US President thanked the UAE and its leadership for their support in helping evacuate American diplomats and nationals from Afghanistan, as well as nationals of allies countries and Afghans who hold visas from these countries, reports Asian Lite News
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, last night received a phone call from President Joe Biden of the United States of America, during which President Biden thanked the UAE and its leadership for their support in helping evacuate American diplomats and nationals from Afghanistan, as well as nationals of allies countries and Afghans who hold visas from these countries.
“We highly appreciate the UAE’s humanitarian efforts in facilitating the safe transit of American citizens, embassies’ employees and foreigners who were evacuated from Kabul on their way to a third country,” said President Biden, adding that this stance represents the strong and everlasting partnership between the UAE and the US.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and the US President also exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments and issues of common interest.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken further thanked the UAE in a tweet later on Saturday.
The US has flown at least 17,000 people out of Afghanistan since August 14. Many were Afghans who worked for US forces and the US administration and were under threat of retaliation from the Taliban. That figure included about 2,500 Americans, including diplomatic staff and contractors, who were on the ground when Kabul fell to the Taliban.
A number of flights from Afghanistan have flown into the UAE, before heading on Europe and the US, among other countries.
The US president expressed his “appreciation for the United Arab Emirates’ support for the ongoing evacuation from Afghanistan of US citizens, diplomatic staff from US and partner nations, and vulnerable Afghan nationals”, the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi added in a statement.
“The President and Crown Prince underscored that this collaborative effort reflects the enduring partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The two leaders agreed on the priority of working together to address regional and global challenges.”
Afghanistan (ANI)
Shelter for 5,000 Afghan refugees
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had on Friday said it will temporarily host 5,000 Afghan citizens evacuated from the country following the seizure of Kabul by the Taliban Islamist movement.
“The United Arab Emirates has agreed to host 5000 Afghan nationals evacuated from Afghanistan on their way to third countries. The UAE`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that, following a request from the United States, it would host the Afghans on a temporary basis, after which time they would travel on to other nations,” the ministry had said.
Ghani made the statement on Wednesday night during a live Facebook broadcast from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)….reports Asian Lite News
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled the country earlier this week following the fall of Kabul to the taliban, has pledged to return.
Ghani made the statement on Wednesday night during a live Facebook broadcast from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“I am in the (United Arab) Emirates but I will soon return to my country,” he said, noting that he is “in consultations with others” before his return home.
Ghani noted that he will continue working “to achieve justice for Afghans” .
“I was forced to leave Kabul, I did not want to be the reason for bloodshed in the capital,” he said.
He also issued a rebuttal against his critics who said he left Afghanistan hastily, saying that “those who think that I fled should not judge if they don’t know all the details”.
“They were going room-to-room to find me,” Ghani said.
“Their decision was this: Whatever happened 25 years ago was going to be repeated. The President of Afghanistan once again was going to be hanged in front of the people’s eyes, and such a shameful history would have been once again been repeated.”
Ghani was referring to former President Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai, who was killed by the Taliban in 1996.
Ahmadzai’s body was hanged from a traffic light pole outside the Presidential Palace.
The former President underlined that he does not believe himself to be a traitor.
“I did not betray the home country and ask everyone not to pay attention to rumours, we wanted peace for Kabul and did not want it to be destroyed. I hope that the war in Afghanistan will end,” he said.
“Our armed forces are not responsible for this failure, politicians are to blame.”
Ghani also stressed that he was engaged in talks with the Taliban to ensure security of Kabul and a peaceful transfer of power.
On August 15, Ghani flew out of Afghanistan several hours before the Taliban entered Kabul without a fight and established full control over the capital.
Vice President Amrullah Saleh declared himself the caretaker president according to the national constitution and in absence of the president, calling to put up armed resistance against the Taliban.
Western countries are evacuating their nationals and embassy staffers.
There were reports that Ghani had fled the country to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, while others indicated that he was in Oman, trying to escape to US, after the Taliban took over Afghanistan on Sunday…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in UAE has confirmed that the Arab nation has welcomed Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds.
