Citizens’ welfare core of strategy: Mohammed

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Wednesday that the provision of well-being standards for all nationals is a key priority and a focus of state’s overall strategy.

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, was addressing the council’s meeting held at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s court. The council took a number of key decisions including approval of financial support of Dh4.813 billion for the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund, approval of additional budget to increase the number of beneficiaries for academic scholarships and establishment of new vocational schools throughout the country to consolidate the labour market with national skills.

General Shaikh Mohammed speaks with Shaikh Hazza during the executive council meeting. —Wam

Chaired by Gen. Shaikh Mohammed with the attendance of Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council, the council approved a series of projects in the infrastructure, economic, social and human development sectors related to, social security, economy, education, energy and transport.

This is consistent with the ongoing effort of the council to provide the highest quality of government services for the emirate.

Gen. Shaikh Mohammed confirmed that ensuring well-being standards and social welfare for nationals is a key priority within the overall state’s strategy, in keeping with the guidelines of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Gen. Shaikh Mohammed stated: “We have a firm belief that a leading position for our emirate and nation can only be achieved in association with an appropriate addressing of national issues and aspirations as a basic theme of our development plans. In this regard, our wise leadership will make every effort to provide integrated development and welfare for our future generations in the educational, medical and social fields that reflect favorably on our country’s development.”

The Executive Council discussed the status of the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund’s financial liabilities and the steps required to be taken to settle the financial shortfall that had resulted from the most recent increase in salaries.

The Council approved an additional amount of Dh4.813 billion, as well as the adoption of a new framework that will enable the fund to meet its additional financial liabilities and the establishment of an Industrial Development Bureau in Abu Dhabi, that will have the responsibility for coordinating and controlling the application of industrial strategy, monitoring the industrial sector’s performance and facilitating economic development. It will implement and promote sector- related policies, plans and programmes, and managing the master land development blueprint for industrial areas in the emirate.

The council approved the development of a scholarship and academic delegations administration system by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) and approved an additional budget of Dh197million over the next four years to increase the number of students who could potentially benefit from scholarships.

Approval was also given for the establishment of a number of vocational secondary schools for males and females throughout the country. The Executive Council, representing Abu Dhabi as the major shareholder of the Etihad Rail Company, approved authorisation for the company to secure funding for the first stage of the railway project in Abu Dhabi.

The Public Parking Management project and Al Mirfa power production and water desalination plant development project, in Abu Dhabi were also discussed by the council.