http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/uaeen-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:02:00 GMT5014476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/uaehttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120221030251/Dubais_biggest_property_deals_in_2011_Burj_Khalifa_dominatesGlobal icon Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, dominated Dubai's biggest residential real estate deals in 2011, occupying three among the eight biggest residential deals for the year, besides occupying the top two slots.Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:34:59 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120221030251Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220115833/Emirates_NBD_announces_new_CNH_mandateEmirates NBD has mandated Emirates NBD Capital Limited, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to arrange investor meetings in Hong Kong and Singapore commencing on the 22nd of February. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:09:03 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120220115833Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_200212114749/BMI_United_Arab_Emirates_Food__Drink_Report_Feb12Although the UAE?s economy is set to slow in 2012, the outlook for the food industry remains strong. The UAE is set for another year of steady yet relatively uninspiring growth through 2012 as global headwinds stemming from the eurozone crisis and the imposition of more stringent international sanctions on Iran weigh on the outlook for the non-oil sector. Real GDP is forecast to expand by 3.0% following an estimated 3.3% rate of expansion posted in 2011. The latest HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index for the UAE would seem to confirm that a slight slowdown is already under way.The index, which is a measure of the economy's manufacturing and services sectors, dropped to a four-month low of 51.7 in December 2011. While the UAE's service sector received a boost in 2011 as a result of the Arab Spring (which saw tourists and some business activity shift to Dubai from other locations in the region), for the moment the defining feature of 2012 appears to be less about the Middle East and more about the global economic downturn. Given its relatively more open trade and capital market links with Europe and Asia, the UAE will likely be hit the hardest among its Gulf Cooperation Council peers.Headline Industry Data:- 2012 per capita food consumption growth in local currency = 4.9%; forecast to 2016 = 31.4%- 2012 soft drinks value sales growth = 6.3%; forecast to 2016 = 48.1%- 2012 mass grocery retail sales = 7.0%; forecast to 2016 = 53.3%Key Company Trends:Al Ain Dairy Announces Expansions ? In December 2011 the UAE dairy company Al Ain Dairy announced plans to invest US$180mn to beef up its production capacity with demand for dairy products likely to continue growing quickly over the next few years. Al Ain is a diversified company with products positioned across a number of dairy areas and juices too. Holding a particularly strong position in the fresh milk segment, the company has been expanding its portfolio of healthy dairy drinks, like laban, as health-consciousness cMon, 20 Feb 2012 11:41:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_200212114749Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220113625/Abraaj_buys_Aureos_CapitalPrivate equity manager Abraaj Capital on Monday said it had acquired Aureos Capital, a global private equity fund management group investing in small and medium-sized enterprises, for an undisclosed amount.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:37:34 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220113625Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_200212112923/BMI_United_Arab_Emirates_Shipping_Report_Jan12The UAE is set for another year of steady yet relatively uninspiring growth through 2012, with real GDP forecast to expand by 3.0%. This follows an estimated 3.3% rate of expansion posted in 2011. Broadly speaking, the same problems that have been weighing on the economy since 2009 look set to continue over the coming quarters, with weakness in the domestic real estate market, anaemic credit growth and ongoing deleveraging in the private sector tempering our near-term outlook. Our real GDP growth forecast for the coming year is slightly below consensus; however, this is largely a product of BMI's relatively more pessimistic outlook on the health of the global economy.The outlook for the UAE's ports in 2012 is more upbeat, benefiting from their role as transhipment hubs. Strong growth is forecast by BMI at all of the emirates' major ports despite the headwinds facing the global economy, though we project that this growth rate will slow over our forecast period to 2016. The country's ports are proving themselves resilient in the face of increasing regional competition in the Gulf, with the Port of Jebel Ali announcing a capacity expansion to be completed over the mid term.Headline Industry Data:- Jebel Ali and Port Rashid's tonnage throughput is forecast to grow by 7.2% in 2012 and to average 5.9% through to 2016.- Sharjah container throughput (KCT and SCT) is forecast to grow by 6.7% in 2012, averaging 5.5% over the medium term.- Jebel Ali container throughput is forecast to grow by 10.9% in 2012, following estimated growth of 11.9% in 2011. Through to 2016, we expect growth to average 8.5%.- Total trade real growth is forecast at 9.0% in 2012 and to average 7.2% through to 2016.Key Industry Trends:Jebel Ali Announces Further Expansion Plans, Securing Gulf Transhipment Crown BMI believes that the DP World flagship facility of Jebel Ali in Dubai will remain the premier transhipment hub for the Gulf region, even in the face of increasing competition as the otMon, 20 Feb 2012 11:21:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_200212112923Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220073214/Rotana_to_open_Hili_Rayhaan_by_Rotana_as_part_of_Wahat_Hili_projectRotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has announced plans to open the five-star Hili Rayhaan by Rotana Hotel in Al Ain in first quarter of 2013, as part of Wahat Hili Project - Al Ain's modern and unique retail and hospitality complex located in Hili district.