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Source Gulf News

Abu Dhabi bus service is route to beating traffic woes

Abu Dhabi: From Monday until the end of the year residents in Abu Dhabi will enjoy free bus trips on the island to encourage car owners to leave their cars behind, it was announced on Wednesday. "Altogether 125 brand-new, handicap-accessible, world-class, white and green buses will be deployed in Abu Dhabi between 6am and midnight to transport people, free of charge, to make public buses the preferred mode of transportation," said Saeed Al Hameli, general manager of the bus section at the Department of Transport. He launched a two-year plan to gradually overhaul the emirate's public transport network and infrastructure in line with "Plan Abu Dhabi 2030". The project will be completed in phases, starting June 30, with the gradual deployment of 258 buses as a short-term solution. Of these 125 are new and 133 have been refurbished, Al Hameli told a press conference. The fleet will enter service gradually with 60 buses being deployed on the first day on high-traffic routes, to immediately enhance commuter comfort and convenience and improve frequency and scheduled services. "A further 100 new buses are due to enter service in the first quarter of 2009, with more phases to follow. All future phases will aim to increase city, suburban and inter-city capacity by 50 per cent by the end of next year." The new buses, Al Hameli said, will initially service four new routes, followed by six additional routes in August with the goal to operate on 21 high-frequency routes by the beginning of 2009, covering most of Abu Dhabi Island. The department of transport plans to service Abu Dhabi with 1,360 world-class buses by the end of 2010 and has already designed Abu Dhabi's future bus route network, which will provide comprehensive coverage within cities and link the emirate's urban areas. As the emirate's population is expected to increase to 1.5 million people by 2010, the department is today sowing the seeds for a safe, sustainable, economically viable, efficient and lifestyle-enhancing transport system that will be the preferred mode of transport for the public," said Abdullah Rashid Al Otaiba, chairman of the Department of Transport. "This is the first step on the long road ahead that will fuel further economic growth, contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions, enhance quality of life and establish a sustainable public transportation system for all the people of Abu Dhabi." He added that by 2030, Abu Dhabi will be home to 3.5 million people and the aim is to develop a comprehensive public transportation network that will appeal to all segments of society. Our biggest challenge today is to encourage car owners to utilise the new facilities and infrastructure. "It's going to be a gradual process but Abu Dhabi residents and tourists will start seeing the changes next week," Al Otaiba said. Upon completion of the project, Abu Dhabi will boast one of the world's most modern bus fleets. Freedom Bus lanes planned From June 30, free bus rides will be offered until the end of the year with the gradual deployment of 258 buses, 125 new and 133 refurbished. Routes: Marina Mall to Mina Zayed through Zayed The First Street and Hamdan Street; Abu Dhabi Mall to Marina Mall through Zayed The First Street; Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed (Airport) Road to Courts Complex and Carrefour Mall and Al Muroor Road to Madinat Zayed Centre. Toll free telephone number 800 55555 for information on routes, complaints or suggestions Dedicated bus priority lanes may be deployed in key Abu Dhabi arteries that will ensure the smooth flow of buses and connectivity. Renovation of the existing 12 bus stations and the development of 25 new bus stations. Over the next five years, the 37 bus stations will feature an array of retail, banking, food and beverage and other facilities. Creation of six bus depots. Tariff for old buses on other routes will remain unchanged.

Source: Gulf News 26/06/08

Visitors and officials inspect preparations for the Summer in Abu Dhabi festival in the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre 0on Wednesday.

Eight-week family fiesta begins today in capital Abu Dhabi: Some 150,000 visitors are expected during an eight-week family festival beginning today, tipped as the UAE capital's largest-ever, organisers said at a news conference yesterday. "Summer in Abu Dhabi... the event is an investment for Adnec (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) and ADTA (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority)," said Faisal Abdullah Al Shaikh, Event Management Section Head at ADTA. "We are trying to give a boost to tourism in Abu Dhabi during the off-peak season, which will be good for the emirate's economy," he said, adding that a stream of visitors during the 59-day event will keep hotel occupancy rates high during what is normally the year's lean period. "We are aiming for 3 million tourists in Abu Dhabi annually, starting from 2012," said Al Shaikh. 'Summer in Abu Dhabi' will be spread over 13,000 square metres of air-conditioned indoor space at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. "They will consist of seven themed entertainment islands - Adventure Island, Action Island, Island of Creativity, Fun Island, Imagination Island, Culture Island and Discovery Island. Key attractions at the festival include special guests such as Noddy, Pink Panther, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." The tickets for the event which will continue until August 18 cost Dh30 for adults and Dh20 for children over four years but under 16. Children under four will be admitted free. An extra fee of Dh5 each will be charged for games on Fun Island, for Dance Heads and for Interactive Cinema.

