• Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Reem Al Hashimy and Noura Al Kaabi arrive at the UAE pavilion during a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Reem Al Hashimy and Noura Al Kaabi arrive at the UAE pavilion during a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, attends the opening of the Sustainability Portal at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020
    Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, attends the opening of the Sustainability Portal at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020
  • Reem Al Hashimy, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education attend the Sustainability Portal opening. Photo: Expo 2020
    Reem Al Hashimy, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education attend the Sustainability Portal opening. Photo: Expo 2020
  • School pupils tour the UAE pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    School pupils tour the UAE pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Uganda pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Uganda pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Visitors outside the Turkmenistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors outside the Turkmenistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Visitors at the Mexico pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors at the Mexico pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Visitors at the Russia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors at the Russia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • School students during their visit at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    School students during their visit at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Serbia pavilion with Aleksandar Vucic. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Serbia pavilion with Aleksandar Vucic. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R), speaks HE Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of EXPO 2020 Dubai (L) and HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Commissioner - General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 (C), during a visit to EXPO 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs ---
    HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R), speaks HE Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of EXPO 2020 Dubai (L) and HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Commissioner - General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 (C), during a visit to EXPO 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs ---
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a visit to the Serbia pavilion. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a visit to the Serbia pavilion. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Expo 2020 Dubai
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Gul Bahar, folk artist from Pakistan at the Pakistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Gul Bahar, folk artist from Pakistan at the Pakistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors enjoying the ride in the EXPO Explorer train at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors enjoying the ride in the EXPO Explorer train at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • Lights at the Estonia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.
    Lights at the Estonia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.
  • Inside view of the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.
    Inside view of the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.
  • Different types of coffee are on display at the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.
    Different types of coffee are on display at the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.

Expo 2020 to be 'largest brainstorming session' for businesses


Neil Halligan
  • English
  • Arabic

Expo 2020 is set to drive business in Dubai into a new era that will see the city undergo “another big paradigm shift”, a senior executive with Dubai Chamber has said.

Tourist numbers will also see a sharp rise, with Dubai Tourism already seeing “steady growth” in visitors.

While previous world's fairs have been a window to the future, displaying innovations and inventions, many countries see Expo 2020 Dubai as an opportunity to reconnect with the world, post-pandemic.

Nestled among the bright lights of buildings of all shapes and sizes at Expo 2020 lies the Dubai Conference Centre that will be the centre for all things business at the South Dubai site.

We're starting to see a wave really build up
Omar Khan,
Dubai Chamber

It’s the conversations here, and among the myriad pavilions, that will make Expo “the world's largest brainstorming session”, according to Omar Khan, director of international offices at Dubai Chamber.

He said there is a lot of excitement about what the next six months will mean to the local business community.

“We're starting to see a wave really build up very soon. There's going to be a lot happening in Expo and in Dubai and the UAE in general,” Mr Khan said.

“I really do believe that there are going to be some unexpected positive results coming. You know, when you put the best minds together, sometimes it gets very surprising effects and then it snowballs.”

Business confidence growing

  • Lake of Expo 2020. Located near Al Maktoum International Airport. Expo is set to boost both business and tourism in Dubai. DTCM.
    Lake of Expo 2020. Located near Al Maktoum International Airport. Expo is set to boost both business and tourism in Dubai. DTCM.
  • Dubai Conference Centre will be the epicentre for all things business at Expo. Dubai Chamber
    Dubai Conference Centre will be the epicentre for all things business at Expo. Dubai Chamber
  • Omar Khan, Director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber. Dubai Chamber
    Omar Khan, Director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber. Dubai Chamber
  • Issam Kazim, chief executive, Dubai Tourism.
    Issam Kazim, chief executive, Dubai Tourism.
  • Suresh Kumar, chairman of Indian Business & Professional Council. IBPC
    Suresh Kumar, chairman of Indian Business & Professional Council. IBPC
  • Night view of The Opportunity Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Expo 2020 Dubai
    Night view of The Opportunity Portal, Expo 2020 Dubai. Expo 2020 Dubai

Business conditions in Dubai have been improving. The economy is forecast to expand 3.1 per cent in 2021, with Expo singled out as one of the main drivers.

Confidence among businesses in the city is also on the rise.

Dubai Chamber’s own survey this summer found that companies in the city expect business conditions to improve in the third quarter of 2021 as investor confidence grows before Expo 2020.

Mr Khan said the coming months will involve a large amount of Expo-related business activity.

'I believe that when Expo comes, I think there's going to be a big uplift [in business],' said Omar Khan, director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber. Photo: Dubai Chamber
'I believe that when Expo comes, I think there's going to be a big uplift [in business],' said Omar Khan, director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber. Photo: Dubai Chamber

“I believe that when Expo comes, I think there's going to be a big uplift [in business]. There’s going to be deals signed, and negotiations and bargains that would not have happened [without Expo],” he said.

