Mohammad's dynamic leadership 'worth emulating'

Dubai: In the past two years, the entire concept of governance has changed in the UAE through the innovative methods of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE Ruler of Dubai, leaders and officials said on Wednesday.

January 5 marks the second anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad becoming Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE. He became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006.

Since then, the nation has witnessed "his outstanding contribution, judicious guidance and inspired leadership at the Federal level," according to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. "This short time span can be truly termed as an era of milestone developments in the history of the UAE," he added in a statement to Gulf News.

Shaikh Mohamamd's "discipline and results oriented working methods, consistent performance and accomplishments have established a template for future generations to emulate."

Citing examples of Cabinet meetings at outdoor venues such as resorts and the informal interaction of ministers with citizens in remote areas, Shaikh Hamdan pointed out such unprecedented initiatives were a testimony to the Vice-President's "distinctive style of governance".

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, also noted "the phenomenal role" of Shaikh Mohammad in leading the Cabinet in implementing the directives of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and towards completing the first integral federal strategy in the UAE's history.

"Shaikh Mohammad realises that a successful team needs a leader who walks with his team while engaging them in key decision making processes," he said in a statement to Gulf News.

On this occasion, Gulf News looks back at major achievements of Shaikh Mohammad, including the drawing up of the Federal Strategy, the evolution of laws and education initiatives, aimed at developing knowledge-based economy in the Arab region and beyond.

Timeline: Two years of achievement

January 4/06 Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is appointed Ruler of Dubai following the death of Shaikh Maktoum.

January 5/06 His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, is elected by members of the Supreme Council as UAE Vice-President. The council also approves theproposal of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to appoint Shaikh Mohammad as Prime Minister.

February 9/06 The new UAE Cabinet is announced.

March 14/06 In a landmark move, the Dubai Government issues a property law that legalises foreign ownership of property in pre-designated areas in the emirate.

September 9/06 Shaikh Mohammad appoints Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

December 12/06 Shaikh Mohammad is named as the New York Times Entrepreneur of the Year.

December 18/06 He lauds the first-ever Federal National Council elections and praises the participation of women.

January 01/07 Shaikh Mohammad issues a decree saying the rent increase will not exceed seven per cent of the annual rent of the property.

February 3/07 Dubai announces a nine-year economic plan that will fuel an 11 per cent annual growth in GDP to Dh396.36 by 2015 from the current Dh137.25 billion.

February 14/07 The Cabinet completes discussing the federal government strategic plan which aims to improve the government's performance and boost the social, educational and health programmes of various federal ministries and institutions. The meeting was held for three consecutive days at the desert resort of Bab Al Shams, and presided over by Shaikh Mohammad.

March 13/07 Shaikh Mohammad inaugurates the 13-lane bridge and new road network called the Business Bay Crossing.

March 25/07 Shaikh Mohammad embarks on his first visit to India.

April 17/2007 Shaikh Mohammad unveils the first UAE Strategy.

May 19/07 He launches the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation with an endowment of Dh37 billion to open doors to a new generation of leaders of the region.

May 21/2007 Shaikh Mohammad meets South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, and discusses means to expand bilateral ties.

July 13/07 During an informal meeting in Fujairah, Shaikh Mohammad announces the setting up of a team of "mystery clients" and a system of performance management to monitor ministries' achievements and ensure proper implementation of the federal government strategy.

September 4/07 The UAE and Vietnam vow to boost trade ties and agree to open diplomatic representations. The agreement was made during talks in Hanoi between Shaikh Mohammad and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

September 06/07 Shaikh Mohammad attends the World Economic Forum in the Chinese city of Dalian.

September 19/07 Shaikh Mohammad launches Dubai Cares, a campaign, which aims to fund the education of poor children worldwide.

September 25/07 He issues instructions that journalists in the country will not be jailed for doing their work.

October 14/07 Shaikh Mohammad wants Dubai to be number one in everything: education, housing and health.

October 28/07 He announces a Knowledge Complex that aims to alleviate unemployment in the region.

November 25/07 Shaikh Mohammad donates Dh1.7 billion to Dubai Cares, doubling funds raised to Dh 3.48 billion.

December 14/07 Shaikh Mohammad chairs an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at Jebel Al Dhanna in the Western Region. The two-day meeting reviewed 26 strategic plans.

December 29/07 Issues a decree that landlords in Dubai who raised rents last year will not be able to increase in 2008 tenancy agreements. The decree reduces the rent cap to 5 per cent from the existing 7 per cent which will applicable to only those whose rents were not increased last year.

Salute to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his outstanding leadership and the love and care he has shown towards the people of this country. He has shown how a humane leader should be. This country is blessed to have him as the leader.
From Gena
Sharjah
UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 14:11

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad is the finest leader I have ever seen in my life. He thinks about the nation and its people. His contribution to Dubai means a lot. Hope he gets all the respect he deserves. I also hope he wins the heart of the world and all the expatriates staying in Dubai.
Rehan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 03, 2008, 12:17