H.H. Sheikh Mohammed hails 17 years of success

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has reflected on the country's successes in the 17 years since taking over the presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Federal Government.

In a video, he highlighted that the government budget raised by 140 per cent, foreign trade increased to AED 2,200 billion and the UAE topped 186 global and 430 regional rankings.

He also hailed many other achievements, including the successful realisation of the UAE's space ambitions. 

Journey of Government Action
After Sheikh Mohammed was elected the Prime Minister of the UAE, the Cabinet held 440 meetings and issued more than 10,000 resolutions between 2006 and 2022.

These decisions resulted in 4,200 federal legislations and laws, 400 government policies and initiatives, and 600 international agreements to accelerate national action in the country, support vital sectors that enhance the UAE’s position as a prestigious cultural destination, become a key partner in the global trade movement, and its vital role as an economic hub linking the East to the West.

With Sheikh Mohammed steering the Cabinet, the country’s foreign trade jumped to AED2,200 billion, while the GDP doubled to AED1,862 billion. Also, the UAE has been at the forefront of the region’s investment attraction and ease of doing business. The country ranked first in more than 186 global indices and over 430 regional indices, in addition to its highest sovereign rating in the region. In addition, the Cabinet issued several policies and laws to stimulate and regulate the labour market, which attracted AED734 billion worth of Investments.

Over AED150 Billion for Social Development and Housing Programmes
Social development programmes have received more than AED110 billion of total government spending. The government has also allocated more than AED50 billion for housing programmes to citizens that provide the best housing solutions and a decent life for citizens.

Continuous Support for Education and Health Sectors
The education sector accounted for the largest share of government spending during the last period, with a total of nearly AED160 billion, benefitting more than 1.3 million students who receive their academic programs in more than 1,500 schools and educational institutions under the supervision of more than 150,000 teachers.

The government, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, has allocated more than AED60 billion for the health and community protection sector. The number of health facilities reached more than 5,000, while the number of doctors and nurses exceeded 92,000.

Global Competitiveness Reports
The UAE ranked first in more than 186 global and over 430 regional indices.

During the past 17 years, the UAE Cabinet's achievements have touched all vital sectors. Some 330 programmes and initiatives have been approved to enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and finance sector.

The wise vision of Sheikh Mohammed contributed remarkably to the UAE’s economic growth and prosperity. The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade recorded AED2.23 trillion in 2022, surpassing the trillion for the first time in history. Seventeen percent growth compared to 2021, supported by record growth in non-oil exports.

Several national strategies clearly reflected His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, such as the UAE Circular Economy Policy, the UAE's Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategy, and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.

UAE Achievements in Space Industry
The UAE space sector received tremendous support from Sheikh Mohammed. It was established more than ten years ago and is worth AED36 billion. The government was always keen to develop this sector, in line with its commitment to a knowledge-based and diversified economy. The National Space Fund (NSF) was launched as an AED3 billion fund to enhance investments and facilitate the development of future space activities and projects.

Today, the UAE owns 19 orbital satellites, ten new spacecraft under development, and more than 50 international and emerging space companies, institutions and facilities, in addition to five research centres for space sciences.

The country has recorded outstanding achievements in the space industry within a short time. In February 2021, the UAE made history as the first Arab country to reach Mars and the fifth country in the world to achieve this feat.

In October 2021, the UAE Space Agency announced the commencement of a new Emirati interplanetary mission, which involves an expedition to the orbit of Venus, followed by an exploration of the asteroid belt beyond Mars. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2028.

Also, the UAE launched a new Emirati project to explore the Moon. The lunar rover named Rashid is set to land on unexplored regions of the Moon by 2024.

The UAE Astronaut Programme was launched in 2017 to develop a national team of astronauts that can achieve the country's aspirations in taking part in scientific and manned space exploration missions.

Hope Probe
On July 20, 2020, the UAE launched the "Probe of Hope" to Mars in the first Arab space mission to explore planets. Over more than six years of work on the “Probe of Hope”, 200 qualified Emirati engineers and engineers participated in preparing for the seven-month journey, during which it covered a distance of 493 million kilometres before it organised in its orbit around Mars in the first quarter of 2021. It coincided with the UAE's celebration of its Golden Jubilee. The Mars mission cost about US$200 million.

Major Initiatives and Strategies
The vision of Sheikh Mohammed resulted in the launch of several government models. On 17th April, 2007, the UAE Government announced its strategy from 2008 to 2010.

The UAE announced 2020 to be the year of preparation for the next 50 years, themed “2020: Towards the next 50”. In 2021, the UAE hosted the Expo 2020 Dubai, which welcomed millions of visitors and became the most prominent global event after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the same year, the UAE Government launched a new methodology for government action. In 2022, the UAE launched the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements to strengthen international ties with other countries to build on the UAE’s position as a global trade and logistics hub.

Also, in 2022, the UAE launched the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which represents a national plan through which the country will continue its development path for the next ten years, focusing on social, economic, investment and development aspects.

الإخوة والأخوات

17 عاماً مرت على تولينا رئاسة مجلس الوزراء والحكومة الاتحادية … 17 عاماً مرت سريعة جميلة مليئة بالعمل والإنجاز … أدخلنا فيها تغييرات جذرية على أداء الحكومة.. وترسيخ الاقتصاد.. وتطوير الخدمات..
10 آلاف قرار من مجلس الوزراء خلال 440 اجتماعاً … وأكثر من 4200… pic.twitter.com/jwkHYtOOtM

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 12, 2023