Abu Dhabi

SPECIAL REPORT C DECEMBER 29, 2009 • • • • • • •

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CONTENTS An oasis of progress

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Economy on track

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Clean city of the future

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Preparing for future demand

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Striving for quality education

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Steady growth

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Significant progress in healthcare

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Garden city in economic bloom

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Walking tall in the cultural landscape

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World-class sporting destination

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Fundamentally strong

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

AN OASIS OF

PROGRESS Abu Dhabi has remained strong culturally and politically despite its rapid development. Traditions are maintained even while fulfilling the needs of the 21st century

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BU DHABI, UAE’s capital city and largest emirate, has played an integral role in the country’s dramatic transformation in a short span of five decades. Careful planning and an abundance of hydrocarbons have helped the emirate to metamorphose from a desert outpost to an economic paragon.

Abu Dhabi’s economy is expected to expand by four per cent during 2010, according to a government official in the emirate.

Mohammed Omar Abdulla, under-secretary of the Abu Dhabi department of economy, told reporters that this would be in line with the expected growth in the UAE as a whole.

He noted that it is generally difficult to forecast how much the economy will grow in the UAE because of the country’s dependence on oil revenue, which he said accounts for 60 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s revenues.

“That is why we are trying to diversify our economy away from oil and we have planned to enhance the share of non-oil revenue to 60 per cent in Abu Dhabi by 2030,” he commented.

The official added that Abu Dhabi plans to set up new export and business centres during 2010 to improve trade and promote small and mediumsized businesses.

Under the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Shaikh

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Government of Abu Dhabi published a long-term plan for the transformation of the Emirate’s economy, including a reduced reliance on the oil sector as a source of economic activity over time and a greater focus on knowledge-based industries in the future.

Entitled ‘The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’, the document provides a comprehensive plan for the diversification of the Emirate’s economy and a significant increase in the non-oil sector’s contribution to the Emirate’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2030.

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 will establish a common framework for aligning all policies and plans that contribute to the ongoing development of the Emirate’s economy. It seeks to create significant opportunities for the local and international private sector in the Emirate, and new employment opportunities for UAE nationals in the future, particularly in highly-skilled, knowledgebased, export-oriented sectors.

Today Abu Dhabi is both an emerging holiday destination and modern business metropolis thanks to meticulous planning. It also has numerous geographical advantages. It takes up 87 per cent of the country’s total land mass, while its coastline stretches over 700 kilometres.

Oil and gas were first discovered in the UAE in 1958 and Abu Dhabi has 95 per cent of UAE’s oil

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

reserves and 92 per cent of its gas reserves. Through its network of affiliate companies and subsidiaries, the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has developed a world-class integrated oil and gas industry. ADNOC, which oversees production of more than 2.7 million barrels of oil per day is the world’s sixth largest oil exporter.

There are plans to boost output capacity above 3 million barrels per day by 2011 and simultaneously expand oil-related industries.

In response to the increasing demand for power and desalinated water, Abu Dhabi is making every effort to boost gas production. The multibilliondollar gas project in Shah, together with ConocoPhillips, is an outstanding example of this.

The first natural gas from the 1 billion-cubic-feetper-day gas processing plant is expected to flow in around four years.

In January 2008, the federal government signed a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with France and in November, the same year, the UAE signed an MoU on nuclear cooperation with the UK. Both the pacts were preceded by a GCC request to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a feasibility study on nuclear power in the region.

The nuclear pacts were part of the government’s desire to reduce carbon emissions and also meet the rising energy demands due to a growing economy and its electricity-hungry projects. In May 2009, the US administration backed UAE’s proposed nuclear cooperation agreement with the US. Once approved, the agreement will give US companies the necessary authorisation to compete and bid in

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In 2009, the Government of Abu Dhabi oversaw preparations for a number of major international events that have helped in expanding the Emirate’s international profile. The recent Formula One racing in Abu Dhabi was an event that put the emirate under international spotlight.

The race track is situated on Yas Island where a Ferrari Park is being developed UAE’s nuclear programme.

Despite its rapid development, the emirate has remained strong culturally and politically.

Traditions are maintained even while fulfilling the needs of the 21st century. Not only is Abu Dhabi a leading influence in the UAE, it is also a growing force in regional and global politics because of its huge resource wealth and strategically vital position.

In terms of its qualities like affluence, diversity and stability, Abu Dhabi has very few parallels in the Middle East or even in the world. In the immediate future the emirate is likely to witness

increased investments in infrastructure and public services with the government playing the role of enabler and regulator rather than direct provider.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) manages most of the surplus income from the Abu Dhabi’s oil resources with the objective of securing and maintaining the current and future prosperity of the emirate. ADIA’s investments in the past have helped Abu Dhabi to acquire undervalued shares in large companies and diversification of the economy away from dependence on oil resources.

According to top Government of Abu Dhabi officials, 2009 has been a year dedicated to implementation of significant policies and plans under the guidance of Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

A comprehensive energy policy and a longterm plan for education are also expected to help the government in meeting its broader social and economic goals in the future. The emirate’s Department of Economic Development is working with key public and private organisations to ensure that policies and plans identified in the Economic Vision 2030 are implemented efficiently and effectively.

In 2009, the Government of Abu Dhabi oversaw preparations for a number of major international events that have helped in expanding the Emirate’s international profile. The recent Formula One racing in Abu Dhabi was an event that put the emirate under international spotlight. The race track is situated on Yas Island where a Ferrari Park is being developed. Environment friendly initiatives like Masdaar City further boosted the emirate’s image.

Abu Dhabi is a modern city with broad boulevards, iconic office and apartment buildings and busy malls boasting top international brands.

Despite its naturally sandy environment, the city is known for its greenery. The former desert strip has been successfully transformed, today offering numerous parks and gardens to its residents, including the picturesque Corniche.

The more significant buildings of the city include Qasr Al Hosn; headquarters of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company; headquarters of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; and the Cultural Foundation.

Emirates Palace is reputed to be the most expensive hotel ever built. Abu Dhabi emirate is the home of UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology. Its infrastructural facilities include a world-class port; Abu Dhabi International Airport; Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre; and Zayed Sports City. The city’s already extensive cultural and leisure facilities will be greatly enhanced by the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 2011.

The Guggenheim will be situated on Saadiyat Island, which is destined to become an up-scale cultural district. The Louvre will also be opening there, the first outpost of the famous Parisian Museum in the world. ■

ABU DHABI REGIONS

ECONOMY ON TRACK Abu Dhabi is the second largest economy in the region and the government is keen on making the legislative environment more business-friendly so as to bolster the emirate’s position as an attractive place for investments

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N 2008, Abu Dhabi’s economy fared better than most major markets hit by the global downturn, cushioned by the wealth generated by the emirate’s substantial hydrocarbon assets and also by drawing strength from its comparative advantages like access to relatively inexpensive energy and labour.

As per 2008 figures, the emirate accounted for nearly 58 per cent of the UAE’s overall GDP. Oil production contributed 60 per cent to the emirate’s total GDP. Even in 2009, retrenchments in the emirate’s private sector were far lesser than those in rest of the world. Abu Dhabi’s public sector proceeded with all its major developments.

The emirate invested billions of dirhams in developing roads, electricity and water supply networks, port development and housing projects.

The development work extended to the emirate’s outlying regions as well.

The main focus of the government’s development plan was to ensure that all three regions – Al Ain, Al Gharbia and Abu Dhabi received investments and opportunities.

The emirate’s rising population has been one of the key drivers of growth. In 2008, the emirate’s population grew by 7.5 per cent to reach 2.3 million compared to a national average of 6.6 per cent. Although global economic slowdown is expected to reduce population growth, Abu Dhabi is not likely to be affected as it continues to attract foreign workers and many workers in the country relocate to the emirate.

In 2008, manufacturing industries contributed 11.6 per cent of the emirate’s GDP followed by government services with 7 per cent and financial services with 5.6 per cent and real estate and business services with 4.2 per cent. Financial experts have predicted massive potential for private equity growth in the region and say it is likely to play an important role in sectors such as construction, transport and services for the oil and gas industries and construction.

DIVERSIFICATION The government is continuing its efforts to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil and gas exports. A boost in non-oil industries and services to the point that they contribute a major share to the GDP has been listed as a primary objective in ‘The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.’ The government is targeting a 7.5 per cent growth in sectors like petrochemicals, metals, aviation and tourism in the coming years by diverting its oil revenue into developing these key industries, many of which are closely related to the energy sector or rely on hydrocarbons as key inputs.

The seven areas of economic policy focus, according to Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, are building a more efficient business environment, adopting disciplined fiscal policies that are responsive to economic cycles, establishing a

monetary environment that manages inflation, improving efficiencies in the labour market, developing infrastructure, raising the level of human resources and making financing more easily available to growing enterprises by improving the financial markets.

The government envisages that making the legislative environment more business friendly would bolster Abu Dhabi’s position as an attractive place for investments, considering that it is the second largest economy in the region.

Abu Dhabi also set up its own statistics bureau to better assess its economic performance and promote itself as an international centre that rivals benchmark nations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to benefit from this move.

As part of its diversification strategy the emirate also wants to balance the development of large enterprises with the encouragement of SMEs. It points out that reliance on large enterprises makes the emirate’s economy more susceptible to corrections in any given sector, recessions in key export markets or liquidity crises.

The Khalifa Fund to Support and Develop SMEs provides quality training and international expertise, as well as finance, market intelligence, support services and business incubators to empower all sections of society.

Another significant aspect of the emirate’s diversification strategy is a shift towards economic growth in less developed regions of the emirate, particularly the significantly less-populated Western Region. Although this region accounts for 34 per cent of the emirate’s GDP, only 9 per cent of the emirate’s total population lives there. The average household income of people living in the region is less than 50 per cent of those living in

Abu Dhabi city. In order to raise income levels of approximately 180,000 residents of the region, the government is focusing on education, health care, employment generation and infrastructure in the Western Region.

An initiative was launched in 2006 in cooperation with private firms to improve the curriculum of six public schools in the Western Region. The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) is expanding the airport runway at Sir Bani Yas Island to increase passenger capacity to 300,000, making the airport a major entry point for the region.

