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-Top News Dubai EXPO 2020

Dubai Metro to run for 24 hours

March 31 is expected to be the busiest day at Expo 2020 Dubai and organisers are advising visitors to use public transport, including Dubai Metro, which is open 24 hours on that day…reports Asian Lite News

Visitors are also advised to arrive early. Tareq Ghosheh, Expo‘s chief events and entertainment officer, said Dubai Metro will run non-stop on March 31 until April 1 to ensure visitors’ safe and efficient arrival and departure.

Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo recorded more than 1 million visits last Friday, Saturday and Sunday and more well-wishers are expected to are expected to say their final goodbyes to the world’s greatest fair.

The closing ceremony is expected to come down with a bang as there fireworks, air shows and world-class performers for the grand finale.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had earlier tweeted: “If you’re planning to visit #Expo2020 via the #DubaiMetro, make sure you have enough balance in your #nol card or recharge before departing to enjoy an easy and comfortable journey without delay or waiting time at Expo 2020 Station due to the heavy turnout to the exhibition site.”

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Deepening entrepreneurial ties

Meanwhile, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative launched by the UAE Ministry of Finance to support innovation in the UAE, established stronger ties with entrepreneurs and investors during UAE Innovates 2022 at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Senior figures from the Fund met with potential entrepreneurs and innovators to explore closer investment opportunities across technology, transportation, education, health, water, renewable energy, and space. It provided an opportunity for innovation-minded talent to seek closer collaboration with MBRIF.

During the session, the MBRIF team spoke extensively about MBRIF’s Guarantee Scheme and Innovation Accelerator programme and highlighted key milestones and success stories.

Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at Ministry of Finance and MBRIF representative said: “After hosting a number of activities for UAE Innovates 2022, the greatest show on Earth did not disappoint, providing a platform for us to deepen ties with investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and emerging talents. We are pleased to support innovators through our Guarantee Scheme and Innovation Accelerator, offering access to funding as well as world-class services and coaching to member companies to accelerate their business, elevate capabilities, unlock value and achieve scale at speed.”

UAE Innovates 2022 is one of the world’s largest innovation festivals and took place from 11th-16th February with a series of events and activities that saw a consolidated effort by the government, private sector and individuals to enhance a widespread culture of innovation in the UAE. It took place after the UAE was named the world’s best place to start a new business, ranking first in the Global Entrepreneurship Index, outperforming major economies such as the US, UK, Japan, Canada, South Korea and some EU countries.

Expo 2020 Dubai witnessed several events under the UAE Innovates 2022 umbrella, including new programmes, specialised workshops, and interactive sessions to promote the country’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy. MBRIF was an active player, meeting investors and innovators to promote its Fund Guarantee Scheme and the Innovation Accelerator.

MBRIF’s Innovation Accelerator aims to enhance growth potential of innovative businesses shaping the future of the UAE’s economy. Some of its recent success stories include LetsWork, a co-working space startup that makes it easier for people to find spaces in the UAE.

MBRIF’s Guarantee Scheme enables access to affordable debt finance with unique benefits, including no dilution of equity, extended runway, minimal collateral requirements, affordable finance costs and flexible repayment terms.

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-Top News India News

Delhi Metro resumes operations

“General public is advised to cooperate with the Metro authorities ensuring compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside metro premises throughout their travel,” it said…reports Asian Lite News.

Public movement, transport, markets, and malls will restart partially in the national capital from Monday after one and half months’ lockdown imposed from April 19 onwards following an unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases.

Along with the reopening markets, government and private offices are also set to resume work.

The national capital’s lifeline Metro services, which were closed following an unprecedented spike in Covid cases, will resume for general public from Monday with 50 per cent seating capacity, as the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) directed on Saturday.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Corporation (DMRC), in a public notice issued ahead of resuming its services, said that only half of the available trains will be inducted into service with a frequency ranging from about 5 to 15 minutes on different lines.

“General public is advised to cooperate with the Metro authorities ensuring compliance to Covid appropriate behaviour inside metro premises throughout their travel,” it said.

DMRC had on Saturday stated that no standing passengers would be allowed inside the metro rail and in order to ensure social distancing and compliance, only 50 per cent seating will be permitted inside trains.

More trains will be available on schedule from Wednesday onward.

In a process to unlock Delhi for the second consecutive week, after permitting construction and manufacturing/ factories since last Monday, the DDMA, in its order issued on Saturday, has allowed to markets and malls to open on alternate days (odd-even basis), which will be decided on the basis of the shop’s number.

However, the weekly markets will remain shut till June 14.

People buying vegetables, flowers and fruits seem to ignore social distancing guidelines during Coronavirus lockdown in the wake of the 2nd wave of COVID-19 in Bengaluru. (IANS)

“Situation of Covid-19 in NCT of Delhi has again been reviewed and observed that, though the number of Covid-19 patients and positivity rate is declining, the situation is still precarious, therefore in order to contain the spread of the virus and to further break the transmission chain, curfew needs to be further extended for another week in the territory of NCT of Delhi (except essential and permitted activities/services) along with the reopening of some more prohibited activities in phase manner in areas outside the containment zones for overall well being of NCT of Delhi,” the DDMA order stated.

Delhi on Sunday reported 381 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest since March 10, when the city had reported 370. The daily positivity rate, which has been below 1 per cent for over a week, was at 0.50 per cent, according to the health bulletin, against 0.52 per cent on March 10.

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