DEWA to launch conservation campaign to reduce appliance usage

Reduce consumption during 12 noon to 5.00 p.m.


Dubai Thursday 30th June, 2011: In-line with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s concerted efforts to raise the awareness and present the necessary tips and measures to reduce the utility consumption rates in Dubai, the Authority has developed a tactical integrated communication campaign aimed at encouraging residents to commit to using utilities in a rational manner.


The campaign has been designed to promote, raise awareness and educate residents on the important role they play in conserving natural resources by limiting their usage and unnecessary wastage of electricity and water by being committed to a number of tips and measures, especially when demand is at its highest during the Peak Load months of July and August between 12.00 noon and 5.00 p.m.



The innovative campaign takes critical environmental messages to the consumer in a friendly and informative manner by bringing to life animated household appliances that become delighted at the opportunity of taking a daily break between the hours of 12 noon and 5.00 p.m.



Commenting on the Peak Load campaign HE Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director & CEO of DEWA said: “This campaign was launched in-line with Dubai Government environmental strategy to achieve the sustainable environment and reinforcing DEWA’s role to raise the awareness and educate our society.”



HE Al Tayer added: “We usually work on engaging residents with innovative conservation campaigns that bring environmental concerns to the forefront through well-informed materials, and to present all the information, tips and guidelines, which help them to commit to the rational conservation practice, invariably to reduce the consumption rate of the emirate.”



HE Al Tayer continued: “In DEWA we adopt a strategy that aims to reach all society segments in the emirate, to increase the awareness of environmental issues and safeguard planet Earth. During the last few years we have witnessed the highest consumption levels of water and electricity during the summer months’ peak hours. This encouraged us to adopt the idea of reducing consumption during the Peak Load and give a break to the household appliances and daily chores during this time. Our customers consistently participate in safeguarding the utility system’s efficiency and help build a greener, safer world for future generations.”



Speaking on the initiative Amal Koshak, Senior Manager - Demand & Tariff Management commented: “The Peak Load campaign is an innovative way of communicating to the Dubai community the important messages on how to conserve our natural resources. There are many ways people can reduce consumption during the Peak Load hours, as well as not using household appliances such as the washing machine, iron or vacuum cleaner; people can turn their air-conditioning down to 24, turn off all standby buttons when they leave a room and ensure that they water their garden early in the morning. This is one of the most innovative campaigns undertaken by DEWA by way of the informality and important information it has, it was also done in a very creative, fun and unforgettable way.”



Amal continued: “The Peak Load campaign in which general household appliances are brought to life as characters eager to explore how to spend their free-time, is a friendly, light-hearted, thought-provoking and memorable initiative that will promote awareness and ultimately influence good consumption behaviour.”



The Peak Load campaign will be rolled-out across the Emirate in July and will run on multiple communication channels including television, print and digital medium.



For more information about the Peak Load campaign and tips on how to conserve visit www.dewa.gov.ae



About DEWA



The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is a local utilities provider responsible for delivering and managing vital electricity and water supply to customers across the emirate of Dubai. Across all of its operations DEWA aims to provide the best possible customer services with reliable, clean and safe electricity and water.



DEWA was established in 1992 following the merger of Dubai Electric Company and the Dubai Water Department which had both been operating independently since 1959. Today, DEWA has a workforce of over 8,000 employees each striving to deliver the highest standards of services with consistency and reliability.



In line with its vision, and in keeping pace with international developments in technology, DEWA became one of the first local authorities to be completely e-enabled. Its website reflects the organization’s ongoing efforts to communicate effectively with its customers and to provide eGovernment services and up-to-date information for online users.



For more information, please visit: http://www.dewa.gov.ae/

Torresol Energy wins ‘Commercialized Technology Innovation of the Year’ CSP Award

Masdar’s joint venture initiative wins US recognition

Abu Dhabi, June 30, 2011 – Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar –

Abu Dhabi’s leading future energy company – and SENER, the leading Spanish

engineering and technology group, received the ‘Commercialized Technology

Innovation of the Year’ CSP Today US award, thanks to the innovative solutions

developed in Gemasolar, the world’s first commercial-scale CSP plant featuring

central tower receiver and molten salt storage system technology. Gemasolar, the

19.9 MW flagship project of Torresol Energy, was commissioned last May.



The award was presented on June 28 during the fith edition of the Concentrated

Solar Power Summit held between June 28 and 30 in Las Vegas (USA). Felicia

Belows, Senior Vice President of Development of Torresol Energy in the US,

received the award. After the event, she declared: “I am very proud of receiving

this awad that represents for us the acknowledgement to a challenge achieved like

having Gemasolar, a unique plant, already operational’.



Masdar Power, one of the five integrated units of Masdar, is a leading international

developer and operator of renewable power generation projects in Abu Dhabi. It

also strategically invests in technology relevant to utility-scale renewable energy,

focusing especially on Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), photovoltaic solar energy

and on- and offshore wind energy.



Director of Masdar Power Frank Wouters said: “Torresol’s 19.9MW Gemasolar plant

employs the most innovative storage technology fully integrated into a renewable

energy power plant to date. The CSP Today US award for Torresol is a major

recognition of the leadership role of Masdar and the UAE in the solar power sector.

The award will further strengthen our commitment to clean energy and encourage

us to set higher targets of excellence while expanding our business scope.”



The innovative molten salt heat transfer technology deployed at the Gemasolar

greenfield independent power project helps avoid fluctuations in power supply

through a system that is capable of 15 hours of energy production without sunlight.

This accordingly allows for generation of electricity 24 hours a day for many months

of the year, even during the hours of darkness or poor daylight during winter.



Besides, the plant is able to supply electricity to a population of 25,000 households

and save 30,000 tons/year of CO2 emissions.



SENER was responsible for providing the technology, the engineering detail design

and for leading the EPC and commissioning works of the plant. The technology

developed by SENER includes state-of-the-art solutions such as the molten salt

storage system and the receiver, which is able to absorb 95% of the radiation from

the sun’s spectrum and transmit this energy to the molten salt compound that

circulates within the receiver, which is then used to heat steam and operate the

steam turbines.

B360° Watch launches their new branch in the Atlantis, The Palm

Dubai 30th June 2011: with steady paces and confident approach B360° Watch continues its

thriving march towards excellence and creativity. The brand launched its second store with

huge success on Tuesday 28th June 11, at the Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai. With the presence of

the stylish star Latifa as the brand’s ambassador in the Arab World; as the brand always look for

originality and magnanimity.

The event was heavily attended by Arabic and English media in the UAE who were interested

in covering this special launch. There was also a big number of Latifa’s fans, and guests who

came specifically to be part of this launch due to the fact B360° is the only design watch that

combines technical innovation and precision with thought-provoking personal messages. It

embodies the ultimate blend of prestige, performance, glamour and wit. Strapped snugly on

the wrist, B360° stands out among other watches as a testament of expressing your being.

The brand already launched their first flagship shop at Festival City with an amazing success and

demand the brand gained, through presenting their B Proud concept-watch collection, it was

followed by another hit when they launched the National Day watch. B360° has been involved

with special occasions like UAE National Day, even in Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan

with its unique design watch collection “B PROUD”. B PROUD watch involved all the Middle

Eastern countries; as well they have a big collection that includes all nation flags around the

 world.

Carrefour to Open 30,000 Sq. Ft. Hypermarket at Dubai Investments Park

Outlet to be Operational by End 2012

Dubai-UAE: 29 July, 2011 - Dubai Investments Park (DIP), the largest

integrated business and residential community in the Middle East, has

collaborated

hypermarket chain, to offer residents a one-stop shopping experience at DIP.

with

Carrefour,

the

dynamic,

Epitomizing the supermarket concept, the French major will be located in

DIP-I and spread over 30,000 sq. ft. to serve as a convenient shopping

destination for the 100,000-strong DIP community. Carrefour will be the

largest supermarket in DIP and is scheduled to open by the end of 2012. An

additional 10,000 sq ft is allotted for a food court in the facility.

