Emaar Properties to start a new chapter in its growth story in 2009, says Alabbar

Changed market situations also bring opportunities
Burj Dubai opening will be a significant milestone in 2009

Emaar Properties PJSC will start a new chapter in its growth story in 2009 by evolving strategies to face the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and exploring new opportunities, said the company chairman Mr Mohamed Alabbar.

Mr Alabbar said that while several challenges await the property sector in 2009, there are also an equal if not greater range of opportunities. “Emaar will face these challenges with confidence and we will focus our energies to adapt to the changing circumstances. Our strategy of business segmentation and geographic expansion has proven its effectiveness, and we will continue along this path.” Read more

Do you know that one out of five people in UAE is affected by type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar)?

Could you have diabetes and not know it?

Glucose (also known as blood sugar) is produced by the body from the foods that you eat (and some by the liver). The pancreas, an organ located just behind the stomach, produces insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps to move the sugar from the bloodstream and into your body’s cells where it is used for energy. This process controls the amount of sugar in your blood, keeping it from getting too low or too high.

Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes occur when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. As a result, sugar levels build up in the bloodstream.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Still, the stakes are high. If you have pre-diabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to your heart and circulatory system — may already be starting. Read more

ENOC employees lead the way with blood donation

Campaign aims to ensure adequate supplies at Al Wasl Hospital

ENOC recently conducted a blood donation drive in cooperation with Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, as part of its endeavour to contribute to the well-being of the community in the UAE.

A large number of ENOC employees have participated in the campaign held recently at the ENOC Complex. ENOC has always been at the forefront of organising such campaigns regularly with Al Wasl Hospital. The hospital provides treatment for patients suffering from various blood disorders including thalassemia, a genetic disease highly prevalent in the UAE.

Commenting on the campaign, Saeed Abdullah Khoory, ENOC Group Chief Executive said: “We are proud that many ENOC employees have come forward to save lives in the UAE.

By organising blood donation campaigns regularly, ENOC aims to cooperate with hospitals to help meet the continuous need for blood supplies. Giving back to the community is a top priority for ENOC and we are keen on fulfilling our commitment to the community in all aspects of life especially healthcare.” Read more

Dubai Economic Department honours distinguished staff in Job Supremacy Competition 2008

His Excellency Mr Sami Al Qamzi, Director General, Department of Economic Development (DED), recently honoured the distinguished staff recognised at the Job Supremacy Competition 2008 launched by the department to strengthen staff performance and encourage the employees to exert more efforts at work.

“DED is committed to enhancing the performance and productivity of our employees, and we undertake periodic evaluation of the performance of our staff as they play a vital role in the overall performance of the department. Honouring the distinguished staff is part of our appreciation for their commitment to achieving perfection in the best ways possible,” said Al Qamzi. Read more

Celebrations to reach its peak at Global Village

Various festivities like fireworks and cultural events will entertain visitors to start the year 2009 with great fun and good times

Global Village, a member of Tatweer Dubai and the prime tourism destination in Dubailand, promises its patrons great fun while ushering in the year 2009 with a colourful extravaganza of celebrations.

The merrymaking will start as early as the park’s opening at 4pm on 31 December 2008. Guests are to be welcomed with the World Culture Parade featuring musicians and dancers wearing traditional costumes from various countries.

The cultural shows at the World Culture Stage at Gate 1 will be extended from 6pm to 11:30pm. In here, the African, Nepali, Mexican, Emirati, Yemeni and Spanish dancers will showcase classic dance performances. Read more

FNC recommends to reduce the dependence on the foreign labour

• Introduction of quota for non-Arab Labour
• Implementation of Federal Law for property ownership
• Changes in regulations and fees for family and domestic help sponsorship

The Federal National Council (FNC) has recommended country-wise quota for non-Arab Labour, with proportional regional allocations so as to ensure cultural diversity on the national level instead of attaining it on corporate level, according the official news agency WAM.

The FNC also approved other recommendations pertaining to the foreign labour after lengthy discussions on the issue as well as on the impact of the new regulations of the Labour Ministry.

The recommendations included formulation of a strategic demographic plan aimed at gradually increasing the numbers of national workers and stepping up the use of modern technology in all economic, commercial industrial sectors, with particular focus on the sectors of building and construction so as to reduce the dependence on the foreign labour.

The ad-hoc committee set up by the FNC gave the final touches to its recommendations after it concluded on Monday the discussions on the issue. The recommendations will be submitted to the cabinet soon.

The committee also called on all the concerned parties to take stock of the experience of developing national human resources and re-approach it by way of inculcating the concept among all the various federal governmental institutions. Read more

du slashes mobile and fixed call rates to Palestine by 50 per cent

Will enable Palestinians in the UAE keep in touch with their loved ones

du, the UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, has announced a 50 per cent reduction in rates for all calls to Palestine originating from the UAE beginning 30 December 2008 enabling Palestinians to stay in touch with their families in the current situation. Read more

Emirates Airline and Dnata ownership transfered to Investment Corporation of Dubai

Emirates Airline and air travel services firm Dnata now officially belong to Government owned Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), reported Reuters. Spokesmen for the airline confirmed the transfer of ownership of the Emirates Group and commented that changes in management and employment contracts are not planned. Read more

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Burj Dubai is now over 780 metres and climbing

Mixed-use tower with over 160 floors to open in 2009

Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, set several global milestones in high-rise construction in 2008, an epoch-making year for the tower. On course to open in 2009, Burj Dubai has reached a record 780 metres (2,559 ft) height, and has over 160 storeys, the most number of floors in any building.

In 2008, Burj Dubai achieved the distinction of being the world’s tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is already taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Dubai also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties, said: “This has been a landmark year for Burj Dubai, as it consolidated its global leading position in the construction of high-rises. Every aspect of Burj Dubai, now, is a world-first, and highlights the new aspects of construction technology employed for the tower.” Read more

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