• Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions help building owners comply with new hygiene and social distancing policies and enable business continuity • Honeywell’s #HealthyBuildings Score provides owners with real-time insights based on indoor air quality, safety, security, sanitation and compliance metrics • Honeywell solutions can be tailored to the unique needs of commercial buildings, airports, hospitality, healthcare and education sectors, supporting the region’s return to the new normal    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 7, 2020 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced an integrated solutions portfolio to help building owners in the Middle East improve the health of their building environments, operate more cleanly and safely, comply with social distancing policies, and ......read more

Sharjah, July 7, 2020:   The Health Promotion Department, HPD, at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA) has recently launched the “Sohbati 2020” Program in collaboration with the University of Sharjah. This year’s edition is being held remotely through a number of training workshops by health education specialists. The program aims to spread health awareness among adolescents and to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles, as well as to qualify them to be ambassadors among their peers in various domains such as health and nutrition. The month-long program consists of 9 nine workshops is targeting male and female adolescents aged from 15 to 25 years. The workshops which will shed light on the widely spread misconceptions among community members, in addition to developing networking ......read more

• 34% of MENA consumers’ behavior was to ‘save and stockpile’ at the start of the pandemic • 55% of MENA consumers expect normal shopping habits to return in a matter of days or weeks once pandemic is over • 58% of MENA consumers predict the way they shop will change over the next one to two years • COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes to operating models in the retail sector     Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 05, 2020:   According to the EY Future Consumer Index, 33% of consumers in the MENA region plan to stay frugal with less spending, make deep cuts to their budgets, change the way they shop as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These consumers are also pessimistic and worried about the future.   However, 23% of consumers expect to be back with ......read more

By Ole Hansen Head of Commodity Strategy Saxo Bank     Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 02, 2020:   The Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the global economy will become increasingly apparent during the third quarter. While the Q2 was mostly about putting out fires and preventing a total collapse of the global economy, the repair work now begins in earnest. Since April, the economic impact of months of lockdowns had been painted over by a massive rally in global stock markets. However, support from the Fed (wall of liquidity), TINA (there is no alternative) and FOMO (fear of missing out) has started to show cracks.   The belief that we can and will return to normal within a few quarters will most likely turn out to be wrong, not least considering the often-embarrassing shortfalls in key supplies ......read more

Saudi-based pharmacy chain automates its treasury and payment systems, boosting efficiency and visibility as it plans regional expansion       July 2, 2020 – Infor, a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry, today announced that Nahdi Medical Company, a Saudi Arabia-based pharmacy retail chain, has digitally transformed its financial management, payment systems, and financial planning with Infor Treasury Management.     This solution allows vast improvements to Nahdi Medical’s financial management and planning capabilities, placing the company in a strong position to expand its operations in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to increase the private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services. Saudi Arabia is the Gulf Cooperation ......read more

July 02, 2020:  As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased, and people adjust to the new normal, many are asking what the new normal will be for public transport and mobility. Safety and hygiene are at the root of people’s concerns when it comes to travel and mobility in a COVID-19 world, with commuters seeking reassurance that their health and wellbeing will be a top priority.   Alstom, a global leader in rail transport and sustainable mobility, has been working to alleviate such concerns, making the most of the lockdown period by investing an extra €1 million into speeding up the development of health and wellbeing mobility initiatives.     A dedicated team of experts at Alstom has brought together their key expertise and resources across all technical domains, while coordinating with ......read more

● Study of more than 400 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon identified significant development and learning difficulties when children are above the regular age for their grade. ● NYU researchers drew insights into potential impacts as children around the world return to school following COVID-19.     Abu Dhabi, July 2, 2020:   Researchers at Global TIES for Children, an international research center based at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU New York, examined a variety of post-migration risks faced by Syrian refugee children enrolled in Lebanese public schools and found that students being older than expected for the grade in which they were placed was most consistently and strongly associated with developmental and learning difficulties.  As many schools around the world prepare to reopen in 2020 ......read more

