Dubai: The Premier Destination for the Thriving Indian Businesses & Investments

By Lakshmi sh: India has emerged as the largest contributors of investments and has established over 12,142 new Indian companies in Dubai. This showcases the remarkable economic ties between India and Dubai which has been growing progressively over the years. It turns Dubai as an appealing destination for the Indian and other region businesses to seek a global growth opportunities. The key factor which constructs Dubai as a global business hub is its business-friendly environment backed by pro-investment policies. The sectors such as real estate, trade, logistics and services coagulate with the futuristic ambitions of the investors from India and other regions.

Dubai ensures its vibrant economic platform to be more committed to fostering innovation and collaboration, networking events, and partnerships predominantly with Indian business councils and the other regions of business councils around the world. The following countries and their successful stories reminds the world about Dubai as the “Top Choice” for investments and businesses.

Unlocking the Successful Stories of Indian Entreprenuers in Dubai

The stratified successful stories of the Indian entrepreneurs has sealed the reputation of Dubai as a global business hub and the bilateral trade has been strengthened with the recent signing of (CEPA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

The standout successful story of the homeboy of Pune, Soham Shah the CEO of SelfDrive Mobility. It is a tech-driven car rental platform which was established in Dubai in august 2017. He expanded the company in Dubai successfully and leveraged the city’s advanced infrastructure and pro-business policies. Another inspiring story is the CEO of Buimerc Corporation Limited. This investment holding company has now turned as a key player in the region’s financial ecosystem and it has flourished in DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre). In 2023, he has been honored with the presentation of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Indian government for his excellence on business and community welfare.

In 2018, bnbme Holiday Homes has been founded in Dubai for which the tremendous contribution of the Co-Founder and the Chief Business Officer (CBO), Shilpa Mahtani who has inspired the other platforms’ foundation like Airbnb. She had shared that her journey into the holiday management came out of the challenging experience as a tenant. Another successful story is from the real estate sector, Imran Khan is the founder and CEO of Pixl Group. He worked and handled the international assignments for Godrej Consumer Products and 3M, there he observed the gap and took the inspiration to cement between marketing and tech solutions in real estate. His company has emerged as the growth partner for developers, brokers, and master brokers across the world. The dynamic business environment of the Dubai provides the equal platform for everyone for innovation and digital transformation, which led to the growth of two other Indian entrepreneurs to exhibit their new notions in educating the financial literacy to the vulnerable sections of society and the construction of easy-to-use platforms for business process management. And the two victorious CEO’s are Suresh Sambandam of Kissflow and Marilyn Pinto of KFI Global.

In 2024, Dubai has hosted several networking events and workshops for investors from India and other countries. Dubai Invesment & Networking Event 2024 which is held at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai for the investors to connect and explore investment opportunities in Dubai. This March event has been organised by BINE International and it is followed by other events held through out this year including International Investor Summit 2024, GITEX NorthStar Dubai 2024, Dubai Business Growth Networking, and Dubai FinTech Summit 2024.

The Dubai Chambers has unveiled in their recent analysis that the Indian investors have bagged the top position consistently in the list of non-Emirati companies during the first nine months of this year. Both India and UAE has strengthened their relationship with agreements and initiatives which includes BIT (Bilateral Investment Treaty) 2024, which aims to foster a secured investment environment by the host’s country, Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), Regulatory Rights, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Operations in GIFT City, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and CoinDCX’s Acquisition of BitOasis.

This ensures the upcoming Indian entrepreneurs that Dubai is an ideal place for investments and global hub for business

Other International Entrepreneurs In DubaiIn the list of non-Emirati companies, Pakistan has secured second place and around 6,061 new companies have invested in Dubai, & 4,000 Pakistani companies have joined the Dubai Chamber of commerce. Following them, Egypt becomes the third country in the list with 3,611 new companies has registered as members of the chamber. Whereas, Syrian and United Kingdom ranked in the fourth and fifth slot who have joined within the first nine months with the joining of 2,062 and 1,669 new members in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce respectively. Dubai: The Premier Destination for the Thriving Indian Businesses & Investments

Read More........ → August 11, 2025

Vodafone Qatar selects Nokia as network modernisation partner

Vodafone Qatar has signed a new deal with Nokia to overhaul its mobile network, aiming to deliver faster, more secure and more flexible 5G services across the country.

Under the agreement, Nokia will provide end-to-end kit to boost network capacity, cut latency, and speed up the rollout of new features. The upgrade will also introduce more automation and improved security, Vodafone said.

Qatar’s ICT sector is expected to grow 8.5% annually through to 2030, and Vodafone confirmed that the move will help it keep pace with rising demand for high-speed connectivity.

The partnership will also pave the way for next-generation services such as 5G slicing for enterprise, and more intelligent broadband access, with a future-proof infrastructure built to support ongoing digital innovation.

