The UAE and India signed eight initial pacts across various key sectors, from logistics to health care, that are aimed at deepening economic ties between the countries.
The preliminary agreements also cover industries including infrastructure, higher education, maritime services, logistics and private sector engagement, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement on Thursday.
They were signed during the official visit to India by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
“India and the UAE are bound by a deep-rooted friendship and a shared dedication to shaping the future through innovation, opportunity and sustainable growth," Sheikh Hamdan said.
“We look forward to accelerating progress in sectors that matter most for our collective future, building on the strong momentum we have achieved through frameworks like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the bilateral investment treaty."
Deals signed
Dubai Chambers signed three preliminary agreements with the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dubai Chambers will support Indian businesses in establishing or expanding their presence in the emirate and provide strategic services aimed at accelerating the investment process, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the three Indian groups will provide similar support to Dubai-based companies exploring business opportunities in India. The agreements also outline collaboration in joint participation at trade fairs, investment missions, conferences and exhibitions in both markets.
Dubai-based ports operator DP World also signed an initial pact with Rites, an infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm under India’s Ministry of Railways.
The agreement aims to further leverage the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor, a digital platform launched in September last year to streamline customs, logistics and regulatory processes between the two countries. It will aim to boost collaboration on projects such as multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, port connectivity and rail freight solutions, to "build diversified trade routes that can withstand global disruptions".
Drydocks World, a DP World company, also signed an initial pact with Cochin Shipyard, an Indian shipbuilding and maintenance facility, under India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The agreement establishes a framework for the joint development of ship repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar, in India, as well as offshore fabrication and collaborative marine engineering solutions.
Other deals include an initial pact signed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to establish an IIMA campus in Dubai, to be developed in two phases. In the first phase, the IIMA will be allocated space within Dubai International Academic City. Under the agreement, the IIMA aims to launch its one-year, full-time MBA programme in Dubai this year.
In the second phase, the IIMA will be allotted land for the establishment of a permanent campus, which is expected to become operational by 2029.
Dubai Health also signed a pact to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital, a non-profit initiative aimed at providing inclusive and accessible health care, in Dubai.
The eighth agreement was between the Dubai Medical University and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to strengthen academic and research collaboration.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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