Tag: GCC

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Biden Visit To Endorse Saudi Role In ME Issues

President Biden is hoping to build bridges with Saudi Arabia. He is planning to reasserting America’s influence in the region after a period of neglect … reports Azeez Anasudin from Jeddah

US President Joe Biden will arrive in Jeddah on Friday to attend the first major summit in the post-Covid era in the Middle East. He will meet leaders of six-member Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) besides Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. The summit labelled US-GCC Plus Three will bring tectonic shifts in regional power equations. Saudi Arabia will back on saddle to lead the region’s peace and progress.

President Biden is hoping to build bridges with Saudi Arabia. He is planning to reasserting America’s influence in the region after a period of neglect.

The US president said Washington’s strategic pivot away from the Middle East had been a mistake, and his trip to the Kingdom would “promote US interests.”

“There are so many issues at stake, I want to make clear that we can continue to lead in the region and not create a vacuum, a vacuum that is filled by China and/or Russia,” he added.

Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president wants to use his trip to deepen Israel’s integration in the region and will be working toward “progress and momentum” on discussions surrounding relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Sullivan said any normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia was likely to take a long time.

“It is our hope and expectation, as we look out into the future, we can help facilitate Israel’s deeper integration into the region across the board. Specifically, with respect to Israel and Saudi Arabia, I’m not going to get ahead of very intensive work that will be done in the course of this trip. Any normalization of any kind would be a long process but looking for progress and momentum in that direction is certainly something we’re focused on as we head off to the Middle East,” he said.

The US is also trying to deepen its ties with regional powerheads. He had discussions with I2U2 leaders on Thursday focussing on water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. The first projects of the I2U2 will be in India and help with agriculture, food and green energy. Biden discussed key issues with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israel’s Yair Lapid and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The president will arrive in Jeddah on Friday after flying directly from Tel Aviv. Before flying to Jeddah on Friday, Biden will hold talks in the occupied West Bank with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. On Thursday he reaffirmed Washington’s policy of pressing for “a two-state solution for two people, both of whom have deep and ancient roots in this land, living side by side in peace and security.”

In another development, an influential Saudi diplomat says the US-Saudi ties are crucial for global peace and prosperity and will defeat the rise of communism.

“President Biden’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia is ‘pivotal’ for developing the American-Saudi partnership and ensuring mutual, and global peace and prosperity.  It has been almost 80 years since the founder of my country, King Abdulaziz, met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to lay the foundation for a postwar Middle East,” Princess Reema bint Bandar, Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington, stated in an opinion article published by Politico.  “Since that day, our two countries worked together to defeat Soviet communism, guarantee global energy security, contain a revolutionary Iran, repel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait and, more recently, destroy Al-Qaeda and Daesh,” she wrote.

Princess Reema added that the Kingdom and the US need to do a great deal more as partners “in these very perilous times.”

“As my nation develops, so too, must the US-Saudi partnership. And that is why the upcoming visit by President Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia is so pivotal. For our relationship to deliver peace and prosperity for both of our peoples and the wider world, we must redefine the contours of the next eight decades of this critical alliance.

 “Long gone are the days when the US-Saudi relationship could be defined by the outdated and reductionist ‘oil for security’ paradigm. The world has changed and the existential dangers facing us all, including food and energy security and climate change, cannot be resolved without an effective US-Saudi alliance,” she said.

Political pundits in the region are asserting the visit is an attempt to tackle the fallouts of Ukraine war and energy crisis.

Amman-based political science professor and geopolitical expert Amer Al Sabaileh told The Media Line that the visit will help facilitate the return of Saudi power to the region.

“For Jordan, the visit has little direct meaning,” Sabaileh said.

“The American president’s visit is meant to strengthen Israel and help return Saudi Arabian influence in the region so that it can be a major player for peace.” He was quoted as saying. “The fact that President Biden will be meeting directly with the Palestinian leadership means that this time around, Jordan will not have much of a political role.”

