UAE enjoys high degree of safety and stability, says Nahyan

Abu Dhabi, May 1, 2012 (WAM) - Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the United Arab Emirates enjoys a high degree of safety and stability. "The economy continues to grow at a steady and rapid rate. We are a major centre of global commerce, focusing on international trade, global energy, tourism, finance, information technology and media. Our economy is highly competitive, transparent, and supportive of business and entrepreneurs. The country boasts of strong institutions that make continued prosperity and economic growth possible," Sheikh Nahyan said in a keynote speech to the Gulf Aluminium Council's (GAC) 2nd Annual Dinner held at Emirates Palace on 29 April. Hosted by Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), the dinner was attended by the world's leading figures in the aluminium industry, who are in Abu Dhabi for Aluminium Week. "Forty years ago, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, projected us into the future through his wisdom and vision. Likewise today our President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leads us with wisdom and vision. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the leaders of our country for creating a tolerant, hospitable environment of opportunity for all of our people," he added. Sheikh Nahyan stressed that the United Arab Emirates embodies the values of tolerance and cooperation in a world characterised by heightened tension and increased divisions. Our country plays a prominent role in regional and international affairs. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world so that international cooperation can flourish, free trade and investment can thrive, and where market confidence and economic activity are encouraged. "Abu Dhabi, the heartland of the United Arab Emirates, has seized its opportunities and has become a truly global city, not only a centre for finance, business, education, technology, health, and culture but also a nurturing source of innovation and creativity that promises to benefit the world. And, consistent with its historical record, Abu Dhabi is moving aggressively into the future. The Abu Dhabi 2030 plan, for example, lays the foundation for a socially cohesive and economically sustainable community that preserves the city's unique cultural heritage while gathering power from its connections with other cultures. Our leaders have carefully fixed both the goals toward which Abu Dhabi will move and the complex methods for most effectively reaching those goals." "Looking toward the future, Abu Dhabi has noted that the global demand for aluminium is predicted to grow steadily over the next decade. Our low business costs, advanced transport infrastructure, and political and economic stability place us ideally to meet the growing demand. We take great pride in the achievements of our two UAE producers, EMAL and DUBAL, in becoming reliable sources of quality metal to customers around the world. They will grow in global prominence. In particular, our investment in EMAL will make it the world's largest single-site aluminium producer by 2014 when it may produce as much as one-third of the aluminium manufactured in the Gulf region." The entire output of the Gulf countries has made them significant contributors to global progress, according to Sheikh Nahyan. "It is recognition of the importance of this country and this region to aluminium that this week Abu Dhabi is hosting three of the most important meetings of the industry. It will not be the last time. We all know the answer to the question in Shakespeare's Coriolanus: "What is the city but the people?" The people of Abu Dhabi constitute its essence. Its people working together have in forty wondrous years made Abu Dhabi a great city with a heartbeat that resounds in the region and around the world," he further said. – Emirates News Agency, WAM