Ski Dubai Welcomes Pole Explorer To Support Climb For Cancer 2011

As members of the Climb for Cancer team look toward their assault on Mt. Elbrus in Russia on August 31st, Ski Dubai will lend it’s sub-zero facilities this weekend to help the team prepare for the journey ahead. Adrian Hayes will also visit Ski Dubai to offer his experience and expertise to the climbers, as the fastest man to conquer all three poles, North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest.

Ski Dubai will host the six members of the Climb for Cancer team for two days and two nights between June 16th and June 18th to test their equipment and clothing in the heavy snow conditions the team will face in the extreme cold temperatures of -20C on their 8 day journey to the top.

Now in it’s second year, Climb for Cancer is a charitable initiative set up by Lebanese national Nizar Fakhoury to encourage amateur hikers and adventure seekers to play their part in the fight against cancer, successfully facilitating the care and treatment of two underprivileged cancer patients in 2010 after an intensive three-month awareness campaign around their climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.

“Ski Dubai is incredibly proud to support such a pioneering program that plays an invaluable role in helping those who do not have the financial means to fight such a terrible disease that affects so many. We hope that our facilities at Ski Dubai will help with their preparations for this tremendous undertaking and we wish them the very best for the journey,”said Fahad Al Lawati, Marketing Manager for Ski Dubai.

 

Dubai International Academic City To Offer Enhanced Support To AIESEC UAE Chapter

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Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster, recently met with the incoming President of AIESEC in the UAE, Miss Yana Makaveeva, to enhance existing relationships and extend Dubai International Academic City’s (DIAC) support to the organisation.

Makaveeva will take over as President from Hamad Taher as of 1 July and be fully responsible for driving the aims of AIESEC UAE.

AIESEC is the world’s largest organisation that is managed by the youth for the youth. It provides the perfect platform with which students from diverse regions can come together to realise their goals and career objectives. The UAE became the 85th member country of AIESEC in 2001 and is headquartered in DIAC.

DIAC actively supports AIESEC in the UAE by providing them with access to their facilities. Additionally, academic leaders from universities that are a part of DIAC mentor and guide the management team on a regular basis.
In addition to DIAC, AIESEC in the UAE has local chapters in the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE University in Al Ain and the Abu Dhabi University.

Visa Partners With Emirates NBD To Support Online Debit Transactions

Visa, one of the world’s leading payment solutions providers, has partnered with Emirates NBD for the launch of a service that allows Emirates NBD Visa debit cardholders to make online transactions. The move sees Emirates NBD, which is the UAE’s largest provider of Visa debit cards with over one million cardholders, become the first bank in the region to offer debit cardholders the opportunity to enjoy the peace of mind offered by Verified by Visa, Visa’s innovative e-commerce security solution.

Emirates NBD’s adoption of Verified by Visa signals a joint commitment towards providing cardholders with yet another level of security and delivering unprecedented online safety and convenience to Emirates NBD Visa cardholders, enabling them to make online purchases directly from their bank accounts rather than on a credit card. The partnership will further help drive the use of online payments over cash on delivery for goods bought online, helping to further ensure transaction security and reflects the increasing importance of e-commerce within the UAE, as highlighted by the Government’s current drive to increase online Government sector payments.

Emirates NBD went live with the globally trusted Verified by Visa programme for its Visa debit cardholders earlier this month, making it the first bank in the region to offer this enhanced security tool to both Visa debit and Visa credit cardholders.

Mr. Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager Visa Middle East, said: “Visa is delighted to have Emirates NBD as the first bank in the GCC to take forward the Verified by Visa programme for both debit and credit cardholders, working with Visa to protect cardholders and instill confidence in the e-commerce environment. Emirates NBD is the first bank in the region to pioneer this enhanced security for all cardholders.

He added: “We have seen a significant growth in debit transactions and payments in the region. Visa debit cards have become the card of choice for many cardholders and now outnumber credit cards by four to one. The online space is also a more sophisticated and accessible commercial landscape now and our research has shown that 83 per cent of UAE residents have purchased something online. It is therefore even more important for consumers to have the choice of using either their debit or credit card online and with Verified by Visa, we are adding an extra layer of protected security for our customers.”

