ZONES-

Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and FreeZones (OPAZ) has cut back fees for over 80 services, according to a statement. These include a 50% reduction in charges for SMEs as well as reductions to fees for the commercial register, the registration of contracts, licenses and permits, investor work permits, environmental permits, urban planning services, and more. The step looks to bolster national efforts to diversify the economy and maximize the role that SMEs play in supporting the economy, creating jobs, and promoting innovation, the statement said.

TRADE-

Tunisia and Switzerland have inked a grant agreement to bolster cooperation on intellectual property rights, according to Tunisia’s state news agency Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP). The grant will fund the Tunisian-Swiss Intellectual Property Cooperation Project (TUSIP), according to the report by TAP, which did not disclose the value of the grant. The understanding seeks to lay the groundwork for a joint legal framework on intellectual property rights and aims to boost Tunisia’s exports and trade and promote investments in the country. The agreement also looks to provide effective protection for the intellectual property rights of project promoters and exporters active in Tunisia.

FREIGHT-

TheUAE’s Aramexand Malaysia’s Global Systémes Asia (GSA) have inked an agreement to cooperate on logistics in the Asia Pacific, according to a press release. The agreement paves the way for logistics provider Aramex to enhance cross border movement for its products and services by leveraging GSA’s industry and market experience in the region, Aramex South Asia VP Samer Hajjar stated. Solutions provider GSA will leverage Aramex’s expertise and solutions to expand its aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. GSA will also employ Aramex’s technology, warehouse expansion plans, and value added services, according to the press release.

COLD CHAIN-

AD Ports’ logistics subsidiary to deliver Acina meds to MENA + provide freight forwarding services: AD Ports Groupsubsidiary AD Ports Logistics (ADPL) will provide Swiss pharma firm Acino with global freight forwarding services, including sea and air transport of its meds to the MENA region, according to a press release. ADPL will use its end-to-end pharma cold chain capabilities to transport Acino medications to the MENA region. The agreement covers first-mile transport, seaport and airport loading, customs clearance, and final-mile logistics, according to the statement. The partnership will “enhance the speed and efficiency of delivering vital medications to the MENA region and beyond,” Acino Chief Operations Officer Mario Ricard said in the statement.

AVIATION-

MBZUAI and Etihad Airways form partnership to research AI’s potential in aviation: The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Etihad Airways inked an MoU to work together on projects and research related to the integration of AI in the aviation sector, Emirati news agency WAMreports. The agreement includes joint training programs, potential research ventures, seminars, workshops, and conferences focused on AI in aviation. Etihad Airways is particularly interested in leveraging AI for long-term planning such as customer service, flight planning, workforce and fleet management, and security, said Mohamed Hasan Al Mansoori, vice president of Emiratization strategy and government relations at Etihad Airways.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • KSA’s Bahri Dry Bulkhas added a new 64k dwt ton dry bulk carrier, dubbed Munira, to its fleet, to help “ensure stable supply chains for fertilizers and basic grains in Saudi Arabia.” (Statement)
  • The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) extended Oman’s state-owned logistics firm Asyad’s concession agreement for the freezone established in 2022 at Muscat International Airport (MCT) for a renewable period of 50 years. (Statement)
  • Oman’s state-owned Asyad Group and Siemens Middle East inked a cooperation agreement covering various aspects of trade and logistics, including commercial activities, sustainability, and digitalization. (Statement)
  • Morocco was elected to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) executive board for a three-year period, in recognition of its “expertise in food security” and active role in the UN. (MAP)
  • Oman’s state-owned logistics provider Asyad Group has inked a partnershipagreement with UK parcel delivery giant Evrithat will see both sides work to attract e-commerce players and FDI to Oman. (Statement)
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