“Our work with Nokia will enable us to become more agile and responsive to the evolving needs of customers and businesses. By integrating advanced fibre, mobile, and cloud capabilities, we are shaping a smarter, more secure network that can support everything from customised home Wi-Fi to the latest enterprise technologies,” said Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al-Thani, CEO of Vodafone Qatar, in a press release. “Through more flexible scaling, reliability, and near zero-touch automation that our advanced core and broadband solutions deliver, Nokia will provide greater network agility and service offerings, and provide our partner with all the tools it needs to efficiently manage its network assets,” echoed Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia. Vodafone Qatar selects Nokia as network modernisation partner

Read More........ → June 06, 2025

FDI flow into India from Gulf countries surges to $24.54 bn in 12 years

New Delhi, (IANS) FDI flows into India from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries between September 2013 to September 2024 surged to over $24.54 billion, which is an 8-fold increase compared to the corresponding figure of $3.046 billion FDI that came from these countries during the period between April 2000 and September 2013, according to data compiled by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

The figures also show that as much as 89 per cent of the FDI flows into India from the GCC countries came in the last 10 years, reflecting the strengthening economic ties between India and the Gulf region.

With Kuwait currently chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the emirate is expected to bolster India's engagement with the influential bloc, comprising Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.

PM Modi on Saturday afternoon arrived in Kuwait, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Gulf nation in 43 years.

He said the Kuwait Investment Authority has invested more than $10 billion in India, reinforcing the financial ties between the two nations.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Kuwait Investment Authority, which is the sovereign wealth fund, has made substantial investments in India and there is a growing interest in investing in India now.

In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (Kuna), PM Modi said that trade and commerce have been important pillars of the bilateral relationship between Kuwait and India, with two-way trade on the rise.

Mobile payment solutions

"Trade and commerce have been important pillars of our bilateral relationship. Our bilateral trade has been on an upswing. Our energy partnership adds a unique value to our bilateral trade," the Prime Minister told Kuna Director General Fatma Al-Salem.

Kuwait is a critical partner for India, ranking as the sixth-largest supplier of crude oil and meeting 3 per cent of India’s energy needs.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $10.47 billion in 2023-24, with Indian exports growing 34.7 per cent (year-on-year).

Meanwhile, India's trade with GCC countries stood at a robust $184.46 billion in 2022-23.

PM Modi told Kuna news agency that "we are happy to see 'Made in India' products, particularly in automobile, electrical and mechanical machinery, and telecom segments making new inroads in Kuwait"."India today is manufacturing world-class products at the most affordable cost. Diversification to non-oil trade is key to achieving greater bilateral trade," PM Modi was quoted as saying.FDI flow into India from Gulf countries surges to $24.54 bn in 12 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 26, 2024

India Showcases Footwear and Leather Sector Strength at DIFLEX, 2024, Eyes $350 mn UAE Trade Target

Dubai, India’s leather and footwear industry aims to expand its presence in the UAE market as it makes a strong showing at DIFLEX 2024, with 43 manufacturing exporters participating in the region’s largest leather products and footwear exhibition, currently underway at Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City.

Leading the Indian delegation, R. Selvam IAS, Executive Director of the Council of Leather Exports (CLE), announced that trade volume with the UAE has nearly doubled from its previous level of $162 million, with projections to reach $350 million in the coming years. “The growth reflects the sector’s expanding footprint in the Middle East and African markets,” he said.

Addressing domestic consumption, Selvam noted that India’s per capita footwear consumption is expected to double from the current 1.9 pairs to 4 pairs per annum by 2030, creating additional demand for 2.2 billion pairs. The country currently consumes 2.5 billion pairs annually, with an anticipated need for an additional 2 billion pairs by 2030.

BG Krishnan, Consul (Trade and Commerce) at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, inaugurated the Indian Pavilion and emphasized the Middle East market’s potential, noting the presence of over 4 million Indians in the UAE. “This diverse demographic represents a significant market opportunity that continues to expand,” he said, adding that the leather industry’s growth aligns with India’s vision of achieving Amrit Kaal by 2047.

DIFLEX 2024, now in its fourth edition, has attracted over 250 brands from major leather-producing countries, including Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Egypt, and Spain. The three-day event features more than 10,000 product lines and expects to welcome 4,000 trade visitors, including 300 hosted buyers from around the world.Of the 78 exhibition stalls, 43 are occupied by Indian manufacturers. The exhibition showcases sustainably produced leather goods, footwear, components, garments, and accessories, providing a platform for building long-term business partnerships in the GCC region’s growing retail market, which is projected to reach $350 billion in the next four years. India Showcases Footwear and Leather Sector Strength at DIFLEX, 2024, Eyes $350 mn UAE Trade Target

Read More........ → December 12, 2024

Dubai Gears Up for Grand Diwali Celebrations

Dubai is gearing up for Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on October 31, with grand celebrations planned across major venues. Global Village, one of Dubai’s premier cultural destinations, has already begun transforming its grounds for the festival. Skilled artisans are crafting a spectacular 5-8 meter Rangoli installation in front of the main stage, set to be a major highlight during the festivities.