The Verified by Visa service ensures that the person using the Visa debit or Visa credit card online is the genuine cardholder. The easy-to-use function invites registered users to use a personal password to confirm their identity before the transaction is finalised, providing Visa cardholders with greater reassurance and security every time they use their credit or debit card online.

Siavaram R, Head of Cards Business, Emirates NBD, said: “The adoption of the Verified by Visa programme is in line with Emirates NBD’s strategic vision to create a safe e-environment for our customers that will allow them the flexibility and the opportunity to make online transactions with secure and convenient technologies. As pioneers of the UAE banking sector, it is only fitting that Emirates NBD is the first bank in the region to offer this enhanced security service for all its cardholders while helping to promote e-commerce and further consolidate the e-marketplace offering in the region.”
 

Dubai Ladies Club To Support Earth Hour 2011 For Third Consecutive Year

In line with its ongoing commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, will join millions of people around the world on Saturday, 26 March 2011 to support Earth Hour 2011. From 8.30pm this Saturday the Club will minimise the consumption of electricity for one hour by turning off not only all exterior and internal lights but also as many electrical sources as possible.

Areas where lighting will be turned off will include all exterior lighting, the member and non-members swimming pools and all four reception lobbies and partially in the operational sections. This is the third consecutive year that Dubai Ladies Club supports Earth Hour.

Since its inception in 2003, Dubai Ladies Club has consistently worked towards improving the quality of life of Emirati and expatriate women living in the UAE through in-house events, facilities and pilot projects. Dubai Ladies Club’s commitment to environmental sustainability includes participation in recycling programs, waste management practices as well as adopting environmentally sustainable practices.

In the past, Dubai Ladies Club has participated in city wide environmental projects such as Earth Hour, Save My Trees campaign organized by Emirates Environmental Group, Mobile Phones and Electronics recycling program organized by EnviroFone and many more. Regular eco-awareness campaigns are also promoted to mark annual events such as Earth Day in April and World Environment Day in June.

More recently, Dubai Ladies Club announced the launch of Al Murjan Reef Rehabilitation Project. Under the Royal Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, UAE; Al Murjan Reef Rehabilitation Project is an initiative by the Dubai Ladies Club, Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai and Traders Hotel, Dubai under the umbrella of ‘sustainability’ Shangri-La’s Social Responsibility initiative. Al Murjan will be the first community-based coral reef development project within the UAE. The project will seek to build capacity at the community level through necessary trainings to community groups in coral reef education and awareness; management planning; and long-term financing and sustainability.
 

Emirates NBD Introduces Electronic Donation Solutions To Support Humanitarian Aid Efforts Globally

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced today the introduction of new electronic payment solutions to facilitate donations towards relief efforts in crisis-stricken Japan and Egypt. The new service, which is open to all, is available through Emirates NBD’s electronic banking channels (CDM and Banknet). This initiative is in line with Emirates NBD’s commitment to support social and charitable causes and actively promote contributions to humanitarian relief efforts globally.

“We have all been shocked and saddened by the sheer scale of the disaster that has recently befallen Japan,” said Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Group Deputy CEO, Emirates NBD. “Closer to home, we are moved with by the plight of families struggling daily in Egypt. Emirates NBD has made these payment collection provisions for customers, staff and the public at large, which will provide an easier way to make charitable contributions to these urgent humanitarian causes. We ask everyone to give generously to support relief efforts during these crises.”

Last month Japan was struck by the largest earthquakes ever recorded. Many of the survivors have been left with no means to keep warm in freezing temperatures, without water, electricity, fuel or enough food to survive.

Thousands of Kilometers across the globe, many families are still struggling as they come to terms with the volatile situation in Egypt, which has left countless displaced or without money for day to day necessities. Urgent food and medical supplies are needed in both these crisis-hit regions.

Emirates NBD has set up two separate accounts to receive donations for each cause. The money collected for Japan will be transferred to the Embassy of Japan in the United Arab Emirates, who will ensure it goes towards emergency aid to those in need, via the Japanese Red Cross Society. The second fund will go to the Government of Egypt to provide food and medical supplies and help in the task of rebuilding the country.

