You have reported that poorly trained pest-control staff and the use of ineffective chemicals are failing to rid residents' homes of insects and other vermin (Untrained pest-control staff 'putting lives of Abu Dhabi residents at risk', May 19). My question is this: why are they getting the job if they are not qualified?
Jacqueline Craig, Abu Dhabi
Hijab issue is not so simple
I disagree with Faisal Al Yafai's opinion that the American man, Gill Parker Payne, dislikes the hijab so muchthat he turned violent (Hatred of the hijab is part of a broader anger against women, May 18).
He wanted her to blend in with other American women. If she had been wearing a hoodie or a cowboy hat, he wouldn’t have touched her at all. No way was it sexual assault, it was about him trying to hide her religious symbolism.
Lisa Kereliuk, Duabai
Although I agree with some observations in the column, in my opinion the writer has oversimplified the issue of why (some) westerners object to women wearing the hijab. Indeed, while its forceful removal is a sexist and violent act that I would never condone, but let’s consider the possibility (not raised by Faisal Al Yafai in the column) that the hijab perpetuates sexual stereotypes, inequality and paternalism.
While it’s true that “the male gaze” in any society, and particularly in the western media, contributes to the objectification of women, hiding one’s “crowning beauty” as a way of repelling that gaze may not be the proper reaction.
This is especially defensible, I think, if – as is sometimes the case – wearing the hijab is not always a choice made by women but is ordained by husbands and fathers. And aren’t we absolving men of the responsibility for controlling their own thoughts and actions by requiring the object of sexual curiosity to cover, or making her feel naked and/or exposed when uncovered?
We should teach our daughters to be modest, yes, but also teach our sons to be respectful and responsible. Lastly, I believe I would have fewer reservations about the hijab/ abaya/ niqab wearing if males were also required to cover in a comparable fashion, or women were able to alternatively wear these items (or not) as national dress – as we see men doing here in this country – rather than as protective covering.
Name withheld by request
More worries on health cover
There have been many instances where I've been sent for unnecessary tests because I have an insurance plan that covers it (Residents run for cover as health insurance policies shrink in the Gulf, May 16). Doctors no longer care about time and money their patients spend. And now with mandatory insurance, they are flying even higher.
Sangeetha Bhaskaran, India
Companies are indiscriminately reducing the insurance cover for their employees, including those who need to travel overseas frequently as part of their job. In fact, more needs to be done to monitor healthcare providers and prevent doctors from overprescribing, which hurts insurance providers.
Shameena Amer, Abu Dhabi
X-Men can’t be so so bad
I haven't yet watched X-Men, but it can't be as awful as Batman v Superman: (X-Men: Apocalypse is unconvincing and riddled with clichés, April 19). I suspect the reviewer is just getting on the bash-a-superhero-movie bandwagon.
Jeffrey Martin, Dubai
Bikers must use protective gear
I am glad that Fareed Al Hammadi is OK, thanks to the swift actions of Dr Talal Mouzaek (Dedicated doctor’s roadside aid saves Emirati injured in motorcycle accident, May 19), but I can’t help but think that it should be compulsory for all motorbike riders to wear full protective clothing. Riding in shorts and a vest is plain dumb. A high-powered bike should always be ridden with the protective gear – helmet, gloves and full leather suit.
Vijay Ramburuth, Dubai
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pakistan squad
Sarfraz (c), Zaman, Imam, Masood, Azam, Malik, Asif, Sohail, Shadab, Nawaz, Ashraf, Hasan, Amir, Junaid, Shinwari and Afridi
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.