The Western Region Municipality and the Department of Transport have set aside $950 million for roadway improvements in the area. A $3-billion resort at Jebel Dhanna is a major tourism project in the region. According to Economic Vision 2030 the envisaged world-class leisure, tourism and retail facilities for the Western region are not just fruits of growth but prerequisites for development. The emirate’s balanced approach to economic development reassures both residents and investors that the economy is on track for future growth. ■

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

ECONOMY ON TRACK Abu Dhabi is the second largest economy in the region and the government is keen on making the legislative environment more business-friendly so as to bolster the emirate’s position as an attractive place for investments

I

N 2008, Abu Dhabi’s economy fared better than most major markets hit by the global downturn, cushioned by the wealth generated by the emirate’s substantial hydrocarbon assets and also by drawing strength from its comparative advantages like access to relatively inexpensive energy and labour.

As per 2008 figures, the emirate accounted for nearly 58 per cent of the UAE’s overall GDP. Oil production contributed 60 per cent to the emirate’s total GDP. Even in 2009, retrenchments in the emirate’s private sector were far lesser than those in rest of the world. Abu Dhabi’s public sector proceeded with all its major developments.

The emirate invested billions of dirhams in developing roads, electricity and water supply networks, port development and housing projects.

The development work extended to the emirate’s outlying regions as well.

The main focus of the government’s development plan was to ensure that all three regions – Al Ain, Al Gharbia and Abu Dhabi received investments and opportunities.

The emirate’s rising population has been one of the key drivers of growth. In 2008, the emirate’s population grew by 7.5 per cent to reach 2.3 million compared to a national average of 6.6 per cent. Although global economic slowdown is expected to reduce population growth, Abu Dhabi is not likely to be affected as it continues to attract foreign workers and many workers in the country relocate to the emirate.

In 2008, manufacturing industries contributed 11.6 per cent of the emirate’s GDP followed by government services with 7 per cent and financial services with 5.6 per cent and real estate and business services with 4.2 per cent. Financial experts have predicted massive potential for private equity growth in the region and say it is likely to play an important role in sectors such as construction, transport and services for the oil and gas industries and construction.

DIVERSIFICATION The government is continuing its efforts to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil and gas exports. A boost in non-oil industries and services to the point that they contribute a major share to the GDP has been listed as a primary objective in ‘The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.’ The government is targeting a 7.5 per cent growth in sectors like petrochemicals, metals, aviation and tourism in the coming years by diverting its oil revenue into developing these key industries, many of which are closely related to the energy sector or rely on hydrocarbons as key inputs.

The seven areas of economic policy focus, according to Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, are building a more efficient business environment, adopting disciplined fiscal policies that are responsive to economic cycles, establishing a

monetary environment that manages inflation, improving efficiencies in the labour market, developing infrastructure, raising the level of human resources and making financing more easily available to growing enterprises by improving the financial markets.

The government envisages that making the legislative environment more business friendly would bolster Abu Dhabi’s position as an attractive place for investments, considering that it is the second largest economy in the region.

Abu Dhabi also set up its own statistics bureau to better assess its economic performance and promote itself as an international centre that rivals benchmark nations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to benefit from this move.

As part of its diversification strategy the emirate also wants to balance the development of large enterprises with the encouragement of SMEs. It points out that reliance on large enterprises makes the emirate’s economy more susceptible to corrections in any given sector, recessions in key export markets or liquidity crises.

The Khalifa Fund to Support and Develop SMEs provides quality training and international expertise, as well as finance, market intelligence, support services and business incubators to empower all sections of society.

Another significant aspect of the emirate’s diversification strategy is a shift towards economic growth in less developed regions of the emirate, particularly the significantly less-populated Western Region. Although this region accounts for 34 per cent of the emirate’s GDP, only 9 per cent of the emirate’s total population lives there. The average household income of people living in the region is less than 50 per cent of those living in

Abu Dhabi city. In order to raise income levels of approximately 180,000 residents of the region, the government is focusing on education, health care, employment generation and infrastructure in the Western Region.

An initiative was launched in 2006 in cooperation with private firms to improve the curriculum of six public schools in the Western Region. The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) is expanding the airport runway at Sir Bani Yas Island to increase passenger capacity to 300,000, making the airport a major entry point for the region.

The Western Region Municipality and the Department of Transport have set aside $950 million for roadway improvements in the area. A $3-billion resort at Jebel Dhanna is a major tourism project in the region. According to Economic Vision 2030 the envisaged world-class leisure, tourism and retail facilities for the Western region are not just fruits of growth but prerequisites for development. The emirate’s balanced approach to economic development reassures both residents and investors that the economy is on track for future growth. ■

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

CLEAN CITY of the FUTURE Major hydrocarbon producer Abu Dhabi has established its leadership in environmental conservation and renewable energy by launching the Masdar Initiative

By Jamila K. Qadir

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ASDAR CITY is the world’s first carbon-neutral zero waste city and is headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Masdar is derived from an Arabic word which means “the source.” It complements the vision of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the former President of the UAE, who pioneered environmental conservation in the country.

Being the first major hydrocarbon-producing economy to take such a step, Abu Dhabi has established its leadership by launching the Masdar Initiative.

The Masdar Initiative is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a whollyowned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) a global cooperative platform for the open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mankind’s most pressing issues like energy security, climate change and the development of human expertise in sustainability.

Abu Dhabi is leveraging its substantial resources and experience in global energy markets into the technologies of the future. One key objective of Masdar is to position Abu Dhabi as a world-class research and development hub for new energy technologies, effectively balancing its strong position in an evolving world energy market.

A related objective is to drive the commercialisation and adoption of these and other technologies in sustainable energy, carbon management and water conservation.

In doing so, Masdar will play a decisive role in Abu Dhabi’s transition from a technology consumer to a technology producer.

The goal is the establishment of an entirely new economic sector in Abu Dhabi around these new industries, which will assist economic diversification and the development of knowledgebased industries, while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s existing record of environmental stewardship and its contribution to the global community.

“The emirate of Abu Dhabi is investing in long-

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term strategic development of sustainable future energy technologies,” says Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, chairman of Masdar.

The Masdar Initiative, established by Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is a logical development of the emirate’s long-standing commitment to a sound environmental strategy and continuing economic diversification.

It aims to become the source of energy, knowledge and innovation in order to position Abu Dhabi as a global new energy leader. Masdar is committed to the optimum use of natural and human resources so that Abu Dhabi can develop into a global centre of excellence for renewable energy research, development, and innovation.

In addition to building a zero carbon, zero waste city, Masdar is investing in a range of new energy technologies, establishing a post-graduate research institution and developing a carbon management unit.

All these activities, and a range of other initiatives, are aimed at laying the groundwork for vital and sustainable new industries, Al Sayegh says.

The long-term aim is to create a broad range of innovative industries that will generate a steady flow of new ideas, technologies and advances.

Firmly networked into the global economy, these industries will transform Abu Dhabi’s economic role and will contribute to the development of national and regional economies.

When that is accomplished, Abu Dhabi will then have completed its transition from a 20th century carbon-based economy into a sustainable 21st century high-technology economy.

It will also be setting the pace as a global leader in the energy industry, in technology and in sustainability, he says.

According to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of the company, the Masdar Initiative is multi-faceted. “We are positioning ourselves as global leaders in the push for new lowcarbon energy technologies and clean, sustainable ways of living. Therefore, we are working across a variety of different areas. Sometimes we are investing directly, in other areas we are building partnerships and creating networks,” Al Jaber explains.

The Masdar Initiative is a continuation and an evolution of Abu Dhabi’s five decades of leadership

as a global energy provider. “We developed considerable expertise over that period and we have inherited a strong tradition of environmental custodianship and a commitment to sustainability,” he says.

The world today faces two major challenges, global warming and the need to meet the evergrowing demand for energy. Leadership in both areas is needed.

“In Masdar, we believe we can deliver practical leadership by showing what can be done, and by demonstrating how to do it. It is an ambitious aim, but we are confident we can deliver,” Al Jaber says.

The initiatives include substantial investment in innovative and renewable energy technologies; the fostering of talent, expertise, and knowledge sharing in renewable energy disciplines; the construction of local and regional green power production facilities that complement and balance fossil fuel production.

They also include the reduction of carbon emissions through active participation in carbon markets and the creation of a model, zero carbon, zero waste city that demonstrates the practical viability and appeal of living in alternative energy environments.

The development of clean sources of energy is a global responsibility with benefits for every aspect of life on our planet. “We recognise that, to achieve our aspiration to play a leading role in fulfilling this responsibility, we need to collaborate with a broad range of partners who share our vision and commitment to a cleaner future. We are investing considerable resources to create a groundbreaking global network that fosters creativity and encourages innovation.”

Thanks to the support and drive of the Abu Dhabi government, Masdar has grown quickly from a vision to reality.

“The construction of Masdar City, powered entirely by renewable energy, is already underway.

The Masdar Institute is commencing work, its investment funds are already fuelling future energy inventions and innovations, and we are working with long-established industries to reduce carbon emissions.”

“This is just the beginning of a long story. Our aspirations are broad and our ambitions global. It is going to take time for Abu Dhabi to become a truly global centre of excellence but we are committed to making that happen,” he says. ■

ABU DHABI REGIONS

PREPARING FOR

FUTURE DEMAND The emirate’s Department of Transport is busy supporting Abu Dhabi’s next wave of urban development

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OTH Abu Dhabi government and prospective investors are closely following plans for the emirate’s future transport network. Strong population growth since the turn of the century fuelled the need for new infrastructure and transport services.

The government masterplan aims at redeveloping the city and turning it into a global destination, with the emirate’s Department of Transport busy supporting Abu Dhabi’s next wave of urban development. Major transport sector projects include the Dh1.1-billion third terminal to the Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ), planned to be the largest of its kind in the world.

The airport’s capacity has already been raised from 9 million passengers a year to 12 million passengers. In its bid to keep pace with the surging demand for regional air transit capacity, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has gone ahead with the refurbishment of Terminal 1, a facelift to Terminal 2, and construction and gradual phasing in of Terminal 3. It is also expected that by 2012 a new Midfield Terminal Complex situated between the two runways may replace the existing complex. Once the bulk of the passenger and cargo activity is shifted to the new

building, the airport’s capacity will treble.

