| ....2000 07 25 : Tuesday |
:
EMIRATES MAKES HISTORY, SIGNS AS LAUNCH CUSTOMER FOR A3XX
Emirates on Monday made aviation history by ordering the first A3XX super jumbo to be built by Europe's Airbus Industrie. The agreement to this effect was signed at the Farnborough Airshow by Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Airbus Industrie CEO Noel Forgeard, confirming the Emirates' interest in the aircraft announced this April. The deal is valued at Dhs5.5 billion ($1.5 billion). Emirates has committed to buy five A3XXs. The airline, seeking to develop Dubai as the main hub airport in the Middle East, also ordered two freighter versions and announced options for five more, Airbus said. According of a Airbus Industrie release, Emirates plans to use the A3XXs to cope with the passenger and cargo growth on the trunk routes from its Dubai base, including services to London, Asia-Pacific and North America. The Airbus A3XX can accommodate up to 575 passengers in a three-class configuration. Emirates will receive the first super jumbo in February 2006. Commenting on the deal, Sheikh Ahmed said: "Our success has been built on providing our passengers the highest standards of comfort, service and entertainment - (a) trend that the A3XX will help us to continue by introducing a new way of flying as the flagship of our fleet. "The A3XX will also enable us to carry more passengers to and from congested airports with limited take-off and landing slots." Aimed at trunk routes, the A3XX has been planned in close partnership with 20 of the world's leading airlines. Airbus claims 15 to 20 per cent better economy per seat and compatibility with existing airport facilities. (The Gulf Today)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
INDEPENDENT BOARDS TO RUN ALL FEDERAL HOSPITALS
In a move that will infuse greater transparency and accountability in hospital administration, an independent board of management will be set up in each of the 30 federal hospitals in the country. According to Dr Abdul Ghaffar Mohammed A-Hawi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Curative Medicine at the Ministry of Health, government hospitals will have their own management board that will take on administrative functions including investigation into medico-legal cases, emergency and the duration of a patient's stay at a particular hospital. Ghaffar, who was recently entrusted with the task of revamping federal hospitals in the UAE, said that the increase in the number of patients and the need to upgrade the countryís medical infrastructure had necessitated the move. The exact constitution of the board was still under consideration though once formed each member of the board would be accountable for a particular aspect of hospital administration. The autonomous management committees will formulate specific organisational charts for each of the hospitals. After the committees are in place each hospital will have a detailed plan of action, a policy and definite regulations that the patients as well as the doctors have to abide by. Some of the 30 hospitals which will soon be governed by their own autonomous board are the Al Baraha, Al Amal hospitals in Dubai, Al Qassimi hospitals in Sharjah, Dibba, Khor Fakkan and Al Jazeera, Al Mafraq and Al Tawam in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. (The Gulf Today)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
FISHING VESSELS TO HAVE NATIONALS AS CAPTAINS BY APRIL
Only UAE nationals will be employed as captains of fishing boats in the country by en of April next year. The decision to make it mandatory for captains to be UAE nationals was aimed at attracting more local fishermen to the trade and to boost the local fishing industry. According to statistics at the ministry, of the 18,758 fishermen now in the country, only 27 per cent are UAE nationals. A recent meeting of the Dubai Fishing Regulation Committee outlined several measures to be undertaken in order to fulfil the requisites laid down in the fisheries law. The committee will look into applications for licenses to fishermen, fishing boats, captains and crewmembers, in addition to fishing gears and equipment. Under the new regulation, a new fee structure for services rendered to fishermen and the co-operative societies has been introduced from May 1. The ministry levied a fee of Dh20 for registration of fishermen, Dh20 for issuing licence for a boat and Dh40 for issuing duplicate licenses. The licence fee for a local captain is Dh150 and Dh60 for each labourer on the boat. Dh100 will be charged for certifying a contract for selling boats and an additional Dh50 for cancellation of such contracts. He said Dh200 will be charged as fee to establish fish farms by individuals, Dh100 per invoice for importing fishing gadgets for companies and establishments, Dh500 per tonne for approval of invoice for exporting local fish by local fishermen and co-operative societies. In addition Dh50 will be charged for issuance of card for two months for fishermen to export local fish, and Dh100 for card to representatives of fishermen. Dh500 will be the annual fee for a no-objection certificate for import/export of non-UAE fish, Dh200 for checking and supervising stores and freezers of companies and Dh200 as card fee for each company representative. (The Khaleej Times)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
NBAD NAMED BEST DOMESTIC BANK IN UAE
National Bank of Abu Dhabi, NBAD, has received the prestigious Euromoney award for the best domestic bank in the UAE. The award was announced by the London-based Euromoney magazine in its July 2000 issue. The magazine said that during the past year NBAD had continued to strengthen its private and corporate business and had increased market share in terms of consumer lending as it attempts to build a strong retail lending arm. Euromoney also stressed on the strength of the bank's branch network and its substantial 14 per cent market share of customer deposits. Heavy investment in new information technology initiatives, including Internet and GSM banking-based electronic delivery channels, was also highlighted in the Euromoney report. NBAD chief executive Michael Tomalin said: "Our goal is to put customers at the heart of business and we are thrilled that Euromoney has recognised our achievement." (The Gulf Today)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
ENOC JOINS TEJARI.COM EXCHANGE
Emirates National Oil Company, ENOC, has become an active trader on Tejari.com on-line exchange, the Middle Eastís first electronic business-to-business marketplace. With the scope and size of its offerings, ENOC anticipates reaching an expanded customer base and bringing its services to market more rapidly though the use of Tejari.com. The significance of the first oil and gas company joining Tejari.com exchange is tremendous, Lubna Al Qasimi, Managing Director of Tejari.com said, adding that it is an endorsement of the exchange and an example to other companies interested in conducting their business on-line. (The Khaleej Times)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
THURAYA US$420M LOAN SYNDICATION TO CLOSE SOON
The regional syndication of a US$420 million, Dh1,541.4 million, financing facility for Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. will effectively close at the end of July. The spokesman said banking documentation had been completed on the loan, but no final date had been set for the signing of the transaction. Thuraya originally signed a facility for up to US$600 million with an international banking consortium in July last year to finance its regional mobile satellite system. The facility was divided into two tranches ñ a conventional US$500 million loan lead-managed by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Franceís Societe Generale and the UAEís Union National Bank, plus a US$100 million Islamic facility from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. The official said the US$420 million debt financing now accounted for the conventional part of the loan. He gave no details on the Islamic financing facility. Thuraya, with capital of US$500 million, is owned by several major Arab enterprises, including ETISALAT Telecommunications Company, the Abu Dhabi Investment Company, Qatarís Q-Tel and the Arab Satellite Communications Organisation, Arabsat, - itself owned by 21 Arab countries. Thurayaís first satellite is due to launch around September and start commercial operations before the end of the year. (Reuters)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
Two key communications have been announced by Sheikha Fawaghi bint Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, wife Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. A senior Ras Al Khaimah government official said that the first will be a competition in research work focusing on the life and works of the late ruler of the emirate, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi (1803 ñ 1866). The second competition is research into the economic conditions of the emirates before the discovery of oil in the region. Candidates for the competitions should be UAE nationals with at least a bachelorís degree. The research paper should be recent work of not less than 20 pages, and should not have been previously published in any publication worldwide. The official noted that the research papers will be evaluated by an academic committee which will be set up soon. He added that all the entries should be written in formal Arabic and the last date for submission of entries is September 16. (The Gulf News)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
GEC PARTICIPATES IN FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW
The General Exhibition Corporation, GEC, is, once again, right at the scene of the action, as a participant at the prestigious Farnborough International Air Show, FIAS, which opened yesterday. The Corporation's presence comes as a natural stop-over on its worldwide journey to promote its own international events. The promotional campaign for IDEX 2000 and TRIDEX 2002 has already seen GEC at ILA 2000, the International Aerospace Exhibition at Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany, DSA 2000, the Defence Services Asia exhibition and conference at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, SOFEX JORDAN 2000, the Special Operations Forces Exhibition at Amman, Jordan and Eurosatory at Le Bourget, Paris. GEC has a clear strategy - to make and renew contacts for increased participation at IDEX 2001, to be held from 18th to 22nd March next year, and TRIDEX 2002, which will take place in the following year. The release said that both these series had enjoyed tremendous success in the past. Bookings for IDEX 2001 are already well underway and the response is excellent, as expected. Going by the track record, GEC is sure to enjoy an excellent response through its participation at FIAS 2000. Over the next Week, the Corporation will have the opportunity to interact with various individuals and organisations, representing major private as well as Government interests in the civil and military aerospace industry. Described by British Prime Minister Tony Blair as the UK showcase for the world's aerospace industry, FIAS 2000 will play a significant part in the GEC campaign, the release said. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
RAK TO HOST MEET ON EMERGENCY MEDICINE
The head of the Ras Al Khaimah Medical Zone has appealed to doctors all over the UAE and the Arab world to take part in the Second Emergency Medicine Conference to be held in the emirate in February next year. The main aim of the international conference would be to establish Ras Al Khaimah as the seat of emergency medicine. The zone is working out a plan to enhance care provided by the casualty unit and intensive care unit and make them the best in the Middle East. The Ras Al Khaimah government, which is sponsoring the event, has fixed an independent budget for the conference. (The Gulf News)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
VIP BOAT SHOW ATTRACTS LEADING MARINE EXHIBITORS
