Tanmia organises the 1st training in Call Centre operations for National job-seekers
Launch of training programme in Call Centre management reflects Tanmia's role in opening new sectors for employment of Nationals
Dubai - August 18, 2004 The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) has launched, for the first time, a training course in Call Center operations, to help UAE National job-seekers acquire essential skills needed to take up jobs as Call Center consultants.
The eight-week training program followed the signing of an agreement between Tanmia and Datel Systems & Software Training. This new program is part of Tanmia's proactive approach to explore new sectors aimed at creating additional job opportunities for UAE Nationals. In the first batch, a group of 21 job seekers are being trained and will be employed upon completion of the training.
"The Call Center concept is gaining momentum in the UAE and therefore offers employment potential for UAE Nationals, especially women", said Ayesh Al Barguthi, Director, Employment and Skills Development Centre, Tanmia. "We explored this new sector after we found it particularly suitable for our female nationals who make up 68% of Tanmia's jobseekers database. This training course has been developed in collaboration with Datel Systems, keeping in mind the requirements of the Arab world and culture. Call Centre consultants need specialized skills and this initiative opens new vistas to our young jobseekers, presenting them with a new career stream, one that has tremendous scope in modern business."
Ms Kiki Kesseler, Business Development Coordinator, Datel, said "We are proud to be able to offer national jobseekers the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge through our comprehensive training. This agreement will ensure additional employment prospects for UAE Nationals as we are committed to placing our trainees in suitable jobs after they complete their training in Call Centre operations. We are looking forward to working together with Tanmia and to contribute in providing employment opportunities to UAE Nationals."
The training in Call Center operations includes topics like communication skills, listening skills, response techniques, competency and problem solving, understanding customers, stress management, team work and quality standards. A well-structured on-the-job training is integrated within the program to synthesize learning.
In a related development, Tanmia also organized a training program in English language for 38 job seekers from Sharjah and Ajman at its Sharjah offices in an effort to groom candidates for jobs across diverse sectors by developing their English language skills.
The program delivers training in English language for business applications as well as for more effective use in writing, reading, speaking and understanding. At another level, the program prepared the participants to apply English for gaining expertise in the use of computers, the Internet, email applications and operating systems.
"English language is critical to achieving success at any workplace. It is therefore imperative that job-seekers gain sufficient knowledge of the language before entering the highly competitive job market where English has become the principal means of communications," said Al Barguthi. "Through this intensive course, Tanmia is seeking to provide yet another powerful tool that will help UAE Nationals to find jobs and move up the corporate ladder."
The above two initiatives reflect Tanmia's relentless and cross-sector initiatives aimed at identifying new areas of job opportunities for UAE Nationals and developing training courses that would impart the necessary skills to make an entry into these fields.
MINI XXL: The MINI Stretch Limousine
More than 6 metres of MINI Cooper S to debut in Athens
The MINI team has had a more than 6-metre long MINI Cooper S limousine manufactured and given it the name MINI XXL. This exciting vehicle will make its worldwide debut in Athens at the MINI@Galea Club where it will be presented to the international press, celebrities and the general public.
The stretch MINI Cooper S in red, featuring the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit and with four doors, was built in Los Angeles. The length is supported by a third rear axle with additional wheels. The absolute highlight, however, is located at the back of this amazing car: a whirlpool with a detachable roof. The whirlpool may only be used when the vehicle is stationary!
The rear passenger compartment, in black leather, offers great comfort and entertainment for four persons. There is a retractable flat-screen TV, which completely divides the rear compartment from the front cabin, a DVD player, radio/CD, sunroof and telephone –for ‘intra-limo’ talks with the driver.
The MINI@Galea Club is open to clubbers during the hot summer weeks until August 29th, 2004. It is situated in the South of Athens, near the sea, providing party-goers with an attractive cocktail of beach, latest music and an international crowd. The MINI XXL will be hosting a series of events and surprises at this famous Greek club.
Following on from the ‘Isle of MTV’ tour where MINI was one of the official sponsor partners, the brand continues and strengthens its affinity to music with this activity in Athens. Music, being international and borderless, fits the MINI philosophy perfectly.