In anticipation of festive shoppers, the venue has established a dedicated Festival of Lights Market. Vendors are stocking up on traditional items, including clay diyas, festive decorations, Diwali sweets, and Indian jewelry. Entrance areas like the Happiness Gate and Gate of the World are being adorned with illuminated lamp posts to create a traditional Diwali ambiance.Meanwhile, the historic Al Seef district has come alive with the Noor Festival of Lights. A rich cultural program featuring folk music, poetry recitals, and dance performances drew hundreds from the Indian community. A standout moment of the opening celebrations included a performance by renowned nagada maestro Nathoo Lal Solanki, accompanied by Giant Puppet displays.

Students at various Indian-curriculum schools will enjoy a four-day weekend, with some receiving five days off for Diwali celebrations.This year’s festivities begin on October 29 with Dhanteras, while the main Diwali celebration takes place on Thursday, October 31. Several restaurants, online portals, and malls have introduced Diwali-themed decor and exclusive offers.

Event organizers expect these week-long celebrations to attract thousands of visitors, as Dubai continues its tradition of hosting grand multicultural festivities. These preparations reflect the emirate’s commitment to embracing diverse cultural celebrations, especially for the 3.5 million strong Indian expatriate community and international tourists during this festive season. Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/dubai-gears-up-for-grand-diwali-celebrations/

Read More........ → October 29, 2024

Billion-Dollar Dreams: India-UAE Tech Alliance is Shaping the Future of Innovation

A high-profile delegation from the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) visited the UAE this week and is actively exploring market opportunities, investment prospects, and the legal framework in the UAE, aimed at boosting the Indian technology industry’s footprint in the region. The NASSCOM delegation also attended the two-day AI and Web3 summit at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

During a key address at a business event on September 13th in Dubai, the. NASSCOM leadership emphasized the remarkable growth trajectory of India’s tech sector, reflecting on its rise from a modest $15 million in export revenue in 1988 to a staggering $199 billion today. This transformation, driven by human capital and technological innovation, highlights India’s evolution to a leader in global tech development. The Indian tech industry, built on the strength of human resources and bolstered by robust government support, has now become a global powerhouse.

The delegation’s visit to the Middle East is timely, as the region is experiencing significant investments in digital infrastructure, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. These countries are pouring resources into building smart cities and digital ecosystems, opening doors for Indian tech firms to collaborate and grow. Despite its impressive global performance, the Middle East has not yet emerged as a top market for Indian tech exports. However, this is expected to change in the coming years as digital transformation projects across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations create new opportunities for Indian companies.

The Consul General of India, Shri Satish Kumar Sivan, also touched upon the UAE’s ambitious UAE 4.0 initiative, launched in 2021, which aims to integrate advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the nation’s industrial and economic sectors. The UAE’s Future 100 Initiative, designed to support and recognize the top 100 startups that will have a significant impact on the economy, further illustrates the country’s commitment to innovation.

The India-UAE Startup Bridge was highlighted as a crucial bilateral initiative between India and the UAE, fostering closer ties between the two countries, particularly in the tech and startup sectors. This initiative seeks to enhance collaboration between accelerators, incubators, and investors, promoting knowledge exchange and joint ventures between the Indian and UAE tech ecosystems.

AI alone is expected to contribute around $100 billion to the UAE’s economy by 2030, accounting for nearly 15% of its GDP. The UAE has already positioned itself as a startup hub, boasting four out of six unicorns in the MENA region, with expectations of Dubai hosting 30 unicorns by 2030. India, meanwhile, is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 140,000 recognized startups and 111 unicorns. India’s vibrant startup scene has gained momentum, with 45 unicorns emerging in 2021 alone, many of which reached this status within just three years.

The NASSCOM delegation also emphasized the importance of ongoing partnerships between India and the UAE, with numerous initiatives already in place to support startups, including pitching sessions and collaborations during Expo 2020. One such collaboration, the India-UAE Startup Corridor, aims to identify 50 promising startups from both nations over the next five years, supported by a $150 million fund to develop future unicorns.

