to make travel through this wonderful destination a memorable experience for all.
I would like here to point out a key issue, which is the fact that we are serving an airport that is ranked as the world’s busiest in terms of international travellers, and it is expected to deal with over 85 million travellers by end of this year and over 100 million by end of 2020. This does not include Al Maktoum International Airport. We are fully prepared to cope with the rise in number of travellers via the airport, especially after we made our resolve -several
Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor Deputy Director General GDRFA-Dubai
| Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 9
Cover Story
186 GDFRA-D outstanding employees honoured
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ajor General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDFRA-D, said: “Great nations are built by their sons and daughters, because they are the present and shining future.�
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Cover
Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General, GDRFA-D, Director General Assistants, Officers and staff. Major General Al Marri said: “Excellence, creativity and innovation should be an essential goal for our sons and daughters, because outstanding and creative deeds contribute to the construction and development of our nation, and help UAE occupy rank first in the world on all levels.” He said the UAE is daily witnessing more progress and success on all levels, and its sons should be part of this progress, and should aspire to achieve excellence, evolution and creativity. Al Marri added that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is giving great attention to innovation and creativity and innovation skills; and stressed that the fourth generation system is a roadmap and the key strategic objective of UAE Vision 2021; hence, we have to work hard to achieve these objectives. He said: “We are here for the sixth consecutive year to honour our outstanding male and female employees participating in the Institutional Leadership Award.
The statement came during the honouring ceremony of 186 male and female employees, in recognition of their excellent performance during 2015 in the Institutional Leadership Programme, organised by GDFRAD for the sixth consecutive year, and in an endeavour to encourage employees create, innovate and excel at the workplace. Held in JW Marquis Hotel Dubai, the ceremony was attended by Major General Obaid
They have worked hard and gave their best, and we expect them and their colleagues to continue this approach.” Al Marri added that the excellence of these male and female employees is virtue of the efforts and dedication they exherted all year round, and pointed out that creativity should mark the coming phase, because it is very important to exhert more efforts to enhance creativity, innovation and skills, as boosting knowledge and creativity is an important indicator of progress.
Story
Loyalty
Major General Al Marri stressed that loyalty and patriotism require more efforts and contributions by all, in addition to facing challenges by committing to the values of work and responsibility, and identifying the best means for excellence and generation of creative ideas aimed at reaching innovative work mechanisms and new ideas that cope with the directions of our wise leadership. Al Marri pointed out that everything starts with a step and that excellence can only be achieved by commitment and efforts, and everyone should be committed and work hard to make excellence a lifestyle; hence, everyone should know the requirements for excellence, and should endeavour to apply them in everyday and practical life. Al Marri concluded his speech by saying: “I have full confidence in you, because you are aware that aspirations can be realised by efforts, creativity and excellence, and these in turn require commitment and hard work.” Colonel Hussien Ibrahim, Assistant Director General for Administrative Support, said that employees should excel, work hard and be creative. He added that those employees provided a nice example at work, and reflected the spirit of a unified, coherent and diligent team that managed to wisely overcome all challenges, develop work by virtue of their performance, and achieve back to back successes. Major General Al Marri and Major General Bin Suroor honoured outstanding employees by granting acknowledgement and appreciation certificates to 186 male and female employees, in addition to honouring 34 categories. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 11
Imagine, Do.
emaratech showcases new innovations
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s a gold sponsor for the Airport Show and the Global Airport Leaders Forum, emaratech took the stage to showcase some of its new innovations during the three-day show.
With a record capture speed of 1.7 seconds, eyen module is a one-stop-entry that captures biometrics and matches them with entry documents. When integrated with smart gates, the biometrics are captured with the travel document details at the same time, minimizing changes in travel habits for all passengers. eyen, which means guard, sight, noble and people of the region in Arabic which also means sight and vision in English is being integrated in the new intelligent travel gate that will be launched soon at T1, T2 and Maktoum Airports before end of this year enhancing passengers’ journeys for faster, simpler and safer entries and exits.
Maintaining its objective to introduce more technology-inspired solutions and services, emaratech also showcased the new innovation the intelligent trolley and trolley security scanners model by the Denmark based technology company Exruptive which emaratech is a shareholder. The smart trolley is introduced to enable airports generate non-aeronautical revenue and profit. Both the trolley and scanner technology offers a seamless flow, and increased revenue and efficiency in airport commercial areas. 12 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
Imagine, Do.
e-Commerce show emaratech announced the most convenient eCommerce platform; Shari, that will be officially launched soon. Shari is an end-to-end cloud based eCommerce solution for merchants and business owners. It enables the creation and management of white label online shops in simple steps with a builtin PCI DSS certified payment gateway and reliable shipment delivery through Zajel. ď‚…
| Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 13
UAE News
UAE ranks 15th on World Competitiveness Index
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he UAE and Qatar have been ranked among the world’s top 15 most competitive economies, according to the World Competitiveness Ranking of 61 countries by IMD World Competitiveness Centre, a research group within IMD business school.
The 2016 edition ranks China Hong Kong first, Switzerland second and the USA third, with Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada completing the top 10. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, said a consistent commitment to a favourable business environment was central to China Hong Kong’s rise and that Switzerland’s small size and its emphasis on a commitment 14 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
to quality have allowed it to react quickly to keep its economy on top. “The common pattern among all of the countries in the top 20 is their focus on business-friendly regulation, physical and intangible infrastructure and inclusive institutions.” A leading banking and financial center, China Hong Kong encourages innovation through low and simple taxation and imposes no restrictions on capital flows into or out of the territory.
