Number Of Dubai Registered Vehicles Jumps From 740k In 2006 To 1m In 2009: RTA

The Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) H.E. Mattar Al Tayer stated that the initiatives carried out by the RTA in improving customer service and the means of delivering such services in the field of drivers & vehicles licensing contributed to boosting customer satisfaction with the services of the Licensing Agency to 80% by the end of 2009 in most centers affiliated to the Agency. Al Tayer anticipated higher satisfaction rates in the near future as there are more initiatives & programs to roll out with the aim of upgrading the services and offering multiple ways of obtaining them in convenient modern formats. RTA initiatives have also contributed to cutting complaints by more than 70% and achieving a 100% rate in responding to and signing off customer complaints in time, minimizing customers waiting time from one hour to less than 17 minutes, and reducing the waiting period for road test following completion of driving training from more than two months to 7-10 days.

“The total number of vehicles registered in Dubai Emirate jumped from 740,187 vehicles in 2006 to 1,021,880 vehicles in 2009, and the number of renewed vehicle registration cards soared from 385,241 vehicles to 677,153 vehicles during the same period. Similarly the number of new driving licenses issued transactions increased from 155,439 cases in 2006 to 164,729 cases in 2009 and the number of driving licenses renewal transactions also increased from 22,798 cases to 69,978 cases during the same period,” said Al Tayer.

“Since established in 2008, Licensing Agency prepared a strategic plan to help realize the strategic objectives & goals of the RTA. The plan focused on three pivotal factors covering all aspects related to the business of the Agency with the aim of improving the calibre of services rendered to customers. The first factor is Customer First; as the Agency receives thousands of customers to serve every day. The second factor is to foster a safe vehicle driving environment; as the Agency is responsible for the safety of vehicle and driver through training & qualifying of drivers and testing & licensing of vehicles considering that drivers and vehicles are two key factors impacting traffic safety beside the third factor which is the road. The third factor is related to achieving operational excellence through focusing on the institutional structure and performance enhancement to empower the Agency realize the above two factors, build systems, qualify human resources and provide the required work tools,” continued Al Tayer.

E-link
Al Tayer further added: “RTA has rolled out several initiatives and carried out improvements in the context of upgrading customer services with the aim of improving service centers, providing a convenient environment for customers, opening new outlets for delivering licensing services, providing new services such as commercial licensing, and launching more e-services. It is now possible to fully avail driving license renewal and vehicle registration renewal services through RTA website. Customers can avail the services of distinguished number plates online through booking the desired number online and participating in the online auction over and above the open auction. About 5500 number plates were sold in the first online auction for more than 20 million dirham. RTA also provided sophisticated systems to manage customers flow at the centers and redesigned such centers to ease service delivery, shorten the process time and have the required information provided online or in leaflets.

“RTA has completed e-link with more than 50 entities related to licensing services such as the Ministry of Interior, General Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, insurance companies, and service providers (such as auto dealers) with the aim of easing transaction procedures. This link contributed to shortening transaction processing time, for example the time taken to open a traffic file was cut from 12 minutes to 5 minutes besides minimizing the paper transactions such as the insurance policy, result of the technical inspection and personal documents; which will also serve the interest of customers.

Trailers and Semi-Trailers
Al Tayer explained that in the field of traffic safety & security, RTA carried out a program for training & qualifying instructors employed by driving institutes, and also qualified the examiners of Licensing Agency in courses delivered by qualified instructors who upgraded the training syllabus in the light of a standard study for the transfer of knowledge & external experience aligned with the best international practices. The program reflected positively on the performance of instructors and examiners enrolled in the training program, judging by the improvement in the success rates which started to climb from 16% to 24%. RTA also prepared specialized manuals for all categories of instructors, examiners and trainees to provide the information and theoretical modules for diffusing safe driving learning in the community and enhancing traffic security & safety levels.

