Mohammad's leadership praised for phenomenal success of UAE

Shanghai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will end his 4-day visit to China today with the signing of four agreements including one on cooperation in the field of defence industries.

The signing will follow Shaikh Mohammad's meetings with Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, officials said.

Shaikh Mohammad yesterday attended the opening session of the UAE-China Economic Council meeting in Shanghai, which runs until April 4.

Welcoming Shaikh Mohammad's visit to Shanghai, Dong Songgen, Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Trade Development and Promotion Centre, said the UAE's economy is "one of the most developed in the Middle East," stressing that "the wisdom and leadership of Shaikh Mohammad transformed Dubai into the most important financial, commercial and tourism hub in the region."

Addressing the forum, Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, described UAE-Chinese relations as strategic. "The success of the UAE's economy is a result of the country's economic policies and investment atmosphere, which allowed national companies to become multi-national companies that seek foreign investments from all countries, including China," Shaikha Lubna said.

Shaikh Mohammad also attended the signing of four agreements between UAE companies and their Chinese counterparts.