The first-ever VIP boat show, an integral part of the 9th Middle East International Boat Show, MEIBS, 2001, will be held from 29th to 31st March 2001 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The MEIBS, to be held at the Airport Expo Dubai >from 28th to 31st March 2001, is the region's biggest marine exhibition attended by leading marine companies in the Middle East and elsewhere. The VIP Boat Show will showcase a range of luxurious boats on water in the marina and a selection of trade stands on the quayside showing models of super yachts and equipment for super yachts. A complimentary limousine service will be provided to take VIPs to and from the Middle East International Boat Show at the Airport Expo Dubai. "This will be the Middle East's first and only exclusive VIP Boat Show for VIP customers. We will give 5 star treatment in a 5 star environment. The VIP visitors will be greeted on arrival with a welcome pack containing information about the yachts and exhibits. Throughout the day they will be offered refreshments in an elegant, private VIP suite that will directly overlook the exhibits in the Creek Marina," said Wahid Attalla, general manager of Dubai World Trade Centre. Personalised invitations will be sent to more than 2,000 VIPs from all over the Gulf. Existing owners of large yachts and super yachts will also be invited and exhibitors will be allocated special invitations for their respective clients. Entrance to the VIP Boat Show will be restricted to selected VIPs, marine trade professionals and the other exhibitors participating in the MEIBS 2001. The MEIBS 2001 has been expanded this year to include two separate, additional sections: Middle East Work Boat Exhibition and Conference and the Middle East VIP Boat Show. The exhibition, jointly owned by RAI Group of Amsterdam and the Dubai World Trade Centre, will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Department, and of the Emirates Airline. The boat show is organised by EPOC International. About 8 to 10 marine multinationals, showing a total of 15 boats, are expected to exhibit a selection of their large yachts and super yachts on water at the Dubai Golf Creek & Yacht Club. A further 10-20 companies are expected to take trade stands on the quayside. Gulf Craft, The Azimut-Bennetti Group, which is managed by Gulf Yachting Dubai, and Princess have already reserved space on water. The MEIBS is the largest exhibition of its kind in the Middle East. In March 1999, around 100 companies from Italy, the UK, Holland, Australia, Korea, Turkey, the UAE, Japan, the U.S. and India participated in the event and an estimated Dh80 million worth of business was conducted during and after the show. The product profile of the whole show includes boats, boating equipment & services, engines, drives and propulsion equipment, trailers, chandlers, sails, ropes, masts, heating and air conditioning equipment, lighting, anchors, propellers, furniture & fittings, clothing and apparel, navigation equipment and systems, deck fittings, pumps, valves and accessories, communications and computer equipment, generator and electrical equipment, maintenance and hand tools, marinas, holiday and tourism, brokerages, charters, sports fishing products, diving products, jet skis and products, windsurfing products, water ski products, repair facilities and marine coatings. Several industry names have already confirmed their participation in the event, including Al Dhaen of Bahrain, Yamaha, Yanmar, Walcon, Rolec, Radio Holland, and Bayliner. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
:
OVER 50,000 VISITED FUN CITY IN FIRST THREE WEEKS
Modhesh Fun City, a key attraction of Dubai Summer Surprises 2000, attracted nearly 50,000 people in the first three weeks after its opening, according to figures released by Dubai World Trade Centre. More than half the visitors were children. The number does not include people manning the stalls and those entering on complimentary passes, a press statement said. According to the figures, 25,256 children and 24,867 adults visited Modhesh Fun City as of July 22. This works out to a daily average of around 2,280. Located in Hall No. 7 of the Dubai World Trade Centre, Modhesh Fun City features an exciting package of live entertainment, games, fun activities, movies, art & craft competitions, a computer zone and leisure activities for children of all ages. Held in a huge area in association with the DWTC, the colourfully decorated Modhesh Fun City packs a wide range of fun and educational activities that can keep kids busy the whole day through, without having to move out of the venue. The live shows held on a stage in one corner of Modhesh Fun City are major attractions for kids. Currently, children are having a great time watching the lively Looney Tunes - Summer Vacation show featuring the colourful characters of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester and Taz. Looney Tunes will be performing till August 2. The next big attraction will be the Furbie show from August 4 to 17, followed by Mr. Man from Aug. 18 to 31. Apart >from the live shows, there are fun and games all around the venue. Modhesh Fun City is packed with action-oriented activities for children of all ages. The Kids' Zone features a play area and the Modhesh Maze, made up of narrow alleys, with plenty of dead-ends. The Formula One cars on a mini-track is another fun area designed to provide great entertainment for car-crazy children. Remote controlled cars provide fun in another area. At Modhesh Little Cinema, children and adults can enjoy a feast of movies for a nominal charge of Dh1, which goes to charity. Children can pose for pictures by putting their head inside huge cut-outs of cartoon characters. The Fun Zone provides a number of games, slides, Bouncy Castles to provide non-stop fun for children who want to run, climb and jump about. There is a Computer Zone that allows children to surf the Net and learn new computer skills. There is also an Art zone where kids can show their creative talents. There are regular workshops on art & craft. The Modhesh Railroad Show features miniature trains running along minutely designed tracks and landscape. (The Gulf Today)
Return to contents list | WAM UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS
Department External Information Ministry of Information and Culture P.O. Box 17, Abu Dhabi E-Mail: mininfex@emirates.net.ae Tel: 009712-4452922 Fax: >009712-4450458
PLEASE NOTE: The items covered in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the official view of the UAE Government. Rather, they form a UAE-related digest of reports from the local press and publication