RTAs Licensing Agency Team presents Priorities Management book

Sponsored Link

The Readers Club Initiative Team at Licensing Agency of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently made a special presentation of “Priorities Management” book with the aim of educating all RTA employees on several approaches to be adopted in their daily life routines in a bid to help them surmount difficulties encountered. The presentation was made at RTA Auditorium in the presence of the CEO of Licensing Agency Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector Yousef Al Rida, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, and Director of Human Resources & Development Kawther Kazim.

The work team; which comprised 5 employees from Licensing Agency headed by Noora Siddique, made a creative presentation of the Book in an exciting & excellent style, particularly noting that the concept under review (Priorities Management) required brain storming sessions from the team members in order to identify several key aspects and diverse approaches to make the presentation so unique from the traditional presentation patterns in an effort to communicate the contents of the Book in a smooth manner to the audience.

The five participants reviewed the summary of Priorities Management book in several ways including a graphical representation to deliver the gist of the contents highlighting the importance of resetting priorities of our daily life along with the need of striking a balance in all aspects of life, and promoting the instinctive feeling of every individual of the ability to confront difficulties & work out root solutions to major problems & crises. Certain booklets were distributed to employees containing concise important data of the basic book along with practical & theoretical demonstrations to deliver the information in a faster manner.

It is worth-mentioning that Readers Club Initiative was launched by the RTA to diffuse the knowledge culture among employees through establishing 8 teams representing all RTA sectors & agencies. Each team, along with its affiliated members, is given a different book to be presented to all RTA employees in a way communicating the gist of it and identifying the potential benefits that can be reaped by each employee in his or her daily life. During the presentation process, each team will be subject to an assessment by a committee such that RTA will reward the best three teams that manage to communicate the contents of the respective book in an innovative and distinctive manner.

Emaar Community Management Wins ISO 9001: 2008 Certification For Quality Management

Emaar Community Management, a subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, has been certified to ISO 9001: 2008 certification for its quality management system, underscoring its adherence to best practices in community management.

With the recognition, Emaar Community Management becomes the first community and association management company in the region to be certified to the quality certification. The certification covers all departments of the company dealing with community and association management services including administrative, technical, and customer service operations.

Ahmad Al Falasi – Executive Director and Jeevan J D’Mello – Senior Director of Emaar Community Management received the certification from Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.

Mr Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Properties, said: “Community and association management is a key evolutionary stage in the growth of a property developer. Emaar pioneered the concept of integrated master-planned communities in Dubai, and now, our Community Management Company has been certified to the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification highlighting the best practices we follow at our fully established neighbourhoods, thus adding to the quality of life of our residents.”

He added: “With the property sector of Dubai moving to the next level through the inception of Owners Associations, the role of Community/Association Management Companies are becoming increasingly significant. The quality certification for Emaar ensures that our customers can access services that are certified to international standards.”

Emaar Community Management had earlier been licensed by the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) to offer management services for the proposed Owners Associations. The company already manages various aspects of the different established lifestyle neighbourhoods of the company with a portfolio of over 150 buildings and 12,000 villas in master communities including Downtown Dubai, Arabian Ranches, Emirates Living and Dubai Marina, as well as the commercial properties.

Recently Emaar Community Management has won contracts to manage non-Emaar developed communities, thus bringing their expertise to other developments in the region. As part of its services ECM routinely conducts in-house audits on all areas of community operation to enhance quality standards, and works in collaboration with owners associations.

Many of Emaar’s Association Management personnel have been previously certified by the US-based Community Associations Institute (CAI) making them the first personnel in the Middle East with the prestigious certification.
 

DEWA Top Management Complete Strategy 2001-2015 Workshop

In line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, towards promoting sustainable development for the Emirate of Dubai and supporting and consolidating Dubai’s world position as a hub of finance, business and tourism, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has demonstrated its leadership in the field of strategic planning and execution with a Strategy Workshop this year to assess the effectiveness its strategy.

