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Juma Al Kait: UAE's CEPAs spur growth, build global trade bridges
Juma Al Kait: UAE's CEPAs spur growth, build global trade bridges

Al Etihad

time23-03-2025

  • Business
  • Al Etihad

Juma Al Kait: UAE's CEPAs spur growth, build global trade bridges

23 Mar 2025 22:25 RASHA TABILA (ABU DHABI)Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, affirmed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) launched by the UAE in 2021 have become strategic "trade bridges", extending the country's reach to global at Aletihad News Center's Ramadan Majlis, titled "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements: New Paths for Economic Cooperation and Development" - held in the presence of Dr. Hamad Al Kaabi, Chief Aletihad News Center Officer - Al Kait highlighted that the UAE is eager to continue extending the geographical scope of CEPA agreements, aiming to include diverse regions across the Kait revealed that the Ministry of Economy has already finalised 20 CEPAs, while seven new deals are currently under negotiation - about to reach the legal review phase - after which they will be announced. He added that the UAE is looking to sign CEPAs with countries in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe in the near the 20 CEPAs the UAE has signed so far, six are already in force, while the remaining agreements are being readied for implementation. These include deals with Costa Rica, Colombia, South Korea, Mauritius, Chile, Serbia, Jordan, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African the majlis - moderated by Hussein Al Hammadi, Managing Editor of Aletihad News Center - Al Kait explained that the existing CEPAs cover a quarter of the world's population. This access, he said, boosts the local economy, expands the reach of Emirati products, and benefits service providers based in the UAE through the elimination or reduction of customs duties and the mitigation of non-tariff barriers. Leadership Vision Elaborating on the driving force behind these initiatives, Al Kait said: "The vision of our wise leadership for building these partnerships is timely, especially considering the current uncertainty in global trade and the retaliatory tariffs many nations impose. This approach has given the UAE an edge in ensuring secure trade routes with numerous global partners."He pointed out that the entire spectrum of economic and service sectors in the UAE benefits from these agreements, whether in hospitality, construction, finance, logistics, transport, or professional services. By easing traditional market barriers, CEPAs allow UAE-based companies to enter key global markets with fewer hurdles, Al Kait Kait also emphasised the importance of the UAE's world-class logistical capabilities, as its global network of ports creates new commercial routes and secures them through advanced technology and streamlined customs procedures. According to him, this has helped ensure that the UAE's supply chains remain among the most stable and reliable Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs highlighted the CEPA with India - now in effect for nearly three years - as a successful example of an economic partnership that continues to yield positive results. According to Al Kait, the UAE aims to bolster bilateral trade with India to Dh100 billion over the next two added: "Since its entry into force three years ago, this agreement has yielded remarkable progress, such as spurring growth in exports and imports and offering new opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, enabling them to tap into the Indian market." Private Sector Al Kait emphasised that the national private sector plays a major role in capitalising on the full potential of CEPAs, opening previously inaccessible channels for cooperation. He cited their importance for several national strategies, such as the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology's plan to diversify the country's industrial base and expand production capacities into untapped Kait noted that high tariffs and retaliatory measures are now common