“The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
There were reports that Ghani had fled the country to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, while others indicated that he was in Oman, trying to escape to US, after the Taliban took over Afghanistan on Sunday.
Russia’s diplomatic mission in Kabul had alleged that Ghani had fled the country with vehicles full of cash.
The embassy had said that Ghani had fled the country with four cars and a helicopter full of cash and had to leave some money behind as it would not all fit in, the RIA news agency had reported.
Nikita Ishchenko, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Kabul, was quoted as saying by RIA: “Four cars were full of money, they tried to stuff another part of the money into a helicopter, but not all of it fit. And some of the money was left lying on the tarmac.”
Ischenko confirmed his comments to a global news wire, citing “witnesses” as the source of his information, Al Jazeera reported.
Afghanistan Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi had in a tweet lamented in an apparent reference to Ghani and his associates that they “tied our hands behind our backs and sold the homeland, damn the rich man and his gang”.
Visa for Aid Workers
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today announced that the UAE would offer Golden Visas to charity and humanitarian aid workers in recognition of their efforts and sacrifices.
The announcement made by Sheikh Mohammed to provide long-term residence visas to humanitarian workers was made on World Humanitarian Day, commemorated every year on 19th August to honour the work done by humanitarian workers and remember those who lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, “On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to the selfless heroes in the UAE, as one of the world’s largest humanitarian hubs, to support charity and aid professionals who have dedicated their lives to improving the welfare of underprivileged.”
He added, “Aid workers are ambassadors of the UAE and role models instilling pride in us all. Giving is embedded in the fabric of Emirati society and culture, and we aspire to be the most vibrant humanitarian destination in the next fifty years.”
“The UAE has always led impactful humanitarian initiatives and empowered those implementing them, and in the year of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, it aspires to become a world leader of humanitarian efforts in the next five decades.”
“Having always paid tribute to hope makers, the UAE extends its commitment to global cooperation to include the humanitarian sector’s pioneers, groups, specialists and workers, so that the UAE can become a second home to these individuals.”
The move to grant the Golden Visa to outstanding charity and humanitarian workers residing in the UAE provides them with a safe haven to continue their work. It will also enhance their ability to communicate with local, regional and global charity and humanitarian organisations, from the most digitally advanced and connected places on the planet.
The institutionalisation of humanitarian work is a significant addition to the UAE’s track record of charitable and humanitarian work and is represented by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), which was established in 2015 to form a support umbrella for a set of initiatives and institutions launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the past decade.
During 2020, the MBRGI’s philanthropic work reach 83 million people in 82 countries, where a total of AED1.2 billion in aid was distributed to those in need. Today, it includes dozens of initiatives and institutions that carry out humanitarian work programs around the world.
They fall under five pillars: Humanitarian and Relief Aid, Health Care and Disease Control, Spreading Education and Knowledge, Future Innovation and Leadership, and Empowering Communities.
In 2020, the total humanitarian and relief aid provided by the MBRGI amounted to AED382 million, while the number of beneficiaries reached 34.8 million people.
Meanwhile, MBRGI’s Healthcare and Disease Control pillar allocated AED49.6 million in 2020 to implement therapeutic and preventive initiatives and campaigns, which helped 38,000 people.
The work of MBRGI’s Spreading Education and Knowledge pillar reached 45.5 million people in 2020, with spending on various initiatives, projects and programs amounting to AED265 million.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives’ pillar for Future Innovation and Leadership allocated AED440 million, with 1.3 million people benefitting from its activities.
The Community Empowerment pillar allocated AED79.5 million to various projects, initiatives and programs, benefiting 1.1 million people in 2020.
The country’s humanitarian operations, through the Emirates Red Crescent, reach more than 100 countries annually to provide messages of love, peace, relief and help to those in need. The relief programmes and operations of the authority include vital areas such as health, education, social services, environment, water and infrastructure projects.
In order to consolidate the principle of human solidarity in times of crisis, the “100 Million Meals” campaign, the largest of its kind in the region, helped feed those in need in 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
The campaign was implemented by MBRGI in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the Food Banking Regional Network, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, in addition to a number of charity and relief institutions and groups in the countries covered by the campaign. Over the Holy Month of Ramadan, the campaign collected contributions equivalent to 216 million meals, through multiple donation channels from more than 385,000 donors from the business community, as well as many government and private institutions.
