Category: Economy

India and the United States have recently signed a significant logistics defence agreement that will empower militaries of both the countries to utilize each others’ assets and bases to repair and replenish the supplies for making joint operations more efficient. Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and the United States’ Defense Secretary Ashton Carter have signed the “Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement” (LEMOA) and have assured that it will facilitate opportunities for “practical engagement and exchange”.

The transparency was maintained about the fact that the reciprocal logistic support would be used exclusively during authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. And, the logistics support for any other co-operative effort shall only be offered in a case-by-case basis through prior mutual consent of the parties, consistent with their respective laws, regulations, and policies.

This pact facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the United States’ and Indian militaries on a reimbursable basis and offers a framework for governing them. This pact may include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, medical services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance services, training services, and other logistical items and services.

According to a joint statement after signing the pact both the countries agreed for this deal, because of the significance it will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation. Also, the United States has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners. On the basis of this statement the defense ties among the two countries are based on their “shared values and interests,” and their “abiding commitment to global peace and security.”

Besides, during the meeting, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had a discussion regarding the “wealth of progress” in bilateral cooperation and deepening strategic partnership between the United States and India.

Expanding the aerial reach of the continent, East African countries are all making headway in the airlines industry. While Uganda is all set to reintroduce its national airline, carriers in Tanzania and Rwanda are also amplifying their presence. Kenya is also expected to raise its capital in Kenya Airways, where the government has 29 per cent shares. The Airlines is also reestablishing itself for a better outcome.

Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s President said in a cabinet meeting that he wishes to revive the airline that went bankrupt earlier in the year 2001. He said that at the present time, Uganda has a stronger economic situation and is looking forward to start its own Airline for “Ugandan travelers are suffering because of, apparently, not having a national airline.”

In Tanzania, to acquire more aircrafts in the state-controlled airline Air Tanzania, the government has also allocated various funds in its last month’s budget as well.

In this rapid race of strengthening the fleet of the country, Rwanda too is going to start its first two Airbus A330 long race jets in the upcoming months. The country also has eight aircrafts that serve the people. In addition, the country also wants to become a regional trade hub and to achieve that it is planning to begin air travel to Asian and European countries from next year.

Keeping in mind the need to strengthen their economic position on the globe, these East African countries are on their move to develop airports and airlines for a better and faster transportation system.

Majid Al Futtaim, the leading retail and Hospitality Company of The Middle East and North Africa, announced an investment increase of Dh30 billion over the next ten years in the UAE. Apart from strengthening the economic state of the Emirate, this investment will also boost up the retail sector of the country which is growing rapidly in the present time.

In this mega investment, this flourishing conglomerate plans to develop 10 new state-of the-art shopping malls under its City Centre brand, six hotels, a mixed-use community, 28 cinemas and 40 Carrefour outlets as well as expand six existing malls. Further, the company also plans to renovate and expand existing properties by enhancing their grandeur and beauty. The group said that it will undertake six expansions to its existing malls, including major extensions to City Centre Ajman and City Centre Me’aisem, which will turn them into regional malls. The company will also launch its first super-regional mall in Sharjah that will make it one of the best shopping destinations for the shoppers of the Emirate.

The company’s chief executive, Alain Bejjani proudly stated that “For more than two decades, driven by our vision to create great moments for everyone, everyday, we have continually transformed the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure both here in the UAE and across the Mena region. In doing so, we have contributed to Dubai and the UAE becoming among the top global tourist and retail destinations, enhanced the lifestyle of their residents”.

These investments, particularly in the retail sector, are transforming the fashion and retail industry of the country. Today, cities of the UAE have turned into a favorable destination that offer best shopping experiences to the customers.

In Dubai’s biggest bank – Emirates NBD has announced to invest AED500 million ($136 million) for the digital innovation and multi-channel transformation of its processes, products and services. The investment will take place over a span of next three years to support UAE’s ‘Smart City’ vision. This step is a benchmark in the Dubai’s digital transformation and shows that in the coming years, Emirates NBD will rise as a prominent leader in global digital banking industry.

The bank also plans to launch the UAE’s first digital bank targeted at millennials to offer customers the next generation of self-service money management.

Talking about their vision, Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD said “We are making a commitment to the future with our digital transformation plan. This significant investment will drive further innovation and solidify Emirates NBD’s reputation as an innovation-led, customer-focused bank that is indisputably a market leader in the region.”

Earlier, the bank also introduced several digital banking services enabling a costumer to perform over 100 transactions. In addition, Emirates NBD is also the only bank in the UAE to offer e-payment capabilities through all bank channels for over 25 major service providers.

