Dubai, April 27, 2011- Ducab—one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality power cables in the Middle East—has announced today (April 27 2011) during a press conference held in Dubai, record sales of AED 3.6bn for 2010, representing a 51% increase over the previous year and 47% volume growth with full realisation of copper rod capacity.  Going forward this year, despite the global economic downturn and a rise in copper prices, Ducab anticipates a further increase in volumes of about 15% compared to 2010.

Ducab has seen a successful 2010 despite competitive margin pressures, with the company’s local UAE market share maintained at between 33 and 50 percent, depending on the cable segment. Last year’s record of AED 3.6bn comprised cable and wire sales of AED2.2bn whilst the external sales of copper rod accounted for the balance AED1.4bn. Significant areas of growth included 22% higher sales to Utilities and a 143% increase in sales to the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical sector.

Ahmad Al Shaikh, Chairman of Ducab, attributed the company’s success to expansion into new sectors and markets within the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as the addition of eight new product ranges to the company’s portfolio. Cost and efficiency improvement contributed too with savings of AED 17m achieved through operational efficiencies and cost optimisation initiatives.   In 2010 Ducab repaid, on the due dates, AED 182 million and pre-paid 100mn, representing 35% of term finance obtained for such previous expansions. Ducab’s shareholders equity has also increased by AED 100mn by the end of 2010, besides a dividend payout of 50mn. 

Looking ahead to further expansion Ahmad Al Shaikh highlighted Ducab HV, the AED500m joint venture project with DEWA and ADWEA as 25% partners, “This exciting project is nearing completion and will be the major addition to the product range this year; catapulting Ducab to the next level with Extra High Voltage cable systems up to 400kV produced in a world class facility here in the UAE”.

“Last year was a very challenging period worldwide for an industry such as ours, where real estate and construction are major drivers of demand, and the Middle East market was no exception,” says Ahmad Al Shaikh. “Fortunately, infrastructure projects and energy investment throughout the GCC have been counter-cyclical in this downturn and have provided some compensation for the construction slowdown. Ducab managed to grow despite the market condition and increased competition in the region”. Ducab also continues to invest in identifying Emirati talent for various functions across the business with significant progress made last year in training and development of young Emiratis.

“We will continue to focus on Ducab’s traditional strengths of customer service and product quality, with the strong belief that such commitment to high quality and exceptional value will continue to drive the sale of Ducab cables and allied products across the region”, Al Shaikh concluded.

Ducab cables & copper products are currently sold in over 40 countries worldwide across Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Far East in Asia.  Approximately 65-70% of Ducab’s total sales are currently made within the UAE market.

Convention to feature renowned panel of industry speakers and credentialed lead instructors from Specialty Coffee Association of America

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (October 9, 2010) - Organisers of the Middle East Coffee & Tea Convention, the only dedicated trade event for the coffee and tea industry in the Arab World, have announced that this year’s Convention will offer a series of Educational Tracks and Skill Building Workshops that will address issues pertinent to coffee and tea as a commodity, a business and a profession. The Convention will be held from October 12 to 14 at the Jumeirah The Meydan Hotel at The Meydan City.

Organised by the International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC & E) and the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the 2010 Middle East Coffee & Tea Convention will also host the 2nd UAE Barista Championship, where 22 of the UAE’s finest baristas will vie for the 2nd UAE Barista Champion title. Hailed as the region’s most prestigious barista competition, the winner of the 2nd UAE Barista Championship will represent the UAE at the 2011 World Barista Championships in Bogota, Colombia.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E, said: “The Middle East Coffee & Tea Convention again promises to be a deeply enriching, informative and meaningful experience for all participants. Renowned industry professionals and leading technical experts will host and conduct different Educational Tracks and Skill-Building Workshops within the convention. For those who want to pursue a successful career or business enterprise in the coffee and tea industry, the Convention is certainly the definitive venue to expand their knowledge and boost their expertise in the tea and coffee business.”

The Educational Tracks of the Convention will discuss topics that include current and future trends of the coffee and tea industry; coffee shop trends around the world, tea-inspired cuisine, branding principles for business and retail, issues related to opening and setting up a café, staff development, strategies to be successful at selling tea, and unique value propositions (UVP) for roasters.

All SCAA Skill Building Workshops, on the other hand, will offer certified courses from the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the foremost authority in specialty coffee. Taught by SCAA Credentialed Lead Instructors, these Skill Building Workshops provide participants an opportunity to advance their careers, and connect with like-minded professionals in the industry. Skill Building Workshops topics include introduction to customer service, profile craft roasting, a two-part series on introduction to espresso and comparative cupping. Courses may also be applied towards numerous SCAA certification programs such as Roasters Guild and Barista Guild Certification.