Jordanian political scientist Taghreed Odeh told The Media Line that the challenges facing the region range from cementing the cease-fire in Yemen, to movement in the Arab-Israel conflict, as well as standing up to the threat from Iran.

The Amman-based Global Network on the Question of Palestine issued a statement about the Jeddah summit saying that it has “strong reservations” with respect to further US and Arab policy shifts.

“We believe they amount to a repudiation of the international community’s responsibility to achieve a comprehensive, just, and durable peace that guarantees the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” the statement said.

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Biden’s Mideast regional tour: It’s all about the agenda

US President Joe Biden’s regional tour will culminate in an extraordinary summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, and attended by the leaders of the GCC states as well as the heads of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq … writes Osama Al Sharif

President Joe Biden will make his first Middle Eastern tour mid-July but everyone is speculating about his agenda. A flurry of diplomatic activity is taking place well before his visit with regional leaders exchanging views to come up with a unified response to a number of issues that are likely to feature during Biden’s regional tour which will culminate in an extraordinary summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, and attended by the leaders of the GCC states as well as the heads of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

US President Joe Biden (Photo: Twitter@POTUS)

Biden will begin his tour with a visit to Israel before meeting President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in the West Bank. He will then travel to Saudi Arabia—and may make a short stopover in Amman—for an historic visit aimed at resetting ties between Riyadh and Washington. It is no secret that relations between the two countries had gone through a tense phase following Biden’s presidential victory. Biden had talked about Saudi Arabia being an international pariah during his election campaign and was seen by both the Saudis and Emiratis as doing little, while in the White House, to condemn and respond to attacks by the pro-Iran Houthis in war torn Yemen.

So much so that both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi had ignored calls by Biden and top US officials following Houthi drone and missile attacks against sensitive targets in the two countries. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February had changed the global geopolitical realities. Suddenly Biden needed the two oil-rich Middle Eastern countries to help calm the bullish energy markets, which were wreaking havoc on the economies of the US and Europe.

Biden has said that energy was not the only issue he will be discussing with regional leaders during his visit. Israel wants Iran’s nuclear file to top the talks in light of the stalemate hampering a conclusion to more than one year of tough negotiations in Vienna. Israel has been threatening to launch a military strike against Iran’s nuclear sites.

Giving boost to such a scenario is the US Congress adoption of a bill calling on the Pentagon to integrate the air defenses of Israel and a number of Arab countries that are close allies to the United States within a specific period of time. A week ago Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that Israel has joined with several other countries in the Middle East to form a new US-led joint air defense network, known as the Middle East Air Defense Alliance (MEAD). No other Arab country has confirmed this.

Israel has already deployed its air defense system in two Gulf states aimed at thwarting any missile threat from Iran. Gantz has said that the program is already operative and has enabled the successful interception of Iranian attempts to attack Israel and other countries.

Saudi Crown Prince pays a visit to Turkey to renew ties

Unconfirmed Israeli reports said that the US has been planning to facilitate Riyadh’s inclusion into the Abraham Accords during Biden’s visit. Again there was no confirmation of this by Saudi Arabia.

During the regional tour last week by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, a joint Jordanian-Saudi communiqué reiterated both countries’ support of the two-state solution in accordance with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative (API). The API, presented by the Saudis in 2002, calls for recognizing Israel only if it withdraws from occupied Palestinian territories and accepts the creation of a Palestinian state. Despite Israeli media speculation, the Saudis have been consistent in their unwavering position on the Palestinian issue.

It is unlikely that the Jeddah summit will lead to a Saudi normalization with Israel. At least three of the GCC countries refuse to normalize ties with Israel until a just solution to the Palestinian issue is concluded.

That leaves the issue of formalizing what has been dubbed as a US-led Middle Eastern NATO with Israel being part of it. That too is problematic even for countries that have recently normalized ties with Israel. In a recent interview with CNBC, Jordan’s King Abdullah said he would “be one of the first people that would endorse a Middle East NATO” but added that the vision of such a military alliance must be very clear, and its role should be well defined. “The mission statement has to be very, very clear. Otherwise, it confuses everybody,” he said.

