The UAE on Wednesday announced the launch of the National Policy for Economic Clusters, with the goal of boosting the country’s gross domestic product by more than Dh30 billion ($8.16 billion) a year.
The government strategy was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, as he led the latest meeting of the UAE Cabinet at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. It was among a series of initiatives outlined at the meeting, with efforts to bolster cyber security also high on the agenda.
Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Vice President, said the new economic plan would seek to create “a cluster of industries, services and institutions” and support their growth on the global stage. It will focus on accelerating the development of financial services, tourism and hospitality, the space sector, telecoms and data analytics, and food.
Key announcements:
A national plan to boost the economy by Dh30 billion each yearPolicies aimed at bolstering cyber securityThe launch of a National Policy for Economic ClustersThe Emirati Genome Project is progressing well with 750,000 samples now collected
Under the plan, the UAE will look to increase foreign trade by Dh15 billion over the next seven years. The policy is designed to increase the competitiveness of the economy by establishing networks of interconnected industries and services across the country.
Cyber security measures
Ministers also adopted a package of national cyber security policies to protect information and improve public confidence in rapidly evolving digital systems.
The Cabinet approved a national policy for artificial intelligence; a national encryption policy; the national policy for data exchange security; the national policy for secure remote work; and the national policy for vulnerable disclosure.
During the meeting, ministers also approved an updated national plan to reduce emissions in the aviation sector, in support of the country’s key environmental commitments.
Bolstering public health
Sheikh Mohammed also spoke of the continued progress of the Emirati Genome Programme, which aims to gather the genetic data of citizens to help deliver precision medical care to better combat disease. He said more than 750,000 genetic samples have now been collected from Emiratis, representing a rise of about 150,000 since June 2024.
The UAE wants to collect one million samples under the nationwide initiative to improve the long-term health of the nation.
Government gathering
The Cabinet also finalised the agenda for the UAE Government annual meetings, which will be held from November 4 to 6 in Abu Dhabi and will feature 500 key decision-makers and officials.
Sheikh Mohammed said this year’s high-level talks will focus on education, health, family and national identity. The event will explore the future of the economy and AI.
The wide-ranging Cabinet meeting also saw the establishment of the Emirates Council for Integrative Medicine and the restructuring of the board of trustees of the Anwar Gargash Academy, the Emirates Council for Digital Economy, and the Entrepreneurship Council.
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsZayed Sustainability PrizeThe years Ramadan fell in MayKilling of Qassem SuleimaniThe years Ramadan fell in MayThe five pillars of IslamMohammed bin Zayed MajlisASSASSIN’S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Marital status: Single
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
RACECARD
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The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support,” says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
Gifts exchanged
King Charles – replica of President Eisenhower Sword
Queen Camilla – Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
Donald Trump – hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
Melania Trump – personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniWhat are the influencer academy modules?
Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Tourism industry knowledge.
Professional ethics.
Pharaoh’s curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Zayed Sustainability PrizeUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE