The Trump administration is planning to toughen semiconductor restrictions on China, continuing and expanding the Biden administration’s efforts to limit Beijing’s technological prowess, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

US officials recently met with their Japanese and Dutch counterparts about restricting Tokyo Electron, engineers from maintaining semiconductor gear in China, the report said.

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Some Trump officials also aim to further restrict the quantity and types of Nvidia chips that can be exported to China without a license, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

An Nvidia spokesperson and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) declined to comment

Tokyo Electron, ASML, the White House and the Dutch foreign trade ministry and did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Trump’s goal is for key allies to align with the US in imposing restrictions on China, similar to those placed on American chip gear companies like Lam Research and Applied Materials, as per the report.

The UAE and Italy have signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in pharmaceuticals, minerals, and digital infrastructure, including data centres and artificial intelligence (AI).

The agreements aim to foster investment, innovation, and knowledge exchange in these key sectors, building on decades of strong bilateral ties.

The MoUs were signed by Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

Alsuwaidi said: “Our collaboration with Italy underscores the strength of our bilateral relationship and our shared commitment to sustainable economic growth.

“The three MoUs signed today mark a significant milestone in advancing cooperation across healthcare, energy transition, and digital transformation and reflect the UAE’s dedication to fostering impactful, forward-looking partnerships that drive mutual prosperity while addressing global challenges.”

Urso added: “By fostering collaboration in pharmaceuticals, minerals, and digital infrastructure, we are creating new opportunities, reflecting both our nations’ commitment to strengthening international cooperation and leveraging mutual expertise in cutting-edge industries to drive economic progress.”

UAE-Italy MoUs to advance different sectors

The partnerships will focus on advancing healthcare, sustainable mineral development, and digital infrastructure, with a special emphasis on AI and green data centres.

In the pharmaceutical sector, the UAE and Italy will collaborate on technology transfer, vaccine production, and R&D for new treatments.

The minerals agreement targets sustainable practices in mining, mineral processing, and recycling.

Meanwhile, the digital infrastructure MoU will drive investment in AI and data centres, with a focus on green initiatives and secure cross-border data resilience.

These agreements reflect the growing economic ties between the two nations, with non-oil trade surpassing $8.79bn in 2023.

The UAE and Italy aim to leverage these partnerships for long-term economic growth and technological advancement, further solidifying their global leadership in key industries.

Read: Italy’s Eni, UAE’s ADQ to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a two-hour daily reduction for private sector employees during Ramadan.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry said, “In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during Ramadan.”

The announcement comes as Federal Decree Law No 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its amendments are implemented.

Work hours for the public sector during Ramadan

In other news, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has issued a circular outlining the official working hours for federal government employees during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

As per the circular, ministries and federal authorities will operate from 9 am to 2:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, while on Fridays, the working hours will be from 9 am to 12 pm.

The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, has inaugurated the Al Aliah Island ferry terminal, enhancing the island’s connectivity and supporting its local development.

The new facility plays a key role in improving accessibility for Al Aliah Island, linking it to the broader Abu Dhabi area.

It also supports the island’s growing needs by facilitating the efficient movement of goods, residents, workers, and visitors.

Located on a 3,900-square-metre site, the ferry terminal offers modern amenities designed to meet the daily mobility demands of the island’s community.

The facility also lays the groundwork for potential future expansion of local maritime services.

Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, acting director-general of the Integrated Transport Centre, expressed the significance of the terminal’s opening, stating: “This marks a new milestone in Abu Dhabi Mobility’s journey towards building an advanced maritime infrastructure. Our collaborative work with Abu Dhabi Maritime reflects our commitment to supporting the development of the maritime sector and creating sustainable solutions for the future of maritime transport.”

He added that the initiative is part of Abu Dhabi Mobility’s strategic vision to solidify the emirate’s position as a leading global maritime hub while fostering environmental sustainability and an integrated transport system.

Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, highlighted the terminal’s role in a broader strategy to enhance Abu Dhabi’s maritime infrastructure. “The opening of Al Aliah Ferry Terminal follows last year’s launch of the Saadiyat Ferry Terminal,” he said.

