The restructured board of the Emirates Competitiveness Council (ECC) held its first meeting at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State and President of the Council.
Al Hashimy briefed the meeting on the Council’s achievements and the UAE’s competitiveness performance and rankings as listed in recent global reports. She also gave a detailed presentation of the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum, along with an overview of the World Bank Doing Business Report and a review of the strategic and operational plans of the Emirates Competitiveness Council for 2012.
Al Hashimy also explained to Sheikh Saud the most important elements of the Council’s strategy and its objectives, emphasising that the Council’s vision is inspired by the UAE Vision 2021 that aims at positioning the UAE among the best countries in the world.
Al Hashimy said the strategic objectives of the Emirates Competitiveness Council focus on developing knowledge and experience, improving individual and organisational performance and supporting talent and skills. Achieving these objectives will inevitably require concerted efforts across vital sectors in all the seven emirates, stronger communication and co-ordination between the public and private sectors as well as adoption of best international practices in doing business to make the UAE one of the world’s most competitive countries.
Sheikh Saud praised the Emirates Competitiveness Council and its efforts to promote UAE competitiveness, regionally and globally. His Highness also lauded the remarkable achievements of the Council that are reflected in recent reports issued by international bodies, including the United Nations, and other international ranking bodies. He called for the continued efforts in the direction of raising the profile of the UAE globally.
The Emirates Competitiveness Council, in addition to the Board President, consists of Secretary Generals of Executive Councils of: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, as well as the Director of Fujairah Rulers Court, the Director-General of Sheikh Saqr Program for Government Excellence in Ras Al Khaimah, the Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy. The Board oversees policy development and implementation related to enhancing UAE competitiveness to achieve prosperity and sustainable growth.
UAE’s strong performance globally and regionally is reflected in a number of international ranking reports in key areas related to economic and human development. UAE is ranked 30th globally and the 1st in the Arab world in the Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2011. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report 2011-2012 ranked the UAE 5th globally out of 183 countries for Trading Across Borders, and 1st in the Arab world, and in the same report the UAE stands 10th globally and 1st in the Arab world in Access to Electricity.
