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Gulfood: India signs MoU with UAE’s Lulu Group to push millets’ exports

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India’s millet exports to the UAE can expect a boost in numbers after retail giant Lulu Hypermarket LLC and the Indian government agency Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the World Trade Centre in Dubai on Tuesday.

The agreement is one of the highlights of the Gulfood 2023, the world’s largest annual food exhibition. The UAE is third-biggest importer of Indian products. India is promoting its range of wheat, rice, maize and many millet-related products as it observes 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

The MoU comes on the back of the CEPA agreement between the two countries, signed and improving by the day, to facilitate trade. Dr Tarun Bajaj, director at APEDA, and Saleem VI, chief operating officer of LuLu Group International (LLC) signed the MoU in the presence of the Ambassador of India Sunjay Sudhir, the APEDA chairman Dr M Angamuthu, Indian consul-general in Dubai Dr Aman Puri; and Lulu chairman MA Yusuff Ali.

India has exported millets worth US$46.05 million during April-November 2022. The new MoU will help Apeda reach the target of US$ 100 million for export of millets and its value-added products by 2025.

The LuLu Group International is a retail chain that operates 247 Lulu stores and 24 shopping malls across the GCC, Egypt, India and Far East. LuLu Group serves 1.2 million customers daily.

This year, the international trade show is focussing on export promotion of millets with trading partners from GCC, Asia, Africa and Europe participating in the event. A buyer-seller meet was also organised in the India Pavilion.

Apeda, which comes under the Ministry of Commerce of Government of India, is participating in 16 International Trade Fairs for export promotion of millets. The millets will be sourced from FPOs, FPCs, women and new entrepreneurs, start-ups, etc.

Apeda will also organise food sampling and tasting campaigns at the Lulu stores. Apeda will also assist Lulu in labelling the products according to the requirements of the importing countries.

Business

Dubai’s unified car rental contract explained: What residents and tourists must know

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is reinforcing stricter rules for car rentals across the emirate, and it’s good news for both residents and tourists.

At the heart of this move is a mandatory unified contract that all rental companies must follow. This contract standardises how rental agreements work, clearly laying out the rights and responsibilities of both renters and rental offices in a transparent way.

“We have also organised a series of awareness workshops for companies operating in the car rental sector across the emirate to familiarise them with the contract’s provisions, obligations, and implementation procedures,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA.

What this means for drivers

  • Same rules everywhere
    Whether you rent from a big brand or a small office, the same contract applies across Dubai, no more confusing or inconsistent terms.
  • Stronger consumer protection
    The contract ensures:
    • No hidden fees (like surprise toll charges)
    • No unfair charges during accident repairs
    • Mandatory refund of your security deposit within a set timeframe
  • Digital and secure process
    Rentals are handled through the Transport Activities Rental System (TARS), with:
    • Identity verification
    • OTP-based digital signatures
    • Secure, automated contracts
  • Proof of vehicle condition
    Photos are taken at pickup and return, protecting you from disputes over damage.
  • Better awareness for renters
    The system is designed to reduce complaints and help users, especially tourists, fully understand their rights before signing.

This move aligns with Dubai’s push to enhance trust and transparency in services, reinforcing its reputation as a well-regulated, customer-friendly destination.

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UAE denies claims of restrictions on investor funds, reaffirms open economy policy

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The UAE has firmly dismissed reports circulating on social media that suggest restrictions on investor funds, calling the claims inaccurate and misleading.

Officials clarified that there are no limits on the movement of capital or on foreign investors’ ability to manage and transfer their money. Authorities stressed that the country remains committed to maintaining an open, business-friendly environment aligned with international standards.

Commitment to investor confidence

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism reiterated that the UAE continues to support the free flow of capital, a key pillar in attracting global investment and ensuring long-term economic stability.

Officials emphasised that policies remain unchanged, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a reliable and transparent destination for businesses and investors.

Dubai reaffirms its position

In a statement shared on X, the Dubai Media Office also rejected the circulating claims, describing them as false. It highlighted that Dubai continues to stand as a leading global hub for business and investment, supported by a strong and resilient economy.

Call for accurate information

Authorities have urged the public and media outlets to rely on official sources when seeking information, warning against the spread of unverified claims online.

The clarification comes as the UAE contåinues to strengthen its position as a global financial and investment centre, built on openness, stability, and investor confidence.

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How UAE’s new banking plan will support businesses and individuals

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The Central Bank of the UAE has rolled out a new financial support package designed to keep banks strong and ensure they continue supporting and safeguarding the broader economy amid global and regional uncertainty.

The package was endorsed during a high-level board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the UAE leadership’s proactive approach to maintaining economic stability.

Built around five key pillars, the initiative is designed to provide banks with greater liquidity, enhanced flexibility, and temporary regulatory relief, ensuring they can continue to support businesses and individuals during uncertain times.

Under the new measures, banks will gain expanded access to liquidity, including the ability to utilise reserve balances and secure term funding in both dirhams and US dollars. This step is expected to keep credit flowing across key sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank has also introduced temporary easing of liquidity and funding requirements, giving financial institutions more room to continue lending. Capital buffer requirements will be relaxed as well, allowing banks to deploy excess capital to support economic activity.

Additionally, new provisions will offer greater flexibility in managing credit risk, including delaying the classification of certain loans affected by current market conditions—providing relief to borrowers facing temporary challenges.

Authorities emphasised that banks are expected to maintain lending and continue supporting customers as part of the UAE’s broader economic response strategy.

Despite global pressures, the UAE’s financial system has shown strong resilience. During its meeting, the Board confirmed that current market conditions have had no significant impact on the health of the banking sector or the efficiency of payment systems.

The Central Bank also highlighted the country’s robust financial position, with foreign exchange reserves exceeding AED 1 trillion and a strong monetary base. The UAE’s banking sector, valued at over AED 5.4 trillion, continues to demonstrate solid fundamentals.

With liquidity levels remaining high and reserves strong, the CBUAE reaffirmed its readiness to take further action if needed to protect financial stability and sustain economic growth.

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