K E R A L A M O N I T OR N E W S More News Photocaption - front row (Left) Keith Wake, Island Group (middle) Fahad Al Musalam, Unstoppabulls Racing Team (right) Ebrahim Kanoo, Al Ayam Al Riadi, who finished third, first and second respectively, pose with BMW and BIC officials at the prize giving. More News in Pixs UNSTOPPABULLS CLINCH VICTORY IN FIRSTMINI CHALLENGE DUBAI - 2nd June, 2004Fahad Al Mussalam of HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s ‘The Unstoppabulls’ Racing Team, speed to victory in the opening race of the MINI Challenge' at the Bahrain International Circuit.The race was organised by Euro Motors – the exclusive importer of BMW Group cars in the Kingdom - and held in conjunction with the Bahrain Motor Federation. It featured 14 MINI Cooper Club Sport cars, each sponsored by local companies, with identical specifications and engine capacity.In Race One of the five-round challenge, Al Musallam finished ahead of Ebrahim Kanoo of Al Ayam Al Riadi newspaper team and Island Foods/Bison Racing Team's Keith Wake, who finished in second and third places respectively. “It was a great victory for the team as it now puts us in good stead for the rest of the season,” said Mussalam. “I went out there and did my best and we clinched the maximum points available. “We now have to build on this and maintain a level of consistency throughout the season” The ‘MINI Challenge’, the Middle East’s first one make car series, will now break for the summer and resume again in September, with three more racing events in addition to the final race at the end of the season. The drivers’ skills and knowledge will also be tested in various events including sprints and other timed races. “The first round of the MINI Challenge was a success for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the drivers could demonstrate their abilities in a safe and controlled environment,” said Zayed Al Zayani, Managing Director, Euro Motors- the exclusive importer for BMW Group cars and motorcycles in the Kingdom.“By presenting the opportunity for amateur racing talents to participate in this motor sports programme, Euro Motors has again underlined it support for all sectors of the Kingdom’s society by demonstrating the importance of safe and responsible driving.” The ‘MINI Cooper Club Sport’ Edition, a modified racing version of the MINI Cooper, features a fully FIA-approved roll cage, a racing seat with five point racing harness, a fire extinguisher and both external and internal electronic and fuel safety cut-off switches. The car also comes with up-rated brakes, lowered and stiffened suspension with up-rated dampers and springs to ensure optimum handling under both road and race conditions. The ‘MINI Cooper Club Sport’ is converted by the renowned John Cooper Garages in the UK, which have over 40 years of motorsport experience. Featuring a standard 115 bhp MINI Cooper, 4-cylinder engine with 1.6 litre displacement, the conversion has been designed to be a dual-purpose car satisfying requirements of both daily road use and competitive motorsports.The participating teams are (in given numbers order) 1. Unstoppabulls, 2. Intercol, 3. Al Ayam Al Riadi, 4. Total Floor Solutions, 5. NoNoo Exchange, 6. Castrol, 7. AFI, 8. DHL, 9.GOYS 10. BMF, 11. Allied Car Rental, 12. KSA Racing, 13. Al Wardi Group, 14. Bison Energy Drink Racing Team.Back in the hay days of motor racing, in the 50’s and 60’s, many privately owned Cooper racing cars competing in Formula One were driven by self-funded independents knows as “privateers”. The late John Cooper, racer and owner of Cooper Car company which later became the John Cooper Works brand name and company worked in the mid 50’s to develop this concept and take it further into the future. He created with his team the rear-engine Formula 2 car with a large 2-liter engine. The Cooper Car Company won consecutive F1 Constructors World Championships in 1959 and 1960 with drivers, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren. In the 60’s and 70’s privateers were racing with MINI Coopers designed by John Cooper Works. From there the work continued and in the 1990’s John Cooper Works was asked to work on the new MINI project, which would ultimately replace the classic car and carry the Cooper brand into the Millennium. John Cooper Works decided to commence work on production of an engine conversion and chassis enhancements for the new MINI Cooper. Michael Cooper conceived the idea of the ‘MINI Challenge’ in memory of his father John, a one-make challenge series placing the Cooper name firmly back on the motor sport calendar. AREAS FOR ENHANCING COOPERATION IN OIL SECTOR DISCUSSED WITH BANGLADESH AND SRI LANKA Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Panchayati Raj discussed areas of mutual cooperation with the visiting Foreign Minister of Bangladesh here today. In a meeting with Mr. Morshed Khan, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Shri Aiyar referred to the proposed natural gas pipeline from Myanmar to India for evacuating gas discovered in A-1 block in Myanmar where ONGC and GAIL have stakes. He also said that enhanced exports of diesel from India to Bangladesh could be considered under a term contract. Shri Aiyar reiterated India’s continued interest for importing gas from Bangladesh, subject to availability of exportable surplus of this energy resource at their end. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh shared the view that greater cooperation in oil and gas sector between the two countries is in mutual interest and pointed out that India is a natural choice for sale of surplus gas. He also expressed the willingness of Bangladesh to consider the request of India for providing transit right for the gas pipeline from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh subject to mutually acceptable terms. At a separate meeting with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Lakshaman Kadirgamar, areas for greater mutual cooperation were explored to be pursued in future. Sri Lanka expressed desire to import more quantities of petroleum products from India, subject to appropriate terms of contract. Shri Aiyar responded stating that details of the package will be finalized in consultation with the concerned Ministries and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas would revert shortly. Indian Oil Corporation has already a sizeable presence in the Sri Lankan oil market. BPCL and HPCL have also bid for entry into Sri Lankan retail market. India Iran Friendship - Iranian Ambassador Mr. F.Z. Yaghoubi calls on the Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil in New Delhi on June 1, 2004 (Tuesday). INDO-US DEFENCE POLICY GROUP TO MEET The three day Indo–US Defence Policy Group (DPG) meeting will begin here tomorrow to discuss the entire gamut of Indo-US defence relations including strategic issues, joint exercises, training and acquisition. The talks will also review counter terrorism requirements of India, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, security of sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean and peace and stability in Asia. The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Secretary Shri Ajay Prasad and his counterpart US Under Secretary of Defence Mr Douglas Feith will lead the US delegation. The Indo-US DPG had met in quick succession in December 2001 and in May 2002. The fifth meeting took place after a very long gap in August 2003 in Washington. There has been a dramatic improvement in Indo-US military-to-military relations during the past few years, which includes training, joint exercises, participation in US sponsored multilateral events, disaster management, humanitarian activities, search and rescue oriented planning etc. A general agreement on security measures for the protection of classified military information was signed in January 2002 and a Master information exchange agreement to facilitate exchange of Defence Research &! amp; Development and information was signed in February 2004. THE BRITISH UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI ANNOUNCES SENIOR ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT Dubai, UAE - 31 May 2004 The British University in Dubai has appointed Dr. Eman Gaad as senior lecturer for the University's Institute of Education. A native Egyptian, Dr. Gaad brings a wealth of teaching experience with a focus on special education. Most recently she was on the faculty of the UAE University, Department of Special Education where she taught a range of subjects including assessment of special needs, behaviour modification, rehabilitation in special education and educating students with exception learning needs. Prior to her tenure at the UAE University, Dr. Gaad was a member of the academic staff at East Anglia University in England. She has done extensive research in the areas of educating children with special needs. Additionally, she has been instrumental in organising Islamic seminars and Arabic workshops for a number of educational institutions including primary and secondary schools and universities. "I am very excited to be joining such a vibrant and innovative institution where I will be able to develop my research interests and lead a high quality masters programme," said Dr. Gaad. The Masters degree programmes at BUiD's Institute of Education are based on the modular framework of The University of Birmingham. Students will be required to complete taught modules and a dissertation. The MEd programme offers three specialist 'tracks', supported by core modules in Education and Research Methods. The three tracks offered at present are International Management and Policy of Education, Special Education, and Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. The programme consists of common modules in research methods in education and school observation, evaluation and supervision; and then specialist modules according to the track chosen. In International Management and Policy in Education, these modules are in leadership, education policy and planning, curriculum innovation and citizenship. In Special Education they are in learning difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties, inclusion and the policy and practice for Special Educational Needs. In English Language Teaching, the modules are in Introduction to English Language, Second Language Learning, ELT syllabus and design, and discourse for teachers. The British University in Dubai was established to facilitate access to world class education, training and research in the Middle East. BUiD aspires to the highest, internationally recognized British standards, as reflected in its partnership with The University of Edinburgh, The University of Birmingham and The University of Manchester Institute of Science (UMIST). The university has achieved official candidacy from the Ministry of Higher Education. Programmes are either under review or will be brought forward for accreditation. Starting in October 2004, BUiD will offer full and part time masters degree programmes and Continuing Professional Development courses in Informatics, Engineering and Education. ENOC'S GTS WINS RISCO ORACLE ERP IMPLEMENTATION DUBAI - 30 May 2004 Kuwait's Refrigeration Industries Co S.A.K. (RISCO) has awarded a turnkey Oracle ERP implementation contract to Global Technology Services, the I.T. subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) LLC."RISCO had been planning to enhance its software infrastructure to embrace a proven, world-class ERP solution," explained Hussain Sultan, Group Chief Executive and Board Member, ENOC. "It wanted a solution capable of handling its growth, fulfilling its immediate needs for integrated financial accounting, inventory, procurement, order management, production, project costing and maintenance management. The system was also needed to improve after-sales service and to bring about maintenance improvements." GTS teamed up with Oracle Systems Middle East and proposed the implementation of the Oracle e-Business Suite. The contract for the turnkey Oracle e-Business Suite licensing, implementation and consulting went to GTS. "This particular contract was secured against stiff competition from other Tier-1 ERP players," said Sultan. "The project is expected to be completed by the end of this summer." The award is the first major GTS win in Kuwait. "It represents a major opportunity to expand our operations in Kuwait," added Sultan. RISCO, which was set up in 1973, now operates across a number of business lines, including a public cold store division, a central medical stores division and a manufacturing division, which produces air-conditioners and water coolers to international specifications. SriLankan earmarks Dubai route for increase in frequency Leading Asian carrier will start flying to the UAE city twice daily (Dubai, May 2004) : SriLankan Airlines has set its sights on double daily Dubai services to complement a growing Middle East and Gulf network. Barry Brown, the carrier's regional manager for Europe, Middle East and the Americas, said: "Without doubt, Dubai is the most progressive tourism draw-card on any airline's Middle East network, and as the city continues to expand, it is our intention to grow right alongside her. "SriLankan and Emirates currently operate 27 flights per week between Colombo and Dubai, all on a dynamic code-share basis, and we plan to take this up to a total number of 34 flights in the near future." Emirates is a 43.5 per cent stakeholder in SriLankan Airlines, and has a 10-year management agreement with the Asian carrier, whose majority shareholder is the Government of Sri Lanka. Brown explained: "We are capitalising on this airline partnership and use Dubai as a `gateway hub` to feed each other's flights where either one of us may not have direct services. After all, in this day and age it is all about utilising effective synergies to create profits." The airline also services Kuwait on a daily basis via Dubai and in a recent round of government bilateral talks, the airline was granted permission to add two more services a week between Colombo and Kuwait. "We have not yet cemented our plans for these extra Kuwait flights but we are looking at operating from Colombo to Beirut via Kuwait, adding a new dimension to our Middle East network," continued Brown. SriLankan Airlines provides flights from Colombo to eight Middle Eastern cities: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh. "Under our Open-Skies policy with India we are now operating 62 flights per week from Colombo to 10 Indian destinations. Apart from India being our largest tourism trading partner, we also cater to a large number of migrant workers that travel from all parts of India to the Middle East. As a result we are adding our fourth Doha service in June specifically to cater to this market." SriLankan Airlines operates to New Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Bangalore, Trichy, Trivandrum, Bodh Gaya, Kochi and Hyderabad, and to Calicut from July 1. SriLankan Airlines has embarked on an aggressive growth plan that has seen it becoming more and more profitable, rapidly increasing its number of destinations around the world, and increasing frequencies to