Making sure 'we approach future in steady steps'

Making sure 'we approach future in steady steps' By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief Published: January 03, 2008, 01:31

Dubai: January 5 marks the second anniversary when His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum became Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE. He became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006.

The past two years witnessed ground-breaking achievements as Shaikh Mohammad took charge of improving the lives of all residents.

In the last two years, Shaikh Mohammad has issued a number of laws and decrees for the advantage of residents and ordered his administration to implement them in the best service of the country and the citizens.

Ever since he became the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he has been following up the concerns of his people and ordered changes and improvements in various fields, stressing commitment to national goals and policies laid down by the founding fathers.

All-round development

Shaikh Mohammad also infused dynamism that has become the hallmark of the Federal Strategy, adopting realistic and applicable programmes and well-considered plans to achieve economic, social and human development.

He has conducted inspection trips to all the emirates and ordered important changes.

Shaikh Mohammad ordered the establishment of a specialised court to deal with labour complaints. He also ordered the establishment of a special inspection unit to monitor workers' accommodations and workplace. He ordered a stricter enforcement of laws that protect the rights of labourers and domestic workers and improve their quality of life.

The rent cap was another corrective step taken by Shaikh Mohammad to rationalise rents so that both tenants and landlords have an equal say.

The escrow account was yet another visionary measure to secure money of investors who invest in real estate development.

Shaikh Mohammad's substantial contribution covers people around the world.

He launched the Dubai Cares initiative on September 30 to raise money to support the education of over a million poor schoolchildren through the efforts of businessmen, schools, students, their families and their neighbours in Dubai.

On May 19, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was launched to promote human development and provide hope and opportunity by investing in education and knowledge development in the region.

Shaikh Mohammad, in his own words, is not one to revel in past accomplishments "because life doesn't stop and it doesn't care about those who stop because they are content with what they have achieved".

He has said: "The present and future generations of our country are the top priority of all development plans. We have to make history and approach the future with steady steps, not wait for the future to come to us."