Dubai Informer
Information about Dubai in all aspects
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Dubai will ban smoking in government buildings, schools and colleges from Thursday, the first step in a plan to stub out smoking across the Gulf Arab trade and tourism hub by the end of 2009.
"Tomorrow will be the launch of gradual steps to regulate smoking in public areas," Zohoor al-Sabbagh, head of the clinic and community health section at Dubai Municipality, said.
"We will start with government offices and educational establishments ... there will be a gradual ban on smoking in public areas," she told Reuters.
From Sept. 15, smoking will be prohibited in the hallways, food courts, children's play areas and emergency exits of Dubai's sprawling shopping malls, Sabbagh said.
Later on, restaurants and cafes will be required to set aside a special section for smokers, comprising no more than 25 percent of their seating area.
Starting next year, the Dubai Municipality will impose fines on people caught smoking in non-smoking areas, hoping to stub out the habit in all public places by the end of 2009, she said.
The World Health Organisation called on Tuesday for a global ban on smoking at work and in enclosed public places, which the United Nations agency says is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide.
Some 200,000 people die each year due to exposure to tobacco smoke at work, while around 700 million children, half the world's total, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, the WHO said. Hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by second-hand tobacco smoke.
The number of smokers is rising rapidly in developing countries. In Dubai, restaurants, cafes and bars are usually packed with smokers though smoking is already banned in many office buildings.
Several EU countries, including France, Spain, Ireland and Portugal are among those to have introduced bans on smoking in public places, in addition to New Zealand, Bermuda, Uruguay, and parts of Australia, Canada and the United States.
Cutting down on smoking is one of the aims of the Dubai government's strategic plan and a local order was issued to regulate smoking in 2003, said Sabbagh, but the campaign is being launched to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.
The rules will mean only those over 20 will be allowed to smoke or enter designated smoking zones, to discourage young people from picking up the habit.
"Tomorrow will be the first step," said Sabbagh.
"Tomorrow will be the launch of gradual steps to regulate smoking in public areas," Zohoor al-Sabbagh, head of the clinic and community health section at Dubai Municipality, said.
"We will start with government offices and educational establishments ... there will be a gradual ban on smoking in public areas," she told Reuters.
From Sept. 15, smoking will be prohibited in the hallways, food courts, children's play areas and emergency exits of Dubai's sprawling shopping malls, Sabbagh said.
Later on, restaurants and cafes will be required to set aside a special section for smokers, comprising no more than 25 percent of their seating area.
Starting next year, the Dubai Municipality will impose fines on people caught smoking in non-smoking areas, hoping to stub out the habit in all public places by the end of 2009, she said.
The World Health Organisation called on Tuesday for a global ban on smoking at work and in enclosed public places, which the United Nations agency says is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide.
Some 200,000 people die each year due to exposure to tobacco smoke at work, while around 700 million children, half the world's total, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, the WHO said. Hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by second-hand tobacco smoke.
The number of smokers is rising rapidly in developing countries. In Dubai, restaurants, cafes and bars are usually packed with smokers though smoking is already banned in many office buildings.
Several EU countries, including France, Spain, Ireland and Portugal are among those to have introduced bans on smoking in public places, in addition to New Zealand, Bermuda, Uruguay, and parts of Australia, Canada and the United States.
Cutting down on smoking is one of the aims of the Dubai government's strategic plan and a local order was issued to regulate smoking in 2003, said Sabbagh, but the campaign is being launched to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.
The rules will mean only those over 20 will be allowed to smoke or enter designated smoking zones, to discourage young people from picking up the habit.
"Tomorrow will be the first step," said Sabbagh.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Electricity-hungry Dubai is planning to build one of the world's largest power and desalination complexes, a multibillion dollar plant that would produce nearly as much power as New York City's total generating capacity.
The new plant would be capable of producing 9,000 megawatts of electricity and 600 million gallons a day of desalinated water, Dow Jones Newswires reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the project.
Dubai's planned mega-complex will sit next to Dubai World Central, intended to be the world's largest airport, and the giant Jebel Ali port and free zone - where most of the emirate's power generation capacity of about 5,000 megawatts is presently located.
The completion date of the new plant has not been announced.
State-run utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, or DEWA, invited international engineering companies to bid by June 10 for an initial contract to advise on the plant's construction.
