tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8131196421476767832024-03-09T18:46:19.012-08:00learn about dubailearn about dubai everything about dubai guide all dubai information ! UAE GUIDE and dubai news information for visitors plus all dubai city guide...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-28314725659197537712009-09-20T23:15:00.001-07:002009-09-20T23:15:24.899-07:00About The Palm Island/Islands in Dubai<h2><strong>Man-made Dubai Islands</strong></h2> <p>Some people have described <b>Dubai islands</b> as the 8th wonder of the world. There is no doubt that these manmade islands in Dubai will impress each and every visitor. The islands are built in such a way that it is hard to say they are <strong>man-made islands.</strong></p> <p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0lXclgws7n8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0lXclgws7n8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p> <p><strong>These Dubai islands</strong> are completely manmade from scratch in the Dubai coastal line. Constructions of these islands launched after years of planning. Currently <strong>Dubai</strong> has two island groups.</p> <h2>Palm Island Dubai</h2> <p>Dubai Palm Tree Island was the first man-made Dubai Island. <strong>The island</strong> is built in the shape of a <strong>Date Palm Tree</strong>. There are three palm tree islands being built in Dubai.</p> <p><img height="159" alt="Dubai Palm Island. The first man-made Dubai island." src="http://www.thatsdubai.com/dubai-images/palm-tree-island-Dubai.jpg" width="250" border="0" /></p> <h3>The Palm Island Jumeirah</h3> <p>Jumeirah beach is already famous thanks to <strong>Burj Al Arab 7 star hotel</strong>. The Palm island in Jumeirah will consists of luxury accommodations such as hotels, villas, apartments etc.</p> <p><strong>Watch the below video and see what you can expect in Palm Jumeirah.</strong></p> <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7eUcRjo9Yv4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7eUcRjo9Yv4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="340"></embed></object> <h3>Buying properties in Dubai Islands</h3> <p><strong>Real estate in Dubai islands</strong> has become a hot topic among property investors. Even though the price is high, investors can expect a very high capital gain from properties on palm islands and The World island in Dubai.</p> <p>Bill Clinton, Tiger Woods and many other celebrities have bought properties in<strong> Dubai islands.</strong></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a0c5df82-c953-4b58-912a-e0f80bf40c25" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+real+estate" rel="tag">dubai real estate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+islands" rel="tag">dubai islands</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+currency" rel="tag">dubai currency</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+climate" rel="tag">dubai climate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-28428203373368735672009-09-20T10:09:00.001-07:002009-09-20T10:10:58.222-07:00What is The local currency in Dubai ?<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtxtmt4K20vKhZofNLOH3wT95SIe7pxSowk6vT-GzWto_gbJLL5ZO4GInxlQ7NPfEAr6oV1L7AgjyiBZQY4UshEMybDHAvPfYcUKohGArMn6r1iyZv1MKqIk9b1wdg-VhG9sb2GkJ-Z8/" /> </p> <h2><strong>Dubai Local Currency </strong></h2> <p> <br />The local currency in Dubai is the UAE Dirham (Dhs) which is divided into 100 fils. The currency is also referred to as AED <strong>(Arab Emirate Dirham).</strong> </p> <p>Exchange rates of all major currencies are published daily in the local newspapers. </p> <p><strong>Money Exchanges</strong> <br />Money exchanges are available all over Dubai, offering good service and reasonable exchange rates, which are often better than the banks. Additionally, hotels will usually exchange money and travellers cheques at the standard hotel rate. </p> <p><strong>Credit Cards</strong> <br />Most shops, hotels and restaurants accept the major credit cards <strong>(American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa).</strong> Smaller retailers are sometimes less keen to accept credit cards and you may have to pay an extra five percent for processing. </p> <p><strong>Banks & ATM's</strong> <br />Banks offer the full range of commercial and personal banking services. <br />Generally banking hours are from Saturday to Thursday 8am – 2pm. Closed on Friday. However, more and more banks are extending their opening hours. </p> <p><strong>Most banks operate ATMs,</strong> also known as Cash Points or Service Tills, which accept a wide range of cards. Common systems accepted around Dubai - American Express, Cirrus, Global Access, MasterCard, Plus System and VISA. ATMs can be found in all shopping malls, at the airport, at petrol stations and at various street-side locations. </p> <p><strong>Most international banks</strong> have branches in Dubai, servicing the usual retail and corporate segments. Transfers can be made easily as exchange controls are virtually non-existent, and the Dirham is freely convertible.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2261c613-864d-4144-b842-098c9eec7750" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+currency" rel="tag">dubai currency</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+climate" rel="tag">dubai climate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-78287995882829510532009-09-20T10:01:00.001-07:002009-09-20T10:01:27.343-07:00Information about Dubai's Climate<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAzJFPFhwBESm79_MHmOtEvm0ACOahx47FsSKusFoVZBG7yE1K1bNA1TIHiG8w1XN2kY5Sp5jSkf3kKIegNHQ-dM26Bk_eQkf4GHoUZERq6F7Ew2tqo3syQo-bh47-iBVGtlD5xZ-nVU/ climate.jpg" /> </p> <h2><strong>Dubai's Climate </strong></h2> <p> <br />The city of Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by a desert and gets very hot and humid in the summer. Cooler, more pleasant weather lasts from the end of September to beginning of May. From May to September the sun is intense and temperatures can touch 50 degree Celsius in the city and even higher in the desert! Due to the scorching heat coupled with a humidity of 80-90% near the coast, you have to refrain from daytime outdoor activities during summer. </p> <p>Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius on winter nights, to a high of 48 degrees Celsius in the midday summer heat. </p> <p>The months of January and February generally produce the highest rainfall, if any. Usually it amounts to about 13 centimeters, spread over five days per year. </p> <p>Due to weather changes around the world, in recent years the winter months in Dubai have seen quite unpredictable weather. Believe it or not, Dubai sometimes gets bouts of heavy rain that leaves streets, roads, and sometimes homes flooded. Of course this is almost always followed by the usual sunshine. Occasionally, heavy winds stir up sandstorms that make driving conditions difficult since visibility on the roads is severely reduced. </p> <p>It’s important to know exactly what to expect of the climate in <strong>Dubai whether</strong> you’re here for leisure, business, or to stay. With this information in hand, you’ll be ready no matter what nature has in store. </p> <p><strong>Average Monthly Climate Chart</strong></p> <p><img src="http://weknowdubai.com/images/stories/dubaiclimate.jpg" /> </p> <p></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c2e7040d-cfaa-4386-ae33-918f8088fccb" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+climate" rel="tag">dubai climate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-61705664754397754712009-09-20T05:45:00.001-07:002009-09-20T05:45:30.670-07:00The UAE Vice President launches Dubai Metro<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T8RErvrpldxRYrE2S-NXETFBieeK4EDk7W0Wjju6cwS11Z0VvM5eZrUsKjwcEiFtS2_BHsgND1IEqD6Bqs-tn9006ilN1buUhHJu0f1I_HChjo5rB15nPbtpT9tcMJAEsMTRSWuxmyk/" /> </p> <h2>UAE Vice President launches Dubai Metro</h2> <p>Dubai: It’s your city. And it’s your Metro now. Fireworks lit up the night sky, motorists honked their horns and scores of onlookers cheered as the first train rolled out of the station, past the towering skyline along Shaikh Zayed Road, opening a new chapter in Dubai’s history. </p> <p>Dubai became the first Gulf state to have a metro and joined the league of megacities around the world that have similar transport systems. </p> <p>His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, bought the first ticket on the Dubai Metro, after which the first train left Mall of the Emirates station: 09/09/09 will remain etched on a board at the station. </p> <p>"I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for this great job. If it weren’t for this collective effort we would not have achieved this. My message to the world is that life is all about challenges and the people of the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, love challenges and we are up to them," Shaikh Mohammad said. </p> <p>"I congratulate Shaikh Khalifa and the people of the UAE on this huge achievement. This is an achievement for all Arabs," he said. </p> <p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZtq0kx1Fox2ZYHrmUwxYkS3XGkUCTd38I4IyJ7drku7ithwwDHk0Bw1QBzMW7f676j_v4q5g7O5Ons41oyrO9LjtGfzERnaCfkgnzS8S2VEC2RTVKPsugIo6LD7l-ERuxrrT0SAu7fw/" /> </p> <p>Motorists drove slowly on Shaikh Zayed Road, following the first train out of the station, and some even parked underneath bridges to catch their first glimpse of the blue streak as it emerged on its maiden voyage to Al Rashidiya Station. </p> <p>The Metro is part of Shaikh Mohammad’s vision to develop an integrated transport system including the Metro, bus network, marine transport and an advanced road infrastructure. </p> <p>The world’s longest automated driverless train system, which cost Dh28 billion, has been launched in a record time of four years. It will carry 1.8 million passengers per day by 2020, according to RTA estimates.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c5aecd40-9b35-47d8-ac9c-b6ee542d98fe" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dubai+Metro" rel="tag">Dubai Metro</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-14859883461941313762009-09-20T00:54:00.001-07:002009-09-20T01:06:05.298-07:00Business and Trade in DUBAI<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxq0K9KORTdKMRLIgYCKpzA5FY2blkMglXACNEHsbKHq8ZCHm0uSFsD9ULDMUZJUMUz2iTk4gcTP4XNAK8-Yx-OFuhcwnKuWgGqyejeyoMNwQ5eWcweRHvrQaVudVgvYNIt918ZMkkiA/ business trade.jpg" /> </p> <h2><strong>Business and Trade in DUBAI </strong></h2> <p>The UAE lies at the heart of a strategic, geographic crossroads where trade, commerce and diverse cultures have co-existed and interacted for hundreds of years.</p> <p>Today, the UAE has one of the most open and dynamic economies in the world. A number of global business indexes have recognized the advantages that the UAE brings to international business. AT Kearney ranks the UAE as one of the top 20 best places in the world for global service business. And the UAE is ranked in the top 30 on the World Economic Forum’s “most-networked countries”—ahead of all other Arab nations, as well as countries like Spain, Italy, Turkey, and India. The UAE also gets positive rankings from Transparency International and the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators for control of corruption, ranking in the top quarter of the least corrupt countries in the world.</p> <p><strong>Other clear advantages to doing business in the UAE include:</strong></p> <ul> <li>No restrictions on profit transfer or repatriation of capital </li> <li>No corporate or income taxes</li> <li>A currency, the Dirham, that is stable, secure and pegged to the US dollar </li> <li>Very low, or non-existent, import duties</li> <li>Competitive labor costs </li> </ul> <p>These factors, combined with a strategic geographic location, an expanding infrastructure and an extremely safe environment, make the UAE an ideal place to do business.</p> <p>An important trading partner for the United States, the UAE is the largest export market for the United States in the Arab World. More than 750 US firms have a presence in the country, and 30,000 Americans live there.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ae9e286f-8517-4d00-89f2-0ac93fc8accc" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INVESTMENT" rel="tag">DUBAI INVESTMENT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-58614624141569116312009-09-20T00:43:00.001-07:002009-09-20T00:43:01.174-07:00Initiatives to Combat Human Trafficking in UAE<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewev859Hih0nFAAHXZq1VqHkhFFC5XHd8FARIbOje2yg56LP94i_mPBmIUZ_6P4O2JtCPFIp9pmmLVC_W9EVzIpPA2ilPlT8W5ZybfI0d0DM2qbKxbJKi6Ok0PP7kmyMHyHD7UADLcG0/ trafficking.jpg" /> </p> <h2>Initiatives to Combat Human Trafficking</h2> <p>The UAE government is committed to the global effort to combat human trafficking, and is working closely with international and regional law enforcement officials to apprehend and punish violators of human trafficking laws.  The UAE is also deeply concerned about the victims of this crime and their physical and emotional well-being, and is establishing appropriate mechanisms to support and assist victims in need.</p> <p>The UAE is aggressively implementing a four-part anti-trafficking plan, designed to prevent the crime, enforce the law and provide necessary support to victims:</p> <h4>1. Legislation:</h4> <blockquote> <p>In November 2006, the UAE government adopted a new federal law providing strict enforcement provisions and penalties for convicted traffickers.  At a recent UN forum, US Ambassador Mark Lagon noted that the UAE is “the first government in the Persian Gulf to enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law.” The UAE also established a cross-ministerial committee to combat the challenge of human trafficking.</p> <p>The UAE’s commitments are in accordance with the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.</p> </blockquote> <h4>2. Enforcement:</h4> <blockquote> <p>The UAE is working to increase law enforcement capacity and awareness. Steps include training and workshops for police officers and public prosecutors and developing mechanisms to monitor and track human rights abuses. At least 10 human-trafficking-related cases were registered by the end of 2007, along with five convictions that resulted in jail terms ranging from three to 10 years.</p> <p>Police are tracking tourist companies that illegally bring women into the country.  The licenses of companies caught carrying out illegal activities are being cancelled. At least two nightclubs exploiting women were shut down in 2007, and several others are under surveillance. The number of legal cases prosecuted in the UAE involving prostitution rose by 30 percent from 2006 to 2007.</p> <p>A planned public awareness program will address the issue of demand and make the public aware of how to bring cases to the attention of law enforcement officials.</p> </blockquote> <h4>3. Victim support:</h4> <blockquote> <p>Recent improvements in labor standards and regulations will have a positive impact on decreasing the scale of human trafficking. Steps include electronic payments to workers, standards for housing, a standard contract for domestic workers and bilateral agreements with supplier countries.</p> <p>The UAE also is invigorating government, charitable, and social networks to provide support for victims of trafficking.  Dubai’s Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children provides social services for victims, including counseling, in-house schooling and recreation facilities.  Within its first year of operation, 115 women and children were given assistance by the Foundation, including 28 suspected victims of trafficking.  Working with such organizations as the International Organization for Migration, some women have been repatriated to their home countries.