News

Dubai / WAM Free zones across the world are optimistic about their growth performance in coming months as they prepare to become “future ready” in a post-pandemic world, according to latest indicators revealed by the Free Zones World Economic Barometer. About 40 percent of free zone organisations expressed a positive outlook on their performance during the fourth quarter of 2020 ...

DUBAI / WAM Dubai Chamber of Commerce discussed on Monday at its headquarters the bilateral economic ties and investment opportunities with Pierre Dartout, Minister of State in the Principality of Monaco. The dignitary was head of a delegation from the European principality that arrived in Dubai to explore opportunities of mutual benefit and to enhance bilateral relations as the city ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM Aldar Investment on Monday announced an AED 500 million redevelopment plan for Yas Mall to reinforce the asset’s position as the centrepiece of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing residential and leisure destination. The substantial investment will enhance the customer journey by reimagining the mall’s spaces and introducing new innovative retail concepts. The redevelopment will further enable ...

Dubai / WAM The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) on Monday published its “Framework for Regulating Security Tokens” for public consultation for a period of 30 days. The DFSA is proposing a comprehensive and innovative regulatory framework for regulating Security Tokens, a new and growing area of interest for many industry participants. DFSA is actively engaged with key stakeholders in ...

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 ...