28 September, 2015

Skills shortages a major challenge for regional construction industries



·      Increased construction activity among reasons behind shortage
·      Delays and cost overruns possible risks as labour demand peaks
·      Reports reveal positive role for construction in diversification


A report commissioned by the organisers of The Big 5, one of the largest and most respected construction events in the world, has revealed that a shortage in labour is currently one of the biggest challenges facing the Middle East construction industry.
In addition to technical skills, soft skills are said to be in increasing demand across the region, and in some cases are seen as being as important among increasingly selective employers.
“The implications of skills shortages in the GCC are such that project delays and costs are becoming a real possibility,” said Andy White, vice president of dmg events Middle East and Africa. “However, when you consider that some skills shortages are emerging due to renewed confidence in construction, economic growth, rising populations, and a revival of projects put on hold during the global economic recession, the report is very positive”.
“It is also something we fully expected based on industry trends and feedback received from The Big 5 over the last few years.”
However, while engineers rank highly among the top jobs held by expats, shortages are not present across the board. In fact, junior and senior level skills are said to be readily available.  
The fact that strong growth in construction is driving diversification from oil means mid-level skills-gaps will need to be filled in countries like Saudi Arabia.
According to the report produced by Ventures Onsite on industry trends, construction in the Kingdom registered the highest non-oil GDP growth rate in the region, reaching 6.7 percent in 2014.
Saudi Arabia also retained the highest share of the regional construction market, with its 44 percent, followed closely by 31 percent in UAE.
Skills will also need to be filled as governments are poised to spend big on affordable housing, healthcare and education.
Bahrain, for example, has announced plans to build 10 new schools in the next 3 years, with at least 40,000 social housing units to be constructed by 2022. A further 45,000 affordable homes are planned for Kuwait, while the Dubai Municipality has allocated its own space for affordable housing projects in the emirate.

Ministry of Health launches ‘The National Periodic Health Screening’ and ‘Cancer Screening’ initiatives





Initiatives aim to raise awareness on health risks & encourage early intervention to promote society’s good health


UAE, September 28, 2015The Ministry of Health has today (Monday, September 28, 2015) launched two new initiatives aimed at raising public awareness on cancer and the importance of its early detection through regular medical check-ups for more effective treatments. Developed under the slogan ‘Etmnan,’ the ‘National Periodic Health Screening’ and ‘Cancer Screening’ initiatives were formally unveiled during a press conference held at the Ministry of Health's auditorium in the presence of H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics. H.E. Dr. Al Rand emphasized the significance of the two initiatives, saying that they complement the Ministry’s vision and mission of promoting individual and community health in the UAE by providing full and distinctive services delivered within a sustainable healthy environment. The initiatives are part of the Cabinet approved programs.

H.E. Dr. Al Rand said: "The two new initiatives are aligned with our efforts to raise awareness about health risks and provide diagnostic and therapeutic services according to the highest international standards. They adhere with UAE Vision 2021’s goal of ensuring long life and good health for all citizens and residents. Their formal launching is part of our annual initiatives for instilling a culture of health awareness and prevention in the UAE that highlight the importance of regular screening tests for cancer and common diseases, spreading awareness about prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and providing valuable information on how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”





“The success of our new initiatives lies in their capacity to promote a culture of prevention among our citizens and residents, which is a fundamental pillar in achieving better health and effectively fighting various illnesses, especially cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Through these two initiatives, we aim to offer preventive vaccines, provide screening tests for early detection of cancer, and conduct full periodic medical check-ups in primary health care centers starting in Sharjah and Fujairah this year.  We will eventually expand them to cover other emirates in the next few years,” added H.E. Dr. Al Rand.

H.E. concluded: "We are currently preparing a section at ‘Dhadna Health Center’ in Fujairah where screening tests will be provided. Similar services will be offered in other health centers in Sharjah and other areas in Fujairah soon. Recently, as part of our fruitful partnership with Abu Dhabi Health Authority "HAAD" and Dubai Health Authority "DHA", we issued the national scientific guidelines for early detection of breast, cervical and colon cancer. We also completed a comprehensive personnel training program in primary healthcare centers for the appropriate application of the guidelines and the improvement of early detection procedures as a part of our efforts to provide society with comprehensive healthcare services.”

The Cancer Screening initiative aims to increase the detection rates of the most common types of cancers in the early stages in order to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. It also aspires to raise public awareness on the importance of early detection. The new initiative is expected to impact the healthcare sector and increase the efficiency of healthcare service providers, especially in primary healthcare centers. Early detection ensures that the most effective and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided. The National Periodic Health Screening initiative, on the other hand, focuses on reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, through early detection and identification of the main factors leading to them. It also aims to provide the local community with suitable health-related information to encourage individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle.  


