The tower will be situated in the heart of Istanbul, on an 11-thousand square meter plot, landscaped and replete with a full range of amenities to ensure utmost comfort and visual appeal. Additionally, the development is placed strategically to maximize connectivity in the bustling city: The tower has a heliport on its roof, while it will stand in close proximity to the planned Bomonti-Dolmabahçe tunnel that is expected to cut the time a typical journey takes from 45 minutes to a mere four minutes once it is complete. The tunnel will connect the centrally located Bomonti District to the historic Dolmabahçe, which is situated along the banks of the Bosphorus.
Further addressing the lifestyle offering of the development, Rixos Hotels will provide each resident with personal concierge services. For residents wishing to unwind after a stressful day, Rixos Residences Bomonty will have a landmark 2500 square meter Spa area managed by the Rixos Health Club. Furthermore, the project will include a multi-purpose sports area, a mini-golf course, a café, a restaurant, a hairdresser and a dry cleaning service.
The US $137.2 million project is being developed with Rixos Hotels’ esteemed partners Ayaydın Group, İpek-Çakırkaya, Maslak Yapı and Merttaş Yapı.

This latest addition follows the recent announcement of the purchase of 30 Airbus planes to the Turkish Airlines fleet in line with its expansion plans. Turkey’s flag carrier aims to acquire a total of 105 new aircraft over the coming few years. This rapid expansion positions Turkish Airlines as one of the fastest growing carriers in the world.

By the end of 2015, the number of single aisle jets in the fleet of Turkish Airlines will increase to 155, and the number of twin aisle aircraft will rise to 36. The total number of aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet will reach 196, 5 of them cargo airplanes.

For information on Turkish Airlines flights and fares please visit www.thy.com or contact Turkish Airlines Sales Offices. Information about the Frequent Flyer Program is available at www.thy.com/smiles

Shaun B Ollier, Business Development Manager Lammtara, expressed his enthusiasm “FREEJ is iconic – both in its content and in its cultural messaging. It has won the hearts of millions and made the UAE proud. We
¬are really pleased to have worked together with Toy Store to launch the first FREEJ corner. In the months ahead we are hoping to develop a number of FREEJ corners in selective outlets of The Toy Store within the GCC.”

ABOOD: (Bounds up stairs of Toy Store, Mall of the Emirates and screeches around corner grinding to a halt at FREEJ Corner). Wow!
UM SAEED: (Pause) Marhaba! Strange…looks familiar, I feel right at home
UM SALOOM: (tagging along behind Um Saeed and looking disorientated) Where are we?
UM KHAMMAS: FREEJ Corner of course, goodness look at this beautiful plush doll (Um Khammas is tenderly stroking a soft toy of herself)
UM SAEED: (sarcastically) Looks like an old granny to me! … But this small one is quite lovely, very cute (picking up soft toy of herself)
UM ALLAWI: (moving to a glass case full of interesting FREEJ watches)
Now, that’s what I call gizmos…
UM SALOOM: (interrupting and looking confused) Where is Abood?
The Fun Old Girls look up to find Abood perched mischievously on top of the Um Saeed house with a trail of FREEJ crocs, and toys randomly scattered
UM KHAMMAS: Abood, come down, come down right now! Come down or they won’t be asking us back here again…
And so it was that the FREEJ characters came upon
FREEJ Corner at The Toy Store in Mall of the Emirates.
And luckily, they were asked back.

December 14, 2009
Dulsco, the region’s largest human resource outsourcing company, has announced that it has mobilised a team of 125 people as well as various waste management equipment as part of its support to the recently concluded Clean Up UAE 2009 campaign, which was simultaneously held across 50 locations in the UAE. Dulsco’s Manpower Services division deployed up to 100 personnel in Dubai and 25 in the East Coast to join the nationwide clean-up initiative.

Dulsco’s Waste Management Services division also commissioned seven skips and waste collection services in two locations in Dubai; and two skips and waste collection services in Sharjah. Organised by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) for the eighth straight year, Clean Up UAE is one of the biggest environmental programs in the UAE, gathering thousands of volunteers and supporters from different segments of the society.

Shamshuddin H.M, Senior Manager- Projects, Dulsco, said: “Environmental protection and conservation is an important advocacy that is an integral part of the Dulsco organisation. In fact, one of our core businesses involves the upkeep and wellbeing of the environment and our communities, which is why we were very enthusiastic about our participation in the Clean Up UAE campaign. We will continue to support similar initiatives as we seek to generate greater awareness about the responsibilities of citizens and residents in maintaining a clean and healthy society.”

Dulsco has been providing human resource, waste management and marine services to the UAE for more than 70 years. Dulsco’s manpower solutions offer comprehensive

choices for UAE companies, including general, semi-skilled and skilled workers, as well as senior management positions.

