News

Dubai / WAM Emirates NBD has reported that contactless payments now make up 84 percent of all face-to-face card payment transactions, as consumers and merchants have increasingly preferred to use touch-free technologies to stay safe. The bank, a front-runner in digital banking, saw contactless payment transactions which include contactless card and mobile wallet-based payments rise by 59 percent year-on-year in ...

SHARJAH / WAM The 18th edition of the Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) continues in the city of Khor Fakkan “Heritage Area”, as it witnessed a remarkable turnout of attendees on its second day. In a joyful heritage atmosphere that brought together citizens, residents and heritage lovers in the area of Khor Fakkan, the second day of the 18th edition of ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Led by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, and President of Zayed University (ZU), members of the Zayed University Council held their second meeting of 2021 to review several topics on the Council’s agenda. Initiating the meeting, Noura Al Kaabi greeted and praised all Council members for their sincere engagement towards enhancing ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The UAE was ranked among the 20 leading countries in 16 global competitiveness indexes related to foreign trade in 2020, marking a new achievement and consolidating country’s status as a key centre of international trade. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre documented the international references confirming these achievements, most notably the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) published ...

Bloomberg Iraq is discussing a “giant” agreement with French oil giant Total SE to build large infrastructure installations, develop oil fields and produce gas, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar told Asharq News in an interview. The minister said he expected the contract to be finalised before July. The relationship with Total will be based on targeting low-carbon industry and capturing ...

ABU DHABi / WAM Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, has discussed with Zaake W. Kibedi, Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE, means of expanding trade and investment relations between the two countries in a number of key sectors. The meeting, held at the Chamber’s tower in Abu Dhabi, touched upon bolstering the economic cooperation between ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The UAE has strongly denounced the Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias for attempting to target civilians and civilian objects in a systematic and deliberate manner in the southern region of Saudi Arabia with two explosive drones, which were intercepted by Coalition forces. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) said the UAE ...

Sharjah / WAM The Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah, and the Embassy of Singapore in the UAE, have explored ways to further strengthen collaboration in sustainable development, education, and infrastructure. The two parties also discussed the establishment of investment partnerships in new and emerging sectors which they are prioritising to keep abreast of the shifts in market demand. ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM Mubadala Investment Company on Sunday announced that it will invest in Rodenstock Group, the leading manufacturer of premium ophthalmic lenses, as a minority investor alongside Funds advised by Apax (Apax Funds). Founded in 1877, Rodenstock has been a global leader in prescription lenses for over 140 years, with a strong track record of innovative product development ...

Sharjah / WAM Bee’ah announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ripe Exhibitions Organiser Company to provide waste management services at The Ripe Market inside the Dubai Police Academy Park, a weekly community event that supports UAE home-grown businesses and local farmers. As part of the agreement, Bee’ah will work closely with Ripe Market’s facilities team to oversee ...