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UAE Armed Forces continues humanitarian operation in Pakistan
posted on 02/09/2010
 Multan - The relief wing of the UAE Armed Forces intensified its humanitarian operations in Pakistan by distributing food and other aid in several districts devastated by the flooding. The relief works are in progress as per directives from President H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and follow up by H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The UAE forces are working day and night to help millions of people affected by the worst natural disaster in the history of Pakistan.
The relief forces stationed in Multan city in Punjab moved truck-loads of food, medicine, pure drinking water and other essential supplies to different flood hit areas across the country. The relief supplies sent by various charity and humanitarian organisations in the UAE continued to arrive in Pakistan via the airbridge.
Meanwhile senior Pakistani army officers paid visits to the UAE forces, who briefed them on the relief operations and food distribution using Chinook helicopters. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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RCA team begins vaccination drive in Pakistan's Nowshera city
posted on 02/09/2010
 Islamabad - The medical team sent by the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has started its drive to vaccinate the inhabitants of Nowshera city, which was worst hit by the recent floods. The vaccination campaign implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) aims to immunise children against measles and women in childbearing age against tetanus.
As several parts of Pakistan continues to be submerged in flooding, many diseases are threatening the flood victims calling for intensive relief operations.
During the first days of its presence, the medical team could vaccinate over 3000 persons, according to Nazirullah Khan, a UNICEF official overseeing the campaign.
He said that the presence of RCA team in the field has enormously contributed to the enhancement of awareness creation among the people, who are under threat of epidemics.
The RCA's cooperation in the vaccination drive continues to help UNICEF to meet the target of inoculating over 625,000 children below five years against measles and all women living in makeshift camps against tetanus, he added. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Qatari Prime Minister: Relations with UAE outstanding
posted on 02/09/2010
 Doha - Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani on Wednesday described the UAE-Qatari relations as unlimited, strategic and outstanding on all levels and see high-level coordination on all common political regional issues.
Sheikh Hamad made his remarks as he received the outgoing UAE Ambassador to Qatar and dean of the diplomatic corps Abdul Redha Khouri who made the visit to mark the end of his tenure in Doha.
He further thanked the outgoing ambassador for his efforts to further promote ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, the outgoing ambassador conveyed to Sheikh Hamad greetings from Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs. He further expressed thanks to Qatari for the support he received during his tenure in Doha. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Al-Mansouri: UAE economy remains solid, to achieve more growth
posted on 02/09/2010
 The Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said the UAE economy remains robust thanks to the diversification provided for in the wise leadership's economic policies.
The UAE economy is capable to achieve a growth rate of 2.5% in 2010, compared to 1.3% last year, while inflation is expected to fall to 1.1% down from 1.56 last year, according to Al-Mansouri in statements in a Ramadan gathering at Mina Salam Hotel, Dubai.
The UAE economy weathered the financial crisis thanks to certain measures and incentive reforms which helped minimise the losses, he noted.
"The UAE GDP in 2009 reached AED 914.3 billion," Al Mansouri said.
"Non-oil sectors accounted for about 71% in the country's 2009 GDP compared to 66.5% in 2008," he added.
Industry is expected to account for 20-25% in the UAE's GDP in the years to come, up from 16.2% this year 2010, he noted adding that the Ministry's strategy aims to push up this contribution to 90-97%. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Foreign Trade Ministry is working on innovative strategy to enhance UAE trade globally, Sheikha Lubna
posted on 02/09/2010
 Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, has said that ministry is working on realistic policies and innovative models to enhance UAE trade globally in tandem with government vision and its developmental strategy.
During her annual Ramadan meeting with employees of the ministry, Sheikha Lubna said that the ministry relies on new methodologies and sophisticated and modern tools to deal with strategies to develop the components of the state's foreign trade, increase national exports to foreign markets, develop UAE's global trade position and face challenges in regional and global markets.