ADAC, which was created in 2006, manages the emirate’s other airports as well. These include Al Ain International Airport, which services the inland oasis city of Al Ain, several small domestic airports, including Sir Bani Yas and Delma island airports and Al Bateen, which is located on Abu Dhabi island.

Al Bateen which once served as a military base, is currently being renovated at a cost of Dh200 million to transform it into an exclusive facility for private jets carrying passengers, who wish to land directly in the capital’s centre.

The emirate’s Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP) looks ahead to the year 2030 when the capital’s population is expected to reach 3 million.

It foresees a transformation in not only the way the UAE capital city’s residents commute but also largescale changes in the way commercial goods will be transported.

STMP deals mainly with roads and mass transit.

Upgrades and capacity increases for the aviation industry and the rebuilding and reshuffling of industrial seaports are laid out separately.

In 2006 the emirate’s Department of Transport was merged with former departments of seaports and civil aviation. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) now oversees port operations, management and development. As per a partnership agreement, global ports operator DP World provides its international ports management expertise to support and enhance operations in the emirate’s major ports.

The emirate is preparing to shift operations at the main port at Mina Zayed to a new industrial area at Taweelah, north of the capital, after Khalifa Port is developed and commissioned. This would create the third and largest port in the emirate. At present Mina Zayed serves as the import and export hub thus affecting the flow of traffic through the city. By shifting the port, freight passage will be removed from the city centre thus easing the flow of traffic.

Of STMP’s proposals, roadways, bridges, trains, trams, buses and the metro are changes that affect individual passengers, while commercial projects such as construction of a freight railway and plans to encourage more shared use of roadways are in the interest of freight efficiency.

ROAD NETWORK The emirate boasts premier road network with paved roadways connecting Abu Dhabi city, the sparsely populated Western region, the inland oasis of Liwa as well as small towns and villages. The network is also indicative of the government policy of

KT photos: Iftikhar Shaheedi

spreading transport infrastructure upgrades equally to the benefit of outlying areas, thereby helping in easing migration to cities.

In order to alleviate the problem of traffic congestion, which is causing economic losses of nearly Dh5 billion per year, the government plans to introduce an urban public transit system that rivals or even exceeds the best in the world. By doing so it hopes to take off substantial number of the city’s residents off the roads and thus unclog the city’s arteries.

In order to reduce traffic congestion outside the urban areas the government is prioritising projects like the widening of the Mafraq-Ghweifat highway.

Abu Dhabi also hopes to be associated with green energy and environmentally friendly mass transit.

Its new metro will consist of 130 kilometres of lines on two routes traversing the city centre with a supplementary network of 350 kilometres of trams. A high-speed rail link will connect major nodes on the network.

The Department of Transport is already working in coordination with major property developers to ensure that the metro, trams and planned high-speed rail link have the right of passage through major developments and that the planned stations will be integrated into new projects. ■

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

Striving for quality

EDUCATION The new education policy is aimed at building an advanced education system which enhances the country’s development projects and encourages its competitiveness regionally and internationally

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DUCATION is a mirror of the UAE’s progress and civilization. It also enhances national identity among students as part of the country’s strategic plan and programme. “Our goal is to provide educational services that would achieve educational development according to international standards,” says Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education.

Al Qattami lauded the projects and plans of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) that call for achieving best international educational practices. He also praised the support of the UAE’s wise leadership to the ministry’s educational development programmes and its visions in creating an educational system that harmonizes with the best universal educational standards, preparing students for a beneficial and productive life.

The ministry’s mission also leads to a successful educational system compounding students, schools and parents in a harmonizing system that achieves the highest levels in educational performance in a way that helps deepening the spirit of responsibility in all levels and develops people’s obligation towards serving the community.

Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, says the new education policy is aimed at building an advanced education system which enhances the country’s development projects and encourages its competitiveness regionally and internationally. Al Khaili says the government of Abu Dhabi wishes to be one of the top five governments around the world.

KT ILLUSTRATION: SIDHARTHAN

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“The concentration on higher education is to bridge the current gap between graduates and the market place in support of the emirate’s 2030 economic vision,” says Salem Al Sayari, acting director general of the council.

The focus of higher education saw a shift from bookish knowledge to research based and job market readiness initiatives for sustainable development.

Reiterating the vision of the country, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak,the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: “We are committed to providing our students with the knowledge and skills necessary for living and working in a global environment.”

The vision of Abu Dhabi Education Council is to provide educational services, including a distinct contribution to helping students to build their capacity to support the growth and prosperity of Abu Dhabi.

“As part of the 10-year strategic plan of the council, the schools of the future were designed to provide positive learning environments that will enhance the quality of education in Abu Dhabi and achieve excellent learning outcomes,” says Al Khaili.

The government’s leadership stressed that the student should be the main focus of the desired developments in the educational system. Students’ performance and their ability to keep up with all of the advancements in the scientific and technical fields will be encouraged.

“Providing a learning environment through the development of state-of-the-art school buildings and facilities is essential for the success of the proposed educational system,” says Al Sayeri.

Meanwhile, ADEC has unveiled its school facilities programme at the Building Schools Exhibitions and Conference - Middle East and North Africa (BSEC Mena) held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on December 13 and 14.

The school facilities programme will see the building of 18 new schools across the Emirate starting in mid-2010.

These are the first new schools to be developed under rhe council’s 10-year strategic plan.

The schools will include seven Cycle 1 (Grade KG-5) schools, seven combined Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 schools (Grades 6-12), two Cycle 3 schools (Grades 10-12), and two KG-12 schools. The programme will provide learning environments of the highest quality that support current teaching methods and new curricula while supporting the population growth of the Emirate.

“ADEC’s strategic plan is a historic transformation of the education system that will deliver educational excellence. Providing students with world class learning environments is a key element of our 10-year plan and is the foundation for achieving excellence,” says Al Sayeri.

“With the best facilities to support them, students will have a greater chance of achieving their learning goals and will be better able to help Abu Dhabi reach its goal of economic diversification and growth. I am delighted that we have Musanada as our partner in delivering better schools for a better future,” added Al Sayeri.

Established by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Musanada develops and manages cost-effective and responsive services for the Government of Abu Dhabi. As part of its memorandum of understanding with ADEC, Musanada will provide design and construction management services as well as construction supervision for each of the 18 sites.

“What we are doing is creating a new way of learning.

Development of analytical skills in our students is a key objective of ADEC’s strategic plan and these

ABU DHABI REGIONS

new learning communities combined with the other innovative features of our school designs will help bring this initiative to life,” says Hamad Al Daheri, Director of Infrastructure and Facilities at ADEC. “In addition, research has proven that a well-designed school building could be a decisive factor on driving student achievement, and retaining quality teachers.”

ADEC’s new school designs will be economical, and easy to build and operate. For the first time, sustainability features have been incorporated into school design such as energy efficient air conditioning systems, and water saving devises.

Other key features of the new school designs include special attention to maximizing the use of daylight, and maintaining indoor air quality acoustics and thermal comfort to provide students and teachers with a healthy, safe and stimulating work environment.

Labs and ICT rooms will also be furnished and equipped with the latest technology, and every educational space in the new school buildings will be fitted for wireless Internet connections.

For the first time also there will be dedicated classrooms for music, art and design, and technology that will be fully equipped to support diverse learning opportunities. The new school designs will include sport facilities, swimming pools, auditoriums, libraries and other spaces which can be used by the community after school hours.

“The Future Schools Design Competition not only provided students with a valuable creative integrated learning opportunity, it also gave us insight into the features and elements of school design that appeal to students,” says Sayeri.

Education chiefs in Abu Dhabi have unveiled plans to build 18 new schools by the end of 2011 as part of the new strategy.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council is set to begin construction work on the facilities in mid 2010 and is planning a further 12 schools by the end of 2012.

These schools will be the first to be developed under ADEC’s 10-year strategy plan, the council said in a statement.

The programme aims to provide learning environments of the highest quality, which supports the latest teaching methods and new curricula, while also being able to cater for the population growth of the UAE, the council added.

Meanwhile, a revamp on the national curriculum, new staffing strategies to attract qualified teachers to meet international standards and strengthening courses in Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies have also been announced.

Meanwhile, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology places Abu Dhabi prominently on the world map as the Middle East’s first graduate academic institution dedicated to research of alternative energy, environmental technology and sustainability. It welcomed its first batch with 92 students from across the globe in September this year.

Alongside state-of-the-art federal universities, academic hubs have attracted top ranking universities, diversifying opportunities for those who do not wish to travel abroad for higher education.

Zayed University became the first federal university to enroll international students for higher education courses this year. ■

For the first time there will be dedicated classrooms for music, art and design, and technology that will be fully equipped to support diverse learning opportunities. The new school designs will include sport facilities, swimming pools, auditoriums, libraries and other spaces which can be used by the community after school hours

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

TOURISM

STEADY GROWTH Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority aims to attract 2.3 million hotel guests to the emirate by 2012 and it sees an increase in the number of hotel rooms to 24,000

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T

HE World Tourism Congress has estimated that the tourism industry across the Middle East region will grow at an annual rate of 5-10 per cent over the next decade and Abu Dhabi with 80 per cent of the UAE’s land mass, beaches, mountains and also the world’s largest sand sea is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity and realize its tourism potential to the fullest.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which manages the tourism industry of the emirate, has set a new target of attracting 2.3 million hotel guests to the emirate by 2012 and it sees an increase in the number of hotel rooms to 24,000. In order to realise this goal the authority has increased its marketing campaign abroad. This included pavilions at 17 travel fairs across 11 countries in 2009. The campaign will further expand to three more emerging markets – India, Spain and Malaysia – next year.

In 2008, the emirate received about 1.5 million guests and the ADTA expects similar tourist numbers this year despite the impact of global economic crisis. Abu Dhabi witnessed a 15 per cent rise in tourist numbers each year from 2004 to 2008. Officials say that its adjusted target now eyes a 10 per cent growth in tourists next year, with a further 15 per cent predicted for 2011 and 2012.

The perception that Abu Dhabi is a destination for mainly business travellers is changing fast with the development of new projects like Sir Bani Yas Island and Saadiyat Island which will be home to Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and a local branch of Louvre.

