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Govt Summit serves humanity, says Mohammed
Govt Summit serves humanity, says Mohammed (Wam) / 10 February 2014 Delegates from over 50 governments in addition to the United Nations and other international organisations will attend the summit. Shaikh Mohammed on Sunday opened the exhibition of future government services in dubai on the eve of the Government Summit. During his tour of the exhibition, Shaikh Mohammed, who was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was informed by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Government Summit, about the displays at the exhibition, the first of its kind in the world to present an unparalleled future vision on the delivery of government services for the next 10 years in sectors like airports, health and education. The exhibition assembles the world’s most smart researchers and designers from 18 countries. — Wam The second UAE Government Summit which begins here today is for conscious and sincere minds, minds that are keen to serve people and improve quality of life, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on Sunday. Commenting on the three-day summit, which he will be attending today, Shaikh Mohammed said: “We welcome all the UAE’s guests, and we assure them that developing the governments’ services is not an Emirati objective but rather global. It is an objective that the UAE considers a foundation for achieving community welfare and facilitating life to create opportunities for the next generations. This universal gathering for officials, thinkers and innovators is a gathering for the best interest and happiness of mankind.” Shaikh Mohammed added: “The Government Summit is a pure national production and a gift from the UAE to the world aiming to serve humanity.” Shaikh Mohammed asserted that the UAE genuinely believe in developing government services and creating an environment that enable people to utilise their potentials and recognise their dreams. This will take communities to stability and prosperity. This Government Summit is a manifestation for what the UAE believes.” “The previous Government Summit was the first of its kind, and this one will certainly lead the way. We hope everyone will benefit from the sessions and workshops, and we hope to see soon its impact and applications on the ground. We wish the very best for all the participants, and I hope that they will make the best out of it,” Shaikh Mohammed concluded. The world’s most respected government and business leaders, decision makers, executives and experts will gather here for the Government Summit, which is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed. The summit will focus on how citizen happiness can be improved through transformative government services. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
11 dead, 1,200 injured as heavy snow hits Japan
11 dead, 1,200 injured as heavy snow hits Japan (AFP) / 9 February 2014 As much as 27 centimetres (10.6 inches) of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday, the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years, according to meteorologists. People walk against blowing snow in Tokyo. AP The heaviest snow in decades in Tokyo and other areas of Japan has left at least 11 dead and more than 1,200 injured across the country, reports said on Sunday. As much as 27 centimetres of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday, the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years, according to meteorologists. The storm hit Tokyo on the eve of its gubernatorial election. Observers say the weather may affect voter turnout in the city of 13 million people. As of 6pm (0900 GMT), turnout was down more than 10 percentage points from a previous poll during the last mayoral election. As a depression moved along the Pacific coast on Saturday, the northeastern city of Sendai saw 35 centimetres of snow, the heaviest in 78 years. Local media said at least 11 people have been killed with one person also in critical condition in snow-linked accidents — mostly crashes after their cars skidded on icy roads. In central Aichi prefecture, a 50-year-old man died after his car slipped on the icy road and rammed into an advertisement steel pole, a local rescuer said. Public broadcaster NHK reported at least 1,253 people were injured across the nation, many of whom had slipped on the ground or fallen while shovelling the snow off their roofs. More than 20,000 households were without electricity early on Sunday while airlines cancelled more than 400 domestic flights a day after over 740 flights were grounded. Nearly 5,000 people were stranded at Narita airport on Saturday as traffic linking the airport to the capital was disrupted, NHK said. Further snowfall is expected on Sunday in the northern part of the country, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Sharjah rents sizzle; Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah follow
Sharjah rents sizzle; Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah follow Issac John / 6 February 2014 Apartment rents in Sharjah jumped 33 per cent year-on-year while Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah witnessed respective 23 per cent and 18 per cent hikes in 2013. Despite a three-year freeze on hikes, residential rents recorded steep increases in Sharjah in 2013, in line with a general upswing felt across a resurgent UAE leasing market. A two-bedroom apartment at the Corniche now rents for up to Dh70,000. — KT file Apartment rents in Sharjah jumped 33 per cent year-on-year while Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah witnessed respective 23 per cent and 18 per cent hikes in 2013 amid vivid signs of a long-awaited resilience in the property sector, said analysts at Asteco, a real estate consultancy. “Our research shows that the rental law that was created to protect tenants from steep annual rent increases, is being circumvented by some landlords asking for additional fees for maintenance and extra parking spaces, to compensate for the three-year rent freeze stipulated in the rent law,” said John Stevens, managing director Asteco. In March 2013, the Sharjah Municipality warned landlords not to hike rents before the completion of three years in line with the tenancy law. In Sharjah’s popular Al Majaz, Al Qasimia, Al Nahda and Al Wahda areas, residential rents rose nearly 38 per cent in 2013, Asteco said. “Rental rates throughout Sharjah increased, on average, by eight per cent in the last quarter alone. A two-bedroom apartment in Corniche now rents for up to Dh70,000 per annum,” it said in a report. Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah also witnessed a fourth-quarter growth of up to six per cent. While the annual rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Ras Al Khaimah has gone up to Dh50,000 per annum, the cost of a similar property in either Fujairah or Ajman is up to Dh45,000. The steepest increases of 2013 were recorded in Dubai with rents on average surging to between 50 and 60 per cent across all residential apartments and villas. While Dubai’s apartment rents jumped by almost 50 per cent, villa rents rose by 20 per cent, Asteco said. Prices of Dubai property also rose by up to 60 per cent in prime residential developments, but current price level is still 21 per cent lower than 2008 peak, Asteco said. However, in 2014, Dubai is forecast to witness slower growth in residential rental rates with the addition of 25,000 new units. The International Monetary Fund, raising its 2014 economic growth forecast for the UAE to 4.5 per cent, has observed a steep recovery in 2013 in real estate sector, with home prices in Dubai having increased rapidly in some areas. Knight Frank said in its Prime Global Forecast that Dubai’s real estate market would be the world’s top performer in 2014, building on the previous year’s rapid price growth. It predicted a price growth of between 10 and 15 per cent this year in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, prime residential rents rose on average by 17 per cent during 2013 amid an eight per cent surge in the last quarter, partly driven by the removal of the five per cent annual rent cap. According to Jones Lang LaSalle, property prices in Abu Dhabi rose by up to 25 per cent last year but the significant gains were limited to prime projects. issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
