29 Temmuz 2010 Perşembe

ihracat destekleri

 

Ülkemizde devlet desteği uygulamaları, 27.12.1994 tarihli ve 94/6401 sayılı İhracata Yönelik Devlet Yardımları Kararı kapsamında, prensip olarak gelişmiş ve batılı ülkelerin uygulamalarına paralel bir şekilde ve "bir faaliyetin yapılması" şartına bağlı olarak gerçekleştirilmektedir.

 

İhracata Yönelik Devlet Yardımları kapsamında uygulanmakta olan destekler şu şekilde özetlenebilir:

 

Firma olarak aşağıda yer alan desteklerden etkin bir şekilde yararlanmanız mümkündür...

 

1. YURTDIŞI SEYAHAT DESTEĞİ

a. Uçak Bileti

b. Konaklama

c. Araç Kiralama

d. Tercümanlık Hizmeti

e. Doküman Satın Alma

f. Numune Kargo Giderleri

% 70 Destek kapsamında olup... Firma olarak Yılda 5 seyahat hakkınız vardır.. Her bir seyahat için geri alınabilecek üst limit 10.000 USD dir.

 

2. YURTDIŞI BİRİM DESTEĞİ

a. Kira Desteği

b. Demirbaş Dekorasyon Desteği

% 50 Destek kapsamındadır. Ancak demirbaş desteğinden sadece yeni açılması planlanan birimler faydalanabilir.

 

BİRİM DESTEK ORANLARI

1. Mağaza : 120.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

2. Showroom : 80.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

3. Depo: 80.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

4. Ofis : 80.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

 

DEMİRBAŞ DESTEK ORANLARI

1. Mağaza : 60.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

2. Showroom : 40.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

3. Depo: 40.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

4. Ofis : 40.000 USD nin % 50 si / YıIllık

 

3. YURTDIŞI REKLAM DESTEĞİ

% 50 Destek kapsamındadır.

 

REKLAM DESTEK ORANLARI

1. Yurtdışında birim var ise : 150.000 USD nin % 50 si Yıllık

2. Yurtdışında birim ve marka tescili var ise : 300.000 USD nin % 50 si Yıllık

3. Yurtdışında birim yok ancak marka tescili var ise : 100.000 USD nin % 50 si Yıllık

 

4. YURTDIŞI MARKA TESCİL DESTEĞİ

% 50 Destek kapsamındadır. Üst limit 40.000 USD nin % 50 si Yıllık

 

CPROZ DANIŞMANLIK KURUMSAL YÖNETİM SİSTEMLERİ TİC.LTD.ŞTİ.

Mimar Kemalettin Cad. Kayseri Han No: 28 / 13-14 Sirkeci

 

T: +90 212 526 08 08 Pbx  F: +90 212 526 23 33

G: +90 532 632 43 97

E: ahmet@cproz.com.tr  W. www.cproz.com.tr

27 Temmuz 2010 Salı

Best greetings from VIETNAM WORDLTRAVEL Co.

 
 Warmest greetings from Vietnam World Travel Co. INTERNATIONAL 
How are you and How are you getting on   ?   We are very glad to inform you that  According to the Agreement between VIETNAM AND TURKEY  in  the very  near future there is  directly flight from Vietnam to TURKEY  and From Turkey to VIETNAM , It is very good considtion for our tourist developement  as before We -Vietnam World Travel Co. INTERNATIONAL   are pround to be your  close partner  in VIETNAM  and We always wish to set up very close coperation relation between you and I and our two companies on the tour promotion and tour arragement from  your country to VIETNAM.
For our tourist services . We always pay much attentions to  improve constantly  the  quality of our tour services in order to make all clients to be happy and to have good impression  during their holidays in Vietnam.In Vietnam We Vietnam World Travel Co. INTERNATIONAL  are  the leading inbound and outbound  travel and tour operator
company .
For us ,We would like to make you  to be sure that  We always consider you as our close friends and your company as our  brother company because We think that only close  friendship cooperation relations  can make our  tourist  business  to be fruitfull and succesfull .
Would you please kindly check the bookings from now till the end of this year , and inform us your  tour itineraries ,applied  for your clients for us to check and inform you the best tour prices We promise you that We offred the   competative  tour prices with hign quolity of services .Enclosed in atach file We would like toinform you some of our basic tours for your consideration.
If you receive our this E-mail , Would you  please  consider  our wishes and our willingness on seting up   the close cooperation relation with you and your company AS TWO  BROTHER COMPANIES   for our tourist business developement  and
From now on Please kindly  send   us  parallelly by 3  E-mail addresses  : vietnamwtravel@hn.vnn.vn or vietnamwtravel@saigonnet.vn or vietnamwtravel@hcm.fpt.vn ,in case one E-mail is eror We can receive your E-mail by other E-mail address
 in case you need to contact Vietnam World Travel Co.by phone  Please contact us by phone number : 0084 90384 36 37 or 0084 936 628 929 .We are  always at your services at any time.
 We are looking forward to hearing from you
Thank you very  much for  your kind consideration and close cooperation.
My Warmest  personal regards to you  and to  all of your staffs
Respectfully  yours ! .
General DIRECTOR/Mr. Vu Huu Lien

Vietnam World Travel Co. Ltd.

I   N     T    E    R     N    A    T    I    O    N   A  L

Hanoiheadoffice :

Tel:38621839 ,36366059.36366832


24 Temmuz 2010 Cumartesi

yagin sondurme cihazlari

Yangın söndürme cihazlarının dolum / bakımı, yangın algılama ve otomatik söndürme sistemlerinin satışı ile sektörümüz de hizmet vermekteyiz. 
 
İhtiyaçlarınızın tespiti için uzman kadromuzla hizmetinizdeyiz.

Referanslarımızdan bazıları ;
 
LC WAİKİKİ                                                              
SÜTAŞ                                                                      
FENERİUM MAĞAZALARI                                  
FLASH TV 
MEDİCALPARK
SARAY MUHALLEBİCİLERİ
FEM DERSHANELERİ
İSTANBUL HALK EKMEK
EYÜP BELEDİYESİ
KÜLTÜR DERSHANELERİ
ALMAN HASTANESİ
GÖKDİL
MEDiLİFE
STYLE ÇİZGİ
NT MAĞAZALARI
OKYANUS KOLLEJLERİ
ENDER MAĞAZACILIK
İSTON
 
İrtibat Bilgileri :
 
Serkan DEMİREL
Kurumsal Hizmet Danışmanı
Telefon  : 0212 6120735-36
Fax        : 0212 6120756
Web        : www.gelisimyangin.com

29 Nisan 2010 Perşembe

Fw: TurizmHaber.com

TurizmHaber.com
 

   Gazetemizde yayınlanmasını istediğiniz duyurularınızı info@turizmhaber.com  adresine yollayınız..
Son 28 yılda 32 milyon metrekaresi orman, 9 milyon metrekaresi Hazine'nin olmak üzere toplam 41 milyon metrekarelik arazi turizm yatırımlarına tahsis edildi. Bugüne kadar en çok tahsis, 40'ı orman, 25'i Hazine'nin olmak üzere toplam 65 tahsis ile 2006'da yapıldı.

