Seen the Shamal Roush Mustang at Al Tayer Motors Fujairah?

Al Tayer Motors is one of the official dealers in the UAE for Roush products and the first offering on display in the new Al Tayer showrooms in Fujairah is the Shamal Roush.

The Shamal is based on the 2011 Ford Mustang GT but it has the distinctive badges and exterior stickers.

Only 15

The UAE only has 15 of these limited-edition cars which each bear the specially-crafted plaque near the gear shift indicating the unique number of the car. The one in Fujairah’s Al Tayer Motors is #9.

The Power

Look under the bonnet to see the 5 litre V8 engine with supercharger and 525 horse power. Should be good on the new Dubai to Fujairah Highway.

The Price

The Shamal Roush Mustang cars are priced at Dh250,000 or another Dh10,000 if you want your car with the panoramic glass roof.

Take a Listen

Go into the Al Tayer Motor’s showroom in Fujairah, which is the second biggest auto showroom in the Emirates.

Ask the salesmen to turn on the Shamal Roush. It has such a throaty sound it will get your heart racing.

Take a Look

Some photos of the new Shamal Roush are posted in this photo album.

Location

See the article below for Al Tayer Fujairah on Google Maps.

Related

Building Boom at Fujairah’s Gateway, FIF, 6 March 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources, videos and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Types of Fish in Fujairah and UAE Waters

Names of Fish

It helps when fishing in Fujairah waters or buying fish at the Fujairah fish souq to have the name of the fish in both English and Arabic.

There is a short list on the board at the Fujairah fish market in both Arabic and English but unfortunately it does not come with a picture of the fish.

Thanks to the Ministry of Environment and Water, the fish in this photo album (link below) come with their names in Arabic (local name), English (common name) and Latin (scientific name).

If you catch a fish in Fujairah waters and it’s not listed in these photos, check one of the more comprehensive fish catalogues like the Fishwise Universal Fish Catalogue.

Variety

There are approximately 70 fish recognized as being commonly found in UAE waters. There is so much variety and amazing beauty in these fish species.

Those in the UAE’s MOEW department tell us that some of these fish are on the endangered list. Old time fishermen and those who have been going to the markets for years say that the supply of fish is not as plentiful as they used to be (see the video statement).

A study conducted by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) from 1978-2002 showed a decline of about 81% in all major commercial fish stocks.

The most popular fish for eating in the UAE—hamour (orange spotted grouper)—was the most impacted with a 91% decline over the last 30 years. Kingfish is overfished five times the sustainable level.

Choose and Fish Wisely

The EWS-WWF has helpfully produced their consumer guide, Choose [and Fish] Wisely, that is available at this download link.

In brief, here are their suggestions in the light of the problem of overfishing and shortages of supply:

Go For It!

(Stock is not experiencing heavy fishing pressure)

Ehrenberg’s Snapper (Naiser)

Sordid Sweetlips (Yanam)

Pink Ear Emperor (Shaari Eshkeli)

Yellow Bar Angelfish (Anfooz)

Black streaked Monocle Bream (Ebzimi)

Two Bar Seabream (Faskar)

Orange Spotted Trevally (Jesh Um Al Hala)

Good Choice But There’s Better

(Stock exploited within sustainable levels)

Longtail Silver biddy (Badah)

Small Tooth Emperor (Souli)

Black Spot Snapper (Aqalah)

King Soldier Bream (Kofar)

Think Again

(Stock is heavily overfished)

Orange Spotted Grouper (Hamour)

Spangled Emperor (Shaari)

Painted Sweetlips (Fersh)

Golden Trevally (Zuraidi)

Kingfish (Kanaad)

Snub Nose Emperor (Yemah)

White Spotted Spinefoot (Safi Arabi)

Goldlined Seabream (Qabit)

Take a Look

Photos with names of 70 fish found in Fujairah and UAE waters are in this photo album. (Photos courtesy of the UAE’s Ministry of Environment and Water)

Further

Tradition and Atmosphere at the Fujairah Fish Market (plus photos), FIF, 20 September 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, info, videos and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Orange Spotted Grouper (Hamour)—perhaps the most popular fish for eating in the UAE but sadly the stocks are in severe decline. (Photo courtesy Google Images)

Fujairah Forum Welcomes the French

Oui! Oui!

The Fujairah Government and Municipality are staging a France—Fujairah Forum on Thursday 29 September 2011, commencing at 10.00am.

The forum will be held at the Fujairah Concorde Hotel.

