du improves its presence at Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah

In a move to provide easier access to du’s portfolio of products and services to customers in Ras Al Khaimah, du, the UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, today announced the expansion of the size of its kiosk at Manar Mall, a prominent shopping destination in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, to almost double. Local dignitary Sheikh Mohammed Bin Kayed Al Qassimi, Vice Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Department, Board Member of the Union University and President of the Ras Al Khaimah Club presided over the opening of the expanded kiosk, along with representatives from du’s senior management.

The du kiosk at Manar Mall is conveniently located on ground floor and will sell du Pay as you Go® SIM cards, Elite Plan lines, WoW recharge cards, du Call Select (fixed line service), as well as provide bill payment services for both individual and business customers.

Farid Faraidooni, EVP Commercial, du, said: “The expanded du kiosk at Manar Mall will open new doors for our customers in Ras Al Khaimah, by providing easier access to our products and services. It demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our presence around the UAE, by being a visible force in a wide variety of locations, to facilitate service convenience for all of our customers.”

du’s wide range of products and services for individual and business customers are available through du’s retail network, currently numbering 31 du shops and kiosks, located in strategic locations across the UAE. Customers can also purchase du’s products and services at more than 3000 authorised dealers or online at its e-shop www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html

Mall Of The Emirates Records Sales Of AED 7.7 Billion In 2008 And Expects Significant Footfall During DSS 2009

Shopping promotions and exciting events at the Mall of the Emirates during Dubai Summer Surprises have been instrumental in attracting visitors to the mall during summer, and this has reflected positively on retail sales and the overall visitor turnout, according to Fuad Mansour Sharaf, Vice President of Mall of the Emirates.

Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort is a member of the Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Group – a key sponsor of DSS 2009.

Sharaf noted that Mall of the Emirates had logged tremendous growth rates since its launch in 2006. ’In 2008, we achieved AED 7.7 billion worth of sales, an indication substantial evidence of the pioneering retail position now boasted by the Mall.”

He also outlined the mall’s plans for DSS and stressed that DSS was key to the growth of retail business during the summer. “Most of the summer activities in the emirate are organized in malls during the summer and therefore, shopping malls are more than keen to have a strong presence in the summer extravaganza. For us at MAF, the event is of a paramount importance to our business and we are ensuring to make the best use of it.”

Mall of the Emirates was the venue for the opening ceremony of DSS 2009 and witnessed a massive response with over 100,000 mall-goers on the day. Fuad said that the selection of the mall for an important event such as the opening was enough indication of the confidence that DSS officials had in the mall’s ability to host such an event.

Elaborating on the promotions being organized this DSS at the Mall, Fuad said, “This year, Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre are coming together for the first time ever in a joint promotion to give visitors the chance to win prizes worth AED 2 million this summer. The massive campaign sees both malls give two winners AED 100,000 each every week with the amount doubling up in the last draw by the end of DSS. The joint initiative means shoppers can now spend the AED 300 needed to enter the draw at any of the 800 stores in the two malls.”

While stressing that the AED 7.7 billion sales figure for 2008 was an achievement by itself, Fuad said “In DSS 2009, we expect the sales to be almost the same of 2008, a year which witnessed a 30 per cent increase in sales over the previous year 2007. A huge footfall of 6 million visitors came to the Mall during the DSS 2008 and we expect the same number during this edition.”

He also threw light on the nationalities of the visitors at the mall. “Usually tourists coming from the GCC countries to Dubai during the DSS are the largest in number in comparison with other nationalities. During the first days of this edition we’ve noticed that a large chunk of those visiting the Mall are locals and expatriates living in the country along with a reasonable number of GCC nationals and Europeans. We expect an increase in the footfall over the coming period, especially among those coming from Saudi Arabia.”

In an indication that Mall of the Emirates was poised for an expansion, Fuad said that they were embarking on an ambitious expansion project under which up to 40 new stores offering international assortments of global brands would be ready by the fourth quarter of 2010. This move, he added, would bring the number of operating stores at the Mall to 511, and effectively provide 233,000 square metres of Gross Leasable Area for retailers and other service providers.

On a closing note, Fuad said that new malls would only strengthen Dubai’s retail sector and add to Dubai’s position as a top-notch global shopping destination. Competition, he added, would play a vital role in protecting consumer interest and vitalizing the country’s economy.