 

Haber Başlıkları

Ayvalık Meslek Yüksekokulu Başarıdan Başarıya Koşuyor…

 

Türklerin yeni tatil tercihi 'Hesaplı Lüks'...

Fransa'daki türban yasağı, Türkiye'ye yarayacak...

Yunanistan'ı, Avrupalı tatilci de terketti...

Mısır'daki oteller, et boykotuna başladı...

 

Germanwings kış uçuşlarının biletleri satışa çıktı...

 

 

Reklam

 

 

 

Reklam

                                                                                                                                            

Abonelik EkleKaldir

 www.turizmhaber.com       

info@turizmhaber.com

26 Nisan 2010 Pazartesi

La fiesta milenaria del sol

 
boletin-turistico.com
Publicación Interactiva Internacional

COMUNICADO ESPECIAL
La majestuosa fiesta del inca y el sol INTI RAYMI
CELEBRACIÓN MILENARIA DEL INCA Y DEL SOL

Renovación anual en el solsticio de verano

Contácte con su Agencia de viajes de confianza

El Inti Raymi es una fiesta que celebra al dios Sol de los incas.

En la actualidad se recrea el 24 de junio de cada año como la festividad más solemne y grandiosa del desaparecido Imperio incaico.

El escenario del Inti Raymi es la fortaleza de Sacsayhuamán, ubicada en la zona norte de la ciudad del Cusco, a 255 metros de altura sobre el nivel de su plaza de armas, o sea a 3 671 metros sobre el nivel del mar.

Según el Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Sacsayhuamán es 'la obra mayor y más soberbia que los incas mandaron construir para mostrar su poder y majestad'. Otros testimonios, como el del historiador inglés Clements Markham, aseguran que "no hay en el mundo construcción de su género que pueda comparársele'.

Al compás de milenarios aires musicales, delegados de los cuatro suyos desfilan con sus vestimentas típicas, y también, como venidas de otros tiempos, ñustas, coyas y pallas, las cuales avanzan en ondulantes columnas.

Finalmente, de pronto, el Inca se deja ver. El soberano es transportado sobre una litera -que en la época legendaria era de oro y plata- y acompañado de un séquito de orejones y otros dignatarios que caminan a respetable distancia de él.

SOLICÍTE MÁS INFORMACIÓN AQUÍ


Nota distribuida a 195.000 profesionales del turismo en el mundo

Para AGREGARSE a la lista mundial de receptores de esta publicacion gratuita, REGISTRESE desde nuestra página web.
Para DARSE DE BAJA, sólo haga click Aquí y siga las indicaciones

boletin-turistico.com
Apartado postal 212 - 25300 Tàrrega, Lleida, España
Tel/fax: +34-973.313.960 - Contacte con Nosotros

Publicación Interactiva Internacional
boletin-turistico.com

Leading Tour Operator in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 
Arabian Holidays Co LLC
 
Arabian Holidays Co LLC is one of the leading tour operators in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
 
We offer one of the cheapest hotel rates in Dubai, with exclusive packages including desert safari, dhow cruise, shopping tours, indoor skiing and many other activities.
 
We cater to our clients requirements to suit every individuals need.
 
With a strong tie up with one of the most famous limousine companies in Dubai, we arrange all kinds of transportation for our clients at very reasonable rates.
 
In addition we also have our own ticketing office which combines all facilities for all our clients under one roof.
 
For any further inquiries please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Management & Staff of,
 
Arabian Holidays Co LLC
P.O.Box:12730,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel:9714-3975465, Fax: 9714-2351814
Email: inbound@arabianholidays.ae

24 Nisan 2010 Cumartesi

2ND ISLAMIC BUSINESS FORUM ON 14 MAY

 

ISLAMIC TRAVEL NEWSWIRE - Sister publication of Travel Impact Newswire

Dedicated to promoting travel and tourism to, from and within the Islamic world.

Edition 220 – 23 April 2010 (9 Jumada Al Awwal 1431) - Executive Editor: Imtiaz Muqbil

To unsubscribe, pls see the link at the bottom of this dispatch.


Nobel Peace Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus is a reader of Islamic Travel Newswire.

Imtiaz Muqbil had the honour of meeting one of the world's most distinguished Muslims during Prof Yunus' visit to Bangkok on 19 August 2009. The Nobel laureate is now on the ITN mailing list. Read more about Prof Yunus and his unique Grameen Bank here.

In this dispatch:

1. Tajikistan To Host 2nd Islamic Business Forum On 14 May

2. ADB To Provide $600 Million To Improve Key Uzbekistan Road Corridor

3. Malaysia To Develop New Rice Bowls In Borneo States Of Sabah, Sarawak

4. Indian Investors To Set Up US$180 Billion Worth Of Joint Venture Projects In Bangladesh By 2013

5. UAE Airline Etihad Plans To Start Iraq Flights

6. Turkey Seeking To Attract Bollywood Movie Producers

7. Tunisian Designers And Models Hit The Catwalk In "Tunis Fashion Week"

8. Calligraphy 'Transcending Borders' With Brush And Pen

9. Qatar To Exhibit Afjei Calligraphy

10. Omani Tourism, Real Estate Sectors On Cusp Of Sweeping Growth

11. Oman Starts Prequalification Of Consultants For National Railway Project

12. Tourism Season In Kas Starts With Few Tourists But Many Good Wishes

13. Tehran-Kandahar Flights Commence

14. Shanghai Expo Seen As Unique Platform For Malaysia To Strengthen Tourism Links

15. Brazil Strengthening Trade With Iran

16. Yemen Grants 20 % Reduction For Tourist Ships Charges

17. New Man-Made Tourist River Appears On Turkmenistan's Map

18. Agro Tech Park To Reinforce Brunei Halal Brand

19. Malaysia Introduces Its Student Card In The UAE

20. Jazeera Airways To Make Foray Into Pakistan

21. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Passenger Number Almost Doubles

22. Islamic Art Museum Oldest In Jordan

23. Iran To Export Wheat To 3 Arab States

24. Baku Hosts International Travel Exhibition

25. China To Help Build New Opera House In Algiers


HOW TO RESTORE THE BALANCE, FROM A UNIQUE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

