Abu Dhabi has pledged Dh1 billion to help the Mali government make its balance of payments and help to finance a housing programme.
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, a foreign aid agency, struck two agreements on Monday aimed at accelerating the development of the West African country.
A Dh918 million loan will support the Malian government's social and economic plans, while an additional Dh110 million injection will finance the latest phase of a national social housing programme designed to meet a surge in demand.
The agreements were signed by Mali Prime Minister, Dr Boubou Cisse, and Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Boukary Sidibe, Mali's ambassador to the UAE, joined diplomatic dignitaries in attendance.
Mali has been beset by violence and ethnic strife since 2013 when Islamist groups seized half of the country.
France, its former colonial ruler, intervened and pushed militants back into the Sahara desert.
But trouble between the Fulani and Dogon ethnic groups has decreased government control and Mali remains one of the world's least developed countries.
Mali's housing project involves the construction of 50,000 homes across the country's major cities.
As part of the long-running initiative, more than 9,500 residential units were built between 2002 and 2015.
Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said the investment project was testament to the well-established friendship between the UAE and Mali.
"The UAE and Mali have continued to enjoy strong and long-standing bilateral relations," said Mr Al Suwaidi.
"Spanning more than four decades of joint and constructive co-operation, the strategic ties between ADFD and Mali have helped achieve sustainable economic development in the West African nation.
Dr Cisse, who was installed as prime minister in April, commended the brotherly relations Mali enjoys with the UAE and aid the latest round of financial aid would serve to strengthen the national economy.
In May, Dr Cisse met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to sign The two agreements in economy, trade, defence and culture, as well as funding projects.
An economic, trade and technical agreement was signed by Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and one in military co-operation was signed by Mohammed Al Bawardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
ADFD has provided vital backing for Mali since 1976, delivering hundreds of millions of dirhams worth of loans for a number of key projects in that time.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
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Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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The specs
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Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
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The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
