Tag: GCC

Categories
Arab News Travel & Tourism UAE News

Expat retirement visas could boost tourism at GCC

Expat retirement visas could boost tourism at GCC

Visiting family & friends of retirees will help to smooth peaks and troughs of high and low demand travel periods…reports Asian Lite News

Providing expatriate workers, who qualify, with residence visas to stay beyond their working lives and the introductions of a series of other new visa options will be key for tourism and give a boost to attractions, activities and entertainment venues. This will be one of the topics addressed at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), 2022, which takes place on 8-11 May.

danielle-curtis-exhibition-director-me-atm-2

ARIVAL Dubai @ ATM, advances the creation of in-destination experiences by providing insights and a community for creators and sellers of tours, activities and attractions. It examines current and future trends and focuses on growing business through marketing, technology, distribution, thought leadership, and executive level connections.

It is estimated that there are currently over 35 million expatriate workers in the GCC countries and there could be a sizeable proportion of the white-collar community, that might want to retire in the GCC, even if it was only for a short period of time.

DANIELLE CURTIS, EXHIBITION DIRECTOR ME, ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET: “With the means and time on their hands, it would be natural, not only for these retirees to travel, but also to receive family and friends. Airlines, hotels, destinations and other entertainment venues, all benefit from this additional revenue stream which ordinarily might have been lost, had the retirees returned to their home countries. In addition, it is hardly a coincidence that two of Dubai’s top feeder markets in 2019, India with two million visitors and the UK, with 1.2 million visitors have communities in the UAE, of 2.6 million and 120,000 respectively.”

Spotting this potential, Dubai Tourism in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai), has already launched an initiative called ‘Retire in Dubai’, the first of its kind in the region, a practical framework with certain minimum financial requirements, whereby residents of Dubai who are approaching retirement age, can apply for a renewable, five-year retirement visa.

“If this initiative is a success, it is more than likely that other GCC nations will follow at some point. Retired expatriates would undoubtedly contribute significantly to the tourism sector, receiving family and friends and continuing to enjoy a quality lifestyle that they have become accustomed to,” added Curtis.

Worth $254 billion globally in 2019, the tours, activities, and attractions segment of travel and tourism is not just the third-largest part of travel; it is why many people travel in the first place. Providing just such a catalyst would be events and attractions, such as Expo 2020, FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Ain Dubai, as well as the upcoming tourism attractions in Saudi Arabia and the natural beauty of Oman.   

Now in its 29th year and working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the event, show highlights in 2022 will include, among others, destination summits focused on key source markets Saudi, Russia, China and India.

ALSO READ: UAE endorses Leaders’ Pledge for Nature at COP26

Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology which puts a spotlight on the latest, next generation technology for travel and hospitality, ATM buyer forums and speed networking events.

ATM 2022 will also host dedicated conference summits on the Global Stage, covering aviation, hotels, sports tourism, retail tourism and a special hospitality investment seminar. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organisation, will once again be participating at ATM. The GBTA will deliver the latest business travel content, research and education to drive the recovery and support growth in business travel. And in collaboration with ‘Arival the in-destination voice’, ATM will run a half day conference on 8th May or Day 1 of ATM.

ATM will play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week, a festival of events dedicated to travel professionals from all over world, to collaborate and shape the recovery of the Middle East travel industry, through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking events.

Following 2021, ATM Virtual will once again take place within Arabian Travel Week to complement the live ATM show. With an extensive, high-level programme of webinars and a full schedule of video meetings available to exhibitors with key buyers around the world.

Categories
Arab News Travel Travel & Tourism

Wego, heritage ministry partners to promote Oman to GCC region

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVxE-yjoGyf/

Over 550,000 searches were performed on Wego’s platform from GCC to Oman in Q3 2021…reports Asian Lite News

Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have signed an agreement to promote Oman tourism attraction sites in the GCC region.

Al Wusta – Artisans in Al Wusta, Oman

Oman has opened its borders to visitors from the GCC and it recently announced that it is open for travel for COVID-19 vaccine holders from 1 September 2021. The Sultanate has eased its travel restrictions, lifting flight prohibition for people travelling from previously banned countries. It is implementing precautionary measures and following through with the vaccination drive across the country, ensuring safe travel for everyone.