It also offers a gateway for foreign direct investment in China Mainland, the world’s newest economic superpower, and enables businesses there to access global capital markets. China Hong Kong and Singapore aside, however, the research suggests Asia’s competitiveness has declined markedly overall since the publication of last year’s ranking. Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea Republic, and Indonesia have all suffered signif-
UAE News
The wealth of the richest countries has grown every year except for the past two, while the poorer countries have seen some improvement in living conditions since the millennium after year is that current economic growth is by no means a guarantee of future competitiveness. “Nations as different as China Mainland and Qatar fare very well in terms of economic performance, but they remain weak in other pillars such as government efficiency and infrastructure.” Data gathered since the first ranking was published more than 25 years ago also lend weight to fears that the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer, said Professor Bris.
icant falls from their 2015 positions, while China Mainland declined only narrowly retaining its place in the top 25.
the bottom 20, while Argentina, in 55th, is the only country in the region to have improved on its 2015 position.
The study reveals some of the most impressive strides in Europe have been made by countries in the East, chief among them Latvia, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.
Each ranking is based on analysis of over 340 criteria derived from four principal factors: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
Western European economies have also continued to improve, with researchers highlighting the ongoing post-financial-crisis recovery of the public sector as a key driver.
Responses from an in-depth survey of more than 5,400 business executives, who are asked to assess the situation in their own countries, are also taken into consideration.
Meanwhile, 36th-placed Chile is the sole Latin American nation outside
Professor Bris said: “One important fact that the ranking makes clear year
“Since 1995 the world has become increasingly unequal in terms of income differences among countries, although the rate of increase is now slowing,” he said. “The wealth of the richest countries has grown every year except for the past two, while the poorer countries have seen some improvement in living conditions since the millennium. “Unfortunately, the problem for many countries is that wealth accumulation by the rich doesn’t yield any benefits for the poor in the absence of proper social safety nets. “Innovation-driven economic growth in poorer countries improves competitiveness, but it also increases inequality. This is obviously an issue that demands long-term attention.” | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 15
UAE News
Dubai to welcome 1 million cruise passengers by 2020
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ubai plans to build a marina for luxury yachts in response to high demand as the emirate is targeting one million cruise passengers per year by 2020, said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.
According to a report on Emirates247 website, Bin Sulayem announced that expansion of Mina Rashid cruise terminal is underway.
“We are committed to investing in the transformation of Mina Rashid into the cruise destination of choice for cruise liners.
“Our goal now is to make the best passenger-friendly facilities in the world. We have joined hands with all authorities present at the port, including Dubai Customs, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Dubai Police to deliver expedited, top-notch services to cruise tourists,” the report quoted him as saying.
We aim to increase the number of cruise ships calling Dubai Cruise Terminals in order to meet our target of one million cruise passengers a year by 2020. In addition, there is a plan to build a marina for luxury yachts at Mina Rashid, in response to the high demand worldwide for luxury yachts berths,” said Bin Sulayem.
“To ensure the facility reaches its optimal capacity and to further facilitate passengers’ access to the terminals, more berths are being allocated, existing terminals are being linked via a high-tech tubes system and an additional terminal is being built,” he added.
Dubai has experienced 22 per cent growth in the number of cruise ships and a 33 per cent increase in cruise passengers traffic between the 20152016 and 2014-2015 cruise seasons, from 109 ships and 373,000 passengers to 134 ships and more than 500,000 passengers, the report added.
16 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
The growth trend is set to continue in the 2016-2017 season, with 155 cruise vessel calls (16 per cent growth) and 650,000 passengers (30 per cent growth), according to pre-bookings. The Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation pointed out that the busy cruise season for Mina Rashid runs from November to April. “However, we do have few ships calling the cruise and leisure terminal during October, May and June. The majority of the ships are home porting, which supports our vision in attracting more cruise liners to do home porting from Dubai. Home porting ships add value to overall tourism in Dubai and supports airlines, hotels and other tourist facilities in Dubai,” Bin Sulayem said.
YOUR HAPPINES IS OUR FOCUS © 2012 ZAJEL COURIER
| Manafez | Manafez DubaiDubai | June|-April July 2016 2016||13 17
UAE News
Fifth CIOMajlis calls for redefining role of CIOs in the wake of increasing cyber attacks
Cyber security market valued at $1 trillion
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he role of CIOs (Chief Information Officers) needs to be redefined in the wake of organizations facing increased cyber-attacks and almost all sites are unsafe, the fifth CIOMajlis was told in Dubai.
Addressing the fifth CIOMajlis in Dubai, Dr. Saif Al Ketbi, CIO at Abu Dhabi Airports said: “CIO is not an IT guy anymore, but a strategy man, as no corporate is 100 per cent secure. The CIO is the core of an organization.” Giving an overview of cyber security, Dr. Saif said: “Cyberspace and its underlying infrastructure are vulnerable to a wide range of risk stemming from both physical and cyber threats and hazards. Sophisticated cyber actors and nationstates exploit vulnerabilities to steal information and money to disrupt, destroy, or threaten the delivery of essential services.” “There are only two choices: Using the technology or returning to the 19th century. There is no third one. With the growing volume and sophistication of cyber attacks, ongoing attention is required to protect sensitive business and personal information, as well as safeguard national security,” said Dr. Saif. “99.9 per cent of sites are easy to hack. They are more prone to attacks as everything is online, but we believe they are secure. The
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UAE is targeted and there is a spyware with every hardware coming into the country. Attacks are rising by the month, 60 per cent of which are through the hardware, not from apps,” he added.
