Mohammed bin Rashid launches Mobile Government, ICT Fund offers Dh 200m in support of the initiative

posted on 23/05/2013

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday announced the post e-Government era with the launch of the 'Mobile Government' (m-Government) initiative, marking a significant breakthrough in the delivery of government services to the public through their mobile phones, anywhere and round-the-clock.
Emphasising the need to focus on measures to further enhance government services, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed called for creative efforts to provide services on par with global standards, adding that an innovative government thinks ahead and breaks the routine to become No 1.
"We are embracing the most modern concept in innovative government by moving towards the delivery of government services through mobile phones. We have one of the best communication infrastructures in the world today, with mobile phone subscribers in the UAE reaching 14 million, which represents an average of two mobile phones per individual," said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
"The objective now is to relocate customer service centres into every customer device, enabling them to obtain their desired service through their mobile phones anywhere and at any time. A successful government reaches out to the citizens rather than wait for them to come to it," His Highness added.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that the new initiative aims to consolidate the UAE's position in electronic services delivery to be on par with international best practices.
"In 2000, we became the pioneers in the region and the seventh in the world to launch the e-Government project. Now we have taken a more significant step by launching the m-Government," said His Highness.
"Our role as a government is to make the life of our citizens easier and ensure they are happy and satisfied. We need to reach all the community segments and provide them with the best possible service," His Highness added.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed directed all federal and local government entities to provide innovative services in easy to use format through mobile phones within 24 months, reiterating that the government has the resources to accomplish this mission effectively and efficiently.
The new initiative aims to encourage government entities in the UAE to offer innovative services through mobile phones, portable devices and text message applications to ensure access to government services 24/7.
Services under the initiative will be delivered in a highly efficient and transparent manner to meet the needs and expectations of customers, enabling them to benefit from communicating with government entities from anywhere. This is in line with the directives of the government to develop services and achieve a high quality of life for UAE nationals and residents according to the Vision 2021.
Mobile Government The Mobile Government initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was launched at a Forum organised by the UAE Government with the participation of more than 1,000 government officials. This followed the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, during the Government Summit held recently in Dubai, to develop government services to make them more convenient for the public.
The Mobile Government Forum looks forward to raising awareness among government entities to take advantage of mobile phone services by adopting innovation and the best technologies in the field to offer the highest level of services comparable to the private sector by sharing experiences with other outstanding entities in the world.
In a quick response to the initiative, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Fund, an initiative of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), announced an allocation of Dh200 million in support of the mobile phone applications.
The ICT will offer technical assistance and advice. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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UAE TRA announces 700 MHz band plan for mobile broadband

posted on 23/05/2013

The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) yesterday announced its plans for 700 MHz mobile broadband, and the release of increased spectrum in the 800 MHz band.
The TRA said it believes that allocating these bands to mobile broadband will best serve the UAE public interest, driving down costs and minimising interference along borders.
By combining the 800 MHz band plan for Europe, Middle East and Africa with the lower duplexer of the Asia Pacific (APT) 700 MHz band, the UAE will be the first country in the ITU Region 1 to reap the benefits of both bands, which will support affordable network rollout, benefiting more of the population with mobile broadband connectivity, according to the TRA.
"By maximising the spectrum for mobile broadband in harmony with the growing economies of scale for both bands, the TRA decision will enable nearly global interoperability and roaming," Majed Al Mesmar, TRA's Deputy Director General for telecommunications Sector, commented.
With mobile communications penetration already high in the UAE, future growth will depend on the development of mobile broadband. In order to achieve this, mobile operators will need to have access to additional spectrum, which should be released in a globally harmonised manner.
The announcement confirms the UAE TRA's industry leadership in allocating harmonised spectrum to mobile services. By maximising global scale and interoperability and creating a stable regulatory environment, this will ultimately encourage long-term investment and socio-economic growth in the UAE and across the region. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Emirates Post issues iconic stamp to commemorate Yahsat's first satellite "Y1A"

posted on 23/05/2013

Emirates Post has issued a stamp to acknowledge the UAE's progressive achievement in the field of science and technology, by commemorating Yahsat's first multipurpose satellite, "Y1A".
The satellite, a milestone for the nation, is designed to provide advanced satellite services to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia.
The stamp is available in a denomination of Dh 4, along with a First Day Cover special for Dh 5. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Abdullah bin Zayed participates in 'Friends of Syria' meeting in Jordan

