Highlights of initiatives adopted
Three measures to boost tourism sector
Three initiatives aimed at enhancing the tourism sector which contributes approximately Dh161 billion to the UAE’s GDP were adopted yesterday. The tourism sector is forecast to grow by 3.9 per cent per annum to Dh234.2 billion by 2028, i.e. 10.6 per cent of UAE GDP. Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said the Tourism Working Group focused on discussing and adopting three major initiatives on developing the tourism capabilities in the UAE. The National Tourism Development Strategy focuses on forecasting the future, enhancing innovation and technology usage, and aims to achieve tourism sustainability. The meeting also announced the launch of the UAE Tourism Identity initiative that aims to develop a new touristic identity to support the UAE vision for tourism, and promoting the country as the top tourism destination worldwide.
Five-point plan for transport sector
The UAE Government has launched five national initiatives that focus on leveraging advanced technologies to boost safety and prepare the infrastructure for autonomous vehicles and high-speed means of transportation, while seeking sustainable and environment-friendly alternatives. The National Policy for Reducing Transport Sector’s Emissions aims to identify the standards and specifications of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which will ensure the sustainability of the transport sector in the UAE. The National Strategy for Smart Transportation was launched with the aim to establish a global smart transportation system that guarantees integration and compatibility across federal and local levels, enhances traffic safety, reduces the environmental impact and increases economic productivity. The meeting also witnessed the launch of “Our Connected Cities” initiative and a series of national programmes that target enhancing the UAE competitiveness on the road connectivity index.
AI and Big Data in financial audit
The UAE seeks to support and develop the financial audit sector by qualifying and training national skills to achieve the highest international levels. This is especially significant, bearing in mind that the UAE heads the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. This direction was highlighted during the meeting of the Financial Audit Government
Working Group. The meeting adopted the study ‘The use of Artificial Intelligence in Control and Audit Procedures’, which involves conducting the necessary specialised and technical researches for the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in auditing procedures and operations, as well as preparing templates and surveys to compile data.
Latest technology for housing development
The UAE Government seeks to develop the construction and housing sector by adopting the latest techniques and digital technologies to boost the quality, safety and sustainability of projects and guarantee their prompt completion. Dr Abdullah Bin Mohammad Bel Haif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, asserted that the meetings establish a new phase of future action, building on the designed plans and programmes which go in line with the UAE vision. The meeting adopted three national initiatives: Smart Construction Assessment System initiative aims at enhancing productivity and encouraging the use of modern techniques in construction, thus reducing environmental impacts; Smart Construction National Guide initiative targets harnessing modern techniques and smart industries to identify materials, specifications and construction design parameters to keep pace with the best practices and technologies, promote modern industries and enhance their contribution to the national income; and Unified National Digital Housing Platform Initiative ‘Al Zajil’.
Shaping future of the economy
The UAE Government adopted six initiatives to regulate e-commerce nationwide, promote the national economy, support and regulate public-private partnerships (PPP), achieve growth in the national non-oil commodity exports and reinforce the UAE’s position as a hub for global investments.
Al Mansouri stated that the annual meetings set a clear path for the performance of key sectors in the UAE and develop a road map for achieving the aspirations of “UAE Centennial 2071”. The team adopted an initiative to implement ‘Export-oriented Mechanisms, Strategies and Projects’, which includes projects and initiatives with direct impact on increasing the value of non-oil commodity exports. The meeting adopts the Federal E-Commerce Platform initiative, which constitutes a tool for communication and interaction between licence holders and consumers.