Category Archives: Govt

NEOM opened its first U.S. office in New York City which will serve as a base for NEOM’s business across the United States. NEOM’s latest international office at 50 Hudson Yards in Manhattan follows the launch of its London office in November 2023. Honored guest, HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, attended the official opening at the invitation of Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, who hosted the occasion, and addressed the distinguished guests and strategic partners in attendance. The New York City office will further strengthen existing relationships between NEOM and U.S. entities and present an opportunity to explore new partnerships and sources of investment from the United States. Close collaboration with innovative and world-leading U.S. industries, corporations, and investors, will accelerate NEOM’s efforts to address global challenges by redefining livability, business, and conservation. HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al Saud, said: “We are delighted for NEOM to open an office in New York. The potential impact of NEOM extends far beyond Saudi borders. By serving as a catalyst for innovation, sustainable development, and economic diversification, NEOM has the power to inspire similar initiatives around the world – driving positive change and serving as a blueprint for the cities of tomorrow.” Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “In order to continue to achieve the vision of NEOM, it is imperative that we work alongside global partners that can accelerate our efforts. We chose New York City as our second international NEOM office due to its position as a global capital for business and finance. NEOM has already established many investments and partnerships with U.S. entities, and through this office, we intend to build our relationships …

VFS Global  has entered an agreement with the Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia, to provide visa application services through a centre operated within the premises of the Ministry of Commerce headquarters in Riyadh. Through this partnership, VFS Global will cater to about 8000 employees and delegates, as well as personnel of subsidiary government institutions under the Ministry. In keeping with its commitment to making people’s cross border mobility simple and convenient through highly secure, reliable, efficient, and innovative technology solutions, applicants can also opt for the Visa At Your Doorstep* service to have trained professionals visit a location of choice to complete the visa application process. The agreement was signed in the presence of Eng. Mohammed A. Al. Alwaily, Deputy Minister for Shared Services, Ministry of Commerce.  Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO, VFS Global said, “It is an honour to have entered this strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce. We are very pleased to offer this dedicated Visa Application Centre service to the employees and associates of the Ministry, to further enhance their visa application experience in a seamless, convenient and secure manner. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to this great nation.” This partnership adds to VFS Global’s expansive network of collaborations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which includes agreements with Aramco, Neom, and Chambers of Commerce across the country, cementing its position as the trusted partner to client governments, with an extensive global net-work and reach.  

In January 2024, Qatar recorded the reception of 702,800 visitors, marking the highest monthly level of visitor entries ever. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries took the lead in terms of the total number of visitors, accounting for 53% of the overall visitor count. These numbers coincide with the significant event at the beginning of the year, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™️. Qatar presents a diverse tourism scene that blends cultural heritage with modernity and development. The country offers visitors various experiences catering to all tastes, from cultural exploration to sports and adventure, as well as artistic exhibitions and educational conferences.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced today the launch of “Alat”: a PIF company, to create a national champion that will contribute to the aim of making Saudi Arabia a global hub for sustainable technology manufacturing that focuses on advanced technologies and electronics. Alat will focus on manufacturing products that serve local and international markets within seven key strategic business units: advanced industries and semiconductors, as well as smart appliances, smart health, smart devices and smart buildings, in addition to next generation infrastructure. The company, chaired by HRH Crown Prince, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Saudi technology sector, increase its contribution to local content – benefiting from the rapid development of this sector – increasing the nation’s attractiveness and its ability to create investment opportunities. Alat will also enable the private sector through its strategic partnerships with leading international players in manufacturing and technology, which will enhance the economic ecosystem locally and regionally. The company will build partnerships to enable the transformation of the industrial sector globally, by providing sustainable industrial solutions based on clean energy sources. These partnerships will help meet commercial demand, keep pace with the needs of the next generation of manufacturing, enhance the strength of local supply chains and contribute to making Saudi Arabia a global center for advanced technological manufacturing. Alat will manufacture more than 30 product categories that will serve vital sectors. These include robotic systems, communication systems, advanced computers and digital entertainment products, as well as advanced heavy machinery used in construction, building and mining. The company aims …

The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) reaffirmed its commitment to further developing the emirate’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector with the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China MICE Advisory Group at a signing ceremony recently at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The China MICE Advisory Group, a committee of key Chinese MICE trade partners and media, was established by ADCEB in 2019 to gain insights into MICE and business travel trends unique to the dynamic Chinese market. As the first-ever dedicated advisory committee in China created in partnership with ADCEB, its formation reflects ADCEB’s proactive approach to engaging with the growing outbound MICE sector from China. The China market ranks among Abu Dhabi’s top source markets for tourism and MICE, reflecting a strong bilateral relationship. As the demand for outbound MICE in China increases, approaching levels comparable to the country’s outbound leisure market, a substantial surge in outbound Chinese MICE is expected in 2024. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said, “Our thriving partnerships with China and a proven track record of attracting tourists and business travellers to Abu Dhabi underscores the strength of this partnership. This renewal will enable us to continue to share knowledge and strategically plan for our tourism future, in line with our commitment to promoting and preserving the emirate’s heritage, culture and tourism assets. Our continued collaboration empowers our efforts while significantly contributing to the growth of inbound visitors from China, solidifying Abu Dhabi as a destination of choice globally.” As part of Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to boost international MICE arrivals from China, the partnership aims to incentivise …