The inaugural Middle East Coffee & Tea Convention in 2009 attracted more than 2,500 trade visitors from over 10 countries. Last year’s Convention also crowned the UAE’s first-ever Barista Champion, and first representative to the World Barista Championships competition held last June in London.

To learn more about the upcoming Convention, to book exhibit space, or to register as a delegate, visit www.coffeeandteaconvention.com.

12 % of Dubai’s GDP is contributed by converting industries, with paper industry constituting less than 2%

Dubai, UAE, September 26, 2010: 
 
His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) today inaugurated Paper Arabia 2010, the first-of-its-kind industry expo, at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will continue until September 28th, 2010.

Speaking about the paper industry, Al Qamzi said: “Paper industry is developing all over the world, especially in the Middle East. We have high hopes for this industry in Dubai and the potential is really huge. Nearly 12 per cent of Dubai’s GDP is contributed by converting industries, in which the paper industry constitutes a mere 1.5 to 2 percent. This shows the growth potential of the paper industry, taking into consideration that the UAE is one of the highest consumers of paper in the Arab world.”

On the question on nationalization of the paper industry, Al Qamzi said that Dubai and the UAE do not impose Emiratisation on any industry, including the paper industry, and the market is filled with people of different nationalities.

He added that the UAE has reduced the challenges facing the growth of this industry, such as the cost of production.

Paper Arabia 2010 is dedicated to the development of the paper, printing and packaging industry in the GCC.

Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services which organizes the show, said:  “Producing and printing paper is largely done in the UAE for the entire Arab world and Dubai is a printing house of the region. Dubai has an edge over other producers of paper in speedy delivery, cost-effectiveness and lower freight costs.

Khanna added:  “Paper industry in the region has grown significantly and Paper Arabia 2010 reflects our efforts to highlight key regional industry segments which have been silently contributing to the economic growth. The industry has seen major developments over the past few years and, with the exponential rise in its growth potential, leading local and regional players are now in the midst of strategic investment and market expansion.”

Paper Arabia 2010 is bringing together players from the paper, tissue and converting industries. This show offers opportunities to the manufacturers and suppliers of finished products, equipment, machinery, paper chemicals, services, supplies of paper, tissue and converting sector to tap the Middle East and North African markets.

Paper Arabia, with more than 115 exhibitors from 25 countries from across the world, is a key platform for traders and industry players to interact. The show’s participants include leading global names from the UAE, Italy, Jordan, France, China, Netherlands USA and UK amongst others. 

Per unit greenhouse gas emissions more than halved since 1990

September 14, 2010

Khalil El-Dalu

Seiko Epson Corporation® has released its Sustainability Report 2010, detailing the business, environmental and CSR initiatives the Epson Group undertook during fiscal year 2009 (April 2009 – March 2010). The annual report outlines how Epson aims to achieve its Long-Range Corporate Vision and demonstrates progress against the company’s Environmental Vision 2050, where it committed to a 90% reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2050.

Epson’s emissions of global warming substances on a per-unit basis were down by 51.2% compared with fiscal year 1990 levels. The biggest improvements were in recycling and resource conservation: 88.9% of products in designated categories met the 75% recyclability rate target, and 98.9% achieved the 85% recoverability rate goal, by weight. Epson also succeeded in reducing its waste emissions by 2,800 tonnes, or 8%, from fiscal year 2008.

Furthermore, Epson significantly cut chemical emissions, with emissions from substances subject to the Pollutant & Transfer Register down by 53.5% and emissions from Volatile Organic Compounds down by 38% compared with benchmark fiscal year 2005 levels.

The report also highlights Epson’s substantial financial commitment to environmental investment. In fiscal year 2009, the company’s total environmental conservation spending reached €52 million  (5.85 billion yen). Epson invested an additional €25 million  (2.83 billion yen) in environmental R&D, of which 73.6% was earmarked toward the development of eco-considerate products.

Khalil El Dalu, General Manager, Epson Middle East, said, “Epson’s excellent environmental performance is in line with the company’s uncompromising commitment to protect and conserve the environment. Moreover, it is crucially important for us to invest in environmentally responsible technologies and techniques, which we believe will serve as one of the strong foundations for long-term growth and sustainability. In this regard, we will continue to invest in environmental conservation programs and develop environmental strategies that are customised for the Middle East region.”

Eelco Smit, Epson Europe’s Environmental Affairs Manager, said: “Epson is committed to combating climate change, and this report is a testament to that.  Europe is a core market in our global business, and we believe it is crucial to remain active in not only various global environmental initiatives, but also to accompany them with support for European initiatives such as Wild Wonders of Europe, which aims to raise awareness of and preserve our natural heritage.”

