Shopie Georgiou

    Economists agree that the Abraham Accords will lead to a substantial increase in trade between Israel and the  UAE “Some of the MOUs [memorandum of understanding, or outline agreements] signed [between the two countries] include those in agriculture, clean energy, cybersecurity and smart cities,” says Ms Sharma. “A free trade agreement was also signed between the two countries in early 2022 that has led to the removal of tariffs on 96% of goods traded between the nations.” Israel is already said to have broken records in arms sales following the Abraham Accords. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, arms sales in 2021 peaked at $11.3bn, with 7% of those going to the UAE and Bahrain.

    UAE  has succeeded in enhancing its position on the global tourism map, to become one of the most important global tourist destinations, after it came among the top ten globally in a number of global competitiveness indicators related to the tourism, travel and hotel sector, to reflect the increasing confidence in the national tourism sector and the pioneering reputation achieved by Bee’ah. Tourism in the country, whether at the level of domestic tourism or by international tourists and visitors Also UAE ranked second globally in the index of the ability to walk around at night safely issued by the Legatim Institute in the Prosperity Index report for the year 2021, and the same rank in the same index in the Travel and Tourism Development Report for the year 2021, issued by the World Economic Forum

  In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, flights from the country to both Red Sea cities were halted in March, a hiatus that hit Egypt's economy hard since the two warring countries account for about 30 per cent of its incoming tourists every year. According to Aeroflot’s online booking system, there will be a daily flight to Sharm El Sheikh and another to Hurghada starting on October 1. Although Cairo-bound flights from the Russian city of Sochi were allowed to resume in April, as per Russian state media, there was a marked drop in the number of incoming Russian and Ukrainian tourists this year compared to last, a July statement from Egypt’ s Cabinet said. In February, Russia’s ambassador to Egypt issued a statement that 125,000 tourists from his country had visited various Egyptian cities in the first two weeks of 2022, a number which had made Egypt’s tourism sector hopeful that it would find a much-needed respite from the tourism dry spell the country went through in 2020 ...

  Somalia is one of the countries in the Horn of Africa most affected by the drought is facing is the worst in decades in this    UAE, through its humanitarian bodies and in cooperation with the Somali Disaster Management Authority (SoDMA) and other authorities, continues to distribute aid to the local population and displaced people in areas most affected by the drought, including Mahas and Mataban regions in Hiran Governorate, Hirshabelle State. This aid is part of efforts to distribute over 1,000 tonnes of relief supplies to the Somali people. It arrived on an Emirati aid ship to the port of Mogadishu to help meet the needs of approximately 2.5 million people affected by drought. Food and relief supplies have been distributed to more than 1,330 displaced and affected families in the Bal'ad District in Hirshabelle State, more than 400 families in the city of Hudur, and 470 families in Baidoa, the capital of the southwestern region of Somalia. This aid is part of a plan...

    “I used to go from tent to tent and talk with anyone who felt education was not important to encourage them to attend school,” says Muzoon. She and her family fled their home in southern Syria in 2013, two years after the outbreak of the revolt against five decades of Assad family rule. They settled in Zaatari, the largest of Jordan’s two Syrian refugee camps. Both are situated in desert terrain in northern Jordan, near the border with Syria. Last month, Muzoon returned to Zaatari, as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund, for the first time since she left Jordan with her family in 2015 for Britain, where they had obtained asylum.

  On the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York — touched on ways to further develop joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common interest. During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the UAE ’s support for the Presidential Leadership Council and its sincere national efforts to achieve security and stability throughout the Yemeni territories, and to meet the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people for development, progress and prosperity. His Highness commended the well-established historical and brotherly relations between the UAE and the sisterly Republic of Yemen, stressing the UAE’s firm commitment to support the Yemeni people at various levels. For his part, Dr. Al-Alimi valued the UAE’s continued support for the Yemeni people, stressing the strong historical and brotherly relations that bring together the two brotherly countries. The meeting was attended by Re...

    The $1.24 billion, state-of-the-art rail network that opened in July has had problems attracting passengers, chiefly because the suburban east Cairo communities it links with the rest of the city and the new capital farther out in the desert are sparsely populated. The government says it is merely a matter of time before business picks up and the project is validated. However, a recent rumour that the network was suspended because it was running at a loss has fuelled criticism of the government’s spending priorities, placing the transport project at the centre of a politically sensitive debate on economic policy. The criticism has quickly gained traction given the dire economic situation in which the country found itself after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war and the preceding coronavirus pandemic.

    During the meeting, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, underscored the strength of the UAE’s relationship with China, which is the GCC’s primary trading partner and the UAE ’s largest trading partner. The value of non-oil trade between the UAE and China exceeded US$ 60 billion in 2021. Also emphasized that the UAE looks forward to “elevating trade exchange and cooperation in important areas such as energy, technology, and culture while enriching discussions on these issues during the joint summit between the GCC and China.” He also praised China’s effective role on the Security Council and its contributions to maintaining international peace and security. “We value the spirit of constructive cooperation and consensus between our two countries in various files, especially Arab issues, and we look forward to continuing this cooperation during the UAE’s membership on the Council,” Al Marar said. Moreover, he thanked China for condemning the attacks by the terrorist ...

