The quaint charm of Masafi Friday Market

Friday Market, near the small town of Masafi, on the Dubai-Fujairah highway is a big attraction for people from all walks of life. The well known street market, where goods are comparitevily sold at a cheaper price is a favourite place of shopping for locals, expatriates and tourists, especially those who have bargaining skills. Unlike the fully air-conditioned departmental stores with dashing lights, decorations and special offers to magnetise the customers, the Friday Market, surrounded by mountains, have no such charms. The market is free of credit cards, branded products and computerised billing.

The asbestos roofed stalls at the Friday Market offer a wide range of products like fruits, vegetables, plants, toys, musical instruments, furniture and carpets. It is also famous for handcrafted rugs and antiques. Locally made pots and cups to bedding plants and trees are also available in several nurseries in the market. You will also find traditional pottery items made of local clay and the modern toys, which links the past with the present.

The shops are open all days, but business is good on weekends and public holidays. Even if you are travelling by the road at midnight there are sellers waiting for customers in the market. If you have no intention of making a purchase and show less interest, they will offer the wares for a lesser price.

Mohammed Hussain from Bengladesh, a salesman with a fruits and vegetable shop for the last six years said: "Most of the fruits and vegetables are fresh and locally grown. This is one of the advantages of buying fruits and vegetables from here. The market is open on all days, but business is good on weekends, especially on Friday." He added that the market is known as Masafi Friday Market for its popularity on Fridays.

All the people visiting the market are not necessarily buyers, but most of them break their journey here, get out of the vehicles and take a stroll around. They enjoy looking at the items in the market and chatting with the friendly shopkeepers. Most of the tour operators and people from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman buy something from the market or at least stop here and experience the joy of bargaining.

Sherly Joseph, a housewife from Dubai said: "While going to Khorfakkan, we stopped here and the children liked the atmosphere here very much. They loved to taste the mangoes, corns and to buy toys displayed in the shops. We have recently shifted to a new flat and want to buy plants, pottery and handmade carpets on our return journey. I think the price of carpets is less than in the shopping malls."

Most of the vegetable and fruit shops here are owned by Bangladeshis. Carpet shops are the monopoly of Pakistanis and Afghans. Indians normally run cafeteria, grocery and toyshops. The sociable vendors in the fruit shops offer a piece of fruit to taste before you buy.

There is no fixed price in the market and one should use one's bargain skills especially in the carpets and antiques shops. When you ask the price of a carpet, initially they quote a high price. If you disagree and step out from the shop, the salesman will follow you asking, "How much you will give?" And finally, you can buy the product for half the asking price.

Though there are no special staffs for outdoor delivery, they help by delivering the purchase to your vehicle.

DPG hosts Bazaar for Al Noor Centre

Dubai Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, hosted a two-day bazaar for Al Noor Centre at their headquarters in Dubai to support children with special needs.

The bazaar, which proved popular with the more than 1100 DPG employees, displayed a wide variety of handicrafts made by students at the Centre ranging from office stationery to home decor, ladies bags and wallets to homemade cookies.

The event also allowed employees to interact with the Centre’s inspiring students who attend Al Noor Centre for professional training, which allows them to integrate into the community.  All proceeds from the bazaar were donated to the Centre.

As a builder of diversified communities, Dubai Properties Group seeks to connect people and support diverse strata of our society through community-oriented activities. DPG continuously endeavours to host events and activities that engage and support the community in which we live and work.

LG’s New LED Monitor promotion

Launching its superb new E40 and E50 monitors, LG issues a worldwide call for touching stories with the promise of surprising prizes including a Volkswagen Wagon Golf GTI2, 2 travel vouchers worth AED 30,000 and full HD TV Monitors E2380VX

Marking the arrival of its new LED monitors series, the E40 and E50, LG Electronics Business Solutions (LG), launched Sincerity, an online campaign (http://sincere.lge.com/gf) that aims to elicit and share touching stories from LG consumers around the world.

“The LG LED ‘Sincerity’ campaign will be conducted simultaneously in 9 countries, with people sharing 2,073,600 sincere messages, one for each pixel on our new monitors,” said Mr HS Paik, President of LG Gulf FZE.

