
Dubai Chamber of Commerce supports expansion of Al Sharqi Shipping company into Kenya, Uganda
The chamber's office in Kenya played a vital role in enabling Al Sharqi Shipping to establish its operations in both countries. The office provided valuable market insights, facilitated local partnerships, and offered strategic advice on navigating regulatory environments and fulfilling legal and administrative requirements.
Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, commented, 'We are committed to enabling local companies to expand globally by strengthening their ties with promising international markets and strategic partners. This supports sustainable business growth and underlines our continued commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of Dubai's private sector, enabling it to capitalise on high-potential opportunities both locally and internationally.'
Kashif Rafiq, CEO of Al Sharqi Shipping and Board Member of Al Sharqi Holding, said, 'Al Sharqi Shipping has been connecting businesses with trade through logistics and freight solutions since 1989. With the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce's efforts to support international business growth, we are working to expand our presence in East Africa—strengthening regional ties and contributing to Dubai's wider trade aspirations.'
Al Sharqi Shipping offers supply chain management, freight forwarding, and cargo consolidation services. By establishing offices in Kenya and Uganda, the company aims to expand the reach of its products and solutions across African markets, from customs clearance to investing in local trucking infrastructure. The move forms part of the company's broader strategy to diversify and grow its presence in key emerging markets.
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Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
UN Climate Adaptation Expo in Zambia concludes with urgent call for more finance to save lives and economies
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Governments will spend this amount and much more, whether they like it or not, in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by climate disasters, and importing food due to ruined crops,' said Nassef. 'Much smarter and cheaper is investing in resilience up-front, because this not only saves lives and money, it delivers massive dividends across every sector and every community, transforming lives and economies for the better.' Zambia's Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, said: 'We must transform NAPs into investable and bankable plans attractive for investment, including by the private sector. It is also imperative to enhance horizontal and vertical coordination to ensure effective participation of various stakeholders – including women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, local communities and the private sector – in the design and execution of NAPs.' 'Climate change is a matter of life and death for our people. The 2023-2024 drought reduced crop yields by about half, and similarly reduced electricity generation by more than half. This requires a multi-pronged approach across multiple sectors and scales, centred around the critical role of water,' added Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia. The Expo, attended by around 400 participants from 80 countries, launched updated technical guidelines, welcomed by least developed countries and others as a strong basis to help nations in designing and implementing their NAPs by 2025, in line with the latest science and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Adaptation plans are vital to ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the funding and support they need to build resilience to worsening droughts, floods and other climate disasters. Key outputs from the Expo include: Over six technical sessions focused on promoting mobilization and access to financing for NAPs: (i) maximizing access to existing sources and modalities under the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism; (ii) exploring new sources and modalities of adaptation finance and how countries can mobilize or engage. Five sessions aiming to accelerate the uptake and use of frontier and digital technologies in the NAP process, including big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. For many participants, it was the first time using AI in supporting the formulation and implementation of NAPs, and the guided sessions provided an introduction to several powerful resources. The AI session was so successful that participants requested an additional one, which was offered on the next day and focused on co-producing a sample open NAP to showcase concepts relevant to adaptation assessment, planning and implementation. Various sessions strengthened inclusive stakeholder engagement in the NAP process by promoting the incorporation of diverse values and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples and the experiences of local communities, as well as private sector involvement, with a strong focus on vulnerable communities, gender-responsiveness and youth participation. Fumukazi Zilanie Kamgundanga Gondwe, traditional leader of the Phoka people, Rumphi, Malawi, said: 'What we refer to as innovation is often rooted in long-standing Indigenous practices such as seed sovereignty, sacred forest protection, and cultural rituals for ecological balance.' Ana Toni, CEO of the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, called on the global community to 'transcend outdated mindsets whilst preserving shared values and innovating towards a new planetary renaissance, where humankind regenerates its relationship with itself and with the nature it belongs to.' "COP30 will serve as a turning point for adaptation, and NAPs must lead the way, building capacity and securing funding to strengthen our efforts. In Belém, adaptation must be elevated to the same level of importance as mitigation on the global agenda, especially as the impacts of climate change have already infiltrated our homes. Together, we have the power to implement meaningful change and safeguard our