Network International Operated ATMs Provides Access To Union Pay Cards

Network International (NI), the largest acquirer and leading card processor in the region, has signed an agreement with Union Pay where Union Pay cards could be accepted on all NI operated ATMs. Currently Network International operates approximately 1500 ATMs in the region. The agreement enables NI to enrol its existing client banks into this service.

This agreement was signed by Network International Chairman Mr. Abdulla Qassem and UnionPay Executive Vice President Mr. Cai Jianbo at Shanghai last week. Network International is the principle member that facilitates this sponsorship and processing of Union Pay cards in more than 20 countries in the Middle East and Africa. This is in addition to the existing Point of Sale (POS) agreement which Network International has with UnionPay.

UnionPay, a bankcard association in China, operates interbank transactions in China and beyond.

Mr. Abdulla Qassem, Chairman of Network International said”. “NI is committed to developing liaisons with international banking institutions and ensuring the broadest possible coverage for various transaction methods. Integrating UnionPay card payments into the NI operated ATMs will benefit the UAE economy and also provide additional convenience to tourists and business visitors from China”

“The number of Chinese individuals, living, visiting, and conducting business in the UAE has reached near the one million mark. It is only natural that banking systems in the two countries start communicating and cooperating with one another to facilitate commerce and tourism. UnionPay’s agreement with NI is an excellent step in ensuring that visitors from China can continue to enjoy the benefits of their UnionPay card even when they are away from home. We are expecting a sharp rise in transaction values due to our agreement with NI,” said Mr. Cai Jianbo, Executive Vice President, UnionPay.
 

Emirates NBD Provides Free Foreign Currency Telegraphic Transfers To Online Customers

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today that its foreign currency telegraphic transfer facility is free of charge for online banking customers until June 30, 2011.

\\\”Today’s announcement will enable our customers to make all foreign currency online transfers, free of charge, until end of June 2011,\\\” said Abdulelah AlKindy, General Manager, Retail Banking, Emirates NBD. \\\”This is in line with our commitment to provide attractive benefits and greater convenience to what is already a fast and efficient alternate banking channel.\\\”

The limited-period offer is in line with the bank’s commitment to providing its customers with relevant and convenient services. It is valid for all foreign currency telegraphic transfers that are conducted via BankNet, Emirates NBD’s comprehensive online banking system.

 \\\”UAE remittances total around AED 120 billion each year, primarily to support dependents or for investment purposes,\\\” continued AlKindy. \\\”With a large expatriate population working and residing in the UAE, foreign currency telegraphic bank transfers are among the more popular services provided by UAE banks.

\\\”At almost half of the total, the largest volume goes to India, followed by China Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and other countries,\\\” he added.

 \\\”As the pioneering online banking service in the UAE, Emirates NBDs BankNet offers the ideal platform for making fast and convenient telegraphic transfers to anywhere in the world. The transaction can be carried out simply from any Laptop or Smartphone, from the comfort of one’s home or office,\\\” he continued.

BankNet allows customers to view their account details, transfer funds, open accounts and order chequebooks and ATM/debit cards online, with no fees and 24-hour availability. With 32 payment partners, including Etisalat, Du, SALIK, DEWA, RTA, Emaar Properties, flydubai and many others, the greater part of managing personal finances can now be taken care of from a single platform.

Other banking solutions offered by Emirates NBD include mobile banking facility, the latest addition to Emirates NBD’s numerous existing information technology channels, which also include online, telephone and PDA banking.

RTA Provides Free Parking Spaces For Citizens Occupying Villas, Flats

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has developed a parking fee exemption system for UAE nationals taking residence in the vicinity of the current paid parking zones through granting them free parking card permits (Category L). It has been decided to allocate parking permits to residents of residential flats depending on the size of accommodation (number of rooms), and the booking of free parking slots for residents of villas and houses in high parking-occupancy areas.

Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said: “The Decision aims to provide safe parking slots for the use of that category of Emiratis at their residence places, and save them from paying fees and fines applicable to parking violations. RTA has recently carried out several studies which concluded to offer such parking spaces through a new mechanism based on the type and size of accommodation in which the Emirati is taking residence within the paid parking zone area.

“The number of permits to be issued to residents of flats will be subject to the size of accommodation (number of rooms) such that one permit will be issued to the occupant of a one- bedroom flat or studio, two permits will be issued to the occupant of a two-bedroom flat, three permits will be issued to the occupant of a 3-bedroom flat, and four permits will be issued to the occupant of a villa or a 4-bedroom flat,” stated Maitha.

