UAE steps up flood-relief activities in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (WAM): The United Arab Emirates has further enhanced its relief and rehabilitation activities to help Pakistan successfully facing the major natural calamity. In accordance with the instructions of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE intensified the release of humanitarian aid to the flood victims. According to a message received here on August 16,2010, the government and the people of UAE are all with the people of Pakistan in this difficult time in letter and spirit. The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP-Pakistan) said the Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation, the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment are carrying relied and rescue operations in various regions affected by the floods since the government of Pakistan issued its appeal for urgent assistance to face the floods crisis. The UAE's contribution in relief and rescue operation includes: 50,000 blankets,12,000 tents, 220,000 food packets, 6,000 mineral water bottles, food utensils, 227 tons of dates and medicines during the second stage.

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Taiwan to launch investment recruitment campaign

Same Indian security rules for BlackBerry, other services

Following up on the signing of the cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement, the Council of Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) briefed the Cabinet on July 15 about a global investment solicitation plan aimed at raising Taiwan¡¯s regional competitiveness. CEPD Minister Christina Liu said that a joint-service center for global investment recruitment established by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is scheduled to begin operation on August 8. The various ministries and central-government organizations were asked to submit investment proposals by July 20, from which the CEPD and other ministries would jointly select seven flagship plans. Among those expected to be incorporated into the initiative are internationalization of medical service, globalization of Taiwanese cuisine and digital convergence. The CEPD aims to attract NT$1.8 trillion in investment over the next six years.

New Delhi, 20 Aug. 2010 (WAM) - It is mandatory for all internet and telecom service providers, including those offering BlackBerry services, to extend access to calls and data passing through their networks to security agencies and non-compliance can result in a ban, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported. Stating this Thursday in the Rajya Sabha, upper house of parliament, Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot pointed out that this same provision, as required by security agencies, was invoked for accessing data from Blackberry service operators.

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Positive Growth for Malaysia Tourism Sector

RP Tourism Sec Durano leaves a legacy, a challenge to successor

Malaysia, which attracted about 21 million tourists in 2008, can still harbor for positive growth despite the world economic crisis and recession in Singapore, its biggest tourism market, said the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Its Strategic Intelligence Director John Koldowski said Malaysia had been doing extremely well in recent years. While the recession in Singapore was bound to impact the number of travelers and money spent in Malaysia, there was still room for growth from the republic, he added.

As the Philippine government goes into an inevitable transition after the May 2010 election, Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Ace Durano throws a challenge to whoever will be appointed as the next tourism chief. “I want him/her to replicate the development of eco-tourism development model,?said Durano in an interview as he readies to turn over his post to a new DOT secretary after the polls. He said immediately after the election, he plans to take a vacation and spend time with his family in Cebu.

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"13th World Peace Art Exhibition wraps up its five-day event on July 31, 2010 on a successful note

The 13th World Peace Art Exhibition wrapped up its five-day event on July 31, 2010 in a closing ceremony held at Ansan Exhibition Hall attended by 300 plus prominent guests and members of foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Korea including UAE Ambassador to Seoul Abdulla Mohammed Al- Maainah and Venezuelan charge d¡¯affaires Wolfgang Gonzalez. The annual exhibition was organized by the organizing committee of the World Peace Art Exhibition chaired by Ms Koo Mi-sook under the joint sponsorship of Kyonggi Maeil Daily News and Diplomacy Journal. In her address at the closing ceremony, Ms Koo extended her appreciation to all the participants in the World Peace Art Exhibition pointing out that artists have a special role to play in the global struggle for peace as art is a weapon against ignorance and hatred and an agent of public awareness. ¡°It is my belief that art was one of civilization¡¯s first global movements making it possible for people to appreciate each other and to live in harmony and peace,¡± she said expressing her hope that the exhibition would continue to carry that tradition forward, opening new doors for learning, understanding and peace among peoples and nations. The award of the National Assembly Speaker went to Chung Ki-ho and Cho Kui-sun and Chang Mi-na was selected as awardee of Minister of Knowledge and Economy. This year's exhibition will showcase 200 artists with a refreshing and arresting selection of works.

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