• SHARJAH, 30th April, 2024 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), chaired the council meeting held in the office of the Ruler on Tuesday.
• During the meeting, the council discussed general government topics as part of its weekly monitoring of various affairs in the emirate of Sharjah. SEC reviewed the work progress in government departments and entities, and discussed plans and proposals that contribute to supporting all sectors and enhancing societal stability.
• The council issued a decision on Home Nursing Service in the emirate of Sharjah. The decision includes several amendments, such as increasing the total family income for beneficiaries of the home nursing service as Sharjah Social Services Department will contribute to covering a percentage of the service costs for families whose income exceeds AED 17,500 in order to provide opportunities for more beneficiaries and support the stability of Emirati families.
• The decision also states the establishment of a permanent medical committee in the emirate called the “Medical Committee for Home Nursing Service,” which will be under the supervision of Sharjah Social Services Department.
• The council will issue a decision to form the committee, appoint its chairman, name its members, determine their allowances, and establish its working system.
• The committee is responsible for the following:
• 1- Developing the conditions, regulations, categories, standards, and organised procedures for the home nursing service and determining the beneficiaries of the service in the emirate.
• 2- Approving medical reports issued by licensed and accredited hospitals and healthcare institutions in the country, determining the applicant’s need for temporary or permanent home nursing, specifying the coverage duration, and the required nursing services based on the approved conditions and requirements.
• 3- Evaluating the continuity of home nursing service for beneficiaries every six months from the start of the service, based on the reports submitted to the committee.
• 4- Establishing the conditions and regulations for suspending and cancelling the home nursing service for beneficiaries.
• 5- Investigating on medical and technical complaints on the home nursing service, and addressing violations committed by service providers.
• 6- Undertaking any other tasks assigned by the council.

ABU DHABI, 30th April, 2024 (WAM) — UAE banks’ investments exceeded the AED650 billion mark by the end of February 2024, reaching its highest level in history, according to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

Statistics from the Central Bank, released in today’s Banking Indicators Report, showed a 20.6 percent year-on-year increase in investments of banks operating in the country, reaching AED652.7 billion by the end of February 2024, compared to about AED541.4 billion in February 2023, an increase equivalent to AED111.3 billion over 12 months.

According to the Central Bank, bank investments increased by 2 percent on a monthly basis compared to AED640.1 billion in January 2024, an increase equivalent to AED12.6 billion in one month. Additionally, they increased by about 2.9 percent since the beginning of the current year, or the equivalent of AED18.3 billion, compared to about AED634.4 billion at the end of the previous year.

As of the maturity date, held-to-maturity bonds accounted for the largest share of bank investments, reaching approximately 49.1 percent with a value of AED320.6 billion by the end of February 2024. This represented a monthly increase of 3.02 percent and a yearly increase of about 39.2 percent.

Banks’ investments in securities representing debts to others, specifically “debt bonds,” constituted around 40.9 percent of total investments, reaching AED267 billion by the end of February 2024. This marked a monthly increase of about 1.3 percent and a yearly increase of 7.3 percent.

Bank investments in stocks reached AED15.8 billion in February 2024, indicating a yearly increase of approximately 31.7 percent compared to AED12 billion in February 2023. However, there was a monthly decrease of 1.25 percent compared to around AED16 billion in January 2024.

Other investments for banks amounted to approximately AED49.3 billion at the end of February 2024, which is the same figure recorded in the previous month of January.

ABU DHABI, 30th April, 2024 (WAM) – The Joint Weather and Tropical Assessment Team have met to discuss recent weather developments and their potential impact on the country.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) led the meeting, which included representatives from the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) and other competent government departments.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining business continuity plans and closely monitoring the ongoing weather situation to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions.

The NCM reported that the current weather event is less severe than the previous one, expecting country to experience local convective rain clouds during the day from today, Tuesday, until tomorrow, Wednesday. There is a possibility of small hail falling in the eastern regions and extending to some internal and western regions. From Wednesday night to Thursday, the NCM expects moderate to heavy rain to fall in scattered areas, accompanied by occasional lightning and thunder. There is also a possibility of small hail, concentrated in the western regions, on the coasts, and in some eastern areas.

On Friday and Saturday, cloud quantities will decrease, with the possibility of continuing light to medium rain, which may be heavy in some southern and eastern regions.

For their part, the MoI affirmed that the Supreme Committee for Internal Security, headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry, is maintaining full coordination with the Joint Weather and Tropical Assessment Team, continuously monitoring the developments and updates of the weather situation, to assess all expected impacts of the situation and its consequences on the areas that may be affected by the country, especially since the country is passing through the recovery phase from the previous weather situation.