Lifestyle Presents The ’Unleash The Designer In You!’ Contest

The tween to teen years being a time of fun and fantasy will always be something special. This Summer Lifestyle the veritable retail haven gives the youth an opportunity to unleash their creative flair and design their own school essentials.

Get ready and head towards a Lifestyle store armed with super cool creativity from the 23rd June – 18th July where surprises await you! On an A3 sized paper, design your own school bag, lunch box and pencil case, attach your contact details and RUSH to a select Lifestyle store in your Emirate. That’s not all; if your design happens to be one of the best, then you win yourself a school bag, lunch box and pencil case with your design on it to flaunt!

General Manager, Lifestyle- Mark Bowland said, “With schools closing for summer holidays, children are enthusiastic. We see this as the best time to let them have fun. Children bustle with creative energy which is never tapped in its entirety, so we came up with this innovative concept to give them an opportunity to own their piece of art and flaunt it with pride.”

Submission of entries can be given at the following outlets:
Oasis Centre, Dubai
Breakwaters, Abu Dhabi
Bawadi Mall, Al Ain
Sharjah City Centre, Sharjah
Ajman City Centre, Ajman
Dana Plaza – Fujeirah
Bin Daher Center, Ras Al Khaimah

RWI Anticipates High Demand For Rubber Products Amidst Construction Of 640 Projects In UAE

Rubber World Industries (RWI), the leading manufacturer of closed-cell rubber insulation ’Gulf-O-flex’ in the Gulf and South-East Asia, and part of the international business conglomerate, the Memon Group of Companies, is anticipating high demand for rubber insulation products, amidst the ongoing construction of a total of 640 development projects in the UAE, according to REIDIN.com. In line with this, the company is strengthening its efforts to achieve its goal of producing 1,800 containers per year – 600 containers more than its present capacity – to sufficiently address the Emirate’s need for rubber insulation products.

RWI maintains a positive outlook on the rubber insulation market in the UAE, given the projected increase in the number of completed construction projects, which is slated to reach 205 by the end of the first half of 2009. The company also revealed that its products have been used in some of the 135 projects, which were completed in the first quarter of 2009. As the leading source of high quality rubber insulation products across the country and the region, RWI has been involved with the construction of highly prestigious projects such as ‘The Villa’, ‘Motor City’, ‘Traders Hotel’, ‘Horizon Tower’ and ‘Green Community West Villas and Apartments’.

“The UAE construction market has exhibited its resilience in the midst of the economic crisis with a projected completion of over 200 developments merely six months into 2009, and thereby dramatically surpassing the record set in 2008,” said Abu Baker Shaikhani, Managing Director, Rubber World Industries, and Chairman of the Memon Group. “The strength exhibited by the market continues to inspire and motivate us to innovate and develop our current product portfolio, and we are looking forward to delivering our leading-edge and environment-friendly products to more projects in the UAE.”

RWI has delivered high quality products to major property developments by real estate leaders in the UAE. As the only producer of rubber insulation in the Middle East region, the company is the premier source of a versatile range of rubber insulation products that meet the requirements in the oil and gas fields, construction, shipping and automobile industries. The company delivers its products to more than 90 countries, including the US, Germany, Russia, Canada and Singapore.

Dubai Customs Receives Middle East Award Of Global Competitiveness

Dubai Customs has received the Middle East Award of Global Competitiveness for government and economic organizations. The Award is annually presented by the Middle East Excellence Award Institute and aims to further the concepts of Quality and Excellence through the quality of services offered to clients.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Juma Al Maktoum, Head of UAE Billiards and Snooker Federation handed the Award to Mr. Yousif Al Sahlawi, Executive Director of the Legislations and Policies Division at Dubai Customs during a ceremony held yesterday Monday, June 16th,2009 at Burj Al Arab Hotel and on the sidelines of the 3rd UAE 2015 Government Organizations and Leaders Global Competitiveness Strategy Conference.

Mr. Al Sahlawi expressed Dubai Customs appreciation for the Middle East Excellence Award Institute for organizing such an event. He also stated that Dubai Customs takes pride in this Award that urges the Department to pursue more progress by obtaining competitive quality services for its clients and partners locally, regionally and internationally.

He stated that:" Dubai Customs is currently implementing a five-year plan for 2007-2011, whose pillars are economic and social development for the Emirate of Dubai, fostering clients’ satisfaction, adopting best work practices as well as providing the best human resources".