existing destinations. With the launch of flights to Calicut, SriLankan Airlines will fly to 42 destinations in 21 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The fleet strength of this all-Airbus carrier has also been increasing rapidly to cater to its growing services. SriLankan Airlines recently entered into a codeshare agreement with British Midland that extended its services to more cities in England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. SriLankan also has codeshare flights with Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air and Swiss Air, as well as Emirates, and plans to resume codeshare services on Indian Airlines flights to provide even more services to India. The airline recently launched SriLankan Air Taxis, a domestic air taxi service that uses an amphibious Cessna Caravan Floatplane to fly to six destinations on the Indian Ocean island, landing at airfields and some of the many lakes and lagoons around the country. The service is very popular with tourists, as it provides the convenience of hassle-free travel between resorts, and the low-flying aircraft gives them a breathtaking view of the panorama of the island known to visitors through the centuries as Paradise. SriLankan Airlines will make its entry into China in October 2004 with a thrice-weekly Beijing-Bangkok-Colombo service. SriLankan Airlines has won a string of global awards in recent times, which include the Skytrax Award for the Best Airline in Central Asia for four consecutive years since 2001, the TTG (Asia) Best Airline in South Asia Award in 2002, Skytrax's World's Friendliest Cabin Crew Award 2002, First Runner-Up in the Skytrax Best Cabin Staff Award for 2003, Avion's Best Inflight Entertainment Award 2003 for a Fleet Size of 20 or Less, and Reise & Preise magazine's Best Airline in the 2003 survey of Economy Class service. Skywards, the frequent flyer programme of SriLankan and Emirates, won six "Freddie Awards" last year, the frequent flyer equivalent of the Oscars. These included the most coveted "Programme of the Year" award. SriLankan is also known for its high level of punctuality, among the highest among the world's airlines and by far the best in the region. The airline is also involved in Adventure Tourism through SriLankan Adventures, and promotes the island as a prime location for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE tourism). It also organizes several international sports events in Sri Lanka, including surfing, horseracing, golf and rugby football tournaments that draw visitors from around the globe. LIVE STORAGE POSITION OF IMPORTANT RESERVOIRS IN THE COUNTRY 12:36 IST The combined live storage in 71 important reservoirs spread across the country is presently 13% of the designed capacity (as on 28.05.2004). At the beginning of the monsoons, the combined live storage in these reservoirs was 11% of their designed capacity.The Central Water Commission monitors the storage position of these 71 important reservoirs spread all over the country, of which as many as 27 reservoirs have significant hydro-power benefits with installed capacity of more than 60 MW each. The present storages 114% of the last year’s storage and 78% of the last 10 years average storage during the same period. Out of these 71 reservoirs there are presently 39 reservoirs where this year’s storage is 80% or less than the average of previous 10 years. Out of 27 reservoirs with significant hydro potential, 14 reservoirs have storage build up less than the average of last 10 years capacity.The basin-wise storage position is better than the average of previous 10 years in Tapi, Mahi, Rivers of Kutch and Mahanadi & neighbouring East flowing rivers. It is 80% or more than average of previous 10 years in Narmada and West flowing Rivers of South. The basin-wise storage position is stated to be less than 80% of average of previous 10 years in Ganga, Indus, Sabarmati, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery & neighboring East flowing Rivers. In order to derive the best possible benefits from the available water, Central Water Commission is keeping in touch with the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation and providing information of the weekly storage position to the Crop Weather Watch Group for evolving suitable crop strategies. Various Departments and Ministries involved in Water Resources Planning are also being constantly apprised of the situation by the Central Water Commission. CITY FANAR SHARES TO GO ON SALE FROM JUNE 1ST Some 32,983 shares for the second phase of RIKAZ developers' flagship City Fanar - the unique waterfront 'Future City' built around a 300,000 square metre manmade lagoon in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia - are to go on sale from June 1st. RIKAZ is issuing second phase shares worth US $153.4 million. The equity will be subscribed within a real estate investment portfolio, in accordance with the real estate shareholding 'Musahamat' regulation, recently approved within a unique investment structure compliant with Islamic Sharia laws. "The response