COVID-19 is a sense check and provides an opportunity for businesses to reimagine and start afresh on the journey of digital transformation     Dubai, UAE; July 01, 2020: Over 350 business leaders joined the virtual session on ‘Enterprise and Market Resilience during COVID-19’, hosted by Protiviti Member Firm for the MENA Region. The theme was on the digital response to COVID-19, deliberating upon how automation, technology, cloud and analytics can help organizations overcome the crisis and equip them better post COVID.   At the forum, Jonathan Wyatt, Protiviti’s Global Leader for Digital Transformation, highlighted: “The crisis has revealed the digital maturity of many organizations; the responses from digital thought leaders has been either taking the risk-averse course by pausing ......read more

Abu Dhabi 29th June 2020:  Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Police, have announced that entry to Abu Dhabi emirate is permitted for all those who have received a negative Covid-19 test result within the previous 48 hours. Results must be shown via the Alhosn App, or a text message from any hospital, or screening centre in the UAE that is affiliated with the National Screening Programme. The movement of mail and all types of goods is exempted. The public must continue to adhere to all precautionary measures, including wearing masks and practising social distancing inside vehicles. The entry of non-resident workers into the emirate continues to be prohibited. This comes as a result of the continued positive outcomes in ......read more

  ** New Awards Recognising Exceptional Individuals in the Global Spa, Beauty and Wellness Industry Launches 1st July **     Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 30, 2020:   Spa Connectors, a global company offering business, training and recruitment solutions to the spa industry, specialising in 5-star hotels, resorts, stand-alone spas and wellness concepts is driving a movement to reward talent in the community on a global scale by launching The Hall of Wellness Awards 2020. Independently as a business, Spa Connectors are passionate about nurturing talent in their own unique ways within spas, salons and wellness facilities worldwide. Now, they aspire to bring them together on a global stage by launching awards where an industry divided by borders will be united in their passion and commitment to their ......read more

Dr. Desislava Markova, a Fetal Medicine Specialist from a prominent IVF clinic Abu Dhabi outlines handy tips for expectant mothers to have a smooth pregnancy during the pandemic  Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 30, 2020:   Pregnancy is a special time for couples – full of excitement and happiness. However, given the current situation, and the increasing restrictions imposed on our lives as the world grapples with this pandemic, expectant mothers can feel anxious and nervous. To ensure pregnant women can sail through this period smoothly, Dr. Desislava Markova, Lead, Fetal Medicine, IVI Fetal Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, outlines some easy tips to help women protect themselves and their soon-to-arrive baby. Have a Plan in Place: Having a plan in place for your birth can help ease feelings of anxiety by ......read more

 Health Promotion Department organizes youth circle in cooperation with Federal Youth Authority     Sharjah, June 29, 2020:   The Health Promotion Department (HPD) at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA), has hosted a virtual youth circle titled “The role of youth in the fight against COVID-19” to discuss how electronic systems and social media can help combat the spread of Covid-19.   Held through video conference in collaboration with the Federal Youth Authority, the online event saw the participation of more than 286 young men and women. The youth circle shed light on the responsibility of young people to maintain community health, their impact on ensuring a successful coexistence with the virus, as well as the extent of the impact that young ......read more

Intelligent wearable features exciting new activity modes for the health-conscious consumer   Dubai, UAE 30 June 2020 – Global leading technology brand, HONOR, has announced a range of exciting upgrades to the HONOR MagicWatch 2. The perfect companion for summer activity, the HONOR MagicWatch 2 is the next generation of HONOR smartwatches, with its exceptional innovations in design, battery and functionality.    100 Workout Modes to Discover on the HONOR MagicWatch 2  In addition to 15 pre-installed workout modes, HONOR is bolstering its fitness tracking capabilities by adding 85 new customized workout modes automatically detecting six different categories of sports - extreme, leisure, fitness, aquatics, ball games and winter sports . Whether you are into mainstream sports or prefer something ......read more

