UN chief announces UAE as host of key global conference

Davos (Switzerland): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced that the United Arab Emirates will host the preparatory conference of the UN 2019 Climate Summit in Abu Dhabi in June. The announcement was made during Guterres’ meeting with Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future; Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate […]

Lebanese central bank to reinstate subsidised housing loans

Beirut Lebanon’s Central Bank will reinstate subsidised housing loans, ending an almost year-long freeze of the program, the state-run National News Agency reported late on Friday. The new housing package will be $200 million (Dh734 million) for housing loans of as much as $300 million, the agency said, citing a circular from the Association of […]

US, China resume high-stakes poker in trade talks

Washington: With a month left in their truce, senior US and Chinese officials will meet in Washington this week, hoping to move toward a bargain to end their unprecedented trade war. Beijing’s trade envoy, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, will lead a 30-person delegation at the invitation of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative […]

Why face-to-face meetings are so important

Access to technology means doing business is more global than ever. A December 2018 study by Forbes Insights showed that 73 per cent of business executives feel their network – of staff, management, suppliers, customers and other partners – is becoming significantly more globalised. Emails, phone calls, instant messaging, remote working platforms and video-conferencing mean […]