DEWA awarded contracts in March worth $1.7 billion (euro1.26 billion) to South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and Italy's Fisia Italimpianti to build a new 1,330-megawatt power and 70-million gallon-a-day water desalination plant in Jebel Ali.
Based on these and other plants recently tendered, Dow Jones reported that the new complex could cost between $12 billion and $15 billion (euro11 billion) to build.
Wealthy Dubai, which sits in a nearly waterless desert, is one of the world's fastest-growing cities and among its most ravenous per-capita consumers of electricity and water.
The city abounds with chilled swimming pools and giant air-conditioned homes and malls, one of which boasts an indoor ski slope.
Energy and water demand in Dubai are rising at rates of 11 per cent to 18 per cent a year.
The need for power and water is in turn pushing up demand for natural gas used to fire power plants.
In June the Emirates will begin importing gas from Qatar through a just-finished pipeline.
Dubai is also looking to Iran for energy.
In April, the emirate and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that could see Iran supply Dubai with electricity via a 180-kilometre (110-mile) underwater cable.
The new plant would be capable of producing 9,000 megawatts of electricity and 600 million gallons a day of desalinated water, Dow Jones Newswires reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the project.
Dubai's planned mega-complex will sit next to Dubai World Central, intended to be the world's largest airport, and the giant Jebel Ali port and free zone - where most of the emirate's power generation capacity of about 5,000 megawatts is presently located.
The completion date of the new plant has not been announced.
State-run utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, or DEWA, invited international engineering companies to bid by June 10 for an initial contract to advise on the plant's construction.
DEWA awarded contracts in March worth $1.7 billion (euro1.26 billion) to South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and Italy's Fisia Italimpianti to build a new 1,330-megawatt power and 70-million gallon-a-day water desalination plant in Jebel Ali.
Based on these and other plants recently tendered, Dow Jones reported that the new complex could cost between $12 billion and $15 billion (euro11 billion) to build.
Wealthy Dubai, which sits in a nearly waterless desert, is one of the world's fastest-growing cities and among its most ravenous per-capita consumers of electricity and water.
The city abounds with chilled swimming pools and giant air-conditioned homes and malls, one of which boasts an indoor ski slope.
Energy and water demand in Dubai are rising at rates of 11 per cent to 18 per cent a year.
The need for power and water is in turn pushing up demand for natural gas used to fire power plants.
In June the Emirates will begin importing gas from Qatar through a just-finished pipeline.
Dubai is also looking to Iran for energy.
In April, the emirate and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that could see Iran supply Dubai with electricity via a 180-kilometre (110-mile) underwater cable.
Labels: Construction, Dubai
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
In a landmark initiative that will redefine the very ethos of luxury, premium real estate developers, Trident International Holdings (TIH), announced its unique alliances with the world's leading brands towards creating the ultimate address in residential splendour - the world's first 'Pentominium'.
Positioned as 'the defined height of luxury', Pentominium, has taken the concept of luxury living to a new height offering a lifestyle moulded to cater to connoisseurs accustomed to living in luxury-sensitive communities. This boutique development offers for the first-time ever, a hand picked bouquet of premium luxury brands - Rolls Royce, Swarovski, Bang & Olufsen, Tiffany & Co., Quintessentially, Davidoff, Azimut Yachts, Six Senses Resort & Spas combined with winning interiors by Hirsch Bedner Associates.
Speaking about the development, Mr. Wazir Daredia, Executive Director and CEO, Trident International Holdings, said: 'Resounding success in our earlier projects resulted in a global interest in our firm while also creating an unprecedented demand for a Trident home. Fuelled by the faith of our esteemed clients and trusted partners, we decided to push the envelope and conceptualize an idyllic proposition that would be the defined height of luxury living not just by way of its product offering but also through highly exclusive strategic alliances that would not be easy to replicate thus setting a new benchmark in luxury living worldwide. The Pentominium was thus born out of this resolve and will without a doubt establish itself at the very pinnacle of luxury living across the world.'
Adding further, Mr. Wazir Ali Daredia mentioned, 'The Dubai Real Estate market has been in a constant state of evolution from its very inception with personal interpretations of luxury dished out across the board. In correlation, Trident's commitment towards all its ventures has remained the same as it was at inception. Being well versed and acquainted with residential luxury living, we are committed to solely focus our endeavors towards creating new benchmarks within this core area. With each of our projects, our distinguished residents experience new luxury features and amenities and while conceptualizing the Pentominium; we decided to create a world class proposition that was ultra-exclusive offering its high profile residents with the best luxuries available anywhere in the world on a single platform.'
