Latest news with #Arabregion
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
FAO: Over 46 million hectares of agricultural land degraded in Arab region
Geneva: More than 46 million hectares of agricultural land, particularly in the Arab region, are at risk due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, soil salinisation from irrigation practices, increasing sand and dust storms, rising temperatures, and water scarcity linked to climate change, according to a study by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The organization noted that with less than 4% of land in the Arab region allocated for restoration, the area is falling short of global targets. It added that restoring 26 million hectares of degraded agricultural land could reduce the yield gap by up to 50% for oil crops and enable cereals, roots, and tubers to achieve optimal productivity. FAO emphasised the urgent need for a specialized regional initiative—one that facilitates cross-country cooperation—tailored to local contexts and focused on rehabilitating agricultural land to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build sustainable, resilient agrifood systems. Globally, the organisation estimates that up to 1.66 billion hectares have been degraded by human activity, with over 60% of this area comprising agricultural land, including pastures. Given that 95% of global food production depends on land, this widespread degradation poses significant challenges to agrifood systems, prompting calls for integrated solutions to prevent, reduce, and reverse land degradation.
ArabGT
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Electric Car Dealerships in the UAE Only Service Vehicles They've Sold
Despite the rapid global expansion in electric vehicle (EV) sales, including in the Arab region, several challenges still hinder their widespread adoption. Among the most prominent issues are insufficient infrastructure and growing concerns over battery range limitations during long-distance travel. However, a new challenge has recently emerged—one tied to the maintenance and repair of these vehicles, particularly following accidents. UAE media recently highlighted this issue through a report that revealed how some authorized electric vehicle dealerships are refusing to conduct maintenance or replace parts for cars purchased from independent showrooms rather than through the official agency. The report largely relied on statements from Mohammed Mazhar Hamadeh, Vice Chairman of the Higher Technical Committee and Head of the Vehicle Committee at the Emirates Insurance Association. He emphasized that these practices not only harm vehicle owners but also negatively impact insurance companies. Hamadeh noted that insurance premiums in the market have reached a state of balance after most companies adjusted their pricing fairly for both parties: the insured customer now receives quality service, while insurers sell policies at prices aligned with actual repair costs. He added that the core problem lies in some authorized EV dealerships—particularly those representing Asian manufacturers—refusing to service vehicles unless purchased directly from them. This ignores the fact that showrooms operate legally within the country and offer competitive prices that attract a wide customer base. Hamadeh stressed that, legally and logically, agencies should not refuse to sell parts or offer maintenance services as long as they operate in the UAE market and complement the roles of insurance companies and licensed showrooms. He also pointed to numerous complaints about agency practices, such as charging exorbitant fees merely to open a maintenance file or outright rejecting service requests, which puts insurance companies in a difficult position when a vehicle involved in an accident was purchased from a showroom. He highlighted a significant price disparity between dealerships and showrooms for the same vehicle models, which continues to drive customers toward the latter despite the challenges. He further explained that some policyholders blame insurance companies when agencies refuse repairs, even demanding their vehicle be written off—even when the needed part costs less than AED 1,000. Such behavior is illogical and results in major losses for insurers. He clarified that insurance companies are responsible for paying the cost of spare parts, not for supplying them, as their role is to insure—not manufacture or distribute—car components. Hamadeh concluded by noting that the UAE's electric vehicle market is seeing robust growth and increasing demand. While insurers are fulfilling their duties in providing coverage and repairs, he called for more cooperation from authorized dealerships in supplying the necessary spare parts, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased. On the other hand, car dealerships stated they are exclusively committed to servicing vehicles sold directly through their channels, citing legal obligations to provide warranties and guarantees along with original parts. Vehicles bought from independent showrooms or external sources do not fall under this warranty and thus are not the dealership's responsibility. In this context, Khaled Al Asal, Sales Manager for the GAC brand at Gargash Motors, told UAE media that the main reason behind this policy is the risk that imported vehicles may not conform to Gulf specifications or may contain manufacturing defects. Servicing such vehicles could expose dealerships to technical and legal liabilities, especially since repairs require warranties on the work performed. He stressed that agencies aim to protect their brand reputation by supporting vehicles they directly sold, which come with warranties on parts and servicing. Separately, other dealerships clarified that servicing vehicles purchased outside official channels is subject to internal policies and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some of these vehicles may still be covered under factory warranty if it extends to the region where the dealership operates, as is the case with some brands. However, in general, dealership commitments are strictly limited to vehicles sold directly through them, in terms of maintenance, repairs, and parts availability.
Emirates 24/7
08-05-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court settles largest divorce case in region worth AED100 million
The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, part of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has settled a record-breaking no-fault divorce case involving a foreign couple, with a financial settlement exceeding AED100 million (US$27 million). It is the largest reported divorce settlement of its kind in the GCC region and highlights Abu Dhabi's status as a leading international legal centre. The couple, previously married in the United Kingdom, filed for a no-fault divorce before the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court which was granted in less than 3 weeks within one court session, under the swift and progressive rules of the Abu Dhabi Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021, which introduced, for the first time in the Arab region, civil non-religious rules governing the family affairs of foreigners including civil marriage, no fault divorce, civil wills and probate. The couple reached a comprehensive financial settlement through the court, in coordination with one of the UK's reputable family law settlement confirms the growing international confidence in the country's legal system, the couple's decision to choose the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department was based on the distinguished reputation of the local courts and the legislative and procedural developments they are witnessing. The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court is the only Family Court in the Gulf region where proceedings are conducted bilingually in English and Arabic. Its procedures are conducted by a specialized legal team, including lawyers from Britain, to prepare the case, ensuring that foreign litigants can fully understand and navigate the process with transparency and legal certainty. This case is part of a growing number of complex family disputes being brought before Abu Dhabi's courts by international parties, particularly high-net-worth individuals seeking modern, fair, and accessible legal procedures. This development reflects the Emirate's commitment to building a world-class legal and judicial framework for expatriates family matters, comparable to those in the best international practices like the UK, United States, and Scandinavian countries — further enhancing Abu Dhabi's attractiveness as a destination for residence, work, and investment. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