Focusing on the five important areas such as end to end process transformation; smoother, faster and more responsive customer interface; omnichannel experience, fortification of cyber security and anti-fraud capabilities; and enhancement data management and analytics, the bank is moving forward to offer better customer experience and next-generation banking options.

Presently, Emirates NBD is the only bank in the country that offers e-payment capabilities through all bank channels for over 25 major service providers, varying from card schemes, education sectors, telecom, transportation, utilities, among others.

It seems certain that Emirates NBD’s initiatives will follow the strong vision that will transform the bank industry of the UAE and will make it more digitized and effective. Further, these steps will also strengthen the Emirates NBD’s position in the GCC region.

In a successful attempt to establish peaceful and improve trade relations between India and Morocco, a chamber of commerce was launched in Rabat, capital of Morocco on 31st May 2016. The India–Morocco Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMCCI) was introduced by Vice President of India Hamid Ansari and Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Esteemed members and officials from both the countries were present at the event. The motto of this launch was ““Shake hands, strengthen ties, go with IMCCI” which clearly reflected the need of a mutually beneficial commercial relationship between the two countries. IMCCI is supposed to work as a facilitator and active promoter of investments in, and trade ties between India and Morocco.

Both Ansari and Benkirane admitted that due to globalization it is important to create joint ventures for better trade and peaceful relations between the countries. Hamid Ansari remarked in this light that, “It is a testament to the growing importance of commercial engagement between our two countries”.

An official spokesperson also informed that Indian companies have cumulatively invested more than $320 million in Morocco, including in the flagship project, the Indo-Maroc Phosphore SA joint venture. These large investments show that Morocco is a favorable destination among Indian investors. Hence, this launch will result in flourishing business and will also deepen the bilateral relations.

Apart from trade, India and Morocco also signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering various issues related to culture, media and education such as television broadcasting, water resources, institutional cooperation and educational and cultural exchanges.

Mr. Ansari, who became the first Indian Vice President to visit Morocco in the last fifty years, was on a three-day visit. He also visited the Mohammed VI Imam Training Centre and interacted with Imams and intellectuals. This centre is known to propagate the beliefs of moderate Islam and works on its ideologies and values.

With these steps, India and Morocco are certainly forging ahead to strengthen their international ties for improving the economic as well as political position on a global level.

With the historic agreement made between Iran and the P5+1 countries in Vienna on 14 July 2015, Iran will hopefully transform into a peaceful State to live in, and the rest of the world will breathe easy without the nuclear power threat from Iran. This pact officially brings the end of the economic sanctions on Iran after demonstrating a peaceful nuclear research project that meets International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. Iran has assured that it does not seek nuclear arms but demands the ability to enrich uranium to make nuclear fuel for energy-producing reactors and medical applications.

Iran is a member of a number of international organizations such as the G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, IDA, IDB, IFC, ILO, IMF, OIC, OPEC, UN, WHO, International Maritime Organisation, Interpol, and currently it has gained an observer status at the WTO too. Thus, after signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) in July, understanding its obligations towards all these international organisations, Iran’s own people, and the whole world, Iran has now set its goal to establish a new world order based on world peace, global collective security and justice.

Iran has a mixed economy: a mixture of central planning, State ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. It is ranked as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank. However, the economic sanctions by the Western countries against Iran, such as the official ban on Iranian crude oil, have affected its economy tremendously. Due to these sanctions, Iran saw a steep fall in the value of Rial. However, 2015 seems like an era of a new Iran following the successful implementation of the 2015 Nuclear and Sanctions Relief Deal made by the P5+1 and Iran.

Being one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Iran is a country with diversity comprising a multiple number of religious and ethnic groups that are unified through a shared Persian language and culture. Initially, Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Iran which was eventually replaced with Islam after the fall of Sassanid Empire by the Muslims. Iran was predominantly a Sunni State until the 16th century when the Safavid dynasty forcibly got almost the entire country converted to Shia Islam. In the present day Iran, Shia Islam is the official State religion as about 90% to 95% of the country’s population officially are Shia; and about 4–8% of the population are Sunni Muslims, mainly Kurds and Balochs; the rest 2% are non-Muslim religious minorities such as Christians, Jews, Bahais, Mandeans, Yezidis, Yarsanis and Zoroastrians.

Having a dominant geopolitical position and culture in the world, Iran’s culture is vastly influenced by that of Greece, Macedonia, and Italy to the West; Russia to the North; the Arabian Peninsula to the South; and to some extent by South and East Asia to the East. Iranian art has many disciplines such as architecture, painting, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, metalworking, stonemasonry, jewel designing, etc. Iran takes pride having one of the largest jewel collections in the world.

