Tag Archives: exclusive-dubai
Diego Maradona set for Dubai stay?
Diego Maradona could be set for an extended stay in the UAE after the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) revealed it is keen to continue working with the Argentine legend.The former Fifa World Cup winner accepted a role as a sporting ambassador in Dubai last year and his contract is due to expire this summer. Although the DSC has not officially offered Maradona a new deal, the organisation's secretary general Dr Ahmed Al Sharif told the National that the partnership has been fruitful and there is “absolutely nothing” to prevent the relationship from continuing.”We cannot deny that the legend has made his contribution at different levels and played the role required of him to the fullest. We have planned a few more things for next month where Maradona will play a big part, including a forum for academies,” he was quoted as saying.Maradona certainly appears to have plenty of options open to him, as a number of top clubs in Europe are rumoured to be interested in offering him a managerial role.The likes of Montpellier were said to be lining up a move for the ex-Barcelona and Napoli icon, although this has not been confirmed.It is unclear at this stage whether the 52-year-old wants to stay in Dubai, but comments made in recent interviews seem to suggest he is loving life in the Gulf.Indeed, he said in April that his life had been like a Formula 1 car before he moved to the Middle East and the move to Dubai has helped him to settle down a lot.He remarked: “I am now experiencing this wonderful tranquillity.”With beautiful beaches, excellent facilities, stunning buildings and gorgeous weather, it is easy to see why the footballing superstar has taken a shine to Dubai. He is not the only famous football personality to move to Dubai, as former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson recently became the technical director at Pro League club Al Nasr. Continue reading
Cargo volumes up at Dubai World Central
Dubai's status as a global trading hub continued to grow in the first quarter of 2013, as cargo volumes increased significantly.New figures released by Dubai Airports highlighted a 7.8 per cent upturn in air freight deliveries at Dubai World Central when compared to the first three months of 2012.The facility – which is the city's second airport – handled 53,974 tonnes of goods during the quarter, as traders from all over the world transported cargo to the Middle East.Air traffic movements at the airport rose by 16.8 per cent year-on-year, which underlines just how much the airport has grown in its short lifetime.It first opened in 2010 and is now served by 36 airlines. Last year, the airport handled 219,092 tonnes of air freight and this figure is widely forecast to be surpassed in 2013.Dubai World Central is also expected to accommodate passengers for the first time in October 2013 and this will take some of the strain off Dubai International Airport.The latter is the second busiest aviation hub on the planet, with 66 million people expected to pass through the complex this year – up from 57.6 million in 2012.Wizz Air and nasair are both lining up new services from Dubai World Central, making it easier for travellers to fly into the UAE from Europe and Saudi Arabia.Chief executive officer at Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths insisted that maintaining high levels of cargo growth is far from easy in the current climate, even for Dubai.”The next step in the evolution of the airport will see continued cargo traffic growth, the commencement of passenger operations slated for October 27th with launch carriers Wizz Air and nasair, and the hosting of its first ever Dubai Airshow from November 17th,” he remarked.”All will play a role in building our new airport's growing brand reputation.”If current trends persist, aviation experts predict Dubai Airports' total cargo volumes to reach three million tonnes a year by 2015. Continue reading
DLD underlines commitment to sustainable building
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has reiterated just how important it is for developers to embrace green building techniques.Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities on the planet and its rapid expansion over the years has caused concerns among environmentalists.However, the government has been keen to address the situation and it has introduced a number of regulations to ensure construction companies do all they can to build in a sustainable way.Director general of the DLD Sultan Butti Bin Mejren delivered a speech during the launch of the Sustainable Real Estate Conference at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in which he focused on just how crucial it is that Dubai's natural resources are preserved.In order to do this, Mr Bin Mejren insisted that firms need to be mindful of how much water and power they are consuming and how they can make better use of the land. He also underlined the importance of meeting international green standards.”Under wise leadership, the UAE has created a thriving real estate environment, one that has brought on confidence and increased the magnitude of investment in the country,” he remarked.”[This] has all the ingredients for success in terms of advanced infrastructure and legislation, and an environment of security and stability – all of which have transformed it into an investment capital.”Dubai's real estate market has really bounced back from the economic downturn and sales have risen sharply in the last 12 months.Last month, Mr Bin Mejren predicted that prices would continue to rise, as the demand for luxurious properties in the most exclusive parts of town soars.Figures released by the DLD showed the value of property sales in Dubai increased by 63 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, as 32 transactions were completed every single hour.Developers are responding to this incredible demand by erecting a plethora of new buildings and this means investors will be spoilt for choice when looking for exciting plots in the coming years.Looking for property investments in Dubai? Make The First Group your first port of call Continue reading