With its products MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper S Works and the MINI Convertible towards the end of this year, MINI is a separate brand within the BMW Group. The MINI models are available from MINI exclusive importers across the Middle East.
Philips Cooks Up New Fun For Dubai Summer Surprises
Dubai, UAE, August 12, 2004 -Philips Electronics this year cooked up new, innovative and exciting fun for consumers during Dubai Summer Surprises, filling the seven days of "Sweets Surprises" - and the shopping malls of Dubai - with sweets- and kitchen-related competitions, prizes, promotions, demonstrations and charity activities.
Although this marked the seventh year Philips participated in the event, the Philips team developed several new activities, reflecting the company's heritage for creativity and quality. Among them were several ways that succeeded in raising thousands of dirhams for the Beit Al Khair charity organization, serving to reinforce the company's commitment to making things better for the communities in which it operates.
The list of innovative activities included "Philips Big Donation Day", "Everybody is a Winner with Philips" and "Mercato Daily Live Cooking". Familiar favourites from previous years included new product demonstrations, quizzes and cooking competitions.
Philips helped start things off by welcoming the first family to arrive at Dubai International Airport on "Sweets Surprises" with a Philips gift box full of valuable home appliance and personal care goods.
The official opening ceremony for the week took place at the Bur Juman Centre, where Philips helped create an exciting atmosphere. The fanfare included a balloon drop from the ceiling of 2,500 balloons, as well as noisemakers and the giveaway of thousands of Philips goodie bags.
Also adding to the fun mood on opening day was the "Philips Big Donation Day" promotion. Fifty Philips Eco blenders were displayed around the mall, while 100 teams of women set up around the centre and used Philips blenders to prepare fresh juice, which they sold to people in the mall. All the money raised from the juice sales was given to Beit Al Khair. Each member of the team that sold the most juice received an Eco blender as a prize. As well, 40 of the blenders were auctioned off during the day, raising even more money for the charity.
Also new for the 2004 Sweets Surprises was "Everybody is a Winner with Philips", a two-week promotion that made every Philips consumer, as well as Beit Al Khair, a winner. For every Dhs 100 spent on Philips products by a customer at an Al Ghandi showroom, Dhs 1 was given to the charity, while the customer received a voucher redeemable for Philips goodies at one of the Philips display booths at select shopping malls.
"Mercato Daily Live Cooking", the third new initiative, proved to be tremendously popular with mall visitors. A cooperative effort between Philips and the Jumeirah International Group, the activity offered daily, live cooking demonstrations at the Mercato Centre, with Jumeirah International Group chefs showing how to prepare different dishes and offering helpful cooking tips.
An annual favourite, the "Junior Chef Awards 2004" maintained its popularity, attracting more than 500 young aspiring cooks, representing dozens of countries. Contestants competed in 20 categories to make the best dish, which they prepared using Philips products. Three winners from each category took home the Philips kitchen appliance they used to prepare their dish.
Philips activities at Dubai City Centre and Al Ghurair Centre included displaying two giant food processors, which commanded the attention of mall crowds, who also were treated to demonstrations from Abela & Co. chefs on the many features of the 33-function Philips HR 7753 food processor and the new Eco blender HR 1727. All those who purchased Philips HR 7753 food processor received a picnic bag with all the essentials for an outdoor meal, such as a thermos, napkins, plates and cutlery.
This fun-filled list of events also included a whole series of quizzes arranged by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Philips provided the prizes for the competitions, which were broadcast live from the Hamarain Centre on Dubai TV.
The Philips team spent months working on this special week, helping prepare creative activities that not only put smiles on faces of thousands of consumers, participants and audience members, but also helped raise money for the Beit Al Khair organization.
TALK OF UK PROPERTY CRASH IS ILL-FOUNDED
Dubai-based Mahmood predicts market slowdown at worst(Dubai, August 2004): Talk of a property crash in Britain is ill-founded, says Haroon Mahmood of MiNC Property Enterprises, who stressed that recent increases in interest rates will merely slow the boom of recent years. Recent reports in the UK have predicted a drop in prices of up to 30 per cent, but Mahmood attributes this to "scare-mongering", rather than logical analysis.