Meanwhile, events like Abu Dhabi’s first F1 racing Grand Prix in November this year have raised the emirate’s profile and also brought it a direct economic return. Held at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit on Aldar’s Yas Island development, the F1 racing Grand Prix turned the world’s attention to

the capital of UAE. On an average this event attracts more than 600 million viewers worldwide.

ADTA’s five-year plan up to 2010 targets seven major events and it intends to pursue this as part of its long-term approach to build a destination for events. According to top ADTA officials, events of an international scale and calibre deliver exposure well beyond the shores of UAE and present great opportunities, destination awareness, economic and cultural benefits to Abu Dhabi.

ADTA reported a 7 per cent dip in hotel occupancy rates between November 2008 and January 2009, but undeterred, the government pressed ahead with its expansion plans. It has continued to work on improving tourist attractions and business travel, a growing sector in Abu Dhabi.

The capital city’s hotels are confident that they can emerge unscathed from the global downturn because they are more reliant on business travellers than leisure tourists. The emirate’s strong infrastructure and hydrocarbons sectors continue to draw in visitors for business purposes. Hotels continue to witness demand from engineers, industrialists and businesspeople. Abu Dhabi also receives a lot of diplomatic visitors and tourists from foreign missions. Demand for hotel rooms is also bolstered by the growth of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry.

Endowed with 200 natural islands, Abu Dhabi is exploiting its potential for ecotourism by injecting capital to transform this land into a high-end, low volume tourism destination. Tourism Development Investment Company (TDIC) has embarked on a plan to transform Sir Bani Yas Island into a five-star nature resort. The island is situated 170 kilometres to the west of Abu Dhabi City in the waters of the Gulf.

The government and private sector are rolling out a number of low-density luxury resorts. Aldar Properties, is working on the 1.8- million-square-

ABU DHABI REGIONS metre Al Gurm resort to the West of mainland Abu Dhabi. This eco-resort is being built among the emirate’s mangroves. A $272-million development, it will be managed by Banyan Tree Hotel Resorts, and have 161 private suites and a residential component containing 72 luxury homes.

The comprehensive tourism strategies developed in conjunction with local organisations and communities to identify tourism expectations and opportunities, will cover all regions in the emirate including Al Ain and Al Gharbia (Western Region). While Al Ain has traditionally been a major destination for local and regional visitors, investments are being sought to expand the region’s tourism infrastructure base. This will include visitor accommodation, attractions, dining and retail facilities.

Al Gharbia has scenic and unspoilt natural environment comprising desert heartland such as Liwa, nearly 350 kilometres of underdeveloped fertile coastline, islands and a maritime environment. The Qasr Al Sarab desert retreat is coming up in the Liwa Desert.

With successive surpluses and regular oil revenue streams, Abu Dhabi has the capability to continue diversification of the economy through tourism.

TDIC plans to launch projects worth up to Dh10 billion by the end of this year. It has parcelled out land and supervised phased large-scale projects. The company will also be responsible for bringing 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi city’s hotel rooms to the market by 2012.

Abu Dhabi still faces an undersupply of hotel capacity and both hoteliers and potential investors are coming forward to take advantage of this opportunity. Abu Dhabi had 13,000 hotel rooms in 2008 and it is estimated that 7,800 more rooms will be added by the end of this year.

Projects to go on-line this year, providing more hotel rooms, include the Qasr Al Sarab desert retreat, the first Aloft property in the Middle East with 480 rooms, seven hotels by Aldar Properties on Yas Island, which includes the five-star deluxe Yas Marina Hotel which opened in time for the Formula One Grand Prix season. The seven hotels on Yas Island include a mix of five-, four- and three-star properties and together will increase the number of hotel rooms by 3,000.

The $27-billion Saadiyat Island is Abu Dhabi’s leading development. Early this year, TDIC admitted repriortising some of its unannounced major projects because of the cautious debt markets.

However, Abu Dhabi’s longer-term vision has not been jeopardised and its showpiece projects are expected to be delivered on time, raising the emirate’s profile as a tourism destination. ■

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

Significant progress in HEALTHCARE This year, the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi has updated the pharmacy law to prevent the misuse of the prescription process

By Olivia Olarte

H

EALTHCARE in Abu Dhabi has made significant progress during the past year with the launch of a new autism centre in January, to the introduction of the first health insurance portal in the region by Daman, and the opening of ambulatory (outpatient) healthcare centres and family clinics across the emirate aimed at bringing the healthcare services closer to the residents.

The past year was also the time when the swine flu scare caused many to doubt the capabilities of the local health facilities and authorities to handle the pandemic, especially during the re-opening of the new school year.

The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has lived up to the challenge by holding series of workshops aimed at educating the frontliners such as the medical, airport and seaport personnel on how to handle suspected cases for H1N1. Later, it held joint training sessions with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) for educators and school medical teams on the management procedure of swine flu infection amongst students.

HAAD has also identified the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and Zayed Military Hospital as National Influenza Reference Laboratories in Abu Dhabi to process influenza-like-specimen. As part of the ongoing efforts to monitor and curb the spread of swine flu, SKMC sought accreditation to become a National Influenza Surveillance Centre of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June this year.

Some of the major launches during the year included the inauguration of the autism centre, New England Centre for Children - Abu Dhabi and the Kennedy Centre for New Life at the Oasis Hospital in Al Ain for paediatrics and maternity.

New speciality units were also opened this year including the new Orthopaedic, Sports Injury and Arthroplasty at Lifeline Hospital and the new state-of-the-art Therapeutic Apheresis at SKMC. The success stories continue with major breakthroughs in surgery including a complex maxillofacial surgery involving a radical reconstruction of the jaw of a 14-year old boy, successful implantation of a Biventricular Assist Device (BiVad) to replace the failing heart function of a teenage girl, a rare heart surgery of a 13-year old girl and a number of kidney transplantations at SKMC. In an effort to curb illegal medical

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practices, HAAD’s regular inspections resulted in suspension of licenses of several physicians and a banning of one doctor from medical practice due to violations of health regulations, and closure of three medical facilities for flouting rules.

This year, HAAD has also updated the pharmacy law to prevent the misuse of the prescription process. However, despite all these progress and the quality infrastructure in place, there remain certain challenges that needed to be addressed including the continuous lack of trust on the local healthcare system with patients seeking treatment abroad; the rising cost of accommodation in Abu Dhabi, which dampens the medical tourism potential of the emirate; and the lack of research and development.

Healthcare experts were of opinion that the lack of trust among the residents were primarily driven by poor perception of the health system here and called for an effective brand building. In addition, the healthcare services also need to be improved in order to boost patient confidence.

For this reason, The National Investor (TNI), a regional investment and banking group, will spearhead the establishment of healthcare-services projects in the region with an initial investment of around $70 million in the region, with a particular

Abu Dhabi has restructured its healthcare system to ensure that all residents — nationals and expatriates alike — have access to high-quality medical care at a reasonable cost by encouraging greater participation by the private sector focus on the UAE, starting with Abu Dhabi.

The investment plans include the establishment of a medical simulation and training centre, recertification services, (chronic) disease management centre and health records management and equipment business management.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has restructured its healthcare system to ensure that all residents – nationals and expatriates alike – have access to high-quality medical care at a reasonable cost by encouraging greater participation by the private sector.

Looking ahead, there is much to look forward to for the residents of Abu Dhabi. This include the opening of Danat Al Emarat, a world-class hospital for women and children located at Mohammad bin Zayed City in 2011, as well as 20 new state-ofthe-art outpatient health centres by United Eastern Medical (UEMedical) company within the coming years.

Mafraq and Al Ain Hospitals will also undergo expansion and renovation to include new buildings, additional facilities and increased number of beds and departments by 2013.

These are but few examples, but significant enough to recognise that the Abu Dhabi healthcare sector has gone a long way, brought mainly by the continuous joint efforts between the local health authorities as well as private and government healthcare providers and institutions. ■

ABU DHABI REGIONS

ABU DHABI COUNTRY CLUB

EXPERIENCE THE THRILL

OF WALKING IN THE AIR SPACEWALK is open to all members and non-members and is the most entertaining attraction of Abu Dhabi Country Club HAVE YOU ever drive past the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club (ADHFC) and wondered what that tall tower was all about? That tower happens to be the only indoor skydiving facility in the Middle East, known as SPACEWALK. SPACEWALK is the most adventurous attraction of the club provided with all the

facilities and personnel expertise that make the experience as real and as thrilling as outdoor skydiving.

Major changes and developments have taken place in ADHFC, which recently changed its name to Abu Dhabi Country Club to better reect its purpose and live up to its reputation.

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ABU DHABI REGIONS Abu Dhabi Country Club provides luxury services to everyone from business to family clientele. Apart from the fitness and sports facilities, the club also possesses one of Abu Dhabi’s hidden gems that is the gourmet restaurant Sardinia Abu Dhabi Country Club membership fees are usually very moderate, and the club provides various promotional packages.

Non-members may use most of the club’s facilities on a daily basis according to the availability except on weekends.

SPACEWALK is open to all members and nonmembers throughout the week and is the club’s most entertaining attraction. The SPACEWALK’s senior flight instructor, who has years of skydiving experience, demonstrates the indoor skydiving process.

Before each flight, users are shown an introduction video and are provided with a personal briefing by one of the flight instructors explaining how to position the body and what communication signs are to be used during the flight.

Users are required to wear protective suits with helmets and goggles, and with every flight experience there is a flight instructor present inside the flight chamber and outside there is a controller who adjusts the fan to control the wind speed and pressure.

The moment users step into the flight chamber, they are thrown up in the air and the skydiving fun begins. With SPACEWALK team of experienced skydivers at hand, the flight will provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Anyone can try indoor skydiving, regardless of gender, experience or age provided that the participant is at least three years and has a body weight that does not exceed 90 kilograms.

A 2-minute flight (equivalent to 1 hour on the treadmill) is Dh180 and is perfect for anyone

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looking to experience human body flight.

The club’s outdoor facilities include a swimming pool, 9 tennis courts, basketball and squash courts.

Other developments taking place at the club include a pizzeria, with live pizza cooking in a wood stove oven, a sports complex with an Olympic-size swimming pool, a multi-purpose court along with a two exercise studios and a junior (under 17) gym that are scheduled to open on 1st January, 2010, as well as a spa built over 1,200 square metres that is set to open in 5-6 months’ time.

