Dubai: A Dh1.3 billion comprehensive development plan for Hatta was launched on Monday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The plans were prepared following Shaikh Mohammad’s directives to enhance the social and economic capabilities of Hatta, and to boost its attractiveness as a tourism destination, particularly as a first class eco-tourism destination in the region.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were present.
Commenting on the plan, Shaikh Mohammad emphasised that the process of development in the UAE is going according to plan, which has economic, social and cultural aspects. He said that such plans work towards achieving ambitious development goals that serve the nation and its citizens, and that the most valuable features of this development process is the constant care and attention to invest in developing human resources and providing them with all forms of support, empowering them to fulfil their role towards themselves, their people and nation.
Shaikh Mohammad stressed the importance of integrating the efforts of government bodies in order to acquire maximum benefit from development projects offered for Emiratis, particularly in light of the National Agenda for UAE Vision 2021. He said that the ideal utilisation of the capabilities of youths enhances various aspects of development approaches. Shaikh Mohammad reaffirmed that benefiting from natural and environmental resources available in the UAE in a balanced manner will achieve rewarding economic outcomes, while also preserving environmental resources and protecting them for future generations.
“Youth are the engine behind development, and boosting their participation in all fields of development is one of our strategic priorities. We are pinning our hopes on them, providing them all means of support so they can harness their positive energy and informing them about opportunities from which they can enter the job market using non-traditional means. Perhaps, most importantly, is the field of entrepreneurship that allows youth to set up their own projects to discover opportunities for growth that help them accomplish their ambitions,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
Shaikh Mohammad pointed out that there are many areas in the country that possess promising economic opportunities, and that work is currently under way to boost their output through a comprehensive development system that complements the economic and social development process.
The Hatta development plan will focus on three key areas: economy and services, sports and tourism, and culture and education.
A council with Hatta residents serving as members will be set up. The council will be responsible for supervising the plan and coordination between government bodies and council.
Highlights
The Hatta Plan: Society and economy
As part of the plans, Shaikh Mohammad ordered the construction of more than 600 houses for Emiratis within the next two years. The plan also focuses on landscaping many areas in Hatta to ensure a healthy lifestyle by improving the quality of air.
The plan will aim to provide incentives for youth so they can integrate into the field of entrepreneurship and launch their own projects. Within this context, Shaikh Mohammad ordered providing financial support for the youth of Hatta to encourage them to set up their own trade projects under the supervision and with support from Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises (MBRSME). As per Shaikh Mohammad’s orders, a branch of MBRSME in Hatta will be set up to provide direct support.
In order to facilitate youth in the process of setting up projects, commercial outlets will be set up in Hatta community and recreational project, with 40 stores allocated for Hatta residents. As per the plan, old stores owned by Emiratis in Hatta will be rebuilt and renovated to preserve Hatta’s heritage.
The development plan will involve enhancing the infrastructure of the agricultural sector. Hatta is best known for its fertile land, so the plan will meet various demands of farmers and provide them with all means of support, including organising training programmes on the latest methods in agriculture. Hatta Central Market will be set up as part of the plan, and it will house a diverse array of commercial, tourist and sports outlets.
The second aspect of the comprehensive development plan focuses on the tourism sector, as Hatta is known as a tourist attraction. The plan will involve designated green areas for sports camps, particularly during the winter. These spaces will be available for schools and universities across the UAE to host their sports activities. The plan will also take advantage of Hatta’s topography, with the construction of a mountain track to encourage mountain sports and activities.
An integrated project to restore Hatta’s archaeological sites will be launched to enhance its attractiveness and preserve its rich heritage.
As for culture and education, Hatta Cultural Festival will be held annually to promote local culture. The festival will act as an intellectual platform to support the cultural development of the local community in Hatta, as well as open a new window for cultural and intellectual exchange with other cultural and creative platforms in the country and abroad.
Scholarships will be granted to residents of Hatta, especially in the fields of agriculture and veterinary medicine, which will help the area meet its needs for these specialisations. A health camp with programmes based on the principle of learning through practice will be set up.
The comprehensive development plan will involve several governmental bodies, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Culture, Knowledhe and Human Development Authority, Dubai Sports Council, and MBRSME.