communities for a more resilient and sustainable future," Toni added. Attended by government officials, technical experts, Indigenous leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners, the Expo from 11-15 August was marked by a focus on implementation – how to help countries meet the 2025 NAP submission target. Countries also showcased practical solutions to the Global Goal on Adaptation targets: Water security: nature-based solutions for urban rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agricultural practices, and restoration of rivers and streams. Food security: climate-smart agriculture techniques improving soil health and yields without expanding land use. Secure Livelihoods: diversified income and strengthened resilience through sustainable resource management. Resilient infrastructure: coastal protection projects rooted in nature-based solutions. Youssef Nassef expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for their gracious hospitality in hosting this important global event, noting how the Zambian spirit of solidarity, of hope, of collectivism and harmony helped underpin a successful Expo. As the Expo closed, participants pointed to next month's Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1-6 September) convened by UN Climate Change, as another key moment to advance adaptation and resilience, including financing needs, along with other key issues. By bringing together negotiators with implementers in government and the real economy, along with key financiers including development banks, Climate Week will help lay a foundation for progress on finance, adaptation, mitigation and a Just Transition, in Belém and beyond. Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UNFCCC About the NAP Expo The NAP Expo is an annual outreach event organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC. It serves as a platform for exchanging experiences, fostering partnerships and mobilizing support to advance the formulation and implementation of NAPs in developing countries. About the UNFCCC With 198 Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level which will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, and to protect all people from worsening climate impacts now and in the future. Through multilateral cooperation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and national efforts, projected temperature increase has been reduced from up to 5 degrees Celsius, to around 3 degrees Celsius now, if pledges are implemented. Efforts continue to lower projected temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as all countries in the UNFCCC have agreed, as well as to build more climate-resilient economies and societies, and to spread the vast benefits of climate action across all nations and peoples. The ultimate objective of all agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development. Follow our social channels: X: UN Climate Change: Anglais, Français, Russe, Espagnol X: Executive Secretary Simon Stiell LinkedIn: UN Climate Change, Executive Secretary, Deputy Executive Secretary Instagram: UN Climate Change: English, Russian, Spanish, French TikTok: UN Climate Change Media Contact: UNFCCC press@ African Media Agency (AMA) Amy Minnie Amy@

Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
North West Provincial Legislature on North West Transport Investments' (NTI) legal appeals affecting bus workers
The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile would like to express its deep concern and outrage following reports that 14 employees of North West Transport Investments' (NTI) bus companies have taken their own lives due to months of unpaid salaries. 'Families are suffering, homes are being repossessed, and in some cases, workers have reportedly died of hunger, while a legal impasse continues to drag on,' stated Hon. Sonakile. The Committee is firm in its view that the entire province cannot be held to ransom by one individual, NTI's first Business Rescue Practitioner, Mr Thomas Sammons, whose repeated appeals have stalled progress. 'This legal circus cannot continue while workers and their families bear the brunt of the crisis. We insist that urgent measures must be facilitated to ensure that salaries are paid without further delay, irrespective of the ongoing court processes. Workers continue to serve the public, and their dignity must be restore,' said Hon. Sonakile. The Committee has resolved to call on Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, together with the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, MEC Wessels Morweng, and MEC for North West Provincial Treasury, MEC Keneetswe Mosenogi, to amongst others urgently meet with NTI's Acting CEO, Dr Ben Dikobe and the current Business Rescue Practitioner, Mr Mahomed Tayob, to devise immediate strategies that will allow salary payments to flow while the legal case continues. The Committee also noted that workers cannot remain the collateral damage of protracted litigation and government indecision. Furthermore, the Committee calls on the North West Provincial Government to: Vigorously defend the current business rescue process in the courts; Pursue cost orders against Mr Sammons to deter further frivolous appeals; and Demonstrate its seriousness by providing full support to the workers during this transition. The Committee demands that the Premier and MECs provide formal feedback within 14 days on the concrete steps being taken to ensure that workers are paid. In parallel, the Committee will also engage with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to establish progress on the case it previously referred regarding NTI's affairs. 'Failure by government to act with urgency will render it equally complicit in the suffering of employees, especially since it was government that invoked voluntary business rescue in the first place,' stated Hon. Sonakile. The Committee will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to hold both the Department and the entity accountable. The lives and livelihoods of workers must come before any legal theatrics. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.


Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
'Sahara 2025' – The largest agricultural exhibition in the Middle East – launches its 37th edition next september
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With sponsorship from leading companies and institutions like the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, National Bank of Egypt, Kafr El Zayat for Pesticides & Chemicals, Evergrow, El Sewedy Watanya, Techno Seeds, Techno Chem, and Tanta Motors, the event will feature over 90 speakers and is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors, 5,000 conference participants, and over 350 exhibiting companies, as well as several specialized educational programs. Sahara 2025 will also feature the launch of the 'International Buyer Programme," which has been strategically expanded to include key markets in the Middle East alongside the African continent. As part of this program, the exhibition will welcome delegations from prominent countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, and Jordan. This programme is designed to support Egyptian exhibitors, enhance export opportunities for local agricultural products and services, and strengthen regional and international trade partnerships. Beyond the international mission, the exhibition will also host a wide range of local buyers this year from various governorates, including Beni Suef, Minya, and Fayoum. There will also be a notable presence of farmers and farm owners from all over Egypt. This broad participation highlights the pivotal role of "Sahara" in promoting agricultural development and expanding business networks at both local and international levels. In this context, Ms. Hanaa Yousef, Sahara Exhibition Director, stated, "We are proud of the active role Sahara plays in driving agricultural development both locally and regionally. This edition continues our journey to highlight smart agricultural technologies that open new horizons for investment, in line with the state's plan to increase its agricultural exports by 20% this year." The exhibition is being held during a significant period of growth in Africa's agribusiness industry. The African Development Bank estimates that this market reached approximately $280 billion in 2023, with the Egyptian market alone accounting for an estimated $35 billion. Furthermore, the sector is projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 19.94%, positioning the Egyptian agricultural sector as a prime investment opportunity. To capitalize on this growth, Sahara 2025 will present a dedicated area (Start x Sahara) for startups and innovative projects for the first time, in collaboration with 'Entlaq'. This initiative aims to equip startups with the necessary tools to expand and attract investors. To achieve this, the area will host panel discussions on investment opportunities, helping local companies secure more capital and achieve their desired expansion. These efforts contribute to fostering a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, in line with the objectives of Egypt's Vision 2030. This is complemented by the exhibition's broad coverage of agricultural sectors, including fertilizers, seeds, water management, agricultural machinery, Agri-tech, and post-harvest processes. This year, a new specialized sector for animal health and feed has also been introduced. This diversity attracts a wide audience of agricultural stakeholders, such as farmers, investors, agricultural engineers, government representatives, consultants, and food manufacturing companies, solidifying its position as a comprehensive platform that connects various segments of the agricultural sector. The event will also include a smart application designed to facilitate and maximize the visitor experience. This edition will feature a series of services designed to meet the sector's needs. These include the "Sahara Technical Conference," which will address the latest sustainable agricultural practices, investment and trade, and agricultural water management and irrigation systems. Additionally, the "Matchmaking Programme" will connect exhibitors looking to export with hosted buyers from Europe, Asia, and Africa, ensuring they achieve tangible returns on their investment. The exhibition will also present "The Women in Agri Networking Event," the agricultural consultation zone, and specialized technical workshops. One key workshop, titled 'Good Agricultural Practices and Sustainable Development', will be presented by Dr. Mamdouh Issa, Managing Director of AHDO and the food safety and sustainable development expert, along with a group of skilled trainers. Another workshop will be held in collaboration with the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, titled "Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery in Egypt." It's worth noting that the Sahara exhibition, first launched in 1987, has evolved into a key annual platform that seamlessly combines product showcases with scientific content. Through specialized seminars and workshops, the event highlights the latest innovations in the agricultural sector, solidifying its role as a key driver of knowledge and trade in Egyptian agriculture.