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The Ministry of Interior stressed the importance of global peace and security in achieving the sustainable development goals and the UAE’s keenness to achieve a balanced and comprehensive development path that does not only affect the national level, but also benefits all countries of the world. This came during the participation of Lt. Col. Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, as part of the UAE delegation in the activities of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development of the United Nations held in New York, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs until July 17, in which the Ministry of Interior reviewed its international initiatives in climate action and community security. Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi noted the UAE government’s keenness to continue raising and enhancing global peace and security levels through law enforcement institutions, national security strategies, and modernizing the legislative system in line with the growing requirements of societies to achieve sustainable development goals worldwide. She said that our wise leadership realized early the importance of achieving the 16th goal of the sustainable development goals to achieve the rest of the goals, which requires the implementation of a comprehensive approach to make leaps Quality in the levels of achievement of all seventeen sustainable development goals, it is important to have strong and effective institutions, and a governance system, which will address and address various social, economic and environmental challenges, and the interest reflects the state’s keenness to achieve a balanced and comprehensive development path that does not have an impact only at the national level, but also to provide an effective development model that reaches its benefit to all countries of the world. She stressed that the State of U.A.E. continues as a leading model in achieving the sustainable development goals of 2030 and 2045. During her intervention at a session on the sixteenth goal on promoting peace, justice and strong institutions and its interrelationship with the rest of the sustainable development goals, she stressed that there is a need for more police cooperation at the international level, and issued an invitation to join in cooperation for a safer world. In her intervention, she referred to the International Law Enforcement Initiative for Climate (I2LEC), launched by the Ministry of Interior at the World Government Summit in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime last year 2023, which aims to establish a joint approach to inter-agency law enforcement action. International organizations and governments to develop global frameworks aimed at building the global research capacity of law enforcement agencies to address crimes that affect the environment. During its first year, the initiative achieved many results, including the support of more than 60 law enforcement agencies around the world, while joint international operations under the umbrella of the initiative contributed to the seizure of more than $ 32 million in environmental crime proceeds and the training of more than 270 law enforcement officials from more than 40 countries around the world. She stressed that such an initiative reflects the UAE’s belief that sustainable development cannot be achieved without ensuring the safety and stability of all societies, and strengthening cooperation and partnership globally. Al Marzouqi reviewed the latest developments in the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the United Nations Regional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), which aims to provide protection for children using artificial intelligence applications to facilitate the fight against crimes against children and conduct the necessary investigations to detect and prosecute perpetrators. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has announced projects that have a prominent role in disseminating working methods that have an impact on making the lives of the world’s children. Safer The entities participating in the initiative reached more than 580 entities from 106 countries around the world who benefited from 80 artificial intelligence applications that serve the protection of children around the world, including reducing the time to detect child victims. Among the most prominent projects launched by the initiative is a set of training courses for all those working in areas related to law enforcement. In May 2023, the first specialized training courses in the field of artificial intelligence for safer children began, and to date, 7 training courses were held, in which 415 officers and employees of executive agencies from 20 countries participated. She pointed to the UAE’s role as a responsible global partner in achieving the sustainable development goals through its pioneering efforts in the global humanitarian system, where it provided material and development assistance and exchange of experiences to regions suffering from conflicts, climate-related disasters and other humanitarian disasters. Participating in a session on gender balance, climate, peace and security, held in collaboration with UN Women and the Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN, Lieutenant Colonel Dana Al Marzouqi said: "The relationship between sustainability As the world faces the climate crisis and its growing impacts, we must work to address and reduce environmental crimes such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and dumping of toxic waste, which, according to all studies and reports, have far-reaching consequences beyond environmental damage, undermining sustainable development efforts and exacerbating poverty and corruption levels, and often the effects of this on the levels of women’s participation in economic and societal advancement, and lower levels of equality and gender balance Consequently, development in those societies is disrupted. The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main platform of the United Nations on sustainable development issues, and since its establishment in 2012, it has played a pivotal role in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This edition of the International Forum is held under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions". Delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum are working Throughout its session, it has been conducting in-depth reviews of five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal (1) to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal (2) to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; Goal (13) to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions; Goal (16) to promote peaceful and inclusive societies to achieve sustainable development, provide justice for all and build effective and efficient institutions; and Goal (17) which focuses on Establish global partnerships to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Follow Ajman News on Google News
The UAE was ranked first regionally and 16th globally, maintaining its lead among the top 20 competitive economies in the world, according to the recent version of the Global Competitiveness Report 2016 issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland.
