600,000 Bangladeshi ex pats told to get machine-readable passports

Abu Dhabi: Up to 600,000 Bangladeshis with hand-written passports must apply for the machine-readable version within the next 24 months, their top diplomat in the UAE told Gulf News.

Mohammad Imran, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE, urged his fellow Bangladeshis to apply for machine-readable passport (MRP) as soon as possible.

“Do not wait for the 2015 deadline,” he said, referring to November 24, 2015 deadline for the 191 member-states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to stop the circulation of non-machine readable passports.

An estimated 800,000 Bangladeshis live and work in the UAE.

More than 200,000 Bangladeshis had already obtained MRPs, and hundreds are applying it on a daily basis, a top Bangladeshi diplomat told Gulf News.

Out of the 1,200 citizens who visit the Bangladeshi embassy in Abu Dhabi daily, some 400 people submit applications, while another 400 give their fingerprints and the rest come to collect their MRPs, he said.

The embassy has not engaged any courier company for the delivery of passports as most of the Bangladesh is are ordinary labourers who cannot afford the courier charges, Imran said.

A Bangladeshi MRP costs Dh125 for labourers and Dh405 for people doing other jobs. Considering the rush of MRP applicants, the embassy plans to outsource the passport application services to a private agency, he said.

But this shift may take time, said Imran.

“We have already engaged typing centres and a bank to ease the process,” he said.

The envoy said the UAE has recently stopped issuing new visas to Bangladeshis holding handwritten passports, although renewal of existing visa is permitted.

The newcomers to the UAE must hold an MRP, he said.

From September 2010, Gulf News reported that UAE had stopped issuing new visas to Pakistanis holding hand-written passports.

It affects Pakistanis who travel to the UAE and Pakistani expatriates already in the country who apply for a new visa after cancelling their existing visas to change jobs or sponsors. Those who apply for a new visa are required to present an MRP. This, however, does not affect the renewal of residence visas by Pakistanis in the UAE who already hold handwritten passports.

Pakistanis in the UAE can renew their residence visa until the expiry of their handwritten passports. But they have to get a MRP while they are renewing the manual passport.

Dubai: Expo 2020, if held in Dubai, is expected to boost the trade, logistics and ports operations across the UAE, especially Jebel Ali port — the Middle East’s largest entreport for commodities, officials say. Dubai is more than prepared to handle the rush, they say. By 2020, Jebel Ali, the southern part of Dubai, will become more vibrant with busy take-off and landing schedule of airlines at the Dubai World Central — the 140-sq. kilometre airport city that will host Al Maktoum International Airport, the world’s biggest greenfield airport development. This will effectively create one of the world’s largest sea-to-air cargo corridor that will offer exhibitors at the Expo 2020 seamless supply of goods and services. “World Expo presents a tremendous opportunity for the country to showcase its geographic positioning and access to the world’s fastest growing markets. As roads are built, rail connected and efficient sea and airports established, people, the goods they produce, and the services they provide are given access to opportunities to connect locally and globally, trade prospers,” Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, told Gulf News in an interview. The UAE and Dubai have succeeded in providing seamless people and cargo movement throughout the country and the wider region – a practical and tangible example of how mobility, one of the Dubai Expo 2020 subthemes, both drives and shapes the future, he said. “World Expos transform the cities hosting them and impact positively their economic development. If the UAE wins the bid to host Expo 2020 in Dubai, the event will contribute to substantial GDP growth which is mirrored by the growth of volumes through our ports,” Bin Sulayem added. In 2010, the Dubai Logistics Corridor (DLC) was opened, connecting Jebel Ali Port and free zone to Al Maktoum International airport. “Dubai and the UAE are a perfect example of how mobility supports and drives development, and that our industry is ready, willing and able to address the challenges of hosting Expo 2020,” Bin Sulayem says. “We have two major pieces of work underway. A one million TEU expansion of Terminal 2 is set to open in the second quarter of this year, and the construction of the new four million TEU Terminal 3, which will open in 2014, when total capacity at Jebel Ali will reach 19 million TEU. Together it means we will be able to handle 10 of the giant new generation 18,000 TEU vessels at the same time — the only port in the region able to do so. “We also have the genesis of Terminal 4 in reclaimed land off the coast of Terminal 2. We will develop that as the market demands and are putting in the groundwork for that opportunity today. In future years, the area will see the addition of rail to the multi-modal capabilities. With sea, land, air and rail connectivity, the UAE and Dubai will continue to be a magnet for businesses and investors from around the world.
 Trade electronic portal
 This is underpinned by the Dubai Trade electronic portal — a remarkable entity creating one seamless offering to make life easier for business. It integrates more than 800 e-services of DP World, Economic Zones World, Dubai Customs and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, in addition to several leading banks. More than 70,000 companies in the trade and logistics sector are now plugged into the system, conducting nearly 15 million online transactions in 2012 — a growth rate of 21 per cent over 2011. By providing integrated electronic services that connects a wide range of trade and logistics providers and key government agencies, including Dubai Customs, within a single electronic window, it cuts red tape and oils the wheels of business ‑ which is crucial for fast-tracking goods. Services include an online platform for traders, shipping lines and agents, clearing and forwarding agents, haulers, and free zone licencees amongst others. All of this underlines Dubai’s position as the ideal base for trading across borders with its unique geographical position, excellent infrastructure and seamless processes across private sector and Government agencies. However, along with ports and logistics, other support services providers will also have a great role to ensure business runs smoothly. “Dubai offers an ideal platform for 2020 as it has the infrastructure and the requisite resources to showcase such an event,” Tariq Chauhan, Group Chief Executive Officer of EFS Services, told Gulf News. “Above all, it will align with the vision of its Rulers to position the emirate as a global showcase for business competitiveness. We fully endorse Dubai’s bid as a robust business case for the world business community as well as a window of opportunities for local corporate to showcase our capabilities,” he added. Bin Sulayem says, hosting the event in Dubai will impact the country’s development and stimulate its economic growth and trade movement creating more demand for goods. “Today, we handle approximately a third of all container volumes in the Middle East, based on estimates of Middle East volumes by Drewry Shipping Consultants. Jebel Ali also serves a wider region of some 2 billion people in the GCC, Subcontinent, north and east Africa, and even as far as west Africa, supporting the growth and development of trade and their economies,” he concludes. (courtesy : Gulf news)