posted on 23/05/2013

Amman: Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan took part in the meeting of the 'Friends of Syria' group, held yesterday in Amman.
The meeting discussed the current situation in Syria after the Syrian army regained large part of the strategic city of Al Qussair and after a call by Qatar to held an emergency meeting of the Arab League to discuss means of increasing assistance to the Syrian opposition.
Also discussed were preparations and coordination ahead of the second meeting on Syria, scheduled in Geneva next June.
The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, USA, UK, France, Turkey, Germany and Italy.
The last 'Friends of Syria' meeting was held in Istanbul in April. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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International Criminal Court judge praises UAE legal system

posted on 23/05/2013

Howard Morrison, one of the judges of the International Criminal Court, has declared that the legal system of the UAE is in line with international laws that lead to the achievement of justice and the rule of law.
He made the statement during his participation in a conference concerning criminal and international humanitarian law in the Arab Gulf region, entitled "Necessity or Choice", organised by the Emirates Association for Lawyers and Legal Experts under the patronage of Dr. Hadef bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice.
Morrison went on to say that the economic and social development being witnessed by the UAE reflects the evolution of its judicial system. He added that the UAE is a country with peace and security and is a meeting point in the Middle East and has become a model for peaceful coexistence of different nationalities and cultures. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Dubai Customs foils bid to smuggle African ivory

posted on 23/05/2013

Dubai Customs has foiled a bid to smuggle 259 pieces of ivory arriving from an African country through its Jebel Ali Customs Centre. The items fall under the endangered fauna and flora category, in which international trade is prohibited by CITES Convention.
"Dubai Customs inspectors seized the shipment, in which trading is prohibited under the CITES Convention, using advanced inspection techniques. The smugglers tried to pass the shipment in the guise of timber furniture as disclosed in the customs declaration about the items. However, our vigilant inspectors foiled their attempt," said Ahmed bin Lahej, Director of Jebel Ali Customs Centre.
The foiling of an attempt to smuggle such a quantity of ivory was successful due to the support provided by Dubai Customs Risk Engine early warning system to inspection operations.
Dubai Customs inspection teams are continuously trained on detecting all materials included in lists of prohibited and restricted products by using hi-tech inspection techniques, including X-Ray devices, and are supported by advanced IT systems in the customs inspection business, the prominent worldwide model of which is the Dubai Customs' Risk Engine. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Abu Dhabi Investment Forum opens in Paris

