On December 2 each year, the palpable joy witnessed in the UAE is not limited to the National Day celebrations.
Emiratis recall their memories about all the events that happened in the country in the late 1960s during the years that preceded the announcement of the federal state by late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the rulers of the other emirates.
On this day, Emiratis recall their experiences derived from oral narratives and collective memories about the red-letter day that marks the emergence of a nation state, which in a few years thereafter managed to put itself on the global map and influence the course of events in the region.
The younger generations may derive their information about the beginnings of the federation from writings, talks and images. But, my generation, which witnessed all the steps taken towards unity and the immense efforts made each day since early 1968, is fully well aware of the enormity of the changes and the impressive development that occurred in a short period of time thanks to prudent management, hard work and dedication that reflect a unique harmony between the leadership and the Emirati people.
This unique combination has been the driving force behind landmark achievements that reflect a pioneering development model that turned the small country’s economy into the Arab world’s second largest, as well as place it on par with the most successful development experiences elsewhere in the world.
As a result, Emirati cities turned into investor-friendly hubs for major corporate houses and big investors due to the sophisticated infrastructure and state-of-the art facilities that match those in developed countries
Transformation
By recalling memories, the older generation can remember how UAE airports and seaports turned from modest facilities into the world’s largest and most important destinations, without which it is difficult to imagine how transport and trade between countries would be.
This is true after the UAE, under the federal structure, became a global transport and trade centre linking the key components of financial and business centres across different continents.
On education and health, one has memories about the small and few schools and health care clinics in 1971 — a picture that is totally different from what one can see today where world-class universities, institutes, schools and hospitals are spread across the country, often collaborating with their prestigious counterparts on the global stage.
This giant leap has led to a significantly improved education and health care services not only for citizens but also for the millions of expatriates. The UAE has also contributed to saving millions in many countries through emergency relief for the needy and affected people.
Another picture that can be recalled is how the banking and financial sector has developed significantly in a country where, in the initial years there were only small banks limited to offering deposits and giving loans. They have been transformed into sophisticated banking institutions and financial centres that manage substantial fund flows and deal efficiently in global capital markets.
Now, UAE’s financial institutions are intentionally recognised among the most important sought after by various countries due to their developmental role.
Non-oil economy
In 1971, the year in which the federation was announced, there were only small factories for producing building materials.
Forty-three years later, the UAE became one of the top aluminium producers in the world and the largest in the Middle East, making industrial exports one of the most important element in non-oil trade.
On economic growth, the UAE has achieved growth rates considered one of the fastest in the world, with GDP rising from Dh6.5 billion ($1.8 billion) in 1971 to an expected Dh1,400 billion ($381.2 billion) in 2014.
It was Dh1,300 billion ($354 billion) in 2013, making the UAE the second largest Arab economy.
Unfortunately, I do not have enough space that would allow me to recall all the achievements by the UAE, which will go on to add further milestones every year.
Here, we take the opportunity on this momentous occasion to express profound gratitude and appreciation as well as pay rich tributes to the founding fathers, leaders and citizens and to all those who contributed to laying a brick that paved the way for the UAE’s continuous prosperity and development.