Omar AlMesmar, General Manager, Dubai Investments Park, said: "The

arrival of Carrefour further affirms our efforts to provide wide-ranging

amenities that facilitate living at DIP and offer a convenient option to meet

the everyday requirements of its residents. We will continue our efforts

to offer dwellers and employees in DIP a better standard of living through

convenience and leisure options."

The store will offer approximately 12,000 food and household products.

Due to its massive buying power, the chain brings with it a value-for-money

proposition for quality commodities. To enhance the shopping experience

of its patron, the supermarket will be manned by more than 40 trained

professionals.

Duretz,

General

Manager-

Expansion,

said: “Carrefour market currently operates 12 stores in Dubai itself with

more outlets due to open this year and plans for expansion are huge. In a bid

to grow our footprints in the country, the branch in DIP is very important for

our expansion strategy.

“The growing community here in DIP is seeking for enhanced shopping

experience and Carrefour with its modern supermarket concept focused

on freshness, quality, discount and services will naturally meet residents’

requirements and attract them to the DIP new outlet.”

Dubai Investments Park is one of the largest business and residential

communities in the Middle East. Strategically located within minutes from the

Jebel Ali International Airport, it provides a self-contained city. With its state-

of-the-art facilities, world-class infrastructure, DIP continues to work towards

delivering quality services and amenities.

Barcelos, the authentic flame grilled chicken, opens in Dubai

Dubai, June 22, 2011: Barcelos Flame Grilled Chicken, an authentic Portuguese restaurant,



is all set to appease the pallets of UAE’s food connoisseurs with the opening of its first casual



dining restaurant on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Every chicken-lover’s dream, the mouth-



watering delicacies at Barcelos divulge in the spice of the original peri-peri flavours from



Portugal.



Barcelos is uniquely named after a picturesque Portuguese town where the myth of the



Barcelos cockerel stems, so too does the secret Barcelos marinade recipe which is so old, it



cannot be traced. The succulent Barcelos products are marinated for 24 hours to steep the



flesh in flavour and flame-grilled to perfection.



Costa Mazzis, CEO and founder, Barcelos, said: “With its cosmopolitan atmosphere and



multicultural residents from around the world, Dubai is truly a melting pot of different palates



and is fast gaining a reputation of being a not-to-be-missed food capital. We are excited



about bringing Barcelos to Dubai, and are quite sure that the city’s residents will give our



Portuguese flame grilled chicken restaurant a rousing welcome”.



Barcelos Dubai is the first outlet of the brand in the Middle East, and is located at Sama



Towers, adjacent to Fairmont Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. The restaurant here has a



capacity to seat 105 guests over two levels indoors and over 70 in the open terrace facing



the Dubai World Trade Centre.



Currently, Barcelos has 99 outlets across the globe, in South Africa, United Kingdom,



Singapore, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, Zambia, and Canada, with another to open in



Mauritius soon.



“The signature sauces at Barcelos are all produced in-house to carefully guarded recipes –



Tangy Lemon, Mild Peri, Veri Peri and Supa Peri. The Supa Peri is volcanic and only for the



very brave, yet it is surprisingly popular. It is not just stingingly hot, it is incredibly flavourful



too,” Mazzis said



“Assimilating local tastes has been an important part of our brand’s success. Our offerings in



Dubai will reflect that mandate,” Mazzis added.

At Barcelos, special attention is given to the marinade and flame grilling processes, which

makes a huge difference in succulence and flavour, while at the same time, focussing on

healthy eating.

The Nokia N9: a unique all-screen smartphone

Nokia today announced the Nokia N9, built for people who appreciate a stunning blend of design and the latest smartphone technology.  To learn more about the design of the Nokia N9 visit: http://swipe.nokia.com One swipe and you’re home
The Nokia N9 introduces an innovative new design where the home key is replaced by a simple gesture: a swipe. Whenever you’re in an application, swiping from the edge of the display takes you home. The three home views of the user interface are designed to give fast access to the most important things people do with a phone: using apps, staying up to date with notifications and social networks, and switching between activities. The industrial design of the Nokia N9 is an example of extreme product making and craft. The body is precision-machined from a single piece of polycarbonate and flows seamlessly into beautiful curved glass. The laminated deep black display means that the user interface just floats on the surface of the product. The Nokia N9 also packs the latest in camera, navigation and audio technology for a great all-round experience. “With the Nokia N9, we wanted to design a better way to use a phone. To do this we innovated in the design of the hardware and software together. We reinvented the home key with a simple gesture: a swipe from the edge of the screen. The experience sets a new bar for how natural technology can feel,” said Marko Ahtisaari, Nokia’s head of Design. “And this is just the beginning. The details that make the Nokia N9 unique – the industrial design, the all-screen user experience, and the expressive Qt framework for developers – will evolve in future Nokia products.” Innovative all-screen design
With no need for a home key, the all-screen Nokia N9 makes more room for apps to shine. The 3.9-inch AMOLED screen is made from scratch–resistant curved glass. The polycarbonate body enables superior antenna performance. This means better reception, better voice quality and fewer dropped calls. Camera, maps and multimedia
The 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss autofocus sensor, wide-angle lens, HD-quality video capture and large lens aperture enable great camera performance even in lowlighting conditions. This makes the Nokia N9 one of the best camera-phones ever produced. The Nokia N9 features free turn-by-turn drive and walk navigation with voice guidance in Maps. With the new dedicated Drive app, you can get in your car and start navigating to your destination right away. You can watch videos in true 16:9 widescreen format. And because the Nokia N9 is also the world’s first smartphone with Dolby® Digital Plus decoding and Dolby Headphone post-processing technology, you get a surround sound experience with any set of headphones. Touch just got better
Fitted with the latest in wireless technology, Near Field Communication (NFC), the Nokia N9 allows you to easily share images and videos between devices by touching them together.  Pair it with Bluetooth accessories like the new NFC-enabled Nokia Play 360° wireless music speaker only once, and you get a great surround sound music experience with just a tap. Colors and Memory
The Nokia N9 will be available in three colors – black, cyan, and magenta with storage options to accommodate plenty of content: 16GB and 64GB. The Nokia N9 is scheduled to be in stores later this year, with availability and local pricing to be announced closer to the sales start. More information about the Nokia N9 can be found at: http://swipe.nokia.com.About Nokia
Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through Ovi (www.ovi.com), people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, free email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.

SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE OIC CALLS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM AT OPENING CEREMONY OF ‘BELIEF IN DIALOGUE’ CONFERENCE

His Excellency Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organisation of the

Islamic Conference (OIC), called on Islamic countries to reform the higher education sector and

increase their focus on science and technology, at the opening ceremony of the Middle East’s

first Belief in Dialogue: ‘Science, Culture and Modernity’ conference, organised by the British

Council in conjunction with American University of Sharjah (AUS) and held under the patronage

of Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of

Sharjah and Founder and President of AUS.

Professor Ihsanoglu urged member-states of the OIC—an inter-governmental organization

comprising 57 states— to commit to becoming a community that values knowledge and is

competent in advancing science and technology to enhance the socio-economic well-being of

the Muslim world.

“With the advent of the 21st century, the position of Islam towards science has developed more

in the direction of achieving advance knowledge and know-how in a rather pragmatic way.

The importance of scientific enterprise became more prominent and the need for excellence in

research is felt in more advanced Muslim countries,” said Professor Ihsanoglu.

Professor Ihsanoglu added that “from the perspective of the OIC, there is a need to reform the

higher education sector and priority given to science and technology while emphasising the

tolerant and moderate understanding of the religion of Islam. We have urged member states

to strive for quality education that promotes creativity and innovation and to increase their

expenditure of research and development.”

Professor Ihsanoglu personally proposed that the leading countries of the OIC should reach

1% of their expenditure of GDP on research and development. As a result of the OIC’s efforts,

average expenditure on research and development among member states has recently doubled

1

—growing from 0.2% of GDP in 2005 to 0.41% of GDP today.

