The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now ready for the next cycle of growth following the global economic downturn which had affected the country, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai has said.
“The worst is passed by and now we are looking for the next growth and we have to be ready for it and take the opportunity and get in before the rest of the world,” said Sheikh Mohammed who is also UAE's Vice-President, during the course of an interview with CNN.
“Everything we started, we are going to finish. Maybe some projects that we are thinking of or in the books that might delay for six months, eight months, and one year. But the rest is going forward.”
Sheikh Mohammed said that he was optimistic about rapid growth as infrastructure inside the country had been fully developed. “We're already moving forward. The structure is ready, bridges, roads, tunnels, everything. We don't have to build, so we are ready now to move forward with the country.”
He stressed that the economic recession had not redefined the relationship within the UAE emirates, especially between the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “The relationship between Dubai and Abu Dhabi both ruling family is from the same tribe. So we are one family and the UAE is not only Abu Dhabi and Dubai, there are other five other Emirates and we all look after each other. We are one nation and we are one country and one President.”
Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that competition from energy rich neighbouring countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia would not dampen UAE's growth.