Dubai Customs Receives A Governmental Delegation From Abu Dhabi Customs And Vital Installations And Facilities Protection Agency

A delegation from Abu Dhabi Customs and Vital Installations and Facilities Protection Agency in Abu Dhabi praised the goods and boats inspection methods implemented at Dubai Customs as well as the highly qualified inspectors who work there.

On a recent field visit to Al Humariyah Inspection Port the delegation got the chance to observe the inspection procedures and the different technical support units at Dubai Customs including the Mobile Lab, the Customs dogs squad (Customs K9 Unit), the boats and the X-ray detector.

During a meeting at Al Humariyah Inspection Center, Mr. Rashid Saif Al Dhabbah, Senior Manager of Cargo Operations Sea & Jebel Ali at Dubai Customs gave a presentation on the different types of inspection methods implemented at Al Humariyah Port. He explained the nature of this port as it deals with creek dhows and small-sized iron ships as well as the procedures adopted to guarantee the legitimacy of the goods at the port. He stated:" Al Humariyah Port monthly handles 600 departing creek dhows and 600 arriving, while Al Khour Inspection Center deals with 1000 arriving creek dhows and almost the same amount departing. These two ports have maintained their traditional character while greatly influencing and serving the trade movement with the nearby countries. Therefore, inspection procedures implemented there are by no means less significant than those taken at any other inspection port in Dubai".

During the visit, Mr. Rashid Al Dhabbah and Mr. Saeed Al Sayegh, Director of Al Humariyah Inspection Center accompanied the delegation on a tour where they were given a demonstration of the regular procedures applied by Dubai Customs inspectors to check the creek dhows and goods. They also saw some of the support units that are used at all customs ports and crossings in Dubai; for example, the Mobile Lab which was internally developed at the Department and has several devices used to detect drugs, explosives, chemicals and radioactive materials. The Lab is very useful when inspecting suspected luggage or shipments, and it proved to be quite effective during many missions in different customs points. They were also able to see the X-ray detector that checks waste containers. Inspection techniques and the vital role the Customs Dogs Unit plays during the execution of inspection operations were also demonstrated to the delegation.

Mr. Rashid Al Dhabbah said:" This visit comes as part of the mutual cooperation and coordination between the governmental departments in UAE. Exchanging expertise, enhancing cooperation, sharing knowledge and information about customs matters are some of the issues agreed upon during the visit.”

Confirming the visit’s great benefit, Mr. Ahmed Rashid Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi said:" The visit was a very fruitful one as it introduced the inspection methods implemented at Dubai Customs which are not only renowned locally, but also regionally and internationally. It was agreed that a delegation of inspectors from Abu Dhabi Customs would visit Dubai Customs and conduct a joint training program. We also intend to maintain and strengthen our cooperation with Dubai Customs and the Vital Installations and Facilities Protection Agency in Abu Dhabi in terms of exchanging expertise, sharing knowledge, and the means by which the cooperation between Customs Departments and other Government Departments can be enhanced. "

“We are looking forward to making the best of what has been discussed and shown today in order to stay in line with the comprehensive modus operandi adopted by all governmental departments in the UAE," Mr. Ahmed Rashid Al Suwaidi added.

At the end of the visit, Dubai Customs, Abu Dhabi Customs and the Vital Installations and Facilities Protection Agency exchanged memorial gifts and souvenirs.

ENOC Makes Difference To The Lives Of Disadvantaged Youngsters

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) today launched ‘ENOC Challenge III’, a comprehensive training programme aimed at providing disadvantaged youngsters with a unique opportunity to acquire critical professional skills and embark on challenging new careers.

For this year’s programme, ENOC has linked up with the UAE Red Crescent, the principal charitable organisation in the emirate, and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, a humanitarian organisation which provides quality education and therapy services to children with special needs. The two institutions nominated 20 disadvantaged candidates, including special needs youth, who will complete their training apprenticeships at various ENOC departments.

The progress of each trainee will be regularly evaluated by the mentors and trainers of ENOC Learning and Development Department. On successful completion of the 8-week programme for disadvantaged individuals and 6 months for participants with special needs, the trainees will be given a career opportunity and training certificate.

ENOC Challenge III follows the success of two previous editions of the ENOC Challenge, and highlights ENOC’s continued commitment to the UAE community. The initiative underlines ENOC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and has been designed to encourage businesses in the country to strengthen their ties with all sections of the community.