Mahmood, director of the Dubai-based London property wealth consultants, said: "Talk of a price crash is misplaced. We are seeing the end of the housing boom in some areas, but I think this will result in a period of stabilisation of prices, rather than anything worse."Don't compare the drop in prices with the collapse of the dotcom market in 2000 - a feature of the technology boom and crash was that many of the shares that soared had no tangible value or assets." According to Mahmood, the two principal drivers of the housing market in UK are employment figures and interest rates - both of which remain very favourable. "In fact, employment is at a record high, with unemployment at its lowest for almost 30 years.
"While the Bank of England has started to increase base interest rates, mortgage repayments are still a relatively low proportion of incomes, and repossessions are running at their lowest level for 20 years." The UK housing market has continued to defy experts, who predicted that it would slow down in 2004. However, figures released in June revealed that the market is still soaring, with prices up more than 20 per cent in the last 12 months.
MiNC has premiered 14 UK developments to UAE buyers in the last 18 months, and the company is trading at a level of more than £100million per annum. MiNC has a wide portfolio of London property and the company's services include residential investment, investment portfolio development, independent mortgage/remortgage assistance, lettings and furnishing/interior design.
GTB Branches to operate as OBC Branches from August 14
The Government of India has today sanctioned the scheme for amalgamation of the Global Trust Bank Ltd. with the Oriental Bank of Commerce. The amalgamation will come into force on August 14, 2004. All the branches of Global Trust Bank Ltd. will function as branches of Oriental Bank of Commerce with effect from this date.
Customers/Depositors of GTB
Customers, including depositors of the Global Trust Bank Ltd., will be able to operate their accounts as customers of Oriental Bank of Commerce with effect from August 14, 2004. Oriental Bank of Commerce is making necessary arrangements to ensure that service, as usual, is provided to the customers of the Global Trust Bank Ltd.
Shareholders of GTB
In accordance with the Scheme of Amalgamation if any surplus remains after meeting all the liabilities out of the realisation of assets of the Global Trust Bank Ltd., the shareholders may receive pro-rata payment.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR ALL INDIA AND CENTRAL SERVICES PROPOSED GOVERNMENT TO SEEK PUBLIC OPINION
New Delhi - The introduction of Administrative Reforms is an important commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme. As part of the effort to undertake wide ranging reforms in Government, a major proposal pertaining to recruitment to All India and Central Services will be placed on the website of the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), Government of India seeking suggestions from the public.
The proposal envisages an All India Entrance Examination for All India and Central Services for Class XII students on the pattern of NDA, Medical, Law Colleges and IITs. Students who pass such a test would then join a National Academy for a five year course. At the end of three years, a graduate degree would be given to those passing normal examinations. The best candidates would be given their service allotments on the basis of merit and choice at the end of three years. Those who are in the lowest percentiles on the basis of merit can be released and can go out into the market with their graduation degrees. The candidates who have been given their service allotments can then go in for a 2-year-service-specific course. These courses would be designed specifically for the requirements of the service concerned. There would be further annual examinations/tests during these two years. From among these, students would be selected for a further service-specific course for two years, leading to a degree equivalent to an MBA. The recruitment procedure would adhere to existing reservation quota and requirements of individual All India Services.
If there are some candidates who are not found to be good enough at the end of the 2-year service-specific course, there should be provision to release them so that they can go out into the market with their MBA-equivalent degrees. The details of this proposal will shortly be available at the DOPT website.
The feed back from the public will be examined by the proposed Administrative Reforms Commission before any official view is taken of this proposal.
SENDING INDIAN TROOPS TO SUDAN
Lok SabhaIn response to a U.N. request, Government of India has made a commitment to the United Nations to provide an infantry battalion group with support elements, an Air Force unit comprising six utility helicopters and police personnel consisting of a Special Police Unit and individual police offiers. Indian troops are currently deployed in U.N. Peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Ethiopia-Eritrea and Democratic Republic of Congo. Indian police personnel are serving in the U.N. Mission in Kosovo. This information was given to Lok Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Milind Deora.
