Connect with us

Emirates

First & Last Add: VP awards Mansour bin Zayed Mohammed bin Rashid’s Scarf

ABU DHABI, 11th January, 2023 (WAM) — In the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has bestowed the ceremonial Mohammed bin Rashid's Scarf upon H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, in recognition of his track record of achievements and efforts in service of the UAE.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid affirmed that Sheikh Mansour is spearheading a number of vital files which are fundamental to the UAE's national affairs and strategies that aim to serve the interests of the country and its people.
“In the presence of my brother, the President of the State — may God protect him — we honour today my brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed for his exceptional efforts in serving the United Arab Emirates,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
"Sheikh Mansour is responsible for the Central Bank, which regulates the region's largest banking sector and monitors the government's policies through the Ministerial Development Council, while managing the Emirates Investment Authority that boasts assets worth more than AED300 billion. He efficiently monitors all files assigned to him by the UAE leadership. Mansour is a statesman and a top-notch economist."
Sheikh Mohammed added, “While taking over the Emiratisation file, Sheikh Mansour has managed to employ 28,000 individuals in just one year and increased their representation in the private sector by 70% within months… Mansour is one of Zayed the Great's extensions and one of the great pillars of the nation.”
Granting Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan the scarf of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid comes in recognition of His Highness' contributions and achievements in a number of developmental files and sectors in the UAE. He has been responsible for key executive and development files and new policies in the federal government since 2009 through his position as Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Development Council.
Sheikh Mansour is also responsible for the Central Bank of the UAE and all of its development and regulatory plans in the country's banking industry, which is the largest in the Middle East with cash assets in excess of AED3.5 trillion.
Sheikh Mansour has also contributed to the founding and management of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA), which oversees the management and investment of all federal government assets and ranks seventh among Arab sovereign funds, with AED322 billion worth of assets under its control.
Sheikh Mansour also oversees several national sovereign files as Minister of the Presidential Court, particularly those linked to serving citizens and monitoring the implementation of all presidential initiatives in the country.

Mansour bin Zayed: Decades of Serving the Nation
Sheikh Mansoiur accompanied late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and benefited from his inexhaustible well of knowledge and learnt at his unique school of leadership and management from an early age, through his chairmanship of the Court of the Founder, Sheikh Zayed, from 1997 till his death in November 2004.
Through his position as the Minister of Presidential Affairs since 2004, "The Presidential Court today," Sheikh Mansour also worked with the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, until his death in 2022. During that time, the ministry was an example of efficiency and competence in delivering the best levels of support and service to the president.
Since 2009, Sheikh Mansour has been serving as Deputy Prime Minister. Sheikh Mansour is also chairing the boards of a number of key federal authorities and establishments: the Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority since 2007; and the Chairman of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates in 2020.
Sheikh Mansour chairs the Ministerial Development Council, one of the most important committees that supports and assists the UAE Cabinet. The Council met a number of times in 2022 to deliberate on various projects during which it approved more than 313 resolutions and projects in various governmental sectors. It is considered one of the main committees supporting the UAE Cabinet in keeping pace with the recent ministerial changes, which goes in line with the future government priorities aiming to achieve development leaps in vital sectors and promote the UAE’s status locally and globally.

Sheikh Mansour is also the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), which is the local authority in charge of agriculture, food safety, food security and biosecurity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It aims to develop a sustainable agriculture and food sector and protect the health of animals and plants to enhance the biosecurity and achieve food security. In addition, the authority is responsible for preparing plans, programs and activities in the field of agriculture, food safety and food security.

His Highness oversees the Scholarship Coordination Office (SCO). It was created in 1999 under the direct supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Each year, outstanding Emirati students are selected to travel abroad in pursuit of their education at prestigious international universities. The Distinguished Students Scholarships (DSS) and the Study Abroad Scholarships Program (SASP) are granted annually by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. The DSS contributes to the continued advancement of the UAE in the 21st century by supporting the education of the country’s future leaders. The scholarship provides the UAE’s best students with support to attend prestigious international universities. Upon completion of their academic training, graduates return to the UAE to occupy leading positions in the country’s public sector.
His Highness also chairs the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa Award For Education. It was created to enrich the development of the educational field and provide for an effective interaction between local, Arab and international contributors to the field. The Award’s aim is to usher in a new dynamism in the educational process, in tune with contemporary advancements in scientific knowledge and information technology.