Global revenues for companies that offer digital forensics will total $2.7 billion this year and are estimated to reach $4.7 billion in 2020
Dr. Saif’s opinion was echoed by Abdulqader Obaid Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Smartworld, who said that CIOs’ role in an organisation is evolving. Abdulqader said: “CIOs need to be thinking differently. Today, whether we like it or not, technology is really defining the daily use. The CIOs’ role is evolving as they are not looking after information technology (IT) alone. They are judged by how they can actually enable IT to make businesses more competitive. There is
a proliferation of devices. By 2020 there will be more than a billion devices that can be interconnected. Everything is going to talk to you through technology. “So, there is a mandate on the CIOs. Security is a bigger issue today. For any organisation, information is important and if you lose it, you lose your competitive edge. That’s why we are asking for specialists in security. It is a special field. People usually spend 80 per cent on their equipment security, such as firewall, servers, etc. You need to educate people about security because they are very vital and important. The question today is how we can try and help our organisations become more secure. It’s not that the boards (management) do not understand the issue. They do. However, they need to listen more and support the CIOs, or the security officers. They should listen to the CIOs for the good of the organisations,” Abdulqader added.
UAE News
“Cyber security market today is valued at $450 billion to $1 trillion “Most organisations do not have a clear strategy on security. If at all there are any, they are in a fragmented way. So, there is a need for a clear strategy across all organisations. Also we should ask if the regulation is for consumers or suppliers,” said Ahmed Al Mulla, Chairman of CIOMajlis, who is also Senior Vice President, Corporate Services at Emirates Global Aluminium.
“The role of CIOs has changed drastically in the past five to ten years. They used to look at CIO as a spender of money, but now the perception has changed. It will be easier to convince the board the need to make the organization more secure. As already said, 99.9 per cent of sites are not secure. That’s the issue today,” said Al Mulla “Cyber security market today is valued at $450 billion to $1 trillion. The approach should be how we can ensure security in a collabora-
tive way. Everyone should collaborate, that is, the organisation, the customer, the open community at large, the developers and also the government,” said Ahmed Al Ahmad, CIO, Nakheel. In his presentation, Dr. Saif said: Global spending on cyber security is floating around $77 billion this year, according to market research firm Gartner estimates. By 2020, companies around the world are expected to spend around $170 billion, a growth rate of nearly 10 per cent in the next five years. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 19
UAE News
Hackers go after smartphones as an entry point; from an infected smartphone, they can jump into a network and wage denial-of-service attacks or commit corporate espionage and the daily lives of millions of Americans depend. In light of the risk and potential consequences of cyber events, strengthening the security and resilience of cyberspace has become an important homeland security mission.
Hackers steal billions The big data and analytics market is expected to reach $125 billion by the end of 2015, according to research firm IDC. Global revenues for companies that offer digital forensics will total $2.7 billion this year and are estimated to reach $4.7 billion in 2020, ABI Research finds. This is a direct result of the real, on ground practice of dealing with cybercriminals and hackers. Spending such amounts is much cheaper than the damages caused by ignoring the threats that are coming from the Internet and other modern technologies. A range of traditional crimes are now being perpetrated through cyberspace. This includes the production and distribution of child pornography and child exploitation conspiracies, banking and financial fraud, intellectual property viola20 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
tions, and other crimes, all of which have substantial human and economic consequences. Cyberspace is particularly difficult to secure due to a number of factors: the ability of malicious actors to operate from anywhere in the world, the linkages between cyberspace and physical systems, and the difficulty of reducing vulnerabilities and consequences in complex cyber networks. Of growing concern is the cyber threat to critical infrastructure, which is increasingly subject to sophisticated cyber intrusions that pose new risks. As information technology becomes increasingly integrated with physical infrastructure operations, there is increased risk for wide scale or high-consequence events that could cause harm or disrupt services upon which our economy
Cybercriminals do not steal just data. They also stole up to $1 billion from 100 different financial institutions across the U.S., Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and China over the past two years. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, ransomware--malicious programs that infect a computer or network and hold data hostage until a ransom is paid--has cost companies $18 million in the past 15 months. Employees and their personal smartphones are two of the weakest links in security protocols. Last year, 16 million mobile devices worldwide were infected by malware, according to Alcatel-Lucent’s Motive Security Labs. Hackers go after smartphones as an entry point; from an infected smartphone, they can jump into a network and wage denial-of-service attacks or commit corporate espionage. 
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Middle East News
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INTRODUCING THE NEW NISSAN PATROL NISMO. CONCENTRATED POWER.
| Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 23 nissan-dubai.com
International News
Japan will need reforms to ease economic blow of a shrinking workforce: OECD
J
apan must make revitalising growth its number one priority with reforms to boost productivity and encourage more women and older people into jobs to compensate for its rapidly shrinking labour force, according to the OECD. Japan’s population is set to shrink to 100 million by 2050 from a peak of 128 million in 2010. Life expectancy of 83.5 years is pushing up the old-age dependency ratio. Both trends are most severe in rural areas.
