The Women’s International Shipping ‘&’ Trading Association (WISTA) is an international organisation for women in management positions involved in the maritime transportation business and related trades worldwide. With a focus on networking, education and mentoring they can enhance members’ competence and empower career success. The organisation is growing and currently counts over 1500 individual members in 34 National WISTA Associations (NWAs).

WISTA-UAE’s visit was organised with the ADPC management team to enable the delegates to benefit from an understanding of the huge role ADPC plays in this industry and the interest it is attracting from different sectors of the international market. During the visit the delegates exchanged contacts, information and experiences with the ADPC team to promote understanding and share knowledge.

Commenting on this occasion, Jameela Al Junaibi, Marketing Manager at ADPC, said “ADPC is becoming a major player in the ports industry on an international level. Today not only contributed to increasing awareness of females in this business, but was also an opportunity for us to learn from them and exchange views. On behalf of the employees of the ports, I must thank the management for their hard work on making this happen. We look forward to witnessing a bright future for all of our ports and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, Khalifa Port is wide-open to accept visits from other Governmental Organisations, potential stakeholders, schools and universities, the shipping industry and related entities.” WISTA UAE was established in 2010 and, as the first WISTA organisation in the Middle East, it now has more than 20 active members in the UAE. The UAE chapter’s mission is to raise awareness of the Middle East shipping industry amongst professional women inside the country and abroad; to encourage more to join the maritime ‘&’ trading sector; and to build a network platform for women within mainly male dominated industries. WISTA UAE meets on a bi-monthly base and, importantly, organizes seminars and training programmes to educate young women and highlight the many opportunities that exist.

The office, which is staffed by a team of four and led by Country Manager Kershing Goh, will represent the emirate’s interests in developing tourism from the United States. As a part of the office launch celebrations, the authority kicked-off a multi-faceted campaign, which includes the takeover of New York City’s Times Square, branding initiatives involving the Big Apple’s iconic yellow taxis as well as a slew of new attractive travel offers to the Arabian emirate recently described by the USA’s Travel ‘&’ Leisure magazine as: “fast developing into the hottest destination in the Middle East.” “Our aim is to take the taste, sound, sight, touch and scents of Abu Dhabi to one of the centers of New York’s action,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, the authority’s International Promotions.

Aptly- themed Traveller’s Welcome- A Taste of Abu Dhabi’s Hospitality,’ the Abu Dhabi Interactive Pop-Up will take over Times Square’s Father Duffy Square from the 17 – 19 May. Visitors will get a glimpse into true Abu Dhabi offerings, with a traditional majlis in the iconic landmark offering dates and coffee, henna artists, perfume mixologists and more.

Captivating video footage depicting the emirate’s future progression, from the highly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, to Masdar City – the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-emissions city – will roll, while those with a sense of adventure can interact with a falcon and trainer- a signature Abu Dhabi offering. Also onsite will be Ayala dancers, performing traditional dances. The United Arab Emirates’ award-winning national airline carrier Etihad Airways will also be present welcoming guests to the Pop-Up experience and offering exciting giveaways.

“Opening a US office was a natural progression for us,” said Dayne Lim, Product Development Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism ‘&’ Culture Authority. “Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming an important travel destination and with all the exciting developments over the next few years, it will be a destination to reckon with. We believe what we have to offer will appeal to visitors from the US on both business and leisure fronts. With increased air access from the US planned, this is a timely initiative.” To coincide with the launch, Abu Dhabi has partnered with leading tour operators Abercrombie ‘&’ Kent, Cox ‘&’ Kings, Linara Travel, Ritz Tours and Goway Travel to introduce travel packages to the emirate.

The opening of the US office is Abu Dhabi’s first major foray into America and a part of the emirate’s measured efforts towards economic diversification of which tourism is a key pillar. US hotel guest nights in Abu Dhabi have been steadily growing over the years reaching 486,488 nights, a 16% increase in 2011 from 2010. Based on guest nights, the USA is the emirate’s second international source market for Abu Dhabi. On the MICE front, Abu Dhabi has also welcomed a number of significant MICE groups from the US, including significant America participation in February’s World Ophthalmology Congress with 12,000 attendees and the destination’s largest congress to date.

Heightened air connectivity between the USA and Abu Dhabi is on the cards with Etihad Airways planning to launch daily, non-stop services between Washington D.C. and Abu Dhabi International Airport from March 31 next year. The airline currently operates daily, non-stop flights from JFK New York and Chicago to Abu Dhabi International.

With the number of visitors far exceeding expectations in 2011, and the impressive openings of leading hotels and resorts over the last several months, Abu Dhabi is emerging as a strong competitor in the travel sector.

The biggest of the three is Dubai Safari Project, in Al Warqa 5, Aweer Road, on an area of 400 hectares includes Dubai Safari, Butterfly Park, golf courses, entertainment and recreational areas, Lootah said.

Dubai Safari facility that covers 60 hectares of the total area is aimed at establishing the best center for wildlife in the world, providing a variety of environments appropriate to different animals, attract visitors from different parts of the world and use modern interactive methods in control and movement to ensure the distinctive and unique experience for visitors.

The stages of project include site preparation, preparing internal roads and infrastructure, gardening, landscaping and water bodies, transfer the existing zoo in Jumeirah to the new location and other facilities such as means of transport, restaurants, rest areas … etc.) Director of General Projects Department Eng. Mohammed Noor Mashroom explained the second project, Dhow Wharfage Development at Deira Corniche, is aimed at constructing additional integrated infrastructure to facilitate an increase in dhow trade through Dubai, which will make Dubai the economical center of import and export activities in the region

Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE’s ambassador to the United Sates, welcomed distinguished guests to the event alongside Defense Attach? Staff Colonel Abdelrahman Al Mazmi. The event was attended by senior officers from the US and other nations’ armed forces, as well as diplomats and senior government officials.

Ambassador Al Otaiba commented on the occasion, saying: “We are very proud of the men and women of our armed forces. The UAE’s military today is one of the best equipped and most advanced due to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defense; and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces”. He added, “We appreciate the ongoing military cooperation, the robust procurement, and the training programs with the United States”.

Defense Attach? Al Mazmi said, “I would like to congratulate our leadership on this important day in our history.” He added, “The UAE’s military has played a key role to ensure regional security and stability for the past 36 years”.

The message was delivered to the UAE President here today afternoon at Al Rodah Palace by HRH. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his short visit to the country.

Prince Saud conveyed the regards of King Abdullah to Sheikh Khalifa. In his turn, the UAE President conveyed his regards to The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosque, wishing him good health and prosperity to the Saudi people.

Present were H. H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H. H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H. H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of the Presidential Affairs, Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfa, Secretary General for the Supreme Council at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim, Saudi Ambassador to UAE, the delegation accompanying the Saudi Foreign Minister and a number of officials. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received a message from The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, on the fraternal relations between the two countries and the issues of mutual interest within the framework of consultations and coordination among the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States.

The message was delivered to the UAE President here today afternoon at Al Rodah Palace by HRH. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during his short visit to the country.

Prince Saud conveyed the regards of King Abdullah to Sheikh Khalifa. In his turn, the UAE President conveyed his regards to The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosque, wishing him good health and prosperity to the Saudi people.

Present were H. H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H. H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, H. H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, H. H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of the Presidential Affairs, Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfa, Secretary General for the Supreme Council at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Ibrahim Al Saad Al Ibrahim, Saudi Ambassador to UAE, the delegation accompanying the Saudi Foreign Minister and a number of officials.