Professor Ihsanoglu’s speech opened the ‘Science, Culture and Modernity’ conference,

organised as part of the by the British Council’s global Belief in Dialogue programme that

explores how people all over the world can live peacefully amidst growing diversity. He travelled

to Sharjah immediately from an official visit to the U.K. where he had held meetings with Prime

Minister David Cameron, and Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Dr. Peter Heath, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah, speaking at the opening

ceremony said, “It is fitting that this conference on ‘Belief in Dialogue: Science, Culture and

Modernity’ be held at AUS not only because it concurs with our university’s vision and mission,

but also because there are few universities in the world where one encounters such social,

national, and religious diversity. The 5,250 students of this university represent over 80

nationalities; its faculty and staff comprise over 40 nationalities. AUS is coeducational, with its

student body almost equally divided between women and men.

“It is an essential part of the mission of AUS, as with any great university, to offer opportunities

for its own community and for members of the general public to consider, discuss, and

investigate the great issues of the day,” he added.

“In the region of the Middle East, there are certainly enough events occurring currently for us

to observe and discuss. In many of the countries of North Africa and the Levant, historic social

and political changes are taking place, changes whose nature and implications we still see

unfolding,” he said. “Whatever course such transformations take in countries such as Egypt,

Tunisia, Yemen, or Syria, the issues that this conference raises will still be of great relevance. In

the long term, they may be even more pertinent than some of the short-term political tides that

ebb and flow during the next few years.”

Patrick Brazier, Regional Director, MENA, British Council, addressed the opening ceremony on

behalf of the British Council, “It is important that the discussions that take place here in Sharjah

do not end here. That is why we at the British Council, with our international networks, are

committed to ensure that the dialogue continues.”

“We will be running further events in different places around the world. And with our partners

from the BBC World Service, we will be making sure that the conversations continue, over the

airwaves and over the internet.”

A debate hosted by the BBC World Service on Wednesday, June 22nd is set to be a conference

highlight and will invite a global audience to participate in the spirited exchange that will take

place over the course of the event.

2

Dr. Mark Rush, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUS, said AUS and the UAE,

provide an ideal venue to discuss themes of science, culture, and modernity. “This region is also

the epicentre of a civilization that stretched from the Atlantic to India. One of the shining lights of

the civilization was the culture of Al Andalus which boasted an intimate, intense, and peaceful

intermingling of cultures and philosophies that gave rise to astonishing advances in science and

learning. The spirit of common inquiry that characterized Al Andalus brings us together today,”

said Dr. Rush.

“The themes and issues we will discuss over the next three days all address the intersection of

science, religion, ethics, public policy and the extent to which the development and accumulation

of more knowledge about these topics will promote common cause amidst diversity or simply fan

the flames of disagreement and division,” he added.

Over 40 of the world’s leading thinkers from across 10 countries have convened at AUS for the

conference, which is part of the British Council’s global Belief in Dialogue programme.

The confirmed line-up of speakers at the conference include Patricia Fara: a historian of science

at the University of Cambridge; Tariq Ramadan: Swiss Muslim intellectual, philosopher, and

writer, currently Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University; Qanta Ahmed:

author and Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York; Ziauddin

Sardar: writer and cultural-critic who specializes in the future of Islam, science and cultural

relations and Dr. Nidhal Guessoum, Professor of Physics, AUS

The Middle East’s first Belief in Dialogue: Science, Culture and Modernity Conference runs

June 21st–23rd, 2011 at American University of Sharjah. For more information on the programme

and speakers please visit: www.britishcouncil.org/new/society/belief-in-dialogue.

Breathing New Life into Credit Cards Dubai First Launches Titanium Life

Dubai-UAE: 21 June, 2011 - Dubai First, one of the UAE’s leading consumer

finance firms, today announced the launch of its new Titanium Life credit card

in response to the evolving demand from credit card users in the country and

feedback gathered from existing and prospective customers from across the UAE.

According to a recent study, the UAE currently has 3.7 million active credit cards,

one million of which fall under the ‘gold card’ category. These cardholders are

looking to get more out of their existing credit card, based on their evolving lifestyle

habits.

The Dubai First Titanium Life credit card greatly complements its already diversified

credit card offering. A life-enabler in every sense, it offers a wide range of luxurious

welcome gifts to choose from including a designer pen, an exclusive watch, a

leather business-card holder, an airline ticket to one of 45 destinations, and a

weekend getaway package.

Other unrivalled benefits include an attractive cash-back bonus of up to AED12,000

per year, a guaranteed return airline ticket every year, up to 10 per cent cash

back on duty free purchases and exclusive bonuses on weekend spending, utility

bill payments, overseas purchases, phone loans and balance transfers. Credit card

essentials are also taken care of with offerings of zero per cent interest for 3-6

months on high value purchases, as well as rent and school fee facilitation and

discounts on motor insurance.

Convenience services such as a free cheque-pickup facility, service-request via

SMS, concierge and 24/7 roadside assistance add further zing to Titanium Life.

Cardholders are additionally provided with attractive merchant privileges, which

encompass dining, lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, wellness and more.

As part of its ‘go green strategy’, Dubai First has used an innovative welcome pack

replacing product information from the regular clutter of paper to a complimentary

2GB USB drive that is equipped with a handy keychain.

Ibrahim Al Ansari, CEO, Dubai First, said: “Dubai First has always aimed to cater

to the needs of its valued customers through a range of innovative products and

services. And this is reflected in our newest offering, the Titanium Life credit card.

We are confident that the Titanium Life experience will offer a highly rewarding

experience to the customers, enabling them to get more out of life.”

Titanium Life credit card holders get complimentary lounge access at Dubai,

Cairo, Kuwait, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam airports. Through its affiliation

with MasterCard®, card holders can also experience a wide range of priceless

moments, ranging from red carpet treatment at events to fashion and culinary

experiences, as well as access to upscale resorts, hotels, travel destinations and

retail establishments.

DM honours winners of photography contest

Environment Department of Dubai Municipality on Monday honoured winners and participants in the photography

contest, which was announced on World Day for Migratory Birds. The honouring ceremony was organized on

another environmental occasion; World Day to Combat Desertification, organized this year under the theme ‘Forests

... to keep dry lands working’, as part of the municipality’s observance of various environmental events each year.

Photography competition has been introduced to encourage creativity and artistic talents of staff in support of

environmental protection issues, as well as to introduce participants the characteristics and advantages of the Ras Al

Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.

Eric Olympia Fajut, Alya Adil Al Jumairi and Aria Aladdin Khezri have won first, second and third prizes respectively.

Nizar Ahmed Khadhir, Fuad hamid Al Awadi, Felix Cortes Fullero, Elizier Nelson Vijay, NaserAlDeen Mohammed

Hassan and Anil Kumar Ramdas were honoured as best participants out of 41 entries.

The event came as part of WDCD activities aimed to highlight the problems of desertification, threats faced by the

lands and degradation such as drought, water scarcity. The event is organized to promote public awareness with

regard to international cooperation to combat desertification implementing the International Convention to Combat

Desertification. It also targets to directing officials and policy makers to search for solutions to the challenge of

desertification and arid lands.

The event is to educate the public the role of forests in reducing the risks of desertification and preservation of arid

land degradation.

The activities and events included educational trip for children of the staff to Sharjah Desert Park and to Natural

History and Botanical Museum, in order to familiarize them with natural environments in the UAE, with a focus on

the desert environment, its characteristics and components. A workshop named "Coloured sands of the UAE” was

organized during the visit.

A program to raise awareness in children in collaboration with the Department of Public Parks and Horticulture

was conducted targeting students ranging in age from 4 to 10 years to support educational activities in the summer

centres concerning environment culture. The program also included workshops for children, information on local

plants and its role in preserving the environment and combating desertification, models, and samples of local plants,

picture gallery of local plants, desert environment workshops, studio for children and distribution of educational

pamphlets.

In addition, a symposium on World Day to Combat Desertification, on Friday was organized in collaboration with

EIEF group in the City Hall of Dubai Municipality. It included an introduction program, a demonstration of forests

and desertification, a short film, workshop and lecture about desertification , ‘Forest Panel’ on which audience draw

trees, and ‘Human Tree’ formed by all participants in shape of a tree.

Sony Ericsson Middle East Announces Over 10 New Gameloft Titles for XPERIA™ PLAY

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, N.O.V.A.2 and Modern
Combat 2 among Additional Titles Available for
Xperia™ PLAY

Dubai-UAE: 21 June, 2011 - Sony Ericsson Middle East today announced that

more than 10 new additional games are optimized and now available for Xperia™

PLAY users in the region. The Gameloft titles include a broad range of genres

varying between sports, social, arcades and action.

Offering a rich combination of popular, innovative, immersive and addictive titles

that are graphically rich, the new titles will appeal to varied users and usage

Xperia™ PLAY comes with six preloaded titles in the device that is

available in the Middle East market.

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, the best action game from Gameloft, is one of the most

exciting titles announced for Xperia™ PLAY. It boasts ultra-dynamic gameplay with

more than 20 fighting combos that take advantage of Spider-Man's extraordinary

agility and super powers.

Amongst other titles announced for the Middle East markets are Modern Combat 2:

Black Pegasus, N.O.V.A.2: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, Let's Golf 2 and Splinter

Cell: Conviction.

Leading franchises that were preloaded in Xperia™ PLAY include EA's Need for

Speed, Sims 3 and the world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile.

Commenting on the occasion, Spyridon Gousetis, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson

Middle East, said: “Xperia™ PLAY is a revolutionary, best in class smartphone

offering powerful gaming and entertainment experiences. We are delighted to

announce the exciting new games optimized for the Middle East which enhances the

holistic mobile gaming experience. This further testifies that Xperia PLAY is a class

apart from any other smartphone that is available in the market.”

Xperia™ PLAY is the world’s first PlayStation certified smartphone. With Android

based functionalities that even the most serious power users would be delighted to

toy with, Xperia™ PLAY offers an immersive gaming experience that is unparalleled

by any other device in its category in the Middle East.

Priced at AED2499, the Xperia™ PLAY is available in the Middle East market in two

New Games Available on Xperia™ PLAY:

Assassin’sCreed™ - Altaïr’sChronicles

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem

Real Football 2011

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus

Let's Golf 2

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction

Brothers® in Arms 2: Global Front

N.O.V.A.2: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance

Eternal Legacy

On this occasion, Sony Ericsson is organizing an online competition in Facebook

where Middle East users can become fans and participate in the contest.

Titled, ‘Name the Game’, the contest is designed around the idea of testing the

users knowledge about the PS3 games. The online contest will take place until 25th

June 2011 and winners stand a chance to win an Xperia™ PLAY. For more information

about the contest, please visit http://www.facebook.com/SonyEricssonME

-

About Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson celebrates its 10th year as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Ericsson
in October, 2011. Over the years the company has brought together the best communication
technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the most
entertaining smartphones in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in
London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as
manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley,
California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press

Preparations for FNC Elections 2011 in full swing, says Committee

NEC launches Contact Centre and website to provide information on all
processes and procedures relating to elections

Abu Dhabi, July 21, 2011: The Election Management Committee of the National
Election Committee (NEC) has announced that preparations for the Federal National
Council elections set for 24th of September 2011 are proceeding to plan and in
accordance with the vision of the UAE leadership as well as the achievements of the
nation.

Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi today, His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah,
Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and
a member of NEC, said that the election Management Committee has developed
a detailed operations plan for the electoral process and that the plan has made
significant progress well ahead of the Election Day.

The press conference was also attended by His Excellency Saeed Al Ghafli, Assistant
Undersecretary for Federal National Council and NEC’s Rapporteur, His Excellency
Sami Bin Adi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of State
for Federal National Council Affairs and member of the Election Management
Committee, Dr Ali Al Khoury, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority and
member of the National Election Committee and the members of the various
committees constituted by NEC.

"The minimum strength of the Electoral College is set at 300 times the number
of FNC seats and there is no upper limit. Indications are that the total number of
Electoral College members will reach 80,000, which places a huge responsibility on
the Election Management Committee,” Lootah said.

"The Election Management Committee has an integrated action plan which takes
into account the larger representation expected in the Electoral College. Polling
centres will be opened in various locations based on the number of Electoral College
members and accessibility, and there will be more than one polling station in some
emirates, to make it convenient for voters," Lootah continued.

The National Election Committee has also launched a call centre and website on
the FNC Elections 2011 as part of increasing public awareness and facilitating
procedures associated with the elections. The initiative is in line with the educational
plan designed to educate Electoral College members on all aspects of the election
process.

Enquiries on the electoral process and procedures can be had by dialling 600566661
or through the website www.uae.nec.ae.

"The Contact Centre aims to provide Electoral College members and the public with
all the necessary information concerning voting and nomination as well as to answer
all election related questions. The website will also facilitate members’ access to
important information.”

"We have tried to build a comprehensive website that includes information related
to the election process, schedule of elections and information on the NEC, FNC as
well as the various committees, subcommittees and executive instructions," Lootah
added.

"We were keen to ensure that the website has a Q&A section that addresses all
possible queries from the voter and the candidate as well as the public, so that the
information provided is complete and accurate," said Lootah.

"As soon as the members of the electoral bodies in each emirate are announced on
the 11th of July 2011 they will be published on the website so that any citizen can
verify whether his or her name is included in the Electoral College in his respective
emirate. Information on polling stations and the emirates’ committees will also be
available on the website as and when they are approved,” His Excellency concluded.

"The National Election Committee has adopted a comprehensive educational plan
to communicate effectively with citizens across all segments and organised several
lectures targeting universities and public sector leaders. NEC will continue to hold
seminars for different sectors in the next couple of weeks. NEC also conducted
awareness sessions for the heads of the Election Management Committee and
members to educate them about all aspects, rules and regulation of the election
process,” explained Lootah.

"The NEC will soon launch an sms programme which will include updates on the
elections, information regarding the UAE President’s programme for political
participation, importance of political information, election timetable and others. An
educational campaign for Electoral College members and the public through various
print, audio and visual media will also be launched to raise awareness on all aspects
of the election and its procedures," said Lootah.

His Excellency Saeed Al Ghafli Mentioned the general rules of the election
process: "The elections will happen by direct secret ballot. Voting will begin at 8 a.m.
and continue till 7 p.m. In case all the voters in the hall are not able to vote by 7
p.m., the polling period may be extended.”

"An electronic voting process will be adopted to avoid discrepancies. The election
centers will also be ready to deal with voters with special needs,” he added.

“The Election Management Committee is aware of the importance of having
qualified human resources for the successful conduct of the elections. The Election
Management Committee will assign qualified manpower to look after the technical
work associated with electronic voting system, and ensure the efficiency of the
polling stations. The personnel on ground will be divided to technical teams and
volunteers,” said His Excellency Sami Bin Adi.

“The Election Management Committee has enlisted about 300 volunteers in its
database to assist in the administration and operational work during the Election
Day. The Committee is about to sign a partnership agreement with Takatof to
manage and distribute volunteers across election centers in various emirates. The
Committee has also held four meetings with volunteers to brief them on their roles
during the elections.

"E-voting is considered to be one of the most efficient in ensuring a safe, effective
and convenient election process. The electronic voting system has been adopted
in many countries across the world and the UAE was the first Arab country in
the region to implement such an advanced system in 2006. The UAE adopts best
international practices in using e-voting systems and leading e-voting solutions
provider Logica Business and Technology has been chosen for the FNC Elections
2011,” concluded Bin Adi.