Angel Gurria, Secretary General, OECD, said in his remarks on the review: “With the labour force shrinking as a share of the population, output per worker will have to rise even faster if per capita incomes are to increase.
According to the OECD’s 2016 Territorial Review of Japan, the demographic change knocked more than half a percentage point off Japan’s annual economic growth rate over 1999-2011.
At present, the working-age population is falling by about 1% per year, and this will accelerate to 1.7% in the decades to come, meaning that even productivity growth of 2% or more will deliver very low aggregate or per capita growth. In productivity terms, Japan will have to run faster and faster simply to maintain its position in relation to other economies.
It warns of the pressure on public spending from rising pension, health and long-term care costs as the share of people over 65 in the population rises from 26% today to around 40% by 2050, the highest in the world.
Better regional development policies can yield a double dividend,
not only addressing the demographic challenge, but also bringing new opportunities and boosting productivity growth.” A declining population should allow more flexibility in land use, enabling cities to build more green spaces or community development projects as density eases, the Territorial Review says. It should reduce traffic congestion and ease pressure on housing prices and the environment. A larger elderly population could create demand for new goods and services and provide an experienced and flexible workforce for part-time jobs, entrepreneurship or volunteering. Gurria said Japanese cities need to maximise agglomeration benefits. “This could be done by combining infrastructure investments, such as the new super-high-speed maglev rail line linking Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya into a single urban megaregion, with measures to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and venture capital investment. Second, cities can benefit from better linkages between institutions and improved metropolitan governance. That means co-operating
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International News
successfully across “thick” administrative borders. This is not just a matter of collaboration among public bodies: business-to-business connections, links between regional firms and nearby universities for example, are critical to knowledge creation, entrepreneurship and innovation. Governance at the metropolitan scale can also increase their productivity by co-ordinating policies, such as land-use, transport and economic development policies. Third, policies concerned with housing, labour-market, childcare, families, education and skills will have to adapt to demographic change. The female labour force participation rate stands at about 21 percentage points below that of men. The OECD estimates that if female employment rates were to converge to those of men over the next 20 years, the labour supply would decline by only 5%, com-
pared to 17%. Regional policies can help achieve this. For example, large cities which have the lowest fertility rates can improve commuting, housing and child-care. Prime Minister Abe’s “womenomics” to encourage women’s participation in work place will support this effort.” Welcoming Japan’s 2015 National Spatial strategy, the Review termed it as a step towards tackling the demographic transition. It suggested making cities more compact and improving links between them. The Review also recommended adapting policies in areas from city planning to employment to limit the impact of the rapid shrinking and ageing of the population. With the right policies, increased longevity among workers and less-dense towns and cities could bring opportunities for innovation, growth and well-being, the Review says.
In another report on Japan’s economic challenges the OECD made suggestions on how to boost Japan’s productivity. This will require progress on the third arrow of Abenomics, according to the Report. Japan needs to press forward with trade integration and make its corporate sector more dynamic through improved corporate governance and product market reform. Moreover, while Japan has a high level of R&D, the return on such investment could be improved by strengthening university-business linkages and encouraging greater mobility of researchers. The Better Policies Series Report also calls for policies that make it easier for both men and women to combine work and family life, in part by changing Japan’s culture of long working hours. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 25
International News
Government of Canada presents Travel Smart app and Electronic Travel Authorisation
O
mar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), and Arif Virani, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, met with Canadian travellers at Pearson International Airport to launch the government’s Travel Smart app. This new app makes it easy to access real-time information, including entry and exit requirements, border wait times, passport validity and more. Representatives of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and airlines were also on hand to underline how good planning and preparation can reduce the stresses associated with air travel. Canada has also implemented a new entry requirement, the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This requirement applies to foreign nationals, from countries whose citizens normally do not need a visa to travel to Canada, who are travelling to or transiting through Canada by air. From now until fall 26 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
2016 a leniency period is in place to allow travellers without an eTA to board their flights as long as they have appropriate travel documents. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents do not need an eTA. Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), said: “The Government of Canada is committed to providing the right tools and technologies to help Canadians be prepared for today’s evolving travel environment. The Travel Smart app is one more useful tool that provides timely information to Canadians at the touch
of a screen and on the go, whether they are travelling to a sunny destination or working or studying overseas. Travel Smart will also help them stay connected in case of an emergency abroad.” Howard Eng, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said: “By working closely with the Government of Canada and with airline carriers, we are seeking to improve and facilitate the passenger experience in the context of an increasingly complex and ever-changing international travel environment. Our collective efforts aim to ease the challenges that Canadians face when they make the choice to travel.”
| Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 27
Helping you understand.
Yes, we’re different. And yet, we’re the same. Autism Trust Foundation provides the best therapists, the latest methods and the most up-to-date technologies for Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD]. We at ATF continue to provide a caring environment for those with Autism and create a society that wholeheartedly accepts and welcomes them. To know more, visit www.autismtrustfoundation.com Assessment & Diagnostics | Speech & Language Training | Occupational Therapy | Applied Behaviour Analysis & Therapy
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| Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 29
Special Report
Smart technology enhances security at airports
T
he number of air passengers worldwide is witnessing an unprecedented growth. According to IATA, the Middle East will grow strongly and see an additional 237 million passengers a year by 2034 and the global trade association estimates the total market size will be 383 million passengers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads aviation growth in the region.