Le Patron

The forum is being held under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

L’Objectif

The purpose of the forum is to highlight the economic investment, tourism and cultural possibilities between Fujairah and France. It will promote the opportunities of the emirate and showcase the rich resources that it possesses.

Mr. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, the Director of the Municipality, said the forum aims to attract investors and capital in the emirate of Fujairah. The one-day forum is organized by the Fujairah Municipality, in cooperation with the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the French private sector.

Le Programme

The forum commences at 10.00am with the opening ceremony and welcome.

There will be a visual presentation of the emirate of Fujairah covering the major projects underway and completed. It will also feature cultural aspects and tourist developments.

The forum will concludes at 5.00pm.

Les Sujets

The conference will discuss a number of topics related to the emirate of Fujairah including demographics, population projections, industrial waste and the hospitality industry.

The strategic location of Fujairah will be highlighted with its accompanying investment and tourist possibilities.

Les Personnel

Participants in the forum will include at least 40 representatives of 22 companies from France as well as a large number of managers of local and federal departments in Fujairah.

RSVP

This is an open invitation to people of Fujairah.

Mr. Afkham extends the invitation saying:

“Come along and join the great effort of the Municipality. We want people to attend who are enthusiastic about extending hospitality to the French and who will encourage them to consider making a long-term investment. We want to provide the best environment for our guests and the attendance of those already involved in Fujairah business and tourism will increase the richness of the forum and enhance the opportunities for exchanging ideas and knowledge.”

If you plan to attend please confirm your attendance by contacting the Public Relations and Media Department of the Fujairah Municipality:

Phone: (09) 202 8231; (09) 202 8251

Email: pr.fujmun@hotmail.com

Fujairah Concorde Hotel

Check out the location of the Concorde:

View Concorde Hotel Fujairah in a larger map

Further

Fujairah Seeks an Ambitious Future in Tourism Says Patrick Antaki, FIF, 3 October 2011.

Fujairah Welcomes the French Highlighting Emirate’s Strategic Location, FIF, 2 October 2011.

French Business Council Has Firm Ambitions to Invest in Fujairah, FIF, 1 October 2011.

Crown Prince Seeking to Attract More French Companies to Fujairah, FIF, 30 September 2011.

French Day in Fujairah is Magnifique! FIF, 12 September 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

‘New to Dubai’ Event Could Be a Good Idea for Fujairah

On 1 October 2011 there is a ‘New to Dubai’ event from 10.00am-6.00pm at Knowledge Village.

It is a simple idea that could well be replicated or adapted for Fujairah.

The blurb asks:

Are you new to Dubai but don’t know where to start? Does Dubai seem bigger to you than it did in the Guide Books? Are you wondering how you might meet people?

‘New to Dubai’ is an event with useful information on clubs, sports, art groups, doctors, dentists, home help, banks, pets and much more.

Free Event

‘New to Dubai’ is a free event organized but registration is required. Sponsors are helping to cover the cost of the event and they have the opportunity to exhibit their products and services. Look at the interest of these exhibitors.

The ‘New to Dubai’ Facebook Page is invitational but it is also flushing out questions from people about singing lessons for children or keeping pets.

New to Fujairah

Arriving in any new city is a challenge but what do you think about an appropriate event (or events) to ease those into the emirate who are new to Fujairah?

What would you have appreciated as you look back on your arrival in Fujairah?

It may not necessarily mean a whole Saturday event for Fujairah but a free buffet meal in a hotel with a few speakers, lots of resources and the chance to meet people.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: The ‘New to Dubai’ promotional leaflet.

Investment in Fujairah is Like a Gold Rush Says MD of Fujairah National Group

Gold Rush

The Managing Director of the Fujairah National Group, Muhamed Natafji, likened the high investment activity in Fujairah to ‘a gold rush’.

Speaking to The Prospect Group about past and future projects, the MD with 30 years of experience in the UAE’s North-Eastern emirate, gave a fascinating and positive assessment.

Growth Due to War Risk

Natafji said that the Iran-Iraq war meant that Fujairah grew as a port that could oversee the transfer of ship-to-ship oil transfer. In the Persian Gulf the insurance premiums became too expensive and there was the risk of ships being hit by a missile. The commercial advantage and the reduced risk of harm meant that Fujairah became a preferred port and harbor.

Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Pipeline

The importance of Fujairah’s strategic location is being accentuated with the new pipeline and the flow of oil from the Abu Dhabi fields to the oil transfer port of Fujairah.

