ABU DHABI // Emiratis can now travel to Bangladesh without first having to obtain a visa.
The Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE, Mohammed Imran, said his government had decided to grant UAE nationals visas on arrival.
“Now Emiratis can travel without any hassle,” said Mr Imran. “Their visas will be stamped at the airport. When they reach at the airport they will be granted the visas.”
About 1,000 Emiratis travel to Bangladesh each year, and Mr Imran said he hoped the initiative would lead to an increase in the figure.
“This will also improve the people-to-people contacts between the people of both countries,” said the ambassador, adding that the embassy and consulate in the UAE would still issue visas if requested.
“We don’t want to entirely shut the facility here but we want to facilitate them as much as we can.”
A visa costs Dh670 for a single-entry, three-month visit.
Mr Imran said he hoped the development would improve bilateral trade.
Bangladesh imports crude oil and other petroleum products from the UAE, and exports clothing, textiles, vegetables, fish, and steel products to the Emirates.
Bilateral trade volume has increased significantly in recent years to US$967 million (Dh3.55 billion) in 2012-13, which includes $251.25m in Bangladeshi exports.
“The UAE is one of the major foreign investors in Bangladesh. There has been flow of nearly $2.9bn investment from the UAE to Bangladesh,” said Mr Imran.
He said several charities in the UAE had funded cultural centres in Bangladesh.
“The deeply-rooted relations between Bangladesh and UAE are based on trust and confidence,” said Mr Imran. “There are ample opportunities to further expand and consolidate the relationship.”
anwar@thenational.ae
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 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
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Countries offering golden visas
UK
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Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
