Day: November 25, 2022

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RERA launches Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide to educate brokers on relevant procedures and raise professional competence

DUBAI, The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department (DLD), has launched the ‘Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide’ in conjunction with its participation in Cityscape Dubai 2022 that was held in strategic partnership with DLD at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 21st – 23rd November.

Through this guide, RERA aims to enhance the level of awareness and knowledge of all real estate brokers and raise their professional competence, which is a strategic goal for the RERA on its journey towards providing high quality services with complete professionalism, which in turn contributes to the happiness of customers and real estate investors alike.

The Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide includes all the information, laws and procedures related to the brokerage profession and the ways to practice it in Dubai, to ensure that all are familiar with these regulatory procedures; thus, ensuring that they carry out real estate transactions in a healthy and transparent manner, and fully commit to all laws to avoid any practices outside this framework, which may entail taking legal measures against violating companies.

Ali Abdullah Al Ali, Director of the Real Estate Licensing Department at RERA, said: “Today, through this guide, we offer an integrated service for real estate brokers that helps them fully and comprehensively understand the concept of practicing in Dubai in accordance with the best standards, thus contributing to our journey towards enhancing the happiness and confidence of investors and customers alike in Dubai’s real estate environment. We are always keen to ensure that our services are professional and of high quality, for a pioneering and sustainable real estate ecosystem, whose effects are reflected by all sector stakeholders, including investors, customers and brokers.”

The laws, procedures and regulations that the guide highlights include the Trakheesi system, the Dubai REST application, smart marketing and sales contracts, as well as the criteria for classifying brokerage offices and brokers, the green list, the mechanism for marketing off-plan projects, amicable settlements and obtaining a broker card. It also looks at the real estate brokerage register in Dubai, a number of real estate circulars, the ethics of practicing the profession, and others.

RERA stresses the need for brokers to abide by all the directives covered in the guide, in order to maintain the highest possible level of professional competence and transparency in the implementation of related tasks.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Expo City Dubai walkathon attracts over 1,000 UAE students and educators

DUBAI, Promoting the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle and marking the end of an exciting month packed with fitness activities, more than 1,000 school students from 25 schools across the UAE took part in a walkathon at Expo City Dubai on Friday.

The Expo City School Walkathon – an initiative of the Expo School Programme in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Fitness Challenge – brought together teachers and students between the ages of eight and fourteen for a 2km loop around Expo City, which started and finished at the Terra Arrivals Plaza.

Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education & Culture – Expo City Dubai, said, “From the outset, we promised to take learning beyond the classroom with enriching, real-life experiences, and, by doing so, we have witnessed the incredible impact this has on both mental and physical health. Today’s event solidifies Expo City Dubai’s commitment to providing a fun, collaborative platform for students, while further enhancing our relationship with the UAE’s educational community.”

The Walkathon marked the end of Expo City Dubai’s participation in the month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge, which culminates on 27th November, and further enhances the close relationship with the UAE’s educational community, highlighting the City’s role as an educational hub.

Young people made an extraordinary contribution to the success of Expo 2020 Dubai through the dynamic Expo School Programme, which has returned to Expo City Dubai to empower the youth of today to become leaders of tomorrow.

On Thursday, 24th November the popular Expo Young Stars programme resumed at Al Wasl Plaza, with performances by students from The Indian High School – Al Garhoud, New Delhi Private School and GEMS Legacy School, while The Ambassador School and Cadenza Music Institute will take to the stage later on Friday.

Designed by the Expo School Programme to empower rising talents, Expo Young Stars offers students from across the UAE the opportunity to showcase their passion and creativity through interpretive performances at Expo City Dubai. As Expo City Dubai builds momentum ahead of hosting COP28 in 2023, these five schools were specifically selected to repeat their impactful Expo 2020 Dubai shows, which all highlighted the urgency of tackling climate change.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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DoH to expand pre-marital screening for 570 genetic medical conditions

As part of its preventive measures to safeguard the health and well-being of community members, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has incorporated an optional genetic screening in its pre-marital screening programme.

The test is set to cover 570 medical conditions, the incorporation of pre-marital screening into the Programme seeks to enhance the health and quality of life for families through the avoidance of recurrent genetic diseases.

The Department will leverage its advanced healthcare infrastructure and innovative ecosystem to utilise the DNA sequencing technology and foresee medical conditions among individuals and encourage the translation of advanced genetic data provided through the Emirati Genome Programme into clinical practice. This step comes as part of DoH’s ongoing efforts to elevate the patient journey throughout the different phases of their healthcare experience including the diagnostic phase, genetic counseling and introducing reproductive medicine solutions.

The Preventive Programme is set to establish carriers of recessive genetic diseases for couples planning to get married and reveal any prospect of passing unfavourable and chronic genetic diseases to their offspring which may require complex treatment. Also it will link the couples to reproductive medicine solutions and options.

The pilot phase will be led by trained family physicians and will commence in two Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) centres including Oud Al Touba Health Centre and Al Maqta Health Centre.

Dr. Asmaa Al Mannaei, Executive Director of Research and Innovation Center at the Department of Health– Abu Dhabi said: “The integration of the Genome Programme capabilities into pre-marital screening is a reflection of the Department’s efforts to achieve a ‘Healthier Abu Dhabi’. The step serves as a preventive measure to safeguard and maintain the health and well-being of our community. As a leading destination for life sciences, today Abu Dhabi is home to some of the world’s most innovative healthcare solutions that not only treat patients but elevate quality of life for them and generations to come. The expansion of the pre-marital program is designed with the highest levels of quality-care through the fusion of operational best practices and integration of the latest technologies.”

