Donate toys and make a difference

The Mother, Baby and Child Show Abu Dhabi calls on people to help make a difference by donating toys to autistic children.

Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 146 births. A simple donation of a toy, book or game at the Mother, Baby and Child Show (MBC) in Abu Dhabi, will help to brighten an autistic child’s life and help raise funds for the Gulf Autism Centre based in Abu Dhabi.

Children need toys and books to develop necessary motor skills, says the US National Institute for Early Education Research. Studies also show that infant toys are critical for brain growth that affects learning later in life and play is essential for all children to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives,.

Most children receive an abundance of gifts during birthdays and festive occasions, many of which get put away in a cupboard and never used. Encourage your child to share and re-gift one of their many presents or at least ask you children to donate toys they have outgrown, if those toys are in good condition or still in their original packaging.

“This year we also wanted to help make a difference to the lives of children in need, which is why we are launching our special donation drive for the Gulf Autism Centre, as well as our ongoing support to the Make a Wish Foundation.” says Shannon Norris, Events Director for TME, the organisers of the MBC Show:
People who wish to donate can drop off their toy donation at the Mother, Baby and Child Show which will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on 29-31 May 2008. As a way of saying thank you, parents will receive a free entry ticket per family.

Now in its second year in Abu Dhabi, the MBC show offers plenty of free advice as well as the latest in childcare products, goods and services for everyone from parents-to-be through to parents with children up to the age of eight.
“As well as parental and medical advice, there is plenty for children at the show including appearances from their favourite TV characters, entertainment, play areas, goodie bags and bundles of fun,” adds Norris.

“Other highlights this year include a Fashion Show by Babyshop, with clothes modeled by children from the Gulf Autism Centre. To celebrate our first birthday, children born between 29-31 May 2007 will also be invited to join us on stage for cake, games and gifts.”

The special draw at the show will offer a star prize of 2 return tickets to New Zealand courtesy of Air New Zealand, as well as many other fabulous prizes.

The Mother, Baby and Child Show Abu Dhabi is expected to attract 150 exhibitors this year. An impressive 15,000 visitors visited the show in 2007 and TME, the show organisers, are expecting a great turnout again this year. Sponsors of the event include: Fuji Film, Fine, Milupa, Air New Zealand, National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

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Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2008

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Cityscape rings up sales worth Dh20bn

Property development giants dismantled their stands at the end of an international real estate show in Abu Dhabi yesterday after netting more than Dh20 billion and revealing major projects for potential investors.

Despite a surge in property prices because of strong demand and soaring construction costs, real estate has remained the most profitable sector in the UAE, while developers were surprised at the rush by potential buyers from the UAE and other countries.

Exhibitors at the four-day Cityscape Abu Dhabi described the rush at the sprawling Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre as a stampede and some had to cordon off their stands and recruit scores of security men to restore discipline. Besides property companies, banks benefited from the show as hundreds of clients were seen queuing at their stands for mortgage loans.

Most companies did not disclose the exact value of sales made during the show, which was extended by a fourth day yesterday to cope with the rush. But sources of the exhibitors, banks and organisers estimated the combined sales of the more than 200 participants at more than Dh20bn.

"I have talked to people in the biggest exhibiting companies and other firms that reported sales and I can tell you for sure the combined value of sales and pre-sales exceeded Dh20bn," said a source from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

Other sources said total sales surpassed Dh20bn, nearly half of which were announced by Al Zorah city project in Ajman.

Other sales included about Dh1.5bn each by Aldar and Al Qudra, among the largest participants in the show. Hydra sources said sales were worth hundreds of millions of dirhams and involved apartments and villas in the UAE and other countries.

Sorouh, another giant, reported no sales as it only presented projects. "We did not put anything on the market this time but only showed our projects," said Joel Sahli of Sorouh. "Anyway, a large part of our projects have already been reserved and there have been huge sales in the past year."

Organisers estimated that more than 30,000 people visited the show and a large number either bought or booked property.

"During the first three days we recorded more than 26,000 people," said Celine Fenet, Cityscape marketing manager. "We expect more than 4,000 people came on the fourth day although the exhibition opened midday."

Meanwhile, booking clients reported a sharp increase in prices. "I tried to buy property on Reem Island and it was offered to me for Dh4,500 per square foot… this is an astronomical figure compared to last year as it is nearly double now," said Ahmed Fatooh.

The organisation of Cityscape and other property shows in the UAE coincides with a construction boom in the region, where independent estimates expect real estate and construction project to exceed $1 trillion (Dh3.67trn) in five years. The UAE is recording one of the highest rates of construction activity in the Middle East given the sharp rise in liquidity and strong domestic demand.

