“Gaining the trust of the people”. That is how Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani described his biggest challenge since assuming office 10 months ago.
While economic woes, climate change and threats to security are all obstacles that Iraq must tackle, Mr Al Sudani stressed that regaining the trust of the people represents his government's biggest challenge.
In an extensive interview with The National in New York during his participation in the High Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Al Sudani spoke of his commitment to improving the lives of Iraqis, with priorities that include “providing basic services, fighting corruption [and] undertaking economic reforms, which can all strengthen the confidence of people in this political system”.
He added that trust is only restored "through credibility and fulfilling promises. If we succeed in that, all other challenges can be met”.
Mr Al Sudani said that his government is strong and able to deliver, despite facing many challenges.
He described his government’s foreign policy as “balanced, independent with sovereign decision-making, far from the desires and interests of others”.
He went on to say that “there is no problem in [serving] mutual interests but not at the expense of Iraq”.
Surrounded by six neighbours with which his country has had a chequered history, Mr Al Sudani said Iraq’s fate is that it is "a point of convergence of all those in the region”.
He stressed that all countries would benefit from his nation being stable.
“Disruption in Iraq brings disturbances in the region and the world, as we saw with ISIS,” he said.
His government is seeking to create joint projects in the region to build on possible cooperation such as the “Iraq development road project”, which he has invited countries in the region to join, strengthening the links between Asia and Europe.
'We will not be part of any sphere of influence'
Mr Al Sudani’s trip to New York included meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, Brett McGurk.
Mr Al Sudani said that he told US officials that his country’s relationship “should not be only within a security dimension … while we are open to bilateral security co-operation”, highlighting the importance of “Iraq’s independence and we will not be part of any sphere of influence”.
One issue that has been raised is the presence of foreign troops in Iraq.
“We are not in need of combat troops; what we have are military advisers, but even their presence needs regulation, in terms of their size, location and how long they remain,” he said.
He added that there needs to be a “clear timeline" for the continued presence of foreign troops.
"This is part of what is needed for our sovereignty and stability, to take away any excuse from those who demand keeping arms out of the control of the state because of the presence of foreign troops”.
The US extended an official invitation for Mr Al Sudani to visit Washington, a matter that had been pending for several months. And while that was seen as a win, a build-up of tensions with Kuwait came to a head in New York as the Kuwaiti government raised concerns about Iraq seeming to renege on previous maritime border demarcation agreements.
Clear concern was expressed by Kuwait and supported by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council over Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court move to void the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq Agreement, which aimed at setting the maritime boundaries of Khor Abdullah.
In a joint statement after their meeting in New York last week, the GCC and US said “the ministers stressed the importance of Iraq’s commitment to Kuwait’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for international conventions and UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 833 regarding the demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq boundary”.
The US and GCC statement called on the Iraqi government to “ensure that the agreement remains in force”.
Mr Al Sudani faces domestic pressure from some political parties to challenge the agreement on the maritime boundaries, and regional pressure to respond to the Federal Supreme Court’s ruling, which Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah said “contains historical fallacies”.
Responding to questions about this issue, Mr Al Sudani told The National that “in Iraq, there is a division between the various branches of power”, deflecting the issue as a judicial one.
However, he stressed that his government is “committed to international laws and the decisions of the UN Security Council, in addition to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Kuwait”.
He spoke of his meeting with Kuwait’s Prime Minister saying: “I confirmed to him our government’s position and expressed Iraq’s desire to continue the work of the joint committees and to have ongoing mutual visits between the officials and experts of the two countries, across all fields, in order to strengthen the levels of co-operation and building of trust”.
Mr Al Sudani stressed his commitment to “improving our ties and overcoming all hurdles” between the two countries.
He acknowledged the concerns Kuwaitis have, given the memories of the 1990 invasion.
Mr Al Sudani said “Iraq after 2003 is completely different from Iraq before [that time]. We are working now at setting up cross-border projects and developing ties with all our neighbours, including Kuwait”.
As for relations with the Gulf more generally, which have been growing in the past despite concerns about the Kuwait dynamics, Mr Al Sudani said that the GCC countries are active in Iraq through investment projects and active participation in the Baghdad Conference, which also involves Jordan, Iran, Turkey, France and others.
The conference will have “a new vision, one based on economic integration which can further regional stability and joint infrastructure, in addition to other measures”, he added.
In the spirit of improved relations in the region, Mr Al Sudani stressed his firm belief that “Syria with its current political make up and people is better than an unknown alternative that could lead the region to enter a new war in the region”.
