A rendering of the proposed Unitsky transport system for Nepal. Photo: Unitsky Transport
A rendering of the proposed Unitsky transport system for Nepal. Photo: Unitsky Transport
A rendering of the proposed Unitsky transport system for Nepal. Photo: Unitsky Transport
A rendering of the proposed Unitsky transport system for Nepal. Photo: Unitsky Transport

Nepal chooses Sharjah sky pods system to boost transport network


Nick Webster
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Sky pods running on the latest string technology will be used commercially in Nepal after a Dubai company was chosen to develop a $35 million, 7km electrified commuter track.

Similar to a cable car but using more efficient technology to carry autonomous uBus pods travelling in excess of 100kph, the Nepalese government has signed a contract with Dubai-based uScovery.

The company is a branch of Unitsky String Transport (UST), a Belarussian development firm that has been running a 400-metre test track at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park since 2021.

Bus is currently the only mode of public transport in Biratnagar, in Nepal’s Koshi province, where traffic congestion is a problem. By connecting an Indian border checkpoint with the city’s bus station, the aerial electric-run pod system aims to cut the congestion.

With plans to open the line within three years, it is expected to be used by thousands of commuters and those travelling between Nepal and India for medical treatment. Oleg Zaretskiy, chief executive of uScovery, said the system could serve about 10 million journeys a year.

“Nepal has chosen this because it is very economical and there is no other option for any other kind of transport, like rail or a metro line, because it's very expensive,” Mr Zaretskiy told The National.

“The costs will be paid by a private company, but the government is providing the land and a guarantee for some passenger flow, and a minimum number of passengers that will travel. Biratnagar is a very crowded place, as people are coming to the railway from the Indian side, crossing the border and then they need to reach the central bus station.”

Affordable mass transport

Oleg Zaretskiy, chief executive of uScovery. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Oleg Zaretskiy, chief executive of uScovery. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sky pods move independently on high-tensile steel rails, rather than on a conventional pulley system of a typical cable car, at a cost of just $200-a-metre, UST developers have said.

Development costs in Nepal are expected to be $30 million-$35 million, depending on what size of pods are chosen for the network. There is no expected cost for the end user at this stage.

The company already operates a short, commercial track in Belarus and is exploring another 400m line at Gokak Waterfalls, in Kornakata state, India.

“There is huge interest in this in Nepal, as the government included transport as a priority policy,” said Mr Zaretskiy. “It's the same design as the Sharjah track with the size of the pods and the speed, everything else we are doing the concept design for now. The project will be as economical as possible, and everything will be electric. There will be a traction power station and each machine will be equipped with backup batteries as well, so the concept is the same.”

An agreement with Nepal was signed during the recent Koshi Investment Summit to complete the project within three years and potentially extend the system to cover 45km across the region.

The company earmarked to operate the aerial system is the Kathmandu Podway Company Pvt Ltd, founded in 2020. It aims to introduce eco-friendly urban transport to Nepal, a country with notoriously poor air quality caused by traffic and kilns used in industry, waste burning, heating and cooking.

Air quality

The proposed uScovery transport system for Nepal in the city of Biratnagar. Photo: Unitsky Transport
The proposed uScovery transport system for Nepal in the city of Biratnagar. Photo: Unitsky Transport

The most recent Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) from 2024 ranks Nepal third on a list of the most polluted nations, with an extremely high density of PM2.5 particles known to cause life-limiting respiratory problems.

According to the 2024 State of Global Air Report, poor air quality in Nepal contributed to 48,500 deaths in 2021.

“Since 2020, we have worked relentlessly to advocate for changes in transport laws and policies to support modern mobility solutions,” said Nil Bhattarai, vice president of the Kathmandu Podway company. “This project’s affordability and rapid build will be a game-changer for Koshi Province, driving economic growth, tourism and infrastructure development.”

With a metro system and high-speed rail links considered too expensive to build and run in Nepal, decision-makers have turned to alternative public transport to ease congestion in some of the country’s busiest areas.

Aasish Gajurel, chief executive of the government’s Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, said the sky pods would bring more green transport solutions to the country.

“The government has signed this contract with the private sector to first conduct a study and then develop under Public Private Partnerships (PPP),” said Mr Gajurel. “This is a huge step towards the development of podrails in Nepal. It has also shown that the government of Nepal is seriously considering this technology.

"Nepal cannot afford metro rail, therefore the government is convinced to develop this technology to improve transportation systems in Nepal, as this technology is relatively cheap and can be constructed in less time," he added. "Every Nepali will benefit from this project as people are suffering with their commute everyday.”

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

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British & Irish Lions:
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TOUCH RULES

Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.

Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.

Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.

A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.

After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.

At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.

A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.

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. 

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 

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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1. Fasting

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4. Shahada

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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”.

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Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Name: Abeer Al Bah

Born: 1972

Husband: Emirati lawyer Salem Bin Sahoo, since 1992

Children: Soud, born 1993, lawyer; Obaid, born 1994, deceased; four other boys and one girl, three months old

Education: BA in Elementary Education, worked for five years in a Dubai school

 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

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China

3.

UAE

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Japan

5

Norway

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Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

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Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

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Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

Dubai Bling season three

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Rating: 1/5

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Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

Updated: May 13, 2025, 9:30 AM