New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with the highest civilian award of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Dominica Award of Honour, the country announced on Thursday.

The award will be in recognition of Modi's contributions to Caribbean island nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Commonwealth of Dominica will bestow its highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, in recognition of his contributions to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the partnership between India and Dominica," a statement released by Dominica prime minister's office said.

“In February 2021, Prime Minister Modi supplied Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine—a generous gift which enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours,” said the statement.

The award recognises India's support for Dominica in areas such as healthcare, education, and information technology, along with Modi’s efforts in promoting climate resilience initiatives and sustainable development on a global scale.

Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, said the award is an "expression of Dominica's gratitude for Prime Minister Modi's solidarity with Dominica and the wider region," the statement said, adding that the country looks forward to building on this partnership and advancing our shared vision of progress and resilience.

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Bhatkal: The Indian Nawayath Forum (INF) has announced the organization of the INF Trade Expo 2025, scheduled to take place from January 11 to 15, 2025, at NH 66, near the Ice Factory, opposite the Indian Oil Petrol Pump in Bhatkal. The announcement was made by Arshad Mohtisham, President of the Indian Nawayath Forum, during a press conference held at the INF office on Sunday, located opposite Kazia’s Bunglow.

Mohtisham stated that the expo aims to open new avenues for growth for traders and entrepreneurs, providing a platform for the empowerment of local businesses. The event is set to be a significant boost for the business sector in the region, much like the previous INF Trade Expo in 2022, which saw the participation of over 180 exhibitors and attracted a large number of visitors.

For the 2025 edition, Mohtisham shared that the expo will be bigger, better, and more effective, with more than 200 stalls expected to be set up and over 20,000 visitors anticipated. The expo will not only feature a wide range of local businesses but also offer workshops and networking opportunities designed to benefit entrepreneurs.

These sessions will include guidance on business registration, food industry regulations, packaging techniques, tips for starting up businesses on e-commerce platforms, inventory management, and billing technologies. The workshops will be conducted by chartered accountants and industry experts.

To reserve stalls, interested parties can either fill out the registration form or visit the INF office. For further information, individuals can contact the following numbers: 7022020454, 9353151493, or 9741803006.

The press conference was also attended by Majid Jukaku, Secretary and Convener of INF Trade Expo 2025, along with executive members Faizan Barmawar, Aftab Kola, Imtiaz Damda, Tanveer Motia, Qamar Uzzama Motia, and Harris Shabandari.