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:52:30 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120220073214Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220083346/Al_Qasba_receives_over_18_million_visitors_in_2011Al Qasba, Sharjah's leading tourist, cultural and entertainment destination, achieved a 14% increase in the number of visitors which totaled 1,881,670 in 2011, compared to 1,650,110 in 2010, and also registered a 12.6% rise in its total income.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:51:05 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120220083346Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220094842/Emirates_Foundation_and_Siemens_sign_agreementThe Emirates Foundation and Siemens LLC, the local affiliate of the global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, have concluded a cooperation agreement aimed to support science education throughout the UAE.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:49:45 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120220094842Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220080914/Rise_in_demand_for_premium_residential_projects_says_Damac_PropertiesDamac Properties, the region's largest private luxury developer, announced today a marked increase in buyer interest in its portfolio of completed and near-completed projects across the Middle East.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:31:05 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120220080914Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_200212083420/OAB_Al_Arabi_GCC_Virtual_Portfolio_20Feb12This is a PDF report. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:31:00 GMTOman Arab Bank SAOC pdf_200212083420Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidWAM20120220074004656/Etihad_airways_introduces_lightweight_Cargo_containersEtihad Airways, along with its Unit Load Device (ULD) partner Jettainer, has embarked on a program to replace 3,000 containers from the original aluminium ULD fleet with environmentally friendly lightweight versions.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:18:39 GMTWAM (Emirates News Agency) WAM20120220074004656Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220035427/UAE_inflation_hits_6month_high_in_JanConsumer prices in the UAE surged to a six-month high of 0.7 per cent on an annual basis in January and rose 0.3 per cent on the month due to an increase in housing prices, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:50:55 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120220035427Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220035834/Y1B_satellite_launch_delayed_till_AprilAl Yah Satellite Communications Company or Yahsat, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, cited reasons 'beyond its control,' for not sending into space Y1BMon, 20 Feb 2012 06:50:13 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120220035834Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220043745/Dubai_and_Abu_Dhabi_can_be_a_single_economic_hubDubai and Abu Dhabi could combine to become a single economic centre that is one of the top five locations for business around the world, an expert on urbanisation has said.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:27:09 GMT7Days ZAWYA20120220043745Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220030413/Dubai_Abu_Dhabi_among_worlds_least_expensive_major_citiesFalling rents, tame inflation figures and a relatively stronger US dollar have pushed UAE cities Dubai and Abu Dhabi among one of the cheapest cities in the world, a new study has revealed.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:15:03 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220030413Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220031434/Poultry_water_prices_may_rise_in_DubaiConsumer should brace themselves for a possible rise in the prices of water, poultry and other foodstuffs being considered by authorities at the request of dealers, newspapers reported.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:14:15 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220031434Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220031358/118m_used_Dubai_Metros_Green_Line_in_5_monthsSince starting operation in September 2011, the Green Line of the Dubai Metro has seen ridership levels beyond expectations with as much as 11,849,172 passengers travelling through the Green Line up to last January.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:13:40 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220031358Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220032130/Abu_Dhabi_rents_tumble_broker_commissions_upFigures published in the Arabic language daily Emarat Alyoum showed brokers, the majority of whom are Egyptians, now charge between Dh,3000 and Dh5,000 for one-bed room apartments, Dh5,000-6,000 for two bed rooms, more than Dh6,000 for three bed rooms and Dh7,500 for a four-bed room unit.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:11:50 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220032130Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200210/New_India_Assurance_taps_reinsurance_marketThe New India Assurance has a simple formula to grow its regional operations based out of Dubai. If as an overseas entity, growth through selling direct insurance products is proving difficult, go with reinsurance.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:43:55 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200210Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200220/Abu_Dhabi_firm_delays_satellite_launchAn Abu Dhabi communication firm is experiencing delays launching a second satellite.