TOKYO / WAM Asian shares mostly rose Thursday after a firm finish on Wall Street, as expectations remained solid for U.S. interest rate cuts this year, Associated Press (AP) reported. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.8 percent to 39,773.14. Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5 percent to 7,817.30. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.3 percent to 2,742.00. Analysts say Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing …

DUBAI / WAM The Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows has facilitated the entry of about 3,000 wooden ships during the first quarter of 2024, transporting over 390,000 metric tonnes of various materials and food items through Al Hamriya Port, Deira Wharfage and Dubai Creek. The accomplishment reflects the comprehensive efforts of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) to …

ABU DHABI / WAM Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the key financial engine of economic development and industrial advancement in the UAE, has unveiled a record increase in total financing since the launch of EDB’s strategy in 2021 to AED10.4 billion, bringing its cumulative contribution to the nation’s industrial GDP impact to AED4.9 billion. The milestone results were presented at a …