UAE Building Construction Market Poised To Hit USD 64 Billion In 2010

The UAE building construction market is projected to reach USD 64 billion in 2010 - a considerable rise from the market’s value at USD 46 billion in 2008, according to a recent industry study, thereby bringing some relief to suppliers as the market is expected to maintain present activity levels over the next three to four years. With aims to leverage the growth prospects within the UAE, Rubber World Industries (RWI), the leading manufacturer of closed-cell rubber insulation ’Gulf-O-Flex’ in the Gulf and South-East Asia, and part of the international business conglomerate, the Memon Group of Companies, has reiterated its commitment to delivering high quality eco-friendly rubber insulation products to projects that are currently under construction in the UAE.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre For Leadership Development Discusses Challenges In Regional And Global Economy

Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) has announced that it recently held a new session of the Dubai Policy Watch Forum for participants of the Government Leaders level, with Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, UK Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, as the keynote speaker. Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson was accompanied by a delegation of 17 senior officials who participated in discussions on key topics such as the future of the Middle East, challenges facing the region, and the world economy.Shortly after his appointment as Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform on October 03, 2008, Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson joined Prime Minister Gordon Brown in a visit to Dubai in November 2008. His participation in the Dubai Policy Watch forum is recognised as a confirmation of Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson’s commitment to help promote bilateral ties and policies that encourage cooperation between the two societies.Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, UK Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform said: "It is highly commendable that Dubai has initiated a long-term program to develop new leaders, particularly those who will eventually serve in the government. All governments need effective leaders to move ahead with their socioeconomic agenda; in the same manner, leadership development is a fundamental requirement for any society to secure the long-term sustainability of its development initiatives."Adel Al Shared, Executive Director of MBRPLD said: "In his capacity as the UK Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson delivered invaluable insights and information that helped the Government Leaders level participants better understand and appreciate the importance of policy making. Lord Mandelson’s visit likewise reinforces the bilateral relations between the UK and Dubai, which have remained important partners in various social and economic programs."Hussein Ali Al Banna, Director of Administration Services, RTA, and participant of Government Leaders level said: "The forum was an exciting opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, who enriched the session through a detailed discussion of British policies, particularly those concerning business regulatory reforms. I believe it is part of our priorities as leaders to be able to understand the policies and long-term objectives of other countries such as the UK. The inputs of a high-ranking government official such as Lord Mandelson surely helped us in this regard."Prior to his new post, Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson was EU Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008. In 1992, he was elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Hartlepool and was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1998, where he was responsible for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and overseeing new measures to strengthen regional development through the creation of Regional Development Agencies. He also published the Government’s Competitiveness White Paper - “Building the Knowledge-Driven Economy” during his tenure.Dubai Policy Watch forum is one of the periodic activities under the Government Leaders program, a level of Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development (MBRPLD) that aims to establish a new breed of elite, talented individuals with distinguished potentials, knowledge, skills and experience at all departments of Dubai Government. The forum facilitates discussions on various challenges and opportunities faced by incumbent and future leaders and proponents of sustainable development.MBRPLD is one of the leadership programs of MBRCLD which has been established in line with the vision and directions of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; who has underscored the critical importance of a highly competent national professional workforce to ensure the country’s global sustainability.The applications for the programs under Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development were submitted through MBRPLD’s website (www.mbrpld.ae). Further details of the programs and the evaluation process are also available on the website.

Classic Hopes On Show At Dubai Duty Free Meeting

Dubai Duty Free returns as title sponsor of Newbury’s important two-day ‘spring trials’ meeting for the fourteenth consecutive year, beginning on Friday, 17 April. The multi-award winning airport retailer is backing no fewer than seven of the fixture’s fourteen scheduled races, highlighted by the £65,000 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, which enjoys Group 3 status and brings together some of the best three-year-old fillies in training over a distance of seven furlongs. This fixture follows a magical night at Nad Al Sheba last month when apprentice jockey Ahmed Ajtebi was the surprise hero with an astonishing double at the celebrated Dubai World Cup meeting. The former camel rider demolished a high class field to win the $5 million Dubai Duty Free on Gladiatorus, and followed that up with a nail biting narrow victory on Eastern Anthem in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Commenting on Dubai Duty Free’s sponsorship, Managing Director Colm McLoughlin, said, "Horseracing continues to play a major role in our sports sponsorship programme and we are delighted to be returning to Newbury in support of the Spring Meeting which is a must see event for those looking for classic race clues.” HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s fancied 2,000 Guineas hope Finjaan will be among several high-profile classic-race candidates on show. A 25-1 chance for next month’s Newmarket showcase, Finjaan has done exceptionally well throughout the winter says his Lambourn trainer, Marcus Tregoning, who is aiming the colt at the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, run over seven furlongs on Saturday, 18 April. "He is as forward as anything I’ve got in the yard and is ready to run," he added. "We worked him over a mile last week and his jockey, Richard Hills, was very pleased with him. If he transmits his work on the gallops to the racecourse, I think he’ll go very well." Her Majesty The Queen’s colt Four Winds, who is 33-1 for the Derby, may be given an entry in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Conditions Stakes which features as part of the programme on the opening day of the meeting. Run over seven furlongs, this hugely significant contest, was inaugurated in 1949 as the Fred Darling Stakes, the same year as John Porter Stakes, which is now known as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Stakes, and also has the distinction of being a Group 3 event.