UAE | Heritage and Culture
Swiss celebrate national day with gift to UAE
Two buses will offer free services between Abu Dhabi and airportSwiss nationals living in the UAE celebrated their nation's 718 years of confederation by giving the UAE a gift symbolic of the Swiss lifestyle.
- By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:04 August 1, 2008
- Image Credit: Marten Youssed/Gulf News
- Shaikh Nahyan with Swiss Ambassador Bruelhart in one of the two new buses running between central Abu Dhabi and the airport.
Abu Dhabi: Swiss nationals living in the UAE celebrated their nation's 718 years of confederation by giving the UAE a gift symbolic of the Swiss lifestyle.
"To celebrate our National Day, our embassy, Switzerland Tourism, the Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Bus Department of Transportation are launching a purpose-built bus that will travel between central Abu Dhabi and the airport," Swiss Ambassador Wolfgang Bruelhart said.
The two buses will offer free trips for a month and are expected to create a greater interest in public transport tailored towards businessmen and women.
The Swiss confederation came into being on August 1, 1291.
"This is a great opportunity, because as you know in Switzerland we have all kinds of public transportation that reflect our love for nature," executive director of the Swiss Business Council of Abu Dhabi, Susanne Baumgartner, told Gulf News.
To commemorate the National Day, the two buses transported Swiss nationals along with Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to the residence of the Swiss Ambassador for a luncheon.
The Abu Dhabi celebration will be followed by a Dubai reception tonight in the Mövenpick Hotel in Bur Dubai.
The embassy, in collaboration with Hydra Properties, will also be introducing Hydra Open Air Cinema in the future. The outdoor cinema will be the first of its kind in the UAE. Plans for this project are still under way, embassy official says.
According to the embassy there are approximately 250 Swiss nationals living in Abu Dhabi and 1,000 throughout the emirates.
"This is a step forward in the growing relations between both countries and we hope this will encourage more Swiss people to visit the UAE and more people from the UAE to visit Switzerland," Baumgartner said.
Both Bruelhart and his wife Joy Bruelhart, have been campaigning against the use of plastic bags in the UAE.
Their efforts have been instrumental in the introduction of recyclable bags at several establishments.
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Latest news
- Competition for aspiring photographers
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
