A ten-day mourning period has been announced in the UAE following the demise of UAE’s Minister of Finance and member of Dubai’s Al Maktoum Royal family, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Highly regarded as one of the pioneers behind Dubai’s robust development and attracting foreign investment in the city, Sheikh Hamdan chaired the UAE’s Ministry of Finance since the country’s inception in 1971, and there’s a great deal of accomplishments the Ministry achieved under his leadership, such as:
-First place ranking regionally in 2018 for ease of doing business.
-First place in Public Finance Policies Index in 2015.
-First place in government efficiency and good management of public finances, according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014.
-First place in “Public Trust in The Government” for the third consecutive year, according to Edelman Trust Barometer 2016.
-First place in country capacity to attract and retain talent in the MENA region according to INSEAD Index 2015 / 2016.
-A high rank among the top 10 countries worldwide in global competitiveness.
Photograph credit: WAM
Besides the Ministry of Finance, Sheikh Hamdan chaired numerous authorities and charities including Dubai Municipality, the Al Maktoum Foundation, Dubai Aluminum, Dubai Natural Gas Company, the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Ports Authority and Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited.
Photograph credit: Dubai Media Office
Reports about Sheikh Hamdan’s health surfaced on the internet last year as he flew abroad her treatments and surgeries. His younger brother, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum often tweeted best wishes for the 75-year-old’s health.
Read: UAE LEADERS WELCOME DUBAI DEPUTY RULER SHEIKH HAMDAN RETURNING BACK AFTER TREATMENT
On 24th March 2021, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away, following condolences and tributes from the Middle East and around the world.
Yesterday, the late Royal’s body was laid to rest at the Umm Hurair cemetery, with scores of Royal family members attending the funeral.
(Featured photograph credit: WAM)