The report is one of the most important global competitiveness reports, which monitors annual performance and competitiveness of the economies of countries in terms of strength, weakness, impact on quality of life, prosperity and well-being of people.
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said that the UAE positions itself on the world stage, thanks to the efforts of the federal and local taskforces who are working as one team under one vision for 2021, and others in this respect.
She added that these taskforces work in accordance with the plans and strategy and subject to continuous evaluation and development in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by 2021 with the advent of the golden jubilee on the establishment of the Union.
This year’s report surveys the economies of 138 countries rated through 114 performance indexes and in 12 basic axis, including institutions, infrastructure, education, health, innovation, efficiency of the labour market and other topics. Evaluation is based on statistics and data from participating countries in the report in terms of opinion polls and surveys on executives and major investors in those countries.
The UAE was ranked in the first 10 positions globally in three basic themes in the report. It is also among the best 20 countries globally in half of these axes. The UAE came in third place globally in the axis of efficient goods market, which is the sign of success of the diversification policy of the economy in the state, clarity of vision and strategic plans on the performance and efficiency of the business market.
It also came in fourth place globally in the infrastructure hub. This is an indication of activity in infrastructure projects across the country and its role in supporting the UAE economy in all areas and sectors, making it an attractive environment for investment and business at the regional and global level.
High-performance and efficient government institutions
At the level of indicators, the UAE was ranked among the 20 countries globally in 76 out of 114 indicators evaluated in this report. Regarding the institutions, the UAE was ranked first globally in the absence of the impact of crime and violence at work index, and second place globally in the people’s trust in the leadership and lack of wasteful government spending indexes.
The UAE was ranked in the third place globally in the efficient government index. This reflects the success of the leadership strategy and steps taken toward achieving the high performance and efficiency in the government work at the federal and local levels to ensure the happiness of citizens and residents and well-being on the territory of the state.
World-class infrastructure
On the infrastructure, the UAE has won the first place globally in the road quality index and second place globally in the airport infrastructure and means of air transport quality index. It also came in the third place globally in the seaport infrastructure quality and rate of mobile phone subscriptions per 100 users indexes. The UAE was ranked in the fourth place in the global index of quality of infrastructure and fifth in the index of number of airline seats available for each million passengers a week.
This performance reflects the huge investments made by the state to develop and improve the infrastructure in terms of extending road network, building new airports and the expansion of existing airports, the development of seaports and plans to link the UAE rail network within the Union Railway project.
Mature and sophisticated markets
In tribute to the development of the UAE market at various levels, the report reveals the UAE has been ranked in many of the first places in each of goods market efficiency and the labor market efficiency indexes. The UAE was ranked first globally in the lack of impact of taxes on investment index. And the second place globally on the lack of the tax impact on the labour market and the ability of the state to attract international skills indexes. The UAE also came third place in the global index of lack of tariff barriers and the ability of the state to retain the World skills.
Technological development and innovation
On the readiness of the technology sector, the maturity of the business sector, and higher education and training areas, the UAE has achieved the first position globally in the index of the government spending on new technologies” and the second place globally in the index of provision of specialised trade zones (free zones), and the third place in the global index of foreign direct investment and technology transfer to the state. The state was also ranked fourth globally in the index of the Internet connection to the schools and fifth place in the global index of availability of scientists and engineers in the state.
The Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland, is one of the world’s most important reports and issued since 1971, and aims to help countries around the world to identify the obstacles to sustainable economic growth and development of strategies to reduce poverty and increase prosperity. It assesses the countries abilities to provide high levels of prosperity and well-being of their citizens. The report also provides a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and challenges facing the economies of countries.
Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority Launch “Emaratiyah… UAE’s Inspiring Women” Book A book that tells the success stories of inspiring Emirati women achievers who had a valuable contribution to the progress and development of the nation
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority (FCSA) unveiled “Emaratiyah … UAE’s Inspiring Women”, a special edition book that documents the journey of 24 inspiring Emirati women who contributed to the development of the UAE and prospered in different domains of life such as economic, cultural, scientific and social. The featured women personalities in the book attended the launch event that took place in Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel in Dubai today, along with the independent judging panel that worked on the selection criteria, media representative and FCSA team members who worked on the production of the book project.
