UAE Driver License - Elusive Quest

I wrote this article to share my quest for an elusive UAE driver license.  It took me five years before I finally got it.  I need to fly to America and get  US driver license before I managed to get Dubai driver license.  I would say that getting Dubai driver license is like finding a hundred gram of gold (the only thing, it may only be 9 carat, lol).  Why is it difficult to get the license?  How come that experienced drivers from their home countries didn't pass the RTA test?

As I went through my ordeal, I found a factor that affect the performance of the passing rate.  It was communication, the language barrier.  The instructors from different countries (mostly Pakistani's) have difficulty in English to give clearer instructions.  Often, they cannot express in deep sense what are the do's and don'ts in driving.  I am not underestimating the ability of the instructors but it's really difficult to have a good command in English if it's not your first language.  I would say that the communication barrier affects the transfer of right information from the instructor to the students.  That's what I observed when I took my pre-final test.  Since my instructor was Sri Lankan, he has difficulty of English and my mistakes was not corrected in the way that would have been done.  Since I knew that, I asked him and that's only the time that the fatal errors were clarified.

With my US driver license I did not go through the same process that others do.  I went through a direct test in which I paid $700 more or less, instead of the usual fees.  The direct test will test your ability on theoretical exams that covers road safety, signal, risk, etc. and the actual road test.  I took the road test and passed with confidence, at last I got my elusive (Dubai) driver license.  I could drive now in UAE.

Here are the tips.
Ask the instructor if you do not know the rule
Do not hesitate to open up your ideas and beliefs
Do not be ashamed or shy, remember you are a student
Be humble enough to accept your mistakes
Take note of the right of way, when to give way and when to pass
Be patient and calm during the road training
Determined to pass as the fees will accummulate if you keep on failing
Do not quit, if others can, you can do it too

Licences Recognized by the UAE.  The holder must be passport holder and citizen thereof.
GCC Countries - Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar
European Countries - Austria, Belgium, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, Norway, Netherlands, Itlaly, UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Finland, Portugal
African States - South Africa
American States - USA
Asia and Australia - NZ, Hongkong, Australia
Canada, Turkey Greece - countries or states to present translation (of license) from their embassy or consulate.
Singapore - require passing the theory tests before license exchange.

Holder of US and Europe driver license but not citizens are required to pass theory test and road test.  However, they are not required to attend 20-40 classes of road training tests.  They need to pass the Direct Test conducted by the RTA.

BHI aka Boulevard Holdings - Stock Market Philippinnes

Part of being a trader is riding with the trends on speculations.  But, for beginners it is highly risky, it may sucked your money instantly or may give you some fortune.  We want to win, we want to make money, we play to win.  That's all what we wanted.

I admit that I play some risky issues like BHI but with limitations and carefulness.  BHI have been in the spotlight with heavy volume last week but reverses immediately and may possibly left many small time hunters in the air.  Here we go.

The chart.

Looking at the chart MACD still on the positive but volume is becoming thinner for the last six trading days.  Though I admit that I play the stock but fortunately I released again at cost.  I do not see a bright future for BHI, that's only my opinion, I would rather buy more for SLI trading below par.  Who knows, good news will come.

What are the other factors we need to look into?  NO foreign fund enters BHI if there are any, it maybe nil.  Who are  players and keep on playing?  Last six days top ten (BUY and SELL)

Stop, look and listen.  The top ten players speculated and played the stocks.  You will be happy if you bought the issue below .14, Congrats, you maybe celebrating your great adventure.  Only BDO did not release their holding, COL in and out, with TOWER and BERNARD.  The euphoria dissipates past because of the blue chips bounce back.

If you want to play, be familiar with the rules, you cannot beat them, I'm sure of that.  Do not join them unless your appetite is risk.

Bargain Hunting - Philippine Stock Market

For the last few days, I noted that traders seems so cautious.  Most are waiting for the correct entry for selected issues.  With the foreign fund exodus, local traders stay alight and waiting for catalyst to move back.  Today profit taking was noted plus the uncertainty in Syria.  Do we need to avoid the market during this time?  It depends on your risk appetite, if you are risk player you may take it as an opportunity to BUY at cheaper price and accumulate.  Patience is the key here, you need to wait and set your investment horizon.

I will feature two issues as model which I believe cheap and have a big potential to earn.

SMC - San Miguel Corporation (see the chart)

  While we know the strength of the conglomerate and its diversified portfolio, the stock has started to hit the bottom.  From high of 120 in May now it's down to 73.90, I believe its lowest since 2012.  The stock is consolidating at the support level of 73-75, I am not sure if the support will be sustained.  At the current price of 73-76, I believe it's safe to enter.

Another promising pick is CPG - Century Properties Group.  (see the chart)

I have been monitoring the movement of CPG since the correction waves, from high of 2.44 the stock  dipped to 1.08.  Despite the good performance of it's core business, and the net income grew by 11.9% as compared to the 1st half of 2012 (1,056 vs 944).  Price earning ratio of 6.40 is way below the 10% plus PE ratio of its peers excluding ALI and RLC.  From the chart, I can see an immediate bullish formation that may try the 1.40 level, then 1.60 and may possibly reach my target of 1.75, hopefully.

Cheers and happy trading.

Stock Investing Philippines - Best Picks

Today's trading day was awaited by many investors.  The index ended flat, though it show strength at the early trade.  It doesn't manage to breach the 6,100 barrier, psychological fear was on the air  heavy sell  at run-off.  The index down by .22% despite the very impressive performance of Nikkei and Hangseng.

SM regained it's momentum back to a comfortable zone of 700, BDO, SMPH, TEL were the favorite picks for the day.  The Ayala stocks may not be the favorite for the day but I believe that AC, BPI, ALI were safe.  I look at the best picks to add in my portfolio like CPG, TA, EDC, BDO.  The buyback program of CPG may bolster the stock price temporarily, I noted foreign buying of CPG and the chart shows strong supportt at 1.10-1.15.  I bought some today for CPG and look forward for tomorrow's trade to add more if ever the stock will sink further.  BEL also dipped and may lose the 4.50 immediate support ground, though, I have shares of BEL I still wanted to lower down my cost through averaging.  I waited for EDC to swing but the stock was traded sideways.  I bet for 5.60 but it does not go down to that level.  I think the Lopez stocks are safe, FPH, FGEN and EDC.  My top pick for tomorrow trade.

EDC
MPI
CPG
AC
BDO
BPI
TA

You may consider GTCAP and LTG.

I am so sad with my GMA7 that was in my basket for more than a year but I cannot sell with heavy loss.  Anyway, GMA7 is one of the best managed company with no long term debts.  Dividends pay-off is guarateed.