Key attendees at the event included Mr. Nirav Shah, Director of FAME Advisory DMCC; Mr. Narayanan Sambasivan, Managing Director of Thiyyasam Global Solutions; and Mr. Pratik Rawal, Head of Corporate Structuring at Creative Zone. Mayank Gautam, Director of Global Trade at NASSCOM, also participated in the discussions, highlighting the UAE’s growing attractiveness as a hub for holding companies. The National Association of Software and Service Companies is an Indian non-governmental trade association and advocacy group that primarily serves the Indian technology industry. As Indian and UAE leaders continue to strengthen their bilateral ties, the synergies between their tech ecosystems are set to drive future growth and innovation, making the UAE a vital partner for India’s ever-growing technology sector, Billion-Dollar Dreams: India-UAE Tech Alliance is Shaping the Future of Innovation

Read More........ → September 22, 2024

Dubai Company Buys Used Cooking Oil to Turn Into Biofuel for Cars Citywide to Reduce CO2 Emissions

Used cooking oil collection truck and one of the biofuel production plants – Credit: Lootah Biofuels

A Dubai-based company Lootah Biofuels is producing biodiesel from used cooking oil bringing sustainable transportation options to a major oil-producing country. The result is a fuel that is less expensive, renewable, and clean. The United Arab Emirates company now boasts having their own fuel outlets across the city of Dubai, delivering 60 million liters annually. It is the brainchild of Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, who wants the UAE to be the first nation in the region to mandate that biofuels blends be featured alongside other fuel in all public stations. They pay for the used cooking oil collected, thus giving an incentive to providers like restaurants, bakeries, and food chains, which provide 500,000 liters of waste oil every month. The company says it converted the waste oil into 770 tons of biofuel last year. The Lootah Biofuels website reports that used cooking oil has the highest carbon saving ratio amongst all the available biodiesel feedstock—and calculates their product has caused the reduction of 500 million tons of CO2, so far.MORE RENEWABLE GOOD NEWS: United Dubai Company Buys Used Cooking Oil to Turn Into Biofuel for Cars Citywide to Reduce CO2 Emissions

Read More........ → March 30, 2024

How Saudi Arabia’s unchallenged 2034 World Cup bid could weaken Fifa’s human rights demands

David McGillivray, University of the West of ScotlandIn 2010, Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 Fifa men’s World Cup. It marked the culmination of the small, oil-rich gulf nation’s long-term strategy to diversify its economy and strengthen its international standing through investment in sport, culture and tourism.

However, from the moment the hosting rights were awarded until the event’s conclusion in December 2022, the Qatar World Cup was marred by controversies. These controversies included allegations of bid bribery, violations of human rights, and what has come to be known as “sportswashing” – the strategic use of the positive image associated with sport to divert attention away from the less palatable aspects of a nation’s social and political culture.

Qatari officials have consistently denied all allegations of bid bribery levelled at them. However, in 2020, the New York Times released information from a US Department of Justice indictment that revealed details about payments made to five members of Fifa before the 2010 vote of Russia and Qatar as World Cup hosts.

The New York Times also reported that over half the people involved in the voting process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, including former Fifa president Sepp Blatter, have been accused of wrongdoing.

Qatar’s gulf neighbour, Saudi Arabia, has now been all but confirmed as the host of the 2034 edition of football’s greatest spectacle. This comes after it was left as the sole bidder once the deadline for potential hosts to declare their interest passed on Tuesday October 31. Fifa had restricted the process so only countries from Asia and Oceania could put themselves forward.

Upon learning that the bid process was non-competitive, the Sport & Rights Alliance – a coalition of human rights and anti-corruption organisations, trade unions, fan representatives, athlete survivors groups and players unions – expressed its concern.

In a post on Twitter (now called X), the Alliance said: “Amid the triviality of extravagant sports events and gestures, activists highlight the stark reality of oppressive conditions in Saudi Arabia.”

It is a country where homosexuality is currently illegal, and women’s rights are restricted by a model of male guardianship. Expressing criticism of the ruling regime can also result in immediate imprisonment or, in some cases, execution.

Losing leverage over human rights

According to Fifa’s own guidelines, countries bidding for the men’s World Cup are required to commit to “respecting internationally recognised human rights”. This means that they must ensure human rights and labour standards are implemented by the bidding member associations, governments and all other entities involved in organising the competitions.

Independent human rights risk assessments are also supposed to be carried out by bidding nations. This was done for the first time in the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged Fifa to ensure that they secure binding human rights agreements from Saudi Arabia in line with Fifa’s own stated policy. However, as Saudi Arabia are the sole bidder left in the race, there are genuine doubts as to how adherence to international standards can be guaranteed.

In effect, the non-competitive bidding process means that Saudi Arabia is likely to have less pressure to set challenging targets around improving its human rights because Fifa has no rival bids.

There were two competing bids in 2026: Morocco and the joint bid from the US, Canada and Mexico. As a result, each had to take their human rights risk assessments seriously.

Saudi Arabia has until July 2024 to submit its full bid. And Fifa has announced that the bid will need to adhere to all bid requirements, including those related to human rights.

But the estimated US$10 billion (£8.1 billion) on offer to Fifa from a tournament hosted in Saudi Arabia appears too lucrative to risk jeopardising it.

How did we get here?

