UAE Plans to Double Re-Exports by 2030

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
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UAE Plans to Double Re-Exports by 2030

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)
Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing the cabinet session (WAM)

The UAE approved 24 national initiatives seeking to double its re-export by 100 percent within the seven coming years through benefiting from the 50 commercial offices worldwide.

The initiatives include the establishment of a national re-export committee, which mainly contributes to supporting an increase in re-export rates. They mainly focus on developing new specialized areas in coordination with local governments and a value-added program for re-export.

The initiatives were launched during a cabinet session chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed said: "We will double the country's re-export by developing specialized areas in cooperation with local governments, establishing the International Trade Links Center, launching supportive programs, and increasing foreign investments in the service sector.

The cabinet reviewed UAE's economic achievements during 2022 under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India.

The volume of non-oil trade between the two countries reached $21.5 billion by September 2022, achieving 23 percent growth in the same period in 2021 and 133 percent in 2020.

The volume of UAE non-oil exports to India recorded $5.3 billion in the same period, with a growth rate of 12 percent compared to the same period in 2021 and 154 percent compared to 2020.

"The meeting reviewed more than 19 initiatives to attract talent to the country. The UAE ranked second globally in the Competent Senior Managers indicator. Our goal is to attract the best talents in the world as we continue to empower and enable our Emirati talents and national cadres," according to Sheikh Mohammed.

The Vice President indicated that the session reviewed the Higher Commission Free Trade Negotiations results.

The UAE "signed four international agreements with four countries. The positive impact of international agreements is reflected clearly in the numbers of the UAE's foreign trade."

Sheikh Mohammed stated, "The meeting approved hosting the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conversation Congress (IUCN) in 2025, which attracts more than 10,000 experts from more than 160 countries. The UAE will remain a leading hub for sustainability, nature conservation, and protection."

The cabinet approved a new federal law to replace the Federal Law on Maritime Commercial law, a Federal Decree Law about reorganizing the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), in addition to a ministerial decision adopting the UAE's approach for aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (Drones) products and systems in the country.

During the meeting, the cabinet approved ratifying the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Türkiye and Côte d'Ivoire.

It also ratified the country's accession to the Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement, the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate.



Indian Refiners Avoid Russian Oil in Push for US Trade Deal

An employee walks inside the premises of an oil refinery of Essar Oil in Vadinar in the western state of Gujarat, India, October 4, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
An employee walks inside the premises of an oil refinery of Essar Oil in Vadinar in the western state of Gujarat, India, October 4, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
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Indian Refiners Avoid Russian Oil in Push for US Trade Deal

An employee walks inside the premises of an oil refinery of Essar Oil in Vadinar in the western state of Gujarat, India, October 4, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo
An employee walks inside the premises of an oil refinery of Essar Oil in Vadinar in the western state of Gujarat, India, October 4, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo

Indian refiners are avoiding Russian oil purchases for delivery in April and are expected to stay away from such trades for longer, refining and trade sources said, a move that could help New Delhi seal a trade pact with Washington, according to Reuters.

The US and India moved closer to a trade pact on Friday, announcing a framework for a deal they hope to conclude by March that would lower tariffs and deepen economic cooperation.

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Reliance Industries are not accepting offers from traders for Russian oil loading in March and April, said a trader who approached the refiners.

These refiners, however, had already scheduled some deliveries of Russian oil in March, refining sources said. Most other refiners have stopped buying Russian crude.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said: “Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy” to ensure energy security for the world's most-populous nation.

Although a US-India statement on the trade framework did not mention Russian oil, President Donald Trump rescinded his 25% tariffs on Indian goods, imposed over Russian oil purchases, because, he said, New Delhi had “committed to stop directly or indirectly” importing Russian oil.

New Delhi has not announced plans to halt Russian oil imports.

India became the top buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, spurring a backlash from Western nations that had targeted Russia's energy sector with sanctions aimed at curtailing Moscow's revenue and making it harder to fund the war.

One regular Indian buyer is Russia-backed private refiner Nayara, which relies solely on Russian oil for its 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery. Sources said Nayara may be allowed to keep buying Russian oil because other crude sellers pulled back after the European Union sanctioned the refiner in July.

Nayara also does not plan to import Russian crude in April due to a month-long refinery maintenance shutdown, a source familiar with its operations said.

Nayara did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Indian refiners may change their plan and place orders for Russian oil only if advised by the government, sources said.

Trump's order said US officials would monitor and recommend reinstating the tariffs if India resumed oil procurement from Russia.

Sources said last month that India was preparing to cut Russian oil imports below 1 million bpd by March, with volumes eventually falling to 500,000–600,000 bpd, compared with an average 1.7 million bpd last year. India's Russian oil imports topped 2 million bpd in mid-2025.

The intake of Russian oil by India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer and importer, declined to its lowest level in two years in December, data from trade and industry sources show.

 


IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
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IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies (EME) to enhance cooperation between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki, SPA reported.

The agreement aims to strengthen coordination in economic and financial policy areas, including surveillance and lending activities, data and analytical exchange, capacity building, and the provision of technical assistance, in support of regional financial and economic stability.

Both sides affirmed that the MoU represents an important step toward deepening their strategic partnership and strengthening the regional financial safety net, serving member countries and enhancing their ability to address economic challenges.


Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the formation of the first joint Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council for its inaugural term (1447–1451 AH) and the election of Salman bin Hassan Al-Oqayel as its chairman.

Al-Oqayel said the council’s formation marks a pivotal milestone in economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, reflecting a practical approach to enabling the business sectors in both countries to capitalize on promising investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral trade and investment partnerships, SPA reported.

He noted that trade between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reached approximately SAR9.5 billion by the end of November 2025, including SAR8 billion in Saudi exports and SAR1.5 billion in Kuwaiti imports.