She continued: “Emiratis taking residence in villas and houses in high parking-occupancy areas, who always find it difficult to find a parking slot nearby the house of villa, can book the nearest parking to their homes if they wish. The parking space will be marked with a clear yellow frame and the number of the house or villa in question will be written thereon. A V-category permit will be issued and has to be affixed to the front windshield of the vehicle occupying the parking. Any vehicle that uses such reserved parking without the permit affixed will be issued with a ticket.

“RTA decided to reserve these parking spaces in keeping with its strategic objectives aimed at improving the quality of services rendered to the community and in response to requests of Emirati customers residing houses or villas within high parking-occupancy areas through providing them with one permanent free parking space for them and their guests.

“The applicant for such parking spaces has to be a UAE national (holder of a UAE passport), residing in a house or villa only (not a residential flat) located in a high parking-occupancy residential area where it is always difficult to find a parking slot in front the house or villa, provided the application to be supported by the title deed of the property, passport and site layout,” added Maitha.

As for applicants of free parking permits (Category L) for UAE nationals taking residence in the vicinity of the paid parking zones, the applicant has to be a UAE national (holder of a UAE passport), and the application supported by a title deed or lease agreement of the property in which the type of accommodation is to be stated, in addition to the vehicle registration card.

The holder of such permit can avail the paid parking zones free of charge, provided that the exemption is associated with the parking zones affiliated to the parking machines only stated in the permit, being restricted to the vicinity of the residence area. In case of using the permit in other unauthorized parking zones, the holder of the permit will be responsible for the offences that follow including fines and fees as per the Parking Fines applicable in Dubai Emirate.
 

Etisalat Provides The Ultimate ’Business Edge’ With Its Postpaid Mobility Package

o 100% cash back on connection fees
o Free 3 months subscription to Mobile PBX and Business 24×7,
o Free 3 month access to corporate email, messaging and browsing

Etisalat today launched the most comprehensive, convenient and affordable business mobility package for enterprise and SMB customers. Called ‘Business Edge’, the postpaid package promises to deliver an ultimate mobility experience, through enhanced convenience, increased savings and unmatched promotional offers. 

Priced at AED 125 per connection, with an introductory 100% cash back offer till 24th September that would be credited over a period of three months for international calls, the new Business Edge connection comes virtually at sub-zero cost for businesses. As an introductory promotion, Etisalat is also offering 3 months free subscription to Mobile PBX (worth AED 60), Business 24×7 service (worth AED 105) and 3 month free access to corporate email, messaging and browsing service for Nokia smartphones (worth AED 435) with every Business Edge connection, providing gross savings of up to AED 725 per connection (effective savings of up to AED 29,000, for 40 connections). With unmatched introductory promotions, enterprises and SMBs can also leverage this offer to switch their current prepaid business and individual connections at sub-zero cost to Business Edge.

Besides upfront savings, enterprise customers can also benefit from considerably higher discounts of up to 15% on national calls and up to 35% on international calls respectively. The Business Edge package also offers multiple convenience benefits such as wider credit limit options, pre-configured voice mail, and pre-activated roaming.

“Business Edge has been designed to deliver the ultimate mobility experience to businesses. The package offers comprehensive benefits of convenience and value to our customers, who will now be able to conduct seamless business while on the move. Business Edge will not only enable executives to carry their offices virtually in their pockets, but will also empower enterprises and SMBs to leverage the benefits of mobility, while being cost-conscious at the same time” said Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions at Etisalat.

“Business Edge also offers value added features such as lower credit limits and split billing of business and personal expenses that will provide enhanced transparency to organisations and enable the businesses to control their overall mobility spend. With unmatched upfront and long term savings offered by Etisalat, we hope that many of our current and prospective enterprise and SMB customers will switch to Business Edge.” Mr. Hashim added.

For more details on Business Edge, customers can call 8005800 or contact their respective account managers.
 

Lloyds Banking Group Provides $15m To Support RSS Growth In Middle East

Lloyds Banking Group’s corporate markets team in Aberdeen has provided $15m million in extra credit facilities to Rental Solutions & Services Ltd (RSS) in order to support the power and cooling service provider’s growth plans.

The funding package will be used to facilitate both geographic and product expansion plans in response to growing demands for the company’s services in a global market worth £4 billion annually.

RSS, a global provider of rental power, temporary cooling and mobile water solutions, is part owned by Scottish director Bob Kidd, who is majority shareholder of ITS Tubular Services (Holdings) Ltd, a global Oil & Gas services group based in Aberdeen.

