UAE

The UAE government has proposed a new start date for Expo 2020 Dubai. In the proposal the event would begin on October 1, 2021 and run until 31 March, 2022. Roughly 12 months after the initial start of the event. Late March the expo General Director announced the intention to …

Russia never sought a sharp oil price fall or an end to cooperation with Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Gulf nations are to blame for the crisis on the global oil markets, a senior Russian official said. In early March, Russia and OPEC failed to agree how …

India plans to take advantage of low prices for oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to top up its strategic petroleum reserves (SPR), two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. Global oil prices have fallen around 40% in March as the impact of the coronavirus …

The collapse in oil prices will put pressure on government finances in the Gulf, credit rating agency Fitch said on Monday. Fitch’s top Middle East and Africa sovereign analyst Jan Friedrich said a $10 drop in crude prices lowered fiscal revenues in the Gulf by 2-4% of GDP, depending on …

British foreign minister Dominic Raab will on Monday begin his first official visit to the Gulf for talks with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Oman, expected to cover trade, human rights issues and climate change. Raab, appointed foreign minister in July last year by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will also …

The United Arab Emirates, a major air transit center, is ready for “worst case scenarios” as the coronavirus spreads in the Middle East and has the facilities to quarantine patients and screen new arrivals, a government official said on Wednesday. It was too early to ban public gatherings in the …

Dubai is to take full control of port operator DP World (DPW.DI) in a deal with a $13.9 billion valuation that will help the company at the center of the emirate’s 2009 debt crisis to repay some of its borrowings. DP World, which operates ports around the world from Hong …

The United Arab Emirates has issued an operating license for the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, a senior official at the nuclear regulator said on Monday, paving the way for it to start production later this year. The multi-billion-dollar Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, which is being …

The coronavirus crisis, which has already battered oil prices, threatens to further undercut Gulf economies battling a downturn and struggling to wean themselves from a decades-old energy addiction. The six Gulf states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates — count China as their main trading …

United Arab Emirate’s minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday his country supports calls for de-escalation with Iran and to reach a political solution, Al Arabiya TV reported. He added that preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons under the Vienna accord as the sole restriction is …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, received on Monday, Sergey Naryshkin, Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, and his accompanying delegation. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, …

The United Arab Emirates has resumed postal services to Qatar nearly three years after they were suspended due to a Gulf Arab political dispute. The move followed a meeting of parties involved in the dispute with the United Nations postal agency. Indirect services began on Feb. 9 with mail transported …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday Gulf Arab states — some of the world’s richest countries — could see their financial wealth depleted in the next 15 years amid lower hydrocarbon revenues if they don’t step up fiscal reforms. The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – whose net …

Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Jorge Agustin Molina Arambarri, Ambassador of Argentina to the UAE, today tackled ways to develop cooperation in the defence and military areas. During a meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Al Bowardi welcomed the Argentine ambassador …

A Japanese destroyer left for the Gulf of Oman on Sunday amid simmering Middle East tension to guard sea lanes that supply nearly all the oil that powers the world’s third-biggest economy. “Thousands of Japanese ships ply those waters every year including vessels carrying nine tenths of our oil. It …

The United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Washington said in a statement on Tuesday that the UAE believes Palestinians and Israelis can achieve lasting peace and genuine coexistence with the support of the international community, the UAE Embassy in Washington said on Twitter. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba also announced the UAE’s …

The Hope Probe will carry with it the UAE Nation Brand’s logo and its accompanying slogan, ‘Make it Happen’, when the spacecraft built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre takes off for Mars later this year. The brand’s placement on the probe, called ‘Al-Amal’ in Arabic, symbolises the future-forward …

NMC Health Plc (NMC.L) said an independent review committee had appointed former Federal Bureau of Investigation director Louis Freeh to compile a report on allegations by U.S. firm Muddy Waters and third parties. NMC, United Arab Emirates’ largest private healthcare provider, launched an independent review of its finances after short-seller …

Abu Dhabi -The President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, emphasised that the UAE is a global role model in sustainable development, in light of its significant global efforts in sharing renewable energy solutions across the world. In his remarks to the Emirates News Agency, …

Dubai – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a new district under the name of “Dubai Future District” dedicated to the new economy will take shape in Dubai. According to WAM news agency, Sheikh Mohammed has also announced the launch …

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday Moscow has been urging Gulf countries to consider a common security mechanism for the region. “We have been suggesting to the Gulf countries to think about collective security mechanisms … starting with confidence building measures and inviting each other to military exercises,” …

Saudi Arabia’s Industrialization and Energy Services Company (TAQA) announced today the signing of an agreement with AlMansoori Petroleum Services (AMPS). The announcement was made at the opening of this year’s International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC), taking place for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement establishes …

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, witnessed today the signing of the UAE-Japan Strategic Energy Cooperation Agreement between the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Abu …

Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should work together to de-escalate the tense situation in the Gulf, a Japanese foreign ministry official said on Monday, relaying comments by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The official said Japan’s strong relationship with both the United States and Iran enabled it …

The United Arab Emirates grew its renewable energy portfolio by more than 400% in the last 10 years, and is on track to double that again in the coming decade, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. [ADNOC.UL] chief executive Sultan al-Jaber said on Monday. “We (ADNOC) will increase our carbon capture …

The United States is committed to regional political stability, a US State Department official underscored on Sunday. Francis Fannon, Assistant Secretary at the US State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources, said that following his visit to the UAE last January, he is visiting the country again to “underscore the United …

Israel’s foreign minister has postponed a visit to Dubai this month due to security concerns, diplomats said on Sunday, linking the decision to Iran-U.S. tensions. Israel Katz, who doubles as intelligence minister, had been scheduled to attend mid-month meetings in the Gulf emirate ahead of its Expo 2020 Dubai but …

The United Arab Emirates energy said on Saturday it was investing heavily to secure its energy resources. “We are in a very good position to secure ourselves and keep securing our customers (needs),” Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei told an energy conference in the capital Abu Dhabi. “We are committed that …

Dubai – In the UAE’s capital the much anticipated annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will kick-off next week. The main theme for this year’s edition is ‘accelerating the pace of sustainable development’. Other focus areas include Youth, Artificial Intelligence and Society. By Arthur Blok | ADSW is hosted by Abu …

The Iran-aligned Houthis said on Sunday six “sensitive” places in Saudi Arabia and three in the United Arab Emirates are on a list of military targets, suggesting the group remains prepared to fight on despite informal talks about a truce in Yemen’s war. The priority targets were said to be …

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said. The businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was charged last month with complicity in the 2017 killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, …

Qatar’s foreign minister said on Saturday there has been small progress to resolve a 2-1/2 year dispute between the Gulf state and its neighbors. Asked whether there was progress at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit held last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told Reuters that there has been “small …

Egypt signed an agreement on Tuesday with the UAE’s Al Nowais Investments for the construction of two renewable power plants, Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker said. Al Nowais will build a 200-megawatt solar plant in the southern governorate of Aswan and a 500-megawatt wind power plant in the Red Sea city …

The United Arab Emirates’ top diplomat in Syria has praised President Bashar al-Assad for his “wise leadership”, in one of the strongest expressions of support yet from a country that once backed Damascus’ enemies in the civil war. The two restored diplomatic ties last year and the UAE’s vocal support …

Britain’s Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Sunday he would stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen if he wins an election this month. “Labour will stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen and work to end the war there, not actively support …

Brazil’s state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4.SA) has selected four groups for the second round of bidding for four refineries up for sale, including China’s Sinopec, Abu Dhabi’s state investor and two Brazilian firms, according to four people with knowledge of the matter. Sinopec, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Co …

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday invited the UAE to attend the G20 summit in Riyadh in November 2020, according to state TV. Saudi Arabia will host the 15th annual G20 Leaders’ Summit on Nov. 21 and 22, 2020 in its capital Riyadh. Representing more than 80% of …

Embattled Singapore water firm Hyflux (HYFL.SI) said on Tuesday it had entered a restructuring deal worth S$400 million ($293 million) with United Arab Emirates-based utility Utico FZC. The deal will see Utico subscribe to S$300 million in Hyflux shares, giving it a 95% stake, and inject working capital of S$100 …

Saudi Aramco met investors in Dubai on Sunday to market its initial public offering (IPO), after trying to secure demand from Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund for the deal, worth up to $25.6 billion, which relies heavily on local and regional buyers. Top executives of the Saudi state-owned oil giant, including …

A French naval base in Abu Dhabi will serve as the headquarters for a European-led mission to protect Gulf waters that will be operational soon, France’s defense minister said on Sunday. France is the main proponent of a plan to build a European-led maritime force to ensure safe shipping in the …

South Africa is blocking arms sales to countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE in an inspections dispute, endangering billions of dollars of business and thousands of jobs in its struggling defense sector, according to industry officials. The dispute centers on a clause in export documents that requires foreign customers …

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making a push to develop high-tech military hardware that would give it control over critical defense capabilities and lessen reliance on imports. Wary of threats from rival Iran, and concerned over moves by some allies to hold up arms sales, the UAE is reshaping …

France’s MBDA and Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA) plan to open a missile engineering facility and a flight testing center in the United Arab Emirates, the UAE’s defense and security industry enabler Tawazun Economic Council said on Saturday. The announcement comes on the eve of the biennial Dubai Air Show which begins …

United States Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein on Saturday pressed Gulf Arab states to reconcile differences and unify military capabilities as tensions with Iran simmer. Washington sees an ongoing dispute that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf state Egypt have with Qatar as a threat …