Intl. Aid
Sheikh Mohammed pointed to the UAE having established Dubai International Humanitarian City (IHC) in 2011 as an example of its efforts to lead humanitarian causes. The largest humanitarian destination in the world, IHC is a non-profit, independent, humanitarian free zone authority that hosts over 80 members comprising of UN organisations, non-profits and non-government organisations, and commercial companies.
He concluded, “Not only is the UAE an economic hub, it is also a humanitarian one nowadays.”
The theme for this year’s United Nations World Humanitarian Day is “Race for Humanity” and “Supporting the Real Heroes”. It calls for the international community to support workers in the relief and humanitarian fields by providing them with a safe and supportive environment.
The Taliban is responsible for 2,978 civilian casualties (917 killed, and 2,061 injured) in the first six months of 2021. The war tactics by the Taliban include the use of IEDs, rocket fires, target killing, and ground battles
Today more than ever, there is an urgent need for volunteers, charity workers and humanitarian work. UN figures indicate that there will be 235 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection by the time 2021 is out, with the rate needing humanitarian assistance reaching one person in every 33 around the world.
The UAE has been supporting communities and countries across the globe through development projects and humanitarian response to disasters and crises, to sustain stability and prosperity in collaboration with regional and international partners and UN agencies working in the humanitarian and development fields, where the volume of UAE’s foreign aid amounted to AED320 billion across 201 countries since the UAE was founded.
In recent years, the UAE has consolidated its position as a world leader in immediate crisis and disaster response. The level of humanitarian aid provided by the UAE throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic amounted to 2,154 metric tonnes of medical aid, respiratory and examination devices and personal protection equipment.
Furthermore, aid was sent to 117 countries from the warehouses of international organisations located in the Dubai’s IHC, while the UAE organised 196 trips to transport medical aid, with six field hospitals established in Sudan, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Lebanon and Jordan, and a mobile clinic in Turkmenistan.
The Golden Visa system allows its beneficiaries in the UAE – including expatriates and their families who wish to come to work, live and study in the country – to enjoy long-term residency.
The UAE implemented the Golden Visa system in 2018. It included the granting of a long-term residence visa, for 5 or 10 years, which is automatically renewed for people who fall into any of certain categories including investors, doctors, entrepreneurs, scientists, creators, inventors, researchers in various branches of science, technology and innovation, and outstanding students.
Dubai carriers Emirates and flydubai earlier halted flights to Kabul until further notice due to the security situation in Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News
UAE aviation authorities suspended all flights to Afghanistan on Monday after Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul was overrun by thousands of residents desperate to flee the capital.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in a statement said it “is closely monitoring the developments in Afghanistan and assessing the current situation, in coordination with relevant authorities and the UAE’s national carriers, to ensure the safe operation of the country’s airlines.”
“Under this framework, the GCAA stated it is prioritizing the safety and security of civil aviation,” the aviation body added.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan after capturing all major cities in a swift offensive that took only days, forcing President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country as the government crumbled.
Afghan security forces inspect the site of a car bombing in Kandahar city, capital of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan. (Photo by Sanaullah SeiamXinhuaIANS)
Dubai carriers Emirates and flydubai earlier halted flights to Kabul until further notice due to the security situation in Afghanistan.
Emirates Flight EK640 and flydubai Flight FZ305 were forced to return to Dubai on Sunday after failing to get clearance to land at Kabul airport.
Military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians were taking off from Kabul on early Tuesday morning after the airport runway had been cleared of crowds.
US troops, sent by President Joe Biden to ensure a safe withdrawal of American diplomatic personnel and civilians, are now in charge of Kabul airport.
The Alhosn app (the Covid-19 app in the UAE), needs to show a green status for entry into public places….reports Joy Chakravarty
Starting from August 20, Abu Dhabi will allow only vaccinated citizens, residents and tourists into public places.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has also updated the travel procedures into the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) capital.
