Touted as Britain's next prime minister, the Member of Parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg has trade with this region firmly on his mind as the United Kingdom looks to its post-Brexit future.
The bespectacled politician, well-known for his staunchly pro-Brexit views, tells The National that the UK government is "extremely enthusiastic" about developing free trade deals with the Middle Eastern nations.
“The UK has a lot of important, long-standing alliances with the Middle East, in terms of friendship and defence alliances, and it would sensibly follow to develop those into trade alliances,” he says.
“The more free trade, from our point of view, the better. And the closer the relationship, the better. I think the UK government and [the UK secretary of state for international trade] Liam Fox would be extremely enthusiastic about developing free trade with Middle Eastern states.”
Indeed, one of the first official trips that Mr Fox made after the country voted to leave the EU last summer was to the Middle East, showing the importance with which the UK views its links with the region.
On his visit to countries including Bahrain and the UAE last September, Mr Fox spelled out how he wanted to take British-GCC trading relations further after Brexit, identifying 31 “big ticket exporting opportunities”, which include defence, infrastructure, science and hydrocarbons.
Mr Rees-Mogg clearly agrees that there are huge areas of collaboration between the UK and the Arabian Gulf nations.
“It’s very hard to see who loses by increasing trade,” he says. “In my view, the UK should be as open to products produced in Middle Eastern countries as possible. We should welcome imports from the Middle East, without tariffs.”
The UK faces a challenge in that it is not technically allowed to strike any new trade deals until it officially leaves the EU, in March 2019. But does Mr Rees-Mogg regard that as a problem?
“Yes and no. We can’t conclude deals until after we’ve left, under EU law. But we can certainly lay the groundwork,” he argues.
His chances of steering Britain through Brexit talks have been given a significant boost this week, after he topped a survey of ruling Conservative Party members as the favourite to replace the incumbent leader, Theresa May.
In the survey for Conservative Home, the North East Somerset MP secured 23 per cent of the vote, while the Brexit secretary David Davis came in second with 15 per cent.
Affectionately dubbed "the MP for the 18th century" thanks to his unashamedly old-fashioned ways, Mr Rees-Mogg has seen a surge in popularity since the British general election in June. Social media has also fallen in love with him, with a grass roots movement called “Moggmentum” set up to celebrate his every word.
Earlier this week, The Times fuelled leadership speculation with a report claiming that Mr Rees-Mogg is to be given a ministerial position in an impending reshuffle, which will put him in prime position to replace Mrs May.
Mr Rees-Mogg has always denied his leadership ambitions, however, and he gives the same message to The National. "I remain, and am very happy being, a Member of Parliament for North East Somerset."
_______________
Read more:
Heseltine says Brexit could be reversed
Can the UAE bank on post-Brexit financial business?
_______________
He adds that he was delighted that Mrs May had stated her intention to stay in power for the foreseeable future. “That’s very welcome, that’s very important, and I’m very pleased that she’s done that. I think it’s helpful to have certainty.”
Certainty is what British business craves right now. Many UK-based banks are putting in place contingency plans as the Brexit talks get off to a rocky start, with no agreement between the two sides on some of the key sticking points, such as the so-called “divorce bill” that Britain will have to pay as it leaves the bloc - that has been mooted by the EU as up to £60 billion (Dh287.42bn) although the UK government remains adamant it will not pay anywhere near that amount.
As one might expect, Mr Rees-Mogg is less concerned about the apparent stalemate in Brussels.
“I think things are going broadly in line with what you would expect,” he says.
“Both sides are putting their case forward, but we are still in the early stages. Most EU discussions are completed just in time for the deadline. It’s very rare for EU discussions to be completed well in advance.”
_______________
Read more:
Post-Brexit banking shape-up to benefit UAE financial centres
Brexit talks need to be resolved before trade discussion, EU official says
_______________
The old Etonian is himself a successful financier, so it is in a way reassuring that he does not feel too concerned about the progress of the Brexit talks. As a partner and co-founder of Somerset Capital, he oversees assets under management of almost US$9bn. The fund invests primarily in emerging and frontier markets, including Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. It has offices in London and Singapore, and Mr Rees-Mogg has spent time living in Asia himself, before returning to his country estate in Somerset.
Perhaps it is this exposure of living and working in the East which gives him his unwavering confidence in Britain’s vast trading opportunities after Brexit.
“The more tariff-free trade you can have as a country, the better,” he says. “In this way, you can reduce prices for your own consumer. Protectionism protects the producer interest, not the consumer interest.”
He adds: “I would have thought, from our point of view, we would have been keen to agree a deal of almost complete openness.
"But that will really depend on what Middle Eastern states want to do in return.”
Why%20all%20the%20lefties%3F
%3Cp%3ESix%20of%20the%20eight%20fast%20bowlers%20used%20in%20the%20ILT20%20match%20between%20Desert%20Vipers%20and%20MI%20Emirates%20were%20left-handed.%20So%2075%20per%20cent%20of%20those%20involved.%0D%3Cbr%3EAnd%20that%20despite%20the%20fact%2010-12%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20population%20is%20said%20to%20be%20left-handed.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20an%20extension%20of%20a%20trend%20which%20has%20seen%20left-arm%20pacers%20become%20highly%20valued%20%E2%80%93%20and%20over-represented%2C%20relative%20to%20other%20formats%20%E2%80%93%20in%20T20%20cricket.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20all%20to%20do%20with%20the%20fact%20most%20batters%20are%20naturally%20attuned%20to%20the%20angles%20created%20by%20right-arm%20bowlers%2C%20given%20that%20is%20generally%20what%20they%20grow%20up%20facing%20more%20of.%0D%3Cbr%3EIn%20their%20book%2C%20%3Cem%3EHitting%20Against%20the%20Spin%3C%2Fem%3E%2C%20cricket%20data%20analysts%20Nathan%20Leamon%20and%20Ben%20Jones%20suggest%20the%20advantage%20for%20a%20left-arm%20pace%20bowler%20in%20T20%20is%20amplified%20because%20of%20the%20obligation%20on%20the%20batter%20to%20attack.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThe%20more%20attacking%20the%20batsman%2C%20the%20more%20reliant%20they%20are%20on%20anticipation%2C%E2%80%9D%20they%20write.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThis%20effectively%20increases%20the%20time%20pressure%20on%20the%20batsman%2C%20so%20increases%20the%20reliance%20on%20anticipation%2C%20and%20therefore%20increases%20the%20left-arm%20bowler%E2%80%99s%20advantage.%E2%80%9D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E25%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Ireland%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E27%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Zimbabwe**%3Cbr%3E29%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Netherlands%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E3%20May%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Vanuatu*%3Cbr%3E5%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3E7%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEsha%20Oza%20(captain)%2C%20Al%20Maseera%20Jahangir%2C%20Avanee%20Patel%2C%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20Mehak%20Thakur%2C%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20Suraksha%20Kotte%2C%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E*Zayed%20Cricket%20Stadium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E**Tolerance%20Oval%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