He further elaborated: “RTA also developed vehicle testing standards to ensure that any vehicle subjected to the technical inspection has passed the tests that ensure its road worthiness from a technical point of view. RTA has approved the system of registering and testing trailers and semi-trailers in Dubai Emirate and the system will be put into effect in the fourth quarter of this year. Standards of testing & registering trailers and semi-trailers have been designed in coordination with the manufacturers of such vehicles inside and outside the UAE. RTA also made the required coordination with the Ministry of Interior, and the UAE Specifications and Standards Authority in this regard, and the required designs have well been endorsed. RTA also started testing and registering quad bikes after developing formal testing & registration standards. In coordination with Civil Defence, RTA also developed standards for the conveyance of hazardous materials and finalized a system for tourist coaches and fully fixed the relevant specifications of the activity in coordination with the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing in Dubai. In the field of inspection and monitoring, RTA enhanced the monitoring of heavy vehicles on road where joint patrols of the RTA and Dubai Police carry out inspection of heavy vehicles on specific roads to verify their safety as per the set and approved standards”.

RTA Chairman of the Board and CEO concluded his statement by hailing the efforts of all employees of the Licensing Agency and commended their relentless efforts to improve customer services, improve vehicle testing & licensing programs & systems, and carry out vehicle driving training programs to qualify highly skilful drivers.
 

DP World To Open New Terminal In Vietnam on October 1, 2009

Global marine terminal operator DP World has set October 1st, 2009 as the date of the official inauguration of its state-of-the-art Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT). A joint venture between DP World and Vietnam’s IPC, SPCT is located on the Soai Rap River 15 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City. SPCT will further establish Ho Chi Minh City as the country’s main commercial hub.

The region’s second fastest growing economy, Vietnam has seen an average annual growth of 7.1 percent since 2000. While Ho Chi Minh City is currently served by various port facilities along the Dong Nai and Saigon rivers, several terminals on the Saigon River are slated for progressive closure over the next several years. Proximate to Ho Chi Minh City’s industrial hinterland, SPCT will handle cargo that currently moves through these ports, while attracting new volumes.

Peter Wong, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Region, said:
"SPCT is strategically placed to service not only Ho Chi Minh City but also the surrounding industrial zone."

Glen Hilton, Vice President & Managing Director, DP World SE Asia Region, said: “With 500 metres of wharf and five cranes in Phase I, SPCT can easily handle the largest vessels currently calling at Ho Chi Minh City. Dredging of the Soai Rap River to 9.5 metres, completed by the end of 2010, will cut two hours off current steaming time and double the size of alongside vessels to 5,000 TEU.”

Visitor Numbers From GCC See 36.5% Increase During First Half Of DSS 2009

Dubai Summer Surprises has played a major role in sustaining the position of Dubai as a leading tourism and commerce destination, said His Excellency Major General Mohammed Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department.“Despite the current global circumstances, we are confident that Dubai has the tourism potential and the state-of-the-art infrastructure to keep it among the leading cities in the global tourism arena and it is based on this confidence that this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises was launched,” noted HE.The number of GCC passengers coming to Dubai since the start of the DSS 2009 on June 11 increased by 36.5 per cent compared to the same period between April and May 2009, he added, explaining that most of the visitors came from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.“The tourist influx to Dubai during DSS is an indication that the emirate is doing well despite the financial crisis that has gripped most of the world.”The extensive promotion campaigns accompanying DSS and the colossal efforts made by private sector entities such as shopping malls and hotels have played a major role in attracting GCC visitors to Dubai, he added.“Omani nationals are by far the largest in number, followed by Kuwaitis, Saudis, Bahrainis and Qataris; but by the early days of July the number of Saudis has increased to a large extent,” H.E. Al Marri explained, attributing the increase in the number of Saudi visitors to the end of the academic year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.“DNRD stands firmly behind DSS 2009 as is the case with other government departments in Dubai, offering the best possible services that reflect the true image of Dubai as a year-round leading tourism and commerce destination. This is in line with the directives by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai,” H.E. stated.As part of its commitment to offer value-added services during DSS, DNRD efficiently processes round-the-clock visa transactions for those visiting the country during the summer event besides offering many other facilities and services, including the Distinguished Guest Service offered to frequent business visitors to Dubai and the Tasaheel Service offered to guests arriving at the Dubai International Airport to facilitate passport control procedures.
 

