Emirates Bio Farm at Al Ain say they have never been so busy since the start of the outbreak to produce more fruits and vegetables. Victor Besa / The National
Emirates Bio Farm at Al Ain say they have never been so busy since the start of the outbreak to produce more fruits and vegetables. Victor Besa / The National
Emirates Bio Farm at Al Ain say they have never been so busy since the start of the outbreak to produce more fruits and vegetables. Victor Besa / The National
In less than five months, coronavirus has turned our lives upside down, introducing a new era of mandatory face masks, working from home, and economic hardship for many. While many businesses have been unable to cope with this new reality, the pandemic has also created new markets for our pressing needs that call, in part, for a return to local industries and businesses.
In the UAE, government entities and businesses have taken this as an opportunity to meet local demand and keep the economy afloat. On Saturday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, revealed to the public the first Emirati-made ventilator, at a time when these live-saving machines are in short supply worldwide.
The endeavour is part of the UAE’s drive towards self-sufficiency and innovation in the medical field. Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment arm, has joined forces with Honeywell to produce N95 face masks in the first factory of its kind in the Gulf, based in Al Ain.
The facility is expected to produce more than 30 million masks per year, allowing the country to meet its own protective equipment needs and, eventually, to export additional masks. These initiatives are part of a new healthcare boom that has arrived in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
As governments and companies focus their efforts on healthcare and allot more funds to the medical sector, coronavirus has also changed the way the world does business in other essential fields. Companies must now rely on shorter supply chains that do not span the globe. Expanding locally or regionally is now relatively preferable.
Encouraging more businesses to follow this path will be the key to safeguarding the local economy and creating new opportunities despite the pandemic’s economic downturn. Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development is now implementing initiatives to encourage small and medium-sized companies as well as government entities to choose local products over imported goods, in the healthcare sector and beyond. SMEs employ more than 86 per cent of the UAE's private sector workers, according to the Ministry of Economy. Supporting them is crucial for our local economy to thrive.
Going local is not only better for our economy, it is also more eco-friendly as it cuts down on transport-related pollution. It is also a means of improving the country’s self-reliance in multiple sectors, including but not restricted to healthcare. In addition to promoting local SMEs and healthcare businesses, there is considerable public investment in local agriculture. A number of farms already exist that grow tomatoes, potatoes and leafy greens in the Abu Dhabi desert, a once unimaginable feat of technology.
Going local is not only better for our economy, it is also more eco-friendly
Abu Dhabi Investment Office has invested $100 million (Dh367m) to attract agriculture technology companies to build upon the country’s budding agriculture sector and meet the new needs of its people for local foodstuff.
At a time when uncertainty pervades our daily lives, promoting initiatives that can help countries become more self-reliant, and more food- and healthcare-secure, is key to overcoming the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. And the good news is that everyone can take part in this effort. Small gestures such as buying local produce or ordering online from your favourite restaurant or business can truly make a difference.
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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.
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s) Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year Sarina Wiegman (England)
SERIE A FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)
Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)
