A time to remember Zayed's vision

The UAE's National Day is a reminder of what collective effort marshalled by effective leadership can achieve, said an eminent Emirati businessman. Most of all, it is a day to remember the vision of one man — the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan — who was instrumental in turning the barren desert into the country we know today, felt Amer Al Mansouri, chairman of the 3G Group. December 2 is now a national festival of the UAE when Emiratis of all ages take to the streets, dress up, rejoice and celebrate. Al Mansouri said when one talks about the UAE's National Day, "we should remember Shaikh Zayed for his deep love for the country's landscape and wildlife, and his unwavering determination to realise even the most ambitious goals". He added that since the establishment of the union, the UAE government has worked to improve the country's natural environment, inspired by what the UAE people have learned from their forefathers. Al Mansouri said people of the country have historically co-existed with the natural environment around them and learned to make the best use of the scant resources. He added, however, that the country's rapid development over such a short space of time has produced some negative results that require to be addressed in a determined manner. The most important of these, he felt, was the imbalance in the demographic structure of the UAE. Joint responsibility He said all citizens shared a joint responsibility with the government to rectify this issue, pointing out that the success of the UAE government cannot be achieved without full co-operation from every entity in the seven emirates and all citizens. As for education, access to it was limited in the past and only few schools were available. After the seven emirates were united, many schools — both private and public — were built and many international universities and colleges set up their branches in the UAE, Al Mansouri said. He added that the UAE has also learnt not to depend on oil as the major source of its wealth. Years ago, it started to diversify its economy into non-oil sectors, including tourism, real estate, heavy industries, knowledge-based industries and many other fields. "We must diversify our economy and not rely heavily on oil alone as the main source of our national income," said Al Mansouri. "We must diversify the UAE's revenue sources and establish economic projects to ensure a stable and dignified life for the people." What is unique about the UAE National Day is that it reminds all citizens and the expatriates of the state of life in the past and the present — the progression from poverty to riches, he added. Greater role for women The UAE's union has helped to address domestic communication, international relations and environmental concerns, and has given women a greater role in the community. Al Mansouri also said that 40 years ago women were not sent to schools but nowadays they represent 70 per cent of all university graduates in the UAE. They also occupy more than 60 per cent of government jobs. The UAE was instrumental in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981, through which the countries of the Gulf maintain regional security, stability and progress. Since it was constituted in 1971, the UAE has increased trade, promoted educational and cultural exchanges, and enhanced scientific and technological cooperation with other countries. The late Shaikh Zayed believed developing the UAE's manpower was the top priority in developing the country, Al Mansouri said, and built up the capabilities of the people through laying down a solid base of education and achievement. The result, he said, is the high standard of living that UAE citizens enjoy today. Shaikh Zayed also believed in comprehensive development to achieve advancement and prosperity for all citizens, Al Mansouri said, and the country has gone a long way towards diversifying and supporting the economy and promoting social services. Al Mansouri added that the success of the UAE stems from the fact that the country's leaders believed that the UAE should benefit from the experiences of the past and build on its positive results to have a brighter future based on strong foundations.