Are you thinking of taking a few days off from your work and flying off to Malaysia with your friends and family?
Israel's first ambassador to the UAE, Amir Hayek, says he felt at home the moment he arrived in the country.
Hayek came to Abu Dhabi for the first time in October 2021, one year after the signing of the historic Abraham Accords. The envoy brings a wealth of experience in the private and public sector and his appointment by Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid highlights the importance of UAE-Israel bilateral relations.
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Hayek said the UAE reminded him of his parents and their childhood experiences in Baghdad.
“As a child (my parents) used to speak Arabic at home, my grandmother used to speak Arabic, my grandfather used to speak Arabic and they used to listen to Arabic music. When I came here... I felt that I came home, I came to my parents' neighbourhood," he said.
The diplomat - who previously headed Israel’s hotel association, Export Institute, and Manufacturing Association - said his focus is to promote bilateral business opportunities, particularly focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We need to deepen (the relationship) and widen it to as many people as we can. I’m talking about the youth, we need to take care of the youth and to bring this peace to them as this is their peace, their future," he said.
"The second sector when we are talking about business is the SMEs. We need to do everything we can to bring this peace to SMEs, to let them understand it, to let them use it, to let them work with each other, and to let them create business with each other."
ALSO READ:
While a free trade agreement is being finalised between the UAE and Israel, the ambassador revealed that both governments have committed to establishing a first joint R&D fund.
Another major aspect of bilateral relations will be driven by tourism on both sides, and Israel is waiting to welcome Emirati tourists, Hayek said.
Are you thinking of taking a few days off from your work and flying off to Malaysia with your friends and family?
After nearly six months of war, Gaza’s health sector has been decimated. Roughly a dozen of 36 hospitals are only partially functioning
This is not the place to scour for new romantic partners, say many, who want the site to retain its original purpose
Dr Amna Al Dahak has stated that the National Committee for Food Safety has partially approved the ban already
Bill authors want to send a message of support to Black people, others who have faced hostility because of their hair
The premium tier offers functionalities such as the Edit Post feature, enabling users to make limited changes to published content within a one-hour window
If stood upright, the Dali would reach almost to the top of the Eiffel Tower or about two-thirds of the way up the Empire State Building in New York
Wethio Project is committed to building a sustainable future for Africa and beyond