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UAE deepens strategic partnership with Germany in science, research, emerging technologies

UAE deepens strategic partnership with Germany in science, research, emerging technologies

Al Etihad5 hours ago

18 June 2025 15:43
ABU DHABI (WAM) A UAE delegation led by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, has concluded a successful visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.The visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations in critical, emerging, and advanced technologies, while expanding strategic collaboration in science, innovation, and advanced technology.The mission began in Berlin with participation in GITEX Europe, followed by high-level bilateral meetings with representatives of the German government.Sharaf held meetings in Berlin with Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation; Dr. Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Research, Technology, and Space; and Gitta Connemann, State Secretary and Government Commissioner for SMEs at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.The delegation participated in a roundtable organised by NUMOV, one of Germany's largest organisations promoting economic development between Germany and MENA countries.Furthermore, the delegation visited the Merantix AI Campus, and took part in a roundtable hosted by the Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Furthermore, Sharaf attended the TECH25 Conference in Heilbronn, where he participated in an interview by Handlesblatt and engaged with industry leaders and innovators on the future of advanced technologies. The delegation also held bilateral meetings with various government entities in Stuttgart.The visit included meetings with Danyal Bayaz, Minister of Finance, and Christoph Werner, CEO of dm-drogerie mark.The UAE delegation underscored the importance of international partnerships in fostering innovation, enhancing global technology security, and advancing collective progress in research and development.
The delegation included Ahmed Alattar, UAE Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany; Rashid Al Teneiji, Director of Economic and Trade Affairs Department; and Nouf Al Hameli, Science and Advanced Technology Adviser, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EDGE Group.

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How digital lending beyond banks is rewriting the rules of financial inclusion in the UAE
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Khaleej Times

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  • Khaleej Times

How digital lending beyond banks is rewriting the rules of financial inclusion in the UAE

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At airpay, we've seen firsthand how such platforms enable businesses to access funds aligned with their cash flow — whether for stocking up ahead of Ramadan or hiring staff during peak seasons. This speed and flexibility are crucial to the sustainability of SMEs. Embedded finance: Credit built into the checkout The real game-changer is embedded finance. By integrating lending options directly into payment acceptance platforms, businesses can access short-term working capital without needing to submit a separate loan application. Here's how it works: when merchants process transactions through a unified payment gateway, their real-time sales data feeds into a lender's risk model. This enables adaptive credit limits, flexible repayment schedules, and minimal default risk — particularly for micro and small retailers who would typically fall through the cracks of traditional banking. 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