HE Saeed Mohamed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA said, “Strategy is the cornerstone of our success and the means by which we can achieve our vision to be recognized world-class utility. At DEWA, we have continued our intense focus on ensuring that our foresight and strategic planning are fully utilized and implemented to achieve this vision. It requires the involvement of our employees at all levels and today’s workshop reflects this today.”

His Excellency met with the Strategy Team and top management of DEWA to assess and review the progress made in implementing DEWA’s five-year Strategic plan 2011-2015. This involved an intense day’s work reviewing the cascading and alignment of DEWA’s Strategy Map and Balanced Scorecard to divisional strategy maps and Balanced Scorecards.

The workshop ensured DEWA’s continuous adherence to best practices in strategic planning and implementation and marked a major milestone in the growth and evolution of DEWA as a Strategy Focused Organization as part of its efforts to support Dubai’s strategic direction.

DEWA is the first organization in the Middle East to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame for its implementation of the Balanced Scorecard and adherence to the five principles of the Strategy Focused Organization, developed by creators of the Balanced Scorecard, Drs. Kaplan and Norton.

du Opts For LeasePlan Emirates For Fleet Management And Vehicle Leasing

LeasePlan Emirates, a comprehensive fleet management and vehicle leasing company, has signed a contract with du. Under the agreement, LeasePlan will provide du with a fleet of new vehicles starting this year and will take full management of the company’s fleet.

Commenting on the agreement, Rashid El Sheikh, EVP Corporate Services, du, said: “When it came to choosing our Fleet Management Provider, we opted for LeasePlan. We are confident that their professional team will provide the same standard of service excellence as delivered by LeasePlan globally.”

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with du for the full management of their fleet starting this year. This partnership is a superb opportunity to fulfill du’s demand and further enhance our business in the UAE,” said Hicham Boueri, Commercial Director, LeasePlan Emirates.

The contract with du covers all of the essential components in a vehicle fleet such as vehicle leasing, replacement, repair and maintenance, accident management, emergency roadside assistance, car registration and insurance, car accessories and full fleet management.

LeasePlan Emirates is a joint venture between Mubadala, an investment and development company wholly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, and LeasePlan Corporation, the world’s leading fleet management and vehicle leasing company.

The main objective of LeasePlan Emirates is to provide comprehensive fleet management solutions to corporations and government entities in the UAE. By engaging professional fleet management experts, companies benefit from increased management information and cost transparency by optimizing their fleets and help them focus on their core businesses.
 

University Of Dubais Center For Management Professional Development Offering Groundbreaking Programs

The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) at the University of Dubai (UD) has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, (CISI) UK as a training provider for its range of CISI qualifications.

Formed as a not-for-profit membership body out of the London Stock Exchange in 1992, CISI is a leading global professional organization for individuals working in the securities and investment industry. International Certificate in Investment Management, International Certificate in Wealth Management, Islamic Finance Qualifications, International Introduction to Investment, UAE Financial Rules and regulations and Risk in Financial Services are the few CISI qualifications that CMPD is launching in February this year.

These qualifications are not only suitable for investment bankers, fund managers, portfolio wealth and relationship managers, financial advisers, stock brokers, but also for administration, operations, sales and customer service staff working in banks and financial institutions. These qualifications are delivered in the evenings or during weekends providing a convenient option for working professionals to enhance skills and advance their career.

Dr Omar Hefni, UD President, said: “The CISI qualifications are becoming increasingly popular throughout the Middle East as regulators are seeking to raise the skills of financial services industry practitioners by developing mandatory, qualification led licensing regimes and regulatory examinations. The Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) which regulates the securities and investment market in UAE have partnered with CISI to develop the UAE financial rules and regulations and require candidates to pass defined set of CISI exams to be able to work in certain job functions.

Both SCA and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) which regulates firms operating in the Dubai International Financial Center recognize that increased competence amongst market practitioners inspires investor confidence and appropriate qualifications and membership of a professional body are tangible ways of demonstrating proven ability.”

