World’s largest in-mall retail festival opens at The Dubai Mall on Thursday

Dubai, UAE; April 29, 2009: The world’s largest in-mall retail and entertainment festival will flag off on Thursday (April 30, 2009) at The Dubai Mall. The Festival@The Dubai Mall, a 30-day shopping and leisure extravaganza, marks the first time in the world that over 900 world-class retailers including 160 food & beverage outlets, join hands for a grand promotion in a mall environment.

Mr Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: “The month-long event comes at a perfect time to reach out not only to families in the Gulf region but also visitors from the larger Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Iran and Russia. The festival is timed to offer families an added incentive and invitation to visit the mall during the school holidays.”

Mr Rafi explained: “With 900 retail outlets already open, The Dubai Mall has the highest concentration of the world’s most leading retail brands in a single mall. The festival is therefore unsurpassed globally in terms of retailer participation within a mall environment. Retailers in the mall have extended their full support to the festival, which is organised with the Dubai Shopping Festival Office as the Strategic Partner.”

Leading retailers in The Dubai Mall, several of them operating their flagship stores or having opened their first Middle East outlets, support the Festival, by offering three kinds of shopping deals – Part Sale, Festival Discount and Festival Offers. Mall tenants will display their chosen category of the offers in-store for easy identification by customers. Complementing the retail deals, shoppers also stand to win millions of dirhams in prizes through daily, weekly and grand raffle draws.


Mr. Ramesh Prabhakar, Managing Partner, Rivoli Group LLC, observed that the Festival@The Dubai Mall is a “very positive sign of support from Emaar and the Dubai Shopping Festival Office. We are sure that it will become another key activity in the calendar of Dubai’s retail activities.”

Ms. Colette Shannon, Marketing Manager of the first Waitrose supermarket in the Middle East region in the mall, said the Festival will create top of mind awareness of the mall. “It is a superb mall, and will over time, establish itself as the premium mall destination in Dubai.”

Mr. David Reily, CEO Middle East, RSH, said that all of the company’s stores in the mall will have “cross-store offers” during the Festival with gift vouchers to be presented to customers. “The Dubai Mall is an outstanding destination and I have never seen a mall generate more fresh ideas or energy.”

Visitors to the mall can also take part in a unique ‘Bid 2 Win’ auction to bid for a diverse range of products starting off at an easy AED 1. In another opportunity to win big, the festival will feature a Grand Bentley Raffle, where only 5,000 tickets, priced AED 200 each, will be drawn for a luxurious, four-door Bentley Continental Flying Spur. An array of entertainment activities, across the mall will assure non-stop fun for all visitors.

The opening day of the Festival@The Dubai Mall will witness five lucky winners of raffle draws walking away with prizes of AED 10,000 each. Customers only have to shop for an aggregate AED 500 from any of the retail or F&B outlets during the entire month for obtaining the raffle coupons. The weekly draw for AED 100,000 will be held on Saturday with the winner standing to gain another AED 50,000 if present in the mall at the time of the draw. The sale of coupons for the Grand Bentley Draw will also open on Thursday morning at special stands across the mall.

Items for the Bid 2 Win will be displayed prominently at the mall and visitors only have to check the product code and SMS to 4643 after registering for the bid at the same number. The products for auction will range in prize from AED 10,000 to AED 100,000. Bids will start at AED 1 and will continue till 9pm, with bidders being informed of the status of the bid in real-time. Live updates of the auction will also be displayed in the multimedia screens across the mall.



Several entertainment programmes including musicians and jugglers will regale visitors, who can also tour the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Dubai Ice-Rink for added fun, and watch the testing of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, at the nearby Burj Dubai Lake.

Festival@The Dubai Mall is supported by Dubai Media Inc, Arab Media Group and The Address Hotels + Resorts, a part of the Emaar Hospitality Group. Dubai Shopping Festival Office offers strategic support including executing the various retail and entertainment activities.

Air Arabia takes off to Athens, Greece

Sharjah, April 21, 2009: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today launched non-stop service to the Greek city of Athens from the carrier’s main hub in Sharjah, UAE. The launch of this new destination is part of Air Arabia’s strategy to expand its operations to Europe.

The inaugural flight and delegation was marked by the attendance of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Development Authority, and the UAE Ambassador to Greece, Abdul Hadi Al-Khajah. The flight was accompanied by receptions in both Sharjah and Athens airports attended by special guests.

Roundtrip flights will operate three times per week between Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in the capital of Greece, and Air Arabia’s hub in Sharjah. Air Arabia is the first LCC in the Middle East commencing operations to Athens.

The LCC will fly to Athens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Sharjah at 18:55PM and arriving in Athens at 22:45PM. Return flights will depart Athens at 23:30PM and arrive in Sharjah at 05:20AM.

Air Arabia’s first destination in Greece is also the carrier’s first destination in a European Union country and the third destination on the European continent. In total, Air Arabia now serves 46 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and Southern Europe.

AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia, said: “Greece is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU, and there is considerable passenger traffic between the country and the Middle East, particularly for tourism and business. We are delighted to now offer non-stop service between Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE, and Athens, one of the great cultural cities of Europe. We are confident that Athens will serve as a great holiday, personal travel and business destination for our passengers.”

Athens, the largest city in Greece, is one of the world's oldest cities with recorded history spanning some 3,400 years. A bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis, Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece. It is rapidly becoming a leading business centre in the European Union.

The Middle East and Far East get closer with Emirates

DUBAI, U.A.E., 20th April 2009 – Emirates Airline is bridging the Middle East and Far East – two regions that continue to record healthy growth rates – with its announcement of double-daily services from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur and introduction of three additional weekly flights from Dubai to Jakarta, effective 1st May 2009.

The announcement closely follows the release of World Bank forecasts that point to 5.3% rise in the gross domestic product of the Far East region this year. The development also comes close on the heels of heightened economic dialogue between the UAE and Indonesia as the latter seeks to boost bi-lateral cooperation with the Middle East and Africa.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide noted: “Despite the current economic environment, the Middle East and Far East regions continue to register growth in their Travel and Tourism industries. In the Far East these industries are expected to post average annual gains of 6.3% over the coming 10 years.

“While Malaysia continues to be a leading holiday destination, Indonesia is investing significantly in developing its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) infrastructure in order to get a slice of the bustling conference market in the Far East. We are also noticing a growing outbound tourism market from these countries as Malaysians and Indonesians increasingly embark on overseas holidays.

“Emirates’ growing services will provide the infrastructure to support this growth.”

Jakarta
Emirates will expand its current daily service to 10 flights a week. The three additional flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and will introduce over 1200 passenger seats and approximately 50 tonnes of cargo capacity per week per direction. The flights provide business travellers smooth connections to Johannesburg, Kuwait, Muscat, Doha and Bahrain, and support the Indonesian government’s initiatives to boost trade and commerce with Africa and Middle East.

The extra cargo capacity will advance Indonesian exports of garments, leather, shoes and tropical fish to Europe, North America, Africa, Middle East, and the Indian sub-continent.

EK358 will depart Dubai at 10:55 hours and arrive in Jakarta at 22:35 hours.
EK357 will depart Jakarta at 17:55 hours and arrive in Dubai at 22:45 hours.

Also effective 1st May, the existing EK357 flight service will be renumbered to EK359, while flight timings and days of operation remain unchanged.

Kuala Lumpur
The commencement of double-daily flights is strengthened with the introduction of First Class cabin service on four of the 14 weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur, underscoring Malaysia’s importance in Emirates’ Far East network.

Also, the UAE is one of Malaysia’s top trading partners. The country’s total trade with the UAE in 2008 amounted to USD 4.5 billion – an increase of 45.7% over the previous year.

The start of a three-class service will cater to increased tourist arrivals from the Middle East to Malaysia during June – September holiday season. The service will be available on EK342/343 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and on EK 346/347 on Sundays.

Cargo capacity will increase by 17% post expansion.

EK342 will depart Dubai every Wednesday at 10:30 hours, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 21:35 hours. Return flight EK 343 will depart Kuala Lumpur the following morning at 02:00 hours, arriving in Dubai at 04:50 hours.

EK346 will depart Dubai every Sunday at 03:15 hours, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 14:15 hours. It will turnaround as EK347, taking off from Kuala Lumpur at 19:30 hours and arriving in Dubai at 22:20 hours.

Also effective 1st May, the existing EK343 and EK347 flight schedules have been revised.

More information is available on www.emirates.com

ALFARDAN SPORTS MOTORS COMPANY INAUGURATES ITS NEW FERRARI & MASERATI SHOWROOM AT THE PEARL

Doha, 19 April 2009 – Alfardan Sports Motors Company, member of Alfardan Group and the exclusive Ferrari and Maserati importer in Qatar, recently inaugurated the new Ferrari and Maserati landmark showroom in Qatar's multi-billion dollars manmade island, The Pearl.

On this occasion which witnessed the presence of senior representatives of Ferrari and Maserati, some of the most prominent figures in Qatar, HE Andrea Ferrari, the Italian Ambassador in Qatar, Alfardan Sports Motors Company management team and members of the media, Mr. Omar Alfardan, President and CEO of Alfardan Group said: "In light of the current financial crisis, the future of the automotive business looks gloomier by the day; expansion plans are being considered with scepticism and investments are shrinking. This is actually the time for the survival of the fittest - of businesses whose tactical blueprints have always been based on sound economic forecasts and with solid and proven growth fundamentals. That's what differentiates us at Alfardan Sports Motors Company; today's milestone is one of many which we are planning for 2009 and is an unquestionable testament to the strength of our brands, our operations and our teams.”

Spanning 720 square meters of ultra-luxurious, world-class space and with an exceeding investment of USD 2 million, Alfardan Sports Motors Company's new showroom, with its dedicated Ferrari and Maserati cars configuration services, takes the automotive experience to unparalleled levels upholding the illustrious image of the company and its brand names in Qatar.

A line of the rarest and the most striking of the Ferrari and Maserati models will be showcased with a sales team ready to introduce connoisseurs, customers and enthusiasts to the best in the glamorous world of super-sports inventions.

Qatar's first Ferrari and Maserati Licensed Boutiques will feature an elegant gamut of unique branded accessories and lifestyle items poised to epitomize one's ultimate and personalized feel of both icons. These prestigious outlets are designed in accordance with the international standards of every Ferrari and Maserati shop around the globe.

In 2008, Alfardan Sports Motors Company launched the Ferrari California and the latest Maserati Quattroporte S in addition to the limited-edition Maserati Collezione Cento. In 2007, the company achieved the highest sales per capita rate of Ferrari cars worldwide with a local growth multiplied by four times for Ferrari and by seven for Maserati since the inception of the business in Qatar. This outstanding accomplishment is the result of Alfardan Sports Motors Company’s solid operations and performance in addition to Ferrari and Maserati’s cutting-edge technology and powerful machines. The same year witnessed the debut of Maserati GranTurismo and its upgrade GranTurismo S drawing great public reviews and immense interest. Alfardan Sports Motors Company also bagged the title of the Sprint Ferrari Importer of the Year for 2006 and celebrated the 60th global anniversary of Ferrari with a memorable line-up of the brand's models touring Doha.

The company is mapping new growth prospects for the year 2009 with plans to further its sustained investment in the market by enhancing it sales and after-sales services to its customers through the commitment to innovation in line with the company’s vision to become the leading automotive business in the region.

DTCM ORGANISE PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE WORLD HERITAGE DAY

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has organized a number of programmes at its heritage sites in Al Shindagha from April 18 to 20 to mark the World Heritage Day.

The programmes include performances of traditional dances like Al Ayala, Al Youla and Al Rezfa. Traditional kitchens were also organized to offer insights into the Emirati cuisine.

A workshop on heritage was also held for the school children. A traditional souq was another highlight of the programmes in addition to a henna corner and performance by Dubai police band. A traditional theatre show was also organized.

The venue attracted a number of visitors hailing from various nationalities.

The heritage sites in the emirate attracted 16 per cent more visitors in 2008 compared with the previous year.

The heritage sites operated by the DTCM received 1,009,848 visitors last year, up from 873,831 recorded in the year 2007.

The heritage sites under DTCM’s supervision are Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Dubai Museum, Al Ahmadiah School, Heritage House, Heritage Village, Diving Village, Umm Al Shief Majlis, Naif Museum and Hatta Heritage Village.

Emirates Doubles Number of UAE National Cadet Pilot Graduates

DUBAI, U.A.E., 16th April 2009 – A total of 35 UAE Nationals have today graduated from the Emirates airline National Cadet Pilot Programme, an increase of 100 per cent on last year’s graduate figures.

During the graduation ceremony, held at the Emirates Group Headquarters, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group and Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, National Cadet Pilot Manager, Emirates, presented trophies and certificates to the 35 high-fliers who have successfully completed the two-and-a-half-year pilot training programme.

“I am delighted that we have doubled our UAE National graduates in less than 12 months. This is an incredible achievement and further highlights Emirates’ drive towards increasing and maintaining UAE Nationals within our workforce,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

“Today’s graduates have shown an incredible ability to succeed in their goals and I applaud them for the dedication and determination they have displayed in completing this challenging training programme. These bright, young and professional Emiratis will help shape the future of Emirates and will play an integral role in servicing over 100 destinations across our global network.”

Emirates invests over AED 1.2 million in training each National Cadet Pilot and in the last five years has invested more than AED 100 million in the programme. Throughout their careers with Emirates these National Cadet Pilots will also receive ongoing on-the-job training in line with continual changes to aircraft technologies.

With Emirates announcing two new routes into Africa, Durban and Luanda, as well as a continued push to strengthen existing routes through increased frequency, the National Cadet Pilot Training Programme will continue to remain an important part of Emirates operations in helping to secure and train UAE National flight deck professionals for the future.

“The National Cadet Pilot Training Programme has been running successfully since 1993 and I am confident that we will continue to attract talented young Emiratis who are looking for a fulfilling, interesting and long-lasting career with Emirates,” he concluded.

Today’s ceremony was attended by the graduate’s families as well as Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline and Group, Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata and Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

At present, Emirates’ flight deck crew includes 133 Emirati Captains and First Officers. In addition, 185 ab-initio pilots from the UAE are undergoing training with the multiple award-winning airline.

Launched in 1993, Emirates’ National Cadet Pilot Programme comprises a Foundation Course in English and Aviation Science conducted in Dubai, over about twelve months. Cadets then spend a year at Flight Training Adelaide at Parafield Airport, Australia, to gain a Commercial Pilot’s License with a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (CPL/Multi IR). In the third phase of the programme, spread over six months, the cadets train on flight simulators at the Emirates Training College in Dubai.

Air Arabia takes off to Goa, India

Sharjah, April 16, 2009: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today launched non-stop service to Goa, India, from the carrier’s main hub in Sharjah, UAE. The launch of this new destination reflects Air Arabia’s growing expansion into the Indian market.

Roundtrip flights will operate three times per week between Dabolim International Airport in Goa and Air Arabia’s hub in Sharjah. Air Arabia is now the only UAE-based international carrier to offer direct flights to Goa from the UAE.

The LCC will fly to Goa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Sharjah at 00:25 AM and arriving at Goa at 5:05 AM. Return flights will depart Goa at 5:50 AM and arrive in Sharjah at 7:35 AM.

Air Arabia’s first destination in the Indian state of Goa is also the carrier’s 13th destination in India. In total, Air Arabia will serve 46 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and the Southern Europe, including Athens. Greece, when service to that European city commences on April 21, 2009.

AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia, said: “We are delighted to now offer non-stop service between Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE, and Goa, one of the great heritage cities of India. Today, even more members of the large Indian expatriate population living in the UAE and GCC can take advantage of our extensive Middle Eastern and international network. We now serve 13 destinations in India, and are keen on continuously providing the best value-for-money service to this rapidly emerging nation. We are confident that Goa will serve as a great holiday, personal travel and business destination for our passengers.”

In addition to Goa, Air Arabia also serves the following Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Nagpur, Thiruvanathapuram and Hyderabad. The Sharjah-based carrier offers the most destinations of any airline in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.

Air Arabia offers visitors from Goa to the UAE, a convenient tourist visa service to visit their family and friends.

DM, Civil Defence discuss simplifying building permits

Dubai Municipality held a meeting with Dubai Civil Defence Department recently on improving and simplifying the procedures between the two in order to provide excellent advanced services and facilitate the work procedures under one roof.

During the discussion both the sides addressed the issue of improving the procedures regarding building permits and ways to develop procedures and opportunities for improvement in this area.

The Municipality was represented in the meeting by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of Corporate Excellence Department and Yusuf Abdullah, Head of the Licensing Section in the Buildings Department and a number of officials from the department, while the Civil Defence was represented by Major Jamal Ahmad, Director of Preventive Safety Department and a number of other officials.

Al Hammadi, said the meeting was organized following a directive of the Council of Ministers and the Dubai Executive Council to work towards giving more care in the development of work and procedures among government establishments and departments in a way that achieves the ideal environment for investment and customer service so as to provide services simply and clearly to the customers.

She added that the meeting also comes in parallel with the directives of the government based on the report of the World Bank to improve the procedures and raising the status of the UAE and the city of Dubai with other countries in the world.

Al Hammadi pointed out that all departments and establishments in the country are trying to coordinate with others in developing procedures and this meeting will help in the efforts to streamline the building licensing procedures.

"Everybody would like to join the group of bodies that offer these services and the Civil Defence is one among them. During the meeting the importance of providing services through one place was emphasized so that it becomes easier for the investor or the customer to obtain the service without any trouble saving his time and effort, In addition to that the meeting also discussed distribution of tasks as per their importance between the two bodies so that the customer does not feel the existence of multiplicity of bodies that interact and deal with him," she said.

The two sides emphasized the importance of facilitating services to the customers, need to encourage them to support the investment environment, achieving excellence in providing building permit services, importance of providing all the necessary support from both sides and concerted efforts towards the development of such procedures in a way, which would be worthy of the reputation that suits the city of Dubai.

The ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ is now bigger with discounts of up to 80 percent off!

Dubai, April 15, 2009: ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’, the highly anticipated 2009 spring sale organized by Inter Brands Corporation, was inaugurated today at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DWTC), Dubai. The five-day carnival, offering mega discounts of up to 80 per cent off on all high-end luxury lifestyle products, will be held from April 15-19, 2009 at Hall 4, DWTC, Dubai. The event was inaugurated today by Mr. Ibrahim Saleh, Coordinator General, Dubai Shopping Festival Office.

This year’s ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ in Dubai will include for the first time huge discounts on “CROCS” foot wear, the world-wide leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocstm brand. The comfortable shoes which serve versatile functioning for all casual and recreational purposes will be available at extremely attractive prices at the Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009.

The Big Brands Mega Carnival will offer attractive discounts of up to 80 per cent of on a variety of products including fragrances, bags, watches, sun glasses, shoes, fashion clothes, accessories, cosmetics, hair products of the all world of the best known brands. To name some major brands whose merchandise will be part of the carnival include Chopard, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Cacharel, Lacoste and Geox.

Commenting on the Big Brands Carnival 2009, Mr. Vijay Samyani, Managing Director, Inter Brands Corporation said: “Big Brands Carnival today has become well recognized and is keenly looked forward event by UAE residents and tourists. In 2004, the Big Brands Carnival was first conceived, conceptualized and organized. What started as a one off sale occurrence is today a yearly phenomenon. The previous editions of the sales have experienced an average footfall of 10,000 customers everyday. Big Brands Carnival 2009 will be spread over 50,000 sq ft, which we believe will attract a lot of our old patrons and lot of new shoppers too.”

He added, “Big Brands in the past has successfully conducted more than 18 events in the last 4 years. We are very happy to introduce ‘Crocs’ from the new addition brand. In order to give customers more value for their MONEY in these difficult times, Big Brands will provide heavy discounts, thus letting the customers save a lot on their shopping on luxury items."

Commenting on their first time participation, Mr. Michael Brown, Managing Director, Crocs, Dubai, said, “Big Brands sales has become a household name and we are proud to associate Crocs footwear with them. We had received a phenomenal response from the mega sale held in Singapore. We are certain that our clients would rush to the Big Brands Sale and avail of the massive discounts we would have on our footwear range. We look forward to a long-term association with the Big Brands Sale.”


The ‘Big Brands Mega Carnival 2009’ will not only offer great products at great prices but will also provide plenty of opportunity to win fabulous prizes too. Lucky draws will be conducted on all days of the sale, wherein the winner walks away with shopping vouchers of amazing value.

Inter Brands Corporation is a major distributor of luxury lifestyle products in the GCC and other parts of the world, and has emerged as the leading organizer of season specific High Street fashion sale events. The Corporation has organized 18 successful seasonal Big Brands Sale events over the last four years namely sales over summer, Ramadan, and Xmas.

About Inter Brands Corporation (IBC) Headed By Visionary Prakash Bhojwani.
Inter Brands Corporation (IBC) is one of the retail arms of Time Machine Group, in retailing with luxury lifestyle products in the GCC. With a well established global network, supplying high quality international brands, IBC represents leading luxury products in fragrances, bags, watches, sun glasses, shoes, fashion clothes, accessories, cosmetics, hair products of the all world of the best known brands Armed with a thorough knowledge of the local region, IBC has maintained a remarkable reputation in the retail sector by launching new concept of Big Brands Factory Outlets, presently having five branches.

About Crocs
Crocs, Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocstm brand.

All Crocstm brand shoes feature Crocs’ proprietary closed-cell resin, Croslitetm, which represents a substantial innovation in footwear. The Croslitetm material enables Crocs to produce soft, comfortable, lightweight, superior-gripping, non-marking and odor-resistant shoes. These unique elements make Crocstm footwear ideal for casual wear, as well as for professional and recreational uses such as boating, hiking, hospitality and gardening. The versatile use of the material has enabled Crocs to successfully market its products to a broad range of consumers.

Crocs™ shoes are sold in 100 countries and come in a wide array of colors and styles. Please visit www.crocs.com.sg for additional information.

DM organizes recreational day for orphans

The Finance Department of Dubai Municipality, in collaboration with Human Appeal International organized a Recreational Day for orphans from various emirates recently in the Children's City.

The event included many activities and programmes which were specially designed for the orphans and allow them to enjoy the various recreational facilities in the city.

The programmes were attended by many of the orphans together with their supervisors, members of Human Appeal International, and a number of officials of Dubai Municipality.

The organization of the event was in line with the directives of the Municipality towards the adoption of initiatives that can contribute to enhance the level of strategic partnership with various groups in the society and increase the role of the municipality in the relevant areas of work.

The programmes included a number of recreational activities, where the children participated in art workshop on drawing in which they expressed their creativity and skills in painting and drawing. Competitions and recreational games were also organized for them.

DTCM DISCUSS NEW MARKETING INITIATIVES WITH HOTEL AND HOTEL APARTMENT GROUP

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) organized a meeting, under the chairmanship of Director General Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, with the members of the Hotel and Hotel Apartment Group to discuss its new initiatives to give a big push to promotional and marketing of Dubai as a leisure and business tourism hub.

The meeting was briefed about a raft of initiatives and programmes that DTCM has planned to conduct during the summer months and the Holy Month of Ramadan, as part of the measures to boost hotel occupancies and increase number of visitors to the emirate during the current year.

Mr. bin Sulayem informed the group members about the steps that DTCM has taken to encourage tourism industry players take up enlarged role in the efforts underway to create awareness about the destination.

Mr. Aly El Zayat, Director of DTCM’s Representative Office in Saudi Arabia, briefed the meeting about the Dubai promotion in Saudi Arabia. The promotion will run through the summer months until the Eid Al Fitr. Under the programme, visitors get one extra night stay for every two night’s hotel booking in addition to airport transfers, two children per room and second room at 50 per cent. DTCM has published 60,000 booklets for the promotion and promotion is bookable only through travel agents.

The group members were informed about the progress and outcome of the ‘Keep discovering Dubai’ programme that DTCM launched last month in cooperation with the Emirates Airlines and select DMCs and hotels. Under the three-month-long campaign, about 2000 tour operators, MICE agents and media representatives from more than 60 countries will be taking up familiarization tours of Dubai.

The meeting, held at Shangri-La Hotel on Tuesday, was attended by Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Media Relations Division and Acting Director Business Development, Mr. Khalid bin Touq, DTCM Executive Director Licensing and Classification Division, and Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Executive Director Business Tourism.

Emirates fans out across Africa

DUBAI, UAE, 8th April 2009 - Africa's international links are to receive a significant lift with news that Emirates is to start flights to Angola, its 17th African destination.

The Dubai - Luanda service, which begins August 2nd, will operate three times a week - on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

This is the second new route into Africa to be announced by Emirates this year. Flights to Durban in South Africa start October 1st.

The thrice weekly Luanda service allows Angola to further embrace international trade by being brought into the six continent-wide Emirates' network.

An Airbus A330-200 will serve the route, which will help support the nation's oil-led boom, the emerging tourism market and the thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are from China.

Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: "This new Luanda flight provides enormous potential to develop air travel into Angola, alongside the assistance we can provide for international trade through Emirates SkyCargo. In the past year, we have seen strong growth in Africa of 17%. Now, with Luanda starting in August and Durban starting later in the year, this is going to be another very exciting year in this largely untapped continent."

Angola, around five times the size of the UK, lies on the Atlantic coast of south-central Africa. It is the continent's second largest oil exporter after Nigeria.

With four major ports along an expansive coastline, the nation is a natural transhipment point for the region. The country has abundant natural resources including oil, diamonds, gold, iron, copper and uranium.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, EK 791 will depart Dubai at 1050hrs, arriving at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport in Angola at 1550hrs.

EK792 departs Luanda on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1800, touching down in Dubai at 0500 the following day. The A330-200 to be deployed on the route offers 237-seats across Economy, Business and First Class accommodation.

The timings of the flight from Dubai allow good connectivity with arrivals from Emirates' points in Asia and Australasia. Meanwhile, the flight coming into Dubai provides smooth connectivity with all our departures to Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

Emirates SkyCargo will provide up to 12 tonnes of cargo capacity in the bellyhold of each aircraft with imports expected to include consumer goods, electronics, telecommunications products and oil related equipment and spares. Perishables, such as fruit and flowers, are expected to feature amongst exports.

Dubai-based Emirates started flights to Africa in 1986, serving Cairo. Around 4,000 Africans are now employed throughout the Emirates Group.

Since establishing itself as an airline in 1985, Emirates has rapidly expanded into a major transcontinental travel and tourism conglomerate. The airline now flies to six continents with a fleet of 132 aircraft, including four double-decker A380s.

REFLECTIONS OF THE SUBCONTINENT AT THE GULF FILM FESTIVAL: Focus on India Segment Offers Cross-Section of Indian Short Cinema

Dubai: April 5, 2009: The Gulf Film Festival (GFF), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is an excellent opportunity for UAE residents to sample the cinematic offerings of the GCC and points beyond.


This year the festival, as part of its In Focus programming segment will focus on short films from India. In addition to offering cross-section of short films from established and emerging directors, there will be a panel discussing independent and short production in the subcontinent, followed by the screenings.

The panel will comprise Kiran V Shantaram, Director of Rajkamal Studios, V Shantaram Productions Pvt Ltd, Plaza Theatre, Mumbai and National Film Development Corporation Ltd, (NFDC); veteran film critic Sudhir Nandgaonkar, the Third Eye Asian Film Festival director; Pranav Ashar, President of film distribution company Enlighten, and filmmakers Anand Gandhi, director of Right Here Right Now, and Umesh Kulkarni, director of Three of Us, who also contributed his feature film Valu the Bull to the Dubai International Film Festival 2008.



The films in the section give a sample of the many outlooks, techniques and narrative themes in Indian independent production. Many are tales of survival against hardship: Three of Us, by Umesh Kulkarni, introduces Yogendra, who is confined to bed due to severe disability. Ganga Mukhi’s Punha (Yet Another Day) follows an old village vendor who finds no takers for his wares. In despair, he throws his goods in the river but life goes on, and so must the struggle for survival. In Kshitif (A Far Horizon), by Binitesh Baruri, a destitute trumpet player knows that his only hope is to sell off his trumpet and go to the city with his wife, but doubts if he has the will. Umesh Kulkarni’s Girni (The Grinding Machine) introduces Little Samir, his widowed mother and grandfather who have lost their mental peace to the noisy grinding machine that provides their livelihood.



Gitanjali Rao’s animated short Printed Rainbow concerns an old woman and her cat who live alone, but explore many magic worlds with the help of the woman’s collection of matchboxes. In Kshya Tra Ghya (XYZ), by Amit Dutta, a boy tells a story that he invents while narrating. The film is structured as a riddle and the answer to the riddle is another riddle or a story. Bejoy Nambiar’s Rahu weaves the lives of a motley bunch of protagonists together in tragic circumstances, under the gaze of one of the most destructive planets - Rahu. Amit Dutta’s Kramasha (To Be Continued) shows a boy who is sleeping, yet awake. A mysterious man with a black coat comes each morning. The boy has seen the man before - in his dreams.



A philosophical tone suffuses some of the selections: Plot, by Abhijit Mazumdar, is a small part of a bigger story that attempts to understand the vulnerability of human existence. The Cabin Man, by Ashish Pandey, asks: is there a destination in life? Is there life beyond a destination? Anand Gandhi’s Right Here, Right Now, a young man triggers a cycle of sorrow and joy simultaneously. Through 15 characters and 17 locations, the cycles meet to a conclusion that explains the absurdities of life. Khushboo Ranka and Anand Gandhi’s Continuum puts forth five moments of childlike innocence that culminate in a climax where they form the cosmic fabric itself.



There are also several offerings that contain dramatic narratives that address human relationships: Haravilele Indradhanush (The Lost Rainbow), by Dhiraj Meshram, addresses guilt: Sameer steals his brother Nitin's marbles and hides them in a tree. Years later, he returns the marbles to Nitin’s son. Chab Wali Pocket Watch (The Pocketwatch), by Vibhu Puri, shows an old Urdu poet struggling to keep the musical Hindustani language alive. From the UK, Amit Kumar’s The Bypass is the story of two men who ambush a car, kill the passengers, and steal the belongings. As they cross the hills, we discover they are not the only criminals in the area. Sanju Surendran’s Theeram (Sea Shore) explores the father-daughter relationship.



Several of the films are co-productions that offer interesting perspectives on India: from France, Do Dil (Two Heart), by Aatish Basanta, concerns the aftermath of family pressures on a loving relationship. India-US coproduction Birju, by Heeraz Marfatia, narrates the untold stories behind every photograph that slip through the confines of frame. Andheri is a US-India coproduction by Sushrut Jain in which Anita, a live-in maid, works in a Mumbai home but decides to run away and take her chances in the unknown big city.



The GFF will be held from April 9 to 15 and brought by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) in association with Dubai Studio City. For further information, please consult the festival website on www.gulffilmfest.com

Public libraries hold glass painting course

As part of its cultural activities, the Public Libraries Department in Dubai Municipality organized a glass painting course in the Social Development Centre recently in order to provide programs designed to fill the leisure time, which will enrich the potential of youth and push them towards achievement and innovation through the acquisition of new skills that would have vital impact in their future life. The course, which lasted three days, witnessed tremendous interaction by the 23 participants.

The participants said they benefited maximum from the course and praised the way it was conducted by the Dubai Public Libraries Department giving them a special atmosphere of an educational session. They also praised the method of lecture by the Public Libraries staff member, Asma Abdullah by facilitating easy access of information to participants. Gifts and certificates were also distributed to the participants at the end of the session.

Schools urged to make prior booking for visiting public parks in Dubai

The Public Parks and Horticulture Department of Dubai Municipality called upon all the schools in the country on the necessity for prior coordination with the Department in the event of their school visits to the major parks in Dubai.

Ahmed AbdulKarim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department said advance request for access to the public parks will help in reducing the problem of overcrowding of schools in the park as well as in organizing the visits by separating the schools for girls and boys, in addition to organizing the services provided by the parks such as restaurants, booking some games and providing security and safety of children along with those who accompany them.

He called upon the schools to apply in advance when they want to visit the public parks. For more information they can call the Municipality Contact Centre on the toll-free number 800900.

Indian President presents Padma Shri Award to Sunny Varkey, Founder & Chairman of GEMS Education

Dubai, April 2, 2009: The Honourable President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil, has awarded Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder & Chairman of GEMS Education, with one of the country’s highest honours, the Padma Shri award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Education and Social service. The ceremony was held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Mr. Varkey joins a select list of Global Indians to be honoured with the Padma Shri award for his exemplary services in the field of education across the world, particularly in the UAE where he operates 26 schools. Mr. Varkey manages one of the largest networks of private schools globally. GEMS Education has contributed significantly to the socio-economic progress of the various countries it operates in.

The international network of GEMS schools spans across nine countries providing high quality education to over 100,000 students from 124 different countries employing nearly 6,500 teachers; the largest employer if Indian and British teachers outside their home country.

He is widely recognized as an out-of-the box thinker and education entrepreneur and has been a pioneer in developing an enterprising blend of innovation, customer service and high education brand that has made global headway, GEMS.

“I am overwhelmed by this recognition from the Government of India. Education and social services are extremely close to my heart. I share this honour with the children and teachers of GEMS Schools across the world.

This award would not be possible if not for the wise leadership and vision of the leaders of the UAE Government.

Awards like this motivate us to continue the work we do in the field of education and to focus on initiatives that help provide education to the underprivileged, “Mr. Varkey said

Fratelli la Bufala, a bona fide Italian Restaurant opens in Arabian Center

Dubai, April 2, 2009: Fratelli La Bufala (FLB), the latest Italian dining destination in town, today announced the opening of its first outlet at the Arabian Center mall in Mirdiff. Fratelli La Bufala represents Geppi Marotta’s commitment to preserving the rich culinary heritage of the Naples inland region and today is he is known as the innovator & educator in the restaurant business.

Fratelli La Bufala (FLB), the latest Italian dining destination has a menu that emphasizes authentic Neapolitan pizza and dishes with buffalo meats and cheeses. The concept, which debuted in Naples in 2002, has experienced so much success that it now has 20 locations across Italy and worldwide, including the most recent opening at the Arabian Center. Fratelli La Bufala is represented in the region by Jawad Business Group.

Commenting on the opening of the new outlet, Mr. Tapan Vaidya, General Manager, Restaurants Division, Jawad Business Group, said, ““FLB is a new restaurant based in tradition Neapolitan farmland cuisine, and features buffalo cheeses and meats, which are emerging in popularity around the globe. The menu is built around true Neapolitan pizza, and buffalo products. This is what has differentiated FLB and helped FLB develop a loyal customer base in all markets.”

He further added, “We believe we have in FLB a unique concept. Most Italian restaurants are not truly Italian. FLB has menu items that would appear on the dinner tables at homes across Italy and the restaurant represents the culinary heritage of the Naples inland region. The guest’s in-turn experience authentic Neapolitan cuisine, ingredients and preparation.”

Reflecting Marotta’s commitment to illustrating genuine Neapolitan pizza and cuisine with buffalo meats and cheeses, Fratelli La Bufala takes precise measures to ensure authenticity. For instance, Fratelli La Bufala’s pizza mirrors the rich tradition of Neapolitan pizza that dates back to the 17th century. Pizza took its present-day form in pre-Renaissance Naples, which is located in southern Italy. The world's first true pizzeria opened in Naples in 1830 and is still open today. Pizzerias in this era usually included a large brick oven, a marble counter where the crust was prepared, and a shelf lined with ingredients – just as Fratelli La Bufala does at each location. Maintaining Neapolitan tradition, trained pizzaiolos at Fratelli La Bufala assemble entire pizzas on the marble counter within view of their guests.

Fratelli La Bufala is located in Arabian Centre, Mirdiff . For bookings please call: 04-2845088.