Her Excellency Al Hashimi welcomed the attending audience with a special keynote, and extended congratulations to the leadership of the UAE headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and their highnesses the Rulers and Crown Princes of the Emirates on the occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day.
Her Excellency Al Hashimi also extended congratulations to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Minister Al Hashimi expressed her excitement and privilege to take part of this special day dedicated to celebrate the great accomplishments, achievements and contributions of Emirati women.
In her address, Her Excellency stressed that women empowerment has always been one of the key indicators of a nation’s social and economic progress and development. She also highlighted that societies simply cannot sustain a comprehensive development agenda without the full and active participation of women in the community. Her Excellency also indicated that the role of the Emirati women has rapidly expanded and evolved since the establishment of the union and Emirati women contributions and clear marks are visible on all aspects of UAE life.
Quoting His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum note on how UAE enables its society via the empowerment of women, Her Excellency asserted that Emirati women’s journey towards success and prosperity in the UAE was inked by the principles laid by the country’s leadership; underlined by true belief and conviction of the significant importance of women’s role as a key partner in building the future of the country.
Abdulla Lootah, Director General of the FCSA pointed out that the FCSA produced that book following direct instructions of Her Excellency Al Hashimi and in recognition and appreciation of the role of the Emirati women in supporting the UAE’s competitiveness in both individual and institutional levels. The book documents the journey of a group of inspiring Emirati women that contributed to the development of the nation and progress in so many different fields and domains such as economic, social, cultural, scientific and entertainment, and achieved ranks and accomplishments that are in par with the most advanced nations in the world.
The UAE Women’s Day is a celebration of the mother, sister and wife. A celebration of women who gave birth and fondle sponsored and carried the worries of the nation, taking responsibility and excelled in giving back to her family, society and country. These are some of the achievements translated in numbers and statistics:
- There are 8 ministers in current UAE cabinet. Making up 27.5% of ministerial roles.
- Emirati women is currently leading the Federal National Council, the country’s highest legislative authority, along with the occupancy of 9 seats on the council, making its 22.5% of women representation one of the highest in parliamentary bodies in the region.
- There are over 23000 registered businesswomen in the UAE running investment worth AED 42 billion.
- Since joining the labor force, women participation increased by 400%
- Women make up 66% of the public sector workers, with 30% in leadership roles and 15% in technical and academic roles. Also, 44% of leadership roles in Federal entities are taken by women.
- Women in the UAE make up 65% of total higher education graduates, and they have been active participants in previously male-denominated roles such as judiciary, aviation, military and defense and law enforcement.
Dr. Belhoul: Developing an Integrated Educational Ecosystem Supports UAE’s Competitiveness
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of State for Higher Education, and during a visit to the headquarters of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority in Dubai, stated that the development of the educational ecosystem in the UAE is an ongoing process that is driven by the changes the world is witnessing on the global arena today.
His Excellency also praised the efforts of the FCSA in providing counsel, advice and recommendations aimed at improving the international rankings by providing educational statistical data required according to international standards. The FCSA team presented to the minister a special report and an analysis of a number of global competitiveness and statistical indicators that are related to higher education, as well an analysis of the performance of the UAE in these global reports.
His Excellency directed the FCSA team to continue the collaboration efforts with all federal and local educational institutions, he also stressed that all educational institutions should prioritize the process of provisioning information and statistical data that reflects the performance and development of the educational system in the UAE.
His Excellency also highlighted the importance of developing the educational sector via the training and building the capacity of UAE national talent, and how that consequently can have a positive impact on improving national competitiveness.
The minster indicated that education and building UAE talents is in-line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE leadership’s vision that aspires for the UAE economy to be driven by innovation, creativity and knowledge. His Excellency also pointed out that the nation has full confidence in the capabilities of every Emirati man and woman, as national talent is the true wealth of the nation.
Abdullah Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority added: "Due to its strategic significance and importance, the FCSA has always worked very closely with officials in the education sector across the UAE. Such collaboration has a direct impact on the country’s performance in competitiveness reports and indicators. The visit of His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi to the FCSA and his direction for further engagement and joint collaboration is a testament to the deep belief in the role of education as one of the most important pillars that support the country’s global competitiveness drive.”