    As Chancellor Olaf Scholz planned to visit UAE to discuss energy needs, Germany stepped up projects for LNG gas imports and was expected to sign contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG) during his visit The gas offering is slowly broadening,” he said. Habeck was touring Lubmin, where the construction of one of Germany’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals was set to start. The construction is part of a plan to stop the country’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels in the wake of the war in Ukraine. “We must show that, in times like these, we can plan, authorize and build faster than is usually the case in Germany,” Habeck said of the construction drive.

  Dubai-based FinTech start-up Verity has rolled out a family banking and financial literacy app that aims to provide children aged 8 to 18 with the tools they need to earn, save, give to charity and spend responsibly in a real-life environment. The platform helps to build a  foundation of money management skills  and allows parents to control the overall family account, Verity’s founders said on Monday. “We’re witnessing a real digital transformation here in the region and financial services are taking the lead, with 69 per cent of Mena transactions expected to be cashless by 2023,” said Dina Shoman, co-founder of Verity.

  Employers in the UAE plan to increase salaries by an average of 4.4 per cent in 2023 and are considering benefits such as retention bonuses in an effort to retain employees and attract talent amid a tight labour market, according to a report by global advisory company WTW. Companies are currently revising budgets for salary increases next year, with 35 per cent of those surveyed citing a higher wage budget than previously projected and 38 per cent saying they are reviewing salaries more often now. Compensation packages are also under review, with companies planning to offer benefits including one-off cash payments such as a retention bonus or lump-sum payment, a higher base salary increase for all employees or more frequent salary increase adjustments, it added.

    The historic signing of the Abraham Accords presented “promising prospects” for building ties between the UAE and Israel, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, said on Thursday. The remarks came as Sheikh Abdullah visited Israel to mark the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords that were signed in Washington. Sheikh Abdullah met Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Yair Lapid during Thursday’s trip. During their meeting, Mr Herzog received an official invitation from President Sheikh Mohamed to attend the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue, which will be organised by the Emirates Space Agency in the capital Abu Dhabi in December this year.

    Pakistan has deeply impacted the economic and social well-being of the already struggling country, the losses, by all means,are now being termed as a global call for help. In this time of distress, once again we see UAE at the forefront with its undying humanitarian and brotherly spirit for Pakistan under its initiative “We Stand Together” which is an unmatchable union of hundreds of volunteers from the seven emirates. “We Stand Together” realizes very well how hunger aggravates violence in times like these therefore through its volunteers it successfully supplied 12 tonnes of food which had a breakdown of 30,000 food kits. Alongside food, health and general hygiene items have also been collected and supplied.

  UAE efforts to provide urgent relief assistance to Pakistan The “We Stand Together” initiative is led by humanitarian and charitable organizations in the country and calls upon the public to show solidarity with affected Pakistani families. The Emirates Red Crescent Authority, Dubai Cares, and Sharjah Charity Association invite volunteers to register to participate in the initiative at Volunteers.ae. 

    UAE has been among one of the first countries to provide emergency support to the affected people and the relief kits will be delivered to Pakistan on an urgent basis. The community volunteering event saw citizens and residents of all ages and nationalities gather at three locations across the country including Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), Expo City Dubai and Expo Center Sharjah, and pack the relief kits in four hours, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. The “We Stand Together” initiative was launched by Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Dubai Cares and Sharjah Charity International in close coordination with the UAE Ministry of Community Development (MoCD) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) in the UAE, with the support of nine other UAE humanitarian organizations including Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, The Big Heart Foundation, Dar Al Ber, Inte...

    UAE launched the “We Stand Together” volunteering initiative, which aims to assemble urgent relief kits for families affected by the devastating torrential monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan. The community event, which is part of UAE efforts to provide urgent relief assistance to Pakistan, will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) — South Hall at Expo City in Dubai, and Expo Center in Sharjah. The “We Stand Together” initiative is led by humanitarian and charitable organizations in the country and calls upon the public to show solidarity with affected Pakistani families. The Emirates Red Crescent Authority, Dubai Cares, and Sharjah Charity Association invite volunteers to register to participate in the initiative at Volunteers.ae. https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2022/9/5/05-09-2022-uae-pakistan

    UAE launched the “We Stand Together” volunteering initiative, which aims to assemble urgent relief kits for families affected by the devastating torrential monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan. The community event, which is part of UAE efforts to provide urgent relief assistance to Pakistan, will take place on Saturday, 10th September, 2022, from 09:00 to 13:00, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) — South Hall at Expo City in Dubai, and Expo Centre in Sharjah.​ The “We Stand Together” initiative is led by humanitarian and charitable organizations in the country and calls upon the public to show solidarity with affected Pakistani families. The Emirates Red Crescent Authority, Dubai Cares, and Sharjah Charity Association invite volunteers to register to participate in the initiative at Volunteers.ae.

  Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, a minister of the United Arab Emirates has announced a relief assistance of $10 million for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-stricken people of Pakistan. This is the biggest ever donation made so far at the individual level made for the flood survivors of the country, a PM Office press release said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the UAE minister for the generous donation for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit population. “This manifests your deep love for the people of Pakistan and sympathy for the suffering humanity,” the prime minister said in his message to Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. He said that the people of Pakistan would never forget this brotherhood as it would greatly help the country in relief and rehabilitation of the affected people.

  United Arab Emirates-based Optasia plans to grow its financial-services business in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America in the next three years The company already operates in more than 40 nations, offering services such as airtime, data, real-time credit scoring, and micro-loans. It’s now considering expanding to Malaysia, Thailand, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, founder and Chief Executive Officer Bassim Haidar said in an interview. Founded in 2012, Dubai-based Optasia, formerly Channel VAS, is valued at more than $1 billion and backed by investors Ethos Capital Partners LLP, Development Partners International LLP and Waha Capital PJSC.

  UAE’s collective commitment to supporting the people of Pakistan during the ongoing crisis, more local humanitarian organisations from across the country have joined the “We Stand Together” initiative that aims to pack and deliver thousands of emergency relief kits to women and children affected by the disaster. This initiative reflects the solidarity of the UAE leadership and people with those affected by the torrential rains and floods in Pakistan and reinforces its leading role in reducing the humanitarian repercussions of natural disasters on the lives of victims and affected people.” “There is no doubt that the scale of the disaster that has swept Pakistan is large and caused heavy losses in lives and properties, which is why the UAE has strongly intervened since the beginning of the crisis and its relief teams were among the first to reach the most affected areas despite logistical challenges caused by the disaster on the ground,” he added. Al Junaibi said that the ERC will...

  Emirati aid aircraft was received by Dr. Ahmed Ali Qalam, Representative of the Ministry of Social Development of Sudan, along with members of the UAE Embassy in Khartoum and the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) team. The humanitarian aid is being dispatched under the framework of the historical and deep-rooted ties between the two countries, as well as the UAE’s policy and humanitarian mission to help communities around the world through relief and humanitarian aid projects that support their recovery and developmental efforts, he added. Dr. Qalam said that the aid sent on the fourth aircraft will be distributed across affected areas in Sudan. This humanitarian aid is further proof that the UAE cares deeply about Sudan, he added, stressing that the UAE has always been the first to come to the aid of the Sudanese people.

  A cargo including 30 tonnes of shelter materials and several other  essential  items arrived at Khartoum International Airport on Friday, August 2. The staff from the UAE embassy in Khartoum, the UAE Red Crescent team and Dr Ahmed Ali Qalam from Sudan’s Ministry of Social Development were at the airport to meet the flight. The aid was in line with the humanitarian vision of the UAE to help people in need, said the authorities. The UAE ambassador to Sudan, Hamad Al Junaibi, stated, “This humanitarian aid comes within the framework of the historical ties linking the UAE with Sudan, and also falls within the framework of the UAE’s policy and its humanitarian mission to support impacted communities around the world via relief and humanitarian projects to help communities in need.”

  Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan convey sincere gratitude to leadership and people of UAE for providing much needed humanitarian assistance for floods/torrential-rains affectees During the conversation, Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the UAE’s solidarity with Pakistan in facing the repercussions of floods and torrential rains witnessed by several Pakistani provinces, expressing his sincere condolences over the victims and his wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured. He also underscored the strong UAE-Pakistan relations, praying to Allah Almighty to preserve Pakistan and its people, and perpetuate their stability, prosperity, and progress.

  Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) field teams have established three new shelter camps in the affected villages in the River Nile State, and are supervising the evacuation and sheltering of local residents, according to the highest safety and security standards. A camp was established in the village of Al Fahlab comprising over 50 tents, as well as another camp with over 75 tents in Abu Khsous and one in Al Masid, with a total of 200 tents housing over 1,000 people. The residents of affected villages welcomed the ERC delegation, affirming the Emirati aid will help ease their suffering. Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, Head of the ERC Delegation in Sudan, said the ERC’s field teams are cooperating with Sudanese authorities to mitigate the repercussions of the humanitarian crisis in the country. “The humanitarian efforts are continuing and the ERC is always assessing the situation,” he said. The ERC is also supervising the distribution of humanitarian...

  Under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the supervision of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the aid was sent to support families affected in the floods. The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation also sent Sudan 30 tons of aid — which included 15 tons of essential food and medical supplies — to the states of River Nile, Gezira, White Nile, West Kordofan, South Darfur, and Kassala.