UAE`s FNC launches Arabic domain, address for its website

The UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) has officially launched its Arabic domain name "emarat", written in Arabic script, and an address for its website.

FNC’s website can now also be reached through either one of the two main and alternative addresses, both of which read "almajlis-alwatani-alittihadi.emarat", in Arabic script, and represent two variations (spellings) of this combination of words which means Federal National Council.

The move reflects the UAE Government’s policy to maintain the country’s Arabic and national identity by promoting Arabic language in all areas and focusing on supporting the development of Arabic web content, according to FNC Secretary General Dr Mohammed Salim Al-Mazrou’ei.

"FNC’s Arabic domain will also promote parliamentary culture among the website’s visitors and Arabic-only users or those who use keyboards with Arabic-only layouts, facilitate search and access by Arabic language users via PCs and handsets as well as encourage their interaction with the Council," he added.

Launched in 1997, FNC’s website now provides a huge database on the UAE and has received a total of 21496 visitors between October 2009 and early September this current year, he noted.

"FNC’s website is the region’s only parliamentary platform to provide a complete archive of the state’s official speeches and now offers the texts of proceedings of 455 sessions which date as far back as February 12th, 1972," Al-Mazrou’ei said.

 

Steadily Improving Contractor Payment Time Reflects Gradual Turnaround Of UAE’s Construction Sector

The UAE construction sector is witnessing a gradual turnaround, a fact that is evidenced by the steady improvement in the time taken by developers to settle outstanding contractor dues, according to a statement issued by Shaikhani Contracting, a part of the Shaikhani Group, a multibillion dollar international business conglomerate with interests in real estate development, trading, manufacturing and IT. The improving contractor-payment scenario is best reflected in Dubai where several major developers have started to pay contractors the amounts, which have been outstanding ever since the ramifications of the global economic downturn were felt in the UAE. Accordingly, Shaikhani Contracting has announced plans to roll out a strategic region-wide plan targeting growth and expansion across the UAE.

Recent market projections show that 26,650 apartments and villas will be handed over in Dubai this year as the region enters a recovery phase. This is a major positive development given that the Gulf’s construction industry had significantly contracted sharply during 2009, with some USD 500 billion worth of projects being cancelled or shelved following the real estate slump that started in 2008. Dubai was the hardest-hit market and many large construction companies in the emirate had to let go a substantial percentage of their staff. However, officials from Shaikhani Contracting point out though that with the start of the new decade things are certainly looking up for the construction sector and opportunities for contractors still exist. The company attributes the strong support offered by the Dubai Government as the main reason for the steady resurgence of the sector.

“This welcome development regarding the faster interval of payment for dues owed to contractors bodes well for our plans to grow our operations in the UAE, and we are very excited to witness the resumption of construction activities and become one of the most active contractors working on projects across the country,” said Rizwan Shaikhani, Managing Director, Shaikhani Contracting. “We consider discerning clients who capitalize on their investments irrespective of the current market conditions as our primary target market, and our strategy to connect with them is to ensure that the services we offer are up to par with their stringent standards.”

Underlining its confidence in the rising consumer confidence within the construction industry, the contractor announced earlier this year its aims to secure domestic contracts worth AED 60 million this year, the first two of which included contracts to undertake the construction of private villas in the Al Khawaneej area in Dubai, UAE. Identifying the excellent opportunities in the region, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE and in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Shaikhani Contracting is currently planning to hire more engineers, technical and non-technical staff, with a view to offer regional customers a broader portfolio of high quality services.

“Amidst the turbulent transition from unrealistic market prices to healthier, more realistic levels, we have succeeded in weathering the challenges and remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers. We are positive that this year will mark a significant milestone for our operations,” concluded Shaikhani.
 

EPPCO Is UAE’s New Addition To ’Superbrands’

Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO), a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), has joined the league of the ‘Superbrands’ in the UAE. The recognition complements ENOC being adjudged as one of the country’s ‘Superbrands’ for the fifth consecutive year.

EPPCO has created a strong market imprint operating across a variety of sectors including petroleum retailing, aviation refuelling, lubricants, marketing and terminalling. It has a network of over 170 service stations across Dubai and the Northern Emirates. These service stations also feature convenience stores, car washes, Quick Lubes and fast food outlets. EPPCO also runs the ENOC network of 57 service stations, and the Tasjeel car registration joint venture.

