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.
More about the UAE and coronavirus
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.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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