The Economy

     No doubt, the UAE has come a long way in supporting and diversifying the economy, and in developing its non-oil sectors and increasing their share in contributing to the NDP.

The fact that can never be overlooked is that the leadership of Sheikh Zayed has always been inextricably bound with this, both his foresight and profound wisdom. This is attested to by the official policies and the plans drawn to guarantee reducing the dependence of the State on oil as much as possible, and by the way the industrial, commercial and service sectors are supported to achieve this goal. This in turn reveals a qualitative change in the economy. All this will never materialize unless thoroughly studied projects are implemented to contribute to economic diversification and to assist in converting the UAE into a realm where vibrant trade and commercial activities become a way of life.

     With this kind of perspective as a point of departure, the government has carried out significant industrial projects with a focus on the sectors of petrochemicals, manufacturing industries, medium and light industries, in addition to activating private capital. The government has paid attention to increasing its resources by developing the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors along with the oil and gas sectors. It has also adopted free market policies which make of the UAE an important commercial center. Moreover, the government has focused on re-exporting and expanded the sectors of food industries, plastic industries and pharmaceuticals to the point of achieving self-sufficiency in many products and goods.

     Statistics indicate that the UAE maintains a steady annual rate of around 6% in the sphere of economic diversification. The diversification policies have had great results. The tourism sector has grown phenomenally over the last few years. It now represents about 15% of total GDP of the Emirate of Dubai.

     The financial sector is regarded as one of the most important sectors and plays a prominent role in supporting the diversification policies in the spheres of economics, commerce and investment. The UAE enjoys the advantage of an advanced financial sector, comprising 48 local and foreign banks which provide high quality services and contribute considerably to financing projects commercial and activities.

     During the last two years the national economy has proved its great ability to deal with international variables and showed its high flexibility at times of crises. In this context we have to refer to the customs activity which has managed to cope with the economic and trade development. Customs Departments are fighting against time to cope with the development through modernizing their systems, upgrading their infrastructure, and introducing modern technology in their customs operations.

     In the beginning of the eighties, the UAE Customs Council was formed with the aim to coordinate the efforts of the Emirates and create some sort of cooperation in the field of customs in an attempt to unify practices relating to customs in the UAE. This happened when Federal Law No.10 of 1982 was approved by H.H. Sheikh Zayed. The law stipulated that the Customs Council should be under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and based in the capital of the country. The Law stipulates that the Council should cooperate and coordinate its efforts with member Emirates to implement measures necessary for the gradual achievement of on Customs Unity. Over the few last years, the State Customs Council has made several achievements on all levels, be they on the Gulf, Arab or international fronts. No wonder it has become one of the most distinguished Customs systems in the world, one that is identified with commendable relations.

     As far as the Gulf is concerned, the local system of export and re-export has been developed is such a way as to promote compatibility in the Gulf region. As for customs tariffs, a standard model for classifying and tabulating goods in the GCC countries is being pursued which will soon be implemented.

Saadiyat and Economic Diversity
     Saadiyat is one of the projects that represent a gigantic move in consolidating the base of economic diversity, which depends on the strategy of a free economy and activating the economic tools of the State.

     On the basis of the above, the idea of the free zone in Saadiyat has evolved as an expression of the profound futuristic vision of His Highness. The zone is meant to activate trade and economic operations in Abu Dhabi in particular, and in the UAE in general, by establishing an international stock exchange center, a stock market, a brokerage center, a port with storage facilities and a freight airport on the island.

     The free zone on Saadiyat Island, with its strategic location, is considered an achievement of rare quality and a credit to the UAE. This is so because it is the first market for the exchange and storage of goods and raw materials in the region. The idea and objectives of the Saadiyat project owe their existence to H.H. Sheikh Haza' Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has followed the instructions of H. H. Sheikh Zayed.

     No doubt, the Saadiyat project will contribute to creating a balance in the financial and economic strategy of the State in a way that provides new investment channels for the huge liquidity available in the hands of the UAE nationals and expatriates - investments channels that are not obstructed by traditional investment laws. At the same time Saadiyat will be a magnet for attracting foreign funds to different sectors of the national economy.

     The total area of the project is 3500 acres, which is the biggest area allocated to one project in the Middle East. The project was expected to be completed by the end of the year 2000.

Port Zayed
     Throughout its construction and expansion stages, Port Zayed has been fully supported by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Ever since H.H. Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed took over the Abu Dhabi Seaport Authority in 1992, the port's activity and productivity has increased and the port has become one of the most important ports in the region.

     Port Zayed is indeed the gateway of Abu Dhabi and its outlet to the outside world. The Department, under the instructions of H.H. Sheikh Saeed Bin Zayed, is focusing on investing in the unique location and the huge facilities of the port, which qualify it to play a major role in the Arab Gulf region and the Middle East.

