She was commenting on the UAE's decision to scrap the preferential treatment for Canadians who earlier got free visas on arrival. The UAE requires Canadian visitors to have visas starting this month and it has already started to affect business travel.
The minister said the paperwork required in advance is also making it more difficult for Canadian businesspeople.
"It has certainly become costly for Canadians to be in the UAE," said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
She is heading a contingent of 20 Ontario health companies to Arab Health, the premier health care exhibition and congress in the region.
Canadians were taken off the list of 35 countries that were given preferential treatment this month and a one-month visa now costs Dh920. "That's just the minimum, it goes up from there," said Pupatello, calling it a "battle on a different front."
Canadians now have to pay Dh1,840 for a three-month visa and have to apply 15 days prior to departure from Canada. Some Canadian businesspeople and travellers have already been inadvertently caught in the diplomatic spat.
The visa row began after Ottawa refused to allow Emirates airline to fly to more Canadian airports despite years of negotiations.
The minister said the issue of the landing rights came up in her meetings with officials. She said that the issue is being looked into at the federal level.
Pupatello said that "on the ground" Canadians get along very well with the Emiratis. "We have a long 40-year history of engagement with the UAE," she said.
Partnership
She told the Toronto Star, the leading newspaper published from her province, just before her arrival here, that Ottawa should understand that Ontario was trying to expand into new markets and that Ottawa should be a partner rather being a hurdle.
The Star said she used a hockey analogy to describe her frustration, "likening the situation to a skater being body checked by his own teammate before scoring a goal." She was quoted as saying that recent statements by federal officials suggest the Canadian government is "locking in" its position.
New Health channel
A new Arabic language health channel will start broadcasting this year to meet the growing demand from viewers who are becoming more health conscious.
The pan Arab channel called Sah (health) TV will help viewers take better control of their health and wellness through tailored content, it was announced at the Arab Health Congress. The channel will start broadcasting in October via Nilesat and Arabsat.
"Considering the unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets throughout the region, we are aggravating the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases," said Ayman Al Zyoud, CEO and founder of Charisma Group, which has been awarded the contract for the new health channel.
Thanks - Gulf News
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