The Alhosn app (the Covid-19 app in the UAE), needs to show a green status for entry into public places. All vaccinated persons have the green status. If it is grey, the person will be denied entry.
The green status appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for 30 days. Entry is also allowed for those exempted from vaccination with green status on Alhosn app, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for seven days.
Children under 16 years, whose status will appear as green on Alhosn app without the requirement of a test, will also be allowed entry.
Unvaccinated individuals and those with grey status on the app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering these public places.
The process to enter public places also applies to visitors and tourists. People who have received a new residency permit, have a grace period of 60 days to be vaccinated.
To maintain the vaccinated status on the Alhosn app, a booster dose must be taken six months after receiving the second dose. A grace period of 30 days is given to all those who have taken their second dose more than six months ago, before their status will turn grey on 20 September.
The public places with entry restrictions are shopping centres, restaurants, cafes, and all other retail outlets (including those located outside a shopping centre), as well as gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centres and theme parks.
The list also includes universities, institutes public and private schools and children’s nurseries.
For visitors entering Abu Dhabi, they need to register in the �Register Arrivals’ section of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) app, complete the form and upload an international vaccination certificate. They will then receive an SMS including a link to download the Alhosn app.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, visitors will receive a Unified Identification Number (UID) either at the airport or via ICA app or website. The Alhosn app needs to be downloaded and registration done using the UID and phone number used for ICA registration or when taking a PCR test in the UAE.
The updated travel procedures for citizens, residents and visitors entering Abu Dhabi comes into effect from Sunday.
Vaccinated travellers arriving into Abu Dhabi from green list destinations must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and take a PCR test on Day 6.
When arriving from other destinations, they must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on Day 6.
The protocol also applies to fully-vaccinated UAE citizens and residents as well as visitors.
As Dubai prepares to host the world with Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre is set to operate Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), the largest venue at Expo 2020 Dubai…reports Asian Lite News
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has played a major role in diversifying Dubai’s economy and has worked to create a broader economic impact, cementing Dubai’s position as a global centre for trade and business tourism.
The centre, which was established in 1979, introduces the region to the international exhibitions and conferences industry and has become the vibrant heart of Dubai as it continues to grow as a platform for opportunities, creativity and communication as a result of its unique position as the leading centre for events, exhibitions and conferences in the region.
Regarding the centre’s preparations to celebrate the UAE’s 50th anniversary, Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President, Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said that the UAE’s success is the result of visionary leadership and an open, forward-thinking approach to business and trade.
As Dubai prepares to host the world with Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre is set to operate Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), the largest venue at Expo 2020 Dubai which will increase the Emirate’s indoor exhibition capacity by 45%, presenting new opportunities for economic growth through the expansion of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry.
DEC represents a unique value proposition with its world-class exhibition space and is a business and trade hub which will host international and regional trade exhibitions, meetings, conferences and business events for the six-month duration of the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai.
He also added that DEC will increase Dubai’s events infrastructure and attractiveness to global businesses, and is purpose-built to host ambitious, large-scale events for the world’s most influential companies and industries.
With regard to DWTC’s achievements in the hospitality and exhibitions sector during the past years, Julfar highlighted that the Centre is a global enabler of international trade that has the aim of becoming the world’s leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events.
Executive Vice President, Venue Services Management said that over the past 40 years, DWTC has played an integral role in diversifying Dubai’s economy while creating significant wider economic impact, establishing the city as an international centre for trade and business tourism.
He noted that DWTC has generated over AED200 billion of total economic output for Dubai’s GDP over the past four decades, resulting from the 5,000 MICE events that it has hosted. Having attracted over 30 million business visitors to Dubai, 12 million of which were from international markets, DWTC has reinforced Dubai’s status as a global hub of entrepreneurship and innovation, a legacy which Expo 2020 Dubai is set to continue.
He also highlighted DWTC’s plans for the post 50th anniversary of the UAE’s union, noting that Dubai Exhibition Centre is a world-class venue for that will also play a central role in the future legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Emiratis make up 61 percent of all 18 to 24 year olds within Expo 2020’s 30,000-strong volunteer workforce, the largest volunteer programme in the UAE…reports Asian Lite News
UAE nationals form the backbone of Expo 2020 Volunteers’ young workforce, demonstrating the enthusiasm and pride of Emirati youth in sharing the country’s hospitality and culture with millions of visitors to the next World Expo.