"The travel & tourism buzzword of the 21st century will be the search for balance." That forecast was made by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Islamic Travel Newswire and Travel Impact Newswire, in the monthly strategic intelligence publication of PATA, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, way back in February 1999. Today, it is proving spot-on as the word "balance" resonates across all industry sectors today. On February 5, 2010, Imtiaz Muqbil delivered a "Premium Speaker" talk at the Philippines annual MICE convention on the subject "The Year of Living Dangerously." Islamic travel industry conferences seeking a speaker who can offer some unique historical hindsight, unconventional foresight and thought-provoking insight on the past, present and future of the Islamic and Asia Pacific travel & tourism industry can contact Imtiaz Muqbil at imtiaz@travel-impact-newswire.com

A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS – TOURISM MALAYSIA

The 1st International Summit on Tourism Safety & Security is to held in Malaysia from 14-17 June, 2010 under the theme "Improving Tourism Through Improved Safety & Security Measures". This event will bring key organizations together on all fronts; the governments, the tourism private sector and the security organizations. Much will be shared in relation with Tourism Safety & Security and how different parties can work together to bring confidence in the tourists from around the world and how that will boost the tourism industry. The 2-day conference will start off with a general session on Tourism Safety and Security and break into three tracks - Government's Track, Professional & Practitioner's Track and Technology & Learning Track. This will be followed by three focused workshops on related areas. The exhibitions will also showcase different organizations and products which support the efforts towards better tourism for all. For more details, pls email security@egnatia-group.com or visit www.tourism-summit.com

For more information about what makes Malaysia one of the most popular destinations in the Islamic world, as well as on planning your next holiday or MICE event in Malaysia, please click: http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/ or http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my


ABOUT ISLAMIC TRAVEL NEWSWIRE

Islamic Travel Newswire is an email-delivered news service focussing on promoting travel & tourism to, from and within the Muslim world. Distributed weekly to more than 10,000 senior industry executives, consultants, academics and media globally. If you would like to support future editions of Islamic Travel Newswire, please contact Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil at imtiaz@islamic-travel-newswire.com.

Please forward this dispatch to friends, families, business colleagues and anyone who might find it useful and relevant. New subscribers welcome -- please drop me an email with a company name and title. Press releases about products, plans, policies and people in the Islamic travel & tourism industry are VERY WELCOME. Please send to imtiaz@islamic-travel-newswire.com.

KNOW THE ISLAMIC WORLD. THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COUNTRIES (OIC) ARE: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Uganda, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

1. Tajikistan To Host 2nd Islamic Business Forum On 14 May

After the successful outcome of the First OIC Business Forum – 12th Private Sector Meeting, held in June 2008 in Uganda, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has again mandated the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to organize private sector activities concurrently with the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Second OIC Business Forum – 13th Private Sector Meeting for the Promotion of Trade and Joint Venture Investment among Islamic Countries will be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 14 May 2010 on the sidelines of the 37th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC. The Forum is jointly organized by the Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Committee of Investments & State Property Management, Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Tajikistan, the General Secretariat of OIC, the Islamic Development Bank Group and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The theme of the meeting is "Role of Intra-Islamic Trade & Investment in strengthening Economic Growth: Tajikistan the Promising Country".

The forum will facilitate business networking, partnership building and opportunity for dialogue among the OIC business community, Government, Civil Society, Banks and Financial Institutions for creating an enabling environment for sustainable business growth. In addition to bringing businessmen face to face with the concerned project sponsors and potential investors, it is also a good opportunity for the Government of Tajikistan to give more information about its economy and business opportunities.

Presentations are expected to be made on the following: a) Investment Climate; b) Opportunities and Incentives in Tajikistan; c) Trade Opportunities within the OIC Member Countries; d) Venture Capital Financing in Emerging Markets; Opportunities and Challenges; e) Business opportunities in different sectors of Tajikistan etc.

The Islamic Chamber is one of the major Institutions within the OIC representing the private sector and through its program is implementing the 10-Year OIC Program of Action. In this context, it has been successfully organizing Private Sector Meetings for the last 12 years, as per the mandate given to it by the 9th Session of Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of OIC Countries (COMCEC) held in September 1993 in Turkey to organize private sector meetings, with the objective of bringing the private sector in the forefront of economic development.

For further information, pls contact Assistant Secretary General, Coordination, Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Attiya Nawazish Ali, at icci@icci-oic.org.

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2. ADB To Provide $600 Million To Improve Key Uzbekistan Road Corridor

A key highway in Uzbekistan linking the Central Asian country to its neighbors is getting support from a $600 million Asian Development Bank (ADB) multitranche financing facility. The ADB Board of Directors approved the financing for a program comprising three projects. The objectives are to reconstruct over 220 kilometers of the A380 highway, and to provide training support for improved planning, project management, road asset management, and community facilities.

The A380 highway forms part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) and one of its corridors – Corridor 2. This connects Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Upgrading the highway into a four-lane international design-standard road, rehabilitating other sections, and improving road planning and management will shorten travel time, reduce transport costs, improve safety, and support growth and poverty reduction.

Another ADB-assisted road project being processed in Kazakhstan will connect this country with the A380 in Uzbekistan. Once the two highways are completed, they will allow Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries direct access to the Caspian Sea via Aktau, and eventually the Black Sea, via corridors to be built in Azerbaijan and Georgia.

"CAREC has a strategy to develop six transport corridors to improve connectivity, cut costs and boost trade both within Central Asia and beyond. This investment program is an integral part of this strategy," said Olly Norojono, a senior transport economist at ADB's Central and West Asia Department.

Road transport is expected to keep growing in Uzbekistan. The government has drawn up a $2.6 billion national road development plan for 2009-2014, which ADB's program supports. The funds, to be released in three tranches, will include $240 million from ADB's ordinary capital resources and $360 million equivalent from the Asian Development Fund – its concessional financing window. Funds from ordinary capital resources will be priced in accordance with ADB's LIBOR-based lending facility.

The government, which is providing counterpart financing of $138 million, has made a request for $115 million for the first stage project.

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3. Malaysia To Develop New Rice Bowls In Borneo States Of Sabah, Sarawak

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA, April 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- The Malaysian government plans to develop two new "rice bowls" in the two east Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo next year, says Deput Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Rohani Abdul Karim. The new rice growing areas will be developed over 8,000 hectares in Kota Belud in Sabah and on 5,000 hectares in Lingga Banting in Sarawak to ensure adequate supplies of Malaysia's staple food in the country, she said Sunday.

"These projects are important to reduce rice imports for the two states which are now at the level of 70 per cent each," she said after opening the Sabah and Sarawak Agriculture Liaison Meeting in this hill resort in Pahang state. About 100 delegates from the Sabah and Sarawak agriculture departments attended the meeting.

