Expat News

India And Singapore To Ramp Up Semiconductors, Digital Technology 

India and Singapore signed agreements to ramp up collaboration in semiconductors and digital technologies. During a two-day visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city-state, the countries signed agreements to cultivate talent in chip design and manufacturing, and facilitate Singaporean tech investment in India. The nations will also work more closely together in cybersecurity, fifth-generation mobile networks, super-computing and Artificial Intelligence. While India's semiconductor industry is in its infancy, Singapore has played a significant role in the sector for decades. The city-state is home to some of the largest chip manufacturing plants in Southeast Asia, hosting international names from NXP Semiconductors NV to Micron Technology Inc. The island nation boasts a legion of chip research and engineering talent, as well as abundant venture capital for chip startups. 

Campaign Launched To Increase Participation Of Indian-Americans In US Polls

In the runup to the November 5 US presidential elections, an Indian diaspora group has launched a campaign to increase the policy impact and participation of Indian-American voters in the polls. Launched by a non-profit institution, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), the "Indo American Votes Matter" campaign underscores the critical role the community can play in shaping the nation's future. "As a vibrant and growing immigrant minority, Indo-Americans, comprising 4.5 million, have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the 2024 elections. Concentrated in key swing States, such as Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Indo-American vote could be decisive in determining the outcome of crucial races. With a sizable population in swing States crucial to the presidential elections, Indian-Americans have a unique opportunity to make an impact.

Holiday On Sept 15 To Mark Holy Prophet's Birthday 

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has announced that Sunday, September 15, 2024, will be a public holiday for federal government employees to mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The FAHR has issued a circular to all federal ministries and entities about the holiday. The authority extends its congratulations to the leadership, government, and people of the UAE, and the Arab and Islamic nations, and offers its prayers for their continued health and well-being.

Bahrain EDB To Visit India To Promote Investment Opportunities 

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), which is a key player in attracting investment to Bahrain, will be conducting a promotional visit to India from September 10 to 14, 2024. The visit, led by Noura bint Ali Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain EDB, aims to promote investment opportunities in Bahrain in various sectors, such as manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), and communications. The objective is to strengthen bilateral economic and business ties between Bahrain and India, encourage investment opportunities in Bahrain, and promote the investment landscape of the Gulf region. The delegation will visit key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Notably, Bahrain’s favourable investment environment is particularly appealing to Indian businesses, given its strategic location in the Gulf region. Its investment environment is not only advantageous but also offers substantial growth potential. Each year, the increase in foreign investment is substantial, with a growth  of $10.2 billion. In 2023, foreign investments in India reached $1.52 billion. India is among the top countries with the highest investment in Bahrain. Incidentally, Bahrain accounts for about 4% of the total foreign investments. Prominent Indian companies, including Tech Mahindra, Kemco, Electro Steel, Parle Biscuits, JBF Industries, UltraTech Cement, ICICI Bank, SBI Bank, and KIMS Health, among others, have operations in Bahrain.