|
DUBAI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched here on Wednesday a long-term government plan to strengthen the country's reputation and soft power, and to ensure that government revenues rely less on oil, state news agency WAM reported.
Vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, launched the plan, which is named "UAE Centennial 2071."
In order to end the country's reliance on oil, which stands for 29 percent of the Gulf state's gross domestic product, the UAE government will introduce education programs with focus on advanced IT and engineering.
Enhancing the productivity of the national economy and community cohesion are also aspects of the project, said the WAM report.
"We have established a clear strategy for 2021. UAE Centennial goes beyond that with a five-decade vision for future generations that provides the government a clear roadmap for long-term development," said Sheikh Mohammed.
The plan seeks to establish a diversified economy by, among other things, increasing the productivity of the national economy, supporting national companies and investing in research and development in "promising sectors."
The UAE has 10.5 million inhabitants of whom 80 percent are foreigners. The Gulf state is, according to the World Economic Forum in Geneva, the most diversified economy in the Middle East and North Africa as it relies besides oil on trade, logistics, tourism, and real estate and infrastructure investments as sources of pubic income.