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Special
Rise in the number of passengers not only makes it a challenge to handle these numbers efficiently, while ensuring smooth passenger experience, it becomes equally necessary for the airports to take measures to ensure that security is not compromised. In order to deal with this, airports are increasingly focusing on investing in smart technology. Major General Pilot Ahmed bin Thani, Deputy Commander-inChief for Ports Affairs, Dubai Police, said smart technology and solutions play an important role in enhancing airport security, especially in light of the record growth in travel around the world movement. He said the Dubai International Airport is one of the best air-
Report
ports in the world in the field of security as it has adopted the best available technologies and applications to deal with more than 200,000 passengers who use the airport daily. “We are currently assessing a number of smart solutions and technologies within our strategic plan to further enhance the standards of Dubai Airports security. In this regard I would like to emphasise that smart solutions are an important component to keep up with record growth of passenger numbers, especially as the Dubai International Airport expects over 85 million passengers by the end of this year and more than 100 million passengers by the end of the year 2020.�
The traditional methods that were adopted in the past for passport control points in different airports are no longer efficient since millions of people travel through airports round the clock
There are more than 10 000 cameras at the airports in Dubai and the Maktoum international facilities run by officers and police components of Dubai Airports. Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, said: “At the Dubai Airports, we are using the latest smart technology which is recognised as the most efficient and advanced from security point of view. The number of international passengers is rapidly increasing and is estimated to cross 7 billion by 2030 and according to IATA this presents its own set of challenges. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 31
Special Report
associate company of Dubai-based emaratech. Morten Pankoke, Chief Operating Officer of Exruptive, said the company is in talk with many airport authorities to introduce the smart device. Rockwell Collins, engaged in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications, showcased its innovative new products for airports, including biometrics, cloud-based technologies and automated solutions aimed at creating an improved experience for travellers. We must ensure that we are able to handle the numbers without compromising on security.
ders in Dubai Airport to ensure the safety of our borders and the UAE’s earnings on this level.”
And this is what we adopt at Dubai International Airport to keep pace with the growth of passenger numbers, where we expect to have 85 million passengers by the end of this year.”
The 16th edition of the Airport Show, held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, saw world-leading companies showcase the latest safety & security solutions and products.
He said: “The traditional methods that were adopted in the past for passport control points in different airports are no longer efficient since millions of people travel through airports round the clock.
Among the key categories of aviation security technologies that were showcased were Safety and Surveillance Systems, Bird Control Systems, CCTV equipment, Passenger and Baggage Screening, Perimeter and Access Control, Digital Surveillance and Biometrics.
And based on this vision we initiated applying a smart travel policy at Dubai International Airport by adding 125 e-gates and smart gates within the framework of our transformation towards smart solutions. We have adopted the latest technology to enhance security standards of dealing with arrivals and departures through passport bor32 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
Prominent among the latest technology devices showcased was an ‘Intelligent Trolley and Trolley Security Scanner’ offering enhanced security at lower cost, better flow and increased revenue and efficiency in airport commercial areas by Denmark-based Exruptive, an
The face recognition technology captures a traveller’s identity using biometrics and match it with the passenger’s passport and boarding pass information. Dr Ian Bache PMP, Technical PreSales Director, Arinc Airports Information Management Services, Rockwell Collins said: “Airports are always looking to automate passenger processing while maintaining the highest security levels. And we offer tailor-made solutions which are configurable airport identity management solutions. Many airports in this region are showing interest in these innovative technologies.” Globally, aviation industry, in addition to working with governments, is actively investing toward airport security. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, it is estimated that the global annual spend on airport se-
Special
curity would surge to US$12.67 billion in 2023, up from US$8.22 billion in 2014. Airports are also increasingly focusing on adopting latest technology to enhancing passenger experience. From smart gates, beacon technology, mobile devices to navigate the airports and face recognition systems, to air traffic management, baggage and check in management, IP-based security monitoring, communications, ticketing, and information systems, freight operations information systems, air traffic management and airways analytics, airports worldwide are actively adopting new technologies. According to a study by Technavio, the global market for smart airports is estimated to reach $13 billion by 2019, at a combined annual growth rate of 6 per cent.
Massive investments in the region, especially the UAE, will drive the Middle East smart airports market to cross US$850 million within the next three years. The UAE has been on the forefront when it comes to adopting the latest smart technologies. An investment of more than AED100 million has been made toward the Smart Gates initiative at the Dubai International Airport. The use of smart technology is not only contributing to enhancing passenger experience but also expected to help authorities in the region reduce 25 per cent of operational costs. According to SITA IT Airport Survey, with 81 per cent of airports investing in beacons and other sensors over the next three years, passengers can look forward to a more comfortable and predictable journey through the airports.
Report
The survey estimates that 80 per cent of airports will use beacons to provide way-finding services and 74 per cent to provide notifications to passengers within the next two years. More than half of the airports are likely to have sensors in use at various points of the journey including check-in, bag drop, security, dwell time and boarding by 2018. Real time notifications about travel information such as local traffic, waiting times, or queue times will be more common as will mobile services such as specialised apps for navigating the airport. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade body for airlines, says the increased use of devices, applications, networks and services will open up a whole new world for systems integration in the airports environment. ď‚…
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New Technology
Inbuilt beacon device for easy baggage tracking
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amsonite has launched Track&Go, a sophisticated beacon device that can be built into Samsonite suitcases, allowing a case to be easily and privately tracked by its owner.
