Monday, April 4, 2011

EAST AFRICA COM: LES DIRIGEANTS REGIONAUX DU SECTEUR TELECOM SE PREPARENT DEMAIN A DEFINIR DES STRATEGIES POUR CAPITALISER SUR LES NOUVEAUX RESEAUX ET


NAIROBI, Kenya - Lundi 4 Avril 2011 [ME NewsWire]

East Africa Com 2011

(BUSINESS WIRE) —Plus de 650 dirigeants du secteur des Télécommunications se réuniront demain à l’occasion de la conférence East Africa Com (www.comworldseries.com/eafrica).

Un agenda qui s’étend sur deux jours et qui consiste à établir des stratégies, définir des repères en termes des meilleures pratiques au sein du secteur et trouver des moyens novateurs pour capitaliser sur les nouveaux réseaux et services dans le marché de l’Afrique de l’Est qui connait une concurrence acharnée entre les operateurs.

La croissance des abonnements continue à être élevée en Afrique de l’Est mais cela ne peut pas être imputé à une croissance du nombre d’utilisateurs mais plutôt à l’usage de plusieurs cartes SIM due à la compétition acharnée entre les operateurs, en termes de Tarifs cela a eu un impact négatif sur le revenu moyen par Utilisateur(ARPU) ce dernier a reculé pour atteindre un montant de 7.13$ seulement. À cause des nouveaux acteurs sur le marché ainsi que l’introduction imminente du service de la portabilité du numéro mobile, Les operateurs ont été forcés à recourir à des moyens autres que les tarifs afin de les utiliser comme outil de compétition gagnant

Les nouvelles opportunités pour les operateurs consistent à fournir des services à valeur ajoutée et un haut début mobile mais les services sont en évolution et un model d’affaire optimale est à établir. Dans cette perspective, 650 dirigeants dans le secteur de télécommunications se réuniront demain à l’occasion de la conférence East Africa Com qui aura lieu le 5 et 6 Avril. La liste des représentants comprend les operateurs mobiles, fixes et satellite et WiMAX, Fournisseur d'accès Internet, les MVNO, les régulateurs, les ministres, les fournisseurs de solutions et technologies, des investisseurs et des consultants qui offrent une véritable perspective de 360 degré du marché. Les participants partageront leurs différentes visions, idées et expériences afin de définir des stratégies concernant la convergence, le haut débit et les services à valeur ajoutée ainsi que les fraudes au sein du secteur télécom et la couverture des zones rurales.

Les discussions qui s’étendent sur deux jours seront menées par un panel composé de plus que 45 dirigeants des operateurs télécoms les plus dynamiques de la région y compris des investisseurs suprarégionaux (Orange France-Telecom et Airtel Africa seront représentés par Michel Barré Vice-président et Bayan Moadjem , directeur général des réseaux au sein du groupe) ,des operateurs qui desservent la région( comme Telcom Kenya et son PDG Mikhail Ghossein), des operateurs mobiles compétitifs(y compris des hauts responsables de Safaricom, Vivacell Southern Sudan, Zantel Tanzanie, Airtel Kenya et d’autres) , Wananchi qui s’autoproclame comme étant le premier fournisseur africain de services 'triple-play' (représenté par le PDG du groupe Richard Bell et du directeur régional au Kenya, Peter REinartz) ainsi que des fournisseurs de services alternatifs(Jamii Telecom, Roke Telkom Ugansa) et d’autres.

Pour la participation et plus d’information sur East Africa , veuillez contacter:

Caroline Wiezien, caroline.wiezien@informa.com, tel: +44 (0)20 7017 5605

www.comworldseries.com/eafrica

À propos d’Informa Telecoms & Media

Informa Telecoms & Media est le premier fournisseur de veille économique pour les marchés mondiaux des télécommunications et des médias.

Sa vocation est de prodiguer des conseils réalistes et stratégiques, ainsi que des prévisions sur tous les aspects de la convergence des marchés de la téléphonie mobile et fixe, des divertissements et de l’informatique.

Poussée par un contact permanent et direct avec le secteur, l’équipe d’analystes et de chercheurs d’Informa Telecoms & Media produit chaque année plus de 300 manifestations et des services de veille, notamment des produits d’information et d’analyse, des rapports approfondis sur le marché et des ensembles de données.