According to economists, the construction sector has grown by at least 20 per cent over the past five years and is poised for high growth in the coming years. They cited an upsurge in the economy due to strong oil prices, a relaxation of property ownership laws for foreigners and the absence of taxes as the main reasons for the growth.

The massive wealth of some property developers has also prompted them to push into new markets as far as Mexico.

"We have invested in Mexico and are planning to expand such investments to other countries. In Mexico, we are constructing residential housing units in Mazatlan on the Pacific coast while we are about to launch another property project in Lahore, Pakistan, involving houses and offices," said Mohammed Al Habech, commercial director at the Abu Dhabi-based Hydra.

"In the UAE, we are involved in numerous projects. During this exhibition most of the units in the projects we presented were sold out. These include apartments and villas on Reem Island, the Twin Towers in Dubai and other units."

An official from Aldar, one of the largest property developers in the Middle East, said sales included units from Al Dana twin towers at Al Raha beach at the entrance to Abu Dhabi city, Al Khubeira apartments and villas, Al Zeina flats and Munerra apartments. "Most of them, if not all, were sold out. Despite the large increase in prices, the demand is stronger than ever," said Osama Ghannoum, sales manager at Aldar.

Besides massive sales at the show, Aldar announced plans to launch a $1bn real estate fund to push expansions and acquisitions in the United States and Europe. The fund could be released next year, the firm said.

In a statement at the end of the exhibition, Al Qudra Real Estate said it had sold out its Amber Tower within 30 minutes. Amber Tower is the first high-rise building within the Shades development at Shams Abu Dhabi. "Amber Tower is Al Qudra's first development targeting both UAE and expatriate end users and investors," said Claus Peter Rees, Al Qudra acting chief executive officer.

Banks and real estate funds at the show reported a rush by clients seeking loans to buy property. Many of them have signed deals with major property developers to secure long-term loans on the spot to facilitate the transactions at the show.

An average 150 customers flocked to each of those stands every day for mortgage loans of up to Dh8 million for a period of 15 to 20 years. Some of them took advantage of the lower interest rates on loans.

"Many of the customers sought long-term loans knowing interest rates are now lower than before following the Central Bank decisions to cut rates," said Afzal Mehmood, sales executive at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

"We are now charging 7.25 per cent in interest on these loans but the rate could change during the loan period as it could go up or come down… but at present, the rates are much lower as they exceeded eight per cent last year."

Developers acknowledged property prices had sharply risen over the past two years because of a surge in construction costs, strong domestic demand and other factors. But they noted that return from real estate investment has remained high despite the surge in costs.

"Construction costs have sharply grown over the past one to two years because of higher fees of contractors, and the increases in the prices of fuel and building materials," said Imad Danna, CEO of Al Zorah project.

"But prices of property have also increased sharply… this has offset the rise in construction costs and allowed real estate investors to net high returns. We expect property prices to remain high as there is a strong demand here and thousands of foreigners, mainly from the West, are coming here to buy property. The UAE is becoming a major tourism and investment destination and the main reasons are the lax laws and absence of taxes."

Danna also expected rents in Abu Dhabi and other emirates to remain high in the coming years on the grounds demand far exceeds supply and the bulk of property projects are being built outside the cities. "You can see a big supply in those projects outside the cities but supply is very low inside the existing cities. For this reason, rents inside the cities, mainly Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are expected to remain very high," said Danna.

A report distributed at Cityscape by property services firm Asteco showed apartment rental rates in Abu Dhabi city have soared by 24 per cent over the past 12 months.

/Emirates Business24/7/

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Gov't requests Cityscape stay open an extra day

The government of Abu Dhabi on Tuesday requested real estate expo Cityscape Abu Dhabi be extended until Friday following an opening day that saw organisers struggling to cope with the huge number of visitors - people were still queuing up to get in at 5:00 pm.

In what organisers described as an "unprecedented decision", the government asked for the three-day expo to stay open for an extra day.

Attendance records for the first day were smashed, with an estimated 120% increase upon last year’s event, according to organisers.

“We received a formal request from the Abu Dhabi government that they would like us to extend the event by one more day," Mark Goodchild, Cityscape Abu Dhabi project manager, said in a statement.

"This is unprecedented for Cityscape, but considering the massive interest on the first day, it is hardly surprising."