The Bluetooth beacon will use Eddystone Ephemeral Identifiers (EIDs), an open privacy/security protocol by Google. Samsonite aims to launch the first suitcases featuring the Track&Go solution in the European market at the end of 2016, followed by other international markets. The range will be competitively priced for such a premium technology product in order for it to be-
come a real solution for travellers worldwide, according to a company press release. Furthermore, given the potential of this solution, Track&Go might be extended to a broader range of business and travel bags in 2017. In 2014, 24.1 million pieces of baggage were mishandled worldwide, meaning they were temporarily or permanently lost. Of these
According to ABI Research, by 2020, a projected 40.9 billion of these connected devices are expected to enter what is called the ‘Internet of Things ecosystem’ 24.1 million pieces, 85% were returned to their owners within 48 hours. Unfortunately, 5.5% of all mishandled baggage is never reunited with its owners. Ramesh Tainwala, CEO of Samsonite, said: “We’re excited to work with Google on this project to make sure that our beacons support Eddystone EIDs. Missing or permanently lost luggage is the nightmare of every traveller. As the world’s largest luggage manufacturer, we wanted to find a way to make this issue a thing of the past.” “As Samsonite is known for its innovative and reliable luggage and bags, we also wanted to work with an equally as innovative and reliable technology partner. By leveraging Google’s robust, secure and crossplatform approach, we feel confident that our customers will welcome this new solution.”
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New Technology
Reducing travel stress using a strong community network The Bluetooth beacon, which has been designed and manufactured by Accent Systems, will be built into the Track&Go suitcase. It has to be registered by the owner through the Travlr by Samsonite app, which has been developed together with mobile agency In The Pocket and is available free of charge. The Travlr by Samsonite app was launched in September 2015 to offer flight tracking, tips and reminders when travelling. The new Track&Go feature will soon be built into the existing app allowing users to easily check the location of the suitcase within a distance of 70 meters, and also be notified if it is being moved closer or further away from the user.
The Travlr by Samsonite app was launched in September 2015 to offer flight tracking, tips and reminders when travelling
Should the suitcase go missing, the owner can easily flag it as lost in the app. Once flagged as ‘lost’, the Travlr by Samsonite app leverages its user base to help the suitcase’s owner find it. Should anyone else, using the Travlr by Samsonite app, pass within 70 meters of the lost suitcase, an EID-based signal is picked up. This triggers a notification with location and time details of the suitcase to be sent out to the owner. Both the tracking and notification process take place at no additional cost for the users.
With this concept, Samsonite reduces travel stress thanks to a community of app users that can assist each other in locating and retrieving missing suitcases in a totally anonymous and secure way. The larger the community, the higher the chances of retrieving a lost suitcase, making it necessary to further expand the Travlr by Samsonite app user community. An important next step will be collaborating with airports and baggage handling companies to grow the network of fixed Bluetooth beacons in the vicinity of important travel hubs. Eventually, Samsonite expects that anyone with a smartphone will be able to help retrieve lost Samsonite suitcases and travel or business bags, thanks to the fast expansion of wirelessly connected devices. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 35
Health
Stay fit during vacations
T
aking time off for vacation shouldn’t waste several months of your hard work for staying fit. With these simple tips, you can stay on track and have fun during your vacations.
1. Opt for Stairs
Whether in hotels or higher-altitude spots like the Eiffel Tower, leave the elevators behind and climb stairs. What a great calorieburner!
2. Sight-See in Walking Shoes Instead of Taxis and Trolleys
From the magnificent parks of London to Tianamen Square, there’s often no better way to take in the joys, scents, and surprises of the cultures you’re visiting than on foot.
3. Play with the Kids
Go ahead, relax and sunbathe a little, but make sure you have some calorie-burning fun with the kids, too. Play “Marco Polo” in the pool. Go bikeriding. Shoot hoops. Pick up sea shells on the sea shore. Warm up those dec36 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
ades-old-but-you-never-lose-‘em ping pong skills. Chances are, you’ll have as much fun (maybe even more!) as the little ones.
4. Plan Movement Opportunities Into Every Day
Is the morning full of standing (and very little walking) in art museums and cathedrals? After lunch, take off for aerobic adventures. Go for a nice long walk along the park or shore. Or ask your hotel’s concierge for walking maps of the area. If you’re in unfamiliar territory, your concierge should also be able to point out safe, crime-free pedestrian routes.
5. Turn Airline Terminals Into Walking Tracks
Instead of sitting (you’ll be doing plenty of that on the plane), plug into your favorite music
and march up and down the terminal. Sure, it’s not a fullblown workout, but every step counts. “With just 15 minutes of brisk walking, you can burn 100 calories and more,” says Scott Danberg, MS, Exercise Director at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa. Plus, all that walking may keep you from getting bored and ambling into the airport’s pizza stand.
6. Book for Fitness
When booking hotels, choose only those with fitness centers and/or guest passes to nearby gyms. If you can roll out of bed and roll into a gym minutes later, you’ll have given yourself the best insurance that you’ll fit fitness into each day. Plus, working out every morning will increase your motivation to eat more healthfully throughout the day.
