UAE Launches Investment Map Highlighting Strategic Opportunities In The Country For Global Investors

His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy, today, announced the launch of the UAE Investment Map, at a special ceremony in Dubai in the presence of the Ministry’s strategic partners from both public and private sectors.

Mr Al Shehhi said the initiative will promote the sustainable and balanced development of the UAE, and contribute to the GDP growth by stimulating the investment environment and attracting investment and technology that drive the knowledge economy in addition to reducing the dependence on oil by diversifying revenue streams.

Mr Al Shehhi said the UAE Investment Map comes in line with the strategic directions of the Ministry for 2011-2013 to enhance the investment environment and the competitiveness of the national economy by targeting international markets and attracting large investment projects to the UAE.

He said the initiative will serve as an indicator to guide global investors and introduce them to the various investment opportunities across all sectors of the UAE economy through a systematic and scientific approach.

The initiative is also part of the UAE Vision ‬ 2021 to drive the development of a knowledge-based economy. To achieve the Vision, the Federal Government Strategy ‬ 2011 – ‬ 2013 has set strategic directions, including the participation of UAE nationals and developing their capabilities; increasing efficiency, flexibility and productivity in the labor market; supporting small and medium enterprises; developing and promoting entrepreneurship; strengthening the regulatory framework of key sectors; encouraging and supporting existing and new sectors; promoting export development and promotion of the country’s position in international trade; and encouraging innovation and R&D.

Mr Al Shehhi said the UAE Investment Map will provide an overview of the investment opportunities in each Emirate in health, agriculture, real estate, alternative energy, SMEs, services, industry, education, and finance, among others sectors. In the first phase, the initiative aims to target markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Germany, India, China and South Korea.

The areas that fall within the investment map also include: aluminum industry, automotive, aviation, information technology, telecommunications, financial services, electronics, engineering and industrial technology, healthcare, petrochemical industry, education and knowledge industry, and the pharmaceutical industry.

"In November, the UAE Investment Map will be officially launched during the UAE’s Investment Map conference, alongside a specialised exhibition to introduce government services to key international investors," Al Shehhi concluded.
 

Emirates NBD Signs Strategic Partnership With Arabian Automobiles

• Customer-focused initiative – buyers can own new vehicle every three years
• Lower monthly payments compared to traditional car finance
• Guaranteed minimum future vehicle buy-back value of 50 per cent after three years

In line with its long-term commitment to initiatives that benefit its customers, Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today a strategic tie-up with Arabian Automobiles, the sole distributor of Nissan Cars in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The new agreement will enable customers of new Nissan passenger vehicles to upgrade their cars once every three years through the new guaranteed ‘buy-back’ programme, ‘Nissan Freedom’. In addition, customers availing of an Emirates NBD auto loan will pay lower monthly installments towards their new purchase.

Vehicle buy-back under ‘Nissan Freedom’ is guaranteed by the dealer at the end of the three year term. Customers have the flexibility to upgrade, hand back or continue with the vehicle loan based upon their individual need.

"Emirates NBD offers innovative solutions with strategic partners in order to better serve our customers," said Abdulelah Al Kindy, General Manager – Retail Banking, Emirates NBD. "This new agreement with one of the longest-established automobile distributors in the country will make purchasing a new Nissan vehicle more attractive than ever before. We are delighted to enter into this partnership and look forward to a long-lasting and rewarding relationship."

Mr. Felix Welch, Director Sales & Marketing Arabian Automobiles, said: “We are delighted to be entering into this strategic partnership with the country’s leading bank. With help of Emirates NBD we have been able to make our latest Nissan Freedom finance product both highly appealing and flexible for our customers who are looking for an alternative to traditional bank finance. We hope this agreement paves the way to even greater links between our two institutions.”
 

DEWA Presents Its Strategy To Strategic Partners And Developers

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) conducted a Partner meeting, in line with its vision to be a recognized world-class utility to support Dubai’s vision for sustainable development. The meeting, which was conducted by the Business Support Division and presented by the Strategy and Business Development in the presence of HE Saeed Mohamed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, is intended to further strengthen DEWA’s ties with its key Partners.
Employees from the Strategy & Business Development presented DEWA’s Corporate Strategy to the attending partners, followed by a feedback session where the partners praised DEWA’s efforts in this regard. They have also contributed to the meeting with their suggestions to incorporate the best practices and planning.