By Omer Saleem, director and deputy CEO of Proven SA June 28, 2020:   The past months have shifted the business world dramatically, and central hubs of business have been leading the world through the strategic actions necessary to overcome these extreme situations. Remote work adoption is at an all-time high as a matter of necessity and with new guidelines, while business service providers began re-tailoring their services to fit changing business models. Saudi Arabia has led the response for COVID-19 emergency, and the Kingdom continues to update its policies in response to the ramifications of the pandemic as well as other global events. Recent news revealed updates on WPS (Wage Protection System) and customs fees, and more recently the Saudi Arabia GAZT (General Authority of Zakat and Tax) issued updated transfer ......read more

Balancing the right pH in human body is essential to avoid risk for organ damage that can happen due to excess acidity or alkalinity Imbalanced pH levels could lead to respiratory issues due to too much or too little CO2 in our bodies Avoid processed food, excessive caffeine, sodas, etc, that can build acidity in our body, advises Dr Harkirat Wilkhoo at RAK Hospital Sunday 28th June, 2020; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE:  At a time when boosting our immunity is of paramount importance, UAE residents need to be more careful of their choice of food to maintain the right pH balance as well, suggest doctors at RAK Hospital. Giving advice on the topic, Dr Harkirat Wilkhoo, Health and Lifestyle Coach at RAK Hospital urges residents to opt for foods that ensure the pH level remains normal to avoid any complications in the body ......read more

Dr. Melado, IVF expert at the world-renowned IVF Clinic UAE offers insights into the process Dubai, UAE, 28th June 2020: Increasing fertility awareness and the rising trend of delayed parenthood in women have helped spike the demand for egg freezing over the recent years. “From technologies used to success rates, learning the fundamentals before opting for this procedure is an essential key to achieving the desired results”, emphasized Dr. Laura Melado, IVF Specialist, IVI Fertility Clinic Middle East, which runs clinics in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat in Oman.   “Egg freezing is an advancement in the field of Reproductive Medicine that provides many women with an option to pursue motherhood later in life; whatever their reason be. However, we advise those who are thinking of going this route to ......read more

• Expectations for the pace of economic recovery must be realistic, but many GCC countries can be optimistic for 2021.   By Edris Alrafi, Head of Middle East & Africa for Aberdeen Standard investments (ASI)   June 28, 2020: The aftermath of the economic and market turbulence due to Covid-19 has redefined the landscape for GCC member states. A relatively bleak growth outlook requires a shift in expectations – with a recovery unlikely until 2021.   However, some GCC countries such as the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are well placed to ensure this recovery becomes a reality as their strong Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) will pay a vital role in helping the economies get back on their feet.   As with other regions globally, the growth outlook for the Middle East has suffered from ......read more

 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 28, 2020:   As noble UAE healthcare and civil defense professionals continue to safeguard the community while the country receives global recognition for its robust response to COVID-19, ALFAHIM Group demonstrates their commitment to the UAE by launching a group-wide campaign offering them personalized services and discounts in gratitude and appreciation of their extraordinary efforts.  In an interview with Mr. Ahmed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim – Chairman of ALFAHIM Group, he stated, “Giving back is embedded into our way of working; and, the honorable efforts of the UAE’s healthcare and civil defense community was crucial to our survival as people and as a nation to combat COVID-19. Those admirable and praiseworthy professionals daily risked their safety for ours; ......read more

Dubai, UAE, June 27, 2020:  The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sharjah to promote cooperation in the field of medical education and research. His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the DHA and Dr. Humaid Mjol Al Nuaimi, Director General of University of Sharjah signed the MoU on Thursday at the DHA headquarters in Dubai.  The MoU aims to promote cooperation in medical training and enhance competencies of health personnel in medical, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and other health specialties. It also aims to promote cooperation in organizing joint health-supporting programmes such as conferences, seminars and events and unifying efforts to spread the culture of innovation in society.  Commenting on the MoU Al Qutami said that the ......read more

