Month: June 2022

Dubai Customs highlighted its outstanding experience and advanced systems in enhancing security and protecting society and the economy from the dangers of smuggling prohibited and counterfeit materials to a delegation from Ras Al-Khaimah Customs Department.

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Suwaidi, Acting Director of Intelligence Department and Saleh Al-Hammadi, Manager of Control Room received the delegation, which included Saeed Abdullah bin Dhawi, Customs Intelligence Expert, and the Control and Communication Exports: Saif Mohammed Al-shihi, Muntasir Ahmed Al-Amiri, and Ghanim Salem Al-Hassouni.

The visiting delegation was briefed on the Rafid program; the leading service in reporting risks and customs violations, or any wrong commercial practices that may harm the economy and trade or prejudice the security and stability of the country. The service enjoys a high degree of confidentiality and security. Rafid won wide praise at the local and international levels, as the Customs Compliance Committee of the World Customs Organization highlighted the importance of the service and its role in detecting erroneous practices.

The Control Room at Dubai Customs receives information and reports from employees, clients and different segments of society through dedicated channels. This information is sent to Intelligence Operations Team who analyze it and share it with the relevant authorities.

Dubai Customs is currently working on developing the service so that the information is immediately sorted, and the levels of importance and priority are determined.

The delegation also visited the control room and listened to an explanation from Saleh Al Hammadi about the room’s features and the programs it includes. The Dubai Customs’ control room is the first customs operations room in the region and the Arab world. It monitors the security customs work around the clock, and it performs many tasks, including monitoring the 500 surveillance cameras distributed at the land, sea and air freight customs ports. The control room also uses 23 customs security programs around the clock to follow up on inspections and shipments, inquire about containers, receive phone calls and inquiries from customs centers, and publish security circulars at various ports.

” In line with its strategic plan 2021-2026, which aims to lead safe customs globally, Dubai Customs adopts an integrated series of advanced procedures and programs to address all smuggling attempts, starting from the early warning technology represented by the intelligent risk engine system to complicated inspection operations, “said Mohammed Abdullah Al-Suwaidi. “The Customs Intelligence Department receives and analyzes information, and monitor all suspicious shipments. The department’s procedures and efforts to enhance security and protect society are a major supporter in maintaining the position of Dubai as a pivotal and leading hub in global trade, consolidating its position as the safest city in the world.”

Source: Dubai Customs

DUBAI, Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) received eight foreign delegations from various countries with nearly 200 delegates during the first quarter of 2022, contributing to the growth of the council’s international relations networks, the formation of new successful cooperative partnerships, and the exchange of experiences.

Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, President of DBWC, stated that the council is a strategic link between women’s business communities around the world and the representative of the Emirate of Dubai and its vital, diverse, and balanced business environment. She added that Dubai is considered a global model for empowering women in the workplace and strengthening their competitive roles in business and economic realms.

Al Gurg further highlighted that the DBWC had had numerous strong international relations networks with many global marketplaces for more than 20 years. Such relationships are used to form future partnerships and unlimited initiatives and programmes.

The visiting delegates represented a diverse range of ethnicities and cultures, most hailing from Turkey, France, Mexico, Estonia, Serbia, Canada, and Brazil.

Nezaket Emine Atasoy, President of the International Investment and Business Confederation (Uluskon), which consists of 18 Federations of Businesswomen and 24 Federations of Businessmen, was one of the most significant delegates. Uluskon is a non-governmental organisation with representatives in all 81 cities of Turkey and in 100 countries worldwide. They discussed the business landscape in the UAE and Turkey and collaboration opportunities.

Furthermore, DBWC received a delegation of Brazilian women from the “Virada Feminina” Foundation, an organisation dedicated to women’s empowerment and community betterment, and an Estonian delegation representing the “ÄND” Foundation, which promotes and brings together women and entrepreneurs from many industries.

The council also hosted a high-level Canadian tech delegation of businesswomen and entrepreneurs led by Marcy Grossman, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE. The visiting delegation included six Canadian companies specialising in modern and digital technologies and was headed by official women and entrepreneurs. The visiting delegates and the members of the DBWC discussed opportunities for joint cooperation and partnerships.

The DBWC received a multi-sectoral delegation of more than 22 companies from Guadalajara, Mexico led by Laura Romero, Vice President of International Business of the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce from Mexico. The visit was part of their seven-day study mission to Dubai as their first approach to the market and learn about the business environment and opportunities for their companies. During the meeting, many future and possible cooperation opportunities were discussed in the areas of entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and economic partnerships.

Another important delegation was the G100 Club, whose main aim was to expand its network of relationships and provide enhanced policies and practices. During its visit to the DBWC, it discussed the good governance and best practices implemented in the city of Dubai. The delegation’s visit was part of their 100 meetings and consultations with stakeholders in multilateral institutions such as the UN, EU, GCC, Corporates, Business Leaders, Universities and Civil Society. The delegation was headed by its Founder and President, Dr. Harbeen Arora and was attended by six other eminent global businesswomen who were part of the club. The G100 Club has a huge empowered network of 250,000 women entrepreneurs across 150 countries.

Furthermore, as part of its six-day visit to Expo 2020, the DBWC welcomed the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation, led by Branislava Simani, Director of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Entrepreneurship Sector, and five other entrepreneur women who also sought possible cooperation and partnership opportunities.

Finally, the expertise of Dubai’s entrepreneurs and businesswomen was shared with EMBA delegates from France. The meeting was about the delegation’s interest in learning more about the work of the DBWC, and the Board’s overall perspective on the progression of the business women landscape in Dubai.

Established in 2002, under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the DBWC is the UAE’s leading platform for the personal and professional development of businesswomen in the emirate.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Emirates, renowned for its world-leading air transport services, has also been recognised for its outstanding ground transport services with awards in multiple categories, at the recent RoSPA awards, held for the first time in Dubai.

The only airline to have achieved commendations three years in a row, the Emirates team took gold awards in three main categories: Fleet Safety Award, Health and Safety Award, and Leisure Safety Award. The team also added the coveted Health and Safety – Team of the Year (Middle East) to its tally, for the second time in three years, demonstrating tangible outcomes in its operational safety performance, health and safety governance systems, and extensive COVID-19 precautions to safeguard its people and customers.

In the UAE, Emirates operates a fleet of over a thousand vehicles to transport its first and business class passengers, cabin crew and flight deck as well as other employees to and from the workplace, averaging 2.5 million road trips in a normal year. It also puts in place standards and protocols for service providers to transport premium customers to and from the airport in comfort and safety as part of its signature Emirates Chauffeur Drive service.

RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) is a UK organisation that focusses on promoting and facilitating occupational health and safety, and road, home, leisure and education safety around the world.

The annual RoSPA Awards are reviewed by a panel of independent assessors, with stringent submissions requiring demonstrable evidence of an entrant’s health and safety management systems, including aspects such as risk assessments, safety audits, and safety education initiatives.

For 2022, the awards saw more than 2,000 entries from companies globally.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The midday break, which restricts labourers and workers across construction sites from work during afternoon hours, will come into force tomorrow 15th June, from 12:30 to 15:00, until 15th September, 2022.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is implementing the midday break for the 18th consecutive year, in line with the Ministry’s continued commitment to occupational health and safety, which aims to provide a safe working environment for labourers and spare them the risks of exposure to high temperatures during the summer months.

The Ministry also receives reports from the community members about any violation of the rule through its call centre at 600590000, operational from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00 in several languages, in addition to receiving reports through the Ministry’s smart application.

Some professions and jobs are exempted from the midday break for technical reasons which requires work to continue uninterrupted. These include project works such as spreading the asphalt mixture or pouring concrete or other work necessary to ward off danger, repair, damage, malfunctions or accidental emergency losses, including work to repair obstruction in water supply lines, sewage lines, electric lines, or obstruction of traffic on public roads, and gas or oil pipelines.