His Excellency said, “DEWA works hard to support the vision of the Government of Dubai through delivering electricity and water services at world-class of reliability, efficiency, safety and environment with efficient manpower and effective partnerships, while supporting resources sustainability. Our view is that we should treat our business partners with fairness, transparency, and integrity to develop long-lasting relationships. One of the most important aspects of any organization’s operations is the way in which it conducts business. This is not just with customers, but suppliers, government organizations, financial institutions and partners with whom we have mutual interests to ensure the smooth and sustainable development of Dubai.”

“This is especially important when it comes to outlining our strategy and view. Our long-term view needs to be shared with those who do business with us on so many different levels, especially to understand the needs and expectations of our stakeholders. Improving this alignment increases satisfaction and foments continuous improvement on both sides. Sharing our strategic destination with you will help us both to be aligned, which will eventually enable DEWA to become a recognized world-class utility and provide you with the advantages you seek in driving your business goals in turn,” His Excellency added.

His Excellency concluded, “I sincerely hope that our continued partnerships prosper for generations to come.”
Partners attending the event included Dubai Holding’s Tamdeen, Dubai Properties Group and TECOM. Also present were Dubai World Central, Dubai International Financial Centre, Nakheel, Emaar, Meraas, Limitless, Union Properties, Meydan, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority.
 

Etisalat And LG Enter Into Major Strategic Alliance With Etisalats eLife Services Being Featured On LG Smart TV

Etisalat and LG, top leaders in their respective industries, today entered a unique partnership that will see Etisalat’s broadband services and content delivered through LG’s new range of Smart TVs. The first completed effort of the alliance is the launch of Etisalat’s “OnDemand”, the region’s first managed IPTV Video On-Demand Service without Set-Top-Box and “OnWeb”, the new web-based video service that will be available to Etisalat’s fiber-connected residential customers on all of LG’s Smart TVs.

The agreement was signed at a press conference held in Dubai, revealed a close collaboration between the two corporations that will bring unprecedented range of benefits to their shared customer base. LG has developed broadband-connected TVs that are designed to deliver Internet-based content, mostly video, from popular or social websites, in addition to content from broadcast TV providers. The connected feature in LG’s Smart TV is supported by a technology that is integrated Set-Top-Box to the TV sets. Well on its way to fiber-connect the entire UAE in 2012, Etisalat recently completed the fiber deployment in Abu Dhabi, making it the world’s first Capital city in the world to be fiber-connected. Owing to super high speeds provided on the fiber-connections, customers will be able to enjoy exceptional quality with Etisalat’s new OnWeb video services.

eLife, Etisalat’s flagship range of fiber-based services, will have “OnWeb” service directly available through LG Smart TVs that customers purchase in UAE. OnWeb appears as a remote control-accessible menu item on the homepage of all LG Smart TVs. As compared to the traditional consumption of content on TV, customers will be thrilled with the experience and ease of finding and watching unique web-based video services on their TV.

The Smart TVs are enabled with UGC (User Generated Contents), SNS (Social Networking Service), Photo Sharing Service, Weather forecasts and other useful applications from LG or Etisalat. Customers subscribed to Etisalat’s eLife services can also access its new ‘Video on Demand’ service that is available on request. In addition to the free-of-charge OnWeb service package, customers will enjoy the option of purchasing exclusive content that will be offered on demand.

Commenting on the partnership and launch of eLife’s OnWeb service, Matthew Willsher, Chief Marketing Officer at Etisalat said: “Etisalat continuously strives to leverage technology in order to provide a distinctive experience to its customers. We are very excited to be teaming up with LG to provide our customers with advanced services via a Smart TV. We believe that this partnership and OnWeb service will create a new channel for providing our broadband customers with video content and Apps.”

Willsher added, “OnWeb services will facilitate the opening of new business avenues for content producers and broadcasters by creating unique ways that their content is presented to customers. This service will also allow us to cater for our diverse range of customers and provide them the best of what they want to watch.”

Etisalat’s specialized “Digital Media Services” unit is committed to supporting content producers and broadcasters in making their content available to Etisalat’s customers via the OnWeb service offering on the LG Smart TVs. Willsher added, “We have actively invested in efficient back-end systems to support the OnWeb offering and provide customers who use LG Smart TV’s with a wide variety of content from our partners.”

