Electric vehicle companies NWTN and Pony.ai are the latest to join Abu Dhabi's smart transport cluster, as the emirate seeks to become a major centre for the development of high-tech mobility solutions.
Star Charge, an electric vehicle charging and energy storage company, is also setting up its regional headquarters in the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (Savi) cluster at Masdar City as a base to expand its global operations, Abu Dhabi Investment Office said on Wednesday.
“The launch of Abu Dhabi's Savi cluster has already brought together global companies and talent that will develop innovative solutions and help revolutionise transportation and mobility,” Badr Al Olama, director-general of Adio, said.
“Our goal is to make a transformation impact across the world, accelerating efforts in achieving a zero-emissions future and adopting green mobility services.”
Adio this week made a series of announcements about companies that will be joining the Savi cluster. The three companies revealed on Wednesday add to six companies announced since Sunday.
The emirate’s investment office has signed deals with 25 global companies to join the cluster, Massimo Falcioni, chief competitiveness officer at Adio, told The National on earlier this week.
The 25 companies signed on by Adio are from Korea, China and the US, specialising in autonomous taxis, underwater drones, robotic installations and artificial intelligence.
Adio said Silicon Valley-based autonomous driving company Pony.ai will be able to trial its latest technologies at the Yas Island testing zone, which offers a road mobility test bed with a growing number of technology start-ups.
UAE-based smart vehicle company NWTN, which signed an initial pact with Adio, will also have access to the Yas Island testing zone.
NWTN, a green energy company specialising in premium electric vehicle products, had earlier this year launched a luxury smart passenger vehicle.
"As the UAE prepares to host Cop28, the launch of Abu Dhabi’s Savi cluster will also help to accelerate the adoption of green mobility services and propel the country and wider world towards a zero-emissions future," Adio said.
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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.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
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7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