posted on 23/05/2013

Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) opened the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Paris yesterday, in the presence of a high-level Government delegation from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and more than 200 senior French officials, businessmen and investors.
In his speech, Nasser Alsowaidi said that the Forum represents an important platform for joint efforts aimed at developing and activating economic and investment relations, by creating strategic partnerships to benefit the two countries in many strategic fields, especially those focused on and prioritised by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 for attaining sustainable economic development in the Emirate.
He noted that the keenness of the Abu Dhabi government to further its business relations with France and attract French investments is reflected by the presence and participation of the government delegation to this important forum, to highlight the investment opportunities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi under the significant government support enjoyed by many development projects, particularly in areas of business and finance, trade, industry, education, energy, tourism and other sectors.
Alsowaidi said that the economy of the Emirate over the past few years, has seen considerable development, marked by the implementation of major development projects in furtherance of economic diversification in the Emirate and building a competitive knowledge-based economy by focusing on the development of non-oil sectors and injecting money in new investments, including infrastructure, industry, alternative energy, education, tourism and other areas.
The chairman added that the Government Delegation of senior officials will review and discuss the spectrum of investment opportunities offered by development projects, which brought about a qualitative leap in a short period of time, and contributed to strengthening the investment environment, turning it to a more attractive and inviting safe haven for foreign investments in the region.
Nasser Alsowaidi said that bilateral trade between the UAE and France grew by more than 13% in 2012, adding that French exports to the UAE increased from US$4.6 billion in 2011 to US$4.7 billion in 2012, while UAE exports to France jumped from US$1.3 billion to US$2.0 billion during the same period.
He went on to point out that Abu Dhabi and France are undertaking many giant development projects, which have contributed greatly in shaping the future of economic relations between the two sides, notably the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum project, nuclear cooperation, and the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, among others.
According to Alsowaidi, France ranked second among top investors in Abu Dhabi, with investments constituting 7.4% of the total FDI in Abu Dhabi in 2009, adding that the number of French companies conducting business in Abu Dhabi has increased significantly over the past few years.
The Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has made vigorous efforts to strengthen the role of the private sector, through the creation of a more favourable environment, and significant amendments to policies, legislation and regulations to facilitate private sector activities, as well as undertaking large-scale investment in major infrastructure projects to help set an enabling environment and provide opportunities in a strong and dynamic economy.
Nasser Alsowaidi said that according to latest estimates, the Abu Dhabi private sector's contribution to GDP in 2012 increased by 6.5% to account for 33% of the Emirate's GDP, which reflected a growing desire among many private companies to set up new businesses or increase the size of their existing business activities in Abu Dhabi.
He revealed that significant financial support of the Government for the implementation of a package of diversified development projects worth US$90 billion, over the next five years (2013 - 2017) would provide appropriate investment opportunities for foreign investors in many sectors, including infrastructure construction, education, health and others.
Mohammad Mir Abdullah Al Raisi, the UAE Ambassador to France, said at the inaugural meeting of the Forum: "In the UAE, we look forward to further successes at the level of bilateral relations with France, in the belief that such relations are distinct and foresee a promising future under the partnership that has been laid over the years, which has contributed to increased foreign trade and growing investment projects between the two sides".
The ambassador said that the Forum brought together Abu Dhabi and French senior officials, businessmen and investors, and reflected the openness of the Abu Dhabi Government towards investment. It revealed its inviting and promising market, given the Emirate's opportunities for foreign investors and the package of development projects undertaken, and their magnitude and value, to suit the French wealth of culture and history.
He said that economic relations between France and the UAE were long standing and deeply rooted, stating that more than 450 French companies are currently operating in the UAE, and more than 18,000 French citizens reside in the State, adding that the total value of French exports to the UAE last year amounted to more than 3.5 billion Euros.
The forum convened six working sessions, which were addressed by the senior government officials accompanying the UAE delegation, who elaborated on various business and investment opportunities in different sectors of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Third UAE - Korea Economic Partnership Forum will commence on May 27 in Seoul

posted on 23/05/2013

Under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Third UAE - Korea Economic Partnership Forum begins on next Monday in South Korean Capital, Seoul.
Minister of State, Abdulla Ghobash will be leading a UAE delegation of officials and representatives of the participating sectors and heads of governmental agencies, to the two-day event.
The UAE - Korea Economic Partnership Forum, which has the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Department of Economic Development and Dubai FDI, aims to build special economic partnerships with South Korea and develop strong relationships in different sectors to attract more investment opportunities to both countries, in addition to enhance the bilateral cooperation in different fields and also benefit from the investment opportunities that the forum will offer to the private and public sectors and the free zones in the country.
After the great success that the UAE - Korea Economic Partnership Forum achieved back in 2006 and 2007 in Seoul, many of governmental authorities, organisations and businessmen were keen to participate in the coming edition.
The importance of this event lies in the direct and indirect opportunities it promises for companies, economic institutions and investors who are taking part in this event. The forum will also shed the light on the potential economic productivity and employment opportunities in each country in order to activate the investment in joint projects.
This forum has the full support of many governmental associations in the UAE and South Korea, especially that the UAE now has the expertise, the infrastructure and a lot of investment opportunities. Those features undoubtedly allow more opportunities for cooperation and investment between the two countries taking into consideration the strategic geographical location of the country.
The forum will also include a trade exhibition that will feature a number of meetings and discussions between businessmen and major Korean companies in addition to a number of investors. The exhibition is also expected to attract a number of companies from different sectors like the trade sector, IT, Manufacturing, Tourism, Healthcare, Power, Finance, Aviation, Construction and Real Estate. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Etihad Airways appoints UAE national as General Manager in Belarus

posted on 23/05/2013

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed Mansour Al Marzouqi as its new General Manager in Belarus.
Al Marzouqi joined Etihad Airways' Graduate Management program in 2007, subsequently holding several key positions in sales and business development in the UAE before being appointed General Manager of the Maldives in 2011.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways' Chief Commercial Officer, in a press release, said: "Mansour has a proven record within the airline and has substantial knowledge and expertise of the travel industry and commercial airline operations. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his assistance in further developing our presence in the Belarus market." Al Marzouqi will replace former general manager for Belarus, Paolo Greco, who is moving to Rome to take up the position of Partnership Alliance Manager to Alitalia.
This year Etihad Airways will mark five years of operations to Minsk and has carried 105,000 travellers between the Belarusian capital and Abu Dhabi to date. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Emirates and JetBlue to expand partnership agreement