It also excludes works whose implementation requires a permit from a competent government agency due to their impact on the flow of traffic and services, such as cutting off electricity and telecom lines.

In the event of works or tasks that for technical reasons should continue without interruption during the afternoon hours, the employer shall provide cold drinking water commensurate with the number of workers on duty, and the conditions of safety and public health should be maintained by providing hydrating food and liquid such as salt, lemon and other materials that are approved for use by the local authorities in the country. In addition, companies should keep provisions for first-aid at the work site, appropriate industrial cooling facilities and shades from direct sunlight, and providing a shaded place for workers to rest during their downtime.

Employers are also required to post the schedule of daily working hours in a prominent place in accordance with the provisions of the ban, provided that it is in a language that the worker understands in addition to Arabic.

An administrative fine will be imposed on establishments that violate the noon work ban amounting to AED5,000 for each worker and a maximum of AED50,000 in the case that multiple workers are working in violation of the ban.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The UAE Government Media Office has organised a media briefing featuring Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairwomen of the Emirates Schools Establishment; and Sara Awad Issa Musallam, Minister of State for Early Education.

The newly appointed ministers discussed with a number of editors-in-chief and media professionals, developments in the UAE education sector, and the new policies and projects that were recently launched in keeping with recent ministerial appointments, including the “Ajyal Schools” model, which will be implemented starting the next academic year 2022-2023.

During the media briefing, Al Falasi said, “The current stage requires serious work in order to strengthen and enhance education in the UAE. Our aim is to achieve radical transformations in line with the future national strategies and plans. We are keen to form a clear vision about the present and the future of education, and link it to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in order to build qualified students.”

The Minister of Education noted that the new structure is led by the Education and Human Resources Council, Federal Authority for Quality of Education, the Ministry of Education, the Federal Authority for Early Childhood Education, the Emirates Schools Establishment, in addition to the local educational authorities in each emirate.

Al Falasi said that the new stage requires joint efforts and work through which everyone, including educational leaders, teachers, parents and students, is involved. He highlighted that the Ministry’s top priority is ensuring the satisfaction of parents, students, teachers and administrators with provided services. “We are committed to re-evaluating the quality of services, and providing a distinguished system that achieves rapid response, and best levels of achievement.”

For her part, Al Amiri emphasised that the educational sector has always received endless support from the UAE leadership, as it is the first and most important stage in the path of empowering Emirati people with the necessary skills.

She said, “We are keen to prepare the next generation for the future and arm them with knowledge and skills, to achieve a more prosperous and brighter future for our country. Ajyal Schools have been launched, to drive different pedagogies within our education system, by offering pioneering educational options, in cooperation with educational service providers from the private sector.

“We will continue working with our partners from the public and private sectors to ensure the development of the education system in our public schools. 5,000 students will begin their education in Ajyal Schools by the next academic year, while the school model is expected to cater to 14,000 students after three years.”

The Minister of State for Early Education spoke about the importance of building a child’s personality, which requires acquiring basic skills from the first early stages. She said, “Establishing the Federal Authority for Early Education reflects the keenness of our wise leadership to provide the right to growth and education in a healthy and safe environment for each and every child, ensuring their successful transition to schools.”

She added, “While working on graduating a new generation of learners, we need to lay the supporting foundations to empower students in their education journey, from the early years.”

Musallam said that the studies indicate that children who receive quality education before the age of five are less likely to repeat the school year by more than 8 percent, and their likelihood of needing additional support or intervention programmes in education is reduced by more than 8 percent, while their chance of successfully graduating from high school is higher by 11 percent compared to children who did not receive early education.

She stressed the need to enhance the efficiency of the sector and empower the cadres working in it. “We will coordinate with all concerned authorities to prepare a unified regulatory framework, which will be applied to more than 600 nurseries, all kindergartens and preschools of public and private schools in the UAE.”

Source: Emirates News Agency