Asad Ali's Blogs

  The finalized Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates heralds a new era of economic collaboration and growth. By encompassing not only trade in goods and services but also investments and digital trade, this agreement paves the way for a deeper integration of the two economies. With the UAE serving as a gateway to global markets and Ukraine possessing a diverse range of industries, including transportation, metallurgy, and food processing, the potential for mutual benefit is immense. The agreement is expected to spur growth in sectors such as transportation, metallurgy, and food processing, leading to increased exports and economic prosperity for both nations. Moreover, the agreement's short-term impact is projected to maintain a positive balance of trade in goods, while its medium and long-term effects may influence the trajectory of real GDP development. This comprehensive partnership underscores the commitment of Ukraine and th...

  The United Arab Emirates and Ukraine have successfully concluded negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, paving the way for increased economic cooperation between the two nations. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is set to revolutionize trade relations by eliminating or reducing tariffs on a wide range of goods and products, as well as removing trade barriers and facilitating market access for exporters from both sides. This landmark agreement is not only poised to bolster bilateral trade but also to support Ukraine's recovery efforts and the revitalization of key industries and infrastructure, while concurrently fortifying supply chains to the Middle East and North Africa region for major exports such as grains, machinery, and metals." "In light of this significant development, it's important to note the broader implications of the CEPA, particularly amidst the challenging backdrop of global geopolitical tensions. Despite pressures from...

  The  Etihad Payments, the payments subsidiary of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), has entered into a strategic partnership with Core42 to lead the rollout of open finance across the UAE financial system.  Operating as part of the CBUAE's multi-year Financial Infrastructure Transformation program, Al Etihad Payments and Core42 will work closely together to establish global interoperability standards for the emerging open finance sector in the country. Their goal is to launch initial open banking and open insurance solutions that will be made accessible to the vast majority of individual customers and businesses in the UAE by the end of 2024.  Core42, which is part of Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42, will provide the core technology infrastructure and consulting services to modernize financial data sharing and third-party access in accordance with open finance principles. UK-based open banking API specialists Ozone API and Raidiam will also contribut...

  The visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Islamabad that was scheduled for January 30th, 2023 has been postponed due to weather conditions, according to an announcement from the Prime Minister's Office of Pakistan. The new dates for the visit have not been announced yet.  The PMO stated that the visit had to be postponed because of unfavorable weather conditions in the area. The UAE president had contacted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to express his regret about postponing the visit. However, he also assured PM Shehbaz that he would visit Islamabad soon on a two-day visit once the weather improved.  It's noteworthy that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had earlier undertaken an official visit to Pakistan from January 25-26th, 2023 where he was warmly received by PM Shehbaz Sharif at Rahim Yar Khan airport. During that visit, important discussions were held between the two leaders and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Developme...

  The United Arab Emirates experienced an extraordinary deluge, equivalent to two years' worth of rain, which brought the bustling city of Dubai to a standstill. Despite its reputation as a beacon of modernity and prosperity, Dubai was ill-prepared for the havoc wreaked by the relentless storm. Flooded homes and waterlogged streets painted a stark contrast to the city's usual picture-perfect image, revealing vulnerabilities in its infrastructure and crisis management protocols. The repercussions of the storm extended beyond the city's borders, with Dubai airport bearing the brunt of the disruption. Over 2,000 flights were canceled, causing widespread travel chaos and leaving passengers stranded. This unprecedented event prompted public scrutiny, with prominent Emirati analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla openly criticizing the deficiencies in response and urging authorities to learn from the experience to better prepare for future crises. Climate experts, too, weighed in on the matt...

  His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman's state visit to the UAE signifies a pivotal moment in the longstanding bilateral ties between the two nations, ushering in a new chapter of cooperation and mutual understanding. Today, amidst the grandeur of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sultan Haitham was graciously welcomed by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, exemplifying the spirit of hospitality and friendship that characterizes relations between Oman and the UAE. Against the backdrop of this architectural marvel, Sultan Haitham offered prayers for the continued progress and prosperity of both countries and their people, reflecting the shared aspirations for peace, stability, and development in the region. His visit serves as a testament to the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic bonds between Oman and the UAE, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. As Sultan Haitham engages ...

  Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, arrived today on a state visit to the UAE. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was at the forefront of receiving His Majesty and the accompanying delegation upon their arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed warmly welcomed Sultan Haitham upon his arrival. The Sultan of Oman's plane was greeted upon landing by formations of UAE Air Force aircraft in a symbolic gesture denoting the deep-rooted brotherly relations between the two countries and peoples.  The UAE and Oman share historically strong fraternal ties and cooperate closely on various regional and international issues. Under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, bilateral relations have witnessed significant growth across all spheres for the benefit of the two friendly peoples. The state visit this week will provide an opportunity to strengthen coo...

According to reports from the state news agency WAM, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman will pay an official state visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday. During the visit, Sultan Haitham will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss ways to further strengthen the deep and historical relations between the two neighboring countries. They will also exchange views on enhancing cooperation across economic, commercial, cultural and educational fields where the two nations already enjoy close collaboration.  In addition, the leaders are expected to tackle important regional and international issues of mutual interest. Oman and the UAE share close diplomatic ties and work closely together within the GCC to ensure stability and security in the Gulf. Sultan Haitham's visit comes as the latest in a series of high-level exchanges that underscore the strong partnership between Oman and the UAE. It aims to promote bilateral relations and joint coordination ...

At the 2024 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank held in Washington D.C., the United Arab Emirates delegation underscored the need for global collaboration to address shared challenges. Led by UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Al Hussaini, the UAE officials engaged in numerous bilateral meetings and discussions on strengthening multilateral efforts. In meetings with finance ministers from countries like the U.S., U.K., Pakistan and Ethiopia, they emphasized expanding the scope of joint work on development issues.  During panel sessions at the IMF and World Bank, the UAE representatives called for concerted worldwide action to deal with issues exacerbated by the economic impacts of the pandemic like poverty, debt burdens, climate change and food insecurity. They proposed utilizing financing more quickly and efficiently through partnerships between development institutions, governments and the private sector to prepare for and respond to...

  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the leadership of the United Arab Emirates for swiftly responding to one of the worst rains and floods to hit the country. Over 254 millimeters of rain fell on the Emirates in recent days, which is around two years' worth of rainfall and the highest recorded since 1949.  In a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, PM Shehbaz congratulated him for the government's timely efforts that helped control flood damages and saved lives. The Prime Minister admired the strong resolve and efficient handling shown by the UAE leadership in dealing with the challenges posed by the heavy rains.  Shehbaz commended the UAE President for displaying outstanding leadership qualities and strong commitment to public welfare. He noted that Pakistan has also witnessed heavy rains recently causing loss of lives. Both leaders called for collective global action to tackle the climate change challenge.  The Prime Minister suggest...

  Anthropic was founded in 2021 with a mission to build beneficial artificial intelligence. While headquartered in San Francisco, it also has an office in Abu Dhabi. The $15 billion investment from Microsoft is one of the largest ever for an AI startup. It values Anthropic at around $3 billion.  Anthropic claims its techniques like Constitutional AI help align models with safety and privacy requirements. However, others point out these assurances rely on proper governance which may be lacking in the UAE.  While the UAE portrays itself as an AI innovation hub, civil society organizations have accused it of using technologies to target political dissidents and censor online speech.  There are no federal privacy or data protection laws in the UAE. Critics argue this could compromise how Anthropic collects and shares any user/citizen data.  Microsoft and Anthropic say oversight from Anthropic's board and third parties will help ensure its work supports ethics. But s...

