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13 December 2024

Services will reflect growth of Abu Dhabi

Published
By Hamed Al Sewerky

(SAEED DAHLAH)   

 

 

The capital will expand its service sector and provide better service in the next few years, an official said.


The improvement will apply to both government and private sectors, said Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Economy. “Services should reflect the large-scale growth and development being witnessed in Abu Dhabi over the past two years,” he said.

“And they should reflect the civilised and modern image of the capital. The sector needs to develop hand in hand with the ongoing development process.”

The sector includes transportation, distribution, retail, banking and hospitality.

Abdullah said the introduction of a modern taxi fleet in Abu Dhabi was particularly welcomed.

“Abu Dhabi, with its special characteristics and potential, seeks to achieve development through a common programme,” he said.

“Several other sectors will witness big changes in performance and the way they operate.” He said private companies had an important role to play in expanding the economy and boosting trade and investment.


“The Abu Dhabi Government is keen to develop cooperation and promote partnership between the public and private sectors. And the department is keen to introduce modern management criteria and foundations to the private sector so its role can be consolidated.”

He said Abu Dhabi drew up policies with a view to achieving gradual and carefully planned development without any unwelcome surprises. “Our department works according to Abu Dhabi’s general policy agenda for 2007-2008, which was announced by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
 
“The agenda reflects the leadership’s endeavour to serve nationals and expatriates alike and to offer the best services.

“The emirate witnessed high level of growth from 2001 to 2006 in most economic activities thanks to the policies pursued by the government.”

Abdullah said Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product (GDP), including oil and natural gas, registered an annual growth rate of 18.1 per cent over that period.
 
The GDP generated by oil and gas achieved an annual growth of 25.7 per cent, while the figure excluding those items was 10.2 per cent. Imports totalled Dh45.7 billion in 2006 compared to Dh33.1bn in 2004 and Dh35.2bn in 2005.
 
The imports formed 16.2 per cent of foreign trade in 2006, while exports accounted for 82.3 per cent. Re-exports represented 1.5 per cent.

The value of capital goods arriving at Abu Dhabi amounted for Dh21.3bn in 2006, or 46.3 per cent of total imports. Consumer goods were worth Dh14.6bn, or 31.4 per cent of the total.

The Abu Dhabi department is responsible for economic and social planning.

It conducts studies and analyses statistics with a view to modernising economic activity.