Economic Zones World Celebrates Dubai Quality Award Win

Economic Zones World recently hosted a dinner to recognize the contributions of its employees and celebrate Jafza’s Dubai Quality Award (DQA) win for excellence in the service sector.

Jafza was one of only 3 companies in the Emirates to be awarded the prestigious Dubai Quality Award (DQA) for excellence in the service sector. Jafza was previously also the recipient of the DQA award in 2003 and has since undertaken an extensive business process re-engineering exercise to optimize operations and processes. The free zone has introduced numerous innovative products and services in the last five years and adopted advanced technology to make services more efficient.

Encouraging employees to continuously adopt a culture of excellence, the appreciation ceremony cited the efforts of employees and teams that made tremendous differences in the quality and efficiency of services and programs in the free zone.

Salma Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World thanked all employees involved in the process for their support and involvement honoured specific individuals and departments for their vital contributions.

Mr. Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Winning the DQA award was a result of collaboration and brilliant teamwork. A strong focus on quality and business excellence has always been central to our overall strategy and values and EZW has a quality control and management infrastructure already in place to ensure this. We have a remarkable team of individuals and we are extremely grateful for their efforts and they way they have worked hard together to help make this organization better.”

Appreciation awards and certificates were distributed to the leaders of the orgnisation, the DQA Program Manager who oversaw the entire process, team leaders, trainers and department teams. One of the key elements of the DQA site visit was the focus group session with Jafza employees. The teams of trainers were responsible for conducting educational sessions for employees across the organization and informing them about the key aspects of DQA, as well as refreshing knowledge about the organization in general.

The company’s outstanding service standards, consistent growth over the years, innovative products, CSR initiatives and increased dialogue with customers and employees alike, were amongst the several deciding factors that won over the panel at this year’s Dubai Quality Awards. The annual Dubai Quality Award is aimed at improving quality in government departments as well as private companies based in the UAE for best practice, service and integration. It is a process for recognizing local role model organizations as well as a strong marker of national commitment to excellence and quality.
 

DP World Nhava Sheva Wins Important Environmental Award In India

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DP World Nava Sheva at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, today won the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Environment Management at an awards ceremony held at the Leela Kempinski, New Delhi.

The marine terminal was recognised for its many initiatives in environment management, some of which include optimising natural resources such as rain water, introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for the staff of DP World Nhava Sheva, changing the equipment and administration building lights to low energy using LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to reduce electricity consumption, and organising an oil spill cleanup drive with employees to protect the mangroves and the marine environment around the terminal.

India’s Home Minister, the Honourable Shri P Chidambaram was the guest of honour at the ceremony, held during the 13th World Congress on Environment Management (WCEM).

Receiving the award, Anil Singh, Senior Vice President & Managing Director DP World Subcontinent Region highlighted that DP World is a signatory of the Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change and said:

“We are delighted that our environmental efforts in Mumbai have been recognised with this important award. We have initiated a wide range of environmental best practices across the region to make a very real difference to the environment, in line with DP World’s overall commitment to preserving the environment in all communities in which we operate.”

Captain Alpesh Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of DP World Nhava Sheva, said:

“Conserving our energy resources and developing the future of the country are the cornerstones of the responsible business practices we at DP World Nhava Sheva undertake, and this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of the team.”

The Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), today operated as DP World Nhava Sheva, was set up in 1997 and was India’s first private-public partnership in the ports sector. DP World operates five container terminals in India, in Mumbai (JNPT), Chennai, Cochin, Mundra and Visakapatnam and supports a significant portion of India’s international containerised trade.

The Golden Peacock Environment Management Award was instituted by the World Environment Foundation (WEF) in 1998.
 

Jafza Wins Best International Logistics Project Award At Leading Industry Event In Spain

Jafza reaffirmed its all-round operational excellence by winning the Best International Logistics Project Award at the 7th Logistics Awards held recently in Spain as part of the International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL) 2011. The award reflects Jafza’s huge impact in global logistics industry in general and in Europe in particular.

