Saboor Ash's Blog

  The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a global leader in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking According to Brigadier General Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi Director General of the Federal Anti Narcotics General Directorate at the Ministry of Interior the UAE  National Anti Narcotics Charter and its integrated system of partners and relevant entities under the UAE Anti Narcotic Council have been instrumental in this endeavor. The UAE commitment to drug control is evident in its various initiatives and programs The Siraj National Anti Drug Programme for instance has contributed to creating safer communities Additionally the Mukafih  service which offers confidential consultations via a toll free number empowers parents to detect drug use and early addiction cases within their families. The UAE success in curbing drug smuggling and trafficking is attributed to its capable and qualified system as well as its regional and international cooperation with counterpart agencies ac

  The foreign ministers of the UAE and Syria met in Abu Dhabi to discuss working together more Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the UAE foreign minister hosted Faisal Mekdad Syria foreign minister for a dinner meeting.   They talked about strengthening cooperation between the two countries in different areas like development This could be useful for both nations The UAE foreign minister said the UAE and Syria have long standing friendly relations They want to encourage cooperation more. The ministers also exchanged views on important issues happening in the Middle East region and around the world. They stressed the importance of Arab countries working together to promote more stability and development for their people.  Other officials present at the meeting included the UAE's Minister of State and ambassador to Syria. The discussion shows the UAE's commitment to better relations with Syria. Increased cooperation could open opportunities between the two countries in various

  The UAE is benefiting from the forward thinking approach of its visionary leaders Over the years they have implemented long term strategies to transform the nation.  Under the guidance of the UAE leadership the country has made huge strides in many sectors like energy infrastructure and economy It has rapidly diversified away from an oil based system The leaders recognized the need for a sustainable economic model early on. The leadership vision helped attract major investments and global talent to the UAE. As a result the UAE today is a leading business and financial hub It provides a stable environment for innovative industries The leaders ensure regulations support new sectors like renewable energy. Because of their progressive policies the UAE is now less dependent on oil revenues The people enjoy a very high standard of living with ample opportunities The UAE has achieved strength and success through the wise guidance of its visionary leaders over decades Their focus on future g

  The United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen economic ties with strategic partners like the United States Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, recently visited Silicon Valley in California Silicon Valley is globally known as a major technology and innovation hub The minister met with leaders of technology companies and startups during his visit.  The goal of the minister visit was to explore new partnerships between the UAE and US especially in advanced fields like artificial intelligence machine learning and environmental protection tech He discussed potential joint projects research cooperation, and sharing expertise in cutting edge areas The discussions aimed to leverage the knowledge and experience of Silicon Valley vibrant tech ecosystem to accelerate the UAE own technological capabilities Technology is a key part of the UAE plans for economic growth and diversification. The United States is one of the UAE  most important trading partners gl

  People in the UAE are increasingly focusing on developing important skills like resilience and emotional intelligence. These skills are becoming very useful in current times as the world of work is changing rapidly with new technologies.  Resilience helps a person to cope with challenges and difficult situations in a strong manner In a place like the UAE where things are developing very fast resilience is an important quality to adapt to constant changes It allows people to overcome problems and bounce back from difficulties. For professionals resilience means they can adapt to new laws and market conditions easily. It was specially useful during the pandemic.  Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and manage one own emotions well as the emotions of others In today diverse workplaces it is necessary to communicate and collaborate effectively with all kinds of people Emotional intelligence helps improve relationships at workplace It allows people to have sensitive

  The UAE ministry of finance has released a new manual for public private partnerships The manual aims to help the government work better with private companies to build important projects.  The manual explains how the government and private companies can plan and do projects together It also says what each group must do in the partnership The private companies will use their money skills and technology to help develop national projects in UAE This will benefit both the companies and the country.  In the first phase some important sectors where these partnerships can happen are infrastructure energy health social services and education Projects in these areas will help provide better facilities and services to citizens The projects will also create jobs and economic growth opportunities. The Minister of Finance said these public private partnerships are important for achieving the country goals Such cooperation between government and business ensures money is used efficiently It also

  FlyDubai airline has announced the launch of new flights connecting Dubai to two major cities in Pakistan  Starting July 1st the airline will operate direct daily flights to Islamabad and Lahore from Dubai International Airport This marks an expansion of FlyDubai's existing services within Pakistan where it already flies to cities like Karachi Multan Faisalabad and Quetta.  The new flights will provide increased air travel options between the UAE and Pakistan. Islamabad is the capital city known for its natural beauty and historical sitesLahore is Pakistani cultural capital rich in heritage and attractions. FlyDubai believes these cities offer strong demand for travel and business links between the two countries Operating the largest fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraftpassengers can expect a comfortable and convenient travel experience on board FlyDubai flights. FlyDubai launched its first flights to Pakistan in 2010 seeing consistent growth over the years It now serves multiple des

