Foreign ministers of S. Korea, Nigeria discuss energy cooperation

Foreign ministers of South Korea and Nigeria held talks on Monday that were expected to focus on boosting energy cooperation between the two nations. Nigeria's Foreign Minister Henry Odein Ajumogobia arrived in Seoul Sunday for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan on promoting cooperation in the energy, resources and cultural sectors, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. Ajumogobia served as minister of state for petroleum in 2007-2010 and has shown great interest in strengthening energy cooperation with South Korea, the ministry said. Nigeria is the No. 1 oil producer in Africa. Ajumogobia's five-day visit also includes an investor relations session and a tour of various industrial facilities, including an oil refinery, petroleum storage facilities, an atomic power plant and a shipyard, the ministry said. South Korea and Nigeria established diplomatic relations in 1980, with their two-way trade volume amounting to more than US$1 billion last year.

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UAE students undergoing nuclear training in Korea

Dubai Aluminium sets import records through Jebel Ali Port

A group of the Abu Dhabi-based Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) students are currently undergoing technical training on nuclear energy in South Korea. The first four-week summer internship programme for the UAE nuclear industry is a fruit of partnership between the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Sudo Electric Technical High School (SEHS). According to the agreement, ENEC will sponsor the IAT Grade 11 students to undergo practical training at KEPCO in Korea and theoretical training at SEHS, as part of the cooperation to develop the UAE's nuclear industry educational infrastructure required for the operation of the nuclear power plants that ENEC has engaged KEPCO to construct in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Abdul Latif Al Shamsi, Director of IAT, said the 48 interns will get practical training and experiences at SEHS that will qualify them to join nuclear plants the UAE will operate in 2017. The first batch to be sent for training in this domain will receive training on electric and mechanical fields and will pay field trips to major Korean companies specialising in nuclear energy, heavy industries, construction and electronics. The trainees will also tour nuclear plants in Bosan, Korea's second largest city.

The annual value and volume of strategic raw materials imported by Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) through Jebel Ali Port reached record levels in 2009, boosted largely by the procurement of materials for Emirates Aluminium Company Limited PJSC (EMAL) -- the high-tech green-field aluminium smelter development in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, in which DUBAL holds a 50 per cent share and where Phase I is currently in ramp-up stage. Masoud Talib Al Ali, Vice President, Supply, DUBAL, says that in terms of a Supply Service Agreement (SSA) between the two companies, DUBAL is currently responsible for sourcing, procuring and managing the logistics relating to the strategic raw materials required by EMAL -- all of which are imported. "EMAL Phase I has been under construction since 2007. The core smelter operation comprises 756 electrolytic reduction cells in two

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UAE Knowledge-Korean Knowledge Sharing Seminar inaugurated

Over 107,000 tourists visited Sharjah in June

Abu Dhabi-The UAE- Korean Knowledge Sharing Seminar, was inaugurated on May 10 at the Changrila Hotel Abu Dhabi. Present were Rashid Lahej Al-Mansouri, General Director of Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre, the Korean Ambassador to the UAE H.E.Yong-chil CHUNG, Dr.Songook PARK (Korea Information Society Development Institute, KISDI, and Yoon-seok KO. From the NIA, and Hussein Al-Hamadi, chairman of the trustees council at the Applied Technology Institute, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Shamsi the Institute's Director General, Dr.Sun Je SUNG from the Korean University, Dr.IIsue ROH from ETRI.

The number of tourists in Sharjah increased by three percent to 107,000 visitors in June, compared to the same period in 2009, according to the latest report released by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). It stated that the total number of guests staying in the emirate's hotels and hotel apartments reached 107,000, a three percent increase compared to June 2009. The increase in tourist numbers can be credited to the unique diversity of tourist attractions and special offerings in Sharjah, according to the report. In fact, the huge turnout of tourists in Sharjah is specifically attributed to the emirate's rich portfolio of entertainment, cultural and tourist attractions, including museums, public parks, entertainment and family themed facilities, safari trips, diving trips and shopping facilities, as well as the captivating natural sites and sandy coasts, all of which offer an unforgettable experience to visitors. According to SCTDA statistics, there has been steady growth in the tourism sector, with a 64 percent hotel occupancy rate reported in June this year compared to the 61 percent recorded in the corresponding period last year.

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Mohammed bin Rashid meets media personalities

Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met at his Zabeel Palace on Aug,14 with Chief Editors and representatives of UAE-based local and foreign newspapers and news agencies. The meeting was held in presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Members of the media corps offered greetings to Sheikh Mohammed on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. Sheikh Mohammed talked to the members of the media about several political, media, economic and regional issues. The talks focused on the freedom of expression and constructive criticism. Members of the media praised the numerous initiatives by Sheikh Mohammed and his keenness to provide a wider space for freedom and transparency in dealing with the local, regional and international media. Sheikh Mohammed said that the people of the UAE were proud of the achievements made in all walks of life. "Our achievements complement those of fellow Arab countries. The prominence gained by the UAE is a prominence for all Arabs," he said. Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that the concerned authorities in the UAE do not impose any restrictions on information or news about economic and financial issues. "My directives to these authorities are clear and beyond any questioning as we rely on candour and transparency. We strongly believe that media is the mirror of the nation. It has a noble message to disseminate and to enlighten the public, away from exaggeration, bias and distortion of facts. Media is the nation's voice. The sun cannot be blocked by a sieve," he added. Also present were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, H.H. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Culture '&' Arts Authority, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Saqr Ghobash, Labour Minister '&' Chairman of the National Media Council, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State, H.H. Sheikh Marwan bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Lt. General Musabah Rashid Al Fattan, Director of Dubai Ruler's Office, Ahmed Abdulla Al Sheikh, Media Escort to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed and chief editors. ( Emirates News Agency, WAM )

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