The Pakistani government said Thursday that the United Arab Emirates committed to investing up to $10 billion in Pakistan during a meeting in the UAE capital between that country's president and the Pakistani prime minister. The office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the commitment during a meeting in Abu Dhabi with Sharif, who is visiting the UAE. It provided few details. The statement said Sharif told the UAE president about measures the Pakistani government is taking to encourage foreign investment, and that the UAE president committed to investing $10 billion in various sectors in Pakistan. Sharif also invited the UAE president to visit Pakistan, an offer which he accepted, the statement said.
US officials have said that AI systems could pose national security risks, for example by making it easier to engineer chemical, biological and nuclear weapons
The demand for skilled blue-collar workers from India has gone up by 25 per cent in the UAE during May 2023-April 2024, compared to the same period of the previous year, especially in sectors including technology, healthcare, construction, among others, a report said on Tuesday. According to a report by blue-collar worker marketplace Huntr, the demand for skilled blue-collar workers from India has surged by 25 per cent during May 2023-April 2024, as compared to the same period of the previous year. In terms of job roles, the demand for electricians, plumbers and technicians has grown at a rate of around 20-25 per cent over the past year, it added. However, the demand for non-skilled workers has seen a more modest increase of approximately 10-15 per cent leading to a decline in the migration of non-skilled workforce by around 10 per cent, it noted. The report by Huntr is based on quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews with 1,00,000 blue workers enrolled on the platform fro
The first inter-ministerial delegation from India held meetings from May 15-17 under the Intergovernmental Framework Agreement between the two countries concerning cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).According to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi press release, the IMEEC will provide effective alternate supply routes generating efficiencies and reducing costs. Indian Ambassador to UAE Sunjay Sudhir led the discussions with key entities like DP World UAE, AD Ports Group and UAE's Federal Customs Authority."The Indian delegation comprised of senior officials from Ministry of Shipping, Ports & Waterways, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Central Board of Excise and Customs and Deendayal Upadhyay Port, Kandla," the press release stated."They visited Khalifa Port, Fujairah Port and Jebel Ali Port where they held detailed discussions with the respective Port authorities for facilitating the movement of goods between ...
To establish Abu Dhabi as a premier wedding destination, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) has announced an initiative to extend visa support to Indian nationals hosting weddings across the Emirate. The ADCEB, which is a part of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, is undertaking this initiative to establish the UAE capital as a premier wedding destination, a statement released here said. The recently announced new visa initiative contributes to Abu Dhabi's tourism strategy 2030, which aims to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million by 2030. The destination wedding segment is among the newest verticals to join the ADCEB as part of an overarching objective to attract domestic and international visitors and increase the sector's contribution to the GDP to AED 90 billion as per the 2030 strategy, the statement said. India is recognised as one of the largest markets for destination weddings globally, making it a key target market for Abu Dhabi. By extend
The GCC Grand Tours visa is designed to attract a higher number of tourists by simplifying the process of visiting multiple countries in the region, similar to the European Union's Schengen visa
Dubai's MeT department has issued an orange alert for Friday; educational institutions asked to shift to online classes, while companies directed to allow work from home for their employees
The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates has emerged as a resounding success story, solidifying the long-standing economic ties between the two sides, UAE ambassador Abdulnasser Alshaali said on Wednesday. The envoy said there has been a remarkable growth in bilateral trade between the two countries after inking of the mega trade pact. "The UAE-India CEPA has emerged as a resounding success story, solidifying our nations' long-standing economic ties and ushering in a new era of prosperity," Alshaali said. "Over the past two years, we have witnessed remarkable growth in bilateral trade, a testament to the immense potential that exists when our complementary strengths are harnessed effectively," he said. The ambassador was speaking at an event in Mumbai that was hosted to mark the second anniversary of the coming into force of the CEPA. "The CEPA has not only opened new avenues for businesses to benefit from the bilateral ...
India and UAE trade has increased 15 per cent since the implementation of the free trade agreement in May 2022 and the two countries are on track to surpass the target of USD 100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030, CEPA Council Director Ahmed Aljneibi said on Wednesday. The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) was launched on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January. The two countries implemented the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022. Aljneibi said the UAE-India trading relationship has grown rapidly since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). "The bilateral trade has increased almost 15 per cent since the CEPA entered into force on 1 May 2022. Our two countries are on track to far surpass the goal of achieving USD 100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030," he said. Aljneibi was speaking at a business roundtable meet in Jaipur. Rajasthan-based enterprises from diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, gems and ...