“These projects, alongside the introduction of modern, customised ferries, represent our ongoing commitment to providing safer, more efficient, and enjoyable experiences for all maritime users in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

Key features of the ferry terminal include:

1. A ferry terminal with a seating capacity for 60 passengers
2. Two berths, 15-metres and 12.5-meters in length, for the loading and unloading of roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels
3. An 80-square-metre office building
4. Seven regular parking spots and six dedicated truck parking spaces
5. Crew accommodation to support operational activities

Read: Abu Dhabi updates timings for heavy vehicle movement to ease traffic

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has launched the ADX Group market infrastructure, marking a key milestone in transforming Abu Dhabi’s capital market.

As part of the expansion, two independent subsidiaries have been launched: Abu Dhabi Clear (AD Clear) and Abu Dhabi Central Securities Depository (AD CSD).

This new initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision and underscores ADX’s commitment to becoming a developed market.

The launch of the ADX Group was celebrated in a high-profile event in Abu Dhabi, attended by over 500 industry participants from across the globe.

Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as an international financial hub

Ghannam Al Mazrouei, chairman of the ADX Group, stated: “With the launch of ADX Group, we are not just building a financial marketplace; we are shaping the future of investment in Abu Dhabi and contributing to the long-term economic development of the UAE and the region.

“More regional and global investors will benefit from seamless access to the ADX platform to unlock opportunities for expansion in the emirate’s thriving sectors and industries.”

Al Mazrouei added that ADX Group will continue to innovate, ensuring a robust and reliable marketplace to raise capital, facilitate greater investment flows, and uphold financial resilience and stability.

Revolutionising trading and investment solutions

The new infrastructure will feature enhanced market access, cutting-edge trading technology, and a broadened range of post-trade services to provide faster, more efficient trade clearing and settlement solutions.

The ADX Group aims to unlock greater investment opportunities, deepen market liquidity, and provide quicker access to Abu Dhabi’s dynamic industries.

Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, group CEO of ADX, highlighted the significance of this transformation, saying: “The ADX Group is leading the way in using new technology to expand and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s investment landscape.

“Our enhanced trading system aims to increase resilience and performance by 400 per cent, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global financial hub.”

ADX Group marks a new chapter in capital markets infrastructure

A key feature of the ADX Group’s new strategy is its strategic partnership with Nasdaq, which supports the modernisation of the trading infrastructure through a core platform upgrade (CPU).

The CPU integrates multiple asset classes: equities, ETFs, debt instruments, and derivatives – into a single, high-performance platform, optimised for high-frequency trading and algorithmic strategies.

Magnus Haglind, SVP and head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq, commented: “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with ADX and help deliver this forward-thinking vision for its marketplace. By modernising the infrastructure, we can remove barriers to wider participation and help economies thrive.”

The platform improvements also include new order types, negotiated deal features, and integration with international financial institutions using the ISO 20022 messaging protocol.

Post-trade services: AD Clear and AD CSD

In addition to the new trading capabilities, the ADX Group has launched two subsidiaries focused on post-trade services: Abu Dhabi Clear (AD Clear) and Abu Dhabi Central Securities Depository (AD CSD).

These entities will enhance the market’s efficiency by providing clearing, settlement, depository, and risk management services for both local and international investors.

AD Clear is a Central Counterparty Clearinghouse designed to improve clearing and settlement efficiency while reducing counterparty risk.

AD CSD, the region’s leading central securities depository, will ensure the resilience and stability of the capital market by safeguarding securities, managing corporate actions, and facilitating the seamless transfer of shares.

ADX’s global growth and investment appeal

ADX has consistently outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index since 2020, with its General Index growing by 86 per cent over the past five years.

Ranked 7th globally by market capitalisation for emerging market exchanges, ADX is a major player in global capital markets.

As the largest capital market in the UAE, ADX offers investors access to some of the country’s most valuable companies.

In 2024, ADX accounted for 27 per cent of IPO proceeds raised in the Middle East and ranked among the top 10 globally for IPO proceeds for two consecutive years.

With a vibrant investor base of over 200 nationalities, ADX serves a diverse community of investors trading in 188 listed securities.

The ADX Group’s enhancements are designed with the future in mind, catering to the evolving needs of institutional investors, brokers, issuers, and businesses.