“We couldn’t have hoped for a closer finish at the finals of such a great regional competition with such a fantastic prize”, commented Hal Bame, Director Distributor Territories at Codemasters. “Dirt 2 has been and continues to be a huge success for Codemasters in the Middle East and we look forward to running an equally successful campaign next year with our official Formula 1 2010 game.”

The race saw 9 racers from across the GCC region battle it out to claim the title of DiRT 2 Arabia Champion, which included hundreds of entrants. Through the three elimination rounds, Al Hamdan led the scoreboard with the best lap time amongst the players. The final round of the races saw Faisal Al-Hamdan triumph over Youssef Al Badri, flown in from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, defeating him by a fraction of a second. 2nd and 3rd place winners, each received a limited edition Dirt 2 and SONY PS3 console bundle, signed by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: ““Etihad recognises the need for step-changes in aviation to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and meet our industry’s carbon reduction goal. We also recognise that any fuel alternatives must be morally, socially and environmentally acceptable, while not compromising the future sustainability of the aviation industry.”

SAFUG members are bound by stringent criteria for the development of non fossil fuels, including the following:
• The development of plant sources must be undertaken in a manner that is non-competitive with food, with biodiversity impacts minimised and without jeopardizing drinking water supplies.
• The total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from plant growth, harvesting, processing and end-use should be significantly less than that from fossil sources.
• In developing economies, development projects should include provisions or outcomes that improve socio-economic conditions for small-scale farmers and their families and that do not require the involuntary displacement of local populations.
• High conservation value areas and native eco-systems should not be cleared and converted for jet fuel plant source development.

Each SAFUG member has pledged to work through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), a global multi-stakeholder initiative consisting of leading environmental organizations, financiers, biofuel developers, biofuel-interested petroleum companies, the transportation sector, developing-world poverty alleviation associations, research entities, and governments.

“Abu Dhabi, our home base, has itself made a strong commitment towards sustainability and in the promotion of renewable energy through the establishment of Masdar City, which will the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency,” Mr Hogan said.

Abu Dhabi, 12th December 2009: Al Maabar, a joint venture of Abu Dhabi’s leading real estate and investment companies, announced today that its Bab Al Bahr Project, a landmark development being undertaking in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, is progressing on budget and on schedule – 90% of the project’s infrastructure and 30% of construction for phase one has been completed, which relates to 20% of the total project.

Located in one of the most dynamic and important areas of Rabat, the built up area of Bab al Bahr will be approximately 560,000 square meters and will include three hotels, residential areas, offices, shops, services offices, and entertainment facilities. The total cost of the project, excluding equipment, is estimated to be AED 3 billion (US$ 800 million). Al Maabar is developing the project in cooperation with it partner L’Agence pour le Développement de Bouregreg, which is also developing a further 6000 hectares of Vallie du Bouregreg.

News of the project’s significant progress was made at a press conference hosted by Mr Yousef Al Nowais, managing director, Al Maabar and Mr Lemghari general manager, L’Agence pour le Développement de Bouregreg and CEO of Baba al Bahr; in attendance were Moroccan Government officials.

Mr. Al Nowais not only discussed Bab Al Bahr’s progress but also highlighted the importance of the project to both Morocco and the UAE and how the new development will help to raise Rabat’s international profile. Mr Al Nowais also outlined Al Maabar’s strategy for the Moroccan and wider regional market:

“We are extremely pleased at what has been achieved on the ground in Rabat. Such a progress has been made possible thanks to the constant support from our Moroccan partner and their absolute commitment to implement a world-class development.

“By working closely we have successfully overcome many challenges on the project, such as the difficult piling that was required. We have also worked together to ensure the city’s unique heritage is not compromised, a requirement that we took into consideration from the outset”, he explained.

Mr. Al Nowais added, “In order to expedite work on the project and increase synergy with our local partner, Al Maabar has opened a fully-fledged office in Rabat, which will be fully operational by the end of December 2009. Such a step will help achieve our goal of completing the project by the first quarter of 2013, as scheduled.”

Speaking on the Moroccan real estate market, Al Nowais said, “Morocco has been one of the leading markets targeted by Al Maabar since our inception,

given the country’s unique opportunities such as stable and open economy, a leading tourist and business destination and also the country’s growing need for mixed used projects such as Bab Al Bahr. Such developments are extremely important as they help provide significant employment opportunities, raise realty standards, and introduce modern infrastructure standards that meet the city’s growing requirements.”

“Al Maabar’s strong financial position has allowed the company to benefit from the current market situation, which has allowed us to secure the best costs for the development, such as contractors, suppliers, and materials. Obviously, these savings are important as they reduce costs and allow us to work within the original set budget, ensuring best value to all partners involved”, Al Nowais concluded.

