Some Indian businessmen working in the UAE published welcoming advertisements on the occasion of the visit by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to India.
Yousuf Ali, a businessmen, asked me on the sidelines of the reception ceremony organised by the UAE embassy in Mumbai on Friday: “Don’t you think that it is our duty to publish welcoming ads for Shaikh Mohammad?”
I told him that Shaikh Mohammad deserves this honour and warm welcome.
Yousuf Ali is one example of a self-made businessman who came to the UAE and worked in simple jobs before becoming a top businessman and investor as a result of the UAE’s economic development, continuous support and the conducive environment.
They are contributing to the development of the Indian economy through various projects and investments. Yousuf Ali’s investments in Kerala is one such example. Many other businessmen are following in the footsteps of Yousuf Ali.
Such businessmen have real partnerships with UAE businessmen that are based on integration and competition. I have always wished that Emirati businessmen also find similar opportunities to invest in India.
Unfortunately, this has not happened for many reasons. Now, following the visit of Shaikh Mohammad, our businessmen will be able to invest in sectors defined in the UAE-India joint statement.
The trade relations between the UAE and India have never been a problem as businessmen from both the countries have extended bridges of joint work and seized opportunities to grow their businesses.
Apart from trade cooperation and partnership, there is a need to boost this partnership and take it to greater heights to build educational, art, technological and cultural partnerships between the nations.
This was referred to in the final statement, which provides for cultural exchanges in various areas, including media and modern technology to consolidate understanding between the UAE and India.
I still believe that the UAE can benefit from India in education by sending Emirati students on scholarships to study in Indian universities and training centres. India is best known for excellent university education in vital fields such as medicine, engineering, electronics and computer programming.
The tens of thousands of talented Indians who work in the United States, other Western nations and the rest of the world are products of the high quality of education in India. Many of them hold high positions in global corporations.
Why shouldn’t our Emirati students benefit from education in India, which is very close to the UAE?
