UAE on track to be new economic centre

Issac John (issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com) / 19 November 2013

The UAE is on track to become the new economic centre of the world, and the next seven years will be crucial for the nation in achieving that goal, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said.                                        

“We have the best aviation and navigation networks as well as the best road networks with the best smart electronic networking. We are connecting the world, and the UAE will not be just a transfer point between East and West, but will also be the new economic centre of the world and we will be the economic, touristic and cultural capital for more than two billion people around us,” Shaikh Mohammed said while commenting on the historic $99 billion aircraft orders placed by Emirates airlines at the Dubai Airshow.
On Monday, the air show continued to reflect the buoyancy and optimism displayed by GCC’s four fast growing carriers that placed new aircraft orders worth $196 billion on the opening day.

Outlining the UAE’s unique vision until the year 2021 to become one of the best countries in the world, Shaikh Mohammed said: “We have global economic ambitions in several sectors, including the aviation sector, and the next seven years will be crucial for the UAE to become a major economic player in the world.”
“The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is leading a new phase of growth in the country and everyone, in every sector and every emirate, are working together in accordance with unified directives towards a single vision and common goals,” Shaikh Mohammed said.
He said the UAE has invested in building a community. “Today this community does not have the word impossible in its dictionary. Some 42 years ago, airplanes were strange to most people in the UAE, but today our national aviation companies are leading the sector globally. We are investing in the future and we believe in ourselves, in our youth, to bring happiness to our people.”
He pointed out that according to various reports the UAE has the best road infrastructure in the world. “And now we are the owners of the best airline routes. People say the sky is the limit of ambitions and we say that the sky and the atmospOurhere are just the beginning.”
Shaikh Mohammed said the country has the best aviation and navigation networks as well as the best road networks with the best smart electronic networking.
He said the UAE has a message and an invitation to the region around it. “The message is that stability in the region is achieved by investing in its economy and bringing together its countries, working on the welfare of its people. The invitation is for all to join us in our quest to build the future and reinvigorate hope in the Arab region.”
The Dubai Airshow witnessed hectic activities on the second day with announcements of more aircraft deals and agreements. These include agreements signed by Mubadala with Boeing and Airbus to further boost existing ties and the $1.26 billion orders for new Airbus aircraft placed by Libyan Wings, a recently launched Tripoli-based airline, as well as billions of dollars worth of engines deals won by CFM International and GE. Bombardier Aerospace and ATR also bagged new aircraft orders.