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UAE-United States bilateral ties to grow further
UAE-United States bilateral ties to grow further Abdul Basit / 11 March 2014 Bilateral relations between the UAE and US are growing steadily and are set to witness further progress, UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said during a meeting with US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Penny Pritzker during their meeting on Monday. — Wam Al Mansouri and Pritzker discussed promising opportunities and avenues, mainly key economic sectors like knowledge economy, that could deepen bilateral cooperation that have not been harnessed yet, given the US’ status as the world’s largest economy and UAE as the second-largest Arab economy. America ranks as Dubai’s third-largest trade partner globally and non-oil trade between them was Dh86 billion last year while over the past decade, total non-oil trade increased by 500 per cent. Pritzker spent a busy day in the emirate on Monday as she met top government officials and ministers and discussed ways to further boost trade relations. In the morning she called on His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Al Mansouri said that opportunities for joint cooperation in renewable energy were promising in light of the fact that the UAE, despite being a key oil producer, has become an industry leader in a short span of time and its impressive experiment has provided inspiration to many countries including advanced ones. Al Mansouri said World Expo 2020 in Dubai would generate huge investment opportunities for both local and foreign investors and businessmen including those from the US. He said the current visit of the US trade mission to the UAE would provide an insight into the available opportunities, and the ideal local investment and business climate. For her part, Pritzker said UAE-US relations were witnessing accelerating expansion at a time when the UAE is investing heavily in infrastructure and transport systems. She added that companies escorting her on the UAE trip were interested in investing in the UAE and the region. Pritzker noted that the UAE winning the bid to host Expo 2020 in Dubai had not come from a vacuum, rather from the good reputation of the UAE and its ability to surprise the world by hosting an exceptional edition of the World Expo. She praised the US trade ties with the UAE as “flourishing”, inviting US companies to tap investment opportunities on offer in the UAE market. Dubai Chamber Pritzker said Dubai is an extraordinary global hub and holds ample investment opportunities for American investors. At a reception hosted in her honour by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she said Dubai is a strategic trade partner to the US and enjoys a great line of communication and bilateral ties with American businesses. Pritzker stated that American businesses can grab the opportunities that exist here, especially in the wake of the emirate’s preparation to host Expo 2020. She called upon American businesses to look for cooperation ties with Dubai businesses in the infrastructure sector and to use the emirate to expand into the region. “The Obama administration values America’s friendship with the UAE and the Gulf, and we believe there are many opportunities to deepen our engagement, cooperation and partnership in a number of areas,” she said. “The companies on my trade mission have the ideas and technical expertise to assist Dubai as it pursues its impressive plans for infrastructure and energy development, and they understand that working together is a win-win [situation] ,” she added. The meeting was attended by representatives of Dubai Foreign Direct Investment, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Drydocks and Maritime World, Emaar, DP World and Dubai Aviation City Corporation, who presented their important projects and current and future plans of growth in front of the delegates representing 21 major US companies. Hisham Al Shirawi, second vice-chairman of the Dubai Chamber, welcomed the delegation and said the visit would help further strengthen bilateral relations between Dubai and the US. Al Shirawi said that currently there are 1,285 US companies registered with the Dubai Chamber and operating in the emirate. Dubai Chamber president and chief executive officer Hamad Buamim called upon American businesses to invest in Dubai’s trade, tourism, financial services, education and green technology sectors. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, or Dewa, on Monday also received the US trade delegation at his office. Al Tayer said that the delegation aims to strengthen cooperation and joint action between the Dewa and US companies operating in the energy sector “Dubai is a strong market for huge investment projects,” he said. Al Tayer invited the delegation to participate in tenders for the Dewa’s mega projects that are due for launch this year. — abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Senior citizens will get priority for Haj this year