Informa Telecoms & Media collabore avec des personnes d’un grand professionnalisme, parmi lesquelles plus d’une centaine d’analystes, de chercheurs et de journalistes répartis sur 14 pays. Parmi ses clients figurent les plus importants et les plus prestigieux vendeurs, opérateurs et régulateurs, ainsi que des acteurs clés des communautés de la finance .La société est fière du rôle qu’elle joue pour rassembler le secteur et faire en sorte que 100 000 personnes soient mieux informées.

www.informatm.com

Le texte du communiqué issu d’une traduction ne doit d’aucune manière être considéré comme officiel. La seule version du communiqué qui fasse foi est celle du communiqué dans sa langue d’origine. La traduction devra toujours être confrontée au texte source, qui fera jurisprudence.

Contacts

Informa Telecoms & Media

Caroline Wiezien, +44 (0)20 7017 5605

caroline.wiezien@informa.com

www.comworldseries.com/eafrica

Regional Telecom Leaders Prepare to Set Strategies for Capitalising on New Networks and Services at East Africa Com Conference in Nairobi Tomorrow


NAIROBI, Kenya - Monday, April 4th 2011 [ME NewsWire]

East Africa Com 2011

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tomorrow, over 650 telecom leaders from across East Africa will gather in Nairobi at East Africa Com conference (www.comworldseries.com/eafrica). Their agenda for the 2 days is to establish strategies, set best practice benchmarks and find innovative ways of capitalising on the new networks and services in the fiercely competitive East African market.

Subscription growth remains high in East Africa, but this is not driven by an increase in customers, rather multiple SIM usage as a result of fierce price wars amongst the operators. This has had a negative impact on ARPU which has declined to reach just US$7.13. New players, the imminent introduction of mobile number portability and improved connectivity has forced operators to look beyond price as a winning competitive tool.

New opportunities for operators now lie in the provision of value added services and mobile broadband but services are still evolving and an optimum business model is still to be established. It is for this purpose that 650 telecom leaders will meet tomorrow at East Africa Com conference, 5-6 April. Representatives will include mobile, fixed, satellite and WiMAX operators, ISPs, MVNOs, regulators, ministers, solutions and technology providers, investors and consultants to ensure a truly 360 degree perspective of the market. Attendees will pool their different perspectives, ideas and experiences to set strategies around convergence, broadband, LTE, value added services, telecoms Fraud and connecting rural areas.

The 2 days of discussions will be led by a panel of 45+ speakers representing leaders of the region’s most dynamic operators, from pan-regional investors (Pan-regional players Orange France-Telecom and Airtel Africa, represented by Vice President Michel Barré and Group Director of Networks Bayan Moadjem respectively), incumbent operators (such as Telkom Kenya and their CEO Mikhail Ghossein), competitive mobile operators (with CxOs from Safaricom, Vivacell Southern Sudan, Zantel Tanzania, Airtel Kenya, amongst others), the self proclaimed original triple play provider in Africa, Wananchi (represented by Group CEO Richard Bell, and Kenya’s Country Manager Peter Reinartz), alternative service providers (Jamii Telecom, Roke Telkom Ugansa) and more.

For more information on East Africa Com and to attend please contact: Caroline Wiezien, caroline.wiezien@informa.com, tel: +44 (0)20 7017 5605 www.comworldseries.com/eafrica

About Informa Telecoms & Media

Informa Telecoms & Media is the leading provider of business intelligence to global telecoms and media markets.

Our aim is to provide actionable, strategic advice and forecasting on all aspects of converging mobile, fixed, entertainment and IT markets.

Driven by constant first-hand contact with the industry our team of analysts and researchers produce over 300 annual events and intelligence services including news and analytical products, in-depth market reports and data sets.

We benefit from outstanding people, including 100+ analysts, researchers and journalists across 14 countries. Our customers include major blue-chip vendors, operators, and regulators in addition to key players from the financial and content communities.

We are proud of the role we play in bringing the industry together and keeping 100,000 individuals better informed.

www.informatm.com

Contacts

Informa Telecoms & Media

Caroline Wiezien, +44 (0)20 7017 5605

caroline.wiezien@informa.com

www.comworldseries.com/eafrica

SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL SOON IN IRAQ


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Monday, April 4th 2011 [ME NewsWire]


Swiss-Belhotel International is pleased to announce the signing of a management agreement with Sardar Investments Pty. Ltd, a part of Sardar Group, for the management of a 4 star international hotel in Erbil.

