Visitors grow 4% during first two days of ATM

Number of visitors to Arabian Travel Market up by 4% on 2015; figures represent total number of visitors through the doors on Day 1 and Day 2; event on track for more than 26,000 visitors over four-day show

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016 is experiencing healthy visitor growth, with a 4% increase in the number of visitors through the doors over days one and two, compared to 2015.

The trade event, which is taking place from 25th to 28th April at Dubai World Trade Centre, is well on track to welcome more 26,000 visitors in total over the four-day showcase, with pre-registered visitors representing an impressive 158 countries.

Now in its 23rd edition, ATM boasts an additional hall this year, with 423 main stand holders representing 86 countries, 64 country pavilions and over 100 new exhibitors making their debut.

The show was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai who was joined by dignitaries including His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group and Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.

New this year is the ATM Global Stage, a 200+ capacity seminar theatre designed to showcase the very best speakers covering high-level strategic topics. A stellar opening session entitled ‘The Future of the UAE As A Global Tourism Hub’, which took place on 25th April, set the scene for the days ahead by focusing on the need for the seven emirates to come together to promote the country as a top tourism destination while retaining their individuality.

The overriding theme of ATM this year is mid-market travel.

For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2016, please visit the website at www.arabiantravelmarket.com

نمو اعداد الزوار 4% خلال اول يومين من سوق السفر العربي

ارتفاع اعداد الزوار لسوق السفر العربي 4% مقابل دورة 2015؛ الارقام تمثل اجمالي اعداد الزوار عبر الابواب في اليوم الاول واليوم الثاني؛ الحدث يتجه لاستقبال اكثر من 26,000 زائر خلال مدته التي تستمر اربعة ايام

يشهد معرض سوق السفر العربي (الملتقى) 2016 نموا صحيا في اعداد الزوار بارتفاع نسبته 4% من الزوار عبر الابواب خلال اليومين الاول والثاني من المعرض مقارنة بدورة العام 2015.

ويتجه الحدث السياحي الذي يقام بين 25 و 28 ابريل الحالي في مركز دبي التجاري العالمي نحو الترحيب بأكثر من 26,000 زائر خلال ايامه الاربعة فيما جاء الزوار المسجلين مسبقا من 158 دولة.

ويحتل سوق السفر العربي المنعقد في دورته الـ23 حاليا قاعة اضافية هذا العام بمشاركة 423 شركة في اجنحة رئيسية تمثل 86 دولة و64 جناحا وطنيا واكثر من 100 عارض جديد يشاركون للمرة الأولى.

وافتتح المعرض رسميا سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد أل مكتوم ولي عهد دبي يرافقه سمو الشيخ احمد بن سعيد ال مكتوم رئيس هيئة الطيران المدني في دبي والرئيس الاعلى لمجموعة طيران الامارات وسعادة هلال سعيد المري مدير عام دائرة السياحة والتسويق التجاري في دبي والرئيس التنفيذي لمركز دبي التجاري العالمي.

ومن جديد سوق السفر العربي هذا العام مسرح الملتقى العالمي وهو مسرح يستع لأكثر من 200 شخص لحضور جلسات النقاش بمشاركة كبار الخبراء والمتحدثين لتداول اكثر القضايا اهمية في القطاع السياحي والتي انطلقت بندورة "مستقبل الامارات العربية المتحدة كمركز سياحي عالمي" التي عقت في 25 ابريل التي ركزت على حاجة الدولة بإماراتها السبع العمل سويا لترويج الدولة كةجهة سياحية اولى مع الحفاظ على تفرد كل واحدة منها. اما الموضوع الرئيسي لسوق السفر العربي هذا العام فهو سياحة السوق الوسطى.

لمزيد من المعلومات حول سوق السفر العربي 2016 يرجى زيارة الموقع www.arabiantravelmarket.com

The high-technology of SO.F.I.A cosmetiques at Beautyworld Middle East

United Arab Emirates; April 2016 - From 15 to 17 May 2016, SO.F.I.A COSMÉTIQUES Laboratories, specialized in designing, developing, producing and custom-conditioning unbranded cosmetics, will be presenting its know-how at the French Pavilion at the International Trade Show in Dubai.

A sub-contracting cosmetology production laboratory, SO.F.I.A COSMETIQUES produces gels, creams, milks, lotions and a full range of dermo-cosmetic products (anti-wrinkle moisturizers, soothing products for the skin, products for oily skin, whitening lines) used for skin care or facial and bodily hygiene, along with haircare products and sun protection products.

For almost 25 years now, it has offered an outstandingly extensive range of developments, intended for anything from wholesale to full service and semi-finished products, tailored to its customers’ every specification. SO.F.I.A COSMETIQUES also serves as exclusive consultant to its customers, in particular as regards regulations on product release by targeted country, as it operate in a field akin to healthcare and thus tightly-regulated.

Its expertise in the sector of high technology was developed through constant involvement in research. To wit, SO.F.I.A COSMETIQUES is taking part in developing a preservative made from a plant born of the biodiversity in its region, namely the southeast of France.  This large-scale project is supported by the Nice Côte d’Azur competitiveness cluster, in cooperation with the University of Nice – Sophia Antipolis.

According to Doctor Alexandre DINGAS, head of SO.F.I.A COSMETIQUES: “Thanks to our patents, we are able to offer products compliant with our international manufacturing protocols. We are, of course, certified ISO-9001 and ISO-22716, the latter being the standard for cosmetology companies committed to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP label). Our dedication to research makes it possible for us to develop new products that guarantee our company’s dynamic role as the universal preservative which we are now marketing. It is a response to our professional sector’s determination to discontinue the use of parabens”.

For the past several years, SO.F.I.A COSMETIQUES’ turnover has posted double-digit growth and 2016 is looking bright as it opens. Already operating in the Middle East, the company will be exhibiting at Beautyworld in Dubai to establish itself more broadly across a region with a real fancy for cosmetics made in France.

From 15 to 17 May 2016, SO.F.I.A COSMÉTIQUES laboratories will be exhibiting at the France Pavilion by Business France – the National Agency fostering the International Development of the French Economy – at Beautyworld Middle East in Dubai - Hall 2, Stand S2C32

مستحضرات تجميل S.O.F.I.A  ذات التقنية العالية

في معرض بيوتي وورلدBeautyworld الشرق الأوسط

الإمارات العربية المُتحدة – أبريل ٢٠١٦ –  تعرض معامل S.O.F.I.A  لمُستحضرات التجميل  خبرتها في الجناح الفرنسي بالمعرض الدولي بدبي.  و معامل  S.O.F.I.A هي معامل تَعَهُد من الباطن في مجال فن التجميل متخصصة في إعداد مستحضرات التجميل، تطويرها وتصنيعها ، تعبئتها وتغليفها.

تقوم المعامل بتصنيع المنتجات بالطلب مثل الچل والكريمات والألبان وجميع المستحضرات الخاصة بالبشرة وذلك للعناية أو لنظافة الوجه والجسم  (مرطب لمكافحة التجاعيد، منتجات لتلطيف البشرة، منتجات لعلاج البشرة الدهنية)، كما يتم تصنيع منتجات للعناية بالشعر والحماية من الشمس.

تطرح المعامل منذ حوالي ٣٠ سنة تشكيلة واسعة لتعبئة وتغليف السلع سواء كان بيع هذه السلع  يتم بالجملة أو بالتجزئة ومرورا بالمنتجات النصف جاهزة، ويأتي ذلك تمشيا مع مواصفات عملائها. تلعب معامل S.O.F.I.A لمستحضرات التجميل دور المستشار لدى عملائها  لوضع اللوائح الخاصة بالمنتجات طبقا للبلد الذي يتم به التسويق . يحكم هذا القطاع قوانين صارمة لكونه متعلقا بمجال الصحة.

تأتي خبرة المعامل في هذا المجال من التقنية العالية نتيجة الإستثمار الدائم في البحث وهي علي هذا النحو تشارك في تطوير مادة حافظة يتم تصنيعها من نبات ناتج من التنوع الحيوي للمنطقة في  الجنوب الشرقي لفرنسا. يقوم قطب التنافسية الإقليمي في نيس كوت دازور بدعم هذا المشروع الكبير بالتعاون مع جامعة نيس صوفيا أنتيبوليس.

