The ceremony will honour winners from nations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Turkiye, Jordan, Oman, Tunisia, Iran, Lebanon, and Algeria. Tickets for the event are available through the official website at www.StevieAwards.com.

Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller praised the quality of nominations this year, saying, “The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The programme has grown every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.”

This year’s competition saw over 1,100 nominations submitted in both Arabic and English. A panel of 118 judges from around the world evaluated the entries, selecting winners based on their contributions to various categories, including innovation in apps, customer service, sustainability, technology, public relations, human resources, and more.

Among the distinguished winners are notable organizations such as Abu Dhabi Customs, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, Saudi Arabia’s Insan Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans and Their Mothers, and DHL Express. Other awardees include Ebebek Magazacilik A.S from Turkiye, ZIRA Arabia and The Fashion Commission from Saudi Arabia, and Mobile Communications Company of Iran (MCI).

The Stevie Awards celebrate achievements across a range of sectors, with categories recognizing innovation, management, leadership, and excellence in services and technologies. This prestigious event highlights the continued growth and development within the MENA region, showcasing the region’s rising influence on the global stage.

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One of the most exciting moments during the England leg was the return of the coveted silverware to The Oval, the site of the memorable 2017 Champions Trophy final where Pakistan emerged victorious. The setting provided a nostalgic backdrop, amplifying the excitement surrounding the tournament. England wicket-keeper Jamie Smith, who is set to play in his first Champions Trophy, expressed his excitement and looked forward to competing in Pakistan. Smith shared his expectations for the tournament and talked about England’s ambitions as they gear up for the prestigious event.

Beyond the cricketing excitement, the trophy also made its way to some of London’s most iconic landmarks. From Tower Bridge and Big Ben to the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and Borough Market, the tour celebrated cricket’s global heritage while embracing the city’s vibrant culture. These moments captured the attention of fans and reinforced the connection between cricket and England’s world-renowned landmarks.

Following successful stops in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, the England leg of the Trophy Tour was yet another milestone in the buildup to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Now, the excitement shifts towards India, with the trophy set to embark on its next chapter in Mumbai, Bangalore, and other major cities. Fans in India can look forward to another round of fan engagement and activities as the countdown to the tournament continues.

Adding to the excitement, earlier this week, the Indian cricket team revealed its 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, alongside the ODI series against England. Led by Rohit Sharma and featuring key players such as Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Jasprit Bumrah, Team India is gearing up to make a strong push for glory in the tournament.

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Trophy Tour, with its global journey, is successfully generating anticipation and uniting cricket fans from across the world, bringing the spirit of the tournament to life as it makes its way through the eight participating nations.

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This achievement is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive security strategies, which include innovative safety plans and initiatives designed to maintain a high standard of living. The success in this realm can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of various entities, particularly the Abu Dhabi Police, who have worked tirelessly to promote a sense of safety and security in the city.

Abu Dhabi’s ability to consistently rank at the top of the Numbeo list highlights its status as a city where people can feel secure in their daily lives. The emirate’s emphasis on community trust and the strengthening of its security infrastructure has further contributed to its reputation as an ideal location to live, study, and work.

As one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing cities, Abu Dhabi’s commitment to safety not only enhances the quality of life for its inhabitants but also attracts global talent and investment, reinforcing its position as a leading international destination.

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The BCCI stated that the Men’s Selection Committee will finalize the squad for both the IDFC First Bank ODI series against England and the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy. Fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating the composition of the squad, especially with the Champions Trophy just around the corner.

India’s Upcoming Fixtures

Before the ODI series, India will first take on England in a five-match T20I series starting January 22. The series will kick off in Kolkata, followed by matches in Chennai on January 25, Rajkot on January 28, Pune on January 31, and concluding in Mumbai on February 2.

The ODI series will follow the T20Is, with the first match scheduled for February 6. This series serves as important preparation for the Indian team ahead of their next major international assignment – the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9, with a unique hybrid model in which some matches will be hosted in Pakistan and others in the UAE. India is set to play all its matches in the UAE. The tournament will feature eight teams and a total of 15 matches, all played in the 50-over format.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20, when they face Bangladesh in their opening match. This will be followed by a much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. India’s final league match is scheduled for March 2, where they will square off against New Zealand.

Tournament Structure

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be divided into two groups. Group A consists of hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, along with Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

India’s fixtures in Group A promise to be highly competitive, with their matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand likely to be among the most watched of the tournament.

Conclusion

With the ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, India’s squad selection will be under intense scrutiny. As the tournament draws nearer, the Indian cricket team will be looking to build on their recent successes and prepare for a challenging yet exciting few weeks of international cricket. Fans across the world will be watching closely as the squad announcement unfolds this Saturday.

