HH Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Confirms Attendance Of Leading Energy Experts To Discuss Comprehensive Agenda At DGEF 2011

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, announced today that leading experts in the field of energy will attend to discuss a comprehensive agenda during the forthcoming Dubai Global Energy Forum 2011, which will be hosted for the time in the city.

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Global Energy Forum will host a series of discussions on energy-related issues under the theme of “Energy Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed said, “We are pleased to announce today the participation of leading experts in the energy field at DGEF 2011. Of note is the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was the architect of India’s nuclear energy infrastructure. Another is Mohamed ElBaradei, the former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2005.”

“The presence of these experts will enrich the forum’s agenda as we discuss collective efforts in developing energy-related sustainable solutions to help us overcome the challenges resulting from the depletion of natural resources and focus on environmental protection and preservation,” said His Highness.

His Highness added that Dubai Global Energy Forum 2011 will further serve as a platform to initiate discussions on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to drive economic prosperity and increase investments in the energy sector, in line with the strategy of the Dubai government.

“The forum complements the policy of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to focus on issues related to the development and growth of the energy sector in Dubai, the search for alternative and renewable sources and examining the contribution of nuclear energy to economic sustainability.”

The forum will also support the nation’s efforts to achieve UAE Vision 2021, which features seven principles, seven priorities and seven enablers to be used as guideline by planners and policymakers in line with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030.

The Dubai Global Energy Forum 2011 will provide a platform for energy experts to share ideas and debate key issues affecting the energy sector as a whole and sustainable development around the world. The Forum will tackle best practices in the field of energy security, supply and energy management, alternative energy resources, peaceful use of nuclear power in addition to debating the current and future policies, programs, technologies, investment opportunities and energy market indicators.

The Forum will consist of nine major tracks of plenary and parallel sessions addressed by keynote speakers and panellists. Sessions will address specific topics in each track through in-depth analyses and will provide the audience with focused presentations and opportunities for discussions. Energy leaders, officials, planners and energy experts from government and private sectors, international organisations and academia from around the world are participating in the event.
 

Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011 Ties Up Its 9th Edition With More Sold Out Shows And An Ascending Attendance Record!

A total of 19 days of intensive music shows started up with the Dubai Shopping Festival 2011 opening day at the Walk JBR on January 20th, 2011 with the Blues Edition of the Jazz World, which featured 9 nights and 18 bands introducing an international and local mix of the best Blues artists and performers. This official associated event of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011 attracted a larger crowd this year, topping more than 10,000 fans enjoying the outdoor free concerts.

The du Jazz Garden event followed with its breathtaking Jazz shows throughout 7 nights at Dubai Media City. The collaboration between Chillout Productions and the British Council showcased the best of UK Jazz scene with the 7 bands flocking from the UK to share the best of their repertoires and Jazz music stock. The closing acts featured another 7 stirring international smooth Jazz bands.

The main gigs were of great attraction to a huge crowd due to the rich line-up and artists profiles. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, with Alison Moyet and Mica Paris, made the opening night of the main gigs an outstanding success! The sold out show welcomed a hunger crowd eager to indulge with such real quality music and entertainment.

The second night scored another success! The Grammy Award winning star Macy Gray wowed the crowd with her astonishing presence on stage, her show exceeded all expectations getting the fans on their toes asking for more!

Lifehouse stars added on to the night’s exciting mood putting a greatly exciting show attracting thousands of fans heading from all across the region to experience the best of Lifehouse on stage!

Mindi Abair & Peter White performance revived all Jazz sensations during their show that was the perfect start of the night.

Straight from winning their Grammy for best performance by a pop duo for the single ’Hey Soul Sister’, the award-winning band Train glazed the Skywards stage with an outstanding show and interactive presence, following the appealing performance of Joshua Radin and the talented diva Jessy J.

The Skywards International Jazz Festival 2011 surely marked another successful edition due to its rich line-up and collection of names as well as its associated events gathering more than 45000 fans throughout its 19 days of festivities and promising even another thriving edition in 2012 with loads of WOW activities and line-up.

 

13% Rise In Event Attendance At DWTC Highlights Growing Business Confidence In The Region

Gulfood 2010 re-affirmed its position as the region’s mega event for the food and hospitality sector, recording an impressive 22% growth in visitor traffic over 2009. A total of 55,379 trade visitors from the food ’&’ beverage manufacturing and catering service industries from over 153 countries attended the four-day culinary showcase, making Gulfood one of the world’s most successful food shows, delivering a must-attend regional platform for the 3,500 participating companies to network and exhibit the latest innovations within this sector The 18th Dubai International Boat Show, held in March 2010, saw 15 Global launches and 25 Regional Premiers, highlighting the importance of the Show to the global leisure marine industry. Over 700 companies participated and the event enabled multi-million dollars in sales, indicating rising consumer confidence and improved outlook for luxury consumption within the region.