Thus the university has provided local students a dynamic forum to study under top professionals helping them develop and advance their careers by acquiring skills that drive business performance. As benchmark qualifications, these courses will raise the skills of UAE workforce to global standards and promote best business practices thus enhancing UAE’s stature as the hub of international financial services.

Focusing on ‘real world’ and ‘applied learning’ the professional programs taught at the centre have transformed the lives of over 2,500 individuals in the UAE, many of whom have moved on and are now holding senior positions in their organizations and making significant contributions in the realms of business.

Dr Hefni concluded: “Our highly professional faculty aims to foster a learning environment which is both challenging and rewarding, designed to develop skills and capabilities through the powerful combination of expert class instruction and peer interaction. In addition to using faculty members from the university, practitioners who have experience in establishing and executing best practices in the business world are invited to provide input to our programs, which allows participants to put theory into context.”
 

MoEW Conducts Study On Waste Management System

The Ministries of environment and public works are jointly conducting a study on upgrading waste management in the northern emirates in implementation of a resolution issued by the Ministerial Council for Services.

Towards that end, Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, held today a coordinating meeting with top officials at the Ministry of Public Works to review progress in the study and ways of implementing the project.

The minister said the project falls within the framework of the ministry’s strategy for environment security under the federal government strategy which calls for safeguarding a healthy and clean environment and reducing pollution by reducing carbon footprint, setting laws and regulations to reduce air, water and land pollution, promoting a preventative approach to waste generation and management, and promoting eco-friendly mindsets and practices.

’’The Ministry is currently conducting a holistic review of regulations governing waste management at local and federal levels so as to update and upgrade them. Each type of waste will have its own standards and rules,’’ he added.

The northern emirate project will sort out waste through an integrated waste management centre.’’ he said.

 

Mercator To Develop Next Generation Safety Data Management System

Mercator, a global provider of commercial IT systems and services to the airline industry, announced today plans to develop a next generation safety data management system. The new Safety Data Management System will unite risk management in an integrated manner across all functional areas of the business.

The integrated approach will assure improvements in how safety is managed and result in heightened levels of performance, reduced costs and elevated reinforcement of a corporate safety culture. The project will ensure that Mercator remains compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for Safety Management System (SMS).

This move reinforces Mercator’s ongoing commitment to ensure its products enable its customers to demonstrate and maintain the highest level of safety in their operations and to the customers they serve.

“Safety is the cornerstone of any business, and in the aviation industry it’s a commitment operators make to the billions of passengers they transport annually,” said Duncan Alexander, Vice President Mercator. “As a global provider of commercial IT systems and services to the airline industry, our goal is to develop solutions that allow our customers to sustain and grow their business." "Safety is clearly an area where everyone places a great deal of importance and Mercator is committed to continually investing in our safety products, iSaturn and Sentinel, to ensure they are the best in the market, he added.”

Emirates Airline will be one of the pilot customers for this new Safety Data System and reinforces Emirates’ ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety in its operations and to the customers it serves.

“Safety is paramount to Emirates’ success and part of the economic stability of our business,” said Capt. Tim Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Emirates Group Safety.

“We continue to heavily invest in this critical area and the Safety Data Management System by Mercator which includes strengthened capabilities in hazard identification and risk management, plus comprehensive capability for auditing, will enable Emirates to further mitigate safety-related risks across all of its operations.”

About Mercator

Mercator, a unit of the Emirates Group, is an independent provider of business technology solutions and services to the global airline industry. Mercator’s teams of IT professionals work at the cutting-edge of technology to deliver its customers across the globe with IT business solutions to help grow their businesses.

Mercator’s offers five business divisions are designed to best serve its customers needs: Passenger Services Solutions, Cargo & Logistics Solutions, Customer Relationship Management & Loyalty Solutions, Financial Management Solutions and Safety Solutions.

For more information or to download an e-brochure, visit www.mercator.com.
 

