The world’s first government accelerators launched on Sunday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is an ambitious programme that spells out tangible objectives for five key areas. The UAE accelerators is an adaption of popular programme widely used globally to provide guidance and support to startups and entities. It helps business entities develop ideas into prototypes and products. But the UAE accelerators is a unique idea as for the first time a government is applying it to create jobs and deliver services.
In the first batch of accelerators, it has identified five sectors, labour, education, environment, road safety and economy. For each sector, ministries will pursue and deliver time-bound objectives. For example, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, will collaborate with private sector banks and finance houses to create 1,000 jobs for Emiratis seeking jobs in the financial sector within 75 days. Similarly, the Ministry of Interior will work on reducing traffic accident fatalities on five most dangerous roads by 21 per cent between December 15 and February 15. Likewise, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will work on improving the quality of air in 100 days.
These deadlines may appear challenging but are not unrealistic. The deliverables are clearly spelt out and the ministries are expected to work closely with the private sector and government entities to chase these goals. What is required in the coming weeks, however, is close monitoring to see how each ministry is progressing and mentoring, and at the same time providing guidance to ensure entities are on track to meet deadlines.
