Dubai’s RTA opens new bridges and tunnel to improve traffic flow on Al Shindagha corridor.

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As part of its $1.4bn (Dhs5.3bn) traffic improvement scheme, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has opened two major bridges and a tunnel with a combined capacity of 27,200 vehicles per hour. This is part of RTA’s Falcon Interchange Improvement Project, which aims to ease traffic flow between Al Khaleej Street, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road and Al Ghubaiba Road. The Falcon project is a segment of the 13km Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which spans Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street.

The two bridges are connected by the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel from the Northern side and will link up with the bridges that the authority is currently constructing at the junction of Sheikh Rashid Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. The wider Al Shindagha initiative encompasses the construction of 15 junctions spanning 13 km in total and is split into five phases due to its massive scope. The corridor serves Deira and Bur Dubai in addition to several development projects such as Deira Islands, Dubai Seafront, Dubai Maritime City and Mina Rashid.

RTA’s traffic improvement plan includes the construction of dedicated bus and taxi lanes extending 37 km during the period 2023-2027. These lanes will cover eight main streets, bringing the total length of dedicated bus and taxi lanes to 48.6 km.

In addition, RTA introduced the Comprehensive Digital Experience Lab, a pioneering initiative among Dubai Government organisations, to enhance customer service provided through its digital channels. The lab will not only improve both the quality and design of services from a customer’s perspective, but it will also simultaneously improve and standardise their experiences across various digital channels. The initiative is also aimed to enhance employees’ experience with digital systems by engaging them in the ‘digital service’ design stages.

Abu Dhabi Police Introduces Minimum Speed Limit of 120km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road Starting April 1st, with Violators Facing Dhs400 Fine from May 1st

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From April 1, Abu Dhabi Police will implement a minimum speed limit of 120km/h on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road, and violators will face a fine of Dhs400 from May 1. Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaytoun Al Muhairi, director of the Central Operations Sector, explained that the first and second lanes from the left will have a maximum speed of 140 km/h and a minimum speed of 120 km/h. The third lane, with a speed of 140km/h, and the last lane for heavy vehicles will not include minimum speed violations. 

The new speed limits are aimed at improving road safety and urging slow vehicles to use appropriate lanes. Sign boards above the highway will display the minimum and maximum speed limit. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have launched various initiatives over the years to enhance traffic safety, including reducing the speed limit on certain roads and an SMS alerts campaign by Abu Dhabi Police to encourage positive driving behavior.

UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq Voluntarily Cut Oil Output Until End of 2023, in Coordination with OPEC+

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In a statement, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, announced that the country will be reducing its oil output by 144,000 barrels per day voluntarily, from May until the end of 2023. The move is being made in coordination with some of the OPEC+ agreement member countries as a precautionary measure to maintain market balance. 

The decision aligns with the production cut agreed upon during the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held on October 5, 2022. OPEC+ is set to conduct the Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) via videoconferencing on Monday.

According to a statement from an official at the Ministry of Energy in Saudi Arabia, the country will be implementing a voluntary cut in oil output of 500,000 barrels per day, effective from May until the end of 2023. The move will be made in coordination with some other OPEC and non-OPEC participating countries in the Declaration of Cooperation, with the aim of supporting the stability of the oil market.

 The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported the statement. The voluntary cut is in addition to the previously agreed reduction in production during the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held on October 5th, 2022.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Iraq’s oil ministry announced a voluntary reduction of 211,000 barrels per day in its oil production from May until the end of 2023.

Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort: A Gamechanger for Tourism in Ras Al Khaimah, Expected to Bring in 5.5 Million Visitors by 2030, says Colliers International

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Colliers International predicts that Wynn Resorts’ planned hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, set to open in 2027, will revolutionize tourism in the region, drawing in 5.5 million visitors by 2030, exceeding the targeted number of 3 million. The Wynn Al Marjan Island Resort, valued at over $2 billion and the largest foreign direct investment project in the emirate, will feature 1,200 hotel rooms, 20,000+ square meters of retail and food and beverage space, and dedicated gaming facilities. 

Colliers anticipates that the opening of the resort will trigger significant demand, resulting in over 3.8 million visitors by 2027 and continued growth, positively impacting the economy across all factors. The top five international markets for tourism in Ras Al Khaimah in 2022 were Russia, Kazakhstan, the UK, Germany, and India, according to the report.

The UAE to Host the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels: Strengthening Efforts for Sustainable Aviation and Climate Action

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The General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE has secured the bid to host the third edition of the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels. The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) unanimously accepted the UAE’s proposal during a recent meeting held at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The conference is held every seven years. Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, noted that the event coincides with the UAE’s preparation to host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). He emphasized that the UAE aims to facilitate the global transition to a green economy, achieve sustainability, economic diversification, and increase green growth. The UAE has declared 2023 as the year of sustainability, further enhancing its efforts to lead climate action in the aviation sector.

 Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, stated that the UAE has a proven track record in environmental action and regional and international cooperation to address climate change challenges, making it an ideal destination for the conference. The UAE is considered one of the pioneering countries in the field of sustainable fuels and low-carbon fuels, particularly in the aviation sector, he added.

2023: THE YEAR AI MAKES IT TO THE MASSES AND MIXED REALITY EMERGES  

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Over the last few years, we’ve seen how Covid accelerated digitalisation and business appetite for innovation increased. In 2022, companies regained their footing, saw profits return, and decided it was time to enter a new era of transformation. As we emerge from 2023, our reliance on technology kicks up another gear, and thankfully, major advancements are also surfacing. 