  The United Arab Emirates is providing money to help people in Sudan and South Sudan. It signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Program The UAE will give $25 million US dollars for emergency food to those affected by crises in the two countries.  Many people in Sudan have suffered because of war since last year Almost 15000 people died and over 8 million lost their homes South Sudan also faces problems The money will help refugees people displaced in their own country and people returning home affected by the fighting. Too many people in Sudan and South Sudan do not have enough food. Because of the war in Sudan over 17 million people there and 7 million in South Sudan lack food The UAE gave $20 million for Sudan and $5 million for South Sudan to the UN food program This aid will help reduce hunger in both countries experiencing conflict and instability. Neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan also suffer effects from Sudan crisis Many Sudanese fled to such plac

  The UAE government has reformed its visa system to make it easier for skilled expats business owners and investors to live and work in the country. The new rules aim to attract top global talent to support the UAE ongoing economic diversification plans. Reforms include long-term renewable visas and residency options for families. Key changes under the reforms allow freelancers and self employed individuals to apply for 5 or 10-year renewable visas. Previously it was only large companies that could sponsor expatriate workers. The new GoldenVisa also provides a 10year renewable residency to investors who purchase property in the UAE worth $272000 or more. Retirees can apply for a 5 year retirement visa if they are over 55 and have sufficient financial means.   Priority visa categories include specialists in fields like science, engineering, health, education and business management. The goal is to recruit skilled individuals who can help expand non oil sectors of the economy such as te

  The United Arab Emirates has advanced three places in the world competitiveness ranking to be placed 7th globally according to the latest World Competitiveness Report 2024 released by the International Institute for Management Development IMD The UAE had ranked 10th in the previous year's report.  The UAE advancement in the ranking reflects its strong economic performance despite global uncertainties The country scored high on key parameters like economic performance government efficiency business efficiency and infrastructure. The stable business environment, positive reform measures and diversified economy have helped UAE to maintain its leading position as a competitive economy It also reflects the success of the UAE vision to build a sustainable knowledge based economy. The top spots in the ranking were secured by Switzerland, Singapore and Denmark respectively. However the UAE rise to the 7th position highlights its growing strength as a competitive free market economy with

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its ongoing support for finding a political solution to the crisis in Sudan According to several recent news reports, the UAE has pledged humanitarian aid and reiterated its commitment to peace efforts.  Despite allegations from some Sudanese representatives, the UAE remains focused on assisting the Sudanese people An ambassador to the UN emphasized that misleading claims will not deter UAE from working with partners on an urgent solution The country has allocated $70 million in funding to UN agencies for relief work in Sudan international organizations including the WHO and FAO have praised this support.  At the UN Security Council the UAE called for protecting civilians and reaching a ceasefire to address Sudan dire humanitarian needs With millions facing famine all sides must end obstruction of aid The UAE wants a transition to civilian rule that preserves Sudan unity and stability.  Through continued donations and diplomacy the UAE aims to hel

  A new report from an international investment company says many rich people will move to the United Arab Emirates in the next year. The report estimates about 6700 millionaires will relocate to the UAE by the end of 2024. This means they have more than $1 million in wealth they can invest The UAE is a popular choice for millionaires moving abroad.  The UAE attracts millionaires because there are no taxes on income and a special visa program The visa allows foreigners to live in the UAE long term if they invest money. Many millionaires come from countries like India Russia and parts of Africa and the Middle East. More people from Europe and the UK are also expected to move to the UAE Over 10000 millionaires may leave the UK in 2024 alone. The number of rich people choosing to live in the UAE has grown a lot in the past 10 years By 2023 there were over 116000 millionaires and 308 people worth over $100 million living there. 20 people were billionaires with over $1 billion each. The UAE

  The UAE has provided a major portion of the funds it had pledged to help Sudan deal with its humanitarian crisis  In April the UAE had promised $100 million in aid for Sudan at an international conference. Now it has distributed 70% of this amount to UN agencies and other organizations working in Sudan.  The UAE has given the money which is $70 million to key UN bodies like the World Food Programme UNHCR and WHO This aid will be used for providing food healthcare shelter and protection services to people in need in Sudan. As Sudan faces a serious food shortage crisis this assistance from the UAE aims to address hunger and prevent famine conditions from worsening.  In addition to the new $70 million allocation the UAE has also provided humanitarian support to Sudan previously It has delivered over 9500 tons of food and medical supplies on 148 relief flights. The UAE also established two field hospitals in Chad to assist Sudanese refugees This long-standing aid has been helping allevia