• Aster DM Healthcare and Consulate General of India recognized the efforts of 100 medical professionals, volunteers and representatives of supporting govt. entities in the presence of officials from Dubai Health Authority (DHA). • The 750-bed facility, comprising of two buildings in the Hind Humanitarian City, can be considered as a model isolation facility that saw fast and effective implementation of triage, isolation, quarantine and treatment set-up following all the protocols set-up by DHA, aiding in the recovery of patients.     Dubai, UAE, 25 June, 2020:   Around 100 frontline medical professionals, volunteers, government entities and supporting organisations were honoured by Aster DM Healthcare and Consulate General of India for their relentless efforts over the last two months which ......read more

 78.6% of participants consider Financial Stability as the biggest challenge for media institutions in light of COVID-19 pandemic  Quarantine represents the greatest challenge for 92.3% of workers in media sector  Sulaiman AlHattlan: Survey aimed at keeping abreast of the rapid changes in the media landscape.  AlHattlan: Survey provides future insights that contribute to the development and sustainability of the media sector.  Recommendations:  Expediting an integrated digitization process is essential   Dubai, UAE 24 June 2020   Hattlan Media, the leading public relations and media consultancy services company, commissioned the first-of-its-kind industry survey in the UAE, gathering insights from media professionals and journalists from Arab and international ......read more

H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China     Abu Dhabi, UAE - 24 – June, 2020:  This partnership announcement will see Sinopharm, CNBG launch phase III clinical trials of Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine in the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with G42.    This agreement comes during extraordinary times, with a significant global challenge to contend with, one of the greatest tests humanity has faced in the modern era. Earlier this year, a G20 virtual summit was hosted in Saudi Arabia, where President Xi Jinping suggested that countries should pool their strengths and speed up research and development of drugs, vaccines and testing capabilities in the hope to achieve early breakthrough to the benefit of all.    His Highness Sheikh ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 24, 2020:    Moorfield’s Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) reveals a limited time offer on refractive vision correction surgery* valid through June 15th - July 31st.  Refractive eye surgery is non-essential eye surgery used to improve the refractive state of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses. If you have a refractive error, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, or presbyopia, refractive surgery could be a good method to correct or improve your vision.  MEHD provides refractive laser eye surgery with all the latest techniques including both LASER and Intraocular lenses procedures. This limited-time offer covers 6 laser treatments and two Intraocular lenses procedure. Additionally, the offer includes ......read more

• The Department seeks to ensure business continuity and maintain high standards of public health and safety     Ras Al Khaimah, June 23, 2020 – In a circular issued yesterday, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAKDED) has outlined a set of requirements and procedures for reopening entertainment halls in the Emirate, in line with the precautions set out to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).    The new procedures aim to ensure public health and safety in the Emirate, as well as business continuity, which serves to maintain Ras Al Khaimah’s sustainable development. Entertainment halls, such as children’s soft play areas, may resume their economic activities as of tomorrow (Wednesday, June 24, 2020), provided they meet the conditions and procedures ......read more

• Six-week campaign offers free medical assessments and screening for 570,000 people • Campaign delivered streamlined healthcare and support services to residents   Abu Dhabi, 23 June, 2020:  The Abu Dhabi Department of Health, in cooperation with relevant entities, has successfully concluded a six-week screening and testing campaign in the Musaffah area of Abu Dhabi, having fully contained the spread of Covid-19 among the area’s residents.  The campaign, which started on 9 May, provided streamlined healthcare and support services to residents as part of the National Screening Programme, which aims to provide Covid-19 testing for the largest possible number of Abu Dhabi residents.   Over the six-week period, free transportation to testing centres and medical assessments were provided ......read more