Reuben Abraham, chief executive of IDFC, says education is an area that could experience rapid growth should the UAE and India work together. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Reuben Abraham, chief executive of IDFC, says education is an area that could experience rapid growth should the UAE and India work together. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Reuben Abraham, chief executive of IDFC, says education is an area that could experience rapid growth should the UAE and India work together. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Reuben Abraham, chief executive of IDFC, says education is an area that could experience rapid growth should the UAE and India work together. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The National Future Forum: could the UAE drive India's economy?


James Langton
  • English
  • Arabic

Could the UAE drive India’s economy in the same way that Hong Kong fuelled the growth of China?

That is the prediction of Reuben Abraham, the chief executive of the IDFC, a leading Indian think tank.

With India set to leap frog Britain and France in the league table of world economies, now is the time to develop the relationship with the UAE, Mr Abraham told The National Future Forum on Tuesday.

“There are huge trading links between the subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula that go back millennia,” he told the forum. “Ever since the monsoons were discovered, Arab traders have been in the west coast of India.

“It is the same with currency. The Indian rupee used to be the currency here until 1966 or 1967.

“There’s a long-standing trading relationship, not necessarily with the UAE, but definitely with the Arabian Peninsula.”

That relationship is ripe for better development, Mr Abraham said. “On top of that you've got the current trading links. If you look at a place like Dubai and at the money in Dubai, I'd say a very large amount is generated by Indians sitting in Dubai.

“So there are countless reasons why you can have extraordinary ties between the two countries.

“I just feel that at least partially because we have forgotten own past histories that opportunity is not being seen for what it is.”

Historically, he said, Hong Kong acted “like a magnet” to drive in investment in China.

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The advantage for the two countries in working together was “it is not like building a relationship with an African country where you have to start from scratch.

"There are long historical ties, long people to people ties.”

One area he believes could experience rapid growth is higher education. For many Indians, the options have been between trying to gain admission at home where places are highly competitive, or going to North America to study. The UAE could be an ideal compromise solution if academic standards could be assured.

“To get into an elite Indian college today is extraordinary hard to do, getting into an Ivy League school is incredibly expensive.

“If I could get an education at $10,000 (Dh37,000) a year, or $40,000 for a degree I think it would be an explosive opportunity when you would maintain standards.”

The current political climate in the US means fewer Indian students are applying to study there, Mr Abraham said.

“If you look at the numbers of Indians, enrolment is going down a significant number in dollar terms.

Today that goes to Australia, Canada, New Zealand - those sort of places. Why not here?

“I'm a parent. When they are 17 years old, I would much rather have my kid two and half hours away in a secure protected environment, than 15 hours away.”

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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T20 World Cup Qualifier

Final: Netherlands beat PNG by seven wickets

Qualified teams

1. Netherlands
2. PNG
3. Ireland
4. Namibia
5. Scotland
6. Oman

T20 World Cup 2020, Australia

Group A: Sri Lanka, PNG, Ireland, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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

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

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

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

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
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months