Dubai Gold And Jewellery Group Holds It 14th Annual General Meeting

Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) has recently (Saturday, May 28, 2011) held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Almas Tower in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. The AGM was hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) and sponsored by Emirates NBD.

During the event, the Group’s annual financial statement was presented and approved. This was followed by the presentation of a detailed report on the last year’s activities. An announcement was also made regarding the appointment of auditors, NR Doshi & Co., which was presented and approved by the members of DGJG.

Speaking on the sidelines of the AGM, Anan Fakhreddin – Chairman of the DGJG and Member of the Board of Directors, said: “Over the past year, the DGJG has been a driver of growth and innovation in the jewellery sector, which has helped to strengthen Dubai’s jewellery trade and promote Dubai as ‘The City of Gold’ and one of the world’s top jewellery destinations. The results outlined during the AGM today show that the Group has overcome the challenges of the global economic downturn to become stronger and more valuable to the sustained growth of this industry. We look forward to organising many more events and initiatives in the coming year.”

Following the closure of the AGM, Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC Authority and Gerhard Schubert, Head of Precious Metals at Emirates NBD, held a strategy meeting with representatives of the DGJG to discuss new growth channels for Dubai’s jewellery industry.

“DMCC is a strategic initiative of the Dubai Government that continues to enhance the flow of trade through the emirate while maintaining and capitalizing on the dynamic commodities market place in the region. Since its inception, DMCC has worked closely with organisations such as the DGJG to create competitive business clusters that maximise opportunities and results,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC Authority. “Dubai still has a lot of unexplored potential in terms of jewellery trade and we look forward to supporting the further development within the gold and jewellery industry.”

Gerhard Schubert, Head of Precious Metals, Emirates NBD, also spoke about the different gold products and services that are boosting investments in gold. “Following the launch of our comprehensive range of specialized gold products and services in late 2010, we are noticing an increased interest in gold as an investment from many different community segments. We will continue to offer attractive options for all people keen to invest in gold, as the demand for gold is continuing to increase on a regular basis.”

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group was formed in 1996, with the support of the Dubai Department of Economic Development. The Group is a trade group for the Dubai jewellery industry with around 600 members, which has evolved into a prestigious trade body committed to developing and sustaining Dubai’s status as the ’City of Gold’ and ’The Jewellery Destination of the World’.
 

Emaar Properties PJSC To Hold 13th Annual General Meeting On March 28, 2011

Emaar Properties PJSC will hold its 13th Annual General Meeting on Monday, March 28, 2011, at 5pm at the Constellation Ballroom of The Address Dubai Marina.

The AGM will discuss and approve the report of the Board of Directors on the activities and financial position of the company and the company’s balance sheet. The AGM will also discuss the appointment of the Auditors for 2011.

In 2010, Emaar recorded a net operating profit of AED 3.034 billion (US$ 826 million), 31 percent higher than the net operating profit of AED 2.324 billion (US$ 633 million) recorded in 2009. Annual revenue for 2010 was AED 12.150 billion (US$ 3.308 billion), 44 percent higher than the 2009 revenues of AED 8.413 billion (US$ 2.29 billion).

The company’s shopping malls & retail and hospitality subsidiaries contributed significantly to the revenues for the year, highlighting the successful creation of recurring revenue streams for Emaar. Approximately 24 percent of the total revenues were from these two business segments with shopping malls & retail revenues of AED 1.9 billion (US$ 517 million), and hospitality revenues of approximately AED 1 billion (US$ 272 million).

Emaar Properties will continue to focus on its strategy of creating prime real estate assets, and strengthening its shopping malls & retail and hospitality & leisure businesses in 2011, which is expected to be a signature year as international operations contribute significantly to the revenue stream.

The developer of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Emaar is the pioneer of master-planned communities in Dubai, and today, has a strong geographic presence in key emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia. Last year, Emaar handed over 3,500 units in the UAE and internationally.
 

Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Opens For General Aviation Operations

Dubai Airports officially opened Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) for general aviation operations today following the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s regulatory approval.

The GCAA granted approval yesterday following a thorough review of safety, security and standard operational procedures and airport inspections. The UAE’s aviation regulator also authorised issuance of an amended aerodrome certificate for helicopter operations and passenger aircraft operations with up to 60 persons on board including passengers and crew. Dubai World Central- Al Maktoum International initially opened for cargo operations in June of last year.

