Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks

Macron will on Friday host the foreign ministers of four key Arab states for talks on the war in Gaza. (AP)
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Updated 25 May 2024
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Macron to host Arab foreign ministers for Gaza talks

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will on Friday host the foreign ministers of four key Arab states for talks on the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, his office said.
Joined by his own top diplomat Stephane Sejourne, Macron will discuss the situation with Qatar’s Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Egypt’s Sameh Shoukry, Ayman Safadi of Jordan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, the Elysee said.


Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says

Updated 5 min 3 sec ago
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Pakistan to revamp trade bodies in bid to boost export-led growth, commerce minister says

  • Record inflation, high interest rates and uncertain investment climate led to economic slowdown in Pakistan in last two years
  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan credits joint efforts by the government and the private sector for the economic stability

KARACHI: Pakistan’s commerce minister, Jam Kamal Khan, on Monday said his government was working to revamp the country’s trade institutions to make them more efficient, amid Islamabad’s efforts to boost export-led growth in the country.
Pakistan is currently navigating a path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, secured in September 2024, and has signed several trade and investment agreements Gulf and Central Asian states as well as other countries.
The organizations the government is restructuring include the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Export Development Fund, Export Facilitation Scheme and the Directorate General of Trade Organizations, according to Khan.
“In the last six months, TDAP has done a very wonderful job given its current capacity,” he said, addressing a pre-budget seminar. “We are working to enhance its efficiency further.”
Pakistan nearly defaulted in 2023 on the payment of foreign debts and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescued it by agreeing to a $3 billion bailout. The South Asian country is now keeping its current account in check primarily through containing imports. The country’s exports rose 10 percent to $19.6 billion in the last seven months till January, while it is keeping tabs on imports that increased by 7 percent to $33 billion, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
“Despite tough [economic] conditions, our exports have not declined but progressed if not having increased significantly,” Khan noted.
In a statement, the Pakistani commerce ministry said Monday’s seminar provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss economic challenges and the roadmap for tariff rationalization.
“The more this ministry would engage the industry, the more we would know how to address the industry and its issues,” Khan said, acknowledging financial difficulties in the last two years, but appreciated the resilience of the industry.
“We have been partially successful despite many challenges. The industry has survived tough times, and I congratulate all stakeholders for their efforts. Their contributions have been effective in steering the economy toward stability.”
Khan said severe challenges, including inflation that peaked to 38 percent in May 2023, high interest rates, and an uncertain investment climate, had led to an economic slowdown, but credited joint efforts by the government and the private sector for economic stability. Inflation came down to 1.8 percent in January, while the Pakistani central bank has slashed interest rates to 12 percent from an all-time high of 22 percent in June last year.
“If we compare today’s situation with two years ago, it is evident that stability has returned. This achievement is the result of the industry’s contribution alongside government initiatives,” he said.
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul emphasized the seminar’s importance in shaping economic policy and fostering export-led growth, highlighting the role of tariff rationalization in reducing production costs, boosting competitiveness and attracting foreign investment.
Transparent tariff policies enhance investor confidence and economic integration through trade agreements. The National Tariff Policy (NTP) 2019-24 successfully rationalized 85.75 percent of tariff lines, providing Rs92 billion ($330 million) in relief to businesses, according to the official.
The new NTP 2025-30 aims to further support small-medium enterprises (SMEs), green initiatives and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The commerce ministry was committed to stakeholder engagement and targeted reforms to ensure sustainable economic growth and global trade integration.
“We have decided to initiate extensive consultations well before the budget,” Paul said. “This is just the first session and within two to three months, we will be in a stronger position to make informed decisions.”
Commerce Minister Khan assured the business community would be involved at every stage to ensure policy alignment.
“Whatever policies we formulate, the business community will be on board. We will strive for a consensus on majority of issues,” he said.
Joint Secretary Muhammad Ashfaq gave a detailed presentation at the seminar on NTP 2025-30, presenting an impact analysis of NTP 2019-24 and contours of the new draft.
Speaking about structural reforms, Khan highlighted the involvement of 17 sectoral councils in policy recommendations, drawing parallels with the National Economic Development Board (NEDB).
“Although our focus remains on increasing exports, we will ensure that local industries remain competitive,” he shared. “We aim to manage tariffs effectively to support domestic businesses while integrating them into the international market.”
Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive and transparent policymaking at the seminar, which was a continuation of a weeklong consultative session between the government and industry representatives.
“The private sector has the potential to drive our economy forward. Over the past six to eight months, we have actively engaged with stakeholders, taken ownership of various business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and strengthened trade mechanisms,” Khan said.
“This pre-budget seminar marks the beginning of a continuous dialogue. We started this process with consensus, and we will conclude it with consensus, ensuring that our economic policies reflect the collective vision of all stakeholders.”