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayhan on Tuesday opened the second edition of Cityscape Abu Dhabi, touring the expo with Khaldoon Mubarak, CEO of Abu Dhabi-owned investment vehicle Mubadala.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

/Arabian Business/

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Abu Dhabi to host major Picasso expo

An exceptional selection of works of Pablo Picasso, spanning all periods and styles in the career of the 20th century’s signature artist, will be presented in Abu Dhabi in the first major Picasso exhibition ever mounted in the Middle East.

To be held from May 27 to September 4, the retrospective Picasso Abu Dhabi, Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris will be shown in Gallery One of Emirates Palace under the patronage of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The exhibition is drawn exclusively from the singularly important holdings of the Musée National Picasso, Paris, which came directly from the artist’s studios.

A total of 183 works will be shown - including paintings, sculptures and works on paper - beginning with Picasso’s Blue Period Self-Portrait of 1901 and concluding with Portrait of the Young Painter (1972), made only months before his death.

Picasso Abu Dhabi, Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris is an international touring exhibition which will visit nine nations, with Abu Dhabi being the second venue after the Madrid debut.

The exhibition is being presented in Abu Dhabi by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the emirate’s leading cultural and tourism asset developer, and Mubadala, a wholly-owned investment and business development company of the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

An exhibition feature exclusive to Abu Dhabi will be the inclusion of 40 drawings, prints and illuminated manuscripts that reveal, for the first time, Picasso’s development of a calligraphic poetry on the border between text and image. These 40 works are reminiscent of the Arab cultural influences that Picasso absorbed during his youth in Málaga.

The staging of the exhibition forms another component of a wide-reaching arts education programme being undertaken by Abu Dhabi ahead of the opening in the Arabian Gulf emirate of the world’s single largest concentration of premier cultural institutions.

Unprecedented in scale and scope, these facilities include the Shaikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum, a performing arts centre and a maritime museum.

All have been designed by international architectural luminaries including Lord Norman Foster for the Shaikh Zayed National Museum, Frank Gehry for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, Jean Nouvel for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zaha Hadid for the performing arts centre and Tadao Ando for the maritime museum.

These institutions will be built in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island – a 27 square kilometre island offshore Abu Dhabi city which is being transformed by TDIC into a world class cultural, leisure and residential destination – and will be phased in from 2012-13. /TradeArabia News/

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Donate toys and make a difference

The Mother, Baby and Child Show Abu Dhabi calls on people to help make a difference by donating toys to autistic children.

Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 146 births. A simple donation of a toy, book or game at the Mother, Baby and Child Show (MBC) in Abu Dhabi, will help to brighten an autistic child’s life and help raise funds for the Gulf Autism Centre based in Abu Dhabi.

Children need toys and books to develop necessary motor skills, says the US National Institute for Early Education Research. Studies also show that infant toys are critical for brain growth that affects learning later in life and play is essential for all children to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives,.

Most children receive an abundance of gifts during birthdays and festive occasions, many of which get put away in a cupboard and never used. Encourage your child to share and re-gift one of their many presents or at least ask you children to donate toys they have outgrown, if those toys are in good condition or still in their original packaging.

“This year we also wanted to help make a difference to the lives of children in need, which is why we are launching our special donation drive for the Gulf Autism Centre, as well as our ongoing support to the Make a Wish Foundation.” says Shannon Norris, Events Director for TME, the organisers of the MBC Show:
People who wish to donate can drop off their toy donation at the Mother, Baby and Child Show which will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on 29-31 May 2008. As a way of saying thank you, parents will receive a free entry ticket per family.

Now in its second year in Abu Dhabi, the MBC show offers plenty of free advice as well as the latest in childcare products, goods and services for everyone from parents-to-be through to parents with children up to the age of eight.
“As well as parental and medical advice, there is plenty for children at the show including appearances from their favourite TV characters, entertainment, play areas, goodie bags and bundles of fun,” adds Norris.

“Other highlights this year include a Fashion Show by Babyshop, with clothes modeled by children from the Gulf Autism Centre. To celebrate our first birthday, children born between 29-31 May 2007 will also be invited to join us on stage for cake, games and gifts.”

The special draw at the show will offer a star prize of 2 return tickets to New Zealand courtesy of Air New Zealand, as well as many other fabulous prizes.

The Mother, Baby and Child Show Abu Dhabi is expected to attract 150 exhibitors this year. An impressive 15,000 visitors visited the show in 2007 and TME, the show organisers, are expecting a great turnout again this year. Sponsors of the event include: Fuji Film, Fine, Milupa, Air New Zealand, National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

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ADAC readies for 2.7 million tourists

Ahead of the Arabian Travel Market 2008 (ATM), set to run from May 6 - 9 May, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has acknowledged that both leisure and business tourism into the UAE capital are becoming key drivers in boosting passenger throughput at its airports.

