Abu Dhabi Ports began construction of the city's new waterfront Marsa Mina project, a new development designed to attract tourists arriving at the capital by cruise ship and provide a workspace for small businesses.
Marsa Mina, which is located next to the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, is expected to be open to the public in the first quarter of 2020, Abu Dhabi Ports said in a statement on Monday.
"The introduction of Marsa Mina will not only draw increased footfall from both international visitors and members of the local community but will widen the exposure of Abu Dhabi’s cruise culture to the global market," Mohamed Al Shamisi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Ports, said.
Abu Dhabi is investing billions of dollars in industry, infrastructure and tourism to diversify its economy away from oil. The government announced the Ghadan 21 programme, a Dh50 billion package of reforms, to stimulate the local economy. The measures are aimed at attracting investors and top talent to work, invest, visit and live in the city.
The UAE's capital city has slashed tourism-related fees to stimulate its hospitality sector, set up a Dh600m fund to attract entertainment and business events and built tourist attractions such as the Louvre museum and Warner Brothers theme park to draw more tourists.
Marsa Mina, designed to rejuvenate the city’s historic port area at Mina Zayed, will feature food trucks and retail stores, family entertainment, playgrounds and open seating areas, according to the statement.
"In keeping with its maritime heritage, Marsa Mina’s retail units will be constructed from recycled shipping containers," Abu Dhabi Ports said.
The new waterfront project will also provide a dedicated workspace for small and medium-sized businesses in Abu Dhabi as the city focuses on developing its SME sector.
“To promote the growth of small and medium enterprises in Abu Dhabi, we have set aside development space in Marsa Mina dedicated to entrepreneurs and start-ups," Mr Al Shamisi said. "Businesses who are keen on establishing themselves in the port can expect a streamlined registration process."
Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi announced a series of initiatives designed to promote the growth of SMEs including government-supported loans for small companies. Under an agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) the government will guarantee up to 75 per cent of bank loans to SMEs, in an effort to reduce risk and encourage lending.
Marsa Mina will support local SMEs by allocating an area to attract entrepreneurs with "innovative and interesting business concepts", Abu Dhabi Ports said.
The waterfront destination will also showcase artworks by young UAE artisits created from reused maritime equipment, it said.
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Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
Honeymoonish
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
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