Sheikh Mohammed's new Dubai Council outlines tough targets for public sector

The Ruler of Dubai set government officials 50 goals by 2025

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, hold the first meeting of the Dubai Council on Tuesday. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office
Powered by automated translation

Dubai's government leaders will be set 50 goals that must be met to boost growth, or face removal from their posts.

Dubai Council met for the first time on Tuesday and outlined a new drive for efficiency for the next five years.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who chaired the meeting, said there would be a new economic plan for the emirate and a new "urban plan" to improve living standards.

"Today, I chaired the first meeting of the Dubai Council where we approved the development of a plan of 50 goals for Dubai within the next five years. These will be announced in 60 days," Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

What we announce will be implemented by the team... or we will replace the team

"What we announce will be implemented by the team... or we will replace the team.

"We also decided, within the Dubai Council, to start developing an economic plan for the emirate to create new sectors and ensure their competence and global competition, and attract investors. We have asked the six commissioners in the development fields to submit the 100-day plan within two weeks."

He said all government departments will have a deputy general manager to develop "the new generation" into public sector leaders.

The council agreed to separate the roles of chief executive and chairman in government and semi-government companies and called on the boards of state-backed companies to form committees to evaluate investment and risk management - and submit these reports to the government.

"We have adopted ... a new system for the governance of governmental and semi-governmental companies under the supervision of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed [Deputy Ruler of Dubai] that obliges them to form boards of directors as the supreme authority and prevents the chief executive from assuming chairmanship of the board," he said.

Sheikh Mohammed also said all publicly-owned newspapers, radio and television stations and the government press office, Dubai Media Office, would come under one 'Dubai Media Council'.

"The formation of Dubai Council is the beginning of a series of positive changes in the emirate," he wrote.

"Dubai’s rubric is change and continuous development.

"Personally, I have not stopped improving and changing over the past 50 years and I will not cease to do so."

This week, six 'commissioners' were appointed to each manage areas including law enforcement, urban planning, and the economy, among others.

They are:

  • Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of Emirates Group, to oversee the economy including Department of Economic Development, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Dubai's free zones, airports, ports and customs
  • Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority, will run the infrastructure, urban planning and wellbeing pillar, overseeing Dubai Municipality, Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment and Dubai Land Department
  • Talal Belhoul, director-general of the State Security Department in Dubai, will run the security and justice pillar and oversee Dubai Courts, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services
  • Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council, will be the commissioner for "government development" sector to oversee Dubai Government Human Resources Department, Dubai Statistics Centre and Dubai Smart Government Department
  • Saeed Al Tayer, head of the utility company Dewa, will be commissioner for "health and knowledge" overseeing Dubai Health Authority, and Knowledge and Human Development Authority
  • Abdullah Al Marri, chief of Dubai Police, will oversee "citizen services" sector including the Community Development Authority, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department