Commenting on the partnership with Etisalat, Mr. K.W. Kim, President of LG Electronics Middle East and Africa Region said: “This strategic partnership between LG Electronics and Etisalat highlights the importance of cooperation in bringing technology and content together to provide users with a superior experience, while reducing the complexity and associated cost. By combining our technology with Etisalat’s eLife OnWeb & eLife OnDemand service offering, we now open up a whole new world of superior entertainment for consumers, as we redefine the very notion of TV entertainment.”

LG’s Smart TV function provides customers with simple control of their home entertainment experience. The unique platform provides access to thousands of movies, customizable apps, videos and the ability to browse the Web through an easy navigating user interface and mouse-like point and click remote system, giving the user an experience that is easy, fun and unlimited premium content.

“A simple dashboard is the gateway to the LG Smart TV experience. With just four main sections – Live TV, Premium Content, TV Apps and Launch Bar – viewers are never more than a few clicks away from a vast variety of content” added Mr. Kim

The LG is targeting and developing more than 550 applications for LG App store until the first half year of 2011. The platform includes a Web browser so users no longer need to turn on their laptop to access the internet. LG’s Smart Share function allows users to wirelessly stream content from their PCs and other compatible devices for viewing on their television screen. Smart Share also includes Media Link, which provides additional information, such as cover art or liner notes, for content being streamed.
 

Dubai Government Service Delivery Model To Be Generalized To All RTA Strategic Services

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) decided to generalize the Dubai Government Service Delivery Model to all its strategic services delivered to customers and as such will be the first government entity to apply the Dubai Model to all its service since the initiative was launched last November.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said: "Generalizing the Dubai Model methodology to all RTA services stems from RTA’s belief in the vitality of the Dubai Model; which basically aims at upgrading the level of government services, achieving customer centricity and improving the quality of services delivered by the Dubai Government in a way that goes beyond the needs of customers and at the least possible costs. It also comes in the light of the positive and viable results of the experimental application of the unified Nol Card system; which is nominated to be the first service to apply the Model as it is vitally linked to several objectives of the Dubai Emirate in general and RTA in particular. A large number of Nol Cards is circulated among a wide segment of mass transport users through the service e-portal as well as the selling outlets.

Moreover, there is a wide base for the service beneficiaries compared to other services, the Nol card is upgradeable in a short time, the deliverables are easily measured, and there are documented processes and key performance indictors to gauge the efficiency of processes.

"Over the past six months, RTA has applied the Model to Nol service; where three service improvement initiatives have been undertaken which included a marketing campaign of Nol Card, adding new channels for topping-up the balance through RTA portal, and re-engineering the service delivery process with a view to enhancing the performance rate and reducing the operational cost of the service. The initial results of applying the Model were excellent as they were close to meeting the customer expectations of the service, and contributed to raising customer satisfaction rating to 80% and the rate is likely to increase further in the near future. It also resulted in higher service effectiveness, accelerating the processing of service-related transactions, dropping of potential errors, and reducing the overall operational costs."

"RTA is always committed to deliver best-in-class services to customers at high quality standards and at the required speed. The commitment to implement the quality standards serves multiple benefits such as sorting out problems effectively, promoting inter-employee cooperation, building good reputation, and increasing the competitiveness between employees to achieve excellence; which in turn will result in higher productivity and improved quality of deliverables to customers," said Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director praised the efforts of the Dubai Executive Council in upgrading the caliber of the Dubai Government services, and also hailed the project supervisors who have contributed to training and qualifying RTA improvement teams on the application of Dubai Model methodologies.

It is worth-mentioning that the Dubai Government Services Delivery Model initiative is the first of its kind worldwide in implementing an integrated model for delivering government services. The initiative comprises three major components that function concurrently as an integrated system designed to assist the government bodies with the delivery of high-class government services; which include the Model Document, Practical Applications in the Five Strategic Sectors of Dubai Government, and a package of Manuals including key service delivery tools to support the implementation by government bodies. Five government entities have been selected for running the trial phase of the initiative, namely: The General HQ of Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality, Lands and Properties Dep’t and Community Development Authority.

RTA Customers Council Discusses Enhanced e-Services With Strategic Partners

Road & Transport Authority – Manal Khalid: In its 14th gathering held recently, the Customers Council of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) discussed several topics and aspirations in common between the Corporate Technical Support Services Sector and the strategic partners in the Dubai e-Government with the aim of upgrading the level of e-services in offer. The meeting was chaired by RTA CEO and Chairperson of Customers Council Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla in the presence of the CEO of RTA Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani as well as members of Customer Council and representatives of the Dubai e-Government.