Rohani, who said a government body would be set up to manage the two new rice bowls, noted that while agriculture development was proceeding smoothly in Sabah and Sarawak, padi output in the two states needed to be increased substantially following the food crisis of 2008.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Agriculture Modernisation Assistant Minister in chareg of Farmers Organizations and Co-operatives, Peter Nyarok Entrie, said he did not want Sarawak to experience another rice shortage like in 2008, and hoped the two projects would be the start of large-scale padi production in the two states.

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4. Indian Investors To Set Up US$180 Billion Worth Of Joint Venture Projects In Bangladesh By 2013

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, April 13 (BSS) - Indian investors will set up 100 medium to heavy industries in Bangladesh under joint venture involving US$ 180 billion by 2013. This was disclosed by Shyamal Gupta, head of the visiting 30- member business delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) at a joint press conference with the leaders of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CMCCI) here today.

"The existing business environment in Bangladesh is friendly and conducive," he said adding that the investors from India are now shifting their focus of investment to the neighboring country like Bangladesh. The prospective investment sectors are IT village, Software Industries, Industrial Machinery, Sponge Iron Industries, Power plant, Polarity and Dairy feed processing industries, Leather and Tannery industries, Cycle Manufacturing Industry, Vehicles Manufacturing, Rubber and Food Processing, Fabrics, Footwear, Denim sectors and Satellite town.

Shyamal Gupta said the businessmen of both Bangladesh and India have now realized that "a very small issue is existing as business barrier for long on both sides." "We want to remove almost all tariff and non-tariff barriers from the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh within June next," he said.

Not only that, he added, we want to transfer technology or start joint venture for manufacturing machinery industries in Bangladesh," Gupta said. The secretary level meeting between the two countries will be held on May 7 to help resolve the issues of tariff and non-tariff barriers, he also said.

Abdul Matloob Ahmed, President of Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industries (IBCCI) told the press conference that a high profile 18-member Indian expert delegation would visit Bangladesh within June to complete a feasibility study on setting up 100 industries.

He also said that the One billion-export target to India from Bangladesh by 2011 would be fulfilled within June next year. The IBCCI President urged the Bangladeshi businessmen, who have exportable goods to export to India, to give him a list within this month, so that the secretary level delegation from here could hand over the names of goods to their Indian counterparts.

Shyamal Gupta said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to India created a new horizon in the bilateral relations between the two countries and it would greatly help further improve the cooperation for increased investment in the days to come.

Jayu Bagaitkar, Deputy Leader of the Indian delegation, said most Indian investors like Chittagong as the hub of their investment under joint venture because of its geographical location.

A P Mull, Director of the TATA Group, Ravindra M Patel, Group President of Ravi Engineering Ltd, M Abdus Salam, President of CMCCI, Khalilur Rahman, Vice-President of CMCCI, and Sufi Mizanur Rahman, Vice-President of CMCCI, among others, attended the joint press conference.

Earlier, a business meeting between CMCCI and CII was held at Agrabad Hotel with CMCCI president in the chair as part of the daylong programme between the businessmen of Chittagong and the Indian delegation. A total of six Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), three in Dhaka, were signed between the Indian Businessmen and their Bangladeshi counterparts to set up six separate joint venture industries involving US$7 billion.

Bangladesh Initiates Process To Sign Free Trade Agreement With Pakistan

Dhaka, April 18 (APP): Bangladesh has initiated a process to hold talks with Pakistan and two other South Asian countries for signing free trade agreements (FTAs).The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) is set to send a proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs soon to get the necessary approval before starting negotiations with the countries interested in striking FTAs with Bangladesh. The proposal will include the name of three countries Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, sources said in Dhaka Sunday. The countries concerned have long been showing their interest in forging bilateral FTAs with Bangladesh. The successive governments, however, avoided the issue of FTAs.

Pakistan has long been pressing for a FTA deal with Bangladesh while India has been showing its keen interest to initiate negotiations on FTA with Bangladesh. New Delhi has again come up with the proposal ahead of the India-Bangladesh Commerce Secretary-level talks, scheduled to be held in Dhaka next month.

"We are almost ready to initiate talks on FTAs with interested countries, but need signal from the government," the Financial Express Sunday quoted a top MoC official as saying. "We are proposing the names of three countries to Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs next week." He said the mere granting of duty-free access of Bangladeshi products under the proposed FTAs would not benefit the country unless the para-tariff and non-tariff barriers are removed. "We must demand national treatment at the national and local levels of three countries to avoid extra or para tariff," he said.

National treatment at local level means no additional duties and charges will be levied on Bangladesh products which are not levied likewise on Pakistani, Indian or Sri Lankan products in their respective markets,' the trade diplomat elaborated. Earlier, a Core Group formed by the government, strongly suggested the government to seek zero duty facility for all Bangladesh exports to the markets of three countries and demand the national treatment at local level to avoid any additional duties and charges.

Presently, exports from Bangladesh to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka constitute less than three per cent of its total annual export earning while the imports from these countries represent about 13 per cent of its total import expenditures.

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5. UAE Airline Etihad Plans To Start Iraq Flights

Arab News - 19 April, 2010 - Etihad Airways said Sunday it plans to launch regular flights to Baghdad next week, one of a growing number of carriers betting that Iraq's fragile security gains will lead to an uptick in travel. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier plans to start service from its base in the United Arab Emirates capital beginning April 26, provided it can secure government and regulatory approval.

Initial plans call for five return flights a week to Baghdad using Airbus A320s. Additional flights to the northern city of Irbil are slated to start in June. Airlines are slowly returning to war-ravaged Iraq as security improves and business begins to pick up after years of bloodshed. Pilots no longer have to execute dramatic corkscrew landings to avoid ground fire, and the once dangerous road from Baghdad International Airport is now largely secure.

Etihad will be the first Emirati airline to provide regular passenger service between Iraq and the Emirates with its Abu Dhabi flights. Iraqi Airways and a number of charter companies already fly to the nearby city of Dubai, the Middle East's busiest air hub. The state-owned carrier began operating cargo flights to Baghdad in September.

Etihad expects to expand passenger service to the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, where it also delivers cargo, on June 1. That city, which serves as the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, has enjoyed an investment bonanza thanks to the region's security, oil wealth and relative independence from the rest of Iraq.

Etihad is the latest carrier to tap the potentially lucrative Iraqi market, which has grown more tempting with the drop in violence. Others are eyeing it too. "Iraq is an important market and we hope to start services soon," Ghaith Al-Ghaith, the chief executive of Dubai's state-run budget carrier FlyDubai, told The Associated Press.

