60 Minutes Dedicated to Energy Conservation Observed in Mall Properties and Beyond

Dubai, UAE, 28 March, 2012 - Majid Al Futtaim Properties, one of the region's most prominent property and shopping mall developers, will observe this year's Earth Hour through energy-saving initiatives taking place across mall properties in the UAE. Earth Hour is a global grassroots initiative taking place Saturday, March 31st from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Each mall will be participating to play their part in conserving energy to support Earth Hour. Mirdif City Centre and Deira City Centre will be saving electricity by switching off landscape and façade lights, as well as a selection of car park and mall lights. Throughout the initiative, Deira City Centre will also be turning off external signage, in addition to designated staff area and management office and lightening. 

The energy saving phenomenon doesn't stop there - Mall of the Emirates and The Pullman Hotel, Mall of the Emirates are working together to promote energy conservation. During Earth Hour some of the exterior lights will be off, all exterior signage of the tenants will be switched off, and parking lights will only be partially lit. The Pullman Hotel, Mall of the Emirates plans to turn off all of the lights in the hotel and candles will be used in replacement.

Sharjah City Centre plans to switch off all exterior building lights and Ajman City Centre will switch off their façade lights. The wider emirate communities are also being encouraged to participate through online channels, such as the Sharjah City Centre "60 Minutes Earth Hour Challenge" on Facebook. The campaign seeks to unite with the millions of people fighting climate change during Earth Hour and beyond.

Moreover, further educating its customers, Ajman City Centre is collaborating with Ajman Municipality for Earth Hour. A stand will be placed next to the customer services desk where shoppers can receive detailed information and educational brochures explaining the significance of this environmentally friendly initiative.

"Majid Al Futtaim Properties is participating in Earth Hour for the second year. It is just one way we, as a company, are continuously working towards a better environment and joining the community together for a common cause," said Fuad Sharaf, Senior Asset Director, Asset Management, Shopping Malls. "The unified approach in which our malls are supporting Earth Hour underpins our commitment to corporate social responsible practices and environmental sustainability."

Majid Al Futtaim Properties is doing its part to reduce environmental impact across all of the malls during Earth Hour and on a daily basis by developing environmentally-friendly best practices. Earth Hour was observed across over 135 countries last year, and as the global initiative grows, more are expected to participate in the event and continue to generate solutions year-round and past the 60 minutes dedicated to Earth Hour.

-Ends-

About Majid Al Futtaim Properties
Majid Al Futtaim Properties is the leading developer of ‎shopping malls together with hotels and ‎mixed-use community ‎projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Majid Al Futtaim Properties has changed the face of shopping, leisure and entertainment across the region with ten world-class malls operating in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt and three currently in development in Fujairah - UAE, Cairo - Egypt and Beirut - Lebanon. Majid Al Futtaim Properties has earned numerous accolades and awards from international organisations that have recognised its leadership and the quality of its properties. The Company's shopping malls continue to witness a steady increase in footfall with more than 140 million visitors in 2011.

Majid Al Futtaim Properties has four flagship shopping malls; three in Dubai and one in Bahrain. 

Deira City Centre pioneered the concept of shopping and entertainment in the region. It has over 370 stores with an extensive array of mid-market popular brands, including leisure and entertainment facilities and over 50 restaurants and cafes.

Mall of the Emirates is a world-class shopping mall, housing over 520 international retail brands including 80 luxury stores and a unique range of leisure attractions, anchored by the world-renowned Ski Dubai.

Mirdif City Centre, the latest regional shopping mall in the UAE by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, is home to 430 stores offering the best mix of retail, superior leisure and entertainment concepts that include iFLY Dubai - indoor skydiving centre and VOX Cinemas and a host of delicious fine dining outlets.

Bahrain City Centre is the largest shopping, leisure and entertainment complex in Bahrain with 340 international brands including 60 dining options, and features Wahooo!, the region's first  region's first indoor-outdoor waterpark. 

Media contact:
For further information please email Nerry Toledo at nerry.toledo@theportsmouthgroup.com
 or Ahmed Al Zein  at ahmed.alzein@theportsmouthgroup.com or call The Portsmouth Group on +971 4 369 3569

© Press Release 2012