Senior leaders gather for the two-day retreat. (Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi)
Senior leaders gather for the two-day retreat. (Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi)

Strategy talks will prepare us for the future



It is tempting to declare that the retreat attended by the leadership on Saturday and Sunday marked a major turning point. The truth is that, significant as it was, the meeting was part of a continuing project to reinvent this country. The issue at hand was the development of a new strategy to steer the economy in the wake of low oil prices.

While nobody predicted that the oil price would decline as drastically as it has in the past 18 months – from $110 to $35 a barrel – the UAE has always been aware that it could not rely on fossil ­fuels for ever. In February last year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy ­Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, spoke about the day when the last barrel of oil was extracted, saying: “If we are investing today in the right sectors, I can tell you we will celebrate at that moment.”

The retreat was about formulating the economic strategy that will take us to that point. The pillars of discussion, as outlined by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, included human capital, the knowledge economy and community.

The emphasis on people is important: we all play a part in this reinvention. The foresight of the leadership has already served us well. Even while oil was at its peak price, we were investing in more efficient, more sustainable forms of energy. We are building a nuclear power plant and are experimenting with solar and other renewable resources. The UAE has become a global air transport hub, a centre of finance and a major tourist destination. But our oil and gas still contribute 80 per cent of government revenue.

Significantly, many recent policy initiatives have encouraged innovation and entrepreneurship, with the message being that the Government will support individuals and small businesses with big ideas.

With our large sovereign wealth funds and the steps already taken towards diversification of the economy, the country is fortunate enough to have a financial cushion. But that should not breed complacency. The retreat was about ensuring that the UAE will continue as an economic powerhouse into the foreseeable future. Tough decisions will have to be made in terms of economic reform, but there will also be great opportunities. Oil has given this young country an important economic head start: it is up to each of us to build on it.

Need to know

The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours. 

The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.

When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend  are  January-February and September-October.  Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.

Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

Scores

New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs 

New Zealand win by 47 runs

TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]

Not before 7pm:

Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)

Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]

 

Court One

Starting at midday:

Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)

Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)

Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

'Joker'

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: Five out of five stars

The Beach Bum

Director: Harmony Korine

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg

Two stars