Awareness campaign for beachgoers by DM

Environment Department of Dubai Municipality, today at Jumeirah beach, launches
a three days awareness campaign for the beachgoers. The campaign aims to
raise awareness among beach visitors and to preserve their health, safety and
environment.
Khalid Sulaiten Head of Environment Emergency Office, said that the campaign
organized in cooperation with Rescue Department of Dubai Police and, Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed Sports Complex, indicating that the campaign is voluntary
and organized by the municipality.
“The cooperation of different authorities in this campaign is an evidence of
concerted efforts and solidarity to raise awareness and find awareness activities of
such events. The campaign aims to create awareness on public safety for beachgoers
and prevention of drowning, which has recently witnessed some developments,” he
said.
“It is important for beachgoers to be aware of safety requirements, knowing the sea
condition and to wear appropriate clothing as well as to know tips for dealing with
different drowning cases, along with preservation of beaches, and public utilities
from pollution,” he added.
As part of the campaign, airspace, sports, entertainment and awareness events
will be organized in Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Sports Complex of Al Jumeirah
Beach.
“Beachgoers are not to ignore the vagaries of weather during the current period
of the year, as the changes in sea conditions may increase the risk of drowning,
especially for the people who do not know swimming and seriousness of weather,”
he explained.

Google and Dubai Internet City to Host Workshops on Leveraging Web Opportunities

Designed to Promote Online Presence and Enhance Business
for NGOs and Women Entrepreneurs

Dubai-UAE: 21 June, 2011 – Dubai Internet City, a member of TECOM

Investments, in conjunction with technology major Google, will host two workshops

aimed at enabling NGOs and women entrepreneurs in the technology sector to

strengthen online presence, increase exposure and enhance their business.

Themed ‘Google Serve for Not-for-Profits’ and ‘Google Serve for Women in

Technology’, the workshops are scheduled to be held on 23 June at the Dubai

Knowledge Village Conference Centre.

During the first workshop, professionals working for not-for-profits in the UAE

will have the opportunity to participate in discussions on topics such as ‘Online

advertising’ and ‘Making use of the web for your NGO’. The second workshop will

be directed at women engineers, students, entrepreneurs and business-owners

interested in building a successful online business in the field of technology.

Majed Al Suwaidi, Director Business Development, Dubai Internet City, said: “DIC

is particularly delighted to support Google’s initiative to host these workshops.

These are commendable initiatives by technology leaders who are committed to

knowledge sharing. In the current scenario, the digital age has reached its zenith,

making web communications and strategies a driving force in the success of a

business. Given the essential role and the array of available opportunities it offers,

it is important to be equipped with the appropriate skills.”

Google will also host an array of ‘breakout pods’ where participants will have the

chance to interact with Google executives and experts. During these one-on-one

sessions, they can obtain crucial advice about online strategy, available tools and

the opportunities offered by the web.

A special focus will be made on demonstrating and assisting participants with

Google's suite of products that are driving innovation in technology and business

across the globe and in the Middle East region.

Mohammad Mourad, Gulf Regional Manager for Google, said: “In a region with such

vast and dynamic approaches to business, it is imperative that people are educated

on opportunities that the web has to offer. The workshops aim at addressing the

needs and growth potential of NGOs and women in the field of technology who

immensely contribute to the development of the diverse sectors of the Middle East.”

According to statistics released by worldwide internet market research firm

Miniwatts Marketing Group, while internet usage in the Middle East has grown more

than 10-fold since 2000, most markets are still in the early stages of adoption.

There is much to be achieved in the region with only 29.8 per cent of the population

now internet friendly, the report says.

At the forefront of the region's ICT industry, Dubai Internet City remains committed

to supporting emerging technology trends in the region and continues to play an

instrumental role in developing the industry while contributing to Dubai's drive for

creating a knowledge-based economy.

Nokia shows its new strategy in action - Launches three new Series 40 mobile phones with advanced browser and maps

- Pinpoints July as start date for Symbian Anna delivery
- Plans up to 10 new Symbian smartphones over next 12 months
- Unveils Nokia N9 smartphone
- Announces continued support for Qt as part of ‘next billion’ strategy Today, at an event webcast around the world, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop demonstrated how the company is making significant progress on the new strategy it laid out earlier this year. From smartphones to mobile phones, from services to user interface design, and from improved device experiences to developer tools, Nokia outlined concrete actions for growth and taking leadership across the board.“Earlier this year, we outlined a comprehensive strategy to change our course,” said Stephen Elop, president and CEO of Nokia. “Innovation is at the heart of our strategy, and today we took important steps to demonstrate a new pace of innovation at Nokia. It’s the beginning of a new era for Nokia.”In mobile phones, Nokia introduced three new affordable devices – the Nokia C2-02, Nokia C2-03 and Nokia C2-06. The portfolio includes dual and single SIM options, and all three models offer a new, advanced web and maps experience for Series 40 phone users, as well as the choice of a touch screen or a keypad.Nokia also restated its commitment to Symbian. This July, Nokia will start shipping Nokia N8s, E7s, C7s and C6-01s with the new Symbian Anna software update, which includes a number of user experience improvements. By the end of August, existing owners of these devices can also download Symbian Anna. And over the next 12 months Nokia plans to bring up to 10 new Symbian-based smartphones to market.Nokia also revealed its latest smartphone: the Nokia N9, an all-screen device with three home views and a new user interface navigated through a simple swipe of the finger. The Nokia N9 comes in a polycarbonate design that enables superior antenna performance for better reception, better voice quality and fewer dropped calls; and a smarter all-round experience with NFC for sharing and pairing to accessories. The Nokia N9 will drive new innovation in the consumer experience, and inspire developers to build more powerful Qt applications. The Qt framework is at the core of Nokia’s existing smartphone product line, and today there are more than 100 million Nokia Qt devices worldwide. Ovi Store consumers are downloading an increasing number of Qt applications, including in high-growth markets like Asia-Pacific. Tapping into this trend, Nokia will make Qt core to building applications that connect the next billion users to the internet. For Qt developers, this will mean a dramatic increase in reach and opportunity during the coming years.About Nokia
Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through Ovi (www.ovi.com), people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, free email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.

Affordability without compromise in three new Nokia phones

Enjoy a great web and maps experience, use a keypad or a touchscreen, and get the best out of mobile networksNokia today added to its device portfolio with the launch of three new affordable phones – the Nokia C2-02, Nokia C2-03 and Nokia C2-06.Mary McDowell, the head of Nokia’s Mobile Phones business unit, said: “These phones all offer a web, maps and messaging experience second to none in the market. And with the choice of a touch screen or a keypad, we really have made everything available and easy to use in an affordable phone that comes in both Dual or single SIM options.”Maps and more
The Nokia C2-03, the third Dual SIM phone Nokia has brought to market in the past month, comes with Nokia’s unique Dual SIM capabilities. These include features that allow the user to personalize up to five SIM cards with a dedicated look and feel, and an Easy Swap option that lets users change SIM cards in seconds without having to turn off the phone or remove the battery. The Nokia C2-02 is a single SIM version with a similar feature set, as well as push messaging options and a broad range of IM providers included, and the Nokia C2-06 comes in a range of fresh colors with a clean, smooth finish.The phones all ship with new Nokia Maps for Series 40, where local maps and places of interest are pre-installed on the phone. This means users can view maps and plan routes when the phone is in offline mode, thus saving on the costs of downloading maps over the mobile network. Internet for all
All three phones also deliver a great internet browsing experience through the data compression technology of the Nokia Browser, which keeps the costs of surfing low and speeds up page downloads – benefiting both consumers and operators. The browser loads with a localized start page, giving the user instant access to the most relevant content, and is tabbed to give easy access to favorite or previously viewed information. “We want the web to be easy to access, fast and affordable for all,” continued McDowell. “The technology behind the Nokia Browser means that consumers, especially those new to the mobile internet, can get the information they need quickly, as the Nokia Browser serves up relevant local content – making the whole experience more personal and enjoyable.”The three phones also pack a stereo FM radio, media player and memory support that can be expanded to a whopping 32 GB, letting users store thousands of photos, videos and music files.The estimated retail price of the Nokia C2-02 and C2-03 is approximately EUR 75 (USD 105) and for the Nokia C2-06 it is EUR 80 (USD 112). All of the devices are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2011.About Nokia
Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through Ovi (www.ovi.com), people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, free email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.

