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This year is UAE’s best economically, says Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

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The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade grew to a record Dh1.239 trillion in the first half of 2023, a growth of 14.4 per cent compared to the same period last year with China, India and the US staying the top trading partners.

Announcing the achievement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “The UAE’s non-oil export continues to set unprecedented records as it rose 22 per cent with the top 10 global trading partners in 2023… The bilateral trade with Türkiye recorded one of the highest growth rates in the first half of 2023, with 87.4 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2022,”

Sheikh Mohammed also posted a message on the X (formerly Twitter) platform: “2023 will be the best economic year in the history of our country.”

CEPA, imports and exports

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade has seen a continued upward trend, achieving quarter-on-quarter growth since 2020. The growth is driven by multiple factors such as UAE’s investor-friendly policies and the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with many countries. This has also improved the country’s overall economic profile.

“The UAE will remain a major player in international trade, maintaining its position as a bridge linking the East with the West, and the North with the South,” added the UAE Vice-President.
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said these results coincide with the CEPA programme, which is deepening ties with key markets around the world – including India and Türkiye, two of largest export destinations. “We can anticipate new milestones as more CEPAs are signed,” said Al Zeyoudi.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, last year said the country aimed to sign 26 CEPAs in the coming few years to boost foreign trade with major partners.

Top trading partners

The Ministry of Economy said China has retained its position as the UAE’s leading global trading partner, followed by India, the US and Saudi Arabia. Türkiye, with whom the UAE signed a CEPA in March, came in fifth place, with Iraq, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, and Russia completing the top 10.
Overall, the UAE’s top ten trading partners witnessed a combined growth of 16.7 per cent in non-oil trade, while the rest of the markets accounted for 12.4 per cent growth.

Gold, aluminium, oils, cigarettes, copper wires and jewellery topped the list of the UAE’s most prominent exports. Gold exports registered the highest growth of 40.7 per cent to reach Dh218.3 billion.

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Paid parking around mosques in Dubai begins in August 

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Worshippers in Dubai will soon see a new parking system rolled out around 59 mosques across the city, and while the move introduces 24-hour paid parking, there’s good news too: It remains free during prayer times.

Starting in August, Parkin Company, Dubai’s largest public parking provider, will manage around 2,100 parking spaces in partnership with the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). The spaces, located around mosques, will be free to use for one hour during each prayer, helping ensure convenient access for worshippers.

Outside of those times, however, the same parking spots will operate as regular paid zones – either Zone M (standard) or Zone MP (premium), and will be chargeable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Zone M (Standard): Dh2 for 30 minutes, Dh4 for an hour.
  • Zone MP (Premium):
    • Off-peak: Dh2 (30 min), Dh4 (1 hour)
    • Peak: Dh3 (30 min), Dh6 (1 hour)

Of the 59 mosques involved, 41 will be in Zone M, while 18 fall under the premium MP category.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how this collaboration improves the worshipper experience,” said Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin.

For now, this initiative is focused on the current 59 mosques, but both Parkin and IACAD say there’s potential to expand the programme in future.

Parkin already manages around 209,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, including developer-owned areas and barrierless systems at malls like City Centre Deira and Mirdif. This partnership adds to their growing footprint and introduces a structured approach to mosque parking that balances convenience with efficiency.

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UAE fuel prices for August announced: Petrol rates hold, diesel sees hike

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Drivers in the UAE can expect mostly unchanged petrol prices in August, while diesel costs have risen.

The UAE’s Fuel Price Committee has announced the official petrol and diesel rates for August, with petrol prices remaining nearly unchanged from July, while diesel prices see a notable increase.

From August 1, fuel prices across the country will be as follows:

  • Super 98: Dh2.69 per litre (down from Dh2.70 in July)
  • Special 95: Dh2.57 per litre (down from Dh2.58)
  • E-Plus 91: Dh2.50 per litre (down from Dh2.51)
  • Diesel: Dh2.78 per litre (up from Dh2.63)

While petrol prices have dipped by just one fils, the 15-fils hike in diesel could impact logistics and goods transport.

Fuel prices in the UAE are revised monthly under global oil market trends. Since the deregulation of fuel prices in 2015, the country has followed a dynamic pricing model aligned with international benchmarks.

Despite slight monthly fluctuations, the UAE continues to offer some of the lowest fuel prices globally, averaging Dh2.58 per litre, helping residents manage daily transportation costs while keeping inflation in check.

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Health

No tuition fees, just talent: New scholarship programme offers 100% tuition fee waiver

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In a major boost for aspiring medical students, especially those facing financial challenges, Aster DM Healthcare has launched a new scholarship programme offering 100% tuition fee waivers for MBBS, BSc Nursing, and BPharm courses. Designed to support 25 deserving students every year, the initiative opens doors to high-quality medical education at no cost, removing a key financial barrier for many talented individuals across India and the UAE

The Dr. Moopen’s Legacy Scholarship & Fellowships Programme, announced by Padma Shri Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, is the first of its kind from a private medical college in Kerala, and promises to transform access to healthcare education in underserved regions.

“No capable student should have to give up on a dream of becoming a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist because they cannot afford it,” said Dr. Moopen. “This initiative is our commitment to changing that.”

Scholarship Details:

  • 5 MBBS students will be selected based entirely on academic merit, including NEET rankings.
  • 10 BSc Nursing and 10 BPharm students will be chosen based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.
  • The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition fees.
  • Over five years, 125 students are expected to benefit, with a financial commitment exceeding INR 3 crore annually.

Applications open on July 28, 2025, and detailed eligibility guidelines are available at www.dmscholarship.in.

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