UAE Non-Oil Business Activity Surges to Nine-Month High in December

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 The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector recorded its fastest expansion in nine months in December 2024, buoyed by strong domestic demand and increased business activity, according to the latest S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report. PMI Highlights Robust Growth The seasonally adjusted UAE PMI climbed to 55.4 in December from 54.2 in November, signaling robust growth well above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction. This marked the third consecutive monthly increase, underscoring sustained recovery in the non-oil sector. Key drivers of growth included a notable rise in new business activity. The new orders subindex rose sharply to 59.3 in December from 58.0 in the previous month, reflecting strong domestic demand. Challenges Amid the Growth While domestic demand flourished, export growth slowed, with the export orders subindex dropping to a seven-month low. Additionally, businesses faced mounting backlogs due to capacity constraints,...

COVID-19: UAE leads the world with its humanitarian efforts


   With its humanitarian aid in the global fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, the United Arab Emirates has emerged a benevolent role model for the world. The UAE is leading the world by providing emergency relief aid and medical supplies to over 50 countries that are facing socio-economic ramifications due to the global health emergency. From Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Croatia to India, UK, Italy, and Bangladesh, UAE's humanitarian aid including tonnes of medical equipment, masks, ventilators, PPE kits, and food packets have provided support and assistance to millions of health care workers and impoverished people across the globe. The UAE has partnered with the UN World Food Programme to tackle the hunger problem amid COVID-19 battle. In partnership with WFP, the UAE has launched international air operations to provide food and health supplies to multiple nations.

According to state news agency WAM, the UAE has so far provided over 658 metric tons of humanitarian and medical aid to 57 countries in response to the COVID-19 crises. This aid has supported more than 658,000 medical professionals in the process.

Among many countries, the UAE sent 32 tonnes of medical supplies and relief material to Iran. Sudan has received almost 136 tonnes of medical aid to assist its health sector from the Emirates. 

Earlier in May, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered an aid flight for the delivery of ventilators and other critical supplies to Somalia in collaboration with the WHO and UNHRC. In April, UAE's aid aircraft delivered 13 tonnes of medical supplies to one of the hardest pandemic-hit nation Italy. Besides providing essential medical and food supplies, the UAE has also assisted multiple embassies in repatriating of thousands foreign tourists who got stuck in various parts of the Emirates during the lockdown.

Not only the UAE government has received praise from these nations, but international institutions such as the World Health Organisation and United Nations have also commended the Emirates for its extraordinary efforts in reaching out to the countries in need during the difficult time. Recently, WFP chief David Beasley had thanked the UAE leadership for support in setting up a regional hospital to help Africa.

Notably in 2019, through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the country touched over 71 million lives across 108 countries with the help of several humanitarian and social projects and relief campaigns. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) acknowledged the humanitarian efforts of the UAE in mitigating the implications of the pandemic and recognizing the Emirates as one of the biggest aid donors in the world.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also hailed the country's leadership for its humanitarian assistance to the world governments in times of adversity.

"While addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE has taken the initiative in standing by friendly and sisterly nations in their efforts to survive the crisis," he had said in a statement.
Certainly, the UAE authorities have earned praised for their tireless efforts to sustain the needy during the critical time and boosting international cooperation with its humanitarian aid in combating COVID-19.

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