For Jordan an openly anti-Iran military alliance, with Israel being part of it would create a backlash at home. Same could be said of the UAE, which has close economic ties with Iran. As much as Iran’s regional behavior is condemned, no Arab country would explicitly join a military coalition that could wage war on the Islamic Republic, which could have terrible outcomes for Gulf countries and beyond.

Israel would like to impose a certain agenda on Biden’s Middle Eastern tour. That possible agenda would annoy Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar for various reasons. The fact is that there are different calculations for each country. The best Biden could do now is to reset US-Saudi ties after a rollercoaster year. There is nothing he can do to revive Israeli-Palestinian talks and it is unlikely that he can recruit many countries to join openly an anti-Iran military front. So far his agenda will be limited to achieving what a majority of Americans want and that is to secure a proactive Saudi role in controlling the erratic oil markets in a bid to alleviate the economic damage back home ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.

(Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist and a political commentator based in Amman)

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Arab News

Pankaj Gupta announces launch of GCC Chapter of 256 Network

Pankaj Gupta announces launch of GCC Chapter of 256 Network

256 Network has over 600 members in 27 countries, with membership in the GCC increasing from 3% to 15% of overall membership…reports Asian Lite News

Pankaj Gupta, Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments, announces the launch of the GCC Chapter of 256 Network, an exclusive peer-built network bringing together decision-makers in the global alternatives market.

256 Network has over 600 members in 27 countries, with membership in the GCC increasing from 3% to 15% of overall membership. The exclusive network has over 400 asset management firms managing over $4 trillion in assets, of which 40% is in the region. The GCC Chapter of the 256 Network will be Chaired by Pankaj Gupta, Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments.

The event held at the Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers in Dubai to launch the new Middle East chapter brought together industry-leading peers from across the region in the financial investment markets including Venture Capital, Private Equity, Sovereign Funds, Family Office and other financial institutions and affiliates. The event also held an industry speaking panel to share insights and experiences across a variety of panel topics, including the benefits and synergies of successful collaboration between GCC and Indian businesses and the importance of how the GCC is a captive market in attracting increased capital and entrepreneurs.

Pankaj Gupta, Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments and Co-Chair, 256 Network GCC Chapter, said: “I am immensely proud to be part of the 256 Network and to launch and Chair the new GCC chapter to bring together like-minded peers. I look forward to collectively sharing and fostering our innovative ideas to capitalize on the vast and attractive investment and growth opportunities across the region.”

ALSO READ:UAE joins IPHE global initiative

Dhruv Sehra, Founder of 256 Network, said: “256 Network was established to bring together a strong global network of decision makers in the private markets to share peer-to-peer engagements and industry-level knowledge. Our members are from across the sphere, not only venture capital and private equity but also additional asset classes such as debt, commodities, fintech, public markets and art. We have hosted over 50 gatherings and are thrilled to launch the new GCC chapter in Dubai to enhance our expanding network and business ecosystem.”

Prashant Prakash, Partner, Accel Partners and Founding Board Member of 256 Network, said: “We’re delighted to launch the new GCC chapter of 256 Network to continue and build upon our extensive network of knowledge sharing and professional development. The launch event was a huge success and an excellent opportunity to gain insightful perspectives and meet new members to discuss the rapid growth of investment opportunity available in the GCC and future market trends.”

Speakers headlining the session at the launch event included Pankaj Gupta, Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments, Sudhir Sethi, Chiratae Ventures, Dr Tayeb Kamali, Director General for Education & Training Development at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Prashant Prakash, Partner of Accel Partners. The session was moderated by 256 Network founder, Dhruv Sehra.

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 Blasphemy controversy failed to affect India-Gulf ties

India and the GCC states, particularly the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, today share close ties and cooperation in almost every sphere, especially in energy, trade, military, defence, counter-terrorism. …writes ADITI BHADURI

The uproar in the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), over alleged “blasphemy” in India has died down as suddenly as it had begun. This is not surprising. Those who express alarmist views do so out of an incomplete understanding of relations between India and the Gulf.

