2021 Vision and Infrastructure of UAE

To attain a sustainable environment and infrastructure by 2021, UAE Infrastructure and Vision 2021 has been adopted as mentioned by Sheikh Farooq Zahoor when asked about it. Various key performance indicators (KIPs) have been set by UAE. This has been done to ensure that the targets are being well-measured. This also ensures that investments are made to achieve the same. 

What is the scope of this step taken by the UAE?

When asked about the importance of the vision, Sheikh Umar Farooq Zahoor mentioned how one of the most important pillars of the national agenda is attaining a sustainable environment and infrastructure. While preserving the environment and ensuring the perfect social and economic balance, UAE aims to ensure sustainable development.

Not only this UAE thinks about various other aims as well. To achieve the best possible development, quality, reliability , affordable, and equal access to all, sustainable achievement, etc., UAE Infrastructure and Vision 202, has been drafted carefully.

To measure its development optimally, UAE makes use of a carefully framed KIP. Other than transportation, this focuses on bringing an improvement in the IT sectors and telecommunication of the region. Not only this but it aims to bring an improvement in the online services index as well.

Where does the UAE rank in various forms of infrastructure?

Umar Farooq Zahoor mentions how the Global Competitiveness Report includes and ranks countries based on various aspects. There are a total of 12 pillars against which a country is ranked. Some of them are infrastructure, labor market, product market, health, skills, etc.

As mentioned by Umar Farooq Zahoor, the World Economic Forum had made a careful list and published it in 2019. While UAE was ranked 1^st in its region and 25^th worldwide overall, there were differences in the list. According to the list, UAE was ranked in the following order.

●        1^st - mobile phone subscription indicator

●        2^nd - electricity access indicator

●        2^nd - mobile-broadband subscription indicator

●        2^nd - mobile-cellular phone subscription indicator

●        2^nd - ICT adoption pillar

●        4^th - fiber internet subscription indicator

●        7^th -  the quality of roads infrastructure indicator

●        7^th - efficiency of air transport services indicator

●        12^th - infrastructure pillar

 

What were the investments made in infrastructure?

When asked about the investments made in infrastructure, Mr. Umar Farooq Zahoor mentioned how the president had allocated AED 16 billion for the implementation of a comprehensive infrastructure and facilities for the public. To enhance the social and economic progress of the country, and to ensure the highest-quality infrastructure, many investments have been made.

What are the different aspects included in the infrastructure?

1.    Development of roads, bridges, residential lands, villas, dams, fish harbors, construction, etc., are some aspects of the infrastructure.

2.    The national investment for water has been increased to AED 5 billion and AED 700 million for electricity by the President as mentioned by Sheikh Farooq Zahoor.

Projects that have been completed

When asked about the projects that have been completed, Umar Farooq Zahoor answered positively and mentioned that there were many projects that have been completed successfully in the authority’s aim to develop the region.

Thousands of residential units have been developed and many projects related to service and strategic projects have been accomplished. Not only this but 7 hospitals, 3 mosques, 7 dams, 4 harbors, 3 water and disposal projects, 3 water and electricity projects had already been completed till 2014 October.

To develop the infrastructure of UAE, what entities were put in charge?

When Umar Farooq Zahoor was asked about the entities that were involved in the development of UAE’s infrastructure, he answered that there were not only one or two, but many of them to ensure the complete best.

Some of the entities that were put in charge are Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), Emirates Post Group, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ministry of Energy and infrastructure, etc.

What about the local municipalities?

Local municipalities are those who carry out work or supervise works that have been started by the government to develop the infrastructure of the region. Real estate, pools, parks, commercial buildings, urban planning, sanitation, and construction are some areas where local municipalities hold their charge. Sheikh Farooq Zahoor mentioned that there were many local municipalities that were involved in UAE Infrastructure and Vision 2021.

Some local municipalities that were included in the vision are Dubai Municipality, Sharjah Municipality,  Municipality and Planning Department, Fujairah Municipality, etc.