Dubai International Airport has temporarily limited the number of inbound flights due to unprecedented weather conditions
India's consulate here has launched helpline numbers for Indians and stranded passengers affected by unprecedented heavy rains pounded the city and the northern Emirate of the UAE. Heavy rains swept through the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries on Tuesday, affecting normal life. The tarmac of the busy Dubai International Airport was left submerged, leading to the cancellation of flights. In a post on X, India's consulate mentioned the helpline numbers through which the Indian community can seek help for their issues following extreme weather conditions. According to the consulate, +971501205172, +971569950590, +971507347676, and +971585754213 were available for weather-related emergencies. The Consulate also said it is in touch with UAE authorities and the airlines to facilitate stranded passengers. Regular updates from airlines are being conveyed to travellers, and relief measures have been extended in association with Indian community organisations, the Indian Consu
Hit by unprecedented rainfall, Dubai International Airport warns people not come to airport unless 'absolutely necessary'
G42 had divested its investments in China and began the lengthy task of pulling out Chinese hardware amid US concerns over its relationship with Chinese businesses
Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel and the home of the long-haul carrier Emirates. Police and emergency personnel drove slowly through the flooded streets, their emergency lights flashing across the darkened morning. Lightning flashed across the sky, occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the
Directorate General of Foreign Trade says India has approved 79,160 tonnes of onions for export, overriding a ban imposed in December
The UAE called for exercising the utmost restraint in order to avoid serious repercussions, and the region being pulled into new levels of instability
More and more Indians are looking for solo travelling to countries like the UAE, Egypt, Singapore and Vietnam, a report said on Tuesday. Solo travellers represented about 65 per cent of visa applications for the UAE, 60 per cent for Egypt, 40 per cent for Singapore and 45 per cent for Vietnam, according to a report by online platform for visa applications Atlys. The report is based on visa applications submitted for processing for travelling during summer this year on Atlys platform. Atlys is a mobile visa application app that has e-visa mandate for over 133 countries. When it came to group tours, around 20 per cent of visa applications for such trips were for the UAE, 30 per cent for Egypt, 25 per cent for Singapore, and 20 per cent for Vietnam, it added. The report further found that men dominated the visa application scene, with 77 per cent applying for the UAE, and 71 per cent for Singapore. Meanwhile, 30 per cent of women travellers applied for Singapore visas and 25 per cen
With women-friendly policies in the UAE, the number of women workers from India to MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries, especially in the hospitality and construction sectors, are expected to witness a growth of over 71 per cent, blue-collar worker marketplace Huntr's senior executive said. "There has been a 23 per cent growth in demand for women migrants in 2023 in the MENA's hospitality and construction industries compared to the previous year. With more and more women-friendly policies like removal of restrictions during night hours, the demand is likely to surge 71.42 per cent in next 2-3 years," Huntr CEO Samuel Joy told PTI. The report by Huntr is based on a mixed-method combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews analysing a sample size of 1,00,000 blue-collar workers enrolled on the platform. Currently, 35 lakh women from India are working in the Middle East, which is expected to reach 60 lakh in next 2-3 years, in line with the growing demand, he ..
Fintech firm PhonePe App users travelling to the UAE can now make payments using UPI at Mashreq's NEOPAY Terminals, the Walmart group digital payments firm said on Thursday. The transactions will be facilitated by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The account debit will occur in Indian rupee, showing the currency exchange rate, PhonePe said in a statement. NEOPAY Terminals is available across a wide array of retail stores, dining outlets, as well as tourist and leisure attractions. "With this partnership, customers can now conveniently transact through UPI, a payment method they are familiar with. Enabling digital payments not only reflects PhonePe's commitment to convenience but also embraces the evolving needs of today's travellers," PhonePe CEO for International Payments, Ritesh Pai said. The collaboration is facilitated through Mashreq's partnership with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). Through this partnership, Mashreq has enabled NEOPAY Terminals to accept UPI
The government has allowed Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) to export crude oil it has stored in underground strategic storages at Mangalore to give operational flexibility to the foreign firm, an order of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Saturday. At present, crude oil, which is the raw material for producing fuels like petrol and diesel, is not allowed to be exported except through the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). In an order, the ministry said the condition of export being allowed only through IOC will continue, but "AMI (Adnoc Marketing International (India) RSC Limited India) is exempted from STE conditions and is allowed to re-export crude oil from their commercial stockpile at Mangalore strategic petroleum reserve, at their own cost". India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imports over 85 per cent of its oil needs and has built strategic storages at three locations to store up to 5.33 million tonnes of oil as insurance ...