During the meeting, the FCSA team presented methodology analysis of competitiveness reports monitored by FCSA, followed by a discussion on how the quality of education-related data can have an impact on the ranking of the UAE in such reports. For example, the Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (Davos), includes education as a key indicator under the ‘basic requirements’ and ‘efficiency enhancers’ stages of economic development. This means that nations aiming to shift from the ‘basic requirement’ and ‘efficiency enhancers’ stages and onto the ‘innovation and business sophistication’ stage, must have a globally recognized, strongly established and highly efficient higher education institutions.
The FCSA also monitors other competitiveness reports that measure the competitiveness of the education sector, such as the Annual Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, the Global Innovation Index by INSEAD Institute and the Human Development Report by the United Nations. In these reports, education related pillars and indicators have a direct impact on the overall outcome of the findings and overall country ranking and scores.
Mr Lootah concluded: "Moving up the ranking in some of the global competitiveness reports and indicators reports is only the beginning for us. We aspire to become among the top a global players in the most significant reports and indicators. And we can only achieve that through successful joint cooperation and effective collaboration with all federal and local government agencies, specifically in matters related to building and maintaining an advanced statistical database that is current, accurate and up to the required global standards"
| Indicator | Report | UAE Global Rank |
|
Quality of the education system |
Global Competitiveness Report (WEF) | 12 |
|
Quality of management school |
Global Competitiveness Report (WEF) | 20 |
|
University education |
World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD) | 20 |
|
Management education |
World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD) | 21 |
Table 1: UAE global ranking in higher education related competitiveness indicators
UAE is leading the Arab region for the fifth consecutive year in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report
- The UAE is among the top 10 countries in the world in five of the main topics of the report: Issuing building permits, Getting electricity, Registering Property and protection of minority investors
- The UAE is first globally in Getting Electricity and Paying Taxes topics
- The UAE achieved the highest jump in Resolving Insolvency with 35 ranks jump from last year’s rank
- UAE jumped 13 ranks becoming 1st regionally and 12th globally in Enforcing Contracts
Dubai, UAE 31st October 2017
The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2018 report revealed today that the United Arab Emirates is ranked 21st globally and is ranked top of Arab countries for the fifth year in a row. Additionally, the report showed that the UAE is ranked in the top ten globally in five of the reports 10 topics. The UAE is first globally in ‘paying taxes’ and ‘getting electricity’ topics, UAE also ranked 2nd globally in ‘dealing with construction permits’ and 10th globally in ‘registering property’ and ‘registering property’. According to the methodology adopted by the World Bank for the current year, the UAE jumped from 26th place globally to 21st, ahead of all countries in the Arab region covered by the report and for the fifth year in a row.
Commenting on this achievement, Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said that the performance of the United Arab Emirates in this year’s report is the result of months of collaboration, hard work and commitment by both federal and local government entities with the Competitive Strategy team at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority. “Our wise leadership has emphasized the strategic importance of building a business environment that attracts investors from within and outside the country. The UAE was built on the forearms of our founding fathers, who worked in trade and welcome traders from all over the world. We will continue on this path to realize the vision of our leadership’s vision for the UAE to become one of the best countries in the world by the centennial of the founding of the State," added her excellency.
His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, stressed the important role played by small and medium enterprises as the infrastructure of any economy around the world. "Each year, the UAE demonstrates its ability to compete globally across various sectors. This is thanks to the guidance of the wise leadership of the UAE and a strategic vision that aims to elevate the UAE to become the best country in the world by 2071," added his Excellency Al Mansouri.
HE Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, praised the efforts exerted by Ministry of Finance teams and the cooperation of both federal and local government entities to improve UAE’s global competitiveness. "The Ministry of Finance has adopted an innovation-driven strategy in its continuous development efforts of all the services extended to individuals and institutions alike. The Ministry also implements best financial management practices to maintain the continuing improvement of the national financial ecosystem and building a stable and sustainable economy characterized by flexibility and diversity. The UAE’s performance as the 21st best globally in the World Bank report is a global testament to the success of the country’s strategy to build an advanced economic infrastructure and financial system that ensures prosperity and prosperity and achieves global leadership. "
His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai and member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said: "We are very excited with the UAE’s progress in this report and achieving 21st position in the world. I am also proud of the role played by Dubai government entities, which represents the UAE in many topics of this report. This accomplishment is attributed to the successful developmental policies adopted by the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and their vision which is built on innovation and the drive to collaborate to achieve national plans, to reach global leading ranks across all fields and sectors."