All travelers to Oman should present a vaccine certificate containing a QR code that states they have received two doses of a vaccine that is approved in Oman(Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford Astrazeneca, Covishield AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Sinovac, Moderna, and Sinopharm, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson). The last dose of the vaccine needs to have been received not less than 14 days before the arrival date. Travelers should have done Pre-registration via (https://covid19.emushrif.om ) and upload the vaccine certificate as well as the COVID-19 PCR certificate, both containing QR Codes

ALSO READ: Oman resume to GCC and western tourists

Over 550,000 searches were performed on Wego’s platform in Q3 2021 from the GCC to Oman. Out of these searches, 34% from KSA, 27% from UAE, 16% from Kuwait, 14% from Qatar, and 10% from Bahrain.

HAITHAM BIN MOHAMMED AL GHASSANI, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TOURISM PROMOTION, MINISTRY OF HERITAGE AND TOURISM, SULTANATE OF OMAN: “We are glad to partner with Wego. Oman has always been at the forefront of tourism, and this partnership reflects our commitment to continue the positive momentum in months to come. We are confident that this association will help us to promote Oman tourism among the GCC countries, as well as attract more foreign investment to Oman.”

Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, said: “We are seeing an increase in the number of searches from the GCC to Oman following the flight resumptions. We are glad to partner with the Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for the second time to promote this beautiful gem. Its proximity, ancient culture, green mountains and wadis make it the best escape during the summer period for GCC travelers.”

Castle Al Dakheleyah – Jabreen Castle

Through this partnership, Wego and Oman aim to drive the conversation around Oman across all the marketing channels and social media platforms and increase visitor footfall to the country.

Oman overlooks the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf. It is a land of heritage and natural beauty with mountains and greenery everywhere. It is the best escape for your summer vacation, with the nice moderate weather and wide array of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Categories
-Top News Dubai UAE News

UAE’s aviation activity rose 24.5 percent

The aviation activity in the UAE witnessed a significant increase prior to the Expo 2020 Dubai…reports Asian Lite News

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced that the average aviation activity in the country rose from 1,238 flights at the end of 2020 to 1,538 flights in September 2021, an increase of some 24.5 percent.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, said that the aviation activity in the UAE witnessed a significant increase prior to the Expo 2020 Dubai, as it is a major global event that showcases the UAE to the entire world.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Suwaidi stressed the national civil aviation sector has recovered and the aviation activity figures recorded in recent months are promising. They are expected to rise further during the expo and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebration and the start of the winter holidays, despite the strict preventive measures adopted by the country to ensure everyone’s safety.

The GCAA’s report also showed the country’s national carriers travel to 108 countries, benefitting from the logistical services provided by ten registered airports. It also highlighted the significance of the national aviation sector, which contributed US$47.4 billion to the national economy, accounting for 13.3 percent of the country’s GDP, in addition to creating 800,000 jobs.

ALSO READ: Emirates, Qantas extend ties to help boost travel recovery

According to the report, the Emirati aviation market is among the world’s leading markets to attract capital and investments. It also confirms that the GCAA supported the strategic partners and national carriers during the critical period when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the entire world, which allowed the sector to regain its previous operational levels. For example, Emirates Airlines and flydubai are now operating in 90 percent of their destination networks.

The UAE’s civil aviation safety system, considered the best globally, performs a key role in ensuring cooperation between all national strategic partners. Under this context, the UAE has accomplished several unprecedented achievements, most notably achieving a 98.86 percent compliance rate in aviation safety monitoring by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The UAE has consistently maintained the first position in ICAO audits of 133 countries until 2021, by utilising innovation and development and focussing on performance.

Categories
-Top News UK News

UK prepares for trade deal with GCC

Financial and digital services companies, along with education and healthcare providers could also strengthen their position in a region that holds UK expertise in high regard, it said…reports Asian Lite News.

UK’s International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has kicked off preparations for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), launching a 14-week consultation calling for the public and business to share their views ahead of negotiations starting in 2022.

The GCC is an important trading partner of UK with almost £22 billion of UK exports and bilateral trade worth over £30 billion.