Customers can make easy donations through Emirates NBD’s BankNet, one of the region’s most advanced online financial services portals. It is the ideal solution for customers who wish to make a donation, without having to step out of their home or office. Alternatively, Emirates NBD has the largest network of ATMs and CDMs in the UAE and donations can be made by customers and non-customers, through any one of 130 CDMs, situated in the most convenient locations nationwide.

Emirates NBD’s community-related initiatives also include raising donations for Dubai Cares, Beit Al Kheir Society, Red Crescent UAE, Awqaf and Minor Affairs.
 

Dubai Exports Holds The Exporters Support Network To Encourage Local Companies To Expand In Foreign Markets

Dubai Exports, an agency of the Department of Economic Development – Government of Dubai, hosted the first of a series of meetings of the Exporters Support Network (SANAD), to discuss ways to reduce the obstacles and challenges being faced by local companies when exporting to foreign markets as well as find solutions to support and develop the exporting sector in the UAE.

Members of SANAD included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Federal Customs Authority, Dubai Customs, Dubai Trade, and Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, in addition to Dubai Exports.

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports, delivered the welcoming speech followed a presentation by Dubai Exports on its latest services to assist and facilitate exports.

The meeting discussed a number of issues faced by companies operating in various industrial sectors such as identification documents required of the existing industries in the country at border points for an exemption from customs duties. Other requirements were also discussed including obtaining certificates of origin for manufactured goods in the UAE, as well as the impact of having bilateral trade agreements with the Arab market, which is one of the main target markets for Dubai exports.

“The purpose of these meetings is to enhance cooperation and coordination between institutions and government agencies to maintain excellence and continue to lead, through the establishment of a committee that will bridge between the government entities and companies from industrial sectors. In addition, we will also identify the needs and follow their suggestions and opinions and then submit them to the concerned authorities to develop mechanisms to facilitate and contribute to the removal of these constraints both regionally and globally,” said Engineer Al Awadi.

Among the topics focused during the meeting were the types of export support services, which include the enactment of policies and government intervention in other countries to develop trade; and strengthening trade cooperation with the other countries through signing trade MoUs to promote intra-regional trade. Furthermore, the meeting also highlighted the need for the commercial attaché’s support to give exporters legitimate rights in the context of free competition during bidding opportunities in the country of exports.

“SANAD will work to enhance the exporters’ confidence in the government’s role of supporting them in export activities by working closely with specialised agencies in responding to any enquiry or proposal that would enhance the growth of local businesses, and eventually increase the volume of exports from the UAE,” Al Awadi added.

He also highlighted that the strategies of the network will support exporters in entering international markets. Through SANAD, the UAE will be able to increase trade opportunities for local exporters and manufacturers.

The participants also suggested several steps to take further such as strengthening the role of trade attaché and coordination with the country’s embassies abroad, as well as prepare a report highlighting the priorities for target markets according to the economic situation and the impact on national income. They also highlighted the facilitation of technical obstacles of exports through encouraging bilateral agreements with different countries in order to create identical standards in export products, as well as raise awareness to local exporters on the recent technical market policies and provide technical guidance to understand the market requirements to increase the volume of trades.

Dubai Exports will prepare papers on the issues which had been received and discussed and to direct them to the concerned authorities and specialised agencies with the aim of finding solutions that will provide support for exporters and increased the size and quality of the country’s exports in the coming years.
 

Al- Ahli Holding Stanton Chase International Sign A Strategic Partnership To Support CSR Initiatives

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Al Ahli Holding Group and Stanton Chase International have just signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) encouraging future collaboration between the two firms.

The MOU is aimed at building a genuine partnership and effective relationship in order to support Arab youth in the areas of entrepreneurship and development, create new opportunities for excellence and build bridges between them and young people around the world, as Stanton Chase International will support some of the existing Al Ahli Group initiatives (like the Global Business Opportunities Program),

Mr. Panos Manolopoulos, Vice Chairman Regions of Stanton Chase International said: “It is very important for us as an International organization to work on activating our corporate social responsibility role in the UAE and the region. Therefore, we are always looking for regional initiatives with pure CSR goals and objectives to contribute back to the society here. Today, we are delighted to have signed this MOU with Al Ahli Holding Group – one of the most active in the region in CSR initiatives, and are looking forward to having a fruitful relationship where both firms can work on youth development programs that have tangible results.”