we have had since last week's fund launch has been incredible," said Sheikh Khalid H. A. Al-Ghatani, President and CEO, RIKAZ, Saudi Arabia's leading real estate development company. "The City Fanar project presents investors with a workable opportunity to take part in a project that will bring a solid return on investment, whilst addressing the essential links between traditional values and contemporary needs." The shares are for the purchase and development of the 1.9million square meters of waterfront property and RIKAZ predicts a return on investment of 50%, over a maximum of 24 months for buyers. "RIKAZ developers have implemented and developed more than 12 real estate projects based on the Musahamat principle, with investment totalling over 3.5 billion Saudi Riyals. Through these endeavours, RIKAZ has delivered an average return of investment to its shareholders of 35% annually," said Al Ghatani. "City Fanar will exceed the conventional norms for projects that have taken shape either in the public sector or the private sector and that will be reflected in the rewarding gains for all investors who place their faith and support in the project." Designed to meet the challenges of the future, City Fanar is a meticulously planned environment that embraces futuristic technology, design and urban planning ideologies. Integrating a variety of functions at City Fanar are some of the most eminent names in architectural design, city master planning, engineering, construction, law and marketing communications. "Although a completely self-contained community, City Fanar invites the world with open arms to be a part of its grand vision for the future, presenting an awakening of greater possibilities for commerce, enterprise and trend-setting lifestyle attainments," added Al Ghatani. RIKAZ, a subsidiary of the well-respected HAK Group, is a real estate development company passionately dedicated to the progress of the Saudi Arabian economy. Since its inception, RIKAZ has become the Kingdom's leading developer of urban and industrial projects with a wide network of global partners and associate companies. Established in 1997, in the wake of the rising demand for real estate development, RIKAZ has focused its core activities in the purchase, development, leasing, management, construction and acquisition of, and investment in real estate assets. The company has earned its leading status in the real estate sector with the development, construction and marketing of some of the biggest property development projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Amwaj Resort and Marina Project; Tala Beach Resort; Al Rehab Township; Al Khozama Township; Mecca Towers; Rikaz Industrial Project; Al Khobar Industrial Project; Al Forsan Palaces; Sairafi Mall; Jawaharat Al Huda Residential Project; Jawaharat Al Aziziah Residential Project and Dar Al Marwa Project . Tanmia launches new initiative to train Nationals for jobs in accounts 40 nationals begin 10-week programme that will provide them with skills to enter the job market May 30, 2004 The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) has launched a new initiative to train UAE National graduates for accounts positions in the job market. The move is aimed at meeting the shortfall of accountants in the market. Under the programme, 40 nationals have been enrolled to undergo a ten-week accounts course running into a total of 200 hours, in addition to 2 weeks of practical training. The aim of the initiative is to train graduates to enter the job market as skilled assistant accountants. "The accounts training programme will coach the young students in all aspects of accountancy and impart knowledge of electronic as well as manual accounting," said Ayesh Al Barguthi, Director, Employment and Skills Development Center, Tanmia. "The course will explore the practical side of accounts and cover government accounting, cost accounting and data analysis through IT systems. This will help arts students and others to join practical areas. Those candidate are available for employment and can easily be interviewed at the request of any employer". The new initiative forms part of Tanmia's strategy to devise short-term courses that will provide National job-seekers with skills needed to make an entry into the job market. This also gives an opportunity to National graduates to shift professions by adopting a more scientific approach. The importance on practical training makes the programme highly relevant. Tanmia is confident that at the end of the ten-week period, the graduates would be fully equipped to take up jobs in accounts, without an academic degree or specialization. Tanmia has recently stepped up its activities to boost the presence of Nationals in the job market through a series of initiatives as well as regulations that require firms in the trading sector employing more than 50 people, to reserve a 2 per cent quota for Nationals. All these moves are part of an overall plan to reduce the looming problem of unemployment among UAE Nationals and thus correct the imbalance in the job market.