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Asian Lite Weekend, October 16, 2020 – MI5 Suspects China, Russia Threat On UK Security

MI5 Suspects China, Russia Threat On UK Security; G20 extends debt suspension for poor nations; Young, Healthy People May Have to Wait Longer For Vaccine; Pak to Face Tougher FATF Scrutiny; US Appoints New Officer to Oversee Tibetan Issues – all in Asian Lite Weekend – please click here to read.

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-Top News UAE News

Abu Dhabi to host World Future Energy Summit 2021

WFES, organised by Reed Exhibitions, will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from April 5 to 7, 2021…Reports Asian Lite News

The World Future Energy Summit, WFES, 2021, will feature the highly anticipated Smart Cities Expo & Forum bringing the cities of the future to life.

WFES, organised by Reed Exhibitions, will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from April 5 to 7, 2021.

It will be a fascinating exhibition that demonstrates many of the world’s newest and most ground-breaking technological innovations, with recent summits having attracted nearly 35,000 visitors from around the world.

The expert-led forum, in addition, will reveal the enormous commercial and economic opportunities that lie ahead for urban planning. The most recent Smart Cities Forum featured 73 speakers, 27 sessions and was attended by more than 1,200 people.

Abu Dhabi has been pioneering smart city concepts for more than a decade, proving the effectiveness of sustainable urban planning and such developments are now the foremost focus of planners hoping to achieve sustainable, safe and happy city life.

Also read:UAE chairs Arab ministers meeting

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UAE chairs Arab ministers meeting

The meeting was held remotely on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and attended by relevant Arab ministers…Reports Asian Lite News

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, chaired the 85th meeting of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Reconstruction.The meeting was held remotely on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and attended by relevant Arab ministers.

In his opening speech, Al Mazrouei stressed the importance of ensuring the future of housing and urban development and the necessity of advancing this vital sector, affirming that the UAE is ready to share its housing and urban development plans.

He also highlighted the importance of holding the meeting amidst the exceptional conditions witnessed by the world caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, to discuss ways of achieving the sustainability of the housing sector, which is key to sustainable development.

He added that the majority of Arab countries are facing mutual challenges, in addition to the challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, which requires everyone’s cooperation to achieve their desired objectives and the happiness of their citizens.

Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE Government, since the establishment of the Union in 1971, has always prioritised the housing sector, noting that its related plans include supporting, development and organising the sector, to enable all citizens to obtain suitable housing that will achieve family stability and quality of life, which are two key pillars of the UAE Vision 2021 and major features of the preparations for the next fifty years from 2021 to 2071.

Also read:UAE witnesses highest single day spike of 1431 Covid 19 cases

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-Top News COVID-19 UAE News

UAE witnesses highest single day spike of 1431 Covid 19 cases

MoHAP announced 2 deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 450…..Reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, announced 1,431 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 110,039.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced that it conducted 103,132 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and are receiving the necessary care.

MoHAP also announced 2 deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 450.

MoHAP also noted an additional 1,652 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 101,659

Also read:49 abandoned Indian workers returned home from UAE

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‘Building a new economic model serves future vision’: UAE

The UAE government is currently in the process of designing and launching specific initiatives to drive this transformation, and partnerships with leading international organisations such as the IMF ….Reports Asian Lite News

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, has held a virtual meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, with the aim of discussing an integrated partnership between the UAE and IMF to develop and analyse economic policies.

Moreover, the partnership focuses on drawing comparisons between macroeconomic models; formulating scenarios and forecasting growth trends; and developing and qualifying national talents in these fields.

Al Marri said, “Under the guidance of the UAE’s wise leadership, the country is currently working towards building a new economic model that serves its future vision. . Qualified and capable national talents will have a major role in achieving this ambitious development vision.”

He continued that the establishment of a long-term partnership with IMF and benefiting from its global expertise and practices would add significant value to the Ministry’s economic research and analysis tools, in addition to qualifying people and developing Emirati talents’ capabilities in this field.

