Latest news with #AbdullahAlSaleh
Mid East Info
06-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
UAE and Cuba hold first session of their Joint Economic Committee to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, creative industries, agriculture, and food security
5.6 per cent growth in non-oil foreign trade was recorded between two countries during first quarter of 2025 UAE-Cuba relations continue to advance across multiple sectors. The Committee marks a key step in deepening economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity between the two nations' business communities Both sides agreed to promote and facilitate increased trade flows, while actively exploring joint investment opportunities in biotechnology, healthcare, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture The session underscored the importance of building new partnerships in the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem, with the goal of accelerating SME growth in both countries and enabling their expansion into global markets A shared commitment was expressed from both sides to strengthen collaboration in food security and agriculture, while supporting efforts for sustainable farming, food processing, and the adoption of advanced agri-tech solutions Abu Dhabi, July 2025 – The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of the Republic of Cuba convened the first session of the Joint Economic Committee in Dubai. The meeting aimed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation across a wide range of sectors of mutual interest, including trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, transport, logistics, creative and cultural industries, healthcare, tourism, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. The session also underscored the importance of fostering robust public-private sector trade partnerships to drive sustainable growth for both nations. The Committee was co-chaired by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and H.E. Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba. The Committee is a key outcome of the trade, economic, and technical cooperation agreement signed between the two countries. The session was attended by H.E. Hazza Ahmed Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Cuba; H.E. Norberto Escalona Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to the UAE; along with senior government representatives from both nations. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh highlighted that UAE-Cuban bilateral relations continue to progress steadily, particularly in the economic and commercial domains, in line with the leadership's forward-looking vision to promote mutual prosperity, growth and long-term strategic partnership. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, said: 'The convening of the first session of the Joint Economic Committee between the two nations marks a pivotal step in advancing economic and investment relations between the UAE and Cuba. It paves the way for broader cooperation across priority sectors, deeper engagement between the two countries' business communities, and unlocking promising opportunities in both markets, all supporting the UAE's strategic goals under the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a joint working framework to oversee the implementation of committee outcomes that guide future cooperation between the two nations in the coming period, propelling it towards further growth and prosperity. They also committed to organising joint business forums and economic events, facilitating trade delegation exchanges, and identifying new avenues to expand bilateral commercial relation. Promoting investment opportunities in both markets: The UAE and Cuba reaffirmed their shared commitment to increasing trade flows and investment exchanges between Emirati and Cuban business communities. This also includes exploring opportunities in advanced economic sectors biotechnology, healthcare services, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Both parties proposed hosting joint meetings, seminars, and workshops involving investors, investment promotion agencies, and investment firms to facilitate investment in priority sectors and leverage the incentives offered by both countries. Entrepreneurship and Start-ups: Both nations emphasised the importance of advancing economic cooperation through the development of partnerships in the entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem. This aims to accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increase their investments, support their international expansion, and increase their contribution to national GDPs. Food Security and Agriculture: Food security and agricultural cooperation were identified as key priorities. The two sides agreed to enhance trade in food commodities and agricultural products, and collaborate on sustainable farming practices, food processing, and agricultural technology in the coming period. Tourism: The UAE and Cuba underscored the potential of tourism as a pillar of bilateral relations. They highlighted organising joint tourism exhibitions, events, and conferences in the coming period to showcase the two countries' major tourist attractions and historical landmarks. The cooperation will also involve sharing expertise on tourism development, compilation of tourism statistics, and digital innovations and technologies to enhance sector competitiveness. UAE-Cuba Trade and Investment Exchanges: Non-oil trade between the UAE and Cuba continues to gain momentum, surpassing USD 39.1 million in 2024, indicating an increase of over 2 per cent from 2023 and 46.4 per cent growth compared to 2022. In Q1 2025 alone, bilateral non-oil trade grew by 5.6 per cent compared to Q1 2024 and over 25 per cent from Q4 2024. Currently, more than 825 Cuban brands are actively operating within UAE markets.
