TRAVEL

Dubai Airports Successfully Concludes Operational Testing Of Terminal 3

         The successful exercise paves the way for the phased transition of operations to the new terminal, beginning 14th October. The phased opening of the terminal, which is dedicated to Emirates, will be implemented in four phases to ensure that systems and processes are all in place and thoroughly tested. The aim is to make sure that all aspects of the customer experience at the new terminal are smooth and convenient when it opens to public. Some 3,800 volunteers from the public were involved in the final simulation which was focused on testing both the arrival and departure processes as well as the facilities

for passengers transferring between flights at the airport. Dubai Airports has now had valuable input from more than 8,000 members of the public who were enthusiastic participants in the three major airport simulations that have been conducted over the last few months. Volunteers were asked to give their feedback on their experience to assist the airport in bringing the terminal to a full state of operational readiness so that the large and complex facility can be successfully opened in October. The three exercises also served as useful experiences for the many thousands of staff from the companies and government agencies who will work at the facility, enabling them to familiarise themselves with the operation of the new terminal in an environment which was close to an everyday operation at the airport. Some volunteer ‘passengers’ boarded and disembarked from aircraft which were at the gates of the concourse and a wide range of the retail and catering facilities were in operation. Terminal 3 and its airside facilities at Dubai International will not only boost the capacity of the airport to an annual figure of over 60 million passengers, but will provide a significant enhancement to the quality of customer service which will enable Emirates and Dubai Airports to attract a significant number of new travellers to Dubai over the next few years.

REAL ESTATE

Solidere International Participates In Down Town Jeddah Reconstruction

          The Jeddah Municipality has signed a memorandum to enhance the city’s central district with an alliance of international and development companies. The project will encompass an area of 6 million m2, and the main two companies to execute the project are Solidere International (SI) and the Jeddah municipality owned Jeddah Company for Construction and Urban Development.

The choice of these two exemplary companies is due to their renowned reputation for executing high profile projects within the Arab world. The former renovated Downtown Beirut and the latter succeeded at cleaning Tunis lake. This private-public partnership (PPP) is the first in its nature in the kingdom. The project will include a 16-km long waterfront development, land reclamation, urban rejuvenation, historical neighborhood preservation, in addition to traffic and environmental planning.

Tameer's Eye Park Pioneers Sustainable Development In Dubailand

          In a move that reflects the growing tide of environmental awareness around the world, leading regional developer, Tameer Holding, has announced the launch of its new, LEED-certified sustainable project in the heart of the Arjan district in Dubailand - Eye Park.

Comprising two symmetrical sets of three mixed-use towers facing each other over a central oasis, the elegant, functional and modern Eye Park will offer the ultimate business location in a premiere sustainable development project that will have significantly less environmental impact than most buildings in Dubai. Together, the towers will comprise a total built-up area of close to two million square feet that offers 1,370 luxury units, a resort-like amenity floor, boutiques and restaurants, and ample parking. 

The design of the towers is an eclectic combination of elegance and stylish modernism that will provide an Art Deco feel, reminiscent of 1920's New York. Each of the Eye Park towers will sit atop a graceful podium, adjoining a central park plaza filled with oasis palms and water, while the curved façade of the base of the towers will echo the central 'eye' at the centre of the park - a work of art that will become a landmark of international renown. Dramatic lighting will transform the towers into columns of light visible for miles around. 

Speaking of the project, Tameer CEO, Ghassan Sakhnini, stated that the Eye Park project directly represents Tameer's commitment to continue to provide exactly what its clients and investors are looking for, and to remain ahead of the rest when it comes to globally important issues such as 'green' building and sustainable development. 

Mr Sakhnini said, 'At Tameer we believe that our clients and investors have an important role to play in our business, and so we listen to what they have to say. We have chosen to develop the state-of-the-art, sustainable Eye Park project as a result of the increased interest in sustainable development and the environment, and to demonstrate to our clients and investors that we see eye-to-eye with them on these important matters.' 

Eye Park's design and development team will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, and has already been registered with the World Green Building Council for silver certification in the 'New Construction' and 'Core and Shell' categories. The fact that there are comparatively few LEED-certified projects in Dubai makes the Eye Park development exceptional in ways going beyond aesthetics and design, and providing yet another differentiating factor. 

'The design team have taken the issue of the sustainability of Eye Park very seriously, and have implemented sustainable design features across all areas of the project, including landscaping and site, energy and atmosphere, and materials and resources, in order to decrease the environmental impact of the project as much as possible,' added Mr Sakhnini, 'and we have also ensured that Eye Park adheres to the Arjan Sustainable Design Principals.' 

