Vision for UAE's development

Leaders will always be remembered in history, yet very few among them make history.

For four decades, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has been standing as a live witness to the establishment of a new era in the history of the UAE through his visionary leadership.

Shaikh Mohammad has an ambitious vision and a huge capability to build and follow up on the progress of projects from the moment they are conceptualised to the moment they become ground reality for all to see.

Shaikh Mohammad's personality as a leader is not coincidental. His role as a leader goes beyond the time he became the Vice-President of the UAE although his ambitions and capabilities along with his great ability to shoulder national responsibility has become more evident since.

January 4, 2006 marks a starting point towards broader horizons to put ambitions and visions into action and begin a new era of development despite all the challenges and difficulties resulting from global circumstances.

Shaikh Mohammad's leadership qualities were evident from an early age. They were recognised by his father, the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who assigned him many tasks to develop his leadership skills.

In the early 1970s, Shaikh Mohammad held the responsibility of overseeing the functioning of the Dubai Police and security. In 1971, Shaikh Rashid tasked him with forming Dubai's defence forces, which were later integrated into the UAE Armed Forces following the creation of the federation, when Shaikh Mohammad became the UAE minister of defence.

Qualitative leap

Throughout the years, Shaikh Mohammad has proved his solid vision, competence and ability to shoulder great national responsibility. This has paved the way for the UAE to take its place among the world's most advanced countries on the basis of its giant econ-omic projects.

The UAE has made a qualitative leap thanks to Shaikh Mohammad's farsightedness.

On being appointed Crown Prince of Dubai in 1990, Shaikh Mohammad said: "I do not know if I am a good leader or not — but I know I am in a leading position and have a clear vision for the future which I gained from my father."

Shaikh Mohammad has supported landmark projects that have contributed to diversifying the economy from oil as a sole source of development and in turn transformed the UAE into a global economic hub.

To achieve his vision, Shaikh Mohammad laid the foundation for investment by providing sophisticated and solid infrastructure, a safe business climate and credibility in the country's dealings. He also laid down a successful plan for marketing construction and investment projects all over the world.

For example, the Dubai Shopping Festival has become an annual attraction for tourists and investors from all over the world.

Also, the cultural, art and sporting events that have gone hand-in-hand with these development projects have added balance and provided a satisfactory and integrated lifestyle in the country.

Another example is Dubai International Airport, one of the most important infrastructure projects in terms of facilities, services and fleet.

Strong relationship

The Palm island is a fine example of architectural brilliance along with the Burj Al Arab — a leading tourist attraction.

The masterpiece of all time, the Burj Khalifa, stands as evidence of Shaikh Mohammad's vision for national development.

Naming the world's tallest tower after President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan indicates the strong relationship between the two leaders.

We must also highlight other landmark achievements such as the Dubai Internet City, which has contributed to introducing new technologies and quality investments by leading international companies in the field of information technology.

Dubai Media City is another example of a project which has attracted leading global and regional media establishments.

Shaikh Mohammad has also launched a number of initiatives to encourage excellence in administrative and government mechanisms. The Dubai Government Excellence Award launched in 1997 has contributed to laying out high standards of quality.

These have been adopted by government departments through facilitating and speeding up procedures and embracing transparency.

In his role as Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Shaikh Mohammad has been a pillar of support for Shaikh Khalifa through building institutions and drawing a strategic map for the development of the nation.

Creating a stable, safe, secure and prosperous future for the UAE has always been the driving force behind Shaikh Mohammad's efforts. He has a vision to make the UAE one of the world's most important and fastest-growing countries in all walks of life.

Dr Mansour Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan is a lecturer at the American University of Sharjah.