Speaking at the launch of the ENOC Challenge III, Saif Al Falasi, ENOC Group General Manager, said: “There are many challenges in life, and we should face them with determination. That is the underlying philosophy of the ENOC Challenge. We hope that all corporates will undertake similar initiatives and contribute to the overall welfare of society.”

“Over the years, the UAE has promoted entrepreneurship and facilitated businesses, helping many people to shape their destinies and craft success stories. It is time for successful individuals and institutions to come together, to give back and make a real impact in the UAE community. ENOC Challenge does just that. I thank the UAE Red Crescent and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre for nominating the 20 candidates for ENOC Challenge III,” Al Falasi added.

The learning and development modules of the programme will cover technical- functional trainings such as typing, Microsoft Office, telephone operations, job interview techniques, and writing winning CVs. The modules also include behavioral training in the English language, problem solving, team building, customer care, presentation skills and communication skills.

Khalid Hadi, ENOC Group Brand and Marketing Manager, said: “With our operations spanning oil and gas, retail and real estate, regionally and internationally, the ENOC Challenge is the ideal training ground for these youngsters. It will help special needs and disadvantaged individuals to be prepared for their future, by enhancing their independence, developing their contribution to society, and ensuring they have a full participation in all aspects of life.”

“ENOC Challenge III also aims to provide the participants with the opportunity to gain experience in today’s business and commerce, as well as make them strong candidates for employment in various industries” Hadi concluded.

The launch ceremony was also attended by Hussain Al Sheikh, the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs; Mariam Othman, Director of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre; Mohammed Zaroni, General Manager of the UAE Red Crescent Society and Dr. Omar Abdul Kafi, a well-known social motivator.

UAE Sets Up Temporary Decent Housing Complex For Workers Who Violated Labour Laws

A decent housing complex will be set up to accommodate workers who violated the UAE laws of labour and residency, said Commander General of the Dubai Police Lt. Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim.The decision was made by the national level higher committee for labour crises management which brought together representatives of the Ministry of Labour and municipalities of all emirates.Tamim who chaired the meeting said the complex will continue to give those workers access to all decent services and amenities of dignified life, including medical care and food until all issues and disputes with their sponsors are settled in accordance with the provisions of the UAE labour law.All these problems will be amicably settled in a civilized manner by the concerned parties, i.e. the workers and owners of the companies.Tamim made these remarks in presence of Deputy Commander General of Abu Dhabi Police Maj. Gen. Obaid al-Heri al-Ketbi, Commander of Special Security Forces Maj. Gen. Salim Mohammed al-Mazrouei, Director General of National Media Council Ibrahim al-Abed.The decision was made as per the directives of the Minister of Interior H.H Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.Tamim underscored the importance of promoting a relevant security and social culture as well as of raising the awareness of owners of businesses and companies to fulfill the teachings of Islam which urge for the protection of the workers’ rights as per the UAE’s policies and the directives of the country’s leadership.The committee discussed the problems of non-payment of over-time wages, deduction of the workers’ sick leaves and weekly off-days from their annual leaves as well as the denying them the right to annual leaves.Tamim discussed the need to conduct inspection campaigns to enforce the labour laws, punish violators of labour laws and force fines on owners of accommodation units that do not comply with public safety and cleanness standards.He further reviewed reports by heads of the teams form each emirate on procedures and the outcome of inspections.
 

RTA & Ministry Of Interior Discuss E-Link Of The Federal Traffic System, Recovering Salik Offence Charges

