Leo Varadkar is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the Government of Ireland
November 16, 2021
The pandemic has given us all the opportunity to reflect on the type of society and economy we want after Covid-19. The impact of the virus has been devastating. It has also caused us to question our usual ways of doing things and the future we want to create for the next generation.
For Ireland, the UK’s decision to leave the EU has also had a seismic impact on our economy and society. We have had to adapt accordingly, particularly our agrifood sector, which is recognised globally for its quality, but which has also traditionally had particularly strong trading ties with our nearest neighbour.
As we look to the future, the Gulf, in particular the UAE and the Saudi Arabia, is strategically very important for Ireland. We have already seen significant growth in exports to both countries over the past year, by 12 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. We want this to continue as we create stronger ties between our countries.
Given this objective, I am currently in the UAE as part of a major trade mission, the largest one we have taken this year, signalling the importance of the region for us and the potential we see for the future.
From left to right: John Concannon, director general Global Ireland, Patrick Hennessy, Irish Ambassador to the UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Robert Troy, Ireland's Minister for Trade Promotion, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, Kevin Sherry, executive director at Enterprise Ireland, and Aidan Cronin, Ambassador to the UAE. Photo: Ireland Expo
The 'Riverdance' cast led by Anna Mai Fitzpatrick and Jason O'Neil, foreground, before a performance at the opening of the Ireland Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Robert Troy, Minister for Trade Promotion, at the opening evening of the Ireland Pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, before a performance of 'Riverdance' at the Ireland Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
'Riverdance' performance at the Ireland Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
Lead dancers Anna Mai Fitzpatrick and Jason O'Neil during the 'Riverdance' performance at the Ireland Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
The 'Riverdance' troupe at the opening evening of the Ireland Pavilion during the first week at Expo. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Coinciding with my visit is another important event, the Dubai Airshow, the only global aviation and aerospace event held this year. Through our Irish Aviation House, which will have a bigger presence at the show than in previous years, we are convening several senior airline executives from the region and Africa to discuss how Ireland can support their recovery effort. The sector, one of the most disrupted by the pandemic, is focused on recovery and this event comes at a crucial time as it focuses on restoring confidence among passengers looking to return to the skies.
Ireland is a world leader in aerospace and aviation. Today, our country commands around 60 per cent of the global leasing market, with more than 50 aircraft leasing companies present on the island, including 14 of the world’s top 15 lessors. Every time you look up and see a plane overhead, there is a good chance it has been leased out of Ireland. Irish companies are creating specialist solutions for the industry in the Gulf region and indeed globally, helping drive growth, efficiency and revenue through innovation and ingenuity. In Saudi Arabia, the Irish company DAA International, which has operated Terminal Five of King Khalid International Airport since 2016, has recently been awarded a prestigious contract to operate the new Red Sea International Airport.
Indeed, as part of my trip to the region I also visited Saudi Arabia and saw for myself the pace of change that is under way. Irish companies in a range of sectors are looking to do business in the kingdom and contribute to the ambition of its Vision 2030 strategic framework. Many are already working with businesses based here, from food production and fintech, to health care and the equine sector. Ireland is known for the racehorses and sport horses we produce and I particularly enjoyed my visit to the Jockey Club in Riyadh, where a number of Irish companies joined me at an event held to explore ways for greater collaboration.
Ireland's cricket team were in the UAE last month playing in the T20 World Cup. AP
This collaboration comes in the form of Irish companies such as Equine MediRecord who are helping to provide the international integrity for the Grade 1 Saudi Cup on the elite worldwide circuit for horse racing. Equine MediRecord’s platform allows for the full veterinary history of the horse to be recorded securely, ensuring the best possible horse welfare as well as aiding crucial anti-doping procedures. Extensive anti-doping and animal welfare measures have been brought in for the Saudi Cup 2022, and Equine Medirecord’s system ensures entrants, trainers and vets have a system in place to comply with such measures, while simultaneously collecting the data digitally.
I hope this trade mission demonstrates Ireland’s intent to strengthen trade ties with countries in the Gulf region and highlights the opportunities that exist in doing so. Irish companies have the expertise, commitment and creativity to help bring the future ambitions of the Gulf states to life and I look forward to a future of closer collaboration between our countries.
Leo Varadkar is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the Government of Ireland
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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.
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
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It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