1979 Iran Revolution: The Onset of Iran-Us Clash

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shiite revolutionary Muslim cleric, had worked for years and overthrew King Pahlavi (Shah), the then Iran ruler who was a dictator. Khomeini replaced the pro-Western policies of Iran with sole Islamic ones, which gradually developed more anti-America sentiments in Iran.

The US got restless seeing the rising power of the Muslim country. It provided shelter to the fleeing Shah in US. Some of the supporters of Khomeini stormed the US embassy in Tehran, taking dozens of Americans hostages demanding death to Shah who was hiding in the US. But America was desperate to gain back the Shah power in Iran, which would end their newly developed powerful foe in the Middle East. The then American President did not handover Shah to Iran, and Iran did not release the US hostages until Shah died, and in 1980 a new US President took oath. Thus, America and Iran started keeping hostile attitude towards each other which has been continuing till now.

Will the JCPA be Helpful for Iran’s Development?

The sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union on Iran had created innumerable problems for Iranian manufacturers. The country had seen little economic development in these many years. The great damages that Iran’s economy experienced under the sanctions are expected to be recovered gradually with the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. A sanctions-free Iran will help the Iranian firms to have access to raw materials and investment that will create competition in the market.

The tourism industry of Iran witnessed a sharp decline during Iran’s war with Iraq. However, it recovered post-war. The most popular tourist destinations in Iran are Isfahan, Mashhad and Shiraz. In the early 21st century, the tourism industry faced serious limitations in infrastructure, communications, industry standards and personnel training which gradually are fading away. Iran has been rated among the 10 most tourism-friendly countries in the world. Also, domestic tourism in Iran is one of the largest in the world. With so many sanctions, Iran lacked efficient planning schemes in every economic segment including the tourism sector. Now hopefully there will be better schemes and planning to attract the world population to visit Iran to bloom its tourism industry.

Iran possesses 10% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 15% of its gas. It is OPEC’s (petroleum-exporting nations’) second-largest exporter and the world’s fourth-largest oil producer. Iran has the second-largest proved gas reserves in the world after Russia, and third-largest natural gas production in the world after Indonesia and Russia. With the less number of or no sanctions in the country, now Iran may achieve more in energy with the assurance that its efforts and achievements are only for the peaceful purposes.
The education system of Iran is centralized. Its K-12 education is supervised by the Ministry of Education, and higher education is supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The adult literacy rate has significantly improved in 2015, which is expected to reach an even greater height with a peace-prevailed sanctions-free Iran.

The stereotyped image of Iran as having a conservative culture is probably because the more traditional Iranian people normally dress conservative; especially the females do not expose their body parts and they cover their hair. They do not consume alcohol, pork, and feel comfortable with their own sex rather than the opposite sex. They stay away from dancing at mixed gatherings (male–female), and they observe religious holy days and mourning rituals. However, decades of westernization and modernization created some modern and ultra-modern groups in Iran who would easily fit into any modern setup anywhere. Now, after the West has shown cooperation with Iran, it won’t stay cut from the rest of the world and more westernisation, modernisation, and easier life of people can be expected in the traditionally conservative country.

Background of Iran’s Nuclear Power

Iran has developed a number of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) over the years. Fotros (UCAV) is considered the largest in Iran’s arsenal of unmanned aerial vehicles. The types of armed forces in Iran are the regular forces of Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and the Revolutionary Guards. Iran supports the military activities of its allies in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon (Hezbollah) with thousands of rockets and missiles. After the 1979 Revolution, Iran has developed its own military industry, produced its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, guided missiles, submarines, military vessels, guided missile destroyer, radar systems, helicopters and fighter planes to overcome foreign restrictions and bans. The country also has development weapons including the Hoot, Kowsar, Zelzal, Fateh-110, Shahab-3 and Sejjil missiles, and a variety of unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Developed and produced domestically, Fajr-3 (MIRV) is currently Iran’s most advanced ballistic missile, which is a liquid fuel missile with an undisclosed range.

Iran’s nuclear program had become the subject of contention with the international community since 2005, following the earlier quotes of Iranian leadership that favoured the use of an atomic bomb against Iran’s enemy countries, especially Israel. All over the world, a number of countries have shown concerns that Iran’s nuclear program could transform civilian nuclear technology into a weapons program. Subsequently, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions against Iran which had further isolated Iran politically and economically from the rest of the global community. As of 2009, Iran maintains diplomatic relations with 99 members of the United Nations, but not with the United States or Israel.

