Latest news with #RoyalGovernment
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE, Bhutan launch 'AI for Development' Initiative to unlock AI's potential for economic growth in Global South
17 July 2025 18:19 THIMPHU (WAM)In a milestone effort to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive development, the United Arab Emirates and the Royal Government of Bhutan, in collaboration with the Eurasia Group and G42, convened a high-level two-day workshop titled 'AI for Development' in Thimphu, Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, were present at the workshop, which began with the traditional Marchang Ceremony, reflecting the deep essence of Bhutan's rich workshop brought together policymakers, technical experts, and development practitioners to identify creative AI solutions for local implementation. This initiative stems from a broader UAE foreign policy agenda that embraces technological diplomacy and supports inclusive, high-impact partnerships—particularly across the Global Sharaf, Assistant Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, who led the UAE delegation, remarked, 'This initiative underscores the UAE's commitment to technological diplomacy through harnessing AI and technology for global development. Bhutan's agility and forward-looking digital transformation, together with the UAE's technical expertise and strategic vision, create a natural synergy. Through such partnerships, we aim to advance impactful solutions that align with national priorities and contribute to sustainable development.'Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bhutan, further elaborated, "The UAE is proud to partner with Bhutan, in navigating pioneering, scalable tech solutions, from entrepreneurship to agriculture, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inclusive growth across the Global South.'As the first pilot country, Bhutan was selected for its commitment to innovation and its willingness to explore cost-effective, context-sensitive technology solutions to drive economic the workshop, participants focused on three priority areas: boosting entrepreneurship, promoting regenerative tourism, and increasing agricultural productivity. These themes align closely with Bhutan's national development goals and key UN Tenzing, Secretary of GovTech Agency in Bhutan, stated, 'While AI offers remarkable conveniences, its true potential lies in driving transformative solutions that deliver meaningful and inclusive impact. The 'AI for Development' workshop presents a timely opportunity to explore, through strategic dialogue and knowledge exchange between Bhutan and the UAE, how AI can accelerate Bhutan's socio-economic transformation in ways that align with our national values and priorities. May this mark the beginning of many meaningful and enduring collaborations between our two nations in shaping a responsible and forward-looking AI future.'On the sidelines of the workshop, the UAE delegation was honoured to receive an audience with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan. His Majesty highly commended the UAE's efforts in the fields of advanced technology and space, as well as the workshop, led by all participating entities, which reflects great opportunities for further cooperation in these success of the Thimphu workshop underscores the UAE's evolving role as a strategic partner to the Global South, championing collaborative approaches to frontier technologies and capacity building. The UAE delegation included Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister for Advanced Science and Technology; Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bhutan; Muath Alwari, Policy Planning Director; and representatives from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and G42.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cambodia urges investors to remain calm, trust govt, as US tariff negotiations ongoing
PHNOM PENH: A senior Cambodian government official has called on all investors to remain patient and allow working groups to continue reciprocal tariff negotiations with the United States. His call followed the lowering of proposed US tariffs on Cambodian imports from 49% to 36%. The latest tariffs, announced by the administration of President Donald Trump, are set to take effect on Aug 1. Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), made the appeal during a July 8 press conference, held at the CDC headquarters. He urged all factory/business owners and investors in Cambodia to remain calm and trust the Royal Government as it seeks further solutions regarding the newly adjusted US tariffs. 'I want to take this opportunity to call on companies with factories in Cambodia to stay calm. The government of Cambodia has all the capabilities to protect employers, employees and our national interests,' he said. According to Chanthol, the 36% tariff rate will officially take effect on Aug 1, unless further negotiations with the US are held. However, Cambodia is already prepared, whether to negotiate directly in the US or online, to try to further reduce the rate below 36% and expand trade opportunities between the two countries. According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), in the first five months of 2025, Cambodia-US trade reached $4.48 billion, a 27% increase, with exports from Cambodia valued at $4.35 billion (up 27%) and US imports at $120 million (up 25.6%). In 2024, Cambodia-US trade totalled $10.18 billion, up 11.2%, with Cambodian exports to the US at $9.9 billion (up 11.4%) and US imports at $264.14 million (up 2.7%). Chanthol noted that despite rising tariffs from the US government against many countries globally, Cambodia continues to attract growing foreign investment. From January to July 4, the CDC approved 396 investment projects with a total value of approximately $6 billion, creating about 271,000 jobs. This figure is close to the 414 investment projects approved in 2024. He emphasised that Cambodia still has opportunities to attract more direct investment. Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, told The Post on July 9 that the US government's decision to reduce reciprocal tariffs from 49% to 36% represents a major diplomatic success for Cambodia. He noted that while most other countries saw only minor improvements or even increases in tariffs, Cambodia achieved a significant reduction. 'This is a great achievement for Cambodia. While many Asian countries face similar or even higher tariffs, the US tariff increases will make goods in the US market more expensive. This could impact American consumers and potentially open more room for further negotiations,' he said. 'Although the tariff hikes will impact Cambodia, the country also has strong export markets in Europe, the UK, the Middle East and RCEP countries,' he added. On Vietnam's 20% tariff rate, Heng acknowledged that the lower rate benefits Vietnam, but he believes it will not significantly harm Cambodia's export sector, especially in garments and textiles. In fact, in the past two-three years, some Vietnamese factories have relocated to Cambodia due to rising labour costs in Vietnam. At the same time, Vietnam's industry is shifting from textiles to mid-tier industries like electronics and component manufacturing. 'Therefore, Vietnam's lower tariff rate won't have a major negative impact on Cambodia's exports (especially garments) to the US,' he said. With extensive experience in agricultural investment, Heng added that Vietnam's low tariffs could actually boost demand for raw materials and semi-finished products from Cambodia, particularly agricultural goods, which Vietnamese companies could process further for re-export to the US. Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), said that despite the recent success in negotiating a tariff cut with the US, the Cambodian government remains committed to further discussions to gain additional benefits. 'Cambodia still has around three weeks left to negotiate further with the US — this could include easing import conditions, increasing purchase orders or facilitating American businesses wishing to operate in Cambodia — before the 36% tariff officially takes effect on August 1,' he noted. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
News18
14-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bhutan Holds Special Prayer For Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims, Saudi Prince Offers Condolences
Last Updated: Bhutan held a special prayer ceremony at the Grand Kuenrey of the Tashichodzong in memory of the deceased victims of the June 12 Ahmedabad plane crash. Bhutan held a special prayer ceremony at the Grand Kuenrey of the Tashichodzong, a prominent Buddhist monastery located in the capital Thimpu, in memory of all the lives lost in the Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12. The London-bound AI 171 flight departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm on June 12, but within minutes, it crashed into a medical hostel, resulting in an overwhelming loss of lives. Of the 242 people on board, only one managed to survive, while 38 people were killed on the ground, taking the death toll to 279. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife Jetsun Pema Wangchuck attended the special prayer ceremony and lit a thousand butter lamps, according to an official statement. They conveyed heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India. Bhutan's Prime Minister, Chairman of the Royal Privy Council, the Ambassador of India to Bhutan, members of the diplomatic community, senior officials of the Royal Government, and officials of the Government of India were also present at the ceremony. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. Among the deceased was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani who was on his way to London to meet his family. World leaders mourned the devastating tragedy in Ahmedabad. A moment of silence for victims of the plane disaster was held on Saturday at a London birthday parade for King Charles III, in which some members of the royal family also wore black armbands. The king, 76, requested amendments to the parade, known as Trooping the Colour, 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy", a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told AFP. Saudi Crown Prince Offers Condolences To PM Modi Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victims of the passenger plane crash. He expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Prime Minister, families of the victims, and people of India, while wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, according to an official statement. The flight, destined for London Gatwick Airport (LGW), carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The tragic incident occurred around 1.39 pm local time (08.09 GMT) on Thursday. Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, said that the London-bound flight took off at 1.39 pm and crashed at a distance of 2 km from the airport. He confirmed that the pilot sent a Mayday call to the Air Traffic Controller; however, as the ATC tried to contact the plane, no response was received. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday said that the black box of the aircraft has been recovered and the findings of the report will ascertain how the plane fell from the sky shortly after takeoff. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ahmedabad Plane Crash bhutan Saudi crown prince Location : Thimphu, Bhutan First Published: June 14, 2025, 20:14 IST News world Bhutan Holds Special Prayer For Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims, Saudi Prince Offers Condolences
