As President, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw years of progress and development. Photo: Wam
As President, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw years of progress and development. Photo: Wam
As President, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw years of progress and development. Photo: Wam
As President, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw years of progress and development. Photo: Wam

UAE

Sheikh Khalifa oversaw Dh40bn in development projects

Sheikh Khalifa guided the UAE towards huge achievements during his presidency

The National

May 16, 2022

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  • Arabic

As UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw years of progress and development, including major advances in infrastructure, housing and marine policies.

From 2004 until his death last Friday, Sheikh Khalifa guided the UAE towards huge achievements, including about Dh40 billion in developments overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, state news agency Wam reported.

In addition, Sheikh Khalifa expanded the country's ports, which encouraged a surge in container traffic.

Here are some of Sheikh Khalifa's achievements.

Infrastructure and housing

During Sheikh Khalifa's presidency, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure enacted projects worth more than Dh40bn, including the establishment, completion and upgrading of more than 230 public schools, the development of a world-class system of hospitals and 32 federal government health facilities, and the establishment of 24 fishing ports.

The ministry achieved considerable progress in terms of roads, with the total length of federal roads reaching more than 900 kilometres through the completion of more than 140 projects.

The total length of traffic lanes on federal roads grew to 4,300km over the past 18 years, linking the country's regions and cities.

More than 106 dams have been constructed and maintained over the past 20 years, with the capacity of the country’s dams and reservoirs increasing to more than 200 million cubic metres, strengthening its water security system, Wam reported.

And the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme has contributed to the stability of more than 33,838 Emirati families by providing housing support and establishing integrated residential districts.

  • Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah writes in the book of condolences. AFP
    Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah writes in the book of condolences. AFP
  • Heads of diplomatic missions to Saudi Arabia visited the embassy to sign the condolence book and offer their tributes to the late Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: UAE embassy KSA
    Heads of diplomatic missions to Saudi Arabia visited the embassy to sign the condolence book and offer their tributes to the late Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: UAE embassy KSA
  • Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, visits the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to offers condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Islamabad
    Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, visits the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to offers condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Islamabad
  • In Rome, ambassador Omar Obaid Al Shamsi accepted the condolences of Sheikh Azzam Al Sabah, ambassador of Kuwait to Italy, and Dr Ahmed Baomar, Oman’s ambassador to Italy. Photo: UAE Embassy in Rome
    In Rome, ambassador Omar Obaid Al Shamsi accepted the condolences of Sheikh Azzam Al Sabah, ambassador of Kuwait to Italy, and Dr Ahmed Baomar, Oman’s ambassador to Italy. Photo: UAE Embassy in Rome
  • The UAE's ambassador to the UK, Mansoor Abulhoul, and fellow diplomats received visitors who came to express their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy in the UK
    The UAE's ambassador to the UK, Mansoor Abulhoul, and fellow diplomats received visitors who came to express their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy in the UK
  • Badr Al Awadi, ambassador of Kuwait to Korea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps for Arab countries in Korea, offers his condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Seoul
    Badr Al Awadi, ambassador of Kuwait to Korea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps for Arab countries in Korea, offers his condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Seoul
  • Representatives of Peru's government and heads of missions to Peru offered their condolences, including María Del Pilar Cordero Jon Tay, a member of the Peruvian parliament, pictured. Photo: UAE Embassy in Peru
    Representatives of Peru's government and heads of missions to Peru offered their condolences, including María Del Pilar Cordero Jon Tay, a member of the Peruvian parliament, pictured. Photo: UAE Embassy in Peru
  • Several ambassadors to Malaysia and Malaysian officials and journalists attended the funeral ceremony in absentia of Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: UAE Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
    Several ambassadors to Malaysia and Malaysian officials and journalists attended the funeral ceremony in absentia of Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: UAE Embassy in Kuala Lumpur
  • Sheikh Dr Muhammad Khater Issa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Chad, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Chad
    Sheikh Dr Muhammad Khater Issa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Chad, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE Embassy in Chad
  • Mikhail Bogdanov, special envoy of the Russian president for the Middle East and Africa and deputy minister of foreign affairs, offers his condolences at the UAE embassy in Moscow. Photo: UAE Embassy, Moscow
    Mikhail Bogdanov, special envoy of the Russian president for the Middle East and Africa and deputy minister of foreign affairs, offers his condolences at the UAE embassy in Moscow. Photo: UAE Embassy, Moscow
  • Since Friday, the US Embassy has received friends from the diplomatic community in Washington to express condolences, including ambassador Salem Al Sabah and diplomats from Kuwait, and former US ambassador to the UAE, David Mack. Photo: UAE embassy in the US
    Since Friday, the US Embassy has received friends from the diplomatic community in Washington to express condolences, including ambassador Salem Al Sabah and diplomats from Kuwait, and former US ambassador to the UAE, David Mack. Photo: UAE embassy in the US
  • Mini Arkoi Minawi, governor of the Darfur region in Sudan, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy, Sudan
    Mini Arkoi Minawi, governor of the Darfur region in Sudan, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy, Sudan
  • Park Jin, South Korea's foreign minister, attended UAE Embassy in Seoul to offer his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Seoul
    Park Jin, South Korea's foreign minister, attended UAE Embassy in Seoul to offer his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Seoul
  • Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister, visited the UAE Embassy in India to sign the condolence book and extend his deepest condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa and to convey the condolences of Indian government to the leadership and people of UAE. Photo: UAE embassy India
    Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister, visited the UAE Embassy in India to sign the condolence book and extend his deepest condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa and to convey the condolences of Indian government to the leadership and people of UAE. Photo: UAE embassy India
  • Ambassador Khalil Yaqoob AlKhayat, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs of Bahrain's Foreign Ministry, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Manama
    Ambassador Khalil Yaqoob AlKhayat, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs of Bahrain's Foreign Ministry, offered his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Manama
  • Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh and UAE diplomats received ambassadors and diplomats from friendly nations including GCC and Arab states, who offered their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Mission to UN
    Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh and UAE diplomats received ambassadors and diplomats from friendly nations including GCC and Arab states, who offered their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Mission to UN
  • The UAE Embassy to the People’s Republic of China received heads of missions, officials and members of the diplomatic community to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy China
    The UAE Embassy to the People’s Republic of China received heads of missions, officials and members of the diplomatic community to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy China
  • Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in New Zealand extended their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy New Zealand
    Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in New Zealand extended their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy New Zealand
  • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, foreign minister of Pakistan, visits the UAE Embassy in Islamabad and offers his condolences, writing "may Allah rest his soul in peace". Photo: UAE embassy Islamabad
    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, foreign minister of Pakistan, visits the UAE Embassy in Islamabad and offers his condolences, writing "may Allah rest his soul in peace". Photo: UAE embassy Islamabad
  • Marzouq Al Ghanim, speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, offered his condolences at the UAE’s embassy in Kuwait. Photo: UAE embassy Kuwait
    Marzouq Al Ghanim, speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, offered his condolences at the UAE’s embassy in Kuwait. Photo: UAE embassy Kuwait
  • Amer bin Ali Al Shehri, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Chad, expressed his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Chad
    Amer bin Ali Al Shehri, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Chad, expressed his condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Chad
  • The UAE Embassy in Argentina received a number of ambassadors of sister Arab countries, accredited diplomats and a number of dignitaries, to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Argentina
    The UAE Embassy in Argentina received a number of ambassadors of sister Arab countries, accredited diplomats and a number of dignitaries, to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Argentina
  • Hind Al Otaiba, ambassador of the UAE in France, receives several diplomats and guests at the embassy in Paris to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy France
    Hind Al Otaiba, ambassador of the UAE in France, receives several diplomats and guests at the embassy in Paris to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy France
  • UAE Ambassador to Poland Dr Iman Al Salami and representatives from the mission received mourners to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Warsaw
    UAE Ambassador to Poland Dr Iman Al Salami and representatives from the mission received mourners to offer their condolences. Photo: UAE embassy Warsaw
  • Wael Hamed, Egypt's ambassador to India, and Muhammad Jabal, the Egyptian military attaché, visited the UAE Embassy in India to offer condolences. Photo: UAE embassy India
    Wael Hamed, Egypt's ambassador to India, and Muhammad Jabal, the Egyptian military attaché, visited the UAE Embassy in India to offer condolences. Photo: UAE embassy India

Marine policies

The UAE also became a leader in several global competitiveness indicators in the maritime sector during Sheikh Khalifa's presidency.

Last year, for example, the UAE was re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the B membership category for the third time, receiving international praise for its pivotal role in developing strategies, policies and agreements that enhance maritime safety standards, protect the marine environment and enhance the efficiency of global industry.

The UAE made huge strides within the marine sector locally, with a focus on catering to regional and global maritime needs in terms of providing the best infrastructure and top-class services.

The country's competencies have helped it gain the status as a key global maritime hub.

The sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product is Dh90bn annually.

The UAE's ports rank among the top 10 internationally in the volume of container handling and there are more 27,000 maritime companies in the UAE.

Its ports handled more than 19 million “20-foot equivalent units” in 2021, Wam said, and there were more than 25,000 port calls in the country during the same year.

The country's national fleet capacity stands at 21 million deadweight tonnage and the national fleet in 2020 consisted of 970 vessels.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

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Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports

Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

'Munich: The Edge of War'

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5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Results

6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar

7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson

9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

The%20Sandman
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The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Tomorrow 2021
Updated: May 20, 2022, 12:10 PM
Sheikh KhalifaSheikh Mohamed bin ZayedUAEDubai