Saboor Ash's Blog

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a major milestone in 2024, reaching $1.4 trillion in foreign trade. This is a big jump from $949 billion in 2021. The increase shows how strong and fast the UAE’s economy is growing, especially in global trade. One of the key reasons for this growth is the rise in non-oil trade. In 2024, non-oil foreign trade reached AED 3 trillion, which is about $817 billion. This shows that the UAE is working hard to grow other parts of its economy, not just depending on oil. A big part of this success comes from the UAE’s trade deals with other countries. These are called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). Thanks to these deals, non-oil trade went up by AED 135 billion in 2024, which helped open new markets around the world. Non-oil exports also saw a strong rise. In 2024, exports of non-oil goods were worth AED 561.2 billion, or about $153 billion. This was almost 28% higher than the year before, showing that UAE-made products a...

Saqr Ghobash, the Speaker of the Federal National Council in the UAE, has once again confirmed the country's strong and long-lasting support for the Palestinian people. He said that helping Palestine has always been an important part of the UAE’s foreign policy since the country was founded in 1971. The UAE has always spoken up for the rights of Palestinians and helped them in many ways. The UAE believes that Palestinians have the right to live in peace and to have their own country. Saqr Ghobash made it clear that the UAE does not support any plans that would force Palestinians to leave their land or change who lives in Gaza. Instead, the UAE supports a two-state solution, where Palestine and Israel live side by side peacefully, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The UAE is also active in international efforts to help Palestine. In 2024, the UAE led a group at the United Nations to push for full UN membership for Palestine. This plan was supported by more than 140...

  General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, recently visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an official tour. His visit was aimed at strengthening the defense and security relations between Pakistan and the UAE. During the visit, General Sahir met with important UAE leaders including the Minister of Defense, the UAE Army Chief, and other high-level officials. They discussed ways to improve military cooperation and shared ideas about regional peace and stability. He also visited the Tawazun Industrial Park, where he was shown modern defense equipment and technology. This visit highlighted the growing defense industry of the UAE and opened doors for future cooperation between the two countries in this field. The UAE leaders praised the efforts and professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. They especially appreciated Pakistan’s strong role in fighting terrorism and maintaining regional peace. General Sahir's visit to the UAE ...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a major milestone by ranking second globally in combating tax evasion. This recognition comes from a report highlighting the efforts of countries to fight against financial crimes, especially those related to taxes. It shows that the UAE is strongly committed to making its financial system more transparent and secure. This achievement reflects the country’s dedication to improving its tax system and following international standards. In recent years, the UAE has introduced several reforms to ensure that companies and individuals pay the correct amount of tax. These steps have helped the country gain trust and respect from global financial organizations. One of the key efforts includes sharing financial information with other countries to prevent tax evasion. This means that if someone tries to hide money in the UAE to avoid paying taxes in their home country, it becomes harder to do so. This cooperation with other countries makes it ...

  The President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with the President of Armenia, His Excellency Vahagn Khachaturyan, to talk about strengthening the relationship between their two countries. The meeting took place in Abu Dhabi at Qasr Al Bahr during the Armenian President’s working visit to the UAE. Both leaders focused on improving economic and investment ties. The UAE is already Armenia’s top trading partner in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), making up 90% of Armenia’s trade with the region as of 2021. This shows that there is already a strong foundation between the two countries, and now they aim to build on it. In addition to trade and investment, the two presidents talked about many international and regional issues that are important to both countries. Sheikh Mohamed shared his hope that peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan would bring more stability and prosperity to the Caucasus region. President Khachaturyan thanked Sheikh Moham...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan have recently been in the spotlight regarding visa issues. According to several sources, the UAE has not imposed a complete ban on visas for Pakistani nationals. However, the visa application process has become stricter, and approvals are being closely monitored. Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has stated that many visa rejections are due to fake documents and applicants' criminal records. He added that the UAE now uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to verify documents, and any discrepancies lead to the application being rejected immediately. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also denied the rumors of a visa ban. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, issuing visas is a sovereign decision of any country, and Pakistani citizens are still traveling to the UAE regularly without restrictions. The UAE’s Consul General, Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, confirmed that there is no ban on Paki...

  Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a new agreement to work together on building Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Pakistan. These zones are special areas where businesses can get benefits like tax breaks and better facilities. The goal is to bring more investment into Pakistan and grow the country’s economy. The agreement was made between Pakistan’s Board of Investment and the UAE’s International Free Zones Authority. Both sides want to create zones that will help industries grow, especially in technology and manufacturing. This will help Pakistan develop faster and create more jobs for people. One important part of this plan is setting up Business Facilitation Centers inside the SEZs. These centers will help investors and companies by making paperwork and processes easier. This will save time and encourage more businesses to come to Pakistan. The UAE has a lot of experience in building successful free zones. Their help can guide Pakistan in following the best...

  Emirates Health Services (EHS) has donated more than 5,000 books to hospitals across the UAE. This was done in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library as part of the “A World Reads” initiative. The goal is to encourage reading and provide helpful resources to patients and visitors in hospitals. The books are in both Arabic and English and cover many topics. They include educational, cultural, and general interest books. These will be placed in hospital libraries so that patients can read and benefit from them during their stay. The event to hand over the books took place at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital. Important people from EHS and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library attended. They spoke about how reading can help patients feel better and more relaxed. Dr. Noor Almheiri, a director at EHS, said that reading supports mental health and helps create a calm and healing environment. She added that having books in hospital rooms can help patients recover faster and feel more comf...

  Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi welcomed Rev. Dr. Robinson Asghar, Apostolic Leader and Vice President of IFGF Global, along with other Pakistani Christian leaders based in the UAE. The meeting was held to discuss the issues faced by the Pakistani Christian community living in the United Arab Emirates. Rev. Dr. Asghar thanked Ambassador Tirmizi for his continuous support of the Pakistani Christian diaspora. He appreciated the efforts made by the embassy to help and guide the community in various matters. He also shared the concerns and challenges the Christian community faces while living abroad. During the meeting, Rev. Dr. Asghar also presented a number of proposals. These proposals were aimed at improving the well-being and support system for Pakistani Christians in the UAE. He hoped that these ideas would help strengthen the community and give them a better platform for growth and unity. Ambassador Tirmizi listened carefully to the proposals and concerns raised by Rev. Dr....

  The UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) are part of the country's plan to achieve a goal of AED 4 trillion in foreign trade by 2031. These agreements have been instrumental in boosting trade by eliminating tariffs, improving market access, and facilitating investment in key sectors. By diversifying trade partners and sectors, CEPAs help the UAE reduce its dependence on a few markets and mitigate risks. These agreements are more expansive than traditional trade deals, covering aspects like competition and public procurement, making them more ambitious. Since their launch in 2021, the UAE has signed CEPAs with at least 20 countries, and more are in the pipeline. This rapid expansion of trade agreements demonstrates the UAE's commitment to strengthening its economic ties globally. With negotiations ongoing with countries such as Ecuador, Japan, and Pakistan, the UAE is positioning itself as a key global trade hub. These partnerships are expected to co...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced several new visa programs to attract tourists, skilled professionals, and investors. These changes aim to make it easier for people to visit, work, and live in the country. With a focus on flexibility and long-term opportunities, the new visa policies reflect the UAE’s vision for growth and development. One of the major updates is the Five-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa. This visa allows travelers to enter the UAE multiple times over five years, with each stay lasting up to 90 days. It is an excellent option for frequent visitors, business travelers, and those with family in the country. The application process is straightforward, making it easier for tourists to explore the UAE at their convenience. For job seekers, the UAE has introduced an extended Job Seeker Visa. This visa is valid for up to 120 days, giving professionals and fresh graduates time to explore career opportunities in the UAE. It is designed to attract skilled w...

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again stepped forward to support the people of Gaza by providing urgent medical assistance. On March 28, 2025, the UAE carried out a medical evacuation for 188 injured Palestinians and their families. This effort was part of the country’s ongoing commitment to offering humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. The evacuated individuals were provided with necessary treatment and care, ensuring that they received the medical attention they urgently needed. In addition to medical evacuations, the UAE has been actively sending aid to Gaza to help those in need. Over the past months, the country has sent food, medical supplies, and other essential items to assist Palestinian families. Through various humanitarian missions, the UAE has made sure that relief reaches the people who need it the most, demonstrating its dedication to supporting Gaza during these difficult times. The UAE has worked closely with international organizations ...