His Highness is also the Chairman of the Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Racing Authority; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Sheikh Mansour is particularly interested in Emirati tradition and is eager to embed it in the minds of children and teenagers in order to promote national identity and a sense of belonging, notably through horse racing. Within this regard, Sheikh Mansour supports camel races and attends their competitions, seeing camel racing as one of the key tools of reviving the authentic heritage of the UAE and preserving the ancient traditions of the people of the Emirates.

Emirates Investment Authority
Emirates Investment Authority (EIA), led by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has made significant successes that contributed to augmenting its investments in the UAE and overseas. As a custodian of the Federal assets of the United Arab Emirates, the EIA is mandated to strategically invest funds allocated by the Federal Government to create long-term value for the UAE and contribute to the future prosperity of the country. In a short span of time, the EIA has uniquely positioned itself to become an invaluable partner for significant world-class investment opportunities locally, regionally and internationally.
Forbes Middle East affirmed in 2022 that the Emirates Investment Authority ranks seventh among the largest Arab sovereign wealth funds, with assets under management of approximately AED322 billion. Using prudent investment strategies in accordance with global best practice, the EIA takes pride in its highly diversified investment portfolio, spread across a variety of investments and instruments which are carefully and thoroughly managed to ensure superior, risk-adjusted returns to deliver long-term financial value to the UAE.
EIA’s capital is strategically deployed and monitored to ensure that the risks involved in each of the underlying assets are within limits and the investment activities generate the desired financial goals.

Enhancing Financial Sector's Competitiveness
While steering the helm of the CBUAE, Sheikh Mansour has been able to achieve a wide range of strategic goals, including supporting the competitiveness, diversification, and growth of the financial sector in line with future economic trends, establishing a strong financial infrastructure, and promoting the future of FinTech and the UAE's digital transformation. Thanks to His Highness's wise vision, the UAE apex bank was able to significantly contribute to the country's monetary and financial stability by developing the regulatory and supervisory framework for licensed financial institutions and increasing confidence in financial services in the country.

Emiratisation: Top Priority
Emiratisation is one of the critical issues that the UAE leadership prioritises. Based on this importance, Sheikh Mansour seeks to achieve a set of strategic goals of central importance through the Emirati Cadres Competitiveness Council “Nafis”. NAFIS is a federal program to increase the competitiveness of Emirati human resources and empower them to occupy jobs in the private sector. Launched as part of 'Projects of the 50', the program aims to accelerate the UAE’s development journey and boost the economy Since its inception, the programme has contributed to the enrollment of over 50,000 citizens in the private sector, a 70% increase. Since the programme's inception, over 28,700 individuals have entered the private sector.

Foreign Relations
In addition to the vital files for which His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is responsible at the domestic level, His Highness has efficiently contributed to strengthening the UAE's international relations and serving its goals and interests on the regional and global levels, through his foreign visits and meetings with senior officials around the world as mandated by the UAE President, specially with regards to economic and developmental issues.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Emirates

Hamriyah and Deira ports record AED 12.133b in customs declaration value for first nine months of 2023

Dubai Customs plays a crucial role as the frontline defense for community security, consistently advancing its customs centers to safeguard and facilitate maritime trade. H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of
Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, recently visited Creek Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center to evaluate progress and oversee ongoing efforts for continuous customs service development. During this visit, several executive directors, department heads, and customs center managers were present.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, accompanied by Rashid Al Dhabah Al Suwaidi, Acting Director of Seae Customs Centers Management, conducted inspections at Khor Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center. Managers Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Salman and Majid Salem Al Tawilah provided insights into workflow progress and accomplishments. Over the first nine months of this year, 62,454 customs declarations were processed, totaling AED 12.133 billion, with 19 seizures recorded during the same period. A visit to Hamriyah Port Customs Center showcased an advanced container X-ray inspection device, supporting increased inspection operations.

Subsequently, visits to Khor Customs Center and Deira Port highlighted achievements, including a notable seizure called the “Wheelhouse,” which successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle 243 kilograms of narcotics into the country. Commending customs employees, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih emphasized the pivotal role of maritime customs centers in ensuring community security and facilitating trade. The department collaborates for efficient goods clearance and acknowledges employee efforts
during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the department’s support for global efforts to revive maritime navigation and international trade.