"As Abu Dhabi looks to create a modern, cultural capital for the Middle East tourism, it is expected to grow in line with such designs. Abu Dhabi International Airport has ability to cater a growing number of tourists and passengers," said Mohammed Al Bulooki, director of Marketing and Communications, ADAC.

The gateway to the UAE; Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first point of reference for visitors and travellers to the Emirate and as such ADAC, the owner-operator of the airport, has stated that it recognises its responsibility as being the face of Abu Dhabi to millions of travellers and tourists per year.

With tourism figures to the UAE capital and the wider Emirate set to reach 2.7m by 2012, ADAC's airport developments can be seen as a series of complementary projects that will enable tourism growth and cater to an increasingly wider range of international travellers into Abu Dhabi.

In line with the growing number of tourists, by 2012 tourists arriving and leaving Abu Dhabi will be treated to a truly world-class airport experience at the new Mid-Field Terminal Complex, a 40m capacity airport which will offer some of the world's best retail and hospitality environments.

"While many parallels have been drawn between the hospitality industry and tourism, it is clear that a modern, aviation hub with best-in class infrastructure situated in the heart of the UAE capital will be essential to tourism growth and as a preferred destination into the UAE," he added.

"In enabling guests to enjoy smooth, hassle-free access to the country when coming via Abu Dhabi Airports, we have an opportunity and duty to enhance the tourists' experience and leave both initial and lasting impressions in the memories of all visitors," said Al Bulooki.

Working closely with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as well as the 37 airlines operating out of Abu Dhabi, ADAC is constantly looking to enhance the passenger experience through its airports. This will continue later this year with the new Terminal 3 which will boost the airport's current passenger capacity from seven to twelve million per year.

"ATM 2008 is a great platform from which ADAC can establish and work closer with the travel, airline, tourism and other related agencies in order to develop, co-operate and enhance every tourist's visit to Abu Dhabi," concluded Al Bulooki. WAM

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Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has entered its final phase of construction

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has announced that Phase 2 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has entered its final phase of construction.

The main structural work of the Dhs500m Phase 2 development is complete and the main shell of the building is now in place; over the next few weeks glazing, marble and other key elements will begin to be installed.

Construction is scheduled for completion in September this year.

Simon Horgan, CEO of ADNEC said: 'Despite testing conditions within the regional construction industry, construction on Phase 2 has progressed on schedule throughout the entire development. This is a credit to all involved'.

Horgan stressed that the speed of development has been credited to the company's highly successful partnering program, which has been adopted in all its development initiatives.

'The partnering program places all parties involved in the project as a single team to immediately tackle and overcome issues that may arise. ADNEC pioneered this non-confrontational approach to building on Phase 1 with a huge amount of success; it is a philosophy that is central to all of our development projects'; Horgan added.

ADNEC; lead contractor Arabtec; project manager MACE and engineering and architectural consultant RMJM have employed a specialist team of 12 people from Greece to work on Phase 2.

RINOL Hellas SA is credited for significantly speeding up the build process by ensuring better quality and technical superiority of the building project.

On completion of Phase 2, ADNEC will be the largest exhibition centre in the Middle East with over 55,000 square metres of fully interconnected exhibition space spread across 12 halls; said a statement from ADNEC.

ADNEC has been developed as the centrepiece project of the Dhs8b Capital Centre project, a fully integrated community development that is considered a strategic element of the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision. /WAM/

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Paris Sorbonne-Abu Dhabi at GETEX 2008

Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (PSUAD) is present at the GETEX Dubai; Gulf Education and Training Exhibition, which is held from the 2nd till the 5th of April 2008 at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This participation serves the goal of intensifying the awareness of this renowned French teaching University, its programs and services. Dr. Daniel Balland, Director General of the university commented: "we were approached by a very interesting mass of talented students who are willing to know more about the university and the possibility of learning French before specializing. It has also been a good experience for us to learn where our university stands in the gulf market and get to know the market's key players".

It is worth mentioning that PSUAD has opened recently its Masters programs in Urban and Regional Planning, and Marketing, Management and Communication. The university is also considered a Research and Cultural center. As Abu Dhabi is growing to become the Arab World cultural centre, Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi serves this objective by frequently hosting cultural events within that frame.

PSUAD is a Humanities and Law university that appreciates all fields of humanities and artistic subjects. This and other important facts concerning student-life and cultural activities were explained, by the staff at the corner, to students and professionals.