in many regions, which complicates trade relations. In contrast, he said it is increasingly challenging for any country to impose similar barriers on the UAE, thanks to its multiple partnerships. He added that CEPAs provide alternatives for the UAE in cases where individual countries decide to halt exports of certain commodities, particularly food items, thereby reinforcing the nation's food security and diversifying import chains for essential supplies. Economic Shifts Addressing the sweeping changes witnessed by many global economies, Al Kait identified various factors influencing these these are geopolitical events that are reshaping international supply chains, fast-paced technological progress that is altering the nature of growth, and a global policy reorientation towards increased self-reliance and protective measures to ensure the stability of domestic industries and safeguard trade interests. He also mentioned climate change and sustainability as prime issues that have now become an inseparable part of trade and investment Kait pointed out that, under its wise leadership, the UAE has responded to these developments by implementing a robust set of laws and policies designed to keep pace with global shifts. He also noted that the UAE was among the first nations to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to its open stance on global Kait added that the UAE boasts one of the best business environments in the region and globally, as evidenced by the country's continuous remarkable performance in global competitiveness indicators and other international reports. Story of Exceptional Success "The UAE represents an exceptional success story and an exceptionally successful economic model," Al Kait said."Five decades ago, it depended almost exclusively on oil revenues. Realising that economic prosperity cannot be achieved through a single resource, our wise leadership turned to economic diversification, trade openness, and comprehensive economic partnerships. This marked the beginning of a commercial renaissance through free zones, which have successfully attracted international companies with numerous incentives and seamless logistical support that eases trade with countries around the world."According to Al Kait, the UAE has now entered a new era of foreign trade by targeting high-quality investments in specialised sectors and building a model for specialised economic and free zones - including the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre - that have become magnets for leading financial institutions. These areas also include specialised technology zones and clean energy hubs, such as Masdar achievements, he added, are key steps towards preparing the country to usher in the new economic era. According to Al Kait, this new economic phase is outlined in the UAE Vision 2031, an overarching framework designed to accelerate social and economic advancements and reinforce the UAE's global stature and targets include doubling the national economy from Dh1.5 trillion to Dh3 trillion by 2031, increasing non-oil exports to Dh800 billion and raising the volume of non-oil foreign trade to Dh4 trillion. Hamad Al Kaabi: Elevating UAE's global economic position For his part, Dr. Hamad Al Kaabi, Chief Aletihad News Center Officer, emphasised that spotlighting the CEPA programme - first introduced by the UAE in 2021 - came within the framework of Aletihad News Center's commitment to placing national economic issues at the forefront of its audience's Al Kaabi said that CEPAs have become a cornerstone of the wise leadership's efforts to solidify the UAE's position in the global economy. He pointed out that these agreements play a major role in enhancing trade between the UAE and a multitude of international partners, consolidating the nation's status as a premier global trade and logistics hub. Dr. Al Kaabi added that CEPAs will help fulfil the UAE's strategic goals for 2031, strengthening its leadership in fostering a globally open commercial environment and creating investment conditions attractive to global corporations seeking fresh markets and opportunities.