</p> <p>Abu Dhabi’s Social Support Center provides victims of all crimes psychological and social support, and the Emirate also is building the Abu Dhabi Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking, in conjunction with the UAE Red Crescent Authority.  The Red Crescent, part of the International Committee of the Red Cross, is supervising shelters across the UAE for women and children.</p> </blockquote> <h4>4. Bilateral agreements and international partnerships:</h4> <blockquote> <p>Human trafficking has its point of origin in the home countries of guest workers, and the UAE has signed agreements with several labor-exporting countries to regulate the flow of the workforce. In order to deny unscrupulous private recruitment agencies from cheating and trafficking workers, all labor contract transactions will be processed by labor ministries or offices in the supplying countries.</p> <p>A range of other international collaborations include a United Nations (UN) partnership to recreate the UAE police administration into a “center of excellence,” exchanges with non-governmental organizations to build knowledge and expertise, and outreach to foreign embassies in the UAE.</p> <p>In March 2007 the UAE made a significant multi-year commitment to the UN for the establishment of the unprecedented Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). This forum unites many countries, multiple UN agencies, intergovernmental entities and the NGO sector under a single banner and has facilitated unprecedented cooperation by the international community.</p> <p>In May 2008, the UAE issued its first Annual Report on combating human trafficking, outlining the country's initiatives and results in greater depth.</p> </blockquote> <h3>Child Camel Jockeys</h3> <p>Since 2005, the UAE has worked closely with UNICEF on the repatriation of several hundred young children who once worked as camel jockeys in the UAE. To support the effort, in 2005 the UAE Government committed $2.7 million in initial funding. On the enforcement side, the UAE Government implemented a law banning camel jockeys under the age of 18 and authorized penalties of up to three years in jail and/or fines up to 100,000 dirhams ($27,200) for breaches of the act.</p> <p>By September 2006 more than 1,000 underage jockeys had been successfully repatriated to their home countries, where they were provided with social services, education, health care and compensation. In December 2006 the UAE government set aside more than $9 million for a second phase of the UNICEF program, which will provide compensation for anyone who has ever worked as an underage camel jockey in the UAE. The agreement between UNICEF and the UAE was extended for two more years in April 2007. Claims facilities in Pakistan, Sudan, Mauritania and Bangladesh have been established to provide further compensation to former jockeys.</p> <p>UNICEF officials have publicly praised the UAE camel jockey repatriation program and held it up as a model for other countries to follow.</p> <h3>Domestic Worker Law</h3> <p>The UAE established stringent contract standards for domestic workers, which became effective in April 2007. These standards govern working conditions, vacation, air tickets, medical care and salary, ensuring that the labor rights of domestic workers are standardized and protected across the UAE. Government agencies are required to enforce the new contract when issuing new work visas, ensuring that the standards are upheld in all individual agreements.</p> <p>In January 2008, the UAE hosted a forum with Asian labor-exporting countries to address concerns surrounding overseas employment, including domestic work. This ministerial consultation was part of the Colombo Process, a regional consultation on overseas employment, and was the first meeting to be hosted by a country of destination. The “Abu Dhabi Dialogue” included the Colombo Process countries and other GCC states, as well as an observer from Human Rights Watch.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8a9d93e4-382b-43a3-9007-c6090d93ccc2" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-45336881807754423122009-09-19T22:28:00.001-07:002009-09-19T22:28:20.724-07:00Labor Rights in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-tkNoQgpcRIOfrxrTMzVPbdiWwywCUmdHKlMPvn9Z-bgSGnndfFp-BbhchkoeQ5L127f2P_0GjYhyPksSo8101S2X-NDCexLHrTx0x3sIvTGVM0bswHyLEuJptazSTQ9LQr_Dh44Nr0/ in dubai.gif" /> </p> <h2>Labor Rights in the UAE</h2> <p>For the UAE, respect for labor rights is a moral, cultural and economic imperative.  As a member of the International Labor Organization, the Arab Labor Organization and other labor-focused multi-lateral organizations, the UAE seeks to work transparently and objectively with regard to its international labor obligations.</p> <p>In 2007 approximately three million foreign workers were employed by 260,000 organizations, representing more than 200 countries.  More than 90 percent of the private-sector labor force consists of expatriate workers, creating unique challenges for the UAE.</p> <p>The UAE Ministry of Labor recently released its first annual report, “The Protection of the Rights of Workers in the United Arab Emirates,” which is both a progress assessment and a blueprint for ongoing action.  It acknowledges that more needs to be done to expand capacity to enforce labor laws and fully protect the rights of workers in the country—and also notes important accomplishments to date.</p> <p>The UAE presented this report, along with other reports on women and on human trafficking, to the United Nations at its Universal Periodic Review in December 2008.  The UPR reviews every country’s performance on comprehensively protecting, promoting and fulfilling the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UAE welcomes the process to share progress and obtain feedback from other states.</p> <p>Over the last two years, federal and Emirate governments have instituted sweeping reforms aimed at improving working conditions and worker rights, reflecting UAE’s commitment to treating all guest workers with dignity and respect.</p> <h3>Federal Actions</h3> <p>The UAE Cabinet has passed a number of reforms to combat abusive labor practices:</p> <ul> <li>Workers in all labor sectors have rights to transfer employer sponsorship</li> <li>The UAE has created bank guarantees that earmark funds for worker compensation</li> <li>It is illegal for employers to withhold workers’ passports </li> <li>New licenses are being denied for foreign labor brokers and recruiters who cannot demonstrate full compliance with UAE laws</li> <li>In April 2006, the UAE created mandatory employment contracts to protect the rights of domestic workers in relation to salary, accommodation, healthcare and working hours </li> </ul> <p>To improve living conditions, the UAE has plans for new, modern residential cities for workers throughout the UAE. In mid-2006, the first Workers Residential City was inaugurated in the Abu Dhabi Industrial Zone. The project, which is the first of three expected, provides accommodation, on-site health care, shopping and leisure facilities, waste disposal and 24-hour visa services.</p> <p>Another focus of the government is the health and safety of workers, as evidenced by the prohibition of outdoor work between 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. during the hot summer months. This policy, first launched in 2005 and known as the “mid-day break” rule, is aimed at protecting workers in the sizeable contracting and construction sectors from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Sanctions for non-compliance by employers include considerable financial penalties, applied on a per-worker basis.</p> <h3>Emirate Actions</h3> <p>Emirate-level governments are also taking steps to protect the rights of foreign workers. In November 2006, HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued a series of directives to improve the lives of guest workers.  These directives helped shape the federal approach and included mandates for adequate housing, safe transportation for workers to labor sites, an expanded force of inspectors, new federal labor courts, and better treatment for workers returning to their native countries, as well as those who have been cheated of their wages.</p> <p>The Abu Dhabi government, in its <em>Policy Agenda 2007-2008</em>, affirmed that senior managers within state-run institutions would be held accountable if projects under their supervision failed to comply with the Emirate’s commitment to fully enforce UAE labor laws. The same policy document called on government managers to make labor law compliance a standard clause in all government tender contracts.</p> <p>Abu Dhabi also introduced a comprehensive and compulsory insurance policy for all workers, including domestic, to be funded by sponsors. The compulsory health insurance plan for private sector employees, as implemented in Abu Dhabi, came into effect across the country in 2008.</p> <p>To improve emergency care and health services, the Emirate is also building three new hospitals especially for workers. Locating facilities near housing and work sites should dramatically improve response and recovery rates.</p> <p>In March 2007, the Emirate of Sharjah announced a commitment to ensure better and healthier housing conditions for workers.  Companies violating the standards will face penalties of up to 50,000 dirhams ($13,600), and fines will be doubled for repeat violators.</p> <h3>International Leadership</h3> <p>The UAE has negotiated bilateral labor agreements with the governments of nations supplying large numbers of laborers to the UAE economy.  Labor-source nations received approximately $16 billion in annual remittances from the UAE in 2006.</p> <p>The major focus of these agreements is to eliminate middlemen, i.e., labor recruiting agencies, in the recruitment of workers. Many labor recruiting agencies exploit workers by extorting large upfront payments from them for visas. This practice is illegal in the UAE, where labor law requires the cost of visas to be borne by the employer, but is difficult to combat because recruitment agencies operate outside of the country. It is precisely in these areas where unilateral regulation and enforcement is ineffective that the UAE hopes bilateral efforts will prove successful.  Agreements have been made with Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand and the Philippines.</p> <p>In January 2008, the UAE hosted two important international meetings, as part of its commitment to find solutions to labor market challenges.</p> <p>The first was a ministerial consultation with Asian labor-exporting countries to solidify reforms and minimize exploitative recruitment practices.  The event was part of the Colombo Process, a regional consultation on overseas employment, and the first meeting to be hosted by a country of destination. The dialogue included the Colombo Process countries and other GCC states, as well as an observer from Human Rights Watch.  One outcome of the “Abu Dhabi Labor Declaration” is a plan for the UAE to set up offices in South Asian countries to inform workers about fair conditions and regulations in the Emirates.</p> <p>Immediately following the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, the UAE hosted the “Gulf Forum on Temporary Contractual Labor” to continue the discussions. The Forum agreed to enhance partnerships between countries of origin and destination.</p> <p>As a follow-up action from the dialogue, the UAE, the Philippines and India launched a pilot project to improve the quality of life for migrant workers. The multi-faceted initiative, announced in October 2008, supports workers throughout their experience:  practical measures to improve recruitment and “pre-deployment” before arrival; improved living and working conditions in the UAE; and steps to facilitate the return and reintegration of workers to their home country. The pilot project will focus on workers in the construction, hospitality and health care sectors, with a special emphasis on addressing the vulnerabilities of women in all phases of the employment cycle. In addition to the countries involved, the project includes the ILO, the International Organization for Migration and the Arab Labor Organization.</p> <p>The goal of the two-year project is to create a regional framework that can be applied to other countries of origin and their destination. Countries participating in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue will benefit as developments, findings and lessons learned are shared.</p> <h3>Enforcement</h3> <p>Enforcement is critical in all areas of protecting the rights of workers.  Ensuring the fair and on-time payment of workers is a particular priority of labor policy enforcement.</p> <ul> <li>The UAE Ministry of Labor requires firms to provide audited statements demonstrating that wages have been paid. </li> <li>In 2007, the UAE government forced businesses to pay 52 million dirhams ($14.2 million) in unpaid wages, after legal action. </li> <li>In 2007 the Ministry of Labor suspended permits of 1,300 companies for late payment of workers’ wages, while 545 institutions found guilty of nonpayment of wages had activities frozen or suspended. </li> <li>In November 2007, the Ministry of Labor collaborated with some construction companies to provide a 20 percent pay raise for workers, to accommodate increasing costs. </li> <li>The number of inspectors dedicated to labor has grown to 700. </li> <li>A new, 24-hour, toll-free hotline allows workers to file complaints, check status of applications and ask questions. </li> </ul> <p>In addition, the Labor Ministry is making it easier for workers to transfer to other employers. In 2007, 35 percent more workers than 2006 transferred employment. And a group of 95,000 illegal workers took advantage of an amnesty program to find employment and legalize their stay in the country.</p> <p>The Labor Ministry is taking steps to speed settlement of labor disputes, processing 22,000 cases involving 31,500 workers in 2007.  It has established offices in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi courts to act as a liaison point and facilitate dispute resolution.</p> <p>There has been a record increase in court cases against employers who withhold salaries and refuse to issue documents that enable people to change jobs. In the first half of 2008, the number of cases filed with the Dubai Courts Labor Cases Section more than doubled compared with the same period in 2007.</p> <p>Improving working conditions is another area for action:</p> <ul> <li>In 2007, the Labor Ministry conducted 122,000 inspection visits to worksites. These resulted in penalties for 8,588 violations, relating to working conditions and workers’ rights. </li> <li>The Labor Ministry will not process group labor permits (for 25 or more workers) unless there is a tangible commitment (plans and resources) to provide adequate housing. In 2007, 12 companies did not meet this requirement and their applications were denied. </li> <li>In 2007, 60 of 100 construction companies in Dubai that had been ordered to improve accommodations took action to comply with the order.  