Dr. Al Mannaei, added: “Alongside our valuable partners, DoH is committed to providing our population with the latest breakthrough treatments, quality health and a flourishing future. Further solidifying Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for life sciences and innovation, the test serves as a preventive measure that will aid couples with a sound medical advice that will assist them in maintaining a healthy future and reduce risk of genetic diseases.”

On this Occasion HE Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri the Executive Director of Community Health Sector in Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said: “This is a clear indication of the focus of our leadership to protect health, ensuring it is regarded as our most valuable asset and is prioritized in all development matters. In the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, we look forward to promoting a culture of a healthy lifestyle among community members.”

HE Dr. Al Hajeri added: “A premarital screening programme is compulsory for couples looking to get married in the UAE. The new initiatives of expanding genetic testing is part of the continuous improvement and expansion of screening programmes led by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre which serve Abu Dhabi’s community, and are provided on a voluntary basis, so couples come for counselling of their own accord. This programme is benefits future generations as it enables new spouses to identify the causative genes for diseases that their children may carry. Thus, will contribute to building a healthier and disease-free society with less treatment burden on the parents and on the healthcare sector. At Abu Dhabi Health Centre, we have dedicated an annual programme concerned with pre-marital examinations, and expanding its scope of genetic examinations brings us closer to what we strive to achieve.”

Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Ambulatory Healthcare Services, said: “Expanding the pre-marital screening programme will ultimately reduce the number of genetic disorders passed on from one generation to the next and will improve the overall health of our community. We are proud to partner with the DOH on implementing this programme, which, along with the other prevention programmes run by DOH all have one goal; to protect our community today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

The Emirati Genome Programme operates in line with the highest ethical and governance standards and ensures the data privacy and security of all participants. Taking part in the programme will also support ongoing efforts to develop healthcare strategies that address the population’s specific needs, and help advance personalized and preventive medicine in the UAE.

Couples that wish to take the test are advised to consider receiving the genetic testing prior to their marriage to develop their disease management plan in advance. Upon their visit to the health centre, a physician will provide a detailed explanation on the testing journey, objectives, capabilities, benefits and challenges of this screening. To learn more about the Programme, please click here.

Source: Department of Health Abu Dhabi

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UAE leaders congratulate President of Suriname on Independence Day


President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory message to Chan Santokhi, President of Suriname, on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent similar messages to President Santokhi on the occasion.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE leaders congratulate new Malaysian Prime Minister

ABU DHABI, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to the newly sworn-in Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, dispatched a similar message of congratulations to the Malaysian Prime Minister.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Laborers Play Sandlot Cricket Near World Cup Soccer Stadiums

As dawn broke Friday in Qatar, the laborers who built this energy-rich country’s World Cup soccer stadiums, roads and subway filled empty stretches of asphalt and sandlots to play the sport closest to their hearts — cricket.

The sport that spread across the reaches of the former British empire remains a favorite of the South Asian laborers who power economies across the Arabian Peninsula.

It’s a moment of respite for workers, who typically just have Friday off in Qatar and much of the rest of the Gulf Arab nations. And it’s one they look forward to all week, batting and bowling before the heat of the day fully takes hold.

“It’s in our blood,” said laborer Kesavan Pakkirisamy as he coached his team at one sandlot, the skyline of Doha visible in the distance. “We’ve played cricket since a long time. It’s a happy journey for us.”

Laborer rights have been a focus of this World Cup since Qatar won the bid for the tournament back in 2010. Workers can face long hours, extortion and low pay. Qatar has overhauled its labor laws to put in a minimum wage and untie visas from employers, though activists have urged more to be done.

On Fridays, however, laborers control their day. Just down the road from the global headquarters of Qatar’s satellite news network Al Jazeera, workers gathered in a parking lot and another large desert expanse wedged between roads.

Some appeared nervous when Associated Press journalists stopped by their matches, with several asking if they’d be in trouble for playing cricket in vacant lots in his autocratic nation. Others, however, smiled and invited visitors to watch.

Hary R., an Indian from the southern state of Kerala, showed a reporter the mobile phone app he used to keep track of runs and overs. While Friday’s match was a friendly, there are tournaments organized among the Indian and Sri Lankan communities in Qatar to vie for supremacy.

“We are working throughout the week and we need to just get relaxed and meet our friends,” he said. His teammates on the Strikers, some of whom wore matching uniforms, shouted at him to keep track of the game.

Pakkirisamy, who shouted encouragement near two discarded couches used by players as a bench, praised his company for helping his colleagues take part in wider competitions.

“From my father and my grandfather, they have been playing in cricket since a childhood age,” he said, describing a lifelong love of the game.

Pakkirisamy and his teammates, while lovers of cricket, still were excited about the World Cup being in Qatar.

“We are here for work, we are here for earning something for our family,” he said, adding that being in Qatar means, “It’s easy for us to be there, to see the game on ground, not only the TV.”

Cricket, with its lush green grass pitches, may seem like an anomaly in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. However, the need for migrant labor has seen Gulf Arab nations draw cricket-playing workers to their shores for decades.

The United Arab Emirates has a cricket team that qualified for the International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup in Australia last month.

Dubai in the UAE is even home to the ICC’s headquarters and has hosted major cricket events, including the Indian Premier League, the Pakistan Super League and the T20 championships.

But for laborers in the region, any empty patch of ground can be turned into a pitch.

“You can be in any road. You can be in any place,” Pakkirisamy said. “Any small place, you can play cricket.”

Source: Voice of America