ABU DHABI // The inaugural Abu Dhabi Quality Forum began yesterday in a bid to improve the quality of goods, services and commodities traded in the emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), responsible for the development of quality infrastructure and raising awareness on quality in Abu Dhabi, hosted the forum.
More than 80 regional and international industry experts discussed what improvements were needed as part of the capital's 2030 vision to be one of the most competitive economies in the world.
Topics on improving food safety and child safety were among those debated on the first of the two-day gathering at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers hotel.
"This QCC is the first step to delivering better quality and infrastructure here in Abu Dhabi," said Abdalla Hassan Al Muaini, executive director of conformity scheme services for the council.
"This is the first QCC and we are hoping to make it an annual event. We wanted to gather the private sector and the public sector in one place to discuss all the issues they face and discuss how quality infrastructure can be bettered here in Abu Dhabi."
During the conference, the QCC announced the creation of a new body - the Quality Governors Council - that will help deliver improvements to quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, said Anas Barguthi, executive director for consumer and market services at the QCC.
"The Quality Governors Council is a council that allows sector leaders, those that are leading industries and initiatives, together with initiators of Abu Dhabi 2030 vision to meet and discuss the agenda of the quality journey representing opportunities and challenges," he said. "That way, us, the regulator, have a better understanding."
About 20 members will make up the body, he said. They will meet once a year - at the Abu Dhabi Quality Forum - and set an annual agenda on improving quality across a broad spectrum of sectors.
The announcement of a memorandum of understanding between Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and the British Standards Institute was made as the emirate sought to take advice from the UK body on how to improve the quality of food safety.
"Quality is the cornerstone of a progressive economy and it is only befitting that the Abu Dhabi Quality Forum creates a platform for dialogue among global experts," said Hussain Salem Al Katheeri, secretary general of the QCC.
jbell@thenational.ae
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Company%20Profile
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The%20Secret%20Kingdom%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
WIDE%20VIEW
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Company%20Profile
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
Fast%20X
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