August 29, 2021

Ministry of Health identifies COVID-19 testing facilities for school students

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has revealed the health centers and locations that provide COVID-19 PCR tests for school students, with a total number of 63 centers distributed in all the northern emirates.

The move aims to increase the capacity of the health centers network so that more community members can easily and swiftly benefit from the services provided and avoid overcrowding.

This comes as part of the UAE’s relentless efforts to battle the spread of coronavirus and an affirmation of the state’s proactive approach to maintaining community health which clearly reflects the efficiency and capabilities of the health system and its preventive practices according to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

20 centers in Sharjah The health centers that provide COVID-19 PCR tests are distributed in 20 centers in Sharjah. This includes Al Riffa Health Center, Sharjah Health Center, Al Khalidiya Health Center, Al Hamriya Health Center, Al Dhaid Health Center, Al Maliha Health Center, Al Madam Health Center, Al Thameed Health Center, Dibba Al Hisn Health Center, Al Nahwa Health Center, Khor Fakkan Health Center, Al Batayeh Health Center, Nazwa Health Center, Family Health Promotion Center, Wadi Al-Helou Center.

MoHAP-affiliated external venues that provide the PCR test include Ramez Mall, Suhaila Suburb, Al Sajaa Mall, Wasit Center Tent, in addition to the National Screening Tent of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA) from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Friday from 10 am to 8 pm.

6 places in Ajman In Ajman, the Ministry has designated 6 centers comprising 4 primary health care centers in Muzairah Health Center, Al Madinah Health Center, Al Manama Medical Center, Mushairif Health Centre, in addition to Sheikh Khalifa Hall and the National Screening Tent of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA) from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Friday from 10 am to 8 pm.

4 in Umm Al Qaiwain There are 4 health centers in Umm Al Qaiwain including 3 primary health care centers, which are Al Khazan Health Center, Falaj Al Mualla Health Center, Al Rafa Health Center, in addition to the National Screening Tent of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA) from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Friday from 10 am to 8 pm.

17 facilities in Ras Al Khaimah The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah includes 17 centers, including 15 health care centers, which are Al Ma’arid Health Center, Al Jazeera Health Center, Digdagga Health Center, Al Dhait Health Centre, Al Hamraniyah Medical Centre, Munay’i Medical Center, Wadi Asfini Medical Center, Kedra Medical Center, Shuka Medical Center, Saif bin Ali Medical Center, Rams Health Center, Al Nakheel Medical Center, Shaml Medical Center, Algeer Medical Center, Julphar Health Center, in addition to RAK Exhibition Center and the National Screening Tent of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA) from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Friday from 10 am to 8 pm.

16 sites in Fujairah In Fujairah, COVID-19 PCR tests for school students are being provided in 16 facilities including 11 health care centers, which are Al-Faseel Family Health Promotion Center, Al Qurrayah Health Centre, Murbah Health Center, Qidfaa Health Center, Al Bidya Health Center, Dhadna Health Centre, Al Halah Primary Health Centre, Tawyeen Health Centre, Kholaybiyah Health Center, Wadi Al-Sidr Health Center, and Siji Health Center.

MoHAP’s external facilities that provide COVID-19 testing include Dibba Exhibition Centre, Al Orouba Hall, Fujairah Exhibition Centre, in addition to Sheikh Khalifa Hall and the National Screening Tent of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA) from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, and on Friday from 10 am to 8 pm.

In this context, the Ministry of Health highlighted the importance of allocating more health centers for getting school students tested against coronavirus, as part of the health protocol with the start of the new term and the keenness to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for both students and academic staff.

The ministry emphasised that all health COVID-19 testing facilities are fully prepared in terms of equipment and examination tools, in the presence of sufficient medical cadres that are highly qualified and well trained to deal with the expected students’ inflow to the health centers countrywide.

Source: Emirates News Agency

August 29, 2021

Ministry of Health Reports 208 New COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, The Ministry of Health announced today, in a statement, that 208 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 540,004, including 3,346 active cases.

Of these, there are 952 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable, the statement said.

The statement added that six new deaths have been reported, putting the tally of fatalities at 8,532.

Meanwhile, as many as 393 cases have recovered, raising recoveries toll to 532,126, said the statement.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

August 29, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s Non-oil, Oil Exports Increase by 52.1% and 126.1% in Q2 2021

Riyadh, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports increased by 99.4% in Q2 2021 compared to Q2 2020, when international trade was impacted by Covid-related lockdowns and travel bans in numerous countries. The value of exports amounted to 238.6 billion riyals in Q2 2021, up from 119.7 billion riyals in Q2 2020. This increase originated mainly from oil exports, which rose by 96.5 billion riyals or 126.1% in the same period. The share of oil exports in total exports increased from 63.9% (Q2 2020) to 72.5% (Q2 2021). Compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2021), total merchandise exports increased by 26.1 billion riyals or 12.3%.

According to the General Authority for Statistics’ (GASTAT) International Trade Report, non-oil exports increased by 52.1% year-on-year in Q2 2021, rising to 65.7 billion riyals from 43.2 billion riyals in Q2 2020. Of the most important non-oil goods, ‘Plastics and Rubber and Articles Thereof’ (34.3% of non-oil merchandise exports) increased by 63.9% (8.8 billion riyals) and ‘Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries’ (31.0% of non-oil merchandise exports) increased by 61.9% (7.8 billion riyals) from Q2 2020. Non-oil exports increased compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2021) by 5.6 billion riyals or 9.4%.

Merchandise imports increased by 12.9% (16.1 billion riyals) in Q2 2021. The value of imports amounted to 140.9 billion riyals in Q2 2021 compared to 124.8 billion riyals in Q2 2020. This increase was due to the increase in many sectors compared to Q2 2020, mainly ‘Vehicles and Associated Transport Equipment’ (26.8%) and ‘Pearls; Precious Stones; Imitation Jewellery’ (452.2%). Imports also increased compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2021), by 1.4 billion riyals or 1.0%.

The ratio of non-oil exports to imports increased to 46.6% in Q2 2021 from 34.6% in Q2 2020 as a result of a higher increase in non-oil exports (52.1%) than in imports (12.9%) over that period.

In Q2 2021, exports to China amounted to 46.4 billion riyals (19.4% of total exports), making this country the main destination for exports of Saudi Arabia. India and Japan followed next with 21.7 billion riyals (9.1% of total exports) and 20.7 billion riyals (8.7% of total exports), respectively. South Korea, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan were the other countries that ranked in the top 10 destinations. Exports of Saudi Arabia to those 10 countries amounted to 160.3 billion riyals, accounting for 67.2% of total exports.

Imports from China amounted to 25.7 billion riyals in (18.2% of total imports) Q2 2021, making this country the main origin for imports of Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates and U.S.A followed next with imports of 13.5 billion riyals (9.6% of total imports) and 13.1 billion riyals (9.3% of total imports), respectively. Germany, India, Japan, Italy, Egypt, France and Canada were the other countries that ranked in the top 10 countries for imports. Imports of Saudi Arabia from those 10 countries amounted to 87.9 billion riyals, accounting for 62.3% of total imports.

As many as 36.6 billion riyals of imports, corresponding to 26.0% of the total, entered the Kingdom from Jeddah Islamic Sea Port in Q2 2021. Among the other major ports of entry for the imports were King Abdulaziz Port (19.4%), King Khalid International Airport (12.4%), King Fahad Airport (7.0%), and Bat’ha (6.4%). Those five ports together accounted for 71.1% of the total merchandise

imports of the Kingdom.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

August 29, 2021

Tabreed doubles its stake in cooling scheme supplying Al Maryah Island

ABU DHABI, The National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed) has announced the acquisition of an additional 50 percent stake in the exclusive 80,000 refrigeration ton district cooling scheme supplying Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, including its major entertainment, hospitality, retail, commercial and residential developments.

The acquisition is from joint venture partner, Mubadala Infrastructure Partners (MIP), bringing Tabreed’s ownership to 100 percent. Tabreed will continue to operate the Al Maryah scheme under a 30-year exclusive concession granted in 2014 by Al Sowwah Square Properties LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company.

Having doubled its stake in this landmark district cooling scheme, Tabreed continues to deliver on its growth ambitions in key markets. The deal is the fourth major acquisition for Tabreed in less than two years, following the securing of an 80 percent stake in Emaar’s Downtown Dubai network and acquiring Aldar’s Saadiyat Island plant and the Masdar City district cooling scheme in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the deal, Tabreed’s CEO, Khalid Abdullah al Marzooqi, highlighted what it means for the next phase of growth at the company: “Since the start of our operations at Al Maryah island’s district cooling scheme in 2014, with the collaboration of our partners MIP, we have developed the scheme into an industry-leading model of efficiency and reliability, and we view our recent move to acquire the entire operation as the next logical step for our growth plans in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“I am particularly proud of our operations and technical teams, who have pioneered many of the latest technologies and operational philosophies at the Al Maryah scheme and across all of our plants in the region. They have significantly increased overall efficiency and reliability while reducing total carbon emissions for the UAE, further highlighting that district cooling continues to be a key component of the UAE’s energy strategy and for developing nations in the region and internationally.”

This new acquisition sees the company extend its reach in supplying high-quality district cooling services to the region’s most notable developments. Al Maryah Island has become the leading business district of Abu Dhabi, home to Abu Dhabi Global Market, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Mall, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Source: Emirates News Agency

August 29, 2021

DEWA installs 15 EV Green Charger stations at Expo 2020 Dubai

DUBAI, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has installed 15 electric vehicle (EV) Green Charger stations at Expo 2020 Dubai’s pavilions: Opportunity; Sustainability and Mobility.

The Green Chargers will serve the electric vehicles visitors to the Expo. DEWA has installed five Green Chargers at each pavilion, enough to charge 30 electric vehicles simultaneously, in addition to two stations currently being built at the Expo office.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that installing 17 Green Charger stations at Expo 2020 Dubai is part of DEWA’s efforts to support the vision of the wise leadership to host the best edition of the Expo in Dubai. This also supports the Smart Dubai initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.

“As the Official Sustainable Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, DEWA has allocated AED 4.26 billion to support infrastructure projects for electricity and water networks at the exhibition, using the latest smart systems. It will also supply Expo 2020 Dubai with clean energy from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world,” added Al Tayer.

DEWA has installed over 300 Green Chargers across Dubai. It provides a free charging service at public charging stations for non-commercial EV owners registered in the Green Charger service until 31 December 2021.

Source: Emirates News Agency