2009-11-22 19:17:18
WAM Abu Dhabi, Nov 22nd, 2009 (WAM)--United Arab Emirates continued its efforts to implement more advanced infrastructure projects, in the transportation sector, which included the construction of an extensive network of international airports and seaports and international airlines. The projects also covered railway lines and metro, as well as extensive road networks, bridges, tunnels and all other integrated infrastructure projects which were placed in the ranks of modern and advanced in the world.

The railway systems entered for the first time in the transport infrastructure of the UAE, where work is progressing for the implementation of the first underground train system in the Emirate of Dubai at a cost of AED 15 billion. Studies to build railway lines in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are underway with a vision of lining all emirates in a single railway network.

There are seven international airports in the United Arab Emirates, including the ones in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain. Airports Council International expects the passenger handling capacity of UAE airports, including Al Maktoum Airport of Dubai and Ajman airport, to reach more than 250 million passengers by 2020, ranking first in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of absorption capacity.

The country will also inject more than US$ 22 billion to expansion projects and building airports across various emirates.

The number of passengers handled by the airports in the UAE had crossed 40million in 2008, while the number of aircrafts registered with the competent authorities in the country stood at about 250 aircrafts from various countries in the world. The number of airline companies which operate across the country's airports rose to 300 airlines during this period.

The three national airlines, namely Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines and Air Arabia achieved a qualitative leap in acquiring a steady fleet of modern large aircrafts, and increased global travel destinations. The number of passengers who use them also increased substantially and new airlines companies were established during this period including flydubai and RAK Airways.

There are more than 26 seaports across the UAE and15 of them are major sea ports. The free zones established in many of them offer several facilities and tax exemptions to attract investment and encourage investors to establish commercial and industrial projects and services that support the national economy. UAE's largest free zone is in Jebel Ali, with more than 6 thousand companies specializing in the fields of industry, investment and trade.

The railway systems made its entry for the first time to the transport infrastructure in the UAE after Dubai government announced the construction of a 75km long network of subways at the value of AED 15 billion. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai commissioned in September 2009, the pilot phase of the technical operation of Dubai Metro. The Dubai Metro project includes 47 stations, including 10 underground stations.

Women in the UAE in the roles of minister, judge and a Member of Parliament: Women in the United Arab Emirates have made outstanding achievements within the programme and plans for political empowerment, led by President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The women fill the highest positions in various areas and contribute effectively to the process of development and modernisation through their participation in the three sovereign powers-executive, legislative and judicial- and various leadership positions in decision-making.

The women's representation in the cabinet rose from two to four, in the latest reshuffle earlier in February 2008, marking one of the highest representations of women in the government at the Arab level. Women also occupy nine seats in the Federal National Council (FNC) among a total of 40 seats thus representing 25 per cent, again one of the highest level of representation of women in legislative institutions.

The first female judge in the UAE and the first two female public prosecutors were appointed at the Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi. Two female ambassadors were also appointed during the same period. The women also proved their efficiency in the field of civil and military aviation and were appointed as engineers and pilots in the Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and the country's Air Force.

Women have become important partner in the development process taking place in the country, where women occupy 66 per cent of jobs in the government sector, including 30 per cent of senior decision-making leadership positions, 15 per cent of the faculty at the UAE University, about 60 per cent of faculty members UAE University.

They also fill about 60 professional posts, which include medicine, teaching, pharmacy and nursing. They are also well-represented in the ranks of the uniformed armed forces, police and customs.

The women moved further ahead into the efficiency and professionalism in the field of business after the founding of Women's Business Council, which have a membership of 12,000 women who manage over 11,000 projects worth AED 12.5bn.

UAE enters the era of nuclear power.

UAE launched this year its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, after the Cabinet approved it and created the country's nuclear authority under the name 'Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation' with a capital of AED 375 million.

Emirates has signed memoranda of understanding with the United States, Britain and France for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Earlier on August 7, the UAE also pledged USD10mn in support of the initiative to establish the nuclear fuel reserve bank launched by the organization 'Nuclear Threat Initiative' (NTI ) in 2006.

UAE plans to invest billions in future energy.

To meet its growing energy demands and to keep up with the ambitious future plans of sustainable development, UAE turned towards exploring and developing sources of new technology for energy, including solar power, hydrogen and civilian nuclear energy.

Thus it founded the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company 'Masdar', a public shareholding company wholly owned by Mubadala Company. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology was eventually established.

The company, which was launched by the Abu Dhabi government, also made investments to the tune of US$ 15bn earlier in 2008 to implement the first phase of its plans to make Abu Dhabi a global hub for future energy as well as a regional hub for the export of technology.

Masdar Clean Tech Fund was established in 2007 with capital of U.S. $ 250 million, an investment fund dedicated to renewable energy and developed sustainable technologies. The initiative could invest the funds in a number of international companies working in the fields of renewable energy.

Masdar is working to develop a broad portfolio of projects compliant with the 'clean development mechanism' and the development of sustainable infrastructure projects.

The Masdar Company achieved major developments on the front of the solar energy technologies in its strategy for the construction, ownership and operation of a power plant with concentrated solar capacity of 100 MW in Zayed City. The project is expected to operational by the end of 2010.

An administrative body was set up for Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which began conducting researches in 12 different areas.

MasdarCity: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan laid the of the foundation stone for the Masdar city in February 9, 2008, to create the world's first zero-waste, zero-carbon sustainable city.

The total investment is estimated at U.S. $ 22 billion and is located near Abu Dhabi International Airport with an area of 6 square kilometers. The city is expected to be completed in 2016 as part of Abu Dhabi 2030 development plan.

Emirates Center for Culture: In addition to these projects that transform the UAE into a center of technology, the country has also experienced a number of initiatives and cultural projects that qualify it to be a global cultural destination, especially after the launch of the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

Announcements about building strategic partnerships and celebration of cultural and scientific festivals followed to attract regional and international universities in the UAE within the framework of its commitment to openness to the world's civilizations and cultures and its endeavour to promote its cultural heritage as well as its position as the bridge between world's civilizations and cultures.

The government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Government of the French Republic signed a cultural agreement for 30 years for the construction of Louvre Abu Dhabi museum in the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, which lies about 500 meters from the Abu Dhabi's coastline. The island has an area of 27 square kilometers and is currently being converted into an international tourist destination in the region.

Cultural District will also include Biennale Gardens consisting of 19 pavilions devoted to arts and culture, where a group of prominent international architects are working on the designs of these museums.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development also organised a number of cultural events, the most prominent of which was the distribution of 400 thousand books as part of its plan for the dissemination of culture in society.

The ministry has published more than 60 titles on diverse fields of intellectual and literary importance.

The ministry is working on a plan for the distribution of half a million copies of more books.

UAE occupies prominent place in the field of humanitarian work: UAE occupied an advanced position among donor countries who extend support to developing countries and peoples affected by natural as well as man made disasters including earthquakes, volcanoes, wars and strife.

The UAE, under the directives of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the initiatives of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is making major efforts to curb the effects and consequences of disasters and humanitarian crises in many parts of the world, where the lives of thousands of people have been claimed.

In this context, the country on one hand, and the charity institutions on the other are active in providing assistance to those most in need, both within or outside the country, in an effort to alleviate the destitution and disasters that come their way from time to time.

AB.

WAM/MN