Majlis discusses sustainability and circular economy in UAE
Majlis discusses sustainability and circular economy in UAE

Gulf Today

time21-03-2025

  • Business
  • Gulf Today

Majlis discusses sustainability and circular economy in UAE

Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor Dubai: The UAE's high-ranking government officials, business leaders and academics discussed key topics related to sustainability, circular economy and renewable energy during a Ramadan Majlis. Yousif Bin Saeed Lootah hosted the the Ramadan Majlis recently at Yousif Bin Saeed Lootah's Residence in Dubai. The Majlis featured the participation of Engineer Saif Ghubash, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Director General of Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat); Engineer Amal Al Ali, Director of Petroleum and Gas Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Engineer Safa Bani Rashid, Head of Sustainability at Dubai Municipality; Engineer Saeed Amiri and Engineer Faisal Al Qahtani from Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC); and Engineer Ahmed Zangerli and Engineer Kim Benfield from RAK Gas. The discussions focused on the latest advancements and initiatives in these fields, with a strong emphasis on innovative solutions that contribute to climate neutrality and reinforce the UAE's circular economy. A key highlight of the gathering was the Lootah Biofuels UCO collection Initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The initiative aims to collect and recycle used cooking oils (UCO), transforming them into sustainable biofuels. Discussions underscored the initiative's importance in advancing the shift toward clean energy and mitigating the environmental impact of improperly discarded cooking oils, which can damage sewage systems and the environment. As a part of the initiative, designated collection containers will be installed across the UAE to facilitate the collection of used cooking oils, which are then transported to specialized processing facilities and converted into clean and sustainable biofuels. This process not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhances energy efficiency but also enables safer disposal of UCO, which usually causes blockages and contamination of sewerages and soil. Additionally, attendees explored the role of the smart application launched by Lootah Biofuels, which enables individuals and families to request oil collection services directly from their homes. The app also incentivizes participation by offering financial rewards credited to users' digital wallets. During the session, Yousifbin Saeed Lootah emphasised that the Ramadan Majlis provides a platform for open dialogue on the future of sustainability in the UAE. He stated that the circular economy is no longer a choice but a necessity to ensure a more sustainable future for upcoming generations. Lootah also noted the increasing awareness and engagement in renewable energy and recycling initiatives, expressing optimism about public-private partnerships that will drive these efforts forward. Engineer Saif Ghubash highlighted the government's commitment to sustainability through strategic policies and regulations. He reaffirmed the government's role in simplifying procedures, facilitating services, and supporting the private sector in implementing national sustainability strategies. He also praised the Ramadan Majlis for fostering constructive discussions that align with the 'Year of the Community' initiative and drive progress toward clean and sustainable energy. Regarding the Lootah Biofuels Initiative, Ghubash stressed that it reflects the UAE's dedication to accelerating the transition to clean energy. He confirmed that the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure strongly supports such initiatives, which blend innovation with community engagement to achieve the UAE's Net Zero 2050 strategy. Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Director General of Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat), described the private sector as the primary driver of the UAE's national sustainability strategy. He emphasized that public-private partnerships are key to the UAE's global leadership in sustainability and that raising awareness and encouraging community participation are fundamental to building a circular economy and achieving clean energy goals. The National Biofuel Policy plays a vital role in diversifying energy sources and providing sustainable fuel alternatives. Studies indicate that switching entirely to biodiesel can reduce the carbon footprint of diesel-powered vehicles by 75%. As part of its expansion strategy, Lootah Biofuels recently launched its smart application (Lootah Biofuels App) on Android and iOS. This app encourages individuals, businesses, and institutions in the UAE to contribute to recycling used cooking oils into clean energy instead of improper disposal, which poses environmental and public health risks. The bilingual application, available in Arabic and English, allows users to request oil collection services directly from their homes, receive financial incentives credited to their digital wallet, and use a built-in calculator to track the amount of oil they have contributed, fostering environmental awareness. The Majlis concluded with a Ramadan Suhoor banquet, offering guests the opportunity to exchange ideas and explore collaborative efforts that support sustainability and the circular economy in the UAE.

MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness
MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness

Dubai Eye

time19-03-2025

  • Health
  • Dubai Eye

MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness

Authorities in the UAE are continuing to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, offering patients hope for recovery and a better quality of life. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organised Ramadan Majlises in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah to raise awareness about the 'Hayat' National Programme for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation. These sessions featured discussions on the critical role of the Hayat programme, which encourages organ donation during life or after death, as well as enhancing transplant success rates and improving outcomes for recipients. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Health Regulation, highlighted that the programme has registered 32,704 individuals so far, with 331 actual donors and 1,216 organs transplanted as of 2024. He also noted that the UAE government's recent approval of regulations for organ donation underscores its commitment to public health and advanced medical solutions. Ramadan Majlis sessions across the UAE brought us together to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage registration in the National Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, 'Hayat.' An initiative that reflects the spirit of giving in Ramadan… — وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع - MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) March 18, 2025

MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness
MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness

TAG 91.1

time19-03-2025

  • Health
  • TAG 91.1

MoHAP hosts Ramadan majlises to boost organ donation awareness

Authorities in the UAE are continuing to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, offering patients hope for recovery and a better quality of life. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organised Ramadan Majlises in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah to raise awareness about the 'Hayat' National Programme for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation. These sessions featured discussions on the critical role of the Hayat programme, which encourages organ donation during life or after death, as well as enhancing transplant success rates and improving outcomes for recipients. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Health Regulation, highlighted that the programme has registered 32,704 individuals so far, with 331 actual donors and 1,216 organs transplanted as of 2024. He also noted that the UAE government's recent approval of regulations for organ donation underscores its commitment to public health and advanced medical solutions. Ramadan Majlis sessions across the UAE brought us together to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage registration in the National Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, 'Hayat.' An initiative that reflects the spirit of giving in Ramadan… — وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع - MOHAP UAE (@mohapuae) March 18, 2025

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