Natafji said that currently 5-6 companies have established oil tank farms using the storage for their own needs as well as leasing them out to a third party.

Chinese Investment

Muhamed Natafji said there was a rush into the market in Fujairah with many companies getting established.

He said that while the Chinese do not currently have a strong presence in Fujairah’s petro-chemical activities they are looking at establishing an oil tank farm costing between $150m to $200m.

Infrastructure Challenge

The growth of the petro-chemical operation in Fujairah is challenging the emirate’s infrastructure so the government is making a huge investment in increasing the capacity at different levels.

Natafji spoke of the new roads being built and Fujairah’s Qidfa power and (desalinated) water plant that will increasingly serve the whole of the UAE.

Oil Industry Flourishing

The Fujairah National Group MD said that in addition to oil services, bunkering, and the export of crude oil, Fujairah is expecting more petro-chemical industries to be established, such as the production of fertilizers.

“Fujairah is becoming like a gold rush and we are expecting a lot more of this sort of investment to flourish,” he said.

Fujairah Distinctives

Muhamed Natafji said that the Fujairah has chosen to do things differently. The government policy has been to live within its own means and not try and borrow huge amounts in order to speed up economic expansion.

He gave examples to illustrate the wisdom of the proverb: “Sure and steady…”

Learn More

The full video statement by Muhamed Natafji can be seen and heard at this link on Zawya (26 September 2011) where a short written summary is also supplied.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, information and resources about the rapidly expanding UAE emirate of Fujairah can be found on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: The Managing Director of the Fujairah National Group, Muhamed Natafji.

Fujairah Fishing Competition Scheduled for 14 October 2011

First Up

The Fujairah International Marine Club (FIMC) has released the date of the annual fishing competition: 14 October 2011.

This is the first event of the activities they are planning for the forthcoming 2011-2012 Season.

Timetable

Check the official documents (downloadable below) but here is the basic timetable for the day:

8.00-8.30am All competitors must be registered.

8.45am is the time when all boat owners and operators need to be at the FIMC for the checking of the documents (see Rules and Regulations).

9.00am Briefing session for all competitors.

9.30am Leaving time will be signaled by the waving of a green flag.

4.30pm All boats and competitors must be back at the FIMC.

4.45pm Weighing of the catch.

5.15pm Prize Giving Ceremony

Safety

Safety is taken very seriously by the organizers at the FIMC and to this end, they have prepared a list of rules and regulations with a check list of essential equipment that each competitor and boat owner/operator must have and display at 8.45am.

Categories

There are categories for women and men:

* 3 prizes for female competitors

* 3 prizes for the heaviest catch

* 3 prizes for the longest catch

* 1 prize for the most unusual catch.

The decisions of the Organizing Committee will be final.

Competition Fees

Each male competitor will pay the entrance fee of Dh50.

Female competitors do not have to pay an entrance fee.

Boats for Hire/Got a Space to Offer?

If you do not have your own boat or you don’t know anyone with a boat that you can join, discuss this matter with a representative at the FIMC.

They have boats for hire and there are other local hire boat companies.

If you have a boat with some space and you can take others, please let the FIMC know so that more people can participate in this event.

Fun Day

The first item listed on the FIMC’s list of Rules and Regulations is that “this competition is intended as a fun event.”

This is a great ‘rule’ and the Managing Director, Major Ahmed Ebraheim Al Blooshi and his team at the Fujairah International Marine Club, are to be congratulated for staging this fun, community event.

Contact for Information and Initial Registration

Fujairah International Marine Club

P O Box 2099

Fujairah, UAE

Tel: +971 09 222 1166

Fax: +971 09 222 9711

Email: fimcfuj@emirates.net.ae

Other phone numbers that have been listed in regard to this event:

050 7999434

050 6807014

050 3990376

Download

The Rules and Regulations for the FIMC Fishing Competition 2011 are at this link for download.

The Entry Form for the FIMC Fishing Competition 2011 is at this link for download. Fill it out and email it to the FIMC to speed up your registration.

Get Inspired

Take a look at some of the posts and photos of fishing competitions:

Prize-Winners and Fish at the Fujairah Fishing Competition 2010, FIF, 27 November 2010.

Great Day for the Fujairah Fishing Competition 2010, FIF, 26 November 201o.

FIMC

One Dirham a Day at Fujairah Marine Club Gets All these Benefits, FIF, 1 May 2011.

