Day: March 29, 2023

ABU DHABI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, attended part of the honouring ceremony of winners of the first edition of the NAFIS Award 2022-2023 at Qasr Al Watan. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed emphasised that empowering a skilled and qualified national workforce is a top priority, and should be supported by all institutions, government departments, and private sector partners working together. He expressed confidence in Emiratis’ ability to drive the country’s economic leadership and competitiveness in various fields. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted that H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is overseeing the Emiratisation programmes, and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council has launched an integrated package of opportunities to promote the presence of UAE citizens in the private sector. He stated, “We have ambitious national objectives to develop the Emiratisation programme, which is crucial to the UAE’s development journey. Our policy focuses on strengthening partnerships between government and private sector institutions, investing in youth potential, and enhancing their expertise.” The event was attended by a number of ministers, top officials, public figures, and businesspeople, during which the names of the winners were announced and honoured for their achievements in 2022. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, emphasised the UAE leadership’s support for the Emiratisation programme and their commitment to providing all possible support for skilled and qualified workers to enhance their active participation in the country’s development. He added, “The Emiratisation policy enjoys the support of the wise leadership, and the last stage witnessed the launch of a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at creating a supportive environment for Emiratisation and strengthening the private sector’s role as a major partner with great capabilities and opportunities.” l Awar stressed that the NAFIS Award aims to promote positive competition among private sector establishments in Emiratisation by recognising those who have achieved the necessary targets and celebrating outstanding Emirati talents in this sector. This contributes to improving the national human development system and increasing its participation in strategic economic sectors in the present and future. hannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, stated that the launch of the inaugural NAFIS Award for 2022-2023 aims to recognise private sector companies, Emiratis working in them, and their trainees who have met the Emiratisation conditions and targets and achieved outstanding performance results. l Mazrouei emphasised that the award serves as a stimulus to achieve the UAE leadership’s vision by encouraging private sector establishments to increase the participation rate of UAE citizens in the workforce and make a significant leap in the nation’s development journey and the national economic system. Additionally, the award honours Emirati individuals and acknowledges their achievements in their respective fields. The Award consisted of a number of categories. The Best Company in Achieving Emiratisation Targets included 3 main categories: Large Sized Companies (1000 employees or more), won by Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets LLC; Medium Sized Companies (500 to 999 employees), won by Al Masar Recruitment Services; and Small Sized Companies (fewer than 499 employees), won by KPMG Lower Gulf Limited. This NAFIS Award’s first cycle ceremony also included a special honour to 21 companies who made distinguished efforts in Emiratisation through recruiting and training Emiratis, including: Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas LLC (VOX); Al Futtaim Private Co LLC; Injazat A G42 Company; Crif Gulf DWC LLC; OMB for Manpower Staffing Services; Aldar Projects; Al Riyadh School; Al Rayana School; Emirates Response Services LLC; SAAED for Traffic Systems; Teleperformance; Taqieem Trade Information Centre; Taqdeer Centre; Etimad Holding; IGG Emirates Advanced Training LLC; Al Shuweihat Limited Partnership; Lulu Hypermarket; Jindal SAW Gulf; Halliburton Worldwide Limited; Keolis MHI; and Maximon for Project Management. The ‘Individuals’ award covered a number of sub-awards. The Supervisory/ Leadership Jobs category won by Ghanim Ghuloom Ali Karam; the Administrative Jobs category won by Fatima Mubarak al-Karbi; the Medical Jobs category won by two Emirati distinguished talents Amal Abdullah AlMulla Al Muhairi, and Noura Salem Mohammed Al-Nashmi Al Mansoori; the Finance Jobs category won by Abdulrahman Mohammed Khalfan Kharbash; the Lawyers Jobs category won by Hawra Moosa Abdulrasool Moosa; the Professional Jobs category won by Mona Ibrahim Jomaa Abdullah Al Mansouri; the Retail Jobs category won by Chadha Ali Ibrahim Obaid Shehhi; and the Trainees category won by Abdullah Khalid Ali Abdullah Al Raissi. The NAFIS Awards also highlighted 15 success stories of talented and distinguished Emiratis working in different fields in the private sector. They were honoured for achieving a high level of professionalism in their work. NAFIS is an annual award launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is supervised by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council in partnership with the NAFIS programme, which was initiated in September 2021 by the Council as part of “Projects of the 50” to achieve the UAE Vision 2071. The NAFIS Award encourages skilled Emirati talents to work productively and attain competitiveness in the labour market, while attracting young people to work in the private sector as their first choice after graduation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — AD Ports Group today announced the launch of a new weekly shipping service that improves commercial and logistic connectivity and facilitates trade with Qatar and Kuwait. In addition to providing a free shipping service for cargo arriving via land transport throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, in which cargo will be shipped via container vessels between UAE’s Khalifa Port, Qatar’s Hamad Port, and Kuwait’s Port of Shuwaikh and/or Port of Shuaiba. Furthermore, AD Ports Group will provide customers with a digital appointment booking system for the new shipping service, through the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP), developed and operated by Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, under the supervision of the Department of Economic Development ABU DHABI. Commenting on