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Hidden secrets of Global Village
Hidden secrets of Global Village (Sadiq Shaban) / 12 February 2014 You are likely to take home a special piece that has a soul and sensory value, unlike anything. There is so much more to Global Village than meets the eye. As one of the region’s most visited cultural, entertainment and shopping destinations, Global Village tucks away some of the finest artifacts, relics and objets d’art from around the world. Some of the interesting products on display at the pavilions of the UAE and the UK at Global Village. — KT photos by Juidin Bernarrd and M. Sajjad Those with a knack for the exotic and curio will find exquisite handmade goods, authentic wooden statutes and hand-painted ceramics in several of the 30 pavilions dotting the 17-million-square-feet facility. But that is not all. From Jordanian shadow artists whose calligraphy is sure to leave you awe-struck to waterproof papier-mâché masks from Venice, it is the less-explored side of Global Village, which should set you thinking to take another trip. “Throughout Global Village, there are a plethora of handmade artifacts that are unique to each country’s pavilion. Visitors can find lots of authentic tribal shields and masks at the African Pavilion, as well as great mosaic handicrafts and lamps that are available from the Moroccan Pavilion. We want to make sure that when people come to Global Village, they get to experience products that are genuine and hold real cultural value to the country it comes from. Bringing authentic goods to Global Village makes the cultural experience we provide to visitors unique within the UAE and the Middle East,” Ahmed Hussain, Executive Director of Operations, Global Village, told Khaleej Times. Once you sashay into the African Pavilion and walk past psychedelic stalls, you cannot help notice some of the most striking hand-carved artifacts from Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Madagascar and Gambia. Intricate designs on these products, lending them a touch of the peregrine, are often made on the finest types of wood such as ebony, mahogany, rosewood and soapstone. It is tough to take a pick from the vast variety of styles, often varying within the same context, but the African solid wood-carved tribal mask surely stands out. Worn during special events or situations that take place in the tribal communities, these souvenirs reflect the true soul of Africa. Similarly, you will find large wooden croc-figurines for sale along with uncountable designs that are meant to bring good energy, warding off bad spirits. The Tanzanian stall features stunning knife paintings, a unique form of art in which artists use knives to paint. This form of painting, which is quite a rarity, affords a close relationship between the artist and the painting surface. The displays have brilliant textures reflective of the spontaneous and dramatic movement of this art form. “We have been looking around in the African Pavilion and ended up buying an unusual stash of things like horns, knife paintings and vintage walking sticks — all of which carry the signatures of these innovative cultures. I visited the Mauritania, Angola and Nigeria stalls. Without doubt, the wood-carved products available here are priceless and the best part is that one can have them at very competitive prices,” said Sarmad Misgar, a Pakistani art collector visiting Global Village. In the Afghanistan Pavilion nearby, you can meander through piddly kiosks selling the latest crop of mountain almonds, pistachios, walnuts, dried white berries, apricots, figs and raisins. Soon you will come across the daintiest Afghan rugs in town. These eco-friendly carpets are made from colours derived from pomegranate, herbs and cinnamon in addition to other natural ingredients. The best quality Afghan wool and silk, one of the salesmen in a stall told Khaleej Times, is used in these oriental rugs, which are adorned with elongated human and animal figures. Usually woven in Shindand and Adraskan regions in Afghanistan’s Herat province, the rugs are available in warm tones and extraordinary patterns. An alcove in the European Pavilion transports you back to the 15th century Tudor England. The combined pavilions of France, the UK and Germany offers the service of History Land Studios, one of London’s best-known photo studios for old-time portraits. The branch in Global Village, the only one outside of the UK, helps you create your own history by dressing you in costumes from the 15th and 16th century England. You can also have your pictures taken in Victorian attire or the gangster Wild West style. “The History Land Studios is an experience of a lifetime. They have a splendid staff that ensure you are comfortable, styled and pampered royally before you get your portrait clicked,” Kenneth Raley, an English tourist visiting the pavilion, marvelled. The Indian Pavilion, owing to its sheer size (largest in Global Village with 300 stalls), has the feel of a traditional Asian bazaar. However, the must-visit cubbyhole in the sprawling enclosure is a corner shop that sells the splashiest collection of Punjabi juttis. Bargain hunters can haggle for a wide range of bright-coloured traditional footwear here. Embroidered with beautiful phulkari work, these shoes are made from genuine leather with multi-hued sequins and flamboyant threads. Curiously, there is no left or right foot distinction, because this party-wear is supposed to take the shape of the foot over a period of time. Available in flat soles, the sharp extended tips of these must-haves are dazzlingly embellished. In its 18th season now, Global Village has emerged not only as a great entertainment venue, one that has stolen the hearts of millions, but an ideal destination which showcases a selection of the world’s most contemporary designers, artists and craftsmen selling their products directly to public. From the enigmatical figurines ensconced in the various African shoppes to the satiny rugs in the Afghanistan Pavilion, Global Village is a track through some of the world’s most avant garde ideas. sadiq@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Hamdan unveils Dubai’s hi-tech profile beyond 2021