Admission Committee also explained that in case students had no experience with the French language, the university offers an Intensive French program that lasts from one semester to an entire year. The university follows the LMD European system for Higher Education, that is Licence, Master, and Doctorate; where students receive their bachelor degree (European Licence) in three years, followed by a 2-year-Master Program, to finally study on different intervals the Doctorate. PSUAD degree is accepted and accredited at all universities belonging to the European Union.

The university offers a European Licence (3 years) in the following areas: Archaeology & History of Art; Economics; Geography & Urban Planning; History - Civilization and International Affairs; Languages & Business; Law and Political Science; Modern Literature; and Philosophy & Sociology. These programs are offered in addition to the Professional Master Programs mentioned previously.

PSUAD enjoyed a good location at the exhibition which reflected its prestigious image, and the exhibition gained the exhibitor's appreciation due to its high level of organization.

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Interiors UAE exhibition opens

Interiors UAE, a brand new event for the interiors and furnishing sector, began in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

CMP Information, UK’s leading exhibition & events firm, is organising the exhibition in joint venture partnership with Channels Exhibitions.

The show was inaugurated by Mohammed Omar Abdullah, under-secretary for the Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy, in the presence of Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, managing director of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

The exhibition, which runs up to April 2 at Adnec, will showcase the best of brands and companies in the furnishing and interiors sector from around the globe.

With a booming market of residential and commercial spaces, coupled with an attractive retail market, the 2008 interiors market is likely to cross the $2.7 billion mark with Abu Dhabi fast becoming a commercial hub for the entire region, said the organisers.(TradeArabia News Service)

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The 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) was opened yesterday

The 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) was opened yesterday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, by Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, in the presence of UAE dignitaries, Arab writers and personalities from the international book industry.

After cutting the ribbon, Shaikh Hamdan toured the fair venue, accompanied by Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director-General of ADACH, and Jumaa Al Qubaisi, Director of Kitab, the event organiser.

“ADIBF invites everyone to attend a great event and a great opportunity to see and buy the latest publications from the Arab world, India, China, France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and many other countries,” said Shaikh Sultan.

“The original thought was that of a bazaar, where people could congregate to buy a wide range of books. However, as the demand for the event has grown, so has the book publishing industry across the region. Two years ago we decided to use the fair to help strengthen the opportunities for the industry and encourage inter-cultural dialogue,” Al Qubaisi stated.

There are 430 publishers attending the event, about 70 per cent are from the Arab countries. About 100 more international publishers have joined the fair, many of them for the first time. The range of books is also more varied, from educational and children’s books, to general fiction and non-fiction, as well as art and technical titles.

The first day of the fair was reserved for trade publishers only, with several programmes offered for them, including opportunities to meet new business partners, discussions on translation issues, setting up a database for Arab books in print, a forum on Attractive Children’s Library - perspectives from Singapore, Europe and the UAE, the sensitive issue of dealing with rights and licences and an introduction of the Arab book market to the international publishers. Source

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Abu Dhabi Book Fair to be bigger this year

The 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is going to be bigger than ever before, an official said.
Talking to Khaleej Times, Juma Al Qubaisi, director of Kitab, the company that’s organising the event along with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), said the book fair this year would have a slew of side events besides a big event every day.

The fair, to be held at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre, will kick off on March 11 and will last until March 16.

Al Qubaisi said, “The Book Fair is only part of the plan to develop the book industry in Abu Dhabi and making books part of the daily lives of people here.” He said there would be many firsts at the event.

“This year we’ll have a zero tolerance on piracy and we have warned publishers that we’ll not allow them to participate unless they have authentic copyrights for their books. We have already rejected more than 100 Arab publishers so far,” revealed Al Qubaisi.

He also pointed out that since readers can’t easily spot a pirate book from one with authentic copyright, part of Kitab’s role is to make sure no fake books are entering the fair. “We generally know the publishers who sell pirate books and we will ask for licenses and proof of copyrights”, said Al Qubaisi.

Claudia Kaiser, general manager of Kitab, added that rights’ sale is a big thing in the western world.

“Even to translate a book you first need to have the rights from the author or the publisher and the copyright issue becomes ever more complicated, specially now that there are electronic books as well”, Kaiser told Khaleej Times. She explained that combating piracy would be one of Kitab’s tasks for the future, as the company will start an awareness campaign on this problem.

“Part of this campaign will be an International Copyright Congress, which we will organise in 2010, in Abu Dhabi”, revealed Kaiser. Source

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KITAB launches Book Crossing initiative

KITAB, a joint venture company between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Frankfurt Book Fair, and organiser of the upcoming 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), is warming up for ADIBF by bringing the global initiative 'BookCrossing' to Abu Dhabi.