Jafza Management Team Meets With Chinese Business Leaders To Enhance Bilateral Ties

As part of its plan to strengthen strategic communication with its clientele in various sectors, Jafza held a Networking event for its top Chinese businesses based in the free zone. The networking event aimed at identifying areas where Jafza and Chinese companies could work together to enhance bilateral economic ties.

Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, HE Gao Yusheng and Consul General HE Zhan Jingbao also attended the event and held talks with Jafza officials to explore closer cooperation and initiatives to strengthen commercial relations. The visit reaffirmed the strong ties Dubai has with China and highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation between the countries to increase the level of global investments.

Jafza customers present included major players such as China National Petroleum Corporation Middle East, China Railway Engineering Middle East, Haier, China’s largest home appliance brand and one of the world’s leading white goods home appliance manufacturers; SANY Chinese manufacturer of construction machinery; XGMA, largest construction machinery manufacturing base in China, Great Wall Motor, China National Building Material, Liugong, Zoomlion and China Ocean Shipping (COSCO).

Senior officials including Mrs. Salma Hareb, CEO, Economic Zones World, the parent company of Jafza, Talal Al Hashemi, Managing Director, EZW-UAE Region and Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO Jafza and Chief Commercial Officer welcomed the Ambassador; the Consul General and the businessmen, highlighting the potential to increase mutual cooperation between the countries.

In recent years, Chinese companies have increased their presence in the UAE taking active part in infrastructure and energy projects in the country and region. China is also one of Dubai’s largest trade partners. According to Dubai World’s Statistics Department, the overall trade between the Dubai and China was valued at AED 46 billion in 2010, up 7% from the previous year. Imports stood at AED 44.5 billion while exports and re-exports were AED 468 million and AED 1.05 billion respectively.

Jafza officials also briefed the dignitaries on Jafza’s new developments in services and infrastructure facilities and its continuing role as an important contributor to the local economy.

Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi said: “The free zone is already home to some prominent Chinese businesses, 150 companies in all and Jafza looks forward to seeing this number grow. The Chinese businesses have been very active in exploring further investment areas with Jafza. The free zone has emerged as an important commercial gateway for them and we are confident that our unmatched environment, facilities and services are the right solution for more companies looking to broaden their horizons in the Middle East.”
 

Emirates NBD Asset Management Fixed Income Funds Demonstrate Strong Performance In First Year

• Emirates Islamic Money Market Fund ranks amongst top 10 per cent of US Dollar Money Market funds globally
• Sharia-compliant Emirates Global Sukuk Fund returned more than seven per cent; Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund more than nine per cent
• First anniversary of fixed income funds marked by robust performance and strong outlook

Emirates NBD Asset Management, the asset management arm of Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today the one year anniversary returns of its three fixed income funds. The past year witnessed asset attraction as well as robust performance for one of the top 10 asset management firms in the region.

The suite of fixed income funds includes an Islamic money market fund that has taken advantage of the higher profit rates in the region and returned nearly three per cent in the past year. This ranks it among the top 10 per cent of US Dollar Money Market funds globally. In comparison, over the same three-month period, US LIBOR returned just 0.37 per cent*.

The two other bond products include the Sharia-compliant Emirates Global Sukuk Fund, which rose more than seven per cent in USD terms, and Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund, with a focus on Middle Eastern government and company bonds, which returned more than nine per cent. These funds were aided by active management through recent market volatility, which protected the funds during downturns, and helped improve returns while dampening volatility.

Deon Vernooy, Senior Executive Officer at Emirates NBD Asset Management, said: “The first anniversary results of our fixed income funds is marked by excellent performance by our team. Our aim has always been to develop funds that exploit our skill set and offer a full suite of mutual funds for investors.”

The three funds were launched in March 2010, when the company expanded its fixed income suite by creating a standalone Islamic money market fund as well as a global Sukuk product. It also opened the Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund, a conventional fixed income fund focused on the MENA credit markets.