posted on 23/05/2013

Emirates, and JetBlue Airways yesterday announced their intent to expand their current partnership to include bilateral code-sharing, pending FAA and DoT regulatory approval and subject to receipt of relevant foreign government operating authority.
Under the expanded agreement, JetBlue will place its "B6" airline code on all flights currently operated by Emirates between the U.S. and Dubai International Airport, as well as between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Milan, Italy.
The agreement strengthens the three-year partnership between JetBlue and Emirates, which started placing its code on select JetBlue operated flights in April 2012, expanding an agreement that dates back to 2010. Current code-share routes offered by Emirates on JetBlue flights cover 28 destinations, including Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Puerto Rico. Since March this year, Emirates also began placing its code on additional JetBlue routes, including Bridgetown, Barbados, Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Through the existing agreement, customers enjoy the convenience of a single combined ticket for Emirates and JetBlue-operated flights, plus other benefits including one-stop check-in and baggage transfer.
Members of "Skywards", the Emirates reward program, can earn miles on JetBlue operated flights and redeem miles for flights to any of JetBlue's 77 destinations throughout the Americas. Similarly, members of JetBlue's "TrueBlue" loyalty program can earn points for Emirates flights worldwide.
"As Emirates continues to expand its presence in the U.S. market, our partnership offering with JetBlue provides customers with convenient connections from its extensive network to our seven U.S. gateways, including our twice daily A380 service non-stop from JFK to Dubai," said Thierry Antinori, Emirates' Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales Worldwide.
"Putting our code on another airline is a significant milestone for JetBlue. We are proud to do it with Emirates, a fantastic partner for JetBlue over the past years," said JetBlue's Chief Commercial Officer, Robin Hayes. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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YoY prices down for 16 groups of building materials in April 2013, reports SCAD

posted on 23/05/2013

Statistics Centre, Abu Dhabi (SCAD) issued yesterday its latest monthly report on the prices of building materials in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The report presents an analysis of the movements in the prices of the key building materials during last April.
SCAD indicated that this report covers the movement of monthly prices for building materials used in Abu Dhabi during the month of April 2013 compared to the previous March, as well as compared with April of 2012, compounding the great importance accorded to this report among the most important statistical bulletins published by the Centre Statistics - Abu Dhabi.
SCAD pointed that the building materials groups have seen a change in the average prices in April 2013 compared with March 2013, with increases ranging between 1.1% for the "Paints" group and 11.1% for the "Employment" group. Declines of 0.1% for the "Steel" group, and 3.7% for the "Power Cable" group were recorded.
According to SCAD's report, the average wages of "Employment" increased by 11.1% in April 2013 compared with March 2013. The average prices of "Power cable" decreased by 3.7% in April 2013, as a result of decreases in all items in this group which varied between 3.5% and 3.9%.
The "Block" group increased by 4.1% in April 2013, as a result of an increase in most items between 2.7% for "Hollow\ 6" 15x20x40 cm\ Thousand U.A.E." and 8.3% for "Solid\ 4" 10x20x40 cm\ Thousand\ U.A.E." compared with March 2013.
The average prices of the "Pipes (PVC)" group decreased by 2.4% in April 2013 compared with March 2013, mainly due to the decrease in some items in this group compared with March 2013. According to SCAD's report, the average prices for wires for "Small building" and "Apartments" decreased by 0.6% and 0.4%, while the average prices for "Wires residential towers" increased by 1.2%.
SCAD's report indicated that the monthly average prices for 16 groups of building materials have decreased in April 2013 compared with April 2012. The drop ranged between 0.1% for "False ceiling" and 14.9% for "Wires for residential towers".
The average prices of "Wires," SCAD maintained, decreased in April 2013 compared with April 2012. "Wires for residential towers" accounted for the largest decrease of 14.9%, while "Wires for Small buildings" and "apartments" decreased by 10.1% and 9.7% respectively.
The "Aggregates and sand" group decreased by 8.7% in April 2013. The declines ranged between 3.4% and 20.8% compared with April 2012. The average prices of "Block" decreased by 8.0% in April 2013 compared with April 2012, mainly due to the decrease in most items between 3.7% and 10.6%.
The report issued by SCAD pointed that some of the average prices of building material groups rose during the month of April 2013 compared to the same month of the previous year. The average wages of "Employment" increased by 36.2% in April 2013 compared with April 2012, while all items in the group recorded an increase between 20.0% and 76.5%compared with the same period last year.
The average prices of the "Glass" group increased by 13.9% in April 2013 compared with April 2012.
The average prices of the "Sanitary ware-bathroom set without accessories" and "Sanitary ware- bathroom set with accessories" groups increased during April 2013 by 24.7% and 10.4% respectively, while the average prices of the "Sanitary ware- sink stainless steel with mixer-single" group also increased by 3.6% compared with April 2012.
SCAD's monthly report of building materials prices report surveys the prices of 21 groups of commodities and services that represent the most important materials used in the construction activity, including cement, aggregate, sand, wood, steel, concrete, cement blocks, etc.
SCAD has published this report since 2008. The report data are collected by the Centre's field staff on a monthly basis, in line with the directives of the emirate's leadership for the development of economic sectors and support of their stability in all areas of interest to decision makers, policy planners, researchers, etc. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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Sultan sheds fresh light on history of Emirates

