Day: September 11, 2021

DUBAI, DP World, UAE Region’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), seeks to pave the way for the construction industry with its participation in The Big 5 2021. One of the largest construction and contracting events in the Middle East region, the event is scheduled to take place from 12-15 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Jafza’s participation at The Big 5 is considered of exceptional importance, as the free zone will offer a wide range of solutions that will enable key players in the region to tap into new markets and grow their business. With its robust logistics capabilities and expansive reach, Jafza succeeded in supporting over 3,300 construction-related companies, enabling trade worth AED17 billion in 2020. This figure accounts for 29 percent of total construction-related trade in Dubai in 2020.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World – UAE Region and Jafza, said: “The construction and building materials sector is vital in Jafza, as it is one of the main drivers in the free zone and is also considered as the key indicator for the development and prosperity of any nation. The construction industry in the UAE will witness a rebound in 2021 with a predicted growth of 5.9 percent and average growth of 2.0 percent through 2025. We firmly believe that we can contribute to these figures, setting the stage for construction and building materials companies, as we are the trade gateway to the MENA region and beyond. With our participation in The Big 5, our goal is to not only improve growth prospects for the companies in the construction sector, but also help them reach wider markets.”

Supplementing Jafza’s capabilities, Jebel Ali Port offers access to over 3.5 billion consumers in the MEASA region. The port can handle all types of cargo including breakbulk through its general cargo terminal that has 27 berths and a capacity of over 1.4 million sqm. Its connectivity with more than 180 shipping lines and over 80 weekly services make it the ideal destination for efficient export and import of building materials and other raw materials used in construction. Additionally, the competitive ocean freight rates, operational flexibility, landside conversion and other salient facilities like land for storage, logistics and warehouses give it a competitive edge.

At the event, Jafza will also exhibit its key offerings that have made it a crucial pillar of the UAE’s economy. The Free Zone’s strategic location, integrated business environment and robust incentives like 100 percent ownership, onsite customs, 0% duties on import/export or re-export and digital solutions via Dubai Trade have given the free zone the reputation of being the most preferred base for leading local and global players in the sector. Some of them are Danube Building Materials, Conares, Emirates Rebar Limited, Schneider Electric, ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, Baosteel, CNBM, 3M Gulf, Komatsu and Makita Gulf, among others.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH, The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone) is taking part in The Big 5, the largest and most influential building and construction exhibition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, which takes place from September 12-15 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The SAIF Zone will leverage this opportunity to highlight its various services to investors, which made it one of the most important free zones in the region.

This includes offering exclusive advantages in order to attract foreign investments and providing the added value sought by the investors.

The Authority will also shed light on its numerous offers for investors. such as the exclusive offers on business offices, and a single-window operation to enhance performance efficiency.

Furthermore, the Zone will showcase its integrated services package that caters to the needs of the construction sector, including advanced infrastructure and modern multi-purpose warehouses, and a variety of plots of land starting from 2,500 square meters.

Speaking on the participation, Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of SAIF Zone, said: “Our participation in the Big 5, the largest and most influential event in the construction field, reflects our marketing strategy in order to penetrate the major international markets. The Big 5 is an important platform for us to introduce the local and international business community to the opportunities available in SAIF Zone, which emerges today as a perfect investment environment and a major driver for attracting capital.

He added: “The business meetings that will take place at our stand are expected to play a constructive and effective role to discuss establishing new projects in this vital sector, and thus enhancing our contribution to cementing Sharjah’s position on the investment map.” Al Mazrouei underlined that SAIF Zone provides a perfect environment for investors in the building and construction sector, thanks to the advanced infrastructure, the global facilities, the competitive advantages, and logistical services that investors aspire to obtain in order to provide their services efficiently.

Al Mazrouei hinted that this year’s Big 5 will play a crucial role in pushing the economic rebound forward in the post-COVID-19 era.

This role has become even more important after what has been revealed in a recent report released by MEED Projects, the Projects Data and Intelligence Partner for The Big 5, that there were contracts worth US$163 billion awarded in 2020 in the Middle East and Africa despite the COVID-19 impact and another $1.9 billion worth of projects are currently being executed in the region.

