Had it come from any other source, the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 would have sounded like an impossible dream. But when it is said by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, there is an air of expectation that these dreams will be fulfilled. For it is well to remember, as Shaikh Mohammad once poignantly said, "the impossible does not exist in [the UAE's] dictionary".
From the outset, when laying out his plans for the next eight years, Shaikh Mohammad demonstrated there is no harm in setting ambitious goals for Dubai because they have been achieved in the past. Vision 2010, spelt out in 2000, envisaged the course he wanted Dubai to take over the forthcoming decade.
Such was the phenomenal growth of the emirate that the targets, set seven years ago for 10 years, were achieved in half the time. But, as Shaikh Mohammad pointed out on Saturday: "With these achievements comes new hurdles, responsibilities and challenges."
Vision 2010 was very much orientated towards developing the economy and all that is related to it to entice investment from abroad and encourage local industry to receive the benefits of the burgeoning financial infrastructure.
Now, the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 embraces a far wider dimension, reaching into the livelihood and social condition of all residents, be they Emiratis or expatriates.
This new plan demonstrates a high level of caring by Shaikh Mohammad and the Dubai Government. For it was not hurriedly produced in an effort to take advantage of any particular circumstance, as finance ministers in other countries may tend to do.
On the contrary, in consultation with over 300 officials, businessmen and academics, an elaborate and considered plan was produced.
The most significant aspect of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 is that five areas have been identified whereby change is inevitable and ultimately will be made to accord with the times and targets for the future.
These are: Economic Development; Social Development; Infrastructure, Land and Environment; Safety, Security and Justice; and Public Sector Excellence.
The advantage of sectionising these departments means that while each is working under a master plan towards a specific target, the departments can also work autonomously and, to some extent, in competition with each other to attain their established objectives while maintaining the high standards expected of them.
Of particular interest in the plan is that consideration is being made to improve the lives and working conditions of everyone in the emirate.
It is significant that the problems people have experienced in recent years through rent, traffic and cost of living, will be addressed under the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, with a view to make life more comfortable for all.
