Sheikh Mohammed issues decision to completely restructure major government departments

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday issued a decision to completely restructure Dubai Municipality and transform it into specialised entities under one regulatory authority.

Sheikh Mohammed issued a series of decisions and major changes as he chaired the meeting of Dubai Council, in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council and First Deputy of the Dubai Council, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Second Deputy of the Dubai Council.

Municipality restructuring

Sheikh Mohammed announced a new comprehensive structure for Dubai Municipality that supports Dubai’s priorities, future directions and development plans in various sectors.

The restructuring aims to transform Dubai Municipality into a specialised institution that adopts a private sector mindset to provide high-quality municipal services. It also seeks to enhance its ability to keep pace with global changes in the areas of environment, climate change, circular economy, and the acceleration of partnerships with the private sector. The restructuring also aims to create economic opportunities worth Dh10 billion within five years, and reduce operating costs by 10 per cent, as well as increase the quality of services by 20 per cent.

‘World’s best city’

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed announced a number of decisions supporting Dubai’s vision to advance sustainable development and accelerate efforts and achievements that contribute to providing a better life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Sheikh Mohammed said: “We seek to transform Dubai into the world’s best city in the world to live, work and invest. The constant development of government services is vital to achieve this goal and ensure Dubai maintains high levels of global competitiveness. We are committed to further enhance government operations in Dubai, so that we can provide the best possible environment for the economy to flourish and ensure the greatest quality of life for citizens and residents. I am fully confident of the new committee’s ability to accomplish this goal.”

Committee for citizens affairs

The Council approved the establishment of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs, headed by Sheikh Hamdan, which aims to provide all the support that is needed by citizens, through a specific work strategy that contributes to achieving the goals set by Sheikh Mohammed in this regard.

The Committee will focus on ensuring the provision of advanced and integrated services to citizens, in addition to launching and approving a number of comprehensive initiatives.

Committee for technology

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed directed the formation of a higher committee under the supervision of Sheikh Hamdan to oversee all future technological developments in the digital economy. He directed the committee to develop the Dubai Metaverse Strategy in the next two months to contribute to enhancing Dubai’s position as a global centre for new metaverse technology.

Land Department restructuring

During the meeting, the Council approved the comprehensive restructuring of the Land Department with the aim of enhancing Dubai’s leadership and competitiveness in the real estate sector and raising operational efficiency by no less than 20 per cent.

Centre for family businesses

Dubai’s agenda for the sustainability of family businesses for the next 100 years aims to ensure the sustainability of family businesses for the next 100 years by providing all the necessary factors, and enable them to effectively contribute to the economy and the emirate’s future. The Agenda will see Dubai issuing a unified law for the sustainability of family businesses that meets all legislative requirements.

As part of the agenda, the ‘Dubai Centre for Family Businesses’ will be established as a central entity responsible for providing all services that ensure family businesses’ sustainability, launching four practical legal systems for the governance of family businesses, and establishing a centre for settling family disputes through arbitration and mediation.

Vision for neighbourhoods

The meeting saw the launch of Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision for future residential neighbourhoods for Emiratis. The first stage includes Al Khawaneej, Al Barsha, Al Mizhar and Hatta areas, in addition to a series of plans that will be announced in the coming month. The Commissioner-General of the Infrastructure was assigned to work on submitting final studies and announcing the details within a month.

Developing Dubai’s countryside

Sheikh Mohammed also directed the launch of a new development project for the emirate. The initiative seeks to develop the countryside of Dubai, and transform it into cultural, tourist and environmental destinations.

The project includes a number of areas, Al Faqa, Al Lusayli, Al Habab, Al Marmoom, Al Awir and Margham, among others. This project will also support a series of development projects in the countryside of Dubai, to upgrade the level of services and facilities there, and to involve the people of these areas in generating economic opportunities.

During the meeting, the Commissioner-General of Infrastructure was assigned with a plan to develop the countryside of Dubai and transform it into sustainable development areas.

Performance agreements

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum witnessed the signing of the first performance agreements for senior officials in Dubai.

The agreements include the main targets for the specified time period and the strategic projects that directors of departments, entities and institutions are assigned to implement, in order to carry out projects and achieve key performance indicators related to the future vision of Dubai.