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UAE IS WORLD'S THIRD-RANKING EXPORT CENTRE
The UAE has become the world's third-ranking export and re-export centre after Hong Kong and Singapore, with its foreign trade network extending to 179 countries, according to a study. Foreign trade in goods totalled Dh210.5 billion ($57.2 billion) in 1998, it said. Citing an Arab Institute for Investment report, Saeed Obaid Al Jarwan, Director-General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out in "Al Tijarah", the chamber's official magazine, that the UAE is also viewed by foreign investors as an ideal centre to expand. Direct foreign investment totalled Dh368.7 million in 1998. Total investment in the country was estimated at Dh49.3 billion or 29 per cent of GNP for 1998. Of this, the private sector contributed Dh19.87 billion, or 40.4 per cent, against 59.6 per cent by the public sector. The UAE continue to show healthy growth, with the balance of payments achieving a surplus of Dh8.54 billion. Re-exports reached Dh23.92 billion or 23.64 per cent of imports, which amounted to Dh101.2 billion, for average annual growth of 15.7 per cent from 1994. The UAE's growth in 1999 likely averaged around 7 per cent, with contributions from the non-oil sectors rising 5 per cent. This would result in a GNP of Dh181 billion as the new millennium begins. The UAE's financial strength had enabled the country to grant loans, donations and economic and investment aid topping Dh51 billion to over 50 states. (The 'Gulf News')
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UAE TO ADOPT MORE ASSERTIVE POLICY
The UAE is expected to adopt a more assertive regional policy in the next two years as it pushes for closer alliances with Western countries, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The private London-based think-tank on economic and political issues, said in its latest country report on the UAE that the UAE's foreign policy will continue to focus on seeking new international alliances, particularly with countries such as Germany. "The UAE will try to avoid becoming overdependent on any one country and will seek to use its immense spending power to increase its influence in the U.S. and France through the award of major defence contracts," said the EIU's review of UAE foreign policy for 2000-2001. According to the report the UAE will seek to expand its influence by developing ties with potential new permanent members of the UN Security Council, in particular Germany. The main purpose of building up such an extensive network of relationships is to develop an international audience for the Islamic and Arab causes that the UAE supports. According to the EIU report the federation has sought to raise its profile notably through its involvement in Kosovo and in the "Bright Star" exercises in Egypt which was set up by NATO and its allies to plan for future military intervention in humanitarian crises. The UAE's wish to advance Islamic and Arab causes was highlighted last year when the UAE reinforced its efforts to establish itself as the flag bearer of Arab claims to Jerusalem during the row over the EPCOT's Centre's Millennium Exhibition in Disney World, Florida. "The thaw in relations between Iran and a number of Arab Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, will be another source of strain in the UAE's relations with its neighbours. "It is with alarm that the UAE has watched Riyadh pursue a détente with Tehran despite Iran's refusal to enter into meaningful dialogue on the three Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. (The 'Gulf News')
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ABU DHABI TO HOST MAJOR CONFERENCE
The inaugural Gulf and North Africa Project Finance and Privatisation Conference will be held on January 25 and 26 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The objective of this inaugural event will be to explore ways for countries in the region to finance new infrastructure projects, sell existing assets and enhance overall efficiency. Topics will include identifying future investment opportunities in natural gas, power and water, the future of petrochemical industry, risks associated with international project financing and innovative financial strategies in infrastructure projects. (The 'Gulf News')
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THURAYA SATELLITE LAUNCH IN MAY
The launch of the UAE's first communication satellite in May will not only help it to improve, modernise and provide international telecommunications services, but also make it a major player in the ongoing information technology revolution as a modern cultural centre. The strategy of the initiative, one of the largest telecommunications projects in the Middle East, is to generate income and strengthen UAE's local economy away from the oil industry and to introduce the state-of-the-art technology of telecommunications through satellites in order to provide high quality services to the trade, economic and industrial sectors. Established in 1997, the US$500 million Thuraya is now a consortium of a number of telecom providers, spearheaded by Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, ETISALAT. The company has signed a landmark US$600 million financing facility with a banking consortium, including the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Work has been completed on Thuraya's primary gate in Sharjah, which will be the main operational and switchcentre for its mobile satellite system. (The 'Emirates News Agency, WAM')
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MASS GRAVES IN SHARJAH DATED TO 4000 BC
Ancient mass graves dating between 4000 and 2000 BC have been discovered in Jabal Buhais, Sharjah. The find provides clear evidence that early civilisations lived in the region thousands of years ago. The two mass graves dating back to 2000 BC are the most unique discovery, as they reflect a notable development from previous periods when graves were different in design, building materials, size and contents. The graves of 2000 BC were built in two designs: below and above ground. The graves of 4000 BC were all on the surface. The newer graves were made of stones which had been taken from the Jabal Buhais mountain. They were also built in a more sophisticated fashion. "They included 40 bodies with precious, personal belongings - funereal offerings. Bodies were buried very close to each other, all in the same position, laid on their right side with their faces turned to the east, towards the sunrise. Early inhabitants of this region believed in life after death. In keeping with their beliefs, they buried the most valuable and important items of the dead person with them. This enabled them to reuse the belongings in the afterlife. The buried items included different kinds of metal and stones, splinters used by hunters, pottery which had been made locally, accessories of gold, pearls and shells, and a variety of weapons. Ninety per cent of the uncovered artefacts were found at Jabal Buhais. (The 'Gulf News')