"This is a significant development for Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, which we foresee as developing into a major regional hub for general aviation in the years to come," said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports. "Our new airport is an increasingly appealing option for general aviation companies in the region particularly as air traffic volumes increase at Dubai International." Al Futtaim Services Company, in a joint venture with a leading business jet operator in Europe, will provide a wide range of general aviation services at Dubai’s new airport as the launch customer. Al Futtaim operates a fleet of varied aircraft including Airbus A319 Corporate Jets and Bombardier Global Express. Of its fleet of 12 aircraft, four will initially be put into an operation featuring one daily flight with the frequency increasing in the months ahead. The launch date has yet to be finalised.

General aviation forms a significant part of Dubai Airports’ business with 22,500 movements recorded at Dubai International in 2010. The launch of services at DWC will lead to a gradual transitioning of General Aviation operations to the new airport. Dubai Airports projects 25 to 40 movements per day at DWC by the end of 2011.

 

Retailers Bask In Impressive Footfall Figures Positive Outlook At Retailer Annual General Meeting

Mall of the Emirates, a landmark development within the MAF Properties portfolio and Dubai’s ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort, recently hosted its Retailers Annual General Meeting (RAGM) in front of a near capacity crowd of retailers. Here, Mall of the Emirates Vice President Fuad Mansoor Sharaf provided retailers with an overview of 2010, in addition to the mall’s 2011 strategic plans.

A priority for any international mall is to intrinsically understand the changing needs of its customers. With this, Mall of the Emirates unveiled its extensive research to retailers gathered from the previous year. It was confirmed that research findings, such as the increase in traffic from Russian and Far Eastern tourists, lead to the proposal of more luxury fashion offerings, and thus lead to the development of the long-anticipated Fashion Dome. And, since September 2010 when the Fashion Dome opened it has become an influential factor when fashion-savvy residents and tourists alike visit the mall.

With the Fashion Dome now bringing the mall’s luxury offering to more than 60 stores, which includes internationally-recognized brands such as Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Cartier and Boutique 1, the compelling family leisure offerings with Magic Planet, a 14-screen multiplex cinema, Ski Dubai five star hotels as Kempinski Hotel and The Pullman Dubai Hotel it is no surprise Mall of the Emirates finished the year with a total footfall in excess of 31 million.

To mark the mall’s success for 2010, and as acknowledgment for all of the retailers’ hard work and efforts throughout the year, 14 awards based on sales performance, operational compliance and standards of customer service concluded the presentation.

Fashion honours went to Tommy Hilfiger & Salvatore Ferragamo who were named Best Large Fashion Store & Best Small Fashion Store whilst Centrepoint and Zara won for Best Anchor Store and Best Flagship Store respectively. Other winners were Yateem Optician, United Pharmacy, Paul Café, Jumbo Electronics, Samsonite, Tod’s & Rolex in various categories.

Closing out the ceremony with a Customer Choice Award was Carrefour and Retailer of the Year Award top honours going to Home Centre.
 

Tamweel General Assembly Meeting Held

Tamweel PJSC, the UAE Islamic home finance provider, announced today that its General Assembly Meeting was held on 22 March 2011.

The assembly reviewed and discussed the Directors’ report, Auditors’ report and the report of the Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board.

Abdulla AlHamli, Chairman of Tamweel PJSC, said: “2010 was a positive year for Tamweel. We managed to record profits in very challenging times, and witnessed Dubai Islamic Bank increase its stake in Tamweel, demonstrating the Bank’s confidence in the Company’s successful business model. Tamweel is here to serve the needs of the home finance market and 2011 will Insh’Allah be another successful year for us”.

Varun Sood, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tamweel, said: “2011 is an important year for us and we have set some challenging objectives for ourselves. Our main focus is to continue providing exceptional customer service, launch innovative products and services, and book a high quality portfolio”.

Tamweel recently reported a net profit of AED 26 million for 2010, a turnaround from its financial performance in the previous year, when the company reported a net loss of AED 54.4 million.

For further information regarding home finance solutions from Tamweel, customers may visit the company’s branches at Business Avenue building in Deira, Dubai, and at the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. Customers may also contact the company by calling its call center on 800-TAMWEEL (8269335) or via its website: www.tamweel.ae
 

Khalid Al Kamda, Director General Of Community Development Authority In Dubai

Dubai hosting the 59th Congress and Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) 2011 held this month bears a distinguished reference to its regional and global position as a leading organizer and host of grand international events.

This unique event materializes the strenuous efforts exerted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai in order to realize its vision of “safe and smooth transport for all” and turn it into a tangible reality. During the past few years, RTA has greatly contributed to empowering Dubai as a venue with a world-class infrastructure that paved the way to attract many investments, capitals, leading brands and international companies due to its high ability to absorb and accommodate giant investment projects.

