Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launches 'Wonder Bus' project

The launch was attended by Khalid A. bin Sulayem, Director General, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Saeed Al Munatafiq, Director General of DDIA ,Saeed Al Naboodah, General Coordinator of Dubai Shopping Festival and Abdulla Al Shamsi, Deputy Manager of Sales Department in Dubai Islamic Bank.

H.H Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, "The establishment aims to encourage young local entrepreneurs to come forward with original and innovative projects. The establishment is pleased to launch the Wonder Bus project that will set a precedent in this respect."

H.H also added, "There is fierce competition in the local market therefore it becomes vital that the project is creative to ensure success and growth. The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment urges young entrepreneurs to benefit from the services it offers and come up with new initiatives that can strengthen their position in the market."

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed pointed out that most of the projects supported by the establishment have an advantage over other projects in the market, such as this project which was supported and funded by the establishment.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment said, "The establishment offers all possible support services and programs to ensure the success and growth of the projects in diverse sectors. This is in line with the directions of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to encourage young UAE nationals to launch their own business initiatives."

The Wonder Bus Tourism Company organizes sight-seeing tours in a specially designed bus that can go from land to water. The special service is positioned to tap into the booming Dubai tourism market that attracts 5 million tourists every year and specifically to add depth to the leisure and entertainment sector that will appeal to both nationals and tourist visitors alike. The starting point for the tour is Burjuman Center, covering Dubai's major landmarks the bus goes from land to water for a joy-ride along the creekside.

Ali Hassan Al Salman, Chairman of the project thanked the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for its continued support both financially and in terms of providing training and consultancy.

Al Salman said, "The establishment has provided us with all the support we needed, especially H.H Shiekh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as he followed up on the progress of the company and helped us overcome the obstacles we were facing."

Khalid Abdul Rahman Al Shaheen, General Manager of the 'Wonder Bus' project said, "The 'Wonder Bus' project is a novel bus tour service that will take people on sightseeing trips around the city, both on land and on water by the Dubai Creek. The project is completely unique in nature and offers a special way of sightseeing around the city apart from the thrill of sliding from land to sea and vice-versa. There will be a guide onboard to point out the important landmarks and places of interest to the tourists."

The funding of the project is in co-operation with Dubai Islamic Bank, which offers support to establishment projects through a dedicated 700 million Dirhams fund. This fund provides access to capital at preferential terms for new entrepreneurs and existing small to medium size entrepreneurs (SMEs).