'It is thus significant here to note that our partner luxury brands for the Pentominium are the most exquisite and exclusive in their category with some carrying histories dating back as far as the early 1800's. It is also of extreme significance to reiterate that for most of our partners who have entrusted their faith with TIH in this unique project; this is for them a maiden foray in a well guarded history (in some cases) of more than 200 years wherein they have formed an association of this nature. We are thus, extremely proud of these associations and greatly value them considering them a further endorsement of our clear focus, hard work, dedication and acute understanding of world class luxury,' Mr. Wazir added.
Strategically located at the exclusive Dubai Marina, the Pentominium will a rise up a majestic 120 floors. An individual unit will take up a complete floor of the tower providing over 6500 sq.ft of unsurpassed private world class luxury. Each floor will have its own exclusive private foyer with each unit equipped with state of the art biometric access control. To create an architectural masterpiece that is in itself iconic, Pentominium boasts entire floors which are uniquely suspended in mid air, causing an illusion of floating penthouses in the sky.
Pentominium is being designed by award winning, world renowned architects and designers Aedas. Based in Britain, with offices around the world Aedas already has to its credit a reputation for creating striking buildings and developments, many of which are already in Dubai and across the Gulf.
Interior design of Pentominium is being undertaken by Hirsch Bedner Associates, exclusive designers of Ritz Carltons, Grand Hyatts & Four Seasons worldwide.
There will be a dedicated Concierge Service by Quintessentially, the international private members club, made available 24 hours a day exclusively to cater to Pentominium residents' needs whether locally or across the world.
Through a series of unique alliances, Pentominium residents will be part owners on a shared ownership basis to a fleet of premium automobiles including Rolls-Royce Phantom that come as a part of this unique lifestyle experience Pentominium has to offer. This experience will be further accentuated with world renowned Azimut yachts for leisurely trips across the expanses of the Arabian Gulf.
The tower boasts a world renowned spa, exclusive to its distinguished residents which will be run by Six Senses Spas, the operators of a number of premium world class health resorts around the world including the multi-award winning Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, itself one of the top 10 spas in the world as rated by Forbes.
All public areas at the Pentominium will be crystallized by Swarovski with each individual unit fitted with state of the art sound equipment provided by Bang & Olufsen.
Pentominium's business lounge that is to overlook Dubai's majestic Palm Islands will be accessorized by exclusive Tiffany & Co. accessories.
Pentominium will be 'the Defined Height of Luxury', a truly iconic & purely residential development containing no offices or hotels, setting a new benchmark in residential living unsurpassed anywhere on the planet- A World's First in every sense.
Positioned as 'the defined height of luxury', Pentominium, has taken the concept of luxury living to a new height offering a lifestyle moulded to cater to connoisseurs accustomed to living in luxury-sensitive communities. This boutique development offers for the first-time ever, a hand picked bouquet of premium luxury brands - Rolls Royce, Swarovski, Bang & Olufsen, Tiffany & Co., Quintessentially, Davidoff, Azimut Yachts, Six Senses Resort & Spas combined with winning interiors by Hirsch Bedner Associates.Speaking about the development, Mr. Wazir Daredia, Executive Director and CEO, Trident International Holdings, said: 'Resounding success in our earlier projects resulted in a global interest in our firm while also creating an unprecedented demand for a Trident home. Fuelled by the faith of our esteemed clients and trusted partners, we decided to push the envelope and conceptualize an idyllic proposition that would be the defined height of luxury living not just by way of its product offering but also through highly exclusive strategic alliances that would not be easy to replicate thus setting a new benchmark in luxury living worldwide. The Pentominium was thus born out of this resolve and will without a doubt establish itself at the very pinnacle of luxury living across the world.'
Adding further, Mr. Wazir Ali Daredia mentioned, 'The Dubai Real Estate market has been in a constant state of evolution from its very inception with personal interpretations of luxury dished out across the board. In correlation, Trident's commitment towards all its ventures has remained the same as it was at inception. Being well versed and acquainted with residential luxury living, we are committed to solely focus our endeavors towards creating new benchmarks within this core area. With each of our projects, our distinguished residents experience new luxury features and amenities and while conceptualizing the Pentominium; we decided to create a world class proposition that was ultra-exclusive offering its high profile residents with the best luxuries available anywhere in the world on a single platform.'