In the outset of the gathering, Al Mulla praised the ongoing communication with the community organizations in Dubai which, he says, is capable of realizing the common objectives of boosting and upgrading RTA e-services.

He underscored the expeditious efforts made by the RTA towards improving the level of services delivered to customers and clients at the best standards applicable at various industries across the globe.

“Through this gathering we are seeking to cement our relationships and explore the means of joint cooperation between the RTA and the Dubai e-Government by heeding to your constructive views, comments and suggestions under the ultimate objective of achieving higher cooperation levels and customers satisfaction with RTA e-services,” added Al Mulla.

For his part the CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani said: “RTA is one of the biggest users of the Dubai e-Government services platform and the number of e-services used by the public is on the rise in comparison with the past years; which reflects the extent of response met with these services. This is reflected in a number of episodes such as the text messages which clocked 24,374,859 messages, e-transactions made through the e-payment services which topped 415,655 transactions, and total revenues of the e-payment services which reached 146,582,577 dirham. According to the latest classification, the number of e-services delivered by the Dubai e-Government is as high as 154 services; which reflects a remarkable increase compared to the prevailing number in 2009.”

The gathering opened discussion with customers to screen their ideas aimed at improved e-services where customers of the Dubai e-Government asked for holding regular coordinative meetings on quarterly basis with the RTA in order to explore the potentials of improvement, exchanging views and communication. They also called for the RTA to submit its strategic plan at the beginning of each year to the Dubai e-Government in order for them to align their strategic plans with the priorities of the RTA. They also called for involving the e-Government in all the new projects of the RTA with the aim of processing and preparing the e-programs on due time and in a highly precise manner.

The gathering also submitted a number of requests intended to upgrade the level of joint e-services between the two parties which included involving the Dubai e-Government in all sophisticated services of the new GRP system of the human resources. They also called for following up the collection of the refunded amounts pertinent to faulty e-transactions with the Dubai e-Government for reasons relating to the delay of some transactions for more than 90 days. They also called for holding a coordinative meeting between the Dubai e-Government, the Central Bank and the RTA in order to establish an e-link of programs with the Central Bank with the aim of minimizing the collection and refund period in case of using credit cards inside or outside the UAE. A suggestion was also tabled highlighting the importance of merging the online collection services with the Dubai e-Government.

Al Mulla further added that the gathering stressed the importance of having close follow-up with the Dubai e-Government in order to sign off the long-running outstanding issue of upgrading the recharging of Salik and Nol cards through holding meetings between the Dubai e-Government and RTA Automated Fare Collection Dep’t with the aim of providing full explanation about all the new and enhanced services in preparation for the launch of these e-programs during the third quarter of this year.
 

Jafzas 2nd Customer Strategic Forum Highlights Sector-Related Growth Opportunities And Issues

Jafza recently organised a Strategic Forum for leading players in the Chemical, Oil and Gas sector in the free zone. The Forum is part of a series of industry-specific events launched by Jafza earlier this year, designed to create strategic dialogue with top industry executives on sector-specific issues. Jafza hosted a similar event for its clients in the Logistics sector, in March this year.

With 400 companies in all, the Chemical Oil and Gas Industry forms an important part of the growing Jafza business community. Senior officials from premier companies in the free zone like Petrochem Middle East, Shell, Exxon Mobil, and Middle East Lubricants among others attended the Forum. Representatives from Dubai Customs, DP World, Environment Health and Safety (EHS) Department, Dubai Municipality and other partners of Jafza also participated in the event.

The Forum aimed to provide insight into trends and market dynamics shaping business prospects and also to create a platform for genuine exchange of ideas on how Jafza can work together with industries to collectively find ways to enhance competitiveness and make the operating environment within Jafza even more enriching for those companies.

Jafza has extended its support to the sector by establishing a dedicated 615,549 square metres cluster for chemical oil and gas companies in Jafza South enabling better access to customers, interdependent processes and improved logistics.

The session was highly focused on areas close to the sector, allowing each participant to voice individual queries, concerns and suggestions to enhance operations further. Participating companies discussed federal rules, regulations, customs, duties coordination of various Government entities, Ministries and regulatory bodies and internal free zone processes to improve efficiencies.

Industry leaders called for Jafza’s support in helping them reach markets in Asia-Pacific. Growth is forecast to mainly emanate from Asia-Pacific and Latin America, which represent the fastest growing regional markets for oilfield and chemicals worldwide. Jafza briefed clients on their strong Asian network and suggested ways in which they could work together with companies to leverage opportunities in these markets.

Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO, Jafza and Chief Commercial Officer said: “The Strategic Forum was quite well received by the Chemical Oil and Gas Community and had all attendees unanimously agree on more networking and discussion platforms where we could all constructively discuss the way forward. The sector is an important contributor to the local economy. Free Zone trade in 2009 for the Mineral fuels, oils and bituminous substances was valued at AED 22.7 billion with imports at AED 12.4 billion and exports at AED 10.3 billion. We want to extend our support to this burgeoning sector in any way we can. Our success rests on our continued commitment to enabling our customers businesses and this Forum is a way for us to understand their needs better.”

The latest United Arab Emirates (UAE) Oil & Gas Report from BMI forecasts that the country will account for 6% of Middle Eastern (ME) regional oil demand by 2015, providing 11% of supply.

Al Janahi added: “The prosperity of the UAE and its rapid transformation to a booming economy over the decades has been made possible by its focus on developing its core energy sectors. Apart from oil, in the coming years, natural gas will play an increasingly important role in the UAE’s development – particularly as a fuel source for power generation, petrochemicals and manufacturing industry. Facilitating development and capacity building in the country’s core sectors such as energy is one of Jafza’s mandates.”

Many companies in the Middle Eastern region are making massive investments to increase their capacities to produce petrochemicals along the value chain. Ethylene capacities, for example are expected to more than double combined polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) to nearly triple by 2012 and this is the first wave of development. The Forum aims to capitalize on the optimistic outlook for the industry focusing on ways to sustain growth.
 

Public Transport Agency Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement With Double Decker Bus Tours

Roads & Transport Authority – Nashwan Atta’ee:

The Public Transport Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Double Decker Bus Tours LLC providing for the two parties to draw up joint strategies and plans to link the services of the Big Bus of Double Decker Bus Tours LLC; which is subject of a huge attention from a wide spectrum of visitors and tourists pouring in Dubai from various corners of the globe, with RTA’s marine transit modes; in a step aimed to boost the marine transit service in the Emirate.

In a gathering held by the two parties at RTA’s Head Office, Umm Al Ramool, the Agreement was signed on behalf of the RTA by the CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari, and on behalf of Double Decker Bus Tours LLC by the General Manager Chris Crompton.

Speaking on the event, the CEO of Public Transport Authority Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari said, “Through signing this partnership Agreement, the Public Transport Agency will work with Double Decker Bus Tours LLC to achieve a host of objectives and strategic goals which will be to the benefit of the tourist marine transport, reflect positively on the economic & social fields, and boost the tourist industry of the Dubai Emirate. This will be materialized through Double Decker Bus Tours LLC directing its tourists arriving in Dubai to use the Water Bus in their travels within the Dubai Emirate; which will enrich their tourist experience in an enjoyable and comfortable manner.

“The Public Transport Agency will offer tourists dispatched by Double Decker Bus Tours LLC the opportunity of riding the Water Bus and treating themselves to an enjoyable marine cruise between the two shores of the Dubai Creek,” added Al Dosari.

For his part, the General Manager of Double Decker Bus Tours LLC Chris Crompton expressed his extreme pleasure over the signing of the Agreement with the Public Transport Agency saying: “We are excited to support this strategic initiative of the RTA and take part in building the future of Dubai through signing this Agreement with the Public Transport Agency which will enable us have an effective contribution in boosting the public transport network and tourist marine transport; which in turn will help boost the profile of Dubai in the tourist map of the region and the world over.

“Double Decker Bus Tours LLC will play a vital and key role in achieving this joint objective through promoting the Water Bus and Water Taxi services among its clientele of tourists and visitors, and the Co. will showcase the Water Bus and the Water Taxi services in its leaflets and brochures where a jointly agreed fare will be applied.
 

Dubai Trade Honours Its Employees And Strategic Partners

Dubai Trade, the innovative online service provider of Dubai World, hosted a special event to honour its employees, strategic partners and their executives who have played critical roles in the implementation of major projects, to make trade easier, during 2010 – 2011.

Special mementos and certificates of appreciation were presented at a gala ceremony by Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, and Board Member, Dubai Trade, and Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director, Dubai Trade, to more than 50 executives from DP World, Dubai Customs, Economic Zones World, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and ITC, the group shared service providers, in addition to Dubai Trade’s own employees.