وفقا لتصريح الدكتور ألكسندر دينجاس، وهو مدير بمعامل S.O.F.I.A لمستحضرات التجميل، فإنه بفضل براعات الإختراع الخاصة بالشركة يتم تصنيع منتجات تتوافق مع بروتوكولات التصنيع العالمية. حصلت الشركة بالطبع علي شهادة ISO 9001 وشهادة ISO 22716 وهو القانون الخاص بالشركات العاملة في مجال فن التجميل والتي تلتزم بمعيارالتصنيف BPF . تسمح إستثمارات الشركة في البحث بتطوير المنتجات الجديدة مثل المادة الحافظة التي تم طرحها بالأسواق ، مما يؤكدعلي حيوية الشركة وهو دليل على تخلّي الشركة عن مادة البارابين في مجالها المهني.

تشهد دورة رأسمال الشركة نموا مزدوج الرقم منذ عدة سنوات ويأتي عام ٢٠١٦ بتوقعات جيدة.  تشترك معامل S.O.F.I.A في معرض بيوتي وورلد بدبي على الرغم من وجودها في الشرق الأوسط  لترسيخ تواجدها في منطقة مُحِبة لمستحضرات تجميل صنعت في فرنسا.

تعرض معامل S.O.F.I.A. منتجاتها بجناح فرنسا / بيزنيس فرانس – الوكالة الوطنية لخدمة تدويل الإقتصاد الفرنسي – في بيوتي وورلد دبي من ١٥ إلى ١٧ مايو ٢٠١٦ – قاعة ٢ جناح S2C32

MoU signed to strengthen OSH competence in Omani oil and gas sector

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was today (Wednesday 27 April) signed to strengthen occupational safety and health competence in Oman’s oil and gas sector.

The agreement between the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) cements the working relationship between the two bodies.

Representatives signed the MoU at IOSH’s Middle East Conference in Muscat, Oman.

OPAL is the pioneer society in Oman for oil and gas organisations. It is a not-for-profit body whose objective is to provide proactive services to its member base and drive relevant initiatives for the benefit of Oman’s economy.

OPAL said the memorandum means it can work with IOSH to introduce, consolidate and embed universally-accepted workplace health and safety standards across the Sultanate’s critical-important hydrocarbons industry.

Underpinning the agreement is a commitment by both sides to collaborate in the formulation of mutually beneficial health and safety projects designed to further enhance competence in the oil and gas sector in the Sultanate.  

In addition to sharing best practices in relevant areas, the two organisations will also explore opportunities for cooperation in advancing OPAL’s health, safety and environment objectives, including through educational programmes and campaigns.

Signing the memorandum on behalf of OPAL was Majid al Toky, chairman of its board of directors, and its CEO Musallam Al Mandhry, while IOSH was represented by its president Dr Karen McDonnell.  

In a statement Mr Al Mandhry said the agreement provides a platform for the two organisations to share information and learnings on occupational health and safety-related issues for the benefit of stakeholders across the globe.

He added: “Both organisations view this MoU as the beginning of a symbiotic partnership between OPAL and IOSH which will have an important and positive influence amongst occupational safety and health experts of the oil and gas sector from Oman and IOSH members around the world.”

Dr McDonnell said: “This marks another significant step forward for safety and health in this region, cementing the relationship between our organisations as we seek to encourage and educate Omani workplaces on the value of safety and health in protecting lives and livelihoods.”

IOSH’s seventh annual Middle East Conference is being held at the Grand Hyatt in Muscat on the theme of leadership in the workplace.

The Guardian Nigeria launches online TV platform

Guardian TV will provide exclusive video interviews, as well as up-to-the-minute videos from across the world