RSS has recently diversified into the wider Middle East in order to reduce its dependency on Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where some high profile clients include the Jumeirah Palm Islands, the Dubai Metro station, Aldar Abu Dhabi, Masdar University and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

During the summer months the company provides large scale temporary cooling solutions primarily for construction projects; it rents out power units during the rest of the year to ensure consistent and growing revenue streams.

With the assistance of Lloyds Banking Group, RSS has expanded its asset base, geographical coverage and range of services to better equip it for current and future market conditions. The deal highlights Lloyds Banking Group’s ongoing commitment to support businesses with skilled management teams, strong balance sheets and solid business plans. This will now allow RSS to challenge for a bigger share of a growing market throughout the Middle East. RSS is now providing rental power and temporary cooling in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Cyprus and Pakistan. Future geographic expansion will include Latin America, China, India, Africa and Mediterranean.

Milan Balac, Managing Director of RSS Ltd, said: “RSS has been extremely well supported by Lloyds Banking Group since our incorporation in 2007. We are very happy to have the bank as a business partner and to be able to announce this additional facility, especially during such horrid global economic conditions. This continued and very much appreciated support is testimony to RSS’s strong financial performances and operational strength within the markets where we operate. This additional facility will be utilized to grow our business geographically and to introduce new products to our rental fleet. We certainly see significant growth areas which are clearly defined in our medium term plans and supported with detailed market data. With this additional funding in place we will start executing these plans immediately.”

Graham Fiddes, Relationship Director with Lloyds Banking Group Corporate Markets in Aberdeen & North of Scotland, said: “We have enjoyed a very successful relationship with RSS since 2007. During this period the business has produced impressive financial performances based on an aggressive but balanced business model.

“Lloyds Banking Group is continually looking for ways to support the business community and this announcement is yet further evidence of the bank’s open approach to lending. We are talking to more and more companies about their growth and recovery plans and enter the second half of the year with very high expectations in terms of the number and size of transactions and facilities we will deliver.”
 

Modhesh World Provides Unparalleled Services To Add On To The Holiday Experience

Modhesh World, the region’s largest edutainment venue is also a fore runner in providing a comfortable and pleasant experience to its visitors. Adding onto the excellent services provided by the Airport Expo, Dubai Modhesh World strives to improve visitor experience.

Ample parking to fit more thousands cars is available for all visitors for free. Additionally, the parking is conveniently located close to the entrance of the venue. One can also drop by the family and make a short detour to park. Valet parking is also available at reasonable prices.

The 37,000 square metres of Modhesh World is completely covered with carpet. The carpets are kept clean with DWTC personnel vacuuming the area.

Women also have changing and feeding rooms for the children. Once again the DWTC staff that are available round the clock play a pivotal role in ensuring cleanliness.

Prayer rooms for men and women are available close to the washrooms. Prayer books and the traditional prayer apparel for women are also available. Lest visitors run out of cash, ATM machines are available at Modhesh World.

The Union-Co operative, which is a sponsor of Modhesh World, has set up a supermarket vending necessary items such as snacks, drinks, and essential groceries. Parents can find commodities to replenish necessary items at home without the stress of scouting to a grocery outside.

Dubai Police also helps to ensure the security and safety of visitors through the presence of police personnel on a continuous basis. They are also responsible for the lost and found corner at the venue.
Modhesh World also hosts a first aid room complete with doctors and nurses. It is equipped with adequate medicines and equipment to take care of minor injuries as well as illnesses like fever. Additionally, an ambulance is available throughout lest there is an emergency.

After an exciting day of fun, the entire family can enjoy a sumptuous meal at the restaurants at Modhesh World. One has the choice of traditional Emarati cuisine at Barjeel in the West Hall or from an international menu at the Emirates Flight Catering located in the West Zone. Throughout Modhesh World, visitors will also find kiosks offering a variety of tasty snacks. Ice creams, chipstix, pop corn, cotton candy, twirly pops and nachos are all part of the menu.

H. B. Leisure, DWTC, Coco-Cola, Magic Planet, Emirates, Masafi and Union Co-operative are the sponsor s of Modhesh World. Modhesh World doors are open from 10.00am to 10:00pm (Saturday to Wednesday), 10:00am to midnight (Thursdays), and 3:00pm to midnight on Fridays. Tickets to the venue are priced at AED 10 for adults and AED 15 for children with numerous free zones and exciting activities.
 