“The fixed income vehicles have appealed to all types of investors due to their high rates of return and exceptionally low volatility,” said Usman Ali Ahmed, Senior Fixed Income Fund Manager, Emirates NBD Asset Management. “There continues to remain significant opportunities with these products, with the benefits of active management.”

Emirates NBD Asset Management’s services in the fixed income space appeal to investors seeking attractive income and capital growth as part of a diversified portfolio. The wider product suite includes funds focusing on regional equities, regional fixed income, regional real estate and global asset allocation. The company manufactures its own conventional and Islamic products, offering exposure to regional as well as global markets. With over 50 financial specialists from 14 different countries, they represent one of the largest asset management firms in the region.

“These public funds provide investors with a simple route into Emirates NBD Asset Management’s fixed income capabilities, providing access to different asset classes and investment strategies that generate current income,” concluded Vernooy.

Objective of the funds:

Emirates Islamic Money Market Fund
The Emirates Islamic Money Market Fund is a Sharia compliant investment that aims to achieve a higher profit return than traditional Sharia compliant bank deposits of similar liquidity. The Fund will primarily invest in a diversified portfolio of Sharia compliant money market instruments including collectives investing in such instruments.

Emirates Global Sukuk Fund
The Emirates Global Sukuk Fund is a US Dollar denominated, Sharia compliant open ended fund that will invest in a diversified portfolio of Sukuk issued by companies locally and globally. The primary investment objective of the Fund is to achieve high income as well as capital growth.

Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund
The Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund is a US Dollar denominated open ended fund, which aims to achieve a high level of income as well as capital growth, predominantly through a diversified portfolio of MENA debt securities of varying maturities along with cash and other ancillary instruments.
 

Emaar Creates Core Management Team To Drive New Corporate Strategy For Long-Term Value Creation

 Emaar Properties PJSC, the global property developer of iconic projects, has established a core management team comprising senior managers and external consultants, to develop and roll-out a five-year corporate strategic action plan for long-term value creation.

The team, under the leadership of Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, will focus on a value creation strategy that takes into account the current market realities, evolution of new markets, potential growth opportunities and create a strategic plan for translating strategic growth initiatives into tangible value creation propositions.

Mr Alabbar said: “Emaar Properties, since inception 14 years ago, has set benchmarks in the property sector of Dubai by pioneering master-planned communities, and went on to develop iconic projects that established our global credentials in world-class real estate asset creation. During the course of the company’s evolution, Emaar also expanded into new geographic markets and strengthened its business model by diversifying into business streams such as hospitality & leisure and shopping malls & retail that contribute to our recurring revenues.”

He added: “Emaar successfully met the challenges of the global financial crisis, posting net operating profits of AED 3.034 billion (US$826 million) in 2010 and AED 2.324 billion (US$633 million) in 2009, despite challenging market conditions. As an organisation committed to long-term value creation for our stakeholders, it is extremely important that we review our corporate growth strategy in line with the prevailing global market trends and the socio-political landscape.”

Mr Alabbar explained that the core management team will focus on four key areas: strengthening the resilience of the organisation in the wake of recent social, political and economic changes in its regional and global markets; establishing a sustainable business model for the future; identifying and capitalising on the growth opportunities; and creating a robust organizational and corporate governance framework that resonates with new market realities.

The approach of the new team will be led by a thorough evaluation of the property market of Emaar in key geographies and the company’s future models of development. The team will also examine the operations of its hospitality & leisure and shopping malls & retail businesses, which now contributes 25 per cent of the company’s revenues, expected to grow to 30 per cent shortly.

Mr Alabbar said: “Emaar’s five-year corporate strategy is aimed at creating a robust model of growth that will enable the company to push beyond its current markets and businesses, develop new and recurring revenue streams and ensure long-term value creation for our stakeholders including the government of Dubai.

“We are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for his continued support and visionary guidance, which has helped us to establish Emaar as one of the most successful Dubai brands with a global footprint.”

Emaar’s core management team will work with international external consultants for this review and evaluation, and a full-fledged corporate strategy will be unveiled in due course.