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:43:23 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200220Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200227/Tecom_takes_stake_in_Emirates_REITTecom Investments, a diversified conglomerate and a member of Dubai Holding, has paid Dh170 million for a 25 per cent stake in Emirates Real Estate Investment Trust.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:41:47 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200227Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200248/Dragon_Oil_mulls_plan_to_buy_out_BowlevenLondon Stock Exchange-listed Dragon Oil which has its headquarters in Dubai has confirmed in a statement that it is in the preliminary stages of exploring a possible offer for all of the issued and to be issued share capital of Bowleven, an Edinburgh oil and gas explorer.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:40:28 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200248Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200242/Ghantoot_to_inject__500m_into_series_of_Oman_projectsConstruction firm Ghantoot Group yesterday announced $500 million (Dh1.83 billion) worth of investments in a range of projects in Oman.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:39:49 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200242Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200244/Al_Maya_Group_expands_food_trading_businessAl Maya Group, which operates 35 supermarkets and hypermarkets in the GCC, is expanding its food trading business, a company spokesperson said.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:37:28 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200244Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200243/Enoc_arm_opens_Tangier_terminalThe Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) said yesterday its wholly-owned subsidiary Horizon Terminals Limited has inaugurated a new facility in Morocco which involves an investment of Dh667 million.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:37:18 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200243Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200247/Rising_prices_and_food_scarcity_present_risks_opportunitiesRising commodity prices and food scarcity are posing both risks and opportunities to import-dependent Gulf countries, said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign TradeMon, 20 Feb 2012 05:36:18 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200247Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200251/UAE_FNC_members_call_for_tighter_import_checksMembers of the Federal National Council (FNC) will ask the government tomorrow to tighten controls on imports of illegal goods and prevent anti-religious products from entering the country.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:35:45 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200251Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200250/About_5000_candidates_meet_conditions_for_UAE_citizenshipAbu Dhabi President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday issued federal decrees granting Emirati citizenship to 1,117 people who were born to Emirati women married to foreigners.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:35:07 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200250Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_19022012_200257/Benchmark_hits_sixmonth_high_in_UAEConsumer prices in the UAE rose to a six-month high in January, driven by the rising costs of food and housing, data showed.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:34:29 GMTGulf News GN_19022012_200257Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120220030412/UAE_to_introduce_new_fees_to_fund_budgetThe UAE is planning to introduce new fees on government services this year to increase revenue and achieve its zero fiscal deficit target, according to the undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:13:40 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120220030412Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sid20120219_22340_4169/US_hedge_funds_set_to_take_control_of_TravelodgeThe ownership of Travelodge, the debt-laden UK budget hotel group, is moving out of the hands of its Dubai backers and into the grasp of two US hedge funds that have been long-term buyers of its debt.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:04:54 GMTFinancial Times 20120219_22340_4169Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_190212143758/Isthmus_Partners_Restructuring_in_the_UAE_Feb12This is a PDF report. Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:27:00 GMTIsthmus Partners pdf_190212143758Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120219T121138ZJCJ30/UAE_grants_citizenship_to_1117_foreign_childrenThe president of the United Arab Emirates has issued a decree granting citizenship to more than 1,000 children of Emirati women married to foreigners, the official WAM news agency reported.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:19:47 GMTAFP ANA20120219T121138ZJCJ30Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219112225/TECOM_Investments_and_Emirates_REIT_announce_strategic_partnershipTECOM Investments, a diversified conglomerate and a member of Dubai Holding, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Emirates REIT, Dubai's first real-estate investment trust.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:29:50 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219112225Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219110209/Dubai_Chamber_to_launch_Libya_Strategic_Investment_Forum_in_MayIn order to explore the growth prospects offered by Libya's redevelopment process and as part of its efforts to enhance trade ties with the African country, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced organizing of a major Libya Strategic Investment Forum to be held in Dubai on May 7.