MILESTONES

Dec 9 The Supreme Council forms and has its first meeting in Abu Dhabi. First UAE Cabinet formed with Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Prime Minister. UAE joins Arab League.

1972 Port Rashid, first of two man-made ports in Dubai, inaugurated. Feb 11 Ras Al Khaimah signs the charter. Feb 12 Federal National Council’s first session held. 1973 dirham, May issued. 19 The official currency of UAE, the

1974 Al His Sharqi Highness becomes Shaikh Ruler Hamadof Fujairah.Bin Mohammad

1975Dubai opened. Shindagha tunnel between Deira and Bur

1976 opened. Umm Al Nar oil refinery in Abu Dhabi Ras Al Khaimah airport inaugurated.

May 6 UAE Armed Forces formed by uniting each of the emirates.

Aug 30 (Etisalat) Emirates Telecommunications formerly known as Emirtel, established. UAE University established. 1977 Dubai Natural Gas company established. 1978 New Dubai Hospital completed. 1979 Feb 26 Queen Elizabeth II opens Trade Centre in Dubai.

Apr 30 Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum appointed as Prime Minister of the UAE along with post of Vice President.

Oct Dubai Aluminum Company (Dubal) in Jebel Ali begins operations.

1980 Apr 22 Dugas plant in Dubai inaugurated.

1981 Feb 21 Shaikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain dies.

Feb 22 Shaikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Mualla becomes Ruler of Umm Al Quwain following death of his father.

May 25 Gulf Cooperation Council formally launched in Abu Dhabi.

Sep 6 Shaikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, dies after prolonged illness.

Sep 7 Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi becomes the new Ruler of Ajman.

1982 Jan 4 The new Abu Dhabi International Airport begins operations.

Jun 19 Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai inaugurates Deira Clock Tower underpass.

1983 Mar First Gulf Property Exhibition held. May Fujairah Port, largest of the UAE’s ports, becomesMay Dubai fully Drydocks operational. starts operations.

1984 Lagoon Apr fountain Construction— one of region’sof Sharjah’s highest Khalid— completed.

May 19 Ajman Cement Factory inaugurated.

1985 Apr Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) established.

Oct 25 Emirates airline launched.

1986 Jun Sharjah Liquefied Gas Company (Shalco) begins production.

1987 Oct 29 Fujairah International Airport

opens.

1989 Jan 29 First Dubai Airshow launched.

1990 Oct 7 Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, dies.

Oct 8 Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

1991 Jan Invasion of Kuwait — UAE joins