Certainly, the Gulf states matter tremendously to India. But equally, the Gulf countries have prospered from the endless supply of Indian blue and white collar workers to the region.

Eight million Indians live in the Gulf countries, constituting the largest expatriate populations in many of them. They send back hefty remittances of around 60 billion USD, forming a significant portion of India’s foreign exchange.

However, these Indians do not live in the Gulf states on the largesse of these states. They put in back-breaking labour to turn the deserts into gleaming icons of modernity. Because of the large pool available, their willingness to work at wages that locals and others would not, and their ability to keep a low profile and not be politically involved in the affairs of these states ensure that they remain the more preferred labour recruits.

In fact, Indians came to be increasingly preferred to Arab labour in the GCC states, after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the support it got from Palestinian immigrants there. Over the years, different considerations have attached themselves to different groups, for instance many Shiite Lebanese suspected of being supporters of Hezbollah, were deported from a number of GCC countries. These countries abhor and strictly forbid any type of demonstration or mobilisation by expatriate communities who outnumber indigenous population in many of the GCC states. A case in point is the demonstration by Pakistanis in support of Imran Khan recently in Mecca, and the more recent demonstration by expats in Kuwait against “blasphemy” in India – deportation awaits all of them.

India and the GCC states, particularly the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, today share close ties and cooperation in almost every sphere, especially in energy, trade, military, defence, counter-terrorism. Even Kuwait, some of whose citizens have been amongst most severely critical of the current Indian administration, and which is the only GCC state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet visited, opened the office of a defence attach� in Delhi in 2020, testifying to growing ties, encompassing sensitive areas including defence.

According to government data, bilateral trade between India and the GCC has expanded rapidly over the last few years, increasing to 154.73 billion USD in 2021-22 from 87.4 billion in 2020-21. The share of these six countries to India’s total exports has risen to 10.4 per cent in 2021-22 from 9.51 per cent in 2020-21 standing at USD 44 billion in 2021-22 against USD 27.8 billion in 2020-21; imports rose by 85.8 per cent to USD 110.73 billion compared to USD 59.6 billion in 2020-21. The balance of trade is clearly in favour of the GCC countries, with energy exports being the GCC’s main exports, including significant amounts of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and almost 40 per cent of liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar.

India looks to the GCC as a major source of foreign investments; UAE has become the biggest GCC investor in India. During the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2019 to Delhi, he promised investments of upto 100 billion USD. Both countries have participated in helping India build up her strategic oil reserves.

More recently, UAE and Saudi companies have signed MoUs for investing in tourism and transport in Jammu and Kashmir. But many of these investors are NRIs based in the region. Indians have also turned out to be major investors in GCC. For instance, Indians are now the largest investors in Dubai’s real estate, estimated to be 2.2 billion USD. Similarly Indians account for largest number of tourists now driving Dubai’s non-oil economy surge to 35-month high, so important for post-Covid economic recovery.

UAE and Saudi Arabia are third and fourth largest trading partners of India respectively, Kuwait remains amongst India’s top ten trading partners with investments of 5 billion USD. India concluded the Comprehensive Economic Partnership which is billed to take bilateral trade up to 100 billion USD. India is similarly negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC.

A day ago, the UAE announced it was banning the export and re-export of wheat sourced from India since 13 May, testifying to the important role India was playing in its food security; till the Ukraine conflict broke out, Russian and Ukrainian wheat were imported by the UAE. India, which has emerged the largest wheat producer since has made exceptions to allowing wheat exports to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Besides wheat, India is a major exporter of agricultural and food products to the GCC.

Health industry is another area of vital cooperation for India and the GCC countries. Medical tourism, Indian health workers and pharmaceuticals play a significant role in the lives of the GCC residents. With the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic, this had only increased.

“Saudi Arabia views India as an important strategic partner. India is an important asset to international and regional integrated efforts to deal with the current situation and minimise its impact on the health of global community. We are working closely with the Indian government in this regard,” Saudi Arabia’s envoy to India Saud bin Mohammed Al said in an interview in 2020.