  Tensions have been high in the Middle East in recent weeks amid clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem. As violence has flared up again, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for restraint and de-escalation. According to the report, the two leaders spoke over the phone on Saturday to discuss developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. They emphasized the need to exercise maximum self-control to avoid further instability. Maintaining peace and security in the region is a top priority for Gulf Arab states. Crown Prince Mohammed and President Sheikh Mohammed expressed concern over the events and loss of lives. They want all parties to immediately cease all acts that could escalate tensions and trigger more violence. Innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives should not be lost due to political disagreements. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward to find an equita...

  The United Arab Emirates participated in the second Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Central Asian Countries' Strategic Dialogue held on Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  The UAE was represented by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, who joined fellow GCC ministers and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  The meetings aim to strengthen joint cooperation in various fields between the GCC countries and the Central Asian nations. Key topics discussed included trade and investment promotion, economic cooperation, food security, energy, transportation and connectivity. Ministers reviewed trade flows between the two regions and ways to increase the current volume of non-oil trade. They explored opportunities for partnership in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure development. Discussions also centered around leveraging each other's ...

  The humanitarian aid efforts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support people in Afghanistan. The UAE has launched an air bridge operation called "Birds of Goodness" to deliver urgent food and medical supplies across Afghanistan. Since beginning last month, the operation has completed 32 airdrops to distribute assistance.  Over 2,000 tonnes of relief supplies have been delivered to more than 50 locations across 15 Afghan provinces through these airdrops. Each mission provides essential food items such as rice, flour, sugar, tea and dates. Medical provisions are also included to help address healthcare needs. The goal is to supply life-saving food and medical resources to Afghan civilians suffering from conflict and economic problems. The "Birds of Goodness" operation is organized by the UAE Ministry of Defence and carried out by the UAE Air Force. It works with international humanitarian partners and local personnel on the ground. The wide-scale aid effort demo...

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, recently received Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates in Abu Dhabi. The meeting saw them discuss ways to enhance cooperation on important humanitarian issues and tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges.  During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Gates reviewed potential partnerships between the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to jointly support developing countries and improve health, education and development opportunities around the globe. They explored collaborative initiatives that could build on the UAE's commitment to international development and humanitarian work as well as the Foundation's experience in implementing impactful programs. Sheikh Mohamed and Gates emphasized the need for global cooperation and collective action to address issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic such as lack of access to healt...

  The UAE Food Bank was established in 2017 with the aim of reducing food waste and supporting those in need. It works with hotels, farms, supermarkets and other food providers to collect surplus items that would otherwise go to landfill. Through partnerships with charities across the country, the Food Bank is able to redistribute this food and deliver over 70 million meals to date. Their efforts have a huge impact, especially during Ramadan when initiatives ramp up. One major program is "One Thousand Meals," which sees chefs prepare large quantities of hot iftar meals in places like Zabeel Park to feed workers breaking their fasts.  Stories from beneficiaries show just how vital the Food Bank's work is. Low-wage laborers like Ahmed Hussain and Ishan Khan rely on iftar distributions to sustain themselves while sending money home to their families in Pakistan and Bangladesh. With salaries sometimes insufficient, the meals provide needed support. Delivery rider Alam appreci...

Abu Dhabi Ports Group has unveiled ambitious plans to invest massively in Pakistan's strategic Karachi Port, in a move that will significantly boost the country's maritime infrastructure and capacity. In an iftar event hosted by Karachi Gateway Terminal (Private) Limited (KGTL), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, the major investments for Karachi Port were announced.  Senior representatives from KGTL and Abu Dhabi Ports Group shared details of a momentous development - the signing of two crucial concession agreements between Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Karachi Port Trust (KPT). The first agreement grants KGTL a 50-year concession for the critical East Wharf Container Terminal, while an earlier agreement secured a 25-year concession for the strategically important Bulk and General Cargo Terminal. These long-term agreements signify a strong partnership between the two port operators aimed at elevating Karachi Port's status on the global trade stage. In a clear demonstration...

