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Sharjah 24
18-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah hosts inaugural 2025 WTCA Middle East Members Conference
The Conference aimed to strengthen strategic cooperation, exchange expertise and best practices, and discuss ways to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to optimize WTCA's operations and elevate its performance. Discussions also focused on empowering WTCA Members to serve as catalysts for business growth, innovation, and cross-border partnerships. Held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)'s headquarters, the gathering was attended by His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah and Member of WTCA's Conferences and Exhibitions Advisory Council; and H.E Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), along with several officials from the Sharjah Chamber and Expo Centre Sharjah. The Conference agenda addressed core themes, including strategies to strengthen international trade through collaborative efforts and complementary roles among WTCA Members. Participants highlighted the importance of accelerating digital transformation in the exhibitions sector, establishing a unified platform for data and expertise sharing, and activating networking frameworks among World Trade Centers in the Middle East to enhance competitiveness, attract investments, and foster innovation. His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa stated that hosting the inaugural WTCA Middle East Members Conference reflects Sharjah's leading position in the global exhibitions and conferences industry. He noted that Expo Centre Sharjah is committed to enhancing regional and international cooperation to advance the exhibitions sector, optimise its operational efficiency, drive its sustainable development, and reinforce its essential role in supporting various economic sectors. During the conference, H.E Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh presented a comprehensive overview of Sharjah's promising investment opportunities and the competitive advantages it offers to foreign investors. He highlighted the emirate's world-class infrastructure with its specialized free zones and integrated transport systems. He also pointed to Sharjah's pro-investment regulatory framework designed to support business scalability, ensure operational ease, and streamline the establishment of new ventures. Discussions during the Conference underscored the strategic importance of strengthening cooperation among WTCA Middle East Members. Speakers stressed the role of coordinated efforts in promoting international trade and supporting the region's economic development goals. Ahmed Tibaoui, General Manager and CEO of WTC Algiers, noted that regional integration is key to increasing the operational effectiveness of the exhibitions industry and reinforcing its contribution to long-term sustainable growth. For her part, Crystal Edn, WTCA Executive Director, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining WTCA's global initiatives and strategic programs aimed at supporting World Trade Centers and expanding their contribution to the global economy. Milan Ramjee, WTCA Membership Lead for Africa and the Middle East, highlighted ongoing efforts to empower WTCA regional members through tailored tools and services that streamline international trade and foster sustainable economic growth across both local and regional markets. During the conference, participants reviewed successful case studies highlighting the achievements of regional World Trade Centers, such as Expo Centre Sharjah and the World Trade Centers in Algiers, Cairo, and Riyadh. These presentations provided an opportunity to explore the best practices and scalable models for growth. Attendees discussed effective strategies for enhancing the role of World Trade Centers, with a consensus on the critical role of innovation and digital transformation in driving sustainable progress.
Boston Globe
08-04-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Trump meets with the House GOP as his ‘big' bill of tax breaks and spending cuts teeters
'We've got to get this done,' Johnson said after a spirited morning meeting of House Republicans. The standoff between the House and the Senate over what Trump calls his 'big, beautiful bill' is exposing the limits of the GOP's long campaign to cut federal spending, especially at a time of economic unrest. Trump's trade wars, the mass layoffs of thousands of federal workers and Trump adviser Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency slashing through government, are all upending the debate. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Republicans, in control of the White House and Congress, are trying to muscle Trump's signature domestic policy bill closer to passage, ensuring some $4.5 trillion in tax breaks approved during his first term don't expire at year's end. But House Republicans are demanding as much as $2 trillion in budget cuts over the decade, to help offset the costs of the tax breaks, while Senate Republicans, who stayed up late to pass their package early Saturday morning, are hesitant to go that far. Advertisement Facing unified opposition to the package from Democrats, who see the GOP package as a tax giveaway to the wealthy paid for by reductions in Medicaid, food stamps and other vital government services, Republicans are struggling to resolve their differences and craft a final product. Advertisement 'I'm tired of the fake math in the swamp,' said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. 'They are fine saying that there are unlimited tax cuts, but they are unwilling to say they will do spending cuts,' Roy said. 'The Senate has produced a budget that is phony math, and I'm not going to support it.' The uproar has thrown the week's schedule into uncertainty, with a planned Wednesday vote potentially pushing to Thursday, or even later. Trump weighed in late Monday on social media, urging swift action. 'There is no better time than now to get this Deal DONE!' the president posted on social media. 'Everyone is going to be happy with the result. Passage will make, even the subject of World Trade, far easier and better for the U.S.A. THE HOUSE MUST PASS THIS BUDGET RESOLUTION, AND QUICKLY — MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' But Trump's demands left the House conservatives unmoved. 'The rest of America has to do math and balance their budget. I think we ought to do math here in Washington D.C.,' said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. 'It doesn't take a calculus wiz to know that doesn't add up.' While Republican senators have agreed to consider as much as $2 trillion in cuts, their counterparts in the House are deeply skeptical, if not distrustful, that the Senate GOP will accomplish anywhere near that level of reductions. The Senate bill sets a much lower floor, just $4 billion in cuts, though Senate GOP leaders insist that number will rise. Advertisement Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he does not believe the Senate has the political will to stomach larger cuts and is unconvinced the GOP senators will reach anywhere near the level the House has set. 'The trustworthiness of the Senate is suspect,' Norman said. 'It's like you charge for your house $100,000, And I come back with $1,000. How do you bridge that gulf?' In fact, the Senate GOP signaled the tough road ahead for the House's steep spending reductions during their lengthy overnight session. Several Republicans including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri voted with Democrats in favor of amendments to preserve the Medicaid health care program from cuts. None of the amendments was accepted, but one that specifically targeted the $800 billion in reductions from the House framework won GOP support. During a morning meeting of House Republicans a number of lawmakers spoke out — some saying they should simply accept the Senate resolution for now and keep working out the details toward the final package. Others were refusing to go forward without assurances that senators were committed to the same level of reductions. Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
