Dubai
Aviation growth in Dubai set to boost real estate sectors, it is claimed
The real estate sector in Dubai is expected to emerge as one of the principal beneficiaries of the development of Al Maktoum International Airport, according to property firm Cluttons. Plans for the two phased project, which will cover an area of 65 square kilometres in Jebel Ali have been unveiled with the city's entire economy set to benefit significantly. Dubai International Airport, is already the world's busiest hub for international traffic, and continues to play a vital role in the development of the emirate's economy as aviation remains a core pillar for growth. With the aviation sector's contribution to GDP set to rise to 32% by 2020 from 28% at present, there will be a significant ripple effect on the number of jobs created. ‘Aviation has historically been a significant contributor to the city's growth. Once again, the sector looks set to deliver the next wave of growth for Dubai, well beyond the current horizon of the 2020 Expo, which is already translating into a flurry of construction activity across the city,’ said Faisal Durrani, Cluttons' international research and business development manager. ‘The residential sector will no doubt be an obvious long term benefactor of the significant rise in the number of jobs being created, with both lettings and buyer demand set to rise significantly as the number of households in the city increases. However, it is the commercial sector that stands to benefit the most in the short to medium term,’ he added. According to Cluttons, the office market continues to recover following the downturn, with occupier activity still ticking upwards across the city as occupancy levels recover in many pockets of the city, although there still remain some issues surrounding strata ownership, which has left vacancy rates abnormally high in some select locations. ‘The development of Al Maktoum Airport will no doubt help to drive further activity as aviation related industries begin to mobilise and take up position in the city set to house the world's largest airport,’ explained Durrani. ‘For some time now we have experienced a steady rise in the number of enquiries from industrial occupiers, with sites around Al Maktoum Airport being sought by logistics, freight forwarding and distribution companies,’ he pointed out. ‘With plans now becoming clearer surrounding the development, we expect to see a much more robust and diversified base of occupiers vying for a position around the new aerotropolois, which is set to have an annual passenger capacity of 220 million once fully developed. Although it remains unclear at this stage how long the two phased development will take to complete, it is clear that the airport will grow in significance as a cargo hub as the capacity crunch at Dubai International forces the relocation of all cargo traffic,’ he added. Durrani also pointed out that the added benefit of Jebel Ali Port, a planned Etihad Rail freight and passenger station and the multitude of residential communities planned for the Jebel Ali area are together starting to create a very attractive proposition for… Continue reading
Throw litter from cars and pay through your nose
Throw litter from cars and pay through your nose Staff Reporter / 25 March 2014 The Dubai Municipality has enabled the public along with officials to report littering and other cleanliness-related offences through the iDubai app. Irresponsible drivers beware! Hundreds of municipal officials and thousands of residents with sound civic sense are watching if you or passengers in your vehicle are throwing out cigarette butts or any other waste. With just a click on a smart app, they can book you for the offence that attracts Dh500 in fines. The Dubai Municipality, which has enabled the public along with officials to report littering and other cleanliness-related offences through the iDubai app, has intensified monitoring the wrong practices of drivers and passengers. “Some of drivers are not bothered about littering or spitting on the road while driving,” said Director Abdul Majeed Al Saifaie. “This phenomenon is more common among drivers of commercial vehicles than private and family vehicles. Hundreds of municipality officials are assigned to report this type of violations in additions to thousands of people who can voluntarily report any cleanliness issues via iDubai app from their smart phones” he said in a media statement issued on Monday. “As all of us are happy to join the ‘Smart Government’ initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai. This is a golden chance for all to contribute in keeping our city clean,” he said. “Hence, everyone should be careful. The driver will be responsible for anything thrown out of his car. A fine starting from Dh500 will be charged for each offence. It is the duty of parents and teachers to educate children about the healthy and eco-friendly practices,” he explained. “We recommend everyone to keep a small waste bag inside the vehicle to put small waste during the drive and properly dispose it after parking the car,’ he further said. Cigarette butts, paper wraps, tissue paper and bottles are generally the items thrown out of cars. “We want to make Dubai one of the most comfortable places to live and do business. Everyone, regardless of their nationality, should learn best practices and cooperate with the civic body to keep our city clean and beautiful and thus protect the environment,” he added. sajila@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Egyptian court sentences 529 Mursi supporters to death
Egyptian court sentences 529 Mursi supporters to death (Reuters) / 25 March 2014 Most of the defendants were detained and charged with carrying out attacks during clashes which erupted in the southern province of Minya after the forced dispersal of protest camps on August 14. An Egyptian court sentenced 529 members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death for murder and other offences on Monday. Family members stood outside the courthouse screaming after the verdict — the biggest mass death sentence handed out in Egypt’s modern history, defence lawyers said. State television reported the sentences without comment. A government spokesman did not immediately respond to calls. Several government officials said they could not comment on judicial matters. Most of the defendants at Monday’s hearing were detained and charged with carrying out attacks during clashes which erupted in the southern province of Minya after the forced dispersal of two Muslim Brotherhood protest camps in Cairo on August 14. Militants have also stepped up assaults on the police and army since Mursi’s ouster, killing hundreds and carrying out high profile operations against senior interior ministry officials. “The court has decided to sentence to death 529 defendants, and 16 were acquitted,” defence lawyer Ahmed El Sharif said. The condemned men can appeal against the ruling. The charges against the group, on trial in Minya since Saturday, include violence, inciting murder, storming a police station, attacking persons and damaging public and private property. “This is the quickest case and the number sentenced to death is the largest in the history of the judiciary,” said lawyer Nabil Abdel Salam, who defends some Brotherhood leaders including Mursi. On Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide, Mohamed Badie, and 682 others will face trial on charges of incitement to kill. Only 123 of the defendants were in court. The rest were either released, out on bail or on the run. The government has declared the Brotherhood a “terrorist” group. Mursi, Mubarak’s successor as president, and other top Brotherhood leaders are on trial on a range of charges and accuse the military of staging a coup and undermining democracy. The army says it was acting on behalf of the Egyptian people, who took to the streets in their millions to call for Mursi’s resignation. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