The high-profile event dedicated to Europe’s logistics industry and held for the 13th consecutive year at Barcelona’s Gran Via de Fira, saw thousands of the region’s leading industry professionals gathered for the Exhibition.

Mansoor Al Bastaki, Regional Manager – Europe at Economic Zones World, who accepted the award on behalf of Jafza said:

“Winning this award reconfirms the leading position Jafza has achieved in the global logistics industry. We have consistently demonstrated our role as a vital commercial and business hub in the Middle East providing an excellent environment with best-in-class suite of offerings. Over the past 26 years, Jafza has continually expanded its world-class infrastructure, value-added services and incentives to support the growth of global companies.”

A large number of international companies visited the Jafza stand at the event showing their keen interest to set-up their regional hub at the free zone. Spanish Minister of Development José Blanco, also attended the exhibition and visited the Jafza stand. He was briefed on the facilities and infrastructure developments at Jafza, the Dubai Logistics Corridor and the benefits of integrated operations and how well Dubai’s free trade business model has supported sustainable development.

Today, Jafza is home to numerous well-known global companies. 1500 European companies have based their operations in Jafza including 16 Spanish companies. Jafza considers Spain a promising trade partner, and the overall trade between Jafza and Spain in 2010 was valued at USD 241 million, according to the Dubai World’s Statistics Department,

The SIL 2011 Exhibition which showcases new products and services for logistics companies, has areas dedicated to new technologies and logistical transport centres. This year saw 50,000 visitors and various sectors related to logistics management represented at the event, including Transport and Logistics Systems, Infrastructures and Real Estate, Storage, Equipment and Materials Handling and e-Business, Telecommunications, IT Solutions.
 

Royal Caribbean International Scoops Middle Easts Leading Cruise Line Award At World Travel Awards

Royal Caribbean International triumphed at the World Travels Awards yet again, scooping the award for the Middle East’s Leading Cruise Line for the second consecutive year. The awards ceremony was held on Monday 2nd May at the Armani Hotel in Dubai.

The highly respected World Travel Awards have been running for 18th years and focus on the quality of customer experience. The awards aim to encourage world class service from the travel industry and recognize brands that consistently excel beyond expectation and deliver a superior customer experience.

“We are delighted to take home the award for the Middle East’s Leading Cruise Line for the second year running; this award is a real testament to our dedicated employees who go above and beyond to provide outstanding customer service every day. We are committed to providing our customers with a friendly and personal service and have worked hard to perfect our Gold Anchor Service to inspire our guests to come back again and again,” said Helen Beck, Regional Director, International Representatives, EMEA, for Royal Caribbean International.

Gold Anchor Service aims to provide guests with a uniquely personal style of service, enhancing every aspect of the cruise. From the dining room to the pool guests receive top class service to ensure they enjoy a memorable trip.

Royal Caribbean International has had a regional office in the Middle East since 1993 working successfully on outbound cruise sales and customer service has been a key priority from the outset. They started inbound bookings last year when the company deployed its first ship in the region with the homeporting of Brilliance of the Seas in Dubai.

Lakshmi Durai, Executive Director Middle East echoed Beck’s comments saying “We are very proud to have received this award again and would like to thank our travel partners from around the region for their continued and valued support throughout the past 17 years in spreading the word about the incredible value and satisfaction that a Royal Caribbean International cruise offers.”

Due to high demand, Royal Caribbean International is extending Brilliance of the Seas’s third consecutive season in the Gulf region which will comprise 18 roundtrip 7-night sailings and two Dubai and India 12-nights sailings from November 2011 through April 2012.

 

4th Gulf Film Festival Concludes With Award Ceremony Highlighting Best Filmmakers From Around The Region, World

The fourth edition of the Gulf Film Festival, the home of bold, experimental and contemporary cinema from the Arabian peninsula, concluded today at a glittering closing ceremony where the best filmmakers from the region and around the world picked up more than half a million dirhams in prizes and prestigious awards.

