Coronavirus: New UAE Covid-19 panel to chart plans for business recovery

The UAE has formed a high-level committee which will develop strategic plan to ensure efficient economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis with focus on competitive advantages of the country.

The National COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Management and Governance Committee will be chaired by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. It will develop programmes for various establishments and identify their roles, responsibilities and key strategic and operational performance indicators to ensure a safe return to normalcy across society.

The UAE already leads Arab World and is ranked 37th globally in the Covid-19 Economic Recovery Index Ranking of the Horizon Research Group. Dubai has been one of the first cities globally to open for tourists, reflecting growing confidence in the local economy.

Wam reported that the Committee will ensure security and sustainability of vital sectors such as food, water, energy and pharmaceutical sectors including new-age tech sector such as Artificial Intelligence; 5G; healthcare; telecommunications; infrastructure; supply chains; and logistical services.

In addition to developing a strategic plan and identifying key performance indicators for the post-Covid-19 phase at targeted sectors, the Committee will also establish an electronic data link for digital indicator-based statistics, identify financial and economic resources required for supporting the recovery phase.

Analysts believe that investor confidence will improve after the arrival of coronavirus vaccine in the next few months and then the role of the Committee will become even more vital to expedite the economic recovery.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, has said that based on the projections of vaccine front-runners Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, the first doses of a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine will likely be available in late December or early January.

The committee members include Ministry of Presidential Affairs; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ministry of Health and Prevention; Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; Ministry of Community Development; Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Ministry of Food and Water Security; Prime Minister’s Office; General Secretariat of the Cabinet; General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for National Security; Abu Dhabi Executive Office; National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA); Media Office of the UAE Government; Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Dubai Executive Council.

— waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai