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Emirates Group Security launches hi-tech valuables-handling facility in Dubai
 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, opens new high-tech valuables handling facility in Dubai
The new AED50m one-stop cash and valuables-handling facility at Emirates Group Security (EGS) in Dubai will play a key role in the Emirate’s goal of becoming a premier trading and shipping centre reports Security Middle East Dubai correspondent, Ruth Edwards .
The new centre, which is strategically situated adjacent to Dubai International Airport, is designed to handle valuables and vulnerable cargo for commercial and international shipping more efficiently, cost effectively and securely, delegates to the official opening were told.
Addressing business partners and VIP guests from the banking, security and valuables trading community, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, who opened the centre, said the new facility would boost both Transguard’s and Emirates Group Security’s capabilities.
“The advanced infrastructure will play a key role in Dubai’s efforts to become a leading trading and shipping centre for valuables and gold and we will strive to provide shippers and traders of valuable cargo with the best quality services in a convenient, secure environment in which they will be able to trade and process their cargo,” he said.
The centre is dedicated solely to the handling and processing of high value shipments and will bring together all related valuables handling processes, services and expertise under one roof.
The new headquarters and flagship facility, which is located in Dubai’s Airport Freezone, will also house EGSs Transguard business divisions and will offer a broader range of services than was previously available for its clients in the banking, security and valuables trading industries.
The new building is fully equipped to handle valuables and to allow vulnerable goods such as computer chips, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals to be processed rapidly. Cash belonging to banking and security exchange clients can also be securely packed and efficiently shipped around the world. An additional bonus for clients, such as exchange houses, is the availability of leasable office space, which could reduce the cost of insurance while moving valuables.
Transguard is the only security company in the UAE authorised to offer airside accessibility, thereby offering the fastest route from stronghold to aircraft and vice versa.
“Valuables are ‘must go’ items since price volatility in the international stock markets could affect values in a matter of hours; therefore, seamless and secure handling is critical,” said Dr Abdulla Al Hashimi, divisional senior vice president, Emirates Group Security and Transguard.
“When we designed our new facility we researched and travelled widely to look at the best practices in different areas; we believe we now have one of only a few purpose built sites in the world that can offer all the valuables-handling facilities under one roof,” said Al Hashimi, adding that while many assessors from the airline and banking industries have inspected the facility, none has raised any concerns over its security.
Among the key features of the facility is the control centre, which employs the very latest in communications technologies. From here, the security team will be able to monitor all the facilities within the Emirates Group, track Transguard vehicles via Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and access international information systems via the Internet.
The ATM cash processing facility will house the largest cash processing machine in the region, with high-tech connections that will monitor cash levels at more than 620 ATM machines across the UAE. This will allow the security team to coordinate the reconciliation and replenishment of cash in these machines. The unit will be supported by a fleet of 110 armoured vehicles.
Ground handling agents and regulatory agencies such as customs and police will be integrated within the facility and the building will monitored and guarded on a 24-hour basis using state-of-the art security systems and CCTV surveillance.
The building has been certified by TAPA (The Technical Asset Protection Association), making it the first TAPA-certified valuable handling warehouse in the Middle East. The new facility is expected to become fully operational as a valuables and vulnerable cargo handling hub this April.
Training deal for new generation of Dubai Civil Defence officers
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presents the award to Mr Khalid Al Khatib (right), CEO and owner of NAFFCO
NAFFCO (National Fire Fighting Manufacturing FZCO) has been presented with one of the most prestigious awards in the region – the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business award MRM 2006 For Excellence in Manufacturing.
Khalid Al Khatib, CEO of NAFFCO, was proud to accept the award, which was presented to him by the ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in February. This is the second time that NAFFCO has won a major award as it received the MRM award for exports in 2005.
The company also recently became a Kitemark licensee for its range of fire products. NAFFCO’s Shash Limani says: “Before obtaining the Kitemark for our products, NAFFCO was exporting to just 15 countries, but now it exports to 72 countries around the world. This just shows the strength and benefit of the BSI Kitemark as well NAFFCO’s dedication and commitment to quality and professionalism, and the outstanding leadership and resolution of its owner, Mr Khalid Al Khatib, to ensure that the products of his company are of the highest standards.”
NAFFCO is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company with its headquarters in Dubai. It was established in 1991 with the state- of-the-art manufacturing facility for a wide range of fire fighting equipment including all types of fire extinguishers, fire cabinets, fire hoses, pumps, mobile and advanced fire fighting systems and fire trucks.
The company has diversified its product range to passive fire protection and automation and control for all types of security and fire alarm systems.
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