"Dubai Customs celebrates a prosperous place in regards to global competitiveness among customs entities worldwide. It also had a leading role in implementing electronic systems for completing customs clearances. The systems are very instrumental in saving time and effort and are now functioning with 100% efficiency", he added.

Moreover, Mr. Al Sahlawi said:" Reinforcing its presence in the field of global competitiveness, the Department is constantly developing electronic services that have now reached over 80 services in total. Dubai Customs always seeks to implement the best international customs practices in order to meet the Department’s strategic objectives".

RTA & Knowledge & Human Development Authority Clarify School Transport Regulations

Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) held a meeting with Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) to shed more light on the respective roles of the two bodies in implementing School Transport Law in the emirate of Dubai.

The meeting, which held at the premises of KHDA, was attended by Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency and Fatma Al Marri, CEO of KHDA Schools Agency, in addition to the Director of Planning & Business Development Dep’t at RTA Public Transport Agency Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashimi, and several section managers from both parties.

Al Dossari hailed the role played by KHDA in providing every support to the educational sector in Dubai and upgrading it to catch up with the massive development witnessed by the emirate fueled by the extensive urban and service projects currently underway in the emirate.

“When RTA published School Transport Regulations Manual” in collaboration with KHDA, our intention was to realign the conduct of this vital sector; which affects the lives of school students of varying age groups through introduction of the best practices applicable in this regard worldwide” said Al Dossari.

Commenting on the practice of some schools and school transport companies which exploited the issuance of school transport regulations to raise school transport fees, Al Dossari explained: “The amount that needs to be allocated by a school or school transport company to upgrade the level of a school bus to meet the requirements of the Decision ranges from 8,000 to 15,000 dirham, depending on the size and condition of the bus. This amount is a one-time investment to be made by the school, if it owns the school bus, or by school transport companies.

“Schools and school transport companies must not exploit school transport regulations to make individual financial gains as the amount required to modify the bus to bring it in line with the specifications set by the RTA is not hefty, and it would be reasonable if the fee increase per student was assessed in the range of 250-500 dirham maximum and for one time only. We urge KHDA to play a more active role in controlling such practices on the part of schools or school transport companies as it is the competent regulatory authority of education sector in the emirate of Dubai” added Al Dossari.

For her part Fatma Al Marri, CEO of KHDA Schools Agency, praised the efforts made by RTA in regulating school transport and training school bus drivers & issuing them with “school transport bus driving permits” to enhance the required integration of this sector.

“We, at KHDA, are making our level best to prop-up the efforts of RTA in implementing School Transport Regulations in the emirate of Dubai as it provides crucial support to the educational drive towards realizing its academic & social objectives and helping students succeed in their studies” continued Fatma.

It is worth-mentioning that Public Transport Agency had already announced School Transport Regulations Manual in the emirate of Dubai in a press conference held in association with KHDA in August 2008. The Manual is a binding law to schools and school transport companies which have to implement the required technical specifications, and the rule was endorsed by Dubai Executive Council.

Municipality Praises DP World, UAE Region for Contributions to Dubai’s Development Goals

The Dubai Municipality recently commended DP World, UAE region for its significant and long-term contribution to Dubai’s development goals:  “Through the active alignment of its growth trajectory with Dubai’s growth requirements, DP World has been a model for all Dubai companies,” said Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director of the Dubai Municipality.Eng. Lootah spoke at Jebel Ali terminal during a meeting between Municipality officials and DP World executives, headed by Mr. Mohammed Al Muallem, SVP and Managing Director, UAE Region.  The goal of the talks was to investigate additional avenues for policy coordination.Mohammed Al Muallem, SVP and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “DP World is always ready to cooperate with Dubai Municipality. We are jointly responsible to the community and seek ways to contribute to the qualitative development of Dubai.  Such meetings are an excellent opportunity to share information and deepen coordination.  As always, we appreciate Dubai Municipality’s strong support.”Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General, Dubai Municipality, said: “DP World is doing a commendable job in integrating its development projects with the needs of this emirate.  Dubai Municipality is committed to the welfare of the people and we deeply value our close relations with DP World, UAE Region and the common interests that bind us.”