He added “any security disturbances in Syria can lead to ISIS being unleashed. We need to re-engage Syria and meet its people’s needs”.
And yet there are tensions with both Iran and Turkey with regular air strikes on Iraqi territories, particularly targeting dissident Kurdish groups.
Mr Al Sudani said: “We are dealing with this matter through diplomacy, and our rejection of violence or the threat of violence. Our ability to respond is there, but we prefer diplomacy”.
He added that “we have emptied the camps of [Iranian dissident] armed groups, which is part of our constitutional obligation not to allow the use of Iraqi territory to attack another country”.
Mr Al Sudani explained that there are now Iraqi troops monitoring the borders in the Kurdistan Region.
'There is a real war against corruption'
His primary concern for the moment is domestic affairs.
Iraq faces a significant challenge as 16 per cent of its population lives below the poverty line, according to the Iraqi government’s statistics.
He was keen to stress that “the best implementation of social security net is in Iraq … this is internationally recognised for dealing in a multi-faceted way”.
He added “this government’s 2023 budget set aside $4 billion for cash support for individuals and families below the poverty line, and 1.7 million individuals and families are included in this programme”.
Each of those gets an average of $200 a month, and added financial support for students as “battling poverty is not just about income, it is about education, health, society … we do not want poverty to be inherited”.
Tackling poverty and providing basic services is part of Mr Al Sudani’s effort to “end poverty in Iraq within five years”.
That pledge is one of several Mr Al Sudani is making in to win over Iraqis’ confidence. However, this cash support puts a strain on Iraq’s budget in addition to paying public sector salaries.
And so, Mr Al Sudani sees a vital role for the private sector.
He explained that “previously we could pay compliments to the private sector and rely on oil revenues, but in 2020 we had a violent shake up.
"In February [of that year], Iraq’s revenues from oil were at $1.5 billion, while $4.5 billion was needed to cover [public sector] salaries, meaning we had to borrow $3 billion”.
One of the biggest impediments facing the private sector is corruption – a matter that Mr Al Sudani acknowledges.
“There is a real war against corruption, on a daily basis we are working to recover funds and recover those who took the funds … we follow up on all information, even a statement post on social media”.
Responding to those who question how effective the fight against corruption, Mr Al Sudani said there is no “political manipulation when it comes to corruption … we are fighting it in reality, not only in media statements”.
Mr Al Sudani’s government is working on the imposition of corporate tax, digital payments and securing customs payments. Focusing on a singular dollar exchange and using the dinar for internal economic activity are also part of the government’s efforts. He also said that the banking system has major issues that need tackling.
He added “reforms are like a difficult medicine that the patient must take to get better … the fluctuations in the Iraqi dinar's value are a result of a battle between the Iraqi government which seeks to secure legitimate transactions and a group that benefits from the dollar exchange”.
While Iraqis often complain of inflation, Mr Al Sudani insisted that “all goods have maintained their prices as all traders have to take the dollar through the government system … those who seek alternative routes are the smugglers”.
Mr Al Sudani spoke at length about illicit trade in Iraq, including the role of those who smuggle US dollars to Iran.
“Our trade with Iran is approximately $11 billion, but Iran is sanctioned, which means a trader cannot send funds to Iran in return for goods as that is prohibited, so the trader goes to the parallel [black] market”.
The Iraqi central bank is working with its Iranian counterpart to address this issue, “an important part of controlling the price of the currency rests on regulating our trade with Iran”.
He added there had also been problems with informal transfers to Turkey for trade, but now the Iraqi government has mandated transfers are to be completed through the banking system.
The prime minister is also attempting to tackle the illicit tobacco trade, which he says must be brought under control.
“We get zero tax revenues from tobacco trade, and yet from Mosul to Basra, tobacco products fill the stores … they are coming in from illegal trading routes”, primarily through the Kurdistan region of Iraq, “with whom we are working to close this loophole”.
On Iraq’s internal politics, Mr Al Sudani once again expressed confidence, declaring the “political regime is at its best now."
There is, he said, "stability as this government has 280 MPs out of 329 standing behind it, the largest since 2003”.
It is that majority given to Mr Al Sudani by a wide coalition of political parties that makes him confident.
And despite wide differences between different political parties and internal wrangling between Baghdad and Erbil, Mr Al Sudani stated “this is normal, even after the elections, there was competition within constitutional boundaries”.