  1. Artificial Intelligence tools becomes available to the masses 

Imagine being on a Microsoft Teams meeting and asking Bing to answer questions that pop up during your discussion. In a matter of seconds – far quicker than any human – rather than a list of links Bing will pull together an answer neatly written in a paragraph, sharing it on your screen for everyone to read, all thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI has been on the horizon for quite some time, eagerly anticipated for the enhancements it can bring to everyday life. It’s a powerful tool which can scour the Internet, digest thousands and thousands of sources and make decisions on its own. It can also perform tasks which normally require human intelligence, like writing code or an article.

With International Data Corporation (IDC) expecting the worldwide spending in the AI market to reach US$500 billion in 2023, this year we’ll finally start to see some practical applications of AI surface, especially as Microsoft is reportedly eyeing a huge investment in OpenAI (the startup behind viral chatbot ChatGPT). Should the investment go ahead, we’ll likely see AI features roll out into Microsoft Office and Bing products. 

  1. Personalisation reaches a new level of sophistication 

Ever since monogramed luggage came back into fashion years ago, it’s been clear that personalisation is here to stay. But these days we have a powerful tool which can take it to the next level: data. 

Think of your personalised experience on Netflix. The menu is curated to serve recommendations of movies and TV shows based on programs you’ve previously enjoyed. Netflix also looks at what’s been popular overall to inform what type of shows and movies they produce or purchase down the track. 

With leaps in AI, deep learning and technology which collects, analyses and shares data-driven insights, personalisation is about to reach a whole new level. With economic uncertainty looming in the background, providing a hyper-personalised experience must be a priority for customer retention. 

  1. The metaverse will plateau 

If you still haven’t got your head around the metaverse, don’t worry. While the metaverse exploded and dominated the conversation in 2022, this year it’ll take a backseat. As consumers were promised revolutionary change, many were scratching their heads and left confused at how exactly NFTs were making a significant impact. Fear not, its full potential is yet to be unleashed, but it’ll be a while yet. 

  1. A mixed reality emerges

We’ve learned that consumers have two identities: a physical one and a digital. They live in two worlds and take on different personalities in each realm, with different goods in each. Towards the end of 2023, we’ll start seeing an entirely new, mixed reality emerge, marrying the two. 

Forget the fully immersive virtual reality, headsets or contact lenses catching digital overlays on the train – physically this isn’t a sustainable (or comfortable) experience for a prolonged time. 

Instead, mixed reality will emerge as digital enhancing the physical world for the day-to-day. What this looks like exactly remains to be seen, but it will be brought on by a new wave of products and powerful software. 

Dubai Real Estate Transactions Worth AED10.7 Billion in a Week, Reports DLD

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According to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), real estate transactions worth AED 10.7 billion were carried out during the week ending 31st March, 2023, totaling 3,035 transactions. Of these, 158 plots were sold for AED 1.27 billion, while apartment and villa sales amounted to AED 5.11 billion across 2,261 transactions.

The top three sales during this period were a land in Al Khairan First worth AED 157.08 million, a land worth AED 67 million in Island 2, and a land worth AED 59 million in The World Islands.

Al Hebiah Fifth had the highest number of transactions for the week with 52 sales transactions valued at AED 165 million, followed by Madinat Hind 4 with 21 sales transactions worth AED 26.78 million, and Jabal Ali First with 14 sales transactions valued at AED 60 million in third place.

The top three apartment and villa transfers during the week were an AED 82 million villa, an AED 57 million apartment, and an AED 55 million apartment located in Palm Jumeirah.

The value of mortgaged properties settled at AED 3.8 billion, while 123 properties worth AED 597 million were gifted between first-degree relatives.

Talabat UAE Joins “1 Billion Meals Endowment” Campaign for Second Year in a Row

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Talabat UAE, a prominent platform for online food delivery and q-commerce, has announced its participation in the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign’s objective is to establish the most extensive Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund, and talabat is supporting the initiative for the second year in a row. Users can contribute through the platform, with donation options ranging from AED 10 to AED 500.

Tatiana Rahal, Managing Director at talabat UAE, expressed her appreciation for partnering with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) to back the “1 Billion Meals” campaign for the second year, focusing on endowment this Ramadan. She highlighted the generosity and philanthropy ingrained in the country’s values by its leaders, and their tireless work to provide aid and food assistance to disadvantaged communities across the globe.

Rahal emphasized that talabat, as a leader in the industry, feels responsible for setting an example by using its technology for good. The company appreciates the opportunity to participate in providing a sustainable solution to address food insecurity, which is driving its corporate responsibility initiatives. Rahal added that by working with trusted charity partners, talabat can make a lasting impact and is looking forward to continuing their collaboration.

The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign aims to establish a food safety net for underprivileged populations in countries facing food insecurity and to support the world’s most vulnerable groups, including those affected by natural disasters and conflicts. It contributes to the UAE’s efforts to eradicate hunger globally, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

To donate to the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign through the talabat app, users can either type “1 Billion Meals” in the search bar or click on the “Give back” option under “Shortcuts” on the homepage. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store or iOS App store or Huawei AppGallery.

Apart from donating through the talabat app, the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign also accepts donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions and individuals via five primary channels, including the campaign’s website (www.1billionmeals.ae), a dedicated call center with a toll-free number (800 9999), bank transfers in UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates NBD (AE30 0260 0010 1533 3439 802), SMS donations for du users by sending the word “Meal” to 1020, or to 1110 for Etisalat e& users. Donations through the DubaiNow app can be made by clicking on the “Donations” tab.