His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), presented trophies and cash prizes to the winners of the Gulf Competition for film professionals and students, and the Festival’s inaugural International Competition for short films. The Gulf Film Festival is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

At the closing ceremony at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the festival also presented its 2011 Lifetime Achievement honours to Emirati actress Mariam Sultan, Saudi director/producer Mohammad F. Al Gazzaz, Kuwaiti producer/director Mohammad Al-Sanousi for their contribution to Arab cinema, and the Special Recognition Award to Kuwaiti thespian Mohammed Almunai.

GFF also honoured world-renowned director Abbas Kiarostami, who held his first master-class in the region in Dubai for 45 filmmakers, as well as avant-garde French filmmaker Gerard Courant, whose films were screened in the festival’s In Focus segment.

In addition to the winners in the in-competition segments at the festival, the New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi presented two special awards to outstanding GFF filmmakers at the closing ceremony. The prize is a four-week educational scholarship for an acting or film-making course at the Academy.

The winners at GFF 2011 are:

The New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi Awards:
Hamad Saghran from UAE
Sarmad Al-Zoubidy from Oman

International Competition – Shorts
Special Mention: PARIGOT by Alex Digoix, Alexandre Wolfromm, Geoffrey Lerus, Loic Bramoulle, Mehdi Alavi – France
Third Prize: VA DIGAR HICH… (AND NOTHING ELSE…) by Roqiye Tavakoli – Iran
Second Prize: EL ORDEN DELAS COSAS (THE ORDER OF THINGS) by César Eteban Alenda, José Esteban Alenda – Spain
First Prize: CASUS BELLI by Yorgos Zois – Greece

Gulf Competition Students – Shorts
Special Mention: DEMI-PLIE by Faisal Al Thani – Qatar
Third Prize: AKHIR DECEMBER (END OF DECEMBER) by Hamad Al Hammadi – UAE
Second Prize: HADITH (ACCIDENT) by Sarmad Al-Zoubidy – Oman
Special Jury Prize: QABLA AL GHOROUB (BEFORE SUNSET) by Issa Al-Subhi – Oman
First Prize: NOURA by Abdulrahman Al Salman – Kuwait

Gulf Competition Students – Documentary
Third Prize: SHO’UB WA QABA’EL (NATIONS AND TRIBES) by Maysoon Al Ali – UAE
Second Prize: GHANNI OGHNIATAK (SING YOUR SONG) by Omar Falah – Iraq
First Prize: FAHAM WA RAMAD (CHARCOAL AND ASHES) by Hussein Mohsen – Iraq

Official Gulf Competition – Shorts
Special Mention: BAHARAT (SPICES)By Amer Alrawas – Oman
Special Mention: SLOW DEATH by Jamal Salim – UAE
Special Mention: Actress Haya Abdulsalam For MAY AL JANNAH (HEAVEN’S WATER) – Kuwait
Special Mention: Ali Mohammed Jassim for editing SEMI-ILLUMINATED – Iraq
Special Mention: Waleed Al Shehhi For the cinematography of REEH (WIND) – UAE
Script Prize: SABEEL by Mohammed Hassan Ahmed – UAE
Third Prize: THE POWER OF GENERATIONS by Mohammed Jassim – Bahrain
Second Prize: FRAME by Luay Fadhil – Iraq
Special Jury Prize: ALWAN (COLORS) by Akeel Hameed – Iraq
First Prize: SABEEL by Khalid Al Mahmood – UAE

Official Gulf Competition – Documentary
Third Prize: WAD’AN BABEL (GOODBYE BABYLON) by Amer Alwan – Iraq
Second Prize: COLA by Yahya Hassan Al-Allaq – Iraq
Special Jury Prize: AL ANFAL – FRAGMENTS OF LIFE AND DEATH by Mano Khalil – Iraq, Switzerland
First Prize: HAMAMA by Nujoom Alghanem – UAE

Official Gulf Competition – Feature
Second Prize: GARAQI DAHOLAKAN (THE QUARTER OF SCARECROWS) by Hassan Ali Mahmood – Iraq
First Prize: AL RAHEEL MIN BAGHDAD (LEAVING BAGHDAD) by Koutaiba Al-Janabi Iraq, UK, UAE

In all 153 films from 31 countries were screened at GFF 2011, with screenings marked by strong audience turnout. All shows were open and free for the public. There were over 114 films from the Arabian peninsula including 45 from the UAE and a strong representation from the GCC region and Iraq.