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The meetings, held from January 13-14, 2025, brought together Minister Rajeev and top UAE officials, including UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi and Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. These discussions proved fruitful, with the UAE confirming its commitment to the event by sending a special delegation to Kerala for the summit. The UAE’s strong support signals a new chapter in bilateral trade and investment between Kerala and the Gulf nation.

Strategic Areas of Collaboration

The meetings focused on areas of mutual interest, with Minister Suwaidi expressing particular interest in Kerala’s burgeoning logistics and food processing sectors. The UAE has seen its investments diversify across various industries, and Kerala’s established strengths in these sectors made it an attractive destination for capital inflows. To further assess potential investment opportunities, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce also announced plans to send officials to Kerala for preliminary site evaluations ahead of the IKGS.

The discussions underscored Kerala’s readiness to embrace international investment, as the state continues to evolve as a crucial player in India’s economic landscape.

Ambassador’s Remarks on Kerala’s Strategic Position

During the investor roadshow at Taj Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Shri Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted the unique strategic position of Kerala in Indo-UAE relations. “Kerala stands out in the trade connection. From humble beginnings, we have reached a stage where India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner,” Ambassador Sudhir noted. He further underscored the growing economic importance of the UAE’s capital, stating that Abu Dhabi has emerged as the “capital of capital” with its sovereign wealth fund assets surpassing those of many other global financial hubs.

Minister Rajeev’s Vision for Kerala’s Industrial Future

Minister Rajeev took the opportunity to address potential investors and challenge misconceptions about Kerala’s industrial landscape. He emphasized the state’s remarkable contributions to India’s economy, despite its relatively small geographic and demographic footprint. “Despite occupying just 1.16% of India’s land area and 2.8% of its population, Kerala contributes a remarkable 4% to the national GDP,” he pointed out, bolstered by compelling statistics about the state’s diverse industrial achievements.

The minister also spotlighted Kerala’s leadership in the medical device industry, revealing that the state accounts for 24% of India’s total medical device industry turnover and 17% of medical device products. This data demonstrates Kerala’s significant role in the healthcare sector, both domestically and globally.

Technological Innovation at Kerala’s Core

In addition to its industrial prowess, Minister Rajeev highlighted Kerala’s pioneering role in technology. He drew attention to the state’s long history of technological leadership, citing the establishment of Keltron in 1973 – India’s first public-sector electronics company – and Technopark in 1993, which remains the country’s first and largest technology park.

Today, Kerala’s technological expertise continues to shape India’s future, with Keltron managing cutting-edge AI-based traffic control systems for National Highways and smart city projects across the country. These achievements underscore Kerala’s robust infrastructure in technology, making it an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors.

Looking Ahead to the Global Summit

With strong backing from the UAE’s business and government leaders, the upcoming Invest Kerala Global Summit is poised to be a landmark event in the state’s investment journey. The summit promises to be an excellent platform for showcasing Kerala’s potential across key sectors, including logistics, food processing, medical devices, and technology. As Kerala continues to foster strong ties with international markets, it is on track to become a major player in the global economic landscape.

As the state gears up for the IKGS in February, all eyes will be on Kerala’s growing role as a dynamic economic hub, driven by innovation, industrial excellence, and strategic international partnerships.

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This new agreement is set to reduce trade barriers, streamline customs procedures, and foster increased private sector collaboration and investment between the two countries. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted that the agreement marks a significant addition to the UAE’s CEPA program, strengthening its connections with the Asia-Pacific region, one of the world’s most developed and open markets.

The UAE-New Zealand CEPA is built upon the growing economic ties between the two nations, with bilateral non-oil trade having reached USD 642 million in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized that the CEPA reflects the shared ambition of both countries to create resilient, future-ready economies powered by knowledge, innovation, and talent.

As part of the agreement, New Zealand will provide 100% duty-free access to all imports from the UAE, while the UAE will offer duty-free access to 98.5% of New Zealand products, with this figure set to rise to 99% within three years. This trade deal is expected to increase bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2032, tripling the five-year average trade of USD 1.5 billion between the two nations from 2019-2023.

This partnership is particularly significant as it marks New Zealand’s first trade agreement with a Middle Eastern nation, and it stands as one of the UAE’s most expansive CEPAs to date. The agreement covers a wide array of areas, including indigenous trade, sustainable development, women’s economic empowerment, and transparency. In addition to the CEPA, a Bilateral Investment Treaty aimed at promoting and protecting investments was also concluded, ensuring a stronger framework for increasing UAE-New Zealand investment ties across multiple sectors.

The UAE’s CEPA program, launched in September 2021, is a central part of the country’s economic growth strategy, which targets USD 1 trillion in total trade value by 2031 and aims to double the size of its economy to surpass USD 800 billion by 2031. To date, the program has resulted in agreements with nations across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe, broadening access to markets that represent nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

This agreement solidifies the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its economic relations globally, with a particular focus on creating mutually beneficial partnerships that promote innovation, sustainability, and long-term economic growth.

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