ASTON MARTIN HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 304,000,000 SENIOR SECURED NOTE ISSUE

Tuesday 22nd June: Gaydon. Aston Martin Holdings (UK) Limited is pleased to announce the successful completion of its offering of 304,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes (the "Notes").The issue of the Notes will provide long-term financial stability for the next seven years and support Aston Martin's continued development. Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, commented: "Our successful bond issue represents a milestone and provides strong, long-term financial foundations for the company as we enter a new phase of growth."We have already demonstrated the strength of our brand and business model, as evidenced by last year's 36% rise in sales and 61% increase in EBITDA. The success of the bond issue highlights investor recognition of our capabilities and confidence in our strategy."We have a proven record of bringing cars to market very quickly with our flexibleVH architecture and highly efficient manufacturing capabilities. This, coupled with our globally renowned brand enabled Aston Martin to remain robust and resilient during the economic downturn."We now have long-term financing in place alongside our current product range and development pipeline, which are the strongest in our history. Our growth will be driven both by the continuing recovery in our traditional markets and the opening up of new markets. With our firm financial platform, we look forward to capitalising on the many opportunities ahead of us."Aston Martin is a modern, exclusive sports car brand with a unique heritage instantly recognised around the world. The luxury marque distinctively fuses the latest technology, time-honoured craftsmanship and graceful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed performance sports cars that have elevated Aston Martin to a position as one of the world's coolest brands.

FALCON PRIVATE BANK TO SPONSOR EMIRATI-SWISS FRIENDSHIP FORUM IN LAUSANNE

Zurich and Lausanne, Switzerland, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Falcon Private Bank
has announced its sponsorship of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum 2011 in Lausanne, Switzerland
at the Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace from June 22nd to 23rd. Falcon Private Bank will be title sponsor of
the opening ceremony of a photograph exhibition entitled „Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
Founder of the UAE, in Switzerland Through the Lens of Noor Ali Rashid – The Royal Photographer”.

The Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum was established on 7 November 2010 in Abu Dhabi by
H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa and H.E. Pascal Couchepin to deepen the relations between the two
countries in various fields of economy, trade, research and science, culture, health and the environment
and cleantech. The exhibition will include pictures and historical documents that embody relations
between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland for more than half a century, focusing on visits made
by late Sheikh Zayed, the Founder of the UAE, to Switzerland and Lake Geneva area.

“The late Sheikh Zayed was a visionary leader, and it is an honor to have this exhibition in Lausanne”
says Jacques Perrin, President of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Forum.

“We are proud to be part of such an exclusive and important occasion, and pleased to play a role in
strengthening ties between our home Switzerland, and the UAE,” stated Eduardo Leemann, CEO of
Falcon Private Bank.

The photographic exhibition will thereafter move to Geneva where it will be open to the public at The Four
Seasons Hotel Des Bergues Geneva from July 1 until July 14, 2011.

APC’s PowerChuteTM Business Edition 9.0 brings Energy Management to Life with APC Next Generation Smart-UPSTM

Dubai–UAE: 22 June, 2011 — APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated

critical power and cooling services, today announced the launch of PowerChute™

Business Edition 9.0, the first Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) software to provide

energy reporting for IT equipment.

PowerChute Business Edition 9.0 moves beyond APC’s safe system shutdown and UPS

management to help customers understand their power consumption with fact-based

energy, cost and CO2 emissions reporting on a per Smart-UPS basis.

The programme has the unique ability to calculate the cost of a Smart-UPS’ power draw

in kWh using the appropriate local currency which provides an accurate depiction of

how the energy use of protected equipment affects the bottom line. Bringing visibility

to the cost and byproducts of their power consumption, PowerChute Business Edition

9.0 enables customers to maximize the use of all of their Smart-UPS products and truly

use their energy better.

Dave Johnson, Senior Vice-President, Home and Business Networks, APC by Schneider

Electric, said: “For the first time, our customers can see the energy being consumed,

the cost of this energy and the CO2 being produced by equipment protected by our

Smart-UPS. Customers rely on APC to provide safe, dependable protection from

downtime, data loss and hardware damage. PowerChute Business Edition 9.0 goes far

beyond that by taking the guesswork out of energy management.”

PowerChute Business Edition 9.0 ships with all APC Smart-UPS 5kVA and below and is

also available for download at www.apc.com/tools/download/index.cfm. This version

provides UPS monitoring and centralized risk assessment reporting for up to five

Smart-UPS. Customers can also purchase a version to monitor up to 25 Smart-UPS

from the APC web site or via usual distribution channels.

For more information about APC and other money-saving home and office solutions,

please contact + 971 4 7099 691/690, or visit www.apc.com.

Dubai Chamber members’ exports and re-exports reach AED 100 billion

• 17.6% increase in the first five months of 2011 compared
to AED 85 billion in 2010
• 26% growth in May exports of AED 22 billion which is the
highest monthly percentage increase in the last three years
•Dubai
Chamber
economic
seminar
discusses
the
vulnerability of UAE consumers to rising food prices, the
global economic outlook’s effect on Dubai along with
endogenous growth factors and new business indicators
developed by the Chamber

Dubai, UAE: HE Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman,
Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, revealed the latest
Chamber members’ export and re-exports data for the first five
months of 2011 which reached AED 100 billion. This is a 17.6%
increase compared to AED 85 billion registered for the same
period in 2010, he said.

This is extremely positive news for Dubai’s economy, said Al
Ghurair while presiding over the 2nd Economic Seminar of the
year held at the Chamber premises on Wednesday. He also
disclosed the May 2011 figures of AED 22 billion which is the
highest monthly total during the past three years with a 26
percentage increase in comparison to the same period in 2010
which he said came on the back of months of positive growth.
“In the first quarter, the members’ exports and re-exports

increased by 15.6% while in April 2011 alone, the figures show
a 14% increase compared to April 2010. Overall, these figures
are a strong indication that Dubai is on track to attain its forecast
economic growth of 3.5 to 5% for this year,” added Al Ghurair.

The seminar, which was attended by Chamber members and
representatives of the private sector, discussed the vulnerability
of UAE consumers to rising food prices by income group, the
global economic outlook’s effect on Dubai and endogenous
growth factors, and new business indicators.

The Chairman of Dubai Chamber further stressed that the second
quarter of 2011 was a fitting time to come together and discuss
major issues affecting businesses today adding that 49% new
members joined the Chamber in the first five months of the year
in comparison to the same period in 2010.

He also said that the city’s business environment continues to
thrive with lower rents, a recovery in the banking sector and
continued reform measures helping to boost investor confidence.

Al Ghurair maintained that the first half of this year has seen
sustainable growth across Dubai’s trade, tourism and logistics
sectors, which has helped to boost the economy. This comes in
spite of subdued global performance and proves that Dubai’s
economy is robust and back on the path to prosperity.

The Dubai Chamber-organised economic seminar with its
agenda of providing the latest economic indicators based on
studies, keep the business community updated with the latest
developments and trends and help them make sound business
decisions while enhancing their competitiveness globally.

On the topic of vulnerability of UAE consumers to rising food

prices, the first presentation cited the Chamber developed metric
of vulnerability that measures the loss in consumer purchasing
power when food prices rise. The metric allows for interactions
between food commodities and purchasing power by income
bracket.

The survey found that, although UAE households in the lowest
20% income bracket spend on food less than a quarter of what
households in the upper 20% spend, the poorest household is
3.5 times more vulnerable to rising prices of food imports than
the richest households.

The second presentation on the global economic outlook’s
effect on Dubai and endogenous growth factors reviewed global
economic developments and how they will affect the UAE’s
outlook. In addition to rising oil export revenues, the UAE
benefits from a range of exogenous factors.