Related

Tradition and Atmosphere at the Fujairah Fish Market (plus photos), FIF, 20 September 2011.

UAE Must Impose Fish Limits and Policing Programme, FIF, 9 March 2011.

Fishing in Fujairah—Encounter With a Sailfish, FIF, 25 November 2010.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: FIMC Fishing Competition 2011 poster.

Eastern Express Tweets Towards Take Off from Fujairah

Tweeting

Eastern Express CEO, Alex de Vos, has a personal blog for reporting his comments, thoughts and advice to aviation enthusiasts but most news on the development of Eastern Express (formerly known as Hajar Airlines) is being tweeted into the Twittersphere via his Twitter ID @flyaha.

Eastern Express has its own Twitter account but this has currently not been activated. Those interested in following may send a request.

Commercial Managers

On 17 September 2011, de Vos tweeted information about the growing team:

Aircraft Type

On 21 September 2011, Alex de Vos threw out another tantalizing morsel into the Twittersphere:

Eastern Express Sweepstake

By the next day de Vos was turning this tweet into a competition to generate more interest and excitement, particularly if the craft used was going to be fast and comfortable.

Competition Email ID

“Where do people send their responses?” people asked:

Eastern Express Jobs

There is a growing interest in the jobs that might be going with this new airline based in Fujairah.

“Here is where you can send your CV, “ de Vos tweeted to an enquirer.

Promoting Eastern Express

Today, 25 September 2011, de Vos was singing the praises of his new marketing team.

There’s bound to be lots more information shared when the Eastern Express website is constructed and launched.

In the meantime, stay posted for Alex’ tweets (@flyaha) or send an email to info@flyaha.com.

Related

New Regional Airline…to be Based in Fujairah, FIF, 27 April 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

High Election Turnout as Fujairah Votes With Enthusiasm and Pride

Update Below

History

Eman, a New York-based Egyptian, tweeted this morning: ‘Elections and UAE in the same sentence.’

For the UAE, today’s election was a significant milestone on its journey towards full democracy. Election day (24 September 2011) involved 6,500 Emiratis voting to elect 20 representatives to the Federal National Council who will be joined by the 20 members who are appointed by the Rulers of the UAE.

Royal Declaration

The journey toward democracy is being led by the President of the UAE and the Rulers of all the emirates.

His Highness, Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah said today:

“It is now the people’s duty to exercise their political rights responsibly.”

“It is a day to be proud in every sense of the phrase. On the federation day, we proudly mark our union. Today, we celebrate democracy and political freedom.”

Education

Commenting on the journey toward democracy, a Fujairah government representative said that voting by the people is something that is relatively new so this electoral process is very much an education for us.

Enthusiasm

Voting is not available to all adult Emirati citizens but this year 6,000 people in Fujairah are members of the Electoral College. There is a massive electoral machinery and lots of voters to cast their choices for only two Fujairah candidates who are elected by the people.

Fujairah voters arrived as early as 7.30 this morning but they had to wait for thirty minutes to vote at the official starting time of 8am. By 9am it was declared that 80 Fujairah people had voted.

By mid-afternoon Fujairah organizers were reporting with pleasure ‘a better than expected turnout’ and declaring that this could be attributable in no small part to their awareness meetings and the thorough preparation that they had done prior to election day.

Visible Campaign

Earlier this week a journalist for Al Jazeera-English was eager to base her UAE election story in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah as she had heard of the vigor and visibility of the campaigns in the Northern Emirates, with promotional boards lining the roads and candidates erecting majlis tents in which to get their message across. In contrast the journalist said that driving through Dubai this week, there were few visible signs to indicate that an election was being staged.

Gender and Youth

Of the twenty-one candidates standing in Fujairah, three are female. These three received special coverage, especially about the importance of the electorate and women in particular having a female voice at the FNC. There was also some discussion about the pros and cons of female photos appearing on their campaign boards.

One of the female candidates in Fujairah was also the youngest of all the UAE candidates so this was another feature that characterized the election process in the North-Eastern emirate.

Hi-Tech

Today, voting was done by way of electronic voting machine after all voters received a two-minute training session. For some voters the training session wasn’t comprehensive enough with one man angry because he had wasted his vote through making an incorrect procedure.

Candidates Congratulated

Fujairah candidates visited the polling booths today and were ‘sitting on the sidelines’ enjoying the voting process. Some school pupils arrived at the polling centre to present a congratulatory rose to every Fujairah candidate.