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ministry of Economy and Emirates Intellectual Property Association launch training programme to accredit trademark registration agents
Al Saleh: 'The Ministry is committed to advancing IP regulatory frameworks. The new partnership marks a significant step in strengthening the efficiency of trademark registration agents in the country.' Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emirates Intellectual Property Association to strengthen collaboration in delivering a specialized training programme for UAE trademark agents. The initiative aims to equip participants with the technical and legal expertise required to earn certification, in line with Ministerial Decision No. 90 of 2024, which regulates trademark agent accreditation in the UAE. The memorandum was signed by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; and H.E. Major General Dr Abdulqadoos Abdulrazak Al Obaidli, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Excellence and Leadership at Dubai Police and Chairman of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, in the presence of H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, said: 'The Ministry of Economy remains committed to advancing the regulatory and legislative frameworks that govern intellectual property, a key sector driving the UAE's economic growth and competitiveness. Our collaboration with the Emirates Intellectual Property Association marks a significant step in strengthening the proficiency of UAE trademark agents. This initiative aims to increase their presence numbers in line with the best global practices and streamline registration processes to deliver exceptional service to trademark owners.' H.E. Major General Dr. Abdulqadoos Al Obaidli, Chairman of the Emirates Intellectual Property Association, said: 'We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Economy to launch an advanced training program that supports the government's efforts to develop skilled national IP professionals. The program, offered through our KHDA-accredited Dahai Khalfan Intellectual Property Centre and in collaboration with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), guarantees world-class training standards. We have engaged leading IP experts and legal specialists to ensure participants receive comprehensive, practice-oriented knowledge.' H.E. added: 'The program addresses critical trademark topics including domestic and international regulations, the Madrid Protocol, registration processes, disputes, renewals, and mock official exams. This joint initiative reflects our shared commitment to equipping legal professionals with evolving trademark legislation and technical advancements, while bolstering the UAE's innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.' The UAE's trademark sector continues to demonstrate robust growth, with 385,774 national and international trademarks registered as of May 2025, alongside 388 accredited agents. These figures underscore the UAE's position as a premier global trademark hub and a magnet for innovation-driven enterprises. Under the MoU, the Ministry of Economy will provide technical support and oversee trademark agent accreditation exams, while the Emirates Intellectual Property Association will deliver specialized training aligned with ministerial regulations. Together, they will equip participants with comprehensive knowledge of commercial registration procedures, ensuring adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards. The Ministry of Economy offers a dedicated 'Trademark Registration Agent' service through its website, enabling clients to apply for inclusion in the register of agents authorized to carry out trademark registration activities. This service is provided alongside the standard trademark registration offering.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GCC real estate transactions grew by 20% in Q1, reaching $78.2 bn, says Sakan
Sakan, GCC's leading prop-tech and intelligence company, estimates that total real estate transactions across the GCC region reached as much as USD 78.2 billion in Q1 2025, growing between 20.5% and 22.3%, according to its latest estimates. Dubai has once again emerged as the leading market in the GCC, posting USD 38.7 billion in sales and accounting for nearly half of the region's total transaction value. Dubai's real estate transactions were 23.4% higher than the same period last year. Saudi Arabia follows as the second-largest market, with transactions totaling at least USD 20.3 billion, capturing 26% of the region's market share. The UAE as a whole, including markets Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman, collectively accounted for 65% of the region's total estimated transaction value, highlighting the country's importance in the growth of the region's property market. Abu Dhabi registered the largest year-on-year growth at 34.5%, followed by Sharjah (31.9%), Ajman (29%), and Kuwait (24%). Sakan CEO Abdullah Al Saleh comments: 'Our research at Sakan showed that the GCC real estate sector recorded USD 383 billion in property transactions in 2024, growing by 25%. We now see this growth being sustained in the first quarter of the year, despite economic tensions across the world. As real estate continues to offer a safe haven for investors in the GCC region and with artificial intelligence beginning to enhance real estate transactions, we expect to see sustained momentum in the property sector throughout the rest of 2025.' Notes: While the majority of the GCC markets already posted their Q1 results, data from Bahrain and Oman are still incomplete. Sakan estimated Bahrain and Oman transaction values based on historical and forecasted data. Saudi Arabia Q1 data compares figures from January 1 to March 25.
