HUMANSOFT contribution to the eLiteracy initiative Hailed

Hamed Al-Sharekh, Vice President Al Alamiah Group, President Al Alamiah Group KSA

Reaffirming its Multi-vendor policy: Al Alamiah Group announces a strategic collaboration with HP

We reproduce this edited version of an SOS send by an alleged victim of a real estate fraud in Banglore/Qatar...Do you have any information to share? - EditorNRIs continue to Buld Castles in the Air More

DNRD records 50 per cent jump in visitors from visa-on-arrival category countries

Over 1 million visitors from the 33 countries not requiring pre-arranged visas arrived at Dubai International Airport during 2003

January 17, 2004 The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has recorded a 50 per cent increase in the number of visitors from the 33 countries that enjoy visa-on-arrival status. More than 1 million visas were issued for nationals of these countries by DNRD at the Dubai International Airport during 2003.

The 33 countries that enjoy visa-on-arrival status in the UAE include the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Italy, among others.

"This new record represents a tremendous boost to tourism and business in the UAE. A 50 per cent increase in traffic from these countries in just one year translates into a vote of confidence in the UAE's position as the commercial and tourism hub of the region," said Colonel Saeed bin Belailah, Director, DNRD. "As these countries largely represent the highly developed and industrialized world, their increased numbers in the Middle East send the message that the UAE is becoming a highly popular destination for business and pleasure."

"This tremendous increase in visitors from these 33 countries also means added pressure on our staff issuing visas at the Dubai International Airport," added Colonel bin Belailah. "We have been able to face the challenge due to the dedication of our staff, backed by state-of-the-art IT systems that increase speed and efficiency. We have achieved full IT integration between our airport offices and the head office and this has enabled us to meet the high demand and expectations."

"The increase in visitors from the visa-on-arrival category countries has been triggered by the pioneering business and tourism initiatives in the UAE, including projects like the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), The Palm, Dubai Marina, Dubai Internet City and numerous others that have enhanced the country's position on the global map," added Colonel bin Belailah. "We expect this number to rise further in 2004 and are gearing ourselves to cope with that scenario."

Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), was established in 1971. It consists of 12 Sections, six of which are main sections located within the premises of the administration, namely: Naturalization and Passports Section, Entry Permits Section, Residency Section, Investigation and Control Section, Administration and Finance Section and Information Technology Section. The other six sections are spread over Dubai and neighboring area and include Dubai Airport passports Section, Rashid Port Passports Section, Shindegah Port Passports Section, Hamriah port Passports Section, Jebel Ali Port Passports Section and Hatta Passports Section.
DNRD has recently installed a fast-track electronic passport control system at the Dubai International Airport, eGate, that offers card-operated access to the airport to travelers through pre-registration. eGate helps passengers complete passport control within a few seconds, using an electronically operated foolproof fingerprint identification system. Dubai Airport is the first airport in the Middle East and the third in the world to install such an advanced passenger clearance system.

HUMANSOFT contribution to the eLiteracy initiative Hailed

Training initiative for the judiciary is part of HUMANSOFT's commitment to make a social contribution

January 18, 2004 Business Software Alliance, the leading non-governmental organisation (NGO) that represents the interests of global and local software developers, has commended the role of New Horizons Computer Learning Centre, one of the largest independent IT training companies worldwide and an entity of HUMANSOFT Group, in the Alliance's new eLiteracy initiative for UAE's judiciary. New Horizons was recently presented with a trophy by Mr. Jawad Al Redha, Co-chairman, BSA Middle East.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Redha said, "the dominating presence of Information Technology in every aspect of our lives demands that every member of the community should upgrade his IT skills for better performance. By hosting this training programme, BSA wanted to demonstrate its members' commitment to share their software expertise in various fields with members of the judiciary in the UAE. The acquisition of new IT skills will provide rapid and universal access to necessary information, as well as speed up the dispensation of justice."

"New Horizons was our first choice because of the reputation it has acquired for quality of course content, and the effectiveness of their training techniques," added Al Redha. "Its global expertise helped us put together a training programme customized to the requirements of the judges and prosecutors. New Horizons lived up to its reputation of being one of the most prestigious training institutes by delivering focused and systematic training to the judges. BSA was deeply impressed with its dedication and training methodology."

Under the initiative, judges and prosecutors from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates participated in a specially designed IT awareness course delivered at New Horizon's centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The course was dedicated to various aspects of IT and its deployment into the daily workflow of the judiciary.

Nadeem Younies, Country General Manager, New Horizons-HUMANSOFT, commented: "As judiciary is one of the pillars of any country's administration, it is critical that the officials in charge of delivering justice are familiar with Information Technology which offers unmatched benefits such as networking, rapid access to unlimited information, and speed. New Horizons is pleased to partner with BSA in this initiative to upgrade IT awareness among members of the judiciary and assist them in discovering new possibilities of IT deployment in every aspect of judicial work."

"We worked with our global trainers to put together a suitable programme that would help the judges and prosecutors learn maximum skills," added Younies. "We were able to cover some topics of general IT awareness, as well as themes of specific interest to the judiciary. It was a very fruitful exercise, as they all showed tremendous enthusiasm in learning new skills. New Horizons is very proud to have contributed to this exercise."

HUMANSOFT Holding Company provides integrated human resource development solutions and IT solutions that enable them to play a catalyst role in the process of technology transfer to the countries in which they operate, aiming at contributing to the development of individuals, organizations and economies of the region. Entities of HUMANSOFT include; New Horizons as the specialized IT Training provider and a sister company for HUMANSOFT Career Development Center, HUMANSOFT Learning Solutions, Direct English and Tawteen Human Resources Services.

DUBAI TO GET US $500,000 CARTON PLAST JET PRINT FACILITY
PLANS OUTLINED AT SIGN & GRAPHIC IMAGING SHOW

11/1/04

Carton Plast, which currently manufacturers polypropelene corrugated sheets and operates a four colour silk screen printing factory in Iran, says it is now to open a jet print facility in Dubai to serve a growing Gulf market.

General Manager Masoud Bahroloumi says investment in the plant will be around US $500,000 and will enable the company to print directly onto its polypropelene sheets to better serve its customers needs. The plan was outlined at the Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East 2004 trade show, which runs at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre until tomorrow evening (January 12).

"Business has been excellent over the past year since we took part in this show - and now we have returned with a stand double the size. We see this investment in Dubai as a way of taking the business even further forward," said Bahroloumi. Meanwhile Switzerland's Kimoto, one of Europe's leading companies in semi-offset solutions, said it is also now looking to establish business in the Middle East.

Visiting the show, Moataz Salah Eldin, Sales Manager, Kimoto said: "We want to open up to the Middle East market and visiting this show is a chance to get together with the industry. If we get the business here right, we will have our own booth next year."

Some 145 companies from 24 countries are taking part in Sign & Graphic Imaging 2004 which also has a Chinese pavilion and first time representation from Morocco.

Meanwhile the show organisers, International Expo-Consults (IEC), say it is looking to further expand the show profile. "This will include labelling and marking technologies, films, POP and POS advertising, photo imaging, logo design and media advertising," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice President, IEC. "The show will also feature seminars and workshops, covering the industry's latest developments, innovations and emerging trends."

Exhibitors reported early days sales at the show with the USA's PhotoBrasive Systems saying it sold 5 engraving machines on the first day. And AlTech Digi Prints LLC, which markets Germany's The Magic Touch transfer printing systems says it has sold five full packages. "This has been a great show for us," said Said Jarrouj, Sales and Franchise Manager, ATBP. "We will be participating next year with double the sales space."