the launch of the new service, Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, Acting CEO of the Maritime Cluster and SAFEEN Group, AD Ports Group, said, “As a premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, AD Ports Group is harnessing its capabilities to meet the requirements of customers and partners. As always, we strive to establish strong business partnerships and launch new services to develop ways of cooperation and integration, in addition to enhancing trade connectivity.” He added, “The launch of this new service to Qatar and Kuwait reflects our continuous endeavour to expand our services and further enhance our access to regional and global markets, in line with the vision of our wise leadership aimed at positioning ABU DHABI as a leading global hub for trade and logistics.” The launch of this new service, between Khalifa Port, Hamad and Shuwaikh/Shuaiba Ports comes directly after the establishment of a new shipping service dedicated to Ro-Ro, between Khalifa Port and Shuwaikh Port, as part of AD Ports Group’s efforts towards driving excellence and leadership in the maritime and logistic services, strengthening commercial connectivity and facilitating trade movement in the region through Khalifa Port.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced the launch of a special category called “Climate Action”, aimed at recognising and promoting innovative solutions that address climate change and protect the planet’s natural resources. The launch of the Climate Action category coincides with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, a national initiative that aims to accelerate sustainable development across the country in line with the UAE’s national strategy. It also comes ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), which will be hosted in the UAE later this year. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and COP28 President-Designate, said, “As we mark the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and prepare to host COP28, it is more important than ever to recognise and support innovative solutions that protect the planet and people from the impacts of climate change. “The UAE is committed to delivering a COP of Action a solutions-focused COP that promotes inclusive sustainable development and accelerates the adoption of policies that will deliver across mitigation, adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage. The new Climate Action category of the Zayed Sustainability Prize reinforces this commitment by supporting the deployment of solutions the world needs today to keep the Paris Agreement alive and limit warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.” l Jaber added, “In this critical decade of action, the Climate Action category is a significant addition to the Prize’s mandate, and we look forward to receiving submissions from around the world. We are proud to encourage and reward innovative solutions needed to turn climate pledges into concrete action, and drive tangible, inclusive and lasting progress for our planet and communities.” The Zayed Sustainability Prize was established in 2008 as a tribute to the sustainability and humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE. The Prize recognises organisations and high schools that are delivering impactful, and inspiring innovations across the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Global High Schools and now Climate Action. The new Climate Action category will further broaden the Prize’s reach and impact by rewarding solutions that protect and enhance the natural environment, while also addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. This includes organisations that promote climate adaptation, build resilience and deploy environmental solutions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and nonprofit organisations (NPOs) are eligible to apply to the Climate Action category. The Zayed Sustainability Prize has a 15-year track record of transforming lives by empowering sustainable solutions across health, food, energy and water. Now, through its special Climate Action category, and as the world’s efforts to fight climate change grows ever larger, the Prize will help scale innovative solutions that tackle environmental problems and enable communities to build climate resilience. The Zayed Sustainability Prize has become a global platform for promoting sustainable development, with winners and finalists hailing from all corners of the planet. Today, the Prize celebrates 15 years of global impact with over 378 million people around the world benefiting from its 106 winners’ solutions. The Prize rewards US$600,000 to each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories. The Global High Schools category is split into six world regions, with each school able to claim up to US$100,000 to start or further expand their project. The launch of the Climate Action category is expected to attract a wide range of submissions from around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is calling for entries from nonprofit organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises from now until 23rd May 2023. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in ABU DHABI.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — ABU DHABI Center for Legal and Community Awareness “Masouleya” of the ABU DHABI Judicial Department (ADJD) launched an expanded awareness campaign for the objective of reducing the harm on state’s reputation, its figures and its establishments around three months under the title of “Your freedom is restricted by the limits of the law”. The campaign aims to increase community awareness of the importance of constructive criticism, its methods and approaches, and to introduce the legal penalties stipulated in Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, regarding combating rumours and cybercrime. The launching of such campaign comes in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the ABU DHABI Judicial Department, to promote community awareness to address negative behaviours and phenomena, in a manner supporting the maintenance of security and stability in society. The campaign aims to deliver legal awareness in an innovative way to the target groups of university students, employees in both government and private sectors, and parents, by diversifying the means of education and using modern technology in providing educational material through various media platforms such as radio and television programmes and press reports, with a focus on the use of Social media platforms due to their wide spread among the various segments of