ABU DHABI // The Italian prime minister, Mario Monti, will arrive in the UAE tonight on his first official visit to the country.
Mr Monti is coming to the Emirates to develop economic ties and meet the country's leadership to discuss bilateral issues.
"This trip is aimed at strengthening the relations between Italy and the UAE," said the Italian ambassador to the UAE, Giorgio Starace.
Mr Monti, an economist who was elected in November last year in the wake of a major Italian debt crisis, will be accompanied by his wife and a delegation including executives of the Italian Sovereign and Italian Strategic funds.
"Prime minister Monti will address the economic crisis issue in Europe and present investment opportunities to the economic and institutional leaders in the UAE," said Mr Starace.
Mr Monti will hold meetings with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
"We hope a joint declaration that would shape the future of relations between the two countries for political, economic, cultural and military affairs would be signed," Mr Starace said.
The Italian premier will conduct a lecture hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce tomorrow.
"Present will be the management of the top financial and economic groups in Dubai including the Al Habtoor Group CEO, Dubai World, Emirates Group and the Jumeirah Group," said Mr Starace.
Mr Monti will also give a lecture, at the Crown Prince's palace, to the top institutional organisations of Abu Dhabi, and meet with members of the Italian armed forces stationed at Al Bateen air force base before he departs.
amustafa@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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Rating: 3.5/5