UAE approves Dh2 billion to repair rain-damaged homes
COMMITTEE FORMED TO DISBURSE COMPENSATIONS TO AFFECTED FAMILIES
The UAE Cabinet yesterday approved Dh2 billion to address the damage caused to citizens’ homes by the recent rains, and assigned a ministerial committee to disburse compensations to affected families.
The Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, which was chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also discussed the impact of the unprecedented weather conditions experienced by the country. “The situation was unprecedented in its severity, yet as a nation, we always strive to learn and evolve,” Shaikh Mohammad wrote on his X account.
Exceptional situation
“The central operations rooms managed to handle over 200,000 reports, engaging over 17,000 members from security, emergency, and interior agencies, alongside 15,000 personnel from local authorities. Additionally, thousands of volunteers contributed to dealing with the aftermath of the exceptional weather situation.”
The Cabinet approved the formation of a committee to inventory the damage of floods and rains on infrastructure and propose solutions and procedures at the state level. The committee is headed by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and will comprise members from Ministries of Defence and Interior, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and other federal entities, in addition to representatives from all local emirates.
Shaikh Mohammad said the exceptional weather situation brought benefits to the country, with dams being filled, valleys flowing with abundant rains, and underground water reserves replenished. “We have learned valuable lessons from dealing with heavy rains in our developed cities, identifying areas for improvement, and enhancing our preparedness for such conditions, making us more resilient for the future,” he emphasised.
The UAE Cabinet yesterday reviewed the progress of the UAE Tourism Strategy and highlighted key achievements within the sector.
The Cabinet meeting in Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi was chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktroum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, was present along with other ministers
In 2023, the total number of hotel guests reached 28 million, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the previous year. International tourism expenditure in the UAE totaled Dh118 billion, whereas domestic tourism expenditure amounted to Dh47 billion. The tourism sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP nearly reached Dh180 billion in 2023.
Economic strides
The Cabinet took stock of the UAE’s economic strides, underscoring its prowess in international trade and partnership agreements. Over 13 comprehensive economic partnership agreements were inked, poised to bolster the country’s exports by Dh366 billion annually by 2031. The national agenda for re-export development reported impressive figures, with total service exports soaring to Dh606 billion, including Dh170 billion in digital services.
Notably, the UAE’s foreign trade of goods and services in 2023 surged to a record Dh4 trillion (Dh445 billion).
Highlighting the UAE’s global economic footprint, Shaikh Mohammed noted its 15th position in foreign direct investment abroad in 2023, with investments exceeding Dh880 billion.
Reflecting on these achievements, Shaikh Mohammad expressed confidence in the nation’s continued economic growth, praying for enduring prosperity, stability, security, and safety.