Ties have, however, moved beyond to enter the fields of counter-terrorism, defence, and security cooperation. India and Abu Dhabi signed a strategic partnership treaty in 2017 during the then Crown Prince and current President Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan’s visit to India to participate in the coutnry’s Republic Day celebrations. In 2019, Riyadh chose India as one of its eight strategic partners under the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. History was made last year when India and Saudi Arabia held their first ever joint naval exercise, called the Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise, after a similar drill “Zayed Talwar” with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

Defence and military ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia received a major boost with Indian Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane’s visit to these countries last year – the first such trip by an Indian service chief. Another significant first was the visit of the Saudi Army Chief Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair to India earlier this year in February. India and Oman too share a robust defence partnership for years; tri-service military exercises are conducted by both countries regularly. Omani military personnel are trained in India, and since 2018 Oman has given India access to its Port Duqm for military and logistical use.

In 2020, the Embassy of Kuwait opened a defence attach� office in Delhi. Kuwaiti Ambassador to India Al Najem said opening of the military office in New Delhi attests that there is a real desire to increase defence and security cooperation between the two friendly countries.

India also plays an important role in maintaining the security of the Gulf’s sea lanes through its anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia.

The turmoil of the Arab spring, the rise of Islamic militants like ISIS and Islamist political movements in the region, a resurgent Iran after the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), a receding US footprint from the region, a terrorism and debt-ridden Pakistan no longer able or willing to provide its military services to its GCC patrons have been drivers of closer cooperation with India in defence and counter-terrorism.

India has also played behind the scene roles: India was a venue for a backchannel meeting between Israeli diplomat Dore Gold and Saudi representative retd. Major General Anwar Eshki. In 2017, during the blockade and boycott of Qatar by some of its Gulf allies, India airlifted supplies and cattle to the gas-rich state. India has cooperated with the UAE to help treat Yemeni civilians and army personnel injured in the country’s brutal civil war.

All of these reflect the mutuality of the ties between India and the different GCC states. Ties which go back millennia received a major boost under Prime Minister Modi, who made “Look West” a priority in his foreign policy objectives. But the current level of cooperation could be reached because India’s GCC partners also stood to gain from such cooperation and therefore have been willing to take the relationship with India forward.

It is too deep, span too many areas to be destroyed by an unfortunate indiscretion occurring during a heated television debate. It is another matter that there are those who would like to put a spanner on such ever-burgeoning ties.

ALSO READ: GCC states follow suit

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Business Economy

‘GCC digital economy expanding rapidly’

The digital economy is growing six times as fast as its traditional counterpart. China and the United States are presently in a commanding position within the digital economy because of their tech champions, which account for 90 percent of the market capitalization of the world’s 70 largest digital companies…reports Asian Lite News

By instituting the right policies and by developing tech champions, GCC countries can reach the level of advanced digital economies, adding US$255 billion to regional GDP by 2030, including $119 billion in Saudi Arabia alone, according to the latest report by Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network.

The digital economy of the GCC region is expanding rapidly. However, the region’s focus remains tilted toward traditional IT, and the maturity of its tech market lags behind other parts of the world. The emergence of GCC tech champions can play a significant role in closing this gap. Tech champions provide the economies of scale and scope necessary for innovation, talent attraction, job creation, large-scale investment, and exports.

The digital economy is growing six times as fast as its traditional counterpart. China and the United States are presently in a commanding position within the digital economy because of their tech champions, which account for 90 percent of the market capitalization of the world’s 70 largest digital companies.

“While the GCC digital economy is growing rapidly, that alone will not make the region internationally competitive,” said Chady Smayra, partner with Strategy& Middle East. “Investment in research and development (R&D) and in startups remains limited, while foreign companies are still responsible for the bulk of its product development and service delivery. Conversely, with the help of tech champions, regional GDP could jump by a cumulative 5% by 2030, creating some 600,000 technology jobs,” he added.

