logo
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed: UAE ranked 5th in World Competitiveness Ranking

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed: UAE ranked 5th in World Competitiveness Ranking

ARN News Center2 days ago

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has chaired a Cabinet meeting, highlighting major national achievements and approving key initiatives.
During the meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed announced that the UAE has ranked 5th globally in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking.
The country was recognised for its strengths in economic performance, government efficiency and business environment. Notably, it ranked 1st worldwide for minimal bureaucracy and 2nd for government adaptability.
His Highness credited 14 years of coordinated national efforts for this rise from 28th place in 2009.
The Cabinet also approved housing grants worth AED 1.2 billion for over 1,800 citizens in the first half of 2025, reinforcing efforts to ensure stable and decent living conditions for Emirati families.
It also reviewed the Emirates Council for Balanced Development's progress in enhancing Emirati villages and supporting families and small businesses, as well as the success of the UAE's digital identity system UAE PASS, which now supports over 11 million users and has processed 2.6 billion digital transactions.
Further approvals included restructuring the national anti-money laundering committee, establishing a National Maritime Navigation Centre to enhance marine safety, and endorsing the 2024 Annual Report on Free Trade Negotiations, which saw 27 major trade agreements signed.
#uaegov pic.twitter.com/f1gfuCoO6F
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) June 17, 2025

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mohammed bin Rashid announces changes to UAE government
Mohammed bin Rashid announces changes to UAE government

Al Etihad

time28 minutes ago

  • Al Etihad

Mohammed bin Rashid announces changes to UAE government

20 June 2025 19:49 ABU DHABI (WAM) Following consultations and approval of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Friday changes to the UAE Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, 'Following consultations with my brother, His Highness the President, and with his approval, we announce today changes to the UAE government as follows: Establishment of a Ministry of Foreign Trade in the UAE government and appointment of Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi as Minister of Foreign Trade, and renaming the Ministry of Economy to Ministry of Economy and Tourism led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri.'His Highness added, 'We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member in the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Development Council and all boards of federal entities and government companies starting from January 2026 to support decision-making in these councils, conduct real-time analyses of their decisions, provide technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted by these councils across all sectors.' His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "The world is undergoing a comprehensive transformation phase… scientifically... economically... and socially... our goal is to prepare today for the coming decades... our goal is to ensure continued prosperity and dignified life for future generations."

Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital
Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital

Sharjah 24

time2 hours ago

  • Sharjah 24

Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital

The authority's participation in the largest event of its kind in Latin America, which runs until June 22, comes as part of Brazil's celebration of World Book Capitals following the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the World Book Capital for 2025. This prestigious title, which Sharjah held in 2019, recognises the emirate's global standing in supporting culture and the publishing industry. Through its pavilion, SBA shed light on the diversity of the cultural movement in the UAE and the wider Arab world, highlighting major achievements in knowledge, literature and publishing. The authority actively engaged in panel discussions and held meetings with publishers, translators and cultural organisations, to strengthen knowledge exchange and expand opportunities for translating works to and from Arabic. As part of its efforts to build lasting partnerships, SBA invited key players in the publishing industry to take part in the emirate's leading international initiatives, including the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference and other prominent global events held throughout the year. Commitment to cultural dialogue His Highness Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that the authority's participation in the Rio International Book Fair reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who places culture at the heart of development strategies and views books as a powerful tool for building bridges of dialogue with the world. Al Ameri said: 'Sharjah's presence in Rio highlights the central role of Emirati and Arab culture on the global knowledge map. Today, we are not only sharing our Emirati identity but also fostering a vibrant dialogue between Latin America, with its rich intellectual and cultural heritage, and the Arab world in all its expressions of thought, literature, art, and creativity. The selection of Rio as World Book Capital for 2025 offers us an opportunity to renew and strengthen our partnerships with the cultural community in Latin America.' He added: 'Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, we are committed to empowering Emirati and Arab publishers and authors to reach new markets and to developing sustainable support systems that enhance their presence on the global publishing stage.' The Sharjah-led new literary movement As part of the cultural programme at the book fair, SBA organised a panel discussion titled "The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement", which explored the evolution of the Emirati literary landscape and the emirate's vital contribution to nurturing writers and advancing cultural initiatives. The session featured renowned Emirati authors whose works have been translated into Portuguese by SBA, including Abdul Hamid Ahmad, author of 'On the edge of the day'; Lulwah Al Mansouri, author of 'We came out of the rib of a mountain'; and Nasser Al Dhaheri, author of 'Wearing salt and his palms are ash'. On the sidelines of the event, SBA organised a special book signing ceremony for the translated titles, underscoring the authority's commitment to deepening cultural exchange and strengthening the international presence of Emirati literature. Showcasing Sharjah's publishing initiatives During its participation, SBA highlighted several of its leading initiatives in publishing and knowledge exchange. These include the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. The authority also introduced the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), an initiative designed to support publishing industries in emerging markets, and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which works to protect the rights of Arab authors and publishers while expanding their international presence. The authority has also drawn attention to the role of Sharjah Public Libraries, one of the region's oldest cultural institutions, which has been promoting knowledge for more than a century. Publishers have been briefed on the specialist international conferences hosted annually in the emirate, including the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference, the Booksellers Conference and the Sharjah Animation Conference. The Sharjah pavilion also hosted the PublisHer initiative, the global platform founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to champion the role of women in publishing and create meaningful opportunities for female publishers to connect, collaborate and exchange knowledge. The pavilion also showcased a curated selection of titles from Al Qasimi Publications, alongside a diverse range of works from the Department of Culture that highlight the depth and richness of Sharjah's cultural landscape. First held in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair has grown into Brazil's largest literary festival. Organised by the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL) in collaboration with major publishing houses, the fair attracts hundreds of writers and more than 600,000 visitors each year, serving as a key platform for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.

