A reader says Fiat’s moving out of Italy will boost its global image. Alessia Pierdomenico / Bloomberg News
A reader says Fiat’s moving out of Italy will boost its global image. Alessia Pierdomenico / Bloomberg News

Fiat’s shift will bring glory to Italy



I write in reference to the editorial Fiat turns a corner (August 6).

For any organisation, the focus should be to strengthen and keep its business moving in the right direction. Fiat is no exception.

Although the company’s decision to move out of Italy might be disappointing for the people of that country, the key objective is to sustain business and the ultimate beneficiaries are the employees and customers.

Fiat is a renowned global brand, so this shift will only bring glory to the organisation, its employees, as well as the people of Italy.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Emiratis deserve better treatment from employers

I refer to the article Emirati graduates unhappy with recruitment procedures (August 5).

I know many Emiratis are trying hard to make their way into any career. Unfortunately, some of them are not even getting interviews, because expatriates are blocking those jobs.

This is unfair. We should be thankful to them. It’s their country and they deserve to be treated better. It’s their generosity that they give opportunities to people coming from other countries.

I think any big company seeking to do business in the UAE should be required to hire at least 50 per cent Emirati staff.

Name withheld by request

I can say one thing: we all need to start at the bottom. If that means being an office boy, so be it. We can get to learn about the business we want to end up in. I have two doctorates, but I have worked my way up the ladder with patience. Now that I truly have done a great job in my profession, work has become a genuine passion for me

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Invest more on renewable energy

I think investment in renewable energies – wind farms, for example – would be a terrific idea (Warning on high water and power use, August 3). I'm all for conservation of what we have, but until viable, non-fossil fuel options are made available, most of this discussion is a moot point.

Ahmed SH AlKhamisi, Dubai

I am responding to Yulia Hulia's letter Misuse of water in Abu Dhabi needs to be addressed (August 4). The writer says that this issue needs more attention from the Government. But I think it's individuals who should use water more responsibly. Or they should not cry when the Government takes away all their freedom.

Guglielmo Molteni, Abu Dhabi

Conservation is a definite strategy to get over the problem, but the fact is energy is quite inexpensive here and with Abu Dhabi planning to ramp up oil production from 3 million to 3.5 million barrels per day, energy from hydrocarbons would be around for a long time.

However, the key to sustainable development is to reinvest the income earned from hydrocarbons in renewable-energy technology and it’s good to see Abu Dhabi taking the lead in implementing a solar energy plant at the same time as building a nuclear plant. Technology to make desalination more efficient should be explored. That will not be hard for Abu Dhabi, which is driving research and development in the region. Beyond this, one would like to see the conversion of buses, taxis and lorries to CNG, LPG or hydrogen.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

Get facts right on Dawoodi Bohras

The article Leadership dispute divides India's Dawoodi Bohra sect (August 5) is misinformed and superficial. The fact is that New Delhi only has a few hundred Dawoodi Bohras, which is just a small fraction of the community.

The leadership of the Dawoodi Bohras has been recognised by several governments and heads of states, including the UAE. The members of the community have always contributed to the well-being of the country where they live, as per the teachings of its leadership. Hence, the writer could have named the leadership in a respectful manner.

There are several discrepancies in the article. If the author had studied the UAE’s population of Dawoodi Bohras, he would not have quoted some person saying that a tiny fraction follows Syedna Saifuddin.

Also, such internal community affairs are of no concern to the general public. These articles only hurt the sentiments of the community at large. The article is merely based on accusations rather than facts.

Juzar Noorani, India

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.

T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures

Tuesday, October 29

Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE

Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman

Wednesday, October 30

Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one

Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two

Thursday, October 31

Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four

Friday, November 1

Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one

Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two

Saturday, November 2

Third-place playoff, 2.10pm

Final, 7.30pm

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5