  Archaeologists have made an exciting discovery off the coast of the United Arab Emirates They believe they have found the lost ancient city of Tu'am. Tu'am was an important city from many centuries ago. It was famous for its pearl industry and trade of pearls.  The city is mentioned in many old books and texts But over time, the exact location of Tu'am was forgotten Scholars thought it may have been in other parts of UAE. Recent archaeological work has been done on Siniyah Island near UAE. Here researchers found remains of old residential buildings dating back very early times. They think this is the site of the ancient city of Tu'am. As well as houses archaeologists also discovered nearby a village where pearls were processed. And from the same period they found structures of an old Christian monastery. All these remains together on Siniyah Island suggest this was a large settlement in the past. The dates and location match very well with the historical accounts of t

  The UAE government to establish regulatory bodies and guidelines related to artificial intelligence and Faisal Al Bannai Secretary General of the UAE Advanced Technology Research Council ATRC discussing the importance of opensourcing AI models. Meanwhile  the formation of the new Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council AIATC in Abu Dhabi. Both developments aim to position the UAE as a leader in AI by providing strategic direction and oversight. In his reel Al Bannai explained that open sourcing models allows for greater transparency and ability to examine how systems work. The new AIATC headed by royal family members will create policies and invest in AI research infrastructure It was formed in recognition that emerging technologies will define future economies.   The UAE government commitment to AI at the highest levels Major councils have been established with high level figures to guide ambitious national strategies. Whether through open sourcing models or directin

  Dubai has launched an ambitious program to develop AI skills amongst its populationbCalled the One Million Prompters initiative  it aims to train people in prompt engineering over the next three years. This important skill involves crafting instructions for AI systems. The program is supervised by Omer Al Olama UAE Minister for AI and Digital Economy.  To boost its AI capabilities Dubai is partnering with major technology players One key partner is G42 the leading UAE based artificial intelligence company. G42 will support Dubai's efforts through workshops and training under the prompter program. In a boost to the partnership technology giant Microsoft recently invested $1.5 billion in G42. The investment strengthened G42 position as an AI leader in the region. It aims to expand the company's capabilities and scale up skill building initiatives across the world. Microsoft will also collaborate with G42 to deliver more advanced AI solutions globally. This partnership is an imp

  NASA and the United Arab Emirates announced plans to work together on the Gateway space station that will orbit the Moon. The UAE will provide an airlock module for the station. An airlock allows astronauts to go back and forth between the inside and outside of Gateway in their spacesuits.  The airlock from the UAE will be important for research on Gateway It will help astronauts perform experiments outside the station. The module will also help with maintenance of the space station NASA Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars. Countries around the world are joining this mission to explore the Moon and deep space together. The US and UAE have collaborated on space projects before An Emirati astronaut visited the International Space Station in 2019. Another astronaut from the UAE spent six months on the station in 2023. Both countries signed an agreement called the Artemis Accords to work together on exploring the Moon. Their new partn

  The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan This was their first meeting since President Biden took office in January 2021. During the meeting they discussed several important issues concerning the Middle East region.  The two leaders spoke about strengthening the partnership between the US and UAE They agreed on the importance of working together on challenges like ending wars countering terrorism and containing threats from Iran. Blinken praised the UAE efforts in normalizing relations with Israel as it could help promote peace in the region. However he also talked about the need to respect human rights and freedom of expression. Economic cooperation was another major topic Both countries have very strong economic ties and wish to further boost trade and investment. They signed memorandums of understanding regarding energy security emerging technologies climate change and other s

  Naim Yazbeck The General Manager of Microsoft UAE outlined the company achievements and goals for 2024 in a recent interview. He explained how Microsoft is utilizing its cloud infrastructure and partnerships in the country to advance artificial intelligence and support the digital economy.  Microsoft's data centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have provided the foundation for many AI initiatives over the past year. Through services like Azure organizations can access powerful tools to develop their own applications and solutions. Microsoft is also working closely with government agencies and businesses to apply AI in key sectors such as healthcare. The goal is for the cloud to contribute $39 billion to the UAE GDP and generate almost 100000 jobs. Partnerships have allowed Microsoft to expand its AI offerings A collaboration with G42 will provide sovereign cloud services for sensitive government data. Joint efforts aim to create industry-focused AI products across health energy and more

