Feb. 2--LONDON CABS LAUNCHED IN BAHRAIN: Fifty new London-style cabs have been launched onto Bahrain's streets by the Arabian Taxi Company. This is the first batch of the new company's cabs to be launched, with the rest of the 314-fleet expected to be on the roads by April. The new taxi service is the result of a joint initiative between Bahrain Development Bank and the Economic Development Board.

GULF NAVIGATION'S PROFIT UP 23 PERCENT IN 2008: Gulf Navigation has announced a net profit of Dhs148.22m last year, up nearly 23 percent from 2007. Revenues were up 45 percent year on year at Dhs395.95m in 2008. The company credited its growth to a cautious strategy for dealing with the current global financial downturn and reliance on long-term charters.

BINLADIN, THALES WIN SAUDI RAIL DEAL: In a joint venture with France's Thales, Saudi Binladin Group has been awarded a SR2bn railway contract by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The contract is for signalling and telecoms networks on the North-South railway project. The North-South line will link the Al-Jalamid phosphate mine and the Al-Zabirah bauxite mine in the north with planned aluminium and fertiliser complexes at Ras al-Zour on the Gulf coast.

DUBAI MARITIME CITY INKS ARAB SEA PORTS MOU: Dubai Maritime City has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egypt-based Arab Sea Ports Federation to explore joint business opportunities and open new avenues for cooperation and mutual growth. The partnership is part of Dubai Maritime City's programme to engage in long-term business relationships with leading regional and international maritime institutions and reinforce its competitiveness in international markets.

DUBAI CREEK FERRY PLANNED: A ferry service in Dubai Creek is set to provide an alternative mode of public transport. According to the Marine Transport Department at the RTA's Marine Agency, the first phase of the Dubai Ferry Service is set to be launched in June 2010. The Marine agency is responsible for developing water transport strategies in line with Dubai's plans to encourage more people to use public transport.

SHARJAH PORT HANDLING UP 25 PERCENT: The total volume of containers handled by ports in the emirate of Sharjah stood at 2.4 million 20-foot (TEU) equivalent units during 2008. This figure represents a 25 percent growth over 2007. The increase handling is mainly attributed to additional activity at the Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), which handled 2,112,441 (TEU) last year.

RTA LAUNCHES SAFE DRIVING CAMPAIGN: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a 'Haseb', or 'Take Care', campaign to educate the public and road users on the importance of compliance with road and traffic regulations. The objective of the campaign is to enforce safe driving, to urge drivers to comply with prescribed speed limits, avoid driving when exhausted, avoid jumping signals and using mobile phones, maintain safe distances and to signal before changing lanes.

RAK PORT GETS UNDERWAY: Ras Al Khaimah's customs and ports department has started the construction of the third phase of expanding and improving the port, costing Dhs14m, Gulf News has reported. The government expects work completion by May.

-----

To see more of AME Info, go to http://www.ameinfo.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, AME Info, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.