She urged the employees to strengthen efforts, develop initiatives that meet strategies and objectives of the ministry, better promote the UAE and its growing economy, strengthen the presence of UAE products in global markets and increase foreign investment in UAE markets, which will lead to raising the competitiveness of UAE economy worldwide.
Sheikha Lubna and Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during the meeting, also honoured the best employees.
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Foreign Trade, during the last months of 2010, has continued efforts and initiatives, which formed a key supporter of the continued growth of commercial activity within and outside the country in harmony with the country's leadership and its economical development strategies and the UAE's vision for the year 2021, to be amongst the best countries in the world.
The ministry's initiatives also contributed in the increase of non-oil exports significantly despite the continued erosion of trade in the world. The UAE has also ranked 19 among the most important countries in commodity exports in WTO report in 2009, made up two places in the "Global Enabling Trade Report" issued by the World Economic Forum and topped the list of Middle East and North African countries and ranked 16 worldwide. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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TAKREER awards EPC works for Inter Refinery Pipeline (IRP-II) Project
posted on 02/09/2010
 TAKREER (Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company) announced yesterday that a contract worth US$ 623 Million has been awarded to GS Engineering '&' Construction Corporation for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPC) works of the Inter Refinery Pipelines (IRP-II) Project.
With a total length of 955 kilometres of pipeline ranging from 10 to 28 inches in diameter, the planned pipeline network connecting the Refineries with various Terminals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be capable of covering the increase in demand in refined petroleum products for the foreseeable future, according to a press release by TAKREER.
The project is being executed in fulfilment of ADNOC vision to establish reliable and safe network of pipelines for Hydrocarbon Product movement between the refineries and storage Terminals for commercial distribution. The Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the Project was completed by TECHNIP, while Project Management is being provided by TEBODIN. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Kazakhstan and UAE to cooperate in nuclear energy
posted on 02/09/2010
 Kazakhstan and the UAE have started cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, Askar Mussinov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan said at a media briefing on Tuesday evening.
The UAE has also fully backed Kazakhstan's efforts in international arena for a nuclear weapons free world, he said.
"The discussions on cooperation in nuclear energy are in initial stage and we expect more progress in future," he said.
Mussinov made a presentation on the steps taken by Kazakhstan both before and after gaining the independence in 1991 to build a world free from the threat of nuclear annihilation.
In 1991, President Nursultan Nazarbayev made the decision to shut down the world's second largest nuclear test site at Semipalatinsk.
After Kazakhstan regained its independence, in 1994, President Nazarbayev went a step further and, in partnership with the United States under the Nunn-Lugar programme and renounced the nuclear weapons in Kazakhstan, leading to decisions by Ukraine and Belarus to renounce such weapons located in those nations as well.
At the time, Kazakhstan had in excess of 1,400 nuclear weapons on its territory, more than France's, Great Britain's and China's nuclear capabilities combined.
Since that time Kazakhstan has fully rid itself of nuclear weapons and their infrastructure.
In partnership with the US and Russia, and working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Kazakhstan has also been implementing new specific projects to down-blend highly enriched uranium and ensure the safety of nuclear materials and facilities.
In 2009, Kazakhstan and four other Central Asian nations created the first nuclear weapons free zone fully located in the northern hemisphere.
In that same year, President Nazarbayev proposed Kazakhstan as a host country for a planned international nuclear fuel bank, to be set up under the IAEA auspices
The same year, Kazakhstan has urged the United Nations and has worked with other six nations to proclaim a day devoted to fighting for a nuclear weapons-free world.
The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution designating August 29, the International Day against Nuclear Tests. – Gulf News
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UAE fourth in expats financial quality of life list: HSBC
posted on 02/09/2010
 The financial crisis has failed to dampen spirit of expatriates in the UAE as they believe that their financial quality of life has improved this year compared to last year.
In a survey of 25 countries conducted by HSBC bank showed that the UAE's ranking improved by one notch in 2010 against last year, placed fourth worldwide in financial quality of life among expatriates.