posted on 23/05/2013

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, through a phone conversation with the Direct Line programme aired live on Sharjah Radio and TV on Wednesday, has emphasised that the names of Sharjah, Qaiwain and Khaimah have been mentioned in the book and maps of Ptolemy. He pointed out that there was a doubt whether these names already existed in the book or mentioned and added after translating Ptolemy's book in the Abbasid Era.
Sheikh Sultan said that he had conducted an investigation and studies into the maps of Ptolemy, where he found in the Arabian Peninsula a cross and crescent, which refers to that it was issued after Islam.
With regard to Julfar, Sheikh Sultan said, "In 1959, I visited Isfahan, where I saw a bridge composed of several bridges connecting Isfahan and Julfar. There I saw a big church and a golden dome. It is also mentioned that the Mongol tribes occupied this area in Iran, which made the Armenian Christians flee from Persia to that place in Ras Al Khaimah that was named Julfar later.
Sheikh Sultan also talked about the history of Ras Al Khaimah and names of areas in it.
As for the relation of the oceanographer, Ahmed bin Majid with Julfar, Sheikh Sultan said that Ibn Majid arrived in the area before the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, noting that he documented in his writings that Ibn Majid was not the one who brought the Portuguese to India. – The Gulf Today

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Abu Dhabi Film Festival announces Spring film projects

posted on 23/05/2013

The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) has announced the springtime film projects that will share half of its US$500,000 Sanad grant fund.
There were 112 Arab filmmakers who applied for the 2013 grant, but only 16 impressed the judges, who unveiled their names at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.
"Sanad's aim to seek out bold and remarkable projects from both new and established filmmakers reflects twofour54's mandate to support talented Arabs. We look forward to seeing the film projects which follow from this award's announcement and to showcasing the best of the films internationally as an example of the world-class creativity coming from this region,” said chief executive officer of twofour54 Noura Al Kaabi, whic is under which ADFF operates.
Established in 2010, the Sanad fund aims to raise the standard of Arabic cinema. It gives away grants twice a year to film projects that are either in post-production (the final editing stage) or pre-production (before the filming). Each post-production grantee can receive up to US$60,000 of funding, while development grantees can receive up to US$20,000 of funding.
On the winners' list of Sanad's first cycle for 2013 were My Sweet Pepper Land (Iraq, France, Germany, UAE), directed by Hiner Saleem; Theeb (Jordan, UAE, Qatar), directed by Naji Abu Nowar; In the Sands of Babylon (Iraq, UK, Netherlands, UAE), directed by Mohammed Jabarah Al Daradji; and Fevers (Morocco, France, UAE), directed by Hicham Ayouch, all post-production movies.
Documentary films selected for post-production grants are Pirates of Sale (Morocco, France, UK, UAE), directed by Merieme Addou and Rosa Rogers; The Whisper of the Cities (Iraq, UAE), by director Kasim Abid and The Camel of the Mill (Tunisia, UAE) by director Hamza Ouni.
"The international film community continues to embrace the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and the Sanad fund as respected platforms for high quality, original and imaginative films from the Middle East and North Africa,” said Ali Al Jabri, the ADFF director.
He specifically referred to one of the narrative films that received a grant, My Sweet Pepper Land, which will also be featured in the Un Certain Regard section of this year's Cannes Film Festival. This narrative film received a Sanad development grant in 2012, as well.
Two other films that benefitted from post-production grants previously received a Sanad grant for development in 2011 — Pirates of Sale and Theeb.
"It's important to note that support for the grantees doesn't just stop at financing. The Sanad fund is dedicated to providing year round creative and industry advice to the grantees,” added Al Jabri.
Submissions for the second and final cycle of Sanad fund grants 2013 can be made between June 1 and July 1, 2013. – Khaleej Times

