2006 Cost of Living Report launched at HR Forum Kershaw Leonard chose the KL HR Forum on 15th May to launch the 2006 Cost of Living Dubai report, once again ensuring that the report was released exactly on schedule. The theme for this HR Forum was out-sourcing, and featured presentations from Mark Van Der Ven of Sage Software and Robin Wells of Kingstar Insurance Agencies LLC, on the benefits of working with third-party outsourced providers in the field of HR Software and employee benefits administration, respectively. More than 35 HR professionals attended and all agreed that it was the most successful HR Forum to date. Previous Forums have covered the rising cost of living in Dubai, and the impact of office space/layout on the workplace. For more information, or to be invited to future Forums, contact Kershaw Leonard on 04-343460   CitySpace Gulf contribute to 2006 Cost of Living Report Leading office designers and workplace solutions provider CitySpace Gulf provided the Office Space chapter of the 2006 Cost of Living Report, with input from leading property consultancy Colliers International. CitySpace Gulf provide office layout and implentation solutions for some of the region's leading employers   2005 Report proved accurate Many of the research findings from the 2005 report, which pointed to an overall rise in the living costs in Dubai in the region of between 20-25% for the period 2004-2005, have been proved accurate by independent research by financial institutions in the UAE. Economists at the Standard Chartered Bank, EFG Hermes and National Bank of Dubai all estimated the inflation rate over the period to be much higher than official estimates. The 2005 report also proved in accurate in predicting future rises - a few months later, the retail price of petrol at the pumps was increased by 32%   Kershaw Leonard to open in Doha Kershaw Leonard recruitment consultancy continues its expansion with their plans to open a branch office in Doha approaching completion. This will provide additional value to many of the company's existing customers, typically multi-nationals with offices around the region who face real difficulties in finding and placing candidates in the fast-paced new economy of Qatar. For more updates, check with Kershaw Leonard's Dubai office on 04-3434606     Report editor becomes best-selling author One of the creators and managing editor of the Cost of Living Reports, Robin Wells, also wrote the 2004 regional best-seller The Expat's Guide to Managing your Money. The book's first edition has sold out and is now going to second edition. For more information, visit the publishers website www.booksarabia.com [ Top]