Day: March 23, 2023

RIYADH,23rd March, 2023 (WAM) –The Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the United Arab Emirates participated in the GCC Common Market Committee meetings, held from March 19th to 21st at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to enhance financial and economic cooperation among GCC countries.

Representatives from the MoF, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Ministry of Economy were part of the UAE delegation that participated in the meetings of the GCC Common Market Committee, the GCC Industrial Development Council, and the technical team concerned with investments in the GCC.

Younis Haji Al Khoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the significance of the meeting in following up on the updates of the GCC Common Market and finding the best ways to address challenges that could hinder the completion of its requirements, support mechanisms, and activating the Council’s committee work. He also emphasised the UAE’s commitment to working and coordinating with other GCC countries to enhance joint Gulf economic action, meeting the aspirations of GCC leaders and people.

The second joint meeting between the GCC Industrial Development Council and the GCC Common Market Committee was held to review decisions made by the GCC Supreme Council and the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee regarding the full implementation of the GCC Common Market tracks. The meeting also discussed challenges presented in the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC)’s studies, ways to enhance government procurement programs and local Gulf content, develop unified strategies and laws in all economic fields, and support the GCC private sector.

The second joint meeting was held between the GCC Common Market Committee and the team concerned with investments in the GCC. The meeting sought to provide a detailed explanation of the unified definition of investment within GCC countries, and identify the entities responsible for investment in member states and their specialisations and roles. The meeting also explored ways to harmonise investment laws and regulations with the GCC Economic Agreement, and compared the rules and conditions for attracting foreign investments. Additionally, the meeting deliberated devising a mechanism to establish an electronic link between the authorities responsible for investments in the member states and settling disputes in the scope of investment. It also discussed means of setting general frameworks and strategies for supporting, financing and establishing joint strategic public and private projects in the GCC.

The GCC Common Market Committee meetings aim to implement the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee’s decision issued during its 113th meeting that was held on 21st April 2021. The decision required the GCC Common Market Committee to hold joint meetings with the working committees to discuss key topics of the GCC Common Market, and to address the challenges facing the completion of the common market’s requirements.

This meeting came within the framework of implementing the GCC Common Market Committee’s work plan 2022-2024, which included holding a number of joint meetings with the technical committees concerned with the GCC Common Market issues. This is based on the GCC Supreme Council’s decision that was issued in its 42nd session, on 14th December 2021. The decision was to assign the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee to finalise the remaining steps for the establishment of the Customs Union and the implementation of the GCC Common Market tracks before the end of 2024, according to a set schedule.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, 23rd March, 2023 (WAM) The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign, initiated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced five simple channels through which individuals and institutions can contribute towards the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund.

ligned with the Holy Month of Ramadan, the campaign aims to mobilize local, regional, and international efforts to create sustainable programmes to fight and eradicate hunger within an institutional framework. The campaign welcomes contributions from individuals, government entities, private sector businesses, philanthropists, and influential personalities in the UAE through its website, SMS, bank transfers, a dedicated call centre, or the DubaiNow app.

The campaign’s website (www.1billionmeals.ae) allows individuals and institutions to send their contributions. A dedicated call center reachable on a toll-free number (800 9999) also receives calls from contributors to arrange their donations. Contributions can be made through bank transfers in UAE Dirham to the campaign’s official bank account with Emirates NBD (Account no.: AE30 0260 0010 1533 3439 802).

The campaign also provides the option to donate via SMS. Contributors can choose to donate one Dirham daily through a monthly subscription by sending the word “Meal” to 1020 for Du users and to 1110 for Etisalat by eand users. Another option is to donate once by sending the word “Meal” to the following numbers (for both Du and Etisalat by eand users in the UAE) according to the donation amount: 1034 for AED10 donations, 1035 for AED50 donations, 1036 for AED100 donations, and 1038 for AED500 donations.

In collaboration with Smart Dubai to facilitate contributions, the DubaiNow app under the “Donations” tab provides another way to contribute to the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign for individuals, institutions, and businesses inside the UAE.

The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign is a global initiative led by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to establish a food safety net for underprivileged populations worldwide. The campaign aims to support vulnerable groups, particularly those affected by natural disasters and conflicts, while also reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to eradicating hunger. This goal is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, which include eradicating poverty and achieving food security.

The campaign is grounded in the values and mission of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which aims to invite all members of the community to participate in humanitarian efforts and work towards achieving food security for those in need. The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign is part of the Foundation’s humanitarian aid and relief efforts, which is one of its five key pillars.

Source: Emirates News Agency

LATAKIA, The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has organised field missions to financially and morally support several families in Latakia, Syria, affected by the recent earthquake.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM), along with the ERC and its Syrian counterpart, participated in field tours, visiting 11-year-old Syrian boy Abdel Hay Yassin in Sqoubin.

bdel, who was displaced from Aleppo to Latakia with his mother, suffers from Leukaemia and became homeless after the earthquake.

The ERC has provided Abdel with moral and psychological support and transferred him from his tent to another home next to the hospital after paying one year’s rent and providing for all his living requirements.

In coordination with the Syrian Red Crescent, the field teams travelled to the house of Marwan Mohammed Salim in Bouqa, Latakia. Marwan lost his wife and several of his relatives during the earthquake.

He told WAM’s reporter about how his home collapsed and how he spent three days under the rubble. The Syrian citizen lost his wife and son when their building collapsed, along with 26 other persons.

“The UAE government and people have supported the Syrian people through this crisis. They sent an air bridge loaded with aid, proving that we are one people and brothers in humanity,” Marwan said.

The ERC team continued its tour of Latakia, meeting with Badr Eldin Maher Ali Ibrahim in al-Raml district to console him and offer support after he lost his sons and wife during the earthquake. He explained that he was in the UAE when the earthquake hit the country and was planning to send his family over to follow him.

Relevant authorities in the UAE helped him finalise his papers and return to Syria, he added, thanking the ERC and the Syrian Red Crescent and extending his appreciation for the UAE’s humanitarian and relief support for his country.

Mahmoud Refai, Council Member at Latakia Governorate, lauded the UAE’s key role in supporting the Syrian people through the “Bridges of Giving” campaign, as well as for providing financial and moral support to families affected by the earthquake that hit on 6th February.

Upon the directives of the UAE’s leadership, the country has currently dispatched 169 planes and ships loaded with 6,377 tonnes of food, medicines and medical supplies.

Via the “Bridges of Giving” campaign, the UAE continues to support Syrians through their country’s recovery and rehabilitation phases by providing basic food and medical supplies and medicines.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi hosted an elegant flag-hoisting ceremony to celebrate the national day, which was attended by a large number of Pakistani community members residing in the UAE. During the ceremony, messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out, and the students of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Arab Pakistan School presented national tableaus on national songs.

In his address, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi emphasised the significance of the national day, urging the Pakistani community to contribute towards nation-building and the betterment of the country. He requested the Pakistani community to promote tourism and investment opportunities in Pakistan among the UAE nationals and residents, showcasing the rich cultural diversity, natural beauty, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality of its people.

The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the upward trajectory of Pakistan-UAE relations and thanked the UAE government and its leadership for being steadfast friends of Pakistan. He underscored the deep historic relations between the two countries, whose foundation was laid by the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

In conclusion, the Ambassador urged Pakistani students to excel in academic and extra-curricular activities to make Pakistan proud and strong.

Muhammad AamirEsraa Esmail

Source: Emirates News Agency