Palestinian detainee says he was tortured in Israeli detention center

Tarek Rabie Safi, a freed Palestinian prisoner, is carried as he is greeted after being released by Israel.
Updated 17 February 2025
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Palestinian detainee says he was tortured in Israeli detention center

  • “(There was) no (decent) food, or drinks, or (medical) treatment. My arm was broken, and they did not treat me, and they did not get me checked by a doctor”: Safi

KHAN YOUNIS: Palestinian medic and ambulance worker Tarek Rabie Safi, freed from an Israeli jail as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, said he was underfed and abused during almost a year in captivity.
Safi, a 39-year-old father of two, was released along with 368 other Palestinian detainees on Saturday, after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages from Gaza.
Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages have both complained of harsh treatment in the hands of their captors.
“I was held by the Israeli army in the Gaza ‘envelop’, which is Sde Teiman where I stayed for four months (and I was subjected to) torture of our bodies (physical torture) and hunger,” a gaunt-looking Safi said.
“(There was) no (decent) food, or drinks, or (medical) treatment. My arm was broken, and they did not treat me, and they did not get me checked by a doctor.”
The Israeli military rejected the claims in an emailed response to Reuters’ queries, saying detainees are given food and drink regularly and have access to medical care, and that if necessary, they are transferred to a medical facility with advanced capabilities.
Safi, who was detained in March last year near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, said a detainee who was in the same room with him had died as a result of his treatment.
“A young man who was with me was martyred, Mussab Haniyeh, may God have mercy on him, in the same room. This young man was strong, but due to the lack of food, lack of drinks and frequent torture, he was martyred in front of our eyes,” Safi said.
After four months in the detention center, Safi was moved to other Israeli jails until his release in Khan Younis, where he was reunited with his family in emotional scenes.
The Israeli military said it is aware of incidents of detainee deaths, but cannot comment since investigations are pending.
The Palestinian Prisoner Association, which documents Israeli detentions of Palestinians, said that Israel is carrying out “systematic crimes and revenge attacks” against prisoners, most recently in the Israeli-occupied West Bank’s Ofer prison.
Abdullah Al-Zaghari, head of the association, said that the group had documented horrific testimonies, including severe beatings and shackling prisoners for days and weeks without food or water.
Reuters is unable to independently confirm the reports.
Human rights group Amnesty International said last year that 27 released detainees it had interviewed consistently described being subjected to torture on at least one occasion during their arrest.


UAE, Ukraine sign comprehensive economic partnership deal

Updated 17 February 2025
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UAE, Ukraine sign comprehensive economic partnership deal

JEDDAH: The UAE and Ukraine have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, removing customs duties on 99 percent of Emirati goods and 97 percent of Ukrainian exports to boost trade and investment. 

The agreement aims to unlock new trade and investment opportunities, fostering deeper economic ties between the countries, reported the Emirates News Agency. 

The signing ceremony was attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking a major step in enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. 

This follows the UAE’s signing of CEPAs since 2021 with countries like India, Indonesia, Turkiye, Israel, Malaysia, Jordan, and Morocco to boost trade, attract investments, and protect exports and intellectual property. 

The UAE president emphasized the strategic importance of the CEPA, highlighting its role in boosting bilateral trade and advancing both nations' economic ambitions. He expressed confidence that the agreement would strengthen economic relations and contribute to sustainable development. 

Zelenskyy echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the agreement would benefit both Ukraine and the UAE, expanding economic cooperation and providing new opportunities for growth. 

The CEPA agreement was signed in a formal ceremony at Qasr Al-Shati by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko. 

The deal is projected to contribute $369 million to the UAE’s gross domestic product and $874 million to Ukraine’s by 2031. It is also expected to accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery and create new opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, heavy industry, and aviation, as well as aerospace, and information technology, according to WAM. 

The deal was signed after the two countries expressed their intent to negotiate a CEPA in December 2022, following over $3 billion in trade and investment commitments made during Zelenskyy’s visit to the UAE in February 2021.

Bilateral trade between the UAE and Ukraine totaled $372.4 million in 2024, down from $385.8 million in 2023. Joint foreign direct investment reached $360 million by 2022, covering sectors like logistics, infrastructure, tourism, and advanced technology. 

The CEPA aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to expand its global trade partnerships and increase investment across various sectors. The country aims to grow its non-oil trade to 4 trillion dirhams ($1.1 trillion) by 2031, with international trade playing a central role in its economic vision.