RTA Takes Part In DSS 2009 With A Historical And Heritage Expo

Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency and Mr. Yousef Sharaf, Deputy Executive Director of Aswaaq Centers inaugurated "Al Maktoum & Dubai Exhibition" held at the Aswaaq Centers in Al Mizhar Area as part of RTA’s activity in the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2009. The exhibition will run for two weeks.

Bahrozyan stated that the Exhibition, which is organized by the Licensing Agency under the title "Al Maktoum & Dubai," embodies the history and heritage of the Dubai Emirate since the era of the fifties through to the sixties and until emergence of the UAE Union at beginning of the seventies. The Agency offers rare heritage collections giving the visitors an overview of the Al-Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai in that period of time.

He explained that the collections include books, coins, stamps, medals and old posters of the Al Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai. The exhibition also includes Arabic and foreign books narrating about HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in addition to glass collections decorated with the portraits of Sheikh Rashid. The stamps carry pictures of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event also includes ancient coins and military medals that were used in the Emirate of Dubai during that time.

For his part, Mr. Nabeel Yousef Al Ali, Director of Control and Inspection at the Licensing Agency said that the Agency is partaking in the exhibition with a history of driving license in Dubai Driving license’s developmental phases, and various forms and designs were showcased. The Agency is also reviewing through the plate numbers the vision that can be adopted after the use of Latin alphabets (A, B, C…) carried by the plate numbers in Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that the exhibition is open to visitors from 9 am to 9 pm.

du Wins Prestigious 2009 Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award

Besting a field of top-notch international competitors, du and its suppliers VOSS and Cisco have been awarded the highly-coveted 2009 Innovation Award by Global Telecoms Business (GTB) magazine. The award recognises du’s implementation of an industry-leading Unified Communication service delivery platform (UC SDP) and is proof that du’s innovative approach to integrated telecommunications is being acknowledged and recognised.A must-read for telecommunications industry leaders around the globe, GTB magazine began its Innovation Award programme in 2007. A panel of judges selects winners from among hundreds of ground-breaking projects involving telecommunications operators and service providers world-wide, in association with their vendors and suppliers.du has quickly consolidated its position as the forward-thinking telecommunications provider of the UAE, providing smart, user-friendly telecom solutions to individuals, homes and businesses, as well as carrier services and broadcast services. du’s success is borne out in rapidly-growing demand for its products and services. Determined to meet that demand without sacrificing its commitment to personalised customer care, du migrated to a Cisco Hosted Unified Communications solution which included the VOSS pre-integrated service delivery platform.“By partnering with cutting-edge companies like Cisco and VOSS, we have secured a meaningful competitive advantage that translates to real-world convenience and state-of-the-art, bespoke service packages for our discerning customers,” said Farid Faraidooni, EVP Commercial, du. “We’re honoured by the international recognition that the GTB award represents, and above all, honoured by the trust and loyalty of our clientele, who inspire us to keep raising the bar on our world-class telecom product and service offerings.”The award-winning du system is an integrated, next generation solution that grows along with the company, enabling it to customise new and enhanced packages for customers according to evolving requirements. The system helps du stay agile in a fast-moving market, streamlines its operations and provides a consistent user interface.Highlights of the du system include:
· A fully-automated, centralised management platform that enables non-technical staff to add new customers and complete maintenance and adaptations in real-time, leading to dramatic cost and time savings
· A fully outsourced, centrally managed Internet Protocol (IP) communications environment that provides customers with a rich voice, video and web experience, with business-ready UC features
· The flexibility to create advanced UC services in a matter of days and deliver them to customers on-demand, with little systems integration
· The capacity to actively promote the managed service offering, with full confidence that there are no longer any issues with capacity or a limited service offeringThe GTB Innovation Award is a prestigious addition to du’s impressive collection of accolades in multiple categories. A relative newcomer to the telecommunications scene, du continues to demonstrate that it is the telecom service provider to watch in the MENA region and beyond.
 