Emiratis make up 61 percent of all 18 to 24 year olds within Expo 2020’s 30,000-strong volunteer workforce, the largest volunteer programme in the UAE. UAE residents of numerous nationalities comprise the remainder.
A core aim of Expo 2020 is to inspire and empower the world’s next generation through numerous initiatives and programming. With this in mind, the World Expo shared the figures to mark UN International Youth Day, commemorated every year on 12th August to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community, and celebrate the potential of the planet’s youth as partners in today’s global society.
Acting as the first point of contact for visitors to Expo 2020, volunteers will help manage the vast number of diverse experiences, events and global discussions that will take place every day across the event’s 182-day run. They hail from all segments of society, and will provide services in areas such as VIPs and protocol; guest services; Expo 2020’s Thematic Pavilions; events, ceremonies and hospitality; and technology support.
Abeer Al Hosani, Director, Volunteers, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “Expo 2020 is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are delighted that the nation’s youth – particularly UAE nationals – have seized the opportunity to be a part of making history, taking advantage of the valuable learning and networking opportunities that our mega-event offers.
“With 50 days to go, we are in the critical preparation stages before we open our doors on 1st October, and the dedication and commitment of all our volunteers has been truly exemplary. They have taken every chance to learn and absorb, explore and have fun, and we have no doubt that their contribution will bring immense value in delivering an exceptional experience for every visitor to Expo.”
Along with technology and innovation and gender equality, empowering the world’s youth is also a cornerstone of Expo’s Programme for People and Planet, a schedule of events, experiences, thought-leadership and public conversations that aims to find solutions for some of the most pressing problems facing our world.
Reflecting this, Expo has offered children under the age of 18 and students holding a valid student ID from any academic institution in the world free entry to Expo 2020 Dubai – opening up a wealth of learning opportunities and inspirational experiences and as well as access to Expo’s dynamic, diverse and ever-changing entertainment programme.
Since the pandemic’s onset, the UAE has provided more than 2,250 metric tonnes of aid to more than 136 countries….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE dispatched an aircraft, which arrived in the Philippines’ capital of Manila, carrying medical supplies, including 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, as part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support countries in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Khaled Al Hajri, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Manila, said that this step aligns with the UAE leadership’s keenness to support efforts made by authorities in the Philippines to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the Philippines was among the first countries to receive medical aid from the UAE, wherein the UAE sent an aircraft carrying 7.3 metric tonnes of medical supplies in April 2020.
Al Hajri highlighted the deep ties between the UAE and the Philippines, which span several decades.
Two days ago, UAE dispatched an aircraft to the Comoros loaded with 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses and other medical supplies, including 600,000 injection needles, to facilitate the local vaccination process.
Saeed Mohammed Al Maqbali, UAE Ambassador to Comoros, said dispatching the medical supplies aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the ongoing support of the UAE for the Comoros, through providing a sizeable quantity of vaccines for a large segment of its population, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
“In the past three months, the UAE has sent three aircraft loaded with 21.7 metric tons of medical supplies, in addition to an aircraft in April 2021 loaded with 43 metric tons of food aid,” he added.
Since the pandemic’s onset, the UAE has provided more than 2,250 metric tonnes of aid to more than 136 countries.
Last month, The UAE had sent a plane carrying 56 tonnes of medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders, respiratory equipment and COVID-19 vaccines, to Indonesia to fight Covid-19 pandemic.
Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, praised the strong relations between the UAE and Indonesia, which are reflected in continuous contacts, cross visits and growing cooperation between the two countries.
“Indonesia was among the first countries to receive medical aid from the UAE to combat COVID-19. In April 2020, the UAE sent to Indonesia a plane carrying 20 tonnes of medical supplies, to help healthcare workers to contain the spread of the pandemic,” he added.
Emigration Check Required (ECR) is a notation stamped on the passports of people with academic qualification below 10th standard…reports Archana Sharma.
The Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC) has resumed its training services at its Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) centres, giving fresh hopes of foreign placement to skilled professionals from the state.
The PDOT centre in Sikar district has recently registered a batch of 37 candidates aspiring to work in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This will be the first batch to undergo training since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that forced these countries to restrict arrivals of emigrant workers.
Sikar dist (Wikipedia)
“The international job market is once again opening up after the pandemic and this is a welcome development for those looking for work opportunities abroad. The Pre-Departure Orientation Training is especially important for those requiring emigration check due to lack of academic qualification. Soon, the services shall resume at all the centres,” said Niraj K. Pawan, Chairman, RSLDC.
Emigration Check Required (ECR) is a notation stamped on the passports of people with academic qualification below 10th standard. These people need to acquire emigration clearance before travelling to 18 countries, including the GCC nations. The provision is meant to protect such people from exploitation and forgery on the pretext of foreign placements.
PDOT is a major step towards educating the aspiring candidates towards various formalities and rules before they take up oversees appointment.
All the 37 candidates registered at the PDOT centre in Sikar are from the mason and helper category.
The objective of PDOT is to enhance soft skills of migrant workers in terms of culture, language, tradition and local rules and regulations of the destination country, to sensitise them about the pathways to safe and legal migration for their welfare and protection.
RSLDC is the apex skill development body of Rajasthan government, which is the designated PDOT partner with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Jaipur
The corporation through its PDOT centres in Jaipur, Sikar and Nagaur has already benefitted more than 3,000 workers before the pandemic disrupted emigration of workers.
Rajasthan has a huge skilled workforce and the workers from the state are preferred by several employers in the Gulf countries.
RSLDC helps in upskilling of such workers. It also helps safeguard their interests through registration of recruiting agents and other initiatives.
RSLDC will soon conduct training programmes online to further facilitate the foreign job aspirations of the state’s workers.
Other destination countries of note include Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the US….reports Asian Lite News
Dubai Airports is projecting robust growth for Dubai International (DXB) in the second half of the year after the airport clocked 10.6 million passengers in the first six months of 2021 despite travel restrictions affecting its key source markets throughout the second quarter.
India continued to be DXB’s top destination country by traffic volume in the first half with passenger numbers exceeding 1.9 million. Pakistan was second with 700,074 customers, followed by Russia (406,209 pax) and Egypt (401,361 pax).
Other destination countries of note include Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the US. The top three cities by traffic were Addis Ababa (354,804 pax), followed by Cairo (345,886 pax) and Moscow (344,175).
According to the latest figures issued by Airports Council International (ACI), DXB remains the world’s busiest airport for international passengers after retaining the title for the seventh consecutive year for annual traffic in 2020.
DXB holds a significant lead over other international airports and has nearly twice the passenger traffic of the next busiest global hub in the Middle East, said a Dubai Airports press release on Wednesday.
“In anticipation of the robust recovery of global air travel, we started the second half on a high note by reopening Terminal 1 and Concourse D – the home terminal for our 60 international carriers, after 15 months of hibernation to accommodate the seasonal rush of travellers over the summer holidays. This was essential to facilitate the continued expansion of the route networks of our home base carriers Emirates and flydubai, whose joint network currently spanning 168 destinations continues to grow,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
He added, “We have already witnessed some of our busiest weekends of the year in July, and with major international events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 and Dubai Airshow 2021 lined up for the months ahead, the outlook for 2021 in terms of passenger numbers looks very promising.”
Griffiths stated that the UK’s recent decision to move the UAE to the “Amber list” and the UAE’s conditional lifting of travel restrictions for passengers arriving from four countries in the Indian subcontinent as well as Nigeria and Uganda are major developments that will significantly boost DXB’s international traffic while enabling social and economic recovery.
However, he noted that the campaign to safely relax restrictions on global air travel will continue apace, in recognition of the UAE’s world-leading vaccination programme and successful management of the global pandemic.
DXB’s passenger volumes in the second quarter totalled 4.9 million, taking the half-yearly figure for the year to 10.6 million, a year on year contraction of 40.9 percent. DXB is currently serving 68 percent of the destinations in 94 percent of the countries on 70 percent of the airlines compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