 The advanced trade deal is aimed at strengthening ties to the next level in industries of the future such as digital trade, services and green growth – delivering higher-paying jobs across the country. 

British business could seize new opportunities in areas like renewable energy and play a key role in helping a region that wants to move away from a reliance on oil, Department of International Trade said in a press release.

Financial and digital services companies, along with education and healthcare providers could also strengthen their position in a region that holds UK expertise in high regard, it said.

Over £597 million of British food and drink exports headed to GCC countries last year, including lamb, biscuits and chocolate. Farmers and food producers could now benefit hugely from better market access to a region that imports virtually all its food and has high demand for top-quality British produce.

The UK is already a top destination for investment from GCC members and a trade agreement is expected to attract even more into world-leading UK industries such as renewable energy, infrastructure, tech and life sciences. 

Trade Secretary Trevelyan is to hold a bilateral meeting in London with GCC Secretary General H E Dr Nayef Falah M Al-Hajraf and Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade, Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa, from the Bahrain Government, who hold the current rotating presidency of the GCC, to mark the beginning of the consultation.

Concluding in January 2022, it includes a questionnaire that will gather information from participants about their experiences and priorities when doing business with the countries in the GCC to ensure any deal reflects the country’s best interests.

“A trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is a huge opportunity to liberalise trade with a growing market for British business and deepen ties with a region that is vital to our strategic interests,” said Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

“We want a modern, comprehensive agreement that breaks down trade barriers to a huge food and drink market and in areas like digital trade and renewable energy which will deliver well-paid jobs in all parts of the United Kingdom,” she added.

International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena said: “The nations forming the Gulf Cooperation Council are, together, one of our biggest trading and investment partners and are home to over 50 million people.”

“From exports of Welsh lamb and Scotch beef, to biscuits from Belfast and financial services from the City of London, we are determined to strike a deal that will further cement our relationships, attract investment, promote trade opportunities and provide significant benefits for British business, creating jobs in communities across the country.”

ALSO READ-Airbus to boost cross-border communication between GCC nations

READ MORE-Top Indian diplomat predicts new era in migration to GCC

Categories
-Top News Dubai UAE News

Airbus to boost cross-border communication between GCC nations

Airbus

Airbus is working towards supporting the digital transformation objectives of the GCC…reports Asian Lite News

The Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ongoing Expo 2020 Dubai to boost cross-border security coordination and communication between GCC nations, starting with a first “proof of concept” implementation between 2 of the members .

The proof of concept (PoC) agreement, signed at the GCC’s exhibition stand at the Expo, will allow Airbus to test the interconnection of public safety critical networks on, and between the territories of two Gulf nations.

Airbus to boost cross-border communication between GCC nations

The MoU was signed by Maj. Gen. Hazaa bin Mubarak El Hajri, Assistant Secretary of Security Affairs, Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Selim Bouri, Head of Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific for Secure Land Communications at Airbus.

”We welcome our partnership with the Secretariat General of the GCC and we thank them for their trust in our technology,” said Selim Bouri.

“We will use the Inter-System Interface to connect the two Critical Communication networks and pave the way for better, faster, and more effective collaboration between border security forces from the GCC nations.”

ALSO READ: EU’s first event at EXPO 2020 titled ‘EU Green Deal’

We will leverage the modern features of our Tetra systems to strengthen cross-border communication between Public Safety agencies, which is crucial at a time when we are facing numerous border security challenges.”

“Under our POC agreement, our team of experts will test the key technical and operational aspects of this endeavor while deploying the highest levels of availability, privacy, and security that we provide.”

“Airbus is working towards supporting the digital transformation objectives of the GCC. We are developing a detailed strategy to best address all mission- and business-critical requirements of GCC markets by building secure and seamless communication and collaboration networks. This latest MoU is a testament to this commitment,” Bouri added.

Categories
Abu Dhabi Arab News Technology

Infinity des Lumieres and leaders discuss the future through artistic innovation

Infinity Des Lumieres x Leadership Programme

Infinity des Lumières, the GCC’s largest digital art centre, welcomed 25 future leaders of the UAE to an interactive and thought-provoking evening on the future of innovation and art on 21 September…reports Asian Lite News

In its innovative capacity, Infinity des Lumières strongly contributes to the prestige and influence of this region, building connections among a wide range of audiences, from residents to visitors, from art lovers and museum enthusiasts to people who rarely visit traditional spaces and exhibits.

