Category: UAE News

The source did not say what those concerns are but said the visa ban is expected to last for a short period…reports Asian Lite News

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stopped issuing new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Somalia, among others.

An immigration document said that applications for new employment and visit visas have been suspended until further notice for nationals outside the UAE from countries including Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen.

The visa ban also applies to citizens of Algeria, Kenya, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Tunisia, the document said. It is not clear if there are any exceptions to the ban, Al Jazeera reported.

The report said that a source briefed on the matter said the UAE has temporarily stopped issuing new visas to Afghans, Pakistanis, and citizens of several other countries over security concerns.

The source did not say what those concerns are but said the visa ban is expected to last for a short period.

Last week, Pakistan’s foreign ministry had said that the UAE had stopped processing new visas for its citizens and those from some other countries.

Islamabad said it is seeking information from the UAE on the reason for the suspension but that it thought it is related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read:UAE implements major corporate law rejig

The MoU was inked by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Li Aishung, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, in the presence of Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and senior officials from both sides….reports Asian LIte News

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SCCI, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, as part of the SCCI’s participation in the Shanxi-Middle East Economy and Trade Cooperation Conference, which was held virtually on Monday with the participation of economic organisations and institutions from the UAE and the region.

The agreement stipulates the establishment of a partnership between the two sides and the strengthening of economic cooperation in various fields that serve the common interests to achieve the development goals of the two sides. According to the MoU, the two sides are also committed to exchanging experiences and knowledge, organising forums, seminars, specialised meetings, and professional training, and exchanging information on best practices in the interests of the business community of both friendly countries.

The MoU was inked by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Li Aishung, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, in the presence of Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and senior officials from both sides.

“The MoU is a step in the right direction towards prosperous economic partnerships, as part of Sharjah’s keenness to strengthen its diverse relationships at the global level to serve the local business community,” said Al Owais, adding the emirate is always looking to provide all necessary facilities that help attract foreign investment and enhance the competitiveness of companies operating in foreign markets.

The SCCI Chairman commended the SCCI’s bilateral relations with Shanxi Province and the mutual visits between the two sides, the last of which was the visit of a high-level business delegation of 18 businessmen, stressing that the agreement marks the outcome of the comprehensive strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries and new prospects for joint action in various sectors.

Li Aishung expressed happiness at the cooperation with the Sharjah Chamber, underlining the fact that the MoU will help strengthen existing ties and establish a new phase of cooperation and trade exchange with Sharjah which was and still has the same attractiveness to Chinese investments in all domains.

He stressed that the economic and trade relations between China and the UAE are witnessing a remarkable development, especially that China attaches special importance to investment in the emirate of Sharjah.

Also read:UAE, UK join hands to boost trade ties

The deal comes as Israel and the UAE are working to warm up their ties after signing a US-brokered deal on September 15 to normalize relations…reports Asian Lite News

The Israeli cabinet has ratified a mutual visa exemption deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Jewish state’s first such move with an Arab country.

“We have approved a visa exemption agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” Xinhua news agency quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying in a tweet on Sunday.

The deal bolsters economic ties and reciprocal tourism between the two countries, according to Netanyahu.

“This is the first Arab country with which we have signed such an agreement. Of course, this will develop and strengthen ties between the countries as well as economic links.

“I believe that every citizen of Israel, the entire world, sees the great change that we are bringing to our region in every field,” The Times of Israel quoted the Prime Minister as saying to reporters also on Sunday

The deal comes as Israel and the UAE are working to warm up their ties after signing a US-brokered deal on September 15 to normalize relations.

Sunday’s development came after Ministers voted unanimously to approve the treaty, which was signed in Tel Aviv last month.

The UAE government reportedly ratified the agreement on November 1, which means that it will enter into force in 30 days.

The UAE-Israel visa exemption agreement will mean that citizens will be allowed to enter each other’s countries without having to go through the hassle of applying for a visa first.

It is the first such arrangement between the Jewish state and an Arab country.

Even Israel’s closest ally, the US, has so far refused to sign a visa exemption agreement with the Jewish state.

Also read:UAE, Indonesia ink AEO Action Plan

On UAE side, Suoud Salem AlAqroobi, Director of International Relations, Federal Customs Authority, FCA, signed the action plan with R. Syarif Hidayet, Director of International and Public Affairs Department, Indonesian Customs on the Indonesian side…reports Asian Lite News

Via teleconference, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Indonesia signed an Action Plan for a mutual recognition arrangement on the Authorised Economic Operator Program, AEO, in a step to facilitate inter-countries trade, effective and swift implementation of program mutual recognition agreement under the umbrella of the agreement on cooperation and assistance in customs affairs executed by both countries on 24 July 2019.

On UAE side, Suoud Salem AlAqroobi, Director of International Relations, Federal Customs Authority, FCA, signed the action plan with R. Syarif Hidayet, Director of International and Public Affairs Department, Indonesian Customs on the Indonesian side.

Companies registered under the AEO program in UAE counted 81 companies while efforts are exerted to sign AEO mutual recognition agreements with South Korea, KSA and China, and India is underway to execute the agreement. Such agreements cover 29.8% of State aggregate non-oil trade globally.

Ahmad Abdullah Bin Lahej Alfalasi, Director General of FCA, said that UAE is keen to bolster economic and trade relations with the Republic of Indonesia, and leverage such relations to highest levels based on the historical ties between both the country since the establishment of the federation, in addition to the soaring magnitude of trade exchange and economic cooperation between the countries.

He highlighted that the action plan with the Republic of Indonesia represents a milestone on customs relations between the two countries while the plan serves as an essential step to implement AEO program mutual recognition, which will positively affect inter-countries trade movement in addition to securing numerous advantages to authorised companies under the program in both countries.

Also read:UAE builds mosque named after Indonesian President