Epson remains committed to transparency in CSR reporting, and has published its annual Sustainability Report since 1999. The full 2010 report can be viewed online at http://global.epson.com/community/sr/.

DED Logo

Dubai, 30 August, 2010: The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) issued 4,101 licences for several types of businesses in Dubai in the second quarter of 2010, recording a 42 per cent increase compared to the second quarter of 2009. A majority of the licences was issued in the commercial sector (3,094) followed by the professional sector (914), and industry (64).

‘Ready-made garments’ led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in the commercial category with 536 licences issued, followed by ‘Perfumes and cosmetics’ with 433 and ‘General trade’ with 431. ‘Restaurants’ led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in the professional category with 135 licences issued in the second quarter, followed by ‘Residences and building cleaning services’ with 131, ‘café’ with 68, ‘selling snacks’ with 62, and ‘men’s barber’ with 60.

In industrial activities, ‘Metal work industry for construction’ led the list of the top 10 licensed activities with seven licences followed by ‘Blacksmithing and welding workshops’ with six, and ‘Mirrors and glass work’, ‘Construction of metal parts ‘, and ‘Construction of metal industry’ with four licences each.

The Intlaq scheme, an initiative by the Department of Economic Development to encourage more UAE nationals to set up businesses from home, recorded strong performance with 649 licences issued in the second quarter of the year, a 50 per cent increase over the same period last year. The largest growth was recorded in the trade category with 575 licences followed by professional category with 74.

The total number of transactions during the second quarter of 2010 reached 101,982 compared to 90,638 during the same period in 2009, a 13 per cent increase. The number of renewed licenses was 22,842, while the total number of amended licenses reached 12,897 compared to 10,689 during the same period last year, a 21 per cent increase.

The total number of commercial permits reached 11,647, a 7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, while the total number of field inspection visits was 13,991, and the total number of ‘Trade name reservation’ reached 13,056 names.

Sharjah, March 21, 2010: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 5:00PM tomorrow (Monday, March 22, 2010) at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club meetings ballroom.

If a quorum is not reached, the AGM will be reported to March 30, 2010.

• Diverse showcase of movies from around the world planned

Dubai, UAE; March 14, 2010: The seventh edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, the definitive film festival of the Arab world, Asia and Africa, will be held from December 12 to 19, 2010.

The latest edition of the film festival is being planned to showcase an even diverse selection of movies from around the world across a dozen themed segments including Arabian Nights, Gulf Voices, Cinema of the World, Cinema for Children, Cinema of AsiaAfrica, Lifetime Achievement and Cinema from India.

DIFF 2010 will feature the competitive Muhr Arab and Muhr AsiaAfrica programmes offering over US$575,000 in prize money for excellence in acting, cinematography, editing, music and scriptwriting in addition to the jury general excellence awards.

DIFF will expand its partnership with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) this year for the annual “Prize of the International Critics” to include all three film segments - feature, shorts and documentaries - in the Muhr Arab competition.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma explained that the integration of powerful cinema from across the world, celebrity attendance and a host of industry events has given DIFF a leading position in the regional film festival circuit.

“Despite being the final international film festival in any given year, producers and directors are keen to use DIFF as a sounding board to promote their movies to an international audience. Films screened at DIFF continue to make headlines, catalysed by the wide-scale publicity generated from Dubai, a city of over 200 nationalities.”

DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said the seventh Dubai International Film Festival will further build on the momentum it has achieved in promoting regional cinema to a global audience.

“Over the past six years, DIFF has achieved its founding objective of encouraging Arab and local filmmaking talent, thus facilitating Arab and local film industry. DIFF 2009 was landmark in showcasing two UAE feature films, one of them with international cast and crew. The 2009 selection demonstrates the vitality of film-making in the Arab world, Asia and Africa and we look forward to showcasing many more artistic splendors at DIFF 2010.”

Continuing the trend of promoting Arab film industry, DIFF 2010 will further strengthen its seed fund Dubai Film Connection; the distribution initative Dubai Film Market and regular industry and student workshops.

DIFF 2009 had recorded 50,113 admissions for the 168 films screened ranging from the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar to Zindeeq, the Muhr Arab award winning feature. The event also welcomed celebrities from around the world.

The Dubai Film Connection, the seed fund of the festival, broke previous records with 127 script submissions from Arab-origin film-makers around the world. The industry workshops were well-attended, in addition to the Students Day, which was attended by over 300 students.

DIFF 2009’s Dubai Film Market hosted over 3,100 screenings for industry buyers, nearly three times over 2008. Potential industry buyers had a total of 323 films at their fingertips via state-of-the-art touch-screens.

DIFF 2010 will be held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah are the principal sponsors of DIFF.