UAE and Hong Kong are working to strengthen their bonds through cooperation between educational and research institutions. A high-level delegation from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), led by University President Nancy Ip, will be visiting the UAE to explore opportunities for collaboration in key areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, and clean energy.  HKUST is a top research university focused on science, engineering, business and more. The delegation will meet with representatives from government institutions and companies in the UAE that are involved in innovation, research, and technology transfer. Some of the institutions they plan to visit include the Dubai Future Foundation, University of Sharjah, Khalifa University and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. They aim to identify potential synergies between HKUST's expertise and the UAE's investments in fields like engineering and technology. Given HKUST's plans to ...

  In this opinion piece, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology in the UAE, discusses how the country is well positioned to lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through proactive efforts to drive adoption of advanced technologies across the manufacturing sector.  The author notes manufacturing is a pillar of the UAE's economy, but 4IR technologies are spurring radical transformations that will impact global competitiveness. To maintain relevance, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology launched a Technology Transformation Programme to set goals and an action plan for Industry 4.0 adoption with enablers like infrastructure, skills, investments and policies.  Initial results show increases in industrial productivity by 18% and exports by 60% from 2020-2023, illustrating progress. However, the author explains internal challenges remain within companies to fully adopt technologies. Some want to avoid disruption while others take a tactica...

  The United Arab Emirates is exploring potential investments in European nuclear energy projects as part of its strategic shift toward more sustainable sources of energy. Officials from the UAE have been in discussions with the UK about investing in the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant. This would allow the UAE to gain infrastructure stakes in nuclear projects without taking on direct management responsibilities. The interest in European nuclear aligns with the UAE's broader goals of diversifying its economy away from oil and supporting clean energy transitions around the world.  Investing in nuclear energy in Europe has benefits for both the UAE and European countries. It helps the UAE diversify its energy supply and participate in expanding global clean energy. For European nations that still rely heavily on natural gas, new nuclear power plants can boost energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, which are subject to geopolitical risks. Nuclear...

Robotics and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming many industries around the world. As robotic technologies advance, they are being used more widely in manufacturing to automate various assembly and production processes. This increases efficiency and reduces costs for many businesses. It also allows some industries like automotive to produce around the clock without needing human operators. However, the increased use of robots may displace some human workers over time in repetitive manufacturing tasks. How this impacts employment will depend on how new jobs are created to complement AI and robotics. Artificial intelligence is also finding many applications outside of manufacturing. Advanced AI is powering technologies like self-driving vehicles, lending algorithms, internet search, virtual assistants, and more. As AI systems get smarter with more data, they are able to take on more complex tasks. This could significantly boost productivity across various sectors. However, i...

  Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates recognize the importance of digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption in the financial sector. According to the article, a delegation from Kazakhstan's National Bank and Financial Market Regulatory Agency met with counterparts in the UAE to discuss cooperation in these areas. Both countries want to strengthen technology usage and regulatory frameworks to boost efficiency and security. The UAE's leadership in banking digitalization and AI for financing presents opportunities for knowledge sharing. Initial agreements focus on learning from Abu Dhabi's experience with financial technology, Islamic banking management, and capital market evolution.  Cooperation on these integration of new innovations aims to mutually beneficial. Representatives explored linking Kazakhstan's exchanges to UAE's digital trading platform. This would facilitate greater capital inflow between the regions' investment communities. T...

Technology has become ubiquitous in today's world and impacts almost every aspect of our lives. Advances in areas like computing, internet connectivity, artificial intelligence, mobile devices and more are transforming how we work, play, connect and function on a daily basis. Some of the major ways technology is changing the world include: The internet and mobile networks have shrunk our world by enabling communication across distances instantly. Through social media platforms, video calling services and messaging apps, it's never been easier for friends and family to stay in touch no matter where they are located. Technologies like email, online marketplaces and work collaboration tools also facilitate global connections in business and commerce.  The integration of robotics and AI is automating numerous industrial processes and tasks that were previously done by human workers. From manufacturing vehicles to agricultural harvesting, technology is boosting productivity through ...