The chamber is aware of the advantages that connect the two friendly countries and the efforts to enhance their economic, commercial and investment cooperation…Reports Asian Lite News
Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said that the relations between the UAE and China are historic and based on respect and mutual interests in many areas, including the economy, commerce and tourism.
In an exclusive statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Al Owais said that the ties between the two countries have significant potential and represent a leading model of international economic relations, noting that they are witnessing further development, especially in Sharjah, which is an ideal destination that attracts Chinese companies.
“The chamber is aware of the advantages that connect the two friendly countries,” he added while highlighting its efforts to enhance their economic, commercial and investment cooperation.
Al Owais then pointed out that Sharjah’s economic advantages have attracted the presence of Chinese companies, of which 1,020 are members of the chamber in 2020.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadhi, Director-General of the Chamber
In another statement to WAM, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadhi, Director-General of the Chamber, stressed that China is a strategic economic partner of the UAE, as it is the second leading commercial partner of the country and an influential global economic power with an advanced commercial sector and innovative advanced industries. Therefore, developing the joint commercial ties between China and Sharjah is one of the chamber’s priorities, he added.
Al Awadhi also noted that the strategic geographic location of Sharjah related to the “Belt and Road Initiative” is a key incentive for attracting Chinese investment.
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The Dubai Health Authority, DHA, and Facebook have announced that the DHA COVID-19 hotline service on WhatsApp has received 54,881 unique requests from the public between April and September.
The automated chatbot application is a free 24/7 service which was developed to raise awareness among the public and provide them with accurate information about COVID-19 and some other DHA services. The service was also introduced in line with the Authority’s efforts to provide community members with an option to have a 24/7 communication channel available in multiple languages.
Since the launch of the DHA COVID-19 hotline service in April, users have accurate, official health-related information and advice on the coronavirus, with the most asked questions on the WhatsApp service being “Am I eligible for a coronavirus test and what is the procedure to get the test?”, followed by “Can I get a coronavirus medical certificate?” and the third one being “I suspect that there is a sick person with Coronavirus, what do I do?”
Fatma Al Khaja, Director of the Customer Happiness Department at DHA, said that the DHA hotline service has been very helpful in assisting people by debunking rumours about the virus and equipping the public with the necessary knowledge to take preventive measures against COVID-19.
“We wanted a system that would respond to patients’ queries timeously and to give people a credible channel to receive accurate information. The system provides users with an opportunity to learn more about the virus, get UAE statistics and even find out if they are eligible for a coronavirus test,” Al Khaja said.
As part of an ongoing partnership, Facebook has also provided DHA with ad credits to drive people to government websites, to receive more information and statistics about the pandemic in Dubai. Between April and September 2020, the DHA ads on social platforms Instagram and Facebook have since reached more than six million unique users and have been viewed more than 36 million times.
“Facebook is supporting the global public health community’s work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis,” said Ramez Shehadi, Managing Director for Facebook MENA. “By partnering with the DHA on the WhatsApp service, we are empowering people to access accurate information at the touch of a button, supporting those who require the services and making it easier for people to get tested.”
Facebook also has the Coronavirus Information Centre on top of the News Feed. This is to provide a central place for people to get the latest news on the pandemic. The Centre is directed to over two billion people worldwide, with information from health expert resources, such as health authorities and educational pop-ups to learn more about the virus. Since the release of the feature, over 350 million people have clicked through to learn more via social media platforms Instagram and Facebook.
The DHA WhatsApp hotline utilises Artificial Intelligence, AI, to strengthen communication with the public and give them fast and easy access to accurate and trusted information from official sources. To access the 24/7 service, users can add 800 342 to their phone contacts and send “Hi” on WhatsApp.
Winning the Emirates Lotto has not changed the lifestyle of this 45-year-old UAE resident and electrical engineer from India. Not only that, he is also involved in a search to find people who need help in this difficult times.
Joshy Isaac from India was lucky enough to claim AED 500,000 when he and another winner shared AED 1,000,000 in an Emirates Loto draw on 13 June 2020, and since that time he has mostly helped others in need.
“To be honest since winning the Emirates Loto draw, my lifestyle hasn’t changed that much but I have helped people who need the money more than I do”, said Joshy. “My family in India have benefited from my good fortune too, but I also helped a friend by paying for some urgent medical expenses as he could not afford it.”
During his search for good causes to help, Joshy found a family in need and paid for the construction of their home: “Rather than donating to local charities I thought I would help a family in need to build a house. Security and financial stability should never be taken for granted, especially during times like these.”
Having lived in the UAE for 15 years and a father of three, Joshy has decided to keep doing the same job he did prior to winning Emirates Loto. “The UAE has been very good to me, and I have so much appreciation for Emirates Loto and what it stands for. I am so thankful to be able to have helped others with my winnings; I don’t feel hard times are over just yet.”
Joshy recently postponed a planned vacation due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in his home country, and like many others, has not seen anyone there for more than one year. He continued: “International travel has now become quite a complicated luxury, but I have faith that one day, we will look back on these times having emerged stronger as a global community. One has to crawl through the shadows, then stand in the sun.”
