Khalifa calls for greater desert conservation efforts

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the National Environment Day is an important annual occasion for the UAE leadership. Sheikh Khalifa said the slogan, ‘The desert throbs with life', for this day rings true with regard to the activities of Environment Day. He added that developing the desert is a major component of the Vision of the Emirates 2021 and the federal government's strategy, and a vital and essential part of the UAE's heritage, culture and traditions. Sheikh Khalifa said maintaining the desert's resources while securing its sustainable growth is everyone's responsibility Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, also called for renewed commitment to preserve the UAE's environmental achievements as well as its success in protecting and developing its natural resources both at the regional and international levels. In a speech during celebrations marking the 15th National Environment Day yesterday under the theme ‘The living desert', Sheikh Hamdan hailed the UAE's anti-desertification efforts as a model that others had come to follow. He said the country had recognised early the significance of reclaiming arid land and maximising its green cover. Meanwhile, Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, said that the Environment Performance Ticket scheme has succeeded in encouraging the UAE industrial sector to adopt clean production methods and to raise environmental awareness. Bin Fahd spoke at the Environmental Performance Ticket awards ceremony that honoured seven companies in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, one in Sharjah, two in Ajman, three in Umm Al Qaiwain, three in Fujairah and 20 establishments in Ras Al Khaimah

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The first regional private aviation exhibition to take place in Abu Dhabi

NBAD named Asset Manager of the Year

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the dedicated business aviation airport of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), announced that Abu Dhabi Air Expo, the region's first general aviation exhibition, will gather major participants from the international and local general aviation community to bring aircraft to the static display and share the latest innovations in the general aviation industry. Embraer will be one of the key participants showcasing the ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jets, in addition to Falcon Aviation Services and Al Jaber Aviation which also be presenting 4 Legacy 600 and 2 Lineage 1000 at the show. Bombardier, Hawker, Cessna, Al Jaber Aviation and Falcon Aviation Services, among others, will also be part of this unique show bringing aircraft to the display and showcasing their latest products to all visitors. Fujairah International Airport will also be amongst the leading organisations present at this innovative event to support of the development of the region's general aviation sector. The show, running from 6th-8th March 2012, will act as a catalyst bringing pilots together to view the latest in general aviation technology and innovation, with everything available on exhibit from pilot gears and accessories to aircraft for sale.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi's (NBAD) Asset Management Group has been named the UAE Asset Manager of the Year in MENA Fund Manager Performance Awards, presented by Mena Fund Manager magazine. "Being named the Asset Manager of the Year is a true honour and is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the whole asset management team here at NBAD," said Alan Durrant, the Group Chief Investment Officer of NBAD and General Manager of Asset Management Group (AMG). "This year we were competing against very tough competition but we were again recognised for the outstanding product innovation, service and above all investment performance that we have delivered over the last year for our clients. 2011 was a harsh investment climate but the vast majority of our equity products outperformed their benchmarks and our fixed income desk delivered exceptional returns." NBAD's Asset Management Group, one of the largest asset managers in the region, delivered 9.26% returns for its fixed income for unconstrained institutional clients in 2011, despite tough conditions in financial markets.

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S. Korea aims to up EU market share to 3 pct

China aiming to attract $120 bn in FDI in 2011-2015 : MoC

South Korea aims to increase its market share in the European Union (EU) to 3 percent within three years by taking advantage of a bilateral free trade pact that took effect July 1. South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said increasing market share from 2.6 percent at present is possible since the free trade agreement (FTA) gives local businesses an edge over rivals in other countries in a talk show with a local broadcasting station.. The FTA could help two-way trade with the 27-member economic bloc go up as much as 20 percent in the long run, he said adding that as of July 1, 76.6 percent of all tariffs levied by the EU on South Korean products in the past have been abolished, which could exert positive influence on trade. Under the open trade deal, Seoul and Brussels will eliminate or phase out tariffs on 96 percent of EU goods and 99 percent of South Korean goods within three years after the accord takes effect, and duties on most industrial goods will be abolished within five years. Seoul plans to provide fiscal support and offer tax benefits to help local livestock farmers overcome the expected influx of cheap meat imports from the EU.