Sincerity Shared, Prizes Won

As part of the Sincerity campaign, which runs from May 15 to July 13 this year, participants will be asked to “show their sincerity” by leaving on the campaign’s website moving personal stories or their own personal reflections on what sincerity means.

Smartphone users can take part in this event through their phones. Using Pixel Soldiers, i-Phone and Android Phone users can contribute their sincere stories by simply tapping them into their phones. Smartphone users can also download “wallpaper” containing their own sincere stories.

Each participant will be allotted one of 2,073,600 pixels, which will collectively form a full picture with as many pixels as LG’s new LED monitors.

During the promotion, LG will display selected messages across all retail stores in UAE “LED Zones”. Better still, those winners will also receive one of a range of fantastic prizes, including a Volkswagen Wagon Golf GTI2, travel vouchers worth AED 30,000 and full HD TV Monitor E2380VX. There will also be special sweepstake prize draw where 30 lucky winners will take home an LED LCD Monitor E2350V.

A Smart and Fun Friend

By highlighting the amount of time we now spend with our computers, LG is using the Sincerity campaign to cast its new monitors as more than just products. In providing the perfect place for users to talk, see, work and play, the E40 and E50 series are aimed at becoming a true friend in the workplace or at home.

Through their smart technology, the E40 and E50 provide a host of “sincere” functions that make the monitors a delight to use. The E50’s Smart+ Package includes a dual web feature that automatically splits the screen to allow easy multitasking, an auto brightness function that measures the light surrounding the monitor to ensure optimal brightness at all times, and a cinema mode, which creates the perfect environment for watching videos.

The E40’s Fun Package, meanwhile, boasts various photo editing features, and an original ratio function that enables viewers to watch videos in their original 4:3 wide angle without any on-screen distortion.

The First Monitor with UL Environment Certification

Though providing features as strong as on any monitor on the market, the E40 and E50 series boast impeccable ecological credentials. As well as being 30 percent lighter, the monitors use 45 percent less energy and fewer hazardous materials, with no halogen and mercury at all. Thanks to these improvements, the E50V model has become the first monitor to be awarded environmental certification from the US safety testing organization UL.

For those looking for something a little extra from their picture, the E50VR model boasts super resolution technology, for a picture as vivid and sharp as anything on the market. And with all E50 models, a depth of just 17.5mm creates a sleek, elegant finish, while a detachable two-way stand makes the monitor even more convenient to use. 

Equipped with convenient, smart technology, eco-friendly features, an exceptional picture quality and sophisticated design, LG’s E50 and E40 are set to raise the bar once more for the computer monitor market.

They are now available in all leading retail stores and will retail at AED 1199 (E2250V) and AED 1399 (E2350V).

Golden smile!

Winners of World Gold Council and Malabar Gold on-air contest announced

The World Gold Council and Malabar Gold have announced the winner of their Akshaya Tritiya competition, which invited listeners on radio stations City 101.6 and Hit 96.7 to share their memories of a piece of gold jewellery they had received in their life, and explain why it will always be special to them — live on air.

“The Akshaya Tritiya radio competition provided a great opportunity for people to take part and enjoy the festivities, as well as demonstrating the cultural significance of investing in gold on this day. Tahira’s is a truly special story which really highlights the emotive value of gold jewellery and we would like to congratulate her on her win,” commented Yogaani Bhatia, Country Manager UAE, World Gold Council.

The competition, which ran over seven days in celebration of one of India’s most auspicious festivals and a holy day for Hindus, welcomed hundreds of entries, and was won by 30 winners, who each received gift vouchers to purchase gold.

“I’m very pleased to have won this competition and proud to have shared my story with so many people on the radio. Gold is considered an important part of our culture – and this precious investment is particularly celebrated during festivals such as Akshaya Tritiya. This day also represents good luck in any new ventures, and so this goes to show that luck really was on my side that day!” said Tahira, competition winner from City 101.6 FM.

Lakeland comes to the UAE

The Mirdif City Centre outlet is the first international store of the UK-based leading creative kitchenware retailer

Lakeland International, the leading provider of creative and innovative kitchenware, recently marked the official opening of their store in Mirdif City Centre, Dubai. This is the first Lakeland outlet to be opened outside the United Kingdom. Lakeland has been brought to the region by Jawad Business Group.

