Two of the biggest champions of a multilateral world order joined forces this week, when Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, travelled to Berlin to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Their dialogue sent an important message to the international community that open trade and an expansive diplomatic outlook are the only real paths to prosperity.
The meeting between Mrs Merkel and Sheikh Mohamed marked the 15-year anniversary of the strategic partnership between the UAE and Germany. The two countries are already planning a new road map for the next decade and a half. Since the first agreement was signed, trade between the two nations has almost quadrupled to $14 billion, which means the UAE is now Germany's biggest partner in the Arab world. There are plans for that exchange to double in the next few years.
In addition to economic co-operation, the two countries have a shared vision of politics that places a truly global outlook above all else. Diplomacy, discussion and reason are at the heart of that perspective. As Sheikh Mohamed said in Germany: “Both sides identified the importance of holding political consultations” and of the need to engage regularly in those discussions.
This is why the UAE called for measured steps in the aftermath of a sabotage attack on Norwegian, Saudi and Emirati tankers off the coast of Fujairah last month. While some immediately accused Iran of plotting the attacks, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, called for a de-escalation of US-Iranian tensions. The apparent attacks on two more tankers on Thursday will no doubt elicit another measured response.
Berlin has also called for de-escalation and Mrs Merkel has said she favours “political and peaceful solutions” to soothe the simmering tensions between Iran and the US, but she has also voiced concern over Tehran’s missile programme and its interference in Syria during the meeting.
At a time when xenophobic sentiment has pushed some European nations to close their maritime borders, leaving migrants to languish at sea, Mrs Merkel has led by example. In fact, Germany has taken in more than half a million Syrian refugees and welcomed nearly one million refugees in total.
Mrs Merkel and Sheikh Mohamed have a common view of leadership, based on strong diplomatic and economic ties and grounded in security, peace and prosperity. History tells us that it is the strengthening of bonds between such nations that will survive the test of time, rather than the ills of hatred and division.
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
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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.
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