The indoor fitness facilities consist of a gym that is the biggest and best equipped in Abu Dhabi, and a smaller gym for women only. Bowling, squash courts and aerobic classes are also available.

The club’s aerobic classes offer the increasingly popular and trendy Lesmills packages that offer 8 different aerobic programmes for all levels – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced so that everyone can enjoy.

Apart from the fitness and sports facilities, the Country Club possesses one of Abu Dhabi’s hidden gems that is the club’s gourmet restaurant, Sardinia.

The proud owner of 6 Timeout awards, the opulent restaurant with its golden pillars offers a unique menu with lavish food presentations including a 12 and 18 course meal or small appetizers served on 12 plates.

Abu Dhabi Country Club provides luxury services to everyone from business to family clientele and puts the words “it is impossible to overdo luxury” into a reality. ■

ABU DHABI REGIONS

Yusuff Ali wins Abu Dhabi Chamber election Indian businessman was re-elected for a second consecutive term with a massive 2,256 votes YUSUFF ALI MA, a prominent Indian businessman, has secured his place as a director in the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry after a clean sweep at the elections.

He was re-elected for a second consecutive term with a massive 2,256 votes out of 2,599 casted by foreign voters.

The elections were held for 15 seats of the board of directors of the Chamber including two seats reserved for the expatriate business community in the Emirate.

This is the second time elections were held for the Board of Directors. Both the expat candidates were part of the ‘Abu Dhabi First’ panel which consisted of 15 candidates. The new board to be sworn in for a fouryear term will take office in January 2010.

Yusuff Ali, managing director of Lulu Hypermarket Group, thanked fellow business community members who voted for him irrespective of his nationality and vowed to work for their welfare and boost the economy of Abu Dhabi.

Vayalar Ravi, Indian Minister for Overseas Indians, extended his best wishes to Yusuff Ali and described the landslide victory as a proud moment for India and Indians. He hoped that Yusuff Ali’s close relationship with the rulers and royal family would benefit the large Indian community in the Gulf.

Talmiz Ahmed, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said Yusuff Ali’s victory would further strengthen Indo - UAE relations and boost trade between the two countries. ■

Supporters celebrate the victory of Yusuff Ali after the election results were announced

Business community lauds Dr Alom Dr Kassem Alom says “the hard work now begins for us to develop Abu Dhabi further and execute the economic 2030 vision” ABU DHABI’S business community has congratulated a leading businessman Dr Kassem Alom, who has been elected member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).

Dr Kassem Alom, managing director of Al Noor Hospital Group, won the election for the first time with 1,715 votes.

He is also the president of Syrian Business Council in Abu Dhabi.

Elected on a board seat reserved for the expatriate businessman, Dr Alom’s election would encourage foreign investor’s proactive role in Abu Dhabi’s economy.

The presidents of various business councils and leading businessmen across the country congratulated him.

Dr Alom told supporters that the hard work now begins for us to develop Abu Dhabi further and execute the economic 2030 vision.

Dr. Alom is a specialist in internal medicine and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, UK. Al Noor Hospital recently won the Shaikh Khalifa Excellence Award in the health care sector and Dr Alom received the award from Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor of UAE. ■

Dr Kassem Alom basks in the glory of ADCCI election victory

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ABU DHABI REGIONS

‘Garden City’ in

ECONOMIC BLOOM

Al Ain has emerged as a regional centre for commerce and tourism, boasting a nascent aerospace sector

A

L AIN in Abu Dhabi’s eastern region is famous as the ‘Garden City’ with a relaxing atmosphere and resplendent natural beauty, however, that’s not all it has also emerged as a regional centre for commerce and tourism.

For centuries, Al Ain was the summer settlement for the people of Abu Dhabi, seeking respite from the humidity of the coast. Today the eastern region is developing as a haven for those seeking tranquility as well as growth-focused businesses.

The city’s population is expected to rise to 206,100 by 2015.

According to Abu Dhabi’s master plan, Al Ain will see a shift towards a high-income service economy with focus on tourism, financial and business services, health care and education. The area is also fast emerging as a national and regional centre for tourism, targeting the more affluent and discerning visitors looking for a wide range of experiences and activities.

Development projects are aimed at achieving these goals. These include an airport expansion project which will see the construction of facilities to handle the largest aircraft, luxury hotels, golf courses, an indoor ski slope on the flank of the Jebel Hafeet mountain, a safari park, a heritage village and reconstructed traditional souq.

The name Al Ain means “the spring” in Arabic and befittingly it is set amidst lush greenery. It is famous for its parks and tree-lined streets. This is offset by the rolling desert dunes and the majestic

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Jebel Hafeet mountain in the background.

The main oasis of Al Ain is the location for a local art gallery and souq structured on the model of Al Ain’s old market. It will be constructed from traditional materials such as adobe (a natural building material). The shops will employ local merchants. Of the two other galleries planned within these precincts, one will display modern art and the other more offbeat art. Visitors will be able to admire the natural beauty of the area from the walkways around the oasis.

In addition to its natural beauty and great tourism potential, Al Ain benefits from its proximity to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both major entry points for tourists. However, its main selling point is that it is far less busy than both UAE’s trading hub and capital city. In addition to the region’s traditional lifestyle, cultural activities and architecture modern tourism facilities are also being developed.

The opening of the Bawadi Mall, the eastern region’s largest mall, has made Al Ain city an active player in the UAE’s retail market. The mall, which opened in the first half of this year, includes a Carrefour hypermarket with over 400 shops, many of them featuring top international brands.

The complex has been built on a 80,000-square metre plot, offering 110,000 square metres of gross leasable area. The complex also houses a traditional souq offering local handicrafts and a livestock market.

The supermarket is at the heart of the shopping and leisure complex, where customers can spend

ABU DHABI REGIONS

an entire day. Eight cinemas, a bowling alley and a go-kart track serve their entertainment needs.

As per the master plan, the private sector will play a major role in the operation of many public services in Al Ain. The city’s public sector has been streamlined in recent years and as a result the number of government employees fell from 16,277 in 2003 to 1,415 in 2007. The number of foreign employees also dropped to 23 per cent of the total workforce in Al Ain. As part of the ongoing development, improvements are being made to the city’s infrastructure. The government is focusing mainly on the road development. In 2007, road projects worth Dh660 million were executed by Al Ain Municipality. By the end of that year there were works worth Dh1.75 billion under way and contracted and planned investments worth Dh2.3 billion in the pipeline.

AEROSPACE VENTURE As part of Abu Dhabi’s diversification efforts, Al Ain is playing a central role as home to a nascent aerospace industry, with advantages like low costs and a globalised and well-funded business environment. In June this year, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Mubadala Development Company formed a partnership to create the Al Ain Aerospace Cluster.

Abu Dhabi is clear that its diversification strategy must cover high value added science and technology based sectors such as aerospace manufacturing. The agreement is also expected to boost technology transfer to Emirati workers.

The cluster will be located adjacent to Al Ain International Airport. A partnership between ADAC and bavAIRia will be central to the cluster’s development. It will house aerospace companies specialising in maintenance, repair and operations, small parts manufacturing, aerostructures (aircraft frames parts), satellite navigation equipment and aircraft interiors. bavAIRia is a German aerospace cluster and through its agreement with ADAC, a series of joint teams will be formed between local aerospace enterprises and leading German firms in their respective fields.

German aerospace firms which are part of the joint teams include engineering firm Atena, leading engine manufacturer Aerotech Peissenberg: MTU Aero Engines, carbon-fibre reinforced parts manufacturer SGL Carbon and RUAG Aerospace.

The range of aerospace segments represented in the cluster will help ADAC to offer a comprehensive range of services and products.

At the Paris Airshow ADAC signed agreements with UK’s Beagle Aerospace and Generation Metals.

An MoU was also signed with Switzerland’s

Mistral Engines. The deals cover aerospace parts warehousing, aerospace metals and supply chain management etc. The possibility of manufacturing Mistral’s rotary engines in Al Ain will also be explored.

With Abu Dhabi’s Etihad airline and other airlines in the region looking to boost their fleets and other international operators looking to lower their MRO costs while maintaining high standards, Al Ain’s new aerospace venture like its other projects seem poised for rapid growth. ■

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ABU DHABI REGIONS ADNEC CALENDAR OF EXHIBITIONS 2010 JANUARY 18 - 21

• Environment 2010 • World Future Energy Summit

FEBRUARY 02 - 04 10 - 13 18 - 20

• Beauty Vision • Recruitment Show — Tawdheef • Bride Abu Dhabi • Women’s World Live • Seyaha 2010 — Holiday and Travel Show

MARCH 01 - 03

• ISNR 2010 (International Security National and Resilience) 02 - 07 • Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 22 - 24 • Map Middle East 29 - 31 • Interiors UAE and Gulf Landscaping 30 March - 1 April • Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) APRIL

ADNEC

01 - 10 18 - 21 18 - 21 26 - 28

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

MAY

PIVOTAL TO ABU DHABI’S

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) was chosen to spearhead the Abu Dhabi leadership’s bold vision for the events industry A FEW YEARS ago, the Abu Dhabi government identified the creation of an events industry as an important focus area in Abu Dhabi’s goal to build an even stronger, much more diversified and vibrant economy.

Although Abu Dhabi had over the years played host to a few, well-regarded events, the emirate’s leadership decided there was now a need for a fresh approach; one that would ensure the UAE capital would be catapulted into the same category as other globally known event destinations, attracting successful events across a range of sectors, and drawing the world’s attention to Abu Dhabi while driving business, from all corners of the globe, to and from the emirate.

Established through an Emiri decree in 2005, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) was chosen to spearhead the Abu Dhabi leadership’s bold vision for this industry. The foundation of ADNEC’s strategy was built on attracting organisers and exhibitors of events to Abu Dhabi by building a modern and world-class exhibition centre. This newly-built venue (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre), offering 73,000 square metres of live event space, was inaugurated by The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2007. It has since come to be regarded as the largest and most modern exhibition venue in the Gulf.

ADNEC also joined forces with several international organisers to bring a number of new events to

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Abu Dhabi helping to greatly expand the industry.

Currently over 100 events are staged at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre each year, with nearly 2 million people visiting the venue annually, many of them from overseas.