“There's going to be a big mind meld here, and I think the results are going to be very surprising. One success story is going to become five success stories, and it’s going to pick up and there will be more and more.”

The business confidence is reflected in the recruitment drives announced by some of the UAE’s largest employers.

Online retailer Amazon announced plans to create 1,500 jobs in the UAE this year, while Emirates airline said it plans to recruit 3,000 cabin crew and 500 airport services employees in the next six months.

Steady influx of visitors

  • The Emirates pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has opened for bookings. All photos: Emirates
    The Emirates pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has opened for bookings. All photos: Emirates
  • The 'airport of the future' installation at the Emirates Pavilion
    The 'airport of the future' installation at the Emirates Pavilion
  • The pavilion's structure was inspired by the shape of aircraft wings
    The pavilion's structure was inspired by the shape of aircraft wings
  • A future towards cleaner skies and more sustainable flying form a major part of the pavilion's showcase
    A future towards cleaner skies and more sustainable flying form a major part of the pavilion's showcase
  • Visitors can learn all about an aircraft's thrust and propulsion via a series of animations
    Visitors can learn all about an aircraft's thrust and propulsion via a series of animations
  • Emirates has designed its pavilion to offer people a glimpse into the future of commercial aviation
    Emirates has designed its pavilion to offer people a glimpse into the future of commercial aviation
  • Cabin crew will be stationed at the pavilion to show around the exhibits
    Cabin crew will be stationed at the pavilion to show around the exhibits
  • Visitors will get the chance to design their own aircraft and simulate flights
    Visitors will get the chance to design their own aircraft and simulate flights
  • Robotic arms at work at the Future Lab in the Emirates Pavilion
    Robotic arms at work at the Future Lab in the Emirates Pavilion

Emirates, which has headquarters in Dubai, is looking to increase its operations to cater for recovering travel demand.

“We predict large volumes of traffic during the Expo 2020 Dubai period, and forward bookings are looking very encouraging,” an Emirates representative told The National.

“We are responding to increased demand through the ramp up of our operations across the network.”

The airline, which operates 71 direct flights to the 191 countries that have confirmed participation in Expo 2020, expects further growth.

“We expect that the Expo will provide an even bigger boost to visitor numbers, and it is definitely the highlight for destination Dubai for the remainder of 2021 until April 2022,” the representative said.

“The Expo team, Emirates and all travel and tourism stakeholders have worked hard to promote this mega event and make it the focal point for accelerating the world’s post-pandemic recovery.”

Dubai Tourism chief executive, Issam Kazim, said Expo will help reinforce Dubai’s magnetism for tourism, retail, events, business and finance. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Tourism chief executive, Issam Kazim, said Expo will help reinforce Dubai’s magnetism for tourism, retail, events, business and finance. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai has seen a steady influx of visitors since it reopened to tourists in July 2020.

Figures released this month revealed the emirate welcomed 2.85 million visitors in the first half of 2021, with numbers predicted to rise in the fourth quarter, boosted by both Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Dubai Tourism chief executive, Issam Kazim, said Expo will help reinforce Dubai’s position as an international centre for tourism, retail, events, business and finance as it continues to overcome the pandemic.

“As the host city for this milestone event, which marks a turning point for the post-pandemic world, it is noteworthy that our domestic stakeholders and international network of partners have played a pivotal role in our tourism recovery, leading to the reopening of the city, the restart of the events sector and the city safely welcoming a steady growth in visitors,” Mr Kazim told The National.

“Expo 2020 will help harness and build on this momentum, along with UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, throughout this landmark year and beyond.”

Mr Kazim said the six-month event was an opportunity to demonstrate the best of Dubai.

“Dubai is now presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase to a global audience its multifaceted destination propositions, its unparalleled generosity and true Arabian hospitality that makes it so unique and attractive for people from all over the world,” he said.