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Emiratis are stars of Ramadan TV

posted on 23/05/2013

A series of Emirati-made and themed programmes will be broadcast for the first time during Ramadan.
Local content is being prioritised by the Abu Dhabi Al Emarat channel over the Holy Month.
New shows include Zaman Lol, a light drama about two friends who meet again after years apart and remember their youth in the 1970s. The programme will star Emirati actor Ghanem Al Sulaiti.
A topical drama, Ya Malikan Qalbi, starring Emirati actor Fayez Al Saeed and Iraqi actress Shatha Hassoun, follows three characters and reveals how their lives intersect through seemingly unrelated incidents.
Abu Dhabi Al Oula will be offering a second season of popular Emirati comedy Lulu and Mirjan, following Lulu and her three sons' schemes to earn a living.
The channel's programming will also focus on the greater Arabian Gulf and Arab markets.
One show, Nekdeb La Olna Ma Bnhbesh will appeal to viewers from across the region thanks to its stars, Egyptian actress Yousra and Syrian actor Mustafa Fahmi. The drama focuses on a divorced mother struggling to rebuild her life.
More than 20 programmes for Ramadan, ranging from dramas, comedies, animated series and quiz shows, are being broadcast by Abu Dhabi TV, a branch of Abu Dhabi Media, which also owns The National.
The Holy Month schedule was unveiled last night at a gala event at Emirates Palace, which was attended by more than 40 stars of the small screen and other personalities.
On the red carpet were Emirati actors Al Saeed, Al Sulaiti and Ahmed Al Jasmi, plus Yousra, Fahmi and another Syrian star, Qusai Khouli.
Haitham Al Kathiri, Abu Dhabi TV director of operations, said its Ramadan programmes were targeted towards families.
"The Holy Month...is unique in that it further strengthens family bonds, and we have therefore selected a range of programmes that can be enjoyed by the whole family,” he said.
"This includes dramas from across the region, religious and cultural programming and health segments.
"This schedule was created in line with Abu Dhabi Media's efforts to provide valuable content to Arabs of all ages and groups, both locally and regionally.” – The National

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Sporting legends in Dubai for a night of boxing at Dubai Sports City this Friday

posted on 23/05/2013

A host of sporting legends will lace up their boxing gloves this Friday night at Dubai Sports City (DSC)'s recently opened indoor Football Dome, it was announced yesterday.
Those legends, including former rugby union stars Shane Williams from Wales and All-Black Carlos Spencer, as well as ex-England One-Day International cricket captain Adam Hollioake, will take to the ring in the state-of-the-art, air-conditioned venue for a fight night, according to an emailed press release from DSC.
They are boxing to raise funds for South African triathlete Richard Holland, who sustained life-changing injuries when he was knocked off his bike while training in Dubai last October.
Other top athletes on the boxing card include Conrad Jantjes and Bolla Conradie, the former Springbok backs, England rugby league stars Lee Radford and Sean Long, Epi Taione, the former Tonga rugby league player, and ex-British and Irish Lions and Ireland forward Shane Byrne.
The fight-night action also features Non Evans, the Wales women's rugby union all-time leading points scorer and a person who has competed for her country in three separate sports at the Commonwealth Games - judo, weightlifting and wrestling.
All bouts will take place in the Football Dome, the latest addition to DSC's growing list of facilities.
The venue, the home of the DSC Football Academy overseen by Director of Football Michel Salgado, the former Real Madrid and Spain star, houses a full-sized, artificial, FIFA-approved football pitch and has already accommodated football and touch rugby action since opening earlier this year.
Dubai Sports City will be sponsoring one of the bouts, between Long and Lima, and there will be an undercard featuring fighters living in Dubai to add a local flavour to the evening's action.
Looking ahead to the evening's action, Dubai Sports City General Manager - Sports Business Maqbul Dudhia said: "We are delighted to be hosting the Fighting Chance Dubai boxing event at the Football Dome at our Academies Campus. It is something we are all looking forward to.
"It is for an outstanding cause, will provide a great night of action and entertainment with a host of top sports stars entering the ring, and will also show the versatility of our facilities here at Dubai Sports City.
"It shows that no matter what the weather outside, thanks to our outstanding new air-conditioned venue we are able to stage top-class sporting action all the year round.
"The Football Dome has only been open for a short time but already it is staging football and touch rugby and with a night of boxing to come it showcases the variety of sports we can host.
"That is also illustrated by the fact the Midnight Cricket League is happening at the ICC Academy - one of three indoor cricket tournaments taking place there over the next three months.
"When you add up all this activity it shows that our summer of sport at Dubai Sports City is in full swing," he added.
With the Hessa Street extension now opened, it ensures that access to Dubai Sports City has never been easier, DSC noted. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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UAE Table Tennis Team unveils plan to grow game in Dubai