     The tasks and functions that are performed by Port Zayed must be viewed within a comprehensive framework, namely, the framework of socio-economic development in the UAE in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular. The port provides essential services to all the sectors of the national economy. These services comprise receiving sea vessels of different types and sizes, handling goods and containers, providing the materials required for development purposes like construction materials, in addition to consumer goods and foodstuffs.

     The Administration of the port has embarked on an extensive development program. The program consists of purchasing container handling equipment, building quays, and establishing a second four-berth container terminal with four platform container cranes. The first nine months of 1998 witnessed a significant growth in the productivity of the port. It increased by 40% compared to the same period in the previous year.

     Port Zayed covers an area of 510 hectares, including 41 hectares for the container terminal with a capacity of 15,000 standard containers at any one time. There are 21 quays for handling project and general cargo, including bulk cargo, roll cargo, projects materials, refrigerated goods and petroleum products. As the modern operations of the container terminal have gained the admiration of shipping lines and importers, so too the operations involving general cargo have gained equal admiration because of prompt handling and quality service. In addition to the four-berth container terminal whose length is 1000 meters, there are 13 quays for general cargo and four quays for marine units with a total length of 3380 meters.

     The general cargo operations are supported by a land area of more than one million square meters and about 139,000 square meters of stores and warehouses including a shed for sea-air cargo with an area of 5250 m2. There are also some spacious storage yards for bulk cargo, wood and machines, in addition to a 60,000-ton silo. Imported refrigerated goods are stored in a store of 5,000 tons capacity and efforts are being exerted to increase the capacity to 15,000 tons. The loading and unloading operations are carried out by an experienced company which employs well-trained manpower and uses state-of-the-art equipment provided by the traffic section of the port.

New Port
     With the aim to support the growing operations of Port Zayed, the Abu Dhabi Seaports Authority has focused on developing a new port in Mussafah. By the end of 1999 a special quay for handling general cargo and project materials is expected to start operating with an annual capacity of 300,000 to 500,000 tons.

     In the Pilotage Section there are qualified pilots with local and international experience, who provide full guidance for all pilotage services for incoming and outgoing vessels round-the-clock, in addition to medical services, radio repair, crew change, supply of fresh water, and many other services.

     The Engineering Authority is in charge of the functions relating to the development operations of Abu Dhabi port and its navigational channels. The development of the port and its navigational channels is based on a plan which began in 1993 and is expected to be completed by 2013.

     Some of the major projects which are incorporated in the development plan have been completed while others are still being implemented by the Engineering Authority. There are plans to renovate the quays, dredging operations, new buildings, technical workshops, refrigerated stores and the deepening and developing of the main channel of the port, as well as developing Mussafah port, the new container terminal, and other service projects.

     At the Computer Section, a team of specialists works on the upgrading of systems to suit the functions of each section at the port. The Computer Section aims at providing assistance in coordinating operations in the port by means of a network linking the port authorities, companies and sea agencies with the mainframe computer. All storage operations are computerized to provide the client with easy access to all cargo data. Importers are provided with a partial cargo delivery service that can then be stored in special chambers.

     The refrigerated store at the port provides major services to importers and exporters of refrigerated and frozen goods. The store consists of 24 chambers whose temperatures suit stored goods. The area of the refrigerated store is around 2795 m2 with a storing capacity of 5500 cubic meters. The growing demand for the storage of refrigerated goods has prompted the Seaports Authority to construct the new refrigerated store with a storage capacity of 15,000 tons.

     To keep in line with the world's tendency towards creating free trade zones, the dhow harbor in Abu Dhabi has been developed and converted into a free port for traditional boats and dhows. These contribute a great deal to promoting trade between Abu Dhabi and most of the Arab Gulf countries, the Indian sub-continent, East Africa and most of the Middle East countries.

Roads Projects

      Al Baladiyat magazine, issued by the Secretariat-General of Municipalities, in its issue No. 227 of April 1999, reports on the roads, bridges, and tunnels in Abu Dhabi, to show the extent of development and growth. Such roads, bridges, and tunnels form the cornerstone of the economy, tourism, urbanization, and beauty of the country.

