UAE Vision 2021 was launched by H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai in 2010. The Vision aims to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by the Golden Jubilee of the Union. In order to translate the Vision into reality, its pillars have been mapped into six national priorities, which represent the key focus sectors of government action in the coming years.
Under UAE Vision 2021, government is putting its maximum efforts on drawing a road map for the empowerment program for the rule of law and justice, a competitive economy, sustainable environment, integrated infrastructure, high-quality education system and world-class health facilities. From the vision of Founding Father to the UAE, it is taking its place on the global stage as a model of tolerance and civilized coexistence. UAE provides all peoples, societies and believers of all faiths to recognize the similarities thus could coexist peacefully without opposing conflicts to create instability and division.
Dubai plan: a human development
UAE Vision 2021 also includes, Dubai Plan 2021 which will describe the future of Dubai through holistic and complementary perspectives. Dubai is unique in its diversity which has resulted in the creation of an exemplary multicultural society. The rich high-quality experience that Dubai provides to its residents and visitors is one the most critical advantages the city has to offer. The best part of the plan is that the main focus of Dubai Plan 2021 is on human development. “Human capital is the real wealth of this country, before and after oil”, said His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Supreme Commander of the Union Defense Force.
It is important to note that developments are being made in areas to improve justice, security, the economy, environment, living standards, housing and education as well as health and infrastructure. The government is adopting national policies and strategies for innovation, creativity, excellence, reading, research and development. The UAE government is also taking significant strides in developing the legislative and regulatory framework to attract foreign direct investment. Moreover, policies are being introduced to promote the green economy, which will comply with the requirements for sustainability, protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources. Plans are underway to upgrade education and health services, modernize the infrastructure and qualify youths to easily enter the job market.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has prioritized building a knowledge-based economy by empowering the national workforce. In 2014, he launched a seven-year nationalization plan as part of the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to develop the skills of Emiratis and fill senior-level positions with local talent. This is being done through a points system that ranks and rewards performance across key areas, including employing women, supporting education and training and encouraging flexible working conditions.
The Vision 2021 recognizes that the UAE’s eminent global standing is because of what it has achieved in the short span of 30 odd years. UAE is one of the best places in the world to do business. This emphasis on excellence and the best of everything has always been the cornerstone of UAE’s policy.
The Vision 2021 seeks to build on this strength of the UAE’s institutions and achievements. The assurances on empowerment of women, protection of environment and development of education and health sectors are some of the distinct facets of the Vision 2021.
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The real estate development sector has a very important part to play in realizing the national agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 that aims to increase the share of local people in the private sector to 5 percent, besides shifting 50 percent of the UAE working force to private businesses. Some of the most ambitious construction projects in the Emirate, are either in the planning stage or currently under way, are those related to ports, airports, roads and railways. The Emirate’s road network is also continuing to expand and improve.
The country is on a fast track to transitioning to a knowledge-based economy and reducing its reliance on the oil sector. Diversification is important to promote economic development, to create job opportunities and provide long term security stability. It is an enormous transformation that requires significant education and training interventions and resources. The Vision 2021 also provides other countries to invest in UAE and get the benefits of emerging economy.
The UAE now sets an example for many countries in the Middle East and across the rest of the world. In 2012, we became the first country in the Arab region and the second country in the world to introduce a mandatory female presence in the boardroom. In February 2015, the UAE formed a Gender Balance Council to oversee government efforts to ensure gender balance and one year later, eight new federal ministerial appointments were announced, five of which were Emirati women. The UAE is ranked first regionally and 16th globally, maintaining its lead among the top 20 competitive economies in the world, according to the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos). The UAE has also retained its lead in the region in more than 100 development indicators.
The Government of UAE is progressing to deliver the national agenda, which seeks to develop and improve conditions in areas of justice, security, economy, environment, living standards, housing, education, health and infrastructure. There is no doubt that the government has made significant progress in developing the legislative and regulatory framework to attract investment and has introduced policies to promote the concept of green economy and comply with the principles of sustainability, protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources.
UAE has a clear and comprehensive vision to diversify its economy and achieve an optimal balance between its various sectors to ensure sustainability and create new business opportunities. 98 percent of Dubai’s GDP comes from non-oil sectors, which include tourism, aviation, hospitality, retail, logistics, and financial services. Dubai is creating new business opportunities and target new markets over the coming years. Dubai has successfully created a roadmap for implementing the highest international standards and best practices.
UAE has a unique business model that supports innovation-driven economic development and leverages its strategic location to serve as a bridge between markets in the East and West. It has also approved plans to upgrade and improve the educational and health services, modernize the infrastructure and qualify youths to easily enter the job market. The idea of this vision is to enhance and develop Dubai and UAE as an international hub for the sustainable and knowledge innovation in industrial activities. There is no doubts that the Vision 2021 aims to make the UAE among the best countries in the world.