The official inauguration event was attended by Faisal Jawad, Chairman and CEO, Jawad Business Group and Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International.

Faisal Jawad said: “It is a pleasure to introduce Lakeland in the region. Over the years, this UK brand has set new benchmarks in innovation and convenience in kitchenware. We are certain that Lakeland will replicate its success story here too.”

He added: “Since its inception, Jawad Business Group has always strived to bring to the market leading brands and concepts that would enhance the lives of our customers. We have constantly been on the look out for opportunities that would enhance the lifestyle of our customers. It has been our endeavor to understand the customer needs and help provide solutions. We have been on a constant growth path, opening new outlets, bringing new brands to the region.”

Commenting on Lakeland’s opening in the UAE, Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International, said, “We are pleased to open our first outlet in Dubai. There certainly is not a better place than this city to mark the opening of our first international store. This vibrant cosmopolitan city offers brands like ours the perfect platform to understand and serve to the preferences and tastes of different nationalities at one go.”

He added: “We are happy to have found a dynamic partner in Jawad Business Group. Lakeland offers a wide range of products that help prepare, serve and store food. Many items in our outlet are exclusive to Lakeland and all products are backed by their no-quibble guarantee. Every item is thoroughly tried and tested before the product earns its place in the Lakeland range. We are certain that the region will enjoy the Lakeland experience.”

Lakeland has around 4000 products in its range and delivers to over one million households around the world. The company has always endeavored to proactively look out for products to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, be it for cooking, entertaining, doing the housework or searching for the perfect present.

As the years went by, the name Lakeland Plastics no longer reflected the wide range of products sold. So in 1997 the name was changed to Lakeland Limited, and a decade later, simply Lakeland.

LG UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST FULL LED 3D TV

Boasting full LED technology with superb contrast and expansive picture the LX9500 goes beyond mere viewing to take you to the heart of the action.

 LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in the flat panel display and audio-video devices market, recently announced the launch of the LX9500, the world’s first Full LED 3D TV. Delivering a picture of outstanding clarity and brightness on LG's innovative INFINIA design, the LX9500 — a two-time award winner at this year’s CES and a winner of the reddot design award 2010 — invites viewers into an entirely new world of 3D TV viewing.

For the ultimate in 3D home viewing, the LX9500 employs shutter glasses-type technology, with glasses that add depth to an image by blocking one lens then the other in sync with the screen's refresh rate. The LX9500 is also the only 3D TV with dual IR-emitting sensors, which send signals syncing the lenses with the TV. Having dual sensors ensures a wider and longer viewing angle for the TV’s 3D pictures, creating a spectacular home theater experience for the whole family.

As the world’s first Full LED 3D TV, the LX9500 uses an innovative backlight structure to deliver its remarkable picture. Illuminated by panels of LEDs directly behind the screen, the Full LED display provides images of exceptional brightness and clarity, as well as a localized Spot Control for the ultimate in picture quality. With TruMotion 400Hz reducing image cross-talk and a picture further enriched by a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the LX9500’s mesmerizing 3D transports viewers right to the heart of the action.

As with all its features, the LX9500’s award-winning INFINIA design is geared toward creating the ultimate 3D experience. Slim and sleek, the LX9500 boasts a depth of just 22.3mm, and a 16mm super-narrow bezel that allows for a more expansive picture and 3D images that practically burst out of the screen. In recognition of its unparalleled design, the LX9500 this year won a reddot design award, one of the world’s top three design awards and a globally accepted standard for the very best in product design.

“Thanks to its superb picture quality, the LX9500 offers a 3D experience like no other, where instead of just watching scenes, you can actually be part of them,” said Mr H.S Paik, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “Through advanced features such as Full LED and INFINIA design, LG is already pushing the technological boundaries for 3D. Along with our 3D Blu-ray disk player and 3D home projector, LG is well placed to become a true global leader in 3D home entertainment.”

Speaking from the launch of LG’s LX9500 at the Westin Hotel Dubai, event speaker and President of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai, Dr. Mustafa AG Abushagur, PhD added; “Technology is moving at a faster pace now than it ever has and 3D is transforming the digital entertainment and education landscape.