The UITP Congress 2011 is considered to be an ideal platform to enrich and feature discussions on the major components relevant to mass transport. It also creates an opportunity for interactions and get-togethers with an elite panel of experts and specialists in this field paving the way for Dubai to become a major platform where crucial decisions can be taken and future trends can be set out for this vital sector with global participation.

Being concerned with developing the various components of community infrastructure for Dubai, including community protection, empowerment, social consistence and consolidation of national identity, the Community Development Authority in Dubai looks forward to yet further contribution by cooperating with RTA during its hosting of this Congress. Through such contribution, we are guided by the directives of our wise leaders who have always stressed the importance of bolstering communication between the various local and federal government establishments along the way to make further achievements, deliver the desirable messages and visions and work towards the progress of Dubai and the UAE.

The Community Development Authority believes that it is necessary to integrate the activities of all local foundations and authorities in Dubai as they have closely tied common objectives with their ultimate goal being to achieve comprehensive development.

The Community Development Authority of the Government of Dubai is in charge of regulating and developing frameworks for community development in the Emirate in order to achieve the objectives of Dubai’s Strategic Plan 2015 announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in February 2007. The Authority supervises institutions of policies, regulations and standards that are essential for the entities providing social services. It is also in charge of ensuring social integration, establishing and managing an integrated social system to enable all residents of Dubai to positively contribute in promoting various development sectors as well as securing homogeneity among all community members through the establishment of a social structure hinged on the principle of accepting and respecting others as well as the concept of receptiveness of other cultures.

The Authority has made great strides since its inception in all social fields by organizing and implementing objective social activities, services and programs, providing family counseling and guidance and highlighting the UAE identity, Arabic language, and social cohesion, activation of volunteers’ registration and a training system in partnership with other community stakeholders.

The Authority devotes special attention to specific community segments in terms of providing them with appropriate services, including people with special needs, senior citizens, and residents of punitive and corrective institutions. It seeks to build an ideal society based on the principles of peace, justice, fairness and sustainable development.

Among the major achievements made by the Authority is the introduction of the El Kayt Program in 2010 which aims at integrating this community segment into the society and empowering them by finding them suitable jobs that are commensurate their qualifications and capabilities as well as to providing them with appropriate training, thus qualifying them to take up jobs and perform their duties and responsibilities conscientiously.

The Community Development Authority in Dubai last year opened Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre which is a fabulous facility meant for early intervention and the first of its kind in the Middle East and third in the world in terms of methodology and type of services. The Centre provides comprehensive family-based holistic evaluation and intervention services and has a working team operating within a system involving various specialized fields for children (from birth up to 6 years) and children with disabilities or who are vulnerable to growth retardation at subsequent stages of their lives as well as community and family support services.

 

Korean Consul General Visits Emirates Post

The Consul General of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Park Kyu-Ock, visited Emirates Post head office to convey his appreciation over the issuing of postage stamps on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Republic of Korea.

He was welcomed by Mr. Ibrahim Bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Post.

The two discussed various issues of mutual interest, including the practice of issuing new stamps and the role of stamps in highlighting nations’ cultures and promoting commercial, cultural and tourism opportunities.

The Consul General said the Korean people were showing keen interest in the UAE’s culture and trade. He hoped that the relations would grow further for the benefit of both countries.

The special stamps were issued in two denominations: AED 1 and AED 550 Fils. The UAE and the Republic of Korea established bilateral relations in 1980. The diplomatic ties are still progressing at all levels through common initiatives in regional and international forums.
 

The Address Dubai Mall Appoints Thomas Norberg As General Manager

Emaar Hospitality Group’s five star premium hotel brand, The Address Hotels + Resorts, has appointed Mr Thomas Norberg as the General Manager of The Address Dubai Mall.

An experienced hospitality professional, Mr Norberg will be responsible for further strengthening the hotel’s brand attributes in line with the philosophy of The Address Hotels + Resorts to ensure tangible benefits for guests.

Mr Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “The Address Dubai Mall redefines hospitality standards with its unique location, attached to the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and focus on customer service. Thomas is a hospitality veteran with international experience, and will bring to the hotel new benchmarks in quality, service and excellence.”

Mr Norberg said: “The Address Dubai Mall is an outstanding property set amidst the chic and vibrant Downtown Dubai community. Its direct link with The Dubai Mall makes it an unparalleled hospitality and shopping location for the discerning travellers. We will further focus our energies on establishing the hotel as a preferred venue for leisure and business guests, offering them value added experiences.”

Throughout his career Thomas has held various senior management positions with renowned hospitality brands, this includes: New York’s ‘The Plaza Hotel’ and the Ritz Carlton, in addition to managing the transition of four resort properties as the Director of Operations for the Fairmont East Africa. With over 20 years of solid hospitality experience, Thomas has a proven track record in enhancing the overall guest experience and achieving optimum financial results

Thomas, an American National, has chosen to settle in Dubai, having worked with the finest luxury brands across the globe. He sees the city as an exciting venture and believes Dubai offers a unique lifestyle, diverse experiences and a professional work culture.