He was quick to dismiss questions about political differences and the presence of major internal problems, such as detainees in the country. He also dismissed rumours of the possibility of early elections on a national level. Iraq will have its next local elections on December 18.
Mr Al Sudani said “over 300 parties have registered to contest the local elections … and this is another healthy indicator that the political regime has stabilised”.
As for the October 2019 protests, known as the Tishreen movement, Mr Al Sudani said “we look to it with respect, we respect all element of peaceful protests within a legal framework”.
As the anniversary of those protests approaches, Mr Sudani promised “before the end of the year we will reveal the results of the investigations into who is responsible for the killing of the protesters”.
There have been concerns about the regression of human rights, from the killing of protesters in 2019 to the detention of activists.
Mr Al Sudani stressed that the Iraqi political system is “based on constitutional obligations … from my first days in office I appointed an advisor on human rights”.
He denied the presence of any detainees without trial, despite reports of an unknown number of detainees in Iraq from rights groups.
“There are no detainees in any prison without a judicial order.. even extending detention times must be put to the judiciary.
"We have put in place all the necessary guarantees for detainees”, rejecting accusations about Iraq’s prisons or elements of the judiciary allowing for human rights accusations, he added.
Looking to the future, Mr Al Sudani is focused on strengthening Iraq’s economy and its ability to tackle climate change, from expanding solar energy projects, recycling, and “a comprehensive water policy, including modern irrigation systems”.
He said Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid will be leading Iraq’s delegation to Cop28, in addition to working on major projects to tackle desertification and water scarcity. ”Iraq is greatly affected by climate change and environmental problems” which Mr Al Sudani says “we understand it must be a priority area for us to tackle”.
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%203%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Einer%20Rubio%20(COL)%20Movistar%20Team%20-%204h51%E2%80%9924%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%20-%2014%22%3Cbr%3E3.%20Adam%20Yates%20(GBR)%20UAE%20Team%20Emirates%20-%2015%22%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20classifications%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders)%20-%207%22%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20-%2011%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
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.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202796%20x%201290%2C%20460ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%202000%20nits%20max%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%20always-on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A17%20Pro%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%206-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%3A%2048MP%20main%20(f%2F1.78)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%205x%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.8)%3B%205x%20optical%20zoom%20in%2C%202x%20optical%20zoom%20out%3B%2010x%20optical%20zoom%20range%2C%20digital%20zoom%20up%20to%2025x%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2060fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2030fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204441mAh%2C%20up%20to%2029h%20video%2C%2025h%20streaming%20video%2C%2095h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030min%20(with%20at%20least%2020W%20adaptor)%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%2C%20second-generation%20Ultra%20Wideband%20chip%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20water-resistant%20up%20to%206m%20up%20to%2030min%3B%20dust%2Fsplash-resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20eSIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%20titanium%2C%20blue%20titanium%2C%20natural%20titanium%2C%20white%20titanium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EiPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20woven%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20%2F%20Dh5%2C949%20%2F%20Dh6%2C799%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Start-up hopes to end Japan's love affair with cash
Across most of Asia, people pay for taxi rides, restaurant meals and merchandise with smartphone-readable barcodes — except in Japan, where cash still rules. Now, as the country’s biggest web companies race to dominate the payments market, one Tokyo-based startup says it has a fighting chance to win with its QR app.
Origami had a head start when it introduced a QR-code payment service in late 2015 and has since signed up fast-food chain KFC, Tokyo’s largest cab company Nihon Kotsu and convenience store operator Lawson. The company raised $66 million in September to expand nationwide and plans to more than double its staff of about 100 employees, says founder Yoshiki Yasui.
Origami is betting that stores, which until now relied on direct mail and email newsletters, will pay for the ability to reach customers on their smartphones. For example, a hair salon using Origami’s payment app would be able to send a message to past customers with a coupon for their next haircut.
Quick Response codes, the dotted squares that can be read by smartphone cameras, were invented in the 1990s by a unit of Toyota Motor to track automotive parts. But when the Japanese pioneered digital payments almost two decades ago with contactless cards for train fares, they chose the so-called near-field communications technology. The high cost of rolling out NFC payments, convenient ATMs and a culture where lost wallets are often returned have all been cited as reasons why cash remains king in the archipelago. In China, however, QR codes dominate.
Cashless payments, which includes credit cards, accounted for just 20 per cent of total consumer spending in Japan during 2016, compared with 60 per cent in China and 89 per cent in South Korea, according to a report by the Bank of Japan.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
