ABU DHABI // Tough new federal food-safety laws have been approved by the Cabinet.
The “comprehensive” regulations will tighten control procedures and elevate the standard of food “to the highest possible level,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
“Our objective and vision in the UAE, which we announced previously, is the development of a healthy society in a safe environment,” Sheikh Mohammmed said after the Cabinet meeting.
The directive sets out key requirements to establish a system of effective regulatory and oversight services to ensure the protection of public health and protect consumers.
The safety of the community comes from the quality of its food, Sheikh Mohammed said, and the Government in cooperation with local authorities will work to tighten control procedures and raise the level of food safety.
The Cabinet also adopted a range of education measures, including a new ranking system for universities.
Sheikh Mohammed said proposals suggested during a Cabinet brainstorming sessions had become part of its agenda, and government had started to implement them.
The Cabinet also restructured the boards of directors of UAE and Zayed universities to oversee their continued improvement and high standards.
Sheikh Mohammed said the next priority for the boards would be to raise their standards to global levels, strengthen their academic role and develop research and studies that benefit the community.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister of Development and International Cooperation, will chair Zayed University’s board, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, will head the UAE University board.
A national medical board has also been set up with the intention of further developing the health sector.
The formation of the National Institute for Medical Specialisations follows a brainstorming session last year to gather opinions from the public on governance.
The session in December last year generated 65,000 ideas. A Cabinet retreat was held on Sir Bani Yas island to examine the ideas, which were grouped into two broad categories – health and education.
It is hoped the new board will raise the skills of medical staff through continuous training in collaboration with national and international educational institutions.
Sheikh Mohammed also agreed to increase financial contributions to the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development.
He signed a new trade agreement between the GCC and the United States to promote cooperation and joint action and strengthen economic relations.
Among other topics discussed was the adoption of regulations of the technical specifications of the national flag, which identifies the requirements for its use both inside and outside the country.
The Cabinet also adopted a federal procurement manual, produced by the Ministry of Finance, to take into account international best practice.
It aims to promote transparency through policy coordination and standardisation of procurement procedures at the level of the government and raise the efficiency of financial legislation.
Ministers also approved the establishment of the regional branch of the international Foundation for Islamic Trade Finance in Dubai as part of the Islamic Development Bank.
* Additional reporting by Wam