Al Marri confirmed that the UAE’s priorities are to accelerate economic recovery and shift to a new economic model based on technological advancements and Fourth Industrial Revolution’s applications. The UAE government is currently in the process of designing and launching specific initiatives to drive this transformation, and partnerships with leading international organisations such as the IMF are important to support the government’s efforts.

Kristalina Georgieva commended the distinguished model presented by the UAE for governments and other economies in the region with regard to the way it managed the global crisis, the speed of its response and its efforts to contain its impact on the health and economic sectors.

She highlighted that this significant partnership between the UAE and IMF is another example of pioneering measures taken by the UAE as a model for governments and countries in the region.

Also read:COVID-19: UAE dispatches second medical aid to Costa Rica

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-Top News COVID-19 UAE News

COVID-19: UAE dispatches second medical aid to Costa Rica

To date, the UAE has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing over 1510 metric tonnes of aid to 118 countries, supporting more than 1.5 million medical professionals…Reports Asian Lite News

The UAE on Wednesday sent a second aid plane carrying 12 metric tonnes of medical supplies and testing kits to Costa Rica. This aid will assist approximately 12,000 medical professionals as they work to contain the COVID-19 virus.

Commenting on the aid delivery, Juma Al Rumaithi, UAE Ambassador to Costa Rica, said, “The dispatch of a medical aid plane to Costa Rica today is part of supporting the outstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and boosting Costa Rican efforts in the fight against the virus.”

“This is the second aid plane sent by the UAE to Costa Rica. The first, carrying 8.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies, was sent last June as part of efforts to help healthcare workers in Costa Rica and provide them with additional protection in containing the pandemic,” he added.

To date, the UAE has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing over 1510 metric tonnes of aid to 118 countries, supporting more than 1.5 million medical professionals.

Also read:‘UAE’s Pandemic Response A Pioneering Model’

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‘UAE’s Pandemic Response A Pioneering Model’

The Director-General of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA, Obaid Rashid Al Shamsi, has said that the UAE is a pioneering global model in the way it responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the government’s foresight and proactive approach in managing the crisis.

In a speech on the occasion of International Day for Disaster Reduction, observed on October 13th, Al Shamsi said that while the pandemic ravaged many countries around the world, the UAE has demonstrated how having a clear strategy and handling this imminent danger with professionalism, has allowed it to contain its repercussions.

“On International Day for Disaster Reduction, we are proud to be among the ranks of developed nations in our response to crises,” he said. “The UAE has become a pioneering model and its achievements are being witnessed by all regionally and globally,” he added.

He went on to say that having a clear strategy, that relies on communication and coordination, with no room for rivalry, opposition or dissonance, has allowed the UAE to rise to the forefront of effective decision-making.

The Director-General congratulated the country’s leadership for its achievements and the people for their part in the success and for overcoming this challenging time.

Al Shamsi said that at the end of 2019, and as governments all around the world were put under the test, “Everyone wondered, who will overcome this ordeal?”

He also noted that “despite this storm that hit all countries,” the UAE has proven its effective handling of the crisis by strengthening work between governmental and non-governmental bodies, pulling together a national effort to manage the pandemic. “This created a path which led to safety, so that the UAE society was able to enjoy peace and stability.”

He concluded by saying that this success was not just due to government efforts only but also the UAE community which has shown immense responsibility in dealing with the crisis.

Also Read: UAE tops regional Covid Economic Recovery Index

Also Read: One in 10 in world may have had Covid 19: WHO

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-Top News UAE News

Asian Lite Daily Digital – India Cements Ties With Gulf

India Cements Ties With Gulf; UAE Focuses On Export Strategies For ‘Designing the Next 50’; ‘Switch to Impact-Based Forecasting’; Oli Facing Heat From Own Party Over Chinese Encroachment; Border Talks End in Deadlock; Slight Delay Expected For India’s Human Space Flight – All in Asian Lite Daily Digital, October 14, 2020 – please click here to read.

