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ZAYED FALCON RELEASE PROJECT COMPLETES SIX YEARS
The sixth annual release of Saker (Falco cherrug) and Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) falcons, part of H.H. President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's programme for falcon release, was carried out in April, with the successful release of 111 Saker and Peregrine falcons in the area between Gilgit district and Khunjerab near the Chinese borders. The release programme, took place between April 11 and 14, on the directions of Sheikh Zayed, and with the support of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and Chairman ERWDA, according to a press release issued today by ERWDA. This year's release is again part of a research programme entitled the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Project, which was first established in 1995. The release was organised under the aegis of ERWDA, with support being provided by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital at Al Khazna, part of the Environment and Wildlife Management Department of the President's Private Department. In Pakistan, help was provided by the World Wide Fund for Nature (Pakistan), and the Falcon Foundation International. As a keen supporter of wildlife and conservation, Sheikh Zayed insists that the annual release programme should be designed in such a way as to provide as much scientific data as possible, in the hope that it will help scientists to learn as much as possible about migration routes ands the re-integration of falcons into the wild, the release said. Four of the falcons were fitted with small satellite transmitters, to permit their movements to be tracked over the next few months, until the batteries run down, the release said. Preparations for the release programme began before the end of the annual hunting season, with the choice of birds to be released. Only birds found to be completely free of infection were included in the final release programme, to guarantee that there was no chance of infecting the wild falcon population, ERDWA said. Microchips were implanted under the skin of each bird and they were also fitted with a numbered ring ban on the leg, so that anyone catching a bird in the wild, or finding one dead, can report the discovery. A lot of efforts were also made to select the ideal site for the release, ERWDA said. Though it is early to determine the full success of the release programme, preliminary indications are that valuable new information will be collected on migration patterns of Saker and Peregrine falcons, while the released birds will also provide a valuable addition of numbers to the existing wild population, the release said. ³As this programme continues, I am confident that it will make a major contribution to scientific knowledge about these falcons. The data that has already been collected is now providing useful information about the migration routes of the falcons that are released. ERWDA is now actively developing its collaboration with the wildlife authorities in the countries concerned, so that we may jointly work towards a strategy for the conservation of these magnificent birds,² said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who is also Deputy Chairman of ERWDA. The first release programme in 1995, saw the release of 107 falcons in the Kharan district of Pakistan's western province of Baluchistan. A total of 509 falcons, all but two of them Sakers and Peregrines, have been released during the six years of the programme. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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BANKS URGED TO HIRE MORE NATIONALS
The federal cabinet, at its weekly ordinary meeting held with Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the chair, urged operating banks in the country to increase the number of national employees, after reviewing a report from the communications minister and the chairman of the National Human Resources Development Committee in the banking sector. The cabinet decided to refer a number of federal draft laws to the Supreme Council to complete procedures of issuance, such as federal budget draft law for 2000 on the closing account of the federal budget for 1997 and a draft law on the veterinary profession. The ministers endorsed two letters from the minister of economy and commerce on the signing of two agreements to establish a free zone authority and to enhance economic, trade and technical co-operation between the UAE and Syria and the UAE and Lebanon. The cabinet also approved a memorandum from the minister of electricity and water on the endorsement of a project to install land cables in a number of water plants in Northern Emirates at the total cost of Dhs15.9 million. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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DPA TO RUN TO RUN DJIBOUTI PORT
Dubai Ports Authority today signed a twenty-year concession to manage Djibouti Port and a memorandum of understanding to set up a cargo village in Djibouti Airport. The Concession and MOU were signed by Chairman of the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) and Managing Director of the DPA, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Othman Idris Jama, Djibouti's Transport Minister, in presence of President Ismael Omar Guellah of Djibouti, who is currently visiting the country. The 15-berth Red Sea port of Djibouti serves a potential market of 380 people in the Horn of Africa states. It can handle between 300,000 to 400,000 containers a year. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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RETIREMENT OF EXPATS OVER 55 PROPOSED
Immigration authorities in the country are working on a proposal under which expatriate employees aged over 55 years will be retired. However, the rule which is in the drafting stage and can be enforced after it is approved by the federal government will exempt foreigners whose expertise and qualifications are need by the country. Brigadier Hadher bin Khalaf Al Maheeri, Director General of UAE Naturalisation and Immigration Department, said that the proposal was part of the general plan aimed at rectifying the current imbalance in the country¹s demographic composition. He said the proposal being studied called for the formation of a committee comprising government officials and members of the Federal National Council, FNC to access if an employee needed to be given the exemption after crossing the age limit. (The Khaleej Times)