Interpretation of Iran and P5+1 Agreement 2015

The contentious agreement between Iran and the P5+1 would lead to peace, security, and positive developments in the entire Middle East. This agreement has been seen as the best way to prevent war, and to empower Iran towards maintaining peace and harmony of the entire human race. However, this is not something guaranteed because if the agreement does not work the right way, it may empower Iran in the negative direction, which could subsequently be a threat for the entire world.

The agreement actually does not suspend Iran’s nuclear program, it only prevents Iran from getting nuclear weapons in a verifiable way. Whenever required – the IAEA feels it necessary – the IAEA can submit a request of access to a site of concern, and if Iran doesn’t provide access within 14 days, the Joint Commission formed by all the P5+1 and Iran will take up the matter and decide on a course of action within no more than seven additional days. Then, Iran has three days to comply with that decision. In the deal, for the P5+1, the biggest objective is to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons; and for Iran, the biggest objective is to get the sanctions lifted. Iran stands to gain up to $100 billion in sanctions relief under this deal, but this relief is not complete, immediate or unconditional.

The agreement is not subject to danger as:

• Only a certain number of nuclear-related sanctions are to be lifted in 2016, while many of the other financial restrictions will remain in place.
• The lifting of sanctions will be gradual and not immediate.
• Sanctions relief is dependent on the IAEA verifying that Iran is in full compliance with its obligations under the agreement.

The Bottomline

Iran has long been facing international criticism for not adhering to the requirements of the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions regarding its nuclear facilities and its uranium enrichment programme. However, the 2015 agreement between the P5+1 and Iran has eased conditions a little. Iranians are expecting an improvement in living standards and a better access to foreign investment as soon as the sanctions keep getting lifted. Among many of the impressive achievements of Iran in the recent past according to the UNDP HDI, Iran has achieved a much better position regarding its people’s ‘long and healthy life’, ‘access to knowledge’ and ‘decent standard of living’, which is on the verge of an even nicer State with the success of the 2015 agreement.

IN BOXES:

What is NPT?
NPT stands for Non-Proliferation Treaty. The international treaty prevents the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, and it promotes cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. NPT’s goal is to achieve nuclear disarmament.

What is IAEA?

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization associated with the promotion of peaceful use of nuclear energy, and prevention of use of nuclear energy for any military purposes, including nuclear weapons. Though IAEA is independently established, it reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and UN Security Council. IAEA headquarters is in Vienna, Austria.

What is P5+1?

P5+1 refers to a group of 6 world powers (countries) with diplomatic efforts with Iran regarding its nuclear program. It was formed in 2006. These 6 world powers refer to the UN Security Council’s five permanent members, viz. Russia, China, France, UK, and US (P5), plus Germany.

With a promise of million dollar investment in India, United Arab Emirates, the business capital of the world is all set to plant its investment seeds in one of the fastest growing economies of the world

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s two day visit to the UAE captivated the well-heeled Emirates to commit an investment target of $75 billion. As professed by Modi’s political stage last year, he is definitely not leaving any stone unturned which can help India emerge as an economical powerhouse with assured development across sectors.

Strengthening the Indo-UAE bond

Both the nations are trying to fill the void created over 34 years, after which India could materialize a visit to the UAE. Modi’s visit to a progressive and capital-friendly nation, the UAE could be an answer to India’s imperative economic expansion. Bestowing his trust in the UAE government Narendra Modi said, “The UAE is an economic success story that has attracted people from all over the world, and it has also emerged as an important logistics hub.”This being Indian Prime Minister’s maiden visit to an Islamic country, many neighbors were closely monitoring it to there benefit. As the joint statement calling Modi’s visit to have marked the beginning of a new and comprehensive partnership between the UAE and India, we hope to see more of Gulf investments coming up anytime in India.

Global success stories

UAE’s strong infrastructure, political stability and economic progress are some of the major points of attraction for people to seek business opportunities from across the world. It has successfully attained the throne of a thriving international centre for trade. India on the other hand is looming as one of the major world powers with significant contribution to the advancement of global peace and stability.
The ongoing dynamics between the two nations is definitely a strong mechanism of rapidly expanding economic union, making India to be UAE’s second largest trading partner and on the other hand, the UAE not only as India’s third largest trade partner but also a gate pass to the economic epicenter of the world.

Ensuring peace

The world heard a joint message which came loud and clear from the Dubai cricket stadium, when Narendra Modi said,“We have raised our voice against terrorism in unison from this soil. This is significant.”
In a statement delivered by the country heads, both UAE and India seem to have come down on the nations sponsoring terror arms and services against others. In a recent move, the Middle East tweaked its strategic realities and true to his style, Modi had studied it well in advance.
It was clear from the UAE’s backing India’s concern on terror, as it deep down underlines terrorism being one of the many challenges faced by the Gulf nations at a time when they are on the rising road. Both the nations collectively want to eradicate the problem of terrorism which is advancing due to the misuse of religion by groups and countries to incite hatred and hence justifying the horrific acts of gruesome killing of innocent people.
You call it Narendra Modi’s charisma or a tactful move, a month after Indian Prime Minister, Modi’s highly successful Gulf visit, UAE has come out with an early support finalization of the Indianproposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) treaty at the United Nations. UAE has asserted India that it will find ways to encourage other countries reach a consensus soon.