“As the regional economy transitions to being led by digital disruptors, the digital economy could increase its contribution to regional GDP potentially by $30 billion over the next five years, from $169 billion to $204 billion. Digital solutions, including emerging technologies, will fuel most of this growth, commented Tarek El Zein, partner with Strategy& Middle East.

The Strategy& report shows that technology champions develop in three key stages: creating an anchor portfolio and value propositions; scaling up and expanding geographically; and diversifying and monetizing at scale. The success of an aspiring tech champion during these three stages depends on several factors:

Sustainable value creation: Given the magnitude of the technology ecosystem, no single company can be everything to everyone, which is why technology champions should define what type of company it will be (its archetype), and then its value chain characteristics, business model, and how it differentiates its products. The company should then establish a competitive value chain, the necessary capabilities, a suitably innovative business model, and the most efficient level and frequency of investment.

Go-to-market formula: Tech champions adopt multiple go-to-market models, depending on the chosen business archetype. Co-creation of with clients, value-adding partners for sales and distribution, frictionless digital experience and fulfillment are a few of the levers being adopted. In addition to this, product-focused companies need strong innovation, whether it be in hardware, platforms, or software. They either develop this Intellectual Property (IP) within the company, co-create it through R&D partnerships with specialist companies and through open innovation licensing, or acquire it from third parties and acquisitions.

Talent: Tech champions need to attract and retain specialized talent in essential areas. These include product development, user experience design, solution architecture, data science and business analysis, as well as deep expertise in certain technologies (such as IoT, machine learning, immersive interfaces, and neutral networks.

Agile operating models: Tech companies need to adopt a lean and agile operating model. Such an approach is particularly evident when it comes to the concept-to-market value chain and certain other areas, such as product and portfolio strategy, ideation, roadmap development, roll-out, the soft launch, and product management and decommissioning.

Appropriate corporate structures and geographic footprint: The makeup of the corporate structure and the selection and location of holding and operating companies secures tech champions’ business goals and boosts monetization. Getting these decisions right also means that the tech champion can more effectively handle data management laws, and issues relating to IP protection and taxation.

Regulatory and policy support: “GCC governments have an important role to play in the development of tech champions, said Ramzi Khoury, partner with Strategy& Middle East. “Decision makers at the national level need to find the right balance between supporting the establishment of national tech champions, attracting global tech champions, and ensuring fair market access to new start-ups that could themselves potentially grow into the large tech companies of the future.”

“Gulf countries must create and promote tech champions to build a strong digital economy and facilitate national resilience. At present, they are largely buyers and adopters — an unsustainable position. Instead, they should become tech disruptors by enabling the development of their own tech champions, with the government acting as a facilitator,” concluded Wissam Abdel Samad, partner with Strategy& Middle East.

ALSO READ-Delhi Reiterates Close Ties With OIC, GCC states

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EU unveils strategic partnership with GCC

Increased cooperation and exchanges between the EU and GCC countries will ultimately be beneficial also for the people of both regions…reports Asian Lite News

The High Representative and the European Commission have adopted a Joint Communication on a ‘Strategic Partnership with the Gulf’ with the aim to broaden and deepen the European Union (EU)’s cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its member states.

Within this context, the High Representative/Vice-President said in a statement that there’s a need to work more closely together on stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, on global security threats; energy security, climate change and the green transition, digitalisation, trade and investment. “We also need to strengthen contacts between students, researchers, businesses and citizens.”

A strengthened partnership is beneficial both for the EU and for the Gulf partners, with the EU being the world’s largest single market, a leader in research and innovation, an important security actor in the Gulf region and the leading actor on global challenges such as climate change and digitalisation. The EU Global Gateway provides a dynamic framework for cooperation with GCC partners to foster sustainable investments in the broader Middle East region as well as in Africa. GCC countries are dynamic economies and an important gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. They are reliable Liquefied Natural Gas providers and have some of the best solar and wind resources in the world, whose development can be key in implementing mutual strategies to meet climate commitments as well as economic goals. As a strong defender of multilateralism and social transformation including human rights and gender equality, the EU will continue to foster political dialogue on such matters with the Gulf countries.