BEIJING, 6th Jan. 2012 (WAM) -- China aims to attract US$120 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) annually during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (from 2011 to 2015), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on its website. The ministry also said the country expected its outbound direct investment (ODI) to see an annual growth rate of about 17 per cent to accumulate US$560 billion in 2011 to 2015. China attracted US$103.77 billion of FDI in the first 11 months in 2011, up 13.15 per cent year on year. Its outbound direct investment, excluding that of the financial sector, was US$50.01 billion in the first 11 months, up 5.2 per cent year on year, Asia Pulse Service said quoting the ministry's website. The country utilized US$426 billion of FDI during its 11th Five-Year Plan period (from 2006 to 2010). FDI into China hit a record high of US$105.74 billion in 2010, up 17.4 per cent year on year. In 2009, China attracted US$90.03 billion in foreign direct investment, down 2.6 per cent from the US$92.4 billion in 2008, which jumped 23.58 per cent on year. In 2007, the inflow of FDI rose 13.8 per cent to US$82.66 billion and in 2006, inflow of FDI dropped 4.06 per cent year on year to US$69.47 billion.

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Abu Dhabi to develop greener, more walkable communities

Only 15 per cent of residents living in the capital's downtown area currently walk to their work place, but this is set to be doubled within the next two decades as a new urban model becomes more widespread, urban planning officials said. When implemented, this neighbourhood design will help make the entire emirate of Abu Dhabi greener and more environmentally sustainable, Ebrahim Al Hamoudi, manager of the transport planning department at the Urban Planning Council (UPC), told Gulf News. "Currently, 40 to 60 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the capital are produced by motorised vehicles. The new neighbourhood model therefore focuses on making neighbourhoods more walkable. "Pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods will then encourage residents to undertake more non-motorised journeys," Al Hamoudi said. The neighbourhood design is outlined in the UPC's Urban Street Design Manual, which aims to create safer roads and more lively public areas in keeping with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. It will be implemented across the emirate by the UPC, the Department of Municipal Affairs and the Department of Transport. Explaining the elements of the new urban model, Al Hamoudi said better shading and easier access for people with special needs were key components. Striking features Another of its striking features is a broader pavement, which reduces the width of the road by almost 12 per cent. "The average width of a sidewalk in the capital used to range from 0.8 metres to 1.2 metres, but now the minimum required width has been increased to 2 metres. "Not only does this make cycling and walking more comfortable, but it also calms driver behaviour," the official explained. Speed bumps will also be replaced by a design element known as raised crossing tables, which looks like a larger and flatter speed bump. "These induce drivers to reduce their speed without stopping completely, which makes driving a smoother experience compared to a speed bump. People in wheelchairs will also find it easier to cross these crossing tables than speed bumps," Al Hamoudi said. The combined effect is smoother driving and enhanced pedestrian safety. In addition, parking spaces will also be increased by redesigning parking lots to accommodate more cars within the same area. Bill Lashbrook, senior planning manager at the UPC, added that pavements and areas in front of buildings would also be transformed into attractive public spaces with the use of proper landscaping and infrastructure. Stopping for rest "This means the planting of water-efficient plants to create green spaces, along with the placement of seats so that people can stop for a rest. It also makes walks more comfortable for the elderly," he explained. According to Lashbrook, the focus is first on designing newer localities according to the UPC guidelines. "When maintenance work is undertaken in older neighbourhoods, they too will be retrofitted to conform as much as possible to the new guidelines," he added. When Gulf News visited a pilot neighbourhood adjacent to Corniche Road where the UPC guidelines have been implemented across over 23,000 square metres of space, driver speeds appeared much calmer. The number of parking spaces had also been doubled from 220 to 407, UPC officials said. Residents were also seen relaxing on the benches placed along the pavement or taking walks. Suzaan Arikat, a 31-year-old Emirati human resource executive who was out for a stroll in the area, commended the new neighbourhood design when its elements were pointed out to her. "It is very calm and safe in this particular area, so we frequently come for walks. There is also a lot of shade and cars tend not to speed," she said. --Gulf News

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