logo
UAE, Iraq stress importance of stability across region

UAE, Iraq stress importance of stability across region

Gulf Today20-04-2025
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday received Fuad Mohammed Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, who delivered an official invitation from Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid to attend the Arab Summit scheduled to take place in Baghdad on 17 May.
During the meeting, held at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and the Iraqi Foreign Minister discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them to serve the mutual interests of both countries and their peoples. The talks also covered a number of regional and international developments and issues of mutual concern, with both sides emphasising the importance of fostering peace, stability, and cooperation in the region for the benefit of all. Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the depth of UAE-Iraq relations and expressed his wishes for continued stability, development, and prosperity for Iraq and its people.
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohamed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State along with a number of sheikhs, ministers, officials, and members of the Iraqi delegation.
In February this year, President Sheikh Mohamed and Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid discussed fraternal ties and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Iraq in efforts to serve mutual interests and promote development and prosperity for their peoples.
This came as Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Iraqi President at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi during his official visit to the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed extended a warm welcome to his guest, describing the UAE as his second home.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic, investment, and development sectors, as well as in renewable energy. They also explored opportunities to expand these areas of collaboration further.
The discussions covered a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, with a particular focus on developments in the Middle East.
Both leaders emphasised the need for a clear path towards a comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and underscored the importance of diplomatic efforts that support the aspirations of the region's peoples for security, stability, and development.
Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the strength of UAE-Iraq relations and the UAE's consistent approach in supporting Iraq's stability, as well as its people's aspirations for progress and prosperity.
He expressed the shared commitment of both countries to exploring new avenues of cooperation, particularly in development sectors. His Highness also underscored the UAE's keenness to strengthen collaboration and coordination with Iraq to serve mutual interests and enhance regional stability and security, especially in light of ongoing developments in the region.
The Iraqi President, in turn, expressed his appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed for his warm hospitality.
He commended the UAE's steadfast support for the Iraqi people and wished the country continued progress and prosperity.
President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid also reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to further strengthening cooperation with the UAE in ways that serve their shared interests and benefit their peoples and the wider region.
In December 2024, Sheikh Mohamed received a phone call from Mohammed Shiaa' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq.
During the call, they discussed fraternal relations between the UAE and Iraq and opportunities to develop cooperation in all fields to serve mutual interests and achieve the aspirations of their peoples for growth and prosperity.
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest, stressing the importance of peacefully resolving conflicts and crises in the Middle East and supporting efforts to achieve stability and prosperity for the region's peoples.
WAM
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sharjah Chamber reports 12% membership growth in H1 2025
Sharjah Chamber reports 12% membership growth in H1 2025

Zawya

time13 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Sharjah Chamber reports 12% membership growth in H1 2025

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) recorded a strong performance and significant growth across key metrics during the first half of 2025, reporting more than 37,000 new memberships and membership renewals, marking a growth of over 12 percent compared to the same period in 2024, which registered 33,000 memberships. The combined export and re-export values of registered member companies reached approximately AED11 billion in the first half of 2025, as reported by SCCI. The Chamber also issued 41,294 certificates of origin during the same period, marking a 6 percent increase compared to the previous year. This reflects SCCI's leading efforts to support the business and investment environment in the emirate of Sharjah. SCCI's certificates of origin for H1 2025 showed that Saudi Arabia topped the list of importers from Sharjah, with export and re-export values exceeding AED5.9 billion, reinforcing strong bilateral trade ties and Sharjah's position as a key supplier to Gulf markets. Oman ranked second with more than AED 1.6 billion, followed by Iraq with over AED 1.5 billion. Other prominent export destinations included Qatar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kuwait, and India. In his remarks, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, stated that the surge in memberships during the first half of 2025 is a testament to the growing investor confidence in Sharjah's business ecosystem. He emphasised that the emirate's favorable investment environment and its array of competitive advantages and incentives have positioned Sharjah as a major business hub and investment destination. For his part, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, noted that the Chamber's strong performance in H1 2025 reflects the effective rollout of its 2025–2027 strategic plan. The strategy focuses on Sharjah's economic empowerment, entrepreneurial development, private sector competitiveness, and the creation of a growth-oriented investment climate. During the first half of this year, the Sharjah Chamber remained committed to diversifying its initiatives and launching strategic economic and trade events, programs, and exhibitions aimed at advancing the emirate's ongoing economic development. The Chamber engaged in a series of business meetings with official, diplomatic, and trade delegations to foster strategic partnerships between Sharjah's private sector and global counterparts. It also facilitated targeted discussions with sectoral business groups and key entrepreneurs. As part of its efforts to expand international cooperation and open new market opportunities for Sharjah's business community, the Sharjah Chamber organized two successful trade missions to India and Mauritius the first half of 2025. These missions featured high-level meetings with government representatives, entrepreneurs, and investors to foster cross-border business engagement.