Technogym Joins Hands With The ’Road To Awareness Bike Ride 2009’

As part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts divisional fundraising campaign titled Road to Awareness Bike Ride 2009; Technogym creates a wellness competition at the lobby of Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers on Saturday, 25th July, 2009 for charity with the aim of raising funds for the street children of Egypt.

On the day, the competition will commence at 11am until 4pm. All participants will get to enjoy healthy snacks and summer coolers throughout the day from Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers.

The competition will be run by Technogym equipment on Treadmills, Bikes, Flexability and Wellness tools. Technogym will also provide the Aspiration map online program for all the participants and visitors to learn more about their aspiration. Furthermore, exciting wellness prizes will be offered to the 3 fastest biking winners.

Christian Dietrich, Managing Director, Technogym Emirates, “Technogym is proud to join hands and offer its support to the “Cycle for Life” social cause through wellness. This goes in plans with our continuous efforts to engage in charitable initiatives. We hope this will be an eventful and energizing day for everyone”.

Other highlights of the “Cycle for Life” day are the prizes and raffle draws lined up throughout the day for participants including weekend stays, meals at the hotel’s signature restaurants and massage treatments. For bargain seekers out there, there will also be a silent auction taking place within the day with items up for grabs such as two (2) flight tickets to ANY destination by Qatar Airways which will be auctioned off from a base price of AED500, one-year membership at the Creek Health Club, weekend stay in the hotel suite, and so much more.

The 2009 edition of the Road to Awareness Campaign is being planned to build on last year’s successful ride in partnership with UNICEF, with another 3-day ride of 360 km from 4th to 6th September 2009 that will take a group of cyclists comprising of Starwood’s senior management from the EAME divisional office, over some of the most legendary climbs in the French Pyrenees.

The 2009 Road to Awareness will have an objective to raise at least US$150,000 to support a UNICEF project focused on helping Street Children in Egypt. The main objective of this UNICEF project is to provide social, medical and psychosocial support to 2,000 street children in Greater Cairo and protect them from violence, abuse and risky behaviors. Check out http://www.roadtoawareness.com for more information.

Registration for “Cycle for Life” begins on the day at 11.00AM and it is open throughout the day until late afternoon. Participation fee is AED100 per person which goes towards the Road to Awareness fund. “Cycle for Life” is open to public. For more information, please contact 04 207 1406 / 04 207 1455.

Dubai Airport Freezone Achieves 48% Growth In Revenue During The First Half Of 2009

Dubai Airport Freezone has registered positive growth in the first half of this year with a 48 % increase in revenue compared to the same period of 2008.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone, has stated that this achievement is a direct result of Dubai Government’s balanced policies toward foreign investments and that the role of the Freezone has exceeded the financial success to play a strategic part in boosting the national economy through its added value with the international companies working within the Dubai Airport Freezone.

Shaikh Ahmed also noted that Dubai Airport Freezone has tried to overcome the global crisis by keeping companies and applying sophisticated techniques to support the companies that target new markets.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Director General of Dubai Airport Freezone, said the registered numbers during the first half “Tell a positive indicator for growth rates during the rest of the year.”

“Indications confirm that companies are seeking new markets for their products in the region, and this creates new opportunities which we handle flexibly and transparently to achieve goals.”

He added that the Free Zone has shown full commitment to double its efforts and apply a new, more flexible trend to maintain its continuous triumphs in growth rates.

“Several leading companies have been licensed during the first half, including French companies like SAGM, SOKOMEK, Middle East, Air Cost Control Middle East and Air Logistics, some Japanese companies such as EDIMESTO Middle East, and some Korean companies and companies from Scandinavian countries like Denmark,” Dr. Al Zarouni said.

He explained that more than a dozen major companies operating in the Free Zone have expanded their office space and are working to support their business goals of deployment in the region.

Dr Al Zarouni also attributed the strong performance at the end of the first half of this year to the “unlimited support of the senior leadership whose role is very important in overcoming the effects of the financial crisis, through the planning of a strategy of dealing with the elements of the crisis.”