EPPCO is further expanding its Retail Business across various sectors, having successfully launched its ZOOM brand of convenience stores across the Dubai Metro stations. EPPCO also rolled out the PRONTO cafes within its network and some key shopping malls in Dubai as well as launched the AutoPro automotive service centres.

Burhan Al Hashemi, Chief Operating Officer, Retail Business Stream, EPPCO, received the Superbrands recognition from Mike English, Director of Superbrands Middle East & North Africa at a ceremony held recently.

He said: “The Superbrands recognition for EPPCO is a true testament to the market reach and brand equity that we have built over the years. The brand, EPPCO, stands for speed, convenience, service and value. The Award will further drive our market outreach initiatives and help meet our goal of becoming the leading regional convenience retailer.”

Certified to ISO 9001 quality standards, EPPCO’s Quality Management system is based on ‘business excellence’ and is in keeping with the standards of the Dubai Quality Award model. EPPCO has implemented an ’Environmental Management System,’ and three group companies – EPPCO Distribution, EPPCO Aviation and EPPCO Lubricants ­ are certified to ISO 14001.

EPPCO Aviation, a subsidiary of EPPCO, recently won the Chevron President’s Award for providing the highest standards in airport refuelling. It was honoured for meeting the award’s five criteria: zero recorded injuries, zero motor vehicle crashes, zero spills, zero product quality incidents, and completion of loss prevention system (LPS). EPPCO also complies with applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and best industry practices.
 

Etisalat Awarded UAE’s ’Superbrand’

Etisalat was awarded ‘Superbrand’ status in the UAE, at the Superbrands’ tribute event that was held today at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City to honour the UAE’s strongest brands. The award demonstrates Etisalat’s distinct set of brand values characterized by a strong focus on innovation, reliability, value, customer-centricity and the firm commitment to breaking new ground in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.

Commenting on the award, Haitham Al Kharusi, Vice President of Marketing Communications said, “Superbrands awards the UAE’s top brands and we are glad to receive this honour in recognition of Etisalat’s core brand values and achievements in the UAE for over three decades, as a reliable and trusted partner to consumers and business, offering benefits of convenience, coverage and value till date.”

Al Kharusi added, “Etisalat has been a fabric of society since the 1970’s. It is a brand that listens to and communicates with its customers in a clear, direct way with utmost importance to honesty, fairness and transparency, while also welcoming their valuable feedback and suggestions every step of the way.”

As a brand to reckon with, the company has made the UAE one of the most connected nations, with 7.8 million mobile customers on its network, 1.28 million subscribers to the fixed line network and 1.39 million Internet users. The penetration of mobile phones service in the UAE has now exceeded the 200 percent mark, the highest in the region, and comparable to the highest in the world.

Etisalat has invested over AED 5 billion to build the first revolutionary fiber-optic network in the UAE, enabling a whole new entertainment and communication experience for its consumers through its eLife services and offers.

The company’s mobile users enjoy the region’s fastest broadband speeds over its extensive 3G network and a range of services and applications such as GPRS, HSPA+, Blackberry and others. It is also the first UAE operator to launch both, the revolutionary iPhone 3G and 3GS in 2009, as it did for BlackBerry services in 2006. The Internet and broadband reach in the UAE is yet another significant achievement compared to the regional and international averages.

Etisalat has also created strong global associations through a prudent investment strategy and acquisitions in emerging markets such as Sri lanka, India, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Ranked among the Fortune Global 500, Etisalat operates in 18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 107 million customers out of a total population of approximately 2 billion people.
 

Superbrands To Honour UAE’s Top Brands At Tribute Event

Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, today announced that they will be hosting their annual tribute event to honour UAE’s strongest brands on July 20th, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. Superbrands will also announce the much awaited ‘Brand of the Year’ and unveil the 6th Edition of the Superbrands book at a glittering ceremony attended by the who’s who of the corporate world in UAE.