The fact that Saudi Arabia is on course to host football’s flagship event is no great surprise. Since 2016, the Saudi ruling family has been building towards realising their Saudi Vision 2030.

As part of this vision, they have committed to bid for, and deliver, a series of spectacular sporting and cultural events – several of which have already happened. These events include football’s 2023 Club World Cup, Formula One, the LIV Golf Series, tennis and boxing.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund also acquired English top-flight football club Newcastle United in 2021. And developments within the Saudi Professional League (the highest division of football in the Saudi league system) have attracted global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, who both moved for substantial sums of money.

Saudi Arabia has disrupted the sports event market by making significant financial investments to showcase their ability to host international events while also wooing influential sporting figures like Tyson Fury to openly support the nation’s political and cultural traditions.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman even said: “If sport washing is going to increase my GDP by way of 1%, then I will continue doing sport washing. I don’t care … I’m aiming for another 1.5%. Call it whatever you want, we’re going to get that 1.5%.”

Fifa appears willing to award its premiere football tournament to a nation with a dubious human rights record, despite being outwardly committed to anti-discrimination in all other aspects of its work. Yet again it is left to advocacy organisations to lobby for ethical mega events while governments and sporting federations observe from the sidelines.

In response to this article, a Fifa spokesperson said that the hosts of the upcoming 2034 World Cup will have to be confirmed by the Fifa Congress in 2024 following “due process”. And that bidding regulations and hosting requirements were approved by the Fifa Council – made of 37 elected members from all around the world. Fifa said it engaged on “all matters” regarding human rights with “a wide range of stakeholders in the bidding countries”, and all relevant reports will be made available on FIFA.com.

David McGillivray, Professor in Event and Digital Cultures, University of the West of Scotland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → November 09, 2023

Qatar Energy signs 27 years LNG supply deal with Italy’s Eni

Headquarter of the Italian oil and gas company Eni in San Donato Milanese, near Milan. 

State-owned QatarEnergy has signed an agreement to supply liquified natural gas (LNG) to Italy’s Eni for a period of 27 years, Reuters reports. According to the report, affiliates of QatarEnergy and Eni signed a long-term sale and purchase agreement for up to 1 million tons per year (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar’s North Field expansion project. LNG will be delivered to the FSRU Italia, a floating storage and regasification unit in Tuscany’s port of Piombino from 2026. Eni has a 3.125 per cent stake in the North Field East expansion that, together with the North Field South expansion, will lift Qatar’s liquefaction capacity to 126 mtpa by 2027 from 77 mtpa.Qatar, already the world’s top LNG exporter, in the last two weeks signed 27-year deals to supply 3.5 mtpa from 2026 to Shell and TotalEnergies, its largest and longest European gas supply deals.Qatar Energy signs 27 years LNG supply deal with Italy’s Eni

Read More........ → October 27, 2023

Egypt announces new oil discovery in Gulf of Suez, amid rising energy demands

An aerial view taken on March 27, 2021 from the porthole of a commercial plane shows stranded ships waiting in queue in the Gulf of Suez to cross the Suez Canal at its southern entrance near the Red Sea port city of Suez [MAHMOUD KHALED/AFP via Getty Images]

Egypt has made a new oil discovery in the Gulf of Suez region, giving it more energy reserves and drilling opportunities amid rising domestic and foreign demand. According to Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry today, the company, Cheiron, made the new oil discovery in the Geisum and Tawila West Concession in the Gulf of Suez through exploration well GNN-11. It is the fourth well to be completed in the area, with another three wells set to be drilled in order to continue the current exploration phase. The GNN field reportedly holds significant promise, with its total output reaching around 23,000 barrels per day, in comparison to the 4,000 barrels per day prior to the development of the field. Cheiron currently holds a 60 per cent working interest in the concession, with the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (Kufpec) holding the remaining 40 per cent stake. According to Cheiron, the “new Nubia discovery confirms the exploration potential in the northern area of the concession”. It added that “the discovery also demonstrates that while the Gulf of Suez is a relatively mature hydrocarbon province, it still has significant remaining exploration potential.” The discovery comes at a time when Egypt has been seeking to boost its energy production and reserves, particularly the production of natural gas in order to meet the rising energy demands from the domestic front and for exports to Europe.Last year, the value of Egypt’s natural gas exports reached $8.4 billion, an increase of 171 per cent from the previous year. In December last year, Egypt also discovered a large gas field off its north-eastern Mediterranean coastline, possessing potential reserves of 3.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. Source: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/

Read More........ → August 23, 2023

Tennis - Saudi Arabia sends first female team to ITF event

A modern tennis racket, with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer frame [wikipedia]

Women's sport in Saudi Arabia reached a new milestone this week as the conservative Kingdom sent their first female team to an International Tennis Federation (ITF) event, Reuters reports.

The Asia/Oceania pre-qualifying event of Billie Jean King Cup Juniors, hosted this week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is the first time Saudi Arabia has been represented by a female team at an ITF event.

