The Spanish pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The UAE’s new agreement with Spain is in line with the objectives of the Emirates’ national strategy for industry and advanced technology. AFP
The Spanish pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The UAE’s new agreement with Spain is in line with the objectives of the Emirates’ national strategy for industry and advanced technology. AFP
The Spanish pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The UAE’s new agreement with Spain is in line with the objectives of the Emirates’ national strategy for industry and advanced technology. AFP
The Spanish pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The UAE’s new agreement with Spain is in line with the objectives of the Emirates’ national strategy for industry and advanced technology. AFP

UAE teams up with Spain to boost industry and advanced technology


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE has joined forces with Spain to boost collaboration in industry and advanced technology.

The agreement aims to establish a framework that will ease and enhance collaboration between the two nations, they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

It aims to advance several industries in both countries through trade partnerships, research and development, knowledge and policy exchange, and technology transfer.

We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism through joint efforts in advanced technology and research and development
Sarah Al Amiri,
UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology

Areas of collaboration include aerospace, automotive, health and life sciences, Fourth Industrial Revolution technology and standards and regulations, the statement said.

The UAE intends to enhance innovative industries in the country to build the world’s most active economy, Sarah Al Amiri, the UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology, said.

“We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism through joint efforts in advanced technology and research and development … to support the transformation towards a knowledge-based economy,” she said.

The pact is in line with the objectives of the UAE’s national strategy for industry and advanced technology. It aims to enhance innovation and technology adoption, and position the Emirates as a global hub for future industries.

In a move to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the UAE this month.

Mr Sanchez, who also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited Expo 2020 Dubai on Spain’s “national day”, on February 2. He said closer ties would contribute to regional and global stability.

Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Sanchez witnessed the signing of agreements across the education, technology and investment sectors during their talks at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The UAE is a strategic partner of Spain and Mr Sanchez’s “visit will contribute to the strengthening of political and economic relations between our two countries”, María Reyes Maroto, Spain’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, said.

“I have had the opportunity to confirm the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our countries, and the commitment to continue strengthening them in the coming years,” she said.

Recent agreements signed between the UAE and Spain include a pact on co-operation in the field of industry and advanced technology and a partnership to promote industrial co-operation between the two countries.

These will “encourage bilateral investments and the transfer of key technologies in the industry”, Ms Maroto said.

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

Porsche Taycan Turbo specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 1050Nm

Range: 450km

Price: Dh601,800

On sale: now

On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE

Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
FIGHT%20CARD
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Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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Updated: February 10, 2022, 2:52 PM