The Ministry pointed out that it has taken all proactive measures to support response operations, with the necessary resources and capabilities in the areas that are likely to be affected by the weather situation, which is expected to have a moderate to high impact on different parts of the country, in addition to the readiness of response plans and business continuity plans for vital sectors.

Prioritising the safety of the community and protecting lives and property, the MoI urges the public to exercise caution, adhere to safety standards and guidelines, comply with the directives of the competent authorities, refrain from circulating rumours, and rely on official sources for information.

In preparation for the weather conditions, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of infrastructure, notably roads, as well as the safety of dams, while enhancing their efficiency in water storage. These measures include draining water to reduce pressure and accommodate new rainfall, and cleaning water drains. The Ministry affirmed that the advanced systems and modern technologies used in dam management play a vital role in enhancing their efficiency and enabling rapid decision-making during the monitoring of rainwater flows, floods, and flash floods in valleys.

The Ministry further emphasised the utilisation of modern technology in the process of analysing and calculating water flow rates, quantities, and depths with high accuracy. This data is then transmitted to the Ministry’s control and monitoring unit for processing and analysis.

SHARJAH, 28th April, 2024 (WAM) — Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has engaged in high-level discussions with an economic delegation from Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) to explore potential avenues of investment cooperation between the two sides.
The discussions delved into the viable opportunities available to foster economic partnerships between the two nations, outlining strategic areas of collaboration that cater to the needs of businessmen and investors in both Sharjah and Hong Kong.
During a meeting held at the SCCI’s headquarters on the sidelines of the Hong Kong delegation’s visit, both sides also discussed ways to enhance and boost joint efforts in key potential economic sectors, with a particular focus on renewable energy, technology, real estate, and e-commerce.
The meeting was attended by HE Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and HE Jonathan Lamport, Chairman of the Asia, Africa, and Middle East Committee at HKGCC.
Also present were Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector in SCCI; Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of Corporate Communication Department at SCCI, and Hamad Al Shamsi, Regional Investment Promotion Manager at Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Office “Invest in Sharjah”.
The gathering also welcomed a number of government officials and representatives of Sharjah government agencies and institutions, alongside a crowd of businessmen from leading commercial, food, and industrial firms in the UAE and Hong Kong.
The visiting Hong Kong delegation featured representatives from various specialised companies operating in key strategic sectors, including renewable energy, real estate, food, financial services, building materials, healthcare, e-commerce, architectural engineering, and textile manufacturing.
Al Awadi emphasised that the meeting underscores the Sharjah Chamber’s steadfast commitment to bolster economic ties and trade exchange between the Emirate of Sharjah and global markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
He noted that the Sharjah Chamber seeks to attract Hong Kong-based companies to establish operations in Sharjah, thereby contributing to the cultivation of robust bilateral relations between the UAE and Hong Kong, which have experienced significant growth in recent years.
In the first half of 2023, the trade volume between the UAE and Hong Kong reached $7.98 billion, witnessing a notable growth of 8.3% compared to the corresponding period of the preceding year (2022).
For his part, HE Jonathan Lamport lauded the Sharjah Chamber for the warm welcome and reception it extended to the Hong Kong delegation during their visit to the emirate, reinforcing Sharjah’s stature as a pivotal economic and commercial hub, both regionally and globally, and as a preferred destination for the Hong Kong business community, in particular.
He elucidated that the Asia, Africa, and Middle East Committee, which is affiliated with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, is entrusted with introducing programmes, information, and insights to its members who seek to develop and enhance trade relations with countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Underscoring the significance of the Sharjah Chamber meeting with the Hong Kong delegation, HE Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi pointed out that it served as a distinguished platform to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations.
It also helped businessmen and investors from both sides implement joint projects and ventures. This, in turn, would foster trade exchange between the two countries, facilitating the establishment of leading partnerships in various economic sectors.
Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi affirmed that Sharjah offers manifold strategic advantages for Hong Kong-based businesses to expand into the region’s markets. These advantages include lucrative investment incentives and promising opportunities tailored to businessmen and investors worldwide, empowering them to attain further success and progress within the emirate’s domain.
During the meeting, Hamad Al Shamsi, Regional Investment Promotion Manager at Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Office “Invest in Sharjah”, showcased to the Hong Kong delegation and business leaders the premium investment opportunities available in the Emirate of Sharjah.
He outlined key sectors offering lucrative prospects to attract foreign investments and startups from around the world to the emirate’s markets. These sectors encompass tourism, culture, logistics, green technology, healthcare, human capital and innovation, advanced manufacturing, and agricultural technology.
Hamad Al Shamsi added that the Emirate of Sharjah, which hosts around 60,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, secured foreign investments amounting to $291.20 million in 2022.