No Bangladesh visa ban, top UAE official says

Suspension is temporary and is not a ban, official confirms Dubai: Authorities in the UAE have stopped issuing all kinds of entry permits for Bangladeshi passport holders because of security concerns over identification and fake documents. Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation and Residency and Ports Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, told Gulf News the suspension of issuing visas is not permanent and is not a ban. He said the situation will return to normal once a number of issues are resolved by the government of Bangladesh. For the time being, Major General Al Menhali confirmed there will be no new visit visas, resident visas, tourist visas or any other kind of visa for Bangladeshi nationals. Current Bangladeshi visa holders in the UAE will not face any difficulties in extending their visa or renewing residency permits. “We are not issuing any new visas to Bangladeshis but we are renewing for those who already have residence visas. “Other than that, no one will be issued any new visa of any kind,” said Maj Gen Al Menhali. He said the step was taken recently but did not specify when the restrictions would be lifted. He also explained the UAE is concerned over the validity of the passports. Gulf News learnt that there are thousands of cases of Bangladeshi people caught trying to enter the country with forged passports. Weeks before the visa suspension, hundreds of Bangladeshis were arrested for entering the country with illegal documents. Many were found carrying forged passsports and forged visas. Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi father told Gulf News his 14-year-old son has been denied entrance to a Dubai school because of visa issues. Mahfuz Ali Qaderi, who works as an investor in Dubai said: “When I decided to start a business here, at the same time I wanted to admit my 14-year-old son in Dubai.” He said in July this year the school authority confirmed his son’s admission after interviewing the student who was here on a visit visa. The father said that the school confirmed the admission of his son. “As per the confirmation letter of the school, I took all necessary steps and paid accordingly. “Based on that my son got the transfer certificate and I collected a visit visa for him to attend the school,” Qaderi said. Qaderi said his son had been attending the school in Dubai since September this year. “My son is still on a visit visa and the school authority preceded his visa as a student of the school. “But on the 25th they were informed by the Tecom authority that all Bangladeshi visas are stopped and that they cannot proceed with it,” he said. The confused father tried to contact the authorities to clarify the issue and understand the rules of UAE. But he has as yet been unable to get an answer <>

10 mega projects to adorn Dubai

Municipality embarks on massive development drive worth Dh883.5m Dubai: In a major drive to further improve the infrastructure of the city, Dubai Municipality has launched 10 major projects to be completed at various dates in the next couple of years. The projects, at a cost of Dh883.5 million, include the Dubai Safari, traditional souqs, a new fish market, birds and animal market as well as various tourist attractions. Visiting the sites where the projects are currently under way, Eng Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “The civic body is confident of accomplishing the two ambitious tourism projects, Dubai Safari and Dubai Frame, by the end of 2014, in addition to eight high-tech markets across the different areas of the emirate.” Being built at a cost of Dh150 million, Dubai Safari — which is currently under construction in Al Warqa 5, Aweer Road, on an area of 396 hectares — is one of Dubai Municipality’s most prestigious projects. The project includes Arabian Village, Asian Village, African Village to accommodate animals from different continents, in addition to Open Safari, Butterfly Park, golf courses, entertainment and recreational areas. Another ambitious project that the civic body has launched is Dubai Frame. An integrated glassy and transparent frame resembling a huge window will uniquely highlight the attractions of the emirate, where the visitors can view the scenes and buildings on Shaikh Zayed Road from one side symbolising the modern Dubai, while the other side of the frame will show the landmarks of Deira, Umm Hurair and Karama, which symbolise old Dubai. The ground leg of the Frame includes a museum that tells the story of the development of the city and information on the past and present. The height of the Dh120 million Dubai Frame will be 150 metres, with a width of 100 metres. The project will be constructed inside Zabeel Park. Apart from these two tourism projects, the civic body is currently constructing eight markets and shopping complexes. The list of markets includes Al Fahidi Market, which is almost ready and is among the first projects in the emirate that completely applies green building specifications along with the use of solar energy system for lights and water heating and cooling. The market, built at a cost of Dh50.5 million on 27,000 square metres, allocates specific areas for different types of trade activities such as food, fabrics, toys, handicrafts, traditional products and gold. Next in line is Al Ayas Shopping Complex in Al Ayas area, being built at a cost of Dh8.5 million on an area of 4,180 square metres and will be completed by the middle of 2014. The municipality is building a major Bird and Animal Market. Being built at Al Warsan 3, the Dh54.5 million market will house all trading and entertainment activities related to birds and animals. The Deira Fish market, which is one of the most popular markets in Dubai, will be replaced with a double sized eco-friendly fish market aiming to meet the increased demands of the society. The fully air conditioned market will be built at a cost of Dh250 million, completely in line with green building standards, directly overlooking the sea. To be built in an area of 120,000 square metres encompassing specific sections for meat, food and vegetables, the market will have adequate underground and open parking spaces as well. The other markets include a Truck Market in Ruwayya, a Used Furniture Market in Nad Al Sheba 3, Hatta Traditional Market and a Boat and Fishing Market in Al Barsha North. In addition to these 10 projects there are some other unique projects like the Holy Quran Park and Maritime Museum which are still in the initial stages of design and other preparations.