  The United Arab Emirates has big goals to utilize artificial intelligence and advanced technologies under the guidance of Sheikh Tahnoun bin ZayedBy chairing the first board meeting of MGX a new company focused on these areas  the Sheikh aims to accelerate innovation across many industries. MGX will play an important role in bringing the public and private sectors together to spur new ideas.   The UAE wants to use technologies like AI to improve life for its people and benefit society worldwide Rather than just pursuing growth the country is committed to facilitating major changes that will shape the future. MGX is well placed to help achieve this ambitious vision and provide opportunities for collaboration. It can cultivate an environment where cooperation and creativity can thrive to develop technologies. AI has tremendous potential to transform many fields if applied properly The UAE understands this and is dedicated to ensuring AI is utilized for good. The country also recognizes

  The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment MOCCAE in UAE has launched a plan to inspect all sacrificial animals ahead of Eid Al Adha 2024 celebrations. Special trained personnel will check the health of animals entering ports and markets. This is to make sure the animals like sheep, goats and cows do not have any diseases. It will help protect people health.  The inspectors will use equipment and tests to examine the animals. MOCCAE has also made rules for how live animals must be brought into the country. The UAE ports are the first line of defense against sicknesses that can spread from animals to people. MOCCAE is putting more veterinary doctors and lab technicians to do the checks. They have also increased supplies for tests.  To manage the rise in number of animals for Eid sacrifices, MOCCAE is collecting data on demand. They have extended work hours at quarantine centers for animals. Delivery of animals is being faster while still ensuring quality. MOCCAE recently visited p

The UAE government recently updated its abortion laws to allow for greater access in certain situations. Previously, abortion was only permitted if the woman's life was in danger due to the pregnancy. Under the new rules, abortion will be legal when the fetus has severe medical conditions or disabilities detected before 24 weeks. This change offers relief for expectant mothers who receive difficult news about the health of the fetus. It allows them to make a heartbreaking but compassionate decision without having to worry about legal consequences. The new guidelines were developed based on medical advice. Doctors can now authorize abortions in certain high-risk cases up to 24 weeks into the pregnancy. This includes if tests show the fetus would not survive long after birth or if it has severe abnormalities. Having clear rules that align with healthcare realities makes the process less stressful for families facing already difficult situations. It also ensures medical decisions are

  The UAE and China celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations this year This milestone shows the strong friendship between the two countries based on cooperation and mutual benefits Ever since diplomatic ties began in 1984 both nations have signed over 130 agreements covering various important sectors.  Bilateral relations have expanded greatly in recent decades Trade volume between UAE and China reached $81 billion in 2023 The UAE has invested $11.4 billion in China since 2003 in areas like real estate, finance  renewable energy and transportation. China has also invested $6.9 billion in the UAE during this period. This two way investment demonstrates the growing economic partnership. Both countries also work together on important global initiatives. The UAE supports China Belt and Road Initiative to boost connectivity They collaborate in international forums to address climate change, sustainable development and peace building. Through cooperation at the UN and with groups like BRIC

  The United Arab Emirates has a floating hospital near the Gaza city of Al Arish in Egypt. This hospital provides medical care to Palestinians. It recently organised entertainment events for children from Gaza.  The children were going through tough times due to the situation in Gaza. The hospital arranged fun activities like toys, games, cartoons, face painting and other things for them. Doctors and nurses also handed out gifts. This helped the kids feel better and reduced their mental and emotional stress.  Over 300 children from Gaza attended the events at the hospital. They got a break from their daily troubles. The activities were a chance for them to just be happy and play like other children. Despite problems around them, such initiatives remind Gaza's young ones that there are people who care. The UAE floating hospital is providing relief in the region through medical facilities. But their small efforts to bring smiles on kids' faces are also important. It shows they c

Treet Corporation Limited, a major Pakistani conglomerate, has announced plans to expand its business operations internationally. According to a recent announcement, Treet Corporation will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary company in the United Arab Emirates . The new subsidiary, called Treet Trading LLC will be based in Dubai. Dubai is a major trade and business hub located in the emirate of Dubai in the UAE. Treet Corporation aims to leverage Dubai's strategic location and business-friendly environment to grow its trade and commerce activities in the Middle East region. Treet Trading LLC will be a fully owned branch of the Pakistani parent company. Initial funding of $100000 will be injected to incorporate the UAE company. This will help set up the business and operations from the ground up. The subsidiary plans to issue 100000 shares of $1 each to raise the startup capital. It will allow Treet Corporation to have full control and ownership of the new venture abroad. Establishi

