Etihad Airways has become the UAE's first airline to join the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s In-Country Value (ICV) programme, which seeks to support local industrial growth.
The ministry is expanding the programme’s scope to include new sectors such as aviation as part of the national industrial strategy to “sustain economic growth and raise the efficiency and competitiveness of the industrial sector”, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
By joining the programme, Etihad will prioritise local suppliers and UAE companies in the procurement process. It will also encourage global suppliers to establish branches in the country, attracting more foreign investments to the UAE, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) said.
“The ICV programme is one of the pillars of the national strategy for advanced industry and technology, Operation 300bn. It benefits certified companies by increasing demand for their products and services by redirecting government expenditure towards local companies,” Omar Al Suwaidi, undersecretary of MoIAT, said.
“The initiative encourages the growth of the industrial sector in the UAE, supports the creation of quality jobs, and provides incentives for companies to adopt advanced technologies. Certification is awarded based on criteria such as the value of spending and investment in the country, Emiratisation and the adoption of advanced technology.”
The ICV programme, part of the UAE's Projects of the 50 that was launched in September, aims to boost the growth of UAE-based industries by redirecting half of government spending on procurements and tender contracts into the national economy by 2031.
It has expanded significantly since its launch, with 45 federal government bodies and 18 national companies having signed up for it. Other companies that are part of it include clean energy company Masdar, Emirates Global Aluminium, Etihad Rail, Emirates’ defence conglomerate Edge and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).
The programme redirected more than Dh41 billion ($11.1bn) in 2021 into the local market, compared with Dh27bn two years ago, according to MoIAT.
It further aims to increase the number of certified vendors within the programme to 7,300 companies from 5,000 and raise government expenditure on Emirati products and services to Dh55bn by 2025 from Dh33bn in 2020.
The initiative is also aimed at creating between 90,000 and 120,000 jobs, and contributing an additional Dh51bn to Dh54bn to local gross domestic product by 2031.
The initiative encourages the growth of the industrial sector in the UAE, supports the creation of quality jobs, and provides incentives for companies to adopt advanced technologies
Omar Al Suwaidi,
undersecretary of MoIAT
Joining the programme helps companies to spur growth, innovation and competitiveness, Mr Al Suwaidi said.
“The programme also helps to create more robust, efficient supply chains and underlines the close co-operation between the ministry, federal and local authorities, and major national companies. Purchasing the services of programme members will become one of the most important means of supporting and empowering the UAE industrial sector over the course of the next 50 years,” he said.
Etihad, as part of its “Al Watani” local content programme, has already collaborated with more than 1,000 local vendors with more than 35 per cent of its spending directed towards purchases in the UAE market, the statement said.
“In joining this latest initiative, we can expand our reach to local supply chains, contributing to the development of a sustainable, diversified and value-added economy for the UAE,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group.
“We aim for this agreement with the MoIAT to sustain Etihad’s expenditure on national companies and enhance the opportunities for local vendors and SMEs [small and medium sized enterprises] in Etihad’s supply activities.”
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Skoda Superb Specs
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Torque: 320Nm
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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.
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
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(Because Music)
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Director: Edgar Wright
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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