The projects included Phase II of Contact Centre, data compilation for the World Bank’s “Doing Business” Report, upgrading of single sign-on infrastructure, the E-Services Excellence Award (ESEA) 2010, the upgrading of the portal, www.dubaitrade.ae, and the Certified Trade & Logistics Professional (CTLP) programme, a Certification Course initiated and developed by Dubai Trade and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Group CEO, Dubai World, and Chairman, Dubai Trade, said:
“Creating the right cyber environment in which the supply chain community could conduct safe, secure and seamless transactions is Dubai Trade’s mission. We are pleased to note that this is being achieved with remarkable success and with full cooperation from the other stakeholders, in line with the broader e-commerce policies of the Dubai Government. We congratulate all those assembled here on their achievements and hope to see many more milestones in our collective development.”

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, and Board Member, Dubai Trade said:
“As the leading facilitator of trade flow, DP World, UAE Region commends the integration and synergy that Dubai Trade has brought to importers and exporters in Dubai. Dubai Trade succeeded in achieving a difficult dream by focusing on customer service and within a few years changed the trading culture of Dubai by enabling a transformational shift to e-services to conduct supply chain transactions through its portal.”

Mahmood Al Bastaki, Director, Dubai Trade, said:
“Dubai Trade shares with its strategic partners a commitment and belief that together we will achieve the vision that has been set for Dubai by its leadership. This is not a journey that we have taken alone, as is evident from this honourable gathering. We have constantly worked towards making our portal, www.dubaitrade.ae, ever friendlier to our customers. We deeply appreciate the highly productive contributions made by our partners and their teams of professionals towards realising our goals. Congratulations to all of them.”

2010 was a year of multi-faceted achievements for Dubai Trade’s online portal, www.dubaitrade.ae, which registered a record 11.4 million transactions, marking a 25.7% increased compared to 2009. The numbers of e-services Dubai Trade offers its customers also rose by 12% to 758 during the same period.

The record breaking number of transactions was reached as Dubai Trade has consistently updated and expanded its portfolio of integrated innovative services to serve the growing clientele of DP World, Economic Zones World, Dubai Customs and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Etihad Rail Signs Strategic Agreement With Etisalat

Etihad Rail, the master developer and operator of the UAE’s first railway network, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Etisalat to offer innovative solutions and collaborative services for its customers.

The MOU was signed by Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions at Etisalat and Richard Bowker, CEO at Etihad Rail, during the ongoing UITP conference and exhibition in Dubai.

The strategic agreement will allow Etihad Rail and Etisalat to share best practices in communications network engineering as well as jointly develop a unique business model that serves both companies and delivers key advantages to each.

The partnership will offer cost effective communications network coverage for Etihad Rail and its customers, provide the opportunity for Etisalat to offer ICT solutions that support Etihad Rail’s goal of providing safe, modern and efficient rail services to its passengers and freight customers, and will also enable Etisalat to benefit from the nationwide railway network infrastructure.

Commenting on the collaboration, Etihad Rail Executive Director – Commercial Shadi Malak said: "At Etihad Rail, we aim to offer customised solutions to ambitious companies seeking greater efficiency, reliability and competitive advantage as well as an integrated railway network that serves the needs of our core customers: freight and Passengers.

We understand the significant role that telecommunications play in delivering the highest quality transportation services, and are excited to work with Etisalat to explore new opportunities and solutions that will directly impact our end users in a positive way." For Etisalat, this endeavour will work to utilise the Etihad Rail national railway infrastructure to expand its fibre-optic technology to areas not yet covered by the network.

Abdullah Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions, at Etisalat, said: "We are delighted to enter into this strategic agreement with Etihad Rail, which marks the expansion of existing relationships between two leading UAE organisations. The signing of this MOU is a strategic step towards enhancing development of the country’s communications and transportation infrastructure, while ensuring that the best-in-class ICT solutions are utilised and implemented. Etisalat’s mission is to extend the reach of our customers – including corporate enterprises and passengers – and through partnerships like this, we are making great strides in achieving our goals." The MOU with Etisalat comes at an important time in the advancement of Etihad Rail and its 40billion dirham network, as the railway moves from the planning phases towards actual implementation. By the summer of 2011, Etihad Rail will begin construction on the first phase of the network – a route that will connect Shah, Habshan and Ruwais for the purpose of transporting granulated sulphur for export, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Oil Company (ADNOC).