Saudi-Iraq to open border points, set up consulate

Saudi Gazette
October 23, 2017

Riyadh, Oct 23: Saudi Arabia and Iraq agreed on Sunday to open border points and set up a Saudi consulate in Iraq.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the first Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, the two countries announced their decision to develop ports, roads and border zones as well as to carry out studies about establishing a trade exchange zone.

The two sides will also review the agreement for customs cooperation between the two countries. Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi and Iraq’s Minister of Planning and Commerce Dr. Salman Al-Jumaili were among the senior officials who addressed the meeting.

The meeting took a raft of decisions aimed at improving the entire gamut of bilateral ties. The decisions included opening an office of the Saudi Industrialization & Energy Services Company (TAQA) and reopening of the SABIC office in Iraq. It is also agreed that the Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Company (SALIC) will obtain a license to invest in Iraq in the agricultural field from the Anbar Investment Commission. Saudi Arabia would take advantage from the economic cities available in Iraq to be an agricultural and industrial source that contribute to enhancing agricultural investment to achieve food security for the two countries.

The two sides stressed the need to work together to bring down the obstacles and boost exports between the two countries. The council agreed to develop the partnership between the private sector in the two countries and to allow businessmen to identify trade and investment opportunities. The two sides would encourage the exchange of technical and scientific expertise and scientific research between the two countries.

As part of the promotion of bilateral relations, it was agreed that Saudi Arabia would participate in exhibitions in Iraq, including the Baghdad International Fair, the Basra Oil and Gas Exhibition, and the Business and Investment Forum, which brings together Saudi businessmen with their Iraqi counterparts.The two sides discussed the priorities of the work of the council during the next two years and agreed to hold its second meeting in Baghdad.

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News Network
May 21,2020

May 21: Mosques across the UAE will remain closed during Eid Al Fitr, a top official has said. The Takbeer, which is chanted before the special prayers performed on Eid, will be broadcast from mosques 10 minutes before the prayer time.

During the virtual press briefing held on Wednesday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE health sector, reminded citizens and expats about the importance of adhering to the safety measures as laid out by the authorities.

Contact tracing process

"Before we began to use Al Hosn app to trace the contacts of Covid-19 cases, the tracking process used to take more than 48 hours. It also depended on the memory and honesty of people. The app is an AI-enabled methodological way to trace individuals who came in contact with Covid-19 cases so that they are isolated. It has proven to be an efficient way to stop the spread of the coronavirus," Dr Farida said.

Install the app

She called on all the public to install the app on their smart phones. "The success of the tracing system via Al Hosn app relies on its use. We hope 50 to 70 per cent of people in the UAE instal and use the app in an effective way."

No sermon

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Spokesperson for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said there will be no sermon for the Eid prayers.

He called on everyone to welcome Eid with joy and positivity and to stay connected with their loved ones via social media.

Mass testing

Dr Amna Al Dahhak Al Shamsi, the official spokesperson of the UAE Government, said mass testing continues across the country.

She stressed on the importance of adhering to precautionary measures and cooperating with the authorities.

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Agencies
May 25,2020

Abu Dhabi, May 25: Dusty weather to persist in the UAE on Monday as well with a chance of rainfall in parts of the country, the national Met department reported.

According to the NCM, the weather today will be fair to partly cloudy, with a chance of some convective clouds formation by afternoon - eastward and northward - extending to some internal areas that may be associated with some rainfall.

The weather will get humid by night and Tuesday morning over some coastal areas.

NCM predicts a wet Eid break.

Sharjah Police issued a weather warning as heavy rain flooded roads in Sharjah's Kalba among other areas.

Moderate to fresh winds will gain strength during the day causing blowing dust and sand.

The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea.

Earlier on Sunday, a weather alert was issued by authorities as moderate to heavy rain - accompanied with hail - lashed parts of the UAE. A rainbow in Dubai skies cheered up residents, celebrating a unique Eid this year amid the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic - by mostly staying home.

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News Network
January 16,2020

Dubai, Jan 16: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on Wednesday announced that it has banned the import of birds, some eggs and meat products from Hungary and Slovakia.

The ministry said the decision was taken following a notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2, in the two countries.

Accordingly, the ministry has banned "the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from Hungary and Slovakia".

It has also regulated the import of poultry meat and non-heat-treated products, requiring a health certificate for the export of meat and meat products from the two countries to release consignments into the UAE.

A health certificate will be needed for the import of eggs, the ministry added.

However, thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Hungary and Slovakia.

Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Acting Director, Animal Development & Health Department at the ministry, said: "These measures reiterate the ministry's keenness in achieving its strategic objectives including enhancing bio-security levels and eliminating pathogens before they enter the country. In doing so, the ministry prevents the bird flu virus and related risks and impacts on the country's poultry health and safety, in addition to protecting public health and well-being."

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