Build your brand in Dubai

  • A tour of the India pavilion was held on Wednesday. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak
    A tour of the India pavilion was held on Wednesday. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak
  • Colourful images of Indian dancers, musicians and top tourist haunts were beamed on the facade of the pavilion
    Colourful images of Indian dancers, musicians and top tourist haunts were beamed on the facade of the pavilion
  • The first floor on the stunning pavilion focuses on tourism
    The first floor on the stunning pavilion focuses on tourism
  • The ground floor celebrates space and yoga
    The ground floor celebrates space and yoga
  • The India pavilion is set to be a huge attraction throughout the world fair
    The India pavilion is set to be a huge attraction throughout the world fair
  • An impressive visual production projected onto the vast pavilion brought India's rich history to life
    An impressive visual production projected onto the vast pavilion brought India's rich history to life
  • India's pavilion will be a highlight of the six-month-long event
    India's pavilion will be a highlight of the six-month-long event
  • India’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is a dynamic, continually moving structure
    India’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is a dynamic, continually moving structure
  • It will shine a light on the country's rich heritage and look to the future
    It will shine a light on the country's rich heritage and look to the future
  • The colourful Indian pavilion is expected to draw bumper crowds
    The colourful Indian pavilion is expected to draw bumper crowds
  • A picture perfect tour of the Indian pavilion
    A picture perfect tour of the Indian pavilion
  • A media tour of the pavilion was held just days before Expo 2020 gets under way
    A media tour of the pavilion was held just days before Expo 2020 gets under way
  • A striking visual show illuminated the Indian pavilion under the night sky
    A striking visual show illuminated the Indian pavilion under the night sky
  • India is ready to make its mark at Expo 2020 Dubai after offering a crowd-pleasing preview of its coming attractions
    India is ready to make its mark at Expo 2020 Dubai after offering a crowd-pleasing preview of its coming attractions

Suresh Kumar, chairman of Indian Business and Professional Council, estimated that a minimum of three million visitors would come from India to Expo 2020 Dubai.

“The interest levels we’re seeing would suggest at least a few million visitors during the course of Expo from India,” Mr Kumar told The National.

He said he expects Expo to open up more opportunities for Indian businesses in Dubai, which he said would "reach out to other parts of the world to extend their businesses”.

“For instance, many of the Indian businesses from a supply chain perspective find it efficient to domicile their last mile production and last-mile delivery capabilities outside India, in a location which has excellent logistics infrastructure, and Dubai and the UAE qualify by a big margin,” he said.

Adrian Costigan, British Business Group’s lead for Expo, said there was a “large buzz among the British community in Dubai” about Expo.

After the recent announcements by the UK government to ease travel between the countries, he expects a sharp rise in visitors

“We are expecting significant inflows of UK visitors over the coming months for business and winter sun holidays. They will also take in a trip to Expo events and gatherings,” Mr Costigan told The National.

“Expo has a key role to play as a booster for UK inward tourism. All of the UK tourism organisations are well represented across the programme at the British pavilion.

“It will be difficult for visitors experiencing the storytelling of some of the new aspects of the UK’s personality and the visual impact of landscape and emotion not the plan a trip to the UK in the future.”

More than 6,000 UK companies have operations in the UAE, while large number of British own local businesses in the UAE.

Mr Costigan, who is managing director for the Middle East at A-Safe, said Covid, and the subsequent lockdowns in the UK, prompted more British businesspeople to look to expand to the UAE or relocate.

He believes Expo will grow that number even further.

“There has already been an increase in new British business setups here in the past year,” he said.

“Expo will be a catalyst for further meeting of minds, entrepreneurship and investment both in Dubai and the wider region, consequently creating opportunities for British businesses, British ingenuity and British brain power to relocate and base themselves here.”

Post-Expo, Omar Kahn said there would be a “big paradigm shift again in Dubai”, likening it to a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.

“I think Dubai is going to be much more agile, probably 10 times more cosmopolitan and it’s going to have a lot of young people,” he said.

“We’re looking at bringing in 50 multinationals in the coming few years, ones that have never been here before – and to internationalise at least 200 of our local companies.

“Our message is come to Dubai, build your brand. It’s not an easy place, it’s competitive, but it’s a very good, professional place with the right mentality. And then from here, showcase your success and we will help you make it international.”

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE

There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.

It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.

What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.

When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.

It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.

This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.

It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8

Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Price: from Dh850,000

On sale: now

Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

Profile of Tarabut Gateway

Founder: Abdulla Almoayed

Based: UAE

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 35

Sector: FinTech

Raised: $13 million

Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Grubtech

Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi

Launched: October 2019

Employees: 50

Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)

 

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

The biog

Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology

Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India

Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur

How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993

Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters

Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo

The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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.”

'Project Power'

Stars: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback

Director: ​Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Rating: 3.5/5

RESULT

Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg

Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Scoreline

UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia

UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’

Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’

Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

RESULTS

Cagliari 5-2 Fiorentina
Udinese 0-0 SPAL
Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta
Lazio 4-2 Lecce
Parma 2-0 Roma
Juventus 1-0 AC Milan

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID

1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)

4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)

5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)

6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)

7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)

8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)

9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)

10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

RESULTS

6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m

Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.

8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.

QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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While you're here

No_One Ever Really Dies

N*E*R*D

(I Am Other/Columbia)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: October 04, 2021, 9:06 AM