'It is thus significant here to note that our partner luxury brands for the Pentominium are the most exquisite and exclusive in their category with some carrying histories dating back as far as the early 1800's. It is also of extreme significance to reiterate that for most of our partners who have entrusted their faith with TIH in this unique project; this is for them a maiden foray in a well guarded history (in some cases) of more than 200 years wherein they have formed an association of this nature. We are thus, extremely proud of these associations and greatly value them considering them a further endorsement of our clear focus, hard work, dedication and acute understanding of world class luxury,' Mr. Wazir added.
Strategically located at the exclusive Dubai Marina, the Pentominium will a rise up a majestic 120 floors. An individual unit will take up a complete floor of the tower providing over 6500 sq.ft of unsurpassed private world class luxury. Each floor will have its own exclusive private foyer with each unit equipped with state of the art biometric access control. To create an architectural masterpiece that is in itself iconic, Pentominium boasts entire floors which are uniquely suspended in mid air, causing an illusion of floating penthouses in the sky.
Pentominium is being designed by award winning, world renowned architects and designers Aedas. Based in Britain, with offices around the world Aedas already has to its credit a reputation for creating striking buildings and developments, many of which are already in Dubai and across the Gulf.
Interior design of Pentominium is being undertaken by Hirsch Bedner Associates, exclusive designers of Ritz Carltons, Grand Hyatts & Four Seasons worldwide.
There will be a dedicated Concierge Service by Quintessentially, the international private members club, made available 24 hours a day exclusively to cater to Pentominium residents' needs whether locally or across the world.
Through a series of unique alliances, Pentominium residents will be part owners on a shared ownership basis to a fleet of premium automobiles including Rolls-Royce Phantom that come as a part of this unique lifestyle experience Pentominium has to offer. This experience will be further accentuated with world renowned Azimut yachts for leisurely trips across the expanses of the Arabian Gulf.
The tower boasts a world renowned spa, exclusive to its distinguished residents which will be run by Six Senses Spas, the operators of a number of premium world class health resorts around the world including the multi-award winning Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, itself one of the top 10 spas in the world as rated by Forbes.
All public areas at the Pentominium will be crystallized by Swarovski with each individual unit fitted with state of the art sound equipment provided by Bang & Olufsen.
Pentominium's business lounge that is to overlook Dubai's majestic Palm Islands will be accessorized by exclusive Tiffany & Co. accessories.
Pentominium will be 'the Defined Height of Luxury', a truly iconic & purely residential development containing no offices or hotels, setting a new benchmark in residential living unsurpassed anywhere on the planet- A World's First in every sense.
Labels: Construction, Dubai, Hotel, Properties, Society
Sunday, May 20, 2007
A World Economic Forum on the Middle East wraps up on Sunday after highlighting the need for education to strengthen competitiveness and amid calls to support an Arab plan for peace with Israel.
United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced a 10-billion-dollar education fund to bridge what he called a wide knowledge gap between the region and the developed world in the West and Asia.
"Our only choice is to bridge this gap as quickly as possible, because our age is defined by knowledge," he said.
Sheikh Mohammed, who also rules the booming emirate of Dubai, said the foundation will establish research centres in the region and in 2008 will begin providing scholarships for students to top world universities and institutes.
Jordan's King Abdullah II also urged delegates to think of the future.
"These young men and women deserve to be part of a prospering region that is playing its rightful role on the world stage," he told the forum on Friday.
Of 325 million people living in the Arab world, more than 200 million are under 24, the king said.
Appeals to invest in people were also echoed by other participants, with one panelist pointing out that only 298 patents have been issued in the Middle East and North Africa.
"The United States issues nearly 500 patents per day," said Arif Naqvi, a leading UAE businessman. "The region can only close this tremendous innovation gap through education."
On the political front, an Arab plan for peace with Israel received further backing, with King Abdullah calling it an "historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement."
"It is in the interest of this entire region -- and indeed, the world -- that we succeed," he said, referring to the Saudi initiative revived at an Arab summit in March.
The plan offers Israel normal relations in exchange for its withdrawal from all land seized in 1967, the creation of a Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees.
