Mohammed accepts congratulations

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai today received at Zabeel Palace sheikhs, ministers, heads of government departments and entities as well as senior officials who congratulated Sheikh Mohammed on the UAE’s landmark progress in the latest Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2014-2015 issued by the World Economic Forum (Davos).

The UAE advanced 7 places in the overall competitiveness of its economy within just one year, becoming the 12th most competitive nation globally.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed during the weekly meeting his pride at the advanced rankings the UAE has reached in different walks of life at regional and international levels.

He affirmed that any achievement the UAE makes cannot be possible without the intellectual and creative efforts of the sons and daughters of the UAE, which are enhanced by their confidence, determination and perseverance to defy challenges.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, were present at the meeting which was followed by a luncheon banquet.

''We are aspiring to reach Mars not by power, rather by science, knowledge, strong will and positiveness,” His Highness said, urging Emirati sons and daughters and all community segments each in his place of work to act as one team, and equip themselves with positive energy in order to reach their goal whatever it seems out of reach.

His Highness added: “Emiratis with high ambitions and resolute are those who will write glory and pride to our State, which is now strongly competing for the first place globally. We, leadership, government, entities and people, are capable of making a promising future to our next generations and we have the merit to reach to glory with determination and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan accepted congratulations on the latter's historic victory in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), in France. Sheikh Hamdan clinched the gold medal in the individual championship in the world's biggest equestrian event held in Normandy, France, and which drew 173 finest riders from 47 countries.

A number of poets recited poems praising Sheikh Hamdan as a veteran, skillful, valiant knight.