UAE GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Mobile Spam Messages to be Blocked in UAE Soon [May 23]
“Mobile phone subscribers in the UAE will soon have the choice of blocking unwanted commercial and promotional text messages. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced that it has asked telecommunications operators du and etisalat to provide subscribers with information on how to block incoming text messages. A TRA official told the local Arabic newspaper Emarat El Youm that beginning next June subscribers will be able to block all spam messages. The TRA has reached an agreement with du and etisalat on the matter and the option to block unwanted promotions text messages will be made available based on the subscriber’s request..” [Complete Report]
Aabar Raises $800 Million Loan Amid Refinancing Needs [May 23]
“Aabar Investments PJSC raised $800 million loan as the largest shareholder in Daimler AG seeks to expand and meet its refinancing requirements. “Aabar has nearly 8 billion dirhams in term loans scheduled to mature in 2010 so they are facing significant refinancing pressure,” said Mark Friedenthal, a fund manager at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. The three-year club loan with local and international lenders will be used for general corporate purposes, the Abu Dhabi-based company said in a statement to the emirate’s bourse today without giving further details. Aabar has three loans due this year, including a 1.22 billion-dirham loan used to finance the purchase of a stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, and a $1.6 billion short-term loan for investment financing, the company’s 2009 financial statement shows..” [Complete Report]
UAE, Kazakhstan to Sign Customs Pact [May 23]
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kazakhstan will sign a customs agreement that is expected to help stop illegal trade practices and protect economic, social and cultural interests of the two countries. The UAE’s Federal Customs Authority (FCA) had already signed the final draft accord with Kazakhstan in Astana earlier this month. However, the official signing of the final pact is scheduled in the next few days upon ratification by the relevant national agencies and the leaderships of both countries. Head of international relations at FCA, Saud Al-Akroubi said the accord would strengthen economic and trade ties, as well as stop illegal commercial practices and protect economic, social and cultural interests of both the countries. The agreement provides for exchange of customs data between the two countries, he explained..” [Complete Report]
