Arabs urged to boost Egypt’s security

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Saudi Council of Ministers on Monday urged Egyptian people as well as Arab and Islamic countries to work together toward reinforcing peace and stability in Egypt. The Cabinet, chaired by Prince Muqrin, second deputy premier, made this statement while commending a message given by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah last week, affirming Riyadh’s support for Egypt. “The message’s content stemmed from the values upheld by the king, who has always stood for the right cause without any vested interests,” the Cabinet said. It also praised the king’s keenness and support for Egyptian people to confront terrorism, misguidance and sedition. The Cabinet meeting expressed its condolences to King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, and Prince Muqrin on the death of Prince Musaed bin Abdul Aziz, who died last week.

…

Sultan Qaboos, UN’s Feltman  Test Diplomacy with Iran

Source: Al-Monitor (Read full story)

…

Sultan Qaboos discussed several issues with the Iranians, in addition to having a certain message to convey, the Tehran source said. “Despite denials, the sultan had an initiative for Iran to decrease the level of uranium enrichment in return for the West observing Iran’s right to enrich [uranium] and easing financial sanctions.” The source added that the Iranians promised to consider the initiative carefully, although they had serious doubts that such a step would solve the problem. “It’s hard to arrive to terms with the West on one file while others are still on hold — the war in Syria is one, Israel, the relations with America,” the source said. The source added, “We welcome any attempt, and we are interested in tackling all the problems, but not by giving up our people’s rights.”

…

‘Biggest trade deal ever’ set to rock world trade with GCC

Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)

Bloomberg is calling it “The Biggest Trade Deal Ever.” It is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union, and international trade experts estimate that it will affect 30 per cent of global trade. It will also have far reaching ramifications for business in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).  Already, American and European industry leaders have begun angling to protect their interests and, with GCC-EU trade valued in 2011 at $170 billion annually and the US-GCC trade valued at $100 billion, the GCC industries must act now to do likewise.  ImplicationsBut what are the implications for the GCC industries and which sectors will be most affected? In effect, standards adopted under the TTIP will become globally binding on third party trading countries and they will have a significant impact on the aviation, energy and financial services sectors.

…

MPs welcome GCC visa proposal

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

MPs welcomed reports which indicated that Gulf states are working on a unified visa akin to Europe’s Schengen which could be adopted starting next year and hoped that the idea could pave the way for further collaboration in economy and other fields. Meanwhile, MP Kamel Al-Awadhi told Al-Rai daily that the project was an idea he proposed during his service period at the Interior Ministry. “I forwarded the project at the time to then Undersecretary Lieutenant General Ahmad Al-Rujaib, who asked me to join him at the meeting of undersecretaries of interior ministries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, he said. “There, he promoted my project to the General Secretariat of the GCC, and praise be to God, plans are going forward,” he added. According to Al-Awadhi, the project is an “original Kuwaiti idea that serves merchants, directors and doctors”.

…

UAE at sharp end of medical technology

Source: The National (Read full story)

The UAE is home to some of the world’s most cutting-edge research into medical uses for semi-conductor chips. This area is a key pillar in the global medical device, technology and equipment market, which is forecast to be worth more than US$440 billion by 2018, according to Espicom Business Intelligence, a unit of Business Monitor International. In Abu Dhabi, researchers at the ATIC-SRC Centre of Excellence for Energy Efficient Electronic Systems (ACE4S), a centre jointly established by the Advanced Technology Investment Company and the Semiconductor Research Corporation, are working on the development of systems on chip (SOC) and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMs) in health care.

…