Erbil, a historical city (6000 BC) and the capital of Kurdistan - Iraq, is home to a large number of international companies, government departments and the landmark "Citadel of Erbil" as well as Iraq's most luxurious shopping malls and other shopping areas which makes the city appealing to both business and leisure travelers.

Swiss-Belhotel Erbil, expected to open early 2012 is located less than 5 minute drive from Erbil International Airport and in close proximity to the CBD, Erbil International Fair Ground, Martyr Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Citadel of Erbil as well as Majidi Mall and other major shopping areas.

The hotel offers 108 well appointed deluxe guestrooms and suitesas well as an all-day-dining-restaurant / bar / lounge / deli, speciality restaurant, pool bar, roof-top shisha lounge, 300sqm meeting room space, business centre, boutique and travel agency.

Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and state of the art 285sqm spa and fitness centre including treatment rooms, hammam and sauna.

Thomas van Vliet, Swiss-Belhotel International Middle East VP Operations & Development commented, “We are very excited to enter the Iraq hotel scene with our first hotel in Erbil and considering the vast local experience of our partners in this development, Sardar Investments Pty Ltd, and Swiss-Belhotel International's international exposure, we are confident this project will become a great success and will further assist the city to welcome and accommodate a continuously growing number of business and leisure visitors."

SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL SOONIN IRAQ

4 April 2011

Page 2 of 2 continued…

Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Swiss-Belhotel International Chairmanand President, commented, “We have eyed Iraq for quite some time and this hotel is an essential addition to our rapidly expanding portfolio of hotels in the Middle East.The team is aggressively focusing on new developments in this region and to soon open our first property in this historic city in Iraq is another milestone for the company.”

About Swiss-Belhotel International

Swiss-Belhotel International is a rapidly expanding international management company with over 60 hotels, resorts and projects globally. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Hong Kong (SAR), Swiss-Belhotel International manages hotels in Asia/Pacific and The Middle East including CHINA • VIETNAM • PHILIPPINES • MALAYSIA • INDONESIA • AUSTRALIA • KUWAIT • JORDAN • OMAN • QATAR • KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • YEMEN• KAZAKHSTAN. Ranked in the top 100 international hotel management companies and awarded as Indonesia’s Leading Global Hotel Chain and as most favourite 4-star hotel, Swiss-Belhotel International’s rapid expansion will see substantial growth in The Middle East as well as focus on growth in China. Refer to Group Website www.swiss-belhotel.com.

NoteInformation on existing operations and opening hotels is subject to change without prior notice – visit www.swiss-belhotel.com for the details.
Contacts

Swiss-Belhotel International

Group Communication Manager

Ms. Nor Komala

(62-21)560 6040, 566 9710

communications@swiss-belhotel.com

www.swiss-belhotel.com

موانئ دبي العالمية تكرّم 75 من موظفيها المتميزين ضمن برنامج "تقدير"


دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة، - يوم الأحد 3 إبريل 2011 [ME NewsWire]

- كرّمت موانئ دبي العالمية – الإمارات عدداً من موظفيها المتميزين، ضمن حفل جوائز "تقدير"، الذي يعقد للعام الثاني على التوالي لتكريم الإنجازات المتميزة التي حققها الموظفون خلال العام 2010، بحضور كبار المسؤولين والموظفين في موانئ دبي العالمية-الإمارات.

وخلال حفل أقيم مؤخراً، قام جمال ماجد بن ثنية المدير التنفيذي لمجموعة "دبي العالمية" نائب الرئيس المشترك لـ"موانئ دبي العالمية"، يرافقه محمد المعلم نائب الرئيس الأول ومدير عام موانئ دبي العالمية-الإمارات، بتسليم الجوائز إلى حوالي 75 موظفا ممن حققوا إنجازات بارزة خلال عملهم من مختلف الفئات والرتب الوظيفية وفي مختلف أقسام وقطاعات الشركة.

وبالمناسبة، قالجمال ماجد بن ثنية، المدير التنفيذي لمجموعة "دبي العالمية" نائب الرئيس المشترك لـ"موانئ دبي العالمية":

"ان تكريم الموظفين واجب التزمت به موانئ دبي العالمية منذ نشأتها، ونحن على قناعة تامة بأن الكادر البشري هو الرصيد الحقيقي الذي نستثمر فيه كل الإمكانات للوصول إلى فريق عمل مبدع يخوض التحديات ويتغلب على العقبات التي تواجهه مهما كبرت. إن تشجيع روح الإبداع وتعزيز القدرات وتحفيز الموظفين على المشاركة في عمليات التطوير، حتّم علينا فتح قنوات للتواصل مع الموظفين من خلال تشجيع وتبني الأفكار المبدعة، ويعد برنامج "تقدير" أحد هذه القنوات التي تمكننا من تكريم موظفينا المتميزين".

