Emiratis, expats praise changes in UAE government

Dubai - Ministers for tolerance, happiness and youth welcomed,

 The sweeping changes to the UAE's government have been met with widespread praise from all corners of the UAE society - nationals and expats alike.
The reshuffling - announced via Twitter by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - includes Ministers for tolerance and happiness, and the mergers and re-naming of several existing ministries.The formal inclusion of happiness and youth in government in particular elicited a strong positive reaction among UAE nationals.Aisha bu Samnoh, member of the Federal National Council (FNC), welcomed the move to enshrine happiness and embrace young people in government.
"It's a great idea to re-structure the government and include a Youth Minister to adopt the ideas and vision of youth, address their issues and meet with their needs."
"The UAE's leaders make great efforts to make its people the happiest in the world, so appointing ministers for Happiness and Tolerance add great value to community development," she added.
Another politician, Sharjah Consultative Council member Khawlla Al Mu'lla, said the restructuring and consolidation of ministries would "add to the development of the country and benefit its people."
Additionally, she noted that the "consolidation of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education would be a great achievement" and that including happiness as a strategic goal of government will "encourage employees to work with teamwork and creativity."Esam R. Al Mazroei, Managing-Director of the Bahri & Mazroei Group, one of the UAE's largest providers of value added solutions and systems for building and infrastructure projects, said that the inclusion of a young minister will "ensure fresh ideas and outcomes."
"Even as organisations, we like to include the young generation to bring in a new perspective to business," he added.
"A young minister will be closer to young people, not only in their age, but also in their way of thinking," added another Emirati, Rashid Ghanim.
Dr Nasser Al Asad noted that "the new government will, as Shaikh Mohammed said, place man, family, education, knowledge and ambitions as the core of its agenda."
Expats also praised the move as being good for UAE residents.
Dr Sajid Burud, Managing-Director of the Medstar Day Surgery Centre, said reforms would improve the UAE's healthcare system.
""This is a good move. I believe the government is moving more towards wellness and focusing on the preventive aspect of healthcare and wellbeing of its people," he said."It is an amazing, one-of-a-kind initiative which clearly shows the vision of Shaikh Mohammed and the desire of the leadership not only to see Emirati nationals but also the residents economically prosperous and to achieve real time happiness," said Paras Shahdadpuri, Chairman of the Nikai Group of Companies.
"I am sure such initiatives will go a very long way in making the UAE a very distinctive place to live in and enjoy life in perfect harmony," he added.