Ramadan – a time traditionally spent surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones time – is just days away. However, the social distancing measures necessitated by the pandemic would mean large community gatherings would not be possible during this holy month for a second year in a row.
But Ramadan’s spirit of reflection, patience, and gratitude continues to shine. Even as the pandemic weighs heavily on the global economy, the holy month provides us with an opportunity to reflect back on the great things that has happened since last Ramadan.
The UAE has unveiled several initiatives that give us a reason to be grateful and optimistic about the future of our businesses and economy.
This month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Creative Economy strategy, which seeks to more than double the number of creative companies based in Dubai by 2025. The strategy also aims to more than double the number of creators in the emirate from 70,000 to 140,000.
This means more job creation, flexible packages as well as incentives and creative incubators to help the creative industry thrive in Dubai.
Another positive development was the launch of Industrial Strategy “Operation 300bn” last month. The strategy seeks to increase the contribution of the UAE’s industrial sector to its gross domestic product from Dh133 billion ($36.2bn) to Dh330bn by 2031. This strategy will promote existing industries and develop a new industrial ecosystem.
Sheikh Mohammed also launched a Unified Industrial Brand Identity, with the slogan of “Make it in the Emirates”. As we move towards a more sustainable economy, companies in the industrial sector will be promoted and supported through this strategy, which will also boost job creation.
Last week, the Emirates Development Bank announced that it will provide Dh30bn in financing over the next five years to support the UAE’s move to double the size of the industrial sector in the next decade. The fund will help in the creation of 13,500 new companies across different industrial sectors and generate 25,000 jobs.
In February, the UAE’s Hope Probe successfully entered the Martian orbit on its first attempt and instilled hope in many of us amid grim times. This historic moment for the UAE and the Arab World will not only inspire many youngsters to think of a career in space but also will help the UAE to create a private space sector, according to Sarah Al Amiri, chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency and Minister of State for Advanced Sciences. The UAE has already partnered with public and private sectors to advance this objective. In 2019, the UAE Space Agency teamed up with Al Ain Airport to utilise the airport’s facilities as a spaceport.
Traditionally, many of us travel during summer but we have focused on domestic tourism to support our local attractions amid the pandemic. We concluded our first ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in January, the first domestic tourism drive, which resulted in Dh1 billion revenue and boosted our local tourism.
From concluding our first world’s coolest winter campaign, entering Martian orbit, to the introduction of an industrial strategy, the UAE is giving us many reasons to be grateful for this Ramadan.
It hasn’t been an easy year, but we have so much to look forward to.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati journalist and entrepreneur, who manages her marketing and communications company in Abu Dhabi.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
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- Power: 640hp
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Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
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Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
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