Thirty new notices were served. </li> </ul> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f1a7c382-cfea-4d8c-bc80-2c057b38e436" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-41224149564398952822009-09-19T22:12:00.001-07:002009-09-19T22:12:00.819-07:00About The Human Rights in UAE<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIPPavISsUoLjsh2buX8sQ8d61B46jiBWvwXm4xApMwM8ENHeScGT3oYHhFZoPlKAi9chnGPprZYUfnS0aXf8iVgJOuO3JF4c5TgkS6tCUzFsCxiNvyGJJuL1Obak9hSSweN7WpXAd80/ rights.jpg" /> </p> <h2>Human Rights in UAE</h2> <p>The UAE respects the integrity of every individual that resides in the country. Its commitment to guarantee equality and social justice for all citizens is ingrained in the Constitution. The UAE Constitution also outlines the freedoms and rights of all citizens, prohibits torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, respects civil liberties, including freedom of speech and press, peaceful assembly and association, as well as religion. </p> <p>During the last two generations, the people of the UAE have been transformed from a traditional, largely rural population with little or no access to education and health services to a modern, urbanized society with sophisticated infrastructure. With this extraordinary growth came large-scale immigration—the total UAE population increased by nearly 75 percent between 1995 and 2006. Today, UAE nationals form approximately 19 percent of the total population.</p> <p>With this rapid urban development and population expansion have come new challenges for the UAE, its people and government. Among them are human trafficking and workforce rights. The UAE is actively addressing these issues, by creating appropriate domestic legal frameworks and enforcing them, as well as creating partnerships with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations and other governments.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:10f496f9-7c5a-4929-b270-fdad80972d28" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/human+rights" rel="tag">human rights</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-12786798083552997122009-09-19T22:05:00.001-07:002009-09-19T22:06:20.768-07:00About The Energy in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAY6K3eE-DXYy6hWBFeeU_5kvaWA7Kx_rd-sWJVFr1etZHQFF-HKEuyXl2WAXQa7f7WIFYTBDutvl4MhMlHCuXXCGR_A2G9HWqJu18JqGWzQ6ehzn68klFIrv_pH408l6eJvznNVi4Nec/" /> </p> <h2>Energy in the UAE</h2> <p>With nearly 10 percent of the total world supply of proven crude oil reserves and the world’s fifth largest natural gas reserves, the UAE is a critical partner and responsible supplier in global energy markets. While a mainstay to the economy, oil exports now account for only about 30 percent of total gross domestic product, as a result of aggressive government policies designed to diversify the UAE economy.</p> <p>The UAE is also pursuing groundbreaking renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. In 2005 the UAE ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Convention on Climate Change, becoming one of the first major oil-producing countries to do so. Abu Dhabi has also established one of the world’s most comprehensive renewable and alternative energy initiatives.</p> <h3>Oil and Natural Gas</h3> <p>Each Emirate controls its own oil production and resource development. Abu Dhabi holds more than 90 percent of the UAE’s oil resources, or about 92.2 billion barrels. Dubai contains an estimated 4 billion barrels, followed by Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah with 1.5 billion and 100 million barrels of oil, respectively.</p> <p>Abu Dhabi has a history of welcoming private sector investment into its upstream oil and gas exploration and production sector. Indeed, Abu Dhabi was the only OPEC member not to nationalize the holdings of foreign investors during the wave of nationalization that swept the global oil and gas industry in the mid-1970’s, and it continues to benefit from high levels of private-sector investment. Today international oil companies from the United States, Japan, France, Britain and other countries continue to hold combined equity stakes of between 40 and 100 percent in Abu Dhabi’s vast oil concessions.</p> <p>The UAE exports 60 percent of its crude oil to Japan, making it the UAE’s largest customer. Gas exports are almost entirely to Japan, the world's largest buyer of liquefied gas, with the UAE supplying almost one-eighth of Japan's entire requirements.</p> <p>Due largely to geographic realities affecting transportation costs, the UAE exports minimal quantities of oil and gas to the United States. Nevertheless, the UAE is an important oil and gas supplier to the international market and second only to Saudi Arabia in terms of spare oil production capacity. In addition, the UAE’s aggressive plans to expand production capacity will contribute significantly to offsetting future, demand-driven increases in the price of crude oil.</p> <p><strong>The Dolphin Project</strong>, which imports natural gas by pipeline from Qatar to the UAE, was the first major cross-border energy deal between Gulf countries. The project will free up Abu Dhabi’s gas for crude oil recovery and export. Occidental Petroleum of the United States and Total of France each have a 24.5 percent equity stake in the project, while the Government of Abu Dhabi holds the remaining 51 percent. The first commercial deliveries of Qatari natural gas began in the summer of 2007 and will continue throughout the 30-year term of the development and production-sharing agreement signed with the Government of Qatar.</p> <h3>Securing Oil Shipments</h3> <p>In an effort to enhance security of supply, Gulf governments are studying the development of oil pipelines that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz. About two-fifths of the world’s traded oil currently is shipped by tanker through this 34-mile-wide passage.</p> <p>If built, the pipelines could move as much as 6.5 million barrels of oil per day or about 40 percent of the amount currently shipped through the Strait. Construction of a first, smaller pipeline would carry oil from UAE’s Habshan oil field to the Emirate of Fujairah, located outside the strait on the Gulf of Oman.</p> <h3>Expanding Oil Supply</h3> <p>The UAE continues to significantly increase its production to supply the global energy markets. While some OPEC nations and many non-OPEC nations have seen production declines over the last five years, the UAE has increased its total production of crude oil by approximately 31 percent. In no year during that period has average annual production fallen below the previous year.</p> <p>Turning to the future, upstream oil and gas entities in the UAE continue to identify new projects aimed at boosting the nation’s crude oil production capacity to nearly 4 million barrels per day by 2020, which would amount to an additional increase of approximately 40 percent over current production levels.</p> <h3>Electricity: Rapidly Expanding Needs</h3> <p>Booming economic growth across the UAE has led to massive increases in the demand for electricity. Current estimates suggest that the domestic demand for power will more than double by 2020. With limitations on how much and how fast traditional energy resources, like natural gas, can be brought to market, as well as concerns about climate change, the UAE Government has launched various initiatives aimed at identifying alternative means for producing the power needed to fuel its economy.</p> <h3>Nuclear Energy</h3> <p>The UAE is assessing the possibility of developing a peaceful nuclear energy program. The UAE Government is acutely aware of the sensitivities involved in the deployment of nuclear reactors and even the simple evaluation of the possibility. Accordingly, the UAE Government has worked to make its peaceful and unambiguous objectives clear, in terms of its current evaluation of a peaceful nuclear energy program as well as its potential future deployment. The government released an in-depth policy paper to the public, addressing how the potential development of nuclear energy would be pursued safely, securely and peacefully. As part of its commitments for transparency, non-proliferation, security and safety, the UAE has determined that it will not pursue uranium enrichment and instead rely on the international market for nuclear fuels. Throughout the process, the UAE has worked closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other governments, including the United States.</p> <h3>Alternative Energy</h3> <p>Despite the critical role of oil and gas for the UAE, the country has made groundbreaking commitments in alternative energy. The UAE is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions through major initiatives in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.</p> <p>Dubai is developing a master environmental plan that will ensure that growth and progress are achieved while protecting the environment. Demand-side-management of electricity will play a role, as will increased public transportation.</p> <h3>Masdar Initiative</h3> <p>The UAE’s largest Emirate, Abu Dhabi, has committed more than $15 billion in renewable energy programs. The Masdar Initiative underscores twin commitments to the global environment and diversification of the UAE economy. The Masdar Initiative focuses on the development and commercialization of technologies in renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon management and monetization, water usage and desalination.</p> <p>The Initiative’s partners include some of the world's largest energy companies and elite institutions: BP, Shell, Occidental Petroleum, Total Exploration and Production, General Electric, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Rolls Royce, Imperial College London, MIT and WWF. It has four key elements:</p> <ul> <li><strong>An innovation center</strong> to support the demonstration, commercialization and adoption of sustainable energy technologies. </li> <li><strong>The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology</strong> with graduate programs in renewable energy and sustainability, located in Masdar City, the world’s first carbon-neutral, waste free, car-free city. </li> <li><strong>A development company</strong> focused on the commercialization of emissions reduction, and Clean Development Mechanism solutions as provided by the Kyoto Protocol. </li> <li><strong>A Special Economic Zone</strong> to host institutions investing in renewable energy technologies and products. </li> </ul> <h3>The UAE’s Energy Policy</h3> <p>The UAE has long been an important supplier of energy and is now becoming an increasingly relevant consumer of energy as well. In its efforts to accelerate the development of additional hydrocarbon reserves and in its efforts to contribute to the development and implementation of alternative energy sources, the UAE hopes to continue its long tradition of responsible energy stewardship.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1b9bf2a8-7828-44e6-805a-608bb42b7edb" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Energy" rel="tag">UAE Energy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+care" rel="tag">Health care</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-24695138026811188282009-09-19T11:25:00.001-07:002009-09-19T11:25:58.582-07:00About The Health Care in United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<p><img src="http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u107/health care.jpg" /> </p> <h4>Health Care in UAE</h4> <p>The UAE has a comprehensive, government-funded health service and a rapidly developing private health sector that delivers a high standard of health care to the population. In many parts of the UAE, health care delivery is undergoing a significant transformation.</p> <p>Most of the infectious diseases like malaria, measles and poliomyelitis that were once endemic in the UAE have been eradicated, while pre-natal and post-natal care is on par with the world's most developed countries: the new-born (neonate) mortality rate has been reduced to 5.54 per 1000 and infant mortality to 7.7 per 1000. Maternal mortality rates have dropped to 0.01 for every 100,000.</p> <p>As a consequence of this high standard of care at all stages of the health care system, life expectancy at birth in the UAE, at 78.3 years, has reached levels similar to those in Europe and North America. To date, health care in the UAE has, by and large, been funded by the Government. As with other sectors, this emphasis is evolving and public-private partnerships are becoming more important.</p> <p>Public policy focuses on developing organizational and legal frameworks based on best practice,  to upgrade the private and public sector health service capabilities.  In addition, public policy action will set priorities for health services development within the sector.</p> <h5><strong>Health Care Transformation in Abu Dhabi</strong></h5> <p>Health care delivery in Abu Dhabi is undergoing a significant transition that will affect the entire spectrum of stakeholders: patients (citizens and expatriates), providers and those responsible for planning, assuring the quality of services and financing the health system. Key objectives for the Health Authority in Abu Dhabi are to:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Improve quality of care</strong>, always the primary consideration, to be promoted through application of rigorous service standards and performance targets for all. </li> <li><strong>Expand access</strong> to services, giving all residents access to the same standard of care with the power to choose health care services thus promoting excellence through free-market competition. </li> <li><strong>Shift from public to private providers</strong> safely and efficiently so that private providers, rather than government, services health care needs, with the role of government restricted to the development and enforcement of new, world-class health care standards. </li> <li><strong>Implement a new financing model</strong> through a new system of mandatory health insurance. </li> </ul> <p>Compulsory insurance for all workers, including domestic, is funded by sponsors. The compulsory health insurance plan for private sector employees, as implemented in Abu Dhabi, will come into effect across the country in 2008. Hallmarks of the new system include a clear and transparent reimbursement process, affordable access for all residents and reliable funding for quality health care in Abu Dhabi.</p> <p>A charitable fund will continue to operate for underinsured expatriates and also cover more serious medical conditions such as cancer, dialysis, polytrauma and disability.</p> <p>A new unified health insurance system in Dubai for nationals and non-nationals is also planned and it is expected that the scheme will eventually be rolled out across the country.</p> <h5><strong>Partnerships</strong></h5> <p>The UAE is working with leading global institutions to develop its health care system. The UAE seeks to become a major center for world-class health care in the Middle East, for its own residents, as well as those in the region. A number of the partnerships are with US-based institutions:</p> <ul> <li>The Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMSDC) is a joint project of Harvard University and the Dubai Health Care City (DHCC). </li> <li>The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is in development and will be a world-class specialty hospital and clinic. </li> <li>The Johns Hopkins Medical School manages health care systems in Abu Dhabi, including the 469-bed Tawam Hospital. </li> </ul> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6405e685-28c0-435a-bcdc-394d54c4dfcd" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+care" rel="tag">Health care</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-91818908871989085802009-09-19T11:18:00.001-07:002009-09-19T11:18:23.608-07:00About The Education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE )<p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aPTmeBtg1p0/SoEXqV2CA0I/AAAAAAAAAik/WLlWP5kVMmM/Women education in Dubai[6].jpg" /> </p> <h2>Education in the UAE</h2> <p>One of the UAE’s highest priorities has always been education. As President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, noted, “The greatest use that can be made of wealth is to invest it in creating generations of educated and trained people.”