Taking place from 11th to 16th March under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, this year's ADIBF will play host to a number of innovative activities.

Book Crossing will be the first initiative to kick off this Fair, which is well in line with KITAB's mission to help promote reading in the Arab world.

Starting on 4th March, a week prior to the Fair, Kitab will, during one week, distribute over 350 books (13 different titles) free-of-charge to the public from a booth in the Capital's Marina Mall. Each book will contain its own dedicated serial number and a sticker asking the reader to log on to and register that they are reading the book.

When finished with the book, the reader is asked to pass it on to friends or family, or leave it in a public place, so that it may be read by someone else. All those who have read the book can then track its journey on-line, as it passes from person to person.

All the books being distributed have been written by authors attending this year's ADIBF, including Alaa al-Aswany, Turqi Al-Hamad, Khairy Shalaby, to name a few.

"For this year's Fair, we've spiced up the programme with initiatives that we're sure will delight our visitors,? said Mr Jumaa al-Qubaisi, Director of ADIBF. "In our increasingly electronic world, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not lose the enjoyment of reading.

''Book Crossing is an ideal way to encourage young people to pick up a book and enjoy interactivity with that book's journey, demonstrating the pleasure that reading a book can bring," he added.

The 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair kicks off March 11th and runs till March 16th. The first day, March 11th, will be dedicated exclusively for trade visitors. ADIBF will be open daily from 10am - 9pm. The Fair is sponsored by Sorouh and its official media partner, Abu Dhabi Media Company. (WAM)

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Abu Dhabi Book Fair to start March 11

Under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Kitab company in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), will organize the 18th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which begins March 11 and runs through until March 16.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, chairman of ADACH said, "ADACH will give all efforts to make the book fair successful and be one the most important fairs of its kind in the world ." ''This year the fair will witness intensive participation from different countries all around the globe,''he added. (WAM)

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International Security National Resilience Exhibition

Some 147 specialist companies from 20 countries will display a range of equipment and technology aimed at counter terrorism, intelligence and threat assessment, border and transport security, critical infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, and crisis management and response, at the inaugural edition of ISNR Abu Dhabi, which takes place March 2 - 5, 2008.

ISNR (International Security National Resilience) will be held March 2 - 5, 2008 under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces.

The event is organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East with the support of the UAE Ministry of Interior and will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The UAE?s Critical National Infrastructure Authority is the official sponsor of ISNR Abu Dhabi.

ISNR Abu Dhabi is the region?s very first show focused on homeland security and exhibitors at the event will seek to tap the AED 7.7 billion regional market for homeland security products and services, organisers said in a press release issued Wednesday.

Occupying 13,400 square metres of gross space, ISNR Abu Dhabi will feature four national pavilions from the US, the UK, Switzerland and Germany. Exhibitors from 16 other countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, France, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, India and Singapore will also take part.

Over 8,000 trade visitors including officials from the interior and defense ministries from the region, staff involved in management of security and emergency planning for ports, airports, borders, urban transport systems and government facilities, and facilities directors are expected to attend.

Brigadier Matar Salem Bin Mesayed Al Neyadi, Chairman - ISNR Abu Dhabi Organizing Committee, said :?ISNR Abu Dhabi is the first event of its kind in the region and addresses the growing need for sophisticated equipment to counter international terrorism, protect national borders and build enough resilience to respond to disasters, whether natural or the result of terrorist action?.

The UAE Ministry of Interior has invited official delegations from 33 countries to attend the show.

?ISNR Abu Dhabi was conceived to provide the market in the region exposure to the latest products, services and technologies in the homeland security domain and we are very pleased to present the inaugural edition of the show to the market,? said Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East. Reed Exhibitions is a world leader in creating high profile, targeted, industry events.

Theux added that governments in the region were investing heavily to counter international terrorism, secure infrastructure and borders and build disaster resilience.

According to a study commissioned by Reed the Middle East?s security market will be worth over AED 7.7 billion this year and will grow over 50 percent to reach AED 11.8 billion in 2013. In 1998 security spending in the region was just over AED 2.9 billion.

Alongside the exhibition, the ISNR Abu Dhabi Conference is also being organised on March 2nd by the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), in close cooperation with UAE?s Ministry of Interior and Reed Exhibitions Middle East.

Top police and security officials from the UAE, the UK, France, Germany, the US, and Canada will share their knowledge, experience and insights on combating threats to international security and national resilience.