France tries five for holding reporters hostage in Syria

Updated 58 min 19 sec ago
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France tries five for holding reporters hostage in Syria

  • Didier Francois and Edouard Elias, and then Nicolas Henin and Pierre Torres, were abducted 10 days apart while reporting from northern Syria in June 2013
  • More than a decade later, jailed extremist Mehdi Nemmouche, 39, is among five men accused of their abduction at a trial to last until March 21

PARIS: Five men went on trial in France on Monday charged with holding four French journalists hostage for Daesh in war-torn Syria more than a decade ago.
Daesh emerged in 2013 in the chaos that followed the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, slowly gaining ground before declaring a caliphate in large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq.
The extremists abducted a number of foreign journalists and aid workers before US-backed forces eventually defeated the group in 2019.
Reporters Didier Francois and Edouard Elias, and then Nicolas Henin and Pierre Torres, were abducted 10 days apart while reporting from northern Syria in June 2013.
The journalists were held by Daesh for 10 months until their release in April 2014.
They were found blindfolded with their hands bound in the no-man’s land straddling the border between Syria and Turkiye.
More than a decade later, jailed extremist Mehdi Nemmouche, 39, is among five men accused of their abduction at a trial to last until March 21.
Nemmouche is already in prison after a Belgian court jailed him for life in 2019 for killing four people at a Jewish museum in May 2014, after returning from Syria.
“I was never the jailer of the Western hostages or any other hostage, and I never met these people in Syria,” Nemmouche told the Paris court, breaking his silence after not speaking throughout the Brussels trial or during the investigation.
All four journalists told investigators they were sure Nemmouche, then called Abu Omar, was their jailer.

Henin, in a magazine article in September 2014, recounted Nemmouche punching him in the face and terrorizing Syrian detainees.
He described him as “a self-centered fantasist for whom jihad was finally an excuse to satisfy his morbid thirst for notoriety. A young man lost and perverse.”
The journalists told investigators Nemmouche was an avid follower of news and a French crime show called “Bring in the accused,” who would quiz the detainees on their general knowledge or imitate famous French comedians.
He would also threaten to slit their throats, and once left a dead body outside their door to scare them.
Nemmouche, whose father is unknown, was brought up in the French foster system and became radicalized in prison before going to Syria, according to investigators.
Also in the dock are Frenchman Abdelmalek Tanem, 35, who has already been sentenced in France for heading to fight in Syria in 2012, and a 41-year-old Syrian called Kais Al Abdallah, accused of facilitating Henin’s abduction.
Both have denied the charges.

Belgian extremist Oussama Atar, a senior Daesh commander, is being tried in absentia because he is presumed to have died in Syria in 2017.
He has already been sentenced to life over attacks in Paris in 2015 claimed by Daesh that killed 130 people, and Brussels bombings by the group that took the lives of 32 others in 2016.
French Daesh member Salim Benghalem, who was allegedly in charge of the hostages, is also on trial though believed to be dead.
Governments have said hundreds of Westerners joined extremist groups in Syria.
Two US journalists, James Foley and Stephen Sotloff — with whom all four French journalists said they were kept for a period — were videotaped being beheaded by a militant who spoke on camera with a British accent.
El Shafee Elsheikh, an extremist from London, was found guilty in 2022 of hostage-taking and conspiracy to murder US citizens — Foley and Sotloff, as well as aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller — and supporting a “terrorist” organization.


Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years

Updated 17 February 2025
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Pakistan says will privatize over 50 state entities within four years

  • The statement comes after Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema’s meeting with a World Bank delegation
  • Divestment of state entities is key component of Pakistan’s reform agenda under $7 billion IMF program

ISLAMABAD: Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema has said that Pakistan plans to privatize more than 50 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the next four years as part of its efforts to overhaul public entities and improve their performance, the Pakistani government said on Monday.
Cheema said this during his meeting with a delegation of top officials of the World Bank Group (WBG), according to the Press Information Department (PID) of the Pakistani government. The visit aims to enhance understanding of Pakistan’s economic, political, social and governance landscape, while exploring opportunities for future development support.
The development comes months after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his government would privatize all state entities, except those considered “strategically important” or essential. In 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as part of Pakistan’s $3 billion bailout, had stressed the need for stronger governance of SOEs, whose losses were heavily impacting the government finances.
Last year Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP), responsible for the Privatization Program 2024-29, approved the privatization of 24 entities. However, it decided that the inclusion of other state entities would be determined after a review to assess their categorization as strategic or essential enterprises.
“In the first phase, the government is focusing on the privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOS) and in the second phase, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other SOEs are to be privatized,” Cheema was quoted as saying by the PID, following his meeting with the World Bank delegation.
“The minister shared that the government aims to privatize up to 50 SOEs over the next 3-4 years.”
The minister informed the delegation about the challenges faced by the power sector, including high tariffs for consumers, inefficiencies in line losses and efforts to achieve full cost of recovery, according to the statement.
The World Bank delegates commended Pakistan’s efforts in addressing critical challenges and expressed their support for Pakistan’s newly launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2026-2035 to help achieve its development goals, with an unprecedented commitment of $40 billion. It would include sovereign lending of $20 billion by the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD). IFC will mobilize another $20 billion to foster private sector investments in Pakistan.
Last week, Pakistan also signed a financial advisory agreement with a consortium, led by Dubai-based Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited, to privatize three major power distribution companies.
The agreement is part of the government’s broader effort to reform the power sector which has long struggled with circular debt, operational inefficiencies and power theft. The divestment of state-run power companies is a key component of Pakistan’s economic reform agenda as outlined by the IMF in its current $7 billion loan program.