Dubai: Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today met with the Finance Ministry’s team to discuss its plans and operations.

The meeting follows His Highness’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the recent cabinet reshuffle. Sheikh Maktoum was accompanied by Minister of State for Financial Affairs His Excellency Mohamed Al Hussaini and former Minister of State for Financial Affairs HE Obaid Al Tayer.

During the visit, HH Sheikh Maktoum paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his contributions to building the country’s financial institutions over the last 49 years. HH Sheikh Maktoum called on the Finance Ministry’s team to continue working to achieve the leadership’s vision. “Ensuring a strong and united federal structure is one of the highest priorities of the UAE’s leadership. In my new role, I am proud to be part of the federal governance of the UAE. I look forward to working closely with various teams to accomplish our mission to usher in a new era of progress in the next 50 years of the journey of our union,” His Highness said.

His Highness said the immense contributions of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid helped consolidate the foundations of the union and create the strong financial base required for the nation’s development journey. “The people of the UAE will never forget the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s role in creating a strong financial base for the country and building robust financial institutions,” His Highness said.

Sheikh Maktoum said the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister of The UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the strategic framework set by the federal government will help the country’s government fulfill the aspirations of its people. “The Ministry of Finance will play a major role in achieving the UAE's 'Principles of the 50,” His Highness added.

Sheikh Maktoum also thanked former Minister of State for Financial Affairs HE Obaid Al Tayer for his efforts to develop the Ministry’s operational frameworks. “I thank Obaid Al Tayer, who worked with the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid for several years. He played a major part in developing the Ministry, setting up strong frameworks for the financial sector, creating strong and efficient budgeting processes as well as building its core team,” His Highness said.

Expressing his confidence in the Finance Ministry’s ability to achieve the leadership’s goals, he said: “The next phase will come with both opportunities and challenges, and we should be ready to respond to them in the best way possible to make a new leap of growth and progress. I will be working closely with you to further enhance our efforts to achieve our goals. I look forward to your ideas and insights, and together we will work to accelerate our development journey so that we can create a glorious future for the people of the UAE,” he added.