“This new technology is creating visual experiences that offer new opportunities and challenges for educators, manufacturers and consumers alike. With its tendency towards early-adoption of new technology, the Middle East is on the cusp of widespread changes in technological development.”

Delivering unbeatable levels of entertainment, the LX9500 also displays regular programming and content in the very best, high-definition 2D. In addition, the TV is seamlessly connected to home AV devices thanks to a Wireless AV Link, while its NetCast™ function delivers instant streaming, via a broadband connection, of virtually limitless online content, including videos, movies and web albums. In another first for the industry, the LX9500 supports the Multi Picture Format (MPF) which enables user-created 3D content to be enjoyed on-screen without the need of a PC.

The ultimate platform for 3D viewing, LG’s LX9500 was officially launched today and will retail at AED 17,999 (55”) and AED 12,999 (47”).

Specifications:

·     3D TV (Shutter glasses type)

·     Full LED Slim with Spot Control (Local Dimming)

·     INFINIA Design

-      Ultra Slim Depth, Narrow Bezel, Uni-layer, Uni-color

·     Full HD 1080p

·     10,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

·     TruMotion 400Hz[1]

·     isf Certification

·     Picture Wizard II

·     Crystal Gradation with Varying Light (Facet)

·     Invisible Speaker (10W + 10W + 5W)

·     Infinite Sound

·     Clear Voice II

·     NetCastTM

·     Wireless AV Link

·     DLNA ready

·     USB 2.0 (HD DivX, MP3, Jpeg play, MPO)

·     HDMI 1.4

·     Intelligent Sensor

·     Smart Energy Saving Plus

·     ECO Flower

Gold festival mood upbeat

 BY KK Moidu

Although the price of the gold has touched Dhs149 per gramme for 24k and Dhs138.75 for 22k, the jewellery outlets across the emirates hope the high rates will not affect the gold business on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on Sunday.

The jewellers are gearing up to handle the surge of customers on Akshaya Tritiya, the day considered auspicious for the purchase of gold as per Hindu beliefs.

Pooja Arjun, a housewife in Dubai, said, "I have been buying gold jewellery on Akshaya Tritiya for the last 10 years without considering the increase in gold price. This year also I will buy not less than 10 grammes of gold ornaments on the occasion."

Like Pooja, many others trust that buying gold on this auspicious day will never be a business of loss and will result in wealth and prosperity throughout the year.

Sunanda Krishnan, who is residing in Sharjah for the last eight years and working in a private company in Dubai, said, "I started buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya after coming to Dubai. Last year, I bought 20 grammes of gold ornaments and this year also I am planning to buy some ornaments, but the quantity will not be that much due to the hike in the price of gold."

However, the World Gold Council, its trade partners and most of the outlets in the emirates offer special promotions such as minimal making charges, free gold coins, free Camera and Camcorder, 50 to 70 per cent discounts for diamond buyers etc.

"This region is renowned all over the world for its multi-cultural environment, where people from a number of nations and cultures live in harmony, therefore we are offering people the unique opportunity to appreciate different cultures and their practices. We are very pleased to announce our commitment to creating awareness about this festival - which is a very important event for the Asian community - and outlining the cultural significance of investing in gold for people on this day," commented Yogaani Bhatia, Country Manager UAE, World Gold Council.

In order to cash in the Akshaya Tritiya festival, World Gold Council's trade partners in the region also introduced their very own special-edition gold jewellery collections such as pendant, rings, bangles, diamond sets etc., as well as organising interactive competitions in honour of the occasion.

WGC and Malabar Gold launches interactive radio and print competitions for creating awareness of Akshaya Tritiya. The Akshaya Tritiya special-edition "Divine" collection available at Malabar Gold stores has been created in order to emphasise the importance of keeping this ancient heritage alive.

Malabar Gold is offering two gold coins for the buyers of Akshaya Tritiya Diamond set and half gramme gold coin free for those who buy jewellery worth Dhs6,000 and above. Joyalukkas gifts a Samsung Camcorder and Canon Digital Camera on purchase of the Exqusite Tyohaar Akshaya Tritiya Diamond Necklace worth Dhs17,000 and Elegenza Polki Set designed for Akshaya Tritiya worth Dhs15,500 respectively.