من جهته قالمحمد المعلم، نائب الرئيس الأول ومدير عام موانئ دبي العالمية-الإمارات:

"نشعر بالفخر والاعتزاز بموظفينا المتميزين، ويأتي هذا التكريم تقديراًلإنجازاتهم وتأكيداً إضافياً على اهتمام موانئ دبي العالمية بالكوادر البشرية، وإيمانها بأن الموظفين هم أحد أهم أصول الشركة التي لا تدخر وسعا لتطويرهم وتنمية قدراتهم. إن موانئ دبي العالمية مستمرة في تشجيع وتقييم الموظفيين وتحفيزهم على المزيد من الإبداع والابتكار".

يأتي حفل تكريم الموظفين المتميزين في "موانئ دبي العالمية" في سياق تحفيز الموظفين ورفع مستوى الولاء الوظيفي وتعزيز التواصل بين الادارة والموظف وتقدير التفكير الابداعي، ونشر ثقافة التركيز على الإنجاز والأداء دون الوقوف عند العوائق والصعوبات.

كذلك علّق محمد علي أحمد، مدير التخطيط الاستراتيجي والموارد البشرية والدعم المؤسسي في موانئ دبي العالمية-الإمارات بقوله:

"لقد أصبح برنامج "تقدير" مناسبة سنوية لتكريم المتميزين، حيث يتيح للعاملين ترشيح أنفسهم لنيل شرف التكريم من خلال معايير معينة، وبناء على الترشيحات تقوم لجنة من الموارد البشرية ومدراء الإدارات بتقييم طلبات المرشحين مقابل إنجازاتهم الفعلية، وتختار الفائزين ضمن 7 فئات تم وضعها على أسس مختلفة تغطي مختلف جوانب التميّز.

وتنقسم جوائز "تقدير" ضمن فئاتها السبع إلى قسمين، الأول عبر الترشيح الذاتي وهي جوائز: تطوير فريق العمل، التميز في الخدمة، فريق المشروع المتميز، وفئة تطوير الذات، أما القسم الثاني فتقوم إدارة الموارد البشرية بالترشيح لجوائزه التي تشمل الأداء المتميز، المتدرب المتميز، والموّجه المتيز، علماً بأن لجان متعددة تقوم باختيار الفائزين.

-انتهى-

عن موانئ دبي العالمية

تعد موانئ دبي العالمية من أكبر مشغلي المحطات البحرية في العالم، حيث تتولى تشغيل 49 محطة بحريةو9 مشاريع جديدةوتوسعات كبيرة موزعة على 31 بلداً(1)، مع جهاز وظيفيملتزم ومتمرس يضم نحو 30.000 موظف يخدمون عملاء في عدد من أكثر اقتصاديات العالم نشاطا وديناميكية.

وتهدف موانئ دبي العالمية إلى تعزيز فعالية سلسلة التوريد لعملائها من خلال تقديم خدمات إدارة الحاويات والبضائع السائبة وغيرها من بضائع المحطات البحرية بكفاءة وفاعلية.

وتستثمر الشركة على نحو مستمر في البنية التحتية للمحطات البحرية، والمرافق والموظفين، عاملة بشكل وثيق مع العملاء وشركاء الأعمال لكي تقدم لهم خدمات نوعية في الحاضر والمستقبل، حيث وحينما يحتاج العملاء إلى هكذا خدمات.

وفي تبني هذه المقاربة المرتكزة على العملاء، فإن موانئ دبي العالمية تنتهج مبدأ تعزيز العلاقات الثابتة وتقديم مستوى متفوق من الخدمة كما يتجلى ذلك في صفوة مرافقها في ميناء جبل علي في دبي، والذي اختير كـ"أفضل ميناء بحري في الشرق الأوسط" للسنة السادسة عشر على التوالي.