Dubai Municipality call to abide by hygiene regulations
Khalid Sharief Al Awadi, Acting Director of Public Health Department and Head of Food Control Section at Dubai Municipality, has called upon all food establishments in the emirate to comply with health and hygiene conditions as mentioned in the food safety manual circulated to all concerned establishments. Al Awadi said that the regulations are in place to preserve public health specially during the summer when foodstuff could become dangerous if not stored proeprly.Traffic studies to improve road conditions in Dubai
DUBAI - The Roads Department at Dubai Municipality has completed several studies and researches with the objective of bettering traffic conditions, introducing appropriate policies for mass transit methods and improving road conditions in Dubai. These studies include the Comprehensive Transport Study, the Master Plan for Technical Traffic Systems, Traffic Calming Studies, Comprehensive Pedestrian Movement Study, Asphalt Research Project, and Comprehensive Plans for Traffic Technical Systems. In a report on the Roads Network and Traffic Systems in Dubai, Eng. Nasser Ahmed Saeed, Director of Roads Department, said the Comprehensive Transport Study had been undertaken by the department taking into consideration the fast-paced development of the emirate on various fronts."The population of the emirate is expected to reach three million by 2017. This demands from us a study of the current transportation methods in the emirate as well as the various alternative modes of transportation. The Comprehensive Transport Study has been undertaken in this context," he explained. Saeed noted that as part of the study, a traffic model was developed in order to predict the future traffic on all directions as a base for laying down short, medium and long-term plans for the roads networks after collecting comprehensive traffic information. Through the study, various transport policies and alternatives were evaluated, and a five-year plan for improving the road networks and transport systems in Dubai was introduced.
"The study's immediate effect was the introduction of a comprehensive plan for traffic techniques systems in Dubai which include the electronic display boards, speedway access and exit management system, traffic accidents management system, and the dynamic navigation system. Of these systems, the eelectronic display boards, or "variable message signs," that show road conditions, alerting motorists to congested routes and suggesting other options, will be set up by Dubai Municipality and become operational by 2005. Two phases of he Dynamic Navigation System have already been introduced and the final phase is currently underway. Saeed further noted that the traffic calming studies were undertaken in order to identify the traffic safety issues in the city and their relation to the planning and designing factors of the road networks and land uses. The end-result of the studies was preparing a comprehensive traffic-calming manual for Dubai. It has to be noted this project, named Planning and Design of Traffic Calming Project has won Dubai Municipality the prestigious Grand Award of the 2003 for Engineering Excellence from the Consulting Engineers of South Carolina (CESC).
JOINT WORKING GROUP AGAINST TERRORISM
Lok SabhaIndia established a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Israel in June 2000. A Joint Working Group with Turkey on Combating Terrorism was established in September 2003. These provide a framework for cooperation with these two countries, including inter-alia, by way of sharing of information and experience, cooperation in preventing terrorist financing, drug trafficking and organised crimes as also through capacity building.This information was given to Lok Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi and Shri Rayapati Sambasiva Rao.
MORE CYBER CAFES AT RAILWAY STATIONS
The RailTel is installing Internet Cyber Cafes at 51 railway stations on Indian Railways during the current financial year 2004-2005. The first such café has been commissioned at platform no. 12 of New Delhi Railway Station with effect from June 27, 2003. It has since been a tremendous success.Internet Cyber Café forms part of the passenger amenities for rail users who want facilities of Internet connectivity.Set up in September, 2000, RailTel, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, is entrusted with improving all-round modernization of optic fibre based telecommunication network on the Indian Railways to make rail services more efficient and safer.INANCE MINISTER’S STATEMENT ON GTB
Following is the text of the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram’s statement on the merger of the Global Trust Bank (GTB) with the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC):“Government have noted, with considerable disappointment and regret that in an article by Shri Balbir K. Punj veiled insinuations have been made against the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the former Prime Minister, Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao in the matter concerning Global Trust Bank (GTB). It is obvious that Shri Balbir K. Punj is willing to strike but afraid to wound, and that is why he has stopped just short of making accusations. Nevertheless, the references to the Prime Minister and the former Prime Minister deserve to be deplored.