Commenting on this new partnership, Mr. Mohamed Khammas, CEO of Al Ahli Holding Group, said: "We are very pleased with this collaboration, Stanton Chase International is a highly reputed organization, and has well established connections in many countries. This will greatly expand the scope of our CSR division programs, and will help diversify the nationalities of the young people participating in our various initiatives.”

It should be noted that Al Ahli Holding Group works already on a number of initiatives via its own Corporate Social Responsibility division focusing on the development, support and empowerment of Arab youth and on the dissemination of thought leadership in the region through different internship and fellowship programs.

Stanton Chase International (www.stantonchase.com) is a specialized global executive consultancy firm of first choice to multinational companies, offering executive search services globally, along with market intelligence, compensation advice, competitive data, market benchmarks, leadership assessment and mentoring, combining international expertise with regional knowledge and local insight. Today, it operates with truly integrated resources of over 70 offices in 44 countries. In recent surveys, Stanton Chase continues to be ranked among the top 10 international executive search firms by size, stature and reputation.

Al Ahli Holding Group is a multi-disciplined national company with a diverse portfolio of activities ranging from real estate to turnkey construction, engineering products and factories, shopping malls and retail, cement, printing, plastic manufacturing, theme parks and strategic and innovative developments – a total of 20 diverse and growing businesses. The group’s latest mixed use development is the $1bn Dubai Outlet City.
 

Dubai Islamic Bank Announces Key Appointments To Support Growth And Expansion Strategy

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced today that it has made some strategic appointments to support its growth and expansion strategy. Under the new management restructure, Dr. Adnan Chilwan has been appointed Deputy CEO – Chief of Consumer and Wholesale Banking, while Mohammed Al Nahdi has been appointed Deputy CEO – Chief Operating Officer.

Addressing the needs of a constantly changing environment, the bank recognises the significance and value of streamlining its operations. Hence, it has announced the formation of a Business Group and a Support Group to ensure the successful implementation of its strategy through an effective organization structure.

The Business Group – Consumer and Wholesale Banking – headed by Dr. Chilwan, will be responsible for all the business functions of the bank, i.e. Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Real Estate and Contracting and Treasury. The Support Group, led by Al Nahdi, will be responsible for support functions like Central Operations, Information Technology, Legal, Compliance, Administration and Collections.

“Dubai Islamic Bank is embarking upon a new phase of growth and expansion, and our new structure has been aligned to capitalise on this business potential,” said Abdulla Al Hamli, Chief Executive Officer, DIB. “Dubai Islamic Bank successfully weathered the global economic crisis through its prudent approach to financing and provisioning. The bank is now geared to seize the opportunities in the coming years and to meet shareholder expectations.”

He added: “I am confident that the strengthened management team will enable the bank to effectively implement its business strategy, while continuing to provide customers with innovative Sharia-compliant solutions that meet their evolving needs.”

In line with its long-term domestic expansion strategy, Dubai Islamic Bank continues to focus on the opening of strategically located branches while also increasing its total customer base. DIB aims to strengthen its UAE-wide branch network by 10 more branches in 2011.

Recently, DIB announced the increase of its stake in Tamweel, the UAE-based Islamic home finance provider, to approximately 58 per cent, thus becoming the majority shareholder of the company. Upon the successful completion of the contractual arrangements with major shareholders, the Bank will have a controlling interest in the company.

DIB also launched Emirates REIT in joint venture with Eiffel Management, a pioneer of REITs in France. Both these initiatives are expected to provide much-needed impetus to Dubai’s real estate sector, as well as strengthen DIB’s share in the real estate financing sector in the UAE.
 