* Old Airport Road which extends for 15 km from the Corniche to Maqtta Bridge, including two subways for pedestrians, at a total cost of 300 million dirhams;
* New Airport Road extending for 10 km from the Corniche to the bridges and tunnel interchanges near the Maqtta Bridge, at a total cost of 300 million dirhams;
* The 15 km long Eastern Ring Road extending from the Tourist Club area (Al Salam Street) to the interchanges of bridges and tunnels near Maqtta Bridge, at a total cost of 280 million dirhams;
* Western Beach Road with a ring extension to the Corniche (Arabian Gulf Street), with a length of 16 kms and at a cost of 25 million dirhams;
* 2 km long Baynunah Road costing 2 million dirhams;
* 6 km long King Khalid Road and its extension (Al Nahyan Road) costing 60 million dirhams;
* 7 km long Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed the First Road, costing 75 million dirhams;
* 7 km long Sheikh Khalifa Bin Shakhboot Road costing 70 Million Dirhams;
* 3.5 km long Al Karama Road, costing 3 million dirhams;
* 2.5 km long Bani Yas Road costing 25 million dirhams;
* 4.5 km long Sheikh Saeed Bin Tahnoon Street costing 45 million dirhams;
* 4 km long Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Street, costing 40 million dirhams;
* 4 km long Delma Street, costing 40 million dirhams;
* 3.8 km long Sheikh Haza' Bin Zayed Street and its extension (Sudan Street), costing 35 million dirhams;
* 6 km long Al Minhal Street and its extension (Al Falah Street), costing 20 million dirhams;
* 4 km long Zayed the First Street, and its extension (Zayed the 2nd Street), costing 35 million dirhams;
* 4 km long Sheikh Hamdan Street and its extension (Al Nasr Street), costing 35 million dirhams;
* 2 km long Sheikh Khalifa Street, costing 20 million dirhams;
* Internal roads for a number of residential zones in Abu Dhabi.

According to planning, the internal roads of all the residential zones in Abu Dhabi shall be completed by 2002, in accordance with the latest specifications to provide the best facilities.

Bridges and Tunnels Projects
* The tunnel at the interchange of the Old Airport Road with Zayed the First Street;
* Defense Bridge at the interchange of the Old Airport Road with Delma Street;
* The bridge of the Police Directorate-General at the interchange of the Airport Road with Al Sa'ada Street;
* A bridge at Al Bateen Airport roundabout;
* A bridge on the opposite side of the Abu Dhabi International Fair, passing over the Western Beach Road;
* A bridge near the Immigration Administration over the Western Beach Road;
* A tunnel near Maqtta Bridge;
* A number of bridges at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Mussafah and the International Airport interchange;
* Bridges and a tunnel at the end of the Eastern Ring Road securing an access to the city and an exit from inside the city to the facilities in that area and to outside the city.

Traffic Signals
     A network of traffic signals has been established to control the traffic at different road junctions inside the city. It has been set in accordance with an integrated and interconnected network system. It starts from the signals at road junctions that have been divided into the main groups as per geographical position. These groups are connected with main control centers in certain areas of the city, which are also connected with the main control center at Al Salam Street near Abu Dhabi Municipality Building. The system is fully computerized. A number of cameras have been installed at the main junctions. They are automatically operated to take snap shots of cars and vehicles so as to protect the lives of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and others.

     In the early 1990s, especially in 1994, the Road Section witnessed many developments the most significant of which is the great attention given to projects and plans, both present and future ones. This marked the beginning of a march towards development whose core is the adoption of the latest, most sophisticated and standard road construction specifications in developed countries. This has in turn led to the implementation of a comprehensive, development plan which takes into consideration all the requirements till the first quarter of the next century. This plan has includes:

Car Parks
     The construction of multi-storey parking lots in the crowded residential and commercial areas is being implemented, after conducting extensive studies that showed the need for not less than 17 parks of this sort by the year 2010. The work started in 1994 with the construction of a multi-storey park in zone E4/1 behind the Hamed Commercial Centre

     Designs for another four such parks have been approved. The work has already started on one of them - namely, the project of the contract No. 22b located in zone E/3 (near the Omeir Bin Yusuf Mosque) consisting of 3 underground floors with a capacity of 408 parking lots.

     The project of contract No. 66c, which will be located in zone E/5 behind Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has already been opened to tender; it comprises 3 underground floors with the capacity of 837 lots. The project also includes the construction of two small mosques, one for men and the other for women. Two more are expected to be opened to tender. One of them will be located in zone W/5 behind the Baynunah Tower, consisting of 3 underground floors with the capacity of 550 parking lots. The second one will be located at Sector E/8 behind the Zakher Hotel, consisting of 3 underground floors with the capacity of 450 parking lots. In addition to the abovementioned projects, 4 new parking lots in areas which experience over-crowding have been tentatively approved. The first one will be located at Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society building in the Tourist Club area. The second one will be located behind the BHS building. The third one will be located behind the Etisalat Tower and the fourth one will be on the right side of Liwa Street at Sector E/6.

     Specific areas have been allocated to different service facilities at all car parks. These parks, with the kind of services they will provide, will be equal to their counterparts in the most developed cities of the world.

