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UAE expands Golden Residency Visa programme; Sheikh Hamdan Lauds Diversity; Diwali at White House; New Trade Forum at Asia-Pacific; Palestine knocks Pompeo’s visit to Israeli settlement – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – please click here to read the edition.
The UAE Golden Residency, a ten-year residency visa, will be granted to residents with PhD degree, in addition to doctors and engineers in the fields of computer engineering, electronics, programming, electrical engineering and biotechnology, as well as graduates from UAE accredited universities who scored Grade Point Average, GPA, of 3.8 and above… reports Asian Lite News
The UAE Cabinet has announced major changes in the Golden Residency programme aimed at attracting and retaining experts and talented professionals from various fields and scientific disciplines. The changes will take place starting from 1st December, 2020.
The UAE Golden Residency, a ten-year residency visa, will be granted to residents with PhD degree, in addition to doctors and engineers in the fields of computer engineering, electronics, programming, electrical engineering and biotechnology, as well as graduates from UAE accredited universities who scored Grade Point Average, GPA, of 3.8 and above.
The Golden Residency will also be offered to specialists in artificial intelligence, AI, big data, virology, epidemiology and UAE high school top graduates and their families.
In addition to the dynamic lifestyle and safety that are considered main characteristics of life in the UAE, Golden Residency holders and their families will be offered 10-year residency visa. The new Golden Residency categories expand the programme to further encourage innovation, creativity and applied research, adding to the appeal of a career in the Emirates for the world’s brightest minds.
DMCC’s Business Hub
DMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – has announced it rolled out a company setup offer for businesses worldwide.
According to DMCC, the offer provides international companies the opportunity to set up a representative office in one of the world’s leading business hubs in as little as 5 working days with a free 6-month trial period.
With no upfront fees, businesses can explore the Dubai market ecosystem without making any initial investments. Companies will immediately benefit from the emirate’s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of the world and an extensive logistics network that provides a gateway to access the region and beyond.
The setup process is fully digital, providing smart solutions that allow companies to access DMCC’s wide range of business services from any device, anytime and anywhere.
Businesses will also benefit from a simplified setup requirements (such as no requirement for opening a bank account), an option to apply for a residence visa along with family members, access to DMCC business centre facilities, and the opportunity to connect with DMCC member companies through digital networking platforms. The offer is valid until 31st December 2020.
Ahmad Hamza, Executive Director – Free Zone, DMCC, commented, “DMCC has successfully established a dynamic and thriving business district that has redefined the ease of doing business. That is why 18,000 companies have chosen to set up in our Free Zone. With this new offer, we are once again making it easier and faster to set up a presence in Dubai and enabling access to some of the fastest growing markets. In turn, we are boosting the Emirate’s economic resilience to ensure it always remains the chosen place for doing business.”
Since its establishment in 2002, DMCC has attracted over 18,000 local and global businesses of all sizes, from start-ups and SMEs to Fortune 500 companies. On average, 7 new businesses join the award-winning business district every day.
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The two countries agreed on a health protocol against the pandemic that requires travellers to have a negative PCR test within 72 hours and sign a written pledge for a 10-day quarantine upon arrival…reports Asian Lite News
Libyan authorities have reopened the country’s border crossing with Tunisia after months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The border has been reopened in coordination with all efforts in both countries. It is now open for movement of travellers of both countries,” Xinhua news agency quoted Abu-Rabee Makhlouf, security director of the Ras Ajdir Border Crossing with Tunisia, as saying on Saturday.
“We call upon travellers from both countries to be totally committed to the precautionary measures of the health protocol,” he said, confirming that all agencies “will provide needed services and facilitate movement”.
On November 11, Libya and Tunisia announced that the border crossing between the two countries will be reopened and flights will be resumed, after months of closure.
The two countries agreed on a health protocol against the pandemic that requires travellers to have a negative PCR test within 72 hours and sign a written pledge for a 10-day quarantine upon arrival.
The total number of registered Covid-19 cases in Libya now stands at 72,628, with 43,256 recoveries and 995 fatalities, according to the National Center for Disease Control.
Since the first case was reported in March, Libyan authorities have taken a series of precautionary measures against the pandemic, including closing the country’s borders; shutting down schools and mosques; banning public gatherings; and imposing a curfew.
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“The visit is dangerous and violates international law and the United Nations resolutions,” Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said…reports Asian Lite News
Palestinian officials have slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to visit Israeli settlement in the West Bank, calling the planned trip “a challenge to the international consensus”.
“The visit will be a challenge to the positions of all previous US administrations that emphasized the illegality of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories,” Xinhua news agency quoted Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh as saying in a statement on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Israeli media earlier reported that Pompeo would make an exceptional visit to a winery at Psagot settlement in the West Bank and the Golan Heights during a visit to Israel next week.
“The visit is dangerous and violates international law and the United Nations resolutions,” Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said.
Such a visit to a settlement built on lands belonging to Palestinian owners “represents the legitimization of settlements and a blow to international legitimacy”, Ishtaye added.
Israel occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem in 1967, and has since built dozens of settlements on the occupied territories, all regarded by the Palestinians as illegal.