In ADNEC’s bid to create an integrated exhibitions lifestyle destination, the company is also engaged in a number of development projects located immediately adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre including Capital Centre — a mixed-use development of 23 hotel, residential, commercial and mixed-use towers; Capital Gate — an iconic 35-storey, gravity-defying tower, featuring the 5-star hotel — ‘Hyatt at Capital Centre,’ (under construction) and the Aloft Hotel (complete) – both of which link directly to the exhibition centre, as well as the 2.4-kilometre Marina Zone, which is currently being master-planned. In addition, ADNEC is developing the Al Ain Convention Centre, which is a residential, commercial micro-city surrounding a modern convention centre in the city of Al Ain. After successfully establishing its brand in the Gulf, ADNEC has also launched a phased strategy focused on international expansion. In 2008, ADNEC acquired ExCeL London, the UK capital’s largest exhibition centre. ExCel is currently in the midst of a significant venue expansion that will see facilities almost double in size to 100,000 square metres in 2010, including the creation of a purpose built convention centre (ICC London ExCeL).

Underpinning this approach, ADNEC is looking to further create an international network of worldclass business destinations in emerging markets such as India, South-East Asia as well as emerging European destinations in the coming years, and has today evolved into a strategic international venue development and management company.

Working with other stakeholders in government and industry, ADNEC has led the remarkable transformation of Abu Dhabi’s events sector, while simultaneously emerging as a key enabler of Abu Dhabi’s diversification agenda. ■

17 - 19 24 - 26

• Spring Show • CITYSCAPE Abu Dhabi • CITYSCAPE Conference • Middle East Food

• MECOM 2010 • Arabian Construction Week, • Incorporating Greenbuild World Summit, Future Build and Civil Engineering • Building Machinery Middle East

JUNE 21 - 23

• Expo World Middle East

AUGUST 20 Aug. - 14 Sept. • Ramadan & Eid SEPTEMBER 21 - 22 21 - 23

• The Internet Show • Gulf Sol 2010

OCTOBER 10 - 12 17 - 19 19 - 21 24 - 26

• Abu Dhabi International Anti-Counterfeiting Conference & Exhibition • Middle East Parking Symposium • Power Generation and Water Middle East • Najah Education Training Careers • Abu Dhabi Medical Congress

NOVEMBER 1- 4 9 - 11 28 - 30 28 Nov - 3 Dec.

• ADIPEC 2010 (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference) • DENTISTRY & SIGHT 2010 • Middle East Manufacturing Exhibition • Roadex/Railex 2010 • SIM — Signage, Imaging & Media Show • National Documentation Week

DECEMBER 15 - 19

• Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (ADIMS)

(Correct at time of publication, please refer to www.adnec.ae/whatson for up-to-date listing)

ABU DHABI REGIONS AL NOOR HOSPITAL GROUP

Al Noor contributes to

MEDICAL LEARNING Abu Dhabi-based Al Noor Hospital Group to host Fifth Paediatrics Conference, “Towards A Better future,” in January 2010

AL NOOR HOSPITAL GROUP, a well-known name in the field of healthcare in the UAE, has taken a major leap by organising a medical conference, which will be held in January 2010.

Al Noor Fifth Paediatrics Conference, themed “Towards A Better future,” will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research.

Thirty-two research & worksheets will be discussed with a focus on foetal medicine.

The conference is being organised in cooperation with Boston Paediatrics Hospital. In all, four physicians from the hospital as well as Harvard University will participate in the conference which will be attended by 500 physicians from inside and outside the UAE. Dr Kassem Alom, MD, Group Managing Director of Al Noor Hospitals and conference chairman, declared that the hosting of the medical conference was in line with Health Authority of Abu Dhabi’s (HAAD) policy of continuing the education of medical staff by focusing on training, rehabilitation to update their knowledge about latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and improve their efficiency.

He said paediatrics was chosen as the conference theme because of the increased interest in this specialty as well as all methods to control childhood diseases and protect the growing generation through early diagnosis and medical intervention at the right time using advanced systems of treatment. Dr Alom added that Al Noor’s association with Boston Paediatrics Hospital would help it in creating greater awareness about the latest developments in the field.

He affirmed that paediatric services provided by the government and private hospitals in the UAE were comparable to the best health care services in the world as most services, including surgeries were being performed with a high success rate and most paediatrics departments in the country had become highly modernised during the last few years.

Dr Alom said that the conference would focus on foetal medicine and the recent developments in this field. The four physicians from Boston Paediatrics Hospital and paediatrics professors from Harvard University will discuss research findings and medical advancements in the field.

He said that private health organisations should actively participate in the continuing medical education programme by organising medical and scientific conferences, seminars and meetings throughout the year. He lauded the role played by HAAD in supporting private medical care by setting up systems and laws.

Dr Alom is confident that a large number of paediatricians as well as surgeons and physicians from other different specialties will attend the conference because of the importance of the theme. The physicians from Boston Paediatrics Hospital and professors from Harvard University will present 12 research papers and worksheets in addition to another 20 research papers and worksheets presented by professors and physicians from Shaikh Khalifa Medical

Dr Kassem Alom receiving the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award from Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor of UAE. Al Noor Hospital won the award in the health care sector.

City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, Zayed Military Hospital, Al Rahba Hospital, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Al Noor Hospital.

Dr Tamer Adham, Consultant and Head of Paediatrics Department in Al Noor Hospital, Khalifa Street branch, Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Conference Scientific Committee, said: “The conference themes focus on the most recent techniques in diagnosing and treating most popular paediatric diseases, foetuses and new-born babies and the most recent treatments and surgeries in this field.” He added that the conference would also focus on the contagious diseases including swine flu and the role of vaccination in fighting such diseases.

Dr Tamer added that 11 scientific seminars would be organised during the first three days of the conference in addition to the presentation of research papers, worksheets and studies and lectures.

Dr Aman Al Dowaini, the conference’s organiser, said that a medical exhibition would be held along the sidelines of the conference with participation from 10 specialised medical companies. The latest medical products and devices used in paediatric diagnosis, treatment and surgeries will be displayed.

Dr Aman added that a flawless system will be in place to record medical practitioners’ participation in the conference sessions. The number of hours spent in scientific study by each physician will be computed on the basis of his or her participation in the sessions.

Each physician will then be given a certificate indicating the number of hours spent in scientific study.

AL NOOR HISTORY Al Noor group opened its first hospital in 1985.

Its three existing hospitals with two clinics employ about 450 doctors and 2,000 support staff. They serve

more than 6,000 patients a day. The group also runs eight pharmacies in different regions of the UAE. Al Noor Hospital Group emphasises on quality, efficiency, patient comfort and safety as its core principles is well-known. This was vindicated when its branches at Al Ain City and Abu Dhabi received the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA), acclaimed as the gold standard in global healthcare standards. Similar healthcare standards are in place throughout the group’s hospital network, which comprises a main hospital in the heart of Abu Dhabi city and several branches at Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Mussafah and an ultra modern Airport Road branch.

“Considering that the need for private healthcare sector is growing rapidly in Abu Dhabi, there is always room for better quality. We are aspiring to provide world-class healthcare facilities here so that patients will not have to go abroad for treatment. We are utilising state-of-the-art technologies and hiring highly qualified medical personnel trained in countries such as the UK and US in our hospitals,” explains Dr Alom.

Dr. Alom, a specialist in internal medicine and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, UK, says modern hospitals have to expeditiously attend to patients. This is implemented at all of Al Noor Hospital facilities, where arriving patients are attended to immediately and get preliminary investigations done in a single visit. Also, no prior appointment is required.

The concern for patient comfort has been factored into the very design of the new hospital. The hospital has a horizontal structure so that most of the patients do not have to rely on lifts. Outpatients can complete their consultation and investigations on the ground floor itself. ■

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Walking tall in the CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ADACH boosts Abu Dhabi’s position on the cultural map locally and globally THE EMIRATE of Abu Dhabi is witnessing a distinct cultural and artistic mobility, thanks to the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) to boost the emirate’s position on the world’s cultural map and make it a hub for major cultural and artistic events and activities, and a destination for artists and creators from around the world.

ADACH seeks to implement its Strategic Plan 2008-2012 at an accelerated pace, with the promotion of culture and national identity as a source of pride for all.

Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, ADACH Chairman, said that the Authority seeks to develop an ambitious strategy to promote and support culture and arts and has made a huge investment in order to achieve its numerous initiatives.

“Arts are an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s culture as they contribute to our heritage by leaving behind a large group of paintings, designs and artworks produced by the local community. Therefore, we must commit ourselves to supporting access to these arts, encouraging and providing new works of art which are produced by talented individuals and art institutions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Shaikh Sultan.

“ADACH seeks to sponsor intellectual, literary

Since its establishment, succeeded to a large extent in engraving its position on the world’s artistic and cultural map, thanks to the great and continuous support of Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his vision of Abu Dhabi as a global cultural hub which is becoming a reality 26

and artistic activity and preserve, protect, manage and promote cultural heritage abroad through setting out policies and plans and developing existing projects, alongside its important and fundamental role in organising archaeological work, and the direct supervision of excavation operations by qualified experts licensed by the Authority,” he added.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director-General of ADACH, said that the Authority has, since its establishment, succeeded to a large extent in engraving its position on the world’s artistic and cultural map, thanks to the great and continuous support of Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his vision of Abu Dhabi as a global cultural hub which is becoming a reality.

“We have come a long way towards making culture and art a part of Abu Dhabi’s daily life and identity through the strategy of preserving the emirate’s cultural heritage. This has contributed to strengthening feelings of pride in the hearts of citizens and residents with regard to their heritage, achievements and social and economic development,” noted Mazrouei.

ADACH is in charge of the management and overall development of culture and heritage in Abu Dhabi. The scope of the Authority’s work lies in the conservation, protection, management and development of the tangible cultural heritage in Abu Dhabi, including the archaeological, cultural and historic sites.

The work of ADACH also seeks to preserve and develop Abu Dhabi’s intangible heritage through integrating it into society’s daily life and encouraging it to revive traditions and customs, exercising and supporting research and institutional collaboration, and aiming to promote a better understanding of the culture and heritage of the emirate, the UAE and the Arab World.