Located in Dubailand, Arjan is an 11 million square foot mixed-use development inspired by the glamour of 1920's New York architecture combined with modern building techniques, and forms Dubai's top location for a self-sustaining community. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy eco-friendly living among the district's interlinking elliptical boulevards, pedestrian plazas, inspiring water features and themed entertainment and cultural centres. And by focusing on indigenous resources, climate and energy efficiencies, Arjan will minimise its contribution to global climate change, making it an even more compelling place to live. 

Tameer, which is a Gold Sponsor of Cityscape Dubai 2008, is showcasing the Eye Park development at the prestigious event.

ENERGY

Lost City Found

           The shifting sands of the Arabian Peninsula hide more than their fair share of secrets. Once, flourishing lakes teeming with life lie buried beneath scorching dunes. Even entire cities have been swallowed by the gaping maw of the desert. “Searching for and finding one of them is one of the great adventures of a lifetime,” said John Faulhaber, at a recent meeting of the Arabian Natural History Association “Just reading about it is exciting.”

One such city was Ubar, “the Atlantis of the Sands.” Ubar flourished from about 2800 BCE to about 300 CE as a remote desert outpost where caravans assembled for the transport of frankincense across the desert. Used in cremations and religious ceremonies, as well as in perfumes and medicines, frankincense was as valuable as gold. 
As the only source of permanent water in thousands of square kilometers, Ubar became a nexus for trade, especially frankincense. Trade brought affluence, and at their height the people of the region might have been the richest in the world, said Faulhaber. 
The historian Al-Hamdani, writing in the sixth century CE, hailed Ubar as first among the treasures of ancient Arabia. Then at the height of its wealth, Ubar vanished. The Qur’an says that the people there were punished for wasting their wealthy sinful lives. By the seventh century, its location was forgotten.
Ubar’s rediscovery was the result of an intriguing combination of space-age technology, literary detective work, painstaking archaeology and two larger-than-life adventurers, Nicholas Clapp and Ranulph Fiennes. 
The pair became interested in Ubar after reading Bertram Thomas’ book Arabia Felix. Thomas, the first European to cross the Rub‘ al-Khali, noticed that the tribes living in the region of the Dhofar mountains in South Oman considered themselves the descendants of the “People of ‘Ad,” the people associated in the Qur’an with Ubar. Thomas mentions that he came across ancient caravan tracks, which his Arab guides called the “road to Ubar.”
Clapp started reading everything he could lay his hands on. He also persuaded Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists Charles Elachi and Ronald Blom to scan the region with a Space Shuttle radar system. 
The radar was able to “see” through the sand and loose soil to pick out subsurface geological features. The imagery clearly showed the ancient trade routes, which were packed down into a hard surface by the passage of hundreds of thousands of camels. The images revealed pieces of the ancient tracks converging on the small oasis settlement of Shisur in Oman.
Clapp and Fiennes, accompanied by archaeologist Juris Zarins, began work at Shishur. Their excavations revealed a sizeable walled fortress with eight or more towers, connected by a 2.5- to 3-meter-high limestone wall about a meter thick. 
The fortress had partially collapsed into a large sinkhole. Analysis shows that the sinkhole was originally a large subterranean cave partly filled with water. There was almost certainly a well on top to allow access to the water. When the cave collapsed, the resulting sinkhole took down almost the full interior space of the fortress and a sizeable part of the gate and adjacent walls, said Faulhaber. 
The excavated site closely matches written descriptions. The Quran calls it “a city with lofty buildings.” The Arab historian Yaqut ibn Abdallah said a “great well” was the city’s main feature. The Qur’an also says the city was destroyed by “sinking into the sand,” which is what clearly happened at Shisur, said Faulhaber. Reaching Ubar these days requires little more than a few hours’ drive from Salalah, he said. “There are even signs reading ‘Road to Ubar.’”

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Al Habtoor Motors Waits Arrival Of 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

          Al Habtoor Motors is preparing for the arrival of the 2009 Lancer Evolution X, the newest and most sophisticated version of the legendary high-performance model series that began 16 years ago.

While remaining true to the core values that have made the Lancer Evolution synonymous with thrilling performance, the next-generation model offers all-around capability and user technology that distinguish the world's best performance models. 

The strikingly styled 2009 Lancer Evolution showcases new performance and handling technology, including an all-new 291-hp 2.0-litre turbocharged/intercooled engine and the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) dynamic handling system. 

S-AWC offers an extraordinary level of control at each wheel, going well beyond the capabilities of other all-wheel drive systems. 

Two Lancer Evolution models will be introduced in the U.A.E. market for 2008: a GSR with a new 5-speed manual transmission and the other Evolution GSR with a new 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (SST), a new-generation automated manual transmission. Both models come with a variation of options for performance and interior upgrades. 

Significantly, the newest Lancer Evolution will have less differentiation from market to market than the previous generations. 