“We are pleased to announce the UAE’s strongest brands and honour them at our annual tribute event. The local brands that made it to the Superbrands list this year include some of the most recognised brands in the world as well as some new entrants on the list. These Superbrands were not only voted for by our distinguished brand council members but also by 2,500 marketing professionals voting for the preferred brands through an online poll. The brand with the highest score will be awarded ‘Brand of the Year’ at the tribute event,” says Mike English, Director, Superbrands Middle East.

After a stringent selection criteria set by the Superbrands Council, over 2,500 professionals were invited to vote along with the Council. More than 1,415 leading UAE brands were scored by the Superbrands Council and the invitees and the highest scoring brands were then designated as Superbrands. Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council are eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands UAE book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands

The Superbrands Council comprises individuals who have shown exceptional aptitude in business and who have a thorough knowledge of the market and methods of business. To be voted as a Superbrand by the Council is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand’s exceptional status.

The Superbrands Organisation will also unveil the much coveted coffee-table style Superbrands book, which includes a two-page profile of each of the Superbrands, at the Tribute event. “The brands featured in the book range from corporate giants to FMCG brands. We are happy to see so many of the UAE’s local brands included in the book alongside key international brands. Participation in the Superbrands book is by invitation only and acknowledges the intrinsic strength of the organisation and its brand value,” Mr. English adds.

The Superbrands tribute event is set to be a true celebration of many of the country’s highest profile brands, and promises to live up to its global reputation as the "Oscars of Branding".
 

Palm Utilities Outlines New Strategies To Cope With UAE’s Water Challenges

Palm Utilities, a leading private company that provides integrated sustainable utility solutions, has announced that it has outlined new strategies to assist in resolving the UAE’s future water challenges. Inherently, these integrate the latest advances in energy utilisation, nano and molecular technologies as well as innovative water reuse and recycling systems. This will be crucial as the company seeks to pursue various large-scale water desalination and wastewater treatment and reuse projects, helping address the region’s long-term water utility issues. Palm Utilities has noted that the GCC, which already accounts for more than half of the 11,000 desalination facilities worldwide, expects an 8 per cent annual growth of desalination plants as water demand continues to increase sharply among Gulf countries.

The UAE, which is one of the world’s largest per capita water consumers, is expected to increase desalination capacity by 76 per cent to 14.1 million cubic metres a day by 2016, according to a recent study by Japanese investment bank Nomura Securities. This comes as the UAE’s natural water resources are expected to shrink by 16 per cent in the next decade.

The situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the water utility sector and Palm Utilities has revealed that it has already consolidated its technical and manpower resources to accommodate the increasing number of projects for energy-efficient and cost-effective desalination facilities in the UAE and the rest of the GCC.

Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Palm Utilities, said: "Growing population and increasing industrialisation have strained the fresh water supply levels in the Arab World, a trend that is evident in countries such as the UAE. This has given rise to the importance of desalination as a key component in addressing the region’s long-term water challenges, resulting in several billions of dollars being invested in various desalination projects across the UAE and in several other GCC countries. With the latest technological advances, desalination has become a truly viable long-term solution as we are now able to produce purified water in a more energy-efficient and affordable manner. Palm Utilities has already signed several contracts to develop desalination facilities and we intend to leverage our technical and manpower expertise to bid for more large-scale projects."

Palm Utilities has been delivering district cooling, desalination, water purification, polished water, irrigation water production and wastewater reuse services in the region and has been responsible for some of the UAE’s most prestigious utility projects, including The Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Islands and The Gardens to name a few. In addition, Palm Utilities has also been focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of its operations, which has made the company a recipient of several local, regional and international awards for excellence.

Palm Utilities adopts technologically advanced methods that are regarded as the best in the industry in delivering water utility services in the region. The company uses environmentally friendly chemicals and has been recognised as the first in the region to use Reverse Osmosis technology in producing drinking water from seawater. Reverse Osmosis uses fine filtration that is specially designed only to allow the water molecule through, separating the water from other elements such as salt and minerals, which have larger molecules. The end water is then tested for minerals and if necessary more minerals are added before using it as drinking water.

