‘Our achievements are too many to count’
MOHAMMAD DUBS KHALIFASAT AN EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
■
The 47th National Day gains special momentum in 2018, as it coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of the Founding Father, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In a statement, Shaikh Mohammad said: “But for Shaikh Zayed, our Union would not have seen the light, nor would our nation have been able to survive the challenges that beset his drive to establish the Union.”
He added: “While looking into where we have reached, I feel satisfied with what has been achieved on the ground. I thank Allah Almighty for empowering us to secure quantum leaps that fulfil the expectations of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
Shedding light on some of the significant milestones accomplished over the recent period, Shaikh Mohammad said: “Among other achievements are our state departments’ rapid and efficient transition to smart government and governance of smart mobility; allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies in the UAE; and granting investors and talents up to 10-year residency visas for specialists in medical, scientific, research and technical fields, as well as for all scientists and innovators to add value to the UAE’s economy by attracting people of advanced skills.”
Diversification of economy
He added: “Over the last year we boosted the expansion and diversification of our economy. The contribution of oil and gas activities to the GDP declined to 22.3 per cent; and our 2017 GDP surged to Dh1,422.2 billion.
“Last September we approved a budget of Dh180 billion over the next three years, including a substantial increase in 2019 spending. Next year’s budget will be the biggest in the history of the Union, 59 per cent of which would be allocated for education and community development. Citizens are our top priority. We have allotted the bulk of the budget to ensure their prosperity, health, education and security.”
Shifting to the country’s landmark space achievements, Shaikh Mohammad said, “Our achievements are too many to count here but they absolutely speak for themselves across all fields.
“However, I will stop at our most recent achievement — the success of our national cadres in building the KhalifaSat which successfully lifted off into space. I spotlight this significant milestone as it is, in no uncertain way, an exceptional accomplishment.”
Next year’s budget will be the biggest in the history of the Union, 59 per cent of which would be allocated for education and community development. ”
Shaikh Mohammad |