وقامت موانئ دبي العالمية في العام 2010 بمناولة حوالي 50 مليون حاوية نمطية (قياس 20 قدما) من خلال محفظة أعمالها التي تمتد من الأمريكيتين إلى آسيا. وبفضل مجموعة من مشاريع التطوير والتوسع المؤكدة التي تملكها الشركة في أكثر الأسواق نمواً، والتي تشمل الهند، والصين، والشرق الأوسط، من المتوقع أن تنمو الطاقة الاستيعابية الإجمالية لموانئ دبي العالمية لتبلغ حوالي 92 مليون حاوية نمطية بحلول العام 2020 تماشياً مع متطلبات السوق.

www.dpworld.com

________________________

(1) كما في11 فبراير 2011


Contacts

ناتاشا بخاري

المدير العالمي لاتصالات الشركات

موانئ دبي العالمية

+97156 6821699

Natasha.bukhari@dpworld.com

سناء معضاد

مدير الإعلام

حصاد كميونكيشنز

+97150 5522610

Sana@hasaad.ae

Sunday, April 3, 2011

DP WORLD'S 'TAQDEER' PROGRAMME HONOURS EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FOR EXCELLENCE AT WORK


Investing in human assets is part of port operator's institutional culture says Jamal Bin Thaniah

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, April 3rd 2011 [ME NewsWire]

For the second consecutive year, premier regional port operator DP World,UAE Region has honoured a number of employees for their exceptional contributions to business excellence during 2010 under its unique “Taqdeer” initiative.

During a ceremony attended by the company’s senior executives and staff, Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Joint Vice Chairman, DP World, and Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director DP World, UAE Region, distributed certificates and awards to 75 employees from the port operator's different departments.

The awards fall under two categories. The first covers self-nominations for People Development Award, Excellence in Service Award, Outstanding Project Award and Self Development Award. Employees can nominate themselves for honours based on specific criteria. The second category comprises nominations made by the HR Department for Outstanding Performance Award, Outstanding Trainee Award and Outstanding Trainer Award. All the winners are chosen by specially appointed panels of judges.

Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Joint Vice Chairman, DP World,said:

“Recognising and honouring outstanding performance by our employees is an essential part of DP World's institutional culture. Our human assets are our most valued investment and this is reflected in the innovative contributions made by the winners of the 'Taqdeer' awards. We congratulate ourwinners.”

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World UAE Region, said:

“We are proud to present the ‘Taqdeer’ awards to those who have gone the extra mile in their work. We believe that by recognising the exceptional performance of our employees, we encourage them to aim even higher. DP World UAE Region attaches great importance to empowering and rewarding its employees.”

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Director of Strategic Planning, Human Resources and Business Support, DP World UAE Region, said:

“By honouring excellence among our staff, DP World UAE Region aims to motivate employees to work harder, enhance communication between the administration and the employees, promote creative thinking, spread the culture of achievement and strengthen the bond between the company and its people.”

-ENDS-

Photo Caption:Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Joint Vice Chairman, DP World, and Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director DP World, UAE Region, and Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Director of Strategic Planning, Human Resources and Business Support, DP World UAE Region at the award presentation ceremony.

About DP World

DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminalsand 9 new developments and major expansions across 31 countries(1). Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.

The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.

In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 16 consecutive years.

In 2010, DP World handled around 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 92 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.

www.dpworld.com

(1) As of 11 February 2011

Contacts

Natasha Bukhari

Global Corporate Communications Manager

DP World

Tel: +97156 6821699

Natasha.Bukhari@dpworld.com



Sanaa Maadad

Director, Media

Hasaad Communications

Tel: +97150 5522610

sana@hasaad.ae

UAE INITIATIVE TO HOST COUNTER-PIRACY CONFERENCE FINDS ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE


Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, April 3rd 2011 [ME NewsWire]

A UAE-driven initiative to combat marine piracy has attracted widespread interest and enthusiasm from governments, industry and experts on maritime issues and international law.

Several foreign ministers from around the world, CEOs from the world’s top shipping lines and a wide range of experts will participate in the event jointly organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and global port operator DP World in Dubai on April 18-19.

A website for the conference - www.Counterpiracy.ae- has been launched to enable invited participants to register. The website also hosts a number of papers designed to stimulate discussion and generate policy ideas, which will be published alongside the event. The papers reflect cutting-edge academic and expert thought on global counter-piracy.

In 2011, piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean threatens to become even more threatening than previous years, with a greater frequency of attacks over a wider range than in previous years.