Mr. Essakl priased Al Maabar’s commitment and experience in the realty sector: “Progress has been moving smoothly and steadily thanks to the cooperation between the two team. On completion, Bab Al Bahr will undoubtedly will be a leading landmark not only in Morocco but across the Mediterranean. We also believe that Bab Al Bahr represents the beginning of a positive and successful long-term relationship between Abu Dhabi and Morocco.”

Bab Al Bahr is the first stage in the Bouregreg Valley development and has been designed to incorporate aspects of Rabat’s and Morocco’s unique culture and architectural style, whilst creating a modern and contemporary community.

The development, which is divided into seven distinct quarters encompassing retail, hospitality, high-end residential and commercial offerings, is located on a site area equivalent to 280,000 sqm and a built up area of 550,000 sqm.

The inspiration behind the master plan comes from the old streets and walkways of Rabat. The modernised version maintains the same picturesque and traditional community feeling of the old city, but with a luxurious and contemporary ambiance. Work began on the site at the end of 2008 and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Relocation to Offer Central Location for all Emirates and Accommodate an Increase in Number of Students and Staff

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The British University in Dubai (BUiD), the Middle East’s leading research-based postgraduate university, today announced its strategic decision to relocate its campus from Knowledge Village to Academic City in time for the February 2010 intake.

The move comes following the University’s plans to upgrade and expand its facilities to accommodate more programmes, students, and staff.

“An increased number of professionals based in the UAE and surrounding countries are looking at higher education to meet their career goals,” said Professor Abdulla Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, BUiD.

“To accommodate the growth in demand for our programme offerings, and to meet our goals in expanding and upgrading our facilities, our move in February next year will further establish BUiD as a truly local University with a global vision,” added Professor Alshamsi.

With new programmes in the pipeline, including the recent announcement of the UAE’s first Doctorate, and MSc Construction Law and Dispute Resolution courses commencing in February 2010, BUiD’s relocation will allow for more room for growth.

At the new campus, BUiD also plans to extend its library, increase classroom capacity, and add more open-access space and staff offices.

In addition, being based in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) will allow students travelling from all Emirates to take advantage of its central location.

“We are planning to be as flexible as possible. With the move, it will provide better access for our growing number of students from all the Emirates,” added Alshamsi.
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s only Free Zone dedicated to higher education.
Martin Prince, Registrar, BUiD, said: “As Dubai’s own research-led University, BUiD aims to provide an educational environment which is truly a community of Knowledge-seeking and learning.”

“Having grown to respect and appreciate TECOM’s professionalism in its management and development of Knowledge Village, we are pleased to follow its strategic advice in relocating to Dubai International Academic City,” Prince added.
A regional base for premier international higher education institutions, DIAC is the world’s first dedicated tertiary cluster development. Spread across an area of 25 million square foot, the DIAC campus provides an intellectually inspiring environment for students and faculty members.
This thriving knowledge community was founded as part of a long-term economic strategy to develop the region’s talent pool, to accelerate its move into a knowledge economy.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) and Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), both members of TECOM Investments, said: “The relocation of The British University in Dubai (BUiD), carried out with the support of TECOM Investments, will enable the academic institution to offer enhanced facilities and increased space for staff, students and the wider research and higher education community. Its new location at DIAC will also provide greater opportunity for collaboration and dialogue with stakeholders including the federal institutions, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Sheikh Hamdan e-University.”

“As a centre for higher learning, DIAC remains one of the most compelling education clusters boasting world class infrastructure facilities. We are confident BUiD will find the academic free zone the most suitable to operate from and effectively contribute to academic progress through offering regionally tailored programmes,” he added.

Dubai, December 12, 2009: In a sign of its commitment to sustained regional communications outreach, Emirates NBD, the Middle East’s largest bank by asset size, announced today that it has appointed ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller as its retained public relations consultancy.

The appointment of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller comes at a time when the bank has recently concluded the two-year merger process between Emirates Bank and National Bank of Dubai. As a result, Emirates NBD has now consolidated its status as a national banking champion and among the largest banks in the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

Emirates NBD continues to expand its operations and range of products and services. It is also increasingly focused on communicating with all its stakeholders, including clients, investors, partners and the media.

“We are pleased to announce our new relationship with ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, the region’s leading public relations consultancy, which has a significant track record of successfully partnering with both regional and international firms,” said Saif Al Mansoori, Head – Group Business Marketing, Emirates NBD. “At Emirates NBD, we are convinced that consistent communication has never been more important, and are confident that ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller will prove a reliable partner in that long-term effort.”

“It is a privilege for us to have the opportunity to provide our support to Emirates NBD, a storied brand in the regional financial services sector,” said Sunil John, Chief Executive Officer, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller. “We are grateful to the management of the bank for their confidence in ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, and look forward to working closely with them, across the operations of Emirates NBD, for many years to come.”