Israel rejected the plan when it was first mooted in 2002 but has said recently that the proposal could provide a basis for talks, provided there are amendments to the refugee issue.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Muslim nations should support the plan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called the Palestinian issue "core to stability in the world."
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was sceptical, however, saying that all previous peace plans had failed "because of the approach of the other side" -- meaning Israel.
"We do not see any chance for the success of the Arab peace initiative because it fails to address fateful issues, like the capital of a Palestinian state and the right of return for some five million refugees," he added.
Jordan's Prime Minister and Defence Minister Marouf Bakhit said that "for the first time the Arabs have taken control of the peace agenda."
Some 1,000 participants from around 50 countries attended the annual forum which will be held in Egypt next year.
Leaders of the G11 developing countries also met on the sidelines and agreed on a framework of cooperation with G8 industrialised nations in a bid to ease debt and build more prosperous economies.
United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced a 10-billion-dollar education fund to bridge what he called a wide knowledge gap between the region and the developed world in the West and Asia.
"Our only choice is to bridge this gap as quickly as possible, because our age is defined by knowledge," he said.
Sheikh Mohammed, who also rules the booming emirate of Dubai, said the foundation will establish research centres in the region and in 2008 will begin providing scholarships for students to top world universities and institutes.
Jordan's King Abdullah II also urged delegates to think of the future.
"These young men and women deserve to be part of a prospering region that is playing its rightful role on the world stage," he told the forum on Friday.
Of 325 million people living in the Arab world, more than 200 million are under 24, the king said.
Appeals to invest in people were also echoed by other participants, with one panelist pointing out that only 298 patents have been issued in the Middle East and North Africa.
"The United States issues nearly 500 patents per day," said Arif Naqvi, a leading UAE businessman. "The region can only close this tremendous innovation gap through education."
On the political front, an Arab plan for peace with Israel received further backing, with King Abdullah calling it an "historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement."
"It is in the interest of this entire region -- and indeed, the world -- that we succeed," he said, referring to the Saudi initiative revived at an Arab summit in March.
The plan offers Israel normal relations in exchange for its withdrawal from all land seized in 1967, the creation of a Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees.
Israel rejected the plan when it was first mooted in 2002 but has said recently that the proposal could provide a basis for talks, provided there are amendments to the refugee issue.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Muslim nations should support the plan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called the Palestinian issue "core to stability in the world."
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was sceptical, however, saying that all previous peace plans had failed "because of the approach of the other side" -- meaning Israel.
"We do not see any chance for the success of the Arab peace initiative because it fails to address fateful issues, like the capital of a Palestinian state and the right of return for some five million refugees," he added.
Jordan's Prime Minister and Defence Minister Marouf Bakhit said that "for the first time the Arabs have taken control of the peace agenda."
Some 1,000 participants from around 50 countries attended the annual forum which will be held in Egypt next year.
Leaders of the G11 developing countries also met on the sidelines and agreed on a framework of cooperation with G8 industrialised nations in a bid to ease debt and build more prosperous economies.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Rosy Blue Masters 2007 was inaugurated on Thursday, May 10, by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Held under the Royal Patronage of HH Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, President of Dubai Ladies Club and President of the Dubai Women Establishment.
The museum-calibre art event, organised by Marketing Pivot, brings to Dubai a selection of 19th and 20th century artworks from Impressionist and Modern period. The ballrooms at the One & Only Royal Mirage have been converted into salons showcasing the evolution of art and its various styles and forms.
Rosy Blue Masters 2007 also exhibits contemporary artworks by prominent UAE artists, including Sheikha Manal along with those from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Taiwan, Korea and Latin America, such as Shirin Neshat, Shazia Sikander,YZ Kami, Kim Sooja and Arman.
Speaking about HH Sheikha Manal's patronage of the event, Mona Al Marri, Vice President, Dubai Ladies Club said: 'Her Highness' support to this prestigious event reflects her great enthusiasm for arts and culture contributing towards the growth of both classic and contemporary art.'
Al Marri noted that Her Highness passion to support different groups in the community other than supporting the woman in UAE encompasses both arts and culture, bridging civilizations between different nations.
Mr. Harshad Mehta, Chairman, Rosy Blue: 'The Masters is regarded as one of the premier art events in the region. Within the jewellery world, Rosy Blue is considered a master supplier of diamonds. A partnership between two such prestigious brands in the Middle East, where each believes the quality of product to be of the utmost importance, seemed to be an ideal affiliation.