Health
7. Break Free – Explore New Possibilities!
Sure, it’s great to know there’s a gym just downstairs from your hotel room, but vacation’s also the time to have some fun! The kids want to hike up a mountain? Lace up your walking shoes! Are they bound for scuba/snorkeling class? Join in! Go paddling in river canoes. Learn salsa dancing. Play beach volleyball. Water
ski. Anything that elevates the heart rate and allows you to have fun is a win/win situation.
8. Find Restaurants That Are Within Walking Distance From Your Hotel
Why take a taxi when you can enjoy a leisurely walk in the cool evening air to and from the restaurant? Plus, “walking after a meal is a wonderful way to help
keep blood sugar levels down,” advises Robert Bauer, MD, diabetic specialist at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa.
9. Aim for Fitness-Maintenance
While vacationing, you may not have as much time as you do at home for your regular workout, but that’s okay. Always remember: Doing something is a whole lot better than doing nothing at all, says Pritikin’s Scott Danberg. Shoot for at least 50% of your normal routine.
10. Savor the Rewards
Each day as you wake, anticipating the wonderful things you’ll be doing, the sights you’ll be seeing, remind yourself how great it feels to be able to walk, to move. “Travel imparts new vigor to the mind,” said the ancient Roman playwright Seneca. Because you’ve taken good care of yourself by staying fit, that vigor is yours! | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 37
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Special Report
CBP Announces 2016 Preclearance Expansion Open Season
T
he U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced its second Preclearance expansion open season began on May 15 and will run through August 1, 2016.
Appropriate stakeholders interested in bringing preclearance operations to their airport can now submit a letter during the open season detailing their interest in offering CBP Preclearance operations at a foreign airport. Through Preclearance, the same immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections of international air passengers performed on arrival in the U.S. are instead
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completed before departure at foreign airports.
rity, travel facilitation, and economic partnerships.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP, in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Department of State, and other U.S. Government stakeholders, will review each submission. Submissions will then be evaluated and prioritized based on their benefit to national secu-
“CBP’s preclearance operations are an important step in the U.S. government’s effort to prevent terrorism from coming to our borders,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “We intend to identify governments and airports willing to partner with us. Additional preclearance locations will further protect the safety and
Special
What is Preclearance? At Preclearance locations, travelers and their baggage are inspected and admitted to the United States prior to boarding, creating opportunities for increased security and growth, and an improved passenger experience. security of our citizens while also streamlining legitimate travel and commerce.” DHS began the process of identifying and prioritizing new air preclearance locations in September 2014. Foreign airports interested in preclearance expansion were invited to submit a letter to CBP expressing their interest in hosting preclearance operations. Following an open and deliberative evaluation process for the 2014 open season, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced in May 2015 ten priority locations in nine separate countries for Preclearance expansion: Brussels International
Airport (Belgium); Punta Cana International Airport (Dominican Republic); Narita International Airport (Japan); Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (Netherlands); Oslo Gardermoen Airport (Norway); Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Sweden); Istanbul Ataturk Airport (Turkey); and London Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport (United Kingdom). The United States holds the identification and interdiction of threats prior to arrival as one of the principal tenets of national security. Preclearance is a critical tool which supports our efforts to identify and address international threats at the earliest possible opportunity and supports our efforts to build a high level of cooperation between CBP and host governments around the world. CBP Preclearance operations all for advance inspections of passengers and special coordination with law enforcement upon arrival in the United States. U.S. Preclearance operations began
Report
Abu Dhabi Airport is among the airports outside North America that offer the CBP facility. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi Airport is a purposebuilt facility that allows U.S. bound passengers to undertake all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi prior to departure. Having cleared CBP, guests can check-through their baggage to their final destination in the United States. On reaching the U.S., guests will be treated as domestic arrivals, which allows for faster processing at their arrival airport. at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 1952. Currently, air Preclearance operations exists at 15 foreign airports in six different countries, benefiting travelers, airports, and air carriers, in the U.S. and abroad. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 41
Customer Service
Customer Happiness Formula’ to enable government entities to create happiness by building positive partnerships between employees, entity and customers
UAE launches ‘Customer Happiness Formula’
T
he UAE Government has launched the ‘Customer Happiness Formula’ as a new initiative to enrich the happiness and positivity concept by providing employees in customer happiness centers with a range of tools and values that will enable them to implement the government’s initiatives in achieving happiness and positivity.
