Foreign students allowed to sponsor their families
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stated that 2020 was an exceptional year full of national achievements in all sectors worthy of pride, noting that he is proud of the government’s successes, despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
He was also optimistic that 2021 would be a different and exceptional year.
“The UAE is beginning a new decade while continuing its journey of prosperity and leadership, as well as looking forward to accomplishing greater achievements and reinforcing its economic, education, community and health sectors. Nothing will deter us from leading the race to the future,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The Cabinet approved a resolution to allow foreign university students to invite their family members to come to the UAE, as long as they can afford suitable housing. The resolution aims to achieve moral stability, which will support the country’s education sector and reinforce its position as a leading global destination for work and study.
During the meeting, the Cabinet presented the general framework of the “UAE Media Strategy,” overseen by the UAE Government Media Office and comprising key orientations and initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s position and reputation both regionally and globally, most notably in light of the recent media atention on the country, coinciding with its efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of the Hope Probe, the operation of the Barakah Peaceful Nuclear Power Plant, and the singing of the peace accord between the UAE and Israel.
“The UAE is ranked 18th in sot power indexes and 11th in terms of influence and is among the most active countries in the global scene. We will handle the international media with confidence, boldness, credibility and transparency, and we need to have a clear approach to address the new media, which has become influential,” he added.
The Cabinet approved the “Federal Government Public Debt Strategy 2021-2023,” in line with the current approach of the government to improve its financial planning, achieve financial sustainability and create a competitive economy based on knowledge and innovation.
“We have approved some amendments to our national residence and citizenship procedures by allowing foreign students to sponsor their families, providing they can afford it,” Sheikh Mohammed pointed out.
Sheikh Mohammed said, “We approved changes in the residency and nationality procedures in the country by enabling foreign students to bring their families whenever they have the financial means.the UAE has become a regional educational destination with more than 77 universities and tens of thousands of students annually.”
The UAE Cabinet also approved the establishment of the UAE embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The formation of the “Emirates Tourism Council,” was approved by the Cabinet. It would be chaired by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMES, to strengthen the tourism porfolio, drating a tourism strategy in line with the nation’s aspirations and the UAE Centennial, and integrating all relevant local authorities and departments.
The council will be responsible for suggesting and revising policies and legislation that will support the tourism sector and national tourism development plans, as well as supporting the growth of tourism industries, atracting tourism investments, suggesting economic incentives to encourage the growth of the sector, establishing a comprehensive national tourism information database, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) involved in the tourism sector.
The council’s members include the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing-dubai, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the Ajman Tourism Development Department, the Umm Al Qaiwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority.
The meeting’s agenda also included the approval of the “UAE Circular Economy Policy,” which is a comprehensive framework for determining the country’s approach to achieving sustainable governance and the ideal use of natural resources, by adopting consumption and production methods that ensure the quality of life for current and future generations.
“We have adopted the Circular Economy Policy. Our objectives are clean production, sustainable transport and consumption and efficient waste management, to protect the environment and generate new economic opportunities. We have also established a federal circular economy council to implement this strategy,” Sheikh Mohammed stated.
Mohammed optimistic about 2021; Cabinet approves Federal Public Debt Strategy, formation of Emirates Tourism Council, Circular Economy Policy and UAE Media Strategy.