In 2019, Pompeo announced that Washington no longer considered Israeli settlements built on the Palestinian territories as inconsistent with international law.
The Palestinians want to establish an independent state on the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital by way of peace talks with the Jewish state.
The last round of peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, sponsored by the US, broke down in 2014 because of their deep divisions on issues related to Israeli settlements and the Palestinian statehood.
The Palestinian Authority severed its diplomatic ties with the administration of US President Donald Trump after he declared Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, says the light of hope always unite us and lead us forward to a better tomorrow
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wishes everyone celebrating Diwali around the world.
“On behalf of the people of the UAE, I wish everyone celebrating around the world a happy Diwali. May the light of hope always unite us and lead us forward to a better tomorrow,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on his official Twitter handle.
He is one among the prominent leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to greet the Indian community during the festival of lights, Meanwhile, the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is preparing for a virtual Diwali festival on 15th November.
“Just as Covid-19 has not frayed the progress being made on the temple construction, it has not impacted the will and enthusiasm of community members in celebrating Diwali this year,” the temple officials said in a statement. “BAPS Hindu Mandir volunteers are enthusiastically working behind the scenes to bring together a special online celebration for the grand yet socially-distant festival of Diwali and Hindu New Year. Keeping the social distancing measures in mind, the volunteers have curated a series of social media and virtual content to stay connected with all worshippers and enable them to celebrate. For more information on how you can join online celebrations like the #RangoliChallenge or attend the annakut of 15 November, visit www.mandir.ae/diwali”
Temple Construction
Despite the impact of Covid-19 across the globe, the construction is progressing at the BAPS Hindu Mandir site in Abu Dhabi. With over 25,000 cubic feet of stone being carved, a substantial portion of the mandir features have been completed. Designs of the masterplan were completed in early 2020 and include a combination of Italian Marble and Sandstone from Rajasthan.
“With the support of the community and guidance from the leadership in India and the UAE, the work on the historic mandir is progressing,” the temple officials said. “Currently, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami is visiting the UAE to oversee the next stage of the foundation on site in preparation for the arrival of the carved stones which will be shipped and assembled in the first quarter of 2021.
“While navigating the challenges produced by COVID19 and adhering to local best practices during the pandemic, stone work has continued in India. In fact, this mandir will be uniquely identified by its intricate mandovar – which will share many traditional value tales from throughout India as well as unique designs of the Gulf.
“The fact that the mandir is moving forward at such a steady pace is itself a statement of the vision of the leaders of the UAE and India and of the local community’s commitment to making a lasting contribution to the country which has become their home and heart of success and growth. We would like to thank all the people who have contributed to this project and welcome everyone who would like to join in this historic endeavor of harmony and tolerance to visit our website, follow us on social media or speak to our volunteers”, said Ashok Kotecha.
The carvings of the temple will articulate the stories of India’s rich heritage. This will include a diverse proportion of India’s geography and Hindu belief systems inclusive of the Mahabharata, Ramayan as well as the Puranas. Values of tales and universal wisdom as well as ancient art and architecture will be revived.
The temple committee are grateful for the support provided by the leadership of India and the UAE during these challenging times. A special thank you is also offered to DPWorld and Transworld Group for offering logistical support in bringing the carved stones to the UAE for the final masterpiece to be completed.
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Currently, there were 13.1 million people in need in Syria; 6.6 million internally displaced persons; and 2.98 million people in hard-to-reach and besieged areas, the UNHCR figures have revealed…reports Asian Lite News
The US State Department on Thursday dismissed as a distraction a Russian-backed conference in Damascus that called for the return of millions of Syrian refugees to the war-ravaged country. Arab News reports
Richard Albright, deputy assistant secretary at the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, said it is no more than a show that bears no relation to the grim reality of the situation in Syria.
Joel Rayburn, the US special envoy for Syria, said the conference was “just a dog and pony show meant to distract from the fact that the Russians and the Assad regime have not done what the international community has been pressing them to do, which is to end the war and move to a political solution under UN Security Council resolution 2254.”
During the joint briefing, Albright also accused Russia and the Syrian regime of using refugees as “political pawns” to lend legitimacy to the regime.
The conference was hoped to achieve positive results that could “alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees abroad and open the way for them to return to Syria and live a normal life”, according to the office.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 5.6 million people have fled Syria since 2011, seeking safety in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and beyond.
Currently, there were 13.1 million people in need in Syria; 6.6 million internally displaced persons; and 2.98 million people in hard-to-reach and besieged areas, the UNHCR figures have revealed.
Turkey hosts the largest number of registered Syrian refugees at 3.6 million.
Also read:Russia resumes trade mission in Syria
GRAHAM STUART, BRITISH MINISTER FOR EXPORTS: ‘The UK will encourage our global partners to embrace and adopt new technologies in five critical areas that will be pivotal in the quest for clean growth – clean energy, green transport, nature-based technological solutions, climate adaptation and resilience, and green finance.’