The Star
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Border issues with Thailand require patience and determination, says Cambodian PM
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that resolving border issues is complex and must be approached with patience and persistence and through legal and diplomatic channels. On Saturday (May 31), he spoke to about 1,600 Cambodians living, working, and studying in Tokyo, Japan. The Prime Minister emphasised that border demarcation should be managed by the countries' designated border committees rather than through military conflict. Referring to the clash that occurred on Wednesday, he warned that if the situation had not been addressed quickly, the death toll could have risen from one to potentially one hundred, and the conflict could have spread along the entire border. He also indicated that taking border disputes to international court should be considered only as a last resort, stating, 'Once it reaches the court, negotiations will no longer be possible.' Furthermore, the Prime Minister strongly disapproved of opposition claims suggesting that the Royal Government allowed the Thai army to fire on Cambodian troops in order to distract the public from online crime issues. He condemned attempts to demoralise Cambodian forces during this sensitive time. 'This is a moment for national unity,' he said. 'We must support and uplift our soldiers who are risking their lives to protect the territorial integrity of our homeland,' questioning the opposition's intentions behind their efforts to sow division between army generals and frontline soldiers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Royal Government's commitment, alongside the Ministry of National Defence and the Cambodian Armed Forces, to peacefully resolve border disputes and to safeguard Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. - Khmer Times
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk investment incentive programme continues to grow
Many building projects in Sihanoukville have remained abandoned since the Covid-19 outbreak. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ANN PHNOM PENH: An additional 10 investment projects with a total capital of US$154 million will receive special incentives from the Royal Government under the 'Special Investment Promotion Programme in Preah Sihanouk Province'. This brings the total number of projects benefiting from the programme to 297. The latest projects were approved during the 16th meeting of the programme's working group, held at the Ministry of Economy and Finance headquarters on Thursday (May 29). The meeting was chaired by ministry secretary of state Hean Sahib, head of the group. During the meeting, he briefed attendees on the current state of global trade policy and the protection of domestic industries, which have led to a rise in trade barriers and are impacting the Kingdom's exports, as well as industrial development and investment. He explained that despite these challenges, the government remains committed to improving the business environment to attract and boost investment in Preah Sihanouk through a strategy of 'retaining existing investors and attracting new ones', as well as resolving issues through the One Window Service Office system. 'This situation has created momentum for Cambodia to continue economic diversification and attract investment from other countries by doubling efforts to improve the business environment and draw in investors,' he said. Projects approved to join the programme will receive a number of incentives, privileges and procedural facilitation within the framework of the programme, which will continue to be implemented until the end of 2025. According to the meeting, four of the ten newly approved projects are related to stalled building construction, while four are entirely new. One is for the expansion of a previous operation, while one is an existing project. With a total investment of $154 million, the ten projects have the potential to create around 1,200 jobs. The projects include factories, commercial buildings, general education institutions, floating ports, hotels and residential buildings. According to the working group, since the programme began in 2024, 297 investment projects have been approved. They have a total estimated capital of $7.029 billion and will create approximately 53,000 jobs. In June, the working group plans to inspect around 30 proposed projects. The group is continuing to encourage businesspeople and investors to apply for special benefits, such as tax incentives, administrative facilitation and procedural easing related to investment. Im Senghour, head of Century 21 Zillion Holding's Sihanoukville branch, told The Post on May 29 that after a sharp downturn during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the construction, real estate, tourism and overall economy of Preah Sihanouk began to show signs of recovery in 2024. He added that government policies aimed at revitalising the economy in the province are starting to yield positive results, particularly by reviving previously stalled activities. 'The 'Special Investment Promotion Programme in Preah Sihanouk Province' is gradually bringing progress, although its impact is not yet strong, as all of this still depends on the global economic situation,' he acknowledged. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