posted on 23/05/2013

A new initiative which may one day see the sport of table tennis as popular in the UAE as it is in China, was launched yesterday by the UAE Table Tennis Team.
Standing alongside his fellow sportsman from the Chinese National Table Tennis Team, which starred at the recent World Championships in Paris and is supporting the programme, UAE player Rashid Abdul Hamid unveiled details of the project, which aims to increase grassroots participation in the UAE.
"Table tennis has a rich tradition throughout the world for bringing people together and the great thing about the game is that anyone - regardless of age, ability and fitness - can enjoy playing," said Abdul Hamid, who this week enjoyed beating the USA to achieve the best ever finish for the UAE in a World Championships. "Ping Pong Dubai is a community initiative with a simple aim - to encourage people from all walks of life to pick up a bat and discover that table tennis is a fun and social way to be more active. We have an exciting calendar of accessible events and activities which we hope will inspire people to get involved and help stimulate the sport's growth," he added.
The Chinese National Table Tennis Team, which is sponsored by Dubai, is firmly behind the programme. "Ping pong is embedded into the fabric of life in China so we are always pleased to see the sport being developed in international markets," said world No 1 Xin Xu. "It is particularly exciting to see that Dubai, in addition to supporting the China team, is strengthening its commitment to the game." Ping Pong Dubai is a non-profit venture between the UAE Table Tennis Association, Dubai Sports Council and Falcon and Associates, which facilitated the Chinese National Table Tennis Team sponsorship. It will kick off with an inaugural event in June at Dubai Sports World, the largest indoor summer sports event in the Middle East, taking place from June 21 - August 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Twelve free-to-use tables will be located in Sheikh Saeed Hall, while UAE players and coaches will make regular appearances to help inspire youngsters, as well as guide players on how to get the most from the game. Details of when coaches will be available will be posted on the Ping Pong Dubai Facebook page, along with regular updates on forthcoming events and activities. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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World Arabian Horse Racing meet gains momentum

posted on 23/05/2013

Galaries Lafayette has joined the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival as the latest sponsors for the upcoming 4th edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference to be held in Toulouse, France.
The world forum, which is scheduled from June 4 to 9, culminates with the fourth round of the Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race and the sixth round of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race at Toulouse Hippodrome.
The fifth World Arabian Horse Racing Conference, which is staged under the directives of Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will be held at Toulouse with 400 speakers gathering to address the various issues pertinent to the sport.
Topics including training, veterinary, nutrition and other vital issues will be discussed during the gathering at the international forum.
Speaking at the Galaries Lafayette shop in Toulouse, Lara Sawaya, director of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies Racing said: "We are proud to hold such a major partnership with Galaries Lafayette in Toulouse, the capital of Arabian races and hosts of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference which is held for the fourth straight year.
"The festival will host a special news conference on June 5 regarding the staging of the conference which focuses on finding suitable solutions for the future of the Arabian horse at the Pierre Budis Centre in Toulouse from June 6 to 8, 2013.
"Right from this moment, a major campaign would be launched through the shoppers of Gallery Lafitte shop. Buyers who spend one to 100, 000 Euros would be eligible to enter a special draw to win five prepaid coupons for ten people (two persons each) to attend the finals of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup in Abu Dhabi, the capital of ladies Arabian horse races on November 10, 2013.”
Pearl Lager, Marketing Manager of Lafitte also addressed the press conference and said she was delighted that Lafayette was in a partnership to promote the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. – The Gulf Today

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