"This is an amazing experience, and it is so empowering," Saudi Arabia captain, Areej Farah, told ITF.

"Taking part in this event is a big step for women's tennis in Saudi, and we are all very proud to represent our country and do our best.

"Watching doors open for our young Saudi female athletes is just beyond exciting. I feel like I'm living through them, and I honestly thank this team for trusting me and allowing me this opportunity to guide them."

Although recent reforms have given women in Saudi Arabia more freedoms, many of their rights remain restricted.

Saudi Arabia's women's football team only played their first match in February 2022, while Saudi women were banned from attending fixtures in stadiums until 2017.

"It's groundbreaking because Saudi Arabia has a goal of expanding the number of women in sports, and being a part of that just makes us feel so lucky," Dania Alzuhair, representing Saudi Arabia at the 16-and-under team event, added.

"Billie Jean King Cup is a huge international event, and we are so proud to take part in it."

The ITF has been working with the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation in the development of junior initiatives over the last few years, it said.

"(The development programmes include) the Junior Tennis Initiative and educational programmes for coaches and parents," the ITF's Development Officer for West and Central Asia, Amir Borghei, said."The Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation's approach of developing junior tennis has helped them form a girls' team, which is participating at an ITF team event for the first time. It is wonderful to see." Source: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/

Read More........ → February 27, 2023

Indians advised against travel to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait via UAE

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has advised Indian citizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via the United Arab Emirates due to "Covid-related restrictions on incoming passengers" imposed in the two countries.

Issued on Monday, an embassy advisory advised the Indian nationals to "ascertain the latest Covid related travel guidelines of their final destination country before embarking on an outward journey from India".

The citizens were also suggested to carry sufficient "personal provisions and funds to cater to any emergent requirements".

The Embassy further advised the Indian nationals who were already in the UAE en route to the two countries, to consider returning home and make their travel plans only when the ongoing restrictions were ease.

The advisory comes after the Consulate General of India in Dubai informed the Embassy that several Indians travelling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were still stranded in the UAE.

Since December 2020, at least 600 Indians, who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia, have been stranded in the UAE, a Consulate official told Khaleej Times.

"Due to the fast-evolving international travel protocols, the missions strongly advise all travellers to avoid going to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait using transit routes to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded in the UAE," the official said.

Earlier, these passengers were provided special travel arrangements by the missions with assistance from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and other social organisations.

The official confirmed that such facilities will no longer be provided. Source: https://southasiamonitor.org/index.php/

Read More........ → February 10, 2021

Iran producing 20% enriched uranium

Iran has resumed enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, in its most significant breach yet of its 2015 deal with world powers to end nuclear sanctions. 

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei told media the process of enriching uranium to 20 percent had started at Fordo. 

President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the move because he was "bound" by a new law requiring the production and storage of at least 120kg (265lbs) of 20 percent-enriched uranium annually for peaceful purposes, he said.

Iran's parliament passed the law following the assassination in late November of the country's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, which Iranian leaders blamed on Israel.

Later on Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iran's move in a report to member states.

"Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 percent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20 percent," a statement said. 

Enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. Weapons-grade uranium is 90 percent purity. 

A US state department spokesperson said: "Iran enriching uranium to 20% at Fordow is a clear attempt to increase its campaign of nuclear extortion, an attempt that will continue to fail." 

Iran, which insists that its nuclear programme is peaceful, has rolled back a number of commitments under the deal. 

It has said it is retaliating for the US economic sanctions that were reinstated in 2018 by President Donald Trump when he abandoned the accord, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). DailyBangladesh/AN, Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → January 05, 2021

Indian expat in UAE bags Guinness World Record with 8.2 sq mt giant pop-up greeting card

JAN 02, 2021 DUBAI: An Indian expatriate in the UAE has entered the Guinness World Records for the 19th time, after he unveiled a 8.2 square metre giant pop-up greeting card, commemorating the 15th Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, according to a media report on Saturday. Ramkumar Sarangapani, a Dubai resident, now holds the most number of world records by an individual in the UAE and India, the Gulf News reported. Sarangapani''s pop up greetings card is 100 times larger than the regular pop-up cards. Inside, it has a collage of Sheikh Mohammed''s paintings created by Dubai-based artist Akbar Saheb, the newspaper said. While the pop-up card dedicated to Sheikh Mohammed has a closed surface area of 8.20 square metres, the previous record, which was set in Hong Kong, was of 6.729 square metres. Sarangapani''s card has dimensions of 4 metres in length and 2.05 metres in width. The card''s outer cover is the winning bid of Expo 2020, the daily reported. Speaking to Gulf News, Sarangapani said, "I had been working on this for the last six months and was waiting for the most opportune time to break this record to make it very special for the nation. And there couldn''t have been a more auspicious occasion than the 15th Accession Day of Sheikh Mohammed while I also dedicate this to the 50th anniversary year of the UAE''s formation." The card will be exhibited at Doha centre here from January 4 to 18, as part of the UAE''s National Day celebrations. COVID-19 precautionary measures will be in place at the exhibition centre, officials said. The other records held by Sarangapani include the largest sentence made using magnets, largest word using magnets, largest electronic greeting card, smallest pack of playing cards, among others. Sarangapani, who shifted from Chennai to Dubai 17 years ago, specially thanked artist Saheb for his contributions to the pop-up greeting card. Copyright © Jammu Links News, Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → January 03, 2021

India, UAE witness soaring relations in 2020

DEC 26, 2020 DUBAI: The traditionally harmonious relationship between the UAE and India was further cemented in the year 2020 with their top leadership holding regular parleys to enhance cooperation on bilateral, regional and multilateral fronts in the post-COVID era, including the welfare of the vast Indian community in the Gulf kingdom. The growing strategic relations between the two countries were reflected in two high-level visits from India - External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in November and Chief of Army Staff Gen. M M Naravane in December. Jaishankar met the UAE's top leadership, focussing on enhancing cooperation on various facets of their comprehensive strategic partnership including trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, food security and defence. He held high-level meetings with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ruler of Dubai who is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The two sides also discussed prospects for economic cooperation between India and the UAE in the post-COVID-19 era and the situation in the neighbourhood of both countries. India's concern for the welfare of 3.3 million Indians living in the UAE, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, was one of the main points during the deliberations. Jaishankar thanked Sheikh Mohammed for taking care of the Indian community, underlining that India had been a reliable partner to the UAE in all respects during this difficult period. He also assured the diaspora of the Indian government''s responsiveness on issues pertaining to post-COVID normalcy. Naravane's visit to the UAE was historic as it was the first-ever by the head of the Indian Army to the country. He met Commander of the UAE's Land Forces and Staff Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri and discussed key issues of mutual interest and defence cooperation. The visit is expected to further open up new avenues for cooperation in the defence and security sphere. Indians constitute roughly 30 per cent of the country''s population. Earlier in March, the Crown Prince assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the health and safety of the Indian community during the pandemic as the two leaders exchanged information and views on the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in their respective countries, as well as the steps being taken by their governments to deal with the situation. Jaishankar, who has taken a special interest in the India-UAE bilateral relationship, said: "It is a relationship where the highest leadership of both countries have invested goodwill and energy. As a result, you can see the transformation during the last five years." The ties between India and the UAE are on an upswing in the last few years and the leaders of the two countries have been holding regular parleys this year to strengthen them further in the post-COVID era, especially on the economic front. With robust flow of bilateral investments and an annual bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion, the UAE is India''s third-largest trade partner. The influential Gulf nation is also a major exporter of crude oil to India. India has also invited further investments from the UAE in key sectors of the Indian economy such as infrastructure including logistics, food parks, highways, ports, airports, renewable energy and defence. In September, the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and Tea Board India co-organised a virtual B2B Meet to promote Indian tea in the UAE. As the pandemic wrecked havoc across the world, it provided an opportunity for the two countries to come closer and extend a helping hand to each other to sail through the crisis. In May, the UAE sent seven metric tonnes of medical supplies to India to bolster its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. "UAE assistance to India comes in recognition of the profound and brotherly ties our two countries have shared throughout the years," the UAE''s Ambassador to India Ahmed Abdul Rahman AlBanna had said. India repatriated its 84,497 citizens from the UAE under the Vande Bharat Mission, the country's biggest ever repatriation exercise to bring back its citizens stranded abroad amidst the international travel lockdown over the pandemic. The UAE is also one of the countries with which India has formed an air bubble arrangement to operate flights amid the pandemic. India also welcomed the "full normalisation" of ties between the UAE and Israel, its key strategic allies, under a historic peace deal brokered by the US, asserting that it has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia. From an Indian perspective, the normalisation of the UAE-Israel ties has started bearing fruit. On December 14, it was announced that the International Federation of the Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce (IFIICC) has been launched in the UAE to broaden relationship between the Indian diaspora and Israel. At the event, it was agreed that scientific research, IT, AgriTech and food security, health care and sustainability are areas of natural synergy among India, Israel and the UAE. As India looked for a venue to conduct the Indian Premier League owing to the COVID-19 situation, the strong relations between the two countries were once again highlighted with UAE playing host to the popular cricket season with eight star-studded teams playing 60 matches for nearly two months in the country. Copyright © Jammu Links News, Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → December 28, 2020

Army chief Gen. Naravane holds talks with UAE’s Land Forces Commander on defence cooperation

