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Qatar Will Invest $500 Million in Indonesia Tourism

6Aug By AnkitaNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Qatar Will Invest $500 Million in Indonesia Tourism

Qatar based Qatar Investment Authority, or QIA, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government for a $500 million investment in Indonesia tourism. Under this agreement, QIA will invest the amount on 10 tourist destinations in Indonesia, also known as "10 New Balis." The destinations include Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi and Morotai in North Maluku, are projected to make a significant contribution to Indonesia's annual gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. The agreement was signed by Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan and QIA's chief executive Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud al-Thani. "I am sure this partnership, along with commitments from both parties, will benefit not only our two governments but also...

Dubai Comes Under the World’s Top 5 Maritime Hubs

28Jul By Gauri SinghNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Dubai Comes Under the World’s Top 5 Maritime Hubs

Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been given the title of one of the world's top five maritime/shipping hubs in the International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCD). The countries that stand above Dubai in the index published by the London-based shipping exchange the Baltic Exchange and Xinhua are Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Shanghai. The report stated that Dubai is well-known for its advanced infrastructure, logistics capabilities and world-class maritime, a commendable environment conducive to trade, business and investment. "We are proud of the new achievement, which is a testament to the success of our dedicated efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the local maritime sector and consolidate Dubai's leadership as a major global maritime ...

China To Set Up a Financial Firm in UAE’s Abu Dhabi

21Jul By Gauri SinghNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

China To Set Up a Financial Firm in UAE’s Abu Dhabi

China will be setting up a state-owned financial service firm in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Abu Dhabi's financial hub. This firm will provide lending facilities to Chinese companies operating in the emirate's industrial zone. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) stated that the company has been approved by its Financial Services Regulatory Authority for conducting the regulated activities of offering and arranging credit through the ADGM platform. According to the reports, the firm aims to provide strategic investment and financial assistance to Chinese enterprises as a part of the Belt and Road Initiative. East China's Jiangsu provincial government-owned ‘The Industrial Capacity Co-operation Financial Group Limited’ (ICCFG) will be the very first of such Chinese financial services firm...

6Jul By Gauri SinghNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Uber In Talks To Merge With Careem In Middle East

Uber Technologies is in preliminary talks with the Middle East cab service company Careem Networks for the purpose of combining their ride-hailing services in the Middle East. Both the cab companies have discussed various considerable deal structures but have still not come to an agreement. According to the reports, current leaders of Careem would be managing the newly combined business, as well as retaining one or both of the companies' local brands. Another proposal that has been reported is that the Uber will be acquiring the Middle-East ride-hailing mobile application. If not acquiring Careem wholly, Uber stated that it would need to own more than half of the combined company. To this, Careem has yet not declined or accepted any comments. "Our ambition is to build a lasting inst...

Isreal seeks help from India and others to build cyber sheild

30Jun By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST, News

Isreal seeks help from India and others to build cyber sheild

Middle East country Israel is partnering with several countries including India to develop state-level cyber shields via its nodal agency Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD). According to Yigal Unna, director general, INCD, Isreal garners 20% of the total global private investments in cybersecurity and is now looking to strengthen its partnership with global nations to make its cyber world safer and more robust. Speaking in the context of increasing cyber threats, Unna said that they are becoming “bigger in quality and volume”. Unna further said that country's securing cyberspace of the country is one of the main objectives of the directorate, which today is a consolidated body after the merger of the National Cyber Authority and the National Cyber Bureau. Isreal strongly ...

Jazeera Airways Inaugurates Ride & Fly Service For Passengers

30Jun By Gauri SinghNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Jazeera Airways Inaugurates Ride & Fly Service For Passengers

Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low cost airline that operates regionally as well as internationally has inaugurated the Jazeera Terminal (T5) at the Kuwait International Airport. The airlines has launched the Ride & Fly transport service that will provide service to passengers from 17 steadfast stops across residential areas in Kuwait and to the Jazeera Terminal (T5). The airport security check is one of the main reasons that you need to arrive early at the airport. To make travel easier for customers, Jazeera Airways has come up with this latest move. Jazeera Airlines, which is the first terminal owned by a non-government airline in the Middle East will surely help to decrease overcrowding at the Kuwait International Airport. The terminal occupies a total area of 4,750 square me...

