Latest news with #TGF
African Manager
23-07-2025
- Business
- African Manager
BCT Governor advocates for launching 'Diaspora Bonds'
Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), Fethi Zouhair Nouri, stated that a significant untapped potential lies within the Tunisian diaspora, which remains one of the most decisive and virtuous economic actors, despite recorded progress. Speaking at the second edition of the Tunisia Global Forum (TGF), organized on Tuesday by the Association of Tunisians from Grandes Écoles (ATUGE), Nouri noted that the diaspora represents a human capital that should be transformed into a financial asset to fund sustainable development. He emphasized the need to reorient strategy toward effectively integrating the diaspora into the national development process. He advocated for including the diaspora in economic policymaking by supporting existing associative networks and professional organizations, as well as improving access to transparent and centralized information. The BCT Governor stressed the necessity of offering innovative investment tools tailored to the diaspora's needs and expectations, drawing on international best practices. In this context, he mentioned the introduction of diaspora bonds, the funds from which would finance local businesses and infrastructure projects. He also cited, as an example, the launch of new savings products specifically designed for the diaspora. Nouri added that the BCT is committed to modernizing its services and improving communication, announcing the upcoming launch of a digital platform called 'EXOP' to enable online submission, processing, and tracking of requests addressed to the Central Bank. He further noted that a new version of the **foreign currency investment platform for non-residents in Tunisia, hosted on the BCT's website ( will soon be operational. 30% of foreign currency comes from expatriates The BCT Governor also recalled that the diaspora, comprising around 1.8 million citizens, primarily residing in Europe and Gulf countries, remains one of the main sources of foreign currency for Tunisia's economy. He added that, by the end of 2024, remittances from Tunisians abroad accounted for 30% of the BCT's foreign exchange reserves, equivalent to about 6.5% of GDP. These flows even have a stabilizing effect at the macroeconomic level, he noted. The Tunisian expatriate community also contributes to boosting domestic consumption, supporting economic growth, directly contributing 2% of state tax revenues and strengthening the local economy through investments, particularly in real estate. Challenges facing the Diaspora For his part, ATUGE President Amine Aloulou highlighted the obstacles the Tunisian diaspora faces in terms of investment, stressing their disconnection from the country. He affirmed that the forum and regional tours would help develop local networks and engage economic and administrative stakeholders. He added that the business environment, administrative and banking services, and air transport are key areas needing improvement to attract investors and foster the country's economic openness.
Khaleej Times
20-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Mass iftars in UAE: What goes into preparing, distributing meals among thousands of people
During the month of Ramadan, several volunteer groups work diligently across the country to provide iftar meals to blue collar workers. Some put in efforts throughout the year to secure funds and plan the campaign while others have a well-oiled system that has been in place for years. For The Giving Family (TGF), planning for one Ramadan begins as soon as the previous one ends. 'We like to make sure our licences are renewed and we reach out to the kitchens to understand their feedback,' said Zehra Rizvi, one of the co-founders of the initiative. 'About four months before the start of Ramadan, we start to get really busy, reaching out to corporates, having meetings and spreading the word about the campaign.' Founded by Zehra along with Fadie Musallat and Sabrina Rabhi, TGF has been feeding over 5,000 people every day this Ramadan, with the aim of distributing half a million meals over the course of this month. The group distribute their meals at an open space in Al Quoz where workers from multiple labour camps can take advantage of it. 'Dubai Police has allowed us to use this space,' she said. 'It is so big that we are able to have thousands of labourers to line up simultaneously and it is an easy spot for our volunteers to find.' Meanwhile in Jebel Ali Industrial area 1, British expat Siamah Qader spearheads a movement called The Kindness Circle which feeds over 7,000 people at two mosque sites. In its 11th year of operation, this year's campaign required planning from November, according to Siamah. 'We reached out to professionals and corporates about volunteering for iftar distribution as an ESG / CSR team building activity' she said. 'In terms of operational logistics, we started working with our partners in January.' Voluntary group Team Iftar caters to three mosques and a public park in the Sajaa area in Sharjah. 'We feed over 5,000 people every day,' said member Anees Easa. 'While we know exactly how many people will come to the mosques, the number of people at the park varies widely.' Well-oiled machine According to Anees, they have perfected the logistics of the distribution over 20 years and everything functions like a well-oiled machine. 'At the mosques, we get large pots of biryani which out volunteers then portion out,' he said. 