DUBAI: Chief of Army Staff Gen. MM Naravane has met Commander of the UAE's Land Forces and Staff Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri and discussed key issues of mutual interest and defence cooperation, the Indian Army said on Friday. Gen. Naravane is currently on a six-day tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, in a first-ever visit by a head of the Indian Army to the two strategically important Gulf countries. According to the Indian Army, Gen. Naravane on Wednesday received a Guard of Honour at the headquarters of the UAE's Land Forces and laid a wreath at the Martyr's Point. "#COAS also interacted with Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri, Commander #LandForces & Staff and discussed issues of mutual interest & defence cooperation," the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information said in a tweet on Friday. It said that Gen. Naravane also visited the Land Forces Institute, Infantry School and Armour School on Thursday. The Army chief's visit to the UAE aims to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, it added. His visit is seen as a reflection of India's growing strategic ties with the two countries and is expected to further open up new avenues for cooperation in the defence and security sphere. Gen. Naravane's visit comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region including normalisation of Israel's relations with several Arab countries as well as situation arising out of the assassination of Iran's top nuclear weapons scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Ahead of his visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Army said in a statement in New Delhi that "During the visit, he will be meeting his counterparts and senior military leadership of these countries. The visit is historic in the sense that it will be the first time an Indian Army chief is visiting the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". According to the official schedule, the Army chief will visit Saudi Arabia from December 13 to 14. Gen. Naravane's visit to the Gulf region comes days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's trips to Bahrain and the UAE. In the last few years, India''s ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE have witnessed a major upswing. Last month, the Army chief travelled to Nepal on a three-day visit that had significant diplomatic overtone. In October, Gen. Naravane travelled to Myanmar along with Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on a very crucial visit during which India decided to supply an attack submarine to the Myanmar Navy besides agreeing to further deepen military and defence ties. Copyright © Jammu Links News Source:  Jammu Links News

Read More........ → December 16, 2020

Kuwait's emir appoints new PM

Kuwait City, Dec 8 (IANS): Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Tuesday appointed Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as the Kingdom's new Prime Minister, state media reported.

The emir also assigned him to form a government and provide a list of names for approval, Xinhua news agency quoted the state media report as saying.During a meeting with the emir at Bayan Palace, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed gratitude for the appointment, reiterating commitment to the constitution and laws to serve the best interests of the country and citizens. Source:https://www.daijiworld.com/

Read More........ → December 09, 2020

Kuwait’s emir accepts govt resignation

The Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday accepted the resignation of the government submitted by the prime minister, reports the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The emir ordered the cabinet to serve as caretaker until a new government would be formed, KUNA said.

Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has submitted the resignation of his government to the emir in a routine procedure after parliamentary elections.

Kuwait on Saturday held parliamentary elections with 326 candidates running for 50 seats. The voting process started at 8 am local time and proceeded until 8 pm.

According to KUNA, the electoral committee has announced on Sunday winners of 2020 parliamentary elections in five electoral districts in the country.An Amiri Decree was also issued on Sunday, calling on the newly elected National Assembly (parliament) to hold the first regular session of the 16th legislative term on December 15. https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → December 08, 2020

Iran’s Army Ground Forces unveils military robot

‘Caracal’ robotic vehicle

Iran’s Army Ground Forces unveiled a military robot built with its indigenous and high-tech gears. The robotic vehicle is said to be capable of carrying heavy weapons and military equipment.

The program was attended by the force’s Commander Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, and Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation, Second Brigadier General Yousef Qorbani.

The robot is named after ‘Caracal’ a type of Iranian wild cat. This robotic vehicle can travel at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour and has an operating range that exceeds 500 meters.

The ‘Caracal’ robotic vehicle is equipped with an independent suspension system, smart remote control mechanism, laser rangefinder, and an optical system.

The event also inaugurated new weapons and equipment, including the Gohar (Gem) 4WD vehicle which is empowered to carry as much as 500 kilograms off-road, and travel as far as 700 kilometers at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/

Read More........ → September 30, 2020

UAE initiates first nuclear power plant in Arab world

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant; Photo: AFP

The United Arab Emirates made another startling announcement after sending a spacecraft to Mars. The oil-rich country has announced the launch of a nuclear power plant as the first country in the Arab world.

UAE authorities on Saturday officially announced the launch of their Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, according to AFP. Hamad al-Kaabi, a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the country, also confirmed the matter.

The first reactor of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates has been successfully launched with great care. It is a historic milestone in the search for new energy sources for the country.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, said on Twitter that the first reactor at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant had been “successfully loaded with fuel” and that its experimental activities completed.

Earlier last month, the United Arab Emirates was the first country in the Muslim world to send a spacecraft to Mars. Their spacecraft ‘Hope’ is expected to reach the orbit of the red planet Mars by February 2021, marks the 50th anniversary of the unification of the United Arab Emirates, after covering a distance of 55 million kilometers. Source: https://www.daily-bangladesh.com

Read More........ → August 04, 2020