Majority of respondents are still sanguine about the UAE economy, with more than three quarters claiming that they have not been directly hit by the economic malaise and don't plan to return home.
The survey is based on four main factors which are annual income in excess of US$200,000; a monthly disposable income in excess of US$3,000; an increase in saving while living / working abroad (in their current country of residence); and having at least two luxury items in the country in which they live.
Emirate is ranked sixth in wealth hotspot, eighth in income and sixth in disposable income and fourth in luxuries worldwide
Common perks for expats living in the UAE include more cars (63 per cent in UAE against 29 per cent overall); more exotic holidays (57 per cent versus 46 per cent, nicer and larger properties (58 per cent against. 50 per cent) and domestic help (57 per cent against 37 per cent overall)
The survey also found that expats benefit from much lower tax costs, with almost all (94 per cent) of expats based in the UAE paying lower tax than in their country of origin
Expats in the UAE, as well as earning higher salaries are saving more too, with 79 per cent stating that they saved more since becoming an expat compared to the worldwide average of 61 per cent
The UAE is ranked above all the major economies - including G7 - such as Singapore, US, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, UK, France, Germany and Netherlands. Russia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain surpassed the UAE in expatriate's financial quality survey.
But due to the financial crisis, expats based in the UAE said that the past year has been difficult economically, with 77 per cent indicating that the economic situation has deteriorated over the past year.
The survey found that a quarter of expats think there are reduced career opportunities in the UAE, with one in ten of those who thought the economy hadn't improved, actively looking to return home.
However, the majority of expats in the UAE remain optimistic; 81 per cent have said that they have not been directly impacted and are therefore not actively looking to return home.
Around 73 per cent of expats mention career/money prospects as the key reason for becoming an expat.
Brazil, Russia, India and China (Bric) countries are emerging as promising expat destinations, with expats based in these countries having fared well over the past year in terms of earnings, career opportunities, improved economic outlook and the ability to save.
Expats were questioned through an online survey from April 26, 2010 to the June 7 2010, with expats from over 100 countries worldwide taking part . – Emirates 24|7
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Foreigners net buyers on DFM
posted on 02/09/2010
 Foreign and institutional investors remained net buyers on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in August 2010 while GCC and UAE nationals were by far net sellers, indicating varying risk perceptions in a depressed market.
Foreign investors bought shares worth Dh779.2 m in August, comprising 52.3 per cent of the total value of stocks traded in the month, according to trading statistics for August released by DFM on Wednesday.
The value of stocks sold by them rose to Dh728.8 million, comprising 49 per cent of the total value of stocks on the bourse, thus showing a net investment inflow of Dh50.4 m.
DFM overall performance decreased by 1.9 per cent to reach 1483.7 points at the end of August 2010 compared to 1512.4 points at the end of July. The market capitalisation fell by 2.4 per cent to reach Dh189.3 billion compared to Dh194 billion at the end of July.
The value of shares traded during the month fell to Dh1.5 billion from Dh2.3 billion recorded during July, a decrease by 35 per cent.
Total volume of shares traded decreased by6 29.2 per cent to 1.1 billion against 1.5 billion shares in July 2010. Correspondingly, the number of transactions executed during August 2010 fell by 26.1 per cent to reach 23,700 compared to 31,100 deals carried out during July.
The real estate and construction sectors ranked first in terms of the value of traded shares followed by the transportation sector and investment and financial services sectors. The real estate counters accounted for transactions worth Dh936.8 m, comprising 62.9 per cent of the total value of shares traded in the market.
The value of stocks bought by institutional investors reached Dh570.5 million comprising 38.3 per cent of the total value of stocks traded during the period. They sold shares worth Dh409.2 m, constituting 27.5 per cent of the total value of stocks traded during the month. Net institutional investment on the market reached Dh161.3 m, as aggregate buy.
