In continuation of its strategy of international expansion and growth

Doha, Qatar - Monday, September 15th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

 QNB, “One of the World’s Strongest Banks” has today announced the acquisition of an additional holding of 11.0%1 (2,047,877,260 ordinary shares) in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (Ecobank). QNB Group’s total stake in Ecobank is now 23.5%1. The cost of this additional holding was equivalent to USD283m. Today’s acquisition was funded through existing resources and QNB will account for Ecobank as an Associate in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. QNB Capital and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to QNB in relation to this transaction. This enables QNB Group to become the largest shareholder whilst strengthening the partnership with Ecobank, a leading pan-African bank and is a fundamental step towards QNB’s strategy of being a MEA Icon by 2017.

Ecobank wa ... Read more »

Doha, Qatar - Monday, September 15th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announced today that, following the award of the exclusive advertising concession in City Center mall, one of the most frequented shopping malls in Qatar, q.media Decaux (the joint-venture between q.media and JCDecaux) has successfully completed the installation of new interactive digital directories in the mall.

First-of-their-kind in a premier shopping mall in the country, the 8 directories have been specifically designed for City Center and aim at enhancing the shopping experience of more than 15 million people visiting the mall every year. This bespoke furniture comprises of a 42” interactive digital touchscreen loaded with a dedicated user-friendly application developed in cooperation with ViaDirect (a company expert in connected and tactile wayfinding solutions for indoor and outdoor use) also accessible by disab ... Read more »

Additional Chemical and Electrical Engineering Programs

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Friday, September 12th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

According to Colonel Mohammed Saif Matar Al Zaabi, Head of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments Department at Abu Dhabi Police, the rehabilitation program for inmates of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments' at Abu Dhabi Police has attracted inmates wishing to prepare for joining the work force after completing their jail sentences.  “Statistics indicate that the number of inmates who enrolled in the program amounted to 1302 inmates in 2014, a 2% increase compared to last year, with 1277 inmates. This demonstrates that the program has achieved 100% of its goals last year,” said Colonel Al Zaabi.

“The fact that Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters renewed its contract with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) proves the unprecedented success of the program, which prepares and rehabili ... Read more »

Dubaï, Émirats Arabes Unis - Lundi 15 Septembre 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Grandweld Shipyards a terminé la livraison de bateaux d'équipage en aluminium de 42 mètres en quatre unités à la société Cotemar SA DE CV en Mexique; le contrat a été conclu  en juin 2013.

Les bateaux d'équipage en aluminium de 42 mètres sont équipés de moteurs principaux conformes Tier 3 EPA et de l'équipement de navigation de pointe. Conçu pour répondre aux besoins spécifiques du client, les navires peuvent dépasser une vitesse de 26 nœuds et disposent  de sièges  luxueux, d'hébergement  VIP, d'un plus grand espace de chargement et de confort pour l'équipage. Chaque navire peut accueillir  jusqu’à  membre 100 équipes en mer, dispose d’une capacité  de chargement de 100 m² pour plus de 90 tonnes de cargaison, et peut transporter des quantités suffisantes en  carburant et en eau douce. Les quatre navires seront exploités ... Read more »

To Cater to the Needs of Smartphone Users

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, September 13th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Ministry of Interior launched the “Hemayati” Application on Blackberry App World and Windows Phone Store, to promote children safety and protection using the latest smart technologies. This measure follows the ministry’s recent success in providing the application on “Google Play” for Android phones and “Apple Store”, to cater to the needs of the various smartphone users.

Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Child Protection at the Ministry of Interior, said that this step personifies the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Interior to develop smart interactive services via mobile phones. The application is available free of charge on smartphones, exclusively in the UAE, ... Read more »

DÜSSELDORF, Germany - Monday, September 15th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ZTE, a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, and German network operator E-Plus have announced that they are cooperating on the deployment of an IMS (IP multimedia services) based core network infrastructure. This will be the basis for a commercial voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) service in the E-Plus network.

Since 2013, when large-scale commercial LTE networks began to be established all around the world, the question of how to launch 4G voice services has been important to all major operators. By using 4G LTE’s high-speed mobile communications technology, VoLTE provides high-quality voice services for end users through the IMS core network.

With ZTE'S help, E-Plus deployed the IMS core network within only a few months and has already started testing VoLTE services for commercial use in the E-Plus network. Compa ... Read more »

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, September 13th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Emirates Animal Welfare Society (EAWS) organized a ceremony today, Saturday, to announce the first edition of the ‘Best Shop to Sell Animals Award’ for 2014-2015. The ceremony took place during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014 (ADIHEX), and was attended by media and members of the public.

Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Emirates Animal Welfare Society (EAWS), noted that shops wishing to register for the award can apply from 1-7  of March 2015. “The award categories include the ‘Best Shop to Sell Animals’ (at the countrywide level); the ‘Best Shop to Sell Animals’ (at the Emirate’s level); the ‘Best Shop to Sell Fish’, the ‘Best Shop to Sell Birds’; and the ‘Best Shop to Sell Pets’,” indicated Major General Al Nuaimi.

Adding f ... Read more »

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, September 14th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Grandweld Shipyards has completed the delivery of the four units 42 meter Aluminum Crew Boats to Cotemar S.A. DE C.V. Mexico; the contract was signed in June 2013.

The 42M Aluminium Crew Boats are fitted with EPA Tier 3 compliant main engines and advanced navigation equipment. Designed to meet the client’s specific needs, the vessels can exceed a speed of 26 knots and benefit from luxury seating, VIP accommodation, a larger deck space and enhanced comfort for the crew. Each vessel can seat 100 offshore personnel, has a 100sqm loading area for over 90 tons of deck cargo, and can carry ample quantities of fuel and freshwater. The Four vessels will operate in the Gulf of Mexico and will comply with the US Environmental Protection Agency requirements and US Coast Guard regulations.

Grandweld’s 42-meter class of crew boat design has seen huge success and demand from clients worldwi ... Read more »

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, September 13th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX 2014) accrued around Dh16.481.195 in sales, with over 1.015 firearms sold over the second and third day.

Colonel Hamid Al Afrit, Head of the Weapons and Explosives Department at the Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of the ADIHEX Security Committee, said that he expects higher sales volume on the last day of the exhibition. He also pointed out that the exhibition has attracted a sizeable number of visitors from inside and outside the country, thanks to the various and distinguished participations in this year’s edition of ADIHEX.

Adding further, Colonel Al Afrit said that the higher sales volume scored by ADIHEX year after year reflects the turnout of visitors and is an indicator of success.

In conclusion, Colonel Al Afrit lauded the significant efforts of the ADIHEX’s Security Committee members an ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, September 14th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, met the Albanian Minister of Interior, Saimir Tahiri- and his accompanying delegation currently visiting the UAE- in the capital city of Abu Dhabi today, Sunday.

During the meeting, both sides discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, most notably in regards to the fields of security and policing. They also discussed ways of strengthening and developing relations between the two countries.  

Prior to the meeting, the guest minister and his delegation visited a number of police stations and facilities in addition to the most prominent landmarks of the UAE. The Albanian Minister expressed his gratefulness and gratitude for the support the leadership and government of the UAE have provided for his country in various fields. The guest minister and his accompanying delegation additio ... Read more »