UAE GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Decree Announces UAE’s Official Accession to Revised Kyoto Convention [May 30]
“President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a decree on the accession of the UAE to the Revised Kyoto Convention in order to facilitate and coordinate the customs procedures after the decree has been approved by the members of the Supreme Council and rulers of the emirates. The decree instructs the Federal Customs Authority Chairman to take the actions required for finalising the accession to, and implementation of, the Convention. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Acting General Manager of the Federal Customs Authority, said that joining the Revised Kyoto Convention, with its advanced customs procedures, would enhance trade activities and increase cooperation between the UAE and the world taking into consideration the country’s status and position on the map of the world trade. “Joining this Convention will benefit the UAE’s economy since it will facilitate and increase international trade activities and consolidate the efforts currently made to support the country’s competitiveness in this regard by the application of international security initiatives and making readily- available the data in order to apply standards for specifications of high risk trade deals and the application of secure technical systems,”..” [Complete Report]
Shaikh Khalifa Pardons 263 Prisoners [May 30]
“Some 263 prisoners in Abu Dhabi’s correctional and punitive establishments were ordered to be released upon the orders of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Shaikh Khalifa will also pay the prisoners’ financial debts. The prisoners are serving different prison terms. The president also ordered that work opportunities be made available for the released UAE nationals according to the followed procedures while non-nationals will be deported. The release order of imprisoned nationals and nationals of other countries comes in line with Shaikh Khalifa’s keenness to give prisoners another chance to start their lives again and to alleviate the suffering of their families. The decision to release prisoners and to pay their financial debts is a continuation of the route trodden by Shaikh Khalifa on different occasions, which comes to enhance the spirit of forgiveness as a main UAE society trait..” [Complete Report]
UAE Oil Spill Team on Standby to Assist in Gulf of Mexico Cleanup [May 30]
“A team of oil spill experts were on standby in the United Arab Emirates, ready to help in the Gulf of Mexico cleanup efforts if called to do so, officials in the Middle Eastern country told CNN Sunday. “The offer is still on the table to the U.S. government through their embassy here. It is about 30 people we are offering to send; 30 staff. The team is made up of some six Emiratis and the rest are technicians from Egypt, Sudan, Algeria and the Philippines; all of whom are based here for work of course,” said Craig Buckingham of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The United Arab Emirates originally made the offer two weeks ago. “Basically, it’s an offer made on behalf of the government in recognition of this environmental issue. It is an offer of support,” Buckingham said. “We have people and supplies if they wish it. It’s on the table. We’re ready to go. We’re just waiting for their call.”..” [Complete Report]
UAE Population Rises to 8.19 mln [May 30]
“The population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached 8.19 million and is continuing to grow despite the global financial crisis, a local English daily reported Sunday. The UAE population stood at 8.07 million in 2008 and had risen by 125,000 last year, The National said, citing a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. According to the newspaper, the figure is higher than other previous official figures and projections. The Report on Economic and Social Dimension 2009 also showed that the majority of the population, 81.9 percent, is in the 15 to 59 age group, while just 1.3 percent are aged 60 or above, it said. Seventy-nine percent of the expatriate population is ” economically active,” or in work, compared with 45 percent of Emiratis, the report said, adding that nearly 20 percent of the population were voluntarily unemployed while 2.3 percent were looking for jobs..” [Complete Report]
UAE Ports Set For Sharp Rebound in Throughput [May 30]
“UAE ports will see a sharp rebound in their throughput this year, led by Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed Port and Jebel Ali port, helping the country to remain the largest exporter in the Gulf, according to a recent study. Ports in Dubai will return to growth this year, with throughput jumping more than seven per cent to 149.18 million tonnes this year after an estimated drop of three per cent in throughput to 139.25 million tonnes in the previous year, according to the recent study by Business Monitor International (BMI). The UAE-based port operator Dubai Ports World (DP World), which manages both of Dubai’s ports – Jebel Ali Port and Sheikh Rashid Port —registered a 46 per cent year-on-year (yoy) slump in profits to $333 million (Dh1.22 billion) in 2009 compared to $621m in the previous year. “In terms of total tonnage, we expect volumes handled by the Port of Jebel Ali and Port Rashid to return to growth after contracting as a result of the recession in 2009. The Mina Zayad Port in Abu Dhabi is set to experience a much sharper growth, gaining 20.6 per cent to 5.91m tonnes this year,” said the study..” [Complete Report]
