Sheikh Mohammed chairs 1st physical Cabinet meet since Covid-19 struck

Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed and all the ministers are seen wearing masks during the meeting.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has chaired the first physical meeting of the UAE Cabinet since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Taking to social media on Monday, the UAE Vice-President shared photos of the full Cabinet of ministers holding a socially-distanced meeting. Sheikh Mohammed and all the ministers are seen wearing masks during the meeting.

Since the pandemic struck, the Cabinet meetings were being held remotely via video-conferencing.

Last month, Sheikh Mohammed had announced sweeping changes to the Cabinet. Several ministries and federal departments were merged to form a new government structure that is "faster and more flexible" and tasked with leading the country into the future. The new Cabinet has 33 members, including Sheikh Mohammed.

33 initiatives approved

During the meeting on Monday, the Cabinet approved 33 new initiatives proposed by the new Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. He will head a new committee that will monitor the implementation and progress of all 33 initiatives.

"We restructured the ministerial development council headed by my brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and the public budget committee headed by my brother Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance. I wish both teams all the best as they will be dealing with many strategic federal cases," Sheikh Mohammed said.

Reviving tourism

Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, has been tasked with reviving the tourism sector.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, will be responsible "for attracting talents", Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

The Cabinet also discussed "possible changes" the government "might need in the near future".

Teams that never stop working

Sheikh Mohammed said the "new season" of the government will start in August and not in September. "The work of the Cabinet will continue this summer due to the exceptional situations, and the projects will be resumed. Our success is connected to being continuously active, and our achievements are connected to teams that never stop working," Sheikh Mohammed noted.

.@HHShkMohd: We began the session with message of congratulations for the #UAE making history with the Hope Probe's launch to Mars. And during the meeting, the Cabinet approved 33 new economic initiatives. pic.twitter.com/h8kQUr7Dxv
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 3, 2020

.@HHShkMohd: We restructured several councils and issued several new appointments. We also discussed the government's formation during the coming period and the most important new changes to keep pace with the priorities of the upcoming phase. pic.twitter.com/tONy22bnqp
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 3, 2020

• Abu Dhabi