It has been a constant theme in the UAE’s development to accentuate the welfare of its citizens and provide them with the highest standards of living. In fact, this raison d’etre defines its progress. The UAE’s macro and micro policies have always aligned themselves to this ethos and the unveiling of the 2015 draft of the federal budget mirrors this. As a pivotal instrument of the nation’s allocation of resources, the federal budget outlines the shape of things to come and the 2015 draft places the strongest emphasis on social development, education, health, infrastructure and government services — all integral to contributing to national development. They also happen to be the areas that bring maximum sense of satisfaction to citizens. This symbiosis between citizens and their government predicates progress for any country and in acknowledging it, the UAE has once again distinguished itself.
By allocating a whopping 49 per cent of the Dh140 billion budget for 2014-16 to social development in 2015, the UAE is ensuring its Vision 2021 is on track. Welfare of citizens is an important marker of social health and is dependant on the quality of governance extended to them. Social services, education, health and infrastructure, all impact on the ability of an individual to contribute positively to the country and investment in these areas is synonymous with investment in people. The budget draws our attention to the fact that the UAE’s national agenda — driven by its commitment to meeting the needs of its citizens — continues to be defined by these core values.