With over 1200 exhibitors from 50 countries, the Big 5 seeks to showcase the latest building products and solutions from all over the world to accelerate market growth following the drastic changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The approval of granting the 10-year golden residency to resident doctors by the UAE, announced recently by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will attract the best talent and health expertise from around the world, and support workers in the first line of defence, in appreciation of their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) said the initiative also reflects the UAE leadership’s forward-looking vision to attract highly skilled medical professionals and establish a conducive environment for creativity and innovation, in line with the UAE’s plans to have an integrated, state-of-the-art healthcare ecosystem. It will help grant doctors and their families 10-year residency visas, in line with the UAE government’s vision to enhance its global competitiveness as a preferred destination for work, living and study, and as an incubator of talent and academic excellence.

Doctors working in SEHA facilities said that this generous gesture from the UAE would have a significant effect on them and their family lives.

Dr. Guido Mannaerts, Head of the Department of Surgery at Tawam Hospital, a SEHA facility, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM), “When I received the phone call to tell me that I had been granted golden residency in the UAE for 10 years, I was overjoyed and very proud and that the UAE government appreciated my work and efforts over the past seven years at Tawam Hospital and I felt a sense of belonging to this great country.”

This initiative instils in the resident doctors more stability and reassurance and motivates them to spend the rest of their lives in the UAE and live there with their family members and to continue giving and contributing to the development in it, he added.

Dr. Shoaib Saleh Samir, Internal Medicine Specialist at Al Muwaiji Healthcare Center, extended his deepest thanks and gratitude to the leadership, noting that it is a medal of honour in appreciation of their duty towards the UAE and its people.

He said that he and his family lived in stability and prosperity during his 14-year stay in the UAE, which provided them with all the necessities of a decent life and all luxury amenities.

Dr. Yaser Toubasi, Internal Medicine Consultant and Head of Occupational Health at Ambulatory Healthcare Services-SEHA, said that the initiative motivated him to make more efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and protect society.

Dr. Mohamed Firas Shalaby, a general surgery specialist in Madinat Zayed Hospitals, one of the SEHA facilities, said that this gesture comes in appreciation of what the heroes of the first line of defence have made since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Dr. Firas Qadri Al Khatib, a specialist in general surgery at Madinat Zayed Hospitals, granting a golden residency to doctors, talents, investors, and top achievers in the UAE, is one of the highest honours for these groups and is an example of the appreciation and respect enjoyed by residents in the country.

Dr. Salima Wani, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chair of Academic Affairs and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Corniche Hospital, said, “For me, the golden residency for doctors is like giving doctors a golden opportunity in appreciation of their work in providing healthcare to members of the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Dr. Michael George Uglow, a Consultant in Orthopaedics and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, said, “I feel proud and grateful to be granted the golden residency in my second country, the UAE.” Several doctors working in Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi also expressed to WAM their gratitude for this generous initiative by the UAE.

Dr. Koshi Georgey, Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director of Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, said, “The UAE has always been at the forefront in this region for innovation and strategic planning, and is one of the most preferred countries in the world to live and work.”

“As doctors, we have seen the growth of the medical sector and the great leaps in it during the past few decades, which made the UAE a very desirable destination for professionals who practice medicine, as they receive the best of the world’s welcome and attention.”

As for Dr. Nabil Al-Dabouni, Medical Director of the VPS Group for Medical Care, the initiative will have a far-reaching impact on the medical sector in the country.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH, The International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2021 is organising exciting brainstorming sessions and youth interactions to initiate conversations to mobilise the youth alongside the key stakeholders such as the media, and social media influencers, thereby integrating their voices and contributions as future leaders into the nation’s developmental journey.

The forum will be held on the sidelines of the region’s leading forum on government communication, under the theme “Historic lessons, future ambitions”, at Expo Centre Sharjah on 26th and 27th September, 2021. The range of activities include sessions such as “The Fifth Generation of Ideas” as part of the Arab Youth Forum; a debate on the influencers’ role titled “Infodemic”; “Misleading news in the time of the coronavirus”, as well as a session for journalists, titled “Journalism’s prospects”.

Led by leading industry experts, these discussions and workshops at the IGCF 2021 seek to promote critical thinking as a key factor of effective communication, both generally and in the government sector.