Palm Utilities has been established to address the region’s unique requirements in the distinctly critical areas of cooling and water. The company is fully committed to environmental stewardship, having aligned all of its products and services according to recognised industry standards for environmental sustainability. Palm Utilities has also distinguished itself as a leader in technological innovation and an advocate of sustainable development. With its aim of sustained long-term growth, Palm Utilities intends to pursue new core business activities within other utilities, including domestic gas, power distribution and sustainable energy.
 

du Mobile Customers To Tweet On-The-Go With UAE’s First Of Its Kind Twitter SMS Service

In a quest to offer more flexibility to Twitter users, du today launched the first-of-its-kind Twitter SMS service in the UAE, which will provide mobile customers with the opportunity to Tweet on-the-go via SMS. With this new service, du mobile customers can follow their friends and receive direct messages from followers using SMS at any time, within the UAE and abroad. Moreover, Twitter users will receive notifications totally free of charge and will only be charged for outgoing SMS at regular rates.

“Twitter is becoming a vital platform for individuals as well as companies to communicate with friends, families and customers, and thus we are introducing this new service to enhance customers’ experiences by adding mobility to this growing social network. Customers now can follow their friends and send and receive messages conveniently at any time, while on-the-go” said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Customers can start using the service by simply sending “start” via text message to short code 8080 to get started. Customers have the option to receive notifications and updates from specific followers by texting “on <username>”, and can follow new friends by sending “follow <username>” to the same short code. For more information and details on how to use the new service, customers can visit http://help.twitter.com/entries/14020-the-official-twitter-textcommands, or refer to the full list of commands listed below.

“We are always keen to provide our customers with the best possible services which meet their expectations and facilitate their day-to-day life. Today, mobile phones are more than a device for calling or sending SMS, and are major providers of a world of services designed to cater to people’s growing demands, therefore we are continuously committed to offering such services to our valued customers in the UAE”, added Faraidooni.

Subscribing to the Twitter SMS service and receiving Tweets is free of charge, and customers will only pay when sending SMS at standard rates. When users choose to follow external links, mobile data charges will apply.
 

Bright, Young Things – Mojo Gallery Hosts Exhibition By UAE’s Emerging And Enterprising Talent

The Mojo Gallery last night unveiled an exhibition of the final art work by the Visual Communication and Multi-media Design students from The American University of Sharjah. Entitled “Baseline”- the typographic term referring to the line all letters sit on- the exhibition is a celebration of the 33 students’ artistic development, from their educational “baseline” through to their current artistic identity.

The brainchild of the students themselves, the collaborative exhibition demonstrates not only the emerging talent of the young artists, but also their enterprising spirit. An independent initiative by the group, the students drew on the generosity of the Sharjah and Dubai communities to pull all elements of the show together. Mojo Gallery, ardent supporters of young talent, provided the space and guidance in preparing an exhibition, while the students produced a catalogue, sourced sponsors and hired audiovisual equipment. They are also privileged to have received the patronage of Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade who will officially open the exhibition.

An eclectic collection of work that reflects the psyche of the multi-national group, the exhibition incorporates illustration, print making, 2-D animation, short films and motion graphics.

“Baseline” is the first exhibition by the students to be presented to the public outside of the university, following four years of studying together, and it is the springboard from which they hope to move on to their new respective careers.

“Baseline” will run from the 17-20th of May 2010 at The Mojo Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai.
 

UAE Online Art Archive Is Launched Alongside A Nation Wide Competition Showcasing The UAE’s Talent

The art community of the UAE is in for a lavish helping of the Emirates’ most comprehensive online database as the Office for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale launches the UAE Art Archive, www.uaeartarchive.org. The UAE Art Archive has been developed specifically to offer a platform for people interested in the art scene across the UAE to have a better understanding of art and the cultural infrastructure of the country and to showcase artists’ work.

Its launch is complemented by an image design contest that will enable anyone who is resident in the UAE to submit their design for the homepage banner of the art archive, which can be found at www.uaeartarchive.org. Supported by Emirates Airline, who is providing two economy class tickets to Venice, the competition encourages everyone with artistic flair to submit their work.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, Commissioner of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“The UAE Art Archive provides a unique platform, for the first time, in the contemporary art community where we can all come together and share this vehicle across all seven Emirates. This is a collective space for artists practicing in the UAE to show their work, whereby profiles can be uploaded with a biography, reference to online websites and gallery affiliation can be made and exhibition histories and artwork can be created. The archive is published online and is open to everyone all over the world.