'The high-performance engine, unbelievable car handling dynamics and striking design of the 2009 Lancer Evolution will appeal to previous and new Evo customers worldwide. Its also for those who desire a daily driver with street credentials as well as those planning weekend track action,' said Stuart, Sales Manager for Ralliart UAE , Al Habtoor Motors. 
Design Evolution 
The 2009 Lancer Evolution design makes a maximum performance statement, blending concept car themes and sound aerodynamic principles while conveying the brand's rally heritage. 

A shark-nosed front end inspired by Mitsubishi Corporation jet fighter air intakes, a distinct wedge-like profile and crisp, taut lines highlight the basic new-generation Lancer design. 

Building on those themes, the 2009 Lancer Evolution looks stunning for the street, and motorsports based machine, with its a unique front end, aggressively sloping hood with integral air scoop and engine heat outlets, boxed fenders, and 18-inch alloy wheels and larger Brembo brakes. 

Inside, the Lancer Evolution presents a 'class up' approach and shows a new international flair. Available user technology, including high-end Rockford Fosgate audio and S-AWC drive system, reflects the tastes of a broadening customer base. 
All-New 2.0-Litre Turbo Engine 
The 2008 Lancer Evolution's 4B11 engine is an intercooled-turbocharged 2.0-litre DOHC inline 4-cylinder. Beyond that description, it differs greatly from the legendary 4G63 it replaces. 

The 4B11 is built with a reinforced cast-aluminium cylinder block versus the cast-iron block used in the 4G63, and aluminium is also used for the cylinder head and cover and the timing chain case. 

Unlike the 4G63, the 4B11 does not use a balancer shaft, made possible by the new engine's inherently lower noise and vibration and use of hydraulic engine mounts. 

The new 4B11 T/C produces more power than its predecessor: 291 hp at 6,500 rpm (versus 286 hp at 6,500 rpm) and 366 nm of peak torque at 4,400 rpm. 

The 4B11 T/C provides a broader torque curve, as well. A revised turbocharger yields up to 20-percent quicker response at lower engine speeds versus the 2006 engine's turbocharger. 

A major divergence from the previous engine architecture is in the use of a direct-acting valvetrain in place of the roller rocker arm configuration for reduced weight. 

A timing chain replaces the belt, and MIVEC variable valve timing is used on both the intake and exhaust camshafts (the most recent 4G63 had MIVEC on the intake only). 

The rear-located (firewall side) stainless steel exhaust manifold helps improve weight distribution, lower the engine by 10mm compared to the Evo IX ,and the freer-breathing exhaust system features a larger-volume main muffler with dual tailpipe outlets. 
New TC-SST Automated Manual Transmission 
The 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) is an automated manual transmission capable of executing lightning-quick upshifts with no drop-off in engine power. 

The TC-SST features both a console-mounted shifter and magnesium steering wheel paddle shifters and offers manual and fully automatic modes. 

Essentially, the TC-SST is a manual transmission that can select two gears at a time: one gear is engaged by one of the two wet multi-plate clutches, and the other is pre-selected, awaiting to be engaged by the second clutch. 

The gear change is made - either manually or automatically depending on mode selected - when the electro-hydraulically operated clutches are 'swapped,' which occurs simultaneously, with no perceptible lag time. 

The TC-SST offers three drive modes - Normal, Sport and S-Sport - and within each, the driver may choose automatic or manual shifting. 

Sport mode uses higher shift points (in Automatic) and quicker shifting to deliver instant throttle response for better performance feel. 

Sport mode is also useful for driving in mountainous areas or when frequent engine braking is required. The S-Sport mode can also be selected for performance driving situations, such as track events. 
Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) 
In the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is not simply the name of a new all-wheel drive system. 

Rather, S-AWC regulates drive torque at each wheel by controlling a network of dynamic handling technologies, including: Active Center Differential (ACD) 4-wheel drive, Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, Active Stability Control (ASC), and Sports ABS brakes. 

Integration of ASC is new for all markets and also provides a significant advance in both dynamic capability and safety. 

The ACD splits drive 50:50 between the front and rear wheels using an electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch. 

With input from the S-AWC computer, the ACD system regulates the delay in freeing and locking the differential ACD clutch pack, depending on the drivers setting via a switch, tarmac, gravel or snow. 

The S-AWC computer takes data input from steering wheel angle, throttle opening, wheel speeds, and the vehicle's longitudinal and lateral movements to determine the vehicle's path of travel. 

As the previous Lancer Evolution did, the 2009 model offers three driver-selectable traction modes: Tarmac, Gravel and Snow. 

The innovative AYC rear differential uses a torque transfer mechanism to control rear wheel torque differential for different driving conditions, enhancing cornering performance by limiting the yaw moment acting on the vehicle. 

