DUBAI, 12 February 2006 — The new Cabinet of the UAE which was sworn in yesterday is widely seen as representing a new direction for the country in terms of economic, social and cultural progress. Eight new faces have been brought into the Cabinet by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who succeeded his brother Sheikh Maktoum as vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai in early January. The Cabinet includes two women, a first for the UAE.
The UAE appointed its first female minister in late 2004. That was Sheikha Lubna Al-Qassimi, a well-experienced businesswoman and graduate from the US. The second woman, Mariam Al-Roumi, entered the Cabinet that was reshuffled by Sheikh Mohammed after he became prime minister following the death of Sheikh Maktoum in January.
Sheikha Lubna is in charge of the economy portfolio while Roumi heads the newly created social affairs portfolio. Roumi was undersecretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs before Sheikh Mohammed split the ministry into two in his Cabinet changes. She is known as a dedicated and efficient civil servant.
Also created are ministries that, analysts say, aim at focusing on specific sectors that were attached to other ministries earlier. These include the Ministry of Education that was separated from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in order to give more focus to developing the educational standards and strategy at school levels, analysts said.
The newly-created Ministry of Governmental Development seeks to improve government and civil service performance in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed, who is well known for his far-sighted planning that has turned Dubai into not only the regional commercial hub but also into one of the most efficiently-run emirates.
Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid was sworn in yesterday as prime minister. Sheikh Sultan ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan and Sheikh Hamdan ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan took oath as deputy prime ministers, and were followed by the rest of the newly appointed Cabinet members. The president said after the ceremony that tangible achievements made by the UAE during the past 35 years could not have been possible but for the dedication and vision of its founder, the late Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan, and the solidarity of the faithful citizens of the UAE.
Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayed Al-Nahayan reiterated a strong commitment by the Supreme Council to strive hard for more achievements for the country and its people. He sounded confident that the new Cabinet will put the interest of the UAE and its citizens first.
“I have no doubt that the members of the new Cabinet will accord paramount attention to serving the country and its citizens and consolidating our federation,” he said. “We have been through a rough course, but we, nevertheless, managed to get through, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our faithful leaders,” he said. “We have gone a long way in all spheres, particularly in development of our human resources, which is the most valuable asset.”
Paying tribute to the late Sheikh Maktoum ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, the president said Sheikh Maktoum made a vital contribution to the building of the union. “He has been highly instrumental in guiding our march as early as 1971, when he took the helm of the first federal Cabinet,” he said.
“We are pretty confident that his successor, Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, will spare no effort in continuing the great efforts of his predecessor and in upgrading government performance to better serve the citizens,” he said.
The president thanked the outgoing ministers for their efforts and wished the new ones success in carrying out their duties. Sheikh Khalifa has issued earlier a federal decree forming the Cabinet.
