DUBAI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Sunday spoke of the region’s enduring will and ability to develop, despite the challenges posed in many Arab countries.
“Twelve years ago I addressed a very honest letter to the Arab leadership urging them to change,” the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said in a question-and-answer session at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
“Some people surrounding Arab leaderships would relay messages that everything was fine, but that did not reflect the reality on the ground.
“The Arab region is the cradle of human civilisation and there should be no doubt that we all have hope and are optimistic. I am optimistic and I have hope in reigniting the region’s development.”
He said the Arab world had the determination and natural resources for development, but management on government, economic and human levels was crucial.
“We have challenges on the managerial levels in the Arab world and that is clear in our failures in areas such as sports,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The most important of the country’s developments were reflected in its people, he said.
“When the country was first established we had 40 graduates only and now we have 77 universities,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“The next Emirati goal is to reach Mars. The driving force behind the Mars programme are young Emiratis in their 20s and we are proud of them.”
Equaly important was the UAE’s push for greater gender equality and increasing women’s participation in the Government, the results of which were shown by the Cabinet, in which a third of the members are women.
That could increase to 50 per cent in the future.
Sheikh Mohammed praised, in particular, the efforts of Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, who was appointed last year at the age of 22.
“Shamma Al Mazrui today leads the biggest ministry in the UAE, in which thousands of Emirati youth work,” he said. “She not only held sit-downs for Emirati youth across the country but also reached out to those who are abroad.”
Sheikh Mohammed said it was important that people did not lose hope in the region’s progress and Arab development.
“The problems of the world will never stop, but we must focus on giving and strive to serve our people,” he said.
“We don’t claim to be perfect but we learn something new every day. We must not waste time and we are ready to share our experiences.”
He said that having a vision was not enough to build a successful nation – there had to be plans.
Asked whether religion and politics could be separated, Sheikh Mohammed responded: “Before Islam, there were tribes that would battle and occupy each other, but when Islam came, with it came civilisation from which the whole world benefited.
“Now we have people who kill others in the name of the Quran and they blow themselves up in the Arab world, in Europe and America. This is not our Islam. Our Islam is about love and togetherness.”
Sheikh Mohammed said that corruption and bribery were major challenges facing the Arab world.
“A true leader does not accept corruption and a true leader is not silent about it,” he said. “We in the UAE do not in any way accept corruption. We have zero tolerance when it comes to corruption.”
More than 4,000 delegates from 139 countries are taking part in the three-day summit, which will feature 150 speakers across 114 sessions.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
Cricket World Cup League Two
Teams
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
Fixtures
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