In addition to the Abbas Kiarostami master-class, GFF 2011 also organised free student workshops led by film industry experts and by New York Film Academy Abu Dhabi, which featured sessions by leading director Nadia Fares and cinematographer Savas Alatis.

The Festival also honoured its twin juries at the closing ceremony: The Gulf Competition jury comprised veteran Egyptian filmmaker Magdy Ahmed Aly, with Emirati poet and author Ahmed Rashed Thani, and Iraqi filmmaker Kais Al-Zubaidi; and the international and student competition jury comprised Montserrat Guiu Valls, Managing Director of the Festival de Cine de Huesca, Bahraini filmmaker Bassam Al-Thawadi and Lebanese film critic Hauvick Habechian as members.

GFF 2011 was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Crowne Plaza and Grand Festival Cinemas at Dubai Festival City. It is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and is held in association with Dubai Studio City. For more details, log on to: www.gulffilmfest.com

 

Emirates Group Employees Receive Chairmans Award For Excellence

A total of 15 Emirates Group employees were recognized for their commitment to excellence today by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, the Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, during an award ceremony held at the Emirates Group Headquarters.

The annual Najm Chairman’s Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Emirates staff. Hundreds of Emirates Group employees were nominated for the coveted award and after a comprehensive selection process Sheikh Ahmed selected and named the winning candidates.

“I am honoured by the level of commitment and dedication all Emirates Group employees have for their jobs, selecting only a few people to receive this award is always a difficult task,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “While we saw hundreds of examples of outstanding work this year, I felt the achievements of these individuals deserved the highest form of recognition,” he added.

In total six individual and team achievements were acknowledged with three of these stemming from outstanding levels of teamwork, an attribute highly regarded within the Emirates Group.

Najm is the Emirates Group’s reward and recognition programme for outstanding individual and team performance. The programme is designed around the three pillars of commitment, excellence and innovation.

The achievements of the winners covered a number of diverse areas; from the development and implementation of a new system to monitor the emissions from Emirates aircraft, delivering a baby onboard an Emirates flight to Doha and the stringent implementation of Emirates safety procedures.

Sheikh Ahmed congratulated the winners at a ceremony watched by hundreds of the winners’ families, friends and colleagues. Each of the winners was rewarded with a crystal trophy, a certificate signed by Sheikh Ahmed and a AED 15,000 cash award.

“These winners’ have shown great aptitude and resourcefulness, the very attributes that have driven the growth of the Emirates Group. As we expand I am confident that our burgeoning team will continue to deliver the outstanding levels of excellence that the Emirates Group is renowned for,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

The Emirates Group currently has 50,000 employees around the globe.
 

The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award To Exhibit At Art Dubai

The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award announces its participation in the region’s leading contemporary art fair, Art Dubai 2011 and will be showcasing winning artworks from The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award 2010. The exhibition will run from 16 to 19, March 2011 at the Madinat Arena, part of the beachside resort Madinat Jumeirah.

Presented under the Royal Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, UAE; this initiative was first launched in 2006, as an annual visual art competition which aims to encourage, recognize and promote emerging artists from the UAE. The award is popular amongst university students majoring in Art, Design and Multimedia.

Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club commented, “We are pleased to participate, for the third consecutive year, at Art Dubai 2011. Our booth will offer a unique opportunity for the public to view the winning artworks from The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award 2010 which showcases the diversity of visual art forms and young artists that are present within the UAE.”