Visiting the UAE is now a simple affair

Source: Gulf News June 28, 2008, 00:04

Dubai: Obtaining a visit visa for the UAE is a relatively simple process, although the rules will be changing on August 1. A visit visa applies to all tourists that wish to spend longer than 14 days in the UAE, whether this is for leisure or business. Under current rules, expatriate residents in the GCC may obtain a visit visa upon arrival. British citizens can also obtain a visa upon arrival and it is valid for 60 days. This can be renewed for an extra 30 days at a cost of Dh500. Current regulations also allow residents of 33 other countries to visit the UAE on the same arrival scheme and can also obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa for Dh100 on arrival. According to Dubai Government, current rules allow residents ('sponsors') to obtain visit visas for friends, as long as the resident earns no less than Dh10,000 a month (for procedure, see box). However, the new ruling states that only UAE nationals will be allowed to sponsor visitors that are friends. New types UAE residents will be allowed to apply for visit visas for their spouse or close relatives, while wider family members will need the approval of senior officials. A total of 16 new visit visas are due to be introduced by the Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department (FNRD). From August 1, visit visas valid for 30 days will cost Dh500, and cannot be renewed. If the visitor wishes to stay longer than 30 days, a visit visa valid for 90 days can be issued at a cost of Dh1,000. Health insurance will also be mandatory, which includes a Dh1,000 deposit before the visa is issued. A multiple-entry visit visa will also be introduced at a cost of Dh2,000, which is valid for six months, but only allows for visits of 14 days at a time. A refundable deposit of Dh1,000 needs to be paid to the FNRD before any visit visa is issued and the Ministry of Interior is looking at exempting some nationalities from the charge, although no decision has yet been taken, as reported in Gulf News. New visa fees - Health visa: cost Dh1,000 for 90 days. Those wishing to undergo treatment in the UAE must obtain this visa, which can be renewed for a comparable period, costing Dh500. - Business visa: cost Dh100. This visa is for those attending conferences or exhibitions in the UAE. - Month-long tourist visa: cost Dh100 (unchanged). This can be renewed once. - Transit visas will cost Dh100 and mission visas will be Dh200. Documents required - Typing form - A copy of the sponsor's passport - A copy of the sponsored person's passport and three passport photos - Attested work contract if the sponsor is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in government Fees - Dh110 + typing fee - Additional Dh100 for urgent application fee (optional) - Dh10 Empost sticker for non-urgent visa - Dh1,000 refundable deposit (retain receipt to obtain refund) Procedure Go to any authorised typing office and have the forms typed. If an urgent visa is required, ask for urgent visa form to be typed & pay additional Dh100. Go to any Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) branch or main office. If you are applying for non-urgent visa, go to an Empost Counter and purchase a Dh10 sticker before submitting the visa form. Urgent visas are given within 10 minutes. Empost will courier non-urgent visas to you within two working days at the address you have listed on the sticker. Send either the original or the copy to your friend. If only copy was sent, then deposit the original at a visa counter at the respective UAE airport at least five hours before the flight lands.

Indian ministry rules block marriage plans

By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter Source: Gulf News Published: June 27, 2008, 00:07

Dubai: The marriage plans of Indians in the UAE could run into trouble if they don't get the green light from their parents. The Indian Consulate in Dubai has apparently begun insisting on consent letters from parents. A couple said their marriage has been put on hold because the consulate asked for a letter from their parents. "They asked us to submit an affidavit of no-objection from our parents, along with other documents, including a notice of intended marriage, declaration from prospective bride and groom along with the signatures of three witnesses and a sworn affidavit signed by the bride and groom," said the woman, who requested anonymity. The couple were even more surprised when consulate officials demanded a death certificate of the groom's father be attached to his mother's affidavit. Both parents need to give their consent for the marriage to go ahead, but since one of them had passed away a death certificate would be needed as proof. "As adults, it is our decision whether we want to get married or not. In our case, it is not going to personally affect us, as our parents have no objection to our marriage. But for others, it can be a problem," said the woman. This new requirement and the paperwork involved will lead to a delay in their marriage plans. "My father is working on an oil rig, and that means I might have to wait for almost a month to get the letter from him. It is going to be delayed more because we have to arrange for my fiance's father's death certificate." When contacted, the Indian consulate said they needed time to look into the matter. It is believed that the step has been introduced to ensure that neither partner has another wife or husband. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi said they follow a slightly different route. They usually send a letter to the couple's parents, asking whether they had any objection, and did not require an affidavit of no-objection attached to the application for marriage. "We send a letter to the parents on both sides to inform them," said an official. He added any objection on the grounds of religion would not be considered valid. "Basically, the objective is to inform the parents, and ask for their consent. We wait a month for their response, and if there is no response within that period, it will be considered as a 'no-objection' from their side," explained the official. He added the embassy usually sends a letter to the marriage office of applicants repective states and will put up a notice of intended marriage so that anybody who objects can contact the embassy. The criminal record and the marital status of the applicants will also be verified. A legal consultant from Abu Dhabi said the embassy did insist on a no-objection letter from one of his client's parents, as she was not Indian while the groom was. According to the Indian Special Marriage Act, 1954, any person in India and all Indians in foreign countries can marry with mutual consent. Requirements Required documents and procedures to get married at the Indian Consulate: - Notice of the intended marriage (four copies). - Declaration by the prospective bride and groom in duplicate. - Four recent studio passport-size photographs of each. - If either the bride or bridegroom is non-Indian, a no-objection certificate from the concerned embassy or consulate, or a sworn affidavit from the non-Indian that should be attested by their concerned consulate or embassy and the UAE ministry of foreign affairs. - Either the bride or bridegroom should have a UAE residence visa. - If only one party is Indian, that party must have a UAE residence visa. - Three witnesses holding UAE residence visas with their original passport. - If both the bride and bridegroom are Indian, all three witnesses should be Indians. - However, if either of them is a foreign national, then one of the witnesses can be from that nationality. New clauses - No-objection letter from both the prospective bride and bridegroom's parents. --Separate affidavits (of no-objection) from mother and father if they are residing in two different countries. --Copy of death certificate if one of the parents has passed away.