According to this year’s report, The World Bank’s report acknowledged the country’s efforts to improve procedures and laws related to the process of establishing companies and facilitating procedures for both domestic and foreign investors. The World Bank report this year officially documented four improvements in the following topics: Dealing with Construction permits, Getting Electricity, Access to Credit and Resolving Insolvency.
These improvements are the outcome of the hard work and dedication of over 50 government official and expert who work all year long to with the strategy competitiveness team at the FCSA working on workshops, simulations, paper work and field visits to the World Bank headquarter in Washington DC.
The Doing Business report issued by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington and assesses 190 countries that are subject to government measures that affect 10 areas of business life and they are (1) Staring a business, (2) Dealing with construction permits, (3) Getting Electricity, (4) Registering Property, (5) Getting Credit, (6) Protection of minority investors (7) Paying taxes (8) Trading across-borders (9) enforcing contracts and (10) resolving insolvency.
WEF: UAE Tops Arab World and 17th in Global Competitiveness Ranking
- UAE progresses in scores rate from 5.26 to 5.3 in 2017
- UAE ranked among innovation-based economies for the 11th year
- UAE maintains its rank as the best 20 global competitive economies for the fifth consecutive year
- UAE competitiveness rank supersedes advanced economies, like France, Belgium, Australia, South Korea and China
- UAE among first 20 countries globally in 70% of Competitiveness indicators (80 out of 114)
- The annual report is published by World Economic Forum and ranks the competitiveness of 137 countries
Dubai, UAE- 27 September 2017
In its most recent edition of the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, The World Economic Forum (Davos) has revealed that UAE has topped the Arab world and ranked 17th globally in global competitiveness ranking. The report also ranked UAE among the top 20 competitive economies globally for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, it has indicated that UAE has maintained its ranking to be among the world’s most significant innovation-based economies for the 11th year. The results of the report were unveiled today to participants in the Annual Meetings of UAE Government as a global testament to the success of the Government’s strategy in establishing innovation culture in government institutions and consolidating competitiveness as a performance style and measuring the success of government services and initiatives aimed at realizing the happiness and welfare of the UAE community.
Commenting on the performance of the current year, HE Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority stated: "The results of this year’s competitiveness report came simultaneously with the UAE Annual Government Meeting sessions, marking as a global testament underscoring the importance monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of government services, to ensure they are consistent with guidelines and directions of set His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to adopt innovation-based approaches to maintain the ongoing progress in global competitiveness ranking and to realize our wise leadership’s vision in sustaining development across all sectors in the country".
H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Hajri, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, said that the UAE government has paid great attention to enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE in various fields, working to enhance the framework of a comprehensive vision that contributed to the principles of efficiency in the markets and improving the competences of the business environment. He pointed out that the various structural economic reforms in the UAE in recent years and the legislations and decisions that have taken place in various economic, administrative and institutional aspects have contributed to accelerating the growth of the economic activities of the country, enhancing the strategy of economic diversification and opening up the trade and providing a favorable business environment, confirming the country’s advanced level of competitiveness.
Malik Al Madani, Director of Competitiveness Strategy Department at the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, said: "By virtue of the wise leadership’s support and consolidation of the team efforts from federal and local entities, as well as the private sector, UAE today affirms its active global role in the world arena across various economic, social and technological sectors. We are working today as one team, under one vision and as per renewed plans and keeping pace with global changes. We will always be in line with our leadership’s aspirations of making UAE as one of the best countries in the world by the year 2021 marking the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of founding the Union."
Global Performance
UAE ranked first in the Arab world and 17th globally in the general competitiveness ranking by advancing in the scores rate of UAE performance from 5.26 in 2016 to 5.3 in 2017. By this achievement, UAE maintained its leading rank to be among the top 20 competitive economies according to the World Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland. This report is considered one of the most reputable competitiveness reports that monitors on an annual-basis the performance and competitiveness of global economies in terms of strengths, weaknesses and impact on standards of living, prosperity and welfare of their nations.
The 2017-2018 Report monitored 137 economies and ranked them based on performance according to 114 indicators grouped within 12 main pillars that include: institutions, infrastructure, health and primary education, labor market efficiency and others. The report methodology is based on data and statistics issued by the participating countries, as well as opinion surveys and questionnaires sent to executives and senior private sector investors.