Senior citizens will get priority for Haj this year 10 March 2014 Haj contractors need to strictly abide by set rules and regulations, particularly quota and electronic advance reservation. Expansion project at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. — Supplied photos Aged pilgrims will be given priority for Haj this year, which will take place from October 3 to 6. Mohammed Obaid Al Mazrouie, Director-General of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowment Foundation (GAIAEF), said: “The number of pilgrims on previous Haj trips and the time of the nearest pilgrimage will be examined.” Addressing a workshop organised by the GAIAEF, Dr Mazrouie said they will be holding a number of meetings with Haj contractors and other participants concerned to come up with an “excellent” vision and mechanism. All Haj contractors need to strictly abide by set rules and regulations, particularly quota and electronic advance reservation. “However, priority is to be given to first time and old pilgrims,” Mazrouie, who is also the chairman of the UAE’s official Haj mission, said. In late August 2013, Saudi authorities asked countries across the world to cut the number of Haj pilgrims by 20 per cent due to ongoing developments at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. The number of UAE Haj pilgrims was reduced from 6,228 in 2012 to 4,982 last year. Mazrouie urged those who have already performed Haj to give a chance to those who have not. “This will help protect all pilgrims against possible risks of crowding.” Ahmed Shabib Al Dhahiri, Director-General of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, said they will adopt certain criteria during the “electronic election” of pilgrims. “We want to give equal and fair chances to all eligible pilgrims.” The Haj contractors present called for better streamlining of quota distribution in the country. “All Haj applicants are proposed to register in the GAIAEF web portal and key in their details in a unified database for pilgrims using their Emirates Identity cards.” They have also requested clear benchmarks for sorting out and picking pilgrims. “However, priority is to be given to old people who have not performed Haj.” The Haj contractors have called for registering pilgrims in the electronic database by surname and not by the first name. “A unified management has been proposed by some Haj tour operators to provide better services.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dh1.1 billion Silicon Park construction starts in Dubai
Dh1.1 billion Silicon Park construction starts in Dubai Staff Report (abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com) / 10 March 2014 The project articulates Dubai’s Vision 2021 to transform the emirate into a smart city while ensuring that it remains on par with the latest global trends for smart cities. An artist’s impression of Silicon Park at Dubai Silicon Oasis. Dubai Silicon Oasis, or DSO, on Sunday unveiled a Dh1.1 billion Silicon Park that will offer a modern lifestyle for residents, workers and visitors, according to a statement by the integrated free zone technology park. Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, the regulatory body for DSO, launched the first integrated smart city project to be built in DSO, spanning an area of 150,000sqm. “Work has commenced, and the project will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2017. This project is in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world over the course of the next three years. The project articulates Dubai’s Vision 2021 to transform the emirate into a smart city while ensuring that it remains on par with the latest global trends for smart cities,” Shaikh Ahmed, who is also President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, said in a statement. The Silicon Park project comprises 97,000sqm of office space, 25,000sqm of commercial space, 20,000sqm of residential area, and a 115-room business hotel, in addition to value-added facilities that suit contemporary living such as restaurants, cafes, health and fitness centres, as well as running tracks and cycling trails, prayer rooms, a shopping centre and underground parking for more than 2,500 cars. Shaikh Ahmed added: “We are confident that this project will succeed in offering a modern lifestyle for residents, workers and visitors. The project’s standards are aligned to the Dubai Government’s strategic directions on smart cities that focus on six pillars: life, society, mobility, economy, governance and environment.” The project is compliant with the UAE Green Building Regulations and Specifications and the international Leed standard, and seeks to enhance environmental sustainability. The project will be built with green building material and control mechanisms as well as solar panels and double-glazed windows to reduce heat absorption. As a smart community, Silicon Park will feature intelligent solutions from charging-docks for smart devices on the street to smart pop-up furniture and digital play tables, as well as optimally-designed bus shelters, piazzas shading, and other public amenities. The Silicon Park complex will be completely devoid of vehicles. Instead, electricity-powered vehicles will serve as the primary form of transportation. A number of charging stations will be set up across the area that can be accessed by all residents and visitors with electric vehicles. The project will also include other means of transportation such as smart rechargeable electric bikes. The project will consist of a control centre that collects and analyses data and information gathered through the sensor devices available at the project’s site. Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: “The Silicon Park project reflects the vision of Dubai Silicon Oasis to compliment Dubai’s ambition to offer harmonious living for individuals through endorsing smart criteria across the services and facilities that we deliver.” For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