It further stressed that Dubai has a well-established reputation
as an entrepôt, and much of its trade is with emerging
markets, which are growing considerably faster than developed
economies. Meanwhile, regional turbulence in the Middle
East’s North Africa region has caused an influx of tourists and
businessmen into Dubai. Together, these trends are contributing
to strong demand for Dubai’s services.

The presentation also revealed the level of bank lending, which is
slowly recovering after liquidity has been restored as authorities
make substantial changes, will further improve the operational
environment for businesses. Numerous reform measures are
underway to strengthen regulations and improve conditions for
foreign investment. Dubai Chamber is active in communicating
relevant commercial concerns to government bodies and working
towards solutions in an expedient manner.

The cumulative effect of outside and domestic factors on
the economy, combined with ongoing business environment
improvements, is strongly positive. Dubai and the UAE are
expected to expand at a strong pace, significantly outpacing
OECD growth rates.

The third presentation highlighted the importance of reliable
and timely information as empowering tools in business decision
making in light of the Chamber’s Data Management Centre that
provides current and longitudinal information and indicators for
Dubai and the UAE, and for other countries as well.

In support of its members, the Center has started systems
for generating regular indicators for the business community
of Dubai, to include indicators of price movements of basic
consumer goods, of construction materials, and of commercial
and industrial machineries. These indicator systems can be used
for analysing price movements of specific products as well as
doing business across geographic boundaries.

Dotmena to represent Glam Media in the MENA region The number one vertical female network

Dubai, UAE 15 June 2011: As a part of its expansion, dotmena, a premium network founded by
Mediaquest Corp., is representing leading online female vertical network Glam Media in the
Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Glam Media is a pioneer of vertical media that connects
the world’s top brand advertisers with targeted, niche audiences online.

Glam Media is built on a growing portfolio of 2,500 influential publishers, assisting brands
to leverage leading voices with a passionate social following in key women’s verticals: style,
beauty, family, entertainment, and living. With more than 201 million unique visitors a month
(comScore, April, 2011) Glam Media is engaging with a global audience.

“This agreement is our first step into the Middle East and represents a tremendous opportunity
to help brands engage with targeted consumer audiences in this vibrant market” said Ernie
Cicogna, Glam Media’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of Glam Media
International. “We’ve partnered with dotmena for its strong online media expertise and ability
to reach women in this significant market”.

The addition of Glam Media to the dotmena network will offer MENA advertisers the
opportunity to reach a wider, more engaged audience with high-quality content to help brands
more effectively target and connect with consumers.

“Since its launch in 2010, dotmena has received remarkable interest from brands operating
in the MENA region due to it being a premium network, offering brands wide and unique
advertising opportunities and qualified content” Alexandre Hawari, co-CEO of Mediaquest Corp,
said: “We are very pleased with our partnership with Glam Media and believe it will generate
great growth for each party and add value to our existing and prospective clients.”

Online marketing is attracting more and more advertisers due to several patterns, including
the growth of the online industry in the region. In addition to that, online advertising is proven
to be cost effective, can deliver direct brand engagement, it’s easy to track and measure
conversion and can target niche audiences.

Founded by leading Dubai publisher Mediaquest Corp. in 2010, dotmena is fast becoming the
network of choice for advertisers and publishers to expand their reach in the region.

dotmena represents more than 50 websites in the fields of business, marketing,
communications, sports, women’s interest, lifestyle and entertainment, allowing it to match the
right ad to the right audience at the right time.

With operations in the Middle East and North Africa, dotmena is staffed by a highly skilled,
dedicated team of experts in the online industry. Its comprehensive knowledge ensures a
reliable, rapid and responsive route for advertisers to access an ever-growing network of
websites and the consumers these attract.

Boasting more than 500 million impressions, 20 million premium unique visitors and 100 million
page views per month, dotmena is already a leading digital network in the MENA region, and
it’s growing stronger every day.

Glam Media has headquarters in Brisbane, California, New York, and London, plus offices in
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Seoul,
Tokyo, Pune, Mumbai and Paris.

For more information please visit www.glammedia.com, and www.dotmena.com

GCC congratulates Gatehouse leader on Royal award

Richard Thomas, CEO, Gatehouse Bank to be inducted to the Order of the British
Empire, an honour bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

•

First royal award for civic excellence in Islamic finance

•

Jamie Bowden, UK Ambassador to Bahrain; Neil Miller, UAE-based Global
Head of Islamic Finance at KPMG; and Fahed Boodai, Chairman, Gatehouse
congratulate Thomas

Release Date: 15 July 2011

Richard Thomas, chief executive officer at Gatehouse Bank, (Gatehouse) a wholesale
Shariah compliant investment bank in the City of London which is a subsidiary of
Securities House Kuwait; will be inducted into the Most Excellent Order of the British
Empire as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen
Elizabeth the Second, at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The OBE has been handed by Her Majesty on behalf of the UK Government, in
recognition for civic excellence and the contribution that Thomas has made to the UK
Islamic financial services industry.

Jamie Bowden, the UK Ambassador to Bahrain, who has worked with Thomas on many
global Islamic finance promotional initiatives, said:

“I am delighted that Richard Thomas’s work in support of the UK Islamic Financial
Services industry has been recognised.

In the many years that I have worked with him he has tirelessly furthered the UK’s and
the industry’s interests. His efforts have strengthened the links between the British and
Bahraini Islamic financial sectors.

I am certain that he personally deserves much of the credit for the UK building its
position as the leading Western centre of Islamic financial activity,” concluded Bowden.

Congratulating Thomas for this outstanding achievement on behalf of shareholders and
the board of directors of Gatehouse, Fahed Boodai, chairman of the bank said:

“The shareholders and the Board of Directors at Gatehouse Bank warmly congratulate
Richard Thomas, Gatehouse’s CEO, on the well-deserved and important honour of
an OBE conferred on him by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second of the United

Kingdom.

This recognition by the UK Government of Richard’s outstanding work in developing
business ties with the GCC countries, and Kuwait in particular is also honouring his
leading contribution to the development of Shariah compliant financing over the past 30
years.

A large part of this work has been in growing Gatehouse Bank to be a major player and
innovative Islamic finance institution in London. His colleagues and the shareholders
wish him the best of success and are delighted with the honour bestowed upon him.”

From the UAE, industry peers echoed the messages of congratulations including Neil
Miller, Global Head of Islamic Finance at KPMG who said, “I was delighted to hear that
Richard’s hard work has been recognised with this honour. I have had the pleasure of
working with Richard Thomas on a variety of Islamic finance transactions for more than
ten years.

He has been a true champion of the industry and is dedicated to supporting its
integration and expansion in the United Kingdom. In his previous role at Arab Banking
Corporation, he developed the Alburaq suite of market leading Islamic home finance
products and worked closely with the UK Government Treasury to facilitate this activity
in the UK.

As CEO of Gatehouse Bank he is constantly on the road marketing the City of
London and is a great ambassador for the UK Islamic finance industry, promoting its
strengths internationally, from the GCC to SE Asia. "

For Thomas, the award is a pinnacle achievement for the veteran business leader who
operates in the heart of London, but frequents much of his time overseas, to engage in
cross border transaction activity with investor clients.

Richard Thomas, CEO, Gatehouse commented:

“I am most grateful for this honour and thank everyone for their kind words of support.

I am pleased to see the UK emerge as a centre for Islamic finance in the past decade.
Although we have not reached the heights of development in the GCC or Malaysia, the
UK offers a level of expertise and a strong financial infrastructure to complement the
services provided by our regional neighbours.

This award will help motivate the emerging community of UK specialists who are looking
to advance the growth of Islamic finance and see its increasing potential to develop not
only regional but cross-border experience in international transaction activity.”

Career highlights for Thomas include his recent appointment as the Chairman of the
Islamic finance working group at TheCityUK, the official private sector body representing
the UK financial services sector, where he continues to champion the promotion of
Islamic finance for both domestic and overseas’ business development.