To drive increased regional investment opportunities in line with sector specific trends, DWTC has continuously sought to bring in new show profiles to Dubai. New additions to the first half of 2010 calendar included exhibitions and congresses within aviation, ICT, trade and healthcare, drawing over 90,000 new visitors. Among the new shows hosted so far this year were the Aerospace Defence and Training Show (ADTS), the China Homelife Show, Commercial Vehicles Middle East Show, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Exhibition and Conference, the Dubai International Peace Convention and Microsoft Tech-Ed.

The outlook for the exhibitions and events industry in Dubai for the remainder of 2010 and heading into 2011 continues to stay positive, as DWTC moves forward with a strong calendar line up led by the 30th Anniversary of GITEX Technology Week, anticipated to be the largest and most influential edition in the show’s history. In addition, Dubai’s recently announced wins of eight new Global Congresses will be hosted by DWTC during 2011 and 2012, including the International Public Transport Congress, the International Bar Association Congress, the World Diabetes Congress and the World Cardiology Congress – the last of which was against powerhouses like Singapore, Kyoto and Capetown – establishing DWTC as a leading international congress venue and asserting Dubai’s reputation as a global business tourism destination.

Commenting on the company’s strategic focus, CEO Helal AlMarri added "One of our key priorities as DWTC has been to steadily increase the event industry’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP and to play an enabling role in stimulating regional investment. Our decision to invest in facility expansion with the Sheikh Saeed Halls last year was to ensure that we delivered the optimal hosting infrastructure for Dubai. We are pleased that this investment has enabled cater for the expansion needs of the mega shows in key sectors this year, and we continue to work with our organisers to support the growth of their show and broaden the range of trade, consumer, and entertainment events in Dubai’s Calendar." Following its strong performance in 2009, DWTC’s hospitality team also achieved outstanding results during this half year reporting period – catering close to half a million guests across a number of events, including an impressive 179 weddings held from January to June 2010 – over 20% increase from 2009.

31 years after DWTC was built as the gateway for trade to the region, it remains the premier platform for global business networking, effectively supporting Dubai’s Strategic Agenda, as laid out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. DWTC remains optimistic for the future and looks forward to building on its positive first 2010 half performance and to move forward in making Dubai the world’s leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events.
 

More Than AED23m Fetched From 62nd Number Plates Auction

Vehicle number plate (G 60) topped the sales and fetched 1,390,000 dirham in the 62nd Distinguished Number Plates Auction recently held by Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) at Jumeirah Beach Hotel; which raised total proceeds of 23,775,000 dirham.

“The aggregate amount raised in the 62nd Auction is testament to the success of Distinguished Number Plates Auction in Dubai” said the CEO of RTA Licensing Agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan. “The Auction made a good progress towards meeting the demand of a wide segment of the public wishing to own distinguished numbers. This is reflected in the attendance of about 300 bidders who participated effectively in the bidding process and hailed the improved procedure of organizing & displaying distinguished numbers. During the Auction 105 numbers were offered comprising 2, 3, 4, and 5-digit numbers of categories F, G, H & I” he added.

“Out of the total 105 numbers offered, 4 were 2-digit plates, 43 were 3-digit plates, 32 were 4-digit plates, and 26 were 5-digit plates. In the sales ring, 2-digit number plates topped the list of proceeds with the number (G 60) clocking the highest sales price of 1.39 million dirham, next came (G 27) which fetched 1.3 million dirham, followed by (H 90) selling for 1.25 million dirham, and (G 45) which was sold for 1.18 million dirham.

“3-digit numbers, which included 43 numbers, was topped by (H 100) which was sold for one million dirham, and the 4-digit numbers, which included 32 numbers, was topped by (G 4444) selling for 610,000 dirham, whereas 5-digit numbers, which included 26 numbers, was topped by (G 88888) selling for 670,000 dirham.

“The Distinguished Number Plate Auctions, which are held almost on monthly basis, are making continued successes in attracting a wide spectrum of community segments hailing from various emirates who are making serious bids to own distinguished numbers in offer. RTA is therefore seeking to continue with upgrading the Auction in terms of procedures and diversity of issuing new numbers to meet aspirations of these individuals to own distinguished licensing numbers” added Bahrozyan.

The CEO of Licensing Agency elaborated on the factors underlying the success of the 62nd Auction and said: “We can single out two-fold success factors; operational and logistical. These include mobilizing all resources to promote the Auction and licensing numbers, systematic marketing planning adopting various tools to reach the targeted audience, official media support, and forming a work team to oversee the Auction program & requirements. Other factors include the official announcement of the Auction 15 days in advance, and prior arrangements made for the venue and the Auction company, culminating in a smooth flow of associated operations.