MoneyExpo Dubai Announces The Support Of The Ministry Of Higher Education And Scientific Research For The Regions Largest Personal Finance And Investment Show, Due To Take Place At The Dubai World Trade Centre From 21-23 April 2011

"The United Arab Emirates is recognized as an important international financial services centre: the number of banks and financial services companies are growing at a fast pace, stock markets are thriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; all levels of society show a strong commitment to providing world class financial services. MoneyExpo Dubai 2011 is a very important initiative that will help ensure that members of the general public acquire the information, knowledge and skills necessary for making sound investment decisions and for utilizing the financial services available to them."
– Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan

The event will be the first opportunity for the public to meet with their service providers in a neutral setting, benchmark products and services and gather market information for themselves. Covering a range of asset classes from insurance, mortgages and savings plans to trading and commodities – this event is designed to meet the public’s need for medium to long term investment opportunities. As Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan continued to explain "Information given to investors must be provided in ways that are easily understood by the general public. It is also important to strengthen investors’ abilities to use that information wisely. MoneyExpo Dubai 2011 will empower investors by providing access to accurate, reliable and easy to understand information, as well as the tools to use this information to make and monitor their own investments."

The educational emphasis on the exhibition is central. As marketing director Ranna Mokhtarzadeh has said, "I know that I always felt that passing through the UK school and university system there was nothing that I ever learnt about how to deal with money in the real world. Our aim for the 3 day event is to empower people with the tools to make the best decisions for their finances. There is a lot of misinformation out there and certainly a lot of fear given the state of the world economy. It is for this reason that we are bringing together some of the world’s leading wealth creation experts to share their strategies for creating wealth in these challenging times."

The speaker faculty will include Sharon Lechter, one of President Obama’s advisors on financial literacy and education and co-author of the international best-seller – Rich Dad Poor Dad which has sold over 27 million copies and been translated into over 50 languages. Other luminaries include Robert Allen, one of the best known financial advisors also from the US and author of two of the best-selling financial books in history and the world’s number one affiliate marketer – Ewen Chia, who is from Singapore.

The event also represents a unique marketing opportunity for the personal finance industry in the region. "The success of other such money shows elsewhere in Asia and the US is remarkable and we found an overwhelming need for something similar in this region." says Simon Eder. As he explains, "In our research with the public, they expressed a real reticence for some of the leading providers in the region. Over 30% of the people that we spoke to said that they were dissatisfied with the customer service of their bank for example. People also felt harassed by the continual bombardment with cold-calls in this region. Many expressed to us the need for an unbiased platform where people could sit down and learn about what had worked for others."

For more information, contact:

Ranna Mokhtarzadeh
Tel: +97150-1030560
Email: Rannasm@moneyexpodubai.com
Website: http://www.moneyexpodubai.com

Defending Champion Receives Unique Support Ahead Of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Defending champion Novak Djokovic received an extraordinary display of support ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as he visited Dolphin Bay at Atlantis, The Palm today.

The two-time Dubai champion can now add Blade, Cathy, Sol, Alice and Abby to his fan-base after swimming with the amicable pod as part of the Atlantis Dolphin Encounter, which allows guests to wade into waist-high crystal clear waters and enter the intriguing and playful world of dolphins, swimming and showing off some of their favourite skills.

Joining Djokovic in the lagoon with the dolphins was his girlfriend, Jelena Ristic and his 19-year-old brother Marko (with whom he will contest the doubles in Dubai).

“This has been an amazing experience. The dolphins are such friendly creatures and it’s fantastic to be able to get this close and swim with them,” said Djokovic, who will face Michael Llodra of France in his opening match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. He and his brother will face the experienced pair of Mahesh Bupathi and Leander Paes of India in their first round doubles encounter.

“I love playing here in Dubai and I am really looking forward to defending my title here again,” added the sensational Serbian.

“It’s a great pleasure to have Novak back in Dubai – he has shown us in the last two years just what he is capable of and has displayed impressive form in winning the Australian Open last month,” said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. “We’re looking forward to seeing him in action again here at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.”

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Play began on February 14th with the WTA Tour event and continues with the ATP tournament from February 21st that includes and four-time Dubai winner and 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

Tickets to most of the matches are still available from both the Stadium’s Box Office and online at www.timeouttickets.com. For further information about the tournament, visit www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or phone the call centre on +971 4 358 9797.