Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development is in the process of implementing a new initiative encouraging small and medium-sized companies to promote locally-made products, particularly healthcare supplies that could help to stop the spread of Covid-19. It also urged local and federal government entities to buy locally-produced supplies.
The initiative is aimed at boosting the use of locally-made products, while encouraging firms to sell them to government entities, according to the department's under-secretary, Rashed Al Balooshi.
The department has already begun working with local companies producing personal protective equipment, buying 250,000 surgical masks of a total of 1.1 million that are being supplied to federal and local governments.
Mr Al Balooshi "called on all government entities to take advantage of these locally- produced supplies which were made by companies operating and registered in Abu Dhabi", the department said in a statement on Saturday, adding that such a move would boost the private sector's contribution to the emirate's economy.
The department is developing a list of local businesses operating in Abu Dhabi that produce healthcare and precautionary supplies that local, federal and semi-government bodies can buy from.
This would not only support local firms and ensure their continuity, it would also contribute to government efforts in curbing the spread of the virus, the statement said.
SMEs make up more than 94 per cent of companies in the UAE and provide jobs for over 86 per cent of the country's private sector workforce, according to the Ministry of Economy.
The number of new economic licences issued in Abu Dhabi grew 63.9 per cent last year, with commercial licences making up the bulk of these, according to statistics produced in March by the Abu Dhabi Business Centre. A further 80,477 licences were also renewed, bringing the total number of economic licences registered in the emirate last year to 172,577.
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Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Andy Murray - hip
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Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
