Gov & Regulators

The development of tourism in the Middle East is the prime example of how tourism and aviation can act together as drivers of growth. With the region as a background, Ministers of Tourism and aviation leaders will gather at the UNWTO/ATM Ministerial Forum to set a common agenda for air transport and tourism that allows the industry to fully seize the opportunities of future tourism growth (Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7 May 2013).

According to the UNWTO, the extraordinary growth of international tourism over the six last decades – from 25 million tourists in 1950 to one billion in 2012 – is as much due to advances in air transport as to the rise of the middle class, the growing wealth in industrialized and emerging countries and the forces of globalization.

- Dubai based, leading value added distributor Spectrami recognised for its innovative approach by Channel Middle East -

Dubai, UAE –11^thApril, 2013 — Spectrami, the leading value added distributor in the MENA region today announced that it has been awarded as the Emerging DistributionCompany Awardof the Year for its innovative approach and contribution to the growth of IT channel in Middle East.

Channel Middle East, the region most popular IT Channel magazineadjudged Spectrami as the ‘Emerging DistributionCompany of the Year 2013’ at the Channel Middle East Awards 2013 Ceremony, which was held recently at the Fairmount Hotel, Palm Jumeriah inDubai.

Dubai, UAE; December 6 2012: In an effort to regulate the use of the UAE’s federal government logo, the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs’ Government Communications Office launched its second Visual Identity Guideline, to be used by all UAE federal ministries.  This launch came during the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs’ workshop, which saw the participation of 90 government officials from 17 federal ministries.

In line with the directives of the Cabinet, this Visual Identity Guideline is designed to regulate and unify UAE emblem applications for all federal ministries, internally and externally, while reflecting the federal government’s high level of coordination and integration that is already in place.

The Visual Identity Guideline includes a set of illustrative tools and visual criteria for using the federal government emblem and ministries logos on print and online platforms, such as colour usage, printing specifications, along with approved stationary items and photography guidelines.  

UK committed to building on strong trade ties – Prime Minister David Cameron

United Arab Emirates, 28th November 2012: The ambitious development plans which Gulf countries are rolling out represent a wealth of new investment opportunities for British businesses in emerging economic sectors across the region, according to UK Prime Minister David Cameron.  

Describing the Gulf as one of the UK’s key economic partners, Cameron told the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) that bilateral trade between the two sides had increased by 39% over the last two years to reach £29.8bn.

He said Britain recognised the importance of not taking its strong trade ties with the Gulf for granted. “Our deep strategic partnership is well established, through shared ties of history and commerce,” he said. “But I know full well that it is not good enough just to look backwards. We have got to redouble our commitment to a relationship that serves us all so well.”

Cameron’s comments will appear in a selection of the Group’s The Report publications analysing Gulf economies. The reports will include a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, alongside a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders, including the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Maria Van Der Hoeven and the EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.

Cameron said he hoped the skills Britain’s business community possessed would prove instrumental in helping them win key contracts across the Gulf. “The region is weathering the international economic storm, and is embarking on ambitious development plans,” he said. “All of which provide opportunities beyond the established oil and gas sectors – including infrastructure,  transport, education, science and innovation.”

He also highlighted some of the attractions which he said the UK offered Gulf investors, including direct access to the European single market, the lowest corporation tax of any G8 country and a committed, skilled workforce. “This government will continue to work with the sovereign wealth funds of the Gulf and UK financial institutions to attract investment for approximately £250bn worth of opportunities under the UK’s National Infrastructure Plan,” he said.

Each Report in the Gulf will each mark the culmination of up to a year on-the-ground research by a team of analysts from the Group. They will provide information on opportunities for foreign direct investment into the countries’ economies. The publications will act as guides to the many facets of the countries and Gulf region, including their macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and sectoral developments. They will be available in print form or online.

November 17, 2012,Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, has announced that it has introduced new initiatives governing the deployment of navigation aids by various entities engaged in maritime activities, as part of DMCA’s continuing thrust to ensure the safety of Dubai’s waters. DMCA recently concluded a meeting with concerned authorities to discuss the requirements and processes involved in the deployment of navigation aids.

Mott MacDonald’s managing director for the Middle East, Ian Clarke, proposed to attendees at the latest Power and Water Middle East Leaders’ Forum that a key industry objective in the UAE over the next decade should be to develop local Emirati skills through employment of nationals.

“The industry should support the UAE’s own efforts to achieve a higher degree of nationalisation in the labour market, recognising the social benefits of a fully employed workforce and the commitment this would bring to long term business success,” commented Ian. “Delivering locally by local people and supported by international expertise is what Mott MacDonald believes is the best way to respond to many of our customer needs. Our offices around the world are operated and managed by local staff providing services to the local market.”

DUBAI -The much-anticipated BurJuman Junior Chef 2012 kicks off tomorrow, as ‘Treat’ – the BurJuman World Food Fest 2012 enters its final leg

The concluding highlight of the Treat agenda, the BurJuman Junior Chef 2012 takes place from September 18th – 22nd.

The competition will see a total of 300 participants from more than 40 hotels battle it out in a series of creative challenges.

Ship to Ship Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Forum discusses the last 18 months of STS operations in Dubai

September 17, 2012
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), the maritime government authority charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising the maritime sector in Dubai, held its second annual   Ship to Ship (STS) Forum last week.  The semiannual Forum brings the industry together to discuss how the private and public sectors can best work together to ensure the protection of Dubai and the sustainability of the industry.

The existing regulations allowing the STS were introduced in 2011 and have been refined based on input from the STS sector, port operators, local and federal government.  In keeping with DMCA's decree STS providers are selected based on their level of demonstrated professionalism, continued compliance with regulations and willingness to go beyond the minimum standards of care.