News

Abu Dhabi / WAM The United Arab Emirates maintained its Arab and regional leadership in a number of ICT related indicators, according to the Global Innovation Index Report 2020, which included results related to Global Competitiveness indicators for ICT sector. According to the report, the UAE ranked first on Arab and regional level in Information amd Communi- -cation Technologies (ICTs) ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, has announced the introduction of a new service to the Egyptian capital Cairo with direct flights from Abu Dhabi starting on September 24. “The daily service offers greater connectivity and value-for-money options making it easier and more convenient for customers to travel between the two capital cities,” ...

Dubai / WAM The UAE ranked first among GCC countries in best medical tourism destination globally according to the US-based Medical Tourism Association. Oman ranked second and Bahrain came in at third, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were placed fourth and sixth respectively. The ranking in the index is based on a variety of factors, Association said and added that ...

Bloomberg It was meant to be the week when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) nations gathered in Baghdad to celebrate the cartel’s six decades as a dominant force in global oil markets. Instead, the Opec and its allies will convene online, and reflect on whether the coranavirus has thwarted their best efforts to keep the market afloat. After ...

NEW YORK / WAM The UAE reiterated its continued commitment to upholding the rights of children around the world, particularly those in conflict situations, including by protecting schools and preventing grave violations, as well as protecting the right to education and the need to provide opportunities for fulfillment and growth to the most vulnerable. The UAE stated that protecting education ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has confirmed that higher education institutions making only zero-rated and/or standard-rated supplies may recover input tax in full, except where recovery is specifically blocked. Blocked input tax includes value-added tax (VAT) incurred on certain entertainment services, and motor vehicles that have been purchased, leased, or rented and made available for personal ...

Abu Dhabi / WAM Etihad Airways announced that it has partnered with Singapore food technology startup Lumitics to trial the use of computer vision and machine learning in order to reduce food wastage on Etihad flights. The partnership will see Etihad and Lumitics track unconsumed Economy class meals from Etihad’s flights, with the collated data used to highlight food consumption ...

Dubai / WAM Dubai’s vision to drive economic growth through reliable, clean, efficient and secure energy supply and usage was discussed by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) during an online webinar on energy sustainability in the emirate. “The collaborative efforts of multiple government and private organisations combine to achieve the vision of ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a new ‘Library Talks’ Programme for 2020. With a focus on libraries as a profession in the Arab world, this carefully curated programme will shed light on the latest related developments, issues, information and subjects affecting this vital public service sector. The ...

DUBAI / WAM Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jafza, has ramped up efforts to support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector, the free zone operator said on Sunday. The free zone hosted a webinar titled “Empowering Growth During Business Uncertainty” that attracted top industry experts and Jafza associates, which included Abdullah Alajaji, Founder, Driven Properties, Paul Bryson, Director of Domestic ...