During the exhibition, visitors will also be able to learn about the official launch of award competition for 2011. The contest is open to all UAE residents, male and female, between the ages of 18 to 30 years. One major criterion for the award is that the artist should not have had an independent solo exhibition previously. The award grants the winning artists the exciting opportunity to exhibit their work in a solo showcasing and for the first time.

Bin Kalli added. “Since its inception five years ago, The Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award has greatly contributed to advancing the art scene in the UAE and leading young artistic talent towards greater excellence and innovation. The philosophy behind this initiative is to recognize the creative and pioneering thinking that resides within the UAE. The arts have proven to enhance a person’s ability to appreciate a world steeped in diversity. And we believe that such art initiatives are essential for building innovative thinkers who will be the worlds’ leaders tomorrow. We are proud to be a part of this process.”

The competition is divided into three categories: ‘Fine Art Category’ – Acrylic, Oil, Water Colour, Pastel, Ink, Sculpture, Ceramics, Glass, Print Making, Etching, Mixed Media; ‘Photography Category’ – Black & White / Coloured Photographs captured by the artist with slight digital modification and printed on flat surfaces including Canvas, Silk, Acrylic Sheets; ‘Multimedia Category’ – Digital Art, Video Art, Installation. The prize money for the award totals AED180,000 with each category winner, runner up and second runner up will receive a cash prize worth AED30,000, AED20,000 and AED10,000 respectively.

Entering into its fifth year, Art Dubai is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

Art Dubai 2011 will be the largest, most dynamic edition of the fair to date, firmly establishing its role as the key meeting point for the art scenes of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region to engage with those of the international art world.

Featuring more than 82 galleries from over 34 countries, the fair will introduce MARKER, a dynamic new section of experimental stands curated by Nav Haq; the seminal Global Art Forum, a Gulf-wide collaboration, plus a new series of high-level collector talks; the third edition of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, which has increased its number of winners from three to five; Les Voyages Extraordinaires, a museum-quality exhibition by Van Cleef & Arpels; and a series of exciting new projects that include more than 75 artists.
 

Jebel Ali Port Wins Golden Award For Best Seaport

DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port has won the prestigious Golden Award for Best Seaport Overall from the Higher Committee for UAE Civil Seaports and Airports Security, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Higher Committee.

The award was presented by HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy to Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, on Tuesday (April 5) at a gala function in Abu Dhabi attended by high level government officials, industry leaders and other invitees.

The award, the highest recognition in the UAE for civil maritime security, cited Jebel Ali Port for its committed adherence to national security requirements as well as implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code set by the International Maritime Organisation to enhance security of ships and port facilities.

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said:
“As operators of the busiest commercial gateway to the region, DP World, UAE Region has always given the utmost priority to the safety and security of its port facilities. The Integrated Security System that shields Jebel Ali Port is the most advanced in the world, and winning the prestigious Golden Award is recognition of our commitment to safeguarding the interests of the nation and of our customers. We thank HE Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and the Higher Committee for the honour bestowed on us.”

The Higher Committee also awarded certificates of merit and appreciation to Mahmood Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Group Security and World Security, the specialist turnkey security solutions provider of Dubai World, in charge of implementing the security system at Jebel Ali Port.

Mahmood Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Group Security and World Security, said:
“World Security believes in adopting a proactive policy when dealing with issues of safety concerning this nation’s economic assets. Our work at Jebel Ali Port is anchored in the close relationship between DP World, UAE Region and World Security. We owe our success to the hard work and uncompromising professional standards of our security teams and a strong work ethos. We are honoured to receive this recognition from the Higher Committee for UAE Civil Seaports and Airports Security.”

Last year, Jebel Ali was certified Best Port Overall, Best Port in Qualifying & Training and Best Port in Emiratisation in the Higher Committee’s annual list of honours for 2009.

About DP World
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminalsand 9 new developments and major expansions across 31 countries(1).  Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world. 

DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo. 

The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 16 consecutive years.