Increased cooperation and exchanges between the EU and GCC countries will ultimately be beneficial also for the people of both regions. Closer inter-cultural cooperation, mobility for youth and students, higher education cooperation and exchanges will improve mutual understanding and trust. And these examples are not exhaustive.

The Joint Communication addresses a series of key policy areas, presenting concrete proposals for strengthened EU-GCC cooperation on energy, green transition and climate change, trade and economic diversification, regional stability and global security, humanitarian and development challenges, and closer people-to-people contacts.

ALSO READ: EU revises growth forecast down, inflation estimate up

Joining forces to address climate change and harness the opportunities provided by the green transition is paramount and mutually beneficial. The Gulf region is particularly impacted by climate change and the EU, a pioneer in initiatives for a climate transition, can be a partner in developing the know-how and expertise to address this challenge.

A multilateral and rules-based international order requires cooperation to enhance mutual security and the stability of the wider European neighbourhood and the Gulf.

Protracted conflict situations also require a more strategic and enhanced engagement to address the unprecedented humanitarian and development needs in the wider Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Gulf countries are a significant donor of bilateral financial aid and can play an important role in the promotion of the respect of International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian principles.

In view of enhancing closer people-to people contacts, youth and student mobility, inter-cultural and higher education cooperation, achieving visa free travel for the GCC countries is a shared interest and objective for the EU and the GCC countries.

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Arab News Business News

Tribe of 6 fash-leisure brand launches across GCC

Tribe of 6 fash-leisure brand launches across GCC

Tribe of 6, the new homegrown and sustainable fash-leisure brand designed for those who want threads with a purpose, launches across the GCC this month…reports Asian Lite News

Inspired by the six degrees of connections between us all, Tribe of 6 creates fashionable, yet comfortable apparel for those who want to express their individuality while still being part of today’s fashion moment. With sustainability, inclusivity, and community at the core of the brand’s DNA, the fash-leisure brand is on a mission to create a diverse tribe and movement that welcomes everybody, while proving that fashion should not cost the earth.

Featuring contemporary silhouettes and vibrant colours, every Tribe of 6 product follows ethical guidelines ensuring industry-leading quality and environmentally responsible practices across sourcing and manufacturing of fabrics.  Homegrown in the GCC, all design and product creation is local to the UAE. Production processes have been put in place that positively impact the environment, from the fabric and compostable packaging used, to fair working conditions, and a local supply chain. All Tribe of 6 pieces are consciously made with ethically sourced fabric that is recycled, reclaimed or organic.

The brand embraces diversity and body-positivity by offering a wide range of pieces to choose from, including unisex styles in a broad range of sizes. Shoppers have the freedom to select from a collection that is closest to their personal style. Standing at the crossroads of East and West, Tribe of 6 is the region’s new go-to brand for mindful shoppers who still want to stay stylish.

ALSO READ: Valaya’s world of magic fashion

Tribe of 6 is a new fashion player that wants to push the industry towards meaningful change, by bringing all together all walks of life to form a community that celebrates talent, diversity, and inclusivity. The brand aims to showcase not only where we have come from, but where we are going together. We invite you to be part of the tribe.

Customers can discover Tribe of 6 at select Foot Locker stores in Kuwait, KSA and the UAE, as well as Harvey Nichols, Kuwait. Also shop Tribe of 6 online at Namshi across all three markets, and Tamanna in Kuwait.  

The collection will be available exclusively at limited-time pop-ups at the below malls:

Mall of the Emirates, UAE from April 18 to May 10

The Avenues in Kuwait from April 13 to May 13

Riyadh Park KSA from April 18 to May 12

Red Sea Mall KSA from April 13 to May 12

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-Top News India News UAE News

Looking at GCC for CEPA: Goyal

India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said India is embarking with the United Kingdom, Australia on free trade agreement (FTA) and hoped to look at the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership…reports Asian Lite News

“It’s a journey that we are all embarking with the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, Australia and with the European Union. We hope to also look at the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA),” Goyal said.