The UAE initiative has therefore attracted significant global attention, at a time when all stakeholders recognise the need for a coordinated and sustained effort by governments, security forces and industry to address the issue in its entirety. The UAE’s position as a global hub for trade and commerce together with its significant regional and international partnerships are expected to make the event a key platform for the coordination of the urgent international response to end the threat piracy presents to global peace and security.

Parallel to the main conference, the UAE and the United Nations will hold a fundraising event in support of the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The aim of the fundraiser is to attract new and traditional donors to the Fund, which was established in January 2010 by the UN Secretary-General at the request of the international Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The Trust Fund has proved to be an efficient instrument for supporting counter piracy initiatives and a unique multilateral vehicle to fund land-based counter piracy projects.

This fundraiser is an opportunity for participants to translate regional and global concern into action. The co-hosts hope to forge new partnerships between governments and industry, between “North” and “South”, and between the regions and countries affected by piracy off the coast of Somalia resulting in substantial contributions to the UN Trust Fund from Government and industry participants in the conference.

An official source at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that the UAE will make a significant contribution to the UN Trust Fund at the conference. The contribution will reflect the importance the UAE attaches to this issue, underlining its ongoing commitment to the international efforts in the field of counter-piracy.

In the first two months of 2011, despite a heightened level of international response, at least 80 commercial cargo ships came under attack in the Gulf of Aden alone – with 19 vessels hijacked. Some 40 ships are currently estimated to be under pirate control, together with 800 mariners held captive, many in appalling conditions. In addition to the devastating human cost of piracy, the financial cost to global trade is also huge, with estimates as high as US$12 billion a year.
Contacts

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Khaled Al Dhaheri

Government Communications & Media Department

Tel: 02-2222000

k_saeed@mofa.gov.ae

www.mofa.gov.ae



Natasha Bukhari

Global Corporate Communications Manager

DP World

Tel: +97156 6821699

Natasha.Bukhari@dpworld.com



Sanaa Maadad

Director, Media

Hasaad Communications

Tel: +97150 5522610

sana@hasaad.ae

UpToDate Provides Free Access to Its Medical Content to All Users in Japan


WALTHAM, Mass - Saturday, April 2nd 2011 [ME NewsWire]


(BUSINESS WIRE)--UpToDate, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announced today that it is providing free access to its online medical content to all users in Japan. This decision was made by the company immediately following the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country’s northeast coast. In addition, individuals and organizations worldwide now have free access to UpToDate’s radiation exposure resources. These include:

* Treatment of radiation injury in the adult
* Biology and clinical features of radiation injury in adults
* Management of radiation exposure in children following a nuclear disaster
* Clinical features of radiation injury in children

“UpToDate’s mission is to improve healthcare around the world. So it was an easy decision to allow free access to clinicians in Japan as they are dealing with these tragic events and trying to provide the best care they can for patients,” said Denise S. Basow, MD, President and Editor-in-Chief of UpToDate.

This move by UpToDate is part of a larger effort by Wolters Kluwer Health, which is currently providing free access to several of its other health information resources to Japanese hospitals and healthcare institutions. These include Ovid®, Fact & Comparisons® eAnswers, and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Some of these products, including UpToDate, were also made available in New Zealand following the Christchurch earthquake and in Haiti in 2010.

About UpToDate

UpToDate® is an evidence-based, physician-authored clinical decision support system available online via computer, smartphone, tablet or other web-enabled device. Covering more than 9,000 topics in 17 medical specialties, UpToDateprovides current, synthesized clinical information to answer clinicians’ questions quickly, increase clinical knowledge and improve patient care. UpToDate is relied on by more than 450,000 clinicians worldwide and almost 90% of academic medical centers in the US. The UpToDate global community includes more than 4,800 physician authors, editors and peer reviewers. Patients can also access UpToDate’s free patient information or subscribe to UpToDate for the same current in-depth medical content trusted by physicians.

UpToDate is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools, journals and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; and electronic information providers, such as Ovid®, UpToDate®, Medi-Span®, Facts & Comparisons®, Pharmacy OneSourceand ProVation® Medical.

Wolters Kluwer Health is part of Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company. Wolters Kluwer has 2010 annual revenues of €3.5 billion ($4.7 billion), employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Visit our website, YouTubeor follow @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitterfor more information about our customers, market positions, brands, and organization.
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UpToDate

Margaret Strojny, 781-392-2493

Director, Marketing Communications

mstrojny@uptodate.com