Emirates Launches Unbeatable Family Friendly Holiday Offer in Time for Dubai Summer Surprises

Coinciding with their participation in Dubai Summer Surprises as a key sponsor for the twelfth edition of the summer extravaganza this year, Emirates has recently launched the ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion offering families from across the globe an incredible saving when they visit Dubai with Emirates. The promotion will run up to 20th September, 2009. The promotion, which has been developed to further attract international visitors to Dubai across DSS, will see one child under the age of 16 years fly free and up to a maximum of two children stay, eat and play in Dubai for free when travelling with two paying adults; once again proving that Dubai is the ultimate family friendly holiday destination.
 
Collaborating with some of the emirate’s most impressive attractions this one-of-a-kind offer will provide families with the opportunity to take an exciting break, in a unique destination, without breaking the bank.
 
“Dubai Summer Surprises is an important event in Dubai’s calendar. Each year the festival attracts thousands of international visitors into Dubai to shop, explore and be entertained in the emirate. This year, Emirates has launched an innovative and competitive promotion called Kids Go Free, that we believe will further push travel to Dubai, said Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran Emirates.
 
“The Kids Go Free offer allows families from across the globe to take a well deserved break, in an exciting destination, without the financial strain an international holiday can bring. Knowing that their child will travel, stay, eat and play for free takes a huge degree of financial pressure off the family budget. We hope that this enticing offer from Emirates will enable more families to experience Dubai Summer Surprises and have their annual holiday in this exciting destination.”
 
The Kids Go Free promotion is applicable for passengers travelling with Emirates to Dubai from select destinations around the world and includes Meet and Assist at Dubai International Airport.
 
A total of 33 hotels in Dubai are participating in the promotion with a hotel to suit every family’s budget and preference, from a six star luxury hotel to serviced apartments. In addition to free flights, accommodation and meals children will also have free entry to a wide range of Dubai’s most interesting children’s attractions, ensuring an action packed family vacation. Some of these exciting and complimentary activities include;
 
• Wild Wadi Water Park, including a medium meal
• The Lost Chambers at Atlantis The Palm Dubai
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall
• Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
• Sega Republic Indoor Theme Park in Dubai Mall (opening June 2009)
• Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates
• Bowling at Magic Planet in the Mall of the Emirates
• Round of golf and access to the driving range at The Montgomerie Dubai
 
The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest, will also provide each family with some incredible discounts to be utilised within the mall, helping families save even more money and make good use of the recently announced increase to Emirates’ free baggage allowance.
 
For further details and full terms and conditions please contact your local Emirates office.

Real Estate Prices attract Investors in Dubai; Esbaitah: Dubai promises new boom in investments soon

Many real estate developers today are seeing glimpses of hope through the global financial crisis, as the real estate players that exist in the market today are the real players who knew how to manage their businesses in a time of crisis and made the right decisions to protect their investments from dissolving.Despite being a growing market, the property market in Dubai has suffered a lot from the recent economic climate, after achieving unprecedented growth levels regarding supply and demand, as well as high rent prices. Today, property prices are at their lowest levels, but Dubai is garnering the attention of numerous local and foreign investors who are looking to benefit from the decline in prices, the high quality of properties in the emirate, and its sound legislation and infrastructure.Speaking on the subject, Eng. Khalid Esbaitah, CEO and Managing Director of Al Mazaya Holding, said, "There are a number of factors that any developer considers when embarking on an investment in any region in the world, and perhaps the estimated revenues of particular investments is what drives investors to go forward with the investment or to draw back from it. However, market movement, plot prices, infrastructure and legislation frameworks are the main factors for the success or failure of an investment. Bearing this in mind, we can see that the market in Dubai has all the right factors to become a sought-after investment destination, and that it is preparing for a new and organized economic leap that will compensate for the slowdown period"."With large investments and top-notch projects, Dubai really has all the right elements to rejuvenate investment and attract both local and foreign investors. The correction being experienced by the Dubai markets is a natural thing, and it presents a golden opportunity for investors who know how to make the best use of it. As such, Dubai’s market today is really a place for investors," Esbaitah added.He went on to say that right now property prices in Dubai are at their lowest-ever levels, and that they may continue to decline over the summer period, but in a much less remarkable manner that over the past nine months. Therefore, the current period could be the perfect time for investment, because Dubai markets are moving towards stability, and prices are expected to rise again after suffering from a fairly long period of decline.Esbaitah noted that studies conducted by Al Mazaya Holding indicate that current economic conditions present long-term opportunities for real estate investors, especially with the many alternatives that are available to the investor, such as the quality and location of plots and Dubai’s ability to recover from the financial crisis more quickly than any other market in the world."We expect real estate activity to return to Dubai after the summer period, as investors are studying their investment options during this period to start their businesses after the summer holidays. Therefore, Q4 of 2009 will a promising period, as it will witness the return of real estate activities," he said.Esbaitah concluded by saying that his company is conducting a number of studies into the best way to take advantage of the current economic situation. Al Mazaya is also studying a number of investment opportunities, taking into consideration the right time and place to embark on an investment. The company is also preparing to implement a number of investment strategies and plans that will make use of the investment opportunities currently available in the Dubai property market. 