Infinity Des Lumieres x Leadership Programme

“Technology plays an incredibly important role in disseminating content to massive, diverse audiences. And while it can be argued that the purpose of art is to evoke feelings and inspire critical thinking, we believe we need to remember that one of the main goals is for art to be seen and experienced by as many people as possible. Now technology is enabling artists to do precisely that – showcase their art to millions through various channels, and it’s also providing them with mediums to create more immersive artistic experiences. These experiences initiate more interest in art, which in turn encourages artists to create more experiences – it’s a wonderfully reinforcing cycle”, said Sara Zuddas, Marketing Lead, Infinity des Lumières.

The program was designed with the intention to invest in the government’s human capital and foster a new generation of skilled and visionary leaders. The program is a year-long incremental development journey supported by a rich learning, simulation and application ecosystem. These future leaders have also demonstrated consistent high performance in their work within their entities across the Abu Dhabi Government.

ALEX KOCK, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BTS MIDDLE EAST: “Partnering with an innovative organization like IDL unlocks inspiring opportunities to shape the new kind of leadership required to reimagine and deliver on the important government mission of citizen happiness. We are thrilled to co-create these leadership development experiences with the Abu Dhabi School of Government as part of their mandate to build strategic capabilities in the government.”

Infinity Des Lumieres x Leadership Programme

BTS, a leading global consultancy, is dedicated to executing the people side of strategy, helping the world’s leading companies turn strategy into results. They aspire to design fun, powerful experiences that have a profound and lasting impact on people and their careers, inspiring new ways of thinking, building critical capabilities and unleashing business success.

Categories
Arab News India News UAE News

Top Indian diplomat predicts new era in migration to GCC

Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary in charge of the Gulf

The UAE has become a model of “transparency of information and security of the terms of employment “…reports Asian Lite news

India’s top diplomat dealing with the Gulf has said that “a new era is on the horizon” in migration and mobility of Indians to and within the GCC, following enhanced skilling and new government-to-government agreements.

Speaking at LEADS 2021, a two-day global thought leadership platform here to reimagine business, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary in charge of the Gulf, overseas Indians and consular affairs in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the UAE has become a model of “transparency of information and security of the terms of employment.”

Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary in charge of the Gulf

He said, “the integration of online migration platforms, which began with UAE and Saudi Arabia was later extended to other GCC countries. A new thrust was needed in skilling, involving not only government but also the private sector. Skill mapping and skill matching could be captured on migration platforms to leverage advantages for our workers in a changing environment.”

Bhattacharyya pointed out that following the information revolution worldwide, it was noticed that there was an increase in demand in the Gulf for certain skills, especially in health, logistics, information technology and new industries. “Moreover, high-tech and data services saw a boom, helping them rise up the value chain. Stakeholder consultations were enhanced for agility and efficiency to provide the right person at the right time to the right place.”

ALSO READ: India, US trade to reach $500 bn by 2025

He added that following the COVID-19 pandemic, migration and mobility had to adjust to the new normal. The senior official expressed satisfaction that through all this, Indian workers remained a preferred choice in the Gulf and Indians too found the GCC a “comfortable terrain. “The migration ecosystem of the future will be dynamic and we will have to coordinate policies with the Gulf region and new destinations.”

Bhattacharyya’s remarks acquire special significance because a new emigration bill is to be debated and approved in India’s parliament soon. “It will provide a simplified structure for transparent and dynamic interplay of all stakeholders,” he said.

This is the second year of LEADS, which is an acronym for Leadership, Excellence, Adaptability, Diversity, Sustainability. LEADS is organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), a leading representative organisation of trade and manufacturing. (WAM/Krishnan Nayar)

Categories
-Top News Arab News India News

GCC-INDIA TIES: Talks On For New Trade Pact

Union Minister of Railways and Commerce, Piyush Goyal (Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS)

Outside the GCC, India is conducting FTA-related talks with the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union, reports Asian Lite News

India’s discussions for concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the GCC are “progressing fast,” the Minister for Commerce, Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal, said yesterday.