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G-20: Abdullah bin Zayed heads steering committee meeting

The G-20 Leaders’ Summit will take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, from 21 to 22 November, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…Reports Asian Lite News

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, presided over the third Group of 20 (G-20) Steering Committee Meeting to review the UAE’s approach for the remainder of the 2020 G-20 Process as a guest invitee at the G-20 Leaders’ Summit.

The G-20 Leaders’ Summit will take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, from 21 to 22 November, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his remarks to the Steering Committee, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed extended thanks to the ministries and the relevant entities which have contributed to the success of the UAE’s participation in the G-20, whether by representing the UAE in meetings and events, or providing proposals and information aimed at enhancing the country’s benefit from this participation.

.The meeting discussed the work of the UAE across both the Sherpa and Finance Tracks to date, initial preparations for the G-20 Summit, and ways in which the UAE could stay engaged with the G-20 Process following the Summit.

Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, stated that the Ministry of Finance participated in 46 meetings held under the G-20 Finance Track during the G-20 Presidency of Saudi Arabia. The minister added, “We will double down on our efforts during the remaining G20 meetings to position the key points that will best showcase the UAE’s capabilities and value added of our participation in the best way.”

Also read:Asian Lite Daily Digital – UAE, Israel To Boost Biz Ties

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Dubai UAE News

Dubai’s non oil external trade hits AED551 bn in H12020

Dubai recorded AED551 billion worth of non-oil external trade in the first half of 2020. The emirate’s ability to minimise the impact of the pandemic-induced global economic slowdown on its trading sector reflects its exceptional logistics infrastructure, which enabled it to maintain uninterrupted trade flows and a streamlined supply chain.

Imports accounted for AED320 billion, exports AED77 billion, and re-exports AED 154 billion. A total volume of 44 million tonnes of goods were traded through Dubai including 30 million tonnes of imports, 8 million tonnes of exports and 6 million tonnes of re-exports.

Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said the emirate’s external trade sector is capable of overcoming the strong headwinds facing global trade thanks to the depth, resilience, diversity and flexibility of the Dubai economy.

“External trade is one of the key pillars of our economy. We are today reaping the fruits of the vision of our country’s founding leaders and our strong strategic planning, backed by decades of hard work in creating a robust trading and logistics infrastructure.

Also Read: Switzerland takes part in Pre-Expo 2020 Dubai

Dubai’s external trade sector has shown a high level of preparedness in dealing with the crisis. It has provided exceptional trading facilities and services to help businesses around the world overcome the challenges of the current period,” he said.

Dubai’s external trade showed considerable growth in May and June compared to April 2020, a period in which widespread lockdowns were enforced across the globe to combat the pandemic. Dubai’s external trade grew in May compared to April by 17.2 percent to reach AED75 billion, and again grew 20 percent in June compared to May to reach AED90 billion.

The latest external trade figures for H1 2020 show strong integration between different modes of shipping: land, sea and air. Airborne trade accounted for AED250 billion, accounting for 45 percent of total trade. Sea trade reached AED212 billion (39 percent), while land trade touched AED89 billion (16 percent).

Also Read: Dubai forms committee for govt sector development

Direct trade totalled AED320 billion, representing 58 percent of Dubai’s external trade, while trade through free zones reached AED227 billion (41 percent), and customs warehouse trade weighed in at AED4 billion (1 percent).

China maintained its position as Dubai’s largest trading partner in H1 2020 with AED66.4 billion worth of trade. India came in second with AED38.5 billion, followed by the USA in third place with AED31.7 billion, and Switzerland with AED24.3 billion. Saudi Arabia continued to be Dubai’s largest Gulf and Arab trade partner and its fifth largest global trade partner with AED24.1 billion worth of trade.

Also Read: Dubai announces eased travel protocols