China's independent oil firms elbow into Iraq's majors-dominated market
China's independent oil firms elbow into Iraq's majors-dominated market

Khaleej Times

time13 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

China's independent oil firms elbow into Iraq's majors-dominated market

China's independent oil companies are ramping up operations in Iraq, investing billions of dollars in OPEC's number two producer even as some global majors have scaled back from a market dominated by Beijing's big state-run firms. Drawn by more lucrative contract arrangements, smaller Chinese producers are on track to double their output in Iraq to 500,000 barrels per day by around 2030, according to estimates by executives at four of the firms, a figure not previously reported. For Baghdad, which is also seeking to lure global giants, the growing presence of the mostly privately run Chinese players marks a shift as Iraq comes under growing pressure to accelerate projects, according to multiple Iraqi energy officials. In recent years, Iraq's oil ministry had pushed back on rising Chinese control over its oilfields. For the smaller Chinese firms, managed by veterans of China's state heavyweights, Iraq is an opportunity to leverage lower costs and faster development of projects that may be too small for Western or Chinese majors. With meagre prospects in China's state-dominated oil and gas industry, the overseas push mirrors a pattern by Chinese firms in other heavy industries to find new markets for productive capacity and expertise. Little-known players including Geo-Jade Petroleum Corp , United Energy Group, Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group and Anton Oilfield Services Group made a splash last year when they won half of Iraq's exploration licensing rounds. Executives at smaller Chinese producers say Iraq's investment climate has improved as the country becomes more politically stable and Baghdad is keen to attract Chinese as well as Western companies. Iraq wants to boost output by more than half to over 6 million bpd by 2029. China's CNPC alone accounts for more than half of Iraq's current production at massive fields including Haifaya, Rumaila and West Qurna 1. Profit-sharing, risk tolerance Iraq's shift a year ago to contracts based on profit-sharing from fixed-fee agreements - an attempt to accelerate projects after ExxonMobil and Shell scaled back - helped lure Chinese independents. These smaller firms are nimbler than the big Chinese companies and more risk-tolerant than many companies that might consider investing in the Gulf economy. Chinese companies offer competitive financing, cut costs with cheaper Chinese labour and equipment and are willing to accept lower margins to win long-term contracts, said Ali Abdulameer at state-run Basra Oil Co, which finalises contracts with foreign firms. "They are known for rapid project execution, strict adherence to timelines and a high tolerance for operating in areas with security challenges," he said. "Doing business with the Chinese is much easier and less complicated, compared to Western companies." Smaller Chinese firms can develop an oilfield in Iraq in two to three years, faster than the five to 10 years for Western firms, Chinese executives said. "Chinese independents have much lower management costs compared to Western firms and are also more competitive versus Chinese state-run players," said Dai Xiaoping, CEO of Geo-Jade Petroleum, which has five blocks in Iraq. The independents have driven down the industry cost to drill a development well in a major Iraqi oilfield by about half from a decade ago to between $4 million and $5 million, Dai said. A Geo-Jade-led consortium agreed in May to invest in the South Basra project, which includes ramping up the Tuba field in southern Iraq to 100,000 bpd and building a 200,000-bpd refinery. Geo-Jade, committing $848 million, plans to revive output at the largely mothballed field to 40,000 bpd by around mid-2027, Dai told Reuters. The project also calls for a petrochemical complex and two power stations, requiring a multi-billion-dollar investment, said Dai, a reserve engineer who previously worked overseas with CNPC and Sinopec. Zhenhua Oil, a small state-run firm that partnered with CNPC in a $3 billion deal to develop Ahdab oilfield in 2008, the first major foreign-invested project after Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003, aims to double its production to 250,000 bpd by 2030, a company official said. Zhongman Petroleum announced in June a plan to spend $481 million on the Middle Euphrates and East Baghdad North blocks won in 2024. Chinese firms' cheaper projects can come at the expense of Iraq's goal to introduce more advanced technologies. Muwafaq Abbas, former crude operations manager at Basra Oil, expressed concern about transparency and technical standards among Chinese firms, which he said have faced criticism for relying heavily on Chinese staff and relegating Iraqis to lower-paid roles. To be sure, some Western firms are returning to Iraq: TotalEnergies announced a $27 billion project in 2023, and BP is expected to spend up to $25 billion to redevelop four Kirkuk fields, Reuters reported.

Dubai: RTA honours over 2,000 taxi drivers for customer service, skill
Dubai: RTA honours over 2,000 taxi drivers for customer service, skill

Khaleej Times

time42 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

Dubai: RTA honours over 2,000 taxi drivers for customer service, skill

Over 2,000 Dubai taxi drivers have been honoured by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for their customer service and skill. Under the "Road Ambassadors" initiative, RTA praised the work of 2,172 taxi drivers who have followed all rules and regulations, upheld high standards of personal and vehicle cleanliness, and returned lost items to their owners. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency, said, 'The recognition covered 2,172 drivers in 2024 and up to the first half of this year." He added that this programme has "fostered a spirit of healthy competition among drivers", and has enhanced customer satisfaction. "As a result, it has helped elevate the overall quality of life across the emirate by providing a safer, more comfortable travel experience and promoting greater traffic safety and awareness.' The honoured drivers expressed their appreciation and delight at the gesture.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store