Tag: Abu-Dhabi

EAD provided financial support for the development of the portal, which was launched at a global webinar, organised by Wetlands International…reports Asian Lite News

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Wetlands International have launched the Waterbird Populations Portal (WPP), an online interactive platform containing the most recent data on the status and distribution of the world’s waterbird populations.

EAD provided financial support for the development of the portal, which was launched at a global webinar, organised by Wetlands International in partnership with the agency.

The discussion featured a leading international panel including representatives from the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Migratory Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity, African Eurasian Migratory Bird Agreement, East Asian – Australasian Flyway Site Network, West/Central Asian Flyway Site Network, and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, who represent the major users of the new portal.

Dr. Salim Javed, Acting Director of the Terrestrial Biodiversity Division of EAD, was also part of the panel.

With over 870 waterbird species, the newly launched Waterbird Populations Portal will provide the latest population size estimates and trends of over 2,500 populations. These range from the Greater Flamingos, which are regularly seen in the coastal and inland wetlands of the UAE, and the Sarus Crane that stands at over 1.5m tall, making it the tallest flying bird inhabiting wetlands and rice fields in South East Asia and Australia.

It also includes other waterbirds species from Sandpipers to Plovers, including the Crab Plover, which is currently breeding on two of Abu Dhabi’s offshore islands. Conservation of all these species requires easily accessible information on their status and trends to help governments and people take action.

“The new portal makes access of key waterbird information much easier for management authorities, such as EAD, and will certainly help us to prioritise sites for consideration as new Ramsar Sites,” stated Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD Secretary-General.

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The portal will be useful for users, ranging from governments to scientists and conservationists, in the UAE and across the globe, she added.

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Acting Executive Director, Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity Sector of EAD, who also participated in the launch, urged governments, NGOs and experts worldwide to provide their feedback to confirm how the portal practically supports their work and suggestions for improvements in the future.

While speaking as a panellist, Dr. Javed said, ‘‘Interactive maps and the latest 1% threshold of each population will allow us to identify and prioritise sites for local-level planning and inclusion within protected area networks, as well as the declaration of sites as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

“EAD also coordinates the International Waterbird Census (IWC) in the UAE, a long-standing citizen science initiative that allows volunteers to visit important wetlands across the UAE and collect data on waterbirds. Information from a dedicated group of volunteers allows collection of useful data on waterbirds, which feeds into the estimation of waterbird populations,’’ elaborated Dr. Javed.

The WPP provides links to 160 threatened waterbird species, as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It will also support the development and actions of the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Migratory Species, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as major regional/flyway initiatives.

The new portal replaces the Waterbird Population Estimates Portal that was launched at the Ramsar Conference in 2012 and was intensively used by governments, NGOs, researchers, and others from around the world over the last decade.

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Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, and Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, inked the MoU formalising the collaboration….reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to inject capital into the UAE’s industrial sector and support local industrialists.

The new MoIAT-ECI partnership offers a package of financial incentives to support UAE exports, offer financing facilities for manufacturers and advanced technology projects, guarantees for industrial loans, an umbrella insurance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and assistance in securing intellectual property rights for startups.

Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, and Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, inked the MoU formalising the collaboration.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two entities aim to provide products and facilities to support key industrial sectors with a focus on the priority areas of Operation 300bn – MoIAT’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. They will also form a permanent taskforce to implement initiatives that contribute to driving the growth of the industrial and advanced technology sectors in the UAE.

The Ministry seeks to promote ECI’s trade solutions – including trade credit insurance, trade finance, export finance, project finance, loan repayment, equity insurance for startups and micro-SMEs, and ‘Click & Cover’ online solution for SMEs – through the Make it in the Emirates campaign. ECI, in turn, will contribute to attaining Operation 300bn’s goal of enhancing the competitiveness of UAE industrial companies in international markets.

The collaboration will also involve other financial institutions and development banks in improving the current offerings and developing innovative products that meet the needs of the industrial and advanced technology sectors.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said that the partnership is “an important step in boosting the global competitiveness of the UAE’s industrial sector”.

“The array of financial incentives and facilities offered through the new partnership will help stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship among the UAE’s leading industrialists as they seek to fully integrate advanced technologies and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) solutions into their production lines,” he added.

Dr. Al Jaber noted that the agreement is fully aligned with the UAE leadership’s vision of making the industrial sector a key driver of sustainable future economic growth.

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“Cooperation with a major national institution such as ECI will make products made in the UAE easier to access for new global markets while enhancing their competitive advantage and improving the performance of local industry. It will also help forge new economic sectors and consolidate the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and a leader in industries of the future,” he added.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Deputy Chairman of ECI Board of Directors, said, “Easing access to trade and project financing will help advance Operation 300bn and Make it in the Emirates to generate more than double the value of the output of the national manufacturing and industrial sector in the next ten years.

“We believe this collaboration will play a crucial role in boosting the confidence of UAE businesses, thereby enabling them to increase the contribution of the industrial sector in the country’s non-oil GDP.”

Falcioni, in turn, stated that this agreement will enhance industrial sector and attract local and international investment. ECI has always been a catalyst in expanding UAE’s business sector through a range of export credit, financing, and investment insurance products. “As the UAE Federal export credit company, our suite of innovative trade credit and project financing solutions and services can play a vital role in supporting the ‘Operation 300bn’ and ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiatives by the government,” he said.

As of May 2021, ECI enhanced the competitiveness of the UAE non-oil trade and export by issuing 4,039 revolving credit guarantees in excess of AED2.5 billion, equivalent to AED7.5 billion worth of non-oil trade to over 85 countries and eased trade and project finance through guarantees for AED1.16 billion.

