2009-12-02 18:09:10
WAM Abu Dhabi, Dec. 2nd, 2009 (WAM) -- HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, delivered a message through Dira Al Watan (Nation Shield) magazine on the occasion of UAE's 38th National Day.

The minister congratulated the UAE's leadership, government and people on this occasion, which represents for each of them a renewable occasion over 38 years. She paid special tribute to the founding father, Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

On the 2nd of December, 1971, a new era dawned in the world, a new light shined and filled the earth. A new strong country was born and it is continuing its march thanks to the wisdom of its leaders and dignity of its people, said Sheikh Lubna.

"If the global financial crisis has loomed over the UAE during the past period, the national economy managed to get out of it with greater determination and proved to the world the strength of its components and the ability to cope with various challenges" the minister pointed out.

"These achievements and others are based on the 38 years of work, perseverance and effort of a nation possessed the firm will and realized from the beginning that its history is not in its past, but in the achievements to be made in the future" Sheikha Lubna said.

"The 38 years of the UAE's federation passes proudly in the history which leads us to say with confidence that pride and honor are still the world view of what has been achieved in the UAE and successes over the last 38 years at various levels" Sheikha Lubna added: "The development witnessed in the UAE under the leadership of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the outcome of a strategic intellect and vision of the UAE's leadership, which succeeded in maintaining all achievements and increasing gains in the spirit of the modern era." Sheikha Lubna said that the UAE citizen was and is still the center of development and its maker, since 1971. The citizen is in the focus of the leadership and the basis of the state's strategy and its development plans.

The minister noted that the UAE economy has become an example of modern economies as a result of its remarkable success in diversifying sources of income. The enormous development in the sectors of education, health, housing, sports and youth, culture as well as other sectors reflects the magnitude of the development the country has achieved.

Sheikha Lubna also noted that UAE economy has doubled about 200 times over the past decades and the GDP has grown from AED 4.7 billion in 1972 to more than AED 934 billion in 2008, while the contribution of non-oil sectors increased from 10 per cent in the early stages to more than 63 percent during this period. UAE's trade surplus has doubled more than 46 times, from AED 3.1 billion in 1972 to AED 134 billion in 2009, whereas the commodity exports rose from AED 5.2 billion in 1972 to AED 879 billion in 2008.

Sheikha Lubna said that if the global financial crisis has loomed over the UAE during the past period, the national economy managed to get out of it with greater determination and proved to the world the strength of its components and the ability to cope with various challenges.

"These achievements and others are based on 38 years of work, perseverance and effort of a nation that possessed firm will and realized from the beginning that its history is not in the past, but in the achievements to be made in the future" the minister said.

"We are entering the thirty-ninth year of our union's life and we are more determined and more loyal and confident of the great wisdom and guidance of the leadership of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Rulers of the UAE in building our precious future".

"We in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, take the opportunity to celebrate this occasion, to renew our covenant to the wise leadership that we are always loyal soldiers to answer the call of our nation and uphold the country's reputation at global forums." Sheikha Lubna concluded.

WAM/SS/MN/AB