GTB has been sliding since March, 2001 till date. If, as the author alleges, the GTB has burnt a hole of Rs.800 – Rs.1200 crore, the hole was burning since March, 2001. Shortly after the UPA Government took over, the Finance Minister discussed the matter with the Governor, RBI and requested him to take suitable steps to protect the interest of the stakeholders, particularly the depositors. The Reserve bank of India acted promptly and, after conducting its own enquiries, advised the Government to impose a moratorium on the activities of GTB, and this was done with effect from 24th July 2004. On 26th July 2004, a draft scheme proposing the merger of GTB with Oriental bank of Commerce (OBC) was proposed and a notice inviting objections was published. Within three weeks, the objections were processed, and a final order directing the amalgamation of GTB with OBC was made on 14th August, 2004.
Depositors have welcomed the swiftness and promptitude with which the Government and the RBI have acted in the matter. These decisions were taken at the level of the Finance Minister and the Governor, RBI. The Prime Minister’s approval was taken for the publication of the notification with effect from 14th August, 2004.”
EXCISE AND CUSTOMS DUTIES ON PETROLEUM PRODUCTS REDUCED
18:49 ISTGovernment has decided to reduce customs and excise duties on certain petroleum products. These changes have been given effect from today (i.e., August 18, 2004), through notification No.82/2004-Customs and notification No.44/2004-Central Excise both dated August 18, 2004. The changes made, in customs and excise duties, are as under.
Customs
Petrol : From 20% to 15%
Diesel : From 20% to 15%
Kerosene (for PDS) : From 10% to 5%
LPG : From 10% to 5%
Excise
Petrol : From 26% to 23%
Diesel : From 11% to 8%
Kerosene (for PDS) : From 16% to 12%
COMPUTER AND INTERNET FACILITY
16:20 ISTAs many as 4062 Internet Dhabas covering 3984 Block Headquarters (BHQs), out of a total of 6308 BHQs have so far been set up at various places in the country. Stating this in a written reply to a question by Shri G. Karunakara Reddy in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of State for Communications & IT Dr. Shakeel Ahmad said that the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is setting up Internet Dhabas with a set of computers in each of the rural and urban BHQs through franchisees in the country. He said that under the erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), 4251 schools had been covered and provided with computers.
The Minister further informed the House that the Department of Secondary and Higher Education of the MHRD has launched a revised Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools in 2001-2002 to promote computer literacy in schools in the country. Under the scheme funds have been provided to the States/UTs for covering 3112 schools. In addition, the Department of Information Technology (DIT) has provided computer and Internet facility through its various programmes, which are as follows:-
* The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has set up a countrywide network which currently extends to 587 Districts out of 601 Districts in the country. The district informatics centres created at these districts are equipped with computers and Internet connectivity.
* 487 Community Information Centres (CICs) in 487 BHQs in eight North East States have been set up with a set of computers and Internet connection through Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). 60 CICs have also been set up in the State of Jammu & Kashmir out of 139 BHQs.
* NIC in collaboration with Maharashtra State Government has provided computers and Internet facility at 70 villages under Warana Project.
* Four Rural Samadhan Centres have been set up in 4 locations in one village each in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh to provide selected e-governance service.
* Under Vidya Vahini pilot project, 140 Government and Government-aided schools in 7 Districts across the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have been provided with computers and internet connectivity with VSATs to offer learning material in a distant education mode.
The Minister further informed the members that the remaining BHQs, totalling 2324, are to be covered by BSNL and 14 remaining Districts and 79 CICs in the remaining BHQs of Jammu & Kashmir are to be covered by NIC as per the individual programme drawn out by these organisations and readiness of the concerned States.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT DEVANAHALLI NEAR BANGALORE
Rajya SabhaThe Government has given clearance for the proposed International Airport at Devanahalli near Bangalore.The operation at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport, Bangalore will continue even after Bangalore International Airport Limited becomes functional. In case, HAL airport is closed down the cost of closure would be made good to HAL.This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri KB Krishna Murthy in Rajya Sabha today.