Emirates Loto is set to re-launch soon and continues to work behind the scenes ahead of its first draw. Emirates Loto will also continue to support communities across the UAE and beyond through philanthropic and CSR initiatives that are aligned with its corporate mission and values.
Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has congratulated the stakeholders for the scintillating start and organisational success of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, IPL, in the UAE.
Organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in cooperation with the Emirates Cricket Board and other government entities, the much-anticipated 2020 edition of the star-studded Twenty20 Indian cricket league kicked-off on 19th September in the UAE, with no fans but lots of sizzling action and sensational finishes, especially in Dubai where two of the five matches until now have finished in the Super Over, which is the cricketing equivalent of a penalty shootout.
Sheikh Mansoor said, “The UAE has always welcomed the world with open arms and, thanks to our visionary leadership, we have available all the ingredients needed for the success of any event taking place on our soil, whether it is a sports event, economic or any other.
“The hospitality of the people of UAE is renowned across the world, and we are always keen to support and cooperate with everyone who seeks our assistance.”
He added, “Choosing UAE to host this major tournament at this particular time has great significance and is indicative of the world’s trust and confidence in UAE’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and officials from around the world are here for the IPL, and they are here because they feel safe and secure in the UAE.
Concluding his statement, Sheikh Mansoor said, “We are keen to continue hosting local and international sporting events in accordance with the precautionary measures and protocols in place, and we have succeeded, in cooperation with Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and other relevant authorities, in organising and hosting various local and international sports events since reopening Dubai’s sports sector.”
The IPL is one of the most-watched cricketing events in the world, with top players from around the globe taking part.
The brand value of the 2019 IPL was estimated to be US$6.7 billion, according to New York-based financial consultancy firm Duff & Phelps, and it had a viewership of more than 462 million.
This edition will see a total of 60 matches being played in the UAE over 56 days, with the final on 10th November at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City. Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium are the other hosts for the tournament.
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday chaired a joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and the Russian Federation, on the sidelines of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Addressing the meeting which was held via video technology, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, affirmed the depth of the GCC-Russia relations and the importance of further consolidating them across all fronts, notably at the economic, investment, tourist and cultural levels.
During the meeting, issues of common interest between the GCC and the Russian Federation were reviewed, with specially emphasis on the global fight against COVID-19 and the prospects of setting the stage for enabling the region to move from tension and crises to opportunities, stability and development while building trust.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Emirates Lunar Mission, the first Emirati and Arab mission to explore the moon. The mission supports the UAE’s efforts to enhance the region’s space industry and contribute to its future built by innovative Emirati minds.
The Emirates Lunar Mission is part of the new 2021-2031 strategy launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, which includes the development and launch of the first Emirati lunar rover named “Rashid”, after the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, builder of modern Dubai.
The explorer will be designed and built in the UAE by 100 percent Emirati team of engineers, experts, and researchers. If successful, the UAE will become the first Arab country and the fourth country in the world to land on the lunar surface after the United States, Soviet Union, and China. MBRSC will partner with an international entity to assist in landing the Rashid Lunar Rover on the Moon.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “By exploring the Moon, we are drafting a new inspiring chapter in the UAE’s growing list of achievements in space and beyond.”
“We chose to name the Lunar Rover ‘Rashid’, after the builder of the modern renaissance of Dubai and one of the founders of the UAE. This project is the largest national and humanitarian project in the region.”
“We have a large-scale space programme combined with an unwavering will, strategic governance and an ambitious cadre of scientists, researchers and engineers. The future awaiting us is full of achievements and innovations. What lies ahead is even more promising,” he added.
Scientific objectives
The mission aims to conduct tests to study various aspects of the lunar surface, including the lunar soil and its formation and components, thermal properties of the surface including thermal amplitude and conduction characteristics. It will carry out a series of measurements and tests that will expand human understanding of the Moon-plasma, photoelectrons and dust particles located over the illuminated part of the lunar surface. A range of materials will also be tested and their interaction with the Moon will be studied.
During its mission period, the Lunar Rover will capture multiple images and relay it back to the control room in Dubai. The Emirates Lunar Mission will also test new technologies in material science, robotics, mobility, navigation, and communications, specially designed to survive and function in the harsh lunar environment.
Ideal platform
The Emirati lunar rover will land on an area of the Moon’s surface that has not been explored by any of the previous lunar exploration missions. Therefore, it will provide novel and highly valued data, images, and insights. During its mission, the lunar rover will collect scientific data on matters relating the origin of the solar system, our planet and life.
The Moon is considered an ideal platform to test new technologies and equipment that can be used in future space exploration missions, including Mars. Landing on the Moon also allows for long-term exposure of sensors and other technologies to the space environment. The Lunar Rover will further test new exploration techniques on the Moon, which will help test the UAE’s capabilities before embarking on manned missions to Mars.
Technical specifications
The Lunar Rover will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies including a 3D camera, advanced motion system, sensors, communication system and be powered using solar panels.