The stake holders in the energy sector are pondering ways to adopt sustainable and environmental way to meet the consumer demands. The global oil and gas industry has an “historic opportunity” to lay the foundations for a more sustainable future, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum and Conference (ADIPEC 2020 Virtual), the world’s largest online gathering of oil and gas industry players, has heard.
In his address at ADIPEC’s Strategic Virtual Conference, the UK Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart, made the comment as he warned “the price of inaction could not be greater as we face an existential battle to keep global mean temperature below 2 degrees.”
Stressing the world’s transition to clean power needs to speed up by four times its current rate, Stuart said, “We owe it to future generations to confront the cause and the impact of climate change — and the adoption of clean energy is central to achieving this goal.
“The scale of the challenge is clear; to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the global transition to clean power needs to progress four times faster than at present.
“The UK will encourage our global partners to embrace and adopt new technologies in five critical areas that will be pivotal in the quest for clean growth – clean energy, green transport, nature-based technological solutions, climate adaptation and resilience, and green finance.”
Stuart added that “with more than $15 trillion-worth of investment expected to be made in new power capacity globally by 2050, around $11 trillion of which will go into renewables, we are working to position the UK as the partner of choice for low carbon and renewable energy businesses worldwide.”
“As the world seeks to build back better in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have before us an historic opportunity for global change in the quest for sustainability,” he said.
“Clean growth presents the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century for nations worldwide. We are committed to working with governments across the globe, including with our friends in the GCC, to share the opportunities of green, secure, affordable energy to meet the dynamic demands of a fast-changing world.”
Citing the investment of Masdar, the United Arab Emirates sustainability company, of more than ₤3 billion pounds in UK offshore wind, Stuart said Innovative British green technology businesses are perfectly placed to work with ADNOC and other partners in the GCC and across the Middle East to fulfil their clean energy ambitions.
“Innovative British green technology businesses are perfectly placed to work with ADNOC, other partners in the GCC and across the Middle East to fulfil their clean energy ambitions – from renewables expertise to world-leading capabilities in areas such as smart energy systems, sustainable construction, precision agriculture, green finance, and electric vehicle manufacturing.”
Stuart said the UK is “spending unprecedented sums in greening the British economy,” pointing to a ₤2.5 billion investment in clean growth innovation by 2021 and a record increase in public R&D investment with a commitment to reaching ₤22 billion per year by 2025.
“We know it is businesses, even more than governments, that will be the main drivers behind this great global transition,” Stuart said. “This is the moment for us all to redouble our efforts to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and act with renewed urgency to tackle the causes and the impacts of climate change upon our planet. Now is the time for us to work ever more closely together, nations and businesses alike, to help shape a greener, cleaner more prosperous future.”
ADIPEC 2020 Virtual – the online version of the world’s largest annual oil and gas exhibition and associated conferences, runs until November 12th under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and is hosted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC.
Up to 10,000 industry professionals from over 100 countries have registered for the ADIPEC 2020 Virtual programme, organised by dmg events. More than 100 companies are virtually exhibiting the latest technology and services to address the pressing needs of an evolving energy landscape.
Innovation for the post COVID industry is high on the agendas of both the ADIPEC 2000 Virtual Strategic Conference and its associated Virtual Technical Conference, which are the largest industry online knowledge sharing events of their kind with over 700 speakers delivering more than 100 hours of live and on-demand content.
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Dr. Abdel Aal made this statement while receiving Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace…reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Ali Abdel Aal, Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives, has commended the UAE’s international humanitarian and development role, as well as the outstanding role of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace in disseminating the values of peace.
Dr. Abdel Aal made this statement on Thursday while receiving Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, who praised the support provided by Egypt, under the leadership of the President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, for the efforts to promote peace.
The council now has members from over 75 countries and offices in all continents, he added while explaining its work, which includes cooperating with many international organisations in promoting tolerance and peace.
Under the framework of combatting the coronavirus pandemic, Al Jarwan said that the council formed an international committee to provide aid to various countries, and has cooperated with several international organisations in implementing strategic projects.
Peace and tolerance have become necessary around the world, he stressed, noting that the council aims to promote these noble values.
At the end of the meeting, Al Jarwan presented several publications about the council, which include its organisational structure and its work during the coronavirus crisis.
Al Jarwan was also received by Counselor Abdel Wahab Abdel Razeq, Speaker of the Egyptian Senate, who welcomed him and expressed his happiness at this visit, which reflects the deep relations between the two countries and their peoples.
The President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace expressed his desire to cooperate with the Egyptian Senate in promoting tolerance and peace in the region and the rest of the world.
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INDIA: G20 Summit To Boost Global Economy; ‘Seeds of the Union’ Show To Mark 49th National Day; GCC Cements Ties With China – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – Please click here to read.
Russia closed its previous trade mission in Syria on January 1, 2006…reports Asian Lite News
Russia will reopen its trade mission in the Syrian capital of Damascus by the end of this year, according to a decree by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin published Wednesday.
In the decree, Mishustin instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to approve the organizational structure and recruit staff of the trade office, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia closed its previous trade mission in Syria on January 1, 2006.
In another decree, Mishustin ordered the closure of Russian trade missions in Ukraine and Lithuania, without giving a reason.
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