Mid East Info
20-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MAJRA hosts leading private sector entities, presents key sustainable impact projects - Middle East Business News and Information
MAJRA – National CSR Fund, the UAE's leading federal authority on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in the private sector, hosted key private sector companies, members of Board of Trustees, and its Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners to present sustainable impact projects. The event, which featured high-level executives and decision-makers, focused on attracting contributions towards these high-impact projects, as well as accelerating private sector engagement in the UAE's sustainability agenda. This objective will be achieved by connecting investors to initiatives stemming from the Fund's Impact Retreat held in November last year. The key projects included initiatives that stood out at the Investopia 2025 summit, which emphasised sustainability and CSR policies in line with the UAE's vision to advance social impact and corporate responsibility in charitable and humanitarian works. The event also featured verified sustainable impact projects, which are a carefully curated selection of high-impact sustainability projects that have undergone rigorous assessment to ensure alignment with national priorities and investment viability. Other projects from the 'Future100,' a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economy, Government Development and the Future Office, and Majra to recognise and support 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving sustainability and future economic competitiveness, were also present at the gathering. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Minister of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra , emphasised the importance of private sector involvement in national efforts to enhance sustainability, stating, 'As the UAE strives to achieve its sustainable development goals, the private sector has a pivotal role in supporting and implementing transformative projects.' H.E. further noted that the gathering marks a significant step towards achieving the national goal of incorporating sustainability principles into the UAE's business sector. The gathering does not only offer a platform to shed light on these impactful projects but also contributes to building partnerships that will drive long-term value for investors and leave a lasting positive impact on the society in the UAE.' The event focused on Majra's 'Impact Retreat' that was held in November 2024, during which business leaders and policymakers discussed the private sector's role in advancing national sustainability goals. The next phase of the initiative requires implementing these ideas through in-kind and financial support and strategic partnerships to implement projects of national priority verified by key relevant ministries and transform them into practical solutions that will have a lasting social and environmental impact. Notably, collaborations were established with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Protection, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Ministry of Culture. Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Majra , said: 'At Majra, we are not just encouraging sustainable thinking – we are creating tangible opportunities for the private sector to make impactful change in society. In line with national and international ESG frameworks, we are empowering companies to make quantifiable impact by matching investors with high-potential government-verified sustainability projects. The event served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation and investment in developmental projects while developing sustainability policies and initiatives, with the participation from our platinum, gold and silver Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners – companies that have proven excellence in driving CSR & sustainability, as well as prominent private sector investors.' Majra continues its advocacy of corporate social responsibility by providing businesses with verified and high-impact opportunities to contribute in a more meaningful way. The gathering was a significant step towards this vision, transforming commitments into actionable contributions that benefit the UAE's economic and environmental progress.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MAJRA hosts leading private sector entities, presents key sustainable impact projects
MAJRA – National CSR Fund, the UAE's leading federal authority on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in the private sector, hosted key private sector companies, members of Board of Trustees, and its Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners to present sustainable impact projects. The event, which featured high-level executives and decision-makers, focused on attracting contributions towards these high-impact projects, as well as accelerating private sector engagement in the UAE's sustainability agenda. This objective will be achieved by connecting investors to initiatives stemming from the Fund's Impact Retreat held in November last year. The key projects included initiatives that stood out at the Investopia 2025 summit, which emphasised sustainability and CSR policies in line with the UAE's vision to advance social impact and corporate responsibility in charitable and humanitarian works. The event also featured verified sustainable impact projects, which are a carefully curated selection of high-impact sustainability projects that have undergone rigorous assessment to ensure alignment with national priorities and investment viability. Other projects from the 'Future100,' a joint initiative between the Ministry of Economy, Government Development and the Future Office, and Majra to recognise and support 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving sustainability and future economic competitiveness, were also present at the gathering. H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Minister of Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra, emphasised the importance of private sector involvement in national efforts to enhance sustainability, stating, 'As the UAE strives to achieve its sustainable development goals, the private sector has a pivotal role in supporting and implementing transformative projects.' H.E. further noted that the gathering marks a significant step towards achieving the national goal of incorporating sustainability principles into the UAE's business sector. The gathering does not only offer a platform to shed light on these impactful projects but also contributes to building partnerships that will drive long-term value for investors and leave a lasting positive impact on the society in the UAE.' The event focused on Majra's 'Impact Retreat' that was held in November 2024, during which business leaders and policymakers discussed the private sector's role in advancing national sustainability goals. The next phase of the initiative requires implementing these ideas through in-kind and financial support and strategic partnerships to implement projects of national priority verified by key relevant ministries and transform them into practical solutions that will have a lasting social and environmental impact. Notably, collaborations were established with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Protection, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Ministry of Culture. Sarah Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Majra, said: 'At Majra, we are not just encouraging sustainable thinking - we are creating tangible opportunities for the private sector to make impactful change in society. In line with national and international ESG frameworks, we are empowering companies to make quantifiable impact by matching investors with high-potential government-verified sustainability projects. The event served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation and investment in developmental projects while developing sustainability policies and initiatives, with the participation from our platinum, gold and silver Impact Seal Cycle 1 winners - companies that have proven excellence in driving CSR & sustainability, as well as prominent private sector investors.' Majra continues its advocacy of corporate social responsibility by providing businesses with verified and high-impact opportunities to contribute in a more meaningful way. The gathering was a significant step towards this vision, transforming commitments into actionable contributions that benefit the UAE's economic and environmental progress.