DM launches partnership manual

The Partnership Department at Dubai Municipality has issued a partnership manual. The move is part of the Municipality's keenness to lay foundations and methods for the partnership systems it follow with various types of partners.
Ahmed Al Shehhi, Director of the Partnership Department in the Municipality said that the civic body is one of the leading establishments in its work and activities at the local, regional and global level. "Due to its keenness to strengthen its internal and external relations, the Municipality has adopted a partnership and twinning approach on the basis of fruitful and constructive cooperation with the Internal and external bodies to enhance development with the government and the private sector through the signing of strategic, operational, service and logistic partnership agreements and working to participate in the resources to reach common objectives," he said.
He explained that the issuance of this manual was aimed at determining and organizing partnerships to serve all sectors and organizational units in the Municipality through the development of standards for the identification and classification of partners and identify priorities for the partnership, with a lot of points that will contribute to raise the thinking power and brainstorming with officials and staff in the selection and identification of their partners.
Al Shehhi pointed out that the manual is designed to identify levels, types, steps and stages of the partnership, and develop a general framework and a road map for the establishment of the partnership as well as identifying the success factors of partnership.
He said the achievement of successful partnership depends on a combination of factors, most notably good planning, mutual trust, anticipating oppositions, harmony of cultures and values, balancing, integration, flexibility as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the partnership.
The manual contains a set of chapters, including the definition of partnership, their standards and types, stages of planning for the partnership and the process of gathering information, negotiation, signing the partnership, the factors and causes for its success.

Emaar Misr launches sale of fully-finished Mivida townhomes in Views District

Cairo, Egypt; April 2, 2009: Emaar Misr for Development S.A.E, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties, will launch the sale of townhomes in its newest mixed-use community, Mivida, located in New Cairo City, only 1.5 km from the American University. The townhomes, master-planned and designed by award-winning architects MDR and JZMK, are located in the Mivida Views district in close proximity to a community centre, central park and other lifestyle amenities.

The two- and three-bedroom townhomes range in size from 158 to 190 sq m, with prices starting from EGP1.2 million with only 5 per cent down payment. Scheduled for hand-over in 2012, the Mivida townhomes meet the requirements of families seeking attractively-priced, smartly designed, fully-finished, ready-to-live-in residences. The homes have elegant interiors designed by international designers Saddleback and PDI. Construction of Mivida has commenced with Emaar Misr leveraging the expertise of Emaar Properties in the delivery of large-scale integrated communities for timely completion.

Mr Sameh Muhtadi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Misr, said: “The launch of Mivida townhomes follows the strong customer response to the Mivida villas. Mivida offers the distinctive advantage of easy accessibility from the city centre and the American University in Cairo, as well as the option of owning ready-to-live-in homes. Emaar Misr has worked with award-winning and international architects and interior designers to offer a trend-setting residential development.”

Residents in the integrated community will have access to boulevard-style retail, healthcare centres, educational institutions and business parks. The homes are also set in close proximity to the 30-acre Mivida central park offering a healthy lifestyle choice. The community centre will have retail stores and food & beverage outlets thus ensuring a self-sustained residential development.

Potential customers can visit the Emaar Misr Sales Centre in Cairo from 10am to 8pm; call toll free 16116 or log on to www.mividaegypt.com for more details. Models of the Mivida townhomes have been displayed at the sales centre. Customers can also interact with Emaar Misr customer sales representatives for details on home finance support by third-party mortgage providers.

The EGP5.75 billion Mivida is set in 3.8 million sq m and features 5,000 homes including three- to five-bedroom villas, two- to three-bedroom townhomes and a range of apartments. All units are air-conditioned and have fully finished bathrooms with all accessories. Customers have the option of choosing quality finishes and fittings.





Mivida is the third master-planned community by Emaar Misr in Egypt, and follows the success of Uptown Cairo and Marassi, both currently progressing as per schedule. Work on the Business Park of Mivida is also currently being undertaken.

DTCM OFFICIALS DISCUSS NEW MARKETING INITIATIVES WITH DUBAI STAND CO-PARTICIPANTS AT GIBTM-2009

Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), held a meeting with the co-participants of Dubai Stand on the second day of Gulf Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and discussed the new marketing and promotional initiatives designed to boost hotel occupancies and attract more visitors from across the world during this year.

Also present at the meeting were Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM Executive Director Operations and Marketing, and Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Media Relations and Acting Director Business Development.

Dubai Stand measures 406 square metres and has 57 co-participants representing a broad spectrum of hotels, hotel apartments, DMCs and other public and private sector organizations keen to tap the MICE industry potential.

The new initiatives are part of DTCM’s continued efforts to market Dubai as a leading leisure and business destination and maintain tourism industry’s market competitiveness.

The participants reviewed the global tourism industry market trends and a number of new initiatives aimed at attracting more visitors to Dubai from across the world, especially the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) states, and boosting hotel occupancies which remained high during the months of January and February this year.

He said the department, in cooperation with the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) Office, will hold workshops and Press conferences in the AGCC states soon to promote Dubai during the summer holidays and the Holy Month of Ramadan. Details of the initiatives will be announced shortly.

Mr. bin Sulayem said the new initiatives over the remainder of the year will help generate even better levels of hotel occupancies and help draw more tourists from different parts of the world.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the hoteliers will offer best rates and holiday packages to the visitors, especially during the summer months.

Dubai retained its strong position with its hotels posting all-time high record revenues of AED15.25 billion and a double-digit increase in room inventory in 2008.Dubai hotel establishments played a host to 6,996,449 guests in 2008, up from 6,951,798 visitors in the previous year.

The slight increase in guest numbers enabled Dubai hotels and hotel apartment posting AED15.25 billion in revenues, an impressive increase of 15 per cent over the previous year. A 15.9 per cent increase was also recorded in the number of hotel rooms and hotel apartments, which stood at 49,598

A three-month familiarization programme –Keep Discovering Dubai- targeting 2000 tour operators, MICE agents and Media representatives had been launched by DTCM in cooperation with Emirates Airlines and other key players of Dubai’s tourism industry to provide them a hands-on experience of Dubai.