Pedestrian Bridges and Subways
     The construction of pedestrian bridges and subways at the main roads in the over-crowded areas is in progress. Work has already been completed on two subways on the Old Airport Road. The first one is located near the Ministry of Information and Culture and the second one after the Police Directorate-General bridge.

     Work has already started on four new subways. The first is located at Al Falah Street, half way between the old Airport Road and the Eastern Road interchanges. The second one is located at Zayed the Second Street, near Hamed Center. The third one is located at Hamdan Street, near Al Noor Hospital, and the fourth one is located also at Hamdan Street, near the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza Hotel.

     The necessary studies have already been conducted to determine the number and locations of other required bridges and subways. Work has already started on the required designs in preparation to offer them to tender and then start implementing the projects.

Improvement of Traffic on City Main Roads
     To improve traffic on the city main roads many strategies are being executed. These include lanes for free right-hand turns, increasing the length of the lay-by lots, canceling dangerous exits which are located near road interchanges, increasing the number of parking lots, and the construction of a great number of stops for buses and small cars. These works have been completed on Al Salam Street, Old Airport Road, Jazeira Hospital interchange, and the Corniche Hospital main gate. Implementing the project of contract No. 965, which comprises the remaining construction works to improve traffic in the city is already under way.

     The work has already started to construct a number of turns at the bridge of Zayed Sport City. After the completion of these works together with those of contract No. 37B, all the exits on the Western Road can be cancelled for public safety and to avoid dangerous accidents.

Road Projects for New Residential Areas
     There is a plan to build an advanced road network to serve the new residential, commercial and industrial areas in:

- Khalifa City "A"
- Khalifa City "B"
- The present and future Mussafah residential area (Mussafah East).
- The industrial area at Mussafah West.
- Mussafah western area.
- Bani Yas eastern area.
- Mafraq Industrial area.

Projects to Improve the Corniche Road
     The project of the contract No. 25 aims at the improvement and construction of the Corniche Road, the car parking lots and the pavements from Khalidiya roundabout to the Breakwater entrance and Baynunah Tower. Improvement also includes the storm water drainage network and developing service networks like those of Etisalat, electricity, drinking water, irrigation water and sewerage so that they can cope with the rate of development of Abu Dhabi. The road will consist of three lanes with the construction of two subways as per contract No. 25, and two others as per contract No. 25A, which includes, in addition to this, the improvement and construction of the Corniche Road from the interchange AB 61A to the interchange AB 26 after transferring the traffic to the beach side. This will be followed by constructing a seawall, an aluminum barrier, cycling path, landscaping the area, constructing fountains, and lighting roads, parks and pavements. Work will be completed and the road officially opened to traffic in March 2000.

     In addition to landscaping the Corniche Road and technically improving it, a study of the flow of traffic and the safety of the pedestrians and cars has been carried out. This study has led to the replacement of roundabouts by traffic signals, which are safer and more effective. The number of turns has also been reduced to the minimum possible number. Thus, the new Corniche Road passes alongside the beach instead of passing near the residential and commercial buildings that face the beach all along the road.

     It is to be noted that the maquette of the project is of a special nature and that it has been conceptualized with the aim of creating the most beautiful structure out of the project of the new Corniche of Abu Dhabi. All this is to complement the image of Abu Dhabi as the Pearl of the Gulf, and to make available entertainment and tourism sites in the city of Abu Dhabi.

     It is worth mentioning that improving the remaining part of the Corniche Road, that is, the part extending from the boundary of the contract No. 25A to the Sheraton Hotel (Contract No. 10) is still a subject of study and review in order to take a suitable decision before it is offered in a public tender.

Project of the Geographical Information System
     A study has already started on the project of the geographical information system which is based on advanced computer programs and will allow the implementation of an integrated information network for constructed roads. It can be utilized in studying development, traffic control and supervision projects and in proposing maintenance programs to preserve these roads which cost billions of dirhams and to make them serve safely for the longest possible time.

Road Manuals
     Work has been completed on the preparation of a set of road manuals, which include:

* General specifications
* Roads designing manual
* Storm water drainage designing manual
* Soil mechanics manual
* Supervising implementation manual
* Procedure manual consultancy offices
* Traffic signs and signals manual
* Manual of the extension of services by the non-disruptive method (NDM).

     A number of these manuals will be distributed among government authorities, as well as circulated to the specialized consultancy offices to be implemented on all road works.

The Specifications of Tiles
     The tiles used on roads and pavements in Abu Dhabi city are exposed to great damage as a result of adverse climatic factors and weather conditions. This has led to conducting extensive studies in coordination with all related authorities to find a solution to this problem. In the light of the findings of these studies, improved specifications have been approved and circulated to all consultants and manufacturers so that they abide by them.