'I would like to take this opportunity to thank HH Sheikha Manal, the Royal Patron of the Rosy Blue Masters event, for providing us with this wonderful opportunity of association to support art in the UAE. I believe that our shared values and the desire to deliver only excellence will result in a mutually beneficial and prosperous partnership.'
Nazneen Shafi, Managing Director, Marketing Pivot, said: 'The Rosy Blue Masters event has reached into some of the most treasured and highly regarded private collections from around the world. It will give the visitors, residents, students and art aficionados an opportunity to experience museum-quality art.
'The past year has seen a cultural awakening in the UAE. With the cultural agenda featuring diverse events and experiences, the public is ready for the rich canvas of the Masters.'
Although the focus of the event will be on paintings, it will also showcase sculptures, video art, art installations and Islamic calligraphy.
Among the new service offered this year is the audio guide in Arabic and English, which familiarises the visitors with the major artworks on display. Other first-time initiatives include the art education lecture series and panel discussions.
Rosy Blue Masters 2007 is supported by Dubai Cultural Council, Department of Tourism and Marketing Commerce Dubai, Dubai Ladies Club and One & Only Royal Mirage.
The Rosy Blue Masters has also collaborated with charity organization Foresight through Tamkeen, a non-profit centre that aims to empower visually impaired individuals in the UAE through training, support and counselling.
The event is open to the public from 10am to 8pm daily with an entry fee; and private sale and viewing hours from 8pm to 10 pm. Sharp objects, markers, perfume spray and liquids will not be permitted inside the salons.
Held under the Royal Patronage of HH Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, President of Dubai Ladies Club and President of the Dubai Women Establishment.
The museum-calibre art event, organised by Marketing Pivot, brings to Dubai a selection of 19th and 20th century artworks from Impressionist and Modern period. The ballrooms at the One & Only Royal Mirage have been converted into salons showcasing the evolution of art and its various styles and forms.
Rosy Blue Masters 2007 also exhibits contemporary artworks by prominent UAE artists, including Sheikha Manal along with those from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Taiwan, Korea and Latin America, such as Shirin Neshat, Shazia Sikander,YZ Kami, Kim Sooja and Arman.
Speaking about HH Sheikha Manal's patronage of the event, Mona Al Marri, Vice President, Dubai Ladies Club said: 'Her Highness' support to this prestigious event reflects her great enthusiasm for arts and culture contributing towards the growth of both classic and contemporary art.'
Al Marri noted that Her Highness passion to support different groups in the community other than supporting the woman in UAE encompasses both arts and culture, bridging civilizations between different nations.
Mr. Harshad Mehta, Chairman, Rosy Blue: 'The Masters is regarded as one of the premier art events in the region. Within the jewellery world, Rosy Blue is considered a master supplier of diamonds. A partnership between two such prestigious brands in the Middle East, where each believes the quality of product to be of the utmost importance, seemed to be an ideal affiliation.
'I would like to take this opportunity to thank HH Sheikha Manal, the Royal Patron of the Rosy Blue Masters event, for providing us with this wonderful opportunity of association to support art in the UAE. I believe that our shared values and the desire to deliver only excellence will result in a mutually beneficial and prosperous partnership.'
Nazneen Shafi, Managing Director, Marketing Pivot, said: 'The Rosy Blue Masters event has reached into some of the most treasured and highly regarded private collections from around the world. It will give the visitors, residents, students and art aficionados an opportunity to experience museum-quality art.
'The past year has seen a cultural awakening in the UAE. With the cultural agenda featuring diverse events and experiences, the public is ready for the rich canvas of the Masters.'
Although the focus of the event will be on paintings, it will also showcase sculptures, video art, art installations and Islamic calligraphy.
Among the new service offered this year is the audio guide in Arabic and English, which familiarises the visitors with the major artworks on display. Other first-time initiatives include the art education lecture series and panel discussions.
Rosy Blue Masters 2007 is supported by Dubai Cultural Council, Department of Tourism and Marketing Commerce Dubai, Dubai Ladies Club and One & Only Royal Mirage.
The Rosy Blue Masters has also collaborated with charity organization Foresight through Tamkeen, a non-profit centre that aims to empower visually impaired individuals in the UAE through training, support and counselling.