Individual investors comprised the largest chunk of trading as they bought stocks worth Dh917.85 m and sold Dh1.079 billion worth of shares. – Emirates 24|7
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Emirates becomes world's largest superjumbo operator
posted on 02/09/2010
 Emirates has become the world's largest operator of the A380 aircraft with a total of 12 in its fleet, which has been generating interest from around the world, a company spokesman said.
The airline's expanding A380 fleet has been attracting attention from airports across the globe as Manchester became the latest city to be served by the superjumbo, Emirates Airlines said in a statement.
Historic moment
A further order for 32 A380s, announced during the Berlin Air Show in June, has prompted a flurry of enquiries from international airports, the company said.
Emirates Airline and Group Executive Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan, said: "This is a historic moment for Emirates as we bring our 21st century superjumbo to the northwest 20 years after our first flight from the region. Our Manchester service has been an incredible success story, and we're delighted to be opening the next chapter today".
Flanagan who was aboard the first Manchester A380 flight, said: "People are realising that this is the passenger aircraft of the future".
"As a result of our announcement in Berlin, we have had enquiries from more than 20 airports across the world, asking whether Emirates would fly the A380 to their airports."
"These aircraft are a dream to travel in and a dream to have at your disposal for expansion. They are extremely popular with our passengers and where we deploy them, they fill up almost immediately — running at over 90 per cent load factor."
Airbus said the A380 had flown to over 100 airports.
First class cabin
The start of A380 flights to Manchester is the first time the world's largest airline has operated a scheduled service to a regional airport. It is the first time Emirates has brought its first class cabin to the route.
Manchester Airport's Managing Director Andrew Cornish said: "The start of daily A380 services from Manchester to Dubai is a moment in history for our airport and the wider region. It's of such significance that we're expecting thousands of people to visit the airport on September 1 to catch a glimpse of her first flight," Cornish said.
"We've invested around £10 million (Dh56 million) to upgrade the airport's infrastructure to accommodate the flagship of the Emirates fleet and are very much looking forward to welcoming her for the first time." The A380 features private suites, showers, and a lounge for first and business class passengers.
West Africa now closer
Emirates says it has strengthened its links to West Africa with the launch of a new direct service to Dakar.
A company spokesman said: "EK 797 took off this morning for the airline's 105th destination, creating the only non-stop, scheduled passenger link between Dubai and Senegal".
"The new route will cut current journey times to Dakar by around the equivalent of an eight-hour working day, creating an easy, fast and convenient service for business and leisure travellers."
Nigel Page, senior vice president of commercial operations, Africa and the Americas said: "Today marks a new chapter in air travel between the Middle East and West Africa."
"No more will passengers travelling to and from Senegal face long detours to Europe or other parts of Africa to reach their final destination. Instead, they can enjoy the convenience of a non-stop air link with Dubai, seamless connections to key centres in the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East through our state-of-the-art Terminal 3, a very competitive baggage allowance and the award-winning in-flight service for which Emirates is renowned."
A company spokesman said EK 797 would depart Dubai at 9.55am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and arrive in Dakar at 4pm.
EK 798 would leave the Senegalese capital at 5.40pm and get into Dubai at 7.15am the following day.
An Airbus A340-300 would be deployed on the route, offering 12 seats in first class, 42 in business and 213 in economy, the company said.
Emirates said Dakar was the fifth new route it had launched this year. The others were Tokyo, which launched on March 28, Amsterdam on May 1, Prague on July 1 and Madrid, on August 1. – Gulf News
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DP World is third-largest ports operator
posted on 02/09/2010
 DP World has become the world's third-largest ports operator, climbing one spot last year as it opened new ports and suffered smaller declines at existing ones compared with global rivals.
The Dubai company handled 31.5 million containers (measured in TEUs, or twenty-foot equivalent units) last year, helping it surpass APM Terminals, the Netherlands-based firm owned by AP Moller-Maersk Group, which handled 31.1 million containers, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants.
