Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Today UAE celebrates its 44th National Day. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a vibrant country. It has already started its journey of space, outer space and beyond Mars which is now in upswing. Its journey from sand to space agency is a miracle. All credit goes to its successive wise leadership’s strategic vision.
Business friendly policies have successfully transformed its national economy to the extent of a knowledge-based economy. Now it is the ideal hub of all kinds of business and investment activities. It is one of the ideal destinations for the interested businessmen and investors alike.
Its economy is the most liberal entity in the GCC and MENA. It is 2nd largest economy in the region in terms of volume. It is ranked first in terms of quality, performance and production too. Vision 2021 has transformed its economy and made it smarter. Diversification of economy, energy and production has already made its macro-economy stable and sustained. Massive industrialization, rise to private sector, robust service sector, SMEs and rigorous commercial diplomacy has successfully mitigated the spillover effects of region and world’s weak economic conditions. Moreover, its resilient banking and financial sector provide the strategic cushion to finance many mega projects to create more and more jobs.
Politically, UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the region. Gradual politicization is on the right path in shape of regular Federal National Council Elections. It promotes political concerns. It stimulates best understanding of national politics. It upholds culture of accountability and transparency. It empowers Emiratis which is deep-rooted democracy of the UAE, a unique model. Moreover, political stability has made it heaven for businessmen, investors, workers, laborers, and tourists alike.
On the front of human values, UAE has par excellence. There is no issue of human rights violations as somewhat propagated by the biased Western media. Its judiciary is fair and free. Its legislations are workers friendly due to which it is the ideal destination for residency, talent, recruitment and performance in the world.
Its tolerance level is unmatched. More than 200 different nationalities are working in the UAE which is the prime example of its official policies about interfaith harmony, peace and tolerance. Not a single decree and not a single incident is anti-racial ever happened/reported in seven Emirates since inception. UAE stands for human development. It is the grand total of human values and humanity alike. There is no concept of gender discrimination throughout the country. All people, factions, groups, castes and colors have equal rights before the law and even “Emiratis” do not have any leverage what so ever. Law is supreme. No reporting of prejudice, discrimination and humiliation towards weaker sections of the society in the country. Expatriates are well protected and paid.
Its media (print & electronic) is free and interactive. National Media Council is the country’s leading regulatory agency to care media development in the country. It is the most technological orientation in the GCC/MENA and can now compete easily to any world channel or media production house.
UAE is the land of Burj Khalifa skyscraper the world’s current tallest man-made structure and futuristic land reclamation projects, such as the palm-shaped artificial Palm Islands. Its roads are the best in the world. Its seaports are among the best in the world. Its pursuits towards world class infrastructural development are unmatched and well acknowledged in the world. Dubai Expo 2020 is the sign of national pride and reflection of its readiness in the spheres of smart city, technology, renewables, and the last but not the least, diversification.
Its properties are labelled the “hottest” in the world. Its people are acknowledged the most talented in the GCC/MENA in the fields of innovation, conflict-resolution, technology, computer engendering, food and water security and above all scientific research.
Its society is development oriented. It is dynamic and determined. It believes in merit, fair-play and hardworking. It is highly educated. It is free from any kind of gender discrimination. Its women empowerment is the highest in the region. It is progressive and productive. Moreover, it is an open society which believes in globalization and meaningful interaction and dialogue.
Now, the UAE is blessed with so many martyrs who scarified their precious lives for the safety, stability, dignity and honor of their beloved country. They stood first for the greater cause of regional peace, harmony and terrorism. The whole nation salutes them. They are the real heroes.
UAE celebrates its 44th National Day on December 2, 2015. The UAE remarkable multi-sector development is a modern-age wonder. Indeed, the nation has come a long way since its inception. Diversification of economy promoted massive industrialization in the country due to which oil share to GDP has been gradually on the decrease. Now, non-oil ratio to GDP has reached to 68 percent which would be more than 80 percent till 2021.
Its health care system is the best in the GCC, MENA and of course world. The UAE government has achieved commendable progress in the healthcare sector, making substantial efforts to provide modern medical facilities to Emiratis and expatriates alike. Healthcare is one of the foremost sectors where hundreds of hospitals and thousands of polyclinics have been established all over the Emirate. It has now become convenient for middle- and low-income class to avail the best of medical facilities. Specialist Hospitals in metro cities possess technologically advanced healthcare facilities and world’s best qualified doctors.
In UAE, the writ of the state and effective judicial system is upheld with high reverence. Governments across the world should learn due lessons from these high-standards of governance. Even the West acknowledges that the security and safety across UAE are par excellence. Expatriates truly feel privileged to work, live and raise a family in a safe and stable environment throughout the UAE. They are happy to note the economic, social and technological developments of the UAE. It has become the ideal choice to work and plan a career among the Arab youth.
UAE’s banking system is stable and resilient. Compared internationally, the Emirate banking industry is highly sophisticated offering state-of-the art products and services in both consumer and corporate sectors. UAE banks are world’s most-capitalized and offer fully automated and secured banking platforms. Its prudent regulatory system has saved it from any kind of credit crisis in the country even in the ongoing global economic and financial crises. The robust Emirate banks have played a key role to support and enhance the UAE s economic growth consistently since its inception 1971.
UAE is the leading player in the green technologies. Its strategic vision of renewable energy production has achieved great success throughout the world. Renewable energy gears the pace of development. It guarantees the survival of humanity on this planet. It protects the dreams of socio-economic prosperity, stability and sustainability. It provides essential inputs of industrial productivity, generation of employment, reduction of poverty and above all promotes qualitative life and renewable/alternative energy is a value-addition.
Its renewables icon, Masdar leads the GCC, MENA and the world. Masdar City (solar energy project) is a key element of the “Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan” and the government of Abu Dhabi’s strategic policy framework. Shams-1 is the first full scale renewable energy plant in the Abu Dhabi and largest CSP plant in the world. It will generate 100 MW covering an area of 2.5 km, with plans to increase capacity to 2000 MW in the future. Hydrogen Power Abu Dhabi (HPAD) is a 60:40 joint venture between Masdar and BP to construct the world’s first commercial scale hydrogen fueled power plant, utilizing fossil fuel feed stock and CCS.
Its rigorous commercial diplomacy has successfully increased its exports in all the continents of the world. Its industrial sector is robust and achieved high standard of productivity. Its SME sector is upbeat and progressive. Its travel & tourism industry has comparative advantage and increase its contribution to GDP with every passing day.
United Arab Emirates is on the path of gradual decentralization into a federal-type governance structure, in the form of seven entities, which has proven to be an ideal model for development and positive competition. Its successive leaderships wisdom has built the solid foundation, on which the UAE’s success is based, empowered further by a strong constitution. Now sky is not the limit, definitely Mars and beyond Mars is the new goal to be achieved in the years to come for the United Arab Emirates.