Addressing a large cross-section of India’s business through the platform of the Jain International Trade Organisation, Goyal specifically cited the UAE as among the countries with which his Ministry is engaged in talks towards reaching an FTA.

Outside the GCC, India is conducting FTA-related talks with the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union.

The pace of discussions has now gathered speed, Goyal said. Traders and exporters are the “twin pistons powering the economic growth engine of India. We firmly believe in the capabilities of the business community as well as of start-ups.”

ALSO READ: Ties with India on Chabahar route part of Eurasian outreach: Uzbekistan

The FTAs will enable India to become a global “trading hub,” Goyal hoped.

The Jain International Trade Organisation is conducting a 12-day virtual expo with the participation of several thousand businesses and entrepreneurs.

Categories
-Top News UAE News

Etihad Rail completes excavation of GCC’s longest rail tunnel

The tunnel is part of Package D of Stage Two, which runs for 145 kilometres from Dubai and Sharjah, through the Al Hajar Mountains, toward the emirate of Fujairah…reports Asian Lite News

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, has completed excavating the longest tunnel in the Gulf Region, running for 1.8 kilometres.

The tunnel is part of Package D of Stage Two, which runs for 145 kilometres from Dubai and Sharjah, through the Al Hajar Mountains, toward the emirate of Fujairah. The package includes the construction of nine tunnels through the mountains at a cumulative length of 6.9 kilometres, and additionally includes 54 bridges and 20 animal crossings.

The achievement is a significant step in the project’s development. The route passes through some of the most complex topographical areas in the construction of the network. In total, the completion of the tunnel contributes to ensuring development continues on an accelerated schedule.

All tunnel excavation operations were implemented in line with international best safety practices. Teams ensured that all construction was carried out safely, given the mountainous terrain surrounding the site. The tunnel’s excavation required 300,000 working hours to complete, with over half a million tonnes of stone removed.

The UAE National Rail Network is being constructed on schedule. Track laying recently commenced at Saih Shuaib, the rail head for track running toward Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of Stage Two. The overall track on Stage Two will run from Ghuweifat on the border of Saudi Arabia to the emirate of Fujairah on the UAE’s eastern seaboard. At the beginning of 2021, track laying began in the Al Dhafra region toward the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia.

ALSO READ: Etihad launches IATA Travel Pass to 7 cities

Categories
-Top News Arab News India News

India’s Petroleum Minister completes GCC energy consultations

India has strong energy relationships with oil and gas producers in the GCC area…reports Asian Lite News

India’s new Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has completed a round of consultations through courtesy calls to major oil producing countries in the Gulf.

India has strong energy relationships with oil and gas producers in the GCC area, which accounts for the bulk of India’s oil imports and related energy sector partnerships.

Puri’s first call after taking over as Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas was to Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), according to details of Puri’s activities issued by his Ministry since he assumed his new office.

His next call was to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.

During his conversation with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Puri “discussed ways and means to invigorate the vibrant bilateral strategic energy partnership between India and UAE. We agreed to take the bilateral energy engagement to greater heights and also to diversify into new areas in the context of fast evolving global energy transition,” according to the Indian Ministry.

Puri’s discussions with the Saudi Minister of Energy were “warm and friendly.” They focused on “strengthening bilateral energy partnerships and developments in the global energy markets.”

According to Puri’s account of the discussions, he “highlighted the crucial role of Saudi Arabia in the rapidly growing energy needs of India.” He expressed India’s strong desire to work with Saudi Arabia to further diversify the bilateral strategic energy partnership beyond buyer-seller arrangements to see greater two-way investments.

In another call, Puri invited Kuwait’s Minister of Oil, Dr Muhammad Al Fares, to visit India to “work towards further expanding the excellent bilateral engagement in the hydrocarbons sector between the two countries. Kuwait is an important partner in our energy security matrix,” the Indian Ministry asserted.

Puri also had discussions with Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy, who is also President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum.

Puri was appointed India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas on 7th July. (WAM/ Krishnan Nayar)

ALSO READ: Now, India has 40 sites on Unesco World Heritage list