DP World opened new terminals in Algeria, Senegal and Vietnam last year, while expanding capacity at its flagship port in Jebel Ali. Overall, volumes at its consolidated ports declined by 8 per cent last year. It has 50 terminals and 11 new developments across 31 countries, and a staff of nearly 30,000.
The company is one of the most profitable concerns under the umbrella of its cash-strapped parent, Dubai World, and earned US$580 million (Dh2.13 billion) in earnings before interest, depreciation and taxes in the first half this year.
DP World, one of the most geographically diversified operators, holds a 6.7 per cent global market share, just behind Hutchison Port Holdings of the British Virgin Islands, which commands 6.8 per cent of the global market.
PSA International of Singapore took the top spot worldwide, with a 9.5 per cent market share.
In its annual report, Drewry said the ports industry had recovered well from the global downturn and a lack of spare capacity was now a concern over the decade.
The London-based consultancy has upgraded its forecast for this year in light of growing worldwide demand for sea freight.
"Without question, the global terminal operators weather the storm,” said Neil Davidson, the senior adviser of ports at Drewry.
"Several parts of the world could see the spectre of congestion returning by 2015 if some of the originally planned expansion projects cannot be reactivated within the next three to five years.”
DP World's Jebel Ali facilities have undergone periods of heavy congestion during boom times, leading to delays of several days for ships waiting to unload cargo.
A proposed Terminal 3 on a man-made offshore island could help boost capacity to 50 million TEUs over the next 30 years, but plans were put on hold when the global downturn began. A company spokeswoman said yesterday it was still reviewing the plans.
"We are still watching the market and we can move quickly once market demand returns,” she said.
Last year, sea freight traffic dropped for the first time since the advent of containers in the 1960s. Ports worldwide handled 524 million TEUs, a 10 per cent decline from 2008. But while volumes in North America and Europe declined by about 15 per cent, the crisis was "hardly felt” in the Middle East and Africa, Drewry said.
"Global terminal operators have always been about expanding and adding capacity as quickly as possible. Suddenly they were all faced with changing mindsets towards drastic cost control and halting projects,” Mr Davidson said.
Global container traffic was projected to grow at 7.2 per cent a year between last year and 2015, while Middle East capacity is slated to grow at just 3.1 per cent per year. That means utilisation rates could be about 95 per cent at Middle East and Far East ports by 2015, the Drewry report said.
With credit finance much slower and more difficult to obtain, the recovery "raised the question as to whether capacity plans can be reactivated quickly enough”, Mr Davidson said. – The National
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Dubai's tea trade in first half of 2010 brews up on production hike
posted on 02/09/2010
 The Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC), an initiative of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), yesterday said, it has recorded 6.2 million kilos of tea transaction in the first six months of 2010.
The overall tea trade through Dubai for the first six months of the year increased to 64.2 million kilos, an increase of 11.3 per cent from 58 million kilos, primarily due to favourable growing conditions resulting in higher production in most tea producing countries.
"With the recent trend of higher production and favourable climatic conditions in the major producing countries, tea prices have been extremely volatile in the past few months. However, the general trend still continues to remain buoyant as carry forward stocks are low and there is good demand," DTTC said in a report.
The Middle East and African region accounts for 13.8 per cent of global tea consumption, and is the second largest consumer of tea globally.
Deficit
"Last year, global tea production saw a deficit of nearly 60 million kilos of tea due to drought in major tea-producing countries," said Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. "However, the favourable climatic conditions in the first half of this year have led to an increased tea production by more than 107 million kilos. At DMCC, we remain committed to increasing tea trade through Dubai and strengthening the emirate's position as a major hub for global tea trade. Through our efforts, we are confident that Dubai will play a pivotal role in the supply chain for the industry."
Dubai remains the second largest export destination for both Indian and Sri Lankan tea. The DTTC presently stocks teas from 13 producing countries, namely: Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Iran.
