UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The UAE government has launched the "Markets of Tomorrow" initiative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The initiative aims to develop new business accelerators that will prepare the UAE's national economy to embrace business activities focused on the new economy and boost its readiness to enter tomorrow's markets, utilizing the latest technological means.

The launch of the initiative is part of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the UAE Ministry of Economy and WEF's New Economy and Society Center.

The UAE government also announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The deal was signed in the presence of Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director & Head of the Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships, Member of the Executive Committee, WEF.

Al Olama stressed that the strategic partnership between the UAE government and WEF aims to serve communities by employing artificial intelligence, blockchain and various technologies of the future, and sharing innovative experiences and practices to provide supportive environments for the development of new ideas and projects that accelerate the process of scientific, technological, and cognitive progress.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said that the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution shapes new policies and strategies in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets, among others.



Israeli Assets Slide as Regional Tensions Escalate

New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File Photo
New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File Photo
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Israeli Assets Slide as Regional Tensions Escalate

New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File Photo
New Israeli Shekel banknotes and coins are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration/File Photo

The cost of insuring Israel's debt against default rose on Thursday, and its bond prices and stock indexes slid, as regional security concerns spiked and the country's own government wobbled.

Israel's five-year credit default swaps rose nine basis points (bps) from Wednesday's close, to reach 107 bps, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, while its international dollar bonds slid more than 1 cent, Reuters reported.

The 100-year issuance, which matures in 2120, shed more than 1.3 cents before retracing some of the loss to be bid at 67 cents on the dollar, Tradeweb data showed.

"A possibility of a more pronounced geopolitical deterioration may take its toll on the local economy and the fiscal deficit, and also make it more challenging for Bank of Israel to lower its rates later this year," said Ronen Menachem, chief markets economist with Mizrahi Tefahot Bank.

The United States has restricted government employees' travel outside certain Israeli cities, and pulled some personnel out of the Middle East, due to escalating tensions with Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu more time resolve its worst political crisis yet and avoid a ballot that polls suggest he would lose.Israel's parliament rejected early on Thursday a preliminary vote to dissolve itself, giving the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister

Israel's stocks also slid, with the blue-chip and the broader indexes down roughly 2%. The shekel currency fell just less than 1% versus the US dollar, to 3.56, but remained up 2% year to date.

Still, Menachem noted that local indexes are near all-time highs, and assets have rebounded from other recent security related declines.

Markets broadly moved into risk-off mode, with oil prices spiking and fixed income instruments in other emerging markets coming under downward pressure.