More than half of those living in Abu Dhabi surveyed by the government remained upbeat about their own prospects even though most expect unemployment to rise.
In a survey of 8,804 people on business and employment prospects, 76 per cent of respondents believe the aftermath of Covid-19 will continue to be felt, although 59 per cent are confident that their employers will be back on a solid footing before the end of this year, according to results released by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development and Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi yesterday.
“While there is inevitably concern, it is promising to see signs of optimism too, with many people feeling that businesses are well positioned to innovate and change and feeling optimistic about their own career situation,” Muna Al Bahar, adviser to the chairman of DCD, said.
The Life After Covid-19 study examined perceptions of how life in the emirate will be changed by the pandemic.
While 73 per cent of respondents are concerned that unemployment will rise, more than three quarters are optimistic about their own job security, with 68 per cent believing that their income will remain unaffected after the pandemic.
Loss of income was ranked lowest among people’s ongoing concerns, below the health risk to themselves and their families and a possible return of the virus, the survey found.
In terms of work practices, 69 per cent of respondents believe working from home will become more prevalent, with 43 per cent preferring to work remotely, mainly to reduce the risk of infection.
Of those surveyed, 83 per cent feel that the post-Covid environment will create opportunities for businesses to be more innovative, with the same proportion saying that more businesses will move online.
The survey, 41 per cent of whose respondents were male and 59 female, is designed to guide policymaking, overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and improve the quality of life for UAE residents.
“This insight is crucial to our understanding of the current situation and how people’s perception of the future is changing,” Ms Al Bahar said.
“This survey will play an important role in helping us support government bodies and authorities to develop innovative solutions to cope with life after Covid-19.”
The Abu Dhabi government unveiled a stimulus programme on March 16 to boost the economy and support businesses in the emirate.
About Dh5 billion has been allocated to measures to relieve pressure on businesses, with water and electricity subsidies granted for citizens and commercial and industrial activities.
Electricity connection fees for start-ups were waived until the end of this year and all commercial and industrial activities have been exempted from Tawtheeq fees this year.
The government also allocated Dh3bn through a credit guarantee scheme for small to medium-sized enterprises, dedicated Dh1bn to establish a market-maker fund to bring stability to stock prices and directed that all approved government payables and invoices be settled in 15 working days.
The emirate has also waived Dh246 million in penalties – a move that will benefit about 72,200 private companies, it said.
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
The%20specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
The years Ramadan fell in May
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
The biog
Name: Maitha Qambar
Age: 24
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Education: Master’s Degree
Favourite hobby: Reading
She says: “Everyone has a purpose in life and everyone learns from their experiences”