Bahrain's Gulf Air last year started flying to a handful of Iraqi cities, including Baghdad and the southern Shiite shrine city of Najaf, last year. Royal Jordanian Airlines and Beirut-based Middle East Airways are among the carriers that also fly to the Iraqi capital. German airline Lufthansa said in January it plans to resume flights to Iraq this summer, twenty years after it stopped service at the outbreak of the Gulf War.

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6. Turkey Seeking To Attract Bollywood Movie Producers

April 15, 2010 ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency -- Turkey is aiming to become the next location Bollywood filmmakers, who produce nearly 1,400 movies a year, according to officials from the country's Culture Ministry. Members of the ministry are currently in talks with producers from the Indian film industry to persuade them to choose Turkey to make their films.

"The Indian film industry makes three films a day. Around 300 films are made outside India in a year. Our goal is to have 10 percent of these 300 films in Turkey because the cost of a movie is nearly $5 million," said Culture Ministry Cinema and Copyright General Director Abdurrahman Çelik.

India has a population of 1.2 billion while 4 billion movie tickets are sold annually in India, Çelik said, adding that Bollywood outpaces Hollywood in numbers. A Bollywood film, "Tell Me Oh Khudaa," was shot in Turkey two years ago starring Turkish actors and actresses. Another Indian production crew is expected to come to Turkey in May to start shooting for a new film.

Çelik said Turkey must make arrangements, however, especially with tax cuts to attract more foreign filmmakers to the country. "The biggest fun (in India) is television and cinema. This created a great cinema sector in the country. Some 800 films are made in a year in Hollywood, but this number is 1,400 in India."

Çelik continued, saying: "If 40 films are made in Turkey in a year, this means a resource of $200 million for Turkey. But first of all we need to provide a platform for it. Not only filmmaking but also other fields of the sector should be supported." Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, former Bombay, India. Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world.

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7. Tunisian Designers And Models Hit The Catwalk In "Tunis Fashion Week"

TUNISIAONLINENEWS- On the prestigious scene of the Tunis Municipal Theater, famous Tunisian and international fashion models and designers hit the catwalk, on Wednesday at the 2010 "Fashion Week Tunis", an event which has gained momentum over the years and is now attracting an increasing number of fashion houses. From April 13 to 18, the models will showcase the latest fashion creations of Tunisian and foreign designers wearing fashionable outfits as well as modern and trendy clothes.

Major fashion industry executives, manufacturers, local creators, international fashion designers, models, directors of institutes and schools, professional makeup artists, students as well as journalists are taking part in the event. International designers such as Cacharel, Eric Tibush, High Street Fashion, Phalaenopsis and Renato Nucci are also part of the show.

A unique platform for exchange and networking opportunities linking North Africa to Western Africa and the Middle East, the 2010 "Fashion Week Tunis" will undoubtedly boost Tunisia's position in terms of fashion, trade and tourism. For many new participants, the event is likely to be the stepping stone for fame.

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8. Calligraphy 'Transcending Borders' With Brush And Pen

April 15, 2010 ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News -- Fine samples of Ottoman, Far Eastern and Latin calligraphy are on display at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum as part of a new exhibition that aims to provide an introduction to the art form. The show, "Transcending Borders: The Art of Brush and Pen," opened Wednesday with the collaboration of Mitsubishi Corporation and Japan Tobacco as part of the 2010 Japan Year in Turkey, which celebrates relations between the two countries.

At the opening, museum director Nazan Ölçer noted that relations between Turkey and Japan had reached their 120th anniversary. "With this exhibition, we are a part of the 2010 Japan Year in Turkey events," she said, adding that the most unique examples of Ottoman, Chinese, Japanese and Latin calligraphy were presented in the show. Ölçer invited art lovers to discover the feelings of master calligraphers of both East and West through letters written with brush, pen and ink.

"We join this special event since we believe that it is as important as our daily business activities," said Taichi Ito, the Turkey general director for the Mitsubishi Corporation, adding that the company has collaborated on similar events in various parts of the world. "It is a part of a social responsibility program for us," he said. "We believe that this exhibition, which brings together many calligraphies from different cultures, is a way to establish a bridge between the East and the West, just like Istanbul."

Ito added that Istanbul was an ideal home for an artistic event of such historic value. Bilgehan Anlaş, the deputy director and Turkey general director of exhibition co-sponsor Japan Tobacco, said that the artifacts in the show tie Turkey and Japan to each other. "Both countries came close to each other 120 years ago with the Ertuğrul vessel disaster," she said, referring to the Turkish ship that sank off the coast of Japan in 1890. These relations have improved especially over the last 25 years," she added. "The goal of our company's support is to increase cultural relations between the two countries."

Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay was also among the guests at the opening ceremony. "Istanbul's cultural and artistic life is becoming richer with the examples of Japanese culture and arts," he said, calling the Japan Year in Turkey a very special opportunity.

Curated by Ölçer along with Sakıp Sabancı Museum consultant Filiz Çağman, MG School of Latin Calligraphy President Muriel Gaggini and Kampo Museum Director Yuri Harada, the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the work of master calligraphers, crafted with traditional tools still used in modern times – the pen, the brush, ink and paper.

The show, which runs through June 27, includes selections from the Istanbul museum's Ottoman-era calligraphy collection as well as examples of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy from Japan's Kampo Museum. Also on display are historical samples of Latin calligraphy and famous Turkish texts written by artists from the MG School of Latin Calligraphy. Workshops will also be held within the framework of the exhibition to teach the art and theory of calligraphy.

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9. Qatar To Exhibit Afjei Calligraphy

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 (PressTV) The world-renowned Iranian calligrapher, Nasrollah Afjei is scheduled to mount an exhibition of his works in the capital city of Doha, Qatar. "I will exhibit 12 Qura'nic works, mostly in the Nasta'liq and Thuluth styles," the 77-year-old artist told Fars News Agency. Most of the works feature verses from Al-Fatihah, the first sura of the Holy Qur'an, which consists of prayers for Allah SWT's guidance, stressing His lordship and mercy. Afjei has held numerous exhibitions in Iran, France, the UK, Indonesia, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He has also participated in Switzerland's International Calligraphy Exhibition of Ball and the Iranian Art Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany.

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10. Omani Tourism, Real Estate Sectors On Cusp Of Sweeping Growth

Oman Tribune - 19 April, 2010 MUSCAT - The Sultanate's growing popularity as the region's leading tourism destination, together with the country's improved mortgage market, is a clear indication that this is the best time to invest in real estate, according to a study. Property developers and real estate agents in the Sultanate saw renewed confidence in the sales market in the first quarter of the year, mainly due to the major role banks have played through their improved mortgage facilities, says a study conducted by real estate agency Savills Oman.

