Dubai: The UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP) was up 5.2 per cent in 2013, and is estimated to grow by 4.3 per cent in 2014 and 4.5 per cent in 2015, according to the latest report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The UAE’s economic recovery from the 2008 financial crisis has been solid, supported by the tourism, hospitality and real estate sectors.
Monday marks 10 years since His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan became president of the UAE. Gulf News asked a number of companies in the country about their performance over the last decade.
“As the national airline of the UAE we are proud to be part of the progress and prosperity the country has witnessed on all levels under the reign of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Etihad Airways’ family worldwide congratulates the people of the UAE on this remarkable occasion and wishes the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Emirati nation continued prosperity under his tenure,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and CEO.
“The visionary leadership of UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the last decade has witnessed Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates emerge as a world class tourist, business and trade destination. Thanks to a range of prescient strategic investments across transport and infrastructure over this period, Dubai succeeded in creating a centre of aviation excellence that is recognised throughout the globe. flydubai owes much to the wisdom of those decisions made 10 years ago,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai.
“The UAE has come a long way over the past 10 years to achieve the status of the 12th most competitive nation in the world. This rapid economic growth is a result of the dynamic leadership and forward thinking of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. In line with the UAE 2021 vision, Dubai World Central, the first purpose-built aerotropolis in the world, has been designed to empower businesses, the people, and the nation, to usher in a new era of socioeconomic growth. This is an exciting time in the nation’s history and I take this opportunity to congratulate the President on this momentous occasion,” said Khalifa AlZaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
“We are living a golden age of political, economic, social and cultural achievements. In the past, there was limited focus on the industrial sector, but in the last 10 years, we have seen big developments in the sector. The real estate sector was limited to specific categories, but now big development companies have been created that have implemented projects,” said Hisham Al Shirawi, second Vice-Chairman of Dubai Chamber.
“It’s been an eventful 10 years. The UAE has been guided so well by High Highness Shaikh Khalifa — the whole country came together to work together through the [financial] crisis. Another thing that happened which I think was a really good example of the unifying process that has taken place under His Highness Shaikh Khalifa is when Dubai decided to go for the World Expo 2020, the whole UAE came behind it — it was a Dubai-UAE bid,” said Gerald Lawless, President and CEO of Jumeirah Group.
“We are grateful to the UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his vision that fosters creativity and supports sustainable development and prosperity. During his decade long stewardship, the UAE has grown from strength to strength creating innovative opportunities for businesses to thrive. It is to the UAE leadership’s credit that the national economy is witnessing phenomenal resurgence despite the momentary setback triggered by the global financial crisis. His Highness has also led by example in encouraging and grooming the next generation of leaders,” said Hussain Al Qemzi, CEO of Noor Investment Group.
“The laws and regulations of the UAE under Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s presidency have greatly helped in assisting the progress of our company, ensuring we operate to the highest possible standards, and allowing us to build projects such as the 300-bed hospital for Emirates Health Care Development Company, consisting of seven floors, seven residential buildings, and six centres of excellence, which are specialised in various medicinal pursuits, such as cardiovascular or cancer treatment disciplines,” said Sultan Batterjee, CEO of IHCC.
“Throughout the last 10 years of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s leadership, companies including Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have enjoyed unprecedented opportunities to realise a global standard of retailing, customer service and international trade, thanks to the UAE’s position as one of the world’s commercial and tourism destinations. The security, dynamism and entrepreneurial focus of the Emirates in the last decade have enabled us to significantly increase and enhance our relationships with the world’s leading watchmakers, and we thank and congratulate His Highness for fostering such a robust environment for UAE-based businesses,” said Osama Ebrahim Seddiqi, Senior Vice-President — Finance & Operations, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.
“The technology industry in particular has evolved impressively, with big names choosing the take advantage of the UAE’s unique position as a gateway to doing business in the region. Over the forty years since the Jumbo Group was established in the UAE, we have been more than appreciative of the opportunities for growth and the support for business and innovation. The UAE’s ability to attract brands and shoppers alike as a retail paradise has been instrumental to the success of the consumer electronics industry and our flagship company Jumbo Electronics,” said Vishesh Bhatia, CEO of Jumbo Group.
“The vision and leadership of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s has helped to create a business environment and culture that has enabled a company like Masafi to grow and prosper in an environment that is receptive to creativity, innovation and success. The enthusiastic support of the government and its leadership has helped us to become recognised as one of the leading producers of bottled drinking water in the region,” said Masafi CEO, Reginald Randall.
“As the second generation of a family of teachers who first opened a school here more than five decades ago, I know that I have only been able to grow my organisation and to education for thousands of students around the world today thanks to the welcome I received from the UAE. This is a nation which actively encourages success and allows innovation and entrepreneurship to bloom and flourish,” said Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education.
“As UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has presided over 10 years of unsurpassed growth and development of the United Arab Emirates. Under his forward-thinking and progressive leadership, the commercial landscape of the nation has continued to be transformed — making the UAE one of the most modern, innovative and rewarding places to do business. The government commitment to developing e-commerce and a Smart economy has enabled Visa to work in close partnership to help the introduction of safe and secure electronic payment platforms,” said Marcello Baricordi, General Manager for the UAE and Global Accounts Lead at Visa MENA.
“The UAE is a beacon of hope for this region and the standard bearer for a progressive, tolerant Muslim state. The UAE and its leadership are the perfect example that through the promotion of business and economic opportunity one can break down barriers, increase standards of living and build a prosperous, modern society. His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan should be warmly commended for cultivating a dynamic & sustainable model for socioeconomic growth that will be a benchmark going forward,” said Shailesh Dash, CEO of Al Masah Capital Limited.