The Formula, which is based on the Customer Service Charter, aims to highlight the commitment of government entities to provide services that will help achieve the happiness of customers, according to WAM. It includes three main elements: Employees who take pride in providing excellent government services; Government entities dedicated to make customers happy, positive, and proactive customers. ‘Customer Happiness Formula’ would enable government entities to create happiness by building active and positive partnerships between the three parties: Employee, Entity and Customer. Each party in this Formula has a key role in the provision of services to make customers happy, and contribute to the government’s focus on happiness. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness and Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that happiness is a journey focused on all segments of the UAE society, and the role of the 42 |Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 |
government is to create an incubator environment to achieve this goal. Al Roumi said that the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, confirms that happiness is a way of life for the UAE society and the ultimate goal of government function. She also emphasised the importance of providing positive and happy environments for all government employees to enable them to bring happiness to customers. Al Roumi pointed out that the National Program for Happiness and Positivity focuses on developing government environment to promote a culture of customer happiness. The government has begun to take steps to change the name of the customer service centres to customer happiness centres, and the name of customer service employees to customer happiness employees. Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Assistant Director-General for Government Services and Pioneership at the Prime
Minister’s Office, said the Emirates Government Services Excellence Program developed ‘Customer Happiness Formula’ based on the UAE government efforts to spread the culture of customer happiness, provide the best results, and support the government’s performance model focused on happiness and positivity. Bu Humaid added that the Program benefited from the UAE’s experience in developing successful and innovative government services, and best practices to ensure happiness of customers. The Emirates Government Services Excellence Program organised a meeting for a group of government services development leaders, attended by about 100 officials from departments and customer happiness centres in the federal government entities. On the occasion, Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), highlighted the KHDA experience
Customer
in building a happy work environment for employees and customers through a range of initiatives and policies. The meeting discussed the ‘Customer Happiness Formula’ and explained its elements, and the best ways to apply them in all government entities. Workshops will be organised to train employees and entities on the best application of the Formula. The Customers Happiness Formula includes the three main elements: Employees who take pride in providing excellent government services: Customer happiness employees take the lead in providing the best experiences to customers. They adopt the slogan ‘We pledge to make you happy”. These employees would always be welcoming and smiling, and display courteous behaviour and make an excellent first impression. They would be good listeners and display professionalism, understanding,
positivity, and innovation in providing the services. Government entities dedicated to make customers happy: These entities develop their services according to the customer’s needs and global trends in their field of activity. They would apply the slogan ‘we work to make you happy’ by showing their commitment to provide a hospitable environment that fosters a culture of happiness and positivity. They would provide fast and smooth service, ensuring individual experience and enhanced comfort of customers. These entities offer fair and unbiased services, listening to the customers and engaging with them to develop the services. They would be innovative in the provision of future services, and work together as one team to make the customer happy. The Positive and Proactive Customers: These customers seek to get ser-
Service
vices from the government entities and are involved in providing constructive suggestions to contribute to the development of innovative services that create customer happiness. The Positive Customer plays an important role in creating happiness by applying the slogan ‘Help us make you happy’ by providing correct and up to date information and documents. Such customers will have a positive participation in service development, contributing to the future of services, and sharing their happy and positive experiences with others. The Emirates Government Service Excellence Program was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in March 2011 to achieve higher standards in government services by improving efficiency. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 43
Tourism
Best places to visit this summer
A
s temperatures soar, Dubai residents eagerly look forward to a truly relaxing and rejuvenating summer vacation. We bring to you the best destinations for you to visit this year.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Why now: The sun currently sets around midnight and rises at 2:30 a.m., so you have nearly 24 hours of light to explore the beautiful, otherworldly landscape. We recommend renting a car and driving out to Gullfoss—the country’s most famous (and most impressive) waterfall— before heading for a soak in the Blue Lagoon.
Milan
Why now: With Expo Milano running through October, all eyes are on Italy’s fashion capital. It has more vitality than ever: drawing crowds (and Traveler’s top editors) all summer long with its mix of arts, culture, food, and see-and-be-seen events. Men’s Fashion Week just wrapped, but September’s main event isn’t
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Once back in the city center, vintage shopping is a must, with stores
like Spuutnikoffering an almost overwhelmingly large inventory.
too far off. Why now: Ruled for centuries by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austrians, the heartshaped Istrian Peninsula of Croatia is truly a multi-cultural surprise at the top of the Adriatic.
sat up to 20,000—a summertime film festival is held here annually, as well as a weekly recreation of gladiator fights). Then make sure to explore the bucolic interior and historic hilltop towns, Motovun being our favorite. Be sure to nibble on the area’s prized black truffles and sip award–winning local wines along the way.
Have a taste of the Italian-inflected seaside towns of Rovinj, Porec, and Pula (its 1st-century amphitheater
Tourism
Mexico City
Why now: Mexico’s capital—locally known as the DF, or “Distrito Federal”—is usually overlooked in favor of beachy getaways in Tulum or Baja California. But Mexico City is more exciting than ever: so big, sprawling, and full of cutting-edge art that you could easily make multiple visits and not see it all.
Choquequirao, Peru
Why now: Machu Picchu’s ‘sister city’ and its near equal when it
comes to perfectly preserved royal Incan archeological sites only receives about five visitors a day (as
opposed to the government capped 2,500 daily visitors to Machu Picchu). But that’s all about to change with the construction of a tram that will make the 12–16 hour hike a one-hour jaunt a half mile above the Apurimac River. With the tram set to open in 2016, now is the time to visit these majestic ruins in near-solitude with nothing to spoil the vast panorama but the occasional condor soaring over head.
North Coast of Brazil
Northern Brazil is on the cusp of an explosion in tourism from the U.S., so traveling there now—to the LGBT-friendly, beach-lined states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, and Pernambuco—means you’re ahead of the trend. Expect
to hear more about this region, as Brazilian airline TAM is looking to create a hub in one of these three cities to expand its service around northern Brazil (and the region) to North America. The weather is also ideal right now: sunny and in the low 80s, on average.
Panama
Why now: When the Panama Canal celebrated its centennial on August 15, 2014, the country partied for greater reason than the success of that maritime shortcut; Panama as a whole has managed to become an attraction to travel to and not just through. It’s an aviation hub for Central America, and an easy connection for continuing travel to South America. | Manafez Dubai | June - July 2016 | 45