Other hotels in The Address Hotels + Resorts portfolio include The Address Downtown Dubai, The Palace – The Old Town, The Address Montgomerie Dubai and The Address Dubai Marina.
 

Director General Of Dubai Health Authority Opens Vision-X Dubai

Vision-X Dubai was inaugurated this morning (Tuesday) by H.E. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, with the global optical industry looking to the specialist industry exhibition as the gateway to the burgeoning Middle Eastern markets.

Trade visitors from throughout the Middle East, the Levant and North Africa attended the opening day of the three-day exhibition being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), where more than 220 companies and brands from 20 countries are participating.

“The support of the Dubai Health Authority reflects the importance that Vision-X Dubai holds for the opthalmic industry, and we are delighted that H.E. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, the Director General of the Dubai Health Authority agreed to perform the honour of opening the exhibition today,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organiser of Vision-X Dubai. “From climatic, geographic and economic perspectives the Middle East region is a key market for both the medical and consumer retail sectors of the industry. Vision-X Dubai plays a pivotal role in facilitating business deals, knowledge sharing and showcasing the cutting edge technologies being developed globally.”

Running until 20 May 2010, Vision-X Dubai comprises two sub-divisions: Vision-Lifestyle, which focuses on the latest fashion and consumer products being launched, and Vision-Opticare, which includes the latest technological advances, breakthroughs and innovations in the medical field of opthalmology. Country specific representation from France, Italy and Germany will showcase the best in leading European expertise and design, while debut participation at this year’s show includes Syria and Iran.

Running concurrently with Vision-Lifestyle and Vision-Opticare is the annual Vision-X Dubai Conference, co-organised by DWTC and the Emirates Medical Association Ophthalmic Society (EMAOS). The conference takes place on Thursday, 20 May 2010. An internationally recognised conference that enables delegates to earn accreditation with a Certificate of Continuing Medical Education, the focus this year is on corneal and refractive surgery and advancements in related technology. An additional symposium will provide video access to complex eye surgery procedures. Professionals can register for the conference during the show.

The event is also hosting a joint workshop with Nikon and Maui Jim offering practical insights in successful premium retail strategies and a session on the development of lens technology over the past decade facilitated by Egma Lens Factory.

Vision-X Dubai will be held in Sheikh Saeed Halls 2 & 3 at DICEC from 18 – 20 May 2010.

For more information please visit www.vision-x.ae.
 

AUD Students Meet With US Consul General In Dubai

In line with its mission to further foster intercultural understanding among the students at The American University in Dubai (AUD), the External Relations Office at AUD and the U.S. Consul General’s Office in Dubai organized an exclusive meeting for exchange and study abroad students visiting AUD from various top universities in the United States. U.S. Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Mr. Justin Siberell met the students and enjoyed a roundtable discussion with them, one which led the group of American students to better understand the Middle East, its society and cultural diversity.

The U.S. Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and The American University in Dubai frequently join hands to host events which contribute toward bridging the gap between the Arab world and the United States, creating an enriching and an unforgettable experience for AUD students.

U.S. Consul General Mr. Justin Siberell congratulated the students for taking part in an exchange program that provided them a first-person understanding of the issues and people of the region, and urged them to maintain an interest in this vital part of the world and to continue working towards improved understanding between the people of the United States and the UAE.

He told the students:
“You have the opportunity to teach others what you have learned here, in particular the remarkable story of growth, openness and opportunity that has made Dubai such an important location in the global economy.”

The AUD study Aboard students, including Philip Apaza of AUD; Sarah Ohnemus – University of the Incarnate Word; Sarah Young – Florida International University; Alexandra Rehn – Miami University of Ohio; Andrea Rehkamp – Northern Kentucky University; Mallory Cooper – the University at Albany – NY; Grace Benton – the University of Alabama – Birmingham; Samarth Bhaskar – the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign; Anthony Raschke – Northern Arizona University, inquired on the relationship between the U.S. and U.A.E. governments, the various aspects of the political regime and foreign diplomacy field of the U.S., and elaborated further on the humanitarian contributions and achievement of the U.S. worldwide.

AUD has a strong study abroad program and aims to become a leading destination for students seeking a semester abroad experience in the Middle East. “We hope to be able to help in fulfilling their academic requirements, engage them in open dialogues and exchange of ideas while impacting their world views”, comments Ms. Peggy Awad, External Relations Manager at AUD.