Both initiatives provide specialized services for promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about factors and risks related to various diseases, including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as the expected rates of cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. They also aim to encourage early detection of the most common types of cancers such as breast, cervical and colon, in addition to other conditions such as depression, osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency, and eye and hearing problems. 

ضمن المبادرات المعتمدة من مجلس الوزراء


"الصحة" تطلق مبادرتي "الفحص الدوري الشامل" و"الكشف المبكر عن السرطان" تحت شعار "اطمئنان"

الإمارات – 28 سبتمبر 2015 - أطلقت وزارة الصحة اليوم (الإثنين 28 أيلول/سبتمبر 2015) مبادرتين جديدتين تحت شعار "اطمئنان"، في إطار الجهود الرامية إلى نشر ثقافة إجراء الفحوصات الطبية الدورية وتعزيز الوعي العام حول أهمية الكشف المبكر عن مرض السرطان لزيادة فعالية العلاج وضمان نوعية افضل من الحياة في حال الكشف المبكر. وتم إطلاق مبادرتي "الفحص الدوري الشامل" و"الكشف المبكر عن السرطان"  وهما ضمن المبادرات المعتمدة من مجلس الوزراء خلال مؤتمر صحفي  أقيم على مسرح وزارة الصحة، بحضور سعادة الدكتور حسين عبد الرحمن الرند، وكيل الوزارة المساعد للمراكز الصحية والعيادات، الذي أكّد على أهمية الخطوة كونها استكمالاً لرؤية ورسالة الوزارة في تعزيز صحة الفرد والمجتمع في دولة الإمارات عبر توفير خدمات شاملة ومميزة في بيئة صحية مستدامة.

وقال سعادة الدكتور حسين الرند: "تندرج المبادرتان الجديدتان في إطار مساعي وزارة الصحة لنشر الوعي حول المخاطر الصحية وتوفير خدمات تشخيصية وعلاجية ترقى لأفضل المستويات العالمية، بما يتماشى مع غايات "رؤية الإمارات 2021" في ضمان حياة مديدة وصحة جيدة للمواطنين والمقيمين. وتأتي الخطوة الأخيرة تماشياً مع مبادراتنا السنوية التي نسعى من خلالها لغرس الثقافة الصحية والوقائية بين أوساط المجتمع الإماراتي، من خلال تسليط الضوء على أهمية الكشف عن مرض السرطان والأمراض غير السارية بوسائل الوقاية والتشخيص والمعالجة، فضلاً عن تقديم معلومات قيّمة حول سبل ضمان التمتع بأسلوب حياة صحي وسليم."

وأضاف الرند: "تنبع أهمية مبادرتينا الجديدتين من دورهما في ترسيخ ثقافة الوقاية التي تشكل ركيزة أساسية للحفاظ على صحة أفضل من خلال تجنب العوامل المسببة للأمراض الأكثر شيوعاً، لا سيّما السرطان وأمراض القلب والسكري وغيرها. ونتطلع من خلالهما إلى توفير خدمات الكشف المبكر عن السرطان والفحص الدوري الشامل ضمن مراكز الرعاية الصحية الأولية بدءاً من إمارتي الفجيرة والشارقة هذا العام، على أن يتم تعميم وتوسيع نطاق المبادرتين تدريجياً ليشمل مناطق أخرى في الدولة خلال السنوات القليلة القادمة."

واختتم الرند: "يتم حاليا  تجهيز قسم خاص بالفحص الدوري الشامل في "مركز ضدنا الصحي" في الفجيرة لتقديم خدمات الكشف المبكر، على أن تقوم مراكز صحية أخرى في إمارتي الشارقة والفجيرة بتقديم خدمات مماثلة قريباً. وقمنا مؤخراً، وفي إطار شراكتنا المثمرة مع "هيئة الصحة بأبوظبي" و"هيئة الصحة بدبي"، بإصدار الأدلة العلمية الوطنية لكل من سرطان الثدي وعنق الرحم والقولون

ودليل الفحص الدوري الشامل. وتمكنا أيضاً من إتمام عمليات تدريب العاملين في مراكز الرعاية الصحية الأولية لتولي مسؤولية تطبيق هذه الأدلة بالشكل المناسب والارتقاء بجودة إجراءات الكشف المبكر، بما يصب في خدمة تطلعاتنا الرامية إلى الوصول إلى مجتمع ينعم برعاية شاملة وحياة مديدة."