</p> <p>The UAE has focused on educating both men and women. In 1975, the rate of adult literacy was 54 percent among men and 31 percent among women. Today, literacy rates for both genders are nearly 90 percent.</p> <p>New initiatives are being launched at all educational levels. A key area of focus has been to transform K to 12 programs, to ensure that UAE students are fully prepared to attend universities around the world and compete in the global marketplace. In addition, some of the world’s best universities are creating programs in the UAE, attracting talented students in the Arab world and globally.</p> <h3>K-12 Programs</h3> <p>The education system of the UAE is relatively new. In 1952, there were few formal schools in the country. In the 1960s and 1970s a school building program expanded the education system. Now, education at the primary and secondary level is universal. In 2006-2007, approximately 650,000 students were enrolled at 1,256 public and private schools. About 60 percent of all students attend public schools.</p> <p>Education reform focuses on better preparation, greater accountability, higher standards and improved professionalism. In addition, rote instruction is being replaced with more interactive forms of learning, and English-language education is being integrated into other subjects, such as math and science. The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the Dubai Education Council (DEC) and the UAE Ministry of Education are each tasked with education reform, while preserving local traditions, principles and the cultural identity of the UAE.</p> <p>UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan established ADEC in 2005 to develop education throughout the UAE. ADEC takes an entrepreneurial approach to involve the private sector, improve and modernize facilities, reduce bureaucracy, update curricula and take advantage of information technology.</p> <p>ADEC enlisted Zayed University (ZU) to help develop English-language skills of elementary-level students at four model schools. Thirty faculty members from ZU will work with the first and fourth grade students at these schools, observing and evaluating English language teaching methods, and designing modern academic programs. The initiative will be extended to all schools at a later stage.</p> <p>The Dubai Education Council (DEC) seeks to meet global standards, focusing on international accreditation and comprehensive quality assurance programs. A recent initiative is designed to attract world-class international primary and secondary schools to Dubai.</p> <p>The Ministry of Education develops and monitors reform activities, with a focus on standards-based, student-centered education. These efforts include a partnership with National Association of Elementary School Principals in the United States. Activities include:</p> <ul> <li>Audits of every public school in the UAE</li> <li>Evaluations of the system, from individual schools up through the Ministry</li> <li>Ongoing professional development of teachers and principals </li> </ul> <h3>Higher Education</h3> <p>The UAE is home to a wide range of universities, both public and private. UAE citizens can attend government institutions free of charge, and the UAE has one of the highest application participation rates in the world. Ninety-five percent of all girls and 80 percent of boys enrolled in the final year of secondary school apply for admission to a higher education institution. UAE public universities include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>UAE University</strong>, where enrollment has increased from 502 in its founding year (1977) to nearly 14,740 in 2006. Women represent 79 percent of the student body. UAE University awards 70 undergraduate degrees as well as some graduate degrees. Many of its programs are internationally accredited. (<a class="ext" href="http://www.uaeu.ac.ae">www.uaeu.ac.ae</a><span class="ext"></span>)</li> <li><strong>Zayed University</strong> <strong>(ZU)</strong>, established in 1998, as an all-women’s institution with campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Organized into five colleges—Arts and Sciences, Business Sciences, Communication and Media Sciences, Education, and Information Systems, the primary language of instruction is English. (<a class="ext" href="http://www.zu.ac.ae">www.zu.ac.ae</a><span class="ext"></span>)</li> <li><strong>Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)</strong>, the largest higher educational institution with an enrollment of 16,000 UAE nationals. Founded in 1988 with four campuses, HCT now includes 16 men’s and women’s colleges in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Dubai, Ra’s al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Fujairah. The colleges offer more than 80 programs at four different credential levels—Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Masters. More than 10,000 of the current students are female. (<a class="ext" title="Higher Colleges of Technology" href="http://www.hct.ac.ae" rel="external">www.hct.ac.ae</a><span class="ext"></span>)</li> </ul> <h3>Private Institutions</h3> <p>Some of the key private institutions include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>American Universities of Sharjah and Dubai</strong>, both of which are also accredited in the United States</li> <li><strong>Sharjah University</strong></li> <li><strong>Ajman University of Science and Technolog</strong>y </li> <li><strong>Abu Dhabi University</strong> with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain</li> <li><strong>Al Hosn University</strong></li> </ul> <p>The Masdar Institute for Science and Technology (MIST) opens in Abu Dhabi in 2009. MIST will be the Middle East’s first graduate education and research university focused on developing the next generation of solutions to the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.</p> <h3>Global Partnerships</h3> <p>A number of international universities are opening campuses or programs in the UAE. Some are housed in special zones, including Dubai Knowledge Village and Academic City. These are multi-university complexes that attract students from the region who are unable to go abroad to study. More than 25 universities are located, or planning to be located, in these special Free Zones, including Michigan State University.</p> <p>Other special programs include:</p> <ul> <li>The <strong>Sorbonne</strong> opened its Abu Dhabi campus in 2006 and will award qualifications under French regulations and standards set by the Sorbonne in Paris. </li> <li><strong>New York University</strong> is the first comprehensive liberal arts and sciences campus with a robust research component to be operated abroad by a major US university.  A temporary campus is projected to welcome an initial class of students in the fall of 2010.  When the main campus opens on Saadiyat Island, NYU Abu Dhabi is expected to serve over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, principally from the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. </li> <li><strong>Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health</strong> is helping establish a public health doctoral program in the Emirates. </li> <li>The <strong>Harvard Medical School Dubai Center</strong> is a joint project of Harvard University and the Dubai Healthcare City, to foster the professional development of physicians, nurses, research scientists and allied health professionals.</li> <li>The <strong>Rochester Institute of Technology</strong> welcomed its first students at a new Dubai campus in August 2008.</li> <li>Former US Education Secretary Margaret Spellings visited the UAE in May 2008. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, committing both sides to collaborate on mutually beneficial projects in educational reform and development.</li> </ul> <h3>Technical Education</h3> <p>Founded in 1997, the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) is the commercial arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology and provides education, training and applied technology. The company is the largest private education provider in the Middle East and is developing projects throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.</p> <p>CERT is developing “CERT City,” which will include a world-class primary and secondary educational institution, a college of arts and applied sciences, an open university for postgraduate education, a center for entrepreneurship, and the Jumeirah Institute for Executive Leadership.</p> <p>Other vocational and technical educational centers are sponsored by the:</p> <ul> <li>Emirates Institute for Banking and Finance</li> <li>Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Career Development Center</li> <li>Petroleum Institute</li> <li>Dubai School of Government</li> <li>Emirates Aviation College for Aerospace and Academic Studies</li> </ul> <h3>Special Education</h3> <p>The government of the UAE recognizes the need to support students with special needs. The UAE signed the optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Federal Law 29/2006 guarantees rights for people with special needs. Vocational and rehabilitation centers have been developed throughout the country. In addition, efforts are made to include special needs students in mainstream educational settings. The UAE also participates in the Special Olympics.</p> <p>A recent US partnership was formed between the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi and the New England Center for Children, a Massachusetts school serving children with autism, which will establish a comprehensive education program as well as train and qualify a number of UAE nationals to provide services in Arabic.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7983fe4d-1e0d-4df5-9ce4-faef00b2118d" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Education" rel="tag">UAE Education</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/about+dubai" rel="tag">about dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-78127631541372221732009-09-11T11:59:00.001-07:002009-09-11T11:59:20.381-07:00Information guide about Dubai<p><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqqdFYmX4iI/AAAAAAAAA7o/r2ONYVZViIg/travel.to.dubai.1.jpg" /> </p> <h2><strong>Your information guide to the amazing city of Dubai</strong> </h2> <div class="line-block"> <div class="line"> <br /></div> </div> <p>The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of seven Emirates’ and Dubai is the most popular destination of them all. It is situated on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai is the second largest Emirate after Abu Dhabi and is usually recognised as the ‘Pearl of the Persian Gulf’.</p> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1680"> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>Dubai’s population is estimated at 1.5 million, a huge difference from 183,200 in 1975. Dubai is one of the most multicultural cities in the world with the expatriate community covering most of the population, with less than 10% of the total being national Emiratis.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1681"> <div class="SpotImage"></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>The state of Dubai is commonly referred to as a city because it has been distinguished as the most modern and cosmopolitan environments in the Emirates, especially due to its rapid technological transformation over the past few decades.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1682"> <div class="SpotImage"></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>Dubai is a landmark for innovation; some might even compare it to the computer game Sim-city where expansion has no limit. The city boasts remarkable skyscrapers, such as the world’s current tallest building, the Burj Dubai, and is also in the process of developing one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the world – The Pad. This is based on the idea of an iPod; this residential tower is set to be embedded with the latest gadgets that will have the power to change interior design and window views to almost anything imaginable.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1683"> <div class="SpotImage"></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>Sheikh Mohammed is the ruler of Dubai. It is said that he is primarily responsible for making Dubai what it is today; a modern high flying city thriving from commercial investments. Sheikh Mohammed’s most significant business proposal was the introduction of Dubai’s world class airline, the Emirates.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1684"> <div class="SpotImage"></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>The city of Dubai gains higher returns from its tourism unlike many of the other Emirates, as revenue from oil only accounts for around 6% of Dubai’s gross domestic product. The city’s oil is decreasing by the year and therefore cannot be depended upon. That is partly the reason why there has been a construction boom in order to diversify its economy in the expansion of commercial and corporate activity. Dubai has therefore become a world famous city through innovative real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1685"> <div class="SpotImage"><img src="http://www.dubai.com/media/public/elena/dubai1_.jpg" /></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <p>Although Dubai has been transformed into a man-made hi-tech city, it still has a strong Islamic culture with a stretch of historical buildings by the Creek. Whilst some may view this as a conflict of old meeting new, it is also considered to be a captivating city that offers both extremes; a traditional past interlinked with modern day.</p> </div> </div> <div class="editable_block" id="block_1686"> <div class="SpotImage"></div> <div class="SpotDescription"> <table class="docutils" border="1"><colgroup><col width="11%" /><col width="89%" /></colgroup><tbody valign="top"> <tr> <td><strong>Size</strong></td> <td>2,400 sq m (estimate)</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Currency</strong></td> <td>Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED or Dh)</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Local time</strong></td> <td>Dubai Time is + 4 Hours GMT</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Language</strong></td> <td>The official language is Arabic, Arabic and English are commonly used in business and commerce. Hindi and Urdu are also widely used.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Population</strong></td> <td>1.5 million (2008)</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Flying Time</strong></td> <td>UK to Dubai - 7 hours</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> </div> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e82961bd-49a2-45f9-b650-6c4bc03a6c1f" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-45188710331411363812009-09-11T10:52:00.001-07:002009-09-11T10:52:56.730-07:00Financial Sector of United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<h2><img src="http://www.difc.ae/press_centre/archive/2009/images/660.jpg" /> </h2> <h2>Financial Sector</h2> <h3>Banks</h3> <p>There are about 50 banks in the UAE, about half domestic and half foreign. The top banks account for about 70 percent of total commercial banking assets, and include:</p> <ul> <li><a class="ext" title="National Bank of Abu Dhabi" href="http://www.nbad.com">National Bank of Abu Dhabi</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank" href="http://www.adcb.com">Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Emirates Bank International" href="http://emiratesbank.ae">Emirates Bank International</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="National Bank Dubai" href="http://www.ndb.com/">National Bank Dubai</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="HSBC Bank Middle East" href="http://www.uae.hsbc.com">HSBC Bank Middle East</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Mashreq Bank" href="http://www.mashreqbank.com">Mashreq Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Dubai Islamic Banks" href="http://www.alislami.ae/en/index.htm">Dubai Islamic Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Union National Bank" href="http://www.unb.co.ae/">Union National Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="Standard Chartered Bank, UAE" href="http://www.standardchartered.com/ae/">Standard Charter Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> <li><a class="ext" title="RBC Bank" href="http://www.rbcbankusa.com/">RBC Bank</a><span class="ext"></span></li> </ul> <p>The UAE Central Bank is the primary financial regulatory authority. It is mandated to direct monetary, credit and banking policy and supervise over its implementation in accordance with the state's general policy and in such ways as to help support the national economy and stability of the currency.