'Meanwhile at the park, we serve individual packs. We have an entire spreadsheet full of information of how many people and how much food is expected in each location. If we fall short, we know how to manage from our previous years' experience.' Siamah said that she visits the facilities of her partners to ensure that the food is of the highest quality. 'We go on inspections between January and February to make sure that the ingredients are fresh and hormone-free,' she said. 'We only work with reliable suppliers because this is a very time-sensitive operation and they have to provide the delivery at the right time.' According to her timing is the most 'critical' aspect of their process, as there is only 'a window of just 2.5 hours' to complete the packing and delivery. 'We need four trucks with food on one site and two on another and they have to arrive between 3.30pm and 4pm,' she said. 'It runs like clockwork as a regimented, precise process and we are constantly finetuning it to reduce the risks as much as possible' Meanwhile, volunteers from Aster DM Healthcare have been delivering over 4,000 food boxes across five locations in Dubai during rush hour traffic, in collaboration with Dubai Police. These boxes are carefully planned to include the essentials needed by motorists who find themselves on the streets during iftar time. They contain a packet of dates, water, a cake, and juice, offering much-needed relief to many. Volunteers The group of volunteers is the lifeline for TGF's distribution. 'We have three groups — the unloading team, the packing team and the distribution team,' she said. 'We have a family of over 2,000 volunteers, many of whom come every day. The corporate distribution starts at around 1pm and takes two hours. We start the public distribution at 3.15pm, which goes on till around 5.15pm, so that everyone has the time to go back home for iftar with their families.' She said the initiative 'has become life' for the three co-founders. 'Earlier we used to go for iftars outside or visit a Suhoor tent,' she said. 'But now, our entire Ramadan revolves around this. Even when we go out, we go for a drive with our volunteers in the evening for a tea. However, for Siamah, finding enough volunteers is a challenge. 'We have an active Whatsapp group where we release the daily requirement of volunteers,' she said. 'Our calculation is that for every 100 people, we need two or three people. We have an incredible community of dedicated people who commit to come regularly. They turn up every day for which I'm gratefully thankful, but we need more such people. On one particular day, we had only 15 volunteers. So, getting enough volunteers is one of the challenges we face.'
Khaleej Times
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Ramadan in Dubai: Hollywood actor delays travel palns to pack, serve iftar boxes to workers
In the spirit of the giving month, US actor Terry Crews delayed his flight back home to distribute iftar packs in Dubai on the first day of Ramadan. The American actor, television host, and former football player joined The Giving Family (TGF) at a labour camp in Al Quoz on Saturday to help pack iftar kits. "He was supposed to catch his flight on March 1, but when we told him about our iftar initiative, he delayed his return," said Zehra Rizvi, co-founder of TGF. "He stayed for almost 1.5 hours, helping us pack the boxes. He took the time to get to know the volunteers and spoke to the workers. He was really sweet." In videos shared on social media, Terry was seen addressing the volunteers, sharing how "honoured" he was to be with them. "I am actually choked up," he said. "I want you to know that what you are doing here means so much to so many." He added that the volunteers reminded him of his family and praised the "amazing humanity" for building the community and city. Began in 2017 as a small initiative to distribute meals among labourers, TGF has grown into a prolific iftar meal distribution movement that sees hundreds of people volunteering to give away thousands of meals every Ramadan. Last year, the group distributed over 7000 meals daily to workers in labour camps in Al Quoz. Palestinian American Fadie Musallet, Canadian Zehra Rizvi and Algerian British Sabrina Rabhi are the co-founders of TGF. This year, the trio and their battalion of volunteers aim to distribute at least half a million meals. Expanding operations TGF, which usually distributes meals in labour camps in Al Quoz, has significantly expanded its operations this year. "We are conducting three meal distributions every day," said Zehra. "One is spearheaded by our volunteers, while the other two are corporate distributions. Combined, we are hoping to give away half a million meals this year." She added that TGF has also started a new initiative where people can donate their gently used, pre-loved items to be distributed in the UAE. Working in collaboration with the Tarahum Charity Foundation, the group has three collection points across Dubai where people can drop off gently used, pre-loved items, including clothes and toys. "Our volunteers go through them carefully, package them, and then we distribute them," she said. Some of the items are distributed in labour camps, while others are given to struggling families across the country. "The Tarahum foundation works to identify those in need and get the necessary items to them," Zehra said. TGF has also set up a whiteboard called the 'dua board' at the labour camps, where volunteers and labourers can write the names of their loved ones who are sick or have passed away. "We donate 100 meals on their behalf and make dua for them," she added.