Energy, the preeminent one

India is in need to secure its energy supplies and consolidate economic relations with the GCC region- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qtar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. As the UAE alone stands out to be the third largest trading partner of India in 2014-15, just after US and China, it’s important to brace the investment relations with the UAE at a high pace now.
One of the many agendas of Modi visiting the UAE was to renew the energy tie-up with the nation, which includes UAE’s participation in the calculated petroleum reserves, upstream and downstream petroleum sectors, and the joined efforts with other countries.

A boost to trade & Investments

Just at the time when people in India started questioning the current government’s credibility in the realm of economics, Modi has planned a trade upscale of 60 percent in the coming five years.
UAE seems to have been fully convinced with the idea of India standing out as a global power in the upcoming decade as it has recently agreed upon a huge investment amount in the Indian sub-continent.
Though the $75 billion UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund can also prove to be the best channel through which UAE can co-invest in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). As per the joint statement issued by both the countries this will “support investment in India’s plans for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure, especially in railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks.”
Many GCC countries are nowadays eyeing India as one of the potential investment destinations in Asia. India’s plan for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure is one of the key reasons for it to plan large investment chunks from the cash-rich gulf nations. UAE at the same time looks out for cheap human resources from India to help them convert the world-class country blueprint with top-notched facilities in the information technology, construction and transportation to become a reality.
The UAE will also be inviting the Indian companies to invest in the Small and Medium Enterprises and help Dubai to be amongst the favorite place for those looking to start their own business ventures without needing a local Emiarti partner in order to create a hassle-free business environment.
The two countries also talked about cooperating with each other to promote scientific tie-ups in diverse sectors like renewable energy, sustainable development, arid agriculture, desert ecology, peaceful use of nuclear energy and urban development.

ADIA’s role as an Investor

With Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi announcing an investment potential of $1 trillion in India, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is speculating the economical mutiny to plan a calculated investment in the country.
ADIA is one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, which has already invested in a couple of sectors in the growing economy (India). In an attempt to widen the scope of investment by the ADIA in India, Modi said that, “I will send my commerce minister to try and find solutions to the problems faced by some UAE investors.”
From the administrator’s vision, India’s economy will continue to grow at an impressive pace in 2015. Some of the crucial concerns raised by the investors in the UAE are:

• Single window clearance was the primary one as it is critical to simplify the cumbersome processes for doing business in India.
• The Indian government should play the part of a key partner to create a more business-friendly environment for the investors.
• There should be an online process of applying for industrial license and industrial entrepreneur memorandum. Thus, the UAE’s $800 billion wealth fund authority has India in its list of countries to tap for its infrastructure needs.

Defence & Security alliances

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the UAE spent $14.4 billion on its defence preparations. UAE and India have joined hands to draw benefit out of their training and security programs to bilaterally help both of them.
Time and again there are serious security issues reported in the region, and the UAE being aleading nation in the GCC, is taking the initiative of stabilizing the force. Last year, India’s most powerful vessels anchored in the Dubai ports for a joint exercise with the Emiratis in the Persian Gulf. Soon after Modi’s visit, both the nations released a joint statement clearly indicating that defence will play an integral part of the future ties with the UAE along with energy and finance sectors.
UAE was the world’s fifth largest importer of weapons for five years till 2013, though it is still in urgent need of a competent manpower system.
It is, therefore essential for both the nations to support each other in the critical areas that are of national concern like security.

The Syrian war started in 2011 when antigovernment demonstrations – part of the Arab Spring – turned violent and a fight broke between the rebels and the regime. More than 11 million people have been displaced because of the war, as Syrians have been fleeing in thousands every day to escape bombing and being killed. However, it took the world four years to take a shocking note of the refugee crisis, when the lifeless body of Alan Kurdi – the three-year-old Syrian boy – was found on the Turkish shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The war is getting worse and deadlier day-by-day, with Douma – a town a few miles from Damascus, the capital city of Syria – recently declaring itself a United Nations disaster zone. The group of seven leading economies (G7), some European countries and the Gulf States have promised to help UN aid agencies with $1.8 billion to resolve the worst refugee crisis in 70 years.