society, through the production of audio-visual and electronic materials, such as educational films, radio programs and electronic videos, in addition to the publication of a large number of educational leaflets. The campaign will also include the publication of a set of stories and facts that were presented before courts, aiming to extract lessons from them, as well as direct lectures that the centre will organise for university students, schools, employees and parents, as well as lectures held in councils (Majalis), with the objective of raising awareness about self-censorship frameworks and being keen in selecting suitable and appropriate words, language, and expression across digital applications or public conversations. In addition, the campaign intends to educate the target audience about the rules for submitting complaints to government institutions, the importance of having a positive culture through proper expression and constructive criticism through the channels allocated for that and the risks of spreading abuse in the virtual world, the size of the negative impact of posts through ill-conceived social media, and the correct methods for submitting a complaint and not resorting to social media as a tool to put pressure on entities or people to achieve any objectives, in addition to introducing them to the law on combating rumours and electronic crimes, enhancing the image of ADJD and spreading legal awareness.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a two-week community awareness campaign to promote healthy eating habits and provide community members with the skills to prepare easy, fast, and nutritious meals. The Healthy Food Programme was launched in celebration of the holy month of Ramadan by the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry. The awareness campaign included a series of community events and activities sponsored by Click On in various shopping malls such as Etihad Mall in Dubai, Heritage Village in Sharjah, Carrefour City Centre AAJMAN, Ras Al Khaimah Markets, Umm Al Quwain Mall, and Lulu Hypermarket in Fujairah. The activities also featured workshops presented by renowned chefs from the Holiday International Hotel in Sharjah and Al Murjan Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, and participants received brochures containing healthy food recipes and nutritional advice, as well as gifts and vouchers provided by Click On. Additionally, many virtual awareness workshops were conducted for government employees in collaboration with the Ministry’s representative offices in all emirates of the country. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of making healthier food choices when shopping and preparing meals, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. It also focuses on providing guidance on how to prepare healthy meals in a smooth and cost-effective manner, promoting healthy cooking skills, and highlighting the benefits of consuming nutritious foods. Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department at MoHAP, emphasised that the Healthy Food Programme aligns with the Ministry’s goal of promoting the community’s health by creating awareness about proper and balanced nutrition. The programme encourages adopting accurate dietary methods and patterns that have a positive impact on nutritional and health status and decrease the prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Khamis said that the holy month of Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity to eliminate unhealthy eating habits and adopt a healthier diet. “Since the number of meals consumed during this month is typically reduced, the body is encouraged to utilise stored fat as an energy source.” She added that interactive workshops were conducted during the awareness initiative, highlighting the importance of selecting healthy, balanced, and nutritious foods, as well as techniques for preparing healthy meals that are quick and easy. The workshops also included detailed explanations of the benefits of healthy foods and their critical role in promoting public health.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, 29th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) today launched the Omnibus Accounts structure for holding securities as a gateway to accessing investment opportunities for eligible investors for the benefit of more than one beneficiary owner. Regulated entities, that are eligible, can open a unified account to hold and trade securities on behalf of numerous beneficial owners through a single investor number (NIN). Meanwhile, Dubai Central Securities Depository (Dubai CSD), a subsidiary of DFM, has issued the Omnibus Account rules that will take effect from Wednesday 29th of March 2023. It has also launched a registration process for interested eligible investors. Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said, “The introduction of Omnibus Accounts is a key milestone in our endeavour to implement Dubai’s strategy to develop its capital markets. It enhances international investors’ access to our diversified investment opportunities. The availability of Omnibus Accounts also responds to the market accessibility and market quality requirements in the MSCI Market Accessibility Criteria, FTSE Quality of Markets Matrix and other international index providers.” Commenting on this new development, Haneen Al Hammadi, General Manager of Dubai CSD, stated, “As the first and only Central Depository in the UAE licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) to date, Dubai CSD, have been championing the need for a regulatory framework to facilitate the introduction of this important market infrastructure in the UAE to ensure that the nation’s capital market is on par with international peers. The Omnibus Accounts’ structure is a leap forward for certain market participants, particularly asset management companies, as it enables them to achieve operational and cost efficiencies.” Rocio Echague, Head of Securities Services, MENA (exc. Saudi) and UAE, HSBC, added, “The introduction of Omnibus Accounts will allow for greater participation from investors into local markets. Investors can view an Omnibus Accounts structure as an economical way to structure custody assets as it delivers operating and cost efficiencies via reduced onboarding requirements and maintenance fees.” This announcement follows the publishing of Omnibus Accounts regulations by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), which permits Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) to introduce their own respective rules and procedures for Omnibus Accounts.

Source: Emirates News Agency