This week, we will be celebrating the UAE’s 51st National Day. Over the past decades, the country developed on many fronts and today, it serves as a leading example for numerous nations to follow.
I have been an entrepreneur for more than a decade now. While my journey is shaped and inspired by the people I meet and the experiences I go through, I have learnt valuable lessons from the UAE’s vision and strategy.
In a way, the country is my go-to business guru.
Watch: the world's biggest flag to be unfurled on UAE National Day
No dream is too big
I was raised by parents who did not believe in the word impossible.
Whenever I had my doubts, they shook me and reminded me that if others were able to realise their dreams, then so can I.
What also helped me was growing up in a country that defied the impossible, and shattered naysayers every single day.
How far it has come in the past 51 years is testimony that great leadership, vision and strong will can get you far in life — and literally have you shoot for the moon and beyond.
We rise by lifting others
As the UAE developed on various fronts, it did not forget those in need.
The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once said: “Foreign aid and assistance is one of the basic pillars of our foreign policy. For we believe that there is no true benefit for us from the wealth that we have unless it does not also reach those in need, wherever they may be, and regardless of their nationality or beliefs.”
Since its founding, the UAE has been a major contributor of emergency relief to regions and nations affected by disasters, poverty and conflict.
The country continues to rank among the largest suppliers of official development assistance (ODA) relative to national income worldwide, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
This should reflect in the way we conduct our business. Once our business develops, we should always remember to help budding entrepreneurs to climb up the entrepreneurial ladder.
Flag Day 2022 — in pictures
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President Sheikh Mohamed walks with his grandchildren at the Sea Palace before Flag Day. Seen with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed raises the UAE flag at the Abu Dhabi Executive Office in the presence of members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to celebrate UAE Flag Day and honour the nation’s symbol of unity, loyalty and pride. Photo: AD Media Office -
The UAE flag is raised at Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Photo: AD Media Office -
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group, raises the UAE Flag at the group's headquarters. Photo: Emirates -
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, greets schoolchildren at Expo City Dubai on UAE Flag Day. Photo: Expo City Dubai -
Jumeirah International Nursery students take part in the Emirates Group's UAE Flag Day ceremony. Photo: Emirates -
Vendors selling flags and other related items in Satwa, Dubai to celebrate flag day. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, Maj Gen Saif Al Shamsi, attends the force's Flag Day celebrations. -
UAE University celebrates with a flag-raising ceremony attended by Prof Ghaleb Al Hadrami, acting vice chancellor, academic staff and students. Photo: UAE University -
Flags for sale in Satwa, Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National -
The flag is raised at Al Ain Zoo at a ceremonyu attended by the zoo's director, Ghanim Al Hajeri, and all staff. Photo: Al Ain Zoo -
Youssef Al Abri, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, led the department's celebrations. Photo: ADJD -
Vendors selling flags and other related items in Satwa, Dubai to celebrate flag day. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Abu Dhabi City Municipality celebrates Flag Day. -
Vendors sell flags in Satwa, Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Union Coop celebrates UAE Flag Day 2022 -
A pupil celebrating the flag day at Raffles World Academy in Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, raises the UAE flag at Expo City Dubai. Photo: Expo City Dubai -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, raises the UAE flag at Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Watan. Wam -
Dubai Police raise the flag. Photo: @DubaiPoliceHQ / Twitter -
Flags on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Pupils at the Indian High School, Dubai, celebrate UAE Flag Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
A staff at Adnoc petrol station proudly wears a UAE scarf to celebrate UAE flag day in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
UAE flag raised at at Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Watan, in the presidential palace compound. Wam -
Pupils at the Indian High School, Dubai, celebrate UAE Flag Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
The flag-raising ceremony is the attended by Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office, and a number of government figures and employees. Photo: Sharjah National Day Celebrations Committee -
Pupils at the Indian High School, Dubai, celebrate UAE Flag Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Sharjah marked UAE Flag Day with a flag-raising ceremony on The Flag Island. Photo: Sharjah National Day Celebrations Committee -
Pupils at the Indian High School, Dubai, celebrate UAE Flag Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
A display of UAE flags on Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A display of UAE flags on Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A display of UAE flags on Kite Beach in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Al Dhafra Club executive management and staff celebrate UAE flag day at the entrance to Hamdan bin Zayed Stadium in Zayed City, Al Dhafra region. Twitter/AlDhafra -
Dubai Police raise the flag at their headquarters in Deira. -
Essam Issa Al Humaidan, Dubai attorney general and employees of Dubai Public Prosecution take part in UAE flag day. Photo: DPP -
Members of Al-Nasr Sports Club in Dubai celebrate the flag day. -
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority members of staff attend the flag raising ceremony at the headquarters in Umm Hurair. -
Federal Authority For Government Human Resources members of staff at the UAE flag day celebrations. -
Etihad Rail painted a locomotive in the colours of the UAE in honour of flag day. "We raise the flag of the United Arab Emirates, a symbol of sovereignty, unity, and pride. We are proud of our contribution to the advancement of the nation's transport sector," the transport company said on Twitter. -
Abu Dhabi Pension Fund employees participated in the UAE flag day celebration. Photo: Supplied. -
Federal Authority For Government Human Resources celebrates UAE flag day. -
Dr Abdul Nasser Al Shaali, UAE's ambassador to India, raise the flag at the embassy in New Delhi. -
Sharjah Consultative Council raises the flag in front of its building in Sharjah -
A man arranges the flags at Raffles World Academy in Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Flag outside a coffee shop in Dubai to celebrate flag day. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Flag Day in Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
This could take different forms, such as funding their business, providing mentorship and guidance, or simply by working with them as suppliers and service providers.
We shouldn’t forget that we are all working towards a common goal and that when small and medium enterprises and freelancers prosper, so will our economy and our overall livelihood.
Embrace change as part of your overall plan
One of the key lessons I learnt as an entrepreneur is that the only thing constant in business is change.
If things are static, then something isn’t right. Your business should be continuously developing. Great leaders know how to turn challenges to valuable opportunities.
When change and challenges are thrown our way, the UAE pivots and demonstrates that as much as we may feel hesitant about change, it is not always a bad thing.
The Covid pandemic brought with it disruptions to manufacturers and logistics.
This year, Abu Dhabi unveiled the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy, which will provide increased access to financing and attract more foreign investment.
The government will invest Dh10 billion ($2.72 billion) in six industrial programmes to double the size of Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing sector to Dh172 billion by 2031.
Learning is part of an entrepreneur’s journey. As we celebrate the UAE’s 51st National Day this week, I invite you to seek valuable business lessons from the UAE’s success story.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications consultant based in Abu Dhabi