It will include four cameras that move vertically and horizontally, including two main cameras, a microscope camera, and a thermal imaging camera. Additionally, it will be equipped with sensors and systems to analyse the properties of soil, dust, radioactivity, electrical activities, and rocks on the surface of the Moon. The explorer will also include an advanced motion system to enhance the efficiency of the Lunar Rover’s wheels’ movement on the Moon and facilitate the process to overcome natural barriers, along with a robust structure to protect devices and machinery from changing temperatures.
From left to right Mr Sayed Habib General Manager Business Development of Danube Home , Mr Shubhojit Mahalanobis General Manager of Danube Home, Mr Adel Sajan Director of Danube Home
Danube Home, the leading one-stop retail solution for all home interior and improvement needs in the region, announced the virtual launch of its latest Garden collection 2021 on 24th September 2020 at the Danube Home showroom where Mr.Adel Sajan – Director Danube Home, Mr.Shubhojit Mahalanobis – General Manager Danube Home and Mr.Sayed Habib – General Manager Business Development Danube Home addressed the media and other esteemed guests virtually.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a challenging year with travel restrictions, social distancing, and fear in the air. At the same time, it offered a chance for individuals and organizations to reset and reshape the world in a more sustainable way. Following this shift with the new normal, Danube Home decided to take the paperless route with our all-new Garden e-catalogue 2021. The new exhaustive e-catalogue is loaded with Danube Home outdoor product range along with insightful information about each of them. It is designed to be easy-to-use, with high-quality visuals all organized into easy-to-navigate sections”, commented Mr. Adel Sajan, Director Danube Home.
The concept of the new Garden Catalogue 2021 is – ‘Bring in the outdoor’. With their new product offering, Danube Home brings the outdoor ambience to home exteriors. A major part of 2020 saw people working and staying home due to COVID-19. With Danube Home garden solutions, customers can get the feeling of a mini-staycation every time they step out into their outdoor space. Balconies, terraces, backyards, and lawns can be designed to entertain family and friends, provide a place for kids to take a break from their electronic devices and play outside or to simply relax and enjoy moments of solitude all the while staying safe at home.
“The Garden 2021 e-catalogue is seamlessly integrated with our e-commerce website. This means that customers can simply click on the product they like on the e-catalogue to navigate to the specific product page on the site and find detailed information and videos of the product. Once they like what they see, they can add to cart and checkout with ease”, said Mr.Sayed Habib, General Manager Buying Danube Home.
“We consistently strive to provide the best product range for our customers and with our new Garden 2021 collection, our customers are sure to be spoilt for choice in all categories, whether it is outdoor flooring solutions, gazebos, umbrellas, sofas, balcony furniture, lighting, garden ornaments, kids play or outdoor bar and barbeque sets. We also have an expert team of professionals who can landscape with our lifelike artificial grass and plants that look great without the maintenance hassle. This year we have added many new products for the kids play area as well as barbeque sets, camping solutions, and artificial plants. I would like to thank my team for the efforts they have put to make a diverse portfolio of products available to appeal to the aesthetics of every customer”, He added.
Danube Home also offers free garden design services which make them even more appealing.
“We are happy to see that customers are keener than ever to design their home exteriors. We’ve had customers who wanted to convert even parking areas to a garden,” Mr. Sayed Habib said.
At the launch, Danube Home also showcased customer testimonial videos featuring some of their happy customers and a look at how the designers at Danube Home completely transformed customers’ outdoor spaces into dream gardens.
Mr. Shubhojit Mahalanobis, General Manager Danube Home said, “After experiencing a challenging period in March-April 2020, we have come back with a bang thanks to our diverse portfolio of products, our adherence to stringent safety protocols, and new and improved strategies in place. Since this period, the global furniture market has also been seeing steady growth as people are now focusing on improving their homes owing to the travel restrictions and COVID-19 related safety protocols. The demand for outdoor furniture is also rising as more and more people have started realizing that living space is not just confined to the walls around them. We as a retailer continuously strive to explore avenues for seamless experience while shopping at all platforms. So I am sure that with the e-catalogue, ecommerce business and brick-and-mortar stores, our customers shall get enthralled as a complete package.”
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India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday announced a packed schedule of 270 repatriation flights out of the UAE commencing 1st October to bring back its citizens who wish to return home to face disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ministry said its new schedule, which will run until 25th October, constitutes the seventh phase of its repatriation mission, known as Vande Bharat. The state-owned budget airline, Air India Express will operate these flights. They may be supplemented later, if needed, by other Indian carriers, it added.
These flights will depart from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, bound, in many instances for multiple domestic destinations in India. The seventh phase of the repatriation mission covers a number of new Indian airports. This will mean Indians in the UAE can directly reach their final destination without having to take a connecting flight or transit at other airports.
The schedule announced also includes flights to bring back Indians from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In Oman, the flights will operate from both Muscat and Salalah airports. From Saudi Arabia, the airports of origin are Dammam and Riyadh.
In the reverse direction, 269 flights will be operated to the UAE from Indian cities by Air India Express during 24 days from 1st October. These flights will take back Indians who live and work in the UAE.