A detailed review of the performance has revealed that among the sectors that benefited from ECI’s guarantees include cable, steel, petrochemicals, building materials, packaging, automotive, energy, utilities, healthcare, and food.

Despite the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ECI’s continued support of UAE trade and export has helped to protect businesses’ cash flows and eased SME’s access to trade finance, accelerating economic recovery during this period. These measures provided access to new markets to UAE’s exporters and re-exporters.

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Through its development and investment activities, the fund has financed thousands of strategic projects in 97 countries, while the volume of its development funds and investments has doubled to reach about AED150 billion, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

UAE has effectively contributed to supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in developing countries, stated the ministers and government officials on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).

They highlighted the crucial role of the ADFD in establishing the UAE as the world’s largest donor of development aid relative to national income by financing a host of pioneering initiatives and projects across the globe.

Through its development and investment activities, the fund has financed thousands of strategic projects in 97 countries, while the volume of its development funds and investments has doubled to reach about AED150 billion.

Congratulating the ADFD on its 50th anniversary, Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Minister of Federal Supreme Council Affairs, said, “The fund’s golden jubilee coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the UAE by Sheikh Zayed and his brothers, the Founders of the Union. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan continues on the path the leaders laid out for our nation, which has enabled the country to achieve outstanding results in all vital sectors and strengthen its prestigious global standing.”

“Under the direction of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the ADFD Board of Directors, the fund has contributed to conveying the UAE’s message of solidarity to the world,” he added.

International Cooperation Ambassador Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said, “Since its establishment, the ADFD has been one of the leading global institutions in driving comprehensive sustainable development in developing countries, one of the most important pillars of the UAE’s foreign relations and the nation’s ambassador of international cooperation.”

“The ADFD’s projects and programmes also contributed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals until 2015,” she added.

Promoting Economic Development Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, “The ADFD drives economic development locally and globally by financing projects and fostering investment partnerships. The fund also contributes to implementing Abu Dhabi’s and the wider UAE’s policy of supporting development plans in the infrastructure, energy, education and healthcare sectors in cooperation with international institutions. Furthermore, it plays a key role in strengthening the national economy by promoting the use of locally manufactured products in its projects through Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX).”

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Addressing Climate Change Challenge Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, “For five decades, the ADFD has been integral to the UAE’s journey of driving global development. The fund actively participates in the UAE’s efforts to confront the climate change challenge by promoting the deployment of renewable energy solutions in developing countries.”

Driver and Catalyst of National Economy Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “The ADFD’s pioneering achievements over five decades demonstrate the wisdom and foresight of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. As a landmark national entity, the ADFD has continually supported sustainable development across the globe.

“With the launch of the new strategy of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the UAE is set to emerge as a regional and global hub of advanced industries, while fulfilling the country’s development goals in the next fifty years and beyond,” he added.

Strengthening Role of Private Sector Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Abu Dhabi Chamber), commended the ADFD for launching ADEX, a pioneering economic entity that has achieved a qualitative leap in advancing the UAE’s economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil as a source of income, enhancing the competitiveness of national exports in foreign markets and consolidating the country’s position on the global trade map.

The Abu Dhabi Chamber was the first to sign a cooperation agreement with ADEX, aimed at assisting national companies in developing their export activities.

Renewable Energy Solutions In addition to the $350 million ADFD/IRENA Project Facility, the fund contributed to financing initiatives to support clean energy projects with a total value of $100 million in 27 Pacific and Caribbean countries.

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The Visa is valid for five years and enables entrepreneurs who are foreign nationals and UAE residents…reports Asian Lite News

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has been selected by the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO), a division of the Department of Economic Development (ADDED), to endorse exceptional tech talent for their Entrepreneur Golden Visa from Abu Dhabi.

Hub71 will review, evaluate and issue endorsement letters to entrepreneurial talent for the Entrepreneur Golden Visa based on requirements set by ADDED and the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA). Once entrepreneurs obtain a letter of endorsement from Hub71, ADRO and the ICA will manage enquiries relating to final visa approval and issuance of the Entrepreneur Golden Visa.

The Visa is valid for five years and enables entrepreneurs who are foreign nationals and UAE residents to make the UAE their long-term home to build and scale technologies and innovative solutions.

In addition to the entrepreneurs, their spouses, children and up to three of the entrepreneur’s executive directors could also be covered under the visa, without the need for a national sponsor.

Innovation, entrepreneurship and advanced industries are clear priorities for the UAE as part of its ambition to create a diversified knowledge-based economy in line with the UAE Centennial Plan 2071. Hub71 will review applications from entrepreneurs operating in a diverse range of technology sectors including FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, E-commerce, AI and big data.

Ibrahim Ajami, Interim CEO at Hub71 and Head of Ventures and Growth at Mubadala Investment Company, said, “Abu Dhabi provides entrepreneurs with the infrastructure, resources and support from both the public and private sectors to enable founders to succeed in a growing market where innovation is central to its long-term future. We are calling on changemakers within our community, locally and globally, with bright ideas and a bold vision to advance sectors of national importance and make a positive difference to our society, embracing the growth opportunities the UAE presents.”

For eligibility, entrepreneurs must own a successful project in the UAE with a minimum valuation of AED500,000. Projects must also relate to defined economic sectors – information and telecommunications technology, financial services, health, medical and pharmaceutical industries, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing of food and agriculture products, aviation and defence, petrochemicals, industry and education.

For entrepreneurs whose projects are focused on other sectors, Hub71 has the authority to endorse their application as an accredited organisation by ADDED.

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