UAE Minister expresses appreciation for Singapore flag

Journalist, Gulf today

Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, visited the Singapore pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to take a closer look at the latest technologies in environmental sustainability and the integration of nature, architecture and technology, through digital designs representing a microcosm towards growth, sustainability and resilience.

Located in the Sustainability District, the Singapore pavilion sports the slogan “Nature. To feed. Future.”

During his visit, the Minister was informed of the most striking innovations and technical projects presented, such as vegetated cones.

He was also briefed on innovative applications used in green space management, water and energy systems, and small robots for plant health monitoring and environmental data collection, to create sustainable cities. which promote the protection of nature and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Al Owais expressed his admiration for the Singapore pavilion and the projects presented therein, especially in the area of ​​environmental sustainability, adding that Expo 2020 Dubai represents a global platform that provides an ideal opportunity to learn. more on the civilizations, experiences and expertise of various countries, improve communication between the peoples of the world and strengthen relations and links in all fields and sectors.

“Expo 2020 Dubai reflects the civilized and humanitarian role that the UAE is committed to, with the aim of making an effective and influential contribution to building a better future in which countries and peoples will benefit from ‘increased prosperity, development and well-being,’ said Al Owais. .

At the same time, the Minister also recently visited the Brazilian pavilion to take a closer look at biodiversity in Brazil, its rivers and mangroves, as well as the national programs launched to preserve the environment and fight against climate change.

Located in the Sustainability District, the Brazilian Pavilion sports the slogan “Together for sustainable development”.

During his visit, the Minister reviewed the sustainable development plans drawn up by the Brazilian government for the Amazon region, in cooperation with the private sector and stakeholders, in order to promote development and modernize the national economy. .

Al Owais expressed his admiration for the good organization of the pavilion, which reflects the culture and environment in Brazil, adding that Expo 2020 Dubai represents a global platform that provides an ideal opportunity to learn more about civilizations. , the experiences and expertise of various countries, improve communication between the peoples of the world and strengthen relations and links in all fields and sectors.

“Expo 2020 Dubai reflects the civilized and humanitarian role to which the United Arab Emirates and its wise leaders are committed, with the aim of making an effective and influential contribution to building a better future in which countries and people will benefit from increased prosperity, development and well-being. “said Al Owais.

The Brazilian pavilion focuses on the concept of sustainability through its design and the recyclable materials it uses, simulating the design of the Amazon Basin, which is the largest river in the world, using audiovisual effects and a distinctive technical design.

Meanwhile, UAE-based Bangladesh auto parts traders and auto service providers plan to invest in setting up a number of auto parts factories in the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh’s rapidly growing automobile industry of $ 4.42 billion.

Representatives of UAE-based auto parts dealers and auto service center owners expressed their desire to establish auto parts manufacturing factories in Bangladesh during a recent meeting with executives from Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers and Manufacturers Association (BAAMA), led by Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of BAAMA and Mohammad Ali Deen, general secretary of BAAMA.

Bangladeshi traders dominate the automotive aftermarket sector in the UAE, especially the used auto parts market. They are involved in the import, wholesale, retail, maintenance and re-export of the auto parts industry, while a large number of them also have auto electrical service centers. , garages that deal with all types of auto maintenance and repair.

Non-resident Bangladeshis own more than 5,000 businesses in the automotive and trade services sector spread across some of the key industrial zones, such as Musaffah Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Industrial Zone, Industrial Zone of Sharjah, the Ajman industrial zone as well as parts of Dubai, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

These companies employ more than 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled professionals who have comprehensive know-how in the maintenance, repair, disassembly, overhaul and reassembly of various models and brands.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad led a delegation from BAAMA’s executive committee to a seminar hosted by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at Dubai Expo 2020 and to invite UAE companies to invest in the growing automotive industry from Bangladesh – where manufacturing and assembly plants depend primarily on imported automobile parts.

The annual automobile market in Bangladesh is around $ 2.35 billion, while the annual parts and components market is estimated to be over $ 2.05 billion, according to a research report. Over 4.7 million vehicles are currently registered in Bangladesh of which over 60% are Japanese brands while Indian brands account for 25%.

Of the 4.7 million vehicles registered, 66% are two-wheelers which have experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% over the past five years. Bangladeshi auto assemblers and manufacturers import 35% of parts from China and 30% from India, according to the report.

Mohammad Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of BIDA, said: “The government of Bangladesh is keen to develop the automotive industry in order to diversify export earnings. The government recently released an Automotive Industry Development Policy, 2020 – which will help restructure the industry and help it grow exponentially over the next few years.

“Due to the growing purchasing power of Bangladeshi consumers, more and more people will buy cars as their lifestyle changes. The increase in public mobility puts pressure on infrastructure. This is why the government of Bangladesh is investing heavily in the expansion of roads, highways and the construction of large bridges and tunnels to support economic growth.

“However, the industry will need massive investments to acquire the technology, know-how and produce components to support auto manufacturing plants.”

The use of motor vehicles has increased considerably over the past two decades (2000-2020). There were only 303,215 motor vehicle units registered in 2003 in Bangladesh. But as of May 2021, according to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), there were 4,729,393 vehicle units registered in Bangladesh. Of these, 544,616 are passenger cars. The automotive market is again dominated by sedans, covering almost 68% of this passenger car market. The remaining 12.40 percent is covered by sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and 19.27 percent is covered by microbuses. Due to the increase in purchasing power, people are buying vehicles in droves more than ever.

Japanese remanufactured cars have long dominated the automotive market in Bangladesh. But, currently, the demand for Japanese remanufactured cars is slowly declining. In 2016, reconditioned cars covered almost 92% of the demand, and in 2020 it has fallen to 82%.

In 2020, of the new cars registered, 82% are reconditioned or imported on the gray market, 16% are new imported cars and only 2% are locally assembled vehicles.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Chairman of BAAMA, said: “The auto industry will be the next big contributor to the economy of Bangladesh if we can attract foreign investment in the auto components and parts industry, which we are currently importing for our manufacturing plants.

“The industry is currently addressing the internal market. However, if we could develop the industry properly, Bangladesh could become a major exporter of automobiles to the rest of the world – in the same way that we developed the ready-to-wear industry.

“Currently, we are looking for investments in the auto parts industry, which could produce vital auto parts to support local auto assemblers and manufacturers so that we don’t have to import them from other countries,” Abdul Matlub concluded. Ahmad, who is also the Chairman of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI).

Representatives of Bangladeshi auto parts traders in Sharjah said they wanted to help develop the auto industry.

Mohin Uddin, a major group member and chairman of the Dubai Royal Group, said: “Bangladeshi businessmen have dominated the UAE auto parts trade and service industry for the past three decades. . We have experienced and qualified human resources, capital and know-how. We are ready to invest in Bangladesh to support the growth of the industry.

“However, we need technical and managerial support to set up factories and develop industry in Bangladesh. We know how to find and sell parts, repair vehicles. But we have no experience in setting up factories, industries or importing machinery to produce auto parts. We will therefore need technical support from industry leaders.

United Arab Emirates-based Bangladeshi auto traders said they are in a unique position to bring Bangladesh-made auto parts to the UAE market, which will help Bangladeshi auto parts manufacturers to expand into the markets. of the CCG.