Oman has emerged as the region's leading tourism attraction with the development of its integrated tourism complexes such as Barr-Al Jissah residences, Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club and The Wave, Muscat. While these projects were not totally unscathed by the global economic downturn of 2008 they have fared better than their regional counterparts. The report says it is an excellent time to buy real estate in the Sultanate.

"There is no doubt in my mind that now is an opportune time to buy real estate in Oman. If investors wait longer they will almost certainly miss the boat," says Chris Steel, Managing Partner, Savills Oman. "With projects such as the expansion of Muscat International Airport, the emerging Royal Opera House, Shura Council's Houses of Parliament building, and several existing new tourist developments due to come on line, now is without a doubt a unique time for investors to maximise their returns."

Steel said property values have remained firm and the promise of ownership for all nationalities has been delivered. The Wave Muscat has already handed over the first phases of their development including the first apartment block Almeria South, and this month Muscat Hills & Country Club saw the handover of the first of its villas to excited owners.

Most major banks in Oman are providing mortgage facilities to nationals and expatriates. HSBC, Bank Muscat and National Bank of Oman have continued to be active lenders, most recently joined by Standard Chartered Bank.

Such favourable trading conditions are bound to attract new entrants to the market and a major new real estate and tourism development operator is expected to announce details of its entry into the market and its first major development in the Muscat area within the next few weeks, says the report.

As other countries within the region struggle to recover from the effects of 2008, Oman is forging ahead with increased government and private investments in areas such as private equity, integrated tourism developments, infrastructure and real estate.

"Savills Oman has seen a surge of interest from international investment organisations over the past few months wanting to penetrate Oman's real estate market. This interest is supported by the developments Oman currently has underway to diversify into new markets now and in the future, and investors are keen to capitalise on the benefits these projects will bring to the country and the region," says Steel.

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11. Oman Starts Prequalification Of Consultants For National Railway Project

Oman Daily Observer - 15 April, 2010 -- The Oman government yesterday kicked off the process of pre-qualifying bidders for two key tenders linked to the implementation of the first phase of the Oman National Railway Project. Two sets of tenders were floated yesterday. The first tender invites competent international firms to pre-qualify for a contract to undertake the detailed design of the National Railway Project, as well supervise its implementation. A second tender also seeks to pre-qualify international bidders for a similar contract to advise the government on the management of the project.

A number of prominent design consultants and project management specialists have already signalled interest in the project by collecting bid documents on the opening day of the pre-qualification process. The last date for submission of offers for both tenders is May 31, 2010.

The Supreme Committee for Town Planning, a specialised agency of the Ministry of National Economy, is overseeing the conception and development of the Oman National Railway Project. A feasibility study carried out by the joint venture of Systra Consulting of France and National Engineering Office (NEO) of the Sultanate, has already identified the alignment for the network to be implemented in first phase of the project.

Envisaged is a 475-kilometre network to be developed in three sections. Section 1 runs from Misfat near Fanja on the outskirts of Muscat to Sohar, while Section 2 will travel north from Sohar to Khatmat Malaha on Oman's border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Section 1 and 2, which together constitute the main trunk of the rail project, total roughly 300 kilometres in length. Section 3 of the project involves a 147-kilometre branch line running from Sohar to Al Ain on Oman's northwestern border with the UAE.

Branching off from this line is a 28-kilometre secondary line that links Buraimi to the network. The study recommends a twin-track, broad-gauge network catering primarily to freight trains in the initial phases of the project. Nevertheless, the network will be designed for high speed trains with speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour for passenger travel and 200 kilometres per hour for freight trains.

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12. Tourism Season In Kaş Starts With Few Tourists But Many Good Wishes

April 19, 2010 KAŞ, Antalya - Hürriyet Daily News -- Tourism season in Kaş starts with few tourists but many good wishes. The new tourism season in the Mediterranean resort town of Kaş officially opened Sunday with parades of pipes and trumpets, folkloric dances and speeches full of good wishes. The highlight of the opening ceremony of the "Tourism Week" was a speech by a Belgian woman on behalf of foreigners in Kaş.

Maria Dervaux, a former tourist and current resident of Kaş, delivered her speech in Turkish and English and received a big applause from people gathered in the town square. "My names is Maria, I came to Kaş in 2005 and fell in love with Kaş and with Ahmet, married and settled here happily ever since," Dervaux said in her speech. "Turkey is my second home country now."

The 30-year-old Dervaux later told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review that she quitted her position as a university lecturer of literature to live and work together with her husband at a small hotel in Kaş.

According to the Kaş Municipality's records, 200 to 250 expats live in and around Kaş. They mix very well with daily life, and you can meet them everywhere, as they are easily recognizable due to their mostly smiling faces, which are very rare among locals.

You can meet them in the Friday Bazaar, the most important social incident of the week, in cafes, like Noel Baba Cafe, a Kaş classic, and in shopping centers. But all of sudden, on special occasions like festivals or tourism week, you discover that your neighbor is a painter or sculptor or an art-photographer.

An open air art exhibition is being held in the town center on the occasion of "Tourism Week." All familiar, warm smiling faces were there with their creations. It is not surprise that most of them were women, since Kaş is called as a "women's town."

Valentine Van Herpen is a Dutch ceramic artist who has a workshop and gallery in Kaş where she organizes pottery courses. She shares her exhibition stand with her fellow artists and workshop partners: Helmer Grosskopt, a German painter, Cees De Wilde, a Dutch art-photographer and sculptor Gonca Koparer Dülger. They are very happy to show their creations to passerbys.

It is not easy to leave behind the things you really like, but the curiosity makes you walk ahead. Uta Turgay is there with her creations, which she calls "experimental." With her ceramic creations, named "suntanning girl," "sales women in Bazaar," and "coming out" (of the sculpture) one can feel the impact of the scenes in Kaş. She said she is not there to sell the sculptors since they are unique for her, but she is glad to show them.

Some tourists were also among the ceremony's attendees. Brigitte Graal, a lawyer from Berlin, considers herself as a "senior tourist." "Perhaps it is my 20th time to Kaş since 1998 - twice a year - it is my haven," she told the Daily News. "This is the best place I have ever been, with its nature, culture, atmosphere and people."

Tourism week goes on with many other activities to attract the locals more than tourists, such as a performance at the public theater of Yeşilköy, trekking through the Patara Antique Aqueduct, a picnic there and boat tours etc. In fact, the name of this week should be Spring Festival instead of Tourism Week because tourism is and should continue all year round. Because there is a lot to do in the winter, like paragliding, sailing, trekking and creating art, the life has many colors here in Kaş if you look at them to see.

