The UAE and Israel agreed to a plan for financial co-operation during a meeting on Monday that paved the way for new economic collaboration between the two countries.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Invest in Israel met online to discuss investment and partnership opportunities with a particular focus on innovation and technology.
It was the first of several discussions scheduled throughout September.
“As a leading centre for research and development in the region, home to a thriving tech industry and the Middle East’s first Advanced Technology Research Council, Abu Dhabi is well-positioned to partner with Israeli organisations at the forefront of innovation,” said Dr Tariq bin Hendi, director general of Adio.
“Adio is committed to helping companies from across the world, establish and grow in Abu Dhabi.
"We want to ensure Israeli firms can tap into everything that Abu Dhabi has to offer as a vibrant global business centre.
"Our investor care team is on hand to facilitate connections throughout Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem and over the coming months, we look forward to working with Invest in Israel to explore opportunities that will benefit companies in Israel and Abu Dhabi.”
The meeting coincided with a visit by a US-Israeli delegation to Abu Dhabi after the signing of the Abraham Accord on August 13 to begin normalising relations between Israel and the UAE.
The delegations, led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, son-in-law to US President Donald Trump, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday aboard the first commercial flight from Israel, marking the end of a 40-year boycott by the UAE
Under the accord, Israel has agreed to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank in Palestine in exchange for establishing diplomatic ties with the Emirates.
Speaking to The National, Mr Kushner described the agreement, which is the first between any Gulf nation and Israel, as a "historic breakthrough" that has inspired people "to see that peace is possible".
Emirati, Israeli and American officials spent Tuesday discussing technical co-operation in seven key areas: investment; finance; health; the space programme; civil aviation; foreign policy and diplomatic affairs; and tourism and culture.
“We are delighted to announce a historic collaboration between the Israeli investment promotion unit, Invest in Israel, and its parallel in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office," said Ziva Eger, chief executive of Invest in Israel.
"Both organisations share a vision of leading international trade relations and investments between Israel and the UAE.”
“Israel’s ecosystem has a lot to offer to the UAE’s economy in terms of innovation, specifically in the life sciences, CleanTech, Agtech and energy sectors.
"We are thrilled by these developments and confident that together we will move forward towards a better common future for Israel and the UAE.”
On Tuesday, the UAE Central Bank and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement for future co-operation in banking and finance.
During a meeting in Abu Dhabi, representatives agreed to "form working groups and bilateral committees to facilitate banking between the UAE and Israel", Wam reported.
Abdulhamid Saeed, Governor of the Central Bank, and Ronen Peretz, Director General of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, signed the agreement before Meir Ben-Shabbat, Israel's National Security Adviser.
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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