This is also an opportunity for UAE residents to participate in an exclusive competition and to be a part of an online community that is really working from a grass roots level for the art and cultural scene across the UAE. This competition, I believe, is one of the most effective paths in which we can engage people’s interests and encourage them to support our own pool of creative contemporary talent.”

Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations – Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline said:
"Emirates is delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative. I hope that the people of the UAE can take inspiration from the majestic beauty of this great country when developing their submissions. The UAE Pavilion has worked hard to encourage UAE residents to embrace and express their creativity and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come."

Commencing from July 23nd, the competition will be judged by the Ambassadors to the UAE Pavilion: Sultan Al Qassemi, Alanood Al Warshaw, Jack Persekian, Paula Askari, Hannan Sayed, Nadine Kanso, Rashid Shabib, Ahmed Shabib, Sunny Rahbar and Maliha Tabari. The contest will close on September 2nd and an announcement of the winner will be made on September 16th at a Suhoor during Ramadan to reveal who will be awarded two economy flight tickets to Venice with a three-day stay at a four-star hotel in Venice and two tickets to visit the 53rd Venice Biennale, courtesy of Emirates Airline.

“As an Ambassador to the UAE Pavilion and one of the judges of this competition, I am enthusiastic to see the first glimpse of how the UAE’s art scene has evolved and what our local creative minds have in store. This contest is an innovative way to examine the developments which are currently taking place across the UAE’s art agenda,” Sultan Al Qassemi commented.

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing international art exhibition in Venice, Italy, the 2009 Venice Biennale, of which the UAE has sent its official contribution to play an integral part. Breaking ground as the first Arabian Gulf state ever to participate since the event began in 1895, the UAE Pavilion was established in recognition of the nation’s emergence as a cultural hub worthy of attracting global attention and was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Universally recognised as the world’s most prestigious contemporary art event, the Venice Biennale currently presents its 53rd International Art Exhibition, which began on June 7 and will be staged through November 22, 2009.

Info2cell.Com To Create New Niche Markets With 3.5G-Enabled Services As UAE’s Mobile Subscription Rate Hits 235 Per Cent

Info2cell.com, the leading mobile application service provider in the Middle East, has announced that it is expanding its portfolio of mobile services to enable subscribers to take advantage of significant advancements in the UAE’s mobile phone sector, particularly the arrival of 3.5G technology that delivers unprecedented broadband services to mobile users. The new range of offerings is expected to help develop new niche markets and boost Info2cell.com’s client base, in tune with the dramatic increase in mobile subscription in the UAE, which is expected to reach 235 per cent by end of 2009 and 251 per cent by 2010.

Info2cell.com pointed out that industry experts are particularly bullish about the long-term prospects of the 3.5G technology, expecting 3.5G mobile handsets to account for up to half of all global handset sales by 2013, an exceptional increase from just 7 per cent in 2008. Info2cell.com further revealed that it has tailored its new range of services and mobile solutions to correspond to the new demands of subscribers, delivering a more satisfying experience when video streaming, receiving TV signals, playing music or sending large files through their mobile phones or PDAs.

Bashar Dahabra, Founder and CEO of Info2cell.com said: "The advent of 3.5G technology has totally changed the direction of the mobile sector. We are now able to deliver increased voice capacity and higher speed data rates, giving mobile subscribers greater control and a much better range of choices. Info2cell.com has developed and enhanced our broad selection of services to complement the transformation of the mobile sector into a much more ubiquitous and significant lifestyle tool, particularly in the UAE, which in 2008 alone was estimated to have nearly 10 million mobile subscribers."

Info2cell.com has been a leading provider of mobile applications and content in the highly competitive MENA markets, managing more than half a million subscribers and accommodating up to 100 mobile requests per second. The content provider uses advanced mobile messaging technology to offer a wide range of services such as the new News Alerts via SMS or MMS, the advanced Mobile Value-Added services, personalized information services such as Alwan, GPRS, GSM, Edge services and the interactive mobile services for TV channels.