No more Emirates Business 24/7

Everyone's favorite source of optimistic recession news (formerly everyone's favorite non-negative newspaper) is going to be turned into an e-paper:

"Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Board Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), has given the instruction to turn the newspaper copy of Emirates Business 24|7 into a comprehensive and interactive electronic newspaper that follows up local and international events.

The new e-paper, which will be launched in the second half of next month, will reflect a variety of the knowledge and information products of DMI which operates television and radio channels and newspapers."

More here: Emirates Business to turn into e-paper (Emirates Business 24-7)

UAE bloggers protected by Journalists' Association

A new article says that UAE bloggers will be protected from prosecution by a union of sorts, provided (of course), they follow a code of ethics:

"Bloggers and "virtual" journalists have the right to be protected by the Journalists' Association, provided they abide by the ethics code, including stating of facts and sources of information, avoiding defaming without tangible proof, or provoking hostility arising from religious, sectarian or race discriminations," Yousuf said.

Mohammad Yousuf, President of the UAE Journalists' Association, also said that full-time, dedicated bloggers will be allowed membership of the association.

So the question is really, who is a "full-time, dedicated" blogger? Again, in previous debates regarding this, does it include personal blogs that ocassionally do political commentary and controversial topics, or only those that are "journalistic"? And what is considered "provoking hostility arising from religious, sectarian or race discriminations"? Expats whining about locals, or vice-versa, or both? Does all of this also include comments?

It seems like a step in the right directon for sure, but certain things still seem a bit vague to me.

Get paid to 'move in'

An Embiz article reports that the tables have turned for landlords:

Landlords in UAE may soon be offering incentives such as free relocation and discount vouchers for furniture and electronic goods in an attempt to attract tenants

First they'd threaten to kick people out for higher rents - and now? Relocation vouchers. Karma can be a b*tch.

UAE inflation to drop

According to this EmBiz 24|7 report, the IMF forecats the UAE inflation rate to drop by 2%:

The UAE is to record one of the lowest inflation rates in the region at around two per cent from 11.5 per cent. "For the region as a whole, inflation pressures are projected to subside quickly, owing to lower commodity prices, rents, and economic activity," the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook.

Let's hope it does drop. Have any of you noticed prices going down in everyday purchases (beyond sales of course)? I personally haven't.

Sheikh Mohammed speaks out

It's a very rare thing indeed to hear the man speak. And when he does, it's worth a listen. An Embiz24/7 special covers the entire online interview with the press held on Saturday, as well as report on the current crisis:

"I believe that no preventive measures, neither in the UAE nor any other country in the world, would have provided the desired immunity from the ramifications of the global financial meltdown...Our position is far better than other countries, and encouraging economic indicators have just started to emerge."

I personally think this a step in the right direction, considering the recent barrage of articles on the 'dark side' of Dubai.

Oh, as a side note, he also says there's no income taxes anytime soon. Yeay.

Crackberry Blackberry Storm in UAE

EmBiz 24/7 reports the launch of the BB Storm in UAE:

"Etisalat is the first telecom operator in the Gulf to supply the ultra-advanced touch-screen business mobile...The handset is priced at Dh3,150 plus data package from etisalat."

So with all the latest gadgets coming into the UAE, like the iPhone and now the BB Storm, what do you think is better in terms of functionality, value-for-money and user-friendliness?

Half full or half empty?

A recent poll on expat sentiments have local newspapers split on the proverbial glass:

Emirates Business 24/7:
More than a third of expats in region will opt to stay put

Arabian Business:
One in three expats poised to return home

So what's your take on it? UAE two-thirds full or one-third empty?

iPhone 3G launched for Wasel prepaid customers

Etisalat has finally launched the iPhone 3G for Wasel, according to an EmBiz report:

...the iPhone 3G 8GB device will be available in black colour for Dh3,121, while the 16GB device will be available in both white and black colours for Dh3,570, said a press statement.

Etisalat is also offering free 250 MB monthly data package for six months and one free Wasel SIM Card with every device, providing return benefit of over Dh2,000, effectively bringing down the device cost to a little over Dh1,000.

Would you buy the iPhone with this new deal? Is it value for money?

UAE will not implement VAT for now

From what I'm reading in this report from Embiz 24/7, looks like the silver lining in the recession is no VAT in the UAE for now:

Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Second Vice-Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he is not sure whether VAT will be implemented, adding that in times like these, the government is rather expected to lower its service fees[...]"I would expect the government to take certain actions to minimise governmental fees and the cost of operating business in the private sector so that it can be more competitive and much more active."

What do you think about VAT in the UAE?

Fire off Dubai Port

A fire broke out off Dubai Port:

"Local authorities have extinguished the fire that damaged an oil tanker after it collided with a container vessel off the coast of Jebel Ali Port, according to Sarah Lockie, the spokesperson for DP World.

The oil tanker, called Kashmir, was carrying around 30,000 tonnes of petroleum products worth $9 million (Dh33.12 million) from Iran to the Jebel Ali Port when it collided with a mid-sized container feeder vessel around 12:20pm on Tuesday. The incident occurred five miles out in the sea.

Authorities did not mention the cause of the incident."

The entire article on Emirates Business 24/7 can be read here.