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KHALIFA HOLDS TALKS WITH NIYAZOV
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Monday in Ashgabat, the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurad Niyazov. Niyazov welcomed Sheikh Khalifa and his accompanying delegation and said that his country was honoured by the visit of Sheikh Khalifa. He added that since diplomatic ties were established between them in 1995, co-operation between the UAE and Turkmenistan in the various fields had been exemplary. 'The agreements signed between the two countries on economic, financial, cultural, information, tourism, civil aviation, higher education and scientific research, have acted as a launch pad which gave an impetus for more links between the peoples of the two friendly states,' Niyazov said. He mentioned, in particular the role being played by the Khalifa orphanage, which was set up last year in Ashgabat at the expense of Sheikh Khalifa. 'The orphanage embodies the spirit of co-operation between Islamic countries. It is a cultural fort for teaching Arabic language, Islam and the rich heritage of the Arabian Gulf.' Sheikh Khalifa conveyed to Niyazov the greetings of President H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his wishes of success and prosperity for the people of Turkmenistan. He said that his 'cordial' visit to Turkmenistan and his meeting with its president emanated from a keen desire to promote ties between the two countries. 'The visit also aims at reviewing the levels of bilateral relations and to remove any obstacle in order to enhance ties of co-operation and friendship with all countries of the world, especially Islamic countries,' Sheikh Khalifa said. The meeting reviewed a number of issues of mutual interest and ways to co-ordinate positions in the meetings of international organisations. The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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INDIA, UAE SIGN EXTRADITION PACT
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday signed an extradition treaty capping several years' negotiations, officials in New Delhi said. The treaty was signed by Indian Law Minister Ram Jethmalani and UAE Minister for Justice, Islamic Affairs and Auqaf Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri. "The treaty will have retrospective effect and extradition will be possible irrespective of whether the crime was committed before or after the entry into force of this treaty," an Indian Foreign Ministry statement said. The two countries also initialled two mutual legal assistance treaties in criminal and civil matters. It will now be possible to serve summons and other judicial decrees issued by the courts of one country in the territory of the other. The judicial authority of one country, may also, on the request of the other, take advantage and the courts of one country may also execute decrees and arbitration awards passed in the territory of the other countries. After signing the treaties, Mr Dhaheri said the UAE was keen to extend bridges of cooperation with India. "The signing of the treaties reflects excellent relations between the two countries." (The 'Khaleej Times')
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ADNOC UNIT TO PHASE OUT LEADED FUEL
The Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Co (Takreer) will commission its production lines for unleaded gasoline and low sulphur diesel by 2002 and a lube base oil refinery by 2003, officials announced yesterday. The firm is a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc). The base oil refinery will have a capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year. Adnoc's two new 140,000 barrel per day (bpd) condensate processing trains will be commissioned by December. This will more than double Adnoc's refining capacity to over 500,000 bpd from the current 240,000 bpd, said Mohammed Al Hamli, Adnoc marketing and refining director. Unveiling key expansion plans at the Oil Refining and Petrochemicals in the Middle East conference, Ahmed Abdullah, Takreer's manager of planning and technical support, said the decision to produce unleaded gasoline, phase out leaded fuel and reduce the sulphur in gasoil has been taken in principle. Mohammed Al Azdi, Adnoc's chemicals operations division manager, said the company is constantly looking at expansion of the polymer or vinyls business, other ethylene derivates, propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene production. It is also planning expansion of urea-fertiliser production and methanol production. Adnoc's third petrochemical project, the ethylene dichloride project with a capacity of 520,000 tonnes per annum, is still at the bidding stage, he said. Referring to oil prices, al Hameli said that it is in the mutual interest of both oil importers and exporters to co-exist in an environment which allows for steady economic growth for both sides. "The right balance of oil prices has to be sought which respects and meets the interests of both." The two-day conference is organised by the World Refining Association and co-sponsored by Adnoc. (The 'Gulf News')
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AL MASAOOD CONFERRED SPANISH ORDER OF MERIT
