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Hong Kong’s trade office in Dubai to strengthen ties with GCC: HKETO chief

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Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Director General Damian Lee has said that a potential free trade agreement between the city and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will further strengthen ties between the two sides.

Damian Lee was speaking ahead of the opening of HKETO’s first overseas office in the Middle East. HKETO’s office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is designed to consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s economic and trade relations with trading partners across the GCC.

The new HKETO offices are being opened days after Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam set out the government’s priorities, which included exploring the possibility of forging free trade agreements (FTAs) and investment deals with countries in the Middle East.

The HKETO’s director general said that last year, the total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the GCC surged to $13 billion, out of which the UAE accounted for nearly 70 percent ($9.5bn) trade.

Lee called it the right time to open an office in the region to promote trade and other interaction between Hong Kong and the six GCC member countries.

Lee pointed out that there was a 70 percent increase in the number of start-ups in Hong Kong from 2017 to 2021 and there have been 12 unicorns – a privately held start-up company valued at over $1 billion – over this period.

While, in a bid to entice family offices to Hong Kong, Lam has previously declared that tax concessions would be considered.

According to Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong has been identified as having the highest untapped potential market for jewellery products originating in the UAE, currently worth $1.1 billion.

Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is a market of about seven million people and being a gateway to mainland China, it also has very strong relations with other Asian countries.

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Traffic disruption expected this weekend in Abu Dhabi

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Motorists in Abu Dhabi are being advised to expect delays this weekend after Abu Dhabi Mobility announced a partial closure on Arabian Gulf Street (E20).

According to officials, the closure affects the left lane heading towards Abu Dhabi and is part of ongoing traffic and infrastructure improvement works across the capital.

The temporary closure began at 12am on Friday, May 8, and will remain in effect until 5am on Monday, May 11.

Authorities have urged drivers to plan journeys ahead of time, allow for extra travel time and follow directional signs in the affected area to avoid congestion.

The latest traffic update comes as Abu Dhabi continues infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety across key routes in the emirate.

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Abu Dhabi introduces new restrictions for delivery riders on highways

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Delivery riders in Abu Dhabi will soon face new road restrictions aimed at improving safety and easing traffic flow across key highways in the capital.

From May 15, authorities will ban delivery riders from using roads with speed limits of 120kph or higher, according to an announcement by Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility.

The new rule also applies to a busy stretch of Sheikh Zayed Street between Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Tunnel.

Officials said the move is designed to enhance road safety and improve traffic movement on some of the emirate’s most heavily used routes.

The decision follows similar measures introduced in Dubai last year, where delivery riders were restricted from using fast lanes on major highways.

Under Dubai’s rules, riders are not allowed to use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more. On roads with three or four lanes, the leftmost lane is also off limits.

Authorities across the UAE have increasingly focused on delivery rider safety as the sector continues to grow rapidly alongside demand for food delivery and e-commerce services.

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Education

CBSE issues urgent deadline for schools on new language rule

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India has asked all affiliated schools to urgently speed up the rollout of the third language (R3) for Class VI students ahead of the 2026–27 academic year.

In a fresh directive, CBSE said several schools are yet to complete the required process under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, while some institutions have submitted language options that do not comply with policy guidelines.

May 31 deadline for schools

The Board has now made it compulsory for all schools, including schools in UAE, to upload and finalise their third-language selections on the OASIS portal by May 31.

Schools that entered incorrect or non-approved language options have also been instructed to correct their submissions before the deadline.

Textbooks to arrive by July

The Board said textbooks for scheduled Indian languages will be available on the CBSE and National Council of Educational Research and Training platforms from July 1.

For non-scheduled languages, schools can use SCERT or state-approved textbooks, provided they align with the learning outcomes set under NCFSE-2023.

Focus on Indian languages

The Board reiterated that schools must offer at least two Indian languages under the R1, R2 and R3 language structure. Institutions that have not yet begun implementation have been directed to start teaching on July 1.

Push for full implementation

With timelines now clearly defined, CBSE is increasing pressure on schools to complete all pending formalities before the new academic session begins.

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