Sharjah Light Village opens to visitors from 1st February 1st 2024 ahead of the Sharjah Light Festival which begins from 7th to 18th February 2024. Last year Sharjah Light Village attracted over 180,000 visitors from across the globe. Speaking at the event, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared, “this year there are so many new immersive experiences and new small and medium enterprises joining us, almost 55 companies here located in the University City Hall in the Light Village and there are 12 locations in the Sharjah Light Festival in total across the emirate of Sharjah, the main city, Al Hamriyah and Khorfakkan and Kalba. Each location will give a different experience and different memory for our visitors from here and abroad and inshallah it will be forever. 15 international artistes participating in making these amazing installations and amazing artwork and video mapping in our iconic buildings in Sharjah and hope that our guests from everywhere from UAE and abroad enjoy their time during this month. ”  Personifying the rich heritage and culture of Sharjah to visitors and residents, Sharjah light festival will kick off in 12 iconic locations across the emirate. Year on year this event has become a key highlight which attracts tourists from across the globe. Various artists from different parts of the world participate and display their skills and they contribute immensely in terms of bringing out the rich heritage of the cultural emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah Light Festival continues on its journey of excellence and innovation, continuously updating its visions and ideas, developing the technologies it relies on, and adapting to new developments, in order to ensure sustainable, …

His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and members of ADNOC’s executive leadership team, joined Etihad Rail’s first rail journey that connects the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Dhannah. Once operational, the rail service, which is currently under development, will enable ADNOC’s staff and contractors to travel between the two destinations. Following the milestone rail journey, His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber toured ADNOC’s world-scale downstream and petrochemicals hub in Al Ruwais Industrial City, during which he was updated on strategic growth projects at Borouge 4, ADNOC Refining and the Ruwais LNG project. His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “ADNOC’s partnership with Etihad Rail is fully aligned with our strategic priorities to successfully implement transport solutions that contribute to the UAE’s development and future prosperity. In line with our leadership’s visionary directives and under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Head of the Office of Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families at the Presidential Court, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, the development of passenger rail services between Abu Dhabi City and Al Dhannah City aims to connect the UAE’s main centres of trade, industry, manufacturing, production, logistics and population. The Etihad Rail project is more than just a rail network, it will serve as a vital artery for economic growth and infrastructure development while driving decarbonisation, for the benefit of the UAE and its people. “I am proud of our world-class facilities in Al Ruwais Industrial City and the commitment and dedication of our staff, who are passionate to showcase our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. …

In his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued a law establishing the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will replace the Emirates Heritage Club and the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee – Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority’s key roles and responsibilities include developing strategies to preserve Emirati heritage and traditions; promoting traditional and national identity values within society; documenting heritage practices; and conducting studies and research on literature and traditions, in line with Abu Dhabi’s strategy for cultural heritage. Furthermore, the authority will support, foster and document Nabati and classical Arabic poetry initiatives, and review historical studies and publications focusing on the oral history of the emirate, as well as its spoken dialects, in addition to poems and written, visual and audio mate­rials on the UAE and its leadership. The authority aims to raise awareness regarding the UAE’s traditions and heritage, and highlight national identity and traditional values to enhance community cohesion. The authority will also manage and organise festivals, exhibitions and heritage programmes inside and outside the emirate through coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Sharjah government launched a brand new identity for the emirate developed according to the identification of the strengths and distinctive features of Sharjah, as well as its attractiveness for tourism, living, working, studying, and investing. It represents an open invitation to the world to explore the richness and diversity that Sharjah possesses, along with its tremendous opportunities and potential. It also provides a wide range of promising prospects across various cultural, educational, economic, social, and entertainment sectors. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, attended on Sunday at Al Noor Island , the launch of the new Sharjah identity, which reflects all its visual and cultural components, expresses its distinguished cultural and artistic heritage. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed was received upon his arrival at the ceremony for the launch of the new Sharjah identity by: Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Bin Saqer Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Department; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations (DGR) ; Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Districts and Villages Affairs Department; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department; Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, the Director of the Statistics and Community Development Department; Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of Tourism and Commerce Development Authority; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council and a number of senior officials, Heads and directors of government departments and a group of media professionals. On that occasion, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi said: “The new identity represents a …

Sur in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate  (Oman) was chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism for the year 2024, during the meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in its 26th session in Doha. Acting in cooperation with South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism  organised a media meeting during which it unveiled the executive programme of “Sur, Capital of Arab Tourism 2024”. The Ministry outlined the nomination file and criteria that led to the nomination of the Wilayat of Sur as the Capital of Arab Tourism.  (Oman News Agency) The South Al Sharqiyah Governorate Office said that the executive programme, which will kick off on 25 February, includes various events and activities aimed at highlighting the tourism value of the Wilayat of Sur, as well as its historical role in communicating with cultures and civilizations. The events and activities, which will run throughout the year, are aimed at making Sur a tourism attraction for visitors from the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, the office affirmed. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, credited the designation of Sur as the Capital of Arab Tourism 2024 to the efforts made by the Ministry and other departments concerned. Those efforts, he said, were in line with the tourism development plans. Submitted to the Arab Tourism Organisation, the Wilayat of Sur’s nomination file received the highest rating because it met specific criteria, which include tourism diversity, the availability of infrastructure and environment conservation, said Al Busaidi, noting that the Ministry lays emphasis on sustainability as the cornerstone of its future action. Al Busaidi added that the designation of Sur as the Capital …