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ABU DHABI INSTALLS SOLAR-POWERED PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
The Municipality is installing solar-powered pedestrian crossing lights on major roads and intersections. According to Ali Al Sharqi, head of the Traffic Lights Centre, 16 signals have been installed. A similar project is being carried out by the Public Works Department of Abu Dhabi outside the capital and in Al Ain. Once charged with power, the lights work for at least seven days without sunlight. The Traffic Lights Centre is also installing back-plates at several traffic signals to make them more visible against strong sunlight. A survey discovered that many drivers find it difficult to see traffic lights when they drive against direct or almost direct sunlight. This is not the case with all 109 traffic signals in the capital and its surrounding areas, but only where drivers are more exposed to sunlight, especially in the east-west direction. These back-plates are sort of shades around traffic lights. (The 'Gulf News')
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SCHOOLS TO MAKE INFO-TECH COMPULSORY SUBJECT
Information Technology will be introduced as a compulsory subject in government secondary schools at the beginning of the next academic year. The teaching of Information Technology and use of the Internet will be made a core curriculum subject in government schools by the beginning of the next academic year, under the directives of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence. The ministry has established an electronic information base which it will make available on its web site. It also plans to introduce computer science as a subject at the preparatory level of education. (The 'Gulf News')
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UMM AL QUWAIN STANDARDISES TAXI FARES
Umm Al Quwain - The Municipality has standardised taxi fares and warned drivers they face fines of Dh100 to Dh500 for violations. "All taxi drivers operating in the emirate and between Umm Al Quwain and other emirates must implement the new municipal regulation strictly," a municipal spokesman said. Passengers taking shared taxis from the town centre to the Emiri Guard area should pay Dh2. For the Industrial areas, the Salama and Ramla districts, passengers must pay Dh3 and schoolchildren will have reduced fares of only Dh1 to their schools. Shared taxi fares between Umm Al Quwain and areas outside the emirate will be: Dh5 from Umm Al Quwain to Falaj Al Mualla, Al Ra'fa and Ajman, Dh10 to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, Dh25 to Fujairah, Dh40 to Al Ain, and Dh50 to Abu Dhabi. For passengers who want to take taxis on their own, fares will be as follows: Dh3 for the Emiri Guard area, Dh5 for the Industrial areas, Salama, and Al Ramla, Dh3 for schoolchildren going from home to school, Dh20 for Falaj Al Mualla, Al Ra'fa and Ajman, Dh30 for Sharjah, Dh40 for Dubai, Dh50 for Ras Al Khaimah, Dh200 for Abu Dhabi, Dh150 for Al Ain and Dh100 for Fujairah. A passenger who wants a return taxi should pay an additional Dh10 for the routes from Falaj Al Mualla, Al Ra'fa, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah. On the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Fujairah routes, passengers must pay Dh50 more. (The 'Gulf News')
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WATER PIPES BANNED ON POPULAR PEDESTRIAN STREETS
Smoking the sheesha (water pipe) is now banned along Al Muteena, Al Riqqa and Al Diyafah roads as part of the government's efforts to curb pollution on busy streets. The Municipality ban is being enforced in time for the Dubai Shopping Festival when people are expected to converge on these areas where major attractions will be located. Restaurants and coffee shops have been told to stop serving the sheesha in open areas. The smoking of the sheesha is permitted only indoors. The ban will remain even after the Shopping Festival and shops that break the rule will be fined at least Dh5,000. (The 'Gulf News')
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FLOURIDE IN BOTTLED WATER SOON
Fluoride could soon become a common ingredient of bottled water in the UAE. Some bottling companies have already responded to the Health Ministry's call to add fluoride to drinking water as part of a preventive campaign against tooth decay. Regular consumption of fluoride could help geared against tooth decay, which affects more than 80 per cent of school children in the country. (The 'Gulf News')
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FAMILIES ARRIVING FOR DSF TO GET FREE PASSES
The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department will welcome the families at the Dubai International Airport during Dubai Shopping Festival with free tickets for events and raffles. The department is also supporting the festival by organising a number of cultural events and competitions for families at the Union House, Jumeirah, where the document to mark the formation of the UAE was signed 28 years ago. Every mother will be given a rose to celebrate the theme of DSF 2000, while children will get a packet containing passes to Wild Wadi, Smurfs Village, Magic Planet and Disney on Ice Show. The visitors will also get raffle coupons which will entitle them to enter Emirate's daily-televised draw offering five air tickets and three prizes of three-night free accommodation at Golden Sands Hotel apartments. All coupons will be used later to pick a grand winner of a Nissan Patrol four-wheel drive on the last day of the festival. (The 'Gulf Today')
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UAE WOMEN TO SHOWCASE TALENTS
A large number of UAE women will participate in the Dubai Shopping Festival, DSF 2000 House of Talent Exhibition, which will be held at the Dubai Trade from March 19 to 23. The exhibition will feature products in interior design, architecture, photography, arts and crafts, jewellery design and greeting cards. The exhibition will transform Hall 5A of the DWTC into a traditional Arab house with exhibits showcased in different rooms of the house. (The 'Khaleej Times')