</p> <h3>Islamic Finance</h3> <p>The global Islamic finance sector has been growing rapidly.  Islamic finance is not just for Muslims but is based on an Islamic ethical foundation.  Trade in money for the sake of profit is forbidden, but trade in goods is permitted.  Transactions must be based on assets or other tangible goods, in order to avoid what is considered usury, not in compliance with sharia.  Islamic banks have a different structure from traditional banks but the services they offer are similar.</p> <h3>Stock Markets</h3> <p>The UAE hosts two stock exchanges:  the NASDAQ Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM).</p> <h3>Outward Investment</h3> <p>Overseas investments have been a critical component of the UAE’s economic development strategy for decades as the country has sought to diversify where and how it invests its financial assets. The UAE Government regards such investment as a security net for future generations who will one day face a depletion of the country’s energy resources.</p> <p>This strategy led to the creation of a number of government-owned investment institutions such as:</p> <ul> <li>Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)</li> <li>Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC)</li> <li>Mubadala Development Company (MDC)</li> <li>International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC)</li> <li>Dubai World</li> <li>Dubai International Capital (DIC)</li> </ul> <p>These government investment organizations have been active and responsible participants in global financial markets for more than three decades. Representing patient and responsible capital, these professionally managed entities include some of the world’s oldest, biggest and most respected government investment funds. <br />Like private equity firms, pension funds and other institutional investors, UAE investment organizations seek to maximize risk-adjusted returns.</p> <p>Recently, Abu Dhabi investment institutions clarified their roles and investment approaches and took a number of steps to enhance international understanding and cooperation.  In particular, they clarified that they haven’t ever and will never use its investment organizations or individual investments as a foreign policy tool.</p> <p>The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) co-chaired the IMF-sponsored International Working Group (IWG) to create the first-ever set of best practices. The IWG comprises both investing and recipient countries and reached a shared set of principles called the “Santiago Principles.”</p> <p>In this process, Abu Dhabi has accepted the need of other governments for increased scrutiny of in-bound investments that have potential national security implications—so long as the process is clear, fair and timely. For example, Abu Dhabi investment organizations to date have been comfortable with, and fully accept, the new Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process, and remain committed to abiding by both the letter and the spirit of the new law.</p> <h3>Inward Investment</h3> <p>The Arab World Competitiveness Report 2007, issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF), ranks the UAE in the top position among Arab countries and in the 29th position among the 40 most advanced economies. It states that “Sound economic management has contributed to stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and strengthening public institutions.”</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:aedb38e9-cb24-42e5-99c6-88f31bedf494" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Economies" rel="tag">UAE Economies</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+economic" rel="tag">UAE economic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-73755530858863680442009-09-11T10:40:00.001-07:002009-09-11T10:40:09.012-07:00The UAE has one of the most open economies in the world<p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqqK3rM0ubI/AAAAAAAAA7k/3P-YWSjwkSY/barchart1.png" /></p> <h2>UAE Economy</h2> <p>The UAE has one of the most open economies in the world. This tradition of welcoming business and trade goes back to early Gulf history, when ships sailed to India and along the coast of East Africa as far south as Mozambique.</p> <p>The UAE continues to be a strategic hub, with business-friendly free zones and a quickly growing economy. The country has experienced significant economic growth. Average GDP growth over 2000 to 2006 in the UAE was about 8.4 percent—the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which averaged 6.5 percent.</p> <p>The nominal GDP for 2007 was $192 billion. This reflects the rich natural resources in the UAE, which has 10 percent of the total world supply of oil reserves and the world’s fifth largest natural gas reserves.</p> <p>As a mainstay to the economy, oil exports now account for about 30 percent of total UAE gross domestic product. In addition to being an important supplier of energy, the UAE is now becoming an increasingly relevant consumer of energy. The UAE will continue its long tradition of responsible energy stewardship as it develops and diversifies its economy, accelerates the development of additional hydrocarbon reserves and contributes to the development and implementation of alternative energy sources.</p> <h3>Diversification Creates Trade Opportunities</h3> <p>The UAE launched a diversification and liberalization program to reduce reliance on oil and transform its economy from a conventional, labor-intensive economy to one based on knowledge, technology and skilled labor. The federal and individual Emirate governments have invested heavily in sectors such as aluminum production, tourism, aviation, re-export commerce and telecommunications.</p> <p>This resulting infrastructure boom sees virtually every economic sector undergoing rapid redevelopment and expansion. The UAE accounts for most of the ongoing and planned infrastructure projects among the GCC countries, amounting to an estimated $300 billion in investments over the next five years, according to Dubai-based <em>Khaleej Times</em>.</p> <h3>Recognized Leadership</h3> <p>A number of global business indexes have recognized the advantages that the UAE brings to international business. AT Kearney ranks the UAE as one of the top 20 best places in the world for global service business. And the UAE is ranked in the top 30 on the World Economic Forum’s “most-networked countries”—ahead of all other Arab nations, as well as countries like Spain, Italy, Turkey and India. The UAE also gets positive rankings from Transparency International’s corruption index, ranking in the top quarter as a least corrupt country. US business has also recognized the importance of the UAE-US economic relationship. In May 2007, the US Chamber of Commerce launched the US-UAE Business Council, whose members include 36 companies from both countries.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2e950542-6c5f-4ece-a119-8cfe90b1685a" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Economies" rel="tag">UAE Economies</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+economic" rel="tag">UAE economic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-9333181191774446042009-09-11T10:20:00.001-07:002009-09-11T10:20:45.722-07:00The UAE and The USA Economic Relationship<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqqFfY-eIGI/AAAAAAAAA7g/xdn380CBaZk/economy of dubai.jpg" /> </p> <h2>UAE-US Economic Relationship</h2> <p>The United States and the UAE enjoy a robust trade and investment relationship, much of which now has little direct relationship to UAE oil exports. This is one of the fastest growing US economic partnerships, both globally and especially in the Gulf region.</p> <p>The UAE has one of the most open economies in the world. And its vigorous economic partnership with the United States reflects the UAE’s role as a regional leader in terms of economic reform, openness to international trade and investment, and political stability.</p> <h3>Partners in a Globalized World</h3> <p>The volume of US exports and foreign direct investment into the UAE in recent years has grown dramatically and is likely to continue to grow in the future. This growth reflects the increasingly diversified UAE economy as well as the country's leading role as a modernizing influence in the Arab world.</p> <ul> <li>The country is the largest export market for the United States in the Arab World and, in 2008, was the 20th largest export market globally, ahead of Spain, Ireland and Indonesia.</li> <li>The UAE buys products from every state in the United States.</li> <li>UAE customers purchased $14.4 billion in US goods in 2008.</li> <li>UAE exports to the United States rose by 38 percent between 2000 and 2007, from $971.7 million to $1.339 billion.</li> <li>The UAE pegs its currency, the dirham, to the dollar.</li> <li>More than 750 US firms have a presence in UAE, from Bechtel and ExxonMobil to Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery</li> </ul> <h3>High Value Trade and Investment</h3> <p>The trade relationship between the UAE and the United States is characterized by a set of high-value trade and investment activities.</p> <ul> <li>In January 2008, Jafza International of Dubai announced its intention to establish a new warehouse and transportation hub in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The “greenfield” facility reportedly would involve a $600 million dollar investment in a location with high unemployment and create as many as 5,000 new jobs.</li> <li>In March 2009 AMD completed a deal with Advanced Technology Investment Company of Abu Dhabi to create GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor manufacturing company that will combine advanced process technology, industry-leading manufacturing facilities and expanded global capacity, including a new, $4.6 billion semiconductor fabrication plant in Upstate New York.</li> <li>In December 2007, Dubai World, an investment arm of the Dubai government, purchased 5 million shares of MGM Mirage, increasing its share of the company to 6.5 percent.</li> <li>In November 2007, Emirates Airlines detailed plans to buy 12 Boeing 777s worth approximately $3.2 billion. This order, along with previous sales, means that Boeing will, on average, deliver one airplane a month to Emirates Airlines for at least the next four years.</li> <li>In November 2007, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority announced a critical $7.5 billion dollar capital infusion into Citigroup. This will result in a 4.9 percent share in Citigroup, which had recently faced financial difficulties associated with subprime mortgage problems.</li> </ul> <p>UAE investment has been a dependable and long-term source of growth for the United States, injecting capital, expanding market access and contributing to mutual prosperity.</p> <p>In March 2008, the Government of Abu Dhabi initiated a global dialogue to clarify the investment principles of government-owned funds. This International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IWG), which included the US Treasury, finalized the “Santiago Principles” and presented them to the International Monetary Fund. In October 2008, 23 countries committed to operate their funds purely on commercial principles. And, as part of this commitment, the funds would adopt critical transparency measures.</p> <h3>UAE as Global Energy Supplier</h3> <p>In addition to being an important supplier of energy, the UAE is now becoming an increasingly relevant consumer of energy. The UAE will continue its long tradition of responsible energy stewardship as it diversifies its economy, expands hydrocarbon reserves, and contributes to the development of alternative energy sources.</p> <ul> <li>Abu Dhabi was the only OPEC member not to nationalize the holdings of foreign investors in the mid-1970s. Today international oil companies from the United States, Japan, France, Britain and other countries continue to hold combined equity stakes of between 40 and 100 percent in Abu Dhabi’s vast oil concessions.</li> <li>US companies are heavily involved as partners and suppliers to UAE energy companies.</li> </ul> <h3>Free Trade Agreement <br /></h3> <p>Talks began on a UAE-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but ended when Congress needed to reauthorize fast-track authority.</p> <h3>US-UAE Business Council</h3> <p>The UAE and the United States continue to explore ways to enhance and build upon an already robust trade relationship. The establishment in May 2007 of a US-UAE Business Council<span class="ext"></span>, demonstrates how business-to-business initiatives drive the expanding commercial relationship.</p> <p>While the UAE expects to see an improved trade balance with the United States as the economies of Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to diversify, it is enthusiastic about advancing the many new joint ventures and partnerships it has in place with major US companies. From a UAE perspective, constructive international partnerships and joint ventures can provide capacity and skills for the local economy, in addition to the traditional benefits of investment.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e3537f14-a004-4cc3-aac9-69f9c8090942" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Economic" rel="tag">UAE Economic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Relations" rel="tag">UAE Relations</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-5615788424906472082009-09-11T08:21:00.001-07:002009-09-11T08:21:07.168-07:00The Relations Between The UAE and The United States<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqppW1mU91I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/HQ3VaWTZj0U/landing_uae-us-relations.jpg" /></p> <p>The UAE is a source of stability, tolerance, innovation, and growth in the Arabian Gulf and around the globe. The UAE and United States are reliable allies, with shared security and economic interests:</p> <ul> <li>Enhancing stability and security in the Arabian Gulf and the broader Middle East </li> <li>Ensuring reliable energy supplies to world markets </li> <li>Encouraging global free trade and investment </li> <li>Confronting terrorism and extremism in the region and the world</li> </ul> <h3>Long Term Economic Partners</h3> <p>With one of the most open and innovative economies in the world, the UAE is a dependable and substantial economic partner with the United States.</p> <ul> <li>The UAE is the United States’ largest export market in the Arab World, purchasing $14.4 billion in US goods in 2008.</li> <li>US companies have played major roles in the development of UAE energy resources, which represent about 10 percent of global oil reserves.</li> <li>The UAE is the only oil producer in the Gulf to maintain private-sector participation in the oil industry.</li> <li>More than 750 US firms have a presence in the UAE, from Bechtel and ExxonMobil to Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery.</li> <li>UAE investment has been a dependable and long-term engine of growth for the US economy, injecting capital, expanding market access, creating jobs and contributing to mutual prosperity.</li> </ul> <h3>An Expanding Relationship</h3> <p>Relations between the UAE and the United States are growing, especially in the social and cultural sectors.</p> <ul> <li>US institutions, including Harvard University, New York University, Michigan State University and the Guggenheim Museum, are working closely with a range of educational and cultural organizations in the UAE, establishing a number of new institutions.</li> <li>In various ways, Johns Hopkins, the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic are each contributing to the delivery of health care services and facilities in the UAE. </li> <li>The UAE provided $100 million to the United States in the days following Hurricane Katrina. </li> </ul> <h3>Joint Diplomacy to Address Difficult Challenges</h3> <p>The UAE works constructively with a range of international entities to find peaceful solutions in the region.</p> <ul> <li>Alone and in concert with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE has called for a nuclear weapon-free Gulf and has appealed directly to Iran on this issue.</li> <li>With the GCC, the UAE supports a peaceful, two-state resolution in Palestine.</li> <li>The UAE welcomes the commitment by the United States to ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq, and to deliver a successful, fair and inclusive political process that engages all Iraqi communities and guarantees the stability of the country. </li> </ul> <h3>Confronting Terrorism and Extremism</h3> <p>The UAE fights terrorism and extremism in the region and beyond. Cooperation with the United States includes a range of defense and intelligence initiatives.</p> <ul> <li>The UAE has contributed militarily and financially to a range of international stability initiatives.</li> <li>More US naval vessels-over 600 in 2006-visit UAE ports than any other port outside the United States. </li> <li>Significant shared law enforcement cooperation helps control illegal money flows and monitor sensitive shipments.</li> </ul> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bd5f511d-b3fb-461a-a295-ead4cf67eed4" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Relations" rel="tag">UAE Relations</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+inestment" rel="tag">dubai inestment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+in+dubai" rel="tag">business in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-67829985573156479762009-09-11T06:10:00.001-07:002009-09-11T06:10:42.348-07:00The Lifestyle of the UAE Women in Dubai<p><img src="http://www.moft.gov.ae/images/generalen/profiles/3.jpg" /> </p> <h2>Women in the UAE</h2> <p>The Constitution of the UAE guarantees equal rights for both men and women. Under the Constitution, women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education and the right to practice professions as men. They are also guaranteed the same access to employment, health and family welfare facilities. The rights of women to inherit property are also guaranteed and ensured.</p> <h3>Education and Literacy</h3> <ul> <li>The literacy rate of women in the UAE was 90 percent in 2007. </li> <li>The number of UAE national women enrolled in higher education is actually 24 percent more than the number of UAE national men enrolled in higher education and reflects a staggering statistic: 77 percent of UAE females continue on to higher education from high school. </li> <li>With 3,200 female students and campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the US-accredited Zayed University is producing graduates who are strong in technology, business, the arts and leadership. </li> <li>Women currently make up 75 percent of the student body at the national university in Al-Ain. </li> </ul> <h3>Women in Government and Business</h3> <p>Women graduates in the UAE can now be found working in government, engineering, science, health care, media, computer technology, law, commerce and the oil industry.</p> <ul> <li>Four UAE cabinet ministers are women—including Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Foreign Trade Minister, who was on <em>Forbes </em>magazine’s 2007 list of the 100 most powerful women in the world. </li> <li>Women form two-thirds of government sector workers. In October 2008, the first female judge was sworn in. </li> <li>In 2006, nine women took up seats within the Federal National Council (FNC), accounting for 22.5 percent of the Council’s membership. In March 2007, these nine FNC members sat for the first time and began full participation in the deliberations of the Council. </li> <li>In 2003, for the first time, the Abu Dhabi police trained 32 women to work with the special security forces. </li> <li>The UAE has four women fighter pilots, the first to serve in UAE military forces. </li> </ul> <h3>Employment Protections</h3> <p>Employers in the UAE are prohibited from firing or threatening to fire a female employee on the basis of pregnancy, delivery or parenting. Maternity leave in the public sector is two to six months. While on maternity leave, a woman is entitled during the first two months to full pay, the third and fourth months to half salary and the last two months to no pay. A woman may take one paid hour break from work per day for 18 months to nurse her baby.</p> <h3>International Participation</h3> <p>In 2004, the UAE became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The UAE regularly participates in and hosts international and GCC conferences on women’s issues.</p> <p>The 2007 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) status report on Millennium Development Goals recognized the positive outcome of the UAE’s target-oriented policies in a number of areas, including women’s empowerment. It particularly noted that the state legislations in the UAE do not discriminate on the basis of gender with respect to education, employment or the quality of services provided.</p> <p>According to the findings of the report, educational indicators show that women’s achievements in education have reached its targeted levels, and in some cases, exceeded that of men because of a strong desire among women to become financially independent and professionally successful. Along with economic growth, the UAE has progressed in the social arena. According to the UNDP’s Gender-Related Development Index for 2007-2008, the UAE ranks 43rd among 177 countries and 29th in the world under the Gender Empowerment Measures, which is the best rating in the Arab World.</p> <p>The UAE released a report in the fall of 2008, <em>Women in the United Arab Emirates: A Portrait of Progress</em>, which outlines both the developments and challenges associated with the status of women in the Emirates. The report notes that “Having made significant progress, the UAE does not intend to stagnate with regards to its women’s empowerment policies but rather to continue and develop… The UAE intends to establish a new benchmark for gender empowerment in the region.”</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7a9ada84-2fe1-4dcc-939a-919a4cbde9eb" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/woman+in+dubai" rel="tag">woman in dubai</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dubai+lifestyle" rel="tag">dubai lifestyle</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-52857278181232781502009-09-11T04:15:00.001-07:002009-09-11T04:23:08.716-07:00The Key Members of United Arab Emirates Government ( UAE )<h2> <img src="http://www.moca.gov.ae/English/images/PMS2.JPG" /> </h2> <h2>Key Members of Government</h2> <h3>Supreme Council Members</h3> <dl><dt> <div><strong>HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Abu Dhabi</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Dubai</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Sharjah</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Fujairah</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain</div> </dt><dt> <div><strong>HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi</strong></div> </dt><dt> <div>Ruler of Ajman</div> </dt></dl> <h3>Crown Princes</h3> <dl><dt><strong>HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi</dt><dt><strong>HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince of Fujairah</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi</strong></dt><dt>Crown Prince of Ajman</dt></dl> <h3>Deputies of Rulers</h3> <dl><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Industry</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Dubai</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Sharjah</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah</dt><dt><strong>HE Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi</strong></dt><dt>Deputy Ruler of Fujairah</dt></dl> <h3>Members of the Cabinet</h3> <dl><dt><strong>Prime Minister and Minister of Defence</strong></dt><dt>Vice President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum</dt><dt><strong>Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior</strong></dt><dt>HH Lt Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs</strong></dt><dt>HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan </dt><dt><strong>Minister of Finance</strong></dt><dt>HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Foreign Affairs</strong></dt><dt>HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research</strong></dt><dt>Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Public Works</strong></dt><dt>Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Foreign Trade</strong></dt><dt>Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Cabinet Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Energy</strong></dt><dt>Mohammed bin Dha’en Al Hamili</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Economy</strong></dt><dt>Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Social Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Education</strong></dt><dt>Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Health</strong></dt><dt>Dr Hanif Hassan Ali <br /><strong>Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development</strong></dt><dt>Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Justice</strong></dt><dt>Dr Hadef bin Jua'an Al Dhaheri</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Environment and Water</strong></dt><dt>Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad</dt><dt><strong>Minister of Labour</strong></dt><dt>Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash</dt><dt><strong>Minister of State for Foreign Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Dr Mohammed Anwar Gargash</dt><dt><strong>Minister of State for Financial Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Obaid Humaid Al Tayer</dt><dt><strong>Minister of State</strong></dt><dt>Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi</dt><dt><strong>Minister of State</strong></dt><dt>Dr Khalifa Bakheet Al Falasi</dt><dt><strong>Minister of State</strong></dt><dt>Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi</dt></dl> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d87b7b5a-0856-45c1-ba1c-9282f5f5c067" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Government" rel="tag">UAE Government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-29886288148908781122009-09-10T11:35:00.001-07:002009-09-10T11:35:06.896-07:00The Government of The United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/Sqk-PwWYciI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Yanl-O8oQ4/UAE FLAG.jpg" /> </p> <h2>UAE Government </h2> <p>Under the UAE system of government, the President of the Federation is elected by a body known as the Supreme Council of Rulers. The Supreme Council is the top policy-making body in the UAE, and the President and Vice President are both elected from its membership for renewable five-year terms. </p> <p>The Supreme Council has both legislative and executive powers. In addition to planning and ratifying federal laws, the Supreme Council approves the President’s nominated Prime Minister and is equipped to accept his resignation, if required. </p> <p>The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. He or she then appoints a Council of Ministers, or Cabinet, to oversee the development and implementation of federal policy across all portfolios of government. </p> <p>In addition to the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers, a 40-member parliament known as the Federal National Council (FNC) also examines proposed new legislation and provides advice to the UAE Cabinet, as required. The FNC is empowered to call and question Ministers in regard to their own performance, providing an additional degree of accountability to the system. Groundbreaking developments to open up decisionmaking were made in December 2006, with the first indirect election of FNC members. Previously, all FNC members were appointed by the Rulers of each Emirate. </p> <p>The introduction of indirect elections represents the beginning of a process to modernize the UAE’s system of government. Under these reforms, individual Rulers select an electoral college whose members total 100 times the number of FNC members held by that Emirate. The members of each college then elect half of the FNC members, while the other half continue to be appointed by each Ruler. </p> <p>The process resulted in an FNC in which one-fifth of its members are women. </p> <p>Future initiatives are expected to expand the size of the FNC and strengthen the interaction between it and the Council of Ministers, to further improve the efficiency, accountability and participatory nature of government in the UAE. In November 2008, the terms for FNC members were extended from two to four years, which is more consistent with other parliaments in the world. In addition, the government will report to the FNC about proposed international treaties and agreements, and those agreements will be discussed by the FNC before their ratification. </p> <p>Historically, the political environment of the UAE has been characterized by great affection for the country’s leadership and institutions of government. This is largely in response to the rapid growth and development the UAE has experienced under their guidance in recent decades.</p> <p>YOU MAY VISIT THE UAE Government  <a href="http://www.government.ae/" target="_blank">HERE</a></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cae6085a-8cf3-441e-a7ce-6724fa53f7e0" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Government" rel="tag">UAE Government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-71193864955321657432009-09-10T11:25:00.001-07:002009-09-10T11:25:24.700-07:00Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the president of the UAE<h2>Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE</h2> <p> <img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" src="http://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files/images/Sheikh_Zayed_bin_Sultan_Al_Nahyan_large.jpg" align="left" /></p> <p>His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan served as President of the United Arab Emirates since the formation of the Federation on 2 December 1971 and as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1966. </p> <p>Understanding the UAE is impossible without understanding the life of Sheikh Zayed and his deep religious faith, his vision, his determination and hard work, his generosity at home and abroad, and the way in which he devoted his life to the service of his people and the creation of a better world. </p> <p>Born around 1918 in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed was the youngest of the four sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 to 1926. At the time Sheikh Zayed was born, the emirate was poor and undeveloped, with an economy based primarily on fishing and pearl diving and on simple agriculture in scattered oases inland. </p> <p>Life, even for members of the ruling family, was simple. Education was generally confined to lessons in reading and writing, along with instruction in Islam from the local preacher. Transport was by camel or boat, and the harshness of the arid climate meant that survival itself was often a major concern. </p> <p>Through the late 1920s and 1930s, Sheikh Zayed’s thirst for knowledge took him into the desert with Bedouin tribesmen to learn all he could about the way of life of the people and the environment. He later recalled with pleasure his experience of desert life and his initiation into the sport of falconry, which became a lifelong passion. </p> <p>In 1946, Sheikh Zayed became Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, centered on the oasis of Al Ain. The job involved administering six villages and an adjacent desert region. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Sheikh Zayed established his clear vision of what he wished to achieve for the people of Al Ain, and as someone who led by example. </p> <p>Despite few government revenues, Sheikh Zayed succeeded in bringing progress to Al Ain, establishing basic administration, personally funding the first modern school in the emirate and coaxing relatives and friends to contribute towards small-scale development. </p> <p>He revised local water ownership rights to ensure a more equitable distribution, which led to agricultural development and re-establishment of the oasis as the predominant market center. His city planning in Al Ain helped ensure that today, the city is one of the greenest in Arabia. </p> <p>In August 1966, Sheikh Zayed became Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with a mandate to develop the emirate as quickly as possible. His years in Al Ain had given him valuable experience in government and time to develop a vision of progress. With the export of the first cargo of Abu Dhabi crude in 1962, he could rely on oil revenues in the service of the people, and a massive construction program for schools, housing, hospitals and roads was underway. </p> <p>In 1968 the British announced their intention of withdrawing from the Arabian Gulf by the end of 1971. Sheikh Zayed, with the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, took the lead in calling for a federation that would include not only the seven emirates that made up the Trucial States, but also Qatar and Bahrain. </p> <p>Eventually seven states followed Sheikh Zayed in establishing the UAE, which formally emerged on the international stage on December 2, 1971. While his enthusiasm for federation was a key factor in the formation of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed also won support for the way in which he sought consensus and agreement among his fellow rulers. </p> <p>Sheikh Zayed was elected by his fellow rulers as the first President of the UAE, a post to which he was successively re-elected at five-year intervals. </p> <p>One foundation of his philosophy as a leader and statesman was that the resources of the country should be fully used to the benefit of the people, including the women of the UAE who benefited of his vision of education, employment and equality. </p> <p>In governing the nation, Sheikh Zayed drew from Arabian Bedouin traditions of consensus and consultation. At an informal level, that principle has long been practiced through the institution of the majlis (council) where a leading member of society holds an “open-house” discussion forum, at which any individual may put forward views for discussion and consideration. </p> <p>In 1970, recognizing that Abu Dhabi was embarking on a process of rapid development, Sheikh Zayed formalized the consultation process and established the National Consultative Council, bringing together the leaders of each of the main tribes. A similar body was created in 1971 for the entire UAE: the Federal National Council, the state’s parliament. </p> <p>The conservation of natural environment and wildlife was critical to Sheikh Zayed. He believed that the character of the Emirati people derives, in part, from the struggle to survive in the harsh and arid local environment and worked throughout his life on preserving such species as the Arabian Oryx and the sand gazelle. The World Wildlife Fund recognized his contribution with the prestigious Gold Panda award. </p> <p>Sheikh Zayed was a firm opponent of harsh dogmas and intolerance. In an interview in 2002, he said, “Muslims stand against any person of Muslim faith who will try to commit any terror act against a fellow human being. A terrorist is an enemy of Islam and of humanity, while the true Muslim is friendly to all human beings and a brother to other Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This is because Islam is a religion of mercy and tolerance.” </p> <p>Sheikh Zayed applied his ideals of consensus and tolerance more broadly. Within the Arabian Gulf region, and in the broader Arab world, the UAE has sought to enhance cooperation and to resolve disagreement through a calm pursuit of dialogue and consensus. </p> <p>In the 1990s he also recognized that the UAE could play a more active role in international peacekeeping operations. The UAE Armed Forces participated in the Arab Deterrent Force that sought to bring to an end the civil strife in Lebanon, and in UNISOM TWO, the United Nations peacekeeping and reconstruction force in Somalia. </p> <p>In early 1999, Sheikh Zayed was among the first world leaders to express support for the decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to launch its aerial campaign to force Serbia to halt its genocidal activities against the people of Kosovo. From late 1999 to 2001, the UAE contingent serving with the UN’s KFOR peacekeeping force was the largest from any of the non-NATO states, and the only one from an Arab or Muslim country. </p> <p>While ensuring that the UAE should increasingly shoulder international responsibilities, however, Sheikh Zayed also made it clear that the UAE’s role is one that is focused on relief and rehabilitation. </p> <p>In the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries, the policy adopted by the UAE clearly reflects the desire of Sheikh Zayed to apply the good fortune of his country to those less fortunate. Through bodies like the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, established by Sheikh Zayed before the foundation of the UAE, as well as through institutions like the Red Crescent Society, the country now plays a major role in the provision of relief and development assistance worldwide. </p> <p><strong>Sheikh Zayed died in 2004, in his late eighties.</strong></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:19d0b463-ffdf-48e8-890e-87d9a901e4ae" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+History" rel="tag">UAE History</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-45690021669115061092009-09-10T11:07:00.001-07:002009-09-10T11:18:17.720-07:00Introducing The United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<p> <img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqlACG2GdsI/AAAAAAAAA4k/XWKSrMbcRGM/UAE MAP.jpg" /> </p> <h3>The United Arab Emirates consists of seven independent city-states:</h3> <p>Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ajman and Ra’s al-Khaimah. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert but has contrasting landscapes—from the towering red dunes of the Liwa to the rich palm-filled oases of Al Ain, from the precipitous Hajar Mountains to the more fertile stretches of its coastal plains. </p> <p>Though small in size (similar to the State of Maine), the UAE has become an important player in regional and international affairs. </p> <p>In 1971, the late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan unified the small, underdeveloped states into a federation—the only one in the Arab world. With his visionary leadership, oil wealth was used to develop the UAE into one of the world’s most open and successful economies. </p> <p>In 2004, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became president and has since continued to strive towards an ambitious vision for the UAE.</p> <h2>Globalized and Open </h2> <p><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/Sqk-PwWYciI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2Yanl-O8oQ4/UAE FLAG.jpg" /> </p> <p>In just over three decades, the nation has transformed from a tribal culture reliant on agriculture and fishing to an entrepreneurial success story with world-class infrastructure. The leadership has improved education (effectively eliminating illiteracy), advanced health care and embraced change as the UAE modernizes, consistent with its history and cultural values. </p> <p>The UAE is also strengthening institutions of government to ensure a transparent legal system with full regard for the quality of life of all citizens and residents. Four members of the Federal Cabinet are women. </p> <p>The UAE is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. </p> <p>Today the UAE is a strong, vibrant and modern nation that is open to the world.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:141f8667-ad37-4b30-bab2-90fd7dde858a" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-88035061433907277042009-09-08T11:17:00.000-07:002009-09-10T11:17:44.160-07:00The Real History About The United Arab Emirates ( UAE )<h2><strong><img src="http://www.dubaicity.com/About_dubai/images/dubai-history.jpg" /> <img height="150" src="http://tv.ae/images/history1.jpg" width="189" /> </strong></h2> <h2><strong>History of UAE </strong></h2> <p>The UAE’s rich history is rooted in trade and tied to Islam, which came to the region in AD 630. Its location between Europe and the Far East attracted merchants from India and China and was prized by Europeans, in particular the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. </p> <p>While Europeans sought control of the coasts, inland, the ancestors of the Bedouin made the sandy deserts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai their home. The town of Abu Dhabi became an important center. </p> <p>In the 19th century, the British signed a series of agreements with the individual emirates that resulted in the area becoming known as “The Trucial States.” They agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack. </p> <p>The pearling industry thrived in 19th and early 20th centuries, providing income and employment to the people of the Gulf. Many inhabitants were semi-nomadic, pearling in the summer and tending date gardens in the winter. But the economic depression in the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the Japanese invention of the cultured pearl, irreparably damaged the industry. <br />New Beginnings </p> <p>In the early 1930s the first oil company teams conducted geological surveys. In 1962, the first cargo of crude was exported from Abu Dhabi. With oil revenues growing year by year, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. He undertook a massive program of construction of schools, housing, hospitals and roads. </p> <p>One of Sheikh Zayed’s early steps was to increase contributions to the Trucial States Development Fund. Abu Dhabi soon became its largest donor. In the meantime, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, de facto Ruler of Dubai since 1939, developed shipping to replace pearling revenues. When Dubai’s oil exports started in 1969, Sheikh Rashid was able to use oil revenues to improve the quality of life of his people. </p> <p>At the beginning of 1968, when the British announced their intention to withdraw from the Arabian Gulf, Sheikh Zayed acted rapidly to establish closer ties with the emirates. With Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Zayed called for a federation that would include not only the seven Emirates that together made up the Trucial States, but also Qatar and Bahrain. </p> <p>Agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah and Ajman), and the Federation to be known as the United Arab Emirates was formally established on 2 December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra’s al-Khaimah, acceded to the new Federation the following year. </p> <p>Since then, the seven Emirates have forged a distinct national identity. The UAE’s political system combines traditional and modern and enabled the country to develop a modern administrative structure while ensuring that traditions of the past are maintained, adapted and preserved.</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3975bba7-31a2-4eda-b622-0c4769dae69f" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+History" rel="tag">UAE History</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-65192073199945411312009-09-01T12:04:00.000-07:002009-09-10T12:04:44.219-07:00His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" src="http://www.uae-embassy.org/sites/default/files/images/President_HH_Sheikh_Khalifa_Bin_Zayed_Al_Nahyan.jpg" align="left" /> </p> <p>HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was elected as the new President of the United Arab Emirates on 3 November 2004, to succeed his father, the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE President from 1971 to 2004, from whom, he has said, he learned “the need for patience and prudence in all things.” </p> <p>Since becoming UAE President, HH Sheikh Khalifa has presided over a major re-structuring of both the Federal Government and the government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The appointment of a new Cabinet in February 2006, with Vice-President and Dubai Ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Prime Minister, saw major changes in the portfolios with, crucially, the creation of new ministries devoted to the streamlining and modernizing of the business of government, a new focus on community development and, through the new Ministry of Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs, an important step towards reform of the political process with the introduction of indirect elections for half of the FNC's membership. </p> <p>In his message to the nation on the occasion of the UAE's National Day on 2 December 2005, he noted: </p> <p>The years ahead require a bigger role for the Federal National Council by empowering it to be an authority that would provide great support and guidance for the executive arm of the government. We shall work to make the Council more capable, more effective and more sensitive to the issues affecting the nation and the people. This would be done by ensuring a more participatory process and the entrenchment of the policy of “Shura” consultation. And through a gradual, organized course, we have decided to start activating the role of the FNC through electing half of its members through councils for each emirate and appointing the other half. By doing this, we will embark on a march that culminates in more participation and interaction from all the citizens of the country. . . . Today, we stand at a threshold of a new era, whose ultimate objective is to entrench the rule of law and due process, accountability, transparency and equal opportunity. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa </strong>has also undertaken extensive tours throughout the UAE to study the needs of the Northern Emirates, during which he has given instructions for the building of a number of projects related to housing, education and the social services. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa </strong>has overseen dramatic changes too in the government of Abu Dhabi, where particular attention has been paid to two aspects - improvements in terms of efficiency and cost for services provided to the public and the opening up of much of the economy so that greater scope has been provided for direct private investment and for public-private partnerships. During the early years of the Federation, he believes, it was right and appropriate for government to play the leading role, but now, with a burgeoning private sector and with a well-educated population, the time is right for government, both local and federal, to step back and to concentrate on the core areas of government responsibility. </p> <p>The re-structuring of government, he believes, will only be effective if the people of the UAE take upon themselves the task of contributing effectively. “We have already begun preparing for the new era by promulgating legislation [and] placing some regulatory measures on the existing departments, institutions, activities and relations,” he said in his December 2005 National Day message. “This is to tighten up the loose ends, to straighten the curves, put an end to wrongdoings [and] . . . to improve production and services.” He continued: </p> <p>It is high time for our political, religious, cultural, information, educational and civil society institutions to take up their responsibilities to instill in our society the values of love of work, to change the negative perceptions about vocational work. It is high time to make them understand the true meaning of work - that it means responsibility and reflects human, civil and religious values. These institutions also need to work hard to diversify the skills of the national human resources, to raise productivity, encourage investment in human resources development, improve voluntary work and create awareness on this noble work and its significance to individuals and society in general. </p> <p>While emphasizing the need for a re-structuring at home, not just in terms of government, but also in the way in which the UAE's people look upon their own duties towards society, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> has, at the same time, continued to ensure that the country pursues an active foreign policy. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> is a strong supporter of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), believing that the success and achievements of this body reflect the depth of understanding reached amongst its leaders. That support was re-affirmed at the 2005 GCC summit conference, held in Abu Dhabi, while he has exchanged numerous visits with the leaders of other GCC states, which have provided him with the opportunity to discuss both ways in which the GCC can continue to develop and other issues of regional and wider importance. </p> <p>One of the wider issues, of course, has been the continuing turmoil in Iraq, and<strong> HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> has pursued a consistent policy of supporting the efforts by Iraq's elected representatives to restore peace and stability, both through offering diplomatic support and through a wide range of assistance for reconstruction of Iraq's shattered economy. At the same time, he has urged the various communities in Iraq, whether regional or religious, to recognize that their future is best guaranteed by working together and by promoting the unity of both the country and its people. </p> <p>Another issue seen by <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> as being of crucial importance is that of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people. As has been the case since the creation of the Federation in 1971, the UAE has continued to express its support for the Palestinian people, with<strong> HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> demonstrating his own personal interest by funding a major housing program, Sheikh Khalifa City, in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. </p> <p>At a political level, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> noted in a speech on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in November 2005 that the UAE remained committed to work for the restoration of security, peace and stability in the region, saying that this, as well as economic and development cooperation between countries of the region including Israel, “cannot be achieved while Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab territories continues, but only through compliance with obligations as provided in the Road Map and the Arab peace initiative that calls for justice, ending the Israeli occupation and establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.” </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> said: “We have rejoiced over the Israeli military pullout from Gaza Strip and have regarded it as a first legal step which must be followed by other comprehensive and serious withdrawals from all the Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967.” </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> has demonstrated his commitment to continuing to build relations with other countries both by receiving visiting leaders, from countries in Asia and Europe, as well as from other Arab countries, and by paying visits to Central Asian states, with whom he has been an active proponent of closer ties ever since they emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He has also proved to be a generous donor of emergency assistance at times of natural disaster, responding immediately in sending help after events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the autumn 2005 earthquake that devastated much of northern Pakistan and neighboring parts of India. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> assumed his posts as Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates in 2004 after many decades working closely with his father, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the Federation. </p> <p>Born in the inland oasis-city of Al Ain in 1948, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was educated in the local school. On 18 September 1966, following his father's assumption of the post of Ruler of Abu Dhabi, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was appointed as Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi and as Head of the Courts Department in Al Ain. </p> <p>On 1 February 1969, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was nominated as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, this being followed on 2 February 1969 by his appointment as the Head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Defense, in which post he oversaw the building up of the Abu Dhabi Defense Force (ADDF), which later became the nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces. </p> <p>On 1 July 1971, as part of the restructuring of the government of the emirate, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was appointed Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi and Minister of Defense and Finance. On 23 December 1973, HH Sheikh Khalifa assumed the post of Deputy Prime Minister in the second UAE Federal Cabinet. Shortly afterwards, when the Cabinet of Abu Dhabi Emirate was dissolved, as part of the process of strengthening the institutions of the UAE Federation,<strong> HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was appointed, on 20 January 1974, as the first Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, which replaced the Emirate's Cabinet. </p> <p>Under his direction, and in accordance with the instructions of HH <strong>Sheikh Khalifa</strong>, the Executive Council oversaw the realization of a wide-ranging development program in Abu Dhabi, including the construction of housing, water supplies and other essential services, roads and general infrastructure that led to the emergence of the city of Abu Dhabi as the modern city that it is today. </p> <p>Of particular importance in terms of ensuring that citizens were able to benefit from the country's increasing wealth was the establishment by <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> in 1981 of the Abu Dhabi Department of Social Services and Commercial Buildings, charged with the provision of loans to citizens for construction. </p> <p>The establishment of the department, popularly known as the “Khalifa Committee,” followed another decision taken by <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> in 1979 to alleviate the burden on citizens of the repayment of loans from the commercial banks. </p> <p>A further step to ensure that citizens were able to build the properties that they needed, both for residential and for investment purposes, came with the creation by HH Sheikh Khalifa of the Private Loans Authority, early in 1991. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> has also been involved extensively in other areas of the country's development. In May 1976, following the unification of the armed forces of the Emirates, <strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> was nominated as Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. In this capacity, he devoted much attention to the building up of the country's defensive capability, through the establishment of many military training institutions and through the procurement of the latest military equipment and training. </p> <p><strong>HH Sheikh Khalifa</strong> has held a number of other top posts in the Abu Dhabi government. Since the late 1980s, for example, he has been Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council, responsible for oversight of Abu Dhabi's upstream and downstream oil and gas industries, although he has also actively encouraged diversification of the country's economy away from dependence on its depletable reserves of hydrocarbons. </p> <p>He is also Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (which replaced the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) in mid-2006 and manages the emirate's financial reserves and investments) and Honorary Chairman of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and was until 2006 the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), which oversees the country's international development assistance program. </p> <p>He has stated that his key objectives as President of the UAE will be to continue on the path laid down by his father, whose legacy, he says, “will continue to be the beacon guiding us into the future, a prosperous future where security and stability will reign.”</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:57889e50-4076-4eb5-b14a-4e9dfd0da888" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+president" rel="tag">UAE president</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Government" rel="tag">UAE Government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-27314998017009725612009-09-01T04:27:00.000-07:002009-09-11T04:34:17.882-07:00Members of the Federal National Council in UAE<p> <img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/Sqo1jSefFaI/AAAAAAAAA6o/VfJ1rslNQAo/Council in UAE.JPG" /> </p> <h2>Members of the Federal National Council </h2> <h3>Abu Dhabi</h3> <dl><dd>Ahmed bin Shabib Al Dhahiri</dd><dd>Hamad bin Sultan Al Darmaki</dd><dd>Ahmed Atiq Khalaf Al Mazroui </dd><dd>Mohammed bin Hamouda bin Ali Al Dhahiri</dd><dd>Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Suroor Al Dhahiri</dd><dd>Fadhel bin Saeed Al Darmaki </dd><dd>Hamad bin Saif Al Mansouri</dd><dd>Saeed bin Hafeez Al Mazroui </dd></dl> <h3>Dubai</h3> <dl><dd>Dr Rashid Abdul Aziz Al Makhawi</dd><dd>Khalifa Juma'a Al Nabooda</dd><dd>Khalid bin Zayed bin Saqr Al Nahyan</dd><dd>Abdullah Ahmed Al Musa </dd><dd>Dalmouk Mohammed bin Dalmouk</dd><dd>Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi</dd><dd>Mohammed Sultan Saeed </dd><dd>Dr Habib Mohammed Shareef Al Mulla</dd></dl> <h3>Sharjah</h3> <dl><dd>Dr Hussain bin Mohammed bin Juma'a Al Mutawa</dd><dd>Mohammed Hamdan bin Khadim</dd><dd>Sultan bin Salim bin Khamees Al Suwaidi </dd><dd>Saeed Ali Allai </dd><dd>Ali Obaid Al Za'abi</dd><dd>Matar bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Huwaiden</dd></dl> <h3>Ras Al Khaimah</h3> <dl><dd>Saleh Ahmed Al Shal </dd><dd>Mohammed Ahmed Reqait </dd><dd>Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi </dd><dd>Ahmed Mohammed Nassir Al Khateri </dd><dd>Abdullah Khalfan Al Sheraiqi </dd><dd>Mohammed Rashid Ali Al Naqbi </dd></dl> <h3>Ajman</h3> <dl><dd>Hamad bin Rashid Al Nuaimi </dd><dd>Abdullah Mohammed Al Muwaiji</dd><dd>Obaid Ali Al Muhairi </dd><dd>Ali Abdullah Al Hamrani </dd></dl> <h3>Umm Al Quwain</h3> <dl><dd>Sultan Mohammed bin Omeir </dd><dd>Rashid Obaid Al Kashf </dd><dd>Ali Jassim Ahmed </dd><dd>Nassir Saeed Al Tallai </dd></dl> <h3>Fujairah</h3> <dl><dd>Rashid Obaid Saif Hammad Al Hafeeti </dd><dd>Abdullah Suheil Hamdan Al Sharqi </dd><dd>Mohammed Hassan Salim Al Dhanhani </dd><dd>Mohammed Rashid Saeed Khalfan Al Saridi</dd></dl> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5e5ca792-34ef-4567-9e0b-0b3f7793f8fe" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Government" rel="tag">UAE Government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813119642147676783.post-61529832034832267432009-07-29T05:57:00.000-07:002009-09-11T05:58:21.908-07:00Ministries List of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)<p><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9b1traaMESE/SqpHvCxz04I/AAAAAAAAA6s/fU8kPCBrE8w/UAE flag logo.JPG" /> </p> <h2>Ministries</h2> <dl><dt><strong>Ministry of Defense</strong></dt><dt>Minister: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (also Prime Minister)</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Finance</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Interior</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Lt-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Presidential Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan </dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Education</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami</dt><dt><strong>Ministry for Foreign Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan </dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Public Works</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Economy</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Foreign Trade</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Justice</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Dr Hadef bin Jua’an Al Dhaheri</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Energy</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Mohammed bin Dha’en Al Hamili</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Labor</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash</dt><dt><strong>Ministry for Cabinet Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Mohammed Abdullah Al Gargawi</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Social Affairs</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Health</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Dr Hanif Hassan Ali</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Environment and Water</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad</dt><dt><strong>Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development</strong></dt><dt>Minister: Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais</dt></dl> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bd9dc15a-d163-4da1-abd4-bb8c41461f58" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UAE+Government" rel="tag">UAE Government</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+UAE" rel="tag">ABOUT UAE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ABOUT+DUBAI" rel="tag">ABOUT DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI" rel="tag">DUBAI</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+GUIDE" rel="tag">DUBAI GUIDE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DUBAI+INFORMATION" rel="tag">DUBAI INFORMATION</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UNITED+ARAB+EMIRATES" rel="tag">UNITED ARAB EMIRATES</a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2