In keeping with its mandate to further increase the tea trade in and through Dubai, the DTTC also facilitates sales with buyers in the GCC countries, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and the Commonwealth of Independent State countries and has plans to expand its services to other Middle East and European markets.
Sanjay Sethi, Director, DTTC, said: "Since its inception in 2005, the Centre has grown consistently, with increased transactions and global tea producers, merchant exporters and buyers establishing their base here. As we continue to enhance our services for the trade, we have witnessed an increased demand for our value-added services such as blending, packaging of tea bags as well as loose tea in retail formats, storage facilities and office space for tea companies."
Dubai Tea Trading Centre registers 26 per cent growth in tea trade during first half of 2010. – Gulf News
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Eid to be marked with twice-daily guided tours of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed
posted on 02/09/2010
 The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi will offer twice-daily complimentary guided tours, to help visitors to the UAE capital engage with Eid celebrations.
The tours will be run by UAE nationals trained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) who will give visitors a detailed brief on the mosque and its architecture and the significance and traditions of Ramadan and Eid.
Tours will run in the mornings and afternoons, starting from the second day of Eid. All visitors to the mosque during this period will also receive a commemorative complimentary pack of heritage postcards produced by ADTA.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's largest - and arguably most beautiful - and has emerged as one of Abu Dhabi's most popular attractions. Named after the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it is an architectural statement which combines traditional and modern Islamic designs and construction techniques, with craftsmen from around the world involved in its creation.
Highlight features of the mosque include: seven chandeliers that together encompass over a million Swarovski crystals and the world's largest hand-woven carpet knotted by 1,200 weavers in Mashhad, Iran.
During Eid, with the exception of the first day, visitors can see the mosque without a tour from 9am until 11.30am. On Fridays the mosque is open to worshippers only. Visitors are expected to dress appropriately for a place of worship. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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Young Emirati women aim for the stars at Nasa
posted on 02/09/2010
 On June 1, Shamma al Qassim boarded a plane bound for the US as the first Emirati woman to become a Nasa intern. On Sunday, Reem Ketait will become the second.
Ms al Qassim, 19, along with two other Emirati students – Hazza Bani Malek, 20, and Hamad Rajab, 21 – spent 10 weeks training alongside Nasa engineers as part of the Educational Associates programme.
Until a few months ago, the scheme admitted only US citizens. But thanks to an agreement between Nasa and the RAK-based Arab Youth Venture Foundation, sponsored by Mubadala – the Abu Dhabi Government's investment company – Emirati students may well become a regular feature at the Ames Research Centre in Silicon Valley, California.
Ms Ketait, 23, is the only woman among the 10 students who will soon begin the 15-week Nasa programme.
With a degree in chemical engineering from the UAE University in Al Ain, her passion for discovery in the field of renewable energy "aligned exactly and perfectly” with the opportunity to train at Nasa, she said.
"Renewable energy is a very dynamic field, at a time when we are all thinking in green terms, in what's next, in what our future energy sources will be,” she said.
"No one has the answer yet, and as a student I am being given the chance to work with researchers and scientists while they search for the answer, and actually have some input. This is a once in a lifetime chance.
She hopes, once she returns home, to earn a master's degree in renewable energy.
Ms al Qassim, who will soon begin the third year of her computer engineering degree at the American University in Sharjah, agreed that the experience had been "unique, one-of-a-kind”.
She added: "I'm sure Reem already knows this, but it is so true: nothing will resonate like this experience did.”
"The experience at Nasa made me realise there are so many more applications I can do with my major, and numerous fields of interest.
"To be able to go into the workforce and apply that and use what I learned in the work area of my choosing, is a passion and a dream.
"At Nasa, it's not just about space; it's about engineering and science and all the many things you can do with that.”
Lisa LaBonte, the chief executive of the Arab Youth Venture Foundation, said a major benefit of the programme was the chance for the students to work with Nasa research scientists.