He is also the Kuwait Special Representative for UK Trade & Investment, where he has
assisted in the development of UK-Kuwait bilateral trade promotion. His work also
engages the City of London’s Lord Mayor’s office where he has attended high profile
business delegation visits to market and welcomed senior officials on inward visits.

Over the years, Thomas has worked centrally with UK Government’s Treasury, Lord
Mayor Office in the City of London, UK Trade & Investment, and British Embassies
and consulates; particularly in Kuwait, KSA, Bahrain, UAE and Malaysia to promote UK
Islamic finance to worldwide audiences.

Thomas’ relationships with Ministers of State, Governors of Central Banks and financiers
from across the globe have helped foster bilateral business ties between UK-based
Islamic financial institutions and counterpart financial institutions overseas.

In 2011, the global Islamic finance industry has recorded at a rates of growth at a
staggering 10-15% per year and the size of the industry is valued at nearly US$1 trillion
worth of assets under management, according to latest globally reported figures. The
UK is currently the leading Western country and Europe’s premier centre for Islamic
finance with US$19bn of reported assets, largely based on activity by Shariah compliant
banks.

DEWA’s Customer Care Centre receives over 263,000 phone calls during the first quarter of year 2011

An increase of 13% in comparison with 2009  and over 1,100,000 in 2010

Dubai 15th June, 2011: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, (DEWA) has confirmed receiving 263,524 phone calls during the first quarter of this year.   DEWA emphasized the importance of the Customer Relations Department as a vital and effective cornerstone to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction in Dubai.
HE Saeed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA said: “In line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DEWA is successfully working to achieve the Government of Dubai’s strategy so as to promote sustainable development in the Emirate of Dubai and to strengthen Dubai’s leading position as a world hub for finance, business and tourism.”
DEWA Customer Care Center is primarily looking forward to speed up the response on all customers’ needs and requirements, adding that as one of the core values of the DEWA strategy, quality and excellence are the main aspects in responding to all customers,” HE Saeed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA further added.
On her part, Amal Al Suwaidi, VP – DEWA Customer Relations, said: “DEWA Customer Care Center received almost 462,000 phone calls through the Emergency Line during the Year 2010, an approximate of 1268 calls per day.  The Centre also received around 684,000 calls related to Billing Services, which is an average of 1875 calls per day. Figures released for March 2011 indicate a Service Quality Level (SQL) of 91.75% was achieved exceeding target requirements. The total number of calls for the month of March 2011 was 86,329.
"The Customer Care Centre employs 97 qualified employees and supervisors from the best trained local calibers, in addition to other nationalities speaking different languages like Arabic, English, Hindi, French, Urdu, Farsi, and recently Chinese, to meet all the needs and requirements of customers in line with the international quality standards and best practices in the Customer Service perspective,” Amal Al Suwaidi further added.
The Customer Care Center’s role does not only include communicating with customers through calls but it is also a multi-communication interactive  tool with all customers receiving their requirements, needs and consultations via Fax number (04-6019995) and  email (customercare@dewa.gov.ae). The Centre also helps customers in the registration process for e-Pay through DEWA’s Website and offers guidance on how to avail DEWA services through the simplest processes. Other services customers can inquire about are the various bill payment channels offered by the Authority, including Customer Service Centre locations, as well as a variety of other services.
DEWA’s Customer Care Centre at Umm Ramool, which operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week including holidays, receives phone calls on 991 for Emergency Calls and Billing and other services query on 046019999.

UAE LOGISTICS SECTOR SET TO CROSS US$9.5 BILLION BY 2014

With recent developments and initiatives in the logistics industry, the UAE is reaffirming its position as a

leading international trade centre and logistics hub for the region. Materials Handling Middle East reflects

the latest trends and developments within the logistics and materials handling industries and receives strong

interest from manufacturers, suppliers, agencies and government institutions from across the region.

According to recent market research, the revenues generated from the UAE’s logistics market are expected to

hit US$9.5 billion in 2014, representing an 8.2 % hike from 2010 stats; US$7.03 billion.

There are always several core factors driving the growth of the sector. In the UAE, it is definitely the country’s

infrastructure playing an important role. The growth, primarily driven by the UAE's prime location, is being led

by a number of factors including the latest Dubai airport.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman Dubai Airports, President, Dubai Department of Civil

Aviation and Chairman and CEO, Emirates has once again pledged his support for Materials Handling Middle

East. The bi-annual trade exhibition covering the logistics, supply chain, freight and cargo industries will be

held this year from September 25th to 27th at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mr Ahmed Pauwels, CEO, Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of Materials Handling Middle East,

commented: “The support of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed is invaluable to us. We are working hard to ensure the

delivery of a high quality, focused event in September and with this support we will build further on the show’s

momentum. The transportation and logistics market in this region is a dynamic one with bountiful opportunities

“This is a diverse and expansive industry which holds plentiful opportunities. UAE has always celebrated its

strong trade heritage from the past right through to the present day and we are confident that, driven by these

most recent developments, this strong heritage will help to propel the industry’s growth.” He added.

The exhibition provides the ideal opportunity for manufacturers and service providers from across the globe to

penetrate the Middle East market. As a result, it also ensures that the region has access to the latest trends

and technology available, with a host of product launches for the region taking place at the trade event.

Materials Handling Middle East is pleased to confirm the participation of market leaders Carl Stahl, Span

Group with their range of Jungheinrich products, SSI Schaeffer, Interroll, Euroroll and Schoeller to name

a few. This year’s exhibition will welcome over 250 exhibitors presenting a wide range of products from

warehouse equipment and transportation solutions to inventory management and logistics services.

Yahoo! Reiterates Commitment to Support MENA Region’s Online Growth

Technology Major Yahoo Inc.’s CEO Carol Bartz Envisions
Growth in Creation of Arabic Online Content, Products and
Advertising

Dubai-UAE: 15 June, 2011 – The combination of rapid user growth and an

attractive advertising market has made the Middle East one of the most exciting

markets for Yahoo!, according to Carol Bartz, Chief Executive Officer, Yahoo Inc.,

who was on a visit to Dubai.

Carol Bartz, on her first visit to Dubai as the company’s CEO, held discussions

with senior management representatives of Dubai Internet City, part of TECOM

Investments highlighting the global technology major’s key role in the creation of

Arabic online content, products and advertising.

Bartz said: “Yahoo! is committed to the MENA region as it is one of the fastest

growing markets in the world with 70 million online users and 50 million more

estimated to come in within the next two to three years. In spite of Arabic being

one of the fastest growing languages, only one per cent of online content is in

Arabic today. Therefore, part of Yahoo!'s investments in the Middle East and North

Africa region is to facilitate Arabic language’s online growth.

Yahoo! plans to continue expanding in the region as the company has already

established content deals with some of the media majors including Al Jazeera, BBC,

Reuters and Saudi Publishing and Research Company. The region also hosts the

fastest growing advertising market in the world, and year-on-year, the average

growth for digital spend is around 25-30 per cent of the total ad spend. Yahoo

foresees online ad market in MENA to reach up to seven per cent of the total ad

Malek Al Malek, Managing Director at Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource

Zone, said: “Online Arabic content has recently witnessed a rising trend buoyed

by the increasing interest of regional and global players to gain a foothold in the

region. DIC has always encouraged and supported the development of local content

in Arabic and content developers in the region. The visit of the CEO of Yahoo!’s

global operations signifies the importance of this region and its potential in the long

Yahoo! acquired Maktoob in November 2008 and since then has invested in

fully staffed offices in Dubai, Amman, Cairo, Riyadh and Casablanca. There are

approximately 300 employees in these offices working in editorial, engineering,

sales, marketing and customer care divisions.

At the forefront of the region's ICT industry, Dubai Internet City remains committed

to supporting emerging technology trends in the region and continues to play an

instrumental role in developing the industry while contributing to Dubai's drive

towards creating a knowledge-based economy.