DUBAI, 26 October 2007 — Jotun Paints has announced in a statement that it has achieved a 12 percent increase in sales of its paints and coatings in Saudi Arabia for the first half of 2007, compared to the corresponding period last year. Paint sales showed a growth of 10 percent while protective/marine sales grew by 40 percent over the same period last year. The company has also recently announced plans to increase the capacity of its manufacturing plants from the current production of 50 million liters per year in Jeddah and Yanbu.
ENDP Reaches Out to Less Fortunate
DUBAI, 26 October 2007 — Emirates Nationals Development Program (ENDP), in collaboration with Beit Al-Khair Society, a charity association that supports the under privileged, will help train breadwinners of 350 single income families that primarily rely on charity donations for sustenance. This is the second batch of UAE nationals to be trained and recruited through the ENDP-Beit Al Khair Society partnership. The first batch included 38 UAE nationals of varied age groups and educational backgrounds.
Dubai Green Building Policy
DUBAI, 26 October 2007 — Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai, issued a directive mandating builders and developers in Dubai to comply with green building standards to ensure a healthy and environment-friendly city. The decision comes into effect from January 2008 reflects Dubai’s commitment to address environmental challenges such as climate change.