وتتمحور مبادرة "الكشف المبكر عن السرطان" حول زيادة معدلات اكتشاف الإصابة بالأنواع الأكثر شيوعاً من مرض السرطان في المراحل المبكرة في سبيل تعزيز فعالية العلاج، فضلاً عن الارتقاء بالوعي المجتمعي بضرورة الكشف المبكر. ويتوقع أن تسهم المبادرة في دعم البنية التحتية وتحسين كفاءة مقدمي الخدمات الصحية في مراكز الرعاية الصحية الأولية في برنامج الكشف المبكر لكافة المستويات، بما يضمن تقديم أفضل الخدمات التشخيصية والعلاجية. أما مبادرة "الفحص الدوري الشامل" فتستهدف الحد من انتشار الأمراض غير السارية، وخاصةً أمراض القلب والشرايين وهشاشة العظام، من خلال الكشف المبكر ومعرفة العوامل المؤدية إليها، وتزويد أفراد المجتمع بالمعلومات الصحية اللازمة لتغيير نمط الحياة واتباع أساليب صحية ووقائية.

ويشتمل نطاق المبادرتين على تقديم خدمات متخصصة لتعزيز أنماط الحياة الصحية والكشف عن عوامل الخطورة لأمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية، مثل السمنة وزيادة الوزن وارتفاع ضغط الدم والسكري ومعدل الدهون ونسبة الخطورة المتوقعة للإصابة بأمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية خلال السنوات العشر القادمة. كما تهدفان أيضاً إلى الكشف المبكر عن أنواع السرطان الشائعة، وبالأخص سرطان الثدي وسرطان عنق الرحم وسرطان القولون، إلى جانب الكشف عن مرض الاكتئاب وهشاشة العظام ونقص فيتامين "د" وفحص النظر والسمع وغيرها.

Gulf Navigation Holding urges shareholders to collect dividends





UAE, September 27, 2015 - Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC (DFM: GULFNAV), the Dubai-based shipping company, is urging its valued shareholders to get in touch with the company’s investor relations section in order to collect entitlements from dividends amassed from previous years. The names of the shareholders eligible for the dividends will be displayed on the company's website, www.gulfnav.com, which will also include steps on how to communicate with the company to receive the dividends.

The move reflects Gulf Navigation Holding’s keenness towards the rights of its shareholders, where it will distribute the dividends that have not been received by the shareholders and they will be disbursed in accordance with the distribution rates and due dates. In this context, the company hopes that shareholders eligible for uncollected dividends will review the lists published on its website. Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC and its group of companies own and operate a fleet of chemical tankers and auxiliary crew boats. It is the only maritime and shipping company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (under the symbol GULFNAV).

Headquartered in Dubai and with an overseas office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the fully integrated ship-owning company operates from all ports in the UAE. GULFNAV is accredited by international certification body Det Norske Veritas for both International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship Security Certification (ISPS Code). It is also ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) accredited through Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC).


"شركة الخليج للملاحة القابضة" تدعو مساهميها لاستلام الأرباح


الإمارات، 27 سبتمبر، 5201 – دعت "الخليج للملاحة القابضة"، الشركة المتخصّصة في مجال الملاحة البحرية ومقرّها دبي، جميع مساهميها من مستحقي الأرباح غير المستلمة عن السنوات السابقة إلى التواصل معها لاستلام مستحقاتهم من الأرباح وذلك من خلال التواصل مع قسم علاقات المستثمرين في الشركة. وسيتم عرض أسماء المساهمين المستحقين للأرباح على الموقع الإلكتروني للشركة www.gulfnav.com، بالإضافة إلى توضيح آليات التواصل مع الشركة وكيفية استلام الأرباح.

وتأتي هذه الخطوة حرصاً من شركة الخليج للملاحة القابضة على حقوق مساهميها، حيث ستقوم بتوزيع الأرباح التي تعذر استلامها من قبل المساهمين وسيتم صرفها وفقاً لنسب التوزيع وتواريخ الاستحقاق. وفي هذا الإطار، تأمل الشركة من مساهميها المستحقين للأرباح غير المستلمة مراجعة القوائم المنشورة على موقعها على شبكة الإنترنت. يذكر أن "شركة الخليج للملاحة القابضة" والشركات المنضوية تحت مظلتها تملك وتشغّل أسطولاً كاملاً من ناقلات المواد الكيماوية وقوارب الخدمة والمساعدة. وتعد "الخليج للملاحة القابضة" الشركة الوحيدة المتخصصة في مجال الخدمات البحرية والشحن المدرجة في "سوق دبي المالي" (تحت رمز التداول GULFNAV).   

وتتمتّع "شركة الخليج للملاحة القابضة"، التي تتّخذ من دبي مقراً رئيساً لها ولديها مكاتب في المملكة العربية السعودية، بحضور محلي قويّ حيث تدير عملياتها التشغيلية في جميع الموانئ ضمن دولة الإمارات. وتحظى الشركة بإعتماد من الهيئة النرويجية "ديت نورسك فيريتاس" (DNV) لالتزامها بـ "معايير إدارة السلامة الدولية" (ISM) ومتطلّبات "المدوّنة الدولية لأمن السفن والمرافق المينائية" (ISPS Code)، بالإضافة إلى شهادة نظم إدارة الجودة "آيزو 9001:2008" من "مكتب فيريتاس" (Bureau Veritas)، الجهة الرائدة عالمياً في مجال الاختبار والتفتيش ومنح الشهادات.

Software firm Ideagen release latest version of auditing software Pentana


SOFTWARE developer Ideagen plc has announced the latest release of its market leading auditing software, Ideagen Pentana.
Ideagen Pentana 4.1 brings with it a series of functional enhancements that will help internal audit and risk departments save time, increase efficiency and maximise the power of collaborative working.
The product is already used by major global brands such as BT and Heineken as well as some of the leading accountancy and audit firms, including BDO in their Risk Assurance Department.
As well as a series of minor enhancements, Pentana 4.1 includes major new features, three of which are mentioned below, such as:
  • Key Issues or Strategic Risks to manage high-level, strategic or macro risks
  • Audit sampling to integrate with data analytics software and generate audit samples and totals directly into the structured system
  • New Web Browser Interface for occasional business users focusing on “My Actions”, “My Action Updates” and “Incident Reporting”
Ideagen’s Managing Director of Audit Solutions, Ken Ebbage, said: “We are delighted to announce the availability of Ideagen Pentana 4.1, which has been developed using feedback from our extensive customer base.
“The latest release brings with it new opportunities for organisations to combine the benefits of audit management with detailed audit testing in a single system and the introduction of the web browser interface will bring a whole new dimension to the product.
“The release of Ideagen Pentana 4.1 is an exciting one for the company and we are confident that it will help to cement its place as the leading auditing software on the market.”
Pentana is developed using the latest Microsoft technologies and helps integrate all aspects of the audit cycle from annual planning to detailed risk assessment and controls testing, through to action tracking and Audit Committee reporting.
Pentana can equally be used for Enterprise Risk Management, SOX and other regulatory compliance, or any application where risk assessment and centralised action tracking is required.

Elegant new men's multi-function watch from CITIZEN hits Middle East stores



CITIZEN unveils the elegant BU2035-05E, a men's multi-function timepiece made to adorn the wrist of the man about town. The new addition to the Men's Eco-Drive Collection is now available across all Citizen outlets across the UAE.

The watch comes with an unusual beige nylon strap, which offsets the black stainless steel case with black ion plating and black dial rather nicely. With both a day and date and 24-hour display, this multi-function watch which is powered by CITIZEN'S Eco-Drive, charges with any available light source and doesn't ever require a battery replacement. The watch comes with an insufficient charge warning function and an overcharge prevention function.

The anti-reflective mineral glass encases a triple-dial display of day, date and a 24-hr timer. The watch is water-resistant up to 100m and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Features:

Black stainless steel case.
Beige nylon strap.
Black dial.
Date display.
Eco-Drive Technology: Solar power watch. Charges with light, Never requires battery or battery replacement.
Multi-Function: Day, date and 24-hour subdials.
Luminous hands and numerals.
Case size: 44 mm.
Movement: 8729.
Scratch resistant: Anti-reflective Mineral Crystal.
Water resistant: 100 meters / 330 feet.
UPC: 4974374245731.
Warranty: 5 Year from manufacturer.

About CITIZEN WATCH
CITIZEN WATCH is a true manufacture d'horlogerie with a comprehensive manufacturing process that extends from creating a watch’s individual components to its final assembly. The company operates in more than 100 countries around the world. Since its founding in 1918, CITIZEN have held the belief of “Better Starts Now” — that is, no matter who you are and what you do, it is always possible to make something better, and now is the time to start doing it. Sharing this belief, we have made watches, invented and improved technologies and explored the future of watches such as our propriety light-powered technology Eco-Drive and state-of-the-art satellite-synchronised timekeeping.
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