Abu Dhabi established a new body to regulate its maritime sector as it moves to streamline oversight, attract more foreign investment and develop infrastructure to boost the sector’s contribution to the economy.
Abu Dhabi Maritime was formed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport through an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports. The new body will be the custodian of the emirate’s waterways and marine ecosystems.
“The new entity will commence its work by implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework, developing world-class maritime infrastructure and introducing consolidated strategic planning for coastal zone management,” said Saif Al Mheiri, managing director of Abu Dhabi Maritime.
The move is part of the emirate’s efforts to diversify its economy and grow non-oil sectors to boost job creation and attract investment.
“Our synergistic approach backed by a highly interactive digital single-window portal will ensure that Abu Dhabi’s maritime waterways and ecosystems continue to attract new investors and increase the maritime sector’s contribution to the growth of our national economy,” Mr Al Mheiri said.
Abu Dhabi Maritime will function as a consolidated single point of reference for the sector. It is mandated to administer all the emirate’s waterways and will be responsible for drafting, monitoring and enforcing regulations and codes.
In addition, it will develop and maintain all infrastructure and assets on the waterways, with its own work overseen by a new Maritime Advisory Council.
The establishment of Abu Dhabi Maritime will “take the regulatory oversight of our maritime sector to the next level”, said Falah Al Ahbabi, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport and chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports.
Abu Dhabi Maritime will soon launch the expanded Delma Port, the company said.
This will accommodate more than 60 local fishing dhows, new slipways, a digitised booking system serving the wider boating community and mooring facilities in four marine-protected areas, in co-ordination with the relevant entities.
Abu Dhabi has waterways that cover 45,000 square kilometres along a 2,400km stretch of coastline. These are home to 17 commercial and community ports, more than 100 maritime facilities and more than 1,000 companies. Additionally, more than 40,000 vessels move through these waterways each year.
“Establishing Abu Dhabi Maritime serves to advance our emirate’s goal of becoming a world-leading maritime centre through the pursuit of regulatory advancement, fulfilling the needs of the maritime sector and attracting more direct foreign investment,” said Mohamed Al Shamisi, Abu Dhabi Ports group chief executive.
RESULT
Australia 3 (0) Honduras 1 (0)
Australia: Jedinak (53', 72' pen, 85' pen)
Honduras: Elis (90 4)
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Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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