  The Russia and UAE economic partnership has gained significant momentum in recent years Various Russian companies have established their presence in sectors like infrastructure technology healthcare and energy in UAE Both countries recognize the untapped potential for enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation Russian companies benefit from UAE state of the art infrastructure and business friendly regulations On the other hand, UAE serves as a gateway for Russian companies to expand in Middle Eastern African and Asian markets.  The strategic location of UAE provides several advantages to Russian investors It gives access to a huge market in the Gulf region as well as opening opportunities in neighbouring countries while Dubai has emerged as a global financial  trading and tourism hub  Russian companies are attracted by Dubai pro-business regime with zero corporate and income tax rates Moreover UAE acts as a convenient transit point for goods exported to other parts of the w

  Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates are joining forces to build new renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan. These projects will create electricity from solar power and wind. Three large areas were chosen to install solar panels and wind turbines. This will generate over 2 billion units of clean electricity each year. It will also save natural gas and reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions.   The countries hope these new green energy plants will help Azerbaijan prepare to host an important international conference on climate change in November. Many world leaders will meet in Baku to discuss doing more to protect the environment and switch to renewable sources like solar and wind. The United Arab Emirates knows the benefits of using oil money to fund such clean energy projects as it has done in its own country. This partnership shows that even nations that produce fossil fuels support the transition to renewable alternatives. Officials said the project will not only be good for

  The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently met with a delegation from Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. The head of the Afghan delegation was Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is the current Interior Minister of Afghanistan. They discussed bilateral relations between UAE and Afghanistan and stability in the region.  The discussions focused on economic development and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. The UAE expressed support for rebuilding infrastructure and development work in the country. Afghanistan has been facing an economic and humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover last year. No country has formally recognized the Taliban government so far. However, some countries like China have kept engaging with them. China has accepted a former Taliban spokesman as an unofficial envoy. They have called on the Taliban to be more inclusive and moderate in their policies.  Even India which was opposed to the Taliban, has reopened its embassy in Kabul.

China wants Iran and the United Arab Emirates to solve their problems peacefully. The foreign ministry in China said on Monday that Iran and the UAE should talk to each other and fix their disagreements through calm discussions.  Iran and the UAE do not agree about some islands. The UAE says the islands belong to them, but Iran says the islands are part of Iran. On Sunday, Iran told China's ambassador in Tehran that they are unhappy with a statement China made together with the UAE about the islands. China position on the islands has not changed, according to Mao Ning from the Chinese foreign ministry. China does not want Iran and the UAE to argue about the islands. Mao Ning said they hope the two countries can talk to one another and find an agreement without fighting. The article also provides background information on the disagreement between Iran and the UAE over ownership of some islands. It explains that China wants the two countries to peacefully resolve their differences th

  WWT and NXT Global have signed an agreement to build an artificial intelligence (AI) center in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The center will be called the WWT NXT Global Integration Center. It will be located in Masdar City, which is a sustainable urban area and technology hub in Abu Dhabi. The center will bring together cutting-edge AI technology and expertise to support the development of AI in the UAE.  The new center will help the UAE achieve its goals for AI by making AI systems more widely used. It aims to increase AI deployment in the UAE by 75% and lower the cost of developing AI technology by 50%. The center will provide integrated AI solutions using technology from companies like Nvidia, Intel, Cisco and others. It will support AI projects and initiatives in areas like government, healthcare and transportation. The center will also train local IT professionals and support collaboration between companies and universities on AI research. This will help build AI skills and knowledge

  The United Arab Emirates recently sent another aid shipment to the Gaza Strip This shipment carried over 1000 tons of important food to help people there. The food was loaded on a ship in Cyprus and sent to Gaza.  The UAE also continues operating its field hospital in Gaza. This hospital provides medical care to Gazans during the crisis  Doctors and nurses work hard to treat injured women, children and people with long term illnesses.  One example is Dr Saif Al Mehrzi  who is a doctor of bone and joint surgery He helps patients who need operations on their bones or joints The medical team at the field hospital is dedicated to taking care of Gaza residents’ health needs.   By sending food aid and keeping the field hospital open, the UAE shows its ongoing support for the Palestinian people in Gaza  This assistance from the UAE helps Gazans during a difficult time.

 Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman upcoming visit to Pakistan would be hugely significant and further strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.  Saudi Arabia is Pakistan closest partner in the Gulf and a major source of economic assistance. Saudi Arabia has provided substantial financial packages loans and investment to help Pakistan's weak economy over the years. Prince Mohammed visit would likely result in the announcement of more Saudi funding and investments. Further Saudi Arabia plays an important role in Pakistan's foreign policy choices. Both countries share close military and intelligence cooperation. A visit by the high powered Saudi crown prince would symbolize the solid foundations of the Pakistan and Saudi relationship and act as a counterbalance to growing Iranian influence in the region.  It would also be a opportunity for Pakistan to express its support for Saudi Arabia on key issues like the Iran nuclear deal and the conflicts in Y