ADACH also supports the arts and encourages innovation in literature, art, cinema and theatre among UAE citizens, whilst achieving a greater interaction between innovators and the youth of the UAE and the world, and promoting cultural and literary activities in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the Arab world through the modernisation and expansion of the emirate’s National Library’s services, and through

the support of research.

Jahili Fort: Shaikh Tahnoon bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, inaugurated Jahili Fort among heritage events last December. This includes a visitor information centre, a temporary exhibition gallery, a permanent exhibition on the traveller Mubarak Bin London – Wilfred Thesiger, a bookstore and a recreation area.

Jahili Fort was rehabilitated according to the international standards established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and turned into an active cultural centre and a major destination for visitors and tourists.

ADACH organised Zayed and the Dream, a musical play among other cultural and artistic events commemorating the 37th National Day. The play was a tribute to the UAE’s visionary leader and founder, late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Return to classical music This year ADACH organised numerous arts, cultural and heritage festivals, events, seminars and weekly lectures in addition to exhibitions of fine artists for hundreds of UAE artists, residents and visitors from around the world. Among other activities there was the Abu Dhabi Classics which achieved a distinct success at all levels during its first season in 2008-2009.

More than 35,000 people attended the classical music concerts in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, allowing the eight-month festival to achieve a financial profit in addition to international fame, with the participation of renowned musicians and conductors.

WOMAD Abu Dhabi ADACH organised the “WOMAD” festival, which was held for the first time in the region with the participation of a number of artistic teams and international singers. More than 80,000 people attended the three-day festival on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

Sounds of Arabia In an effort to revive and preserve the era of beautiful art, and highlight the important aspects of the golden age of inherent Arab music through maintaining the Arabian identity, ADACH organised the second session of “Sounds of Arabia” with the participation of some of the top Arab singers and orchestras.

ABU DHABI REGIONS Poetry contests ADACH held the fourth season 2009-2010 of the “Million’s Poet” competition, which began on December 16. Episodes are broadcast live every Wednesday evening.

“Million’s Poet,” the world’s largest poetry festival, was launched in 2006. The prize value has been raised to Dh22 million for the winners.

“Prince of Poets” is a major cultural competition during which poets compete for the crown of “Prince of Poets” and a cash prize of Dh1 million in addition to the “Princely Garments,” which is a historical legacy of the Arabs, and the “Princely Ring,” which is a symbol of the “Prince of Poets” title.

Camel Festival As a part of its keenness to revive heritage, introduce Bedouin culture and promote heritage tourism, ADACH organised the third session of the festival of “Mazayin Dhafra,” a camel festival in Zayed City in Al Gharbia (The Western Region), which features many important heritage events such as the popular market, poetry competitions, dates, and photography.

Ratab Festival ADACH organised the fifth Liwa Date Festival (Ratab Festival), which lured over 60,000 visitors and 3,000 participants to various competitions and programmes.

This year, the 10-day Liwa Festival was a heritage and tourist carnival. It managed to achieve its goals to develop palm plantation, improve the UAE’s various types of dates to further excellence and compete both domestically and internationally.

Four hundred and eighty publishers, 35 per cent of who are foreign entities, from 43 countries participated in the activities of ADIBF’s 19th session. This featured a series of workshops, dialogues, forums and conferences attended by a number of intellectuals, experts and specialists in literature, publishing and distribution.

Falconry heritage ADACH has made considerable efforts in the last few months to register falconry as a world intangible heritage at UNESCO. The Authority held several meetings in the matter, including one held in Reading, Great Britain, to discuss the submission of a falconry registration file.

It was attended by experts from participating countries.

ADACH also held workshops, the preparation for which is led by Dr Nasser Al Hemairi, Director of the Department of the Intangible Heritage at ADACH, and submitted it by the end of August in its final form in accordance with the standards set for registration, and being representative of all of the participating states.

Falconry, one of UAE’s ancient sports, represents an inseparable part of the country’s intangible heritage.

conference, an “Al Ain Music Center in the World of Islam” that will be officially inaugurated within two years.

The centre aims to build, encourage and foster research in the field of music and peoples’ music in the world of Islam. It also aims to establish research programmes, provide training for future researchers, organise programmes and cultural activities, document, collect and archive music and musical instruments and disseminate knowledge in addition to developing effective outreach programmes to support the understanding of music locally and globally.

Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition ADACH organised the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition for Hunting and Equestrian (ADIHEX) “Abu Dhabi 2009” in cooperation with the Emirates Falconers Club with the participation of 573 companies from 37 countries at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

ADIHEX included a number of events and competitions and the participation of the most important races and horse tracks in the world. Among the aims of this highly successful exhibition are the promotion of the use of hybrid birds in captivity for falconry sport, instead of the use of endangered wild falcons, and the activation of plans and strategies for sustain-

Theatre ADACH organised the play Richard III: An Arab Tragedy, within the framework of its interest in theatre as a serious and committed art.

More than 25 Arabic and foreign actors took part in the play that was performed three times in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, drawing a huge crowd, especially university students.

The play is an adaptation of the original Shakespearean text, re-worked to appeal to Arabic culture, specifically to the Gulf region.

Islamic Treasures Last July, ADACH hosted an exhibition entitled “Islam: Faith and Worship,” which was held at the Emirates Palace and lasted for four months, as a part of its cultural strategy.

The exhibition featured 161 artworks selected from six Turkish museums and national libraries, including a wide variety of exhibits and the biography of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon Him) and other manuscripts.

An exhibition on the art of making old Islamic books by a group of Turkish artists and craftsmen also took place in early October. Additionally Konya Turkish Sufi Group’s two performances in Ramadan were among the exhibition’s events.

Shaikh Zayed the first centenary ADACH organised a grand commemoration in May to mark the centenary of the passing away of Shaikh Zayed the Great (Shaikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan “Zayed I,” who died on May 19, 1909) at Jahili Fort in Al Ain. Numerous events of the centenary, highlighting the importance of Shaikh Zayed I in terms of his historic achievements and glories during his rule, were held during the celebrations. These included the opening of an exhibition of Shaikh Zayed I photos, an exhibition of a documentary produced by ADACH on Shaikh Zayed I and the opening of an exhibition for his photos and collections in addition to a variety of heritage events.

Book fair The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) has achieved a quantum leap as it has become one of the fastest growing book fairs in the world, thanks to its professionally distinct organisation and the attraction of international publishers from around the globe.

Last July, ADACH participated in the second International Falconry Festival in Reading with Abu Dhabi’s 15-tent village which stole the attention of thousands of visitors and the media. It displayed a live model of Bedouin life with its figures, sand, camels, Saluki and kindled fire, whose coal came specifically from the UAE desert.

World Heritage Wonders Abu Dhabi’s declaration of the Wonders of the World Intangible Heritage is the pride of the UAE due to its importance in preserving human intangible heritage.

Last September, Abu Dhabi hosted the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Intangible Heritage (ICIH) of UNESCO, during which the representative list of 76 elements of human intangible heritage from 34 countries was announced.

UNESCO’s next meeting in Abu Dhabi will be a step towards activating the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, in addition to the declaration of the intangible heritage elements that ICIH agreed to register in the representative list of human intangible cultural heritage at UNESCO. Music in the World of Islam ADACH launched, during the academic cultural

able hunting in addition to the promotion of Abu Dhabi as a unique place for tourists from around the world.

Britain’s Household Cavalry Musical Ride performed six shows for the first time in the Middle East at Abu Dhabi 2009.

Film festival Dozens of Arabic and international celebrities and filmmakers took part in the third edition of the “Middle East International Film Festival” (MEIFF) organised by ADACH last October at the Emirates Palace.

One hundred and twenty-nine films from 49 countries were showcased during the 10 days of the film festival, including some films, which were shown for the first time in the Middle East.

ADACH also organised the third session of the Circle Conference, which runs concurrently with MEIFF, and brought together more than 40 leaders of international entertainment.

The conference covered a number of topics, including plans to fund new media work and the production of stories aimed at the global market, emerging markets in the film and television industry, joint regional production and filming locations in the UAE.■

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WORLD-CLASS

KT photos: Iftikhar Shaheedi

SPORTINGDESTINATION Abu Dhabi is fast becoming the main venue for international sporting events. The emirate is playing a key role by creating worldclass infrastructure to attract leading sports stars and teams from around the world

By Abdul Haque Chowdhury

S

PORT PLAYS an important role in the lives of people in Abu Dhabi. It has the potential to enrich the lives of everyone irrespective of gender, age and social position. The emirate, with its finest sport and leisure facilities, is set to become the sporting capital of the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi is fast becoming the main venue for international sporting events. The emirate is playing a key role by creating world-class infrastructure to attract leading sports stars and teams from around the world. It plans to build the largest sports stadium in the UAE. The giant stadium will accommodate 65,000 spectators.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council was formed to lead, organize and support all sports activities in Abu Dhabi. It will serve the community at large and sports development in the UAE. The main strategy of the council is to promote Abu Dhabi as a world-class sporting destination, says Mohammed E. Al Mahmood, general secretay of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

In addition, the council sponsors the establishment

of sports and social community clubs throughout the emirate and supports these clubs to achieve their objective of promoting youths’ participation in sports.

The council will also encourage and assist women and disabled people to participate in sports.

Football, the national game of the UAE, is most popular among all other sports of Abu Dhabi. It is an integral part of people’s life and this is reflected by the overwhelming support the sport receives from public and private sector sponsors.

The government has developed a resolute programme to build more sports facilities so more people are encouraged to play football in Abu Dhabi. The ministry is also targeting school children encouraging them to play football.

There are a number of football clubs in Abu Dhabi and the UAE Football League is competitive and the most looked forward to in the calendar, apart from the Etisalat Cup and the President’s Cup. Abu Dhabi has its own football club, Manchester City, in the English Premier League. Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, owns the club which has its winter training base in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi has recently opened its doors to a highprofile football tournament by hosting the FIFA Club World Cup from December 9 to 19. The tournament has inspired the players and rekindled in them a burning desire to perform better on the football pitch.

All the FIFA club matches ¬- held at Zayed Sports City and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium - attracted a large number of spectators and imbibed a great sporting spirit among youngsters, said an Abu Dhabi-based Emirati player.

“This world-class sporting event in Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly a great opportunity for our country and people and I believe it will help generate interest in football and produce better footballers,” Yousef Abdullah, general secretary of the UAE Football Federation, said during the beginning of the FIFA Club World Cup tournament.

