World’s Largest Wooden Dhow ‘Obaid’. Built in Dubai (U.A.E) – October 2020

‘Obaid’ built in Dubai, is named after the Emirati shipbuilder Obaid Jumaa bin Majid Al-Falasi. It has been certified by Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘World’s largest wooden Arabic Dhow’.

For the record the late Emirati shipbuilder Obaid Juma started his apprenticeship in the1940’s at the age of nine (9).

The dhow measured 91 meters long and more than 20 meters wide. The vessel is 11.22 meters high and weighs 2,500 tonnes. The ‘Obaid’ is powered by two 1,850 horsepower engines and built for speed of 14 knots . Built from approximately 1,700 tonnes of wood and 800 tonnes of steel and is scheduled to carry cargo.

This record breaking marvel is a handmade boat, built in a country with no forests. A modern adaptation is adding steel to the wooden structure.

The ship builder is Majid Obaid Al-Falasi the Managing Director of Majid Obaid Bin Majid Al Falasi & Sons, UAE.

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pix: arabnews.com

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

World’s Largest Oasis ‘Al Ahsa Oasis’ : Saudi Arabia : October 2020

Al Ahsa Oasis in now certified by Guinness World Records as the Planet’s largest self-contained Oasis.

Al Ahsa Oasis has also the largest date-palm oasis surrounded by sand in the world.

It has also a UNESCO designated status as a World Heritage site. Over 6,000 years old. It has many National Heritage Sites, as well as Human Settlements dating back to thousands of years.

Al Ahsa Oasis stretches across 85.4 sq.km . Irrigated by more than 280 springs of hot, warm and cold water.

Annual Al Ahsa Date Festival conducted here. Well known for its ‘Khalsah Dates‘.

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It includes over 2.5 million date palms watered by a network of over 280 artesian springs / pix: gulfbusiness.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

First Time – Rare Arabian Collared KingFisher Bred in Captivity in Sharjah : UAE

The EPAA bred for the very first time in captivity 3 birds from the eggs gathered during the breeding season. They were hatched in incubator at the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre.

The chicks of the Arabian Collared Kingfisher are cared for by the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre.

The birds inhabit the Alqurm area of Kalba on the east coast. The subspecies kalbaensis is found predominantly only in Kalba and a few sites in Oman.

Alqurum is one of the UAE’s ’10 wetlands on international importance’ also known as Ramsar sites.

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pix: John Perriera photographer / Sharjah Environment and Protecting Areas Authority / thenational.ae

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Sharjah, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Saudi-backed LUCID MOTORS, USA, Launches First Electric Vehicle ‘AIR’: September 2020

Lucid Air (EV) was launched from its Headquarters based in Newark, California on September 10th, 2020

Lucid Air has ground breaking electric vehicle (EV) technology incorporation Lucid Motors’s proprietary Electric Drivetrain Technology.

Aimed at the luxury saloon segment dominated by German manufacturers. Branded as the world’s fastest charging EV and the most aerodynamic car in the world.

Lucid’s Atieva battery powers the Formula E vehicles that have been showcased at Saudi Arabian motorsports events.

Powering the Air is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup with a combined output of up to 1,080 horsepower. The motor is fed charge through a 22 module, 5kWh battery pack with a total combined capacity of 113kWh

Lucid Motors is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Invest Fund who hold a majority stake.

www.lucidmotors.com

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pix: marco della cava / usatoday.com

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USA / SAUDI ARABIA

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber : Director General – ADNOC & Chairman – MASDAR : Abu Dhabi (U.A.E)

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber .

-Minister of State, UAE

– Director General and Group CEO – ADNOC / Chairman – MASDAR / Chairman – UAE National Media Council / Chairman of the Board – Abu Dhabi Ports / Chairman of the Board – Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC) / Chairman – Sky News Arabia ….

On the Board of several Organisations etc..

International:

  • UN’s Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change (AGECC) – 2009
  • UAE’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change – 2010

Honours:

  • Named one of UN’s ‘Champions of the Earth’ – Category: Entrepreneurial Vision (2012)
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) – 2013
  • Medal of National Order of Merit – Mauritania – 2013

Education:

  • Ph.D – Business and Economics, Coventry University, UK
  • M.BA -California State University, Los Angeles
  • BS – Chemical Engineering, University of Southern California

Others:

Advocate of Alternative Energy Sustainable Development

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pix: adnoc.ae

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Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Egypt – World’s Largest Exporter of Frozen Strawberries : 2019

Egypt was the world’s number one exporter of frozen strawberries in 2019, according to a report by the United Nations’ (UN) World Trade Center. 

The Egyptian Food Export Council revealed that Egyptian exports of frozen strawberries made up 20% of all global exports last year, amounting to about 140,000 tons valued at $165 million

In second place behind Egypt is Poland, who exported 94,000 tons of frozen strawberries in 2019. Mexico came in third with 84,000 tons, with Morocco coming in fourth place with 73,000 tons, and in fifth place was China with 48,000 tons.

pix: nilefm.com

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Egypt

World’s First Historic Birth of Arabian Bustard With IVF : Abu Dhabi, UAE : July 2020

Abu Dhabi created a world first record in species conservation , with the birth of the endangered species Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis Arabs) via IVF – artificial insemination.

It was done at the National Avian Research Centre (NARC), Abu Dhabi.

The International Fund for Houbara Conservation(IFHC) Arabian Bustard Breeding Programme, the first of its kind project globally, has successfully bred 42 chicks in captivity.

pix : wam.ae

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Saudi Arabia holds ‘ World Record for Seawater Desalination ‘ : Feb 2018

‘The Saline Water Conversion Corporation’ owned by the Ministry of Water & Electricity, Saudi Arabia – holds the world record for Seawater Desalination.

Thus reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a world leader in desalination development.

The Saline Water Conversion Corporation produces 5 million cubic meters of water a day. The confirmation certificate was issued by Guinness Book of World Records in February 2018.

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Saudi Arabia