In 2010, DP World handled around 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 92 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

www.dpworld.com
 

Dubai Metro Scoops Princes Haya Award For Best Educational Research About Handy Services To Special Needs

Roads & Transport Authority – Manal Khalid:

The Dubai Metro has scooped the 3rd edition of Princess Haya bint Al Hussain Award for Special Education, in the category of the Best Educational Research, in recognition of the research conducted by the Rail Planning and Development Department, Rail Agency, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The study focuses on the needs of people with special needs when using the metro and the range of facilities provided to them right from the station through to the end of the journey.

Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of Rail Agency, commended the continuing success made by the Dubai Metro, seen as one of the major infrastructure and transport projects worldwide, particularly as it managed over the last couple of years to bag a host of global awards such as Cityscape & Gulf Traffic Awards, Best Infrastructure Project Award in the Middle East’s Architectural Contest as well as other awards including the Middle East Railway Projects Award and Mead International Award (about quality in projects category).

“RTA seeks to have itself always branded with excellence through applying the best international practices and pursuing high quality operational mechanism, thus obviously contributing to strengthening employees’ confidence while carrying out the set plans with a blend of innovation and distinction. RTA sets the approach adopted by senior leaderships of the community as a strong basis for the implementation of its plans and vision for excellence and innovation in the quest for meeting the needs, aspirations and requirements of various community segments, whom it believes are instrumental for the success of any realized initiative or project”, Al Hammadi added.

“RTA places the people with special needs as a priority before implementing any project concerned with mass transport whether by using taxis, public buses or metro through establishing firm and clear safety principles regarding the provision of all services and facilities needed by this category when using these transport modes with a view to integrating them, being an essential component, into the community on equal footing with the other community members”, the CEO of the Rail Agency emphasized.

Al Hammadi dedicated this Award to His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, in acknowledgment of his continuing encouragement and unlimited support to the Departments and Agencies to take part in such important competitions which would add yet further successes and allow work to be performed at the highest level of excellence. He also commended the effort made by the concerned team at the Rail Planning and Development Department for participation in the important competitions held for adding further global and local awards to the Metro.

It is noteworthy that the Rail Agency’s Rail Planning and Development Department had taken keen interest over the last period on compiling this analytical study to identify the needs and requirements of people with special needs when using the metro with the aim of epitomizing RTA’s vision of “safe and smooth transport for all”. It was later apparent from the findings that about 87% of the people with special needs were satisfied with the facilities and services available in Dubai Metro.

du Receives HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Patrons Of The Arts Award For A Second Year In A Row

Demonstrating its support and commitment to innovation and creativity in Dubai, du was honoured for a second year in a row with the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards that recognises individuals, businesses, organisations and government entities that have demonstrated financial and in-kind contributions towards the arts in Dubai through sustained support and promotion of artistic activity. His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated presented the ’Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Award’ to Osman Sultan, CEO, du, in the presence of Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du.

du was honoured for its support of ‘Shelter’ in Dubai – a business incubation facility aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship within small businesses, and a centre that promotes arts and culture in the UAE.

“There is no denying that Dubai has a rich and unique creative infrastructure and architecture inspired by some of the best professionals worldwide. As such, we are dedicated to developing the UAE’s various arts sectors and enterprises contributing to making the Emirate a creative hub in the region. Combining initiatives that foster both the Arabic character and international flavour of the city, we continuously support the ambitions of a variety of organisations and individuals who demonstrate creative flair and enthusiasm; our support to Shelter is an effort in this direction.” commented Osman Sultan, CEO, du.

Proud to be a national company, du is dedicated to cultivating and nurturing innovative ideas from creative minds particularly related to the UAE, a philosophy which is premised on the belief that innovation is key to promoting sustainable economic growth in the UAE. As such, du has supported numerous initiatives that encourage the creative talent of UAE nationals, such as its partnership with ’Shelter’, a unique incubation centre which offers young UAE entrepreneurs a platform to further their career by setting up their own entrepreneurial venture, and a centre that promotes the cause of arts and culture in the UAE. Moreover, du also recently signed a partnership agreement supporting the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, helping to nurture creativity and promote awareness of art and creative ingenuity in the UAE.