Dubai’s Economy Is Undergoing A Structural Shift Toward Long Term Sustainability, Says HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman

The composition of Dubai’s economy will undergo a structural shift over the next few years toward sustainable long term sectors such as transportation, healthcare, education, tourism and financial services, HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), told members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday.“This shift in the relative importance of various sectors of the economy is, in fact, a central component of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, but it’s happening more quickly than envisioned by the plan, largely due to the impact of the global crisis,” said Bin Sulaiman during the Dubai Chamber’s quarterly Business Breakfast, its second of 2009. “Additionally, because many of these sectors impact residents’ quality of life, the shift currently underway will further enhance Dubai as a place to live, especially alongside the government’s continued support of culture and the arts,” Bin Sulaiman told the participants. At the same time, high-growth industries such as real estate will continue to be integral to the make-up of Dubai’s economy, he said. The networking event is part of the Dubai Chamber’s active support and promotion of the interests of the emirate’s business community, as well as the Dubai Government’s policy of dialogue and engagement with the private sector. “This event aims at facilitating direct communication between public and private sectors where our members are presented with an opportunity to put forward issues and challenges that they face before the concerned officials.” Stated HE Hamad Buamim, Director General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, during his presentation on the latest developments witnessed by Dubai business community. Buamim stated that Dubai’s Economy is witnessing the first signs of recovery and investors are showing more confidence. “According to the latest findings and figures profit rates in the banking sector has only dropped by 4%, while assets increased by 2%. Passenger traffic recorded by Dubai International Airport increased by 6.5% in April, and it is expected that this number reaches 10% in 2009, in a strong indication that Dubai is still a favored business and tourist destination, and it is ranked as the top FDI destination city in the World by the FT report” stated Buamim, while highlighting other equally significant growth rates recorded by the tourism and hospitality industry, electricity and water demand, in addition to Dubai’s recent population growth by 8%.  “Despite the crises Dubai’s current exports are still growing in comparison with the exports of 2007, since 2008 was an exceptional year of growth and 2007 is the norm and we still expect to see more growth” he concluded During his keynote speech HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman added: “We are blessed to be living in an open and flexible market economy that allows us to adjust quickly in the face of rapidly changing global conditions. As a result, we soon will begin to see signs of a mature economy taking shape in Dubai and the UAE.” Despite these shifts, trade will remain a significant contributor to the emirate’s GDP, especially given the substantial investment in Dubai’s transport and logistics infrastructure and the more than 200 destinations served by its seaports and airports. And while acknowledging that this economic shift comes with pain to some companies and employees, he said the issue is more about a shift in the mix of jobs, rather than a decline in employment. “While there has been a loss of jobs in real estate and related sectors for example, positions are opening up in healthcare, education, hospitality, financial services and trade.” Examples of this include Emaar who recently announced the creation of 10,000 jobs in Dubai Mall as well as its hospitality and entertainment divisions, the more than 2,000 new employees that will be hired by Dubai Metro by the time it opens in September, and the thousands of healthcare workers who will be employed by clinics and hospitals opening in Dubai Healthcare City and elsewhere in the emirate. With regard to the financial services sector, Bin Sulaiman said company applications to DIFC’s regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, are running higher in 2009 to date than over the same period in 2008. “This means that the DIFC will continue to be a major driver of growth in the number of high-end professionals working in Dubai, both today and in the future. For example, at the end of 2008, there were more than 14,000 of these professionals working at the DIFC, a number set to grow to 60,000 by the time the DIFC is completely built,” Bin Sulaiman said. Among the many steps the government is taking in its primary role as infrastructure provider and business enabler is support of the skilled workers already here in Dubai, through flexibility regarding visas of those who have lost their jobs. Moreover, the Dubai Government is working on creating a fund to support Dubai-based entrepreneurs who are running small- and medium-sized businesses, an initiative led by the Dubai Department of Economic Development.