Etisalat announces spectacular rewards for Football fans at the Etisalat Cup Finals

Abu Dhabi, Wednesday, April 1, 2008: Football fans in UAE have a reason to rejoice. Etisalat has announced exciting rewards for football fans attending the final match between Al Ain VS Al Wehda, to be held on Friday at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Besides enjoying the football live action, the fans also have a fantastic opportunity to win spectacular prizes like Hummer H3, two fully paid trips Barcelona along with FC Barcelona match tickets and many exciting prizes. Etisalat cup final match between Al Ain VS Al Wehda, will determine the Champion team for the first season.

Etisalat's reward announcement is a reinforcement of its commitment to popularize and support UAE football, by encouraging football fans to cheer for their favorite team and encourage this sport.

The match audience will have the opportunity to win from three raffle draws on their tickets after the game. The grand prize of the raffle is a Hummer H3, followed by two fully paid trips to watch FCBarcelona in Spain. There will also be one hundred scratch card of AED 100 each, in the draw.

Etisalat subscribers across the country also have a chance to participate and win 1 week free subscription to and get chance to Weyak Football alerts. Subscribers can vote for their favourite team by sending an SMS 'AN' (for Al Ain) or 'AW' (for Al Wehda) to 1110. (AED 4 per SMS)


"Etisalat" is the official sponsor of professional leagues for the coming five seasons and has supported the Etisalat Football League for the last threes seasons. Recently, Etisalat tied up with FC Barcelona taking its association with football on an international level.

HUSSEIN AL SAYEGH IS THE PROUD OWNER OF NUMBER 1/24 SPECIAL EDITION FORD FIESTA

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 1 April, 2009 – The UAE exclusive charity auction for Number 1/24 of the hot new 2009 Fiesta Special Edition came to an end with Hussein Al Sayegh making the winning bid of AED63,000.

A UAE national, Al Sayegh made the lucky bid which won him the first ever special edition Fiesta and made a significant contribution to the Dubai Center for Special Needs.

“I'm so excited to win the bid on such as special car!" said Al Sayegh. "It was tough because there were many people who wanted it as much as I did but at the end I made the lucky bid. The entire experience felt great because not only was I able to get this one of a kind Fiesta but also I was able to make a contribution to a charitable cause and helped make a positive difference for children with special needs.”

On behalf of the Dubai Center for Special Needs, Dr. Mahshid Salehi, Director of the Center shared her appreciation, “We are genuinely grateful to Ford for choosing Dubai Center for Special Needs as the charity to which this generous contribution will go to. Behind the steering wheel of this car, there is a genuine person that our students will never forget. The center will forever be grateful to Mr. Hussein Al Sayegh.”

The two week auction on www.souq.com drew a lot of attention and witnessed nearly
70 bids from users who were fascinated by the Special Edition Fiesta.

“We congratulate Mr. Al Sayegh for his great choice,” said Waldo Galan, managing director, Ford Middle East. “He not only is the lucky owner of a car that's truly unique in the world, but he has also made a commendable act of charity.

“We at Ford Motor Company believe in giving back to the local communities where we serve our customers,” continued Galan, “and the launch of the all-new 2009 Fiesta presented a unique opportunity to do so with the special edition models. This activity helped us highlight this outstanding model that has already taken Europe by storm, while making a positive difference in the UAE community."

The auction was part of Ford's launch efforts of the hot new Fiesta which has been a runaway success in Europe and has been the best selling car in the UK since its launch. Today, Fiesta is the best-selling Ford car year-to-date across Europe's main 19 markets, and has sold over 117,000 units globally since its debut in November 2008.

Blazing in red, the five-door Fiesta number 1/24 special edition model boasts a unique paint design adorning its subcompact body with black and silver lines. The Titanium trim model comes with a host of features that are unique in this category and that are normally found on larger vehicles.

The special edition models boast unique individual paint designs and come in the following attractive colors: Colorado Red, Avalon Grey, Blazer Blue, Frozen White, Morello Red, Ocean Blue, Sea Gray, Spa Cream, Squeeze Green and Vision Blue.

The Fiesta features include a range of features such as 16" alloy wheels, rear sport spoiler, front/rear parking sensors, Electronic Air Temperature Control, 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, power front and rear windows with driver one shot up and down, front/rear fog lamps, Electronic Stability Program, driver/passenger/side airbags, halogen projector headlamps, Homesafe Headlamp feature, keyless system with push button start, and radio/CD/MP3/ 4 front/2 rear speakers with steering wheel remote control.

The new Fiesta’s profile emphasises its new, cab-forward shape and an attitude of poised, sporty style. The sweeping roofline extends appealingly from the forward-stretching A-pillar rearward, framing the bold graphic of the Fiesta side window profile to create the sporty feeling of a coupé.

DM renovates heritage buildings in Hatta

Dubai Municipality recently renovated the traditional Al Sharia Musalla and Bait Al Waly in the Hatta area.
Eng. Rashad Bukhash, Director of Architectural Heritage Department said the renovation work was part of the Municipality's plan for renovation of mosques in the Emirate of Dubai.
He said the renovation work also comes as part of the efforts to preserve the architectural heritage and to highlight the reality of this heritage, and an emphasis on a deep sense of historical and cultural features.
"The restoration and reconstruction work, based on scientific and international standards, forms an important point in the strategy of the Architectural Heritage Department, which is keen on the restoration and reconstruction of existing buildings in historic areas in the Emirate of Dubai. The work is done in a successful way with the level of quality and excellence these places deserve and this is reflected by the case of work done and the work still continues," said Bukhash.
"The restoration work was done according to international specifications by workers who have high skill and efficiency. With the help of Fujairah Municipality, we had undertaken the renovation of the historical Bidya mosque and some architectural conservation projects in Ras Al Khaimah, in addition to providing expertise and support in the restoration projects in Syria, Morocco and Yemen to preserve the urban and architectural heritage landmarks in the Arab states as a highlight of the features of culture and tradition," he said.
"The historic buildings are tourist attractions in Dubai but to make the area vital historic buildings are used for commercial and awareness purposes. Some restored buildings have been leased to a number of hotels, restaurants and cafes and for the purpose of art displays and some buildings that are to be restored are rented for accommodation purposes," said Bukhash.