The event is open to the public from 10am to 8pm daily with an entry fee; and private sale and viewing hours from 8pm to 10 pm. Sharp objects, markers, perfume spray and liquids will not be permitted inside the salons.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Dubai is to have the world's biggest shopping complex in the world, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum said.
The launch of the world's largest shopping area in Bawadi, will provide support to the tourism and hospitality industry, in which will also play a major rolre in the diversification and development of Dubai's economy.
Mohammed Rashid, who is also the Ruler of Dubai said the growth potential of Bawadi and the significant contribution it would make to Dubai's strategic plan 2015, Emirates news agency (WAM) reported.
The world's largest shopping area will offer over 40 million square feet of gross lease-able area (GLA).
The shopping area will consist of shopping malls, boutique malls, street shopping and an underground shopping area connecting all Bawadi's elements to become the longest shopping boulevard.
Bawadi will be home to the world's biggest area, including a 10km long hotel and shopping, entertainment, convention centres and residential complexes. The components will be integrated with a number of additional services that will provide support to Bawadi's community.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding, said: "Bawadi will provide the largest shopping area in the world, linked to 31 hotels ranging from 3 to 5-star.
It will represent a significant platform in the development of tourism in the emirate and will underline Dubai's status as one of the world's premier family destinations.
Launched in May 2006, Bawadi will add 31 unique hotels to Dubai's hospitality sector over the coming years, offering more than 29,000 rooms.
The centrepiece of the development will be Asia Asia, providing 6,500 rooms, shopping mall, entertainment and convention facilities.
"Bawadi already has confirmed commitments from a number of renowned regional and international investors to develop world class unique hotels," Al Muntafiq said.
He also confirmed that initial road works on the 10km Al Qudra Road is complete and the remaining infrastructure work is on schedule.
The launch of the world's largest shopping area in Bawadi, will provide support to the tourism and hospitality industry, in which will also play a major rolre in the diversification and development of Dubai's economy.
Mohammed Rashid, who is also the Ruler of Dubai said the growth potential of Bawadi and the significant contribution it would make to Dubai's strategic plan 2015, Emirates news agency (WAM) reported.
The world's largest shopping area will offer over 40 million square feet of gross lease-able area (GLA).
The shopping area will consist of shopping malls, boutique malls, street shopping and an underground shopping area connecting all Bawadi's elements to become the longest shopping boulevard.
Bawadi will be home to the world's biggest area, including a 10km long hotel and shopping, entertainment, convention centres and residential complexes. The components will be integrated with a number of additional services that will provide support to Bawadi's community.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding, said: "Bawadi will provide the largest shopping area in the world, linked to 31 hotels ranging from 3 to 5-star.
It will represent a significant platform in the development of tourism in the emirate and will underline Dubai's status as one of the world's premier family destinations.
Launched in May 2006, Bawadi will add 31 unique hotels to Dubai's hospitality sector over the coming years, offering more than 29,000 rooms.
The centrepiece of the development will be Asia Asia, providing 6,500 rooms, shopping mall, entertainment and convention facilities.
"Bawadi already has confirmed commitments from a number of renowned regional and international investors to develop world class unique hotels," Al Muntafiq said.
He also confirmed that initial road works on the 10km Al Qudra Road is complete and the remaining infrastructure work is on schedule.
Labels: Construction, Dubai, Holiday, Hotel, Properties
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Dubai Islamic Bank will sell a stake in its property arm starting today in the UAE's largest initial public offering, which analysts said should be oversusbcribed despite falls in Dubai's bourse this year.
Dubai Islamic Bank seeks to raise 3.18 billion dirhams ($866m) selling shares in property unit Deyaar in what would be the Gulf's fourth-largest initial public offering.
Dubai Islamic, the third-biggest Sharia-compliant lender in the Gulf by market value, plans to sell 3.178bn shares at 1.02 dirhams each, equivalent to 55 percent of the company. Only nationals from the UAE and the other Gulf Arab countries - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - can buy shares.
Deyaar's IPO is the first in the UAE since low-cost carrier Air Arabia raised only about 50 per cent more than it hoped to in an offering in March. Analysts blamed that on weak market sentiment.
Dubai's index is the second-worst performer in the Gulf this year, down 7.16pc, after falling more than 44pc last year.
Gulf Arab investors routinely piled into IPOs during and after a 2005 stock market rally in the region, whith a public offering of Dubai-based mortgage financer Tamweel ending 500 times oversubscribed
Dubai Islamic Bank seeks to raise 3.18 billion dirhams ($866m) selling shares in property unit Deyaar in what would be the Gulf's fourth-largest initial public offering.
