Khaleej Times

UAE Cabinet okays Dh58b 2021 budget

Our economy will be among the fastest to recover: VP

- Waheed Abbas

dubai — The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved a Dh58 billion budget for 2021 with developmen­t of vital national projects remaining the government’s top priority.

“The UAE economy will be among the fastest to recover in 2021, and the government has dealt with the 2020 budget efficientl­y and has all the tools to continue its financial and operationa­l efficiency in 2021,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said in a tweet after approving the budget.

Sheikh Mohammed said work on vital national projects will continue in 2021 and their developmen­t will remain a priority.

“The federal budget in 2021 keeps pace with global economic changes without compromisi­ng national developmen­t priorities. Our message to all federal entities for the fiscal year 2021 is to have balance in spending, flexibilit­y in plans, and efficiency in budgets,” he said.

The UAE’s 2021 budget is

slightly smaller from 2020 budget of Dh61.35 billion, which was the largest budget since the establishm­ent of the country.

The budget reflects strength of the national economy and the abundance and sustainabi­lity of resources to finance developmen­t, economic and social projects even during the pandemic time.

The budget has been distribute­d among various sectors to achieve a balance between expenditur­e and revenues. It aims to raise living standards and provide a decent life for citizens and residents in the UAE, as allocation­s were made for a number of sectors including social developmen­t, strengthen­ing the education sector, improving quality of

The federal budget in 2021 keeps pace with global economic changes without compromisi­ng national developmen­t priorities HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

healthcare to ensure the highest levels of medical services to residents and supporting housing programmes for citizens.

The Cabinet directed all federal entities to include media identity of the UAE in the initiative­s and activities of the federal government agencies and as well as for main campaigns and events organised and supervised by the entities and their affiliates.

During its Sunday’s session, the Cabinet also reviewed a report on the most important achievemen­ts of the Emirates Investment Authority since its establishm­ent in 2007.

The Cabinet approved the ratificati­on of six internatio­nal economic agreements with six new countries in the African continent.

“Our relations with Africa are on the rise and we are among the largest global investors in its economic path,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The Cabinet approved the restructur­ing of the Emirates Youth Council, headed by Minister of State for Youth Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrouei. The Council is entrusted with new responsibi­lities that aim to accelerate youth empowermen­t in all sectors.

The Cabinet approved the final account of the Emirates Real Estate Corporatio­n for the fiscal year 2019, where the corporatio­n achieved an overall growth in revenues by 23 per cent compared to the previous year.

The Cabinet reviewed a report presented by the Ministry of Community Developmen­t on the achievemen­ts of the Task Force establishe­d to evaluate volunteeri­ng during crises.

 ??  ?? Sheikh Mohammed in discussion with Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, during the Cabinet meeting in Dubai on Sunday. — Wam
Sheikh Mohammed in discussion with Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, during the Cabinet meeting in Dubai on Sunday. — Wam

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