Page 4 - Abu Dhabi

WTO fails on major reforms, extends digital tariff ban in Abu Dhabi meeting

On the 5th day of the ministerial meeting, most ministers had already gone home, although India's trade minister Piyush Goyal and European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis remained until the end

WTO issues new draft deals post all-night talks, some issues unresolved

A draft agriculture deal showed that a key reform sought by India on permitted government support levels for farmers was still not agreed, with two alternative solutions sitting side by side

WTO talks deadline extended again as ministers struggle to crack deals

The final gathering, pushed back for a second time, is now set for 2 p.m. Abu Dhabi time - past the original end of Thursday evening

Govt expresses concerns in WTO meet over unilateral protectionist measures

India on Monday expressed "serious" concerns in a WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi over increase in the use of trade protectionist measures by certain countries in the name of environment protection. The remarks assume significance as the country has earlier flagged issues over the European Union's (EU) decision to impose carbon tax (a kind of import tax) on sectors such as steel and fertiliser; and adoption of deforestation regulation by the 27-nation bloc. Speaking at a session on sustainable development and policy space for industrialisation, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said developing countries require flexibility in the existing WTO (World Trade Organization) agreements to overcome the constraints faced by them in their industrialisation. He also expressed concerns on the concerted attempt by the developed countries to club long-standing development issues like policy space for industrial development with new issues of 'Trade and Industrial policy'. The CBAM (Carbon Border ...

Global economy weighed down by war, uncertainty & instability: WTO chief

The head of the World Trade Organisation warned on Monday that war, uncertainty and instability are weighing down the global economy and urged the bloc to embrace reform as elections across nearly half the world's population could bring new challenges. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala sought to offer some praise for her organisation as it held its binneial meeting in the United Arab Emirates, even as it faces pressure from the United States and other nations. But she was blunt about the risks ahead, as higher prices for food, energy and other essentials sting people's pockets, fuelling political frustration. People everywhere are feeling anxious about the future and this will be felt at the ballot box this year, she said. None are perhaps more critical for the WTO than the US presidential election on November 5. Running again is former President Donald Trump, who threatened to withdraw the US from the WTO and repeatedly levied tariffs taxes on imported goods on perceived

WTO to open biennial meeting in United Arab Emirates as challenges loom

The World Trade Organisation will open its biennial meeting Monday in the United Arab Emirates as the bloc faces pressure from the United States and other nations ahead of a year of consequential elections around the globe. The WTO's 164 member nations will discuss a deal to ban subsidies that contribute to overfishing, extending a pause on taxes on digital media like movies and video games, and agricultural issues. But headwinds remain for the organisation and the world's economy, particularly as the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic remains uneven across nations. Meanwhile, there are more than 50 elections affecting half the planet's population planned for this year perhaps none more critical for the WTO than the US presidential election on November 5. Running again is former President Donald Trump, who threatened to withdraw the US from the WTO and repeatedly levied tariffs taxes on imported goods on perceived friends and foes alike. A Trump win could again roil global ..

'Not in dreamland': WTO aims for modest outcomes at Abu Dhabi meet

'Tough' politics complicate deal-making, says Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO chief

Abu Dhabi WTO meet: Parliamentary conference session issues final document

The document emphasises the role of parliamentarians in ratifying bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that enhance and oversee the facilitation of global trade in all industries

WTO ministerial: India's 'no' at Abu Dhabi summit may just mean 'not yet'

From the outside, it's easy to think of India as an undifferentiated mass of individuals with leaders who turn up in places such as Abu Dhabi to reject everything the rest of the world suggests

WTO ministerial: Agri reforms to e-com, India to stand ground on key issues

India has found support from a group of developing nations at the WTO, including Africa on this issue. However, developed countries view this as a subsidy for farmers and as a distortion to trade

India-UAE relations: How friendship between the two countries has flourished since 1971

Since 1971, India-UAE ties have deepened across political, economic, and cultural spheres, with the UAE hosting 3.5 million Indians. Watch our video to know more.

Integrating financial systems, we are partners in progress: PM Modi

Modi said India and UAE have inked an agreement interlinking their respective instant payment platforms that will make it easier for the Indian diaspora to remit money to their relatives in India

WATCH: PM Modi, UAE President introduce RuPay card in Abu Dhabi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-nation visit to the UAE and Qatar, beginning Tuesday. This is his seventh visit to the UAE since assuming the office in 2014

PM Modi to inaugurate Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple BAPS on 14 February

Prime Minister Modi is going to inaugurate the first Hindu temple BAPS Mandir, and meet the top leaders in the United Arab Emirates on the two-day visit

PM Modi flexes global muscle with Abu Dhabi visit, temple opening

The UAE and India have historically enjoyed close ties. A third of the Gulf country's population hails from India and Dubai counts Indians as among the top buyers of real estate in the city

PM Modi to inaugurate Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple on February 14

It would be the prime minister's seventh visit to the UAE since 2015, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday, announcing the trip

Mubadala, 2 other funds acquire 8% stake in Manipal Health Enterprises

Abu-Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company and two other funds have acquired a minority 8 per cent stake in Manipal Health Enterprises from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek. Mubadala Investment Company in a statement on Monday said that it is investing in Manipal Health Enterprises. Temasek will continue to hold a majority stake in Manipal, it added. In April last year, Temasek acquired an additional 41 per cent stake in Manipal for more than Rs 16,300 crore, taking its total shareholding to 59 per cent in one of the country's largest hospital chains. According to sources, Temasek has reduced its stake by 8 per cent in the hospital chain. Novo Holdings and California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) are the other new investors in Manipal Health Enterprises, according to a release by the hospital chain. "Given the ever-increasing demand for high-quality hospital care across India, we look forward to supporting Manipal's growth journey in the years ahead," Hea

CCI okays Manipal Health Enterprises stake sale to Abu Dhabi investment arm

Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday cleared Seventy Second Investment Company's proposed stake acquisition in Manipal Health Enterprises. The deal has been approved under the green channel route. Manipal Health Enterprises operates a network of hospitals providing multi-specialty care. It has a presence through 27 hospitals in 14 cities in the country. The combination relates to Seventy Second Investment Company proposal to acquire an equity stake in Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd, CCI said. Seventy Second Investment Company is an investment entity, wholly-owned by the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi and is incorporated in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. "The activities of the parties (including their affiliates) do not exhibit any horizontal, vertical, or complementary overlaps in any of the plausible relevant markets," the competition watchdog said in its notice. Therefore, the proposed combination is being

India exchange-traded fund debuts on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

S&P India Shariah Liquid 35/20 Capped Index has rallied nearly 20 per cent in the past one year in AED terms

Inauguration of Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi milestone for tolerance: UAE Amb

The inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi next month will be a monumental day to "celebrate tolerance and acceptance", the Ambassador of the UAE to India Abdulnasser Alshaali said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the temple on February 14. "We are looking forward to the inauguration on February 14 it's going to be a phenomenal monumental day, a special occasion to celebrate tolerance, acceptance, and to further strengthen this relationship," Ambassador Alshaali told PTI. Last month, Swami Ishwarcharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas extended the invitation on behalf of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir, and it has been accepted by PM Modi. The ambassador has also confirmed the grand diaspora gathering scheduled at the Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 13. The event is titled 'Ahlan Modi,' which translates to 'Hello Modi'. According to the UN's International Migration 2020 re