It's no secret that Turkey has become a rising economic power in the region. Its diverse economy, which includes silk and textile exports, car manufacturing, agriculture and now a surge in tourism, has registered growth of 2.5 per cent amid a global economic downturn, warranting a wave of businessmen from Europe and the Middle East rushing to forge ties in a place that straddles East and West.
Facts about Bursa, a key industrial city in Turkey:
Airport: Yenisehir Airport. Travelling from abroad, one must fly into Istanbul (with Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways or Turkish Airlines). However, given the proximity between Istanbul and Bursa, common methods of travel between the two cities are ferry, metro, bus or taxi. The total time for the journey is about two-and-a-half hours.
An airport hotel: If you're flying in via Istanbul, Wow Hotel is a friendly and accessible five star business hotel near Ataturk Airport.
A hotel in Bursa: Once you have made your way to Bursa, try the Hampton by Hilton Bursa hotel, which is located in the business district, or Hotel Celik Palas for a more luxury spa experience.
Bus from Istanbul Airport to Bursa: 25 liras.
A conference centre: Ataturk Congress Culture Centre and Tuyap Bursa International Fair and Congress Centre, with 12,000 square metres and 35,000 sq metres of leasable space respectively.
A power restaurant: Try Iskender Kebab Restaurant, near the old central bus station. Bursa is well known for its Iskender kebab, a type of shawarma, which is made up of small thin strips of meat on top of bread soaked in a tomato sauce, with a serving of yogurt.
Currency conversion rate: 100 Turkish liras = Dh204.
Main businesses: The car industry in Bursa is huge - with Renault and Fiat vehicles manufactured in factories to be sold in Turkey or exported to Europe. More recently, government officials and businessmen have been trying to promote Bursa as a tourist destination.
What are some things to do at night in Bursa? Sess 34 is a great nightclub at the top of Uludag mountain. A taxi ride takes about five minutes, around the windy, narrow road that leads to the top of the mountain. It is designed as a wooden cabin with large glass windows from the ceiling to the floor that allow you to have a good top view of the resort and wider Bursa below. It has a chilled-out vibe and plays popular English tracks.
Got more time on your hands? Silk was big business in Bursa when it was part of the Ottoman Empire and the last stop on the lucrative Silk Road. Head to Bursa's biggest bazaar, Kapali Carsi, in the Koza Hani or "Silk Cocoon Hall" for some silk scarves. It was not long ago that silkworms would be raised by farmers and fed mulberry leaves, before their valuable silk cocoons would be sold in this market. Looking for excitement? Uludag mountain, with an altitude of 2,543 metres, is a popular destination for winter skiing. If you plan to spend a weekend, My Mountain is a perfectly located hotel. You can rent skiing and outdoor equipment from the resort for 70 lira (Dh142).
halsayegh@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULT
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')
Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
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Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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