The UAE has been ranked fifth among nations with a similar GDP in a global study to measure their level of quality infrastructure to support Sustainable Development Goals.
The report released last month was compiled by the UN Industrial Development Organisation and assessed the performance of 156 countries.
Only Switzerland, the Czech Republic, South Africa and Slovakia ranked higher than the Emirates in the group of the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index report, which rated nations with a GDP between $100 billion and $1 trillion.
The UAE's high standing in the report – it rose six places from the previous study in 2022 – was welcomed by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Cop28 President.
"This milestone reaffirms how the UAE’s quality infrastructure is harmonised with regional and international standards and follows global best practices," he said. "The UAE’s ranking further reinforces international confidence in the country’s quality infrastructure, which is driving efficiency, competitiveness and productivity in the industrial sector."
The index is measured by five main dimensions: metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, policy and standards. It maps out indicators for each and then links them to three of the five pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals: prosperity, people and planet.
Saudi Arabia came in 16th place in the XL category, which judged countries with a GDP of more than $1 trillion. China ranks as having the highest level of quality infrastructure globally in the XL section, followed by France, Germany, the US and the UK.
Results
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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