SAA holds ceremony to honour 'Matari' Award winners, partners
SAA holds ceremony to honour 'Matari' Award winners, partners

Sharjah 24

time2 hours ago

  • Sharjah 24

SAA holds ceremony to honour 'Matari' Award winners, partners

The annual ceremony included a special recognition of outstanding employees who won the third edition of the Sharjah Airport for Organizational Excellence Award 'Matari', Strategic partners and media representatives were also honored in appreciation of their contributions and initiatives that have been instrumental in advancing the airport's journey toward leadership and development. 'My Journey at Sharjah Airport' The annual ceremony featured a visual presentation highlighting major milestones and achievements—ranging from network expansion and rising passenger volumes to the launch of strategic development projects. The presentation also included a video chronicling the journey of the 'Matari' award as a tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the SAA's employees. A theatrical performance titled 'My Journey at Sharjah Airport' was also staged, showcasing the airport's latest smart services and innovations in partnership with stakeholders—services that continue to enhance the travel experience and keep pace with rapid transformations in the aviation sector. Remarkable Progress Fueled by Visionary Leadership In his address, His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, emphasised that the remarkable progress and rapid growth witnessed at Sharjah Airport would not have been possible without the directives of the wise leadership, which has long recognized the aviation sector as a strategic driver of development. He extended his deep appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, whose vision and guidance have been the foundation of every achievement to date. He added: 'We reaffirm our commitment to continuing our comprehensive development efforts, including the Passenger Terminal Expansion Project, which will mark a quantum leap in the travel experience by integrating innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability. This will enhance the airport's capacity to 25 million passengers annually by the end of 2027—further solidifying its position as a fully integrated global aviation hub.' His Excellency also commended the efforts of the SAA's team, strategic partners, and media representatives, who continue to be true partners in Sharjah Airport's journey of excellence. He noted that honoring the outstanding employees in the third edition of the Sharjah Airport for Organizational Excellence Award 'Matari' reaffirms the SAA's belief that investing in human capital is the foundation of sustainable success and the main engine for improving operations and elevating service standards. He also announced the introduction of two new award categories this year, aimed at recognizing the vital role of strategic partners and airport-based entities in delivering an exceptional travel experience. A Model of Institutional Leadership and Strategic Planning In his opening remarks, His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, stated: 'Last year was rich in strategic accomplishments that further established Sharjah Airport as an integrated hub for air transport and logistics. These achievements would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our teams, strategic partners, and media allies, alongside the shared vision that guides us toward excellence.' He continued: 'By continuing to invest in infrastructure, expanding our destination network, and empowering our teams through initiatives such as the 'Matari' Award, we are committed to positioning Sharjah Airport as a model of institutional leadership, strategic planning, and service quality. We place employee empowerment at the heart of our priorities, cultivating a motivating work environment that unlocks potential, celebrates excellence, and fosters institutional loyalty. We are not merely planning for the future—we are building it together with our national talents, values, and trust-based partnerships.' Honouring the Winners of the 3rd Edition of the 'Matari' Award One of the ceremony's highlights was the honoring of the winners of the third edition of the Sharjah Airport for Organizational Excellence Award 'Matari' —one of the SAA's leading initiatives to foster a culture of excellence, encourage innovation, and spotlight the impactful contributions of departments and individuals in improving operations and executing strategic initiatives. The Award reflects the SAA's commitment to empowering employees and advancing institutional performance in line with global best practices. The award is divided into two main tracks: the Institutional Categories, which include Outstanding Department, Outstanding Initiative, and Outstanding Shift; and the Individual Categories, which recognize excellence across various roles such as Outstanding New Employee, Innovative Employee, Supervisory Employee, Customer Service Employee, Specialist Employee, Administrative Employee, Field Employee, and Excellence in Passenger Experience category that highlights exceptional contributions to enhancing the passenger journey. The event concluded in a warm and appreciative atmosphere, with a formal dinner and entertainment program that added an engaging and interactive element to the gathering—reflecting the spirit of collaboration and harmony that defines Sharjah Airport Authority's work culture.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store