He stressed the importance of doubling all efforts at various levels through focusing on customers, and taking into account companies’ circumstances and conditions in terms of their performance and their growth rates in addition to customer support at this important economic stage to achieve the principle of strategic partnership.

The Free Zone, he added, has recently undertaken an initiative to honour a number of companies that participated in an environment awareness initiative competition, where companies which took into account the health and safety of its occupants in the design of their offices were awarded and honoured.

Dr. Zarouni added that last year’s expansion plans have become “An implementable strategy with some flexibility, taking into account the changes and developments around us.”

He stressed on the role of the Dubai Airport Freezone in promoting the national economy “As it has become a living example of developmental support by attracting major international companies that have pumped large investments, accounting for significant support to the trade balance and the economy in general.”

Dr. Zarouni said that the rates of growth in European and American companies in the Free Zone “Has constantly encouraged us to communicate with these markets and try to attract more of them . European companies represent more than 45% of the companies that opened their offices at the Free Zone in the first half of this year, while the total percentage of American companies nears 11% in the various sectors, including aviation industry, pharmaceutical, electronics and other sectors.”

Modhesh World Records Footfall Of 250,000 In First Half Of DSS 2009

Beating all predictions of a downturn in visitor numbers, Modhesh World, the region’s largest edutainment region that celebrates its tenth year in 2009, recorded a footfall of 250,000 in the first half of Dubai Summer Surprises. The figures come in the wake of similar positive numbers revealed by both the retail and hotel sectors in Dubai.

Ahmed Ali, Senior Projects Coordinator at DSF Office and Supervisor of Modhesh World said, “Modhesh World has been the hub of DSS entertainment since its start and the figures revealed for the first half of DSS 2009 is testimony to its popularity as the sought after edutainment venue in the region. The DSF Office endeavours to present a unique DSS edition ever year and these results reflect our efforts in making Modhesh World an unparalleled entertainment destination for children and families.”

“The footfall numbers are also significant for the fact that they come at a time of general skepticism of Dubai’s tourism and retail sectors, and as more figures are revealed from across economic sectors, we are sure that there will be a general consensus that DSS has had a positive impact,” he added.

Now celebrating its 10th year, what was formerly known as Modhesh Fun City is now officially called Modhesh World, a massive transformation that makes the largest indoor edutainment venue in the region an even bigger and better place for fun and excitement for the whole family.

Spread across 37,000 square meters, Modhesh World offers a stunning collection of unique games and fun fare as well as a multitude of activities to cater to every member of the family, making it the ultimate destination to enjoy the best of what Dubai Summer Surprises has to offer.

Modhesh World is divided into three zones – East, West and Central – to make the whole trip to the venue an even more customer-friendly experience. Each zone offers a variety of interactive entertainment and educational activities that complement each other, engaging children and their families on different levels – from combined physical and gaming exercise to mind-teasing challenges, as well as exhilarating rides and world class entertainment to culturally and artistically enriching activities.

Dubai Festival City Witnesses 18% Increase In June Footfall Coinciding With DSS 2009

Dubai Festival City, a key sponsor of Dubai Summer Surprises 2009 and a sought-after shopping and leisure destination, witnessed an 18% increase in footfall in June – the first month of DSS, compared the previous months of May and April of this year. A combination of shopping promotions and family entertainment activities has ensured a steady stream of shoppers to the mall this DSS.

Tom Miles, Director of Shopping Centres, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate said that, “This Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Festival Centre has yet again managed to successfully offer very high standards of entertainment as well as retail offers to all our guests. The DSS special House of Illusions Dinner Show managed to win hearts and gain steady popularity while our roaming mascots ensured that visiting guests at the retail centre were kept thoroughly entertained. From 2008 till this date, Festival Centre overall footfall soared to 42% and boost up to 18% during June, the first month of DSS. This is a strong indication of the growing popularity of Festival Centre and our patrons have proven time and again that we have now become their destination of preference. “We aim to continue our successful collaboration with the DSF Committee and continue to host such challenging events over the months to come,” he added.

