From the Editors: UAE hits 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate

UAE LEADS FROM THE FRONT IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19: The UAE has reached another massive milestone in the world by achieving 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate in the eligible categories in the country. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCMA) announced on Thursday the success of its National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign. The milestone signals the success of the massive efforts of the National Vaccination Campaign conducted by the UAE health authorities, on the drive towards full recovery. The success is also attributed to providing vaccines to all communities at public and private health centres in the country. Everyone in the country must adhere to the immunisation schedule rolled out by the authorities to ensure a COVID-19 free society. [COMMENT BY: Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

UAE BUSINESSES GET A MAY LIFT- AND ADDS JOBS TOO: It may not yet be a full-fledged hiring spree, but UAE’s private sector is back to adding to their workforces going by the May numbers tracked by S&P Global. A few more months of solid job additions should be enough to lift the job market completely out of its Covid-created downturn. Sure, some sectors such as ecommerce and tech did manage to stay resilient even during the worst of the pandemic, but the country’s SMEs – especially those in more traditional sectors – had been struggling with orders and reduced workforces. This is what getting corrected now; for job-seekers in the UAE, both existing and newcomers, it all adds up to a big positive. And they will be hoping for more such repeats as was recorded in May… [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

FIFA WORLD CUP: AFTER MESSI , WILL UAE SEE MORE NAMES IN TRAINING? The news of Lionel Messi and his Argentina team setting up base in Abu Dhabi to prepare for Fifa World Cup in Qatar later this year must be music to the ears of football fans of the country. The icon has been no stranger here though – having been an ambassador for Expo 2020 in Dubai while he has also visited the UAE capital in his famous Barcelona shirt in Fifa Club World Cup much earlier. Interestingly, Argentina may not be the only country to set up their training base in the UAE as the proximity to Qatar and similar conditions may prompt other national teams to think on similar lines – as it’s customary before a World Cup to set up such bases. Watch this space…. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

IIFA WEEKEND BRINGS STAR POWER: The UAE has once again proved itself to be a prime destination for events and movie stars as Bollywood’s biggest celebrities arrive for the IIFA Awards weekend in Abu Dhabi. In the past, Hollywood and Indian movies have been shot in the city and the rest of the country, and the production capabilities of the UAE have received praised from stalwarts of the industry. In the future, it’s likely that more countries will consider the UAE for awards ceremonies, filming and more. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]