Air Charter International Provides a Personal Touch

DUBAI, UAE, June 9, 2010/PRNewswire/ — Air Charter International, a global aviation solutions provider based in Dubai has once again shown how going the extra mile can help achieve great wins in the ever changing and highly competitive charter broker market.

Operating a charter flight from Dubai to Tbilisi and on to Bombay for the head of one of the steel industries leading companies, Air Charters Internationals staff made themselves available around the clock to the client.

India, renowned for being difficult to obtain permissions to land executive aircraft, was made considerably easier through the effective use the clients already established relationships in the Indian subcontinent. Air Charters Internationals operations teams went above and beyond the call of duty by arranging the VIP Majilis service at Dubai International Airport, ensuring the client was transferred in luxury to the VIP Lounge and all baggage was transferred to the executive aircraft well in advance of the flight.

Air Charter Internationals newest Charter Broker Mr Clifford Benjamin personally escorted the client to the private jet and ensured that all operations ran smoothly. Mr Benjamin stated; "it is of great importance to us that our clients become part of the Air Charter International family through developing sound personal as well professional relationships at every possible occasion. We will do whatever we can add greater value to our service, no matter what the requirement may be."

According to Air Charter International, the executive jet market in India, the Middle East and Asia have picked up considerably since the beginning of 2010, and they expect this trend to continue through the rest of the year, expanding into passenger and cargo charters as well.

The differentiating factor between executive jet brokers will be the quality of the service they deliver, the speed at which they deliver it and the strengths of the relationships they build. It is not always the cheapest price that will prevail, but in many cases it is the company who provides the best overall service.

 

GEMS World Academy-Dubai Provides International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Dubai GEMS World Academy-Dubai is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Organization (IBO) to offer the prestigious IB Diploma Programme, a pre-university preparation for advanced studies and a symbol of academic excellence worldwide. The school commences its two year diploma program starting September 2011.

The authorisation is based on many criteria, including experienced leadership of the school, the performance of students, the high quality of the teaching staff, and the modern and well-resourced facilities. GEMS World Academy-Dubai is the third GEMS school offering the IB Diploma Programme, which includes GEMS Wellington International School and Dubai American Academy.

Dan E. Young, CEO, GEMS World Academy-Dubai said, “Following our authorisation visitation, we appreciate and value that IBO recognized the capabilities of this school, which is founded upon a shared ethos of developing the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a changing international world for students!”

Sunny Varkey, Chairman, GEMS Education, said, “Gaining authorisation for the prestigious IB Diploma Programme has been part of our long-term strategy for the GEMS flagship school, GEMS World Academy-Dubai. This reflects our commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that GEMS Education knows is important for all of our students.”

The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous, holistic, advanced two-year curriculum, for students ages 16 to 19, with focus on academic rigor and an international education perspective. The diploma leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

GEMS World Academy-Dubai provides a full IBO education program for students aged 3 – 18, integrating parental involvement and participation that supports the IB worldwide philosophy. The Academy finalises authorisation of pursuing the Primary Years and Middle Years programs, fall 2010.

 

Art And Craft Zone Provides Carefree Canvas For Children To Paint

Numerous free zones and activities are attracting crowds of children to Modhesh World that has laid out around forty exciting zones for children and grown-ups alike. The Art and Craft is one of the most popular and engaging free zones at Modhesh World. It provides an avenue for the children to leisurely express themselves and play a riot with colours. Here children can let their creative skills and imagination flow without a restraint of medium, time, or encouragement.

Activities like drawing, coloring, beadwork and accessory making appeal to children of all ages. This is also the right place to make a souvenir of the day at Modhesh World. Families have the option to work together and make a painting or a bead handicraft together.

The face painting corner is also a hit with children. Here they can get their faces painted with their favourite character masks including that of Modhesh. The Modhesh head is one of the most popular face painting designs.

Seven year old Shahed Jafal and her three year old sister Fatma Jafal had an amazing time at the Art and Craft Zone coloring, drawing and working together. “I really enjoy drawing and colouring. I love to draw Modhesh most of all. Making different clothes and styles for him is fun. Fatma loves to color but she cannot draw. So I draw and we both color together,” said Shahed.

Five year old Uttara from India was busy putting her imagination on paper while her brother played with beads, feeling the textures, letting them slip through his fingers or simply turning them over and over overlooked by an attentive volunteer. “Both of them enjoy spending time here and both are easily engrossed in different activities. After running around this gives them a good break and we can spend more time out enjoying as a family without worrying that children get tired,” said their mother.