"No one does education or innovation quite like Nasa does,” she said.
Seminars, conferences and lectures at universities such as Stanford and Berkeley added to the "prestigious experience”, said Ms al Qassim.
"Stanford also had an Iftar every night that I was able to attend when Ramadan started,” she said.
Ms Ketait will spend the last few days of Ramadan and Eid far from her family, but she insists she is not worried.
"I was so surprised to see in my orientation package a list of prayer times, which was very touching,” she said.
"They attend to the tiniest of details, which shows how much importance there is in this programme, that they have bothered to understand our background and build these types of bridges.”
She was keen for a chance to give back to her country, a sentiment echoed by Ms al Qassim.
Ms al Ketait said: "Shamma and I were both educated our whole lives in the UAE, and yet we are able and ready to be in an environment that has a different language, different culture.
"It is a reflection of how the diversity of the UAE has made us better prepared for something like this, from always being surrounded by people from all over the world.”
Her worries have nothing to do with being alone for Eid, or spending 15 weeks away, or proving herself at Nasa's Sustainability Base while she learns about what it takes to make renewable energy efficient and economical. Her main concern is what to pack.
"My mother wants to send Arabic coffee and dates and other local things with me so I can plan a cultural night for the people I will be meeting,” said Ms Ketait, "but I need that space for coats.”
Ms al Qassim nodded in agreement. "The weather is wonderful there, but you will need warm clothes. Don't worry if you like to wear heels, you'll be close to where you work if you end up staying in building 19.
"You won't believe it's happening to you, not even when the plane lands,” Ms al Qassim said to the woman who will follow in her footsteps.
"You're right, I think it's just going to be a big blur,” agreed Ms Ketait.
Ms al Qassim grinned and shrugged. "Still, you'll love it.” - The National
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Dubai Creek Club to host UAE's first used boat show
posted on 02/09/2010
 Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club is turning its attention to the untapped used boat segment of the luxury maritime market in the UAE.
From November 4-6, the club fronting Dubai Creek in Deira says it will host the country's first used boat show to give would-be sailors an affordable entry into a regional pastime steeped in maritime traditions.
Over three days, the club will host more than 40 used vessels that are for sale, ranging in length from 18 feet to more than 60 feet.
Mustafa Al Hashimi, club manager, said the initiative has been in the works since the new year and will capitalise on pent-up demand overlooked by extremely popular boats shows in the country that have focused exclusively on new vessels.
"We realised there isn't a single physical platform in the UAE for anyone to buy or search for used boats," Al Hashimi told Gulf News in an interview yesterday. "We made sure we didn't get boats only in the million-dollar range. We're going to make it really inexpensive for guys to bring their boats to sell at market rates. We've made it really affordable to pass along the savings to buyers."
One of the key messages the used boat show's organisers want to convey is that boating can be affordable for people at all levels, depending on the kinds of activity people want to pursue on the water.
A previously owned 18-foot fishing boat that comes equipped with a trailer will be far less expensive to purchase and operate than a 36-foot cruiser that is kept year-round at a permanent berth, Al Hashimi said.
"This is a good way to show new people who want to buy boats that they don't have to be rich to enjoy the sport," he said.
Promising market
The market is ripe for used boat sales as upwardly mobile and wealthy Emiratis and expatriates upgrade to larger vessels after relinquishing their smaller boats to a maturing used boat market across the country.
Demand for used boats has increased in some global markets, where sales of larger recreational assets dropped in recent years due to global recession and tougher lending climates.
The UAE's potential as a growing market for boaters is strong, according to a recent corporate report. Whereas one in every 54 people in the United States owns a boat, in the UAE the penetration rate is just one in 700.
Al Hashimi said the used boat show would not be limited to boats berthed at the marina. Boats on trailers parked on shore will also be displayed by their owners.
"Any marine retailer or boat owner interested in trading up or down should make use of this ideal opportunity to showcase their vessels and equipment to the local yachting community at very affordable rates in the heart of Dubai," he said.
