UAE appoints new heads of federal committees and representative to UN aviation body

Move comes after recent Cabinet reshuffle aimed at creating a more agile government

The UAE Cabinet was reshuffled in July with a goal to create a government that is quicker in decision-making. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

The UAE appointed two new federal committee heads and approved the accreditation of the country’s permanent representative to the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, named Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi as chairman of the Foreign Direct Investment Committee, according to state news agency Wam.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to further streamline foreign direct investment flows into the country. Sheikh Mohammed also approved the appointment of Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, as chairman of the supreme committee organising the hosting of the Conference on Automation and Robotics in the Field of Construction 2021, Wam reported on Saturday.

Saeed Al Suwaidi was named the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the ICAO, the state news agency said.

The appointments, which come after the last UAE Cabinet reshuffle, are intended to “to advance the work of federal committees and reactivate their role in further enhancing the government work”.

The UAE reshuffled ministerial portfolios and departments in July to create “an agile government quick in solidifying the achievement of our nation”, Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter at the time.

“The new government has one year to meet the new priorities,” he said.

The UAE now has a Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, led by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, and intends to eliminate 50 per cent of government service centres and make them digital portals within two years.

The Ministry of Economy is led by three ministers in recognition of its importance. Abdulla bin Touq is Minister of Economy, Ahmad Al Falasi is Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs and Mr Al Zeyoudi is Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development were merged to become the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, led by Mr Al Mazrouei.

Sheikh Mohammed also set out a new structure for some public institutions. The Federal Water and Electricity Authority, Emirates Post, Emirates Transport and Emirates Real Estate Corp are now attached to the Emirates Investment Authority.

“Anyone who thinks that the world after Covid-19 will be the same as the one before it is mistaken,” he in July.

“The goal is to draw up a plan for the UAE after the Covid-19 crisis, a plan that will ensure that we are the fastest country in recovery.”