There will be discussions on the historical experience of government communication and the lessons learned thereof to facilitate government communication teams in their daily practices. The sessions will also focus on strategic approaches to understanding the history of communication, which will help build a better future for communities and promote development and stability.

Influencers’ Forum With government communication departments waking up to the magnitude of the impact and change that influencers can bring about through digital communication platforms and social media, the session titled “Infodemic” will discuss the public’s perception of social media influencers, their role in shaping their country’s image and how government communication departments can cooperate with them to address ‘infodemics’ – the rapid spread of unreliable information that makes a solution more difficult to achieve.

Award-winning television anchor, Nada Al Shaibani, host of “Hatha Ana” on Abu Dhabi TV, will moderate the session with Haitham Al Hammadi.

Youth and ‘The Fifth Generation of Ideas’ “The Fifth Generation of Ideas” session will focus on several key areas of concern including factors that can help people achieve a balance between material success and emotional development; the role of government communication in achieving a balance between emotional intelligence and social intelligence; the young generation’s perception of societies of the future and their role in strengthening them; and redesigning mindsets to meet the pace of life-altering changes.

Maitha Mohammed, a young Emirati artist and content creator who targets Emirati youth and their parents through her work, and Marwan Al-Shehhi, a television host on Sama Dubai and a member of the UAE’s Youth Council since 2019, will moderate the session.

Fake News in the Time of COVID-19 Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of Emirates News Agency (WAM), will lead this interactive session. It will process the misinformation campaign about the Coronavirus pandemic on social media and its implications for society and international security; and how the media counteracted with agility, leveraging technology to communicate credible news. False and malicious news, and challenges faced by media professionals in times of crisis are among the other topics that will be discussed.

Future of journalism This session will focus on the future of journalism against the backdrop of profound and rapid digital transformation in the media industry. More than 30 editors-in-chief from local and international media outlets will discuss the challenges in store, the tools used by them to communicate effectively, and the methods they employ to connect with their readers and audiences. The experts will also offer thoughtful solutions on keeping the newspaper relevant in the digital era. Media person Marwan Al Hel will moderate the session.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Abu Dhabi, Special Olympics UAE launched its first 3×3 basketball tournament today, in collaboration with Jam Sports Academy, as part of its efforts to train and prepare Athletes for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.

The tournament commenced today at Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination in Abu Dhabi and will move to Khorfakkan on September 18 and the final stop will be held on September 25 in Dubai.

Approximately 100 male and female Athletes and 25 coaches from different clubs and centers for People of Determination with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from across the UAE will participate in the tournament. Furthermore, the Healthy Athletes Program’s Clinical Directors will give Athletes free dental health screenings throughout the tournament.

Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, said: “This tournament is a great opportunity for Athletes to train together and develop their skills. We are delighted to see the enthusiasm and motivation of Athletes, coaches, and support staff to return to the courts and participate in games with their peers, while we take all the necessary precautionary measures against COVID-19 to ensure everyone’s safety. We thank Jam Sports Academy for providing technical and organizational support to ensure the success of the tournament as we witness today and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination for hosting it.”

Ahmed Sleiman, CEO of Jam Sports Academy, said “We are very excited about this strategic partnership with Special Olympics UAE to gradually return the Athletes to regular participation in sport. Jams Sports Academy will continue to work with Special Olympics UAE on multiple upcoming programs to continue to develop the Athletes’ abilities to compete in regional and international competitions. We are thrilled to see Special Olympics UAE Athletes’ positive and eager participation in this basketball tournament, and look forward to offering handball, table tennis and tennis programs soon. Jam Sports Academy is committed to supporting and providing sports activities for People of Determination with Intellectual Disabilities to further inspire and empower them.”

The 3×3 Basketball sport became an Olympic discipline in 2017 and is played with a half-court with three-a-side players, as opposed to five players in traditional basketball, with one substitute player for each team, in line with Special Olympics International Rules.

The Summer World Games Berlin 2023 will be hosted by Germany for the very first time, and will be held from June 17 to June 24, 2023, where thousands of People of Determination with Intellectual Disabilities will gather from around the world to participate in 26 Unified sports and activities.