LAGOS, Nigeria, April 27, 2016/ -- The Guardian (http://www.Guardian.ng), Nigeria’s most trusted newspaper, launched its online TV platform, Guardian TV (http://www.TV.Guardian.ng), on Wednesday, April 27. Guardian TV will provide exclusive video interviews, as well as up-to-the-minute videos from across the world, and will be available on virtually any device that has an internet connection, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, and Smart TVs. Guardian TV has partnered with some of the world’s top online news and video outlets in order to provide it’s viewers with the best in news entertainment and sport. Partners include Al Jazeera, AFP, Reuters, CNBC Africa, Bloomberg, Forbes Africa TV and France 24. The list also includes Blustar Entertainment, Ebony Life TV, Ovation TV, Frontera, Channels TV, and Omnisport, the world’s number one sports content provider. The website, www.TV.Guardian.ng, was officially launched today, and The Guardian’s Executive Director, Toke Alex Ibru, is confident Guardian TV will revolutionise the short form video content market in this part of the world. He says: “Guardian TV will offer content providers a platform to reach out to larger audiences and demographics, both locally and internationally. I expect Guardian TV to in the not-too-distant-future become the number one source in Nigeria for quality short videos on news, entertainment and sports.” The service is being launched in partnership with Ventra Media Group a full-service digital marketing and rights agency whose range of services includes digital strategy, growing social media audiences and planning, as well as buying digital media for brands and content owners. The outfit also specialises in platform development and monetisation for content owners such as The Guardian. Daryn Wober, CEO, Ventra Media Group says, “We believe that Guardian TV represents the first of its kind in the market where a traditional newspaper business has stepped forward to provide a dedicated online video platform. The combination of Ventra’s product and technical expertise combined with the online reach of The Guardian will provide audiences with an unparalleled service.” The launch of Guardian TV comes after the complete re-launch of The Guardian’s digital platform. The new service is part of a continued investment by the group in to its digital operations and products. The organisation has signalled its intent to launch products and services that can compete on an international basis.  Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of The Guardian.

Dollar bears rev as FOMC looms

Written by Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst at FXTM

The bearish sentiment towards the Dollar descended to new depths during trading on Tuesday

following a slew of tepid data from the States which rekindled concerns over the health of the

world’s largest economy. Although durable goods orders were positive, it still missed

expectations at 0.8% while consumer confidence followed a negative path consequently offering

enough encouragement for the bears to drag the Dollar Index to the lows of 94.21. With an

awful mixture of both domestic and global events ensuring the Dollar remains depressed, Dollar

weakness continues to be the central theme that reverberates through the currency markets.

The main focus and event risk for Wednesday will be the release of the FOMC meeting minutes

in which markets broadly expect US rates to be left unchanged at 0.5%. While most may

speculate that the FOMC could be a non-event due to the lack of a press conference, I feel this

may pressure investors to closely examine the statement for clues on future rate hikes or any

change in language. Since the historic rate hike decision in December, the economic landscape

has morphed for the worst with incessant declines in oil prices and ongoing concerns over

slowing global growth sabotaging the Fed’s efforts to take action. These factors have repeatedly

caused the central bank to postpone rate hikes and with nothing changing fundamentally, a

procrastinating Fed could be the ongoing theme for 2016.

Refocusing back on the Dollar Index, this Index is technically bearish on the daily timeframe as

there have been consistently lower lows and lower highs. Prices are trading below the daily 20

SMA and the MACD has also crossed to the downside. Sellers could be encouraged to send the

Dollar Index towards 94.00 as long as bears can keep prices below 95.00.

Stock markets volatile

Global equity markets displayed haphazard characteristics during trading on Tuesday as the

sharp movements in oil prices that bolstered risk appetite encouraged investors to offload and

reload positions in various instruments. Despite the abrupt rise in oil prices keeping European

and American markets buoyed, this relief rally could offer an opportunity for bears to send prices

lower especially if the central bank meetings this week renew a wave of jitters across the board.

Currently Asian stocks are pressured with the Shanghai Composite trading -0.30%, further

losses in Asia could be expected if an appreciating Yen and rapidly diminishing expectations of

further intervention by the People’s Bank of China encourage investors to scatter from riskier

assets.

GBPUSD breaches 1.4500

Sterling bulls effectively exploited the declining Brexit campaign which offered a foundation for

the GBPUSD to surge above the psychological 1.4500 resistances during trading on Tuesday.

This was complimented with Dollar vulnerability that offered additional momentum for the

GBPUSD to fly to fresh 10 week highs at 1.4638. Despite data from the UK still following a soft

path, the diminishing Brexit fears coupled with “Bremain” statements from major financial

heavyweights have provided a platform for bullish investors to pounce, despite the fundamentals

pointing down. With under 2 months left until the E.U referendum, volatility may be set to

intensify as debates escalate over if the UK should remain in or leave the E.U. While the

GBPUSD is undeniably bullish as of now, investors should keep diligent as data from the UK

remains soft meaning that the BoE has little incentive to raise interest rates anytime soon.

From a technical standpoint, the GBPUSD has breached a key resistance. The next major

barrier is at 1.4650.

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