Hamdan unveils Dubai’s hi-tech profile beyond 2021 Allan Jacob and Muaz Shabandri / 11 February 2014 The emirate offers a glimpse into the future with its vision of electronic and mobile governance where services and solutions are provided at the touch of a button. You can count on Dubai to think smart as it imagines what life would be like in 2021. On Monday, the emirate offered a glimpse into the future with its vision of electronic and mobile governance where services and solutions are provided at the touch of a button. Shaikh Mohammed flanked by other Shaikhs and officials at the Government Summit on Monday. -KT photo by Shihab Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, unveiled the ‘Dubai Government: Towards 2021 Initiative’, as His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Lt.-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Mohammed Al Murr, FNC Speaker; Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum; and other senior officials looked on at the second Government Summit. A video presentation showed the ease at which government services could be accessed from anywhere in the world — for people on the move, or from the comfort of their homes. Dubai’s vision for the future promises to be exciting as the city leads the way in providing facilities for its residents through technology, and Shaikh Hamdan signalled the emirate’s intentions of dreaming big and delivering on its promises. “We’re confident of the ability of leadership & staff of the Dubai gov to reach targets on time, always dedicated to working for the public good,” he tweeted. In another tweet, he said the government aimed to compete with the private sector in effiency and speed of delivery. “There should be no more talk of multiple departments & agencies. The govt works as one: one ID, one phone number, one center & one employee,” he said. He went on to say that “our ambitious & entrepreneurial, innovative ideas will be implemented by Dubai govt & the world will seek to learn from our experience”. The Crown Prince said 2021 would be an important year when the world would sit up and take notice of Dubai’s arrival as a city of excellence. Earlier in the day, Shaikh Mohammed arrived at the Madinat Jumeirah and took a keen interest in the interactive sessions by experts and officials from various sectors. Minister for Interior Shaikh Saif earlier said the UAE was a hub of peace and was fulfilling the dreams of its founding father Shaikh Zayed through innovative leadership. He offered words of support for Egypt and said “any enemy of Egypt was an enemy of the UAE”. Minister for Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Al Gergawi said the country was taking its pursuit of happiness seriously. “If we can make your life hassle-free and provide information and services on your mobile, we save your time. The aim of our government is to serve. We don’t want to just serve in a normal way, we want to excel,” he told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the event. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai’s real estate sector gets ‘smarter’
Dubai’s real estate sector gets ‘smarter’ Issac John / 11 February 2014 World Expo will have limited direct effect in 2014 because of restricted short-term activity, says real estate advisory firm. Expo 2020 will have a positive impact on the UAE over the long-term with hospitality, logistics and retail being the major winners, Jones Lang LaSalle, a leading real estate investment and advisory firm, said on Monday. However, the World Expo will have limited direct effect in 2014 because of restricted short-term activity, the real estate advisory firm said while warning that both price expectations and excessive new supply would require careful management leading up to 2020. In its “2014 top trends for UAE real estate” report, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) brushed aside concerns that Dubai would experience another bubble with unsustainable price growth in the residential market, increasing cost pressures and return of speculative activity. On the other hand, JLL said there are many differences this time around that makes for a ‘smarter’ market with investors getting more cautious, better regulations, and phased out property development in line with demand. “There is also less reliance on pre-sales and sub-developers and significant levels of new supply are being provided,” JLL noted. The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that Dubai might need to intervene in its property market if there are signs of overheating to prevent another boom-and-bust cycle. “When you see rapid increases in any asset prices then you just need to be prepared to act,” Masood Ahmed, the IMF’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, has said. In its report, JLL said mega projects that were either put on hold, significantly slowed or were not initiated during the financial crisis are a reality again because of growing confidence in the UAE’s market. “The plans are more measured and there is an increased focus on phasing projects over many years in line with end user demand. In Dubai, these master-plan communities include Dubai Canal, Mohammad Bin Rashid City and Dubai Waterfront. In Abu Dhabi, they include Saadiyat Island and Capital District, now known as Zayed City.” JLL predicted more varied approaches to funding real estate. It expects that equity would be a preferred funding approach in 2014 rather than debt. Pre-sales will remain important in the residential market and pre-leases and build-to-suit will be funding many new office projects, it said. “Sale and leasebacks, REITs (real estate investment trust) and IPO’s (initial public offering) and last mile financing will become increasingly popular options for funding as banks remain cautious to enter into new relationships. There may be some further IPO’s and bond issuances in 2014, but these are not expected to be widespread and to be limited to just a few major real estate players,” it said. Overall, JLL expects that 2014 will remain primarily a tenants’ market with little decline in the current excessive vacancy levels in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. However, with pent-up demand increasing from corporates who are now freeing up more capital for expansion of their business, JLL sees an increase in corporate activity in the UAE in 2014. “The current two-tier market is likely to continue, with the best buildings experiencing increased take up and little demand for secondary space. As corporates focus on more innovative workplace solutions, such as hot desking and open floor plans, efficiencies are being achieved that will result in the demand for real estate growing less quickly than employment levels.” JLL also expects more investment sales in the hotel sector across the UAE, as owners now have more realistic expectations and hotels continue to perform strongly. “There remains strong interest from investors in this sector and the willingness of owners to make strategic disposals will allow this interest to be converted into more sales than have been experienced in recent years.” Dubai became the first country to back new international property measurement standards (IPMS) in September 2013, and this should help better regulate the market in 2014, the real estate advisory firm observed. According to JLL, Dubai is growing towards the South with Dubai World Central, which includes the Expo 2020 site and Al Maktoum Airport, driving this trend. There is also a notable trend towards development closer to central Dubai, in filling some of the gaps left by the previous scattered development. “Mohammed Bin Rashid City is a good example of this trend, incorporating many of the components originally envisaged for Dubailand.” — issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