To ensure the safety of Special Olympics Athletes and all parties involved, the World Winter Games Kazan 2022 was postponed to January 2023, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the spread of the Delta variant in many countries around the world. The World Winter Games in 2023 will see 2,000 Athletes and sports partners from 108 countries and 3,000 volunteers gather from around the world emphasizing the values of acceptance and inclusion through sports.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) announced that many of the world’s leading sports stars will be joining Expo 2020 Dubai to promote their countries on the global stage and participate in numerous sporting events organised throughout the next six months.

Dubai Sports Council, along with its partners, has collaborated with Expo 2020 Dubai to organise several sporting activities and events on the sidelines of the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, which kicks off on 1 October, 2021 The Council said that the 16th Dubai International Sports Conference (DISC) – a Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative – and Dubai Globe Soccer Awards will take place during Expo 2020 Dubai. One of football’s main brainstorming platforms, DISC will bring the sport’s top stakeholders together to discuss challenges facing the ever-evolving world of football and deliberate ways to develop and enrich the sport at the domestic, regional and international level.

Since its launch in 2006, the Conference has welcomed more than 400 international and national speakers and moderators, including some of the biggest names in football like Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo; Argentine virtuoso – and Expo 2020 Dubai ambassador – Lionel Messi; French legend Zinedine Zidane; and the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

The Dubai Sports Council has also confirmed that the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award ceremony will also take place at Expo 2020 on 9 January, 2022.

A Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative, the MBR Creative Sports Award is one of the leading initiatives of its kind in the world in terms of categories and prize money. The 11th edition of the Award will see Emirati and Arab heroes from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games being honoured at a glittering Awards ceremony.

A number of other events will take place at Expo 2020, including the FIDE World Chess Championship 2021, which will see reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen battle challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi, between 24 November and 16 December, to keep his crown. The Hamdan Bin Rashid Masters international chess championship will be held concurrently, on the same dates as the World Championship and at the same venue.

The Expo 2020 Run takes place on 19 November, giving participants the unique opportunity to run on a course that snakes its way through the Expo 2020 districts and around different Country Pavilions. ‘Run the World’ community running events will take place every Saturday morning around Expo’s Ghaf Avenue, with complimentary participation open to all Expo 2020 visitors. Expo 2020 will also take centre stage on 25 February, 2022, when top international cycling teams and riders of the UCI WorldTour head to Expo 2020 for the Dubai stage of the tour.

Aside from the official competitions, visitors to Expo 2020 can take part in their favourite sport at facilities across the Expo site and at Expo’s dedicated Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub, which includes a multi-purpose court for basketball, volleyball, tennis and netball; two cricket nets; an indoor gym and fitness hall; a five-aside football pitch; a Global Fitness Stage for yoga, Zumba and CRANK classes along with sports workshops, and events for people of determination.

The countries participating in Expo 2020 have also organised a number of sports-related events at the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub, many featuring some big names in sport.

Australia, a proud sporting nation, has scheduled more than 500 events at the Hub, while their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will have sports events stretching across five weeks including Les Mills Live fitness sessions. Croatia, meanwhile, will be bringing two of their top football stars, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Davor Šuker, President of the Croatian Football Federation. Croatian NBA stars Dario Šaric and Bojan Bogdanovic will also be meeting and greeting fans.

The Italy Pavilion team will organise fitness classes and workshops, while the Hungary Pavilion will host a tournament featuring teqball – a new ball-based sport – and present its programme for the development of school sports. The Football Legends Championship, courtesy of the Nigeria Pavilion, will allow fans the opportunity to meet players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Mikel John Obi, as well as two-time unified world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua of the United Kingdom.

The Senegal Pavilion will host events to promote the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games – the first International Olympic Committee event to be held in Africa and the first in a Muslim-majority country.

Dubai will also host more than 30 international sports events during Expo 2020 across the emirate, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers in October and November, cricket’s Twenty20 World Cup, and the European Tour’s ‘Race to Dubai’ finale, the DP World Tour Championship.

Under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and featuring 191 Country Pavilions, Expo 2020 is expected to attract 25 million visits, welcoming some of the greatest minds and personalities from the worlds of science and technology, economy, literature and show business.

Source: Emirates News Agency