According to this year’s report, UAE has achieved an advanced ranking as a result of listing it within the top 10 globally in three main pillars. UAE came third globally in the Goods Market Efficiency Pillar, which is a global indication to the success of UAE’s economic diversification policy and the vision and strategic plans on performance efficiency of the UAE market. Furthermore, UAE came fifth globally in the Infrastructure Pillar, and this comes as a confirmation of the ongoing investment in infrastructure projects across the nation and the role this plays in sustaining UAE economy to become an attractive environment for business and investment. As for the Institution Pillar, which monitors the efficiency of government institutions, laws, and procedures dedicated for individuals and institutions, UAE has clinched the fifth place.
Progress in Most Significant Indicators
On a indicator level, UAE ranked among the top 20 countries in 80 out of total 114 indicators in the Global Competitiveness Report, which amounts to 70% of the indicators in total. The 2017-2018 Report witnessed great strides of the country’s performance in a number of key indicators, the most important of which are as shown in the following table:
| Indicator | Rank 2016 – 2017 |
Rank 2017 – 2018 |
No. of Jumps | |
| 1 | Inflation (Annual % Change) | 83 | 1 | 82 |
| 2 | Strength of Investor Protection | 49 | 9 | 40 |
| 3 | Mobile-broadband subscriptions | 20 | 2 | 18 |
| 4 | Protection of minority shareholders’ interests | 11 | 3 | 8 |
| 5 | Efficiency of legal framework in challenging regulations | 20 | 13 | 7 |
| 6 | Ease of access to loans | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| 7 | Property rights | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 8 | Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 9 | Transparency of government policymaking | 14 | 10 | 4 |
| 10 | Diversion of public funds | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Efficient and High-Performing Government institutions
Within the Institutions Pillar, UAE moved to take up the first rank globally in "Efficiency of Government Spending" indicator, and ranked second globally in the "Public Trust in Politicians" and "Burden of Government Regulation" indicators, and ranked third globally in "Protection of Minority Shareholders’ Interests" indicator. All of this reflects the success of the country’s leadership’s strategy and well-founded steps taken to achieve high levels of performance and efficiency in government work at the federal and local levels, and with the aim to ensure the happiness and welfare of UAE citizens and residents.
World-Class Infrastructure
In the Infrastructure Pillar, UAE ranked first globally in the "The Quality of Roads" indicator, third globally in "Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure" and "Mobile-Cellular Telephone Subscriptions", ranked fourth globally for "Quality of overall infrastructure", "Quality of Port Infrastructure" and "Available Airline Seat Kilometres- millions/week" indicators. This performance reflects the success of UAE’s strategy to continue injecting investments for the development and improvement of the State’s infrastructure by extending new internal and external road networks, expanding airports, developing seaports and developing plans to link all emirates through rail networks as part of the Union Railway Project.
Attractive Markets Meeting Global Standards
Lauding the development and progress of UAE marketplace and economy, the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 revealed that UAE achieved advanced positions in various indicators in listed in pillars of "Goods Market Efficiency", "Labour Market Efficiency" and "Macroeconomic Environment". UAE topped the world countries in "Effect of taxation on incentives to invest" and "Inflation/ annual % change" indicators. Also, UAE is ranked second globally in both indices of "Country Capacity to Attract Talent" and "Country Capacity to Retain Talent" came third in "Effect of Taxation on Incentives to Work" indicator.
Technological Development and Innovation
As for the pillars of "Technological Readiness", "Business Sophistication" and "Higher Education and Training", UAE came first globally in the "Government Procurement of Advanced Technology Products" and ranked second in "Mobile-Broadband Subscriptions" indicator. Moreover, the UAE ranked third in both "State of Cluster Development" and "Availability of Scientists and Engineers", and fourth in "FDI and Technology Transfer" indicators.
The World Economic Forum
The Global Competitiveness Report issued by The World Economic Forum (Davos) in Switzerland is one of the world’s most important reports since its first edition published in 1971. The report aims to assist countries around the world to identify obstacles to sustainable economic growth and development of strategies to reduce poverty and increase levels of prosperity. The report assesses countries’ potentials to provide high levels of prosperity and well-being for their citizens. The report also provides a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and challenges facing the economies of countries.
SDGs Talk with HE Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State
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