Rahma Mohammed Al Masaood, president of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has been conferred the Knight Officer of the Order of Merit by King Juan Carlos of Spain. The award was presented to Al Masaood by Manual Pombo, Spanish ambassador to the UAE. The ambassador praised the efforts of Al Masaood in developing the economic cooperation between the UAE and Spain, and said these efforts had led to opening up of new horizons for cooperation in the field of investments and cementing contacts among businessmen and companies from both the sides. On receiving the award, Al Masaood said, "this honour and appreciation is in effect a source of pride for myself and of honour to all my business colleagues and the representatives of the private sector in Abu Dhabi. Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, our relations have been witnessing steady improvement in all areas. This is due to the wise leadership of UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Juan Carlos of Spain." (The 'Gulf Today')
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35 FIRMS TO SIGN PACTS WITH DCV MEMBERS
At least 35 international freight forwarding companies are expected to sign trade cooperation agreements with companies in the Dubai Cargo Village (DCV), said the director of the village, Ali Khalfan Al Jallaf on Sunday. Speaking on the sidelines of the 28th annual Congress of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (Fiata), Al Jallaf said, international freight forwarders are giving special importance to Dubai to strengthen their presence in the region. "Some 35 companies requested the DCV administration to introduce them to companies in the village to discuss bilateral cooperation,'' he said. Most of these companies also expressed their desire to visit the cargo village because Dubai represents an ideal regional centre in the Middle East and the Gulf, he added. Al Jallaf said DCV attaches big significance to the Fiata congress which will give an opportunity to international forwarding companies to explore the possibility of doing trade through Dubai. He said the UAE cargo sector grew by 15 per cent in the first half of the current year, thanks to the improving economic scenario in South East Asian countries. This year, the overall growth expectation in cargo business is 11 per cent, compared to last year when growth decelerated by 10 per cent, the director said. The volume of cargo loading in the village is expected to touch 47,000 tonnes by the end of 1999, compared to 442,000 tonnes in 1998. He said the local cargo sector is expected to achieve increasing growth rates in the coming days, in the wake of the emergence of new markets, particularly Iraq, Libya and Russia. Al Jallaf ruled out any rise in the air cargo charges in Dubai. There is already fierce competition among 30 air cargo companies and moreover, the fast development of information technology will play a role in reducing the charges, he said. He also pointed out that cargo charges in Dubai were 30 per cent less than the rates in Europe and the USA. "This is one of the reasons which makes Dubai an important centre in the international cargo and transport market, apart from the flexible laws, sophisticated infrastructure and strategic geographic location,'' he explained. (The 'Gulf Today')
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EMARAT IN POSTAL SERVICE PACT WITH EMPOST
Emarat has signed a franchise under which Empost, owned by the General Postal Authority, will provide postal services at Emarat service stations in Dubai. Beginning with a pilot programme at three Emarat stations by year-end, the venture will cover all stations by March. Emarat operates 26 stations. "Under the agreement with Empost, people will now be able to use a range of postal services at Emarat service stations at their own time and convenience. Emarat service stations are open 24 hours, which means people will now be able to buy stamps, mail letters or parcels, or check their mailbox at any time of the day or night," said Rashid Al Shamsi, Emarat's deputy general manager for sales and marketing. Some Emarat stations will also have post office boxes. Emarat staff will be trained by the GPO. (The 'Gulf News')
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NATIONAL DAY TREAT FOR DUBAI RUGBY 7S
Rugby fans in the Middle East can capitalise on UAE National Day on Dec. 2 to enjoy a full weekend festival at the 1999 Dubai Rugby 7s. Widely regarded as the region's top social as well as sporting occasion, the Emirates-sponsored 7s has traditionally overlapped with a work day, but with the National Day holiday ensuring offices are closed on the Thursday, revellers will be able to get into the party spirit and enjoy the entire event. To cope with the anticipated larger crowds, this year's stadium capacity has been extended beyond the 10,000-mark for the first time in the event's 30-year history. The job of converting 18 miles of scaffolding into an all-seater stadium has already begun. A host of social and entertainment activities ensure that the Dubai Rugby 7s will be a weekend to remember. Just off the main pitches, there is action of a different variety, with special play areas for children of all ages while adults will find a huge variety of catering and merchandise kiosks to give them a break from the feast of international rugby action. The 1999 Dubai Rugby 7s will culminate in the rugby rock concert which this year features a yet-to-be-announced international act to follow the famous Abba tribute band Bjorn Again, who have already been confirmed. With developments happening by the day, all the latest news on the Dubai Rugby 7s can be seen on the event's official web site at www.dubairugby7s.com. (The 'Gulf Today')