One of the main attractions organized by Dubai Festival City, House of Illusions, proved to be an instant success in the first week of its opening. Combining an atmosphere of fine dining, entertainment, and spectacular settings, the event has attracted full-house crowds since the first show. Another attraction currently running at Dubai Festival City is the Dolls Art Exhibition, featuring numerous dolls created by renowned doll artists from around the world.

Dubai Festival City is also a member of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group and is participating in the Surprising Millions campaign during DSS. Shoppers at the mall stand to win cash prizes of AED 500,000 every week. With a month left for DSS to conclude, Dubai Festival City will be looking forward to an increase in DSS sales and footfall.

Modhesh Merchandise Sees Exponential Sales Growth In 2009

The range of popular Modhesh toys, games, and other merchandise has witnessed an exponential growth in sales the past year even as the Dubai Shopping Festival Office, owners of the Modhesh Brand, plan to increase the collection to reach around 1000 various products, up from the current number of 600. Modhesh products have witnessed a 22% increase in sales compared to the first half of 2008 and sales during the month of June this year have trebled.

The plan was revealed by Ghanim Al Ghanim, Business Development Manager for Modhesh Merchandise at the DSF Office, who works closely with a team of product development and marketing specialists based in Dubai and Hong Kong. Al Ghanim says the move is part of a strategic plan to build on the brand equity of Modhesh and add incorporate more educational and positive values to the toys and games that will bear Modhesh trademarks and logos.

The current range, according to Al Ghanim, involves a variety of personal products, such as stuffed toys, towels and blankets; school items like stationery sets and pens; as well as souvenir pieces, including key chains and clocks. Of this range, the best-selling items have been the soft toys and school stationary items.

“Modhesh merchandise is about to get bigger and better, as we plan to introduce more educational toys to the range. Currently, we have bouncing balls to help children develop motor skills, as well as puzzles which help in developing decision-making skills. And we are close to production stages for exciting new products that will have more edutainment features,” added Al Ghanim.

Although previous celebrations of the Dubai Summer Surprises had various types of Modhesh toys and games for sale, it was only in 2007 that the DSF Office made a conscious and serious effort to merchandise Modhesh.

The product development stage has been a critical component of Al Ghanim’s operations. “There are a number of brand issues, value considerations, and safety standards that we have to deal with. Every color must follow the brand guideline, every material must be safe for kids, and every toy or game in both concept and use should be a reflection of all the excitement and fun as well as positive values that children and their parents have associated with Modhesh,” he explained.

However, the merchandising effort is not just an attempt to commercially benefit from the success of Modhesh as a brand. “That is a normal business consideration; but we are in a unique position here to create things that will expound on Modhesh as a positive role model for children,” continued Al Ghanim.

These influences, he says, focus mainly on children and how they should have respect and love for family and others; and for them to have a better appreciation for the culture and traditions of Dubai, for which Modhesh serves as a goodwill ambassador.

In addition, Al Ghanim and his team had to make sure that all the products complied with safety standards. All Modhesh items have received EN71 certification, the world-standard for safety in children’s toys. “From the materials that we use to the manufacturers that we tap, we have complied if not exceeded safety standards. In fact, some of the suppliers that we deal with – in Germany, India, Thailand, Vietnam and China – are producing some of the best known brands for children’s toys,” continued Al Ghanim.

In fact, the EN71 product certification is just one of 17 certificates Modhesh toys have received for safety, including citations for using environment-friendly materials.

Plans are also in place to create a Modhesh concept store in a yet-to-be-named mall. Currently, Modhesh products are available at Modhesh World as well as independent kiosks in various shopping centres. Some products are also sold in Carrefour and cooperative stores. “We are still in the process of negotiating, but by next year, we should be able to reveal the location of the first Modhesh Store where we more toys and games will be offered to children, as well as an exciting in-store interactive concept that will make this a fun, entertaining and educational place for children,” Al Ghanim ended.