UAE was exceptional in 2021; 2022 will be greater: Sheikh Mohammed

The UAE Vice-President on Monday chaired the final Cabinet meeting of 2021 during which he hailed the country’s “exceptional” achievements over the last year.

“In 2021, thousands of teams worked to consolidate the supremacy of the UAE,” said the Dubai Ruler, taking to Twitter.

He added that the country had ranked first in the world in 152 development and economic indicators. Its economy was also “the most attractive” to foreign investments regionally, and the highest to attract tourists after the pandemic.

The UAE leader noted that 2021 was full of challenges. However, he expressed great hope for the new year.

“My personal expectations are that 2022 will be better, more beautiful and greater,” he said.

Talking about the new UAE labour law Sheikh Mohammed said, “We have achieved milestones through the largest legislative change in 50 laws in UAE history.”

He spoke about how the Emirati passport has become the most powerful in the world and the country the safest globally.

The UAE Cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the performance indicators of the government in 2021.

It also discussed the most important figures and development projects that have enhanced the country's performance in the global competitiveness reports.

Sheikh Mohammed addressing the Cabinet said, “Our government ranks second in adapting to changes globally. We were also the best country in handling the pandemic economically.

“In 2021, we ranked the highest in the sovereign wealth fund regionally and also the highest in the rule of law and transparency indicators in the region. We are the best Arab education in science and mathematics.”

The UAE Vice-President concluded by saying, “2022 will be better, more beautiful and greater with our cadres, our young men and women, and our determination as a country that enters the new fiftieth with confidence and readiness. God save the UAE and the people of the Emirates.”

The Cabinet reviewed a detailed report prepared by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre highlighting the UAE Government performance in 2021. T

Commenting on the report, the Dubai Ruler said, "In 2021, our teams worked to enhance UAE global competitiveness, making our country the first globally in 152 indicators. UAE economy is the most attractive regionally to foreign investments and the first globally in attracting talents. UAE performance in 2021 was exceptional."

He also said, "UAE has received the highest sovereign rating in the region and ranked first regionally in rule of law and transparency. Our science and math education is the best regionally. Also, UAE ranked second globally on government adaptability and has been the most resilient to the pandemic."

The meeting, held at Expo 2020 Dubai, was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Industry Development Council

The Cabinet approved the establishment of the UAE Industry Development Council with the aim of supervising the implementation of the initiatives and projects of the UAE Industry Strategy.

The Council is mandated with supporting industrial development capacity and promoting entrepreneurship. The Council shall propose appropriate initiatives that enhance cooperation and exchange experiences and expertise between the various government entities concerned with the industrial sector and advanced technology, in addition to consolidating cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The Industry Development Council is also responsible for coordinating with federal and local government entities with the aim of developing policies and legislations necessary for the growth of the industrial sector, adopting unified performance indicators and publishing periodic reports to evaluate industrial performance.

Based on the Cabinet decision, the Industrial Development Council is formed for a period of three years, subject to renewal, headed by the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the membership of: The Minister of State for Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Economy, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

The Cabinet also approved the budget of the General Pension and Social Security Authority for the fiscal year 2022, and the federal law regarding the regulation of worship places for non-Muslims, with the aim of consolidating the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence in the UAE society. The law includes the conditions and controls for licensing.

The organisational structure of the Federal Center for Geographic Information was also approved by the Cabinet.

• UAE