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13. Tehran-Kandahar Flights Commence

14 Apr 2010 (PressTV) -- The first flight from Tehran to Kandahar has landed, signaling in a new wave of opportunities for cultural and economic exchange between Iran and Afghanistan. Aseman airline's first direct flight from the Iranian capital, Tehran, to Kandahar, in neighboring Afghanistan, lifted off on Tuesday.

Iranian and Afghan airlines were already conducting at least two flights from Tehran to the Afghan capital, Kabul, every week, but a new route to Afghanistan's second largest city could bring a whole new level of trade between the two countries. With a population of around one million, Kandahar is a major trading center for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, food grains, fresh and dried fruit, and tobacco.

The new route has opened as overall trade between the two countries picks up momentum. According to Iran's business attache to Kabul, Farhad Mojallali, just in the first three quarters of the previous Iranian year (which ended on March 20) Iranian exports to Afghanistan increased by 50 percent.

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14.Shanghai Expo Seen As Unique Platform For Malaysia To Strengthen Tourism Links

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Malaysia's commitment to the Shanghai World Expo 2010 is a reflection of the importance placed on its relationship with China, says the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Dr Victor Wee Eng Lye. The expo, to be held in China's leading financial centre from May 1 to Oct 21, will also provide a unique platform to further strengthen the flow of tourist traffic between China and Malaysia, he said at a 2010 World Expo tourism promotion event here Wednesday.

Malaysia signed the participation contract with the World Expo 2010 organizers in March last year and was building its pavillion covering an area of 3,000 sq m to showcase Malaysia's way of life and culture to the world, he added. He said Chinese tourist arrivals reached the one million mark for the first time last year and ranked fifth in terms of the inbound market to Malaysia, after Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei.

"Coincidentally, Malaysian tourists also ranked fifth as the most important inbound market for China with a total of 1.04 million arrivals in 2009 as recorded by the China National Tourism Administration," he noted. "These statistics showed the achievement in encouraging two-way tourist's trafffic by the industry players of Malaysia and China."

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15.Brazil Strengthening Trade With Iran

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 (PressTV) -- Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega says his country plans to finance exports of food to Iran in a bid to increase economic interaction with Tehran.

"Brazil is financing Iranians' purchase of food," Mantega told reporters in Brasilia on Tuesday. The Latin American country's exports to Iran reached $1.2 billion in 2009 and that figure is expected to increase this year. The exports primarily include beef, steel and car parts. Brazil's Trade and Industry Minister Miguel Jorge accompanied by a delegation of 120 business persons and industrialists arrived in Tehran on Monday with the aim of boosting bilateral trade and investment. Moving forward, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to pay an official visit to Tehran next month.

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16. Yemen Grants 20 % Reduction For Tourist Ships Charges

ADEN, April 17 (Saba) - Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation granted on Saturday a 20-percent reduction of port charges to the cruise ships for one year as from beginning of April. A press release issued by the corporation said that the reduction was announced according to directions form the Minister of Transport to the heads of the Yemeni ports corporations. The reduction is designed to help realise the objectives of the government and the Ministry of Tourism to encourage cruise ships to visit Yemeni ports.

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17. New Man-Made Tourist River Appears On Turkmenistan's Map

Thursday, April 15, 2010 Ashgabat (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - A new seven mile long man-made navigable river has been inaugurated in Turkmenistan's Caspian Sea coast, in the Avaza national tourist zone. The river is crossed by 11 original roads and pedestrian bridges. Water for the river is pumped from the Caspian Sea through a pipeline network. Beaches and artificial lakes, pedestrian and biking trails, sports facilities, open-air cafes and restaurants with piers for small vessels and pleasure boats have been built on both sides of the river. Marine-class yachts will also be able to run along the river.

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18. Agro Tech Park To Reinforce Brunei Halal Brand

(Borneo Bulletin Online) Brunei Darussalam's first Agro Technology Park, to be completed in 2012, is expected to lead the way in the country's research and technology industry. This was revealed by Ghanim International Food Corporation Sdn Bhd's new chief executive officer, Wahid Kandil, in an exclusive interview with the Weekend Bulletin yesterday.

The park, which will mainly house a Halal Science Centre to benefit Brunei's Halal Brand products, "will play a fundamental role in research and development," said the new CEO. Mr Kandil is currently awaiting the official announcement of his appointment, which is expected to be made in June during the 5th Brunei Halal Expo at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

"We want (the Brunei Halal Brand) to be a progressive brand," he told the Bulletin, adding that the park will offer Brunei the ability to do a lot of research and development and allow it to continuously come up with new products for the brand. "We want to beat the market with new products," he asserted. The Brunei Agro-Technology Park, a major 263-hectare site development close to the capital, is expected to create an estimated 8,000 jobs.

Mr Kandil said the company will open global offices as the brand secures its global footing. "We expect the first of our offices to open within the next few months. We expect to at least have representative offices overseas by the end of the fourth quarter," he said, "particularly in the Middle East, United Kingdom and Europe."

In the meantime, members of the public will have the opportunity to place their orders for the first few products in time for Hari Raya in September during the 5th Brunei Halal Expo from June 3 to June 6.

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19. Malaysia Introduces Its Student Card In The UAE

DUBAI, April 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Discounted airfares, additional baggage allowance and holiday packages are some of the perks awaiting students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who sign up for Malaysia Airlines' student card called GRADS. The card was launched by the carrier here over the weekend in conjunction with the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition 2010 which saw the participation of the Dubai-based Malaysia Education Promotion Centre (MEPC) and nine Malaysian universities.

Malaysia Airlines' regional manager for Middle East and Africa, Merina Abu Tahir, said GRADS was open to students aged 12 and above attending government recognized and accredited schools or institutions of higher learning in Dubai or abroad. "They must be full-time students with at least six months of study left at the time of application," she said.

With a membership fee of only 10 USD per year, GRADS members can earn additional baggage allowance of 10 kg when they travel to any Malaysia Airlines destination worldwide for higher studies. Members just need to present a valid GRADS card at the check-in counter to enjoy the extra baggage allowance. The card also allows members to enjoy discounts at a number of partner merchant outlets.

Students who sign up for GRADS will also be automatically enrolled into "Enrich", Malaysia Airlines' frequent flyer programme. They need to download the application form online and register at Malaysia Airlines' Dubai office. They are required to present a valid student identification/metric card or an offer/admission letter from eligible universities during registration.

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20. Jazeera Airways To Make Foray Into Pakistan

Khaleej Times - 16 April, 2010 -- Jazeera Airways, the first private scheduled airline in the Middle East, is set to expand its regional operations with the launch of non-stop flights to Lahore — the airline's first destination in Pakistan. Beginning from May 12, the airline will operate non-stop flights three times a week from Kuwait to Lahore, known as the 'cultural heart of Pakistan.' The service will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"This is an important destination for us, specifically enabling those working away from home in Kuwait or the Middle East to travel home and visit family and friends," Stefan Pichler, CEO of Jazeera Airways, told Khaleej Times.

The launch of the Lahore destination comes as part of Jazeera's recent network expansion, which includes flights this summer to some of the region's most desirable holiday spots including Antalya, Turkey's hilltop resort; Hurghada, Egypt's popular Red Sea diving and beach resort; and the green oasis of Salalah in Oman. With operations based in Kuwait Airport, Jazeera Airways flies to 22 destinations across the Middle East, West Asia, North Africa, Iran and Turkey, and operates a fleet of 11 Airbus A320s. In 2009, the airline carried over 1.8 million passengers, capturing over 24 per cent of the market share making it the largest operator at Kuwait Airport.

The airline has flown over five million passengers since commencing operations in October 2005. The largest operator at Kuwait Airport said it operated 4,549 sectors in first quarter of this year, with an on-time performance of 93 per cent making it the most punctual airline in Kuwait and one of the most punctual airlines in the world. "Our on-time performance has been one of the main drivers behind our commercial success over the years. This has gained us a reputation for being the most punctual airline in Kuwait as more and more customers choose Jazeera Airways not only for our great value fares, but also for our reliability," Pichler said.

Jazeera Airways has operated at an on-time performance above 90 per cent for every year since it launched in late 2005.

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21. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Passenger Number Almost Doubles

Friday, April 16, 2010 ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency -- Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Istanbul's second airport, saw passenger numbers jump by 96 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period a year earlier, the airport operator said Thursday. Gökhan Buğday, chief executive officer of the airport operator Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation, or ISG, told a news conference that the total number of passengers using Sabiha Gökçen reached 2.2 million in the first three months of the year.

The airport's new international terminal building opened in October 2009. Sabiha Gökçen is operated by ISG, which is a multi-national consortium of Turkey's Limak Holding, GMR Infrastructure and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. The consortium won the management rights of the airport for 20 years on May 1, 2008, paying 1.9 billion euros.

The airport, located on Istanbul's Asian side, increased its passenger number by 52 percent in 2009 up to 6.6 million. Turkey's air traffic has grown in recent years despite the economic crisis, said Buğday, adding that it is expected to continue rising in the coming three or four years. Buğday also said that ISG was interested in a few tenders for airport operation services, including one in Pristina, Kosovo.

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22. Islamic Art Museum Oldest In Jordan

South Mazar, April 13 (Petra)-- A museum of ancient Islamic art in southern Jordan is believed to be the oldest Islamic historical landmark housing a variety of valuable items and works of art, according to its curator. Opened in 1973 under the auspices of the late King Hussein, Mazar Museum, near the city of Karak, displays a whole collection of sculptures and carvings most of which date back to the second Mamluk period, 1250-1517.

The museum contains unique architectural pieces that had helped to document the history of various Islamic eras in the region, including the tombs of Muslim commanders who fell martyr in the battles of Mu'tah and Yaromuk which took place in southern and northern Jordan respectively.

Artifacts at the museum, built of limestone, cover a wide range of artifacts, including ceramics, coins, pottery, lanterns, swords as well as a copy of holy Quran inscribed on animal leather and a hand-written copy of the Muslim holy book dating back to 1269.

Depicting various facets of Islamic civilization and culture, the museum is a world heritage site at the center of attention of scholars, researchers and tourists from Jordan and across the world, said curator Ibrahim Sarayreh .

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23. Iran To Export Wheat To 3 Arab States

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 (PressTV) -- Iran is to resume exporting two million tons of wheat to three neighboring countries after a three-year halt, a deputy commerce minister has said. "The government has issued authorization for exporting two million tons of wheat to Oman, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates during (the Iranian month of) Ordibehesht (April 21 to May 21)," Hamid Alikhani told IRNA on Sunday. He added the country's wheat production was expected to reach 9 to 12 million tons, leaving enough supplies for exports. Alikhani noted that all wheat exports will be carried out by the private sector. Iran exported its first wheat shipment of 40,000 tons to Oman in 2007. The Persian Gulf country purchased an additional 160,000 tons from Iran during the same year. Later, a cold winter followed by drought decreased Iran's agricultural output, including wheat production, forcing the country to stop the crop's exports.

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24. Baku Hosts International Travel Exhibition

Baku, April 14 (AzerTAc). The Azerbaijan International Tourism and Traveling Exhibition will open on April 28 at Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex. The exhibition focuses on the potential areas for the future development of tourism in all regions of Azerbaijan. The preparation for the exhibition is almost over, the Azeri minister of culture and tourism Abulfas Garayev said. The show will last till April 30.

In another development, the Azerbaijani Theater "Yug" will take part in the International Theater Festival in Konya, Turkey. The Festival is slated for April 14-25. The festival will feature several performances by Azeri theater, including "Yar" by Gunay Sattar, "Ya Rabb" staged by Mir Sahib and "Rahim" staged by Tural Mustafayev.

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25. China To Help Build New Opera House In Algiers

ALGIERS, April 16 (NNN-APS) -- A draft agreement has been signed by the Algerian Culture Ministry and the Embassy of China for the building and funding of an opera house in Algiers. The agreement was signed here Wednesday by the general manager of the National Agency of Management of Large Cultural Projects, Zouaoui Benhamadi, and commercial and economic counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, Lu Yifeng.

Culture Minister Khalida Toumi said during the signing ceremony that "this huge cultural project which is a donation from the Government of China to Algeria, is the expression of China's solid friendship that ties them with our country". This donation from the Chinese government, she added, was decided "during the state visit by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to China in November 2006 which facilitated the emergence of a new era of strategic relations between Algeria and China".

This proposed opera house would be "an edifice that reflects the strategic level of relations that unite us with this great country," the minister said. "The contribution of China to the Algerian Revolution is deep-rooted in the pages of history and today it also accompanies the large development experienced by our country in recent years," she noted.

Commenting on the model of the project, Toumi emphasized that the opera house would reflects Algerian culture and respect the Algerian identity and heritage. The site on which it will be erected is located in the town of Ouled Fayet, just west of Algiers, on an area of 4 hectares. A giant hall will also be built next to the opera house on an area of 6.0 hectares but this will be financed by Algeria.

For Benhamadi, "the project of the opera house building costs more than 30 million USD and is of great importance for participating in the promotion of the Algerian cultural identity". The study phase which, he said, will begin immediately, "is very important for this type of project, "noting that the edifice will be delivered in three years.

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