The ISNR Conference is expected to be attended by up to 300 delegates and more than 100 managers of industrial and security companies.

Among the leading speakers at the ISNR Abu Dhabi Conference are Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, John McCarthy, Executive Manager for Operations for the UAE?s Critical Infrastructure Authority, Tarique Gaffur from the London Metropolitan Police, Colonel Peter Sehr from the German Federal Police and Emile Perez from the French police.

In addition, Raphael Perl from the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Bob Evans from the South Wales Police and Ransom Avilla, from the US Department of Homeland Security will also speak at the conference.

The ISNR Conference offers participants a unique opportunity to benefit from a comprehensive, high-level, industry platform that brings together stakeholders from the government, public sector, police and emergency response, transport and critical national infrastructure protection and commercial and private security domains.

ISNR Abu Dhabi is the second leg in the ISNR series and follows ISNR London held 2-5 December 2007 at the National Hall, Olympia, London. ISNR Abu Dhabi incorporates the former Security and Safety Middle East, Infosecurity and APTS (Airport, Port & Transport Security) Middle East exhibitions.(WAM)

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Crisis & Emergency Management Conference (CEMC)

Around 300 delegates representing 15 countries will attend the Crisis & Emergency Management Conference (CEMC) to be held on March 3 and 4 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The conference will feature expert speakers from different parts of the world, drawing focus on local and regional crisis preparedness.

The CEMC is being held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE?s Armed Forces.

The pioneering initiative of the UAE's National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) is aimed at raising awareness in the UAE and the region about crisis preparedness.

Top officials including ministers, ambassadors, military attaches and senior officials from the public and private sector have registered to attend the conference. Some of the countries represented by the delegates are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Canada and the US.

HE Mohamed Khalfan Al Romaithy, General Manager of NCEMA, said: ?This is the first time that a conference of this scope is being held in the region on crisis and emergency management. Although this is the very first edition of the CEMC, we are very pleased with the tremendous response that we have received from domestic and international circles.

'' We are delighted that there is so much interest in crisis and emergency management, and we are sure that this conference will add great value and bring new insights to this region." ?This conference is one of the very first initiatives undertaken by NCEMA and focuses on a topic that affects the security and safety of people and countries in the region,? he added.

The speakers will cover a wide variety of topics ranging from national security and counter terrorism to preparedness, trans-border pandemics, and the role of technology in crisis and emergency management.

CEMC Abu Dhabi is organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East on behalf of NCEMA.

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Editors' Note: NCEMA: The National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority is the UAE's newly created federal body that has been set up to oversee a coordinated national approach to crisis and emergency management. The NCEMA organization is currently being established and the Crisis and Emergency Management Conference in Abu Dhabi is its first major initiative.

Source

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ADNEC increases exhibition market in UAE capital by 185 per cent in its first year

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC) has revealed that, during the first operational year of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, there was a massive 185 per cent increase in the number of major exhibitions staged in Abu Dhabi. ADNEC has also announced that to celebrate the first anniversary of its opening, it will participate in three major international events in February 2008: London’s CONFEX 2008, Melbourne’s AIME and China’s UFI Open Seminar in Asia.

Since ADNEC was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, on February 18th 2007, the venue has staged more than 40 major events and exhibitions.

Simon Horgan, CEO of ADNEC, said: “The international model for a new exhibition centre shows us that, in the majority of cases, a venue takes time to establish itself in the market; up to 5 years in some cases. We’ve re-written this model. We staged more than 40 major events last year, compared to 14 at the old facilities in 2006. We have 60 events scheduled for this year and are forecasting around 1.5 million visitors – this puts us right in the top tier of international exhibition centres. Considering that Phase 2 of ADNEC does not open until autumn this year, this is a quite remarkable achievement.”

Sue Howarth, Client Liaison Director, said: The international organising community has been very quick to embrace Abu Dhabi as a major exhibition destination. ADNEC’s attention to creating world class facilities and ancillary services has helped to stimulate the market for exhibitions here and we’re delighted with the success of the first 12 months of operations.”

ADNEC was recently cited as a major contributing factor in the success of the UAE as a global conference destination. Abu Dhabi was also ranked as the second most important destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) in the Gulf, a rise of nine places in just one year. Source

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Abu Dhabi Recruitment Show

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is taking advantage of its participation in the Abu Dhabi Recruitment Show (Tawdheef) to showcase its plans for the development of national human resources.

Visitors to ADAC stand in Hall 2 will have a closer look at ADAC plans to build world-class airport facilities in support of Abu Dhabi?s strong drive to become a leading business and tourist hub.