Egypt to Combat “False News” By Monitoring Social Media Users

29Jun By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Egypt to Combat “False News” By Monitoring Social Media Users

Freedom of Expression may shrink further in Egypt has lawmakers have agreed to the reading of a bill that would monitor popular social media users in the name of combating "false news". It is interesting to note that Facebook and Twitter have been the centre of debate in Egypt since November 2013 ban on all but police-approved gatherings. According to the Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE), more than 500 websites have so far been blocked in Egypt. On June 10, parliament has given a nod for the reading of the bill that was pending ratification by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The bill will place internet users with at least 5,000 followers under the supervision of Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation. This will enable council the right to suspend or b...

This Middle East Country is Giving Free Transit Visa For Two Days to Passengers!

18Jun By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST, News

This Middle East Country is Giving Free Transit Visa For Two Days to Passengers!

Foreign residents flying between India and Dubai have a good news for them! The UAE government has announced to grant free transit visas for first 48 hours to transit passengers. Additionally, the visa can be extended for up to 96 hours by paying 50 Dirham (about Rs 930). Though the confirmed date for the service to kickstart has not been announced, it is likely to be declared officially in a few days as per travel industry majors. India- The No. 1 Tourist Source for UAE According to Dubai Tourism Department, India is the leading international tourist source for Dubai with about 1.8 crore Indians travelling to UAE every year. Moreover, about a quarter travel to and fro from India happens on mega UAE flights like Etihad, flyDubai, Emirates. The decision to grant free 48-ho...

Qatar takes UAE to UN Court over Human Rights Violation

12Jun By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Qatar takes UAE to UN Court over Human Rights Violation

The government of Qatar has alleged UAE over human rights violation and now is taking it to the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) as cited to the official Qatar News Agency (QNA). The move has come a year after Qatar accused of "terrorism" tied diplomatic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. On the other hand, Doha has repeatedly rejected the allegations as "baseless". According to the government statement,"As set forth in detail in Qatar’s application to the International Court, the UAE led these actions, which have had a devastating effect on the human rights of Qataris and residents of Qatar." Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, The unlawful measures imposed by UAE have torn apart families, with parents being separa...

Uber is “Finished” in Turkey- President Erdogan

4Jun By NitishNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST, News

Uber is “Finished” in Turkey- President Erdogan

Uber is "finished" in Turkey said Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following intense pressure from Istanbul based taxi union to banned Uber. The Istanbul based yellow taxi union is saying the ride-hailing app Uber is eating their business without having a proper legal basis for work. The Turkey government agreed on new rules that are expected to severely complicate Uber's operations in Turkey in future. Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim last month issued a directive sharply hiking fines and threatened to blacklist companies whose vehicles illegally work as taxis. The President of Turkey Erdogan said, "This thing emerged called Uber or Muber or whatever now finished. It's over now. Our Prime Minister (Binali Yildirim) made the announcement. We have our system of taxis,". ...

Qatar Approves Draft Law on Permanent Residency of Foreigners

30May By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

Qatar Approves Draft Law on Permanent Residency of Foreigners

Arab Country, Qatar has moved a step ahead in granting permanent residency to foreigners after a senior legislative body approved the draft law, a move announced amidst ongoing Gulf crisis. According to the state media, Shura council has given its nod to the draft law that would grant residency to expatriates providing valuable service as well as to the children of Qatari women married to non-Qataris. Announced first after four Arab countries imposed sanctions on Qatar over support of terrorism, the draft law finally has been approved that will allow permanent residents to acquire free state education, healthcare and right to own property. This would notably be the first such law proposed by one of the energy-rich Gulf states. At present, current work realted laws in Qatar are suc...

25May By Lavina TolaniNo Comments

MIDDLE EAST

How Middle East Is Performing as a Digital Economy

Digital Technology and Internet of Things are deeply transforming businesses and governments in the Middle East and North Africa. Even the World Bank believes that Investment into digital transformation in the major Cities of the Middle East and North Africa region(MENA) can unlock huge potential for the service economy to drive growth and job creation across the region, as announced in its report that came in April 2018. There are a lot of factors that act in the favour of MENA making it particularly well-positioned to take advantage of digital opportunities. A young and tech-savvy population, advanced information and communication technologies, or ICT, infrastructure are some of the key ingredients that act as strong benchmarks for MENA countries such as such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, a...