Their News [Archives:2008/1123/Local News]
– Germany and Yemen celebrate 30 years of cooperation on archaeological projects
Since 1978, Germany and Yemen have jointly conducted archaeological and restoration projects which have allowed to preserve some of Yemen's most valuable ancient sites, such as the pre-Islamic temple Arsh Bilqis in Marib and the Almaqah sanctuary in Sirwah.
To highlight this longstanding and highly successful cooperation, the President of the German Archaeological Institute, Prof. Hermann Parzinger, pays Yemen a visit from 18 to 21 January 2008. During his stay, he will visit some of the ongoing excavation works and meet up with representatives from the General Organization of Antiquities and Museums and the National Museum of Sanaa.
The German-Yemeni cooperation in the archaeological field folds into the wide-ranging cultural cooperation and the developmental efforts Germany has been undertaking jointly with Yemen since the beginning of bilateral relations in the late 1960s.
The excavation and preservation of ancient monuments in Yemen does not only serve scientific purposes. It also largely contributes to promoting the image of Yemen as an ancient nation of rich culture and great variety, thus attracting tourists from all over the world and stimulating Yemen's economy.
In order to explain the background and the details of the German-Yemeni cooperation in the area of archaeology and restoration, the German Ambassador to Yemen, Michael Klor-Berchtold, Prof. Parzinger and Dr. Iris Gerlach, Director of the German Archaeological Institute Sana'a, will host a Press conference at the Institute's premises* on Monday, 21 January 2008, 16.00 h.
– Special announcement from the national council
Applications Now Being Accepted For The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations'
Malone Fellow Study Visit to Yemen
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to offer, through the Joseph J. Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies, a study visit to Yemen April 18 – 29, 2008, with (a required) pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. on April 17 – 18. This special opportunity will provide participants a privileged first hand exposure to one of the Arab and Islamic world's most fascinating countries, one whose society has retained its customs and traditions whilst, for the past decade and a half, demonstrating one of the most dynamic and diverse systems of popular multi-party participation in the country's politics to be found anywhere in the developing world's 140 nations.
The National Council is currently accepting applications to participate in this study visit.
American professionals in academia, government, business and educational non-profit organizations are invited to apply.
This Malone Fellow Study Visit to Yemen will provide participants an educational experience that few Americans and other Westerners have had. The visit is choreographed to provide participants an unparalleled exposure to one of the most stunningly beautiful of any of the dozen Arab countries to which the National Council has been organizing and escorting delegations of American leaders for the past quarter century. This will be the Council's 20th study visit to Yemen.
– RJ agreement for leasing 2 Boeing 787 Dreamliner
An agreement between RJ and CIT Aerospace International, one of the largest aerospace financing and leasing companies, was signed for the operational lease of two Boeing 787s Dreamliner aircraft. RJ's President/CEO Samer Majali and Damon J. D'Agostino, senior vice president and chief sales officer at CIT, signed the contract. Naser Lozi, the chairman of RJ's board of directors, was also present.
The agreement includes leasing the two B787s for 12 years from the date of their assimilation in the fleet, in September 2012 and January 2013, to operate on the long-haul routes in North America and the Far East. Leasing the two aircraft comes in line with the airline's strategy of modernizing its long-range fleet by introducing 12 newly manufactured B787s Dreamliner; four of which RJ contracted to purchase directly from Boeing and which will be delivered in 2013 and 2014. Eight other aircraft from renowned leasing companies will enter service through operational lease.
Recently, RJ contracted with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) to lease two B787s, to be delivered by the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, and it will soon sign a contract with the Low-Cost Aircraft Leasing (LCAL) company to lease another three aircraft of the same type.
Royal Jordanian's fleet currently consists of 26 aircraft; 23 are for passenger transportation, two for air freighting and one airliner, operated by Royal Wings, is dedicated for charter flights.
During this year, six modern and newly manufactured airplanes will join the fleet: two Embraer 175s, two Airbus A319s and two Airbus A321s. Two of the latter model currently operative in the fleet will be phased out.
– IBA Middle East Office opens in DIFC
The International Bar Association (IBA), in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announces the opening of its Middle East Office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The IBA, headquartered in London, England, has opened the new office as part of its global strategy of expanding its network of international offices to serve regions more fully and broaden contact with its members.
Fernando Pombo, IBA President, in Dubai for the opening, said, 'It is important to me that the IBA is accessible and geographically close to its members. The physical presence of an IBA office in the Middle East will enable us to better respond to the needs of our members there. We recently hosted the Islamic Finance in the Middle East conference in Dubai and, in time, will develop and deliver other tailored programmes like this which specifically address issues unique to the region.'
The IBA Middle East Office is based at the heart of the Middle East's business and financial community in the DIFC, the world's fastest growing international financial centre.
Nasser Al Shaali, CEO, DIFC Authority says, 'We are committed to offering a hub of business excellence and the establishment of the IBA within the DIFC is in line with this strategy. The IBA is a world leading organisation and I am certain that legal practices within the DIFC and the rest of the region will see real benefits. Beyond the individual legal practices the IBA will play a significant role in developing the region's legal framework with its invaluable knowledge of international best practice.'
Faten Hani, CEO, DIFC Centre of Excellence says, 'The fact that the IBA is setting up an office within the DIFC is testament that the region has grown into a major financial centre and a unique jurisdiction. This is a major endorsement of the significance of legal practices within the Middle East and will be invaluable to the sector's growth in the region. The DIFC Centre of Excellence has attracted a number of high profile organisations within the professional services industry. The IBA is a welcome addition and truly strengthens our offering as a world class centre for education.'
Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director comments, 'The opening of the Middle East office represents the culmination of several years of research and planning. It also represents a major investment by the IBA in the Middle East. It is essential for the IBA, as the global voice of the legal profession, to be engaged with regional developments around the globe. The new IBA Middle East Office in the prominent location of Dubai provides the IBA with the excellent advantage of being in close proximity to the leaders of the regional business community throughout the Middle East.
This will be of enormous benefit to the IBA in delivering programmes throughout the region with greater clarity and understanding.'
The IBA will hold its annual conference in Dubai in 2011. This will be the first time in the Association's history that the IBA Annual Conference will be held in the Middle East.
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