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TRADERS IN DUBAI SET UP B2B SITE
A group of Dubai-based businessmen have set up a business-to-business, B2B, website Businessdubai.com offering products and services that can be sourced from the emirate. The primary target of the online venture is business enquiries coming from Iran, the CIS, the Subcontinent and China, traditionally Dubai¹s key re-export markets. State up investments have crossed Dh3.67 million, and were met through internal resources The promoters also have another Dh3.67 million lined up for immediate requirements, again from own reserves. Talks are on with banks and logistics providers to partner in the venture. The promoters expect to identify likely partners shortly. There are also plans to create vertical portals essentially dedicated industry sites. Businessdubai.com hopes that these would be for the local building materials trade. Another proposal is to have the site offer interested parties access to construction equipment material on short-term leases. Registration site is free, as are advertisements. Future revenues will come from charging a commission from the seller based on the transaction value. The charge could either be 1 per cent of the transaction or Dh500 whichever is higher. Individual laws of the country would apply whenever it comes to goods actually reaching buyers, the promoters added. (The Gulf News)
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UAE-TAIWAN TRADE TOTALS US$1.22B IN ¹99
Two-way trade between the UAE and Taiwan totalled US$1,22 billion in 1999, of which the latter¹s exports contributed US$720 million. The UAE was Taiwan¹s biggest trade partner among the Gulf States. The major export categories from the Asian country were fabrics, computers and peripherals, telecommunication equipment, auto parts, electrical and electronic components. UAE¹s exports to Taiwan comprising mainly petroleum oils and aluminium ingots touched US$510 million. Taiwan¹s overall trade during 1999 was US$232.2 billion, of which exports made up US$121.6 billion. In 1998, Dubai had Taiwan as its tenth largest import source. (The Gulf News)
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GROUND HANDLING PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN AIRLINE SUCCESS
The on-board services and in-flight multi-channel entertainment systems, often being boasted by airlines, will all be in vain if the role of ground handling, both for passenger and cargo transportation, is forgotten, warned Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, DCA, and chairman of Emirates, in Dubai on Monday. Sheikh Ahmed delivered key-note address in the 13th annual IATA Ground Handling Council (IGHC) Conference and Exhibition. This is the first time, Dubai, which is aiming to become a global hub with the recent opening of the concourse and other facilities, is hosting a conference of such international significance and strength Sheikh Ahmed informed the 700-strong multi-national delegates representing 270 organisations world-wide that Dubai International Airport as part of an ambitious expansion project has one of the world's most modern and user-friendly terminals and other facilities. The airport now serves 90 airlines. Emirates Airlines, in the same footing, is acquiring state-of-the-art Boeing 777-200s, 777-300s, A330-200s and the world's longest range aircraft A340-500s for its fleet which is now serving 52 destinations world-wide. "We now have approval from the US and we expect to be operating non-stop flights between Dubai and New York and possibly Los Angeles also. In addition, we have announced that we intend to be the launch customer for the A3XX. We will take five with five on option, two of which could be freighters," Sheikh Ahmed said. Since Dubai is becoming a popular business and tourist destination with all the Ss -- sun, sand, sightseeing, shopping -- and two shopping festivals, Sheikh Ahmed said all the airlines operating to this destination can "fill all their seats." He also underlined that DNATA, an expanding ground handling company, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The company has full operating services at seven other international airports. (The Gulf Today)
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OLD FORT IN FUJAIRAH RENOVATED
The Fujairah Department of Archaeology and Heritage has completed the renovation work at the Fujairah Old Fort, and will soon start restoration work at the old houses of the Fujairah Ruler and sheikhs nearby. Situated in the middle of Fujairah city, the fort, which dates back to 1446, was a major civil and military centre and a castle of the Fujairah rulers against invaders. The fort was the Ruler¹s court from where he took care of his citizens. Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, the Fujairah Department of Archaeology and Heritage will soon start another renovation work at the old city of Fujairah, which was built around the old fort and which contains the old houses and palaces of the emirate¹s rulers and sheikhs. The restoration work at the old city will take four years, after which the whole area will be turned into a heritage village. (The Gulf News)
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UAE TO BUILD ZAYED UNIVERSITY IN DJIBOUTI
The UAE will build a university in Djibouti, according Djibouti¹s President, Ismail Omar Guellah. The Djibouti President said that President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had made a gesture towards his country and would set up a Zayed University there. There was, he said, a provisional agreement on the project and the two countries were preparing to carry it out. (The Gulf News
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ANTI-SMOKING CLINIC PLANNED IN FUJAIRAH
The Fujairah Medical District is planning to set up a clinic to help smokers quit the habit. The clinic is expected to being operating with the inauguration of the new building of the Fujairah Preventive Medicine Department. The new clinic will be an effective way to help reduce the numbers of smokers in the emirate and its nearby areas in response to the directives of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation. (The Gulf News)