New beach on Abu Dhabi Corniche to be opened on Wednesday

Source : Gulf News 28 June 2008

Abu Dhabi: A new two-kilometre beach stretch along the Abu Dhabi Corniche will open to the public on Wednesday. The new beach will have swimming areas, refreshment outlets, scenic gardens, walking pathways, beach volleyball pitches, children’s play areas and toilets. Last-minute touch-ups are in full swing at various facilities at the new tourism destination, which lies on an area of 11 hectares. At least 170 umbrellas will line the stretch to provide shade to beach goers. Four volleyball pitches will also be available for visitors throughout the day. People will be able to use the swim area during daytime, and trained lifeguards will monitor the swimmers from seven surveillance towers. Floating fences will ensure swimming security over 40-metres into the sea. A police post has also been built on the beach front for more security. The landscaping and greenery are also expected to make the beach one among the most beautiful destinations in the country. A central building, complete with a mosque, refreshment areas and changing rooms, will give facility for picnic events, get-togethers and family assemblies. Along the landscaped area, benches have been laid out giving the people one of the most refreshing sights of the sea.

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Type of Visas in the U.A.E.

Source :Gulf News

Regulations in the UAE are complicated and subject to change. Check with your local UAE Embassy or travel agent prior to leaving to be sure. There are several different types of visa available. The most commonly used are Visit visas, tourist visas and residency visas for ex-pats. Visit visa: Visit visas valid for 30 days will cost Dh500. This cannot be renewed. A person wishing to stay for an extended period must obtain a visit visa valid for 90 days that costs Dh1,000. Citizens of the certain countries (listed in the next paragraph) can get a 30-day visit visa free of charge upon arrival, entitling them to stay for 60 days: Britain, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. After this period a visitor can extend the visit visa by a further two months by leaving the country and returning. This can be done twice. When the third visit visa expires the person must leave the UAE for at least a month before returning. For residents of other countries, the visa must be sponsored by an individual, such as a relative, or an establishment. The application is submitted by the sponsor with all required documents. Tourist Visa: It is available for tourists sponsored by tour operating companies and hotels. It is issued for 30 days for a fee of Dh100 and an additional Dh10 for delivery. This may be renewed only once. Student Visit Visa: Will cost Dh1,000. To obtain this, a person must be registered in one of the universities in the UAE and must obtain health insurance. Additionally, a refundable deposit of Dh1000 must be paid. Special Mission Entry Visa: This is issued for a non-renewable 14 days for a fee of Dh220 and a delivery charge of Dh10. Commonly known as a transit visa, it is collected by the visitor upon arrival. It is issued to businessmen and tourists sponsored by a company or commercial establishment or a hotel licensed to operate in the UAE. Mission Visa: The newly added type of visa, it is issued for the purpose of temporary work in the country. It is issued for a maximum of 180 days with a combined fee of Dh1,800. It is issued for three months against a fee of Dh600 and can be renewed for another three months against a fee of Dh1,200. It has been introduced to facilitate Labour Ministry's Temporary Work Permit. An applicant must obtain the permit from the Labour Ministry first to get the visa. Transit Visa: It is issued to travellers transiting through UAE airports. It issued for 96 hours and must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE. The visitor must have a valid ticket for onward flight. There is a charge of Dh100. Multiple Entry Visa: It is an option for businessmen who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company here. This multiple visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and costs Dh1,000. However, each visit must not exceed 30 days. The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while he is here. Residence Visa: A residence visa is required for those who intend to enter the UAE to live indefinitely with a person who is already a resident. It is issued to the immediate kin of a resident for three years for a fee of Dh300. The residence permit becomes invalid if the resident remains more than six months at a time out of the country. Parents of residents are issued residence visas after special approval with a renewable validity of one year for a fee of Dh100 for each year. A refundable deposit of Dh5,000 has to be paid for each parent. Investor Visa: It is issued to an expatriate investor in partnership with a local. The foreign investor must hold a minimum stake of Dh70,000 in the share capital. Like the residence visa, it is issued for three years for a fee of Dh300. Employment Visa: Employment Visa or Permit is issued by the Immigration Department to a foreign national who wishes to work for a company in the UAE upon the approval of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. It allows the holder to enter the UAE once for a period of 30 days and is valid for two months from the date of issue. When the employee has entered the country on the basis of the employment visa, the sponsoring company will arrange to complete the formalities of stamping his residence. Visit visa for medical purposes: Those wishing to undergo treatment must take visit visa for treatment purpose that costs Dh1,000 for 90 day duration. This can be renewed for a similar period at Dh500. Visit visa for events: Those visiting to attend conferences or exhibitions can obtain a visa for this purpose at Dh100.

