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From The Report: Dubai 2016
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While in 2015 the world’s emerging countries and fastest-growing economies suffered due to low commodity prices and currency depreciations, Dubai still enjoyed steady GDP growth at around 4% and an increased drive towards consolidating its position as a knowledge-based economy. With a well-diversified model and a set of transformation-oriented projects worth some Dh300bn ($81.7m) in the pipeline, 2015 was worth its designation as the “year of innovation”. The issuing of the Dubai Open Data Law and the creation of Dubai Smart City were among the flagship initiatives driving this transformation.
This chapter contains interviews with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council; Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Women Establishment; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports; President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and Chairman and CEO, Emirates Group; Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Director-General, Expo 2020 Dubai; and viewpoints from Xi Jinping, President of China and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Articles from this Chapter
One step ahead: The emirate is set to become a knowledge-based economy
Driving the future agenda: OBG talks to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive CouncilOBGplus
Interview:Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum What are the main themes and aims of Dubai Plan 2021, and how does it complement the UAE Vision 2021 strategy? SHEIKH HAMDAN BIN MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM: Dubai Plan 2021 was launched to build on the achievements of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which was announced in 2007 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai. It looks to continue on that path by articulating…
Fresh paths to equality: OBG talks to Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Women EstablishmentOBGplus
Interview:Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum What more needs to be done in terms of policy to encourage Emirati women to play a more active part in Dubai’s economy? SHEIKHA MANAL BINT MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM: The UAE today leads both the region and the world in terms of the key indicators of women’s empowerment. Globally, it is ranked first for its literacy rate and enrolment in secondary education, and number one for treating women with respect. Today, women make up 47% of the workforce in the UAE, according to the World Economic Forum’s latest “Global Gender Gap” report. When compared to 3.4% in 1975,…
Growing together: OBG talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports; President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and Chairman and CEO, Emirates GroupOBGplus
Interview:Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum How has the recent shift in global air traffic patterns, mainly from the West to the East, affected the aviation industry in Dubai? SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM: Urbanisation, the shift of economic power eastward and the resulting emergence of a new middle class will continue to have an impact on traffic flows. Asia in particular will see tremendous growth, largely driven by its growing economies and middle-class populations in China and India,…
Focus on food security: GCC nations are working to improve logistics and supply chains, as well as secure farmland overseasOBGplus
Since Saudi Arabia began reducing its domestic wheat production in 2008, the issue of food security has been high on the agenda for governments in the GCC region. The kingdom, which was once self-sufficient in the grain and even exported to the wider region, recognised a fact that is true across the whole of the Arabian Peninsula: it is running out of water and local production of many agricultural products is unsustainable. As the preservation of dwindling water supplies trumps a secure domestic…
A grand opportunity: OBG talks to Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Director General, Expo 2020 DubaiOBGplus
Interview:Reem Al Hashimy With Expo 2020 expected to stimulate significant economic activity, what role do you see for private sector capital and foreign investment? REEM AL HASHIMY: Expo 2020 will support the ongoing development, diversification and long-term success of the UAE’s economy. Naturally there will be a significant quantity of economic activity directly and indirectly stimulated in the course of the design, build and operational phases of the event – all of which will provide…
Young at heart: Meeting the needs of the region’s growing youth populationOBGplus
One of the most important issues currently facing the Middle East is the changing composition of its demographic structure. A massive cohort of young people – known as a youth bulge – is challenging policymakers, with youth policy affecting security, education, the labour market and welfare programmes, among other areas. Given the relative stability and wealth of the GCC states, this is an issue that is not often associated with the region. However, handling a vast and growing young population…
Eye on the ball: A new strategy will push the emirate to new heightsOBGplus
Level 112 of the Burj Khalifa offered a birds-eye view of Dubai to participants at the Dubai Plan 2021 Creative Labs event in March 2016. The symposium was a follow-up on the original cycle held in 2014, which formulated an ambitious strategy by which the emirate intends to build on the foundations it has already established. The 2016 proceedings were attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including experts, specialists and government officials, as well as representatives from the private sector…
Deepening cooperation: Xi Jinping, President of China, on stronger economic ties with the UAE and the Middle EastOBGplus
Over the years, the relationship between China and the UAE has been continuously strengthened, opening up a new pattern of comprehensive, practical, efficient and rapid development. China regards the UAE as a good friend and a good partner in the Gulf region, and is willing to elevate the level of strategic partnership so as to break new ground for friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the UAE. It is important to stress that China is willing to conduct closer exchanges and…
Deepening cooperation: Xi Jinping, President of China, on stronger economic ties with the UAE and the Middle EastOBGplus
Over the years, the relationship between China and the UAE has been continuously strengthened, opening up a new pattern of comprehensive, practical, efficient and rapid development. China regards the UAE as a good friend and a good partner in the Gulf region, and is willing to elevate the level of strategic partnership so as to break new ground for friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the UAE. It is important to stress that China is willing to conduct closer exchanges and…
Global partners: David Cameron, Former UK Prime Minister, on the importance of the UK and the Gulf for each otherOBGplus
The UAE is one of the UK’s most important international partners, and we are proud of our friendship. Like the UK, the UAE has a rich cultural heritage, and we are delighted that its leaders are setting the UAE on an impressive course of innovation and openness. The UK is globally committed to peace, security, prosperity and development. The extent of this commitment is unique. We give 0.7% of our gross national income to overseas aid. We spend 2% of our GDP on defence. No other member…
On the ground: The emirate is at the beginning of an ambitious new eraOBGplus
One of the key pillars of Dubai’s developmental blueprint, Dubai Plan 2021, is the creation of a forward-looking, proactive government that is in touch with the desires of the people, with whom its dealings are characterised by transparency and fairness. The largest revamp in the federal government’s history, announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE, is an important step towards the realisation of this ambition. The ministerial changes represent…
