The Abraham Accords, signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel two years ago, have become a symbol of economic prosperity and stability in the region, said Abdulla Baqer, president of the UAE-Israel Business Council.
“It was a bold move by the UAE, which proved to the entire world that it was a step in the right direction. It's a resounding success and triumph for prosperity in the region,” Mr Baqer told The National.
Mr Baqer said the UAE and Israel have seen tremendous growth in relations at different levels since they established diplomatic ties under the agreement.
“The UAE has set up itself as a role model in peace efforts worldwide. Two years after establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, the agreement has paid off at economic, business, political, security and information technology levels,” he said.
The UAE-Israel Business Council was established in the wake of the accords by business and public sector leaders from the UAE and Israel to foster shared opportunities, economic co-operation and business partnerships between Emiratis and Israelis.
The council's mission statement says: “We connect between Israel’s dynamic technology and innovation ecosystem, and the UAE’s unique strengths in finance, trade and logistics. Together, we can build a brighter future for the entire region.”
Mr Baqer said the council enhances market access for exporters, attracts new investment and creates opportunities in key industries, including energy, environment and digital trade.
“We are bringing both sides together through webinars and meetings. We held very successful webinars on a wide array of issues including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Israel is a pioneer in technology and we want to compare notes and make the best use of this,” he said.
In May, the two countries signed the UAE-Israel Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
According to UAE data, the agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade to more than $10 billion within five years and add $1.9bn to GDP in the same period.
The agreement builds on the exponential growth in trade and investment the UAE and Israel have enjoyed since the signing of the Abraham Accords.
From September 2020 to March 2022, non-oil trade surpassed $2.5bn, including $1.06bn in the first three months of this year — five times the total from the same period in 2021, according to official UAE statistics.
'Israel is no longer isolated'
The accords are a major defeat for those who wanted to keep Israel isolated, says Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, the co-founder of the UAE-Israel Business Council and a prominent Israeli politician.
“For many years, Israel was an isolated member of a region that wouldn't accept it. And so, even though we had peace with Egypt and Jordan, it was more of a strategic peace that stayed at the leadership level. And it never really trickled down to people,” Mrs Hassan-Nahoum, who is the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, told The National.
“So we never felt part of a region looking at regional challenges together, but the Abraham Accords have completely changed the game for us in the sense that we have finally been accepted as a legitimate member of the region.”
Mrs Hassan-Nahoum says there is no doubt that the accords have laid the foundations for a prosperous future for both countries, and that the Business Council has grown to include 5,000 members from both countries.
“So, ultimately, our main achievement is that we've provided a platform and a framework for the business conversation between the two countries,” she said.
She said it was heart warming how the people of the UAE and Israel had opened their arms to each other.
“I have to say that the people are honestly amongst the warmest people that I've ever met. So I think the character of the Emirati is one of generosity, respect and warmth. And I think that is very attractive to Israelis.
“And what's really unique, I think, in general about the relationship now is that we've created the model for future peace.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBen%20Wheatley%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJason%20Statham%2C%20Jing%20Wu%2C%20Cliff%20Curtis%2C%20Page%20Kennedy%2C%20Cliff%20Curtis%2C%20Melissanthi%20Mahut%20and%20Shuya%20Sophia%20Cai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
FIGHT%20CARD
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
Started: January 2018
Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech, micro finance
Initial investment: $1 million
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