Jobseekers will be able to submit their profiles onto ADAC system and get the chance of being considered for joining the ADAC team.

ADAC Chairman and Managing Director Khalifa Al Mazrouei said: ?We are offering UAE nationals exciting career opportunities in a multitude of areas. Those who join us will benefit from excellent career development opportunities, and the privilege of helping build a world-class gateway for the capital of the United Arab Emirates.? UAE nationals who are considering customer services as a future career will have a chance of being admitted to a paid internship programme designed to provide them with first hand experience in customer services.

Submissions will be evaluated on the spot and the successful candidates will undergo two months of intensive training aimed at improving their customer service and interpersonal skills.

Developing the national talents ranks high on ADAC plans. "We have achieved a record 24 per cent emiratisation rate since the company was incorporated in March 2006," said Al Mazrouei.

"This is only the beginning. As part of ADAC's ambitious social agenda, we want to ensure that UAE nationals are strongly involved in the multi-billion airport expansion programme, which offers a rare opportunity for gaining skills and knowledge through interaction with some of the world industry leaders involved in the programme," he added.

The Abu Dhabi Recruitment Show kicks off on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre and will run through the 14th of February. (WAM)

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Cityscape Abu Dhabi to focus on Abu Dhabi's bid to lead sustainable development

With plans for a carbon neutral city, the attention of an increasingly environmentally conscious world has turned to Abu Dhabi as the capital of the United Arab Emirates bids to establish a global lead in sustainable development, said an industry expert.

'The immediate focus is Masdar City - a zero-carbon, zero-waste, renewable energy powered and car-free environment which is part of Abu Dhabi's USD15 billion Masdar Initiative,' said Riad Mannan, Director of the Cityscape Abu Dhabi Sustainable Development Conference in May. 'The threat of global warming is concentrating minds on the way we live and work,' he added.

The conference will focus on leading real estate developers, designers, architects and contractors who will discuss finding new ways to design and build sustainable buildings. The conference takes place at the second Cityscape Abu Dhabi - the International Property and Investment Show - at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 13-15 May 2008.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi, launched last year with the support of prominent government ministers and key government agencies, surpassed all expectations. This year the event is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors from over 100 countries with more than 300 exhibitors showcasing projects from over 50 different countries.

Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Al Jaber, a key speaker at the conference, commented that the zero-carbon city will be 'a living example of sustainable development' which will position Abu Dhabi - the world's fourth largest oil exporter - at the forefront of new energy utilisation. "Today, as global demand for energy continues to expand and as climate change becomes a real and growing concern, the time has come to look to the future," Al Jaber added.

As a further sign of its leading role in sustainable development, Abu Dhabi has signed a two year agreement with the global conservation organisation WWF to help monitor the emirate's ecological footprint and develop strategies to reduce it to a sustainable level.

A Cityscape Abu Dhabi awards dinner, to be held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on May 13 will also recognise professionals and companies who have shown outstanding performance in sustainable development.

A parallel conference on Real Estate Finance and Investment will also bring together leading investors, property developers, bankers, fund groups and all those ultimately interested in the real estate property market in the region.

'The Middle East has been witnessing robust growth in its non-oil sectors, with the real estate sector making a significant contribution,' said Real Estate Finance and Investment Conference Director Irina Awote. 'In Abu Dhabi alone projects proposed, planned or under construction total $327 billion.' Awote added: 'There are positive forecasts for Abu Dhabi's real estate sector in particular. Investors and developers are taking full advantage of changes in the law, extensive tourism plans, the tax-free property investment environment and the fact that Abu Dhabi has a legal structure for the ownership of property.

Platinum sponsors of Cityscape Abu Dhabi include Mubadala, Aldar Properties, Sorouh, Escan, The Land Holding Company and Al Qudra Real Estate. Dubai World Central, Tameer and Saudi Oger have taken Gold sponsorship and the Silver sponsors are Future Brand and DAS Holding. The Associate sponsor this year is The Department of Municipal Affairs, Emirate of Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

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World's largest gold coin showcased in Abu Dhabi

Ambassador of Canada Sara Hradecky today opened a show hosted by the Royal Canadian Mint to display the world's largest gold coin as acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records.

The coin is made of 99.999% pure gold, weighs 100 kg and has a face value of 1 million USD.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sultan bin Nasser Al Suweaidi, Governor of the UAE Central Bank, Jim Metcalf, President of the Canadian Business Group in Abu Dhabi and officials from the Royal Canadian Mint. (WAM)

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