Guidelines to help travellers avoid bringing in banned medicines to UAE

Source: Gulf News

Dubai: Each country has its own laws and regulations to protect citizens and visitors. Rules and regulations differ from country to country and what is allowed in one country could be prohibited and even considered a crime in another country. One rule that differs vastly from some other countries is the bringing of certain pharmaceuticals into the UAE. Everyone, including visitors, are subject to the UAE's laws and regulations and tourists may find that they are different from the rules in their own country. As the UAE becomes one of the most popular tourist and transit destinations in the world here are some guidelines to help travellers avoid bringing in any banned medical substance or drugs. Zero-tolerance There is a zero-tolerance policy towards intoxicating drugs and possession. Even a very small amount of illegal drugs found on the person will lead to a long jail sentence. Drug trafficking will lead to a life sentence or the death penalty. But there are certain medicinal drugs, even over-the-counter drugs, which although legal when taken under a doctor's supervision in one's home country, could land that person in jail in the UAE. Some over-the-counter drugs are considered controlled items in the UAE as they produce effects that contravene local laws. The presence of these illegal drugs is detected by blood or urine tests, and even very small quantities of such medicines are subject to prosecution by the authorities. Before coming here it is wise to be informed that possession of a number of pharmaceuticals could land you in trouble here. If you are undergoing medical treatment in your country and you are travelling to the UAE, be sure to carry with you a doctor's prescription of the medication which you are bringing. Possession of certain prescribed medicines (especially those containing codeine, a common ingredient for pain relief and cold and flu medication) will land you in jail here. There are 365 such medicines listed on the UAE's health ministry's website. Be aware also that there are no warnings posted at airports. Travel agencies may not inform you of such restrictions.

THE U.A.E. Prices of 1,129 key medicines to go up

Tuesday, 15, July 2008 Source : Khaleej times

Prices of 1,129 drugs for both chronic and non-chronic diseases will be increased in the country, according to a Cabinet decision announced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday. Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami announced an increase of 5.85 per cent for a total of 530 European medications for chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, and an increase of 21.4 per cent for 599 European drugs used to treat non-chronic drugs. The federal decision, which takes effect on October 15, was taken after serious efforts by the ministry to ensure that patients are able to afford critical medications required for a long term, and averted an imminent 36 per cent increase in all European medications due to the rising value of the Euro in relation to the dirham. "Although inflation and the economic changes occurring around the world have made a new drug policy essential, our main concern was ensuring affordable treatment to people with chronic diseases who have to purchase medication over a long period of time," said Al Qutami. He added that the new price cap will be evaluated every two years, after coordination with the UAE Central Bank. Currently, there is a total of 6,932 drug types in the country, but only those from European countries (1,129) will be subject to the new law. Patients purchasing these European drugs are not affected by the dirham's decreased value in the face of the Euro, as the MoH's price caps have not been changed since 2005, when the value of the Euro was Dh4.3. Now, as the pharmaceutical market is incurring losses due to this policy, the MoH has decided to allow for a price increase after reducing the profit margins of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies by five and six per cent, respectively, in order to decrease the final prices of essential drugs for consumers. "This decision was taken after consultations with pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and financial experts and we took into consideration the needs of companies and pharmacies who should not be negatively effected by the slight reduction in their profits," said Dr Amin Al Amiri, CEO for Medical Practice and Licensing in the MoH. Dr Al Amiri explained that this price increase does not necessarily have to affect all patients.