Abu Dhabi 365 Blog

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of United Arab Emirates, will be hosting the Formula 1 Grand Pix, 2009. Formula 1 Grand Prix stand amongst the other prestigious sports events like Olympic Games and World Cup. This highest class of open wheeled auto racing is one of the most exciting motor sports.  The opportunity to host this Formula 1 Grand Prix is a great chance for the entire UAE community that will attract international attention and will also help in delivering macroeconomic benefits. Abu Dhabi is one of the most sought out destination in the world. The locations, hospitality, genuine warmth of the people, and the world class facilities offered by the country makes it among idyllic location for one of the world?Äôs most popular sports.  The track of Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is constructed by ALDAR properties. It is one of the leading property development companies in UAE.  

The Emirates Foundation, started by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed has announced independent grants of up to Dh 200,000 to the researchers in UAE. He also stated that the grants are available in different fields like science, IT, environmental sciences, and engineering. Moreover, the projects, which have UAE nationals involved with it, will be granted more favors.

The senior executive adviser on Science and Technology for the Emirates Foundation stated that the grant does targets to encourage the academic and research skills of UAE applicants and students. This is done to build a better future for UAE by providing its young technical students with advance know how.

For availing these grants, the applicants need to submit their proof of qualifications and also the review of existing literature on the topic. The dates for submitting the application are June 1st and October 1st. The announcement of winning projects will be done in July and November.

Private hospitals of Abu Dhabi have been denied 40% cost increase in their charges. Hospitals claim that as a result they will be forced to use older equipments and cheaper drugs for the patients, which also put patients health at a risk.

After the negotiations between insurance companies, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the hospitals were allowed to increase charges by only 7-10%. According to the hospital authorities, this increase is much lesser than actually needed in order to cover costs. The hospitals want full authority to claim back the full cost of treatment from insurance companies.

The hospital authorities have also stated that due to lack of funding, the hospitals will not be able to buy state-of-art equipment or the best drugs available in the market. To provide better medical care to the patients, hospitals are lobbying to get permission to increase their fees.

Passengers at Abu Dhabi airport will be able to access free wi-fi from June 1st. Director of Marketing and Communication Mohammad Al Bulooki ensured that unlimited access at the airport will be whole heartedly welcomed by the traveling business community as well as by the laptop owners. With this, the airport will be among the selected group of wi-fi free spot directory, which includes almost 152 airports that offer free wi-fi services to its passengers.

In the past twelve months, the airport authorities have been providing 15 minutes of free access per user by operating twelve Internet kiosks. Since then, there was a constant demand from the users; therefore the authorities have now planned to introduce free Internet access across its three terminals.

The availability of free wi-fi services will serve in transforming the business environment at the airport. In addition to this, it will also be a source of entertainment to the waiting passengers.

Sources: UAEInteract | GulfNews | ArabianBusiness

The new Abu Dhabi real estate projects that are under planning and development are estimated to cross $466 billion after their completion. It is higher than the last year?s project at the Cityscape, which was, estimated almost $327 billion.

The various project unveiled by the developers include a $40 billion Yas Island project, $24 billion mixed use real estate project by Burooj Properties, a $40 billion Khalifa City, and a $10 billion mixed use Ghantoot Green City.

One of the mega projects includes a vast Wetlands National Park that is estimated to be the triple size of the existing Abu Dhabi Island. The government also announced exclusion of investment in hydrocarbon, ports, airports, communication, infrastructure, and utilities.

The various projects offer shinning possibilities for long-term growth in the social as well as economical sectors. However, there are significant risks and challengers faced by the developers in the completion these projects.

A shortage for taxis in Abu Dhabi is commonly spotted at places like Hamdan Streets and the Corniche. This is also due to the increase in the population of the city. Continuous measures are taken in order to improve the worsen situation of taxi shortage in Abu Dhabi.The communication officer for the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (TransAD), Huda Al Kaabi, stated that although there are innumerable new taxis available in the city, but some are waiting for number plates and other for qualified drivers.Ms Kaabi also mentioned that more than 1,400 taxis are operating in the city and seven more national taxi franchises will soon be added. A passenger who is not able to get taxi can call on the TransAD hotline to complain about it. Ms Kaabi ensured that immediate action would be taken to regulate regular taxi services in all areas so that there is no inconvenience.Sources: Gulfnews | UAEInteract | TheNational

The board of trustees of Abu Dhabi University has been restructured and a number of ministers and high profile members are included in it. The board has been taking considerate measures from time to time to improve institution?s performance and to make it among the leading international universities and research organizations. The new board will aim at developing appropriate programs that ensures constant changes in the pattern of education as per market needs.

Abu Dhabi University is a private institution chartered by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the University of Abu Dhabi Board of Trustees and Governors, in 2000.

Currently, there are 3000 students in its two campuses at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The inclusion of new members is done in order to enhance and promote the university as an academic leader and also a force for encouraging education in the UAE community.

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), have unveiled a new five year strategic plan to promote foreign investments, to set a regulatory framework, and also to introduce new investment instruments.

ADX is constantly working in association with the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA) to complete the regulations related to listing Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Listing ETFs will help in attracting foreign investors in the market. ADX is also making many amendments in order to introduce various government bonds to establish the debt market. This will be used as a standard and benchmark for introducing bonds in any developed country.

The value of foreign investments has witnessed a surge during the first quarter of 2008 as compared to year 2006 and 2007. Talks are going on with concerned entities in the government in order to introduce more government bonds, which will help in promoting the market.

A workshop was organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority in order to raise the standard of the services offered by the hotel apartments. This workshop aimed at providing meaningful insights to raise the quality of service in order to improve the hospitality fraternity.

Mr. Nasser Saif Al Riyami, ADTA?s Director of Licensing & Classification Department issued a statement that ADTA is always looking forward to organize seminars, conferences, and workshops that aims at promoting and improving the emirate?s hospitality sector. This helps in enhancing the service levels offered to the guest on par with the international standards, which also helps in encouraging the tourism sector.

The workshop was organized to complement the tourism promotion activities undertaken by Abu Dhabi government. This helps in advertising the city as a major tourist destination. The hotels of Abu Dhabi are among the best rated hotels that provide world-class facilities, architectural elegance, and natural beauty of the place.

Abu Dhabi is the celebrated capital of the United Arab Emirates in the Arabian Gulf. The city, famous for its being a shopper?s paradise and a visual spectacle, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation. The result of the understanding is the establishing of a world-class museum. The Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation is designed to be devoted to the display of modern and contemporary art. The museum will be officially called the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi or GAD. The Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation is designed by internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry and is planned to position Abu Dhabi within the leading international cultural destinations of the world.

The Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation is 30,000 square meters in area and this exclusive Abu Dhabi museum will be the only Guggenheim museum in the region. It is designed to be larger than any existing Guggenheim project worldwide! The Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation is expected to be constructed within five years. The museum will flaunt its own collection of contemporary art and the masterworks from the Guggenheim Foundation?s global collections. The museum will light up the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, 500 meters offshore the UAE capital. The Cultural District will also enable arts connoisseurs to access the national museum, classical art museum, maritime museum and the performing arts centre. The Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation is planned to establish the emirate as a quality destination of international standing. The museum will make Abu Dhabi capable of achieving and maintaining relationships with high calibre global partners. The presence of the Guggenheim Museum at Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation will make Saadiyat Island an international cultural hub for the Middle East.