H. B. Leisure, DWTC, Coco-Cola, Magic Planet, Emirates, Masafi and Union Co-operative are the sponsor s of Modhesh World.

Modhesh World doors are open from 10.00am to 10:00pm (Saturday to Wednesday), 10:00am to midnight (Thursdays), and 3:00pm to midnight on Fridays. Tickets to the venue are priced at AED 10 for adults and AED 15 for children with numerous free zones and exciting activities.
 

Mikimoto Provides An Essential Guide To Caring For Your Pearls

Since Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in creating the world’s first cultured pearl in 1893, Mikimoto has been dedicated to presenting only the finest quality cultured pearls. The Mikimoto sorting process and proprietary grading system assures that every customer acquires only the most superb gems and pearl jewellery.

Pearls have always been a ‘chance’ product of nature and initial efforts to delve into their mysteries did not yield immediate results. Many factors led to repeated failures but regardless of the many complications imposed by nature, Kokichi pledged to commit every fiber of his being to the task and he had the stubborn confidence to turn mighty nature into his ally. The day he had been waiting for finally came on July 11, 1893. In the company of his wife Ume, he raised one of the bamboo oyster baskets out of the water, opened one of the oysters, and there, inside the shell, he discovered a shining pearl. This was the first time in history that a human being had ever created a pearl.

The pearls that most of us wear today are cultured pearls; their existence is initiated by humans who insert a bead or any other object into an oyster clam. The clam then coats the object with nacre, the finish that gives pearls their unique appearance. The depth of nacre depends on many factors but as the nacre thickness increases, so does the quality of the pearl.

"The surface of a pearl is soft and is easily damaged. Pearls set in rings and bracelets are more subject to scuffing and scratching than pearls set in brooches, earrings, necklaces or strands. A pearl ring or bracelet should be considered a special-occasion piece, not for daily wear and definitely not to be worn while working with the hands. Because they are an organic gem, pearls require more specialised care than most other gems.” said Jeremy Burbanks, Mikimoto European and Middle East Sales Manager.

Pearl jewellery always complements a woman’s personality and in order for them to last you a lifetime you must take good care of it. Since pearls are natural creations, they contain calcareous crystals, water and protein. Hence they are sensitive to acids and other chemicals and tend to get dry over time.

The following are a few ways you can keep those pairs of earrings safe and clean:

- It is a good idea to clean the pearls every night. Always fasten clasps and pins so that chains do not get tangled and jewels do not get scratched from rubbing against one another. Then lay each item out separately, one by one. If you carry your jewelry around, be sure to put it into a jewellery pouch.

- If substances such as cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume adhere to your jewels, they will lose their radiance, absorbing dirt and dust and causing alteration or loss of colour. Be sure to put on your jewellery after you do your make-up, and to wipe your jewellery with a soft cloth after use.

- No matter how carefully you take care of your jewelry, small parts may still come loose. It is recommended that you carefully check such parts as the hooks that support the jewels, the clasps of necklaces, the screws of earrings and brooch pins.

- Pearls are not as hard as other precious stones and contact with other hard surfaces damage them. Hence it is recommended that you keep your pearls separate and not with your other jewellery. This is also the reason why you find that pearls are almost always sold in soft silk pouches.

- It is easy to clean pearls. Just rub the pearls with a soft cloth or cotton swab so that it removes the perspiration. Perspiration is slightly acidic and may tend to eat up the nacre. Washing your string of pearls can stretch out the thread and make it appear shabby.

- Be careful while wearing perfume as harsh chemicals damage pearls. Even lotions and hair sprays will damage them. Pearls should only be worn; after you have done your make-up completely.

- Perfume and hairspray, which contain alcohol and harmful acids, should be avoided on the areas where pearls are worn. Perspiration can also harm the beauty of pearls, dulling their beautiful luster. Therefore, after wearing them, they should be wiped with a damp (not wet), soft cloth or a silicon cloth.

- Be careful not to dip pearls in water or wear them while bathing, as water can weaken the silk thread. Do not leave them in direct sunlight or expose them to high temperatures. If pearls happen to come into contact with substances such as vinegar, fruit juices or detergents, immediately wipe that substance off.

Like all precious stones, pearls should be taken care of and worn like a jewellery on occasions. Over time, pearls do change in appearance. However, if these instructions are followed, MIKIMOTO pearls should be enjoyed for generations. Visit Damas Les Exclusives stores to check if your pearls are securely mounted and to see if the string is still in good condition, you can also get more tips from the experts.