The UAE made rapid strides in combatting human trafficking in 2008, which is reflected in the number of registered cases doubling over the previous year, according to a report released by the country’s National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.

The annual report, “Combatting Human Trafficking in the UAE – 2008-09″, highlights the country’s stand on the crime, efforts to counter it, progress made, obstacles encountered, and plans for the future.

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The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology (EIAST) participated in the 33rd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE) in Stresa, Italy to enhance joint scientific cooperation and exchange of expertise in the field of innovation and advanced technology.

Participants from EIAST included Engineer Adnan Mohammed Al Rayes and Engineer Ali Al Suwaidi. The overall theme of the symposium was the use of earth observation systems and airborne techniques for understanding and managing the earth environment and natural resources.

The symposium also offered a platform for describing and discussing new remote sensing programmes in all countries of the world. It also examined the latest developments in the setting up of inter-operable earth observation and spatial data infrastructure through international arrangements.

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The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (DTMFZA) have signed a co-operation agreement to facilitate licensing procedures and provide a stronger growth-environment for investors in Dubai.

As per the agreement, DED will open a new branch in DTMFZA to issue licenses, business registration services and save trade names for companies and corporations that are planning to do businesses in the emirate.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing the business diversity within Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone by increasing geographical proximity between clients and service providers. It will contribute to adding more amenities and facilities to complement the lifestyle and operational requirements of the community, besides generating more business opportunities.

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1. UAE national Yousef Mohamed Al Radwan wins Grand Bentley
2. Month-long festival concludes with big prize bonanza

Six-month-old Munir Majed Ed-Din Qalaa is the grand winner in the draw for AED 1 million at the ‘Win Millions’ raffle at Festival@The Dubai Mall, the city’s largest of its kind in-mall shopping and entertainment extravaganza, which concluded on Friday (May 29, 2009).

Mr Yousef Mohamed Al-Radwan, a UAE national, won the Grand Bentley draw to drive home in a luxurious, four-door Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and the winner in the daily draw for AED 10,000 was Indian national Mr S Talwar.

The grand draw for AED 1 million and the Grand Bentley draw marked the finale of the festival, which contributed to rising sales at the over 900 retail outlets offering several global brands.

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DSF Office call centre provides instant information on DSS activities in various languages

Ahlan Dubai, the DSF Office call centre, is now receiving calls round-the-clock to ensure residents and visitors have up-to-date information on almost every aspect of Dubai. Launched to provide specific information on Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises events, the centre now receives calls on all queries including hotels, car rentals, tourist attractions, shopping deals, raffle draws, and how to get to important landmarks in Dubai.

On dialling +971 600545555, visitors and residents have access to a vast range of information provided by experienced and trained personnel in languages such as Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Urdu, and others. Ahlan Dubai is also open to receiving comments, complaints and suggestions from the public and takes utmost care in following them up with relevant authorities.

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Dubai Financial Market overall performance increased by 17 percent to reach 1878.09 points at the end of May 2009 compared to 1605.51 points at the end of April, reported the official news agency WAM. The market capitalization increased at the end of this month by 8.6 percent to reach AED 232.2 billion compared to AED 213.9 billion at the end of April.

The value of shares traded during this month reached AED 14.9 billion, compared to AED 13.9 billion recorded during April, an increase by 6.9 percent. Number of shares traded decreased by 14.5 percent to reach 9.8 billion shares during this month compared to 11.4 billion shares were traded during the April. Number of transactions executed during May 2009 decreased by 10.9 percent to reach 163.7 thousand compared to 183.8 thousand deals carried out during the last month In terms of sectoral contribution to trading volumes, the real estate and construction sector ranked first in terms of the value of traded shares, to reach AED 9.65 billion, or 64.9 percent of the total value of shares traded in the market. Investment and financial services ranked second at AED 2.3 billion, or 15.6 percent, followed by the transportation sector to AED 1.2 billion, or 7.9 percent, and the banking sector amounted to AED 897.5 million, or 6.0 percent. The insurance sector handled AED 403.1 million, or 2.7 percent, and utilities sector amounted 315.4 million, or 2.1 percent. Communications sector handled AED 114.1 million, or 0.8 percent, and the material and consumer staples sectors ranked last to reach AED 251.1 thousand and 99.8 thousand .

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Representatives of DSS Organizing Committee discuss final plans for DSS 2009

With just days left for DSS 2009 to begin, Dubai Government departments have come out in complete support of the summer event as the DSS Organising Committee convened at the Dubai Department of Economic Department (DED) on Sunday, May 31, 2009, to discuss and review final plans for the twelfth edition that will be held for 65 days from June 11 to August 14 this year.

The meeting was presided over by Ibrahim Saleh, Coordinator General of DSF Office, in addition to a host of government dignitaries and officials who make up the Committee. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority is the latest inclusion in the Committee.

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Research1 conducted by HP shows  that data centres across Europe are critically close to exceeding their limits, with the majority having reached 82% of their full capacity. The results further reveal that a vast majority of chief information officers (CIOs) are addressing this issue in the short term through data centre rationalisation and consolidation programmes.

These challenges, new growth opportunities and more will be discussed at the Data Centre Strategies Middle East in Abu Dhabi from June 2 – 3, 2009.

HP Middle East, a gold sponsor of the event, will highlight how regional businesses can overcome rigid business environment by transforming their technology environments into next-generation data centers.

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Dubai-based private equity group Abraaj Capital, which has raised about US$ 7 billion since inception in 2002, announced today the opening of its office in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh with a dedicated investment team to tap growing opportunities in the largest Arab economy.

The team of eight, headed by Executive Director Sari Anabtawi, 46, will work to identify new investment opportunities as well as work with existing Abraaj partner-companies to grow their business in Saudi Arabia and the region.

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Thousands of visitors thronged The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, on Friday (May 29, 2009), to mark the closing of the month-long shopping and festival extravaganza, the Festival@The Dubai Mall. The mall welcomed more than 3 million visitors during the one-month festival and awarded cash prizes of AED 3.1 million. One of the key attractions at the mall is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain. The Waterfront Promenade of the mall offers spectacular views of the 14 daily performances of the fountain, which sways to the melody of Arabic and world music.