Free of charge to the public, the first Dubai Creek Marina Used Boat Show will feature live music, international food and a children's zone.
Exhibitors will include everything from banks offering on-site financing to marine insurers and sport fishing equipment firms. – Gulf News
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Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority appoints Farr Yacht Design to develop Team's State-of-the-Art Volvo Open 70
posted on 02/09/2010
 US-based Farr Yacht Design (FYD), has been appointed to develop Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Volvo Open 70 for the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, representing a major boost to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-backed outfit's title ambitions.
With more than 25 years experience, FYD-designed racing yachts have won more than 40 World Championships and have achieved a multitude of successes at international grand prix events including the Volvo Ocean Race, America's Cup, Vendee Globe, Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Barcelona World Race, Transat Jacques Vabre, Copa del Rey and many others.
FYD is undertaking a five-stage research '&' design process with the final geometry to be completed for a late September build start.
"Farr Yacht Design was selected because of its ability to tailor to our specific requirements and its strong commitment to research and design which has been ongoing since the conclusion of the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean race," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA. "We anticipate being able to announce the appointment of the yacht-builder early September after finalising selection of six tender qualifiers from throughout the Middle East, Europe and the Far East." FYD's appointment comes hard-on-the-heels of ADTA's announcement that two-time Olympic medallist, Ian Walker of Great Britain, will skipper Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Walker will also play a key role during the research and design of ADTA's Volvo Open 70 racing yacht, drawing on years of practical experience to give the team a competitive edge in the nine-months of intense, head-to-head sailing over the 39,000 nautical mile course.
The FYD team - led by the company's President, Patrick Shaughnessy - brings significant expertise to the table, having worked extensively with the Telefonica team in the 2008/09 Volvo Ocean Race - an experience it believes is critical to making Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing a competitive force.
"In preparation for and during the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean race, every member of the FYD team spent considerable time sailing Volvo Open 70s. The experience we gained has allowed us to view the design challenges a little bit differently. That real world experience adds to an always evolving set of tools that we bring to bear on any R'&'D project," said Shaughnessy.
"The 2011/2012 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will be a great sporting challenge and we feel that a well managed process can deliver competitive advantages. The Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team has made good decisions in its key resource appointments, starting with Ian Walker as skipper. We believe the team will have a well designed yacht, a well built yacht, and a well sailed yacht." One of FYD's key challenges is to adapt to the 2011/12 campaign rule changes, namely sail number restrictions - something the company is confident of achieving.
"The largest change comes from the restriction on the number of sails a team can use. These restrictions place a large priority on sail inventory planning, and ultimately sail reliability. The choices we make during the design process regarding sail inventory have large consequences for the way the yacht will be used throughout the race," added Shaughnessy, who has a 14 year competitive sailing pedigree and 21 years design experience with FYD.
ADTA has also contracted Jason Carrington of Great Britain as Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Technical Manager.
Carrington - who has helped build five Volvo Ocean Race yachts, has project managed three campaigns and competed in more than 30 top-tier events globally - is a major addition to the team's on-shore and competitive race credentials, bringing with him a unique insight into all aspects of the demanding campaign.
ADTA and Walker are also currently in the final stages of appointing the team's other crew members, and are committed to including a UAE national in the Sporting Team and another two on the Shore Team. An open selection process will begin this month in the emirate.
Plans are also being progressed with Abu Dhabi stakeholders for the UAE capital's New Year 2012 hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race, when it sails into the sport's record books as the first Middle East stopover in the event's 37-year history.
The 2011/2012 race will start in Alicante, Spain, in October 2011 and end in Galway, Ireland, in the summer of 2012. The Volvo Open 70 racing yacht is sailed by professional athletes, who race around the world with the prevailing winds in what is widely regarded as the ‘Everest of Sailing'. – Emirates News Agency, WAM
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