A proper a debt recovery mechanism will benefit everyone, a reader says. Antonie Robertson / The National
A proper a debt recovery mechanism will benefit everyone, a reader says. Antonie Robertson / The National

Better debt recovery system is needed



The country needs to have a better debt recovery mechanism (Jobless, homeless and unable to get a break, April 17). The current system is neither helping families with large amounts of debt, nor is it helping landlords and creditors. A person needs to earn to be able to pay back loans.

In the case of KM, who has been living in a car since he lost his job, he cannot pay back his dues because he cannot work as his passport has been confiscated. Forcing someone to suffer like this is unacceptable.

Akeela Bharuchi, Dubai

I feel sorry for this poor family. You never know what is around the corner.

I hope they will be able to sort out their lives and the man can work.

Unfortunately, such incidents are happening frequently.

Sophie Allan, Abu Dhabi

Justice is elusive for Palestinians

The detention by Israel of the blind Palestinian karate team is the height of inhumanity and high-handedness (Blind Palestinian karate team detained at Israeli border after return from Dubai tournament, April 15). It's astonishing how Israel has been acting brazenly as the rest of the world keeps its eyes shut.

When it comes to relatively small problems concerning some countries, powerful and mighty nations react strongly. But in the case of helpless Palestinians, it’s otherwise.

It seems there is no real justice anywhere in the world.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Dubai

Special children deserve better

There is no need to consider the opinion of parents of special needs children (Parents say facilities in UAE fail special-needs children, April 17).

As an educator and a father of a special needs girl, I am only seeking a school that genuinely has an inclusive education programme.

It doesn’t matter what parents want. It’s what our children need.

Mohamed Molhim, Sharjah

Based on my experience, special needs education in this country is far below international standard.

If parents can afford the ridiculous school fees here, they should send their children abroad for a better quality education.

Gaby Priestley, Abu Dhabi

There is no help for any children with special needs in the majority of schools in this country.

It’s mainly the British schools that have help and it costs a fortune to get it.

Having qualified special needs assistants is the way to go.

Val Long, Dubai

I was forced to go back to the UK from Oman to get help for my dyslexic son. I did look at the options in the UAE, but did not find anything suitable. Much work is need.

Zoe Shephard, UK

It’s really sad to see so many beautiful children being left behind because there just aren’t any affordable and readily available resources.

Jennifer Oakley, Canada

Work smarter, not harder

I agree with the letter writer that we need to work smarter (Efficiency in the economy, April 15), especially as times are tough. However, the job market has never been easy.

Even though companies recruited generously at times in the past, they usually retained people who contributed to their growth. This is the case all over the world. But then, at a time of cutthroat competition, employees will perhaps need to tighten their belts even more.

Leslie S, Dubai

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Details

Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny

Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

Getting there

The flights

Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.

The stay

Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net 

Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama

Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.