He continued, “in all of these journeys, I think UAE and India have made an excellent document, covering a wide variety of subjects can certainly help as a template and set the goal and agenda for our future engagement.”

He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led India from the front over the CEPA signed with UAE and his vision has always been to achieve a “historic high in goods and services” between the two countries.

ALSO READ: India, UAE target $250 bn in bilateral trade

“At some time in the near future, we hope to also to look at the entire GCC region for a comprehensive economic partnership,” he added.

Referring to the challenges posed by COVID, he said India has “a trusted country status”.

“The whole world trusts India today. Businesses for their timely delivery, quality of service, and despite the COVID not even for a one second did our Indian service providers let down any international commitment.” (ANI)

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Sheikh Abdullah, GCC chief discuss regional, global issues

Sheikh Abdullah, GCC chief discuss regional, global issues

Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Al-Hajraf discussed regional and global issues and developments, as well as ways to bolster joint GCC action…reports Asian Lite News

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has received Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Al-Hajraf discussed regional and global issues and developments, as well as ways to bolster joint GCC action.

The sides also reviewed the outputs of the GCC’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, and the role of the GCC Pavilion in spotlighting the heritage, history, achievements and future plans of GCC countries.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the GCC’s key role in tackling the common challenges facing its member countries, as well as strengthening the strategic and fraternal between them to ensure a prosperous future peoples for their peoples.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah also met Dr. Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Habeck discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and joint cooperation in all fields, including economic, trade, investment and energy.

Sheikh Abdullah, GCC chief discuss regional, global issues (WAM)

The sides also discussed a number of issues of common interest, including energy and the importance of stabilising the world’s energy and food markets, and exchanged views on the latest developments in the regional and international arenas, developments in the Ukraine crisis and ways to resolve the conflict.

ALSO READ: Abdullah bin Zayed receives Speaker of Jordan’s House of Representatives at Expo 2020

Dr. Robert Habek reviewed the participation of the Federal Republic of Germany in Expo 2020 Dubai and its important role in exploring promising prospects for cooperation in vital sectors.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Dr. Robert Habek, stressing the importance of the strategic relations and developing them to serve the interests of their countries and peoples.

The meeting was attended by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Hafsa Abdullah Mohammed Al Ulama, UAE Ambassador to Germany.

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Lebanon reaffirms commitment to restore GCC ties

Lebanon’s Prime minister

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring normal ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries…reports Asian Lite News

Lebanon would “take all necessary measures” to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries,” and there is “the need to stop all political, military, security and media activities that originate from Lebanon and affect the sovereignty, security and stability” of these countries, Xinhua news agency quoted Mikati as saying in a statement.

ALSO READ: Lebanon facing wheat crisis amid Russia-Ukraine conflict: President

Lebanon would tighten border control to prevent drug smuggling to the GCC member states, he added.

Lebanon has witnessed rising tensions with Gulf states over the past year in the light of drug smuggling attempts from the country to the Gulf region.

In addition, the Gulf states have more than once expressed displeasure with the dominant political position of Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist party in Lebanon, and its support of Yemeni Houthi rebels.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict affected Lebanon’s capacity to secure sufficient wheat, urging UN to increase food support for his country, a statement by Lebanon’s Presidency reported.

“Wheat warehouses were destroyed in the Beirut port blasts in 2020, and the war in Ukraine further impacted our access to this commodity,” Aoun was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Aoun’s remarks came on Monday during his meeting in Italy with David Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Programme, who said the WFP will continue supporting Lebanon despite the increasingly difficult global situation.

Aoun also met with the director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Qu Dongyu, who said that FAO will urge member states of the organization to double their production of basic food products with the aim of facing the emerging global situation in light of the war in Ukraine.

Dongyu promised Aoun to continue coordinating with the Lebanese government to provide Lebanon with its needs.

Aoun arrived in Italy on Monday and he will also hold meeting with Italian president and officials.