Emir receives greetings from world leaders
Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)
The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received congratulations from several world leaders on assuming power. The cables of congratulations were received from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Comoros President Ikililou Dhoinine, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Mauritanian President Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid. The Emir received similar cables from Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly President Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Arab League Secretary General Nabil El Araby, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.
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GCC corporate banking profits ‘at peak levels’ – BCG
Source: Arabian Business (Read full story)
Corporate banking divisions at GCC-based banks are at peak levels in terms of revenues and net profits, according to a new study by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report said that banking performance in the Gulf has even crossed the pre-crisis levels seen in 2008. “This impressive performance is even more apparent when compared to the same banks’ retail banking divisions, where revenues and net profits have barely touched 2008 levels,” BCG said. Its Corporate Banking Benchmarking Report compared the performance of Gulf banks with their global rivals and concluded that growth rates were among the highest in the world. “At 12 percent, this set of GCC corporate banks have witnessed some of the highest growth rates between 2009 and 2011 among all geographies surveyed,” BCG said.
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Candidates register for polls
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
Candidates began registering yesterday for Kuwait’s second parliamentary election in eight months amid a political crisis that has stalled development in the wealthy Gulf state and a boycott by the opposition. Hopefuls prayed that Kuwait’s sixth election since mid-2006 would bring political stability and put development back on the right track. On June 16, the nation’s top court dissolved parliament on the grounds that the last election was unconstitutional. However, it upheld controversial changes to the electoral law that sparked a standoff with the opposition.
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque named as one of the top 25 world landmarks
Source: The National (Read full story)
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has been ranked as one of the top 25 landmarks in the world. The mosque took 13th place in Trip-Advisor’s 2013 Travellers’ Choice Awards. Peru’s Machu Picchu won first place on a list that also includes India’s Taj Mahal and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. “This is particularly pleasing as the rankings are solely based on reviews and recommendations by the vast TripAdvisor travelling community, confirming its place as one of the most important cultural tourism destinations,” said Yousif Al Obaidli, director general of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.
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IMO hails Oman’s efforts in maritime security
Source: Oman Daily Observer (Read full story)
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The top officials from IMO who are touched by the traditional Omani hospitality and selfless people, said that although the country is not under direct piracy threat it has all the measures in place to combat any such attempt. “Oman is not under direct threat of piracy. Nonetheless, it has one of the best maritime strategies and it is safeguarded from any potential threats unless it’s natural”. They said in 2011 Oman sought some assistance from the IMO for consultancy in maritime security and the Organisation sent an Effect-finding Mission to assess the present scenario in the country and to seek ways of improvement. Those IMO consultants identified some measures to be undertaken by the country and we have been maintaining such a deep relation with the Ministry of Transport and Communication.
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Meeting against Transnational Organized Crime concludes in Abu Dhabi
Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)
The first GCC workforce on supporting international legal cooperation against transnational organized crime in the GCC concluded its meetings in Abu Dhabi. Together with attendees underscoring the importance of mutual legal assistance and the need to determine the central authorities in the fight against transnational organized crime, to ensure the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions, and trials related to organized crime. The delegates emphasized their commitment to constantly explore ways to improve international and regional cooperation in the Gulf region; discuss the possibility of establishing a private network comprising the central authorities and the public prosecution, to exchange experiences, and bolster knowledge and skills in the field of judicial cooperation on criminal matters in the region; as well as establishing links with the similar relevant networks in other regions and countries in the world.
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