The UAE has been a FIFA member since 1972. The country hosted the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2003 and FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in November this year.

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX Abu Dhabi has stunned the sporting world by hosting the inaugural Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last month. Abu Dhabi Grand prix made

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history as Formula One drivers took part in the first-ever day and night race at the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit built on the Yas Island.

Apart from being one of the most modern race circuits in the world, Yas Marina Circuit is part of almost an entire motor world on Yas Island – one of the natural island scattered around Abu Dhabi.

The island is also a major leisure destination. Whether a driver, a racing team or a spectator, Yas Marina Circuit has been designed to produce an unforgettable experience. Inspired by the culture and values of Abu Dhabi combined with cutting-edge innovation and luxury features, it is a truly unique place. Yas Marina Circuit is the perfect combination of style and function.

Approximately 50,000 spectators can view the action on the circuit from the comfort of permanent, covered grandstands and VIP facilities.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is among the other major developments on the island. It will be the world’s largest indoor theme park when it opens in 2010.

Abu Dhabi will also host the 2010 Formula 1 season finale on 14 November as part of the finalised 19-race calendar. Governing body, the FIA, backed a proposal to swap the dates between Abu Dhabi, which will again host a twilight race, and Brazil.

CRICKET Cricket in Abu Dhabi is growing into a popular sport.

The emirate has excellent cricket clubs, which feature world-class sport and leisure facilities.

Abu Dhabi Cricket Council has played a vital role in promoting cricket in Abu Dhabi. The council organizes a range of matches and tournaments throughout the year. Abu Dhabi has over 20 teams, which shows the increasing popularity of cricket in the capital city. With the government’s sustained efforts it will not be very long before we see Abu Dhabi’s cricket team being internationally acclaimed.

Every year Abu Dhabi plays host to many cricket tournaments. Top cricket teams in the world come to the city to play cricket matches in Abu Dhabi. These international cricket matches attracts numerous tourists and thus promotes tourism in Abu Dhabi.

The most popular venue for playing cricket in Abu Dhabi is Shaikh Zayed Stadium, which opened in May 2004. Built at the cost $22 million this magnificent stadium is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest cricket grounds. It recently hosted a series of one-day internationals between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Al Ain Cricket Association, located at Al Ain, also plays an important part in publicizing cricket in Abu Dhabi.

The 2010 English domestic season will open in Abu Dhabi under floodlights and with pink balls, says John Stephenson, head of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The county champions, Durham, will play against MCC in a four-day match at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from March 29 next year.

The match is part of an MCC drive to generate new cricket fans. “If this match is a success, it could help reinvigorate Test cricket. We have an opportunity to play our part for the good of the game and we’re determined to grasp it,’ Stephenson said.

Emirates Cricket Board chief executive, Dilawar Mani, said:”It would be a great honour for Abu Dhabi to host the MCC in the traditional county curtain-raiser.’

A handful of English counties have played pre-season warm-ups in Abu Dhabi and neighbouring grounds in the Emirates for the past three years.

TENNIS Abu Dhabi has already hosted a world-class tennis event, the Capitala World Tennis Championship (CWTC).

The capital city of the UAE will also play host to the second edition of CWTC from December 31 to January 2, 2010. The World No 1 Roger Federer and World No 2 Rafael Nidal have confirmed their participation.

CAMEL RACING AND HORSE RACING Traditional sports in Abu Dhabi include camel racing and horse racing. These sports enjoy patronage from the UAE royal family and attract everyone from the royals and Emiratis to residents and tourists.

GOLF Abu Dhabi has placed itself as one of the main destinations on the golf calendar with some top notch championships. The emirate hosts the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which is also part of the PGA European Tour.

With birdies, bunkers and bogeys keeping spectators on course, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship was today commended for its off-the-course role in solidifying the UAE capital’s burgeoning reputation as an internationally renowned sports events power.

‘In partnership with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, we are building an exciting portfolio of world-class sporting events in the UAE capital, and the Golf Championship is a vital component in our strategy to promote Abu Dhabi as a world-class sporting destination,’ says the general secretay of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Playing Golf in Abu Dhabi is a unique experience.

The city has more than a dozen golf courses and five additional courses are open to visitors. New golf courses and venues are also springing up in Abu Dhabi regions including Sadiyat Island.

WATER SPORTS Water sports in Abu Dhabi are major tourist attractions, as they provide a much-needed break from Abu Dhabi’s scorching sun. Waters of the Arabian Gulf are crystal clear and Abu Dhabi is the perfect destination for water sports enthusiasts. Sailing is also another famous sport of Abu Dhabi, which gives relief from the extreme hot conditions prevalent in the capital and the surrounding areas.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council was formed to lead, organize and support all sports activities in Abu Dhabi. It will serve the community at large and sports development in the UAE. The main strategy of the council is to promote Abu Dhabi as a worldclass sporting destination, says Mohammed E. Al Mahmood, general secretay of Abu Dhabi Sports Council

ADVENTURE SPORTS The adventure sports are becoming increasingly popular. People who enjoy thrill and excitement will choose Abu Dhabi as the perfect place for adventure sports. They must add wadi bashing and power boat racing in their list of things to do in Abu Dhabi.

Adventure sports also include exploring underwater world by Scuba Diving in Abu Dhabi. ■

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Fundamentally STRONG Abu Dhabi real estate market is demand-driven and the bigger developers have the money to ride the credit crunch

W

ITH THE hydrocarbons industry as one of its largest employers, long-term demand is being forecast for a variety of real estate offerings within the emirate.

Abu Dhabi government’s support for the real estate sector in the emirate has been characterised by political will, financial wealth, clear vision and high-quality projects that are under way.

The emirate’s housing and commercial real estate sector as well as its tourism related projects have withstood the vagaries of the global financial downturn by changing their strategy and focusing on delivery of existing projects.

Most developers within the emirate are of the opinion that Abu Dhabi government’s initiatives have motivated companies in this sector and this has resulted in the emirate distinguishing itself as a international real estate destination of repute.

According to industry sources, the Abu Dhabi real estate market is demand-driven and the bigger developers have the money to ride the credit crunch. Overall, the fundamentals of the emirate’s real estate market remain robust with demand in the rental segment of the market showing firmness.

Just over 300,000 units were constructed between 2005 and 2007 creating a shortfall of 50,000 units in 2008 and as per projections this excess demand will continue till 2012 with demand exceeding supply by 34,000 units.

REGULATION AND TRANSPARENCY With more than 40,000 units coming on the market through 2011 and majority of them likely to be sold off-plan, the government is keen to ensure

that a transparent and stringent legal environment is created for property deals so that long-term investors and end users feel reassured about their investments.

The emirate is expected to establish a regulatory authority soon. The aim of the authority would be to chalk out an integrated system that streamlines property rent, sale and purchases, including suggesting legislation and rules that lead to stability.

Sectoral growth figures indicate the buoyancy of the emirate’s real estate sector. Between 2002 and 2007 real estate and business services grew 15.7 per cent annually. Real estate has maintained its percentage share of Abu Dhabi’s ever-expanding GDP between 2005 and 2007.

The strong population growth has fuelled the construction sector and real estate market. Between 2002 and 2007 it grew at an average rate of 4.8 per cent, while between 2005 and 2008 it averaged 6 to 7 per cent. Though low-wage expatriate labourers account for much of the population growth, increasingly nationals and highly skilled expatriate workers are making significant contributions to the emirate’s economy.

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 estimates that nationals will make up 38 per cent of the active working population by 2030. The fact that the active population itself will double as a percentage of the overall population after two decades, will have a significant impact on the real estate market.

Certain facts that are likely to have an impact on the real estate market are the fact that nationals have a higher income and greater purchasing power also their household unit sizes are expected to shrink from the current figure of 6.5 people per household.

According to statistical data available in 2006, 52.6 per cent of the emirate’s population is under the age of 30 so the demand for new housing units is expected to be high. Abu Dhabi is expected to attract more and more people because it is an attractive place to raise a family. Its beaches induce relaxation and there are very few taxes. However, financing and the mortgage market will remain crucial in ensuring that large section of society has access to the newly constructed properties.

MORTGAGE FINANCE Major developers in the emirate are taking steps to address this need. Aldar Properties announced several deals to offer mortgage solutions for their property developments. Late last year, Mubadala Development Company, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate and the

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Tourism Development & Investment Company joined hands to form a dedicated mortgage provider, Abu Dhabi Finance, with a paid-up capital of Dh500 million.

Abu Dhabi Finance offers mortgages to clients looking to buy properties in the projects implemented by Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate and the Tourism Development & Investment Company in its first phase. Later it will service the rest of the emirate and the UAE. In the first half of this year the company announced several incentives, including provisions for mortgages with discounts of 101 basis points on the prevailing interest rate for one year and 50 basis points for the following six months. Mortgages with an LTV (loan-to-value) of 85 per cent are eligible for these discounts and application and processing fees have also been waived. The move is expected to encourage mortgage uptake among UAE nationals and residents.

Early this year, when the residential sector was shaken after regional and global credit dried up, there were distress sales of residential units in investment zones at prices that were almost half the peak level prices, however, these were seen as attempts by individual investors to raise quick capital through cheap sales.

Most major developers are, however, confident that the market is rebounding. Overall prices are holding firm on projects by master developers. Endusers and long-term investors are expected to drive the future of Abu Dhabi’s residential real estate.

Also the fundamentals of the market in the longer term seem positive.

Under Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, office space in the emirate will rise from the current figure of some 1.5 sq. metres per capita to a total of 6.5 sq. metres per capita by 2030. Meanwhile rental prices in the office sector have remained firm, indicating that investors in this market segment can be assured of attractive yields.

Many of Abu Dhabi’s premier developers are also exploring opportunities in the commercial segment.

Sorouh is planning to move into business parks.

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS In anticipation of the growing demand for qualified human resources to steer the real estate market, the Manazel Real Estate, an Abu Dhabibased developer plans to establish a real estate academy in UAE’s capital city. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the Department of Urban Planning at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

As per plans courses offered by Manazel Real Estate Academy will include master’s degree, post-graduate diploma, certification courses and intensive short training courses. Bachelor’s degrees will be offered at a later stage. ■