DUBAI: Welfare of citizens top priority: Mohammed

(Wam) / 4 September 2013

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has affirmed that the UAE, under the leadership of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is making steady progress in terms of all development indices.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arriving to watch the world premiere of the documentary, Ultimate Airport - Dubai, featuring the emirate's aviation sector, at Meydan Imax Theatre. It was shown by the National Geographic Channel's global network. - KT Photo by Mukesh Kamal

“The UAE government is continually following up these indices issued by prestigious international corporations, because retreat is not an option in our government,” Shaikh Mohammed said while commenting on the results of the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) for 2013-2014, in which the UAE advanced five positions in the total competitiveness of its economy in one year,from 25^th last year to the rank of 19^th this year, thereby coming ahead of such countries as France, Ireland and Australia.
“Thanks to the federal and local teams who are jointly working in line with a vision, the term of which extends to the year 2021, as well as with agendas and plans that are continuously being revised and assessed as per our growing ambitions in all sectors... our economy is continuously developing, and the indices for security and stability are the best globally. The welfare of our citizens is at the top of our priorities,” Shaikh Mohammed said.

Overall, the UAE’s competitiveness reflects the high quality of its infrastructure, where it ranks a solid fifth, as well as its highly efficient goods markets which ranks fourth.