The Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed reviewed a number of projects being planned and carried out in the emirate, including the Etihad Rail, at a meeting of the executive council. Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need to complete these projects within their scheduled time frame. He added that to sustain development it was imperative to have an infrastructure that would support the growth that the UAE is undergoing.
The progress along the first phase of the Etihad Rail Project was highlighted, including the line between Habshan and Al Ruwais, at a length of 140 km, in addition to another 20 km of detours and side tracks, which are deemed important milestones in the development of the first railway in the UAE. The first phase of the 264 km Shah-Habshan line will be fully completed at the end of this year. Seven carriages and 110 wagons will run on this line.
The committee also reviewed a series of ongoing projects promoting the education sector and providing all the conditions for raising levels of education, with the express intent to increase the numbers of Emiratis working in schools. Sheikh Mohammed directed the council to encourage Emiratis working as principals and assistant principals and administrators to develop the quality of education.
Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on plans by the Department of Municipal Affairs to further improve Abu Dhabi city’s greenery. The civic body plans to spend Dh426 million on specialist contractors to develop and maintain these areas, using the latest scientific techniques in the field of agriculture and irrigation to reduce water consumption.
He also reviewed new projects to improve the power grid in the emirate, including building five new stations, costing more than Dh268 million.
Other projects included infrastructure works for Khalifa City which will see 3,108 LED lampposts installed, installing a sewage network and building sidewalks, costing Dh242 million in all.
The participants also discussed the progress on road projects across Abu Dhabi. They also discussed details on roads and infrastructure work in various areas in Al Ain. The projects include street lighting, car parks, drainage and pavements at a total cost of Dh40 million.
The committee also reviewed the progress made on the Mafraq-Ghweifat highway and the Abu Dhabi-Dubai main road projects.
malkhan@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Honeymoonish
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.