Dubai Islamic, the third-biggest Sharia-compliant lender in the Gulf by market value, plans to sell 3.178bn shares at 1.02 dirhams each, equivalent to 55 percent of the company. Only nationals from the UAE and the other Gulf Arab countries - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - can buy shares.
Deyaar's IPO is the first in the UAE since low-cost carrier Air Arabia raised only about 50 per cent more than it hoped to in an offering in March. Analysts blamed that on weak market sentiment.
Dubai's index is the second-worst performer in the Gulf this year, down 7.16pc, after falling more than 44pc last year.
Gulf Arab investors routinely piled into IPOs during and after a 2005 stock market rally in the region, whith a public offering of Dubai-based mortgage financer Tamweel ending 500 times oversubscribed
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
NBC Universal has announced a licensing deal to create a Universal-branded theme park in Dubai set for a grand opening in 2010.
The $2 billion-plus project by Dubai developer Tatweer -- dubbed Universal City Dubailand -- will feature Uni-themed rides and attractions, as well as 4,000 hotel rooms, 100 restaurants, retail outlets and office space and residential units, officials said. The project will be located on a 22 million-square-foot parcel in booming Dubai, a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates.
Attractions will include ones based on the films "Jurassic Park" and "King Kong." The park will be divided into four "zones," including Hollywood, Metropolis, Adventure and Cartoon zones, officials said.
"There is no doubt that the new project will contribute to highlighting Dubai as a global tourist destination, providing the tourism sector -- one of Dubai's most active sectors -- with a strong drive to further diversify the economy," Tatweer executive chairman Saeed Al Muntafiq said.
He added that park visitors are expected to be drawn from "around the world, including the Asian subcontinent, central and east Europe and South Africa."
Universal Parks and Resorts chairman-CEO Thomas Williams, who announced the agreement Monday, said the park's location is strategically prime.
"The vision of the leadership of Dubai, the investor-supportive environment and the convenient geographic location of Dubailand, combined with other strategic and iconic offerings, all contribute in making Dubai our location of choice for our first branded theme park in the region," Williams said.
A Universal spokesman declined to discuss terms of the deal, but said there is no downside exposure for Uni. Most such arrangements provide the licensor income as a percentage of ticket revenue.
"I see nothing but upside for Universal," said David Davis, managing director of the investment firm FMV Opinions. "In emerging markets, it's always better to do licensing deals, because it's all upside and no downside."
Uni operates theme parks in California and Florida. It has licensing agreements with parks in Japan and Spain, as well as a park in development in Singapore.
The $2 billion-plus project by Dubai developer Tatweer -- dubbed Universal City Dubailand -- will feature Uni-themed rides and attractions, as well as 4,000 hotel rooms, 100 restaurants, retail outlets and office space and residential units, officials said. The project will be located on a 22 million-square-foot parcel in booming Dubai, a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates.
Attractions will include ones based on the films "Jurassic Park" and "King Kong." The park will be divided into four "zones," including Hollywood, Metropolis, Adventure and Cartoon zones, officials said.
"There is no doubt that the new project will contribute to highlighting Dubai as a global tourist destination, providing the tourism sector -- one of Dubai's most active sectors -- with a strong drive to further diversify the economy," Tatweer executive chairman Saeed Al Muntafiq said.
He added that park visitors are expected to be drawn from "around the world, including the Asian subcontinent, central and east Europe and South Africa."
Universal Parks and Resorts chairman-CEO Thomas Williams, who announced the agreement Monday, said the park's location is strategically prime.
"The vision of the leadership of Dubai, the investor-supportive environment and the convenient geographic location of Dubailand, combined with other strategic and iconic offerings, all contribute in making Dubai our location of choice for our first branded theme park in the region," Williams said.
A Universal spokesman declined to discuss terms of the deal, but said there is no downside exposure for Uni. Most such arrangements provide the licensor income as a percentage of ticket revenue.
"I see nothing but upside for Universal," said David Davis, managing director of the investment firm FMV Opinions. "In emerging markets, it's always better to do licensing deals, because it's all upside and no downside."
Uni operates theme parks in California and Florida. It has licensing agreements with parks in Japan and Spain, as well as a park in development in Singapore.
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