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:22:48 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219110209Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219073257/GCC_population_growth_rate_now_moderate_QNB_CapitalThe growing GCC economy in recent years has created great demand for expatriate workers. As a result, the region has experienced a rapid growth in population. However, the population growth rates in the region are now moderating, said a latest QNB Capital forecast.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:36:56 GMTThe Peninsula ZAWYA20120219073257Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219091820/Dubai_LD_valuates_1971_properties_worth_AED99_bn_in_2011The Real Estate Valuation Committee, in cooperation with the Real Estate Appraisal Center at the Government of Dubai Land Department (LD), valuated 1971 properties at the request of property owners in 2011 with total value of AED99 billion.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:27:28 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219091820Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20120219000017/Siraj_Capital_Dubai_files_windingup_petitionSiraj Capital Dubai, a Saudi-owned investment firm, has filed a winding-up petition in the Dubai International Financial Center's courts five months after its license to provide financial services was withdrawn by regulators.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:20:00 GMTZawya Dow Jones News ZW20120219000017Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219065118/Ghantoot_Group_plans_US500_mn_investment_in_OmanIn its biggest ever expansion drive outside of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi-based Ghantoot Group announced that it will invest $500 million in various projects in Oman's hospitality, water and power sectors.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:42:59 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219065118Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219071324/Emrill_signs_deal_to_maintain_Allsopp__Allsopp_managed_propertiesEmrill, the leading Facilities Management company in the UAE, announced the signing of a framework agreement with leading real estate agency Allsopp & Allsopp.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:39:21 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219071324Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219072004/Gulf_Capital_acquires_80_of_Reach_GroupGulf Capital, one of the largest and most active private equity firms in the Middle East, announced that it will inject additional financing of up to AED 100 million in one of its portfolio companies, Reach Group (Reach), following a major acquisition of the Group last month.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:37:00 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219072004Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219060036/Kingston_Holdings_opens_new_highland_store_in_the_UAEKingston Holdings, the region's leading promoter of energy efficient solutions, has opened its first Highland store in Abu Dhabi. The modern showroom offers live demos and a wide range of electrical solutions for high tech homes and offices.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:25:37 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120219060036Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219025943/Dubai_tenants_to_be_charged_for_chiller_consumption_directlyDubai's Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) is planning to ask interim owner associations (IOAs) to install separate chiller metres in their buildings so tenants will have to pay the chiller consumption charges, 'Emirates24|7' can reveal.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:12:13 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120219025943Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219030106/UAE_trade_to_reach_Dh24_trillion_in_2015Official data showed imports by the UAE, the second largest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia, could reach Dh1.06 trillion while exports could rise to Dh1.34 trillion.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:11:24 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120219030106Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219035757/Massive_fire_on_Dubai_creek_two_dhows_completely_guttedTwo dhows caught fire at Dubai Creek late on Saturday. One is reported to be a cargo dhow, according to eyewitnesses, while some say the second was used for sight-seeing.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:03:41 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120219035757Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120219042027/GCC_population_seen_at_50m_in_2013A booming economy in recent years has created substantial demand for expatriate workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which has resulted in a rapid growth in population.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:56:15 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120219042027Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_18022012_190207/UAE_MBAs_among_best_in_Arab_worldPrivate universities in the UAE have dominated the list of top MBA programmes in the Arab world. In this month's Forbes Middle East issue, 12 private UAE institutions' MBA programmes were among the top 20.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:03:52 GMTGulf News GN_18022012_190207Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_18022012_190221/Welcome_reprieve_for_Emirati_investorsEmiratis were by no means alone in being hit by the plunge of Dubai's property market, when both novices and experienced investors were stung by flipping one apartment too many.Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:02:16 GMTGulf News GN_18022012_190221Open