Since his retirement in 2006, Major Gen Khalid al Buainnain has focused much of his energy on building up Baynuna Group, his holding company.
The firm has partnered with a number of foreign aerospace and technology companies interested in doing business in the UAE, in particular French companies that have ongoing spare parts and support work with the UAE Air Force's fleet of Mirage jets.
In accordance with local ownership laws, Baynuna has often taken 51 per cent stakes in these ventures, with the foreign company holding 49 per cent. This is the case with Thalbat, a partnership between Thales and Baynuna Aviation Technology, a unit of the Baynuna Group.
The names of other joint ventures follow a similar pattern, including Eltbat, Dasbat, Sagembat and Snecbat.
The creation of these partnerships began shortly after Major Gen al Buainnain's retirement from the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. When one defence company asked him to become a consultant, he declined because it was against government policy. Instead, government authorities granted him the option to form joint ventures with these aerospace companies in ways that would help build the country's expertise in advanced technology.
When Baynuna created a joint venture with MBDA, the European missile manufacturer, technology transfer was touted as a primary benefit.
"The scope of co-operation is very large. It covers all areas of missile technology and integration, with the objective to develop capabilities locally," said Antoine Bouvier, the chief executive of MBDA, when the deal was announced at the IDEX 2009 arms fair in Abu Dhabi.
Although aerospace has been a main focus, Baynuna has pursued other fields. In 2007, it held talks with an Abu Dhabi investment agency on a proposal to import electric vehicles produced by Dassault of France.
More recently, following the UAE's US$20 billion (Dh73.54bn) commitment to build nuclear reactors, the firm set up its Baynuna Nuclear Energy Services subsidiary, which describes its mission as providing services including nuclear safety analysis, reactor water cleanup and in-service inspection of reactors.
igale@thenational.ae
UAE%20SQUAD
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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Frida%20
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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