Results Announced

The initial results are due to be announced this evening (Saturday 24 September 2011). Candidates may choose to use their right of appeal but the final results will be announced on Wednesday 28 September 2011.

Further

Early voters in Fujairah, Video, The National, 24 September 2011.

Rym Ghazal, Fujairah: Afternoon Slowdown but Rosy for Candidates, The National, 24 September 2011.

Patrick Michael, Nation Goes to the Polls Today, KT, 23 September 2011.

FNC Election: Voter Turnout Higher than Expected, Gulf News, 24 September 2011. PICTURES AND LIVE COVERAGE.

Further newspaper reports, videos and photos from the 2011 Election Day in Fujairah are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Geoff Pound

Image: Rashid Salem, Fujairah’s first voter casts his vote at the polling station at the Fujairah exhibition Centre. (Photo courtesy of Pawan Singh and The National)

Update: While the turnout during the day appeared positive and high in Fujairah the final tally did not paint so buoyant a picture. Nationally the turnout was 27.8% and in Fujairah 34.3%. Commentators were putting the low turnout down to the novelty factor and saying that this whole process is an education. There will no doubt be more in depth enquiries to learn the real reason for the low turnout.

Gardening Becoming Popular in Fujairah and the UAE

It may be the recession and people trying to save some money or the desire to plant and thus feel more rooted in the country but whatever the reason, gardening and growing are becoming popular pastimes in Fujairah and the UAE.

Gardening Shops

On Fujairah’s Al Gurfa Road, south of the incense burner roundabout and on the highway to Friday Market, a host of new nurseries and garden shops have sprung up “like mushrooms on a misty morning.” Perhaps their emergence has given people ideas and the inspiration to plant.

Talk around and you’ll find people starting gardens, growing plants on their balcony, buying hens, establishing herbs in pots and even setting up some beehives in the backyard or on the roof.

Gardening Online

All over the UAE the gardening bug has become a significant topic of online forums and newspaper columns. Here is a sample of the buzz and resources:

Expat Woman

Expat Women.Com has a huge number of questions and answers on issues such as these:

* Guide to planting fruit and veggies in pots.

* Best place to buy pots, trees, soil, stakes, peat moss.

* Help me fix my garden please.

* For those wondering when to plant your veggie seeds.

* What to do about birds.

* Bark/mulch anyone.

* Need advice on planting trees in the Middle East.

* Getting seeds from US to Dubai.

* Herb gardening.

* Lawn Care—it’s going black!

* Watering lawn—how often?

Many of these writers are experienced gardeners but a forum like this provides useful advice for people learning to plant in Middle Eastern soil and in a harsh climate.

Goumbook—Your Green Connection

This site is inspirational when it comes to buying and doing things in the interest of the environment.

Specifically it has lots of articles for gardeners on topics like these:

Green Mat is the answer to stop wasting water in your garden

Vegetable gardening in the UAE

Green Roofs for every building in Dubai

Organic fertilizer system saves water

Nick’s Garden

Nick Leech has been writing regular gardening and lifestyle articles in the last year for The National and many articles conclude with him answering a question entitled, Ask Nick.

Here is a list of some of the topics about which he has been writing:

23 Oct 2010: New resources for local gardeners.

22 Jan 2011: Agave deliver quiet drama along the Corniche.

4 Feb 2011: Give your lawn a spa treatment.

2 Mar 2011: How much water does that plant need?

13 Apr 2011: Compost to transform your garden—and your life.

1 Jun 2011: Smart irrigation takes more than just water.

14 Jul 2011: Desert plants hold medical remedies.

Aug 25 2011: Prepare now for the new planting season.

22 Sep 2011: Time to Feed and Repot the Plants.

Nick also contributes entries to a Plant Library and here are some examples:

2 Mar 2011: Leucophyllum frutescens.

16 Feb 2011: Catharanthus roseus.

To find a full list of articles by Nick Leech, put his name in the search column of The National.

Growers Middle East

As the Dubai-based Facebook Page indicates, “This is a forum for gardeners and farmers in the region to network and share related knowledge on growing in the Middle East.” It is an initiative of EZ-FLO Middle East and Bokashi Dubai.

This is a fascinating site where people post questions (“How do I grow capsicums in Dubai?”), attach links (Nick Leech’s articles from The National), and advertise products.

Other Resources

Let us know if you can recommend other helpful online resources for gardeners and growers in Fujairah and the UAE.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Impatiens. They come in many colours and they flower for most of the year. No wonder you see them in lots of gardens around Fujairah.