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) met with H.E. General Saif Al Shaafar, Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior to discuss the Unified e-Link of the Federal Traffic System and recovering the toll gate (Salik) offence charges from vehicles registered at Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates.At the outset of the meeting, Al Tayer hailed the solid cooperation between the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in all matters related to traffic, vehicle licensing and launching awareness campaigns. He stressed RTA support to the Ministry to bring success to the Unified e-Link of the Federal Traffic System and hailed the cooperation of the Ministry in implementing the provisions of the Agreement signed by the RTA with the Ministry. The Agreement provides for collection of offence charges of the toll gate system (Salik) and the paid parking zones used by vehicles of the Ministry, out of the approved service outlets of the Ministry.For his part, H.E. General Saif Al Shaafar, Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior stressed the importance of the Unified e-Link of the Federal Traffic System; a strategic project spanning all segments of the community. “The project, which provides a unified structure of all key folders across the database, aims at sharing the database (main folders), unifying the procedures across the UAE, and processing transactions throughout the UAE, while maintaining the stand-alone feature of the computer systems. The Ministry is seeking to finalize this vital project as early as possible, without impacting the daily work routines” he added.The meeting was attended by Major General Ahmed Nasir Al Rayes, Director General of the Central Operations at the MoI, Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, Ahmed Hashem Bahrouzian, CEO of RTA Licensing Agency, and a number of departmental directors from both parties. The meeting discussed several options and suggestions to complete the e-link between RTA e-Traffic System with the Federal Traffic System. The two parties agreed to assign a consultant to review the suggested options and submit a report on the best solutions to achieve the e-link.The meeting also reviewed the collection of offence tickets made under the toll gate system (Salik) and the paid parking zones used by the vehicles of the Ministry. RTA will enter and send offences reported as e-files or through the direct e-link with the MoI, while the MoI will recover the charges of offences made, and submit a periodical report on the collection status.Al Tayer commented: “The toll gate system (Salik) is part of an integrated solution systems meant to ease traffic congestion. This system spans road & bridge projects, rail & tram projects, public transport systems, marine transport systems and traffic legislations & policies; which aim at minimizing the use of private vehicles and promoting the use of public transport”.RTA has provided a multiple outlets for subscriptions to the system of the toll gate system, covering all emirates. These outlets include petrol refueling stations (Emarat, EPCO, ENOC and ADNOC) in addition to several banks such as Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Bank. RTA also provided an integrated pack of interactive services to subscribers to Salik system on line through the portal (www.salik.ae); which was met with a huge response from users, thanks to the flexibility of the service offered by the website. Such features include enabling subscribers to top-up their account balances through various options such as the credit card, e-dirham or direct debit from the bank account, in collaboration with the Dubai e-Government. The package of services offered also include a voice response through the IVR system; enabling subscribers to check their account balances, and details of crossing the toll gates. They can even request the account details to be forwarded through SMS through contacting Salik Call Center (800-72545) and following the voice guidelines accordingly.
 

Emirates NBD Sponsors Dubai Police Tournament

Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region in terms of assets, has renewed its dedication to the Dubai Police by sponsoring their sports tournaments for starting from 23rd April 2009.Saif Al Mansoori, Head of Marketing Consumer Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD said, "We, at Emirates NBD are proud to be invited once again by Dubai Police to sponsor their sports tournaments. We both share the same belief of being partners in our duty to contribute to the development and progress of our society. Through this year’s partnership, we express our gratitude to the Dubai Police for their immense contribution for a safe and secure community".The Dubai Police Tournament includes various sports and activities such as snooker, and tennis, and is set to attract competing officers from across the city.
 
Al Mansoori added, "Emirates NBD cherishes its partnership with the Dubai Police, we have seen our relationship grow from strength to strength over the years through our continuous support, and especially with the introduction of dedicated banking schemes for the police force.  At Emirates NBD, we are continuously seeking ideal ways of meeting the needs of all segments of our society."

Community Development Authority Participates In Seminar On ’Protection Of Human Trafficking Victims’

The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai participated in a seminar on “protection of human trafficking victims “organized by the Ministry of Interior and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior. The participation of CDA complements the intensive efforts of the UAE to tackle human trafficking locally and internationally.Dr Maryam Matar, Director General of the CDA, said: "The UAE is undertaking several concerted initiatives to promote human rights and has already made remarkable achievements. This is a reflection of the visionary leadership of the country according the highest regard to the basic rights of the people. Prevention of human trafficking is one of the priority areas for the Government and we are highlighting our commitment to the society by participating in the seminar.”She added: “We will work together to find solutions to overcome the menace of human trafficking, and thus strengthen the efforts of the country in developing appropriate solutions to combat it.”Mr. Ghassan Khalil, Advisor for Social Policy and Strategic Planning for CDA, and an international expert on human rights, participated in the seminar and presented a paper on "human trafficking in international agreements." It discussed the concept of human trafficking, and how to better safeguard and rehabilitate victims of trafficking using international agreements.“The effects of human trafficking are reflected on the victims from the recruitment stage until they merge back into the society. The victims are entitled to protection and assistance to avoid any more physiological harm, and also during prosecution they should be treated with respect,” said Mr. Ghassan Khalil.