Musabih clarified that the department’s advanced capabilities in monitoring and inspection enable it to keep pace with the UAE’s rapid foreign trade growth. Supporting Dubai’s economic agenda D33, the department aims to double foreign trade and enhance economic partnerships with key global markets. Efforts to boost customs inspector efficiency continue through training courses, ensuring their ability to thwart smuggling attempts. Continuous development of X-ray scanning
devices and the K9 customs dog unit further enhances contraband control achievements. Rasheed Al-Dabah explained that the forthcoming period will witness the advancement of new initiatives and mechanisms in the realm of inspection and examination. These initiatives are grounded in a forward-looking perspective to introduce cutting-edge technologies utilized in examining maritime transport vessels, wooden ships, and ships engaged in fish trade.

He remarked, “Our endeavors are harmonized to enhance performance in sea customs centers, concurrently focusing on bolstering monitoring, tracking, and technical support activities to yield optimal outcomes through continuous and productive collaboration among all specialized teams within the department. The Customs centers in Deira, Al Khor, and
Hamriyah Port Customs Center shoulder their vital responsibilities in safeguarding society and facilitating maritime trade through Dubai Creek and Hamriyah Port, supporting the ongoing growth of the national economy.”

Continue Reading

Emirates

Dubai Customs Hosts Sharjah Housing Delegation to Strengthen Government Communication Ties

Dubai Customs, represented by the Corporate Communication Department, warmly welcomed a delegation from the Sharjah Housing Department. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize the delegation with the duties and responsibilities of the
Corporate Communication Department and its affiliated divisions. The delegation also aimed to explore the awards received by the department, notably the recognition as the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award for 2023.

Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department, along with department managers, extended a cordial reception to the Sharjah Housing delegation, which included Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication, Nada Sivan, Head of the Public Relations and Events Department, and Hamad Saleh Al Hamadi, Head of
the New Media Department. Bin Gharib highlighted the department’s commitment to strengthening communication with government entities to exchange practical experiences and knowledge. The delegation was briefed on Dubai Customs exceptional performance in customs operations and other facets.

The meeting delved into discussions on potential avenues for collaboration, with the Sharjah Housing delegation. Emphasis was placed on the crucial role played by Dubai Customs’ Corporate Communication Department, customs administrations, and centers in ensuring security and safeguarding society. The delegation was presented with an overview of the department’s working mechanisms, awareness campaigns, events, and activities conducted internally and externally, aligning with Dubai Customs esteemed reputation.

Furthermore, the Sharjah Housing delegation acquired an understanding of the best media practices adopted by the Corporate Communication Department, showcasing its outstanding performance in enhancing knowledge and media dissemination to all partners. This has resulted in the department establishing and fortifying relationships with local and international media
entities. The presentation also encompassed the factors contributing to the department’s receipt of the award for the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award.

Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication at Sharjah Housing, expressed appreciation for the efforts of Dubai Customs Corporate Communication Department, acknowledging its excellence and significant contribution to enhancing the department’s standing. Dr. Al Nuaimi affirmed Sharjah Housing’s commitment to fostering ongoing visits and meetings with Dubai Customs, aiming to achieve the highest level of coordination and benefit from the Corporate Communication Departmen’s experience in securing numerous local and international awards.

Continue Reading

Emirates

Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2025 cycle

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions.  Submissions will be accepted until 23 June 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Commenting on the launch of the 2025 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said: “Since 2008, the
Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world. In this decisive decade for climate change, these values are more important than ever. I am optimistic that the Prize will contribute to global climate action in line with the UAE Consensus, which will pave the
way toward an effective response to the Global Stocktake decision.” In response to the pressing climate crisis, and to further support the UAE’s efforts to accelerate practical solutions needed to drive climate action and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million to each winner in the organisational categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action. Within the Global High Schools category, which is split into six world regions, each school can claim up to US $150,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub- Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific. The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony held during COP28 UAE. To encourage a broader range of organisations and high schools to participate, the Prize will be accepting submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. This will ensure that innovative solutions from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds can be recognised. For the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, organisations should prove that they are improving access to essential products or services in their targeted communities and are able to implement a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, projects should be led by students, and must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges. The evaluation of each submission to the Prize consists of a rigorous, three-stage process. First, due diligence is conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria of Impact, Innovation, and Inspiration. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners across all six categories.   Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

Continue Reading

Trending