The AYC differential in the 2009 Lancer Evolution model adds yaw feedback control using a yaw rate sensor and also gains braking force control via ASC. Both models use a helical gear-type limited-slip front differential. 
Specially Engineered Chassis 
The 2009 Lancer Evolution is built on a 25mm longer wheelbase than the Evolution IX, now 2650mm versus 2625mm, and a 30mm increase in front and rear track which brings that measurement to 1545mm. Overall body width is up by 40mm to 1810mm. 

The basic all-new Lancer platform, which is already much stiffer than the previous-generation Evolution IX, gains further structural enhancements to the front and rear suspension areas to become the Lancer Evolution. 

The super-stiff structure, optimised chassis systems, wider use of aluminium for the engine, body, and chassis components, as well as greater use of high-tensile steel, all play important roles in the Super-All Wheel Control concept. 

The roof, hood, front fenders, door side impact bars, and both the front and rear bumper beams are aluminium. 

For better weight distribution, the vehicle battery and the windshield washer fluid tank have been moved to the trunk area. 

The Lancer Evolution again features its own suspension system, including inverted struts in front and a rear multi-link configuration. 

Race-proven forged aluminium components reduce unsprung weight. 

There is an an option available, Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers for even better handling performance. Due to the high rigidity of the new global C-platform, the Lancer Evolution's suspension can be tuned to provide a more compliant and stable ride than before without compromising handling performance. 

The standard 18 x 8.5-inch wheels Enkei cast-alloy come as standard on both models, but available with the Bilstein and Eibach options are the BBS forged-alloy wheels along with 2 piece Brembo front discs, all geared for reducing unsprung weight. Both models use Brembo 4-piston calipers in front and 2-piston calipers in the rear. 
Better Everyday Driver 
With exciting performance assured, Mitsubishi is able to equipe the Lancer Evolution to be a markedly better car for everyday driving. 

The new Recaro seats ensure support during sport driving and integrate new side airbags. 

While providing an even deeper-bass exhaust note than the previous model, the 2009 Lancer Evolution is designed to reduce unwanted noises and vibrations. In the Leather combination pack option, there is an additional 5kg of sound deading material fitted. 
Safety 
The 2009 Lancer Evolution is built around Mitsubishi's next-generation Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) unibody design. 

The RISE body structure disperses energy loads during side and rear crashes and controls distortion, enhancing occupant protection and also helping to protect the fuel system during a rear impact. 

The 2009 Lancer's safety package is one of the most comprehensive in the segment and includes an advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with occupant sensors, standard front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags, plus a driver's knee air bag. 

The standard anti-lock braking system (Sports ABS) integrates electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).

INSURANCE

The Strategic Takaful Lead

          Majed Akel, General Manager of General Takaful Co. spoke about the reasons why most financial institutions and banks are opening Takaful subsidiaries. Akel also spoke the future of his company’s business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon. Then he shed some light on the future prospects of his company.

Akel spoke about the reasons why most companies are opening Takaful subsidiaries, as there are more than 140 companies because it is one of the safest fincail institutions currently, in wake of the crisis. Akel added that "the principal of Islamic insurance is that customers pay contribution and not premiums, they are partners and they get part of the profit at the end of the year. However, in case of losses the shareholders handles that part and shield the customers. It is solidarity among people based on Islamic Shariaa. As we have to deal with Moudaraba and Mourabaha. The Takaful industry is still growing in Qatar and it is still in its early stage of growth. General Takaful has been around one year in Qatar but I can assure you that our company will grow very fast. As General Takaful, we are planning to become one of the leaders in the Takaful market in Qatar, especially that we have strength of character with Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Co... Our customers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, they liked the concept of Takaful and trusted our company especially our provided services, so they became our partners. We also follow a very stringent rule on paying claims; if our customers are entitled we have to pay them, which eases customers’ burdens and provide them with peace of mind."

Concerning the future of his company’s business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon, Akel said "the Takafl business has a big portion in the Saudi market. However, we are focusing on our local market before thinking of expanding in the Saudi market. However, we are thinking of opening up new branches in Qatar by next year." "Because of the financial crisis, it is now the right time for the Takaful industry to step up and play its role, as its reputation has not been tarnished at all.

Takaful Ramadan Sports Session

          Takaful International Company concluded its second Ramadan sports club session at Manama Sports Club lounge in Jufair under the auspices of Younis Jamal, Chief Executive of Takaful International Company. At the end of this session, the two sports clubs were declared as winners. In addition, Younis Jamal was honored by the Organizing Committee for his dedication to the success of this session

and also for his continued support to the activities of the company. In this occasion, Jamal said: “This kind of events promotes the team spirit among the staff outside the scope of work and I express my thanks to the organizing committee for its valuable efforts towards achieving the desired goal and success.